Ezra

Answer 1: The wicked may be sometimes instruments to do God's work; though they do not design his glory, yet they may promote it. Cyrus (Ezra 1:7) was instrumental for the building God's temple in Jerusalem. There is some kind of justice, that they should have a temporal reward:…

4. Divine providence is irresistible, there is no standing in the way of God's providence to hinder it: When God's time was come for Joseph's release, the prison could hold him no longer, The king sent and loosed him (Psalm 105:20). When God would indulge the Jews with liberty i…

If here it be said, that the Members of the Parochial Assemblies are not brought in by their own voluntary profession, but by the Authority and Proclamation of the Prince, and therefore they have no such Covenant. The Answer is, that the Christian Prince does but his duty when h…

And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent to them such things as they required; and they spoiled the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35-36). So in the Babylonian captivity, Cyrus charges his subjects in the place where the Jews remain, to furnish t…

He shows that the strangers will willingly accompany the Jews, and that in such a way that they will not refuse to become their servants. We have seen the proof of this when the people came out of Babylon (Ezra 1:6), but this was only a small taste of those things which were don…

Of the Ark we shall have occasion to treat afterwards, and of its fictitious hiding by Jeremiah; or Josiah, as the Jews fancy. This we may observe for the present, that as it is certain, that it was carried away by the Babylonians among other vessels of gold belonging to the Tem…

The people returning from their captivity with Zerubbabel in the days of Cyrus had laid the foundation of the Temple; but having begun their work, great opposition was made against it, and great discouragements they met withal, as it will fall out with all men that engage in the…

The first year it is of this second date of the Kingdom of Cyrus, which may have any relation to the time here limited; for while he was King of Persia only, he could have nothing to do with the Jews, nor make any Decree for the building of the Temple, both the people and place…

The return out of captivity was a remarkable dispensation of Providence. It was remarkable, that the heart of a Heathen prince, as Cyrus was, should be so inclined to favor such a design as he did, not only in giving the people liberty to return, and rebuild the city and temple,…

For they do not look upon the Word as their Rule, seeing (as they dream) they have a Light within them, beyond that more sure Word of Prophecy, which the Apostle Peter prefers to a voice from Heaven. Indeed, they have so little veneration for the Scriptures, that they will not s…

And how does this appear that so it was with him? It does so because none of them is recorded or mentioned in the Scripture, which yet diligently records them concerning other persons; and in particular those who could not find and prove their genealogies were by no means to be…

And Josephus tells us, that God ceased to give answer by Urim and Thummim two hundred years before he wrote (Lib. 3, cap. 12), which proves they had it. It is indeed certain, that at their first return from Babylon, they had not the Urim and Thummim (Ezra 2:63). There was no Pri…

[illegible] for that Sanballat mentioned by Josephus in the time of Alexander, it is not improbable, but that he might name him as the head of the Samaritans, there being no name of any other after him left upon record. (2.) There is no reason to think that the Nehemiah, mention…

But Solomon, David's son and successor, put all the other remains of the seven nations of Canaan to bond-service; at least made them pay a tribute of bond-service, as you may see, 1 Kings 9:20, 21, 22. And hence we read of the children of Solomon's servants, after the return fro…

Again, another thing that was lost that the Jews had before, was the Urim and Thummim. This is evident by Ezra 2:63. "And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there should stand up a priest with Urim and Thummim." We have no accoun…

He must by no Means neglect it under a Notion that he must not take this Honour to himself, until he knows he has a Right to it; because, though it be indeed a Privilege, yet it is not a Matter of mere Privilege, but a Matter of Duty too; and if he neglects it under these Circum…

Fourthly, the Magistrates exercised their coercive power in matters of Religion, as freely after Urim and Thummim were lost, and that judgment ceased, as they did before, which clearly shows the enquiring by Urim under the old Law, was not the cause of those laws concerning puni…

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…

He answers, that the length of time shall not prevent God from raising up the things again that were fallen to the earth for many years together. Now this must not be restrained to the building of the Temple begun by Zerobabel, and continued by Nehemias, (Ezra 3:8), but it compr…

Now we know that this prophecy was never accomplished in the external restoration of this people. No, it is certain that the beauty of the second Temple was far inferior to the first (Ezra 3:12-13). It follows then, that the Prophet who in spirit, saw the true redemption, recite…

