The Calling of the Jews, Commentary on Isaiah

The Calling of the Jews · Commentary on Isaiah

p. 83AN EXPOSITION VponUpon the 24. 25. 26. and 27. Chapters of the Prophet ESAY: Together with ſome few Obſeruations thereupon.

1. Behold IEHOVAH emptieth the land, and layeth it waſte; and aaHebr. Petuerteth the face thereof.turueth it vpſide-downe, and ſcattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.

2. And it ſhall be as with the people, ſo with the Prieſt, as with the ſeruant, ſo with his maſter, as with the maid, ſo with her miſtreſſe: as with the buyer, ſo with the ſeller, as with the lender, ſo with the borrower, as with the taker of vſury, ſo with the giuer of vſury to him.

3. The land ſhall be cleane bbIn emptying ſhall bee emptyed, and in ſpoyling ſhall be ſpoyled.emptied, and vtterly ſpoyled: for IEHOVAH hath ſpoken this word.

4. The land ſhall mourne and fade away, the inhabited world ſhall languiſh and fade away, ſhe ccThe height of the people.haughty people of the land ſhall languiſh.

EXPOSITION.

THeſe foure Chapters containe one whole and entire Propheſie. It hath two deuided members: One of the reiection of the Iewes, the other of their receiuing in the laſt daies into the flocke of Chriſt.

The reiection, in the firſt 20. verſes of the 24^th. chapter, p. 84ſetteth forth the moſt wofull deſolation that any ſtorie can 4 Poſit. Deſolation.giuegive example of.

Which though it be of things to come many hundred of yeares after, the Prophet as one that ſaw them in the Spirit, as if they were then done, vttereth not onelyonly in the future, but ſometimes in the preſent, ſometimes in the time paſt by an Idiom proper to the Prophets, to note how certaine they are to take effect.

This threatned deſolation is garniſhed and ſet forth fiue manner of waies.

Firſt, needs muſt it be a matter of ſome rare and maruellous conſequence, that, Behold, the O-yes of the Holy Ghoſt is ſet before.

Secondly, the Author and efficient is God.

Thirdly, you hauehave a diſtribution. The land, ſaith he, (meaning the land of Iſrael and Iuda) ſhall bee emptied both of inhabitants, and of all other things: EueryEvery thing ſhall be turned vp-ſide downe; the inhabitants ſcattered and diſperſed.

Heere are both the parts comprehended verſe 1. which are afterwards diſtinguiſhed in the reſt that followeth to 14. verſe.

Touching the perſons or inhabitants. 1. There ſhall be a generall deſtruction of all ſtates and degrees: no difference, 2.high and low, rich and poore ſhall be dealt with all alike.

2. They ſhall be all ſpoyled of their choyce & precious treaſures, which is verified from the mouth of him that 3.cannot lye, and is able to performe his threatnings.

3. They ſhall mourne, they ſhall pine away and be enfeebled: periſh through their owne weakeneſſe, euen the 4.high and loftie ones ſhall pine away.

Obſeruations.

This noble prophecie affordeth many ſweet & heauenly leſſons.

p. 851. Iehovah] Firſt, God is the Author of all iudgements. Is there any euill in the Citie, which Iehovah doth not. Amos 3. 6. I create the deſtroyer to deſtroy. Eſay 54. 16. This which ſeemeth a leſſon ſo eaſie and familiar, it is moſt neceſſarie to take out, that we may learne to humble our ſelues vnderunder his hand. for all his workes are holy and iuſt: and who can reſiſt his counſels?

Emptieth the land] 2. Flouriſhing States and Common-wealths (how much more particular perſons?) he is able to throw downe and lay all their honour and glory in the duſt. As what ſtate or kingdome was at this time greater then the Iewes. Amos 6. 2. Paſſe vntounto Calne (a famous Citie in the land of Shinear. Gen. 10. 10.) and ſee, and from thence goe to great Hammath, and get you downe to Gath of the Philiſtims. Are they better then theſe kingdoms? (of Iſrael and Iudah) or is their border larger then your borders?

The land] 3. He ſpareth not his owne people, when they tranſgreſſe againſt him; yea the neerer he commeth to them in his fauours and bleſſings, the higher he lifteth his hand to beate and to correct them, when they doe amiſſe? For great offenſes God cannot in iuſtice but requite with great puniſhments.

Emptieth &c. turneth &c.] 4. His threatnings are moſt certaine, and as good as now done, though they be denounced thouſands of yeares before.

2. And it ſhall be as with &c.] 5. Dignitie & wealth cannot hinder him. Doth he eſteeme nobilitie, or riches, or any thing that fortifieth ſtrength? Ioh. 36. 19. Pouertie, nor baſe eſtate findeth any fauour with him.

3. The land ſhall be ſpoyled] 6. Riches is a vaine thing to helpe in the time of neede, which are ſubiect to be ſpoiled and taken from vsus: why then ſhould we ſpend our time and beſtow our ſtrength vponupon things that are vnprofitable? Let vsus rather labour for the things that cannot periſh: That treaſure which none can robbe vsus of.

p. 86For Iehovah hath ſpoken] 7 How deeply ſoeuer we be planted, though it be as Tyrus which had her biding in the Seas; and if with the Babylonian, we hauehave heaped togither riches like thicke clay, Abacuc. 2. 6. let vsus yet feare when the mouth of God doth ſpeake. For his words are not in vaine. Doth he ſay and ſhall be not do it? Numb. 23. 23.

4. The haughtie &c.] 8 The higheſt muſt learne to ſtoope when he threatneth. For he bringeth leanneſſe vponupon the fat ones, maketh the plump to pine away, and ſendeth heauineſſe into their ſoules.

5. For the land is defiled vnderunder the inhabitants thereof: becauſe they hauehave tranſgreſſed the lawes, changed the ordinance, diſanulled the euerlaſting couenant.

6. Therefore ſhall the curſe devoure the land, and they that dwell therein ſhall be deſolate: Therefore the inhabitants of the land are burned vp, and few men are left.

EXPOSITION.

COme we now to the cauſes, the ſecond and vndercauſes of ſo heauy iudgements; which the Prophet 5.here avoucheth to be the ſinnes of the people. But what ſinnes? Firſt in generall, ſuch and ſo great, that the land is defiled vnderunder theſe wicked perſons.

Secondly, theſe ſinnes are ſet forth in three particulars.

The firſt, they hauehave tranſgreſſed the lawes, naturall and morall, of duties to God and to their brethren.

The ſecond is, they hauehave changed the rites and ceremonies inſtituted of God, from the right vſe for the which they were ordained, whileſt they ſee not Chriſt in them, the ſubſtance of thoſe ſhadowes. Heb. 9. 11. Coloſſ. 2. 17. For they all do looke to him, as the Cherubins did looke with their faces to the mercy-ſeat. Exod. 25. 20.

The third is, the diſanulling of the Couenant founded p. 87in Meſſia, Chriſt: when comming vntounto his owne, his owne receiued him not.

This third, is amplified by the effects; the curſe that it bringeth with it. But aboue all, marke the curſe here ſpoken 6.of, that which the Iewes ſo called and cryed for, His blood be vponupon vsus, and vponupon our children. Math. 27. 25. And therefore (ſaith the Prophet) it ſhall moſt iuſtly come vponupon them: and as a fire ſhall deuoure and conſume them.

Obſeruations.

5. For the land] 9 Sinne is the proper and immediate cauſe of all affliction. For affliction (as Eliphaz telleth Iob. Iob 5. 6, 7.) commeth not out of the duſt, neither doth vexation ſpring out of the ground. But man is borne to trouble, as the ſparkes of burning coales flie vpwards. That is to ſay: we are not to aſcribe trouble and calamitie to chance or other blinde cauſes, but to the ſinne that ſticketh in vsus.

Why then are we ſo cruell and vnmercifull to our ſelues, to pull by ſuch meanes wrath and iudgement vponupon our owne heads?

Defiled] 10 Marueilous is the pollution of ſinne; that not onelyonly ſtaineth and infecteth the whole man, ſoule and bodie, but defileth the ground we tread vponupon, and maketh the land to groane vnderunder the burthen of vsus.

They hauehave tranſgreſſed] 11 The law of God is the rule and ſquare of all our actions.

His commandements are as bounds and banks, which we may not tranſgreſſe or goe beyond, though it be with neuer ſo good intention.

The lawes] 12 There is a double and threefold cord to tie vsus to the obedience thereof. One, becauſe they were not onelyonly written in our hearts by nature, but renewed by the voice of God from heauen, when mans corruption had obſcured the brightnes of the ſame. Another for p. 88that they conteine a perfect comprehenſion of all duties whatſoeuer, which we owe to God or one vntounto another. Aptly therefore and properly doth the Prophet call them lawes in the plurall.

Changed the ordinances] When we apply the holy things, eſpecially the rites and ceremonies that he hath inſtituted, to an other end then for the which they were ordained, we change the nature of them, and of Gods ordinances do make them ours. Strange things which God eſteemeth not. Hoſh. 8. 12. The excellent things of my law, which I praeſcribe vntounto them, are reckoned as a ſtrange thing.

Couenant] 13 Wonderfull is the mercy and goodneſſe of God, that hath vouchſafed to enter into a couenant with his ſeruants, and vnderunder certaine conditions, as it were, to contract with them for life eternall.

The condition is, Beleeue and thou ſhalt be ſaued. Act. 16. 31.

Euerlaſting couenant] 14 This couenant, the couenant of peace and reconciliation through Chriſt, is an euerlaſting couenant, a ſure couenant, a couenant of ſalt, more firmly fixed in his Sonne, then the Sunne & Moone are fixed in the heauens.

Diſanulled] 15 But where men put not forth the hand of faith to reach it to themſelues, this couenant can do no good: no more then the Kings pardon helpeth, in caſe a man refuſe to plead and take aduantage of it.

Men therefore by their owne infidelitie reiect the counſell and purpoſe of God to ſaue them. They ſhorten his hand and ſhrinke vp his arme from doing good. Marc. 7. 5, 6. He could do no miracle there, becauſe of their vnbeleefe. Oh what a thing it is, that the fault ſhould reſt in vsus, why Gods couenant can take no place!

6. Therefore ſhall the curſe deuoure &c.] 16 As the Couenant embraced bringeth life: ſo the curſe of God is inſeparably annexed to the tranſgreſſing of it.

Curſe] 17 Let men take heede how they vſe execration, p. 89curſing and banning of their ſoules. God maketh other mens curſes to ſpeede, where there is iuſt cauſe. Iudg. 957. The curſe of Iotham came vponupon the Shechemites. How much more ſhall our owne curſes and imprecations light vponupon our ſelues.

For God is iuſt and will not be mocked.

7. The new wine ſhall mourne, the vine ſhall languiſh: all the merry-hearted ſhall ſigh.

8. The mirth of Tabrets ſhall ceaſe, the noyſe of them that reioyce ſhall leaue: the ioy of the harpe ſhall ceaſe.

9. They ſhall not drinke wine with a ſong: ſtrong drinke ſhall be bitter to them that drinke it.

10. The Citie aaOf emptineſſe.made emptie, ſhall be broken downe: eueryevery houſe ſhall be ſhut vp; bbFrom comming in.that none may come in.

11. There ſhall be a crying concerning wine in the ſtreetes: all mirth ſhall be darkned; the ioy of the land ſhall ſlit away.

12. What ſo is reſerued in the Citie, ſhall be ſmitten with deſolation: and with a noiſe ſhall the gate be ſmitten.

13. For thus ſhall it be in the midſt of the land, among the people; as the ſhaking of an Olive tree, as gleaning of Grapes, when the vintage is done.

EXPOSITION.

SO much of the perſons or inhabitants: the things which they muſt looſe, are,

1. The commodities of the land, wine &c.7.

2. The ioyes and pleaſures of the land ſhall be all taken from them. Priuate griefes and groanings ſhall be euen to thoſe that are of a merry diſpoſition.

Publike ioy and merriments, the Timbrell and the 8.Harpe, all ſolaces of their life ſhall ceaſe.

And that in their feaſts and banquetings: Such a floud 9.of euils ſhall ouerwhelme them. Enough to make euen their ſtrong drinke to be bitter and out of taſte.

p. 903. Companie there ſhall be none: no going in nor out in their ſtreets.10.

4. Howling and lamentation ſhall eueryevery where be 11.heard, becauſe of the comforts they hauehave loſt. As the ayre in the euening waxeth darke, ſo ſhall their mirth be turned into heauineſſe.

5. Nothing ſhall be left free. Hauocke ſhall be made of the things they kept in ſtore. The gates and ſtrong 12.holds ſhall not be able to hold out the enimie.

6. As when the Olive tree is beaten, but a few berries are left remayning, and ſcarce a cluſter of grape; to bee 13.found (one happily here and there) vponupon the beginning of 3 Poſit. Remnant.the vintage: ſo ſhall there but a few men, a ſmall handfull be reſerued from the furie and violence of their foes. Wherein notwithſtanding ſome comfort is interlaced; that in the middeſt of this fearefull deſtruction, a remnant, a holy ſeede ſhall bee left according to the election of grace, of whom God will be pleaſed to gather in time a new Church vntounto himſelfe. As before Chap. 17. 5, 6. and Eſay 65. 8. See Eſay 6. 13.

Obſeruations.

7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. The new wine &c.] 18 The good things of this life, not onelyonly for neceſſitie but for honeſt comfort and recreation, men may lawfully & with a good conſcience vſe, being ſanctified vntounto vsus by the word of God and prayer. 1 Tim. 4. 4, 5.

19 But it is his bleſſing that giueth cheerefulneſſe. When Gods hand is vponupon vsus, it behoueth vsus to be humble, to leaue iolitie and merriments, if he call to heauines and mourning. The Prophet Eſay 22. 12, 13. findeth fault with this, that when the Lord called to weeping, mourning, baldnes and girding with ſackcloth, behold there was mirth and gladnes, killing of oxen, ſlaying of ſheepe, eating of fleſh, drinking of wine &c.

13. For thus ſhall it be &c.] 20 God tempereth his p. 91iudgements with mercy, and in his wrath remembreth kindnes. He neuer ſo puniſheth but he leaueth ſome matter for his merciemercy to worke vponupon. As he ſaued Noah and the 8 perſons in the Arke to repleniſh the world anew.

14. Theſe ſhall lift vp their voice, and ſing: for the excellencie of Iehovah, they ſhall ſhoute for ioy from the Sea, ſaying.

15. Therefore in the valleys, glorifie yee Iehovah: in the Iles of the Sea, the name of Iehovah the God of Iſrael.

16. From the skirt of the land we hauehave heard Pſalmes, comelineſſe to the iust one, But I ſay leanneſſes to me, leanneſſe to me, woe is me: The trecherous hauehave dealt trecherouſly, and aaWith treacherie of treacherous men.with most trecherous trecherie hauehave they delt trecherouſly.

EXPOSITION.

HAuing thus declared the particulars of this heauy and great calamitie, he proceedeth to the fourth generall amplification: which is a diſſimilitude betweene this and their former eſtate, accompanied with the cauſes of them both, and all iuſtified by the voice and ſuffrage of the people themſelues, thoſe that ſhall ſo be reſerued, glorifying and praiſing God. Wherefore the praiſes that here they giuegive, are worthy to be conſidered in fiue circumſtances.

Firſt is the motiue to this dutie, the excellencie of Gods worke.14.

The ſecond circumſtance is the manner of giuing praiſe. By ſhouting, ſinging, &c.

