Micah

For "all" is put in Scripture ordinarily for many; as (Deuteronomy 1:21; Psalm 71:18; Jeremiah 15:10; Jeremiah 19:9; Jeremiah 20:7; Jeremiah 23:30; Jeremiah 49:17; Ezekiel 16:27; Exodus 33:10; Colossians 1:28; Isaiah 61:9; Genesis 41:57; Mark 14:4; John 3:26; Acts 17:31; Acts 10…

And Satan helps forward this horrible enormity by ungodly magistrates in the cities, and also by noble men and gentlemen in the country, who take away the church goods whereby the ministers of the Gospel should live, and turn them to wicked uses. These goods (says the Prophet Mi…

See this more clear (Jeremiah 7:29), when the prophet foreshows the great affliction of Jerusalem, he thus bespeaks them, cut off your hair O Jerusalem and cast it away, and take up a lamentation. To add one instance more (Micah 1:16), in case of their sore affliction the prophe…

There are public calamities, which cause lamentation generally throughout a whole land which suffers under the weight of them; such as wars, famines, pestilential and wasting diseases which leave great desolations behind them. These are procured by sin (Micah 1:8). For the trans…

When the beginnings and occasions of a sickness or distemper of body are known, it is a great advantage to direct in and to the cure of it. God to recall Sion to himself shows her where was the beginning of her sin (Micah 1:13). Now this is that which for the most part is the be…

A man may devise exquisite torments for another, and great power may make a little stick to lay on heavy strokes: but great power stirred up to strike from great fury and wrath makes the stroke deadly. I tell you, all the wisdom of God shall then be set against you to devise tor…

Jerome gives his friend this counsel to be ever well employed, that when the tempter came he might find him working in the vineyard. If the hands be not working, the head will be plotting sin (Micah 2:1). 7. Subtlety of Satan is to give some little respite, and seem to leave off…

We see this in the false prophets the apostle speaks of when he says, 'Believe not every spirit, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.' Those false prophets became confident in their prophecies — 'they walk in the spirit,' says the prophet Micah 2:11, but the…

Hebrews 13:14. And they thought, they ever heard that voice sounding in their ears, (Micah 2:10) Arise and depart, for this is not your rest. Contrariwise, the wicked of the world, because they set up their rest in this world, and cared for no other; they began presently to buil…

True grace like colors laid in oil, cannot be washed off. 4. A righteous man's thoughts are more excellent: thoughts are the first-born of the soul; sinful thoughts arise out of a bad heart, like sparks out of a furnace; an unsanctified fancy is Satan's work-house (Micah 2:1). B…

'Tis good to stop at lust, though the lust grieves the Spirit of God, yet the work, beside the grief, brings dishonor to God, gives an ill example, brings scandal to religion, makes way for a habit and further proneness to sin; therefore if you have not prevented the lust, act n…

3. Let us comfort ourselves with the hopes of this blessed and joyful condition. 1. Against all the miseries and afflictions of this present life, these are necessary, we would sleep too quietly in the world, if we did not sometimes meet with thorns in our beds, we should be so…

From where it follows, that worldly men cavil foolishly and childishly when they say, we could be content to be God's disciples with all our hearts, if he would not deal too severely with us. Which is all one, as if for their sakes they would cause him to alter his nature, and t…

Whither shall I flee from your Spirit. Omnipotency, Micah 2. 8. The Spirit of the Lord is not straitned; compared with Isa. 40. 28.

The whole Kingdom of Satan, the strong-holds of sin, the high imaginations of unbelief; the strength and malice of the world, all sink before him. And from there are they described so glorious and successful in their way (Micah 2:13): The breaker is come up before them, they hav…

We have most peace from God, when we expect most, and may look for more rest and quiet, when we rest quietly in him, and say, in God I have enough, indeed as Jacob (Genesis 33:11) I have all. But if you would have rest in the world, say as the prophet Micah directs (Micah 2:10)…

For the times; there are none to be so diligently watched over as our solitudes and retirements by night or by day: what we are in them, that we are indeed, and no more; they are either the best or the worst of our times, wherein the principle that is predominant in us will show…

And because he is sovereign upon the account of his sovereignty, he crushes not under his feet all the prisoners of the earth: to turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High (Lamentations 3:33, 34). Whereas, to sinful sovereigns, power is a law many take by vi…

FIrst, that our rest is not here in this world; let us not promise to ourselves any such matter, let us not seek it here: the promise will not bear it, the promise will bear no further, then that we should have only so much of the things of this world, as shall be sutable to our…

Nos quoque cum aliquid inde proferimus usitato magis quam vero nomine utimur, exemplo videlicet Hieronymi, quem suspicamur, licet crederet Interpretationem eam a Viris illis elaboratam minime fuisse, ne offenderet Graecos voluisse tamen recepto nomine semper appellare. Certe qui…

The answer it receives is much like that Elisha gave Naaman, Go in peace (2 Kings 5:19); it quieted his mind, but it gave little of that sweetness to his heart which God speaks with his peace. Do not my words do good, says the Lord (Micah 2:7). When God speaks, there is not only…

No man knows the contentment of walking closely with God, but he that has tried. So (Micah 2:7), Do not my words do good to him that walks uprightly? Not only speak good, but do good.

Wicked men sit brooding (Isaiah 59:5). They hatch the cockatrice egg, and weave the spider's web: they devise mischief upon the bed (Micah 2:1). Woe to them that devise mischief on their beds.

