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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>I S A I A H.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. LIX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter we have sin appearing exceedingly sinful, and grace
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appearing exceedingly gracious; and, as what is here said of the
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sinner's sin
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:7,8">ver. 7, 8</A>)
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is applied to the general corruption of mankind
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+3:15">Rom. iii. 15</A>),
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so what is here said of a Redeemer
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:20">ver. 20</A>)
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is applied to Christ,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:26">Rom. xi. 26</A>.
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I. It is here charged upon this people that they had themselves stopped
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the current of God's favours to them, and the particular sins are
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specified which kept good things from them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:1-8">ver. 1-8</A>.
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II. It is here charged upon them that they had themselves procured the
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judgments of God upon them, and they are told both what the judgments
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were which they had brought upon their own heads
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:9-11">ver. 9-11</A>)
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and what the sins were which provoked God to send those judgments,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:12-15">ver. 12-15</A>.
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III. It is here promised that, notwithstanding this, God would work
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deliverance for them, purely for his own name's sake
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:16-19">ver. 16-19</A>),
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and would reserve mercy in store for them and entail it upon them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:20,21">ver. 20, 21</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Isa59_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa59_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa59_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa59_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa59_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa59_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa59_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa59_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Prevalence and Effects of Sin.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 706.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Behold, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s hand is not shortened, that it cannot
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save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
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2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
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and your sins have hid <I>his</I> face from you, that he will not
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hear.
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3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with
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iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered
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perverseness.
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4 None calleth for justice, nor <I>any</I> pleadeth for truth: they
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trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and
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bring forth iniquity.
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5 They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he
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that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed
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breaketh out into a viper.
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6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they
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cover themselves with their works: their works <I>are</I> works of
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iniquity, and the act of violence <I>is</I> in their hands.
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7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent
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blood: their thoughts <I>are</I> thoughts of iniquity; wasting and
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destruction <I>are</I> in their paths.
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8 The way of peace they know not; and <I>there is</I> no judgment in
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their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth
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therein shall not know peace.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The prophet here rectifies the mistake of those who had been
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quarrelling with God because they had not the deliverances wrought for
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them which they had been often fasting and praying for,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:3"><I>ch.</I> lviii. 3</A>.
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Now here he shows,</P>
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<P>
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I. That it was not owing to God. They had no reason to lay the fault
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upon him that they were not saved out of the hands of their enemies;
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for,
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1. He was still as able to help as ever: <I>His hand is not
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shortened,</I> his power is not at all lessened, straitened, or
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abridged. Whether we consider the extent of his power or the efficacy
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of it, God can reach as far as ever and with as strong a hand as ever.
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Note, The church's salvation comes from the hand of God, and that has
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not waxed weak nor is it at all shortened. <I>Has the Lord's hand waxed
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short?</I> (says God to Moses,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+11:23">Num. xi. 23</A>).
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No, it has not; he will not have it thought so. Neither length of time
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nor strength of enemies, no, nor weakness of instruments, can shorten
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or straiten the power of God, with which it is all one to save by many
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or by few.
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2. He was still as ready and willing to help as ever in answer to
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prayer: <I>His ear is not heavy, that it cannot hear.</I> Though he has
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many prayers to hear and answer, and though he has been long hearing
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prayer, yet he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. The prayer of
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the upright is as much his delight as ever it was, and the promises
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which are pleaded and put in suit in prayer are still yea and amen,
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inviolably sure. More is implied than is expressed; not only his ear is
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not heavy, but he is quick of hearing. <I>Even before they call he
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answers,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+65:24"><I>ch.</I> lxv. 24</A>.
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If your prayers be not answered, and the salvation we wait for be not
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wrought for us, it is not because God is weary of hearing prayer, but
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because we are weary of praying, not because his ear is heavy when we
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speak to him, but because our ears are heavy when he speaks to us.</P>
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<P>
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II. That it was owing to themselves; they stood in their own light and
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put a bar in their own door. God was coming towards them in ways of
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mercy and they hindered him. <I>Your iniquities have kept good things
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from you,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+5:25">Jer. v. 25</A>.</P>
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<P>
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1. See what mischief sin does.
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(1.) It hinders God's mercies from coming down upon us; it is a
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partition wall that separates between us and God. Notwithstanding the
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infinite distance that is between God and man by nature, there was a
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correspondence settled between them, till sin set them at variance,
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justly provoked God against man and unjustly alienated man from God;
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thus it <I>separates between them and God.</I> "He is your God, yours
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in profession, and therefore there is so much the more malignity and
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mischievousness in sin, which separates between you and him." Sin
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<I>hides his face from us</I> (which denotes great displeasure,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:17">Deut. xxxi. 17</A>);
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it provokes him in anger to withdraw his gracious presence, to suspend
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the tokens of his favour and the instances of his help; he hides his
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face, as refusing to be seen or spoken with. See here sin in its
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colours, sin exceedingly sinful, withdrawing the creature from his
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allegiance to his Creator; and see sin in its consequences, sin
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exceedingly hurtful, separating us from God, and so separating us not
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only <I>from all good,</I> but <I>to all evil</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+29:21">Deut. xxix. 21</A>),
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which is the very quintessence of the curse.
