Sea for Tarshish though Properly the Name of a Maritine place in Ciâ—…icia Ezek. 27. 25. 〈◊〉 1. 3. is usually put for the Sea as 1 Kings 10. 22. 2 Chron. 9. 21. Psal. 72. 10. Isa. 2. 16. Ier. 10. 9. are broken with an East-wind Albeit the Enemies of Ierusalem which are Compared to the raging Waters of the Sea in Psal. 46 2 3. may as fitly be Compared to Ships upon the Sea 8. As we have heard so have we seen q The predictions of the Prophets Either 2 Chron. 20. 14. or 2 Kings 19. 20. c. have been verified by the Events Or We have had late and fresh Experiences of such wonderful works of God as before we onely heard of by the Report of our Fathers in the city of the LORD of hosts in the city of our God God will establish it for ever r From this miraculous Deliverance we plainly see that God hath a singular Love to it and Care of it and therefore will defend her in all succeeding Ages against all her Enemies And so God would have done if Ierusalem had not forsaken God and forfeited his Favour and Protection Selah 9. We have thought of s It hath been the matter of our Serious and deep Meditation when we have been Worshipping there in thy Temple For when the Priests were offering Incense or Sacrifice the Religious People exercised themselves in holy Meditation or secret Prayer to God as may be gathered from Luk. 1. 10. and many other places of Scripture and from the Nature of the thing Or We have silently or Patiently waited for as some Anâ—…ient and other Interpreters â—…ender it thy loving kindness O God in the midst of thy temple 10. According to thy name O God so is thy praise t For this and such like glorious Actions thou art praised and acknowledged and Evidently proved to be such an one as thou hast affirmed thy self to be in thy Word God Almighty or Al-sufficient the Lord of Hâ—…sts the King of thy Church 〈◊〉 People and a strong Tower to all that trust in thee and all other things which thou art called in Scripture Thy Name is not an empty Title but is filled up with honourable and Praise-worthy Works answerable to it unto the ends of the earth thy right hand is full of righteousness u i. â—… Of righteous Actions by which thou discoverest thy Justice and Holiness in destroying the Wicked and incorrigible Enemies of thy People and in fulfilling thy Promises made to thy Church 11. Let mount x Synecdochically put for Ierusalem Zion rejoyce let the daughters of Judah y i. e. The other and lesser Cities and Towns or Villages i. e. all the People of Iudaâ—… for such are commonly called Daughters in Respect of the Mother City to which they are Subjects See Ios. 15. 45 and 17. 16. Psal. 45. 12. and 137 8. He mentions Iudah onely and not all Israel Partly because they were more immediately and Eminently concerned in Ierusalems Deliverance and principally because ten of the Tribes of Israel were now cut off from Ierusalem and from the Kingdom of David's House and possibly carried away Captive 2 Kings 18. 9 10. 11. be glad because of thy judgments z Upon thine and their Enemies At which they were glad not simply but because it was highly Conducible to God's Honour and to the Preservation and Enlargement of Gods Church in the World 12. Walk about Zion and go round about her a He speaketh Either 1. To the Enemies as Triumphing over them Or rather 2. To the People of that City and Kingdom who had been Eye Witnesses of this glorious work of God as appears from the following Verses tell the towers thereof b He bids them â—…ark well her â—…owers Bâ—…warks and Palaces here and v. 13. not with vain Ostentation or Carnal Confidence for he had said that God onely was their Refuge v. 3. but with thankfulness to God when they should find upon Enquiry that not one of them was demolished or â—…ny way defaced by so potent an Enemy 13. * 〈◊〉 sâ—…t your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark ye well her bulwarks ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consider c Or Exalt or Admire her palaces that ye may tell it to the generation following d That they may be excited to continue their Praises to God for this Mercy by which they hold and enjoy all their Blessings and to trust in God in the like Difficulties for the Future 14. For this God e is our God for ever and ever he will be our guide even unto death f Who hath done this great Work i. e. Whilest we have a being Birth and Life â—…nd the several Ages of Life and Death are oft ascribed to Churches and Commonwealths both in Scripture and in other Authors This Promise was made to the Old and earthly Ierusalem upon Condition