Ezekiel

Whoever brings an affliction, God sends it: the consideration of this would make us say, Your will be done; what God does he sees a reason for. We read of a wheel within a wheel (Ezekiel 1:15): the outward wheel which turns all, is providence; the wheel within this wheel, is God…

Most as to the derivation of the name follow Kimchi; who affirms the letter Caph to be servile and a note of similitude; and the word to signify a youth or a child. Such these images are thought to represent; only they had wings instead of arms, as we now usually paint Angels; f…

View this doctrine at your leisure, preached by God himself, with an inconceivable elegancy, and three whole chapters spent in the sermon (Job 38-40), and by the Psalmist (Psalms 147-148). Some observe that the society of Angels and heavenly creatures is represented (Ezekiel 1)…

He hath a special super-intendency over the Affairs of his Church; God hath more care of his Church than we can. We read in Ezekiels Vision, of a wheel within a wheel, Ezek. 1. 16. Gods Decree is the inner wheel that turns all the outward wheels of Providence; the Church never w…

They had not a full dispensation of his glory, but only a glimpse of it, and that under a cloud and revealed in mercy; yet they were sore afraid. Upon any visions and apparitions of the divine Majesty, God's servants fell to the earth — (Ezekiel 1:28) when I saw the appearance o…

Bow your Heavens O Lord, and come down. 2 Sam. 22. 10. Ezek. 1. 1. The Heavens were opened and I saw the Visions of God.

The dispensation of all our comforts and mercies, is by his direction and appointment. It's true, the Angels are employed in the kingdom of Providence, they move the wheels, (i. e.) are instrumental in all the revolutions in this lower world; but still they receive directions an…

There is a sweet harmony betwixt them in their distinct workings. They all meet in that one blessed issue which God has by the counsel of his Will directed them to, Ephesians 1:11 Romans 8:28 Hence it is, that the Spirit is said to be in, and order the motions of the wheels of P…

And the words themselves have that affinity in signification, which is frequently seen among the Hebrew Roots, differing only in the transposition of one letter. And the description of him who sat above the Cherubims of Providence, Ezek. 1:10. is the same with that of John (Reve…

And it is not unworthy consideration, that as the wisest and most contemplative of the philosophers of old, had many notions about the [in non-Latin alphabet], the eternal Word, which was to them [in non-Latin alphabet], the formative or creative power of the Universe, to which…

Secondly, their several employments also did greatly differ. The work of Angels was immediately to attend the Throne of God, to minister before him, and to give glory to him, and to execute the commands of his Providence in the government of the works of his hands (Psalm 68:17;…

The hand of God in Scripture signifies, first the purpose of God, as that, Acts 4:28, They have done whatever your hand and your counsel determined before to be done, that is, whatever according to your purpose, you did determine. 2. The hand of God signifies the Spirit of God,…

It's true, this, and some other Scriptures, were of old restrained by the Jews, from the younger sort, that none should read them, but these who were at thirty years of age: Origen marks four pieces of holy Scripture, thus restrained by them: The history of the creation, Genesis…

So that according to the degree of grace received, he has a constant uniform frame and tenor of spirit, and holds one straight, direct, and even course towards heaven. In all this suitable to the motion of the wheels in the Prophet Ezekiel's Vision (Ezekiel 1:17): when they went…

When God's Spirit blows upon us, now we go full sail to Heaven. When the Spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels, then they moved (Ezekiel 1:21). The wheels of our endeavor move apace, when the Spirit of God is in these wheels.

Christ appeared to each of these prophets in the form of that nature which he was afterwards to take upon him. The prophet Ezekiel gives an account of his thus appearing to him repeatedly, as Ezekiel 1:26: "And above the firmament that was over their heads, was the likeness of a…

Now the elect Angels are the special messengers, and New Covenant officers, ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14). And the Angels (Ezekiel 1) are acted in all their motions by that Jehovah, whose glory Isaiah saw (Isai…

3. The heart may be turned as streams of a river drawn through this part of the land, or this part (Prov. 21:1), and from nilling to willing, as the Lord thinks fit, according to God's will of precept; this is often the falling of the Church of Ephesus sinfully from their first…

Object. 2 But from where then comes this promiscuous administration of things, which seems to make things run upon wheels, they have no certain course, but are turned upside down: from where comes this to pass, if there be a God that rules heaven and earth? Answ. For answer of t…

So was Asaph, Psalm 73.▪ and Habbakkuk, Chap. 1. 3. These Wheels of Providence are dreadful for their height, Ezekiel 1:18. There be deep Mysteries of Providence, as well as of Faith. It may be said of some of them, as of Paul's Epistles, That they are hard to be understood.

Titus 3:14: Let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary use. We read the angels had wings, and hands under their wings (Ezekiel 1:8) — emblematic of the truth that Christians must not only have the wings of faith to fly, but hands under their wings to work the works…

And though it may be understood in verse 23 of that chapter to signify an overcoming spiritual glory, as the principal thing there intended, such as no soul dwelling in flesh could behold without rending the veil and breaking all to pieces; yet, even there also, may such a degre…

The spirit lifted me up, God's Spirit must both infuse grace and excite it. We read of a wheel within a wheel (Ezekiel 1:16). The spirit of God is that inner wheel that must move the wheel of our endeavor.

God's providence administers all things here below in perpetual vicissitudes. His hand turns them about like so many wheels — to which they are compared (Ezekiel 1) — the same part is now uppermost, and anon lowermost; now lifted up in the air, and by and by grated through the m…

(1) As we observed before, it was sprinkled as it lay upon the altar, where atonement was made; and this was plainly to signify that atonement was to be made by blood, for sins committed against that book or the law contained in it. Without this that book would have been to the…

Here we are joined to them by faith and hope; there by sight and fellowship. The company of wicked men is now grievous and tedious to us (Ezekiel 2:6), but we shall have better company hereafter. Here we often part with our choicest friends and acquaintance, but there we shall m…

They kiss the calves. Lifting up the eyes (Ezekiel 2:15). He has not lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel.

Therefore he does not chide them, but encourages them. The like was done in other cases, as to Ezekiel in his trance (Ezekiel 2:1): Son of man arise, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you. So to the apostle John (Revelation 17:18): When I saw him, I lay at his feet as dead…

2. In point of suffering who knows but they may have a deep share! The Prophet's book is written within, as well as without, with lamentation, mourning and woe (Ezekiel 2. ult.). If the Lion roars, who can but fear (Amos 3:8)?

Hence 1. Since we are mere messengers, we cannot breathe life in the word only, like the trumpeter that blows his warm breath through a dead trumpet of brass; but he blows or breathes no valor or courage in the soldiers, that was not in them before. But if the spirit go along an…

For it is a grant of grace to speak with enlargement. 7. If fear and dismayment be on the heart (Jeremiah 1:17), and Ezekiel may not speak at all (Ezekiel 2:6), self must be denied, and shamefastness before Kings (Psalm 119:46; see Psalm 39:1, 2) laid aside. Q. What then shall b…

And Dion relates it, to the honor of Julius Caesar, that Pompey's cabinet of letters coming to his hand, he would not read them, because he was his enemy, and he would be likely to find in them, that which would increase the quarrel; and therefore (as Dr. Reynolds expresses it)…

Isai. 46. 12. Ezekiel 2:4. Ier. 44. 16. REFLECTION.

Thus the Word that came unto them, was a Book which they took in, and gave out without any alteration of one tittle or syllable. Ezekiel 2:8, 9, 10, 11. Chapter 3:3. Revelation 10:9, 10, 11. Section 10.

There are indeed other Watchmen, and that of God's own appointment for the use of this House. Son of man, I have set you a Watchman (Ezekiel 2:11). I have set Watchmen upon your walls (Isaiah 61:6, 7), which in a special manner are the Pastors of the Churches; they watch (Hebrew…

(6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh and the Egyptians would do. 13. There is a wicked hardening of the heart, when men make the Lord his word and mi…

Go (said he to Moses) and declare to him my will, but I will harden his heart, that he obey not (Exodus 21). So when he stirs up Ezekiel, he warns him beforehand that he sends him to a rebellious and stubborn people, to the end that he should not be afraid if he perceives himsel…

And if upon all this (by death or otherwise) such a ministry be withdrawn from you, as God did work by, in some degree, upon you, and you find not in that kind, what is so suitable to your state and case; take heed lest you be stupid under such a stroke. Think what it imports to…

In their promises and pretences; the fool promised himself long life, but was answered with an hac nocte. Many men's riches are like Israel's quails, promise meat, but bring a curse; like Ezekiel's Book (Ezekiel 2:10, 3:3). It tastes like honey, but is written with woes.

2 Of the persons who are deputed to that work. The function of a minister is to quicken such as are dead in sin: to raise up and restore such as are [reconstructed: fallen] back again; to comfort those that are troubled in conscience; to strengthen the weak; to encourage the fai…

For motive: consider, God will make you to know who sent these messengers, that it was not of their own heads, nor on their own errands, that his ministers came to you, but that it was from him (Ezekiel 2:5), and that you have not scoffed and neglected them, but God himself: you…

Sin without repentance brings the second death (Revelation 20:14), that is, mors sine morte, Bernard, a death always dying. Sin's pleasure will turn to sorrow at last; like the book the prophet did eat (Ezekiel 3:3), sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the belly. Sin brings the wr…

Is God our paradise of delight? Our Segullah, or chief treasure? Are our hearts so chained to God, that no other object can enchant us or draw us away from him? 3. Have we had the elevation of the Spirit? Has it raised our hearts above the world? (Ezekiel 3:14). The Spirit lifte…

This was a most discomfortable thing unto him as could be, yet this has been the case and lot of many holy Prophets: Isaiah must go and preach unto them, and yet his doctrine must harden their hearts, that they may not be saved, Isaiah 6:10. And Ezekiel must go and speak, and ye…

And Timothy, though he were a Disciple (Acts 16:1) and well learned: yet Paul charges him to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine, 1 Timothy 4:13. And Ezekiel is commanded to eat the roll, and to fill his belly with it, Ezekiel 3:3: And Saint John likewise…

Did he ever move you to go aside into the closet, that you might be solitary and serious, and consider of your condition? Usually at our first call we are moved to go aside, that God and we may confer in private; as (Hosea 2:14) God calls into the wilderness, that he may speak t…

And it is not sufficient now and then to make a discourse upon a text. Thirdly, ministers of the word must be watchmen (Ezekiel 3:14), and (Hebrews 13:17): their office is not only to gain and call men to God, but also to preserve and keep them in Christ, which are already calle…

And in this sense it is said, that Jeremiah was set as a defended city, and iron pillar, and walls of brass against the kings of Judah, against the princes, and against all the people (Jeremiah 1:18). Ezekiel also had his forehead made as hard as the adamant, which is much harde…

After thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath, against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. The reason given why the house of Israel would not obey God, was that they were hard-hearted, Ezekiel 3:7. But the house of Israe…

EXPLICAT. IV. The respect and estimation here required, is civil, the motive sacred; honor and reverence is due only to eminency in some kind or other; prelation is God's stamp upon any person, this is given to Pastors, by their employment; proved by their titles; they are calle…

1. What the Church is: it is a city, wherein there is order, and a common fellowship, as has been said, verse 2. 2. The ministers' office is here implied: this city has watchmen; so are ministers called (Ezekiel 3:17; Isaiah 62:6; Hebrews 13:17). Which word imports, 1. That the…

4. A lawfully-called ministry, or watchmen peculiarly designed for that end, are the great means Christ has appointed for preventing the hurt, and promoting the good and edification of his Church (Ephesians 2:12-13). They are as the sentinels, which he has set on the walls for g…

There are many other duties necessary to the right discharge of the ministerial function, but these already mentioned shall suffice; and all others may be reduced to some of these. I shall therefore conclude this with my earnest request, that you would ever seriously meditate up…

To others he speaks more audibly, where the Gospel does sound in their ears, and with the Scriptures God sends his ministers to preach to them. God speaks by his ministers, who are his watchmen, in his name to warn the people of his judgments temporal and eternal, which in the S…

Worldly pleasures perish in the using; like a flying shadow, or flash of lightning; and are these to be preferred before an eternal weight of glory? 4. The present sweetness which is in sin will turn to bitterness at last, like the book the prophet ate (Ezekiel 3:3): sweet in th…

We watch for your souls (says the Apostle) as they that must give an account (Hebrews 13:7). If these servants be unfaithful in their work and trust, the blood of souls shall be required at their hands (Ezekiel 3:17-18), which are fulmina, non verba (says Erasmus) thunder-bolts,…

But the Brasilians and millions of that kind are not the called of God. A remedying Law we acknowledge in the new Covenant; but it is remedying to clear the justice of God, and to make these within the visible Church the refusers of the Gospel more inexcusable than Sodome (Matth…

Unbelievers are men who cannot be persuaded; the Gospel leaves as little impression on the heart as a ship on the Sea, or an Eagle in the Air, where the light of faith leaves not a spiritual capacity for receiving the impressions of the Spirit of grace, and where unbelief reigns…

2 Corinthians 5:19. Knowing therefore the terrours of the LORD, we perswade men. Ezek. 3. 19. Yet if you warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you hast delivered your soul. LONDON, Printed by Tho.

For every parent is made a watchman over his child. If a watchman does not what he can to hinder the sin of such as are under his charge, he pulls their blood on his own neck (Ezekiel 3:18). What do they then that being watchmen, minister occasion of sin to them that are under t…

3. The Spirit of God will direct you. There are certain times when God has business with you alone; when he does (as it were) speak to you, as to the prophet in another case (Ezekiel 3:22): "Go forth into the plain, in the desert, and there I will talk with you": so, get you to…

We cannot of our selves think a good thought, 2 Corinthians 3:5. but the Spirit elevates and fixeth the heart on God. Ezekiel 3:14. The Spirit lifted me up.

Some are silenced by authority and opposition of men, a dispensation God often permits for despising the truth, and playing the wantons with an opportunity of open profession, when men dally with the light; God removes their candlestick and the door is shut upon them. 2. They ma…

But yet more particularly, we may be guilty of other men's sin, 1. As occasions (if not causes) of it, before. 2. As partakers with them, when. 3. As accessories, after it is committed. 1. In being occasioners of it before, when it may more than probably be said, such sins had n…

Sometimes a nation is called by that name. So it is said in Ezekiel 3:1, Speak to the House of Israel. And thus, every man should labor to promote the service of God in the nation which he belongs to.

If I had not come and spoken to them, they had [illegible] no sin; but now they have no cloak for their [illegible]. (Ezekiel 3:11). Whether they [illegible] hear, or whether they will forbear, yet this they shall know there [illegible] been a prophet among them.

[illegible] there is no man that is duly qualified for the work of Christ in the Gospel, who has not his heart affected with the frequent consideration of this; who does not often think with himself, God has put these souls under my watch, and made it my duty to give them faithf…

1 Samuel 3:13: I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knows; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not; and when it is thus, our sin is nothing the less, yes, we become accessories. God had appointed the sinner to perish; and yet see w…

He who lets another sin, and holds his peace, is a man-slayer. That sentinel deserves death, who sees the enemy approaching and gives not warning (Ezekiel 3:20). Fifth, such as poison souls with error; how dangerous is the leprosy of the head!

(6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh and the Egyptians would do. 13. There is a wicked hardening of the heart, when men make the Lord his word and mi…

Indeed all the Ministers and Apostles, and Prophets had sinned in not prophesying to the Philistines, Syrians, Persians, Bithynia, Samaria; whereas the Apostles (Matthew 10:5; Acts 16:6) were forbidden to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, to Asia. And it were strange to say Eze…

When the Prophet Elijah stretched himself upon the dead Child it revived 1 Kings 17:22. so God's Spirit stretching itself upon the soul infuses life into it. As our life, so our liveliness is from the spirit's operation, Ezekiel 3:14. The Spirit lifted me up. When the heart is b…

He says, turn yourselves and live you. And if the wicked be warned from his wicked way, he shall save his life (Ezekiel 3:18 and 18:32). Heaven is promised to returning sinners.

In fact, I think I may say, that if what they saw in me did hinder them, it was my great tenderness in sinning against God, or of doing any wrong to my neighbor. Charity: Indeed, Cain hated his brother, because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous (1 John 3:12);…

Your hearers will putrefy and corrupt, by hearing such doctrines only, as never search. When the Lord inflicted a grievous curse upon the people (Ezekiel 3:26), the Lord made Ezekiel dumb that he should not be a reprover to them; What was the lamentation of Jeremiah? Your prophe…

In this sense (Matthew 9:13) and (1 Timothy 1:15), Christ came to save sinners; otherwise, all the house of Israel are lost (Jeremiah 50:6). My people have been lost sheep (Ezekiel 3:4); neither have you sought that which was lost. Nor is this to be meant of the lost considered,…

This reason does Saint Paul allege, where he advises Titus to reprove the Cretians sharply; for he adds this clause, that they may be sound in the faith (Titus 1:13). If those sinners themselves, whose estate is so laid forth, be obstinate, and will not thereby be any whit moved…

Whereupon the Apostle says, If a man desires the office of a Bishop, he desires a good work (1 Timothy 3:1). A work it is, and requires pains and diligence: for which end they are called Workmen, Laborers, Watchmen, Shepherds, Servants, Ministers, Stewards, etc. (2 Timothy 2:15;…

XXIII. Finally, by way of supreme contempt they are called by the Hebrew term signifying "filth, dung, wallowing-places:": Ezekiel 23:3, "He committed fornication with them to defile himself," with dunghill-gods. Leviticus 26:30; Deuteronomy 16; the term signifies "dung;": Job 2…

Now the Lord takes the strength of bread and of water away two ways: first, when he takes them from us altogether; or else when he takes away their strength to nourish us. For if God inspires not a secret virtue into them, they can profit us nothing at all, though we should have…

Woe be to you Chorazin, woe be to you Bethsaida, for if the great works that have been done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon they would long before this day have repented in sackcloth and ashes (Matthew 11:21). Indeed he affirms (Ezekiel 4:6) if he had sent Ezekiel to a st…

Hence it was, that he spared the old world 120 years (1 Peter 3:19). He spared the Israelites, after their idolatry, 390 years (Ezekiel 4:5). Besides this, we have example of the lowliness and long-suffering of Christ, who says (Matthew 11:29), Learne of me, for I am humble and…

(It is evident that the Holy Spirit in those expressions in Psalm 19:4-6, has respect to something else besides the natural sun; and that an eye is had to the Sun of Righteousness, that by his light converts the soul, makes wise the simple, enlightens the eyes, and rejoices the…

He is burdened with mens sins, and desires to bring punishments upon them; as a man under a great burden desires to be eased; In Isaiah 1. Oh! I will ease me of mine Adversaries. And in Ezekiel 5:13. you shall find there that God in threatning of wrath says, that he would do thu…

In Deuteronomy 28:63, As the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good, so the Lord will rejoice over you for evil. And in Ezekiel 5:13, Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted. (It's a very strange expression.)

There were ninety and six Pomegranats[[original in non-Latin script]] towards a Wind, that is, on the one side of the Chapiter that was above the Pillars in the Temple. Ezek. 5. 12. I will scatter a third part [[original in non-Latin script]] to all the Winds, or all Parts of th…

Sins last act is always Tragical. How evil a thing is sin, that not only brings a people low, but it makes God delight in bringing them low, Ezekiel 5.13. I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted.

I will wash mine hands in innocency, so will I compass your Altar, O Lord (Psalm 26:6). And the Lord threatens Idolaters, I will scatter your bones round about your Altars (Ezekiel 6:4, 5). Yes, their Altars stood usually without the Temple, it being both a troublesome, unseemly…

Here Christ makes the lilies and hearbes of the field a schoolmaster unto man, yea to his own disciples (for he spake to them.) And this he dos for speciall causes. First, to teach them and us, that the silie creatures in the field doe in their kind yeild more obedience unto God…

God does not only expect that his ministers and priests should weep between the porch and the altar, when sore judgements are upon his land, as (Joel 2:17), but also that the people should weep too, that the bridegroom should go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her clo…

Certain it is, he that is not willing to be convinced, and to give way to the authority of the truth made known, and to submit thereto, is led with his own lusts, and is a servant of sin to this very day. He who has his [illegible] pierced through, and is truly affected with his…

It is a wearying of God, (Isaiah 7:13).—5. It is a breaking the heart of God, (Ezekiel 6:9). I am broken with your whorish heart; as a loving husband is with the unchast carriage of his wife.—6.

How should we come to him? Come to him mourning and loathing yourselves for your long continuance in refusing of him (Jeremiah 31:9; Ezekiel 6:9). Come mourning for all your sins, but especially for this, that you have slighted him and not sought him, shed his blood, rent his bo…

Secondly, if I be so far humbled, as to come off with self-loathing, that my heart is broken, because I have broken God's heart; this is humiliation enough to find pardon. It is a notable place, that of Ezekiel 6:9. these are they to whom God will show mercy, they shall loathe t…

Our people don't so much need to have their heads stored, as to have their hearts touched; and they stand in the greatest need of that sort of preaching, that has the greatest tendency to do this. Those texts in Isaiah 58:1 — 'Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trum…

1. Contrition, or brokenness of heart. Ezekiel 7:16. They shall be like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning every one for his iniquity. This contrition or rending of the heart, is expressed, sometimes by smiting on the breast (Luke 18:13), sometimes by plucking off the ha…

2. Another thing in this repentance, which is a fruit of a lively faith, is sorrow for sin; the Scripture abundantly makes mention of this; and often sets it forth in very high expressions. See (Ezekiel 7:16), where true repentance is, there is a mourning for sin — All of them m…

'Tis soul ingratitude to turn our mercies into a provocation, to make a calf of our earings, and to serve our lusts of God's providence, as he said of Adam, that what he received [in non-Latin alphabet] a rib he returned [in non-Latin alphabet] a dart, alluding to his fall by Ev…

It is enough for us that we find in the Jewish Church, some Elders joined with the Priests, and employed in things ecclesiastical. The Elders and Priests are joined together both in the New Testament, as (Matthew 26:59) the chief Priests and Elders; so in other places before cit…

And Nadab and Abihu no question they thought it no great matter to go and offer strange fire, and it has not been forbidden in God's Word, this fire; but it was a great matter before God, for God came with fire from heaven to destroy them. Hence it is that God in his Word would…

Who knows what a morning may bring forth? Ezekiel 7:5, 6, 7. Thus says the Lord God, An evil, an only evil, behold, is come. An end is come, the end is come, it watches for you, behold, it is come.

That the apprehension of an evil presently coming, that terrifies the soul. You have a notable text for that in (Ezekiel 7:6). An end is come, the end is come; and then in the next words, Behold, it is come again.