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(2.) It hinders our prayers from coming up unto God; it provokes him to
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hide his face, that he will not hear, as he has said,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+1:15"><I>ch.</I> i. 15</A>.
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If we <I>regard iniquity in our heart,</I> if we indulge it and allow
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ourselves in it, God <I>will not hear our prayers,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+66:18">Ps. lxvi. 18</A>.
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We cannot expect that he should countenance us while we go on to
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affront him.</P>
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<P>
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2. Now, to justify God in hiding his face from them, and proceeding in
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his controversy with them, the prophet shows very largely, in the
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:9-15">following verses</A>,
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how many and great their iniquities were, according to the charge given
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him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:1"><I>ch.</I> lviii. 1</A>),
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<I>to show God's people their transgressions;</I> and it is a black
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bill of indictment that is here drawn up against them, consisting of
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many particulars, any one of which was enough to separate between them
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and a just and a holy God. Let us endeavour to reduce these articles of
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impeachment to proper heads.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) We must begin with their thoughts, for there all sin begins, and
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thence it takes its rise: <I>Their thoughts are thoughts of
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iniquity,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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Their imaginations are so, only evil continually. Their projects and
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designs are so; they are continually contriving some mischief or other,
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and how to compass the gratification of some base lust
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>They conceive mischief</I> in their fancy, purpose, counsel, and
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resolution (thus the embryo receives its shape and life), and then they
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<I>bring forth iniquity,</I> put it in execution when it is ripened for
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it. Though it is in pain perhaps that the iniquity is brought forth,
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through the oppositions of Providences and the checks of their own
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consciences, yet, when they have compassed their wicked purpose, they
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look upon it with as much pride and pleasure as if it were a
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<I>man-child born into the world;</I> thus, <I>when lust has conceived,
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it bringeth forth sin,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+1:15">Jam. i. 15</A>.
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This is called
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>)
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<I>hatching the cockatrice' egg and weaving the spider's web.</I> See
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how the thoughts and contrivances of wicked men are employed, and about
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what they set their wits on work.
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[1.] At the best it is about that which is foolish and frivolous. Their
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thoughts are vain, like weaving the spider's web, which the poor silly
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animal takes a great deal of pains about, and, when all is done, it is
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a weak insignificant thing, a reproach to the place where it is, and
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which the besom sweeps away in an instant: such are the thoughts which
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worldly men entertain themselves with, building castles in the air, and
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pleasing themselves with imaginary satisfaction, like the
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<I>spider,</I> which <I>takes hold with her hands</I> very finely
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+30:28">Prov. xxx. 28</A>),
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but cannot keep her hold.
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[2.] Too often it is about that which is malicious and spiteful. They
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hatch the eggs of the cockatrice or adder, which are poisonous and
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produce venomous creatures; such are the thoughts of the wicked who
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delight in doing mischief. <I>He that eats of their eggs</I> (that is,
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he is in danger of having some mischief or other done him), <I>and that
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which is crushed</I> in order to be eaten of, or which begins to be
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hatched and you promise yourself some useful fowl from it, <I>breaks
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out into a viper,</I> which you meddle with at your peril. Happy are
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those that have least to do with such men. Even the spider's web which
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they wove was woven with a spiteful design to catch flies in and make a
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prey of them; for, rather than not be doing mischief, they will play at
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small game.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) Out of this abundance of wickedness in the heart their mouth
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speaks, and yet it does not always speak out the wickedness that is
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within, but, for the more effectually compassing the mischievous
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design, it is dissembled and covered <I>with much fair speech</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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<I>Your lips have spoken lies;</I> and again
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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<I>They speak lies,</I> pretending kindness where they intend the
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greatest mischief; or by slanders and false accusations they blasted
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the credit and reputation of those they had a spite to and so did them
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a real mischief unseen, and perhaps by suborning witnesses against them
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took from them their estates and lives; for a false tongue is sharp
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arrows, and coals of juniper, and every thing that is mischievous.
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<I>Your tongue has muttered perverseness.</I> When they could not, for
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shame, speak their malice against their neighbours aloud, or durst not,
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for fear of being disproved and put to confusion, they muttered it
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secretly. Backbiters are called <I>whisperers.</I></P>
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<P>
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(3.) Their actions were all of a piece with their thoughts and words.
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They were guilty of shedding innocent blood, a crime of the most
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heinous nature: <I>Your hands are defiled with blood</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>);
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for blood is defiling; it leaves an indelible stain of guilt upon the
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conscience, which nothing but the blood of Christ can cleanse it from.
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Now was this a case of surprise, or one that occurred when there was
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something of a force put upon them; but
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>)
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<I>their feet ran to this evil,</I> naturally and eagerly, and, hurried
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on by the <I>impetus</I> of their malice and revenge, <I>they made
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haste to shed innocent blood,</I> as if they were afraid of losing an
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opportunity to do a barbarous thing,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+1:16,Jer+22:17">Prov. i. 16; Jer. xxii. 17</A>.
