11.1. We must be thankfulto GodforHis mercies to our land.
11. FOR OUR OWN LAND AND NATION, WHICH WE OUGHT IN A SPECIAL MANNER TO SEEK THE WELFARE OF, THAT IN THE PEACE THEREOF WE
11.1. We must be thankfulto GodforHis mercies to our land.
We bless you that you have planted us in a very fruitful hill, and have not made the wilderness our habitation, or the barren land our dwelling, but our land yields her increase. Isaiah 5:1. Job 39:6. Psalm
Lord, you have dealt favorably with our land; We have heard with our ears, and our fathers have told us what work you didst for us in their days, and in the times of old: And as we have heard, so have we seen; for we have thought of your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple. Psalm 85:1. Psalm 44:1. Psalm 48:8, 9.
You have given us a pleasant land, it is Immanuel's land, it is a valley of vision, you have set up your tabernacle among us, and your sanctuary is in the midst ofus. Jeremiah 3:19. Isaiah 8-8. Isaiah 22:1.
We dwell safely, under our own vines and fig-trees, and there is peace to him that goes out, and to him that comes in. 7 Kings 4:25.
And because the Lord loved our people, therefore he hath set a good government over us to do judgment and justice; to be a terror to evil doers, and a protection and praise to them that do well. 1
Kings 10:9. Romans 13.3.
11.2. We must be humbled before Godfor our national sins and provocations.
But we are a sinful people, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers; And a great deal of reason we have to sigh and cry for the abominations that are committed among us. Isaiah 1:4. Ezekiel
9:4. Iniquity abounds among us, and the love of many is waxen cold. Matthew 24:12.
We have not been forsaken nor forgotten of our God, though our land be full of sin against the Holy One of Israel. Jeremiah 51:5.
11.3. We mustpray earnestly for nationalmercies.
11.3.1. For the favorof God to us, and the tokens of Hispresence among us, as that in which the happiness of our nation is bound up.
O the hope of Israel, the savior thereof in time of trouble, be not you as a stranger in our land, or a way-faring man that turns aside to tarry but for a night; but be you always in the midst ofus, we are called by your name, O leave us not: Though our iniquities testify against us, yet do you it for your name's sake; though our backslidings are many, and we have sinned against you. Jeremiah
Turn us to you, O Lord God of hosts, and then cause your face to shine, and we shall be saved. O stir up your strength and come and save us. Psalm 80:3, 2.
Shew us your mercy, O Lord, and grant us your salvation, yea let that salvation be nigh them that fear you, that glory may dwell in our land: Let mercy and truth meet together, righteousness and peace kiss each other: Let truth spring out of the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven; yea let the Lord give that which is good: Let righteousness go before him, and set us in the way of his steps. Psalm 85:7, 9-13.
11.3.2. For the continuance of the gospelamong us, andthe means ofgrace, anda nationalprofession of Christ's holy religion.
O let the throne of Christ endure forever, among us, even the place of your sanctuary, that glorious high throne from the beginning.
Psalm 45:6. Jeremiah 17:12.
Let our candlestick never be removed out of his place, though we have deserved it should, because we have left our first love. Never do to us as you didst to your place which was in Shiloh, where you didst set your name at the first. Revelation 2:4, 5. Jeremiah 7:12.
Let us never know what a famine of the word means; nor ever be put to wander from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth, to seek the word of God. Amos 8:11, 12.
Let wisdom and knowledge be the stability of our times and strength of salvation, and let the fear of the Lord be our treasure: Let the righteous flourish among us, and let there be those that shall fear you in our land as long as the sun and moon endure throughout all generations, that there may be abundance of peace,