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 Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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 <CENTER>
 <BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>L E V I T C U S</B></FONT>
 <BR>
 <BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXVI.</FONT>
 <HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
 </CENTER>

 <FONT SIZE=-1>
 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 This chapter is a solemn conclusion of the main body of the levitical 
 law. The precepts that follow in this and the following book either 
 relate to some particular matters or are repetitions and explications 
 of the foregoing institutions. Now this chapter contains a general 
 enforcement of all those laws by promises of reward in case of 
 obedience on the one hand, and threatenings of punishment for 
 disobedience on the other hand, the former to work upon hope, the 
 latter on fear, those two handles of the soul, by which it is taken 
 hold of and managed. Here is, 

 I. A repetition of two or three of the principal of the commandments,

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.

 II. An inviting promise of all good things, if they would but keep
 God's commandments, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:3-13">ver. 3-13</A>.

 III. A terrible threatening of ruining judgments which would be
 brought upon them if they were refractory and disobedient, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:14-39">ver. 14-39</A>.

 IV. A gracious promise of the return of mercy to those of them that
 would repent and reform, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:40-46">ver. 40</A>,

 &c.

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+28:1-20">Deut. xxviii</A>
 
 is parallel to this.</P>

 </FONT>

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 <TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
 <TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Promises.</I></FONT></TD>
 <TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
 <TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
 </TABLE>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
 <FONT SIZE=+1>1 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you
 up a standing image, neither shall ye set up <I>any</I> image of stone
 in your land, to bow down unto it: for I <I>am</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God.
 &nbsp; 2 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I <I>am</I>
 the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
 &nbsp; 3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do
 them;
 &nbsp; 4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall
 yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their
 fruit.
 &nbsp; 5 And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the
 vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your
 bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
 &nbsp; 6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and
 none shall make <I>you</I> afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of
 the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
 &nbsp; 7 And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before
 you by the sword.
 &nbsp; 8 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you
 shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall
 before you by the sword.
 &nbsp; 9 For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and
 multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.
 &nbsp; 10 And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because
 of the new.
 &nbsp; 11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall
 not abhor you.
 &nbsp; 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye
 shall be my people.
 &nbsp; 13 I <I>am</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God, which brought you forth out of the
 land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have
 broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
 </FONT></P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 Here is, 

 I. The inculcating of those precepts of the law which were of the 
 greatest consequence, and by which were of the greatest consequence, 
 and by which especially their obedience would be tried,

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.

 They are the abstract of the second and fourth commandments, which, as 
 they are by much the largest in the decalogue, so they are most 
 frequently insisted on in other parts of the law. As, when a master has 
 given many things in charge to his servant, he concludes with the 
 repetition of those things which were of the greatest importance, and 
 which the servant was most in danger of neglecting, bidding him, 
 whatever he did, be sure to remember those, so here God by Moses, after 
 many precepts, closes all with a special charge to observe these two 
 great commandments.

 1. "Be sure you never worship images, nor ever make any sort of images
 or pictures for a religious use," 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.

 No sin was more provoking to God than this, and yet there was none that 
 they were more addicted to, and which afterwards proved of more 
 pernicious consequence to them. Next to God's being, unity, and
 universal influence, it is necessary that we know and believe that he 
 is an infinite Spirit; and therefore to represent him by an image in 
 the making of it, to confine him to an image in the consecrating of it, 
 and to worship him by an image in bowing down to it, <I>changes his 
 truth into a lie</I> and <I>his glory into shame,</I> as much as any 
 thing.

 2. "Be sure you keep up a great veneration for sabbaths and religious
 assemblies," 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.

 As nothing tends more to corrupt religion than the use of images in 
 devotion, so nothing contributes more to the support of it than 
 <I>keeping the sabbaths</I> and <I>reverencing the sanctuary.</I> These 
 make up very much of the instrumental part of religion, by which the 
 essentials of it are kept up. Therefore we find in the prophets that, 
 next to the sin of idolatry, there is no sin for which the Jews are 
 more frequently reproved and threatened than the profanation of the 
 sabbath day.</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 II. Great encouragements given them to live in constant obedience to 
 all God's commandments, largely and strongly assuring them that if they 
 did so they should be a happy people, and should be blessed with all 
 the good things they could desire. Human governments enforce their laws 
 with penalties to be inflicted for the breach of them; but God will be 
 known as <I>the rewarder of those that seek and serve him.</I> Let us 
 take a view of these great and precious promises, which, though they 
 relate chiefly to the life which now is, and to the public national 
 concerns of that people, were typical of the spiritual blessings 
 entailed by the covenant of grace upon all believers through Christ. 

