Section IV. The Obligations Of Rulers, Ministers, And All Sorts
To Promote This Work.
AT such a time as this, when God is setting his King on his holy hill
of Zion, or establishing his dominion, or showing forth his regal glory
from thence, he expects that his visible people, without exception, should
openly appear to acknowledge him in such a work, and bow before him, and
join with him. But especially does he expect this of civil rulers: God's
eye is especially upon them, to see how they behave themselves on such
occasions. When a new king comes to the throne, if he comes from abroad,
and enters into his kingdom, and makes his solemn entry into the royal
city, it is expected that all sorts should acknowledge him; but above
all others is it expected that the great men, and public officers of the
nation, should then make their appearance, and attend on their sovereign,
with suitable congratulations, and manifestations of respect and loyalty.
If such as these stand at a distance at such a time, it will be much more
noticed; and will awaken the prince's jealousy and displeasure much more,
than such a behaviour in the common people. And Thus it is, when that
eternal Son of God, and heir of the world--by whom kings reign, and princes
decree justice, and whom his Father has appointed to be King of kings--comes
as it were from far, and in the spiritual tokens of his presence enters
into the royal city of Zion. God has his eye at such a time, especially,
upon those prices, nobles, and judges of the earth, spoken of, Prov. Viii.
16. To see how they behave themselves, whether they bow to him, who is
made the head f all principality and power. This is evident by Psal. ii.
6, 7, 10-12. "Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. I
will declare the decree; the Lord hat said unto me, Thou art my Son, this
day have I begotten thee.--Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed,
ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and ye perish from the way, when his wrath
is kindled but a little." There seems to be in the words an allusion
to a new king coming to the throne, and making his solemn entry into they
royal city, when it is expected that all, especially men in public office
and authority should manifest their loyalty, by some open and visible
tokens of respect, by the way, as he passes along; and those that refuse
or neglect it, are in danger of being immediately struck down, and perishing
from the way, by which the king goes in solemn procession. The day
wherein God, in an eminent manner, sends forth the rod of Christ's strength
out of Zion, that he may rule in the midst of his enemies, the day of
his power wherein his people shall be made willing, is also eminently
a day of his wrath, especially to such rulers as oppose him, or will not
bow to him. It will prove a day wherein he "shall strike through
kings, and fill the places with the dead bodies, and wound the heads over
many countries," Psal. cx. And thus it is, that when the Son of God
"girds his sword upon his thigh, with his glory and his majesty,
and in his majesty rides prosperously, because of truth, meekness, and
righteousness, his right hand teaches him terrible things." They
were the princes of Succoth especially who suffered punishment, when the
inhabitants of that city refused to come to the help of the Lord. When
Gideon was pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, we read that Gideon took
the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness, and briers, and
with them he taught the men of Succoth. It is especially noticed, that
the rulers and chief men of Israel, were called upon to assist in the
affair of bringing up the ark of God; they were chiefly consulted, and
were principal in the management of the affair, 1 Chron. xiii. 1. "And
David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with
every leader." And chap. xv. 25. "So David and the elders of
Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the
covenant of the Lord, out of the house of Obed-Edom, with joy." So
2 Sam. Vi. 1. And so it was when the ark was brought into the temple,
(1 Kings viii. 1, 3. and 2 Chron. v. 2, 4.) And as rulers, by neglecting
their duty at such a time, will especially expose themselves to God's
great displeasure; so by fully acknowledging God in such a work, and by
cheerfully and vigorously exerting themselves to promote it, they will
especially be in the way of receiving peculiar honours and rewards at
God's hands. It is noted of the princes of Israel, that they especially
appeared to honour God with their princely offering, on occasion of setting
up the tabernacle of God in the congregation of Israel. I have observed
already that this was done at the time of the feast of tabernacles, and
was a type of the tabernacle of God being with men, and his dwelling with
men in the latter days. And with what abundant particularity is it noted
of each prince, how much he offered to God on that occasion, for their
everlasting honour, in the 7th chapter of Numbers! And so,
with how much favour and honour does the Spirit of God take notice of
those princes in Israel, who came to the help of the Lord, in the war
against Sisera! Judg. v. 9. "My heart is towards the governors of
Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people." And,
(ver. 14.) "Out of Machir came down governors." (ver. 15.) "and
the princes of Issachar were with Deborah." And in the account we
have of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, Neh. iii. It is particularly
noted what a hand one and another of the rulers had in this affair; such
a part of the wall was repaired by the ruler of the other half-part of
Jerusalem, and such a part by the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem, and
such a part by the ruler of part of Bethzur; and such a part by the ruler
