go_v backward_o therefore_o will_v i_o stretch_v out_o my_o hand_n against_o thou_o and_o deliver_v thou_o i_o be_o weary_a of_o repent_v by_o our_o obstinate_a impenitency_n we_o harden_v the_o heart_n of_o god_n against_o we_o and_o make_v he_o weary_a of_o repent_v 9.12_o and_o when_o his_o soul_n be_v thus_o depart_v from_o a_o people_n nothing_o remain_v but_o a_o fearful_a expectation_n of_o ruin_n wo_n unto_o they_o say_v god_n by_o the_o prophet_n when_o i_o depart_v from_o they_o therefore_o be_v thou_o instruct_v o_o jerusalem_n lest_o my_o soul_n depart_v from_o thou_o lest_o i_o make_v thou_o desolate_a a_o land_n not_o inhabit_v have_v give_v this_o account_n of_o the_o word_n i_o shall_v observe_v from_o they_o three_o thing_n well_o worth_a our_o consideration_n first_o the_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o patience_n of_o god_n towards_o a_o sinful_a people_n and_o his_o great_a unwillingness_n to_o bring_v ruin_n and_o destruction_n upon_o they_o lest_o my_o soul_n depart_v from_o thou_o lest_o i_o make_v thou_o desolate_a a_o land_n not_o inhabit_v how_o loath_a be_v he_o that_o thing_n shall_v come_v to_o this_o extremity_n he_o be_v not_o without_o great_a difficulty_n and_o some_o kind_n of_o violence_n as_o it_o be_v offer_v to_o himself_o bring_v to_o this_o severe_a resolution_n his_o soul_n be_v as_o it_o be_v rend_v and_o disjoint_v from_o they_o second_o you_o see_v here_o what_o be_v the_o only_a proper_a and_o effectual_a mean_n to_o prevent_v the_o misery_n and_o ruin_n of_o a_o sinful_a people_n if_o they_o will_v be_v instruct_v and_o take_v warning_n by_o the_o threaten_n of_o god_n and_o will_v become_v wise_a and_o better_a than_o his_o soul_n will_v not_o depart_v from_o they_o he_o will_v not_o bring_v upon_o they_o the_o desolation_n which_o he_o have_v threaten_v three_o you_o have_v here_o intimate_v the_o miserable_a case_n and_o condition_n of_o a_o people_n when_o god_n take_v off_o his_o affection_n from_o they_o and_o give_v over_o all_o further_a care_n and_o concernment_n for_o they_o wo_n unto_o they_o when_o his_o soul_n depart_v from_o they_o for_o when_o god_n once_o leave_v they_o than_o all_o sort_n of_o evil_n and_o calamity_n will_v break_v in_o upon_o they_o i_o shall_v speak_v as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v to_o these_o three_o observation_n from_o the_o text._n first_o i_o observe_v the_o infinite_a patience_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n towards_o a_o sinful_a people_n and_o his_o great_a unwillingness_n to_o bring_v ruin_n and_o destruction_n upon_o they_o lest_o my_o soul_n depart_v from_o thou_o lest_o i_o make_v thou_o desolate_a a_o land_n not_o inhabit_v how_o loath_a be_v god_n that_o thing_n shall_v come_v to_o this_o he_o be_v very_o patient_a to_o particular_a person_n notwithstanding_o their_o great_a and_o innumerable_a provocation_n god_n be_v strong_a and_o patient_a though_o man_n provoke_v he_o every_o day_n and_o much_o great_a be_v his_o patience_n to_o whole_a nation_n and_o great_a community_n of_o man_n how_o great_a be_v it_o to_o the_o old_a world_n when_o the_o long_a suffering_n of_o god_n wait_v in_o the_o day_n of_o noah_n for_o the_o space_n of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n and_o do_v not_o expire_v till_o he_o see_v that_o the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n be_v grow_v great_a upon_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o all_o flesh_n have_v corrupt_v its_o way_n not_o till_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o drown_v the_o world_n to_o cleanse_v it_o and_o to_o destroy_v mankind_n to_o reform_v it_o by_o begin_v a_o new_a world_n upon_o the_o only_a righteous_a family_n that_o be_v leave_v of_o all_o the_o last_o generation_n of_o the_o old_a for_o so_o god_n testify_v concern_v noah_n when_o he_o command_v he_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o ark_n say_v 