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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Isaiah LXVI].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC23065.HTM">Previous</A>]
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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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. LXVI.</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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The scope of this chapter is much the same as that of the foregoing
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chapter and many expressions of it are the same; it therefore looks the
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same way, to the different state of the good and bad among the Jews at
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their return out of captivity, but that typifying the rejection of the
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Jews in the days of the Messiah, the conversion of the Gentiles, and
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the setting up of the gospel-kingdom in the world. The
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:1">first verse</A>
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of this chapter is applied by Stephen to the dismantling of the temple
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by the planting of the Christian church
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+7:49,50">Acts vii. 49, 50</A>),
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which may serve as a key to the whole chapter. We have here,
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I. The contempt God puts upon ceremonial services in comparison with
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moral duties, and an intimation therein of his purpose shortly to put
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an end to the temple, and sacrifice and reject those that adhered to
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them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. The salvation God will in due time work for his people out of the
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hands of their oppressors
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:5">ver. 5</A>),
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speaking terror to the persecutors
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:6">ver. 6</A>)
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and comfort to the persecuted, a speedy and complete deliverance
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:7-9">ver. 7-9</A>),
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a joyful settlement
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:10,11">ver. 10, 11</A>),
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the accession of the Gentiles to them, and abundance of satisfaction
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therein,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:12-14">ver. 12-14</A>.
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III. The terrible vengeance which God will bring upon the enemies of
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his church and people,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:15-18">ver. 15-18</A>.
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IV. The happy establishment of the church upon large and sure
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foundations, its constant attendance on God and triumph over its
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enemies,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:19-24">ver. 19-24</A>.
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And we may well expect that this evangelical prophet, here, in the
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close of his prophecy, should (as he does) look as far forward as to
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the latter days, to the last day, to the days of eternity.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Isa66_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_4"> </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 Vanity of Mere Ritual Obedience.</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 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, The heaven <I>is</I> my throne, and the earth
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<I>is</I> my footstool: where <I>is</I> the house that ye build unto me?
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and where <I>is</I> the place of my rest?
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2 For all those <I>things</I> hath mine hand made, and all those
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<I>things</I> have been, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: but to this <I>man</I> will I
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look, <I>even</I> to <I>him that is</I> poor and of a contrite spirit, and
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trembleth at my word.
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3 He that killeth an ox <I>is as if</I> he slew a man; he that
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sacrificeth a lamb, <I>as if</I> he cut off a dog's neck; he that
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offereth an oblation, <I>as if he offered</I> swine's blood; he that
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burneth incense, <I>as if</I> he blessed an idol. Yea, they have
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chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their
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abominations.
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4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their
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fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I
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spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and
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chose <I>that</I> in which I delighted not.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here,
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I. The temple is slighted in comparison with a gracious soul,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.
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The Jews in the prophet's time, and afterwards in Christ's time,
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gloried much in the temple and promised themselves great things from
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it; to humble them therefore, and to shake their vain confidence, both
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the prophets and Christ foretold the ruin of the temple, that God would
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leave it and then it would soon be desolate. After it was destroyed by
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the Chaldeans it soon recovered itself and the ceremonial services were
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revived with it; but by the Romans it was made a perpetual desolation,
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and the ceremonial law was abolished with it. That the world might be
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prepared for this, they were often told, as here, of what little
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account the temple was with God.
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1. That he did not need it. Heaven is the throne of his glory and
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government; there he sits, infinitely exalted in the highest dignity
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and dominion, above all blessing and praise. The earth is his
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footstool, on which he stands, over-ruling all the affairs of it
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according to his will. If God has so bright a throne, so large a
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footstool, <I>where then is the house they can build</I> unto God, that
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can be the residence of his glory, or <I>where is the place of his
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rest?</I> What satisfaction can the Eternal Mind take in a house made
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with men's hands? What occasion has he, as we have, for a house to
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repose himself in, who <I>faints not neither is weary,</I> who neither
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slumbers nor sleeps? Or, if he had occasion, he <I>would not tell
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us</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:12">Ps. l. 12</A>),
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for <I>all these things hath his hand made,</I> heaven and all its
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courts, earth and all its borders, and all the hosts of both. All
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<I>these things have been,</I> have had their beginning, by the power
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of God, who was happy from eternity before they were, and therefore
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could not be benefited by them. <I>All these things are</I> (so some
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read it); they still continue, upheld by the same power that made them;
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so that <I>our goodness extends not to him.</I> If he required a house
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for himself to dwell in, he would have made one himself when he made
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the world; and, if he had made one, it would have continued to this
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day, as other creatures do, according to his ordinance; so that he had
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no need of a temple made with hands.
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2. That he would not heed it as he would a humble, penitent, gracious
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heart. He has a heaven and earth of his own making, and a temple of
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man's making; but he overlooks them all, that he may look with favour
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to him that is poor in spirit, humble and serious, self-abasing and
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self-denying, whose heart is truly contrite for sin, penitent for it,
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and in pain to get it pardoned, and who <I>trembles at God's word,</I>
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not as Felix did, with a transient qualm that was over when the sermon
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was done, but with an habitual awe of God's majesty and purity and an
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habitual dread of his justice and wrath. Such a heart is a living
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temple for God; he dwells there, and it is the place of his rest; it is
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like heaven and earth, his throne and his footstool.</P>
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<P>
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II. Sacrifices are slighted when they come from ungracious hands.
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<I>The sacrifice of the wicked</I> is not only unacceptable, but it
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<I>is an abomination to the Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+15:8">Prov. xv. 8</A>);
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this is largely shown here,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
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Observe,
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1. How detestable their sacrifices were to God. The carnal Jews, after
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their return out of captivity, though they relapsed not to idolatry,
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grew very careless and loose in the service of God; they brought the
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<I>torn, and the lame, and the sick</I> for <I>sacrifice</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+1:8,13">Mal. i. 8, 13</A>),
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and this made their services abominable to God; they had no regard to
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their sacrifices, and therefore how could they think God would have any
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regard to them? The unbelieving Jews, after the gospel was preached and
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in it notice given of the offering up of the great sacrifice, which put
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an end to all the ceremonial services, continued to offer sacrifices,
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as if the law of Moses had been still in force and could <I>make the
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comers thereunto perfect:</I> this was an abomination. <I>He that kills
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an ox</I> for his own table is welcome to do it; but he that now kills
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it, that thus kills it, for God's altar, <I>is as if he slew a man;</I>
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it is as great an offence to God as murder itself; he that does it does
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in effect set aside Christ's sacrifice, <I>treads under foot the blood
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of the covenant,</I> and makes himself accessory to the guilt of <I>the
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body and blood of the Lord,</I> setting up what Christ died to abolish.
