An Exposition of Hosea 8-10, Frontispiece – Table of contents
JEREMIAH BVRROUGHES Goſpell-Preacher To two of the greateſt Congregations in England Ʋiz. Stepney and Cripplegate London Aetatis Suae. 45.
C…ſs ſculpt: Iune. 1. 1646
AN EXPOSITION WITH Practical Obſervations CONTINUED Upon the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Chapters of the PROPHESY OF HOSEA.
Being Firſt delivered in ſeveral LECTURES at Michaels Cornhil, LONDON.
By Jeremiah Burroughs.
Being the Sixth Book publiſhed by
Thomas Goodwin,
William Greenhil,
Sydrach Simpſon,
William Bridge,
John Yates,
Will. Adderly.
LONDON: Printed by Peter Cole, at the ſign of the Printing-Preſs in Cornhil, near the Royal Exchange. 1650.
To the READER.
VVHAT We have by way of Preface ſet before the Edition of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Chapters, may ſufficiently ſerve for a Premiſe to theſe Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Chapters, as holding forth the Uſe and Scope of the whol Propheſie, and the Authors Intentions in his Comment theron: So as We ſhall only need now to give LETTERS of CREDENCE before the World, to the paſſing of Theſe, as the beſt, and moſt authentick Notes that could any way be obtained, both as the Extracts of the beſt Notes of Sermons, taken from his Mouth, and chiefly his own Writings, which were more brief. Exſpect ſhortly the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Chapters from the ſame hand. We commit Them, and the Reader to the bleſsing of God.
Thomas Goodwyn,
Sydrach Simpſon,
William Greenhil,
William Bridge,
John Yates,
Will. Adderly.
THE CONTENTS
Hoſea, Chap. VIII.
VERSE I
Obſervation 1 MIniſters muſt not only be trumpeters of Mercy and Peace, but alſo of Judgment Page 2
Obſ. 2 Miniſters muſt not be weary of their work though little good come of it 3
Obſ. 3 The denunciation of threatning in the Name of God, is a terrible ſound ibid.
Obſ. 4 Men flatter themſelves when danger is at a diſtance 4
Obſ. 5 All the ſwiftneſs of an enemy is from God 5
Obſ. 6. God doth not preſently caſt away a Church, though it be guilty of many ſins. ibid
Obſ. 7. It is an high expreſſion of the Priviledge of a Church, That it is the houſe of the Lord. 6
Obſ. 8 Though we be Gods houſe, yet enemies may come upon us. 7
VERSE II.
Opened 8
Obſ. 1 In affliction men ſee their need of God. 9
Obſ. 2 The vileſt wretches in time of diſtreſs will call for help of God ibid
Obſ. 3. Acknowledgment of God in a formal way, is that Hypocrites think will comend them to God 10
Obſ. 4 Degenerate children look for favor for their godly parents ſakes. 11
Obſ. 5 They will think to have the ſame mercies their fathers had ib.
VERSE III.
Obſ. 1 The true Worſhip of God is the Good thing by way of Excellencie 12
Obſ. 2 Gods Worſhip is repelled by carnal hearts ib.
Obſ. 3 Though at firſt men only leave God, yet at laſt they caſt him off with abomination ib.
Obſ 4 When the good of Duty is caſt off, the evil of puniſhment will come in 14
VERSE IV.
Expounded 15
Obſ. 1 We may do the thing God would have done, and yet ſin highly againſt God 17
Obſ. 2 To go about great buſineſſes without conſulting with God, is ſin. 18
Obſ. 3 Alteration in Civil Government is a great matter ib.
Obſ. 4 When we are about great buſineſſes we muſt look at Gods ends. ib.
Obſ. 5 We can have no comfort of Gods mercies, if we ſtay not Gods time 19
Obſ. 6 When we have a mercy promiſed, we muſt take it by lawful means ib.
Obſ. 7 When we have a mercy we muſt improve it for God 20
Obſ. 8 God knows how to make uſe of mens ſins 22
Obſ. 9 God many times ſuffers ſinners to proſper a long time ib.
VERSE V.
Obſ. 1 Though Idolaters promiſe themſelves ſafety by their Idols, yet they will leave them at laſt 26
Obſ. 2 Take heed of Engagements in what is evil 28
Obſ. 3 If by cuſtom in evil we have no power to get out, this will be no excuſe ib.
