Exposition of Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk and Zephaniah, Exposition of prophecy 3 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
IN this Chapter the deſtruction of Jeruſalem, and overturning of the kingdome being foretold, ver. 1. The people of God are comforted with the promiſes of Chriſts birth under whom they ſhould be reſtored, ver. 2, 3. and of his government in relation to his peoples tranquillity, their deliverances, increaſe and victory over their enemies, v. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. his purging his Church from carnal confidences, v. 10, 11. and idolatrous courſes. v. 12, 13, 14.— that ſo he alone may be ſeen to do for them, ver. 14.15.
Ver. 1.
NOw gather thy ſelf in troopes, O daughter of troops: he hath laid ſiege againſt us: they ſhall ſmite the Judg of Iſrael with a rod upon the cheek.
HEre is foretold the deſtruction of Jeruſalem by the Caldeans, and the ignominious and baſe uſage of their Kings and Judges, 2 Kings 25.7, 18, 19, 20, 21. as a fore-runner of the taking away of the Scepter from Judah, to make way for Chriſts birth, Gen. 49.10. which began to be accompliſhed in the Babyloniſh captivity, in that none of the Tribe of Judah ſwayed the Kingly Scepter after that time, all which the Prophet foretells by way of defiance given by the Church to their roving enemies to do their utmoſt endeavours, according as God by his effectual Providence ſhould permit them to enterpriſe and execute, in regard that however Jeruſalem were taken, and their rulers ſo abuſed, yet they had a King to come out of deſpiſed Bethlehem, ver. 2. Doct. 1. Chriſts ordinary harbingers and forerunners, when he is to come with mercies to his Church, are afflictions to fit them for ſuch manifeſtations; for, ſo is this deſtruction premitted to the promiſe of Chriſts birth and kingdome. Afflictions are Gods means to purge out and cut off many whom he will not make partakers of thoſe mercies, to invite others to repentance for ſin obſtructing theſe mercies, to endear them to his heart, and make them capable of theſe conſolations, which in their proſperity they would readily deſpiſe. 2. Jeſus of Nazareth is the true promiſed Meſſiah, who was to be raiſed to rule his people Iſrael, when their Judges and Rulers were ignominiouſly intreated, and put down from their Authority, who was held forth in the promiſe for the Churches comfort, when this deſolation began in their captivity, and actually exhibited when it was in completeing, their Kingdom then being by the Romanes reduced into the form of a Province, Herod, an Idumean made King, the power of their Judicatories reſtrained before, and in the time of his Miniſtry, and ſhortly after his Aſcenſion, their City, Commonwealth and Temple being utterly overthrown. So much doth this verſe, compared with ver. 2. and the accompliſhment in the New Teſtament teach us. 3. The Church of God, rightly pondering her advantages in him, may in him give a defiance to enemies utmoſt malice, ſeeing they can do no hurt but what he will make up with advantage, nor can they hinder any of his gracious purpoſes toward his people: So much doth this manner of ſpeech directed to the Caldeans teach, N…w gather thy ſelf in troops, &c. 4. Oppreſſion backed with authority and great power, doth nothing diminiſh the hainouſneſs thereof before the Lord; for, albeit the Caldeans had ordered armies marching and acting at the command of Authority, and they would eſteem what they ſubdued to be lawful conqueſt, Iſai. 49.24. yet the Lord ſtiles Caldea, O daughter of troops; or, as the word ſignifies, bands of robbers; to ſhew that their great conqueſts were but great oppreſſions. 5. Whatever good the Lord brings out of the afflictions of his Church, yet ſhe may expect to be diſtreſſed with them in the mean time; for, He hath laid ſiege againſt us, ſhall the people ſay, importing that all the Land ſhould be ſubdued, the City beſieged, and the inhabitants thereof made to acknowledge their felt diſtreſſe. 6. The contempt and injury done to Authority and Magiſtrates; under whom a people may be kept from confuſion, and the Church protected, is a ſpecial ingredient in the affliction of the viſible Church; for, they do reſent it as a part of the affliction, They ſhall ſmite the Judge of Iſrael: ſo alſo doth Ieremiah lament the ſtroake even of Zedekiah, Lam. 4.20. 7. As Princes and men in Authority being wicked, do diſhonour God more then others, by reaſon of their greatneſſe, and it is their eminency, which oft-times makes them ſo much ſtand out againſt God: ſo the Lord in his righteouſneſs makes contempt to be their puniſhment, they are ſmitten with a rod on the check, which is a contemptible ſtroak, Lam. 3.30. See Job 12.21. Pſal. 107.40.
