Exposition of Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk and Zephaniah, Exposition of prophecy 3 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
IN this Chapter (which agrees with Iſai. 2 1, &c.) the Lord comforts the godly againſt the calamities which were foretold, Chap. 3.12. by ſetting forth the glorious bleſſings of Chriſts Kingdome, or of the Church of Jewes and Gentiles under the Meſſiah, wherein is contained the glorious excellency and increaſe of the Church, v. 1, 2. her peace and tranquillity under the government of Chriſt, ver. 3, 4. her zeal and conſtancy in Religion, ver. 5. and her delivery from former miſery, ſuch as Iſrael was to be under, ver. 6, 7. To whom (which is the ſecond part of the Chapter) he makes a more comfortable and particular application of the Promiſes; by promiſing that the Kingdom as it was of old, ſhould begin at them, ver. 8, and by ſhewing his mind concerning their troubles, ver. 9, 10. and concerning the enterpriſes of their enemies, ver. 11, 12, 13.
Ver. 1.
BƲt in the laſt dayes it ſhall come to paſſe, that the mountaine of the houſe of the LORD ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the the top of the mountaines, and it ſhall be exalted above the hils, and people ſhal flow unto it.
2.
And many Nations ſhall come and ſay, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the houſe of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his wayes, and we will walk in his pathes: for the Law ſhal go forth out of Zion, and the Word of the LORD from Jeruſalem.
The firſt Promiſe for comfort of the godly, contains the excellency of the Church, and acceſſion of many Nations to it: It hath two branches.
Firſt, That however the Church of the Jewes was to be in great miſery for ſin; yet it ſhould come to paſſe in the dayes of the Meſſiah that the Church (called by the name of old Zion, or the mountain of the houſe, as beſt known to the Jewes) and the Church of Iſrael as eminent and chief among the reſt, ſhould be glorious and exalted above every ſociety that is excellent in the world; as if the mountaine whereon the Temple ſtood, were made higher then any hill, or ſet upon the top of them: Whence learn, 1. As the Spirit of God is a Spirit of unity and doth not differ from himſelf in his manifeſtations to his ſervants; ſo it is a comfortable thing when the Meſſengers of God do concur and unite in bearing teſtimony to any Truth in the Church; for thus it was with Iſaiah and Micah, who being contemporary, do preach the ſame things here; and Iſ 2. 2. God doth no ſooner afflict his people, but as ſoon mercies, to make up their loſſes come in his mind; and the Churches afflictions are never to be ſtudied, but when the promiſes making her up are taken along in our thoughts; for, immediately upon the back of that threatning, Chap. 3.12. this promiſe cometh forth, as teſtifying his affection, and for her to look upon with the other. 3. The Churches happineſſe and felicity is much in gracious promiſes, and to come in reſpect of performance: It ſhall come to p…ſſ…, ſaith the Lord: This was indeed eſpecially true under the Law, in compariſon of the days of the Goſpel; and yet even under the Kingdome of Chriſt her felicity is yet to be compleated when eternity ſhall come; and ſhee is to live on hope of that. 4. The chiefe and great glory of the Church within time was reſerved for the dayes of the Goſpel, and of the manifeſtation of Chriſt in the fleſh: The Church before, (however knowing and enjoying the Meſſiah by faith, yet) being kept under a paedagogie of the Ceremonial law, and the ſhadowes of good things to come: In the laſt dayes it ſhall come to paſſe, &c. See Luke 10.23, 24. Heb. 11.40. 1 Pet. 1.10, 11, 12. 5. The dayes of the Goſpel are the laſt dayes, wherein all things foretold by the Prophets being accompliſhed, we are daily to be expecting eternity, and the cloſure of time; for ſo is the time betwixt the firſt and ſecond coming of Chriſt called the laſt dayes, or evening of the world. See 1 Cor. 10.11. 6. The true Church of Chriſt is firme and impregnable, and elevated above the world; for ſo much doth this name of the mountaine of the houſe eſtabliſhed teach us: A mountaine denotates what is ſtrong and fixed, and what is elevated above other things. 7. The Church of Chriſt, however in outward appearance baſe (as the little hill Moriah on which the Temple ſtood) yet ſhall be, and is truly excellent and glorious above all worldly eſtates and kingdomes, and above all Idols and Idol-ſervices; for, the mountaine of the houſe ſhall be eſtabliſhed on the top of the mountaines, and exalted above the hills, that is, above potentates (which are compared to mountaines, Jerem. 51.25.) above Idols which are worſhipped on hills or high places; and generally, above all that is eminent in the world: This is accompliſhed, partly when the Church is made to riſe upon the ruines of kingdomes and Idols which oppoſe her, Iſai. 60.12. partly when Kings bring their glory to her, Iſ. 60.10, 11. (which is yet more to be fulfilled when Antichriſt ſhall fall, and all Iſrael ſhall be ſaved,) their eminencies are but as hills to ſet her up higher: But chiefly this is daily accompliſhed in reſpect of Gods preſen…e in her, Pſ. 68.15, 16. 8. The excellency and glory which God puts upon his Church, is not a tranſient or vaniſhing thing; but however ſhe may be toſſed, and duſt caſt upon her, yet her excellency will remaine; for, ſhe is not onelyonly exacted, but eſtabliſhed in this emineny.