VERSE VI.
Obſ. 1 None are ſo ſo…iſh in wicked waies as Apoſtats 30
Obſ. 2 To he deviſers of evil in Gods Worſhip is a great aggravation of ſin ib.
Obſ. 3 Men ſtick cloſe to their own inventions in Gods Worſhip ib.
Obſ. 4 There is no ſin more hereditary then Idolatry ib.
Obſ. 5 Idols muſt be broken in pieces 34
Obſ. 6 Whatſoever may be broken in pieces we may not make our God ib.
Obſ. 7 Deifying a Creature makes way for the deſtruction of the Creature 35
VERSE VII.
Obſ. 1 Idolaters are willing to take pains for their falſe worſhip 35 Uſe. Let us take pains for the the true Worſhip ib.
Obſ. 2 Idolaters ſow in hope 36
Obſ. 3 Idolaters lay a ground for ſucceſſion ib.
Obſ. 4 Idolaters obſerve their ſeaſon ib.
Obſ. 5 Many ſow the wind 37
Who ſow the wind
1 Some Students ib.
2 Idolaters ib.
3 Formaliſts 38
4 Vain glorious ib.
5 Carnal Polititians 39
6 Such as ſerve themſelves of ſin. ib.
Uſe 1. Comfort for the Church that al their enemies do but ſow the wind 39
Uſe 2. Miniſters muſt beware of ſowing the wind
1 If they bring empty words.
2 Their own fancies to the people 41
Obſ. 6 They that ſow the wind, it is juſt with God they ſhould reap the whirlwind 42
Obſ. 7 Sometimes wicked actions may ſeem to proſper, though the curſe of God be upon them. 44
Obſ. 8 To have our deſires ſatisfied for a while, and then deſtroyed, is a great judgment 45
VERSE VIII.
Expounded 46
VERSE IX.
Expounded 50
Object. Why doth God compare the ten Tribes to a wild Aſs?
Anſw. 1. To ſhew their ſtubbornneſs 52
2 To ſhew their contemptibleneſs 53
Obj Why doth he ſay [Alone?]
Anſw. 1. To ſhew they would be under no Government 54
2 That they were fit for no ſociety 55
Obſ. 1 Where we place our confidence, there our love ſhould be placed ib.
Obſ. 2 Idolaters wil not ſtand upon terms if they may have their Idols any way 56
Obſ. 3 It is an evil thing to be drawn to falſe worſhip 57
VERSE X.
Obſ. 1. It is a great evil when wicked men ſeem to proſper more than Gods people in outward eſtate 59
Obſ. 2 Many times when men think they provide moſt for their peace, they provide moſt for their ruin 61
Obſ. 3 People many times run headily on in evil waies that will deſtroy them 62
Text opened in diverſe Particulars 63
Obſ. 1. When ſinners have brought trouble upon themſelves, then they complain much 66
Admonition to England ib.
Obſ. 2. Taxes upon mens eſtates is but a little burden in reſpect of being brought under the power of the enemy 67
Obſ. 3 Taxes are but little burden in compariſon to the carrying of our brethren into captivity 67
Obſ. 4 It is Gods mercy to bring leſſer evils upon us thereby to prevent greater ib.
Obſ. 5. The conſideration of little burdens upon us, ſhould move us to turn to God 68
Obſ. 6. Gods judgments againſt wicked men are the beginings of further judgments ib.
VERSE XI.
Opened 69
Object. Why God would have but one Altar? 74
Anſw.
1. Theſe Altars did typifie two things
1 That Chriſt was to be the only ſacrifice 74
2 That all our ſervices are accepted only in him ib.
2. That it might be the bond of the Church.
Other Objections Anſwered. 76
Obſ. 1 Mans inventions in Gods Worſhip are rejected of God 77
Obſ. 2 There is no ſtop in ſuperſtitious worſhip 78
Obſ. 3 We are ready to imitate our forefathers in what is evil, but not in what is good 79
Obſ. 4. Take heed diſtance of time make us not to fear the threatning the leſs. 80
Obſ. 5 Every age ads ſomething to Idolatry and falſe worſhip 81
Obſ. 6 What ever names we give to things it may be God will give other names and titles 83
Obſ. 7 When mens hearts are ſet upon falſ waies of worſhip, it is juſt with God to let them have their deſires to the full ib.
