and as it were be held in prison by the hand and power of God that they shall not be able to hurt his Church which shall be about the yeare of our Lord 1650. The other expressed by the name of visiting both here and Ezechiel 38. 7. which for cleerenesse sake we translate punishing noteth their vtter ruine and ouerthrow following some 45. yeares after the other as Daniel also doth distinguish them Dan. 12. 11. 12. See Reu. 9. 15. Obseruations 21. In that day 46. The calamities of Gods people are not perpetuall Hee chideth not euerlastingly nor reserueth wrath for euer Psal 103. 9. When their case is most desperate and all humane help faileth then is Gods help ready at hand for them As in the deliuerance at the red Sea and in many other stories is euident to be seene When God hath done afflicting of his children by the hand of the wicked and vngodly he will cast the rod in the fire and render affliction to those that afflict vs 2. Thes 1. 6. Esay 10. 5. c. Woe to Ashur the staffe of my wrath c But when the Lord hath accomplished all this worke in Mount Tsion and in Ierusalem I will visit the fruit of the greatnesse of the heart of the King of Babell and vpon the glory and haughtinesse of his eyes There is an end and period that God hath set to the tyrannle of the wicked Psalm 125. 3. The rodde of the wicked shall not rest vpon the lot of the righteous least c. The day and certaine time is determined how long it shall be giuen them to preuaile against the Saints and then to haue an end He that set the bounds to the raging Sea saying Hether shalt thou come and no farther and here shall the shore set it selfe against the pride of thy waues Iob 38. 11. hath also set the bounds of their preuailing Visit the hoast 50. There is no strength no power against the Lord how loftily soeuer the wicked looke and how deepely soeuer they be rooted Gods hand will fetch them downe and plucke them vp as rotten and vnprofitable branches In the lofty place 51 Yea in their very loftinesse he will be as lofty as they as good Iethro said of the Aegyptians in that very thing wherein they were proud he Iehoua was aboue them as if he should say too good for them Exod. 18. 11. The King 52. They that will take part and haue their hands in the sinnes of the wicked must be content to haue a part in their plague punishment And here we see the truth of that which Salomon hath in the Prouerbs Let hand ioyne in hand the wicked shall not be vnpunished Prou. 11. 21. In this very land 53 God to abate the pride of the wicked and that men may bee warned from walking in their steps when they see how much God detesteth the loftiness of the haughty punisheth them by such base meanes as they most of all do scorne What a thing is it the Turke his gallant Princes his Begs Bashawes to fall in the land of Iudaea a land so base and contemptible in their eyes 22. They shall be gathered as a prisoner into a pit c. 54 Oh the patience of God in bearing with the wicked he goeth euen towards them with a leaden heele to punishment that two manner of waies in the measure and in the time For the measure first hee curbeth and bindeth their hands from hurting his Church and people fettreth their strength and power and holdeth them vnder bonds then when that will not profit he taketh all strength away He first giueth a taste of his power to shew what he is able to doe making them to totter and decline But when they goe on still in mischiefe against his Church hee sweepeth them cleane from the face of the earth After many daies shall be punished 55. For the time hee spareth them long many daies The Amorites he bare with 400. yeares after their iniquity was grown to a great head because it was not as then fully accomplished Gen. 15. 16. Which must make vs not despaire nor cast off our faith in Gods promises for the subuersion of the wicked though they be long a comming Abac. 2. 3. If he stay waite for him Contrary to that the vnbeleeuers say in Ezechiel The daies are lengthened and all vision perisheth Ezech. 12. 22. For we runne by nature headlong in our owne desires and are impatient if God come not when wee would haue him This therefore serueth to exercise our faith that wee faint not in our prayers as we are prone to doe The fault which our Sauior noteth Luk. 18. 8. when God commeth in the performance of his promises and to the succour of his children shall he finde faith vpon earth 23. And the Moone her selfe shall blush and the Sunne it selfe bee ashamed when Iehouah of hoasts shall raigne in mount Tsion and in Ierusalem and before his elders gloriously EXPOSITION AFter the Turke once destroyed commeth the kingdome of Christ to be set vp among the Iewes as it is also certaine by Ezechiel Daniel and the booke of the Reuelation which is the second degree of their restoring This Kingdome the holy Ghost doth here describe by the person of the King the Scepter which he weldeth the place where his throne shall be the forme of administration and the glory of the kingdome The King is Iesus Christ the Lord of Hosts Soueraigne commander of heauen and of earth and of the armies and powers of them both that nothing can be lacking to those that haue such a King The Scepter is his word the word of the Gospell wherby he ruleth and raigneth in the middest of his people for it is the power of God vnto saluation to euery one that beleeueth Rom. 1. 16. The spirituall armor powerfull and mighty from God to cast downe strong holds and euery high thing exalted against the knowledge of God as the Apostle speaketh 2. Cor. 10. 4. Psal 110. 2. The rodde of thy power will Iehouah send out of Tsion saying Rule thou in the middest of thine enemies The place where his throne shall be is Tsion and Ierusalem whether the Iewes shall once againe repaire not to set vp the legall ceremonies but to institute the true spirituall worship and seruice of God Ezech. 36. 24. and 37. 12. 14. 25. Esay 61. 8. The forme of the Church pollicy and gouernment you haue pointed at vnder the name of Elders Comprehending Pastors Teachers and other gouernours of the Church The glory of the Kingdom shall be so great that in comparison of it the Sunne and Moone shall cast no light of the glory thereof reade Esay 54. 11. c. and 60. 1. 2. 3. 13. c. Dan. 12. 3. What if by the Sunne and Moone hee meane heere the Churches of the Gentiles who shall blush to see their zeale and loue of
