will external reformation hold it off but rather ripen the faster for it for it was their presumption even under reforming Hezekiah to say Is not the Lord among us no evil can come upon us so long as they had not repented indeed as it is Jer. 26.18 19. 12. God will approve of no faith but such as is fruitful and stirs up men to purifie and cleanse their heart and way for they are here challenged that when they have done all the former iniquities and are going on in them Yet they wil lean upon the Lord or pretend to true faith whereby a man casts himself and all his burdens on God and say Is not the Lord among us Ver. 12. Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field and Jerusalem shal become heaps and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forrest Followeth the Lords sentence subjoyned to this accusation He threatens that for their sinnes the stately buildings of the holy City should be made desolate heaps and the ground it was situate upon especially the Kingly dwelling should become arable and to be plowed as a common field and that the mountain Moriah whereon the Temple stood should become wilde and dishaunted as a forrest and filled with shrubs and bushes See Chap. 1.6 Doct. 1. No place or visible Church hath any such priviledge but that sinne will make it desolate for no place hath such promises as Zion Jerusalem and the mountain of the house had and yet they were to be plowed as a field c. 2. The servants of God must be bold and faithful not onely in speaking against the sins of the Rulers but even against a Church having great priviledges when she is found in transgression for this passage is recorded as a proof of Micah's fidelity Jer. 26.18 3. It is our duty to look upon sin and to be affected with it not only as procuring corrections upon our selves but especially as it hath an hand in drawing on calamities on the Church and Kingdom where we live this he tells them For your sake Zion shal be plowed as a field and Jerusalem shal become heaps and the mountaine of the house as the high places of the forrest 4 Universal defection of a Land especially of Rulers and Teachers in their Offices and Judicatories will bring on speedy desolation unlesse that by repentance it be prevented as the execution of this threatning was in Hezekiahs dayes Jer. 26.18 19. For your sakes Zion shal be plowed c. saith he to the corrupt Rulers and Teachers in regard their corruption had a chief hand in procuring this ruine and could not but involve the people in the like defection to hasten the judgement 5. Judgments on a backsliding Church are most severe and sharp howsoever there be moderation in them to the Elect for no lesse is here threatned then being plowed as a field becoming heaps and as the high places of the forrest So great a sin is the contempt of mercy offered to a Church 6. As for this part of their calamity that the ground whereon the holy City and Temple stood was plowed as a field albeit when it was first denounced in Hezekiahs dayes it was suspended on their repentance Jer. 26.19 And albeit we find not that it was accomplished at the first destruction of the Temple yet common history informs us that after the second destruction thereof it was performed by the Romanes who according to their custome plowed up the very ground whereon the Temple had stood in sign of perpetual desolation So infallibly certain is the Word of God that after so long a tract of time it will take effect albeit upon repentance it had been delayed yea and after they had past through many troubles and had been delivered and so might think they had done with it yet upon new sin and provocation that sentence is still standing against them and at last takes effect CHAP. IV. IN this Chapter which agrees with Isai 2 1 c. the Lord comforts the godly against the calamities which were foretold Chap. 3.12 by setting forth the glorious blessings of Christs Kingdome or of the Church of Jewes and Gentiles under the Messiah wherein is contained the glorious excellency and increase of the Church v. 1 2. her peace and tranquillity under the government of Christ ver 3 4. her zeal and constancy in Religion ver 5. and her delivery from former misery such as Israel was to be under ver 6 7. To whom which is the second part of the Chapter he makes a more comfortable and particular application of the Promises by promising that the Kingdom as it was of old should begin at them ver 8 and by shewing his mind concerning their troubles ver 9 10. and concerning the enterprises of their enemies ver 11 12 13. Ver. 1. BVt in the last dayes it shall come to passe that the mountaine of the house of the LORD shall be established in the the top of the mountaines and it shall be exalted above the hils and people shal flow unto it 2. And many Nations shall come and say Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his pathes for the Law shal go forth out of Zion and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem The first Promise for comfort of the godly contains the excellency of the Church and accession of many Nations to it It hath two branches First That however the Church of the Jewes was to be in great misery for sin yet it should come to passe in the dayes of the Messiah that the Church called by the name of old Zion or the mountain of the house as best known to the Jewes and the Church of Israel as eminent and chief among the rest should be glorious and exalted above every society that is excellent in the world as if the mountaine whereon the Temple stood were made higher then any hill or set upon the top of them Whence learn 1. As the Spirit of God is a Spirit of unity and doth not differ from himself in his manifestations to his servants so it is a comfortable thing when the Messengers of God do concur and unite in bearing testimony to any Truth in the Church for thus it was with Isaiah and Micah who being contemporary do preach the same things here and Is 2. 2. God doth no sooner afflict his people but as soon mercies to make up their losses come in his mind and the Churches afflictions are never to be studied but when the promises making her up are taken along in our thoughts for immediately upon the back of that threatning Chap. 3.12 this promise cometh forth as testifying his affection and for her to look upon with the other 3. The Churches happinesse and felicity is much in gracious promises and to come in respect of performance
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
in that the Saints and converted will live at peace in so far as they are renewed otherwise a Saints corruption as well as our own may be on our tops and that there shall not be such an enmity betwixt believing Jewes and Gentiles as was before the partition was taken down in these respects Nation shall not lift up sword against Nation neither shall they learn war any more 3. Whatever troubles the Church may meet with from enemies yet she shall give no cause nor occasion thereof albeit their corruption may take occasion to raise troubles because of the profession of the Gospel for the converted shall be peaceable men and beat their swords into plowshares c. 4. In despite of all the power and imaginations of enemies the Church of God shall have even outward peace and tranquillity in so far as is needful and subservient to their spiritual good otherwise when it proves hurtful it is better to want it as the Church hath many times found in experience And as the Lord hath often given tastes of this to his Church so it will be more fully accomplished when the fulness of the Gentiles and all Israel shall be turned to the Lord as sometimes before in the Church so then they shall fit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree and none shall make them afraid Doc. 6. The fidelity of God who promiseth is sufficient to assure our hearts of the performance of greatest things as being omnipotent and having all things under his power and at his command which may either promote or seem to impede the execution of his will Therefore is this promise which might seem improbable by reason of the great desolation which was threatned should come sealed with this for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it Ver. 5. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever In the Parallel place Isai 2.5 instead of what is here is contained an exhortation to the Jewes that since the Church under the Messiah was to be glorious they would faithfully cleave to God and true Religion in all their calamities till these dayes should come and seeing the Gentiles were thus to flow in to Christ they would not slip away but be provoked to jealousie and come in to partake And indeed the hope of the Church of God is so great and sure that it may well encourage men to be honest under any disadvantage and albeit this exhortation was not hearkened unto at the first Conversion of the Gentiles yet the day will come when it shall be effectually upon them Rom. 11.11.25 26. But Micah seems to hold forth further the resolution of the Converts of Jewes and Gentiles under the Gospel to renounce all heresies and sects and to adhere constantly and zealously to God and the Profession of the Chrstian Religion exciting themselves hereunto by the example of idolaters who were pertinacious in their irreligious courses and this is a third evidence of the glory of the Church and ground of encouragement to the godly that instead of the manifold Apostasies and pollutions with the wayes of the Pagans which appeared formerly in the Church of the Jewes the Church of God especially Israel being converted should then prove constant in their Religion Doc. 1. Constancy in adhering to the true Religion is the great glory of a Church and encouragement of the godly to whom backslidings are a sad affliction as here we are taught 2. The Christian Profession and Religion consists in walking in the Name of the Lord that is in professing and practising according to the revealed rule which is his Name not seeking to be wise above what is written and going about these things in his strength as 1 Sam. 17.45 Psalm 118.11 being furnished with encouragement from him for so his Name in Isa 2.5 is the light to wit of direction and consolation of the Lord. 3. Such as would walk in these pathes and adhere to them ought to make sure an interest in God by Covenant and make use of this interest for daily influence and ought to be filled with much affection toward their Confederate Lord Wee will walk in the Name of the Lord our God 4. For right performance of our duty there is much need also of frequently renewed resolutions and gathered together motives to set us on edge as here they gather arguments from idol-servers and put on resolutions Wee will walk c. 5. Eternall resolutions or resolutions of persevering constantly are fit and beseeming so high a duty as walking in Gods Name we wil walk say they and walk for ever and ever It being a way wherein there is no cause of wearying and the benefit thereof being but in its prime and fully to appear when time and its contentments are ending 6. Even in the dayes of the Gospel there are still so many blindfolded and deluded as not to see the glory of Christs Kingdome but will pertinaciously follow their Idol-gods for there are all people that is many who will walk in the name of their god 7. The Lords people ought and by grace will be so far from being shaken or drawn away by the multitude of men who forsake their true God that idolaters their observancy and exactnesse in their way should give occasion to the seekers of God to put on resolutions of more exactnesse their blinde zeal toward that which is no God may teach us our duty toward the true God for so doth this comparison instituted teach that not onely Christians would not joyne with them in their way but seeking these were so carefull and resolute much more ought they to be so in the right way For al people wil walk every one in the name of his God and we will walk in the Name of the Lord our God for ever and ever See Ier. 2.10 11. Ver. 6. In that day saith the LORD will I assemble her that halteth and I will gather her that is driven out and her that I have afflicted 7. And I will make her that halted a remnant and her that was cast farre off a strong nation and the LORD shall reigne over them in mount Zion from henceforth even for ever The fourth encouragement doth yet further evidence the glory of the Church from the consideration of her former misery by affliction for sin which he would now make up and of such constitute his Church and Kingdome over which he should reigne for ever and ever And however this promise be of generall verity pointing out what base and contemptible like matter he will gather his Church of yet it hath a speciall relation to the presently afflicted and yet further to be afflicted Church of Israel whom he comforts against all her afflictions and impediments that might cut off all hope of her restauration by promising to gather them under the Gospel and make them a
doing her good in that so to say both before her face and behinde her back he is the same Doct. 1. Sense of judgements imminent or incumbent doth call for much prayer and dealing with God for such use doth the Prophet make of the threatened desolation 2. The Church of Christ in her trouble especially is in a solitary condition and full of hazard being disconsolaâ—e and exposed to want and danger unlesse he have a care of her for They dwell solitarily in the wood in the midst of Carmel they are like a solitary flock in woods and mountaines and albeit Carmel signifie a fruitful place and was so in the land of Canaan Isa 33.9 and 35.2 2 Kings 19 23. and elsewhere yet it is here taken in with the woods to shew that their most fruitful places in exile should look like a wildernesse to them or because it was an open field and mountain and consequently not safe though others joyne that rather with the latter part of the verse Let them feed in the midst of Carmel in Bashan c. and so it is also expressed Jer. 50.19 3. Christ is the only Shepherd to whose care the Church is concredited and who will have a special care of them in trouble for to him doth the Prophet pray Feed thy people which dwell solitarily 4. Christ doth not only feed his people but doth exercise a jurisdiction over them whereby he keeps them in subjection to him drives them to their food and expels noxious humours which may hinder their feeding and thriving and he doth also by his power protect them whom he thus feedeth and governeth all which are desirable and to be prayed for from him Feed thy people with thy rod. See Psal 23.4 5. Christ hath many relations to and interests in his Church not broken off by any trouble to endear her to his affection and care and which may encourage faith to go to him in need therefore saith he Feed thy people the flock of thine heritage which dwell solitarily c. Notwithstanding their desolate condition they are his peculiar portion wherein he hath not a temporary but an eternal right as men have to their heritage in all generations and accordingly he will care for and possesse them and this Charter and Priviledge stands fast to the Church of the Jewes here prayed for to be manifested after all their dispersions 6. Christ hath ample allowance to bestow upon his people and all fulnesse for faith to lay hold upon in prayer for the supply of every need for he can make them ferd in Bashan and Gilead which were fruitful pastures for flocks though in relation to Israel this may be understood more particularly of restoring them to their own fruitful land to enjoy it in its full extent even to Bashan and Gilead which lay far off beyond Jordan See Jer. 50.19 7. The Church of God hath rich experiences of his former goodnesse to encourage her in her present suits whereof faith ought to make use therefore saith he Let them feed as in the dayes of old 8. Christ will not deny the needy and lawful desires of his people particularly such as flow from publick-mindednesse and are put up for the Church but will take charge of his afflicted people to give them a blessed issue for the request is here granted 9. As Christ is Omnipotent so he will do wonders if need requires for the behoof of his people and he takes pleasure to convey the expressions of his love to them and to bring about their deliverance to their own and others admiration for I will shew him or make him to enjoy marvellous things 10. As Christs manifesting of himself in former times for his people engageth him to do yet more for them so will he make good whatever they have ground from former experience to expect for According to the dayes of thy coming out of the land of Egypt I will shew him marvellows things where faith is not only to feed upon the great acts he did but also upon the way of his doing of them his passing over their iniquities their murmurings and unbelief his reducing them to straits before he appeared for them his working by small unlikely and contrary means c. 11. The Lord stands engaged to his ancient people to give them a deliverance from their troubles and bondage as great and wonderful as that from Egypt was for so is expressely promised and albeit this be spiritually accomplished and daily accomplishing in the spititual deliverances of the Israel of God yet this promise is made chiefly to the Church of Israel in relation to their desolation and albeit some pledge of this was given at their return from Babylon yet then it came short among other things of the deliverance from Egypt in that it was not National even of the Jewes and therefore it seems to have relation to the time of the restitution and saving of all Israel which will be so great a mercy as will in a sort obscure former mercies Jer. 16.14 15. Vers 16. The Nations shall see and be confounded at all their might they shall lay their hand upon their mouth their eares shall be deafe 17. They shall lick the dust like a serpent they shall move out of their holes like wormes of the earth they shall be afraid of the LORD our God and shall fear because of thee A fourth ground of encouragement and a consequent of the former is taken from the effects which all these shall have amongst enemies who seeing all this mighty Power of God appearing for the Church shall be astonished and made deaf with the fame of Gods acts and dumb that they dare not speak as formerly proud things and the terrour of Gods Majesty appearing in and for his Church shall so seize upon them as to make them with all fear and subjection submit to God and his Church stooping as low as serpents and creeping things See Psal 72.9 Isa 49 23. All which doth not necessarily infer their true Conversion but only that they shall yield feigned obedience and pretend friendship to secure themselves Doct. 1. The deliverance of the Church of God is brought about in such a way as natural men consulting with reason could never have expected it therefore the Nations shall see and be confounded 2. The Lord seeth it fitting at some times not only to be kinde to his people but to give publick demonstrations of his good will to them in such a measure as may astonish all beholders for the Nations shall see and be confounded they shall lay their hand upon their mouth c. See Psâ—l 126.2 3. The Churches priviledges and strength being well seen will be terrible to enemies in their greatest power for They shall be confounded at all their that is the Churches might or for all their might that is all the power they themselves thought they had shall not keep them from confusion but they shall be astonished so much the