 1. Plenty and abundance of the fruits of the earth. They should have
 seasonable rain, neither too little nor too much, but what was 
 requisite for their land, which was watered with the dew of heaven 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+11:10,11">Deut. xi. 10, 11</A>),

 that it might <I>yield its increase,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.

 The dependence which the fruitfulness of the earth beneath has upon the 
 influences of heaven above is a sensible intimation to us that every 
 good and perfect gift must be expected <I>from above,</I> from the 
 <I>Father of lights.</I> It is promised that the earth should produce 
 its fruits in such great abundance that they would be kept in full 
 employment, during both the harvest and the vintage, to gather it in, 

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.

 Before they had reaped their corn and threshed it, the vintage would be 
 ready; and, before they had finished their vintage, it would be high 
 time to begin their sowing. Long harvests are often with us the 
 consequences of bad weather, but with them they should be the effects 
 of a great increase. This signified the abundance of grace which should 
 be poured out in gospel times, when the <I>ploughman should overtake 
 the reaper</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+9:13">Amos ix. 13</A>),

 and a great harvest of souls should be gathered in to Christ. The
 plenty should be so great that they should <I>bring forth the old</I> 
 to be given away to the poor <I>because of the new,</I> to make room 
 for it in their barns, which yet they would not <I>pull down to build 
 greater,</I> as that rich fool

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:18">Luke xii. 18</A>),

 for God gave them this abundance to be laid out, not be hoarded up from
 one year to another. <I>He that withholdeth corn, the people shall 
 curse him,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+11:26">Prov. xi. 26</A>.

 That promise 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:10">Mal. iii. 10</A>),

 <I>I will pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough
 to receive it,</I> explains this,

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.

 And that which crowns this blessing of plenty is

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),

 You shall <I>eat your bread to the full,</I> which intimates that they 
 should have, not only abundance, but content and satisfaction in it. 
 They should have enough, and should know when they had enough. Thus 
 <I>the meek shall eat and be satisfied,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:26">Ps. xxii. 26</A>.

 2. Peace under the divine protection; "<I>You shall dwell in your land
 safely</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>);

 both really save, and safe in your own apprehensions; you shall lie 
 down to rest in the power and promise of God, and not only none shall 
 hurt you, but none shall so much as <I>make you afraid,</I>" 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
 
 See 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+4:8">Ps. iv. 8</A>.

 They should not be infested with wild beasts, these should be <I>rid 
 out of the land,</I> or, as it is promised 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+5:23">Job v. 23</A>),

 should <I>be at peace with them.</I> Nor should they be terrified with
 the alarms of war: <I>Neither shall the sword go through your land.</I> 
 This holy security is promised to all the faithful,

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+91:1-16">Ps. xci. 1</A>,

 &c. Those must needs dwell in safety that <I>dwell in God,</I>

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+9:18,19">Job ix. 18, 19</A>.

 3. Victory and success in their wars abroad, while they had peace and
 tranquility at home, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.

 They are assured that the hand of God should so signally appear with 
 them in their conquests that no disproportion of numbers should make 
 against them: <I>Five of you</I> shall have courage to attack, and 
 strength to <I>chase</I> and defeat, <I>a hundred,</I> as Jonathan did

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+14:12">1 Sam. xiv. 12</A>),

 experiencing the truth of his own maxim 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),

 that it is all one with the Lord to <I>save by many or by few.</I>

 4. The increase of their people: <I>I will make you fruitful and 
 multiply you,</I>

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.

 Thus the promise made to Abraham must be fulfilled, that his seed 
 should be <I>as the dust of the earth;</I> and much more numerous they 
 would have been if they had by their sin cut themselves short. It is 
 promised to the gospel church that it shall be fruitful,

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:16">John xv. 16</A>.

 5. The favour of God, which is the fountain of all good: <I>I will
 have respect unto you,</I> 

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.

 If the eye of our faith be unto God, the eye of his favour will be unto 
 us. More is implied than is expressed in that promise, <I>My soul shall 
 not abhor you</I>

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),

 as there is in that threatening, <I>My soul shall have no pleasure in 
 him,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:38">Heb. x. 38</A>.

 Though there was that among them which might justly have alienated him
 from them, yet, if they would closely adhere to his institutions, he 
 would not abhor them.