All the time we spend here, it is but a night, but a moment in comparison of eternity. We live longest in the other world, and therefore there's our home (Micah 2:10). Arise, depart from here, this is not your rest: God speaks it of the land of Canaan, when they had polluted it…

Let that once get into the heart and reign there, and then a man will stick at no sin, he becomes (as Chrysostome speaks) a ready prey to the Devil, such a man does but stand watching for a temptation that Satan may draw him to one sin or other. (Micah 2:2) They covet fields and…

When they see that divine truth is like to bear out itself, and man that does confess it, in such cases, they feel the excellency of God's truth, and the power of God sustaining them that confess it; therefore embrace heartily the Lord's commands, and take pleasure in his ways.…

God's word against sin and sinners will at last take effect, and end in sad chastisements; and they that would not believe their danger, are made to feel it. Now his promises will have their effect as well as his threats (Micah 2:7). Do not my words do good to him that walks upr…

We are mortal, and all things about us are liable to their mortality, and therefore here we must be still passing to another place. 2. Here we have no rest; (Micah 2:10) Arise and depart hence, for this is not your rest, that is hereafter. (Hebrews 4:9) There remains therefore a…

So on the contrary, it does engage us to strict walking, to see how God owns it; so does God appeal to us by experience, Have I been a land of darkness to you, or a barren wilderness (Jeremiah 2:31)? And (Micah 2:7), Do not my words do good to them that walk uprightly? Look abou…

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Therefore it is said (Micah 2:7): Do not my words do good to him that walks uprightly? The word saying good is a doing good, when it is said it may be accounted done, because o…

He looks up and down in the world to find out such persons to do them good, that he may employ all his power and grace for them: so God shows it in his word; God's work is to assure them of a blessing. Micah 2:7: Do not my words do good to them that walk uprightly? There he comf…

3. God's Word should be as good as deed: for his Word, and the beck of his will, does all things. Do not my words do good to him that walks uprightly? (Micah 2:7) Not say good, but do good; when it is said, it may be accounted done, the performance is so certain.

First, it is not obedience to God's precepts, or godliness, that is the cause of our sufferings and chastenings, but our sin and folly. Are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walks uprightly? (Micah 2:7). God delights not in dealing harshly with his people.

1. Then the sinfulness of sin not only appears by, but consists in this, that it is contrary to God, yes, contrariety and enmity itself in the very abstract: Carnal men, or sinners, are called by the name of enemies to God (Romans 5:8, 10; Colossians 1:21), but the carnal mind o…

If we look outward, if we cast our eyes abroad, the world is but our sojourning-house — it is a stage whereon vanity and vexation act their part, and the scene seldom alters. Depart, this is not your rest (Micah 2:10). All which considered may make us look for that blessed hope…

5. It necessarily must follow, if it be sin to eat, because the non-converted have no spiritual right in Christ, to bread, the converted may spoil by their grounds, all the non-converted, of their goods, houses, gold, gardens, vineyards, lands, and upon the same ground, for the…

If we cannot afford to God our spare time, it is evident that indeed we can afford nothing at all. Micah 2:1. They devise iniquity upon their beds.

For when Temptations do multiply Thoughts about Sin, proceeding from some or all of these causes, and the mind has wonted it self to give them Entertainment, those in whom they are, do want nothing but opportunities and Occasions taking off the power of outward restraints for th…

When sin prevails, and the affections are gone fully after it, it fills the imagination with it, possessing it with images, likenesses, appearances of it continually. Such persons devise iniquity and work evil on their beds, which they also practise when they are able, when it i…

They go all their days big with the iniquity they have conceived, and are greatly burdened that they cannot be delivered of it. 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…

They left their possessions, and went up to Jerusalem, for Jeroboam had cast them off; but might they not then have lived on their possessions? You will say, it may be the king had cast them out of their possessions also: but the text says not so; and I do not find, to my rememb…

(1) Perhaps it arises from ignorance of your selves, and of sin, and of God &c. It will one day appear, that the very bottom and foundation of some men's faith, the corner stone of it is laid in, and springs from ignorance of themselves, and of sin; and from secret, unseen, but…

In the primitive times assent was more than it is now, and yet then an unactive assent was never allowed to pass for faith. Confident resting on Christ for salvation, if it be not a resting according to the word, will not serve the turn, there were some that leaned upon the Lord…

But the false and counterfeit faith will be the ape of the true; that also will cry peace, and then it does but deceive. Men will cover all their noisome and running sores, with the fig-leaves of a false and ineffectual faith, which will be but as a spider's web at last (Micah 3…

Many are like those spoken of (Isaiah 57:10): "You have found the life of your hand, therefore you were not grieved"; they have a faith and a hope of their own making, and this keeps them off, so that the word of God takes no hold on them; we preach that you are naturally at [re…

4. And by faith I live not, Christ lives in me, and I am crucified and mortified; that is, by faith I know that I did live the life of God, and was crucified to the world; whereas I was dead in sins, before I believed. 5. And because believing is somewhat more than a naked act o…

Now let a wicked man grow never so vile, and never so sinful, it interrupts not his peace; he has hopes and assurance still, and he will trust in God still, though he sin ever — this is an argument his comforts are unsound. You have a lively picture of this (Micah 3:11). The hea…

If there be a fire in Jeremiah's bowels, what wonder then that prophecying flame out of his mouth, and he confess he was weary with forbearing (Jeremiah 20), and God obtains his holy end. The people are warned of their sin, when Micah says in opposition to the empty Prophets (Mi…

Afflictions in themselves are evil, Amos 2. 6. Very bitter and unpleasant, See Hebrews 12:11. Yet not morally and intrinsically evil, as sin is; for if so, the holy God would never own it for his own act, as he does, Mic. 3. [•]2. but always disclaimeth sin, Iam. 1. 3. Besides,…

Lamentations 3:24: The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore will I hope in him. 3. Walk closely with him (Micah 3:11). The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money, yet will they lean upon the Lord,…

Sixth, those hearts are impure who are haters of purity. Micah 3:2: Who hate the good. Proverbs 1:29: They hated knowledge.

