Zechariah

2. In a bad sense, and so God is jealous of his people. 1. In a good sense, and so God is jealous for his people (Zechariah 1:14). Thus says the Lord, I am jealous for Jerusalem, and for Zion, with a great jealousy. God has a dear affection to his people, they are his Hephsibah…

And like as when God makes this natural darkness and it is night, then the young lions creep forth and roar after their prey, as the psalmist says (Psalm 104:20-21): so do these roaring lions, now when God has withdrawn the light of his countenance and night comes on, and those…

Christ takes it hard, and weeps for it (Matthew 23:37; Luke 19:42), that he came down as a hen in the bush — (O but Christ has broad wings, far above the eagle) — and would have made sinners in Jerusalem his young ones, to nourish them with heat from his own bosom and heart; but…

Then how much more does Jesus Christ's intercession bind God's hands, and command all in heaven and earth? Therefore in Zechariah 1, you have Christ, the Angel of the Covenant, brought in interceding with the Father for his Church, and he speaks abruptly as one full of complaint…

If you would know who it is that can give this water of life, you shall read (John 4:10) that it is only the Lord Jesus; he it is only that goes to the Father, and sends his Spirit of grace into our hearts, unless he go to heaven, and send it down from heaven to us, it is not gi…

All which shows how God bridles and moderates the rage of Satan, and his evil influence. (2.) For his instruments God says (Zechariah 1:15): I am very sorely displeased with the heathen that were at ease; for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.…

The Lord complains by his Prophet Zechariah of the same unruliness of profane nations, who violently rushed upon his people to destroy them, though his wrath was not much moved against them. I am greatly angry, says he, against the careless heathen, for I was angry but a little,…

Indeed the very Angels spur on our diligence by their example to this affection of prayer. For one of them, as we read in Zechariah 1:12, prays with great fervency for the restoration of the Church. Till he repair.] Hence let us gather that these are two distinct benefits, first…

There is no probability in the opinion of those who refer this passage to that Zechariah who exhorted the people, after their return from the Babylonish captivity, to build the temple, (Zechariah 8:9,) and whose prophecies are still in existence. For though the title of the book…

The continuation of all your mercies and comforts, outward as well as inward, is the fruit of his Intercession in Heaven for you. For look, as the offering up of the Lamb of God a Sacrifice for sin, opened the door of mercy at first; so his appearing before God as a Lamb that ha…

A Well of water is discovered to Hagar, just when she had let the Child, as not able to see its death, Genesis 21. 16, 19. Rabshakh meets with a blasting Providence, hears a rumour that frustrated his design, just when ready to give the shock against Jerusalem, Isaiah 27. 7, 8.…

That is the running or going to and fro which is here meant in the text, it is a going to and fro to increase his knowledge, and inform himself of all things as he goes. The same word is used concerning the good angels (Zechariah 1:10). It is said there, that they were sent to w…

And he that reaps, receives wages, and gathers fruit to life eternal, that both he that sows, and he that reaps may rejoice together; and herein is that saying true, one sows, and another reaps. Though ministers die, yet their words live; indeed, their words take hold of men whe…

Now consider how terrible it will be▪ to have so many words of God, and such terrible ones too, as most of those are, to be brought in and pleaded against your Soul in that day: mountains and hills may depart, but these words shall not depart; He[•]ven and Earth shall pass away,…

First, he grieves and labors with us. Zechariah 1:12: The angel of the Lord said, O Lord of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem? He speaks as one intimately affected with the state of poor Jerusalem.

3. Men are unreasonable in their oppositions, and will not relent, nor abate any thing of their rigor. (Zechariah 1:15) "I was a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction." They are still adding to the church's trouble, and would destroy those whom God would only…

Let it not seem strange, that temporal deliverance should be owned, as a comfort to God's people: partly, because they are acts of God's providence, and dispensations of his grace, sought not in a way of faith and prayer. Zechariah 1:17. "The Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and sha…

You have a child taken away, there is the dark side; your husband lives, there is the light side. God's providences in this life are various, represented by those speckled horses among the myrtle trees (Zechariah 1:8), which were red and white; mercies and afflictions are interw…

But it will be time enough to ask such on a sick-bed, or a dying hour, whether the words of the Lord delivered by their faithful Preachers have not taken hold of them. Some have confessed with horrour they have, as the Jewes, Zechariah 1:6. Like as the Lord of hosts thought to d…

O turn to me, and have mercy upon me. Our turning will make God turn, (Zechariah 1:3). Turn ye to me, says the Lord, and I will turn to you.

Jesus cured the leper: but how? Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand and touched him: so is the building of the temple given, but oiled with mercies (Zechariah 1:16). Therefore thus says the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies; my house shall be built in it.

And if every day we are to pray for pardon of sin, then we are every day to put forth an act of faith, to apply the pardon of our sin. Secondly, we are every day to turn to God, for conversion is a continued act (Zechariah 1:3; James 4:8). Now we cannot draw near God daily, but…

2. It imports the relation of a husband (Isaiah 54:5). your Maker is your husband. If God be our husband, he esteems us precious to him as the apple of his eye (Zechariah 2:8). He imparts his secrets to us (Psalm 25:14).

God has a dear affection to his people, they are his Hephsibah or delight (Isaiah 62:4). The apple of his eye (Zechariah 2:8). To express how dear they are to him, and how tender he is of them, Nihil charius pupilla oculi, Drusius. They are his spouse, adorned with the jewels of…

As when one string in a lute is touched, all the rest of the strings sound: When God's children are stricken, his bowels sound. He that touches you touches the apple of my eye (Zechariah 2:8). 4. If God be our Father, he will take notice of the least good he sees in us; if there…

Question. But how can it stand with Christ's glory now in Heaven, to have a fellow-feeling of our miseries and temptations? Answer. This fellow-feeling in Christ arises not from any infirmity or passion, but from the mystical union between him and his members (Zechariah 2:8). He…

When he says, for I was hungry, he means his poor and distressed members upon earth: and thereby he signifies to us that the miseries of his servants are his own miseries. Thus the Lord says in Zechariah, He who touches you, touches the apple of my eye (Zechariah 2:8). And when…

Though they are scoured with affliction, yet it is to make them brighter (Daniel 12:10). 5. God calls them the apple of his eye (Zechariah 2:8). The apple of the eye is the tenderest part of the eye, to express God's tenderness of them, says Salvian.

Rule 2. Remember that this God in whose hand all creatures are, is your Father, and is much more tender over you than you are or can be over yourselves. 'He that touches you, touches the apple of my eye' (Zechariah 2:8). Let me ask the most timid woman: is there not a vast diffe…

And as to his providences, wherein his sovereignty is also manifested. It is said (Zechariah 2:13), Be silent O all flesh before the Lord, for he is raised up out of his habitation. It is spoken of his providential working in the changes of kingdoms, and desolations that attend…

Let us therefore be assured that we are so under the protection of God, that whoever does us wrong, shall have God for his enemy. 'He that hurts you,' says the Lord, 'hurts the apple of my eye' (Zechariah 2:8). He also testifies that he dwells in the midst of the Church (Psalm 4…

This place is worthy our diligent observation, for God here shows the great care he has over his chosen, seeing he is as greatly moved with the wrongs done to them, as with those which are directly against his own Majesty. As in Zechariah he witnesses, that as often as his child…

We must therefore comprehend all these things together, if we will attain to the true meaning of the Prophet's words. And in this sense it is that Zechariah, Malachi, and Haggai do encourage the people touching the hope of their estate to come, while they thought they lost so mu…

He is full of bowels, as the word in James 5:11 signifies. Yea, there are not only bowels of compassion in our God, but the tenderness of bowels, like those of a Mother to her sucking child, Isaiah 49:15 He feels all our pains as if the apple of his eye were touched, Zechariah 2…

So verse 5, when God is angry with his vineyard and will destroy it, it is thus expressed, I will (says he) take away the hedge thereof, that is, I will take away my protection from it. In the same sense (Zechariah 2:5), I will be (says God) a wall of fire round about; that is,…

The devil fain would, but by his own confession could not, break over that hedge to touch Job, till God's permission made a gap for him. Yea, he not only makes a hedge, but a wall about them, and that of fire (Zechariah 2:5). He sets a guard of angels to encamp round about them…

Which notes (says Calvin) God's assiduous and constant help and succour, which is extended in all dangers, as constantly as the Sun arises. And this assiduous succour to his people, and their great security thereby, is set forth in the Scriptures by a pleasant variety of Metapho…

He speaks as one intimately affected with the state of poor Jerusalem. He has bid all the world take notice that what is done to them is done to him, Zechariah 2:8 — to the apple of his eye. Second, in gracious supply he abounds.

