verse that we may see by whom the enmity was taken away and from whom the reconciling virtue came even from the Lord Christ whose bloud made the attonement Ephes 2.13 14 15 16. How should this teach us to honour and prize the Lord Christ by whom so difficult so great and glorious a work was wrought Fourthly Observe Those that are received to God by the mediation of Christ shall be preserved from all hurtfull things receive all good things needfull and enjoy much security When men are in the Covenant of peace then God will cause the evill beasts to cease out of the Land then no creatures no enemies no Devils shall do them harm Job 5.23 Pro 16.7 Rom 16.20 Then there will be a communication of all good things needful they shall dwell in the wildernesse there they shall have blessings so as they shall not be put to remove their dwellings for want Psal 34.9 10. Psal 23.1 Psal 84.11 Then shall they dwell safely in the wildernesse and sleep in the woods nothing without or within shall create any fear or cause any solicitousness in them they shall have perfect peace and be as in the suburbs of Heaven Jer 23.4 Verses 26 27. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing and I will cause the showre to come down in his season there shall be showres of blessing And the tree of the field shall yeeld her fruit and the earth shall yield her increase and they shall be safe in their Land and shall know that I am the Lord when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them IN these verses as in the former the Lord promises sweet mercies unto his people First A blessing in generall vers 26. Secondly Particular blessings and they are these 1. Seasonable showres from Heaven vers 26. 2. Fruitfullnesse of the earth and that both of the Trees and Land vers 27. 3. Safety ibid. 4. Acknowledgement of God ibid. 5. Freedom ibid. Thirdly The time when all these shall be ibid. Vers 26. I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing The Jews being in Babylon were for a proverb a reproach a taunt and a curse Jer 24.9 Chap 25.18 Chap 29.18 but God would roul away their reproach and make them a blessing The Chaldee is erunt benedicti they shall be blessed its usuall in Scripture to put the Abstract for the Concrete as Gen 12.2 Thou shalt be a blessing the Vulgar there is benedictus thou shalt be blessed take the word blessing here for the Concrete and the sense is they shall be blessed with abundance and variety of blessings they shall be happy and prosperous in all things but take the word as it is in the Abstract a blessing the sense is they shall be a blessing unto others they shall be a blessing unto the Nations as they were a curse in the Nations so they should be a blessing unto them Zech 8.13 It shall come to passe that as ye were a curse among the Nations O house of Judah and house of Israel so will I save you and ye shall be a blessing that is a blessing unto the Nations round about them The word Hill must be interpreted before we can well understand this place By Hill is meant Mount Sion where the Temple was and Jerusalem there God recorded his Name set up his Worship and therefore saith My Hill Now these were Types of Christ and the Church in his time as the Jews therefore came out of Babylon and other places to Mount Sion to Jerusalem and the Temple when rebuilt so to Christ and the Evangelicall Church Gentiles flocked out of several Nations and so the Church and Members of it were a blessing unto them as Mount Sion and the Inhabitants of it together with them dwelt round about it in Judaea or Canaan were a blessing unto the Nations The blessing here I conceive principally referrs to spiritual blessings he spake before of a Covenant of peace wrought by Christ and now of blessings they should have by him the Church under Christ should be blessed with all spiritual blessings according to that Ephes 1.3 And I will cause the showre to come down in his season The word for Showre is Geshem which notes a great and vehement rain as Kirker saith even such as shakes the earth Most make it signifie a strong rain but Ramban a gentle rain be it great or gentle God would give them rain in season In Deut 11.14 you read of the former rain and the latter rain the former rain was in October or September which was upon the sowing of their Corn and this rain came moderately Joel 2.23 That so the Corn might swell with moisture root and grow Lente descendebat ut semina terris imprimerentur imabuerenter humore ad gorminationem Martin the latter rain was in the first month as Joel 2.23 that which we call March though some others put it in May and it was ut grana turpida redderet to make the ear full their harvest was sooner then ours their Countrey being hotter Under these showres Heavenly things are figured unto us as in Deut 32.2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain my speech shall distill as the dew as the small rain upon the tender hearb and as the showres upon the grasse Here Heavenly Doctrine is likened unto rain dew showres and in our Prophet is set out by showres Heavenly Doctrine and influences of the Spirit which do make Gods people fruitfull in all good works as the rain doth the earth and trees in all kind of Hearbs Corn and Fruit. In Christs time there were many such showres he rained Heavenly ones oft upon the people In 2 Pet 2.17 Jude 12. false teachers are said to be Wells without water and Clouds without rain but Christs Apostles were Wells full of water and clouds full of rain and by those did Christ water divers persons and places There shall be showres of blessing The Septuagint is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the rain of blessing or blessed rain Piscator renders the words Erunt pluviae largissime there shall be plentifull rains They may be call'd showres of blessing because they are from the blessed God have a blessing in them and benefit them they fall upon some rains are so great that they do much harm and little good these should not be such they should be seasonable and moderate they should have Heavenly Doctrines and blessings seasonable and as they were capable of them Vers 27. And the Tree of the field shall yeeld her fruit After the Heavens have sent forth their showres the Trees and earth do send forth their fruit Not only the Tree of the garden but the Tree of the field being watered brings forth The Hebrew for Tree is Etz which signifies any wood and Synecdochically a Tree because it is wood And the earth
