Picts and Scots cald in the Saxons who for some time served them to purpose but in the end conquered them and their Countrey These could not foresee what would be the issue of things the motions of providence are so secret and various that it lyes not within the compasse of mans power to make certain conclusions therefrom 5. There is a connexion of causes and things together in the world Hosea 2.21 22. I will heare the heavens and they shall heare the earth that shall heare the corne wine and oyle and they shall heare Jezreel as in Architecture there is a dependance and connexion VER 17. When they went they went upon their foure sides and they returned not when they went and so on to the end of the 21. IN these Verses wee have two things 1. Wee have the effect of the wheeles which is motion laid downe in the 17 19 20 21. Verses And 2. The adjuncts of them which are two 1. Height 2. Eyes in the 18th verse The commodiousness of their motion for all parts and the forme of it are both in this 17th verse The Hebrew is In going they went to their foure foure sides to the foure parts which were next to their sides or through the foure parts and so the sense is they went to into or through the foure parts of the world if you read it according to our translation upon them the sense is when the foure living creatures moved the wheeles moved upon their sides It 's our phrase when we ask one which side went he of such a man we answer upon or on his right or left side but the better sense to me is they went according to their foure sides Looke what side what part of the world was appointed them that the wheeles went to and moved in And returned not They came not backe but went forward There might be varietie of motions but no backe motions no retrogradations being once gone forth they returned not The observation first is this That in all parts humane things move to their appointed period and there is no returne of them being once there Pharaoh and his Host came to their period in the bottome of the Sea and never saw Aegypt more The Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs have taken up their lodgings in the dust and returne no more What David said of the child I shall goe to it it shall not returne to me is a fit motto to all creatures they must goe to those are gone before not they returne to these Cities people families silver gold fine linnen they must see that corruption those saw in former dayes 2. That inferior causes move constantly in their motions to doe the will of God The wheeles turned not when they went nothing could turne them backe nor the Angels in their administrations but they goe on Wee thinke it 's the creature makes stops lets in the affaires of the world but it 's Gods hand his providence doth it the wheeles all inferior causes proceed in their motions till God check them and cause a stand Esa 43.13 I will worke and who shall let it VER 18. As for their Rings they were so high that they were dreadfull and their Rings were full of eyes round about them foure 19. And when the living creatures went the wheeles went by them And when the living creatures were lift up from the earth the wheels were lift up 20. Whither soever the Spirit was to goe they went thither was their Spirit to goe and the wheels were lifted up over against them for the Spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels 21. When those went these went and when those stood these stood and when those were lifted up from the earth the wheels were lifted up over against them for the Spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels IN the 18th verse we have the rings of the wheels described from their highnesse and eyenesse They were so high they caused terror so full of eyes they caused wonder The Hebrew reading is somewhat different it runs thus And the rings of them both height to them and feare to them or by reason of them that is Propter cas the wheels were so high that they bred terror struck feare into the Prophet The word Rings in the Hebrew is Backs their backs were high dreadfull that is their Circumferences or Rings were so of such breadth and altitude for there is no difference between those in rings and circles that they caused feare to those looked upon them Now what is meant by this height and greatnesse of the wheels must be opened unto you and it 's this the motions of second causes and changes of things here in this world are so great so incomprehensible by man that they produce feares and terrors to the sons of men Men are troubled that they cannot fathome the deeps and measure the heighth and breadth of the wheels when men see times and seasons changed kingdomes dashed in pieces the godly brought into bondage the wicked advanced truth persecuted errours in credit justice troden down and all things moving by contrary motions they stand amazed and not able to reach the causes of things to measure the wheels and see into the exact motions of them they become sensible of their own weaknesse and say O the heighth of the wheels O the shallownesse of our spirits Observ 1. That the causes and motions and changes in the world are unknown to the sons of men the wheels are too high for them to measure man is so beetlelish and purblind that the dim sight of his soul pierceth not into the secrets and knowledge of causes Eccles 3.11 it only comes at the out-side and extremities of things the superficies of the wheel but not the heighth