The Fountain Opened, Part 1 · Doctrine 5
DOCTRINE V. There will be a more peculiar Opening of Chri… as a Fountain of Life, when the JEW… ſhall be Called.
THat the Propheſy contained in this and the foregoing Chapter, hath a ſpeci… reſpect to that Nation, who were the Poſte… ty of Abraham, according to the Fleſh, is g… nerally agreed on by Chriſtians, and acknowledged by their own Writers; and that wh… ſoever Earneſts there have been, yet th… co… pleat accompliſhment of it, is ſtill to come.
There are two Propoſitions in this Doctri… which may be briefly illuſtrated, viz.
1. That there is a great and general Calling … the JEWS yet to come.
2 That when that time comes, there ſhall … more peculiar Opening of this fountain.
PROPOSITION. I.
That there is a great and general Calling of the JEWS yet to come. As there was a time whe… God rejected them, for the horrible contemp… which they caſt upon Chriſt and his Goſpe… in which they were made a ſcorn and a r… proach to the world, and were diſperſed fro… one end of the earth to another; ſo there … a time come when there ſhall be a National return of them to God, and they ſhall accept of Chriſt for their Lord and Saviour. The …ruth of this hath been, and ſtill is denyed, and ſtrenuouſly oppugned by ſome; and the ſeemingly long delay of it, hath made many to heſitate about it; and it is not to be wondred at, for Chriſt predicted, Luk. 18. 8. When the Son of Man cometh, ſhall he find faith … the Earth? Which ſome have interpreted to have a reſpect to the belief of this truth. But there are others who with as great vigour defend it, and have ſolidly confuted all the pretended pleadings againſt it; and although it be not a Fundamental Article of Sal…ation, yet there is ſo much of Conſolation ariſing from it to the people of God, in theſe dark days of tribulation upon the Church of Chriſt, that it is worth our while a little to refreſh our ſelves with the ſpeculation of it: And here let me premiſe, That this truth is purely of Revelation, and the Credit of it depends entirely on the Divine Teſtimony; we muſt therefore Search the Scriptures, i… we would know whether it be ſo. And among many Scripture confirmations of it, give me leave to offer a few Conſiderations; and to make way to this. Obſerve,
1. That there are many texts of Scripture which are to be underſtood of the Spiritual Iſrael. The whole myſtical body of Chriſt, made up of both Jews and Gentiles, are frequently called the Iſrael of God, and the Seed of Abraham This muſt not be denyed; for, as God firſt Choſe that Nation to be a peculiar people to himſelf; ſo he hath ſeen meet to put their Name upon the Church, even in Goſpel times: and there are ſome places that cannot bear another interpretation; See, Gal 6. 16 Peac… be on them, and on the Iſrael of God. We are told of a Jew outwardly, and one that is ſ… inwardly, Rom. 2. 28. And in Chap. 9. 6. All are not Iſrael that are of Iſrael Accordingly there are Propheſies in which Goſpel Ordina… ces are repreſented under legal expreſſions, b… muſt be ſpiritually interpreted; ſuch is tha…, Mal. 1. 11 In every place incenſe ſhall be offer… unto my Name, and a pure offering. And ſo… think that the laſt Eight Chapters in the Propheſies of Ezekiel, are ſo to be underſtood.
2. There are Promiſes made to the Jews which did properly refer to their return from Babylon. There was ſuch a return afforded them after their Captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, and God before hand gave them many ſupports, and encouraging promiſes about it, wherein he prefixed the …ime when, and the manner how it ſhould be brought about; and there are many di…courſes in the Prophets which had a proper and direct aim at it: we are therefor… told how Daniel, by reading of theſe Proph… ſies, & making a Calculation from them, cam… … know that time to be near its accompliſh…ent, Dan. 9. 2. I Daniel underſtood by books the …mber of the years, &c that he would accompliſh …enty years in the deſolation of Jeruſalem.