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<I>He that sacrifices a lamb,</I> if it be a corrupt thing, and not the
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male in his flock, the best he has, if he think to put God off with any
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thing, he affronts him, instead of pleasing him; it is <I>as if he cut
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off a dog's neck,</I> a creature in the eye of the law so vile that,
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whereas an ass might be redeemed, the price of a dog was never to be
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brought into the treasury,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+23:18">Deut. xxiii. 18</A>.
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<I>He that offers an oblation,</I> a meat offering or drink-offering,
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is as if he thought to make atonement with <I>swine's blood,</I> a
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creature that must not be eaten nor touched, the <I>broth of it</I> was
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abominable
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+65:4"><I>ch.</I> lxv. 4</A>),
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much more the blood of it. <I>He that burns incense to God,</I> and so
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puts contempt upon the incense of Christ's intercession, is <I>as if he
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blessed an idol;</I> it was as great an affront to God as if they had
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paid their devotions to a false god. Hypocrisy and profaneness are as
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provoking as idolatry.
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2. What their wickedness was which made their sacrifices thus
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detestable. It was <I>because they had chosen their own ways,</I> the
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ways of their own wicked hearts, and not only their hands did but
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<I>their souls delighted in their abominations.</I> They were vicious
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and immoral in their conversations, chose the way of sin rather than
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the way of God's commandments, and took pleasure in that which was
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provoking to God; this made their sacrifices so offensive to God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+1:11-15"><I>ch.</I> i. 11-15</A>.
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Those that pretend to honour God by a profession of religion, and yet
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live wicked lives, put an affront upon him, as if he were the patron of
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sin. And that which was an aggravation of their wickedness was that
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they persisted in it, notwithstanding the frequent calls given them to
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repent and reform; they turned a deaf ear to all the warnings of divine
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justice and all the offers of divine grace: <I>When I called, none did
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answer,</I> as before,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+65:12"><I>ch.</I> lxv. 12</A>.
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And the same follows here that did there: <I>They did evil before my
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eyes.</I> Being deaf to what he said, they cared not what he saw, but
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<I>chose that in which</I> they knew <I>he delighted not.</I> How could
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those expect to please him in their devotions who took no care to
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please him in their conversations, but, on the contrary, designed to
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provoke him?
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3. The doom passed upon them for this. They<I>chose their own ways,</I>
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therefore, says God, I also will <I>choose their delusions. They have
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made their choice</I> (as Mr. Gataker paraphrases it), <I>and now I
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will make mine; they have taken what course they pleased with me, and I
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will take what course I please with them.</I> I will choose their
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<I>illusions,</I> or <I>mockeries</I> (so some); as they have mocked
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God and dishonoured him by their wickedness, so God will give them up
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to their enemies, to be trampled upon and insulted by them. Or they
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shall be deceived by those vain confidences with which they have
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deceived themselves. God will make their sin their punishment; they
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shall be beaten with their own rod and hurried into ruin by their own
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delusions. God will <I>bring their fears upon them,</I> that is, will
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bring upon them that which shall be a great terror to them, or that
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which they themselves have been afraid of and thought to escape by
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sinful shifts. Unbelieving hearts, and unpurified unpacified
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consciences, need no more to make them miserable than to have their own
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fears brought upon them.</P>
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<A NAME="Isa66_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa66_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Encouragement to the Persecuted; The Enlargement of the Church.</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>5 Hear the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, ye that tremble at his word; Your
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brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake,
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said, Let the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy,
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and they shall be ashamed.
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6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a
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voice of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
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7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain
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came, she was delivered of a man child.
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8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall
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the earth be made to bring forth in one day? <I>or</I> shall a nation
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be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth
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her children.
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9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth?
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saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut <I>the
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womb?</I> saith thy God.
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10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that
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love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
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11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her
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consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the
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abundance of her glory.
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12 For thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, Behold, I will extend peace to her
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like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing
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stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon <I>her</I> sides,
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and be dandled upon <I>her</I> knees.
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13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you;
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and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
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14 And when ye see <I>this,</I> your heart shall rejoice, and your
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bones shall flourish like a herb: and the hand of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall
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be known toward his servants, and <I>his</I> indignation toward his
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enemies.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The prophet, having denounced God's judgments against a hypocritical
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nation, that made a jest of God's word and would not answer him when he
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called to them, here turns his speech to those that <I>trembled at his
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word,</I> to comfort and encourage them; they shall not be involved in
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the judgments that are coming upon their unbelieving nation. Ministers
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must distinguish thus, that, when they speak terror to the wicked, they
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may not <I>make the hearts of the righteous sad. Bone Christiane, hoc
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nihil ad te--Good Christian, this is nothing to thee.</I> The prophet,
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having assured those that tremble at God's word of a gracious look from
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him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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here brings them a gracious message from him. The word of God has
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comforts in store for those that by true humiliation for sin are
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prepared to receive them. There were those
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>)
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who, when <I>God spoke, would not hear;</I> but, if some will not,
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others sill. If the heart <I>tremble at the word,</I> the ear will be
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open to it. Now what is here said to them?</P>
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<P>
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I. Let them know that God will plead their just but injured cause
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against their persecutors
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>Your brethren that hated you said, Let the Lord be glorified. But he
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shall appear to your joy.</I> This perhaps might have reference to the
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case of some of the Jews at their return out of captivity; but nothing
|
|
like it appears in the history, and therefore it is rather to be
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|
referred to the first preachers and professors of the gospel among the
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Jews, to whose case it is very applicable. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. How the faithful servants of God were persecuted: <I>Their brethren
|
|
hated them.</I> The apostles were Jews by birth, and yet even in the
|
|
cities of the Gentiles the Jews they met with there were their most
|
|
bitter and implacable enemies and <I>stirred up the Gentiles</I>
|
|
against them. The spouse complains
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+1:6">Cant. i. 6</A>)
|
|
|
|
that her <I>mother's children were angry with her.</I> Pilate upbraided
|
|
our Lord Jesus with this, <I>Thy own nation have delivered thee unto
|
|
me,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+18:35">John xviii. 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
Their brethren, who should have loved them and encouraged them for
|
|
their work's sake hated them, and cast them out of their synagogues,
|
|
excommunicated them as if they had been the greatest blemishes, when
|
|
they were really the greatest blessings, of their church and nation.
