Exposition of Ezekiel 1-5, Commentary on Ezechiel · Chapter 3 · Verse 19
VER. 19.
Obſerv. 1. THat men may be warn'd from their wicked wayes, and yet be never the better, they may go on ſtill; this is too evident amongſt us daily.
2. It is not fruitleſſe, if wicked men return not from their evill wayes upon warning: The Prophet hath warn'd the wicked, and hath freed his own ſoul: and this was a great comfort unto Paul, Act. 20.26. when he appeals to the people themſelves, I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men; and how doth he prove it? thus; for I have not ſhunned to declare unto you all the counſel of God. He left none unwarn'd of ſin & danger, untaught their duty towards God and man; and therefore he had this teſtimony, yeelding ſound comfort, I am pure from the blood of all: ſo when hee had preached Chriſt to the Jewes, and they oppoſed, blaſphemed, hee ſhook his rayment, and ſaid, your blood be upon your own heads, I am clean, Act. 18.5, 6. much like that of David, 2 Sam. 3. I and my kingdome are guiltleſſe before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner; Let it reſt on the head of Joab. That which Paul calls clean, David calls guiltleſſe, when a man is guiltleſſe he is clean, he hath ſolid comfort; a Miniſter having conſcionably warn'd the wicked, and nothing comes of it in regard of them, yet ſomewhat comes of it in regard of himſelf; he is a free man, a cleer man; the blood of ſouls ſhall not be charged upon him. A Miniſter that is faithfull, ſhall not need to complain of the want of ſucceſſe; if he ſave not others he ſhall ſave himſelf.