Page:Account of the particular soliloquies and covenant engagements, of Mrs. Janet Hamilton, the deceased lady of Alex. Gordon of Earlston (2).pdf/18

 work were more glorious than ever! Let Zion's walls be built again, so that she may Be beautiful as Tirza, comely as Jerusalem, fair as the Moon, clear as the Sun, and terrible as an Army with banners: so that her enemies may tremble; and her children, who for a long time have been mourning over her rubbish, may rejoice in her comely order, and be compassed about with songs. I invite thee to the poor betrayed scattered societies in Scotland, that thou art now justly contending with. The marks of thy displeasure are evidently to be seen in every meeting; an absent God in every piece of duty, love and tenderness much gone; heart-burnings and contendings and lukewarmness breed nothing like a practical work among the most part, or making any progress in the way of Christianity: Is not all this come upon us, because our God is not amongst us! O that thou, o Lord, wouldest return and make known for what thou art contending, and remove their spiritual plagues, and let thy spirit be poured out among the sinners in Zion, and let them again behold the King's face in peace.—I desire to invite thee to every afflicted and wearied soul that is tost, and like to faint on the dark mountains, passing thro' dark steps, and none to speak comfortably unto them, but every one adding grief to grief. Lord, appear thou for their help, and shorten these days for the elect's sake, lest they faint under the burden,