families and had brought their purchase thither but now it was abolished and no more conspicuous as formerly Doct. 1. Oppression proves men to be brutish and turneth their Palaces and Cities into lions dens and makes their wealth abomination for here these oppressors are called lions and young lions and their citie or houses holes and dens and their purchase prey and ravine which they teared and strangled 2. The judgement of the Lord will so follow oppression as the place of oppressors whither they bring what they have purchased by oppression shall not be found though otherwise it seemed never so impregnable for where is the dwelling of the lions and the feeding place of the young lions where the lion even the old lion walked and the lions whelp and none made them afraid 3. The ruine of great oppressors as it will be matter of admiration to such as looked on their secure condition by the eye of carnal reason so it will be matter of derision to such as have suffered by them or do abhor their way and glorifie God in his justice for so may this question be expounded of the admiration of some and insulting of others See Isa 14.10 11 12. and Psal 52.6 7. and 58.10 11. 4. A faithlesse and irreligious care of a family and of posterity to have them great is a great snare and inducement to draw men to be oppressors which yet doth not assoil them before the Lord for the lion did tear in pieces for his whelps and strangled for his lionesses c. and yet they were destroyed Vers 13. Behold I am against thee saith the LORD of hostes and I will burne her chariots in the smoke and the sword shall devoure the young lions and I will cut off thy prey from the earth and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard The Lord here expressely ownes the stroak threatening to cut off with fire and sword their means of defence and oppressing people and declareth his quarrel to be their oppression and taking of prey threatening to take away what they had so purchased and to hinder them from oppressing any more and that their Messengers or Ambassadors sent to denounce war against Nations or govern Provinces and especially their blasphemous messengers such as Senacherib and Rabshakeh 2 Kings 18.19 should be made to cease from their insolencies and not to be any more heard tell of Doct. 1. The Lords having a quarrel against a people or person will produce remarkable effects for Behold I am against thee saith the Lord. 2. The Lord hath alsufficiency of power and means to bring down any enemy and to effect what he will for he is the Lord of hostes who hath all creatures at his command who can make invincible armies of weakest creatures and at whose command nothing will send forth all things 3. God can easily and will openly to the terrour of others cut off the warlike preparations and confidences of wicked men for I will burn her chariots in the smoak which may import that he will overthrow them by as small means as if a smoak before a fire were well kinded should burn chariots or that he will openly overthrow them as in a fire the smoak whereof should be seen afar off 4. God will cut off the race of oppressors continuing in their sins by some remarkable judgement for the sword shall devour the young lions and I will cut off thy prey 5. It is a mark of wicked men never to give over sin till the Lord by his judgements render them unable to commit it for when the sword shall devour then only is their prey cut off from the earth 6. Oppression of the Church being joyned with insolent blasphemy against the Lord is a quarrel which he will never put up till he have destroyed all the impenitent authors of it and rendered them unable to do the like again for then saith he the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard albeit God did cut off Senacherib and his army who were the immediate actors yet his hand is stretched out still till it reach Nineveh also from whence they came for the same CHAP. III. FOr the encouragement of the Church of God Nahum in this chapter doth again repeat and further confirm the certain and total ruine of Nineveh that so also he may remove all doubts out of the mindes of any who could hardly believe so ancient and potent a kingdome could be destroyed And 1. Nineveh because of her cruel oppression is threatened with the terrible preparations of her enemies coming against her and with great slaughter v. 1 2 3. And is again threatened for her enslaving of all Nations with extreme contempt to be poured upon her v. 4 5 6 7. 1. This sentence is amplified and confirmed by the example of other places v. 8 9 10 11. and by shewing the vanity of all that she confided in for safety as strong holds citizens hired souldiers officers and nobles v. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18. All which should not exempt her from irreparable ruine whereat all Nations oppressed by her should rejoyce v. 19. Ver. 1. WO to the bloody city it is all full of lies and robbery the prey departeth not Nineveh is here accursed for cruelty oppression and deceit wherein she was incessant and threatened with Wo or all miseries to come upon her Whence learn 1. The Lord hath an especial controversie against a people given to cruelty and bloodshed Wo to the bloody city that is the city which raised it self by blood and cruel practices and which yet continueth in them toward other Nations and among themselves as is usual for them who are too full to be very insolent 2. Dissimulation which floweth from a covetous disposition and a desire to oppresse is hateful unto the Lord as well as open violence for he can see robbery under false dealing therefore are lies and robberies yoked together it is all full of lies and robbery that is these evils have overspread all 3. This frequent repetition of their oppression and denouncing of wo against it teacheth that whatever men who judge by outward appearances or the people of God in the hour of temptation may think yet the Lord exceedingly hates oppression and oppressors let them thrive as they will they are in a woful condition wo to the city that is full of robbery 4. The Lord remarks and especially hates perseverance in wicked courses for wo is denounced also because the prey departeth not that is after so long a tract of time wherein they have continued in this sin and not withstanding they have abundance yet they give not over oppression for no measure of worldly wealth will fatisfie the appetite of such as do transgresse the limits prescribed by God 1 Tim. 6.8 9 10. Ver. 2. The noise of a whip and the noise of the ratling of the wheels and of the prancing horses and of the jumping charets 3. The horsemen lifted up
Admirers of the hand of God against her both these are held forth in that Preface Behold ye among the Heathen and regard and wonder marvellously for I will work a work c. as hath been before explained 4. It is usual that when judgement cometh upon an impenitent people they attain not to any right use of it but are surprised with admiration and astonishment under it for so is fore prophesied even of the Jewes that they shall behold and regard and wonder marvellously at their own calamity and go no further 5. This stupid disposition as it flowes from former contempt of Gods Word which hath so stupified them as judgements cannot pierce so it will prove fruitlesse and doth portend the further ruine of such as continue in it so the Apostle citing this place Acts 13.41 makes clear that they are despisers who wonder as is also clear from v. 4. and that they wonder and perish or vanish that is as their admiration and astonishment usually vanisheth and cometh to nothing without any fruit so such a disposition portends ruine and such a stroak will undo a people they not being able to endure and bear out under both the stroak and fearful astonishment accompanying it 6. As the Lords judgements upon the Church may be far beyond the expectation of the Heathen and her very enemies Lam. 4.12 so it is just with God that those who doting on their priviledges do contemn the Word should meet with unexpected and incredible judgements for so saith he to these prophane Jews I will work a work which ye will not belive though it be told you 7. Divine indignation against sin is more terrible and will appear more sad when it is inflicted then secure sinners do ordinarily imagine so much also is intimated in that this work will be above belief Ye will not believe though it be told you See Psal 90.11 8. The contempt of the Gospel and the rejection of Christ offered unto lost man is the height of iniquity and draws on all the judgements that at any time have been threatened against any sin therefore the Apostle Acts 13.41 denounceth the same judgement here threatened for contempt of the law and sins against the second Table to come upon the Jews who opposed the Gospel and rejected the Messiah as being then fully accomplished when wrath came upon them to the uttermost for casting off of Christ Ver. 6. For lo I raise up the Caldeans that bitter and hasty Nation which shall march through the breadth of the land to possesse the dwelling places that are not theirs The Prophet subjoynes a particular description of this calamity in describing the instruments of it the Caldeans under Nebuchadnezzar their King whose disposition furniture and proceedings are so exactly set down as may confirme the truth of the prediction may set forth the justice of God in repaying the Jewes in their own coine may be terrible to the stout-hearted among them and may confirme the godlies hope of a deliverance from the way of the Caldeans their managing that work This description is contained in several particulars the first is that they are a Nation of a bitter cruel fierce and active temper who therefore to satisfie their ambitious covetousnesse should speedily and without fear over-spread the land of Judea not only to over-run it but to make a Conquest thereof for themselves Doct. 1. When God hath a controversie against a people he will not want instruments by whom he may prosecute it or he can fetch the Caldeans from afar who being already satiated with victories and conquests needed not otherwise much to have minded so remote a corner as Judah 2. Instruments of vengeance upon the Church would be looked upon as imployed by God and therefore the Churches eyes would be more on God then on them for Lo I raise up the Caldeans saith the Lord. 3. It is usual for the Lord to give up troublers and oppressors of the world to meddle also with his Church that it may hasten their ruine however the Church be sinfull therefore the Church is to be chastised by the Caldeans who were the hammer of the whole earth Jer. 50.23 that this might hasten the filling of their cup. 4. The Lord can make holy use even of the sins of creatures imployed for executing of his judgements for He raiseth up the Caldeans that bitter and hastie Nation and makes use of this their temper without any imputation to his holinesse 5. When the Lord armes any instruments with vengeance against a sinfull people they will not want dispositions and successe for attaining his end for if God raise up the Caldeans against the Church then they are not only bitter and fierce but a hastie or active Nation and will march through the breadth of the land without opposition or fear and will not only overcome but so carrie all before them as they may possesse the dwellings that are not theirs without molestation 6. The Lord in executing vengeance doth righteously proportion mens sins and his judgements and pay home transgressors in their own coine therefore the Jews who had been cruel meet now with bitter adversaries and they who had used spoiling and violence towards others v. 2. are now over-run and cast out of their own possessions The like also may be read in the following purpose 7. However men account it purchase good enough when they are able by power to overturne others and sit down in their room yet the Lord doth not so reckon but will put a difference betwixt mens power or possession and their right for albeit the Caldeans conquered Judah yet in the Lords account They possesse the dwelling places that are not theirs Verse 7. They are terrible and dreadfull their judgement and dignity shall proceed of themselves The Caldeans imployed in this work are yet further described that being armed with divine vengeance emboldened with former victories and exercising the same cruelly they should fill the land with terrour and dread of them which they should also tyrannically improve and be their own carvers in all matters of advantage and honour standing to no law either of Nature or Nations in their dealing with a terrified and subdued people but meerly following their own will armed with power Doct. 1. Divine indignation pursuing sinners will take away their heart and courage in a strait and make their enemies terrible to them for so are the Caldeans to the sinfull Jewes terrible and dreadfull 2. When a people do not stand in awe of God speaking from his Word to them he doth righteously send judgements upon them which will cause their hearts to faint for the Caldeans are terrible and dreadfull to these wicked Jews who sleighted the Law God Almighty speaking in it v. 4 3. It is a great height of impiety before the Lord when besides the unlawfullnesse of a war in general and many particular acts of injustice in the heat of hostility a Conquerour even in
joyn with their enemies to prey on them wherein the râ—ghteousnesse of God should appear in requiting them for their bloodshed and the great desolation they brought on Cities and Countries wherever they came and the havock made of the inhabitants and especially for what they had done to Jerusalem Judea and the Jews v. 8. Doct. 1. The Lords judgements on impenitent sinners come unexpectedly and when they least imagine and that oft-times by instruments little thought of till God raise them up and employ them for They shall rise up suddenly and awake to bite and vex They may seem to be asleep and sit very quiet who shall do this work being imployed of God 2. Oppressors will be made in due time disciples at their own school and be made to seele themselves what sad stroaks they inflicted on others be dealt with as they served others for these preying beasts shall be bitten and vexed or be brought into inextricable difficulties and they who spoiled many Nations shall be for booties and be spoiled 3. Although oppressors so long as God permits them to execute his vengeance prove invincible yet when their day cometh they will be as feeble as any for the Chaldeans who before-time had no more to do but come and gather spoile are now for booties unto their enemies who as easily spoile them 4. Although oppressors dream that they have all under their feet who could harm them so that none dare open the mouth or move the wing or peep yet the Lord hath a scourge ready when he pleaseth to avenge himselfe upon them for all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee saith the Lord He hath either nations hid from their fury whom they think not worth their anger or the very remnants of spoiled nations who if he employ them will do their turn 5. When the Lord denounces or executes his judgments on bloody oppressors it is useful to study much his controversie against them that we may father his judgments aright may adore the righteousness of God and may learne from their example to abhor all violent and bloody courses especially against Gods people which he so severely punisheth therefore he subjoyns that all this is because of mens blood for the violence of the Land and of the City and of all that dwell therein which is to be understood with special relation to Judah Ver. 9. Wo to him that coveteth an evil covetousnesse to his house that he may set his nest on high that he may be delivered from the power of evil The second branch of Gods controversie held forth in general terms is that out of a desire to build stately Palaces as the Chaldean did Dan. 29 30. or to the end they might establish themselves and their posterity in perpetual greatnesse and wealth and be exempted from the common miseries of mankinde and that no after-times might move them they are extreamly and sinfully covetous for which the Lord pronounceth them accursed Doct. 1. The certainty of Gods judgments on particular sinners and enemies may be read from general denunciations against such sins it being agreeable to the rule of justice that all who do such things should be so punished therefore the Lord accuseth and threatneth the Chaldeans in a general sentence Wo to him that coveteth c. that it may appear how agreeable to justice his sentence against them is and that every such sinner in after-times may put in his owne name as if he were the man pointed at 2. It is a plague on wicked men when they are given up to imagine that their prosperous condition shall never change but that they shall be able to secure it for them and theirs for ever for this is the prospering wicked mans thought which brings him to woe that he will set his nests on high as birds do to secure themselves and young ones and to be delivered from the power of evil See Ps 49.11 3. Mens vain imaginations and their apprehending that which will never be and wherein all others have failed doth oft-times prove a great snare to engage them in courses which otherwise they might see not only to be sinful but needlesse and foolish for because the worldly man thinks that he can secure uncertain riches to him and his can guard against any emergent evils to which mankinde for sin are condemned therefore he coveteth an evil covetousnesse that he may set his nest on high c. and stands upon no meanes which he thinks will make that lye in his right hand prove a truth 4. Albeit men may lawfully and in duty should endeavour the good of their posterity even in external things and may study to prevent inconveniences which may prejudice them yet this endeavour proves sinful when either it ariseth from or tends to greediness covetousnesse or insnares men by drawing them to the use of sinful meanes for Wo to him that coveteth an evil covetuousnesse though it were even for his house or that he may set his nest on high c. 5. It may be sufficient to deter men from courses that the Word declareth them to be sinful and that a curse followeth them for so doth the Word import here that it is an evil covetuousnesse and wo is to him that coveteth it therefore men should be far from it Ver. 1. Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people and hast sinned against thy soul 11. For the stone shall cry out of the wall and the beam out of the Timber shall answer it The Lord expounds his own pronounced wo and threatneth that these their projects should tend to the ignominy of their familie it being just they should be so dealt with who ruin so many to build up themselves and sell their souls to make up their outward estates v. 10. and albeit there should be none that durst complain of them yet the very materials of their buildings should witness against them that they were acquired by robbery and should agree in a sort of musick heard by Gods justice to cry for vengeance ver 11. Doct. 1. Albeit covetous oppressors do ost-times carry themselves in great state as the only honourable of the earth yet their way is in it self shameful and will end in ignominy Thou hast consulted shame to thy house 2. Men prosecuting their designs by unlawful means readily fall into the snare which they would most gladly escape for the Chaldean feeking to set his house on high not only covets evil to his house v. 9. but even brings shame which he seeks to shift to it 3. There needs no more to pull down the family of the oppressor then his way of studying to make it great his very building his nest is a plague to it and enoug to make it totter for thereby he consults shame to it He could do no more if he had bended his wits to ruin it 4. The Politick projects of men who lean to their own wit for compassing
their ends and neglect piety or to wait on God for counsel will prove shameful sinful men who lean to their own wits will finde that their most serious consultations will leave them in the mire Thou hast consulted shame to thy house saith the Lord. 5. It is a high degree of impiety and a clear presage of ruin when a man in managing his affairs casts off all his love to his neighbours and not onely mindes himself only but stands not upon the prejudice of others to rise upon their ruins or to cut them off though never so many and he but one if he think it may tend to his advantage for Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people 6. As men for the most part neglect their soules when they are mad upon their worldly designs so it is a dangerous câ—se when it is so and it will prove a poor bargain in the end when men having gained never so much yet have sinned against their soul which the Lord here not only makes use of as a challenge but declares it as a judgement on the Chaldean 7. Sin and guilt will pursue and finde out the sinner and will of it self call for vengeance though all the world should be silent and not challenge him for the stone will cry out of the wall and the beam out of the timber shall answer it Ver. 12. Wo to him that buildeth a Town with bloud and establisheth a City by iniquity The third branch of the controversie points chiefly at the way of their prosecuting of their covetous and ambitious ends which was as one fin cometh not readily alone but dra weth other sins with it by oppression cutting off of people and other unjust wayes This course the Lord pronounceth to be accursed however they gilded it over with specious pretences of publick good or that thereby they endeavoured to perfect settle their civil State Doct. 1. The Lord looks much unto and tryes the dispositions of men much by the meanes they make use of in a course whether it be right or wrong in it self for the Lord chargeth upon them here that they carried on their work with blood and by iniquity 2. Pretence of publick good and zeal to advance the State and government is one of the fig tree-leaves where with men think to cover their oppression and make it plausible but all in vaine for Wo to him that buildeth a Towne with blood and establisheth a City by iniquity 3. Though all oppressions be not alike horrid in themselves and men readily do account themselves good enough when they go not the length they might or that others do in that fin yet the Lord will pursue the fairest way of oppression men can take with vengeance as being sinful in it self and sometime being more cruel in its lingring way then the most violent oppression in hot blood for Wo to him that establisheth a City by iniquity be what iniquity it will as well as to him that buildeth a Towne with blood Ver. 13. Behold is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity The Lord explaineth this Wo and denounceth that he should appear eminently against them in making all their endeavours to establish themselves wherein they employed many nations and had much toile as in a fiery furnace every head being made bald in their wars Ezek 29.18 to prove not only vain to no purpose but to tend also to their own prejudice as one whose work is cast into the fire loseth both his materials his labour and endangereth himself by following it to get it prosecuted or rescued so should they perish in their hunting after wealth and with it See the like threatning Jer. 51.58 Doctr. 1. Men taking sinful wayes to prosecute their designes may meet with much toile and vexation in their work as an earnest of further judgement for the people that is the Chaldeans and many instruments employed by them labour and weary themselves 2. The utmost of mens endeavours shall not promote or perfect a work which God is against nor uphold what he hath a minde to overthrow for though they labour and weary themselves yet it shall be for very vanity and to no purpose 3. Such as by bloody oppression seek to exalt and establish themselves shall not only lose their labour but incur further dammage by their attempt and lose themselves their work the materials which they had to begin their work upon for the Chaldeans shall labour in the very fire which shall not only breed them toil pain in labouring but shall devoure all their conquests themselves and the Kingdom of Babel which they had when they began their tyranny 4. The Lord will so order his judgments upon violent oppressors as that his hand shall be visibly and remarkably seen by all to be the inflicter of them and he shall prove himselfe omnipotent by frustrating men of their wicked purposes and consuming all their labours for Behold is it not of the Lord of hostes that the people shall labour in the very fire c. Ver. 14. For the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea The Lord subjoynes a reason to this sentence clearing how he should be so much seen in this judgment to wit that however he seemed to let his own Name and glory be obscured when he suffered the Chaldeans to oppresse the world and lead his people into captivity yet in due time he would make his glory so conspicuous in their just destruction and his powerful asserting of Judah into liberty as the Nations should be filled with the knowledge therof as the sea is full of water all this as a type and pledge of the glory to be revealed in Christ the knowledge of his Name then to be communlcated Doct. 1. When oppressors do prosper and the Lords people with the rest of the world are brought into bondage by them the Lords glory is engaged for his appearing against them in due time for it is subjoyned as a reason of the Chaldeans evil successe for the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord c. 2. The greatnesse of oppressors doth contribute to illustrate and set forth the glory of God in bringing them down and therefore is rather an argument why the Lord should destroy them then any hinderance to it the Lord wil bring down the Chaldeans for in so doing the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of his glory See Ps 9.16 3. As God is most glorious in himself so he will make his glory to shine in the deliverance of his people though for a time he suffer them to be in bondage for in bringing back Judah at the ruine of Babylon the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as