and depth of it not the true nature and causes of things so that admiration opinion not science is begotten in man this Agrippa knew that writ a Book of the vanity of Sciences and Zanche that writ a Tractat Quod nihil scitur and Socrates was judged the learned man so that hee said This I know that I know nothing â— Cor. 13.12 and above all these the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 8.2 If any man thinke he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing yet as hee ought to know and elsewhere Wee see through a glasse darkely things are a riddle to us we know not what to make of them Look into the world and what can we make of it the wheels in every quarter have such a heighth as none can reach second causes move so suddenly as none can spy them out Cast your eye upon Physicall wheels and they are too high for Physicians to measure what reason can they give of Antipathies or that some trees should have a venomous root on the one side and a remedy on the other they meet with diseases and difficulties that are Ludibria medicorum and must referre you to occult qualities Cast your eye upon Politicall
mindes sow tares in the field Luke 8.12 Matth. 13.24 25. put devillish thoughts into the heart Joh. 13.2 work powerfully in the heart of the disobedient Eph. 2.1 and trouble their spirits 1 Sam. 16.15 I see not but good Angels may do as much being more potent then they Rev. 12. Michael and his Angels overcame the Dragon and his and Psal 103.20 they excell in strength they are called exercitus coelestis Luke 2.13 one can do more then a great Army one slew 185000. in a night 2 King 19.35 They are Bellatores fortissimi and have appeared like Warriors David saw an Angel with a sword in his hand stretched over Jerusalem 1 Chron. 21.16 Elisha saw them with horses and Chariots of fire 2 King 6.17 Angels are Gods Militia Psal 68.17 the Chariots of God are 20000. even thousands of Angels they stand alwayes before God and can do what ever God wills and commands This consideration of the strength of Angels should adde to our comforts and Gods praises if a man be in danger and have a strong convoy appointed by the King he is secure much comforted and thankfull too that Majesty hath appointed it God hath given us the mighty Angels that are stronger then Lions to be our guard to convoy us through the Wildernesse of this world let it multiply our comforts and Gods praises The next face is that of an Ox and it notes out the obsequiousnesse faithfulnesse patience and usefulnesse of angels in their ministrations for an Ox accustomed to the yoke is very tractable not stubborn kicking and flinging as untamed Heifers are Hos 10.11 Ephraim is as a Heifer that is taught and loves to tread out the corne a Heifer taught and delighting in his work is willing to it such are Angels Psal 103.20 They hearken to the voyce of his Word they look upon God as the great Generall and if he give out the word they give out their strength and go about the work willingly they are very obsequious to his commands if he sayes Go smite Herod for his pride Balaam for his covetousnesse David for his vain-glory Senacherib for his blasphemy and Sodom for its uncleannesse presently they go Praestat fidum maisterium 2. Faithfulnesse an Ox doth faithfull service Horses do oft deceive in their service but an Ox seldome in plowing or carrying of burthens So Angels are faithfull in their ministrations they fail not in the least particular the Angels would not let John worship him the Angels would not suffer Lot to linger in Sodom 3. Patience an Ox is a patient creature what burthen soever is laid upon him or what work soever heels imployed in the Ox is not impatient So the Angels they are patient in their ministration though they meet with much opposition The Prince of Persia withstood Gabriel 21. dayes Dan. 10.13 In the midst of oppositions and great services they are without all impatience though their work never end Rev. 4.8 yet they never complaine 4. Usefulnesse Prov. 14.4 much increase is by the strength of the Ox no creature more usefull to the support of a family then the Ox for of old all the plowing was by Oxen. Elijah findes Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of Oxen 1 King 19.19 And Job had five hundred yoke of Oxen and it 's said they were plowing Job 1.3.14 no mention of Horses and in some places of this Kingdome they make greatest use of Oxen by their strength Kingdomes and Families are maintained Therefore Moses Deut. 3.17 compares Joseph to the Bullock or Ox because he sustained his fathers family and Egypt with corne Exod. 22.1 If an Ox or Sheep were stoln and so killed or sold the thiefe was to restore five for the Ox four for the Sheep and the reason was because of the service and usefulnesse of those creatures they served for sacrifice to God to plow the earth to feed and cloath the family in other things they were to restore only double David makes it one part of the happinesse of a Commonwealth that the Oxen be strong to labour Psal 144.14 Oxen are needfull and usefull creatures and Angels herein resemble Oxen they are ministring spirits sent out for the service of Gods family they live not to themselves but to the publike In the Revelations you may reade what great services the Angels are imployed in they sound the trumpets and powre out the vials of Gods wrath they preserve the Saints from the violence of Devils and devilish men This