Ver. 2.
But thou Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thouſands of Judah, yet out of thee ſhall he come forth unto me, that is, to be ruler in Iſrael: whoſe goings forth have been from of old, from everlaſting.
Followeth the conſolation of the godly, from a Promiſe of Chriſt to be the Ruler in Iſrael: whoſe birth as man is foretold to be in Beth-lehem Ephratah the City of David, (whoſe heire he was) in the Tribe of Judah, Judg. 17.7. called Ephratah, Gen. 35.19. and 48.7. to diſtinguiſh it from another Beth-lehem in the Tribe of Zebulun, Joſh. 19.10, 15. By means whereof it is likewiſe foretold, that this City though baſe in reſpect of others, ſhould become great and indeed famous; and leſt any ſhould look on this Ruler as only man, and beginning to be at his incarnation; therefore it is alſo declared that he is the Son of God, whoſe generation is eternal. Doct. 1. Chriſts incarnation and manifeſtation of himſelf, is the true Churches chief comfort in all her troubles; for, therefore is his birth ſubjoyned to the deſolation mentioned, ver. 1. as the ſalve for that ſore. 2. Mercies manifeſted to any place or perſon, ought to be taken notice of, and marked, that they may be thankfully acknowledged, and uſe made of them: Therefore is the ſpeech directed to the City; that they may conſider the priviledge, and thou Beth-lehem-Ephratah. 3. Chriſt uſeth ordinarily to make uſe of, and honour moſt ſuch things as are leaſt conſiderable in outward appearance; As here, he will not be born in Jeruſalem, but in Beth-lehem Ephratah, which is little among the thouſands of Judah, that is, a ſmall City of few people, and governed by mean Rulers in compariſon of other Cities. The ſpeech relates to the diviſion of the people by thouſands under the government of their ſeveral Rulers, 1 Chron. 12.20. And therefore, Matth. 2.6. in ſtead of thouſands, the Princes are named who governed them; See 2 Cor. 1.27, 28, 29. 4. Smalleſt and baſeſt things, by enjoying of Chriſt, or having relation to him, do become great; Therefore conſidering the event, this text is read thus, Mat. 2.6. Thou art not the beaſt among the Princes of Judah; and the Hebrew text here may be read by way of queſtion, which includes a denial; Art thou little, &c? No verily, though thou ſeem to be ſo; For out of thee ſhall come forth, &c. 5. The Lord in his providence uſeth to bring about the performance of his promiſes in ſtrange and wonderful manner; As may be ſeen in the accompliſhment of his promiſe, Luke 2.1. &c. Joſeph and Mary dwelling in Nazareth all the time after the Conception of Chriſt, and little thinking on a removal: at the period of his birth, are charged by the Emperours Edict, to go up to Bethlehem, that ſo the Word of the Lord might not fail, and that the prediction concerning the Meſſiah might be fulfilled in the perſon of Jeſus Chriſt. 6. Chriſt is Ruler and King in his Church, he will be acknowledged to have dominion, and will performe the duties incumbent to a faithful Ruler; He ſhall come forth, that is, to be Ruler in Iſrael. 7. Chriſt in his Mediatory Office, as he is a King acting for God the Father, ſo doth the Lord eſpecially allow of him, and will maintain and deſend him and his Kingdom; He ſhall come forth to me, ſaith the Lord. See, Pſal. 2, 6. 8. Chriſt the Mediatour is not only to be conſidered as Man, but that the ſame Chriſt born in Bethlehem in the fulneſſe of time, is alſo true God begotten of the Father from all eternity; and ſo is God and Man in one perſon; for, He (that ſame individual perſon, though not according to one and the ſame nature) who cometh forth of Bethlehem-Ephratah, He, I ſay, it is whoſe goings forth have been from of old, that is, from everlaſting, or, the dayes of eternity, as the Original hath it. 9. Chriſts eternal generation as God, is ſuperexcellent and incomprehenſible; Therefore it is called goings forth, in the plural number, to ſhew its excellencie, wherein all excellencies, and infinitely more then we can comprehend are ſummed up, though I do not ſeclude, but that herein both his eternal generation and eternal deſignation to the Office of Mediatour, may be imported.