wicked proud boasting and wicked enterprising far more wicked acting against the Lords people their land and rights but it will in due time be reckoned for for it is put upon these enemies score that they magnified themselves against the border threatning to possesse it Ver. 9. Therefore as I live saith the LORD of hostes the God of Israel Surely Moab shall be as Sodom and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah even the breeding of nettles and salt pits and a perpetual desolation the residue of my people shall spoile them and the remnant of my people shall possess them 10. This shall they have for their pride because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hostes Follows the judgement threatned for this sin and confirmed by an oath that these enemies should be made as Sodom and Gomorrah not for the way of their destruction but for Gods rooting them and their memory out and laying their land utterly desolate as a salted land which makes it barren to bear onely weeds and that for a long time if not for ever as to them though there be a promise of their restitution especially spiritual Jer. 48.47 49.6 And whereas they encroached upon Judah the Lord threatens to make Judah spoile and possesse their land v. 9 which is to be understood as that promise v. 7. is and that they may know the cause of this stroak the Lord repeats it againe that all this should come upon them for their proud insolency against and reproaching of his people v. 10. Doct. 1. The Lord is in great earnest that he will meer with the Churches enemies as having both power and reason so to do he being the Churches Protector in Covenant with her though it be little believed either by the Church or his enemies therefore he assures them of it by his oath and takes unto himself titles of power and interest As I live saith the Lord of Hosts the God of Israel 2. Though the Lord think is not fit to smite every sinful Nation with immediate judgements from heaven or to make their countreys utterly and for ever unuseful as Sodom and Gomorrah were yet his displeasure is no lesse against the enemies of his people then against those he hath so smitten and he will in due time evidence it by sore desolation and of long continuance being compared with the Churches lot therefore is the Lords wrath on these Nations compared with that which he let forth on Sodom and Gomorrah Surely Moab shall be as Sodom and the Children of Ammon as Gomorrah even the breeding of nettles and salt-pits and a perpetual desolation 3. Though the Church may oft times be exposed as a prey to her enemies yet the day may come when the Church will be employed to do that to enemies which they threatned to do to them and in part attempted to do for whereas Moab and Ammon magnified themselves against Israels border v. 8. now the Lord threatens that the residue of my people shall spoil them and the remnant of my people shall possesse them 4. In a time of judgements upon enemies there will be need of frequent inculcating of Gods controversie if they would have a blessed use of stroaks in turning to God and that so much the rather as they will be ready to see many things before they see their injuries done to the Church as a cause of their calamity tharefore is this quarrel again repeated This shall they have for their pride c. 5. Pride and insolency will not misse a fall and stroak in due time especially when pride leads men to act sin and wrong not out of infirmity or ignorance but with an high hand and that against the Church for This shall they have for their pride because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord. 6. A chiefe cause of the Lords appearing for his reproached and wronged people is that the wrongs done to them seem to reflect on him as if he were not keeping Covenant with them or not able to defend or redresse their wrongs and therefore as he affects them even in troubles so he will in due time by visible acts set out his power for them and his love to them therefore this stroak is threatned because they were infolent against the people of the Lord of hoasts where both his power and his interest in Israel are asserted as rubbed upon by them and to be cleared in the judgement to come upon them Vers 11. The LORD will be terrible unto them for he will famish all the gods of the earth and men shall worship him every one from his place even all the Isles of the Heathen This stroak is farther illustrated from an effect that when the Lord shall thus terribly plague enemies and vindicate the wrongs done to his Church he will consume the idols of the Nations also by blasting their reputation that could not help their worshippers whereas God helps his people and shal withdraw worship from them as useless things and so famish them of their food and oblations and make them lean whereby way shall be made for spreading of the knowledge of the true God especially in the dayes of the Gospel wherein without distinction of place John 4.21 or of Nations Acts 10.34 35. all the remotest Nations lying beyond the sea to Judea and the Iflanders shall serve him and yet more particularly in the day of the saving of all Israel which shall be life from the dead to the generality of the Gentiles Rom. 11.15 the fame of Gods doing for them inviting all Nations to renounce their idols and serve him Doct. 1. God is a dreadfull Party for weak man to provok and albeit he be oft times little regarded of the secure siuner yet in a day of anger he will be found terrible The Lord will be terrible unto them 2. As idolatry is a great cause of Gods anger against a people provoking him to smite them so people are ordinarily so addicted to idols that they are undone before they cease to esteem of them so much doth the conexion of these two import The Lord will be terrible unto them for he will famish all the gods of the earth he will terribly destroy them because he hath a mind to bring down their Idols 3. As it is a sweet fruit of judgements when they bring down Idols as well as lay other things waste so howsoever the Lord doth suffer idolatry for a time yet at last by judgments on idolaters and by mercies toward his people he will abolish idols and exalt himself as the only true God to be chosen and served by the world for He will famish all the gods of the earth and men shall worship him 4. It is the priviledge of the new Testament and a part of the glory of Christs Kingdome that the Lords worship is not confined to a Temple at Jerusalem nor to the Nation of Israel and such
endue them with excellent qualifications and give them safety v. 11 12 13. and would furnish them with ample matter of joy v. 14 15. and of serving God without fear v. 16. considering his power and love v. 17. and what he will do for recovering their broken and desperate estate v. 18.19 20. Vers 1. WO to her that is filthy and polluted to the oppressing City 2. She obeyed not the voice she received not correction she trusted not in the LORD she drew not neare to her God The Lord having by his Prophet used all the former meanes for reclaiming his people but in vain he comes now to pronounce his last sentence against the body of that nation and threatens Jerusalem with a wo the general causes whereof were her pollution through oppression and violence and her contempt of warnings from the Word her not being bettered by corrections her not trusting in God but in other things and her not entertaining communion with him who offered himself to her in the Covenant Doct. 1. As Gods anger declared against a people portends misery enough to them though there were no other evidences of it so he will not spare nor exempt his own people when they provoke him especially such as being most obliged to him yet do prove eminent in defection therefore as he threatens other Nations so also his own sinful people and names Jerusalem for all because she was chiefe in the defection who should have been holy and a Sanctuary to God and under this wo comprehends all the evils which afterward pursued that people 2. Injustice and oppression is an abominable and filthy sin especially in the Church and the riches gathered that way do not give any splendor but make men and places vile in Gods sight and obnoxious to his curse for the oppressing City is filthy and polluted as the crop or gorge of a ravenous bird where all unclean things are heaped together or as one made a publick spectacle of infamie as the word imports and therefore wo to her 3. As disobedience unto the Lord revealing his mind by his word is ground sufficient for a quarrel and as contempt of the authority of God in his word is the cause of mens boldnesse in sinne so it will be a great aggravation against sinners that warnings from the Word do not reclaim them for Wo to her that is filthy she obeyed not the voice 4. As rods sent upon the Church will either make her better by instructing and humbling her under Gods hand or ripen her yet more for Gods wo so obstinacy in sinne under corrections is a sad aggravation thereof for Wo to her that is filthy she received not correction or instruction by her correction as the word imports 5. God is so willing to be the stay and confidence of his people that it is a quarrel when they will not lean all their weight on him and as want of faith in God drives men to sinful and wrong courses so this is a great iniquity before him for Wo to her that is filthy and polluted to the oppressing City she trusted not in the Lord and this also is the cause why the word or rod works so little 6. As the neglect of keeping communion with God turneth the heart loose to all sinful wayes and snares so the cause of little dependance on God in straits is because men cannot be at paines to keep neer God that so they may reap the fruit of faith for Wo to her that is filthy she drew not neer to God and she trusted not in the Lord because she could not rake paines to draw neere to God 7. The Lords gracious condescendence and offering of himself to the visible Church to be approached unto in all cases and her profession of having an interest in him doth aggravate her sault in not making use of him nor taking hold of such an advantage for it is an addition to her sin that she drew not neer to her God that is to God who was hers in offer and visible covenant and in whom she gloried as hers Ver. 3. Her Princes within her are roaring lions her Iudges are evening wolves they gnaw not the bones till the morrow The Lord denounceth this wo upon Jerusalem more especially for the sins of her State-Rulers her Princes and superiour Magistrates who ought to have been for the praise of well-doers a comfort and Protectors to the Subjects were a terrour cruel as lions and that not against enemies but Subjects in the midst of the City and her Judges or inferiour Magistrates were no better then they but as cruel and unsatiably greedy as hungry wolves who coming out in the evening having fasted all day do not only eat the flesh of their prey but so do gnaw the very bones as they leave nothing till the morrow See Prov. 28.15 Doct. 1. As a land doth not ordinarily degenerate but when Mag strates of all ranks are also corrupt so the sins of Rulers have an especial hand in drawing judgements on a land for when the city is filthy and polluted c. v. 1. then Princes and Judges are lions and wolves and because of this wo is denounced 2. It is a great iniquity and abuse of Gods Ordinance of Magistracy when the hearts of men in power are lifted up above their brethren and when they employ all their power for their own ends and against those for whose good they should employ it this was the sin of Princes and Judges They are roaring lions within her and evening wolves 3. It is a judgement and a presage of ruine to come on a land wheu their Rulers are not men hating â—â—vetousnesse but hungry greedy men are entrusted with affairs whereby they who in their private stations could not poorly bite and oppresse are enabled by their power and place to play the lion and wolfe such was Judahs case Her Judges were evening wolves they gnaw not the bones till the morrow or they leave not the bones to be gnawed or continue not to gnaw the bones till the morrow but presently devoure up all Ver. 4. Her Prophets are light and treacherous persons her Priests have polluted the Sanctuary they have done violence to the law The Lord subjoynes the sins of Church-officers as a further cause of this judgement and chargeth their false Prophets who pretended to an extraordinary calling with prophaneess and levity in their carriage and inconstancy in their doctrine fitting it to all humours and parties which was great perfidiousnesse and their Priests or ordinary Ministers with prophaning the Sanctuary and holy things in ministring unto the Lord and with perverting the true sense of the law in their ordinary doctrine and teaching of the people Doct. 1. When God reckons with a land for sin it is no strange thing to see them who should be meanes of reclaiming people that they may flee from the wrath to come accessory to the guilt of the land and partakers in
might feare him and receive instruction 3. Albeit God onely wise to whom all his works are known from the beginning cannot be disappointed of any expectation he hath yet this dealing with his sinfull people and the meanes he useth are such as in reason might promise and doe indeed oblige them to bring forth the fruits of repentance and reformation therefore he subjoynes to this warning from his judgements on others I said Surely thou wilt fear me thou wilt receive instruction speaking after the manner of men and shewing what his dealing did oblige to 4. True godlinesse and an evidence of true turning from Apostasie consists in an holy aw of God and fear because of our offending him or to offend him again joyned with spiritual wisdom learned from the word and from our experience of our selves and our failings or of others to carry on and feâ—d that disposition for so is their duty here described Thou wilt feare me thou wilt receive instruction 5. No stroakes on sinners ought to be a discouragement to them being penitent from comming to God or from expecting good at his hand for if they should fear him so their dwelling should not be cut off howsoever he punished them 6. Albeit true godlinesse or turning to God from sinful wayes will not exempt a people from fatherly chastisements to make them more wise and their turning yet more serious yet the penitent in these will meet with favour considering what he deserves and what such as go on in impenitency meet with for so is insinuated so their dwelling should not be cut off howsoever I punished them 7. To be delivered from going into captivity out of our own land where we should want the publick ordinances of Gods worship is a mercy which may sweeten much affliction in our own land it is a promise to the penitent Their dwelling shall not be cut off howsoever I punished them 8. Such is the madnesse of men especially where the Lord hath given them over that no example will warn them their security conceit dreaming of priviledges c. will hide all dangers from such till they light upon themselves for all these warnings wrought not they corrupted all their doings 9. The more meanes be essayed to reclaim a people without successe the worse will that people grow where meanes are not blessed they leave that curse behinde them therefore all these meanes of warnings threatnings promises and lesser stroakes being in vaine see what followeth They rose up early and corrupted all their doings they were vigilant active and earnest to goe wrong 10. It is a cleare proofe of incorrigiblenesse and a presage of certaine ruine when a people are never more mad upon sinne then when judgements are let forth for it for by this the Lord proves their incorrigiblenesse and sealeth this wo upon them that when the Nations were cut off yet They rose up early and corrupted all their doings Ver. 8. Therefore wait ye upon me saith the Lord untll the day that I rise up to the prey for my determination is to gather the Nations that I may assemble the Kingdomes to poure upon them mine indignation even all my fierce anger for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousie The Lord having thus accused and left the body of the Jewes under his wo he turnes now to the godly among them who could not but be affrighted with these threatnings and troubled with the thoughts of dispersion of the people therefore he propounds divers grounds of their encouragement some whereof were to be accomplished in part at their return from the captivity and all of them spiritually in the dayes of the Messiah beside what may be expected yet more fully at the conversion and saving of all Israel The first ground of encouragement is that as they had God to wait and depend upon in the time of the ensuing calamity wherein God would consume the Jewes out of his jealousie over them so there was ground of hope that the Lord having punished his Church would appear against her enemies to take the prey out of their teeth and raise up the Nations to consume them and make such havoke of them as might testifie his zeal for his people and glory which had been violated by them and therefore the godly were patiently to expect this day so much the rather as all this should tend to the advance ment of the Kingdome of Christ as is after cleared Doct. 1. The Lords just controversie against the visible Church provoking him to abandon her doth nothing diminish his affection to any godly remnant in it nor make him forget them in sad times for in the midst of all these quarrels he hath a word to them 2. God in his Church is jealous of her and of her affection toward him and for his Church against all that trouble her in both which cases his jealousie being provoked is terrible and will raise up many instruments and make a great destruction for this jealousie of God first against the Jewes which is supposed here and first in order to be understood and then against her enemies which is most expresly pointed at will arise to the prey as a roaring Lyon will assemble Nations and Kingdomes to make them scourges to the Jews and then to be plagued themselves Will pour out indignation and fierce anger and devour all the earth or Land 3. When the Lord is about to bring forth some glorious peece of his Gospel-work The Church is to expect some great shakings and vastations to make way for it for in order to what followeth in this Chapter there will be a devouring of all the earth a casting of all into the furnace that he may bâ—ing out his pure mettal 4. When it pleaseth the Lord to let judgements upon his Church arise to a captivity and a leaving of them in their enemies hand the godly are to expect a time of the trial of faith and patience before there be a change as here is insinuated that when Judah is consumed there will be need of waiting on God before a day of vengeance on enemies come about 5. Times of greatest trouble have matter of encouragement to the godly in that they have ground of present dependance on God for strength and furniture during the straite and ground of future hope that there will be an outgate and that vengeance will come on oppressors they are allowed and invited to wait on God till that other day come 6. Patience is the kindly fruit of hope and the posture wherein the godly are to expect issue and to finde present troubles easie Wait ye upon me saith the Lord till the day c. Ver. 9. For then will I turne to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord to serve him with one consent 10. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia thy suppliants even the daughter of my dispersed shall bring mine offering A second
