is the feafon in which God is pleased to write difappointment on their hopes, and to fend defolation upon their land. This remarkable circumstance ought to animate us, who profefs to be his people, to hope in his mercy, and to truft in his providence.

32 What fhall one then anfwer the meffengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people fhall truft in it.

In

The fervants of the Moft High are here directed, what answer to give thofe who might be fent to inquire into the causes which contributed to afford them fafety, whilft deftruction laid waste the powerful kingdoms of the earth. The prophet, having foretold the overthrow of the Affyrian empire, and the defolation of the land of Palestine, naturally fuppofes, that meffengers would be fent from fome of the furrounding nations, either of Moab or Ammon, Egypt or Tyre, to learn, whence it came to pass that Judah was preferved, even when neighbouring kingdoms confpired their deftruction? and why they, in their turn, were not also overthrown. The inquiry is both natural and curious, and deserves a proper reply. form us, might they fay to the men of Judah, whence it is, that you are fafe and fecure at home, and renowned abroad, whilft many powerful kingdoms are razed to their foundations? To inquiries of this fort fome might be inftigated by envy, which is a turbulent, inquifitive paffion, accompanied with anxiety and jealoufy. This remark was exemplified in the tranfactions which paffed between Sanballat the Horonite, and Nehemiah the Tirfhatha. The inquiries which are made concerning the welfare of the church, doth not always proceed from affection, and a tender folicitude for their profperity. In fome cafes, they arise from envy and vexation at the felicity and exal

* See Neh. iv. 1.

1

tation of those who are contemned and despised by the world around them, who wish nothing more than their fubverfion and ruin.- -Others might be prompted by timidity. Fear, which is ever folicitous and inquifitive, is always anxious to be acquainted with every circumftance relative to its object: though it is often increased by the information it receives, it cannot refrain from diligent fearch. Timorous difpofitions generally incline them who act under their influence, minutely to inquire into the condition of thofe of whom they are afraid. When God brought forth his people out of the land of bondage, that he might fettle them in a comfortable state, the tents of Cufhan were in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble*. When their mouth was filled with laughter, and their tongue with finging, then faid they among the Heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them: they faw them, fo they marvelled, they were troubled, they hafted away: fear took hold upon them there +. Thus envy and fear induce men to fearch into the condition of the church of God.

What fhall one then anfwer the meffengers fent on this errand? What ought one to reply, in fuch an emergency? The words ftand in the form of an interrogation, which feems intended to give them peculiar force and energy; and to intimate, that a proper anfwer ought always to be in readinefs for thofe who afk information on this fubject. Confider what reply you ought to give to those who may inquire concerning the difpenfations of divine providence and grace, in which you are deeply interested. Though to us, many of God's ways of righteousness and mercy are unfearchable, yet ignorance, inattention, and folly, are frequently the causes to which we may afcribe the obfcurity of our apprehenfions concerning them. Ilfounded prejudices, and difordered affections, unhap

pily perplex our minds; and often hinder us from forming juft fentiments refpecting divine difpenfations, and from giving proper anfwers to those who interrogate us on thefe fubjects. Happy had it been for king Hezekiah, and his pofterity, had that prince given the meffengers, fent to him from Babylon, to congratulate him on his recovery, a fuitable reply, and then difmiffed them.The following words fuggeft a proper anfwer to this inquiry:

The Lord bath founded Zion, &c. He eftablished upon its bafis the literal mount Zion, wherein the folemn exercises of his worship were anciently performed, fo that it can never be removed. He hath alfo founded the fpiritual Zion of his church, comprehending the holy nation, the peculiar people, the royal priesthood, the chofen generation, whom he hath fet apart for himfelf. The church is as firmly founded upon Jesus Christ, the Rock of ages, as Zion is established upon the broad basis on which it ftands. The gates of hell, the adverfe powers of this earth, fhall never prevail againft it: the raging of the Hea then, and the moving of the kingdoms, fhall not be able to overthrow it. The Lord, who is wonderful in counfel, mighty in ftrength, and excellent in working, hath laid the foundations thereof; the Highest hath himself established them. God is in the midst of this great, fpiritual building; he is the refuge and ftrength thereof: Jefus Chrift is the fure foundation which God hath laid, whereupon it is fupported, and therefore it fhall never be moved. It derives ftability from the promises of him who is faithful and true; and the arm of Omnipotence hath formed around it an impregnable defence. This is the proper anfwer to give to the meffengers who inquire into the causes of the prefervation, fecurity, and perpetuity of the church of God. No mention is made of human power and prudence: nothing is afcribed to the wif dom and ftrength of man, to riches, armies, local fituation, or any fuch circumftances. All their fafety

is attributed to Jehovah, whofe difpenfations of providence are all defigned to promote the establishment of his church. Doth a wicked nation profper? their profperity fits them for being a rod, to chaften his people for their fins, or for affording them fhelter from their enemies. Is a hation weakened or deftroyed? by this judgment, they may be recompenfed for the controverfy which they had with Zion. Indeed the preservation of the people of God, that they may ferve and glorify him in the world, is the great aim of providential difpenfations.

And the poor of his people fhall trust in it. The perfons fpoken of, are defcribed as poor, on account of their mean external condition in the world, their internal poverty of fpirit, and lowlinefs of mind. For these reasons, this character is often given them in fcripture: thus faith the Lord, by the prophet Zephaniah, I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted

and poor people, and they fhall truft in the name of the Lord *.-Concerning perfons of this defcription, it is foretold, they fhall truft in it; or, as the Hebrew word fignifies, and is tranflated in the margin of fome Bibles, they fhall refort or retreat, they fhall betake themselves to it. This is the obvious meaning of the word, in Pfal. xxxvi. 7. where the inspired writer affirms, that, on account of the excellency of God's loving kindness, therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings;' thither they refort for protection and comfort. From thefe remarks, we may learn the import of the expreffion before us. Since the Lord hath founded Zion, and always continues to fupport and maintain, the interests of his church, the poor and needy, among his people, ought for ever to confide in his power and faithfulness, who hath done this great work, to acquiefce in all his difpenfations, and to build their faith, hope, and joy, on the fure

* Zeph. iii. 12.

foundation

foundation which is laid by the Lord God Omnipotent.—Since then Jehovah hath thus founded Zion, and taketh care of the indigent among his people, let us truft in him for direction and protection, for liberty and peace, with every needful blefling. Amidst all the changes and revolutions which bury in ruins nations and empires, the church of God fhall endure throughout all ages. No weapon that is formed against it fhall ever profper. It is a city founded and protected, not by human, but by divine power and providence: its builder and maker is God. It is prepared, by infinite wisdom and love, for the reception of all who love God's falvation, who are poor in fpirit, and flee thither for protection from impending calamities, that they may enjoy desirable tranquillity, facred liberty, and permanent felicity." Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord *."

* Pfal. cxviii. 19.

VOL. II.

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PRELIMI