This day hath our compassionate Redeemer opened unto us a door of liberty, liberty to us to preach, and liberty for you to hear the glad tidings of the Gospel. This is a day few looked for; how often have I said in the years that are past, God hath no more work for me to do, and I shall have no more strength and opportunities to work for God? And how often have you said in your hearts, we have sinned our Ministers out of their Pulpits, and our eyes shall no more behold those our Teachers? But lo, beyond the thoughts of most hearts, a wide (and I hope) an effectual door is now opened in the midst of us. Oh! that it might be to us as the Valley of Achor was to Israel, for a door of hope: Hosea 2. 15. (i. e.) not only making the troubles they met with in that Valley an Inlet to their mercies, as ours have been to us; but giving them that Valley pignoris ⟨p. 2⟩nomine, as a pledge of greater mercies intended for them. Upon the first appearance of this mercy, my next thoughts were how to make the most fruitful improvement of it amongst you, lest we should twice stumble at the same stone, and sin our selves back again into our old bondage.
THis day hath our compassionate Redeemer opened unto us a door of liberty, liberty to us to preach, and liberty for you to hear the glad tydings of the Gospel. This is a day few looked for; how often have I said in the years that are past, God hath no more work for me to do, and I shall have no more strength and opportunities to work for God? And how often have you said in your hearts, we have sinned our Ministers out of their Pulpits, and our eyes shall no more behold those our Teachers? But lo, beyond the thoughts of most hearts, a wide (and I hope) an effect•al door is now opened in the midst of us. Oh! that it might be to us as the Valley of Achor was to Israel, for a door of hope: Hosea 2. 15. (i. e.) not only making the troubles they met with in that Valley an Inlet to their mercies, as ours have been to us; but giving them that Valley pignoris ⟨p. 2⟩nomine, as a pledge of greater mercies intended for them. Upon the first appearance of this mercy, my next thoughts were how to make the most fruitful improvement of it amongst you, lest we should twice stumble at the same stone, and sin our selves back again into our old bondage.
