us go say they and he will teach us of his wayes they account it a mercy to be taught and that not what they like or as they effect but what is his will 13. Albeit the Lord hath appointed a teaching Ministry in his Church which his people ought and wil acknowledge yet every true convert is taught of God partly while they hang not their faith on mens authority but exalt God alone to be the infallible Teacher and Law-giver in his Church and do try if what men say be agreeable to his mind and partly while they feele God in and by his appointed means teaching truth effectually and perswasively to their hearts Hee will teach us of his wayes say they See John 4 42. 1 Thes 1.13 14 As all knowledge of divine things ought not to rest in contemplations but stirre up to practice so however men of much literal knowledge may be more prophane in their conversations then others yet such as are taught of God and acknowledg his Authority in the meanes of instruction and feel the efficacy of his Spirit conveighing what is taught to their hearts their knowledg will resolve in practice it being the Lords prerogative to convince the conscience and subdue and stir up inclinations to practise what is taught He will teach us and we wil walk in his paths Unto this promise the Prophet subjoynes a reason why Nations should seek to joyn with the Church to wit because the doctrine of salvation should go forth from the Jews among all Nations to stir them up to seek the Lord and this light shall shine forth in the Church in all ages to invite Nations to come and seek teaching Doct. 1. The glory of the Church of the New Testament consists not in idle ceremonies but in the profession and holding forth of true doctrine according to the Word which is the badge and mark of the true Church for the Law or generally the true doctrine as the word in the Original bears shall go forth out of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Ierusalem that it may shine in all the Churches of the Gentiles and this is a part of the eminency of the mountain of the Lords house 2. The Lord hath made it clear that the Doctrine of salvation in the days of the Messiah was not to be treasured up among the Jewes only as of old Psal 147.19 but to spread throughout the world for the Law shall go forth of Zion c. 3 The Doctrine of the Gospel is the same for substance with what was in the Church of the Jewes though clothed with new circumstantials Therefore it is called a Law alluding to the old name and cometh from among them to us though not from Sinai cloathed with dark shadowes and fearful terrours but from Zion adorned with cleernesse and seasoned with sweetnesse 4. As the Word of God published in his Church is the instrument of true conversion so it is the meanes whereby Christ inlargeth his Kingdome and will prevail in the world to perswade Nations to joyne themselves to him in his Church therefore is this given as a reason of the inlargement of the Church and activity of Converts for the Law shall go forth of Zion c. Ver. 3. And he shall judge among many people and rebuke strong Nations afar off and they shal beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hook Nation shall not lift up a sword against Nation neither shall they learn war any more Ver. 4. But they shall sit every man under his Vine and under his fig-tree and none shall make them afraid for the month of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it The next promise contains her peace and tranquillity setting out yet more the Churches glory under Christs government that God in his Son Christ shall by his Gospel have and exercise a spiritual jurisdiction and kingdome in the world whereby he shall subdue them to his obedience and having subdued shall govern them so as to procure peace and tranquillity to the Church that the converted may serve God quietly in their particular stations and become useful each to other This their condition is expressed in termes taken from the usual practice of peaceable times wherein men being out of use of war do turne their weapons of offence into instruments of husbandry and utility and wherein men go about those callings and abide abroad in the fields without fear of danger as 1 King 4.25 Doct. 1. Christ coming with his Gospel is to reigne as a King and have authority over those who receive him for he shall judge among many people 2. It is a truth to be much and frequently studied that Christs Kingdome is universal his Church spread over the world and he having power over all for her good that he may have his glory and every particular Church and believer be comforted in such a head and in hope of the enlargement of his dominion when by Apostafie or persecution it is confined to narrow bounds therefore is it again promised that he shal judge among many people and rebuke strong Nations afar off to wit far from Judea and meaning all people far and neer 3. The Lord may deal very terribly with such as he purposeth to do much good unto he may convince rebuke and afflict them for sin that he may drive them to his mercy for that is a part of his work in gathering a Kingdom to judge and rebuke 4. Albeit the Lord in gathering of his Church do not make use of weapons of war but only his Word with the reproofs and terrors thereof yet that will suffice to subdue them to him nothing in the creature being able to stand out against the Lord convincing and rebuking for sin for if he judge and rebuke many people and strong Nations they will feel it and beat their swords into plowshares c. and come under his government 5. This promise of great tranquillity and peace is not so to be understood as if the Lord did condemn Christians their undertaking of lawful wars for Magistrates bearing the sword of Justice which must oft-times be executed by force of armes is the Ordinance of God Rom. 13. Nor are we so to understand it as if the Church were alwayes to enjoy outward peace and tranquillity for Christ refuses that himself Matth. 10.34 Nor doth the godlies spiritual peace in all troubles exhaust the full scope of this promise But the scope is to teach us 1. The saving effect of the Gospel upon men is when it daunts and subdues their corruptions and so makes them as tractable and plyable to the will of God so peaceably study to serve God in their stations and to be useful each to other for when these strong Nations are rebuked they beat their swords into plowshares c. Which are instruments of their lawful calling and of utility to themselves and others 2. This taming of mens corruptions by the Gospel will appear farther
