Exposition of Haggai Zechariah and Malachi, Exposition of prophecy 2 · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII.
IN the firſt part of this Chapter, the ſpiritual bleſſings of the Goſpel purchaſed by Chriſt are promiſed to the Church, eſpecially to Iſrael, ſuch is remiſſion of ſinnes and holineſſe, verſ. 1. Reformation of the Church, verſ. 2. and zeal againſt falſe teachers, v. 3. ſome of whom (at leaſt) ſhall be convinced of their way and quit it, v. 4. taking them to other callings, v. 5 and ſhall acknowledge the equity of ſeverity uſed againſt them, v. 6 In the ſecond part of the Chapter, there is a Prophecie of the ſuffering of Chriſt, and ſcattering of the viſible Church, and his care of his own, v. 7 and that the greater part of the Church was to be cut off, and but a few to be preſerved, v. 8. who being purged by afflictions, ſhould increaſe in holineſſe, and in the ſenſe of Gods favour toward them, v. 9.
Verſ. 1.
IN that day there ſhall be a fountain opened to the houſe of David, and to the inhabitants of Jeruſalem, for ſin, and for uncleanneſs.
There are ſeveral bleſſings and benefits of the Kingdome of Chriſt here promiſed, which as the godly Jewes before Chriſt did enjoy, though more darkly and in leſſer meaſure then under the Goſpel: ſo though they be the common priviledges of the Goſpel-Church, in every age, yet a more full accompliſhment of them is reſerved for the converted Iſraelites, and therefore are peculiarly promiſed for that day when they ſhall repent and be reſtored, as appears from the end of the preceding Chapter. The firſt benefit is, Remiſſion of ſinnes and ſanctification, purging away the guilt of ſinne, by the grace of God in for giving ſinnes through Chriſts blood, and the vertue of his blood applied by the Spirit, and laid hold upon by faith, for purging all uncleanneſſe of ſinne: this is compared to a ſpringing fountaine made open to all, in oppoſition to the ſmall meaſure of water carried into the Temple for legall waſhings. This benefit will be very conſpicuous toward converted Iſrael, when the Redeemer ſhall turne iniquity from Jacob, Rom. 11.26. Doct. 1. The great and chiefe priviledge of the Goſpel is remiſſion and purging of ſinne, which as they are only attainable through faith laying hold on Chriſts blood, and the grace of God through him offered in the Goſpel, ſo without theſe no other advantages by the Goſpel will availe much, or be comfortable; for, it is the firſt here, A fountaine for ſinne, and uncleanneſſe, or, ſe…cration through uncleanneſſe, pointing at all filthineſſe of ſinne, ſhadowed out by legall uncleanneſſe, cauſing men to be ſequeſtrate; and particularly at originall ſinne, ſhadowed out by menſtruous uncleanneſſe, for the purging whereof this fountaine alſo muſt be made uſe of. 2. The free grace of God toward loſt man, and the vertue of Chriſts blood is a treaſure in exhauſtible, and which cannot be overcome with the greatneſſe and multiplicity of ſinne in theſe who flee unto it; for, it is a fountain, or ſpring 3. Pardon, and vertue for purging of ſinne is not only purchaſed, and the way to it made patent, by the death of Chriſt, giving acceſſe unto God through him: but is held forth in the offer of the Goſpel and Miniſtery of the Word, that none may pretend ignorance, nor any who need it ſeclude themſelves from ſo free an offer; and that the godly who have found the fruit of it, may come and daily make uſe of it: for, it is à fountaine opened. 4. As the greateſt muſt be in Chriſts reverence for this benefit, even theſe who have greateſt gifts and are Rulers of others; ſo the meaneſt in the Church, however they be not equal to others in gifts, yet have a like intereſt with them in this ſaving benefit; for, it is opened to the houſe of David, or, Rulers who attend in Chriſts Courts, and to the inhabitants of Jeruſalem, or body of the Church. 5. When the Lord poures out upon his people, the Spirit of repentance and humiliation, it is a forerunner of ample manifeſtations of the grace of God, in opening up the treaſures of the Goſpel by the Miniſtery of the Word, and in granting of pardon, and growth in purity; for, when the land ſhall mourn, Chap. 12.10. In that day, there ſhall be a fountaine opened.
Verſ. 2.
And it ſhall come to paſſe in that day, ſaith the LORD of hoſts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they ſhall no more be remembred: and alſo I will cauſe the Prophets, and the unclean ſpirit to paſſe out of the land.
