with somewhat of faith therefore the Prophet in the midst of his dark mists begins with this as an unalterable ground what ever his heart say that God is of purer eyes then to behold â—vil and cannot look upon inâ—quity See Jer. 12.1 5. The onely best way to refute â—emptations and dispell mists is not to debate dark cases with our own hearts overcharged with weaknesse and fears but to vent the matter and our case to God and seek his resolution upon it for so doth the Prophet lying under this temptation Wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously c. 6. However the Lord have just indignation against and will in due time punish the grosse iniquities of men without the Church yet considering the many aggravations of lesse sinnes within the Church and Gods jealousie over his people and care to have them reclaimed from every evil course it is no wonder to see the Churches sins though lesse in their own nature punished when more grosse sins without the Church escape for a time unpunished for the Prophets complaint that God holds his tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous then be imports that God doth so and Gods doing of it proves it to be a righteous act however we may quarrell 7. The Lord makes use of wicked instruments to punish his people that in the foulnesse of the rod he may discover the yilenesse of their sin for this end are the Jewes devoured by the wicked and by men viler then themselves See Ezek. 7.24 8. Treachery is a great aggravation of and addition to oppression when the oppressor by his practices belies his great profession or particular pretences in a quarrell or doth otherwise then in reason might be expected considering either his obligations or any provocations given or injuries done to him Therefore it is the Prophets complaint that they deal treacherously and devour Though the Scripture doth not speak particularly of the Caldeans treachery yet it is here asserted they had been such and therefore the Prophet laments that they should be permitted to prosper 9. Albeit God be righteous in punishing his Church by wicked instruments yet the holinesse of God compared with their wickednesse gives ground of hope that he will at last reckon with them for this expostulation of the Prophets imports this truth that the holinesse of God would not alwayes fit with this but in the end would right it Psal 50.21 Vers 14. And makest men as the fishes of the sea as the creeping things that have no ruler over them 15. They take up all of them with the angle they catch them in their net and gather them in their dragge therefore they rejoyce and are glad 16. Therefore they sacrifice unto their net and burn incense unto their dragge because by them their portion is fat and their meat plenteous The Prophet seconds and cleares his expostulation concerning the enemies wickedness from two grounds whereof the first is taken from their unjust and violent conquest and oppression for by their oppression men were no otherwise dealt with then irrational creatures such as fishes where the greater devoure the lesser or creeping things wanting rulers who run over other and are trodden down by every foot or yet further that men should be like fishes not only devouring one another but exposed as a prey to every one who can first catch them that as fishes are easily taken and when nets and draggs are made use of in great numbers so men and multitudes of people and Nations should without difficulty be preyed upon by oppressors and that as nets and drags do promiscuously draw all to land so oppressors should get liberty promiscuously to over-run Nations good and bad the Church as well as others those who never wronged the oppressors as well as they who injured them most c. All this the Prophet cannot see how it should consist with the holy Providence of God and therefore layeth it before him to clear and consider Doct. 1. Temptations are very ready to grow upon our hand and the more we think on them we may seeme to have the more ground to subscribe to them and therefore as fast as they are suggested to us we should tell them to God as the Prophet doth here with his fertil invention in expostulating and complaining 2. Men are so naughty by nature as if the Lord would let loose the reines of a restraining Providence and give them up to themselves the world would become monstrous for so doth the Prophet teach men would be as the fishes of the sea as the creeping things which have no ruler over them 3. It is an evidence of monstrous and brutish wickednesse when men acknowledge no rule of right and wrong but power and imploy all the power they have for usurpation upon others for then indeed men are as the fishes the of sea and they take up all of them with the angle they catch them in their net and go her them in their drag 4. Man being exalted of God above the creatures it is a great abuse when their way and lot from others debaseth them from that dignity that the oppressing Caldeans should live in the world like monstrous beasts and fishes depraving the image of God after which they are made and observing no shadow of equity and that the oppressed should not be used as rational creatures made after the same image but as fishes taken up with the angle c. 5. However we be unsatisfied with dispensations yet it is our safest way and a step to our issue to keep Gods providence about them still in our eye for thus doth the Prophet better his former thoughts of God looking on and holding his tongue by saying Thou makest for the speech is still directed to God men as the fishes of the sea c. 6 It beseemeth the Lords providence well to restrain brutish violence to see to right and wrong in the world and to protect the weak and poor from the strong and mighty or give a redresse when they are injured by them for the Prophets reasoning imports that it would beseem God not to make men as fishes of the sea c. and so he proved in due time The second ground of the Prophets expostulation clearing yet further the Caldeans wickednesse is taken from their abusing of their successe and that the Lord should permit them not onely to do wickedly in their purchasing but yet more wickedly in their boasting and insulting because of their victories and in their glorying in their own wisdome and strength as if by them they had conquered the world and made themselves feasts and a good life Doct. 1. Evil purchase is not ordinarily well used but the purchasers are given up to insolency conceit of themselves and luxury which are the usual plague and snare of prosperity for therefore that is seeing they speed in oppression they rejoyce and are glad therefore they sacrifice unto their
his delayes in executing vengeance for sin with the severity of it when it comes therefore in opposition to their devising iniquity verse 1. that they might execute it well as they thought the Lord deviseth an evil saith he that is it shall be as sore and sharp an evil as if it had been most seriously devised and all the time of delay had been imployed for that effect 4. Sin publickly acted without controlment will bring on judgments against a whole people Therefore because oppression was committed publickly against this family do I devise an evil that is against this whole Nation Amos 3.1 2. even the notorious sins of private persons much more of publick Ministers of Justice not being punished or such sins becoming universal cannot but bring judgments upon a whole Land 5. However Oppressors may think to shift the Lords visitations yet when they come they shall seize upon them and their violence shall be met with afflictions which they cannot shake off for it is an evil from which ye shall not remove your necks 6. Albeit men also dream that if they cannot exempt themselves from judgments yet they will courageously and undauntedly bear out under them yet the Lord by his rods will make the most haughty to stoop for Neither shall ye go haughtily 7. God hath our time and the revolutions thereof so in his own power as he can thereby when he will cause the stoutest to fall before him therefore it is subjoined as a reason why they shall not walk haughtily for this time is evil God shall make the times to crush them 8. Men by their transgressions do provoke the Lord to make their time bitter and evil unto them wherein otherwise they might comfortably serve their generations for because they had oppressed c. therefore this time is evil Ver. 4. In that day shall one take up a Parable against you and lament with a doleful lamentation and say We be utterly spoiled he hath changed the portion of my people how hath he removed it from me turning away he hath divided our fields Their calamity is further set forth that it should not be ordinary but the matter of a Proverb in all mens mouths and of a bitter lamentation composed by themselves to bewaile their calamities or by their enemies counterfeiting their sorrow wherein they should bewaile their utter desolation in that the Lord had transferred the possession of the holy land which he had given as a portion to his people to their enemies and had not onely cast his people out of it but turning away in anger had given it to the enemies to divide it among them and so had put them out of hope to return to it again all which relates especially to the case of the ten Tribes whose lands were thus possessed by the Assyrians 2 Kings 17.24 Doct. 1. Sinning against God with an high hand will at last make the sinner a remarkeable spectacle of justice and will end in bitternesse and lamentation for In that day shal one take up a Parable or Proverb against you and lament with a doleful lamentation 2. The sinners desert is to be utterly ruined without hope of restitution and to be left in that condition to bewaile their want and misery for this is the sum of their lamentation that they are utterly ruined put away from their land their enemies dividing it as their owne inheritance 3. The seeing of God as a party and affliction as flowing from his anger they make the afflicted's lamentation yet more bitter for so doe they lament He hath changed and removed turning away be hath divided 4. The Lords judgements upon a sinfull people will surprize them with astonishment and be more sad then any thing they did expect or dreame of when they were wallowing in their iniquities for so much doth their admiration import How hath he removed it from me Ver. 5. Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the Congregation of the LORD Their utter desolation is here positively denounced by God in confirmation of their lamentation that being cast out of their land they should want the benefit of dividing their inheritances by lot before the LORD in his Congregation as of old Joshua had done Josh 18.4 6 10. and they used to doe on several occasions especially every Jubilee when they returned to their possession but should remaine exiled and their enemies in possession of their Country Doct. 1. It is a bitter case when an hard condition is not onely feared or apprehended by us but proves in reality as sad as we imagine For here the Lord confirms their lamentation in apprehending desolation by a positive sentence Thou shalt have none to cast a cord by lot 2. Iniquity will make a Land spue out even a confederate people and detaine them in exile destitute of their wonted priviledges This is imported in that threatning Thou shalt have none to cast a cord c. 3. The causes procuring judgements are still to be taken along in our thoughts with the judgement Therefore saith he because of these sins mentioned ver 1 2. Thou shalt have none c. This will make us justifie God in his afflicting and will set the afflicted on work by repentance to make up their outward losses in God 4. Afflictions will be so much the more bitter as the mercies of which wee are deprived by them have been given unto us by a special providence and as a signe of Gods favour for so the land from which they are to be banished is a land which they had by lot in the Congregation of the Lord that is a land divided to them by especial providence of God and wherein the Congregation of the Lord was See Ps 47.4 and 137.1 Ver. 6. Prophesie ye not say they to them that prophesie they shall not prophesie to them that they shall not take shame The second accusation is for their contempt of and opposition unto Gods Word and Messengers the sense of the words which in the original are concise and short is when the wicked heard the Prophets of God threaten sin so sharply they could not endure this sound doctrine but either would have them silent as Amos 7.10 11 12 13. or would limit them to preach onely what they pleased as their false Prophets did and so some read the words Prophesie ye not let these to wit the time-serving Prophets and such as would follow their way prophesie upon this the Lord threatens to adde this to their judgements that he will take away his Prophets and hereby give them up as dogs to whom holy things are not to be cast and prevent the shame and ignominy which his Prophets suffered at their hands as Matth. 7.6 or as the words may be read by way of interrogation If they shal not prophesie unto these shall they take no shame although they were rid of faithfull messengers to warne them yet that would not hold off jugements
by her sins that the Lord should lay her desolate exposed to the fury of enemies without all government protection or apparent being and he may for a season in justice so deal with her lor her walls were to be built and consequently were ruined not only as a vineyard with the hedge pulled down but a city totally desolate 3. The Lord will in due time restore and make up the ruines of his destroyed Church and people for thy walls are to be built 4. Gods time is to be patiently waited upon for restoring of his Church for there is the day for doing it which he will keep and no sooner 5. As it is one of the Churches great trials to lie under the power of oppressing tyrants and strangers who by their decrees and injunctions executed with rigour do labour to ruine her and bear down the work of God So the Lord when he hath wrought his work upon his Church by such a trial will deliver them also from that yoke and set them at liberty to serve him and enjoy tranquillity without such interruptions for in that day the decree shall be far removed This the Jews had some taste of at their return from Babylon and at some times thereafter but it shall be more accomplished at their turning to the Lord when there shall be no more decrees of captivity to follow 6. All sorts of persons of all Nations have free accesse unto the Church under the Gospel and the Lord hath undertaken to make them come for in that also he shall come even to thee from Assyria and from the fortified city and from the fortresse even to the riveâ— and from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain that is generally from all quarters of the world by sea and by land which seems to be expressed with relation to the situation of Israel the borders whereof according to Gods Charter were from toward Egypt to the river Euphrates and that which they ordinarily possessed was bounded by the east or dead sea the west or great sea and by the mountaines Lebanon and Hor on the North and other mountaines in the wildernesse toward the South See Exod. 23.31 Numb 34. Josh 1.4 and elsewhere 7. In the Church of the Gospel the Lord hath determined that the Church of the Jews or Israel shall be very eminent not only as being the mother-Church of old from whence the Gospel came to call all Nations to joyn with her but as being yet to be made so conspicuous as will invite many Nations to come in to Christ and to be made a means of their Conversion In relation to both these times it is said to the Church of the Jewes in that day he shall come even to thee c. alluding to the Proselytes coming up â—o Jerusalem of old 8. The priviledges and advantages of the Church of God being rightly seen may and will prevail even with her greatest enemies and with such as have their own good accommodations to lay down their enmity and renounce all and come and share with her for he shall come to thee from Assyria her most inveterate enemy and from the fortified cities and from the fortresse by which Egypt seems to be signified which was well fortified by Nature and Art and the Hebrew word here hath affinity with the Hebrew name of Egypt and withal Assyria and Egypt are ordinarily joyned in such promises Isa 19.23 24 25. 9 The Lords meanes for gathering and enlarging of his Church is the preaching of his Gospel whereby he leads all captive unto the obedience of Christ for so much doth the other interpretation of the decree teach us the decree shall be far removed and he shall come c. Where the Gospel may be called a decree as containing Gods eternal Purpose and Ordinance concerning the salvation of sinners published in his Name to the world for sinners to lay hold upon and the efficacy thereof depending upon Gods counsel and decree 10. The publishing and prevailing of the Gospel through the world notwithstanding all impediments and opposition is a work wherein the hand and power of God is to be seen for what is already done and to be rested upon for what is to be accomplished for it is he only who can undertake that the decree shall be far removed Vers 13. Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein for the fruit of their doings Lest the people should flatter themselves in their sins a caution is subjoyned for the right understanding of this promise shewing that before the performance thereof a desolation must be because of their sins which was accomplished first by Nebuchadnezzar and again by the Romanes Doct. 1. The promises of God ought to be warily heeded and rightly understood and applied that secure sinners suck not poison from them therefore is a caution given to be taken along Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate 2. God may carry thoughts of love to his people hid in his heart for a long time and may let out much trouble on them whom he loveth and purposeth to manifest love unto for Notwithstanding to wit that he hath a purpose to enlarge her v. 12. yet the land shall be desolate See Jer. 29 10 11. 3. The reason of the Lords striking a people toward whom he hath a purpose of love is their sin for which he will plague their contentments lay their habitation desolate and make them taste of the bitternesse of their way in departing from him that so they may be humbled and fitted for his mercy and that he may cut off wicked generations and raise up others to enjoy his mercies for The land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein for the fruit of their doings Vers 14. Feed thy people with the rod the flock of thine heritage which dwell solitarily in the wood in the midst of Carmel let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the dayes of old 15. According to the dayes of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things A third ground of encouragement is held forth in an answer to the Prophets prayer who upon the mentioning of the ensuing desolation turnes himself to God or to Christ the great Shepherd requesting that he would have a care of his scattered and desolate people in whom he had so much interest and would at last bring them to enjoy the wonted sweet fruits of his Government and feed them as flocks were fed in the fruitful pastures of Bashan and Gilead Numb 32.1 Deut. 32.14 To which answer is returned in a promise that they shall get a deliveâ—ance no lesse famous and miraculous then when they were delivered of old from Eâ—ypt This promise is both spoken of the Church and to her noâ— only because she was abundantly satisfied of the first and therefore it is spoken to her to stir heâ— up to believe the other but to shew the Lords constancy in