3. There are Predictions of glorious Things in the Goſpel day, that had a ſpecial reference to the P…wer and Efficacy of the word in the Apoſtles …. The bringing in of the Goſpel diſpenſation, and the great changes that were …rought thereby, was a matter of Admiration, … was therefore often foretold in the Old-T…ament: and on this account we are acquain…ed that theſe and thoſe things were the fulfilling of ſuch and ſuch Propheſies: particularly, the aſtoniſhing giving of the Holy Ghoſt, appearing in the Fiery Tongues given the Apoſtles ſoon after Chriſts Aſcention, of which Peter gives that account, Acts 2. 16. &c. This is that which was ſpoken by the Prophet Joel, &c.
4. There are Texts of Scripture that have their ſ…veral degrees of accompliſhment. Though there be but one thing that is ultimately deſigned in them, and till that be brought about, they are not compleatly fulfilled; yet they ſhall be exemplified in ſome preludious Providences, that ſhall carry in them a Specimen of the ſame thing; and are, as it were, Earneſts of what is to come; and ſo one and the ſame word may be ſaid to have been accompliſhed more than once: though that which it mainly intended is ſtill expected; which might be inſtanced in dive…s particulars
Now from what hath been ſaid, we may proceed to the thing in hand: and in general▪ obſerve, That though there be a Myſtical ſenſe in ſome Propheſies about Iſrael, yet they go too far, who would reſtrain all altogether to this, as thoſe do who deny this Doctrine: yea there is a Compound ſenſe in many of theſe things, and they aim both at the one and the other: and though divers things did refer to the return from Babylon, yet not all, but ſome look farther; yea even thoſe that engroſs that in them, have a longer reach in them, many of them: and though ſome things had their fulfillment in the days of Chriſt & his Apoſtl… yet others had not, but ſtill remain to be brought to paſs; and thoſe which then had a b…ginning have a greater f…llneſs behind; and that the calling of the JEWS is one of theſe will be evident, if we conſider.
1. That there is a Calling of the JEWS m… tioned diſtributively with that of the Gentiles; and therefore it muſt be literally underſto…, with reſpect to that Nation, and cannot be reſtrained to the Myſtical body of Chriſt, which comprehends all of both ſorts in it. This is deſignedly handled by the Apoſtle in, Rom. 11. The thing he there aims at, is to ſhew tha… God hath not utterly caſt off that Nation, an… he argues it from the reaſon of their being … o…, Verſe 11, 12. Have they ſtumbled that they ſhould fall? God forbid, &c. He therefore aſſerts that there will be a time wh…n they ſhall be reſtored again to a Church ſtate, and return into favour with God; for which he alſo brings Scripture evidence, Verſe 25, 26. Blindneſs in part is hapned to Iſrael, until the fulneſs of the Gentiles be come in; & ſo all Iſrael ſhall be ſaved as it is written, &c. Nor can theſe things be underſtood Allegoricall… without violence done to the whole ſcope of the context.
2. There is a Calling of the JEWS foretold to be in the days of the Goſpel. Their call and return from Babylon was before Chriſts coming in our fleſh, but there is another ſpoken of which is to be after that, and therefore God makes mention of doing it a ſecond time, Iſa. 11. 11, 12. The Lord ſhall ſet his hand again the Second time, to recover the remnant of his people from Aſſyria, and from Egypt, &c. And he ſaith that this ſhall come to paſs in that day: which the whole context aſſures us, is the day of the Goſpel after Chriſt had appeared in our nature: and doubtleſs whatſoever was Propheſied con…erning that People, after their return to their Land muſt look forward; and many things cannot be underſtood of any but the Goſpel day: and ſuch is our Text and Context; inaſmuch as Zechariah was one of theſe Prophets who Propheſied to the returned Captivity … and the tenour of this particular Viſion of …i… points us to the day when Chriſt had been Crucified among them.
