An Exposition of Hosea 11-13, Exposition · Chapter 13 · Verse 1
VER. 1.
When Ephraim ſpake, trembling, he exalted himſelf in Iſrael; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
THis Chapter is partly Legal and partly Evangelical. Legal, charging this people with their fin of Idolatry, and of Ingratitude, ſhewing them Gods wrath, partly already inflicted, and further threatned them to the 14. Verſe; and again in the 15. and 16. Verſes, there returning to further threats: but in the 14. Verſ. there is ſomething mixt of the Goſpel in the midſt of theſe charges and threats. Ephraim would have put off all the evil that came on him, upon God; but God charges Ephraim himſelf with it, all the change of Ephraim's condition from what it had been, comes from his own ſin; and the evil that is like further to come upon him, will be for their own ſin.
When Ephraim ſpake, Trembling; not when Ephraim ſpake tremblingly; but when Ephraim ſpake, (there's a The pointing of the Text.ſtop) Trembling: as much as if it were ſaid, There was trembling when Ephraim ſpake, thoſe that heard him did tremble. When Ephraim ſpoke, there was trembling: There was a time when Ephraim was very honorable among the Tribes, when the very ſpeaking of Ephraim had great power, and took great impreſſion upon whomſoever he ſpake to. Yea, though Ephraim was the yonger brother, that came of Joſeph, yet by the guidance of the hand of God upon Jacob's hand, the bleſſing came upon him more eſpecially; and ſo from time to time God put much honor upon this Tribe of Ephraim, according to the bleſſing he had from Jacob, when his right hand did lay hold upon the head of Ephraim. Joſhuah Joſhua.he was of the Tribe of Ephraim, and when Joſhua ſpake, what trembling was there among all the people? what mighty power and authority had he? And you reade in Judges, 8. in their ſpeaking to Gideon, what trembling they cauſed, and what yeelding preſently when they ſpake, in Judges, 8. the beginning, And the men of Ephraim ſpake unto him, Why haſt thou ſerved us thus, that thou calledſt us not when thou wenteſt to fight with the Medianites? and they did chide with him ſharply. And he ſaid unto them, What have I done now in compariſon of you? Is not the gleaning of the Grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? And ſo in Judges, 12. when Ephraim came to fight with Jephthah they had thought to have done the ſame, they ſpake great and ſwelling words, Ephraim took much upon him, and made account that all ſhould tremble and ſhake when he ſpake.
And Jeroboam he was of the Tribe of Ephraim, and ſo Jeroboam.it hath reference in a more eſpecial manner to him, and his houſe, when Jeroboam ſpake, the Princely Power being put upon that Tribe of Ephraim in Jeroboam, and they having power in their hands they did prevail very much at the firſt, and cauſed trembling to all thoſe they ſpake to. But as if the holy Ghoſt ſhould ſay, There's a great change now in Ephraim, he is not now as he was, nor is not like to continue ſo. Ephraim preſuming upon his excellency, and upon his ſtrength, and worth, he preſum'd to ſin, he ſin'd in Baal, that is, in a way of Idolatry, for ſo Baal ſometimes is a general word for an Idol, Jer. 9. 14. They have walked after the imagination of their own hearts, and after Baalim, after their Idols. And the Chaldae Paraphraſe, they ſeem to allow of this, ſay Chald. paraphraſe.they, They did ſin, in that they did worſhip Idols.
When he ſin'd in Baal: But though it's meant of Jeroboam preſently, including his Calf, yet eſpecially is it meant of that ſpecial ſin that was afterwards in this Princely Tribe, in the ſucceſſors of Jeroboam, and that was in Ahab in a more ſpecial manner, … Kings, 16. 31. there he did not ſatisfie himſelf in worſhiping of the Calves, but added this, to worſhip Baal, the God of the Sidonians. When he ſin'd, then he died.