of their Obedience wherein they failing so grossly lost the benefit of it but it is absolutely made good to the New and Heavenly Ierusalem the Church of Christ. PSAL. XLIX The ARGUMENT This Psalm is Penned upon the same Occasion with Psal. 39. and 73. to wit upon the Contemplation of the afflictions of Gods People and of the Prosperity and Glory of ungodly Men. The design is to justifie Gods Providence in this dark Dispensation and to shew that all things being Considered good Men have no cause for immoderate Dejection of Spirit nor wicked Men for glorying in their present Felicities To the chief musician a Psalm ‖ Or of for the sons of Korah 1. HEar this all ye people a Heb. All People Iews or Gentiles For all are concerued in this Matter as being apt to stumble and murmur at it give â—…ar all ye inhabitants of the World 2. Both * Psal. 6â—… 9. low and high rich and poor tother 3. My mouth shall speak of wisdom and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding b It concerns you diligently to attend to me for I am about to speak not of Vulgar and Trivial tâ—…ngs or 〈◊〉 as come suddenly into my Mind and rush as 〈◊〉 out of my Mouth but of such things as are the râ—…sult oâ—… my most 〈◊〉 and considerate thoughts and such aâ—… iâ—… 〈◊〉 obâ—…rve them and lâ—…y them to Heart will make you truly 〈◊〉 and keep you from those Errors and Follies and 〈◊〉 which the generality of Mankind for want of a right understâ—…g do run into 4. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 13. 3â—… I will incline mine ear c This is another Argâ—…ment to perswade them to hâ—…rken to him I will hearken what God by his Spirit speaks to me and that and nothing else will I now speak to you and therefore it is well worth your hearing I also shall joyn with you in attending to it that whilst I â—…each you I my self may learn the same Lesson For as Ministers now teach themselves whilst they teach
inwardly by his Spirit and said unto me Rise up h Shake off sloth and security and disentangle thy self more fully from all the snares of this World and of thy own Lusts that thou maist be more ready to come to me and more fit for my embraces my love my fair one and come away i Unto me and with me follow me fully serve me more perfectly labour for a nearer Union and more satisfying communion with me 11 For lo the winter k Which made the ways in some sort unpassable and so might seem to hinder or allright thee from coming to me This winter and the following rain may be understood either 1. Of worldly Tribulations which he intimates to be past and gone to wit so far that they shall not destroy nor hurt the Church but on the contrary do her much good both by multiplying her Members and increasing her Graces and promoting her Eternal Happiness Or rather 2. Of spiritual Troubles arising in the Minds and Consciences of sinners from a deep sense of the guilt of sin the Justice and Wrath of God the Sentence and Curse of the Law all which made them afraid to come unto God and desirous if possible to run away from him But saith Christ I have removed this great impediment God is ready to be reconciled and therefore cast off all discouragements and excuses and come unto me is past the rain is over and gone 12 The flowers appear on the earth l This and the following clauses are here alledged as evidences of the Spring time which in the mystical and principal sense seems to signifie the day of Grace or the glad tidings of Salvation proposed to â—…nners in the time of the Law by Types and Shadows and Promises but much more clearly and fully in the Gospel and all the discoveries and communications of Gods Grace to Mankind in holy Ordinances in the Gifts and Graces and Comforâ—…s of the Holy Spirit vouchsafed unto and appearing in Believers as Buds and Blossoms do in the Spring time the time of the singing of birds m When Birds sing most â—…reely and sweetly as they do in the Spring Or as the ancient Translators render it of cutting or cropping not Trees which agrees not with that season but the flowers last mentioned for Nosâ—…gays or other uses is come and the voice of the turtle n Which changeth its place according to the season as is observed Ier 8. 7. and by all other Writers who affirm that it disappears in Winter and appears in the Spring as some others Birds also do but this seems particularly to be mentioned because it doth not only give notice of the Spring but also doth aptly represent the Spirit of God which even the Chaldee Paraphrast understands by this Turtle which appeared in the shape of a Dove and which worketh a Dove-like Meekness and Chastity and Faithfulness in Believers is heard in our land o In Immanuels Land as Canaan is called Isa. 8. 