An Exposition of Hosea 8-10, Exposition · Chapter 10 · Verse 6
VER. 6.
It ſhall be alſo carried unto Aſſyria for a Preſent to King Jareb.
WHAT King Jareb was you heard in the fifth Chapter:Jareb. and his name ſignifies an Helper, as a Trophe. As now the King of France, The moſt Chriſtian King. And ſo our King, The Defender of the Faith. And ſo King Jareb, the Helper. Now the Calves are to be ſent to King Jareb, that was their help. Some think that they ſent it for a Preſent; but the text will not bear that, but his Soldiers taking Dan and Bethel they rejoyced in getting the Calves, and ſends them to King Jareb as a Trophe unto him, as that which they knew he would much rejoyce in, They reſted much upon King Jareb as a help unto them, and now their kind of Religion, their very Religion is at Jarebs diſpoſe, for he hath now the Calves in his hand to do with them what he will.
From thence briefly our Note is this:Obſ. Our depending upon men for help, is deerly bought, if it comes to that, that they ſhall have the diſpoſe of our Religion. Jareb was their Helper, and they would have him to help them; but now their Calves are ſent to him for a Preſent, and Jareb hath the diſpoſe of them for their Religion that they had.
And then the ſecond Note is this. In that they were ſent to the King as a Preſent that he would rejoyce in.
That it is the way of Idolaters, Obſ.to rejoyce much when they get one anothers gods. As when the Philiſtims got the Ark, they rejoyced much,Applied to England. they carried it to Dagons Temple. Alſo the enemies of the Church will rejoyce much if they can get the power to trample upon our Religion; they will rejoyce much if they can get your eſtates, but they wil rejoyce more if they can do what they will with you in the point of your Religion, Oh! this would be that which would make them glad at the very heart that they could diſpoſe of us for our Religion, Oh! let us know this beforehand that may make us cry to God the more earneſtly, that the Lord what ever he gives them power over, that he would not give them power over our Religion; for that's the thing that they moſt aim at.
Ephraim ſhall receive ſhame.
Hierom upon the place hath this tradition of the Jews.Hierom. (I'le but name it to you) he ſaith, (that it was received among them) That the Prieſts of the Calves had taken away the golden Calves and put up Calves of braſs inſtead of them and only gilt them over with Gold,See Schickards Prodromus, or his Bechinath Haperuchim. and now the King of Iſrael when he was in ſtraights ſent theſe Calves to King Jareb for a Preſent to pacifie his anger, now when he had ſent theſe Calves the King of Aſſyria made account that they were Calves of Gold, but afterwards when he found that they were of braſs, he ſent meſſengers to the King of Iſrael to tell him how he had but cozened him, and upon that, Oh the King and all the People were aſhamed. But this is but a tradition of theirs, and not very probable. But this I rather take to be the truth of it.
They were aſhamed becauſe of their own Counſels.
