be the King of Israell 9. The fift and last part followeth which is the conclusion of the Prophesie repeating first that which was said before of the peoples sinning like their fathers of Gibeah nothing moued with Gods mercifull and gracious dealing who cut them not off in that war against the wicked Beniaminites as they did deserue but suffered them to remaine 10. But because they will not learne to profit by Gods mercies Let me see whother they will profit by my Chastisements I think best to correct them to deliuer them bound in both their habitations of Israel and of Iuda to bee carried away Captiues 11. Next he doth garnish and adorne this conclusion by a double dissimilitude One is of the Israelites affection and disposition compared with Gods gracious counsell towards them Ephraim saith the Lord by the Prophet was taught true Piety and instructed in the feare of God my purpose was to haue tuned him that he might bee plyable to the yoake and draw in my plough and to occupie him in my seruice But he loues to take his ease and onely followeth after his pleasure and profit 12. The other by comparing Gods documents and instructions calling them to righteousnesse and holinesse that hath most large and ample promises annexed it 13. With their contrary deeds vnsatiable in iniquity 14. Lastly hee denounceth the Iudgement it selfe a cruell and mortall warre destroying them Amplifying this destruction First by the greatnesse set forth by a similitude That all sexes and ages shall be destroyed euen as Shalman Shalmanasar by all likelihood in that voyage which is spoken of 2. Kin. 18. 34. 19. 13. wasted and destroyed the countrey of Arbel afterwards renowned for the ouerthrow that Alexander the great gaue in that place vnto Darius 15. Secondly by the causes that brought this Iudgement vpon them They may thanke their idolatrie for it Thirdly by the speedinesse of the Iudgement Early that is to say quickly and anone it shall be done 4. By the certainty which the doubling of the word importeth CHAP. 11. 1. Because Israel is a youth whom I loue therefore out of Aegypt haue I called my sonne 1. These are the three Sermons touching the sinnes of the people and Gods iudgements against them for the same Now in two Sermonâ— more he setteth forth the promises of grace peace and reconciliation to a small remnant the little handfull of Gods elect which in this 11. Chapter being the first Sermon hee doth foure manner of wayes First is the fundamentall cause and ground worke of all the good things which God offereth or bestoweth vpon the Iewes which is the grace and fauour of God in and through Christ In whom because God loued them and adopted them for his Children therefore in his infinite mercy hee brought his sonne for their sake out of Egypt where their sinnes deserued he should perpetually remaine and neuer to haue come backe for the worke of their redemption So this place is applyed and expounded Math. 2. 2. As they called to them so went they from their presence they sacrificed vnto Baalim and burnt incense to their grauen Images 3. When as I acquaint Ephraim he taketh them in his arms and they know not that I heale them 4. With cords of a man doe I draw them with thick bands of loue and I am vnto them as those that lift vp the yoake put vpon their cheekes that I might reach meate vnto them 5. He was not to haue returned into the Land of Aegypt or of the Assyrian who is his King but they refused to conuert 6. To conclude when the sword abideth in his cities and consumeth his members and denoureth because of their owne counsels 7. My people are prone to rebellion against mee although they called them to the most high hee doth not withall exalt him 2. The second thing is the peoples extreame ingratitude refusing Christ but that is incled by mentioning the sinnes of the time hee liued in Idolatrie especially and the worship of false gods and is further amplified by comparing Gods gracious dealing in this behalfe and the holy means which he vsed to reclaim them First he called them by the Prophets 3. Secondly hee taught and enformed the people how he would be serued yet they set vp Idolls in his stead and after the manner of impudent and shamelesse strumpets tooke the puppets in their armes and embraced them before his face 4. Thirdly he heaped vpon them many fauors and tokens of his Ioue howbeit all Gods benefits could not keep them to him but they would needs flye vnto strangers for helpe Hee drew them not as beasts but gently and louinglie with the words of men Like a good husbandman hee lift vp the yoake from their necke to giue them meat 5. So as they wanted nothing there was no cause for them to runne for helpe eyther to the Aegyptian as Hoshea did or to the Assirian to whom they were tributaries from the time of Menachem yet they would not be stayd 6. Thirdly he layd vpon them heauie crosses and corrections The sword lodged in their houses it eate vp and consumed their very bodies because of their wickednesse 7. Yet they prone vnto rebellion tooke no heed nor gaue glorie vnto God though all these things the Word Gods blessings and afflictions invited them vnto him 8. How should I expose thee O Ephraim how should I deliuer thee vp O Israell how should I dispose thee as Admah how should I set thee as Zeboim Mine heart turneth it selfe within me together doe my bowels of repentance boyle 9. I will not execute the heat of my wrath I will no more destroy Ephraim for I am God Almighty and not a man the holy oxe in the middest of thee and I will not inuade the city 8. The third thing is the desolation of this people which well might haue beene a gulfe to swallow them vp and a graue to bury them in for euer being most worthy to perish as the Cities which God destroyed in his wrath Gen. 19. Howbeit God in the bowels of his mercy earning and taking pitie of them spareth to lay vpon them the extremitie of his wrath and is ready to saue them for his mercies sake This latter hath the proofes and reasons rendred for it which are three all taken from the consideration of the nature of God First his mercies as we said before 9. Secondly his vnchangeablenes being not a man that is alwaies variable and differing as well from himselfe as others but the mightie God whose purpose and decrees are constant for the sauing of the elect Thirdly his holinesse who is himselfe holy and the author of eternall sanctitie 10. After Iehouah shall they goe as a roaring Lion for hee shall roare and the children shall come trembling from the Sea 11. They shall come trembling as a bird out of Aegypt and as a doue out of Asshur and I will place them in their