8. in the Church 13 The fig-tree putteth forth her green figs p Which it shooteth forth as soon as it doth Leaves in the Spring-time Mat. 24. 32. and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell q Which though not strong is pleasant and grateful and given by it in the progress of the Spring Arise my love my fair one and come away r These words are here repeated to shew both the Churches infirmity and indisposition which needs so many Calls and Arguments to press so necessary and advantageous a Duty and Christs tender compassion to her weakness and servent desire of converse with her 14 O my dove s So the Church is called partly for her Dove-like Temper and Disposition because she is chaste and mild and harmless c. and partly for her Dove-like Condition because she is weak and exposed to Persecution and given to Mourning as Doves are Isa. 38. 14. 59. 11. Ezek. 7. 16. and subject to many Fears and therefore forced to hide her self in Rocks as it follows that art in the clefts of the rock t Where she hid her self either 1. For fear of her Enemies whom to avoid she puts her self into the Protection of the Almighty Or 2. Out of Modesty and an humble sense of her own Deâ—…rmities and Infirmities which makes her endeavour to hidâ—… her self even from her Beloved as ashamed to appear in his prâ—…ence 〈◊〉 is frequently the case of Gods People especially after 〈◊〉 into 〈◊〉 And this sense seems to be â—…avoured by the following words in which Christ relieveth her against such discouragâ—…â—…ughts in the secret places of the * Ezek. 38. 20. stairs u In the holes of craggy and broken Rocks which 〈◊〉 â—…airs So the same thing is 〈◊〉 repeated in other words let me see thy countenance x â—…e not afraid nor ashamed to appear before me come boldly into my presence and acquaint thy self with me * Ch. 8. 13. let me hear thy voice y Thy Prayers and Praises for sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is comely z Thy Person and Services are accepted by me and are amiable in my â—…ight 15 Take a The Bridegroom gives this charge to his Bridemen or Friends whose Office it is to attend upon him and to observe in Commands By whom he understands those Magistrates and 〈◊〉 to whom under Christ the custoâ—…y of the Vineyards to wit the Churches principally belong These he commands to take the Foxes i. e. to restrain them from doing this mischief us b Heb. for us i. e. at our instance and for our common good as this spoiling of the Vines was injurious and grievous to them both * Ezek. â—…34 Luk. 13. 3â—… the foxes c The disturbers of the Vineyard or the Church Seducers or â—…alse Teachers who are fitly compared to Foxes here and Ezek. 13. 4. partly to distinguish them from great Tyrants and Persecutors who are compared to wild Boars or other wild Beasts Psal. 80. 13. as to Lions 2 Tim. 4. 17. and partly for their fox-like qualities and actions because they are very crafty and deceitful 2 Cor. 11. 13 14. Eph. 4. 14. and very mischievous also Ezek. 34. 2 3. 2 Tim. 2. 17. Tit. 1 10 11. 2 Pet. 2. 2. He mentions Foxes because these abounded in that Country as is â—…anifest from Iudg. 1â—… 4. Psal. 63. 10. Lam. 5. 18. c. but under 〈◊〉 he comprehends all noxious Creatures upon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the little foxes d This he adds not as if the great Foxes were excused or exâ—…mpted but for more abundant caution to teach the Church to preâ—… Errours and Heresies in the beginnings of them before they spread and grow strong and incurable that spoil the vines e Which Foxes do maâ—…y â—…ays as those who write of them have observed by gâ—…awing and breaâ—…ng the little Branches and Leaves and the Bark by â—…igging
not believe and would make hast to prevent or remove their Dangers by any means whatsoever 17. Judgment also will I lay to the line and righteousness to the plummet q I will Execute just Judgment as it were by a Line and Plummet annexed to it i. e. with exactness and care And this may be understood either 1. That God would so order and settle things in His Church that Justice and Judgment should prevail and not Iniquity as hitherto it had done or rather 2. That as God would build up and preserve all Believers upon that Foundation-Stone so He would severely punish and utterly destroy all those unbelieving Iews who should reject that Stone For the line and pluâ—…met or the plumb-line was not onely used in erecting Buildings but also in pulling them down those parts of the Building being thus marked out which were to be demolished and therefore is used in Scripture to signify the Destruction of a Place or People as is evident from 2 Kings 21. 