These prayers, if sincere, are never in vain; if they profit not others, they promote the kingdom of God in ourselves. 2. The preservation and defense of the churches already planted, frustrating the plots and power of the enemies: that God would be a wall of fire round about th…

There are in the Word of God promises that we may believe, and then, promises because we do believe: promises to invite faith and hope; and then, promises because we believe in God, and hope in his word; promises for faith, and to faith. As for instance, God has promised to be a…

This is what it means to keep close to God, and hold fast our integrity. Elsewhere the Lord expresses himself to be a wall of fire round about his people (Zechariah 2:5), which should affright at a distance, and consume near at hand. In those countries, when they lay in the fiel…

God takes us for his portion, and therefore you should take God for your portion (Deuteronomy 32:9), For the Lord's portion is his people. (Zechariah 2:12) And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. If God shall choose a comp…

So that sin is against the good of man, in putting out the sight of his eyes, which is worse (in a spiritual sense) than if it had put out the eyes of his body. Man's eyes are very dear to him, God expresses the tenderness he has for his people by this, that they are to him as t…

The wicked are but lumber serving only to cumber the ground; but God's children are his jewels, locked up in the cabinet of his decree from all eternity. God's children are the apple of his eye (Zechariah 2:8) — very dear and tender to him — and the eyelid of his special provide…

It is God then that is here called the Savior of all by deliverance and protection in danger of which the Apostle treats, and that by his providence, which is peculiar towards believers; and what this makes for a universal mediation I know not. Now the very context in this place…

First, by direct descriptions of his glorious Person and incarnation. See among other places, Genesis 3:15; Psalm 2:7-9; Psalm 45:2-6; Psalm 68:17-18; Psalm 110; Isaiah 6:1-4; Isaiah 9:6; Zechariah 2:8; John 1:1-3; Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 2:14-16; Revelation 1:…

Sin in Scripture is compared to a menstruous cloth (Isaiah 30:22), to a plague sore (1 Kings 8:38). Joshua's filthy garments, in which he stood before the Angel (Zechariah 3:3), were nothing but a type and hieroglyphic of sin. Sin has blotted God's image, and stained the orient…

2. As he partakes of the Godhead: he is of infinite prudence to understand all causes brought before him: and of infinite power to execute offenders. He is described with seven eyes (Zechariah 3:9), to denote his prudence; and a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9), to denote his power. He i…

The Dragon is described with seven heads (Revelation 12:3), to show how he plots against the church. But God is described with seven eyes (Zechariah 3:9), to show that he sees all the plots and stratagems of the enemies, and when they deal proudly, he can be above them. Come, sa…

Satan's great design is to render the word we hear fruitless: As when one is writing, another jogs him that he cannot write even: So when we are hearing, the Devil will be jogging us with a temptation, that we should not attend to the word preached. Zechariah 3:1. He showed me J…

A pardoned soul is adorned and embellished with holiness (1 John 5:6): this is he that came by water and blood. Where Christ comes with blood to justify, he comes with water to cleanse (Zechariah 3:4): I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with chan…

He may retain their sins (as Christ's expression is, John 20:23; Matthew 18:18) — that is, call in the patent of his pardon which he had passed under his hand and seal in earth, that is, in their own consciences; take it out of their hands and custody, and call for it home again…

And again because ministers are the Lord's watchmen in the church, we are here also put in mind to seek their good; and to pray that their hearts may be set for the building of God's kingdom, for the beating down of the kingdom of sin and Satan, and for the saving of the souls o…

Only this must be added, that while indeed the soul is at home in this body, (this earthly tabernacle) it is not capable of this sight, of the glory of God, that is, so as to continue in the body, and enjoy it; for it would crack this earthen vessel: as 1 Corinthians 15:50, fles…

There is no sin before, nor after conversion, no sin of ignorance, no sin against light, no enemy, no temptation, whatever it be, but that word answers all; Who can lay anything to the charge of God's elect? Where Christ takes the sinner's case in hand, who will stand up against…

Yet he was set on and assaulted by the temptation, he was tempted, and that is a consolation. When Joshua the high Priest is in his duty (Zechariah 3), and the Devil is at his right hand to resist him and mar him in it, and he can do or say little himself, he asserts his authori…

2. God does nothing in the election of Peter, more than of Judas; nor can grace and mercy have place in the choosing of the one, rather than the other; but as free will is foreseen to play the game ill, or well, so go the eternal decrees of election and reprobation, and there ca…

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you: think not you can perform a flesh-displeasing duty, when Satan is quiet, and does not molest; he will be busy to tempt when you are going to your God; this is no new thing, he will jog your hand when you are writing your letter to you…

2. Two armies may be mentioned, to show, that when she is rightly, and with a believing eye looked upon, her beauty will appear to be double to what it was said to be; and so, two armies signify an excellent army, as, (Genesis 32:1-2) God's hosts of Angels get the same name in t…

2. All the powers of Hell oppose us. Satan stands at our right hand, as he did at Joshua's (Zechariah 3:2). Shall not we be as earnest to save our souls, as the dragon is to devour them?

The Christian finds not his heart in the morning, as he left it at night; and even when he is about his work, how many setbacks does he meet with? Satan stands at his right hand (the working hand) to resist him (Zechariah 3:1). When he would do good, evil (the evil of his own he…

And verse 24, the saints are represented, standing nearer to the throne of God, than the angels themselves. Hence also ordinances are called galleries, in which both saints and angels walk, beholding the glory of him that sits upon the throne (Zechariah 3:7). "If you will keep m…

Mocking was an old way of persecuting the covenant-seed, for thus, he that was after the flesh, betimes persecuted them that were after the Spirit; compare Genesis 21:9 with Galatians 4:29. God's heritage has always been as a speckled bird, that all the birds are against (Jeremi…

So are the eyes of Christ on us, as the eyes of one who in tenderness cares for us, laying out his wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in all tender love on our behalf. He is the stone, that foundation stone of the church, whereon are seven eyes (Zechariah 3:9), wherein there i…

His active obedience for us. This proved at large: Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 5:19; Philippians 3:19; Zechariah 3:3-5. One objection removed.

Raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy from the dunghill, that he may set him with princes even with the princes of his people. Or as Joshua the priest (Zechariah 3:3-4) so those of this priesthood are dealt with. Now that we may be the deeper in the sense and admir…

When Christ was about to go to Heaven, he thought, my own are to be left in the world, they are exposed to great temptation; and that set his heart at work, as if he had said, Poor creatures, they are undone if I help them not. So (Zechariah 3:1-2), And he showed me Joshua the H…

He meets in congregations, he gets into the closet. When Joshua the high priest was ministering before the Lord, Satan stood at his right hand, ready to resist him (Zechariah 3:1). 2. There needs caution, because in private duties there may be many failings and evils, which we a…

We are endeared to God by his own mercies; he is very tender and choice of them; in whom he has begun a good work he will perfect it. (Zechariah 3:2) Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? What, shall all my former mercies be in vain?

One mercy is the pledge of another. 3. We are endeared to God not only by acts of duty, but by every act of mercy: what is the argument he urges for Zion, (Zechariah 3:2) Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? The Lord rebuke you Satan: have not I delivered Zion, and shall…

God by sending such a creature into the world charges his providence to maintain him, as long as he will use him for his glory. God loves to crown his own gifts (Zechariah 3:2). Is not this a brand plucked out of the burnings?

A carpenter who has a line in his hand, may chop right or miss; but if we could suppose a carpenter, whose hand were his rule, he would always hit right. We may be confident the Judge of all the earth will do right, his righteousness and the righteousness of men differ infinitel…

When God asked the devil if he had considered his servant Job, Yes, says he, I have, and accuse him for a hired servant, one that serves you merely for wages, and would, if but touched by you, curse you to your face. When Satan accused Joshua (Zechariah 3:1-2), it was for his fi…

Ezekiel 16:6: I saw you polluted in your blood. Sin has not only taken off our cloth of gold, but has put upon us filthy garments (Zechariah 3:3). God made us after his likeness (Genesis 1:26), but sin has made us like the beasts that perish (Psalm 49, last verse).