That is,Expoſ. their hopes firſt ſhall fail them, and they ſhall ſee their counſels that they took ſhall come to nothing, and this ſhal cauſe ſhame and confuſion of face upon them. The ten Tribes ſhall receive ſhame. Failing in our hopes that make us to be aſhamed. They had good hopes they ſhould prevail becauſe of their Calves,Iob. 6. 20. but now their Calves are taken from them, and now they are aſhamed, In Job. 6. 20. They were confounded, becauſe they had hoped; they came thither, and were aſhamed: they hoped to have relief, but had not, and therefore they were aſhamed; the diſappointment of hopes cauſes great ſhame. Oh then! what ſhame and confuſion will there be at the great day when we ſhall be diſappointed of our laſt hopes? If we had been diſappointed of our hopes now in reſpect of our Adverſaries, Oh! what ſhame would have been upon the People of God, our Adverſaries they would have caſt ſhame upon us, and ſaid, What's become of your faſtings and prayers? As it's like the Aſſyrians did when they took the Calves, Oh! now we have got your Gods (ſay they) and upon this the people were aſhamed: and ſo if our Adverſaries had prevailed they would have ſcorn'd in the like manner. My Brethren, we have cauſe to bleſs the Lord from our ſouls that he hath delivered us from ſuch a temptation, from ſuch a temptation leſt we ſhould be aſhamed of our hopes, though the truth is, If we had right we ſhould not have been aſhamed, for our hopes was not ſo much in the ſaving of our eſtates as this, That God would own his Cauſe in the concluſion, and ſo our hopes would not have fail'd; I but if our hopes had but ſeemed to have failed in outward appearance, that the Enemy ſhould have prevailed, I ſay, it would have been a mighty temptation for us to have been aſhamed of our hopes, Oh! bleſſed be God for preventing this, that the Lord hath not made his People to be aſhamed of their hopes,Miniſters may be glad▪ and prayers. The Miniſters of God can ſtand up and look comfortably in the Congregations, becauſe they put on people, and encouraged the hearts of people in this Cauſe;And (if alwaies faithful to the Publick Cauſe) they may take comfort. and they have comfort to their ſouls in this, That when things were at the loweſt yet ſtill they could have their hopes in God, and beleeve yet in God that he would go on in ſuch a Cauſe as this is, and the Lord hath not cauſed the expectation of his poor people to fail. But if it be ſhame (I ſay) now for the preſent to be diſappointed of ſome hopes, Oh! remember upon all your diſappointment of hopes, Oh! what ſhame would it be before men and Angels if it ſhould prove that any ſoul in this place ſhould be ſo diſappointed of their laſt hopes? Thou haſt hope of ſalvation, and of eternal life, and if it ſhould prove when all ſecrets are to be made publick before the Lord Jeſus and his Angels, if then it ſhould prove that all thy hopes were daſh'd, what would become of thee? It is the prayer of David, O Lord, let me not be diſappointed of my hope. Let that be thy prayer, eſpecially in regard of thy laſt hopes.1 Ioh. 2. 28. In 1 Joh. 2. 28. Abide in him, that when he ſhall appear we may have confidence, and not be aſhamed before him at his coming. Oh! that's the comfort of the Saints, that they ſhall not be aſhamed at the coming of Jeſus Chriſt: and many that are not aſhamed now yet at the coming of Jeſus Chriſt, Oh! the ſhame that ſhall be caſt upon them? But the main emphaſis lies in the words that follow.
Iſrael ſhall be aſhamed of his own Counſels.
Now what was that Counſel?Expoſ. What? why it was this counſel: 1. The Counſel that was between Jeroboam & his Princes and the Prieſts, together with ſome eminent of the people, for the ſetting up of the way of falſe worſhip.
And ſecondly, For the forcing of al men that belonged to the ten Tribes to forbear going to Jeruſalem. This was thought a notable Plot, a notable Counſel, they thought this was the only Counſel to keep things in peace among them. Why (ſay they) if we ſhall ſuffer men, that every one that hath a fancy in his head, that they ſhall go to Jeruſalem to worſhip, we ſhall have nothing but confuſion, and therefore let us take ſuch a courſe that people ſhall have a place to worſhip in, that they worſhip thus; it is but only ſome people that are ſo ſtrict that they muſt needs worſhip in Jeruſalem, A Geographical deſcription of Politick Councels in Religionand therefore let us determine this, That we will have a conſtant way that every one ſhall be bound unto, and we will have no more going to this Jeruſalem to worſhip, but they ſhall be content to worſhip at Dan and Bethel, and this will keep things in peace. Now this counſel ſeem'd to be a fine plot to keep things in order. But ſaith the Lord, They ſhall be aſhamed of it; though they think they have wiſe men, that do thus adviſe, ſage men, and ſome men it may be that ſeem to have ſome good in them too, and ſtand for peace: thus it was a Counſel cried up mightily, yet the Lord he ſits in Heaven and laughs at this Counſel, and ſaith he, They ſhall be aſhamed of their Counſels; perhaps now whilſt they are let go on and carry all before them, they bleſs themſelves in their Counſel, and think it is a very excellent plot, and God favors it; but when my time ſhall come, when they ſhall ſee what evil it brings upon them, then they ſhall be aſhamed of their Counſels. From thence there's theſe two Notes;
Firſt, Obſ. 1.That mens own Counſels bring them to ſhame, eſpecially in matters of Religion.