of Gods great hand and power euidently seene in his late ouerthrow In this part you haue 1. The author The maiestie of God full of wrath and indignation 2. The time when in the iudgement of flesh blood he was far off and had of a long time 1600 yeares withdrawne himselfe from them 3. The Churches hymne and song to Gods praise 4. The weapons that God shall fight withall against them haile-stones and coales of fire as before Esay 27. 3. Ezech. 38. 39. Rev. 20. 8 9 10. 5. The generalitie of this destruction that shall light vpon him vers 31 32. 6. The eternitie of Gods decree fore-appointing him to this punishment And as the Iudgement should be marueilous and singular so he bestoweth a word vpon him neuer else-where vsed in such an argument As he doth Dan. 11. 45. the beginning of the 33 vers 7. There is a kinde of distribution The King himselfe the grand Signior aswell as the rest of the people shall fall in this destruction in the second part of the vers 8. Lastly is expressed the heauinesse of the Iudgement The 31 chapter which is added as a conclusion shortly comprehendeth the effect of the former chapter wherein after threatning of the Iewes and those in whom they put their confidence he resorteth to the promises made vnto the Church being in three steps or degrees 1. Gods zeale for his people in the praeparation to help them and in their blessed and happy deliuerie 2. Their conuersion and turning vnto him vttered exhortation-wise but yet as a prophesie of what should fall out indeed which the verse following doth more clearely expresse 3. The downefall of that mightie tyrant their enemie and oppressor of whom hee spake chap. 30. 31. which is declared by foure circumstances First it shall be by a iudgement of God from Heauen not by mans strength or power as Reuel 20. 8. 9. 10. Ezech. 38. and 39. Secondly his followers all those gallant Begs and Bashaws shall fall with him come downe and be brought into subiection Thirdly it shall be vnrecouerable all refuge shall faile him Fourthly the reason of all this comprehending the secondarie or instrumentall cause Tsion and Ierusalem God now dwelling there shall be made as a fire and burning furnace to consume all that are aduersaries to the Church Esay Chapt. 32. The first 8 verses are of the kingdome of Christ In the verse following is threatned an extreme desolation which shall continue till by the Spirit from aboue an other heart be put into this people to regenerate and make them new creatures vers 15. The fruit whereof is Righteousnes vers 16. Peace vers 17 18 and Ioy in the Holy Ghost vers 19 20. As Rom. 14. 10. All which things expressed by terrene similitudes include as well outward blessings as inward graces And so by the premises and conclusion a certaine inference may be gathered what are the times that this desolation doth point vnto Esay chap. 33. 34. 35. These three chapters are all of one argument The 18. verse which the Apostle 1 Cor. 1. 10. applieth to the times of the Gospell is a key to open the sense and vnderstanding of them First you haue the generall proposition He that maketh such waste and hauocke of Gods people the Iewes when the period which God hath set to his tyrannic is runne out shall himself be brought vnto confusion vers 1. wherefore to this grand enemie all the rest of the prophecie hath respect Which proposition is inlarged by a prayer of the whole Church that in so perilous a time wherein all humane helpe shall faile God would be an arme of defense for them all and euery one vers 2. and a discomfit to their foes both scattering their persons vers 3. and enriching his people with their spoiles vers 4. After which followeth a branching of the proposition in two diuided members The iudgement which God will execute for the reuenge of his Church vers 5. and the stabilitie of the Iewish Synagogue conuerted to Christ thorough faith and the feare of God vers 6. The former comprehendeth the Iewes extremities and Gods setting of them free Their extremities 1. No peace to be had at their enemies hands what equall conditions soeuer they do propound Which shall make euen the valiantest among them him whose heart is as the heart of a Lion to weepe bitterly vers 7. and all trauailing to and fro to cease vers 8. 2. The country shall lye all waste vers 9. for though I doe not denie but the Prophet might frame the mould of his speech by the things that fell out when Senacharib so dominierd ouer Gods heritage yet I hold this to be a prophecie not an historie and to respect that sore time of affliction Dan. 12. 1. for the auerting whereof it cannot be thought but the Iewes will seeke all meanes that may be of peace and quietnesse which the proud Turke will scorne and set at naught as that Tyrant did to bring iudgement vpon his owne head Gods wonderfull deliuerance of his people and the setting of them free ruining their foes is vers 10. 11 12. In the second part whereunto he moueth attention by proclaiming the excellencie of the worke vers 13. are all the memorable things whereof euery where in the Scripture promises are made vnto the Iewes to wit their first call the ouerthrow of their enemie and the glorious Church that shall be set vp among them In their call First by reason of a Prolepsis or Obiection of certaine hypocrites vnder the maske of counterfeit humilitie colouring their want of Faith and beleeuing of Gods promises for all shall not receiue the grace offred vers 14. he describeth the badge and markes of the persons whom God will vouchsafe to call vers 15. Secondly he setteth downe the promises themselues which are of six sorts 1. Their stabilitie vers 16. 2. The beauty of Christ dwelling among them vers 17. 3. The large spread of the Gospell Their eyes saith he shall behold the most remote nations ioyning in the profession of the same faith and subiect to them second part of vers 17. 4. Safetie and securitie voide of all feare Well may they think vpon the dangers past and call them to minde as ministring matter enough to scorne such attempts the counsels purses and forces of their enemies but neuer shall they neede to stand in feare of such or the like any more vers 18 19. 5. The excellencie of the Church vers 20. by reason of Christs dwelling there vers 21 22. 6 The fruit and benefit that shall come to euery one euen the seeliest and meanest vers 23 24. The ruine and ouerthrow of their enemies which commeth in the second place is Chap. 34. In it you haue a