Isaiah 61:1: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted; that is, such as are broken in the sense of their unworthiness. 2. Till we are poor in spirit, Christ is never precious; before we see our own wants, we never see Christ's worth; pov…

God beholds these as the weaknesses of your sickly state here below, and pities you, as you wouldest do your lame child; how odious is he to us that mocks one for natural defects, a blear eye, or a stammering tongue? such are these in your new nature. Observable is that in Chris…

Now such honor shall every faithful soul have. Thus says the Lord of hostes, If you will walk in my ways, and if you will keep my charge, I will give you places to walk, among these that stand by, Zechariah 3:7. He alludes to the Temple, which had rooms joyning to it for the Pri…

8. As the former Argument is from the promise made to Christ, and fulfilled to him, so this is from the predictions, prophecies and promises of him, as he, of whom such glorious promises are foretold, and may claim the thing promised, by faith, he has some word of promise for su…

So are they in the Vision concerning Joshua the High Pri. Zechariah 3:4 5 And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him: And unto him he said, Behold I have caused yours iniquity to pass from you; and I will cloath you…

Yet his journey is lawful: when Christ is upon acts of his priesthood, and stands at the great high altar with his censer of gold, to offer up the prayers of the saints to God, he casts fire with the same censer down upon the earth, and there be then thunderings, lightnings, and…

Again (Daniel 10:9), when I heard his voice, then was I in a deep sleep. So the Prophet Zechariah in the midst of his visions (Zechariah 4:1), the Angel of the Lord wakened me as one in a deep sleep, any eminent passion causes sleep, and they were astonished so with these vision…

It is said there, that they were sent to walk to and fro through the earth; it was not a bare passing through the earth, but a curious observing and prying into all things as they went: we translate it a walking to and fro, but it is a walking so as to bring God intelligence, fo…

In a word, she is where she would be, as the effects show. 2. Consider who brought her into these chambers; it is the King, even him she prayed to, to draw her, he has heard her: this King (as being the chief of all that ever bore that name) is called the King, by way of eminenc…

Even when he is away he is still coming, though it may be afterward the distance seem to grow greater, and the night of absence darker. The third thing is, that there are mountains which he comes over, that is something standing between him and us, marring our access to him, and…

1. The Spirit of God shall be gloriously poured out for the wonderful revival and propagation of religion. This great work shall be accomplished, not by the authority of princes, nor by the wisdom of learned men, but by God's Holy Spirit: Zechariah 4:6-7. "Not by might, nor by p…

This then is that which we are peculiarly to eye in the Lord Jesus, to receive it from him, even GRACE, gospel grace, revealed in, or exhibited by the gospel. He is the headstone in the building of the temple of God, to whom GRACE, GRACE, is to be cried (Zechariah 4:7). Grace is…

If there be duty to be done, burden to be borne, or battle to be fought, Christ is giving in supply. As the olive trees (Zechariah 4:11-12) were always dropping into the lamps; so is he dropping in strength and grace into the heart. (Psalm 16:8) I have set the Lord always before…

Pray for us that the word of God may have a free course, that it may run as chariot wheels on smooth ground, without rubs and oppositions. There are many times mountains in the way, potent oppositions and strongly combined interests that hinder the liberty of the word, but God c…

Train up yourself thus, and diet your soul with [reconstructed: the] daily admiration of this rich mercy of the Lord, [reconstructed: feed] with [reconstructed: your] daily bread; it's mercy that gives, mercy that continues, mercy that perfects all spiritual good for you [recons…

1 As he is the second person of the Trinity, the wisdom of the Father to whom the dispensation of the great work of our salvation was committed, But, 2 and especially, (which most concerns our purpose) our Savior Christ is said to make all spiritual good ours, as Mediator, God a…

It's a gift, and free also, though one thirst, never so earnestly desire it, never so constantly endeavor to attain to that end, yet unless the Lord do more out of mercy, than any can procure by any sufficiency, or worth of his own, he will gain nothing. As it was in the buildin…

Both of these graces, like cordial-water, comfort the fainting soul — there is joy in believing (Romans 15:13), rejoicing in hope (Romans 5:2). Faith and hope, like those two golden pipes (Zechariah 4:12), empty their golden oil of joy into a Christian. But though in some things…

The second fullness that was in Christ, was a communicated fullness, which was in him by dispensation from his Father bestowed upon him to fit him for his work and office, as he was and is the Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5), not as he is the L…

O what a rare treasure is the Word of God! It is the field where the pearl of price is hid; how precious are the promises, they are the conduit that hold the water of life, they are like those two Olive branches, Zechariah 4, which through the two golden pipes did empty the gold…

The Engagement of the great God of Revenges against Murder and Treachery, the Interest of the Lord Christ and his kingdom, against the man of Sin, furnished the undertakers with manifold Promises to carry them out to a desired, a blessed Issue. Take now a brief view, of some Mou…

The Lord Jesus here chooses the most pure, precious, resplendent, durable, and valuable thing, in all the treasuries and magazines of nature, to shadow forth saving grace, which is infinitely more excellent: certainly that must be the best thing, which the best things in nature…

But how? Neither by King, nor Parliament, nor Armies, for (Zechariah 4:6): Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord. When Babylon is to be destroyed (as the work is even now on the wheels in Britain) (Revelation 18:21): A mighty Angel took up the great millsto…

Therefore the Lord acquaints them with his power together with his promises: O my people, you shall know that I am the Lord! that is, that my ways and thoughts are infinitely above your shallow apprehensions, when I shall have brought you out of your graves (Ezekiel 37:11, 13).…

Sin rots the name, consumes the estate, buries relations. Sin shoots the flying roll of God's curses into a family and kingdom (Zechariah 5:4). It is reported of Phocas, having built a wall of mighty strength about his city, there was a voice heard, [illegible], Sin is within th…

So the sword of God's wrath and curse hangs every moment over a sinner's head. We read of a flying roll written with curses (Zechariah 5:3). There is a roll written with curses that goes out against every person that lives and dies in sin: God's curse blasts wherever it comes.

When God's flying roll or curse goes over the face of the earth, into whose house does it enter? Into the house of him that swears falsely: and it shall consume the timber and stones of his house (Zechariah 5:4). Beza relates of a perjurer, that he had no sooner taken a false oa…

That is the best obedience that is cheerful; as that is the sweetest honey which drops out of the comb. Obey God swiftly (Zechariah 5:9), I lift up my eyes and behold two women, and the wind was in their wings. Wings are swift, but wind in the wings denotes great swiftness; such…

(4.) The judgments which follow this sin. Achan the thief was stoned to death (Joshua 7), and Zechariah 5:2: What do you see? And I said, A flying roll.

(2.) Obedience must be cheerful; I delight to do your will, O my God, yes, your law is within my heart (Psalm 40:8). That is the sweetest obedience which is cheerful, as that is the sweetest honey which drops from the comb freely: God does sometimes accept of willingness without…

The Man Gabriel (that was an Angel) being caused to fly swiftly: Thus should we do God's Will as the Angels, as soon as ever God speaks the Word, we should be ambitious to obey, alas! how long is it sometimes ere we can get leave of our hearts to go to a duty; Christ went more r…

Thirdly, if God will honor them that honor him; then by the contrary, consider what a miserable case many a man is in: For, those that dishonor God, God will dishonor them again; as we may see at large, and very plainly, in the example of Eli, and his two sons: for, them that ho…

An instance of the former you have in Genesis 17. 18, 20. On the contrary, you have the threatning, Zechariah 5:4 and both together, Proverbs 3:33 The Curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked, but he Blesseth the habitation of the just. True it is, that both these imply t…

You see then what a universal curse these words denounce: a curse that sets its mouth, and discharges its thunder against all the sinful sons of Adam. A curse it is, which as Zechariah speaks (Zechariah 5:3), goes forth over the face of the whole earth, and will, if mercy rebate…

Pray not for this people, neither [reconstructed: lift] up a cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear you. And so (Zechariah 5:4), speaking of the curse that should go forth over the face of the whole earth, I will bring it forth, says the Lo…

O if the careless atheist and sleeping man, who edges by all with 'God forgive our pastors if they lead us wrong, we must do as they command,' and lays down his head upon time's bosom and gives his conscience to a deputy, and sleeps so while the smoke of hell fire flies up in hi…

That is, it brings the heavy Judgment of God upon whole Nations, under which they shall [•]ourn. And in Zechariah 5:2, 3, 4. you have there [〈◊〉]Roll of cuses, (i. e.) a Catalogue of judgments and [•]oes, the length thereof twenty Cubits (i. e. ten yards.) [•]o set out the multi…

Sin lays a heavy yoke upon people. Sin is compared to a talent of lead (Zechariah 5:7), to show its heaviness. The commands of sin are burdensome; let a man be under the power and rage of any lust — whether covetousness or ambition — how he tires and tortures himself!