 6. Tokens of his presence in and by his ordinances: <I>I will set my
 tabernacle among you,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.

 It was their honour and advantage that God's tabernacle was lately 
 erected among them; but here he lets them know that the continuance and 
 establishment of it depended upon their good behaviour. The tabernacle
 that was now set should be settled if they would be obedient, else not.
 Note, The way to have God's ordinances fixed among us, as a nail in a 
 sure place, is to cleave closely to the institution of them. It is 
 added

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
 
 "<I>I will walk among you,</I> with delight and satisfaction, as a man 
 in his garden; I will keep up communion with you as a man walking with 
 his friend." This seems to be alluded to, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:1">Rev. ii. 1</A>,

 where Christ is said to <I>walk in the midst of the golden
 candlesticks.</I>

 7. The grace of the covenant, as the fountain and foundation, the
 sweetness and security, of all these blessings: <I>I will establish my 
 covenant with you,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.

 Let them perform their part of the covenant, and God would not fail to 
 perform his. All covenant-blessings are summed up in the 
 covenant-relation

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):

 <I>I will be your God, and you shall be my people;</I> and they are all 
 grounded upon their redemption: <I>I am your God,</I> because <I>I 
 brought you forth out of the land of Egypt,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.

 Having purchased them, he would own them, and never cast them off till 
 they cast him off. He <I>broke their yoke,</I> and <I>made them go 
 upright,</I> that is, their deliverance out of Egypt put them in a 
 state both of ease and honour, that, being delivered out of the hands 
 of their enemies, they might <I>serve God without fear,</I> each 
 walking <I>in his uprightness.</I> When Israel rejected Christ, and was 
 therefore rejected by him, their back is said to be <I>bowed down</I> 
 always under the burden of their guilt, which was heavier than that of 
 their bondage in Egypt, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:10">Rom. xi. 10</A>.</P>

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 <TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
 <TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Threatenings.</I></FONT></TD>
 <TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
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 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
 <FONT SIZE=+1>14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all
 these commandments;
 &nbsp; 15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor
 my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, <I>but</I>
 that ye break my covenant:
 &nbsp; 16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you
 terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the
 eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in
 vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
 &nbsp; 17 And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain
 before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and
 ye shall flee when none pursueth you.
 &nbsp; 18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I
 will punish you seven times more for your sins.
 &nbsp; 19 And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make
 your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:
 &nbsp; 20 And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land
 shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land
 yield their fruits.
 &nbsp; 21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto
 me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to
 your sins.
 &nbsp; 22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you
 of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in
 number; and your <I>high</I> ways shall be desolate.
 &nbsp; 23 And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but
 will walk contrary unto me;
 &nbsp; 24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you
 yet seven times for your sins.
 &nbsp; 25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the
 quarrel of <I>my</I> covenant: and when ye are gathered together
 within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye
 shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.
 &nbsp; 26 <I>And</I> when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women
 shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver <I>you</I>
 your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be
 satisfied.
 &nbsp; 27 And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk
 contrary unto me;
 &nbsp; 28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even
 I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.
 &nbsp; 29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of
 your daughters shall ye eat.
 &nbsp; 30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your
 images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols,
 and my soul shall abhor you.
 &nbsp; 31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your
 sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of
 your sweet odours.
 &nbsp; 32 And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies
 which dwell therein shall be astonished at it.
 &nbsp; 33 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out
 a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your
 cities waste.
 &nbsp; 34 Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth
 desolate, and ye <I>be</I> in your enemies' land; <I>even</I> then shall
 the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.
 &nbsp; 35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did
 not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
 &nbsp; 36 And upon them that are left <I>alive</I> of you I will send a
 faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and
 the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee,
 as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.
 &nbsp; 37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a
 sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand
 before your enemies.
 &nbsp; 38 And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your
 enemies shall eat you up.
 &nbsp; 39 And they that are left of you shall pine away in their
 iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of
 their fathers shall they pine away with them.
 </FONT></P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 After God had set the blessing before them (the life and good which 
 would make them a happy people if they would be obedient), he here sets 
 the curse before them, the death and evil which would make them as 
 miserable if they were disobedient. Let them not think themselves so 
 deeply rooted as that God's power could not ruin them, nor so highly 
 favoured as that his justice would not ruin them if they revolted from 
 him and rebelled against him; no <I>You only have I known, therefore I 
 will punish you</I> soonest and sorest. 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+3:2">Amos iii. 2</A>.

