An Exposition of Hosea 4-7, Table of contents
THE CONTENTS.
HOSEA, CHAP. IV.
VERS. I.
Obſervation, 1. THE conſideration that it is the word of the Lord, is a ſpecial means to prepare the heart to receive it. Page 1
Obſ. 2. The nearneſs of a people to God exempts them not from Gods contending with them. Page 2
Obſ. 3. The neerer the relation is, the more grievous is the controverſie. Ibid
Obſ. 4. Sin cauſeth a deadly controverſie between God and the ſoul. Page 4
1. God is above the ſinner. ibid
2. The controverſie is juſt. Page 5
3. We firſt began it. ibid
4. It is an old controverſie. ibid.
5. It ſtirreth up all the wrath of God. ibid.
6. It is a deadly controverſie. ibid
7. A controverſie with God. ibid
8. Only Jeſus Chriſt is able to make it up. Page 6
9. It is againſt infinit advantage. ibid
10. It is likely to prove everlaſting. ibid
Obſ. 5. Men ſhould be willing the cauſe between them and their inferiors ſhould be pleaded. Page 19
Obſ. 6. Gods mercies are fruits of his faithfulneſs. Page 20
Obſ. 7 God contendeth not with a people without cauſe. Page 21
Obſ. 8. God contendeth not againſt a people for little things. Page 22
Obſ. 9. It is vain for any man to talk of Religion, and make no conſcience of the ſecond table. Page 23
Obſ. 10. Gods controverſie with Covenant-breakers is very dreadfull. Page 26
Obſ. 11. The merciful God ſets Himſelf againſt mercileſs men. Page 29
Obſ. 12. Ʋnteaching Prieſts and Mans Inventions keep out the knowledge of God from a people. Page 38
VERS. II.
Opened. Page 40
Obſ. 1. The abuſe of an Oath is a dreadful ſin. ibid
Obſ. 2. There is no man that makes not conſcience of an Oath, that can make any of a Lye. Page 44
Obſ. 3. When ſin is not mortified, though it be reſtrained for a while it will break out. Page 59
Obſ. 4. Breaking out is a great aggravation of ſin. Page 60
VERS. III.
Explained. Page 62
Obſ. 1. All the glory and pomp of the men of the world is but as a flower. Page 64
Obſ. 2 Times of affliction take away the jollity of mens ſpirits ibid
Obſ. 3 When the beaſts of the field and the fowls of the air are deſtroyed, mans comforts are ſoon gone. Page 65
Obſ. 4. The good or evil of the creature depends on man. Page 67
Obſ. 5 When God is in a way of wrath he cauſeth it to reach to thoſe things which ſeem moſt remote from him. Page 68
Obſ. 6 No creature can help man in time of Gods wrath. ibid
VERS. IV.
Obſ. 1. Sin cannot be gotten from men without ſtriving. Page 69
Obſ. 2 Private men ſo long as they have hope ſhould ſtrive with their brethren by way of admonition. ib.
Obſ. 3 It is a great aggravation of ſin and forerunner of deſtruction to deſpiſe the admonitions of others ib.
Obſ. 4. Sin doth encreaſe in places where it is let alone. Page 71
Obſ. 5. There is a time when men may and ſhould leave their reproving of others. ib.
Opened Page 72
Obſ. 6. It is the duty of the Prieſt to contend againſt men for their ſins. Page 75
Obſ. 7. When Miniſters do contend againſt the people, they muſt look to be ſtriven withal by the people. Page 76
Obſ. 8. To ſtrive againſt thoſe that come in Gods Name to reprove is a great aggravation of ſin, and haſtning of judgment. Page 81
Obſ. 9. If publick means prevail not there is little hope of private. Page 84.
VERS. V.
Obſ. 1. Thoſe in office muſt go on though they be ſtriven againſt. Page 85
Obſ. 2. When a threatning comes to particulars then it works. ib.
Obſ. 3 The falls of the Prophets are falls in the night. Page 87
Obſ: 4. It is a ſad judgment for people in affliction to have no Prophet amongſt them. ibid
VERS. VI.