Men know covetousness is a sin; the Greek word for covetousness signifies an immoderate desire of getting, like Midas who desired everything he touched might be turned to gold; the several species of sin grow upon this root of covetousness (2 Timothy 3:2) — yet men live in this…

In sorrow you shalt bring forth. A man vexs his thoughts in plotting of sin; and when sin has conceived, in sorrow he brings forth: Like one who takes a great deal of pains in opening a flood-gate, and when he has opened it, the flood comes in upon him, and drowns him: So a man…

It is a Moth in the Wardrobe, Murrain among the Cattle, Rot among the Sheep. If the flying Roll of curses enters into a mans house, it consumes the timber and walls of it, Zechariah 5.4. When Christ cursed the fig tree, it presently withered, Matthew 21.19.

When men hasten the maturity of sin like the blossoms of an almond tree, (which come soonest out) then says the Lord will I hasten the judgments which I have pronounced. We read in the Prophet Zechariah of an ephah, a measure into which all the wickedness of that people, figured…

2. True peace flows from subjection to Christ; where Christ gives peace, there he sets up his government in the heart (Isaiah 9:7): Of his government and peace there shall be no end. Christ is called a priest upon his throne (Zechariah 6:13). Christ as a priest makes peace, but…

And he is so certain of his enemies being made his footstool, that he is waiting till he see it done; he must reign till then, despite all the malice and might of devils, and men. 3. It's a difficulty to the Church and people of God, to think on such great confusions as are in t…

The fairest and most glorious sight, that ever the eye of man saw, shall be, when Christ shall come riding through the clouds, on his chariot of glory, accompanied with his mighty angels, and with one pull, or shake of his mighty arms, shall cause the stars to fall from heaven,…

Even as then in the second chapter he disputed touching the restoring of mount Zion, so now also he promises, that a new Church shall spring up, even as a bud or sprig shoots up in the field, which was undressed before. They do commonly expound this place of Christ: and so much…

First, the Rise and spring of it is to be considered. It came forth from the Eternal mutual consent and counsel of the father and the Son, Zechariah 6:13. The counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Conviction is the first step to conversion (John 8:16). 2. Has God ever made you willing to take Christ upon his own terms (Zechariah 6:13)? He shall be a Priest upon his Throne: Are you as willing that Christ should be upon the throne of your heart to rule, as a Priest at the A…

So was he by his Father designed to this work, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 61:1, Isaiah 49:9, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 13:7, John 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:15. Thus the counsel of peace became to be between them both, Zechariah 6:13 — that is, the Father and the Son. And the Son rejoiced from ete…

8. As the former Argument is from the promise made to Christ, and fulfilled to him, so this is from the predictions, prophecies and promises of him, as he, of whom such glorious promises are foretold, and may claim the thing promised, by faith, he has some word of promise for su…

In this be not like the serpent, obstinately to stop your ears to the voice of God's Word. While God calls you to repent of sin, be not as the Basilisk, to stop your ear (Zechariah 7:11). They refused to hearken, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.

Let there be none among you that wilfully refuse the counsels of the word: it is sad to have an adder's ear, an adamant heart. (Zechariah 7:11-12). If when God speaks to us in his word we are deaf, when we speak to him in prayer he will be dumb.

Tell them of God's holiness and justice, they are not at all affected. (Zechariah 7:12) They made their hearts like an adamant. The adamant, says Pliny, is insuperable, the hammer cannot conquer it: sinners have adamantine hearts.

(2.) Such as live in contradiction to the word (Isaiah 30:8). (3.) Such as are more hardened by the word (Zechariah 7:11). They made their heart as an adamant.

Therefore it does not justify a set time of fasting in the New Testament, where God has left man to his own liberty without giving a like commandment. It is again alleged that in Zechariah 7:5 there were set times appointed for the celebration of religious fasts — the fifth and…

And Hosea called his hearers to the most High, yet none at all would exalt Him. It was their work to stretch out their hands all the day long, but they hardened their necks, and refused to return (Jeremiah 8 and Zechariah 7). But 5thly, consider — all these are servants and prea…

3. We often thirst after comforts, and sense, as the people did, and (Isaiah 58:5) were reproved for their fast: Is it such a fast as I have chosen? And (Zechariah 7:5) Did you at all fast to me, even to me? So may Christ blame us for the like sin, and say, Have you thirsted to…

Then shall I never be ashamed, when I have respect to all your commandments. All such actions will be acceptable to God, and serviceable to men; and also aim at the glory of God for the end, that is, their last end, and all such other ends as are subordinate to that, the buildin…

5. It's not enough to do duties, and to lay up fruits, unless they be laid up for Christ; and this is no less a duty than the former. 6. It's no small attainment in a believer, and a strong motive for attaining of Christ's company (without which all will be nothing) when not onl…

And the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple, first observed at the rebuilding of their temple after their return from the Babylonian captivity; as you may read (Ezra 6:16), and from that time perpetuated to the days of our Savior Christ, who, though it were but of human and ec…

May not God say to them of their fastings and prayers, Did you fast to me? Did you pray at all to me? (Zechariah 7:5). Or as here to the Jews, that he was full of their services, even to a loathing; that he took no delight in them, and who has required these things at your hands…

2. Christ rectifies them as to the end: Pray to your Father which is in secret: That is, Pray to God, who is in that private place, though he cannot be seen with bodily eyes: Wherein Christ seems secretly to tax the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who did rather pray to men, than to…

Though a man has never so much sense and feeling in his prayer, yet if his heart be not duly set as to the glory of God, his prayer is turned into sin. It is not the manner of the vehemency only, for a carnal spring may send forth high-tides of affection; and motions that come f…

Always according to the closeness of the application if it succeed not, so does our hardness of heart increase: they that were ministerially stirred, when they pull away the shoulder, their hearts grow like an adamant stone. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoul…

3. Others, as they have earth in their ears, so they have a stone in their hearts. Zechariah 7:12: They made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law. The ministers of Christ therefore must be frequently brandishing the sword of the Spirit, and striking at…

You have opened your mouth wide, but have not opened your ear. When God has called you to family prayer and mortification of sin, you have like the deaf adder stopped your ear against God (Zechariah 7:11). No wonder then that you have not that comfortable filling as you desire.

A wicked man, like Jehoram, has his compassion fallen out (2 Chronicles 21:19). Therefore he is compared to an adamant (Zechariah 7:11), because his heart melts not in mercy. Before conversion the sinner is compared to a wolf for his savageness, to a lion for his fierceness, to…

Works of mercy are good, but when a man gives alms not so much to feed the poor as to feed his pride, now he brings forth fruit to himself, and this fruit is worm-eaten. God will say to all such self-seekers as he once said to the people of the Jews (Zechariah 7:5): when you fas…

(6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh and the Egyptians would do. 13. There is a wicked hardening of the heart, when men make the Lord his word and mi…

8. There is a promise of glory, of a name above all names made to Christ for his sufferings (Psalm 16:9-11) (Isaiah 53:12) (Acts 5:31), and to such as suffer with him, and overcome (Luke 22:29-30) (Revelation 3:21) (Revelation 2:10). As also, he shall bear all the glory of his F…

No man repented him of his wickedness. Mens hearts are marbled into hardness, (Zechariah 7:12). They made their heart as an Adamant.

Their dissembling tears drop beside God's bottle, their Prayers and Fasts prove abortive. Zechariah 7:5. When you fasted and mourned, did you at all fast unto me, even to me?

There is another hardness of heart which is felt, and this is not so dangerous as the former; for as we feel our sickness by contrary life and health, so hardness of heart when it is felt argues quickness of grace and softness of heart. Of this David often complained in the Psal…

If there be so much filthiness in their profession, how much more in their persecution, in their reviling and scorning of the ways of God? If their fastings and maceration be sinful and not to the Lord (Zechariah 7:5), what is their drunkenness, their spewing and staggering, the…

'Tis natural for the water to quench the fire, but for the fire to consume the water, this is impossible in the course of nature: But God can bring about all this (Jeremiah 32:27). There is nothing too hard for you (Zechariah 8:6). If it be marvelous in your eyes, should it be m…

When men take a false oath, and by that take away the life of another. Zechariah 8:17: Love no false oath. Chapter 5:2: What do you see?