further explication of the way of pardon that God overcomes the great provocation of sinne standing in his mercies way or as an effect of pardon that God not only pardons the guilt but mortifieth the power of sinne in his people Whence learn 1. The Lord pardons sinne in none but such as he makes sensible of the great provocation of sinne and makes them to see it as an army standing in mercies way to be subdued for so do they expresse the way of pardon 2. Gods mercy is alsufficient to overcome all provocations and to overcome the ill deserving of sinne for He will subdue iniquity See Cant 2.8 Rom 5.20 3. Whoever get pardon of sinne they also fall in love with and see the need of mortification of sin this the other interpretation of subduing teacheth The pardoned Church accounteth God singular because he will subdue iniquity 4. Mortification of sinne is to be wrought by God and expected from him otherwise our endeavours will not prevaile and when our endeavours of mortification availe not yet our case is not hopelesse for He will subdue our iniquities The last expression Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea containes a further effect of pardon that sins once pardoned shall not be remembred nor laid to their charge againe which is held out in a borrowed speech taken from amongst men that being without possibility of being recovered by men which is cast into the bottom of the sea and that where it is deepest Whence learn 1. Albeit a pardoned sinner when he commits new sin or is not humble tender or thankful under the sense of pardon may have former sinnes brought to remembrance to be matter of humiliation and stirring up to repentance and albeit an houre of tentation may shake loose all evidences of pardon yet sin being once pardoned the remission stands never to be repeated only new confirmations are still to be sought after nor will the pardoned sinne come in account against the pardoned man before God again for so much doth this borrowed speech teach See Isa 38.17 Ps 103.12 Jer. 31.34 2. Gods mercy is so infinite that multitudes of sin in the self-judging sinner will not hinder his free and full pardon nor needs to obstruct to peaceable effects thereof in the conscience of the pardoned man and this fountain stands daily open for the justified man to flee unto with all his faults as they are committed with renewing of his faith and repentance for so large is this Promise Thou wilt cast all their sins c. 3. As the sense of the pardon of sin and freedome from the apprehension of Gods keeping it in remembrance is a warme and refreshing condition so it would be much entertained by frequent looking to God by faith and praise about it Therefore yet again is the speech directed to God Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea Vers 20. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the dayes of old In the next place God is commended as singular in his gracious fidelity keeping the Covenant made with their forefathers Doct. 1. The priviledges of the Church are made theirs by Contract and sworn Covenant and so are certain for so the Word speaks of truth and mercy sworn 2. The Lord is to be seene and commended as incomparable in fidelity and promise-keeping notwithstanding all impediments in his way and all our apprehensions of him to the contrary for it is to be repeated Who is a God like unto thee that wilt perform the truth c 3. The summe of Gods Covenant with his Church is mercy in respect of the fountain whence all his bounty floweth and in respect of our ill deservings which we should daily see and truth in respect that the freedome of mercy in promising diminisheth nothing of the certainty of performance but as mercy opens the doore so truth keeps it open Hence it is that those two are so frequently conjoyned in the expectations and desires of Saints See Psal 57.3 and 61.7 4. The Covenant of mercy is the Churches first and irrevocable priviledge for it is sworn of old and so the law which came after cannot disannul it Gal. 3.17 5. As the spiritual blessings of the Covenant belong only to true believers who may reckon Jacob and Abraham with whom the Covenant was made their fathers according to the faith so even the natural posterity of Jacob and Abraham have a peculiar interest in that Covenant made with their fathers not broken off by any interruption or desolation but to be still forth-coming for them as to their being called as a Nation to be his Church and people if not also for giving them the promised land in heritage for so do they reckon while they are threatened with much ensuing desolation Thou wilt perform the truth to Iacob and the mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworn c. For this cause the Apostle Rom. 11.29 reckons that Gods purposes toward them as a Nation are among the gifts which are without repentance and never to be recalled and made utterly void more then in his dealing with his Elect in the matter of their calling and glorification 6. It is the duty of the godly when they are called to trouble to confirm their faith in the hope of issue according to Gods promise and be comforted and rest satisfied therewith accounting it sweet to have hope of future mercy sure although it were never so long a coming and the way to it never so rough for so do the godly hearing tell of future desolation close all believing and resting satisfied with this Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham c. for the accomplishment whereof every godly man should pray Even so Lord Jesus come quickly Amen and Amen Nahum The ARGUMENT THe Lord having suspended the execution of the judgements denounced by Jonah against Nineveh the chief City of the Assyrian Empire upon their repentance they did again return to their vomit and added unto all their other sins the oppression of the people of God by captivating the ten tribes and over-running Judah therefore the Lord for the comfort of his people thus afflicted raiseth up Nahum whether in Hezekiah's dayes or afterward is not certain yet certainly that oppression of Judah 2 Kings 18. and 19. is pointed at by him to set forth at large the ruine of that Monarchie especially of the chief City Nineveh and for this end setting forth a description of God in his justice power and mercie suitable to the present purpose he foretels the ruine of the State of Assyria by the Medes and Caldeans with the comfort and advantage redounding to the Church thereby chap. 1. and the destruction of the chief City the preparations against which with the taking thereof is set down chap. 1. and further amplified and confirmed by setting forth their provocations
Admirers of the hand of God against her both these are held forth in that Preface Behold ye among the Heathen and regard and wonder marvellously for I will work a work c. as hath been before explained 4. It is usual that when judgement cometh upon an impenitent people they attain not to any right use of it but are surprised with admiration and astonishment under it for so is fore prophesied even of the Jewes that they shall behold and regard and wonder marvellously at their own calamity and go no further 5. This stupid disposition as it flowes from former contempt of Gods Word which hath so stupified them as judgements cannot pierce so it will prove fruitlesse and doth portend the further ruine of such as continue in it so the Apostle citing this place Acts 13.41 makes clear that they are despisers who wonder as is also clear from v. 4. and that they wonder and perish or vanish that is as their admiration and astonishment usually vanisheth and cometh to nothing without any fruit so such a disposition portends ruine and such a stroak will undo a people they not being able to endure and bear out under both the stroak and fearful astonishment accompanying it 6. As the Lords judgements upon the Church may be far beyond the expectation of the Heathen and her very enemies Lam. 4.12 so it is just with God that those who doting on their priviledges do contemn the Word should meet with unexpected and incredible judgements for so saith he to these prophane Jews I will work a work which ye will not belive though it be told you 7. Divine indignation against sin is more terrible and will appear more sad when it is inflicted then secure sinners do ordinarily imagine so much also is intimated in that this work will be above belief Ye will not believe though it be told you See Psal 90.11 8. The contempt of the Gospel and the rejection of Christ offered unto lost man is the height of iniquity and draws on all the judgements that at any time have been threatened against any sin therefore the Apostle Acts 13.41 denounceth the same judgement here threatened for contempt of the law and sins against the second Table to come upon the Jews who opposed the Gospel and rejected the Messiah as being then fully accomplished when wrath came upon them to the uttermost for casting off of Christ Ver. 6. For lo I raise up the Caldeans that bitter and hasty Nation which shall march through the breadth of the land to possesse the dwelling places that are not theirs The Prophet subjoynes a particular description of this calamity in describing the instruments of it the Caldeans under Nebuchadnezzar their King whose disposition furniture and proceedings are so exactly set down as may confirme the truth of the prediction may set forth the justice of God in repaying the Jewes in their own coine may be terrible to the stout-hearted among them and may confirme the godlies hope of a deliverance from the way of the Caldeans their managing that work This description is contained in several particulars the first is that they are a Nation of a bitter cruel fierce and active temper who therefore to satisfie their ambitious covetousnesse should speedily and without fear over-spread the land of Judea not only to over-run it but to make a Conquest thereof for themselves Doct. 1. When God hath a controversie against a people he will not want instruments by whom he may prosecute it or he can fetch the Caldeans from afar who being already satiated with victories and conquests needed not otherwise much to have minded so remote a corner as Judah 2. Instruments of vengeance upon the Church would be looked upon as imployed by God and therefore the Churches eyes would be more on God then on them for Lo I raise up the Caldeans saith the Lord. 3. It is usual for the Lord to give up troublers and oppressors of the world to meddle also with his Church that it may hasten their ruine however the Church be sinfull therefore the Church is to be chastised by the Caldeans who were the hammer of the whole earth Jer. 50.23 that this might hasten the filling of their cup. 4. The Lord can make holy use even of the sins of creatures imployed for executing of his judgements for He raiseth up the Caldeans that bitter and hastie Nation and makes use of this their temper without any imputation to his holinesse 5. When the Lord armes any instruments with vengeance against a sinfull people they will not want dispositions and successe for attaining his end for if God raise up the Caldeans against the Church then they are not only bitter and fierce but a hastie or active Nation and will march through the breadth of the land without opposition or fear and will not only overcome but so carrie all before them as they may possesse the dwellings that are not theirs without molestation 6. The Lord in executing vengeance doth righteously proportion mens sins and his judgements and pay home transgressors in their own coine therefore the Jews who had been cruel meet now with bitter adversaries and they who had used spoiling and violence towards others v. 2. are now over-run and cast out of their own possessions The like also may be read in the following purpose 7. However men account it purchase good enough when they are able by power to overturne others and sit down in their room yet the Lord doth not so reckon but will put a difference betwixt mens power or possession and their right for albeit the Caldeans conquered Judah yet in the Lords account They possesse the dwelling places that are not theirs Verse 7. They are terrible and dreadfull their judgement and dignity shall proceed of themselves The Caldeans imployed in this work are yet further described that being armed with divine vengeance emboldened with former victories and exercising the same cruelly they should fill the land with terrour and dread of them which they should also tyrannically improve and be their own carvers in all matters of advantage and honour standing to no law either of Nature or Nations in their dealing with a terrified and subdued people but meerly following their own will armed with power Doct. 1. Divine indignation pursuing sinners will take away their heart and courage in a strait and make their enemies terrible to them for so are the Caldeans to the sinfull Jewes terrible and dreadfull 2. When a people do not stand in awe of God speaking from his Word to them he doth righteously send judgements upon them which will cause their hearts to faint for the Caldeans are terrible and dreadfull to these wicked Jews who sleighted the Law God Almighty speaking in it v. 4 3. It is a great height of impiety before the Lord when besides the unlawfullnesse of a war in general and many particular acts of injustice in the heat of hostility a Conquerour even in
most part in general denunciation of Gods vengeance upon gross and impenitent sinners such as the Chaldeans were wherein the Lord threatneth wrath and sad judgments to come upon them for the grosse abominations such as ambition covetousnesse oppression sensuality carnal policie idolatry c. which abounded amongst them This controversie the Lord layeth out in several branches sometimes repeating the same things in substance and amplifying them from several considerations to the end there may be a more distinct clear sight of the sinfulnesse of their sin of the vanity of the pretences they founded their courses on and of the equity of God judgments subjoyned to every branch The first branch of the controversie is that the Chaldeans and in special their King being given to sensuality and ambition or drunk with pride and ambition as with wine was insatiable in his Conquests like death and hell or the grave of which Pro. 30.15.16 Isa 5.14 and not being content with his own portion did labour to adde one Kingdom after another to his dominions Doct. 1. As the godlies honest wrestling through an evil time by faith is an evidence that God wil reckon with their oppressors so the Lords reproving and punishing the Apostasie of any within the Church may assure men that he will not spare wicked enemies for this is subjoyned to what was said ver 4. with a Yea also or How much more importing that when he made the just to live by faith he would also reckon with the Chaldeans and if he discovered and punished the listed up soul how much more the Chaldeans See Jer. 25.29 1 Pet. 4.17 18 2. The most part of unrenewed great mens actions and enterprises are consecrated to the service of their vile lusts For Because he transgresseth by wine and is proud he keeps not at home his great enterprises are undertaken to satisfie sensuality and ambition 3. Men once inslaved to the service of their lusts do become brutish and in a manner renounce their very reason for so may the words also be read The proud man transgresseth as through wine he is drunk with ambition as with wine which depriveth men of the use of sense and reason 4. It is a sin flowing from ambition a violence offered to nature which is content with little when men cannot acquisce in their lot and portion assigned them by God especially when it is competent but doe by all means hunt after more for it was the Chaldeans sin and ambition that having a Kingdom yet he keeps not at home 5. It is the Lords judgement upon ambitious men that the more they go beyond bounds to satisfie their lusts they become the more insatiable the more they drink they are the more thirsty for such an one enlargeth his desire as hell and is as death and cannot be satisfied but gathereth unto him all Nations and heapeth to him all people Vers 6. Shall not all these take up a parable against him and a taunting Proverb against him and say Wo to him that encreaseth that which is not his how long and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay The Lord threateneth that because of these their sins his judgments should make them contemptible and matter of derision insomuch that even those whom they had oppressed should insult over them and mock them and declare them accursed in their unlawful Conquests which however they had groaned under them could not endure long and in their overcharging and burdening themselves with the dross of this world Doct. 1. Even the consciences of wicked men if they were awake or suffered to speak would give out doom and sentence upon them and subscribe to the righteousnesse of Gods judgements for here he appeals to themselves Shall not all these take up a parable c. So also v. 7.2 When men sinfully endeavour to satisfie their pride and ambition it is rightâ—ous with God to make them most contemptible and ignominious for the proud man v. 5 meets with a parable and taunting proverb or becomes a matter of publick derision 3. However the oppressed and subdued may seem to be far behinde with Conquerors and Oppressors yet the Lord will in due time cleare that there is but little cause for such an apprehension and greatest oppressors wil meet with their own stroak wherein the lowest may insult over them and they shall be rather the object of pitty then of envy or on whom any would wish more cruelty for All these to wit the nations subdued by him v. 5. even all of them and those who were sorest smitten shall take up a parable against him and a taunting proverb against him and say Wo to him See Isa 14.4 12. 4. As unjust Conquest gives a man no right to his Purchase so it brings on Gods curse and at last makes the Purchaser an object of derision Wo here may be taken both for an insulting expression a declaration of a curse upon him Wo to him or Wo he by way of triumphing over him and laughing at him that encreaseth that which is not his 5. Though the oppressed ordinarily groan under the oppressor and wish his end admiring at Gods patience toward him yet it may be concluded that oppression shall not continue so long as either the oppressed or oppressor might expect and that disappointment of the oppressors hopes of continuance in his way shal be matter of derision for all this is imported in that part of the proverb How long 6. Albeit oppressors promise to themselves much ease contentment pleasure and happinesse in their great enjoyments yet they are iniserably disappointed for riches are in themselves but base and great abundance of them beyond that which is needful is to the ambitious but a burden and matter of vexation drawing down the soul from God and intangling and polluting it and this may point out the misery of those who hunt so much after these things Wo to him that ladeth himself with thick clay that is base riches which do but burden pollute and intangle him Ver. 7. Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee and awake that shall vex thee and thou shalt be for booties unto them 8. Because thou hast spoiled many nations all the remnant of the people shall spoile thee because of mens blood and for the violence of the land of the City and all that dwell-therein The Lord yet declareth his mind concerning these sins and threatens yet farther that he will pay them home as they had served others for as the Chaldeans had ranged up and down the world like ravenous beasts so he would suddenly raise up the Medes and Persians who for present were little dream't of to trouble and devour and prey upon them v. 7. And as they had robbed and spoiled many nations so he would stir up the remnant of the nations either such nations as had been reserved from their sury or the remainder of the nations which they had ruined who should