A ſecond benefit promiſed, is, Reformation of the Church from all ſuperſtition, idolatry, and corruption in worſhip, under the name of Idols, and from falſe Doctrine in removing of falſe teachers, and the unclean ſpirit that leads and acts them: This is accompliſhed in every reformed Church, by Doctrine and conſtitutions of Diſcipline according to the meaſure of their Reformation, but will more eſpecially appear in the Church of Iſrael, when they are converted and reſtored. The Doctrine and Diſcipline of that Church ſhall caſt out all Hereticks, Sectaries, and Schiſmaticks out of the land. Doct. 1. Goſpel-Reformation conſiſts not only in the internall purging away of ſinne, but in the outward Reformation of Doctrine alſo, whereby Gods truth, and Ordinances, which he hath promiſed to be with, and to bleſſe for converſion and renovation of ſouls, are eſtabliſhed and ſet up; for here, with the fountaine opened, ſuch a Reformation is promiſed. 2. The Reformation of a Church is promoved and carried on, eſpecially when the Spirit of repentance for ſinne, and former deboardings from God is poured out upon a people; for, this Reformation goeth on in that day, when they are mourning, chap. 12. The neglect of this provokes God to reforme his Church rather by judgements then by ſuch a merciful way. 3. Every corruption in the worſhip of God is an idol, in ſo farre as it is a device of mans own brain, and the deviſer imagineth to himſelfe a God, who will not approve of ſuch worſhip, which certainly is not the true God: ſo it is here held out, I will cut off Idols. 4. Idolatry and ſuperſtition are ſo grievous in the eyes of a jealous God, ſo ſcandalous blemiſhes in his bride, and evils to which we have ſuch an inclination by nature, as the leaſt mixture of theſe with his worſhip cannot but diſhonour God, and pollute the Church; and the very memorial of them, will be enough to draw us back to Apoſtaſie; therefore in a right Reformation, The names of idols are to be cut off, and to be no more remembred, to wit, in any religious ſtate eſpecially. 5. Whatever falſe worſhip may ſeem to be, or promiſe, yet in effect it proves but matter of terrour and ſorrow, when the worſhipper ſtands in greateſt need of comfort in his worſhip; for, ſo doth the name of idols (which in the Original is ſorrowes, or, terrours) import. 6. Purity of worſhip and Doctrine muſt go together, all corrupt worſhip having falſe Doctrine at the root of it; and as corruption in worſhip uſhers in hereſie in Doctrine, ſo unſoundneſſe in Doctrine flowing from an unſound heart, cannot conſiſt with pare and acceptable worſhip; for here, idols and Prophets, or teachers of falſe Doctrine (who are here deſigned as they uſe to deſigne themſelves) muſt go together. 7. Approven Reformation doth not only oppoſe the error by way of doctrinal declaration and refutation, but alſo the teacher of the error, by way of Diſcipline; for, where Doctrine is reformed, The Prophet paſſeth out of the land. 8. Falſe Doctrine and corrupt worſhip are accompliſhed with, and flow from, not only the polluted and corrupt heart and imaginations of men, but from a ſpirit of Satan, the father of lies, who contributes to make them have place in the world, among them who receive not the love of the truth; which ſpirit, how plauſible ſoever, is not an harmleſſe and innocent ſpirit, but an unclean ſpirit, working upon the vileſt affections in men, to hatch and broach error, and oftentimes leading the erroneous perſon into blemiſhes in converſation, that in Gods wiſdom the veile may be taken off their way; for, with the Prophet, there is an unclean ſpirit to paſſe out of the land in a time of Reformation. Hence it is that errors are called the error of the wicked, 2 Pet. 3.17. and are works of the fleſh, Gal. 5.19, 20. and work on luſts and wantonneſſe, 2. Pet. 2.18 See, 2 Theſ. 2.9. 9. It is the Lord who hath chief hand in the Churches Reformation, and to whom the glory thereof is due: it is he who preſcribes the rule of Reformation, who cleares it up from his Word unto a people, who ſtirres them up to embrace it, and who by his Spirit makes it effectuall, notwithſtanding all oppoſition; for, In that day, ſaith the Lord of hoſts, I will cut off the names of idols, &c.
Vers;. 3.
And it ſhall come to paſſe, that when any ſhall yet propheſie, then his father and his mother that begat him ſhall ſay unto him, Thou ſhalt not live: for thou ſpeakeſt lies in the Name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him, ſhall thruſt him thorow when he propheſieth.