Obſ. 1. Ignorance is both father and mother of diſtruction. Page 90
1. The rational creature is working in the midſt of ſnares ib.
2. The way to eternity is in the midſt of a hundred croſs waies Page 91
3. Man muſt not go with his own light. ib.
4. Our work is a moſt curious work. ib.
5. Ignorance makes men objects of Gods hatred. ib.
Uſe 1. How vile a thing it is to deny the means of knowledg to men to ſatisfie the humors of others. Page 92
Uſe 2. Hopes for England becauſe the knowledge of God begins to ſhine in it. ib.
Obſ. 2. Suffering truths will hardly go down with many Miniſters. Page 94
Obſ. 3. There is a peculiar way of Gods rejecting wicked Miniſters. Page 95
Obſ. 4. Ʋnfaithfulneſs in ſervice provokes God to caſt men out of ſervice. Page 96
Obſ. 5. It is a great judgment to be rejected from the Prieſts office. ibid
Obſ. 6. It is a bleſſing for godly children of godly Miniſters to ſucceed them in their office. Page 97
Obſ. 7. The families of wicked Miniſters are many times forgotten. ibid
VERS. VII.
Obſ. 1. It is a uſual thing where there is encreaſe of number to be encreaſe in ſin. Page 98
Obſ. 2. It is mens vile diſpoſition to encreaſe in ſin as they encreaſe in mercies. Page 99
Obſ. 3. God doth love to ſtain the pride and haughtineſs of man Page 100
Obſ. 4. It is uſual with wicked Prieſts if they be countenanced by authority, to glory. Page 102
VERS. VIII.
Opened. Page 104
VERS. IX.
Obſ. 1. Evil Miniſters in a country are the cauſes of miſeries in the country. Page 112
Obſ. 2. If Prieſt and People be alike in ſin God will make them alike in puniſhment. ibid
Obſ. 3. Look how Miniſters are, ſo uſually the people are. Page 114
Obſ. 4. God hath his daies of viſitation wherein he will narrowly enquire into the waies of men. Page 119
Obſ. 6. God will call men to an accompt for their thoughts. Page 120
Obſ. 7. Wickedneſs in thought is the worſt wickedneſs. ibid
Obſ. 8. Sin paſſeth away in the act with much ſweetneſs, but God will make it return in the guilt with much bitterneſs. Page 120
Obſ. 9. The good works of the Saints ſhall return again with much comfort and peace. Page 121
VERS. X.
Obſ. 1. Whatſoever a man undertakes unlawfully, he can never expect to proſper. Page 124
Uſe, It is the beſt way to keep us to Gods Ordinances.
Obſ. 2. Idolaters ſeldom come in and return. Page 125
Obſ. 3. Take heed of your not taking heed. Page 126
Obſ. 4. The way to keep the heart and life in order and obedience is to take heed to the Lord. ibid
Obſ. 5. All things in Gods worſhip ſhould be according to Gods rule Page 127
Uſe, Take heed of Idolatry. ibid
VERS. XI.
Opened Page 128
Obſ. 1 It is juſt with God that thoſe that will not ſeek to ſatisfie themſelves in him ſhould be given over to the ſinful luſts of the fleſh Page 129
Obſ. 2. Senſuallity is a beſotting ſin. ibid
Obſ. 3. Miniſters when once they grow negligent uſually grow ſenſual. Page 132
VERS. XII.
Obſ. 1. Bodily and ſpiritual whoredom uſually go together Page 133
Uſe, We are not to marvail that ſuch as ſeem to be men of underſtanding are given to Idolatry. ibid
Obſ. 2. What poor waies Idolaters had to know the minds of their gods. Page 135
Uſe, Let us bleſs God that we have his word. ibid
Obſ. 3. There is an eagerneſs of ſpirit in men to things that are evil. ibid
Uſe 1. Look to your ſpirits when you find an eagerneſs in them to a thing. Page 136
Uſe 2. Labor to be acted by the Spirit of God. Page 137
Uſe 3. Pray to God that he would ſatisfie us not only in body and in ſoul but in ſpirit. ibid
Obſ. 4. All falſe worſhip doth put a man from the protection of God. Page 138
Obſ. 5. So far as we are from being under Gods command, ſo far we are from being under his protection. Page 129
VERS. XIII.