Certainly this notes that God aimed at more by the land of Canaan than merely to possess them of so much ground. Further, yet there are divers titles that are given to this land; it is called a holy land in (Zechariah 2:12), and it is called a good land in (Numbers 14:7), that w…

It is the disposition of gospel-penitents to mourn every family apart, husbands and wives apart (Zechariah 12:11-12). And of gracious souls, to be like doves of the valleys, every one mourning for his iniquity (Ezekiel 7:16). There must be joint prayers and separated prayers tog…

And this rending implies, not only acute pain; flesh cannot be rent asunder without anguish; nor yet only force and violence; the heart is a stubborn and knotty piece and will not easily yield, but it also implies a disunion of parts united: as when a garment, or the earth, or a…

The Husbandman does not presently cut down the tree because it puts not forth as soon as other trees do, but waits as long as there is any hope, and then cuts it down. Thus does God wait upon barren dead-hearted persons, from Sabbath to Sabbath, and from year to year; for the Lo…

9. It would be observed that influences of the Spirit are contempered with the actings of grace, with which they concur; the spirit of adoption acts in the grammar of prayer, to cry Abba Father; and he comes down to the language of children learning to speak, and to say Abba; an…

11. The Ornament of God, Ezek. 7:20 12.

All things friendly and beneficial to them, Friends helpful, Enemies helpful, every thing conspiring and conducing to their happiness. With others it is not so; nothing works for their good; in fact, every thing works against it: Their very mercies are snares, and their Prosperi…

If God be angry, whose fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him (Nahum 1:6), can a wedge of gold be a screen to keep off this fire? Ezekiel 7:19: They shall cast their silver in the streets; their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them…

While we carry the fire of sin about us, we must carry the water of tears to quench it. Ezekiel 7:16. They are not blessed (says Chrysostom) who mourn for the dead, but who mourn for sin.

Christ's doves weep. Ezekiel 7:16: They that escape shall be like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity. There are several divine motives to holy mourning.

So likewise, though God commanded the burnt offerings, the new moons, etc., yet he asks the Jews, "Who required these things?" (Isaiah 1:12), because it was not the conscience of God's commandment that moved them to perform those services. And again, "Have you fasted to me, to m…

When the dumb creatures melt as wax and vanish away at his presence when he is angry, as the huge mountains and rocks do, frail man must never look to stand. If the roaring of a lion makes men afraid and the voice of thunder is terrible, oh, how exceedingly should all be astonis…

This is to be the right seed of Adam, to love the forbidden fruit, to love to drink of stolen waters. (Ezekiel 8:8-9) Son of Man, dig in the wall; and when I had dug, behold a door; and he said, Go in and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. Could we, as the prophet…

The placing it also at the East end of the Church, is superstitious. This was the custom of those idolaters (Ezekiel 8:16); they worshiped the Sun, with their faces towards the East. And it is a symbolizing also with the Papists.

Whether these were real chariots or images of chariots is uncertain. But it is certain that, beyond this dedication of horses, they worshipped the Sun directly and immediately (Ezekiel 8:16): "They worshipped the sun toward the east." That this was a most ancient solar cult, we…

Now let us see what particulars are forbidden, and what commanded. First, we see forbidden in the first part, the making of images to liken God, or to worship him, whether graven or painted (Romans 4:12; Ezekiel 8:10; John 5:21). No image of God must be made, because he is a Spi…

Oh then, do you perform chamber and closet duties? They had their [Divos penetrales, or Penates] their household gods, and closet images, they had their [opertanea, and tenebrosa sacra] their covered, veiled, and mysterious exercises in secret places: and the Jews borrowed sever…

Quest. If it be asked why the Lord makes mention of idols, seeing the Jews professed to worship but one God: I answer, Ans. they were already so corrupted by too much familiarity with the Gentiles, and had so defiled themselves with superstitions, that God was in a manner utterl…

Now for the other word expressing his favor to the righteous, by the openness of his ear, the opposition in the other needed not, for either the wicked pray not, or if they do, it is indeed no prayer, the Lord does not account nor receive it as such; and if his face be set again…

And indeed it is a general rule given by Christ himself, that he who does evil hates the light, because his deeds are evil, and he cannot endure that they should be manifested, for then they would be reproved by the light (John 3:19-20). The abominations of the Ancients of Israe…

That God will execute the fierceness of his anger implies that he will inflict wrath without any pity: when God beholds the ineffable extremity of your case, and sees your torment to be so vastly disproportioned to your strength, and sees how your poor soul is crushed and sinks…

Whether there be any among us that dare to say it in words, may be questioned; but there are too many whose practices declare them to be directed by these false principles, this is too evident. And indeed, that is the root of all wickedness that is committed among professors: Go…

(5.) Infants are debarred from Covenant-calling and gathering in under the wings of Christ: contrary to Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 23:37, Psalm 147:19-20, and excluded from God's Covenant-choice: contrary to Deuteronomy 7:6-9, 13-14, Deuteronomy 10:15, and left being heirs of wra…

But a godly man dares not sin secretly: 1 he knows that God sees in secret, Psalm 44:21. as God cannot be deceived by our subtlety, so he cannot be excluded by our secrecy. 2 A godly man knows that secret sins are in some sense worse than others: they discover more guile and Ath…

For I am sore ashamed, to speak any more of their ribaldry, and detestable deeds, that they do secretly Ephesians 7. And if any man might see through the walls their secrets and privities, as in times past, the Lord did reveal unto his holy prophet, Ezekiel 8 he should see horri…

Again, the sinner lessens God, and brings him low in the thoughts of others. Ezekiel 8.12. They say, the Lord sees us not, the Lord has forsaken the earth.

Good men have a peculiar interest in God's power; hence he is called the strength of Israel, and the mighty one of Israel. If we do what God requires of us, we may expect that he will put forth his power, and exert his arm for us; but if we disobey, we must expect he will manife…

That GOD will execute the Fierceness of his Anger, implies, that he will inflict Wrath without any Pity: When GOD beholds the ineffable Extremity of your Case, and sees your Torment to be so vastly disproportioned to your Strength, and sees how your poor Soul is crushed and sink…

Micah 3:11: the Lord is among us, no evil can betide us, and therefore they steal, judge for reward, wrong the innocent; there is no danger. Reas. 2. From the secret atheism and hypocrisy that is in the heart of vain man, who thinks God takes no notice of their wickedness, but i…

The truth is, there is aliquid dementiae, a tincture of madness in all idolatry, from where the Scripture testifies that men are mad upon their idols, but yet we do not find that these Danites though resolved upon false worship, were so mad as to entertain such vain thoughts as…

Thus was it ever. When God proceeds in judgment against Jerusalem, for the sins thereof: he marks the godly in their foreheads; namely, such as mourn and cry for the abominations which are done against God, Ezekiel 9:4. When Sodom must be destroyed, righteous Lot and his family,…

2 Peter 2:7: Lot was vexed, and his righteous heart was vexed with the unclean conversation of the Sodomites from day to day: so ought our souls to be vexed and grieved continually at the wickedness of our time: and we are to send up our prayers to God for unbelieving and unrepe…

For when a man does not so, all the angels of God are his enemies, and at all times ready to execute God's vengeance upon him: but when men carry themselves as dutiful children to God, they have this prerogative that God's holy angels do watch about them, and defend them day and…

I answer, 1. Not godly sorrow, and complaining to God, and bewailing the corruptions of the times: no, the mourners in Zion are marked for preservation (Ezekiel 9). None are better friends to public interest; 'twere well if these doves of the valleys had more company; this is no…

And (Jeremiah 23:15): From the Prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone out into all the Land. 2. Judgement begins at them (Ezekiel 9:6): Slay utterly old and young, and begin at my sanctuary. 3. The refining work of Reformation begins or ought to begin at the purging and refin…

He is more desirous to hear of the preservation and welfare of a few righteous, than of the just punishment of the wicked wherein his justice is gloriously interested. The man clothed with linen, that was to mark the mourners, returned to God and gave an account that he had done…

3. Of the same kind in its measure, is unaffectedness with the sins of others, among whom we live, or in whom we are concerned. To mourn for the sins of others, is a duty highly approved of God (Ezekiel 9). It argues the effectual working of many graces, as zeal for the glory of…

2 Peter 2:7. Lot was vexed, and his righteous heart was grieved, with the unclean conversation of the Sodomites from day to day: so ought our souls to be vexed and grieved continually, at the wickedness of our time: and further, in this grief we are to send up our prayers to God…

2. God rewards secret prayer openly, by discriminating providences in a common calamity: God usually takes them into the chambers of his protection that retired themselves into chambers of devotion: They that enjoy most of God, shall be best secured by God: (Psalm 91:1) He that…

It was the manner of Paul to abase himself, and to mourn for the sins of others (2 Corinthians 12:24), and he reproves the Corinthians that they were puffed up, and did not mourn for the incestuous person. Like was the practice of David (Psalm 119:136), of Lot (2 Peter 2:7), of…

Or upon malefactors, as a hole in the ear, an F in the forehead, a brand in the hand. Or such a mark, as some think, was set upon Cain (Genesis 4:15), or the mark of God (Ezekiel 9:4), or of the beast (Revelation 16:[illegible]). The marks of Christ are of two sorts, either inwa…

The Seals of Princes were the distinguishing Marks of Princes: And thus God's Seal is spoken of as God's Mark. Revelation 7. 3. Hurt not the Earth, neither the Sea, or the Trees, 'till we have sealed the Servants of our God in their Foreheads; together with Ezekiel 9. 4. Set a M…

So David (Psalm 119:136): Mine eyes run down with water, because men keep not your law. Ezekiel 9:4. And lastly, though you see some men sad and melancholy, yet think not ill of the ways of God, because this way of all others does most invite to joy and gladness in the Lord.

It is used both for Quantity and Quality; much in quantity, or plenteous, abundant, and in Quality, that is, precious, excellent. And it is applied in a good and bad sense; so it is said of our sins, Ezekiel 9:6. our sins are increased or multiplied, or are great; many in number…

Mourn, London, mourn, put on sackcloth, you see in part what an evil thing and a bitter it is, to offend a holy and jealous God; the effects of sin here are fearful sometimes, what evil is there in sin then which is the cause of your ruins. God looks now that the sinners of Lond…

4. Such as would be found mourners for the sins of the age, place, and time wherein they live, with the consequents of them, in the dishonor of God, and the judgments which will ensue thereon. There are times wherein this is an especial and eminent duty, which God does highly ap…

Thirdly, let us greatly lament the folly and wickedness of those who speak against Christ and his holy religion, and if we can do anything, have compassion upon them, and help to undeceive them, and rectify their mistakes. Surely this is one of the abominations committed among u…

So evidently in this sense the servants of God are said to be sealed, Revelation 7:4 — marked with God's mark as his peculiar ones. This sealing answers to the setting of a mark in Ezekiel 9. Believers are sealed when they are marked for God, to be heirs of the purchased inherit…

If he hate sin all the world over, where its nearest him he hates it most, and testifies his hatred of it; will not endure it in his presence: as cleanly neat persons, cannot well look upon any thing that is nasty, much less will they suffer it come near them, or touch them, and…

And besides this, he has his Book of Remembrance, where he sets them down; are they not in your Book? Especially God writes down such Tears as are shed for the sins of the times, Ezekiel 9:2. One was clothed with linnen; with a writers Inkhorn by his side: this was to write down…

But as we should not be conformed to this world at large, so not to any part of it. Is there any sin by which the land is defiled (for which the land mourns) and is ready to spit out the inhabitants thereof for it (Leviticus 18:27-28), take heed you be not found guilty; but be o…

Upon this ground it is that they let loose themselves in the fearless pursuit of [illegible] loathsome abominations. Then said he to me — the Angel of the Lord of Hosts — the iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, the land is full of blood, and the city fu…

Not only when God's people do walk closely with him, have they more observable and admirable deliverances conferred upon them; and when they highly provoke him, do they meet with more stupendous visitations, and come down wonderfully; but this is oftentimes apparent in particula…

Though success be a great encouragement in duty, yet that which firstly ought to engage the conscience of one that fears God, is that it is his will. Duty is our part, success is his, we may desire it, and ought to pray for it; but when we have done all, we must leave it with hi…

(1) What if there be no God? (Psalm 14:1). (2) What if God see not? (Ezekiel 9:9). (3) What if man perish as the beasts? (Ecclesiastes 3:19).

Could we in silence believe it is Christ with two garments on him at once, Christ clothed with love, wrapped in the unseen mystery of tenderness of compassion, and yet his upper garment is vengeance, and rolled in blood, we should kiss the edge of Christ's bloody sword; so we ar…

Eli honored his sons more than God, suffered them to profane the priesthood and sacrifices; justice rooted out his sons from the priesthood and sacrifices: Hezekiah out of his pride showed all his treasures, and all that was in his house to the king of Babylon's messengers; and…

You say, if the mourning of God's people in a land, be the mourning of a whole land, how is it then, that they prevail not with God sometimes to save the land, for which they do mourn, but sometimes the land perishes, and only themselves preserved? As (Ezekiel 9:4): Set a mark o…

Note the histories of the Jews under idolatrous and wicked kings, and under religious and good kings; God being forsaken by them, brought many calamities upon them: but being loved of these, delivered them from many which their enemies intended against them. Indeed, when general…

Secondly, where you can do no good, there mourn: beg of God to give you a spirit of mourning for all the sins of the land. We find this spirit to have been eminent in good David (Psalm 119:136, 158), and it is that, which (if it tend not to the prevention of public calamity, yet…

Contrariwise, the true Christian is so far out of the reach of God's judgments that they cannot hurt him: Christ is a covering and a cloud against the heat and tempest of God's judgments, and when a man's heart is sprinkled with the blood of this immaculate Lamb, all the plagues…

God who bounds every thing else, is himself without bounds: He sets bounds to the sea, Huc usque, Here you shall come and no further. He sets bounds to the angels, they like the Cherubims move and stand at his appointment (Ezekiel 10:16), but he is infinite, without bounds. He w…

No doubt but this sin of slighting the Gospel is a prime sin, which has provoked God against London, to come forth in such fury; and if London does not repent the sooner, and labor to recover its relish and esteem for the Gospel, and make more evident demonstrations of it, I fea…

Jeremiah 17:10. He is like Ezekiels wheels, full of eyes, Ezekiel 10:12. and as Cyril says,, all Eye. Should not this make us walk with fear and circumspection? we cannot sin but our Judge looks on.

When God smites upon our back, we must smite upon our thigh (Jeremiah 31:19). When God seems to stand upon the threshold of the temple, as if he were ready to take his wings and fly, then is a time to lie weeping between the porch and the altar (Ezekiel 10:4). If the Lord seems…

5 Not to love is very fatal; the differences among God's people, portend ruin: all mischiefs come in at this gap of division, Matthew 12. 25. Animosities among Saints, may make God leave his Temple, Ezekiel 10. 4. The glory of the Lord, went up from the Cherub, and stood upon th…

No duty is more frequently commanded than this is, nor any grace more frequently promised. See Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 24:7; Ezekiel 11:19; Chapter 36:26, 27. For it is the foundation of all other duties of obedience, and of all communion with God in them.

It's very observable that some note of the counsel of Achitophel, and the counsel of Hushai: the counsel of Achitophel, the truth is, if we examine it, it was the wiser counsel of both, and Absalom loved Achitophel exceedingly, and his counsel was ordinarily accounted as the ora…

In the meanwhile, as these things are being transacted between God and the sinful soul through the word, God Himself, in His infinite mercy in Jesus Christ, when and how He wills, by a manner altogether ineffable yet powerful and effective, through His most holy Spirit, bestows…

1. It's clear from these places of Scripture, where there is an express distinction and difference put between the outward ministry of the word, and this inward, powerful, efficacious work of grace on the heart, and wherein the great weight of conversion is laid on this inward w…

Now this he could not do: for Christ out of deliberation, and his Father's eternal counsel, absolutely, gratis, freely died for these; he died not for those, that he foresaw would never fulfill the condition, nunquam positâ conditione, nunquam ponitur conditionatum. 6. Christ bo…

when the Prophets would say, will you destroy even the remnants to utter destruction? And that comes to pass through the ambiguity or doubtfulness of the Hebrew word (Isaiah 10:22; 28:22; Ezekiel 11:13). For seeing the word Chalah may signify as well to end and finish, as to con…

Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, but exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. And that great work of God in conversion, which consi…

Joel. 2. 28. Ezek. 11. 19. Chap. 36. 27. with other places innumerable.

Besides, it is such an avowed and owned Principle among all that are called Christians, namely, That the Holy Ghost is the Sanctifier of all God's Elect; that as it is not questioned, so it need not in general be further proved; Those who are less experienced in these things may…

The Emperour Aurelian when he was ready to subscribe the Edict for the persecution of the Christians, was suddenly crampt in his Knuckles, that he could not write. Mr. Greenhill in his Exposition upon Ezekiel 11:13 tells his Auditory, that there was one then present in the Congr…

Now surely they do not disannul that Covenant, if they are righteous according to the tenor of it, and unless they are so, they say the Messiah will not come, that is, the New Covenant shall not be made, unless by them it be first made needless. Again, the nature of the Covenant…

No doubt but this sin of slighting the Gospel is a prime sin, which has provoked God against London, to come forth in such fury; and if London does not repent the sooner, and labor to recover its relish and esteem for the Gospel, and make more evident demonstrations of it, I fea…

8. Divis. Some influences of Christ are fundamental, and simply necessary, and principally promised; some not fundamental, and less necessary. 1. The influences by which the Lord gives a circumcised (Deut. 30:6), an one and single (Ezek. 11:19, 20), a soft and a new heart and sp…

Ass. 3. It must be holden that duty as duty is a moral motive we are to be led withal, and we to look with fear and trembling to the command, whatever withdrawing of the Spirit or of his influences there be. It is true, what promises of a richer dispensation of grace are made in…

2. Our guiltiness that appears is evident, in our addition which we make to original and natural malice; for acquired depravity meets with natural and original corruption, like two floods to make a sea or a great river; or as when a man forces a wound to bleed, which of itself w…

1. Because the places which speak of our natural inability prove the contrary. Now if the natural man cannot know nor discern the things of God, but judges them foolishness (1 Corinthians 2:13, 14), if his wisdom be enmity against God, and is neither subject to the Law of God, n…

2. It is a fixed quality different from a spiritual disposition, as (Psalms 57:7) "My heart is fixed or disposed, O God, or prepared"; but his heart was not ever and always fixed and prepared to praise, though he had ever the habit and seed of God in him after his conversion. 3.…

If God first, before we stir and bow our souls, as ethical, moral, knowing, and considering causes, must move, stir and determine our souls to good, then are all influences of grace above our reach absolutely, and then farewell free-will; there is no necessity of the one connexi…

And you has be quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins (John 5:25). The man is a passive subject under a creating power (2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 2:10; Ezekiel 36:26; Ezekiel 11:19; Zechariah 12:10). Yes, if adversaries of grace yield an infusion of a new grace, and…

Unless he fall as dew and showers on our dry and barren hearts, unless he causes our graces to spring, thrive and bring forth fruit, unless he revive and increase faith, love and holiness in our souls, our backslidings will not be healed, nor our spiritual state be recovered. To…

Now the Spirit, as unto us, a Spirit of grace, holiness and consolation, is of the purchase of Christ. It is upon the matter, the great promise of the new covenant (Ezekiel 11:19). I will put a new Spirit within you: So also (chapter 36, verse 27; Jeremiah 32:39-40) and in sundr…

We are [in non-Latin alphabet], we have communion with it; that [in non-Latin alphabet] is no more but [in non-Latin alphabet], I cannot easily consent. Now it is in the person of the Spirit whereof we are by the promise made partakers: he is the Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:1…

The mistakes of others in this business. The Spirit is promised believers for this work (Ezekiel 11:19; chapter 36:26). All that we receive from Christ is by the Spirit.