The third circumſtance is the places from whence theſe praiſes ſhall ſound forth: all parts of the world, the Sea, the valleys, the furtheſt Iles.15.

The fourth circumſtance, is their ſtirring vp and prouoking one an other to praiſe God. Glorifie yee.

The fift circumſtance, is the perſon, whom thus they p. 92praiſe, Iehovah the God of Iſrael.

Theſe are the circumſtances. The argument or matter of their ſong, acknowledgeth (as we ſaid before) the 16iuſt hand of God vponupon them, by comparing their former eſtate with the preſent. Before, from eueryevery place, in all the quarters of the land, ſounded nothing but Pſalmes, matter of praiſe and of thankſgiuing. For the people walking in holineſſe and righteouſnes, laying hold vponupon the righteouſneſſe which is by faith in Chriſt, receiued onelyonly fauors at the hands of God. But now in place of it is come mourning and complaint, pining away for the calamitie and hard eſtate, which their grieuous tranſgreſſion hath brought vponupon them.

But as the puniſhment is moſt heauy, ſo the ſinne here pointed at, is a ſinne of all ſinnes, the moſt ſuperlatiue degree of ſinne. Such a tranſgreſſion as exceedeth without compariſon all other tranſgreſſions that euer were. Deteſtable aboue and beyond all the ſinnes whatſoeuer of all ages in the world. What is that? The crucifying of Chriſt the Lord of Glory, vponupon a deſperate and deepe malice; adding to the ſame ſo many circumſtances of moſt notorious contumacie and ingratitude.

Obſeruations.

14. Theſe ſhall lift vp their voyce and ſing. For the excellencie &c.] 21 The children of God hauehave their eyes open to ſee an excellencie of wiſedome, iuſtice, goodneſſe; where the world is blind and can diſcerne nothing but deformitie and confuſion.

Wherefore though their mouthes be ſtopped vp and mouſled, that not a word can come from them to the honour 22and praiſe of God; yet the godly finde matter not onelyonly to ſpeake, but to lift their voyce aloud, yea to ſing and ſhout.

There is a difference betweene Gods children and the wicked in obſeruing the workes of God. For the wicked p. 9323themſelues are forced to acknowledge Gods iuſtice. As I hauehave done, ſo hath God rendred vntounto me. Iudg. 1. 7. But Gods children behold an excellencie in Gods workes, which maketh them with cheerefull and ioyfull hearts to magnifie his name.

The deformities that are in the world, which ſeeme to miniſter nothing but iuſt complaint and diſcontent, fill 24their mouthes with ſongs and hymnes. For they with ſpirituall eyes diſcerne that excellencie of Gods worke, ſuch an aboundance of wiſedome, power, goodnes, holineſſe, truth, iuſtice, that maketh them perforce to breake forth into his praiſes.

And this is a holy vſe of ſinging and vſing mirth, when it tendeth (as Dauids Pſalmes) to the glorifying of the high and mighty workes of God, which he would hauehave to be had in euerlaſting remembrance.

In the Iles of the Sea] 25 No place ſhould diſcourage vsus from ſeruing God: the ſolitarie wilderneſſe, the Iles that are moſt comfortles. What and how noble viſions did God reueale to his ſeruant Iohn in the Ile of Patmos, when vponupon the Lords day he gaue himſelfe in that barbarous place to heauenly meditations?

Glorifie yee Iehovah] 26 It is an excellent and a holy dutie to quicken others in pietie and godlineſſe, as God by his Spirit hath quickned vsus. Pſal. 122. 1. I was glad of them that ſaid vntounto me, Let vsus goe to the houſe of Iehovah. Zach. 8. 21. The inhabitants of one Citie ſhall ſay vntounto another, Let vsus go diligently to be ſutors to Iehovah, and to ſeeke Iehovah of Hoaſtes: I alſo will goe. And where the zeale of God warmeth at the heart, it will breake forth as fire to the kindling and inflaming of others.

The God of Iſrael] 27 The true God as he reuealeth himſelfe in the Church is he that we muſt honour and ſerue.

The memoriall of whoſe name is alwaies one and the 28ſame. Heretofore knowne to his people by the name of the God of Iſrael, but now manifeſted vntounto vsus more p. 94clearely in his Sonne Chriſt Ieſus; who with the brightnes and excellencie of the New Teſtament, obſcureth and drowneth the former couenant.

And here hauehave you the very marke of the true Church, which is to celebrate and profeſſe the great and glorious 29.name of the true God, the God of Iſrael, the Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt.

15. Sea, valleys] 30 In what place of the world ſoeuer any ſuch may be found, though lurking and lying hid in the middeſt of moſt barbarous and ſauage Nations, they are to be acknowledged the liuely members of the Church inviſible.

From the skirt of the land we hauehave heard Pſalmes] 31 It is a holy and ſweet muſicke in Gods eares, when as his benefits are generall; ſo generall thanks is giuen of many. 2 Cor. 1. 11.

16. Comelines to the iust:] 32 A land flouriſheth, and it is well with them when they feare God and walke in his commandements.

Contrariwiſe, the rejecting and ſetting light by Gods mercies offred vntounto a people, is the cauſe of ruine and deſtruction 33.of flouriſhing States and Kingdomes: Neuer did any people flouriſh more then the Iſraelites, when they kept cloſe to Gods ordinances. Neuer was there example ſeene of ſuch a fearefull deſolation as befell them, when they fell from God: which Moſes had before threatned, Deut. 32. and all the world hath ſeene to come to paſſe. That in them as in a picture you may behold the truth of that which Solomon ſaith in his Prouerbes, Prov. 14. 34. Righteouſnes exalteth a Nation: But ſinne is the reproch of people.

To the iust one:] 34 The cauſe of the bliſſe of a whole State is for the iuſt that are among them. Contrary to that the world eſteemeth; which aſcribeth the growth of Kingdomes to the wiſedome, policie, and power of the State: yea thinke the ſeruants of God many times the cauſe of the calamities that light vponupon them, as appeareth in many p. 95of the Edicts of the firſt Heathen Emperors. Who notwithſtanding hauehave beene oft driuen to acknowledge that God bleſſed them for the Churches ſake that harboured in their kingdomes.

Most treacherous treacherie:] 35 What a fearefull ſinne it is to lend a deafe eare to Chriſt? For if it ſhall be eaſier for Sodome and Gomorrha in the day of Iudgement, then for thoſe that deſpiſe his Miniſters: what ſhall be thought of thoſe that do deſpiſe himſelfe?

This is to be noted, becauſe of the ſteps whereby men climbe vp to the height of ſinning. For thoſe that make no conſcience of Chriſts Ordinances, nor to entertaine the Prophets whom he ſendeth, will at the laſt make no conſcience of killing Chriſt himſelfe, if they might come by him.

All ſinnes therefore are not equall, neither is there an equalitie of puniſhments.36.

Mans nature is ſo dull and heauy, ſo vncapable of holy admonitions, that they had neede to be beaten vponupon againe 37.and againe with varietie and heape of words, and particularizing of Gods iudgements: ſo to faſten them into their hearts, as with goades and nayles. Eccleſ. 12. 13.

17. Feare, and the pit, and the ſnare, ſhall come vponupon thee, O inhabitant of the Land.

18. For it ſhrll be, that he that fleeth becauſe of the aavoice.noiſe of the feare ſhall fall into the pit; and he that getteth vp out of the pit ſhall be taken in the ſnare: for the windowes from on high ſhall be opened, and the foundations of the earth ſhall ſhake.

19. The land bbin breaking ſhall be broken downe. So in the reſt.ſhall be vtterly broken downe: the land ſhall be cleane diſſolued; the land ſhall be moued exceedingly.

20. The land ſhall reele to and fro like a drunken man, and ſhall flit like a lodge: and the tranſgreſſion thereof ſhall be heauie vponupon it, ſo that it ſhall fall and riſe no more.

p. 96EXPOSITION.

FIftly and laſtly, the threatned iudgement is ſet forth by a heape and multitude of euils, as it were with one breath, inſtanced in ſix particulars.

1. All manner of euill ſhall come. Feare or a horrible fearfull and feared euill; the feare whereof is worſe then 17.the thing we feare: the pit, ſodaine and vnlooked for miſchiefe: the ſnare, out of which there will be no getting out.

2. One miſchiefe ſhall come vponupon the backe of another, that tone or tother none ſhall ſcape.18.

3. Heauen and earth ſhall fight againſt them, and conſpire to do them miſchiefe.

4. A terrible confuſion ſhall be ſeene. All turned topſie turvie. EueryEvery thing ſhall go to wracke.19.

5. Tranſmigration and flitting vp and downe. To be a renegate people.20.

The land, that is, the inhabitants of the land toſſed and tumbled from one place vntounto another; as a lodge that is made but for a night and taken away againe.

6. A deſperate and vnrecoverable downefall. Their tranſgreſſion, that is, the puniſhment of their tranſgresſion, as a heauy burden ſo preſſing and weighing them downe, that their end ſhall be vtter ruine, a fall neuer to be repaired. Alwaies vnderſtanding this one exception, vnleſſe it be by the mightie hand and power of God viſiting his people, as ſometimes he did their fore-fathers oppreſſed with the hand and intollerable bondage of the land of Aegypt. Of which reſtitution our Prophet ſpeaketh in the verſes following.

Obſeruations.

God hath multitudes of Iudgements at command: his 38quiuer full of arrowes and varietie of ſhafts to dart at the wicked.

p. 9717. Feare.] 39. The ſtoutest gallant muſt ſtoope and vayle his bonnet, he whoſe heart is as the heart of a Lyon, ſhall feare when he threatneth.

Pit.] 40. Miſerable men that promiſe to themſelues all happineſſe & proſperity, ſhall tumble into the pit of Gods Iudgements, ere they be aware: for when they ſay peace and ſafety, then ſhall come vponupon then ſodaine deſtruction, as to a woman with childe, and they ſhall not eſcape, 1. Theſ. 5. 3.

Snare.] 41 And when they are once caught and ſnared in his traps, there is no meanes to rid them out: his handſtretched forth, who can turne away, Eſay 14. 27.

18. He that.] 42 Let none think to eſcape the ſtroke of his arme, one way or other, the Iudgements of God will reach him. He that findeth fauour & profiteth not to ſeeke God by repentāce, is but reſerued to a further puniſhment, as Amos ſaith, Amos 5. 19. He that flieth for feare of the Lion, ſhall light vponupon a Beare, and when hee commeth home and leaneth vponupon the wall, a ſerpent ſhall bite him. Why then ſhould any man, walking in his ſinnes, flatter his owne ſoule and promiſe to himſelfe peace and happineſſe, when the Iudgements he ſeeth before his eyes to light vponupon other, are warnings vntounto him?

The windowes, &c. the foundations, &c.] 43. How great a God hauehave we to deale withall that hath heauen and earth, and the armes of them both at his command: he ſet wide open the windowes of heauen, & brought a floud vponupon the world of the vngodly, 2. Pet. 2. 5. He opened the mouth of the earth to ſwallow vp Kore, Dathan, & Abiram, Num. 16. what is he not able to do, to work & effect his iudgements?

19. 20. The land &c.] 44 Things ſo ordered & diſpoſed as in the iudgement of fleſh and bloud, muſt needs endure alwaies, he can change and bring vntounto confuſion. The City of Ieruſalem, how well was it knit and compact together, whileſt ſhe was in her prime? read Pſal. 122. the ſame, how is it now brought vntounto moſt miſerable waſt & hauock.

Heauie.] 45 Obſerue the wages of ſinne, the weight and intollerable burden of it. There ſhall the workers of p. 98iniquity fall, and neuer riſe vp againe, Pſal. 36. 12.

21. And it ſhall be in that ſame day, Iehoua ſhall viſit the hoaſt of that lofty one, in the lofty place it ſelfe; and the Kings of the earth, in this very land.

22. And they ſhall be gathered aaA gatheringaapriſoner.together as a priſoner into a pit, and ſhall be ſhut vp in priſon: and after many daies ſhall be bbViſited.puniſhed.

EXPOSITION.

THe 21^th verſe and ſo forward comprehendeth the ſecond part, which is the Iewes reſtoring in two degrees. Firſt, is the ruine and ouerthrow of their proud enemies vnderunder whom they were held captiues: wherein theſe circumſtances may bee obſerued: firſt, in how ſeaſonable a time God will ſend them helpe: In that very day, 21.the ſoreſt time of their affliction, when all ſtrength is gone, 16. Poſit. Sore deſtreſſe.as Deut. 32. 36.

2. The enemies they ſhall ſubdue: diuided into two, 18 Poſit. Conqueſt.the lofty one himſelfe, and the Kings his aſſociates.

Who is this lofty one here ſpoken of? Gog and Magog. Reuel. 20. 8. or as Ezechiel hath it, Ezech. 38. 2. Gog comming out of the land of Magog, whom there wee hauehave ſhewed to be the Turke.

Which are the Kings ſhall come vntounto his helpe? Daniel nameth (beſide Aegypt and other places, his ſlaues & vaſſals) Lubim and Cuſhim, that is the furtheſt parts of Lybia and Ethiopia. In Ezekiel they are reckoned, the Perſians, Aethiopians, Putaeans (or men of Cyrene) Gomer, and the houſe of Togarma, Dan. 11. 43. Ezech. 38. 5. 6. Iohn in the Reuelation, Reu. 16. 14. calleth them the Kings of the earth, and of the whole world. And againe, Reu. 20. 8. The Nations that are in the foure Corners of the earth, whoſe number is as the ſand of the Sea. Will you now take a muſter of all this huge Armie, the Generall, Souldiers, their preparation, the whole Campe, their on ſet and diſcomfit? read Ezechiel 38. and 39.

p. 99Thirdly, The place where they ſhall ſo fall: The Generall becauſe he is a lofty one, ſhall fall in as lofty a place as 20 Poſit. Place of Gogs Fall.he, Harmageddon, the mount of delightfulneſſe, Reu. 16. 16. or Harteſby the mount of Comelineſſe within the compaſſe of the holy land, Dan. 11. 45. It may be hee ſhall hauehave the honour to fall at the mount it ſelfe, in the valley of Iehoſaphat before Ieruſalem or mount Tſion, Ioel 3. 2. 12. The Kings with him ſhall fall in the ſame very land, the land of 21 Poſit. Place of the armies diſcomfit.Iudaea which they ſo ſcorne. But perhaps in ſome more petty and obſcure places: as it is moſt like about the Sea of Gennezareth, otherwiſe called the lake of Tyberias, Ezech. 39. 11.

4. The time is after many daies, Ezechiel doth explane 22.it, Ezec. 38. 7. After many daies thou ſhalt be viſited, for in the 6 Poſit. Laſt dayes.latter end of the yeares thou ſhalt come, &c. This therefore after many daies is to be vnderſtood the laſt age in a manner and period of the world wherein we liue vponupon whom the ends of the world are fallen. The certaine time is to bee learnt from other Scriptures, Dan. 12. 11. 12. Reuel. 9. 15. which it belongeth not to this place to diſcuſſe.

But yet two ſteppes or degrees ſeeme heere to be cloſely 11 Poſit. Time of firſt conuerſion.intimated, one the declining of the Turkiſh power, when that huge Empire ſhall begin to totter & fall, and as it were be held in priſon by the hand and power of God, that they ſhall not be able to hurt his Church, which ſhall be about the yeare of our Lord, 1650. The other, expreſſed by the name of viſiting both here, and Ezechiel 38. 7. which for 22 Poſit. Time of conqueſt.cleereneſſe ſake we tranſlate, puniſhing, noteth their vtter ruine and ouerthrow, following ſome 45. yeares after the other, as Daniel alſo doth diſtinguiſh them, Dan. 12. 11. 12. See Reu. 9. 15.

