preserved they being under heavy pressures from God and man yet they are brought to know God to loath themselves and their former wayes these were times wherein they had no sacrificing little or no helpe for their soules but lay in darknesse and notwithstanding all this God shewed mercy neither their sinnes nor the sinnes of the place both which were great nor the time of wrath they were under for so it s cal'd Isa 54.8 could obstruct the free grace of God but some he spares some he touches with the lively sense of their sins and puts into a state of grace in the midst of enemies of sins of judgements God could shew mercy in Babylon as well as Zyon let the holy Land holy City holy Temple holy Altar holy Sacrifices and all the holy things be layd waste and persons be brought to the greatest improbabilities of finding mercy be as great sinners as any living as these were and in Babylon yet God is free can will doth shew mercy even to such in such a place and at such a time when his wrath is powring out Manasseh was a great sinner a Murtherer an Idolater a Sorcerer carryed into Babylon and in the eye of all in a hopelesse condition yet there God visits him his spirit breaths and blows upon him 2 Chron. 33.11 12 13. he humbles his soule greatly prayes effectually is returned to Jerusalem and knowes the God of his Fathers Nothing could keep off God from shewing mercy God tooke Abraham the Father of the Faithfull from Vr of Chaldaea he found favour among Idolaters and God shewed mercy to his Posterity Gen. 6. Acts 2. even in that Land When all flesh had corrupted its wayes yet mercy was showne to Noah Yea those put Christ to death had their hearts pricked To the Gentiles that had lived in abominable Idolatries God granted repentance unto life Acts 11.18 There is nothing in man in any place or time that can impede God from shewing mercy that is an act of his will nothing in us moves him to it nothing in us hinders him from it I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compâ—ssion on whom I will have compassion Rom 9.15 Obser 3 3. That often God shews the choisest mercy when he hath cause to execute the sharpest judgement they shall remember me because I am broken with their whorish hearts had they broken Gods heart he had cause to have broken their bones and destroyed them utterly but the Lord would deale graciously with them and in stead of destruction cause them to remember him to loath themselves and to come in to feare and serve him They would not feare remember and honour God in Zyon where they had the Prophets the Ordinances of God and mercies of all sorts but provoked God to plague them and when they were ripe for destruction and nothing to be expected but severity even then doth God deale graciously with them Isa 57.17 18. saith God For the iniquity of his covetousnesse was I wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart He adds sin to sin in a presumptuous manner and what could be looked for now but destruction Doth the great and glorious God smite and doth man sin more Yes he doth and God sees it and what then I have seene his wayes and will heale him Not wound him more not destroy him but I will heale him I will lead him also and restore comforts to him and to his mourners Isaiah 43.24 25. Thou hast made me to serve with thy sinnes thou hast wearyed me with thine iniquities And what then I even I am hee that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine owne sake and will not remember thy sinnes Gods thoughts are not as mans that which is argument of death in mans apprehension is argument of mercy and life in Gods Psal 25.11 David knew it therefore presseth God with an argument might have undone him in the judgement of reason O Lord pardon mine iniquity for it is great God might have said therefore will I not pardon thee because thy sinne is great I have suffered much by thee by thy murther and adultery and thinkest thou that I will pardon such great sins Is this an argument to come to mee withall I have as great wrath as thou hast sins thou art a man of death for what thou hast done thou shouldest dye by the Law for thy murther and dye for thy adultery and thou hast given the sentence thy selfe The man that hath done this shall surely dye and bound it thou hast with an Oath as the Lord liveth 2 Sam. 12.5 and therefore dye thou must thou shalt Such language as this might David have looked for but he heares of pardon and that from the mouth of a Prophet and when he mov'd God with the argument of the greatnesse of his sinnes he did it in the judgement of faith knowing it would be much for the honour of God to pardon great sinnes that he was as ready to shew mercy as his sinnes had made him ripe for judgement Hosea 2.13 14. Israel followed Baalim and forgate God had hee not now cause to destroy her It was Gods way to destroy such Psal 73.27 Yet it follows Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the Wildernesse and speake comfortably unto her Because shee had foâ—got God God would remember her because shee had been drawne away by Idols God would allure her from Idols because shee had vexed God he would comfort her Here God lets out choise mercy when he had cause to execute severe wrath When Peter had denyed Christ thrice and forswore him and the knowledge of him was there not cause that Christ should have renounced him smitten him with some great Judgement Matth. 26.72 74. and made him an example for Selfe-confiders and Christ-denyers to the end of the World Surely Christ had cause enough and the opportunity for it was faire before him but Christ turned and look't upon Peter and in stead of ruining him rayses him Obser 4 4. False worship doth most afflict God I am broken with their whorish heart Their Idolatries Superstitions and corruptions did not simply displease or grieve God but oppressed afflicted broke the heart of God great injuries enter deep worke strongly eate up the spirits of any they are done unto and what greater wrong can be done to God then to set at naught his counsels to forsake his Worship to withdraw from his Government and to proclaime to the World that there are better ways then his and better Gods then himselfe Those are Idolatrous and worship God a false way they doe so by God therefore Jer. 3.5 it s sayd of them that they did speak and doe evill as they could men cannot doe more to breake God then to worship Idols wrong gods or the true God a wrong way Such sins breake Gods Covenant Deut. 31.16 This
Amos 7.10 This made Jeremie conclude Lam. 4.13 that Jerusalem was destroyed chiefly for the sins of her Prophets and the iniquities of her Priests that shed the blood of the just in the midst of her Obser 1. When God is upon executing judgement he first manifests yea vouchsafes mercy to his friends before hee lets out wrath upon his enemies Goe yee after him one was sent to marke the mourners before those with the slaughter-weapons had commission to destroy the rest His mercy acts before his justice he separates the righteous Mal. 3.17.4.1 before he destroys the wicked he makes up his Jewels before the day comes that burnes like an oven Hee prepares an Arke for Noah before hee sends a flood upon the world God sends an Angell to fetch Lot out of Sodome before he raines fire and brimstone upon them And at the last great judgement the Sheep shall have mercy before the Goates shall have judgment Matth. 25.34.41 Come yee blessed that joyfull sound shall be heard first and after depart ye cursed Mercy is Gods first-born and visits the Saints ere judgments break out 2. When the godly are secured then judgement delays not when the mourners are neer marking then the sixe men follow him presently that marks them and they doe their office When Lot is out of Sodome fire and brimstone comes into Sodome God could doe nothing while he was there Gen. 19.22 But when he was gone he consum'd them with the vengeance of eternall fire Judgments sometime do linger and what 's the cause some servants of God are not marked secured got into their chambers of safety if they were judgement would quickly be upon the backs of the wicked Isa 26.20 21. Come my people enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doores about thee hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment untill the indignation be overpast For behold the Lord commeth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity When once they were got into safe places then would indignation come upon the wicked When swallows and other birds flie from us it is a signe of Winter approaching and when good men are removed out of places are driven into corners it 's a signe of of judgement upon that place 3. Sinners may so provoke God that hee will neither shew them mercy himselfe nor let others doe it no pitty no mercy should they have from God or man Goe through the City from one street to another from gate to gate and smite smite every one of them slay utterly doe not wound or weaken but tahargu lemaschith slay to perdition and though they fall upon their knees begge hard for their lives promise you great matters yet spare them not neither have pitty be not affected with ought they say doe or suffer God harden'd them here against them but might they not find some sparing and pittying from God if none with man Ezek. 5.11 Mine eye shal not spare neither will I have any pitty and hee ratifies it with an oath there What were their sinnes which made the LORD deale thus severely with them 1. Their defilement of the Temple with such abhominations as they had done provoked desperately they despighted God thereinto his face there he vouchsafed his presence heard their prayers accepted their sacrifices bestowed choise mercies upon them and yet to defile that with their abominations this greatly provoked 2. Their abuse of the true and faithfull Prophets Jeremiah forbid to prophesie left he dye for it Jer. 11.21 They laid hands on him and said he should dye Jer. 26.8 2 Chron. 36.16 They mocked the messengers of God despised his words and misused his Prophets untill the wrath of the Lord arose against his people These sins made it rise to a great height even such a height that all pitty and mercy were laid aside 3. Their great unfruitfulnesse under means and mercies Jer. 20.8 9. They reproached and derided the word and those that believed and obeyed it Isa 8.18 You know what paines God took with his Vineyard he gathered out the stones planted it with the choisest vine built a tower in it made a wine-presse did all which was doe able for it and now he looked for grapes and it brought forth wild grapes this kindled Gods wrath and banished pitty mercy from his heart I will take away the hedg break down the wall lay it wast it shall have no digging pruning clouds or raine but it shall be troden down and eaten up by whom by Chaldeans those bryars and thorns should scratch and teare it in pieces Mans unfruitfulnesse makes God merciless Luke 13.7 when the Lord came to the Fig-tree planted in his vine-yard and found no fruit on it what saith he cut it downe why cumbers it the ground 4. Pittilesnesse to one another Mic. 3.2 3. The Princes Rulers did plucke off the skinne and flesh from the bones of the people they brake their bones and chopt them in pieces In their skirts was found the blood of the soules of poore innocents Jer. 2.34 and Manasses had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood which made the Lord to say Ier. 15.5 Who shall have pitty upon thee O Ierusalem neither God nor man 4. Nothing will priviledg sinners in the day of Gods wrath when he gives out commission to destroy there will be a generall destruction Old young maids children and women they must all suffer all dye In their military oath this was one branch Ne quis laedat faeminas pueros senes aegrotos even nature pleads strongly for such who are fearfull and feeble not able to help themselves Deut. 20.14 When the Iewes tooke a City they were to spare the women and the little ones and when they tooke Midian they spared the maids and the little ones Numb 31.9.18 But here neither oath nor nature should take place neither age sex or condition should advantage or secure them not the hoary head of the aged not the beauty of the virgins not the teares of the mothers nor the tendernesse of the babes but all must dye So 1 Sam. 15.3 Samuel saith to Saul goe smite Amelech utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not but slay both man and woman infant and suckeling oxe and sheepe camell and asse Amalech sought the ruine of Israel therefore God would have him utterly ruin'd when judgements are generall sinnes are grievous 5. Open sins involve not only themselves but those are dearest to them into open destruction The antients offered Incense to Idols the women wept for Tammuz others worshipped the Sun and these brought famine and sword not only upon themselves but upon the young maids and little children which were free from those sinnes the parents sins ruin'd the children and wrap'd them up in an open and publique calamity Corah Dathan and Abiram rebell against Moses and the earth swallowed up them their houses and all belonged to them Numb 16.31 32. The Sodomites sins