The ſecond branch of this promiſe, is the increaſe and ſpreading of the Church (which is both an effect, and an inſtance of her ſpiritual glory and eminency) in that people of all Nations (as it is Iſai. 2.2.) ſhall (not go up to earthly Jeruſalem, but) embrace the Goſpel, and joyne themſelves unto the true Church, whoſe fervour in coming is held forth in their mutual incouragements, and upſtirrings to come unto the Church, for direction how to order their converſation; all which as it hath already been verified, ſo it will be yet more accompliſhed, when the fulneſſe of the Gentiles being converted ſhall profeſſe their communion in the Chriſtian Religion with converted Iſrael, and ſhall receive from them a perfect directory for Gods ſervice, and joyn in faith and worſhip with them, when God ſhall remember his Covenant, and prove himſelfe to be the God of Jacob. Doct. 1 It is the glory of the Kingdome of Chriſt, that it is univerſal, and that he ſhall prevaile with thoſe who were enemies thereunto, to become ſubjects, and acknowledge the Church to be the Princeſſe of ſocieties, and ſhall perſwade even whole Nations under the Goſpel to become a Church to him, and a part of his kingdome; for, people ſhal flow unto it, and many Nations ſhal come. The Church ſhall not be confined within the bounds of Judea or of one Nation only; nor ſhal the party of a Nation only, but the whole Nation joyne. 2. Under the Goſpel the diſtinction and prerogatives of Nations are taken away, all have acceſſe unto the Church, and ſome of all ſorts wil come; for, people and many Nations ſhalt flow and come, as well as the Jewes. See Col 3.11. 3. The glory and priviledges of the Church of Chriſt, being wel ſeen, would make people not only come, but flow with zeal and fervour, and in great number to him, in her: for ſo much doth the word flowing teach us, that they ſhal flow as abundantly, and with as much fervour as rivers run downward. See Jer. 31.12. yea, a ſight of this would make Kings deſire to partake of the portion of Chriſts poor, Pſal. 72.10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 4. In a time of converſion, eſpecially of Nations to the Goſpel, and to Chriſt, there will be a willing and chearful people; for, ſo is it here, many Nations ſhall come, and ſay, Come, &c. See Pſal. 110.3. 5. Our willingneſs to come unto Chriſt in his Church, ought to be evidenced by ſtirring up one another to come to him; for, they ſhall ſay, Come, and let us go, &c. 6 A converted people do yet ſtand in much need of mutual edification and ſtirring up of one another in their ſtations; for, ſo doth the practice of theſe converts teach us, Come, let us go up, ſay they. 7, True mutual edification conſiſts not in mutual exhortations only, but eſpecially in practice, and walking ſo as may edifie and excite others; Come, and let us go; they are going themſelves, who can rightly exhort others. See Zech. 8.21. 8. True converts muſt be drawn upward in their aime, affections and practice from the earth; and albeit there be ſeeds of good and willingneſſe in them, yet they will finde the way of godlineſs a ſtrait and ſteep path to their nature; Therefore their courſe gets the name of going up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the houſe of the God of Jacob, alluding to their aſcending to the Temple. 9. Such as draw neer unto God, and joyne themſelves to him in his Church, ought to lay hold upon the Covenant, wherin he hath ingaged himſelf to be gracious in his Chriſt to all who ſeek to him; for, they go up to the houſe of the God of Jacob; that is, he who hath entered in a Covenant with Jacobs poſterity, and with the Iſrael in the ſpirit. 10. That which is moſt eminent in a true convert, and which is firſt gained in one whoſe heart is touched, is their affectionate willingneſs to obey God: We will walk in his paths ſay they, their affection is gained, when yet they are to get teaching. See Rom. 7.22. 11. Affection toward God is not ſufficient for a peoples walking, to render their way approved, but they muſt have knowledge of the will of God alſo, to direct their path; for, He wil teach, and we wil walk, ſay they. 12. Every true convert is made ſenſible of his natural ignorance and proneneſs to errour, and becomes docible and willing to receive inſtruction: Let us go (ſay they) and he will teach us of his wayes; they account it a mercy to be taught; and that not what they like, or as they effect, but what is his will. 13. Albeit the Lord hath appointed a teaching Miniſtry in his Church, which his people ought and wil acknowledge, yet every true convert is taught of God: partly, while they hang not their faith on mens authority, but exalt God alone to be the infallible Teacher and Law-giver in his Church, and do try if what men ſay, be agreeable to his mind; and partly, while they feele God in and by his appointed means, teaching truth effectually and perſwaſively to their hearts; Hee will teach us of his wayes, ſay they. See John 4 42. 1 Theſ. 1.13. 14 As all knowledge of divine things ought not to reſt in contemplations, but ſtirre up to practice; ſo however men of much literal knowledge may be more prophane in their converſations then others; yet ſuch as are taught of God, and acknowledg his Authority in the meanes of inſtruction, and feel the efficacy of his Spirit conveighing what is taught to their hearts, their knowledg will reſolve in practice: it being the Lords prerogative, to convince the conſcience, and ſubdue and ſtir up inclinations to practiſe what is taught: He will teach us, and we wil walk in his paths.