diligent and careful inquiry The Vulgar is Adhuc in hoc invenient me domus Israel moreover in this shall the house of Israel find me when they pray and seek me I will be found of them they shall prevail with me to do this for them Vatablus in his Notes hath the words thus Ero requisitus à domo Israel I will be required by the house of Israel they shall come and mind me and intreat me to do this for them Junius is otherwise Expositus ero domui Israelis ut hoc faciam eis I will be exposed to the house of Israel that I will do this for them Piscator is more plain Inveniendum me exhibebo Domui Israelis I will shew my self to the house of Israel to be found of them that I may do this for them Lavater and the French is I will be required I will have the house of Israel sue unto me for it What it is that God will be enquired of for is next to be spoken of Maldonate makes it Quicquid petiverint whatsoever they shall ask Some refer it to all the promises mentioned before but both these are too large and the words would not have been for this but for these things or these promises will I be enquired of Lavater makes for this to be Vt multiplicentur that they may be multiplyed and increased again or For this viz which I have spoken and said I will do I have said I will return rebuild replant them and make their desolate Land like the Garden of Eden so that the Heathens shall wonder at my dealings with them now for this will I be enquired of by the house of Israel I will increase them with men like a flock The Hebrew may be read thus I will increase them like a flock of men The Septuagint is I will increase the men themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as sheep I will so multiply them that they shall be like a flock The Jews greatly desired issue alwayes and it is probable more strongly after their reduction from Babylon then ever that so they might plant build and fill the Land again Vers 38. As the holy flock as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn Feasts so shall the waste Cityes be filled with flocks of men and they shall know that I am the Lord. IN the Hebrew it is As the flocks of holinesses or holy things The Jews besides other feasts had three great solemn Feasts every yeer at Jerusalem 1. The Passeover 2. Pentecost 3. The Feast of Tabernacles unto which the people came up from all parts of the Land and for their use at those times great flocks of sheep and herds of Cattel were brought to Jerusalem In Josiahs time there were 30000 Lambs and Kids besides Oxen and small Cattel which were for holy services and therefore here are called The holy flock and flock of Jerusalem John 15.2 You read of a sheep Market and by it a Pool great flocks of sheep were brought unto that Market and they were washed in that Pool before they were used in holy services Jerusalem at these Feasts were filled with flocks of sheep and men and God here promiseth That the waste and desolate places of Judea should be filled with men and made to abound with inhabitants again how improbable soever it seemed to the Jews or Heathens And they shall know that I am the Lord. They shall acknowledge that my thoughts are not theirs nor my wayes theirs and that I am faithfull and able to do great things First Observe God expects that his People should seek to him for performance of those Promises he graciously makes them I will for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them It is tender mercy and loving kindness in God to make promises unto sinners and it is duty in man to mind them being made and to sue them out by prayer David did so Remember saith he the word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope Psal 119.49 And again Quicken me according to thy Word vers 154. He minded God of his word and promises and pressed him by hearty prayer to make the same good So Jacob Lord didst not thou bid me return unto my Countrey and saidst thou wouldest deal well with me deliver me I pray thee from the hand of my brother from the hand of Esau for I fear him Gen 32.9 11. Had not Jacob improved the promise he might have gone without deliverance Promises as they are foundations for faith so they are incentives unto prayer and provoke those to whom they are made to sue them out O Lord God said Solomon let thy promise unto David my father be established 2 Kings 1.9 Thou didst promise him that I should sit upon the Throne Lord make it good Jeremy holds out this truth most cleerly That God expects to be sought unto for the performance of what he promiseth Chap 29.10 11. After seaventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you and perform my good word towards you in causing you to return to this place for I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the Lord thoughts of peace and not of evill to give you an expected end Here is the promise what now follows in the 12 13 14. verses Then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you c. See it put in practice Dan 9.2 3 4 c. God tells them Isa 43. That he blots out transgressions for his own sake and will not remember their sins but then it is added Put me in remembrance vers 25 26. Secondly Observe That the increase of Children is the blessing of God and he can increase them in a short space to become like a flock They multiplyed and filled the Land after their return and were as the Stars of Heaven the Sand of the Sea-shore and Dust of the earth the Key of the womb is in Gods hand and he maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyfull Mother of children Psal 113.9 And he makes the fruitfull woman to be more fruitfull He multiplyed his People as the Bud of the field Ezek 16.7 Thirdly Observe How desperate soever the conditions of men and things are the Lord can restore them to their Pristine estate yea to a better They were in a low and lost condition in Babylon all their Cityes laid waste in their own Land and never like to be built or inhabitated but God delivered them and restored them to their Primitive state and made all their waste Cityes populous Jerusalem formerly was filled with men now the waste Cityes should be also filled abounding with men now their Land should be planted and inhabited things in that Land were often at the point of ruine and incurable in the eye of men but God relieved them raised and restored them When Sennacherib was there with his great Army and all seemed lost
Enemies they should sheath their Swords in one anothers bowels God would order it so that one should destâ—oy another as the Philistines did 1 Sam. 14 16. Behold the multitude melted away and they went on beating down one another and Vers 20. Every mans sword was against his fellow They being full of discontent and perplexity thought it more honourable to dye then to fall into the hands of Enemies Vers 22. And I will plead against him with Pestilence and with Bloud He shews here what judgements God would bring upon Gog and his Armies judgements from beneath and judgements from above The first sort here are Pestilence and Bloud by the sword and slaughter The Hebrew is I will be judg'd with him by Pestilence and Bloud they shall declare that I am a strong and just God And I will rain upon him and upon his Bands c. an over-flowing Rain and great Hailstones Fire and Brimstone The second sort of judgements are Rain Hailstones Fire and Brimstone These words over-flowing showers and great Hailstones we had Chap. 13.11 13. In the 10. of Joshuah we read how God did cast down great Stones from Heaven upon the Amorites and slew more with Hailâ—tones then the Israelites slew with the Sword vers 10. To this place it 's conceiv'd our Prophet alludes foretelling that the Lord would deal with the Goggites as he did with the Amorites slâ—y them with extraordinary great Hâ—â—lstones from Heaven and not only so but with Fire and Brimstone which is poena damnatorum the punishment of the damn'd in Hell and was the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrha Some by these expressions understand manifold and grievous calamities which befell Gog and his and will not have them to be understood litterally that so the verification of them may fall upon Antiochus and his Forces who suffered very sad things for he was smitten by God with an incurable and invisible plague and torment in his bowels he fell from his Chariot and was bruised with his fall worms came out of his body in abundance his rottenness and stink was such as none could bear the same and while he was alive his flesh fell off for pain 2 Macc. 9. Let it be granted that these words are not to be taken literally but metaphorically for heavy judgements befalling Gog and his it will not follow thereupon that Antiochus was the man though he suffered such grievous things for it 