instructs man to be like Angels in these qualities if God command call for any duty to be obsequious yeelding and to say with Samuel Here I am Speak Lord thy servant is willing to heare ready to obey and when we are in the service let us be faithfull do it conscionably let us be patient although we meet with delayes oppositions reproaches and loss let us be serviceable and profitable to others Angels have no benefit by their ministrations God hath the glory and man the good The last face is that of an Eagle and in it as in a glasse we may see the perspicaciousnesse swiftnesse and vivacity of the Angels for these three are Eagles observable 1. They are quick-sighted Job 39.29 Her eyes behold afar off speaking of the Eagle from the top of the rocks out of the clouds they are said to behold fishes swimming in the Seas so strong is their sight that they soar aloft and can a long time behold the Sun with open and stedfast eyes In aquila Cicurata Merlin in Jobum c. 39 Scaliger hath seen it in a tam'd Eagle A man of acute parts that can see quick and far into matters we say he is Eagle-eyed the Angels are not wanting in this particular they are quick-sighted 2 Sam. 14.20 and Rev. 4.6 The four beasts they are mentioned being the same here in Ezekiel are said to be full of eyes before and behind and in the 8th verse full of eyes within they have much naturall knowledge much revealed knowledge set oâ—t by their â—yes within and much experimentall knowledge coming in by their observation and deep insight into things noted by their eyes before and behind they soar aloft stand before God behold the face of God alwayes Matth. 18.10 2. Eagles are swift in their flight 2 Sam. 1.23 Swifter then Eagles and Job 9.26 The Eagle maketh hast to the prey Pindar calls the the Eagle the queen of Birds Lam. 4.19 for her swiftnesse no Foul flies more swiftly then the Eagle hence when things were to be done suddenly the Scripture mentioneth the Eagle Hos 8.1 He shall come as an Eagle against the House of the Lord that is Nebuchadnezzar shall come suddenly Angels are no dull creatures in a night the destroying Angel slew all the first-born in Egypt in a night 185000. in the camp of Senacherib and Dan. 9.21 Gabriel came flying swiftly to Daniel and suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts Luke 2.13 3. Eagles are
of the whole earth this is the day that we looked for These expressions you have in the Book of Lamentations David a King a Prophet a man of a warlike spirit that feared not the Bear the Lion Goliah saith my flesh trembleth for feare of thee I am afraid of thy judgements Psal 119.120 When other things did not daunt him at all Gods judgements did there was daunting terror in them and no marvell there is wrath in them such rage wrath fury as is in wild beasts Hos 5.14 I will be unto Ephraim as a Lion and as a young Lion to the House of Judah I even I will teare and go away I will take away and none shall rescue such terror as is in an earthquake that shakes the foundations of all Isa 29.6 such as in a strong winde and an overflowing showre Ezek. 13.13 such as in a flail that beats out the corn and breaks the straw in pices Hab. 3.12 such as in the Sea or Earth swallowing up Psal 21.9 What a dreadfull cry when Corah and his company sunk alive into the earth when Pharaoh and his host were overwhelmed in the Sea such terror is in Gods judgements yea more dreadfull yet such as in thunder lightning and devouring fire Isa 29.6 yea such as is in fire and brimstone Psal 11.6 God is Baal-chemah 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nahum 1.2 A Lord of wrath so the originall is a Possessour of wrath and in his judgements doth distribute terrors and sorrows him therefore should the sonnes of men reverence 2. Gods Judgements have the voyce of speech in them they speak unto sinners Mic. 6.9 The Lords voyce cryeth unto the City and the man of wisdome shall see thy Name heare yee the rod and who hath appointed it If the first voyce be the cry of the Prophets and Ministers the second is the cry of the Judgements of God the rod speaks aloud it proclaims Gods anger wrath fury jealousie revenge his Omniscience holinesse justice the terror of the Almighty it proclaimes our folly shame and ingratitude treachery and great guiltinesse before God it cries to us for repentance when destruction lay at the gates of Ninivie they understood the language thereof and repented in dust and ashes Jon. 3. It cries to us for righteousnesse when Gods judgements are in the earth the Inhabitants of the world will learne righteousnesse Isa 26.9 They cannot learne unlesse they be taught and do they not teach and teach many lessons to feare God whom men have forgotten in their prosperity to make restitution to men whom they have wronged in the day of their wills to be charitable in censuring others and rigide in censuring themselves 3. Angels are not only swift but efficacious in their motions and administrations The great waters mighty thunders and numerous armies make way before them and nothing can withstand their force and so it is with Angels when they are upon service none can stand before them they destroy armies shake kingdoms move all the wheels in the quarters of the world and their motions are not faint but forcible 4. It 's not every eare that heares the noyse of Angels wings though their noyse be great efficacious like waters thunder the voyce of speech as an host yet