He died.] His ſpirit even died; he was of a ſtout ſpirit, but afterwards came to be of a low, baſe, and ſordid Expoſ. 1.ſpirit, and died. They were under the ſentence of death, Jeroboam's houſe was cut off, and Ahab's houſe 2.cut off, and the people died at laſt: They came to be vile and contemptible at laſt, ſo that every body could inſult over them. When a Lyon is alive and roars, he is terrible to all the Beaſts; but a Lyon that is dead, the moſt timorous thing that is will run over, or trample upon him; So Ephraim was terrible to all about him, but when he had ſinned in Baal, his honor was taken from him, and every one would inſult over him, and then he was fain to crouch to every one, and the wrath of God did purſue him till it never left him, nor his family, nor the people, but they died and came to nothing; Oh the poor ſpirit that there was in this Tribe afterwards, When they ſinned in Baal! In 1 Kings, 20. you ſhall ſee what a low and mean ſpirit they had, whereas before when they ſpake, men trembled, none could make them tremble, but they made others tremble, but now in 1 King. 20. it is ſaid of Benhadad the King of Syria, That he gathered all his hoſt together; and he ſent meſſengers to Ahab King of Iſrael into the City, and ſaid unto him, Thus ſaith Benhadad, Thy ſilver and thy gold is mine, thy Wives alſo and thy Children, even the goodlieſt are mine. And the King of Iſrael anſwered and ſaid, My Lord, O King, according to thy ſaying, I am thine, and all that I have. They had a low and a mean ſpirit yeelding to any thing, and Baſe ſpirits moſt inſolent.yet of a mighty ſurly ſpirit to be cruel over thoſe that were under him; The Lord was departed from him, and ſo their ſpirits were gone, and they were as a dead carcaſs, and every one then could inſult over them. Thus you have the meaning of this Scripture in general; yet we ſhall ſee more particularly when we examin it in reference to Jeroboam. But from what hath been ſaid, theſe are theſe Obſervations.
Firſt, It is an honor to have reſpect from others, when we Obſ. 1.ſpeak, to have what we ſay to be received with reverence and reſpect, that it takes impreſſion upon the hearts of others, when we ſpeak to them, that it is not caſt out as a vain and worthleſs thing; thus Job deſcribes his honor, in chap. 29. 9. The Princes refrained talking and laid their hands on their mouth, the Nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth; and in the 21. verſ. VntoUnto Me men gave ear, and waited, and kept ſilence at my counſel. A great honor it was to Job, that when he ſpake, his ſpeech was regarded.
Let Children, and Servants, and all inferiors learn to give Uſe for Inferiors.due honor unto thoſe that God hath ſet above them, not to ſcorn at their ſpeeches, not to ſlight their ſpeeches, when they ſpeak to them, to go away & ſmile & jeer, but it is fit when a Father ſpeaks to his Child, that the Child ſhew reverence and reſpect, there ſhould be an awful reverence manifeſted in the very countenance and carriage of the child, and ſo when Governors ſpeak to their Servants, and Superiors to their Inferiors. But eſpecially let us give God that honor when God ſpeaks, Oh let there be We are with reverence to hear the Lord ſpeak.trembling, Is this an honor that inferiors ſhould give to their Superiors to ſhew reverence when they ſpeak, Oh let us give this to God, Pſal. 103. 20. Bleſs the Lord, ye his Angels, that excel in ſtrength and do his Commandements, hearkening to the voice of his Word. The Angels they excel in ſtrength, the moſt excellent Creatures, and what, do they ſlight and diſregard the Word of God? Oh no, they hearken to the voice of His Word, they give a reverent reſpect to the voice of Gods Word, and it infinitly beſeems us when God ſpeaks to give reſpect to him, that's the firſt.
Secondly, Thoſe who are in place of power over others they Obſ. 2.account it their honor, not only that thoſe under them regard what they ſay, but that they ſhould tremble at what they ſay. It is a great delight that man hath to lift up himſelf above others, and to be imperious above others, we might give divers examples of men that have had great power in their hands, and when any thing hath diſpleaſed them, they would ſpeak ſo as to make others to ſhake and tremble; Nay, not only men in great place will do it, but you ſhall find this diſpoſition in men that are very mean and of a very low rank, yet if they have any under them, they will be imperious over them; as now in Families, The imperiouſneſs of ſome in their families.how many when they do but ſpeak to their Wives, though ſhe be colateral, and not directly under him, yet how imperiouſly do they ſpeak, ſpeak ſo as to make the houſe ſhake almoſt when they ſpeak, and ſo Servants and Children: and this they account their Glory. My Brethren, though this be often through much diſtemper, and pride, and vanity in men to delight to make all that are under them to tremble when they ſpeak, yet this is an honor due to God, and God expects it from us, for the Lord is infinitely above us, and we are all of us under Trembling due to God.the feet of God, and at his diſpoſe, both for our preſent and eternal eſtate.