 Observe,</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 I. How their sin is described, which would bring all this misery upon 
 them. Not sins of ignorance and infirmity; God had provided sacrifices 
 for those. Not the sins they repented of and forsook; but the sins that 
 were presumptuously committed, and obstinately persisted in. Two things 
 would certainly bring this ruin upon them:--</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 1. A contempt of God's commandments 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):

 "<I>If you will not hearken to me</I> speaking to you by the law, nor 
 <I>do all these commandments,</I> that is, desire and endeavour to do 
 them, and, wherein you miss it, make use of the prescribed remedies." 
 Thus their sin is supposed to begin in mere carelessness, and neglect, 
 and omission. These are bad enough, but they make way for worse; for 
 the people are brought in 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>)
 
 as,

 (1.) <I>Despising God's statutes,</I> both the duties enjoined and the
 authority enjoining them, thinking meanly of the law and the Law-maker. 
 Note, Those are hastening apace to their own ruin who begin to think it 
 below them to be religious. 

 (2.) <I>Abhorring his judgments,</I> their very souls abhorring them.
 Note, Those that begin to despise religion will come by degrees to 
 loathe it; and mean thoughts of it will ripen into ill thoughts of it; 
 those that turn from it will turn against it, and their hearts will 
 rise at it.

 (3.) <I>Breaking his covenant.</I> Though every breach of the
 commandment does not amount to a breach of the covenant (we were undone 
 if it did), yet, when men have come to such a pitch of impiety as to 
 despise and abhor the commandment, the next step will be to disown God, 
 and all relation to him. Those that reject the precept will come at 
 last to renounce the covenant. Observe, It is God's covenant which they 
 break: he made it, but they break it. Note, If a covenant be made and
 kept between God and man, God must have all the honour; but, if ever it 
 be broken, man must bear all the blame: on him shall this breach 
 be.</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 2. A contempt of his corrections. Even their disobedience would not 
 have been their destruction if they had not been obstinate and 
 impenitent in it, notwithstanding the methods God took to reclaim them. 
 Their contempt of God's word would not have brought them to ruin, if 
 they had not added to that a contempt of his rod, which should have 
 brought them to repentance. Three ways this is expressed:--

 (1.) "<I>If you will not for all this hearken to me,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:18,21,27"><I>v.</I> 18, 21, 27</A>.
 
 If you will not learn obedience by the things which you suffer, but be 
 as deaf to the loud alarms of God's judgments as you have been to the 
 close reasonings of his word and the secret whispers of your own 
 consciences, you are obstinate indeed." 

 (2.) "<I>If you walk contrary to me,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:21,23,27"><I>v.</I> 21, 23, 27</A>.

 All sinners walk contrary to God, to his truths, laws, and counsels; 
 but those especially that are incorrigible under his judgments. The 
 design of the rod is to humble them, and soften them, and bring them to 
 repentance; but, instead of this, their hearts are more hardened and 
 exasperated against God, and <I>in their distress</I> they <I>trespass 
 yet more against him,</I>

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+28:22">2 Chron. xxviii. 22</A>.

 This is walking contrary to God. Some read it, "If you walk at all
 adventures with me, carelessly and presumptuously, as if you heeded not 
 either what you do, whether it be right or wrong, or what God does with 
 you, whether it be for you or against you, blundering on in wilful 
 ignorance."

 (3.) <I>If you will not be reformed by these things.</I> God's design
 in punishing is to reform, by giving men sensible convictions of the 
 evil of sin, and obliging them to seek unto him for relief: this is the 
 primary intention; but those that will not be reformed by the judgments 
 of God must expect to be ruined by them. Those have a great deal to
 answer for that have been long and often under God's correcting hand, 
 and yet go on frowardly in a sinful way; sick and in pain, and yet not 
 reformed; crossed and impoverished, and yet not reformed; broken with 
 breach upon breach, yet <I>not returning to the Lord,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+4:6">Amos iv. 6</A>,

 &c.</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 II. How the misery is described which their sin would bring upon them, 
 under two heads:--</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 1. God himself would be against them; and this is the root and cause of 
 all their misery. 

 (1.) <I>I will set my face against you</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),

 that is, "I will set myself against you, set myself to ruin you." These 
 proud sinners God will resist, and face those down that confront his 
 authority. Or the face is put for the anger: "I will show myself highly 
 displeased at you."