the memory of former acts vers 18. and the first part of the 19. the watering of the dry and barren Desert with the dew of his grace the second part of vers 19. and vers 20. that is the framing and fashioning of this people so long cast off anew to the honour and praise of God vers 21. whose gracious and mercifull dealing in this behalfe is garnished and set forth two manner of waies 1. Notwithstanding they serued not the true God for God is not worshipped but in Christ vers 22. 23. 24 yet he onely for himselfe that is for his goodnesse sake will haue mercy on them vers 25. 2. Which their owne Consciences cannot but accuse them of vers 26. though for their transgressions the transgressions of their forefathers and of their chiefe principall persons that should be the Interpreters of the Will of God among them vers 27. he had worthily cast them off and exposed them to reproch vers 28. yet hee will performe most large and ample promises in powring aboundantly vpon them the graces of his Spirit chap. 44. vers 1. 2. 3. 4. 4. A fourth and last promise is the ioyning of other Nations vnto them in the socity of the Gospell whereby is intimated the full comming in of the Gentiles ver 5. Esay Chapter 49. IT describeth the calling of Christ from all eternity to the Office of Mediation vers 1. 2. and the benefit that shall thereby redound to others both the offer of saluation to the Iewes vers 3. and vpon their refusall vers 4. 5 the calling of the Gentiles vers 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. And lastly that the Iewes themselues after a long desolation vers 14. shall be thought vpon vers 15. wherefore touching the Iewes these things are deliuered in Order 1. Gods care and affection to them 1. part of vers 16. 2. Their conuersion and building vp 2. part of verse 16. and vers 17. 3. The repaire to their old seates 1. part of verse 18. 4. The surpassing glory excellency of their Church 2. part of vers 18. 5. The multitudes that shall ioyn themselues to Christ vers 19. 20. 21. 6. Their continuall concourse from out of the most remote parts vers 22. 7. The honour which the Nations shall do vnto them vers 23. 8. The ruine and destruction of the mighty Tyrant who can that be but the Turke that now holdeth them captiues vers 24. 25. 26. Esay Chapter 50. and 51. THe parts of this Prophesie are three In the first Christ sheweth the Iewes diuorce and Gods casting of them off to be most iust and their owne fault in refusing him vers 1. In the second he wondreth that his own people should set him so light 1. part of vers 2. seeing hee is as able as euer hee was to helpe them 2 part of vers 2. and verse 3. and as ready being furnished of his Father with all needfull graces fulnesse of the spirit and powerfull doctrine vers 4. obedience vers 5. patience vers 6. and constancie vers 7. and last his cause being so good and iust vers 8. 9. In the third part hee turneth his speech to the Iewes wherein 1. He quickneth the poor remnant such among them them as should receiue Christ vers 10. 2. Hee pronounceth against those that refuse Christ sentence of obduration from God vers 11. 3. By the example of his mercies to Abraham Sara from whom they were descended chap. 51. vers 1. 2. hee doth assure them that hee will comfort and conuert their soules 1. part of vers 3. which conuersion is set out by the excellency and happinesse of it 2. part of vers 3. and in that it shall draw with it the full comming in of the Gentiles vers 4. 5. 4. He promiseth the destruction of their enemies who being so powerfull and mighty and so sharpe set against them hee vseth many arguments to hearten and encourage the Iewes that they should not be afraid First Argument God will dissolue heauen and earth vers 6. Why then should they feare vers 7. for he can much more make the enemies of the Church to melt before his face vers 8. Second Argument is from the power of God in himselfe and from his owne mighty and outstretched arme 1. part of vers 9. Third Argument from former examples His iudgements vpon Pharaoh and the Land of Egypt 2. part of vers 9. and the drying vp of the red Sea for the people to passe verse 10 The like whereof he will doe for the redemption of the Iewes when they shall returne to Tsion vers 11. Fourth Argument from the nature of God our Comforter vers 12. Fifth Argument from his mighty powerfull workes who made heauen and earth 1. part of vers 13. bridleth the furie of the wicked that their hands are able to doe nothing 2. part of vers 13. and vers 14. and stilleth the raging Sea vers 15. Sixth Argument from his word and couenant with this people vers 16. Seuenth Argument by comparing the former tyrannizing of their enemies vers 17. 18. 19. 20. with Gods gracious deliuerance of them vers 21. 22. 23. Esay Chapter 52. to the 13. verse THis Chapter if it be a seuerall Sermon of it selfe and not a part of the former is all in promises to the people of the Iewes First is the freeing of them from the tyranny of their enemies to wit Gog and Magog vers 1. 2. 3. which is amplified by setting before them the like examples of Gods former mercies The Aegyptians saith hee whether the people went downe to soiourne causelesly oppressed them and I set them free So if the Assyrians that is to say the Babilonians vers 4. The like will I doe to these oppressors vers 5. The second promise is the communication of the knowledge of Iehouah Christ the speaker or Interpreter of his Fathers will vers 6. Thirdly the ioy and cheerfulnesse of the Church of the Iewes receiuing the Gospell of peace the Gospell of the Kingdome vers 7. 8. 9. Fourthly the large spread of the Gospell throughout the world vers 10. Fifthly the sanctitie of the new Ierusalem vers 11. Sixtly their safety and security through Gods protection in a more glorious sort then when they came out of Aegypt vers 12. Esay Chapter 54. THE barren one whom the Prophet addresseth his speech vnto is the Church of the Iewes in their desolation For first the fourth verse speaketh of her widdowhead as of one that once had beene a Church but now diuorced as chap. 50. 1 More plainely in the sixt verse shee is termed a wife forsaken and the wife of the youth none of which agree eyther to the Church of the Gentiles or the Catholike Church secondly in the 11. verse shee is sayd to be humbled tossed not comforted how fitting is that to their estate
