Doctrine they fill the godly with feares scruples griefe and discouragement What sadding Doctrines are among the Papists from their false Teachers as that of Auricular Confession all sins must be confessed to a Priest justification by workes Satisfaction Purgatory Transubstantiation that of the death of Infants before Baptisme falling away from grace keeping of the Law Traditions c. These with others are Doctrines which wound the hearts of the godly and much perplex them and are there not as sadding and heart perplexing Doctrines among us Viz. Denyall of the Sacred Trinity Christs Divine nature authority of the holy Scripture that God is the author creator and inventor of all sin that it it the same spirit is in the godly and the wicked that there is no Election but an universall Redemption that God sees no sin in his that the Law is of no use to Beleevers that Christ himselfe may sin as well as a Child of God that all dayes are alike the Lords day having no preheminence that Women may Preach that there is no power or rule in the Church but all in the Civill Magistrate as these opinions sadden the hearts of the godly so they strengthen the hands of those are wicked they goe on in their wayes and never thinke of returning to the Lord False Teachers which speak pleasing things undoe the soules of sinners they promise life when they should threaten death open to them their danger shew them the evill of their wayes and use the strongest arguments they can to awaken and reduce them Jer. 23.22 Had they caused my people to heare my words then they should have turned them from their evill way and from the evill of their doings 5. God hath his times to deliver his people from the flattery tyranny and policie of false Teachers I will deliver them out of their hand there was a day when the people were delivered from the tyranny and flattery of Ahabs false Prophets 1 Kings 18. Rev. 19.20 the Beast with the false Prophet c. were throwne into the Luke A Table containing the principall things in the precedent Expositions A ACcompt The faithfull may boldly give up their accompt 275. 276 Action Grace will breake out into action 456. actions more observable then words 477 Affliction it makes men minde God 16 before affliction men slight under it regard the Word of God 25. 137. 138 by them the Lord sanctifies 378. are the acts of God 383. no arguments of divine hatred 384. have their period 395 of themselves do not saÌ„ctifie 466 Angels have a care of communities 207 are at Gods command 208. 212. 325 in what sense called men 209. the bodies they assume not substantiall ibid Angels against us when God against us 211. they have their Commission from Christ 217. ready to doe the will of God 282. have power over the wheeles 285. God uses their ministery 286. desirous to know the things of God 291. applaud the judgements of God 294. have no hands 297. liken'd to fire ibid. watch to serve Châ—ist 298. honour Christ exceedingly ibid. furnished with ability for employments 300. do not things rashly ibid. Anger in God the degrees of it 196. described ibid. God hath times of being surious ibid. when that time is 197. Gods fury dreadfull 199. it hastens judgements 206. a generall destruction in the day of Gods wrath 250. God not alwayes angry 395. hath an admiring indignation at his peoples sins 496 Assemblies the sense of the word 531. two kinds of assemblies amongst the Jewes 532. much good in the assemblies of Saints 538 Astrologie judiciall astrologie unlawfull 499 Atheisme the cause of mans going from God 167. set out more fully 266 B Banishment or Captivitie is a civill death 11 12 Bloud bloudy crimes what 104. land full of bloud 264. what it notes ibid. Brethren a word of divers acceptions in Scripture 366 Burden what meant by it 482. burden of sin brings burden of judgement 485 Burials of Princes and Prophets with costly things 7 C Captivity Israels captivity 389. Jeconias captives and Zedekiahs whither of them returned 390 Casuall motions heere below not casuall 310 Chaine notes foure things 102 103. what sins bring chaines 105 Chaldeans liken'd to Fishermen and why 483 484. worst of heathen 107 Cherubims what 278. 467. why differenced by the Prophet 279. Coales of fire between the Cherubims what 284. attend upon Christ 290. why God said to dwell betweene the Cherubims 292. the sound of their wings what it imports 294. by the fire they tooke what meant 297. their hands and wings what they import 300. their motions uniforme 307. the severall resemblances of their faces 315 316. a doubt cleered 317. Cherubims subservient to God 325 Children how it can stand with Gods justice to destroy little ones 245 Christ the Angel of the Covenant 214 the three Offices of Christ ibid. Christ variously represented 215. commander in chief 217. mediates for his people ibid hath care of them 217 218. Christ the marker of Saints 234. hath power to save and to destroy ibid. Christ a faithfull executioner of Gods will 275. secures those his Father affects 276 Church shall never faile 12. Churches have their periods 33. God manifests his presence in the Church by some notable signe 223 it never totally failed 231. Churches and States degenerating goe on to a height of wickednesse 271. no visible Church but may fall 323. those have the name of a Church rigid against the true Church 369 there may be no true church where Church-ship is pretended 375. the notes some make of it ibid. the truth of Churchship whence fetcht 376. tares will be in the Church 465 Circumstances of things to be observed 363 Cities what ruines them 8. City full of perversnesse what 260. City a Cauldron and how 334 335. None can destroy it unlesse God give command 287 Cloud God often appeared in a cloud 290 Comforts God can make comforts terrors 286. God speakes comfortably when men speake bitterly 382. when they are comfortlesse 392. Comforts leave when God leaves 470. God can mixe sorrowes with comforts 490 Command commands of God to be readily obeyed 254. 480. supernaturall things commanded are not in vaine 346 Conscience cannot be compelled 423 424 Conversation of the wicked vexation to the godly 237 238. men of heavenly conversations are fittest to know Christ 148. Councells truth is not tyed to them 124 Counsell in counsell from great ones doth great mischief 339. dreadfull judgements upon evill Councellours 360. shewed in foure things ibid. Covetousnesse its greedy of gaine though a curse be in it 59. folly of it 80 Countries The Lord the disposer of them 394 395 Creatures helpe little 78 79. glory pompe ceaseth 110 Creatures all at Gods command 313 314. his spirit in all 321. not to eye second causes 320 Crying in man and in God how meant 202 203. reasons of Gods crying 202 203 Custome Gods people prone to take up heathenish customes 354.