 (2.) <I>I will walk contrary to you</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:24,28"><I>v.</I> 24, 28</A>);

 <I>with the forward he will wrestle,</I> 

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+28:26">Ps. xxviii. 26</A>

 [margin]. When God in his providence thwarts the designs of a people,
 which they thought well laid, crosses their purposes, breaks their 
 measures, blasts their endeavours, and disappoints their expectations, 
 then he walks contrary to them. Note, There is nothing got by striving 
 with God Almighty, for he will break either the heart or the neck of 
 those that contend with him, will bring them either to repentance or 
 ruin. "I will walk at all adventures with you," so some read; "all 
 covenant loving-kindness shall be forgotten, and I will leave you to 
 common providence." Note, Those that cast off God deserve that he 
 should cast them off.

 (3.) As they continued obstinate, the judgments should increase yet
 more upon them. If the first sensible tokens of God's displeasures do
 not attain their end, to humble and reform them, then 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),

 <I>I will punish you seven times more,</I> and again 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),

 <I>I will bring seven times more plagues,</I> and 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),

 <I>I will punish you yet seven times,</I> and 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),

 <I>I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.</I> Note, If 
 less judgments do not do their work, God will send greater; for, when 
 he <I>judges, he will overcome.</I> If true repentance do not stay 
 process, it will go on till execution be taken out. Those that are 
 obstinate and incorrigible, when they have weathered one storm must 
 expect another more violent; and, how severely soever they are 
 punished, till they are in hell they must still say, "There is worse 
 behind," unless they repent. If the <I>founder have</I> hitherto 
 <I>melted in vain</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+6:29">Jer. vi. 29</A>),

 the furnace will be heated <I>seven times hotter</I> (a proverbial
 expression, used 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+3:19">Dan. iii. 19</A>),

 and again and again <I>seven times hotter;</I> and who among us can
 dwell with such devouring fire? God does not begin with the sorest 
 judgments, to show that he is patient, and delights not in the death of 
 sinners; but, if they repent not, he will proceed to the sorest, to 
 show that he is righteous, and that he will not be mocked or set at 
 defiance.

 (4.) Their misery is completed in that threatening: <I>My soul shall
 abhor you,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.

 That man is as miserable as he can be whom God abhors; for his 
 resentments are just and effective. Thus <I>if any man draw back,</I> 
 as these are supposed to do, <I>God's soul shall have no pleasure in 
 him</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:38">Heb. x. 38</A>),

 and he will <I>spue them out of his mouth,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:16">Rev. iii. 16</A>.

 It is spoken of as strange, and yet too true, <I>Hath thy soul loathed
 Zion?</I>

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+14:19">Jer. xiv. 19</A>.</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 2. The whole creation would be at war with them. All God's sore 
 judgments would be sent against them; for he hath many arrows in his 
 quiver. The threatenings here are very particular, because really they
 were prophecies, and he that foresaw all their rebellions knew they 
 would prove so; see 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:16,29">Deut. xxxi. 16, 29</A>.

 This long roll of threatening shows that evil pursues sinners. We have
 here,</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 (1.) Temporal judgments threatened. 

 [1.] Diseases of body, which should be epidemical: <I>I will appoint
 over you,</I> as task-masters, to rule you with rigour, <I>terror, 
 consumption, and the burning ague,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.

 What we translate <I>terror,</I> some think, signifies a particular 
 disease, probably (says the learned bishop Patrick) the <I>falling 
 sickness,</I> which is terror indeed: all chronical diseases are 
 included in the consumption, and all acute diseases in the burning ague 
 or fever. These consume the eyes, and cause sorrow both to those that 
 are visited with them and to their friends and relations. Note, All 
 diseases are God's servants; they do what he appoints them, and are 
 often used as scourges wherewith he chastises a provoking people. The
 pestilence is threatened

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>)

 to meet them, when they are gathered together in their cities for fear 
 of the sword. The greater the concourse of people is, the greater 
 desolation does the pestilence make; and, when it gets among the 
 soldiers that should defend a place, it is of most fatal consequence.

 [2.] Famine and scarcity of bread, which should be brought upon them
 several ways; as, <I>First,</I> By plunder 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):

 <I>Your enemies shall eat it</I> up, and carry it off as the Midianites 
 did, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+6:5,6">Judg. vi. 5, 6</A>.