1. I mean thus, That in the work of conversion God does all. (Ezekiel 11:19) I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and I will give them a heart of flesh. The benefit of a tender sanctified heart is…

Now to act contrary to the will and statutes of God, is to act contrary to God himself; as may be seen by comparing Leviticus 26:14-15 with 26:21, 23, 27, and many other places. David in fulfilling the will of God, was said to be a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), and the…

Was it not so with David, when in the [illegible] of the shadow of death (Psalm [illegible]) and the Prophet, when the fig tree did not blossom, etc. (Habakkuk 3:17, 18)? Yes, he can take away the ordinances themselves from them, which are the ordinary way of their communion wit…

Therefore it is said, God first turns from darkness, and then to light (Acts 26:18). He takes away the heart of stone before he gives a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19). This is the influence of light and virtue into the mind and will, by the receiving of which they may be elevated and…

When the bird has wings given to it, it can fly. Though the soul of itself is unable to do what is good, yet having two wings given to it — the wing of faith and the wing of the Spirit — it now flies swiftly in obedience (Ezekiel 11:1). The heart is lifted heavenward in prayer w…

3. THESIS. God both foretels and promises in his word, and that more particularly of the days of the Gospel, to give one heart and one way to his people; and as there shall be one Lord, so his name shall be one, and that they shall all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve hi…

(2.) The second covenant which promises only blessings is made rather with beasts, that well fed, than with men, contrary to (Psalm 73:25; Isaiah 57:1-3; Psalm 37:37), and it must build some chamber in hell where the fathers were before Christ — a dream unknown to Scripture. The…

(4.) The same Covenant made with Abraham is made with the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 6:16): I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Which is prophesied of the Gentiles under the New Testament in Ezekiel 11:17-20, Ezekiel 34:23-25, Jeremiah 31:31-36, Jeremiah 32:36-40,…

(Verse 39) I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever; for the good of them and of their children after them. See the same order (Ezekiel 11:19-20), though the words lie not in that order there and here. And (Hebrews 8:10) 5. God is not then a God to…

6. (Jeremiah 31:[reconstructed: 38]) Behold the days will come, says the Lord, that the City shall be built to the Lord, etc. There is a promise of spiritual right in Christ made to the blessings of this life, to these that are personal Covenanters; as (Jeremiah 32:41; Ezekiel 1…

Therefore Adam in his pure naturals, as not yet endowed with the Image of God, cannot be the party with whom the Covenant of Works is made, for then the Image of God must either be a reward, which Adam by his pure naturals and strength thereof must purchase by working, which the…

2. These influences were free gifts, but not promised. 3. They seem to be ordinis naturalis, natural, though they did bow and previously incline the will, but not so in the New Testament, for the whole Covenant is called by the promise of the giving of a new heart (Hebrews 8:10)…

The Lord speaks often of the Covenant of Grace not so much as preached, qua foedus ennunciatum (though it so also must be preached) but as fulfilled by God, and acted in an effectual powerful way, upon the hearts of the elect only, and that according to the Lord's decree of elec…

Yet may it be disputable to some, whether grace by which one is effectually drawn to Christ, rather than another, be the grace of predestination continued and so before Christ's death, or a fruit of Christ's death and so after. But it may well be said that every created saving g…

The Temple is a type of Christ, yet it is burnt with fire, and the sanctuary profaned. And the Lord required a sort of slowness of motion of the heart toward these, and would have his people in their exile resting upon this (Ezekiel 11:16): Therefore say, thus says the Lord God,…

Argument 1. What argument does prove that there is a people in Covenant with God, who call the Lord their God (as in Zechariah 13:9; Jeremiah 32:38; Isaiah 25:9), the same shall prove Christ to be in Covenant with God: as whoever can say, 'he is my God,' must be in Covenant with…

2. It is necessary that the promises that are our writs and charters of heaven be in a surer hand than in our own, to wit, in the keeping of Christ: for this is an absolute promise made to us (Ezekiel 36:26), "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within…

Unless he falls as dew and showers on our dry and barren hearts, unless he causes our graces to spring, thrive, and bring forth fruit, unless he revives and increases faith, love, and holiness in our souls, our backslidings will not be healed, nor our spiritual state recovered.…

But the chief profit toward the faithful is to be considered: in whom as the Lord works all things by his Spirit, so he leaves not the instruments of his word, and uses the same not without effect. Let this therefore stand which is true, that all the strength of the godly rests…

If there were such necessity of, and efficacy in, those means as we think, he would not withhold them. Think we not that God is in place of all means to his people, abundantly supplying them with the presence of his Spirit — who, as he was a little sanctuary to his people when t…

First, what is meant by thoughts, especially as they are the intended subject of this discourse, which in so vast an argument I must necessarily set limits to: 1. By thoughts, the Scriptures do comprehend all the internal acts of the mind of man, of what faculty soever, all thos…

Does God take away from them, whom he effectually calls, the heart of stone, and give to them a heart of flesh, renewing their wills, and by his almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ? Yes. (Ezekiel 36:26; Ezekiel 11:…

By what reasons are they confuted? (1) Because all the children of God are kept through faith to salvation (1 Peter 1:5). (2) Because Christ has prayed for the perseverance of all believers (John 17:20; John 11:26), and all those who are adopted are the children of God by faith…

(10) Because to all and every one the grace of regeneration, which is simply necessary to salvation, is not offered; neither do all and every one get remission and pardon of their sins (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Deuteronomy 29:4; Matthew 11:25, 28; Matthew 13:11). (11) Bec…

By what reasons are they confuted? (1) Because the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 8:7, 9). (2) Because all that the natural ma…

Q. 3. Can we do this of ourselves? No, it is a special gift and grace of God, which he bestows on whom he pleases (Leviticus 20:8; Deuteronomy 30:6; Ezekiel 11:19, 20; 2 Timothy 2:25; Acts 11:18). Q. 4. Wherein does the being of true Repentance consist, without which it is not a…

Q 3. Can we do this of ourselves? A. No, it is a special gift and grace of God, which he bestows on whom he pleases, Leviticus 20. 8. Deuteronomy 30:6. Ezekiel 11:19, 20. 2 Timothy 2:25. Acts 11. 18. Q. 4. Wherein does the being of true repentance consist, without which it is no…

The word for care, [illegible], comes from a primitive in the Greek, that signifies to cut the heart in pieces. Care does discruciate the mind, waste the spirits: no such bitter bread as the bread of carefulness (Ezekiel 12:19). Care is a spiritual canker which eats out the comf…

[reconstructed: Care to prevent future dangers and preserve present comfort] — all care is full of fear, and fear is full of torment (1 John 4:18). God threatens it as a judgment (Ezekiel 12:19): they shall eat their bread with carefulness. Every comfort has its care, as every r…

Oh! consider opportunities will not last always, we have no [illegible] of them, much less command of them; and who knows whether we shall ever enjoy that which we now neglect? Especially, considering the Lord at the present, vouchsafes all helps to further and persuade us to th…

And in some it is the natural conscience accusing and challenging after sin is committed; now Christ came not to extirpate conscience, nor the power of feeling and discerning the obligation to wrath, that the conscience apprehends after sin is committed, nor the legal evil deser…

Is repentance to life an Evangelical grace, the doctrine of which is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ? Yes. (Ezekiel 12:10; Acts 11:18; Luke 24:47; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21) Well then, do not the Antinomians err, who maintain that r…

Thus the Edomites here, they had been threatened, but they yet were in peace, and though the enemy was coming, they yet are secure. See also for this (Ecclesiastes 8:11; Ezekiel 12:22). Poor sinning man, though he might read the [illegible] of death in himself, yet is not willin…

While you sleep, perhaps that truth was delivered, which might have converted your souls. Besides, sleeping is very offensive in these holy assemblies: it is not only a grieving the Spirit of God, but a making the hearts of the righteous sad (Ezekiel 13:22). It troubles them to…

Until the blood of Christ be applied, there is no healing: if Christ don't heal, there is none else that can. Daubing, as the Prophet calls it (Ezekiel 13:10), is indeed very dangerous. But in this case it avails nothing, when God wounds, and breaks the heart indeed, there is no…

The devil buys many at a very easy price, he needs not carry them so high as the mountain, they are contented with a little gain that is got by a fraudulent bargain in the shop: if we stand in our window, or at our doors, we meet with temptations enough to carry us away. He need…

The Spirit of Jacob revived. He began to take heart and be of good Courage, Ezek. 13. 3. The Prophets that walk [[original in non-Latin script]], after their Spirit; that is their own Desires and Inclinations, when indeed they had no Vision but spoke what they had a mind to.

What's that? That is, let them not any more be thought Israelites, nor numbered among the people. And Ainsworth, I remember, compares Psalm 69:19 with this place in Ezekiel 13:9, and he makes the sense to be one and the same; that to be blotted out of the book of life, is nothin…

They love to hear some part of God's will, not all; the promising part, not the reproving part: this is no evidence of effectual calling. Ezekiel 13:17-18: there were some lying prophetesses that did preach, but what did they do? They sowed pillows under men's elbows; and the Lo…

The word [unsavory] there is the same as this here rendered folly or foolishly. Secondly, it is used for mortar that has not a due temper or mixture in it, as (Ezekiel 13:14): I will break down the wall that you have daubed with untempered mortar; mortar that is not well tempere…

2. Because of God's separating them from others, and taking pains on them above all others (Isaiah 27:2-3); for these, and other reasons, they are called the vines. Next, by foxes are understood false teachers (Ezekiel 13:4): O Israel, your Prophets (that is your flattering teac…

This dealing of theirs cannot be to speak a word in season to the weary soul of a tender person, whose carriage is so convincing even to others, that in verse 9 they give her a high commendation, which is a clear testimony against the malignity of these watchmen; they must there…

And Psalm 148:8. The stormy winds are said to fulfil his word; not only his word of Command, in rising when God bids them, but his word of threatning also. And hence it is called a destroying wind, Jeremiah 51:1. and a stormy wind in God's fury, Ezekiel 13:13. APPLICATION.

Admitting him thereby, into fellowship therein. This is called the writing of the house of Israel (Ezekiel 13:9), that is the roll, wherein all the names of the Israel, the family of God are written. God has a catalogue of his household; Christ knows his sheep by name.

Let not the Incestious person stay too long least he be swallowed up of grief. Secondly, When it is misapplied to the persons, when they speak peace to whom God speaks not peace, and when they speak to the grief of those whom God would not have cast down, Ezekiel 13:10. They cry…

Some think the way of lying is meant corruption of doctrine; others of worship; others apply it to disorders of conversation; some take it for error of doctrine, false opinions concerning God and his worship, which are called lying, and so opposed to the way of truth spoken of i…

The glory of God is much interested in the credit of his servants. When they pollute and shame themselves, the Lord is polluted in them (Ezekiel 13:19): "Will they pollute me among my people?" And (Jeremiah 34:16): "You have polluted my name."

Approbation and being accessory is concluded from hence, when men flatter others, and speak peace to them in their evil ways: when men say peace, where God says there is none, that is, to the wicked. God and man will curse him that says to the wicked, you are righteous (Proverbs…

Let me here take occasion to offer to your view some sins which are especially said to be the devil's sin, and they that do them are of, work for, and are like to, and called devils. 1 Murder, especially soul-murder, of which Antichrist the devil's son is hugely guilty, in makin…

The design hereof is not to break the bruised reed, nor to quench the smoking flax (Matthew 12:20), not to discourage the weakest believer, but to awaken formal professors. I would not sadden the heart of any, whom God would not have made sad (Ezekiel 13:22), though I know it is…

1. Illiterate mechanick men, who run but are not sent and that whether they preach true or false, which that they are included the fift verse showes, because when the false Prophets spoken of shall repent and be ashamed, among the rest one is brought in, saying, I am no Prophet:…

First, all true evangelical consolation belongs only to believers (Hebrews 6:17-18); God's people (Isaiah 40:1-2); upon unbelievers the wrath of God remains (John 3:36). Second, to make consolation out to those to whom it does not belong is no less a crime than to hide it from t…

And yet I deny not, that the Holy Ghost frames his talk to the small measure of our sense. As when he says (Ezekiel 13:9): In the secret of my people they shall not be, and in the roll of my servants they shall not be written. As though God did begin to write in the book of life…

2. It is good (say Antinomians) to lay the saints under a covenant of works, because it does this good, to make us make sure our evidences, that Christ is ours: indeed some desire a wakened conscience, that the terrors of God may chase them to Christ: but 1. that is a murmuring…

Caution 2. Neither does this commandment, 'You shall not kill,' prohibit a just war. When men's sins grow ripe, and long plenty has bred surfeit, then God says, 'Sword, go through the land' (Ezekiel 14:17). God did abet the war between the tribes of Israel and Benjamin.

The third part shall be refined, and the Lord shall say, It is my people (Zechariah 13:9). And a most sweet promise there is after the saddest denunciation of judgment (Ezekiel 14:22, 23): Yet behold therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought both sons and daughters,…

Look to this in the acts and the effects: what have you done when the Word crosses you in your aims, estates, names, friends? If you have disobeyed it, then (Ezekiel 14:4) the word is made a stumbling block, and your iniquities before your face, and the Lord will answer you acco…

Genesis 6:8, 9: "Noah was a just man, blameless in his generations, and he walked continually according to God"; and also ver. 1 of ch. 7: "I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this age." Moreover, honorable mention of him is made — in a manner consistent with this te…

In all matters we resolve on, we are to take God's leave, and counsel and blessing; but they first resolve, and then ask God's counsel. And therefore God says (Ezekiel 14:4), Every man of the house of Israel, that sets up his idols in his heart, and puts the stumbling block of h…

God's dear Children know what this means; for sometimes they are more taken up with expressions, affections, or some accidentals in the performance, than with the object of worship they should be intent upon. But this is very dangerous; for whatever interposes between the soul a…

4. As Christ may withdraw, if provoked and not entertained, from a private believer; so will he do from a Church, if they hold not fast what they have received, and walk not accordingly. 5. Church-members, by their sins, have much influence on Christ's removal from among them; i…

And therefore those are highly guilty of the violation of this command, who worship God only with their bodies, when their hearts are far estranged from him; offering up only the shell and husk of a duty, when the pith and substance which should fill it, is given either to the w…

If I whet my glittering sword, and my hand take hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to my enemies, and reward them that hate me; I will make my arrows drunk with blood (and my sword shall devour flesh) and that with the blood of the slain, and of the captives, from the beg…

But the place Acts 2. can no more prove that repentance, and a fixed walk in good works, is such a part of the new Covenant, as this, do and live the life of faith, and be pardoned, then that Baptism, which is in the text joyned with repentance, is necessarily required before pa…

He graciously inclines the will and hearts of men (Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 32:39, 40; Ezekiel 36:27) as the saints pray (Psalms 119:33, 34, 36, 88; Psalms 86:11; Canticles 1. & 4). He hardens the heart, and blinds the mind, as in his judgment he pleases (Job 12:16; Ezekiel 14…

Each almost some way or other speaking falsehood and deceit to his neighbor, and daring to act this faculty with God in his services, and our protestations of obedience, religious speeches abused by some in hypocrisy, as holy vestments for a mask or disguise, doing nothing but c…

4. Such as pretend to ask counsel from the word, but it is according to the idol of their own hearts; that come with their own conclusions, and preconceptions, and prejudices, against God's counsel. "Son of man, these have set up their idols in their heart, etc." (Ezekiel 14:3-4…

There are certain corrupt principles within you that will draw you off from God to another portion. Ezekiel 14:5: "They are all estranged from me through their idols." What kind of idols were these?

Jezabel fasts and prayes the better, to devoure Naboths vineyard, but was devoured by it. Absalom was as sick till he had ravish't his fathers Crown, as his brother Amnon till he had done the like to his sister, and to hide his treason he puts on a religious cloak, and therefore…

True Repentance, like aqua fortis, eats asunder the Iron chain of sin; therefore weeping and turning are put together, (Joel 2:12). After the cloud of sorrow has dropped in tears, the firmament of the soul is clearer, (Ezekiel 14:6). Repent and turn your selves from your Idols,…

And as our Savior says to Jerusalem (Luke 29:43): "Oh that you had known in this your day, the things belonging to your peace; but now they are hid from your eyes." God had sealed up his mercy, and the day of salvation was past, and when the day is over, though Noah, Daniel, and…

(Jeremiah 24:5) The basket of good figs was preserved, but the other was for a prey to captivity, and the sword, and pestilence, and to utter extirpation from the earth. Hence is that you read (Ezekiel 14:14): They shall deliver neither son nor daughter, but themselves only. And…

Object. Against all that is said of the profit of Prayer, some object, that the prayers of many are fruitless: they obtain not the things desired: yea, that God swears he would not hear Moses, Samuel, Noah, Daniel, Job (Jeremiah 15:1; Ezekiel 14; James 4:3). Answer.

Q. 7. What are the chief attributes of his being? A. (a) Eternity, (b) infiniteness, (c) simplicity, or purity, (d) all-sufficiency, (e) perfectness, (f) immutability, (g) life, (h) will, and (i) understanding. (a) Deuteronomy 33:37; Psalm 93:2; Isaiah 57:15; Revelation 1:11. (b…

Q. 7. What are the chief attributes of his being? A. (a) Eternity, (b) infiniteness, (c) simplicity, or purity, (d) all-sufficiency, (e) perfectness, (f) immutability, (g) life, (h) will, and (i) understanding. (a) Deuteronomy 33:37, Psalm 93:2, Isaiah 57:15, Revelation 1:11. (b…

God sets forth tenders of peace before vile sinners, but there are articles of composition, terms of agreement, which the creature must needs consent to, if he desire good, or otherwise the treaty must break off, and be put to an end. Use 1. Here see the dangerous estate of an o…

Doct. 3 Those that would be instructed by God, in the grounds of his quarrel, and means of restitution, must enquire in good earnest. God loves no this hypocritis, and if we bring it, he will answer accordingly (Ezekiel 14:4). God may indeed answer those that enquire in hypocris…

And these things are soon gone. Use 2. It reproves such, 1. as bring no glory to God: They do not answer the end of their creation, their time is not truly lived, but time lost; they are like the wood of the vine (Ezekiel 15:2). Their lives are as Saint Bernard speaks, Aut pecca…

Fifthly, if it be not fruitful, it is the most unprofitablest thing in the world. I suppose you know that place in Ezekiel 15:2. "What is the Vine-tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the Forest? Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work, or wil…

And the particular professors, especially believers, are as the vine-trees that grow in it; So (Isaiah 5:7), The Vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel, collectively, and the men of Judah are his pleasant plants. They are called so, 1. For their feebleness in themselves (Ez…

They give God neither the early fruit nor the latter. There are many Christians like arbors covered only with the leaves of profession; they may be compared to the wood of the vine which is good for nothing (Ezekiel 15:2). He who has not the fruits of the Spirit has not the Spir…

But when men will have all the gains that is in what they do, set up their own ends only, and the husbandman shall have none, such branches he takes away, because they are not for his profit, for it is made a rule of equity (1 Corinthians 9:7): 'That he that plants a vineyard, s…

Election is the fountain-cause of our vocation. It is not because some are more worthy to partake of the heavenly calling than others (as the Arminians claim) — we were all in our blood (Ezekiel 16:6), and what worthiness in us? What worthiness was there in Mary Magdalen, out of…

King Pharaoh's daughter took Moses out of the ark of bulrushes in the water, and adopted him for her son. God did not take us out of the water, but out of our blood, and adopted us (Ezekiel 16). God adopted us from slavery: It is a mercy to redeem a slave, but it is more to adop…

God's entering into covenant with us to be our God is a dignity he puts upon us. A covenant is Insigne honoris, a note of distinction between God's people and heathens (Ezekiel 16:22). I will establish my covenant with you.

Resp. 1. Such as are sanctified can remember a time when they were unsanctified (Titus 3:3). We were in our blood, and then God washed us with water, and anointed us with oil (Ezekiel 16:9). Those trees of righteousness that blossom and bear almonds can remember when they were l…

We were in such a condition, that we could neither deserve nor recompense Christ's love. First, we could not deserve it, for we were in our blood (Ezekiel 16:6). We had no spiritual beauty to tempt Christ.

When gluttony and drunkenness lead the van, chambering and wantonness bring up the rear. Vinum fomentum libidinis; any wine inflames lust: and fullness of bread is made the cause of Sodom's uncleanness (Ezekiel 16:49). The rankest weeds grow out of the fattest soil.

Every sin has a voice to speak, but some sins cry. As some diseases are worse than others, and some poisons more venomous; so some sins are more heinous (Ezekiel 16:47; Jeremiah 16:12): You have done worse than your fathers, your sins have exceeded theirs. Some sins have a black…

(4) Exodus 29:42, 43, 45; Deuteronomy 14:23; Psalm 133:3; Matthew 18:20; Revelation 21:3. (5) Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:23, 24; Joshua 24:19; Ezekiel 16. (6) Leviticus 10:1, 2; Numbers 16:3, 8, 9, 32, 35; 1 Samuel 2:28, 29; 2 Samuel 6:6, 7; 2 Chronicles 26:16, 19; 1 Corinthians…

Whereas the remembrance of them should keep us low and humble us all our days. It is laid to the charge of those in Ezekiel 16:22 that they did not remember that they lay in their blood. We are apt to think that time wears out the guilt of sins, but to God they are as fresh as i…

As Christ learned obedience by what he suffered, so will you also if you have his Spirit. The second application is to exercise graces in their seasons: when you are afflicted, pray; when joyful, sing psalms (James 5:13); when filled with assurance, then mourn and be humbled (Ez…

The consequence is plain from the law of contraries: for, if the Lord shame us with a sight and sense of sin; he does not then, first comfort and encourage us, with the sight and sense of sanctification. Minor is proved (Ezekiel 16:63; Romans 4:5). Ezekiel 16:63: That you may re…

There must then be an enlightening, as also we have already hinted: and they have nothing of this enlightening, that know nothing of their own blindness and darkness, who never saw, felt and mourned under that. And this enlightening is to show a man more of himself, than once he…

The sixth Argument which the Synod here useth, is, Because the Parents in question are personal, immediate, and yet-continuing Members of the Church. 1. That they are personal Members, or Members in their own persons, they say appears, 1. Because they are personally holy (1 Cori…

But we are not only needy creatures, but guilty creatures; and that God should love us! When we were in our blood and filthiness, 'twas a time of loves (Ezekiel 16:7). This is the great miracle of divine love, that a time of loathing is a time of loves: and we will wonder at it…

What has God in the world as an object to bestow his affections upon, and communicate the rays of his love to, since he created it, but his church? The men of the world hate him: he can see nothing amiable in them; for what was first lovely, they have defaced and blotted out; bu…

Now distinctly take the answer to this Objection in three or four particular propositions. First, There was a Covenant between the Church of Israel and God (Exodus 19:5, 6, 7, 8; Ezekiel 16:8; Deuteronomy 29:10, &c.). Secondly, This Covenant was mutual; not only a promise on God…

Ephraim has hired Lovers.] This shows the shamelessness of the ten Tribes in seeking after their false worship. Other harlots they are hired to commit uncleanness; but Ephraim will be at charge for their idols: many harlots count it a great dishonor for to seek after loves, to s…

Yes, you have sinned, as in the daies of Gibeah. From the daies of Gibeah, so it is in your Books, or it may be read, Beyond the daies of Gibeah, or more than in them, as (Ezekiel 16:52). From the daies of Gibeah; from what time was that?

Jealous. This is a kind of speech taken from married folks (Hosea 2:2; Ezekiel 16), who cannot abide their wives should give either in affection or in gesture, countenance, or any manner of behavior to others, that which appertains to them only: and by this we gather the greatne…

To clear it, consider these three things, which will hold out, what this state and posture of ours is. First, the natural sinfulness, and guilt that men are lying under, which makes them naked, and to be as that wretched infant (spoken of, Ezekiel 16) lying in their blood, cast…

1. It serves deeply to humble, and to press forth (to speak so) repentance; when we consider our own way to be sinful beyond others, and that such and such a man has sinned, but his sin has not such aggravations as mine, this makes the soul to blush, and to say as it is Psalm 40…

I will lay my hand on my mouth. When the Church finds justice pleading against her; it is thus (Ezekiel 16:63): That you may remember your sins and be confounded, and there may be no more an opening of a mouth, because of your shame, when I am pacified toward you, for all that y…

6. But for the ground, reason, and cause on Christ's part of drawing, it is free grace, and only free grace, which are held forth in these positions. Position 1. As there is no merit, good deserving, work, or hire in the miserable sinner dying in his blood, dead in sins, out of…

The converted can say, I was such a man (1 Timothy 1:13). [illegible], but I obtained mercy; or, I was all be-mercied, filled with mercy. As in Ezekiel 16. [illegible]: Your time was a time of loves. As a constellation is not one single star, but many; so the converted soul obse…

Jacob, not Esau, before the children had done good or evil; though Esau be elder, Isaac must be the Son of the promise: father and mother were free grace, rather [illegible] of Abraham and Sarah, now [reconstructed: past] natures [illegible] Ishmael: Peter and John, not Judas th…

Not of godly parents; for men may have godly parents, and yet themselves degenerate, and therefore it is not to be ascribed to parentage, it is not from the parentage, but from the covenant, and from God's will in the covenant, that begets a child of God, nor is it of the will o…

And Christ himself was a man without form, or beauty (Isaiah 53:2). Having a husband] in these words the condition of the Jewish church is set forth, that she is married or espoused to God, who is her husband (Ezekiel 16:8-9; Hosea 2:19). The like may be said of any other church…

Whereas other mens hainous sinnes shall not justifie vs and our lesser sinnes, save onely as Jerusalem justified her sisters, Sodome, and Samaria. Ezek 16:51. But so a man may be justified, and yet condēned.