Chap. 31.16 Ill counsell from great ones doth great mischiefe Nah. 1.11 There is one come out of thee that imagineth evill against the Lord a wicked Councellour It 's spoken of Nineveh concerning Senacherib Wee have many come out of us that are wicked Councellors and prevaile with the people to doe what they counsell Did not Prelates Judges Nobles Princes lately give ill counsels and were not the people too forward to hearken All counsels that seeme good are not alwayes safe men should therefore examine others counsels whethey they be such as agree with the word of God are really for the good of Church or State before they approve or entertain thâ—m Take heed what counsels you take from great ones that are corrupt this hath endangered Cities Churches whole Kingdomes Take counsell of the great God who dasheth all wicked counsels and establisheth his owne Psal 33.10 11. He brings the counsels of men to nought but the counsell of God endures for ever 7. That great ones are greatly secure they put the evill day far from them It is not neare They are lavish to entertain thoughts that may disquiet their hearts or shake their foundations Honours pleasures â—ecular affairs take them up so that they feare not changes they consider not the evill day they are as quiet as men that are in Covenant one with another Isa 28 14 15. Those rul'd the people they said Wee have made a covenant with death and with hell are we at agreement When the overflowing scourge shall passe through it shall not come unto us The great ones were Covenanters such as rul'd the City but with whom did they covenant with Death and Hell and now fear'd not any threatnings of them by the Prophets Although the Prophets threatned Death Hell to them it was as nothing they feared not Some think they being Idolatrous sacrificed to Pluto fatum Atropos those gods they conceived had power over Death and Hell and so had them their friends and liv'd without fear Amos 6.3 Hee tels you of some put farre away the evill day but who were they Men of place and power they were such as caused the seate of violence to come near that lay upon beds of Ivory that stretched themselves upon their couches and did eate the lambs out of the flocks and Calves out of the midst of the stall they were dauncers drinkers and such as anointed themselves wiâ—h the chiefest oyntments These are men setled on their lees as Zeph. speaks Chap. 1.12 They were like wine in vessels not emptied from vessell to vessell but setled in their sinfull security and not only great ones are secure but Zach. 1.11 The Angell told the man among the myrtle trees that all the earth sate still and was at rest Security is an epidemicall disease 8. See the impiety and prophanesse of these men 1. They oppose God and give contrary counsell to what he had given by Jeremie that they should not build houses in that place but in Babylon Jer. 29.5 6. and that because of the great judgment was comming upon them but they say it is not neare let us build houses there is no danger or if the enemy should come we had need build and strengthen our selves thus they counsell contrary to the Prophet and to God 2. Their prophanesse they scoffe at the word of God This Citie is the cauldron we are the flesh Jeremie had told them that God would bring the Chaldeans upon them and boyle them in that City like flesh in a Cauldron This they scoffe at strengthening their malice and prophanenesse from abuse of the word of God This made Jer. say I am in derision daily every one mocketh me the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me and a derision daily Jer. 20.7 8. There is such corruption in the heart of man that it turnes the best things of all into bitternesse Isa 28.14 15. Heare the word of the Lord yee scornefull men The Hebrew is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 viri derisionis they mock'd and scoffed at what was prophecyed what ever the Prophet threatned they derided it therefore vers 22. Be not mockers lest your bands be made strong lest you have double fetters double judgements 2 Chron. 36.16 They mocked the messengers of God and despised his words all his threatnings And Peter 2 Pet. 3.3 4. tels us there shall come scoffers walking after their own lusts saying where is the promise of his comming Those under the law scoffed at the threatnings these under the times of the Gospell scoffe at the promises Those of Christs comming of the resurrection last judgement the end of all and life eternall such as these walk after their own lusts they bring a Citie into a snare Prov. 29.8 The Sept. translates the word scornfull Psal 1.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pestes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because such men are pestilent men the very plagues of Church and State contemners of God men Jude said it long since that there should be mockers in the last time and we have found it true there be as prophane bitter scoffers amongst us as ever were even the truths of God are scorn'd and scofft at 9. No devices counsels attempts of men can null or frustrate the purposes of God They devise mischief give ill counsell scoffe at the truths of God put the people upon contrary designes yet all this would not doe desolation was neare the Chaldeans came they were besieged in that Citie boil'd in it as flesh in a Cauldron and Gods counsels truths threats tooke place notwithstanding all their counsels and endeavours to the contrary Balaam was hired by Balack to crosse Gods designe in cursing of his people he attempted to doe it but God overpowred him he could not do or speak ought to their prejudice Numb 23.38 therefore he professed Chap. 23.23 Surely there is no inchantment against Jacob neither is there any divination against Israel according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel what hath God wrought Man would have wrought mischief but could not what hath God wrought he hath wrought and none could hinder therefore Isa 14.27 it s said the Lord of Hosts hath purposed and who shall disannul it not Balack or Balaam not Jaazâ—niah or Pelatiah not the 25. Rulers in Jerusalem his hand is â—tretched out and who shall turn it back It 's not in the power of Princes no not the Prince of darknesse to let his worke to alter his counsels what God hath determined shall so come to passe as he hath determined v. 24. Surely as I have thought so shall it come to passe and as I have purposed it shall stand and all his pleasure shall be done Isa 46.10 so that there is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsell against the Lord Prov. 21.30 VERS 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. Therefore prophesie against them prophesie O Son of man And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me and
in Heaven and in their owne hearts These were justified for going out of Sion into Babylon surely then God will not condemne men for comming out of Babylon into Sion When we left Rome and Romish trash we had good warrant for it and so Luther who took the first step thence For indulgencies troubled Luther â—nd when he Preached against them the Romish Priests d d alto fastu disdaine his Preaching he heard the way of truth blasphemed saw men were forced to new Articles of Faith and himselfe was compelled to submit to Sâ—tanicall Doctrine these were just causes to induce Luther to leave the Romish Babylon And therefore he was unjustly excommunicated by Pope Leo in whose Bull this is made the cause Mort. Grand impost p. 335. because he denyed the Church to have power to create new Articles of faith But the Lord hath justified his separation from them and ours since him thâ—ir Idolatrous Masse their corrupt Doctrines denying of the Cup to the people c. are just grounds for us and others to leave them for if Rome be a Church We have not left the word of God the Apostles of Christ or Churches they instituted but wee are gone ab hypocritarum contagione Alsted it s not onely subject to errours as other Churches are but more subject to erring then any other Church Christian and the most Schismaticall of all Christian Churches and the onely Church against which there is a Prophesie in the Gospell of falling from the Faith which three last things that learned man Morton shews and he hath a section its the 7. of his 15. Ch. to shew what may be judged necessary causes of separation from any particular Churches as obstinacy of errour in Teachers affected ignorance obduration of people Idolatry in Gods worship tyranny and persecution against the true and syncere professors