And it is …it for us, therefore to give regard and ſome reverence to God when he ſpeaks, to have an heart to tremble at his Word, that's that God looks for. In Iſa. 66. 2. The Lord that is on high, yet he looks to him that is of a poor and contrite ſpirit, and trembleth at his Word; the Word that God ſpeaks is that that hath the dreadful Authority of God in it, It is that that binds Conſcience, it's that Word that if thou obeyeſt not, will bind thee over to eternal death: It becomes the greateſt Monarchs in the world to have ſhaking and trembling hearts when God ſpeaks: Oh! who art thou that canſt ſtand againſt the Voice of God when he ſpeaks? Oh bold and hard heart (I ſay) that canſt ſtand out againſt Gods Voice. In Pſal. 29. 4. The Voice of the Lord is powerful the Voice of the Lord is full of Majeſty. And in Hab. 3. 16 When I heard, my belly trembled, and my lips quivered at the Voice, and I trembled in my ſelf again. This is the honor that is due to God, Oh it is a comely thing to ſee a Congregation ſit even The poſture of a Congregatiō …trembling under the Word of God, manifeſting their hearts to be affected with the Authority and Majeſtie of what it is that God ſpeaks; for there's much Majeſty in the Voice of God, Oh! 'tis full of Majeſtie.
Again, When he ſpake, there was trembling.
This the Prophet mentions as a means to aggravate his Expoſ.ſin and miſery afterwards, As if the Prophet ſhould ſay, There was a time that God did ſubdue the hearts of people under Ephraim, ſo that Ephraim had a great deal of Authority over thoſe that were under him, When Ephraim ſpake, there was trembling.
From whence the Note is this, which Pareus hath upon the place, ſaith he, The ſubjection of the hearts of men Pareus. Obſ. 3.unto thoſe in Authority, it is a work of God, God is to have the glory of it: It is from God that the hearts of multitudes ſhall be brought under ſome few ſo as to fear them, and to receive what they ſpeak with trembling, it is from God. In Joſh. 4. 14. On that day the Lord magnified Joſhua in the ſight of all Iſrael, and they feared him as they feared Moſes. Joſhua before Moſes dyed, was but a ſervant to Moſes, and we do not reade that he was ſo magnified among the People, they did not fear him ſo much; No, the fear was then upon Moſes, becauſe Moſes was in place of Authority; but when Moſes was taken away, and Joſhua was to ſucceed him in Authority, then the Lord magnified him, the Lord put a luſtre upon him, and the Lord cauſed the People to fear him, as they had feared Moſes: It is a work of God to cauſe People to fear Magiſtrates. So in Dan. 5. 19. For the Majeſtie be gave him, (that God gave the King) all People, and Nations, and Languages trembled and feared before him. It's God that puts majeſtie upon Governors, to make thoſe that are under to fear. It's a very obſervable Scripture we have in Pſal 77. 14. there it's ſpoken of God, that he did wonders Pſal. 77. 14. Obſerved.and marvellous things; What are thoſe wonders and marvellous things? If you reade, you ſhall find among others, Thou leadeſt thy People like a flock of Sheep by the hand of Moſes and Aaron; that's reckoned among the wonders and marvellous things that God doth, That he did lead his People like a flock of Sheep, by the hand of Moſes and Aaron; that ſo great a multitude ſhould be led like a flock of Sheep by the hands of two, it is a wonderful work of God, God is to have the glory of it, it is for the maintaining of Government and Order in the World, that God doth ſo ſubdue the hearts of many under few.
Then Fourthly, When Ephraim ſpake, trembling.Obſ. 4.