Ver. 3.
Therefore will he give them up, until the time that ſhe which travelleth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren ſhall return unto the children of Iſrael.
The threatening and promiſe in the former verſes are conjoyed, and the way of bringing about this mercy is further explained, to wit, that he would give up that Church unto her enemies hands, to be vexed as a woman in travel, till Chriſt be born of that Nation, or of a Virgin among them; and then ſhould all his ſcattered brethren return unto, and be joyned in one body with the Church of Iſrael, which was in part accompliſhed when the Gentiles were ingrafted in the Olive, and ſhall be yet more, when the ſalvation of Iſrael, after their long rejection, ſhall be a reſurrection from the dead to the world, and the fulneſs of the Gentiles ſhall come in to Chriſt, and joyn with them. The Church of the Jewes had indeed a birth after her paine, at her deliverance from Babylon, but that was but a forerunner of a more joyful bringing forth of Chriſt the Author of her ſpiritual deliverance, until which time ſhe was for the moſt part under the power of ſtrangers, and did not at all recover the wonted dignity ſhe enjoyed before the Captivity, and therefore ſhe is ſaid to be given up until that time. Doct. 1. The Church had need of great troubles to prepare her for Chriſt and his ſpiritual Kingdom; for, as all their troubles will not exhauſt his treaſure: ſo it is needful by afflictions to make them ſenſible of ſin, to fit them for him; and it was needful to take away from the Church of the Je…es their carnal doating upon the Ark, the Temple and their other privlledges, that they might ſeeke after the ſpiritual things of his Kingdom; Therefore, ſaith he, will he give them up, or reject them, until the time, &c. 2. The great ground of confidence that the Church hath for not periſhing in her troubles, is, that ſhe is to bring forth Chriſt; He will give them up until the time that ſhe which travelleth hath brought forth, wherein is held forth, not only that their ſorrows ſhould reſolve in joy, as the paine of a woman in travel when ſhe brings forth; but becauſe ſhe is to bring forth, therefore ſhe ſhall not periſh, however ſhe be given up, but her ſorrowes ſhall have a period. This was the promiſe that might aſſure Ahaz, that the Church of the Jewes could not periſh, ſeeing Chriſt was not yet born in her, Iſ. 7 4. & is yet a ground of aſſurance that Chriſts Catholick Church ſhall not ceaſe in the world, becauſe ſhe hath Chriſt myſtical to bring forth. 3. Chriſt is a true brother and kinſman to all his people, and makes them to be brethren among themſelves; for, they are the remnant of his brethren. 4. Albeit no effects of Chriſts eſpecial love appear toward a man, ſo long as he is unconverted, yet he hath a relation toward his Elect, and loveth them from all eternity; for, the remnant of his brethren, are the Elect Gentiles then unconverted, who are his brethren in reſpect of his eternal love in election, and of his purpoſe to make them brethren by Converſion, and ſo give them actual right to the priviledge, and a comfortable looking back to this purpoſe of good toward them, which was in his heart from all eternity. 5. All Chriſts elected brethren ſhall undoubtedly be converted and brought in to him; for, he undertakes for it, that the remnant of his brethren ſhall returne. 6. As all the Gentiles have right unto the Covenant and ſalvation, by flying in to Chriſt, and in him, ſerving themſelves heirs to the ſpiritual promiſes made to Iſrael, and being ingraffed in that ſtock where they were; ſo the full fruit of Chriſts incarnation is not accompliſhed, till Iſrael alſo be brought in, and both they and the Gentiles be joyned in one body; for, this promiſe, the remnant of his brethren ſhall return unto, (or, together with) the children of Iſrael, imports, both that the Gentiles are brought in to the ſtock of the Iſraelitiſh Church, and that the children of Iſrael ſhall be brought in; to whom and with whom the Gentiles ſhall return: 7. That which is propounded as matter of comfort in a promiſe, may be much miſtaken and ſtumbled at when it is ſeen in performance; for, here it is a comfortable promiſe to the Church of the Jewes, that the remnant of his brethren ſhall return to the children of Iſrael, and ſo be one ſheepfold; and yet when it began to be performed, they repined, even believers of them for a long time: But in its full accompliſhment they will look otherwiſe upon it.