VERSE XII.
Obſ. 1 Whatſoever is urged or practiſed in matter of worſhip, it muſt have warrant out of the written Word of God 85
Obſ. 2 We ſhould look upon the Scriptures as concerning our ſelves 92
Obſ. 3 The things of Gods Worſhip are to be looked upon as great things. 96
1 Becauſe they are from a great God ib.
2 The luſtre of the great God ſhines in them ib.
3 They are the myſteries of Gods will 97
4 They are of great concernment. 98
5 They have great power on the heart of man ib.
6 They make all thoſe great that receive them 99
7 They are great in Gods account ib.
Obſ. 4 The word is matter for the greateſt ſpirits to exerciſe themſelves about 101
Obſ. 5 It is a ſpecial means to obedience to have high thoughts of Gods Law 102
Obſ. 6. The worſhip of God is a great matter 103
The Word of God accounted ſtrange
1 As not concerning them 105
2 Strange in their apprehenſions. 106
3 There is no ſutableneſs between their hearts and the Doctrine. 107
4 They uſe the Word as a ſtranger viz. for their own ends 108
Obſ. 7 Superſtitious people that are very zealous in their own way of worſhip, are very negligent in Gods way 108
Obſ. 8 It is a dangerous thing for men to have their hearts eſtranged from Gods Law 110
The Degrees of the hearts eſtrangement from God.
1 His delight in God abates 111
2 They are leſs frequent together. ib.
3 He hath hard thoughts of Gods Word ib
4 He wiſheth the things in the Word were otherwiſe ib.
5 He begins to liſten to things that are againſt the Word 112
6 He will not ſearch throughly into truths ib.
7 An engagement in ſome unlawful practice ib.
8 Weighty arguments now become weak ib.
9 He violently rejects the Word. ib.
Obſ. 8 That which mens corrupt hearts will not cloſe withal they put it upon Chriſt, as if Chriſt had delivered them from it 113
VERS. XIII.
Obſ. 1 Men may continue in outward profeſſion, and yet the great things of Gods Law may be ſtrange to them 115
Obſ. 2 Moſt men offer up nothing to God in ſacrifice but fleſh 116
Obſ. 3 To aim at Self in ſerving God, eats out true devotion 117
Obſ. 4 If Self be regarded, all is rejected 119
Obſ. 5 Men may be much in holy ſervices and yet their ſins ſtand upon the ſcore nevertheleſs 120
Obſ. 6 Howſoever God may forbear wicked men a time, yet he hath a time to remember all ib.
Obſ. 7 God remembers the ſins of wicked people, eſpecially in the performance of holy duties 122
1 Becauſe we come into Gods preſence ib.
2 Holy Duties are aggravations of ſin. ib.
Obſ. 8 God viſits mens ſins when they think he neglects them moſt 123
Obſ. 9 Carnal hearts, when God viſits their ſins, plot which way to ſhift for themſelves 124
Obſ. 10 It is one of the moſt dreadful judgments of God upon a Nation, when he hath delivered them from one bondage, to deliver them into the ſame again 125
Obſ. 11 It is juſt with God that thoſe that inherit their fathers ſins ſhould inherit their fathers judgments ib.
Obſ. 12 All places are places of miſery when God forſakes a People ib.
VERSE XIV.
Obſ. 1 God puniſheth for ſin when men are moſt ſecure 126
Obſ. 2 It is Gods favor that makes a man 127
Obſ. 3 The greater excellency God raiſeth a man to, the viler is his ſin to forget God 128
Obſ. 4 When mens hearts are fartheſt off from God, then are they forwardeſt in ſuperſtition 128
Objections anſwered 129
Obſ. 5 Men are more ſubject to ſecure themſelves from outward things than from Gods wrath 132
Obſ. 6 When men bleſs themſelves in their own thoughts, they ſhould conſider what are Gods thoughts? 133
Obſ. 7 Brave things are ſubject to Gods devouring fire 134
CHAP. IX.
VERS. I.
Obſ. 1 That's a ſad war where the Conqueror hath cauſe to be ſad at the Conqueſt 137
Ʋſe for England ib.
Obſ. 2 Leagues wherein we much rejoyce may prove occaſions of ſorrow. 138
Uſe. Be not greedy of peace before the time ib.