the Gospell Ioh. 2. 17. Matth. 27. 34. Ioh. 19. 29. and the Apostles Acts 1. 19. Rom. 11. 9. doe apply vnto him The first part of the Psalme is a prayer in the person of Christ oppressed with that heauy burden of our sins lying vpon his shoulders The second an imprecation against the nation of the Iewes for crucifying the Lord of life The third is gratulatory or of thankesgiuing in the behalfe both of himselfe the head and of his members the humble ones among the Iewes that poore remnant whom God will bee pleased to pull out of this distresse Both reuiuing or putting a new life into them by the ministery of the Gospell and restoring their Cities and Countrey to dwell in that they may possesse the same for euer So this third part containeth a noble opposition to the former two Vers 5. My foolishnesse and my faults That is wherwith mine aduersaries doe vniustly charge me Psalme 72. 9 10 11. IT is a Prophesie of the fulnesse of the Gentiles Which as other Scriptures specifie shall not come in till the Iewes receiue the Gospell Matth. 24. Reu. 21. 14. Esay 27. 13. Psalme 110. THis Psalme doth royally set forth the two offices of Christ his Kingdome and Preisthood His Kingdome by the powerfull and great effects Generally in subduing all things to himselfe More particularly first toward the Gentiles vnto whom the Gospell shall spred out of Tsion that is from the Iewes then toward the Iewes themselues whom hee calleth his owne people as Deut. 32. 43. Opposed there to the Gentiles by name here to the same Gentiles vnder the name of enemies Thy people most free-hearted in the day of thy troopes in the comely places of holinesse from the wombe of the morning to thee shall come the dew of thy youth Wherein fiue things are giuen to vnderstand 1. Their prompt and ready obedience who shall not pretend euery light excuse when they are bid to the marriage feast as they did in the dayes of Christ Matth. 22. But at the first hearing shall obey Esay 66. 7 8. 2. Their strength and power For in the day of thine armies not onely meaneth the spirituall mustring when they shall be called together by the Trumpet of the Word but withall secretly doth import their troupes and armies that nobly and couragiously shall fight for their liues countrey and religion in the last dayes The 3. thing is what a glorious Church God will set vp among them which he termeth comely places of holinesse 4. Their diligent and speedy turning to the Lord when once they shall bee summoned As Esay 66. 8. From the wombe of the morning saith our Psalmist that is assoone as the light of the Gospell shall but begin to peepe whilest it is yet scarce breake of day 5 The innumerable companie that shall be called and flocke to the Lords Assemblies as the drops of dew that fall from heauen in the morning By all which appeareth that this is not to be accomplished till their last conuersion And the second and third verse haue the very same dependance that you finde Esay 2. 2 3 4 5. Mica 4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. The Priesthood is set out with great glory vers 4. from the which he resorteth againe to the power of Christs kingdome in the three verses following Which may be taken generally of all enemies whatsoeuer and wheresoeuer opposing against Christ Neither is there I confesse any necessitie to stretch them further Yet when I consider all the circumstances and the waight of euery word day of his wrath dashing to peeces of Kings iudging the Heathen filling the places with dead carcases dashing in peeces the head I am drawne to beleeue that hereby is meant the destruction of some one grand enemie that shall dominere ouer Gods people and be subdued in the last dayes by the beleeuing Iewes whereupon Christ is said to lift vp his head in victorie and in triumph And hereunto the very order of the Psalme may lead vs that speaketh of these things in time after the Iewes conuersion So doth the phrase of breaking of the head Which as it is elegantly vsed to note a thorough conquest so secretly it seemeth to point at the Grand Signior himselfe And erets rabba which we translate great Countries the Psalmist taketh vp of purpose closely and couertly vnder an ambiguous kinde of speech to intimate the Land of Rabba the cheife Citie of the Ammonites which Dauid conquered 2 Sam. 12. thereby vnderstanding these enemies of Gods people Gog and Magog as they are else where vnder the name of Moab and Edom the Ammonites cosin germanes Such doubtfull speeches that carie a currant and cleare meaning and yet haue an other thing infolded which time and euent of the Prophecies will reueale the ancient Prophets delighted to vse As that good Father Iacob Gen. 48. 