 <I>Secondly,</I> By unseasonable weather, especially the want of rain

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>):

 <I>I will make your heaven as iron,</I> letting fall no rain, but 
 reflecting heat, and then the earth would of course be as dry and hard 
 <I>as brass,</I> and their labour in ploughing and sowing would <I>be 
 in vain</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);

 for the increase of the earth depends upon God's good providence more 
 than upon man's good husbandry. This should be the breaking of the
 <I>staff of bread</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>),

 which life leans upon, and is supported by, on which perhaps they had 
 leaned more than upon God's blessing. There should be so great a dearth 
 of corn that, whereas every family used to fill an oven of their own 
 with household bread, now ten families should have to fill but one 
 over, which would bring themselves and their children and servants to 
 short allowance, so that they should <I>eat and not be satisfied.</I> 
 The less they had the more craving should their appetites be.
 <I>Thirdly,</I> By the besieging of their cities, which would reduce 
 them to such an extremity that they should <I>eat the flesh of their 
 sons and daughters,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.

 [3.] War, and the prevailing of their enemies over them: "<I>You shall
 be slain before your enemies,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.

 Your choice men shall die in battle, and <I>those that hate you shall 
 reign over you,</I> and justly, since you are not willing that the God 
 that loved you should reign over you;"

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+12:8">2 Chron. xii. 8</A>.

 Miserable is that people whose enemies are their rulers and have got
 dominion over them, or whose rulers have become their enemies and 
 under-hand seek the ruin of their interests. Thus God would <I>break
 the pride of their power,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.

 God had given them power over the nations; but when they, instead of 
 being thankful for that power, and improving it for the service of 
 God's kingdom, grew proud of it, and perverted the intentions of it, it 
 was just with God to break it. Thus God would <I>bring a sword upon
 them to avenge the quarrel of his covenant,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.

 Note, God has a just quarrel with those that break covenant with him, 
 for he will not be mocked by the treachery of perfidious men; and one 
 way or other he will avenge this quarrel upon those that play at fast 
 and loose with him.

 [4.] Wild beasts, lions, bears, and wolves, which should increase upon
 them, and tear in pieces all that come in their way 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),

 as we read of two bears that in an instant killed forty-two children,

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+2:24">2 Kings ii. 24</A>.
 
 This is one of the four sore judgments threatened
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+14:21">Ezek. xiv. 21</A>,

 which plainly refers to this chapter. Man was made to have dominion
 over the creatures, and, though many of them are stronger than he, yet 
 none of them could have hurt him, nay, all of them would have served 
 him, if he had not first shaken off God's dominion, and so lost his 
 own; and now the creatures are in rebellion against him that is in 
 rebellion against his Maker, and, when the Lord of those hosts pleases, 
 they are the executioners of his wrath and the ministers of his 
 justice. 

 [5.] Captivity, or dispersion: <I>I will scatter you among the
 heathen</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>),

 <I>in your enemies' land,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.

 Never were any people so incorporated and united among themselves as 
 they were; but for their sin God would scatter them, so that they 
 should be lost among the heathen, from whom God had graciously 
 distinguished them, but with whom they had wickedly mingled themselves. 
 Yet, when they were scattered, divine justice had not done with them, 
 but would draw out a sword after them, which would find them out, and 
 follow them wherever they were. God's judgments, as they cannot be
 outfaced, so they cannot be outrun.

 [6.] The utter ruin and desolation of their land, which should be so
 remarkable that their very enemies themselves, who ha helped it 
 forward, should in the review be astonished at it, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
 
 <I>First,</I> Their cities should be waste, forsaken, uninhabited, and 
 all the buildings destroyed; those that escaped the desolations of war 
 should fall to decay of themselves. <I>Secondly,</I> Their sanctuaries
 should be a desolation, that is, their synagogues where they met for 
 religious worship every sabbath, as well as their tabernacle where they 
 met thrice a year. <I>Thirdly,</I> The country itself should be 
 desolate, not tilled or husbanded 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:34,35"><I>v.</I> 34, 35</A>);

 then the land should enjoy its sabbaths, because they had not 
 religiously observed the sabbatical years which God appointed them.
 They tilled their ground when God would have them let it rest; justly 
 therefore were they driven out of it; and the expression intimates that 
 the ground itself was pleased and easy when it was rid of the burden of 
 such sinners, under which it had groaned, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:20">Rom. viii. 20</A>,

 &c. The captivity in Babylon lasted seventy years, and so long the land
 <I>enjoyed her sabbaths,</I> as is said

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+36:21">2 Chron. xxxvi. 21</A>)
 
 with reference to this.

