God Speaking from Mount Gerizim, or the Gospel in a Map
The voice oF THE HERALD.
O sxx ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on
the earth; come, see and hear; gather yourselves
together unto the proclamation of the great King.
Hear, you that are far off, and you that are near.
He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear. I am
the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare
ye the way of the Lord. Let every valley be exalted, and every mountain made low, for the glory of the Lord is to be revealed. Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way. Cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones, lift up the standard for the people; for the Lord proclaimeth sal-
* Joseph Alleine, author of ‘‘ An Alarm to Unconverted Sinners,” published by the Religious Tract Society. Chap.
-xvil. and xviii., written by him, are also sold separately, under the citle of ‘‘ The Voice of God in his Promises,”’
vation to the ends of the earth. Tidings, tidings, O ye captives! Hear all ye that look for salvation in Israel; behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy.
which shall be unto all people. Blessed news! prepare your ears and hearts. The Lord hath commanded me, saying; Go unto the people and sanctify them, let them wash and be ready, for the Lord is coming down upon mount Sion, in the sight of all the nations. Not in earthquakes and fire, not in clouds and darkness, not in thunderings and burnings, rending the mountains and breaking the rocks in pieces. He speaks not to you out of the blackness, and darkness, and tempest; you shall say no more, Let not God speak to us, lest we die; he cometh peaceably, the law of kindness is in his mouth, he preacheth Peace, peace, to him that is far off, and to him that is near.
Behold how he cometh, leaping upon the mountains, he hath passed mount Ebal, no more wrath or cursing; he is come to mount Gerizim, where he standeth to bless the people; as Mordecai to his nation, he writeth the words of truth and peace, seeking the welfare of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
Behold how he cometh, clothed with flames of love, with bowels of compassion, plenteous redemp. — tion, and multiplied pardons. Oh how full is his love! Oh the tenderness of his compassions! Oh how full is his heart, even aching till it is eased by supplying his hungry children!
Hearken therefore, O ye children, hearken to me. To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time you hear the joyful sound, the trump of jubilee, the tidings of peace in the voice of the everlasting gospel, that you fall
% down before the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever.
Arise, and come away; prepare, prepare you. hear not with an uncircumcised ear; you are not upon a common thing. Behold the throne is set, the throne of grace, where majesty and mercy dwell) together; from thence will the Lord meet you, from thence will he commune with you, from the mercy seat, from between the cherubims, upon the ark of the testimony. Lo, the Lord cometh out of his pavilion, the mighty God from Sion, Selah. His glory covereth the heavens, the earth is full of his praise. A fire of love goeth before him, mercy and truth are round about him, righteousness and peace are the habitation of his throne; he rideth on his horses and chariots of salvation, the covenant of life and peace is in his mouth.
Rejoice ye heavens, make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth. Let the sea roar, the floods clap their hands, and the multitudes of the isles rejoice. Stand forth the host of heaven, prepare your harps, cast down your crowns, be ready with your trumps, bring forth your golden vials full of odours, for our voices will jar, our strings will break, we cannot reach the note of our Maker’s
raise.
Yet let them that dwell in the dust arise and sing. Bear your part in this glorious service, but consider and attend. Call out your souls, and all that is within you. Lift up your voices, fix your eyes, enlarge your hearts, exert all their powers; there is work for them all. Be intent and serious, you cannot strain too high.
Come forth ye graces, beset the way, be all in readiness. Stand forth faith and hope: flame O love, come ye warm desires, and break with longing. Let fear with all veneration do its obeisance. Joy prepare thy songs, call up all the daughters of music to salute the Lord as he passeth by. Let the generations of the saints appear, and spread the way with boughs and garments of salvation, and songs of deliverance. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God, your captains, your elders, your officers, with all the men of Israel, your little ones, your wives, and the stranger that is within thy camp, from the hewer of wood to the drawer of water. That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord thy God, and into his oath which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day: that he may establish thee to-day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn, Deut. xxix. 10 — 13.
I have done my errand. The messenger of the morning disappeareth; when the orient sun cometh forth out of his chambers, I vanish. I put my mouth in the dust. The voice of the Lord! The soft and still voice! O my soul, wrap thy face in thy mantle, and bow thyself to the ground, and put thee in the cleft of the rock, while Jehovah proclaimeth his name, and maketh all his goodness to pass before thee.
THE VOICE oF THE Lord.
Hear, O ye ends of the earth, the mighty God, the Lord hath spoken: Gather my saints unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice Behold I establish my covenant between me and you.” By my holiness have I sworn, that I will be your covenant friend. I lift up my hand
aaa lies: Gen, xvil. 7.
to heaven, I swear I live for ever; and because I live you shall live also. I will be yours :* yours to all intents and purposes: your refuge and your rest ;° your patron and your portion ;@ your heritage and your hope; your God and your guide® While I have, you shall never want; and what I am to myself I will be to youf And you shall be my people, a chosen generation, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, a peculiar treasure unto me above all peoples I call heaven and earth to witness this day, that I take you for mine for ever. My name shall be upon you, and you shall be pillars in the temple of your God, and shall go no more out.»
My livery shall you wear, and the stamp of my own face shall you carry:’ and I will make you my witness and the epistles of Christ unto the world,‘ and you shall be chosen vessels, to bear my name before the sons of men. And that you may see that I am in earnest with you. lo I make with you an everlasting covenant, ordered in all. things, and
“sure;’ and do here solemnly deliver it to you as my act and deed, sealed with sacred blood,™ and ratified with the oath of a God ;® a God that cannot lie, that knows no place for repentance.° Come, ye blessed, receive the instrument of your salvation: take the writings, behold the seals; here are the conveyances of the kingdom. Fear not, the donation
John xiv. 19. Jer. xxxii. 38 — 40,
Jer..1.6. Psa. xe. 1. Psa. xlvi. 1.
4 Pga. Ixxili, 26. Isa. xxv. 4, 5. Psa. xlviii. 14,
f Psa. xxxiv. 9. 10. & Exod. xix. 5,6. 1 Pet. ii. 9. h Rev. iii. 12. ‘Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26. with Eph. iv. 24, k 2 Cor. iii. 3 1 2 Sam. xxiii. 5.
™ ] Cor, xi, 25. n Heb: vi. 17. o Pits 2s is free and full. See, it is written in blood, founded on the all-sufficient merits of your Surety,* in whom I am well pleased,” whose death makes this testament unchangeable for ever; so that your names can never be put out, nor your inheritance alienated, nor your legacies diminished; nothing may be altered, nothing added, nothing The tiessings of the substracted, no not for ever. Happy sone Snertes art thou, O Israel! Who is like unto fx’ .dyarpriviteges thee, O people!4 Only believe, and Presets. know your own blessedness. Attend, O my children, unto the blessings of your Father; and hear and know the glorious immunities, and the royal prerogatives that I here confirm upon you.
Here I seal you your pardons. Though your sins be as many as the sands, and as the immunities mighty as the mountains, I will drown and pare cau them in the deeps of my bottomless Giharze tom al mercies.* I will be merciful to your °™%* — unrighteousness; I will multiply to pardon ;* where your sins have abounded, my grace shall superabound; though they be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Behold I declare myself satisfied, and pronounce you absolved.” The price is paid, your debts are cleared, your bonds are cancelled,’ Col, ii, 13, 14.
Whatever the law, or conscience, or the accuser hath to charge upon you, here I exonerate you, I discharge you. I, even I, am he, that blotteth out your transgressions, for my name’s sake. Who
Heb. ix. b Matt. iii. 17 Gal. ili. 15 — 17 4 Deut. xxxiii. 29. e Mic. vii. 19.
f Heb, viii. 12. Isa. lv. 7. & Isa. i. 18.
h Job xxxili. 24. 1 Isa, xliii. 25, shall lay any thing to your charge, when I acquit you? Who. shall impeach or implead you, when I proclaim you guiltless?* Sons, daughters, be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you.’ I will sprinkle your consciences, and put the voice of peace into their mouths,° and they shall be your registers, in which I will record your pardon, and the voice of guilt, and wrath, and terror shall cease, Heb. x. 22. Isa. xxvii. 4, 5.
Here I sign your release from the house of bondage.* Come forth ye captives, come forth ye prisoners of hope; for I have found a ransom:* I 2, Ourre.easefrom proclaim liberty to the captives, and the ae potticukals, * Opening of the prison to them that are
bound.’ Behold I have broken your bonds, and shook the foundations of your prisons, and opened the iron gates. By the blood of the covenant have I sent forth the prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water.” Arise, O redeemed of the Lord, put off the raiment of your captivities, arise and come away.