all heare them not it 's the Prophet heares them and such as have divine spirits the operations of Angels are unperceiveable to most of the world all eyes see not visions neither do all eares heare the things that visions do speak few are capable of divine mysteries To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdome Mat. 13.11 There be mysteries in the government of the world as well as in the Kingdome of heaven and it 's a speciall gift to be acquainted with them Gods secrets are made known to them that feare him Psal 25.14 some choyce precious excellent spirits they heare they see what others do not such as turn from iniquity Dan. 9.13 such as are wise Hos 14.9 they understand such as are deeply interested in the truth and Churches cause as have suffered much and have their drosse purged out by the fire of afflictions they heare they see more and greater things then the men of the world Nehemiah Isaiah Daniel Ezekiel John that were men of great sufferings they heard voyces others heard not In the Revelation it 's said oft Hee that hath an eare to heare let him heare every man hath an outward eare but not the inward the eare of the heart whereby to perceive the meaning of the Spirit men heare not the voyce of the Spirit in the Churches they heare men but not the Spirit what that speaks in the Ordinances and as they heare it not in them so they heare not the Spirit in the wheels nor the voyce of it in the great judgements of God VERS 25. And there was a voyce from the firmament that was over their heads when they stood and had let down their wings HEre we have a description of the firmament from the noyse that came from it and that is the cause of the Angels making their appearance before the Lord and the manner of their appearance is they stood with their wings let down Whose voyce this was comes now into question it was not a voyce of the firmament 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 De super firmenta but from above which is in the originall besides from the firmament so that it was not the noyse or voyce of the firmament neither of any Angel for they are here present under the firmament but it was the voyce of Christ of him that was above upon the throne and it hath much in it 1. It sets out the Majesty and State of Christ who like a mighty Emperor sits upon his Throne and speaks unto his Nobles and people at distance 2. His authority calling in the Angels his great agents in the world from their services to appeare before him they upon this voyce come from the quarters of the world and stand about his Throne to give account of their administrations to receive new instructions and are sent out by him to great services 3. To awaken quicken and prepare the Prophet who had hard things to meet with harsh people to deal withall but when hee saw Angels come and go at the voyce of Christ it hushed all objections and set his spirit to attend to the voyce of Christ to receive instructions from him and to do his will thought hee Shall those glorious Angels those great Agents in the world hearken to Christ be informed by him execute his Will and shall I a poore captive stick at it dispute the case with him no no I will be like to these Angels heare receive and obey Of the standing of the Angels formerly hath been spoken in the 21th Verse to which I refer you The letting down their wings notes their cessation from imployment as Birds or Fowls when they fall upon their feet on trees or ground
the acquaintance of wicked men the Prophet Micah will give you reason for it Chap. 7.4 The best of them is a brier the most upright is sharper then a thorne hedge You think some of them are faire men have good natures good parts great places and you may bee intimate with them lean upon them and get good by them if not doe good to them but you are deceived saith he the best of them for wit parts birth breeding place is a brier yea the most upright those that are civill What shall you what can you have frō a Scorpion but aculeum vulnus venenum clam palam insidiabuntur Somper lanam saepe vitam perdunt When one commended Julian the Cardinall to Sigismund the Emperour he answered Tamen Romanus est And so when any wicked man is commended to you answer Tamen sentis est that have a form of godlinesse and walk according to their light even they are sharper then a thorn hedge And because it is incident to the nature of man to minde great ones and seeke their acquaintance he speakes in the verse before of Princes Judges and great men and beats men off from looking after leaning upon them the sheep run to the hedge for shade in the heat and shelter in the storm but what 's the issue If they eseape with their lives yet they goe off with rent garments and if the best of them bee briers what are the worst of them When David was become a Courtier he met with a spear and found Saul sharper then a thorn hedge his spirit was vext with him and no marvell wicked men vex the spirit of God who hath more patience and wisdome then man who is without all corruption and altogether holy yet his spirit is vexed with them Isa 63.10 Therefore the Spirit of God counsels us what acquaintance to seek Job 22.21 Acquaint thy selfe with God and be at peace and thereby good shall come unto thee he will not be a brier or thorne to run into thy hand he will not vex thy spirit trust him he will not deceive or disappoint thee 5. See what fruit to look for from them fruits sutable