Obſ. 1. General accuſations without particular ſpecification, will not prevail with ſtubborn hearts. Page 140
Uſe. Godly Miniſters muſt not leave things in general if they would convince. ibid
Obſ. 2. What ſeems moſt ſpecious in our eyes if it be not according to the rule may be moſt abominable in the eyes of God. Page 141
Obſ. 3. Miniſters ought to preſent to the people the foulneſs of thoſe things that they think have leaſt evil in them. ib.
Obſ. 4. When God chuſeth a place, he puts a ſtamp of holineſs upon the place. Page 143
Obſ. 5. Idolatry is brazen faced and loves to be publick. Page 148
Uſe, Labor to make the worſhip of God as publick ibid
Obſ. 6. When the Ordinances of the Goſpel come to be publick, then it is time for Babylon to fall. ibid
Obſ. 7. Idolaters ſeek to riſe to the height of their way in falſe worſhip. ibid
Uſe, Let us labor to do ſo in Gods worſhip. ibid
Why they ſacrificed under trees?
1. Becauſe the Heathens dedicated the trees to their gods. Page 149
2. In imitation of the Patriarchs. ibid
3. The ſhadineſs of the place ſtruck ſome reverence in the hearts of men. ibid
4. They thought the ſpirits of their Worthies were there. Page 150
5. They were fit places for the committing of filthineſs. ibid
6. They conceited God was the more honored by it. ibid
Obſ. 8. Superſtition thinks it hath a great deal of reaſon for what it doth. Page 151
Obſ. 9. It is the pride of mens ſpirits to think Gods Ordinances are too plain ibid
Obſ. 10. God ſometimes puniſheth ſin with ſin. Page 152
Obſ. 11. It is a great reproach for any family to have uncleanneſs committed in it. Page 154
Uſe, Let Governors have a care of their families. ibid
Obſ 12. Our unfaithfulneſs with God is made more ſenſible, when thoſe that dwell neer us are unfaithful to us. ibid
Inſtances.
1. When our children are ſtubborn. Page 155
2. Ill wives. ibid
3. Friends unfaithful. Page 156
VERS. XIV.
Opened. Page 157
Obſ. 1. It is one of the moſt fearful judgments in all the world for the Lord not to reſtrain men from ſinning. Page 158
Obſ. 2. When parents are filthy and unclean what can be expected but their children ſhould be ſo too. Page 161
Uſe, Take heed how you ſin before your children. ibid
Obſ. 3. Thoſe that are filthy and unclean, will ſometimes make ſhew of Religion. Page 162
Obſ. 4. Idolaters are no underſtanding people. Page 165
Applyed to our times. Page 167
Obſ. 5. It is a fearful judgement of God to leave men to perplexed councels. Page 170
Obſ. 6. When wicked men are fallen they ſhal be ſo perplexed that they ſhall not know what to do. Page 170
VERS. XV.
Obſ. 1. Miniſters ſhould eſpecially look to thoſe whom they are bound unto by office, yet ſo as to labor to do good to others. Page 171
Obſ. 2. When we ſee our labor loſt to ſome, we ſhould try to do good to others. ibid
Obſ. 3. To be neer Idolaters is very dangerous. Page 172
Obſ. 4. The neerer a falſe worſhip comes to a true one, the more dangerous it is. Page 174
Obſ. 5. Thoſe that enjoy Gods Ordinances in a true way ſhould take heed of doing as other people do. Page 175
Obſ. 6. We muſt not do as others do in point of Gods worſhip. Page 177
Obſ. 7 It goes neerer the heart of God when his People offend, than when others do. Page 178
Reaſ. 1. There is more unkindneſs in their ſins Page 179
2 There is more unfaithfulneſs in them. ibid
3 Gods Name is more polluted by them. ibid
4. The excellency of their graces makes their ſins worſe. ibid
5. They go neerer the heart of the Saints than the ſins of others. Page 180
Application to our times. ibid
Obſ. 8. We muſt not come neer places that are dangerous to draw us to ſin. Page 186
Obſ. 9. Places corrupted loſe their honor. Page 188
VERS. XVI.
Opened. Page 192
Obſ. 1. Liberty may prove to be ones miſery. Page 195
VERS. XVII.