of Mizpah, ver. 9-19. And there it is particularly noted of the rulers
of one of the cities, that they put not their necks to the work of the
Lord, though the common people did; and they are stigmatized for it in
the sacred records, to their everlasting reproach, (v. 5.). "And
next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks
to the work of the Lord." So the Spirit of God, with special honour,
takes notice of princes and rulers of several tribes, who assisted in
bringing up the ark, Psalm lxviii. 27. And I humbly desire it may
be considered, whether we have not reason to fear, that God is provoked
with this land, because no more notice has been taken of the late glorious
work by the civil authority; that no more has been done by them as a public
acknowledgment of God in this work, and no more improvement of their authority
to promote it. This might have been done, either by appointing a day of
public thanksgiving to God for so unspeakable a mercy, or a day of fasting
and prayer, to humble ourselves before God for our past deadness and unprofitableness
under the means of grace, and to seek the continuance and increase of
the tokens of his presence. Can it be pleasing to God, that the civil
authority have not so much as entered upon any public consultation, what
should be done to advance the present revival of religion, and great reformation
that is begun in the land? Is there not danger that such a behaviour,
at such a time, will be interpreted by God, as a denial of Christ? If
but a new governor comes into a province, how much is there done, especially
by those who are in authority, to put honour upon him! They arise, appear
publicly, and go forth to meet, to address, and congratulate him, and
with great expense to attend and aid him! If the authority, or a refusing
to receive and honour him as their governor? And shall the head of the
angels, and Lord of the universe, come down from heaven, in so wonderful
a manner, into a land; and shall all stand at a distance and be silent
and inactive on such an occasion? I would humbly recommend it to our rulers
to consider whether God does not now say to them, "Be wise now, ye
rulers; be instructed, ye judges of New England: kiss the Son, lest he
be angry, and ye perish from the way." It is prophesied, Zech.
xii. 8. That, in the glorious day of the Christian church, the house of
David, or the rulers in God's "Israel, shall be as God, as the angel
of the Lord, before his people." But how can such rulers expect to
have any share in this glorious promise, who do not so much as openly
acknowledge God in the work of that Spirit, by whom the glory of that
day is to be accomplished? The days are coming, when the saints shall
reign on earth, and all dominion and authority shall be given into their
hands; but, if our rulers would partake of this honour, they ought, at
such a day as this, to bring their glory and honour into the spiritual
Jerusalem, agreeable to Rev. xxi. 24. But, above all others, is God's
eye upon the ministers of the gospel, as expecting of them, that they
should arise, acknowledge, and honour him in such a work as this, and
do their utmost to encourage and promote it. For this is the very business
to which they are called and devoted; it is the office to which they are
appointed, as co-workers with Christ. They are his ambassadors and instruments,
to awaken and convert sinners, and establish, build up, and comfort saints;
it is the business they have been solemnly charged with, before God, angels,
and men, and to which they have given up themselves by the most sacred
vows. These especially are the officers of Christ's kingdom, who, above
all other men upon earth, represent his person; into whose hands Christ
has committed the sacred oracles, holy ordinances, and all his appointed
means of grace, to be administered by them. They are the stewards of his
household, into whose hands he has committed to them, as a flock of sheep
are committed to the care of a shepherd, or as a master commits a treasure
tot he care of a servant, of which he must give an account. It is expected
of them, above all others, that they should have understanding of the
times, and know what Israel ought to do; for it is their business to acquaint
themselves with things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and to teach
and enlighten others in the same. We who are employed in the sacred work
of the gospel ministry, are the watchmen over the city, to whom God has
committed the keys of the gates of Zion; and if, when the rightful King
of Zion comes to deliver his people from the enemy that oppresses them,
we refuse to open the gates to him, how greatly shall we expose ourselves
to his wrath! We are appointed to be the captains of the host in this
war; and if a general will highly resent it in a private soldier, if he
refuses to follow him when his banner is displayed, and his trumpet blown;
how much more will he resent it in the officers of his army! The work
of the gospel-ministry, consisting in the administration of God's word
and ordinances, is the principal means that God has appointed for carrying
on his work on the souls of men; and it is his revealed will, that whenever
that glorious revival of religion, and reformation of the world, so often
spoken of in his word, is accomplished, it should be principally by the
labours of his ministers. Therefore, how heinous will it be in the sight
of God, if, when a work of that nature is begun, we appear unbelieving,
slow, backward, and disaffected! There was no sort of persons among the
Jews treated with such manifestations of God's great displeasure, and
severe indignation, for not acknowledging Christ, and the work of his
Spirit, in the days of Christ and his apostles, as the ministers of religion.