22. I giue thee one portion aboue thy brethren one hill or piece of ground more then they But the word is Sechem or City of the Sechemites which was the floure of the porcion assigned to the house of Ioseph So Esay 11. 1. A graffe shall grow out of the rootes of Ishai Netser which in Hebrew is a graffe closely noteth a Nazaraean or one borne in Nazareth Cantic 8. 10. I being a wall and my brests towers then shall I be in his eyes as one that findeth peace Vers 8. First Salomon foreseeing in spirit the calling of the Gentiles doth in the person of the Church consult with Christ of some good course to be taken for the furtherance of their Faith by her in helping and administring by him in giuing an encrease and blessing Verse 9. Christ and shee both doe signifie when those dayes doe come how graciously they meane to deale Whereupon the Church in this third verse professeth she is so ioyfull of her younger sisters good that shee her selfe the Church of the Iewes wil account it her perfection to grow at the last into one and the same body as a principall most glorious part of that spirituall building This therefore is an euident prophecie of the Iewes conuersion in the end of the world Esay Chapters 2. 3. 4. The foure first verses of the second chapter are of the spreading of the Gospell out of Tsion to the Gentiles Whereupon he prouoketh the Iewes to a holy emulation His exhortation is a Prophecie that so it shall be in the last dayes as Psalm 110. 2. 3. Mica 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. But first for reiecting Christ the people shall be cast off and a most wonderfull desolation anarchie and confusion brought vpon them yet will God haue mercy set vp a glorious Church among them in that very day when the period of their desolation is at an end that you may know what is the desolation which before he spake of
terrible and fearefull iudgement both against their persons vers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. and the Land it selfe for their sake vers 9 10 11 12 13 14 15. All confirmed from the most certaine and inviolable decree of God the Father Sonne and Holy Spirit vers 16 17. In the third place Chap. 35. is declared the excellencie of Christs kingdome that shall then be set vp among the Iewes Wherein these six things are reckoned vp 1. The making of all things new both the sencelesse creatures vers 1 2. and men vers 3 4 5. 1. part of vers 6. vttered by hyperbolicall excessiue speeches The efficient cause whereof is the Spirit of God aboundantly shed vpon them 2 part of vers 6. vers 7. 2. The Church of the Iewes repaire towards her owne home and former seates 1. part of vers 8. 3. The sanctitie of the Church so returning and making home-wards 2 part of vers 8. 4. Their safetie and securitie 3 part of vers 8. vers 9. 5. The setling of the Church in TSion that is in their owne countrey 1 part of vers 10. 6. The ioy and that a perpetuall ioy of the Church brought backe 2 part of vers 10. Esay 41. 15. to the end of the Chapter THe 40th Chapter propoundeth comfort thorough the promises of God in Christ to his people the Iewes after those long and tedious calamities which they had endured in the Babylonian captiuitie and the hard times that followed after vers 1 2. The parts of it are 1. The ministerie of Iohn Baptist a Cryar to prepare his way vers 3 4 5. 2. The Apostolicall ministerie of all the Preachers of the Gospell teaching repentance vers 6 7 8. and faith in Christ vers 9. 3. The generall administration of Christs kingdome subduing rebels vers 10. and most kindly entreating his vers 11. 4. Euangelicall promises particular to the seede of Iacob which because they are of a high and marueylous nature first he layeth the ground of them by the consideration of the nature of God the Creator vers 12. to the end of the Chap. and of his speciall fauours to Abraham and all the Church Chap. 41. to the 15. vers Secondly he commeth to the promises themselues being of two sorts 1. The power of God in their weaknesse to throw downe all that shall oppose vers 15 16. 2. The singular graces of his regenerating and sanctifying Spirit which he will bestow vers 17 18 19 20. Thirdly he amplifieth and confirmeth the same by three arguments One is by opposing to Idols that are able to do nothing vers 21 22 23 24. the Church of the Iewes that making head to repaire to their owne countrey shall trample the greatest Potentates vnder feete Where naming the North and East he sheweth from what quarters the first Iewes are to come that shall terrifie the Turkish forces as Dau. 11. 44. vers 25. A second argument is by opposing to the same Idols Christ the wisedome of God and the power of God in whom God alone worketh all that hath beene said after his owne pleasure vers 26 27. The third argument is by remouing all other meanes whatsoeuer vers 28 29. Read verse 27. thus A prime man vnto Tsion in whom Behold behold these things and to Ierusalem a publisher of glad tidings will I giue By prime man he meaneth CHRIST the Head of the Church Esay chap. 42. THe 42th chapter first describeth the gracious and sweete cariage of Christ vers 1 2 3 4. in the office enioyned him or his Father vers 5 6 7. being one God with the Father vers 8 and the onely Prophet that from the beginning hath reuealed to the Church whatsoeuer is or shall be vers 9. Secondly all nations of the world are herevpon inuited to celebrate Gods praises vers 10 11 12. the Prophet reciting what wonderfull workes God will doe in their behalfe vers 13 14 15 16 17 Wherefore this second part belongeth to the calling of the Gentiles The third part toucheth the Iewes It expresseth first the hardnes of their heart and vnbeleefe vers 18 19 20. notwithstanding all the mercy they were formerly vouchsafed God hauing loued them and taken delight in them giuen his law vnto them and done most great and glorious things for their sakes vers 21. which vnbeleefe of theirs shall draw vpon their head most heauy indgements vers 22 23 24 25. Secondly their conuersion and turning vnto God chap. 43. 