This is the hypocrisy of some: they entitle God to whatever they do; they make bold with God to use his name to their wickedness, as if a thief should pretend the king's warrant for his robbery. Micah 3:11: they build up Zion with blood, the heads thereof judge for reward; yet w…

First, it is not morally or intrinsecally evil, if it were evil in this sense; First, God could not be the author of it; his nature is so pure, that no such evil can come from him, any more than the Sunnes light can make night. But this evil of affliction he vouchs for his own a…

5. So must there be a deadening of the husband to the wife (Job 19:17), to servants (Job 15:16), to sons (2 Samuel 16:11), of the mother to the daughter, of the daughter-in-law to the mother-in-law (Micah 7:6), to blood-friends. 12. All the godly and zealous Prophets said Amen t…

5. The Terms and Notions by which it is expressed under the Old testament, are leaning on God, Micah 3:11. or Christ, Song of Solomon 8:5. rolling, or casting our selves and our burthen on the Lord, Psalm 22:8. Psalm 37:5.

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…

Some flatter them, others fear them, some are bewitched with their favors, and others are frightened by their frowns; but the word of the Lord is not bound, the Spirit of the Lord is not constrained. His ministers are, or should be, full of judgment, power and might, to declare…

Secondly, the desperate unbeliever: that seeing his sins to be so great, and feeling his heart so hard, and finding but little good from God, since he sought for help, (like Cain,) flees from the presence of the Lord; like a mad lion he breaks his chains of restraining grace, an…

All men are of this opinion, that there is no salvation but by the merits of Jesus Christ; and because they hold fast this opinion, therefore they think they hold fast Jesus Christ in the hand of faith, and so perish by catching at their own catch, and hanging on their own fancy…

Christ gives him some rest; and because this is not full, his heart runs out to the creature, and to his lusts for more; and so between them both he has rest, and he is quieted with this, because he feels what he sought for: and therefore he must needs have Christ, else his cons…

By what reasons are they confuted? (1) Because, all the Priests, Levites, and Prophets of the Jewish church, who had the same promises which the Christian church has now under the New Testament (1 Corinthians 10:3-4; 2 Samuel 7:16; Isaiah 49:15-16); together with the High Priest…

Reas. 1. From their presumptuous trust in their privileges, as though God were bound to preserve his Temple — he has no other habitation in the world, and therefore he will never depart from hence, his glory is involved in our preservation, and will he laugh in our ruin: if he s…

The means must be used and mens hearts left to God. Object. 3. This doctrine of the Magistrates coercive power, maketh many to stumble at the Presbyterian Reformation, as a bloudy Reformation, as a building of Zion with bloud, and Ierusalem with iniquity (Micah 3:10). Answ. 1. W…

(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…

How wonderful was it, that when the Israelites were abominated by the Egyptians, God should so order their hearts, that the Egyptians should lend them gold and jewels, and dismiss them with wealth as well as safety; and not so much as one person molest them, till they arrived at…

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…

And so the prophets describe it as peculiar to his reign, that, “they shall sit every man under his vine, and under his fig-tree, and none shall make them afraid,” (Micah 4:4.) 75. In holiness and righteousness As the rule of a good life has been reduced by God to two tables, (E…

And though shortly afterwards it was totally overthrown, yet even in the present day the fulfillment of this prophecy is manifest; for, since out of Zion, went forth the law, (Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:2,) those who wish to pray aright must look to that beginning.

Again by Balaam the same words are used to signify the same time (Numbers 24:14), where they are rendered [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩], in the end of the days, as many Copies read in this place. And in all the Prophets this is the peculiar notation of that season, [⟨in non-Latin al…

He was also to be pierced (chapter 12:10), being the Shepherd (chapter 13:7), the King as the Targum, that was to be smitten with the sword of the Lord. The Judge of Israel that was to be smitten with the rod on the cheek (Micah 4:1), all denoting his persecution and suffering.…

To this purpose they urge the prophecy recorded (Isaiah 2:2, 3, 4): And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow to it; and many…

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…

Genesis 35:21. Occasion of the mention of the Messiah in that place, from Micah 4:8. Genesis 49:1.

3. The words hold out that there is an infallible certainty in this truth; we have here Christ's verdict of it — he in his reckoning counts believers so, and he cannot be mistaken. 4. There is the cause why the Bride is so strong and stately: he makes her so; and so these words,…

The promise is, I will get me to the mountain of Myrrh, and to the hill of Frankincense: by this in general, [reconstructed: it is] understood no withdrawing of Christ's, or shutting of himself up in heaven from her; for, that will not agree to the scope, which is to show how he…

And verse 26. I have declared to them your name, and will declare it; that is, I have instructed them in the true religion, and right worship of the great God. And so it is taken likewise (Micah 4:5), All people will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the…

"They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them." And in Micah 4:4. "But they shall sit every man under his vine, and under his fig-tree, and none shall make them afraid."

The other Thing professed in Swearing into the Lord was Obedience, called walking in the Name of the Lord. Micah 4:5. All People will walk every one in the Name of his God, and we will walk in the Name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.