Unto this promiſe the Prophet ſubjoynes a reaſon, why Nations ſhould ſeek to joyn with the Church; to wit, becauſe the doctrine of ſalvation ſhould go forth from the Jews, among all Nations, to ſtir them up to ſeek the Lord, and this light ſhall ſhine forth in the Church in all ages to invite Nations to come and ſeek teaching. Doct. 1. The glory of the Church of the New Teſtament conſiſts not in idle ceremonies, but in the profeſſion and holding forth of true doctrine according to the Word, which is the badge and mark of the true Church: for, the Law (or, generally the true doctrine, as the word in the Original bears) ſhall go forth out of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Ieruſalem, that it may ſhine in all the Churches of the Gentiles, and this is a part of the eminency of the mountain of the Lords houſe. 2. The Lord hath made it clear, that the Doctrine of ſalvation in the days of the Meſſiah, was not to be treaſured up among the Jewes only as of old, Pſal. 147.19, but to ſpread throughout the world; for, the Law ſhall go forth of Zion, &c. 3 The Doctrine of the Goſpel is the ſame for ſubſtance with what was in the Church of the Jewes, though clothed with new circumſtantials. Therefore it is called a Law, alluding to the old name, and cometh from among them to us, though not from Sinai, cloathed with dark ſhadowes and fearful terrours; but from Zion, adorned with cleerneſſe, and ſeaſoned with ſweetneſſe. 4. As the Word of God publiſhed in his Church is the inſtrument of true converſion: ſo it is the meanes whereby Chriſt inlargeth his Kingdome, and will prevail in the world to perſwade Nations to joyne themſelves to him in his Church; therefore is this given as a reaſon of the inlargement of the Church, and activity of Converts; for the Law ſhall go forth of Zion, &c.
Ver. 3.
And he ſhall judge among many people, and rebuke ſtrong Nations afar off, and they ſhal beat their ſwords into plowſhares, and their ſpears into pruning hook: Nation ſhall not lift up a ſword againſt Nation, neither ſhall they learn war any more.
Ver. 4.
But they ſhall ſit every man under his Vine, and under his fig-tree, and none ſhall make them afraid, for the month of the LORD of hoſts hath ſpoken it.
The next promiſe contains her peace and tranquillity (ſetting out yet more the Churches glory) under Chriſts government; that God in his Son Chriſt ſhall by his Goſpel have and exerciſe a ſpiritual juriſdiction and kingdome in the world, whereby he ſhall ſubdue them to his obedience, and having ſubdued, ſhall govern them ſo, as to procure peace and tranquillity to the Church, that the converted may ſerve God quietly in their particular ſtations, and become uſeful each to other. This their condition is expreſſed in termes taken from the uſual practice of peaceable times, wherein men being out of uſe of war, do turne their weapons of offence into inſtruments of husbandry and utility, and wherein men go about thoſe callings and abide abroad in the fields without fear of danger, as 1 King. 4.25. Doct. 1. Chriſt coming with his Goſpel, is to reigne as a King, and have authority over thoſe who receive him; for, he ſhall judge among many people. 2. It is a truth to be much and frequently ſtudied, that Chriſts Kingdome is univerſal, his Church ſpread over the world, and he having power over all for her good; that he may have his glory, and every particular Church and believer be comforted in ſuch a head, and in hope of the enlargement of his dominion, when by Apoſtafie or perſecution it is confined to narrow bounds; therefore is it again promiſed; that he ſhal judge among many people, and rebuke ſtrong Nations afar off; to wit, far from Judea, and meaning all people far and neer. 3. The Lord may deal very terribly with ſuch as he purpoſeth to do much good unto; he may convince, rebuke, and afflict them for ſin, that he may drive them to his mercy; for that is a part of his work in gathering a Kingdom, to judge and rebuke. 4. Albeit the Lord in gathering of his Church, do not make uſe of weapons of war, but only his Word with the reproofs and terrors thereof, yet that will ſuffice to ſubdue them to him, nothing in the creature being able to ſtand out againſt the Lord, convincing and rebuking for ſin; for, if he judge and rebuke many people and ſtrong Nations, they will feel it, and beat their ſwords into plowſhares, &c. and come under his government. 