to which I conceive this may further be added that if a Church be so defiled that the Members of it cannot partake of the Ordinances without sinne having used all meanes for redresse they may justly depart so it be in a peaceable manner and God will justifie them 8. Where much may be pretended for truth of Churchship there may be no Church Same makâ— notes of the true Church 1. Succession There can be no true succession without true Doctrine Stapleton those at Jerusalem in Ezekiels dayes Priests and people succeeded Aron Eli and other Priests and Levites that were faithfull but at this time they were both Priests and people become fearfully Idolatrous Frustra allegatur successio personarum ubi non est successio formae 2. Carnall seed They were of kin to Jeremiah Ezekiel Daniel and other godly ones in Babylon they were Abrahams The Saracens are from Hagar and Abraham though for honour they chose to be cal'd from Sarah yet these are not the true Church Davids seed yet this made them not a true Church therefore Jeremiah cals Judah a harlot Chap. 3.8 3. Multitudes here were a greater multitude at Jâ—rusalem then in Babylon but what were they A multitude of Idolators oppressors scoffers persecutors and such materialls are fitter to make a Tower of Babel then a Temple in Sion Multitudo vesparum non apum 4. They dwell at Jerusalem in Judea the holy City the holy Land but they had defiled both with their abominations and neither of those added any holinesse to them Men at Jerusalem and of Jerusalem were worse then those in Babylon Iâ—s not Jerusalâ—m or the locall bounds of Judea can make these the true Church 5. Prosperity outward pompe greatnesse glory these men at Jerusalem had what the World and creatures could afford them plenty honour liberty Unity among them Vnity in idolatrie oppression and they in Babylon were poor Captives despised villified scorned ones the glory of the Church is internall not externall aâ—d what glory had the mourners in Jerusalem 6. The Temple and worship of it had these men at Jerusalem the Captives had no Temple no sacrifices no prosperity no holy Land or City no multitudes no succession yet they were the Church of God and not those for God is wroâ—h with them of Jerusalem for thinking themselves the Church when as they were none and un-Churching the other when as they were the true Church and are cal'd by God the house of Israel and it further appeares that those of Jerusalem were not the true Church because they were destinated to destruction and as sore judgements as ever people were Chap. 5.9 10. and six slaughter-men designed to slay them utterly Chap. 9. The truth of Churchship is to be fetched from other things It s Caetus fidelium saith our Article such as professe Christ and his Gospell and practice answerably such as are orderly united and observe Divine order in the things of God The word may be truly Preached to those are no Church and the seales administred to those are a false Church as at this time Circumcision and the Passover Ordinances are food and maintenance of the Church rather then marks of it Ephes 4.12 the Apostles and other Officers in the Church were given 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the joyning together of the Saints and putting them as members of the body in their right places Vt omnia apte inter se cohaereant Col. 2.5 6. 9. It s Gods mind and will that those are strong highly favoured of God should look at those under beneath them as Brethren there were many in Babylon questionlesse who were meane in knowledge low in naturals weake in faith tainted with some errours and corruptions of Jerusalem if not of Babylon yet saith God Thy Brethren thy Brethren Where there is any thing of God or Christ though many and great infirmities accompany and cloud the same we should look upon them as Brethren When Christ saw a little morall good in the young man he look'd upon him and lov'd him Mark 10.21 and shall we see any spirituall good in any and not love them and use them as Brethren Looke onely at the good and graces are in one another and not at the weaknesses You can eye a little Gold in much earth and why not a little grace Gal. 6.2 Beare yee one anothers burdens and so fulfill the Law of Christ We must answer for stumbling at the infirmities of the godly and also for neglect of their graces if their corruptions doe alienate their graces should allure it s more honourable and Christian to love them for bearing Christs Image then for being of our judgement VERS 16. Therefore say Thus saith the Lord God although I have cast them farre off among the Heathen and although I have scattered them amongst the Countries yet will I be to them as a little Sanctuary in the Countries where they shall come AT this Verse begins comfort for the Captives they were cast out rejected and insulted over by their Brethren fill'd with sad thoughts of their condition but here Heaven opens and
or preaching the people will rebell and if he would not yeeld to the abridging of preachers why should any desire the abolishing of them and so make way for the people to be idle naked scattred rebellious yea for their perishing It was one of the saddest times that ever Israel had when Israel was without a teaching Priest 2 Chron. 15.3 then they had no peace within nor without but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the Countries even all the ten Tribes This being without a Teaching Priest was such an affliction as that the Lord promised his people afterwards that what affliction soever befell them this should not Isa 30.20 Though the Lord give you the bread of adversitie and water of affliction yet shall not thy Teachers be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy Teachers This is a gratious promise for the continuance of the Ministerie They had the law and should have Teachers to instruct them therein Wee have the Gospel and Teachers to instruct us therein The Church and Ministerie may be hid Rev. 12.6 but not extinct Christ is a King the government is upon his shoulder he has a Kingdome and it knowes no end Isa 9.6 7. Luk. 1.32 33. his Throne is for ever Heb. 1.8 He therefore hath promised to be with his Church and the Ministerie thereof unto the end of the world Mat. 28.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not to the end of that age but of the world for so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Math. 13.39 40. the harvest is the end of the world and so shall it be in the end of the world Christs Kingdome and Officers of it were not only for the Apostolicall and primitive times but for all times and ages Eph. 3.21 4 Chap. 11 12. Rev. 7.14 15 11.19 otherwise what hope were there for Jewes or Gentiles If one should leave the Jewish Synagogue and th' other Heathenisme whether should they come if Christ have no true Church no visible Kingdome Herein himself hath satisfied us Joh. 10.16 Other sheepe I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring and they shall heare my voice and there shall be one fold and one Shepheard The fold was the Church the sheepe to be brought in the Gentiles who were not brought in in Christs dayes nor all in the Apostles dayes or Primitive times some are yet to be brought in and therefore there is yet a fold and Ministers to cause them to heare the voyce of Christ that they may come into this fold For whom he predestinates he calls Rom. 8.30 and his calling is not immediate but by the Ministerie of the Word And though the Ministerie now be not infallible as the Apostles were but fallible yet their fallibilitie doth not make voyde their calling nor cause the Churches to be reputed false as not having the Word of God taught in them infalliblie For those holy men who were Prophets and Apostles you may finde sometimes fayling Nathan faild when he bid David goe and build the house of the Lord 2 Sam. 7.3 David was out when he said he was cut off from before the Lords eyes Psal 31.22 and when he said All men were lyars Psal 116.11 Jeremie spake like a man when he said I will not make mention of him nor speake no more in his name and especially when he cursed the day of his nativitie and the man brought tydings thereof Chap. 20.9.14 15 16. Jonas spake from himselfe not from God when he said Take my life from me for its better for me to die then to live and I doe well to be angry unto death Jon. 4.3.9 And Paul professes he had no Commandement of the Lord concerning Virgins but gave his judgement as one that had obteind mercy of the LORD to be faithfull 1 Cor. 7.25 Now though these men had such failings spake from their own spirits yet were neither the Churches falsified hereby nor their callings frustrated That which was needfull to be the Rule and Standard was given out by an infallible Spirit The Spirit of truth tooke of Christs shew'd it to them and led them into all truth And while the Ministers now doe bring that truth unto you they are infallible If in their constructions interpretations and expositions of the same they varie or be out you ought to try the spirits 1 Joh. 4.1 and to hold fast what is good 1 Thess 5.21 not despising prophecyings least you quench the Spirit It s ill when any destroy commands of God to maintaine their opinions Some would have the Word onely read and that there should be no preaching or â—xpounding of it It was not the Eunuches reading but Philips preaching that wrought faith in him Act. 8. The spices of the Scripture send forth the strongest and sweetest smells when they are bruised and broken The fire of the Sanctuary yeelds most heat and light when stirr'd up and blowne It s neither fleshly devillish nor teason to the Father to make constructions upon the Prophets and Apostles and expound their meaning If so then Ezra and others who read the Law and gave the sense of it Nehem. 