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his share; when it was necessary to take the field for the defense of Liberty and the
obtaining of peace. Not one Christian would desert their leaders, but assist them
and go forth with them to fight the battles of the Lord; and indeed (MH) no
officers or soldiers greater heroes and more interested in war than the followers of
a crucified Jesus; they are acquainted with spiritual combats; and may strengthen
themselves not only with a good conscience in a righteous cause, but also in the
Lord of Hosts, as their Covenant God through whose strength they can do all
things, and who can make them more than conquerors. Hence we meet in history
with striking examples of heroism and bravery in the first Christians when
serving, even under heathen emperors; and I remember to have read in the history
of Prince Willem the I that when even the States General of Holland seemed to be
discouraged, he wrote unto them, that he hath made a covenant with God the
Almighty, to deliver his oppressed country and therefore was resolved to
persevere, though all should leave him. Thus willing and faithful should the
governors be. But further.
ʻ) this saying intimates, that their spiritual growth in grace should more
and more encourage these governors, particularly the chosen overseers, to be
abounding and immovable in the work of the Lord, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 750 and
thereunto also would be subservient the aid and assistance of these inhabitants of
Jerusalem, whilst they should lend their hand and shoulders to build up the streets
of Jerusalem, even in perilous times.
No inhabitants but he would say, Zechariah 8:21, 751 they would consider
one another to provoke each other to love and good works, Hebrews 10:24. 752
They should admonish one another, and thereby help to build up the ruined walls
of Jerusalem.
ʻו) Finally they would be their strength by the lively exercise of their
faith and hope on the assistance of the Lord; these inhabitants would embrace the
promise of God concerning the deliverance of his people, and thereby entreat the
Lord to fulfill his good Word; and this would encourage the governors to
remember, that there were none among the people of God for whom they went to
war and suffered fatigue who did not trust to God, as the Lord of Hosts, who
therefore would help them for his people’s sake, believing they should be
established.
=) But they also should continually wrestle with God in prayer, pleading
not only the power but the relation of God unto them as their God, and such an
effectual prayer availeth much, 2 Chronicles 20:12, 753 therefore these pious
governors would encourage themselves in their hope of success and complete
victory, the more because of the incessant prayer which was continually presented
to God for them; the greater extremity (YHWH [?]), the more earnest is the cry of
the Christians and the Lord hears them in a day of trouble. N.B.: Now Christian
750
“Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because
you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
751
“The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Come, let us go to entreat the favor of the
Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going.’”
752
“”And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.”
753
“O our God, will You not execute judgment upon them? For we are powerless against this great
multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
357