his love in their hearts assuring them of an interest in him for I will hear them I will say It is my people 7. As fait and the increase of it enabling men boldly to prosesse it before God and the world is a choice Gospel-blessing and a rich recompence of much affliction so Gods preventing grace and kindnesse toward his people when they seek him especially under affliction is such as may invite them to make him their portion and give them warrant confidently to rest and relie on him for upon his hearing and saying It is my people they shall say The Lord is my God CHAP. XIV IN this Chapter there 〈◊〉 continuation of the prephecie begâ—n in the end of the former chapter wherein an account is given of the case of the Church from this Prophets time to the end of the world in these particulars 1. The destruction of Jerusalem with the judgement and mercy in that stroak v. 1.2 2. It is cleared that the instruments of this stroak should not go unpunished v. 〈◊〉 noâ— the Church 〈◊〉 by this stroak for the way of salvation should be made clear unto the Gentiles v. 4. to which the elect Jewes should joyn v. 5.3 It is foreâ—old that the condition of the Church and Elect under the dayes of the Gospel shall be unsetled and mixed of variety of dispensations yet so as in end and when men would least expect it should prove better v. 6.7 4. It is fore-prophesied that the doctrine of salvation and the refreshments following thereupon shall spread to all parts of the world v. 8. whereby Christ shall get an universal Kingdom wherein there shall be unity v. 9.5 A particular promise is made of the exaltation restitution and safety of converted Israel v. 10 11. 6. There is a threatening of judgement against the enemies of the Church that they shall be cut off as by a consumption v. 12. by intestine discord v. 13. by the hand of the Church v. 14. and that the stroak shall reach all means they had employed against the Church v. 15.7 There is a promise of the Conversion of many of these enemies who are reserved v. 16. and if not that visible judgement shall pursue them yet more v. 17 18 19. Lastly there is a promise of the holinesse and purity of the Church v. 20 21. Verse 1. BEhold the day of the LORD cometh and thy spoile shall be divided in the midst of thee The chapter begins with a more clear prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem then before wherein God being Judge and Avenger of his Sons blood which they should shed would bring a day of special vengeance upon that city putting it wholly in the power of enemies who without fear of ambush or surprisal should divide the spoiles of the city in the midst of lt and by this doctrine he cleareth what had been said chap. 13.8 of cutting off two parts and leaving a third part Doct. 1. It is the Churches advantage to be ordinarily warned of a stroak before it come that she wisely considering Gods judgement may labour to prevent or prepare for it that the godly be not surprized with such a judgement when it comes and that God may be justified if he make them feel justice who will not believe truth speaking it therefore are they excited to consider this approaching judgement Behold the day cometh 2. The Lord is chief and supreme in all the Churches calamities he it is who executeth his Word by them who pleads his controversies and who however he be but little seen or regarded in the visible Church yet by his judgements will be discovered to be Jehovah the Lord for the day of the Lord cometh 3. It is one evidence of divine displeasure wherein God is to be seen when enemies get power over the substance of his people in pursuing after which God is oft-times forgotten and do without fear of any dispose thereof at their pleasure for it is the day of the Lord wherein he is seen when the spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee Vers 2. For I will gather all Nations against Jerusalem to battel and the city shall be taken and the houses rifled and the women ravished and halfe of the city shall go forth into captivity and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city This calamity is further described from both the severity and moderation that shall be in it The Lord was to gather the Romane army consisting of many Nations subject unto them and confederate with them against Jerusalem and to deliver the city into their hands that houses might be pillaged and women ravished and yet he would not utterly destroy that Nation for some of them should be preserved by going into captivity and others should leave it before the time of the siege as the Christians who went to Pella and so should not be cut off from the city or from that Nation whereof the city was a part Doct. 1. There is not a motion or enterprise among men in the world especially about the Church but Grd hath a sovereign hand in it and is by them carrying on purposes which they little minde for the Romane armies coming against Jerusalem is Gods deed to avenge his Sons death I will gather all Nations against Jerusalem to battel 2. As the Lord hath not a few but all Nations at his command to put them in subjection to whom he will and to be employed as he pleaseth so many of them are employed against the Church that he may bring many witnesses to the pleading of his controversie and may discover to her her folly in provoking him to give her into the hands of these who formerly hated her but could not prevaile because of his protection for all Nations are put under the Romanes by him and gathered against Jerusalem 3. It is no strange thing to see enemies prevail