thresh the Heathen in anger A second instance of Gods glory in that work appeared in his speedy and sore destruction of the Canaanites against whom he was highly offended as being Heathens and enemies to him and to his people His chariots went speedily through them and trod them down as corn is threshed out by the feet of beasts Doct. 1. Gods anger against wicked enemies whether Pagans or such whose carriage towards his Church is Pagan-like is a sore party and will make great havock of them and a short cut of long work for however the Canaanites were many and potent yet saith he Thou didst march through the land in indignation thou didst thresh the people in anger 2. God is alone the subduer of enemies to his people though sometimes he may employ more instruments sometimes fewer or none at all and as he is to be seen in what is done so is he to be looked to for what is undone for Thou didst march through c. saith the Prophet acknowledging what was past and expecting the like to come Ver. 13. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people even for salvation with thine Anointed thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked by discovering the foundation unto the neck Selah Ver. 14. Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages they came out as a whirlewind to scatter me their rejoycing was as to devour the poor secretly He further instanceth the Lords glory in this worke and in several others as in Egypt under the Judges David c. as shining 1. In his design in all these works which was to bring salvation to his people by his anointed instruments Moses Joshua David c. as types of Christ and of eternal salvation by him 2. In the remarkable judgements inflicted upon enemies in that he did destroy the heads and rulers of those wicked societies as was verified on Pharaoh and other Kings who troubled them after they were setled in the land and overthrew not only the Kings of Canaan but all the Soveraignty and power that was in that land and opposed Israels possession yea further he not onely cut off the the head of soveraignty in the persons of rulers but rooted them out in their subjects by overturning ignominiously their stable condition as a house when it razed from the top to the foundation or as a mans body which supports the head when it is made bare from the heel which is the foundation he stands on to the neck and by cutting off their soveraignty not only in Cities but even in inferiour villages and the rulers thereof And this he did even by these same means which they employed against the Church this was accomplished in the sad stroaks that befel Egypt with Pharaoh especially at the red sea in the stroaks that many times came upon the subjects of Israels oppressors and the invasions and conquests made of their territories under David and others but especially in the entire conquest of the land of Canaan wherin the people were not only subdued and put under the power of Israel but the very root of the Heathens Soveraignty over that land was rooted up by the utter extirpation of the inhabitants in cities and villages except the Gibeonites and such as they sinsuily spared that Israel might possesse their habitation 3. Gods glory shined in these works in frustrating the proud hopes of enemies for the Lord did thus destroy them when they were both violent and confident of victory and when they thought to overwhelm the weak Church as with a tempest and made it their delight by craft and cruelty to devour her Doct. 1. Unto such as are the Lords people salvation is his scope and will be the result of all his enterprises for it is twice marked that he went forth for the salvation of his people 2. Christ is the ground of all salvation to his people every deliverance they get is a pledge of eternal salvation by him for he went forth for salvation with his anointed These fitted instruments whom the Church will never want in her need were but types of Christ and imployed by him from whom all safety cometh and these deliverances were shadows of his saving to the uttermost those that come to God through him And although the possession of Canaan was in a peculiar way typical yet the godly in all times may look on temporal mercies as pledges of better 3. As in wicked Nations or combinations those who are chiefe in authority are ordinarily most eminent and instrumental in evil so the Lord will break the combination by cutting off those which no greatness nor eminence shal be able to avert for Thou woundeast the head out of the house of the wicked 4. As wicked States and Nations adding opposition to the Church to all their other wickednesse do deserve that God should root but such States and Nations by utter extirpation so the Lord hath given proof that he is able and will not spare so to doe when he seeth it fit and when his peoples need calls for it for he discovered the foundation to the neck and did strike through the head of his villages 5. The Lord will doe that in due time to his implacable enemies which may afford matter of serious thoughts to themselves and others and such dispensations of his are wisely to be considered therefore Selah is againe subjoyned to this purpose 6. When the Lord hath enemies great and smal to root out he need no other means but their own weapons or the very designes whereby they think to thrive best and to ruine the Church for Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages This was the issue of Pharaohs pursuing Israel at the red sea of all the Canaanites enterprises against them and was more clearly verified on the Midianites Judg. 7.22 on the enemies of Judah in Jehoshaphats dayes 2 Chron. 7.22.23 and others 7. As the Church hath still been exercised with violent cruel and unsatiable enemies and must still expect to meet with such so the Lord will repay this and that even when their hopes and earnestnesse to carry their designes are greatest for it was both a cause of their destruction and the time of it when they came out as a whirlewinde to scatter me saith the Prophet in the name of the Church or violently to overrunne her and destroy her and when their rejoycing was to devour the poor secretly or in secret and hiddden places that is they took pleasure not only to overthrow them with great Armies coming like a tempest upon them but also to surprize them with sudden incursions when they were exhausted and had fled to secret holes for shelter and refuge This doth well agree with the condition of Israel under Midian Judg. 6 2 3 c. under the tyranny of the Philistines 1 Sam. 13. 14. and at divers other times as at the red sea Exod. 15.9
endue them with excellent qualifications and give them safety v. 11 12 13. and would furnish them with ample matter of joy v. 14 15. and of serving God without fear v. 16. considering his power and love v. 17. and what he will do for recovering their broken and desperate estate v. 18.19 20. Vers 1. WO to her that is filthy and polluted to the oppressing City 2. She obeyed not the voice she received not correction she trusted not in the LORD she drew not neare to her God The Lord having by his Prophet used all the former meanes for reclaiming his people but in vain he comes now to pronounce his last sentence against the body of that nation and threatens Jerusalem with a wo the general causes whereof were her pollution through oppression and violence and her contempt of warnings from the Word her not being bettered by corrections her not trusting in God but in other things and her not entertaining communion with him who offered himself to her in the Covenant Doct. 1. As Gods anger declared against a people portends misery enough to them though there were no other evidences of it so he will not spare nor exempt his own people when they provoke him especially such as being most obliged to him yet do prove eminent in defection therefore as he threatens other Nations so also his own sinful people and names Jerusalem for all because she was chiefe in the defection who should have been holy and a Sanctuary to God and under this wo comprehends all the evils which afterward pursued that people 2. Injustice and oppression is an abominable and filthy sin especially in the Church and the riches gathered that way do not give any splendor but make men and places vile in Gods sight and obnoxious to his curse for the oppressing City is filthy and polluted as the crop or gorge of a ravenous bird where all unclean things are heaped together or as one made a publick spectacle of infamie as the word imports and therefore wo to her 3. As disobedience unto the Lord revealing his mind by his word is ground sufficient for a quarrel and as contempt of the authority of God in his word is the cause of mens boldnesse in sinne so it will be a great aggravation against sinners that warnings from the Word do not reclaim them for Wo to her that is filthy she obeyed not the voice 4. As rods sent upon the Church will either make her better by instructing and humbling her under Gods hand or ripen her yet more for Gods wo so obstinacy in sinne under corrections is a sad aggravation thereof for Wo to her that is filthy she received not correction or instruction by her correction as the word imports 5. God is so willing to be the stay and confidence of his people that it is a quarrel when they will not lean all their weight on him and as want of faith in God drives men to sinful and wrong courses so this is a great iniquity before him for Wo to her that is filthy and polluted to the oppressing City she trusted not in the Lord and this also is the cause why the word or rod works so little 6. As the neglect of keeping communion with God turneth the heart loose to all sinful wayes and snares so the cause of little dependance on God in straits is because men cannot be at paines to keep neer God that so they may reap the fruit of faith for Wo to her that is filthy she drew not neer to God and she trusted not in the Lord because she could not rake paines to draw neere to God 7. The Lords gracious condescendence and offering of himself to the visible Church to be approached unto in all cases and her profession of having an interest in him doth aggravate her sault in not making use of him nor taking hold of such an advantage for it is an addition to her sin that she drew not neer to her God that is to God who was hers in offer and visible covenant and in whom she gloried as hers Ver. 3. Her Princes within her are roaring lions her Iudges are evening wolves they gnaw not the bones till the morrow The Lord denounceth this wo upon Jerusalem more especially for the sins of her State-Rulers her Princes and superiour Magistrates who ought to have been for the praise of well-doers a comfort and Protectors to the Subjects were a terrour cruel as lions and that not against enemies but Subjects in the midst of the City and her Judges or inferiour Magistrates were no better then they but as cruel and unsatiably greedy as hungry wolves who coming out in the evening having fasted all day do not only eat the flesh of their prey but so do gnaw the very bones as they leave nothing till the morrow See Prov. 28.15 Doct. 1. As a land doth not ordinarily degenerate but when Mag strates of all ranks are also corrupt so the sins of Rulers have an especial hand in drawing judgements on a land for when the city is filthy and polluted c. v. 1. then Princes and Judges are lions and wolves and because of this wo is denounced 2. It is a great iniquity and abuse of Gods Ordinance of Magistracy when the hearts of men in power are lifted up above their brethren and when they employ all their power for their own ends and against those for whose good they should employ it this was the sin of Princes and Judges They are roaring lions within her and evening wolves 3. It is a judgement and a presage of ruine to come on a land wheu their Rulers are not men hating â—â—vetousnesse but hungry greedy men are entrusted with affairs whereby they who in their private stations could not poorly bite and oppresse are enabled by their power and place to play the lion and wolfe such was Judahs case Her Judges were evening wolves they gnaw not the bones till the morrow or they leave not the bones to be gnawed or continue not to gnaw the bones till the morrow but presently devoure up all Ver. 4. Her Prophets are light and treacherous persons her Priests have polluted the Sanctuary they have done violence to the law The Lord subjoynes the sins of Church-officers as a further cause of this judgement and chargeth their false Prophets who pretended to an extraordinary calling with prophaneess and levity in their carriage and inconstancy in their doctrine fitting it to all humours and parties which was great perfidiousnesse and their Priests or ordinary Ministers with prophaning the Sanctuary and holy things in ministring unto the Lord and with perverting the true sense of the law in their ordinary doctrine and teaching of the people Doct. 1. When God reckons with a land for sin it is no strange thing to see them who should be meanes of reclaiming people that they may flee from the wrath to come accessory to the guilt of the land and partakers in
the judgement for both Prophets and Priests are here found guilty See Lam. 2.14 2. Want of gravity in carriage and rashnesse and inconstancy in doctrine making the Word Yea and Nay and fitting doctrine to all humours parties and times is a character of a false Minister accessory to a lands sin and liable to sad judgements whatever extraordinary or singular thing he pretend to Her Prophets are light or rash unstable and heady persons 3. An unfaithful time-serving Minister though he may please himselfe and others may like well of his way yet in Gods account he is but a perfidious man betraying his trust and the soules of men and men will finde it so in due time for being light they are also treacherous persons 4. Every Minister that would approve himselfe to God ought to give himself both to deal with God in behalfe of the people and with the people on Gods behalfe for such was the Priests charge to minister unâ—o the Lord in the Sanctuary in name of the people and to be ordinary teachers of the law to the people in both which they failed here 5. It is a token of sins full ripenesse and of speedy approaching judgement when Ministers dare pollute the holy things of God by going prophanely and in a carnal way about his worship and service their own familiarity and frequent employment about it without sensible hearts having bred a contempt of it and so embolden others to do the like or tempt them to abhor Gods service thus was it with Jerusalem when wo came upon her Her Priests have polluted the Sanctuary 6. The holy Scripture being the revealed will of the supreame Lord and the unalterable rule of mens duty according to which they may expect blessings or curses it must be an high presumption in men to wrest and force it to applaud their fancies and to take their light to the Word and father it upon it and not come with submission of heart to receive light from it and so make of Scripture what they please this is also a quarrel They have done violence to the Law Ver. 5. The just Lord is in the midst thereof he will not do iniquity every morning doth he bring his judgement to light he faileth not but the unjust knoweth no shame The equity of this threatned wo is cleared from the justice of God who not only dwelling amongst them could not without impuration to his holinesse passe over such grosse abominations but also was a just God in giving her faire play in this processe and not pronouncing this sentence till she was found incorrigible which he proveth from two evidences whereof the first is that however he had daily and early by his Messengers held forth this law as a lamp whereby they might see the evil of their wayes and so failed not to give them warning that they might be reclaimed yet they proved obstinate and impudently blushed not to sin against cleare light Doct. 1. However a visible Church persevering in sin may blesse her selfe and expect great things from Gods visible presence with her yet all these priviledges speak the impenitent sinners disadvantage their lying neer a stroak for if the just Lord be in the midst thereof he will doe no iniquity to wit in sparing her being so sinful See Amos 3.2 3. 2. God doth so much delight in mercy and is so tender of his people that he never proceeds to severity so long as there is another way unessayed to reclaim them or to stint the course of their sin which doth abundantly justify him when he judgeth for in this also he is the just Lord in the midst thereof he will not do iniquity in that he will not cast off till other means be essayed as the following purpose cleareth 3. It is a great favour from the Lord and a testimony of his long suffering when he doth not take every finner at his first word but followeth him with frequent warnings of his danger if he go on and offers of advantage if he returne for it is marked here as an evidence of Gods kindnesse in this processe that every morning which was the usual time of Prophets preaching Jer. 7.25 doth he bring his judgements to light he faileth not 4. Albeit men may pretend to acknowledge the authority of God and his Word yet it is usual that when they are mad on sin and going to ruine this should be a presage of it that the Word will do nothing at them for it is marked as their sin and a token that judgement must come on when notwithstanding warnings the unjust knoweth no shame 5. None who are within the visible Church and doe acknowledge a Deity and yet dare with a high hand sin against the cleer light of the Word but they proclaim themselves to be destitute of all ingenuity and given up to the plague of effronted impudence for such know no shame Ver. 6. I have cut off the Nations their towers are desolate I made their streets waste that none passeth by their cities are destroy'd so that there is no man that there is none inhabitant 7. I said Surely thou wilt feare me thou wilt receive instruction so their dwelling should not be cut off howsoever I punished them but they rose early and corrupted all their doings A second evidence of their incorrigiblenesse is that the Lord had often-times visited the Nations round about not one but many of them and not with an ordinary but with remarkable stroakes destroying their strong holds or Princes which as corner stones as the word imports uphold the fabrick of the Common wealth and making such havocke of the Nations as there were neither traveller nor Inhabitant to be found all which considering out ward meanes and their duty might have warned them to flee those sinnes for which those Nations had been punished and instructed them to fear God and reforme their wayes that so their afflictions might have kept within bounds of fatherly correction and they might have prevented the last stroake of being put out of their land and yet for all this they were so farre from turning to God that they were even worse all their wayes being not only sinful but corrupt and bent active and headlong in going wrong as if it had been their study and they were as earnest to goe wrong as he had been to reclaim them v. 5. Doct. 1. The Church is so dear unto God and he so tender of her well-being that before he ruine her he will preach her duty and danger to her upon the dear expence of others for all these sad judgements on others v. 6. was to inform her that she might prevent the like 2. Judgements inflicted on any of the world is a document and call to others to fear God especially being guilty of the like sinnes yea even the Church ought to take warning from judgements on enemies for He cut off thir Nations laid their Towers desolate c. that his Church