1. whereupon followeth Gods wonderfull care ouer them in foure steps or degrees 1. Protection in the middest of their greatest dangers vers 2. 2. Bringing of other nations vnder their dominion vers 3. 4. 3. The gathering of them out of all quarters whether they were dispersed East West North South ver 5. 6 4. The great and glorious graces which he will royally enrich them with vers 7. opposed to their former infidelity vers 8. All which things being to come so long after and wherof all the world is not able before hand to signifie any one vers 9. are verified by the most sacred testimony of God the Father in his Sonne vers 10. 11. 12. 13. Read thus Verse 21. The Lord delighted in him for his righteousnesse sake hee magnîfied him by the Law hee made him honourable Vers 22. But hee is a people robbed and spoyled in snaring all the yong men of them c. That is the enemies lead the gallantest of them Captiues Read thus Vers 4. the end of the verse Therefore will I subiect men vnto thee and people to thy desire Verse 7. Euery one that is called by my name Whom I haue created for my glory I will forme him or frame him anew by the spirit of Regeneration yea I will make him That is to say glorifie him as the word make is often taken Esay Chapter 43. vers 14. to the 6. verse of the 44. chapter which because of the Argument some make a chapter by it selfe but I follow in the verses the receiued distinction IN this Text you haue the summe of all that followeth to the end of the book The two first verses vers 14. 15 speake of the returne of the Iewes out of the Captiuitie of Babell and are explicated in the 44. 45 46. 47. and 48 chapters Therest of the chapter from the 16. verse to the 21. verse of the 44. chapter is all of Euangelicall promises to that people explicated in the 49. and the chapters following The promises in this chapter are 1. Gods making of a path in the Sea meaning as I conceiue the drying vp that shall be of the Riuer Euphrates for the people to passe vnto their country vers 16. 2. The ruine and ouerthrow of the mighty foe that shall be aduerse vnto them the Turke and his whole Armie vers 17. 3. Which for the greatnesse and nouelty of the worke may worthily obscure and blot out
the memory of former acts vers 18. and the first part of the 19. the watering of the dry and barren Desert with the dew of his grace the second part of vers 19. and vers 20. that is the framing and fashioning of this people so long cast off anew to the honour and praise of God vers 21. whose gracious and mercifull dealing in this behalfe is garnished and set forth two manner of waies 1. Notwithstanding they serued not the true God for God is not worshipped but in Christ vers 22. 23. 24 yet he onely for himselfe that is for his goodnesse sake will haue mercy on them vers 25. 2. Which their owne Consciences cannot but accuse them of vers 26. though for their transgressions the transgressions of their forefathers and of their chiefe principall persons that should be the Interpreters of the Will of God among them vers 27. he had worthily cast them off and exposed them to reproch vers 28. yet hee will performe most large and ample promises in powring aboundantly vpon them the graces of his Spirit chap. 44. vers 1. 2. 3. 4. 4. A fourth and last promise is the ioyning of other Nations vnto them in the socity of the Gospell whereby is intimated the full comming in of the Gentiles ver 5. Esay Chapter 49. IT describeth the calling of Christ from all eternity to the Office of Mediation vers 1. 2. and the benefit that shall thereby redound to others both the offer of saluation to the Iewes vers 3. and vpon their refusall vers 4. 5 the calling of the Gentiles vers 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. And lastly that the Iewes themselues after a long desolation vers 14. shall be thought vpon vers 15. wherefore touching the Iewes these things are deliuered in Order 1. Gods care and affection to them 1. part of vers 16. 2. Their conuersion and building vp 2. part of verse 16. and vers 17. 3. The repaire to their old seates 1. part of verse 18. 4. The surpassing glory excellency of their Church 2. part of vers 18. 5. The multitudes that shall ioyn themselues to Christ vers 19. 20. 21. 6. Their continuall concourse from out of the most remote parts vers 22. 7. The honour which the Nations shall do vnto them vers 23. 8. The ruine and destruction of the mighty Tyrant who can that be but the Turke that now holdeth them captiues vers 24. 25. 26. Esay Chapter 50. and 51. THe parts of this Prophesie are three In the first Christ sheweth the Iewes diuorce and Gods casting of them off to be most iust and their owne fault in refusing him vers 1. In the second he wondreth that his own people should set him so light 1. part of vers 2. seeing hee is as able as euer hee was to helpe them 2 part of vers 2. and verse 3. and as ready being furnished of his Father with all needfull graces fulnesse of the spirit and powerfull doctrine vers 4. obedience vers 5. patience vers 6. and constancie vers 7. and last his cause being so good and iust vers 8. 9. In the third part hee turneth his speech to the Iewes wherein 1. He quickneth the poor remnant such among them them as should receiue Christ vers 10. 