3. There is … Calling of the JEWS mentioned▪ that is to be after they had been Rejected, and Diſſipated, for their Deſpiſing of Chriſt. And therefore the Caſting them off, or unchur…hing them, and this return of theirs are joyned together; yea the Apoſtle in the forecited Rom. 11. brings this in as a relief againſt deſpond… cy, with reſpect unto t… former, where he purpoſely▪ ſpeaks of their being cut off, and … us that they ſhall be grafted in again: … …ee in particular, Verſe. 15, 16. and Verſe 24. This alſo is the Call which our Text points to, a… … evident from, Chap 12. 10 &c Chriſt th… fore ſo ſpeaks of their Rejection as that whi… had a limited time, Luk. 21. 24. Jeruſa… ſhall be trodden▪ down of the Gentiles, until t… …mes of the Gentiles be fulfilled▪
4. There is a National Calling of them ſpo… of. There were indeed many of them effectually Called by▪ Chriſt and his Apoſtles, and many that believed in thoſe days; Three th… ſand were added at one time. Acts 2. 41. And Five thouſand … another time, Acts 4 4 Beſide… many more upon other occaſions; Acts 2. 4. The Lord added dayly to the Church ſuch as ſhould be ſaved. But all this while the N…tion ſtood …ff, and did no… embrace Chriſt; that ther… fore is yet to come On this account the Apoſtle in, Rom. 11. having in the beginning … the Chapter proved that they were not utterly caſt off, becauſe there were ſo many called already, proceeds from Verſe 11. to t…ll us of a more general return o… them, and aſſures us … it ſhall be All Iſrael▪ Verſ… 26. Not as if every individual ſhall thus be Saved but the body of that Nation that ſhall then be living.
5 There are ſuch things aſſerted in the word of God concerning this Call, as have never yet been …compliſhed. The happy ſtate of that forlorn Nation, is ſo ſet forth as it never arrived to, after their return from Babylon, till their being …ut off from being a People by the Romans. To this we may refer the Propheſy in, Iſa 65. 1…. to end. And that, Hoſ. 3. 4, 5. And that, Zech 12. 6, 7, 8. Which muſt needs refer to times yet unfulfilled, for hitherto they are the moſt ſcattered, contemptible and ſcorned people in the whole World, and have ſo continued for more than Sixteen hundred years.
6. To all let me add, That the Providence of God▪ towards them is to be adored, in that they remain to be a diſtinct People to this day Notwithſtanding all the Calamities that have befallen them, and the horrible Diſperſions of them upon the face of the Earth, yet they keep themſelves a Separate People in Life, manners, and cuſtoms, divers from other Nations; which certainly muſt be for ſome glorious end deſigned by the all-wiſe God: and what ſhall we ſuppoſe it to be, but that which is thus fore ſignifyed?
PROPOSITION. II.
That when that time comes, there ſhall be a more peculiar Opening of this Fountain. The… is ſomething to be done in that day, which was never before done in this regard; and that muſt be with regard to the manner and degree of the manifeſtation and application of it. We may take a brief account of this affair in the following Concluſions.
1. That there are happy Times predicted for the Church, after her wilderneſs estate ſhall be o…. As there was a time, when after God had brought his People out of Egypt, they went through the wilderneſs, in order to their g… rious Settlement in Canaan, ſo we are told of the Goſpel Church, that ſoon after its bei… called it ſhould go into the wilderneſs, and … there for a prefixed time, Rev. 12. 6. The … men fled into the wilderneſs, where ſhe had a pl… prepared of God, that they ſhould feed her ther… … thouſand two hundred and threeſcore days. But God hath promiſed to it in this world, a mo…e glorious Conſpicuous ſtate after theſe days are ended; and this is celebrated in the four laſt Chapters of that book: and this by ſome is ſuppoſed to be aimed at in, Cant. 8. 5. Who is this that cometh up from the wilderneſs, lea… upon her beloved? It being a thing that ſhal… be very ſurprizing to all that ſhall obſerve …. Hitherto alſo may that have a ſpecial reference▪ Pſal. 85. 3. Glorious things are ſpoken of thee, Oh City of God.