The dark and noisome prison of sin shall no longer eae tt odetain you.’ I will loose your fetters, noiseme prison of and knock off your bolts. Sin shall
not have dominion over you.*
I will heal your backslidings, I will subdue your iniquities,’ I will sanctify you wholly,™ and will put my fear in your hearts, that you shall not depart from me.” Though your corruptions be strong
a Rom. viii. 33, 34. 1 John ii. 12. Mark ix. 2. Ezek, xxxvi. 25. Heb. ix. 14. Isa. lvii. 19.
4Rom. vi. 17, 18. 1 Cor. vii. 22. Job xxxiii. 24. 18. f Isa. lxi. 1. xlii. 7. & Luke iv. 18. h Zech. ix. 11, i John vii. 34 — 36, k Rom. vi. 14.
‘Mic. vii. 19. Jer. iii, 12. ™ Thess. v. 23, 24. 2 Jer, xxxii. 40.
and many, yet the aids of my Spirit, and cleansing virtue of my word, and physic of my corrections shall so work together with your prayers and endeavours. as that they shall not finally prevail against you, but shall surely fall before you.”
From the strong and stinking gaol of the grave do I deliver you. O death, I will be prom the strong thy plague; O grave, I will be thy de- fro stinking sas of struction,° my beloved shall not ever see corruption.’ I will change your rottenness into glory, and make your dust arise and praise me.* What is sown in weakness, I will raise in power; what is sown in corruption, I will raise in incorruption; what is sown a natural body, I will raise a spiritual body.° This very flesh of yours, this corruptible flesh, shall put on incorruption; and this mortal shall put on immortality.’ Death shall be swallowed up in victory, and mortality of life* Fear not, O my children. Come, and I will show you the enemy that you dreaded. See, here lies the king of terrors, like Sisera in the tent, fastened to the ground, with the nail struck through his temples. Behold the grateful present, the head of your enemy in a charger: I bequeath you your conquered adversary, and make over death as your legacy.” O death, where is thy sting? where now is thine armour wherein thou trustedst 7’ Come, my people, enter into your chamkers :* Come to your beds of dust, and lay you down in peace, and let
9 Ezek. xxxvi. 37. Eph. v. 26. Isa. xxvii. 9.
b Hos. xiii. 14. Psa. xvi. 10.
Dan. xii, 2, 3. Isa, xxvi. 19. 1 Cor. xv 42 — 44.
f 1 Cor. xv. 53. & 1 Cor. xv.54 2Cor,v. 4. h 1 Cor. iii. 22. 4 Gor. xv. 55,
&‘ Isa. xxvi. 20.
your flesh rest in hope ;° for even in this flesh shall you see God.» O ye slain of death, your carcasses, now as loathsome as the carrion in the ditch, will I redeem from the power of the grave,° and fashion those vile bodies like unto the glorious body of your exalted Redeemer.4 Look, if you can, on the sun when shining in his strength; with such dazzling glory will I clothe you, O ye of little faith.e From the terrible dungeon of eternal darkness From the dungeon 40 I hereby free you. Fear not, you of eternal darkness. shall not ye hurt of the second death ;f you are delivered from the wrath to come, and shall never come into condemnation. The flames of Tophet shall not be able to singe the hairs of youn heads, no, nor the smell of the fire pass upon you. Stand upon the brink, and look down into the horrible pit, the infernal prison, from whence I have freed you. See you how the smoke of their torments ascendeth for ever? Hear you the cursings and ravings, the roarings and blasphemies ?i What think you of those hellish fiends? would you have been willing to have had them for your companions and tormentors ?* what think you of those chains of darkness? of the river of brimstone, of the instruments of torment for soul and body, of those weepings, and wailings, and gnashing of teeth. Can you think of an everlasting banishment, of a “Go ye cursed?” could you dwell with everlasting burnings, could you abide with devouring fire? This is the inheritance you were born to.™ But I
Isa. lv. 2. Psa, xvi. 9. Job xix. 25 — 27,
Psa. xlix, 15. 4 Phil. iii. 21. Matt. xiii. 43, £ Rev. ii. 11. Rom. viii. 1. & 1 Thess. i. 10, John v. 24, h Rey. xiv. 11. i Matt. xxv. 30. k Matt. xxv. 41,
* Isa, xxxiii, 14, m Eph. ii. 3.
have cut off the entail, and wrought for you a great salvation. I have not ordained you to wrath,* but my thoughts towards you are thoughts of peace.» Here I deliver you your protection. ¢, our protection From all your enemies will I save *™stcorenemesyoue I grant you a protection from the arrests of the law: your surety hath fully an- prom the arrests swered it ;4 my justice is satisfied, my ““*’*” wrath is pacified, my honour is repaired.¢ Behold, I am near that justify you, who is he that shall condemn you? From the usurped dominion of the prom te powers powers of darkness. I willtread Satan ‘se shortly under you, and will set your feet in triumph upon the necks of your enemies. Let not your hearts be troubled; though you be to wrestle with principalities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world :8 for stronger is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” He may bruise your heel, but you shall bruise his head.! Behold your Redeemer leading captivity captive, spoiling principalities and powers, and triumphing over them openly in his cross.‘ See how Satan falleth like lightning from heaven,! and the Samson of your salvation beareth away the gates of hell, posts and all, upon his shoulders and setteth them up as trophies of his victory: how he pulleth out the throat of the lion, and lifteth up the heart of the traitor upon the top of his spear, and washeth
a 1 Thess. v. 9. Jer, xxix. 11. 2 Kings xvii. 39. 4 Gal. iii. 13. Rom. v 10. Dan. ii. 24. 2 Cor. v.19, 20 £ Rom. xvi. 20. & Eph. vi. 12. h 1 John iv. 4.
‘Gen. iii. 15, k Col. ii 15,! Luke x. 18.
his hands, and dyeth his robes in the biood of those your enemies.* From the victory of the world.» Neither its frowns From the victory NOY its flatteries shall be too hard for Sees: your victorious faith. Though it raise up Egypt, and Amalek, and Moab, and all its whole militia against you: yet it shall never keep you out of Canaan. Be of good comfort, your Lord hath overcome the world.© Though its temptations be very powerful, yet this, upon my faithfulness, will I promise you, that no such shall come upon you, but what you shall be able to bear. But if I see such trials, which you fear would be too hard for your graces, and overthrow your souls, I will never suffer them to come upon you; nay, I will make your enemy to serve you,’ and do bequeath the world as part of your dowry to you.* From the curse of the cross:f Affliction shall From the curse ot PrOve a wholesome cup to you; your Meee Lord hath drunk the -venom inta his own body, and what remains for you is but a healthful potion, which I will promise you shall work for your good. Be not afraid to drink, nor desire the cup should pass from you: I bless the cup before I give it unto you.» Drink you all of it, and be thankful; you shall find my blessing at the bottom of the cup, to sweeten the sharpest afflictions to you.’ I will stand by you in all conditions, and be a fast. friend to you in every change.k Ip the wilderness I will speak comfortably to you, and
Isa. Ixiti. — 3. 1 John y, 4, Gal. i. 4,
John xvi. 33, aa Core x 438 1 Cor. iii. 22, f Psa. cxix. 71. & Rom. viii. 28, Job v.17, &e. * Jam, i, 12. Psa. xciv. 12. Isa, xliii. 2,
you into higher and greater happiness
Le in the fire, and in the water I will be with you.* I will be a strength to the poor, and a strength to the needy in his distress; a refuge from the storm, and a shadow from the heat, when the blast of terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.» Your sufferings shall not be a cup of wrath, but a grace cup; not a curse, but a cure; not. a cup of trembling, but a cup of blessing to you.¢ They shall not hurt you, but heal you. My blessing shall attend you in every condition.© I say not only, Blessed shall you be in your basket, and blessed in your store; but blessed shall you be in your poverty,‘ and blessed shall you be in vour straits: not only blessed shall you be in your cities, and blessed shall you be in your fields; but blessed shall you be in
your bonds, and blessed shall you be in your banishment. Blessed shall you be when you are per. secuted, and when you are reviled, and your name is cast out as evil: yea, then doubly blessed.» My choicest blessings, greatest good, and richest sweets, will I put into your evil things.i These happy immunities, these glorious liberties of the sons of God, by this immutable charter I do for ever settle upon you; and do in, and with my covenant, unalterably, irrevocably, everlastingly convey unto you, and confirm upon you.
Yea, I will not only free you from your miseries; but will confer upon you royal pri- vile d prerogatives, and instate preroghtives or the
2eges an Pp g 5 1 prerog f
covenant,
Hos. ii. 14. b Isa, xxv. 4. Heb. xii. 6 — 8. 4 Psa, cxix. 67. Gen. xxvi. 3. f Gen. xxviii. 15. & Mark x. 29, 30. 1 Pet. iii. 14. h Matt v. 19 — 12.