Victories for his own name's sake, and showers for our sins' sake, both from the same hand, at the same time. The cry of every soul, is like the cry of the multitude of old and young at the laying the foundation of the second Temple: Many shouted aloud for joy, and many wept wit…

Again, Haggai does plainly declare, that when the work of the temple was carrying on in the second year of Darius, that many were yet alive, who had seen the first temple (cap. 2:3). As multitudes were upon the laying of its foundation in the days of Cyrus (Ezra 3:12). And this…

Then must these confluences and co-existences of things be written in the Lord's book, and so decreed (Psalms 139:16), and from the Creator God, as the efficient, and for God and his glory, as the end (Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11; Proverbs 16:4). The wisdom of God so appoints,…

2. David's exhortation to sing a new song, pertained to them in the Old Testament, as well as to us in the New. And yet they upon new occasions sang the old songs of David, and that with acceptance (2 Chronicles 5:13; 2 Chronicles 20:21; Ezra 3:11). 3. Asaph, Heman, and Ethan, w…

Ariel signifies the Lion of God, and may intend the Altar, which like a lion did devour the sacrifices offered thereon: here then was the true cause of that wo which befell that city and nation, in that matters respecting Ariel, even the Altar and worship of God, were not as sho…

Jeremiah 20:10: Report, say they, and we will report. Ezra 4:15: This city (that is, Jerusalem) is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces. Paul was slandered as a mover of sedition, and the head of a faction (Acts 24:5).

I answer, it may imply their entrance into the Church under a color and shew of profession: wicked men may creep into the best Church; God permitteth it not only for their own hardening, but for our trouble and trial. Paul complaineth of false brethren privily brought in to spy…

Secondly, there is a court which before seemed to belong to the Temple, left out and not measured: from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has. The Samaritans of this time, who serve the Lord, and serve their own Gods too, and do after the manners of idolate…

The first of them, (Psalm 33:15) He fashions their hearts alike, gives him no ground at all, except it be the homonomy of the English word alike, which in this place notes nothing else but [in non-Latin alphabet], all mens hearts are alike in this, that God fashions them all, an…

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…

And as it was related to that, it was its eastern boundary. It is so spoken of (Genesis 15:18; Exodus 23:31; Deuteronomy 1:7 and 11:24; Joshua 1:4; 2 Samuel 8:3; 1 Chronicles 18:3; 1 Kings 4:21; Ezra 4:20). Agreeable to this diverse respect or relation of this river, under which…

Whether they made any progress at all in the Jewish religion and in the knowledge of God, or utterly abandoned it, is uncertain. It is true that when they wished to join themselves to the returning Jewish people, enticed by the carnal hope of sharing in the privileges that the k…

The remaining parts of the reformation of the Ezraitic church — The solemn restoration of the preaching of the divine word (Nehemiah 8:1, 8) — Its neglect before the captivity — Jehoshaphat's efforts in its restoration (2 Chronicles 17:7-9) — Princes joined to the priests and Le…

It is known, some have such antipathy with a rose, which is a pleasant creature of God, that the smell of it has made them fall a swooning. Jerusalem is the rebellious city (Ezra 4:12), therefore men are unwilling it should be built. Lusts in men's minds, either heresies, or any…

We have seen the proof of this when the people came out of Babylon (Ezra 1:6), but this was only a small taste of those things which were done by Jesus Christ, to whom all this must be referred. For the Lord indeed inclined the hearts of the nations which hated his people mortal…

The people returning from their captivity with Zerubbabel in the days of Cyrus had laid the foundation of the Temple; but having begun their work, great opposition was made against it, and great discouragements they met withal, as it will fall out with all men that engage in the…

That is, the chief of the evil angels, as it is conceived. The word [Satan] signifies an adversary, and so it is often times applied to men; as concerning Solomon, it is said that while he did walk exactly with God, there was neither adversary nor evil occurrence; the word in th…

In this verse are three points to be handled: First, what these Scribes and Pharises were: Secondly, what was their Righteousnesse: and thirdly, what is that true Righteousnesse, whereby a man may enter into the kingdome of heaven, and stand just before God. For the first: a Scr…