bloody and bitter it were well there were no Sons of Esau in our days men bloody and bitter seeking the ruine of plaine hearted Jacobs If others by their rough speeches and dealings doe shew the hardnesse of their hearts let us by the softnesse of our tongues and bounty of our hands shew the tendernesse of our heartâ— Ephes 4.32 Be kind one to another tender hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you 8. It enterteines and reteines the motions and truths of Gods spirit a tender heart will not suffer the spirit to knock long at the doore Bereans received tke word with all readinesse of minde Acts 17.11 and then goe away grieved but it opens quickly and receives the message When the spirit came to Peter Acts 10.19 20. and bade him goe to Cornelius and Preach Christ unto him he went immediately When the Gospell was Preached to the Thessalonians in demonstration of the spirit it s sayd They received it with joy of the holy Ghost That joy of the holy Ghost may as well referre to the holy Ghost it selfe who rejoyced at their speedy receiving the word and spirit in it as to the Thessalonians who had joy wrought in them by receiving of the word 2 Cor. 3.3 the Corinthians had fleshy hearts and they are cald the Epistle of Christ and why because the spirit had writ the Gospell in them with ease Moses had much adoe to write the Law in the Tables of stone but the spirit did it easily in the fleshy Tables of their hearts those truths are written in the heart are held so fast that men will rather loose their lives then loose them Obser 1. A Tender heart is a choice and great mercy where this is the understanding is apprehensive of Divine things the Lord Christ who was without sin and so nothing but tendernesse was quick of understanding Isa 11.3 and the more free from sin our hearts are the quicker our understandings will be Mat. 13.15 Where there is a grosse and hard heart there is an un-understanding heart an unperceiving heart Mark 8.17 On the contrary where a tender heart is there is the clearest understandâ—ng The will is plyable to the truth of the Gospel Rom. 6 1â— Yee have obeyed from the heart that forme of Doctrine which was delivered you and into which yee were delivered The conscience is awake and will not indure the guilt of any sin to lye upon it Peter had sin'd but he goes out and weepes bitterly The affections are lively and stir much towards God David had a tender heart and how strongly did his affections stir after God Psal 42.1.2 As the heart panteth after the water brooks so panteth my soule after thee O God my soule thirsteth for God for the living God when shall I come and appeare before God Psa 63.8 My soule followeth hard after thee and the zeale of thy house c. It s that the Lord intends to write his whol will in Jer. 31.33 I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts first he will make them soft and then write in the Law and Gospell It receives discipline correction Jer. 5 3. Thou hast stricken them but they have refused to receive correction they have made their faces harder c. An hard heart doth not receive correction but a tender one doth 2. It is the gift of God he gives this tender heart unto us we can harden our hearts through sining but we cannot soften them being once hardned by any meanes we use Tendernesse of heart is a speciall grace so iâ— onenesse of heart newnesse of spirit and all these are from God who is stiled The God of all grace 1 Pet. 5.10 There is not any grace but what is from God he is the author of it In this case of an heart of flesh he puts his hand into the heart and pulls out the stone and puts in tendernesse He that can turne stones into children Mat. 3.9 is he that turnes stony hearts into flesh and this he doth freely there is no motive of his will Phil. 2.13 His working is of his good pleasure James 1.18 Of his owne will begat he us Not the pleasure of man or his will appeares in this worke God consults not with man about it but doth the work himself I will take away the stone c. It is exclusive and shuts out all Isa 44.3 I will poure floods upon dry ground hence those sweet promises Isa 41.18 I will open Rivers in high places and Fountaines in the mid'dst of the Valeys I will make the Wildâ—rnesse a poole of water and the dry Land springs of water I will plant in the windernesse the Cedar the shittah trees the mertle and the oyle tree I will set in the desart the firre tree the pine and the boxe tree together that they may see know consider understand together that the hand of the Lord hath done this and the holy one of Israel hath created it God softens the heart by dropping his word upon it Deut. 32.2 My doctrine shall drop at the raine c. By the blood of Christ by revealing his free grace c. VERS 20. That they may walke in my statutes and keepe mine Ordinances and doe them and they shall be my people and I will be their God c. HEre is the end of Gods grace and goodnesse towards them with an asserting of such to be his and his promise to be their God Obser God multiplies mercies when he is in a way of mercy when he is giving out promises he gives not one or two but many Jer. 31.33.34 There is an heape of promises so in Ezek. 36.25.26.27.28.29 There be eight or nine promises together Hos 14.4.5.6.7 Promise after promise is given out Isa 60. Is full of sweet promises one after another This is a sweet Subject to meditate upon but I come to open the words That they may walke Walking here is metaphoricall taken from the motion of the body moving by steps from place to place and is applyed to the conversation and life of man in a spirituall sense and imports progresse in the way of God Psal 119.1 In my statutes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Hebrew word Chukkim notes rites pertaining to the Ceremoniall Law cald also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not onely â—o but Chukkim includes the whole Ceremoniall Law the Seaventie doe sometimes translate it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Commandement which Mitzuoth properly signifies containing the Morrall Law or Tenne Commandements and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but Deut. 4.40 They render Mitzuoth by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Chukkim by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ephes 2.15 Paul calls Chukkim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Law of Commandements in Ordinances Mine Ordinances 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mishphatim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Judgements these some refer to the outwaâ—d policie of Israel their civill estate but statutes and
house Therefore thou son of man prepare thee stuffe for remooving and remoove by day in their sight and thou shalt remoove from thy place to anothr place in their sight it may be they will consider though they be a rebellious house Then shalt thou bring forth thy fluffe by day in their sight as stuffe for remooving and thou shalt goe forth at Even in their sight as they that goe forth into captivity Dig thou through the wall in their sight and carry out thereby In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders and carry it forth in the twylight thou shalt cover thy face that thou see not the ground for I have set thee for a signe unto the house of Israel And I did so as I was commanded I brought forth my stuff by day as stuff for captivity and in the Even I digged through the wall with mine hand I brought it forth in the twy light and I bare it upon my shoulder in their sight EZEKIEL having been in a vision at Jerusalem seen and hazard many remarkeable things which he declared to them of the captivity here the word of the Lord came afresh unto him and he is put upon doing those things which might convince Zedekiah and others of the sad judgements comming upon them In the Chapter be three things in generall observeable 1. A Prophesie of Zedekiahs carrying into captivity with the Cittizens of Jerusalem to the 17. vers 2. The miserable condition of the people preceding and following the captivity of the King and people from vers 17. to 21. 3. A confutation of those who mokct at the judgements of God threatned by the Prophet from the 21. to the end In the first part you have 1. A type set out in the six first verses 2. The application of the type from thence to the 17. It s a question to whom these words of the Lord doe refer Thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house c. Our prophet was in Babylon and before the captives there he was to remoove in their sight and this was not to give them hopes of any speedy returne out of Babylon but to quiet their disturbed minds for these typicall actions of the Prophet in carrying out his stuffe and digging through the wall c. have a double aspect one towards them at Jerusalem to evidence to them that their captivity was at hand another towards these alreadie in captivity which was to comfort them in leting them see what heavy judgements they had escaped being safe there in Babylon though burdened with some difficulties The scope is to shew the certainty of their suffering and destruction at Jerusalem and their advantage who were come to Babylon and freed from the judgements were coming upon the other Thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house Hebrew is a house of rebellion a Familie Nation people who are rebellious imbittering exasperating Which have eyes to see and see not Eares to heare and hear not Some take the sight for the understanding the eare for the will for these two senses are the servants of those faculties and as the eye and eare are delighted with light and sweetnesse so the understanding and will but these men were spiritually bliâ—d and deafe they neyther heard nor saw as they might have done They might have seen Gods goodnesse to them in bringing them from Jerusalem in causing them to hearken to Jeremiahs couâ—sell in planting them in Babylon in procuring more fâ—vour fâ—om the Babylonians then the condition of captives did require they might have understood by the Pâ—ophets visions and words spoken to them what the Chaldaeans should speed ly doe to them in Canaan what bloody and fieâ—y judgements they were bringing upon the City Temple people and whole Land They did not see inwardly they considered not what God did said nor what they were to doe Obser 1. Wicked men neyther see not hear the things of God neyther meecies nor judgements are rightly discerned by them they saw not the mercie they had in a strange Land nor the judgements they escaped in their owne Land Mercies and judgements have much of God in them they speak and speak aloud but wicked men neyther see God nor heare his voyce in his works they are blind and deafe When men see hear and doe not profit by their seeing or hearing then they neyther see nor hear in Scripture sense the more signes threatnings judgements the harder hearted they grow the blinder and deafer they are Wee had need pray unto the Lord to open our eyes that we may see what judgements what mercies we have had that he would bore ouâ— eares that we may here his voyce and repent of our wickednesse 2. The cause of sinners not seeing not hearing is in themselvs For they are a rebellious house Their rebellion was the cause they neither saw nor heard they did contrary to what God required and so blinded their own eyes hardned their owne hearts Isa 26.10.11 Let favour be shewed to the wicked yet will he not learne righteousnesse when the Lords hand is lifted up yet will he not see I feare this is the case of many amongst us God hath given men senses to observe his works and wayes but they eyther doe not or will not observe them they have eyes to see mercies and judgements but they consider them not they have eares to hear the voyce of his Rod and word but they hear not their eyes eares and hearts are taken up and exercis'd about other things which is a dreadfull evill Prepare the stuffe for removing Hebrew is instruments what instruments such were seen in Mat. 10.10 A â—crip a coat shooes a staffe some add a girdle but whether these were the instruments Ezekiel was to prepare I make some doubt this might suffice for his owne travalling but he was to remove his houshold-stuffe vers 5.6 He was to carry it out through the hole of the wall and beare it upon his shoulder This he was to doe for tryall of their spirits they had not been affected with his prophecying and therefore now a visible signe is added and what then It may be they will consider when they should see the prophet removing from place to place digg through the wall goe out in the night cover his face c. these things were likely to affect them actions are more observeable then words they make deeper impressions If some cheife man in a City should pack up all his stuffe breake through the walls of the City in the night carry all he had away what strange effects would it cause in the hear s of men The Lord is very patient towards a sinfull and rebellious people Obser 1. he tryeth variety of wayes to doe them good visions prophesies signes they had before here again the prophet must doe strange things to see if they will be apprehensive of danger repent and prevent judgments this is the way of God with sinners
they said What doest thou God mindes the Servants he imployes there words and actions shall not be in vain He makes speedy inquiry here after all In the morning came the word of the Lord unto me saying Sonne of man hath not the house of Israel said unto thee c. If they understood them not it was their duty to come to the Prophet for resolution and his duty to resolve them VERS 10 11 12 13 14. Say thou unto them Thus saith the Lord God This burden concerneth the Prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel that are among them Say I am your signe as I have done so shall it be done unto them they shall remoove and goe into captivity And the Prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twylight and shall goe forth they shall dig thorow the wall to carry out thereby he shall cover his face that he see not the ground with his eyes My net also will I spread upon him and he shall be taken in my snare and I will bring him to Babylon to the Land of the Chaldaeans yet shall he not see it though he shall die there And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to helpe him and all his bands and I will draw out the Sword after them IN these Verses you have the application of the type to the Prince and all the house of Israel which is in generall laid downe in the 10. Verse then the common calamity of both in the 11. Verse They shall goe into captivity Then a more speciall application of it to the King in the 12. 