by her sins that the Lord should lay her desolate exposed to the fury of enemies without all government protection or apparent being and he may for a season in justice so deal with her lor her walls were to be built and consequently were ruined not only as a vineyard with the hedge pulled down but a city totally desolate 3. The Lord will in due time restore and make up the ruines of his destroyed Church and people for thy walls are to be built 4. Gods time is to be patiently waited upon for restoring of his Church for there is the day for doing it which he will keep and no sooner 5. As it is one of the Churches great trials to lie under the power of oppressing tyrants and strangers who by their decrees and injunctions executed with rigour do labour to ruine her and bear down the work of God So the Lord when he hath wrought his work upon his Church by such a trial will deliver them also from that yoke and set them at liberty to serve him and enjoy tranquillity without such interruptions for in that day the decree shall be far removed This the Jews had some taste of at their return from Babylon and at some times thereafter but it shall be more accomplished at their turning to the Lord when there shall be no more decrees of captivity to follow 6. All sorts of persons of all Nations have free accesse unto the Church under the Gospel and the Lord hath undertaken to make them come for in that also he shall come even to thee from Assyria and from the fortified city and from the fortresse even to the riveâ— and from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain that is generally from all quarters of the world by sea and by land which seems to be expressed with relation to the situation of Israel the borders whereof according to Gods Charter were from toward Egypt to the river Euphrates and that which they ordinarily possessed was bounded by the east or dead sea the west or great sea and by the mountaines Lebanon and Hor on the North and other mountaines in the wildernesse toward the South See Exod. 23.31 Numb 34. Josh 1.4 and elsewhere 7. In the Church of the Gospel the Lord hath determined that the Church of the Jews or Israel shall be very eminent not only as being the mother-mother-Church of old from whence the Gospel came to call all Nations to joyn with her but as being yet to be made so conspicuous as will invite many Nations to come in to Christ and to be made a means of their Conversion In relation to both these times it is said to the Church of the Jewes in that day he shall come even to thee c. alluding to the Proselytes coming up â—o Jerusalem of old 8. The priviledges and advantages of the Church of God being rightly seen may and will prevail even with her greatest enemies and with such as have their own good accommodations to lay down their enmity and renounce all and come and share with her for he shall come to thee from Assyria her most inveterate enemy and from the fortified cities and from the fortresse by which Egypt seems to be signified which was well fortified by Nature and Art and the Hebrew word here hath affinity with the Hebrew name of Egypt and withal Assyria and Egypt are ordinarily joyned in such promises Isa 19.23 24 25. 9 The Lords meanes for gathering and enlarging of his Church is the preaching of his Gospel whereby he leads all captive unto the obedience of Christ for so much doth the other interpretation of the decree teach us the decree shall be far removed and he shall come c. Where the Gospel may be called a decree as containing Gods eternal Purpose and Ordinance concerning the salvation of sinners published in his Name to the world for sinners to lay hold upon and the efficacy thereof depending upon Gods counsel and decree 10. The publishing and prevailing of the Gospel through the world notwithstanding all impediments and opposition is a work wherein the hand and power of God is to be seen for what is already done and to be rested upon for what is to be accomplished for it is he only who can undertake that the decree shall be far removed Vers 13. Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein for the fruit of their doings Lest the people should flatter themselves in their sins a caution is subjoyned for the right understanding of this promise shewing that before the performance thereof a desolation must be because of their sins which was accomplished first by Nebuchadnezzar and again by the Romanes Doct. 1. The promises of God ought to be warily heeded and rightly understood and applied that secure sinners suck not poison from them therefore is a caution given to be taken along Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate 2. God may carry thoughts of love to his people hid in his heart for a long time and may let out much trouble on them whom he loveth and purposeth to manifest love unto for Notwithstanding to wit that he hath a purpose to enlarge her v. 12. yet the land shall be desolate See Jer. 29 10 11. 3. The reason of the Lords striking a people toward whom he hath a purpose of love is their sin for which he will plague their contentments lay their habitation desolate and make them taste of the bitternesse of their way in departing from him that so they may be humbled and fitted for his mercy and that he may cut off wicked generations and raise up others to enjoy his mercies for The land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein for the fruit of their doings Vers 14. Feed thy people with the rod the flock of thine heritage which dwell solitarily in the wood in the midst of Carmel let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the dayes of old 15. According to the dayes of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things A third ground of encouragement is held forth in an answer to the Prophets prayer who upon the mentioning of the ensuing desolation turnes himself to God or to Christ the great Shepherd requesting that he would have a care of his scattered and desolate people in whom he had so much interest and would at last bring them to enjoy the wonted sweet fruits of his Government and feed them as flocks were fed in the fruitful pastures of Bashan and Gilead Numb 32.1 Deut. 32.14 To which answer is returned in a promise that they shall get a deliveâ—ance no lesse famous and miraculous then when they were delivered of old from Eâ—ypt This promise is both spoken of the Church and to her noâ— only because she was abundantly satisfied of the first and therefore it is spoken to her to stir heâ— up to believe the other but to shew the Lords constancy in
as became Proselytes and joyned to them but that in every place even from the remotest Isles all nations have access to God through the Mediator for so is here fore-prophecied Men shall worship him every one from his place even all the Isles of the Heathen 5. It is of great concernment to all the Churches of Christ to mind much and by their prayers to help forward and hasten the conversion of Israel as tending to the advancement of the Gospel among the Gentiles for then this prophecy will get a new and farther accomplishment Rom. 11.15 Vers 12. Ye Ethiopians also ye shall be slaine by my sword The third denunciation is against the Ethiopians who were either a Nation commonly called so beyond Egypt who had served in armies employed against the Church as these other Southern Nations were usually employed abroad Nahum 3.9 Ezek 27.10 or rather a people in Arabia descended also from Cush and lying on the other side of the red sea over against Ethiopia commonly so called who are the people usually called Ethiopians in Scripture these as they had been destroyed by Asa 2 Chron. 14.9 c. and given into the hands of Sennacherib as a ransome for Judah Isa 43 3. with 2 Kings 19.9 so the Lord here threatens to cut them off by his sword in the hand of Nebuchadnezzar either in his conquest of Arabia or when he subdued Egypt and destroyed those other Ethiopians amongst Egypts Associates as they were Jer. 46.2 with 9. Doct. 1. Though the enemies of the Church were never so many on all hands and never so sar remote yet Gods hand is enough for them all for here he undertakes against enemies on all quarters and besides the Philistines Moab and Ammon he threatens that the Ethiopians also which soever of these Nations it be shall be slain 2. It is a special part of right reading of judgements to see Gods hand in them that his quarrel may be studied that his love to his people in avenging their quarrel may be seen that his soveraign power and providence over al the world may be adored and the smitten may know whither to flee for an issue therefore it is added Ye shall be slain by my sword Vers 13. And he will stretch out his hand against the North and destroy Assyria and will make Nineveh a desolation and dry like a wilderness Ver. 14. And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her all the beasts of the Nations both the Cormorant and the Bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it their voyce shall sing in the windows desolation shall be in their thresholds for he shall uncover the Cedar-work The last denunciation is against the Assyrians in the North and the chief City of that Empire which he threatens to make desolate by his out-strerched hand and like a barren wildernes to be an habitation for all kinde of beasts and monstrous creatures of all sorts in stead of eminent Princes and many people who frequented there and that for this end where there had been so many stately habitations he would cause to pull down their roofs and leave nothing but bare walls fit for such guests to huant in Doct. 1. God in executing of judgements will not forget to reach greatest enemies saddest stroaks therefore the Lord sets out Assyria and Ninevehs judgements in so dreadful and ample a way not only to give more ample encouragement to his people whose faith might readily faint most in this particular but to testifie the greatness of his displeasure against them for leading his Israel captive He will stretch out his hand against the North and destroy Assyria and will make Nineveh a desolation and dry like a wilderness 2. Howsoever God may seem to own a prospering enemy against his people and they may think so because of their succesle yet God will in due time testifie the contrary for they boasted of old that they came not up without the Lord 2 Kings 18 25. therefore the Lord will stretch out his hand against the North c. 3. Albeit that smful wayes and oppression may for a time raise up men to great power and glory and make cities and countries to flowrish yet ere all be done it will lay them as low yea make them more desolate then is imaginable so did Assyria and Nineveh feele when flocks lay down in the midst of her all the beasts of the Nations when the Cormorant and Bittern did lodge in the upper lintels of it c And no wonder for these creatures were no more monstrous in mens account then the former inhabitants were in Gods sight Vers 15. This is the rejoycing City that dwelt carelesly that said in her heart I am and there is none beside me how is she become a desolation a place for beasts to lie down in every one that passeth by her shal hiss and wag his hand The equity of this sentence upon that City is confirmed from the causes thereof where not recounting her particular sins he takes notice of the result of all her sins and the common sink into which they all ran to wit her security and insolency that being blinded with the splend or of her prosperity she despised all other Nations and cast off all fear of any change because of which it was righteous with God by laying her so desolate to make her an ignominious spectacle to all beholders Doct. 1. It is not possible for wicked mâ—n to guide their prosperity and successe in ill courses well but they will swell in pride thereby and so provoke God yet more to anger against them for This is the rejoycing City that dwelt carelesly that said in her heart I am and there is none beside me 2. Look how much wicked men prospering in sin have been admired by others or have admired themselves for their prosperity divine indignation shall indue time make them as remarkable for ignominious calamity for How is the rejoycing City become a desolation a place for beasts to lie down in every one that passeth by her shall hisse and wag his hand CHAP. III. AFter these threatnings denounced against other nations the Lord returns to speak to the Church threatens Jerusalem for the many iniquities done in her v. 1 2. particularly for the sins of Rulers in State v. 3. and of Church-guides v. 4. and confirmeth the equity of this sentence from Gods justice and their incorrigibleness either by the Word v 5. or by the rod v. 6 7. And because the godly could not but be affrighted by these threatnings therefore he subjoyns many comforts to them concerning the returning of their captivity and the mercies of the Gospel exhorting them to wait on God in expectation that he who punished the Church would appear and punish her enemies v. 8. at which time he would propagate true Religion and make Jews and Gentiles jointly serve him v. 9. would gather his people from the remotest parts of the world v. 10. would
the judgement for both Prophets and Priests are here found guilty See Lam. 2.14 2. Want of gravity in carriage and rashnesse and inconstancy in doctrine making the Word Yea and Nay and fitting doctrine to all humours parties and times is a character of a false Minister accessory to a lands sin and liable to sad judgements whatever extraordinary or singular thing he pretend to Her Prophets are light or rash unstable and heady persons 3. An unfaithful time-serving Minister though he may please himselfe and others may like well of his way yet in Gods account he is but a perfidious man betraying his trust and the soules of men and men will finde it so in due time for being light they are also treacherous persons 4. Every Minister that would approve himselfe to God ought to give himself both to deal with God in behalfe of the people and with the people on Gods behalfe for such was the Priests charge to minister unâ—o the Lord in the Sanctuary in name of the people and to be ordinary teachers of the law to the people in both which they failed here 5. It is a token of sins full ripenesse and of speedy approaching judgement when Ministers dare pollute the holy things of God by going prophanely and in a carnal way about his worship and service their own familiarity and frequent employment about it without sensible hearts having bred a contempt of it and so embolden others to do the like or tempt them to abhor Gods service thus was it with Jerusalem when wo came upon her Her Priests have polluted the Sanctuary 6. The holy Scripture being the revealed will of the supreame Lord and the unalterable rule of mens duty according to which they may expect blessings or curses it must be an high presumption in men to wrest and force it to applaud their fancies and to take their light to the Word and father it upon it and not come with submission of heart to receive light from it and so make of Scripture what they please this is also a quarrel They have done violence to the Law Ver. 5. The just Lord is in the midst thereof he will not do iniquity every morning doth he bring his judgement to light he faileth not but the unjust knoweth no shame The equity of this threatned wo is cleared from the justice of God who not only dwelling amongst them could not without impuration to his holinesse passe over such grosse abominations but also was a just God in giving her faire play in this processe and not pronouncing this sentence till she was found incorrigible which he proveth from two evidences whereof the first is that however he had daily and early by his Messengers held forth this law as a lamp whereby they might see the evil of their wayes and so failed not to give them warning that they might be reclaimed yet they proved obstinate and impudently blushed not to sin against cleare light Doct. 1. However a visible Church persevering in sin may blesse her selfe and expect great things from Gods visible presence with her yet all these priviledges speak the impenitent sinners disadvantage their lying neer a stroak for if the just Lord be in the midst thereof he will doe no iniquity to wit in sparing her being so sinful See Amos 3.2 3. 2. God doth so much delight in mercy and is so tender of his people that he never proceeds to severity so long as there is another way unessayed to reclaim them or to stint the course of their sin which doth abundantly justify him when he judgeth for in this also he is the just Lord in the midst thereof he will not do iniquity in that he will not cast off till other means be essayed as the following purpose cleareth 3. It is a great favour from the Lord and a testimony of his long suffering when he doth not take every finner at his first word but followeth him with frequent warnings of his danger if he go on and offers of advantage if he returne for it is marked here as an evidence of Gods kindnesse in this processe that every morning which was the usual time of Prophets preaching Jer. 7.25 doth he bring his judgements to light he faileth not 4. Albeit men may pretend to acknowledge the authority of God and his Word yet it is usual that when they are mad on sin and going to ruine this should be a presage of it that the Word will do nothing at them for it is marked as their sin and a token that judgement must come on when notwithstanding warnings the unjust knoweth no shame 5. None who are within the visible Church and doe acknowledge a Deity and yet dare with a high hand sin against the cleer light of the Word but they proclaim themselves to be destitute of all ingenuity and given up to the plague of effronted impudence for such know no shame Ver. 6. I have cut off the Nations their towers are desolate I made their streets waste that none passeth by their cities are destroy'd so that there is no man that there is none inhabitant 7. I said Surely thou wilt feare me thou wilt receive instruction so their dwelling should not be cut off howsoever I punished them but they rose early and corrupted all their doings A second evidence of their incorrigiblenesse is that the Lord had often-times visited the Nations round about not one but many of them and not with an ordinary but with remarkable stroakes destroying their strong holds or Princes which as corner stones as the word imports uphold the fabrick of the Common wealth and making such havocke of the Nations as there were neither traveller nor Inhabitant to be found all which considering out ward meanes and their duty might have warned them to flee those sinnes for which those Nations had been punished and instructed them to fear God and reforme their wayes that so their afflictions might have kept within bounds of fatherly correction and they might have prevented the last stroake of being put out of their land and yet for all this they were so farre from turning to God that they were even worse all their wayes being not only sinful but corrupt and bent active and headlong in going wrong as if it had been their study and they were as earnest to goe wrong as he had been to reclaim them v. 5. Doct. 1. The Church is so dear unto God and he so tender of her well-being that before he ruine her he will preach her duty and danger to her upon the dear expence of others for all these sad judgements on others v. 6. was to inform her that she might prevent the like 2. Judgements inflicted on any of the world is a document and call to others to fear God especially being guilty of the like sinnes yea even the Church ought to take warning from judgements on enemies for He cut off thir Nations laid their Towers desolate c. that his Church
further ground of meditation to the Reader if he please It cannot be a voided in a piece of so many Doctrines and on divers subjects but the same Doctrines at least for substance wil occur often but the Reader may consider that every time it occurreth it is confirmed of new from a new ground and Gods inculcating of truths often calls on us to heare and consider them much If any man thinks the doctrines sometimes more prolixe he would consider that in this sort of writing it is required to say much in little bounds that sometimes two truths flowing from one ground wil speak more fully being conjoyned then if every one of them were made a doctrine alone that some doctrines nakedly propounded could not satisfie unlesse they were either limited or cleered a little As the Doctrines wil be found I hope to arise naturally from the text explained so in exposition I have studied to keepe by the rule of faith and set downe that Exposition which is most agreeable to the context it selfe and where diversity of interpretations could agree together as tending to one scope I have conjoyned them and but seldome held forth divers and different interpretations of one place where there was no such affinity betwixt them There is onely one thing of which I would premonish thee in a word and that is concerning some promises made not only to the Church of the Jewes but to all Israel wherein not only their future conversion but their restitution to their own land seeme to be held forth I am not ignorant how peremptory many have beene of old and of late in determining of such future events from the Word and that many who have asserted the restitution of Israel to their land have asserted with it also a reigne of Christ not onely in his spiritual government but in his person also on earth and that the Church shall be in a very flourishing and glorious estate for a thousand yeers Both of which assertions as they have no sure footing in Scripture so the first speaks but little comfort to the Church which is that they intend in it for seeing Christ hath a circumscribed body he can be but in one place at once and it is more comfortable to the Church in all quarters of the world to be governed by his Spirit and instruments employed by him sitting at the Fathers right hand then by deputies imployed by him while he remains in one corner of the world as that opinion must grant he will And for the second albeit the Church may and belike after the conversion of Israel wil have some glimpses and breathings of tranquillity and prosperity yet that happy condition which many speak of seemeth not to be very consistent even with common sense for if the Church and particular Saints shall have corruption while they are within time that fire will necessarily produce sparks of trouble and how any trouble can be consistent with such a condition as these men speak of I see not The experience of the Jewes at the first coming of Christ and of the Church in all ages may sufficiently clear how much carnal conceptions of the glory of Christs Kingdome have been disappointed as savouring too much of flesh Yet in this businesse whereof I speak this would seeme at least probable that as many passages scattered in the Prophets whatever they foretold to the Nation of the Jewes at the first coming of Christ or say daily for the comfort of Israel in the spirit yet have not their full accomplishment till all Israel be converted as the Apostle cleareth Rom. 11. who citing a more obscure place to cleare it doth warrant us to make use of others that speak more clearly So there are also many passages in the Prophets which however they may be applyed to a spiritual restitution of every true Church and of Israel after the Spirit yet in their full accomplishment seeme to take in the restitution of the Nation of Israel and this interpretation seemeth not to want Christs owne warrant where he saith Luke 21.24 They shal fal by the edge of the sword and shal be led away captive into all Nations and Jerusalem shal be troden down of the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled where he seemeth to set the same term-day to their Captivity and the desolation of Jerusalem including the land that the Apostle sets to their conversion Rom. 11.25 26. And indeed if the conversion of Israel wil be National as is clear not only from Rom. 11. but from Hos 3. where they are foretold ver 4. that they shal neither have a true nor false religion in their exile which must be understood of them taken as an incorporation and Nation for as private men they have still some Religion wherever they are and consequently their conversion ver 5. must be National If I say their conversion wil be National it is agreeable to right reason that they wil get a Land for habitation as a Nation and what Land more expedient then their own though not now any more typical unto them which God gave to their fathers of old and which there are so plain promises as would appear for And for a taste any that pleaseth may consider on these passages spoken not only to Judah but to Jacob Ephraim and Israel Jer 30.13 18. and 31.17 Ezek 37.16 17 19 21 22 25. Hos 11.9 10 11. and many others which I wil not now insist to name or discourse upon only as I take no pleasure in singular opinions nor to be peremptory in those things which time wil be the best commentary unto so there being so much to this purpose spoken in the Word I could not but briefly point at such passages in any of these following Prophets as seeme to tend that way that so the godly may be stirred up to pray more earnestly for the conversion of Israel at which time the Lord by performance wil give his own commentary to these and many other promises I shal detaine thee Christian Reader no longer in the entrie but to adde this that if this piece prove acceptable and may be useful to the Church of Christ I purpose the Lord continuing life and assisting me to follow with the rest of the smal Prophets in the same Method provided that some others more fit do not take the work in hand Mean time that this present piece may be blessed unto thee and that thou mayest more and more fal in love with God to thee in Scripture shal be the prayer of Thine to serve thee in the Gospel GEO. HUTCHESON Christian Reader IT cannot be denied on the one hand that as the Lord in this last age hath manifested unto Britain more then in any former time the riches of his grace in the clear and long continued offer of Righteonsness reconciliation peace sanctification and salvation freely to be had by the hearty embracing of his eternal Son Jesus Christ So for the
further explication of the way of pardon that God overcomes the great provocation of sinne standing in his mercies way or as an effect of pardon that God not only pardons the guilt but mortifieth the power of sinne in his people Whence learn 1. The Lord pardons sinne in none but such as he makes sensible of the great provocation of sinne and makes them to see it as an army standing in mercies way to be subdued for so do they expresse the way of pardon 2. Gods mercy is alsufficient to overcome all provocations and to overcome the ill deserving of sinne for He will subdue iniquity See Cant 2.8 Rom 5.20 3. Whoever get pardon of sinne they also fall in love with and see the need of mortification of sin this the other interpretation of subduing teacheth The pardoned Church accounteth God singular because he will subdue iniquity 4. Mortification of sinne is to be wrought by God and expected from him otherwise our endeavours will not prevaile and when our endeavours of mortification availe not yet our case is not hopelesse for He will subdue our iniquities The last expression Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea containes a further effect of pardon that sins once pardoned shall not be remembred nor laid to their charge againe which is held out in a borrowed speech taken from amongst men that being without possibility of being recovered by men which is cast into the bottom of the sea and that where it is deepest Whence learn 1. Albeit a pardoned sinner when he commits new sin or is not humble tender or thankful under the sense of pardon may have former sinnes brought to remembrance to be matter of humiliation and stirring up to repentance and albeit an houre of tentation may shake loose all evidences