Obſ. 3 Carnal hearts bleſs themſelves in in outward proſperity 139
Obſ. 4 When men be jolly and merry, they ſhould conſider whether it be from God or not 140
Obſ. 5 We may proſper, and yet have no cauſe of joy ib.
Obſ. 6 Carnal hearts are immoderate in joy 141
Exhortations.
1 Be not taken with the worlds jollity. 142
2 Imitate them not in their waies of rejoycing ib.
3 Do not rejoyce as a People 143
4 Rejoyce not profanely ib.
5 Rejoyce not as having ſo much cauſe as others 144
Obſ. 7 Many that ſcorn mean men may not be in ſo good a caſe as they. ib.
Obſ. 8 Although we enjoy the ſame bleſſings that othess do, yet we may not have the ſame cauſe to rejoyce that they have 144
Obſ. 9 It is a great argument of mens miſery that others rejoyce, when they cannot 145
Obſ. 10 That which we call little matter in corrupting Gods Worſhip, God calls a going a whoring from him 147
Obſ. 11 A People may be free from the groſs evils of another people, and yet be in a worſe condition than they 147
Proved 148
Obſ. 12 To be conſtant to evil principles is not ſo great an evil, as to be falſe in good principles ib.
Obſ. 13 The ſins of Gods People are the greateſt ſins of all 149
Obſ. 14 Idolaters love outward proſperity becauſe it is a reward of their ſervice to their Idols 153
VERSE II.
Obſ. 1 God often lets wicked men come near a mercy, and then cuts them off 154
Obſ. 2 God ſtrikes wicked men in thoſe things their hearts are m…ſt ſet upon ib.
Obſ. 3. The promiſes of the creature will lye, the promiſes of the world will not. 155
Obſ. 4 Men ſhall fail at laſt in what they think they to get in a way of ſin ib.
VERSE III.
Obſ. 1 It is a great judgment of God to drive men out of a Land for ſin 159
Obſ. 2 The ſtate of the Church of God is excellent ib.
Uſe 1. To ſhew the happineſs of Beleevers ib.
Uſe 2. To ſhew what a judgment it is to be caſt out of the Church of God ib.
Obſ. 3 Thoſe that make Leagues with wicked men, it is juſt with God they ſhould be enthral'd in their abominations 161
Obſ. 4 When men are inwardly unclean, God cares not for their outward cleanneſs ib.
Obſ. 5 A great ſin it is for the Saints to joyn with the World in evil worſhip 161
VERSE IV.
Obſ. 1 Thoſe that abuſe their joy to luſt, it is juſt with God to take it from them 163
Obſ. 2 This makes the affliction bitter when the joy in Gods ſervice is gone ib.
Obſ. 3 It is a ſad thing when a creature would ſeek to God, and yet God rejects him 170
VERSE V.
Opened 173
The perplexity of the wicked in the Lords day.
1 All comforts are gone 177
2 God Himſelf fights againſt them ib.
3 Conſcience terrifies them ib.
4 They know not whither to go for help ib.
5 The thoughts of God are terrible to them ib.
6 Theſe miſeries are but the beginning of ſorrows ib.
The Saints know what to do in a day of calamity
1 Bleſs God that ever they knew him 178
2 Exerciſe Faith in the Word 179
3 Sanctifie the Name of God in his Judgments ib.
4 Eaſe their ſouls by Prayer. ib.
5 See beyond preſent evils. ib.
VERSE VI.
Obſ. 1 Carnal hearts have alwaies ſome ſhifting thoughts how to provide for themſelves 180
Obſ. 2 Carnal hearts will rather make any thing their refuge in affliction, than God 18…
Obſ. 3 It is a great affliction to be forced to leave ones own Country and never return 183
VERSE VII.
Obſ. 1 God hath his ſet time for execution of Judgment 187
Obſ. 2 The apprehenſion of preſent evil terrifies the ſoul 188
Obſ. 3 Wicked men will not know till they feel ib.
Obſ. 4 The knowledge men have of God in time of affliction is a working knowledge 189
Obſ. 5 In time of affliction men cry out that thoſe are fools that ſeduced them ib.
Obſ. 6 It is no excuſe for men to be led aſide by their Miniſters 190
VERS. VIII.