"For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even unto Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river." This Artaxerxes king of Persia takes notice of long after: Ezra 4:20. "There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled ov…

It was the effect of his power, who hath the hearts of kings in his hands, and turneth them whithersoever he will; and it was a remarkable instance of his favor to his people. Another remarkable circumstance of this restitution of the state of the Jews to their own land was that…

Another way is to speak evil, and yet so, as to manifest a great deal of grief and sorrow for such reports, and secretly desire that they may spread, and take where they come. Sixthly, when they want apparent matter for reproach, they will pretend some love to get matter for rep…

It is one of the falsest, and yet one of the commonest prejudices that the world has always entertained against true Religion, that it is an enemy to civil power, and government. The adversaries of the Jews charged this fault upon their City, the then Seat of the true worship of…

By what spirit are the Quakers and others acted, and why are these things kept up, but to render Christianity odious? Sanballat and Tobias set up a party among the Jews, to hinder the work of their restoration (Ezra 4:4), that they might foment division among them, and so hinder…

For it is an honor to God, and a comfort to his Church, that our God is not as their God, our enemies being judges and witnesses. Object. 6. The godly Jews would not suffer the Samaritans to build the Temple with them, though they offered themselves (Ezra 4:2, 3). And if singing…

Notwithstanding of all this in his trouble and poverty (the word signifies both) he made this great preparation for the house of God, and if God had given him leave he had in his trouble built it too; for you well know, he was not hindered from building the Temple, by the wars o…

This character has two distinct branches, I shall speak of both in order. 1. A godly man is a servant of God, Ezra 5:11. We are the servants of the God of Heaven.

I answer, some alleged were before Moses' Law, as that of Abraham and Jacob's commanding his family to put away their idols (Genesis 35:2). And the injunctions in the Old Testament were built upon reasons of immutable equity, as God's glory, the danger of infection, etc., and so…

For 1. The Temple of Solomon was 120 cubits high. The Temple built by Zorobabel was but 60 cubits high (Ezra 6:3). 2. The Temple of Zorobabel was built in the same place where the Temple of Solomon was, that is in Jerusalem, upon mount Moriah.

That for this, their enemies should furnish them with materials, when they were not in a condition to procure any for themselves, and give them money out of the public Exchequer, and timber out of the King's Forest, as we read. And all this they looked upon as the hand of God (E…

But yet God in mercy deferred the beginning of their bondage; whereby the time was much shortened at the beginning. So the time wherein it was foretold that the whole land of Israel should be a desolation and an astonishment, and the land should enjoy her sabbaths, by the Babylo…

Besides this outward opposition, they were moreover greatly discouraged by their own poverty and disability for the carrying on their designed work in any measure, so as to answer the beauty and glory of their former House builded by Solomon. Hence the Elders of the people who h…

§ 17 The second Decree of the Kings of Persia in reference to the Jews was that of Darius made in his second year, when the work of the building of the Temple was carried on through the Prophecy of Haggai and Zechariah. This is the Decree or Commandment mentioned in Ezra 6. gran…

And not only did they account themselves obliged to keep these days holy, which were enjoined by the divine command, but those also which were appointed by human authority; and such were the Feast of Purim, to be kept two days following, in remembrance of their deliverance from…

(Nahum 1:7) The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and he knows those that trust in him. (Ezra 6:22) The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him. He has a great inclination to diffuse his benefits.

I answer, some alleged were before Moses' Law, as that of Abraham and Jacob's commanding his family to put away their idols (Genesis 35:2). And the injunctions in the Old Testament were built upon reasons of immutable equity, as God's glory, the danger of infection, etc., and so…

He speaks of them who were yet left, and remaining; and spake to them, to remove and take away their complaint and repinings. Moreover that Artaxerxes, in whose days Ezra and Nehemiah went up to Jerusalem, was Longimanus, who reigned before Nothus, and not Memor, who succeeded h…

Now to this purpose, 1. Heartily resign yourselves to be directed and guided by God in all things whatever: Ezra 7:10. He prepared his heart to seek the Lord. To do it, needs such a fixed purpose.