's said of Gog that he should fall upon the Mountains of Israel he and all his Bands that he and his slain should have graves in Israel Ezek. 39.4 11. But as for Antiochus he dyed in his bed and that either in Babylon as 1 Macc. 6. or at Ecbatane in India as it 's 2 Macc. 9. Neither was there any such vast destruction of Antiochus Forces which came into Judaea under Lysias as these words hold out and is more clearly expressed in Ch. 39.12 Seven moneths shall the house of Israel be burying of them There must be a wonderful great slaughter which required so much time for their burial I conceive therefore that these words may be taken in the literal sense and are yet to be fulfill'd and that induceth so to judge is what you have Rev. 20.8 9. where it is said Satan shall gather Gog and Magog together to battail the number of whom is as the sand of the Sea and they went up on the breadth of the Earth and compassed the Camp of the Saints about and the beloved City and fire came down from Heaven and devoured them John saw this in Vision and spake of it as to come and puts it after the Saints rising and reigning a thousand years with Christ That time being expired some grand Enemies shall arise against the Jews and people of God whom he will destroy not only in an ordinary way but miraculously also by fire from Heaven First Observe When wicked men are plotting and attempting the ruine of the Church Gods wrath is kindled against them When Gog comes up against the land of Israel Gods fury comes up in his face Gog manifests himself to be an Enemy to Sion and God manifests himself to be an Enemy to Gog. Wicked men plot act proceed far oft-times and afflict the servants of God greatly but when they think to carry all God appears and that in fury In Nah. 1.2 it is said He reserveth wrath for his Enemies and when they declare their enmity against him and his he discovers his wrath against them Zerah had been long plotting against the Jews at last he comes against them with a thousand thousand and three hundred Chariots and thought to devour Asa his Army and Land in a day and whilest he had such apprehensions the Lord smote him before Asa and Judah 2 Chron. 14.8.12 Secondly Observe When mischief is intended against Gods people his love and indignation are manifested then his love to his people his indignation towards their Enemies In my jealousie and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken When Gogs Armies were to harm the Jews then was he jealous In jealousie there is ardent love and vehement indignation the one is towards his people the other towards them that wrong his people Zechar. 8. I was jealous for Zion with great jealousie and I was jealous for her with great fury He had strong love to Zion and great fury against the Enemies of Zion as a man hath ardent love to his wife and indignation against any should offer her violence God is jealous over his Church and therefore will never suffer it to be made a prey of by the wicked Gods love and indignation at such a time are so ardent that he swears he will be avenged on them that would wrong his Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the Land of Israel Gog and all his Forces shall fall Thirdly Observe The judgements of God are dreadful they affect all Creatures the Fishes of the Sea the Fowls of Heaven the Beasts of the Field all that creeps upon the Earth all men upon the face of the Earth shall shake Mountains Rocks Walls shall fall This judgement upon Gog shall be such as to astonish and trouble all sensible and insensible creatures so much of God shall be seen in it When the Lord destroyed Tyrus it was a dreadful judgement the Isles did shake at the sound of her fall the Princes of the Sea did tremble and were astonished Ezek. 26. But at the destruction of Gog Heaven Earth Sea all men other creatures shall shake There will be more of God seen in that judgement then in most before his presence power and severity will appear eminently in that Judgement it will speak aloud and fill the world with astonishment Fourthly Observe God can easily raise Forces against his and the Churches Enemies he can do it without any trouble I will call for a Sword against him throughout all my Mountains The Mountains of Israel were the Lords and all
neither be corner foundation or wall-stones Jem 51.26 and the stones of Sion which are pretious and living they begin to creep out of the dust of contempt and to appear like the stars of the morning now there is a spirit of prayer more then formerly and more then ordinary for the accomplishment of this vision and great expectation raised in many to see such a spiritual Temple Fifthly Observe The end of making known the laws and ways of God's house is that they may be observed and practised Ezekiel must shew them and write in their sight the forms laws and ordâ—nances of the house that they may keep and do them God propounds not divine things onely to be known but chiefly to be done It 's not enough to know virtue but men must endeavour to have it and to do virtuously Did a man know all the forms comings in and goings out of God's house all the laws and ordinances thereof and not observe them it would not advantage him at all but make his condemnation the greater The end of humane laws and ordinances is observation else they are no better then cyphers So the end of God's laws is keeping and doing of them it 's not knowing nor hearing nor praising but practise which commends them Disobedience is a dishonour to God to his house to his laws Let us hearken to James in this case Chap. 1.22 his counsel is good Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves Vers 12. This is the law of the house upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy c. Sanctius reads the words thus This is the law of the house upon the top of the mountain and there makes the distinction from the following words Others make it before and refer the words upon the top of the mountain to the latter words not the former There is no considerable difference whether the note of distinction be in the one or the other place For the house was upon the top of a mountain Chap. 40.2 6. The law of this house viz. the fabrick mountain and whole compass thereof was holiness It 's here said to be most holy The Hebrew is Sanctitas sanctorum The holiness of holiness The Hebrews do double the word when they intend a superlative as a Servant of Servants Gen. 9.25 that is most servile a King of Kings Ezra 7.12 that is the most eminent and greatest of Kings and here the holiness of holiness that is the most holy Such was this house and the mountain whereon it stood and the compass of it round about which was by a wall of 500. reeds long and so many broad or thereby was the separation made between the Sanctuary and the prophane place Chap. 42.20 This house was to be the habitation of God his Throne a representation of New Jerusalem and Heaven it self therefore it is styl'd not onely hold but most holy First Observe The Church of God hath a good Foundation It 's an house upon a mountain and that is strong Job 39.28 Rocks and mountains are strong places they stand immovable The rock or mountain on which the Church is founded and built is the Lord Christ himself 1 Cor. 3.11 call'd a mountain Dan. 2.35 A precious corner stone a sure foundation Isa 28.16 A rock 1 Cor. 10. 