8.8 sinned were fleshly devillish and traytors to the Father Then Paul gave ill counsell to Timothie to divide the word of truth aright 2 Tim. 2.15 How children should have their milke young men their bread old men their wine and that onely by reading I see not If that could be surely Christ needed not have appointed a wise and faithfull servant over his houshold to give them meat in due season Mat. 24.45 If wee may not expound the Word because we are fallible then why should any translate the Word out of the Originall Tongue into others seeing they are fallible and may yea have mistaken therein as well as others in expounding and preaching and because it is so some little regard the Scriptures Vid Hâ—nâ—â—◠〈…〉 Aâ—â—â— pro Ecâ—l 〈…〉 expecting Euangelium spiritus sancti tertium Testamentum The Jewes looke for Messias the Papists looke for Henoch and Elias but without warrant and so doe these men for another Gospel Gal. 1.8 9. and extraorâ—inary men who may raise up Churches and declare what is truth I beseech you be content with and thankfull for those precious glorious truths the Lord hath given you in the Law and Gospel studying to know them more fully and endeavour to yeeld unto the Author of them the obedience of faith acknowledging it an unspeakeable gift that you have them with Preachers and Expositors amongst you to further you in the knowledge and practise of them If this ensuing Worke shall contribute ought that way I shall be abundantly satisfied therein In hopes whereof I commend both it and you to the blessing of the Lord subscribing my selfe Septemb. 28. 1649. Yours in this Work of the Lord to love and serve W.G. An Exposition upon more Chapters of EZEKIEL CHAP. VI. 1. And the Word of the Lord
what would be the issue of it 1 Kings 22.8 When the Plagues were upon Pharoah then he sends for Moses and Aaron Exod. 8.8.25 and 9.27 and 10.8.16.24 He sends for them in hast and in the night Chap. 12.31 Seven times he did it Prophets are precious in times of trouble when mens liberties estates and lives are in question then they are glad to have help from Prophets their Counsell Prayers holinesse they thinke may doe them good Abimilech took away Abrahams Wife but what said God to him Gen. 20.7 Restore the man his wife for hee is a Prophet and he shall pray for thee and thou shalt live If not thou shalt surely dye and all thine Take heed how you abuse and ill-intreat the Prophets the time may come you may have need of them and be glad to hide your selves under their wings aske their Counsels importune their prayers 4. They that will not hear Gods servants when they are at ease shall not have help from them in time of their distresse they refus'd to hearken to Jeremiah Chap. 44.16 As for the word that thou hast spoken to us in the name of the Lord wee will not hearken unto thee And now they seek unto him for a vision and there is none for them or that afflicted them more then if they had none It 's just with God to with-hold visions from the Prophets when people desire them who slighted them when God gave them If people stop theiâ— eares and will not heare God will stop the Prophets mouths they shall not speak Lam. 2.9 Her Prophets find no vision from the Lord. They sought to the Prophets the Prophets to the Lord but neither found any vision night and darknesse was upon them and there was no answer of God Mica 3.6.7 5. That it 's a dreadfull evill when God takes away the signes of his presence visions among the Prophets the law soundly interpreted by the Priests and seasonable Counsell from the Elders were evident tokens of Gods presence amongst them when these fail'd they were demonstrations of his absence here they should all perish from the Prophet the Priest and the Antient now they should neither have extraordinary nor ordinary help as it was with Saul 1 Sam. 28.15 God answered him neither by Prophets nor by Dreams which was an argument he was departed and hereupon he was in great distress Micah was troubled greatly when the Danites took away his Idols Judges 18.23 24. He thought that a great evill that the signs of his Gods presence were gone But how much greater evill is it when the signes of the true Gods presence are taken away 1 Sam. 4. When the Philistims had routed the Israelites and taken the Arke and a Benjamite brought newes of it to the City and all the City cryed out vers 13. Great and small were afflicted at this that the Arke the pledg of Divine presence was gone and Eli was not so much strucken at the death of his 2. sons as at the taking of the Ark when he heard that was gone he could live no longer he fell backward vers 18. brake his neck and dyed So Phineas wife upon this occasion falls into Travell and names her Child Ichobod vers 21. which is where is the glory The Arke is gone God is gone Israel hath now no more glory so here the tokens of Gods being among them were removing vision failing the law perishing c. and where these goe away it 's night Ignorance comes in Eâ—rours iâ—crease and all woes are at hand While God is present by hâ—s Word and Ministers what evils soever fall out there is reliefe in the Word and Ordinances against them thence arguments are fetcht patiently to bear them But if they be gone that evill may sink the heart without others and when seas of Vinegar and floods of bitter waâ—er compasse you about you have no oyl to allay them nor sugar to sweeten them 6. That truths are not confin'd to any sort of men not to Prophets Priests or Ministers in these or any dayes the Prophets should be without vision the Law should perish from the Priests and Counsell from the Elders It was a conceit of old that this rank of men should not be without knowledg truth Jer. 18.18 Come let us devise devices against Jeremie for the Law shall not perish from the Priest nor counsell from the wise nor the word from the Prophet come let us smite him with the tongue c. Let us accuse him to be a false Prophet get him silenc'd imprison'd put to death All in authority in the Church the Prophets the Priests the Elders are against him you need not fear if he be taken of out the way though a Priest a Prophet full of wisdome and counsell there will be others as good as he more mild and sweet it will be no considerable losse for the law shall not perish from the Priest They were possest with this apprehension that truth knowledg counsell and the Spirit of God was peculiar to them and should not be removed from them but the Lord confutes them and confounds their conceit there shall be no Vision no Law no Counsell Aaron had neither Vision nor Law when he said These are thy Gods O Israel Exod. 32.4 Ahab had 400 Prophets but no vision amongst them Had there been a Councell of these Priests and Prophets gathered to Counsell and dâ—termine for the good of the Church what Canons and Conclusions would they have made The Papists and some others stick much to Counsels and challenge knowledge truth and Gods Spirit to be amongst them they are the representative Church and where should light and counsell be if not amongst them Let them and all consider that the Lord is not tyed to men that truth is not the Inheritance of Priests Prophets Popes Councels more then others The law shall perish from the Priests And Mar. 14.53 There was a grand Councell the High Priest and with him were assembled all the chiefe Priests the Elders and the Scribes And vers 34. you have the result of this Councell they all vote Christ to be a blasphemer and condemn him to be guilty of death whereupon he was spit on buffeted and greatly abused If a whole Councell have condemn'd Christ the Head its like they have condemn'd many of the members since The great Councell of Nyce had erred in point of Ministers marriage if Paphnutius had not prevented That of Arminum held rebaptication of those hereticks had baptized That of Constance denyed one of the Elements in the Supper of the Lord to the people God is not tyed to Councels Aretius de util Script in l. Com. Tertul. in exhort ad castitatem to Prophets or Priests but is free to be where he please and to impart truth to whom he please and to as few as he please Vbi tres sunt ecclesia est licet laici fuerint said Tertullian long since And if they be a Church they
