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

2. The suffering of our Wills and Judgements, as to the products of providence, to run before the Will of God. This, the Experience of these days hath taught us. Those who have a forwardness in prescribing to God what he should do, as to the modus, or manner of the ⟨p. 31⟩work, which at any time he hath to accomplish, Are stubbornly backward, in closing with what he doth actually produce. These and the like things, which might be in large Catalogues reckoned up, one after another, detain the minds of men, from acquiescing in the common interest of Zion, whose preservation is the whole peculiar design of the great work of God, in any place or season. These foundations being laid in the words of the Text, let us now see what inferences from them may be made, for our advantage and instruction.

2. The suffering of our Wills and Judgements, as to the products of providence, to run before the Will of God. This, the Experience of these daies hath taught us. Those who have a forwardnesse in prescribing to God what he should doe, as to the modus, or manner of the ⟨p. 31⟩work, which at any time he hath to accomplish, Are stubbornly backward, in closing with what he doth actually produce. These and the like things, which might be in large Catalogues reckoned up, one after another, detain the minds of men, from acquiescing in the common interest of Sion, whose preservation is the whole peculiar designe of the great worke of God, in any place or season. These foundations being laid in the words of the Text, let us now see what inferences from them may be made, for our advantage and instruction.

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,