4. The strength of Israel 1 Sam. 15.29 The root of David Rev. 22.16 and upholder of all things Heb. 1.3 He upholds the world and the Church Secondly Observe The Church of God is eminent and conspicuous It 's on the top of a mountain and that mountain was very high Chap. 40.2 where he saw this Temple which holds forth the visibility and eminency of the Church under the Gospel Isa 2.2 It shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow unto it When one mountain is laid upon another the uppermost must be very eminent the Church here is call'd a mountain and this mountain is seated upon the top of another mountain even that mountain that fills all the earth Dan. 2.35 It must therefore of necessity be high and be seen of the nations for it 's Prophesied that all nations shall flow unto it This suits with that Rev. 21.24 Thirdly Observe The whole Church of God is to be made up of holy materials The house upon the top of the mountain the whole circuit thereof round about shall be mâ—st holy There must not be one part of the house profane another part holy but the whole house and every part thereof must be holy Isa 35.8 There shall be the way of holiness the unclean shall not pass over it the purity of that way will be such as wicked ones will not dare to tread in it Joel 3.16 17. The Lord shall roar out of Sion and utter his voice from Jerusalem and the heavens and the earth shall shake terrible doings there shall be but the Lord will be the hope of his people and the strength of the children of Israel So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion my holy mountain then shalâ— Jerusalem be holy that is all Jerusalem shall then be holy and there shall no strangers pass thorow her any more to pollute and defile her Then shall every pot in Jerusalem and Judah be holiness unto the Lord as Zech. speaks Chap. 14.21 Then shall be shut out all dogs sorcerers whoremongers muâ—derers Idolaters and lovers with makers of lies as John saith Rev. 22.15 and whatever defileth Rev. 21.27 Peter calls them of this Temple lively stones 1 Pet. 2.5 John calls them seal'd ones Rev. 7.4 Such as had the Fathers name written in their foreheads Rev. 14.1 Precious stones Rev. 21.19 Ephes 2.19 20 21.22 Fourthly Observe The law of this house which is holiness is specially to be observed The verse begins and ends alike This is the law of the house bebold This is the law of this house Hujus domus so Vatablus Istius domus so Junius As the house is emphatical so is the law of it set out with an Ecce Behold This is the law of it holiness of holiness All in this house hath a law of holiness writ in it or upon it If any thing or person could come in here without holiness such things and persons would be cast out as unclean as the man was who came into the Marriage-Supper without a Wedding Garment Mat. 22.12 13. They violate the law of holiness and must suffer for it but such shall not be suffered to enter Rev. 21.27 There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth no false doctrine no humane inventions or will-worship shall be there no profane person no formalist or hypocrite shall get in there but they who are written in the Lambs book of life vers 12.
in the fifteenth day of the month shall he do the like in the feast of the seven days according to the Sin-offering according to the Burnt-offering and according to the Meat-offering and according to the Oyle Passing over the feast of Pentecost without any mention thereof he comes to the feast of Tabernacles which was to begin The fifteenth day of the seventh month Levit. 23.34 And as it was in the feast of the Passover so it must be here but it was not so in the time of Moses Levit. 23.39 40. This feast of Tabernacles or Booths cannot be understood literally for there is a Prophesie in Zach. 14.16 That those left of the Nations which came against Jerusalem should come to worship the King the Lord of Hosts and to keep the feast of Tabernacles which in the litteral sense was peculiar to the Jews It figures out therefore the gathering of the elect into particular Churches in this world into which they should come and in which they should have fellowship with the Saints and partake of the grace of God By these feasts and sacrifices also we are minded of the spiritual joy the Saints have in their communion together under the Gospel and spiritual-sacrifices they offer up to God by Christ The primitive Christians continued daily with one accord in the Temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart praising God Act. 2.46 47. CHAP. XLVI Verse 1. Thus saith the Lord God The gate of the inner Court that looketh toward the East shall he shut the six working days but on the Sabbath it shall be opened and in the days of the new-moon it shall be opened 2. And the Prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without and shall stand by the post of the gate and the Priest shall prepare his burnt-offering and his peace offering and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate Then he shall go forth but the gate shall not be shut untill the evening 3. Likewise the people of the Land shall worship at the door of this gate before the Lord in the Sabbaths and in the New-Moons 4. And the burnt-offering that the Prince shall offer unto the Lord in the Sabbath day shall be six Lambs without blemish and a Ram without blemish 5. And the meat-offering shall be an Ephah for a Ram and the meat-offering for the Lambs as he shall be able to give and an hin of oyl to an Ephah 6. And in the days of the New-Moon it shall be a young Bullock without blemish and six Lambs and a Ram and they shall be without blemish 7. And he shall prepare a meat-offering an Ephah for a Bullock and an Ephah for a Ram and for the Lambs according as his hand shall attain unto and an hin of oyl to an Ephah 8. And when the Prince shall enter he shall go in by the way of the porch of that gate and he shall go forth by the way thereof THis fourty sixth Chapter contains 1. Ordinances about several gates the Prince and Peoples going in and out by them with their Oblations and Worship from the beginning to Verse 16. 2. Certain Laws are laid down concerning the Princes gifts unto his Sons and Servants in the 16 17 and 18 Verses 3. A description of the Courts and places where the Priests and Levites were to boil and prepare the Sacrifices from the beginning of Verse 19. to the end of the Chapter The first Verse speaks of the East-gate in the inner Court that was the gate next to the Temple By this gate the glory of the Lord came into the Temple Chap. 43.1 2 4. and it was to be kept shut all the six working days and onely to be opened on Sabbaths and New-Moons In Chap. 44. we have the reason why it was to be kept shut ver 2. Thus saith the Lord This gate shall be shut it shall not be opened and no man shall enter in by it because the Lord the God of Israel hath entred by it therefore it shall be shut That is for the Prince c. and here it is The Prince shall enter by the way c. The things here required are not to be found in the Mosaical Law they represented things under the Gospel that Jewish Worship should go down when Christ appeared in the flesh The shutting of the gate the six working days tells us that on those days we are to follow our callings and earn our daily bread Christianity doth not open a door to idleness We command and exhort saith Paul that with quietness men work and eat their own bread 2 Thess 3.12 Under Moses God allowed them six days to work Exod. 20.9 and the same allowance they have under the Gospel Luke 13.14 Some pervert Gods Order and make all days alike either all working days or all Sabbaths resting days but God hath distinguished them As there be working days wherein we must not rest so there be Sabbaths wherein we must not Work The opening of the gate on Sabbath days and New-Moons signifies unto us that the