that had obtained so much mercy they would hearken to the Word and not persevere 3. The nature of this message at least a great part of it for there is somewhat beside is a burdeu of reproofs and threatenings which were heavie for a tender Prophet to carry and insupportable in their effects for a wicked people to endure It teacheth that when the Church enjoyes any time of a setled Reformation ordinarily she growes so carnal and carrieth her selfe so as provokes God to have much to say against her for whereas the former two Prophets were sent out with many encouragements while the Temple was in building now when it is built and the people after their long tossing setled this Prophet is sent in a different stile and with the burden of the Word of the Lord to Israel Vers 2. I have loved you saith the LORD yet ye say Wherein hast thou loved us Was not Esau Jacobs brother saith the LORD yet I loved Jacob 3. And I hated Esau and laid his mountaines and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wildernesse The fiâ—st fault reproved in this people is their ingratitude and not observing nor esteeming of Gods love toward them which therefore he demonstrates from his choosing of Jacob their father and preferring him to Esau the elder brother not only in the matter of Election to eternal life but in that God had chosen Jacob to be the root out of whom the blessed seed should come and the Church propagated in his posterity and accordingly as an external evidence of this rejection of Esau and his posterity the Lord had given to him but an hillie barren countrey and had now cast them out of it and laid it desolate as an habitation for wilde beasts whereas the seed of Jacob had gotten a fruitful land and were now restored to it again after their captivity Doct. 1. The chief and principal study of the visible Church and the godly in it ought to be the love of God manifested toward them as being that which God will not allow to be suspected and which ought to oblige them to him that which will be the sad ground of a processe when it is forgotten and undervalued and that which being looked on when God reproves will encourage and strengthen to take with it and make use of it Therefore doth he begin his doctrine and the sad challenges with this I have loved â—on saith the Lord that is all of you in general have tasted of respects suitable and beseeming my Bride and the visible Church and particularly the Elect among you have tasted of my special love 2. Gods love to his Church is oft-times met with great ingratitude in not being seen and acknowledged as becomes especially under crosse dispenlations in undervaluing the effects of it when they fit not our mould and in deeds denying it while thoughts of it do not beget love to him again for Yet ye say Wherein hast thou loved us 3. Election unto eternal life is a sufficient testimony of Gods love to be acknowledged and commended although all things else went crosse and seemed to speak dis-respect for in this the Lord loved Jacob and hated Esau as is exponed Rom. 9.13 and this is sufficient to answer their quarrelling 4 To be chosen and selected to be the Lords Church and peculiar people speaks so much respect from God unto a Nation as may counterbalance many other hard lots for thus also was Jaâ—ob loved and Esau hated and is a favour to be esteemed of 5. The Lords love will not be so clearly seen and acknowledged when we compare some dispensations with the priviledges bestowed upon us but when we consider our own original and wherein we are dealt favourably with beyond others as good as our selves if not better for however Israel looking on their many priviledges could not see Gods love in their low condition yet it would better appear when they looked back that Esau was Jacobs brother and the elder too and yet I loved Jacob and I hated Esau 6. The grace of God is not dispensed differently in the world upon any difference in the point of worth among men but grace it self makes the difference in choosing out one and leaving another as good in himself to his own wayes according to his pleasure who hath mercie on whom he will have mercy for Jacob and Esau are equal till love make the difference 7. However no man can know love or hatred by outward dispensations simply considered in themselves yet afflictions are to wicked men real testimonies of Gods displeasure and Gods people being at peace with him may look on external mercies as speaking special love for Esaus hillie land and the desolation thereof speaks hating of Esau not only as rejection from Canaan was a type of rejection from the Church and heaven but as it was a judgement inflicted on a Nation unreconciled whereas at least the godly in Israel might look otherwise on their land and restitution Verse 4. Whereas Edom saith We are impoverished but we will return and build the desolate places Thus saith the LORD of hosts They shall build but I will throw down and they shall call them The border of wickednesse and the people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever 5. And your eyes shall see and ye shall say The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel The last evidence of a difference put betwixt Esau and Jacob in laying Esau's land desolate is yet further confirmed by meeting with a great objection for whereas Esau might think that as Judah and they had been both afflicted so they should recover and return as well as Judah The Lord threatens that their condition should be irrecoverable and their endeavours that way to no purpose for however they were a people after this yet their captivity was never recalled by any decree only some reliques of them mingled with