Even St. Paul cried, "Who is sufficient for these things?" Much more may inferior ministers adopt his language. Who- ever knows his own insufficiency for so great a work, must often have felt it a source of discouragement, and almost of despondency.]
2. The invisible temple also which God is erecting in men's hearts, is retarded by many difficulties and obstructions —
[ The Christian finds many outward impediments. The terroi-s and allurements of the world have great influence, and every Christian is, more or less, beset with these. Many, after running well for a season, are turned aside by them : yea, all find them obstacles very difficult to be surmounted. He has also many inward difficulties to encounter. The believer still feels sad remains of corruption within him. These are ever counteracting the efforts of his better principle6, and he is often apprehensive that sin will regain its dominion. Above all, he finds his strength to be perfect weakness. He has learned by bitter experience, how weak he is. He has found, how his strongest resolutions have failed him. Hence he is led to fear, that he shall not persevere to the end.]
But whatever obstructions there be to God's work, God will manifest, II. Their utter inefficacy to arrest its progress —
God enabled Zerubbabel to proceed in spite of all opposition. Nor will He suffer any obstacles to counteract his designs —
1. The visible temple of his Church shall still be carried on —
[In the first ages of Christianity the Gospel was victorious. Neither the lusts nor prejudices of men could withstand its power. The very persecutions raised against it were over- ruled by Him to promote its progressf : nor did the weakness of those who preached it prevent its success. That promise had then a glorious accomplishment8 — . So now neither open nor secret assaults shall prevail against the Church. Of this we are assured by Him who governs allh.]
2. The invisible temple also shall be advanced in
our hearts —
[The work has hitherto been maintained, notwithstanding the most unpromising appearances. It has often been advanced
e Gal. v. 17. f Acts viii. 1, 4. and Phil. i. 12—14.
s Ps. lxxii. 10. b Matt. xvi. 18.