Though Ephraim the yonger, yet when he got Authority in his hand, how imperious was he? And obſerve, The meaner the beginings of men are, the more imperious often-times they are when they come in place of Power, none more imperious and inſulting over men than ſuch as have meaner beginings: this was the yonger Brother, and had power by a ſpecial providence of God, not according to the ordinary common courſe, and very often we find it, that men of mean qualitie, and that were inferior to others, if any providences raiſes them above others, they grow more imperious than others.
And then a Fifth is this, (which is a principal thing to be obſerved here, a Note from the change of the condition of Ephraim, when Ephraim ſpake, trembling, but after he ſinned, he died.) That men which heretofore have Obſ. 5.been of very high repute, and of reverend reſpect, ſo as they had much power to prevail with people that they had to do with, yet by their ſin they fall off from their dignity: Sin will bring mens honors down; though there was a time that every one reverenced him, had high eſteem of him, and did much regard what they ſpake, yet they falling to ſin and wickedneſs, it's juſt with God to bring their honor and eſteem down, to bring it into the duſt, and to make them vile and contemptible in the eyes of thoſe that ere while did reverence them, we find this threatned both to thoſe in the place of Magiſtracy, and in the place of Verified in 1. MagiſtracyMiniſtry. For Magiſtracy in Job, 12 21. He powreth contempt upon Princes, God powers contempt, though they had very great honor and eſteem, yet through their ſin contempt is thrown upon them. And then for thoſe in the Miniſtry, in Mal. 2. 9. Therefore alſo have I made you 2. Miniſtry.contemptible, and baſe before all the people. The Prieſts lips ſhould preſerve knowledg, and they were very honorable thoſe that were faithful, but when they come to be partial in the Law, that is, when they come to turn the Word of God to their own ends; it's a remarkable Scripture, that the Lord made them vile in the eyes of Note.the people. It was, that they were partial in the Law, that was a main thing, that is, they would handle the Word of God partially, what they could get to drive on their own waies by, they would improve that to the uttermoſt, and turn the Word which way they pleaſed; upon this, though they thought to prevail that way, and to get eſteem of the people by this means, ye… this was the thing that God threatens, to make them to be vile and contemptible in the eyes of the people becauſe of this. When people come to diſcover this, that men do indeed drive on their own deſigns, and their own ends in the waies of God, there's nothing will take away their repute and their honor more, Oh the great change that there is, in the honors and eſteem of men, God for their ſin caſts them out, and their names as vile men and women who have out-liv'd their honors, even in the very hearts of the Saints: Indeed when there is a change in an outward condition from proſperity to afflictions, then wicked and carnal men will not regard thoſe that they did honor before. As in Job's caſe, in Job, 29. Job tells us how he was honored, and regarded, and reverenced where he liv'd in proſperity, but when he was in affliction, in Job, 30. 1. Now thoſe who are yonger than I, have me in deriſion, that's a wickedneſs to change our minds of the eſteem of men, becauſe of their proſperity, or adverſity; it ſhews a great vanity of ſpirit, and where the heart is right, if one that hath been godly and in publick place heretofore, and now God by his providence Note.hath brought him down in regard of his outward eſtate, yet he is to be honored ſtill continuing in his integrity and holineſs. But now this is that which I ſpeak of as a Judgment of God upon men, when God caſts out their names from the very hearts of the Saints, and that worthily too, when they ſhall be worthy to be look'd upon as dead carcaſſes, though heretofore much honored and reſpected, heretofore they were as Gardens that had many ſweet Flowers, excellent common gifts they had for which they, were reſpected; but now like Gardens over-grown with Weeds that no body doth regard; As Houſes that were hung with coſtly Hangings, but afterwards pull'd down and nothing left but the bare walls: ſo their gifts were very precious, but now as thoſe Houſes having their Lord and Prince gone away there's nothing but bare walls, and it may be Mice and Vermine Simile.run up and down in thoſe rooms that were hung ſo bravely: So it is with many that had excellent gifts which were highly honored and eſteemed of by people that knew them, but now the hangings are gone, now there's nothing but Vermine running up and down in their ſpirits; Oh! what a mighty havock ſin will make in the honor and eſteem of men!