|
|
This was a fruit of the old enmity in the <I>seed of the serpent</I>
|
|
against the <I>seed of the woman.</I> Those that hated Christ hated his
|
|
disciples, because they supported his kingdom and interest
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:18">John xv. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
and they <I>cast them out for his name's sake,</I> because they were
|
|
called by his name, and called upon his name, and laid out themselves
|
|
to advance his name. Note, It is no new thing for church censures to
|
|
be misapplied, and for her artillery, which was intended for her
|
|
defence, to be turned against her best friends, by the treachery of her
|
|
governors. And those that did this <I>said, Let the Lord be
|
|
glorified;</I> they pretended conscience and a zeal for the honour of
|
|
God and the church in it, and did it with all the formalities of
|
|
devotion. Our Saviour explains this, and seems to have reference to it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:2">John xvi. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>They shall put you out of their synagogues,</I> and <I>whosoever
|
|
kills you will think that he does God service. In nomine Domini incipit
|
|
omne malum--In the name of the Lord commences evil of every kind.</I>
|
|
Or we may understand it as spoken in defiance of God: "You say God will
|
|
be glorified in your deliverance; <I>let him be glorified then; let him
|
|
make speed and hasten his work</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+5:19"><I>ch.</I> v. 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him."</I> Some take it
|
|
to be the language of the profane Jews in captivity, bantering their
|
|
brethren that hoped for deliverance, and ridiculing the expectations
|
|
they often comforted themselves with, that God would shortly be
|
|
glorified in it. They thus did what they could to <I>shame the counsel
|
|
of the poor,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+14:6">Ps. xiv. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. How they were encouraged under these persecutions: "Let your faith
|
|
and patience hold out yet a little while; your enemies hate you and
|
|
oppress you, your brethren hate you and cast you out, but your Father
|
|
in heaven loves you, and will appear for you when no one else will or
|
|
dare. His providence shall order things so as shall be for comfort to
|
|
you; he shall appear <I>for your joy</I> and for the confusion of those
|
|
that abuse you and trample on you; they <I>shall be ashamed</I> of
|
|
their enmity to you." This was fulfilled when, upon the signals given
|
|
of Jerusalem's approaching ruin, the <I>Jews' hearts failed them for
|
|
fear;</I> but the disciples of Christ, whom they had hated and
|
|
persecuted, <I>lifted up their heads with joy, knowing that their
|
|
redemption drew nigh,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+21:26,28">Luke xxi. 26, 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though God seem to hide himself, he will in due time show himself.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Let them know that God's appearances for them will be such as will
|
|
make a great noise in the world
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
|
|
|
|
There shall be <I>a voice of noise from the city, from the temple.</I>
|
|
Some make it the joyful and triumphant voice of the church's friends,
|
|
others the frightful lamenting voice of her enemies, surprised in the
|
|
city, and fleeing in vain to the temple for shelter. These voices do
|
|
but echo to the <I>voice of the Lord,</I> who is now rendering a
|
|
<I>recompence to his enemies;</I> and those that will not hear him
|
|
speaking this terror shall hear them returning the alarms of it in
|
|
doleful shrieks. We may well think what a confused noise there was in
|
|
the city and temple when Jerusalem, after a long siege, was at last
|
|
taken by the Romans. Some think this prophecy was fulfilled in the
|
|
prodigies that went before that destruction of Jerusalem, related by
|
|
Josephus in his <I>History of the Wars of the Jews</I> (4.388 and
|
|
6.311), that the temple-doors flew open suddenly of their own accord,
|
|
and the priests heard a noise of motion or shifting in the most holy
|
|
place, and presently a voice, saying, <I>Let us depart hence.</I> And,
|
|
some time after, one Jesus Bar-Annas went up and down the city, at the
|
|
feast of tabernacles, continually crying, <I>A voice from the east, a
|
|
voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against
|
|
Jerusalem and the temple, a voice against all this people.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Let them know that God will set up a church for himself in the
|
|
world, which shall be abundantly replenished in a little time
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Before she travailed she brought forth.</I> This is to be applied in
|
|
the type to the deliverance of the Jews out of their captivity in
|
|
Babylon, which was brought about very easily and silently, without any
|
|
pain or struggle, such as was when they were brought out of Egypt; that
|
|
was done <I>by might and power</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+4:34">Deut. iv. 34</A>),
|
|
|
|
but this by <I>the Spirit of the Lord of hosts,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+4:6">Zech. iv. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
The man-child of the deliverance is rejoiced in, and yet the mother was
|
|
never in labour for it; <I>before her pain came she was delivered.</I>
|
|
This is altogether surprising, uncommon, and without precedent, unless
|
|
in the story which the Egyptian midwives told of the Hebrew women
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+1:19">Exod. i. 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
that <I>they were lively and were delivered ere the midwives came in
|
|
unto them.</I> But <I>shall the earth be made to bring forth her fruits
|
|
in one day?</I> No, it is the work of some weeks in the spring to
|
|
<I>renew the face of the earth</I> and cover it with its products. Some
|
|
read this to the same purport with the next clause, <I>Shall a land be
|
|
brought forth in one day,</I> or <I>shall a nation be born at once?</I>
|
|
Is it to be imagined that a woman at one birth should bring children
|
|
sufficient to people a country and that they should in an instant grow
|
|
up to maturity? No; something like this was done in the creation; but
|
|
God has since rested from all such works, and leaves second causes to
|
|
produce their effects gradually. <I>Nihil facit per saltum--He does
|
|
nothing abruptly.</I> Yet, in this case, <I>as soon as Zion travailed
|
|
she brought forth.</I> Cyrus's proclamation was no sooner issued out
|
|
than the captives were formed into a body and were ready to make the
|
|
best of their way to their own land. And the reason is given
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
because <I>it is the Lord's doing; he</I> undertakes it whose work is
|
|
perfect. If he <I>bring to the birth</I> in preparing his people for
|
|
deliverance, he will <I>cause to bring forth</I> in the accomplishment
|
|
of the deliverance. When every thing is ripe and ready for their
|
|
release, and the number of their months is accomplished, so that <I>the
|
|
children are brought to the birth,</I> shall not I then <I>give
|
|
strength to bring forth,</I> but leave mother and babe to perish
|
|
together in the most miserable case? How will this agree with the
|
|
divine pity? Shall I begin a work and not go through with it? How will
|
|
that agree with the divine power and perfection? <I>Am I he that causes
|
|
to bring forth</I> (so the following clause may be read) <I>and shall I
|
|
restrain her?</I> Does God cause mankind, and all the species of living
|
|
creatures, to propagate, and <I>replenish the earth,</I> and <I>will he
|
|
restrain Zion?</I> Will he not make her fruitful in a blessed offspring
|
|
to replenish the church? Or, <I>Am I he that begat, and should I
|
|
restrain from bringing forth?</I> Did God beget the deliverance in his
|
|
purpose and promise, and will he not bring it forth in the
|
|
accomplishment and performance of it? But this was a figure of the
|
|
setting up of the Christian church in the world, and the replenishing
|
|
of that family with children which was to be named from Jesus Christ.