This is the cause why our Prophet terms them, the seed of the adulterer, and of the whore. With which also Ezekiel reproaches them in (Ezekiel 16:3), saying, Your father was an Amorite, and your mother a Hittite. And the like phrases of speech are used in many other places (Hose…

"he has covered himself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through," (Lamentations 3:44.) We ought always, therefore, to begin with the forgiveness of sins: for the first hope of being heard by God beams upon us, when we obtain his favor; and there is no way in which…

Oh, I have a dreadful wicked Heart! my Heart is worse than the Devil! Oh, this cursed Heart of mine, etc. Such Expressions are very often used, not with a Heart that is broken, not with spiritual Mourning, not with the Tears of her that washed Jesus' Feet with her Tears, not as…

To put an End hereunto God at length brought a total Desolation upon the whole Church, and caused the People to be carried into Captivity out of their own Land. And hereby it was so far effected that upon their Return what-ever other sins they fell into, yet they kept themselves…

Hence by Nature we are wholly unclean; who can bring a clean thing out of that which is unclean? And this uncleanness is graphically expressed under the Similitude of a wretched polluted Infant, Ezek. 16. 3, 4, 5. (2) That which is Actual in all the Actings of our Faculties as s…

O, what cause is here for praise? What obligations are upon you to bless the Lord, who has dealt bountifully with you, and to magnify his holy name? What cause for you to praise him in humility, to walk humbly before God, and to be conformed to that in Ezekiel 16:63: 'That you m…

This for many blessed ends the Scripture abundantly instructs us in (Titus 3:3): We ourselves also were sometimes foolish, and disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating of one another. A most wretched, defiled and lo…

And it is observed (especially in these latter acts of this gradation) that Job alludes to the custom of those times, wherein unnatural women left their children upon the cold earth, naked and helpless, as soon as they were born: or casting them out, expose them to misery, or th…

4. This comeliness grows not of any stock within the believer, nor is it natural to him, but it is communicated or imparted beauty, such as is put on — a comeliness proceeding from the beneficence of another, and is the work of a skilled workman. See (Ezekiel 16:10-11), where si…

Or, as it is in the original, I am to him, and he is to me — such as is the union between married persons (Hosea 3:3), which the tie of marriage brings on. Even such is this which follows covenanting with God; for this union presupposes it, and is founded on it (Ezekiel 16:8): I…

The seventh and last part that is commended in the Bride, is her two breasts or paps. For clearing of this similitude, we are to consider, 1. that the breasts in nature are a part of the comeliness of the body (Ezekiel 16:7). 2. They are useful to give suck and food to others.

3. A readiness and promptness of obedience, to what they are called to: All which are beautiful in themselves, and adorning to the believer. We take it, in a word, to hold out a conversation such as becomes the Gospel (Philippians 1:27), which is, to have the feet shod with the…

Again, sister may be more largely taken, for one, or all of these three, 1. For all men, as partaking of one common nature. 2. For men of one stock and nation, so Samaria was sister to Jerusalem, etc. (Ezekiel 16:46). 3. For the elect who are yet unconverted, who are sisters in…

3. What is the scope of these allegories, in other Scriptures, as that of Psalm 45, that of planting a vineyard (Matthew 21), that of marriage (Matthew 22), (which none can deny) is meant of espousing spiritually. (See this same allegory of marriage, Jeremiah 3, Hosea 2-3, Ezeki…

Thirdly, continually exercise yourself in some honest and lawful employment. Lust grows active when we grow idle: and therefore as fullness of bread, so likewise idleness is reckoned as one of the sins of impure Sodom (Ezekiel 16:49). David, when he walked idly upon the roof of…

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Pride was one of Sodom's sins, which city was burned with fire from heaven (Ezekiel 16:49). The Scriptures speak of three cities that were burned for this sin of pride among other sins, namely So…

It is best plowing when the earth is prepared and softened by the showers of rain, then the work goes on sweetly and easily. And never does the heart so kindly melt, as when the Gospel clouds dissolve, and the free grace and love of Jesus Christ comes sweetly [reconstructed: sho…

And as he has a multiplicity of business, so every part of it is full of toil, and spending labour: he eats not the bread of idleness, but earns it before he eats it; and as it were, dips it in his own sweat, whereby it becomes the sweeter to him. Though sin brought in the husba…

See death and sin's reign, and grace and Christ's reign (Romans 5:15, 17, 21). See Ezekiel 20:23, Ezekiel 16:59, 60, Ezekiel 26:21, 22, 23, 1 Timothy 1:13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Make some ripeness for fulness of grace.

But I said positively to you, when you were in your blood, live. And to make it sure, Yes, I said to you when you were in your blood, live (Ezekiel 16:6). Nor said he to the dry bone, Shall I open your graves, and bring you out loving and believing (John 5:25)?

O they were guilty of original sin, yes and so were Moses, David, Samuel, Noah, Job, and Daniel when they were in the womb and weeping on the breasts. 7. Sovereignty determines what is just; righteous Abel dies in blood, godly Josiah in war, many bloody men smile out their soul…

Exorbitant passion is a discord in the soul: It is like a tumor in the face, which spoils the beauty of it: Meekness scatters the humor, binds down the swelling, and so prevents the deformity, and preserves the beauty. This is one instance of the comeliness of grace, through my…

Luther upon the place thinks this Prophesie meant against Judah, because of the naming of the House of the Lord, as follows after. And then this Eagle must be understood of Nebuchadnezzer, who is called an Eagle in Ezekiel 17:3 and Jeremiah 48:40. But rather I think it to be mea…

O say not so, they that are now highest, must be lowest. God must make the truth of this appear in Britain (Ezekiel 17:24). And all the trees of the field shall know, that I the Lord, have brought down the high tree, and have exalted the low tree, and have dried up the green tre…

(4) Because, when the Apostle Paul was pursued for his life, and charged with matters criminal, he appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:10-11). (5) Because, the Prophet Jeremiah did own the power of Zedekiah, who had turned aside to a false worship, and had despised the oath, which he ha…

The law called for obedience, but though it required brick it gave no straw. But in the Gospel, God with his commands gives power (Ezekiel 18:31). Make a new heart.

(1.) A loss of honor (Revelation 3:11), that no man take your Crown, implying, if the Church of Philadelphia left off her obedience she would lose her Crown; namely, her honor and reputation; apostasy creates infamy; Judas from an apostle to be a traitor, it was a dishonor. (2.)…

As we cannot make ourselves creatures, so not new creatures. Question. But why does God command us to convert ourselves, if we have no power (Ezekiel 18:31)? Make you a new heart. Answer. 1. We once had power.

So Chap. 20:16, 17, 18, for a man to bear his iniquity, and to be killed, slain, or put to death for it, are the same. Ezekiel 18:20. [in non-Latin alphabet] [in non-Latin alphabet]; the soul that sinneth it shall dye; the Son shall not bear the sin of the Father. To bear sin, a…

Christ in the Parable calls some at the 11th hour, Matthew 20:6: and so God calls men to grace in their old age. We must therefore spare these sharp and unsavoury censures, which some unadvisedly cast upon such men; for charity thinks not evil, 1 Corinthians 13, where it may thi…

A man may so fall into a way of sin, as still to retain in his mind such a principle of light and conviction that may be suitable to his recovery. To exclude such from all hopes of repentance, is expressly contrary to (Ezekiel 18:21; Isaiah 55:7) and the whole sense of the Scrip…

Herod heard the Word gladly, and did many things: and yet he was still dead in his sin. And yet this is all the conversion which many have, and in which they rest: namely, through the power of common convictions, they have their natural affections stirred up, and drawn forth, ev…

5. The formal and proper end of God in Reprobation, is not the eternal destruction of the creature; but the discovery of his own Justice or glory, promoted or shining forth in and by that destruction: in Election God desires and effects the salvation of a sinner in a subordinati…

2. It is a wrong to the goodness and righteousness of providence: it is a charging God with ill management, and an implicit language, that if we were the commanders of providence, things should be managed more justly and righteously; as it was Absalom's pretense in wishing to be…

A man that is about to commit the act of murder or treason, his friends persuade him not to do it, for if he does, he is but a dead man, yet notwithstanding he will do it; we say of such a one that he is a dead man willingly. So we tell men, if they do thus and thus, that they g…

To all this is commanded, perseverance and watchfulness (Ephesians 6:10). Perseverance is, always to continue and go forward in doing good, and flying evil (Ezekiel 18:25; Colossians 1:10). To this is contrary, a stay, or going backward (Galatians 5).

Those that hate me. That is, those that securely commit spiritual whoredom against this commandement; and so this is nothing contrary to that (Ezekiel 18). Exercising benignity.

Thus it stood with you: you deserved to be shut out for ever from God, to have the sword of His justice awakened against you; and He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; and was content that the sword of justice should awake against Him…

Rule 5. It is the child's happiness, that the wise father's will be his rule, not his own; and for the orphan, the tutor's wit is better than his own will. Our own will is our hell (Ezekiel 18:31): "Why will you die, O house of Israel?" Christ's will is heaven.

Which wish, as relating to disobeying Israel, is a figure, or metaphor borrowed from men, but otherwise shows how acceptable the duty is to God, how obligatory to the creature. 2. By the Lord's expostulations (Ezekiel 18:31): Why will you die, O house of Israel? Verse 32: For I…

David says, it is the property of a wicked man, to borrow, and not to repay (Psalm 37:21). Satisfaction, recompense, and restitution, is the way to life by the appointment of God (Ezekiel 18:7 and 33:15). "If you restore the pledge, and repay that which you have robbed, you shal…

Ans. The clause in the second commandement, of visiting the sinnes of the fathers upon the children, dos not contradict that of Ezek 18:19. The sonne shall not beare the iniquitie of the father, neither shall the father beare the iniquitie of the sonne; the same soule that sinns…

But because such sentences are found in many places of the Scripture; to wit, that God will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children: we need seek no such evasion. Neither does the place in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 18:20), 'The son shall not bear the iniquity of his father,'…

As if the Lord should have said; Let them go now and brag of their merits, and let them allege any way but the least show of reason why I should be bound to succor them, and they shall find there is nothing but my free mercy. If any shall object, Objection, that it is injustice…

At least they could not be drawn to make this confession, but with much ado: for they posted over their fault to their predecessors, as if they indeed had borne the punishment of their offences. From there proceeded those complaints recited by Ezekiel; Our fathers have eaten sou…

Here also we may perceive it to be so far off, that the corruption issuing from the fathers, should any way excuse the children; (as the ignorant are usually wont to make this a buckler for their defense) that it rather serves as a means to pull upon them a more heavy punishment…

On the contrary, you have the threatning, Zechariah 5:4 and both together, Proverbs 3:33 The Curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked, but he Blesseth the habitation of the just. True it is, that both these imply the Childrens treading in the steps of their Parents, accor…

Foolish men have always had tumultuating thoughts about the judgments of God. Some have disputed with him about the equity and equality of his ways in judgments temporal (Ezekiel 18), and some about those that shall be eternal. Hence was the vain imagination of them of old, who…

Have they found out some other way, or do they utterly give over seeking after salvation? This very question being put to one of them, he answers; that they now obtain the pardon of their sins, by repentance and amendment of life; according to the promises made in the Prophets t…

Fourthly, God punisheth not the sins of the Fathers upon their children, unless the Children continue in the sins of their Fathers. This he declareth at large, Ezek. 18. Now what were the sins of this people under the first Temple before their captivity?

Nor can the certainty of this evidence be called into question, but on such grounds as are derogatory to the glory and honor of God. And this connection of repentance and forgiveness is that principle from whence God convinces a stubborn unbelieving people, that all his wayes an…

Yea, this renuesthe inner man, it cheeres the heart, and keepes it from fainting, though the outward man perish, to looke after the ioyes of this kingdome, which are the things not seene: and therefore Christ herewith comforts his Disciples against the sorrow of afflictiō, sayi…

Here being applied to Christ, we conceive they signify his way, or administration of providence, which he uses with his people, it being by his dispensations that he walks among them. Hence the series of common providence is so often in Scripture called the way of the Lord, as (…

Secondly, of that wrath and eternal death, to which they stand exposed by reason of their sin and guilt. The soul that sins, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:20). And, Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them (Galatians 3:…

Indeed, our Savior threatens the Jews of his time, (Matthew 23:35), that upon them should come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth; from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachias, whom they slew between the temple and the altar: That is, the…

Now the Supreme, and sovereign law of providential dispensations is utterly divers and alien from this of the Covenant of Grace. This you have asserted Ezek. 18:20. The soul that sins it shall die: one shall not bear the iniquity of another: the righteousness of the righteous sh…

They proclaim their folly; for all their former violence for Heaven is lost. He who runs half the race, and then faints, loses the garland (Ezekiel 18:24): When the righteous turns away from his righteousness, all his righteousness that he has done shall not be mentioned. All me…

As long as you are wise in your own esteem, there is no hope that ever you should be so indeed; or so much as comply with the means that are made use of to render you so; it is the remark in (Proverbs 26:12), do you see a man that is wise in his own conceit? there is more hope o…

It were good we prize more that which men call the foolishness of preaching: the Spirit breathes in, and through his own ordinance, when we know not. Quest. How can it stand with justice to command us, to make ourselves a new heart and a new spirit, since we are unable to make t…

As High Priest he ascended on high, and contributes his influences for sending down the Spirit (Luke 24:49; John 14:16, 17; John 16:7). Yes, and predeterminating influences to circumcise the heart to the Lord, are promised by him (Deuteronomy 30:6; Ezekiel 18:19; Isaiah 44:1, 2,…

But there is a day coming, a dreadful day, when our God shall come, and shall no longer keep silence (Psalm 50:3), a day foretold in the early ages of the world, by Enoch the seventh from Adam (Jude 14-15), when judgment shall be executed upon ungodly sinners for all their hard…

That which the Prophet speaks of father and son, may be applied to husband and wife, and to all other sorts of people (Romans 14:12), If a father does that which is lawful and right, he is just, he shall surely live: if he beget a son that does not so, he shall surely die, his b…

I know and am a witness, says the Lord. 2. Men have Injurious Thoughts of God: 1. They deem his ways unequal, Ezekiel 18:25. Is not my way equal?

Thirdly, By ways is meant temptations and sins; and so this declaring is an act of spiritual contrition or brokenness of heart. Sins, they are properly our ways, as (Ezekiel 18:25) the Lord makes a distinction between my ways and your ways. God has his ways, and we ours.

All that a man has done and suffered, watching, striving, praying, they come to nothing unless we stick to it and persevere. Under the Law a Nazarite was to begin his days of separation again, if he had defiled himself; if he had separated himself for a year, and kept his vow wi…

The Nazarite under the law was to begin again, if the days of his separation were defiled (Numbers 6:12). If he had separated himself for such a while, though he kept almost all his time, yet if he defiled himself before the time was out, he was to begin all again (Ezekiel 18:24…

No, one sin will do it. [illegible] therefore God has said, Repent and turn yourselves from all your transgressions, so iniquity shall not be your ruin (Ezekiel 18:30). One sin not turned from will prove the eternal ruin of a man's soul: will not then his iniquity be found to be…

It is his desire: Oh that there were such a heart in them that they might fear me and keep my commandments, that it may go well with them and theirs for ever (Deuteronomy 5:29). Indeed he has taken a solemn oath: As I live says the Lord, I desire not the [illegible] of a sinner…

And therefore this work of the application of redemption to a lost sinner is harder than the work of creation itself, for as the Lord had nothing then to help him, so he had nothing to hinder him in creating the world; but here the Lord must take [illegible] the heart of stone,…

1. His former barrenness shall not be charged upon him. All the guilt of it shall be removed: it was a great height that he was arrived to; he had been all this while heaping up provocation, and filling a terrible account: but upon his returning to God, all these scores are cros…

But now God with his commands gives power; gospel precepts are sweetened with promises. God commands: make yourself a new heart (Ezekiel 18:31). Lord, can I make a new heart? I can as well make a new world.

2. A new heart has a twofold consideration, one as a duty commanded, and two, as a blessing promised. As to the former, (Ezekiel 18:31) make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit, (Jeremiah 4:4) circumcise your heart to the Lord, take away the foreskin of your heart, you men o…

Question 5. Who are these that have the new heart, and so are personally and really within the Covenant of grace. Answer. Because the new spirit is given, when the new heart is given (Ezekiel 36:27; Ezekiel 18:31) Make you a new heart and a new spirit, and many in our times boas…

Indeed he might never have created the world, never have acted without himself: for he was sufficient within himself and stood in need of no declarative glory (Genesis 17:1; Acts 17:25). Fifth, indeed if by necessity of justice, God cannot but punish sin, especially this justice…

Hence, 2. offended justice by the breach of the Covenant of Works in all the three Persons pleads that man should die, and that pleading is most just, and the Law cannot be broken nor repealed. The soul that sins must die (Ezekiel 18), the threatening (Genesis 2:17) must be fulf…

When the pipes are cut off that used to bring us comfort, can we live upon God, in whom are all our fresh springs? When we have no bread to eat but the bread of carefulness (Ezekiel 19:8), when we have no waters to drink unless tears (Psalm 80:5): You give them tears to drink in…

Learned Perkins said of his times Non sunt ista litigandi tempora, sed orandi, prayers are fitter for these times than disputes, carnal zeal may put us upon disputes it is true, zeal that puts us upon prayer when we are so tenderly affected for God's glory, as that in that respe…

But yet the fault is not to be laid upon the profession, or the strictness and singularity of that in other things that are praiseworthy; nor may we think the worse of Christianity for any such blemishes: we know very well, that the wisdom that is from above is peaceable, and ge…

This then is the order whereby we are brought to acceptation with the Father, for the glory of God through Christ. First, that the Spirit may be glorified, he is given to us to quicken us, convert us, and work faith in us, Romans 8:11, Ephesians 1:19-20, according to all the pro…

Sin has blotted God's image, and stained the orient brightness of the soul. Sin makes God loathe a sinner (Zechariah 11:8), and when a sinner sees his sin, he loathes himself (Ezekiel 20:42). Sin drops poison on our holy things, it infects our prayers.

And (Exodus 32:7) Your people have corrupted themselves; no more my people, but your people. God calls idolatry blasphemy (Ezekiel 20:27, 31). Thus your fathers have blasphemed me.

Envy is the devil's eye, hypocrisy is his cloven-foot; thus it is before the kingdom of grace come. So deformed is a graceless person, that when once he sees his own filth and leprosy, the first thing he does is to loathe himself (Ezekiel 20:43). You shall loathe yourselves in y…

At the Tabernacle of the Congregation will I meet with the people, says the Lord, there will I meet with the children of Israel. And the Tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God (Zechariah 2:10, 11; Ezekiel…

We must therefore consider in what sense the Apostle ascribes these properties to the law. 1. Some seek for a solution of this difficulty from Ezekiel 20, ver. 11, compared with ver. 25. Ver. 11, God says, That I gave them my statutes, and showed them my judgments, which if a ma…

Therefore God provided a land and country for them which they might inhabit by themselves, and as their own, even the land of Canaan. And this was so suited to all the ends of God towards that people, as might be declared in sundry instances, that God is said, to have espied thi…

The reader may see what we have discoursed concerning such a day on the third chapter. And the time here intended is often called the day of it (Ezekiel 20:6): In the day I lifted up my hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; at that time or season. A certain, determinate,…

Now [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] is anigma, problema, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; a Riddle, an hard Question; and [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] is to speak anigmatically, obscurely, so as that one thing is to be gathered out of another. So is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] used also…

Man being in honor, abides not, he is like the beasts that perish; the meaning is, he abode not in the honor of his creation. Hence compared to wolves for their cruelty, dogs for their filthiness; to horses and mules for the rage of lust; to a wild ass's colt for wildness and du…

The Temple and the altar being types of Christ, were of an higher worth and excellency than the services and sacrifices offered in them, and did bring acceptance to them, and therefore they were to pray towards the Temple, to offer upon the altar, etc. (Deuteronomy 12:5, 6; 1 Ki…

They Sacrifice flesh, the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it, but the Lord accepts them not (Hosea 8:13), because they did it contrary to the Institution. For the Lord's appointment and promise was, that in mine holy Mountain, in the Mountain of the height of Israel, there…

Through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles. And also their fall and dispersion among the Gentiles, was prophesied of as the occasion of their return to God (Ezekiel 20:36-37): Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness, so will I plead with you, and cause yo…

If they were his people before that, yet that also was by Covenant made with them in the loins of Abraham, when God took him and his seed to be his Church and people, yet separating Ishmael from Isaac and Esau from Jacob, that the inheritance of the Covenant of God, and of being…

The earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof; well, but though all the world be the Lords land, yet this land was the Lords land in a peculiar manner, the land of Canaan it was the Lords land more peculiarly in many respects: First, it was a land that God had espied out for hi…

And again, the word signifies saw-dust that comes from timber that is sawn, and so it shall be broken in pieces: look as the calf in the wilderness was broken even to dust, to powder, and Moses made the people drink of it; so God will serve this calf. And then further observe: i…

But, 3. God keeps not always this method; nor is it likely he will observe it with Scotland and England, first to humble, and then deliver; but contrarily he first delivers, and then humbles. As (Ezekiel 20:42) And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall bring you to the…

2. God does nothing in the election of Peter, more than of Judas; nor can grace and mercy have place in the choosing of the one, rather than the other; but as free will is foreseen to play the game ill, or well, so go the eternal decrees of election and reprobation, and there ca…

But it is not amiss to note the close opposition which is here put between God, and the faithful Kings who governed the people under his name and authority; and those tyrants who at the last oppressed them under unjust laws. This will the better appear by a like place out of Eze…

These words they, they, have great weight: and it is to be understood as if the Lord gave the Jews leave to cleave to their inventions, seeing they had forsaken him, and rather turned after Idols, and forged inventions. As also the Lord by Ezekiel says to the people, Go, and sac…

Colossians 3:12. Put ye on, as the Elect of God,—Humbleness of Mind. Ezekiel 20:41, 43. I will accept you with your sweet Savour, when I bring you out from the People, etc.—And there shall ye remember your Ways, and all your Doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall loa…

So that if Plato when he was near his death, could bless God for three things, namely, That he was a Man, and not a Beast: that he was born in Greece; and brought up in the time of Socrates: much more cause have you to admire Providence, that you are Men, and not Beasts; that yo…

Hence it is, when God speaks of Israel's conversion (Isaiah 2:20), it is said, they shall cast away their idols from them — they shall cast away their sins as with indignation against themselves, because they have sinned. And hence in the prophecy of Ezekiel 20:43, the prophet t…

§4. On the account of the accessions that were thus made to the law, and especially to the observation of the Sabbath, is it often mentioned in the Scripture, as that which God had in a peculiar manner given to the Israelites, in whose especial worship it had so great a place; m…

Therefore although there should have been no such servants or strangers, as are intended in the Decalogue, in the state of Innocency, when we plead that the Law of the Sabbath was first given; yet this proves no more, but that this precept in the renovation and repetition of it…

§ 7 The first are of three sorts. First, of life temporal, as it was an instrument of their government, and eternal with God, as the promise or Covenant of Grace was exemplified or represented therein (Leviticus 18:5; Ezekiel 20:11; Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:12). Secondly, of a s…

9. There may be also something of God's design here, to try the humility and sincerity of his people, if they will stoop to every way he uses, because it is his; and if they will love the Word, not as so, or so proposed, but as it comes from him, and is his, and as such humbly r…

And again, (Galatians 3:12) the man that does them, shall live in them, that is, by them. Which we have once more confirmed to us, (Ezekiel 20:11) I gave them my statutes and my judgments; which if a man do, he shall even live in them. All which places are transcribed from that…

The generation that was grown up when they came out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, was a very froward and perverse generation. They were tainted with the idolatry and wickedness of Egypt, and were not weaned from it, as the Prophet Ezekiel takes notice, Ezekiel 20:6…

But then Jesus Christ shall be the person acknowledged; he shall be acknowledged alone; he shall be acknowledged as Lord — all this is included in the expression, etc. That Christ alone shall be spoken of, invoked, and adored in all the Churches; they shall be subjected to him a…

Learn we of whom we receive all needful things, both spiritual and temporal, for soul and body, that accordingly we may give him the praise of all. And let us not be like the ungrateful Israelites who regarded not the means of spiritual nourishment, and ascribed the means of the…

Leviticus 18:5. He that does them (that is the Commands of God) shall live in them, Ezekiel 20:11; this Promise is repeated: And in Ezekiel 30:15. If the Wicked walk in the Statutes of Life, without committing Iniquity, he shall surely live, he shall not die: Now this dying cann…

It is one great error, not only in religion and manners, but even in human science, that men are ready to take things upon trust unexamined, from those that went before them, partly out of easiness, and sparing the pains of trial, partly out of a superstitious overesteem of thei…

6. There is holiness required, that we may not be a disgrace to God, and a dishonor to him. The Lord says (Ezekiel 20:9), that his name should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they (his people) were. The sin of God's people does stain the honor of God, and profane…

2. That God will deal with them that Fear him, as a Father does with his Son: 1. God will accept them as a Father does his Son. If the Child does but lisp and can hardly speak plain, the Father takes all well: so God as a Father will accept of what his Children do in sincerity:…

Sixth, gospel-mourning is joined with self-loathing; the sinner admires himself, the penitent loathes himself. Ezekiel 20:42: you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils. A true penitent is troubled not only for the shameful consequence of sin, but the loath…

2. The promise of life is not made to Law-faith more than to Law-love, or Law-fear, or Law-desire, more than to any other, but the promise is made to Evangelical faith that lays hold on Christ as our righteousness. But for obeying the commands Adam was to live (Galatians 3:13),…

Original sin is the very pollution of our nature, which makes us unclean things: and hence it is allegorically and emphatically set forth by the condition of a new-born infant, in Ezekiel 16 begin. And every actual sin leaves a spot, a stain, a filthiness behind it upon the man…

1. By an experimental confession of his faith in Christ. 2. By a life answerable to that confession; to wit, a life of holiness — heart-holiness, family-holiness, (if he has a family,) and by conversation-holiness in the world; which in the general teaches him inwardly to abhor…

God has twisted his glory and our good together. I gave them my statutes, which if a man do, he shall even live in them, Ezekiel 20.11. There is nothing the Lord requires, but it tends to self-preservation.