5. This promiſe of great tranquillity and peace, is not ſo to be underſtood as if the Lord did condemn Chriſtians their undertaking of lawful wars; for, Magiſtrates bearing the ſword of Juſtice (which muſt oft-times be executed by force of armes) is the Ordinance of God, Rom. 13. Nor are we ſo to underſtand it, as if the Church were alwayes to enjoy outward peace and tranquillity; for, Chriſt refuſes that himſelf, Matth. 10.34. Nor doth the godlies ſpiritual peace in all troubles exhauſt the full ſcope of this promiſe. But the ſcope is to teach us, 1. The ſaving effect of the Goſpel upon men, is, when it daunts and ſubdues their corruptions, and ſo makes them, as tractable and plyable to the will of God; ſo, peaceably ſtudy to ſerve God in their ſtations, and to be uſeful each to other; for, when theſe ſtrong Nations are rebuked, they beat their ſwords into plowſhares, &c. Which are inſtruments of their lawful calling, and of utility to themſelves and others. 2. This taming of mens corruptions by the Goſpel, will appear farther, in that the Saints and converted will live at peace, in ſo far as they are renewed (otherwiſe a Saints corruption as well as our own, may be on our tops,) and that there ſhall not be ſuch an enmity betwixt believing Jewes and Gentiles, as was before the partition was taken down; in theſe reſpects, Nation ſhall not lift up ſword againſt Nation, neither ſhall they learn war any more. 3. Whatever troubles the Church may meet with from enemies, yet ſhe ſhall give no cauſe nor occaſion thereof, albeit their corruption may take occaſion to raiſe troubles becauſe of the profeſſion of the Goſpel; for, the converted ſhall be peaceable men, and beat their ſwords into plowſhares, &c. 4. In deſpite of all the power and imaginations of enemies, the Church of God ſhall have even outward peace and tranquillity in ſo far as is needful and ſubſervient to their ſpiritual good, otherwiſe when it proves hurtful, it is better to want it, as the Church hath many times found in experience. And as the Lord hath often given taſtes of this to his Church: ſo it will be more fully accompliſhed when the fulneſs of the Gentiles and all Iſrael ſhall be turned to the Lord, as ſometimes before in the Church; ſo, then they ſhall fit every man under his vine, and under his fig-tree, and none ſhall make them afraid. Doc. 6. The fidelity of God who promiſeth, is ſufficient to aſſure our hearts of the performance of greateſt things, as being omnipotent, and having all things under his power, and at his command, which may either promote or ſeem to impede the execution of his will: Therefore is this promiſe, which might ſeem improbable by reaſon of the great deſolation which was threatned ſhould come, ſealed with this: for the mouth of the Lord of hoſts hath ſpoken it.
Ver. 5.
For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
In the Parallel place, Iſai. 2.5. inſtead of what is here, is contained an exhortation to the Jewes, that ſince the Church under the Meſſiah was to be glorious, they would faithfully cleave to God and true Religion in all their calamities, till theſe dayes ſhould come; and ſeeing the Gentiles were thus to flow in to Chriſt, they would not ſlip away, but be provoked to jealouſie, and come in to partake. And indeed the hope of the Church of God is ſo great and ſure, that it may well encourage men to be honeſt under any diſadvantage: and albeit this exhortation was not hearkened unto at the firſt Converſion of the Gentiles, yet the day will come, when it ſhall be effectually upon them, Rom. 11.11.25, 26. But Micah ſeems to hold forth further the reſolution of the Converts of Jewes and Gentiles under the Goſpel, to renounce all hereſies and ſects, and to adhere conſtantly and zealouſly to God, and the Profeſſion of the Chrſtian Religion, exciting themſelves hereunto by the example of idolaters, who were pertinacious in their irreligious courſes: and this is a third evidence of the glory of the Church: and ground of encouragement to the godly, that inſtead of the manifold Apoſtaſies and pollutions with the wayes of the Pagans, which appeared formerly in the Church of the Jewes, the Church of God, eſpecially Iſrael being converted, ſhould then prove conſtant in their Religion. Doc. 1. Conſtancy in adhering to the true Religion, is the great glory of a Church, and encouragement of the godly, to whom backſlidings are a ſad affliction, as here we are taught. 