Verſ. 4.
And he ſhall ſtand and feed in the ſtrength of the LORD, in the Majesty of the Name of the LORD his God, and they ſhall abide: for now ſhall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
In the next place, the government of Chriſt, formerly hin…ed at under the name of a Ruler, is more largely ſpoken to, for the comfort of the Church, and particularly of Iſrael: Here it is held forth under the ſimilitude of a faithful ſhepherd, feeding his flock, wherein he ſhall declare ſuch care and ſtability, ſuch invincible Power and Majeſty in his Providence, doctrine and miracles according to the tenour of the Covenant of Redemption, as his Church ſhall be eſtabliſhed, and his Name become famous, and his Kingdom increaſed by the Converſion of the Gentiles throughout the earth. Doct 1. Chriſt is a painful and watchful Shepherd and overſeer of his Church, and ſouls of his people, and will bear out in his charge; for, he ſhall ſtand, imports both vigilancy, as being alwayes on his feet, Pſal. 121.4. and ſtability, that his government ſhall endure for ever. 2. God will both feed his people with wholeſome food, and not ſuffer them to ſtarve, and will rule and direct them in their wayes, and theſe two are to be conjoyned by us, that if we expect his feeding, we muſt ſubmit to his Government; for, the word in the Original imports both, he ſhall feed and rule. 3. Chriſt hath alſufficiency of endowments for diſcharging his duty to his flock, which ſhall gloriouſly ſhine forth in the performance thereof; for, He ſhall feed in the ſtrength of the LORD, and in the Majeſty of the Name of the LORD; that is, he ſhall have divine Omnipotency to carry him thorough, and the fulneſſe of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily, ſhall gloriouſly manifeſt it ſelf in drawing in, caring for, and maintaining his flock againſt all oppoſition: See, John 10 28, 29. Pſal. 89.19. 4. Albeit Chriſt as God have power and glorious Majeſty equally with the Father, yet as Mediatour he is alſo furniſhed for his calling, by vertue of the Covenant of Redemption, paſt betwixt the Father and him concerning the Redemption and Salvation of the Elect, wherein the Father doth undertake to furniſh him with all endowments needful for his Office, and to give him ſucceſſe; and he undertakes to be faithful for attaining that end, which accordingly he performes; for, it is in the ſtrength and Name of the LORD, who is his God that he feeds, with whom he is in Covenant, and whoſe ſervant he is in this work. 5. By Chriſts care and Providence, his flock and people ſhall be eſtabliſhed and protected, ſo as they ſhall perſevere, and be out of danger of periſhing, for. He ſhall feed or rule, and they ſhall abide. 6. Chriſts care of and for his Church, if it were well ſeen, would make him famous and precious, as an ointment poured out, to invite others to come under his yoke, and it is his prerogative to have an univerſal Government and Kingdom over Jewes and Gentiles throughout the earth, which he will ſtill proſecute till he obtain all that is in his Charter; for, He ſhall be great to the ends of the earth, imports all theſe. See, Zech. 8.23. 7. The Converſion of ſouls unto Chriſt, and bringing them under his yoke, tends to the ſetting forth of the greatneſſe of Chriſt, and the converſion of many doth ſet out his greatneſſe the more, who doth draw all theſe, doth care for them, and to whoſe fulneſs they flow and depend upon, and it ſhould be the care of all who are converted, in their expreſſions and carriage to commend and ſet him forth as great and ſuperexcellent: therefore is the enlargement of his Kingdome deſcribed from this effect of it, He ſhall be great to the ends of the earth. 8. Whatever is promiſed in the Word, is to faith ſo certain, as if it were then performed, and ought to be looked on as coming ſpeedily; the Lords chooſing of times and ſeaſons for performing his promiſe, being no delay in a believers eyes, nor impediment unto his faith to feed upon it as preſent, for this cauſe it is ſaid, now ſhall he be great. Gods keeping his appointed time, is great haſte to the believing man, Iſa. 60.22. and the promiſe apprehended by faith, giveth the thing promiſed a preſent ſubſiſtence to his uſe and comfort.