other Nations remained in the land till they were subdued by the Jewes as History records and forced to receive circumcision and renounce their Nation and till at last their name utterly perished This their condition is further amplified that it should be conspicuous and remarkable 1. To all beholders who seeing Gods anger against them should account them and their land a border of wickednesse where impiety hath come to an height and border and overflowed to the very border so that if any should come to their border they would stay there and crie Ah wicked land and because of this should account them hated for ever of God 2. It should be remarked by the Jewes and they should be forced to confesse his goodnesse to them and their land and that he is magnified from the border of Israel that is from the land of Israel from whence they might observe Gods magnifying his vengeance on Edom while they were well dealt with or upon which God would magnifie himselfe by shewing mercy on it and the inhabitants even to the
A BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE Prophecies OF Haggai Zechariah and Malachi BY GEORGE HUTCHESON Minister at EDENBURGH EZRA 5.2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the sonne of Shealtiel and Joshua the sonne of Jozadak and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem and with them were the Prophets of God helping them 2 PET. 1.19 We have also a more sure Word of Prophecie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawne and the day-star arise in your hearts April the 29th Imprimatur EDMUND CALAMY LONDON Printed by T. R. and E. M. for Ralph Smith at the Bible in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange 1654. CHRISTIAN READER THe former Undertaking of this Reverend and learned Author hath found so much acceptance and hath been received with such a general Approbation both by Ministers and other godly Christians as that it hath emboldened him to make a further Essay in the same kinde This ensuing Treatise presents to thy view a brief Explication of and choice Observations upon three other of the Lesser Prophets All that I shall say to encourage thee to reade it is That it is written by the same Master Hutcheson that it is as elaborate and as useful as the former that it will fully satisfie expectation and tend much to thy spiritual edification Imprimatur EDMUND CALAMY To the Right Honourable JOHN EARLE of Cassillis LORD KENNEDY c. Grace Mercy and Peace through Jesus Christ be multiplied Right Honourable SUch is the tender kindnesse and rich bounty of our all sufficient and gracious God to his Church and people whom he hath chosen from among the lost posterity of Adam as that in wrath he still remembreth mercy and when his dispensations seem to speak greatest displeasure and to render them most miserable yet upon serious consideration they will finde cause to say that he is good and his mercy endureth for ever He doth not deny to them the sure mercies of David when for wise reasons he cuts short their outward delights and their afflictions when they need them are taken in as Articles and Priviledges of his unchangeable Covenant with them Psal 89.30 31 32 33 34. In particular it is a mercy never enough acknowledged that the Lord vouchsafes upon his people his Word written in holy Scriptures which as it was a special favour to Israel of old Psal 147.19 20. so the riches thereof and the advantages to be had thereby are not soon pondered for herein is held forth the true and saving knowledge of God and an impartial discovery of our selves herein we have the offer of the salvation purchased by Christ and by it is the infallible way of attaining true happinesse pointed out It is to the Word we are directed by the righteousnesse of faith to know the minde of God concerning lost sinners Rom. 10.6 7 8. It is the Word the Lord employes to be the seed of regeneration and which the regenerate man should esteem more then his necessary food for promoving his growth By the Word the Lord doth quicken his people when they are dead reclaime them when they are wandring comfort them when they are afflicted and point out their way unto them Hereby we are directed to try the spirits when delusions are aloft and Satan is transformed into an Angel of light By the light thereof we may infallibly know what is right and what is wrong in the world when all things are to sense wrapped up in clouds and mists and may know what to think of sad times and lots and what issue to expect of them And in a word the Scriptures are profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3.16 17. As this great and inestimable favour ought to engage all Christians to be much in searching the Scriptures and conversant with God speaking therein especially in times when the Lord 's letting out many strong delusions proclaims our negligence and not receiving the love of the truth and when his chastisements call on us to seek teaching out of his Law And as it doth call on Ministers in their publick stations to be instant in season and out of season inculcating this Word of truth so it hath invited me to essay how I might be instrumental through the Lords assistance and blessing in opening up some parts of this Charter for the more general use and help of the Lords people And having met with such acceptance of my former Essay as hath encouraged me to make this further progresse upon these three last of the Lesser Prophets I do humbly crave leave to present it to the world under your Lordships Honourable name who have obtained mercy of the Lord to taste that he is gracious as is daily evidenced by your desiring the sincere milk of the Word and by your cordial