2. That theſe glorious things have not as yet befallen it in their compleat Accompliſhment. I dare not deny, but that there are ſome things ſpoken in the Scriptures concerning the Church of God, that muſt be referred to the Triumph…t ſtate of it, and it would be a deluſion to apply them to its Militancy. There muſt alſo be an allowance made for our ſuppoſing the Spirit of God, who condeſcends to ſpeak to …s in our own Language, to uſe Hyperbolical expreſſions▪ and ſet forth the better condition of the Militant Church upon Earth, with words borrowed from the ſtate of Glory to which it ſhall at length arrive: but we muſt not think that he goes about to delude us with flouriſhing Promiſes, and then put us off with low and little performances. There have indeed been wonderful accompliſhments for the Church in theſe latter days, peculiarly ſince the beginning of the Reformation; but theſe are little in compariſon with the things foretold to be brought to paſs; we are therefore to look for a tranſcendently greater Glory behind, and making haſt to appear. Who ſhall read, Iſa 60. throughout, and particularly from Verſe 18. to the end. And Chap 11. 6, &c. with many other Propheſies of a like import? he muſt confeſs that there is more yet to be expected.
3. That theſe days are to be contemporary with the Calling of the Jews, and the fulneſs of the Gentiles. and the deſtruction of Anti-Chriſt. In what order theſe ſhall be brought about, I diſpute not; but God will doubtleſs prepare the way to the deſtruction of the Man of Sin who ſtands in the way, by giving an enlarged Commiſſion for the Preaching of the Everlaſting Goſpel, which ſhall Call his out of Babylon, and convince the Great Ones of their egregious folly in giving their power to the Beaſ… and provoking them to reaſſume it; which Preachign ſhall alſo Call in the Nations of the World that at preſent are Unconverted; by which the JEWS ſhall likewiſe be affected, and perſwaded to come in with them un… Chriſt Theſe things to be ſure will be cloſely connected, and one of them follow upon th… other. The Apoſtle tells us, Rom. 11. 25. Blindneſs in part is hapned to Iſrael, till the fulneſs of the Gentiles be come in; and verſe 30. 31. As ye in times paſt have not believed God, yet now have obtained mercy through their unbelief, even ſo have theſe alſo now not believed, that through your mercy, they may alſo obtain mercy. And now it is that theſe bleſſed days ſhall Commence: and therefore when the Whore is Judged, great Salvations come in, and the Jews are brought in, together with the Gentiles to Celebrate it with their Hallelujah's, Rev. 19. 1, 3, 4, 6. And now ſhall the Sealed Ones, both … the Jews and Gentiles appear in their luſtre.
4. That the Happineſs of thoſe times will be …ainly Spiritual. Not but that there will be an External Glory then afforded to the Church of God; that is the time when God will ſay to Zion, ariſe and ſhine, Iſa. 6…. 1. Then will that prediction be fulfilled in, … 2. 2. The Mountain of the Lords Houſe …all be eſtabliſhed in the top of the Mountains, and ſhall he Exalted above the Hills, and all Nations ſhall flow to it; and that, Pſal. 72. …. The Mountains ſhall bring forth peace to the people; and v. 7. In his days ſhall the Righte… flouriſh and abundance of peace▪ ſo long as the Moon endureth. Then ſhall Satan be bound, …d the haters of God ſhall feign Obedience, and …s enemies lick the duſt: Then will that be underſtood and experienced, Ezek. 28. 24. There ſhall be no more a pricking briar… unto the Houſe of Iſrael, nor any grieving thorn, &c. But the great glory of theſe times will be, that Grace will then flouriſh, and holineſs abound. Chriſt told Pilate, Job. 18. 36. My Kingdom is not of this world: And Holineſs will mainly difference that from all elſe; it is therefore ſaid of theſe times, Zech. 14. 20, 21. In that day there ſhall be upon the bells of the Horſes, Holineſs to the Lord, &c.