11 Pet. iv. 13,14. Luke vi. 20 — 22.
than ever you have fal.en from. Lo I give myself to you, and all things with myself.
Behold, O ye sons of men! Behold and wonder. Be astonished, O heavens! Be moved, ye strong foundations of the earth! For you shall be my wit-He gives himers NeSses. This day do I by covenant tous for our Ged. bestow myself upon my servants.” I will be your God, for ever and ever. Your own God.© Nothing in the world is so much your own as I. The houses.that you have built, that you have bought, are not so much yours as I am. Here you are tenants at will; but I’am your eternal inheyitance.¢ These are loans for a season, but [ am your dwelling-place in all generations. You have no where so great a propriety, so sure and unaltertobe tous innteny 2D Claim, as you have here. What do of all relations. Our YOU Count your Own? Do you count: your bodies your own, your souls your own? Nay these are not your own; they are bought with a price.f But you may boldly make your claim to me; you may freely challenge an interest in me& Come near, and fear not; where should you be free, if not with your own? where should you be bold, if not at home? You are never in all the world so much at home, as when you are with me. You may freely make use of me, or of any of my attributes, whenever you need.® I will be all to you that you can wish. I will be a friend to you. My secrets shall be with you,* and you shall have all
Gen. xvii. 7. Psa. xlvili.14. Jer. xxxii.38. Rev. xxi.3. Psa. lxvii, 6. xvi. 2. 4 Psa. xvi. 5. with lxxiii. 26, e Psaixe. 1. f 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20.
Jer. 11.19. Isa. lxini. 16. 5 Psa.l.15. Jer. xlix.11. Psa. exlv. 18. ‘Jsa.xli.8. Jam. ii. 2, 3. * Psa. xxv. 14. John xv. 15.
os
ae
ee
a ee aaa se
-eases.b Fear not, never did soul misfreedom of access to me, and liberty to pour out all your hearts into my bosom.®
I will be a Physician to you. I will heal your backslidings, and cure all your dis-
Our Physician.
carry that left itself in my hands, and would but follow my prescriptions.
I will be a Shepherd to you. Be not afraid of evil tidings, for I am with you; my rod and my staff shall comfort you. You °™°”?““* shall not want, for I will feed you; you shall not wander, to be lost, for I will restore you. I will cause you to lie down in green pastures, and lead you beside the still waters.¢ I will gather you with my arm, and carry you in my bosom, and will lead on softly, as the flock and the children are able to endure® If officers be careless, I will do the work myself. I will judge between cattle and cattle. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and bind up that which was broken, and strengthen that which was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and will feed them with judgment.’ I will watch over my flock by night. Behold, I have appointed my ministers as your watchmen, and overseers that watch for your souls.” Yea, mine angels shall be your
watchers, and shall keep a constant guard upon my
flock.i And if peradventure the servants should sleep,* mine own eyes shall keep a perpetual watch
a Eph, iii. 12. Heb. iv. 16. b Hos. xiv.4. Psa. ciii. 3. Pgal. xxiii. 1. lxxx. 1 4 Psal. xxiii. e Isa. xl. 11. Gen. xxxiii. 13, 14. £ Hzek. xxxiv. 16, 17. with verses 2 — 4, Isa. xxvii. 3. Heb. xiii. 17. Acts xx. 28. 1 Dan. iii. 17. 23. Psa. xxxiv.7, k Matt. xiii. 25, 27. MG over you, by night and by day.» The keeper of Israel never slumbereth, nor sleepeth,® nor withdraweth his eyes from the righteous.¢ I will guide you with mine eye; I will never trust you out of mine own sight.@
I will be a Sovereign to you. The Lord is your judge, the Lord is your law-giver, the Lord is your king.¢ Fear not the unrighteousness of men, I will judge your cause, I will defend your rights.£ You shall not stand at man’s bar; you shall not be cast at their vote ;& let them curse, I will bless; let them condemn, I will justify.»
When you come upon trial for your lives, to have your eternal state decided, you shall see your Friend, your Father, upon the bench.i Into my hands shall your cause be cast, and you shall surely stand in judgment, and be found at the right hand among the sheep, and hear the King say, Come ye blessed, inherit the kingdom.*
I will bea Husband to you.! In loving-kindness, and in mercies, will I betroth you unto me for ever.™ I will espouse your interest, and will be as one with you, and you with me.” You shall be for me, and not for another; and I also will be for you.° Though I found you as a helpless infant, exposed in its blood, all
‘Our Sovereign.
Our Husband.‘
a Psa. xxxiv. 15. xxxilil. 18. 2 Chron. xvi. 9.
b Psa. exxi. 3 — 5. Job xxxvi. 7.
4 Psa. xxxii. 8. e Isa, xxxili. 22,
f Deut. xxxii. 36. Psa. exl. 12. ix. 4.
8] Cor. iv. 8.5. 2 Cor.x.18. h Ysa. 1.9. Gen. xii. 3 i Psa, lxxx. 9. Eccl. iii. 16, 17. Matt. xxv. 33, 34.
! Isa. liv. 5. ™ Hos. ii. 19, 20,
Matt. xxv. 40.45. Actsix.4, 5. ° Hos. il. 3.
: ian pha unworthiness doth not discourage me. Lo, I ave looked upon you, and put my comeliness upon you. Moreover, I swear unto you, and enter into covenant with you, and you shall be mine.* Behold, I do, as it were, put myself out of my own power, and do here solemnly, in this my marriage covenant, make away myself to you,” and with myself all things.¢ I will be an everlasting portion to you.4 Lift up now your eyes eastward, and westward, and northward, and southward.. Have you not a worthy portion, a goodly heritage? Can you cast up your riches, or count your own happiness? Can you fathom immensity, or reach omnipotency, or comprehend eternity? All this is yours. I will set open all my treasures to you, I will keep back nothing from you.
All the attributes in the Godhead, and all the persons in the Godhead, do. pimsat’to us im all I hereby make over to you. I will be tions, and’ parconai yours in all my essential perfections, “*”* and in all my personal relations.
I. In all mine essential perfections. tal! his essential
perfections.
Mine eternity shall be the date of jcllisgtemnity as the your happiness. nese. ie
I am the eternal God, and while I am, I will be life and blessedness to you.e I will be a never failing fountain of joy, and peace, and bliss unto you! Iam the first, and last, that was, and is, and is to come, and my eternal power and Godhead, shall be bound to you.’
I will be your God, your Father, your Friend, while
4 Kizek. xvi. 4 — 10. Jer. xxiv. 7. xxx. 21, 22. xxxi. 33, 34
Rev. xxi. 7, 4 Fizek. xliv.28. Jer. 1i.19. Psa. exix. 57. Psa, xc. 1, 2. with xlviii. 14. 1 Tim. i.17. with 1 Pet. v. 10, f Psa, xxxvi, 7 — 9 xvi. 1]. Isa. xxxv. 10. 8 Jer. xxxil. 406
y2
I have any being.* I have made my everlasting choice in pitching upon you.b Fear not, for the eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.° My durable riches and righteousness shall be yours.4 Though all should forsake you, yet will I not forsake you.e When the world, and all that is therein shall be burnt up, I will be a standing portion for you. When you are forgotten among the dead, with everlasting loving-kindness will I remember you!
My unchangeableness shall be the rock of your
rest. When all the world is like the
His unchangeable-:
ness as the rock of tumbling ocean round about you, here
Reet you may fix and settle. I am your
resting place.
The immutability of my nature, and of my counsel, and of my covenant, are sure footing for your faith, and a firm foundation for your strong and everlasting consolation. When you are afflicted, tussed with tempests,* and not comforted; put in to me: I am a haven of hope, I am a harbour of rest for you; here cast your anchors, and you shall never be moved,!