resolution and sincere endeavour to cleave to the Law and Testimony and follow the revealed Will of God in your wayes Which as it hath made your Lordship precious in the hearts of the godly who know you so I judge my self bound in a special way to take hold of this opportunity to expresse my sense of the same who have had more frequent oceasion for many yeares both during my service in the Ministery in that part of the countrey where your Lordships interest and residence is and since my removal from thence to be a witnesse and observer of the grace of God in you and have met with such undeserved respects for the truthes cause from your Lordship as requires a more worthy testimony and acknowledgement of my obligations and bound dutie to honour you then is this piece as to what is my part in it Yet such as it is I make bold to offer it to your Lordship and being an Exposition of holy Scriptures and of such places as do hold forth much of the Lords minde concerning his publick work and state of his Church I hope it shall not be unacceptable to your Lordship whose care and diligence in seeking light from God and cleaving to it and whose following the publick work of God in singlenesse of heart even to the prejudice of your particular interest hath convinced and put to silence even such as were enemies thereunto I shall not insist on this subject which I know your Lordship takes no pleasure to hear of nor is it my way to dwell much upon nor shall I trouble your Lordship with any account concerning my part in this work only this I may say that the subject-matter is divine being a part of that light which shined in a dark place in the dayes of the Old Testament many passages thereof need an Interpreter and threed of Exposition as much as any and the doctrine therein contained is useful for our admonition on whom the ends of the world are come We may reade herein the
what Gods power and providence can make her and do for her for so the promise runnes I will take thee and make thee as a signet be what thou will in thy selfe The fountaine of all the Churches happinesse lies in her having a room in the Lords intimate affection making her precious in his sight and being forth-coming for what is good to hen of which the Church is to take fast hold and read every dispensation by for all the favours intended to Zerubbabel and in him to the people is summed up in this I will make thee as a signet which imports great respect and affection as to a ring and jewel which being on the finger is still in the possessors sight and kept diligently see Jer. 22.24 Cant. 8.6 8. As obedience is the way of obtaining favour so the ground of all respects and favours flowing from it to the Church is Gods free choosing of her according to the good pleasure of his will to be the object of his tender love and of the mercies which love allowes on her which the Church is to look unto and not to any thing in her selfe therefore is the promise made to Zerubbabel my servant and the reason given For I have chosen thee saith the Lord of hostes The promise may also more fitly be understood of Christ the substance who was in Zerubbabels loines and whose type Zerubbabel was in his Government and so the promise holds out the same in substance with what we heard v. 6 7. to wit that God was about to work great alterations in the heaven or religious external forme of the Jewish Church and in the earth and kingdomes of men setting them one against another breaking their power and bringing them down and all for Christs behoofe that he as the chosen servant of the Father and his Church may be seen to be precious and become glorious by stability and enlargement Hence learn 1. Christ the promised Messiah is the true Sonne and successor of David according to the flesh the sweet Governour and King of his Church and he who is the conductor of his people out of their spiritual bondage and captivity for these causes is he spoken to under the name of Zerubbabel Governour of Judah 2. The promises concerning the Churches happinesse are made unto Christ as the Fathers party who having purchased them by his obedience unto death is also able to secure them to his people therefore this promise is made to Zerubbabel in the type 3. Albeit the Lord was author and enjoyner of the external forme of the Jewish worship and the Covenant made with them is the same in substance with the Covenant of the New Testament yet it was not the will of God that the externall way of administration of the Convenant among them should endure under the Kingdome of the Messiah who was by his death to put an end to these shadowes for I will shake the heavens saith the Lord. 4. Although there be many tossings in the world where Christ comes with his Gospel yet his Kingdome will be no loser by them but will be the Lords delight which he will adorne with these ruines by making it to stand while others fall by bringing down opposition and enemies and dantoning and breaking men that they may more easily embrace the Gospel and he may make conquests upon them therefore when he makes all these overturnings v. 22. In that day I will make thee as a signet v. 23. glorious precious and safely kept 5. The foundation of the Churches happiness stands on Christs having been obedient to his Father as her surety on his interest in the Fathers affection and that he is the only chosen way of her safety which the Father hath found out and wherein he acquiesceth and in all these that Hee to be hid in him therefore is all the happiness of the Gospel-Church summed up in this I will take thee O Zerubbabel and make thee as a signet for I have chosen thee saith the Lord of hostes Zechariah THE ARGUMENT