A third benefit (which is a branch of the former,) is zeal in the godly againſt falſe teachers, who ſhall be ſo tender, of the truth and glory of God, and the ſafety of the Church, (all which are endangered by error,) that it ſhall overcome natural affection in them; ſo that parents ſhall not ſpare their own children, being ſeducers, but ſhall either by an heroick act (ſuch as was in Phinchas, Numb. 25.8.) themſelves judge him worthy to die, and give ſentence and execute it, or cauſe him to be puniſhed, by bringing him to the Magiſtrate who hath power, according to the Law, Deut. 13. It is here promiſed, that this zeal ſhall be conſpicuous in converted Iſrael. Doct. 1. Times of througheſt reformation, will not want their own meaſure of oppoſition by ſome adhering unto, and perſevering in their old corruptions; yea, it is ordinary, that in a time of Reformation, Satan will be let looſe in falſe teachers, as intending thereby to ſcandalize all Reformation, but God intending hereby to make Reformation more pure, and truth the clearer becauſe of oppoſition; for, when God is reforming, there will be who ſhall yet propheſie. 2. The toleration of a falſe Religion in Doctrine or worſhip, and the exemption of the erroneous from civil puniſhment, is no more lawful under the New Teſtament, then it was under the Old, it being no more lawfull to compell conſciences (if ſobe that this be a compulſion, as men give it out) then, nor it is now; for, here is a Prophecie of the dayes of the New-Teſtament, alluding to the Law, Deut. 13.5, 6, 9, &c. as being then to be in force. 3. The Lords promiſing and undertaking a work of Reformation, and the ſuppreſſing of error and idolatry, ought to be no hindrance to Magiſtrates and others in their ſtations, to ſuppreſſe what may hinder Reformaton, but rather an encouragement unto them, having ſuch ground of hope that their endeavours ſhall be ſucceſſefull; for, though God promiſe to bring about this Reformation, v. 2. yet it is foretold that they ſhall do their duty, v. 3. A Magiſtrates duty is no more inconſiſtent with the promiſe that Reformation ſhall be Gods work, then Miniſters preaching againſt error is, both of them being means whereby God accompliſheth his promiſe. 4. Albeit that all erroneous perſons ſtand guilty before the Lord, yet his controverſie is ſpecially againſt ſeducers and falſe teachers, unto whom puniſhment is ſpecially due from the civil Magiſtrate; for it is, They who propheſie, that are to be puniſhed. 5. Zeal for God is very lawfully and warrantably imployed againſt error, as well as againſt prophanity; and deareſt relations and natural affections ought to give place unto it, it being cruelty to ſuffer theſe we affect to loſe their own ſouls, and the ſouls of others; for, When any ſhall yet propheſie, then his father and his mother that begat him, ſhall ſay unto him, thou ſhalt not live. 6. It is not enough nor a ſufficient teſtimony of zeal in Magiſtrates, to ſuppreſſe and puniſh erroneous perſons, when they do by their Doctrine and practices diſturb the civil peace of the State, but their wronging of the truth of God, corrupting of ſouls food, poiſoning them with lies inſtead of truth, and wronging of the God of truth by fathering of a lie upon him, ought to ſtirre up zeal to take order with them; for, this is the reaſon of the ſentence, Thou ſhalt not live, for thou ſpeakeſt lies in the Name of the Lord. 7. Some errors are ſo eminently blaſphemous, and ſome perſons ſo eminently engaged in venting and promoting of them; as in Gods account, calls for the death of the ſeducers; for of ſome Prophers and Prophecies it is ſaid, Thou ſhalt not live, and they ſhall thruſt him through.
Verſ. 4.
And it ſhall come to paſſe in that day, that the Prhphets ſhall be aſhamed every one of his viſion, when he hath propheſied: neither ſhall they wear arough garment to deceive.
5.
But he ſhall ſay, I am no Prophet, I am an huſbandman: for man taught me to keep cattel from my youth.