tender'd their service they acknowledge and adore his Majestie and expect his will his commands No creatures are too great too good or glorious to wait upon Christ in any ministrations of his Heb. 1.6 Angels and all of them wait upon and worship him and are sent forth at his pleasure to Minister to whom he pleases v. 4. 2. The Angels are desirous to know the things of God and Christ in the Church they stood but where in the house of God in the Temple They are knowing creatures but they know not all things there be mysteries in the ways of Christ that they desire to look into 1 Pet. 1.12 and Paul tels us there is wisedome made known by the Church to Principalities and powers in heavenly places Eph. 3.10 3. The Lord manifests his pleasure by signes and actions as well as by speech They stood on the right side of the house that side was North-ward towards Babylon and this signified that thence should come their destruction they had seated the Image of jealousie there which provoked God to jealousie and he stirred up the Babylonians to come out of the North and lay them wast 4. Chirst he is Lord of the Temple He went in and then the Cherubims stood then the Court was fill'd with a cloud which notes a glorious Majesty and royall presence 2 Chron. 5.13 14. The house was fill'd with a cloud so that the Priests could not stand to Minister by reason of the cloud for the glory of the Lord had fill'd the house It 's Christ who hath all to doe in the Temple when he in the dayes of his flesh came into it he thrust out all corrupters and corruptions he walks in the midst of the 7. golden Candlesticks 5. When Christ is in the Temple doing the will of his Father any part of his office then doth his glory appear now he went into the Temple about judiciary service and it was fill'd with a cloud which sets out the Majestie and glory of Christ When he preached in the Temple or Synagogues his glory appeared Never man spake like this man all his Ministrations were beautifull and glorious John 1.14 We beheld his glory his glory appeared in all his works 6. Divine glory is usually hidden up in cloudy darkenesse when Christ came into the Temple here was a glorious Majesty but a cloud presently fill'd the Court covered up the glory When God came into the Temple in Solomons dayes a cloud fil'd and covered all So Numb 16.42 A cloud covered the Tabernacle and the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud VERS 4. Then the glory of the Lord went up from the Cherub and stood over the threshold of the house and the house was fill'd with the cloud the Court was full of the brightnesse of the Lords glory THis verse mentions the first removall of glory where we have 1. Whence the removall was from the Cherub 2. Whether it was to the threshold it stood over c. 3. The events thereupon and they are 1. The filling of the house with a cloud 2. The Court with glory 3. The sound of the Cherubims wings which is in the next verse God had his Temple at Jerusalem in the most holy place of it was the Arke and the Cherubims covering it betweene these God was said to dwell or sit because he gave out answers thence in difficult cases and there he would be worshipped The Jewes grew proud of Gods presence and because they did not glorifie him as God but set up Idols and provoked him many wayes therefore the Lord resolved to leave them and ruine them and that is the scope of the vision here The glory of the Lord. This was Christ say Expositors who was in his glorious apparition and now in the Temple but going out of it He had once before done thus gone off from the Cherub to the threshold Chap. 9.3 but was return'd again and here the second time doth it he was now in a judiciary way and would leave the Temple if they did not presently prevent it by repentance Christ standing thus upon the threshold and being upon termes of departure behinde him was the cloud that fill'd the house there was darknesse but before the Lord Christ was light and brightnesse the Court which he stood looking into was full of brightnesse of the Lords glory The glory was now gone out of the Sanctuary into the Court. Observations suitable to this verse see upon Ezek. 9.3 yet take here these following When God is about to visit his Church with some sharp judgments he gives out some evident signs and tokens thereof Obser 1. Hee was now bringing in a sad judgement upon the Jewes and their glory goes up from the Cherub to the threshold which shewed God was about some great change God testified by the Arke which Noah made that he was about some great judgement and alteration of things in the State 2. Again note that Christ with the signs of his presence is the glory of the Temple where Christ is there is glory Hagg. 2.9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater then of the former How was that when as v. 3. the glory of the latter Temple in comparison of the former was as nothing Christ should personally come into it teach in it this was more then all typicall or visionall glory and externall beauty the other had Where Christ is there is glory and where his ordinances are there is glory 3. When Christ leaves the Temple nothing but darknesse remaines when he was upon the threshold there was a cloud behind him when he goes out of the Church glory light truth goe but night darknesse come in Isa 6.4 that hee calls here a cloud there hee calls smoake and when God leaves the Church then smoak and little else is to be found in it smoak of ignorance smoak of errours smoak of divisions smoaky and false worship quickly after smoaking judgements The Churches of Asia when Christ left walking among them darknesse over-spread them and smoaky judgements consum'd them 4. The way Christ goeth is glory or glorious he goeth out of the Temple and now before his face as he stands upon the threshold in the Court is brightnesse of glory his glory goeth with him before him he leaves darknesse behind him but hath brightnesse before him His departure from his people is glorious his ways and works of judgement are glorious VERS 5. And the sound of the Cherubims wings was heard even to the utter Court as the voyce of the Almighty God when hee speaketh HHre is the 3d event upon the Lords comming to the threshold and hastning to give judgement against this City the Angels doe rejoyce at it and applaud the act of Christ which the sound of their wings imports of this verse was spoken Chap. 1.24 This sound of their wings is described 2. wayes 1. From the extent It was heard even to the utter Court which was a great distance