But by the death of Christ the partition wall of ceremonies is broken down: and we may allow Heathens and profane persons to come into our holy assemblies (1 Corinthians 14:24), which they would not admit. Certain it is, the godly Jews themselves did receive liberal contribution…

And that it may further appear the kings of Judah and Israel did not qua kings of Judah and qua dwelling in such a land, as kings over such a typical people, bearing visibly, and executing typically the kingly office of Christ in his Church, meddle in matters of religion, but as…

It is an excellent act of God to keep the vessel in a spiritual season, as David prays (1 Chronicles 29:18). To make room for Christ dwelling by faith, and for love to comprehend love (Ephesians 3:17-18), and who puts such a thing in the heart (Ezra 7:27). When a spark of fire f…

So where the good hand of God is noted in the success of Ezra's journey, this reason is given thereof, even Ezra's faithful and honest heart toward God. He came to Jerusalem according to the good hand of his God that was upon him (Ezra 7:9-10). For Ezra had prepared his heart to…

They are as leaven, or sour dough, which leavens the whole lump; (Acts 20:29; John 10:8; Acts 15:24; Galatians 5:12; 2 Timothy 2:17; Galatians 5:9). (8) Because, Ezra did esteem it, a great favor and blessing of God, conferred upon the Church; for which he thanked God, that had…

Is it the duty of the Civil Magistrate to take order that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed, all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed, all abuses in worship and discipline reformed, and all idolaters, gainsayers, and other obstinate dissenters…

(2) Because, it is the duty of the civil magistrate being born within the church, to take care that peace and unity be preserved and kept in the Church: that the truth and Word of God, be entirely, and soundly preached and obeyed: that blasphemies and heresies be kept under and…

Ezra made the Chief Priests, the Levites, and all Israel to enter into a Covenant and to swear, that they would put away the strange wives, and that it should be done according to the Law (Ezra 10:3, 5), and whoever would not come to Jerusalem for this thing, was not only himsel…

It was in answer to prayer, that God delivered his Church from the mighty host of the Assyrians, in Hezekiah's time; which dispensation is abundantly made use of, as a type of the great things God will do for the Christian Church in the latter days, in the prophecies of Isaiah.…

(2.) There is no reason to think that the Nehemiah, mentioned Ezra 2. v. 2. who came up with Zerubbabel, was that Nehemiah who was afterwards Governour of Judah, and whose actions we have written probably the most part by himself, no more then there is to think that the Seraiah…

The answer is in the next verse: God is in the holy temple — that is, there is a God above, one in heaven; go to him. I suppose you are met this day as those at Ahava to seek a right way (Ezra 8:21). When we are at a loss and past the help of means, the address may the better be…

2. Out of thankfulness for God's gracious answer. Every answer of grace leaves an obligation upon the sinner, that he may not offend God again: See what a holy argument is used (Ezra 8:13): Should we after such a deliverance as this break your commandment? Will you again relapse?

Use. First, the consideration of God's omnipotence may cause terror to wicked men. All this power which I have described, or rather, which is so great that I cannot describe it, is engaged against sinners; His power and his wrath is against all that forsake him (Ezra 8:22). And…

The places in which it is used are all noted in the margin, that the reader may examine them for his own satisfaction. In the Septuagint version of the Old Testament, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] occurs but three times: (2 Chronicles 14:15), where it is translated cattle; (Ezra 8…

The third thing in the manner of a fast, is, so far forth to abstain from meat, and other delights, as the body may be thereby afflicted. Ezra proclaims a fast, and he gives a reason thereof, that himself and the people might afflict themselves (Ezra 8:21). This afflicting of a…

God does not go according to the summum jus, or rigor of the law; he abates something of his severity. He might inflict heavier penalties than he does, (Ezra 9:14) You have punished us less than our iniquities deserve; our mercies are more than we deserve, our punishments less.…

As Mauritius the Emperor, when he saw his sons slain before his eyes, Iustus es Domine, Righteous are you O Lord in all your ways. We justify God, and confess he punishes us less than we deserve (Ezra 9:13). (3.) Patient submission to God's will lies in the accepting of the puni…

And so it is, for (1.) It fills a man with shame; when he comes to see himself, he is ashamed of himself: as he said when he saw and viewed his own, and others sinfulness. Ezra 9:6. O my God, I am ashamed, and blush. And every new discovery of a man's own self to himself has som…