further ground of meditation to the Reader if he please It cannot be a voided in a piece of so many Doctrines and on divers subjects but the same Doctrines at least for substance wil occur often but the Reader may consider that every time it occurreth it is confirmed of new from a new ground and Gods inculcating of truths often calls on us to heare and consider them much If any man thinks the doctrines sometimes more prolixe he would consider that in this sort of writing it is required to say much in little bounds that sometimes two truths flowing from one ground wil speak more fully being conjoyned then if every one of them were made a doctrine alone that some doctrines nakedly propounded could not satisfie unlesse they were either limited or cleered a little As the Doctrines wil be found I hope to arise naturally from the text explained so in exposition I have studied to keepe by the rule of faith and set downe that Exposition which is most agreeable to the context it selfe and where diversity of interpretations could agree together as tending to one scope I have conjoyned them and but seldome held forth divers and different interpretations of one place where there was no such affinity betwixt them There is onely one thing of which I would premonish thee in a word and that is concerning some promises made not only to the Church of the Jewes but to all Israel wherein not only their future conversion but their restitution to their own land seeme to be held forth I am not ignorant how peremptory many have beene of old and of late in determining of such future events from the Word and that many who have asserted the restitution of Israel to their land have asserted with it also a reigne of Christ not onely in his spiritual government but in his person also on earth and that the Church shall be in a very flourishing and glorious estate for a thousand yeers Both of which assertions as they have no sure footing in Scripture so the first speaks but little comfort to the Church which is that they intend in it for seeing Christ hath a circumscribed body he can be but in one place at once and it is more comfortable to the Church in all quarters of the world to be governed by his Spirit and instruments employed by him sitting at the Fathers right hand then by deputies imployed by him while he remains in one corner of the world as that opinion must grant he will And for the second albeit the Church may and belike after the conversion of Israel wil have some glimpses and breathings of tranquillity and prosperity yet that happy condition which many speak of seemeth not to be very consistent even with common sense for if the Church and particular Saints shall have corruption while they are within time that fire will necessarily produce sparks of trouble and how any trouble can be consistent with such a condition as these men speak of I see not The experience of the Jewes at the first coming of Christ and of the Church in all ages may sufficiently clear how much carnal conceptions of the glory of Christs Kingdome have been disappointed as savouring too much of flesh Yet in this businesse whereof I speak this would seeme at least probable that as many passages scattered in the Prophets whatever they foretold to the Nation of the Jewes at the first coming of Christ or say daily for the comfort of Israel in the spirit yet have not their full accomplishment till all Israel be converted as the Apostle cleareth Rom. 11. who citing a more obscure place to cleare it doth warrant us to make use of others that speak more clearly So there are also many passages in the Prophets which however they may be applyed to a spiritual restitution of every true Church and of Israel after the Spirit yet in their full accomplishment seeme to take in the restitution of the Nation of Israel and this interpretation seemeth not to want Christs owne warrant where he saith Luke 21.24 They shal fal by the edge of the sword and shal be led away captive into all Nations and Jerusalem shal be troden down of the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled where he seemeth to set the same term-day to their Captivity and the desolation of Jerusalem including the land that the Apostle sets to their conversion Rom. 11.25 26. And indeed if the conversion of Israel wil be National as is clear not only from Rom. 11. but from Hos 3. where they are foretold ver 4. that they shal neither have a true nor false religion in their exile which must be understood of them taken as an incorporation and Nation for as private men they have still some Religion wherever they are and consequently their conversion ver 5. must be National If I say their conversion wil be National it is agreeable to right reason that they wil get a Land for habitation as a Nation and what Land more expedient then their own though not now any more typical unto them which God gave to their fathers of old and which there are so plain promises as would appear for And for a taste any that pleaseth may consider on these passages spoken not only to Judah but to Jacob Ephraim and Israel Jer 30.13 18. and 31.17 Ezek 37.16 17 19 21 22 25. Hos 11.9 10 11. and many others which I wil not now insist to name or discourse upon only as I take no pleasure in singular opinions nor to be peremptory in those things which time wil be the best commentary unto so there being so much to this purpose spoken in the Word I could not but briefly point at such passages in any of these following Prophets as seeme to tend that way that so the godly may be stirred up to pray more earnestly for the conversion of Israel at which time the Lord by performance wil give his own commentary to these and many other promises I shal detaine thee Christian Reader no longer in the entrie but to adde this that if this piece prove acceptable and may be useful to the Church of Christ I purpose the Lord continuing life and assisting me to follow with the rest of the smal Prophets in the same Method provided that some others more fit do not take the work in hand Mean time that this present piece may be blessed unto thee and that thou mayest more and more fal in love with God to thee in Scripture shal be the prayer of Thine to serve thee in the Gospel GEO. HUTCHESON Christian Reader IT cannot be denied on the one hand that as the Lord in this last age hath manifested unto Britain more then in any former time the riches of his grace in the clear and long continued offer of Righteonsness reconciliation peace sanctification and salvation freely to be had by the hearty embracing of his eternal Son Jesus Christ So for the
for this is not your rest See Numb 14.34 1 Sam. 2.30 3. Men by their sinning do not only set themselves against God but do pollute and defile all the creatures and mercies given them of God by imploying them to the dishonour of God for the promised Land is polluted by these sinners See Lev. 18.25 28. Man going in rebellion drawes many creatures abused by him away with him 4. Mercies being given that we might serve God with them and not defile them therefore it is just with God that what we dishonour him in or by be taken away This is not a rest because it is polluted 5. Abuse of Gods mercies draweth on sharpest judgements of any for it that is the Land shal destroy you even with a sore destruction This the land did not only in spewing them out as it did the Canaanites Lev. 18.28 as loathing to bear or feed them who dishonour God but in that it was the great cause of their sore judgement that they had polluted a Land of promise where God in his Ordinances dwelt and so it had been better for them when God should reckon with them that they had dwelt elsewhere Ver. 11. If a man walking in the spirit of falsehood do lie saying I will prophesie unto thee of wine and of strong drink he shall even be the Prophet of this people In the fourth place they are accused for that however they opposed true Prophets yet they did approve of and delight in false Prophets and such as pretending to inspirations and to be in office Prophets would flatter them and without warrant promise prosperity to such as were continuing in sin Whence learn 1. The most profane in the visible Church may yeâ— desire some shew of divine institutions and ordinances and some sort of divine approbation to their way if they can have it for he shall even be a Prophet to this people imports that they would not willingly want Prophets but desire to have them provided they go their way that so albeit they reject true Prophets yet they may have Prophets and may seem not to want divine approbation men may be profane enough albeit they come not to the height of rejecting all ordinances nor openly to profess they care not for Gods approbation 2. It is no new thing to see men pretending to the Spirit of God and revelations and light from him who are but deceivers if not deceived also and sent for a plague to a sinful people for there are who walk in the Spirit that is pretend to inspirations as Prophets and yet all this is but falshood and their doctrine a lie 3. There will never be false Prophets and clawbacks wanting to humour and soothe up a declining people for it is imported there will be such as prophesie of wine c. 4. As it is a great snare and judgement to a people to finde any shelter against naked truth and Prophets against Prophets so these false Prophets are discouragements to the true Messengers of God while such do flatter those whom faithfull Messengers threaten for it is the peoples judgment that they have prophets to oppose to those whom they reject ver 9. See Jer. 18.18 And it is a great cause why Micahs threatnings take no effect that they in the mean time prophesie of â—ine and strong drink such was Micah's trial when he had to do with Abah 1 Kings 22.12 13 14 c. 5. Such as pretend to any eminency in Gods house or service without his call or approbation are ordinarily branded with badges of his displeasure for these walking in the Spirit or pretending to revelation are plagued either with delusion or impudency as such ordinarily are who abuse light most in that they dare prophesie of wine and strong drink to a rebellious people 6. Albeit the Lord may for a time forbear grosse sinners yea and plague them with prosperity also yet it is false doctrine to preach peace and prosperity to a profane people so as if God approved of them when he gives them prosperity or as if any prosperity they got were not ripening them for sorer judgements for as these false Prophets lyed in respect they wanted a revelation and commission to deliver such a Doctrine when on the contrary God was threatning that people so it is still a lye in these termes to prophesie of wine and strong drink to such a people 7. As it is a woful condition when all that the visible Church is set upon is pleasure and prosperity and all they have to do with Prophets is to make them glad with hopes thereof he is their choice not who speaks to â—hem of their sin and Gods grace but who prophesieth of wine so a people are in a desperate case when they delight onely in such Doctrine as may please their fancy and will not admit of freedom in Doctrine Therefore it is a matter of challenge and a cause of Gods contemning of them as being not my people but this people that such a one shall even he the Prophet of this people and not such as faithful Micah See Isai 30.10 Jer. â— 31 Ver. 12. I will surely assemble O Jacob all of thee I will surely gather the remnant of Israel I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah as the flock in the midst of their fold they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men Ver. 13. The breaker is come up before them they have broken up and have passed thorow the gate and are gone out by it and their King shall pass before them and the LORD on the head of them The Lord in the close of the Chapter sweetens the former threatnings with promises of restitution of his Israel under Christ wherein are contained their recollection and gathering that Christ as their shepherd shall gather them in one shall feed secure and multiply them ver 12. that all impediments shal be taken out of their way that might hinder their progresse and that their march shall be stately and their conduct safe Christ their King who is the Lord going before them as their general on the head of them Whence learn 1. In the throng of greatest displeasure the truly godly are allowed comfort that they be not crushed with threatnings whereof they are most apprehensive by reason of their tendernesse for in the midst of these threatnings Jacob and Israel get a promise See Matth. 28.4 5. 2. The children of God ought to study much the certainty of Promises that they may without hesitation rely upon them I will surely assemble I will surely gather saith he or in assembling assemble which imports his persisting in that work till he perfect it 3. Spiritual restauration by Christ is ample matter of comfort to all believers in times of publick calamities for that is the substance of this promise held forth for their comfort it was their comfort under the Law to foresee it and ought to be ours for to enjoy it
great Nation and that Christ in his spiritual government shall constantly rule over them in their own land after their conversion or in the Church which was prefigured by Mount Zion Doct. 1. The Lords afflicting of his Church doth in a special manner endear her to his affection and makes that she shall not be behind when mercies are a dealing for saith he I wil assemble and gather her that I have afflicted See Jer. 31.20 2. Great afflictions are no impediments to the Churches restitution when the time of it comes when Omnipotency is imployed about it and when he in love remembers them in their low estate for such as are so crushed with trouble as they are made to halt such as are afflicted driven out and cast farre off he can and will assemble and gather them and make a remnant and strong nation of them that is he wil preserve a remnant and keepe them from total ruine in trouble and at last restore and multiply them 3. The glory of a Church restored and the height of their felicity is to have the Lord reigning and acknowledged as a King in all his prerogatives amongst them therefore it is added to their restitution And the Lord shall reigne over them in Mount Zion 4. The Churches King is not subject to mortality nor such a one as may be put from his kingdom and leave them exposed to hazard but the Lord shal reigne over them and so protect them from henceforth even for ever which also imports that he will still have subjects to reigne over Ver. 8. And thou O tower of the flock the strong hold of the daughter of Zion unto thee shall it come even the first dominion that kingdome shal come to the daughter of Jerusalem Here the Lord makes a more particular application of his comfortable promises unto the Church of the Jewes for however the Promise be of general verity in a spiritual sense being applied to the Catholick Church that Jerusalem which is from above yet the following verses cleare that it is to be understood specially of the Church of the Jewes whom he here cals the tower of the flock or Eder of which Gen. 35.21 conceived to be a place neere or in Ierusalem and in particular that part which was after called the sheep-gate and the strong hold of the daughter of Zion or Ophel of which 2 Chron. 27.3 Neh. 3 26. The first encouragement given to them for the comfort of the godly is that not only the Kingdome of Christ should first begin at them as the History of the New Testament doth evidence but that under Christ they should be restored to their wonted dignity resembling that which they had of old enjoyed under David and Soâ—omon before their rents and calamities Doct. 1. The Lord in gathering the universal Church hath an especial regard to the Jewes his brethren this doth appear in the speciall allowance given to them in the promises concerning the Kingdome of Christ of which as the Lord gave them the first offer so from them the Apostle Rom. 11. gathers that much mercy shall yet be manifested unto them 2. The Church of God is the receptacle and fold of all his true sheep wherein they gather themselves under his government and are environed with strength for safety so much is signified to us by these names given to Zion The Tower of the flock and strong hold 3. The Lords own Application of spiritual comforts is especially requisite for his afflicted people therefore the Lord counts it not enough to have propounded ample promises in general to the Church which might answer all their cases and which they were bound to be applying but he holds it also necessary to apply these to the present Church in her need 4. The glory of Christs Kingdome is as great and greater spiritually then ever the glory of David or Solomons reigne was outwardly all the valour strength and victories of David all the riches honour and wisdom of Solomon even to admiration and all the felicity of Israel under both are but shadowes of that substance therefore is it called the first dominion that is not so much the dominion at first offered to the Jewes as a dominion like the first flourishing times of Israel 5. As Christ to fulfil the truth of God did make first offer of his Kingdome and Gospel to the Iewes so in due time he wil bring them under his dominion and spiritual Government and will restore them to their wonted dignity thereby uniting all Israel in him the seede of David as they were before the rent made by Ieroboam adorning them eminently with the spirituall excellencies and priviledges of his Kingdome if not also appearing gloriously for them in outward things for saith he Unto thee shal the first dominion come the kingdome shal come to the daughter of Ierusalem Ver. 9. Now why dost thou cry out aloud is there no King in thee is thy Counseller perished for pangs hath taken thee as a woman in travel 10. Be in pain and labour to bring forth O daughter of Zion like a woman in travel for now shalt thou go forth out of the city and thou shalt dwel in the field and thou shalt go even to Babylon there shalt thou be delivered there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies The next encouragement given to the Church of the Iewes is by shewing his mind concerning her troubles that were shortly to ensue and that he may the more effectually comfort her he very pathetically propounds her trouble as if she were now under it and shewes unto her that however in outward appearance she had cause of bitter sorrow her King and Counsellers being to perish in that calamity she being to be driven from the City and Temple which were to be destroyed to sojourn a space in the fields till the rest of the Captivity were gathered and then to be carried captive unto Babylon yet upon better consideration she might finde shee had no such cause of fainting but ought rather resolutely to provide for and couragiously to bear that trouble seeing God should be King and Counseller to her and in Babylon where she might have least hope she should find deliverance and so he clears his mind to be this that by trouble she is going on toward deliverance Doct. 1. The troubles of the Church may in their houre prove very sharp and bitter as the pangs of a woman in travel crying out aloud 2. Albeit the Church of God in her trouble seeme to have reason for excessive sorrow and bitter discouragement yet really it is not so but she hath still some reason of encouragement and ought to set about it therefore whatever her troubles were yet saith he why dost thou cry out aloud as if he had said there is no reason for such excesse in anxiety and sorrow The reasons of this principal doctrine held forth in the Text are as so many doctrines all of them