THe Prophet Haggai having spent some time in preaching to these who had returned from the captivity of Babylon the Lord sends forth this Prophet Zechariah to assist him in the work and to declare further of his minde to the Church partly in visions partly in doctrinal Sermons and partly in prophetical predictions who having exhorted the people unto repentance propounds divers visions for the encouragement of that people in their low condition and to go on in the work they had begun withal declaring that he was ill pleased with their sins and would punish the guilty however the Church and his work prospered chap. 1 2 3 4 5 6. Then he resolves their case of conscience concerning their former fastings shewing unto them what had been their failings hitherto and what their duty is if they would enjoy the great things be intended for them chap. 7 8. Lastly be comes to prophefie of the ruine of all their enemies round about of the coming of Christ his death and passion the pouring out of his Spirit and spreading of the Gospel with the rejection of the Nation of the Jewes till the time appointed for their Conversion chap. 9.10 11 12 13 14. CHAP. I. IN this Chapter after the Inscription v. 1. the Lord exhorts them to repentance from the consideration of Gods displeasure against their fathers v. 2. and from the hope of his favour v. 3. and that they should not imitate their fathers in contemning of the Word v. 4. considering that though their fathers and the Prophets also who had admonished them were dead yet the Word is permanent in all ages and the truth of it appeared in the effects upon their fathers which were yet to be seen v. 5 6. Next he propounds two comfortable visions for their encouragement in the first whereof is held forth Christ in his Kingly office attended on by Angels v. 7 8. perfectly knowing and observing the quiet estate of enemies while the Church was afflicted v. 9 10 11. interceding thereupon for the Church v. 12. and getting a good answer v. 13. which by the Prophet he communicates to the Church v. 14 15 16 17. In the second vision the enemies who had molested the Church are represented to the Prophet v. 18 19. together with instruments prepared of God to crush their power v. 20 21. Vers 1. JN the eighth moneth in the second yeare of Darius came the Word of the LORD unto Zechariah the sonne of Barachiah the sonne of Iddo the Prophet saying This Inscription is the same in substance with that of Haggai only he comes out two moneths later and hath been a man whose ancestors have been of note among that people and of the Priests lineage as appeares Nehem. 12.12 with 16. Concerning whom I shall not determine whether this be he of whom mention is made Mat. 23.35 or if it be the son of Jehoiadah who it may be had two names of whom 2
used may be stirred up more earnestly to seek God and that Christ may have much occasion to let forth his bowels of affection and his fathers through him for here after the seventy years are over the Lord yet had not mercy on Jerusalem to wit in that measure of outward effects they had enjoyed before their captivity and was promised to them after it 14. Christ is such an Intercessor as even when he takes most desperate-like causes in hand he will be heard and must be satisfied in his desires for the Lord answered the Angel that talked with me 15. The answer which Christ the Intercessor receives will be satisfactory and comfortable it will be such as he accounts good and so should we and being good should be comfortable and will prove so in the end for he is answered with good and comfortable words 16. A Church may receive rich fruits of Christs intercession although at first they be not delivered nor get the rest which they expect to wit when they are led to spiritual things instead of temporal which they want and get promises renewed of what is in due time to be performed for Christs answer here is good and comfortable words or promises concerning spiritual things and their own enlargement after published Vers 14. So the Angel that communed with me said unto me Cry thou saying Thus saith the LORD of hosts I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Sion with a great jealousie This good answer is not kept up by Christ the Intercessor but the summe of it is presently given to the Prophet to publish unto the Church for her comfort it containeth severall particulars whereof the first is a commission to publish the Lords affection to his Church to do her good and his indignation and griefe speaking after the manner of men for the injuries sustained by her no lesse then any man hath for his married and beloved wife Doct. 1. Christs fidelity and affection to his people for whom he intercedes is such that he will not long keep up from them the fruits of his purchase and intercession in their need this is represented to us in this that a good answer and good newes being given before so to say he read the packet he posts it away to the Church by the Prophet So the Angel that communed with me said Crie thou c. 2. Good newes concerning the Church are to be expected from heaven as the fruit of Christs intercession and are to be read in the Word and messages put in the mouth of his commission-servants from day to day So here these good newes are the answer which Christ received to his prayer and are sent from Heaven to be published by the Prophet 3. It is incumbent to these who are imployed as Ambassadours betwixt Christ and his people to publish his minde with such zeal and alacrity such affection and confidence as may in some measure represent his great love who sent the message his delight to do them good and his real purpose to performe what he