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…

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…

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…

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)…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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."

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…

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…

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 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…

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,…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

There is an affected pride of spirit in some men, instead of patience, suitable to the doctrine of the Stoics (as it is usually taken) they strive not to feel at all the afflictions that are on them, but this is to despise the correction of the Lord, which is alike forbidden, as…

As here follows in the text, even in the time when the other sacrifices were in request, yet those spiritual offerings, had ever the precedence in God's account, and without them, he hated, and despised all burnt offerings, and the largest sacrifices, though they were then confo…

3. A humble heart that may present its suits always, the court is constantly there, even within it, the Great King loves to make his abode and residence in it (Isaiah 57:15). This is the thing that the Lord so delights in and requires, he will not fail to accept of it, it is his…

The whole world is become obnoxious to God, and held under the awe of Divine Justice. This bondage is natural, and the great inquiry is how his anger shall be appeased (Micah 6:6-7): "Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before…

He has given us his testimony, he has told us his mind what he approves, and what he disallows, and upon what terms he will accept of sinners in Christ. It is a blessed thing that we are not left to the uncertainty of our own thoughts (Micah 6:8): He has showed you, O man, what…

We would have comfort, but not duty. 3. We must constantly cherish a humble frame of spirit, if we would maintain communion with God (Micah 6:8). Not only walk with God, but humble yourself to walk with God; why?

And Venus the patroness of love and wantonness. But now God has shown us his will, he has shown us what is good, and what he does require of us (Micah 6:8). Now that the Gospel is a revelation from God, it appears by the matter, which is so suitable to the nature of God; it has…

Therefore the honor of God is mightily concerned and lies at stake, when you fall off after you have seemed to begin with him with a great deal of care: and God pleads for himself, and stands for his credit, which seems to be wronged by this apostasy (Jeremiah 2:5), casting off…

2. We can never find it of ourselves till God reveal it to us. He has shown you, O man, what is good (Micah 6:8). It is well for man that he has God for his teacher, who has given him a stated rule by which good and evil may be determined.

Indeed, then God would not act like the true God, who accepts not the person of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands (Job 34:19). Say not (Micah 6:6-8) With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God?…

And that's the reason why God stands upon his credit, and pleads with apostates (Jeremiah 2:5): What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me? And (Micah 6:3): O my people, what have I done to you, and where have I wearied you? Testify against me.

Surely to know God, to love him, and fear him, and trust and repose our souls on him, and to worship him at the time, in the way, and manner appointed, is a delightful thing, and should be more delightful to us than our necessary and appointed food. To man, justice, charity (Mic…

1. There is folly in it, as it is a deviation from the best rule which the divine wisdom has set to us. If we should look upon the law of God as a bare direction or counsel given us, by one that is wiser than we, it is a contempt of the wisdom of God, as if he knew not how to go…

I shall first premise some distinctions. 1. There is a general direction, and a particular direction: (1) The general direction is in the word, there God has declared his mind in his statutes: He has shown you, O man, what is good (Micah 6:8). (2) A particular direction by his S…

2. These are manifested in the whole structure of his Word: his power in the histories and prophecies, which declare what God has and shall do; his wisdom in the precepts and counsels, and discovery of such mysteries; his goodness in promises, institutions, and provisional helps…

3. Consider, he never gives his people any discouragement or just cause to complain of him. Micah 6:3. Oh my people what have I done to you, or wherein have I wearied you, testify against me. Jeremiah 2:5. Thus says the Lord, what iniquity have your fathers found in me, that the…

1. That we may begin with God, to yield up our wills absolutely to his will; it is upon a belief that this is his will concerning us: for his will concerning our duty is revealed in his precepts. He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but…

Adversity makes men serious; the prodigal came to himself when he began to be in want (Luke 15:17). Sad objects make a deep impression upon our souls; they help us to consider our own ways, and God's righteous dealings, that we may behave ourselves wisely and suitably to the dis…

What else should be the meaning of all his temptations? But see Balaam's plot (Micah 6:5), O my people remember what Balak the king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered from Shittim to Gilgal, etc. Balak and Balaam are framing a project how to overcome the…

You have a good saying (and I wish it be made good) you shall have your weight, or measure, or tale, though you buy it for a penny or a farthing. Says God, shall I count them pure with the wicked balance and deceitful weights? no, no, let them never be so great professors, I wil…

If Christ had not come, their sin had not been so great; but now not to believe is to be without excuse (John 15:22, 24). If God had not told us what we ought to do, we might have made excuse, and said, Had we known better, we would have done better; but God has shown you, O man…

Do not think to compound with God; if all the riches of the world were yours to give, and you would give them all, it must cost more than so to have your soul justified and saved (Psalm 49:9). If all the men of the world would lend you their blood, and you should offer it up, an…

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 a sacrifice of sacrilege.

