with shouting, crying, grace, grace unto it. He can make "the mountains skip like rams, and the little hills like lambs."—Hath he said so? Then, O put him to his word, and say, Lord, Do as thou hast said.
But is there any word for one that is filled with fear of heavy judgments coming upon the land, and upon an apostate church? Yes, he says, Isa. xxxii. 2. "A man shall be a hiding place from the storm, and a covert from the tempest: as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." When you see matters running into confusion, church members betraying the privileges of the church, and the church of Scotland destroying herself with her own hand, not only "boars out of the forest waisting her, and wild beasts of the field devouring her," her, but enemies in the bosom of the church making themselves" famous, for lifting up axes and hammers to break down the carved work" of her doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, remember the Lord hath said that when he "builds up Zion, he will appear in his glory; and that upon all the glory there shall be a defence; that at evening time it shall be light;" that the darkest part of the night may usher in the morning-star of a reformation in spite of hell: for I would incline gladly to hope God will not leave Scotland, though we have left him. He took infestment by solemn national covenant six times[1]; and he hath had martyrs for his kingly office, that have asserted his royal prerogatives at the expence of their blood: therefore, let us apply that word. He will arise and have mercy on Zion.—Hath he said so? Then, O take him at his word, saying, Lord, Do as thou hast said.
But is there any word for a poor creature that is in "bondage thro’ fear of death? If I have run with the footmen, and they have wearied me; then how can I contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein I trusted,they wearied me, then what will I do in the swelling of Jordan?" I tremble to meet with the king of terrors? Why, he hath said, Hos. xiii. 14. "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death! I will be thy plague; O grave! I will be thy destruction. Death shall be swallowed up in victory." Plead then, that he would do as he hath said.
But I want assurance of all these things, may one lay, well, what mean you by that, man, woman, that you want assurance? I suppose many do not understand themselves, when
- ↑ This was done at different periods betwixt the year 1580 and 1650.