7.1_o come_v thou_o and_o all_o thy_o house_n into_o the_o ark_n for_o thou_o that_o be_v thou_o only_o have_v i_o see_v righteous_a before_o i_o in_o this_o generation_n the_o patience_n of_o god_n be_v great_a likewise_o to_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n and_o the_o city_n about_o they_o for_o when_o the_o cry_n of_o their_o sin_n have_v reach_v heaven_n and_o call_v loud_o for_o vengeance_n to_o be_v pour_v down_o upon_o they_o to_o express_v the_o wonderful_a patience_n of_o god_n towards_o such_o grievous_a sinner_n though_o nothing_o be_v hide_v from_o his_o sight_n and_o knowledge_n yet_o he_o be_v represent_v as_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o earth_n on_o purpose_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n and_o whether_o they_o be_v altogether_o according_a to_o the_o cry_n that_o be_v come_v up_o to_o he_o and_o when_o he_o find_v thing_n as_o bad_a as_o be_v possible_a yet_o then_o be_v he_o willing_a to_o have_v come_v almost_o to_o the_o low_a term_n imaginable_a that_o if_o there_o have_v be_v but_o ten_o righteous_a person_n in_o those_o wicked_a city_n he_o will_v not_o have_v destroy_v they_o for_o the_o ten_o be_v sake_n nay_o he_o seem_v to_o come_v to_o low_a term_n yet_o with_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n jer._n 5.1_o run_v you_o to_o and_o fro_o through_o the_o street_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o see_v now_o and_o know_v and_o seek_v in_o the_o broad_a place_n thereof_o if_o you_o can_v find_v a_o man_n if_o there_o be_v any_o that_o execute_v judgement_n and_o seek_v the_o truth_n and_o i_o will_v pardon_v it_o what_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o slow_a and_o mild_a and_o merciful_a than_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n against_o a_o sinful_a people_n god_n be_v represent_v in_o scripture_n as_o take_v a_o long_a time_n to_o make_v ready_a his_o bow_n and_o to_o whet_v his_o glitter_a sword_n before_o his_o hand_n take_v hold_v of_o vengeance_n as_o if_o the_o instrument_n of_o his_o wrath_n lie_v by_o he_o blunt_a and_o rusty_a and_o unready_a for_o use_v many_o a_o time_n he_o threaten_v and_o many_o a_o time_n lift_v up_o his_o hand_n before_o he_o give_v the_o fatal_a blow_n and_o how_o glad_a be_v he_o when_o any_o good_a man_n will_v step_v in_o and_o interpose_v to_o stay_v his_o hand_n as_o we_o read_v psal_n 106.23_o therefore_o he_o say_v speak_v of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n that_o he_o will_v destroy_v they_o have_v not_o moses_n his_o servant_n stand_v in_o the_o breach_n to_o turn_v away_o his_o wrath_n lest_o he_o shall_v destroy_v they_o and_o how_o kind_o do_v god_n take_v it_o of_o phinehas_n as_o a_o most_o acceptable_a piece_n of_o service_n do_v to_o he_o and_o which_o he_o hardly_o know_v how_o sufficient_o to_o reward_v that_o he_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o his_o anger_n against_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n insomuch_o that_o the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v account_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n to_o all_o generation_n for_o evermore_o i_o will_v recite_v the_o whole_a passage_n at_o large_a because_o it_o be_v remarkable_a when_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v seduce_v into_o idolatry_n and_o whoredom_n by_o the_o daughter_n of_o moab_n phinehas_n in_o great_a zeal_n stand_v up_o and_o execute_v judgement_n upon_o zimri_n and_o cozbi_n in_o the_o very_a act_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o plague_n which_o be_v break_v out_o upon_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n be_v present_o stay_v hear_v what_o god_n say_v to_o moses_n concern_v this_o act_n of_o phinehas_n the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o moses_n say_v phinehas_n the_o son_n of_o eleazar_n the_o son_n of_o aaron_n the_o priest_n have_v