against the Church when God is pursuing a controversie with her nor when she rejects Christ corrupts his worship sheds righteous blood is given to covetousnesse injustice Iuxury c. and is obstinate in all these to 〈◊〉 quite overthrow and overturn her and make her a spectacle of sad judgements for such were the sins of Jerusalem and for these The cities shall be taken housesrifled and the women ravished Theâ—fore other Churches may expect the same measure if they provoke God and being under calamitie are to be thankful in so far as they come short of this stroak 4. Every one ought to submit and prepare for what God may carve out as their share of a common calamity according as in his wisdom he thinks fit without complaining of being otherwise dealt with then others for the city being taken there is death of which no mention is made here rifling of houses captivity and which is worse then death ravishing of women when husbands and parents are not able to defend their wives and children of which some tasted of
was not only to turne but turne ye from your evil wayes and from your evil doings that is their courses which they ought to look upon as grosse 5. As some may come to that height of sin in the Church as not to give an care to the Lords message and as none can prove themselves hearers who make not some conscience of giving obedience so inadvertency and not considering who speaks and what is spoken is a cause why the Word hath so ill successe They did not hear either would not give an eare or did not obey nor hearken to wit attentively unto me 6. The contempt and sleighting of the Word of God in the mouth of his servants will be reckoned as a contempt and injurie done to God the despisers of the former Prophets did not hear nor hearken unto me saith the Lord. Vers 5. Your fathers where are they and the Prophets do they live for ever 6. But my words and my statutes which I commanded my servants the Prophets did they not take hold of your fathers and they returned and said Like as the LORD of hostes thought to do unto us according to our wayes and according to our doings so hath he dealt with us He subjoynes a reason why they should not imitate their fathers taken from the fruits of their contempt they who would not hearken to the Word were now not to be found but consumed with judgements according as had been threatened and albeit the Prophets died as well as their fathers and that it may be before what they threatened was executed yet their fathers had found that the Word they spake died not with them but was effectually executed insomuch that they were made to confesse that threatenings had not been pronounced in vain but were accomplished as was foretold and according to their works and therefore however their fathers who had been warned and the Prophets who spake unto them were dead yet they ought to look on the Word as a perpetual rule of righteousnesse which is still alive to have alike execution in all ages and this example of their fathers disobedience and the sad fruits of it should be fresh in their memory and alive to instruct and invite them to repentance so much the rather as some of these fruits were yet to be seen in their low and afflicted condition Doct. 1. When the Lord honours a people by sending his Word unto them it is their part serionsly to consider and lay to heart the authority and certainty thereof that they may take heed that they dallie not with God speaking therein and so deceive themselves for this end doth the Prophet in the beginning of his Ministery so seriously inculcate the truth and certainty of the Word from former experience 2. Contemners and fleighters of the Word will not alwayes continue to mintain their opposition and rebellion but will at last succumbe in their cause and be a missing for your fathers who did not hearken where are they what is become of their opposition how have they gained their point so he interrogates their children that they may consider on this 3. Whatever encouragement to sin men gather from the evil example of others yet a right view of the issue of their way may convince them of follie who follow it for your fathers of whom ye boast and whom ye will imitate where are they 4. The divine authority and certainty of the Word doth not depend upon nor is to be judged by the condition of the men who are employed to carry it their frailty doth not diminish its perfection their basenesse doth not take away its authority their outward hard lots will not hinder it from having effect and their mortality and death will not hinder it to be immortal and take effect in all ages for though the Prophets do not live for ever yet my Word did take hold c. when they were gone it lived 5. Every man by nature is a fugitive from the convictions or directions of the Word and a defender of himself from the rod following thereupon so long as he is able so much is implied in the Woâ—d its taking hold or overtaking of him as a fugitive 6. The Word of God in its performance and effects will at last reach and overtake the greatest shifter will drive him from all his subterfuges and stâ—ike through all his bucklers for my words did they not taâ—e hold of or overtake your fathers 7. The conscience of the greatest contemner of the Word will at last when God reckons with him be forced to acknowledge the infallible truth of the Word and certainty of its accomplishment and the desert of sin and that however they thought it sweet and advantageous yet the real fruits of it are such as Gods Word tells and that justly for their stiffe-necked fathers