This is thus brought to pass, partly by the good guiding providence of God, and partly by the malice of the Devil: God both aiming at, and also bringing forth good thereby: the Devil aiming at evil, but crossed in his purpose. That troubles and crosses fall not on us without God…

By what reasons are they confuted? (1) From those places of Scripture, where the righteousness of the law is described (Leviticus 18:5; Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:12; Ezekiel 20:11, 13): whoever, therefore, keeps my statutes and judgments, says the Lord, shall live in them. And to…

And first, of that sole searching power of the soul in this chapter, and of that other the sole wounding power of the conscience in the next chapter, we shall have the like occasion to premise. For the present, that searching, examining, and judging power of the word now in hand…

And where God denies his Word to any people, he says, upon them there shall be no Rain (Zechariah 14:17). And hence [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] to drop as the Rain does is an expression for Prophesying or Preaching (Ezekiel 21:2; Amos 7:16), the showers whereof are sometimes mor…

Paul says of the heretic that he is [in non-Latin alphabet], after due admonitions (Titus 3:11). Therefore in some cases these may be punished with death; as Baal's prophets were slain (1 Kings 18:40 and Ezekiel 21:20, Leviticus 24:16). But of the whole question elsewhere.

Sometimes they render it as idols, as at Genesis 31:19, 34, 35; and as vain images, as at 1 Samuel 19:13. Also as carved images, Ezekiel 21:21; and as those that speak, Zechariah 10:2, for reasons to be explained shortly. Our translators either retain "teraphim," as at Hosea 3:4…

The custom of lighting candles before images still persists among some. That teraphim were also used for eliciting oracles the sacred history teaches: Zechariah 10:2, "The teraphim have spoken vanity;" Ezekiel 21:21, "He consulted the teraphim." But that they were consecrated am…

Rule 11. Christ is not so intent and heart-bent on freedom from death and this black and sad hour, but he reverences a higher providence, that God's will be done; so are we to look to providence, and we are not to stumble at an external stroke in sad occurrences, when (Job 9:22)…

It is our part therefore to wait as David did, who says of himself (Psalm 69:3): I am weary of my crying, my eyes fail me while I wait for my God. For if we give over our patient expecting, and faint in our minds, seeking to anticipate this due time, this period which God has pr…

Seeing then that of his own good will he calls us to himself, and offers his righteousness freely, we are to take heed, that we deprive not ourselves of so great a benefit. Now because the Sabbath (as it appears by Moses and Ezekiel (Exodus 31:13-17; Ezekiel 21:13)) was the prin…

As there are various affections planted in your souls, so are there several graces planted in those affections, and several Providences appointed to draw forth, and exercise these graces. When the Providences of God are sad, and afflictive either upon the Church in general, or y…

Outward things are promiscuously dispensed, and no man's spiritual estate is discernable by the view of his temporal. When God draws the Sword, it may cut off the righteous as well as the wicked, Ezekiel 21:3 Though the Providences of God materially considered afford no evidence…

And all their sacrifices did but shadow out that great expiation of sin, which he was to make in his own person; as has been already proved. Things being thus disposed, God promised to them that their Civil Political State, their condition as a peculiar nation and people, should…

No salvation came to Zacchaeus till he was resolved upon restitution of what he had wrongfully gained (Luke 19:8, 9). God smites his hand at dishonest gain (Ezekiel 21:13), and this is one sin which I believe God has smitten London for. 21. The one and twenty-first sin of London…

Now these great overturnings were because the time of the great Messiah drew nigh. That they were to prepare the way for Christ's coming, is evident by scripture particularly by Ezekiel 21:22. "I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more, until he come whose…

The deformities and distempers of mens hearts, are much discovered in the winters of their affliction: although there was much glory and beauty on their profession before, yet now they appear most vile and base. We read Luke 2:35 That Christ was appointed for the fall of many, a…

APPLICATION. When the Judgments of God are abroad in the earth, it is no time then to make mirth, Ezekiel 21:10, 11. Should we [then] make mirth?

May not we fear some portentous calamity should bring up the rear of former Judgments? and (as the Prophet Ezekiel says,) Should me then make-mirth? Ezekiel 21:10. But Jovial spirits have banished the fear of God.

Therefore what should we do but search, pray, resolve to be thus with God, and take the way God will direct us. As the King of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, or at the head of the ways to make divination (Ezekiel 21:21), so you meet with partings of ways that you need…

This is the ax of divine vengeance, and God is usually pleased to do this by the instrumentality of second causes, fitted by him for the purpose: these are for this reason called his instruments in Scripture; his ax, his saw, his sword. He sometimes indeed makes them only rods,…

How unseasonable it is to take the harp and viol when God is taking the sword! Ezekiel 21:9-10: A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also polished; should we then make mirth? This is a sin that enrages God.

Now this kind of divination is condemned by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:10): Let none be found among you that is a diviner of divinations: that is, (as some interpret it) a marker of the flying of fowls; or a charmer, or a consulter with spirits, or a soothsayer; that is, such a one a…

3. The Lord in afflicting his people, aimeth at their correction. Hence affliction is called a rod (Ezek. 21:10): It is the rod of my son, contemning every tree. Israel was God's son, as the Lord said to Pharaoh, Israel is my son, my first-born; now the Chaldeans were a rod, whe…

Fourthly: Do but consider the prophecies in Scripture; especially those concerning our Savior, how many free and contingent actions did concur for the fulfilling of them: as Isaiah 7:14, chapter 9:5, and chapter 53; Genesis 3:15, etc. The like may be said of other predictions: a…

Q. 4. Does God rule also in and over the sinful actions of wicked men? A. Yes, he willingly (according to his determinate counsel) suffers them to be, for the manifestation of his glory, and by them effects his own righteous ends (2 Samuel 12:11; 2 Samuel 16:10; 1 Kings 11:31; 1…

Q. 4. Does God rule also in and over the sinful actions of wicked men? A. Yes, he willingly (according to his determinate counsel) suffers them to be, for the manifestation of his glory, and by them effects his own righteous ends (2 Samuel 12:11 & 16:10; 1 Kings 11:31 & 22:22; J…

Will you measure arms with the Almighty? Shall a little child go to fight with an archangel (Ezekiel 22:14), Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong in the day that I shall deal with you? Christ will put all his enemies at last under his feet (Psalm 110:1).

When God musters up all his forces, and sets himself in battle array against a sinner, how can his heart endure? (Ezekiel 22:14.) Who is able to lie under mountains of wrath? God is the sweetest friend but the fiercest enemy.

Because God is God, therefore he will give forth glorious rewards to his people. Use 3. Seeing there is a God, woe to all such as engage this God against them, he lives forever to be avenged upon them (Ezekiel 22:14): "Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong in the da…

This is but an endeavor to entitle God to injustice, and draw him to a copartnership with them, by giving him a share in the advantage. God hates robbery for burnt-offerings (Isaiah 61:8), and he smites his hand at men's dishonest gain (Ezekiel 22:13). He will have nothing to do…

As if you could make your part good against him? Ezekiel 22:14. He that sins against light and conscience, he bids open defiance to the majesty of God; and his lust and God's will do contend for the mastery.

Superstitio est res insana, as he said, superstition is a mad thing, folly is the cause of it, and folly the effect. 2. It is a very defiling sin, you have defiled your self in your Idols which you have made (Ezekiel 22:4). It is a sin of spiritual filthiness and uncleanness, I…

And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn aside from following me, why should I strike you to the ground? So if you will needs be tempting and trying conclusions, and making experiments, let men meddle with their match, those who are equal to themselves, not challenging one infinitel…

Do you flatter yourself that you shall find out ways for your ease and support, and make it out tolerably well, to bear up your spirit in those everlasting burnings prepared for the devil and his angels? Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong, in the days that I shal…

Notwithstanding all their stoutness, a day is coming wherein fearfulness shall surprise them, and make them cry out, who amongst us shall dwell with devouring fire, who amongst us shall inhabit with everlasting burnings? Yea, if the Lord be pleased in this life in an especial ma…

I am persuaded that the notoriously ungodly of this generation will not go out of this world, without some remarkable temporal judgment; and that the Lord will make them feel something even here, what an evil thing, and a bitter it is so audaciously to fly in the face of the gre…

Thus some have been like lions for cruelty, and like evening wolves to the poor, tearing their flesh from their bones, and reserving their very bones to gnaw in the morning, as the Prophet speaks (Zephaniah 3:3). This sin of extortion was one of the abominations reckoned up by t…

They are spoken of as falsely calling themselves of the holy City, Isaiah 48. 1, 2. They are called Silver-Dross, and Reprobate or refuse Silver (Ezekiel 22. 18. Jeremiah 4. 30.) which glistens and shows like true Silver, but has not its inward Worth. So they are compared to adu…

It is Vncleanness in the abstract, Nu[•]b. 5. 19. Filthiness it self; An abomination; Ezekiel 22:11. And they that commit are called abominable, Revel. 21. 8. Varro says, the word imports that which is not lawful to mention; or rather, abominable persons are such as are not fit…

This kind of intemperance is expressly forbidden (Leviticus 18:19) and a capital punishment inflicted on such as offended therein (Leviticus 20:18). Abstinence in this time is set in the catalog of those notes which declare a man to be righteous (Ecclesiasticus 20:7) and the con…

In the Original it is, they are become stinking. The Wicked are compared to Dogs and Swine, 2 Peter 2:22. to dross, Ezekiel 22:19. Dross is the filth of the Mettal.

O dreadful, when the great Fountains of Gods wrath shall be broken up, and all his Bitter Vials poured out! Ezekiel 22:14. Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong in the day that I shall deal with you?

If you stand it out against the power of his word, can you stand it out against the power of Christ when he comes in glory? (Ezekiel 22:14) Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong in the days that I shall deal with you? O! how will your faces gather blackness and dark…

Let me here take occasion to offer to your view some sins which are especially said to be the devil's sin, and they that do them are of, work for, and are like to, and called devils. 1 Murder, especially soul-murder, of which Antichrist the devil's son is hugely guilty, in makin…

The Priests in Jeremiah's time were desperately wicked and set upon blood, even upon having Jeremiah's blood, pronouncing sentence upon him, This man is worthy to die, and You shall surely die (Jeremiah 26:8, 11). And there were many complaints by Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and other Pr…

8th Commandment: You shall not steal. He breaks this commandment: who lives in no calling (1 Thessalonians 3:11); who neglects his calling (Jeremiah 48:10); who spends his wealth in riot and provides not for his family (1 Timothy 5:8); who is not content with his estate but seek…

I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him, and he asked, “Why do you cry?” He answered, “Sir, I perceive, by the book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment (Hebrews 9:27); and I find that I am not willing to do the first (Jo…

The Prophet tells us, that they practise iniquity that they had conceived, because it is in the power of their hand (Micah 2:1). If they have power for it, they will accomplish it; Ezekiel 22:6: To their power they shed blood. This is the measure of their sinning, even their pow…

Sin makes a man indebted to God's justice, and considering what God is, how his wrath is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12, last), it must needs therefore be a fearful thing to fall into the hands of this living God (Hebrews 10:31). For how can a man's heart endure, or his hands be s…

So the Ephesians must be told how unfit they were by nature for Christ; being the very workhouse, and shop of the devil, in which he wrought (Ephesians 2:1-3). National sins have influence in their guilt and contagion on believers: 1. When they mourn not for them, God's displeas…

But a man ripe, come to years, and so as wise as he was old: it is proved, because his estimative faculty was right (verse 26): Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. He is a wise man, who makes a wise choice, and for this cause Esau is call…

6. Prayer is a binding of God, that he cannot depart, and lays chains on his hands, and builds a wall or a hedge of thorns in his way that he cannot destroy his people (Isaiah 64:7). And there is none that calls upon your name, and stirs up himself to take hold of you [in non-La…

To the dung or garbage, the poison, sting, excrement, vomit of these filthy creatures; to a root of bitterness which defiles many (Hebrews 12:15); to thorns and briers, which bring forth no other fruits but [reconstructed: curses] (Hebrews 6:8). To the excrement of metals, dross…

But it was prophesied long before that all these things should happen, and that God being most angry, and the Christian people suffering many troubles, there should be no intercessors or prayers for them to God, as Isaiah says weeping (Isaiah 64): there is none that will call up…

(1) Because, ignorant and wicked men eating and drinking unworthily, are guilty of the body and blood of Christ, and so bring judgment upon themselves (1 Corinthians 11:29). (2) Because, all were not admitted to eat of the Passover, neither was it for all promiscuously to partak…

Oh how many crying sins have been found among us? Should God come and [illegible] with us, (and indeed so he does, and has been pleading with us a great while) and [illegible] over to us a bill of our several items, how few need he leave [illegible] those [illegible] against Jer…

Quest. Wherein does it appear that it is such a great blessing to be delivered from places of idolatry? Resp. It is a great mercy, because our nature is so prone to idolatry: Israel began to be defiled with the idols of Egypt (Ezekiel 23:3). Dry wood is not more prone to take fi…

Popery is a God-dishonoring religion: They dishonor God's name. (1.) By their idolatry, which is spiritual adultery (Ezekiel 23:37). Idolatry is to worship a false God, or the true God in a false manner; this they are guilty of.

Yet David's order was no cause of Joab's death, but his own treason, nor of Shimei's death, but his own flight: God never damns the creature, or decrees to damn it without respect of sin; God's Will is the cause of Preterition, his Justice is the cause of Predamnation, for damna…

Gideon's Ephod (Judges 8:27) they went a whoring after it. With their idols have they committed adultery (Ezekiel 23:37), and throughout that chapter. The two idolatrous cities, Samaria and Jerusalem are compared to two adulterous women, Aholah, and Aholibah.

See Ezekiel 20; Zechariah 9:7; Jeremiah 4:1, 32:34; Isaiah 66:3. XXIII. Finally, by way of supreme contempt they are called by the Hebrew term signifying "filth, dung, wallowing-places:": Ezekiel 23:3, "He committed fornication with them to defile himself," with dunghill-gods. L…

(Leviticus 24:15). He that curses his God, shall bear his sin. (Ezekiel 23:49). And you shall bear the sins of your idols. (Numbers 9:13). The man that is clean — and forbears to eat the Passover — that man shall bear his sin.

But if Mr. Den and others will contend that this seeing of the salvation of God, is the revelation of the literal knowledge of Christ, that saving thing which is bestowed on the nations by the ministry of John and the coming of the Messiah, they must with us confess a large syne…

[in non-Latin alphabet] from [in non-Latin alphabet], is properly desiderium, desire; but is no where used in the Scripture, but for a thing, or person desired, or desirable, loved, valued, or valuable: as is [in non-Latin alphabet] also. Daniel 9:23, chapter 10:11, chapter 11:8…

Here, her veil is the tenderness of her profession, whereby in a decent, modest and humble way, she professed herself to be a believer, seeking after Christ Jesus, as one bearing the badge of subjection to him as her husband. The taking away of the veil, is their wronging of tha…

I will Afflict the Seed of David, but not for ever: God will love for ever, but not afflict for ever; he will ere long give his people a Writ of ease. A Sinners best, and a Saints worst are but short; Affliction is called a Cup, Ezekiel 23:32. The Wicked drink a Sea of Wrath; th…

But thoughts of sin may be sinful thoughts, with respect to sin past, or sin to come; with respect to sin past, when men please themselves in the thoughts of their past sins, when they chew the cud, and lick their lips after it, or as it is said in (Job 20:12-13), they hide (and…

O how cursed! O how damned will the sinner of an hundred years old be! The Scripture speaks of those that are old in adulteries (Ezek. 23:43). An old wanton, an old drunkard must needs fall under a heavy sentence in the day when God shall bring them into judgment.

Because you do not love the Lord nor reverence his holy law, this increases the evil exceedingly. It argues a sensual, sottish, atheistical disposition of heart to live without God and [illegible], in our course [illegible] to put off the apprehensions of Christians and men — th…

The help of the creature substitute in the room of God, having the luster of blue and purple, or clothed in scarlet, riding upon horses. Young men of desire (Ezekiel 23:23) do easily dazzle our eyes, and when we are not renewed in the spirit of our mind, unsanctified hearts are…

(Verse 20) The soul that sins shall die, the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father? (Ezekiel 23:35) Because you have forgotten me — bear you also your lewdness and your whoredom. In the same very sense, Christ (Hebrews 9:28) was once offered to bear the sins of many (1 P…

Reas. 4. Because God does by his awakening judgements teach them he intends good to: David professes, Your judgements make me afraid, that is, afraid to sin, afraid to be licentious and remiss in my life and ways. Reas. 5. Because God does charge the neglect of this duty upon Ju…

The time of King Henry the 8th was called the Golden Age, but this may be called the unclean age, wherein whore-hunting is common. (Ezekiel 24:13) In your filthiness is lewdness. Luther tells of one who said, If he might but satisfy his lust, and be carried from one whore-house…

Sincerity though it shields from hell, yet not from slander. (3.) God sometimes afflicts with loss of dear relations (Ezekiel 24:16): Son of man behold I take away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke: this is like a pulling away a limb from the body. He takes away a h…

Tenthly, they are as rottenness, and their root is rottenness (Isaiah 5:24). And then, they are as scum, in Ezekiel 24:12. And as scum ready for the fire.

Can he annul or break his covenant? No truly: but it is said he forsakes and profanes his heritage: as in Psalm 89, Ezekiel 24, because we can judge no otherwise of it by outward appearance. For in that he bore not that affection towards them he was accustomed to, it was a kind…

So you read, Daniel 11:35 it purifies and makes their souls white: Hence it's compar'd to a furnace which separates the dross from the pure metal, Isaiah 48:10 Behold I have refined you, but not with Silver: I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction. But for wicked men, let…

What a change was here in Moab? Moab, an idolatrous company, that hated God's people, and were enemies to all goodness — yet when they were weary, and God's hand lay heavy upon them, then they would pray (Ezekiel 24:12). So that you see clearly, though men do change their lives,…

We may illustrate this by a contrary rule given by this prophet Jeremiah, and likewise by Ezekiel, when mourning was forbidden (Jeremiah 16:6), where he speaks of some that should die and have none to mourn for them, he says, they shall not lament for them, nor make themselves b…

When the disposition of grace is on, a small object brings forth suitable actings; Christ lets out one cast of his eye upon Peter, and he went out and wept bitterly; a small shake of the tree brings down ripe apples, they fall of their own accord: a gentle quiet gale of wind wil…

Set a pot on the fire, and put flesh into it; while it is cold, there is nothing but water and meat: but set it boiling, and then the scum arises. It is a simile used in (Ezekiel 24:11-12). I say, observe what arises in your spirit, at any time, when there is some commotion, whe…

They were only the fruit of the present pang, therefore it was said they lied to him with their tongue. So (Ezekiel 24:12). She has wearied herself with lies, and her scum went not forth out of her, speaking of her promises, when the pot was over the fire there seemed to be offe…

(Hosea 7:1) When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, etc. (Ezekiel 24:13) In your filthiness is lewdness, because I have purged you, and you were not purged, you shall not be purged from your filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to…

If you have time, who knows that God will give you a heart, to seek for mercy or sue for grace; it is true God may help you, but it is as true God may harden you, he may humble you and he may leave you, and it is most likely he will. You which have refused to hear, he will refus…

Cartwright says it is a metaphor from men who, being oppressed with a burden, transfer it off themselves upon one who is mightier and stronger: it is excellent when the heart rolls all its cares upon the Lord, and disburdens itself upon him. (8.) There is a word that notes to le…

Men seem to contend as the Jews of old, who should be most wicked . In their filthiness is leudness, (Ezekiel 24:13). If oaths and drunkenness, if perjury and luxury will make a people guilty, then it is to be feared England is in Gods black Book.

