visionall throne a more perfect pattern of the throne of his glory Surely if such thrones be glorious he is in them exceeds in glory the glory of heavenly things is farre beyond the glory of terrene things and the glory of God is infinitely beyond them both he is not only glorious and that in holinesse Exod. 15.11 In name Deut. 28.5.8 Isa 33.21 In majestie Psal 145.12 But hee is glory it selfe and therefore Acts 7.1 is cal'd the God of glory Psal 24.7 The King of glory Ephes 1.17 The father of glory he that creates begets disposeth of glory must needs be glory it selfe and not only glory but excellent glory 2 Pet. 1.17 4. Note what stones God takes pleasure in not any stones but in precious ones such as Saphirs are Exod. 24.10 Vnder his feete was a paved worke of a saphir stone He walks among Saphirs The Temple was made of stones glistering stones all manner of precious stones marble stones in abundance 1 Chron. 29.2 sits in a sapharine throne Stones which are beautifull and of a heavenly colour he affects of such he makes his throne Now the Church in Scripture is call'd the throne of God Jer. 3.17 Isa 54.11 12 13. speaking of the Churches of the Gospel which are the thrones of God and Christ he saith I will lay thy stones with faire colours and thy foundations with saphirs I will make thy windows of Agates and thy gates of Carbuncles and all thy borders of pleasant stones and all thy children shall be taught of the Lord. You see what stones God would have in his Temples in his Thrones not ordinary common high way stones 1 Pet. 2.5 As lively stones be ye built up a spirituall house Here 's a house a spirituall one to be made and whereof of lively stones there must be not onely life in them but livelinesse dead and dull stones are not so fit for that service stones they must be that it may be a solid building lively that it may be a spirituall and usefull building and saphirine that it may be a pure and glorious building 5. Holy and good men are not able to beare Divine excellencies in their own nature not capable of immediatenesse to God here is a Firmament a Saphir stone a throne and these but in appearance and then a voyce heard none seene Had the Lord shewed himselfe as he is Ezekiel could not have endured it the glory and majestie of God would have confounded him If God should not regard mans weaknesse and muffle up his excellencies some way or other we could have no communion or converse with God Moses himselfe is not able to behold the glory of 6. Angels and all creatures are in a readinesse to do the will of God God when he is upon judiciary designes the Cherubims were under the Firmament neare to the throne and if the Lord did but speak the word presently they were ready to execute his pleasure Psal 103.20 They doe his commandment hearkning to the voyce of his word As soone as the sound comes to them they doe it if he bid them goe and stirre up Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Souldiers to come they doe it 7. The Lord is not forward to the execution of judgment here is the Lord sitting in judgement but yet they were not destroyed The Prophet hath vision after vision eates a roll full of lamentations mourning and woe sits 7. dayes at Telabib then is carried into the Plain bound dumb must pourtray Jerusalem upon a tyle lay siege to it lye upon his side 390. dayes then take a razor shave his head beard burn smite scatter bind up a third part of the haire After hath a type of a chain then is led by the Spirit to see Jerusalems sinnes After this sees the sixe slaughter-like men sent out to destroy and here the Lord is sitting in his throne and giving out judgement still against Jerusalem and all this time nothing is done VESS 2. And he spake unto the man cloathed with linnen and said goe in between the wheeles even under the Cherub and fill thy hand with coals of fire from between the Cherubims and scatter them over the City And hee went in my sight IN this verse you have 1. The speaker He that is the Lord Jehovah who was in the Throne some make it Christ 2. The party spoken to The man cloathed with linnen and who this was you heard opened in Chap. 9. vers 2. namely Christ who in regard of his offices is the servant of his father Isa 44.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold Hee had done service in marking the mourners and now was to doe it another way 3. The thing spoken or Commanded 1. Goe in betweene the wheeles even under the Cherub The wheels have been largely opened in the first Chapter the world and motions of it are set out thereby There were foure wheels by each Cherub one as appears by vers 9. Some take it thus Conceive the form of a waggon in the mids on each side two wheels the Cherubims riding in it or carrying of it two in the former part two in the hinder the Arke in the midst of it the foot-stoole of Divine Majestie and before this the Altar where the fire was and you may apprehend how the man was to goe between the wheels under the Cherub that is per enallagen numeri under the Cherubims and so to reach up his hand to the Altar and take coales This way it s easily comprehended but if wee come up close to the examination of the wheels we shall finde they were not at such a distance as here is made but one in another per angulos rectos vers 10. a wheel seem'd to be in the midst of a wheel and how the man cloathed with linnen went between them I cannot expresse but that hee did the Text affirmes and notes Christs interest in the wheels and Angels 2. Fill thy hand with coales of fire from between the Cherubims The altar was near the oracle before the Cherubims 1 King 6.22 The fire was between the Cherubims and the Cherubims above between the wheels and the man must come between both to fill his hand with coals of fire There was fire you know in the Temple on the Altar and it never went out Levit. 6.13 the fire shall ever be burning upon the Altar it shall never goe out The Jewes say of this fire that it was that Angels ladder to goe up to heaven by Ezek. 9.2 The 6. man 6. Angels stood by the brazen Altar and Judg. 13.20 The Angell appeared to Manoah and his wife ascended in the flame of the Altar Whether it was a ladder for Angels may be questioned but certainly it was a ladder to carry up their Incense and sacrifices unto God Ignis altaris erat quasi anima populi It might represent the Altar-fire of which its probable the Caldeans took and fired the Temple if not the Citie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