Obſeruations.

21. In that day.] 46. The calamities of Gods people are not perpetuall: Hee chideth not euerlaſtingly, nor reſerueth wrath for euer, Pſal. 103. 9.

p. 100When their caſe is moſt deſperate and all humane help faileth, then is Gods help ready at hand for them. As in the 47deliuerance at the red Sea and in many other ſtories is euident to be ſeene.

When God hath done afflicting of his children by the hand of the wicked and vngodly, he will caſt the rod in 48.the fire and render affliction to thoſe that afflict vsus, 2. Theſ. 1. 6. Eſay 10. 5. &c. Woe to Aſhur the ſtaffe of my wrath, &c, But when the Lord hath accompliſhed all this worke in Mount Tſion, and in Ieruſalem, I will viſit the fruit of the greatneſſe of the heart of the King of Babell, and vponupon the glory and haughtineſſe of his eyes.

There is an end and period that God hath ſet to the tyrannle of the wicked, Pſalm. 125. 3. The rodde of the wicked 49.ſhall not reſt vponupon the lot of the righteous, leaſt, &c. The day and certaine time is determined how long it ſhall be giuen them to preuaile againſt the Saints, and then to hauehave an end: He that ſet the bounds to the raging Sea, ſaying, Hether ſhalt thou come and no farther, and here ſhall the ſhore ſet it ſelfe againſt the pride of thy waues, Iob 38. 11. hath alſo ſet the bounds of their preuailing.

Viſit the hoaſt.] 50. There is no ſtrength, no power againſt the Lord: how loftily ſoeuer the wicked looke and how deepely ſoeuer they be rooted, Gods hand will fetch them downe, and plucke them vp as rotten and vnprofitable branches.

In the lofty place. 51 Yea in their very loftineſſe he will be as lofty as they, as good Iethro ſaid of the Aegyptians, in that very thing wherein they were proud, he (Iehoua) was aboue them: as if he ſhould ſay, too good for them, Exod. 18. 11.

The King.] 52. They that will take part and hauehave their hands in the ſinnes of the wicked, muſt be content to hauehave a part in their plague & puniſhment. And here we ſee the truth of that which Salomon hath in the Prouerbs. Let hand ioyne in hand, the wicked ſhall not be vnpuniſhed, Prou. 11. 21.

In this very land.] 53 God to abate the pride of the wicked, and that men may bee warned from walking in their p. 101ſteps when they ſee how much God deteſteth the loftineſs of the haughty, puniſheth them by ſuch baſe meanes as they moſt of all do ſcorne. What a thing is it, the Turke & his gallant Princes, his Begs & Bashawes to fall in the land of Iudaea, a land ſo baſe and contemptible in their eyes?

22. They ſhall be gathered as a priſoner into a pit, &c.] 54 Oh the patience of God in bearing with the wicked: he goeth euen towards them with a leaden heele to puniſhment, & that two manner of waies: in the meaſure, and in the time. For the meaſure, firſt hee curbeth and bindeth their hands from hurting his Church and people; fettreth their ſtrength and power, and holdeth them vnderunder bonds: then when that will not profit, he taketh all ſtrength away.

He firſt giueth a taſte of his power, to ſhew what he is able to doe, making them to totter and decline. But when they goe on ſtill in miſchiefe againſt his Church, hee ſweepeth them cleane from the face of the earth.

After many daies ſhall be puniſhed. 55. For the time hee ſpareth them long, many daies. The Amorites he bare with 400. yeares after their iniquity was grown to a great head, becauſe it was not as then fully accompliſhed. Gen. 15. 16.

Which muſt make vsus not deſpaire nor caſt off our faith in Gods promiſes; for the ſubuerſion of the wicked though they be long a comming, Abac. 2. 3. If he ſtay, waite for him: Contrary to that, the vnbeleeuers ſay in Ezechiel, The daies are lengthened, and all viſion periſheth. Ezech. 12. 22.

For we runne by nature headlong in our owne deſires, and are impatient if God come not when wee would hauehave him. This therefore ſerueth to exerciſe our faith, that wee faint not in our prayers as we are prone to doe. The fault which our Sauior noteth, Luk. 18. 8. when God commeth (in the performance of his promiſes and to the ſuccour of his children) ſhall he finde faith vponupon earth?

23. And the Moone her ſelfe ſhall bluſh, and the Sunne it ſelfe bee aſhamed: when Iehouah of hoaſts ſhall raigne in mount Tſion, and in Ieruſalem, and before his elders, bbGlory, that is, in glory.gloriouſly.

p. 102EXPOSITION.

AFter the Turke once deſtroyed commeth the kingdome of Chriſt to be ſet vp among the Iewes, as it is 23alſo certaine by Ezechiel, Daniel, and the booke of the Reuelation, which is the ſecond degree of their reſtoring. This Kingdome the holy Ghoſt doth here deſcribe by the perſon of the King, the Scepter which he weldeth, the place where his throne ſhall be, the forme of adminiſtration, and the glory of the kingdome.

The King is Ieſus Chriſt, the Lord of Hoſts, Soueraigne commander of heauen and of earth, and of the armies and powers of them both, that nothing can be lacking to thoſe that hauehave ſuch a King.

The Scepter is his word, the word of the Goſpell, wherby he ruleth and raigneth in the middeſt of his people; for it is the power of God vntounto ſaluation to eueryevery one that beleeueth, Rom. 1. 16. The ſpirituall armor, powerfull and mighty from God to caſt downe ſtrong holds, and eueryevery high thing exalted againſt the knowledge of God, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, 2. Cor. 10. 4. Pſal. 110. 2. The rodde of thy power will Iehouah ſend out of Tſion, ſaying, Rule thou in the middeſt of thine enemies.

The place where his throne ſhall be, is Tſion and Ieruſalem, whether the Iewes ſhall once againe repaire: not to 23. Poſit. Dwell in their countrey.ſet vp the legall ceremonies, but to inſtitute the true ſpirituall worſhip and ſeruice of God, Ezech. 36. 24. and 37. 12. 14. 25. Eſay 61. 8.

The forme of the Church pollicy and gouernment, you hauehave pointed at vnderunder the name of Elders. Comprehending 32 Poſit. Churches beautie.Paſtors, Teachers, and other gouernours of the Church.

The glory of the Kingdom ſhall be ſo great, that in compariſon 31. Poſit. Glorious Church.of it the Sunne and Moone ſhall caſt no light: of the glory thereof reade Eſay 54. 11. &c. and 60. 1. 2. 3. 13. &c. Dan. 12. 3. What if by the Sunne and Moone hee p. 103meane heere the Churches of the Gentiles, who ſhall bluſh to ſee their zeale and louelove of piety ſo eclipſed by a farre more excellent ſhining light.

Obſeruation.

The Church of God, how contemptible ſoeuer the world eſteeme of her, is moſt honourable and glorious in 56the ſight of God and men.

The world indeed ſeeth not the honour that Gods Church hath, becauſe it is diſcerned by faith, and not by ſence. Howbeit, ſuch many times is the maieſty of the Church rightly ordered, that the very vnfaithfull are forced to ſay, God is indeed among them, 1. Cor. 14. 25.

This is the Churches glory, that Chriſt, Iehoua, is her King and Lord.57

That he raigneth and ruleth in her by the Scepter of his word, and power of his ſpirit.

That ſhe is the bodie of Chriſt, her Elders and Worthies his members.

All honorable and noble perſons.

For whether you conſider the outward and true viſible members, or the Catholike and inviſible Church of Chriſt, how honourable and glorious things muſt needs be ſpoken of thee, thou excellent Citie of God. Pſal. 87. 3. In thee is ſeene a bodie politicke, whereunto all other corporations in the world are but counterfaits. Thy head hath a name written vponupon his thigh, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings: thy Commons are all Nobles; and thy Nobles, Kings and Prieſts: in thee onelyonly all vertue is to be found, knowledge, wiſedome, pietie, iuſtice, temperance, honour, magnanimitie. Thou haſt a ſoule as it were, which other Corporations want, that glueth and knitteth the parts togither, one vntounto another, and all vntounto the head. And what is that ſoule? The quickning Spirit of Chriſt, which is God himſelfe that doth vnite and make thee one with him. Happy and bleſſed is he that hath his part and p. 104fellowſhip in this incorporation. No money can buy ſuch a freedome, as Lyſias bought the Romane Burgeſſhip. Act. 22. 28. No freinds nor fauour purchaſe it, but the onelyonly fauour of the higheſt. Chriſt alone keepeth the keyes of the doores of this Citie. Nay he himſelfe is the way and the doore. By him whoſoeuer entreth and is once made free, can neuer hauehave that dignitie taken from him, but remaineth a Citizen and free Burges both here & in heauen for euermore.

All theſe things, which in their meaſure and degree are truly and aptly to be applied to Chriſts myſticall bodie whereſoeuer, do more properly appertaine and in this place are ſpoken of the glorious Church of the Iewes, when the old louelove that was betweene Chriſt and them in the dayes of their youth Ier. 31. 2, 3. ſhall a freſh be renued: for which happy and bleſſed time, it is our part and dutie continually to be ſutors, following the ſteps of their faith and zeale, who without vsus thought themſelues vnperfect. Cantic. 8. 1.

CHAP. 25.

1. O Iehovah thou art my God, I will exalt thee, I will praiſe thy name, for thou haſt done wonderfull things: The counſels long ago, are faith, truth.

2. For thou hast brought a Citie vntounto an heape, a fenſed Citie vntounto ruine: a place of ſtrangers, thou haſt brought to be no more a Citie, it ſhall neuer be reedified.

3. Therefore ſhall the mighty people honour thee: the Citie of the terrible nations ſhall feare thee.

4. Becauſe thou haſt bin a fenſe to the poore, a fenſe to the needie in his diſtreſſe: a refuge from invndation, a ſhadow against the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones was like aaan invndation of a wall.an invndation ready to beat downe a wall.

5. As heat in a drought, thou haſt brought downe the ſtirre of the ſtrangers: heat I ſay with the ſhadow of a cloud, which heat did anſwer a life to the branch of the terrible ones.

p. 105EXPOSITION.

THE worke of God in caſting downe the proud tyrants of the world, and thus magnifying the great name of his Sonne Chriſt Ieſus, is ſo great & wonderfull, that the Prophet, as it were rapt beyond himſelfe, is faine to make a ſtop or breathing before he come to a further illuſtration of it; interlacing both his owne priuate meditations, and the hymne of the whole Church that ſo ſhall be collected.

His owne meditation (in the 25^th Chapter) hath three parts.

The firſt concerneth the fall of theſe tyrants, which the Prophet diuinely vttereth in the forme of a thankſgiuing. Wherein rauiſhed with the conſideration of ſo marueilous things, he doth firſt breake forth into praiſes, the praiſes 1.of God, the author of this and all other good things. Beginning with the ground of all, Gods power,

And the couenant with his people,

Afterwards he layeth downe the particular things, for the which Gods name is ſo highly to be exalted. And they are,

1. His power, ſeene in ſo wonderfull a deliuerie.

2. His truth, whoſe counſels and decrees long ago foretold and vttered by his Prophets, are moſt ſteadie and conſtant, and take their due effect.

3. His iuſtice in executing iudgement, tumbling downe the enemies of Gods people, notwithſtanding all their 2.might, that they ſhall be vtterly without hope euer to be recouered.

Which the very wicked ſhall be driuen to acknowledge. 3.Such is the honour that hereby ſhall redound to his great and holy name, wrung out of the mouth of ſturdie and fierce enemies.

4. His mercy in ſuccouring his poore oppreſſed 4.people.

Which is ſet forth by a double compariſon.

p. 106In the firſt, the enemies and oppreſſors of the Church are compared to raging waters that carry all afore them, hurle downe walls and whatſoeuer elſe that ſtandeth in their way: God to a place of refuge to flie vntounto.

In the other, the inſolencie of theſe ſtrangers, (the enemies of Gods people) the ſtir and ado they make, is reſembled 5.to a heat and drought that doth parch and ſcorch the godly; Gods protection of his, to a thicke ſhadow. Thou (ſaith he) bringeſt downe the noyſe of the ſtrangers as heate is ſlaked in a drie and parched ground: as heate I ſay is ſlaked with the ſhadow of a thicke cloud. which heate anſwered, and was a life to the branches and ſpreading boughes of the violent. That is, ſerued well the turne, and was moſt commodious for the wicked, who thinke their branches ſpread and flouriſh when the godly are ſcorched with calamities.

Obſeruations.

1. I will] EueryEvery childe of God hath his part and intereſt in the Churches good. Which holy and religious perſons hauehave preferred and all ought to prefer before their priuate wealth, and to be thankfull vntounto God when it goeth well with it. But eſpecially this is the dutie of the Miniſters of the word. To whom as God reuealeth more of his will and workes then he doth to the common ſort: ſo it is fit they ſhould herein go before others, and be examples to the flocke.

Exalt thee] Praiſes and conſequently prayers and petitions are to be made to God alone. Pſal. 50 15. Call vponupon mee in the day of trouble: I will deliuer thee and thou ſhalt glorifie me.

We exalt God when we bleſſe him, and giuegive vntounto his name the praiſes due for the good things we doe enioy. What a mercy it is of ſo great a Maieſtie, that he counteth himſelfe to be exalted by any thing that ſo poore ſillie wormes of the earth are able to do? And how ſhould this p. 107whet our affections, and ſet an edge vponupon vsus to performe ſo holy a dutie to him?

Thee] In the manifold changes and confuſions that fall out in the world, we muſt hauehave our recourſe to God.

They that hauehave no heart to praiſe God, it is a token they hauehave neuer felt how ſweet and gratious he is.

Iehovah, thou art my God:] The foundation of all our prayers & praiſes of God ſtandeth vponupon theſe two grounds and props, his power and his will.

He is able to do vsus all good. For he is Iehovah Lord of heauen and of earth. His will we can not doubt of. For he is our God and Father through Chriſt.

Both theſe pillars we are taught to reſt vponupon in that holy, heauenly and peereleſſe prayer, Our Father which art in heaven.

My God] Here is the faith of a Chriſtian, when truly and from his heart in the ſinceritie of his ſoule, he can ſay with Thomas, Ioh. 20. my God and my Lord: appropriating to himſelfe the promiſes of God in Chriſt. So could not wicked Saul do, who ſo oft ſaith vntounto Samuel, Iehovah thy God. 1 Sam. 15. 21, 30. as being himſelfe none of his. This maketh our faith differ from the faith of Diuels, and from the faith of all carnall Goſpellers.

For thou hast done] The mightie and memorable acts of God deſerue and are moſt worthy alwayes to be had in remembrance: for he hath ſo wrought his wonderfull workes, that he hath purchaſed a memoriall for them, ſaith the Pſalmiſt. Pſal. 111. 4. They that are negligent and forgetfull, make God, as much as lyeth in them, to looſe this purchaſe: which can neuer be. Wherefore it is a thing too too intolerable (though nothing be more common in the world) for men to be ſo attentiue to their owne priuate affaires, that they neuer heede the glorious acts of God, which he eueryevery day ſheweth forth in the world for men to behold (as in a glaſſe) his glory in them.

Whereunto we are directed by our Prophet, and a doore (as it were) and window here ſet open: things p. 108pointed at, which we muſt open our eyes to ſee. For as the Apoſtle writeth to the Romanes, Rom. 1. the inviſible things of God are manifeſted in them. His power, truth, wiſedome, iuſtice, maieſtie and mercy.