2. Hee pronounceth against those that refuse Christ sentence of obduration from God vers 11. 3. By the example of his mercies to Abraham Sara from whom they were descended chap. 51. vers 1. 2. hee doth assure them that hee will comfort and conuert their soules 1. part of vers 3. which conuersion is set out by the excellency and happinesse of it 2. part of vers 3. and in that it shall draw with it the full comming in of the Gentiles vers 4. 5. 4. He promiseth the destruction of their enemies who being so powerfull and mighty and so sharpe set against them hee vseth many arguments to hearten and encourage the Iewes that they should not be afraid First Argument God will dissolue heauen and earth vers 6. Why then should they feare vers 7. for he can much more make the enemies of the Church to melt before his face vers 8. Second Argument is from the power of God in himselfe and from his owne mighty and outstretched arme 1. part of vers 9. Third Argument from former examples His iudgements vpon Pharaoh and the Land of Egypt 2. part of vers 9. and the drying vp of the red Sea for the people to passe verse 10 The like whereof he will doe for the redemption of the Iewes when they shall returne to Tsion vers 11. Fourth Argument from the nature of God our Comforter vers 12. Fifth Argument from his mighty powerfull workes who made heauen and earth 1. part of vers 13. bridleth the furie of the wicked that their hands are able to doe nothing 2. part of vers 13. and vers 14. and stilleth the raging Sea vers 15. Sixth Argument from his word and couenant with this people vers 16. Seuenth Argument by comparing the former tyrannizing of their enemies vers 17. 18. 19. 20. with Gods gracious deliuerance of them vers 21. 22. 23. Esay Chapter 52. to the 13. verse THis Chapter if it be a seuerall Sermon of it selfe and not a part of the former is all in promises to the people of the Iewes First is the freeing of them from the tyranny of their enemies to wit Gog and Magog vers 1. 2. 3. which is amplified by setting before them the like examples of Gods former mercies The Aegyptians saith hee whether the people went downe to soiourne causelesly oppressed them and I set them free So if the Assyrians that is to say the Babilonians vers 4. The like will I doe to these oppressors vers 5. The second promise is the communication of the knowledge of Iehouah Christ the speaker or Interpreter of his Fathers will vers 6. Thirdly the ioy and cheerfulnesse of the Church of the Iewes receiuing the Gospell of peace the Gospell of the Kingdome vers 7. 8. 9. Fourthly the large spread of the Gospell throughout the world vers 10. Fifthly the sanctitie of the new Ierusalem vers 11. Sixtly their safety and security through Gods protection in a more glorious sort then when they came out of Aegypt vers 12. Esay Chapter 54. THE barren one whom the Prophet addresseth his speech vnto is the Church of the Iewes in their desolation For first the fourth verse speaketh of her widdowhead as of one that once had beene a Church but now diuorced as chap. 50. 1 More plainely in the sixt verse shee is termed a wife forsaken and the wife of the youth none of which agree eyther to the Church of the Gentiles or the Catholike Church secondly in the 11. verse shee is sayd to be humbled tossed not comforted how fitting is that to their estate
Thirdly the glorious things verse 11. 12. c. are neuer spoken but of their Church renued But how then doth the Apostle Gal. 4. 26. 27. Make vs Gentiles children of this Church and calleth the same Ierusalem aboue Rightly is shee called Ierusalem aboue the spirituall and heauenly Ierusalem cast into a new mould and framed and fashioned from aboue to embrace Christ and to seeke righteousnesse peace and reconciliation through him alone whose children are free by opposition to thee then Ierusalem that sought righteousnesse and life by the Law and therfore engendred children vnto bondage And this new Ierusalem is indeed the mother of vs all Why for it is the same very Church and no other polished fined and wonderfully adorned which was in the time of the Apostles when the Law that is the doctrine of Iesus Christ which is the Gospell came out of Sion and the Word of the Lord out of Ierusalem That whosoeuer will be saued must acknowledge himselfe a childe of this Mother Reuelat 22. 22. This doubt cleered the rest of the chapter hath no difficultie there be in it promises of three kindes 1. Fruitfulnesse of the Church vers 1. 2. 3. 2. Gods Couenant with them of remission of sinnes vers 4. reconciliation vers 5. 6. and life euerlasting vers 7. 8. 9. 10. 3. The surpassing glory of their Church for exceeding beauty vers 11. 12. Excellency of knowledge 1. part of 13. verse Aboundance of peace 2. part of verse 13. Securitie vers 14. Safety vers 15. 16. 17. Esay Chapter 59 verse 16. to the end of the 60. chapter AFfter declaration of the peoples hypocrisie and other sinnes which brought vpon them so many calamities hee commeth now to cheere vp their heart with the promises of the Gospell setting forth 1. The power of Christs kingdome for the saluation of his children vers 16. and to reuenge all disobedience vers 17. and 1. part of 18. 2. The calling of the Gentiles 2. part of vers 18. and 19. 3. The conuersion of the Iewes that they together with the belieuing Gentiles embracing the Gospell all Israell may be saued for so Paul Rom. 11. 26. expoundeth this place vers 20. All which things are shut vp with a most sure ground-worke the faithfull Couenant of God which hee hath made with his Church to dwell among them for euer by his Word and the power of his Spirit vers 21. 