he would leave them The Jewes thought because they had the Temple and God amongst them that therefore they were well and happy though their worship were mixt and their lives wicked but they were deceiv'd No particular visible Church hath assurance of Gods abiding longer with it then it keepes his worship pure walks holily and humbly with him when any corrupt his glory his worship then the glorious Lord and the glory of the Lord doth leave them 3. When God leaves a people then protection of Angells and comfort of Ceeatures leave them also the Cherubims and wheeles together with the glory left them and went to the mountain When the King goeth the Court removes and the Servants follow when God is gone we are left naked lye open to all temptations and miseries we have no God to counsell comfort protect or save and what a case is such a people in Jer. 6.8 Be thou instructed O Jerusalem least my soule depart from thee and what then Least I make thee desolate a Land not inhabited VERS 24. Afterwards the spirit tooke me up and brought me in vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea to them of the Captivity so the vision that I had seen went up from me HEre is the conclusion of this glorious Vision our Prophet had seene The spirit had carryed him not in body but in spirit unto Jerusalem Chap. 8.3 And shewed him how things were there what God was purposed to doe and now having seen and heard glorious and terrible things the Vision went up to Heaven he saw it no more The spirit an shew us things at a great distance Obser 1. as if we were present the spirit caused Ezekiel to see things at Jerusalem when his body was in Chaldaea Our senses cannot discerne farr but the spirit knoweth all things in all places and can satiâ—fie us with the knowledge of them give us spirituall and propheticall eyes Paul saith 2 Cor. 12.2.3 That he was caught up to the third Heaven but whether in the body or out of the body he knoweth not and being there he heard unspeakable words The spirit took him up caused him to heare such things so did the spirit here take up our Prophet and caused him to see such things 2. This Vision was reall divine no imaginary fained thing not from his braine but from the spirit it selfe In raptu abstrahitur anima a sensibus phantasmatibus therefore it 's said to put all out of doubt The spirit took him up and brought him in Vision and the Vision I had seen went up which shewes it was no humane thing but divine 3. The servants of God have glorious sights here sometimes but they soone expire and come to an end So the Vision which I had seen went up from me He had seen the glory of God the Cherubims and wheels and the man cloathed with linnen Viz. Christ but here was no continuance of this glorious sight Jacob seeth a ladder reaching up to Heaven Angells ascending and descending and the Lord at the top of the ladder but this was onely for a night and then it ceased Gen. 28.12.13.16 Moses saw the Lord in the burning bush Exod. 3.23 But the fight lasted not Isaiah saw the Lord sitting upon a Throne Isa 6.1 Peter James and John saw the transfiguration of Christ Math. 17. And all the Apostles Saw his glory as the glory of the onely begotten but the Vision went up from them VERS 25. Then I spake to them of the Captivity all the things that the Lord had shewed me HEre you have what the Prophet did after the Vision he had been in an extasie some time and now being brought to his ordinary and pristine condition he relates to the Captives what he had seen and heard Many of those in the Captivity and probably some of those Elders which sate in the Prophets house Chap. 8.1 thought them happy which were at Jerusalem condemned their owne act in coming to Babylon judged their counsells foolish and weake which they had about their coming thiâ—her and blamed Jeremiah for exhorâ—ing them therâ—unto hereupon Ezekiel being returned as he thought from Jerusalem to Chaldaea speaks unto them what he had received concerning the destruction of the Temple City Land and the mâ—series of the inhabitants and thereby convinceth them that they were in a far better condition then those they haâ— left behind All the things Things in Hebrew is words now words are not shewne but heard how then doth he say Which he had shewed me they were not meer words but words Vesâ—ita externo symbolâ— He had many types Viz. Of a sâ—â—dge of a razâ—r and haire of a chain of six men wiâ—h slâ—ughter weapons in their hands of a cauldron whâ—ch were visible words Obser 1. When men have been in the hand and power of the spirit acted thereby then are they siâ— to speak unto the people Then I spake unto them When Moses had been in the mount then was hâ— fit to speak to those at the foot of the mount when the spiâ—it had irradiated the minds of men with divine light and truths then are they meetest â—o communicate to others The Apostles being filled with the spirit spake freely boldly Acts 4.13.20 2. Gods Prophets and Messengers