 [7.] The destruction of their idols, though rather a mercy than a
 judgment, yet, being a necessary piece of justice, is here mentioned, 
 to show what would be the sin that would bring all these miseries upon 
 them: <I>I will destroy your high places,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.

 Those that will not be parted from their sins by the commands of God 
 shall be parted from them by his judgments; since they would not 
 destroy their high places, God would. And, to upbraid them with the
 unreasonable fondness they had shown for their idols, it is foretold 
 that their <I>carcases should be cast upon the carcases of their 
 idols.</I> Those that are wedded to their lusts will sooner or later 
 have enough of them. Their idols would not be able to help either 
 themselves or their worshippers; but, those that made them being like 
 them, they should both perish alike, and fall together as blind into 
 the ditch.</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 (2.) Spiritual judgments are here threatened. These should seize the 
 mind; for he that made the mind can, when he pleases, make his sword 
 approach to it. It is here threatened, 

 [1.] That they should find no acceptance with God: <I>I will not smell
 the savour of your sweet odours,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.

 Though the judgments of God upon them did not separate them and their 
 sins, yet they extorted incense from them; but in vain--even their 
 incense was an abomination, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+1:13">Isa. i. 13</A>.

 [2.] That they should have no courage in their wars, but should be
 quite dispirited and disheartened. They should not only fear and flee 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),

 but fear and <I>fall, when none pursued,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>.

 A guilty conscience would be their continual terror, so that not only 
 the sound of a trumpet, but the very <I>sound of a leaf, should chase 
 them.</I> Note, Those that cast off the fear of God expose themselves 
 to the fear of every thing else, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+28:1">Prov. xxviii. 1</A>.

 Their very fears should dash them <I>one against another,</I>

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:37,38"><I>v.</I> 37, 38</A>.

 And those that had increased one another's guilt would now increase one 
 another's fears.

 [3.] That they should have no hope of the forgiveness of their sins 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>):

 <I>They shall pine away in their iniquity,</I> and <I>how should they 
 then live?</I>

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+33:10">Ezek. xxxiii. 10</A>.

 Note, It is a righteous thing with God to leave those to despair of
 pardon that have presumed to sin; and it is owing to free grace if we 
 are not abandoned to pine away in the iniquity we were born in and have 
 lived in.</P>

 <A NAME="Le26_40"> </A>
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 <A NAME="Le26_46"> </A>

 <A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
 <TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
 <TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Threatenings and Promises.</I></FONT></TD>
 <TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1490.</TD></TR>
 <TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
 </TABLE>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
 <FONT SIZE=+1>40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of
 their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against
 me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;
 &nbsp; 41 And <I>that</I> I also have walked contrary unto them, and have
 brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their
 uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the
 punishment of their iniquity:
 &nbsp; 42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my
 covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I
 remember; and I will remember the land.
 &nbsp; 43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her
 sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall
 accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because
 they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my
 statutes.
 &nbsp; 44 And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their
 enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to
 destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I
 <I>am</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> their God.
 &nbsp; 45 But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their
 ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the
 sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I <I>am</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
 &nbsp; 46 These <I>are</I> the statutes and judgments and laws, which the
 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai
 by the hand of Moses.
 </FONT></P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 Here the chapter concludes with gracious promises of the return of 
 God's favour to them upon their repentance, that they might not (unless 
 it were their own fault) <I>pine away in their iniquity.</I> Behold, 
 with wonder, the riches of God's mercy to a people that had obstinately 
 stood it out against the judgments of God, and would never think of 
 surrendering till they were reduced to the last extremity. Yet <I>turn 
 to strong-hold, you prisoners of hope,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+9:12">Zech. ix. 12</A>.

 As bad as things are, they may be mended. <I>Yet there is hope in
 Israel.</I> Observe,</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 I. How the repentance which would qualify them for this mercy is 
 described, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:40,41"><I>v.</I> 40, 41</A>.
 
 The instances of it are three:--

 1. Confession, by which they must give glory to God, and take shame to
 themselves. There must be a confession of sin, their own and their 
 fathers', which they must lament the guilt of because they feel the 
 smart of it; that thus they may cut off the entail of wrath. They must 
 in their confession put sin under its worst character, as <I>walking 
 contrary to God;</I> this is the sinfulness of sin, the worst thing in 
 it, and which in our repentance we should especially bewail. There must 
 also be a confession of wrath; they must overlook the instruments of 
 their trouble and the second causes, and confess that God has <I>walked 
 contrary to them,</I> and so <I>dealt with them according to their
 sins.</I> Such a confession as this we find made by Daniel just before
 the dawning of the day of their deliverance

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:1-27"><I>ch.</I> ix.</A>),

 and the like,

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+9:1-15,Ne+9:2">Ezra ix. and Neh. ix. 2</A>.