4. The glorious Church that shall bee among them chap. 60. vers 1. 2. 5. The Gospell flowing thence to all other places vers 3. 6. The nations honouring of them with their wealth and substance vers 7. to the 18. 7. Their safety and protection from danger vers 18. 8. Their happinesse vers 19. 20. 9. They shall inherit the land for euer vers 21. 10. Their increase both for multitude and strength verse 22. Chapter 61. and 62. and 63. and 64. and 65. THe Sermon of these fiue chapters after the foundation layd in the calling and annointment of Christ vnto his office of teaching and comforting Gods people chap. 61. verse 1. 2. first part of vers 3. is wholly spent in the fruit and benefit that thence shall redound to the Iewes It standeth of two parts First is a particular enumeration of the fauours that God will bestow vpon them all which may be reduced to two heads Blessings vpon themselues and the destruction of their capitall enemy The blessings vpon themselues are these that follow 1. The renuing of them in holinesse and righteousnes that is to say their conuersion 2. part of vers 3. 2. The restoring of the fruitfulnesse of their Country that so long lay waste and desolate vers 4. 3. There shall be in them a soueraignty ouer other Nations whom their arme and power shall master and bring to yeeld obedience to Christ and his Gospell vers 5. As Esay 14. 2. 4. The wealth of other Churches shall be to doe them seruice vers 6. 5. Their former double that is to say exceeding great reproach shall be turned into double ioy gladnes v. 7 Read Verse 7. thus Instead of your double shame and the confusion which they the enemies of the Church with shouting proclaimed to be their portion therefore in their own land they shall inherit double c. 6. An euerlasting couenant with this people to direct them in all integritie vers 8. 7. The liuely marks and prints of Gods blessing vpon them which shall make them famous among all nations vers 9. 8. The glory of their Church vers 10 11. chap. 62. vers 1 2 3 4 5. for which the Lords remembrancers are willed continually to make suite vnto him vers 6 7. 9. Their securitie from foreine enemies vers 8 9. 10. The returne vnto their countrey all lets remoued that may hinder it vers 10. 11. Gods redeeming and setting of them free vers 11 12. The destruction of their capitall enemie vndoubtedly he meaneth the Turke signified by Edom and attributed to Christ Iesus for it is the worke of God himselfe chap. 63. vers 1. is amplified two wayes 1. That there was not any enemie so strong that could or durst withstand him vers 2 3. 2. That he did it alone without any helpe vers 4 5 6 7. The second part of the Sermon is the Churches praising of God for this his constant kindnes notwithstanding their most extreme ingratitude vers 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. and a suite and request which thereupon they make to Christ with his answer to it The suite that in regard of his couenant and former kindnesses both promised performed vers 15 16 17. and the insufferable insolencie of Gods enemies theirs vers 18 19. he would from heauen powerfully shew forth his wrath to the dismaying of his foes vers 1 2 3. Chapt. 64. and good of the Church in the glorious promulgation of the Gospell through Christ vers 4. for so doth Paul 1 Cor. 2. 9. expound this place of the wisedome of God reuealed in the Gospel not of the heauenly glory This suite they confirme and giue assurance to their soules of the obtayning of it by considering the mercy of God towards repentant sinners desirous to walke in a new course of righteousnesse 1. part of vers 5. and the profession of their owne true repentance 2 part of vers 5. vers 6 7. whereupon they resort againe to the summe of their former petition vers 8 9 10 11 12. Christs answer Chapt. 65. setteth forth 1. The calling of the Gentiles vers 1. 2. The obduration of the Iewes vers 2 3 4 5. Both these points we learne from Pauls opposition of this text Rom. 10. 21. 3. Gods iust punishment vpon them for it meaning the casting of them off and their long desolation vers 6 7. 4. Promise of a remnant a holy seede in the
meane time to be left as Esay 6. 13. 24. 13. vers 8. 5. That of them God will in the end gather a Church who shall dwell in their owne countrey vers 9. 6. The X. Tribes as well as Iudah shall returne home For Sharon was in Gilead which belonged to Manasse 1 Cron. 5. 16. the valley of Achor parcell of the tract of Iericho in the tribe of Iudah vers 10. 7. The happinesse and felicitie of this people Amplified 1. By a godly opposition of the contrary state of the refractarie Iewes for it seemeth all shall not lay hold on the grace offred ioyne hands and professe the faith Some shall remaine obstinate how cleare arguments soeuer Christ do manifest of his glory Dan. 12. 2. Rev. 21. 8. vers 11 12 13 14 15 16. 2. By enumeration of the particulars which are A new face of things in their glorious and blessed renovation Antiquating of the ceremonies by the ministerie of the Gospell vers 17. As Rev. 22. 1. gladnes vers 18 19. life vers 20. peace and prosperitie vers 21 22 23 24. Esay chap. 66. IN this Chapter which is as it were the last farewell that Christ taketh of the old synagogue he leaueth them three remembrances First an instruction how the Iewish Church should demeane themselues in his worship who delighteth not in the Temple-obseruances but in spirituall seruice vers 1 2 3. Secondly what heauy iudgements shall come vpon the Iewes for sticking obstinately and hypocritically to the legall rites vers 4 Thirdly the state and constitution of the Church which shall bee set vp among them conteyning these things 1. The restoring of them which shall be to the exceeding ioy of his children and confusion of those hypocrites vers 5. 