13. Verses where his bearing stuffe upon his shoulder his flight digging through the wall and covering his face are set downe together with his apprehension excaecation deportation into Babylon and death there This burden Hâ—mmassa from Nasa to lift up a word so rich in signification and efficacy Vt vix centum aliarum linguarum verbis explicentur ejus divitiae Pradus it may be rendered this burdensome doctrine or prophecy which these types doe speak by burden is meant the typicall signe of captivity which was a burden to the Prophet to act to open unto them a burden to them to hear and especially to bear grievous prophesies are cald burdens in scripture Nabum 1.1 Hab. 1.1 so Isa 15.1.17.1.19.1 The Prince It was Zedekiah a wicked and timerous King the Hebrew is Hannasi from Nasi to lift up either because he is lift up above the people or should populi onera levare ease and lighten the greivances of the people as they in Exod. 18.22 But if they grow tyrannicall and impose heavy burdens upon the people the Lord hath a burden for them as here Zedekiah must dig through the wall carry forth on his shoulder flye c. This you may see fullfill'd Jer. 52.7.8.9.10.11 Where you have his flight mentioned the Chaldaeans persuit and apprehension of him his carrying to Riblath where his eyes were put out and after to Babylon where he dyed Say I am the signe c. This relates to the few in Babylon they conceiv'd there should no judgemtnt befall Jerusalem nor the men there by this typicall worke of the Prophet the Lord shewes them their error that it should not be well with them at Jerusalem its true they condemne you for remooving into Babylon and justifie themselves that they are the onely people righteous and acceptable unto me and therefore are safe in Jerusalem but you shall see and they shall know how vaine and foolish their thoughts and reasonings are as I have dealt with you so will I doe by them they shall be made Câ—ptives very speedily and meet with sorer judgements then you did My net alsa will I spread upon him and he shall be taken in my snare These words you have again in the 17. Chap. 20. Verse The Chaldaeans here are likned unto Fisher men who usually dwell by the water sides now Babylon was among the waters Euphrates and Tygris running by it or through it hence Jer. 51.13 O thou that dwellest upon many waters Therefore fitly are they compar'd to Fisher-men and the Armie was the net a net spreads abroad compasses and catches by this net was Zedekiah the Princes City and all pretious things therein taken In my snare Lam. 3.13 He hath spred a net for my feet Snares are for the Land and its thought to be a hunters snare such as is set for wild Beasts which beeing hunted and chased hard are driven into snares and so taken they are set secretly catch suddenly hold certainly The hebrew word Meizudab as Junius observes signifies also a strong hold and in this sense it may represent to us Riblath whether Zedekiah was carryed where he receiv'd judgement and had his eyes put out or that hold he was put â—nto in Babylon Obser 1. The great mercy and goodnesse of God who takes occasion from their sin to afford them this mercy the exposition of this type they were stupid and minded not the Prophet and his actions or if they did they derided him as a foolish or madd man to doe such things hence the Lord is pleased to take an advantage to acquaint them with it have they not asked thee what doest thou Say thou unto them thus saith the Lord this burden concerns the Prince c. Hos 2.13.14 Isa 57.17.18 Gen. 8.21 In those places God takes occasion from mans sin to shew mercy So in Joh. 20.25.27 From Thomas his unbeleife c. Takes an opportunity to come and shew his wounds c. 2. To secure and confident sinners God will render judgement most certainly and impartially Say to them as I have done so shall it be done unto you What ever their thoughts are at Jerusalem or yours here their condition shall be like yours have you been afflicted with Warre Famine Plague have you lost the Temple City your Countrey and estates are you brought into an Heathenish Land so shall it be with them 3. The Lord hath burdens for Princes if they be wicked there be burdensome Prophecies against them and burdensome judgements for them Zedekiah did evill in the sight of the Lord 2 K. 24.19 And you may see what burdens he had 1. A burden of fear he durst stay no longer and Jer. 38.19 I am afraid of the Jewes fallen unto the Chaldaeans least they deliver me into their hand 2. A burden of shame he covers his face he will see none nor be seen of any he leaves Jerusalem in a shamefull manner carrying some burden upon his shoulder as if he were some vulgar man he is disguised as being asham'd of a Princely title 3. A burden of flight he is put to it to flie for his life 4. A burden of darknesse in the evening or night he steales away 5. A burden of difficulties he must dig through a wall goe in by-wayes 6. A burden of sad judgements 1. He is taken by
rending of the heart Joel 2.13 Plowing up of the fallow ground Jer. 4.3 Travelling in child birth Jsa 26.17 Pricking of the heart Acts 2.37 All which evidences that repentance is an heart businesse it workes strongly upon that and brings it up to loathing when the heart is truely penitent what it before loved and delighted in it loaths and abhorres the voyce of Ephraim repenting is Hos 14.8 What have I to doe any more with Idols I now loath them will not lift up mine eyes or hands unto them nor speake a word for them nor thinke of them Jer. 31.19 After that I was turned I repented I smote upon my thigh I was ashamed yea even confounded because I did bear the reproach of my youth I had sin'd in my former dayes with Idols false worship satisfied my lusts but now I am confounded with the shame and reproach of them Now I loath them and cannot indure them Isa 31.7 when they are turned unto God In that day shall every man cast away his Idols of Silver and Gold they cannot stand before Repentance no more then Dagon before the Arke After God had scourged and purged them with the Babilonish Captivity it s observed that they could never abide Idols more nor would suffer any to come up unto the Temple When Caius Galigula sent his Statue to Pretronius President of Judea to honour it with a place in the Temple the Jewes professed they would dye rather then behold that abomination in the Temple if that came there they would not come there if that liv'd they would dye This is the nature of true Repentance that what ever Errours false Worship wayes lusts things it delighted in before now it loaths as dung as filth and abhorres as Pestilentiall and deadly The Jewes repenting cursed their Idols and their owne madnesse in running a whoring after them Here be three evidences of the reality and truth of this Repentance First Their loathing themselves it s a hard thing to bring a man to selfe-loathing every man loves exalts himselfe and labours to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 somebody in the World Diotrephes affects preheminence but true Repentance will make the greatest loath himselfe Repentance sees what black defiled creatures they are Ezek. 20.43 You shall remember your wayes wherein you have beene defiled and shall loath your selves in your owne sight A repentant eye sees matter enough of selfe-abhorrence Job 7.5 When Job saw his sores filth and wormes in his flesh he loathed himselfe but not so much as when he saw the sinnes sores 42.6 and lusts of his heart then he abhorred himselfe and all had excellency in it before he though fit to be buryed under dust and ashes Secondly For the evils which they have committed not for the evils which their sinnes had deserved or God had inflicted did they loath themselves but for the evill of their owne wayes so that they did mourn for sin as sin not for the evill of sinne but for the evill in sin which is the contrariety of it to Gods will the offence of Divine Majesty its burdening God himselfe breach of union between him and their soules its violation of his Law it pollutes the soule hardens the heart turnes the Gospell of Christ all mercies and meanes of Grace to our hurt and is a foundation of eternall Ruine It was the evill of sin and not of punishment that David prayed against 2 Sam. 24.10 17. Psal 51.2 Thirdly It s impartiall and universall They shall loath themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations It s not one or two but all comes into question when the heart is in a penitent way Ezek. 20.43 Then shall you remember your wayes and all your doings wherein you have beene defiled and yee shall loath your selves in your owne sight for all your evils that you have committed Sinnes great or small in any place with any person or thing but especially of worship come into fall under censure and are abhorr'd Manasseh when he was humbled in Babylon he loathed his practises in Zyon and took away all the Altars that he had built in the Mount of the House of the Lord and in Jerusalem and cast them out of the City 2 Chron. 33.15 Let us look back see the evill of our wayes especially in worship and loath our selves for the evill of them all that we have defiled Gods Name Ordinances our selves with Altars Crucifixes Cringings conformity to the Impositions Innovations of men Subscriptions Oaths of Canonicall obedience supporting of a false and Tyrannicall Government in the Church of Christ have been contented under a dull formall way of worship c. Ezek. 43.11 If they be ashamed of all that they have done shew them the forme of the House and the fashion thereof Shame for false corrupt worship opens a door for sight of and entrance in of true and pure worship 1. That before men are afflicted and humbled for their sin Obser Ver. 10. they refuse and sleight the Word of God let his Prophets come and Preach powerfully and terribly unto them lay Gods Judgements before them they mind it not at least tremble not but they shall know they have refused my word and messengers the time is comming they shall be in Babylon be sorely afflicted and then they shall know as for the precedent time their hearts were stout against God his truth his servants and they were secure Who hath beleeved our report saith Isaiah 53. chap. 1.2 and Chap. 44.4 I have laboured in vain I have spent my strength for naught his hearers sleighted his Prophesies So in Zech. 7.11 12. They refused to hearken and puld away the shoulder and stopped their eares that they should not heare Yea they made their hearts as an Adamant stone least they should heare the Law and the words which the Lord of Hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former Prophets 2. That a heart under affliction broken for sinne and loathing its selfe for its owne sinnes will give due honour to the Word of God submit to it acknowledge him and his Prophets Then shall they know c. That is when they have smarted in the Captivity been cut to the heart for their sinnes loathed themselves for all the evils of them even then shall they know Affliction opens mens eyes blows beget braines and men come to see their Ingratitude towards God their abuse neglect contempt of meanes what great losse they have made thereby and so mourne for each prize the Word tremble at threatnings close with promises subject to commands honour the Lord and his Prophets The truest Penitent doth most abhorre himselfe his lusts his errours his owne wayes and the more abhorrencie of these the more complacency in Truth and the God of truth such an one understands the dealings of God acknowledges the Majesty of God in his Ordinances the equity of God in his Judgements the mercies of God in his deliverances
removed their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord they shall not satisfie their souls neither fill their bowels because it is the stumbling blocke of their iniquity SUNDRY Calamities are set downe before he persists in the addition of more every verse hath his peculiar calamity In the 16. is contained their flight In the 17. their feeblenesse In the 18. their sorrow and shame and in the 19. ver the insufficiency of the creature to helpe in the time of trouble I begin with the 16. It 's misery to bee in danger especially of life and to be put to flye for it as these were when the Enemy came to their wals and gates some fled and escaped to the mountaines The Originall is their escapers shall escape those I have appointed to famine sword pestilence shall be consumed by them but those I have appointed to escape they shall escape and get to the mountaines where they shall be like doves of the valleyes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Hebrew Root whence Doves comes signifies to prey upon to oppresse circumvent make sad and the Dove is subject to prey oppression circumvention and mourning as much as any Fowle Hence two things in the Dove are aim'd at Fearefulnesse and Mourning First the Dove is a trembling fearefull creature any little noise makes it flye Hos 11.11 They shall tremble as a Dove The sight of the Hawk the noise of her bels or wings doth multiply fears in a Dove and so should those Jewes that escaped be full of fears flye to rocks and mountains as Doves for fear of hawks and dare not stirre they should hide themselves there and be affraid to speak to groan out their griefe lest they should be discovered and dye for it 2. It 's a mourning creature Isa 38.14 I did mourn as a dove saith Hezekiah And Isa 59.11 We mourn sore like Doves Doves sit solitary and mourne when they have lost their young their mates are wounded by any meanes yea it 's their nature as to tremble so to mourn and so should these Jewes sit and mourn they should have no joy of their lives their losses the place they should be in yea the thought of life should be matter of mourning unto them Of the valleyes There were not Doves of mountaines and Doves of valleyes but they are so called either because they did oft feede and appear there as Fowles of the Aire are so called because they are oft in the Aire or for that being pursued by Fowlers they fled to the valleys and hidde themselves there not enduring to be in open places or because they did breed in the holes of rockes which were towards the valleys In Job you have mention of clifts of the valleys Job 30.6 Or because they mourned in the valleys there they made a mourning or dolefull noise All of them mourning every man for his Iniquity Here is the cause of their calamity viz. their iniquity this was a Serpent in the bosome and gave them no rest had there been no Enemies at their gates at their heels their own sins besieged pursu'd them Observ 1 In common calamities when danger is abroad those that have escaped and got hiding places think not themselves secure these were in the mountains in the holes of the rocks and yet as fearfull as Doves trembling that the Babilonians were so nigh fearing discovery and death every moment a spirit of feare ceases upon sinners at such times that imprisons reason and holds them in bondage They are fallen into the hands of Divine judgements which are dreadfull those were like Lyons before were as silly Doves Jer. 48.28 Observ 2 2. That the fruit of sin is sorrow every one of them shall mourne for his iniquity before they sported in their sins now they should sigh for them their consciences were asleep through custome of sinning Gods judgments had now awakened them and they brought their sins so to mind that they wept and sorrowed sorely for them they had gone on in their idolatrous oppressing and provoking ways long they saw no cause to be sorry all was well with them but when trouble came their sinnes appeared their soules were sad and filled with apprehensions that drew bitter tears from them What is the fruit of wantonnesse whoredome Prov. 5.11 Solomon tels you that such a sinner shall mourn at last when his flesh and his body are consumed That of Job is suitable for him his flesh upon him shall have paine and his soule within him shall mourn Job 14.22 Eves sin had sorrow and sorrow multiplied greatly multipied Gen. 3.16 God told them Levit. 26.14.16 That if they sinned they should have sorrow of heart And Deut. 28.65 Sorrow of mind And they had that plentifully Isa 65.14 Yee shall cry for sorrow of heart and shall howle for vexation of spirit Sin causes howling mourning David when he had sin'd it made him to roar Psalm 32.3 only his terrors were penitentiall these unprofitable shewed their misery but made no way to mercy This sorrow was the fruit of sin godly sorrow is the fruit of the spirit that lookes at the punishment which removed the guilt and filth of sin still abides this at the sinne and would have that destroyed though the judgments never be taken away Hos 14.2 2. This changes the minde not that its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Prophets Sermons could not draw teares from them while there was hope Gods judgments did it when it was too late Vers 17. All hands shall be feeble Fear made them flye and fear made them feeble where great fear fals upon any there the hands grow weake and are not able to doe their office the spirits retire to the heart to relieve that lest life should faile and thereupon the hands become weake The trumpet was blown all cal'd upon to make ready but none went out to Battle and why their hands were feeble they could not hold and handle their weapons to defend themselves their knees were feeble they could not flye to save themselves There is a treble feeblenesse of hands one naturall as when a man hath naturally a weaknesse lamenesse in his hands 2. There is one accidentall as when a mans hands are by some stroak fall wound made feeble but such feebleness is not here meant 3. There is a metaphoricall weakness which ariseth from despondency of mind through fear and fearfull apprehensions In this sense wee are to take it so it 's oft used in the Scripture Jer. 6.24 The report of the Northern Forces was come to them and what then Our hands wax feeble anguish hath taken hold of us Jer. 50.43 2 Sam. 4.1 Job 4.3 Ezek. 21.7 Isa 13.7 Je. 47.3 In all these places is mention of weaknesse feeblenesse of hands which is to be taken in the metaphoricall sense their hands were not able to doe what they should and formerly could have done and here
