He shall come as an Eagle against the House of the Lord

He shall come as an Eagle against the House of the Lord.

Interpreters differ much about this, Against the House of the Lord: because Hosea prophesied against the ten Tribes, therefore Luther and divers others think that this clause must be meant against Judah, as if God threatning Israel should say, do not you think to escape, for the enemy shall come as an Eagle even against the house of the Lord. But we need not strain it so, for it may be meant against the ten Tribes notwithstanding this expression, upon this ground: because they called that place, the eminent place, where one of their calves were set up, they call'd it Bethel, the House of God: and so ironically here the houses of their idols may be called the House of the Lord, because they chose those houses and places instead of the House of the Lord. He will come against the House of the Lord; that is, against that which you account so. But I think that is not satisfactory, but rather this: the Church of Israel though very corrupt, yet before their actual devorce, is call'd the House of the Lord, so that from there then the note is:

That God does not presently cast away a Church so as to unchurch it though they may be guilty of many hainous sins. Great sins do not ipso facto, do not un-church a Church therefore there should be much patience before any do decline from a Church by way of renouncing it.

It is a high expression of the priviledg of a Church, that it is the House of the Lord, wherever there is any true Church, yes though it be very corrupt. But you will say, What do you mean by a true Church? I take it for the present nothing but this: Any company of saints in body to set up what ordinance of God they know, that's a Church wherever it is, and here God dwells, here God keeps house; and it is good keeping house with God. He is worse than an infidel that provides not for his own house: certainly God will provide for his own house. Moses was faithful in all the House of God; that is, in all the Church of God. What then though you dwell in a poor cottage, so be it you be a member of the Church of God? If God give you this blessing to dwell in his own House, you are well enough. In (Psalm 26:8) Lord I have loved the habitation of your House, and the place where your honor dwells. The Church is not only God's House, but the house wherein the honor of God dwells. Princes may have some houses where they may retire to for a time, but they have some principal houses to shew their magnificence and glory; and such a house is the Church of God to the Lord. All then that are in the Church, especially officers, must behave themselves and be faithful in the Church as in the House of God, He will come against the House of the Lord.

Though we be God's House, yet the enemies may be suffered to come upon us, it will not serve us if we transgress the Covenant. Joab was pluck'd from the horns of the Altar; and so may we be pluck'd even out of the House of God; God's own House is no security to sin and wickedness. It follows.