Secondly, Obſ. 2.That men are ſtrong in their own Counſels, till they ſee ſome eminent evil to come of them, and then they will be convinced and aſhamed, but not before.
To ſpeak a little of each of theſe.
Mens own Counſels bring ſhame to them, 1 Doct.eſpecially in Religion. For men naturally are very blind in the things of God, they do not ſee far in them; mens hearts are ful of corruption, they are byaſſed by their corruptions; ſeeing there's much ſelf-love in men.
If there be any appearance that is mens own,Reaſ. 1. that's much regarded, a great deal more than truth that is another mans; if it be their own they mind that, but let another man ſpeak that which hath truth, that's little regarded. There is in mens hearts much violence to maintain their own Counſels, and therefore very like that their Counſels will bring them to ſhame. There's nothing that men can bear to be contradicted in, leſs than in their Counſels. And the more men are ſet upon their own Counſels the more it is like to bring ſhame in the concluſion.
And beſides,Reaſ. 2. There's a Judgment of God upon mens ſpirits, that if they will ſet upon their own Counſels, I ſay, there's ordinarily a Judgment of God upon men to leave them to folly when they reſt upon their own Counſels: and it's threatned in Pſal. 81. 12. as a great Jugment of God upon men,Pſ. 81. 12 to give them up to their Counſels. Saith God, They would not hearken to my Counſel, therefore did I give them up to their own Counſel: Oh! it's a terrible place: I beſeech you conſider of it; Theſe are times wherein every one is plotting, Oh! tremble at that text; I gave them up unto their OWN COƲNSELS: Mens own Counſels bring them to ſhame, often times they come to nothing; after they have made a great deal of do, and they will do this, and they will go on; at length it comes to nothing, ſo that they are fain to ſit down and there's an end of all their labor and ſtir, perhaps they have labored to put on their Counſels by much evil, much ſin, much heart burning, and when it comes to all, there it lies, there's an end of it; thus they are aſhamed of their counſels.Mens own Counſels enſnare thē Inſtanced in the late Enemy, And the Prelats. Yea, many times the Counſels of men work quite contrary; God doth much glory in this, in making uſe of mens own Counſels to bring them into ſnares. What hath brought our Adverſaries into ſnares but their own Counſels? What brought the Prelates down but their own Counſels? So that they would bite their very fingers for what they did in their Proteſtation. God hath been pleaſed to deal thus graciouſly for us, to bring our enemies into ſnares by their own Counſels:Iob, 18. 7. In Job, 18. 7. 'tis verified of many that their own Counſels have caſt them down.Pſa. 9. 16. And Pſal. 9. toward the latter end, The wicked is ſnared in the work of his OWN HANDS: Higgajon Selah. You have not thoſe two words put together in all the Book of God beſides. That is, Oh! 'tis a thing to be meditated on very much, the wicked is ſnar'd in the work of his own hands. Oh! think of this, conſider of this, Oh! the work of God in bringing men down by their own Counſells (ſaith the text.)
And juſt it may be ſo;Reaſ. 3 for men provoke God by their Counſels,Pſal. 106. 43. in Pſalm. 106. 43. Oh! the Lord looks upon the Counſels of men, and is much provoked by them, and therefore juſt it is with him to make their Counſels to be a ſnare ſo to them, as that they ſhould be aſhamed of them at the laſt. It concerns us therefore (my Brethren) to look to our Counſels what they are. I'le give you a few Rules about your Counſels that you may not be aſhamed of them.1, What to avoid.
Firſt, Keep out from your Counſels thoſe things that would hinder you.1. Falſe principles.
1. Be ſure to keep out of your Counſels your falſe Principles, be not acted in your Counſels by falſe Principles.
2. Keep out of your Counſels wicked men, 2. Wicked men.take heed that they do not joyn with you in your Counſels,Iob, 21. 16. in Job. 21. 16. Their good is not in their hand: the counſel of the wicked is far from me. Cap. 22. 18and ſo in Job, 22. 18. Oh! keep out wicked men from your Counſels.