A fourth benefit, flowing from the two former of Reformation and zeal of the godly, appears upon ſome of ſeducers themſelves, who through the clearneſſe and abundance of the true Doctrine, and of knowledge, and obſerving the ſeverity uſed againſt ſome, ſhal be convinced in conſcience of the error of their way, and ſhall willingly ceaſe from deceiving the people, and from their accuſtomed counterfeiting of holineſſe, they ſhall lay aſide the habit uſed by true Prophets in ſigne of ſobriety, 2 Kings 1.8. Mat. 3.4. whereby they had deluded the people, and they ſhall renounce the Profeſſion, and take them to their wonted callings, which they had left to turn deceivers, and to live idly. Doct. 1. How ſtrong and taking ſoever errour be, yet truth is infinitely ſtronger, and can prevaile over it, and convince and confound the greateſt oppoſite that ever he ſhould have been againſt it; for, In that day the Prophets ſhall be aſhamed, every one of his viſion, when he hath propheſied. 2. Errors and erroneous wayes, are not to be lightly, and without remorſe abandoned, (as if it were but a change of judgement,) but with deep conviction of conſcience, and ſhame of face, as for other ſcandalous ſins; for, the Phophets ſhall he aſhamed every one of his viſion. 3. Civil powers, their ſuppreſſing and puniſhing erroneous perſons and ſeducers, is not a meanes to make men turn hypocrites: but being joyned with due conviction, may be bleſſed with reclaiming of them indeed; for, this conviction renouncing hypocritical ſhewes, and acknowledging their errour, ſpeaks ſo much at leaſt in ſome of them. 4. As it is uſual for Satan and falſe teachers to delude the world, under faireſt pretexts of holineſſe and mortification; ſo it ſhall adde to the conviction and repentance of the truly convinced, that they have covered ſo vile a courſe with ſo faire a vaile; for, as they did wear a rough garment to deceive, ſo they ſhall not do it any more when they are convinced. 5. When God convinceth and wakeneth the conſciences of ſeducers, and of unfaithful teachers, it will be ſad and grievous unto them, that they did run without a calling, and did undertake a charge, for which they were not fitted, and they will be ready to ſubſcribe to their own ſenrence and ejection; for, they ſhall ſay, I am no Prophet, I am an Husbandman: imports not only that they ſhall be convinced, that they wanted a calling to that office, but that they ſhall judge themſelves more fit for the Plough then the Pulpit. 6. As it is a great iniquity for men whom Providence hath ſettled in a lawful calling, to leave it, and at their own hand turn teachers, and as this is the means to breed many errors in a Church, when all the Congregation will be holy, and think that teachers take too much upon them: ſo a chiefe cauſe why men turne and continue ſeducers and falſe teachers, is unwillingneſſe to be at pains for their livelihood in a lawful calling, which they think to gaine more eaſily that way: this is it which makes Husbandmen, bred to keep cat el from their youth, quit their calling, and pretend to propheſying, which as it made many teachers of lies, ſo they will ſee it, and confeſſe it to be a great ſin, when God ſpeaks …o their conſciences.
Verſe 6.
And one ſhall ſay unto him, What are theſe wounds in thine hands? Then he ſhall anſwer: Thoſe with which I was wounded in the houſe of my friends.
This benefit and effect upon falſe teachers is further declared, in that they ſhall not only relinquiſh their deceiving, and take them to their old employment, but when any ſhall enquire what the prints of inferiour chaſtiſements, that had been inflicted upon them who eſcaped death, meane, (which however they might be hid on the reſt of their body, yet were viſible on their maked hands) They ſhall juſtifie the cenſure, and acknowledge that the inflicters, (whether their Parents, v. 3. or Judges,) were friends and not enemies. Doct. 1. That the Spirit of God is not here propheſying of ſpiritual cenſures, and the Churches piercing of ſeducers with threatenings of eternal wrath, but is foretelling of civil corporal puniſhments, is clear from this Scripture; for, there will be wounds in the bands, which are viſible, and occaſion queſtions from others. 2. It is not the Will of God that all errors be alike ſeverely cenſured, nor all ſeducers puniſhed alike, but that the puniſhment be proportioned to the error, and to mens obſtinacy in main taining, and activity in promoting them; for, of theſe Prophets ſome were not to live, v. 3. others leſſe guilty, or more penitent are chaſtened only, and eſcape with wounds in their hands. 3. As it is a great kindneſſe to any, to uſe all lawful meanes, how ſevere ſoever, to reclaim them from errour: ſo themſelves, whenever they finde grace to repent, will account it ſo, whatever may be their apprehenſions in the time of their wandering; for, Then ſhall he anſwer, Thoſe with which I was wounded in the houſe of my friends.
Verſe 7.
Awake, O ſword, againſt my ſhepherd, and againſt the man that is my fellow, ſaith the LORD of hoſtes: ſmite the ſhepherd, and the ſheep ſhall be ſcattered, and I will turne mine hand upon the little ones.