a double argument ech in the nature of a prolepsis or obiection 1. It is true great afflictions shall befall the faithfull euen as soone as Christ commeth into the world the poore Innocents murdered c. vers 15. Howbeit the successe shall be prosperous and happy children shall be borne to the Church euery day euen out of the enemies country that is pulled out of the kingdome of Sinne and Sathan vers 16 17. 2. But much greater shall the lamentation be in the last dayes when Ephraim that is the Israelites in the sense of their many miseries and conscience of their sinnes the cause of it shall mourne bitterly and with teares of vnseined repentance seeke vnto the Lord. vers 18 19. whom God will most graciously take tender pitie and compassion of as a father doth of his dearling sonne vers 20. Whereupon he taketh vp againe the blessings which God will powre vpon this people of the Iewes returning vnto God The 23th therefore is The bringing of them home vnto their Cities to dwell in vers 21. The 24 vttered by way of encouragement is the wonderfull and miraculous ouerthrow of their mighty enemies by such sillie meanes as they Why saith he shouldst thou delay repentance and be afraid to ioyne thy selfe vnto me seeing for thee and by thee the Lord will worke a strange and wonderfull worke A woman the feeble nation of the Iewes shall compasse that is besiege and bring into straights and difficulties a valiant man the great and mighty tyrant their oppressor vers 22. So I interpret this place the same in effect which by an other allegorie is spoken Esay 26. 6. The 25. The glorious Church that shall be among them testified by others suffrages to be the habitation of the righteous and a hill of sanctitie vers 23. The 26 the thorough inhabiting and replenishing of the country vers 24. The 27 the aboundance of Gods blessings vers 25. The 28 Gods speciall loue and fauour the cause of all the rest who sleeping and waking hath euer a specall care ouer his Church vers 26. The 29 the multiplying of the people vers 27. The 30 Gods watching ouer them to doe them good vers 28. The 31 his punishments vpon the refractarie Iewes that will not beleeue vers 29 30. The 32 is the couenant of God most gloriously ratified and stablished with this people Which is here set forth by many arguments and amplifications vers 31 32 33 34. Now all these promises so great and excellent he doth confirme by two most noble comparisons 1. They are as certaine as the ordinance of the Sunne the Moone the Starres and the tides of the Sea vers 35 36. 2 It is as impossible they should faile as it is impossible to measure the heauens or to search the foundations of the earth vers 37. The 33 is the reedifying of the Citie of Ierusalem from one end vnto an other vers 38 39. first part of 40. The 34 and the last the perpetuall continuance of this their flourishing and happy estate 2 part of vers 40. Ieremie Chap. 33. IN this Chapter are many excellent promises whereunto a preparation is first made vers 1 2 3 4 5. and then the promises themselues laid downe Which are 1. The restoring of them 1. part of vers 6. 2. Aboundance of Gods blessings 2 part of vers 6. 3. It shall be both of Israel and Iudah vers 7. 4. Forgiuenesse of sinnes vers 8. 5. Other Nations reioycing and blessing God for it vers 9. 6. The ioy and happines of the people vers 10 11. 7. The inhabiting of the Country and the fruitfulnes thereof vers 12 13. 8. which is the ground and foundation of all The making of Christ to flourish amongst them by their embracing of Gods promises of peace and righteousnesse thorough him vers 14 15 16. 9. The flourishing state of the kingdome and weale-publicke in a perpetuall succession of Princes vers 17. 10. The flourishing state of the Church in a perpetuall succession of Pastors and Teachers vers 18. Lastly the certainty of these two promises that went last before is verified much by the same arguments that were vsed to that purpose Ierem. 32. vers 19. to the end of the chapter Ezechiel 16. THis Chapter doth maruellously fet forth the exceeding mercy and goodnesse of God in his first fauours vnto the Iewes vouchsafing to receiue them into the spirituall marriage bed in the first 14. verses and how many wayes they dealt most perfidiously and falsly with him from thence to the 52. verse for the which hee threatneth vtterly to cast them off vers 52. to verse 59. recompencing vnto them according to their wayes for as they made no reckoning of the curse annexed to the transgression of the Law and brake the Couenant made with God so would he break his Couenant made with them vers 59. yet such is the riches of his mercy to their posterity the generation that should come after a remnant according to election of grace he would extend grace and fauour And so he falleth to the sweet promises of the Gospell wherein you haue 1. The fundamentall cause and ground of all the rest Gods free gracious and euerlasting couenant vers 60. 2. The meanes their serious and true Repentance 1. part of vers 61. 3. Samaria that is the X. Tribes shall be called as well as they 2. part of vers 61. 4. The Gentiles also shall be receiued into participation of the Couenant and become sonnes and daughters of the Church begotten by the Word of the Gospell 3 part of vers 61. for by the younger sister is meant Sodome of the posterity of wicked Canaan 5. The instrument or hand of the soule to lay hold vpon the Couenant is Faith which standeth in the true and effectuall knowledge of God and wherewith they shall plentifully be indued vers 62. 6. The end of all is that being ashamed and confounded in themselues they may embrace the onely expiation which is to be had in the bloud of Christ vers 63. Vers 63. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When I shall expiate thee that is be reconciled vnto thee through the expiation made by the death of Christ Ezech. Chap. 20. 32. c to the end of the chapter THe Iewes obstinate and froward heart their hypocrisie and rebellion vers 32. ministreth occasion to the Prophet to fall into consideration of the kingdome of Christ who shall with an hard hand ouer-rule the sturdinesse of the wicked their insolent and proud stomacke vers 33. and contrariwise shew mercy and kindnesse to his people wherefore these things are heere handled in order 1. The gathering of them out of the countries where they were dispersed that they may make head to returne to Tsion vers 34. 2. The difficulties they shall meet with in the way alluding to the tediousnesse of