long steighting of his gracious and rich offer he is now manifesting his just indignation and wrath against this unthankful and froward generation not only by inflicting many sad bodily judgments but also by sending upon the spirits of many who have not received the love of the truth strong delusions that they should believe a lye and be damned all of them who will not believe the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness according as was foretold 2 Thes 2.11 And it cannot be denied on the other hand that in the midst of this great wrath the Lord remembreth his tender mercies towards us by continuing hitherto the open preaching of the offer of his contemned grace and by stirring up from time to time the spirits of sundry of his servants to open still more and more clearly the little book of holy Scripture by pious and learned Annotations larger Commentaries shorter Paraphrases brief Explications and other sorts of fruitful writings By these and by all other means he testifieth his lothnesse to depart altogether from this I le which is engaged unto him by all sorts of Obligations and wherein besides these who are already converted blessed ones he hath many Elect souâ—s to bring home from their pernicious wandrings and this his gracious purpose doth appear in this that as Satan is bestirring himself in the maddest manner that any age hath heard of to darken the light held forth in Scripture by the hellish smoak of so many pernicious errors So the Lord is daily discovering more and more fully the folly and vilenesse of the vessels of dishonour and of these abominations vented by them thereby giving hope that when they with Jannes and Jambres have done their worst to with stand the truth of God in the mouth of his Ministers they shall proceed no further then to carry away with them the uncleanesse of the houshold to their owne shame and perdition 2 Tim. 3. from verse 1. to 9. and chap. 2. from ver 16. to 21. This hope hath inclined the Author of this piece among others to offer his service unto the Church whom I need not to commend unto thee nor speak of the measures of the grace of God bestowed upon him because his work will speak for it self and thou after perusing of any part thereof wilt readily allow more unto him then his modesty will allow me to say of him before thou shalt read what followes Therefore let the prefixing of my name to this book be judged to be no more save my presuming upon thy acceptance of what I have heretofore written in this kind to come forth for making his acquaintance with thee â— praying God the Father of lights to blesse unto thee this his first essay and his intention by the grace of God to do more service unto thee in this sort and for this end to increase his talents and lengthen his life and to stir up other able Labourers to take share in this service till it be perfected to thy Edification In which Petition let me intreat thee to joyne with Thy Servant in the Gospel DAVID DICKSON A BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE PROPHECIES OF Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habbakuk and Zephaniah OBADIAH The ARGUMENT THIS Prophet among others is raised up by God to denounce and foretel the judgments that were to come upon the posterity of Esau because of their cruelty against Judah in the time of their distresses which accordingly were executed as Histories record by the Caldeans some yeares after the destruction of Jerusalem And to comfort the Church of the Jewes unto whom it could not but be a sad tentation and addition to their sorrowes to see those who had been ordained to serve them Gen. 25.23 so prosperous and insolent white as they were sharply afflicted We need not curiously enquire who this Obadiah was seeing that addeth nothing to the Authority of his message and however the time wherein be lived and prophested be not expressely set down yet considering the substance of his doctrine and the affinity it hath with that of Jeremiah chap. 49. and of Ezekiel chap. 15. it appears that he prophefied after the Captivity of Judah under Jehojakin 2 Kings 24.10 11 12. c if not also after the captivity under Zedekiah at which time specially their neighbouring enemies were cruel and insolent and Edom among if not above the rest Psalme 137.7 The Prophecie omitting the inscription may be taken up in two parts 1 The Lord threatneth Edom with destruction by war ver 1 2. notwithstanding their pride and conceit of their Countryes situation ver 3 4. or or of their treasures ver 5 6. confederates ver 7. their wisdome ver 8. and valour ver 9. and that because of their injurious dealing with their brethren of Judah ver 10 11. which they ought not to have done ver 12 13 14. in regard a day of vengeance upon enemies was certainly approaching wherein they should have a share ver 15 16. 2. The Lord comforts his afflicted Church with a promise of deliverance of holinesse and restitution ver 17. of victory over their enemies ver 18. of enlargement of their border ver 19 20. and of fitted instruments and rulers with their King ver 21. Ver. 1. THe vision of Obadiah Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom We have heard a rumour from the LORD and an ambassador is sent among the heathen Arise ye and let us rise up against her in battel THe Authority of this Prophet and his Doctrine is asserted and the judgement of Edom is summarily set down that God who is the Author thereof hath all things in readinesse that the Prophets and Church had received some intimation of the Lords dark counsel concerning Edom and that as men by their Ambassadors so the Lord by his effectual providence was about to stirr up the Nations that served Nebuchadnezzar and make them willing to come against them Doct. 1. The Prophets of God did not speak nor are Ministers to speak the dreams of their own brain but what they have received in commission from God This Doctrine is the Vision of Obadiah that is what he received by prophetick revelation represented either to the senses or understanding and thus saith the Lord is prefixed to it 2. The Word of the Lord and especially threatnings against impenitent sinners will have greatest weight when it is received as indeed the Word of God and proceeding from such a dreadful Majesty Thus saith the Lord Jebovah he who hath an established Dominion and Lordship over all creatures and who can give being and performance to what he saith and therefore not to be slighted 3. Such as make defection from God and renounce their interest in heaven for their belly and sensual pleasures it is righteous with God to brand them with infamy and make them bear the prints thereof unto all generations for not only Esau but his posterity also bear the name of Edom to perpetuate the memory of his selling his
birth-right for red pottage Gen. 25.29 30. c. 4. The counsel and providence of the Lord extends it self and is exercised not only about his Church but even among enemies he who reignes in the midst of enemies hath to say concerning Edom. 5. Albeit the enemies of God and his people be little sensible of their own condition and what God intends against them yet the Church is not left ignorant of what God will do with these enemies but in his Sanctuary and from his Word it may be seen We saith he that is I and my fellow Prophets Ezchiel and Jeremiab and by our Ministery the Church of God have heard a rumour from the Lord concerning Edom that is some taste of his dark counsel before it break forth in effect 6. It is a comfortable and useful doctrine to the Church to be instructed concerning Gods judgments to come upon her enemies partly that she may be comforted in her troubles in expectation that God will clear his affection toward her in plaguing those that wronged her And partly that she may hereby see what sins especially God is angry at to avoid them for these ends is a Prophet raised up to preach not in Seir but in Judah concerning Edom. 7. War is one of the sharp scourges whereby God punisheth wicked Nations and it cometh upon a people not accidentally but by the especial providence of God who hath Peace and War in his own hand and who when he hath any work to do can make instruments however led by their own principles and ends active and willing For it is from the Lord an ambassador is sent among the Heathen who not only stirs them up but makes them mutually to excite one another Arise ye and let us rise up in battel against her Ver. 2. Behold I have made thee small among the heathen thou art greatly despised The greatness of Edom's calamity by this war is held forth from its effects that hereby the Lord would diminish their number power wealth and reputation and put them beneath all other Nations and load them with contempt and ignominy Doct. 1. What ever instruments be imployed in inflicting any judgement yet God is to be eyed as having chief hand in them all I have made thee small saith the Lord. 2. The Lord pursuing for sin can bring down the greatest person and people in the world and lay them in the dust and poure contempt upon the most honourable I have made thee small and greatly despised 3. As the Lords judgements upon enemies are not readily foreseen or expected by them so when they come they are remarkable and to be remarked so much doth this Behold import 4. Things undertaken by God and foretold by him in his Word ought to be reckoned as certain as if they were already come to passe I made thee small thou art despised saith he Whereas yet it was but in his purpose and not accomplished 5. To be singular in afflictions or judgements or in the measure of them addeth to the weight and renders them more grievous for to be smal among the Heathen or Nations implies not only that Edom was reckoned among the Heathen Nations not of the Church but that God by his judgements should make him one of the smallest of them and that none should be so far brought under as he and this is told him as an aggravation of his stroke 6. As the Lords shewing mercy upon any makes way for mans mercy towards them also in so far as may be for their good Jer. 42.12 So when the Lord becomes a party in anger mens affections and respects will dry up for however Edom was esteemed of before yet when God dealeth with him he is greatly despised Ver. 3. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock whose habitation is high that saith in his heart Who shall bring me down to the ground Ver. 4. Though thou exalt thy selfe as the Eagle and though thou set thy nest among the stars thence will I bring thee down saith the LORD For further confirmation of the judgement the Lord enlargeth and amplifies the former sentence from several considerations overturning all their vain confidences wherewith they were puffed up as supposing to be exempted from the stroak by them Whereby also the Lord partly discovers their pride and conceit because of these to be one of the causes of his controversie against them and partly also he explaines further the judgement to come upon them by threatning to pull down every one of these confidences and so make them completely miserable and contemptible The first vain confidence is the situation of their hilly Country and their Cities built upon inaccessible rocks of which as of the rest they were intolerably proud as conceiving their Country to be inaccessible and their Cities to be invincible Against which the Lord threatens that though they dwelt as high as the Eagle builds her nest yea as the Stars toward which Eagles mount yet he should reach them and debase them and so their Country should be invaded and their cities taken Doct. 1. Outward advantages and accommodations concurring with a natural heart usually do produce pride self-confidence insolency for Edom whose habitation is high is proud and saith in his heart Who shal bring me down to the ground whereas a renewed heart in all these is poor and dependeth on God 2. The Lord judgeth of mens pride no so much by their outward carriage which may be masked over with a shew of humility as by looking to their heart and diseerning the conceit and losty imaginations that reign there He eyeth the pride of Edoms heart 3. Of all the deceits that men are essayed with self-deceiving is one of the greatest when they are given up to delude themselves with vain imaginations and confidences thine heart hath deceived thee 4. As pride and conceit however it muster up mens excellencies before them is but a deluder and makes a shew of what will prove nothing as being either an evidence of being nothing in reality or that what they conceit of is blasted and withered so in particular however presumtion promise great things to make sinners secure and contemne Gods threatnings yet it doth but deceive and feed with vain hopes and will prove a deceiver in the end when there is most need of what they promised The pride of thine heart hath deceived c. 5. Pride in the creature is looked upon by God as a party against him as striking eminently at his glory in not depending on him and as affecting his throne and therefore provokes God though there were no other quarrel or enemy and ingages him to prove his power in abasing it Therefore that general defiance Who shall bring me down to the ground is answered by God as especially concerned I will bring thee down saith the Lord. 6. The Lord is able to reach man and bring him down in his most
dependent on him who gives or takes them away at his pleasure and according as he hath a people to raise or to ruine for He destroyeth the wise men when he will 4. Mens wisdom and prudence is ordinarily looked upon by God as an enemy to him and ground of a controversie in regard that mens conceit of their wisdom is the cause why they give God little to do acknowledg not his providence but take all upon themselves for this question Shal I not saith the Lord even destroy the wise men out of Edom imports that there is some necessity for his doing of it and that their wisdome may not escape without a stain 5. It is a singular demonstration of Gods Soveraignty and providence in the world when he overturns the wisdome of the wise brings all their well-contrived projects to nought snares them in their own works and counsels makes eminent fooles of them and causes them to reel like drunken men who were in reputation for wisdome for When there is no wisdom in him the Lord declareth himself the Author of it that we may see his hand in it and give him the glory of it and may believe his power to do the like when the wisdom of Adversaries is the Churches fear Shal I not saith the Lord destroy the wise men c 6. However the threatnings of Gods Word may oftentimes seeme improbable when they are pronounced yet in the Lords time the accomplishment will be remarkable for albeit Edom notwithstanding the Lords threatning retain his former wisdom the Lord in his holy providence ensnaring wicked men so who do contemn threatnings when they are not speedily executed Jer. 17.15 yet In that day to wit of his calamity shal I not destroy the wise men saith the Lord Ver. 9. And thy mighty men O Teman shall be dismayed to the end that every one of the Mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter The fifth vain confidence is their valour and strength for which also that Nation was eminent as living by the sword according as was foretold Gen. 27.40 concerning this the Lord threatens to confound with terror the mighty men of their Country or some part of it most renowned for valiant men and called Teman from Esan's Grandchild Gen. 36.15 or from its situation Southward as the word signifies from Judea And so these being laid by there should be an universal slaughter of the inhabitants of the Country at least of every one of note as the word in the Original signifies and is translated so Psal 49.2 and 62.9 and elsewhere as was usual for the Chaldeans to do where they prevailed 2 Kings 24.15 Doct. 1. Natural men are in a sort endless in their carnal confidences and hard to be put wholly from them but when one fails they will have another to flye to Therefore is all this paines taken to shew the vanity of Edoms refuges who if the situation of his Countrey faile him hath treasures to gather forces with and failing that confederates or if they be wanting prudence which hath delivered people in great extremities and if he be yet put to it he hath mighty men to run on all hazards And every one of these needs to be particularly threatned to make them sure of vengeance 2. The terror of God is sufficient to crush and overthrow the mightiest of men mans valour is not terror-proof when the terrour is from God Thy mighty men O Teman shall be dismayed and broken with terror as the word also signifieth 3. As terror upon a people is an ordinary forerunner of great desolation Thy mighty man are dismayed and every one of the mount of Esau cut off by slaughter So where the Lord hath a judgement to go through a Land no probable or promising furniture will turn it away but what would hinder it shall be made uselesse The mighty men shall be dismayed to the end that he may reach his purpose and cut off every one c. Ver. 10. For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee and thou shalt be cut off for ever The Lord having pronounced sentence against Edom proceeds to shew the equity thereof from the cause procuring it upon which the sentence is again repeated In general Gods quarrel against them is for their violent carriage towards Judab for which they are again threatned Doct. 1. As the Lord doth not strike a people but where he hath a just quarrel so the stupidity of men in not laying sin to heart and their blindnesse and self-love is such as Gods quarrel will not be taken up till himselfe discover it Therefore doth the Lord himself here reveal it 2. Of all the injuries and evil deeds committed by wicked men none are so remarked or so suddenly and severely punished as the injuries they do to the Church and people of God The Lord threatens Edom for violence against Jacob as if he had committed no other fault and as filling his cup speedily 3. The Lord will not forget enemies their interest in and obligations to the people of God whom they oppresse that thereby he may aggravate their guilt and double their punishment Therefore the Lord reckons Edoms kindred to Jacob that his unnaturalnesse might appear and to be a ground of the sentence Thy Brother Jacob. 4. Much ignominy and shame is abiding those especially who ought to be friends and are foes to the Church of God partly in that they shall be disappointed of their expectation to see the Churches ruine and partly in that judgements from God shall make them base and contemptible if not also confound them with horror that they should have taken part against the Church with those who ruine themselves for shame shall cover Edom when he is destroyed by the Chaldeans with whom he joyned against Judah 5. Judgements upon the troublers and enemies of the Church are without moderation and hope of recovery as coming from the hand of Justice and of a jealous God Thou shalt be cut off for ever for however there may be some relenting under this or that particular stroake yet unlesse that repentance prevent justice makes what they get but an earnest of more and pursues them to all eternity as this stroake of Edom is expounded Mal. 1.4 Ver. 11. In the day that thou stoodest on the other side in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces and forreigners entred into his gates and cast lots upon Jerusalem even thou wast as one of them Edom's violence is more particularly described by shewing positively what he had done to wit that in the day of the Churches trouble he not only was an idle spectator as to assisting of his brother but concurred with the enemy as one of themselves to help forward the affliction VVhence learn 1. Many sad afflictions may come upon the priviledged people of God when God is provoked and those not onely cleanly trials and sufferings for Truth which have their large
great Nation and that Christ in his spiritual government shall constantly rule over them in their own land after their conversion or in the Church which was prefigured by Mount Zion Doct. 1. The Lords afflicting of his Church doth in a special manner endear her to his affection and makes that she shall not be behind when mercies are a dealing for saith he I wil assemble and gather her that I have afflicted See Jer. 31.20 2. Great afflictions are no impediments to the Churches restitution when the time of it comes when Omnipotency is imployed about it and when he in love remembers them in their low estate for such as are so crushed with trouble as they are made to halt such as are afflicted driven out and cast farre off he can and will assemble and gather them and make a remnant and strong nation of them that is he wil preserve a remnant and keepe them from total ruine in trouble and at last restore and multiply them 3. The glory of a Church restored and the height of their felicity is to have the Lord reigning and acknowledged as a King in all his prerogatives amongst them therefore it is added to their restitution And the Lord shall reigne over them in Mount Zion 4. The Churches King is not subject to mortality nor such a one as may be put from his kingdom and leave them exposed to hazard but the Lord shal reigne over them and so protect them from henceforth even for ever which also imports that he will still have subjects to reigne over Ver. 8. And thou O tower of the flock the strong hold of the daughter of Zion unto thee shall it come even the first dominion that kingdome shal come to the daughter of Jerusalem Here the Lord makes a more particular application of his comfortable promises unto the Church of the Jewes for however the Promise be of general verity in a spiritual sense being applied to the Catholick Church that Jerusalem which is from above yet the following verses cleare that it is to be understood specially of the Church of the Jewes whom he here cals the tower of the flock or Eder of which Gen. 35.21 conceived to be a place neere or in Ierusalem and in particular that part which was after called the sheep-gate and the strong hold of the daughter of Zion or Ophel of which 2 Chron. 27.3 Neh. 3 26. The first encouragement given to them for the comfort of the godly is that not only the Kingdome of Christ should first begin at them as the History of the New Testament doth evidence but that under Christ they should be restored to their wonted dignity resembling that which they had of old enjoyed under David and Soâ—omon before their rents and calamities Doct. 1. The Lord in gathering the universal Church hath an especial regard to the Jewes his brethren this doth appear in the speciall allowance given to them in the promises concerning the Kingdome of Christ of which as the Lord gave them the first offer so from them the Apostle Rom. 11. gathers that much mercy shall yet be manifested unto them 2. The Church of God is the receptacle and fold of all his true sheep wherein they gather themselves under his government and are environed with strength for safety so much is signified to us by these names given to Zion The Tower of the flock and strong hold 3. The Lords own Application of spiritual comforts is especially requisite for his afflicted people therefore the Lord counts it not enough to have propounded ample promises in general to the Church which might answer all their cases and which they were bound to be applying but he holds it also necessary to apply these to the present Church in her need 4. The glory of Christs Kingdome is as great and greater spiritually then ever the glory of David or Solomons reigne was outwardly all the valour strength and victories of David all the riches honour and wisdom of Solomon even to admiration and all the felicity of Israel under both are but shadowes of that substance therefore is it called the first dominion that is not so much the dominion at first offered to the Jewes as a dominion like the first flourishing times of Israel 5. As Christ to fulfil the truth of God did make first offer of his Kingdome and Gospel to the Iewes so in due time he wil bring them under his dominion and spiritual Government and will restore them to their wonted dignity thereby uniting all Israel in him the seede of David as they were before the rent made by Ieroboam adorning them eminently with the spirituall excellencies and priviledges of his Kingdome if not also appearing gloriously for them in outward things for saith he Unto thee shal the first dominion come the kingdome shal come to the daughter of Ierusalem Ver. 9. Now why dost thou cry out aloud is there no King in thee is thy Counseller perished for pangs hath taken thee as a woman in travel 10. Be in pain and labour to bring forth O daughter of Zion like a woman in travel for now shalt thou go forth out of the city and thou shalt dwel in the field and thou shalt go even to Babylon there shalt thou be delivered there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies The next encouragement given to the Church of the Iewes is by shewing his mind concerning her troubles that were shortly to ensue and that he may the more effectually comfort her he very pathetically propounds her trouble as if she were now under it and shewes unto her that however in outward appearance she had cause of bitter sorrow her King and Counsellers being to perish in that calamity she being to be driven from the City and Temple which were to be destroyed to sojourn a space in the fields till the rest of the Captivity were gathered and then to be carried captive unto Babylon yet upon better consideration she might finde shee had no such cause of fainting but ought rather resolutely to provide for and couragiously to bear that trouble seeing God should be King and Counseller to her and in Babylon where she might have least hope she should find deliverance and so he clears his mind to be this that by trouble she is going on toward deliverance Doct. 1. The troubles of the Church may in their houre prove very sharp and bitter as the pangs of a woman in travel crying out aloud 2. Albeit the Church of God in her trouble seeme to have reason for excessive sorrow and bitter discouragement yet really it is not so but she hath still some reason of encouragement and ought to set about it therefore whatever her troubles were yet saith he why dost thou cry out aloud as if he had said there is no reason for such excesse in anxiety and sorrow The reasons of this principal doctrine held forth in the Text are as so many doctrines all of them
