Ezra 2

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. II.—Great is the honour God puts upon those who prefer his glory, and the interests of his church, to their own ease! And great are the privileges which those obtain who are enrolled in the Lamb’s book of Life, and go up with Christ from their captivity to sin, Satan, and the world. What care God took to keep clear the genealogies of his ancient people till his Son was thereby manifested to spring of Judah and David! It is reasonable that those be excluded from office in the church who undervalue that honour, and want proper tokens of their spiritual birth. And there is need always to consult God himself in every thing relating to his worship and service. To what a small and poor company had sin reduced the once numerous and wealthy tribes of Judah and Benjamin, at least such of them as were willing to appear for their God! And yet it is pleasing to see them in their poverty so willingly contributing to build a temple for God. And what is spent in God’s work shall be returned with interest. But was not this release and return of the Jews typical of the gathering of the nations to Christ, and of the church’s deliverance from Antichrist, and the saints’ release from death at the last day:—Awakened and encouraged by the joyful sound of the gospel trumpet, what multitudes, in the apostolic and after ages, did, with mourning for sin, with hallelujahs of praise, and with the most cordial affection, join themselves to Christ and his church, to be built up a spiritual temple and meet habitation for God! With almighty power Jesus did, and still does, go forth conquering and to conquer, and to overthrow our spiritual enemies, who hold us in slavery; making us free indeed, and willing to do whatever tends to his honour.—In due time the instruments of God’s wrath shall destroy the mystical Babylon, and restore the souls of men to the ancient gospel liberty and rest.—In the resurrection, awakened by the trump of God, all the ransomed millions, who are written among the living in Jerusalem, shall arise, and be gathered to the Lord, and quickly after follow him into the celestial Canaan, to be built up as the everlasting habitation of God—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost