But she is preserved by an invisible, but almighty Protector —
[Jehovah himself interposes on her behalf. He preserves her, as the bush in the midst of the flames, burning, but not consumed d. He protects his Church in general, that " the gates of hell may not prevail against her ;" and he keeps all her members in particular, that none may be ever plucked out of his hande.]
Nor shall we tremble for her future welfare, when we consider, II. What prospect she has of continued preservation —
The same Jehovah who says, " I do keep her," adds also, " I will" He promises (still keeping up the metaphor of a vineyard),
1. Culture —
[In a country that had only periodical rains, pools or reservoirs of water were indispensably necessary for the pre- servation of the vines in a season of drought. The Church too, and all the plants that are in it, need to be watered by God's wordf, and Spirits. Now God promises that he will take this care upon himself, and execute the work, as it were, with his own hands. Yea, inasmuch as we need fresh supplies of grace, not only every day, like a vineyard, but every moment, (as we need the light of the sun,) God suits his promise to our necessities, and tells us he will water us " every moment."]
2. Protection —
[Our care in cultivating a vineyard would be in vain, unless we also protected it from those who would destroy it. Thus the Church, and every individual believer, would in vain receive the culture, if it did not enjoy also the protection, of heaven. But God promises to afford his people continual, and effectual protection. He will guard them "night and day" (for " he neither slumbers nor sleeps") and will keep them, not only from destruction, but from any real injury : " No weapon formed against them shall ever prosper11."]
We learn from hence,
1. Where to look in the midst of national cala- mities1—
d Exod. hi. 2. e Matt. xvi. 18. John x. 29. Ps. xlvi. 5.
f 1 Cor. iii. 6. Deut. xxxii. 2. e Isai. xliv. 3, 4.
h Isai. liv. 17.
1 This is proper for a time of war : and if it be not used, the latter head may be changed thus — We have here matter, 1. For grateful