1. We must be patient when God removes any comfort from us: Does God take away any of our Relations? Ezekiel 24. 16. I will take away the desire of thine eyes with a stroke; yet it is our duty patiently to acquiesce in the Will of God: The loss of a dear Relation, is like the pu…

And there is infinite danger in men's delaying their conversion, lest God should say of them as he did of the old world of ungodly ones, who deferred their repentance (Genesis 6:3): My spirit shall not always strive with man. Or as it was said of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 24:13): Becau…

The Psalmist speaking of the wicked, says, they are become filthy; in the Hebrew it is, they are become stinking. That you may see how low a sinner is fallen in God's account, the Lord compares him to dross, Psalm 119:119 to chaff, Psalm 1:4 to a Pot boiling with scum, Ezekiel 2…

And pronounces, Let him that is unjust, be unjust still, and let him which is filthy, be filthy still (Revelation 22:11). And says, In your filthiness is lewdness, because I have purged you, and you were not purged; you shall not be purged from your filthiness any more, till I h…

- 1. Of a holy frame of grace by original corruption, which is opposite to original and renewed holiness, or to this holy frame. - 2. Of the God of grace himself when he comes to work it (Job 21:14; Ezekiel 24:13). The first is taken away in that which we call the spirit of sanc…

If the fire of affliction be continually blown till the very bellows be burned, that is, the tongue, or rather the lungs of the prophet, which have some resemblance to bellows; though these be even spent in reproving and threatening, and denouncing woe upon woe, and judgment upo…

To the excrement of metals, dross, and reprobate silver (Jeremiah 6:28; Ezekiel 22:18). To the excrement of a boiling pot, a great scum (Ezekiel 24:11-12). To the worst of all diseases, sores (Isaiah 1:6), rottenness (2 Timothy 3:8), gangrenes or leprosies (2 Timothy 2:17), plag…

Qu. 10. How do we in and by them build up our selves in our most holy faith? Answ. By the exercise of that communion with God in Christ Jesus, which in their due observation he graciously invites and admits us to, for the increase of his grace in us, and the testification of his…

Tyre was a very rich city, and greatly renowned in regard of the trade which all nations had with it, as also in regard of the towns of war and cities habitable which it built: as Carthage, which imitated the Roman Empire; Utica, Leptis, Gades, and other cities, who all sent the…

And the word which we have here for desolate places, is in Scripture clearly applied to the grave, or a place of burial. We have it in Ezekiel 26:20, where the prophet, foreshowing the destruction of Tyre, speaks from the Lord thus: When I shall bring you down with them that des…

See death and sin's reign, and grace and Christ's reign (Romans 5:15, 17, 21). See Ezekiel 20:23, Ezekiel 16:59, 60, Ezekiel 26:21, 22, 23, 1 Timothy 1:13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Make some ripeness for fulness of grace.

Yes, and Gades divided (as it were) from the rest of the earth, were peopled from hence. We need not go so much to the authors that write about this city and the braveness of it, for in (Ezekiel 27) you have a description of the city Tyrus, as a most brave, rich, and glorious ci…

Hence we must be mortified to every thing created which the Lord may take from us. 14. And upon this account there is required a deadening of our hearts to shipping and trading with diverse mighty nations, as we see in the case of Tyre (Ezekiel 27), of Babylon (Revelation 18:11-…

Is that their glory? Why, see how God derides the Prince of Tyrus, who was lifted up with an apprehension hereof; and counted himself as God, upon that account (Ezekiel 27:3, 4, 5, 6, etc.). The issue of all is; You shall be a man and no God in the hand of him that slays you; Go…

Quest. But what is it to have other gods besides the true God? I fear upon search we have more idolaters among us than we are aware of. Resp. To trust in any thing more than God, is to make it a God. 1. If we trust in our riches, then we make riches our God: we may take comfort,…

(2) Because, they are hurtful and noxious, choaking and hindering good fruits, that otherwise would thrive in the field. So are thorns and briars represented in the Scripture as grieving, piercing and hurtful, and things that are so called by their name (Ezekiel 28:24; Micah 4:4…

1. Pride, self-elation, desire of power and greatness. It is affirmed of the Prince of Tyrus, that he said, He was a God, and sat in the Seat of God (Ezekiel 28:3). And the like foolish thoughts are ascribed to the King of Babylon (Isaiah 14:13, 14).

From hence cometh it, that we fear not in greatest dangers (2 Kings 6:16; Psalm 3:7; Psalm 27:3); that in the time of affliction, we are patient (Proverbs 20:22; Hebrews 10:33); without all murmuring to hold our peace (Psalm 39:10); receiving them as from a father (Job 1:21; Psa…

There are two Adjuncts of the Commands of God; (1.) That they are equal, (2.) That they are Easy, or not grievous. The former they have from the nature of the things commanded and the fitness of our Minds to receive such Commands, Ezek. 28. 25. The latter they have from the disp…

His Affinity, his relation unto them is the nearest imaginable, and he is no otherwise to be accounted of; and there is nothing that God abhors more than an Elation of mind in the forgetfulness of our mean frail condition. You say, said he to the proud Prince of Tyrus, that you…

2. In its evening or latter part, which is bright and glorious, and therefore do we so much hear of the goodness of the latter days — as (Hosea 3:5): they shall make haste to fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days. So of safety: no provoking briar, no pricking thorn (…

Let comparison be made, so will it be found to be. And 2. by the way of trial: the residue of the world, being pricking briers and grieving thorns to the house of Israel (Ezekiel 28:24). The best of them is a brier, and the most upright of them sharper than a thorn hedge (Micah…

5. Those things which (if we have nothing else) will make us cursed, cannot make us blessed; but the sole enjoyment of worldly things will make us cursed; therefore it is far from making us blessed: Riches are kept for the hurt of the owner (Ecclesiastes 5:13). Riches to the wic…

Then shall Satan be bound, and the haters of God shall feign obedience, and his enemies lick the dust. Then will that be understood and experienced (Ezekiel 28:24), 'There shall be no more a pricking briar to the House of Israel, nor any grieving thorn, &c.' But the great glory…

Saint Bernard calls Pride the rich man's cousin. Ezekiel 28:5. Thy heart is lifted up because of thy riches.

That our Nature is liable to such a pernicious folly, which some of tenacious Fancies have turned into Madness, we are beholding alone to our cursed Apostasie from God, and the vanity that possessed our minds thereon. Hence the Prince of Tyrus thought he was a God, and sate in t…

2. Some are proud of their estates. Riches are fuel for pride Ezekiel 28.5. Thy heart is lifted up because of thy riches. Men's hearts rise with their estates, as the Boats on the Thames rise higher with the Tide.

Tyre deified herself, because of her wealth. Your heart is lifted up, because of your riches; and you have set your heart as the heart of God (Ezekiel 28:5-6). According to their pastures so were they filled, they were filled and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forg…

Indeed their pride made them forget any God save themselves, 'I am, and there is none besides me' (Isaiah 47:7-8). It was the blasphemous arrogance of Tyrus the rich city, 'I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, I have a heart like the heart of God' (Ezekiel 28:26). Neither are t…

Examples of God's judgements upon his own people for their sins, are evident confirmations and testimonies that he is a God who proceeds impartially according to his own rule; as when laws are executed according to the tenor of them upon malefactors in the kingdom, we now know t…

I suppose, you know with how many express testimonies of Scripture its self, this truth is confirmed, which, added to that light and evidence, which as a deduction from the former fundamental truth it has in its self, is very sufficient to render it unquestionable. You may at yo…

Reprove them not, help them not, hinder them not, let them alone to take their own course. So says God, of Israel now given up to sin and ruin, Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone (Hosea 4:14; Ezekiel 29:13). And it is the same judgment which he denounces against unprofita…

Paul says (Romans 2:14), The Gentiles that have not the law do the things of the law by nature, that is, by natural strength: and he says of himself, that before his conversion touching the righteousness of the law, he was blameless (Philippians 3:6). And for this external obedi…

And this God does to the end he may preserve human society, and common honesty, and that he may testify what he approves, and what he dislikes. Lastly, he gives good success in enterprises, and attempts, according to his own decree, and the order of divine providence: which meta…

For by Rahab, I doubt not but he means proud and cruel Egypt: as in Psalm 87; I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon, among those which know me. Also, Ezekiel calls the King of Egypt a dragon (Ezekiel 29:3): Behold, I come against you Pharaoh King of Egypt, the great dragon, t…

Therefore when God gives leave to the Devil and evil persons to have power to work any harm to you, and to afflict you, having done no harm to them: know this, that God uses them as executioners of his justice: that you may thereby learn, that godless persons and wrongful practi…

Oh how apt are the best men, to lean upon these things, and stay themselves upon them! Thus did Israel stay themselves upon Egypt, as a feeble man would lean upon his staff; but God suffered it both to fail them, and wound them, Ezekiel 29. 6, 7, 8. So for single persons, how ap…

The original promise of life upon obedience, and the curse on its transgression were inseparably annexed to it; yes, were essential parts of it, as it contained the Covenant between God and Man. See (Genesis 2; Deuteronomy 27:26; Romans 6:23; Romans 4:4; Romans 10:5; Romans 11:6…

Besides they observe the number of the verses at the end of every book: as also that [in non-Latin alphabet] in [in non-Latin alphabet] Leviticus 11:42 is the middle letter of the Law; [in non-Latin alphabet], Leviticus 10:16 the middle word; Leviticus 13:33 the middle verse; th…

And this mad-nothing is above God, (Isaiah 37:10) Let not your God in whom you trust deceive you. The tyrant of Egypt, the great dragon that lies in the midst of the river said, My river is my own, and I have made it for myself, (Ezekiel 29:3). God made the sea and all the river…

14. And upon this account there is required a deadening of our hearts to shipping and trading with diverse mighty nations, as we see in the case of Tyre (Ezekiel 27), of Babylon (Revelation 18:11-13; Jeremiah 51). So are we to be mortified to fair houses (Isaiah 5:8), stately ci…

In the cited passage it is rendered manufacta [things made by hand]: "Gods fashioned by the hands of men," Isaiah 2:8; as bdelygmata [abominations], or things to be abominated. And likewise Ezekiel 30:13; Leviticus 19:4, eidola [idols]; and Habakkuk 2:18, eidola kopa [idols] and…

Leviticus 18:5. He that does them (that is the Commands of God) shall live in them, Ezekiel 20:11; this Promise is repeated: And in Ezekiel 30:15. If the Wicked walk in the Statutes of Life, without committing Iniquity, he shall surely live, he shall not die: Now this dying cann…

(Daniel 12:2) "Many that sleep in the dust shall awake, some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Ezekiel 32:24) "Elam and all her multitude are slain — they have borne their shame, with them that go down to the pit." That which is penal in shame, the Lord Jesus did bear; he say…

But Christ places his own protection, and that of the Father, in contrast with the fury and violence of wicked men, and declares, on good grounds, that the meek will be the lords and heirs of the earth. The children of this world never think themselves safe, but when they fierce…

When our Lord Jesus is described in his majesty, riding prosperously, the glory he appears in is truth, and meekness, and righteousness (Psalm 45:4). The courage of those who overcome this great red dragon of wrath and revenge, by meek and patient suffering, and by not loving th…

Does not sin then bring men low, when it brings them to Hell? Ezekiel 32.27. They are gone down to Hell, they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquity shall be upon their bones. Thus I have shown you how many ways sin brings one low.

Here's Heaven and Earth shaken; and all in the razing of the political state and commonwealth of the Jews by the Babylonians, as is at large described in the verses following. Ezek. 32:7. I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark: I will cover the Sun with a cloud…

This is the savory meat God loves. How few mind this, worshipping him who is a Spirit in the Spirit; they give him more dregs than spirits; they think it enough to bring their duties, but not their hearts, which has made God disclaim those very services he himself appointed (Isa…

First, hypocrites take God's name in vain, their religion is a lie; they seem to honor God, but they do not love him, their hearts go after their lusts (Hosea 4:8): They set their hearts on their iniquity. Their eyes are lifted up to heaven, but their hearts are rooted in the ea…

If the King were speaking to one of his subjects, and he should not give heed to what the King says, but be thinking on another business, or playing with a feather, would not this provoke the King? So when we are in God's presence, and God is speaking to us in his Word, and we m…

Austin confesses that before his conversion, he went to hear St. Ambrose rather for his eloquence, than the spirituality of the matter. (Ezekiel 33:32) You are to them as a very lovely song of one that has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument. Many come to the wo…

Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of God. 3. A man may be a frequenter of ordinances, and yet miss of the kingdom; it is a good sight to see people flock as doves to the windows of God's ho…

God has revealed in his word, that he is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), that he does not delight in the destruction of a sinner (Ezekiel 18:32). Iurat per Essentiam, Musculus — he swears by his essence (Ezekiel 33:11). "As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the dea…

Mark what is said of them: they received the Word; they did not wholly reject it, as many others did; and they received it with joy too; and they believed for a season; and yet fell away in a time of temptation; for they had no root; their faith was a dead faith, whatever it see…

But let us hear what reasons may be alleged to the universality of redemption. 1. Ezekiel 33:11. As I live says the Lord, I will not the death of the wicked: but, that the wicked return from his wicked way. Answer: The place is to be understood not simply but in respect; of the…

It is true, there is a great difference among Christians themselves in their diligence and dexterity about heart-work; some are more conversant and successful in it than others are. But he that takes no heed to his heart, he that is not careful to order it aright before God, is…

We preach wisdom to those that are perfect: such wisdom, as eye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man; but God reveals it to us by his Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:6, 9): that is, the chiefest in knowledge, have not seen with their eyes, or hea…

In the action itself, we see by that is forbidden, our heads full of other matters, running upon our profits, pleasures, &c. The great hypocrisy of many, who taking some delight in the thing outwardly, have no true feeling wrought by it, when they hear (Ezekiel 33:31-32). The br…

Though your bodies be present, your hearts are wandering. You are like these spoken of (Ezekiel 33:31), who sat before the prophet as God's people, but their hearts went after their covetousness. How often while you are sitting here is your heart away?

When God made promise to Abraham; because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself. Ezekiel 33: The people slandered the Lord, he delighted so to have the people pine away in their iniquities, that he would punish them for no fault; but the children's teeth should be se…

Gouernour: and superiours, are not to give account for the sinnes of those that are committed to them: but for the sinnes which themselues commit, in not looking to them, not admonishing them, not restraining them, not taking condigne punishment of them for their offences. This…

They ask of me the Ordinances of Justice, they take Delight in approaching to God. It may cause them to take Delight in hearing the Word of God preached; as it was with Ezekiel's Hearers, Ezekiel 33. 31, 32. And they come unto thee as my People cometh, and they sit before thee a…

After the Manner they trusted in Christ, that the Apostle Jude speaks of, crept in among the Saints unknown; but were really ungodly Men, turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness, Jude 4. These are they that trust in their being righteous; and because God has promised that t…

1. If your hearing the word be but a bare hearing, and not a hearing with practice — if you have not practice joined with what you hear — then your thus hearing the word with delight is no evidence of your effectual calling. Ezekiel 33:31: They come before you as my people come,…

According as our esteem and valuation of it is, so is our heeding of it, and attendance to it, and no otherwise. Hearkening to the Word as to a song of him that has a pleasant voice, which may please or satisfy for the present, is that which profits not men, and which God abhors…

Some with whom things come to a better issue, are yet for a season brought to that discomposure of Spirit, or are so filled with their own apprehensions, that when the things which are most proper to their condition are spoken to them, they take no impression in the least upon t…

These things being premised, we may consider how variously God has engaged his Oath, that there is forgiveness with him. First, He swears that he has no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but rather that he repent and live, Ezekiel 33:11. As I live, says the Lord, I have no plea…

Hauing found that this petition must bee understood of the reuealed will of God, wee now come to search out the speciall branches of Gods reuealed will; which wee shall finde in seuerall places of the holy Scripture. The first, is the conuersion of a sinner, Ezekiel 33. 11. As I…

When the Word is dispensed, we are now to lift up the everlasting doors of our hearts, that the King of glory may enter in. How far are they from offering violence to themselves in hearing, who scarce mind what is said, as if they were not at all concerned in the business: they…

But I suppose, upon mature Consideration this will not appear at all unreasonable. 'Tis no more unreasonable to suppose this People to make a Profession of that Respect to God, which they had not in their Hearts now, than at other Times when we are informed they did so, as in Ez…

How near to this comes that which the Apostle supposes may be found even in apostates (Hebrews 6:8-9), who are there said, to taste the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. What shall I say if real Christians delight in ordinances, those that are none may also…

It was one of the devices they devised against Jeremiah to smite him with the tongue, because they would not, and they desired that others might not give heed to any of his words (Jeremiah 18:18). Those to whom the prophet Ezekiel was a very lovely song, and with their mouths sh…

And so Jeremy complains in the bitterness of his spirit, that the word of the Lord was made a reproach to him. And Ezekiel, see how he was scorned, Ezek. 33. 30, 31, &c. And as they did the Prophets, so Christ, and the Apostles; when they were filled with the Spirit of God, they…

Again, to hear it only to stop the mouth of conscience, that it may not clamor more for gross impiety in contempt of it, this is not to hear it out of desire, but out of fear; to desire it only for some present pleasure, and delight that a man may find in it, is not the due use…

2. In the offer of it. So God has proclaimed pardon, upon the condition of repentance (Ezekiel 33:11): Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn, you, turn, you from your evil wa…

Sorrow for sin; no man can seriously desire a pardon, but he that is touched with a sense of his sin, moved and troubled at it. And then, for purpose of forsaking (Ezekiel 33:12): "As for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turns from his w…

3. There are some special things, concerning which God has more expressly signified his will, and given special charge; and these we should make greatest conscience of, how distasteful soever they be to flesh and blood, or prejudicial to our own interest. For instance; concernin…

Proud men please themselves with the suppositions of applause, and the echoes of praise in their minds. 5. Covetousness consists chiefly in a vain musing (Ezekiel 33:31). Their heart goes after their covetousness (2 Peter 1:14).

So they think all Sabbath-time lost. In fact, it distracts in duty (Ezekiel 33:31): with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their covetousness. It interlines our prayers, and the world will still be creeping in; and when we are offering incense to God, w…

2. It reproves them that would have a dispensation at times, and take liberty to cast off all Christian modesty and gravity; that think if they be serious sometimes, they may be light and vain at others; and therefore sometimes like angels of light, at other times like fiends of…

That shows the reality of your delight, when you come under the power of the truth, and are absolutely governed by it: for then you delight in them aright, as mysteries of godliness. The Lord complains of them that had a delight in the Prophet, his voice was as pleasing to them…

2. Those that post-date. They go from duties to sins, (Ezekiel 33:13): When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trusts to his own righteousness, and commits iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he has commi…

How many lies have they told, for which they must be damned in hell fire without repentance. But if they truly repent and turn from all their sins to God in Christ, none of them shall ever be mentioned against them, though never so many, though never so great (Ezekiel 33:16).

1. There are many delight in the word, because of the eloquence of the Preacher; they delight not so much in the truths delivered, as in the dress that they are delivered in. Thus it is said of the Prophet Ezekiel, that he was to them as a very lovely song of one that has a plea…

You are utterly mistaken if you do not find application beyond your strength as well as redemption: this mistake in imagining that we can make the application arises especially upon a double ground, which is most dangerous and least discerned. First, when from the general offer…

He answers him, I have found you — that is to say, it was my duty to do so, and therefore I have endeavored it, and according to my desire and endeavor I have accomplished it, I came on purpose. If the watchman does not warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in…

As they said (1 Samuel 8:19), when Samuel gave them reasons against monarchy; they say not, your reasons are not good, we will answer them, and bring better reasons for what we desire; no, but we will have a king. And as the Lord says to the house of Israel (Ezekiel 33:11), turn…

Why he takes his oath, not that he can change, but that he would have me be settledly assured thereof. As I live, says the Lord, I desire not the death of a sinner but rather that he should repent and live (Ezekiel 33:11). If God does not desire my death but my repentance, why s…

Why then are commands so frequent in Scripture; as, "Make you a new heart and a new spirit" (Ezekiel 18:31). "Turn, turn, why will you die?" (Ezekiel 33:11). "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).

And he would not have treated so familiarly with him, if he had not esteemed him to be faithful: and yet for all this, here is a barren tree in the Vineyard. And we find that if men under the watch of the Ministry do perish through their default, God will require their blood at…

And is it not as strange that men's ears should be open, yet in hearing hear not? They mind not what is said: Ezekiel 33:31: They sit before you as my people sits, but their heart goes after their covetousness. Many sit and stare the minister in the face, yet scarce know a word…

They have no spiritual hunger who desire only to feast their fancy. Of such the prophet speaks (Ezekiel 33:32): You are to them as a very lovely song of one that has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument. If a man were invited to a feast, and there being music at t…

Psalm 51:17: The incense when it was broken gave out the sweetest fragrance. Impure souls care not in what a dead, perfunctory manner they serve God (Ezekiel 33:31). They pray more out of fashion than out of faith.

And we that are Ministers of CHRIST, we are in this case to comfort and encourage you, as Paul says, we were gentle among you, as a Nurse among her children; we should bee tender ouer you, and comfort and encourage you, we are not Lords of your faith. And there[•]ore in Ezekiel…

Let us correct the bold pleadings and the daring charges that our vain hearts put upon the Lord: Why do you strive against him (says Elihu, Job 33:13) for he gives not account of any of his matters? Men dare say, when they are under the vengeance of ordinary sufferings, "The way…

Micah 6:9: the Lord's voice cries to the city; that is to say, the trumpet of the Word is sounded to give the alarm, but if that voice be not regarded, then hear the rod — judgments follow. "Son of man" (says the Lord to Ezekiel) "speak to the children of your people, and say to…

How often does God call upon us to turn to him? He swears, (Ezekiel 33:11). As I live, I desire not the death of the sinner, turn ye, turn ye, &c.

An image-lover is a God-hater. Idolaters are said to go a whoring from God (Ezekiel 34:15). How can they love God?

(4.) The church-thief, or pluralist, who holds several benefices, but seldom or never preaches to the people: he gets the golden fleece, but lets his flock starve. (Ezekiel 34:2) Woe be to the shepherds of Israel. Ver. 8. They feed themselves, and feed not my flock.

Herein was the tabernacle of God with men, and he dwelt among them. 4. As a new church-state is prophesied of under the New Testament (Ezekiel 34:25, 26, 27; Isaiah 66:18, 19, 20, 21, 22) and other places innumerable; so it was actually erected by Jesus Christ, as we have declar…

As if his riches lay in them: a man seals a bag of money for his use: so the Lord seals his people as his portion with a double seal, the one of election (2 Timothy 2:19), the other of assurance (Ephesians 1:13). 7. God calls them his plant of renown (Ezekiel 34:19). He hedges i…

Paul gives such an account of his life, as will shame most ministers when they think of it (2 Corinthians 11:27): In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness; and Paul had his enforced fasts, his voluntary fast…

But the Lord makes David, that is Jesus the Son of David, Prince over his people, not with power to save or destroy his redeemed flock, and so as all the flock may eternally perish. Ezekiel 34:22: "Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey." — Verse 23: "A…

The sheep or ox that goes astray, must be brought home again (Exodus 23:4), much more your neighbor. Christ himself brings home again the lost sheep, and so must every shepherd (Ezekiel 34:4). Now the Galatians were in all likelihood persons curable: and therefore not to be cut…

By bearing of our own burdens, is vnderstood giving an account for our selues to God. Nowe euery man is not to give account for himself alone, but for those also that are cōmitted to his charge, as the father for his child, the master for his seruant, the magistrate for the sub…

"They shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king," (Jeremiah 30:9.) Again, "my servant David shall be a prince among them," (Ezekiel 34:24; 37:24.) "They shall seek the Lord their God, and David their king," (Hosea 3:5.)