But considering it more seriously, I saw the necessity of another sense, for this is but the result and effect of the former phrase, now it seems to be added for the greater emphasis, and aggravation of the mercy, that there should be not only one Lord but one Name: therefore wh…

The noise of Axe and Hammers does but square stones for the Temple, that they may lie the more evenly in the buildings; usually we find that Religious controversies (like the knocking of flints) yield more light, and by the providence of God occasion more sincere love, before we…

Proposition 1. The Lord in his holy providence has so permitted it, that there ever have been, and are, and (for ought we can see) will be controversies about the way of truth and right worship. There was such a disease introduced into the world by the [reconstructed: fall], tha…

This [reconstructed: looks] like poverty, to believe the other mystery in the other side or page of Providence, [illegible] glory of dividing the Red Sea, and of giving seven mighty nations to his people, and their buildings, lands, vineyards, gardens, is a strong faith. 2. The…

Has Christ waded through a sea of blood and wrath to purchase my peace, has he not only made peace, but spoken peace to me; how should my heart ascend in a fiery chariot of love, how willing should I be to do and suffer for Christ! 3. This peace quiets the heart in trouble (Mica…

But it is certain in general that they were great oppressors of the world roving up and down for dominion and spoil. Therefore Abraham's conquest of them, was not only a pledge of the final success of the church in the world, but also a representation of the usefulness of the ch…

As when Paul first preached at Philippi, Lydia only was converted, who was a stranger in those parts, belonging to the city of Thyatira in Asia (Acts 16:14, 15). And a whole country may fare the better for one city, and a whole city for some part of it, as (Micah 5:7). God conce…

And among other things, lest they should glory in this, that whatever they were before, they became afterward as silver refined seven times in the furnace; no, says the Lord, I have refined you in some sort, but not as silver, not so as that you are clean from your dross: but I…

And of a child that should be the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6). This the Prophets foretold that he should be God, and the Son of God (Micah 5:2). His going forth is from everlasting, though born at Bethlehem; so the bud of the Lord, and the fruit of the earth…

"Neque parum facit;" -- "ce n'est pas un poinct de petite importance." to the certainty of faith to know, that Mary was drawn suddenly, and contrary to her own intention, to Bethlehem, that "out of it might come forth" (Micah 5:2) the Redeemer, as he had been formerly promised.…

Thus it stands literally in the Prophet: “And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth to me, who is Ruler in Israel,” (Micah 5:2.) For Ephratah Matthew has put Judah, but the meaning is the same; for Micah…

And therefore upon his Ascension he says that he went to his God and Father (John 20:17). And he rules in the name and majesty of God (Micah 5:4). This is the importance of the words; they intend not the eternal and natural relation that is between the Father and Son, which neit…

That he should be honoured and worshipped of all nations (Psalm 45:11, 12; Psalm 72:10, 11, 15), and yet that he should be rejected and despised as one altogether undesirable (Isaiah 53:3). That he should stand and feed, or rule in the name and majesty of God (Micah 5:4), and ye…

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…

The Genealogie of Matthew declared, and of Luke. The place of the Birth of the Messiah, Bethlehem, Micah 5:2. Circumstances enforcing this consideration.

The principal distributions of these, planting themselves together in the cities or towns of Canaan, however afterward they multiplied or were decreased, continued to be called by the names of the thousands of Israel, or Judah. So Bethlehem Ephratah is said to be little among th…

For the former, they declare that he was to be the Son of God, God and Man in one Person (Psalm 2:7; Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Jeremiah 23:5, 6; Zechariah 2:8, 9, 10), and in sundry other places is the same mystery intimated, whereby the Church was farther instructed how God w…

Hosea 14:8. Micah 5.2. Vindicated.

2. That Christ's flock may be, indeed, usually are in hazard both of sin or straying, and also of affliction. 3. That Christ Jesus is tender of his people, in reference to any hazard they are in of sin, or suffering; He is the good shepherd (John 10:11), he carries the lambs in…

And if ever the government of this nation, in this present constitution, suppose it the most exactly framed, and balanced, in the several parts of it, for the furtherance of public good, be devolved into the hands of men, not interested in God by Christ, though the constitution…

(Numbers 23:9) "Lo the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nation; yea they are separated from them, while they are in their bowels, and dwell in the midst of them." (Micah 5:7, 8) Whether they are among them, as the spring of their mercies, or the rise…

And in what glory does he exercise this power? He gives eternal life to his elect: ruling them in the power of God (Micah 5:3) until he bring them to himself; and for his enemies! His arrows are sharp in their hearts (Psalm 45:5) he dips his vesture in their blood: Oh how glorio…

Falsehoods need some outward interest to back them, and the supports of a secular arm; but God's interest does many times stand alone, though God does now and then make kings nursing fathers, and queens nursing-mothers, according to his promise (Isaiah 49:23). Oftentimes the Chu…

Peace is a crown jewel of his reign; he whispers his love to the soul and sends his Spirit, that blessed dove, which brings an olive branch of peace in its mouth. The peace which Christ gives is peace in the midst of trouble (Micah 5:5): this man shall be our peace, when the ene…

Sooner or later he will call to an account every instrument of persecution in the world. Hence he is said to be a Lion in the behalf of this House, that treads down all before him (Micah 5:8). Jacob says of him in Judah, He is a Lion, as an old Lion, who shall rouse him up? (Gen…

Christ is a noble example in this, teaching us to ride at this [reconstructed: anchor] of hope: 'you are my God by Covenant.' (Micah 5:4): Christ shall feed in the Name of the Lord his God (Isaiah 55:4). Argument 2. Is taken from the Lord's way of calling of Christ to his Office…

(5.) God swore to the Son of David for the seed, that is, for the whole race, and gave them all to Christ, and gave you among them; and Christ closed with the condition, though you cannot come to application. It's good to feed the soul upon the solacing thoughts, I cannot apply,…

The whole world owes its preservation and being, to them, whom they make it their business to root out of it: they are as the foolish woman, that pulls down her own house with both her hands. It is not your counsels, you know how they have been divided, entangled, ensnared, it i…

For if it be rightly concluded that from his conception he began to be the Son of God, because he that is conceived is called the Son of God, then shall it follow that he began to be the Word at his manifesting in the flesh, because John says that he brings them tidings of the W…

Those doxologies which the Scripture uses are but acknowledgments of this attribute: "Blessed be the Lord for ever and ever" (Nehemiah 9:5); "To whom be glory, and honor, and dominion, for ever and ever" (Galatians 1:5); and in many other places. Here we may refer all those plac…

1. Because he is given to fulfill the covenant on both sides. 2. He is the covenant, in abstracto, he is very peace and reconciliation itself (Micah 5:5). And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come to our land.