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<I>Wasting and destruction are in their paths.</I> Wherever they go
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they carry mischief along with them, and the tendency of their way is
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to lay waste and destroy, nor do they care what havoc they make. Nor do
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they only thirst after blood, but with other iniquities are their
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<I>fingers defiled</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>);
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they wrong people in their estates and make every thing their own that
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they can lay their hands on. <I>They trust in vanity</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>);
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they depend upon their arts of cozenage to enrich themselves with,
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which will prove vanity to them, and their deceiving others will but
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deceive themselves. <I>Their works,</I> which they take so much pains
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about and have their hearts so much upon, <I>are</I> all <I>works of
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iniquity;</I> their whole business is one continued course of
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oppressions and vexations, <I>and the act of violence is in their
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hands,</I> according to the arts of violence that are in their heads
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and the thoughts of violence in their hearts.</P>
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<P>
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(4.) No methods are taken to redress these grievances, and reform these
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abuses
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>None calls for justice,</I> none complains of the violation of the
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sacred laws of justice, nor seeks to right those that suffer wrong or
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to get the laws put in execution against vice and profaneness, and
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those lewd practices which are the shame, and threaten to be the bane,
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of the nation. Note, When justice is not done there is blame to be laid
|
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not only upon the magistrates that should administer justice, but upon
|
|
the people that should call for it. Private persons ought to contribute
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|
to the public good by discovering secret wickedness, and giving those
|
|
an opportunity to punish it that have the power of doing so in their
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hands; but it is ill with a state when princes rule ill and the people
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love to have it so. Truth is opposed, and there is not any that
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<I>pleads for it,</I> not any that has the conscience and courage to
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appear in defence of an honest cause, and confront a prosperous fraud
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and wrong. <I>The way of peace</I> is as little regarded as the way of
|
|
truth; they <I>know it not,</I> that is, they never study the things
|
|
that make for peace, no care is taken to prevent or punish the breaches
|
|
of the peace and to accommodate matters in difference among neighbours;
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|
they are utter strangers to every thing that looks quiet and peaceable,
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and affect that which is blustering and turbulent. <I>There is no
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judgment in their goings;</I> they have not any sense of justice in
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|
their dealings; it is a thing they make no account of at all, but can
|
|
easily break through all its fences if they stand in the way of their
|
|
malicious covetous designs.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(5.) In all this they act foolishly, very foolishly, and as much
|
|
against their interest as against reason and equity. Those that
|
|
practise iniquity <I>trust in vanity,</I> which will certainly deceive
|
|
them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Their webs,</I> which they weave with so much art and industry,
|
|
<I>shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves,</I>
|
|
either for shelter or for ornament, <I>with their works,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
They may do hurt to others with their projects, but can never do any
|
|
real service or kindness to themselves by them. There is nothing to be
|
|
got by sin, and so it will appear when profit and loss come to be
|
|
compared. Those paths of iniquity are <I>crooked paths</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
which will perplex them, but will never bring them to their journey's
|
|
end; whoever go therein, though they say that they shall have peace
|
|
notwithstanding they go on, deceive themselves; for they shall not know
|
|
peace, as appears by the following verses.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_15"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Prevalence and Effects of Sin.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 706.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice
|
|
overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for
|
|
brightness, <I>but</I> we walk in darkness.
|
|
10 We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if <I>we
|
|
had</I> no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; <I>we are</I> in
|
|
desolate places as dead <I>men.</I>
|
|
11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look
|
|
for judgment, but <I>there is</I> none; for salvation, <I>but</I> it is far
|
|
off from us.
|
|
12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our
|
|
sins testify against us: for our transgressions <I>are</I> with us;
|
|
and <I>as for</I> our iniquities, we know them;
|
|
13 In transgressing and lying against the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and departing
|
|
away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and
|
|
uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
|
|
14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth
|
|
afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot
|
|
enter.
|
|
15 Yea, truth faileth; and he <I>that</I> departeth from evil maketh
|
|
himself a prey: and the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> saw <I>it,</I> and it displeased him that
|
|
<I>there was</I> no judgment.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The scope of this paragraph is the same with that of the last, to show
|
|
that sin is the great mischief-maker; as it is that which keeps good
|
|
things from us, so it is that which brings evil things upon us. But as
|
|
<I>there</I> it is spoken by the prophet, in God's name, to the people,
|
|
for their conviction and humiliation, and that God might be justified
|
|
when he speaks and clear when he judges, so <I>here</I> it seems to be
|
|
spoken by the people to God, as an acknowledgment of that which was
|
|
there told them and an expression of their humble submission and
|
|
subscription to the justice and equity of God's proceedings against
|
|
them. Their uncircumcised hearts here seem to be humbled in some
|
|
measure, and they are brought to confess (the confession is at least
|
|
extorted from them), that God had justly walked contrary to them,
|
|
because they had walked contrary to him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. They acknowledge that God had contended with them and had walked
|
|
contrary to them. Their case was very deplorable,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:9-11"><I>v.</I> 9-11</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. They were in distress, trampled upon and oppressed by their enemies,
|
|
unjustly dealt with, and ruled with rigour; and God did not appear for
|
|
them, to plead their just and injured cause: "<I>Judgment is far from
|
|
us, neither does justice overtake us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though, as to our persecutors, we are sure that we have right on our
|
|
side; and they are the wrong-doers, yet we are not relieved, we are not
|
|
righted. We have not done justice to one another, and therefore God
|
|
suffers our enemies to deal thus unjustly with us, and we are as far as
|
|
ever from being restored to our right and recovering our property
|
|
again. Oppression is near us, and judgment is far from us. Our enemies
|
|
are far from giving our case its due consideration, but still hurry us
|
|
on with the violence of their oppressions, and justice does not
|
|
overtake us, to rescue us out of their hands."