2. The Chriſtian Profeſſion and Religion conſiſts in walking in the Name of the Lord, that is, in profeſſing and practiſing according to the revealed rule, which is his Name; not ſeeking to be wiſe above what is written, and going about theſe things in his ſtrength, as 1 Sam. 17.45. Pſalm 118.11. being furniſhed with encouragement from him; for, ſo his Name in Iſa. 2.5. is the light (to wit, of direction and conſolation) of the Lord. 3. Such as would walk in theſe pathes, and adhere to them, ought to make ſure an intereſt in God by Covenant, and make uſe of this intereſt for daily influence, and ought to be filled with much affection toward their Confederate Lord; Wee will walk in the Name of the Lord our God. 4. For right performance of our duty, there is much need alſo of frequently renewed reſolutions, and gathered together motives to ſet us on edge; as here they gather arguments from idol-ſervers, and put on reſolutions; Wee will walk &c. 5. Eternall reſolutions, or reſolutions of perſevering conſtantly, are fit and beſeeming ſo high a duty as walking in Gods Name; we wil walk, ſay they, and walk for ever and ever. It being a way wherein there is no cauſe of wearying, and the benefit thereof being but in its prime, and fully to appear, when time and its contentments are ending. 6. Even in the dayes of the Goſpel, there are ſtill ſo many blindfolded and deluded, as not to ſee the glory of Chriſts Kingdome, but will pertinaciouſly follow their Idol-gods: for, there are, all people (that is, many who) will walk in the name of their god. 7. The Lords people ought (and by grace will) be ſo far from being ſhaken or drawn away by the multitude of men who forſake their true God, that idolaters their obſervancy and exactneſſe in their way ſhould give occaſion to the ſeekers of God to put on reſolutions of more exactneſſe; their blinde zeal toward that which is no God, may teach us our duty toward the true God; for ſo doth this compariſon inſtituted teach, that not onelyonly Chriſtians would not joyne with them in their way, but ſeeking theſe were ſo carefull and reſolute, much more ought they to be ſo in the right way; For al people wil walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the Name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. See Ier. 2.10, 11.
Ver. 6.
In that day, ſaith the LORD, will I aſſemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted.
7.
And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was caſt farre off a ſtrong nation: and the LORD ſhall reigne over them in mount Zion, from henceforth even for ever.
The fourth encouragement doth yet further evidence the glory of the Church, from the conſideration of her former miſery by affliction for ſin, which he would now make up, and of ſuch conſtitute his Church, and Kingdome, over which he ſhould reigne for ever and ever. And however this promiſe be of generall verity, pointing out what baſe and contemptible like matter he will gather his Church of, yet it hath a ſpeciall relation to the preſently afflicted, and yet further to be afflicted Church of Iſrael, whom he comforts againſt all her afflictions and impediments that might cut off all hope of her reſtauration, by promiſing to gather them under the Goſpel, and make them a great Nation, and that Chriſt in his ſpiritual government ſhall conſtantly rule over them in their own land, after their converſion, or in the Church which was prefigured by Mount Zion. Doct. 1. The Lords afflicting of his Church doth in a ſpecial manner, endear her to his affection, and makes that ſhe ſhall not be behind, when mercies are a dealing; for, ſaith he, I wil aſſemble and gather her that I have afflicted: See Jer. 31.20. 2. Great afflictions are no impediments to the Churches reſtitution, when the time of it comes, when Omnipotency is imployed about it, and when he in love remembers them in their low eſtate; for, ſuch as are ſo cruſhed with trouble, as they are made to halt, ſuch as are afflicted, driven out and caſt farre off, he can and will aſſemble and gather them, and make a remnant and ſtrong nation of them; that is, he wil preſerve a remnant and keepe them from total ruine in trouble, and at laſt reſtore and multiply them. 3. The glory of a Church reſtored, and the height of their felicity, is to have the Lord reigning and acknowledged as a King in all his prerogatives amongſt them; therefore it is added to their reſtitution, And the Lord ſhall reigne over them in Mount Zion. 4. The Churches King is not ſubject to mortality, nor ſuch a one as may be put from his kingdom, and leave them expoſed to hazard; but, the Lord ſhal reigne over them (and ſo protect them) from henceforth even for ever: which alſo imports that he will ſtill have ſubjects to reigne over.
Ver. 8.
And thou, O tower of the flock, the ſtrong hold of the daughter of Zion: unto thee ſhall it come, even the firſt dominion: that kingdome ſhal come to the daughter of Jeruſalem.