Wonderfull things] When we ſee ſtrange and marueilous things, wonderfull in our eyes, incredible to fleſh and bloud; there is the finger of God, his power, and his might.

Councels long ago] When we finde the ſame long before, many ages paſt, prophecied and foretold, as purpoſed from eternitie, not ſodainly and by chance ruſhed into: what a prouidence and care is this ouer his Church and people? what a depth of wiſedome in ſo ordering and diſpoſing of them?

Are faith, trueth.] When his promiſes ſo long waited for and expected, come in due time to be performed, there is his faithfulnes and trueth. To teach vsus not to faint nor caſt off our faith and confidence; but though he linger yet to waite. For comming he will come and will not defer. Abacuc. 2. 3.

2. For thou hast brought a Citie &c.] When we ſee mightie Nations, ſtrong and fenſed Cities, that lend the arme of their ſtrength and power to the oppreſſing of Gods people, to hauehave their hornes broken and to be laid euen with the ground, that there remaineth not ſo much as a ſhard to fetch one cole of fire in, a ruine neuer to be repaired; behold a moment of his iuſtice.

3. The mightie people, the terrible nations.] What a God muſt we needs ſay is this of maieſtie and glory, that wringeth out of the mouth of the wicked and vngodly a confeſſion of his praiſes? and maketh the falſe-hearted tyrants, that hauehave beene ſo awfull and terrible to his people, to counterfeit a ſubiection, and will they, nill they, to doe his Church ſeruice. Eſay 60. 14.

4. Thou hast beene a fenſe to the poore, &c.] When the hearts of his poore diſtreſſed ſeruants, in the middeſt of their heauineſſe and ſorrowes, receiue aboundance of p. 109comfort, are kept as it were in the Lyons denne, and in the middeſt of the hot burning fornace, that God is as a wall of braſſe round about to gard and to defend them: lo the riches of his merciemercy and goodnes. And this maketh a high and mightie wall of difference betweene prophane worldlings and Gods children. For euen they are amazed many times at the wonderfull things that God bringeth to paſſe in the gouernment of the world. But none can indeed profit by the workes of God, but ſuch as hauehave their eyes opened to behold the things before remembred.

When the blast:] God is a helpe in affliction very ready to be found: when all humane forces faile, the diuine power is moſt at hand. He ſuffereth his owne that are moſt deere vntounto him to be iuſtled to the walls, yea to be as an old and tottering wall, readie to be ouer-turned with the blaſts and violence of the wicked, as the Church complaineth in the Pſalmes. Pſal. 66. 12. Thou hast made men to ride ouer our heads. But in the meane time he hath the bridle and holdeth the reynes in his owne hands to curbe and keepe them in, when they would go too farre, paſſe the metes and bounds that he hath ſet them.

Then commeth his helpe as we ſay in the nike, moſt ſweet and comfortable, as the ſhadow is to one that walketh and trauelleth in the heate of the day when the Sunne ſcorcheth moſt.

5. Thou hast brought downe] God is he that bringeth downe the rage and furie of the wicked, and for all the ſtir and adoe they keepe, ſtilleth and quieteth the waues of their haughtie and reſtles Spirits that they can doe his Church no hurt. Many a time hauehave they afflicted me euen from my youth, may Iſrael now ſay. Many a time hauehave they afflicted me euen from my youth, but could not praeuaile against me. Pſal. 129. 1, 2.

Which did anſwer:] We muſt looke whileſt we are in this world to be maliced of the wicked and vngodly. They louelove a life, and it is meat and drinke vntounto them to ſee Gods people buffeted and tormented: as the Edomites did. p. 110which the Prophet reprehendeth in them, Obadia verſ. 12. & the Church complaineth of in the Pſalmes, Pſal. 137. 7. So hath there alwaies bin in the world a perpetual & truceleſſe war between the ſeed of the woman, & the ſeed of the the ſerpent: Kain that was of the wicked one, and Abel the righteous, the ſonnes of God and the children of men, figured in Rebecca, a type of the Church, in whoſe wombe two nations were diuided, and the children ruſhed and daſhed one againſt another. That as within we hauehave a battell, the ſpirit ſtriuing and fighting againſt the fleſh; ſo without wee hauehave the world that rageth and maligneth vsus.

The reaſon is, becauſe our loſſes they take to be their owne gaine, and thinke themſelues can neuer proſper, ſhout out, nor flouriſh ſo long as the godly hold vp their head, Ezech. 26. 2, Becauſe Tyrus ſaith of Ieruſalem, ha, ha, the City of populous gates is broken, it is turned ouer to mee, I ſhall bee filled, now ſhe is wasted. Againe, Ezech 36. 2. Becauſe the enemy ſaith of you (of the children of Iſraell) ha, ha, and the euerlaſting high places ſhall become an inheritance vntounto me.

6. And Iehoua of hoaſts will make vntounto all people in this mountaine, a feaſt of fat things, a feaſt of wine in the lees: of fat things, full of marrow, of wine in the lees, fined.

7. And he will ſwallow vp in this mountaine aaThe face of the vaile: for the vail of the face, alluding to the vail that Moſes put vponupon his face. A figure that is called hypallage.the vaile of the face, the vayle, that is, vponupon all theſe people: and the couering that is ſpread vponupon all theſe nations.

8. Hee will ſwallow vp death it ſelfe vntounto victory, and the Lord Iehoua will wipe away all teares from all faces: and the rebuke of his people will hee take away out of all the land, for Iehoua hath ſpoken it.

EXPOSITION.

THE ſecond part of the meditation is the larges of Gods goodneſſe to his people the Iewes profeſſing p. 111Chriſt: to whom hee will make a great and moſt ſumptuous banquet, a banquet magnified and royally ſet forth by the maſter of the feaſt, the gueſts that ſhall be inuited, his Court where he keepeth his boord, the cheere and the ſeuerall diſhes to be ſerued to the table.

The Maſter of the feaſt is Iehouah of Hoasts. Such an Ordinary can none keepe but hee. Nor is there power in any 6to giuegive vertue and foiſon to thoſe diſhes to feed and cheere vp our leane and hungry ſoules but in God alone.

The gueſts are all thoſe people of the Iewes, to wit, Iudah 8 Poſit. X, Tribes.and the Tribes of Iſraell that cleaue to him, Ioſeph where Ephraim had the pre-eminence and the Tribes of Iſraell that cleaue to him, Ezech. 37. 16. &c. The calling therefore of the Iewes ſhall be generall and vniuerſall, of the X. Tribes as well as of the other, Hoſhea 1. 11. Ier. 3. 12. 18. Rom. 11. 26.

This ſtanding table ſhall be kept in Mount Tſion: the 23. Poſit. Dwell in their countrey.Mount he ſpake of before, chap. 24. 22. really and ſpirituallie the true Church of Chriſt gathered of the Iewes, returned into their owne country. None that come not thither ſhall taſte of thoſe delights.

But what are the dainties and Iunketting diſhes that ſhall be ſerued in? Generally, fat things and wine, not of the 36 Poſit. Spiritual graces.ordinary and common ſort, but fat things marrowed, as the Hebrew word is, not onelyonly full of marrow, but picked, as it were, and culled out of the heart of marrow: Wine, firſt in the lees, that keepeth the ſmell, the taſte and vigor, as Ier. 48. 11. Next of the fineſt and the beſt: by all which I vnderſtand firſt and principally Chriſt himſelfe, the true food of our ſoules, whoſe fleſh is meat indeed, & his bloud drinke indeed: the bread that came downe from heauen, and giueth life vntounto the world. In the ſecond place are meant the rich graces of the ſpirit that God doth bountifully beſtow vponupon the Saints by the preaching of the Goſpell: ſweeter to the ſoule then marrow and wine is to the taſte: as Eſay 55. 1. 2. and which then after a more ſpeciall manner he ſhall endow his owne people with.

p. 112The ſeuerall ſeruices, take them one by one, and ſee how they doe excell.7.

1. Is the taking away of the hardneſſe of their hearts, of 5. Poſit. Call.the couer and mantell that now is ſpread ouer all theſe people and nations of the Iewes, the blindneſſe and ignorance that poſſeſſeth them which ſhall then be done away, when their heart ſhall turne vntounto the Lord. So doth Paul explicate this place, 2. Cor. 3. 13. 14. 15. which maketh mee rather to apply the generall word, all people, to the Iewes only; as it is taken, Zach. 10. 11. then to the fulneſſe of the Gentiles, who vponupon their Call ſhall ſubmit themſelues to Chriſt.

2. The happineſſe of this new people ſhall be as if they were riſen againe, life from the dead, Rom. 11. 15. So cleere 8.and euident demonſtration ſhall there be in them of the 39 Poſit. Proſperity.laſt reſurrection, nay of the ſecond death ſwallowed vp in victory, and conquered for euer, no more to domineere ouer thoſe that Chriſt admitteth to his table.

3. All inward heauineſſe and outward calamities ſhall from thenceforth ceaſe. Turke nor other Tyrant ſhall not hauehave power to oppreſſe them, or the holy truth of God which they profeſſe. They ſhall hauehave ioy and peace in the holy Ghoſt. So the reuelation, chap. 21. 4. applying it to theſe times, doth teach vsus to expound it.

All which things ſo wonderfull and incredible, are ſhut vp with this, to procure faith and credit, that the Lord hath ſpoken it.

Obſeruations.

6. And &c.] The great and excellent things that Chriſt beſtoweth vponupon his, are moſt ſweet and comfortable, compared to a feaſt; a feaſt of moſt dainty and delicate things: for there are not onelyonly the Word and Sacraments, whereby hee feedeth his outwardly, but aboundance of inward graces of the Spirit, more delightfull to the ſoule then any meate or drinke can bee vntounto the body. This is figured p. 113in the Law by the Table ſtanding in the Tabernacle.

Chriſt maketh one and the ſame banquet vntounto all, Mat. 22.)

Howbeit, as men entertaine more honourable gueſts with greater magnificence then others, ſo this ſumptuous banquet heere prepared is ſpecially for the Iewes. The ſame diſhes and ſeruices hauehave all his children: but heere more exquiſite plenty and variety, a greater riches of Spirituall and heauenly treaſures.

Iehoua will make.] God is the author of our heauenly vocation, hee maketh the feaſt, inuiteth the gueſts, &c. Worthily he is called the Lord of Hoaſts that doth it, for it is a Diuine worke and vertue to draw men to this banquet. Though the meat ſet before them be moſt ſweete and delicate, daintier then the ſweeteſt ſpices fetch from India or Arabia; yet men had rather like ſwine to deuoure ſwilles and huskes, then to feed at the Lords table.

To all people.] There is none that Chriſt refuſeth, hee biddeth all to come vntounto him, Math. 11. 28. Come vntounto me all ye that are weary and heauy laden, and I will refreſh you. No ſexe, no age, no condition or ſort of men doth hee reiect: wherefore mens vnworthineſſe ought not to keepe them backe. Here the hungry is ſatisfied, the poore and empty ſoule refreſhed.

In this mountaine.] But this banquet is to bee had in the Church of God onelyonly, like to the table that ſtood in the Sanctuary. Thither we muſt repaire if we deſire to taſte of ſuch pleaſures. This is the priuiledge of Gods people. The great ones of the world ſhall be hunger-ſtarued, when they are full fed.

7. And he will ſwallow vp the vaile of the face.] The elegies and noble commendations of the doctrine of the Goſpell.

1. As the riſing of the Sunne it ſcattereth the miſts of error and darkneſſe, whereby wee are alſo taught that there is nothing in vsus but ignorance and blindneſſe till the doctrine of the Goſpell giuegive vsus light.

8. He will ſwallow vp death.] 2 We are freed from the p. 114terror and feare of death, the ſecond death which ſo fretteth and gnaweth the naturall man, all that are not in Chriſt, Heb. 2. 15.

Yea and we hauehave life beſtowed vponupon vsus: life that comprehendeth all pleaſures.

Not only ſo, but euen life eternall; for death is ſwallowed vp in victory: and hauing Chriſt who is life it ſelfe, how is it poſſible we ſhould euer die?

Iehoua will wipe away all teares.] 3 It miniſtreth ioy in the holy Ghoſt, heauenly and ſpiritually, Acts 8.

When Philip came to Samaria and preached vntounto them Chriſt, there was much ioy in that City. Hee that findeth this treaſure, for ioy thereof will ſell all hee hath to buy it, Math. 13. Exceeding great cauſe there is of this ioy: for being once ſet free from death and condemnation, aſſured of the louelove of God in Chriſt, of peace and reconciliation through him, and of forgiueneſſe of ſinnes in his bloud, needs muſt it make euen the lame to skip like a hinde, and the tongue of the dumbe to ſing, Eſay 35. 6.

9. And he ſhall ſay in that day, loe, this is our God, we hauehave waited for him; and he hath ſaued vsus. This is Iehoua, whom we hauehave waited for, we will reioyce and be glad for his ſaluation.

10. For the hand of Iehoua ſhall reſt in this mountaine, and Moab ſhall be threſhed vnderunder him, as ſtraw is threſhed vntounto dung.

11. For he ſhall ſpread forth his hands in the middeſt of him, as he that ſwimmeth, ſpreadeth themforth to ſwimme: and bee ſhall bring downe his pride with the barres of his hands.

12. And the fenſe, the height of thy walls ſhall hee bring downe, lay low, caſt vntounto the ground, euen vntounto the duſt.

EXPOSITION.

THe third part of the meditation, is the exaltation and reioyſing of Gods people, lifting vp their head: and 5 Poſit. Call.firſt 9.by patheticall acclamations applauding the approach p. 115of Chriſt their God and Lord, whom they had ſo long beene without: as the Cherubins did, Ezech. 10. 5.

After reioycing at the fall of the enemies of Gods Church, beaten all to peeces by the hand and power of 1018 Poſit. Conqueſt.God, as ſtraw is beaten to dung.

Which hand and power of God ſubduing all things vntounto 11.himſelfe, is declared by a moſt ſweet ſimilitude taken from thoſe that ſwimme. God, ſaith hee, will ſtretch out his hands amidſt his foes (vnderſtood by the Moabites) as they are by the Edomites in this very argument, Eſay 63. 1.) as a man ſtretcheth them out in the water to ſwim: and with the barres of his hands, that is, with his large and mighty hands will keepe downe the pride of his rebellious foes, euen as the raging waters are ſtilled and kept downe with barres, and other things ſet againſt them.

And then with variety of words heaped together with 12.one breath, is the certainty, the ſpeedineſſe and greatneſſe of the ouerthrow declared.

Obſeruations.

9. He ſhall ſay, lo this.] How ſweet a thing it is to finde Chriſt when he hath beene long miſſing?

We hauehave waited.] The patient expectation of the Saints ſhall not be deceiued for euer.

God indeed many times doth exerciſe them long. They looke againe and againe, that their eyes goe out, their heart faints, and their ſtrength is all ſpent in looking after him, but at the length he is found of them.

And then are wee filled with endleſſe comfort, for hee ſaueth out of all troubles, from hell, death, and the power of darkeneſſe.

10. The hand of Iehouah ſhall reſt in this mountaine.] The Church of God is as it were his armory where his hand and power, all the weapons of his warrefare are layd vp in ſtore. Thence hee plucketh it out for the defence of his people, and the offence of his foes. And if when he doth but hide p. 116his ſtrength, he be moſt terrible and frightfull, Abac. 3. 4. what ſhall wee thinke he is, when with his bare hand and naked arme he fetcheth a full ſtroke?