Verſ. 5.
And this man ſhall be the peace, when the Aſſyrian ſhall come into our land: and when he ſhall tread in our palaces, then ſhall we raiſe againſt him ſeven ſhepherds, and eight principal men.
6.
And they ſhall waſte the land of Aſſyria with the ſword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus ſhall he deliver us from the Aſſyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.
Followes ſome ſpecial fruits of Chriſts governing his Church; ſuch as peace and means ſufficient, not only to oppoſe the diſturbers thereof (ſuch as the Aſſyrians were to Iſrael of old) but to offend them alſo, and ſo they ſhall be delivered. However this promiſe ſpiritually conſidered belong to the whole Church, and literally alſo, in ſo far as is for her good, yet it ſeems to have a ſpecial relation to the Church of Iſrael, when they ſhall be converted and reſtored to their land. Doct. 1. Chriſt is the only Author and Maintainer of the Churches Peace; for, this man (or this one, the word implying a demonſtrating of him to others as one remarkable) ſhall be the peace. He pacifies Gods anger towards us, eſtabliſheth our hearts in the faith thereof, in him only have we true peace among our ſelves; for luke-warmneſſe breeds diviſions, and he it is that maketh peace in his Churches borders, and creates a cloud over he…. 2. The Church will not want enemies of her peace, and ſuch as will ſtudy to diſturb it, and may ſeem to prevail much, at ſome times; for, the Aſſyrians (or ſuch enemies as the Aſſyrians were of old, and the Babylonians, or the land of Nimrod, v.6.) ſhall come into our land, and tread in our palaces; ſhe muſt reſolve to have peace with continual ba…tels. 3. The Church hath her peace ſecured in Chriſt in the midſt of trouble, and, through him will have means ſufficient to oppoſe her enemies and maintain her peace; for, he ſhall be the peace, when the Aſſyrian ſhall come; and there are ſeven ſhepherds, and eight principal men to raiſe againſt him, or a ſufficient number of leaders (ſeven being a number of perfection, and eight yet more) with armies to oppoſe him. 4. It is a great bleſſing upon a land when the Lord furniſheth them with able men for government and rule in all exigents; for that is Iſraels mercy to have ſuch to employ, and they are the means of their peace and ſafety: We, ſay they, ſhall raiſe (or call and ſend out) ſhe herds and principal men: where their Princes are called ſhepherds with relation to the people as a flock. 5. The enemies of the Church, do oppoſe her alwayes to their own great diſadvantage in the end: for, the Church ſhall not only defend themſelves, but they ſhall waſte the land of Aſſyria with the ſword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof, or their borders, or with their own ſwords. Babylon is here called the land of Nimrod, becauſe he founded that Kingdome, Gen. 10.9, 10, 11. and was a great oppreſſor, as his ſucceſſors were. 6. The inconveniencies which the Church ſuſtains by her troubles, do not prove ſo great as they may ſeem to be: for, however he tread in our palaces, ver. 5. yet ver. 6. it is but treading within our land, and borders. See, 2 Cor 4. 8, 9. and 6.9. 7. As the Church is ſure to be delivered from her enemies: ſo the glory of all he… enterpriſes and victories by them, are to be aſcribed to Chriſt only, whatever be the part of inſtruments in bringing them about: therefore albeit they raiſe up ſhepherds, &c. ver. 5. yet ver. 6. Thus ſhall he deliver us.