make him famous and precious as an ointment poured out to invite others to come under his yoke and it is his prerogative to have an universal Government and Kingdom over Jewes and Gentiles throughout the earth which he will still prosecute till he obtain all that is in his Charter for He shall be great to the ends of the earth imports all these See Zech. 8.23 7. The Conversion of souls unto Christ and bringing them under his yoke tends to the setting forth of the greatnesse of Christ and the conversion of many doth set out his greatnesse the more who doth draw all these doth care for them and to whose fulness they flow and depend upon and it should be the care of all who are converted in their expressions and carriage to commend and set him forth as great and superexcellent therefore is the enlargement of his Kingdome described from this effect of it He shall be great to the ends of the earth 8. Whatever is promised in the Word is to faith so certain as if it were then performed and ought to be looked on as coming speedily the Lords choosing of times and seasons for performing his promise being no delay in a believers eyes nor impediment unto his faith to feed upon it as present for this cause it is said now shall he be great Gods keeping his appointed time is great haste to the believing man Isa 60.22 and the promise apprehended by faith giveth the thing promised a present subsistence to his use and comfort Vers 5. And this man shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come into our land and when he shall tread in our palaces then shall we raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal men 6. And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian when he cometh into our land and when he treadeth within our borders Followes some special fruits of Christs governing his Church such as peace and means sufficient not only to oppose the disturbers thereof such as the Assyrians were to Israel of old but to offend them also and so they shall be delivered However this promise spiritually considered belong to the whole Church and literally also in so far as is for her good yet it seems to have a special relation to the Church of Israel when they shall be converted and restored to their land Doct. 1. Christ is the only Author and Maintainer of the Churches Peace for this man or this one the word implying a demonstrating of him to others as one remarkable shall be the peace He pacifies Gods anger towards us establisheth our hearts in the faith thereof in him only have we true peace among our selves for luke-warmnesse breeds divisions and he it is that maketh peace in his Churches borders and creates a cloud over heâ— 2. The Church will not want enemies of her peace and such as will study to disturb it and may seem to prevail much at some times for the Assyrians or such enemies as the Assyrians were of old and the Babylonians or the land of Nimrod v. 6 shall come into our land and tread in our palaces she must resolve to have peace with continual baâ—tels 3. The Church hath her peace secured in Christ in the midst of trouble and through him will have means sufficient to oppose her enemies and maintain her peace for he shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come and there are seven shepherds and eight principal men to raise against him or a sufficient number of leaders seven being a number of perfection and eight yet more with armies to oppose him 4. It is a great blessing upon a land when the Lord furnisheth them with able men for government and rule in all exigents for that is Israels mercy to have such to employ and they are the means of their peace and safety We say they shall raise or call and send out she herds and principal men where their Princes are called shepherds with relation to the people as a flock 5. The enemies of the Church do oppose her alwayes to their own great disadvantage in the end for the Church shall not only defend themselves but they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof or their borders or with their own swords Babylon is here called the land of Nimrod because he founded that Kingdome Gen. 10.9 10 11. and was a great oppressor as his successors were 6. The inconveniencies which the Church sustains by her troubles do not prove so great as they may seem to be for however he tread in our palaces ver 5. yet ver 6. it is but treading within our land and borders See 2 Cor 4. 8 9. and 6.9 7. As the Church is sure to be delivered from her enemies so the glory of all heâ— enterprises and victories by them are to be ascribed to Christ only whatever be the part of instruments in bringing them about therefore albeit they raise up shepherds c. ver 5. yet ver 6. Thus shall he deliver us Ver. 7. And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD as the showres upon the grasse that tarrieth not for man nor waiteth for the sons of men The similitude of Dew made use of here leads us to a two-fold interpretation of this passage 1. That the Lords blessing of the rest given by these deliverances to the Church of Israel shall make her to multiply and flourish marvellously as the dew and rain fals down in great abundance suddenly and unexpectedly without humane industry and thus the similitude is used 2 Sam. 17.12 Psal 110.3 2. That the Church of Israel shall not only flourish themselves but be instruments of the flourishing and increase of the Church among the Nations as the Lord is the principal refresher and fructifier of his Church and therefore his operations are compared to dew and raine Hos 14.5 Psal 72.6 So they shall be instrumentally as dew and raine to many Nations that is being furnished with the Spirit from above and with refreshing doctrine they shall water them therewith as dew and raine doth the ground and so conquer them to the Kingdom of Christ and be instruments of their fruitfulnesse and blessings to them Both these interpretations agree in one to hold forth the miraculous increase of the Church either of Israel her self or of the Gentiles also by her means as another fruit of the government of Christ over them and may safely be taken both in here From the first interpretation Learn 1. That afflictions may make many sad and sore breaches on a Church before they recover out of them for they are now brought to the remnant of Jacob. 2. The Lord can easily when he pleaseth restore his broken people and make them increase as admirably and incredibly as
doing her good in that so to say both before her face and behinde her back he is the same Doct. 1. Sense of judgements imminent or incumbent doth call for much prayer and dealing with God for such use doth the Prophet make of the threatened desolation 2. The Church of Christ in her trouble especially is in a solitary condition and full of hazard being disconsolaâ—e and exposed to want and danger unlesse he have a care of her for They dwell solitarily in the wood in the midst of Carmel they are like a solitary flock in woods and mountaines and albeit Carmel signifie a fruitful place and was so in the land of Canaan Isa 33.9 and 35.2 2 Kings 19 23. and elsewhere yet it is here taken in with the woods to shew that their most fruitful places in exile should look like a wildernesse to them or because it was an open field and mountain and consequently not safe though others joyne that rather with the latter part of the verse Let them feed in the midst of Carmel in Bashan c. and so it is also expressed Jer. 50.19 3. Christ is the only Shepherd to whose care the Church is concredited and who will have a special care of them in trouble for to him doth the Prophet pray Feed thy people which dwell solitarily 4. Christ doth not only feed his people but doth exercise a jurisdiction over them whereby he keeps them in subjection to him drives them to their food and expels noxious humours which may hinder their feeding and thriving and he doth also by his power protect them whom he thus feedeth and governeth all which are desirable and to be prayed for from him Feed thy people with thy rod. See Psal 23.4 5. Christ hath many relations to and interests in his Church not broken off by any trouble to endear her to his affection and care and which may encourage faith to go to him in need therefore saith he Feed thy people the flock of thine heritage which dwell solitarily c. Notwithstanding their desolate condition they are his peculiar portion wherein he hath not a temporary but an eternal right as men have to their heritage in all generations and accordingly he will care for and possesse them and this Charter and Priviledge stands fast to the Church of the Jewes here prayed for to be manifested after all their dispersions 6. Christ hath ample allowance to bestow upon his people and all fulnesse for faith to lay hold upon in prayer for the supply of every need for he can make them ferd in Bashan and Gilead which were fruitful pastures for flocks though in relation to Israel this may be understood more particularly of restoring them to their own fruitful land to enjoy it in its full extent even to Bashan and Gilead which lay far off beyond Jordan See Jer. 50.19 7. The Church of God hath rich experiences of his former goodnesse to encourage her in her present suits whereof faith ought to make use therefore saith he Let them feed as in the dayes of old 8. Christ will not deny the needy and lawful desires of his people particularly such as flow from publick-mindednesse and are put up for the Church but will take charge of his afflicted people to give them a blessed issue for the request is here granted 9. As Christ is Omnipotent so he will do wonders if need requires for the behoof of his people and he takes pleasure to convey the expressions of his love to them and to bring about their deliverance to their own and others admiration for I will shew him or make him to enjoy marvellous things 10. As Christs manifesting of himself in former times for his people engageth him to do yet more for them so will he make good whatever they have ground from former experience to expect for According to the dayes of thy coming out of the land of Egypt I will shew him marvellows things where faith is not only to feed upon the great acts he did but also upon the way of his doing of them his passing over their iniquities their murmurings and unbelief his reducing them to straits before he appeared for them his working by small unlikely and contrary means c. 11. The Lord stands engaged to his ancient people to give them a deliverance from their troubles and bondage as great and wonderful as that from Egypt was for so is expressely promised and albeit this be spiritually accomplished and daily accomplishing in the spititual deliverances of the Israel of God yet this promise is made chiefly to the Church of Israel in relation to their desolation and albeit some pledge of this was given at their return from Babylon yet then it came short among other things of the deliverance from Egypt in that it was not National even of the Jewes and therefore it seems to have relation to the time of the restitution and saving of all Israel which will be so great a mercy as will in a sort obscure former mercies Jer. 16.14 15. Vers 16. The Nations shall see and be confounded at all their might they shall lay their hand upon their mouth their eares shall be deafe 17. They shall lick the dust like a serpent they shall move out of their holes like wormes of the earth they shall be afraid of the LORD our God and shall fear because of thee A fourth ground of encouragement and a consequent of the former is taken from the effects which all these shall have amongst enemies who seeing all this mighty Power of God appearing for the Church shall be astonished and made deaf with the fame of Gods acts and dumb that they dare not speak as formerly proud things and the terrour of Gods Majesty appearing in and for his Church shall so seize upon them as to make them with all fear and subjection submit to God and his Church stooping as low as serpents and creeping things See Psal 72.9 Isa 49 23. All which doth not necessarily infer their true Conversion but only that they shall yield feigned obedience and pretend friendship to secure themselves Doct. 1. The deliverance of the Church of God is brought about in such a way as natural men consulting with reason could never have expected it therefore the Nations shall see and be confounded 2. The Lord seeth it fitting at some times not only to be kinde to his people but to give publick demonstrations of his good will to them in such a measure as may astonish all beholders for the Nations shall see and be confounded they shall lay their hand upon their mouth c. See Psâ—l 126.2 3. The Churches priviledges and strength being well seen will be terrible to enemies in their greatest power for They shall be confounded at all their that is the Churches might or for all their might that is all the power they themselves thought they had shall not keep them from confusion but they shall be astonished so much the
cold blood hath no respect to right or wrong whereas the fear of God should be a law to men had they never so much power Therefore it is the Caldeans sinne that their judgement and dignity shall proceed of themselves 4. It is righteous with God to punish corruption in Judicatories and perverting of justice and wilfull stubbornnesse in sin with unjust oppression from enemies and to send a Conquerours sword to give laws to such as have perverted justice for because the law is slacked and judgement doth never go forth c. ver 4. therefore he sends the Caldeans whose judgement and dignity shall proceed of themselves Ver. 8. Their horses also are swifter then the leopards and are more fierce then the ravening wolves and their horsemen shall spread themselves and their horsemen shall come from farre they shall flie as the Eagle that hasteth to eate It is thirdly declared in this description that the Caldeans shall not want meanes wherewith to prosecute their designes and enterprizes which is instanced in their horses who are swifter then fierce leopards and more fierce or sharp to go whither they are employed and tread down opposition then wolves that are hungry through fasting all the day and therefore run suriously to their prey at night so that their fierce riders may easily and in a short time be in every part of the land being also many of them to over-spread the land and though the Caldeans be farre off yet their swift horses shall speedily bring them to Judea and bring them as swiftly upon their desired prey as an Eagle flieth to the carcase See Jer. 4.13 and 48.40 Doct. 1. The Lords hand would be remarked in furnishing the enemies of his sinful people with all necessaries for carrying on their enterprizes for therefore are the number and swiftnesse of the Caldeans horses to carry them so long a journey and make such speedy execution recorded Their horses also are swifter then the leopards c. 2. The fiercenesse of divine anger against sinne may be read in the celerity and activity of instruments executing the same therefore are the Caldeans described as speedily spreading themselves in all places as coming from far and flying as the Eagle to get prey as if divine displeasure furnished them with wings and could forbear no longer 3. It is in vain for impenitent sinners to lean upon any apparent ground of security or confidence when God ariseth to plead with them for Their horsemen came from far they spread themselves and flie as the Eagle that hasteth to eat shewing that distance of place betwixt the enemie and them or having of their goods and themselves out of the way should not availe them Vers 9. The shall come all for violence their faces shall sup up as the East-winde and they shall gather the captivity as the sand It is fourthly declared that the enemie shall be so confident that they shall not much minde fighting in this expedition but only to spoile and prey on a base people wherein they shall not be disappointed for their very coming and presence shall overwhelme and blast all like an East-winde which was violent in these countreys Isai 27.8 Jon. 4.8 and they shall not only destroy peoples substance but shall lead innumerable people into captivity Doct. 1. As it is righteous with God to repay violence with violence so it is a very great sinne to engage in war whereby men and countreys are destroyed without a just quarrel but meerly for the satisfaction of mens lusts therefore do they come all for violence in Gods righteousnesse to punish the oppressing Jewes and yet they sinned in their quarrel and way as minding only to runne them down and to satiate themselves 2. The Lord seeth it fit sometimes to wink at the sinnes of evil men and let them have successe in their evil cause when he hath his Church to punish by them therefore albeit the Caldeans be both insatiable and presumptuous in that they come all for violence yet it succeeds with them their faces or presence sups up as the East-winde raising a tempest and carrying all before it and they gather captivity as the sand 3. The Lords justice is to be seen and adored in the ignominious stroaks which he inflicts upon his incorrigible people for so doth this stroak by the Caldeans import that they should come against Judah not as a people to be fought with but preyed upon and that at their coming or face they should destroy all and gather captives possibly more then themselves are so base are Gods people when he deserts them for their sinne though invincible while he is with them 4. It may be the lot of the Lords Church not only to suffer the calamities and desolation of warre but to lose her liberty which she so much abused and to be carried into captivity and bondage for the Caldeans faces shall sup up as the East-winde and they shall gather captivity as the sand See Deut. 28.47 48. 5. The consideration of the cruelty of men and of the calamities that attend warre and conquests ought to invite sinners not to provoke God to give them up thereunto ought to terrifie such as fear not the threatenings of the Word and ought to point out unto those who are under such a lot the bitternesse of departing from God for for these ends are the Caldeans cruel deportments recorded both for the use of the Jewes while they yet continued in their present condition and with reference to their case when the threatening should be accomplished Ver. 10. And they shall scoffe at the Kings and the Princes shall be a scorne unto them they shall deride every strong hold for they shall heap dust and take it It is yet further declared that no opposition shall hinder them from effecting what the Lord had threatened should be done by them they shall sleight and contemne all the power authority and opposition of the Jewish King and Princes or any of their Confederates and having conquered them shall use them ignominiously as was accomplished 2 Kings 25.7 19 20 21. and they shall easily take in their strong holds by raising up mounts against them In the Original this is spoken in the singular number of the Caldeans pointing at their King who was chief and head in this enterprize Doct. 1. All opposition against God pursuing for sinne will prove vain were it Kings Princes or strong holds as here we see 2. It is not an easie thing to put men from their carnal confidences that they may humble themselves before the Lord for all these things did the Jewes oppose to the threatening to keep themselves from being affrighted and all these doth the Lord declare to be empty that they may stoop 3. It is just with God to expose the greatest of men to contempt and ignominious usage when they provoke him and do not employ their power and authority for him for the Caldeans in executing Gods controversie
