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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. XXVI.</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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This chapter is a song of holy joy and praise, in which the great
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things God had engaged, in the foregoing chapter, to do for his people
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against his enemies and their enemies are celebrated: it is prepared to
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be sung when that prophecy should be accomplished; for we must be
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forward to meet God with our thanksgivings when he is coming towards us
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with his mercies. Now the people of God are here taught,
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I. To triumph in the safety and holy security both of the church in
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general and of every particular member of it, under the divine
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protection,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. To triumph over all opposing powers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:5,6">ver. 5, 6</A>.
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III. To walk with God, and wait for him, in the worst and darkest
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times,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:7-9">ver. 7-9</A>.
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IV. To lament the stupidity of those who regarded not the providence of
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God, either merciful or afflictive,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:10,11">ver. 10, 11</A>.
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V. To encourage themselves, and one another, with hopes that God would
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still continue to do them good
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:12,14">ver. 12, 14</A>),
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and engage themselves to continue in his service,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:13">ver. 13</A>.
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VI. To recollect the kind providences of God towards them in their low
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and distressed condition, and their conduct under those providences,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:15-18">ver. 15-18</A>.
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VII. To rejoice in hope of a glorious deliverance, which should be as a
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resurrection to them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:19">ver. 19</A>),
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and to retire in the expectation of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:20,21">ver. 20, 21</A>.
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And this is written for the support and assistance of the faith and
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hope of God's people in all ages, even those upon whom the ends of the
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world have come.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Isa26_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa26_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa26_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa26_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 Blessings of the Gospel.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 718.</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 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We
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have a strong city; salvation will <I>God</I> appoint <I>for</I> walls and
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bulwarks.
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2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth
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the truth may enter in.
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3 Thou wilt keep <I>him</I> in perfect peace, <I>whose</I> mind <I>is</I>
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stayed <I>on thee:</I> because he trusteth in thee.
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4 Trust ye in the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> for ever: for in the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> JEHOVAH <I>is</I>
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everlasting strength:
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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To the prophecies of gospel grace very fitly is a song annexed, in
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which we may give God the glory and take to ourselves the comfort of
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that grace: <I>In that day,</I> the gospel day, which the day of the
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victories and enlargements of the Old-Testament church was typical of
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(to some of which perhaps this has a primary reference), <I>in that day
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this song shall be sung;</I> there shall be persons to sing it, and
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cause and hearts to sing it; it shall be sung <I>in the land of
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Judah,</I> which was a figure of the gospel church; for the gospel
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covenant is said to be made <I>with the house of Judah,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+8:8">Heb. viii. 8</A>.
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Glorious things are here said of the church of God.</P>
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<P>
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I. That it is strongly fortified against those that are bad
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>):
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<I>We have a strong city.</I> It is a city incorporated by the charter
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of the everlasting covenant, fitted for the reception of all that are
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made free by that charter, for their employment and entertainment; it
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is a strong city, as Jerusalem was, while it was a city compact
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together, and had God himself a wall of fire round about it, so strong
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that none would have believed that an enemy could ever <I>enter into
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the gates of Jerusalem,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+4:12">Lam. iv. 12</A>.
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The church is a strong city, for it has <I>walls and bulwarks,</I> or
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counterscarps, and those of God's own appointing; for he has, in his
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promise, appointed salvation itself to be its defence. Those that are
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designed for salvation will find that to be their protection,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:4">1 Pet. i. 4</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. That it is richly replenished with those that are good, and they
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are instead of fortifications to it; for the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
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if they are such as they should be, are its strength,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+12:5">Zech. xii. 5</A>.
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The gates are here ordered to be opened, <I>that the righteous nation,
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which keeps the truth, may enter in,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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They had been banished and driven out by the iniquity of the former
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times, but now the laws that were made against them are repealed, and
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they have liberty to enter in again. Or, There is an act for a general
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naturalization of all the righteous, whatever nation they are of,
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encouraging them to come and settle in Jerusalem. When God has done
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great things for any place or people he expects that thus they should
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render according to the benefit done unto them; they should be kind to
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his people, and take them under their protection and into their bosom.
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Note,
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1. It is the character of righteous men that they keep the truths of
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God, a firm belief of which will have a commanding influence upon the
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regularity of the whole conversation. Good principles fixed in the head
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will produce good resolutions in the heart and good practices in the
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life.
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2. It is the interest of states to countenance such, and court them
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among them, for they bring a blessing with them.</P>
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<P>
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III. That all who belong to it are safe and easy, and have a holy
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security and serenity of mind in the assurance of God's favour.
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1. This is here the matter of a promise
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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<I>Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace,</I> in <I>perfect peace,</I>
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inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace
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at all times, under all events; this peace shall <I>he</I> be put into,
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and kept in the possession of, <I>whose mind is stayed upon God,
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because it trusts in him.</I> It is the character of every good man
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that he trusts in God, puts himself under his guidance and government,
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and depends upon him that it shall be greatly to his advantage to do
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so. Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon him, must
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trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and faithfully
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adhere to him, with an entire satisfaction in him; and such as do so
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God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep them. When
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evil tidings are abroad <I>those</I> shall calmly expect the event, and
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not be disturbed by frightful apprehensions arising from them, whose
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hearts are <I>fixed, trusting in the Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+112:7">Ps. cxii. 7</A>.