second Vers That prophesie out of their owne heart The Hebrew is Qui ambulant post spiritum suum Their owne spirits led them not the spirit of God In the first Chapter it is sayd The spirit was in the wheeles and they went whither the spirit led them Vers 20. But these Prophets had not the spirit in them neither went after it but after their owne spirit what ever their own spirits dictated to them that they imbraced magnified and gave out to the people Have seene nothing The true Prophets had visions of God Divine Revelation their understandings were in an extraordinary manner irradiated by the spirit of God and they saw that it understood the minde of God Hence Prophets were called Seers Amos 7.12 O thou Seer flee away 2 Kings 17.13 God testified against them by all the Seers they foresaw judgements to come and other things which God reveal'd unto them Numbers 12.6 If there be a Prophet amongst you I will make my selfe known unto him in a vision But these false Prophets had seen nothing they had no vision no discovery of Gods minde unto them any way Obser 1 It s no new thing that there is in the Church of God false Prophets corrupt opinions great opposition to the truth differences and divisions in Ezekiels dayes there were false Prophets which deluded the people which opposed the true Prophets with much insolency which caus'd great stir contentions and divisions amongst the captives in Babylon and people at Jerusalem see for both these the 28. 29. Chapters of Jer. where Hanan opposes Jeremiah and Jeremiah writes Letters into Babylon to quiet them there In Ahabs dayes you may finde false Prophets and their number very great 1 K. 18.19 The Prophets of Baal were 450. And the Prophets of the groves 400. They exceeded the number of the true Prophets eight to one for they were but 100. Hid by Obadiah in caves vers 4. And these false prophets drew many of the people from the worship of the true God Others they staggered and made to halt between two opinions and so caused great division opposition and persecution in Israel There have alwayes been and ever will be false teachers and Prophets among the people of God In the Gospell you read of false Christs Marke 13.22 False Apostles 2 Cor. 11.13 False Teachers 2 Pet. 2.1 And of many false Prophets that should arise Mat. 24.11 The Churches in the Apostles dayes were much troubled with those vented corrupt opinions and caused great contentions the Church of Galatia had those among them who preached another Gospell and justification by the law and so troubled them that the Apostles wished them cut off Chap. 5.12 There were Lying Apostles in the Church of Ephesus the Doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans in the Church of Pergamus c. Such men with their opinions errors and consequences of them God suffers to cleare up truth to make it more pretious to trie the godly to discover hypocrites to shew his power and wisedome that can worke good out of evill and preserve his in the mid'st of contentions 2. See here who are true Prophets and who are false The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel it came not to them the true Prophets saw visions the false saw nothing they were mov'd by the spirit of God these by their owne spirits out of their owne hearts came what they delivered out of Heaven what the other delivered God spake by the true Prophets 1 Kin. 22.22 Satan by the false he is a lying spirit in the mouth of all the false Prophets Either Satans or their owne they speake Jer. 23.16 They speake a vision of their owne heart and not out of the mouth of the Lord vers 26. They are Prophets of the deceit of their owne hearts 28. They tell dreames They feed the people with chaffe and not wheat and make them to erre and forget the name of God but the true Prophets ever spake what they received from the Lord therefore Micaiah told some desiring him to speake somewhat of his owne 1 Kin. 22.14 that as the Lord liv'd he would speak nothing but what the Lord should say unto him Christ John 7.16.18 My Doctrine is not mine but his that sâ—nt me he that speaketh of himselfe seeks his owne glory but he that seeketh his glory that sent him the same is true c. 3. That what comes from man however esteemed or magnifyed by men is worthlesse in Gods account they prophecyed out of their owne hearts followed their owne spirits which they set a price upon but this the Lord blames condemner he calls foolish mentions their owne hearts and spirits in opposiâ—ion to the revelations and inspirations of his spirit which onely are of weight and worth therefore what ever Prophets or Ministers doe bring of their owne its Perversum figmentum It s the Office of the spirit of truth to give out truth he leads into all truth he takes of Christs and shews unto those are Christs Prophets Apostles and Ministers John 16.13.14 If men Preach or Prophesie any thing is not from the spirit but from themselves it s not acceptable unto God neyther should be entertained by us Hence you shall finde that what men have brought of their own is cald lyes Jer. 27.10 Dreames Jer. 23.32 Vntempered Morter Ezek. 22.28 A thing of naught Jer. 14.14 Deceit Chap. 23.26 Perverse things Acts 20.30 Commandements of men Mark 7.7 Wisedome of this World 1 Cor. 2.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fained speeches 2 Pet. 2.3 Another Jesus another spirit another Gospell 2 Cor. 11.4 What is mans is opposite to God and Christ therefore Paul saith expresly 2 Cor. 4.5 Wee preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord onely what we have from him by his spirit that wee preach unto you Paul was a man of great parts a great Scholler and yet durst not vent any thing of his owne 4. The folly and madnesse of false Prophets who pretend they have all from God yet follow their owne spirits Those words Have seen nothing import that they pretended they had seen something that they told the people they had visions from God its frequent in Scripture to heare of their visions Isa 28.7 They err in vision Jer. 14.14 They speake a false vision 23.6 They speake a vision of their owne heart Zach. 13.4 They shall be ashamed every one of his vision vers 7. of this Chapter it was a vaine vision and a lying divination which they had but the pretence was they had all from God the Lord saith it albeit he spake not Thus they madâ— him Author of all their lying vaâ—ne and false prophesies which was extreame madnes and folly in them Herein was a dreadfull hand of God upon them because they were malicious against the true Prophets and receiv'd not the truth with the love of it God left them to blindnesse hardnesse to beleive lyes so that they thought that to be from
be pleasing to other carnall hearts and least you may thinke I deceive you observe the next Verse They say still unto them that despise me the Lord hath sayd yee shall have peace and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his owne heart No evill shall come upon you What is more pleasing to man then to have his owne mind doe his owne will Isa 3.12 They which lead thee are they which call thee blessed walke after the imaginations of his owne heart and what softer words more suitable to him can be sayd then no evill shall come upon him false Prophets speake Verba lactis Milkie Oylie words such as please men and battle their humours and so have a great advantage with men who love to be humor'd but true Prophets speake Verba veritatis which have salt and fire in them and so crosse fret provoke mens lusts and stirre up their hatred against them and as the other with their lyes and flatteries find favour with men so these for their truths with God who loves truth Paul durst not Preach to please men but Christ Gal. 1.10 John would not please Herod 3. The Prophesies and Doctrines of false Teachers seem unto them and those cleave to them to have much strength they built up a wall walls are things of strength be they Earth Timber or Stone Walls they prophesied peace that Nebuchadnezzar should not come against them or depart if he came without prejudice to them they sayd that the Vessells and people should speedily returne from Babylon c. These Doctrines of theiâ—s were as walls unto them of strength and defence Solomon tells us that A rich mans riches are a high wall in his owne conceite Prov. 18.11 and so the opinions and tenets of false Teachers are a high wall in their owne conceits they thinke the people are strengthened and secured by them There are scarcely any opinions abroad be they never so erroneous hereticall blasphemous tending to licentiousnesse but the Authors of them judge them to have strength in them and looke upon them as walls to advantage the people and those are deceived by them think the like of them 4. That false Prophets and Teachers doe concurre and mutually endeavour to countenance and strengthen each others Doctrines and Tenets one built up a Wall and loe others daubed it the true Prophets oft prophesied the same things and so strengthened the hands each of other and so did the false Prophets they improv'd their art and parts to strengthen one another they brought their Visions Divinations Dreams Lyes and whatever they had to playster and daube up this wall they told them of Gods mercy Covenant Promise to dwell at Jerusalem for ever how greatly God was delighted with that place that they were a holy people had the Law Ordinances Sacrifices which none else in the World had that God had no Church but them and therefore unlikely that ever he would destroy them that his heart was towards them thus they agreed all in falshood and strengthened themselves and the people in wickednesse So all the false