How goodly then would be your tents, O Jacob, and your tabernacles, O Israel! Then, as it is prophesied of the Jews — Zechariah 8:23 — men would say, 'We will go with you, for we have heard that God is among you.' It is the fellowship your souls have with the Father and with the…

Not only, therefore, does he denounce the punishment of their present cruelty, but says that they must be called to account for the murder of Zechariah, as if their own hands had been imbrued in his blood. There is no probability in the opinion of those who refer this passage to…

God is their shield and their exceeding great reward; and their fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ; and they have the divine promise and oath, that in the world to come, they shall dwell forever in the glorious presence of God. It may well be sufficient…

1. Because people do not hearken to the voice of his word and messengers; God speaks audibly by ministers, and when they are not regarded, he speaks more feelingly by judgments; he speaks first by threatenings, and when they are slighted, he speaks by executions. God first lifts…

(7) That will be a time of the greatest temporal prosperity. Such a spiritual state as we have just described has a natural tendency to temporal prosperity: it has a tendency to health and long life; and that this will actually be the case, is evident by Zechariah 8:4. "Thus sai…

It is foretold, that the Work of God should be carried on very much by this Means, in the last great Out-pouring of the Spirit, that should introduce the glorious Day of the Church, so often spoken of in Scripture. Zechariah 8:21, 22, 23. And the Inhabitants of one City, shall g…

That is, with silence and reverence receive his commands: and the like everywhere. So for the scandal of persecution, it is everywhere declared that in the latter days the enemies shall be the subjected party, glad to take hold of the skirt of a Jew (Zechariah 8), bow to the sol…

3. Recreation, which in young children especially is needful for their health. In that Zechariah 8:5 told the Jews, and that in way of blessing, that boys and girls should be playing in the streets, he implies that it is a lawful and fitting thing, which parents should permit to…

It may well be sufficient to induce us to resolve to cleave to those that forsake their Sins and Idols, to join themselves with this People, that God is with them. Zechariah 8:23. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, in those Days it shall come to pass, that ten Men shall take hold, ou…

Indeed, it is one of the sins that draws down public and national judgments; and therefore it is said (Hosea 4:2): By swearing and lying therefore does the land mourn. And when God gives advice to his people how they should prevent his judgments (Zechariah 8:16-17): These are th…

Unity in faith and discipline is a mercy we cannot prize enough. This is what God has promised (Jeremiah 32:39) and what we should pursue (Zechariah 8:19). Ambrose said of Emperor Theodosius that when he lay sick, he took more care for the church's peace than for his own recover…

In regard of which he says, verse 2: Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband. (Zechariah 8:7) Thus says the Lord, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country. 8. And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the…

Now we have a greater sister: What shall we the Gentiles do for her? There's a day, when ten men shall take hold, out of all nations, of the skirt of a Jew, saying, we will go with you; we have heard that God is with you (Zechariah 8:21). 2. It is the happiness of our land, that…

1. He will honor us in our life. (1.) He will put honor upon our persons: He will number us among his jewels (Malachi 3:17), he will make us a royal diadem in his hand (Isaiah 62:3), he will lift us up in the eyes of others (Zechariah 9:16). They shall be as the stones of a crow…

All crosses have lost their salt and their sting; even as when a city is taken by storming, all the commanders and soldiers are disarmed: and when a court is cried down, by law, all the members and officers of the court, judge, and scribe, and advocates that can plead, pursuivan…

Now the intrinsic end, and so the specific acts of this husband, who is joined to us, by the marriage-covenant of free grace, must be free love to his spouse; as Paul expounds it (Ephesians 5:25), and the native fruit, and end of marriage, is that the spouse might have interest…

For therefore has he sent his son, not to oppress us with heaviness and sorrow, but to cheer up our souls in him. For this cause the Prophets, the Apostles, and Christ himself do exhort us, indeed they command us to rejoice and be glad (Zechariah 9). Rejoice, you daughter of Zio…

is very emphatic; for it would have given no great delight to hear that the Author of salvation was born, unless each person believed that for himself he was born. In the same manner Isaiah says, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given,” (Isaiah 9:6;) and Zechariah, “Be…

And such is the import of the following prophecies: Rejoice, daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes, poor, sitting on an ass, (Zechariah 9:9.) We beheld him, and he had no form or beauty, and he resembled a leper, so that we had no esteem for him, (Isaiah 53:3,4.)

So then, as his removal to heaven was at hand, he intended to commence his reign openly on earth. This would have been a ridiculous display, if it had not been in accordance with the prediction of Zechariah 9:9. In order to lay claim to the honors of royalty, he enters Jerusalem…

And this value that God sets upon them on this account is so great, that God thinks fitting from regard to it to admit them to such exceeding glory. The saints on the account of their relation to Christ are such precious jewels in God's sight, that they are thought worthy of a p…

Now Christ is the only rest of our souls: in any thing, for any end or purpose, to take up short of him, is to lose it. It is not enough that we be prisoners of hope, but we must turn to our strong hold, Zechariah 9:12. not enough that we are weary and laden, but we must come to…

1. The parties excited and spoken to here, are the daughters of Zion: By Zion oftentimes in Scripture is understood the Church, wherein Christ is set as King (Psalm 2:6), and elsewhere: and so by daughters of Zion, we are to understand members of the Church; they are the same wi…

"He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth: and breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder, he burneth the chariot in the fire." See also Zechariah 9:10. Then shall all nations dwell quietly and safely, without fear of any enemy, Isaiah 32:13.

2. It is the delivery of one from bondage or captivity; we are without him, all prisoners and captives: bound in prison (Isaiah 61:1), sitting in darkness, in the prison house (Isaiah 42:7; Isaiah 49:9). Prisoners in the pit wherein there is no water (Zechariah 9:11), the captiv…

A believer never casts away his anchor. The Jews were prisoners in Babylon, yet prisoners of hope (Zechariah 9:10): turn to your stronghold, you prisoners of hope. When a Christian is on his deathbed and all hope of life is taken away, yet his hope in God is not taken away.

5. There's not only a seed, but a rich conquest, the heathen promised, and the ends of the earth (Psalm 2:8-9). Dominion from sea to sea (Zechariah 9:10) (Psalm 72:8) (Daniel 7:14), and both this and the former satisfies Christ. There is not a sight so desirable to the eye of Ch…

Nothing falls wrong to a mortified soul. The people cry Hosanna, Christ bids them rejoice, their King comes (Zechariah 9:9). The wicked spits on his face, and plucks off the hair, that is good (Isaiah 50:6): I gave them face and back to be doing their will.

Solomon reigned from the Sea of Sodom, the Red Sea, to the Mediterranean Sea, and west, and from the Euphrates to the utmost of Canaan, north and south — but specially in Christ, who has all nations, Gentiles and Jews, for his own (Psalm 2:8-9; Psalm 22:27; Psalm 72:8-11; Isaiah…

For great regard was had in this, as in all the other acts of his life and ministry, to that last and conclusive part, his dying a sacrifice upon the cross for the sins of men; to observe all along that mediocrity, and steer that middle course between [reconstructed: obscurity]…

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,…

Worldly joys put gladness into the face (2 Corinthians 5:12); but the Spirit of God puts gladness into the heart. Divine joys are heart-joys (Zechariah 10:7; John 16:22): Your heart shall rejoice. A believer rejoices (Luke 1:47): My spirit rejoices in God.

Oh then espouse godliness! Here is reality to be had; of other things, we may say as Zechariah 10:2. They comfort in vain.

Doctrine: The meanest, and worst things of Christ (to speak so) are incomparably to be desired above all things. 1. Any thing of Christ is desirable; but to lay hold on the skirt of a Jew (Zechariah 10:23), because Christ that is with him is good. Indeed, the dust of Zion is a t…

Therefore fire cannot consume, water cannot drown the saints, except by a dispensation of the Lord. 5. Christ is not fastened as a loose nail, or as one broken or rotten wedge in the covenant: he is there as a nail in a sure place (Zechariah 10:4; Isaiah 22:23). Hang all the ves…

Sin has blotted God's image, and stained the orient brightness of the soul. Sin makes God loathe a sinner (Zechariah 11:8), and when a sinner sees his sin, he loathes himself (Ezekiel 20:42). Sin drops poison on our holy things, it infects our prayers.

3. The necessity of being new creatures. 1. Till then we are odious to God (Zechariah 11:8). My soul loathed them.

A sinner's works are opera mortua dead works (Hebrews 1:6), and those works which are dead cannot please God; a dead flower has no sweetness. 3. We had need pray that the kingdom of grace may come, because till this kingdom come into our hearts we are loathsome in God's eyes (Ze…

If all the evils in the world were put together, and their quintessence strained out, they could not make a thing so filthy as sin does. So odious is a sinner, that God loathes the sight of him (Zechariah 11:8). My soul loathed them.

3. The new creature is a work of rare excellency. A natural man is a lump of earth and sin, God loathes him (Zechariah 11:8). But upon the new creature is a spiritual glory: As if we should see a piece of clay turned into a sparkling diamond.