3. Keep out your Own Ends, 3. Selfendstake heed how they come in: If any of a mans Ends come into his Counſels, they wil warp then.
4. Keep out of your Counſels Conceiptedneſs, 4. Conceiptedneſsand Pride; when you come to Counſel, Oh take heed of a conceited ſpirit, in leaning to your own underſtanding; God doth uſe to blaſt ſuch.
5. Keep out of your Counſels fleſh and blood. 5. Fleſh & blood.I conſulted not with fleſh and blood, ſaith Paul in the firſt Chap. to the Galatians: I did not look unto carnal excellency, but laid aſide all carnal kind of excellency; they would have adviſed me to this and this, and I ſhould never have done as I did if I had conſulted with fleſh and blood.
6. Yea,6. Paſſion and Frowardneſs. keep out of your Counſels Paſſion and frowardneſs. In Job, 5. 13. He taketh the wiſe in their own craftineſs; and the counſel of the froward is carried headlong. Iob, 5. 13.If once you find in your Counſels your hearts begin to be hot,Reſolve on nothing in heat. rather break off; take heed of ſuch reſolutions in your Counſels as are in a heat: It's a ſafe way for you if you would conſult about buſineſs of Moment, aſſoon as there begins to be a heat, rather fall to prayer; we had need of cool and quiet ſpirits when we are conſulting: As if you would weigh a thing exactly with Gold Scals (as in Councels we ſhould weigh things very exactly) you would not weigh in the midſt of a wind:ſimile. when mens paſſions begin to be up they weigh things as a man ſhould weigh Gold abroad in the wind: but you cannot weigh exactly. Oh! take heed of paſſion in your Councels.
Divers other things there are that ſpoyl our Councels that we ſhould be aware of.2, What we ſhould attend in our Counſels. And if we would have our Councels right, then obſerve theſe further Rules in your Councels:
1. Be ſure to look up firſt to Jeſus Chriſt that great Counſellor.1. Look to Chriſt. He is called in Iſa. 9. THE COƲNSELLOR: it's he that is wonderful in Counſel: Iſa 9. 6.God hath given a ſtile to his Son to be The Counſellor, he is to be the Counſellor of thy Soul for thy Eternal Eſtate, yea, and to be thy Counſellor for all matters of Religion, and the Worſhip of God, look up to him.
And pray much. 2. Pray much.If you would not have your Counſels miſcarry, pray much. In Prov. 8. 14. Counſel is mine (ſaith Wiſdom.)Prov. 8. 14 It's ſpoken of Chriſt. It's very obſervable that ſome note of the Counſel of Achitophel, and the Counſel of Huſhai: The Counſel of Achitophel, the truth is, if we examine it, it was the wiſer Counſel of both, and Abſalom loved Achitophel exceedingly, and his Counſel was ordinarily accounted as the Oracle of God, yet at ſuch a time (becauſe God had an intent to bring down his Counſel) that was rejected, and the Counſel of Huſhai was imbrac'd, and he did hear the prayer of David when he prayed▪ Lord turn the Counſel of Achitophel into folly. And let us pray much that God would be with our COUNSELLORS, that there may be none there that may be like thoſe that are ſpoken of in Ezek. 11. 2. Ezek. 11. 2▪Theſe are they that give evil Counſel in the City, and that likewiſe the Lord would ſway Counſels, and that men may yeeld to that that is the ſafeſt and the beſt Counſel, to that that is beſt in the eyes of God. Many times when a Company meet together, there are ſom things that are darted in that are neglected by the Company, whereas if God were with them, to guide them, that thing (it may be) would ſway all their Counſels: and pray much, Guide me with thy Counſel, Pſ. 73. 24and ſo bring me to glory, Pſalm. 73. 24. Oh! eſpecially in matters that concern our Souls and Religion, we ſhould pray much that God would guide us by his Counſel, and ſo bring us to Glory.