|
|
|
|
2. Herein their expectations were sadly disappointed, which made their
|
|
case the more sad: "<I>We wait for light</I> as those that wait for the
|
|
morning, <I>but behold obscurity;</I> we cannot discern the least
|
|
dawning of the day of our deliverance. <I>We look for judgment, but
|
|
there is none</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
neither God nor man appears for our succour; we look for salvation,
|
|
because God (we think) has promised it, and we have prayed for it with
|
|
fasting; we look for it as for brightness, but it is far off from us,
|
|
as far off as ever for aught we can perceive, and still <I>we walk in
|
|
darkness;</I> and the higher our expectations have been raised the
|
|
sorer is the disappointment."
|
|
|
|
3. They were quite at a loss what to do to help themselves and were at
|
|
their wits' end
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>We grope for the wall like the blind;</I> we see no way open for
|
|
our relief, nor know which way to expect it, or what to do in order to
|
|
it." If we shut our eyes against the light of divine truth, it is just
|
|
with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to our peace;
|
|
and, if we use not our eyes as we should, it is just with him to let us
|
|
be as if we had no eyes. Those that will not see their duty shall not
|
|
see their interest. Those whom God has given up to a judicial
|
|
blindness are strangely infatuated; they stumble at noon-day as in the
|
|
night; they see not either those dangers, or those advantages, which
|
|
all about them see. <I>Quos Deus vult perdere, eos dementat--God
|
|
infatuates those whom he means to destroy.</I> Those that love darkness
|
|
rather than light shall have their doom accordingly.
|
|
|
|
4. They sunk into despair and were quite overwhelmed with grief, the
|
|
marks of which appeared in every man's countenance; they grew
|
|
melancholy upon it, shunned conversation, and affected solitude: <I>We
|
|
are in desolate places as dead men.</I> The state of the Jews in
|
|
Babylon is represented by <I>dead and dry bones</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+37:12">Ezek. xxxvii. 12</A>)
|
|
|
|
and the explanation of the comparison there
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>)
|
|
|
|
explains this text: <I>Our hope is lost; we are cut off for our
|
|
parts.</I> In this despair the sorrow and anguish of some were loud and
|
|
noisy: <I>We roar like bears;</I> the sorrow of others was silent, and
|
|
preyed more upon their spirits: "<I>We mourn sore like doves,</I> like
|
|
doves of the valleys; we mourn both <I>for our iniquities</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+7:16">Ezek. vii. 16</A>)
|
|
|
|
and for our calamities." Thus they owned that <I>the hand of the Lord
|
|
had gone out against them.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. They acknowledge that they had provoked God thus to contend with
|
|
them, that he had done right, for they had done wickedly,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:12-15"><I>v.</I> 12-15</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. They owned that they had sinned, and that to this day they were in
|
|
a great trespass, as Ezra speaks
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+10:10">Ezra x. 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Our transgressions are with us;</I> the guilt of them is upon us,
|
|
the power of them prevails among us, we are not yet reformed, nor have
|
|
we parted with our sins, though they have done so much mischief. Nay,
|
|
<I>our transgressions are multiplied;</I> they are more numerous and
|
|
more heinous than they have been formerly. Look which way we will, we
|
|
cannot look off them; all places, all orders and degrees of men, are
|
|
infected. The sense of our transgression is with us, as David said,
|
|
<I>My sin is ever before me;</I> it is too plain to be denied or
|
|
concealed, too bad to be excused or palliated. God is a witness to
|
|
them: <I>They are multiplied before thee,</I> in thy sight, under thy
|
|
eye. We are witnesses against ourselves: <I>As for our iniquities, we
|
|
know them,</I> though we may have foolishly endeavoured to cover them.
|
|
Nay, they themselves are witnesses: <I>Our sins</I> stare us in the
|
|
face and <I>testify against us,</I> so many have they been and so
|
|
deeply aggravated."