For the first, that they are personally holy, according to 1 Corinthians 7:14, though this be meant, as the Reverend Author says, that they are thus holy federally and relatively, yet it is, as he acknowledgeth, in their own persons; and if so, does it not then follow, that they…

With love to the chiefest good, there will be an hatred of the chiefest evil. Friends have common loves (as I said) and common aversions: upon every carnal motion does your heart recoil upon you, and say, How can I do this wickedness, and sin against God (Genesis 39:9)? or else,…

The third thing in Humiliation, is supplication made to God for mercy, as earnestly as in a matter of life and death: and of these three things we have in scripture the examples of Ezra, Daniel, and the Prodigall sonne. Ezra 9. Dan. 9.

(2 Kings 19:19) Now therefore, O Lord our God, I ask you to save us out of his hand. Ezra bases his prayer on this (Ezra 9:6): O my God, I am ashamed and blush. And Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:12): O our God, will you not judge them?

Even they that make a covenant with God, they often break covenant with him; and so often as you entertain any thought in your mind, wherein you have not consulted with God, and do anything further than you have warrant from God, so often have you broken covenant; so often as th…

And this has been always the help of the godly in their distress. Read 2 Chronicles 33:12; Ezra 9; Daniel 9; Psalm 32; 31; 130; 143. Consider the example of the Publican, and the Prodigal son, who condemn themselves, and make their appeal to the court of mercy and grace.

Hear ye the Word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his Word. Ezra 9:4. Then were assembled unto me, every one that trembled at the Words of the God of Israel.

So is it expressed in Answer to what he requires. O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you my God, because of our Iniquities, Ezra 9. 6. And by another Prophet, We lye down in our shame, and our Confusion coveres us, for we have sinned against the Lord our God,…

And then, (2. For caution against sin for the time to come; it's plain, that the rebukes of Providence leave that effect also upon gracious hearts, Ezra 9. 13, 14. Psalm 85:8

Those mercies and comforts are undoubtedly sanctified to men, which humble their souls kindly before God in the sense of their own vileness and unworthiness of them, Genesis 32:10 And Jacob said, I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, &c. Sanctified mercies are commonl…

Especially if we remember, that we never deserved the least part of the good we have received, but we have deserved more than all the evil that we suffer. We may say as Ezra did (Ezra 9:13), You our God has punished us less than our iniquities; and we may say as Jacob (Genesis 3…

APPLICATION. GOd having to do in a way of correction with divers sorts of offenders, does not use the like severity with them all, but proportions his correction to their abilities and strength, Ier. 30. 11. I will not make a full end of you, but will [correct you in measure] an…

When formerly I had fallen by the hand of a temptation, how was I accustomed to lie in tears at the Lord's feet, bemoaning myself? How did I hasten to my closet, and there cry like Ezra (Ezra 9:6), O my God, I am ashamed, and blush to look up to you. How did I sigh and weep befo…

But as they blaspheme the God of heaven because of their pains, so they never repent of their deeds (Revelation 16:11). 6. It's safe sailing in declining of rocks; when we adore the Lord's withdrawing of influences, and justify him, and bewail our own sinful choice, and condemn…

In the last storm he shot off his Vvarning-piece; in the next, he may discharge his Murdering-piece against my Soul and body. O my Soul! has he given you such deliverances as these, and darest you again break his Commandments; Ezra 9. 13, 14. O let me pay the Vows that my lips h…

The Original of that nation is known from the Scripture, as also their Worship of God, 2 Kings 17. Their solemn Excommunication and casting out from any interest among the people of God, is also recorded, Ezra 9, Nehemiah 6: and chapter 13. Their continuance in their abomination…

Does God take away a Child? he might take away his Spirit; Does he chastize the Body? he might torment the Conscience. 2. God does not correct his Children so much as they have deserved, Ezra 9:13. You hast punished us less than our Iniquities deserve.