turn_v away_o my_o wrath_n from_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n whilst_o he_o be_v zealous_a for_o my_o sake_n that_o i_o consume_v they_o not_o wherefore_o say_v behold_v i_o give_v unto_o he_o my_o covenant_n of_o peace_n and_o he_o shall_v have_v it_o and_o his_o seed_n after_o he_o even_o the_o covenant_n of_o a_o everlasting_a priesthood_n because_o he_o be_v zealous_a for_o his_o god_n and_o make_v a_o atonement_n for_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n that_o which_o god_n take_v so_o kind_o at_o his_o hand_n next_o to_o his_o zeal_n for_o he_o be_v that_o he_o pacify_v god_n wrath_n towards_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n and_o thus_o do_v god_n from_o time_n to_o time_n deal_v with_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n that_o great_a example_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n of_o the_o merciful_a method_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n towards_o a_o sinful_a nation_n and_o a_o example_n as_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o purposely_o record_v for_o our_o admonition_n upon_o who_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v come_v 10.11_o let_v we_o therefore_o consider_v a_o little_a the_o astonish_a patience_n of_o god_n towards_o that_o perverse_a people_n after_o all_o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n which_o he_o have_v wrought_v in_o their_o deliverance_n out_o of_o egypt_n and_o for_o their_o support_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o notwithstanding_o
bless_a saviour_n who_o know_v what_o be_v in_o man_n better_o than_o any_o man_n that_o ever_o be_v know_v our_o great_a reluctancy_n and_o backwardness_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o duty_n have_v urge_v it_o upon_o we_o by_o such_o forcible_a and_o almost_o violent_a argument_n that_o if_o we_o have_v any_o tenderness_n for_o ourselves_o we_o can_v refuse_v obedience_n to_o it_o for_o he_o plain_o tell_v we_o that_o no_o sacrifice_n that_o we_o can_v offer_v will_v appease_v god_n towards_o we_o so_o long_o as_o we_o ourselves_o be_v implacable_a to_o man_n verse_n 23_o d._n of_o this_o chapter_n if_o thou_o bring_v thy_o gift_n to_o the_o altar_n and_o there_o remember_v that_o thy_o brother_n have_v aught_o against_o thou_o leave_v thy_o gift_n before_o the_o altar_n and_o go_v thy_o way_n first_o go_v and_o be_v reconcile_v to_o thy_o brother_n and_o then_o come_v and_o offer_v thy_o gift_n to_o recommend_v this_o duty_n effectual_o to_o we_o he_o give_v it_o a_o preference_n to_o all_o the_o positive_a duty_n of_o religion_n first_o go_v and_o be_v reconcile_v to_o thy_o brother_n and_o then_o come_v and_o offer_v thy_o gift_n till_o this_o duty_n be_v discharge_v god_n will_v accept_v of_o no_o service_n no_o sacrifice_n at_o our_o hand_n and_o therefore_o our_o liturgy_n do_v with_o great_a reason_n declare_v it_o to_o be_v a_o necessary_a qualification_n for_o our_o worthy_a receive_v of_o the_o sacrament_n that_o we_o be_v in_o love_n and_o charity_n with_o our_o neighbour_n because_o this_o be_v a_o moral_a duty_n and_o of_o eternal_a obligation_n without_o which_o no_o positive_a part_n of_o religion_n such_o as_o the_o sacrament_n be_v can_v be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n especial_o since_o in_o this_o bless_a sacrament_n of_o christ_n body_n and_o blood_n we_o expect_v to_o have_v the_o forgiveness_n of_o our_o sin_n ratify_v and_o confirm_v to_o we_o which_o how_o can_v we_o hope_v for_o from_o god_n if_o we_o ourselves_o be_v not_o ready_a to_o forgive_v one_o another_o he_o shall_v have_v judgement_n without_o mercy_n say_v st._n james_n who_o have_v show_v no_o mercy_n and_o in_o that_o excellent_a form_n of_o prayer_n which_o our_o lord_n himself_o have_v give_v we_o he_o have_v teach_v we_o so_o to_o ask_v forgiveness_n of_o god_n as_o not_o to_o expect_v it_o from_o he_o if_o we_o do_v