|
|
|
|
2. They owned the great evil and malignity of sin, of their sin; it is
|
|
<I>transgressing and lying against the Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
The sins of those that profess themselves God's people, and
|
|
bear his name, are upon <I>this</I> account worse than the sins of
|
|
others, that in transgressing they <I>lie against the Lord,</I> they
|
|
falsely accuse him, they misrepresent and belie him, as if he had dealt
|
|
hardly and unfairly with them; or they perfidiously break covenant with
|
|
him and falsify their most sacred and solemn engagements to him, which
|
|
is <I>lying against him: it is departing away from our God,</I> to whom
|
|
we are bound as our God and to whom we ought to cleave with purpose of
|
|
heart; from him we have departed, as the rebellious subject from his
|
|
allegiance to his rightful prince, and the adulterous wife from the
|
|
guide of her youth and the covenant of her God.
|
|
|
|
3. They owned that there was a general decay of moral honesty; and it
|
|
is not strange that those who were false to their God were unfaithful
|
|
to one another. They <I>spoke oppression,</I> declared openly for that,
|
|
though it was a revolt from their God and a revolt from the truth, by
|
|
the sacred bonds of which we should always be tied and held fast. They
|
|
<I>conceived and uttered words of falsehood.</I> Many ill thing is
|
|
conceived in the mind, yet is prudently stifled there, and not suffered
|
|
to go any further; but these sinners were so impudent, so daring, that
|
|
whatever wickedness they conceived, they gave it an <I>imprimatur--a
|
|
sanction,</I> and made no difficulty of publishing it. To think an ill
|
|
thing is bad, but to say it is much worse. Many a word of falsehood is
|
|
uttered in haste, for want of consideration; but these were conceived
|
|
and uttered, were uttered--deliberately and of malice prepense. They
|
|
were words of falsehood, and yet they are said to be uttered <I>from
|
|
the heart,</I> because, though they differed from the real sentiments
|
|
of the heart and therefore were words of falsehood, yet they agreed
|
|
with the malice and wickedness of the heart, and were the natural
|
|
language of that; it was a <I>double heart,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+12:2">Ps. xii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those who by the grace of God kept themselves free from these enormous
|
|
crimes yet put themselves into the confession of sin, because members
|
|
of that nation which was generally thus corrupted.
|
|
|
|
4. They owned that that was not done which might have been done to
|
|
reform the land and to amend what was amiss,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
"<I>Judgment,</I> that should go forward, and bear down the opposition
|
|
that is made to it, that should run in its course like a river, like a
|
|
mighty stream, <I>is turned away backward,</I> a contrary course. The
|
|
administration of justice has become but a cover to the greatest
|
|
injustice. Judgment, that should check the proceedings of fraud and
|
|
violence, is driven back, and so they go on triumphantly. <I>Justice
|
|
stands afar off,</I> even from our courts of judicature, which are so
|
|
crowded with the patrons of oppression that <I>equity cannot enter,</I>
|
|
cannot have admission into the court, cannot be heard, or at least will
|
|
not be heeded. Equity enters not into the unrighteous decrees which
|
|
they decree,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+10:1"><I>ch.</I> x. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Truth is fallen in the street,</I> and there she may lie to be
|
|
trampled upon by every foot of pride, and she has never a friend that
|
|
will lend a hand to help her up; <I>yea, truth fails</I> in common
|
|
conversation, and in dealings between man and man, so that one knows
|
|
not whom to believe nor whom to trust."
|
|
|
|
5. They owned that there was a prevailing enmity in men's minds to
|
|
those that were good: <I>He that does evil goes unpunished,</I> but
|
|
<I>he that departs from evil makes himself a prey</I> to those beasts
|
|
of prey that were before described. It is crime enough with them for a
|
|
man not to do as they do, and they treat <I>him</I> as an enemy who
|
|
will not partake with them in their wickedness. <I>He that departs from
|
|
evil is accounted mad;</I> so the margin reads. Sober singularity is
|
|
branded as folly, and he is thought next door to a madman who swims
|
|
against the stream that runs so strongly.
|
|
|
|
6. They owned that all this could not but be very displeasing to the
|
|
God of heaven. The evil was done in his sight. They knew very well,
|
|
though they were not willing to acknowledge it, that the Lord saw it;
|
|
though it was done secretly, and gilded over with specious pretences,
|
|
yet it could not be concealed from his all-seeing eye. All the
|
|
wickedness that is in the world is naked and open before the eyes of
|
|
God; and, as he is of quicker eyes than not to see iniquity, so he is
|
|
of purer eyes than to behold it with the least approbation or
|
|
allowance. <I>He saw it, and it displeased him,</I> though it was among
|
|
his own professing people that he saw it. It was evil in his eyes; he
|
|
saw the sinfulness of all this sin, and that which was most offensive
|
|
to him was <I>that there was no judgment,</I> no reformation; had he
|
|
seen any signs of repentance, though the sin displeased him, he would
|
|
soon have been reconciled to the sinners upon their returning from
|
|
their evil way. <I>Then</I> the sin of a nation becomes national, and
|
|
brings public judgments, when it is not restrained by public
|
|
justice.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa59_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Kind of Interposition of God; Evangelical Promises.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 706.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>16 And he saw that <I>there was</I> no man, and wondered that <I>there
|
|
was</I> no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto
|
|
him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
|
|
17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet
|
|
of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of
|
|
vengeance <I>for</I> clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
|
|
18 According to <I>their</I> deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury
|
|
to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he
|
|
will repay recompence.