will not obscure it when he lets it out for all this glory shined in the barren desarts of Teman or the South which is a part of Seir or Edom Obad. 9. Amos 1.12 Deut. 33.2 Judges 5.4 and mount Paran a place also neere to Seir Gen. 14 6. where Ishmael dwelt Gen. 21.21 and where Israel encamped shortly after they came from Sinai Num. 10.12 and 12.16 and therefore joyned with the former Deut. 33.2 5. The glory of God revealed unto and for the Church is not to be looked upon in a transient way but ought gravely and seriously to be considered till our hearts be affected and warmed with it Therefore is Selah no where used but in the Psalms and this Chapter subjoyned to shew the weight of this matter and how our hearts should pause and dwell upon it till it grow upon our hands yea to shew that a sight of him indeed will give our hearts such a set as they must stand and breath a while 6. As the excellency of all the creatures is from God and doth daily set out his glory so when he is pleased to appear in any specicial manifestation it doth obscure all glory beside and set him out as onely praise-worthy for in this progress His glory covered the heavens and the earth was full of his praise in a singular way beside what ordinarily appeareth of his glory in these which this dispensation did in a sort obscure and transcend 7. We ought to commend the infinite wisdom of God and his tender respect to fraile man that he hath chosen fit means and instruments of Ministers and Ordinances whereby to make himself known as we are able to bear considering that immediate manifestastion of him who dwelleth in light inaccessible would but undoe us while we are in our mortal bodies for when he appeared his brightnesse was as the light filling heaven and earth as if it had been all a sun This was acknowledged by Israel when they could not endure this glory nor hear God speak Exod. 19.16 20.18 19. And by Eliah in wrapping his face in his mantle when God appeared to him 1. Kings 19.13.18 The Lords most glorious manifestations of himself to mortal creatures are but as vailes cast over his infinitly glorious essence and attributes and so to say an obscuring of himself that he may reveale himself to their capacity yea it much commends the glory of God and may help our faith if we consider that the most glorious effects of his power are but as a vaile cast over his glorious omnipotency who can do far above what we ask or conceive for he had hornes come out of his hands or glorious manifestations of his power shining in these glorious rayes wherewith he arrayed himself on every side and yet there was the hiding of his power 9. The Lords taking his Church by the hand when she came out from the pots of Egypt and entring with her in a Covenant of marriage and that in so glorious state as testified what estimation he had of her and what respect he would put upon her gives warrant to the Church in all ages to believe that the glorious Lord will not despise her in her low estate but notwithstanding his great Majesty and her basenesse he will appear for her will deliver her out of trouble will let out tokens of favour to her by which he will put respect upon her and will renue his covenant with her Therefore the Prophet by faith looks to all this as forth-comming for the Church in her second captivity Vers 5. Before him went the pestilence and burning coales went forth at his feet The Second branch of the description of Gods glorious manifestation is taken from his attendants for executing his judgements he had the Pestilence and burning coals that is destroying lightnings as Psal 18.12 78.48 or pestilential burning diseases as Dâ—ut 32.24 which as Lackeys ran before him and at his feet wherever he went ready to be hunted out at his command at which both the Egyptians and themselves in the Wildernesse had proofe Exod. 9.3.23.24 Num. 11.1.43 44 45 46. and elsewhere and in naming of these plagues as being most devouring other plagues are not to be excluded but understood Doct. 1. The glory of the Lord doth shine and is to be seen and adored in his works of judgement as well as in other acts for The Prophet brings it in here to set out his glory that before him went the Pestilence c. 2. It is a farther manifestation of Gods glory and ought to be a ground of the Churches faith that he can and will when he pleaseth find wayes to plague enemies though second causes and probable meanes faile so doth the Prophet reckon while he brings in Pestilence and burning coales as ready to do that work 3. It is a part of our duty in glorifying God to acknowledge all afflictions to be as his pages ready to come and go at his command that so our eyes may be most on him under them for so doth the prophet set out his glory that these plagues went before him and forth at his feet attending on his progresse 4. Faith may safely gather from judgements executed for sinnes of old that judgement shall be executed for the same sinnes againe committed and from judgements inflicted on the Church when she sinnes that undoubtedly the sinnes of enemies will not be past over Therefore the Prophet recordeth what had been done on Egypt and themselves as a certain pledge of Babels ruine that the Church may be delivered Vers 6. He stood and measured the earth he beheld and drove asunder the nations and the everlasting mountains were scattered the perpetual hills did bow his wayes are everlasting A third instance of his glory of old appeared in his dividing the Land of Canaan by Moses and Joshuah to the twelve Tribes which he stood and measured that is not onely fixed their rest when they came there after they had long wandered with the Ark of his presence but he openly manifested himselfe to be a soveraign Lord and their God in doing of it and that he needed not any deliberation or time to it His glory also shineâ— in putting them easily in possession of that Land scattering the Nations with a look of his countenance in anger whereby the Lord who can if he please remove fixed mountains did overthrow and subdue the inhabitants of that hilly country whose possession had been ancient and of old as the hills which they possessed and whose stable condition like the hills also did promise them a perpetuity And no wonder for his wayes and purposes concerning his people Deut 32 8. were more ancient then their possession and God being eternal and stil the same will yet be forth-comming in the like need Doct. 1. God who is the soveraign King of all Nations and who casts down and lifts up whom he pleaseth will manifest himselfe in carving out even the outward lot and
condition of his people according to the tenour of his Covenant with them for that purpose for so he proved when he stood and measured the earth or the Land to his Israel to whom he had promised it and so made them hold it by the sure tenour of his free gift And so doth the Prophet expect the Lord will do yet 2. It is a notable encouragement to faith and sets out Gods glory that look what is most difficult in mens sight and may redact them to greatest extremities yet is most easie to God when he puts hand to it for he stood of old and designed a Land he but beheld and drave asunder the Nations and albeit their possession was neer as ancient and appeared as stable as the everlasting mountains and perpetual hills yet they were scattered and did bow 3. The Lords eminent appearing in bringing about a mercy for his people according to the tenor of the Covenant gives a ground of claime when it comes in hazzard againe and is a pledge that God will assert and maintaine his own glorious purchase though for a time it seeme to bee plucked out of his hand for so would the Prophet gather that the Lord who had not onely promised but gloriously put his people in possession of that land would bring them back to it againe in due time And to this purpose doth Jehoshaphat also reason 2 Chron. 20.11 4. Albeit that mens having a long and firme-like possession of what is the Churches right may be great trial of faith yet the study of Gods unchangeable nature and his eternal and irresistible purposes will strongly support faith Therefore the Prophet in opposition to the Chaldeans power and long possession Is 49.24 holdeth forth Gods eternal purposes concerming the Church which as of old they had overturned the Canaanites so yet they would take place in all generations Psal 33.11 In both these respects his wayes are everlasting as being more ancient and sure then the Cananites possession and yet the same unchageably to overturne the Chaldeans Vers 7. I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble A fourth instance of this glory shined in the terror which Gods presence among his people put upon their enemies and all round about instanced in these of Cushan and Midian whose habitation was in tents and under curtains This was accomplished partly when in Israels march through the Wildernesse all these Arabians descended of Cush as well as the Ethiopians on the other side of the red sea and Midianites who lived thereabout were affrighted as not knowing on whom they would fall which feare also took hold on other Nations Exod. 15.14 15. Num. 22.3 4. Josh 2.9 10.11 and pur them in great affliction and terrour and partly it was accomplished in that norable defeat of Cushan Rishathaim by Othniel Judg. 3.8.9.10 and of the Mâ—dianites by Gideon Judg. 7. All this the Prophet looks back upon by faith and seeth the Lord ready to do the like Doct. 1. It serveth to illustrate Gods glory and strengthen the faith of his Church in beleeving promises to consider that God can discover the vanity of creatures by making stout-hearted nations to tremble that he can fight against men with his terrour and can discover himself terrible in and for his Church when shee is in a Wildernesse and low estate for this is aray of his glory and a ground of the Prophets faith that the tents of Cushan were in affliction or under vanity which this terrour discovered to be in them and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble 2. It is a notable way to strengthen faith when we consider how satisfactorily God at any time hath made good his word and when we study much such grounds and props held out to our faith by God till we come to a full assurance for faith the Prophet I saw the tents c. that is not onely the Church in whose name he speaks did at that time see God clearly performing his Word and therefore should not doubt in a new strait but by this practice he teacheth every beleever to look back on what Ged hath done and study upon it till the sight of it afford ground of comfort in new troubles and till they see ground to expect the like if need be Ver. 8. Was the LORD displeased against the rivers was thine anger against the river was thy wrath against the Sea that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy charets of salvation Thy bowe was made quite naked according to the oathes of the Tribes even thy word Selah Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers A fifth instance of this glory shined forth in two very contrary effects of dividing the red sea and Jordan to give way to his people Exod. 14. Josh 3. and of making hard rocks to furnish water to quench their thirst Exod 17.6 Num. 20.8 11. The first of these is amplified from Gods great love and fidelity appearing in it in that when he had no quarrel against the sea and rivers yet he would trouble them and march through them in state on his horses and chariots of the pillar of cloud and fire opposed to Pharaohs chariots and horsemen for the safety and protection of his people and did draw forth his weapons against his enemies to prove his fidelity and the truth of his Word frequently repeated and confirmed by oath to the tribes of Israel The second is amplified from Gods liberality in giving them water in abundance so that it clave the ground and cut it self a channel and followed them in rivers Numb 20.11 Psal 78.15 16. 1 Cor. 10.4 Doct. 1. Variety of contrary trials and difficulties on the right hand and the left cannot exhaust that fulnesse of sufficiency and love that is in God toward his people for if seas and rivers trouble them then he can turn them into dry land and make a way therein for them to passe through If againe want of water trouble them he can makrocks furnish and afford it 2. It is a point of spiritual wisdom to read and observe Gods minde and scope in his works and what his thoughts are toward the creatures he works upon or about that so none may mistake or stumble and that his people may more distinctly read his love to them therefore is a question which includes a denial thrice propounded that none might be so foolish as to think that his dealing spake any anger against these creatures but rather proclaimed his love to his people 3. Gods great anger against wicked men sinfully troubling his people may appear from considering his dealing with insensible creatures who are not properly objects of Gods anger as having never sinned but onely accidentally when God troubles them for the good of his people or plagues sinners by smiting them when in their ordinary course they stand in the way of his peoples well-being for thus would the Prophet have the
creatures man is bound to look upon himselfe as the chiefe and only Delinquent and to see the controversie pursuing him therefore is he twice pointed at here I will consume man and beast and again I will cut off man from off the land saith the Lord. Vers 4. I will also stretch out mine hand upon Iudah and upon all the Inhabitants of Ierusalem and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place and the name of the Chemarims with the Priests 5. And them that worship the hoste of heaven upon the house tops and them that worship and that swear by the Lord and that swear by Malezham 6. And them that are turned back from the Lord and those that have not sought the Lord nor enquired for him The Lord proceeds to declare more particularly upon whom this desolation was to come to wit upon Judah which was the head of those that were left after the captivity of the ten tribes particularly upon the chief City Jerusalem and he cleareth up the causes of this sentence by pointing at the particular sorts of sinners whom he would cut off These he instanceth in several kinds especially against the first Table of the Law As 1. Grosse Idolaters of all sorts as these who notwithstanding Iosiahs reformation still held up some remnant of Baals worship which was an Idol of the Zidonians the worship whereof was of old followed by Israel in the dayes of the Judges after that was brought into Israel by Jezebel 1 Kings 16.31 and from thence it came into Judah These the Lord threatens to cut off together with the Ministers of Baal both Chemarims who are mentioned also 2 Kings 23.5 Hos 10.5 in the original and seem to have been some inferour order of artenders on the Idol much resembling Monks in Popery and Priests of a superiour order As also he threatens to cut off another sort of Idolaters who imagining a Deity in the stars and planets because of their splendor or influences did worship them on the tops of their houses which were flat in those countries as intending to do them homage in their own view 1. Such as halted betwixt God Idols who made a profession of worshipping the true God a part of whose worship is swearing by his name or having sworn obedience to God in that Covenant renewed by Josiah yet did mixe his worship with the service of Idols particularly of Malcham or Molech the Idol of the Ammonites 1 Kings 11.7 3. Apostates who after their vowes and Covenant and begun reformation had fallen back from God to Idols 4. Atheists who had no respect to God nor his worship whether they followed Idols or not Doct. 1. No former stroak inflicted upon the Church and no priviledge will exempt impenitent sinners but if they goe on in their way the last stroak will be sorest for though Judah was not only left of all the children of Israel and Jerusalem had God dwelling in the midst of her yet the Lord will plague Judah and all the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and that not in an ordinary way but will streth out his hand upon them which imports a stroak beyond ordinary Exod. 3.20 and 7.5 Deut. 4 34. even that which is mentioned here v. 2 3. 2. When the Lord plagueth a land the controversie must be of his discovering least we miscarry in taking it up therefore when the Lord threatens to strike he also cleareth wherefore it is 3. Albeit common calamities comes indifferently upon all albeit the godly who study to keep their garments ought to be sensible in such a time and to renew their peace with God yet it is ground of comfort to them that the stroak is not principally for their cause nor the wrath pursuing them therefore the Lord enumerates the grosse sinners who are his party that the godly whatever their lot were might see their names out of that roll 4. Mens hearts are naturally so besotted addicted to Idolatry as it is hard to get a thorough reformation of it where once it hath place and God is so jealous of his glory as for the least transgression of this kinde he may justly destroy a land for here after Josiahs reformation there is the remnant of Baal Chemarims and Priests and they who worship the host of heaven for which he will consume all things that he may cut them off 5. It is too usual for men that when they see any excellency in the creatures or finde any advantage by them their hearts doat on them and are drawn from God by them for upon these grounds did they worship the hoste of heaven upon the house tops and many do yet doat on some creature or other though that grosse Idolatry be removed 6. The Lord cannot endure any halting in his matters or any mixing of true Religion and his worship with creature worship or Idolatry but will make that a ground of controversie against a land as well as for grosser Idolatry for they that worship and that swear by the Lord and that swear by Malcham are here put in the roll to be cut off with the remnant of Baal and them that worship the host of heaven 7. Oathes are a part of divine worship wherein is ascribed unto God the glory of Omniscience and of power to avenge false swearers and he is called upon for that effect therefore are not lightly to be used nor to confirme a falshood nor is this glory to be given to any creature to swear by them for swearing by the Lord is subjoyned to worshipping him as a chief part of it 8. Apostasie from professions and engagements is a land-destroying sin and a great aggravation of sin whatsoever it be that the decliner turnes to for so these words also may be read They swear to the Lord to wit in renewing the Covenant and yet swear by Malcham and clearly v. 6. they that are turned backe from the Lord are put in the roll to be cut off 9. As it is usual in times of reformation where diversity of wayes of Religion are justling out one another that there arise a generation of Atheists who care not for God or any Religion at all so such are abominable and in a day of vengeance will be ranked with the grossest corrupters as here Those that have not sought the Lord nor enquired for him bringing upon the reer of them whom God will cut off Ver. 7. Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God for the day of the Lord is at hand for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice he hath bid his guests To make the preceeding doctrine take the deeper impression the Prophet to v. 14. resumeth the threatning and holds out the judgement as neer at hand to come on both Court chief City and withal cleareth up yet more causes of his sentence especially in sins against the second Table In this verse he threatens that all their opposition to the Prophets doctrine by