concluding that she ought not to give way to discouragement 1. There is nothing the people of God want in trouble which might be helpful or comfortable to them but it wil be made up in God for however her King and Counsellers were uselesse and enemies to her safetie in that strait and were afterward cut off for their sins and that she might be emptied of all created comfort and helps yet the Lord wil not admit that she should think she wanted a King while as he lived and reigned to preserve her in her trouble and in due time to re-establish his Kingdom in her so much doth this sharp question teach Is there no King in thee Is thy Counseller perishid 2 As the Lord seeth it oft times fit not to remove but continue and increase a peoples trouble for they were to be in pain to go out of the city dwel in the field and go to Babylon so the people of God in such cases ought to arme themselves with resolution for such lots rather then by discouragement to make their owne crosse heavy which is all they can doe so much are we taught in that howsoever he reproves their cries v 9. yet saith he be in pain which doth not only import an assuring of them that the trouble was to come nor yet only a concession that it is no marvel they have pain and sorrow but a command also to set themselves resolutely to bear it as they are commanded to build houses in Babylon Jer. 29.4 5 6 and to make their captivity as comfortable as lawfully they may 3. The right pondering of the fruit which the Lord brings out of the troubles of his people may help to crush discouragements under them labour to bring forth like a woman in travel He sets her out in her trouble as travelling in birth of some mercy to make her forget her sorrow which she should minde much and presse after See John 16.21 22. 4. The Lords tender affection towards his people especially under trouble may be a great lenitive to their bitternesse Therefore is shee here called the daughter of Zion which is a stile of tendernesse A room in his heart will make an affliction to be no affliction or very tolerable 5. Every step of the people of God in affliction is a step toward deliverance and the utmost degree of affliction is the door next to deliverance so much doth the scope and drift of this place teach the Church going out of the City and dwelling in the field was going toward deliverance and when shee went even to Babylon where in outward appearance shee might have lost hope yet there shall shee be delivered and is neerer to a deliverance there then in the holy City These things rightly studied may take away much seeming ground of discouragement under trouble Doct. 3. The Lord is to be eyed as undertaker for the performance of improbable like promises which may cause all difficulties to vanish Therefore after that promise There shalt thou be delivered is subjoyned There the Lord shal redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies when he undertakes it wil be easie to raise a Cyrus and make him do it 4. While as the Lord promises in delivering to redeem them it teacheth 1. That the Lord wil reckon kindred with and interest in his afflicted people that hee may appear for them for it was the part of the neerst in kindred to redeem and the word in the Originall intimates so much 2. That they having by sin sold themselves into captivity Isaiah 50.1 Christ by the price to be paid to justice for the Elect among them should procure their deliverance also and of the visible Church for their sake All temporall deliverances to the children of God flowing from that eternall Redemtion from sin and as an appendix to the new Covenant and the visible Church getting deliverance for the Elects sake among them 3. That for enemies who had captivated them as they had sold themselves to them for nought so they should be actually asserted unto liberty without any price save onely stroakes to the unjust possessors Isa 52 3. Ver. 11. Now also many nations are gathered against thee that say Let her be defiled and let our eye look upon Zion For further confirmation of his minde concerning her afflictions he sets forth in the last place his great and holy designe concerning the enterprize of her manie enemies who in her ensuing calamity and after her return from captivity and after her conversion to Christ should be gathered against her as also against the Church of Christ in all ages and first hee holds forth what is their purpose to the end his purpose overturning theirs may be seen to be the more glorious to wit that they intended and set themselves to deal with her not as a priviledged place but that they might pollute her as a prophane place with blood and other abominations and take her ornaments from her and put her from her dignity and that they might feed their eyes with such a sight Doct. 1. The true Church hath the most enemies of any society for many Nations are gathered 2. It is usefull for the Church to remark what enemies intend and what our troubles would seem to threaten to the end that more of God may be seen in delivering for this end is the consideration of the enemies designe premitted to the consideration of the purpose of God See Psal 124.1 2 3 4. 3. As the wicked see no priviledg the Church of God hath why she may not be dealt with as other prophane societies so the greatest bitternesse the people of God have in their affliction is that hereby not onely they but their priviledges are trampled under foot by enemies for it is the sad sight they get of enemies designes when they hear them say Let her be defiled or prophaned See Isa 10.9 10 11. Lam. 2.15 4. There are many so wicked as to account the Churches calamitie a pleasant spectacle and sweet sight to feed their eyes with for there are who say Let our eye took upon Zion which is an evidence of a desperately wicked condition Ver. 12. But they know not the thoughts of the LORD neither understand they his counsel for hee shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor Ver. 13. Arise and thresh O daughter of Zion for I will make thine horn iron and I will make thy hoofs brasse and thou shalt beat in pieces many people and I wil consecrate their gain unto the Lord and their substance to the Lord of the whole earth Followeth the Lords purpose concerning this their enterprise which is incomprehensible and unsearchable by enemies and quite contrary to their intention as minding by their gathering together to ripen them for vengance as sheaves are gathered that they may be threshed to the execution whereof he encourageth the Church promising to enable them and give them a compleate victory which should be ascribed to him
make him famous and precious as an ointment poured out to invite others to come under his yoke and it is his prerogative to have an universal Government and Kingdom over Jewes and Gentiles throughout the earth which he will still prosecute till he obtain all that is in his Charter for He shall be great to the ends of the earth imports all these See Zech. 8.23 7. The Conversion of souls unto Christ and bringing them under his yoke tends to the setting forth of the greatnesse of Christ and the conversion of many doth set out his greatnesse the more who doth draw all these doth care for them and to whose fulness they flow and depend upon and it should be the care of all who are converted in their expressions and carriage to commend and set him forth as great and superexcellent therefore is the enlargement of his Kingdome described from this effect of it He shall be great to the ends of the earth 8. Whatever is promised in the Word is to faith so certain as if it were then performed and ought to be looked on as coming speedily the Lords choosing of times and seasons for performing his promise being no delay in a believers eyes nor impediment unto his faith to feed upon it as present for this cause it is said now shall he be great Gods keeping his appointed time is great haste to the believing man Isa 60.22 and the promise apprehended by faith giveth the thing promised a present subsistence to his use and comfort Vers 5. And this man shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come into our land and when he shall tread in our palaces then shall we raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal men 6. And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian when he cometh into our land and when he treadeth within our borders Followes some special fruits of Christs governing his Church such as peace and means sufficient not only to oppose the disturbers thereof such as the Assyrians were to Israel of old but to offend them also and so they shall be delivered However this promise spiritually considered belong to the whole Church and literally also in so far as is for her good yet it seems to have a special relation to the Church of Israel when they shall be converted and restored to their land Doct. 1. Christ is the only Author and Maintainer of the Churches Peace for this man or this one the word implying a demonstrating of him to others as one remarkable shall be the peace He pacifies Gods anger towards us establisheth our hearts in the faith thereof in him only have we true peace among our selves for luke-warmnesse breeds divisions and he it is that maketh peace in his Churches borders and creates a cloud over heâ— 2. The Church will not want enemies of her peace and such as will study to disturb it and may seem to prevail much at some times for the Assyrians or such enemies as the Assyrians were of old and the Babylonians or the land of Nimrod v. 6 shall come into our land and tread in our palaces she must resolve to have peace with continual baâ—tels 3. The Church hath her peace secured in Christ in the midst of trouble and through him will have means sufficient to oppose her enemies and maintain her peace for he shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come and there are seven shepherds and eight principal men to raise against him or a sufficient number of leaders seven being a number of perfection and eight yet more with armies to oppose him 4. It is a great blessing upon a land when the Lord furnisheth them with able men for government and rule in all exigents for that is Israels mercy to have such to employ and they are the means of their peace and safety We say they shall raise or call and send out she herds and principal men where their Princes are called shepherds with relation to the people as a flock 5. The enemies of the Church do oppose her alwayes to their own great disadvantage in the end for the Church shall not only defend themselves but they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof or their borders or with their own swords Babylon is here called the land of Nimrod because he founded that Kingdome Gen. 10.9 10 11. and was a great oppressor as his successors were 6. The inconveniencies which the Church sustains by her troubles do not prove so great as they may seem to be for however he tread in our palaces ver 5. yet ver 6. it is but treading within our land and borders See 2 Cor 4. 8 9. and 6.9 7. As the Church is sure to be delivered from her enemies so the glory of all heâ— enterprises and victories by them are to be ascribed to Christ only whatever be the part of instruments in bringing them about therefore albeit they raise up shepherds c. ver 5. yet ver 6. Thus shall he deliver us Ver. 7. And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD as the showres upon the grasse that tarrieth not for man nor waiteth for the sons of men The similitude of Dew made use of here leads us to a two-fold interpretation of this passage 1. That the Lords blessing of the rest given by these deliverances to the Church of Israel shall make her to multiply and flourish marvellously as the dew and rain fals down in great abundance suddenly and unexpectedly without humane industry and thus the similitude is used 2 Sam. 17.12 Psal 110.3 2. That the Church of Israel shall not only flourish themselves but be instruments of the flourishing and increase of the Church among the Nations as the Lord is the principal refresher and fructifier of his Church and therefore his operations are compared to dew and raine Hos 14.5 Psal 72.6 So they shall be instrumentally as dew and raine to many Nations that is being furnished with the Spirit from above and with refreshing doctrine they shall water them therewith as dew and raine doth the ground and so conquer them to the Kingdom of Christ and be instruments of their fruitfulnesse and blessings to them Both these interpretations agree in one to hold forth the miraculous increase of the Church either of Israel her self or of the Gentiles also by her means as another fruit of the government of Christ over them and may safely be taken both in here From the first interpretation Learn 1. That afflictions may make many sad and sore breaches on a Church before they recover out of them for they are now brought to the remnant of Jacob. 2. The Lord can easily when he pleaseth restore his broken people and make them increase as admirably and incredibly as
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-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
and putting them off the face of the earth as being vile and stinking above ground which seems to have begun after that overthrow of their army in Judah Doct. 1. Such is the presumption of wicked men and the heartlesse diffidence of Gods people that Gods sentence against his enemies is hardly received and credited for this frequent repetition sheweth that this truth is not easily inculcated 2. It is sufficient ground of assurance for the coming to passe of greatest things that the Lord hath determined they should be for this is given as a sure ground of Assyria's ruine that the Lord hath given a Commandment concerning thee or purposed their destruction his purpose concluding as effectually the concurring of all means to bring it about as if they were especially commanded 3. The Lord doth justly root out the memory of such persons or States as make it their only work to get a name on earth and to be eminent and terrible for such is Assyria's doom No more of thy name shall be sowen 4. The threatening of the destruction of idols as a signe of total ruine should put us in minde of the Lords great controversie against idolatry and idols in that he will ruine the worshippers thereof to ruine them as also if the cutting off of their idols was a signe of utter destruction how much more ought it to be grievous unto us beyond any of our particular losses when our God in his hâ—nour and house is wronged and how sad a presage is it of a sad stroak when God doth not spare his own interests in a land all this we may gather from this sentence Out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image 5. God can make the greatest and most formidable Nations contemptible not only before him by their vices but in the view of all the world by affronts put upon them by Providence and so cut them off from the face of the earth as unworthy and unfit to live upon it for so doth this sentence I will make thy grave for thou art vile import Verse 15. Behold upon the mountaines the feet of him that bringeth good tidings that publisheth peace O Judah keep thy solemn feasts perform thy vowes for the wicked shall no more passe thorow thee he is utterly cut off However a passage like unto this Isa 52.7 be applied unto the Gospel Rom. 10.15 Christ promised in the Gospel being the foundation of all the Churches deliverances and these glad tidings and deliverances being but shadowes of the glad tidings of the Gospel and of the salvation therein held forth yet the proper drift of this place is to shew the effects which the destruction of the Assyrians should produce in the Church of Judah now only left who hearing these tidings proclaimed openly as upon the mountaines should rejoyce in them as glad tidings and tidings of peace and should without disturbance keep their solemnities and praise God their enemies who disquieted and interrupted them being now cut off A notable proof of all which they had when as Sennacheribs army who made havock of Judah and shut up Jerusalem was overthrown Doct. 1. The Lord will refresh his Church who hath received the glad tidings of salvation with glad tidings of his appearing and doing for her in difficulties for there are here good tidings and peacc published openly upon the mountaines 2. The report of the Lords doing for his people ought to be seriously considered by them and they to be affected therewith Behold upon the mountains c. saith he 3. It is the Churches sorest affliction to be deprived of the free use of the Ordinances of God and the enjoyment of them her greatest mercy for so is implied in the Command now to keep thy solemn feasts which before she could not as the great mercy in her deliverance 4. The want of publick Ordinances and the solemnities of worship is a bitter trial however it may fare well with the people of God in their private exercises of Religion and in their inward conditions for so is also imported in that Judah may keep solemn feasts 5. Our estimation of and respect unto the Ordinances of God must be evidenced by our great alacrity in going about them especially after we have been deprived of them for a time and by our endeavoured thankfulnesse to God for the enjoying of them for this speech O Judah keep thy solemn feasts is a stirring up to alacrity and the Command Perform thy vowes imports a sensible obligation to thankfulnesse to God for the restoring of the Ordinances 6. The Lord will cut off such sons of Belial as do molest his people in the free use of his Ordinances be they never so potent for so is assured of the Assyrians for the wicked or Belial shall passe no more through thee he is utterly cut off And this sentence stands still in force to be executed in due time upon all those who do trace the Assyrians footsteps and imitate their sins CHAP. II. THis Chapter containes a lively description of the destruction of Nineveh wherein is set forth the preparations for the siege which they might in reason now expect ver 1 2 3 4 5. the taking away of the City v. 6. with the captivity of the Queen v. 7. the flight of the inhabitants and desendants v. 8. the sacking of the City and the terrour confusion and sorrow that shall be amongst all v. 9 10. All which is amplified from the cause of this stroak which is insinuated in the admiration and insulting of such as see or hear of their ruine ver 11 12. and expressely declared by the Lord who ownes all this that is come upon her as his act punishing her sin v. 13. Verse 1. HE that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face keep the munition watch the way make thy loines strong fortifie thy power mightily The preparations against Niâ—eveh are set down in general that the Medes and Nebuchadnezzar and the Caldeâ—ns who use to crush all they set upon are to assault her also whom she shall not be able to resist though she use all means for defence And therefore the enemy is spoken of as if he were already in sight of the City and she is exhorted by way of derision to prepare her self by keeping her walls sending out her Scouts to observe the enemies approach and by encouraging and strengthening her self all the wayes she could Doct. 1. The Lord can make a Nation formidable so long as he hath seâ—vice for them who when their own cup is filled become also feeble for the enemies by reason of former successes appear unto the Assyrians as he that dasheth in pieces or the hammer Jer. 50.23 and yet they were afterwards brought down 2. When God sends a prospering enemie against a wicked people it is that it may contribute and adde to that terrour of God wherewith he will confound them in their trouble for