returned and said Like as the Lord of hostes thought to do unto us according to our wayes and according to our doings so hath he dealt with us 8. Examples of Gods judgements are not to be looked on as singular things concerning only these on whom they are inflicted but as executed according to a rule of righteousnesse revealed in the Word which is still the same in all ages and therefore to be a document to others when they who smarted are gone therefore when their fathers and the Prophets are dead the Lord sets this example before them to excite them to repentance considering that the Word lived and was still the same and that the ruines of their fathers calamity were left amongst them to preach to the living Vers 7. Vpon the foure and twentieth day of the eleventh moneth which is the moneth Sebat in the second year of Darius came the Word of the LORD unto Zechariah the sonne of Barachiah the sonne of Iddo the Prophet saying 8. I saw by night and behold a man riding upon a red horse and he stood among the myrtle-trees that were in the bottome and behinde him were there red horses speckled and white Followes a comfortable vision wherein is represented Christ on foot in his Church taking notice of the case of all people for her good and drawing the condition of all enemies to the Churches use by interceding for her and getting good answers which he communicates In these verses after the designation of the time and declaration of the authority of this vision v. 7. we have Christ represented in his Kingly office caring for the things of the Church under the type of a man riding on a red horse among the myrtle-trees in the bottome or valley by which we may understand partly the low and obscure condition of his Church at that time and partly the way of Christs reigning in the world which as in it self it seemes humble and low as being in a valley and covered with the shadow of black and thick trees such as the myrtles are so is it not alwayes seen by the Church for her comfort till her eyes be enlightened
only without but also against all humane power and opposition which should be so far from hindring the work that it should help to pave a way to it and the same power should bring this work in Zerubbabels hand to a perfection to the commendation of the grace of God and joy of all testified by their acclamations when the work is perfected and by their prayer that God would continue to blesse it Doct. 1. Christs work in his Church whether externally reforming and setting up an house or internally converting may have opposition in the way which will seem as insuperable as to carry a great traine or make weak persons climbe over high and steep hills and such a work will not go on without exercise and feares for here is a great mountaine in the way whereby in relation to Zerubbabel was signified the Monarchy of Persia in so farre as it obstructed the work and the Samaritan faction about them and in relation to Christ and his Church it signifieth all the opposition that devils and men especially great ones in the world can raise to hinder that work 2. Whatever great opposites may seem to be in their own eyes or in the thoughts of the fainting people of God yet in Gods eyes they are nothing and contemptible and his Spirit is provoked at their presumption in undertaking such an enterprise and that they should offer to crosse his beloved work and people for Who art thou O great mountaine imports his contemning of them his indignation against them and that he will make them know themselves better then to adventure on such a work 3. Not only will opposition not prove so hurtfull as it appears terrible and be easie when the Lords people comes to it and not hinder the work but the over-ruling hand of God will make opposition a meanes of furthering and carrying on the work which it was appointed and intended to hinder to the praise of the glory of his own wisdome and power who is above enemies in that wherein they deal proudly for the great mountaine shall become a plaine not only not a mountaine and easie to walk over but shall pave a way and fill up valleys and hollow places that the work may go on This was accomplished in the type to Zerubbabel and the Jewes when Darius by his Decree promoved the work and compesced their enemies about them and made them furnish what might advance the work Ezra 6. and is daily brought to passe by Christ in making all the plots of devils and men and all their debates contribute to clear up truth and promove the work of conversion and salvation of his own people 4. As instruments how weak soever their honest and single minding of Gods work and not driving their own interest alongst with it is the way to make it prosper and to make opposition ineffectual for such a one in the type was Zerubbabel before whom the mountaine becomes a plain So Christ being party to all opposition against the Church is ground of hope to her that it shall not prevaile but be made subservient to her good for it is he in the substance of whom it is said before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plaâ—ne 5. As it is the Lords great mercy yea and his way where a people cleave to him that he brings a begun external work of Reformation to a perfection such as is attainable in despite of all opposition however it be oft interrupted and go but slowly on and by degrees for so was it here in the type He shall bring forth the head-stone thereof alluding to some custome wherein as the foundation-stone so also the capestone was laid in the Magestrates sight or by himselfe