to their nature 1 Sam. 24.13 Wickednesse proceedeth from the wicked it is a proverb and they have much truth and strength in them and it was ancient then and in all ages hath been made good observ'd that wickednesse comes from the wicked by it David cleares himselfe taxes his malicious enemies and confutes Saul himselfe As for me I am accused to be a seditious and traiterous fellow a man that seekes thy life O Saul thou hast followers and flatterers about thee to exasperate thee against me that put thee on to hunt me as a Partridge on the mountain and to spill my blood but I am no such man as they pretend and thou conceivest I had thee at advantage was counselled to take away thy life and could have done it but wickednesse was not in me I cut off the lap of thy Coat when I could have cut off thy Head I will make thee judge who is the wicked man those that accuse mee thou that pursutest the soule of an innocent man or my selfe that have spared thee having such advantage Wickednesse proceeds from the wicked if I had been a wicked subject as thou and others thought thy life had gone but thy Courtiers thy Counsellers are wicked yea and thou art wicked and nothing but wickednesse comes from you and that proceeds as light from the Sunne water from the fountaine breath from the nostrils Christ tells us wee must not look for good from them Matth. 7.16 Doe men gather grapes of thorns or figges of thistles If you looke for such fruit you will be deceived they may grow green as the vine and figge-tree but their fruit is different what fruit have Papists and Prelaticall ones brought forth in Church or State these many yeares corrupt trees cannot beare good fruit briers thornes brambles may bring fruit for Gadarens and swine not for Christ and his Disciples Judg. 9. The Olive tree had its fatnesse the Figge tree its sweetnesse and good fruit the Vine its pleasant wine they would not leave their places for promotion For usually when men are promoted they lose of their excellencie the Olive trees Figge trees Vines they lose of their fatnesse if not all their fatnesse of their sweetnesse if not all their sweetnesse but what had the bramble fire and fire to consume the Cedars of Lebanon brambles are of aspiring nature and when they are got up they fire States and Kingdomes 6. Then it 's no great losse when wicked men are taken away when briers and thorns are cut down and Scorpions killed who is damnified by it Spina sunt pestes terrae frugum morbi Plin. wicked men are the very plagues of the earth they suck away the sweet from the Vine the fat from the Olive It was said of Nero that he was venenum terrae and when that pitcher was broken it was gain not losse matter for praise not mourning the Husband-man is not grieved when the grieving thorn and pricking thistle are cut out of his corn Prov. 11.10 When the wicked perish there is shouting shouting on earth that justice is done his wickednesse at an end the Church and State eas'd of such a burthen rid of such a thorn and shouting in hell Isa 14.9 When Jehoiakim died there was no lamentation made for him hee was a wicked and worthlesse King his carkasse was no better then the body of an Asse and hee had the buriall of an Asse drawn and cast out in the high-way or ditches Jer. 22.18 19. hee had an infamous buriall and such saith Olimpiodorus is the end of every Magistrate or Minister that teaches and governs well but lives ill his end is infamous hee is buried in infamy but godly men are of great worth Heb. 11.38 the world was not worthy of them those precious ones mentioned there and those are living now God valued and values above the world godly men are the Pillars of the earth they are the marrow blood and soul of the world the world languishes and lies adying when they are pull'd away Moses Exod. 32.10 held Gods hands Moses is a man that hath power in earth and in heaven hee is a man that when there is a danger can go up to the heavens and so put the Lord to it that he saith Let mee alone that I may destroy this wicked people and I will make thee a great nation he would have hired him to have come to an accommodation men are now upon accommodating but a Moses will not accommodate no not with God himself when his people are in danger but he will have a blessing upon good terms hee will have Gods wrath removed and a reconciliation between heaven and earth or else Moses will never be quiet with God what a losse is such a man after his death if God had not
pleasure upon sinners Take thee a sharp knife a razor and cause it passe upon thy head and beard the Prophet might not take what instrument hee pleaseth but what Christ appointeth it was he set apart Nebuchadnezzar Nebuzaradan and the Chaldeans to shave Ierusalem and therefore the whole work is given to God Isa 7.20 The Lord shall shave with a razor that is hired by them beyond the river by the King of Assyria the head and the hair of the feet and it shall also consume the beard this is spoken of Senacherib and verified also in Nebuchadnezzar both these were razors in the hand of God by which he shaved the head the Princes and Nobles Counsellors were out off by him The beard the Priests and strong men The feet the common people It 's the Lord appoints and sets instruments on work to afflict Churches and States Amos 3.6 Shall there be evill in a city and the Lord hath not done it there is no razor shaving in a city but the Lord hath set it on work there Micah 