Prophets concurred in deceiving Ahab Zedekiah the cheife makes hornes and saith With these shalt thou push the Syrians till they be consumed 5. Whatever Prophets give out of their owne unto the people its weake unsollid and unserviceable these Prophets prophesied of their owne heads out of their owne spirits they had nothing from God and what was all but untempered Morter a thing unsavory and foolish did any of their Visions Divinations or Prophesies strengthen the hearts or hands of this people were they not altogether seduced by them they fil'd them with vaine hopes flattered them in their sinfull wayes prophesied of peace and plenty and so healed the hurt of Gods people slightly they skin'd it over with faire words but did not search it to the bottome Jer. 8.11 and launce it with sound and wholesome truths they brought of their owne not of the Lords and therefore it was unserviceable they brought lyes Jer. 27.10 False dreames Jer. 23.32 The deceit of their owne hearts Vers 26. False Visions Dâ—vinations and things of nought Chap. 14.14 Can lyes dreames deceits false and things of naught strengthen or build up The truths and Doctrines of God are sollid savory strengthening lutum paleatum well tempered Morter they are tempered with the glorie wisedome mercy and love of God with the blood of Christ with the power of the spirit and they will build up a Wall be strength unto us Zecharie 1.13 his words are good and comfortable Mic. 2.7 they do good Psal 91.4 His truth is a Sheild and Buckler its sure and will not deceive 2 Pet. 1.19 The Doctrines of the Apostles confirmed the Brethren and the Churches Acts 14.22 15.32 The Doctrines and Opinions of men are windy deceitfull things and hinder growth and strength Eph. 4.14 but the truths of God cause growth in all things and so strengthen making us firme as Walls What men bring of their owne 2 Pet. 2.3 are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fained words untempered Morter but what they have from God are wholesome words and Doctrines according to godlinesse 1 Tim. 6.3 6. Seducing of people by false flattering unsound Doctrines doth greatly provoke God Because even because they have seduced my people saying Peace and one built c. Prophets work is to make knowne truth and to bring men out of their by and base wayes into the way of truth but if they turne men out of that way into the wayes of errour they worke but their worke is not pleasing unto God it exasperates his spirit against them and no marvell they undoe soules which are precious things James 5.20 He converts a sinner from the errour of his way saves a soule from death and hides a multitude of sins that would appeare by his going on in an erroneous way if on the contrary a man seduce a man from the truth and lead him into wayes of errours he destroys a soule discovers and multiplies sin and so did these false Prophets and so doe all false Teachers Peter tells you of false Teachers 2 Epist 2.1 who bring in damnable heresies and draw away many thereby and is that all No they bring upon themselves swift destruction they so provoke God by their corrupt and damnâ—ble Doctrines that he intends and hastens their destruction and let the seduced looke to it least destruction be their portion Isa 9.16 The Leaders of this people cause them to erre and they that are led of them are destroyed 7. Whatsoever works men worke God will try them if the Prophets build Walls daube with untempered Morter Preach visions of their owne heads c. God will prove their walls what strength is in them examine their Morter whether tempered or no whether ought of God be in it or all be humane Vers 11. There shall be an overflowing showre great hailestones and a stormy winde When men build
oppression in Scripture sense is murther 348. layes a Land desolate 490 Ordinances are the ornaments and glory of a people 89 90. Men may have them without God in them 158. Keepe mine Ordinances of that phrase and what it imports 453 P Paines must be great to finde out great evills 164 Parents sins ruine children 251 Patience The Lord will not alwayes beare with sinners 204. his patience exceeding great 271. 477 Peace what it notes 540. wicked men are peaceless 114. it may be sought too late 115 Pelatiah of the name 330. his death and Questions resolved concerning him 355. 360 People They shall be my people what the words implie 458 459. God marries a people to himselfe 462. great happines to have God ours ibid. t is free grace any are his 463. those are Gods have encouragement to askes 464. People easily misted 528 529 Pithom and Pethah what they expresse 360 Pitty arguments of pitty 249 250. God deales gently with his 268 269 Place God oft smites sinners in the place where they sin'd 253 Pompe 108. not to be confided in 110 Prayer forced is faithlesse 199. Prayer for others 261. Sinnes may be such as God will not heare prayer 267 268 and why 268 269 Preparations endeavours not seconded by God come to nought 63 Presence it s a great evill when God takes away the signes of his presence 123 Pride precedes destruction 51 52. the cause of mans going from God 167 Princes are chiefe Rulers 330. are to ease burdens 483. else God hath burdens for them 484. cannot escape judgements 485 486 Priviledge no priviledge exempts a sinning people from judgement 37. 61 Priviledges no plea. 288 Promises of God shall be performed 396 505. onely to some 465 Prophets they are prayed sued to in streights 122. 137. if not heard when men are at ease they shall miss of help from them in trouble ibid. Prophets privie to what God does 288. acted by the Spirit 335 336. prophesie why twice mentioned 343. for new acts of prophesie now influx of Spirit 345 346. Prophets were to deale particularly with sinners 346 347. Of Ezekiels prophecying some doubts cleered 355. to 360. God lookes what entertainment they have 401. God puts them oft upon troublesome service 489. Prophets were to make knowne dark things 490. False Prophets have cunning wayes to prevaile 501. their visions false and flattering 501 502. make men secure 503. events distinguish Prophets 503. Prophecying of their own hearts what it is 510. false Prophets why called Prophets ibid. judgement denounced against them 511. false Prophets described 511 512. false Prophets in the Churh no new thing 512 513. who are true Prophets who false 513. what comes from false Prophets is worthless 514. the folly of false Prophets ibid. wee is their portion 515. liken'd to Foxes from 515. to 519. a sad judgement when Prophets become Foxes 519. its a griefe to heaven 520. Prophets are to stand in the gap 523 524. failing in their dutie makes people fall 526 true Prophets had two things 527. the impudency of false Prophets 528. they seduce people 528 529. the Lord is against them 535. severall things that make the Lord against them 536. Prophets true in mens esteeme may be false in Gods 538. false Prophets liken'd to Masons Carpenters 452. A doubt Cleer'd out of Jer. 4.10.544 to 546. false Prophets seed people with vaine hopes 346. to please men an argument of false teachers 546 547. their Prophâ—â—â—es seem to have much strength 547. false Prophets strengthen each other 548. Prophets what is their own is weake 548 549. their work is to make known truth 549 550. God will try their works 550. by variety of wayes ibid. false Prophets cannot avoyd judgements ibid. what they deliver shall come to nought 551. and themselves discovered 551 552. women of old prophesied 554 555. Satan troubled the Church us with false prophets so with false prophetesses 560 those are false that flatter 561. false Prophesies are snares ibid. false Prophets cannot performe what they promise ibid. they profane Gods Name ibid. make merchandize of truth ibid. they curse whom God blesses 562. Gods proceeding against them ibid. Women and men Teachers are subtill to seduce 563. Gods people may be taken with their errours 563 564. their doctrines prejudice both the godly and wicked 564. God hath his times to deliver his people from them 565 Providence acts in all things 303. dubiously 306. much glory and beauty in the works of providence 310 Proverb the word opened 492 493 Purpose intentions to please God oft prove provocations 183 Punishment God punisheth in the things men sinne 75. God punisheth because men doe wickedly 354. God Just in his punishing 467 R Rebellion rebellious house what 475 Regeneration see New Spirit Religion to be fetcht from Christ and the Apostles 176. not to be forced 422. to 424 Remembring of God what is in it 12 13. to be put in minde of the sâ—me things an advantage 320 Repentance true penitents are affected with and loath themselves for their sinnes 22. Scripture-expressions concerning repentance 22 23. notes of true repentance 23 24 Repetitions are not in vaine 32. they awaken 43 Robbing 99 Rod. 48 49 Ruine of things in themselves 52 53 the neerer dâ—struction the more all things are out of order 155 Rulers for the most pâ—rt wicked 366. its matter of mourning 337. being evill make others evill 338 339. secure ibid. S Sackcloath 73 Saints are Câ—rists treasure 233. God their Sanctuary 385. shewes them kindnesse in all places 386. seeming Saints will be discovered 538 Salvation Few saved 231 Samenes how a thing like may be called the same 317 Sanctum Sanctorum 174. Sanctuary 247. 