must speak unto those they are intended for Ezekiel had his vision and all the types in it for the Jewes those of the Captivity not the Babylonians God had a care of the Captivity that they might be instructed concerning his mind and be undeceived in their apprehensions about the things of Jerusalem Then I spake unto the Captivity 3 They must declare what they have hâ—ard and seen not what is their owne what is mans is uncertaine unsatisfying unsanctifying but that which iâ—â—hâ— Lords is infallible will satisfie and sanctify Christ told the Apostles the spirit should take of his and shew unto them John 16.14 Math. 28.20 They must teach the people to observe what he commanded them 1 Cor. 11.23 Paul received what he delivered thus did Ezekiel he spake what the Lord shewed unto him 4. They must be faithfull speake all the things which are shewed unto them thus did our Prophet he delivered unto them all the Lord had shewne unto him what ever he had seen or heard that he faithfully giveth out There muâ—t be no adding to the things of God no detracting from them no changing any of them but what is the Lords that must be dispensed Christ who was sent of the father saith All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you Joh. 15.15 and Paul kepâ— back nothing but delivered all the counsell of God unto them Acts 20.20.27 CHAP. XII VERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. The word of the Lord also came unto me saying Son of man thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house which have eyes to see and see not They have eares to hear and hear not for they are a rebellious
cloathed with pride their children carried themselves proudly against the Antients and the base against the honourable so great and generall was the pride of Jerusalem that it made the Prophet weep in secret places Jer. 13.17 Their pride budded and blossom'd so that the Prophets eye seeing it affected his heart fetcht rivers of teares from him seeing their destruction now at hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Septuagint renders this place of our prophet thus Injury hath risen up pride is an injurious thing to God and man it rises up against him and thrusts him out of his worship Ordinances wayes it disquiets Kingdomes and the meek of the earth It 's injurie it selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Budds That is puts forth is green and growing as a tree Cant. 7.12 Puts out buds in every part of it in the Spring so as a foule puts out feathers all over so did Judah's pride bud forth in all rancks and conditions of people 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The other sin is violence The vulgar translates it iniquitie the Greeks unrighteousnesse others rapine injurie but the Hebrew is emphaticall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that violence that iniquity c. It signifies open wrong as Mercer observes upon Gen. 6.11 This sin was in strength among this people Isa 59.6 Their workes are workes of iniquity and the act of violence is in their hands they oppresse the poore they robbe and spoile them and that openly The act even the things they have taken from them are in their hands Amos 3.10 They know not to doe right who store up violence and robbery in their pallaces The Rulers and great men that dwelt in pallaces they oppressed they robbed and stored up what they got in their pallaces that it was known to all and cryed out of by the Prophet Mic. 3.1 2 3. He tels you of the Heads and Princes doings who above others should have seene to the execution of justice and they were the men pluckt off the skin from the people and their flesh from their bones they flaied brake chopt them in pieces as for the pot The peoples estates and livelihoods were as their skin flesh bones unto them but the great ones wrung them from the people and did live upon the spoile They ate the bread of wickednesse and dranke the wine of violence Prov. 4.17 And this sinne staid not in the heads but descended to the body the people generally they that were rich oppressed the poore Amos 8.4 They swallowed up the needy they made the Epha small and the Sheckle great they falsified the Ballances sold the poore for silver and the needy for shooes vers 5 6. Men indued with immortall soules worth all the world they sold for old shoes and filled the land with violence Ezek. 8.17 Risen up into a rod of wickednesse The phrase imports thus much that their injustice and oppression had prepared and brought forth Judgment A rod of wickednesse that is a rod the fruit of wickednesse out of their great sinnes hath sprung up this rod or thus a rod of wickednesse that is a rod to correct and punish wickednesse withall in both senses it may be called a rod of wickednesse both because it buds from wickednesse and serves to beate wickednesse If wee refer violence to Nebuchadnezar then the meaning is God will raise up him to be the rod of his anger to beate the Jewes for their iniquity he shall rise up into a rod of wickednesse If we referre it to the Jewes then the meaning is their own wickednesse is risen up into a rod into judgment and that rod will be their ruine such a phrase there is in Pro. 14.3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride That is the proud speeches in the mouths of fools offend others provoke God produce shame trouble danger to themselves and so their own sin is a rod to themselves Obser 1 That pride is a fore-runner of destruction Judgment utter ruine was comming upon them but pride had budded they were grown exceeding proud and haughty their pride testified to their faces as the phrase is Hos 5.5 Therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity Judah also shall fall with them