Your turning of things upside-down shall be reputed as the clay [illegible] of the potter (Isaiah 29:16): from the root [illegible] to think, desire; to form a thing of clay as the potter does. From this is the potter named [illegible] (Zechariah 11:13; Genesis 2:7; Deuteronomy…

Just as if a thief that has sped well and has got a good prey, should thank God that he has prospered so well in his wickedness: So here (as if Job should say) my sons have done ill in their feasting, and they are so far from being humbled, that they have blessed God in their he…

9. There may be also something of God's design here, to try the humility and sincerity of his people, if they will stoop to every way he uses, because it is his; and if they will love the Word, not as so, or so proposed, but as it comes from him, and is his, and as such humbly r…

In fact, could you by one act of sin make all the treasures and delights of the whole world tributary to you; should the Devil take you when he tempts, as he took Christ, and show you all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, and promise to bestow it all upon you; ye…

It is fit the noblest faculty should be employed in the noblest work: this is the noblest work to praise God, therefore all that is within us must be summoned. Church adversaries took up a customary form (Zechariah 11:5): Blessed be the Lord, for I am rich. And in Nehemiah it is…

Why has Satan filled your heart? The Lord abhors a sinner, he will not come near him, having his plague-sores running (Zechariah 11:8). My soul loathed them.

He sold himself to buy the soul. Zechariah 11:12: they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. He was content not only to be sold, but to die; this enhances the price of the soul — it cost the blood of God (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:19): you were not redeemed with corruptible…

But soul-diseases are symptoms of God's anger; as he is a holy God, he cannot but hate sin (Psalm 138:6): God beholds the proud from afar. God hates a sinner for his plague-sores (Zechariah 11:8): my soul loathed them. Sickness at worst only separates from the society of friends…

Its all one if the Nurse has no milk in her breasts, or having, drawes it not forth to her child. There is a wo to the Idol-shepherd, Zech. 11. such as have mouthes, but speak not; lips, but not to feed the people with knowledge. It shall be the peoples sin, if they feed not whe…

But so infants and all the rest of these Kingdoms who fixedly, in a Church, hear the Word, profess they are followers, and by so doing are witnesses against themselves that they have chosen the Lord to be their God, and have consented to the Covenant, as Joshua says (Joshua 24:2…

Which words are cited true of Christ, by Luke (Acts 13:47), when Christ is preached to the Gentiles: And as one who labored for us, so he craves his wages, though the Jews pay him unworthily. (Zechariah 11:12) Then I said, if you think good, give me my price, and if not, forbear…

Some think sin an ornament, it is rather an excrement. So does sin befilthy a person, that God cannot abide the sight of him, (Zechariah 11:8). My soul loathed them.

Persons are vailed over with ignorance, and self-love, therefore see not what deformed souls they have. The Devil does with them as the Faulkner with the Hawk, blinds them, and carries them hooded to Hell, (Zechariah 11:17). The sword shall be upon his right eye.

He is without bowels. I may allude to that, Zechariah 11 verse 9. That which dies, let it die, and that which is cut off, let it be cut off.

The Key of Knowledge, is lost in the Tree of Knowledge. Especially, in matters Sacred, we are enveloped with ignorance, The Sword is upon our right eye, Zechariah 11:16. What a little of the Sea, will a Nut-shell hold?

And which is the sum of all uncleanness, sin in the heart is compared to the fire of hell (James 3:6). So that the pure eyes of God loathe to see, and his nostrils to smell it (Zechariah 11:8; Amos 5:21). It makes all those that have eyes open and judgments rectified to abhor it…

Quest. How is faith wrought? Resp. By the blessed Spirit it is called the Spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10), because it is the spring and efficient of all grace. Faith is the chief work which the Spirit of God works in a man's heart.

Question: What shall we do to obtain a penitential frame of heart? Response: Seek to God for it: it is his promise to give a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36) and to pour on us a spirit of mourning (Zechariah 12:10). Beg God's Holy Spirit.

There is a promise of a fountain opened for the washing away the guilt of sin (Zechariah 13:1). But see what goes before (Zechariah 12:10). They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and shall mourn for him (Isaiah 1:16).

The grace which we must desire, is the spirit of grace and [reconstructed: supplications] (Zechariah 12:10), which is that gift of the Holy Ghost, whereby we are enabled to call to God for the pardon of our sins. A man having offended the laws of a prince, and being in danger of…

And so is the case with us by reason of our sins; we are God's debtors, indeed bankrupts before him, yet have we gotten a good surety, even the son of God himself, who to recover us to our former liberty was crucified for the discharge of our debt. And therefore good cause have…

1. This soul was by its first creation a spirit, and that in the substance or native kind thereof; and in that respect (considered apart from its union with the body) is in a more special manner allied to God, than all other creatures (but angels) are. You have the pedigree of m…

Make mourning as for an only Son, most bitter lamentation. Indeed, so deep and penetrating is this grief that the Holy Spirit borrows it to express the deepest spiritual troubles by it (Zechariah 12:10), They shall mourn for him, namely Christ whom they pierced, as one mourns fo…

Use 2. Take with this sin, acknowledge and seek pardon for it; it were a good token of some tenderness, to be mourning for enmity against Christ, and for undervaluing of him, as well as for drunkenness, fornication, theft, or any other gross sin. And where that gracious and righ…

Make a supposition, that a man in his madness should smite and wound his head, or wrong his Wife, his Father, or his Brother; when that fit of madness is over, he is more affected with that wrong than if it had been done to any other member of his body, or to other persons not a…

O what expression of tenderness! and to all these, is added a new robe, and a ring for ornament, and a feast, the fat calf is killed, and the Lord sings, and dances, Verse 23, 24, 25. Peter's denial of Christ brought him to weeping, flowing from the Spirit of grace poured on Dav…

Object 10. But it is impossible I can be fitted with sorrow for sin or repentance, before I believe in Christ. Answer. We teach not that you must first repent, then believe; or first believe, then repent; but that some legal acts of sorrow, and bruisings of spirit, and self-desp…

When the soul has the Lord Jesus, the highest and chiefest cause of rejoicing it has, is, only its having of Christ (Galatians 6:14). If he has his part in Christ, that is his crown and his portion, he counts it a goodly portion, his lot is fallen into a pleasant place; if we ha…

Secondly, it serves to teach us all to bemoan our own estates, or the estates of any of ours, that we yet see in the gall of bitterness, lying in an estate of nature; is it yourself, or your father, or mother, or your children or servants? Whatever he be, be he never so good a n…

If the Psalmist speaks of it, he says, they were out of, and beyond themselves for joy, as in a comfortable dream; the news seemed to be too good to be true, and they rejoiced with exceeding great joy, and if the Prophet Jeremiah speaks of the very same people, and the same time…

Surely such a house were a more blessed beautiful edifice than any prince's palace under heaven. It is the disposition of gospel-penitents to mourn every family apart, husbands and wives apart (Zechariah 12:11-12). And of gracious souls, to be like doves of the valleys, every on…

First, by beholding Christ crucified, we see our misery and wickedness. For our sins are the swords, and spears which have crucified him (Zechariah 12:10). Secondly, this sight brings us true and lively comfort: for beholding Christ crucified, we see Paradise as it were in the m…

The first is, to cast down everything in us, that exalts itself against God (2 Corinthians 10), as namely, to beat down erroneous reason, and rebellious affection, and to put a man out of heart with his chief delights, and with his own self. The second action is, to kindle in ou…

So then the true meaning of the present passage, in my opinion, is this: ‐Hitherto I have lived among you in humility and kindness, and have discharged the office of a teacher; and now having finished the course of my calling, I shall depart, and it will not be possible for you…

That the joy by which they are intoxicated may not excite the envy of believers, Christ declares that it will at length be turned into mourning and gnashing of teeth. He alludes, I think, to Zechariah 12:11-14, where God, informing them that a striking display of his judgment wi…

First, it appears without controversy to be the greatest of all, because it was upon his children: a man's children are more than all that he has in the world: a man's children are himself, every child is the father multiplied; a son is the father's bowels: and therefore when Pa…

And then the bitterness also of the sufferings of Christ, are brought to mind. They look on him whom they have pierced and mourn, Zechariah 12:10. They remember his gall and wormwood; his cryes and tears; his agony and sweat, his desertion and anguish; his blood and death; the s…

Yea these Graces have the most eminent promises annexed to them, as Isaiah 57:15. chap. 66:2. with blessedness it self, Matthew 5:4. yea they are themselves the matter of many Gracious gospel promises, Zechariah 12:10. so that they are assuredly consistent with any other grace o…

This holds forth these things: 1. That there is an excellent courage and boldness, with which the believer is furnished beyond others; he is bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1), both in duties and sufferings. 2. That there is in believers an undauntedness of spirit, and an unconquera…

By moving of the bowels (or sounding, or making a noise, as the word is elsewhere translated, Isaiah 10:11 and 63:15) is understood a sensible stirring of the affections, when they begin to stound, and that kindly, and in a most affectionate manner, either severally, or jointly,…