about yet he laid it not to heart And is it not so with England we had need to cry with David Psal 79.8 9. O remember not against us former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us for we are brought very low Help us O God of our salvation for the glory of thy name deliver us and purge away our sinnes for thy names sake My face will I turne also from them Ver. 22. and they shall pollute my secret place c. This verse is a continuation of their calamities and hath in it two grievous ones 1. The aversion of Gods face 2. The pollution of the secret place Concerning the first it 's questionable from whom he would turne his face from the Chaldeans or from the Jewes Some cary it from the Chaldeans and so the sense is this Though they be a barbarous people and doe unheard of things pollute my holy place sack my holy City burn all to the ground slay and captive my people yet I will turne my face from them I will not restrain them at all but let them goe on freely and fully in such wayes and take no notice of any thing done against mee or my worship Others to whom I incline expound it of the Jews that God would turn his face from them and then the meaning is that God would afford them neither his presence counsel comfort nor deliverance but he would leave them to shift for themselves and take no further care of them Gods face in the Scripture signifies 1. His presence Psalm 51.11 Cast me not away from thy prâ—sence The Hebrew is from thy face 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Counsel 2 Sam. 21.1 David enquired of the Lord. Hebrew sought the face of the Lord that is sought counsel of him 3. Comfort Psalm 69.17 Hide not thy face from thy servant for I am in trouble shine upon me and comfort me So Psalm 31.16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant That is favour comfort make him glad 4. Deliverance Psalm 31.1 How long wilt thou hide thy face from me That is deny to deliver me There is mention of hiding his face turning away his face and setting his face against The first befals the godly Psalm 88.14 and 30.7 The other two the wicked as here in our Prophet they were a wicked Generation and God turned his face away from them and set his face against them Ezek. 15.7 They shall pollute my secret place That is the Sanctum Sanctorum the most holy place where the Arke was which had the two tables of stone 1 Kings 8.9 Into this only came the High Priest and but once in the yeare and that upon the dayes of expiation in which day he expiated the sins of the whole year by blood for blood and Incense hee carried in with him Heb. 9.7 And some thinke the smoake of the Incense darkned the holy place because no man can see God and live At first it was filled with a cloud and God was in that cloud 1 Kings 8.10.12 Gods nature is invisible and inaccessible but in the cloud smoake he did manifest his glorious presence to the high Priest who consulted with the Lord for the good of the people The place was cal'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Sept. render it my visitation because there God and the high Priest visited one another It 's observ'd in Histories that Pompey went into this secret place and being asked what he saw said a Cloud and hereupon it was given out that the Jewes were Cloud-worshippers One Heliodorus also thrust into this holiest of places Cunaeus de republ Jud. Weems who afterwards was strucke with madnesse Robbers shall enter into it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Septuagint hath it They shall enter without restraint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without any keeping them back Theodot Plagues shall enter men that will be a plague infecting and destroying all The Hebrew notes such Robbers as do make a violent entrance into the houses and possessions of others Your margents express it Burglers and Burglary in the acceptance of Law is a fellonious entring into another mans house wherein some person is or into a Church in the night time with intent to steale or doe some fellonious act there albeit the act be not done But in the naturall signification of the word burglary is a robbing of an house whither by night or day and these Chaldeans were Burglers men that should breake into the Sanctuary and secret place Ezek. 18.10 There is the same word and it 's joyned with blood If he beget a son a Robber that is a shedder of blood a house-breaker a murtherer which shews there is violence joyned with it which regards not Lawes and rights Obser 1 That judgements succeed one another upon a guilâ—y people Also I will turn away my face Hee had spoken of sad judgements some 11. or 12. and yet he comes in with more There was a succession of sinnes and answerably a succession of Judgements Obser 2 2. They are a miserable people from whom God turnes his face where his face is there is happinesse When Aaron and the Priests prayed for a blessing upon the people Numb 6 25 26. this was the chiefe Petition of it The Lord make his face shine upon thee The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee Intimâ—ting that if they had these no comforts or blessings would be wanting Psal 44.23 The destruction of the Canaanites the implantation of the Israelites and their salvation is attributed to the light of Gods countenance as well as to his right hand and arme because if they have Gods face and favour they shall have his hand and arme to doe anything for them therefore Asaph in Psalm 80. three times prayes thus Cause thy face to shine and we shall be saved vers 3.7.19 He knew if Gods face were towards them Gods power would work for them and they should have salvation of all sorts salvation from enemies which there he speaks of and from errours Psal 67.1 2. If Gods face did but shine upon them then his way would be known upon earth if not they should mistake and fall into errours and foul wayes Prov. 16.15 In the light of the Kings countenance â—s life much more in the light of Gods countenance is life the life of Kingdoms Churches Families which Daniel knew and therefore prayed Chap. 9.17 That God would make his face to shine upon the Sanctuary which was desolate the turning his face to them would quickly re-edifie it as the turning it from them had made it desolate When the Lord doth turn away his face nothing but misery attends a people Gen. 4.14 saith Cain from thy face shall I be hid Thy favour wil not be towards mee no shine shall I have but all shade and what then I shall be a vagabond upon the earth and feare death by every one that meeteth me When God takes away his face from any the face
the Law the Priests should have no sound or true knowledg of it Read it But the law c. The sense will not much differ they look for visions from Prophets But they shall not have the law from Priests vision and Preaching both shall fail them This phrase To perish from is an Hebreisme and noteth not abolition but absence the law should not be dissolv'd lost But taken from those Priests they should be without the law Take some places where you have the like speeches Psal 142.4 Refuge failed me The Hebrew is perished from mee I was without refuge Amos 2.14 Flight shall perish from the swift Power of flying shall be absent And Joel 1.5 Howle ye drunkards because of the new wine for it is cut off from your mouth That is there is none for you and so here The law shall perish from the Priests That is the sound knowledg and true interpretation of the law shall be absent from them their lippes shall preserve no knowledge Counsell from the Ancient Elders some refer these to Church-officers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isa 37.2 Elders of Priests the Prophets were to teach them the Priests to offer sacrifices and the Elders to order and discipline them which required wisdome and Counsell Others refer them to State-Elders in which sense the word is frequently used Gen. 50.7 Exod. 17.5 Psal 105.22 and is there translated Senators Take it in which sense you will Counsell should perish from them they should not be able to advise for the welfare of Church or State Obser 1 When a people is under Divine displeasure there is a succession of evils for them mischiefe after mischief they may not expect a few but many Saul after he had sin'd in sacrificing rejected God Samuel tels him that his Kingdome should not continue 1 Sam. 13.14 Then 3. Companies of spoilers came Mischiefe from the Philistines vers 17.18 Then had they no Smith in all Israel v. 19. After Chap. 15.23 He heares God had rejected him from being King that he had rent the Kingdome from him v. 28. After this he was trobled with an evill spirit from the Lord Chap. 6.14 In the 17.10 Goliah defies the Armies of Israel Chap. 18.7 8. David is magnified above Saul which vexed him to the heart and filled him with fear vers 29. He is disappointed of David whom he attempts to kill Chap. 19. He distrusts his servants and complains of their unfaithfulnesse Ch. 22. The Philistims invade his Land being in pursuit of David Chap. 23. David Abishai came upon Saul sleeping and could have kil'd him Chap. 26. Being sore distressed he seeketh to the Witch of Endor When God was departed no answer by Prophets and the Philistims were upon him the Witch raises the Devill who tels him of nothing but his own and Israels ruine Chap. 28.19 These tidings struck him halfe dead v. 20. After this his sons are slaine his Army is routed he and his Armour bearer ki l themselves Chap. 31. here mischiefe followed upon mischief Pharaoh had ten plagues one after another and in the Revelations you read of 7. Trumpets 7. Vials they came not single but by seavens and brought in mischief after mischief and judgement after judgement Jer. 51.31 32. One Post shall run to meet another and one messenger to meet another to shew the King of Babylon that his City is taken at one end that the passages are stopped the reeds burnt and the men of War affrighted Many evils and troubles doe befall States and Churches when they are under Gods wrath Deuteronomie 31.17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day and I will forsake them and I will hide my face from them and they shall be devoured and many evils and troubles shall befall them so that they will say in that day are not these evils come upon us because our God is not amongst us When God is in a way of revenge hee is continually at his work so that one misery is but the messenger of another and here is the misery of the wicked they shall perish rather an hundred times over then goe unpunished 2. God proceeds by degrees and steps to severity of judgements though people be exceeding guilty deserve as much wrath as is in all the vials of God yet he pours not out all his wrath at once mischief comes after mischiefe and rumour after rumour First Some drops of a viall then some little streams Mansuetudo iram Clementia paenam moderatur after that the strength God hath clemency in him moderating his punishments If little ones will prevaile with sinners he will with-hold the greater Sometimes though he see no amendment in the Creature his own goodnesse bowels and compassion doe cause him to forbear Psalm 78.38 He did not stirre up all his wrath He had cause to have done it they flattered with him lied unto him their heart was not right they brake Covenant vers 36.37 And yet hee stir'd not up all his wrath he kindled not the fire so hot as utterly to consume them Nay that wrath which was up and comming out he turn'd away And why He was full of compassion and remembred they were but flesh Yet because they were a stubborn people profited neither by mercies nor judgments but fell to Idolatry it's said vers 9. Hee greatly abhorred Israel and then the consuming fire was kindled vers 63. At first Gods wrath is little Psal 2.12 I was a little displeased Zâ—ch 1.15 But if sin grow Gods wrath grows as Ahab's cloud at first little as a hand but quickly it covered the face of heaven it was black with clouds and winds and there was a great raine How little soever Gods wrath be in the rise it can sodainly cover the face of heaven cause a great raine a raine of fire and brimstone an horrible tempest Psalm 11.6 God hath great wrath and fiercenesse of wrath 2 Kings 23.26 He hath a little finger a hand an arm and loins to be heavy upon sinners He begins with the little finger if that doe good he will stop if not you shall feele his hand his arme and weight of his loines he hath wrath reserved Nahum 1.2 Wâ—ath to come 1 Thess 1.10 3. Wicked men in great streights will sue to them for help whom before they hated they should seek for a vision from the Prophet now they were in extreamities and they run from Prophet to Prophet to get some Counsell and Comfort The false Prophets who had been countenanced by them had deceived them the true were hatefull to them Jeremiah Zephaniah Baruch were left and now they sue unto them for visions see Jer. 37.17 and 38.14.27 and 42.1 2 3. There the King Princes and people being distressed seek to Jeremie yet he was cursed by them Jer. 15.10 Beaten and put into prison Chap. 37.15 Ahab sends for and consults with Micaiah whom he hated when he was to goe out to Warre and in a streight