Is Israel proud so is Judah must Israel fall so must Judah Pride struts before and ruine follows at the heels Prov. 16.18 Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall Haman was haughty he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone he will have the blood and bones of all the Jewes to satisfie his pride Est 3.6 And quickly after hee was hanged Est 7.10 Before the worms did eate Herod his heart was swoln with pride Acts 12 23. Nebuchadnezar Dan. 4.30 31. David in the pride of his hear◠numbers the people and the plague sweeps away 70000. of them presently after Absolom Adonijah aspire but destruction was their end Pride affects to goe before but it s before a fall before destruction If you find pride in the premisses you shall certainly finde destruction in the conclusion pride preceded the grand fall of our first Parents they would be like to Gods knowing good and evill Gen. 3.5 And pride preceded the Angels fall in Heaven some gather from that in 1 Tim. 3.6 It was so from the beginning and will be a truth to the end Luke 14.11 Whosoever exalteth himselfe shall be abased he that humbleth himself shall be exalted Be they particular persons Cities or Kingdomes if they exalt themselves through pride God will throw them downe Jer. 50.29 30. Babylon hath been proud against the Lord against the holy one of Israel and therefore shee should be ruined I believe the Kingdomes that are ruining now have been proud against the Lord and his worship they have provoked God with that sin and he will plague them with his Judgements God threatned Jerusalem for this sin Jer. 13.9 I 'le marre the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem And how you may see in Isa 3.24 Instead of sweet smells there shall be a stinke and instead of a girdle a rent Instead of well-set haire baldnesse Instead of a stomacher a girding with sackcloath and burning instead of beauty Thus God would marre it Isa 23.9 The Lord of Hosts hath purposed to staine the pride of all glory and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth He hath purposed and is powerfull to doe it Obser 2 The ruine of persons and Kingdomes is from themselves violence is risen up into a Rod of wickednesse their own injustice oppression and iniquities brought forth that which was their destruction a rod of wickednesse Davids sinne was a rod to himselfe 2 Sam. 12.9 10 11. Thou hast killed Vriah defiled Bathsheba now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house I will raise up evill against thee out of thine owne bowels The Sinne and Rod grew out of one stock mens sinnes prove their rods Josephs Brethren
more then ever we read of formerly It can hardly be shewn in Scripture â—hat ever any met together in private to worship the Lord were surpriz'd molested taken or imprison'd For their publique preaching they were frequently questioned and suffered It s not so evident that they did for their private meetings These they had in Babylon without imputation or molestation and shall not Sion be as indulgent to her children as Babylon was to her enemies If not Babylon wil rise up in judgement against such sons of Sion 4. God honours holy meetings though they be private the hand of the Lord fell there and then upon the Prophet Where two or 3. meet together in a sacred manner God will be in the midst of them Matth. 18.20 He will be President of that meeting and powerfull in it not only shew his presence and power in an ordinary way but many times extraordinarily as at this time John 20.19 When the Disciples were assembled in private Jesus stood in the middest of them and said peace be unto you And so in the 26. v. when they were met in private Christ came amongst them he honoured their meetings in a speciall manner with his presence blessing and miracles The world hath prejudice against such meetings speaks ill and attempts the ruine of them but Christ thinks honourably of them puts honour upon and manifests his acceptance of them Acts 2.1 2 3. When the Apostles were got together in a hou e the cloven tongues of fire sate upon each of them and they were filled with the holy Spirit Acts 10.44 While Peteter was preaching in Cornelius house the holy Ghost fell upon them And you will scarcely find such visible signes of Gods presence in publique as were then in private I speak not this to disparage publique meetings God is in the solemn Assemblies there his glory and power is seene But to take off that Odium is in the hearts of many against all private meetings 5. Those wait upon God in the wayes of his worship are not loosers by it The Elders came to the Prophet sate there expected something from him and they had more then ordinary They beheld the hand of God upon the Prophet and were made witnesses of that vision hee had and partakers of the same The people that flocked after Christ into the field had the Word beside that the loaves fishes Joh. 6. When the Disciples were met together to worship the Lord the first day of the weeke Christ came to them breath'd upon and gave them the holy Ghost John 20.19.22 Paul seekes God in prayer Acts 9.11 and continued in it behold he prayes he was at it night and day and Ananias was sent to him to help him to his sight and to the holy Ghost so that he might see men and how to save men Old Simeon and old Anna the Prophetesse they came into the Temple to serve the Lord and at that time Christ is brought in whom they see and magnifie God for Luke 2. In Acts 16.13 You read how Paul left the City and went to a river side where women did usually meet to pray thither many were come and to them Paul preaches Lidias heart is opened and Christ let in who was before a stranger unto her and besides this she was baptized and gain'd the