defending and excusing their sins and rejecting of threatnings should be compeseed by the approaching judgement when the Lord should make another manner of sacrifice then they dreamed of wherein themselves should be the sacrifice the Chaldeans as Priests to cut them off and slay them and as they invited friends in their sacrifices of thanksgiving to a feast and the Priests got a portion so the Lord would bring the Chaldeans to take the spoil and the beasts and fowles to feed on their carcasses as Ezek. 39.17 Rev. 19.17 Doctr. 1. The greatnesse of Gods wrath against sinne is not soon seen nor easily laid to heart by them who are most concerned therefore the Lord findes it necessary to inculcate his sentence over over again unto them 2 Howsoever men going on in sin without controll readily have low thoughts of God yet in due time he will manifest himself to be God upon them and as sinners take their time of it for walking after the imagination of their own hearts so God will take his time for putting things in order therefore is the day of vengeance called the day of the Lord wherein he will appear to be the Lord Jehovah 3. As sin never so long forborn and yet continued in will at last bring judgment neer so especially sin after reformation ripens fast for speedy judgment for after Josiah had laboured in vain among them then the day of the Lord is at hand 4. As it becomes all to tremble and adore the justice of God in his stroakes so however impenitent sinners be both proud and stout-hearted when the Word threatens yet the majesty and severity of God in punishing will dash and confound them and put them from all their boasting and strike them mute then will this be obeyed Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God 5. Such as tread under foot or despise the blood of the Covenant and those ordinances which hold it out unto us and are appointed as meanes of our partaking thereof it is righteous with God to be prodigal of their blood and deal with them as they have entertained it for in recompence of their sleighting and prophaning of sacrifices which were types to point out and lead them to the blood of Christ The Lord hath prepared a sacrifice he hath bid his guests Ver. 8. And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lords sacrifice that I will punish the Princes and the Kings children and all such as are clothed with strange apparel He threatens that in this bloody approaching day he will take order with the prophane Court with the Grandees royal family and Courtiers who abounded in prodigality as was accomplished 2 Kings 25 17 18 19 20 21 Jer. 39.6 Doct. 1. When the Lord commeth to plead a controversie with a land for sin as great men are found ordinarily chief in the provocation abusing their power and being effectual by their example to draw others to sin so the Lord will not spare such but reckon with them among the first for in that day of the Lords sacrifice I will punish the Princes and the Kings children saith the Lord. 2. When men of what rank or quality soever give themselves over to prodigality and hunting of fashions in apparel as studying to make that their glory which was given at first for a badge of sin the Lord may justly reckon that among the grounds of his controversie against a land and punish because of it for the Lord will punish the Princes and the Kings children and all that are clothed with strange apparel See Isai 3. from v. 16. to the end Ver. 9. In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold which fill their masters honses with violence and deceit The Lord threatens in that day to punish another sin of the Court and flowing from it to wit their oppressing of the poor by their agents and servants who with great insolency invaded the houses of other as if no door should be shut against them and came back rejoycing into their masters houses to furnish them with the goods they had purchased by fraud and violence Doctr. 1. As luxury superfluity and prodigality ordinarily exhaustoth mens estates and driveth them to evil shifts to uphold what they account their greatnesse and as great men and those employed by them think that their will should be a law and that they may take what they please without controll so the Lord will in due time appeare an avenger of all such exorbitancies for they who are clothed with strange apparrel ver 8. and their agents boldly leap on the threshold of those whom they oppresse and the Lord threatens in the same day to punish all these c. 2. As wicked inferiour officers do prove a Court to be corrupt Prov. 29.12 so the Lord in a day of anger will not only reckon with the authors of oppression but with all the insolent Ministers and Instruments thereof In the same day will I punish all those that leap on the threshold which fill their masters houses c. Ver. 10. And it shall come to pass in that day saith the Lord that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish-gate and an howling from the second and a great crashing from the hills From the Court great ones he cometh to threaten the chief City that it should be taken by the Chaldeans so that from all parts of the City where the enemies entered as the fish gate in the City of David toward the west the second gate at which also the Chaldeans entered Jer. 39.3 there should be a terrible noise of enemies assailing and killing all they met with of the Inhabitants howling all which should make a great echo to resound from the hilly places of the City Doct. 1. High walls and senced Cities are no shelter to hold out divine vengeance pursuing impenitent sinners but will prove as a pound or prison wherein they shall be surrounded with judgments for here the Chaldeans fall upon them in their City on all quarters A noise from the fish-gate howling from the second c. 2. As the tumults of war are very dreadful when they meet with a guilty conscience so neglect of repentance will in due time resolve in dreadful and woful wailings under the heavy hand of God for here they are threatned with it as a dreadful judgement and fruit of their sin that there should be a cry an howling and great crashing by reason of the noise of assailing enemies and pursued sinners Ver. 11. Howle ye Inhabitants of Maktesh for all the Merchant people are cut down all they that beare silver are cut off He yet threatens further the Inhabitants of a particular part of the City to wit those who dwelt in the hollow valleys of the City betwixt the hills whereon much of it stood which places did resemble a Mortar as the word signifieth here the merchants and men abounding
his anger is little seen or laid to heart till it appear in sad calamities therefore is that day called a day of wrath 3. In a time when God is pursuing a land for sin none are to expect case but in some measure or other to be put to it and to taste of calamities for that day will be a day of trouble and distresse a day of wastenesse and desolation to persons and places 4. As judgements inflicted for sin or sin and wrath for sin meeting together will make a black representation of affaires will hold out the judgement in its saddest colours and discover many clouds betwixt the sinner and Gods countenance so it is the capestone of a calamity when spiritual comfort or some favour from God is denyed or hid under it when he smites and hides himself it speaks wrath indeed for this makes the day terrible that when all this is on it is withal a day of darknesse and gloominesse a day of clouds and thick darknesse Ver. 16. A day of the trumpet and alarum against the fenced cities and against the high towers A third instance that wrath pursuing them for sin should make the alarme given to stir up souldiers against them terrible and make their enemies successefull against their most fortified places Whence learn As the alarmes and calamities of War cannot but be affrightful and sad to the most godly Jer. 4.19 So it is a great addition to its terrour when guilt makes men read Gods wrath in it especially when wrath from the Lord lets it not prove a false alarme but makes the enemy so successeful as nothing stands in his way nor can pursued sinners finde any place of safety or shelter for being a day of wrath ver 15. this adds to the terrour that it is a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities and high towers Ver. 17. And I will bring distress upon men that they shall walke like blinde men because they have sinned against the LORD and their blood shall be poured out as dust and their flesh as the dung A fourth and fifth instance is that the distresse shall be so great because of sin as to leave them destitute of all counsel not knowing what to do more then blind men know whether to walk and that they shall be cut off with the sword their blood poured out in as great abundance with as little regard as the dust they tread upon and their carcasses left like dung on the ground Doct. 1. As it is a dreadful condition in a day of strait to be void of light to direct men what to do so howsoever finful men trust much to their own policy in a calm day yet a day of wrath will overturn all their designs leave them destitnte of counsel for I will bring distresse upon men that they shall walke like blinde men 2. When judgements are accompanied with darkness and perplexity Gods hand is to be eminently seen in that stroak and he is to be justified by our reading the bitter fruit of sinne in it for saith the Lord I will bring distresse that they shall walke like blinde men and that because they have sinned against the Lord. 3. It is just with God when he hath pursued sinners with judgements in this life to cut them off also in their iniquity and send them out of the world to receive their full reward yea and to testifie his displeasure on their very dead bodies for so it is threatned their blood shall be poured out as dust and their flesh as dung 4. The gredinesse and cerriblenesse of divine wrath against sin may be read in the measure of a calamity in the ignominy of a stroak and in Gods not owning nor evidencing that he pitties in affliction for all these are in this stroak to be matter of terrour to them their blood shall be poured out as dust and their flesh as dung Ver. 18. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORDS wrath but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousie for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land The terriblenesse of this day doth appear further in this that all helps shall prove vain and their riches wherein they trusted or whereby they might think to ransome their lives should not be able to deliver them from wrath nor hinder the Lord in his kindled jealouâ—â—e to make short work in wasting the land and consuming the Inhabitants Doct. 1. Many are the false confidences whereby men think to secure themselves against a day of vengeance which it is no easie work to refine that wrath may be seen in its terriblenesse for after all their imaginations that this evil day was far off that it should be light that their fenced Cities would shelter them c. which have been declared uselesse in the former purpose there remaineth yet their riches to be declared vaine 2. The wrath of God pursuing sin is so dreadful as no riches or treasures wherein men trust can ward off the stroak nor any thing else save the blood of Christ fled unto by the selfe-condemned sinner for neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath See Prov. 11.4 Ezek. 7.19 3. When Gods love toward his people is provoked unto jealousie by their breach of mariage-duty and embracing strange lovers it produceth most sharp and violent judgements and acts as a fire which speedily consumeth all before it and with which no paction or treaty can be made for the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousie for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the Land CHAP. II. THE Lord having thus threatned his sinful people comes now to exhort them to make right use thereof by inviting the body of the land to repent before the sentence were executed vers 1 2. and the godly remnant to seek God and follow their duty in hope of favour when the evil day should come v. 3. and that these exhortations may be more effectual he sets before them the sad judgements that were to come upon the Nations round about such as the Philistins vers 4 5 6 7. Moabites and Ammonites vers 8.9.10.11 the Ethiopians vers 12. and the Assyrians with their chiefe City vers 13 14 15. Vers 1. GAther your selves together yea gather together O Nation not desired 2. Before the decree bring forth before the day past as the chaff before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you before the day of the LORDS anger come upon you The sum of the first exhortation directed to the impenitent body of the Nation is that no wever they were not a people deâ—irous of their own good nor worthy of any favour yet the Lord would make offer of it and therefore invites them to make a serious
enquiry and fanning of themselves and one of another and that for this end they would gather and recollect themselves and meet together in solemne Assemblies for humiliation and repentance and that they would do this timously before he decreed vengeance which in Gods long-suffering had been yet suspended break forth and before a day of patience pass over swiftly as the chaff before the wind or before the day come wherein they should be as chaffe before the wind and the decreed vengeance should break forth in execution suddenly and easily and wherein the great fierce anger from the Lord should inflict judgement without mercy Doct. 1. When the Lord speaks in hardest tearmes to his sinfúl people yet they are to read in it an invitation and allowance to come to him by repentance and not that he is putting them away from any duty of that kinde Therefore though the Lord had uttered his sentence as a concluded business chap. 1. v. 2. yet here he sheweth what use they should make of it in turnning to him by repentance 2. Repentance is not acceptably endeavoured where there is not a thorough and harrow search enquiry made into our own hearts and wayes and an helping one of another in our stations to perform that duty that so our consciences from clear conviction may charge upon us those sins for which the Word threatens and the sinfulnesse of them and may stir up to turn unto the Lord for so the words in the Original may be rendered search narrowly into your selves and search as men do after stubble scattered here and there as the word is used Exod. 5.12 or after what is lost amongst it that is search and search again while ye are thus employed about your selve stir up and help others to search for so the original construction doth import 3. For stirring up to this duty of searching and making it effectual it is necessary that every man recollect his wandring thoughts whereby he hath snuffed up the winde at his pleasure and hunted after vanities and that the communion of Saints be entertained particularly in solemne and publick humiliations for so doth the Word signifie according to the translation gather your selves together yea gather together See Joel 2.15 16. 4. As this duty of repentance and self-searching is of great importance and concernment in all times and cases and especially when God declares himself to be angry so it is a duty to the performance whereof there is need of much stirring up from the Lord so much also doth the doubling of exhortations gather yea gather import 5. It is necessary for our humiliation and for setting forth the freedome of Gods love and how much he tendereth our wellfare that we know our selves well and what we are to whom the Lord gives invitations or makes gracious offers for this end is it declared here that the Lord invites to repentance a nation not affected with desire to wit of turning to God or of their own good and not desired or worthy to be beloved of him the Original word will import both 6. It is a great addition unto and aggravation of sin when it is general and overspreads a land either by general corruption or by rulers their connivence at sins of particular persons which brings guilt upon the whole land or by private persons their not mourning for the abominations of the time which involveth them in the guilt thereof All which also may contribute to commend Gods kindness in following such a crew and to hold forth the necessity of repentance when the disease is so desperate for this cause it is marked that they were a Nation not desired especially by reason of overflowing sin 7. As the Lord in his long-suffering doth not always execute vengeance immediately upon his purposing or threatning so to do but alloweth some time for bringing forth of that conceived birth as the word in the original imports so the Lords most absolute threatnings do not seclude the penitent from hope but rather invite to speedy repentance so are we taught here gather your selves before the decree bring forth as giving time to them to repent and ground of hope if they should so do for however the Lords eternal purposes be unalterable yet his threatnings which are his pronounced decree or sentence according to the law when most absolutely pronounced to exclude the exception of repentance Jon. 3.4 10. The Lord threatning so sharply that upon our perverting of him he may not execute it as on the contrary he promiseth that he may fulfill And when his threatnings do hold forth even his irrevocable purpose to send outward land-judgements notwithstanding the repentance of any as 2 Kings 23.26.27 yet repentance before it be executed is to good purpose for removing the penitent before the evil day come as was done to Josiah for moderating it to him if he be continued as Jeremiah and the godly remnant found Jer. 15.11 for taking off wrath out of whatsoever they shal taste of the cup. 8. It is an horrid iniquity to despise the patience and long-suffering of God or to neglect the setting up of our furnace of examination self-searching when he threatens and will provoke him to set up his furnace of judgment so much the hotter that it hath been long forborn for if they let the decree bring forth and a day of patience blow over without repentance and fanning themselves he will make the day pass and drive them as chaff and will send his fierce anger upon them 9. None who do believe divine wrath how forcible it is and how weak themselves are to resist but they do proclame their own madness if they set not about repenrance when God threatens Therefore it is thrice held out what this day will be that it shall pass as chaff that the fierce angers of the Lord the day of the Lords anger shall come upon them as sufficient to move any who were not quite bereft of sense to gather together before the decree bring forth Ver. 3. Seek ye the LORD all ye meeke of the earth which have wrought his judgement seeke righteousnesse seek meekness it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORDS anger There being little hope of the body of the land that they would be repentance avert a day of anger Therfore the Lord turns to the godly remnant in the land who are humbled and made meek under the sense of sin and Gods hand and who have studied to make conscience of their duty enjoyned in the word These he exhorts to go on in seeking the Lords face and favour and to grow in humility in meeknesse and in righteous walking and in making use of the righteousness of Christ as being the certain way to be hid from wrath to come the only way giving any ground of hope to get safety in outward judgements though he will not make them absolutely sure of it for this sort of speech see on Jon.