A man may forsake sin yet not have a pure heart. It is a great matter, I confess, to forsake sin; sin is so dear to men that they will part with the fruit of their body for the sin of their souls (Micah 6:7). Sin is the Delilah that bewitches, and it is much to see men divorced…

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…

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 (…

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.

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…

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…

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,…

This in a lively manner shadows forth the infinite and incomprehensible Mercy of our God; whose Mercy is said to be over all his works, Psalm 145:9. In how many sweet Notions is the Mercy of God represented to us in the Scripture. He is said to be Plenteous, Psalm 4:5. Abundant,…

And 2. by the way of trial: the residue of the world, being pricking briers and grieving thorns to the house of Israel (Ezekiel 28:24). The best of them is a brier, and the most upright of them sharper than a thorn hedge (Micah 7:4). And thus are they among the daughters; even t…

If God is holy and righteous, and of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, they must have a righteousness to stand before him. They know what will be the cry one day of those who now bear up themselves as if they were otherwise minded, Isaiah 53:15, Micah 7:6-7. Second, they weigh…

(Leviticus 26:41) If then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity. And (Micah 7:9) I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. Acknowledge the justice of his providence in this trouble that i…

He frankly forgave them both. And he pardons fully, as if it were never committed (Micah 7:19). He casts all our sins into the depths of the sea.

So Psalm 63:3. Your favor is better than life. And then his strength too, that he may subdue our corruptions, temptations, enemies (Micah 7:19), and that he may supply our wants inward and outward by his all-sufficiency (Philippians 4:19). God tells Abraham, I am God all-suffici…

Upward: this is not without God; he is at the end of causes; he could blast these tongues and stay and stop them at his pleasure; the Lord can keep us from the strife of tongues (Psalm 31:20). But now when he permits this, his hand must be owned — look upward (Micah 7:9): "I wil…

God is not merciful by accident, but by nature, the sun does not more naturally shine, nor fire more naturally burn, nor water more naturally flow, than God does naturally show mercy. 2. It is pleasing to him (Micah 7:18). Who is a God like to you, that pardons iniquity and pass…

God is the author, not fortune, or chance, or the will of man, but God; who does all things with the most exact wisdom, and tender mercy, and purest love. The cause is just (Micah 7:9): I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. The end is our pr…

That first brought mischief into the world, and still continues it. God never afflicts without a cause; either we need it, or we deserve it (Micah 7:9). I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him; until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for…

God is wonderfully good in his nature, and he delights in the communications of his goodness; nothing pleases him better than his Word, the business of it is to represent him good. Mercy pleases him (Micah 7:18): Who is a God like to you, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the…

It's the language of the heart which God looks after. When the soul keeps silence to God, and a due and suitable impression is left upon it, of his justice by a meek and humble submission (Micah 7:9): I will bear the indignation of the Lord, for I have sinned against him. When G…

Secondly, it is an encouragement to us because the Scripture says so much of this mercy in God, Id agit tota Scriptura ut credamus in Deum (says Luther) it is natural to him (1 Corinthians 1:3). The father of mercies, not Pater ultionum but misericordiarum: he is as just as he i…

It is his mercy to make promises, but it is his faithfulness and truth to fulfill them. His truth is pawned with the creature till he discharge it (Micah 7:20). 2. His truth depends upon his unchangeable nature, but it is confirmed to us by experience: his unchangeable nature (H…

Take him from head to foot, from the crown of that to the sole of this, there's no whole (because not holy) part in him, but all filthy and full of putrefactions and sores. If we dissect and anatomize man, we shall find this but too true, for not to name every sin that cleaves t…