God's work in founding Zion, and his peoples duty thereupon. A sermon preached in…

Say others lastly, that the people of God be delivered from the hands of their cruel enemies, that they may serve the Lord without fear all the days of their lives, in righteousness and holiness, that notwithstanding their present differences, they may live peaceably one with, or ⟨p. 37⟩at least one by another, enjoying Rule and promotion, as they are fitted for employments, and as he gives promotion, in whose hand it is, that Godliness, and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ be preserved, protected, and secured, from a return of the hand of violence upon it; Herein say some lies the common interest of the people of God; this he hath wrought out for them, herein he hath founded Zion. Ask now the people of God in this nation, I say or any of them, one, or more, at any time? What he, or they, look upon as the chief thing aimed at in the mighty dispensations of God amongst us; will they not every one answer in the first place, that is aimed at, that is to be enthroned, that so doing is the will of God, the End of his works among them, wherein their, or his particular engagement and interest lies. But ask them now again, in the second place, which of the remaining persuasions concerning the work of God, and the common interest of his people, they would prefer next to their own: will they not all unanimously fix on that mentioned in the last place, rather then any of the other. Is it not then evident that setting aside prejudicate affections, and such determinations, as may reasonably be supposed to arise from them, laying away all private animosities, and desire of Rule and preeminence, with other worldly and selfish designs; the universality of the people of God, do answer to them that enquire, that in the last persuasion lies the aim, and work of God in our generation. For my own part, on ⟨p. 38⟩this and other considerations hereafter to be mentioned, I shall dare freely to give this Answer to the messengers of this, or any Nation in the World, who shall make inquisition after the work of God amongst us, and his design in reference to his people; and it is no other then my heart hath been fixed upon for many years, and which I have several times, on one account or other intimated, or pressed unto the Parliament, which first undertook to manage, and successfully carried on that Cause, in whose protection you are now engaged.

Say others lastly, that the people of God be delivered from the hands of their cruell enemies, that they may serve the Lord without feare all the days of their lives, in righteousnesse and holinesse, that notwithstanding their present differences, they may live peacably one with, or