of pardon yet sin being once pardoned the remission stands never to be repeated only new confirmations are still to be sought after nor will the pardoned sinne come in account against the pardoned man before God again for so much doth this borrowed speech teach See Isa 38.17 Ps 103.12 Jer. 31.34 2. Gods mercy is so infinite that multitudes of sin in the self-judging sinner will not hinder his free and full pardon nor needs to obstruct to peaceable effects thereof in the conscience of the pardoned man and this fountain stands daily open for the justified man to flee unto with all his faults as they are committed with renewing of his faith and repentance for so large is this Promise Thou wilt cast all their sins c. 3. As the sense of the pardon of sin and freedome from the apprehension of Gods keeping it in remembrance is a warme and refreshing condition so it would be much entertained by frequent looking to God by faith and praise about it Therefore yet again is the speech directed to God Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea Vers 20. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the dayes of old In the next place God is commended as singular in his gracious fidelity keeping the Covenant made with their forefathers Doct. 1. The priviledges of the Church are made theirs by Contract and sworn Covenant and so are certain for so the Word speaks of truth and mercy sworn 2. The Lord is to be seene and commended as incomparable in fidelity and promise-keeping notwithstanding all impediments in his way and all our apprehensions of him to the contrary for it is to be repeated Who is a God like unto thee that wilt perform the truth c 3. The summe of Gods Covenant with his Church is mercy in respect of the fountain whence all his bounty floweth and in respect of our ill deservings which we should daily see and truth in respect that the freedome of mercy in promising diminisheth nothing of the certainty of performance but as mercy opens the doore so truth keeps it open Hence it is that those two are so frequently conjoyned in the expectations and desires of Saints See Psal 57.3 and 61.7 4. The Covenant of mercy is the Churches first and irrevocable priviledge for it is sworn of old and so the law which came after cannot disannul it Gal. 3.17 5. As the spiritual blessings of the Covenant belong only to true believers who may reckon Jacob and Abraham with whom the Covenant was made their fathers according to the faith so even the natural posterity of Jacob and Abraham have a peculiar interest in that Covenant made with their fathers not broken off by any interruption or desolation but to be still forth-coming for them as to their being called as a Nation to be his Church and people if not also for giving them the promised land in heritage for so do they reckon while they are threatened with much ensuing desolation Thou wilt perform the truth to Iacob and the mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworn c. For this cause the Apostle Rom. 11.29 reckons that Gods purposes toward them as a Nation are among the gifts which are without repentance and never to be recalled and made utterly void more then in his dealing with his Elect in the matter of their calling and glorification 6. It is the duty of the godly when they are called to trouble to confirm their faith in the hope of issue according to Gods promise and be comforted and rest satisfied therewith accounting it sweet to have hope of future mercy sure although it were never so long a coming and the way to it never so rough for so do the godly hearing tell of future desolation close all believing and resting satisfied with this Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham c. for the accomplishment whereof every godly man should pray Even so Lord Jesus come quickly Amen and Amen Nahum The ARGUMENT THe Lord having suspended the execution of the judgements denounced by Jonah against Nineveh the chief City of the Assyrian Empire upon their repentance they did again return to their vomit and added unto all their other sins the oppression of the people of God by captivating the ten tribes and over-running Judah therefore the Lord for the comfort of his people thus afflicted raiseth up Nahum whether in Hezekiah's dayes or afterward is not certain yet certainly that oppression of Judah 2 Kings 18. and 19. is pointed at by him to set forth at large the ruine of that Monarchie especially of the chief City Nineveh and for this end setting forth a description of God in his justice power and mercie suitable to the present purpose he foretels the ruine of the State of Assyria by the Medes and Caldeans with the comfort and advantage redounding to the Church thereby chap. 1. and the destruction of the chief City the preparations against which with the taking thereof is set down chap. 1. and further amplified and confirmed by setting forth their provocations
ground of encouragement is that these calamities on the Jewes and their enemies should â—ot make the Church to cease but God should propagate pure Doctrine pure Worship and profession unto many people both Jewes and Gentiles who should joyntly concurre to serve him and help one another in his obedience v. 9. Thus a pure language seemes to be understood as Isa 19.18 not secluding purity of heart amongst some of them which it evidenced by purity of language as may appeare from Isa 6.5 Matth. 