378. the holinesse of a place averts not Gods wrath 253. Sanctuary a place of refuge 379. Gods presence there 380. acceptance there ibâ—d helpe from thence 381. why cald a little Sanctuary 381 Saphire whence derived and what it notes 279 Scoffing provokes God greatly 343. examples of scâ—ffers 343 344. 361. their judgements momentaneous 360 Scripture shâ—ns multiplying of words 345. vid. Word Season Things done in season are acceptable to God 299 Secret of God is amongst his people 532 Secure Great ones greatly secure 339. Security an epidemicall disease brings judgement impartially 484 Seduction what 540. seducing of the people provokes God 549 Segullah what it noteth 641 Self a great let to divine things 148. self-seeking matter of mourning 337. selveishness undoes 413 Seperation what justifi able 373 374 Shame what 73 â—â—es two things 74 Sigâ—eâ— Gâ—d manifests his pleasure by signes 291 when â—isits with judgements gives signes 293. set thee for a signe what sign fies 479 Sin the evill in iâ— 24. it weakens 60. its the life of the wicked 61 Sinners smitten in what thâ—y offâ—nd with 131 there are degrees of sins 158. sin discover'd by degrees 159 Crlâ—sh sin in the concâ—ption 175 sin to be measured not by man but Gods account 179 sin no light
may have truth amongst them and more given in unto them as well as others God gives Vision Law Counsell and takes them away at his pleasure he creates light and darknesse They shall seeke vision of the Prophets and there shall be none Prophets could not prophesie at pleasure But when God gave in visions then they gave out light Nathan had no vision no word from heaven to encourage David to build hee had one to take him off 2 Sam. 7. Neither had the Priests the knowledg of the Law alwayes Hosea 4.6 Mal. 2.8 Neither is counsell alwayes with the Antient Isa 29.14 You that have Vision thâ— Law and Gospell the Counsell of the Ancient how soone God may remove it is a secret the light was extinguishing lately there were many extinguishers Jesuiticall Prelaticall and others Be not unthankfull for the light you have sin not against light by disgracing that as New light which suits not with your spirits It was in the womb of the Sc iptures though not brought forth till of late If you spurn a any light any truths of God you may lose what you have If you receive not the truth with love God will send you strong delusions If you hate those that bring you light you are in darknesse notwithstanding all the light that shines amongst you 1 John 2.9 10. He that saith he is in the light and hates his brother is in darknesse untill now He that loves his brother abideth in the light and there is no occasion of stumbling in him Let me say to you as Isa Chap. 2.5 O house of Jacob come yee let us walke in the light of the Lord. And as Christ to the people Yet a little while is the light with you walke while yee have the light least darknesse come upon you John 12.35 Acts 26.19 Paul was not disobedient to the heavenly visions he had be not you but walk in the light and warmth of them and then see what a blessing you shall have 1 John 1.7 If we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowsh p one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sinne 8. Those will not doe what they know shall not know what to doe Zedekiah and the rest would not doe what they knew Jeremie bade them goe forth yeild themselves and it should be well with them and the City but they did it not and quickly after they knew not what to doe no Vision no Law no Counsell in a streight and knew not which way to turn them Adam knew what to doe but did it not and presently after his head is in the thicket and he knows not what to doe Saul knew that he should not offer sacrifice that he should have slain Agag spared neither man nor beast he did it not and how oft he was in streights and knew not what to do you may observe in the story especially in that famous place 1 Sam. 28.15 When the Witch had rais'd the Devill in Samuels likenesse and mantle he tels him why he had called him I know not what to do but I have called thee that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall doe CHAP. VII 26. The King shall mourne and the Prince shall bee cloathed with desolation and the hands of the people of the Land shall bee troubled I will doe unto them after their way and according to their desertâ— will I judge them and they shall know that I am the LORD HAving spoken of the Ecclesiasticall estate in the former Verse in this he comes to the Civill estate and shews that the judgements should light upon all sorts King Prince and People mourning desolation and trouble shall be upon them he names the subjects of misery and the miseries then he lays down the causes the efficient God the materiall and meritorious their ways deserts then the end of all these Judgements That they may know- c The King shall mourne Hebrew is ijthabbal the word being in Hithpael 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Sept. is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which denotes a great measure of sorrow and expressions of it outwardly notes continuation of mourning some therefore render it Hee shall pine away or kill himselfe with mourning Its mourning with sighing and sighes are wasting and surely Zedekiah had cause of constant mourning even to his death he lost the Kingdome his Sonnes and his eyes at once which were dear things unto him and some observe when the word is referred to Men it notes mourning for dear things The Prince That is Princes the Singular Number for the P◠〈…〉 â—â—â—phet for prophets Shall be cloathed with desolation It s metaphoricall from Garments which doe cover and compasse about so Desolation should compasse the Princes and Nobles on every side The word notes such Desolation as breeds amazement in the beholders which was here when they saw the City Moller Psal 143.4 the Temple the Kingdome layd waste all things in them desolated they were cloathed with desolation and amazed at so strange a Garment upon them The hands of the people of the Land shall be troubled When the people should see their King mourning their Nobles desolate no heart or spirit in them for the Church and State for their Liberties or Lives their hearts and hands were troubled But he expresses it by their hands because it was more visible by them and set out the greatnesse of their misery they had no hands through feare and faintnesse to follow their Callings no hands to take up Armes to defend themselves no hands to lift vp in prayer According to their deserts The Hebrew is According to their judgements they have made ill Judgements of persons and things and deserve my judgements for them and answerably I will deale with them They have oppressed they shall be oppressed they have not heard the cry of others Ex judiciis peccatoris judicat peccantem Deus Orig. they shall not bee heard crying they have rejected me and they shall be rejected by me they have kill'd and they shall be killed they have spoyl'd and they shall be spoyled and so that of Christ in Matth. 7.2 is made good With what judgement yee judge yee shall bee judged and with what measure you meat it shall be measured to you againe In the 3 4 8 9. Verses of this Chapter hath been spoken of Judging and recompencing them according to their wayes Obser 1. That God hath times for Kings and Courtiers to mourn in greatnesse exempts not from Gods hand if great ones sin they shall smart for their sins The King shall mourne c. God takes off Royall Robes and puts sackcloth upon Kings loynes that sin against him heavy judgements he brings upon Kings Zedekiahs sins were great First He was false a thing too incident to Kings 2 Chro. 36.13 he violated the Oath he had taken Secondly Idolatrous Heathenish Idolatry was practised in his