saith for this cause is the Prophet here commanded to cry this message 4. The Lords relation to his people is a marriage tie which is not broken by every fault nor cast off in sad dispensations for his being jealous for her importeth that she was the wife still for all she had done or had come upon her 5. Albeit the Lord will neither hold stroaks off his people when they need or deserve them nor deliver them till his time come yet his marriage-affection doth resent all their trouble and injuries done to them so that they grieve not nor are wronged but his heart bleeds as in due time will appear in effects I am saith he jealous for Jerusalem and Sion with a great jealousie Vers 15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease for I was but a little displeased and they helped forward the affliction A second branch of the answer given in commission to the Prophet holds forth Gods great displeasure against the enemies of the Church for all their quiet condition because that when God intended to correct his people by their meanes they had proven severe executioners Doct. 1. As it is an heathenish mark to live at ease in an uncertain world especially when the Church is in trouble so Gods displeasure against heathens or men of heathenish disposition and practises in afflicting the Church of God may be very great and ready to break forth in due time notwithstanding their easie life and quiet estate I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease 2. The Lords hottest displeasure against his own people will be found very easie when it is compared with his severity against his enemies therefore however the Jewes be called to consider it in it selfe as sore displeasure v. 2. yet being thus compared with the lot of others it is said I was but a little displeased 3. Albeit none of the Churches enemies and instruments of Gods chastisements can transgresse the bounds of his purpose and permission to adde any thing to the Churches trouble yet as they go beyond his revealed will and approbation so they use to execute Gods purpose with such cruell mindes and so destructive intentions as renders them highly guilty before God thus They helped forward the affliction when God was but a little displeased they had more cruelty in their way then God determined to be executed and they intended and aimed at the utter destruction of the Church when God intended only to correct and purge them 4. As the cruell designes of the Churches enemies will faile them so their severity in executing the Lords controversie is a token of Gods sore anger against them and of their approaching ruine for the Church is now delivered in part beyond their expectations and desires and this their way speaks God very sore displeased which will not long conceale Vers 16. Therefore thus saith the LORD I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies my house shall be built in it saith the LORD of hostes and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem A third branch of this answer and message holds forth some promised effects of his declared love to his people to wit that the Lord being now reconciled with them the Temple should be built and their City and wall also in Nehemiahs time signified by the stretching out of a workmans line to square his building by when he works and so in effect promiseth to erect their publick worship and Politick State Doct. 1. The Lord who speaks comfortably of his love to the Church in her trouble will in due time let forth reall and convincing proofes and fruits thereof This promise comes in on the back of the former concerning his love to his people and hatred against her afflicters with a therefore as minding to give a reall proof of what he said 2. As the Lords presence with his people as a reconciled God is a
is righteous with him to vex them with hostile incursions and deprive them of that which they employ so ill for neither was there any peact to him the went out or came in because of the affliction or enemie It seems their ill neighbours made inrodes upon them 4. Aâ— when mens mindes are not united in God and about his work they are punished with dissensions among themselves especially when outward troubles do imbitter them so civil discord is a judgement wherein Gods hand is especially to be seen and trembled at therefore is it subjoyned for or and as a plague added to the former I set all men every one against his neighbour whereof somewhat appeared in their oppressing one another and their dissensions about that Nehem. 5.1 2. c. 5. Albeit we are not to judge of duty by events yet it is a double guiltinesse not to be active about it when the Lord rewards it by visible blessings and promiseth to do so yet more for Now I am not or will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former dayes saith the Lord and therefore they are to be strong 6. Even the mercy of outward plenty and securing the possession thereof to the Lords people will be much esteemed of by those who have tasted of want and trial of that kinde and ought to be taken as an obligation put upon us to employ our selves more for God and his service however it be little esteemed of by these who enjoy most of it for such is the encouragement propounded v. 12. Vers 13. And it shall come to passe that as ye were a curse among the heathen O house of Judah and house of Israel so will I save you and ye shall be a blessing feare not but let your hand◠〈◊〉 strong A second motive to build the Temple containing a further explanation of the promise of his change of dealing is comprehended in this general wherein Israel also hath a share that the Lord would takeaway the signes of his displeasure and