5. The Spiritual felicity of thoſe days will flow from the more full opening of Chriſt the Fou… tain: For,
1. All Spiritual Good derives from Chriſt to …. We have none in us naturally; as he purchaſed for us all that we have, ſo he conſers it upon us: it is of his fulneſs that we receive, Job. 1. 16. What therefore he gives, we derive from him, and therefore our encreaſes are proportionable to his Communications to us; if he with holds from us, we wither, and go to decay, but if he ſhall influence us liberally, we ſhall flouriſh.
2. There have been the gradual Communications of this good to the Church and People of God in all Generations. This fountain hath been and continueth opened to ſome or other o… fallen men from the beginning; and the m… nifeſtations and operations of it have be… ſometimes more, ſometimes leſs: but the… will be more of it than ever in theſe days; yea it will then arrive to a fulneſs, not of a… ſolute, but comparative perfection.
3. The glory of theſe days, in regard of the fulneſs of the opening of this fountain, will be ſeen in two things.
1. In reſpect of Light. This ſhall be the evening of the Goſpel day, of which we are told, Zech. 14 6, 7. It ſhall come to paſs in that day, that the light ſhall not be clear, nor dark; but it ſhall be one day, that ſhall be known to the Lord, not day nor night; but it ſhall come to paſs that at evening time it ſhall be light. The ſhadows will fly away, and then ſhall that word …e accompliſhed and take place, Hab. 2. 14. The Earth ſhall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the Sea: Then ſhall all differences in judgment between Gods People ceaſe, & that be fulfilled, Zeph. 3. 9. Then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to ſerve him with one conſent▪
2. In reſpect of Efficacy. The vertue of this fountain ſhall then appear abundantly; the pardoning and ſanctifying influence of it ſhall …e to admiration, Ezek. 37. 9. Every thing that …veth, which moveth, whitherſoever the rivers ſhall come, ſhall live. The Spirit will then …ightily accompany the diſpenſation of the Goſpel, and Converſions will not be ſo rare and dubious as now they are, nor the lives of Chriſtians ſo barren, but then will thoſe Propheſies have a wonderful accompliſhment, Iſa. 12. 15, &c. Chap. 35. 10. &c. Theſe are ſome of the precious things to be expected in that day.
USE I. This Doctrine affords matter of great Conſolation to the Children of God under the preſent evil days. And truly the promiſe and faith of theſe days, have given great light and comfort to Gods Children in former times, under the darkeſt diſtreſſes that they met with; how much more may it now do ſo to us in theſe times of great Searchings of heart? If we look on the preſent ſtate of Chriſtianity in the world, it appears with a black face; and if we ſtint our ſpeculations here, it will ſink us in deſpondency; but let us look forward, and we may gather abundant refreſhment. Conſider then,
1. There are better times yet to come. It is night at preſent, and the terrours of it are apt to affright us; but the Day will break, and let us refreſh our ſelves with that conſideration, Pſal. 30. 5. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. God hath ſaid in Pſal. 125. 3. The rod of the wicked ſhall not … upon the lot of the righteous. And the Pſalm reſolves; Pſal. 102. 13. Thou ſhalt ariſe, … have mercy upon Zion; and 94. 14. The L… will not caſt off his people, neither will he forſake his inheritance. The whole Creation groans for this day, and we ought to live upon the hope it, Rom. 8. 19, 23, Nor need we to fear whether it ſhall be accompliſhed, for God hath engaged in it; and we are told, Iſa. 9. 7. The zeal of the Lord of Hoſts will perform this.
2. It will not be long before theſe days Commence. Although we cannot tell the day, or month, or year when that time ſhall be, yet we are fully aſſured that it is haſtening. We are told in the Apoſtles days, Heb. 10. 37. Y… a little while and he that ſhall come, will come and will not tarry. How many of the preliminary predictions, of things that were to intervence and make way to it, have already received their fulfilment? and we may expect that God will make a ſhort work of it, when it draws nigh its accompliſhment. Nor need the preſent face of things, though diſmal, affright us; or make us think it afar off, for …ow often is the darkeſt part of the night …ſt before the day breaks? and therefore the Church acknowledgeth, Pſal. 126. 1. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were … thoſe that dream.