Let men therefore take heed of truſting in their former Uſe. for Magiſtrats and Miniſters that have bin of Repute.repute, for let them have done what they will heretofore, yet if they depart from God their honor will be gone; Men that are in place of Authority, or in place of Miniſtry, had need conſider this point well, for it's a matter of great moment for men in place of Authority to keep up their repute and eſteem that they may be the more uſeful and do ſervice, not only for themſelves, but that they may be of the greater uſe to do ſervice for God. And it is one of the great deſigns of the Devil to ſeek to caſt dirt upon thoſe that God doth uſe as Inſtruments for good▪ Oh! it concerns them to look to it that there be nothing juſtly caſt upon them.
It's very obſervable how God remembers Ephraim a long time after to put diſhonor upon him. You ſhall reade in the Book of the Revelations where the Tribes are reckoned up, in chap. 7. there's only two Tribes left out, Dan & Ephraim, Ephraim is not mentioned there by Revel 7. 8. Explained.his own name, but by the name of Joſeph, and the reaſon that is given is, becauſe thoſe two Tribes were Ring-leaders See Mr Mead in loc.in waies of Idolatry; as Dan, if you reade Judg. 18. you ſhall find him there a Ring-leader; and you know the great change of things that Ephraim made in the Worſhip of God, by Jeroboam's ſetting up of Calves, and ſo afterwards ſinn…ng in Baal, and ſo the great diſhonor that God put upon him afterwards. When Ephraim ſpake.
Spake, what? What did Ephraim ſpeak when he cauſed Expoſ. in partic.trembling? All this hath been only from the general, but what did he ſpeak referring it to Jeroboam that was of Ephraim, and ſo to the Courtiers that were with him? theſe ſpake theſe two things, and ſo cauſed trembling What Ieroboam ſpake to cauſe tremling. 1. Alteration of Governmentin the hearts of the people.
Firſt, When Jeroboam ſpake about the altering of the way of Government, about the taking off of the ten Tribes from the houſe of David, What portion have we in David, and in the houſe of Jeſſe? When this was mentioned, then there was trembling; it did certainly at firſt cauſe the peoples hearts to ſhake, they thought it was a very great matter, they knew not what would come of it, What, for to forſake the houſe of David and to have a change of Government in another way! this cauſed many thoughts of heart, and much trembling, fearing that there might come very ill conſequence of it: When he ſpake there was trembling. But, he exalted himſelf. Notwithſtanding ſuch concuſſions of ſpirit as there was, yet Jeroboam went on in his way, and would venture the Expoſ.worſt, let come of it what would, he would on, He exalted himſelf. But then afterwards he ſins in the way of his Idolatry, (and ſo his ſucceſſors ſin in Baal) and then he died, God ſtruck him, and his Familie, and ſo the ten Tribes. From whence our Notes of Obſervation are,
Firſt, That alteration in the matter of Government, is a matter of very great hazard and difficulty; men that have to Obſ. 1.deal in any kind of alteration in matter of Government, had need be very wiſe in their carriage in it, in reſpect of the people, for much depends upon them. When there was any alteration in Government there was trembling then, mighty fears and troubles in the hearts of the people.
Secondly, Men of Spirit they will break through difficulties, Obſ. 2.if once they be reſolved upon a buſineſs. And when God doth intend to have a work acompliſht, he will raiſe up men of Note.Spirit to go through with it, notwithſtanding any difficulties there is in it.
He exalted Himſelf. Though the Peoples ſpirits were very much troubled, and a great deal of ſhaking there was throughout the Land, yet he lifts up Himſelf, he had ſome encouragement from the Prophet and otherwiſe ſo that he would go through. When God (I ſay) hath an intent to bring a buſineſs about; for this was, that he might fulfil what was threatned to Solomon for his former ſin.
And then Thirdly, If men when they have been helped to Obſ. 3.go on through difficulties, yet if they ſhal afterwards reſt in their parts, reſt in their ſtrength ſo as to forſake God, and ſin againſt him, it's juſt with God to leave them that they ſhall vaniſh and come to nothing: He did exalt himſelf and prevailed in what he ſpake, notwithſtanding the trembling of the People, for having got himſelf warm in the neſt, and ſtrong in his Kingdom, then he lifts up himſelf in another manner, and forſakes God, and truſts in his own ſtrength, And now he dies, now God caſts him off.