Ver. 7.
And the remnant of Jacob ſhall be in the midſt of many people, as a dew from the LORD, as the ſhowres upon the graſſe that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the ſons of men.
The ſimilitude of Dew made uſe of here, leads us to a two-fold interpretation of this paſſage. 1. That the Lords bleſſing of the reſt, given by theſe deliverances to the Church of Iſrael, ſhall make her to multiply and flouriſh marvellouſly, as the dew and rain fals down in great abundance, ſuddenly and unexpectedly without humane induſtry; and thus the ſimilitude is uſed, 2 Sam. 17.12. Pſal. 110.3. 2. That the Church of Iſrael ſhall not only flouriſh themſelves, but be inſtruments of the flouriſhing and increaſe of the Church among the Nations, as the Lord is the principal refreſher and fructifier of his Church, and therefore his operations are compared to dew and raine, Hoſ. 14.5. Pſal. 72.6. So they ſhall be inſtrumentally as dew and raine to many Nations; that is, being furniſhed with the Spirit from above, and with refreſhing doctrine, they ſhall water them therewith. as dew and raine doth the ground, and ſo conquer them to the Kingdom of Chriſt, and be inſtruments of their fruitfulneſſe and bleſſings to them.
Both theſe interpretations agree in one, to hold forth the miraculous increaſe of the Church, either of Iſrael her ſelf, or of the Gentiles alſo by her means, as another fruit of the government of Chriſt over them, and may ſafely be taken both in here. From the firſt interpretation, Learn, 1. That afflictions may make many ſad and ſore breaches on a Church, before they recover out of them, for they are now brought to the remnant of Jacob. 2. The Lord can eaſily when he pleaſeth, reſtore his broken people, and make them increaſe, as admirably and incredibly as their decay was ſingular, and wil ſo do when they return to him: for, the remnant ſhall be as a dew, &c. 3. The Lords ſingular diſpenſations towards his afflicted people, will make them admirable and remarkable to all people, and above them; for, they ſhall be as dew in the midſt of many people, imports that they ſhould be conſpicuous, and exalted above all the people about thereby: See, Deut. 33.29. 4. Reſt and deliverance from troubles is then a bleſſing to the Church, when it is followed with fruitfulneſs and increaſe of the Church; for, ſo this promiſe is ſubjoyned to that, ver. 5, 6. as a compleating thereof. See, Act 9.31. From the ſecond interpretation, Learn, 1. The Church of God is a bleſſing to the world, if they forſake not their own mercy; partly, in that ſhe is a means of bringing bleſſings on every place where ſhe gets ſhelter and protection; and partly, in that ſhe is by her Miniſtery a means of mens converſion, begetting ſtill more and more to Chriſt, for which there is a promiſe here, She ſhall be in the midſt of many people as dew, &c. See, Iſa. 19.24. 2. The greateſt good that can be done unto the world, is to be a means of their converſion, and of bringing down ſpiritual bleſſings upon it; for, ſo is here implied, that the Church ſhall be as dew and rain upon them, which are choiceſt bleſſings. 3. All the ſpiritual felicity of a people, and the efficacy of the means bringing it about, is of God, and from above; for, it is as the dew and ſhowres that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the ſons of men, that is, that depends not on humane induſtry: See, 1 Cor. 3.6. 4. The means of Converſion, eſpecially the Word preached and accompanied with the power of the Spirit (which God hath placed in his Church,) are as dew and ſhowres: 1. Becauſe as dew is the preſage of a fair day, ſo theſe means do flow from the favour of God toward the Elect, and are an evidence thereof. 2. As dew and ſmall rain are but ſmall things, and yet have great effects, ſo is it alſo with the Word, Rom. 1.16. 1 Cor. 1.21. 3 Dew and raine cannot be hindered by men, no more doth the power of the Word depend on mens conſent. 4 Dew and rain makes fruitful, ſo is every true Convert made by the Word and Spirit. Doct. 5. A converted perſon or people, joyning themſelves to the true Church, come under a ſweet yoke, and under the drop of many bleſſings; for, ſo doth the ſimilitude alſo teach, that as their converſion is by this dew; ſo being converted, they ſhall conſtantly enjoy thereof, and their fleece ſhall be wet with his dew, when other places are dry: 6 Iſrael being converted to Chriſt ſhall be the means of bleſſings, and of much converſion to the Lord among the Gentiles; for, it is the remnant of Jacob that ſhall be in the midſt of many people as dew, &c.