3. Let us then much pond…r of the Happineſs of …ſe days, and refreſh our weary ſpirits therewith…l▪ The thing is ſure, determined, and cannot fail; let then our faith give a preſent ſub…ſtence to the things thus hoped for, and our meditation feed it ſelf comfortably with them: let us for this end conſider with great delight of the things that are then to be expected. Then ſhall the JEWS come over to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, whom they have ab…ured, Zech. 12. 10. &c. Then will, they ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward; then their Graves ſhall be opened, and they ſhall pay homage to their Lord Redeemer. Then ſhall the Gentiles be called in plenty; then will that word take place, Pſal. 2…. 27. All the ends of the world ſhall remember and …rn to the Lord, and all the kindreds of the Nations ſhall worſhip before thee; and that, Hoſ, 1. 10. It ſhall come to paſs that in the place where it was ſaid unto them, ye are not my people, there it ſhall be ſaid unto them, ye are the Sons of the Living God. Then will God gloriouſly accompliſh that promiſe, Pſal. 2. …. Ask thou of me, and I ſhal… give thee the Heathe… for thine inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for thy poſſeſſion. Then will the Su… of Righteouſneſs appear in his Meridia… brightneſs, and diſpel the miſts of ignorance, errour, and ſuperſtition; then will that prayer of the Church be anſwer…d, Pſal. 67. 2. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy ſaving health to all Nations. Then will all the differences in the Church of Chriſt be adjuſted, and their contentions will ceaſe about the different ways and modes of Worſhip, which at preſent not a little diſturb the Churches tranquillity Zech 14. 9 In that day there ſhall be one Lord, and his name one. No… any more ſhall the noiſe of hammers and a… be heard in the building of Gods Temple: It will be a very▪ peaceable and flouriſhing ſtate of the Church, when there ſhall be neither adverſary nor evil occurrent. And ſhall not the belief of theſe things revive our fainting ſpirits, and make us to wait patiently through theſe driery hours of trouble?
USE II. We alſo have here a Rule by which to judge of the times. Every one is ready to make his remarks on the times that he lives in, & which paſs over him, & to judge of them whether the days are good or evil: The generality of men take their meaſures from the obſervation of outward Providence; if there be o…tward peace & plenty, they call them happy days; if outward diſtreſs and trouble, they call them evil: but we have a better Rule, and more ſafe for Chriſtians, and that is, to judge according as this fountain is opened amongſt us. The more of Chriſt that a people enjoy, the happier are they, and the leſs he is known and acknowledged in his great deſign of Mediatorſhip, the greater is the infelicity of ſuch a people; and by this Rule I believe the times are evil in the moſt places that are called Chriſtian; inaſmuch as it is a day wherein the greateſt number of thoſe that ſhould preach the Doctrines of Chriſt, of Redem…ion, Juſtification, Sanctification, and Eternal Life to be obtained by him, and ſo to be the inſtruments of opening the Fountain to men; do rather endeavour; to obſcure them, by perverting the great Doctrine of …uſtification by his Righteouſneſs alone, and confounding New Covenant Obedience with meer Morality, or a legal Righteouſneſs. How contrary are theſe things …o thoſe which will be the glory of the Times of refreſhment!
USE. III. For Exhortation to the People of God in two particulars.
1. Be Exhorted to Pray much and earnestly for the Converſion of the JEWS. This duty ſeems to be too much neglected in theſe days; and poſſibly one great reaſon of it is, becauſe the belief of this Article runs ſo low in the Chriſtian world Be we then rouſed up to this duty: and there are theſe Conſiderations which are very profitable for this end.