it is said Rom. 11. 15. which the Apostle in that place calleth life from the dead from the death of sinne and infidelity And therefore is heere gloriously described vnder the form of the generall resurrection Whereunto the Scripture in this argument doth ordinarily allude Ezech. 37. Esay 26. 19. Dan. 12. 2. Hosh 13. 14. Rom. 11. 15. vers 11. 12 13. 14. Though this be not the common condition of all some will remaine obstinate whose end shall bee most iniferable As Dan. 12. 2. vers 15. The fourth and last steppe is the glory of the Christian Iewish Church dwelling in their owne homes when their enemies are once subdued vnder them in the 21. and 22. chapters The last 8. chapters of Ezechiel are of the same argument but as the dispensation of those times made it needfull vnder the shadowes of heauenly things heere more magnificently by heauenly things themselues It was shewed vnto Iohn in two visions first in a kinde of generalitie then more distinctly The former containeth 1. A new face of things in their happy and glorious renouation by the power of the Gospell which shall bring them quite out of loue with their former legall worship chap. 21. 1. as Esay 65. 17. for this passing away of the first heauen and the first earth and that the Sea was no more is that shaking of heauen and earth of the sea and of the dry land whereof Haggai prophesieth Hag 2. 7. 2 The sanctitie of this Citie for first it is altogether New if you compare it with the staynes and blemishes that the Churches of vs Gentiles are tainted with though wee also make a part of the heauenly Ierusalem Gal. 4. 26. Heb. 12. 22. Secondly it is of a diuine off-spring comming downe from God out of heauen Thirdly shee is clothed with the righteousnesse of the Saints as a bride trimmed for her husband verse 2. 3. Gods tabernacle his presence and dwelling there 1. part of vers 3. as Ezechiel calleth the name of the City Iehouah Shammah Iehouah there Ezech 48. 30. 4. His couenant being their God and taking them for his people 2. part of vers 3. 5. Heauinesse and sorrow shall bee taken from them vers 4. as Esay 25. 8. All which things are solemnely confirmed by the authority of him that cannot lye vers 5. 6. 7. Yet euen here also notwithstanding all the illustrious arguments of Gods glory shining so cleerely some will remaine fearefull to professe Christ vnbeleeuers c. as before chap. 20. 15. vers 8. Thus farre of that vision which was in a kinde of generalitie The other more distinct to the beholding whereof Iohn was carried in the Spirit vnto a great high mountaine vers 10. declareth 1. Her glory so great that she shall be the enlightener of the world as Esay 60. 1. 2. vers 11. 2. The elegancie of the City most royally set forth from vers 12. to vers 22. 3. The sincerity of Gods worship No Legall rites which God prescribed for a time much lesse humane ordinances or the inuentions of mans braine I saw saith Iohn no Temple there for the Lord God Almighty and the Lambe are the temple of it vers 22. 4. A wonderfull light of knowledge as if they were rather taught immediately of God then by booke-learning or the ministry of man They need neyther Sunne nor Moone Candle nor any light for the Lambe himselfe is their light vers 23. 5. As she giueth ver 11. so the Nations shall receiue light from her 1. part of vers 24. 6. The honour they shall doe vnto her bringing all their glory to adorne this City for which purpose the gates shall be open day and night for there is no cause to feare any thing 2. part of vers 24. 25. 26. 7. The purity of Church-discipline that no impure or vncleane thing shall enter thither vers 27. 8. Plenty of spirituall graces through the pure streams of liuing water flowing out of the throne of God chap. 22 vers 1. by the tree of life Christ Iesus most fruitfull in it selfe most medicinable vnto others the very leaues whereof are able to heale all the diseases and vlcers of the soule vers 2. Compare Zach. 14. 8. and Ezek. chap. 47. But where Zacharie speaketh of waters flowing out of Ierusalem Ezekiel out of the Temple Iohn expoundeth both to be meant of the throne of God and the Lamb that is from the grace and fauour of God in Christ 9. Sanctitie of life There shall be no cause of the heauie censure of Gods Curse against any 1 part of vers 3. 10. Constancie in Gods seruice 2. part of vers 3. 11. A sweet and ioyfull communion with God They shall see his face 1. part of vers 4. 12. Such a starre of excellency shining in them as maketh Gods glory most euident and conspicuous His name shall be written in their forehead 2. part of vers 4. 13. A wonderfull light of knowledge as before Reu. 21 23. 1 part of vers 5. 14. And lastly Perpetuity of their happinesse and of Gods glorious presence raigning for euer in and among them 2. part of vers 5. wherewith Ezechiel also doth conclude AN EXPOSITION Vpon the 24. 25. 26. and 27. Chapters of the Prophet ESAY Together with some few Obseruations thereupon 1. Behold IEHOVAH emptieth the land and layeth it waste and turueth it vpside-downe and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof 2. And it shall be as with the people so with the Priest as with the seruant so with his master as with the maid so with her mistresse as with the buyer so with the seller as with the lender so with the borrower as with the taker of vsury so with the giuer of vsury to him 3. The land shall be cleane emptied and vtterly spoyled for IEHOVAH hath spoken this word 4. The land shall mourne and fade away the inhabited world shall languish and fade away she haughty people of the land shall languish EXPOSITION THese foure Chapters containe one whole and entire Prophesie It hath two deuided members One of the reiection of the Iewes the other of their receiuing in the last daies into the flocke of Christ The reiection in the first 20. verses of the 24th chapter setteth forth the most wofull desolation that any storie can giue example of Which though it be of things to come many hundred of yeares after the Prophet as one that saw them in the Spirit as if they were then done vttereth not onely in the future but sometimes in the present sometimes in the time past by an Idiom proper to the Prophets to note how certaine they are to take effect This threatned desolation is garnished and set forth fiue manner of waies First needs must it be a matter of some rare and maruellous consequence that Behold the O-yes of the Holy Ghost is set