not_o forgive_v one_o another_o so_o that_o if_o we_o do_v not_o practise_v this_o duty_n as_o hard_o as_o we_o think_v it_o be_v every_o time_n that_o we_o put_v up_o this_o petition_n to_o god_n forgive_v we_o our_o trespass_n as_o we_o forgive_v they_o that_o trespass_n against_o we_o we_o send_v up_o a_o terrible_a imprecation_n against_o ourselves_o and_o do_v in_o effect_n beg_v of_o god_n not_o to_o forgive_v we_o and_o therefore_o to_o imprint_v this_o matter_n the_o deep_a upon_o our_o mind_n our_o bless_a saviour_n immediate_o after_o the_o recital_n of_o this_o prayer_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o add_v a_o very_a remarkable_a enforcement_n of_o this_o petition_n above_o all_o the_o rest_n for_o if_o say_v he_o you_o forgive_v man_n their_o trespass_n 15._o your_o heavenly_a father_n will_v also_o forgive_v you_o but_o if_o you_o forgive_v not_o man_n their_o trespass_n neither_o will_v your_o father_n forgive_v your_o trespass_n and_o our_o saviour_n have_v likewise_o in_o his_o gospel_n represent_v to_o we_o both_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o duty_n and_o the_o danger_n of_o do_v contrary_a to_o it_o in_o a_o very_a lively_a and_o affect_a parable_n deliver_v by_o he_o to_o this_o purpose_n 18.23_o concern_v a_o wicked_a servant_n who_o when_o his_o lord_n have_v but_o just_a before_o forgive_v he_o a_o vast_a debt_n of_o ten_o thousand_o talent_n take_v his_o poor_a fellow-servant_n by_o the_o throat_n and_o notwithstanding_o his_o humble_a submission_n and_o earnest_a entreaty_n to_o be_v favourable_a to_o he_o hale_v he_o to_o prison_n for_o a_o trifle_a debt_n of_o a_o hundred_o penny_n and_o the_o application_n which_o he_o make_v of_o this_o parable_n at_o the_o end_n of_o it_o be_v very_o terrible_a and_o such_o as_o ought_v never_o to_o go_v out_o of_o our_o mind_n so_o likewise_o 35._o say_v he_o shall_v my_o heavenly_a father_n do_v also_o unto_o you_o if_o you_o do_v not_o from_o your_o heart_n forgive_v every_o one_o his_o brother_n his_o trespass_n one_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v at_o first_o view_n that_o this_o parable_n be_v over_o do_v and_o want_v something_o of_o a_o due_a decorum_n it_o be_v hardly_o credible_a that_o a_o man_n after_o he_o have_v be_v so_o merciful_o and_o generous_o deal_v withal_o as_o upon_o his_o humble_a request_n to_o have_v so_o huge_a a_o debt_n so_o free_o forgive_v shall_v whilst_o the_o memory_n of_o so_o much_o mercy_n be_v fresh_a upon_o he_o even_o the_o very_a next_o moment_n handle_v his_o fellow_n servant_n who_o have_v make_v the_o same_o humble_a submission_n and_o request_n to_o he_o which_o he_o have_v do_v to_o his_o lord_n with_o so_o much_o roughness_n and_o cruelty_n for_o so_o inconsiderable_a a_o sum._n this_o i_o say_v will_v hardly_o seem_v credible_a do_v we_o not_o see_v in_o experience_n how_o very_a unreasonable_a and_o unmerciful_a some_o man_n be_v and_o with_o what_o confidence_n they_o can_v ask_v and_o expect_v great_a mercy_n from_o god_n when_o they_o will_v show_v none_o to_o men._n the_o greatness_n of_o the_o injury_n which_o be_v do_v to_o we_o be_v the_o reason_n common_o plead_v by_o we_o why_o we_o can_v forgive_v they_o but_o whoever_o thou_o be_v that_o make_v this_o a_o argument_n why_o thou_o can_v not_o forgive_v thy_o brother_n lay_v thy_o hand_n upon_o thy_o heart_n and_o bethink_v thyself_o how_o many_o more_o and_o much_o great_a offence_n thou_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o against_o god_n look_v up_o to_o that_o just_a and_o powerful_a be_v that_o be_v above_o and_o consider_v well_o whether_o thou_o do_v not_o both_o expect_v and_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o more_o mercy_n and_o favour_n from_o he_o than_o thou_o can_v find_v in_o thy_o heart_n to_o show_v to_o thy_o offend_a brother_n we_o have_v all_o certain_o great_a reason_n to_o expect_v that_o as_o we_o use_v one_o