Isaiah 62:12

REFLECTIONS

OH! for a portion of that holy zeal, which inflamed the minds of the faithful of old, when they preferred Zion, and her interests, above their chief joy! But now, alas! it may be said, in the language of the Prophet, Zion hath none to guide her, among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any to take her by the hand, of all the sons she hath brought up. Alas! what a day of languishing is Zion now in! Oh! that the Lord would take to himself his great name, and come forth in his own glorious cause, conquering and to conquer; that those sweet promises might be fulfilled, when his land should no more be termed forsaken, nor be found desolate; but that Zion's walls might become salvation, and her gates praise!

And oh! ye watchmen, whom our God hath set upon the walls of his Jerusalem, see to it, that ye hold not your peace, day nor night! Speak to the people for God and his Christ; and speak to our God, for his people in Christ. Ye know the vast, the infinite importance of your situation, and the awful responsibility in which the service of the sanctuary placeth you. Like watchmen, therefore, do ye not only watch over your own souls, but over the souls of the people. Look well to their state, to their order, and discipline. Mark well how others walk with Christ, and in Christ. See the tendencies of the Lord in his word, in his providence, in his grace, to his Church and people. Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people. Observe, and tell the people of the motions and advances of the enemy upon the ramparts of Zion; and above all, look up with holy earnestness and importunity to the Great King of Zion, and wrestle with him in prayer, that when the enemy cometh in like a food, the Spirit of the Lord may lift up a standard against him. Blessed Lord Jesus: make thy Zion, thy Church, as thou hast here said, the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, and as a city that thou hast sought out, and which shall never be forsaken!