mercy and goodnesse of God that hath vouchsafed to enter into a couenant with his seruants and vnder certaine conditions as it were to contract with them for life eternall The condition is Beleeue and thou shalt be saued Act. 16. 31. Euerlasting couenant 14 This couenant the couenant of peace and reconciliation through Christ is an euerlasting couenant a sure couenant a couenant of salt more firmly fixed in his Sonne then the Sunne Moone are fixed in the heauens Disanulled 15 But where men put not forth the hand of faith to reach it to themselues this couenant can do no good no more then the Kings pardon helpeth in case a man refuse to plead and take aduantage of it Men therefore by their owne infidelitie reiect the counsell and purpose of God to saue them They shorten his hand and shrinke vp his arme from doing good Marc. 7. 5 6. He could do no miracle there because of their vnbeleefe Oh what a thing it is that the fault should rest in vs why Gods couenant can take no place 6. Therefore shall the curse deuoure c. 16 As the Couenant embraced bringeth life so the curse of God is inseparably annexed to the transgressing of it Curse 17 Let men take heede how they vse execration cursing and banning of their soules God maketh other mens curses to speede where there is iust cause Iudg. 957. The curse of Iotham came vpon the Shechemites How much more shall our owne curses and imprecations light vpon our selues For God is iust and will not be mocked 7. The new wine shall mourne the vine shall languish all the merry-hearted shall sigh 8. The mirth of Tabrets shall cease the noyse of them that reioyce shall leaue the ioy of the harpe shall cease 9. They shall not drinke wine with a song strong drinke shall be bitter to them that drinke it 10. The Citie made emptie shall be broken downe euery house shall be shut vp that none may come in 11. There shall be a crying concerning wine in the streetes all mirth shall be darkned the ioy of the land shall slit away 12. What so is reserued in the Citie shall be smitten with desolation and with a noise shall the gate be smitten 13. For thus shall it be in the midst of the land among the people as the shaking of an Olive tree as gleaning of Grapes when the vintage is done EXPOSITION SO much of the persons or inhabitants the things which they must loose are 1. The commodities of the land wine c. 2. The ioyes and pleasures of the land shall be all taken from them Priuate griefes and groanings shall be euen to those that are of a merry disposition Publike ioy and merriments the Timbrell and the Harpe all solaces of their life shall cease And that in their feasts and banquetings Such a floud of euils shall ouerwhelme them Enough to make euen their strong drinke to be bitter and out of taste 3. Companie there shall be none no going in nor out in their streets 4. Howling and lamentation shall euery where be heard because of the comforts they haue lost As the ayre in the euening waxeth darke so shall their mirth be turned into heauinesse 5. Nothing shall be left free Hauocke shall be made of the things they kept in store The gates and strong holds shall not be able to hold out the enimie 6. As when the Olive tree is beaten but a few berries are left remayning and scarce a cluster of grape to bee found one happily here and there vpon the beginning of the vintage so shall there but a few men a small handfull be reserued from the furie and violence of their foes Wherein notwithstanding some comfort is interlaced that in the middest of this fearefull destruction a remnant a holy seede shall bee left according to the election of grace of whom God will be pleased to gather in time a new Church vnto himselfe As before Chap. 17. 5 6. and Esay 65. 8. See Esay 6. 13. Obseruations 7 8 9 10 11 12. The new wine c. 18 The good things of this life not onely for necessitie but for honest comfort and recreation men may lawfully with a good conscience vse being sanctified vnto vs by the word of God and prayer 1 Tim. 4. 4 5. 19 But it is his blessing that giueth cheerefulnesse When Gods hand is vpon vs it behoueth vs to be humble to leaue iolitie and merriments if he call to heauines and mourning The Prophet Esay 22. 12 13. findeth fault with this that when the Lord called to weeping mourning baldnes and girding with sackcloth behold there was mirth and gladnes killing of oxen slaying of sheepe eating of flesh drinking of wine c. 13. For thus shall it be c. 20 God tempereth his iudgements with mercy and in his wrath remembreth kindnes He neuer so punisheth but he leaueth some matter for his mercie to worke vpon As he saued Noah and the 8 persons in the Arke to replenish the world anew 14. These shall lift vp their voice and sing for the excellencie of Iehovah they shall shoute for ioy from the Sea saying 15. Therefore in the valleys glorifie yee Iehovah in the Iles of the Sea the name of Iehovah the God of Israel 16. From the skirt of the land we haue heard Psalmes comelinesse to the iust one But I say leannesses to me leannesse to me woe is me The trecherous haue dealt trecherously and with most trecherous trecherie haue they delt trecherously EXPOSITION HAuing thus declared the particulars of this heauy and great calamitie he proceedeth to the fourth generall amplification which is a dissimilitude betweene this and their former estate accompanied with the causes of them both and all iustified by the voice and suffrage of the people themselues those that shall so be reserued glorifying and praising God Wherefore the praises that here they giue are worthy to be considered in fiue circumstances First is the motiue to this dutie the excellencie of Gods worke The second circumstance is the manner of giuing praise By shouting singing c. The third circumstance is the places from whence these praises shall sound forth all parts of the world the Sea the valleys the furthest Iles. The fourth circumstance is their stirring vp and prouoking one an other to praise God Glorifie yee The fift circumstance is the person whom thus they praise Iehovah the God of Israel These are the circumstances The argument or matter of their song acknowledgeth as we said before the iust hand of God vpon them by comparing their former estate with the present Before from euery place in all the quarters of the land sounded nothing but Psalmes matter of praise and of thanksgiuing For the people walking in holinesse and righteousnes laying hold vpon the righteousnesse which is by faith in Christ receiued onely fauors at the hands of God But now