gate of Heaven is open unto us when we have solemn and publique Meetings on the Lords day and other special occasions to worship God When all the Disciples were gat together to serve and seek God then came a sound from Heaven and the Spirit fell upon them like fiery tongues Acts 2. So when Peter preached unto the great multitude the gate of Heaven was opened and power came down from above to convert three thousand ver 41. So when there was a solemn Meeting in the Centurions house the Word being preached by Peter the gate of Heaven was opened and the Holy Ghost fell on all that heard the Word Acts 10.44 Such times are times of grace and mercy God opens Heaven and gives out blessings These six days may denote the term of mans life here which is a time of labour and sorrow Job 5.7 and 14.1 He tumbles or is tumbled up and down from condition to condition and hath no rest but at the end of his life Heaven gate is opened and he hath a Sabbath an eternal rest where is no labour sin nor sorrowing Heb. 4.9 10. Then the gate of the inner Court is opened unto him and then he shall see as he is seen and know as he is known 1 John 3.2 1 Cor. 13.12 Here we see and know little and that little darkly as in a glass but then shall we see clearly and know perfectly the mysteries of this and other Visions and things The second Verse tells us of the Prince his entring by the way of the porch and standing by the post of the gate where he was to worship but come into the Court he might not If we understand this of the Secular Prince four things are here considerable 1. That the Prince must not enter into the inner Court he must not meddle with the Priestly Office or things of
Israel by Jordan from the border to the East Sea that is the Lake of Sodom or Dead Sea as some interpret it But Numb 34.11 it is extended to the Sea of Chinnereth Eastward which is the Sea of Tiberias or Lake of Genesaret John 6.1 Luke 5.1 The South border is set forth unto us in ver 19. and it is from Tamar which Maldonate makes Jericho Others a Town near the Dead Sea and from hence to Meribah or the waters of Strife in Kadeh in the Wilderness of Zin Numb 20.13 27.14 and so to the River which led to the great Sea that River is called Sihor Josh 13.3 Jer. 2.18 and the River of Egypt Numb 34.5 and diâ—tinguished the Tribes of Simeon and Judah from Egypt as Sinetius saith and ran into the Mediterranean Sea which is the great Sea so called in respect of the Sea of Galilee or Tiberias and of the Dead Sea which were little ones to that To this great Sea came the South border The West border is in ver 20. from the border of the great Sea that is from the place where the River of Egypt exonerates it self into the Mediterranean Sea which by Geographers is called Rhinocura and so to Hamah in the North-West towards Mount Hor. This tract by the Sea was the West border Numb 34.6 The Prophet being shewn the borders of the Land in the fore-going Verses is brought here to see the division of it in the three last Verses And the division was to be according to the Tribes ver 21. and this division was to be not ad placitum but per sortem the lot was to fall upon it ver 22. Ye shall divide it by lot the Hebrew is ye shall make it fall that is under lot They might not pick and chuse what part of the Land they had a minde unto but take their portion where the lot fell and here it is ordered that strangers and their children shall not be excluded from inheriting Not all strangers were to have this priviledge but those that should come and dwell amongst them and beget children It was not so in the division of the Land by Moses and Joshua strangers might not inherit amongst them which clearly intimates there was to be a change of the Mosaical state Strangers might come into any of the Tribes which Sanctius understands of Proselytes whose number was great as he saith And into what Tribe soever they come there they were to have inheritance so that now the difference between strangers and natives Jews and Gentiles was to cease and they both had the same priviledge Having given you the litteral sense of the words now let us see what may be the spiritual sense of them for in the letter they were not fulfilled after the return froâ— Babylon but mystically under the Gospel they were 1. Then here is held out unto us The great extent and largeness of the Church under Christ and the Gospel The Land mentioned signifies the Churches state and the bordering of it out North East South West the extent of it into all parts The Christian Church is larger then the Jewish that was shut up in one Nation now it reaches to all Nations Mat. 28.19 neither Asia Africa Europe nor America are excluded Mat. 24.14 Luke 20.47 Rev. 15.4 The Church under the Gospel is universal and invisible 2. Those that are Subjects or Members of this Church are not Hypocrites but Israelites Those that were not Israelites and true Israelites were not to be in this Church Hypocrites scandalous ignorant and unregenerate persons are often in if not the major part of particular visible Churches but of the universal Church of Christ they are not that consists of true Israelites such as Nathaniel was John 1.48 of Jews inwardly such as are circumcised in heart and spirit Rom. 2.29 of such as are enrolled in Heaven Heb. 12 23. of sealed ones Rev. 7. and these stood with the Lamb on Mount Sion Rev. 14.1 These made up the Church and body of Christ 3. The priviledges of this Church do equally belong to all the members of it ver 14. Ye shall inherit it one as well as another None hath preheminence above others in the things of Christ and God As the Jews could not say This Land is more mine then yours I have the priviledges you have not so a Saint a Christian a true member of the universal Church cannot say The Church or priviledges of it are more mine then others who are in the same for all are one in Christ Jesus Gal. 3.28 and there is but one Body one Spirit one hope one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all Ephes 4.4 5 6. it is one and the same grace of God one and the same righteousness of Christ one and the same eternal life which they are interested in 4. The state of Christians in the Church and all the spiritual blessings they have therein are of free grace and meer mercy This land shall fall to you for inheritance verse 14. and ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance verse 22. It was freely given them and what good soever was there in all the milk and honey thereof In like manner the bringing of men into Sion to be members of Christs Body and all the spiritual milk and honey they enjoy in that state is of meer grace and good pleasure Saith Christ himself No man cometh unto me except the Father draw him John 6.45 God hath given unto Christ some men John 17.2 and those God hath given to Christ he brings them to Christ from whom they have milk wine and honey 5. The Church of God under the Gospel consisted of Gentiles as well as of Jews This appears from this That strangers might sojourn amongst them The Gentiles were strangers being neither of the seed of Abraham nor of the Commonwealth of Israel Ephes 2.12 but they were under Ch ist to be in Canaan that is in the Church John 10.16 Of these Christ spake when he said Other sheep I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring that is into the fold It was prophesied in Isa 49.22 that the Gentiles should come in Thus saith the Lord God behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles and set up my standard to the people and they shall bring thy sons in their arms and thy daughters shall he carried upon their shoulders c. The Gentiles and their children should believe and come into the Church of Christ And Isa 56.6 7. Also the sons of the stranger that joyn themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the name of the Lord to be his servants c. eveâ— them will I bring to my holy Mountain and make them joyful in my house of Prayer Isa 65.1 Zach. 2.11 Many Nations shall be joyned unto the Lord in that day and shall be my people Tâ—ese Prophesies and many other to the same purpose are made good and