For indeed it is that wherein God designs a good to all, Vir bonus communeBonum. A good man is a good to all (Micah 5:7). And therefore God in the communication of saving grace to any, has a three-fold respect to others, which it is the duty of them that receive it diligently to…

Q. 2. What are the decrees of God? A. (a) Eternal, (b) unchangeable purposes of his will, concerning the being, and well-being of his creatures. (a) Micah 5:2; Ephesians 3:9; Acts 15:18. (b) Isaiah 14:24; Isaiah 46:10; Romans 9:12; 2 Timothy 2:19. Q. 3. Concerning which of his c…

Q 2. What are the decrees of God? A. (a) Eternal, (b) unchangeable purposes of his will, concerning the being, and well-being of his creatures. (a) Micah 5:2, Ephesians 3:9, Acts 15:18. (b) Isaiah 14:24, Isaiah 46:10, Romans 9:12, 2 Timothy 2:19. Q. 3. Concerning which of his cr…

The heavens call to us to behold God's glory (Psalm 19:1). Conscience calls to us, God's judgments call to us — Repent (Micah 6:9). Hear the rod.

He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand. Can they be holy which are not just (Micah 6:11)? Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances?

Quest. But what profit is in affliction? Answ. 1. Afflictions are disciplinary, they teach us Schola Crucis, Schola Lucis: many Psalms have this inscription Maschil, a Psalm giving instruction: affliction may have this inscription upon it Maschil, an affliction giving instructio…

This is more than any mere creature can possibly do: there is no created being, that is such and nothing more, that is able to stand in the judgment before God for sinners, and obtain their absolution. That man cannot by his own righteousness obtain this for himself, has been al…

Q. What is the sum of the ninth commandment? A. Truth in speeches, promises, and our dealings among men; and the contrary forbidden is all lying and false speaking (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9, 10; Psalms 15:2; Micah 6:12; Psalms 12:2). Q. What is the sum of the tenth command…

Or they run to a formal performance of duties, as poor souls under popery when stung by the friars' sermons were set penances and good works to be done, which stilled them for a while, and for these they thought they should have pardon. So men run now to holy duties, but with th…

They could not do it by any means, nor at any time: the word is a vehement negation, respecting all the powers of those sacrifices, and all the times wherein they were used. And therefore as to those things which might seem to give them their efficacy, as their multiplication, t…

But if any thing within the power or ability of men, any thing they could invent or accomplish, had been useful to this end, there would have been no need that the Son of God should have offered himself. To this purpose, see Chap. 10. 5, 6, 7, 8. Micah 6:8, 9. 2dly, The next thi…

The word for alms in the Syriac, signifies justice; to show that Alms must be of that which is justly gotten. The Scripture puts them together, Micah 6. 8. To do justice, to love mercy, we must not make ex rapina holocaustum, a sacrifice of sacrilege. Isaiah 61. 8. For I the Lor…

If they pray, there is no intention beyond self, and the welfare of their own natures; the matter is but the outward work of the law, and their aim is but the freedom and welfare of nature. 3. There are legal ends: when wicked men are most devout, it is but to quiet conscience,…

And this should awe and humble the vainest heart that ever was in the breast of a saint. Know for certain that the Lord records all the mercies that ever he gave you, from the beginning to the end of your life (Micah 6:5): 'Remember, O my people, from Shittim to Gilgal.' Indeed,…

Having run into great arrears by gross neglects in moral obedience, they think to make it up with ceremonials, either of God's appointing, or of their own devising. Wherewith shall I come before God? will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of river…

Meanwhile, others, worn down continually by fear and a certain foreboding of the wrath and vengeance of God, are keenly mocked by Plutarch in his little book on superstition. The sacred page also depicts them (Micah 6:6, 7). There were also those who, resting on ancient traditio…

Hence the impulse to sacrifice themselves and others. That a conscience, tormented and terrified by the sense of sin and the fear of punishment, was the root of this evil, the prophet shows (Micah 6:7); and, with Satan serving as midwife, this monster was brought to light. They…

And therefore all these were instituted for this purpose: that they should prefigure another, more excellent sacrifice. Hence it came about that when true theologians had lost the understanding of the proper use of these sacrifices and had so diminished their faith in the coming…

The word properly signifies "the pangs of those in labor." The prophet testifies that superstition afflicts and torments the consciences of men with like pangs (Micah 6:7). X. In this same respect they are also called by a term meaning "something shapeless and confused" — also d…

And it is not improbable that the Israelites also imitated these practices. V. The prophet sets forth the causes of so great a crime: (Micah 6:6, 7), "With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God most high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with…

Some are pleased with a righteousness as it were from works of law (Romans 9:32), and while they strive to establish this righteousness — which is the crime and folly of corrupt nature and has passed into an ecclesiastical dogma among very many — they do not submit to the righte…

The second, which we owe to our brethren (Matthew 22:36; Romans 13:8-9). In this division we are charged two things: First, that to perfect obedience of the Law, we should bring these two sorts of duties sound and whole, as those which then only are pleasing to God, when they ar…

Where he is not esteemed of, he is not taken up to be real, in good earnest, and faithful in what he says; his offers are looked upon as having neither solidity nor reality in them, therefore (Revelation 19) these two are put together, first it's said, "Blessed are they that are…

The blood of bulls and of goats could not take away sin, neither is, as it is (Acts 4:12), there any other name under heaven given to sinners whereby they can be saved, but the name of Jesus. I shall not speak here of the nature of Christ's offering and sacrifice; but sure, thou…

Or, who are now before the throne that ever made the keeping up of this secret from them, a bar or impediment to their believing? God's eternal purpose or decree is not the rule of our duty, nor the warrant of our faith, but his revealed will in his Word; let us seek to come to…