And Moab.] The moſt peſtilent enemies of his Church cannot eſcape the blowes that he will giuegive.

11. For hee ſhall ſpread.] All their force and power cannot free them: when like the mighty waues and ſurges of the ſea they riſe, lift vp their voyce, and make a noyſe; he ſetteth more gloriouſly aloft, Pſal. 93. 3. 4. the barres of his hands can eaſily keepe them vnderunder.

12. And the fenſe.] Though their walls bee fenced vp to heauen, hee hath meanes enough to pull them downe, and to lay them euen with the earth. Ceaſe wee therefore from man whoſe breath is in his noſtrill, for wherein is hee to be eſteemed? Eſay 2. 22.

CHAP. 26.

1. In that ſame day ſhall this ſong be ſung in the land of Iudah: we hauehave a ſtrong Citie, ſaluation doth God ſet for wals and bulwarks.

2. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation may enter in, which keepeth aaFaiths.all faith.

3. To a frame ſtayed, thou wilt preſerue peace, peace becauſe he truſteth in thee.

EXPOSITION.

IN this 26^th chapter is the Hymne or Song of thankſgiuing, which the whole Church of the Iewes ſhall ſing to the honour and praiſe of God for ſo wonderfull a mercy receiued at his hands. It hath firſt foure circumſtances going before, and then as many parts.

Circumſtances,

1. Of the time, in that day.

2. The forme, by a ſong.1.

3. It ſhall be a publike ſong, as men and women and all p. 117the people did when God brought them out of Aegypt, Exod. 15.

4. This ſong ſhall be ſung not in the wilderneſſe as the 23. Poſit. Dwell in their countrey.other was, but in the land of Iudah in their owne natiue country, and of the Iewes wonderfully brought home thither.

The parts of the ſong (as I ſaid) are foure.

Firſt, the Churches triumph; glorying of Gods goodnes towards her both in the whole bodie and in the particular members.

In the whole bodie for the ſtrength and ſtabilitie of the 42 Poſit. Stabilitie.Iewiſh Synagogue now conuerted vntounto Chriſt, God hath ſet his ſauing health as a rampier and a bulwarke round about her walles, that not her moſt deadly and cruell enemie, ſhall any more preuaile againſt her. So they verifie that which you read Pſal. 46. 2. & 48. 4.

In her members ſhe noteth foure things.

Firſt, the number and the multitude, that all the gates 2.are litle enough to let them in. For which ſee Eſay 49. 12, 38 Poſit. Multitude of beleeuers.18, 19, 20, 21. & 54. 2, 3.

Secondly, the meanes, which is to ſet wide open the ports and gates. Literally and really, of Ieruſalem or the land of Iudah, that they may come thicke and threefold thither from all places without check or controlment, as Eſay doth exhort, Eſay 62. 10. Paſſe on by the gates, praepare the way of the people. Lift vp, lift vp a cawſey, take away the ſtones, lift vp the banner for the people. Spiritually to open the gates of the Church by the miniſterie and preaching of the Goſpell, that the ſubiects of the King of glory may come in; multitudes of their brethren the Iewes to flock eueryevery day to the Lords Aſſemblies. All this by an Apoſtrophe or turning of the ſpeech to thoſe doore-keepers the Lords Remembrancers.

Thirdly, are muſtered their heauenly and ſpirituall 36 Poſit. Spiritual graces.graces: fiue in number.

1. Righteouſnes, both imputed and renewed.

2. Faith, which is the hand or inſtrument whereby p. 118they apprehend this righteouſneſſe of God in Chriſt, and make themſelues true owners and poſſeſſors of it. Wherein the better to expreſſe the meaſure of their faith, he calleth it faiths in the plurall, as Peter hath godlineſſes. 2 Pet. 3. 11. The ſame perhaps which Paul in another caſe expreſſeth by the name of all faith. 1 Cor. 13. 2.

3. Conſtancie and perſeuerance in this grace: wreſtling for the faith, as Iude ſpeaketh, verſ. 3. And holding of it faſt, which was the Apoſtles reioycing. 2 Tim. 4. 7. I hauehave kept the faith.

4. The ground of all this, a new birth. To a frame, ſaith he, (a heauenly frame, one framed and faſhioned 3.from aboue, that of a wilde Aſſe colt is made a man, by ſpirituall regeneration, as Tſophar ſpeaketh in the booke of Iob. Iob 11. 12.) Thou doeſt reſerue. &c.

5. Truſt and confidence, with all ones heart, ſoule and thoughts reſting and relying vponupon the power of God in Chriſt; vponupon his ſtrengthning and corroborating Spirit, into whoſe hands God hath committed all things, that it is impoſſible any ſhould periſh that betake themſelues to him. For all our endeauours are able to do nothing. It is God alone by whom we are garded, walled in and fenſed vntounto ſaluation. 1 Pet. 1. 5.

The fourth remarkable thing in this part, is the happineſſe 39 Poſit. Proſperitie.and felicitie which God beſtoweth vponupon his people thus furniſhed and fitted of heauenly graces; peace, peace, all manner of good things, ſo farre as is for their good. Which firſt ſhall be moſt plentifull and aboundant, then conſtant and perpetuall: not reſerued onelyonly and laid vp in ſtore, but kept and preſerued firme for euermore, by him that is the ſureſt and moſt faithfull keeper. But this peace eſpecially comprehendeth peace of conſcience, that paſſeth vnderſtanding, and is a continuall feaſt to thoſe that hauehave it. So doth the Prophet expreſſe in this place, that which the Apoſtle writeth to the Romanes, Rom. 14. 17. The kingdome of God is righteouſnes, and peace, and ioy in the Holy Ghost.

p. 119Obſeruations.

1. In that day:] The time of Gods mercies ought to be the time of our thankſgiuings. We are not to take day for it.

Song] Herevnto we muſt ſtirre vp our ſelues by all good meanes to quicken our dulnes, and to ſet an edge vponupon our praiſes & thankſgiuings, vſing Pſalmes, Hymnes, and ſpirituall Songs. For the voyce and melodious tune is fit to ſtir vp the affections of the heart, and to beget much ſpirituall and inward joy.

So ſhall we vſe holily and aright the things that God hath giuen for the comfort and ſolace of our life.

In the land] Publicke benefits are publikely and of all to be acknowledged: Herewith is God well pleaſed, when a whole Nation lifteth vp their voyce topraiſe God for mercy in common appertaining to them all.

Of Iehuda:] The Church onelyonly is capable of this dutie. Prophane men and worldlings like ſwine receiue many bleſſings, but neuer looke vp to the hand that gaue them. Of the 10 Lepers that were healed, onelyonly one returned to giuegive glory vntounto God. Luk. 17.

2. A ſtrong] The Church of God is of invincible ſtrength and power. Hell gates cannot preuaile againſt it.

To vsus] This is for the comfort of all the faithfull. For the promiſes made to it, extend to all the members, citizens of the ſame. And thus muſt we learne, to apply to our owne good, whatſoeuer we finde written of the Church or of thoſe that dwell therein.

God hath ſet] But this ſtrength neither Church nor any member hauehave of themſelues or by their owne in herent vertue. All commeth from Gods grace and power onelyonly. We are weake and ſillie wormes to encounter with ſo great and mightie foes as fight againſt vsus on eueryevery ſide: It is he that doth ſet his fenſe about vsus, and guards our walls and bulwarks. Pſal. 60. 14. Through God we ſhall p. 120doe valiantly, and he treads downe our foes.

Saluations:] We neede not feare in anything. For it it is not ſlight and ſmall ſuccours we hauehave from him. Saluations, all manner of health and ſafetie he doth miniſter: If one helpe will not do it, he is ready with an other. Sathan can not hauehave ſo many meanes to foylevs, as He hath meanes to keepe and hold vsus vp.

2. Open] The preaching of the Goſpell is the gate to let in Gods people into the Church, and to make them Citizens of the beauenly Tſion. Rom. 10. Faith commeth by hearing.

This gate muſt be vnlocked and kept wide open by the Miniſters, to whom God hath committed the keyes of the houſe of Dauid to open and to ſhut.

For they are ſet as vponupon a watch-towre to keep out enemies, that the true Citizens may come in.

Wherefore a continuall diligence and attendance is to be looked for of ſuch, that night and day they ſtand vponupon their watch. As that faithfull watch-man profeſſeth of himſelfe he did. Eſay 21. 8.

How much are they to blame that neglect ſo holy a dutie impoſed of God vponupon them?

May enter in] But as they are thus carefully to attend, ſo it is the peoples part to lye at this doore: as the multitude did at the poole of Betheſda. Ioh. 5. ready to goe in with the firſt entrance that they finde. Dauid, Pſal. 110. 3. writing of theſe very times, when Gods people ſhall be wonne to Chriſt, ſheweth what ardencie and zeale ſhall be in them, to enter in at theſe gates. Thy people ſhall flocke moſt willingly in the day of thy troopes, in the comely places of holineſſe, euen from the wombe, from the morning, to thee ſhall flocke the dew of thy youth.

Righteous] The badge and liuerie of Gods people is righteouſneſſe and holineſſe, whereby as by a coguiſance, men may know the Maiſter whom they ſerue: for this praiſe belongeth to them alone. And here is a true definition of the Church of God, and of their liuely members. p. 121Whatſoeuer faire vertues are to be ſeene among the worldlings, it is but a gloſſe that quickly fadeth, an outſide onelyonly that neuer taketh roote.

Faith] For lacking faith, that onelyonly purifieth the heart, Act. 15. 9. it is impoſſible that they ſhould hauehave any ſound or ſolide vertue.

The righteouſnes of faith is the onelyonly true righteouſneſſe. In vaine doe men ſeeke for righteouſnes, where it can not be had, as Phariſees and Iuſtitiaries doe in their owne perfections. For which cauſe the Apoſtle rejecteth the Iewes in his time from being the Church of God. Rom. 10. 3. Seeking to ſet vp their owne righteouſnes, they hauehave not beene ſubiect to the righteouſneſſe of God. But when God will giuegive them an other heart, they ſhall then grow wiſer to acknowledge that Chriſt is the end of the law for righteouſnes to eueryevery one that beleeueth: and that the righteous by faith not by his owne workes ſhall liue. Abacuc. 2. 4.

Keeping] This faith we muſt continually ſtriue and wreſtle for: as Sathan neuer ceaſeth to ſhake and to oppugne it. The children of God are faire markes for him to levell at and to caſt all his darts againſt. So much the more therefore it behoueth vsus to labour and to vſe all good and holy meanes that we ſuffer not ſo precious a poſſeſſion to be taken from vsus.

Faiths.] Not one jot or tittle of the faith is to be loſt. Not a hoofe, as Moſes ſaid, Exod. 10. 26. to be parted with. Grow we muſt from faith to faith, but not fall or decline in any point.

3. A frame] Regeneration or a new birth is the noble fruit of faith. Ioh. 1. 12. To them that beleeued, he gaue this dignitie to be the ſonnes of God; who are borne not of the fleſh &c. And as it is the fruit of faith: So it is the roote and mother grace of all other vertues: which doe all flow from hence as riuers from a fountaine or waters from the Sea. This regeneration is a new frame or mould that God caſteth his into, forming and faſhioning them againe, as the Potter doth the clay; when of a baſe and p. 122vnſeruiceable veſſell, putting it into the fire, he frameth it into an other faſhion, and maketh it to ſerue for high and honourable vſes.

Stayd] Which being the worke of God, a heauenly and ſupernaturall worke, is ſtabliſht from aboue, that it can neuer periſh and come to nothing: for the ſeede of God abiding in them, ſtayeth and holdeth them vp, that they can neuer fall away. It is impoſſible he ſhould euer ſinne in ſuch ſort, as to deface the image that God hath put vponupon him. 1 Ioh. 5. 18. He that is borne of God, keepeth himſelfe that the wicked one can not touch him.

Becauſe he truſteth in thee] For reſting and ſtaying himſelfe vponupon the ſtrength of him who is the euerlaſting rocke, he ſtandeth more firme then mount Tſion, which can not be remoued, but remaineth faſt for euer.

Hauing this for his comfort, that to him belong the promiſes of all and all manner of bleſſings, ſpirituall and temporall, neuer to be taken from him ſo long as he taketh not off his hold to truſt and depend on God.

4. Trust yee in Iehovah, for euermore: for in Iehovah is a rocke of eternitie.

5. For he hath brought downe the inhabitants of a high place the loftie Citie: he hath abaſed it, he hath abaſed euen vntounto the ground, he hath brought it euen vntounto the dust.

6. The foote hath trampled it downe: the feet of the poore, the ſteps of the needie.

7. The path of the iuſt one, with all aarightneſſes.rightnes: with an equall ballance, the tracke of the iust one doſt thou peize.

EXPOSITION.

THe ſecond part of the Hymne is an exhortation, flowing from the former doctrine, for all Gods people to 4.put their truſt in him. In regard both of his power and his Iuſtice. His power manifeſted in the Church. In that he p. 123is a rocke for their defenſe. And an euerlaſting rocke that neuer faileth at any aſſay. Eſay 4. 10.

Towards the wicked he declareth that his power by tumbling downe the loftie and laying them in the duſt. 5.Which is notably amplified by the poore and ſillie means 6.that God doth vſe for the effecting of ſo glorious a worke.18 Poſit. Conqueſt.

1. The baſe and abiect nation of the Iewes, to abate the pride of the high and loftie.

2. What are the weapons that theſe people fight withall? Not the hands wherein one ſtrength lyeth, but their feete. And how? feete againſt a Citie, a loftie and an high exalted Citie. No otherwiſe then men deale with baſe and pezantlie fellowes, as Sampſon that ſpurned the Philiſtims with his foote againſt their ſides, and made a great ſlaughter of them. Iudg. 15. 8.

The iuſtice of God is euident to be ſeene, in that he tempereth all things, both proſperitie and aduerſitie, to his 7.children, in a moſt iuſt and equall ſort: more euenly then with any weight or ballance.

Obſeruation.

5. For he hath brought downe &c.] God caſteth downe the proud, and exalteth the humble. His right hand maketh great changes. Pſal. 77. 11. There is no ſtrength, no counſell can ſtand againſt him. Prov. 21. 30, 31. That as the Pſalmiſt ſaith, The rebellious, let them not exalt themſelues. Pſal. 66. 7. See the Virgins ſong, Luk. 1. and the ſong of Anna, 1 Sam. 2. both notable to this purpoſe.

6. The feete &c.] It is his pleaſure and his wiſedome to vſe to this end, vile, baſe, and abiect meanes, for bringing of mightie and wonderfull things to paſſe. Deſolation it ſelfe to be able to ſcale a fort. Amos 5. 10. men thrust through to riſe vp and ſet whole Cities a fire. Ier. 37. 10. the feete and toes, as it is in this place, and that of poore and needie ones, to ſpurne downe fenſed places.

p. 124The vſe and benefit we are to make hereof is double: firſt, that as he ſaid to Gedeon, Iudg. 7. 2. men take not honour to themſelues, to ſay, my right hand hath done it; nor with the King of Babell to ſacrifice to our nets. Abac. 1. 16. but to aſcribe the whole power to him, to whom it is onelyonly due.

2. It teacheth vsus, when we are at our wits end, brought to the greateſt ſtraits, that we know not which way to turne vsus: yet to flie to him, and to repoſe our whole truſt and confidence in his ſtrength and vertue. For when the helpe of man doth moſt faile, then is his helpe moſt at hand. Mans extremities are Gods opportunitie.