so visibly blesse them with prosperity that as formerly they had been a by-word to all cursers who wished these they hated to be dealt with as the Jewes were so they should become a patterne of blessing that all men should desire these they wished best unto to be in the Jewes case which might be a ground of encouragement to them Doct. 1. The Lords severity against his sinful Church is very remarkable and may for outward dispensations speak much of a curse whatever be in his heart for Ye were a curse among the heathen or an accursed people in all their accounts 2. The remarkable corrections of the Lords people will in due time end in as remarkable blessings and the condition of Gods reconciled people countenanced by him is such as none could wish a better to them they wished best unto for As ye were a curse so will I save or deliver you and ye shall be a blessing 3. When the Lord is manifesting kindnesse by word or work his people would take heed that they do not undervalue it by continuing in discouragement but are to honour him by being strengthened and comforted thereby and in this especially they are to guard against their owne fearful and fainting hearts which will make discouragements where there are none and which being supported will make that no outward dispensations shall discourage therefore are they again exhorted Feare not but let your hands be strong Vers 14. For thus saith the LORD of hostes As I thought to punish you when your fathers provoked me to wrath saith the LORD of hostes and I repented not 15. So again have I thought in these dayes to do well to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah feare ye not All these encouragements and the truth of the promises holding them out are yet further confirmed from the truth they had found in former threatenings for as the Lord had executed threatenings for their sins and that nowithstanding all their thoughts that he would revoke his sentence and not see their last end so had he now as unchangeable a purpose to blesse them and to perform these promises and therefore they were contrary to all their doubes and feares to believe he being as unchangeable in the one as in the other and withal a God that delights in mercy Doct. 1. There may be and many times are immutable thoughts of love in God and of doing good to a people after that he hath without relenting brought on sore judgements on them for after all that sad lot v. 14. I have thought to do well unto Jerusalem saith the Lord. 2. It 's the ordinary weaknesse and distemper of the Lords people that they are most ready to doubt that which they are most called to believe and to believe that for which they have no ground for this people could not believe any thing but promises when God thought to junish them and therefore it is said â—re ented not as they dreamed he would And now they could apprehend nothing but discouragements when promises are allowed and they need to be exhorted Feare ye not 3. The disappointments our misbelieving hearts have had whether in execution of promises or threatenings ought to be an argument for perswading us to believe what is revealed in new exigents therefore he layeth before them how far judgements had come beyond their expectation that they might learne not to measure promises by their apprehensions 4. The Lords afflicted people need not want a confirmation of Gods fidelity in promising so long as the stroaks on them prove his truth in threatening his striking according to his threatening when they deserved it is a pledge and may be a ground of hope that he will perform his Word of promise when they need it for by such an argument doth the Lord confirm these fainters here See Jer. 32.42 5. As the Lord doth not strike his people without pity but upon just provocation given which it concernes him in his glory and respect to them not to passe over So any good that comes to them arises freely from his own purpose of love and that is to be rested on for it for in the one it is I thought to punish you when your fathers provoked me to wrath in the other So again in these dayes have I thought to do well c. Vers 16. These are the things that ye shall do Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour execute the judgement of truth and peace in your gates 17. And let none of you imagine evil in your heart sagainst your neighbour and love no false oath for all these are things that I hate saith the LORD The Lord makes further use of these enconragements to stir up this people to streightnesse and piety in their private conversation and so makes further way for further encouragements and for the positive answer to their question He tenderly recommends to them as a Father to his children that
of the Church from generation to generation and the mercies of posterity are matter of refreshment to the present generation as if it were done to themselves for this is a promise to converted Israel and an addition to their own mercy Yea their children shall see it and be glad or they shall partake of the same mercies to make them rejoyce 5. As the Lord will have a Church in every generation and particularly a Church of Jewes and Israelites after their Conversion till his second coming so the Lord hath reserved for every genetation their own peculiar mercies which may refresh them Their children shall see it to wit Gods mercy and the renewed performance of these promises and be glad 6. Right joy in the Church ought not only to arise upon spiritual grounds but to be managed and expressed spiritually so as the Lord alone and her interest in him and not any outward favour nor any spiritual and good thing as it is an habit in her ought to be the