houses the speech of Iehovah 10. In the fourth and last place come the promises themselues that he will bring them to the knowledge and participation of Christ from whose presence before they are said to flie away A Prophesie of the conuersion and calling of the Iewes to be accomplished in the last dayes It is amplified First by the instrumentall cause the preaching of the Gospell which is the voyce of Christ shaking both heauen and earth Secondly by the great assemblies that out of all nations languages and people shall ioyne and haue their part in so great a benefit wherefore he reckoneth vp First the Sea that is the furthest and most remote parts of the earth as Zacharie in expresse terme hath it Zach. 10. 11. whereby are specially meant our westerne Churches but withall the northern parts 11. Secondly Aegypt noting the whole South 〈…〉 Thirdly Asshur or all the East cracke those 〈…〉 d mighty Kingdome◠that lye Eastward from Iudea 〈◊〉 to the Sunne rising Reade Esay 19. 23. 24. 25. and Esay 27. 12. 13. and Zach. 10. 11 12. 13. and Micah 7. 11. 12. which prophecies doe wonderfullie concurre with this and are a key to open the meaning of it So he doth foretell that generall spreading of the Gospell and gathering of the Elect farre and wide from one end of the heauens vnto another which immediately followeth the calling of the Iewes Math. 24. 31. for howsoeuer the words in shew seeme onely to import the collection of the Iewes dispersed into these Countries yet the comparing of that which went before Chap. 1. 11. maketh me incline to a more generall sence and to vnderstand it of the full comming in of the Gentiles 4. It is amplified by the effects common to them all Ioy comfort and peace of conscience to men terrified with the sight and burden of their sinnes 5. The phrases heere doe intimate a returne with much difficulty in the middest of many dangers millions of feares terrors and perplexities into their owne countrie 6. The seating of them in their land againe VERSE 12. of Chapter 11. and Chapters 12. 13. 14. 12. Ephraim compassed me about with a lye and the house of Israell with deceit when Iudah yet ruled with God-almightie and was faithfull with the holy ones CHAP. 12. 1. Ephraim feeding vpon the winde and following after the East winde all the day long multiplieth lying and destruction for they make a couenant with Asshur and oyle is carried vnto Egypt 2. Iehovah also hath a controuersie with Iudah and being to visit Iacob according to his wayes will render vnto him according to his doings 3. In the verie wombe he tooke his brother by the heele afterwardes in his strength he played the Prince with God 4. He played I say the Prince with the Angell and preuailed he wept and humblie be sought him At Bethel he found him and there he spake with vs. 5. But Iehovah God of hosts Iehovah is his memoriall 6. Thou therefore turne vnto thy God obserue kindnes and iudgement and waite vpon thy God continually 12. The next Sermon from hence to the end of the booke containeth the sinnes of the Israelites that is of the ten Tribes and an inuiting of them to repentance which is the end and the scope whereunto the former driueth Both first propounded and then amplified and enlarged Their sinnes are three 1. The renting off themselues from the kingdome of Iudah and the forsaking of true Religion for though they would seeme to worship God yet it was but a false and a lying worship And this is aggrauated because they did thus degenerate euen then when Iudah like a Prince of God held fast his first integritie and kept the faith to God those holy ones the Father Sonne and blessed Spirit 2. The consociating of themselues to strangers making a couenant with one bringing presents to another not onely in vaine but to their owne hurt 3. The drawing of Iudah to the like offences which brought Gods indignation vpon them To repentance they are inuited by setting before them the example of their father Iacob He left no meanes vnattempted that he might obtaine the blessing hee stroue for it with his brother in the wombe and afterwardes with the Angell 4. Against whom with much wrestling hee preuayled And when the Angell loosing the hollow of his thigh wherein hee shewed his power had reproued Iacob for asking after his name an argument of his Maiestie as being not simply an Angell but Christ Iehovah the Angell of the couenant Iacob with teares besought the blessing which he there graciously bestowed and afterwardes at Bethel confirmed vnto him 5. Euen that Iehovah whose promises are eternall and who will performe them to his Childrens Children to the thousand generation if they returne vnto him 7. He is a marchant in his hands are ballances of deceit he loueth to oppresse 8. And Ephraim saith yet I am become rich I haue got me wealth All my labours suffise me not it is iniquitie whatsoeuer is a fault 9. But I am Iehovah thy God euen from the land of Egypt yet should I make thee to dwell in these Tents as in the dayes of solemnitie 10. And speaking by these Prophets should I multiplie vision and by the hand of these Prophets should I propound similitudes 11. Is there iniquitie in Gilead are they onely vanitie in Gilgall They sacrifice bullockes euen these ment altars are as heapes in the furrowes of my field 12. Thither fled Iacob out of the countrey of Aram after Israel had serued for a wife and for a wife had kept sheepe 13. Hither also by a Prophet did Iehovah bring vp Israell out of Egypt after he was preserued by a Prophet 14. Ephraim hath prouoked God most bitterly therefore his bloud will his Lord leaue vpon him and his reproch render to him CHAP. 13. 1. When Ephraim spake there was trembling hee lift vp himselfe in Israell but so soone as he offended with Baal hee died 2. And now they sinne more and more and make them a moulten Image of their siluer according to their vnderstanding Idoles the worke of the Artificers euery one of them of them they say men that sacrifice let them kisse the calues 3. Therefore shall they be as a morning cloud and as the dew dropping early that goeth away as the chaffe that is driuen with a whirlewind out of the floore and as the smoake out of the top of the chimnie 4. But I am Iehovah thy God euen from the land of Egypt and God saue me hast thou not knowne neyther is there a Sauiour beside me 5. I did know thee in the wildernesse in the land of exceeding drought 6. As their pastures were they were filled assoone as they were filled their heart was exalted therefore did they forget me 7. And I was vnto them as an old Lyon as a Leopard in the way did