Mine Omnipotency shall be your guard. J am
His Omnipoteney GOd Almighty, your almighty Pro-Ebony Evers tector, your almighty Benefactor. ™ What though your enemies are many? more are
Tsa, ix. 6. Jer. x. 10, b Psa. cxxxil. 13, 14. Hos. ii. 19. Deut: xxxiii. 27. 4 Prov. viii. 18. e Heb. xiii. 5. Psa. xxvii. 10. f Isa. liv. 10. Psa. lxi. 6, 7. xcii. 15. n Jer.1.6. 2 Chron. xiv. 11. 12 Tim. ii.19. Heb. vi. 17, 18. KVsawlive dite? Jer. xvii. 13.17. Psa. xlvi. 1, 2. 5. exxv. 1. * ™ Gen. xv. 1. xvi 1 they that are with you, than they that are against you; for I am with you. What though they are mighty? they are not almighty. Your Father is greater than all, and none shall pluck you (pluck while they will) out of my hands. Who can hinder my power, or obstruct my salvation?° Who is like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth on the heaven for your help, and in his excellency on the sky? I am the sword of your strength, and the shield of your excellency.4. I am your rock and your fortress, your deliverer, your strength, the horn of your salvation, and your high tower.¢ I will maintain you against all the power of the enemy. You shall never sink, if Omnipotency can support youf The gates of hell shall not prevail against yous Your enemies shall find hard work of it. They shall overcome victory, or enervate Omnipotency, or corrupt fidelity, or change immutability, or else they cannot finally prevail against you; either they shall bow or break.2 Though they should exalt themselves as the eagle, though they should set their nest among the stars, even there will I bring them down, saith the Lord.
My faithfulness shall be your security, my truth, yea, my oath shall fail if ever you come off losers by me.’ I will make you to confess,’ is’ ‘taithromess when you see the issue and upshot of cu suriy all my providences, that I was a God worthy to be trusted, worthy to be believed, worthy to be rested
42 Chron. xxxii, 7.8. 2 Kings vi. 16, John x, 29.
Tga. xliii. 13. Dan. iv. 35. 4 Deut, xxxiil.26. 29. € Psa. xviii, 2. f] Pet.i. 5. & Matt. xvi. 18.
h Rev. iii. 9. Isa. lxvi. 24.
i Obad. 4. Jer. xlix. 16. k Pga, lxxxix. 33 — 35.
1 Isa, liv. 9, 10. with Mark x. 29, 30. y3 in, and relied upon.* If you walk not m my judgments, you must look for my threats and frowns, yea, and blows too, and you shall see that I am not in jest with you, nor will indulge you in your sins.° Nevertheless my loving kindness will I never take from you, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. My mercies shall be your store.° I am the Father His mercies as our Of Mercies, and such a Father I will neat be to you. I-am the fountain of mercies, and this fountain shall be ever open to you.® My mercies are very many, and they shall be multiplied towards you;‘ very great, and they shali be magnified upon you ;® very sure, and they shall be for ever sure to you;? shall be infinitely tender of you.! Though the fig-tree do not blossom, nor the vine bear, nor the flock bring forth; fear not, for my corapassions fail not.” Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your lives.’ Even to your old age I am he,
and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have.
made, and I will bear, even I will carry and deliver you. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, that I will not turn away from you to do you good.” I swear that I will show you the kindness
Psa. xxxiv. d — 6, 8. lxxxiv. 12, cxlvi. 5. Jer. xvii. 7, 8. Psa. xxii. 4, 5. b Psa. lxxxix. 30 — 32, &e. Amosiii.2. 2 Sam. xii — xv.
1 Pet. iv. 17. Isa. Ixili. 7. Psa. cxix. 41, a2. Corsi. * Psa. xxxvi. 9. with Rev. xxi. 6. f Neh. ix. 17. with Isa. lv. 7. & 1 Chron. xxi. 13. with Gen, xix. 19. 4 Isa. lv. 3.
i Psa, cxix. 166. with ciii. 4, Hab. iii. 17. Lam. iii. 22.. ‘Psa. xxii. 6. ™ Isa. xlvi. 4.” Jer. xxxii, 40. very tender, and they —
¥e 4 =
of Godt I can as soon forget to be God, as forget to be gracious.» While my name is Jehovah,
merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, I will never forget to show mercy to you. All my ways towards you, shall be mercy and truth. I have sworn that I would not be wroth with you, nor rebuke you; for the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on you.
Mine Omnisciency shall be your overseer, mine eyes shall be ever open, observing your wants to relieve them, and-your wrongs to avenge them.” Mine ears shall be ever open to hear gis ommisciency the prayers of my poor, the cries of *™™ overseer. mine oppressed, the clamours, calumnies, and reproaches of your enemies.’ Surely I have seen your affliction, and know your sorrows. And shall not God avenge his own elect? I will avenge them speedily. I see the secret plots, and designs of your enemies against you,” and will disannul their counsels.’ [I see your secret integrity, and the uprightness of your hearts towards me, while the carnal and censorious world condemn you as hypocrites.” Your secret prayers, fasts, and tears, which the world knoweth not of, I observe them, and record them.’ Your secret care to please me,
41 Sam. xx. 14,15. 17. b Psa. lxxvii. 9.. ©Psa, ciii. 17. with xxxiv. 6, 7. 4 Psa. xxv. 10.
° 9 Pet. iit. 12. Exod. iii. 7. 3
1Pga, xxxiv.15. Exod. ii. 24, 25. Zeph. ii. 8 — 10.
Luke xviii. 7, 8. h Jer, xviii. 23,
1 Ysa. vill. 10.. with xxix. 14,15. Psa. xxxiii, 10.
* Job i. 8 — 11. 2 Chron. xv. 17.
Matt, vi.6.18. Acts x. 4.
eT
eae
ig your secret pains with your own hearts, your secret self-searchings and self-denial; I see them all, and your Father which seeth in secret, shall reward them openly.*;
My wisdom shall be your counsellor. If any want” ‘ie wisdom as our Wisdom, let him ask of me, and it shall pute ror be given him.® I will be your deliverer. When you are in darkness, I will be a light to yous I will make your way plain before you. You are but short-sighted, but I will be eyes to you. I will watch over you, to bring upon you all the good I have promised,‘ and to keep off all the evil you fear, or to turn it into good. You shall have your food in its season, and your medicine in its season: mercies, afflictions, all suitable, and in their season.®
I will outwit your enemies, and make their oracles to speak but folly.!- The old. serpent shall not deceive you. I will acquaint you with his devices.* The deceitful hearts you fear shall not undo you; I will discover their wiles.:
I know how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust to the day of judgment to be punished.’ Trust in me with all your hearts, and lean not to your own understanding.™ I am God that performeth all things for you” I will forfeit the reputation of my wisdom, if I make you not to acknowledge, when you see the end of the Lord,° (though at present you wonder, and
8 Matt. xxv. 34 — 36. 2 Chron. xxxiv. 27. Jam. i. 5. Mic. vii. 8. 4 Tsa. xliii. 19. lvii. 14. Isa. xlii. 6, 7. xlix. 6. f Jer. xxxi. 28. with xxxii, 24,
8 Psa, xci. 10.14. Jer. xxiv. 5.
h Psa, xxiii. 2,3. 1 Pet.i.6. Isa, xxvii. 7 — 9. 1Ysa.xix.1] — 1l5. *2 Cor. ill. 2 Pet. ii. 9. ™ Proy. ili. 5, mn Pcaradvae ee oJam. y. 11
amid reach not the meaning of my proceedings,”) that all “my works are in weight, and in number, and in time, and in order:® if I force you not to cry out, Manifold are thy works, in wisdom hast thou made them all.° My justice shall be your revenger and rewarder.* Fear not to approach; furyisnotin i me. My justice is not only appeased eon dinandisom ase towards you, but engaged for you. I ™
am so fully satisfied in the sacrifice of my beloved, that justice itself, which was asa flaming sword drawn against you, doth now greatly befriend you; and that which was an amazing, confounding terror, shall now become your relief and consolation.’ Under all your oppressions, here shall your refuge be.® Let me know your grievances, my justice shall right your wrongs, and reward your services.» You may conclude upon your pardons, conclude upon your crowns, conclude upon reparation for all your injuries, and all from the sweet consideration of my justice, the thought of which, to others, is as the horror of the shadow of death. — If you sin, despair not; remember, I am just to forgive you. If you are at any pains or cost for me, do not count it lost; for I am not unrighteous to forget you. I am the righteous Judge, that have laid up for you, and will set on you the crown of righteousness. Are you reviled, persecuted, defamed? Forget not that I
am righteous to render tribulation to them that trouple you, and to you that are troubled, ‘yest with me.
Jer. xii. 1. b Reel. iii. 14.
Psa. xxxili. 4. civ. 24. exlv. 10.
42 Thess. i.6. 2 Tim. iv. 8. e Isa. xxvii. 4.
t Weel. iii. 16, 17. v. 8. Psa. xcvi. 10 — 14. xevil. 1. with xcix. 1. Psa. vi. 9. ciii. 6. h Pga, cxlvi. 7. Heb. vi, 10.
il Johni.9. 2 Tim.iv.8. 1 Pet. ii, 23.