Men had need take heed, though they be carried thorow Uſe. Caution.many and great difficulties, and by a Spirit more than ordinary, they had need take heed (I ſay) that afterwards they do not walk in their own ſtrength, but walk humbly before God; If they forſake God, they wil die and periſh. That's the Firſt thing that Jeroboam ſpake.
Secondly, When he ſpake, when he firſt mentioned the buſineſs in the Alteration of Religion, this it's like cauſed Expoſ. 2.more trembling than the other: What is that Jeroboam ſpake? That now they were not to go up to worſhip at Jeruſalem, God did not ſtand upon ſuch things, No, they might ſave that long journy; and ſo there was a Calf ſet up at Dan and Betbel, and they muſt go and worſhip there: This was a mighty alteration in the matters of Religion. And ſurely when this was mentioned firſt to the People there could not but be great trembling, the ſpirits of the godly to be ſure they would tremble at ſuch a motion, they would look upon it as a moſt dreadful Curſe of God upon the Kingdom, that there ſhould be ſuch a change in the matters of Religion, from the Truth to that which is Falſe; and even others too, there was a general trembling, for men have ſome kind of conſcience of Religion and of worſhiping God, this was ſo flat againſt the Word, that where there was but any Conſcience of God they could not but have ſom fear, they could not tel what might come of it, and therefore there could not but be a very great concuſſion of ſpirit in the People of the Land, to tremble at ſuch a ſtrange kind of thing as this was: at firſt it was ſo; But yet afterwards they had dead ſpirits, that he might do with them what he would, and ſo joyned with Jeroboam, and joyned with Abab, and ſinned more and more. From this ſpeaking and trembling, you have theſe Notes.
Firſt, That the Alteration in Religion is a very difficult buſineſs, Obſ. 1.it cannot be expected but the hearts of People will ſtir much upon the Alteration of Religion, though it be from worſe to better, yet the hearts of People wil ſtir very much at firſt. When the Reformation was firſt from Popery here, what a ſtir was there? they were preſently ready to take up Arms in Cornwel; What ad… was there for the Book of Common Prayer, ſo that the King was fain to write to them, That it was no other than the ſum of what they had before, only tranſlated into Engliſh, with ſome Amendments. And certainly the caſting out of Prelacie hath cauſed a great deal of trembling, a great Epiſcopacyado there is, How hard it is to get but any rotten tooth out of a mans head, it coſts a great deal of pain and trouble. Though the Warrs were undertaken for the A fit ſimile.maintainance of our Liberties, as we are Subjects, and Men, and for the Civil-Right we have to our Religion alſo; but yet we ſee that the very thoughts of any kind of change in matters of Religion whatſoever it be, it cauſes the hearts of men to be up, and ſhake, and to be unſetled, it's a matter of great moment the change in matters of Religion, and therefore requires much Prayer where it is changed, though from the worſe to the better. If it cauſe trembling when it's changed from the better to the worſe, it wil likewiſe cauſe trembling where it is changed from the worſe to the better; and therfore it requires that al the Godly ſhould joyn al their ſtrength together, againſt thoſe that would oppoſe their ſtrength againſt it.
The Second is this, That men of reſolute ſpirits will go on, Obſ. 2.even in the matters of Religion, though it be from the better to the worſe, yet you ſhall have ſome men whoſe ſpirits are reſolute that they will go on. Oh! but you will ſay, The People will not bear nor endure it. Yea, but they will venture to go on with their way and deſign, though it be from the better to the worſe; but now, if the change be from the worſe to the better, than it's a ſpecial gift of God to give men hearts to go on, notwithſtanding difficulties.
And then in the Third place, He exalted himſelf, though Obſ. 3.there were trembling: That is, He did prevail in this his way, in this change of Religion, Jeroboam did not carry things by open violence preſently, it was a great while firſt, but he carried things on by fair ſhews, one thing after another, and ſo he prevailed with the People. This is the way to get a deſign, and not by open violence at preſent.