2. The terror and affright vnto their foes vpon the report of their repairing home as Dan. 11. 44. vers 6. 3. Their prompt and ready embracing of the Gospell by an allegorie from the manner of naturall child bearing vers 78. The author whereof is God himselfe vers 9. 4. The nations reioycing in their behalfe and doing homage to them vers 10 11 12. 5. The ioy and happinesse of this people vers 13. â— part of 14. 6. The great ouerthrow that God will giue both to open enemies 2 part of vers 14. vers 15 16. and secret hypocrites vers 17. 7. The Gospell to be preached among the most remote nations vers 18 19 20 21. 8. The perpetuitie of Gods loue and blessings vpon them vers 22. 9. Their constant and continuall seruing of him vers 23. 10. The Churches triumph ouer Gods enemies and theirs slaine by the reuenging hand of God a fore-runner of eternall damnation vers 24. Ieremie chap. 3. 12. to the 19. GOd hauing aggrauated the sinne of Iudah and made it greater then the sinne of their sister Israel whose abhominations and Gods iustice vpon her for the same they saw euident before their eyes and yet iustified her by their practise doth now will the Prophet to publish the promise of reconciliation euen vnto them whom he had exiled so farre from their owne countrey Wherein obserue 1. This is a direct prophesie of the X. tribes bringing home vers 12. vpon their repentance and acknowledgement of their fault vers 13 14. And note he speaketh of the North as Ier. 16. 15. 23. 8. for thence it seemeth the first conuerted Iewes shall come 2. The graces of Gods Spirit in them vers 15. 3. The fruitfull increase of the Church 1 part of vers 16. 4. The glory and excellencie of it That in comparison thereof the Arke of the Couenant the visible signe of Gods presence shall not be spoken of or thought vpon 2 part of vers 16. 6. The propagation of the Gospell among all Nations vers 17. 7. Iudah and Israel shall both ioyne in one 1 part of vers 18. 8. They shall dwell in their owne Land 2 part of vers 18 Ieremie 16 14 15. SPeaketh of this setling of the people in their owne land from out of all the parts of their dispersion praeferring this deliuerance before that out of the land of Aegypt And here also he nameth the North as Ier. 3. 12. Ieremie chap. 23. 3 4 5 6 7 8. IS the same very argument with some more amplification of words Ieremie chap. 30. 31. THe summe of these two Chapters which you haue vers 3. is a promise of restoring the Iewes out of thraldome and seating them in their owne country Not meant of the captiuitie of Babel but of their long and tedious desolation as is euident in that both the Chapters are meere evangelicall vers 1 2 3 4 it is set forth by these particulars 1. The heauinesse of their former calamities vers 5 6. 1 part of 7. 2. Gods setting of them free 1 part of vers 7. vers 8. 3. Their conversion to Christ vers 9. 4. Their safetie vers 10 11. 5. The former miseries are repeated vers 12 13 14 15. the more to magnifie Gods iustice in taking vengeance of their oppressors vers 16. and his goodnesse in curing and healing them vers 17. 6. They shall dwell as before in their owne countrey vers 18. 7. Their reioycing multitude honour vers 19. 8. The establishment and perpetuitie of them v. 20. 9. The state of the Common-wealth flourishing vers 21. 10. The Couenant of God renued vers 22. 11. The vtter ruine of their enemies vers 23 1 part vers 24. 12. All this shall be in the last dayes which are vsuall words to expresse this mysterie 2 part of verse 24. 13. This couenant renued shall be with all the Families of Israel So the X. tribes as well as Iudah haue their part in it chap. 31. vers 1. 14. Their flourishing and happy estate By way of a prolepsis or obiection vers 2 3. which he remoueth vers 4 5 15. The instrumentall cause is the preaching of the Gospell vers 6. and prayer to God vers 7. 16. The place whence they shall come the North c. 1 part of vers 8. 17. The generalitie of their call Not any one the meanest or of least account shall be left behinde None shall perish that God the Father hath giuen to his Sonne 2 part of vers 8. 18. The innumerable multitude that shall returne 3 part of vers 8. 19. Gods directing leading them in the way v. 9. 20. The praise that shall redound to God by the most remote Nations celebrating his great and glorious name in this behalfe vers 10 11. 21. The testimonies of the thankfulnesse which the Iewes shall manifest 1 part of vers 12. 22. The fulnes of their Ioy. 2 part of vers 12. ver 13 14. These things thus laid downe now he amplifieth the fame by
