[God works by means: and it is by a blessing upon our efforts that he will accomplish his own gracious purposes. In this view, the answer which he gives to the petitions of his Church on this subject is very remarkable. The Church, in terms the most appropriate that can be imagined, entreats him to arise and execute this great work: " Awake, awake, Oarm of the Lord! awake as in the ancient days, in the gene- rations of old! &c. &c.z" And what is his reply? Does he content himself with renewing his promises to fulfil their desire in due season? No: he says, " Awake, awake! stand up, O Jerusalem11!" and again, "Awake, awake! put on thy strength, O Zion! shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit clown, O Jerusalem! loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zionb!" And so far is our entire de- pendence upon him from being a reason for listless inactivity, that it is the strongest reason for putting forth our utmost exertions : we must " work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, because it is God who worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure0." Let all of us then awake for the occasion, and inquire, What we can do for the advance- ment of the Gospel, either at home or abroad? How can we aid the different Societies that are established for these ends ? Let us consider our time and our talents, our wealth and our influence, yea, our bodies and our souls, as consecrated to the Lord, and as to be disposed of by him in such a way as shall be most subservient to his glory. Then, if we live not to see the Temple of our God erected, we shall at least have the comfort of having provided materials for it : and at all events we shall secure to ourselves a rich reward ; for God himself in our text assures us, that " they shall not be ashamed that wait for him."]
z Isai. li. 9, 10. a Isai. li. 17.
> Isai. Hi. 1, 2. " Phil. ii. 12, 13.