See how Christ deals with them for it, Matt. xxiii. With what gentleness
did Christ treat publicans and harlots, in comparison of them! When
the tabernacle was erected in the camp of Israel, and God came down from
heaven to dwell in it, the priests were above all others concerned, and
busily employed in the solemn transactions of that occasion, Lev. viii.
and ix. And so it was at the time of the dedication of the temple by Solomon,
(1 Kings viii. and 2 Chron. v. vi. and vii.) which was at the time of
the feast of tabernacles, the same as when the tabernacle was erected
in the wilderness. And the Levites were primarily and most immediately
concerned in bringing up the ark into mount Zion; the business properly
belonged to them, and the ark was carried upon their shoulders, 1 Chron.
xv. 2. "Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the
Levites; for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to
minister unto him for ever." and (ver. 11, 12.) "And David called
for Zadock and Abiather the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah,
and Joel, Shemmiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, and said unto the, Ye are
the chief of the fathers of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, both ye
and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel,
unto the place that I have prepared for it." So we have an account
that the priests led the way in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, after
the Babylonish captivity, Neh. iii. Though ministers preach never
so good doctrine, and be never so painful and laborious in their work,
yet if they show to their people that they are not well-affected to this
work, but are doubtful and suspicious of it, they will be very likely
to do their people a great deal more hurt than good. For the very fame
of such a great and extraordinary work of God, if their people were suffered
to believe it to be his work, and the examples of other towns, together
with what preaching they might hear occasionally, would be likely to have
a much greater influence upon the minds of their people to awaken and
animate them in religion, than all other labours with them. Besides, their
ministers' opinion will not only beget in them a suspicion of the work
they hear of abroad, whereby the mighty hand of God that appears in it
loses its influence upon their minds; but it will also tend to create
a suspicion of every thing of the like nature, that shall appear among
themselves, as being something of the same distemper that is become so
epidemical in the land. And what is this, in effect, but to create a suspicion
of all vital religion, an to put the people upon talking against and discouraging
it, wherever it appears, and knocking it on the head as fast as it rises.
We, who are ministers, by looking on this work from year to year with
a displeased countenance, shall effectually keep the sheep from their
pasture, instead of doing the part of shepherds by feeding them; and our
people had a great deal better be without any settled minister at all,
at such a day as this. We who are in this sacred office had need
to take heed what we do, and how we behave ourselves at this time: a less
thing in a minister will hinder the work of God, than in others. If we
are very silent, or say but little about the work, in our public prayers
and preaching, or seem carefully to avoid speaking of it in our conversation,
it will be interpreted by our people, that we, who are their guides, to
whom they are to have their eye for spiritual instruction, are suspicious
of it; and this will tend to raise the same suspicions in them; and so
the forementioned consequences will follow. And if we really hinder and
stand in the way of the work of God, whose business above all others it
is to promote it, how can we expect to partake of the glorious benefits
of it? And, by keeping others from the benefit, we shall keep them out
of heaven; therefore those awful words of Christ to the Jewish teachers,
should be considered by us, Matt. xxiii. 13. "Woe unto you, for you
shut up the kingdom of heaven;--for ye neither go in yourselves, neither
suffer ye them that are entering, to go in." If we keep the sheep
from their pasture, how shall we answer it to the great Shepherd, who
has bought the flock with his precious blood, and has committed the care
of them to us? I would humbly desire of every minister that has long remained
disaffected to this work, and has had contemptible thoughts of it, to
consider whether he has not hitherto been like Michal, without any child,
or at least in a great measure barren and unsuccessful in his work: I
pray God it may not be a perpetual barrenness, as hers was. The times
of Christ's remarkably appearing in behalf of his church, to revive religion,
and advance his kingdom in the world, are often spoken of in the prophecies
of Scripture, as times wherein he will remarkably execute judgements on
such ministers or shepherds as do not feed the flock, but hinder their
being fed, and so will deliver his flock from them, (Jer. xxiii. throughout,
and Ezek. xxxiv. throughout, and Zech. x. 3. and Isa. lvi. 7, 8, 9, &c.)