The Lord having foretold this happineſſe to come upon the Church, eſpecially on converted Iſrael: and leſt the godly ſhould over-rejoyce becauſe of this dream of a conſtant gale of proſperity: therfore he ſubjoyns a prophecie of the ſufferings of Chriſt, the afflictions of the godly, and the purging of the viſibie Church by judgements, ere all this Reformation, eſpecially of Iſrael, were brought about. This prophecie hath its chief and firſt accompliſhment in Chriſts perſon, his diſciples, and the viſible Church of the Jewes after his death, but may be extended alſo to point out the lot of Paſtors, and particular members of the viſible Church in all ages.
In this part of the prophecie, Chriſts ſufferings are foretold, in a charge given to affliction or perſecution, (ſignified by the ſword) to aſſaile and ſmite Chriſt for the ſins of his people, according to the paction paſt in the Covenant of Redemption. Upon which it is foretold, that the flock ſhall be ſcattered, (whereof an external ſymbole was the flight of his diſciples, Mat. 26.31. but was more fully accompliſhed in the diſperſion of the Jewes after his death,) and that in that ſcattering God would have a care of his own, who are little in their own eyes, would preſerve them, and change his dealing toward them, as was verified in his recollecting and ſtrengthening his ſcattered diſciples, and preſerving of his own among the Jewes. Doct. 1. The Church of Chriſt is not to dream of flouriſhing and trivmphing dayes, but to be fitted for what is promiſed her by trouble, and to have them ſeaſoned when they come with trouble; ſo much doth the ſeaſoning of former promiſes, with theſe predictions of the ſuffe… ings of Chriſt and his ſervants, as if they were falſe teachers, import. 2. It is no ſufficient argument to hinder the Church and Chriſtian Magiſtrates zeal in puniſhing errour, that the faithful ſervants of Chriſt are oft-times under perſecution for truth, the one being the Churches duty, which may not be omitted without ſin; the other, her affliction only; for, it is nothing the leſſe a mercy to have falſe prophets thruſt through, v. 3. that ſometime the ſword is drawn againſt Chriſt and his followers. 3. Chriſt incarnate is the good and faithful ſhepherd of his flock, who willingly gave his life for his ſheep, who was obedient to his Father unto death, ſerved him in the work of Redemption, and who in his office is approved and accepted of him, and loſt none of his Fathers reſpects by his afflictions; for, the Father acknowledges him my ſhepherd. 4. Chriſt in one perſon is both God and man, being true man as incarnate, and true God in his divine nature dwelling by the perſonal union in the humane nature, equal with the Father, becauſe of the ſame eſſence, though in reſpect of his office and voluntary diſpenſation, he be inferiour; for, he is the man that is my fellow, equal, or companion, ſaith the Lord of hoſtes. 5. The ſufferings of Chriſt, (and conſequently of all his followers) are over-ruled by the effectual Providence of God, ſo that nothing is done to him without the Fathers conſent, who yet is free of the ſins of all inſtruments employed in afflicting him, who were about another thing in that work then the Father approved of: for, it is God who commands the ſword to awake, and ſmite the ſhepherd. 6. Chriſt is the Chieftain and Ring-leader of all the Churches fuflerers, who in his own perſon hath paved the way to his followers, and tried the ſwords, and who by his intereſt and ſympathie, chiefly ſuffers in the ſufferings of his people: for, the ſword aſſayes him firſt, Smite the ſhepherd. 7. When the Lord ſends troubles upon the viſible Church, the Paſtors and Watchmen are to reſolve for hardeſt meaſure, as being Satans greateſt eye-ſores, and they who ought to confirm others by their ſufferings; for, as this was verified in Chriſt, ſo alſo at other times trouble ordinarily begins at Smite the ſhepherd. 8. Trouble is a very terrifying thing when it comes to a pinch, and may affright thoſe who thought themſelves very ſtout, and make them ſhrink if there be any way to ſhun it; for, ſo did appear in the accompliſhment of this prophecie, in the diſciples flight. 9. Albeit it be Satans policie to cauſe men to undervalue Paſtors, and look upon them as burdens, which the Church would be the better to want; yet their trouble prognoſticates trouble to come on the Church, their death, exile or impriſonment ſcatters the viſible ſociety of the Church; for, this is of eternal verity, as well as in the diſciples flight; Smite the ſhepherd, and the ſheep ſhall be ſcattered. 10. It is an eſpecial preſage of the Churches ſcattering by the loſſe of Paſtors, when they themſelves have an hand in the perſecuting of Paſtors; for, ſo was this accompliſhed on the Church of the Jewes, they ſmote Chriſt who was their ſhepherd, and therefore were juſtly ſcattered themſelves. 11. Saddeſt afflictions do not ſeclude the elect and faithful from Chriſt and his Fathers care, but that he will moderate and change his dealing toward them, when afflictions are univerſal and ſore; for, as while Chriſt was ſuffering in his humane nature, he ceaſed not to work in his divine nature, and to care for his own diſciples and followers: ſo in all ages he (being raiſed from the dead) and his Father with him, doth turne his hand upon the little ones, or give them a renewed proof of his love, in recovering them after their ſcattering, and in preſerving them by his tender care under common calamities, after they had been left to themſelvs to get a proof of their own frailty. 12. It is an evidence of Chriſts flock, and of theſe that he cares for in trouble, that they are humble and little in their own eyes, and that their afflictions contribute to make them ſo more and more; for, they are the little ones.