Baal but they were nototious weighty sinnes Kingdome and Church-destroying sinnes Men pare and lessen their sins they make little account of them Prov. 14.9 Fooles make a mocke at sinne as an inconsiderable matter And Chap. 10 23. It s a sport to a foole to doe mischiefe it s no heavy thing to his conscience but a light thing like a feather with which hee can sport and play Job 15.16 Man drinkes iniquity like water he delights himselfe with sin like a fish that draws in the water and spouts it â—ut again in a sporting way so doth man to him sin is sweete delightsome Job 20.22 not burthensome Math. 22.5 When they refused Christ and his offers of grace mercy and salvation when they sin'd with a high hand yet they made light of it and went their wayes And in Isa when they committed Idolatry sell to other gods they looked upon it as a sporting businesse Isa 57.4 Against whom doe you sport your selves against whom doe you make a wide mouth and draw out your tongue What mens thoughts are of their sinnes you see they weigh them in false ballances and make them light but when they come to the ballance of the Sanctuary they will be found heavy Is it a light thing such abhominations are in our land 2. To sin where God manifests his presence and vouchsafes the meanes of grace and choise mercies is a great aggravation of sin and grievous provocation of Divine Majesty Is it light that yee commit the abhomination which yee commit Here in the Temple the place of my presence where I have given them mine Ordinances and doe meete them for my worship to set their Idoll of Jealousie neare that place have their chambers of Imagery their Tammuz brought into the Temple and women weeping about that filthy Idoll and men standing with their backs towards God and worshipping the Sun This aggravated their sinne and provoked bitterly here here they do such things Psalm 106.19 They made a Calfe in Horeb. Was this more then if they had made it in Aegypt or some other place Yes Horeb was the same with Mount Sinai if you compare Deut. 4.10 11. with Exod. 19.18 It s evident and there God appeared gave out the Law and made a Covenant with them Deut. 5.2 And it was called the mount of God 1 K. 19.8 Now here they made a Calfe here they sin'd and this was a great aggravation of their sinne insomuch that Deut. 9.8 Moses saith In Horeb they provoked the Lord to wrath even destroying wrath So touching Gilgal the Scripture speakes of Gilgals wickednesse Hosea 9.15 Of sacrificing Bullocks there Hosea 12.11 And multiplying transgression there Amos 4.4 The Lord tooke their sins at Gilgal very heinously and cause he had for it At Gilgal were the 12. memoriall stones of their passing over Jordan pirched Josh 4.20 At Gilgal they were circumcised and God rolled away the reproach of Egypt from them Josh 5.8 9. There they had the Passâ—over vers 10. Gilgal being a place famous for these things their sins at Gilgal did iâ—crease their reproach and aggravate their villany Where God haâ—h manifested himselfe and done remarkable things sinne there is double sin Psal 106.7 They provoked him at the sea even at the red sea Where God pittied them being in a great streight where God shewed his mighty power in dividing the seas in leading the Israelites safely through and in drowning the proud cruel bloody adversaries yet there they provoked him at the sea even the red sea So for Canaan which was the holy land the land of uprightnesse the land where God had shewn and done great things for them sinne there hath an emphasis set upon it Isa 26.10 There they deale unjustly Ezek. 20.8 When I had brought them into the the Land for which I lifted up mâ— hand to give it to them Foure times he accents their sin there they offer their sacrifices there they present the provocation of their offerings there they made their sweete savour there they poured out their drinke-offerings God hath given us in this Land in this City many choise mercies done wonderfull things for us shall it be said Here they commit sinne where the Gospell and meanes of grace are where they have lately entered into Covenant with me where they have seene my hand stretched out to doe many great things If it be so there will be an accent upon our sins 3. Violence is a spreading sin they have filled the Land with violence with wrong injustice oppâ—ssion The Princes had violent hands they oppressed and exacted of the people The Judges were evening wolves that sought prey devoured greedily Zep. 3.3 that oppresse a man and his house Mica 2.2 Ez k. 45.8 9. The rich men they were full of violence Mica 6.12 and wrong'd the poorer sort servants were infected with this sin and fill'd their Masters houses with violence deceit Zeph. 1.9 The Priests they violenced the law Zâ—ph 3.4 Ezek. 22.26 They corrupted it with their glosses forced interpretations constructions such as God never put into it they set by the law and set up their owne inventions wils traditions by which the law was made void Thus violence had fil'd the Land the City the Sanctuary and ran through all sorts of men If freedome from this sin had been any where it 's probable in Jerusalem some should have been found free but Zeph. 3.1 Woe to the oppressing City And Jer. 6.6 Shee is wholly oppression in the middest of her Not only oppressing but oppression she was throughly grown and perfect in that sinne and not only oppression but wholly oppression nothing remaining in her but oppression and this evident vibsile in the midst of her Princes Priests rich servants poore oppresse wrong offer violence one to another Jer. 5.1 Run see seeke if there be a man that executeth judgement All were for violence none for justice 4. Injustice is abhomination unto God and the more it spreads the greater abhomination it is the Lord calls them abhominations for they have fil'd the Land with violence violence in the Princes was abhomination violence in the Priests was abhomination oppression in the rich was abhomination injustice in their Judges was abhomination injury and wrong in their servants and officers was abhomination and all these amounted to abhominations Injustice and violence are crying sins Isa 5.7 The Lord looked for judgement but behold oppression for righteousnesse but behold a cry There were hundreds and thousands crying because their Orchards and Vineyards were taken from them their wages detain'd and themselves and their houses ready to be swallowed up by the mouths of the violent The word for oppression Behold oppression Mishphat and behold Misphak in Hebrew is a scab a wound a leprosie when a body is free from these its beautifull but when over-run with these its loathsome Injustice was a scab adherent to the Jews and made them abhominable Oppression was a wound and made them incurable
cry in mine eares with a loud voyce yet will I not heare them HEre is a sad Epiphonema or conclusion hee had oft in the Chapter cal'd upon Ezekiel to see the doings which being shewn unto him the Lord sounds in his eares what dreadfull things he will doe Deale in fury c. The Scripture mentions Gods anger Psal 30.5 his indignation Psal 69.24 his wrath Isa 54.8 and his fury Jer. 10.25 and these exceed each the other Anger is the displeasure of God against sinne indignation is anger more intense therefore Isa 30.30 it s cal'd indignation of his anger Wrath is yet higher and permanent according to that in Nahum 1.2 He reserveth wrath for his enemies Arist 4. Ehic c. 5. and fury is highest Job 20.23 The fury of his wrath It s ira nunquam conquiescens donec sumatur vindicta In Jer. 21.5 Fury and great wrath goe together and when God is in his fury he rests not till he be revenged Jer. 7.20 My fury shall be powred out upon this place upon man and beast upon the trees fruit and ground and burne unquencheably Ezek. 16.41 42. When Jerusalem should be destroyed then God would make his fury to be at rest Mine eye shall not spare neither will I have pitty Of these words hath been spoken before Observ 1. There is a time when God who is patient gracious and slow to wrath will deale in fury he that delights in exercising mercy hath a time for fury and trading in it hee that is patient and long-suffering hath times of being furious When is it that God will deale in fury 1. When lesser judgements will not serve turne if he threaten in anger smite in his indignation and wrath and there be no good use made of those stroaks then will the Lord appeare in fury Levit. 26. God threatens them with sundry inferiour judgements and if they do not work but still walk contrary to God vers 28. then saith God I will walke contrary unto you also in fury If they grew worse God would be more violent and furious 2. When a reformation is offered and râ—fused Jer. 51.9 We would have healed Babylon but she is not healed forsake her for her judgement reacheth to heaven and is lifted up to the skies So much fury should be poured out upon Babylon that heaven aire and earth should wonder at it Ezek. 24.13 14. Because I have purged thee and thou wast not purged thou shalt not be purged from thy filthinesse any more till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee I the Lord have spoken it c. When God tenders a Reformation to a people it 's great love rich mercy and mercy refused is mercy abused and that turnes into fury and Gods fury shall not only be powred out against such a people but rest upon them which is much more 3. When men are furious against God his servants ways when they cannot endure his Prophets Saints and Ordinances then is a time for Gods fury to break out When the Husbandmen in the Parable would not endure Christs servants nor himselfe but beate and ston'd them then fury came forth and miserable destruction was the portion of those men Mar. 21.35 36.38.41 When righteous Lot being abus'd was got out of Sodom then God sent fire and brimstone upon it and poured out his fury like fire as it is in Nahum 1.6 and 2 Chron. 36.16 17 18. They mock'd the messengers of God despised his words misus'd his Prophets untill the wrath of the Lord arose and it rose very high even to the height of fury for he brought the King of Babylon in fury upon them who slew their young men in the Sanctuary who had no compassion upon man or maiden young or old all men and things were given into his hand all their glorious things were burnt and laid wast 4. When there is a generall corruption in State Church then the fury of the Lord will appeare then will he deal in fury Gen. 6.5 6 7.13 This will appeare more fully in the next obseâ—vation 2. Oppressions in a State Superstition and Idolatry in the Church doe cause God to deale in fury there was violence in the land and the branch at their nose and therefore God would deale in fury Jâ—r 21.12 O house of David thus saith the Lord execute judgement in the morning and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor lest my fury goe out like fire and burnt that none can quench it Where there is want of Justice there will be plenty of Oppression and where that is the doore is open for Gods fury it 's kindled and will breake out against such a State whatever it be and for Idolatry see Ezek. 16.36 Because thy filthinesse was poured out and thy nakednesse discovered through thy whoredomes with thy lovers and with all thâ— Idols of thine abhominations Vers 38. I will judge thee saith God as women that breake wedlocke and shed blood are judged And how is that Levit. 20.10 Gen. 9 6. They were without mercy to be put to death and so God would doe I will give thee bloud in fury and jealousie If these sinnes be amongst us we have cause to tremble for they will cause God to deale in fury to cast upon us the fury of his wrath as it 's Job 20.23 They will cause fury to be upon our Armies Isa 34.2 and Jer. 21.4 5 6. Behold saith the Lord I will turne backe the weapons of Warre that are in your hands wherewith you fight against the King of Babylon and against the Chaldeans which beesige you without the walls and I will assemble them into the midst of this City and I my selfe will fight against you with an out stretched hand with a strong arm even in anger and in fury and in great wrath And I will smite the Inhabitants of this City both man and beast and they shall dye of a great pestilence And those dye not shall be madde when they are made to drinke of the cup of Gods fury Jer. 25.15 16. Gods fury is a trampling thing Isa 63.3 A bloody thing Ezek. 16.38 Fiery and plentifull he powrs it out like fire Lam. 2.4 therefore let us tremble and prevent Gods fury which is so terrible and doe as is written Jer. 4.3 4. Breake up the fallow ground sow not among thornes circumcise your selves to the Lord and take away the foreskin of your hearts yee men of Judah and Inhabitants of Jerusalem lest my fury come forth like fire and burne that none can quench it because of the evill of their doings 3. Gods dealing in fury is dreadfull he will not spare not pitty nor be moved to mercy And is not this dreadfull You may think it 's never so with God but the Scripture saith it here and in other places Ezek. 24.13 14. Thou wilt not be purged I will cause my fury to rest upon thee and what ever you commit I the
