Us. 1. Let us then consider diligently what we shall answer the Messengers of the Nations; some think that by the Nation, is peculiarly intended the Nation of the Jews themselves, Whose messengers from all parts came to Jerusalem to enquire of the work of God, and to advise about the Affairs of the whole. In this fence you are the Messengers of this Nation, to whom an Answer is to be returned: and because the Text saith, ONE shall do it, that is, anyone, I shall make bold before we close, to give an Answer to your Enquiries; and endeavour to satisfy your Expectations: In the mean time as the words seem more directly to respect the enquiries of other Nations: So it is in a special manner incumbent on you, who will be especially enquired of, to return an Answer to them. Be provided then I pray in your own hearts, to give an Answer in this business; and Oh that you could do it with one heart and lip, ⟨p. 32⟩with one consent, and judgement. On whom are the eyes of this Nation and of those round about? from whom are the Expectations of men? to whom should we go to enquire what God hath done in this Nation, what he is doing, what are the effects of his power, if not of you? Some of you have been engaged in this work, with the Lord from the beginning: And I hope none of you have been engaged in heart or hand against it; and you speak still with living affections, to the old and common cause. If you will be able to steer your course aright, If yon would take one straight step, have in a readiness an acquaintance with the work of God, what it is that he aims at, by which you may be guided in all your undertakings. Suppose now a man, or men, should come and ask of you, what God hath done in these Nations? what he hath wrought, and effected? what is brought forth? Have you an Answer in readiness? certainly God hath done so much as that he expects you should be able to give an account of it. Take heed that every one of you be not ready to speak the disquietments of your own Spirits, and so cast contempt on the work of God. Something else is required of you. I have sometimes in darkness and under temptations my self, begun to think, that what hath been, is the thing that is, and there is no new thing under the Sun. As it hath been among the heathen of old, so it hath been amongst us; or as it was with Israel. 1 Kings 16. 22, 22.
Ʋs. 1. Let us then consider diligently what we shall answere the Messengers of the Nations; some thinke that by the Nation, is peculiarly intended the Nation of the Jewes themselves, Whose messengers from all parts came to Jerusalem to enquire of the work of God, and to advise about the Affaires of the whole. In this fense you are the Messengers of this Nation, to whome an Answer is to be returned: and because the Text saith, ONE shall doe it, that is, anyone, I shall make bold before we close, to give an Answer to your Enquirys; and indeavour to satisfy your Expectations: In the mean time as the words seem more directly to respect the enquiries of other Nations: So it is in a speciall manner incumbent on you, who will be especially enquir'd of, to return an Answer to them. Be provided then I pray in your own hearts, to give an Answer in this buisiness; and Oh that you could doe it with one heart and lip, ⟨p. 32⟩with one consent, and judgement. On whom are the eies of this Nation and of those round about? from whom are the Expectations of men? to whom should we goe to enquire what God hath done in this Nation, what he is doing, what are the effects of his power, if not of you? Some of you have been ingag'd in this work, with the Lord from the beginning: And I hope none of you have been engag'd in heart or hand against it; and you speake still with living affections, to the old and common cause. If you will be able to steere your course aright, If yon would take one straight step, have in a readiness an acquaintance with the work of God, what it is that he aimes at, by which you may be guided in all your undertakings. Suppose now a man, or men, should come and aske of you, what God hath done in these Nations? what he hath wrought, and effected? what is brought forth? Have you an Answer in readinesse? certainly God hath done so much as that he expects you should be able to give an account of it. Take heed that every one of you be not ready to speake the disquietments of your own Spirits, and so cast contempt on the work of God. Something els is requir'd of you. I have sometimes in darknesse and under temptations my self, begun to thinke, that what hath been, is the thing that is, and there is no new thing under the Sun. As it hath been among the heathen of old, so it hath been amongst us; or as it was with Israel. 1 Kings 16. 22, 22.