But the latter root has been more fertile in suggestions. John Alberti, no mean authority, in his Glossarium Graecum, (under Luke 11:38,) defines Φαρισαῖος, to be διακεχωρισμένος, separated, and quotes the Septuagint as employing that participle (Ezekiel 34:12) for, נפרׁשות the…

When our Lord says that the separation of the sheep from the goats is delayed till that day, he means that the wicked are now mixed with the good and holy, so that they live together in the same flock of God. The comparison appears to be borrowed from Ezekiel 34:18, where the Lo…

For this cause was his posterity continued in a state of separation from the rest of the world, that he might seek an holy seed to himself (Numbers 23:9; Malachi 2:15). For this cause did he raise them into a civil, regal, and Church-State, that he might in them type out, and pr…

This is [in non-Latin alphabet], Messiah, the prince, leader, or ruler over all. And [in non-Latin alphabet] is the same with [in non-Latin alphabet] (Micah 5:1), the ruler; and [in non-Latin alphabet] (Ezekiel 34:23), the shepherd; and [in non-Latin alphabet], the prince, or [i…

And this the words whereby he is described do also manifest; [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; Ruling in man; that is, says Jarchi, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]: over Israel who is called man; as it is said, and you the flock of my pasture are men; [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. You are…

And, 2. to give them quiet and cool resting-places in the time of heat, when the Sun becomes scorching; and therefore prays she to him, Seeing you do both these to yours, let me know the right way of partaking of the benefit of your care. Which two petitions imply, 1. That there…

Next, by foxes are understood false teachers (Ezekiel 13:4): O Israel, your Prophets (that is your flattering teachers as the context clears) are as foxes in the deserts. And (Matthew 7:15) they are called wolves in sheep's clothing: Hereby are meant, not every one, who in somet…

This dealing of theirs cannot be to speak a word in season to the weary soul of a tender person, whose carriage is so convincing even to others, that in verse 9 they give her a high commendation, which is a clear testimony against the malignity of these watchmen; they must there…

The ordinance of sacrificing was the greatest of the instituted types; and the redemption out of Egypt was the greatest of the providential types; and David the greatest of the personal types. Hence Christ is often called David in the prophecies of scripture; as Ezekiel 34:23-24…

The times of sweet refreshing showres, and of the singing of the birds under the Messiah's Kingdom, require that we exercise our faith in looking toward these promises. When the heavens seem to be heavy, and (as it were) with child of Summer-rain (Ezekiel 34:26): I will make the…

There is nothing in the Book of God, in which God is so full in his expression, as when he comes to this argument, to manifest his affection to his Church. Christ is the Shepherd, and when sheep are together, they are under the protection of the Shepherd, when the sheep are scat…

When he sees a poor soul weak, tender, and ready to sink and perish, he takes him into his arms by some gracious promise administered to him, carries him, and bears him up when he is not able to go one step forward. Hence his great quarrel with those shepherds in Ezekiel 34:4: t…

But this truth hangs not on such weak notions as are often used, either for or against it. In that prophecy (Ezekiel 34:16): I will seek, and bring again, etc., and (Psalm 23:3): He restores, or returns, my soul. And that this is the work of this Shepherd the Lord Jesus, God-man…

And there[•]ore in Ezekiel 33. it was the fault of the Shepheards, they ruled all the people with rigour, but we are helpers of your joy; for what have we to doe, but what our Master has set us about to doe? as he did; how did he behaue himself? the smoking Flax, he did not blow…

(4.) The same Covenant made with Abraham is made with the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 6:16): I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Which is prophesied of the Gentiles under the New Testament in Ezekiel 11:17-20, Ezekiel 34:23-25, Jeremiah 31:31-36, Jeremiah 32:36-40,…

(5.) Infants are debarred from Covenant-calling and gathering in under the wings of Christ: contrary to Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 23:37, Psalm 147:19-20, and excluded from God's Covenant-choice: contrary to Deuteronomy 7:6-9, 13-14, Deuteronomy 10:15, and left being heirs of wra…

6. (Jeremiah 31:[reconstructed: 38]) Behold the days will come, says the Lord, that the City shall be built to the Lord, etc. There is a promise of spiritual right in Christ made to the blessings of this life, to these that are personal Covenanters; as (Jeremiah 32:41; Ezekiel 1…

We look little to anything but to have and enjoy the dead lump and body of gold, dead lands without Christ. See (Hosea 2:18, 22; Ezekiel 34:25, 27; Ezekiel 36:29; Leviticus 26:6; Psalm 37:9, 11, 29; 1 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 13:5-6; Matthew 6:25-26; Psalm 34:10). O fair inheritance.

Argument 1. What argument does prove that there is a people in Covenant with God, who call the Lord their God (as in Zechariah 13:9; Jeremiah 32:38; Isaiah 25:9), the same shall prove Christ to be in Covenant with God: as whoever can say, 'he is my God,' must be in Covenant with…

Fourth, the necessity of this Covenant appears, in that salvation is taken off free-will, and the slippery yes, and no, of free-will in the Covenant of Works, and laid upon one that is mighty, upon David, to govern Israel as their king; but (Psalm 89:19) upon Christ (as excellen…

We are indeed exceeding backward to believe this, and therefore see what's added. Ezekiel 34:16: He says he will feed them with judgment: that is, with wisdom and discretion: for he is wise, and knows how to feed them, according to their weak capacities, and so his wisdom may be…

David was a type of Christ; and in how many things Christ was represented by him, would be too great a digression now to enquire: but it is certain, that by a frequent scripture metonymy, Christ the antitype, is called by the name of David the type (Jeremiah 30:9): "They shall s…

The scriptures are full of such Testimonies, whereby, we may know, and espy out false Prophets, but they are most lively depicted and set forth. Ezekiel 34 Chapter. Which place, the shortness of our matter will not suffer us, nor admit, to write out here.

So he had them first to the spring. Lo, says he, this is the spring that Christian drank of before he went up this hill: and then it was clear and good; but now it is dirty with the feet of some that are not desirous that pilgrims here should quench their thirst (Ezekiel 34:18-1…

Now it was necessary that Christ the Messiah should lineally descend of a king: Abraham was not a king, Adam was not formally a king by covenant as David was. 2. Christ changes names with David, as he never did with any man: Christ is never called Abraham, but (Ezekiel 34:23, 24…

I would humbly desire of every minister that has thus long remained disaffected to this work, and has had contemptible thoughts of it, to consider whether he has not hitherto been like Michal, without any child, or at least in a great measure barren and unsuccessful in his work:…

Hatred is a vermin that lives upon blood. (Ezekiel 35:5) Because you have had a perpetual hatred, and have shed the blood of the children of Israel. Haman hated Mordecai because he did not bow to him, and he presently sought revenge.

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come you to the waters. These serious Invitations are, Secondly, backt and confirmed with his Oath, Ezekiel 35:11. As I live I desire not the death of a sinner. Thirdly, amplified with pathetical wishes, sighs and groans, Matth. 23. 29.

Christ is never born in the heart without pangs — many thank God they never had any trouble of spirit, they were always quiet; a sign Christ is not yet formed in them. 2. As when Christ was born into the world he was made flesh, so if he be born into your heart, he makes your he…

This amounts not to a new creation, or that power which raised Christ from the dead. God does not only persuade, but enable (Ezekiel 36:27). If God in conversion should only morally persuade, that is, set good and evil before men, then God does not put forth so much power in sav…

When the sun shines in a room, not the body of the sun is there, but the light, heat, and influence of the sun. God has made a promise of his Spirit (Ezekiel 36:27): I will put my Spirit within you. Turn promises into prayers.

It defiles all it touches. Urge God with his promise (Ezekiel 36:26): a new heart will I give you. Say, Lord, I am as the dry bones; but you did cause breath to come into them (Ezekiel 37:10).

4. Our love to God is a sign of his love to us (1 John 4:19): We love him, because he first loved us. By nature we are 〈in non-Latin alphabet〉, we have no love to God, we have hearts of stone (Ezekiel 36:1). And how can any love be in hearts of stone!

2. Earnest supplication: Implore the help of the Spirit to carry us on in obedience: God's Spirit makes obedience easy and delightful: If the lodestone draw the iron; now it is not hard for the iron to move: If God's Spirit quicken and draw the heart; now it is not hard to obey.…

There is a threefold encouragement. 1. That though we have not ability to obey any one command, yet God has in the new covenant promised to work that in us, which he requires (Ezekiel 36:27). I will cause you to walk in my statutes.

Make a new heart. Alas it is above our strength, we may as well make a new world (Ezekiel 36:26). I will give you a new heart.

The great promise of the Messiah is in the Old Testament: "A Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son" — indeed, I say more, the moral law in some part of it speaks gospel: "I am the Lord your God" — here is the pure wine of the gospel. The saints' great charter where God promises t…

But who are heirs of the covenant of grace? Only such as have the kingdom of grace in their hearts (Ezekiel 36:26): "A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you" — there is the kingdom of grace set up in the soul. Then it follows in verse 28: "I will be y…

The Covenant of Grace is our charter for Heaven. The terms of the Covenant are, that God will be our God, (the crowning blessing) but who are interested in the Covenant, and may plead the benefit of it, only sanctified persons (Ezekiel 36:26). A new heart will I give you, and I…

Question: What shall we do to obtain a penitential frame of heart? Response: Seek to God for it: it is his promise to give a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36) and to pour on us a spirit of mourning (Zechariah 12:10). Beg God's Holy Spirit.

He changes the hearts of men. The Devil would have Christ prove himself to be God, by turning stones into bread; but thus the Holy Ghost shows his Godhead, by turning stones into flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). I will take away the stony heart, and give you a heart of flesh.

Could we hear the saints departed speaking to us from heaven, sure they would speak after this manner, Were we to leave heaven a while, and live on the earth again, we would do God a thousand times more service than ever we did; we would pray with more life, act with more zeal;…

He puts as it were a blank paper into God's hands, and bids him write what he will — he will subscribe to it. 4. Beg grace and strength of God to do his will (Psalm 143:10): Teach me to do your will: as if David had said, Lord, I need not be taught to do my own will, I can do th…

3. God is not wanting to them who seek to him for grace: Deus volentibus non deest: He is willing to put to his helping hand. With his command there goes a promise (Ezekiel 18:31): Make you a new heart; and there is a promise (Ezekiel 36:26): A new heart will I give you. 2 Posit…

Q. And how is Christ King of the elect? A. Not only by his providence, as over all creatures: nor only by his word and ordinances, as to the visible Church, but also by the special working of the grace of his holy Spirit in their hearts (Ezekiel 36:26; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians…

So in Isaiah 48:9-10: 'For my name's sake...' So also in Ezekiel 36:22, 32: 'For my name's sake, and not for your sake.' And in Isaiah 43:25: 'I am he that blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember your sins.'

3. Thirdly, sacrifice is a broken and a contrite heart for his sins, and his daily failings he has committed against a crucified Jesus: when God pours upon his people the Spirit of grace and supplication (Zechariah 12:10). The more the Spirit of Christ opens the eyes of their sp…

The expression is taken from the sprinkling of blood upon the offering of the sacrifices (Exodus 29:16, 21; Leviticus 4:17; Chapter 14:7). The spiritual interpretation and application whereof is given us (Ezekiel 36:25). And whereas this sprinkling from sin, and cleansing thereb…

In all the actings of lust and sin, in the drought and dust of barrenness, we represent an enmity against him, and contrariety to him, acting over the principle of the first rebellion and apostasy from him. These things in their own nature tend greatly to his dishonor (Ezekiel 3…

Sin is the same that ever it was, and the law is the same, and God is as holy and as much delights in holiness as ever he did; we therefore must be as strict as ever: 'tis but a carnal liberty to have leave to be wanton, to be free to sin: nature is very apt to hear in that ear,…

How is that worthy name blasphemed — James 2:7; 2 Samuel 12:13-14! The hearts of the righteous are saddened — Psalm 25:3; Ezekiel 36:20. By this the world is fearfully prejudiced against Christ and religion, the bonds of death made fast upon their souls, those who had a general…

If Christ when dead could not be kept from rising, Christ now living shall not be hindered from raising and helping his Church. His own glory is linked with his people's security, and though he may not be moved for anything in them because of their sinfulness, he will for his ow…

Hardness and impenitent heart (Romans 2:5). This is that heart of stone, which God promises in the Covenant to take away, by the efficacy of his almighty grace (Ezekiel 36:26). Where this hardness abides uncured, unremoved, there sin is absolutely in the throne; this therefore w…

But the inference is not good, that therefore it should be unlawful to enter into Church-Covenant: for, first, by the same reason, all promises are unlawful, and all covenants whatever; as the covenant of marriage, the covenant of service, yes and the personal covenant of Grace,…

All men naturally want this motion, they cannot judge or do any thing by nature: they may do opus operatum, but they cannot do it in a holy manner; their prayers, their hearing, receiving of the Sacrament, and the like, are dead works, without faith the principal of life; howeve…

The Scriptures don't only direct and encourage us in general to pray for the Holy Spirit above all things else, but it is the expressly revealed will of God, that his Church should be very much in prayer for that glorious outpouring of the Spirit that is to be in the latter days…

By this it appeareth, this law appertaineth to all, because he is the Lord of all. Your God: that is, one which does vouchsafe you a particular favor, when in your creation he indued you with corporall and spiritual benefits, and does enrich you to eternal life (Psalm 144:15; He…

1. It's clear from these places of Scripture, where there is an express distinction and difference put between the outward ministry of the word, and this inward, powerful, efficacious work of grace on the heart, and wherein the great weight of conversion is laid on this inward w…

Another passage we have in Philippians 2:12-13: "Work out the work of your salvation in fear and trembling; for it is God that works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure;" where the Apostle makes the work of grace not only to work ability to will and to do, but to…

The anointing that teaches all things, [illegible], remains in you (1 John 2:27). And (Ezekiel 36:26) I will give you a heart of flesh, and I will put my Spirit [illegible] in the inner part, or in the midst of you. Antinomians teach, that true poverty of spirit does kill and ta…

(John 16:13) He will guide you in all truth — he will show you things to come. So there is a Spirit of grace poured on the family of David (Zechariah 12:10), on the thirsty ground (Isaiah 44:3), a new heart, put in the midst of the covenanted people (Ezekiel 36:26), fear of God…

(1 Timothy 6:17): Riches has a [illegible], an uncertainty, like ghosts or spirits that you see, but they vanish out of your sight, and disappear; or like clouds, or fire-lightnings in the air, that come and go suddenly; but bread is faithful and sure to the soul drawn to Christ…

So the Lord points them out with the finger, Isaiah 49:12: [in non-Latin alphabet] Behold these shall come from far, and behold these from the North (North-land men) and from the Sea (Islanders) or from the West (West-land men) so it may be read, and these from the land of Shimi…

Then you shall call upon me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (Ezekiel 36:37) "I will for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them." Therefore we should be daily in the practice of this duty, and not look upon it as a work that may…

Answer. Christ alludes to the washings of the old testament (Ezekiel 36:25), and with that gives an exposition of them, on this manner. You are a Pharisee, and love much washing: but if you would enter into the kingdom of heaven, you must be washed with clean water, that is, bor…

For a man cannot recover himself when he will. We do not the good we can, unless God makes us do it (Ezekiel 36:27) (Song of Solomon 1:4) (Jeremiah 31:29). Therefore it is an error to think that we may repent and turn to God when we will, as many suppose.

Now in that he commands them to wash themselves, it is not because men come to repentance by their own proper moving, and free will; but he shows that no other remedy will serve the turn, unless they appear pure and clean before God. Now we know that the Spirit of God is wont to…

We must not think then that God had respect to the deserts of the people, or to any other particular cause, but solely to his own glory. For we must supply a close antithesis here, which is expressed by Ezekiel: I do not this for your sakes O house of Israel, but for my holy nam…

By the word spirit, he tells us what is signified by waters and floods. The spirit is also called water in (Ezekiel 36:25), but in a diverse sense. For when Ezekiel attributes the name of waters to the holy Spirit, he calls them pure waters: having respect to the purgations unde…

But the Holy Ghost was in his Dispensation to purifie and cleanse them as Fire does Gold and Silver. And on the same account is he compared to Water, Ezek. 36. 35. I will sprinkle clean Water upon you and you shall be clean; which is expounded v. 26. by a New Spirit will I put w…

This is the constant Course and Tenor of the Scripture, to distinguish between the Grace of Regeneration, which it declares to be an immediate supernatural Work of God in us and upon us, and all that Obedience, Holiness, Righteousness, Vertue, or what-ever is good in us, which i…

God promises to work in us that holiness which he commands us to have — it is a fond imagination that defiled nature can cleanse itself or depraved nature rectify itself; those who lost the image of God cannot re-create it in themselves by their own endeavors, and therefore what…

The Fith Corollary. DOth God perform all things for you? then seek God for all by prayer, and never undertake any design without him: Certainly, if he do not perform it for you, you can never have what you desire and labor or: and though he have designed to perform this or that…

Their corrupt and wicked conversation also made them a reproach, and their Religion contemned. So was it with them from their first Dispersion as God declares (Ezekiel 36:20), When they entred to the Heathen whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them,…

§ 20 Thirdly, they insist on the promises which concern themselves; and these of all others they most mind and urge against their adversaries. Nothing they say is more certain and evident in the Scripture, than that the people of Israel shall be brought into a blessed and prospe…

By waking, is understood, some liveliness and sensibleness, or at least life, in opposition to the former deadness and dullness, as, (Romans 13:11) It's high time to awake: And, (1 Thessalonians 5:6) Let us watch, and be sober; which is opposite to that spiritual drowsiness, whe…

2. It is necessary for such as have given scandal and offence by their miscarriages; this will stick very close to any who has the least spark of saving faith. It is that which God is in a peculiar manner provoked with in the sins of his people, as in the case of David (2 Samuel…

All the promises are bonds made over to us, but prayer puts these bonds in suit. The Lord had told Israel with what rich mercy he would bespangle them; he would bring them to their native country, and bring them there with new hearts (Ezekiel 36). Yet this tree of the promise wo…

Urge God with his promise (Ezekiel 36:26): a new heart will I give you. Say, Lord, I am as the dry bones; but you did cause breath to come into them (Ezekiel 37:10). Do the same to me; breathe a supernatural life of grace into me.

God can create Jerusalem a praise, (Isaiah 65:18). The church in Ezekiel was compared to dry bones, but God made breath to enter into them, and they lived, (Ezekiel 37:10). The ship of the church may be tossed, because sin is in it, but it shall not be overwhelmed, because Chris…

Question. What names are given to the covenant? Response. 1. It is called a covenant of peace (Ezekiel 37:26), because it seals up reconciliation between God and humble sinners. Before this covenant there was nothing but enmity; God did not love us.

Branch 1. If God be so glorious a king, full of power and majesty, let us trust in him (Psalm 9:10), They that know your name will put their trust in you: Trust him with your soul; you cannot put this jewel in safer hands; and trust him with church and state affairs: He is King…

And whereas some would wrest the words to signify no more but the deliverance and exaltation of those who were in great distress, yet they must acknowledge that it is expressed in allusion to the Resurrection of the dead, which is therefore asserted in the words, and was believe…

For (1.) a person now has lost all his former hopes: that is, his presumptuous, and self-righteous hopes. He was full of them once, and had none other: but now they are gone, they are lost, they are cut off: as they said in another case (Ezekiel 37:11), Our bones are dried, our…

Can a man be guilty of breaking covenant, when he is not [illegible] but the sins of these adult persons are breach of covenant, therefore they are in the covenant: therefore that cannot stand which is here said, That these adult persons, that were in covenant in their Infancy,…

7. The Land is divided among the twelve Tribes (chapter 48), and that in a way and order different from the division made by Joshua, which cannot be understood of the restitution after the captivitie, because the twelve Tribes did not return. 8. This New Temple has with it a New…

Jer. 32. 27. Is there any thing too hard for me? Did not he make the dry bones live? Ezek. 37. 7, 8. God can bring light out of darkness, harmony out of confusion; he can do more than we can think, else he should not be God.

But joining does not always signify joining in Covenant; Philip joined to the Eunuch's chariot, and dust to men's feet (Acts 8:29 & Luke 10:11), and yet there was no Covenant, and therefore men may join to the Church without any Covenant. The word indeed may express any close jo…

1. There's the key of Food; in (Psalm 145): The eyes of all wait upon you, and you give them their meat in due season; you open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. 3. There's the key of the Grave, in (Ezekiel 37:12): Behold, Oh my people I will open your Grav…

This leads us, in our forlorn perplexities, to follow Christ's footsteps, both under evils of punishment and sin. The people in their captivity in Babylon, (Ezekiel 37) were a host of dead and (which is more) dry bones; the churches in Germany, in Scotland, are dry bones, and in…

Object 4. If the man be dead and buried, then farewell he, there is an end, no more of him. Yet Christ (2 Corinthians 1:9; John 5:25) raises the dead, and gives life to dry bones (Ezekiel 37). 2. Some fear they have nothing but an empty profession.

And no more profit to be had while such distempers of soul does last. But if you see that men come together, as in that ancient famous Vision (Ezekiel 37), every bone finds out his fellow and joins with him, and then there was a noise and a shaking, if you see bones gather, bone…

Luk 22:44. Before our conuersion, we are like the drie bones, Ezek. 37. for as when the winde of God came upon them, bone came to bone, and were ioyned with sinews, and couered with flesh, and had their senses restored: so when the spirit of God, like the fauonian winde, blows u…

For to speak properly there is but one anointed of the Lord: according to which Habakkuk says; You went forth with your anointed, for the salvation of your people (Habakkuk 3:13). For the kingdom was set up in the person of David, which was the image of Christ; who for this caus…

Saint Matthew also rightly spreads the beams of this light over Galilee, and the land of Zebulun. Darkness and the shadow of death.] Here he compares their exile in Babylon to darkness and death, because those which were detained therein were poor and miserable, and were altoget…

Expected mercies are never nearer, than when the hearts and hopes of Gods people are lowest. Thus in their deliverance out of Egypt, and Babylon, Ezekiel 37:11 So we have sound it in our own personal concerns: at Evening time it shall be light, Zach. 14:7 When we look for increa…

To make a worm a threshing instrument with teeth, to cause that instrument to beat mountains and hills into chaff, that chaff to be blown away with the wind, that, that worm may rejoice in God, to advance a small handful of despised ones, to the ruin of mountainous Empires, and…

Secondly, We grant the David was a Type of Christ, and that as he was King of the people of God. Hence he is not only often signally called the Son of David, but David also (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 37:24, 25; Hosea 3:5). And the Throne and Kingdom promised to David for ever and e…

Messiah, Jehovah our Righteousness. Ezekiel 37. v. 24. Jeremiah 30.21.