F sas 262 GOD SPEAKING FROM MOUNT GERIZIM. r Though all your services and sufferings deserve not the least good at my hands; yet as I have freely passed my promise to reward them, so I will as justly keep it. Mine Omnipresence shall be company for you.* His‘Omniprevence SUFely I will be with you, to bless secompany for us. you.> No bolts, nor bars, nor bonds, nor banishment, shall remove you from me, nor keep my presence, and the influences of Heaven from you.® I am always with you:* in your darkest nights, in your deepest dangers, I am at hand with you, a very present help in the time of trouble. I am not a God afar off, or asleep, or in a journey, when you need my counsel, mine ear, or mine aid: I am always nigh unto them that fear me. 54 No Patmos, no prison shall hinder the presence of my grace from you.’ My presence shall perfume the noisomest wards, and lighten the darkest dungeon where you can be thrust.§ My holiness shall be a fountain of grace to you.*
gen hin I am the God of hope,’ the God of fountain of grace to love,* the God of patience,! the author re. and finisher of faith, the God of all grace,” and I will give grace to you. My design is to make you partakers of my holiness.? I will be a constant spring of spiritual life to you. The water that I shall give you, shall be in you asa well
2] Chron. xxii. 18. Josh.i.5.9. Isa. xli. 10,
Gen. xxvi. 24. Gen, xxxix. 21. 23.
4 Matt. xxviii. 20. Psa. xlvi. 1. xxxiy. 18. fRey.i.9, 10. Acts xvi. 25, 26. 8 Acts xii. 7. Isa. lviii. 10. h Johni. 16. 2 Pet.i. 4. *Rom. xv. 13. * 2 Cor. xiii,11 1 Rom. xv. 5. ae
Heb. xii. 2. nl Pet,
PHeb. xii 10. 4Gah ii
10. ° Psa, lxxxiv. 11. aS
John xiv. viii, 12.x.10,
Ps - ’
‘GOD SPEAKING FROM MOUNT GERIZIM. 263
.
of water, springing up into everlasting lifes The seed of life that I shall put into you, shall be so fed, and cherished, and maintained by my power, that it shall be immortal.° The unction that you shall receive from the Holy One, shall abide in you, and teach you all things necessary for you, and as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him.* Keep but the pipes open, and ply the means which I have prescribed, and you shall flourish in the courts of your God Yea, I will satisfy your souls in drought, and make fat your bones, and you shall be like a watered garden. Lo, I will be as the dew unto you, and you shall grow as the lily, and cast forth your roots as Lebanon; and your branches shall spread, and your beauty shall be as the olive tree.° You shall still bring forth fruit in old age, you shall be fat and flourishing.
My sovereignty shall be commanded: by you.‘ You shall be my favourites, Bolas west) ote men of power, to prevail with me.® All ro pe hal my attributes shall be at the command of your prayers.”
In sum, my all-sufficiency shall be the lot of your inheritance! My ful- wove dee tecet aeness is your treasure. My house is ee
your home.’ You may come as freely to my store, as to your own cupboard.” You may have your hand s freely in my treasures, as in your own purses. You
a John iv. 14, bd] Johniii. 9. 1 Pet.i.23. Col. ii. 19 John xiv. 16,17. 1Johnii. 20. 27.
“4 Prov. viii. 34. Psa. xcii. 13. Hos. xiv. 5, 6. a f Gen. xxxii. 26.28. Deut. ix. 14. vee) is & Hos. xii.4. Jam. v. 17,18. b Isa, xiv. 1 ee ae - Gen. xvii. 1. Lam. iii. 24. Psa, xvi. 5, 6. srt a - ENum. xviii. 20. Deut. x. 9 1 Psa. xci. 1.9, 00 m Eph. iii, 12.
>. Pepe O*-@ 3
/
264 AOD SPEAKING FROM MOUNT GERIZIM.
cannot ask too much, you cannot look for too much from me.* I will give you, or be myself to you instead of all comforts.” You shall have children, or I will be better to you than ten children.° You shall have riches, or I will be more to you than all riches.
You shall have friends, if best for you, or else I will be your comforter in your solitude,° your counsellor in your distress If you leave father, or mother, or houses, or lands for my sake, you shall have a hundred fold in me, even in this time.® When your enemies shall remove your comforts, it shall be but as the letting the cistern run, and opening the fountain, or putting out the candles, and letting in the sun. The swelling of the waters shall raise higher the ark of your comfort.” I will be the staff of bread to you, your life, and the strength of your days.’ I will be the house and home to you, you shall dwell with me; yea, dwell in me and I in you.” [ willstand and fall with you.’ I will repair your losses, and relieve your needs.™ Can you burn out the lamp of heaven, or lave out the boundless ocean with your hands? why, the sun shall be dark, and the sea be dry, before the Father of lights, the Fountain of mercies shall be exhausted. Behold, though the world hath been spending upon the stock of my mercy, ever since’ I created man upon earth, yet it runs with full stream still. My sun doth diffuse its rays, and disburse its light, and
a ph. iii. 20. Matt. vii. 8.
b Gen. xv. 1. Psa. lxxxivall. Tsa. lvi.. 42 Cor. vi. 10. e fsa, h. 3. John xiv. 26, 2 Cor.i, 3, 4. f Psa, lxxiii. 24. & Mark x. 30.
hRom.v.3. Heb.x. 34. Acisy. 41.
i Deut. xxx. 20. Isa. xxxiil, 16.
Deut. xxxiil. 12. John xiv.23. 1 John ii. 24.
1 Psa. xxxvii. 17.24. liv.4. Isa. xli.10.:
m Phil. iv. 19. Mark viii. 35. Matt. xix. 27 — 29.
GOD SPEAK«NG FROM MOUNT GERIZIM. 265
yet shines as bright as ever: much more can I dispense of my goodness, and fill my creatures brim full, and running over, and yet have never the less in myself: andill this all-sufficiency be spent, you shall never be undone. I am the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, and whatever I was to them, I will be to you.
Are you in want, you know whither to go. J am ever at home, you shall not go away empty from my door. Never distract yourselves with cares and fears, but make known your requests by prayer and supplication unto me.* I will help when all do fail.” When friends fail, and hearts fail; when your eye-strings crack, and your heart-strings crack; when your acquaintance leave you, and your souls leave you, my bosom shall be open to you.’ I will lock up your dust, I will receive your souls.
And mine infiniteness shall be the extent of your inheritance. Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty to perfection? it is as high as heaven, what. pe the extent of one can you do? deeper than hell, what can setace you know? * This height incomprehensible, this deep unfathomable, shall be all yours, for ever yours.
I am your inheritance, which no line can measure, no arithmetic can value, no surveyor can describe.°
Lift up now your eyes to the ancient mountains, and to the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills, all that you can see is yours: but your short sight can-
“not ken the moiety of what I give you: and when you see and know most, you are no less than
a Phil. iv. 6. Pga. lxxiii. 26. Isa. lxiii. 5. Psa. cil. 17. Psa, xlix, 15. 2 Cor.v.1. Luke xvi. 22. aJobime7, 8.
Bzek.xliv. 28. Eph. iii. 8. 1 Tim. vi.16, Psa.exly, 3. 77% vi ad infinitety short of the discovery of your own riches, Job xxvi. 14, In all his persona Yea, further, I will be yours in all stage my personal relations. I am the everlasting Father, and I will be a Father to you. I take you for my sons and daugh-God the Father to ters. Behold I receive you not as beaFetnertous. servants, but as sons to abide in my house for ever.° Whatever love or care children may look for from their father, that may you expect from me ;? and so much more as I am wiser, and greater, and better than any earthly parents. If earthly fathers will give good things to their children, much more will I give to you.* If such cannot forget their children, much less will I forget you.f What would my children have? Your Father’s heart, and your Father’s house ;® your Father’s care, and your Father’s ear; your father’s bread, and your father’s rod;’ these shall be all yours. You shall have my fatherly affection; my heart I He promiseth hie Share among you, my tenderest loves fatherly affections I bestow upon you.* My fatherly compassion. As a father -pitieth His fatherly com his children, so will I pity you.’ I isi - will consider your frame, and not be extreme to mark what is done amiss by you, but cover all with the mantle of my excusing love.” My fatherly instruction. I will cause you to hear the sweet voice behind you, saying, This is the way.”
8 John xx. 17. >2Cor. vi. 18. John viii. 35, 36. Matt. vi. 31,32. Luke xi. 13. f Isa. xlix. 15. &Job vu. 17. John xiv. 2.
h] Pet.v.7. Matt. vii. 9, i Heb. xii. 7.
1 John iii. 1. Jer.xxxi. 3, Isa.liv.8. |! Psa. ciii. 13,14. ™ Psa, Ixxvili.39. ™ Isa. xxx. 21.
ieee
I will tender your weakness, and inculcate mine admonitions, line upon line, and feed jis tatheny in you with milk when you cannot digest strpedons
stronger meat.*’ I will instruct you, and guide you with mine eye.”