Here the Lord makes a more particular application of his comfortable promiſes unto the Church of the Jewes; for however the Promiſe be of general verity in a ſpiritual ſenſe, being applied to the Catholick Church, that Jeruſalem which is from above; yet the following verſes cleare, that it is to be underſtood ſpecially of the Church of the Jewes, whom he here cals the tower of the flock, or Eder, of which Gen. 35.21. conceived to be a place neere, or in Ieruſalem, and in particular that part which was after called the ſheep-gate; and the ſtrong hold of the daughter of Zion, or Ophel, of which, 2 Chron. 27.3, Neh. 3 26. The firſt encouragement given to them for the comfort of the godly, is; that not only the Kingdome of Chriſt ſhould firſt begin at them, as the Hiſtory of the New Teſtament doth evidence; but that under Chriſt they ſhould be reſtored to their wonted dignity, reſembling that which they had of old enjoyed under David and So…omon, before their rents and calamities. Doct. 1. The Lord in gathering the univerſal Church hath an eſpecial regard to the Jewes his brethren; this doth appear in the ſpeciall allowance given to them in the promiſes concerning the Kingdome of Chriſt; of which, as the Lord gave them the firſt offer, ſo from them the Apoſtle, Rom. 11. gathers, that much mercy, ſhall yet be manifeſted unto them. 2. The Church of God is the receptacle and fold of all his true ſheep, wherein they gather themſelves under his government, and are environed with ſtrength for ſafety; ſo much is ſignified to us by theſe names given to Zion, The Tower of the flock and ſtrong hold. 3. The Lords own Application of ſpiritual comforts, is eſpecially requiſite for his afflicted people; therefore the Lord counts it not enough to have propounded ample promiſes in general to the Church, which might anſwer all their caſes, and which they were bound to be applying; but he holds it alſo neceſſary to apply theſe to the preſent Church in her need. 4. The glory of Chriſts Kingdome is as great and greater ſpiritually, then ever the glory of David or Solomons reigne was outwardly; all the valour, ſtrength and victories of David, all the riches, honour, and wiſdom of Solomon, even to admiration, and all the felicity of Iſrael under both, are but ſhadowes of that ſubſtance; therefore is it called the firſt dominion, that is, not ſo much the dominion at firſt offered to the Jewes, as a dominion like the firſt flouriſhing times of Iſrael, 5. As Chriſt, to fulfil the truth of God, did make firſt offer of his Kingdome and Goſpel to the Iewes; ſo in due time he wil bring them under his dominion and ſpiritual Government; and will reſtore them to their wonted dignity thereby; uniting all Iſrael in him, the ſeede of David, as they were before the rent made by Ieroboam; adorning them eminently with the ſpirituall excellencies and priviledges of his Kingdome; if not alſo appearing gloriouſly for them in outward things: for, ſaith he, Unto thee ſhal the firſt dominion come. the kingdome ſhal come to the daughter of Ieruſalem.
Ver. 9.
Now why doſt thou cry out aloud? is there no King in thee? is thy Counſeller periſhed? for pangs hath taken thee as a woman in travel.
10.
Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travel; for now ſhalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou ſhalt dwel in the field, and thou ſhalt go even to Babylon; there ſhalt thou be delivered: there the LORD ſhall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.
The next encouragement given to the Church of the Iewes, is by ſhewing his mind concerning her troubles that were ſhortly to enſue; and that he may the more effectually comfort her, he very pathetically propounds her trouble, as if ſhe were now under it, and ſhewes unto her, that however in outward appearance ſhe had cauſe of bitter ſorrow, her King and Counſellers being to periſh in that calamity, ſhe being to be driven from the City and Temple which were to be deſtroyed, to ſojourn a ſpace in the fields, till the reſt of the Captivity were gathered, and then to be carried captive unto Babylon; yet upon better conſideration, ſhe might finde ſhee had no ſuch cauſe of fainting, but ought rather reſolutely to provide for, and couragiouſly to bear that trouble, ſeeing God ſhould be King and Counſeller to her, and in Babylon, where ſhe might have leaſt hope, ſhe ſhould find deliverance; and ſo he clears his mind to be this, that by trouble ſhe is going on toward deliverance. Doct. 1. The troubles of the Church may in their houre, prove very ſharp and bitter, as the pangs of a woman in travel, crying out aloud. 2. Albeit the Church of God in her trouble ſeeme to have reaſon for exceſſive ſorrow, and bitter diſcouragement, yet really it is not ſo, but ſhe hath ſtill ſome reaſon of encouragement, and ought to ſet about it; therefore whatever her troubles were, yet ſaith he, why doſt thou cry out aloud? as if he had ſaid, there is no reaſon for ſuch exceſſe in anxiety and ſorrow. The reaſons of this principal doctrine held forth in the Text, are as ſo many doctrines, all of them concluding that ſhe ought not to give way to diſcouragement. 1. There is nothing the people of God want in trouble, which might be helpful or comfortable to them, but it wil be made up in God; for however her King and Counſellers were uſeleſſe, and enemies to her ſafetie in that ſtrait, and were afterward cut off for their ſins, and that ſhe might be emptied of all created comfort and helps, yet the Lord wil not admit that ſhe ſhould think ſhe wanted a King, while as he lived and reigned to preſerve her in her trouble, and in due time to re-eſtabliſh his Kingdom in her; ſo much doth this ſharp queſtion teach, Is there no King in thee? Is thy Counſeller periſhid? 