13. Isa. 34. 11. Lameâ—…t 2. 8. Amos 7. 7 8. And this sence agrees best with the following Clause and Verse and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies and the waters shall overflow the hiding place r My Judgments which in Scripture are compared to a storm of Hail or Rain shall discover the vanity of all your crafty and wicked Devices and shall sweep you away with the Besom of Destruction in spight of them 18. And your covenant with death shall be disanulled s Made void or of none effect it shall stand you in no stead and your agreement with hell shall not stand when the overflowing scourge shall pass through then ye shall be †Heb. a treading down to it troden down by it t Which you flattered your selves that it should not come unto you ver 15. 19. From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you u As soon as this overflowing Scourge or Judgment shall go forth from me into the Land it shall assuredly and with the first take or seize upon you scoffers or carry you away which agrees well both with the Hebrew word which is frequently taken in that Sence and with the Metaphor of a Flood which is here used for morning by morning it shall pass over x It shall not onely come to you contrary to your presumption ver 15. but it shall abide upon you and when it hath passed over you it shall return again to you morning after morning and shall follow you day and night without giving you the least respite by day and by night and it shall be a vexation onely ‖ Or when he shall make you to understand Doctrine to understand the report y So dreadful shall the Judgment be that it shall strike you with great horror when you onely hear the rumor of its approach or of the sad effects of it upon other persons or parts of the Land 20. For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it and the covering †Heb. narrow when he wrappeth himself narrower than that he can wrap himself in it z For those lying Refuges to which you trust will not be able to give you that Protection and Comfort which you expect from them no more than a man can stretch himself as these luxurious Israelites used to do Amos 6. 4. upon a bed which is too narrow for him or wrap and keep himself warm with a covering or bed cloaths which are not large enough for him 21. For the LORD shall rise up a To act and fight against you as he is said to sit still when he doth forbear to act as in mount * 2 Sam. 5. 20. 1 Chr. 14. 11. Perazim b Where he fought against the Philistines 2 Sam. 5. 20. he shall be wroth as in the valley of * Josh. 10. 12. 2 Sam. 5. 25. 1 Chr. 14. 16. Gibeon c Where he fought against the Canaanites Ios. 10. 10. c. and afterwards against the Philistines 1 Chron. 14. 16. that he may do his work his strange work d The execution of his Judgment against Israel which he calleth his strange work to intimate either 1. That God would punish them not with ordinary punishments but in a most dreadful and singular and extraordinary manner such a Judgment being called a marvellous work Isa. 29 14. although the Hebrew word there used be not the same with this but of a much differing signification Or rather 2. That this work of bringing total and irrecoverable Destruction upon Israel was contrary to the benignity of his own Nature and to his usual way of dealing with his people whom he used and delighted to protect and spare and bless and whom even when he is angry with them and punisheth them he handleth more gently than he doth other persons in Judgment remembring Mercy to them as was noted Isa. 27. 7 8. see also Chap. 26. 11. and bring to pass his act his strange act 22. Now therefore be ye not mockers e For your own sakes do not make a mock of God's Word and Threatnings as you use to do lest your bands be made strong f Lest thereby you make the Judgments of God which are oft compared to bands as Psal. 66. 11. and 73. 4. and elsewhere more sure and unavoidable and more severe and terrible as bands are when they are tyed faster and more strongly upon a prisoner for I have heard * chap. 10. 