god's care for his church.
Isai. xxvii. 3. I the Lord do keep it : I will water it every moment : lest any hurt it, I loill keep it night and day.
GOD has provided abundant consolation for his Church in seasons of the greatest trial : and he calls upon her to enjoy her privileges and to celebrate them in " a responsive songa," in firm expectation of safety, amidst the most awful and desolating judg- ments.
The first part of the song, which is begun by Je- hovah himself, leads us to shew,
I. Whence the Church derives her security —
The Church, like a vineyard, is set apart in order to a more careful cultivation —
[This idea is elsewhere more fully opened by the same prophet b : and it well illustrates the care taken to separate the Church from the world at large, and the exertions made to render her fruitful in the fruits of righteousness.]
At the same time she also resembles a vineyard, in that she is exposed to the assaults of many who would destroy her —
[A vineyard, however carefully fenced in, may have its fences broken down, and its plants destroyed, if it be not watched and guarded0. And the Church is open to the incur- sion of numerous and potent enemies, who would soon destroy her, if she were not protected from their assaults.]
a ver. 2. should rather have been translated, " Sing ye to the be- loved vineyard a responsive song."
b Isai. v. 1,2. c Isai. v. 5, G. Ps. lxxx. 8—16.