Ezekiel 14

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.

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…

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,…

(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…