7. The path &c. with all rightnes] Herein lyeth a great part of our ſpirituall wiſedome, to behold Gods iuſt and righteous dealing, in thoſe very things wherein the world is moſt to ſeeke. For when all things go well with thoſe that feare God, when wicked perſons, the tyrants of the world, are beaten downe and recompenſed according to their workes: then it is an eaſie thing euen for prophane men to ſay, Surely there is a God that iudgeth the earth. Pſal. 58. 12.

But when the righteous are driuen to the wall, and the wicked proſper and flouriſh, ſpread their boughes, and are greene like the Bay tree: then men, yea Gods owne children begin to call in queſtion, either the wiſdome of God, to ſay, How doth God know? is there knowledge in the moſt high? Pſ. 72. 11. or his Iuſtice, as if in vaine we had purified our hearts or waſhed our hands in innocencie. Pſal. 72. 13. Wherefore it is an excellent thing to ſtop our mouthes, and ſtoope vntounto his dealings: which, though we ſee not the reaſon, are alwayes iuſt and holy, yea iuſter and more euen then the Goldſmiths ballance, euen then when he ſeemeth moſt to forget his promiſes, and to leaue his deere and faithfull children to the rage of their oppreſſors.

p. 1258. Yea in the path of thy iudgements, ô Iehovah, did wee waite for thee: to thy name and to the memoriall of thee, was the deſire of our ſoule.

9. With my ſoule hauehave I deſired thee in the night, yea with my ſpirit within me hauehave I ſought thee early: for when as thy iudgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world doe learne righteouſnes.

10. Let fauour be ſhewed to the wicked, he will not learne righteouſnes, in the land of all equitie he will doe wickedly; and will not ſee the excellencie of Iehovah.

11. O Iehovah, when thy hand is lifted vp, they will not behold: they ſhall behold and bluſh for the zeale aaof the peopletoward the people, yea the fire ſhall conſume thoſe very enemies of thine.

EXPOSITION.

THE third part of the Hymne is the Churches confeſſion or profeſſion rather, made to God, what hath beene the cariage of the godly ones, the poore remnant that waite for the promiſe of their reſtoring, all the while 3 Poſit. Remnant.Gods hand lay ſo heauy on them: which is the ſtate and condition of the Iewes at this preſent in the midſt of their great calamitie and affliction.

Firſt, is their patient depending vponupon God and truſt in him.8.

The props of which their truſt in God, are his name, that is to ſay, the meditation of his truth, iuſtice, power; and the memorie of him, in the meditation of his word and workes and other holy exerciſes. Pſal. 111. 4.

This meditation is ſet forth doubly, by the earneſtneſſe and the continuance of it. The earneſtneſſe in two words, 9.ſoule and ſpirit: the continuance in two other, night and morning, comprehending the whole day long. See Pſalm. 63. 2.

The ſecond thing they profeſſe, is their profiting by afflictions in righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe. For affliction indeed is a bitter root, but it bringeth forth moſt ſweet p. 126fruit, the fruit of righteouſneſſe, to them that are exerciſed thereby, Heb. 12. 11.

By the inhabitants of the world, I take Gods children, ſpecially to be meant, becauſe of the oppoſition following, to wit.

The contrary carriage of the wicked & vngodly, whom no rods can tame, no chaſtiſement or correction, though 10neuer ſo iuſt and equall, yea mercifull and gracious, bring to their right ſences, to ſee and acknowlede the excellent and mighty worke of God: for the wicked are neuer a whit the better for all Gods dealings. His milde and gentle courſes doe not mollifie, but conuince them.

But yet, mauger their head, they ſhall be driuen both to ſee and to acknowledge to their ſhame, the great and mightie 11.hand of God, his zeale for his people, and the fire of his wrath to conſume his foes.

Obſeruations.

8. In the path.] Chaſtiſements and afflictions are the path which Gods children are to walke in. You know (ſaith the Apoſtle, 1. Theſ. 3.) that we were ordained hereunto. And againe, through the midſt of affliction wee muſt make our way vntounto Gods Kingdome, Act. 14. The paſſage of Gods children is through ſtraight and difficult places: and the lines that leade to the center of our reſt are directly drawn from the circumference of troubles and diſtreſſes. Chriſt the circle of our happineſſe did paue that way to heauen, and was faine himſelfe with his owne feet to tread it, before hee could enter into his glory.

Thy iudgements.] When God doth chaſtiſe vsus, we are to conſider that he ſitteth in his throne of iudgement. Hee that is the righteous Iudge, Pſalm. 10. the Iudge of all the world, that cannot but doe iuſtice, Gen. 18. 25. which muſt make vsus to ſubſcribe to his ſentence, and to profit by afflictions, humbling our ſoules before him.

Waite.] To keepe vsus that wee faint not vnderunder this burden, p. 127there is none ſo ſure an anchor to flye vntounto as the hope and expectation of Gods mercies: which was the comfort Iaakob took when he beheld with the eyes of faith the promiſes of God in the middeſt of thoſe great calamities that were to befall his poſterity, O Iehoua, I hauehave waited for thy ſaluation, Gen. 49. 18. And Dauid in the Pſalmes, Pſal. 40. 2. Waiting, I hauehave waited for Iehoua.

To thy name.] Which that we may the better doe, hee hath not left vsus deſtitute of excellent meanes and helpes, as wine and apples to refreſh our ſences. Firſt wee hauehave his name: his name is himſelfe, and all the vertues that are in him, Eſay 30. 27. Behold, the name of Iehouah commeth from a farre, as if hee ſhould ſay, God whoſe Maieſty is moſt famous, will then come when in iudgement of man hee ſeemeth to be fartheſt off, to deliuer his, and to deſtroy his enemies. Who ſhall be puniſhed, ſaith Paul, 2. Theſ. 1 from the preſence of God; that is, of God himſelfe preſent to their terrour: What can bring more content then to hauehave him on our ſide?

And to thy memory.] But becauſe not onelyonly to fleſh and bloud, but in the opinion alſo of the faithfull (carried with humane weakeneſſe and infirmitie) hee ſeemeth many times to abſent himſelfe, & to hide his face from vsus: therefore in the ſecond place the very memory of his name doth bring moſt ſweet content, when we call to minde the promiſes of his Word, his former mercies, the experience we hauehave had of his goodneſſe.

The deſire of our ſoule.] The meditation of theſe things muſt bee ſweet vntounto our ſoule. No woman with childe to long more after any thing ſhee luſteth for, then wee to long after the comforts which the conſideration of the power, wiſedome, goodneſſe, Iuſtice, and mercy of God, and the ſweet exerciſes of his word doe bring vsus: As the Hart brayeth after the riuers of waters, ſo doth my ſoule for thee O God, ſaith the Prophet in the Pſalmes, Pſal. 84.

9. With my ſoule, &c. with my ſpirit.] Our whole ſoule, and all our affections, our memory, iudgement, conſcience p. 128and vnderſtanding muſt be carried with all eagerneſſe, and be as forward in good things, as the wicked are in euill; who from their heart, and with all their ſoule reioyce to commit euill, Ezech. 25. 6.

In the night, &c. I early ſeeke thee.] Yea wee muſt lye at theſe things night and day, neuer to let the remembrance of them goe out of our minde. It is a goodthing (ſaith the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 92. 3.) to publiſh thy kindneſſe in the morning, and thy truth in the nights.

For when, &c.] Great is the need we hauehave of theſe ferulaes and corrections. The fleſh is ſo ſtrong euen in the beſt, the worke of Gods grace ſo weake, that his faithfull children hauehave need of many beatings and buffetings to tame and to ſubdue it.

Learne righteouſneſſe.] And this is the right vſe wee are to make of Gods chaſtiſements and corrections, to learne thereby righteouſneſſe. Chriſt himſelfe by the things he ſuffred, learnt obedience, Heb. 5. 8. What need then hauehave we to be trained vp in this ſchoole, and to take out that leſſon which coſt the Sonne of God ſo deere?

10. Let fauour, &c.] Doe wee maruell if all this doe the wicked no good at all? Why, it is true, in Gods Children the fleſh indeed luſteth againſt the Spirit and is not eaſilie brought into ſubiection: wherefore they alſo hauehave much need to be kept vnderunder.

But in the wicked it is farre other. They had need not to be chaſtiſed and corrected, but to be beaten and ground to pieces; for nothing will reclaime and bring them home. All Gods gracious and mercifull dealing ſinketh no whit into them, euen when things go as they would hauehave them, with an euen and a faire current, that they can take no exception to, when they enioy moſt their hearts eaſe, they ceaſe not to offend and prouoke God vntounto his face.

And conſider not.] For they looke not to the hand from whom they hauehave all thoſe good things, eſteeming it eyther chance and fortune, or that their owne arme hath procured them that happineſſe. They thinke of any thing rather p. 129than of the true cauſe indeed, Gods bountie and goodneſſe, his high and mighty outſtretched arme, their deliuerances to come from him, hee to be the author and fountaine of all bleſſings.

11. O Iehoua] A wonderfull thing, and much to be admired (which cauſeth the Prophet to turne his ſpeech, and to make his moane to God) that men ſhould be ſo like buzzards, blinde as Moales, not to ſee the hand of God ſo high and glorious, ſo lifred vp and exalted.

They ſhall ſee.] But will they, nill they, they ſhall hauehave their eyes opened to ſee and be aſhamed. Gods iuſtice ſhall be ſo euident, his vprightneſſe and equall proceeding ſo manifeſt in the world, as ſhall ſtop the mouth of all his foes: yea, to their vexation two things ſhall before their eyes torment them, Gods zeale and louelove vntounto his Church, his hatred of the wicked, and his wrath that ſhall burne them vp.

God, though he beare and for beare long, yet is tender hearted to his people, and iealous of their good.

Zeale, &c, Fire.] Contrariwiſe, he hath wrath in ſtore for the wicked and vngodly: their end ſhall be lamentable, howſoeuer for a while they looke aloft, and hold vp their heads. Both theſe are notably expreſſed, Zacharie 1. 14. 15.

Thine enemies.] Here is an excellent comfort to Gods children, that their enemies God eſteemeth his: as he ſaith to Abraham, I will curſe them that curſe thee. What need we then to feare them when they doe nothing to vsus, but God taketh it as done to him: and who euer hardened himſelfe againſt God, and made his party good? Iob 9. 4.

12. O Iehoua, thou wilt ordaine peace for vsus: Alſo our affaires thou haſt wrought for vsus.

13. O Iehoua our God, Lords beſides thee hauehave maſtred vsus: onelyonly through thee doe we make mencion of thy name.

14. They dead ſhall not liue, deceaſed, ſhall not riſe: therefore p. 130thou haſt viſited and cut them off, and deſtroyed all the memorie of them.

15. Thou hast added to this Nation, O Iehoua, thou hast added to this Nation life glorifying thy ſelfe: whom thou didst remoue farre off vntounto all the ends of the earth.

16. O Iehoua, in trouble they viſited thee: they powred out ſubmiſſe prayer, when thy chaſtiſement was vponupon them.

17. Like as a woman with childe that draweth neere to trauell, is in paine, cryeth out in her pangs: ſo hauehave we beene at thy ſight, O Iehoua.

18. We were with childe, we were in paine, we did as it were bring forth winde: aaHelps could we not hauehave done.no helpe could wee hauehave done in the land, neyther ſhould the inhabitants of the world hauehave fallen.

19. Thy dead men ſhall liue, my carcaſe they ſhall eueryevery one of them ariſe: awake thou ſaveſt and ſing, ye that dwell in duſt for thy dew is as the dew of herbes, after thou haſt made men fall dead vponupon the ground.

EXPOSITION.

THe fourth part of the Hymne is a magnifying of God 12for their deliuery, aſcribing the whole glory vntounto him alone, the onelyonly Author both of their peace, and of the meanes whatſoeuer was needfull for the procuring of it.

Which is amplified, firſt by the Lordlineſſe of the Tyrants 13.keeping them ſo vnderunder, that it muſt needs be the onelyonly worke of God, to enable them to be in caſe to remember his name, and to returne praiſe vntounto him for the accompliſhment of his promiſes.

Secondly, by conſideration of the power and mercy of God, raiſing them from ſo low eſtate. Set out by a noble 14.Antitheſis or oppoſition of the worke of God towards thoſe tyrants, and vntounto theſe his owne children: they once down ſhall neuer riſe againe, nor their name be euer heard of. For Gog and Magog ſhall vtterly be ſubuerted, Reuel. 20. 9. 10.

This Nation, the Nation of the Iewes, brought to ſo p. 13115.low an ebbe, ſhall hauehave life more and more heaped vponupon them to Gods praiſe and glory. In ſuch wonderfull manner that they do as it were clap their hands for ioy to think vponupon it, which the Hebrew notably expreſſeth, ſo as no other language can reach vntounto.

Thirdly by comparing the former miſeries with their 4 Poſit. Diſolation.great deliuerance, the more to ſet forth the riches of Gods merciemercy.

We were (ſay they) driuen into the furtheſt parts of the earth: as what Nation is there in the world which I ſay not hath not heard, but hath not ſeene and felt the miſery of their diſperſion.

2. We were in extreame anguiſh and heauineſſe, which wrung from vsus teares and ſubmiſſe prayers, one excellent fruit of affliction.

No leſſe then a woman ready to be deliuered, when her 17throwes and pangs are vponupon her.

3. We were in a moſt deſperate condition and eſtate, 18.no way able to helpe our ſelues, or to preuaile againſt our foes. All our endeuours could do nothing, brought forth but winde.

Nay we were altogether dead; and yet for all that, thou 19.haſt reſtored life vntounto our ſoules, by thy word quickening vsus. As the dew of heauen out of the ſeed rotted in the earth, bringeth forth herbes and fruit: for what is the wonderfull taking to of that Nation by the Miniſtery of the Goſpell, but life from the dead? Rom. 11. 15.

Obſeruations.

12. Thou diſpoſest peace.] As God is the Author of all iudgements: ſo is he the worker of all our peace, Eſay 45. 7. I frame light and create darkneſſe, I make peace, and create euill, I Iehoua doe all theſe. That in affliction we may learne not to deſpaire; his hand is as mighty to pull vsus out, as euer it was to plunge vsus in.

To vsus.] But this is the comfort of Gods people, who p. 132are his fauourites, and depend vponupon his prouidence. The wicked hauehave nothing to doe with it.

Ordaineſt.] In this fatherly dealing of God with his Church and people, both the end and the meanes are to be reſpected.

The end is peace; for all things ſort for good vntounto them. Though he ſcourge and beat them, it is but with the rods of the ſonnes of men, moderately and in meaſure, 2. Sam. 7. 14. Not for their hurt, but that he may doe good vntounto them in the end, Mica. 4. 12. Zach. 1. 15. Eſay 47. 7.

Which breedeth a great content in the middeſt of moſt heauy croſſes, maketh them warme at the heart, euen then when they lye in their cold irons, to ſing and make a noyſe to the honour and praiſe of God, as if they were hot with wine, as Paul and Sylas did, Acts 16.

Alſo all our affaires.] He doth not onelyonly ordain things for good, but taking the matter all and eueryevery whit into his owne hands, frameth and diſpoſeth of eueryevery thing, as beſt may fit their purpoſe.

Our workes.] Yea as well things done againſt his Church, as things by them and for them, hee by his maruellous wiſedome that bringeth light out of darkneſſe maketh to fall out for their ſingular good and comfort.