Opened Page 196
Obſ. 1. Wicked children are great diſhonors to their parents. Page 197
Obſ. 2. Governors are uſually the cauſes of the evils of the people. Page 198
Obſ. 3. Idolaters hearts are ſtrangely glued to the waies of Idolatry Page 200
Uſe, Joyn your ſelves to Jeſus Chriſt Page 201
Obſ. 4 We muſt take heed of communicating with Idolaters in their falſe waies Page 202
Obſ. 5. It is a heavy judgment upon a people when the Saints withdraw from them ibid
Obſ. 6 God hath a time to give men over to themſelves. Page 205
1 Becauſe he hath no need of them. Page 206
2 He hath another way to fetch glory from them ibid
Obſ. 7 It is the moſt woful judgment upon a people or perſon when God lets them alone in ſin ibid
1 It is a teſtimony of diſreſpect in God Page 207
2 Theſe are going apace into miſery ibid
3 They are in the midſt of abundance of dangers Page 208
4 God intends to make way for ſome fearful wrath to come upon them ibid
5 He will not vouchſafe to hear them ſpeak to him ibid
6 It is a dreadful ſign of Reprobation Page 209
7 It is greater than all earthly judgments Page 210
8 It is worſe than to be given up to the Devil Page 211
9 It is worſe than to be ſent to Hell preſently Page 212
10 Though he be without grace he muſt anſwer for it as though he had it Page 212
11 All means of grace are made improfitable to him. Page 213
Uſe 1 See what poor creatures men are ibid
Uſe 2 Let us fear and tremble at this judgment ibid
Object I fear God hath laid this judgment upon me.
Anſwer 1 It is a good ſign that thou art troubled with ſuch a fear Page 214
Anſwer 2 It is a good means to keep thee from being let alone ibid
Anſwer 3 If thou haſt not a heart to let God alone, God hath not a heart to let thee alone ibid
Uſe 3 Bleſſe God that he hath not inflicted this judgment upon thee Page 215
2 Bleſſe God that he hath not inflicted it upon the Kingdom ib.
VERS. XVIII.
Opened Page 217
Obſ. 1 Rulers ſhould be ſhields to the people where they live. Page 219
Application to our times Page 220
VERS. XIX.
Obſ. 1 Such as are ſuperſtitious look upon Gods Ordinances as vile and their own inventions as glorious Page 325
Obſ. 2 The judgments of God upon wicked men who have been ſpared a long time, come violently ibid
Cauſes of ſhame
1 Diſreſpect from thoſe we deſire honor from Page 326
2 When a man takes a great deal of pains and it comes to nothing Page 327
3 Diſappointment of hope ibid
4 When God diſcovers that to be vile which a man glorieth in. ib.
Uſe, Admonition to the ſuperſtitious to take ſhame to themſelves Page 328
Obſ. 3 God hath a time to make all Idolaters aſhamed of their ſacrifices Page 332
Obſ. 4 Duties performed with a carnal heart are mixed with baſe ends ibid
Obſ. 5 Our ſacrifices are defiled by the foulneſſe of our hearts. ibid
Queſtion What are thoſe ſacrifices we ſhould render to God and not be aſhamed of?
Anſwer 1 Be ſure they be his own Page 333
Anſwer 2 Let them come from faith Page 334
Anſwer 3 Let your ends be high ibid
Anſwer 4 Let your whol ſtrength be taken up in them ibid
Anſwer 5 Offer up your ſelves a ſacrifice to God ibid
Anſwer 6 Be humbled after all your beſt ſervices Page 335
Anſwer 7 Tender up all in Chriſt Page 336
CHAP. V.
VERS. I.
Opened Page 337
Obſ. 1 When God comes in judgment he expects we ſhould ſeriouſly mind what he is doing Page 338
Obſ. 2 Generallity in ſins is no way to eſcape judgment ibid
Obſ. 3. The Prieſts have uſually been the cauſes of wickedneſſe in and judgments on a nation Page 339
Obſ. 4 The people will go the way the King and Prieſts go ibid
Obſ. 5 Kings and Princes muſt have ſin charged upon them as well as others Page 342
Obſ. 6 Though they are to be reproved for ſin, ſome due reſpect ought to be given them Page 344
Obſ. 7 When God pleadeth againſt us let not neglect ibid
VERS. II.