We read of the voice of the Lord in power, the voice of the Lord in majesty, the voice of the Lord upon the waters, the voice of the Lord dividing the flames of fire, the voice of the Lord shaking the wilderness of Kadesh, breaking the cedars of Lebanon, and the like, which is t…

God does set a mark upon them that mourn in London for the sins of London, and however he may deal with them in regard of temporal calamities, be sure he will separate them, and preserve them from eternal destruction. Methinks, the fall of London calls for a mourning like the mo…

As it was with Paul after the Spirit of God had laid hold of him, then the next news is, "Behold, he prays!" so it has been in all remarkable pourings out of the Spirit of God that we have any particular account of in scripture; and so it is foretold it will be at the great pour…

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands, thy walls are continually before me." The same is promised again in Isaiah 59:21 and Isaiah 43:1, 2 and Zechariah 12:2, 3. So Christ promises the same, when he says, "On this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hel…

Nor can it be forgotten, that though Moses was so eminent for meekness, yet he once transgressed the laws of it; when he was old, and his spirit was provoked, he spoke unadvisedly with his lips, and it went ill with him for it (Psalm 106:32-33), which is written, not for imitati…

It is ill jesting with edge-tools. Jerusalem will certainly be a burdensome stone to all people, that burden themselves with it (Zechariah 12:3). They that spurn at the rock of salvation, will not only be unable to remove it, but will find it a stone of stumbling, and a rock of…

The Gates of Hell, are the power and policy of Hell; for it is conceived to be an allusive speech to the Gates of the Iews wherein their Ammunition for War was lodged, which also were the Seats of Judicature, there sate the Judges: but yet, these Gates of Hell shall not prevail.…

Isaiah 32:15: until the Spirit be poured on us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest; that is, till the Gentiles be called, and the Jews rejected. And chapter 43, verse 3: I will pour my Spirit upon your seed, and my…

But of this elsewhere. He is also called the Spirit of supplication, under which notion he is promised (Zechariah 12:10), and how he affects that in us, is declared (Romans 8:26-27 and Galatians 4:6), and we are thence said to pray in the Holy Ghost. Our prayers may be considere…

This is but a great and strong wind, that the Lord is near unto, but the Lord is not in the wind. When men do truly look upon Christ whom they have pierced (without which there is no healing or peace), they will mourn (Zechariah 12:10); they will mourn for him even upon this acc…

Is it not from the Spirit? He is the Spirit of supplication promised to them who look on him whom they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10), enabling them to pray with sighs and groans that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:16). This is confessed to be the great medium or way of faith's pre…

He works all our works in us (Isaiah 26:12); the work of faith with power (2 Thessalonians 1:11; Colossians 2:12). He causes us to pray, and is a Spirit of supplication (Romans 8:26; Zechariah 12:10); and yet we are exhorted, and are to be exhorted to all these. 2. He does not s…

3. I might argue from God's end in pouring out the Holy Spirit; why has God poured out his Spirit? (Zechariah 12:11-14) I will pour out the Spirit of grace, and of supplication, etc. He pours out the Spirit, that it may break out by this vent; the Spirit of grace will presently…

And the Prophet describes them by the work of prayer (Zephaniah 3:10): My supplicants. And (Zechariah 12:10): I will pour upon them the Spirit of Grace and Supplication. Where ever there is a Spirit of Grace, it presently runs out into prayer.

(Galatians 4:6) "Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." And (Zechariah 12:10): "I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace, and of supplication." Wherever the Sp…

The world who are wholly sunk in flesh and matter, are little acquainted with these elevations and enlargements of the Spirit, think all to be imposture and enthusiasm. And though praying by the Spirit be a great privilege, (Jude 20. praying in the Holy Ghost. Romans 8:26. Likew…

So Zedekiah swore by the God that made his soul. So (Zechariah 12) He formed the spirit of man within him. The parent does instrumentally produce man in respect of his body, yet the soul is from God, and immediately created and infused into the body by him; and being put into th…

And Jeremiah says when he would weep for the people (Jeremiah 13:17): My soul shall weep in secret places for your pride. And (Zechariah 12:12-13): They shall mourn every family apart, the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart, etc. Sorrow affects solitude an…

There are many, too many, that mourn under affliction, yet laugh over their sins; that sigh and weep when they feel any burden on their bodies, but make merry at that which destroys their soul! Can anything be more mad than these, that laugh, mock, and make sport at that which i…

This is the constant method of God: first to show man his sin then his Savior; first his danger then his redeemer; first his wound, then his cure; first his own vileness, then Christ's righteousness. We must be brought to cry out unclean, unclean, to mourn for him whom we have p…

Let us pray that we who have the poison of the serpent may have the tears of the dove. The Spirit of God is a Spirit of mourning; let us pray that God would pour that Spirit of grace upon us, whereby we may look on him whom we have pierced, and mourn for him (Zechariah 12:10). G…

Second, the Spirit of God is a sanctifying before a comforting Spirit. As God's Spirit is called the Comforter, so he is called a spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10). Grace is the work of the Spirit; comfort is the seal of the Spirit.

The Greek word imports a great sorrow, such as is seen at the funeral of a dear friend. Zechariah 12:10: they shall look on me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one that mourns for his only son. The sorrow for an only child is very great; such must be the s…

Holy sincerity will put us upon mourning for sin; he that has the heart of a child cannot but weep for his unkindness against God. Mourning for sin is the very fruit and product of the Spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10). Such as cry down repentance cry down the Spirit of grace.

Second, gospel-mourning is an evidence of grace. Zechariah 12:10: I will pour upon the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace, and they shall mourn. The Holy Ghost descended on Christ like a dove (Matthew 3).

Grace makes not only a civil but a sacred change; it biases the soul heavenward and stamps upon it the image and superscription of God. The author or efficient of grace is the Spirit of God, who is therefore called the Spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10). The Spirit is the fountai…

It is the best weapon-salve, it heals at a distance: though Christ be in heaven, we may feel the virtue of his blood healing our bloody issue. 2. And it is cleansing: it is therefore compared to fountain-water (Zechariah 13:1). The Word is a glass to show us our spots, and Chris…

He rejoices over them with joy, and rests in his love (Zephaniah 3:17). They are his refined silver (Zechariah 13:9). His jewels (Malachi 3:17).

Let the wicked forsake his way, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him. And Christ's blood is a fountain set open for sin and uncleanness (Zechariah 13:1). Mercy does more overflow in God, than sin in us; God's mercy can drown great sins, as the sea cove…

Lord, be my God in covenant. The Lord has made an express promise, that upon our prayer to him, the covenant shall be ratified, he will be our God, and we shall be his people (Zechariah 13:9). They shall call upon my name, and I will hear them; I will say it is my people, and th…

What communion has light with darkness? And that we may keep our souls pure, (1.) have recourse to the blood of Christ: this is the fountain set open for sin and uncleanness (Zechariah 13:1). A soul steeped in the brinish tears of repentance, and bathed in the blood of Christ, i…

4. Means, for pardon, sound repentance: repentance and remission are put together (Luke 24:47). There is a promise of a fountain opened for the washing away the guilt of sin (Zechariah 13:1). But see what goes before (Zechariah 12:10).

Tell him it is true, he may, and that this is some comfort to you — that he may have glory out of your death and destruction, who never yet had it out of your life. But yet desire him to consider this before he thrusts his sword into you: that he did first sheath it in his Son's…

And so did John Baptist, Matthew 3:4. Yea, the false Prophets went so arrayed, that they might the rather be respected of the people, Zechariah 13:4. And, our Savior Christ saith, The false Prophets shall come in sheep's clothing, like the true Prophets; when as indeed, they are…

And God himself speaks the same of his children. (Zechariah 13:9) They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, it is my people (now mark the echo) and they shall say, the Lord is my God.

3. God calls the righteous the excellent of the earth (Psalm 16:2). Or the magnificent, as Junius renders it; they are the spiritual phoenixes, they are the cream and flower of the creation; they are purior pars mundi, the purer part of the world, double-refined (Zechariah 13:9)…

Nevertheless it is true in all the elect having the spirit of grace, and prayer: for when God in the ministry of the word being his own ordinance, says, Seek my face: the heart of God's children truly answers, O Lord, I will seek your face (Psalm 27:8). And when God shall say, Y…

3. In respect of His having had a hand actively in them; and as he was the chief party that pursued Christ; it was He that was exacting the elect's debt of Him; therefore the Lord looks over Pilate and Herod to Him; and says to Pilate you could have no power over me except it we…

And we know that we cannot be free of temptations in this life; yet we pray not to be led into temptation, which is not so much, that the body of sin may be fully rooted out of us, and inherent sanctification may be perfected in this life, as that we may be delivered from guilt…

His going forth is from everlasting, though born at Bethlehem; so the bud of the Lord, and the fruit of the earth (Isaiah 4:2). The man God's fellow (Zechariah 13:7), and in many other places the union of the two natures is asserted. 2. He is the beloved Son.