 Remorse and godly sorrow for sin: <I>If their uncircumcised heart be
 humbled.</I> An impenitent, unbelieving, unhumbled heart, is called an 
 <I>uncircumcised</I> heart, the heart of a Gentile that is a stranger 
 to God, rather than the heart of an Israelite in covenant with him. 
 True circumcision is <I>of the heart</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+2:29">Rom. ii. 29</A>),

 without which the circumcision of the flesh avails nothing,

 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+9:26">Jer. ix. 26</A>.

 Now in repentance this uncircumcised heart was humbled, that is, it was
 truly broken and contrite for sin. Note, A humble heart under humbling 
 providences prepares for deliverance and true comfort.

 3. Submission to the justice of God in all his dealings; if they then
 <I>accept of the punishment of their iniquity</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>

 and again
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>),

 that is, if they justify God and condemn themselves, patiently bear the
 punishment as that which they have well deserved, and carefully answer 
 the ends o it as that which God has well designed, accept it as a 
 kindness, take it as physic, and improve it, then they are penitents 
 indeed.</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 II. How the mercy which they should obtain upon their repentance is 
 described. 

 1. They should not be abandoned: <I>Though they have despised my
 judgments, yet, for all that, I will not cast them away,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:43,44"><I>v.</I> 43, 44</A>.
 
 He speaks as a tender Father that cannot find in his heart to 
 disinherit a son that has been very provoking. <I>How shall I do 
 it?</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+11:8,9">Hos. xi. 8, 9</A>.

 Till he had laid the foundations of a church for himself in the Gentile
 world, the Jewish church was not quite forsaken, nor cast away.

 2. They should be remembered: <I>I will remember the land</I> with
 favour, which is grounded upon the promise before, <I>I will remember 
 my covenant</I> 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>),

 which is repeated, 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>.

 God is said <I>to remember the covenant</I> when he performs the 
 promises of it, purely for his faithfulness' sake; not because there is 
 any thing in us to recommend us to his favour, but because he will be 
 as good as his word. This is the church's plea. 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+74:20">Ps. lxxiv. 20</A>,

 <I>Have respect unto the covenant.</I> He will remember the
 constitution of the covenant, which is such as leaves room for 
 repentance, and promises pardon upon repentance; and the Mediator of 
 the covenant, who was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and was 
 sent, when the fulness of time came, in remembrance of that holy 
 covenant. The word covenant is thrice repeated, to intimate that God is 
 ever mindful of it and would have us to be so. The persons also with 
 whom the covenant was made are mentioned in an unusual manner, <I>per 
 modum ascensus--in the ascending line,</I> beginning with Jacob, to 
 lead them gradually to the most ancient promise, which was made to the 
 father of the faithful: thus 
 
 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+7:20">Mic. vii. 20</A>)

 he is said to perform the <I>truth to Jacob,</I> and the <I>mercy to
 Abraham.</I> He will for their sakes

 (<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>),

 not their merit's sake, but their benefit's sake, remember the covenant 
 of their ancestors, and upon that score show kindness to them, though 
 most unworthy; they are therefore said to be, <I>as touching the 
 election, beloved for the fathers' sake,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:28">Rom. xi. 28</A>.

 Note, When those that have walked contrary to God in a way of sin
 return to him by sincere repentance, though he has walked contrary to 
 them in a way of judgment he will return to them in a way of special 
 mercy, pursuant to the covenant of redemption and grace. None are so 
 ready to repent as God is to forgive upon repentance, through Christ, 
 who is given for a covenant.</P>

 <P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 <I>Lastly,</I> These are said to be <I>the laws which the Lord made 
 between him and the children of Israel,</I> 
 
 <A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:46"><I>v.</I> 46</A>.

 His communion with his church is kept up by his law. He manifests not 
 only his dominion over them, but his favour to them, by giving them his 
 law; and they manifest not only their holy fear, but their holy love, 
 by the observance of it; and thus it is made between them, rather as a 
 covenant than a law; for he draws with the cords of a man.</P>

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