|
|
When the Spirit was poured out, and the gospel went forth from Zion,
|
|
multitudes were converted in a little time and with little pains
|
|
compared with the vast product. The apostles, even before they
|
|
travailed, brought forth, and the children born to Christ were so
|
|
numerous, and so suddenly and easily produced, that they were rather
|
|
like the dew from the morning's womb than like the son from the
|
|
mother's womb,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:3">Ps. cx. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
The success of the gospel was astonishing; that light, like the
|
|
morning, strangely diffused itself till it took hold even of <I>the
|
|
ends of the earth.</I> Cities and nations were born at once to Christ.
|
|
The same day that the Spirit was poured out there were 3000 souls added
|
|
to the church. And, when this glorious work was once begun, it was
|
|
carried on wonderfully, beyond what could be imagined, <I>so mightily
|
|
grew the word of God and prevailed.</I> He that brought to the birth in
|
|
conviction of sin caused to bring forth in a thorough conversion to
|
|
God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. Let them know that their present sorrows shall shortly be turned
|
|
into abundant joys,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. How the church's friends are described; they are such as <I>love
|
|
her, and mourn</I> with her and <I>for her.</I> Note, All that love God
|
|
love Jerusalem; they love the church of God, and lay its interest very
|
|
near their heart. They admire the beauty of the church, take pleasure
|
|
in communion with it, and heartily espouse its cause. And those that
|
|
have a sincere affection for the church have a cordial sympathy with
|
|
her in all the cares and sorrows of her militant state. They mourn for
|
|
her; all her grievances are their griefs; if Jerusalem be in distress,
|
|
their harps are hung on the willow-trees.
|
|
|
|
2. How they are encouraged: <I>Rejoice with her,</I> and again and
|
|
again <I>I say, Rejoice.</I> This intimates that Jerusalem shall have
|
|
cause to rejoice; the days of her mourning shall be at an end, and she
|
|
shall be comforted according to the time that she has been afflicted.
|
|
It is the will of God that all her friends should join with her in her
|
|
joys, for they shall share with her in those blessings that will be the
|
|
matter of her joy. If <I>we suffer with Christ</I> and sorrow with his
|
|
church, <I>we shall reign with him</I> and rejoice with her. We are
|
|
here called,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To bear our part in the church's praises: "Come, <I>rejoice with
|
|
her, rejoice for joy with her,</I> rejoice greatly, rejoice and know
|
|
why you rejoice, rejoice on the days appointed for public thanksgiving.
|
|
You that mourned for her in her sorrows cannot but from the same
|
|
principle rejoice with her in her joys."
|
|
|
|
(2.) To take our part in the church's comforts. We must <I>suck and be
|
|
satisfied with the breasts of her consolation.</I> The word of God, the
|
|
covenant of grace (especially the promises of that covenant), the
|
|
ordinances of God, and all the opportunities of attending on him and
|
|
conversing with him, are the breasts, which the church calls and counts
|
|
the <I>breasts of her consolations,</I> where her comforts are laid up,
|
|
and whence by faith and prayer they are drawn. With her therefore we
|
|
must suck from these breasts, by an application of the promises of God
|
|
to ourselves and a diligent attendance on his ordinances; and with the
|
|
consolations which are drawn hence we must be satisfied, and not be
|
|
dissatisfied though we have ever so little of earthly comforts. It is
|
|
the glory of the church that she has the Lord for her God, that to her
|
|
<I>pertain the adoption and the service of God;</I> and with <I>the
|
|
abundance of</I> this <I>glory</I> we must be <I>delighted.</I> We must
|
|
take more pleasure in our relation to God and communion with him than
|
|
in all the delights of the sons and daughters of men. Whatever is the
|
|
glory of the church must be <I>our glory and joy,</I> particularly her
|
|
purity, unity, and increase.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. Let them know that he who gives them this call to rejoice will give
|
|
them cause to do so and hearts to do so,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:12-14"><I>v.</I> 12-14</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He will give them cause to do so. For,
|
|
|
|
(1.) They shall enjoy a long uninterrupted course of prosperity: <I>I
|
|
will extend,</I> or am extending, <I>peace to her</I> (that is, all
|
|
good to her) <I>like a river</I> that runs in a constant stream, still
|
|
increasing till it be swallowed up in the ocean. The gospel brings with
|
|
it, wherever it is received in its power, such peace as this, which
|
|
shall go on <I>like a river,</I> supplying souls with all good and
|
|
making them fruitful, as a river does the lands it passes through, such
|
|
a <I>river of peace</I> as the springs of the world's comforts cannot
|
|
send forth and the dams of the world's troubles cannot stop nor drive
|
|
back nor its sand rack up, such a river of peace as will carry us to
|
|
the ocean of boundless and endless bliss.
|
|
|
|
(2.) There shall be large and advantageous additions made to them:
|
|
<I>The glory of the Gentiles</I> shall come to them <I>like a flowing
|
|
stream.</I> Gentiles converts shall come pouring into the church, and
|
|
swell the river of her peace and prosperity; for they shall <I>bring
|
|
their glory</I> with them; their wealth and honour, their power and
|
|
interest, shall all be devoted to the service of God and employed for
|
|
the good of the church: "<I>Then shall you suck</I> from the breasts of
|
|
her consolations. When you see such crowding for a share in those
|
|
comforts you shall be the more solicitous and the more vigorous to
|
|
secure your share, not for fear of having the less for others coming in
|
|
to partake of Christ" (there is no danger of that; he has enough for
|
|
all and enough for each), "but <I>their zeal</I> shall <I>provoke you
|
|
to a holy jealousy.</I>" It is well when it does so,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:14,2Co+9:2">Rom. xi. 14; 2 Cor. ix. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) God shall be glorified in all, and that ought to be more the
|
|
matter of our joy than any thing else
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The hand of the Lord shall be known towards his servants,</I> the
|
|
protecting supporting hand of his almighty power, the supplying
|
|
enriching hand of his inexhaustible goodness; the benefit which his
|
|
servants have by both these <I>shall be known</I> to his glory as well
|
|
as theirs. And, to make this the more illustrious, he will at the same
|
|
time make known <I>his indignation towards his enemies.</I> God's mercy
|
|
and justice shall both be manifested and for ever magnified.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. God will not only give them cause to rejoice, but will speak comfort
|
|
to them, will speak it <I>to their hearts;</I> and it is he only that
|
|
can do that, and make it fasten there. See what he will do for the
|
|
comfort of all the sons of Zion.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Their country shall be their tender nurse: You shall be <I>carried
|
|
on her sides,</I> under her arms, as little children are, and shall be
|
|
<I>dangled upon her knees,</I> as darlings are, especially when they
|
|
are weary and out of humour, and must be got to sleep. Those that are
|
|
joined to the church must be treated thus affectionately. The great
|
|
Shepherd <I>gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in his
|
|
bosom,</I> and so must the under-shepherds, that they may not be
|
|
discouraged. Proselytes should be favourites.