company of the choisest Apostles vers 14 15. Cornelius Acts 10. fasts and prayes and he hath an Angel sent to him to assure him that all was accepted in heaven and to help him to the speech of an Apostle whom hearing he received the holy Ghost vers 44. Men lose not but gain greatly by waiting upon God in his Ordinances If they have not what they expect sometimes they have more then they look for at other times Blessed is the man that heareth me saith Christ Prov. 8.34 watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors They are blessed already and unexpected blessings are waiting for them 6. That former operations and impressions of the Spirit suffice not the holiest of men when new services are to be done Ezekiel was a holy Prophet hee had the hand of God the vertue of the Spirit falling upon him before Chap. 1.3 entering into him Chap. 2.2 strongly upon him Chap 3.14 And yet all this was not sufficient there was new work for him new visions to be seene and given out and the hand of the Lord fell anew upon him New employments must have new influences new tryals must have new strength If we trust to antecedent receipts we shall miscarry Peter fail'd when hee came to encounter with a new tryal he lean'd upon what he had and looked not up for more Paul he stood when buffeted by a messenger of Satan and why being conscious of his own weaknesse and insufficiency of what he had received he sought to God who told him my grace is sufficient for thee not the graces I have given thee but the grace I have to give thee If a messenger of Sathan molest thee be too strong for thee I have a messenger even my Spirit of grace that shall come and comfort thee that is stronger then all and shall uphold thee Paul had experience of this and therefore counsels Timothy 2 Tim. 2.1 To be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus Though he had unfeigned faith knew the Scripture from a child had a gift given him by the laying on of Pauls hands yet hee must not be strong in these but in the grace of Christ see his strength lye there former impressions of Christ Spirit ware out and receiv'd vertue is soone spent Wee must looke for new Influences Impressions and Operations of the hand of Christ else all will be too little Cant. 4.16 Awake O North wind and come thou South blow upon my garden that the spices thereof may flow And Sampson called unto the Lord and said O Lord God remember me I pray thee and strengthen me I pray thee only this once Judges 16.28 VERSE II. Then I beheld and loe a likenesse as the appearance of fire from the appearance of his loines even downward fire and from his loines even upward as the appearance of brightnesse as the colour of Amber OUr Prophet being in an extasie the Lord Jesus Christ appeares unto him as a man and is described First Generally and that is by a likenesse of fire he seem'd to him to be a man of fire or as the appearance of fire 2. More particularly and 1. From his loines downward and the appearance thereof was as fire 2. From his loins upward the appearance whereof was 1. As brightnesse 2. As the colour of Amber Christ being presented here as a man of fire it 's worthy consideration to examine the grounds of it The Jewes had sinned exceedingly provoked God by their Idolatry to great jealousie and being now resolv'd upon their destruction he gives out a fiery vision of Christ unto the Prophet which appearance was sutable to
God for â—â— as man but he mediated then ut homo promissus now hee mediates ut homo exhibitus Isa 53.5 The Prophet speaking of Christ saith he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed The Prophets faith and in his the faith of the Jewish Church looked upon Christ as already wounded slain and fetched healing vertue from his stripes Christs death was their life his Crosse their crown 2. That the Lord Christ is the chief Commander of all Angelicall and humane forces he was in the midst of these six military Angels that were to bring in the Chaldean forces at the severall gates of the City Hee was their Generall from him they had their Commissions and without a word from him they could not stirre All power in heaven and earth was given him Math. 28. His prerogative it was and is to call forth Angels and send out Armies Rev. 19.4 The Armies which were in heaven followed him that is Christ hee was their Leader and his name is King of Kings and Lord of Lords vers 16. And certainly where Christ goes in the head of Armies there will bee great slaughter 3. When judgements are abroad and the godly are in danger Christ mediates and intercedes for them Now the Jewish Church and State were at the doore of destruction and publâ—que calamities ready to involve all Christ he appears like a Priest with linnen cloaths to offer sacrifice on their behalfe and to mediate for them When imminent dangers were at hand or judgments upon the people the Pâ—iests were to appear to stand between the Lord and them making intercession for them Num. 16.47 And so in Joel 2.17 Let the Priests the Ministers of the Lord weepe between the porch and the Altar and say spare thy people O Lord. And here Christ being a merc full h gh Priest shewes himselfe and interposeth for the Saints who were to meet with a terrible tempest The like did Christ when he was in the flesh on earth he saw what a storm was comming upon Jerusalem what persecution upon the Saints and therefore John 17. he intercedes with his Father for Apostles and believers vers 16.20 When Steven was questioned and in jeopardy of his â—if heaven was opened and he saw Christ standing at the right hand of God Christ pleaded his cause propitiated for his sins and incouraged him in his sufferings 4. Christ hath a speciall care of his in times