another_o god_n will_v likewise_o deal_v with_o we_o and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o how_o little_a be_v this_o duty_n practise_v among_o christian_n and_o how_o hardly_o be_v the_o best_a of_o we_o bring_v to_o love_v our_o enemy_n and_o to_o forgive_v they_o and_o this_o notwithstanding_o that_o all_o our_o hope_n of_o mercy_n and_o forgiveness_n from_o god_n do_v depend_v upon_o it_o how_o strange_o inconsistent_a be_v our_o practice_n and_o our_o hope_n and_o what_o a_o wide_a distance_n be_v there_o between_o our_o expectation_n from_o god_n and_o our_o deal_n with_o man_n how_o very_o partial_a and_o unequal_a be_v we_o to_o hope_v so_o easy_o to_o be_v forgive_v and_o yet_o to_o be_v so_o hard_a to_o forgive_v will_v we_o have_v god_n for_o christ_n sake_n to_o forgive_v we_o those_o numberless_a and_o monstrous_a provocation_n which_o we_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o against_o his_o divine_a majesty_n and_o shall_v we_o not_o for_o his_o sake_n for_o who_o sake_n we_o ourselves_o be_v forgive_v be_v willing_a to_o forgive_v one_o another_o we_o think_v it_o hard_o to_o be_v oblige_v to_o forgive_v great_a injury_n and_o often_o repeat_v and_o yet_o woe_n be_v to_o we_o all_o and_o most_o miserable_a shall_v we_o be_v to_o all_o eternity_n if_o god_n do_v not_o all_o this_o to_o we_o which_o we_o think_v to_o be_v so_o very_o hard_a and_o unreasonable_a for_o we_o to_o do_v to_o one_o another_o i_o have_v sometime_o wonder_v how_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o so_o many_o person_n shall_v be_v so_o apt_a to_o despair_v of_o the_o mercy_n and_o forgiveness_n of_o god_n to_o they_o especial_o consider_v what_o clear_a and_o express_v declaration_n god_n have_v make_v of_o his_o readiness_n to_o forgive_v our_o great_a sin_n and_o provocation_n upon_o our_o sincere_a repentance_n but_o the_o wonder_n will_v be_v very_o much_o abate_v when_o we_o shall_v consider_v with_o how_o much_o difficulty_n man_n be_v bring_v to_o remit_v great_a injury_n and_o how_o hardly_o we_o be_v persuade_v to_o refrain_v from_o fly_v upon_o those_o who_o have_v give_v we_o any_o considerable_a provocation_n so_o that_o when_o man_n look_v into_o themselves_o and_o shall_v careful_o observe_v the_o motion_n of_o their_o own_o mind_n towards_o those_o against_o who_o they_o have_v be_v just_o exasperate_v they_o will_v see_v but_o too_o much_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o forgiveness_n be_v no_o such_o easy_a matter_n but_o our_o comfort_n in_o this_o case_n be_v that_o god_n be_v not_o as_o man_n that_o his_o way_n be_v not_o as_o our_o way_n nor_o his_o thought_n
quarrel_n in_o our_o own_o breast_n and_o arm_v our_o own_o mind_n against_o ourselves_o we_o create_v a_o enemy_n to_o ourselves_o in_o our_o own_o bosom_n and_o fall_v out_o with_o the_o best_a and_o most_o inseparable_a companion_n of_o our_o life_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o good_a conscience_n will_v be_v a_o continual_a feast_n and_o will_v give_v we_o that_o comfort_n and_o courage_n in_o a_o evil_a day_n which_o nothing_o else_o can_v and_o than_o whatever_o happen_v to_o we_o we_o may_v commit_v our_o soul_n to_o god_n in_o well-doing_n as_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o faithful_a creator_n to_o who_o with_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o redeemer_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o comforter_n be_v all_o honour_n and_o glory_n now_o and_o ever_o amen_n how_o to_o keep_v a_o true_o religious_a fast_o in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n september_n the_o 16_o the_o 1691._o how_o to_o keep_v a_o true_o religious_a fast_o zech._n seven_o v._o speak_v unto_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o land_n and_o to_o the_o priest_n say_v when_o you_o fast_v and_o mourn_v in_o the_o five_o and_o seven_o month_n even_o those_o seventy_o year_n do_v you_o