Obſ. 1 It is a dangerous thing to venture upon the beginnings of falſe worſhip Page 354
Obſ. 2 It is a dangerous thing to be deeply rooted in ſuperſtitious waies Page 355
Uſe This ſhould teach us to deny our ſelves Page 357
Obſ. 3 The hearts of Apoſtates are moſt deeply rooted in wickedneſſe ibid
Application to our times Page 358
Obſ. 4 Idolaters are profound and deep ibid
Obſ. 5 Idolaters are deep in pollicy ibid
Uſe Let us labor to be wiſe in the worſhip of God ibid
Obſ. 6 The Miniſters of God muſt rebuke ſin Page 361
Obſ. 7 When Miniſters rebuke in the way of God, then God doth rebuke Page 362
Obſ. 8 Idolaters hearts are ſtubborn ibid
Uſe Let not us be troubled at the ſtoutneſſe of Idolaters Page 363
Obſ 9 It is a greater evil to ſtand out againſt Gods diſpleaſure than againſt his commands ibid
Uſe Let us charge this ſin upon our ſpirits Page 364
Obſ. 10 Prophets rebukes muſt be impartial rebukes Page 365
Obſ. 11 It is a hard thing for a few men to ſtand out againſt a State in matters of Religion ibid
VERS. III.
Opened Page 366
Obſ. 1 Gods eye is upon the ſecrets of mens hearts Page 367
Uſe 1 Then all Hypocrites muſt needs be Atheiſts ibid
Uſe 2 Admire at the patience of God Page 368
Uſe 3 Pray to God to make known your own hearts to your ſelves. ib.
Obſ. 2 Gods eye upon our hearts and waies is a ſpecial means to humble us. Page 369
Obſ. 3 God will deal with men according to their preſent waies Page 370
Uſe. Here's hope for repenting ſinners
Obſ. 4. Defiled worſhip exceedingly defiles the ſouls of people. Page 372
Objection Doth the mixture of the wicked defile the worſhip of God?
Anſwer 1 The beſt Church in the world may have wicked men in it Page 272
Anſwer 2 The Sacrament is not defiled to the receivers for the preſence of wicked men ibid
Queſtion How ſhall we diſtinguiſh mixture of Communion?
Anſwer 1 The Congregation is defiled if they do not uſe the power Chriſt hath given them Page 373
Anſwer 2 Particular perſons are defiled when they neglect the duty belongs to them Page 374
Obſ. 5. A defiled Nation is neer unto ruin ibid
VERS. IV.
Opened Page 376
Applyed to England Page 379
Obſ. 1. Apoſtates have ſeldom any inclination to turn to God. Page 384
Obſ. 2. True repentance is not only to leave evil and do good, but to turn unto God as our God Page 385
Obſ. 3. It is Gods juſt judgment to leave men to the Devil to be blinded when they forſake him and his truth Page 386
Obſ. 4. Impetuousneſs of ſpirit blinds the mind Page 388
Uſe, When we come to examin truths let us look to our ſpirits. Page 389
VERS. V.
Obſ. 1. Ignorance and pride uſually goes together Page 390
Obſ. 2. Idolaters are proud men Page 391
1 They look upon Gods worſhip as a mean thing ibid
2 They put more upon the creature than God hath Page 392
3 They preſcribe to God which way he ſhall be worſhiped ibid
4 They honor their own waies becauſe they are their own ibid
Obſ. 3. The ſpirit of ſin is caſting down Page 397
Obſ. 4. Pride goes before a fall ibid
1 A proud man goes from God ibid
2 He goes againſt God ibid
3 He goes beyond God Page 398
4 He goes above God ibid
Obſ. 5. It is a great aggravation for any one to think what miſery he brings others into Page 399
Obſ. 6. It is no plea for any to ſay they follow the example of others Page 400
Obſ. 7. If Gods people comply with wicked men they muſt expect to fall with them in outward judgments ibid
Uſe, Why ſo many fall in theſe times
Obſ. 8. The falling of the Saints with wickedmen is of ſpecial conſideration Page 401
1 God would have us take notice how holy he is ibid
2 He would have none preſume on former ſervices Page 402
3 God is not engaged to any if they tranſgreſs ibid
Uſe 1 God can be without men Page 403
Uſe 2 Admonition to wicked men ibid
VERS. VI.