blaspheming The story of Nightinghale is known which Mr. Fox relates how abusing that Scripture he that saith he hath no sin is a lyar and the truth is not in him he fel out of the Pulpit brake his necke Another making mouths at a godly Minister preaching had his mouth drawn greatly awry and so dyed One present in this congregation was an eye-witnesse of a woman scoffing at another for purity and walking holily had her tongue strucken immediately with the palsie and dyed thereof within two days Take heed of jeering and scoffing the penitent Thiefe was admitted into Paradise when the scoffing one was sent to hell 2. Princely and high conditions are quickly laid in the dust Pelatiah a Prince of the people in great honour all things about him as heart could wish likely to have continu'd long here is brought in a dead corps there is no certainty in any condition Acts 12. Dan. 5. Exod. 14. how suddenly was Herod eaten of worms Nebuchadnezzar driven from his Palace and Pharoah drowned in the bottom of the sea 1 Thes 5.3 When they shall say peace and safety then sudden destruction c. And Christ said yee know not what houre the Lord will come watch So we know not what hour death will come therefore let us watch The Papists call upon St. Christopher to keep them from sudden death let us call upon Christ to prepare us for and preserve us in death 3. God sometimes meetes with wicked men when his Ordinances are dispensing When I prophecyed then Pelatiah dyed it was at the time of prophesie when the word is preached other Ordinances administred then doth God smite sinners sometimes present at the Ordinance and sometimes absent as Pelatiah was Ezek. 37.7 As I prophecyed there was a noise and behold a shaking and the bones came together This was done as he prophecyed there was great vertue and efficacy in his words so here when he prophecyed a noyse was heard and behold a shaking Pelatiah shakes and shakes to pieces the power of Ezekiels prophesie in Babylon slayes Pelatiah at Jerusalem There is a converting power in the Word which converts when men are present but there is a wounding and confounding power in it also when men are absent and present When the Apostles preached sometimes the holy Ghost fell upon men Acts 10.44 and sometimes heavy judgements Elimas the sorcerer is smitten blind Ananias and Saphira are strucken dead if not in the time of the Ordinance yet immediately thereupon Jeroboam thrusts out his hand to take hold of the Prophet which prophecyed against the Altar at Bethel and his hand was dryed up 1 K. 13. When Paul was preaching Eurichus sleeps falls downe and is taken up dead Acts 20.9 at that time he fell down when the ordinance was dispensing and certainly when the servants of God doe preach and prophecy against sinners present or absent sometimes God smites them Hos 6.5 I have hewed them by the Prophets the word was an axe in their mouths and every time they prophecyed judgement they hewed the state and particular persons 1 Kings 19.17 They escape the sword of Hazâ—el and Jehu shall Elisha slay how by his prophecying and preaching This God doth to put honour upon his word that so men may feare respect his Ordinances and take heed how they heare 4. Not only judgements themselves are to be observed but the circumstances of them also When I prophecyed then Pelatia dyed he notes the time in a speciall manner Circumstances of time place person do adde much weight to the judgments of God and truth of a story here you have all the time when Ezekiel prophecyed the place the doore of the Eastern gate of the Temple at Jerusalem v. 1. the name Pelatiah These adde strength to the judgements and prophesie Circumstances commend mercies and aggravate judgements to be smitten when the Prophet was prophecying against him sets out the judgement with life and terrour Circumstances help to serue the thing into the heart and to fasten it upon the memory the time of things is much mentioned in the word be it of sins Jer. 11.15 When thou dost evill then thou rejoycest or of mercies when Manasseh was brought back to Jerusalem then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God 2 Chron. 33.13 or of judgements Judg. 5.8 They chose new gods then was warre in the gates Numb 11.33 While the flesh was between their teeth ere it was chewed the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people and he smote them with a great plague So Dan. 4.30 While the word was in the Kings mouth the voyce was heard thy Kingdome is departed from thee And Dan. 2.5 Whiles Belshazzar tasted wine in the bowles of the Temple in the same houre came forth fingers that writ letters of death upon the wall And of Vzziah it 's said then he was wroth and whiles hee was so the leprosie even rose up in his forehead 2 Chron. 26.19 The Prophets observed the times of Gods giving out the threatnings and the times of execution 5. Holy and good men feare when the judgements of God fall heavily and suddenly upon wicked men Psal 52.6 When Gods hand should fall upon Doeg saith David the righteous shall see and feare what shall they see to make them feare the glory and power of God in executing justice in cutting off delinquents Psalm 9.16 The Lord is knowne by the judgements hee executeth known to be most powerfull glorious dreadfull he is present in them and the godly have eyes to see much of him When Angels appeared Gideon a man of valour and others feared much more when God appears in thunder lightning in sudden and grievous judgements there is cause of feare When Vzzah was smitten with a sudden stroak David was affraid of the Lord 2 Sam. 6.9 this might occasion that in the 119. Ps 120. My flesh trembleth for feare of thee and I am affraid of thy judgements Gods judgements are now abroad and not only wicked men but good also are cut down suddenly Let us fear and not only that but doe as the Prophet and other holy men did at such a time Isa 26.8 9. Let us wait for God let the desire of our soules be to his name let us desire him in the night seeke him early with our spirits for now is the time that the inhabitants of the world should learn righteousnesse 6. Suddain or great judgements doe put the Saints and servants of God upon humble earnest and argumentative prayer humble Then fell I down upon my face earnest and cryed with a loud voyce argumentative Ah Lord God wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel Judgements look'd upon by the Saints are of an humbling nature prompt them with arguments to wrestle with God and that earnestly Josh 7.5 6 7 8 9. 7. When God begins judgements with some are wicked among them the godly look upon it as an inlet to publique misery wilt thou
And David professeth he had seene God in the Sanctuary Ps 63.2 God would be a Sanctuary to them in this sense they should have his special presence he had left the Temple at Jerusalem the glory was gone and now he was with them in Babylon Ezekiel had the Heavens opened to him by the River Chebâ—r saw visions of God God did manifest himselfe in a speciall manner to him and to Daniel even in Babylon God had no Church elsewhere and now he was with his people there and calls them his flock foure times in one v. Ezek. 34.8 and twelve times his flocke in the whole Chapter 3. Acceptance in the Temple and sanctuary their persons and prayers were accepted there Hence was it that they freequented the Temple so much for prayer Acts 3.1 Luke 18.10 And that David intimates Ps 20.3 that the Offerings and Sacrifices in the Temple were accepted He heard my voyce out of his Temple Ps 18.6 So Jer. 6.20 When they had corrupted the worship of God he tells them there burnt Offerings were not acceptable nor their Sacrifices sweet before they were and the Prophesie is Isa 60.7 That they shall come with acceptance to Gods Altar Where his Altar was setled there was the acceptance this they had likewise in Babylon When Daniel made his prayer to God for himselfe and his People Chap. 9. Gabriel comes and tells him he was greatly beloved of God a man of desires So when Mordecai and Esther fasted their persons and prayers were regarded accepted in Babylon 4. Incouragement and helpe Ps 20 2. Helpe came from the Sanctuary and strength from Sion Strength and beautie are in his Sanctuary Ps 96.6 There they had councell to direct them Ordinances to Sanctifie them and promises to comfort them These they should not want in Babylon God would be to them such a Sanctuary as should afford them helpe Therefore he stirred up the Spirit of Jeremiah to write to the captives and to counsell them what to doe Jer 29.5 6.7 Build you houses and dwell in them plant Gardens and eat the fruit of them take Wives beget Sonnes and Daughters and take wives for your Sonnâ— and give your Daughters to Husbands that they may beare Sonnes and Daughters that yee may be increased there and not diminished And seeke the peace of the City whether I have caused you to be carryed away Captives and pray unto the Lord for it for in the peace thereof shall yee have peace And God gave them prophets in Babylon Though they had no materiall Temple to worship God in yet God would sanctifie them and give them grace to worship him metu interno Ezekiel and Daniel by whom he counseld them from tyme to time some Ordinances they had what they wanted God made up himselfe being a speciall Sanctuary unto them he also made Babylon an ordinance to cleanse them and for promises they had many divers in this Chapt. and others as the 34. the 36. Which is full of sweet gracious and comforting promises A little Sanctuary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some take this word Adverbially and render it Paulisper So Polanus Junius and Castal God would be a Sanctuary to them a little time and so to point out the shortnesse of the time they should be in Babylon and thereby to comfort them against their Captivity 70 Yeares was not long and all that time they should have God a Sanctuary Others take the word adjectively Sanctuarium parvum or modicum so Montanus Pisc the Vulgar and the French Why his expression is layd downe a little Sanctuary we must inquire 1. In opposition to that they had at Jerusalem that was very beautifull rich and glorious set in Ivorie Ezek. 7. â—0 eyed of all resorted unto by all the Jewes and famous throughout the Earth God would be a Temple to them but not such a materiall conspicuous Temple You think upon that great glorious Temple are troubled for it I will be a little Temple to you 2. Little in regard of the paucitie that were there you are but a feâ— and a little Temple will suffice you Vatab. hath it Templum paucâ—rum Here they have no great Congregations but Exiguae domunculae supersunt in quibus congregatis adero Aecolamp and Calviâ— Sanctuarium paucitatis many fell to the wayes of the Heathens being mingled with them they learned their wayes and served their gods few were godly 3. In regard of the hidden vertue power and goodnesse conveyed unto them which Babilonish eyes saw not they thougth their God had wholly forsaken them d d nothing for them but he was an invisible spirituall wonderfull and strange Sanctuary unto them all which was little to that they had in their owne Land there they had mercy more openly and more plentifully Will bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Et fui I have beene a little Sanctuary and will be Ps 69.11 I became a Proverb to them the word is Vaaebi I have been its future yet rendered in the preter tense and so much it sheweth here that God had been and would be a Sanctuary to his people in Babylon Obser 1 The harsh dealing of wicked and corrupt men with the godly occasions God to give out comfortable tru hs and promises unto them they at Jerusalem that were very evil said get yee farr from the Lord unto us is this Land given in possession therefore say thus saith the Lord c. because they spake so bitter therefore God speaks so comfortably because they rejected them denyed them to have to do with God or the land therfore God receives them tells them he will be a Sanctuary unto them When others beat the Child the Parents Bowells yerne especially if unjustly and shew the more kiâ—dâ—esse When Rabshakeh rayld against Hezekiah Gods People and blasphem'd from thence did the Lord take occasion to signifie by Isaiah to Hezekiah and the rest things very comfortable 2 Kings 19.6 Thus saith the Lord Be not affraid of the words which thou hast heard with which the servants of the King of Assyria have blasphemed me Behold I will send a blast upon him and he shall heare a rumor and returne to his owne Land and I will cause him to fall by the Sword in his owne Land God tooke a rise from the enemies blasphemies and rough proceedings against his people to give in promises of mercy to his and of destruction to them when the enemy had dealt barbarously with Rachell slaine and captiv'd her Children and she refused to be comforted because they were not hereupon the Lord steps in and saith Refraine thy voyce from weeping and thine eyes from teares for thy works shall be rewarded and they shall come againe from the Land of the enemy because they have destroyed thy Children therefore will I give thee Children because they are scattered abroad therefore they shall returne When the Pharisees had cast out the blind man Jesus sought him out found him and told him who he waâ—
and miserable conditions God sends in hope and helpe they were now stript naked of all their comforts amidst Barbarians in a servile sinking condition saw no likelyhood of bettering their condition being under the hand of a potent and severe Adversary yet now hope and helpe comes in I will gather you you that are Captives desolate more low and miserable then ever you were even you will I gather thus God lets in comfort to them in their comfortlesse estate and its Gods way to doe so When the Israelites cryed in Aegypt by reason of their bondage when they were sorely afflicted saith the Text God heard them remembred them looked upon them and had respect unto them Exod 2.24 25. And in the next Chapter he appeares to Moses tells him he had seen their affliction knew their sorrows and was come to deliver them vers 7 8. When people are outwardly or inwardly low its Gods method frequently if not constantly to afford reliefe Psal 116.6 I was brought low and he helped mee He was low in Sauls dayes low in Absoloms but the Lord helped him When power is gone from a people and none to be found in publique or private to help a people then are they in an afflicted miserable condition yet then God affords helpe Deut. 32.56 So Nehem. 9.27 In the time of their trouble when they cryed unto thee thou heardest them from Heaven and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them Saviours When the Jews were brought low by Haman and at the borders of death all of them God appeared in Esther Abasuerus turned the storme upon Haman himselfe and helped the Jewes in that strait 3. Things which are hard and seem impossible to flesh aâ—d blood are easie unto God How difficult was it to the judgement of those Captives to conceive a returne they were farr from Jerusalem the journeys long and dangerous they at Jerusalem had rejected them they were under a mighty Tyrant the terrour of Nations they were scattered in severall places imployed to servile worke for the profit pleasure of the Chaldeans as digging in their Mines plowing of their Fields dressing of their Vines if they should stirre to get away the King had command of 127. Provinces and could presently raise Forces to fetch them back or cut them off c. These and such like thoughts made it seem difficult if not impossible to them that they should ever returne againe to Jerusalem but the Lord would gather them it was an easie act to him no more then a Shepheard gathering of his Flock into the fold he whistles or sends out his Dogg and presently they all runne into his Fold so when God spake the word mov'd the heart of Cyrus he made a Proclamation for the Jewes to go up to Jerusalem and presently it was done In Ezek. 37.11 You may read the Jewes apprehensions of their conditions they say Our bones are dryed our hope is lost we are cut off for our parts They thought themselves like dead and dry bones that lye in the bowels or on the face of the earth without hope of life or ever returning into their owne Land but by the Parable of the dry bones which at a word of Prophesie were inlâ—veâ—ed raysed and made a great Army God shewed what he could easily doe in things seeming to man impossible and he applyes it to them Vers 12. Behold O my people I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves and bring you into the Land of Israel They conceived it as impossible for them to repossesse their Countrey as for a dead man to live buâ— it was easie with God There is nothing too hard for God he could bring a great Nation out of Sarahs dead womb Gen. 18.14 Jer. 32.27 God tells them that he is the Lord the God of all flesh and then askes them this Question Is there any thing to hard for me Did I not bring you out of Aegipt Laed you through the red Sea through the Wildernesse set you in the pleasant Land and can I not bring you back into it though scattered up and downe in Babylon Vers 37. Behold I will gather you out of all Countries whither I have driven you in mine anger and will bring you to this place and cause you to dwell safely Luke 18.27 Things unpossible with mâ—n are possible with God 4. Lands and Countries are the Lords to dispose of to whom he pleases I will give you the Land of Israel the Earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof the World and they that dwell therein Psal 24.1 And he disposes the Kingdomes thereof Psal 115.16 The Earth hath he given to the Sonnes of men There is not a Sonne of man which hath any spot of Earth or Kingdome in the World but the Lord gave it him he rules in the Kingdomes of men he takes them away and gives them to whom he will Dan. 4.31 32. He is God of all the Kingdomes of the Earth Isa 37.16 And Cyrus acknowledged that God had given them all to him Ezra 1.2 Being the Lords he may justly dispose of them as seems good to himselfe This Land of Israel was possessed by Canaan the Son of Cham and called the Land of Canaan but his Posterity for their wickednesse were spued out of it Levit. 