7. for as they sold the children of Iuda and Ierusalem to the Gręcians that they might be carried farre from their borders so will God sell their sonnes and daughters into the hands of the children of Iuda who shall sell them to the Sabaeans famous Marchants that will vent them into remote Countries vers 8. whereby is intimated the sway which the Iewes shall haue in the Church of Christ by conuerting of the Gentiles as Esay 14. 2. 4 He proclaimeth open war and encourageth men vnto it vers 9. 10. 11. 12. 5. He assureth them of victory vers 13. 6. He sheweth what a multitude shall be slaine as Ezec. 39. verse 14 7. He denounceth the vtter downfall and ruine of this mightie Monarchie by such Metaphors as with the Scripture is vsuall the ruine of potent and flourishing kingdomes vers 15. 16. 8. The holinesse and sanctitie of the new Ierusalem vers 17. 9. The fruitfulnesse of the land 1. part of vers 18. 10. The aboundance of Spiritual graces as Amos 9. 13. 2. part of vers 18. 11. Other nations associate to the profession of the Gospell 2. part of vers 18. for by the valley of Shittim which was in the playnes of Moab Numb 25. 1. the Gentiles are vnderstood and their subiection vnto Christ by the laying of them waste and desolate vers 19. As Zach. 10. 11. 12. Perpetuity of the Church of God in Iudah and Ierusalem vers 20. 13. The cause of all this is expressed vers 21. Because Iehouah Christ dwelleth there Amos 9. 8. to the end of the Prophesie THese words containe the threatning of an extream desolation vers 8. 9. 10. with some comfort enterlaced in the end of the 8. verse of a little remaine to be left Secondly they containe promises of the Gospell to wit 1. The setting vp among the Iewes of the kingdome of Dauid through Christ as glorious as euer it was before in the most flourishing times of Dauid or Salomon verse 11. 2. All nations shall ioyne with them and be made partakers of one common inheritance So doth Iames Acts 15. 16. 17. expound it 3. The chiefesway soueraignty shal remain with the Iewes as Obadiah vers 19. the 2. and 3. you haue vers 12. 4. The fruitfulnesse of their land as Ioel. 3. 18. verse 13. 5. The inhabiting in their owne countrey vers 14 6. Perpetuity of their abode there vers 15. Obadiah verse 15. IT is ordinarie with the Prophets vpon occasion of the crueltie of the oppressors of Gods people to breake forth into meditation of the kingdome of Christ and the glory of the new Ierusalem so doth our Prophet here His meditation containeth 1. The destruction of the enemies of the Church in generall vers 15. 2. The time after the Iewes haue drunke of the cup of Gods wrath whereby he doth intimate their long desolation 1. part of vers 16. 3. The vtter downfall and vnrecouerable ruine of these enemies 2. part of vers 16. 4. Aremnant a holy seede that shall be left among the Iewes in the middest of their wofull desolation 1. part of vers 17. 5. That of these a Church shall be gathered at the last 2. part of vers 17. 6. They shall inherit their olde possessions 3. part of vers 17. 7. The vtter ruine of this particular enemy the house of Esau but by it is meant that by the power of the Iewes they and the rest of the Gentiles enemies to the Church tamed and subdued shall stoop vnto Christs obedience vers 18. as Num. 24. 17. Esay 11. 14. The soueraignty ouer other Nations that shall ioyne with them in the profession of Christ remaining with the Iewes 1. part of vers 19. As Ioel 3. 12. 8. Iudah Beniamin shall inhabit all their ancient bounders 2. part of vers 19. and the X. Tribes theirs verse 20. 9. The spreading of Christs Kingdome to all Nations of the world by the ministery of the Gospell as Math. 24. 31. vers 21. The 19. and 20 Verses thus I render Vers 19. The house of Iacob shall possesse the South with the Mount of Esau and the low place with the Philistims They shall possesse I say the Country of Ephraim with the Country of Samaria and Beniamin with Gilead Verse 20. And these armies of the children of Israell that are carried away Captiues shall possesse that which was the Canaanites vnto Sarepta the border of the X. Tribes the Israelites scituate betweene Tyre and Sidon at the Sea-side 1 Kings 17. 9. and those of Ierusalem that were carried away Captiues shall possesse that which is in the bounder of the gouernment They shall possesse the Cities of the South the border of Iudah Iosh 15. 21. c. Micah 7. 7. to the end AFter complaint made of the iniquity of the times the Prophet first exhorteth Gods people to faith patience and expectation of the promises vers 7. 8. 9. and then layeth downe comforts and consolations which are of two sorts the destruction of their enemies which though it be spoken but in generality yet the circumstances considered may well be thought to haue an eye to the Tyrants that now hold the Iewes in subiection vers 10. and then fauours to his Church Those fauours are 1. The building of them vp that is their heauenly calling 1. part of verse 11. Read Verse 11. thus In the day that thy walls are to be built that day shall the Decree got farre He meaneth the Decree which is Verse 14. 2. The publishing of the Gospell throughout the world vttered first generally that the Decree of God to build vp the Church and to gather a holy people to himselfe shall goe forth and be proclaimed farre abroad 2. part of vers 11. and afterwards in particular reckoning vp A shur East Aegypt South to whose name the Originall doth elegantly allude in the word which we translate fortified Cities and the Sea West as Hosh 11. 10. 11. vers 12. 3. The desolation that before that time shall befall them vers 13. 4. The inhabiting of the land againe vers 14. 5. Great and wonderfull things that God will shew for their deliuerance euen as hee did when they came out of Aegypt vers 15. Like enough he meaneth the drying vp of Euphrates fire and brimstone that shall come downe from heauen to deuoure Gog and Magog c. See Zach. 9. 12. which shal astonish all Nations and cause them to yeeld subiection to the Iewes vers 16. 17. Tsephania Chap. 3. vers 8. to the end THe Prophet here comforteth those in whom there is some grace and feare of God in the middest of corrupt and most depraued times by propounding 1. The destruction of their enemies the same that are spoken of Micah 7. 10. vers 8. 2. The generall consent of all Nations in