My fatherly protection. In my fear is strong confidence, and my children shall have is fatnerty proa place of refuge.° My name shall ‘t°™ be your strong tower, to which you may at all times fly, and be safe. To your strong hold, ye prisoners of hope. I am an open refuge, a near and inviolable refuge for you.*
My fatherly provision. Be not afraid — jis sathenty proof want, in your father’s house there is “”” bread enough.’ I will care for your bodies. Cark not for what you shall eat, drink, or put on. Let it ‘suffice you, that your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all things.” I will provide for your souls, meat for them, and mansions for them, and portions for them.’
Behold, I have spread the table of my gospel for you, with privileges and comforts that no man taketh from you.* I have set before you the bread of life, and the tree of life, and the water of life.’ Eat, O friends; drink abundantly, O beloved.
But all this is but a taste of what I have prepared. You must have but smiles and hints now, and be contented with glimpses and glances here; but you
41sa. xxviii. 13. 1 Cor. iti. 2. b Psa, xxxii. 8. € Prov. xiv, 26. 4% Prov. xviii, 10. Zee. ix, 12, f Psa, xlviii. 3. Deut. iv. 7. John x. 29. 8 Psa, xxxiv. 9. Luke xv. 17. h Matt. vi. 253 — 34. Luke xii. 22 — 32. ‘John vi. 30 — 59, Lam. iii. 24. k Isa. xxv. 6. Matt.xxii.4. Prov. ix. 2. 1John vi.48, Rev. ii. 7. xxii. 17 Z2
pee eas shall be shortly taken up into your Father’s bosom and live for ever in the fullest views of his glory 1 Thess. iv. 17.
My fatherly probation. I will chasten you His fatherly proba. because I love you, that you may not ee be condemned with the world.*
My Son I give unto you, in a marriage covenant
Goa the Son to be for ever.” J make him over to you Husband tous: as wisdom, for your illumination; righteousness, for your justification; sanctification, for the curing of your corruptions; redemption, for your deliverance from your enemies.° I bestow him upon you with all his fulness, all his merits, and all his graces. He shall be yours in all. his offices. JI have anointed him for a Prophet. Are you ignorant, he shall teach you; he shall be eye-salve to you;? I have sent him to preach the gospel to the poor, and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised. I have established him by oath, as a Priest for ever.’ If
any sin, he shall be your Advocate: he shall expiate your guilt, and make the atonement. Have you any sacrifice, any service to offer, bring it unto him, and you shall receive an answer of peace.®
Present your petitions by his hand, him will I accept.’ Having such a High Priest over the house of God,* you may come and welcome; come with boldness. Him have I set up as King upon my holy hill of Sion. He shal! rule you, he shall
1 Cor. xi. 32. Prov. iii. 11, 12.
Isa. ix. 6. xlii. 6. 2 Cor, xi. 2. 1 Cor. i. 30. 4 Tsa, xlix. 6. xlii. 16. Rev. iii. 18. Luke iv. 18. £ Psa. cx. 4. §1 John ii. 1, 2. Zee. xiii. 1. “b] Pet. 11.5. Heb. xii. 15, i John xvi. 23, 24,
Heb. x. 19 — 22, defend you. He is the King of righteousness, King of peace; and such a King shall he be to you.> I will set up his standard for you:* I will set up his throne in you.? He shall reign in righteousness, and rule in judgment; and he shall be a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, and the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.¢ He shall hear your causes, judge your enemies,’ and reign till he hath put all under his feet; yea, and under your feet; for they shall be as ashes under you, and you shall tread them, saith the Lord of hosts.» Yea, I will undo them ‘that - afflict you, and all they that despised you, shall bow themselves down at the soles of your feet. And you shall go forth and behold the carcasses of the men that have trespassed against me, for their worm. shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring to all flesh, Isa. lxvi. 24.; My Spirit do I give unto you, for your Counsellor, and your Comforter. He shall 6.4 a. spirit to be a constant inmate with you, and be. Counsellor. and shall dwell in you, and abide with you for ever.!
I consecrate you as temples to his holiness.” He shall be your guide, he shall lead you into all truth.” He shall be your advocate, to indite your.
4 Isa, ix. 6,7.
b Heb. vii. 2. Jer. xxiii. 6. Eph. ii. 14. ° Isa, xlix, 22. 4 Psa. ex. 2. e Isa. xxxii. 1, 2. f Isa. xi. 3 — 5. & Psa. cx. 1. 1 Cor. xv. 25., 2 Mal. iv. 3.
i Isa. bx. 14. Zeph. iii. 19.
k John xvi. 7. Rom. viii. 14.
1 Rzek, xxxvi. 27. John xiv. 16, 17.
™ ] Cor. iii. 16,17. vi. 19.
Gal. v. 18. Jokn xvi. 13.
prayers, and make intercession for you, and shall] fill your mouths with the arguments that he knows will prevail with me.* He shall be oil to yout wheels, and strength to your ancles, wine to your hearts, and marrow to your bones, and wind to your sails. He shall witness your adoption.» He shall seal you up to the day of redemption, and be to you the earnest of your inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession.° And as I give you myself, so much more all He giveth an things with myself.4 = Earth and ne ect mas. heaven, life and death, things present eS and things to come.® Things present are yours; lo, I give you Caleb’s Things present Dlessing, the upper springs, and the Tee nether springs. I will bless you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.f To you pertaineth the adoption, and the glory The upper springs ANd the covenants, and the service
or blessings spiritual, as Stopton, Of God, and the promises’ To fone’ persevermer, you will I give the white stone, and ea the new name,” access into my presence,! the acceptation of your persons,* the audience of your prayers.!. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto. you. I will undertake for your perseverance, and keep you to the end, and then will crown my own gift with eternal life™ I have made you heirs of
a Rom. viii. 26, 27. Rom. viii. 16. Eph. iv. 30. i. 13, 14. 2 Cor, i, 22. 4 Rom. viii. 32, e€ 1 Cor. ili. 22. £ Eph. i. 3. & Rom. ix, 4, - h Rev. ii. 17. i Eph. iti. 12, k Eph. i. 6.
1) John v. 14,15. ™ John xiv. 27. Jer, xxxil. 40. John x. 28, 29. 1 Pet. i. 5. Phil. i. 6,
God, and coheirs with your Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall inherit all things.*
I have granted you my angels for your guardians. The courtiers of heaven shall qe protection of attend. upon you; they shall be all Pisses ministering spirits for your good.’ Behold I have given them charge over you, upon their fidelity to look after you, and, as the tender nurses, to bear you in their arms, and to keep you from coming to any hurt.© These shall be as the careful shepherds, to watch over my flock by night, and to ces round about my fold.4
My wministers I give for yout he mepection o guides. Paul, Apollos, Cephas, all ‘* msi are yours. I am always with them, and they shall be always with you, to the end of the world. You shall have pastors after my own heart,» and this shall be my covenant with you, that my Spirit which is upon you, and my words which I have put into your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor the mouth of your seed, nor of your seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.!
In short, all my officers shall be for the profiting and perfecting of you.* All my ordinances shall be for edifying and saving you.! The very severities of my house, admonitions, censures, &c, and the whole discipline of my family, Wie ea ernie shall. be for preventing your infec- seduibie ae curing corruption, procuring your salvation.™
Rom. viii. 17. Rev. xxi. 7 b Heb. i. 14. Psa. xci. 11, 12. 4 Psa, xxxiv. 7. Eph. iv. 11, £ 1 Cor. ii. 22. & Matt. xxvii. 20. ge iv. 13.
h Jer, iii, 15. xxiii. 4. i Isa. lix. 21. k Eph. iv. 12.
‘Acts x. 33.’ Rom. i. 16.
1 Cor. v. 5 — 7. Matt. xviii. 15.
My word have I ordained for converting your “The tight of ne SOU, enlightening your eyes, rejoicing ar your hearts, cautioning you of dangers, cleansing your defilements, and conforming’ you to my image.* To you I commit the oracles of God.’ Here you shall be furnished against temptations,° hence you shall be comforted under distresses and afflictions.t Here you shall find my whole counsel. This shall instruct you in your way, correct you in your wanderings, direct you into the truths to be believed, detect to you the errors to be rejected.f ae
My sacraments I give you, as the pledges of m
The pledges of his love. You shall freely claim them, ris they are children’s bread. Lo! I have given them as seals, to certify all that I have here promised you ;§ and when these sacred signs are delivered unto you, then know, and remember, and consider in your hearts, that I therein plight you my troth, and set to my hand, and do thereby ratify and confirm every article of these inden= tures, and do actually deliver mto your own hands’ this glorious charter, with all its immunities and privileges as your own for ever.» i
And having sowed to you so largely in spiritual.