So it is Christs prerogative and way to perfect his begun good work and to carry on his mystical body and every member thereof by degrees unto perfection for the substance of this promise is perfected in him and his work about his people He shall bring forth the head-stone thereof 6. As there is matter of joy in the going on of Christs work so hath he reserved much joy for his people in the perfecting of it for as some shouted for joy at the laying of the foundation Ezra 3.11 so more is abiding He shall bring out the Head-stone with shoutings as a shadow of the joy of the Lords people when a long desired and much interrupted work of Reformation comes to some period but especially of the Hallelujahs and joy that shall be when Christ presents his Spouse perfect and compleat before the Father 7. The Lords work among his people is so carried on as not only free grace begins it but the further it goes on grace is the more to be magnified and most of all seen at the very close of it yea any perfection it attains to within time must be upheld by the same grace that gave it for so it was in the type here this shouting Grace grace unto it is both an acclamation and acknowledgement of the much and multiplied favour of God that had shined in that work till its perfection and also a prayer that God would let out his grace and blesse that Temple in the use for which it was built 8. Christs work in and about his people is so full of tender favour and loving kindnesse as may bring unto him the glory of abundant grace from all impartial Judges and will one day proclaim it before all the world for this acclamation and applauding of the work made so beautiful and compleat by grace making every one commend and wish well to it is nothing else but a commending him and his grace who made it such and leads his people to expect that day wherein he shall be glorified in his Saints and admired in all thaâ— believe 2 Thes 1.10 Vers 8. Moreover the Word of the LORD came unto me saying 9. The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house his hands shall also finish it and thou shalt know that the LORD of hostes hath sent me unto you The successe of building the Temple is confirmed by a new message that their hearts may rest on it and by seeing the accomplishment may be assured of Christs being sent of the Father to promise this and see it performed Doct. 1. The Promises of the Word are faithful and worthy of our trust and confidence as being the Word of him who by his Word gives being to all things this repetition of the promise and that as the Word of Jehovah shewes not only how ready we are to distrust but how serious he is in promising and will not eat in but make good what he saith so that his Church may lean to it 2. It is a peculiar proof of Gods favour to a land when the Lord not only grants a Reformation and the building of an habitation of pure doctrine and ordinances for his own Name amongst them but when he perfecteth it speedily and in the age wherein
unto the Church is a work of glorious power and grace in effectuating which mountaines were cleft partition walls broken down c. and here it is prophesied of as an altering in part of the course of nature and turning hills in valleys 4. It takes away all ground of excuse from the children of men that Christ hath purchased a clear right to all Nations indifferently to whom the offer is made to come to him and hath laid out a plain clear and comfortable way wherein to come for now the city hedged in with mountaines is made patent to all and mountaines in the way are turned in great valleys Verse 5. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountaines for the valley of the mountaines shall reach unto Azal yea ye shall flee like as ye fled from before the earth-quake in the dayes of Vzziah King of Judah and the LORD my God shall come and all the Saints with thee It is further foretold in answer to the question that the way to the Church and of worship and salvation being made clear without ceremonies and patent to all as a valley made of the divided mountain the Elect among the Jewes who should escape these calamities should seek unto the same with the Gentiles Unto which prediction is added that this valley shall reach unto Azal a word which signifies any thing that is separate or set apart either by election and so it points at the Church figured by Mount Sion which is chosen of God or by sequestration and putting far off and so it points at the Gentiles who before were separated from the Church as by a partition-wall unto whom this valley or way of salvation shall reach excepting such as are yet on Azal that is sequestrate by Gods decree of reprobation and thus taking both together it agrees to what is said of the Elect Jewes they shall joyne with the Gentiles for then the partition-wall shall be taken down and no difference shall be betwixt Jew and Gentile they being cut off from the exercise of ceremonies and use of the Temple and however they will be scattered far off from the Holy Land yet that valley shall reach them and at that distance they shall see Zion and may worship God with the Gentiles that are afar off It is further added that they shall flee as before an earthquake that was memorable among the Jewes of which we hear no more but that it is pointed at Amos 1.1 It may be it was when Uzziah presumed to offer incense whereby may be pointed out their fleeing out of the land because of the judgements on them to destroy the Temple and make way for their joyning in the Christian Religion with the Gentiles but it