I observed before, that Christ's solemn, magnificent entry into Jerusalem,
seems to be designed as a representation of his glorious coming into his
church, the spiritual Jerusalem; and therefore it is worthy to be noted,
to our present purpose, that Christ at that time cast out all them who
sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers,
and the seats of them that sold doves; signifying that, when he should
come to set up his kingdom on earth, he would cast out those out of his
house, who, instead of being faithful ministers, officiated there only
for worldly gain. Not that I determine, that all ministers who are suspicious
of this work, do so; but I mention these things to show why it is to be
expected, that a time of a glorious outpouring of the Spirit of God to
revive religion, will be a time of remarkable judgments on those ministers
who do not serve the end of their ministry. The example of the unbelieving
lord in Samaria should especially be for the warning of ministers and
rulers. At the time when God turned an extreme famine into great plenty,
by a wonderful work of his, the king appointed this lord to have the charge
of the gate of the city; where he saw the common people, in multitudes,
entering with great joy and gladness, loaden with provision, to feed and
feast their almost famished bodies; but he himself, though he saw it with
his eyes, never had one taste of it, but, being weak with famine, sunk
down in the crowd, and was trodden to death, as a punishment of God for
his not giving credit to that great and wonderful work of God, when sufficiently
manifested to him to require his belief. -- Ministers are those whom the
King of the church has appointed to have the charge of the gate at which
his people enter into the kingdom of heaven, there to be entertained and
satisfied with an eternal feast, i.e. ministers have the charge of the
house of God, which is the gate of heaven. They should especially
take heed of a spirit of envy towards other ministers, whom God is pleased
to use for carrying on this work more than they; and that they do not
from such a spirit, reproach some preachers who have the true spirit,
as though they were influenced by a false spirit--or were bereft of reason,
were mad, and proud, false pretenders, and deserved to be put in prison
or the stocks, as disturbers of the peace--lest they expose themselves
to the curse of Shemaiah the Nehelamite, who envied the prophet Jeremiah,
and in this manner reviled him, in his letter to Zephaniah the priest,
Jer. xxix. 26, 27. "The Lord hath made thee priest in the stead of
Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the Lord,
for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest
put him in prison, and in the stocks. Now therefore, why hast thou not
reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?"
His curse is denounced in the 32d ver. "Therefore thus saith the
Lord, Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehemalite, and his seed; he
shall not have a man to dwell among his people, saith the Lord, because
he hath taught rebellion against the Lord." All superiors or elders
should take heed, that at this day they be not like the elder brother,
who could not bear that the prodigal should be sumptuously entertained,
and would not join in the joy of the feast. He was like Michal, Saul's
daughter, offended at the music and dancing that he hear; the transports
of joy displeased him; it seemed to him to be an unseemly and unseasonable
noise; and therefore stood at a distance, sullen, and much offended, and
full of invectives against the young prodigal. It is our wisest and
best way, fully, and without reluctance, to bow to the great God in this
work, and to be entirely resigned to him, with respect to the manner in
which he carries it on, and the instruments he is pleased to use. Let
us not show ourselves out of humour, and sullenly refuse to acknowledge
the work in its full glory, because we have not had so great a hand in
promoting it, or have not shared so largely in its blessings, as some
others. Let us not refuse to give all that honour which belongs to others
as instruments, because they are young, or are upon other accounts much
inferior to ourselves and others; and may appear to us very unworthy that
God should put so much honour upon them. When God comes to accomplish
any great work for his church, and for the advancement of the kingdom
of his Son, he always fulfils that scripture, Isa. ii. 17. "And the
loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of man shall
be made low, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day." If
God has a design of carrying on this work, every one, whether he be great
of small, must either bow to it, or be broken before it. It may be expected
that God's hand will be upon every thing that is high, and stiff, and
strong in opposition; as in Isa. ii. 12-15. "For the day of the Lord
of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every
one that is lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, and upon all the
high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, and upon every
high tower, and upon every fenced wall." Not only magistrates
and ministers, but every living soul, is now obliged to arise and acknowledge
God in this work, and put to his hand to promote it, as they would not
expose themselves to God's curse. All sorts of persons throughout the
whole congregation of Israel, great and small, rich and poor, men and
women, helped to build the tabernacle in the wilderness; some in one way,
others in another; each one according to his capacity: every one whose
heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing; all
sorts contributed and all sorts were employed in that affair, in labours
of their hands, both men and women. Some brought gold and silver, others
blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen; others offered an offering
of brass; others, with whom was found shittim-wood, brought it an offering
to the Lord; the rulers brought onyx-stones, and spice, and oil; and some
brought goats' hair, some rams' skins, and others badgers' skins. (See
Exod. xxxv. 20, &c.) And we are told, ver. 29. "The children
of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman,
whose heart made them willing." And thus it ought to be in this day
of building the tabernacle of God; with such a willing and cheerful heart
ought every man, woman, and child, to something to promote this work;
those who have not onyx-stones, or are not able to bring gold or silver,
yet may bring goats' hair. As all sorts of persons were employed
in building the tabernacle in the wilderness, so the whole congregation
of Israel were called together to set up the tabernacle in Shiloh, after
they came into Canaan, Josh. xviii. 1. And the whole congregation of Israel
were gathered together, to bring up the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim.