The nether springs, blessings, shall hss not much ee or mercies temporal. reap the temporal? Be you not of doubtful mind, all these things shall be added unto
The supply of his YOU. My creatures I grant for your éreatures,, servants and supplies.* Heaven
2 Psa, xix. 7 — 9.1. Eph. v. 26. 2 Cor. iii, 18.
>’ Rom. iii. 2. Matt. iv. 4,7. Eph. vi. 17.
4 Psa. cxix. 92, 93. Acts xx, 27,
£2 Tim. ili. 16. Psa. exix. 105. & Rom. iv. 11.
1 Cor. xi. 25. Gen. xvii. 10, i Luke xii, 29, 31,
k Psa. viii, 3 — 9,
—
-and earth shall minister to you. All the stars in their courses shall serve you, and, if need be, shall fight for you. And I will make my covenant for you with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; and you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and all shall be at peace with you.’ I will undertake for all your necessities. Do I feed the fowls, and clothe the grass, and do you think I will neglect my children ?¢ I hear the young ravens when they cry, shall I not much more fulfil the desires of them that fear me ?4 Fear not, you shall be sure to want no good thing ;° and you would not yourselves desire riches, pleasures, or preferment, to your hurt. I will give meat to them that fear me: I will be ever mindful of my covenant.f
My providences shall co-operate to your good. The cross winds shall blow you the qhe co operation ‘sooner and swifter into your harbour, hs Providence You shall be preferred, when you seem most debased; and then be greatest gainers, when you seem to be deepest losers, and most effectually promote your good, when you seem most to deny it.h Things to come are yours, the things 10 come perfecting of your souls, the redemption of your bodies, the consummation of your bliss
When you have glorified me for a while on earth, and finished the work I have at dcatnin gion: given you to do, you shall be caught up “Hn ‘msc
a Judg. v. 20. Job v. 23. Hos. ii, 18. Matt. vi. 25 — 34. Psa. cxlv. 19. with exlvii. 9.
Psa, xxxiv. 10. f Psa. exi. 5. & Rom. viii. 28 h 2 Cor. iv. 17. Mark x. 29. Phil. i. 29. 2 into paradise, and rest from your labours, and your
The convoy of Works shall follow you.* I will send ey of my own life-guard, to conduct home your departing souls,> and receive you among the spirits of just men made perfect.e And you shall look back upop Pharaoh, and all his host, and
Redemption from S€€ yOur enemies dead upon the shore. Gorruptions.” °”4 Then shall be your redemption from all your afflictions, and all your corrup-The thorn in the tions.? The thorn in the flesh shall feshtakenout: be pulled out, and the hour of temptation shall be over, and the tempter for ever out of work,
The sweat shall be wiped off from your brows,
The sweat wipea aNd the day of cooling and refreshmoment brows. ing shall come, and you shall sit down for ever under my shadow. For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed you, and lead you to the living fountains of water, Rev. vil. 17.
The tears shall be wiped away from your eyes, and there shall be no more sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away, and behold I make all
The tears wipea things new.‘ I will change Marah svayfromeureves: into Naomi, and the cup of sorrow, into the cup of salvation; and the bread and water of affliction into the wine of eternal consolation.& You shall take down your harps from the willows, and I. will turn your tears into pearls, and your penitential psalms into songs of deliverance. You
Rev. xiv. 13. Luke xxiii. 43, Luke xvi. 22. Heb. xii. 23. 4 Luke xxi. 28, Eph. iv. 30.
Acts iii. 19. Heb. iy. 9. Rev. xxi. 4, 5. & John xvi. 20 — 22, Luke vi, 21.
ai shall change your Ichabods into hosannas, and your ejaculations of sorrow into hallelujahs of joy.* The cross shall be taken off from your backs
and you shall come out of your great rhe cross talsen off
tribulations, and wash your robes, and “”°“” ics
make them white in the blood of the Lamb, and you shall be before the throne of God, and serve him night and day in his temple, and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among you, and you shall hunger no more, and thirst no more, neither shall the sun light upon you, nor any heat.>
The load shall be taken off from your consciences. Sins and doubts shall no more defile the toad taken off % you or distress you.< I will makes oe an end of sin, and knock off the fetters of your corruptions, and you shall be a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but holy and without blemish.
Thus shall you be brought to the king all glorious, in raiment of needle-work, atidueinc. aivadate clothing of gold; with gladness and fei getter hein 2 rejoicing shall you be brought, rs 1 Mab peageipieee enter into the king’s palace.¢ So shall the beloved of the Lord dwell safely by him, and you shall stand
- continually before him, and behold the beauty of
the Lord, and hear his wisdom.f Then will I open in you an everlasting spring of joy, and you shall break forth into singing, and never cease more, nor rest day nor night, saying, Holy, holy, holy.8
Thus shall the grand enemy expire with your
2 Rev. xix. 1. 4. 6. b Rev. vii. 14 — 16.
Rey. xxii. 17. Heb. xii. 23. ‘
d Eph. v.27 Rev. vii. 9. 13, 14.
€ Pea. xlv. 9. 13 — 15. £ 1 Gor. xiii, 12.
Rev. iv. 8. Psa. xvi. 11.
276 GOD SPEAKING £ROM MOUNT GERIZIM.
breath, and the body of death be put off with your dying body; and the day of your death shall be the birth-day of your glories, Phil. i. 23. Luke Xxiil. 43, Have faith in God, Mark xi. 22. Wait but a little, and sorrow shall cease, and sin be no more. And then a little longer, and death shall be no more ;2 but your last enemy shall be destroyed, aad your victory completed. Yet a little while, and He that shall come, will come, and you also shall Aitieicerectian AD PCoD with him in glory.b ‘This in glorification con- same Jesus which is taken from you Goniccmpleie: into heaven, shall so come as he went up into heaven :° and when he cometh, he will receive you to himself, that where he is there you — Pe eee Ged aay). be also.t Behold his sign; he Ee cometh in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; and every eye shall see him, and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn because of him,® but you shall lift up your heads, pecause the day of your redemption draweth nigh. Then shall he sound his trump,® and make you to hear his voice In your dust,® and shall send his mighty angels to gather you from the four winds of heaven, who shalt carry you in the triumphant chariot of the clouds, to meet your Lord ;* and you shall be prepared for him, and presented to him, as a bride adorned for her husband! And as you have borne the image
The raising of the
body.
a Rey. xx. 14. xxi. 4,
b Heb. x. 37. Col. ii. 4. Actsi.11. 4 John xiv. 3. Rey. i. 7. Matt, xxiv. 30.
f Luke xxi. 28. € 1 Cor. xv. 52. 1 Thess. iv. 16. h John v. 28. i Matt. xxiv. 31.
k Thess iv. 17 1 Rev. it. 2.
PE a of the earthly, so shall you bear the image of the heavenly; and you shall be fully pun conformity, conformed both in body and spirit to Pot dur grisea your glorious Head. Then shall he **“™”; confess you before his angels,» and you shall receive your open absolution before all flesh, and be owned, approved, and applauded in the — puttic approbation public audience of the general assem- “4°. bly. And you shall be, with all royal solemnities, espoused unto the king of glory, in the presence of all his shining cour- - tiers,4 to the envy, and gnashing, and terror of your adversaries.® So shall your Lord, with his own hand, crown you,* and set you in thrones,® and... sonation you shall judge men and angels,” and asdenthronement ot you shall have power over the na- sitting in judgmenttions, and you shall set your feet ‘: upon the necks of your enemies.*
Lo, I have set the very day for your instalment, I have provided your crowns,™ I have prepared the kingdom.” Wherefore do you doubt, O ye of little faith? these are the true sayings of God.° Are you sure that you are now on earth? so surely shall you be shortly with me in heaven, Are you sure that you shall die? so surely shall you rise again in glory. Lo, I have said it, and who shall
Solemn espousals.
a Phil. iii, 21. Heb. xii. 2, 3. Rey. iii. 5. Matt. x. 32. xxv. 32. 34, 35, &c. 4 Rey. xix. 7, 8. 2 Cor. iv. 14. Matt. xxv, 31.
e Luke xiii. 28. f Rev. ii. 10.
-& Rev. iii. 21. Matt, xix. 28. h 1 Cor vi. 2, 3.
Rev. ii. 26, 27. k Psa. xlix. 14
! Acts xvii. 31. m 2 Tim. iv, 8.