|
|
|
|
(2.) God will himself be their powerful comforter: <I>As one whom his
|
|
mother comforts,</I> when he is sick or sore, or upon any account in
|
|
sorrow, <I>so will I comfort you;</I> not only with the rational
|
|
arguments which a prudent father uses, but with the tender affections
|
|
and compassions of a loving mother, that bemoans her afflicted child
|
|
when it has fallen and hurt itself, that she may quiet it and make it
|
|
easy, or endeavours to pacify it after she has chidden it and fallen
|
|
out with it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+31:20">Jer. xxxi. 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Since I spoke against him, my bowels are troubled for him;</I> he is
|
|
a dear son, he is a pleasant child. Thus the mother comforts. Thus
|
|
<I>you shall be comforted in Jerusalem,</I> in the favours bestowed on
|
|
the church, which you shall partake of, and in the thanksgivings
|
|
offered by the church, which you shall concur with.
|
|
|
|
(3.) They shall feel the blessed effects of this comfort in their own
|
|
souls
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>When you see this,</I> what a happy state the church is restored to,
|
|
not only your tongues and your countenances, but <I>your hearts shall
|
|
rejoice.</I> This was fulfilled in the wonderful satisfaction which
|
|
Christ's disciples had in the success of their ministry. Christ, with
|
|
an eye to that, tells them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:22">John xvi. 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Your heart shall rejoice and your joy no man taketh from you.</I>
|
|
Then <I>your bones,</I> that were dried and withered (the marrow of
|
|
them quite exhausted), shall recover a youthful strength and vigour and
|
|
<I>shall flourish like a herb.</I> Divine comforts reach the inward
|
|
man; <I>they are marrow</I> and moistening to the bones,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:8">Prov. iii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
The bones are the strength of the body; those shall be made to flourish
|
|
with these comforts. <I>The joy of the Lord</I> will be <I>your
|
|
strength,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:10">Neh. viii. 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Isa66_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa66_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa66_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa66_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa66_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa66_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa66_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa66_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa66_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa66_24"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Divine Judgment; Judgment and Mercy; The Enlargement of the Church.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 706.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 For, behold, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> will come with fire, and with his
|
|
chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his
|
|
rebuke with flames of fire.
|
|
16 For by fire and by his sword will the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> plead with all
|
|
flesh: and the slain of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall be many.
|
|
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the
|
|
gardens behind one <I>tree</I> in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and
|
|
the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
18 For I <I>know</I> their works and their thoughts: it shall come,
|
|
that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come,
|
|
and see my glory.
|
|
19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that
|
|
escape of them unto the nations, <I>to</I> Tarshish, Pul, and Lud,
|
|
that draw the bow, <I>to</I> Tubal, and Javan, <I>to</I> the isles afar
|
|
off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and
|
|
they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
|
|
20 And they shall bring all your brethren <I>for</I> an offering
|
|
unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots,
|
|
and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy
|
|
mountain Jerusalem, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, as the children of Israel
|
|
bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
21 And I will also take of them for priests <I>and</I> for Levites,
|
|
saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make,
|
|
shall remain before me, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, so shall your seed and
|
|
your name remain.
|
|
23 And it shall come to pass, <I>that</I> from one new moon to
|
|
another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to
|
|
worship before me, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the
|
|
men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not
|
|
die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an
|
|
abhorring unto all flesh.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
These verses, like the pillar of cloud and fire, have a dark side
|
|
towards the enemies of God's kingdom and all that are rebels against
|
|
his crown, and a bright side towards his faithful loyal subjects.
|
|
Probably they refer to the Jews in captivity in Babylon, of whom some
|
|
are said to have been sent thither for their hurt, and with them God
|
|
here threatens to proceed in his controversy; they hated to be
|
|
reformed, and therefore should be ruined by the calamity
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+24:9">Jer. xxiv. 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
others were sent thither for their good, and they should have the
|
|
trouble sanctified to them, should in due time get well through it and
|
|
see many a good day after it. Many of the expressions here used are
|
|
accommodated to that glorious dispensation; but doubtless the prophecy
|
|
looks further, to the judgment for which Christ did come once, and will
|
|
come again, into this world, and to the distinction which his word in
|
|
both makes <I>between the precious and the vile.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Christ will appear to the confusion and terror of all those that
|
|
stand it out against him. Sometimes he will appear in temporal
|
|
judgments. The Jews that persisted in infidelity were cut off <I>by
|
|
fire</I> and <I>by his sword.</I> The ruin was very extensive; <I>the
|
|
Lord</I> then <I>pleaded with all flesh;</I> and, it being his sword
|
|
with which they are cut off, they are called <I>his slain,</I>
|
|
sacrificed to his justice, and they <I>shall be many.</I> In the great
|
|
day the wrath of God will be his fire and sword, with which he will cut
|
|
off and consume all the impenitent; and his word, when it takes hold of
|
|
sinners' consciences, burns like fire, and is sharper <I>than any
|
|
two-edged sword.</I> Idolaters will especially be contended with in the
|
|
day of wrath,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Perhaps some of those who returned out of Babylon retained such
|
|
instances of idolatry and superstition as are here mentioned, had their
|
|
<I>idols in their gardens</I> (not daring to set them up publicly in
|
|
the high places) and there <I>purified themselves</I> (as the
|
|