rather holds out their fleeing from the wrath to come being moved by the power of the Gospel whereby this mountaine was divided and so overturned all as an earthquake Doct. 1. The Gospel-way of salvation and the way of Gods worship is purchased by Christ and revealed to the Church not for contemplation only but for practice and use-making for Ye shall flee to the valley 2 Under the Gospel the Jewes have no special priviledge of a peculiar way of worship and salvation but are to joyne with the Gentiles to walk in that new and living way for Ye shall flee to the valley that reacheth to Azal or them that were separated 3 No distinction of persons nor distance of place doth seclude any from the offer of the Gospel nor from communion with Christ in his Church if they embrace it for the valley shall reach to Azal or these who are separated at a great distance and it shall reach back again to Azal or the chosen mountain they shall see Zion in that valley at greatest distance to direct their service to God dwelling there according as they did toward the Temple 4. Albeit the distinction of Nations be removed under the Gospel yet grace is not universal then insomuch as the meanes of grace are not offered to all at least in one age for so also is there still an Azal or some separate place where this valley ends See Ezech. 47.11.5 The power of the Gospel setting forth Christ overturning mens excellencies and prerogatives discovering sin and wrath for sin will let men see as much cause to flee to Christ and to embrace the way of salvation as for men to avoid the most terrible accidents in the world for when by the Gospel the mountaine shall cleave and the valley be made and Jew and Gentile ranked as equal notwithstanding all the Jewes Prerogatives then Ye shall flee like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the dayes of Uzziah King of Judah Unto these predictions the Prophet subjoynes a Conclusion and the Lord my God shall come c. which may be diversly considered and explained with relation to the former predictions As 1. By way of confirmation that these things concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and of her enemies and the propagation of the Gospel should come to passe because God had undertaken to come and fulfil them having Angels or other fitted instruments sanctified or set apart by him to effectuate his purposes and so it teacheth 1. It beseems the people of God to set to their seal and believe that what he hath undertaken will be effectual he having instruments and means at his command and it is a part of the homage they owe to him not only not to misbelieve but not to rest on a general assent but to rouze up themselves to close stedfastly with the Word and rest on it as a thing certain for thus doth the Prophet conclude believing the Lord my God shall come and all the Saints 2. However a believer may finde little comfort of the Word looking to probability or to a mis-believing mis-regarding world yet it will prove a rich treasure when he keeps communion with God and hath converse with him and studies to hold up every word especially promises by way of thankful acknowledgement to him so doth the Prophet turn his speech to God shewing whence his faith got life and all the Saints with thee Secondly this Conclusion may be conceived with special relation to the last promise of enlargement of the Gospel-Chureh and that Christ was to come in the flesh to effectuate this and to be spiritually present in his Church whither all his Elect should be gathered as his Attendants to wait on him which doth so affect the Prophet that he speaks it over in a confident acknowledgement as one affected in believing it And so it teacheth 1. The Lord bestowes upon his people not only things present that are refreshful but also the hope of future mercies unto the Church which will comfort in present sad times for the Prophet here is refreshed with what was to come 2. Of all the sweet thoughts and sights within time the estate of the Gospel-Church is the first especially where there is much Conversion and
thereof upon these grounds is this charge given Remember ye the Law of Moses 2. The doctrine revealed by God to Moses and by him to the Church containes the substance of all that is necessary to salvation and is the foundation of all the rest of the Scriptures which are as a Commentary and particular application of it upon this ground it is that they are remitted to the Law of Moses not to seek justification by the works of the Law nor yet only to be led by the Law to Christ but as containing the summe of all the doctrine of the Prophets which they would not neglect who made conscience of Moses law as being Gods own Commentarie upon it enjoyned as an appendicle to it 3. That the Word may have place and be entertained with due reverence and respect we are seriously to consider the authority of God enjoyning it I commanded our obligation to it and our honour in enjoying it I commanded for all Israel and only Israel secluding other Nations the Majestie of God at any time appearing in or about that Word how dreadful he was in publishing it at first what of God hath appeared in refreshments by or judgements and mercies according to that Word I commanded it him in Horeb with great glory and what authority his servants have to inculcate that Word upon us and how much their fidelity in duty will condemn our contempt Remember the Law of Moses my servant which I commanded him 4. Such as make conscience of submitting to and walking by the rule of Gods Word will be far from