unto the Jews and the one thousand two hundred and sixty days put for years are drawing to an end and God is about some great things to be done in the world and will ere long break forth That by this City is represented the Church some Rabbins themselves do acknowledge for though they deny our Christ to be the Messiah because he never built them such a Temple and City as Ezekiel describes yet they acknowledge this City and Temple to be understood not corporally or literally but mystically and spiritually And the Talmudists affirm That by Jerusalem we are to understand the gathering of the Gentiles to Christ or the whole body of Christians There be several things observable concerning this City or Church of Christ 1. That it is well and strongly founded usually Cities are built upon hills and mountains which are the strongest parts of the earth and so was this City chap. 40.2 Ezekiel saw the frame of this City upon a very high mountain and on such a mountain is the Christian Cfiurch built on the mountain of Gods Decree and Power on the mountain of Righteousness and Truth it s built upon Christ the rock of ages such a rock as the gates of hell cannot shake or shatter John tells us of this City the new Jerusalem that it had twelve foundations three on every square which were sure firm and would never fail The Lord Christ the holy Scriptures and the Doctrine of the holy Prophets and Apostles must fall to the ground before the Church shall be ruined 2 Tim. 2.19 2. It is comely and beautiful Cities which are built four square especially are so and such was this City it had four thousand and five hundred measures on each quarter there was nothing unfightly on any of the four quarters they were all parallel and had gates alike in them which presented it very delightful to the eye the Church of Christ is comely and beautiful its built not of unhewen stones or timber but such as are well hewen and orderly laid together Hence the Church of Corinth is called Gods building 1 Cor. 3.9 and the Church in general the City of the living God Heb. 12.22 The Church is such a building such a City as is full uf comeliness and beauty it s a congregation of Saints Psal 149.1 It s the garden of Christ Cant. 4.12 his Kingdom Matth. 13.41 his Spouse whom himself saith is fair yea the fairest among women Cant. 1.8 pleasant verse 16. and beautiful 7.1 the Church is Christs body Eph. 1.23 the Spirits Temple 1 Cor. 3.16 and therefore hath curious work in it very glorious and beautiful What David said of Sion Psal 50.2 that it was the perfection of beauty is most true of the Church under Christ and in Christ it s the perfection of beauty Heb. 10.14 By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified 3. The greatness and amplitude of this City it had four thousand and five hundred measures Eastward West North and Southward it was eighteen thousand measures in compass which sets out the greatness and vast extent of the Church of Christ Zach. 10.10 God saith he will bring the Jews from Egypt and Assyria and so multiply them that place shall not be found for them Isa 49.20 The children shall say in thine ears that is in the ears of the Church the place is too strait for me give place that I may dwell The Christian Church is spoken of which should multiply so that their habitation must be enlarged as it is Isa 54.1 2 3. Now the tents and curtains of Sions habitation are stretched to the ends of the earth Psal 2.8 Mal. 1.11 From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof 4. The City hath access unto it from all parts great Cities have many gates East gates West gates North gates and South gates so had this City twelve gates in every quarter three which signifies unto us the great access should be unto the Church of Christ from all parts not onely Jews should come out of the twelve Tribes to enter and dwell in this City and be under the Government of it but multitudes of Gentiles out of all nations and quarters of the world should do so Rev. 7. John saw not onely twelve thousand Jews enter in at each gate but a great multitude also which no man could number of all Nations kindreds peoples Tongues The Jews were numerable forty four thousand but the Gentiles were above so many millions the number of them which entered by the gates was innumerable 5. The happiness of this City which is from the Lords inhabiting there and giving it its denomination the name of it shall be Jehovah Shammah The Lord is there Alexandria was not so happy in Alexander nor Constantinople so happy in Constantine nor Jerusalem in Solomon as this City shall be in Jehovah We read in sacred Scripture of a golden City Isa 14.4 of a Royal City 1 Sam. 27.5 of a renowned City Ezek. 26.17 But their glory and happiness was a shadow to the glory and happiness of this City they were cities without God Jehovah was not there but here will the Lord himself be These words Jehovah Shammah import 1. The presence of God in the Church and that is a happiness to have his presence when God left the Temple and City of Jerusalem that was their great misery Hos 9.12 His presence in Heaven makes it Heaven and his presence in the Church makes it happy Thus saith the Lord I am returned unto Sion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem and Jerusalem shall be called a City of truth and the mountain of the Lord of Hosts the holy mountain Gods presence makes it a City of Truth and an holy mountain and that City is happy which hath truth and holiness in it Zech. 8.3 2. His continuance in it he will not be ut hospes in diversorio sed ut haeres in patrimonio he will dwell there he will not leave this city nor depart from it as he did from Jerusalem of old and as he did from the Jews after their captivity Jer. 32.40 I will not turn away from them to do them good Ezek. 37.26 I will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore Rev. 7.15 He that sitteth upon the throne shall dwell with them It is the happiness of a Saint to have the Comforter and his great happiness to have the same abide with him and that for ever Joh. 14.16 So it s the happiness of the Christian to have Christs presence and exceeding happiness to have it for ever 3. His upholding and preserving of it the Church is Gods building 1 Cor. 3.9 He said in Isaiahs days I will lay thy stones with fair colours and lay thy foundations with Saphires I will make thy windâ—ws of Agates and thy gates of Carbuncles and all thy border of pleasant stones Isa 54.11 12. and when the Lord shall do this he will