Obſ. 1. Thoſe that depend upon duties are in a deſtraction when their duties prevail not Page 403
Obſ. 2. God contemneth the ſervices of Hypocrites, ſuperſtitious and Idolatrous perſons Page 404
Obſ. 3. It is a ſad thing when God will not own as his what we tender up to him ibid
Obſ. 4. Idolatrous and ſuperſtitious people are abundant in their ſervices Page 406
Obſ. 5. Idolatrus and ſuperſtitious people will ſpare no coſt in their own waies Page 407
Obſ. 6. There is a time when vile and wicked men ſhall ſee a need of God. ibid
Obſ. 7. The vileſt Idolaters that can be pretend to ſeek God as well as any. Page 408
Uſe, Take heed of ſuch pretenders. Page 409
Obſ. 8. Superſtitious and Idolatrous men are moſt aboundant in their ſervices, in the time of affliction. Page 409
Obſ. 9. Carnal profeſſors think to make God amends for former failings by outward performances. Page 410
Obſ. 10. If God be to be found any where, he is to be found in his Ordinances. ib.
Obſ. 11. The end of all holy duties ſhould be to find God in them. Page 411
Obſ. 12. God will not alwaies be found when he is ſought. ib.
1. When men ſeek him in a ſuperſtitious way ibid
2. When we ſeek our ſelves rather than God ib.
3. When we do not ſeek God as a God ibid
4. When we ſeek him too late. Page 412
Obſ. 13 God delights not in ſuperſtitious and formal profeſſors. ib.
Obſ. 14. It is a ſad thing when God withdraws from the creature when he ſeeks him in diſtreſs Page 413
1. God puts a diſhonor upon him. ibid
2. No creature can help us. Page 414
3. Some great judgment muſt be expected. ib.
4. No protection can be expected. ib.
5. Conſcience flies in ones face. ib.
6. It is a fore-runner of his eternal withdrawing. ib.
Queſtion. Doth not God withdraw Himſelf from his Saints?
Anſwer. 1. They retain good thoughts of him in his abſence. Page 415
Anſwer. 2. He draweth their hearts after him to cry more earneſtly ib.
Anſwer. 3. He leaveth ſome light behind him that they may ſee which way he is gone Page 416
Anſwer. 4. His bowels yern towards them ibid
Anſwer. 5. Nothing will ſatisfie them till God come again. ibid
Anſwer. 6. He doth not utterly forſake them ibid
VERS. VII.
Opened. Page 417
Obſ. 1. When wicked men come to ſeek God, God looks upon the wickedneſs of their hearts. Page 419
Obſ. 2 The ſins of ſuch as are in covenant with God are ſins of treachery Page 420
Applyed to our times ib.
Obſ. 3 Parents have the charge of their children committed to them by God Page 424
Obſ. 4. Children are uſually as their parents are, and education is Page 426
Uſe. 1 To ſuch as are well educated ibid
2 To ſuch as are ill educated ibid
Obſ. 5. It is a dangerous thing for children to follow the example of their parents in wickedneſs Page 427
Uſe, Children ought to examin their parents waies ibid
Obſ. 6 When the ſucceeding generation is wicked, there is little hope of ſuch a people Page 428
Obſ. 7 God takes it exceeding ill at mens hands when they corrupt their young ones Page 429
Obſ. 8 God hath a ſet time to reckon with ſinners Page 433
Obſ. 9. This ſet time is the time of their deſtruction ibid
Obſ. 10. The more ſpecial the providence of God is in mercy, the more ſevere are his judgments if provoked. Page 434
Obſ. 11 A carnal man hath his portion in this world only ibid
VERS. VIII.
Obſ. 1. When a people is in danger of Gods wrath it is high time for them to awake Page 436
Obſ. 2. When danger is apprehended as preſent and real, it takes the heart waſt Page 438
Obſ. 3. Miniſters of God muſt make the things they preach as real before the peoples eyes Page 439
Obſ. 4. Miniſters if their ambaſſage of peace be ſlighted muſt denounce war Page 441
Obſ. 5. Gods diſpleaſure of ſin is the cauſe of war in a land ibid
Obſ. 6. Superſtitious places are in greateſt diſtreſs in the time of Gods judgments Page 443
Obſ. 7. In time of trouble ſuperſtitious people are in greateſt perplexity. ibid
Obſ. 8 It is an ill thing to have ill neighbors. Page 444
Obſ. 9. When the wrath of God is againſt our neighbors we had need look to it Page 445
Queſtion What ſhall we do in ſuch times?