Judgments speak in the dark, but we hear not: the Lord fattens some slaughter-oxen for hell, and death is on some men's faces, even the second death on their person, but they see not. To hear the Lord's rods, and who has appointed it, is the man of wisdom's part (Micah 6:9). The…

Verse 27: "But these my enemies that would not that I should reign over them, bring here and slay them before me" [illegible]. These to me seem to be allusions to Israel's wearying of the Lord of old (Isaiah 43:23): "I have not wearied you with incense" (Jeremiah 2:5); "What ini…

1. The sins and guilty fears of mankind needs such a remedy; we are naturally sensible that the punishment of death is deserved and due to us by the law of God (Romans 1:32): They which commit such things are worthy of death. Now these fears are not easily appeased (Micah 6:6-7)…

Hebrews 9:14: How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. The carnal offer thousands of rams, and rivers of oil, and the fruit of the body for the sin of…

"If you restore the pledge, and repay that which you have robbed, you shall live, and not die." The Lord says, "Are the treasures of wickedness yet in the house of the wicked?" and he adds, that he will not justify the false balance (Micah 6:10-11). Zacchaeus, in his conversion…

And he calls that which is bestowed upon the ministers of the word, seed, which being sown, does recompense the cost, thirty, sixty, a hundred fold: that so they might not think their labor lost, nor their cost bestowed in vain, seeing they were to receive, that which they laid…

Also Micah: Does the Lord delight in thousands of rams, or in ten thousands of fat beasts of the valleys? By and by after he adds: I will show you, O man, what is good: and what it is the Lord your God requires of you, to wit, To do judgment, to love mercy, and to humble yoursel…

Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of Mint, and Anise, and Cummin, and have omitted the weightier Matters of the Law, Judgment, Mercy, and Faith. To the like Purpose is that, Micah 6. 8. He hath showed thee, O Man, what is good; And what doth the Lo…

Isaiah 66:1, 2. Thus saith the Lord, the Heaven is my Throne, and the Earth is my footstool:—But to this Man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite Spirit, and trembleth at my Word. Micah 6:8. He hath shown thee, O Man, what is good; and what doth the Lord thy…

God requires nothing of us to make atonement for sin — the Gospel declares and tenders to sinners an absolute free pardon of all their sins without any satisfaction or compensation made on their part, on account of the atonement made by Jesus Christ; all attempts at works or dut…

How confounding a thing were it, if he should say, as sometimes to others in a case resembling yours (and why should you not take it as equally belonging to you)? O my people, What have I done to you? and wherein have I wearied you? testify against me: (Micah 6:3). And while the…

When David languished under a disease, and his Enemies began to triumph in the hopes of his downfall; he prays, Psalm 41:10 that God would be merciful to him, and raise him up; and by that, he says, he knew the Lord favoured him, because his Enemy did not triumph over him, ver.…

Sometimes the Lord manifests his displeasure and anger against the sins of his people in correcting and rebuking Providences. His rods have a chiding voice, Micah 6:9 Hear the rod and who has appointed it. This discovery of Gods anger kindly melts and thaws a gracious soul, and…

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…

See Isaiah 46. 3, 4. Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are born by me from the belly, which are carryed from the Womb: and even to your old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry. you: I have made, and I will bear, eve…

This is our duty, because God has expresly commanded it, and called his people to make the most serious reflections, and animadversions upon his works, whether of mercy or judgement. So when that dreadfullest of all Judgements was executed upon his professing people for their Ap…

You shall lose all you get, and all you sow, and all you labor for, because you would not look after God's worship. So (Micah 6:13-14): I will make you sick in smiting you, and desolate because of your sins. You shall eat, and not be satisfied; you shall sow, and not reap; you s…

The natural notion hereof the vilest hypocrites among them were sometimes perplexed withall. See (Isaiah 33:14, 15; Micah 6:8). But the generality of them have long endeavoured by prejudicate imaginations, to cast out the true and real sense of it.

Thirdly, the Scripture expressly rejects all the Sacrifices of the Law, when they are trusted in for any such end and purpose, which sufficiently demonstrates that they were never appointed thereunto. See Psalm 40:6, 7, 8; Psalm 50:8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; Isaiah 1:11, 12, 13; Chap…

They are not such, as a cursed guilty sinner might justly expect, but such as are meet for an infinitely Good and Gracious God to propose; not suited to the wisdom of man, but full of the wisdom of God, 2 Corinthians 2:6, 7. The poor convinced wretch, thinking of dealing with Go…

God's providing mercies, God's preventing mercies, God's preserving mercies, God's delivering mercies, the number of God's mercies which cannot be reckoned, the order and strange method of God's mercies, which cannot be declared, the greatness of God's mercies in the kinds and s…

Ephraim is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand. And both their sin and God's anger are set forth (Micah 6:10-13): Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the houses of the wicked, and the scant measure which is abominable? Shall I count them pure with the wic…

By speaking such terrible things in the City of London? The Lord has not only spoken but cried and shouted, he has lifted up his voice like a Trumpet; and his voice has not been inarticulate and insignificant; but has had a meaning; and they that have an ear to hear, may underst…

What is the way of acceptance with God? is that enquiry which gives men their first initiation into religion: see Acts 2:37; chapter 16:30; Micah 6:6, 7, 8. This question being once raised in the conscience, an answer must be returned to it: I will consider, says the Prophet, wh…

Yes, 34. let Heaven and Earth praise him; then must he be great and high above the mourners, yet he owns their tears (Psalm 102:19, 20). 3. And the Lord's sovereignty hinders him not to give a sort of reckoning of his doings, Isaiah 5. Judge between me and my vineyard, Micah 6:3…

Secondly, an extraordinary multiplication of such duties, as for the substance of them are required of us. An instance in both kinds we have (Micah 6:6, 7): Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow my self before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,…

How many of the precious Sons and Daughters of Sion, lie in Tears abroad, while I have been Nourishing my heart, as in a day of slaughter? The voice of God has cried to the City, and Men of understanding have heard its voice, Micah 6:9. But I have been deaf to that cry. How loth…

Many inquiries have the sons of men made after an atonement, many ways have they entered into to accomplish it. After this they inquire, as Micah 6:6-7: will any manner of sacrifices — though appointed of God, as burnt offerings and calves of a year old; though very costly, thou…

Resp. His kingdom is spiritual: he rules in the hearts of men. He sets up his throne where no other king does, he rules the will and affections, his power binds the conscience: he subdues men's lusts (Micah 7:19), He will subdue our iniquities. Quest. What does Christ rule by?