at_o all_o fast_a unto_o i_o even_o unto_o i_o in_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o chapter_n the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v then_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o have_v already_o far_o advance_v the_o work_n though_o it_o be_v not_o perfect_o finish_v till_o about_o two_o year_n after_o send_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o the_o prophet_n to_o inquire_v of_o they_o whether_o they_o shall_v still_o continue_v the_o fast_a of_o the_o five_o month_n which_o they_o have_v begin_v in_o babylon_n and_o continue_v to_o observe_v during_o the_o seventy_o year_n of_o their_o captivity_n in_o a_o sad_a remembrance_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n or_o shall_v not_o now_o rather_o turn_v it_o into_o a_o day_n of_o feast_v and_o gladness_n to_o this_o enquiry_n god_n by_o his_o prophet_n return_v a_o answer_n in_o this_o and_o the_o follow_a chapter_n and_o first_o he_o expostulate_v with_o they_o concern_v those_o their_o monthly_a fast_n whether_o they_o do_v indeed_o deserve_v that_o name_n and_o be_v not_o rather_o a_o mere_a show_n and_o pretence_n of_o a_o religious_a fast_o verses_z 4_o 5._o then_o come_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n unto_o i_o say_v speak_v unto_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o land_n and_o to_o the_o priest_n say_v when_o you_o fast_v and_o mourn_v in_o the_o five_o and_o seven_o month_n even_o those_o seventy_o year_n do_v you_o at_o all_o fast_o unto_o i_o even_o unto_o i_o the_o enquiry_n be_v particular_o concern_v the_o fast_a of_o the_o five_o month_n because_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o be_v more_o considerable_a than_o of_o all_o the_o other_o but_o the_o answer_n of_o god_n mention_n the_o fast_n of_o the_o five_o and_o seven_o month_n these_o two_o be_v probable_o observe_v with_o great_a solemnity_n than_o the_o other_o but_o for_o our_o clear_a understanding_n of_o this_o it_o will_v be_v requisite_a to_o consider_v the_o original_n and_o occasion_n of_o all_o their_o monthly_a fast_n which_o as_o appear_v from_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n in_o short_a be_v this_o when_o the_o jew_n be_v carry_v away_o captive_a into_o babylon_n in_o a_o deep_a sense_n of_o this_o great_a judgement_n of_o god_n upon_o they_o for_o their_o sin_n and_o of_o the_o heavy_a affliction_n which_o they_o lie_v under_o they_o appoint_v four_o annual_a fast_n which_o they_o observe_v during_o their_o seventy_o year_n captivity_n viz._n the_o fast_a of_o the_o four_o month_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o enemy_n break_v through_o the_o wall_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o we_o find_v mention_v jer._n 52.6_o 7._o the_o fast_a of_o the_o five_o month_n in_o memory_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n verse_n 12_o 13._o the_o fast_a of_o the_o seven_o month_n in_o remembrance_n of_o the_o slay_v of_o gedaliah_n upon_o which_o follow_v the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o account_n jer._n 42.1_o 2._o and_o the_o fast_a of_o the_o ten_o month_n in_o memory_n of_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o siege_n of_o jerusalem_n of_o which_o we_o find_v mention_v 2_o king_n 25.1_o in_o this_o order_n we_o find_v these_o four_o annual_a fast_n mention_v zechar._n 8.19_o not_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o event_n but_o of_o the_o month_n of_o the_o several_a year_n in_o which_o these_o event_n happen_v and_o there_o likewise_o god_n give_v a_o full_a answer_n to_o this_o enquiry_n concern_v the_o continuance_n of_o these_o annual_a fast_n namely_o that_o they_o shall_v for_o the_o future_a be_v turn_v into_o solemn_a day_n of_o joy_n and_o gladness_n 19_o and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n come_v unto_o i_o say_v thus_o say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o