18.25 and then God gave it to the seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob whose name was changed to Israel and thence his Posterity called Israelites and so this the Land of Israel but they through their Idolatry and oppression forfeited this Land and now God had given it into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar after they had possessed it 850. yeares Sin thrusts people out of their Countrey and robs them of their rights and priviledges Isa 13.22 And had not God given them this Land againe they had had little or no right to it God gave it to Abraham when the Canaanites had it and he gives it to the Israelites when the Chaldeans had it 5. The afflictions of the Church though great and grevious yet have their period now Israel was in Babylon their Countrey City Temple Ordinances Publique worship were gone They were amid'st Idolaters prophane blasphemous persons in a polluted place which was very sad yet this condition should have an end God would gather them out from Babylon into the holy and pleasant Land where they should enjoy choice mercies againe God will not alwayes chide The Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neither keepe his anger for ever Psal 103.9 Here at the beginning of their Captivity Gods heart was relenting and he laid in this gratious promise to refresh them Man when he is offended is not onely angry but bares grudges in his heart seeks revenge and the ruine of them have wrong'd him as Haman Mordecai and the Jewes but it 's not so with God he may be angry for 70 yeares but that is not alwayes for ever Isa 54.7.8 It was but a moment a small moment
Law but by the Preaching of Faith Gal. 3.2 and that spirit made their hearts tender When Job was in his great afflictions they softened not his heart but he sayth God made soft his heart Job 23.16 that was by his spirit Easily admitting or receiving this is the formall intrinsicall nature of this tendernesse that its like Wax taking in impressions the stony heart yeilds not but resists this resists not but yeilds like Gideons Fleece it drunke in the dew as fast as it fell Judges 6. Like the soft earth which drinkes in the raine not like the Rocks and Mountaines which shoot it off Heb. 6.7 Hence sayth Moses Deut 33.3 speaking of Saints who have tender hearts and sit at Gods feet Every one shall receive of thy words And Paul speaking of a naturall man 1 Cor. 2.14 he sayth The naturall man receives not the things of the spirit his heart is stony not tender and so without a capacity of receiving what ever spirituall things are propounded its ready to say as Samuel Speake for thy servant heareth 1 Sam. 3.10 Let God or any from God offer any spirituall things unto a tender heart its ready to receive them Acts 9.6 sayth Saul Lord what wilt thou have me to doe propound what thou pleasest unto me Discoveries of this tendernesse 1. It s affected with and mournes for that hardnesse remaines in it that it is not more tender and wrought upon by the mercies Ordinances judgements of God David was sensible of his hardnesse and deadnesse and therefore cryes oft to God for quickning Psal 119.154 Quicken me according to thy word 156. Quicken me according to thy judgements 159. Quicken me according to thy loving kindnesse 2. It feeles the least sins and rysings of corruptioâ— as some bodies are so tender that they discerne any distempers stirre in them presently others are hardy and discerne little till it come to some dangerous disease It s not so here a heart spiritually tender is sensible of the least sinne Davids heart smote him for cutting off c. the least moat in the eye crumme in the windpipe are troublesome to them and so the rysing of corruption the very being of sin in the heart is troublesome to a tender heart Paul saw and felt the Law in his members warring against c. 3. It hearkens and yeilds to reproofes Salt will not enter into a stone but into flesh seasons it and makes it savory Reproofes are Salt they enter into fleshy and tender hearts Prov. 17.10 A reproofe entereth more into a wise man then an hundred stripes into a foole Vatablus hath it Descendit in cordatum increpatio his heart is tender and a reproofe presently makes impression the doore opens and it goes in whereas the heart of a foole will not be beat open with many stripes Nec credit nec cedit but the tender hearted wise and godly beleeve and yeild David Psal 141.5 Let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindnesse and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent oyle Reproofes soften tender hearts harden stony ones Proverbs 29.1 4. It hath a lively sense of Gods dishonour and the Saints wrong 1. Of Gods dishonour Psal 119.136 Rivers of water run downe mine eyes because they keepe not thy Law When David saw Gods worship corrupted heard his name blasphemed beheld his Law openly violated his tender heart bled withâ—n him melted into teares and wept abundantly that the infinite holy glorious great God should be so dishonoured by sinfull dust and ashes And Psal 69.9 The reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me David reproved men that reproached God by their lips and lives and they reproached him for it Lots righteous soule was vexed at the filthy c. 2 Pet. 2.7 2. The Saints wrong and Churches suffering 2 Cor. 11.29 Who is offended and I burne not When any member of the Church suffered Paul was afflicted grieved as a man burnt with fire and the more tender the flesh is the greater is the paine and so in the heart the tenderer that is the greater sense and paine hath it of others sufferings especially the Churches read the 79. and 80. Psalmes and you shall see how greatly Asaph was afflicted for the miseries of the Church the Saints suffered mâ—ch without and he suffered much within they were broken in their states and comforts and he was broken in his heart and spirit so Jer. 9.1 O that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountaine of teares that I might weep day and night for the slaine of the daughter of my people Acts 12.5 When Peter c. As Christ was tender of the Sain s when persecuted by Saul Acts 9. So every member of Christ participating of his tendernesse feeles in his degree the injuries done to the rest 5. It trembles at the word of God Isa 66.2 Contrition of spirit and trembling at the word doe goe together there is such Majestie authoritie holynesse severitie and glory in the word that a tender heart trembleth at it 2 Chron. 34.27 Josiahs heart was tender he trembled and humbled himselfe before the Lord when the Law was read before him And those in Ezra trembled at the words of the God of Israel Chap. 9.4 6. It s obedient unto the call and will of God its Cor â—equax morem gerens domino let the Lord call it saith here I am what wilt thou have me to doe whether shall I goe I am ready for it Abraham had a tender heart and when God cal'd for his Isaac and bad him goe and offer him upon mount Moriah Gen 22. he had a tractable heart he yeilded presently to the Lord without any dispute or delay a tender heart is an obedientiall heart J siah was tender heâ—rted and he did the will of God most throughly of any of the Kings of Judah none of them did reforme so as he did 2 Chron 35.18 David was a man of a tender spirit and he fullfilâ—'d all the wills of God Acts 13.22 7. It s tender towards o heâ—s a tender heart hath a tender tongue and a tender hand the man hath such an heart speaks evill of none doth harme to none such an one is mercifull to his Beast much more to men he pities those are in a perishing way and would pull them out of the fire ahe Law of kindnesse is in his lips and actions of love are in his hands Jobs heart was soft Job 23.16 and you may finde what his words and actions were Chap. 29 11 12 13 15 16. When the eare heard me then it blessed me he spake such comfortable words to them gave them such good counsell that they blessed him for it and his actions were delivering the poor and fatherlesse helping the blind and lame and making the Widowes heart to rejoyce Tendernesse of heart breeds tendernesse towards others Its sayd of Esau he was red all over like a hairy Garment Gen. 25.25 hee was red and rough
the enemies 2. His Sonnes are slaine before his face 3. His eyes are put out 4. He is led into captivity 5. He is imprisoned till his death And why all these burdens Because he had a burden of guilt in his conscience which was worse then all the rest and that burden brings the burdens of judgement for so it s cal'd 2 K. 9.25 When Jehu shot an arrow into the heart of Joram a wicked King he saith The Lord laid this burden upon him Such a burden laid the Lord upon Jezabel for her whoredomes and witchcrafts shee is throwne out at a window her blood sprinkled upon the wall trod underfoot by horses and eaten up all by doggs except her skull feet and palmes of her hands 4. Sinfull Princes cannot escape the judgements of God he hath nets and snares to surprize them to hold them Zedekiah thought by flight to get away but the Lord spread out his net upon him and took him in his snare the Chaldaeans Army was Gods net and snare to catch sinners Habbak 1.13 God makes men yea takes them as the Fishes of the sea and vers 15. They catch them in their net meaning the Chaldaeans which troubled the Prophet that such wicked men should catch and spoyle the Jewes but the Lord knows how to make use of the worst men to execute his judgements So the Goths and Vandalls of old Turkes now to scourge the Christian World c. What base spirits hath God set on worke to correct us c. If God will catch men he hath nets if he will hunt them he hath snares 5. The Lord makes sinners helps helplesse Zedekiah had some Nobles Councellers friends about him a life or person-guard bands of Souldiers but I will scatter all that are about him to helpe him and all his bands God would put him into a helplesse condition they should none of them be able to releive him Men are apt in times of trouble to look unto some helps and hopes but they are vaine things soon blasted scattered Take heed of making flesh your arme of creature confidences Wicked men expect helpe from things beneath from those about them but they are frequently disappointed and so perplexed take Davids counsell Psal 146.3 Put not your trust in Princes nor in the son of man in whom their is no helpe vers 5. Happy is he hath the God of Jacob for his helpe VERS 15.16 And they shall know that I am the Lord when I shall scatter them among the Nations and disperse them in the Countries But I will leave a few men of them from the Sword from the Famine and from the Pestilence that they may declare all their abominations among the Heathen whither they come and they shall know that I am the Lord. IN these two Verses you have two great ends of Gods judgements the first is that the wicked may be convinced from what they have felt and seen that it was the Word of the Lord which they despised that he spake by Jeremiah and Ezekiel that they were his threatnings and now made good by him and this is in the 15. Verse The second is confession of their sin and Gods righteousnesse in their judgements and this is in the 16. Verse Obser 1 That sinners are of as little account with God as dust and chaffe this is held out to us in the words Scatter and Disperse men are no more before God then a little dust before the wind or chaffe in a Fanne the Originall word for disperse is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ventilavero Jer. 15.7 God sayd he would Fanne them with a Fanne and Isa 40.15 God counts the Nations as the small dust of the Ballance and Isa 41.2 Gave them as dust to the Sword 2. Judgements produce those effects which mercies doe not they had great means and mercies at Jerusalem in the Land City Temple but under those they did not know not confesse their sins and give glory to his Name but when they were deprived of their mercies under sad and sharpe judgements they should doe so Isa 26.9 When thy judgemâ—nts are in the Earth the Inhabitants of the World will learne righteousnesse Vers 16. In trouble have they visited thee 3. The Lord in the midst of his judgements shewes some mercy I will leave a few men Hebrew is men of number that may quickly be numbred Though many were destroyed by the Sword Famine Pestilence yet some would the Lord leave VERS 17.18.19.20 Moreover the Word of the Lord came unto me saying Sonne of man eate thy bread with quaking and drinke thy water with trembling and with carefulnesse And say unto the people of the Land Thus saith the Lord God of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and of the Land of Israel They shall eate their bread with carefulnesse and drinke their water with astonishment that her Land may be desolate from all that is therein because of the violence of them that dwell therein And the Cities that are inhabited shall be layd wast and the Land shall be desolate and yee shall know that I am the Lord. THese words containe the second generall part of the Chapter Viz. The sad condition of the people both before and after the Captivity of the King Having spoken of the Captivity of the King now he comes to the beseidging of the City In the 18. Verse a new Type is commanded in the 19. Verse it s applyed and there you have the end of its application which is desolation and vastation and the procreant cause of both Viz. the violence which was amongst them and in the 20. the end of Gods putting them into such an afflictive condition that they may know him to be the Lord. Eate thy bread with quaking Chald. In tre more Sept. In dolore Feare and perplexity of spirit makes men tremble and takes away the sweetnesse of any comfort present The Hebrew is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In commotione Cum tremore corporis such quaking as the earth quakes with or like unto Corne and Leaves so should the Prophet tremble quake in eating looking this way and that way as one affrighted Drinke thy water with trembling c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Septuagint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with torment affliction the Vulgar is in festinatione in haste as they did eate the Passeover This eating and drinking with quaking and trembling was to set out either the great feare should be upon them when the Babylonish Army should beseige them so that they should not injoy the comfort of those creatures without great trouble or the great Famine which should be in the Earth which should cause great feare and trembling least they should want and dye for hunger and thirst least others should snatch out of their hands or pull out of their mouths that little they had and so they were full of care in their eating and drinking Say unto the People of the Land That is those Jewes who were in the