both the bright sword and the glittering spear and there is a multitude of slain and a great number of carcases and there is no end of their corpses they stumble upon their corpses The sentence is enlarged and the wo explained wherein they are threatened partly with the terrible preparations of the Caldeans coming against them which he sets out in every circumstance as if they were then entering the city and the whips wherewith they drive their chariots and the noise of their chariot-wheels and horses feet sounding in the ears of the Ninevites and the weapons of the horsemen dazling their eyes and partly they are threatened with execution and slaughter by these enemies which should be so great that the dead corpses lying in the way should hinder men to walk on the streets or to flee away Doct. 1. To be under a wo from the Lord speaks most bitter judgement for so that Wo v. 1. is expounded to partend so great and terrible slaughter implying that whosoever are under the Lords curse will meet with the like or worse judgements though it may be not so visible to a carnall eye 2. The judgements of God sent forth in wrath upon his incorrigible enemies will be terrible and dreadfull unto them the very approach whereof will be a kinde of death unto them before they be slain for therefore doth he threaten them with the sounding noise and dazling sight of enemies and their preparations and approaches as that which would prove dreadfull to them 3 Such as delight in blood and cruelty shall be recompenced of the Lord to the full in their own coin for in Nineveh given to blood v. 1. There is a multitude of slain and a great number of carcases c. 4. The judgements to come upon the enemies of the Church are to be look't on by the people of God as if they were already inflicted that they may be comforted in that the Lord executeth judgement for them and that they be not tempted with beholding the present prosperity of enemies for therefore also is every circumstance of this ruine marked as if it were in acting and the Ninevites represented as dead corpses by the Prophet Verse 4. Because of the multitude of the whoredomes of the well-favoured harlot the mistresse of witchcrafts that selleth nations through her whoredomes families through her witchcrafts Another branch of the Lords accusation and quarrell against Nineveh is that by her subtile and politick courses resembled to witchcrafts she enhaunced the wealth of other Nations and brought them into slavery using them for her own advantage and that as harlots by their beauty and artifices do ensnare their Paramours and bring them and their wealth in their power so she made use of her greatnesse and power together with her policies to allure Nations to submit to her as if it had been for their own good In this sense horlotrie understood of Tyrus her merchandizing Isa 23.15 17. However I would not exclude another interpretation also that as idolatry which is frequently called whoredome and devilish arts were frequent amongst these eastern people Isay 2.6 and 47.13 So she made use of these arts to carry on her designes of greatnesse and enticed others to embrace her idolatry that so they might be united the more firmly unto her for her own advantage as we see 2 Kings 16.10 Doct. 1. However men do ostentimes glory much in their wit and skill in increasing their greatnesse and outwitting others yet before the Lord such ways are the ground of a controversie and nothing else but whoredomes and witchcrafts as here we are taught 2. Men are naturally immoderate and excessive in their desire and hunting after greatnesse for such are compared to harlots who commit multitude of wheredoms and are never satisfied in their lust 3. Worldly and politick States and people are still to be looked on in all their dealings with others as seeking themselves and their own interests onely whatever they pretend to the contrary for however Nineveh held out her beautifull condition to other Nations as an harlot to her Paramours to invite them as it were to their own benefit in being under the protection of so mighty a State yet her real intentions were thereby to dispose of them to her own use as slaves which are bought sold the wel-favoured harlot the mistress of witchcrafts selleth Nations through her whoredomes and families through her Witchcrafts 4 Wicked men are given to abuse all favours and good things conferred on them by God and make them subservient to their lusts and designes for as harlots prostitute their beauty to allure men to filthinesse that they may reap gain so did Ninevch make use of her greatnesse to allure others to joyn with her to her own advantage and their prejudice the well-favoured harlot selleth Nations through her whoredomes 5. Men given to their lusts and worldly designes use to make no scruple of unlawfull means to compasse their ends before they be frustrated of them for Nineveh was the mistresse of witchcrafts that is of wicked policies and deceits or according to the other interpretation of devillish arts that so she might be great and sell families through her witchcrafts 6. Wicked men make no account even of that religion which themselves professe but in so far as it may be subservient to their worldly ends for so doth Nineveh according to the other interpretation seil Nations through her whoredomes She did presâ—e her idolatry on others to secure them to her as conceiving religion to be the surest bond of union or tie to subjection that she might reap benefit by them Ver. 5. Behold I am against thee saith the LORD of hostes and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face and I will shew the nations thy nakednesse and the kingdomes thy shame 6. And I will cast abominable filth upon thee and make thee vile and will set thee as a gazing-stock 7. And it shall come to passe that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee and say Nineveh is laid waste who will bemoan her whnce shall I seek comforters for thee In opposition to her former beauty the Lord professing himself her party threatens her first with ignominy and depriving her of her exellencies and ornaments that she may be loathsome and contemptible to all as if an harlot were stript and her cloaths cast back over her head that her nakednesse may be exposed to mockery in the view of men and as prophane souldiers use to do with captive women See Isa 47.2 3. Jer. 13.12 2. He threatens to put yet more affronrs upon her beauty by granting her enemies victory over her and power to tread her down as if women in their pomp were all befouled with dung and so made loathsome 3. He threatens that by this means she should be made a publik spectacle and the matter of horror and detestation to all beholders there being none to comfort her Doct. 1.
Gods being an adversary to the wicked is neither soon seen by them nor suppose it be seene is the sadnesse of such a condition easily laid to heart therefore is it again inculcated Behold I am against thee saith the Lord of hostes though it had been told before chapter 2.13 2 Abuse of mercy will in the end resolve in the abusers misery for beautifull Nineveh who plaid the harlot with it her skirts are discovered and abominable filth cast upon her and she with whom the Nations committed fornication is made the object of peoples detestation 3. People in their greatest pomp and glory do but flie with borrowed wings and are in such a condition as God can easily strip them of what they gloried in and set them as contemptible objects for Nineveh hath shame and nakednesse which he will shew to nations and kingdomes when he strips her of her borrowed glory 4. As wicked men cannot enjoy honour and greatnesse in the world and not abuse it so the Lord is provoked thereby to plague the abusers with ignominy for I will cast abominable filth upon thee and make thee vile saith he to glorious Nineveh 5. The Lord will make such as have publikly sinned without repentance to become publik spectacles of his justice and severity to the terror and astonishment of the beholders for I will set thee as a gazing-stock and it shall come to passe that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee 6. It is righteous with God not onely so to smite his enemies as the stroak shall surpasse the cure of any consolations from friends and the terror thereof so to overwhelm them as that they cannot and dare not appear to bemoan and comfort them but it is rightcous also that such as have oppressed without pity should have none to condole with them in their justly procured and inflicted corrections for all this is imported in this threatening all that look upon thee shall flee from thee and say Nineveh is laid waste who will bemoan her whence shall I seek comforters for thee that no sorrow should expresse her stroak nor any consolations prove sufficient that her friendg being terrified should not be able to appear for her and that she should be abhorred and detested of all in her miseries Ver. 8. Art thou better then populous No that was situate among the rivers that had the waters round about it whose rampart was the sea and her wall was from the sea 9. Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength and it was infinite Put and Lubim were thy helpers 10. Yet was she carried away she went into captivity her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets and they cast lots for her henourable men and all her great men were bound in chains 11. Thou also shalt be drunken thou shalt be hid thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy To confirm what hath been said and to crush all presumptuous thoughts in Nineveh as if she should be able to stand it out he sets before her the example of No or Alexandria a great city in Egypt or neer unto it of which see Jer. 46.25 Ezech. 30.15 And in this example 1. He rehearseth the flourishing condition of that city it was populous or nourishing that is a great market-town nourishing the countrey about it it was strong be situation being built among the Channels of Nilus and environed with strong ramparts the sea also enclosing it on divers parts it was also strong by great and many confederates such as Ethiopians or Arabians who are frequently named Cush in Scripture Egyptians and other people of Africa wherein the speech is directed to No as insulting over her vain confidence in these to the terrour of Nineveh 2. He repeats their stroak That that City had been made desolate her people being carried captive her young children dashed in pieces her honourable men divided amongst the souldiers as prey and carried away as slaves as for the time of this desolation and the persons by whom it was acted it is needlesse for us further to enquire seeing the Spirit of God puts it out of controversie that it was done before the utter ruine of Nineveh 3. This example is applied to Nineveh wherein is shewed that since she had no more advantages then the other had it was but folly to think her self to be invincible and she is assured that how potent soever she be yet she shall be drunk with the wine of Gods wrath and that notwithstanding her former splendour she should be made to hide her self for shame and fear and become obscure as if she had not been and that she should notwithstanding her own strength be forced to seek help from abroad or to supplicate her enemies for pity Doct. 1. The Lord hath given abundant proof that there is no power nor probable means of defence able to stand out against him when he prosecuteth a controversie for so doth the bringing in of this instance teach 2. Men are still ready to be presumptuous and confident of their own standing whatever they see done to others therefore is this example produced and applied that her conceit may be thereby crushed Art thou better then populous No c. 3. Men have nothing to boast of as sufficient to preserve them from ruine but others have had the same or better who yet have succumbed herefore are all the circumstances of ruined No's strength pointed out to shew that she might well have compared to Niuevch in any thing that would have seemed to be a defence 4. The Lords minde concerning sin and impenitent sinners is the same in all ages and he will so declare himself by his judgements for as No for her sins was carried away c. so is Nineveh threatened because of her provocations Thou also shalt be drunken c. 5. The wicked may not only expect to be deprived of counsel and prudence in straits as drunken men are but to be totally overwhelmed with the judgements of God in full measure for they are not to taste a little of the cup of wrath but to drink of it till they be drunken Thou also shalt be drunken See Jer. 25.15 27.6 The Lord can and because of sin will bury in obscurity the greatest of Nations as if they had never been and make them who made great shew of glory and courage seek holes to hide themselves in for saith he Thou shalt be hid 7. Unto such as are pursued by the justice of the Lord their enemies are made terriblé and all their strength and preparations are not sufficient to secure them from fear or keep them from being brought into their enemies reverence for whatever Nineveh had to oppose yet thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemie Vers 12. All thy strong holds shall be like fig-trees with the first ripe figs if they be shaken they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater For further confirmation of
most part in general denunciation of Gods vengeance upon gross and impenitent sinners such as the Chaldeans were wherein the Lord threatneth wrath and sad judgments to come upon them for the grosse abominations such as ambition covetousnesse oppression sensuality carnal policie idolatry c. which abounded amongst them This controversie the Lord layeth out in several branches sometimes repeating the same things in substance and amplifying them from several considerations to the end there may be a more distinct clear sight of the sinfulnesse of their sin of the vanity of the pretences they founded their courses on and of the equity of God judgments subjoyned to every branch The first branch of the controversie is that the Chaldeans and in special their King being given to sensuality and ambition or drunk with pride and ambition as with wine was insatiable in his Conquests like death and hell or the grave of which Pro. 30.15.16 Isa 5.14 and not being content with his own portion did labour to adde one Kingdom after another to his dominions Doct. 1. As the godlies honest wrestling through an evil time by faith is an evidence that God wil reckon with their oppressors so the Lords reproving and punishing the Apostasie of any within the Church may assure men that he will not spare wicked enemies for this is subjoyned to what was said ver 4. with a Yea also or How much more importing that when he made the just to live by faith he would also reckon with the Chaldeans and if he discovered and punished the listed up soul how much more the Chaldeans See Jer. 25.29 1 Pet. 4.17 18 2. The most part of unrenewed great mens actions and enterprises are consecrated to the service of their vile lusts For Because he transgresseth by wine and is proud he keeps not at home his great enterprises are undertaken to satisfie sensuality and ambition 3. Men once inslaved to the service of their lusts do become brutish and in a manner renounce their very reason for so may the words also be read The proud man transgresseth as through wine he is drunk with ambition as with wine which depriveth men of the use of sense and reason 4. It is a sin flowing from ambition a violence offered to nature which is content with little when men cannot acquisce in their lot and portion assigned them by God especially when it is competent but doe by all means hunt after more for it was the Chaldeans sin and ambition that having a Kingdom yet he keeps not at home 5. It is the Lords judgement upon ambitious men that the more they go beyond bounds to satisfie their lusts they become the more insatiable the more they drink they are the more thirsty for such an one enlargeth his desire as hell and is as death and cannot be satisfied but gathereth unto him all Nations and heapeth to him all people Vers 6. Shall not all these take up a parable against him and a taunting Proverb against him and say Wo to him that encreaseth that which is not his how long and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay The Lord threateneth that because of these their sins his judgments should make them contemptible and matter of derision insomuch that even those whom they had oppressed should insult over them and mock them and declare them accursed in their unlawful Conquests which however they had groaned under them could not endure long and in their overcharging and burdening themselves with the dross of this world Doct. 1. Even the consciences of wicked men if they were awake or suffered to speak would give out doom and sentence upon them and subscribe to the righteousnesse of Gods judgements for here he appeals to themselves Shall not all these take up a parable c. So also v. 7.2 When men sinfully endeavour to satisfie their pride and ambition it is rightâ—ous with God to make them most contemptible and ignominious for the proud man v. 5 meets with a parable and taunting proverb or becomes a matter of publick derision 3. However the oppressed and subdued may seem to be far behinde with Conquerors and Oppressors yet the Lord will in due time cleare that there is but little cause for such an apprehension and greatest oppressors wil meet with their own stroak wherein the lowest may insult over them and they shall be rather the object of pitty then of envy or on whom any would wish more cruelty for All these to wit the nations subdued by him v. 5. even all of them and those who were sorest smitten shall take up a parable against him and a taunting proverb against him and say Wo to him See Isa 14.4 12. 4. As unjust Conquest gives a man no right to his Purchase so it brings on Gods curse and at last makes the Purchaser an object of derision Wo here may be taken both for an insulting expression a declaration of a curse upon him Wo to him or Wo he by way of triumphing over him and laughing at him that encreaseth that which is not his 5. Though the oppressed ordinarily groan under the oppressor and wish his end admiring at Gods patience toward him yet it may be concluded that oppression shall not continue so long as either the oppressed or oppressor might expect and that disappointment of the oppressors hopes of continuance in his way shal be matter of derision for all this is imported in that part of the proverb How long 6. Albeit oppressors promise to themselves much ease contentment pleasure and happinesse in their great enjoyments yet they are iniserably disappointed for riches are in themselves but base and great abundance of them beyond that which is needful is to the ambitious but a burden and matter of vexation drawing down the soul from God and intangling and polluting it and this may point out the misery of those who hunt so much after these things Wo to him that ladeth himself with thick clay that is base riches which do but burden pollute and intangle him Ver. 7. Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee and awake that shall vex thee and thou shalt be for booties unto them 8. Because thou hast spoiled many nations all the remnant of the people shall spoile thee because of mens blood and for the violence of the land of the City and all that dwell-therein The Lord yet declareth his mind concerning these sins and threatens yet farther that he will pay them home as they had served others for as the Chaldeans had ranged up and down the world like ravenous beasts so he would suddenly raise up the Medes and Persians who for present were little dream't of to trouble and devour and prey upon them v. 7. And as they had robbed and spoiled many nations so he would stir up the remnant of the nations either such nations as had been reserved from their sury or the remainder of the nations which they had ruined who should