And then Fourthly, Then he died, when he ſinned in Baal. Obſ. 4.Though God may ſuffer men to make ſome alteration in Religion, though it be to the worſe, and let them proſper, yet if they will grow from one degree to another in forſaking God, then God comes upon them with his wrath, then they die; if they know not where to hold, then God will not continue patient towards ſuch a people any longer.
And then the Fifth thing is this, That a Family or People Obſ. 5.from whence God hath withdrawn his protection and bleſſing, is a dead carcaſs.
Then, He is dead, that I take to be the meaning of that in Mat. 24. 28. For whereſoever the carcaſs is, there will the Mat. 24. 28. Interpreted.Eagles be gathered together; though it's true, it's ſpoken about the coming of Chriſt, yet I do not think that the Carcaſs is Chriſt, and the Saints like Eagles, and ſo will be where Chriſt is, yet it hath been carried ſo by divers; now though it's ſpoken there of Chriſts coming, yet it's meant, of his coming againſt Jeruſalem, there's a great part of that Chapter of the coming of Chriſt in his Judgments againſt the people of the Jews, and now they were as a dead carcaſs, God having forſaken them; And the Eagles, Birds of prey, would come upon them: And it might have reference to the Romans coming upon them, whoſe Enſign is the Spread Eagle, thoſe Eagles would Note.come. The body of the Jews that had forſaken God, and his Truth, and ſo was but as a dead carcaſs, the Eagles would make prey of them. A people, or family that forſakes God and his Worſhip is as a dead carcaſs.
And then Sixthly, 'Tis corruption of Worſhip that cauſes Obſ. 6.God thus to withdraw from a people, and make them to be as a dead carcaſs.
When they ſinn'd in Baal. As it was ſaid of Troy ſo long as they kept the Palladium▪ [the Image of Minerva] Troja retineus Palladium inexpugabiles manebat.it was ſafe, and could not be overcome, but when that was gone then they were overcome and ſpoiled. So when Gods Worſhip which is the life and ſafety of a place when that's gone, and Worſhip is corrupted, then there doth come death: Though I do not think that God alwaies obſerves the ſtrict rule for matters of worſhip, as towards the Jews; for the Jews certainly though A Caution.they had a Covenant of Grace that God dealt with them in, yet they had a ſpecial Covenant that God made One of Gods ſpecial Covenants with the Jews.with them for their being in the Land of Canaan; now indeed God goes by general rules, that is, to puniſh the diſobedient, and to reward thoſe that are godly, the waies of God now towards Nations and People for his outward puniſhments, and mercies, are but according to general rules, but Gods adminiſtration towards the Jews, His way with them.beſides general rules were according to a ſpecial Covenant that God made with them about their living in the Land of Canàan, either proſperouſly, or in adverſity.
But then further, When wicked men are moſt active in their evil way and violence, yet then they may be under the ſentence Obſ. 7.of death, when they ſeem to have the greateſt power to do what they liſt (I ſay) then they may be as a dead people.
When he ſinned in Baal, then he died. If you will but obſerve the ſtory, for theſe Prophets cannot poſſibly be underſtood without reference to the ſtory of Kings, and Chronicles: obſerve but the ſtory of the Kings, When was it that Ephraim did ſin in Baal? It was in Ahab's time, Ahabstime.you ſhall find that they were never more active for their way of Idolatry than then, nor never more violence, never more cruelty to the Prophets of the Lord, than there was at that time. For then Jezebel ſhe had her 100. Prophets ſet at her table, but the Prophets of God were fain to be hid in a cave, and Eliah to ſhift for his life; And yet when he ſinned in Baal, he died. Died! why he ſeem'd to be full of life and activity and vigor, and thought to do what he liſt, and to trample all under feet that would ſtand againſt that way of worſhip, but for all this their bravery and pride they were dead, ſaith the holy Ghoſt, they were under the ſentence of death, and a baſe people, God was gone from them, and they were decaying, and ſo ſhould deny more and more till he did periſh; When he ſinned in Baal, he died.