of their own Talmud The Souls progress to the Celestial Canaan by Iohn VVelles Preacher of the Gospel Comfortable Sermons on Psalm 24. preached before the Lady Elizabeth her Grace by Daniel Dyke B. D. Plenary possession makes a lawful subjection to Powers that are in being proved to be lawful and necessary in a Sermon before the Judges in Exeter by Rich. Saunders Preacher of the Gospel The new World or the new reformed Church discovered out of the second Epistle of Peter by Nath. Homes D. D. God save the King in a Sermon preached the day after his Majesty came into London by Anthony Walker Preacher of the Gospel A plea for Ministers in Sequestrations against Mr. Mossom by S. S. An Antidote against Anabaptism wherein the Baptizing Infants taking Tythes c. are fully vindicated by Aylmor Haughton The Conversaion as Heavenly and as Natural in two Treatise by Dr Stoughton An Exposition with practicial Observations continued upon the thirtieth and one and thirtieth Chapters of the Book of Iob being the substance of thirty seven Lectures delivered at Magnus near the Bridge London by Joseph Caryl Pastor of the Congregation there Also a continuation by the same Author of the 32 33 and 34. Chapters of Iob being the substance of forty nine Lectures delivered at Magnus near the Bridge London The Covenant of life opened or a Treatise of the Covenant of Grace by Samuel Rutherfurd Professor of Divinity in the Vniversity of S. Andrews Jesus Christ the mystical or Gospel Sun sometimes seeming eclipsed yet never going down from his people or Eclipses spiritualized opened in a Sermon at Pauls Church before the right Honourable the Lord Mayor Aldermen c. March 28. 1652. the day before the late Solar Eclipse by Fulk Beller M. A. and Preacher of the Gospel in the City of London A Sermon preached before tbe honourable house of Commons at their late monthly Fast being on Wednesday Iune 30. 1647. by Nathaniel Ward Minister of Gods Word A Declaration of the Faith and Order owned and practised in the Congregational Churches in England agree upon and consented unto by their Elders and Messengers in their meeting at the Savoy October 12. 1658. The humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines concerning a Confession of Faith presented by them to both Houses of Parliament The humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines concerning a Larger Catechism presented by them to both Houses of Parliament A Sermon preached by Hugh Peters preached before his death as it was taken by a faithful hand and now published for publick Information Mesolabium Architectonicum that is a most rare and singular Instrument for the easie speedy and most certain measuring of Plains and Solids by the foot invented long since by Mr. Thomas Bedwel Esq A Changling no company for lovers of Loyalty or the subjects Lesson in point of sacred submission to and humble compliance with God and the King The Beauty of Magistracy in an Exposition of 82 Psalm where is set forth the Necessity Utility Dignity Duty and Morality of Magistrates by the labours of Thomas Hall B. D. and Pastor of Kingsnorton and George Swinnock M. A. and Pastor of great Kimbel The Christian-mans calling or a Treatise of making Religion ones business Wherein the Nature and necessity of it is discovered As also the Christian directed how he may perform it in Religious Duties Natural Actions his Particular Vocation his Family-Directions and his own Recreation by George Swinnock M. A. Preacher of the Gospel at Great Kimbel in the County of Bucks To be read in Families for their instruction and Edification Large Octavo's THe door of salvation opened by the Key of Regeneration by George Swinnock M. A. Preacher of the Gospel at Great Kimbel in Buckinghamshire Heaven and Hell Epitouised the true Christian characcteterised by the same Author A Wedding-Ring fit for the finger or the salve of Divinity on the sore of Humanity Laid open in a Sermon at a Wedding in Edmonton by William Secker Preacher at the Gospel To which is adjoyned The None-such Professor in his Meredian Splendor or The singular actions of sanctified Christians being the substance of seven Sermons on Mat. 5.47 By the same Author Four profitable Treatises very useful for Christian practice viz. The killing power of the Law The Spiritual watch The New Birth of the Sabbath by the reverend Will. Fenner late minister of Rotchford in Essex Enchyridion Judicum or Jehoshaphats charge to his Judges together with the Catastrophe Magnatum or King Davids lamentation at Prince Abners Incineration by James Livesey Minister of the Gospel at Atherton The greatest loss upon Mat. 16.26 by the same Author Meditations Divine and Moral Henry Tabb M. A. The Psalms of King David translated by King James Wilful Impenitency the grossest Selfmurther by that able faithful and laborious Minister of Jesus Christ Mr. William Fenner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Almost Christian discovered or the False-professor try'd and cast by Matthew Mead. Spiritual Wisdom improved against Temptation by the same Author Beams of former light discovering how evil it is to impose doubtful and disputable forms or practices upon Ministers The Pastor and clark or a debate real concerning Infant Baptism aby John Ellis Habbakkuck's prayer applied to the Churches present occasions on Hab. 3.2 and Christs counsel to the Church of Philadelphia on Revel 3.11 by that late reverend and faithful Minister of Jesus Christ Mr. Samuel Balmford Pastor of Albons Wood-street London The Rudiments of Grammar The rules composed in English Verse for the greater benefit and delight of young beginners by James Shirley The Ladies Dispensatory containing the Natures Vertues and qualities of Herbs and Simples useful in physick reduced into a methodical order for their more ready use in any sickness or other accidents of the body Small Octavo s. CAtechizing Gods ordinance in sundry Sermons by Mr. Zachary Crofton Minister at Butolphs Aldgate London The Godly mans Ark in the day of his distress discovered in divers Sermons the first of which was preached at the Funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Moor. Whereunto is annexed Mrs. Elizabeth Moors Evidences for Heaven composed and collected by her in the time of her health for her comfort in the time of her sickness by E. Calamy B. D. Paster of the Church at Aldermanbury The Gale of opportunity and beloved Disciple by Thomas Froysal Sion in the house of Mourning because of sin and suffering being an exposition on the fifth Chapter of the Lamentations by D. S. Pastor of Vpingham in Rutland The one thing necessary by Mr. Thomas Watson Minister of Stephen Walbrook A Plea for Arms delivered in a Sermon at the Spittle on Tuesday in Easter Week April 13. 1658. by the same Author Moses unvailed or those figures which served unto the pattern and shadow of Heavenly things pointing out the Messiah Christ Jesus briefly explained whereunto is added the harmony of the Prophets breathing with one mouth the Mysteries of his coming and of that Redemption which by his death he was to accomplish by William Guild Minister of Gods Word at King-Edward in Scotland Good company being a collecton of various serious pious meditations by I. Melvin Minister of the Gospel at Vdimer in Sussex A Religious Treatise upon Simeons Song or instruction how to live holily and die happily by T. Woodriff B. D. Pastor at Kingsland in Herefordshire The Reformation in which is Reconciliation with God and his people or a Catechhism unvailing the Apostles Creed with Annotations in which Faith Ordinances and Government are professed as in the Primitive times in opposition to all Errors and Heresies by W. K. Minister of the Gospel Prospering prophaness provoking holy conference and Gods attention several Sermons from Mal. 3.15 16 17. by Zachary Crofton The Catechism of Hugo Grotius done into english Benedictio Valedictio or the Rememberance of thy Friend and thy end being a farewel Sermon preached at the house of the late Right honourable Leticia Lady Paget Dowager deceased by her Chaplin Anthony Sadler Twelves IOhnsons Essays expressed in sundry exquisite fantasies The dangerous Rule or a Sermon preached at Clonmel in Province of Munster in Ireland upon August 3. 1657. before the reverend Judges for that circuit by S. L. Master in Arts and lately fellow of C. C. C in Oxen. The Riches of Grace displayed in the offer and tender of Salvation to poor sinners Wherin is set out The gracious behaviour of Christ standing at the door and knocking for enterance By Obadiah Shedgwick B.D. and late Minister of the Gospel in Covent-Garden The Womans glory a Treatise asserting the due honour of that Sex by manifesting that women are capable of the highest improvements by Samuel Torshel The discovery of the most dangerous dead faith by John-Eaton M A. and sometime Student in Trinity Colledge in Oxford The new Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jâ—sus Christ newly translated out of the Original Greek and with the former Traslations diligently compared and revised By his Majesties special command printed at Edenburgh Twenty fours GRoans of the Spirit or a Tryal of the truth of prayer A Handkercher for Parents wet eyes upon the death of their Children or Friends FINIS