Verſe 8.
And the remnant of Jacob ſhall be among the Gentiles, in the midst of many people, as a lion among the beaſts of the forreſt, as a young lion among the flocks of ſheep: who if he go through, b…th treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
9.
Thine hand ſhall be lift up upon thine adverſaries, and all thine enemies ſhall be cut off.
Another fruit of the government of Chriſt over Iſrael, and a fruit of their deliverance, ver. 5, 6. is, that all their neighbour-enemies who are not brought in, they ſhall be dreadful to them, as a Lion is to other wilde beaſts, who tears his prey, and none dare interpoſe. This being ſpoken of the Church in borrowed termes, v. 8. is again ſpoken to her in plain language, v. 9. for her greater encouragement, wherein ſhe is aſſured that ſhe ſhall be above all her enemies, and that they ſhall be ſo far cruſhed at leaſt, as they ſhall not dare to profeſſe their enmity. Doct. 1. The Church in her moſt thriving times, will not yet want enemies, nor will ſhe be as dew, and a ſavour of life to all; for, ſo is here imported. 2. There is as great oddes betwixt the Church of God, when he is pleaſed to arm her with his ſtrength, and all her enemies, how potent ſoever, as is betwixt a Lion, (… beaſt not ſo big as many others, yet God hath imprinted ſome ſtamp of Majeſty upon it) and other beaſts, or weak ſheep, whom he eaſily and without reſiſtance deſtroyeth; for, ſo much doth this compariſon teach us. 3. The Lord requires that his Churches heart be ſetled in the confidence of his giving her victory in due time over enemies: ſo much the rather as it is hard to get it believed; for, this repetition of the promiſe, ver. 9. doth teach the difficulty of believing it, and his will notwithſtanding that ſhe ſhould be eſtabliſhed. 4. The Church of God needs expect no leſſe then that in due time even all her enemies ſhall be cut off, and ſo may be aſſured of compleat victory, and converted Iſrael ſhall get a ſpecial proof of this within time, in being above her adverſaries: and their enmity againſt her cruſhed: Thine hand ſhall be lift up upon thine adverſaries, and all thine enemies ſhall be cut off.
Verſe 10.
And it ſhall come to paſſe in that day, ſaith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horſes out of the midſt of thee, and I will deſtroy thy charets.
11.
And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy ſtrong holds.
12.
And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thy hand, and thou ſhalt have no more ſoothſayers.
Ver. 13.
Thy graven images alſo will I cut off, and thy ſtanding images out of the midſt of thee: and thou ſhalt no more worſhip the work of thine hands.
Ver. 14.
And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midſt of thee: ſo will I deſtroy thy cities.
15.
And I will execute vengeance in anger, and fury upon the heathen, ſuch as they have not heard.