22 23. from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption even determined upon the whole earth g God hath assured me That He will utterly root out and destroy the people of Israel as indeed he did in Hezekiah's reign 23. Give ye ear and hear my voice hearken and hear my speech h Observe what I say and do you judge if it be not reasonable 24. Doth the plowman plow all day to sow i The plowman doth not spend all his time in plowing the Ground in order to the sowing it or as it follows in openâ—…g it and breaking its clods but he hath several times for several works a time for plowing and a time for sowing and harrowing and a time for reaping and a time for threshing or beating and bruising his Corn for his own use Which wisdom God hath put into him This is the Sum of the similitude propounded here and in the following Verses The design and meaning whereof seems to be this to teach them That God had his times and seasons for several Works and that the methods of his providence were various at several times and towards several persons or people and therefore that those scoffing Israelites were guilty of great Folly in flattering themselves and despising God's Threatnings because of God's long Patience towards them and because of their present impunity and prosperity for God would certainly and speedily take a time to Thresh
locusts n As Locusts especially when they are sent and Armed by commission from God come with great force and run hither and thither devouring all the Fruits of the Earth wheresoever they find them shall he run upon them 5. The LORD is exalted o Will get great Glory by the marvellous Destruction of so proud and potent an Army and by the Defence of his People for he dwellleth on high p For he is and will appear to be Superior to his Enemies both in Place and Power He dwelleth in the Heaven whence He can easily and irresistably pour down Judgments upon his Enemies Although these words may be and by some are joyned with those that follow thus For he that dwelleth on high hath filled c. he hath filled Zion q He will fill Ierusalem with judgment and righteousness r Either 1. with a glorious Instance of his just Judgment against the Assyrians Or 2. with the Execution of Justice by good Hezekiah as before it was filled with impiety and injustice under Ahaz The City shall not onely be delivered from that wicked Enemy but shall also be established and blessed with true Religion and Righteousness which was a great addition to that Mercy 6. And †Heb. the strength of salvations of wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times wisdom and knowledg s To govern thy self and thy People well shall be the stability of thy times t Of thy Reign times being oft put for things done in those times as 1 Chron. 12. 32. Psal. 31. 15. 37. 18. c. He turneth his speech to Hezekiah The Sence is Thy Throne shall be established upon the sure Foundations of Wisdome and Justice and strength of salvation u Thy saving Strength or thy strong or mighty Salvation the fear of the LORD is his treasure x And although thou shalt have great Treasures of Gold and Silver c. yet thy chief Treasure and Delight is and shall be in promoting the Fear and Worship of God which shall be a great honour and safeguard to thy self and people He saith his treasure for thy treasure by a sudden Change of the Person usual in these Books 7. Behold y That the Mercy here promised might be duly magnified he makes a lively Representation of their great danger and distress in which it found them their ‖ Or messengers valiant ones z Or their heralds or messengers as the Hebrew Doctors expound the word Either 1. those whom the King of Assyria sent to Ierusalem 2 Kings 18. 17. Or rather those whom Hezekiah sent to Treat with the Assyrian Commissioners 2 Kings 18. 18. as the next Clause sheweth shall cry without a Through grief and fear the embassadours of peace b Whom he shall send to beg Peace of the Assyrian shall weep bitterly c Because they cannot obtain their desires 8. * Judg. 5. 6. The high-ways lie wast the wayfaring man ceaseth d Because the Assyrian Souldiers possessed and filled the Land he hath broken the covenant e Sennacherib broke his Faith given to Hezekiah of departing for a Sum of Money 2 Kings 18. 14. 17. he hath despised the cities f The defenced Cities of Iudah which he contemned and easily took 2 Kings 18. 13. he regardeth no man g Either to spare them or to fear them or to keep Faith with them He neither feareth God nor Reverenceth Man 9. The earth mourneth h Being desolate and neglected and languisheth Lebanon is ashamed and ‖ Or withered away hewn down i By the Assyrians Or as the Word signifies and is here rendred by others withereth or languisheth because its Trees are now used by the Iews for their Buildings as they have been And because they are spoiled and destroyed by the Assyrians * Chap. 35. 