worshippers of the true God used to do) when they went about their
|
|
idolatrous rites, <I>one after another,</I> or, as we read it,
|
|
<I>behind one tree in the midst,</I> behind <I>Ahad</I> or <I>Ehad,</I>
|
|
some idol that they worshipped by that name and in honour of which they
|
|
<I>ate swine's flesh</I> (which was expressly forbidden by the law of
|
|
God), <I>and other abominations,</I> as <I>the mouse,</I> or some other
|
|
like animal. But the prophecy may refer to all those judgments which
|
|
the wrath of God, according to the word of God, will bring upon
|
|
provoking sinners, that live in contempt of God and are devoted to the
|
|
world and the flesh: They <I>shall be consumed together.</I> From the
|
|
happiness of heaven we find expressly excluded all <I>idolaters, and
|
|
whosoever worketh abomination,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+21:27,22:15">Rev. xxi. 27; xxii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
In the day of vengeance secret wickedness will be brought to light and
|
|
brought to the account; for
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>I know their works and their thoughts.</I> God knows both what men
|
|
do and from what principle and with what design they do it; and
|
|
therefore is fit to judge the world, because he can <I>judge the
|
|
secrets of men,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+2:16">Rom. ii. 16</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He will appear to the comfort and joy of all that are faithful to
|
|
him in the setting up of his kingdom in this world, the kingdom of
|
|
grace, the earnest and first-fruits of the kingdom of glory. The time
|
|
shall come that he will <I>gather all nations and tongues to
|
|
himself,</I> that they may <I>come and see his glory</I> as it shines
|
|
in the face of Jesus Christ,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was fulfilled when all nations were to be discipled and the gift
|
|
of tongues was bestowed in order thereunto. The church had hitherto
|
|
been confined to one nation and in one tongue only God was worshipped;
|
|
but in the days of the Messiah the partition-wall should be taken down,
|
|
and those that had been strangers to God should be brought acquainted
|
|
with him and should <I>see his glory</I> in the gospel, as the Jews had
|
|
seen it <I>in the sanctuary.</I> As to this, it is here promised,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That some of the Jewish nation should, by the grace of God, be
|
|
distinguished form the rest, and marked for salvation: I will not only
|
|
set up a <I>gathering ensign</I> among them, to which the Gentiles
|
|
shall seek (as is promised,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+11:12"><I>ch.</I> xi. 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
but there shall be those among them on whom <I>I will set a
|
|
differencing sign;</I> for so the word signifies. Though they are a
|
|
corrupt degenerate nation, yet God will set apart a remnant of them,
|
|
that shall be devoted to him and employed for him, and a mark shall be
|
|
set upon them, with such certainty will God own them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+9:4">Ezek. ix. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
The <I>servants of God</I> shall be <I>sealed in their foreheads,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:3">Rev. vii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Lord knows those that are his. Christ's sheep are marked.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. That those who are themselves distinguished thus by the grace of God
|
|
shall be commissioned to invite others to come and take the benefit of
|
|
that grace. Those that escape the power of those prejudices by which
|
|
the generality of that nation is kept in unbelief shall be <I>sent to
|
|
the nations</I> to carry the gospel among them, and preach it to every
|
|
creature. Note, Those who themselves have escaped the wrath to come
|
|
should do all they can to snatch others also as brands out of the
|
|
burning. God chooses to send those on his errands that can deliver
|
|
their message feelingly and experimentally, and warn people of their
|
|
danger by sin as those who have themselves narrowly escaped the danger.
|
|
|
|
(1.) They shall be sent <I>to the nations,</I> several of which are
|
|
here named, Tarshish, and Pul, and Lud, &c. It is uncertain, nor are
|
|
interpreters agreed, what countries are here intended. <I>Tarshish</I>
|
|
signifies in general <I>the sea,</I> yet some take it for Tarsus in
|
|
Cilicia. <I>Pul</I> is mentioned sometimes as the name of one of the
|
|
kings of Assyria; perhaps some part of that country might likewise bear
|
|
that name. <I>Lud</I> is supposed to be Lydia, a warlike nation, famed
|
|
for archers: the Lydians are said to <I>handle</I> and <I>bend the
|
|
bow,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+46:9">Jer. xlvi. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Tubal,</I> some think, is Italy or Spain; and <I>Javan</I> most
|
|
agree to be Greece, the Iones; and the <I>isles of the Gentiles,</I>
|
|
that were peopled by the posterity of Japhet
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+10:5">Gen. x. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
probably are here meant by the <I>isles afar off, that have not heard
|
|
my name, neither have seen my glory.</I> In Judah only was God known,
|
|
and there only his name was great for many ages. Other countries sat
|
|
in darkness, heard no the joyful sound, saw not the joyful light. This
|
|
deplorable state of theirs seems to be spoken of here with compassion;
|
|
for it is a pity that any of the children of men should be at such a
|
|
distance from their Maker as not to hear his name and see his glory. In
|
|
consideration of this,
|
|
|
|
(2.) Those that are sent to the nations shall go upon God's errand, to
|
|
<I>declare his glory among the Gentiles.</I> The Jews that shall be
|
|
dispersed among the nations shall declare the glory of God's providence
|
|
concerning their nation all along, by which many shall be invited to
|
|
join with them, as also by the appearances of God's glory among them in
|
|
his ordinances. Some out of all languages of the nations shall <I>take
|
|
hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew,</I> entreating him to take
|
|
notice of them, to admit them into his company, and to stay a little
|
|
while for them, till they are ready, "for <I>we will go with you,
|
|
having heard that God is with you,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:23">Zech. viii. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus the glory of God was in part declared among the Gentiles; but more
|
|
clearly and fully by the apostles and early preachers of the gospel,
|
|
who were sent into all the world, even to the isles afar off, to
|
|
publish the glorious gospel of the blessed God. They <I>went forth and
|
|
preached every where, the Lord working with them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+16:20">Mark xvi. 20</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. That many converts shall hereby be made,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>They shall bring all your brethren</I> (for proselytes ought to
|
|
be owned and embraced as brethren) <I>for an offering unto the
|
|
Lord.</I> God's glory shall not be in vain declared to them, but they
|
|
shall be both invited and directed to join themselves to the Lord.
