Ezekiel 3

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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.

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…

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);…

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,…