|
|
19 So shall they fear the name of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> from the west, and
|
|
his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come
|
|
in like a flood, the Spirit of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall lift up a standard
|
|
against him.
|
|
20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn
|
|
from transgression in Jacob, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
21 As for me, this <I>is</I> my covenant with them, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>;
|
|
My spirit that <I>is</I> upon thee, and my words which I have put in
|
|
thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the
|
|
mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, from henceforth and for ever.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
How sin abounded we have read, to our great amazement, in the former
|
|
part of the chapter; how grace does much more abound we read in these
|
|
verses. And, as sin took occasion from the commandment to become more
|
|
exceedingly sinful, so grace took occasion from the transgression of
|
|
the commandment to appear more exceedingly gracious. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Why God wrought salvation for this provoking people, notwithstanding
|
|
their provocations. It was purely for his own name's sake; because
|
|
there was nothing in them either to bring it about, or to induce him to
|
|
bring it about for them, no merit to deserve it, no might to effect it,
|
|
he would do it himself, would be exalted in his own strength, for his
|
|
own glory.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He took notice of their weakness and wickedness: <I>He saw that
|
|
there was no man</I> that would do any thing for the support of the
|
|
bleeding cause of religion and virtue among them, not a man that would
|
|
execute judgment
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+5:1">Jer. v. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
that would bestir himself in a work of reformation; those that
|
|
complained of the badness of the times had not zeal and courage enough
|
|
to appear and act against it; there was a universal corruption of
|
|
manners, and nothing done to stem the tide; most were wicked, and those
|
|
that were not so were yet weak, and durst not attempt any thing in
|
|
opposition to the wickedness of the wicked. <I>There was no
|
|
intercessor,</I> either none to intercede with God, to stand in the gap
|
|
by prayer to turn away his wrath (it would have pleased him to be thus
|
|
met, and he wondered that he was not), or, rather, none to interpose
|
|
for the support of justice and truth, which were trampled upon and run
|
|
down
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
no advocate to speak a good word for those who were made a prey of
|
|
because they kept their integrity,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
They complained that God did not appear for them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:3"><I>ch.</I> lviii. 3</A>);
|
|
|
|
but God with much more reason complains that they did nothing for
|
|
themselves, intimating how ready he would have been to do them good if
|
|
he had found among them the least motion towards a reformation.</P>
|
|
|
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<P>
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|
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2. He engaged his own strength and righteousness for them. They shall
|
|
be saved, notwithstanding all this; and,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Because they have no strength of their own, nor any active men
|
|
that will set to it in good earnest to redress the grievances either of
|
|
their iniquities or of their calamities, therefore <I>his own arm shall
|
|
bring salvation to him,</I> to his people, or to him whom he would
|
|
raise up to be the deliverer, Christ, the power of God and arm of the
|
|
Lord, that man of his right hand whom he made strong for himself. The
|
|
work of reformation (that is the first and principal article of the
|
|
salvation) shall be wrought by the immediate influences of the divine
|
|
grace on men's consciences. Since magistrates and societies for
|
|
reformation fail of doing their part, one will not do justice nor the
|
|
other call for it, God will let them know that he can do it without
|
|
them when his time shall come thus to prepare his people for mercy, and
|
|
then the work of deliverance shall be wrought by the immediate
|
|
operations of the divine Providence on men's affections and affairs.
|
|
When God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, and brought his people out of
|
|
Babylon, <I>not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord
|
|
of hosts,</I> then his own arm, which is never shortened, brought
|
|
salvation.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Because they have no righteousness of their own to merit these
|
|
favours, and to which God might have an eye in working for them,
|
|
therefore <I>his</I> own <I>righteousness sustained him</I> and bore
|
|
him out in it. Divine justice, which by their sins they had armed
|
|
against them, through grace appears for them. Though they can expect no
|
|
favour as due to them, yet he will be just to himself, to his own
|
|
purpose and promise, and covenant with his people: he will, in
|
|
righteousness, punish the enemies of his people; see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+9:5">Deut. ix. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Not for thy righteousness, but for the wickedness of these
|
|
nations</I> they are driven out. In our redemption by Christ, since we
|
|
had no righteousness of our own to produce, on which God might proceed
|
|
in favour to us, he brought in a righteousness by the merit and
|
|
meditation of his own Son (it is called <I>the righteousness which is
|
|
of God by faith,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+3:9">Phil. iii. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
and this righteousness sustained him, and bore him out in all his
|
|
favours to us, notwithstanding our provocations. <I>He put on
|
|
righteousness as a breast-plate,</I> securing his own honour, as a
|
|
breast-plate does the vitals, in all his proceedings, by the justice
|
|
and equity of them; and then he put <I>a helmet of salvation upon his
|
|