Obſ. 1 Many vile things are hid under glorious titles 191
Obſ. 2 When the Truth is cleer, it is dangerous to ſeek the Opinions of others 192
Obſ. 3 No cauſe ſo ill but will be maintained by ſome learned 193
Obſ. 4 It is a great grief to thoſe that have intereſt in God, to ſee thoſe that maintain that which is evil, to pretend as much for God as any ib.
Obſ. 5 You muſt have ground from Scripture before you ſubmit to any thing in the Worſhip of God. 195
Obſ. 6. Thoſe that have intereſt in God rejoyce when they ſee faithful Miniſters keep cloſe to God 199
VERSE IX.
Obſ. 1 When ſuperſtition hath gotten deep root in the heart it is hardly got out 202
Ʋſe to England ib.
Obſ. 2 We may find worſ uſage from thoſe that profeſs Religion than from thoſe which profeſs it not 207
Uſe. Take heed how you carry your ſelves towards your Brethren ib.
Obſ. 3 God may behold thoſe filthy who carry fair ſhews in Religion. ib.
Obſ. 4 For men to ſtand out impudently in wickedneſs committed is abominable in the eyes of God 208
Obſ. 5 To joyn with others to do ſo is worſ ib.
Applied to ſome of the Gentry and Nobility of this Kingdom ib.
Obſ. 6 Such as do ſo may proſper a while. 209
Obſ. 7 At laſt they ſhall all periſh ib.
Obſ. 8 The ſins of the forefathers is an aggravation of the childrens ſins ib.
VERSE X.
Obſ. 1 We ſhould lay to heart Gods love to our fathers, and ſeek to continue it to our ſelves 211
Obſ. 2 The greatneſs of Gods love is not enough to engage carnal hearts. 214
Obſ. 3 There is no evil ſo ſhameful but a carnal heart wil forſake the glorious God to cleave to it. 216
Obſ. 4 So to leave God and cleave to wickedneſs is abominable ib.
Obſ. 5 It is uſual for people to be of the Religion thoſe are of whom they love. 219
VERSE XI.
Obſ. 1 Multitude of children is a glory to a people 221
1 By them they are multiplied. ib.
2 What excellency is in their children they look upon it as their own ib.
3 They have hope of continuation from generation to generation by them ib.
Uſe. Bring up your children in the fear of God ib.
Obſ. 2 Godlineſs brings bleſſings ſwiftly, and wickedneſs drives them away as faſt 245
VERSE XII.
Obſ. 1 Many think all is well when they have eſcaped ſome judgement. 246
Obſ. 2 It is a judgment to be deprived of children ib.
Obſ. 3 It is God in the Creature that upholds it 248
VERSE XIII.
Expounded 253
Obſ. 1 God may depart from men or kingdoms in their greateſt proſperity 255
Uſe Take heed when you are in your proſperity ib.
Obſ. 2. God never ſhews ſo much reſpect to any, but if they forſake him, wrath follows 256
Obſ. 3 The curſ of God goes forward from the Parents to the children 257
Obſ. 4 For the curſe to follow from the parents to the children is an heavy curſe 259
VERSE XIIII.
Obſ. 1. Mens ſins oftentimes make Gods Miniſters at a ſtand what to ſay in prayer 263
Obſ. 2 The fruitfulneſs or barrenneſs of the womb is from God. ib.
VERSE XV.
Obſ. 1 Above all ſins, the ſin of Idolatry makes a people hated of God. 169
Obſ. 2 To take occaſion to ſin from Gods mercy is a thing which God hates 269
Obſ. 3 'Tis a hateful thing to caſt off the Government that God would have men under 271
Obſ. 4 Some ſins provoke God to hatred. 272
Obſ. 5. Sometimes God manifeſts his diſpleaſure in the places where we ſin. ib.
Obſ. 6 God cannot endure wickedneſs in his own houſe. ib.
Obſ. 7 Men in Authority think it a diſhonor to be perſwaded to alter their minds 276
Obſ. 8 Engagements work deeply in men when they are engaged in their honors ib.
Obſ. 9 According to peoples intereſts ſo they are 277
Obſ. 10 Princes though they ſhould be uſed with reverence, yet they ſhould not be flattered ib.
Obſ. 11 When Princes ſucceſſively are wicked, there is little hope of good to that people 278
VERSE XVI
Obſ. 1 God will not alwaies forbear ſinners 278
Obſ. 2. If God leave Governors to revolt the people will be ſmitten 282
Obſ. 3 Compulſion of Authority doth not excuſe ſin 283
Obſ. 4. Tbe apprehenſion of Gods hand in ſmiting ſhould humble the hearts of ſinners 284
Obſ. 5 God hath his time to dry up the roots of ſinners 285
VERSE XVII.