2 As the Lord ſeeth it oft times fit not to remove, but continue and increaſe a peoples trouble; (for they were to be in pain, to go out of the city, dwel in the field, and go to Babylon:) ſo the people of God in ſuch caſes ought to arme themſelves with reſolution for ſuch lots, rather then by diſcouragement to make their owne croſſe heavy, which is all they can doe: ſo much are we taught, in that, howſoever he reproves their cries, v, 9. yet, ſaith he, be in pain; which doth not only import an aſſuring of them that the trouble was to come, nor yet only a conceſſion, that it is no marvel they have pain, and ſorrow, but a command alſo to ſet themſelves reſolutely to bear it, as they are commanded to build houſes in Babylon, Jer. 29.4, 5, 6, and to make their captivity as comfortable as lawfully they may. 3. The right pondering of the fruit which the Lord brings out of the troubles of his people may help to cruſh diſcouragements under them; labour to bring forth like a woman in travel. He ſets her out in her trouble, as travelling in birth of ſome mercy to make her forget her ſorrow, which ſhe ſhould minde much, and preſſe after. See John 16.21, 22. 4. The Lords tender affection towards his people, eſpecially under trouble, may be a great lenitive to their bitterneſſe: Therefore is ſhee here called the daughter of Zion, which is a ſtile of tenderneſſe. A room in his heart will make an affliction to be no affliction, or very tolerable. 5. Every ſtep of the people of God in affliction is a ſtep toward deliverance: and the utmoſt degree of affliction, is the door next to deliverance, ſo much doth the ſcope and drift of this place teach; the Church going out of the City, and dwelling in the field, was going toward deliverance, and when ſhee went even to Babylon, where in outward appearance ſhee might have loſt hope, yet, there ſhall ſhee be delivered, and is neerer to a deliverance there then in the holy City. Theſe things, rightly ſtudied, may take away much ſeeming ground of diſcouragement under trouble. Doct. 3. The Lord is to be eyed as undertaker for the performance of improbable — like promiſes, which may cauſe all difficulties to vaniſh; Therefore after that promiſe, There ſhalt thou be delivered, is ſubjoyned, There the Lord ſhal redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies: when he undertakes, it wil be eaſie to raiſe a Cyrus and make him do it. 4. While as the Lord promiſes in delivering to redeem them, it teacheth: 1. That the Lord wil reckon kindred with, and intereſt in his afflicted people, that hee may appear for them; for it was the part of the neerſt in kindred to redeem, and the word in the Originall intimates ſo much. 2. That they having by ſin ſold themſelves into captivity, Iſaiah 50.1. Chriſt, by the price to be paid to juſtice for the Elect among them, ſhould procure their deliverance alſo, and of the viſible Church for their ſake: All temporall deliverances to the children of God, flowing from that eternall Redemtion from ſin, and as an appendix to the new Covenant, and the viſible Church getting deliverance for the Elects ſake among them. 3. That for enemies, who had captivated them, as they had ſold themſelves to them for nought; ſo they ſhould be actually aſſerted unto liberty without any price, ſave onelyonly ſtroakes to the unjuſt poſſeſſors, Iſa. 52 3.
Ver. 11.
Now alſo many nations are gathered againſt thee, that ſay, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.
For further confirmation of his minde concerning her afflictions, he ſets forth, in the laſt place, his great and holy deſigne concerning the enterprize of her manie enemies, who in her enſuing calamity, and after her return from captivity, and after her converſion to Chriſt, ſhould be gathered againſt her, as alſo againſt the Church of Chriſt in all ages; and firſt, hee holds forth what is their purpoſe, (to the end his purpoſe overturning theirs, may be ſeen to be the more glorious) to wit, that they intended, and ſet themſelves to deal with her not as a priviledged place, but that they might pollute her as a prophane place, with blood and other abominations, and take her ornaments from her, and put her from her dignity; and that they might feed their eyes with ſuch a ſight. Doct. 1. The true Church hath the moſt enemies of any ſociety; for, many Nations are gathered. 2. It is uſefull for the Church to remark what enemies intend, and what our troubles would ſeem to threaten, to the end that more of God may be ſeen in delivering; for this end is the conſideration of the enemies deſigne premitted to the conſideration of the purpoſe of God: See Pſal. 124.1, 2, 3, 4. 3. As the wicked ſee no priviledg the Church of God hath, why ſhe may not be dealt with as other prophane ſocieties: ſo the greateſt bitterneſſe the people of God have in their affliction, is, that hereby not onelyonly they, but their priviledges are trampled under foot by enemies; for, it is the ſad ſight they get of enemies deſignes, when they hear them ſay, Let her be defiled, or prophaned. See Iſa. 10.9, 10, 11. Lam. 2.15. 4. There are many ſo wicked, as to account the Churches calamitie a pleaſant ſpectacle, and ſweet ſight to feed their eyes with; for, there are who ſay, Let our eye took upon Zion, which is an evidence of a deſperately wicked condition.
Ver. 12.