head;</I> so sure is he to effect the salvation he intends that he
|
|
takes salvation itself for his helmet, which therefore must needs be
|
|
impenetrable, and in which he appears very illustrious, formidable in
|
|
the eyes of his enemies and amiable in the eyes of his friends. When
|
|
righteousness is his coat of arms, salvation is his crest. In allusion
|
|
to this, among the pieces of a Christian's armour we find <I>the
|
|
breast-plate of righteousness,</I> and for a helmet <I>the hope of
|
|
salvation</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+6:14-17,1Th+5:8">Eph. vi. 14-17; 1 Thess. v. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it is called <I>the armour of God,</I> because he wore it first and
|
|
so fitted it for us.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Because they have no spirit or zeal to do any thing for
|
|
themselves, God will <I>put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
|
|
and clothe himself with zeal as a cloak;</I> he will make his justice
|
|
upon the enemies of his church and people, and his jealousy for his own
|
|
glory and the honour of religion and virtue among men, to appear
|
|
evident and conspicuous in the eye of the world; and in these he will
|
|
show himself great, as a man shows himself in his rich attire or in the
|
|
distinguishing habit of his office. If men be not zealous against sin,
|
|
God will, and will take vengeance on it for all the injury it has done
|
|
to his honour and his people's welfare; and this was the business of
|
|
Christ in the world, to take away sin and be revenged on it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. What the salvation is that shall be wrought out by the
|
|
righteousness and strength of God himself.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. There shall be a present temporal salvation wrought out for the Jews
|
|
in Babylon, or elsewhere in distress and captivity. This is promised
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:18,19"><I>v.</I> 18, 19</A>)
|
|
|
|
as a type of something further. When God's time shall come he will do
|
|
his own work, though those fail that should forward it. It is here
|
|
promised,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That God will reckon with his enemies and will render to them
|
|
according to their deeds, to the enemies of his people abroad, that
|
|
have oppressed them, to the enemies of justice and truth at home, that
|
|
have oppressed them, for they also are God's enemies; and, when the day
|
|
of vengeance shall have come, he will deal with both as they have
|
|
deserved, <I>according to retribution</I> (so the word is), the law of
|
|
retributions
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+13:10">Rev. xiii. 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
or <I>according to former retributions;</I> as he has rendered to his
|
|
enemies formerly, accordingly he will now repay, <I>fury to his
|
|
adversaries, recompence to his enemies;</I> his fury shall not exceed
|
|
the rules of justice, as men's fury commonly does. Even <I>to the
|
|
islands,</I> that lie most remote, if they have appeared against him,
|
|
<I>he will repay recompence;</I> for <I>his hand shall find out all his
|
|
enemies</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+21:8">Ps. xxi. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and his arrows reach them. Though God's people have behaved so ill that
|
|
they do not deserve to be delivered, yet his enemies behave so much
|
|
worse that they do deserve to be destroyed.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That, whatever attempts the enemies of God's people may afterwards
|
|
make upon them to disturb their peace, they shall be baffled and
|
|
brought to nought: <I>When the enemy shall come in like a flood,</I>
|
|
like a high spring-tide, or a land-flood, which threaten to bear down
|
|
all before them without control, then <I>the Spirit of the Lord</I> by
|
|
some secret undiscerned power <I>shall lift up a standard against
|
|
him,</I> and so (as the margin reads it) <I>put him to flight.</I> He
|
|
that has delivered will still deliver. When God's people are weak and
|
|
helpless, and have no standard to lift up against the invading power,
|
|
God will <I>give a banner to those that fear him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+60:4">Ps. lx. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
will by his Spirit lift up a standard, which will draw multitudes
|
|
together to appear on the church's behalf. Some read it, <I>He shall
|
|
come</I> (the name of the Lord, and his glory, before foreseen of the
|
|
Messiah promised) <I>like a straight river, the Spirit of the Lord
|
|
lifting him up for an ensign.</I> Christ by the preaching of his gospel
|
|
shall cover the earth with the knowledge of God as with the waters of a
|
|
flood, the <I>Spirit of the Lord</I> setting up Christ as a
|
|
<I>standard</I> to the <I>Gentiles,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+11:10"><I>ch.</I> xi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That all this should redound to the glory of God and the
|
|
advancement of religion in the world
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>So shall they fear the name of the Lord and his glory</I> in all
|
|
nations that lie eastward or westward. The deliverance of the Jews out
|
|
of captivity, and the destruction brought on their oppressors, would
|
|
awaken multitudes to enquire concerning the God of Israel, and induce
|
|
them to serve and worship him and enlist themselves under the standard
|
|
which the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up. God's appearances for his
|
|
church shall occasion the accession of many to it. This had its full
|
|
accomplishment in gospel times, when many came <I>from the east and
|
|
west,</I> to fill up the places of <I>the children of the kingdom</I>
|
|
that were <I>cast out,</I> when there were set up eastern and western
|
|
churches,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:11">Matt. viii. 11</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. There shall be a more glorious salvation wrought out by the Messiah
|
|
in the fulness of time, which salvation all the prophets, upon all
|
|
occasions, had in view. We have here the two great promises relating to
|
|
that salvation:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) That the Son of God shall come to us to be our Redeemer
