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I. ZION MAY LIE FOR A TIME IN A SOMEWHAT RUINOUS CONDITION.

1. When but few are converted — when a preached Gospel does not reach the heart — and when pardon, grace, and salvation are not seen, and acknowledged, to be the most important objects that can be attended to or pursued.

2. When many of the professors of religion draw back, and the enemy of souls hath so far prevailed as to lessen their number. When a worldly and carnal, proud or contentious spirit, or any other proceeding from the same corrupt source, makes inroads among Christians, carries them off from those societies to which they belonged, and from that allegiance they owed and professed to Christ; her walls are broken.

3. When the religious character of those who compose the Church of God is low. When those who belong to Christ are weak in faith, and inconstant in their affections; when they are so immersed in the cares and concerns of this world as that they move but slowly on the road to that for which they were born, and to which they ought ever to aspire; when they do not attend the house of God with that constancy, pleasure, and profit they once did; when they read not the Word of God with that relish and self-appreciation which they formerly experienced — and when the warmth of their holy zeal and devotion is abated, the Church is in an unhappy state.

II. TO BUILD UP ZION IS THE WORK AND PROVINCE OF GOD.

1. This will appear from His own Word, which is the highest authority (Psalm 147:2-4; Ezekiel 36:26-28, 36; Matthew 16:16, 17; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 3:9).

2. When I consider what the Christian is, the principles by which he is actuated, the spirit he possesses, the attainments he makes, the calm fortitude and dignity with which he meets affliction and death, and that unparalleled heroism which multitudes have displayed in persecuting times; I can be at no loss to know, independent of the Word of God, whose work and province it must be to build up Zion at large, the Church in Britain, or those Christian societies to which we belong.

3. When we consider the blindness of men, the hardness of the human heart, the very affecting contrariety there is in us to the holy nature and righteous law of God, the state of things in the world, in a religious view, when the Saviour appeared, and what is the real state of the unconverted in these times; does it not appear that the grace and power of God are requisite to raise a Church out of such materials?

III. IT IS A WOK IN WHICH HE WILL CERTAINLY ENGAGE. From the perfections of Jehovah — from the personal dignity and glory of the Redeemer, the scenes he passed through, and the characters he now sustains — from the preparation that was made for His appearing among men — from Christianity's having nothing of a local nature, but being equally suited to the state and condition of all men — and also from the circumstance of the Gospel's having stood the test of the strictest inquiry for so many years; and the strongest objections that have been made to it only serving to clear and illustrate its evidence; it appears exceedingly probable, that the kingdom of Christ will more fully come, and His religion have a more splendid and glorious triumph. But the main pillar of our hope, with respect to this delightful subject, are the promises and declarations of Him, to whom nothing is impossible (Psalm 2:8; Isaiah 11:9; Psalm 36:9; Daniel 7:18; Malachi 1:2).

IV. THEN THE LORD WILL APPEAR IN HIS GLORY.

1. When faith and holiness prevail among men, the Lord will appear in the glory of His wisdom. This perfection shines whenever a single soul is converted: how much more when the glorious fruits and effects of the Redeemer's undertaking, death, and intercession shall be abundantly visible!

2. When Zion is built in the world at large, or in any particular place, the Lord will appear in the glory of His power. What display can there be of this Divine attribute, at once so honourable to God, and happy to man, as "quickening the dead in trespasses and sins"; causing the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the insensible to feel, and changing the corrupt and sinful bias of the human heart?

3. When Zion is built, God will appear in the glory of His grace and love.

4. When the Lord shall build up Zion, He will appear in the glory of His truth and faithfulness. God will appear to be faithful to every engagement into which he entered with His Son, and to every promise which His Word contains.On a review of what hath been advanced —

1. Let us rejoice in, and be grateful to God for what He hath done, and is still doing, towards building up Zion.

2. Let us rejoice in that great prosperity which awaits the Christian cause; and let the Church encourage herself under all her troubles.

3. Let us all cherish an ardent desire of seeing the Church of God in a more prosperous state, and manifest that desire by our utmost exertions in its favour.

(N. Hill.)

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KJV: When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

WEB: For Yahweh has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.