allowing to themselves or others a liberty in some points of truth and practice to believe or do as they please providing they keep right in some chief and fundamental things but will be tender of the whole Will of God of lesser and greater Commandments they are enjoyned to remember the ceremonial statutes and political judgements as well as the moral Law and in a word his whole doctrine Vers 5. Behold I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD A second direction is earnestly to expect Christs coming and to prevent any mistake about it he premonishes them that he would send John Baptist in the spirit and power of Elias immediately before his coming This is so clearly expounded in the New Testament Luks 1.17 Mar. 11.14 and 17.11 12. that it is high presumption to contradict it Doct. 1. Christs coming in the flesh and as a Prophet to his Church is not only greatly to be reverenced by the godly as when Jacob had the vision Gen. 28.17 but indeed terrible unto the wicked and may be the occasion of terrible judgements to corrupt visible Churches whose measure of sin will be filled up by contempt of such an offer It is the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And so the Nation of the Jewes found it 2. Christ is not easily discerned when he comes to his Church as not appearing in such a way as carnal men imagine but may be mistaken and rejected or another taken for him which because it is the hinge whereupon our happinesse turnes that we have Christ indeed and mistake him not in his manifestations nor embrace a delusion in his stead therefore we would studie sure and cleare light in this truth Hence it is that the Lord so much guards this by shewing the marks of the Messiahs coming and the Evangelist Mark begins where Malachi leaves off Mark 1.3 Ministers who would preach repentance unto a people and fit them for the Kingdom of Christ ought to be men of Elijahs temper for through zeal and integrity for courage and fidelity to resist a declining generation to contend with the greatest decliners and freely to reprove the sins of the time such a one was Christs fore-runner he was Elijah the Prophet as coming in his Spirit and power Luke 1.17 Verse 6. And he shall turne the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers lest I come and smite the earth with a curse Johns doctrine is commended from the end of it which is to convert the people to prevent the curse and from the efficacie of it that by his preaching for reformation of the Church he shall either be instrumental to convert both elder and younger and make an harmonie in faith amongst themselves and with the Patriarchs their Ancestors from whom they had so far degenerated as that they might justly renounce them Isa 63.16 and to beget mutual love amongst them as a sure fruit of faith or else they being unfit to receive and embrace Christ the whole Nation should be ripened for the ensuing curse and withal that his Ministery should be blessed to convert some of all ranks and bring them to unity in the truth and love that the Nation be not totally rejected and destroyed but a remnant saved Doct. 1. As the Lord in mercy sends his Ministery with the doctrine of repentance to prevent sadder messengers and messages so a Ministery will either be effectual to convert or ripen for ruine It is the Lords last Word to his Church that the lively Ministery of the Word will either ruine the corruptions of men or occasion mens own ruine on whom it hath no saving effect as here we may see 2. True Conversion and the fruit of the Ministery of the Word will shew it self in making all ranks both the old that have lived long in a good conceit of themselves and the young who may seem not to have gone far astray see need of repentance and reformation and making use of Christ in discovering unto men how far they have degenerated from the rule and from the piety of Ancestors of whom they are ready to glory in a carnal way and will unite men in adhering to the truth of Religion and in the bond of love He shall turne the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers doth import all these 3. The great love of Christ toward the world appears in that no provocation would hinder him to come and perfect the work of Redemption however his coming was occasion of ruine to many I come is an absolute promise made by Christ as God 4. Such as embrace not the Word of God to fit them for Christ nor will admit of the grace offered by Christ and his servants are lying under the curse from which Christ alone can free men and do provoke him to let that curse break forth to the utter ruine of Nations and visible Churches for such is the certification if Johns Ministery had no place and consequently Christs whose way he prepared Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse 5. As the Lord is alwayes effectual in some measure by them whom he calls and sends forth about his work so faithful Ministers however looked on as turners of the world up-side down are as pillars to uphold a Nation and according to the measure of their being fruitful among a people shall the moderation of a judgement on a people be for John shall turne some his zealous Ministery was a means if it had been received to prevent that curse on Judea which after followed and his turning of some as also Christs successe whose way he prepared and the Apostles was a means of preserving a remnant of that Nation from the curse as a seed and first fruit till the encrease and lump of that Nation be saved and turned to the Lord Even so come LORD JESUS Amen FINIS