Anſwer 1 Humble your ſelves before God Page 446
Anſwer 2 Riſe up as one man and help your brethren Page 447
Anſwer 3 Meet your own danger before it cometh ibid
VERS. IX.
Obſ. 1. The day of Gods peoples affliction is the day of their rebuke Page 448
Obſ. 2. God hath his ſet times for rebuke Page 449
Obſ. 3. When wicked men ſtand out leſſer judgments they have cauſe to fear greater ibid
Obſ. 4 It is a dreadful time when God ſo rebukes a people that he deſtroies them ibid
1 All the wrath that was treaſured up breaks out upon them. Page 450
2 All their ſins comes together into Gods remembrance ibid
3 The cries of juſtice prevail againſt ſuch men ibid
4 Mercy leaves ſuch a people ibid
5 The Lord intends hurt to them ibid
6 All the creatures dare not own them ibid
7 All their ſervices are rejected Page 451
Obſ. 5. God ſmites not a people with judgment before he warns them Page 452
Obſ. 6 When God threatens he is real in his threatnings Page 453
Obſ. 7 The revealing of ſin before judgment aggravates both ſin and judgment Page 454
1 The goodneſs of God is not honored ibid
2 The truth of God is not honored ibid
3 It aggravates the ſin ibid
Obſ. 8. There is a time when there ſhall be no help to deliver from judgment Page 455
VERS. X.
Obſ. 1 We had need pray much for Princes Page 461
Obſ. 2. The bounds of Religion and Law keep in obedience and keep out judgments ibid
Obſ. 3. God puniſheth according to mens ſins Page 462
VERS. XI.
Obſ. 1. It is a great judgment for a people to be under oppreſſion. Page 466
Obſ. 2. Idolaters are great oppreſſors Page 467
Obſ. 3. God hath a righteous hand in delivering men into the hands of unrighteous oppreſſors Page 468
Obſ. 4 A ſpecial cauſe of oppreſſion is peoples following of falſe worſhip Page 469
Obſ. 5. Our giving to much to men God oftentimes puniſheth by making them the greateſt inſtruments of our miſery ibid
Obſ. 6. It is Satans courſe to get falſe worſhip backed with authority ibid
Obſ. 7. Mans authority is not a ſufficient warrant for us 470
Obſ. 8. The more willing men are to ſin the greater is the ſin. Page 472
Obſ. 9. Willing obedience in evil things brings guilt upon a people. Page 473
Obſ. 10. Commands for falſe worſhip eaſily prevail ibid
Obſ. 11 It is the duty of Chriſtians willingly to obey God Page 474
Obſ. 12. Bad Princes give liberty to mens luſts ibid
Obſ. 13. Idolatry is filthy ſtuff ibid
VERS. XII.
Opened Page 475
Obſ. 1. God may be in a way of wrath againſt a people and yet mean while be very patient Page 480
Obſ. 2. God many times letteth out his wrath againſt a people in little things Page 481
Obſ. 3. When God letteth out his wrath in ſmal things it is contemptible to carnal hearts ibid
Obſ. 4. Though carnal men deſpiſe Gods wrath in ſmal things yet it ſhall eat them out at laſt Page 482
Obſ. 5. God is ſlow in puniſhing ibid
Obſ. 6. God hath ſecret judgments to bring upon a people ibid
Uſe, Beware of ſecret ſins Page 483
Obſ. 7 Our corruptions within us, breed our trouble and undoing ibid
Obſ. 8 Gods wrath though ſecret many times eateth out mens ſpirits Page 484
Obſ. 9 Though others go before them yet they ſhall follow not long after Page 485
Obſ. 10 What a poor creature man is ibid
Obſ. 11 How long God condeſcendeth that he may expreſs his meaning to men Page 486
VERS. XIII.