Our way therefore is to let him alone, and to reſt in that which he ſhall doe. Not that wee are to ſit ſtill and neglect the meanes hee appointeth for our good: that were not to depend vponupon him, but to tempt him. But that when wee hauehave done all wee can, wee roll our way vponupon the Lord to truſt in him, and he will doe it, Pſal. 37. 5. 6.

13. Other Lords beſides thee.] No affliction ſo much humbleth Gods people, as when ſuch tyrannize ouer them, that would iuſtle Chriſt out of his throne.

HaueHave maiſtred vsus.] And ſuch mens tyrannie is for the moſt part of all other moſt heauy and intollerable, and maketh the Church moſt to groane and ſigh vnderunder the burden of it.

OnelyOnly through thee.] There be two reaſons why God p. 133doth ſo great and marueylous things for his Church.

One that by helping them, when all helpe of man doth faile, all meanes taken away, which fleſh and bloud doth looke vntounto, he onelyonly may hauehave the praiſe to do wonderfull things alone. Pſal. 72. 18. Thus he telleth Gedeon comming with a great Armie againſt the Midianites: Theſe people are to many for me to deliuer Midian into their hands, leſt Iſrael take the glory to himſelfe; Saying, my right hand hath done it. Iudg. 7. 2. So prone we are to ſacrifice to our owne nets, and to arrogate the praiſe due to God.

Doe we mention thy name] The other is to the end he may euer hauehave in the world a Church to celebrate and magnifie his name.

And here is the dutie we owe to God for all his benefits, to be trumpets to ſound forth his praiſes. Dauid in the Pſalmes often preſſeth this argument; the dead do not praiſe. Iah: nor any that goe downe into ſilence. But we will bleſſe Iah: from henceforth and for euer. Pſ. 115. 17, 18.

16. In trouble:] See the corruption of mans nature; that hath not the heart to ſpeake to God, vnleſſe he be preſſed to it by hard and heauy corrections.

How neceſſarie is affliction, that maketh vsus viſit God, to delight in his acquaintance. Whereas otherwiſe we are ready with thoſe wicked ones, Iob 22. 17. Depart away from vsus.

Prayer is indeed the daughter of affliction: but it is the mother of comfort. As it was to the Church here, and will be to all that tread in her ſteps. Who euer humbled his ſoule in ſeeking God, and went away without finding that he ſought; either in the ſame or in a far more excellent kinde. Manaſſes was brought extremely low: but when he cryed to the God of his Fathers, how did he bring him backe vntounto his kingdome.

Submiſſe] OnelyOnly let vsus looke our prayers be ſubmiſſe, humble, and from the ſoule. For proud Iuſtitiaries go away as empty as they came.

29. Dead] The aſſurance of Gods power, which p. 134I ſhall ſhew it ſelfe in the riſing of all fleſh, is the moſt exceltent argument to confirme vsus in the promiſes of God, hoſe that are moſt incredible to fleſh and bloud. He that can ſay to the Dead, awake and come to iudgement, is not he able to put life into this dead people of the Iewes. Ezech. 37. Rev. 20. or can the condition of any be ſo deſperate, that he is not able to helpe them out?

Thy &c. my &c.] The promiſes of God we muſt ſo know to be true and certaine to all Gods people, that we exclude not our owne ſpeciall and particular comfort. Iob 19. 25.

In the dust] Of our ſelues we be moſt miſerable, in lamentable and wofull case: as mourners were wont to ſit in the duſt.

The worke of Regeneration, which is knit and ioyned with the calling of the lewes, is as the riſing of our dead bodies out of the duſt. As litle meanes there is in vsus ſpiritually to quicken our ſoules, as in our carcaſes to raiſe themſelues vntounto life.

Awake] It is onelyonly the power of God that is able for to do it. He that ſaid the word and all things were made, that commanded light to ſhine out of darknes; he onelyonly is the author of our new life.

Thy dew] The meanes is the word, the word of the Goſpell preached and ſounding in the Church. 1 Pet. 1. 25.

Sing] This filleth our mouthes with cheerefulneſſe and with gladnes. What matter miniſtreth ſuch ſongs and cauſe of rejoycing, as the quickning of our ſoules dead in ſinnes and treſpaſſes?

20. Goe to my people, enter into thy chambers, and ſhut thy doores vponupon thee: hide for a very litle while, till the indignation paſſe ouer.

21. For behold, Iehovah commeth out of his place, to viſit the iniquitie of the inhabitant of the earth vponupon him; and the earth ſhall diſcloſe aaher blouds.her ſlaughters, and ſhall no more hide her ſlaine.

p. 135CHAP. 27.

1. In that ſame day will Iehovah viſit with that his ſore and great and mightie ſword, Leviathan the Serpent: barr, Leviathan, I ſay, the winding Serpent: and will ſlay the Dragon that is in the Sea.

EXPOSITION.

THE Prophet now returneth to proſecute his purpoſe broken off by the two former Chapters, moſt ſweetly enterlaced. Wherefore theſe two verſes and the 27^th Chapter following (which ſhould in truth be but one entire Chapter, but that I would not confound the receiued diſtinction) hauehave an explication of both parts of the prophecie that went before: to wit, firſt, The finall deliuerie of the Nation of the Iewes, in the vtter ouerthrow of the Turkiſh tyrant (which you had Chap. 24 21. 22.) and then the flouriſhing felicite of the Iewiſh Chriſtian Church: (which was touched Chap. 24. 23.)

In the former part, there is firſt a Preparation, and then the Iudgement it ſelfe.20

The preparation, firſt by a kinde and louing Apoſtrophe to his people; willeth them to reſt with patience vnderunder the 16 Poſit. Diſtreſſe.hope of Gods gratious protection, betaking themſelues to him with a ſure faith in his promiſes; whereby they may be ſafe and free in the middeſt of all dangers and perils, as the Iſraelites were, Exod. 12. 22. keeping within their doores when the deſtroyer went forth to ſlay the firſt borne in Aegypt.

And though it be a time of indignation, the ſoreſt and greateſt time of affliction that euer was in any nation. Dan. 12. 1. yet is it but a ſtorme that ſhall quickly blow ouer. As that holy Father once ſaid of Iulians perſecution.

Secondly, that they might lift vp their eyes to behold how wonderfull a deliuerance this ſhould be, not a whit 21.inferior, nay many degrees beyond that in Aegypt, to p. 136which purpoſe ſerueth the word, Behold, a cryer to prepare attention.

He ſheweth the ſolemnitie of this Iudgement. God himſelfe, ſaith he, will come downe from heauen, out of his throne of glory, to execute the ſame. The earth and all the creatures ſhall acknowledge the iuſtice of it, for their …nfinite butcheries, the bloud of Gods Saints ſhed by their hands. Then followeth the iudgement it ſelfe: Chap. 27.expreſſing what kind of enemie God will make to fall before 1.them, and the meanes of his ruine.

The enemie hath three names giuen him, two additions, 18 Poſit. Conqueſt.and the place of his habitation. All which may note as well the bodie and large ſpread, as the power and hurtfulnes of his Empire.

The names are, Leviathan, a Serpent, a Dragon.

The additions, barr and winding the Serpent a barr: the winding Serpent. The place of his habitation is the Dragon in the Sea.

He is worthily called Leviathan or a Whale, for the hugenes of his Empire, and his monſtrous might and power.

Serpent you may call him, yea a barr or long and a winding Serpent, if either you conſider the manner of his territories, ſomewhat reſembling a long and winding Serpent, as learned men hauehave obſerued: Or the ſorenes and the ſhifts, ſlights and ſubtleties, which he vſeth againſt the Chriſtians; whereof the Turkiſh ſtories are full.

The very name of Dragon, the Reuelation giueth him, Rev. 20. for his inveterate hatred and malice to Gods people, the open and profeſſed hoſtilitie againſt the name of Chriſt.

The place of his habitation is in the Sea, not in a petie Riuer ouer one people and nation, which how mighty and potent ſoeuer, yet is but one. As that Dragons of Aegypt was in the riuer Nilus. Ezech. 29. 3. But this man hath the whole Sea in ſubiection, the maine Ocean at his command: yea Conſtantinople, the ſeate of his Empire, is p. 137ſeated in the very mouth and iawes of Pontus and Propontis. Which is an euident argument, that this prophecie can not be drawne to the King of Babel, who dwelt ſo far remote from the Sea.

The meanes of his deſtruction is that he ſhall fall by the ſword in deadly and cruell fight. Not that alone, but 19 Poſit. Gods fighting.by the mighty ſword of God; who from heauen ſhall throw downe vponupon him and vponupon his armie, ſhowers of haileſtones fire and brimſtone to deuoure them. Revel. 20. 8, 9, 10. Ezech. 38. & 39. Eſay 31. 8, 9.

Obſeruations.

20. Goe to my people] God neuer bringeth deſtruction vponupon the wicked, but he firſt fore-warneth his, that they may eſcape. So he did to his people in Aegypt, to keepe themſelues within doores, whileſt the deſtroyer plagued the Aegyptians.

Hide] When Gods iudgements are vponupon the earth, it becommeth vsus to humble our ſelues and to hide our faces. Prov. 22. 3. The wiſe man ſeeth the euill and hideth himſelfe, but the wicked paſſe one and are puniſhed.

Paſſe ouer] God ſuffereth not his rod to lye for euer vponupon his children. He exerciſeth them but for a while till he hauehave accompliſhed his purpoſe for good vntounto them.

1. Sword] He hath not onelyonly a rod to diſple and correct, but a ſword to ſlay and cut off the enemies of the Chap. 27.Church.

His iudgements for the moſt part are ſutable to mens ſinnes. The cruell perſecutors of the Saints that filled the world with butcheries and maſſacres, fall by the ſword of Gods iuſtice. His ſword is furbiſhed and fat with the bloud of them that embrued their hands with innocent bloud. Eſay 34. 6. So is verified that which the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh, Pſal. 76. 11. He maketh the rage of men to turne vntounto his glorie.

Gods ſword, is a ſore, a hard, and a heauy ſword: it p. 138cutteth to the quicke, beareth downe all that commeth in the way.

No force nor fraud, no power nor domination, is able to ſtand before it.

The mightie tyrants of the world, whoſe finnes are as ſtrong as bucklers, and cleaue ſo cloſe togither, that the winde can not come betweene them, (as in Iob it is ſaid of the huge Leviathan, Iob 41. 6, 7, 8.) hauehave a way open for his ſword to pierce into.

Let vsus not feare man for all his ſwelling, whome it is ſo eaſie a thing for Gods ſword to worke vponupon.

Winding Serpent] The wicked hold it for a maxime, that no faith is to be kept with Gods people. Frauds, ſhifts, ſubtleties and deuiſes: any way whereby they may entrap and hurt, goeth with them for vertue and valour.

Dragon] There is in the enimies of the name of Chriſt, as inveterate and naturall a hatred to the Church, as is in the Dragon to mankinde. No maruaile therefore if they can neuer be at reſt nor peace; ſeeing nothing will ſatisfie their malice, but the bloud of the Saints. Euen as the Dragons, which let their gorge be neuer ſo full, their kinde carrieth them to the prey.

2. In that ſame day: a vineyard of red wine, ſing yee vntounto it.

EXPOSITION.

HItherto of the ouerthrow of their enemies. The ſecond branch (which is the felicity of the Iewiſh Chriſtian Church) hath fiue ſteps or degrees.

Firſt, is the Plantation or firſt erecting of this Church, noted vnderunder the ſimilitude of a vineyard planted.

Her excellency vponupon the firſt erecting, is ſet forth by two adioynts.33 Poſit. Glorious church

1. In calling it a vineyard of red, that is, of the beſt and p. 139moſt generous VVine, Prou. 23. 31.

2. In that they ſhall ſing for ioy of this plantation, as when vponupon the building of the ſecond Temple, the people ſung and ſhouted, grace, grace vntounto it, Zach. 4. 7.

Obſeruations.

2. Vineyard.] The Church of God is a vineyard of the 2.Lords owne planting, his hand doth ſet and graffe all the plants of it.

Red wine.] It is in the ſight of God, and ſo ought to be to vsus, as precious and ſweet as the beſt and moſt pleaſant wine is vntounto the taſte.

Sing.] Wee are to ioy and take comfort in the good of the Church when it proſpereth and fareth well. As in the Pſalmes on the contrary part they grieue and mourne that the wilde beaſt of the Forreſt did tread it vnderunder foor, Pſal. 8. 12. &c.

And here is a notable argument or ſubiect of our ſongs. Thoſe that hauehave learning and eloquence, let them try their wits in this. Such as excell in Poetry, may here finde matter to exerciſe their pennes. And this is a holy vſe of the gifts that God hath giuen vsus, when with Dauid the ſweet ſinger of Iſraell, our pennes walke to publiſh Gods praiſes, and when wee vtter our Poemes in commendation of his word and workes vntounto his people.

3. I Iehova doe keepe it, eueryevery moment will I water it: leaſt any aſſaile it, night and day will I keepe it.

4. Furie is not in mee: who ſo ſhall ſet me with bryar and thorne into battell, I will march through it and fire them out of it at once.

5. Or he ſhall take holde of my ſtrength, make peace with me: peace ſhall he make with me.

p. 140EXPOSITION.

THe ſecond ſtep is the Preſeruation or Gods prouidence and care of the Church thus planted, to be ſeene three manner of waies.

Firſt, towards the Church it ſelfe, he keepeth it, and is as a wall of fire round about, Zach. 2. 9. Moreouer he doth 3.41. Poſit. Safety of the Church.water it eueryevery moment by the raine or dew of his Word and grace. So he hath his part, not onelyonly in her planting, but in her watering.

The ſecond thing is in regard of the enemies of the Church, prophane perſons, leſt any ſuch ſhould viſit, that is to ſay, rudely and vnmannerly ruſh vponupon it, he gardeth it night and day.

The third thing is toward Hypocrites that lurke in the boſome of the Church, for all that are of Iſrael, are not Iſrael, 4.Rom. 9. Neither becauſe they are among vsus, are they therefore of vsus. They went out from vsus, but they were not of vsus, for if they had beene of vsus, they would hauehave abidden with vsus, ſaith the Apoſtle, 1. Ioh. 2. 19. But (ſaith God) howſoeuer there be in the Church ſecret enemies which prouoke my wrath by their offences, yet will I not therefore ſuffer mine anger to riſe againſt mine owne heritage: I hauehave waies & meanes enough to bring them downe, and yet to preſerue my people; for if any with his briars and thornes, that is, by his malicious wickedneſſe doe offend, and as it were ſting and pricke mee, I will eyther in Iuſtice puniſh him (marching vp and downe in warre-like manner, yet warely, without touch or preiudice to the Church) or force him by true repentance and acknowledgement of his fault, to take mee by the arme and hold my hand from ſtriking or ſending 5.forth the fire of my wrath, that ſo he may taſte my mercy.

Obſeruations.

3. I Iehova keepe it.] God not only planteth, but gardeth p. 141and protecteth his Church. This is her reioyſing, that ſhe is kept of ſuch a worthy keeper.

Water it.] Wee are of our ſelues as the dry heath, as the barren and parched ground, vnable to bring any fruit but by ſpeciall watering, and Gods bleſſing.

The Word of God is that whereby hee watereth his Church, and maketh it fertile and fruitfull. It is our duty therefore to wait for it, with as great earneſtneſſe as the dry and ſtony ground doth for raine to fall from heauen.

EueryEvery moment.] And this watering muſt be continually, eueryevery moment our hungry bodies hauehave not ſo much need of refreſhing at their ordinary meales, as our thirſty ſoules hauehave of this ſpirituall and heauenly moiſture.