3. If you would have your Counſels right,3. Let the fear of God be ſtrong. Let the fear of God be ſtrong in your hearts when you come to counſel. Oh! it's a good thing when any are going to Counſel about matters of conſequence, that they would prepare their hearts before they go with the poſſeſſion of the fear of the great God upon their hearts, and then they will counſel well: you have a notable Scripture for this in Ezra, 10. 3. Come, let us go to do according to the Counſel of my Lord, Ezr. 10. 3.and of thoſe that tremble at the Commandement of our God. It may be there are ſome that have deeper reaches than they have; I, but have they the fear of God in them? there is hope that they are guided by the Lord, and therefore let us do according to the Counſel of thoſe that tremble at Gods Word; Do you ſee a man whoſe heart is poſſeſſ'd with the fear of God and his Word? if his parts be but ordinary you may expect that God will be with him rather than with thoſe that are bold and preſumptuous, and ſlight the Word of God.
4. In your Counſels (eſpecially in matters of Religion) be ſure to look at the Word; 4. Look at the Word, eſpecially in matters of Religion.and think not thus, In way of reaſon and prudence ſuch a way were better, and would conduce for peace: As I remember Luther hath ſuch an expreſſion, Reaſon is a moſt deadly enemy even to Faith, it is dangerous to reaſon matter of Faith. And ſo in the matters of the Worſhip of God, there's a great deal of danger. Keep to the Word therefore in all your Counſels, and labor for ſincerity of heart in all your Counſels: this is that that makes men miſcarry in their Counſels, their hearts are byaſſed with ſome luſt or other, and therefore when any thing is ſpoken to them that is ſutable to what they have a mind to, that they imbrace; and if any thing be ſpoken to them that is otherwiſe, that they reject: Oh! it's juſt with God to anſwer thee according to the Idol that is ſet up in thy own heart.
5. In all thy Counſels,5. Be not put off with ſhews of Reaſon. Take heed of being put off with ſome fair ſhews. When the Lord is leaving any, yet he will ſuffer thoſe that give evil Counſel to mix a great many good things with that which is evil: As ſome that will put a few braſs ſhillings into a great bag of money, the other is all good currant money, yea but here's ſome braſs ſhillings put amongſt it. So ſometimes in the midſt of a great deal of good Counſel, there is a little mixture that may turn all: therefore thoſe that would counſel, eſpecially the publick affairs, they had need have their eyes about them, and poiſe every word and line, and examine every particular, or otherwiſe they may quickly come to be aſham'd of their own Counſel.
There are many Rules might further be given.
6. God hath promiſed to direct the humble,6. Be humble. therefore come with humility in your counſels, and be ſure in what is right to follow: and then you may with the more confidence expect God ſhould help you in other things.
7. Conſult with indifferent judgment.
8. If the thing touch others, think what we would have if we were in their caſe.
9. Whether it may not coſt too dear, though good. Conſider whether the attaining of it, though good, may not occaſion ſo much evil, as it is not worth it: if it be not of preſent neceſſity (non deliberand. de neceſſariis) the rubs attending it may ſhew it is not good at this time, or not thus, or not for me.
They ſhall be aſhamed of their own Counſels.
When they are come to times of affliction they ſhall be aſhamed of their own Counſels.2. Doct. Times of affliction makes men aſham'd of what they would not be aſham'd of before, Jer. 2. 26. Zeph. 3. 11. I remember a notable expreſſion that Sr. Walter Rawleigh hath in his Story;Sr Walter Rawlegh When death comes (ſaith he) which hates men and deſtroies men, when that comes, that's beleeved; But God that loves men, and makes men, he is not regarded. Oh Eloquent! Oh! Mighty Death! whom none could adviſe, thou art able to perſwade. That's thus, men that would never be perſwaded by any thing elſe to beleeve that they were not right, yet when death appears that can perſwade them: now afflictions are an evil, but how eloquent are afflictions? what power have afflictions to perſwade men that they were wrong, that would not be perſwaded by all the arguments in the world before? Then they ſhall be aſhamed of their own Counſels. Oh! I beſeech you let us take heed of this, let not us go on headily in our own Counſels till God bring us into miſery, and then we ſhould be forced to cry out of our own Counſels and be aſhamed of them.