To you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake: if it be a gift, it is matter of praise. 5. Take these evils in the worst notion, they are less than we have deserved (Ezra 9:13). And after all that is come upon us for our…

3. It sweetens the duties of holiness; (1 John 5:3) This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. This makes our resistance of sin more serious, (Ezra 9:13) Seeing you our God has punished us less than our iniquities deserved, sho…

3. His punishments are not above deservings. Ezra 9:13. Seeing that you our God has punished us less than our iniquities deserve. Job 11:6. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

Such expostulations and speeches are very frequent in the prophets; and all these speeches do abundantly justify God when he judges: he would gladly hold off the extremity of judgments deserved by them; the Lord makes a stand, and would gladly be prevented before he proceeds to…

But of the usefulness of this doctrine I speak in the treatise itself, and shall therefore forbear to name anything more of that nature in this place. As to the book I have but a few things to say; this treatise was begun, and almost finished, before the late sore and great plag…

God was angry with Solomon because he departed from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice (1 Kings 11:9). We should draw inferences as Ezra did (Ezra 9:13-14): After all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, seeing you have punished us less than our iniquity d…

Secondly, in regard of our afflictions we have deserved more. "You have punished us less than our iniquities deserve" (Ezra 9:13). Is our condition sad?

Second, he minimized and excused his sin that it might appear lesser; he laid his sin upon the people (verse 24): Because I feared the people; they would have me take the spoil, and I dared do no other. A true mourner labors to draw out sin in its true colors, and accent it with…

And if God establish David's seed forever (Psalm 89:4) and the seed of his people shall possess the gates of their enemies (Genesis 24:60) and if he pour his Spirit upon the seed of Jacob (Isaiah 44:3) and circumcise the heart of the seed of his people (Deuteronomy 30:6) and put…

Our turning away our eye from the Covenant is the cause why we succumb; Christ, under his sorest assault with hell and hell's pursuivants and officers, devils, and the felt anger of a forsaking God, doubles his grips on the Covenant, my God, my God (Psalm 22:1) (Matthew 27), O m…

The expressions of smiting of the thigh, (Jeremiah 31:19). knocking on the breast, L[illegible]k. 18. 13. putting on of sackcloth, (Isaiah 22:12). plucking off the hair, (Ezra 9:3). What are all these, but outward signs of inward sorrow.

Prayer is the asking of an Alms, which requires humility, Luke 18 verse 13. The Publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Gods incomprehensible glory may even amaze us, and st…

He might have deprived us of salvation; does he put wormwood in the cup? We have deserved poison, Ezra 9. 13. Thou hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve; we have a sea of sin, and but a drop of suffering. 7. The patient soul does most sweetly enjoy itself; an impatie…

And: I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing; but now, I beseech you, remove the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly. Of Ezra: O my God, I am ashamed and confounded to lift up my eyes to you, my God, for our iniquities are increased over our he…

'You are just in all that is brought upon us,' said Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:33). 'You have punished us less than our iniquities deserve,' said Ezra (Ezra 9:13). 'It is of the Lord's mercy we are not consumed,' said the church (Lamentations 3:22).

Hence it is that they stick not to commit ten sins against God, to hide one sin from the eyes of men. It is a mercy that sin is the matter of men's shame, and that all are not arrived at that height of impudence to declare their sin as Sodom, and glory in their shame; but to be…

Then is the heart pricked, when God afflicts it with sorrow and grief for sin; grief for sin, and care for reformation of it. They were pierced with many sorrows for piercing of Christ, and care to be delivered from that sin: there are other affections that usually follow these,…

You hate sin as sin; if you are grieved for sin, not as it is grievous to your conscience, and an amazement to your spirit, but as it is loathsome and filthy in the sight of God; when you can abhor yourself for sin (Job 42:6). A man takes up a coal and feels it hot, and throws i…

The sin, for committing whereof, the Israelites fasted in Samuel's time, was extraordinary (1 Samuel 7:4, 6). The occasions which moved Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther to fast in the behalf of others, were extraordinary (Ezra 9:2, etc.; Nehemiah 1:4; Esther 4:16). Read all the fasts r…

The second is, a confession to God, wherein also three things are to be done: first, to acknowledge all our main sins original and actual: secondly, to acknowledge our guiltiness before God: thirdly, to acknowledge our just damnation for sin. The third thing in Humiliation, is s…

How should we therefore labor for forgiveness! till then we can have no ease in our mind, nothing but a pardon sealed in the blood of a Redeemer can ease a wounded spirit. 4. Forgiveness of sin is feasible, it may be obtained, impossibility destroys endeavor, but as (Ezra 10:2)…