Obſ. 1 The pride of mans heart will not eaſily acknowledg the hand of God Page 488
Obſ. 2 God will force men to be ſenſible of his hand againſt them. Page 489
Obſ. 3 Men are more ſubject to ſee their wound than their ſin. ibid
Obſ. 4 Carnal hearts ſeek to the creature in time of ſtraits Page 491
Obſ. 5 There is much guilt contracted by reſting on carnal helps. Page 492
1 They will infect ibid
2 They cannot pray Page 493
Obſ. 6 Creature comforts avail little in the day of wrath Page 495
Obſ. 7 Of all things men reſt on for help wicked men are like to prove moſt helpleſs Page 496
VERS. XIV.
Opened Page 498
Obſ. 1 When Gods leſſer afflictions work not God will be moſt terrible Page 499
Obſ. 2 Our ſeeking out ſhifting waies in times of extremities, provokes God Page 501
Obſ. 3 When God in wrath cauſeth war in a Kingdom than God teareth Page 502
Obſ. 4 God hath a righteous hand in the worſt actions of men. Page 504
Obſ. 5 The hand of God is more immediate in ſome judgments than in others. Page 505
1 Thereby the heart is humbled Page 506
2 It is a ſpecial means to quiet the heart with patience ibid
3 The ſoul is the more put upon enquiry Page 507
4 It cauſeth the ſoul to receive content in nothing but God. ibid
VERS. XV.
Obſ. It is a heavy judgment for God to tear, and then to leave a people Page 509
Text opened Page 511
Obſ. 1 Sin deſturbs Heaven and Earth ibid
Obſ. 2 In times of publick judgment God leaves his Majeſtie in Heaven to ſet things in order on Earth Page 512
Obſ. 3 Gods adminiſtrations to his people ſometimes may be ſuch as if he regarded them not ibid
Obſ. 4 When wicked men are in perplexity then God enjoyes himſelf in his perfection Page 513
Obſ. 5 Sometimes God turns his back upon ſinners till they acknowledg their ſins ibid
Obſ. 6 God humbles himſelf to behold what is done upon earth. ibid
The words explained Page 514
Obſ. 7 So long as men proſper in their ſins, they will conteſt with God ibid
Obſ. 8. Affliction ſanctified brings men to ſee and acknowledg their ſins Page 515
Obſ. 9. It's a ſign of a hard heart not to confeſs when Gods hand is upon us ibid
Obſ. 10. God will have glory from us Page 516
The words opened ibid
Obſ. 1 It is not enough to acknowledg our ſin but we muſt ſeek Gods face Page 517
Obſ. 2 When God leaves his people he leaves ſomething behind which cauſeth the heart to ſeek after him Page 518
Obſ. 3 True repentance is not ſo much to ſeek our own eaſe as Gods face ibid
Obſ. 4 Gods Ordinances and Worſhip are his face Page 519
Obſ. 5 Repenting hearts ſolicitous about Gods Ordinances ibid
Obſ. 6 The worſhip of God is his Name and Ordinances ibid
Obſ. 7. What good God aims at in his adminiſtrations to his people he will have it Page 520
The words opened Page 521
Quaere 1 What time doth this ſeeking of God refer it ſelf unto?
Anſwered 1 When the ſeventy yeers were at an end ibid
Anſwered 2 In their captivity by the Romans ibid
Anſwered 3 At the calling of the Jews ibid
Quaere 2 How did they ſeek God in any of theſe times? ibid
Anſwered from ſeveral Scriptures ibid
Obſ. 1 In the ſoreſt afflictions which befals the people of God, he intends their good in them Page 522
Obſ. 2. God hath little honor in this world Page 523
Uſe, God takes it ill when he ſeldom hears from us but in our extremities ibid
Obſ. 3 Times of affliction are times of ſeeking God ibid
Obſ. 4. When God is pleaſed to work grace in the heart, that heart is taken off from all creature helps ibid
Obſ. 5. We are not to be diſcouraged in ſeeking God though afflictions drives us to it ibid
Uſe, Deſpair not in afflictions ibid
Obſ. 6 We muſt ſeek God early, elſe not ſufficient Page 525
Opened in Three particulars ibid
Queſt. What is it to ſeek God diligently? Page 526
Anſwered in Five particulars ibid
Uſe: Admonition to England. Page 527