of trouble he appears with an Inkhorn to write down wâ—â—â— is said and done against them to make known the mind of Gâ—d to them to seal and discriminate them from others to givâ—â— mâ—â—â—ssi â—s to those he employes to cut off the enemies of â—is peoâ—lâ— Rev. 7 2 3. There were four Angels had power given them to haâ—â— the earth sea but there was another Angell ascending from the East having the seal of the living God viz. Christ for so Expositors understand it and this Angell the Lord Christ cryed with a loud voyce saying hurt not the earth neither the sea nor the trees till we have sealed the servants of God in their fore-heads Christ had great care of his Churches for by Earth Sea Trees some of the learned understand the Church in severall places by Earth the Inland Churches by Sea the Maritime and by Trees the mountaine and woodland Churches Christ would not have these hurt till all the godly in them were sealed It s prophecyed in Mal. 4.1 2. That when it 's a fiery day of the LORD the Sonne of righteousnesse shall rise with healing in his wings to them that feare the LORD Chap. 1.3 4. When the locusts came out of the bottomlesse pit and had power like Scorpions given them to sting and doe hurt there was a command that they should not hurt the grasse of the earth nor any green thing nor any tree That is No Christian that had life in him weak or strong but only those had not the seale of God in their fore-heads that is those had no life no greennesse in them and they were subject to hurt others Mar. 4. when the Disciples were in a grievous storm the waves beat so into the shipp that they fill'd it they were affraid and suspeâ—ted the care of Christ and therefore said Mr. carest thou not that we perish Yea saith Christ I have a speciall care of you and presently you shall see it he rebuked the winds said to the sea peace he still and immediately the wind ceased and there was a calme And from rebuking the winds Seas he fals to rebuke them for their fear and faithlesnesse they perceiv'd not yet that he cared for them aswell sleeping as waking though his body slept yet his spirit was awake his care for his is constant and intense When he was to leave the world how full of trouble were the hearts of his Apostles and how full of care and compassion was Christ towards them laying down severall grounds of comfort for them in the 14 15 16 and 17. Chapt. of John 5. Those are upon great and publique designs should begin with God consult with him These 7. here go in and stand by the Altar enquire of God what his pleasure is whither he will send them what he had to doe for them and what ever it was that hee would counsell and prosper them So have the Worthies of God done Ezra 8.21 When he was to come from Babylon about the great work of the Temple he sought God extraordinarily for direction assistance and protection which he obtain'd of God vers 23. Jehoshaphat when the Moabites Ammonites and others came out to warre against him hee began with the Lord in prayer and fasting and from him had encouragement and successe 2 Chro. 20. So Asa he began with God when Zerah had a thousand thousand in the field against him he knew that the Lord was the Lord of Hosts and that thâ—â—e uncircumcised ones came against him therefore lookes up to him and saith O Lord thou art our God let not man prevaile against thee and hereupon the Lord smote the Ethiopians 2 Chron. 14.11 12. One reason why Armies miscary is because they confide in their owne strength and policy and leane not wholly upon the Lord seeking to him in the first place Joshuah miscaryed in a great businesse in making peace with the Gibeonites Josh 9. and the reason is given they asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord vers 14. All businesses for the right managing and successe of them depend upon the Lord it 's he blesses or curses therefore it 's wisdome it 's necessary to looke up to him at the beginning lest through neglect of Divine Majesty wee lay the foundation of our enterprizes in wrath Christ being to choose Apostles which was a great work he prayed all night before Luke 6.12 13. And the Angels that were to powre out the vials
8.3 Hee hath in this tenth Chapter a vision much like that mentioned in the first Chapter yet with some difference as will appear in the opening Three things chiefly are observable in this Chapter 1. The scattering of burning coales over the City Jerusalem which some call the vision of coales v. 2 3.6 7. 2. The Lords change of his place 4.18 19. 3. A description of the Cherubims in the 5.8 9 10 c. The scattering of the coales is specified in the 2d vers and prefigured the burning of Jerusalem and this is set out to us 1. From the Author commanding who is the Lord in the 〈◊〉 vers 1. 2. From the instrument acting the man cloathed with linnen vers 2. 3. From the command it selfe where we have 1. The place whither he was to goe in between c. 2. What to doe 1. Fill his hand with coales of fire 2. Scatter them over the City 4. The execution of the command vers 2.6 7. He went and this is illustrated 1. From the witnesse thereof Ezekiel in my sight 2. From the place where the Cherubims stood on the right side of the house v. 3. 