Again, they were all assembled to bring it up out of the house of Obed-Edom
into mount Zion; so again, all Israel met together to assist in the great
affair of the dedication of the temple, and bring the ark into it. So
we have and account, how that all sorts assisted in the rebuilding the
wall of Jerusalem, not only the proper inhabitants of Jerusalem, but those
that dwelt in other parts of the land; not only the priests and rulers,
but the Nethinims and merchants, husbandmen and mechanics, and even women,
Neh. iii. 5, 12, 26, 31, 32. And we have an account of one and another,
that he repaired over against his house, ver. 10, 23, 28. And one that
repaired over against his chamber, ver. 30. So now, at this time of the
rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, every one ought to promote the work
of God of Jerusalem, every one ought to promote the work of God within
his own sphere, and by doing what belongs to him, in the place in which
God has set him. Men in a private capacity may repair over against their
houses; and even those that have not the government of families, and have
but a part of a house belonging to them, should repair each one over against
his chamber. Every one should be engaged to do the utmost that lies in
his power, labouring with watchfulness, care, and diligence, with united
hearts, and united strength, and the greatest readiness to assist one
another in this work; as God's people rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem, who
were so diligent in the work, that they wrought from break of day till
the stars appeared, and did not so much as put off their clothes in the
night. They wrought with great care and watchfulness; with one hand they
laboured in the work, and with the other they held a weapon, besides the
guard they set to defend them. They were so well united in it, that they
appointed one to stand ready with a trumpet in his hand, that, if any
were assaulted in one part, those in the other parts, at the sound of
the trumpet, might resort to them, and help them. Neh. iv. Great
care should be taken that the press should be improved to no purpose contrary
to the interest of this work. We read, that when God fought against Sisera,
for the deliverance of his oppressed church, they that handle the pen
of the writer came to the help of the Lord in that affair, Judges v. 14.
Whatever sort of men in Israel were intended, yet, as the words were indicted
by a spirit that had a perfect view of all events to the end of the world,
and had a special eve in this song, to that great event of the deliverance
of God's church in the latter days, of which this deliverance of Israel
was a type, it is not unlikely that they have respect to authors, who
should fight against the kingdom of Satan with their pens. Those therefore
that publish pamphlets to the disadvantage of this work, and tend either
directly or indirectly to bring it under suspicion, and to discourage
or hinder it, would do well thoroughly to consider whether this be not
indeed the work of God; and whether, if it be, it is not likely that God
will go forth as fire, to consume all that stand in his way; and whether
there be not danger that the fire kindled in them will scorch the authors.