1. â—2 evill came down from the Lord to the gate of Ierusalem it came from above and it came to Ierusalem hereupon the Prophet in Chap. 6.9 said to them the Lords voyce cryeth to the city and the men of wisdome shall see thy Name hear yee the rod and who hath appointed it 3. When God hath been long provoked by a people the comes with sharp and sweeping judgements amongst them and that is set out by the razor he had waited much upon them they went on in their sins but now God calls for a razor and that should go to the quick Muscul in Isa Radere non est simpliciter auferre sed sic auferre ut praecedentis status vix ulla supersint vestigia God would not reap them or lop them in those cases the stub and trunk are left but hee would shave them not leave a politique body or Church state that place in Isa 7.20 holds out the truth fully he would spare neither head beard or feet every condition of people the honourable the mean the lowest should be shaven he would not only strip them of their clothes but shave them and take away their native beauty he would fill them with mourning make them a scorne cut off their limbs and destroy their lives there should be no city no Temple no King no Priest no Sabbath no God left them but hath not God shaven them in Germany in Ireland and is he not shaving us now 4. That there is no standing out against God what ever our number or strength is his judgements are irresistible men here are compared to hairs his judgement to a razor can the softest or harshest hair withstand the razor can any one or all the hairs of the head or beard do it no the razor will easily passe through all as a fithe through grasse or corn hairs are weak things razors sharp and strong Pharaoh was the strength of Egypt but God by the red Sea did shave him and many thousands more from off the face of the earth the great men of the world are no more to God then hairs before the razor he cuts off the spirit of Princes Psal 76.12 he challengeth the briers and thorns of the earth Who would set them against me in battell I would go through them I would burn them together Isa 27.4 5. The judgements and proceedings of God with sinners are not rash sine consilio but suâ—â—â—â— judicio he weighs out the hair and proportions suitable judgements unto those that were represented by it the infinite wise God is exact in his proceedings hence you have it in Scripture that God doth weigh actions Psal 1.2 3. the paths of men Isa 26.7 their spirits Prov. 16.2 he examines how they are clog'd with sin and guilt God measured the covetousnesse of Babylon which was exceeding great and he brought answerable judgements upon her Ierem. 51.13 14. God would send Caterpillars to eat up all her wealth Let God deal with Babylon or Sion hee observes a proportion in his judgements Ier. 46.28 speaking of Iacobs seed hee tells them hee will correct them in measure the afflictions of the Church seem great and oft are great yet never are they without measure Psal 80.5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears and givest them tears to drink in a great measure 6. There is no escaping of Gods judgements for hard-hearted sinners here are diversity of judgements fire sword dispersion if one did not take then another would overtake them if the fire did not scorch them the sword should cut them off if not that they should be scattered 1 King 19.15 16 17. God bids Elijah anoint Hazael King of Syria Iehu King of Israel and Elisha Prophet in his room and tels him there should be no escaping for sinners if they escaped Hazaels sword they should die by Iehu's if not by his they should by Elisha's not that he used the sword but by his prayers and by his prophecies in Ier. 1.10 he was set over kingdomes to root out pull down and to destroy many escape the swords of Princes and are smitten by the swords of Prophets Let not sinners think to delude God he will meet with them one way one time or other Amos 9.1 2 3. God comes there in judgement he stands upon the altar and bids them smite the lintell of the dore that the posts may shake this was spoken of Ierusalem not of Dan and Bethel God would not at all appear there and what followes God would destroy them there would be fleeing presently and what saith hee Hee that fleeth shall not flee away and hee that escapeth of them shall not be delivered let them dig to hell climb up to heaven hide themselves in Carmel in the botome of the Sea God will follow them find them out and make them smart if enemies should carry them away and shew favour to them God will send a sword and it shall slay them vers 4. See Amo. 2.13 14 15 16. nothing will priviledge not speed strength courage bow horse these are good but in time of judgement they will not secure not a great house though of stone Amos 3.15 not gods of gold and silver Isai 2.20 21. not heaps of such treasure Ezek. 7.19 They shall cast their silver in the streets and their gold shall be removed their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord not horns of the Altar 1 King 2.28 30.31 not prayer Jer. 11.14 not fasting and sacrifice Ier. 14.12 7. That in great judgements and generall destructions God of his infinite mercy spares some few Ezekiel must take a few and bind up in his skirts all must not be destroyed the fire and sword devoureth many but the dispersion preserved some and some few are left in Iudah God is just and yet when hee is in the way of his judgements he forgets