Obſ. 1. Let all the world forſake God a faithful ſoul will not 290
Obſ. 2 It is no preſumption for a few to chalenge intereſt in God, when the generality do not 291
Uſe. Let thou be offended at the … of thoſe that keep the faith ib.
Obſ. 3 It is a dreadful thing for wicked men to be declared againſt by the godly 292
Uſe. Do not ſlight it 293
Obſ. 4 When men are violent in wickedneſs, God will be violent in his judgments ib.
Uſe. Take heed of being violent in the wais of ſin 294
Obſ 5. In matters of Gods Worſhip we muſt hearken to God ib.
Obſ. 6 It is a judgment to have an unſetled ſpirit 296
Obſ. 7 Prize the Communion of Saints. 298
CHAP. X.
VERS. I.
Obſ. 1 The Church is compared to a Vine 300
Reaſons
1 It hath an unpromiſing outſide ib.
2 It is the moſt fruitful plant that grows ib.
3 No plant requires ſo great care ib.
4 It is the moſt depending creature 301
5 If not fruitful it is moſt unprofitable ib.
6 It is the emblem of peace. 302
Obſ. 2 Emptineſs of profeſſors is a very great evil 303
Reaſons.
1 'Tis unnatural 304
2 'Tis a diſhonor to their root. ib.
3 It fruſtrates the Lord of all his care ib.
4 There is no bleſſing upon thy ſoul ib.
5 If there be Grace it cannot but bear fruit ib.
6 Common gifts ſhal be taken away 305
7 An empty ſpirit is fit for the Devil to poſſeſs 306
8 God doth not let us ſit empty of bleſſings ib.
9 The Lord hath juſtly made our Vine bleed for its emptineſs ib.
10 The evil of emptineſs is great according to the greatneſs of opportunities ib.
Uſe 1 If it be evil to be empty, what an evil is it to bring forth ill Grapes ib.
Uſe 2 Let us prize fruitfulneſs 307
Obſ. 3 It is all one to be an empty Chriſtian, and to bring forth fruit to ones ſelf 315
Obſ. 4 When God is ſpoiling a Nation it is vain for people to think to provide for themſelves 317
Obſ. 5 To encreaſe our wickedneſs by Gods bleſſings is an abominable thing 319
Reaſons
1 It is againſt the ingenuity of a Chriſtian 320
2 Chriſtian Principles are above eſtate ib.
3 It is againſt our prayers. ib.
Obſ. 6 The love Idolaters have to their Idols is according to that ability they have to ſhew their love. 320
VERSE II
Obſ. 1 Though men ſtrive never ſo much to maintain what is evil, God will break it 326
Obſ. 2 Though men be convinced of an evil, yet if the temptation abide they will fall to it again. 327
Obſ. 3 Superſtitious Images and Altars are to be taken away. ib.
Obſ. 4 If we give that reſpect that is due to God to another thing, the Lord will deſtroy it ib.
Obſ. 5. If God break down what is evil let not us ſet it up ib.
Obſ. 6 We muſt not break down Images to make up our own broken eſtates 328
Obſ. 7 Mens diviſions break the neck of what they contend for ib.
VERS. III.
Obſ. 1 It is a great evil for a people not to have the protection of a right Government 331
Obſ. 2 It is a great evil not to fear the Lord 332
Obſ. 3. When men have the countenance of great ones, there is little fear of God amongst them ib.
Obſ. 4. The taking away of Kingly power is a puniſhment for the want of the fear of God 333
Obſ. 5. The times of Gods wrath forceth acknowledgment from their hearts that fear not God 334
Obſ. 6 When the heart is humbled it will not put off the cauſe of evils to other men 335
Obſ. 7 When God forſakes a people there is nothing can do them good 337
Obſ. 8 It is juſt with God to make thoſe things unuſeful which ſinful people dote upon ib.
Obſ. 9. God can ſoon change the hearts of people in reference to their King 339
Obſ. 10 The difference between Gods people and wicked men ib.
Obſ. 11 The ſtouter creature confidence is, the more do they ſink when they are croſt in their hopes 340
Obſ. 12 When a carnal heart is knockt off from creature confidence then he deſpairs ib.