When a people oppose Christ in the work of his Holy Spirit, it is because
it touches them in something that is dear to their carnal minds, and because
they see the tendency of it is to cross their pride, and deprive them
of the objects of their lusts. We should take heed that at this day we
be not like the Gadarenes, who--when Christ came into their country in
the exercise of his glorious power and grace, triumphing over a legion
of devils, and delivering a miserable creature that had long been their
captive--were all alarmed, because they lost their swine by it; and a
whole multitude of the country came, and besought him to depart out of
their coasts. They loved their filthy swine better than Jesus Christ;
and had rather have a legion of devils in their country with their herd
of swine, than Jesus Christ without them. This work may be opposed
in other ways, besides by directly speaking against the whole of it. Persons
may say that they believe there is a good work carried on in the country;
and may sometimes bless God, in their public prayers, in general terms,
for any awakenings or revivals of religion there have lately been in any
part of the land; and may pray that God would carry on his own work, and
pour out his Spirit more and more; and yet, as I apprehend, be in the
sight of God great opposers of his work. Some will express themselves
after this manner, who are so far from acknowledging and rejoicing in
the infinite mercy and glorious grace of God in causing so happy a change,
that they look on the religious state of the country, take it on the whole,
much more sorrowful than it was ten years ago; and whose conversation,
to those who are well acquainted with them, evidently shows, that they
are more out of humour with the state of things, and enjoy themselves
less, than they did before ever this work began. If it be manifestly thus
with us, and our talk and behaviour with respect to this work be such
as has though but an indirect tendency to beget ill thoughts and suspicions
in others concerning it, we are opposers of the work of God. Instead
of coming to the help of the Lord, we shall actually fight against him,
if we are abundant in insisting on and setting forth the blemishes of
the work; so as to manifest that we rather choose and are more forward
to take notice of what is amiss, than what is good and glorious in the
work. Not but that the errors committed ought to be observed and lamented,
and a proper testimony borne against them, and the most probable means
should be used to have them amended; but insisting much upon them, as
though it were a pleasing theme, or speaking of them with more appearance
of heat of spirit, or with ridicule, or an air of contempt, than grief
for them, has no tendency to correct the errors; but has a tendency to
darken the glory of God's power and grace appearing in the substance of
the work, and to beget jealousies and ill thoughts in the minds of others
concerning the whole of it. Whatever errors many zealous persons have
ran into, yet if the work, in the substance of it, be the work of God,
then it is a joyful day indeed; it is so in heaven, and ought to be so
among God's people on earth, especially in that part of the earth where
this glorious work is carried on. It is a day of great rejoicing with
Christ himself, the good Shepherd, when he finds his sheep that was lost,
lays it on his shoulders rejoicing, and calls together his friends and
neighbours, saying, Rejoice with me;. If we therefore are Christ's friends,
now it should be a day of great rejoicing with us. If we viewed things
in a just light, so great an event as the conversion of such a multitude
of sinners, would draw and engage our attention much more than all the
imprudences and irregularities that have been; our hearts would be swallowed
up with the glory of this event, and we should have no great disposition
to attend to any thing else. The imprudences and errors of poor feeble
worms do not prevent great rejoicing, in the presence of the angels of
God, over so many poor sinners that have repented; and it will be an argument
of something very ill in us, if they prevent our rejoicing. Who loves,
in a day of great joy and gladness, to be much insisting on those things
that are uncomfortable? Would it not be very improper, on a king's coronation
day, to be much in taking notice of the blemishes of the royal family?
Or would it be agreeable to the bridegroom, on the day of his espousals,
the day of the gladness of his heart, to be much insisting on the blemishes
of his bride? We have an account, how at the time of that joyful dispensation
of Providence, the restoration of the church of Israel after the Babylonish
captivity, and at the time of the feast of tabernacles, many wept at the
faults which were found amongst the people, but were reproved for taking
so much notice of the blemishes of that affair, as to overlook the cause
of rejoicing. Neh. viii. 9-12. "And Nehemiah which is the Tirshatha,
and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people
said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God, mourn
not nor weep: For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the
law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet,
and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared; for this day
is holy unto the Lord; neither be you sorry, for the joy of the Lord is
your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your
peace, for the day is holy, neither be you grieved. And all the people
went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make
great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared
unto them." God doubtless now expects, that all sorts of persons
in New England, rulers, ministers, and people, high and low, rich and
poor, old and young, should take great notice of his hand in this mighty
work of his grace, and should appear to acknowledge his glory in it, and
greatly to rejoice in it, every one doing his utmost, in the place where
God has set them in, to promote it. And God, according to his wonderful
patience, seems to be still waiting to give us opportunity thus to acknowledge
and honour him. But, if we finally refuse, there is not the least reason
to expect any other than that his awful curse will pursue us, and that
the pourings out of his wrath will be proportionable to the despised outpourings
of his Spirit and grace. |