Ezekiel 21

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…