I looke vpon them 8. I met them as a Beare robbed of her whelpes and I brake the fall of their heart and I deuoured them there as a huge Lyon as a beast of the field tearing them 7. These things propounded now hee doth amplifie and enlarge each part and first the sinnes of the Israelites couetousnesse Idolatrie Pride First extreame couetousnesse in fraud and oppression 8. Reiecting all honest meanes of comming by their wealth and scorning whatsoeuer iumped not with their wicked desires 9. Albeit God from the beginning had heaped blessings manifoldly vpon them which they ought to haue rested in and not to flie vnto vnlawfull meanes 10. Yea not so onely but had made ample and large promises of further fauours by his Prophets Both which doe adde to the vnworthinesse of their sinne 11. Their second sinne is Idolatrie wherein more thorowly to conuince their benummed consciences the Prophet reasoneth with them in this sort What thinke you the men of Gilead those beyond the riuer of Iordan whom Tiglath Pileser spoyled and led captiues that they onely were guiltie of Idolatrie and you not because you remaine at home vntouched of the Assyrian Nay saith he the very entrance into the countrey Gilgall it selfe so aboundeth with Idolatrie that it is not to be doubted but in the rest of the parts of the kingdome their altars are as thicke as furrowes in the field that is to say innumerable 12. A horrible thing if it be well considered that these two places should now become the nurceries of euill which heretofore were the meanes of so great comfort to Gods people For Gilead serued as a sanctuarie vnto Iacob when hee fled from Laban 13. In Gilgall God by Iosua renewed his couenant with your Fathers after he had brought them out of Egypt by the hand of Moses and Aaron 14. But notwithstanding all that Israell hath so sinned as hath beene said and prouoked Gods heauie indignation and therefore his bloud be vpon him he shall remaine guiltie and subiect vnto punishment and must be content to take that that commeth of it CHAP. 13. 1. For this sinne of Idolatrie hath brought three fearefull iudgements vpon them First They that before were a terrour vnto all are now of no reckoning The time indeed was that if Ephraim did but speake all the tribes trembled and quaked But as soone as he offended with Baal following after Idolatrie he was no more set by then a dead carkasse 2. Secondly God in his iudgement hath giuen them vp into hardnesse of minde and to their hearts Iust that for all this suddaine change they repent not but run more and more into Idolatrie 3. Thirdly Being made very fooles at the length they shall vanish and come to nothing 4. Thus by the place and by the effects hee hath made odious their Idolatrie Now lastly he doth the same by comparing on the contrary part his couenant with them from the beginning and his former benefits euen in the wildernesse 5. Both which ought to haue beene motiues to keepe them fast vnto him 6. The third sinne is their pride and loftinesse of heart which made them to forget God and that in the middest of his blessings when they had most cause to remember him A thing that Moses warned them of before Deut. 8. 7. 8. But they went not so away with it I met with them sayth God and handled them roughly as they did deserue 9. He hath marred thee O Israell when as in me in thine helpe thou mightest haue stood 10. Where is thy King Where now that he may saue thee in all thy cities and thy Iudges of whom thou saidest giue me a King and Princes 11. I giue thee a King in mine anger and take away in my wrath 12. The iniquitie of Epbraim is bound vp his â—â—nne is layd vp 13. The sorrowes of a woman in trauell shall come vppon him he is no wise sonne for then he would not stay a what in the mouth of the matrixe 9. And so hauing done with the sinnes of the Israelites he doth now amplifie and enlarge his former inuitation vnto repentance First taking arguments from the good that thereby shall come vnto them compared with the euils that before they were in for their offences Hee saith God by his Prophet meaning the King of whom he speaketh in the next verse in whom thou puttedst thy trust Was the cause of thy Confusion Whereas in me who am thy strength and sauing health all good things are to bee found and by repentance shall come vnto thee 10. The former part is proued for that none of their Kings and Princes were able to doe them good 11. For God in his wrath set them vp and pulled them downe and in a little while made many changes and alterations in the kingdome 12. Their iniquitie which God tied vp as a man doth his purse full of money and kept in store to pay them home for it was the cause of all this 13. Yet were they so foolish that though throwes came vpon them as vpon a woman with Childe for so is their Common-wealth compared to a mother Chapter 23. yet they had no list to rid themselues out of those dangers and to put forth into the hands of God as vnto a Midwife And this may well seeme to be a prophecie of the great miserie they are now in because of the promises which do follow 14. From the power of the graue will I redeeme them from death I will auenge them where are thy plagues O death where thy destroying O graue repentance shall be hidden from mine eyes 15. For he shall bring forth fruit among the brethren after that an East winde comming a winde of Iehouah comming vp from the desert his spring shall become drie and his fountaine shall drie vp the same shall spoyle the treasure of all pleasant vessels 16. After that Samaria shall be laid desolate for that shee hath rebelled against her God After that by the sword they shall fall their infants be dashed in peeces and their women with childe ript 14. In the second part from the panges and sorrowes before mentioned he passeth presently to most sweet and comfortable promises Being of foure kindes The first promise is The deliuerie of them out of that depth of miserie wherein they were plunged and making them to flourish againe which is first set out by a double similitude One comparing their wretched estate to death and the graue Out of the which he will set them free by raising them from death to life For such and so wonderfull shall their restoring be that it is called life from the dead Rom 11. 15. And this resurrection as it were of their is an euident argument of the generall rising from the dead Ezech. 37. To which purpose the Apostle aptly and properly doth alledge it 1. Cor. 15. 15. The other similitude is from a peece of ground all dryed vp and