2. Sharon k A pleasant and fruitful Place as appears from 1 Chron. 27. 29. Cant. 2. 1. Isa. 35. 2. is like a wilderness and Bashan and Carmel l Two places eminent for Fertility and especially for good Pastures Deut. 32. 14. 1 Sam. 25. 2. which are here Synecdochically puâ—… for all such places ‖ Or yell Jer. 51. 38. shake off their fruits m Are spoiled of their Fruits Or as it is rendred in the Margent and by some others yell or roar as this Word is rendred Ier. 51. 38. 10. Now will I rise n In this extremity I will appear on the behalf of my People and Land saith the LORD now will I be exalted now will I lift up my self 11. * Psal. 7. 1â—… Ye shall conceive chaff ye shall bring forth stubble o In stead of Solid Corn. Your great hopes and designs O ye Assyrians shall be utterly disappointed your breath as fire shall devour you p Your Rage against my People shall bring Ruine upon your selves 12. And the people shall be as the burnings of lime q Shall be burnt as easily and effectually as Chalk is burned to make Lime as thorns cut up shall they be burnt in the fire 13. Hear ye that are far off what I have done and ye that are near acknowledge my might r My power and justice in destroying the Assyrians shall be so evident that People both far and near shall be forced to acknowledge it 14. The sinners in Zion are afraid s This is spoken not of the Assyrians as some would have it but of the Iews as appears both from the Words themselves and from the following Verses The Prophet having foretold the Deliverance of God's People and the Destruction of their Enemies ver 10. 11 12. for the greater Illustration of that wonderful Mercy here returns to the Description and gives a lively representation of the dismal and frightful Condition in which the Iews especially such of them as were ungodly and unbelieving were before this Deliverance came Although the Godly Iews were in some measure supported by the sense of God's Favour and by God's Promises delivered to them by Isaiah yet the generality of the People were filled with Horrors and expectation of utter Destruction fearfulness hath surprized the hypocrites who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burnings t How shall we be able to abide the Presence and endure or avoid the Wrath of that God who is a consuming Fire who is now about to destroy us utterly by the Assyrians and will afterward burn us with unquenchable Fire Foâ—… seeing it is sufficiently evident from both Old and New-Testament as hath been formerly observed and proved That the Iews except the Sadducees did generally believe the rewards and punishments of the future Life and these Temporal Judgments as they did frequently cut Men off from this Life so they transmitted them into that future and endless Life It is not strange if their guilty
borders q The utmost parts or Walls The Church is here evidently compared to a Building whose Foundation Pavement Gates and Windows were named before of pleasant stones 13 And all thy children shall be * Ch. 11. 9. Jer. 31. 34. Joh. 6. 45. 1 Cor. 2. 16. 1 Thes. 4. 9. 1 Joh. 2. 20. taught of the LORD r Not only outwardly by his word which was made known to all the Jews under the Old Testament but inwardly by his Spirit which is poured forth under the New Testament both upon a far greater number of persons and in a far higher measure and with much more efficacy and success than it was under the Old and great shall be the peace s 1. Inward Peace of Mind or Conscience arising from the clear discoveries of Gods Love and Reconciliation to us and wrought by the spirit of adoption which is more abundantly given to Believers under the Gospel whereas the spirit of bondage was more common and prevalent under the Law 2. Outward Peace Safety and Happiness which is more fully promised in the following verses and which God when he sees fit will confer upon his Church of thy children 14 In righteousness t Either 1. As the means of thy Establishment This Kingdom shall not be set up and settled by fraud or Tyranny as other Kingdoms frequently are but by Justice Or rather 2. As the effect of the establishment Thine affairs shall be managed with Righteousness which is the Glory and Felicity of any society and not with oppression as it follows Justice shall be freely and impartially executed shalt thou be established thou shalt be far from oppression u Either by thine own Governours or by forreign Powers for thou shalt not fear x Thou shalt neither have any just cause of fear nor be given up to the torment of fear without cause and from terrour for it shall not come near thee 15 Behold they shall surely gather together y It is true there will not want some that shall combine and make an attempt against thee but not by me z As they do this without any such commission from me as Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar had Isa. 10. 