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Thy Redeemer shall come;</I> it is applied to Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+9:26">Rom. ix. 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>There shall come the deliverer.</I> The coming of Christ as the
|
|
Redeemer is the summary of all the promises both of the Old and New
|
|
Testament, and this was the redemption in Jerusalem which the believing
|
|
Jews looked for,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:38">Luke ii. 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ is our <I>Goël,</I> our next kinsman, that redeems both the
|
|
person and the estate of the poor debtor. Observe,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The place where this Redeemer shall appear: He <I>shall come to
|
|
Zion,</I> for there, on that holy hill, the Lord would set him up as
|
|
his King,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:6">Ps. ii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
In Zion the chief corner-stone was to be laid,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+2:6">1 Pet. ii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
He came to his temple there,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:1">Mal. iii. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
There salvation was to be placed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+46:13"><I>ch.</I> xlvi. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
for thence the law was to go forth,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+2:3"><I>ch.</I> ii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Zion was a type of the gospel church, for which the Redeemer acts in
|
|
all his appearances: <I>The Redeemer shall come for the sake of
|
|
Zion;</I> so the LXX. reads it.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The persons that shall have the comfort of the Redeemer's coming,
|
|
that shall then lift up their heads, knowing that their redemption
|
|
draws nigh. He shall come <I>to those that turn from the ungodliness in
|
|
Jacob,</I> to those that are in Jacob, to the praying seed of Jacob, in
|
|
answer to their prayers; yet not to all that are in Jacob, that are
|
|
within the pale of the visible church, but to those only that turn from
|
|
transgression, that repent, and reform, and forsake those sins which
|
|
Christ came to redeem them from. The sinners in Zion will fare never
|
|
the better for the Redeemer's coming to Zion if they go on still in
|
|
their trespasses.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) That the Spirit of God shall come to us to be our sanctifier,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the Redeemer there was a new covenant made with us a covenant of
|
|
promises; and this is the great and comprehensive promise of that
|
|
covenant, that God will give and continue his word and Spirit to his
|
|
church and people throughout all generations. God's giving the
|
|
<I>Spirit to those that ask him</I> includes the giving of them all
|
|
<I>good things,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+11:13,Mt+7:11">Luke xi. 13; Matt. vii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
This covenant is here said to <I>be made with them,</I> that is, with
|
|
those that turn from transgression; for those that cease to do evil
|
|
shall be taught to do well. But the promise is made to a single
|
|
person--<I>My Spirit that is upon thee,</I> being directed either,
|
|
|
|
[1.] To Christ as the head of the church, who received that he might
|
|
give. The Spirit promised to the church was first upon him, and from
|
|
his head that precious ointment descended to the skirts of his
|
|
garments; and the word of the gospel was first put into his mouth; for
|
|
<I>it began to be spoken by the Lord.</I> And all believers are his
|
|
seed, in whom he prolongs his days,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+53:10"><I>ch.</I> liii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Or,
|
|
|
|
[2.] To the church; and so it is a promise of the continuance and
|
|
perpetuity of the church in the world to the end of time, parallel to
|
|
those promises that the throne and seed of Christ shall endure for
|
|
ever,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:29,36,Ps+22:30">Ps. lxxxix. 29, 36; xxii. 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe, <I>First,</I> How the church shall be kept up, in a
|
|
succession, as the world of mankind is kept up, by the seed and the
|
|
seed's seed. As one generation passes away another generation shall
|
|
come. <I>Instead of the fathers shall be the children. Secondly,</I>
|
|
How long it shall be kept up--<I>henceforth and for ever,</I> always,
|
|
even <I>unto the end of the world;</I> for, the world being left to
|
|
stand for the sake of the church, we may be sure that as long as it
|
|
does stand Christ will have a church in it, though no always visible.
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> By what means it shall be kept up; by the constant
|
|
residence of the word and Spirit in it.
|
|
|
|
1. The Spirit that was upon Christ shall always continue in the hearts
|
|
of the faithful; there shall be some in every age on whom he shall
|
|
work, and in whom he shall dwell, and thus the Comforter shall abide
|
|
with the church for ever,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:16">John xiv. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The word of Christ shall always continue in the mouths of the
|
|
faithful; there shall be some in every age who, <I>believing with the
|
|
heart</I> unto righteousness, shall <I>with the tongue make confession
|
|
unto salvation.</I> The word shall never depart out of the mouth of the
|
|
church; for there shall still be a seed to speak Christ's holy language
|
|
and profess his holy religion. Observe, The Spirit and the word go
|
|
together, and by them the church is kept up. For the word in the
|
|
mouths of our ministers, nay, the word in our own mouths, will not
|
|
profit us, unless the Spirit work with the word, and give us an
|
|
understanding. But the Spirit does his work by the word and in
|
|
concurrence with it; and whatever is pretended to be a dictate of the
|
|
Spirit must be tried by the scriptures. On these foundations the church
|
|
is built, stands firmly, and shall stand for ever, Christ himself being
|
|
the chief corner-stone.</P>
|
|
|
|
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