But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither underſtand they his counſel: for hee ſhall gather them as the ſheaves into the floor.
Ver. 13.
Ariſe and threſh O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs braſſe; and thou ſhalt beat in pieces many people: and I wil conſecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their ſubſtance to the Lord of the whole earth.
Followeth the Lords purpoſe concerning this their enterpriſe; which is incomprehenſible and unſearchable by enemies, and quite contrary to their intention; as minding, by their gathering together, to ripen them for vengance: (as ſheaves are gathered that they may be threſhed) to the execution whereof he encourageth the Church, promiſing to enable them, and give them a compleate victory, which ſhould be aſcribed to him. Doct. 1. Enemies are not permitted to run at randome in their wayes, but the Lord hath an effectual and wiſe Providence over-ruling in all their deſignes; for, in all of them he hath thoughts and Counſel, and therefore we are not to eye much their brags, but looke to him who ſets bounds to them, and ſits at the helme of Providence. 2. The Lords holy purpoſes of good to his people, and wrath to his enemies, may be ſo conveighed in deep wiſdome, and ſo contrary to the way of carnal reaſon and probability, that they will not be ſeene by any natural eye, nor can be diſcerned by enemies themſelves, who are given up to run blindfold upon their own ruine: They know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither underſtand they his counſel. See Pſa. 92 6, 7. 3. In one and the ſame action God may have an holy worke of his Providence, and men their wicked intents and ſinful courſes, they being carried on without an eye to his revealed will, which is the rule of duty; nay, not to his providence either, but meerly for their own ends; and he making uſe of the ſame work of theirs to overreach them, and bring about his purpoſes; for in this enterpriſe, They gather themſelves for a ſinful end, ver. 11. And God gathereth them as ſheaves for an holy purpoſe. See Iſa. 10.5, 6, 7. 4. The Lords end in letting enemies looſe upon the Church, beſide her trial from them, is to ripen and fit them for judgement; for, he ſhal gather them as the ſheaves unto the floore; to wit, to be trampled under foot, as their corn was by beaſts that tread it out. See Ier. 51.33. Such as the Lord abhorreth, are let come in oppoſition to his people; and they are ripened for deſtruction thereby, partly while their cup is thus filled to the brim, which in other tranſgreſſions might be long a filling; partly, while he lets affliction out upon his Church, that ſecret enemies may diſcover themſelves, and ſo be brought to the floore for threſhing. 5. Chriſts Church is not to look what ſhe hath in her ſelf for oppoſing theſe enemies that aſſault her, and for bringing about the mercies intended for her; but what he will make her, and how ſhe ſhall be enabled to ſet againſt and overcome all difficulties; and in the faith thereof, ought cheerfully to ſet to her duty; Ariſe, ſaith he, as to one laid by dead or diſcouraged, and threſh, O daughter of Zion: for I wil make thy borne (to puſh) iron, and thy hoofe braſſe, to threſh as was their cuſtome, Deut. 25.4. Upon theſe terms, the weak may ſay, I am ſtrong. 6. The Churches victory over her enemies wil in due time be made compleat, and in due time Iſrael, and the Church of God ſhall have their many enemies under their feet, either as ruined, or true ſubjects, or tributaries; This is imported not only in that ſhe ſhall tread them with her hoofes, and heat in pieces many people, but in that their gain ſhal be conſecrated, or devoted, which alludeth to that of Jericho, Joſh. 6.17, 19. wherein there was a compleat victory given to Iſrael. 7. The glory of all the victories of the Church, and of the benefits obtained thereby, ought to be given to God onelyonly; for ſo much alſo doth the conſecrating of their gain and ſubſtance (as the corn that is threſhed out) to the Lord, import: that as Jericho was offered to the Lord, and it was a ſin in Achan to take ought of the conſecrated things; ſo it ſhould be a ſin in the Church to exalt her ſelf, and not the Lord only, in and by theſe ſucceſſes. 8. The Lord onelyonly muſt be the undertaker to get himſelfe the glory of all his wonderful dealing for his people, and make them forth-coming to his praiſe, and will alſo cruſh and ſuppreſſe whatſoever among his people would come betwixt him and his glorious deſign: and I wil conſecrate their gain, is the Lord ſpeech, though afterward he ſpeak of himſelfe in the third perſon. 9. The Lord, by his vengeance on the Churches enemies, will have himſelfe manifeſted and known in the world; and by his gracious dealing for his Church, and bleſſing her endeavours, will have himſelf acknowledged through the earth, and the kingdomes of the earth to become his; for, ſo much doth the ſtile, the Lord of the whole earth, teach, that as he is ſo indeed, ſo not onelyonly by theſe victories ſhal he be known to be ſo through the world, Pſal. 9.16. and 59.13. but ſhall at laſt have his dominion acknowledged and ſubmitted to more generally through the earth.