1. The thing is a matter of Faith, and ſo … Calls for Prayer. It as a truth not to be doubted of, ſince God hath given us the aſſurance of it in his word, and we ought to Receive his Teſtimony, and thereby Set to our Seal that … is True. Now the things that we believe, becauſe God hath promiſed them, and which are future, are ſuch things as are proper for … to pray for: they are good in themſelves, an… worth the deſiring; & the ſtrength of Prayer … in this belief: yea this is the way in which God hath ſaid that he will communicate the good promiſed to his people, Ezek 36. 37 I will yet for this be enquired of by the houſe of Iſrael, to do it for them.
2. They once Prayed for us, we therefore o… this duty to them. There was a time whe… God only knew them of all the Families of t… earth; the Gentiles were far off: then the… prayed that we might be brought in to Chriſ… fold; and among others, Pſal. 67. is a Prayer the Church of the Jews on this account: …rely then it is but a due requital for us to …ray for them.
3. Their Miſerable Condition Calls for it. They …e objects or compaſſion, and every tender …eart cannot but condole them: nor is it like …o be better with them till the happy day of …eir Converſion cometh. And well may we … a like expoſtulation which Chriſt, the An…el of the Covenant once did for them of old …hen in diſtreſs, Zech. 1. 12. O Lord of hoſts, … long wilt thou not have mercy on Jeruſalem; againſt which thou haſt had indignation.
4. The Benefit which ſhall come with their Con…ſion to the Gentile Churches, is our great encou…gement to importunity in it. There was no …itle advantage by their caſting off, but the Apoſtle aſſures us that their grafting in ſhall be tranſcendently more, Rom. 11. 15. If the …aſting away of them be the reconciling of the world, …hat ſhall the receiving of them be, but life from …e dead? Surely then we pray for our ſelves, when we pray for them; and one would think that Intereſt would not ly.
5. Theſe happy Times are to be uſhered in by Prayer. God is well pleaſed in our Praying for them, Pſal. 122. 6. Pray for the Peace of Jeruſalem; they ſhall proſper that love thee. And he hath told us, that ſuch a ſpirit ſhall be preparatory to that happy day, and help to bring it in; Iſa. 62 6, 7. I have ſet watchmen upo… they walls, O Jeruſalem, which ſhall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord keep not ſilence, and give him no reſt, till he eſtabliſh, and till he make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth. When therefore God ſhall pour out ſuch a ſpirit of Prayer on his people in this regard, it will be a bleſſed Prognoſtick of that glorious time, haſtening.
2. Let it encourage all that are Godly to lea…e their Children behind them with Faith and Comfort. We are ſome of us going off the ſtage, and are very ſollicitous what ſhall become of ours when we are gone. There are many ſadning conſiderations that appear in our view, which do ſometimes fill us with perplexity; but let ſuch as fear God look through and beyond the preſent diſcouragments, and comfort themſelves with ſuch thoughts as theſe: not only do we leave our Children to a good God, a Covenant keeping God, whoſe truth and faithfulneſs we may ſafely rely upon; but it is comfort for us to think that that day is not far off; and though we may not live to ſee the dawnings of it, yet our Poſterity may ſee the breaking of it, and partake in the happy benefits that it ſhall bring to the Church of God: to nouriſh our …ai…h with the contemplation of the glorious diſpenſations which there ſhall be in that day, when God will bring his Church out of darkneſs, into light, and take them out of the horrible pit, and ſet their feet upon the …ock: and then to remember, that the Children of the faithful have a ſpecial intereſt in the bleſſings of that day, according to the promiſe, Iſa. 54. 13. All thy Children ſhall be taught of God, & great ſhall be the Peace of thy Children▪ Let us then in faith do our duty to them whiles we live, and when we dy, let us rejoyce in this hope, that there are better times coming on, when God ſhall bring back his peoples Captivity; when he who cannot ly, will give being to that precious word, in which he hath made us to hope, Pſal. 69. 35, 36. God will ſave Zion, and will build the Cities of Judah, that they may dwell there, and have it in poſſeſſion: the ſeed alſo of his Servants ſhall inherit it, and they that fear his Name ſhall dwell therein.