VERSE IV.
Expounded 361
Obſ. 1 Carnal hearts in their ſtraits take ſhifting courſes, becauſe they have no God to go to 364
Obſ. 2 It is an evil thing for profeſſors to combine with wicked men 365
Obſ. 3 There is no truſt to wicked mens Oaths and Covenants 365
Obſ. 4. Breaking Covenant, though with wicked men, is a great wicked…neſs ib.
Obſ. 5 Injuſtice and Oppreſſion is a forerunner of Ruin 372
VERSE V.
Obſ. 1 Thoſe that fear God leaſt, are moſt afraid of any thing elſe 379
Obſ. 2 In times of danger we ſhould be moſt ſolicitous about the Worſhip of God 384
Obſ. 3 Cities that are ſafe ſhould be ſenſible of the miſeries of others. 385
Obſ. 4 Idolaters that dedicate themſelves to Idols, are the people of that Idol 387
Obſ 5. Idolaters account their Idol worſhip glorious 391
VERSE VI.
Obſ. 1 Our depending upon men for help is dearly bought 392
Obſ. 2. It is the faſhion of Idolaters to rejoyce much when they get one anothers gods ib.
Applied to England ib.
Obſ. 3 Mens own counſels in matters of Religion bring them to ſhame. 396
1 Becauſe it is much regarded ib.
2 God leaves them to folly. ib.
3 They provoke God by them. 398
Uſe. 1. What to avoid in Counſels.
1 Falſe principles. ib.
2 Wicked men ib.
3 Self ends ib.
4 Pride and conceitedneſs ib.
5 Fleſh and blood ib.
6 Paſſion and frowardneſs ib.
Uſe. 2 What we ſhould attend in our counſels
1 Look up to Jeſus Chriſt 399
2 Pray much ib.
3 Let the fear of God be ſtrong 400
4 Keep to the Word of God. ib.
5 Be not put off with ſhews of Reaſon 401
6 Be humble ib.
7 Conſult with an indifferent judgment ib.
8 Do as you would be done by ib.
9 Whether it may not coſt too dear, though good ib.
VERSE VII.
Obſ. 1 Ʋngodly men in their greateſt rage are but as foam, if God come againſt them 403
Scripture Expreſſions touching the vanity of great perſons 404
VERS. VIII.
Obſ. 1 God deſtroies the glorious Names of Idolatry 406
Obſ. 2 The nearer a thing comes to the nature of ſin, the viler it is. ib.
Obſ. 3 Falſe worſhip is the great ſinne. 407
Obſ. 4 We may ſo abuſe the creatures, that we may turn them into ſin it ſelf ib.
Obſ. 5 When any Ordinances of God are abuſed, they are to be but purged; but inventions of men are to be deſtroyed ib.
Obſ. 6 Mans ſin brings deſtruction upon the creatures 408
Obſ. 7 If it be ſad that falſe worſhip is neglected, how ſad is it that true worſhip is? 409
Obſ. 8 The ruin of Idolatrous places is more pleaſing to God than their pomp 410
Obſ. 9 What men account highly of in matter of worſhip, when the enemy coms in he contemns them ib.
Obſ. 10 God can make an alteration in Cities and Kingdoms 413
Obſ. 11 It is a great miſery to fall into the hands of ones enemies 414
Obſ. 12 The wrath of God is very dreadful ib.
Obſ. 13 To live in miſery is worſe than preſent death 415
Obſ. 14 The miſery of wicked men in affliction is wonderful 416
Obſ. 15 Deſperation is a dreadful thing. ib.
VERSE IX.
Opened 418
Obſ. 1 To comit the ſame ſins our anceſtors did, is greater than theirs was 419
Obſ. 2 God takes it ill when thoſe whom he hath uſed to puniſh others for ſin, commit the ſame ſins themſelves ib
Obſ. 3 Children of iniquity may eſcape once and again 423
VERSE X
Expounded 425
Obſ. 1 When God hath a mind to bring about a thing, he will gather a people 427
Obſ. 2 God will chuſe his rod he will ſcourg us with ib.
VERSE XI.
Obſ. 1 Such as are divided in proſperity, ſhall be bound together in bondage 430
Obſ. 2 It is a ſign of a carnal heart to avoid any work God cals to, becauſe it is difficult 431
Obſ. 3 Hypocrites are content with ſuch ſervices as bring preſent comfort ib.