3.9 Doct. 1. In declining times the Lord hath a peculiar eye to the godly and expects much from them Therefore leaving the wicked Nation he turneth to them with exhortations and promises 2. The truth and reality of grace will manifest it selfe in mens being of subdued meek and humble spirits stooping to the Word abasing themselves trembling under judgements and tender towards others and in their not giving way to discouragement from duty however they be humble but stirring up themselves to seek God for himself and adorning their profession with righteous conversation respecting Gods commands whatever their own natural inclinations be Thus are the Godly described here to be seekers of the Lord the meek of the earth or of the land which have wrought his judgment or obeyed his righteous ordinances enjoyned to them 3. Though it be incident to the godly to fall into some decay in a time of general defection and to be discouraged from their duty by the evil example of others yet the truly godly ought to prove themselves to be such by their perseverance and needing and seeking more of what they already have and of Christs righteousnesse to cover all and especially they ought to be on the growing hand if they would beare out and finde favour in an evil time therefore in such a time is this exhortation given seek ye the Lord seek righteousnesse seek meeknesse the repeating of the exhortation shewing the necessity of the thing exhorted to 4. As it is the Lords great mercy toward such as fear him that he puts the remission of their sins and their eternal happinesse out of all doubt so also he is able when he pleaseth in hardest dayes to give them proofes of love in temporal favours by taking them into his protection and either delivering them from trouble or moderating it for here there is no doubt made of the first and even in the second it is declared possible it may be ye shall be hid 5. The Lord seeth it fit to exercise his dearest children with great uncertainties what their lot may be in common calamities not that they should doubt of his power or good wil but that they may be sensible of the difficulty of the thing it self and that in so great overflowing calamities the righteous shall scarcely be saved that so iâ— may appear to be a singular favour when God doth it that the godly having done their duty may yet humble themselvs before the Lord as not meriting any such thing as hiding That they may be excited yet to more diligence that they may learn to expect the free reward of piety in temporal things with much submission and that amidst all improbabilities and incertainties the seeker of God may learne by faith to venture much on God and absolutely rely on his goodness and tendernesse who will not withhold any good thing from his own Ps 34.10 and 84 11. For these causes it is that this exhortation is seconded with so uncertain-like an encouragement it may be ye shall be hid c. 6. Whatever uncertainty seekers of God may be put to as to receiving of temporal favours yet they ought to be fixed in this That seeking of God is the shortest cut and onely way to speed even in these things for though they get but a may be yet upon that they are exhorted to seek the Lord as the only way to be sure and their getting but a may be puts it out of all doubt that they who turn aside to crooked ways may expect nothing of that kind See 1 Pet. 4.18 Vers 4. For Gaza shall be forsaken and Ashkelon a desolation they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day and Ekron shall be rooted up 5. Wo unto the inhabitants of the sea coast the Nation of the Cherethites the word of the Lord is against you O Canaan the Land of the Philistines I will even destroy thee that there shall be no inhabitant 6. And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds and folds for flocks To make the preceding exhortation have the more effect the Lord subjoynes a denunciation of sad judgements to come upon the enemies of the Jews on all hands of them intermixing some promises that these stroaks should tend to the advantage of truth and the Church The first he begins at are the Philistines on their west side wherein he first threatens four of their great Cities with being made solitary and desolate with being openly and violently stormed and the inhabitants led into captivity when it should be impossible to travel for heat and with total extirpation which judgements are expressed in the first language with fit allusions to the names of the Cities v. 4. and Gath the fifth principal City of the Philistines is omitted in this sentence either because it was then in possession of the Jews or because it is comprehended under the rest as Amot 1.8 2. He threatens the inhabitants of the country about lying upon the sea coasts who were either Cherethites of whom see 1 Sam. 30.14 Ezek. 25.16 or Philistines properly so called who descended of cursed Cham. Gen. 10.6 13 14. These he threatens with his wo a purpose against them to lay them desolate so that their fertile and populous Country should be turned into a place of pasture and for flocks and herds to dwel in v. 5 6. The ground of this sentence is insinuated in that they are called Canaan that is not only of his posterity but possessors of a part of the land of Canaan which belonged to Israel Josh 13.2 3. And these judgements were inflicted on the Philistines partly by Pharach Jer. 47.1 Partly by the Babylonians Jer. 47.2 3 4 5. and partly by the Jewes the mselves after their return â— and afterward by Alexander the Great as histories do record Dect 1. It is a profitable meanes for stirring up the visible Church to repentance and the godly to perseverance in an evil time to consider the hand of God upon nations about and enemies to the Church therefore are these threatnings brought in upon the back of the former exhortations and subjoyned to them with the particle for as pointing out his scope in the subsequent purpose to be for their stirring up and we may conceive the dependance thus 1. Judgments threatned or executed upon others ought to stir up the wicked in the Church to repent Gather your selves for Gaza shall be forsaken 2. The godly may perceive Gods tender care of them in calamities whereof they taste when they look upon the full measure which he meets our to others seekers of God will see themselves hid in all their troubles when they look on Gaza forsaken Ashkelon a desolatiâ—â— 3. It is an encouragement to persevere in godlinesse notwithstanding any trouble to consider that God will recompence men for all the wrongs done to the godly and will yet restore them and make all tend to their good Seek the Lord saith he for Gaza
shall be forsaken c. And so Moab Ammon and the rest of them when Judahs remnant shall be made up as it is v. 7. Dâ—ct 2. Such as have been long injurers of the people of God and inâ—eterate enemies to them God can when he will meet with them for these Philistines had long possessed a part of Ornaan â—nd as sacred Histories tell us were vexers of the Church on all occasions and now the Lord threatens to pay them home 3. The Lord can engage with his enemies in their full strength and by his stroak undo them and put them to all disadvantages for when he engages with the Philistines in their flourishing condition of Cities and Countrey he maketh them to be forsaken and a desolation drives them out and rooteth them up and destroyeth them that there shall be no Inhabitants 4. When God is angry no place can promise an exemption to themselves from judnements strhug Cities open Countries and lurking holes in it are all alike potent to his blow for here he threatens their Cities the Nation and the Land or Countrey 5. As there may be much wo intended and purposed against them who little apprehend it till they be made to feel it in effects so the Lords Word writing sad things against a people is the begluning of their wo however for a time they may prosper notwithstanding for Wo saith he to the Philistines now flourishing the Word of the Lord is against you It portendeth wo that God hath such a word or sentence in his own purpose against them but they were visibly under wo when it was published 6. Sin as it highly provokes God and endeavoureth to trample under foot his glory wasteth fouls and consciences so when God comes to punish for it it wili lay the most fertile populous land desolate and waste I will even destrey thee that there shall be no Inhabitant and the sea-coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepheards c 7 Places of great confluence and resort are ordinarily places of much sin which draweth down remarkable judgement Therefore this countrey is twice threatned under the name of the sea-coast not only with relation to its fertility but because much repaire of many Nations treasured up much sin as fuel to insuing wrath Ver. 7. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah they shall feed thereupon in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lye down in the evening for the Lord their God shall visit them and turne away their captivity This judgement is amplified irom an event that should follow upon iâ— to wit that the remnant of the Jewes when the Lord according to his Covenant shouln manifest his favour in returning their captivity were to possesse the land of the Philisinnes as a part of their own inheritance and as the Lords flock they were to feed and dwell there securely even in the evening when it is perillous fot flocks or persons to be abroad in a wasted countrey This was accomplished partly literally when at the return of the Jewes from Babylon they possessed these lands as stories mention beside what may farther be done when the Lord saveth all Israel and partly spiritually when the inhabitants of these places were converted to the Church and added to the Lords Israel by the Gospel as is marked Act. 8.26 40. where Azotus is the same with Ashdod Doct. 1. As Gods covenant with a people may stand firme notwithstanding many afflictions so that standing Covenant will be forth-comming for much tendernesse and restitution in due time to the afflicted confederates when others shall perish in their calamities for the Lord speaks still to captive Judah in the Covenant-stile the Lord their God and when the Philistines are gone he promiseth to Judah that the Lord their God will visit them and turne away their captivity 2. Covenant-rights and promise-rights will not faile to appear in performance though after long delayes and many disappointments for this sea coast was Judah's by right which though they were long kept out of yet at last the coast shall be for the house of Judah 3. The Lord hath reserved choice mercies for his peoples lowest estate and will do that for them then which they could not do for themselves when they were in greatest power for the remnant of the house of Judah shall possesse the coast which they could not doe when they were a flourishing kingdome and when they are but a remnant yet they feed thereupon and lie down in the evening 4. When the Lord doth afflict his Church he doth not only restore her but by some special advantage doth recompense her losse by trouble This is held out to us by the remnant of Judah their getting the land of the Philistines with their own land to make up their hard captivity 5. In all the calamities wherewith the Lord afflicts the Nations he hath a singular respect to the setting forth of his own glory by bringing advantage to the Church and Gospel by these judgements so the Lord in destroying the Philistines hath an eye to the planting of Judah there and to the spreading of the Gospel in those places Vers 8. I have heard the reproach of Moah and the revilings of the children of Ammon whereby they have reproached my people and magnified themselves against their border The next that God deales with are the Moabites and Ammonites whom he conjoyneth in this threatning as being both descended of Lot and so alike near of kin to the Jews and as running both one way against the Church and being often confederate together for that end Psal 83.5 6 7 c. The ground of the Lords challenge against them is their proud contemning and reproaching of his people in the day of their affliction and their boasting to encroach upon the Churches border and to possesse their land Doct. 1. No relation will tie men who are wicked to be friends to the Church and godly but all of them though never so near wil run one way to be her enemies so did Moah and the Children of Ammon though both in kin to Juda. 2. Bitter reproaches and insolent mocking of the afflicted Church is a great addition to her trial which God will take notice of as a sufficient ground of controversie against the reproacher so it is here taken notice of as Judahs trial from them and Gods quarrel-against them I have heard the reproach of Moab and the revilings of the Children of Ammon whereby â—hey have reproached my people 3. The Lords chastising of his people in anger for their sins doth not hinder his affection to take notice of the wrongs done by wicked instruments in due time to repay them Nor do reproaches cast upon the Lords people diminish any whit his estimation of them but rather increase the expression of it I have heard the reproach saith the Lord and notwithstanding all that yea so much the more they are my people 4. Nor so much as
might feare him and receive instruction 3. Albeit God onely wise to whom all his works are known from the beginning cannot be disappointed of any expectation he hath yet this dealing with his sinfull people and the meanes he useth are such as in reason might promise and doe indeed oblige them to bring forth the fruits of repentance and reformation therefore he subjoynes to this warning from his judgements on others I said Surely thou wilt fear me thou wilt receive instruction speaking after the manner of men and shewing what his dealing did oblige to 4. True godlinesse and an evidence of true turning from Apostasie consists in an holy aw of God and fear because of our offending him or to offend him again joyned with spiritual wisdom learned from the word and from our experience of our selves and our failings or of others to carry on and feâ—d that disposition for so is their duty here described Thou wilt feare me thou wilt receive instruction 5. No stroakes on sinners ought to be a discouragement to them being penitent from comming to God or from expecting good at his hand for if they should fear him so their dwelling should not be cut off howsoever he punished them 6. Albeit true godlinesse or turning to God from sinful wayes will not exempt a people from fatherly chastisements to make them more wise and their turning yet more serious yet the penitent in these will meet with favour considering what he deserves and what such as go on in impenitency meet with for so is insinuated so their dwelling should not be cut off howsoever I punished them 7. To be delivered from going into captivity out of our own land where we should want the publick ordinances of Gods worship is a mercy which may sweeten much affliction in our own land it is a promise to the penitent Their dwelling shall not be cut off howsoever I punished them 8. Such is the madnesse of men especially where the Lord hath given them over that no example will warn them their security conceit dreaming of priviledges c. will hide all dangers from such till they light upon themselves for all these warnings wrought not they corrupted all their doings 9. The more meanes be essayed to reclaim a people without successe the worse will that people grow where meanes are not blessed they leave that curse behinde them therefore all these meanes of warnings threatnings promises and lesser stroakes being in vaine see what followeth They rose up early and corrupted all their doings they were vigilant active and earnest to goe wrong 10. It is a cleare proofe of incorrigiblenesse and a presage of certaine ruine when a people are never more mad upon sinne then when judgements are let forth for it for by this the Lord proves their incorrigiblenesse and sealeth this wo upon them that when the Nations were cut off yet They rose up early and corrupted all their doings Ver. 8. Therefore wait ye upon me saith the Lord untll the day that I rise up to the prey for my determination is to gather the Nations that I may assemble the Kingdomes to poure upon them mine indignation even all my fierce anger for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousie The Lord having thus accused and left the body of the Jewes under his wo he turnes now to the godly among them who could not but be affrighted with these threatnings and troubled with the thoughts of dispersion of the people therefore he propounds divers grounds of their encouragement some whereof were to be accomplished in part at their return from the captivity and all of them spiritually in the dayes of the Messiah beside what may be expected yet more fully at the conversion and saving of all Israel The first ground of encouragement is that as they had God to wait and depend upon in the time of the ensuing calamity wherein God would consume the Jewes out of his jealousie over them so there was ground of hope that the Lord having punished his Church would appear against her enemies to take the prey out of their teeth and raise up the Nations to consume them and make such havoke of them as might testifie his zeal for his people and glory which had been violated by them and therefore the godly were patiently to expect this day so much the rather as all this should tend to the advance ment of the Kingdome of Christ as is after cleared Doct. 1. The Lords just controversie against the visible Church provoking him to abandon her doth nothing diminish his affection to any godly remnant in it nor make him forget them in sad times for in the midst of all these quarrels he hath a word to them 2. God in his Church is jealous of her and of her affection toward him and for his Church against all that trouble her in both which cases his jealousie being provoked is terrible and will raise up many instruments and make a great destruction for this jealousie of God first against the Jewes which is supposed here and first in order to be understood and then against her enemies which is most expresly pointed at will arise to the prey as a roaring Lyon will assemble Nations and Kingdomes to make them scourges to the Jews and then to be plagued themselves Will pour out indignation and fierce anger and devour all the earth or Land 3. When the Lord is about to bring forth some glorious peece of his Gospel-work The Church is to expect some great shakings and vastations to make way for it for in order to what followeth in this Chapter there will be a devouring of all the earth a casting of all into the furnace that he may bâ—ing out his pure mettal 4. When it pleaseth the Lord to let judgements upon his Church arise to a captivity and a leaving of them in their enemies hand the godly are to expect a time of the trial of faith and patience before there be a change as here is insinuated that when Judah is consumed there will be need of waiting on God before a day of vengeance on enemies come about 5. Times of greatest trouble have matter of encouragement to the godly in that they have ground of present dependance on God for strength and furniture during the straite and ground of future hope that there will be an outgate and that vengeance will come on oppressors they are allowed and invited to wait on God till that other day come 6. Patience is the kindly fruit of hope and the posture wherein the godly are to expect issue and to finde present troubles easie Wait ye upon me saith the Lord till the day c. Ver. 9. For then will I turne to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord to serve him with one consent 10. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia thy suppliants even the daughter of my dispersed shall bring mine offering A second
promoted in the end for do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly 13. The Words saying of good is indeed a doing of good not only because comfortable messages do encourage strengthen and revive the heart but also in regard of the certaine performance of what the Word saith when it is said it may be counted done My words doe good 14. The goodnesse of God to his people may deeply convince and humble them who by sin provoke him to doe otherwise Therefore is all this set forth to be in God that their sin may be seen great which causeth such strange dealing Ver. 8. Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy yee pull off the robe with the garment from them that passe by securely as men averse from war A third accusation is for their cruel robbery whereby he also sets forth the sad fruits of their contemning the Prophets and the true cause why God by their Ministery handled them so roughly The summe of the accusation is that they whose fathers had been famous for valour in Wars and defending the countrey against a common enemy were now of late turned robbers of the innocent and as cruel enemies did take away both the upper and neather garment from those who were travelling peaceably as minding no War or did so deale with them as if they had taken them in Warre and sent them away stripped as if they had been in a battell Whence learne 1. Contempt of and opposition unto Gods Word and Messengers turnes men barbarous and inhumane without all civility and men following such courses cannot expect that the Word should speak peace to them for this is a fruit of their opposing the Prophets that they were given over to such cruelty and is the cause why hard things were prophesied 2. The degenerating of men from former good wayes and the present evils of the time are much to be observed and hammered on by the servants of God for this is the subject of his accusation that even of late or yesterday they were thus degenerated 3. As declining professours are ordinarily plagued with singular profanity so profession and priviledges will serve to aggravate the guilt thereof therefore howsoever they were onely in name the house of Jacob ver 7. yet in the challenge the Lord gives them their titles my people is risen up c. that since they would be accounted so hee would make use of it to their disadvantage who would not walke answerable to what they pretended to 4. Oppression of others and for men so to carry themselves towards friends as open and violent enemies use to do is a practise not beseeming such as call themselves the people of God for this is the challenge My people is risen up as an enemy ye pull off the robe c. Ver. 9. The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever Hee insists in the accusation and gives a further instance of their inhumanity in their carriage toward women and children whom Warrs ordinarily spare they cast women violently out of their houses where they lived pleasantly and by bringing children unto slavery and misery did for ever deprive them of that dignity allowed to them by God as his people Doct. 1. There are none of the children of men but in divine providence may meete with their own share of trials and should look for them for heare very women and children are not exempted more then men 2. However the Church and particular members thereof may deserve afflictions at the Lords hand yet these same afflictions will endeere them to him at least in so farre as to be a ground of challenge against instruments that they have medled with such wherefore what-ever these afflicted ones were otherwise yet in their trouble and in the challenge against oppressers they are the women of my people 3. God the preserver of men hath a special regard to the weaker sexe and tenderer years of persons and will aggravate injuries done to them from such considerations as here ye have cast out women and taken away glory from their children or little ones 4. Pleasures and tender usage are not to be looked upon by those who enjoy them as abiding things or a constant allowance but considering them as transient they ought to look for changes when the Lord shall be pleased to call to it for so much are we taught by the experience of these tender women cast out of their pleasant houses 5. There is an especial glory allowed by God unto his Church whereby she may be separated from all people which the Lord wil maintain her in against all who would deprive her thereof this is signified by that external glory and the priviledges conferred on Israel called my glory because allowed of him which now he challenges oppressors for depriving their children of while they were put in a condition not beseeming the free people of God From their children ye have taken away my glory See Exod. 33.16 6. Perseverance in an ill way doth exceedingly aggravate the sinfulness thereof ye have taken away glory for ever that is without giving over that wicked way or ceasing to rob 7. It may also be interpreted that by making children bondmen they aimed to deprive them of their glory perpetually and so however children might be relieved from bondage yet they are reckoned with according to their aim and the nature of their work and it teacheth whatever the Lord may do in interposing to moderate the afflictions unjustly inflicted by men yet instruments must answer to God for all that the nature of their work tended to and for all they intended in it Ver. 10. Arise ye and depart for this is not your rest because it is polluted it shall destroy you even with a sore destruction The Lords sentence and threatning for this wickednesse is that as they had cast others out of their houses so the Lord would banish them from the holy Land which was given them for a rest only on condition of Covenant-keeping and that because they had polluted the Land by sin therefore it should violently cast them out Doct. 1. It is incident to men when they have committed great wickednesse yet to promise to themselves peace by reason of some external priviledges for this charge Arise ye and depart implies that notwithstanding of sin they were not thinking of removing because there land was a rest 2. Sinne doth provoke God to turne up-side-down great priviledges which are conferred upon a visible Church on condition of her obedience yea it doth provoke him to prove himself superior of whom they hold all their enjoyments and to deprive them of rest and quiet who were restlesse in sin for whereas the Land of Canaan was given for a rest Psal 95.11 now the Lord summons them to remove and threatens it should not be arest because of their sin Arise ye and depart