12.34 Jam. 3.2 and from what is further promised here yea the Lord promiseth that he will gather them from the furthest parts of the world to seek him and offer service to him v. 10. This promise is accomplished partly in his gathering together in Christ his dispersed elect throughout the world and remotest corners thereof Joh. 11.52 and these Ethiopians or as some conceive Egyptians among the rest and partly it shall be accomplished when the Lord shall call scattered Israel from the remotest parts of the world to serve him and they shall bring in some Gentiles with them as a gift to God Doct. 1. It is matter of praise to God and of encouragement to the godly that go with Nations as it will yet he is not to want a Church though he should gather it from among Pagan Gentiles and such as there is little apparent hope of for when the earth is devoured v. 8. then he will get many people as the word is and that from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia 2. Purity of Doctrine worship and profession is the glory of a Gospel-Church and a glorious work of God to make it so and keep it so for saith the Lord I will turne to the people a pure language or pure Doctrine and profession instead of their Idolatrous and blasphemous fancies and their way following thereupon 3. Purity of Doctrine worship and profession doth not consist in a lawlesse liberty or toleration to think or say what men will but is conjoyned with and carried on by an united uniformity which as it is the rich fruit recompence of much trouble so it is to be expected in the Lords time and measure for when after their much trouble they shall have a pure language they will serve him with one consent or shoulder even in that pure language See Jer. 32.39 Zach. 14.9 4. As unanimity in the matters of God and the free accesse of Jew and Gentile to serve God the one as well as the other is a great mercy of the Kingdome of Christ so when seekers of God are of one heart and do all put hand to the work to help one another without obstructing or lying by it is a token of thriving service this is also included in the promise as a great blessing and a meanes of much good They shall serve him with one consent 5. The true characters of a converted and spiritual people are their being much in calling on God imploying and making use of him in all things and their giving up themselves to be his servants at his disposal and in testimony of their subjection and thankfulnesse they will put hand to his work as they are called will do all as service to him and bring their worship themselves or others as they are able to offer up to him thus are they here described They all call on the name of the Lord when they get the pure language they are suppliants they serve him and bring his offering 6. As the Lord will not lose any of his elect how farre soever scattered through the world and will recover his own when their case speakes them afarre off and they are driven to exile without hope or probability of returne in their own apprehension so in particular the Lord will in due time seek after and recover his ancient people now of a long time scattered whereby there shall be a reviving of his service in the world for from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia he will seek the daughter of his dispersed and cause them to come at which time there will be suppliants and offerings brought and serving of him with one consent Ver. 11. In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings wherein thou hast transgressed against me for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoyce in thy pride and thou shalt no more be haughty because of mine holy mountaine A third ground of encouragement is the promise of the Churches reconciliation with God through the free pardon of finne and her renovation the glory whereof should rub off the shame of her former iniquities and should be followed with such felicity as should take away the ignominy of her former afflictions for sinne and particularly he promisâ—th to purge away their conceit and carnal gloriation in the Temple and outward ceremonies and to make worshipping of God in spirit and truth to be only in request these promises are made to the Church in relpect of the elect in her and do hold forth that eventually at some times and spâ—cially at the conversion of Israel there may be a more general renovation of Church-members but do neither hold forth that they will be universally such nor yet do proscribe that it is the Churches duty to admit none but such Doct. 1. Greatest promises of outward things will not afford matter of encouragement to the godly unlesse with these the work of reconciliation and renovation be going on therefore is this promised to encourage the godly Jewes 2. Albeit the Lords reconciled people have cause to be ashamed of themselves and to testifie their repentance by blushing for their backslidings Ezek. 16.61 yet being reconciled and turned to God they may lift up their face through a Mediator expecting not to be eternally confounded and that God will not charge them with these finnes but will bury them and make their future conversation rub off that reproach and by his doing for them will take away the ignominious effects of their sinne so much doth this promise assure us In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings wherein thou hast transgressed against me 3. As men cannot prove their sinne to be really pardoned but by their renewed conversation so without this there is no taking away of the ignominy of former sinful wayes thus doth the Lord prove that they shall be a pardoned people and not ashamed for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoyce in thy pride c. 4. The shameful sinne of the visible Church is her boasting of external priviledges and being bold to sinne because of them her outward mercies of that kinde becomming her snare and standing betwixt her and the kernel of them for this is the sinne to be removed rejoycing in thy pride or excellency as the word signifieth and being haughty because of my holy mountaine 5. As the Lord must be the worker of our reconciliation and renovation