|
|
Those that are sent to them shall succeed so well in their negotiation
|
|
that thereupon there shall be as great flocking to Jerusalem as used to
|
|
be at the time of a solemn feast, when all the males from all parts of
|
|
the country were to attend there, and not to appear empty. Observe,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The conveniences that they shall be furnished with for their
|
|
coming. Some shall come <I>upon horses,</I> because they came from far
|
|
and the journey was too long to travel on foot, as the Jews usually did
|
|
to their feasts. Persons of quality shall come <I>in chariots,</I> and
|
|
the aged, and sickly, and little children, shall be brought <I>in
|
|
litters</I> or covered wagons, and the young men <I>on mules and swift
|
|
beasts.</I> This intimates their zeal and forwardness to come. They
|
|
shall spare no trouble nor charge to get to Jerusalem. Those that
|
|
cannot ride on horseback shall come in litters; and in such haste shall
|
|
they be, and so impatient of delay, that those that can shall ride upon
|
|
mules and swift beasts. These expressions are figurative, and these
|
|
various means of conveyance are heaped up to intimate (says the learned
|
|
Mr. Gataker) the abundant provision of all those gracious helps
|
|
requisite for the bringing of God's elect home to Christ. All shall be
|
|
welcome, and nothing shall be wanting for their assistance and
|
|
encouragement.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The character under which they shall be brought. They shall come,
|
|
not as formerly they used to come to Jerusalem, to be offerers, but to
|
|
be themselves <I>an offering unto the Lord,</I> which must be
|
|
understood spiritually, of their being presented to God as <I>living
|
|
sacrifices,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+12:1">Rom. xii. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
The apostle explains this, and perhaps refers to it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+15:16">Rom. xv. 16</A>,
|
|
|
|
where he speaks of his <I>ministering the gospel to the Gentiles,</I>
|
|
that the <I>offering up,</I> or <I>sacrificing, of the Gentiles might
|
|
be acceptable.</I> They shall offer themselves, and those who are the
|
|
instruments of their conversion shall offer them, as the spoils which
|
|
they have taken for Christ and which are devoted to his service and
|
|
honour. They shall be brought <I>as the children of Israel bring an
|
|
offering in a clean vessel,</I> with great care that they be holy,
|
|
purified from sin, and sanctified to God. It is said of the converted
|
|
Gentiles
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+15:9">Acts xv. 9</A>)
|
|
|
|
that <I>their hearts were purified by faith.</I> Whatever was brought
|
|
to God was brought in a clean vessel, a vessel appropriated to
|
|
religious uses. God will be served and honoured in the way that he has
|
|
appointed, in the ordinances of his own institution, which are the
|
|
proper vehicles for these spiritual offerings. When the soul is offered
|
|
up to God the body must be a clean vessel for it, possessed <I>in
|
|
sanctification and honour, and not in the lusts of uncleanness</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+4:4,5">1 Thess. iv. 4, 5</A>);
|
|
|
|
and converts to Christ are not only <I>purged from an evil
|
|
conscience,</I> but have their <I>bodies also washed with pure
|
|
water,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:22">Heb. x. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) This may refer,
|
|
|
|
[1.] To the Jews, devout men, and proselytes out of every nation under
|
|
heaven, that flocked together to Jerusalem, expecting the kingdom of
|
|
the Messiah to appear,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:5,6,10">Acts ii. 5, 6, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
They came from all parts to the holy <I>mountain of Jerusalem,</I> as
|
|
an <I>offering to the Lord,</I> and there many of them were brought to
|
|
the faith of Christ by the gift of tongues poured out on the apostles.
|
|
Methinks there is some correspondence between that history and this
|
|
prophecy. The eunuch some time after came to worship at Jerusalem in
|
|
his chariot and took home with him the knowledge of Christ and his holy
|
|
religion.
|
|
|
|
[2.] To the Gentiles, some of all nations, that should be converted to
|
|
Christ, and so added to his church, which, though a spiritual
|
|
accession, is often in prophecy represented by a local motion. The
|
|
apostle says of all true Christians that they <I>have come to Mount
|
|
Zion, and the heavenly Jerusalem</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:22">Heb. xii. 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
which explains this passage, and shows that the meaning of all this
|
|
parade is only that they shall be brought into the church by the grace
|
|
of God, and in the use of the means of that grace, as carefully,
|
|
safely, and comfortably, as if they were carried in chariots and
|
|
litters. Thus God shall <I>persuade Japhet</I> and he shall <I>dwell in
|
|
the tents of Shem,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+9:27">Gen. ix. 27</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. That a gospel ministry shall be set up in the church, it being thus
|
|
enlarged by the addition of such a multitude of members to it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will take of them</I> (of the proselytes, of the Gentile converts)
|
|
<I>for priests and for Levites,</I> to minister in holy things and to
|
|
preside in their religious assemblies, which is very necessary for
|
|
doctrine, worship, and discipline. Hitherto the priests and Levites
|
|
were all taken from among the Jews and were all of one tribe; but in
|
|
gospel times God will take of the converted Gentiles to minister to him
|
|
in holy things, to teach the people, to bless them in the name of the
|
|
Lord, to be the stewards of the mysteries of God as the priests and
|
|
Levites were under the law, to be pastors and teachers (or bishops), to
|
|
<I>give themselves to the word and prayer,</I> and deacons to <I>serve
|
|
tables,</I> and, as the Levites, to take care of the <I>outward
|
|
business of the house of God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+1:1,Ac+6:2-4">Phil. i. 1; Acts vi. 2-4</A>.
|
|
|
|
The apostles were all Jews, and so were the seventy disciples; the
|
|
great apostle of the Gentiles was himself <I>a Hebrew of the
|
|
Hebrews;</I> but, when churches were planted among the Gentiles, they
|
|
had ministers settled who were <I>of themselves, elders in every
|
|
church</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:23,Tit+1:5">Acts xiv. 23, Tit. i. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
which made the ministry to spread the more easily, and to be the more
|
|
familiar, and, if not the more venerable, yet the more acceptable;
|
|
gospel grace, it might be hoped, would cure people of those corruptions
|
|
which kept a prophet from having <I>honour in his own country.</I> God
|
|
says, <I>I will take,</I> not <I>all of them,</I> though they are all
|
|
in a spiritual sense made to our God kings and priests, but <I>of
|
|
them,</I> some of them. It is God's work originally to choose ministers
|
|
by qualifying them for and inclining them to the service, as well as to
|
|
make ministers by giving them their commission. <I>I will take
|
|
them,</I> that is, I will admit them, though Gentiles, and will accept
|
|
of them and their ministrations. This is a great honour and advantage
|
|
to the Gentile church, as it was to the Jewish church that God
|
|
<I>raised up of their sons for prophets</I> and <I>their young men for
|
|
Nazarites,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+2:11">Amos ii. 11</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
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5. That the church and ministry, being thus settled, shall continue and
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be kept up in a succession from one generation to another,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
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The change that will be made by the setting up of the kingdom of the
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Messiah is here described to be,
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(1.) A very great and universal change; it shall be a new world, <I>the
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new heavens and the new earth</I> promised before,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+65:17"><I>ch.</I> lxv. 17</A>.
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<I>Old things have passed away,</I> behold <I>all things have become
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new</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:17">2 Cor. v. 17</A>),
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the old covenant of peculiarity is set aside, and a new covenant, a
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covenant of grace, established,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+8:13">Heb. viii. 13</A>.
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We are now to serve <I>in newness of the spirit,</I> and <I>not in the
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oldness of the letter,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+7:6">Rom. vii. 6</A>.
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New commandments are given relating both to heaven and earth, and new
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promises relating to both, and both together make a New Testament; so
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|
that they are new heavens and a new earth that God will create, and
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these a preparative for the new heavens and new earth designed at the
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|
end of time,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:13">2 Pet. iii. 13</A>.
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(2.) A change of God's own making; he will create the new heavens and
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|
the new earth. The change was made by him that had authority to make
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new ordinances, as well as power to make new worlds.
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(3.) It will be an abiding lasting change, a change never to be
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|
changed, a new world that will be always new, and never wax old, as
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|
that does which is ready to vanish away: <I>It shall remain before
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|
me</I> unalterable; for the gospel dispensation is to continue to the
|
|
end of time and not to be succeeded by any other. The kingdom of Christ
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|
is a <I>kingdom that cannot be moved;</I> the laws and privileges of it
|
|
<I>are things that cannot be shaken,</I> but shall <I>for ever
|
|
remain,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:27,28">Heb. xii. 27, 28</A>.