Obſ. 4 It is a ſign of a carnal heart to ſeek preſent accommodation 432
Obſ. 5 God looks with indignation upon ſuch as mind nothing but eaſe and delicacy 455
Obſ 6 It is an honor for men to go thorough difficulti…s for God 439
Obſ. 7 Let no men boaſt they live more at eaſe than others ib.
Uſe. Comfort for the afflicted
Obſ. 8. Thoſe that for ſake the true Worſhip of God, 'tis well if they come into the meaneſt condition among Gods People 441
VERSE XII.
Obſ. 1. Though the ſins of people be great, and judgments near, we know not what an exhortation may do 441
Obſ. 2 The actions of men are ſeeds 445
Obſ. 3 They ſhal come up in the ſame kind ib.
Obſ. 4 The ſeed lies in the ground rotting a while, yet afterwards comes up. ib.
Obſ. 5 The ſeed ſowen comes up through the bleſſing of God upon it ib.
Obſ. 6. The better the ſeed is, the longer it lies under ground 446
Obſ. 7 The Miniſters of God are ſowers. ib.
Obſ. 8 Large oportunities of doing ſervice for God ſhould be our riches ib.
Obſ. 9 It is not every ſeed will ſerve the turn 447
Obſ. 10 As a man ſows ſo ſhall he reap. 450
Uſe. Let the Saints ſet a price upon the actions of Righteouſneſs 451
Obſ. 11 God will give abundantly above our good works 455
Obſ. 12 The hearts of men naturally are fallow grounds 456
Obſ. 13 It is high time to ſeek the LORD 474
Reaſons.
1 God hath been a long time patient ib.
2 Mercy is even going ib.
3 It is an acceptable time. ib.
Obſ. 14 It is time for England to ſeek God 478
Obſ. 15 God will come to ſow Righteouſnes in time 480
Obſ. 16 Sometimes God doth not preſently rain Righteouſneſs upon his people that ſow it 481
Obſ. 17 Thoſe that ſeek aright will continue ſeeking till God comes ib.
Motives to continue ſeeking.
1. Thou art doing thy duty. 482
2. Thou canſt not do better. ib.
3. While you are waiting God is working good ib.
4. While thou art ſeeking thou art not without ſome dews. 483
5. When he comes he will come more fully. ib.
Obſ. 18 To thoſe that are content to ſeek God till he comes, he will come with plentiful ſhowers 484
Obſ. 19 The help of thoſe that ſeek God is from Heaven 485
Obſ. 20 When God comes he makes his people fruitful ib.
Obſ. 21 God comes in righteouſneſs to them that ſeek him 486
Obſ. 22 Though the good we do be our own good yet God rewards us as though he got by it ib.
VERSE XIII.
Obſ. 1 The fruits of falſe worſhip is the encreaſe of ſin 490
Obſ. 2 A man is ready to truſt in his own way 492
Uſe, What a ſhame is it Saints ſhould not truſt in Gods way 495
Obſ. 3 When great men go along with Religion men think it muſt needs be right 497
Obſ. 4 Great Armies are the confidence of carnal hearts 498
Uſe, Examine what your confidence is 499
VERSE XIV.
Obſ. 1 Tumults are a token of great wrath of God 500
Obſ. 2 Pollicy will not prevail if God be againſt us 507
Obſ. 3. Great is the rage of war if God let it out 508
Obſ. 4 The ſins of parents many times comes upon little ones ib.
Obſ. 5. The judgments of God when neer us ſhould awaken us. 509
VERS. XV.
Obſ. 1 Miſerable judgments many times ariſe from cauſes we little think of 510
Obſ. 2 From places of Idolatry come the greateſt evils to a Kingdom ib.
Obſ. 3. Falſe worſhip is the great ſin God is provoked againſt a Nation for 511
Obſ. 4. God takes notice not only of mens ſins, but their aggravations ib.
Obſ. 5. According to the greatneſs of ſin is the greatneſs of wrath 512
Obſ. 6 When people have ſome enlightening then Gods diſpleaſure breaks out upon them 514
Ʋſe for England ib.
Obſ. 7 God loves to draw forth great ſinners to the light 516
Obſ. 8 God will make quick work with great ſinners ib.