3. From the event the cloud fill'd the inward Court Ibid. 4. From the manner of conveying of the fire vers 7. A Cherubim put forth his hand tooke fire and put into the hand of him cloathed with linnen In the first vers the Majesty and greatnesse of him commands is set out 1. By the Firmament above 2. By the Cherubims underneath 3. By a throne which was of Saphir In the first Chap. 22. hath been spoken of the firmament Rachiah from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to extend expand expansum because stretched out over the whole earth The Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because of it's strength and firmenesse not melted or changed by its motion This firmament the footstool of the Lord was over the head of the Cherubims Cherubims This word is not in the first vision Chap. 1. there they are cal'd the living creatures here Cherubims which is evidence that they are the same and may strengthen the interpretation given to be of the Angels There is a difference between the words Chap. 1.22 where it 's said the firmament upon the heads of the living creature And the words here which are the firmament that was above the head of the Cherubims there its living creature and heads here its Cherubims and head which may mind us of their onenesse and consent in judgement and operations If there be heads it s but as one living creature acts from those heads if there be Cherubims they have all but as one head Why are they cal'd Cherubims here and not living creatures as before I suppose the reason is this The former vision was at Chebar in the open field by a rivers side this was in the Temple where the Cherubims were 1 Kings 8.6 7. and so that notion suited with them there 2. In Babylon a prophane land the Prophet sees living creatures he had a generall and confus'd apprehension of them but when he is in the Temple he hath a more cleare and distinct knowledge of them Hence you have this note The Lord did more clearely make known himselfe and mysteries in the holy land then in other places Psal 76.1 In Judah is God knowne more fully and familiarly then elsewhere A vision in Babylon is not so cleare as a vision in Sion Psalm 29.9 In his Temple doth every one speake of his glory A saphir stone Jerome derives it from shaphar pulcher because these stones are faire and pleasant to the eyes Coelesti Colore conspicui sunt Ruens The Saphir notes 1. Liberty Exod. 24.10 God appeared to them with a paved work of Saphir under his feet when the Israelites were going from bondage to liberty 2. Purity therefore it s brought in a foundation stone of the new Jerusalem Rev. 21.19 3. Of chastity Cant. 5.14 Christs belly is overlaid with Saphirs and his Spouse must be chast 4. Glory greatnesse among the Aegyptians the chiefe Priests being Judges wore a Saphir about their necks these and some other particulars were spoken of in the first Chapter vers 26. Throne A Throne is a seate of Majestie and belonging to Kings and great Governours John 3.6 2 King 11.19 Neh. 3.7 and therefore 1. are call'd Kingly Dan. 5.20 and put for Kingdom Prov. 20.28 for government Heb. 1.8 2. Glorious Isa 22.23 and hence are put for Angels Col. 1.18 for heaven Acts 7.49 for great dignity Job 36.7 Here it notes a seate of judgement according to that in Psalm 122.5 There are set thrones of judgement Here was a Throne of judgement set and that of Saphir holding out the Majestie power and greatnesse of him sate in it who was in a readinesse to give out sentence against Jerusalem The Firmament Cherubims Saphire Throne are mentioned but not he sate in it that one was in it is evident from the next vers He spake unto the man cloathed c. that was hee in the Throne In the first vision one like the appearance of the Sonne of man was in the Throne and because no such appearance is here it s conceived to be Jehovah Obser 1. The Lord is King and hath Kingly power he hath a throne and Isa 66.1 Heaven is my Throne And hee sitteth King for ever Psal 29.10 He hath a double Throne 1. A throne of justice Psal 9.7 Hee hath prepared his throne for judgement and this throne is terrible Dan. 7.9 10. It 's like a fiery flame and sends out a fiery stream to scorch and consume delinquents The law is cal'd a fiery law Deut. 33.2 and the breath of him sits in this throne its fire and kindles upon those appeare before it unquencheablie 2. A throne of mercy and grace Heb. 4.16 no sinners dye before this throne they may come boldly to it and finde yea obtaine mercy and grace to help in time of need Jerusalem was at the throne of justice and coals of fire were giving out to burn her to ashes 2. His throne is the chiefest of thrones it s in the Firmament Psal 11.4 The Lords throne is in heaven it s above all thrones he hath Angels men and Dâ—vils under his command the Cherubims heads were under the firmament whereon his throne was those immortall and glorious spirits He is King of nations Jer. 10.7 Of all the earth Psal 47.7 A great King above all gods Psalm 95.3 They have their expansums over their heads of some rich stuffe which shewes their subjection to some other but it s otherwise with God he is above the expansum Hee is the blessed and only potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6.15 3. The Lord who hath so glorious a throne is much more glorious himselfe his throne is saphirine very beautiful like the colour of the heavens If an earthly throne be a throne of glory as Hannah stiles it 1 Sam. 2.8 what is this