A further fruit of Chriſts Government, in his purging his Church from theſe evils whereby they were corrupted of old, ſhewing the poſture and condition wherein he will put them, to fit them for theſe deliverances and victories; He for…els: 1. The taking away of all their humane confidences, ſuch as horſes, chariots, cities and ſtrong holds, wherein they confided of old, and deſpiſed his threatenings. 2. The cutting off of devilliſh arts and idolatrous confidences, ſuch as witchcraft, divinations, idols and groves for worſhip, which were much uſed in Iſrael of old, theſe were all to be deſtroyed and purged away by judgements to come on Judah and Iſrael, ſhortly after this prophecie; and in the time of their reſtitution, it is promiſed here that Iſrael ſhall be a people ſtript of all confidences, that they may depend on God, and a people worſhipping the true God only in a pure way: and being put in that condition, he promiſeth remarkable victories over the heathen their enemies. Doct. 1. Chriſt will have nothing ſeen in his Churches protection and deliverance but himſelf only, nor will he make uſe of any thing which might ſeem to obſcure his glory in doing all: therefore whatſoever might ſeem to challenge any of that glory, muſt in that day be cut off: See, Judg. 7.2. Zeph. 3.12, 13. 2. Humane helps confided in, prove a great hinderance of deliverance: therefore Cities, Horſes, &c. will he cut off, not only by judgements to come on that people, but even in that day of reſtitution, they will be laid by as impediments. 3. Confidence in outward things is idolatry: Therefore, here their cities, horſes, chariots, (to wit, as they are depended on) are ranked in with witchcrafts and idols. 4. It is rare to ſee a people enjoying outward things that may ſeem to promiſe any thing unto them, and yet not confide in them; this is evident in that their cities, chariots, &c: muſt be cut off: they can hardly enjoy them and acknowledg God as becomes them. 5. When the Lord is pleaſed to deprive his people of probable means of help, and calleth them to depend on him, it is a pledge of his appearing in an eminent way for them: for, their cities, &c. being cut off, ver. 10, 11. ſo will he deſtroy their enemies, as the latter part of ver. 14. ought to be read, as agreeing with the Original alſo, and fitting the ſcope beſt in this place. 6. In the Church of God there is hazard of falling into groſſeſt evils: for, here it is ſuppoſed there may be witchcraft or magi…k whereby men, wanting the fear of God, enter into one expreſſe or implicite league with the devil, for attaining ſuch ends as their diſcontentment in their condition, impatience under affliction, envie, malice, or curioſity propound unto them, there may be ſoothſayers, or, divinations, whereby men not con…ent to know their duty, nor with what God hath revealed of future events, do take ſinful and damnable courſes, and put other things in Gods room to foretel what they deſire: there may be alſo images, and the work of mens hands ſet up in Gods room, as the object of worſhip, and groves or ſhadie places, where they pretended to worſhip God, or indeed worſhip their idols after their own imaginations. There are no evil courſes but the Church of God, how reformed ſoever, is to be afraid of falling into them. 7. Theſe devilliſh courſes, and corruptions in worſhip do hinder the Lords appearance for his people: for, theſe muſt be cut off, that he may do for them. 8. The cutting off of idolatry and wicked courſes is a work of the Lords own hand: it is he who oft-times deſtroyes them by ſore plagues: and it is he only who can baniſh theſe things out of mens hearts: I, ſaith the Lord, will cut off witchcrafts out of thy hand: or make thee not to practiſe it, I will cut off thy graven images, &c. 9. There can be no bleſſed delivery from trouble but when there is a compleat and thorough reformation of Religion endeavoured, and a deſtroying of the very monuments of idolatry: for, not only ſhall they not worſhip any more the work of their hands, but their images and groves ſhall be cut off and plucked up, and ſo will he deſtroy their enemies. 10. The Lord will appear for his Church in a ſingular, and wonderful manner, and plague their enemies with unuſeful judgements, after that he is reconciled with them, and hath brought them to walk in his wayes; for, after all this is done, I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, ſuch as they have not heard, ſaith the Lord.