The hand of God in Scripture signifies, first the purpose of God, as that, Acts 4:28, They have done whatever your hand and your counsel determined before to be done, that is, whatever according to your purpose, you did determine. 2. The hand of God signifies the Spirit of God,…

For understanding this, we are to look: 1. What these winds signify. 2. What this garden is. And 3. What these acts of awaking, coming, and blowing are. By winds, often in Scripture is understood the Spirit of God in his mighty operations, as (Ezekiel 37:3 and 37:14). And the sp…

So Christ speaks to the Spirit (Song of Solomon 4:16), "Stir up you North wind, come forth you South, blow upon my garden, that the spice thereof may flow out." Where Christ commands influences of the Spirit of the North and South wind, though of contrary qualities, of cold and…

2. Then the spirit entered into me, when he spoke to me, and he set me on my feet. So (John 5:25; Ezekiel 37:7, 8). It not a little concerns ministers and hearers to pray that the spirit may go along with the word: otherwise the shepherds singing through an [illegible] reed shal…

So that men that are yet unbelievers, are nothing — as the Hebrews expressed death — multitudes of them are not a people, but a heap of filthy carcasses. Again take our natural misery in the notion of a captivity, which was the judgment threatened against the Jews to make them n…

You are not anything you should be, God delights to call things that are not as though they were, and therefore may call and choose you also. They are not only dry but dead bones which the Lord makes to live (Ezekiel 37:2). Can these dead bones live?

That dispensation of God which gives ability and a principle to the will for to work that act and dispensation must be before the ability of the will and act of it, and so cannot be caused by it. As if God put a soul into those dead dry bones in Ezekiel 37, that they might live,…

After death, comes judgment, when God shall lay open the secrets, and [reconstructed: hidden] counsels of the heart; then judge and spare not, but [reconstructed: for now] refer all to the Lord. And therefore if the question be touching the final estate of others, we should answ…

How can the Lord say, blessed be Egypt, and though the whole seed be visibly in covenant, old and young, yet it follows not that therefore every promise that is absolute, that is, that of a new heart, is made to all and every one within the visible covenant: for it is promised (…

6. (Jeremiah 31:[reconstructed: 38]) Behold the days will come, says the Lord, that the City shall be built to the Lord, etc. There is a promise of spiritual right in Christ made to the blessings of this life, to these that are personal Covenanters; as (Jeremiah 32:41; Ezekiel 1…

3. So ill-deserving men, as lost ones (Luke 19:10), sinners ([reconstructed: 1] Timothy 1:15; Romans 5:6, 8). (3.) When the Lord speaks of the Covenant of grace (Ezekiel 37:23), he adds a word of this Covenant: 'I will cleanse them, so shall they be my people, and I will be thei…

Fourth, the necessity of this Covenant appears, in that salvation is taken off free-will, and the slippery yes, and no, of free-will in the Covenant of Works, and laid upon one that is mighty, upon David, to govern Israel as their king; but (Psalm 89:19) upon Christ (as excellen…

2. In respect of efficacy. The virtue of this fountain shall then appear abundantly; the pardoning and sanctifying influence of it shall be to admiration (Ezekiel 37:9): Every thing that lives, which moves, wherever the rivers shall come, shall live. The Spirit will then mightil…

Which better appears by the place of Ezekiel. For when the Jews believed not the promise of their return, and objected that it was no more likely that a way should be made open for them, than that dead men should come out of their graves: there was a vision showed to the Prophet…

But yet when God begins to draw, we may follow. Those dry bones in Ezekiel could not of themselves live, but when breath came into them, then they lived and stood upon their feet (Ezekiel 37:10). Quest. But suppose God has not dropped in a principle of grace?

Though we cannot tell the day and hour particularly, yet this we are sure of, that when all the elect are called, for whose sake the world stands (Isaiah 1:9), when these pillars are taken away, then woe to the world; as when Lot was taken out of Sodom, then Sodom was burned. No…

3. Christ can speak to stark death (John 11:43; John 5:28): Jesus cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 4. He can speak to life in abstracto (Ezekiel 37:9): Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. 5. God can speak to Mother-n…

And again, I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you, etc. (Ezekiel 36:25). And again, They shall not defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with an…

Q. 1. What is the resurrection of the flesh? A. An act of the mighty power of God's holy Spirit, applying to us the virtue of Christ's resurrection, whereby at the last day, he will raise our whole bodies from the dust to be united again into our souls in everlasting happiness (…

4. It is a mercy to be delivered from idolatrous places, because of the sad judgments inflicted upon idolaters. This is a sin that enrages God, and makes the fury come up in his face (Ezekiel 38:18). Search through the whole book of God, and you shall find no sin God has followe…

"If I am righteous, yet I will not lift up my head": all my righteousness is the effect of God's mercy, therefore I will be humble, I will not lift up my head. Position 11. It is mercy that stays the speedy execution of God's justice: sinners continually provoke God, and make th…

And all that believe in Christ are sanctified, that is, set apart from sin to serve God. In like manner God's name is hallowed, when it is put apart from oblivion, contempt, profanation, pollution, blasphemy, and all abuses to a holy, reverent, and honorable use, whether we thin…

That prophecy is a recapitulation of all the enmity that is acted in the world against the interest of Christ. What his counsel is, the prophet declares (Ezekiel 38:11): "I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go up to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all…

But what is the reason that Eldad and Medad must be thought to prophesy thus concerning Gog? Ezekiel 38:17. we have these words; Thus says the Lord God, (to Gog) are not you he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the Prophets of Israel which prophesied in those days…

1. God is to be included in the prayer, that we may express our sense of his providence, working all things for the glory of his holy name, indeed, discovering his excellency, showing himself to be the holy God. Ezekiel 38:23: I will magnify myself, and sanctify myself, and I wi…

For a worm to slight it's Maker causes the fury to rise up in Gods face. Ezekiel 38:18. 3. God has power to destroy us.

Is that subject like to thrive, whom his Prince hates? The cherishing countenancing of sin, makes the fury come up in Gods face, Ezekiel 38.16. And if his wrath be once kindled, it burns to the lowest Hell.

There you have the glory and throne and dominion of Nebuchadnezzar himselfe being turned into a Beast (Daniel 4:33). There you shall have the carcasses of Gog and Magog with all their mighty hosts for comming to encampe against the City of God (Ezekiel 39). There you have the Im…

And pours out his fury on the land in blood; as (verse 19). So that the sword is bathed in blood, and garments are rolled in blood, and the land is soaked in blood; when blood is poured forth like water, and dead bodies are cast forth into the open field without burial; and God…

Hence were they called meat and drink-offerings. And they had washings also that belonged to them, as the washing of the inwards (Exodus 29:17), and of the burnt-offerings peculiarly (Ezekiel 40:38), of the hands and feet of the Priests (Exodus 30:18), and of the leper (Leviticu…

The Greek word [illegible], which gives rise to that term Canonical, seems to be derived from the Hebrew [illegible] Kaneh; and this as it sometimes denotes an aromatical cane that contained spices in it, used in the worship of God, as (Isaiah 43:24) [illegible] you have bought…

First, by preferring the promised relief and remedy above all the present glory and worship of the Church; directing it to look above all its enjoyments to that which in all things was to have the pre-eminence. See Isaiah 2:2; chapter 4:2-5; chapter 7:13-15; chapter 9:6-7; chapt…

It is lost labour to enter into controversies here, much precious time and pains have been wasted herein, yet Mr. Hooker acknowledges, that although there be no necessity it should prescribe any one particular form of church government, yet touching the manner of governing in ge…

The Man whose Name is the Branch--He shall build the Temple of the Lord, even he shall build the Temple of the Lord--And what the Temple that Christ builds, is, the Apostle tells us, Heb. 3:3, 6. The Temple that Ezekiel in his vision was bid to observe the measures of, as it was…

3. Moses his greatest Altar, the Altar of Burnt-offerings, was not half so big as Ezekiel's Altar: compare Ezekiel 43:16 with Exodus 27:1. So is Moses' Altar of Incense, much lesse then Ezekiel's Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:2 compared with Ezekiel 41:22). 4. There are many new c…

First, Christ he is our altar in the Gospel, so it is in Hebrews 13:10, We have an altar that those have no right to eat of it, that serve at the Tabernacle; that is, such men as shall pertinaciously still stick to the ceremonies of the law, they have no right to partake of Jesu…

The ground that receius seede and raine both in measure and season, and yet brings forth either bad fruit, or none at all, is by all men condemned for bad ground; the Apostle saith, it i[] neere unto cursing, whose ende is to be burned, Hebr. 6. 8. The waters that come and issue…

Of this nature are the celebration of all other ordinances with prayer; for every thing is sanctified by the word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:5); of some of them indispensably in the assemblies of the Church (1 Corinthians 10:16, 17; chapter 11:20, 24, 25, 33); with care, in…

And the Tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God (Zechariah 2:10, 11; Ezekiel 20:40, 41). I will accept you with your sweet savour (Ezekiel 43:27). In both giving them intimate communion with himself by Jesu…

Ezekiel 43:11. And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the forme of the House, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the commings in thereof, and all the formes thereof, and all the Ordinances thereof, and all the formes thereof, and all t…

But thus to introduce another book, besides the Book of God, into his Church, is a dishonor, and an affront to the Scripture. If it be a sin for men to set their posts by his posts, their thresholds by his thresholds, as (Ezekiel 43:8) and their altars by his altars (2 Kings 16:…

Now they imagined that God was with them as long as they retained the Altar, and the sacrifices. Some think that the Temple is here called Ariel, because it was proportioned like a lion; to wit, broad before, and narrow behind: but I had rather understand it simply of the Altar;…

Hence it is evident how the name Peter comes to be applied both to Simon individually, and to other believers. It is because they are founded on the faith of Christ, and joined together, by a holy consent, into a spiritual building, that God may dwell in the midst of them, (Ezek…

(6.) That it is a setting of our thresholds by God's threshold. The words you recite from Ezekiel 43:8, which speaks of the idolatrous kings of Judah and Israel, building temples and altars for their idols, in, or near the courts of the temple of God: as the English annotations…

When you are come to your selfe to owne and blush at the brutish ignorance of your minde, you are fit to be admitted into Christs School. If they be ashamed, then show them the patterne of the house, Ezekiel 43:10. Secondly, be faithful with that little knowledge you have.

And so it is rendered by the LXX, sometimes by , Ezekiel 44:27. sometimes , Exodus 30:10. Ezekiel 43:23. A propitiation, a Propitiatory sacrifice.

Section 4 4. THE fourth Ingredient into Repentance, is, shame, (Ezekiel 43:10).That they may be ashamed of their iniquities. Blushing is the color of virtue .

The voice of error is, whoever is simple, let him come here (Proverbs 9:16). 3. And as a means of both the former, it is very needful and to be of an humble spirit, truly abased in the sight and sense of a man's own weakness, and sinfulness, and unworthiness; for such have a pro…

The spiritual temple of the New Testament, the New Jerusalem which came down from heaven, the Bride prepared for the Lamb, the Lord Jesus the Christ (Revelation 21:2), may not be unfitly compared to the material temple of Jerusalem, in the letter, whose foundation stone was of e…

For ought we see, this consequence is strong and undeniable, and so the Synod's argument in this place from the Old Testament is not at all overthrown, but rather more strengthned. As for what the Reverend Author says, pag. 18, 9. to the particular texts here alledged, namely Le…

But Sutlivius's gloss does not so, for there were sundry things to be judged which were neither the King's domestic affairs, nor yet causes criminal or civil, such as were questions about vows, questions about the meaning of the law, and judging between the holy and the profane,…

Thirdly, the receiving of Christ into our hearts as into a temple implies to keep the charge of his ordinances and holy things, to offer to him all our sacrifices, and to look that all be performed in such a manner as himself requires. God charges it as a sin upon his people (Ez…

For we are not at liberty to separate commandments which God has joined, so as to keep the one half and disregard the other. Intercourse with wives is not so expressly forbidden as the drinking of wine, (Ezekiel 44:21.) If, under the pretense of the law, the Pope enjoins celibac…

And all the Apostles gloried in the title of servants. The lowest office in which a man can serve God, even that of a Nethinim, or door-keeper, which was the lowest order or rank of officers in the house of God (Ezekiel 44:10-11), is yet preferred by David before the service of…

And Interpreters generally understand these verses of Judicatures and Courts in Israel, and of the lower Courts going to the highest, the great and high Synedrion. Now I find no command nor example recorded in Scripture of any of the Jewish Courts ecclesiastical or civil enquiri…

It is a miserable mistake to think that inward real holiness is the only ground of admission into Church-Membership, as some Anabaptists dispute, but it is federal holiness, whether externally professed as in grown persons, or graciously promised to their seed. Reply 1. But you…

But sometimes with respect unto the second, and then it signifies a sacrifice for sin, to make expiation of it. And so it is rendered by the LXX, sometimes by , Ezekiel 44:27. sometimes , Exodus 30:10. Ezekiel 43:23.

The Priests which come near to the Lord — their whole employment was a divine service. They shall come near to me, to minister to me, and they shall stand before me, to offer to me the fat and the blood, says the Lord God (Ezekiel 44:15). When men come to hear the Word, they dra…

In the Original it is, Above all keepings, keep your heart; but the word translated keeping, signifies two things usually in Scripture phrase; sometimes it signifies keeping a thing in custody, as it were in prison, so the word is taken (Genesis 40:3), and that has reference to…

But as for those who sacrificed in the high places of will-worship, because they sacrificed to the Lord only (as the word is, 2 Chronicles 33:17), therefore Josiah did not put them to death, only he caused them to go out of all the Cities of Judah, and to cease from the Priests…

Answer. Even because he sustained our person and cause: for there was nothing at all that could satisfy God's justice, but the death of his only begotten Son. The word Asham, signifies sin, and oblation for sin; and so oftentimes it is found in the latter signification in the Sc…

§ 26 As the Mincha denotes a peculiar offering, whose laws and ordinances are recorded (Leviticus 2:1, 2, &c.), the matter of it was 1. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Soleth, simila, v. 7, that is, the flower of wheat. So it is expressed (Ezekiel 45:13, 15). In one case [〈 in non-…

Secondly, the Prophet was here to shew them the goings out of the house, and the commings in thereof. These are not the same, but different gates; it is plaine (Ezekiel 46:9), When the people of the land shall come before the Lord in the solemne feasts, hee that entreth in by th…

They are either public, private (Nehemiah 8:5, 13). Public, is to join with the Church from the beginning to the ending, in the hearing of the word preached, in praying, and administering of the Sacraments (Ezekiel 46:1, 2, 3, 10; Nehemiah 9; Ezra 3; Acts 15:20, 21 and 17:2 and…

So Kimchi among other expositions of the title of Psalms 92, a Psalm or Song for the Sabbath day, adds this, as that which the most ancient Rabbins fixed on, [illegible]: they interpreted it of the World to come, which shall be wholly Sabbath and rest, and these are the days of…

How apt are we to turn the back upon the mercy seat? Ezekiel 46:9: If a man came in at the north gate, he was to go out at the south gate, but never at the same door; why? That he might not turn his back upon the mercy seat.

He might bring his axe to hew you down. The waters were up to the ankles (Ezekiel 47:3). Do the waters of affliction come up to the ankles?

The second is, to be without offense: that is, innocent, giving no occasion of evil to any, and not taking them offered by others: and the continuance of those is noted to the day of Christ; which is the time in which he comes to us, either by our death, or by the last judgment.…

To renounce pleasures is the first thing you must do if you mean to do any thing in religion, otherwise you lie open to every temptation (Proverbs 25:18). The water of the Sanctuary could not heal the miry places (Ezekiel 47:11), which is usually applied to sensual hearts. Pleas…

And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out of Jerusalem. Which is the same that we have Ezekiel 47:1. Then follows; And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.

Which is as much as to say, As there is no place in the vast ocean where there is not water, so there shall be no part of the world of mankind where there is not the knowledge of the Lord; as there is no part of the wide bed or cavity possessed by the sea, but what is covered wi…

This would contradict many things in Scripture, which represent this great event to be brought to pass by a gradual progress of religion; as leaven that gradually spreads, till it has diffused itself through the whole lump; and a plant of mustard, which from a very small seed, g…

But nothing occurs more frequently in all the prophecies concerning that state, or is more solemnly set forth, than this true and saving holiness of the members of that church. See Psalms 2:6, 24:3, 4, 45:18, 68:18; Isaiah 11:8-10, 35:8, 54:11-14, 60:21; Ezekiel 47:9; Zechariah…

And Ezekiel says, That there shall be a brave summer in that land. (Ezekiel 47:12) By the river upon the bank thereof on this side, and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new f…

This sin will at length have its punishment. The places that are not seasoned by the waters of the Sanctuary, are turned to saltpits (Ezekiel 47:11). 10 For now whether preach I men or God?

And here lies the difference between the law and the Gospel: the law is from Sinai, the gospel from Zion or Jerusalem. For there it was first to be preached, and from there conveyed to all nations (Micah 4:1; Ezekiel 47:1). The second propertie of the law is, that it gendrs to b…

so they are also said to come into the temple, because out of it flowed the true religion. It is likewise the fountain of the waters, which, enlarged to an astonishing degree within a short period, flow in great abundance, and give life to those that drink them, as Ezekiel (Ezek…

Princeps, Dominus, Caput familiae; the Prince, Lord, and Head of the family, that has right to the inheritance, and distributes portions to others. Hence [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] is used for every thing that excels, and has the preeminence in its own kind (Job 18:10; Isaiah 1…

So Christ teaches us, that the kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard-seed, Matthew 13:31-32, and like leaven hid in three measures of meal, verse 33. The same representation we have in Mark 4:26-28, and in the vision of the waters of the sanctuary, Ezekiel 47. The scriptu…

Application. Many also there are under the Gospel, who are given over by God to judicial blindness, hardness of heart, a reprobate sense, and [reconstructed: perpetual] barrenness; so that how excellent soever the means are which they enjoy, and how efficacious soever, to the [r…

St. Paul says of the Widows that live in pleasures, they are dead while they live, 1 Tim. 5:6 Let us eat and drink, to morrow we shall dye: Why do you say, to morrow? says Chrysostom, ye are dead already. We read Ezek. 47:11 that when the waters of the sanctuary flowed, the miry…

I have cause to fear and tremble, lest God has left me under that Curse, Revelation 20:11. Let him that is filthy, be filthy still. I fear I am become as that myrie place, Ezekiel 47:11▪ that shall not be healed by the streams of the Gospel, but given to salt, and cursed into pe…

Fitted to the use of the lowest estate, and lowest capacities of men, indeed, it takes (as we see) particular notice of their condition, stoops down to take the meanest servant by the hand, to lead them the way to Heaven; and not only that part of it which is the general way of…

You hast punished us less than our Iniquities deserve. Does God make us drink in a Cup of Wormwood? we have deserved to drink in a Cup of Wrath: does God cut us short? we have deserved he should cut us off, Ezekiel 47:3. The Waters were to the Ankles.

We read that when Ezekiel's healing Waters increased so abundantly, and the healing Effect of them was so very general; yet there were certain Places where the Waters came, that never were healed. Ezekiel 47:9, 10-11. And it shall come to pass, that every Thing that liveth, whic…

7. This being but almost a Christian, provokes God to bring dreadful spiritual judgment upon a man. Barrenness is a spiritual judgment, now this provokes God to give us up to barrenness; when Christ found the fig-tree that had leaves but no fruit, he pronounces the curse of barr…

The word travels with life or death, salvation or damnation, and brings forth one or other in every soul that hears it; I would not for a world (were it in my power to make the choice) that my labors, which were meant and designed for the promotion of your immortal souls, to the…

Let the breasts of your mercy nurse the poor. Be like the trees of the sanctuary, both for food and medicine (Ezekiel 47:12). When distressed and even starved souls are fainting, let your costly ingredients revive and restore spirits in them.

We have wounded ourselves by sin, and the wound would have been incurable, had not Christ that good Samaritan poured in wine and oil. The trees of the sanctuary (Ezekiel 47:12): the fruit thereof shall be for food, and the leaf thereof for medicine. Thus the Lord Jesus, that tre…

If we hunger and thirst, he is pabulum animae, the food of the soul; therefore he is called the bread of life. If we are sick to death, his blood is a sacred balm: he may be compared to the trees of the sanctuary, which were both for meat, and for medicine (Ezekiel 47:12). 4. A…

Such also is Christ in respect of his grace. We have an allegorical description given of this in Ezekiel 47, beginning, in those waters of the Sanctuary, which ran from the south side of the Altar, and increased as they went along; which point to that we are now considering of.…

Lastly, this repentance must bring forth fruits worthy of amendment of life, because it cannot be known to be sincere unless it bring forth fruit. Repentant sinners are trees of righteousness of God's own planting, and they grow by the waters that flow out of the sanctuary, and…

This ministers occasion to us to thank God, to fear before him, and always to remember Lot’s wife. I saw then that they went on their way to a pleasant river, which David the king called “the river of God;” but John, “the river of the water of life” (Psalm 65:9; Revelation 22:1;…

No, no, he is incomparable in all; methinks then you should by this time feel your love to Christ like fire to burn within with a flame? Or methinks your love to Christ should be like water, I mean the waters of the sanctuary spoken of (Ezekiel 47:3-5), which at entrance were bu…

It is the chief happiness for men in these days to live under means of grace, yet a wicked man when all about him relish of uprightness, yet he will there do wickedly, and all this is, because he will not behold the majesty of the Lord, he thinks not that Christ is there; consid…

The gospel lifts a people up to heaven; it is Columna & Corona Regni: The crown and glory of the kingdom: If this be removed, then, Ichabod, the glory is departed: The top of the beech tree being cut off, the whole body of the tree withers apace: The gospel is the top of all our…

This then is that whereof the Apostle minds the Jews. God having promised to dwell among them by his glorious presence, from where the very name of Jerusalem was called, The Lord is there (Ezekiel 48:35), he who in and under that name was with them, as sent by Jehovah (Zechariah…

"I will walk among you," says he, "and be your God" (2 Corinthians 6:16). Upon this account the Church is called Jehovah Shammah — the Lord is there (Ezekiel 48). You may see the footsteps of God in the creatures; but the face of God is only to be seen in his ordinances.

For there is a special presence of God in His Church. The name of that place is Jehovah Shammah, that is, The Lord is there (Ezekiel 48 [illegible]). His Church is his house.