shall yeeld her increase When there have been seasonable rains the earth hath brought forth abundantly in some places thirty in some sixty in some a hundred fold The word for increase is Jebul from Jabal to bring because the earth doth bring profit to the owners thereof By Tree and Earth we may understand the higher and meaner sort of people who under the Gospel and showrs of it should become fruitfull And they shall be safe in their Land In the 25. vers it s said They shall dwell safely in the wildernesse and here They shall be safe in their Land they should have safety every where and the words are repeated to shew the certainty thereof When I have broken the bands of their yoke This yoke was the Babylonish captivity which is call'd a yoke Jerem 30.8 and it lay heavily upon them Isa 47.6 The bands of this yoke were the Babylonish powers Nebuchadrezzar his Princes and Officers but God did break the Babylonish Empire in pieces by Cyrus and Darius and so took the yoke off their necks setting them at liberty Yokes are burdensome restrictive and reproachfull this breaking yokes and bands and bringing the Jews out of Babylon typed out the spiritual liberty of the Church in Christs time when Antichristian bands and yokes should be broken and people brought out of spiritual Babylon And delivered them out of the hands of those that served themselves of them The Hebrew is And shall deliver them out of the hands of them who made them to serve the Babylonians made the Jews to serve and work for them being captives among them Exigebant servitutem ab ipsis they exacted service of them their dealings with the Jews were like the Egyptians who were cruel taskmasters over them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Avad saith Lavater saevitiem in aliquem exercere significat tanquam in servam First Observe Temporal and Spiritual blessings are from God he makes people blessed and gives them what blessings he pleases I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing Gen 9.1 God blessed Noah and his sons and said unto them be fruitfull multiply and replenish the earth here God is the Authour of temporal blessings Gen 12.2 Of Abraham God said I will blesse thee and make thy name great and thou shalt be a blessing and I will blesse them that blesse thee and curse him that curseth thee and in thee shall all familyes of the earth be blessed Here God shews himself Authour of temporal and spiritual blessings its peculiar unto God to blesse Balak was out when he said of Balaam I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed and he whom thou cursest is cursed Numb 22.6 No it s not in the power of any creature to blesse or curse men and Devils may utter words of blessing or cursing but they cannot make blessed or cursed its God who turns blessings into curses Mal 2.2 and curses into blessings Nehem 13.2 Secondly Observe Others faire the better for the Churches sake I will make the places round about my hill a blessing On the Hill of Sion was the Temple the place where God recorded his Name there were the solemn assemblies the divine ordinances Gods presence and all that were near in Judaea yea the Nations round about had some blessing and benefit thereby they heard of the God of Israel that he differed from all idol gods they heard of his Laws that they were more righteous then the Laws of the Nations they saw his Sabbaths how strictly they were kept they heard of the Prophets that were in Jerusalem and Israel did not Naaman a Syrian get a blessing from Elisha 2 Kings 5. The wisdome of Solomon had influence into all the places round about Sion yea into all the Countries far off The Queen of Sheba heard thereof and it was a blessing unto her from any Nation they might come to Sion become Proselites and enjoy what mercies the Jews themselves enjoyed Micah 4.1 2. In the last dayes it shall come to passe that the Mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the Mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it and many Nations shall come and say Come let us go up unto the Mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his Statutes for the Law shall go forth of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem These things are spoken of Christs times when the Church should be very eminent and conspicuous like the highest of hills when the Law of faith and the Gospel should go out of Sion and Jerusalem and be a blessing unto all Nations Thirdly Observe Gods blessings are seasonable both temporal and spiritual are in due time I will cause the showre to come down in his season when it shall be a blessing do much good there shall be showres of blessing Levit 26.4 I will give you rain in due season and the Land shall yield her increase and the Trees of the field shall yield their fruit Those rains are seasonable which cause fruitfulness those are unseasonable rains which hinder or destroy the fruit of the Trees and encrease of the earth The Lord observes times and seasons to do sinners good both for body and soul Isa 30.18 He waits that he may be gracious he waits for fit seasons wherein his mercies may come with advantage and acceptance unto men Isa 55.10 11. As the rain cometh down and the snow from Heaven and returneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud which is an argument it came in season so shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void but it shall accomplish that which I please it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it God gives his word seasonably as he doth the rain Tit 1.3 God hath in due times manifested his word through preaching the Original is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his own times and those are the due times the seasonablest times Gal. 4.4 When the fullnesse of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman Christs birth was at the fullness of time when it was most seasonable so his death Rom 5.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in due time or according to the season Christ dyed for the ungodly Psal 72.6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grasse as the showres that water the earth As Solomon was to the people by his wisdome and justice like seasonable rains to the grasse and earth much more is God and Christ so to the Church what seasonable dews droppings and influences of the Spirit hath it from them which make it to grow green and flourish Let us wait for his showres and influences none can give them but himself and when he gives them it s in season Fourthly Observe