it provokes God greatly and lays all wast ibid. it s call'd whoredome and wherein that lyeth 14. Idolatry a God provoking sin 150. a grievous sin and wherein it lyes 164. a wrong to God 151. causes God to depart 152. Idolaters act closely 163. not so closely but some espiall ibid. Idolatry infatuates wise men 165. the cunning of idolators ibid. are expensive ibid. forget all modesty 170. spreads to both sexes 172. makes shameless ibid. Idols were wept for how much more for God wrong'd 172. Idols besot 173 Idolatry loathsom 178. God sets a speciall mark upon idolators 194. who are such 195. Idolatrous worship stinking 195. brings destruction ibid. no symbolizing with Idolators 219 220 Idolators shall not go unpunish'd 467 Jehovi when used 257 Jeremy why he purchased Hannameela land 56 57 Jewes under the Law saved as we under the Gospel 216 Images of the Sun 5. Image of jealousie what it was why so call'd how seated 147. Images pull down Gods worship 149 Incense made of sweet and costly things 163. a token of worship ibid. Infirmities God pitties infirmities 368 369. so should men 376 Ingratitude makes God appeale to man 166 Injustice abhomination to God 182. a crying sinne ibid. Israel put for Judah 345. Israelit es why so call'd 152. the God of Israel a glorious God ibid. why stiled the God of Israel ibid. 325. why the house of Israel 263. the land of Israel why not the land of Judah 388. a choise land ibid. their severall captivities 389. by whom gathered ibid. the land of Israel hath many Eulogies in Scripture 355 Jubile what they did that yeare 56 Judgements of God sudden 36. they are his messengers 38. just ibid. 132. they linger not 43. walke where God pleases 44. by degrees he comes to severitie of them 121. generall when sin is so 131. Judgements God makes them known before he executes them 205. and why 206. none come but at the Lords appointment ibid. a time when God hastens judgments 206 207. no escaping Gods judgements 212. when judgements are abroad Christ intercedes 216. The Lord proceeds to judgement judicially 230. judgement begins at Gods own house and why 247 253. God in executing them manifests mercy 248. a time when judgement delayes not 248. judgments an extensive at sinners sins 254. God intense upon judgements ibid. they puzzle Prophets 261 262. Gods punishments exceed not mens sins 270. judgements are in the hand of Christ 287. at his dispose 296. He proceeds considerately 296 297. declares the cause of his proceeding to judgement 394. no waving of judgements ibid. God can use any instruments to accomplish them 351. the ground scope and end of judgements 353. sudden notes severity 360. immediately from the Lord terrible 360 361. judgements falling whilst ordinances are administring 362. the godly feare when wicked fall 364. put the Saints upon prayer ibid. the beginning of judgements an inlet to misery 364. judgements sanctified 397. how evidenced 397 398. God just in his judgements 467. not discern'd by wicked men 476. the cause in themselves ibid. judgements produce those effects mercies doe not 487. God shewes mercies amidst judgements 487. 497. wicked mens thoughts about judgements vaine 505 K Kingdomes have an end 33. their ruine is in themselves 52 53 Knowledge those will not know God in a way of mercie shall know him in a way of judgement 133 L Law to perish from the Priest what 119 Left I was lest what it meanes 256 Light given and taken away at pleasure 125 Lord God what they denote 257 Love where love it God dwells 225. it unites 417. once commanded to take the shield of faith twice to put on love ibid. Lyes termed barres 372 M Man who the man was cloathed with linnen 283. men unspirited against evill 64 men chiefe in place usually corrupt 336 men of rigid spirits 370 corrupt men are glad to be rid of the conscientious 370 371 Mark set a mark of that phrase see 227 228. Christs marking of his what it intimates 228 229. who it is is the marker of Saints 234. God distinguishes between the precious and the vile 236. 246. the mark of Christ and of the beast different 234. the deliverance of the markt ones a type c. 246 Meanes God carries on his worke by weak meanes 479 480 Meetings private ones lawfull 138 God hath honour'd them 139 Mercie of God is free in regard of persons places times 17. mercie is oft shewed when there is cause of sharpe judgements 18. abuse of mercies defiles them 82. choicest mercies apt to be abused 92. abuse causeth losse of them 95. mercy acts before justice 248. mercies sanctified produce answerable effects 397. God when in a way of mercy multiplies mercies 452. mercies oblige to obedience 454 Ministers what they should be what not 247. must deprecate judgements comming 260 261. the Lord acquaints them with his proceedings 266. why he doth this ibid. Ministers must doe their office 344. God enables them to the work 345. must tell men of their sins 346 347. must speake to those they are intended for 473. must declare what they have heard ibid. must be faithfull ibid. not look at the successe 477. must open things mysterious 490. must stand in the gap 520 521. termed builders husbandmen 526 Mischief what it notes 117. one follows upon another 120 Mountaines of Israel 2. speaking to them 3 Mourne Gods people should mourne for sinne and judgements that come by them 29. There be-times for great ones to mourne 128 129. why the godly mourn 238. to 240. for what England should mourn 240. to 242 N Necessitie it makes men seeke what was neglected before 115 Nehemiah what that name signifies 399 New how taken in Scripture 425 Number of the number Seaventie 162 O Obedient an obedientiall spirit suitable to Christs commands 156. all creatures at Gods command 212. 313. Christ himselfe 213. 288. the end of mercy is obedience 454. obedience how qualified 455. an evidence of the worke of grace ibid. t is from God 456. tis mans duty 480 One how the word may be taken 399. one heart how meant from 399. to 401. its description ibid. oneness of heart diversly consider'd from 401. to 403. when this oneness was amongst the Jewes 403 404. one heartednesse whether attainable in this life 404. mens hearts of themselves not one 406. oneness a great blessing ibid. the good of it particularized the evill of its contrary specified 407. oneness invites others 408. improves grace 409. furthers prayers ibid. an honour to Christ 410. sympathizes with each other ibid. an evidence of grace 411. makes willing to doe for another ibid. Helps to this oneness or unitie 411. to 416. preservatives of it 416. to 418. Inducements to it 418. to 422. Oneheartednesse the gift of God 422 Oppression a spreading sinne 191. what the Hebrew for it signifies 192 State oppression and Church corruption got together 193. Causes God to deale in fury 198.
matter ibid. delightsom 190. sinning under mercies manifested aggravates 191. sins cause God to deale in fury 198. how to prevent it ibid. sin makes God and the creature our enemy 211. drives away God and lets in wrath ibid. sins of others to be mourned for 238 239. sins may provoke to utter destruction 249. what those sins are 249 250. open sins involve our selves and others 250 251. sin and judgement 270. sins of Gods people fetch the greatest severity 273. God deales equally with sinners 274. He punishes them in places and by persons they thinke not of 352. God from sin takes occasion to shew mercy 484. sinners of little account with God 487. whether doe sinnes hasten judgement 504 505. sins make way for judgement 522 Snare what it signifies 484 Sorrow expressions of it by smiting stâ—mping saying alas 28. its the fruit of sin 69. godly sorrow how knowne 69 70 Soule put for appetite 77 Spirit new supplies needfull 140. its called the hand of the Lord and why 145. the agent by which Christ works 147. makes knowne the sins of men 149. helps in studying c. ibid. directs inferiour motions 308. 320. is God 336. the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me what it notes 344 Spirit variously taken 424. new Spirit how meant 425. new qualities included in this new Spirit 425 to 427. new qualities why called a new Spirit 427 428. the promise of a new Spirit when fulfilled 428. whether wrought at once 429. this new Spirit is a great mercy ibid. how it acts where it is 430. to 433. acts in a new manner and how that is 433 434. new Spirit the worke of God 435 436. whether mans spirit can close with objects propounded to it 436. whether it is in mans power to work this Spirit in himselfe 437. Spirit shews things at a distance 471. men acted by the Spirit are fit to speake to the people 472 Standiâ—g what it impoâ—ts 216. standing in the gap what it meaneth 520 521. standing in battell what 522 Statutes of God the Saints way 457 Streights in them men will seeke to those they hated 122 Strength humane not to be confided in 71 Sudden judgements severe 360. Superstition men love to have of their own in worship 9. that is so steales away the heart 20. provokes God 150. Crosses set in high wayes to promote superstition 149. men ingaged therein grow worse 164. superstition stirres up God to fury 198. is pleasing 466 Sympathize the godly sympatize with the miseries of others 259 260. how to be so affected 260 T Tammuz 168 169 Temple was Gods and the Jewes ornament 86. the beauty of it 87. true majesty and excellency of it 88. the mystery of the gates and doores about it 146. the building of Temples East and West whence it sprung 187. Christ the Lord of the Temple 291. there his glory appeares ibid. 293 when Christ leaves the Temple nothing but judgement remaines 293 Things how taken in the Hebrew 472 Thoughts of men are different from Gods 497 Threat's a time of fulfilling them 505 length of time does not null them 497 Throne what it is 280. the various acceptions ibid. the Lord hath kingly power and a double throne 280. his throne the chief of thrones 281. his throne glorious himself much more ibid. Time God looks not upon it at we doe 34. in corrupt times great persons prophane 175. even in reforming times ibid. in the worst times God hath some faithfull 230. God hath times to punish 524 525. whom God finds then in sinne they cannot stand 525 526 Traditions of Fathers no warrant for worship 176 Trouble Christ specially cares for his in times of trouble 217 Trumpets of what use 63 Truth it s not confind to any sort of men 124. time noted when truths are given out 137. Truth loves the light 167 V Valour wherein true valour lyes 72 Violence 104. a spreading sin 191. a crying sinne 192. a leprosie ibid. a wasting sinne 490 Vision a vision in Babylon not so cleere as a vision in Sion 279. God hath his time to make knowne visions 314. the vision of the Prophet reall 471. visions soone expire ibid. every vision faileth that Proverb opened 493. events discover visions 503 Unbelief the cause of mans going from God 167 Unitie spoken of at large from 399. to 424. vid. oneness Unthankfulnes causeth upbraidings 93 W Waite those waite on God loose not by it 140 Walking in Gods statutes what it imports 453 Wayes what 35. Wayes and works of all knowne unto God 132 Weake to be lookt upon by the strong 376 Wealth the fuell of sinne 77 78. it wounds in the day of wrath 79 Wheels what meant by them 283. 467. going in between the wheels what it notes 283 284. standing beside the wheels what 295. wheels what they note 303. desâ—ribed explained 303 304. wheels â—like in all places 306. a coherence in their motions 307 constant in their motions 308 309. move not of themselves 320. nor disorderly or unseasonably ibid. Wicked men wise to promote superstition 149. consent in wickednessâ— 165. in streights will cry to God 199. devise mischief 337. consider not the evill day 339. 373. 476. oppose God 340. scoffe at the Word 340 341. Saints may rejoyce at the ruine of the wicked and in what respects 359. wicked men very secure 493. entertaine not threatnings 494. mock at truths 507 Word of God not in vaine 26. its ill to sliâ—ht is in prosperitie 122. priz'd in time of affliction 137. hath divers effects 362 363. the Word the râ—ale to walke by 457. the Word of the Lord shall stand 505 506 Words sinfull words of a spreading nature 495. God takes notion of ungodly speeches ibid. words of the wicked contrary to Gods 497 Work Gods work done by secret means 300 301. those doe it should hide their hands 302. man not able to judge of Gods works 306. works prove grace 456. God will try all mens works 550 World worldly things little to be valued 58. all things therein have dependencie 305. a methodicall disposing of things in the world ibid. whether all things alike in all parts of the world 305. in what sense alike 305 306 Worship nothing in it pleases God but his own 10. that is of mans in worship steales away the heart 20. God must appoint it 90. unspirituall pleases not 111. worshipping of God is gainfull 140. the minde must be intent to discerne aright of worship 155. superstitious worship affects the eye ibid. thâ—se have a call to it may safely examine worship ibid. where pure worship is there is Gods presence 157. corruptions in worship cause the Lord to depart 158. 469. mischief of it ibid. men may have formes and God gone ibid. false worship a worke of darknesse 166. men leaving true worship fâ—ll upon any 171. false worship and filthinesse usually goe together 171 172. Jewes worshipt towards the West and why 147. Sun-worship ibid. whence it sprung 174. 176. Eastern