For to this end it was not only needful that he should be declared to be a Priest, as the Messiah was to be, but also in that declaration all those circumstances were to be observed, wherein the nature of the priesthood of Christ might be any way praefigured. After this the Chur…

Asa commanded Judah to worship God, and the thing was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 14:23, 24). So see 2 Kings 15:23, and Ezra 10:8; so 2 Kings 34:32, 33; and that promise, Isaiah 43:23. I know I touch the sore of this age, and that this is a truth much prejudiced, ther…

How can I part with such lovely companions as these have been? How often have I been benefited by their counsels — Ezra 10:3? How often refreshed, warmed, and quickened by their company — Ecclesiastes 4:10-11?

If any should have claimed Church-fellowship, saying, I believe the promises, but would not bind himself to any duties of Evangelical obedience, this had been a taking hold of the Covenant by the halves, a taking of one part of it in seeming and pretence, and a leaving of anothe…

We have said enough against Saravia, but Bilson does better deserve an answer, who alleges more specious reasons to prove, that the Elders of the Jews were their civil Magistrates. He says, there was no Senate nor Seniors among the Jews, but such as had power of life and death,…

Oh! it's a good thing when any are going to counsel about matters of consequence, that they would prepare their hearts before they go with the possession of the fear of the great God upon their hearts, and then they will counsel well. You have a notable scripture for this in Ezr…

But I was more confirmed that the way of Antinomians is for the flesh, not for the Gospel, when I read that Mr. Crispe expounding confession (1 John 1), makes it no humble acknowledging that the sinner in person has sinned, and so is under wrath eternal, if God should judge him;…

Forms of an Excommunication. The Sentence, Ezra 10:7, 8. explained. Civil Penalties and Capital.

To give the Hand, seems to be Hebrew Phrase for entering into Covenant, or obliging themselves by Covenant. Ezra 10:19. And they gave their Hands, that they would put away their Wives.

Besides, if this decree of Artaxerxes had been according to Master Goodwin, the Bloody Tenet, and other libertines' opinion such a wicked and bloody doctrine, Ezra the Priest the Scribe of the law of the God of heaven had been bound to have instructed Artaxerxes better, and humb…

From (2 Kings 23:8, 9) compared with (2 Chronicles 14:3, 5), (2 Chronicles 15:17), (2 Chronicles 33:17), it is evident there were in Judah two sorts of high places, some on which God was worshipped, others on which Idols were worshipped; the one sort was the high places of Idola…

Fifthly, the Urim and Thummim, of which the reader may see fully in Ainsworth's Annotations on Exodus 28:30. Now that after the captivity of Babylon, Princes and Magistrates used a coercive power for offences against the first Table, is plain by those instances (Ezra 10:7, 8) of…

3. Confession must come from an honest heart, purposing not to sin, that so with the confession we may join also the confusion and overthrow of sin: He that confesses and forsakes (that is, he that in that very act of confessing forsakes) his sin, shall find mercy (Proverbs 28:1…

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him. And thus Shechaniah confesss sin to God, Ezra 10:2. And Shechaniah the Son of Jehiel,one of the Sons of Ellam, answered and said to Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, &c.

This must be a confession, that a people turned to the Lord are in their iniquities. 2. This is set down as a commendable practice (Ezra 10:1): Ezra confessed and wept (Nehemiah 9:1-2): And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their…

So faith is ready to embrace any homely service his calling leads him to, which a carnal heart would blush to be seen in; a faithful heart is never squeamish in this case, for repentance will make a man revenge himself upon himself, in respect of the many homely services he has…

By what reasons are they confuted? (1) Because repentance, being a turning from our sins and evil ways and a turning to God, and Christ being without sin, could not be capable to repent in our stead (1 Kings 8:35; Hebrews 7:26-27; Joel 2:12-13). (2) Because those who repent conf…

Nehemiah did drive away the son of Eliashib the high Priest, not for Idolatry, but for marrying the daughter of Sanballat, and thereby defiling the Covenant of the Priesthood (Nehemiah 13:28, 29). Ezra made the Chief Priests, the Levites, and all Israel to enter into a Covenant…