this and hath weight in it Our Prophet was now in a vision at Jerusalem and as hee had had many things offered to his sight so many things were yet offering and to be offered to his view all which had beene disturbed and prevented if there had been present execution of the command he could not have seen what follows here in the vision nor that in the next Chapter Further I conceive sometime was allotted between the command and execution for repentance Obser 1. Angels watch and take opportunites to serve Christ he comes unto them to take fire and presently one of them takes the fire and puts it in his hand being glad of such an opportunity to doe him service Angels are vigilant creatures and wait for opportunities and when they come they will not lose them Psal 103.20 They hearken to the voyce of his word they neither slumber nor sleep but hearken constantly what the Lord will say what opportunity there will be for action so in Ezek. 1.11 they are described with their wings stretched upward manifesting their watchfulnesse and readinesse for service When Christ was born a multitude of them appeared and celebrated his nativity Luke 2.13 When Christ was taken by Judas and his traine Peter drew his sword in his Masters defence but what saith Christ put up thy sword it 's not a time now to fight but to suffer thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father he shall presently give me more then 12. legions of Angels It 's not a time now to pray for helpe I must dye Scripture must be fulfilled but if I would my Father would bid the Angels to aid me and they presently would come whole legions of them yea all the Angels in heaven Let us learne of Angels watch opportunities and take them There be nicks of time wherein to doe the works of Christ Eccles 3.1 To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven It 's wisdome to observe those seasons and times Rom. 12.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Angels doe honour the Lord Christ exceedingly to their utmost they resigne up themselves and all they have to the will and command of Christ their wings hands feet faces their natures their knowledge zeale active vertue shall be all for Christ One tooke fire and put into his hand This is great honour to Christ when any creature gives up what it is what it hath and what it can doe unto him fully More cannot be required or expected by any superior and divine power more cannot be performed by any creature They are Angelicall who can resign up all into the hand of Christ Let us learn this duty The Scribe Matth. 8.19 said well Master I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest I will trace thy steps learn thy doctrine doe thy will be at thy dispose And Isa Chap. 6.8 Here am I send me Lord I give up my selfe unto thee all the fire in mee all my knowledge zeale active vertue are at thy dispose So Paul Acts 9.6 Lord what wilt thou have me to doe I have been against thee I will now be for thee I give up my selfe to thee wholly If Angels did it whose nature Christ tooke not for whom he dyed not how much more should we doe it whose nature he took for whom he did and suffered all 3. Things done seasonably are acceptable to Christ the Angel observ'd Christ comming for fire to demand their service and he takes fire and puts into Christs hand and Christ tooke it which notes his acceptance He neither reprov'd nor rejected the Angel or his service but was well pleased the putting fire into his hand was seasonable and so acceptable There be seasons which if taken sweeten actions and open the doore for their better entertainment Prov. 25.11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver The Heb. is a word spoken upon its wheels Fit times and seasons are wheels to carry words with great advantage and so for actions when things are done in the due time they are beautifull acceptable when God gives raine to a Land in season how acceptable is it when a tree bears fruit in its season its gratefull So when Angels or men do things seasonably its pleasing to the Lord Christ there be idonea tempora which if we misse actions are unlovely and misse of their aimes Psal 32.6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou maist be found There be times if we have the wisdome to discern them when prayer will be seasonable acceptable effectuall VERS 8. And there appeared in the Cherubims the forme of a mans hand under their wings OUr Prophet having seene the Cherub stretch out a hand take fire and put it into the hand of the man cloathed with linnen here hee describes what kind of hand it was and where it was For the kind it was a mans hand there appeared the form of a mans hand for the place it was under their wing I have spoken hereof Chap. 1.8 There is mention of hands here of a hand not that they had only one hand but under every wing was a hand they had wings and under them he saw the form of a hand Their wings set out not only their swiftnesse in motion but also their divine instinct and secret guidance of God which carries them as wings this or that way to this or that action and hand imports both vigour to act and action active vertue and the activity it selfe Oeserv 1. Angels are furnished with abilities and are fitted for employments they have hands and wings what ever the Lord calls them to doe they want not ought tending to the accomplishment thereof If speed be required they have wings to flye If work be to be done they have hands and can doe much in a little time 2. They doe not things rashly but advisedly judiciously they have the hands of a man mens hands are ordered by judgment in their operations and so are Angels they doe all things wisely understandingly they observe the best seasons and all circumstances which may adde beauty and advantage to their actions and therefore vers 12. it 's said their hands were full of eyes they see into all the intrinsicals or extrinsicals of any businesse 3. The works of God are done by hidden and secret meanes by ways unthought of by hands under wings Here a Cherub stretches out a hand from under a wing takes fire and puts into the hand of Christ God hath secret hands to do his work somtimes angels hands sometime the hand of providence sometime the hand of his spirit Angels are invisible agents and we have unknown mercies from their hands an Angel rol'd away the great stone from the Sepulchre they remove many difficulties out of our way it was the hand of an Angel that brought the Apostles out of prison Act. 5.19.12.9 Angels encamp round about