And besides those things which belong to the preparation of Christ's way, which are so often represented by leveling mountains, drying up rivers, etc., viz., the unraveling intricacies, and removing difficulties attending Christian doctrines, the distinguishing between true religion and its false appearances, the detecting and exploding errors and corrupt principles, and the reforming the wicked lives of professors, which have been the chief stumbling blocks and obstacles that have hitherto hindered the progress of true religion; I say, these things, which seem to belong to this preparatory vial, are the proper work of the Spirit of God, promoting and advancing divine light and true piety, and can be the effect of nothing else.
And that the beginning of that glorious work of God's Spirit, which shall finally bring on the church's latter-day glory, will accompany that other effect of this vial, viz., the turning the streams of the wealth of the world, the bringing its treasures, and the gains of its trade and navigation, into the true Protestant church of Christ, seems very manifest, because this very effect is spoken of as that which shall be at the beginning of this glorious work.
Isaiah 60:8–9, "Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee."
So that 'tis to be hoped that before this effect of this vial, which is now probably begun, is at an end, the Spirit of God will so influence the hearts of Protestants, that they will be disposed to devote to the service of God the silver and gold
they take from their popish enemies, and the gains of their trade and navigation, both to the East and West Indies, so that "their merchandise and hire shall be holiness to the Lord" [Isaiah 23:18].
Agreeably to what has been supposed, that an extraordinary outpouring of the Spirit of God is to accompany this sixth vial; so the beginning of a work of extraordinary awakening has already attended the probable beginning of this vial; and has been continued in one place or other, for many years past: although it has been, in some places, mingled with much enthusiasm, after the manner of things in their first beginnings, unripe, and mixed with much crudity.
But it is to be hoped, a far more pure extensive and glorious revival of religion is not far off, which will more properly be the beginning of that work which in its issue shall overthrow the kingdom of Antichrist, and of Satan through the world. But God "will be inquired of for this, by the house of Israel, to do it for them" [Ezekiel 36:37).
No comments:
Post a Comment