will not obscure it when he lets it out for all this glory shined in the barren desarts of Teman or the South which is a part of Seir or Edom Obad. 9. Amos 1.12 Deut. 33.2 Judges 5.4 and mount Paran a place also neere to Seir Gen. 14 6. where Ishmael dwelt Gen. 21.21 and where Israel encamped shortly after they came from Sinai Num. 10.12 and 12.16 and therefore joyned with the former Deut. 33.2 5. The glory of God revealed unto and for the Church is not to be looked upon in a transient way but ought gravely and seriously to be considered till our hearts be affected and warmed with it Therefore is Selah no where used but in the Psalms and this Chapter subjoyned to shew the weight of this matter and how our hearts should pause and dwell upon it till it grow upon our hands yea to shew that a sight of him indeed will give our hearts such a set as they must stand and breath a while 6. As the excellency of all the creatures is from God and doth daily set out his glory so when he is pleased to appear in any specicial manifestation it doth obscure all glory beside and set him out as onely praise-worthy for in this progress His glory covered the heavens and the earth was full of his praise in a singular way beside what ordinarily appeareth of his glory in these which this dispensation did in a sort obscure and transcend 7. We ought to commend the infinite wisdom of God and his tender respect to fraile man that he hath chosen fit means and instruments of Ministers and Ordinances whereby to make himself known as we are able to bear considering that immediate manifestastion of him who dwelleth in light inaccessible would but undoe us while we are in our mortal bodies for when he appeared his brightnesse was as the light filling heaven and earth as if it had been all a sun This was acknowledged by Israel when they could not endure this glory nor hear God speak Exod. 19.16 20.18 19. And by Eliah in wrapping his face in his mantle when God appeared to him 1. Kings 19.13.18 The Lords most glorious manifestations of himself to mortal creatures are but as vailes cast over his infinitly glorious essence and attributes and so to say an obscuring of himself that he may reveale himself to their capacity yea it much commends the glory of God and may help our faith if we consider that the most glorious effects of his power are but as a vaile cast over his glorious omnipotency who can do far above what we ask or conceive for he had hornes come out of his hands or glorious manifestations of his power shining in these glorious rayes wherewith he arrayed himself on every side and yet there was the hiding of his power 9. The Lords taking his Church by the hand when she came out from the pots of Egypt and entring with her in a Covenant of marriage and that in so glorious state as testified what estimation he had of her and what respect he would put upon her gives warrant to the Church in all ages to believe that the glorious Lord will not despise her in her low estate but notwithstanding his great Majesty and her basenesse he will appear for her will deliver her out of trouble will let out tokens of favour to her by which he will put respect upon her and will renue his covenant with her Therefore the Prophet by faith looks to all this as forth-comming for the Church in her second captivity Vers 5. Before him went the pestilence and burning coales went forth at his feet The Second branch of the description of Gods glorious manifestation is taken from his attendants for executing his judgements he had the Pestilence and burning coals that is destroying lightnings as Psal 18.12 78.48 or pestilential burning diseases as Dâ—ut 32.24 which as Lackeys ran before him and at his feet wherever he went ready to be hunted out at his command at which both the Egyptians and themselves in the Wildernesse had proofe Exod. 9.3.23.24 Num. 11.1.43 44 45 46. and elsewhere and in naming of these plagues as being most devouring other plagues are not to be excluded but understood Doct. 1. The glory of the Lord doth shine and is to be seen and adored in his works of judgement as well as in other acts for The Prophet brings it in here to set out his glory that before him went the Pestilence c. 2. It is a farther manifestation of Gods glory and ought to be a ground of the Churches faith that he can and will when he pleaseth find wayes to plague enemies though second causes and probable meanes faile so doth the Prophet reckon while he brings in Pestilence and burning coales as ready to do that work 3. It is a part of our duty in glorifying God to acknowledge all afflictions to be as his pages ready to come and go at his command that so our eyes may be most on him under them for so doth the prophet set out his glory that these plagues went before him and forth at his feet attending on his progresse 4. Faith may safely gather from judgements executed for sinnes of old that judgement shall be executed for the same sinnes againe committed and from judgements inflicted on the Church when she sinnes that undoubtedly the sinnes of enemies will not be past over Therefore the Prophet recordeth what had been done on Egypt and themselves as a certain pledge of Babels ruine that the Church may be delivered Vers 6. He stood and measured the earth he beheld and drove asunder the nations and the everlasting mountains were scattered the perpetual hills did bow his wayes are everlasting A third instance of his glory of old appeared in his dividing the Land of Canaan by Moses and Joshuah to the twelve Tribes which he stood and measured that is not onely fixed their rest when they came there after they had long wandered with the Ark of his presence but he openly manifested himselfe to be a soveraign Lord and their God in doing of it and that he needed not any deliberation or time to it His glory also shineâ— in putting them easily in possession of that Land scattering the Nations with a look of his countenance in anger whereby the Lord who can if he please remove fixed mountains did overthrow and subdue the inhabitants of that hilly country whose possession had been ancient and of old as the hills which they possessed and whose stable condition like the hills also did promise them a perpetuity And no wonder for his wayes and purposes concerning his people Deut 32 8. were more ancient then their possession and God being eternal and stil the same will yet be forth-comming in the like need Doct. 1. God who is the soveraign King of all Nations and who casts down and lifts up whom he pleaseth will manifest himselfe in carving out even the outward lot and
condition of his people according to the tenour of his Covenant with them for that purpose for so he proved when he stood and measured the earth or the Land to his Israel to whom he had promised it and so made them hold it by the sure tenour of his free gift And so doth the Prophet expect the Lord will do yet 2. It is a notable encouragement to faith and sets out Gods glory that look what is most difficult in mens sight and may redact them to greatest extremities yet is most easie to God when he puts hand to it for he stood of old and designed a Land he but beheld and drave asunder the Nations and albeit their possession was neer as ancient and appeared as stable as the everlasting mountains and perpetual hills yet they were scattered and did bow 3. The Lords eminent appearing in bringing about a mercy for his people according to the tenor of the Covenant gives a ground of claime when it comes in hazzard againe and is a pledge that God will assert and maintaine his own glorious purchase though for a time it seeme to bee plucked out of his hand for so would the Prophet gather that the Lord who had not onely promised but gloriously put his people in possession of that land would bring them back to it againe in due time And to this purpose doth Jehoshaphat also reason 2 Chron. 20.11 4. Albeit that mens having a long and firme-like possession of what is the Churches right may be great trial of faith yet the study of Gods unchangeable nature and his eternal and irresistible purposes will strongly support faith Therefore the Prophet in opposition to the Chaldeans power and long possession Is 49.24 holdeth forth Gods eternal purposes concerming the Church which as of old they had overturned the Canaanites so yet they would take place in all generations Psal 33.11 In both these respects his wayes are everlasting as being more ancient and sure then the Cananites possession and yet the same unchageably to overturne the Chaldeans Vers 7. I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble A fourth instance of this glory shined in the terror which Gods presence among his people put upon their enemies and all round about instanced in these of Cushan and Midian whose habitation was in tents and under curtains This was accomplished partly when in Israels march through the Wildernesse all these Arabians descended of Cush as well as the Ethiopians on the other side of the red sea and Midianites who lived thereabout were affrighted as not knowing on whom they would fall which feare also took hold on other Nations Exod. 15.14 15. Num. 22.3 4. Josh 2.9 10.11 and pur them in great affliction and terrour and partly it was accomplished in that norable defeat of Cushan Rishathaim by Othniel Judg. 3.8.9.10 and of the Mâ—dianites by Gideon Judg. 7. All this the Prophet looks back upon by faith and seeth the Lord ready to do the like Doct. 1. It serveth to illustrate Gods glory and strengthen the faith of his Church in beleeving promises to consider that God can discover the vanity of creatures by making stout-hearted nations to tremble that he can fight against men with his terrour and can discover himself terrible in and for his Church when shee is in a Wildernesse and low estate for this is aray of his glory and a ground of the Prophets faith that the tents of Cushan were in affliction or under vanity which this terrour discovered to be in them and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble 2. It is a notable way to strengthen faith when we consider how satisfactorily God at any time hath made good his word and when we study much such grounds and props held out to our faith by God till we come to a full assurance for faith the Prophet I saw the tents c. that is not onely the Church in whose name he speaks did at that time see God clearly performing his Word and therefore should not doubt in a new strait but by this practice he teacheth every beleever to look back on what Ged hath done and study upon it till the sight of it afford ground of comfort in new troubles and till they see ground to expect the like if need be Ver. 8. Was the LORD displeased against the rivers was thine anger against the river was thy wrath against the Sea that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy charets of salvation Thy bowe was made quite naked according to the oathes of the Tribes even thy word Selah Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers A fifth instance of this glory shined forth in two very contrary effects of dividing the red sea and Jordan to give way to his people Exod. 14. Josh 3. and of making hard rocks to furnish water to quench their thirst Exod 17.6 Num. 20.8 11. The first of these is amplified from Gods great love and fidelity appearing in it in that when he had no quarrel against the sea and rivers yet he would trouble them and march through them in state on his horses and chariots of the pillar of cloud and fire opposed to Pharaohs chariots and horsemen for the safety and protection of his people and did draw forth his weapons against his enemies to prove his fidelity and the truth of his Word frequently repeated and confirmed by oath to the tribes of Israel The second is amplified from Gods liberality in giving them water in abundance so that it clave the ground and cut it self a channel and followed them in rivers Numb 20.11 Psal 78.15 16. 1 Cor. 10.4 Doct. 1. Variety of contrary trials and difficulties on the right hand and the left cannot exhaust that fulnesse of sufficiency and love that is in God toward his people for if seas and rivers trouble them then he can turn them into dry land and make a way therein for them to passe through If againe want of water trouble them he can makrocks furnish and afford it 2. It is a point of spiritual wisdom to read and observe Gods minde and scope in his works and what his thoughts are toward the creatures he works upon or about that so none may mistake or stumble and that his people may more distinctly read his love to them therefore is a question which includes a denial thrice propounded that none might be so foolish as to think that his dealing spake any anger against these creatures but rather proclaimed his love to his people 3. Gods great anger against wicked men sinfully troubling his people may appear from considering his dealing with insensible creatures who are not properly objects of Gods anger as having never sinned but onely accidentally when God troubles them for the good of his people or plagues sinners by smiting them when in their ordinary course they stand in the way of his peoples well-being for thus would the Prophet have the
thresh the Heathen in anger A second instance of Gods glory in that work appeared in his speedy and sore destruction of the Canaanites against whom he was highly offended as being Heathens and enemies to him and to his people His chariots went speedily through them and trod them down as corn is threshed out by the feet of beasts Doct. 1. Gods anger against wicked enemies whether Pagans or such whose carriage towards his Church is Pagan-like is a sore party and will make great havock of them and a short cut of long work for however the Canaanites were many and potent yet saith he Thou didst march through the land in indignation thou didst thresh the people in anger 2. God is alone the subduer of enemies to his people though sometimes he may employ more instruments sometimes fewer or none at all and as he is to be seen in what is done so is he to be looked to for what is undone for Thou didst march through c. saith the Prophet acknowledging what was past and expecting the like to come Ver. 13. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people even for salvation with thine Anointed thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked by discovering the foundation unto the neck Selah Ver. 14. Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages they came out as a whirlewind to scatter me their rejoycing was as to devour the poor secretly He further instanceth the Lords glory in this worke and in several others as in Egypt under the Judges David c. as shining 1. In his design in all these works which was to bring salvation to his people by his anointed instruments Moses Joshua David c. as types of Christ and of eternal salvation by him 2. In the remarkable judgements inflicted upon enemies in that he did destroy the heads and rulers of those wicked societies as was verified on Pharaoh and other Kings who troubled them after they were setled in the land and overthrew not only the Kings of Canaan but all the Soveraignty and power that was in that land and opposed Israels possession yea further he not onely cut off the the head of soveraignty in the persons of rulers but rooted them out in their subjects by overturning ignominiously their stable condition as a house when it razed from the top to the foundation or as a mans body which supports the head when it is made bare from the heel which is the foundation he stands on to the neck and by cutting off their soveraignty not only in Cities but even in inferiour villages and the rulers thereof And this he did even by these same means which they employed against the Church this was accomplished in the sad stroaks that befel Egypt with Pharaoh especially at the red sea in the stroaks that many times came upon the subjects of Israels oppressors and the invasions and conquests made of their territories under David and others but especially in the entire conquest of the land of Canaan wherin the people were not only subdued and put under the power of Israel but the very root of the Heathens Soveraignty over that land was rooted up by the utter extirpation of the inhabitants in cities and villages except the Gibeonites and such as they sinsuily spared that Israel might possesse their habitation 3. Gods glory shined in these works in frustrating the proud hopes of enemies for the Lord did thus destroy them when they were both violent and confident of victory and when they thought to overwhelm the weak Church as with a tempest and made it their delight by craft and cruelty to devour her Doct. 1. Unto such as are the Lords people salvation is his scope and will be the result of all his enterprises for it is twice marked that he went forth for the salvation of his people 2. Christ is the ground of all salvation to his people every deliverance they get is a pledge of eternal salvation by him for he went forth for salvation with his anointed These fitted instruments whom the Church will never want in her need were but types of Christ and imployed by him from whom all safety cometh and these deliverances were shadows of his saving to the uttermost those that come to God through him And although the possession of Canaan was in a peculiar way typical yet the godly in all times may look on temporal mercies as pledges of better 3. As in wicked Nations or combinations those who are chiefe in authority are ordinarily most eminent and instrumental in evil so the Lord will break the combination by cutting off those which no greatness nor eminence shal be able to avert for Thou woundeast the head out of the house of the wicked 4. As wicked States and Nations adding opposition to the Church to all their other wickednesse do deserve that God should root but such States and Nations by utter extirpation so the Lord hath given proof that he is able and will not spare so to doe when he seeth it fit and when his peoples need calls for it for he discovered the foundation to the neck and did strike through the head of his villages 5. The Lord will doe that in due time to his implacable enemies which may afford matter of serious thoughts to themselves and others and such dispensations of his are wisely to be considered therefore Selah is againe subjoyned to this purpose 6. When the Lord hath enemies great and smal to root out he need no other means but their own weapons or the very designes whereby they think to thrive best and to ruine the Church for Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages This was the issue of Pharaohs pursuing Israel at the red sea of all the Canaanites enterprises against them and was more clearly verified on the Midianites Judg. 7.22 on the enemies of Judah in Jehoshaphats dayes 2 Chron. 7.22.23 and others 7. As the Church hath still been exercised with violent cruel and unsatiable enemies and must still expect to meet with such so the Lord will repay this and that even when their hopes and earnestnesse to carry their designes are greatest for it was both a cause of their destruction and the time of it when they came out as a whirlewinde to scatter me saith the Prophet in the name of the Church or violently to overrunne her and destroy her and when their rejoycing was to devour the poor secretly or in secret and hiddden places that is they took pleasure not only to overthrow them with great Armies coming like a tempest upon them but also to surprize them with sudden incursions when they were exhausted and had fled to secret holes for shelter and refuge This doth well agree with the condition of Israel under Midian Judg. 6 2 3 c. under the tyranny of the Philistines 1 Sam. 13. 14. and at divers other times as at the red sea Exod. 15.9
his anger is little seen or laid to heart till it appear in sad calamities therefore is that day called a day of wrath 3. In a time when God is pursuing a land for sin none are to expect case but in some measure or other to be put to it and to taste of calamities for that day will be a day of trouble and distresse a day of wastenesse and desolation to persons and places 4. As judgements inflicted for sin or sin and wrath for sin meeting together will make a black representation of affaires will hold out the judgement in its saddest colours and discover many clouds betwixt the sinner and Gods countenance so it is the capestone of a calamity when spiritual comfort or some favour from God is denyed or hid under it when he smites and hides himself it speaks wrath indeed for this makes the day terrible that when all this is on it is withal a day of darknesse and gloominesse a day of clouds and thick darknesse Ver. 16. A day of the trumpet and alarum against the fenced cities and against the high towers A third instance that wrath pursuing them for sin should make the alarme given to stir up souldiers against them terrible and make their enemies successefull against their most fortified places Whence learn As the alarmes and calamities of War cannot but be affrightful and sad to the most godly Jer. 4.19 So it is a great addition to its terrour when guilt makes men read Gods wrath in it especially when wrath from the Lord lets it not prove a false alarme but makes the enemy so successeful as nothing stands in his way nor can pursued sinners finde any place of safety or shelter for being a day of wrath ver 15. this adds to the terrour that it is a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities and high towers Ver. 17. And I will bring distress upon men that they shall walke like blinde men because they have sinned against the LORD and their blood shall be poured out as dust and their flesh as the dung A fourth and fifth instance is that the distresse shall be so great because of sin as to leave them destitute of all counsel not knowing what to do more then blind men know whether to walk and that they shall be cut off with the sword their blood poured out in as great abundance with as little regard as the dust they tread upon and their carcasses left like dung on the ground Doct. 1. As it is a dreadful condition in a day of strait to be void of light to direct men what to do so howsoever finful men trust much to their own policy in a calm day yet a day of wrath will overturn all their designs leave them destitnte of counsel for I will bring distresse upon men that they shall walke like blinde men 2. When judgements are accompanied with darkness and perplexity Gods hand is to be eminently seen in that stroak and he is to be justified by our reading the bitter fruit of sinne in it for saith the Lord I will bring distresse that they shall walke like blinde men and that because they have sinned against the Lord. 3. It is just with God when he hath pursued sinners with judgements in this life to cut them off also in their iniquity and send them out of the world to receive their full reward yea and to testifie his displeasure on their very dead bodies for so it is threatned their blood shall be poured out as dust and their flesh as dung 4. The gredinesse and cerriblenesse of divine wrath against sin may be read in the measure of a calamity in the ignominy of a stroak and in Gods not owning nor evidencing that he pitties in affliction for all these are in this stroak to be matter of terrour to them their blood shall be poured out as dust and their flesh as dung Ver. 18. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORDS wrath but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousie for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land The terriblenesse of this day doth appear further in this that all helps shall prove vain and their riches wherein they trusted or whereby they might think to ransome their lives should not be able to deliver them from wrath nor hinder the Lord in his kindled jealouâ—â—e to make short work in wasting the land and consuming the Inhabitants Doct. 1. Many are the false confidences whereby men think to secure themselves against a day of vengeance which it is no easie work to refine that wrath may be seen in its terriblenesse for after all their imaginations that this evil day was far off that it should be light that their fenced Cities would shelter them c. which have been declared uselesse in the former purpose there remaineth yet their riches to be declared vaine 2. The wrath of God pursuing sin is so dreadful as no riches or treasures wherein men trust can ward off the stroak nor any thing else save the blood of Christ fled unto by the selfe-condemned sinner for neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath See Prov. 11.4 Ezek. 7.19 3. When Gods love toward his people is provoked unto jealousie by their breach of mariage-duty and embracing strange lovers it produceth most sharp and violent judgements and acts as a fire which speedily consumeth all before it and with which no paction or treaty can be made for the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousie for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the Land CHAP. II. THE Lord having thus threatned his sinful people comes now to exhort them to make right use thereof by inviting the body of the land to repent before the sentence were executed vers 1 2. and the godly remnant to seek God and follow their duty in hope of favour when the evil day should come v. 3. and that these exhortations may be more effectual he sets before them the sad judgements that were to come upon the Nations round about such as the Philistins vers 4 5 6 7. Moabites and Ammonites vers 8.9.10.11 the Ethiopians vers 12. and the Assyrians with their chiefe City vers 13 14 15. Vers 1. GAther your selves together yea gather together O Nation not desired 2. Before the decree bring forth before the day past as the chaff before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you before the day of the LORDS anger come upon you The sum of the first exhortation directed to the impenitent body of the Nation is that no wever they were not a people deâ—irous of their own good nor worthy of any favour yet the Lord would make offer of it and therefore invites them to make a serious
