Zechariah 8

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VIII.—God’s new covenant relations, gracious presence, and everlasting love, are sources of abundant benefits to his people: and the blessings of time, as well as of eternity, inseparably and closely follow sincere reformation from sin. Great is the mercy, when children are so healthy, so safe from alarms of war, so well nourished, and so kindly affectioned, as in companies to follow their innocent diversions; and when none other amuse themselves with such trifles: and especially when God gathers sinners to his church, and solemnly and practically acknowledges them his people. God can easily reverse the unhappy state of nations and churches, and turn their howlings into shouts of praise and transports of joy. And he can delightfully gather his chosen out of all kindreds, tongues, and languages. Why then should we ever doubt of his power or will to fulfil the most astonishing promises? Powerfully ought these to engage our hearts to our duty, however difficult or dangerous. And nothing should be dearer to us than the worship of God and the winning of others to Christ