matter of her gloriation therefore is it added Their heart shall rejoyce in the Lord. Vers 8. I will hisse for them and gather them for I have redeemed them and they shall increase as they have increased These promises in regard they were incredible and many difficulties stood in the way of performance are amplified and confirmed and every difficulty taken out of the way by new promises And first in general he assures them that he can and will as easily gather them as a shepherd gathers his flock with an hisse and gives a reason of his gathering them not so much because he had given that Nation of old proofes of his power in temporal deliverances though that be true also and was a pledge of good to them as because of the price paid for the Elect among them and further he inlarges the promise that being returned and restored he will make them to increase as of old Doct. 1. Difficulties in the way of a thing promised of God ought not to drive us to doubt of performance God who makes the promise undertaking to see to and come over all difficulties and it beseems both the power wisdom and love of God toward his people to have difficulties lying in the way of promises made to them that he may be exalted in making opposition ineffectual And in particular no impossibility ought to make us question the mercies promised unto all Israel since God undertakes to performe them for to this scope do all these confirmations of the promises tend 2. Such is the power and wisdome of God that what seemes not only difficult but impossible he can and having promised it will not only do it but do it most easily and without any trouble for if he but hisse for them he will gather them 3. Such as Christ hath redeemed and paid a price to justice for as they are certainly known to him so they cannot perish but will in due time be brought to Christ and saved whatever difficulty seem to be in the way for it is said that for the redeemeds sake which Christ declares there are Israel must be converted and gathered For I have redeemed them 4. Christs redeemed ones are not only blessed themselves but are great blessings to the visible Church and Nation to which they belong for it is for the redeemed and elects sake that the whole Nation of Israel is brought to the Christian Religion I will gather them for I have redeemed them 5. The gracious purposes of Gods heart toward his people are not soon told nor conceived but as the fountaine is infinite so are his outlettings according to their capacity Therefore at the repetition of the promise there is a new addition to it They shall increase as they have iâ—creased 6. There is no work that God hath done for his people but he can do the like again and the best times that the Church hath had can be repeated again and get a parallel when it is for her good for here a proofe of this is promised to Israel They shall increase as they have increased Vers 9. And I will sowe them among the people and they shall remember me in farre countreys and they shall live with their children and turne again Secondly whereas their scattering among the Nations might be looked on as a great difficulty the Lord promiseth to turn that into a sowing of them among the Nations and in remote parts partly so keeping them as winter-seed in the ground till the spring-time of their conversion and restitution and partly making them seed to bring in an increase of the fulnesse of the Gentiles at their conversion as their Synagogues were a special meanes of publishing the Gospel at first to the Gentiles And further the Lord promiseth that their scattering should not hinder their conversion for while they are scattered the vaile shall be taken away and they shall remember the Lord and they and their children being preserved shall returue to God and as appears it being opposed to their being scattered in faâ—re Countreys to their own land Doct. 1. There is no hard lot lying on the people of God nor difficulty lying in the way of their mercy but God cannot only remove it but turne it in a blessing so doth the Lord promise he will order Israels scattering 2. As the preservation of Israel in their wandering or lost condition in order to their future conversion is a great mercy unto them whatever it seem for present so the mercy of their scattering will further appear when the Lord shall make their being converted as seed to bring in much increase of the Gentiles with them unto the Lord this is imported in this promise I will sowe them among the people 3. As the first thing that the Lords people get and are to seek of him is conversion and reconciliation to himselfe upon which every good thing followes so mercy and a purpose of love will seek out and finde these it is sent to notwithstanding all disadvantages for so is imported in that Israel is converted even in their exile and scattering and before any other proof of favour They shall remember me in farre countreys True conversion unto God not only sets him up high in the heart and makes him chief in the desires and stretches out the soul for such further enjoyments of him as he hath promised but will lead the soul back to be senfible of its prejudice by being sormerly deprived of God They shall remember me saith the Lord that is call to minde what faire priviledges they have been deprived of through their insidelity and being now scattered shall long to enjoy the wonted proofes of Gods love A forme of speech which is made use of also to expresse their exercise under the captivity of Babylon Isa 26.8 5. Whatever difficulties converted Israel may be assaulted with yet the Lord shall preserve them and their families in the midst of all dangers till he restore them