enquiry and fanning of themselves and one of another and that for this end they would gather and recollect themselves and meet together in solemne Assemblies for humiliation and repentance and that they would do this timously before he decreed vengeance which in Gods long-suffering had been yet suspended break forth and before a day of patience pass over swiftly as the chaff before the wind or before the day come wherein they should be as chaffe before the wind and the decreed vengeance should break forth in execution suddenly and easily and wherein the great fierce anger from the Lord should inflict judgement without mercy Doct. 1. When the Lord speaks in hardest tearmes to his sinfúl people yet they are to read in it an invitation and allowance to come to him by repentance and not that he is putting them away from any duty of that kinde Therefore though the Lord had uttered his sentence as a concluded business chap. 1. v. 2. yet here he sheweth what use they should make of it in turnning to him by repentance 2. Repentance is not acceptably endeavoured where there is not a thorough and harrow search enquiry made into our own hearts and wayes and an helping one of another in our stations to perform that duty that so our consciences from clear conviction may charge upon us those sins for which the Word threatens and the sinfulnesse of them and may stir up to turn unto the Lord for so the words in the Original may be rendered search narrowly into your selves and search as men do after stubble scattered here and there as the word is used Exod. 5.12 or after what is lost amongst it that is search and search again while ye are thus employed about your selve stir up and help others to search for so the original construction doth import 3. For stirring up to this duty of searching and making it effectual it is necessary that every man recollect his wandring thoughts whereby he hath snuffed up the winde at his pleasure and hunted after vanities and that the communion of Saints be entertained particularly in solemne and publick humiliations for so doth the Word signifie according to the translation gather your selves together yea gather together See Joel 2.15 16. 4. As this duty of repentance and self-searching is of great importance and concernment in all times and cases and especially when God declares himself to be angry so it is a duty to the performance whereof there is need of much stirring up from the Lord so much also doth the doubling of exhortations gather yea gather import 5. It is necessary for our humiliation and for setting forth the freedome of Gods love and how much he tendereth our wellfare that we know our selves well and what we are to whom the Lord gives invitations or makes gracious offers for this end is it declared here that the Lord invites to repentance a nation not affected with desire to wit of turning to God or of their own good and not desired or worthy to be beloved of him the Original word will import both 6. It is a great addition unto and aggravation of sin when it is general and overspreads a land either by general corruption or by rulers their connivence at sins of particular persons which brings guilt upon the whole land or by private persons their not mourning for the abominations of the time which involveth them in the guilt thereof All which also may contribute to commend Gods kindness in following such a crew and to hold forth the necessity of repentance when the disease is so desperate for this cause it is marked that they were a Nation not desired especially by reason of overflowing sin 7. As the Lord in his long-suffering doth not always execute vengeance immediately upon his purposing or threatning so to do but alloweth some time for bringing forth of that conceived birth as the word in the original imports so the Lords most absolute threatnings do not seclude the penitent from hope but rather invite to speedy repentance so are we taught here gather your selves before the decree bring forth as giving time to them to repent and ground of hope if they should so do for however the Lords eternal purposes be unalterable yet his threatnings which are his pronounced decree or sentence according to the law when most absolutely pronounced to exclude the exception of repentance Jon. 3.4 10. The Lord threatning so sharply that upon our perverting of him he may not execute it as on the contrary he promiseth that he may fulfill And when his threatnings do hold forth even his irrevocable purpose to send outward land-judgements notwithstanding the repentance of any as 2 Kings 23.26.27 yet repentance before it be executed is to good purpose for removing the penitent before the evil day come as was done to Josiah for moderating it to him if he be continued as Jeremiah and the godly remnant found Jer. 15.11 for taking off wrath out of whatsoever they shal taste of the cup. 8. It is an horrid iniquity to despise the patience and long-suffering of God or to neglect the setting up of our furnace of examination self-searching when he threatens and will provoke him to set up his furnace of judgment so much the hotter that it hath been long forborn for if they let the decree bring forth and a day of patience blow over without repentance and fanning themselves he will make the day pass and drive them as chaff and will send his fierce anger upon them 9. None who do believe divine wrath how forcible it is and how weak themselves are to resist but they do proclame their own madness if they set not about repenrance when God threatens Therefore it is thrice held out what this day will be that it shall pass as chaff that the fierce angers of the Lord the day of the Lords anger shall come upon them as sufficient to move any who were not quite bereft of sense to gather together before the decree bring forth Ver. 3. Seek ye the LORD all ye meeke of the earth which have wrought his judgement seeke righteousnesse seek meekness it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORDS anger There being little hope of the body of the land that they would be repentance avert a day of anger Therfore the Lord turns to the godly remnant in the land who are humbled and made meek under the sense of sin and Gods hand and who have studied to make conscience of their duty enjoyned in the word These he exhorts to go on in seeking the Lords face and favour and to grow in humility in meeknesse and in righteous walking and in making use of the righteousness of Christ as being the certain way to be hid from wrath to come the only way giving any ground of hope to get safety in outward judgements though he will not make them absolutely sure of it for this sort of speech see on Jon.
3.9 Doct. 1. In declining times the Lord hath a peculiar eye to the godly and expects much from them Therefore leaving the wicked Nation he turneth to them with exhortations and promises 2. The truth and reality of grace will manifest it selfe in mens being of subdued meek and humble spirits stooping to the Word abasing themselves trembling under judgements and tender towards others and in their not giving way to discouragement from duty however they be humble but stirring up themselves to seek God for himself and adorning their profession with righteous conversation respecting Gods commands whatever their own natural inclinations be Thus are the Godly described here to be seekers of the Lord the meek of the earth or of the land which have wrought his judgment or obeyed his righteous ordinances enjoyned to them 3. Though it be incident to the godly to fall into some decay in a time of general defection and to be discouraged from their duty by the evil example of others yet the truly godly ought to prove themselves to be such by their perseverance and needing and seeking more of what they already have and of Christs righteousnesse to cover all and especially they ought to be on the growing hand if they would beare out and finde favour in an evil time therefore in such a time is this exhortation given seek ye the Lord seek righteousnesse seek meeknesse the repeating of the exhortation shewing the necessity of the thing exhorted to 4. As it is the Lords great mercy toward such as fear him that he puts the remission of their sins and their eternal happinesse out of all doubt so also he is able when he pleaseth in hardest dayes to give them proofes of love in temporal favours by taking them into his protection and either delivering them from trouble or moderating it for here there is no doubt made of the first and even in the second it is declared possible it may be ye shall be hid 5. The Lord seeth it fit to exercise his dearest children with great uncertainties what their lot may be in common calamities not that they should doubt of his power or good wil but that they may be sensible of the difficulty of the thing it self and that in so great overflowing calamities the righteous shall scarcely be saved that so iâ— may appear to be a singular favour when God doth it that the godly having done their duty may yet humble themselvs before the Lord as not meriting any such thing as hiding That they may be excited yet to more diligence that they may learn to expect the free reward of piety in temporal things with much submission and that amidst all improbabilities and incertainties the seeker of God may learne by faith to venture much on God and absolutely rely on his goodness and tendernesse who will not withhold any good thing from his own Ps 34.10 and 84 11. For these causes it is that this exhortation is seconded with so uncertain-like an encouragement it may be ye shall be hid c. 6. Whatever uncertainty seekers of God may be put to as to receiving of temporal favours yet they ought to be fixed in this That seeking of God is the shortest cut and onely way to speed even in these things for though they get but a may be yet upon that they are exhorted to seek the Lord as the only way to be sure and their getting but a may be puts it out of all doubt that they who turn aside to crooked ways may expect nothing of that kind See 1 Pet. 4.18 Vers 4. For Gaza shall be forsaken and Ashkelon a desolation they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day and Ekron shall be rooted up 5. Wo unto the inhabitants of the sea coast the Nation of the Cherethites the word of the Lord is against you O Canaan the Land of the Philistines I will even destroy thee that there shall be no inhabitant 6. And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds and folds for flocks To make the preceding exhortation have the more effect the Lord subjoynes a denunciation of sad judgements to come upon the enemies of the Jews on all hands of them intermixing some promises that these stroaks should tend to the advantage of truth and the Church The first he begins at are the Philistines on their west side wherein he first threatens four of their great Cities with being made solitary and desolate with being openly and violently stormed and the inhabitants led into captivity when it should be impossible to travel for heat and with total extirpation which judgements are expressed in the first language with fit allusions to the names of the Cities v. 4. and Gath the fifth principal City of the Philistines is omitted in this sentence either because it was then in possession of the Jews or because it is comprehended under the rest as Amot 1.8 2. He threatens the inhabitants of the country about lying upon the sea coasts who were either Cherethites of whom see 1 Sam. 30.14 Ezek. 25.16 or Philistines properly so called who descended of cursed Cham. Gen. 10.6 13 14. These he threatens with his wo a purpose against them to lay them desolate so that their fertile and populous Country should be turned into a place of pasture and for flocks and herds to dwel in v. 5 6. The ground of this sentence is insinuated in that they are called Canaan that is not only of his posterity but possessors of a part of the land of Canaan which belonged to Israel Josh 13.2 3. And these judgements were inflicted on the Philistines partly by Pharach Jer. 47.1 Partly by the Babylonians Jer. 47.2 3 4 5. and partly by the Jewes the mselves after their return â— and afterward by Alexander the Great as histories do record Dect 1. It is a profitable meanes for stirring up the visible Church to repentance and the godly to perseverance in an evil time to consider the hand of God upon nations about and enemies to the Church therefore are these threatnings brought in upon the back of the former exhortations and subjoyned to them with the particle for as pointing out his scope in the subsequent purpose to be for their stirring up and we may conceive the dependance thus 1. Judgments threatned or executed upon others ought to stir up the wicked in the Church to repent Gather your selves for Gaza shall be forsaken 2. The godly may perceive Gods tender care of them in calamities whereof they taste when they look upon the full measure which he meets our to others seekers of God will see themselves hid in all their troubles when they look on Gaza forsaken Ashkelon a desolatiâ—â— 3. It is an encouragement to persevere in godlinesse notwithstanding any trouble to consider that God will recompence men for all the wrongs done to the godly and will yet restore them and make all tend to their good Seek the Lord saith he for Gaza
shall be forsaken c. And so Moab Ammon and the rest of them when Judahs remnant shall be made up as it is v. 7. Dâ—ct 2. Such as have been long injurers of the people of God and inâ—eterate enemies to them God can when he will meet with them for these Philistines had long possessed a part of Ornaan â—nd as sacred Histories tell us were vexers of the Church on all occasions and now the Lord threatens to pay them home 3. The Lord can engage with his enemies in their full strength and by his stroak undo them and put them to all disadvantages for when he engages with the Philistines in their flourishing condition of Cities and Countrey he maketh them to be forsaken and a desolation drives them out and rooteth them up and destroyeth them that there shall be no Inhabitants 4. When God is angry no place can promise an exemption to themselves from judnements strhug Cities open Countries and lurking holes in it are all alike potent to his blow for here he threatens their Cities the Nation and the Land or Countrey 5. As there may be much wo intended and purposed against them who little apprehend it till they be made to feel it in effects so the Lords Word writing sad things against a people is the begluning of their wo however for a time they may prosper notwithstanding for Wo saith he to the Philistines now flourishing the Word of the Lord is against you It portendeth wo that God hath such a word or sentence in his own purpose against them but they were visibly under wo when it was published 6. Sin as it highly provokes God and endeavoureth to trample under foot his glory wasteth fouls and consciences so when God comes to punish for it it wili lay the most fertile populous land desolate and waste I will even destrey thee that there shall be no Inhabitant and the sea-coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepheards c 7 Places of great confluence and resort are ordinarily places of much sin which draweth down remarkable judgement Therefore this countrey is twice threatned under the name of the sea-coast not only with relation to its fertility but because much repaire of many Nations treasured up much sin as fuel to insuing wrath Ver. 7. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah they shall feed thereupon in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lye down in the evening for the Lord their God shall visit them and turne away their captivity This judgement is amplified irom an event that should follow upon iâ— to wit that the remnant of the Jewes when the Lord according to his Covenant shouln manifest his favour in returning their captivity were to possesse the land of the Philisinnes as a part of their own inheritance and as the Lords flock they were to feed and dwell there securely even in the evening when it is perillous fot flocks or persons to be abroad in a wasted countrey This was accomplished partly literally when at the return of the Jewes from Babylon they possessed these lands as stories mention beside what may farther be done when the Lord saveth all Israel and partly spiritually when the inhabitants of these places were converted to the Church and added to the Lords Israel by the Gospel as is marked Act. 8.26 40. where Azotus is the same with Ashdod Doct. 1. As Gods covenant with a people may stand firme notwithstanding many afflictions so that standing Covenant will be forth-comming for much tendernesse and restitution in due time to the afflicted confederates when others shall perish in their calamities for the Lord speaks still to captive Judah in the Covenant-stile the Lord their God and when the Philistines are gone he promiseth to Judah that the Lord their God will visit them and turne away their captivity 2. Covenant-rights and promise-rights will not faile to appear in performance though after long delayes and many disappointments for this sea coast was Judah's by right which though they were long kept out of yet at last the coast shall be for the house of Judah 3. The Lord hath reserved choice mercies for his peoples lowest estate and will do that for them then which they could not do for themselves when they were in greatest power for the remnant of the house of Judah shall possesse the coast which they could not doe when they were a flourishing kingdome and when they are but a remnant yet they feed thereupon and lie down in the evening 4. When the Lord doth afflict his Church he doth not only restore her but by some special advantage doth recompense her losse by trouble This is held out to us by the remnant of Judah their getting the land of the Philistines with their own land to make up their hard captivity 5. In all the calamities wherewith the Lord afflicts the Nations he hath a singular respect to the setting forth of his own glory by bringing advantage to the Church and Gospel by these judgements so the Lord in destroying the Philistines hath an eye to the planting of Judah there and to the spreading of the Gospel in those places Vers 8. I have heard the reproach of Moah and the revilings of the children of Ammon whereby they have reproached my people and magnified themselves against their border The next that God deales with are the Moabites and Ammonites whom he conjoyneth in this threatning as being both descended of Lot and so alike near of kin to the Jews and as running both one way against the Church and being often confederate together for that end Psal 83.5 6 7 c. The ground of the Lords challenge against them is their proud contemning and reproaching of his people in the day of their affliction and their boasting to encroach upon the Churches border and to possesse their land Doct. 1. No relation will tie men who are wicked to be friends to the Church and godly but all of them though never so near wil run one way to be her enemies so did Moah and the Children of Ammon though both in kin to Juda. 2. Bitter reproaches and insolent mocking of the afflicted Church is a great addition to her trial which God will take notice of as a sufficient ground of controversie against the reproacher so it is here taken notice of as Judahs trial from them and Gods quarrel-against them I have heard the reproach of Moab and the revilings of the Children of Ammon whereby â—hey have reproached my people 3. The Lords chastising of his people in anger for their sins doth not hinder his affection to take notice of the wrongs done by wicked instruments in due time to repay them Nor do reproaches cast upon the Lords people diminish any whit his estimation of them but rather increase the expression of it I have heard the reproach saith the Lord and notwithstanding all that yea so much the more they are my people 4. Nor so much as
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
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