fast_a of_o the_o four_o month_n and_o the_o fast_a of_o the_o five_o and_o the_o fast_a of_o the_o seven_o and_o the_o fast_a of_o the_o ten_o shall_v be_v to_o the_o house_n of_o judah_n joy_n and_o gladness_n and_o cheerful_a feast_n i_o return_v now_o to_o the_o text_n do_v you_o at_o all_o fast_o unto_o i_o even_o unto_o i_o that_o be_v do_v these_o fast_n true_o serve_v to_o any_o religious_a end_n and_o purpose_n do_v not_o the_o people_n content_v themselves_o with_o a_o mere_a external_a show_n and_o performance_n without_o any_o inward_a affliction_n and_o humiliation_n of_o their_o soul_n in_o order_n to_o a_o real_a repentance_n do_v they_o not_o still_o go_v on_o in_o their_o sin_n nay_o and_o add_v to_o they_o upon_o these_o occasion_n fast_v for_o strife_n and_o debate_n and_o oppression_n in_o a_o word_n be_v they_o not_o worse_o rather_o than_o better_a for_o they_o and_o therefore_o god_n have_v no_o regard_n to_o they_o as_o it_o follow_v in_o this_o chapter_n 13._o thus_o speak_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n say_v execute_v judgement_n and_o show_v mercy_n and_o compassion_n every_o man_n to_o his_o brother_n and_o oppress_v not_o the_o widow_n nor_o the_o fatherless_a the_o stranger_n nor_o the_o poor_a and_o let_v none_o of_o you_o imagine_v mischief_n against_o his_o brother_n in_o your_o heart_n but_o they_o refuse_v to_o hearken_v and_o pull_v away_o the_o shoulder_n and_o stop_v their_o ear_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o hear_v yea_o they_o make_v their_o heart_n as_o a_o adamant-stone_n lest_o they_o shall_v bear_v the_o law_n and_o the_o word_n which_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n have_v send_v by_o his_o spirit_n in_o the_o former_a prophet_n therefore_o come_v great_a wrath_n from_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n therefore_o it_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o as_o he_o cry_v and_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v so_o they_o cry_v and_o i_o will_v not_o hear_v say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n so_o that_o notwithstanding_o these_o outward_a solemnity_n of_o fast_v and_o prayer_n here_o be_v nothing_o of_o a_o religious_a fast_o do_v you_o at_o all_o fast_o unto_o i_o even_o unto_o i_o they_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n which_o be_v break_v in_o upon_o they_o but_o they_o do_v not_o turn_v from_o their_o sin_n but_o persist_v still_o in_o their_o obstinacy_n and_o disobedience_n and_o what_o god_n here_o by_o the_o prophet_n zechary_n call_v fast_v unto_o he_o even_o unto_o he_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n call_v the_o fast_a which_o god_n have_v choose_v and_o a_o acceptable_a day_n to_o the_o lord_n wherefore_o have_v we_o fast_v say_v they_o and_o thou_o see_v not_o wherefore_o have_v we_o afflict_v our_o soul_n and_o thou_o take_v no_o knowledge_n behold_v you_o fast_o for_o strife_n and_o debate_n and_o to_o smite_v with_o the_o fist_n of_o wickedness_n you_o shall_v not_o fast_o as_o you_o do_v this_o day_n to_o make_v your_o voice_n to_o be_v hear_v on_o high_a be_v it_o such_o a_o fast_a as_o i_o have_v choose_v a_o day_n for_o a_o man_n to_o afflict_v his_o soul_n be_v it_o to_o bow_v down_o his_o head_n as_o a_o bulrush_n and_o to_o spread_v sackcloth_n and_o ash_n under_o he_o will_v thou_o call_v this_o a_o fast_a and_o a_o acceptable_a day_n to_o the_o lord_n be_v it_o not_o to_o deal_v thy_o bread_n to_o the_o hungry_a and_o that_o thou_o bring_v the_o poor_a that_o be_v cast_v out_o to_o thy_o house_n when_o thou_o see_v the_o naked_a that_o thou_o cover_v he_o and_o that_o thou_o hide_v not_o thyself_o from_o thy_o own_o flesh_n then_o shall_v thy_o light_n break_v forth_o as_o the_o morning_n and_o thy_o salvation_n shall_v spring_v forth_o speedy_o then_o shall_v thou_o call_v and_o the_o lord_n shall_v answer_v etc._n etc._n from_o all_o which_o