Secondly, when it has tamed their impatience. Before they were proud and impatient, like stubborn children, that would struggle with their parents, but when their obstinate hearts are tamed, and they say as (Micah 7:9): I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sin…

Every cross to a child of God is like Paul's crosswind, which though it broke the ship, it brought Paul to shore upon the broken pieces (Acts 27:44). 8. God shows mercy in pardoning us (Micah 7:18): Who is a God like you, that pardons iniquity? It is mercy to feed us, rich mercy…

2. Murmuring proceeds from pride; men think they have deserved better, and because they are crossed, therefore they utter discontented expressions against God. He who is humble bears anything from God; he knows his punishment is less than his sin; therefore says, "I will bear th…

This is our holiness, 1. When we do his will (Acts 13:22). 2. When we bear his will (Micah 7:9). What he inflicts wisely, we suffer willingly.

There are two things to be observed in the promises of God to comfort us: 1. The power of God, whereby he is able to fulfill the promise. God has promised to subdue our corruption, (Micah 7:19) He will subdue our iniquities. Oh, says a believer, my corruption is so strong, that…

How many birds of prey are there? (Micah 7:2) They all lie in wait for blood, they hunt every man his brother with a net. These are not doves, but vultures; they travel with mischief, and are in pain till they bring forth.

But you are sanctified, but you are justified. Micah 7:18. Pardoning iniquity, there is Justification; verse 19. He will subdue our iniquities, there is Sanctification. Out of Christ's sides came water and blood (1 John 5:6).

Position 2. God is more inclined to mercy than wrath: Pronior est Deus ad parcendum quam ad puniendum. Mercy is his darling attribute which he most delights in (Micah 7:18). Mercy pleases him.

Have you not procured this to yourself? The cross though it be of God's laying, it is of our own making; say then as (Micah 7:9) I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him. 5. Consideration, to cause submission to God's will in affliction; God is n…

Put your mouth in the dust (Lamentations 3:29-30) — be still, not a word — but only such words as express your complaints and acknowledge your deserving of ten thousand times more. And say as Micah 7:9: 'I will bear your indignation patiently, for I have sinned against you.' Bea…

Secondly, afflictions serve to humble God's children, Leviticus 26:41. So the Church of God speaks, I will bear the wrath of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, Micah 7:9. Thirdly, they serve to wean the people of God, and to drive them from the love of this world: for,…

And the drowning of Pharaoh, with all his host in the red sea, signified the subduing of the power of all spiritual enemies, with the pardon and death of sin; which stands partly in the abolishing of sin, and partly in newness of life. And to this alludes the Prophet Micah, sayi…

(1) By committing our whole cause to God; as it did in Christ (1 Peter 2:23). (2) By patient waiting for the pleading of our cause under a sense of our own sin, and an acknowledgement of the righteousness of God (Micah 7:9, 10). (3) By supporting the soul with a testimony of its…

They had this promise still to plead, and rested therein, notwithstanding all the interveniencies which oft-times seemed to render the case of that people very desperate. See their faith expressed (Micah 7:18, 19, 20; Isaiah 7:13, 14, 15; chapter 53; Luke 1:70, 71, 72, 73). And…

It is therefore with respect to all Believers absolutely, that God confirmed his Promise with his Oath, though the natural seed of Abraham was respected in the first place, until they cut off themselves by their unbelief. See Luke 1:72; Micah 7:20. Believers are called heirs of…

Such was this church and people now they had broken and rejected the Covenant of God by their unbelief, earth that brought forth thorns and briars. The best of them was as a briar and the most upright of them as a thorn hedge, then was the day of their prophets nigh, the day of…

And Paul says, When we are chastised, we are nurtured of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:32). And the Jews are taught by the prophet Micah to say, I will bear the wrath of the Lord, because I have sinned against him (Micah 7:9). The second fruit of his conversion is, that he condemns…

Argument 2. Argument 2. By this we resemble God, who is a God of mercy. He is said to delight in mercy, Micah 7. 18. His mercies are over all his works, Psalm 145. 9. He requites good for evil.

Nec propter vitam vivendi perdere causam. The lives of the wicked are unprofitable, therefore compared to chaff (Matthew 3:11) and hurtful, therefore compared to thorns (Micah 7:4). But a righteous man is like the bee or silkworm, working for the good of others: It comforts me (…

So by conversing in the world, there are stains and spots contracted, which must always be washed off by daily repentance, besides our general bathing at first conversion or regeneration. I have no more to say to this cleansing work, but only this, that it is not merely like the…

Indeed, if adversity and poverty could bar you from access to God, it were a sad condition; but you may go to God as freely as ever. 'My God,' said the church, 'will hear me' (Micah 7). Poor David, stripped of all earthly comforts, could yet encourage himself in the Lord his God…

He is rich in mercy, Ephes. 2. 4. He delighteth in mercy, Mic. 7. 18. Justice is Gods strange work, Isa, 28. 21.