Leaſt any aſſaile it.] The Church, that is moſt amiable and worthie to be loued of all, is not without deadly and ſworne enemies that from their ſoule ſeeke her ruine and ouerthrow. Theſe enemies are reſtleſſe day and night, they watch to doe her miſchiefe.

But our comfort is, wee hauehave one more watchfull then they. The watchman of Iſraell that neyther ſlumbreth nor ſleepeth, and who keepeth vsus day and night.

4. There is no rage.] There be alwaies hypocrites left in the Church to exerciſe the faith & patience of the Saints.

God knoweth how to free the godly and to reſerue the wicked vntounto puniſhment, 2. Pet. 2.

Note here three forcible arguments to keepe men from ſinne.

With bryar.] 1. Sinne is as brambles or bryars to pricke God, and to gall him to the heart.

Set me into battell.] 2. It biddeth God battell, and as a Herauld proclaimeth warre betweene him and vsus. And to ſpeake with the Apoſtle, Shall wee prouoke God to wrath? are we ſtronger then hee? 1. Cor. 10. 22. Who euer hardened himſelfe againſt God and proſpered? Iob 9. 4.

Fire I will cut him out of her.] 3. It draweth iudgement vponupon our ſelues: yea the vtter ruine and deſtruction of our ſoules.

p. 142There be alſo three forcible arguments to be drawne from hence, that ſhould moue vsus to repentance, anſwering thoſe former three.

5. Lay hold on my ſtrength. 1 Where ſin bideth battell to God, who is too hard for vsus. Repentance taketh him by the arme, and holdeth his hand that it ſhould not ſtrike vsus.

And make.] 2. Where ſinne galleth and fretteth God, Repentance doth mediate peace with him.

He ſhall make.] 3. It not onelyonly mediateth, but procureth firme peace and Concord: and ſo preuenteth his iudgements that would otherwiſe come vponupon vsus.

6. As touching thoſe to come, hee ſhall cauſe Iaakob to take root, Iſrael ſhall bloſſome and bud: and they ſhall fill the face of the inhabited world with increaſe.

7. Hath hee ſmitten him aaAccording to the ſtroke of his ſmiter.as he ſmote his ſmiter: or is hee ſlaine according to the ſlaughter of thoſe that were ſlaine by him?

8. In meaſure, when thou ſendeſt it forth, doſt thou debate with it? him he taketh away with that his rough blast, as in the day of the eaſterly winde.

9. Wherefore by this ſhall the iniquity of Iaakob be purged and this is all the fruit, that he may put away his ſinne: when he ſhall make all the ſtones of the Altar as chalke stones broken in pieces, the Groaues and Sunne-images ſhall not ſtand vp.

10. But his fenſed City ſhall be deſolate, pleaſant habitation diſmiſſed and forſaken like a wilderneſſe: There ſhall the calfe feede, and there lye downe, and conſume the branches of it.

11. When the bough thereof is drie, the twigs ſhall be broken off, women ſhall come and ſet it on fire: for hee is not a people bbOf vnderſtanding.of any vnderſtanding, therefore he that made him, will not hauehave mercy on him, and he that formed him, will not ſhew him grace.

p. 143EXPOSITION.

THe third ſtep is the Adornation or bleſſing which hee will beſtow vponupon the Church, planted, kept, and watered: 6.and they are three.

1. Stabilitie, being faſt rooted and fixed that nothing can ſhake their faith. And hereof the Lord himſelfe is the 42 Poſit. Stability of the Church.Author, whoſe right hand as it doth ſet and plant them, water and manure them, ſo it doth root and make them ſpread, And who then dare offer to plucke them vp?

2. Beauty, in the goodly ſpreading and bloſſoming of their branches.39 Poſit. Proſperitie.

3. Fruitfulneſſe and fecundity, diſperſing farre and neere the fruits of their Faith.38 Poſit. Multitude of beleeuers.

Theſe bleſſings are amplified by a diſſimilitude of Gods dealing with thoſe Tyrants, of whom he ſpake before, and 7.towards his owne people. Firſt propounded, verſ. 9. hath God ſmitten (his owne people the Iewes) as hee hath ſmitten the enemy that ſmote them? or are his owne people ſlaughtered in that kinde as thoſe are ſlaughtered, whoſe hand God vſeth to ſlaughter them?

Then is it ſpecified in two inſtances.

Firſt, in the diuers manner of afflicting. With his people 8.God dealeth.

1. Moderately, and in meaſure.

2. In gentle and louing manner: for though he diſperſe and ſcatter them into hard and cruell bondage, it is but as it were a ſending of them forth abroad into the world; a tranſlating of them into another place, whence they may be taken vp and replanted in their natiue ſoyle, ſo as there is hope for them to ſpring anew, farre otherwiſe it is with the wicked: for,

1. To him it is boy ſterouſly and roughly.

2. Hee doth vtterly ſweep him away, and pull him vp by the rootes, that his place ſhall be found no more. As before, chap. 26. 14.

Secondly, in the diuers end: to his people the Iewes p. 144whom his purpoſe is to call (for ſo doth the Apoſtle apply this place, Rom. 11, 27. Chaſtiſements and afflictions ſerue to purge iniquitie, and to bring them to Chriſt through faith and true repentance, teſtifying the ſame by aboliſhing all falſe worſhip and ſeruice, that nothing may ſtand or hold vp the head which is enemy to Gods glory, but be throwne downe and aboliſhed.

But Gods hand vponupon the wicked is to their vtter ruine: how ſtrong ſoeuer they ſeeme vntounto themſelues, and neuer 10.ſo pleaſantly ſeated, all ſhall be made a wilderneſſe; God will turne things vpſide downe, from the loweſt twigge to the top branch.

Which on Gods partis a thing moſt eaſie and moſt iuſt: ſo eaſie, euen when he dealeth with the ſtouteſt of them, 11.that hee ſtandeth not in need of any great meanes for the matter. A company of ſilly women ſhall be ſufficient to doe the feat. Againe, it is moſt iuſt, for the wicked hauehave no wiſedome, nor will learne, no not by ſtripes and puniſhments. Therefore he that made and formed them, in whoſe hands they are as clay in the hands of the Potter, though they be his owne worke, the creatures whom his fingers hauehave faſhioned and made, will ſhew no fauour vntounto them, but they ſhall vtterly be done away.

Obſeruations.

6. Touching thoſe to come.] The right hand of the Lord doth bring great changes.

His arme is no more powerfull to tumble, caſt downe, lay waſte and deſolate a moſt flouriſhing ſtate and people when they ſinne againſt him, then it is to ſet vp and aduance the moſt miſerable and forlorne that turne vntounto him, Read Pſal. 107. 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38.

Make to roote, &c.] Here is Gods might and greatnes euident to be ſeene: but behold his louelove and kindneſſe to his Church. He is not content to plant and keepe it, to water and manure it; but hee beſtoweth all that is requiſite, p. 145whereby it may grow and flouriſh. Hee maketh it ſtrong and faire, full of goodly fruit.

The ſtrength therefore of the Church and all the good of it commeth from God alone, from his prouidence and preſence, Pſal. 125. 1.

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. In meaſure, &c.] Withall note the difference of his dealing with the wicked and his owne children. VponUpon theſe doth he but ſprinkle a parcell of his wrath, ſome few ſparks of diſpleaſure: but the wicked hee vtterly conſumeth and burneth vp with the fire of his indignation, Eſay 42. 25. and 66. 15.

By this, &c.] Obſerue two notable things touching afflictions.

1. Their ſingular and incomparable vſe: to purge iniquity, to pardon and forgiue offences.

2. The perſons that ſo profit by it: Iacob, the Church and true Iſraell of God: for this is not by any vertue or quality inherent in afflictions, ſeeing the wicked taſte of this cup as well as others, and are neuer a whit the better: but by the mercy and goodneſſe of God, ſanctifying the ſame for ſo excellent a vſe vntounto his children.

The iniquity of Iacob.] Forgiueneſſe of ſinnes is the peculiar priuiledge of Gods children, a treaſure which he hideth and layeth vp in the Church alone, Pſal. 130. 8. Hee vedeemeth Iſrael from all his iniquities, Micah 7. 18. Who is a mighty God like to thee, that pardoneth iniquity and paſſeth by the tranſgreſſion of the remnant of his inheritance? Wherefore worthily in the articles of our Faith (that which wee call the Apoſtles Creed) after beleeuing that there is a holy Catholike Church, this among many other things proper thereunto is one. I beleeue the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes.

Neyther is there any ſinne ſo foule that Faith in the bloud of Chriſt doth not waſh away, Eſay 1. 18.

What ſinne like vntounto Idolatry? that maketh a diuorce betweene God and vsus, diſſolueth the ſpirituall marriageknot, as Adultery doth the carnall: yet lo, euen this truely repented of, findeth grace and mercy at the hand of God. p. 146Notable to that purpoſe is the place of Ieremie, Ier. 3. 1. If a man put away his wife, and ſhe goe from him, and become another mans, will he returne vntounto her any more, ſhould not that ſame land be defiled? But thou haſt playd the harlot with many friends, yet returne to me, the ſpeech of Iehova.

All ſinnes therefore to Gods children are veniall, pardonable, and pardoned in Chriſt. As on the other ſide to thoſe that are not in him, the leaſt ſinne is mortall, damnable, and bringeth damnation. This doctrine tendeth not to giuegive men ſcope to ſinne, but to comfort poore repentants that hauehave ſinned.

Be purged.] But how come ſinnes, eſpecially ſo great and heinous, thus to be remitted? By the onelyonly purgation that Chriſt hath made, Heb. 1. 3. who vponupon the croſſe paid the full price and ranſome for them. And this one purgation of his ouerthroweth all falſe and phantaſticall purgatories that the idle braine of mans wit hath inuented.

When he ſhall make all the ſtones of the Altar, &c.] With forgiueneſſe of ſinnes is ioyned true repentance as an inſeparable companion, or rather (in nature, not in time) the forerunner of it, Acts 3. 3. Repent and conuert that your ſinnes may be blotted out.

There be certaine notes and marks whereby true repentance doth teſtifie and bewray it ſelfe.

1. A holy deteſtation of ſinne, thoſe ſinnes eſpecially which are moſt lift vp againſt the glory of God, and whereby we hauehave moſt prouoked him to anger.

2. To remoue all meanes and occaſions of ſinne demoliſhing and caſting downe whatſoeuer is againſt the glorie of God.

3. Vtterly to forſake ſinne, and not to reſort any more as a dog vntounto his vomit, or as the Sow that is waſhed, to the wallowing in the mire, 2. Pet. 2.

This is it he meaneth by ſaying, the groaues and the Sunne-images ſhall not ſtand vp. that is, ſhall ſo be throwne downe and made away, that they ſhall neuer be reedified.

p. 14713. A people of no vnderſtanding] True wisedome is in the feare of God, which is the fountaine and beginning, the prime and principalitie of all wiſedome. Prov. 17. He is a foole by the conſtant verdict of the wiſeſt, and hath no iot of vnderſtanding, that careth not to decke and adorne himſelfe herewith. Let men brag neuer ſo much of their prudence in counſell, their deepe reaches and profound policies to ſway ſcepters, manage Common-wealths and Kingdomes: if they refuſe the feare of God, reject his word, where onelyonly this feare is to be learnt, whereof can there be any wiſedome in them? Ier. 5. 9. Though they ſeeme as wiſe as the King of Tyrus was in his owne imagination, they ſhall dye the death of the vncircumciſed. Ezech. 28.

12. And it ſhall be in that ſame day, Iehovah ſhall threſh from the channell of that riuer vntounto the ſtreame of Aegypt: and yee ſhall be gathered aaby one, one.one by one, ô children of Iſrael.

EXPOSITION.

THE fourth ſtep is the Perfection of this Church, in 12.that,

1. They ſhall poſſeſſe and repleniſh the whole land, as 24 Poſit. Inhabit all the land.before. For from Euphrates (meant here by the channell of the riuer) vntounto the riuer of Aegypt, were their iuſt and lawfull bounders. The inheritance firſt promiſed to Abraham, Gen. 15. 18. and afterwards in poſſeſſion both of Dauid, 2 Sam. 8. 3. 1 Cron. 18. 3. and of Solomon, 2 Cron. 9. 26.

2. Their calling ſhall be generall and vniuerſall. Not one left out whom God hath appointed to ſaluation. as Ezech. 39. 28.

Obſeruations.

12. Shall threſh] The miniſterie of the word is Gods p. 148flayle to ſeuer the chaffe from corne; to ſingle his out of the middeſt of wicked and prophane worldlings.

One by one] There is no threſher in the world that threſheth halfe ſo cleane: for he looſeth not one graine. Thoſe that thou haſt giuen me I hauehave kept, and not one of them is loſt but that ſonne of deſtruction. &c. Ioh. 7. 12. This ſingular comfort hauehave all that are his: it is impoſſible any one ſhould periſh, whom God the Father hath giuen to his Sonne.

And withall what a thing is this? How great an extent of louelove? God hath not onelyonly a care of the Church in generall, but of eueryevery one particularly and by the poll. The good ſhepheard calleth his owne ſheepe by name. Ioh. 10. 3.

13. And it ſhall be in that ſame day, a blast ſhall be blowne with a great trumpet, and thoſe ſhall come that periſhed in the land of Aſhur, and the outcaſts in the land of Aegypt: and ſhall bow downe to Iehovah in the holy mount at Ieruſalem.

EXPOSITION.

THE fift and laſt ſtep is their D…tacion. For not they 13.onelyonly ſhall be called, but the large and vaſte countries, 44 Poſit. All nations embracing Chriſt.all the tract of the Eaſt and of the South, ſhall be conuerted vntounto Chriſt, by the great trumpet, the ſound of the Goſpell comming into all the parts of the world, from one end of the heauen vntounto another; which is the laſt marke that our Sauiour giueth to fore-runne his laſt and glorious comming. Matth. 24. 31. and which being once accompliſhed, the world before that age or generation paſſe, ſhall hauehave an end. Math. 24. 34.

And theſe, ſaith he (which is the cauſe why he maketh mention of them here) ſhall bow downe to Iehovah in the holy 45 Poſit. The nations honouring them.mount at Ieruſalem. That is, Such ſhall be the brightnes of the new Ieruſalem, the Church of the Iewes wonne to Chriſt, that the nations of thoſe that are to be ſaued ſhall walke p. 149in her light; and the Kings of the earth ſhall bring their glory and honour in vntounto her. Rev. 21. 24. Read Eſay 60. So I diſtinguiſh betweene the 14 and 15 verſes in the very ſame manner as I finde theſe things diſtinguiſhed Zach. 10. 12, 13.

Obſeruations.

13. Periſh] How miſerable is the ſtate of all thoſe that are not in Chriſt. They periſh in their ignorance and diuers ſinnes: liuing they are dead; perdition it ſelfe hath already ſeized of them. This is all we can brag of, if we looke vntounto our ſelues as we are the naturall ſonnes of Adam.

A blast &c.] O therefore the excellencie of the preaching of the Goſpell, neuer ſufficiently to be commended! which is the great trump of God to ſaue thoſe that periſh, to put life into the dead. As our Sauiour ſaith, Ioh. 5. 25. The dead ſhall heare the voice of the Sonne of God, and they that heare, ſhall liue.

And ſhall bowe downe in the holy mount at Ieruſalem] It is a holy fruit of the communion of Saints not to enuie the graces of God in our brethren, but to make vſe of them: and where God ſheweth moſt louelove, there for men to giuegive moſt honour.