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It shall <I>therefore</I> remain, because it is before God; it is under
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|
his eye, and care, and special protection.
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(4.) It will be maintained in a seed that shall serve Christ: <I>Your
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|
seed,</I> and in them <I>your name, shall remain</I>--a seed of
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|
ministers, a seed of Christians; as one generation of both passes away,
|
|
another generation shall come; and thus the name of Christ, with that
|
|
of Christians, shall continue on earth while the earth remains, and his
|
|
throne as the days of heaven. The gates of hell, though they fight
|
|
against the church, shall not <I>prevail,</I> nor <I>wear out the
|
|
saints of the Most High.</I></P>
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<P>
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6. That the public worship of God in religious assemblies shall be
|
|
carefully and constantly attended upon by all that are thus brought
|
|
<I>as an offering to the Lord,</I>
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is described in expressions suited to the Old-Testament
|
|
dispensation, to show that though the ceremonial law should be
|
|
abolished, and the temple service should come to an end, yet God should
|
|
be still as regularly, constantly, and acceptably worshipped as ever.
|
|
Heretofore only Jews went up to appear before God, and they were bound
|
|
to attend only three times a year, and the males only; but now all
|
|
flesh, Gentiles as well as Jews, women as well as men, shall <I>come
|
|
and worship before God,</I> in his presence, though not in his temple
|
|
at Jerusalem, but in religious assemblies dispersed all the world over,
|
|
which shall be to them as the tabernacle of meeting was to the Jews.
|
|
God will in them record his name, and, though but two or three come
|
|
together, he will be among them, will meet them, and bless them. And
|
|
they shall have the benefit of these holy convocations frequently,
|
|
every new moon and every sabbath, not, as formerly, at the three annual
|
|
feasts only. There is no necessity of one certain place, as the temple
|
|
was of old. Christ is our temple, in whom by faith all believers meet,
|
|
and now that the church is so far extended it is impossible that all
|
|
should meet at one place; but it is fit that there should be a certain
|
|
time appointed, that the service may be done certainly and frequently,
|
|
and a token thereby given of the spiritual communion which all
|
|
Christian assemblies have with each other by faith, hope, and holy
|
|
love. The <I>new moons</I> and the <I>sabbaths</I> are mentioned
|
|
because, under the law, though the yearly feasts were to be celebrated
|
|
at Jerusalem, yet the new moons and the sabbaths were religiously
|
|
observed all the country over, in the <I>schools of the prophets</I>
|
|
first and afterwards <I>in the synagogues</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+4:23,Am+8:5,Ac+15:21">2 Kings iv. 23, Amos viii. 5, Acts xv. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
according to the model of which Christian assemblies seem to be formed.
|
|
Where the Lord's day is weekly sanctified, and the Lord's supper
|
|
monthly celebrated, and both are duly attended on, there this promise
|
|
is fulfilled, there the Christian new moons and sabbaths are observed.
|
|
See, here,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That God is to be worshipped in solemn assemblies, and that it is
|
|
the duty of all, as they have opportunity, to wait upon God in those
|
|
assemblies: <I>All flesh must come;</I> though flesh, weak, corrupt,
|
|
and sinful, let them come that the flesh may be mortified.
|
|
|
|
(2.) In worshipping God we present ourselves before him, and are in a
|
|
special manner in his presence.
|
|
|
|
(3.) For doing this there ought to be stated times, and are so; and we
|
|
must see that it is our interest as well as our duty constantly and
|
|
conscientiously to observe these times.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
7. That their thankful sense of God's distinguishing favour to them
|
|
should be very much increased by the consideration of the fearful doom
|
|
and destruction of those that persist and perish in their infidelity
|
|
and impiety,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that have been worshipping the Lord of hosts, and rejoicing
|
|
before him in the goodness of his house, shall, in order to affect
|
|
themselves the more with their own happiness, take a view of the misery
|
|
of the wicked. Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Who they are whose misery is here described. They are men that
|
|
have <I>transgressed against God,</I> not only broken his laws, but
|
|
broken covenant with him, and thought themselves able to contend with
|
|
him. It may be meant especially of the unbelieving Jews that rejected
|
|
the gospel of Christ.
|
|
|
|
(2.) What their misery is. It is here represented by the frightful
|
|
spectacle of a field of battle, covered with the <I>carcases</I> of the
|
|
slain, that lie rotting above ground, full of <I>worms</I> crawling
|
|
about them and feeding on them; and, if you go to burn them, they are
|
|
so scattered, and it is such a noisome piece of work to get them
|
|
together, that it would be endless, and the <I>fire would never be
|
|
quenched;</I> so that they are an <I>abhorring to all flesh,</I> nobody
|
|
cares to come near them. Now this is sometimes accomplished in temporal
|
|
judgments, and perhaps never nearer the letter than in the destruction
|
|
of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation by the Romans, in which destruction
|
|
it is computed that above two millions, first and last, were cut off by
|
|
the sword, besides what perished by famine and pestilence. It may refer
|
|
likewise to the spiritual judgments that came upon the unbelieving
|
|
Jews, which St. Paul looks upon, and shows us,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:8">Rom. xi. 8</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. They became dead in sins, twice dead. The church of the Jews was a
|
|
<I>carcase</I> of a church; all its members were putrid carcases;
|
|
<I>their worm died not,</I> their own consciences made them continually
|
|
uneasy, and the fire of their rage against the gospel was not quenched,
|
|
which was their punishment as well as their sin; and they became, more
|
|
than ever any nation under the sun, <I>an abhorring to all flesh.</I>
|
|
But our Saviour applies it to the everlasting misery and torment of
|
|
impenitent sinners in the future state, where their <I>worm dies not,
|
|
and their fire is not quenched</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:44">Mark ix. 44</A>);
|
|
|
|
for the soul, whose conscience is its constant tormentor, is immortal,
|
|
and God, whose wrath is its constant terror, is eternal.
|
|
|
|
(3.) What notice shall be taken of it. Those that worship God shall
|
|
<I>go forth and look upon them,</I> to affect their own hearts with the
|
|
love of their Redeemer, when they see what misery they are redeemed
|
|
from. As it will aggravate the miseries of the damned to see others in
|
|
the kingdom of heaven and <I>themselves thrust out</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+13:28">Luke xiii. 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
so it will illustrate the joys and glories of the blessed to see what
|
|
becomes of those that died in their transgression, and it will elevate
|
|
their praises to think that they were themselves as brands plucked out
|
|
of that burning. To the honour of that free grace which thus
|
|
distinguished them let the redeemed of the Lord with all humility, and
|
|
not without a holy trembling, sing their triumphant songs.</P>
|
|
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