Days of visitation heretofore were wont to be called days of vexation, but the day of God's visitation will be a day of vexation indeed to ungodly men. Micah 7:4. The best of them is a briar, the most upright is sharper than a thorn, the day of the Watchmen and your Visitation c…

Oh! what delight should we have in God who takes such delight in his Servants? And this expression of God we think may very well hint to us a meditation concerning the delight that God has in young ones that do begin to give up themselves to him, the Lord loves the first fruits,…

You have set your hearts altogether upon this work, for the furthering of wickedness, in thinking of it, in plodding about it, in stirring of one another, and doing all you can in your endeavors for the furtherance of wickedness. Yes, you have been willing to go through all diff…

(Habakkuk 2:3-4) For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but in the end it shall speak, and not lie: Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Micah 7:7) I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation: My God will hear…

It is complained of by Isaiah here, and in several other places named before. It is complained of by Micah (Micah 7:1): "Woe is me, for I am as they who have gathered the summer-fruits, as the grape gleanings of the vintage; there is no cluster to eat, the good man is perished o…

Observation 2. The second observation is, That it is most sad to a tender minister, and will much affect him to see and observe unbelief and unfruitfulness among the people that he has preached the Gospel to; This must be a certain and clear truth, if we consider what it was tha…

Third, in urging this doctrine more hardly upon the people, to cause them not to rest on the letter of the law, but seek to the promised Messiah, in whom only was their righteousness — as young heirs and minors are kept under tutors while their minority expires. But, first, who…

The Arminian taking away of sins is of all and every one of Adam's seed, of such as never heard of a covenant, of a word, of a Spirit, of a seed, a holy seed, of a new heart. Finally, the taking away of the sins of the world is the removing of them as far from us as the east is…

He has learned to bear God's yoke, he is yoked to the will of God; to his commandments, to his providence, and he puts his mouth in the dust if there may be any hope, he is content to lie down under the hand of God, grudges not at it, but in quietness and silence of heart bears…

A lust to confess, or mercy to beg or bless you for, that I would not have others to know of: It is not fit any should be privy to that which a gracious soul tells God of: In this case it may be said, Discover not your secret to another (Proverbs 25:9). Two may keep counsel, but…

6. He is affected with God's faithfulness in the performance of his promises; acknowledging the truth of God showed to his servant. There is mercy in God's making a promise to Abraham (Micah 7:20), truth in making it good to Jacob. Well then, with Jacob, thus plead: Lord, it is…

Hence we learn that God will not be angry with his Church for ever, but will cause his wrath to cease at the last, even as we see it to fall out in storms and tempests: and this is the cause why the faithful bear their crosses with the greater courage. For thus the Church says (…

When he says, Jacob shall not be confounded; we often see that the faithful are constrained to hang down their heads with shame, as Jeremiah witnesses; I will put my mouth in the dust (Lamentations 3:29). Also Micah says; The time is come, in which the wise shall put their hands…

We are also to observe this phrase of speech which the Prophet uses, to wit, You have cast all my sins behind your back: for his meaning therein is, that God had wholly abolished the remembrance of them. As in Micah 7:9, You have cast all their sins into the bottom of the sea. A…

and shows that, in the accomplishment of them, God has been true and faithful. In this sense, Scripture makes frequent mention of God’s mercy and truth, (Micah 7:20;) because we shall never be convinced of his fatherly kindness toward us, unless his word, by which he has bound h…

It's true, if God have a purpose to destroy a man, he may for a time suffer him to succeed and prosper in his sin, for his greater hardening, Job 12:6 But it is not so with those whom the Lord loves; their sinful shits shall never thrive with them. The world prohibits your trust…

Mercy you see is his work, his proper work, as he calls judgment his strange act (Isaiah 28:21). He retains not his anger for ever, because he delights in mercy (Micah 7:18). This is his proper work; though it seem to sleep, he will awake it, though it seem to die, he will reviv…

Shall wicked men (in the phrase of Habakkuk) weary themselves in vanities, tire out themselves to damn their own souls; and will you do nothing to save your soul? It is said of wicked men (Micah 7:3), they do evil with both hands greedily. A man may sin with one hand enough to d…

This is the high praise of God. (Micah 7:18) Who is a God like to you, that pardons iniquity? It is the highest commendation of God to say, there is none like him, to set him above all creatures.

How is the true God distinguished from these Gods by Reputation? He is so by this name, He is the God of Pardons, Micah 7:18. Who is a God like unto you, that pardons iniquity?

Hence the word, both in the Hebrew and Greek, in the Old and New Testament, which is made use of to set forth the Lord's tender compassion, flows from a root that signifies bowels. Second, the scope will confirm this: for, is there any thing that makes Christ more lovely and adm…

3. It will keep the heart full of kindness towards God, from where love and gracious hope will spring. It is impossible but that a soul overwhelmed with a sense of sin, and thereon [illegible] with self-condemnation, but if it has a view of the consistency of the glory of God wi…

We go to God for pardon of sin, and no work more pleasing to him than to seal pardons. Mercy is his delight (Micah 7:18). We pray to God for a holy heart, and this prayer is according to his will (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Yes, yes, there is hope of a tree if it be cut down, and the root thereof wax old in the earth, yet by the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs, like a plant (Job 14:8-9). This poor declined soul, as sad as it sits at the gates of hell, may rouse up itself at last,…

As to others, hardly see we what condition they are in; and because the smell of dead bones comes not through marble-stones in the Tomb, therefore the paintry of a profession satisfies us. Yet it was not want of charity that made (Micah 7:2) say, The good man is perished out of…

As to the Third; Its a great deceit that we more penally smart at the absence of the Paradise of comforting presence, then at the want of real communion with God; this should calm the heart notwithstanding the pain of the absence of God as a comforter, that we believe his unfelt…

Then the more we glorify God and Jesus Christ his Son we testify we partake the more of the flowings of the spirit. The Church has so much the more of the spirit that she is willing to bear the Lord's indignation, because she has sinned (Micah 7:9), and bear public sufferings to…