The second part of instruction is a real and lively teaching, when God made Paul in his heart to answer the calling, according to that in Psalm 27:5: "When you said, 'Seek my face,' my heart answered, 'I will seek your face, O Lord.'" And in Zechariah 13:9: "He shall say, 'It is…

It is further said, we must restore in the spirit of meekness. The word spirit is added, because it proceeds from the spirit of God, who is both the worker and continuer thereof: as on the contrary, the spirit of jealousy (Numbers 5:14), the spirit of error (1 John 4:6), the spi…

After having treated of the restoration of the Church, the prophet, in order to prevent the minds of the godly from being overwhelmed with despair by the extreme distresses which were already at hand, declares, that when the government has been brought into a state of confusion,…

How shall they believe in him of whom, etc. The sum and sense of these words is this: namely, that we are after a sort dumb until the promise of God open our mouth to pray. Which order also he notes in the prophet Zechariah in these words: I will say to them, you are my people,…

What you, my wife? Is your hand upon me in my own house, might Job say? The Prophet brings in one questioning, What are these wounds? And Christ answering, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends (Zechariah 13:6). The height of enmity is thus expressed, A man's…

The choicest saints have been afraid, and amazed at the beauty of an angel; and the stoutest sinners have trembled at the glory of one of those creatures in a low appearance, representing but the back parts of their glory, who yet themselves in their highest advancement do cover…

The uniting of the natures of God and man in one person, made him fit to be a savior to the uttermost. He lays his hand upon God by partaking of his nature (Zechariah 13:7), and he lays his hand upon us, by being partaker of our nature (Hebrews 2:14, 16), and so becomes a daysma…

Hence the Father became his God — which is a covenant expression, Psalm 89:26, Hebrews 1:5, Psalm 22:1, Psalm 40:8, Psalm 45:7. So was he by his Father designed to this work, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 61:1, Isaiah 49:9, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 13:7, John 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:15. Thus the…

This blood answers all the typical institutions for fleshly purification and therefore has a spiritually purifying, cleansing, sanctifying virtue in itself as offered and poured out. Hence it is called a fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness, Zechariah 13:1 — a fountain re…

It would be a license to sin, if his sins were remitted before committed. 3. A right to the remission of daily sins, or free leave to make use of the fountain of mercy, that is always running, and is opened in the house of God for the comfort of believers (Zechariah 13:1): In th…

Therefore we may lay claim to him as a man to his patrimony or inheritance to which he is born, and say, Lord, you are mine. (Zechariah 13:9) I will say it is my people: and they shall say the Lord is my God. As God owns an interest in them, so they own him; he is my God.

This is the constant method of God: first to show man his sin then his Savior; first his danger then his redeemer; first his wound, then his cure; first his own vileness, then Christ's righteousness. We must be brought to cry out unclean, unclean, to mourn for him whom we have p…

For sin is the transgression of the law, and Christ was manifested to take away our sins: therefore (verse 6) whoever abides in him sins not: Christ came to take away sin, and therefore he that abides in Christ cannot abide in sin; and (verse 8) The Son of God was manifested to…

Oh sinners, let your eyes be a fountain of tears; weep for those sins which are so many, as have passed all arithmetic; this water of contrition is healing and purifying. 2. The bath of Christ's blood; this is that fountain opened for sin, and for uncleanness (Zechariah 13:1). A…

Caesar took it unkindly that his son Brutus should stab him — and you, my son? May not the Lord say to us, These wounds I have received in the house of my friends (Zechariah 13:6)! Israel took their jewels and earrings and made a golden calf of them; the sinner takes the jewels…

(4.) The same Covenant made with Abraham is made with the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 6:16): I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Which is prophesied of the Gentiles under the New Testament in Ezekiel 11:17-20, Ezekiel 34:23-25, Jeremiah 31:31-36, Jeremiah 32:36-40,…

Only there is a warrant to say that the Covenant is everlasting: first, because it goes beyond time and stands with the dead in Christ (Matthew 22:32); second, because two great promises of the Covenant — the rising of the body and life everlasting — are fulfilled after time is…

Q. What way is God ours? A. By Covenant (Ezekiel 34:24; Genesis 17:7; Jeremiah 32:38; Zechariah 13:9). But he is not ours as if we had some gifted right and dominion over him, as we have over the creatures.

In fact, he has by their fall brought in a more glorious order, when he that sits upon the Throne says, Behold I make all things new (Revelation 21:5), and it is said (2 Peter 3:13), Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells…

No doubt, Christ God-Man is in Covenant with God, being a person designed from eternity, with his own consent, and in time yielding to that, and yet he stands not in that covenant-relation that we stand in: as we shall hear. Argument 1. What argument does prove that there is a p…

4. They differ in the subject, matter: The Covenant of Redemption is, 1. who shall be the surety of Redemption to undertake for man? Here am I, says the Son, your fellow (Zechariah 13:7). 2. What shall be his work?

There was indeed in Christ a two-fold fullness and perfection of all spiritual excellencies; first the natural all-sufficient perfection of his Deity, as one with his Father in respect of his Divine nature: for his glory was the glory of the only begotten of the Father (John 1:1…

Christ said to that weeping woman, Thy sins which are many are forgiven, (Luke 7:47). Pardons are sealed upon soft hearts: O you whose head has been a fountain to weep for sin, Christs side will be a fountain to wash away sin, (Zechariah 13:1). Hast you repented?

9th Commandment: You shall not bear, etc. He breaks this commandment: who envies at the prosperity of his neighbor (1 Timothy 6:4); who seeks only his own good report; who is suspicious (1 Corinthians 13:5); who gives rash or hard sentence against others (Matthew 7:1); who takes…

It was not for the righteous, that needed him not, but for the poor sinner that condemns himself, and knows he cannot save himself. Paul says, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief (1 Timothy 1:15): and (Zechariah 13:1) There is a fountain open…

And the third, from that particular, and most significant metaphor of gold tried in the fire; by which I here understand, a real and solid work of grace, evidencing itself to be so, in all the proofs and trials that are made of it; for whatever is probational to grace, and puts…

'What delight can I take in their duties when the faith, fervor, humility, and holy seriousness of their spirits is wanting in them?' 'I will therefore refine them as silver is refined, and try them as gold is tried; and they shall call upon my name, and I will hear them; and I…

When the possessed child is brought to Jesus, and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tore him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed foaming: the Devil and the unclean spirits are not thrown out of a person, or land, but they must rage and foam. 1. The Lord says (Zechariah…

Thirdly, That which makes a calling warrantable, is, when it is attained to by warrantable and direct means, when a man enterprises not a calling, but in the use of such means as he may see God's providence leading him to it: so Amos manifests his calling against the High Priest…

They loved to be contrary to the people of God, and yet because there are families, and they mourn, and sundry families, they mourn, therefore that which is the act of these various families, is accounted the act of the whole land. And indeed so far was this mourning the mournin…

"And this is also the source of the four rivers of which Ezekiel (47:2) speaks, which are to water the four quarters of the world." which, going out from the temple, spread, as Zechariah (Zechariah 14:8) says, from the rising to the setting sun. Though in the present day we make…

While Job wishes that his very day, which is light, should be darkness, how great a darkness does he wish to it; And if the day be darkness, how dark must the night of that day be? Then again, Let the day be darkness, he does not say, let the day be misty, or cloudy, or dusky, o…

(1) Heresies, and infidelity, and superstition, among those who have been brought up under the light of the gospel, will then be abolished. Then there will be an end to Socinianism, and Arianism, and Quakerism, and Arminianism; and Deism, which is now so bold and confident in in…

Zechariah 14:9, latter part. In that day there shall be one Lord, and his name one. The whole chapter, but chiefly the context immediately preceding is spent in the description of a wonderful day, which in verse the seventh is said to be one day, that is one entire period and jo…

There is no part of a Christian's conversation which should not savor of holiness; not only his religious, but his common and civil actions. The pots in Jerusalem, and the horse-bells, were to bear God's impress as well as the vessels and utensils of the temple (Zechariah 14). A…

(Zephaniah 3:9) For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent. (Zechariah 14:9) And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. The dog is let…

In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses Holiness to the Lord; and the pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Indeed, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be Holiness to the Lord of Hosts, and all they that sacrifice shall come and ta…