And give him no rest
Not let him alone, as he desired that Moses would, but wrestle
with him as Jacob did, and not let him go without the blessing;
be importunate with him, as the widow with the unjust judge; and
be incessant in prayer:
until he establish;
his church; which, though founded by him, and built upon the sure
foundation of his laying, upon a rock, against which the gates of
hell cannot prevail; yet, as to its outward state, is sometimes
fluctuating and unstable; it is not always in the same place, nor
in the same circumstances; but in the latter day it will be
established on the top of the mountains, and will be a tabernacle
that shall not be taken down; which is the Lord's work to do, and
which he has promised; and therefore may be prayed for in faith,
nor should saints cease praying till it is done, ( Isaiah 2:2 ) ( 33:20 ) (
Psalms 48:2 )
( 87:5 )
:
and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the
earth;
matter of praise; till the church and its members become famous
in the world, and shall be praised by men, and God shall be
praised for their sakes; for the purity of Gospel doctrines and
ordinances; for unity in worship; for cordial love and affection
to each other; for holiness of life and conversation; for number,
and for figure, converts numerous, and many of these great
personages; when what is now to its discredit and dispraise will
be removed; all false doctrine, or mixtures of it the many sects
and parties which go by the Christian name; the sad divisions and
animosities among them; the impure lives of many professors; the
small number of real Christians; their meanness and poverty.