Verſ. 8.
And it ſhall come to paſſe, that in all the land; ſaith the LORD, two parts therein ſhall be cut off and die, but the third ſhall be left therein.
9.
And I will bring the third part thorow the fire, and will refine them as ſilver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they ſhall call upon my Name, and I will heare them: I will ſay, It is my people: and they ſhall ſay, The LORD is my God.
In this next part of the Prophecie, we have the further expoſition of the flocks ſcattering, in reſpect of the ſeveral ſorts of diſpoſitions in it, there being a generality (ſignified by two parts,) who are ordinarily naught, theſe are to be cut off and deſtroyed, and only a remnant, or third part left, who yet ſhould not be free of affliction to purge away their droſſe, that they may be more fervent in Gods ſervice, and in getting prooſs of Gods hearing their prayers, and of his love intimated unto them, they may increaſe in faith and confidence. This was accompliſhed, not only on the Nation of the Jewes, but in all ages is to be ſeen in the viſible Church, when he ſets up his fire in it. Doct. 1. As the viſible Church is for ordinary ſo mixed, as that the generality thereof is unſound, and not anſwerable to their obligations: ſo it is righteous with God, to ſend trials and judgements upon her, whereby he purgeth her of ſuch droſſe, and cuts them off, who living in his houſe, will not ſubmit to his yoke; for, in all the land, two parts ſhall be cut off, and die. 2. In times of Gods ſaddeſt judgements upon the viſible Church, as God will have a ſpecial care of his own children, ſo uſeth he to preſerve a remnant toward whom to ſhew mercy; for, the third part ſhall be left therein. 3. Albeit the Lord reſerve a remnant to himſelf, yet he will not alwayes free them from taſting of ſo much affliction and calamity as may exerciſe them; for, I will bring the third part through the fire. 4. The Lords end in letting our affliction upon his own is not to deſtroy them, but to give them a proof of themſelves, and to purge them from their droſſe, and make them better, and by this teſtifie his eſtimation of them … I will refine them as ſilver is refined, and try tham as gold is tried. The meaning of which ſimilitude is not, that they ſhall be purged from all their droſſe, or, that they can abide ſuch a ſurnace, as ſilver or gold Iſa 4.10. but that (as theſe precious mettals) they have ſome droſſe, which cannot be diſcovered or purged but by ſome ſearching trialls: that they ſhall not prove chaſſe, ſtubble or droſſe in the furnace, but have ſome mettal, which ſhall be preſerved and ſhine the brighter; and that God by taking this pains on them, declares that he accounts them his treaſure, and precious mettal. 5. It is a ſweet evidence of a peoples profiting under the rod, and being purged of droſſe, when their zeal in Gods worſhip, their need of him, and delight in calling on his Name, is encreaſed; for they ſhall call on my Name. 6. When the Lord bleſſeth his people with fruitfulneſſe under affliction, and puts them to employ him much; it is a pledge that God will heare their prayers, and ſhed abroad the ſenſe of his love in their hearts, aſſuring them of an intereſt in him; for, I will hear them, I will ſay, It is my people. 7. As fait, and the increaſe of it, enabling men boldly to proſeſſe it before God and the world, is a choice Goſpel-bleſſing, and a rich recompence of much affliction: ſo Gods preventing grace and kindneſſe toward his people when they ſeek him, eſpecially under affliction, is ſuch, as may invite them to make him their portion, and give them warrant, confidently to reſt and relie on him; for, upon his hearing, and ſaying, It is my people, they ſhall ſay, The Lord is my God.