6 7. Ier. 25. 9. so they shall not have my help in it without which all their endeavours will be vain and unsuccessful whosoever shall gather together a To battle as is manifest from the following words of which kind of gathering this word is used Psal. 140. 2. and elsewhere against thee b Heb. with thee But to fight with a man is all one with fighting against him shall fall for thy sake c For that Respect and Love which I bear to thee Or before thee as this particle is sometimes used so as thine Eyes shall behold it 16 Behold I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work and I have created the waster d Both the Smith that maketh all warlike Instruments and the Souldier that useth them are my Creatures and totally at my Command and therefore they cannot hurt you without my leave to destroy e To destroy only whom and when I please 17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper f And as they cannot do any thing against thee without my leave so I assure thee I will not suffer them to do it and if any Smith shall make any weapons to be employed against thee he shall not succeed in it and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn g And I will deliver thee not only from the fury of War but also from the strife of Tongues from all the threatnings and boasts and reproaches of thine Enemies and from all the claims and pretences which they have of any right and power over thee So thine Enemies shall neither prevail against thee by violence nor by pretences of Justice This is the heritage h This blessed condition described in this Chapter is the portion allotted to them by me of the servants of the LORD and their righteousness i Either 1. The Reward or Fruit of their Righteousness as Righteousness is used Psal. 112. 3 9. Or 2. Their Right or the righteous Administration of all their concerns whereby they are preserved from all manner of oppressions as Righteousness was used v. 14. is of me k I give it and I will continue it to them and who then can take it away from them saith the LORD CHAP. LV. 1 HO * Joh 4. 14. 7. 37. Rev. 21. 6. 22. 17. every one a Not only Jews but Gentiles The Prophet having largely discoursed of Christ ch 53. and of the Church of Christ ch 54. doth here invite all persons to come to Christ and to his Church that thirsteth b For the Grace of God and the blessings of the Gospel This thirst implies a vehement and active and restless Desire after it not to be satisfied with any thing short of it come ye to the waters c Which are mentioned either 1. As the place where they were to buy the following commodities it being usual to convey provisions to Cities by Rivers Or rather 2. As the commodity to be bought the Graces and comforts of Gods Spirit which are frequently compared to Waters as Isa. 12. 3. 35. 6 7. Ioh. 7. 37 38. and elsewhere and which are designed by all these Metaphorical Expressions of Waters Wine Milk and Bread and he that hath no money d Even those who are most poor in the World and those who are most worthless and wicked if they do but thirst may be welcome come ye buy e i. e. Procure or receive that which is freely offered to you if you do but come for it and are willing to take it Thus buying is used Pro. 23. 23. Rev. 3. 18. Nor can this be understood of buying properly because here is no price paid and eat yea come buy wine and milk f Which are Synecdochically put for all sorts of provisions which also are to be understood of Spiritual and Gospel-Blessings as is evident from the following words without money and without price 2 Wherefore do ye †Heb. weigh spend money e All your time and strength and cost in seeking it for that which is not bread f For those vain or foolish things which can never nourish or satisfie you such as worldly goods or your own Inventions Superstitions and Idolatries and your labour for that which satisfieth not hearken diligently unto me g Unto my Doctrine and Counsel and eat ye that which is good h That which is truly and solidly and everlastingly good and not such things which though they be called and seem to be good yet really are evil and most pernicious to men and let your soul delight itself in fatness i In this fat and