2 Matt. xxv. 34. Rev. xix. 9.
reverse it? You shall see me face to face, and be with me where I am, and behold my glory.* For I will be glorified in my saints, and admired in all them that believe ;> and all flesh shall know that I have loved you. For I will make you the instances of my grace,4 in whom the whole world shall see, how unutterably the Almighty God can advance the poor worm’s-meat, and dust of the ground. And the despisers shall behold, and wonder, and perish :¢ for they shall be witnesses to the riches of my magnificence, and exceeding greatness of my power. They shall go away into everlasting punishment, but you into life eternal.8
For no sooner shall their doom be past, but the
Oatijunphertee- Dench Shall: rise” and the Judge shall reasioninto heaven. yetury with all his glorious train; with sound of trumpet and shouts incredible shall he ascend, and shall lead you to your Father’s house. Then shall the triumphal arches:lift up their heads, and the everlasting gates stand open, and the hea. vens shall receive you all, and so shall you be ever with the Lord.*
And now will I rejoice over you with singing, and rest in my love; and heaven shall ring with joys and acclamations, because I have received you safe and sound, Luke xv. 20. 23. 25. 27.
And in that day you shall know that I am a rewarder of them that diligently seek me;! and
al Cor, xiii. 12. John xvii. 24. b 2 Thess. i. 10.
Rev. iil. 9. a) ph. ie Dyer 7e
Acts xiii. 41. f Luke xvi. 23.
& Matt. xxv. 46. h Matt. xxv. 41. 46.
i Psa. xlv. 14, 15. Matt. xxv. 23. John xiv. 2. with 2 Cor, y. ls
k John xii. 26. 1 Thess. ‘v. 17. Heb. xi. 6.”
aa Per
rege gre that I did record your words,* and bottle your tears, and tell your wanderings,” and keep an account, even to a cup of cold water, of whatever you*said or did for my name.‘ You shall surely find that nothing is lost; but you shall have full measure, pressed down, and running over, thousands of years in paradise, for the least good thought, and thousand thousands for the least good word; and then the reckoning ‘shall begin again, till’ all arithmetic be nonplussed. For you shall be swallowed up in a blessed eternity, and the doors of heaven shall be shut upon you, and there shall be no more goin out.®. “a
The glorious choir of my holy angels, the goodly fellowship of my blessed prophets, the — giorious compe: happy society of triumphant apostles,” the royal hosts of victorious martyrs, these shall be your companions for ever.’ And you shall come in white robes, with palms in your hands, every one having the harps of God, and golden vials full of odours, and shall cast’ your crowns before me, and strike in with the multitude of the heavenly hosts, glorifying God, and saying, Hallelujah! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.? Blessing, honour, glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.®
In short, I will make you equal to the angels‘ of God, and you shall be the everlasting trumpets of my praise.“You shall be abundantly satisfied
Blessed eternity.
a Mal. iii. 16. b Psa. lvi. 8. Matt. x. 42 4 1 Cor. xv.58. Dan. xii.2,3. Rev. iii. 12. Luke xvi. 26. f Matt. viii. 11,12. Heb. xii.22, 23. & Rev. vii. 9 — 12, xix 5, 6. Rev. v. 13.! Luke xx. 36, k Rev. vii. 10O — 12. 15,
ANB with the fatness of my house, and I will make you drink of the rivers of my pleasures. You shall be an eternal excellency,? and if God can die, and eternity run out, then and not else, shall your joys expire. For you shall see me as am,° and know me as you are known ;4 and shall behold my face in righteousness, and be satisfied with my likeness.* And you shall be the vessels of my glory, whose blessed use shall be to receive the overflowings of my goodness, and to have mine infinite love and glory poured out into you brimful, and running over for evermore.‘
And blessed is he that hath believed, for there
Beatifical vision.
shall be a performance of the things that have been -
told him. The Lord hath spoken: it, you shall see my face, and my name shall be written in your foreheads; and you shall no more need the sun, nor the moon, for the Lord God shall give you light, and you shall reign for ever and ever. And as I give myself to you for your God, and He taketh us for All things with myself; so I take you ule Peokle. for,my covenant people,‘ and you shall be mine in the day when I make up my jewels, saith the Lord of hosts; and I will spare you as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.k The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, Surely they are my children.! I do not only require you to be mine, if you would have me to be for you; but I do promise to
a Psa. xxxvi. 8. balsa lxlos 1 John iti. 2. 4 1 Cor. xiii. 12. € Psa. xvii. 15. f Rom. ix. 23. 2 Tim. ii. 20; Rev. xxii. 1. & Luke i. 45. 5 Rey. xxii. 3 — 5, i Heb. viii. 10. Isa. xliii. 1. Mal iii. 17,
Ps. lxxxvii. 6.
’
Ly ee ent p.
Pees make you mine,® and to work in you the conditions which I require of you. I will circumcise your hearts to love me.” I will take out the heart of stone.°. My laws will I write within you.*
Yet you must know that I will be sought unto for these things,° and as ever you expect to partake of the mercies, I charge you to lie at the pool, and wait for my Spirit, and be diligent in the use of —
the means.’
I am content to abate the rigour of the uld terms; I shall not stand upon. satisfaction.” I have received a ransom, and do only expect your acceptance.’ I shall not insist upon perfection,* Walk before me, and be upright, and sincerity shall carry the crown.’’ Yea, both the faith and obedience that I require of you are my own gifts.
I require you to accept my Son by believing: but I will give you a hand to take him,” and to submit to, and obey him: but I must and wili guide your hand to write after him, and cause you to walk in my -statutes.° I will take you by the arms, and teach you to go:? I will order your steps. Yea, those things will I accept of you as the conditions of life, which, viewed in the strictness of my justice, would deserve eternal death.’ Grace! Grace!
2 Ley. xx. 26. Ezek. xxxvi. 28,: b Deut. xxx. 6.
Ezek. xxxvi. 26. 4 Jer, xxxi. 33. Ezek. xxxvi. 37.
‘£ Prov. ii. 3 — 5. vin. 34. Luke xi. 13. & Rom. iv. 6.
h Luke vii. 42. i Rev. xxii, 17. 1 Tim. ii. 6,
£1 John i, 8,9. 1 Prov. xi, 20, Gen. xvii. 1. Psa. xevii. 11.
m Eph. ii. 8. n Phil, i. 29. John vi. 65.
o Ezek, xxxvi. 27. P Hos. xi. 3, 4. 9 Psa. xxxvii. 23. 31,
r Eph. iii. 8. with 1 Thess. iii. 10. Heb. v. 5. 9. with Eecles, vil. 20.
2a3
Tur VoIcE OF THE REDEEMED.
Amen, hallelujah. Be it to thy servants according to thy word. But who are we, and what is our Father’s house, that thou hast brought us hitherto? And now, O Lord God, what shall thy servants say unto thee? for we are silenced with wonder, and must sit
down in astonishment, for we cannot utter the least
tittle of thy praises. What meaneth the height of this strange love? And whence is this unto us, that the Lord of heaven and earth should condescend to enter into covenant with his dust, and take into his bosom the viperous brood, that have so often spit their venom in his face? We are not worthy to be as the handmaids, to wash the feet of the servants of our Lord: how much less to be thy sons and heirs, and to be made partakers of all these blessed liberties and privileges. which thou hast settled upon us? But for thy goodness’ sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things. Even so Father, because so it seemed good in thy sight.
Wherefore thou art great, O God, for there is none like thee, neither is there any God besides thee. And what nation on earth is like thy people, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for them great things and terrible? For thou hast confirmed them to thyself, to be a people unto thee for ever, and thou, Lord, art become their God, 2 Sam. vii. 18. to the end.
Wonder, O heavens, and be moved, O earth, at this great thing! Rev. xxi. 4. For behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell a. in onde for
with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Be astonished and ravished with wonder, for the infinite breach is made up; the offender is received, and God and man reconciled, and a covenant of peace entered, and heaven and earth are all agreed upon the terms, and have’ struck their hands, and sealed the indentures. Oh happy conclusion! Oh blessed conjunction! Shall the stars dwell with the dust? or the wide distant poles be brought to mutuat embraces?;
But here the distance of the terms is infinitely greater. Rejoice, O angels! shout,Oseraphims O, all ye friends of the Bridegroom, prepare an epithalamium,* be ready with the marriage-song. Lo, here is the wonder of wonders: for Jehovah hath betrothed himself for ever to his hopeless captives, and owns the marriage before all the world, and is become one with us, and we with him. He hath bequeathed to us the precious things of heaven above, and the precious things of the earth beneath, with the fulness thereof, and hath kept back nothing from us,
And now, O Lord, thou art that God, and thy words are true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servants, and hath left us nothing to ask at thy hands but what thou hast already freely granted. Only the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servants, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said, and let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of Hosts, he is the God ot Israel. Amen. Hallelujah.
Wedding song.