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2. It is the matter of a precept
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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"Let us make ourselves easy by <I>trusting in the Lord for ever;</I>
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since God has promised peace to those that stay themselves upon him,
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let us not lose the benefit of that promise, but repose an entire
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confidence in him. Trust in him for ever, at all times, when you have
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nothing else to trust to; trust in him for that peace, that portion,
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which will be for ever." Whatever we trust to the world for, it will be
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but for a moment: all we expect from it is confined within the limits
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of time. But what we trust in God for will last as long as we shall
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last. For in the <I>Lord Jehovah-Jah, Jehovah,</I> in him who was, and
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is, and is to come, there is a rock of ages, a firm and lasting
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foundation for faith and hope to build upon; and the house built on
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that rock will stand in a storm. Those that trust in God shall not only
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find in him, but receive <I>from him, everlasting strength,</I>
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strength that will carry them to everlasting life, to that blessedness
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which is for ever; and therefore let them trust in him for ever, and
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never cast away nor change their confidence.</P>
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<A NAME="Isa26_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa26_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa26_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa26_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa26_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa26_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Isa26_11"> </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>The Goodness and Justice of God.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 718.</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 For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city,
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he layeth it low; he layeth it low, <I>even</I> to the ground; he
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bringeth it <I>even</I> to the dust.
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6 The foot shall tread it down, <I>even</I> the feet of the poor,
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<I>and</I> the steps of the needy.
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7 The way of the just <I>is</I> uprightness: thou, most upright,
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dost weigh the path of the just.
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8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, have we waited for
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thee; the desire of <I>our</I> soul <I>is</I> to thy name, and to the
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remembrance of thee.
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9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my
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spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments
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<I>are</I> in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn
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righteousness.
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10 Let favour be showed to the wicked, <I>yet</I> will he not learn
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righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly,
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and will not behold the majesty of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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11 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, <I>when</I> thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: <I>but</I>
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they shall see, and be ashamed for <I>their</I> envy at the people;
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yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here the prophet further encourages us to trust in the Lord for ever,
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and to continue waiting on him; for,</P>
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<P>
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I. He will make humble souls that trust in him to triumph over their
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proud enemies,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>.
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Those that exalt themselves shall be abased: For he <I>brings down
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those that dwell on high;</I> and wherein they deal proudly he is, and
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will be, above them. Even the lofty city Babylon itself, or Nineveh,
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he lays it low,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+25:12"><I>ch.</I> xxv. 12</A>.
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He can do it, be it ever so well fortified. He has often done it. He
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will do it, for he resists the proud. It is his glory to do it, for he
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proves himself to be God by <I>looking on the proud and abasing
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them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+40:12">Job xl. 12</A>.
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But, on the contrary, those that humble themselves shall be exalted;
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for <I>the feet of the poor</I> shall tread upon the lofty cities,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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He does not say, Great armies shall tread them down; but, When God will
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have it done, even the feet of the poor shall do it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+4:3">Mal. iv. 3</A>.
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<I>You shall tread down the wicked. Come, set your feet on the necks of
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these kings.</I> See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+147:6,Ro+16:20">Ps. cxlvii. 6; Rom. xvi. 20</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. He takes cognizance of the way of his people and has delight in it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
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<I>The way of the just is evenness</I> (so it may be read): it is their
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endeavour and constant care to walk with God in an even steady course
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of obedience and holy conversation. <I>My foot stands in an even
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place,</I> goes in an even path,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+26:12">Ps. xxvi. 12</A>.
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And it is their happiness that God makes their way plain and easy
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before them: <I>Thou, most upright, dost level</I> (or <I>make even)
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the path of the just,</I> by preventing or removing those things that
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would be stumbling-blocks to them, so that nothing shall offend them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:165">Ps. cxix. 165</A>.
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God <I>weighs</I> it (so we read it); he considers it, and will give
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them grace sufficient for them, to help them over all the difficulties
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they may meet with in their way. Thus with the upright God will show
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himself upright.</P>
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<P>
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III. It is our duty, and will be our comfort, to wait for God, and to
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keep up holy desires towards him in the darkest and most discouraging
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times,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>.
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This has always been the practice of God's people, even when God has
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frowned upon them,
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1. To keep up a constant dependence upon him: "<I>In the way of thy
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judgments we</I> have still <I>waited for thee;</I> when thou hast
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corrected us we have looked to no other hand than thine to relieve us,"
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as the servant looks only <I>to the hand of his master, till he have
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mercy upon him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+123:2">Ps. cxxiii. 2</A>.
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We cannot appeal from God's justice but to his mercy. If God's
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judgments continue long, if it be <I>a road of judgments</I> (so the
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word signifies), yet we must not be weary but continue waiting.
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2. To send up holy desires towards him. Our troubles, how pressing
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soever, must never put us out of conceit with our religion, nor turn us
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away from God; but still <I>the desire of our soul must be to his name
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and to the remembrance of him;</I> and in the night, the darkest
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longest night of affliction, <I>with our souls must we desire him.</I>
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(1.) Our great concern must be for God's name, and our earnest desire
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must be that his name may be glorified, whatever becomes of us and our
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names. This is that which we must wait for, and pray for. "<I>Father,
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glorify thy name,</I> and we are satisfied."
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(2.) Our great comfort must be in the remembrance of that name, of all
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that whereby God has made himself known. The remembrance of God must be
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our great support and pleasure; and, though sometimes we be unmindful
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of him, yet still our desire must be towards the remembrance of him and
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we must take pains with our own hearts to have him always in mind.
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(3.) Our desires towards God must be inward, fervent, and sincere. With
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our soul we must desire him, with our soul we must pant after him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+42:1">Ps. xlii. 1</A>),
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and with our spirits within us, with the innermost thought and the
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closest application of mind, we must seek him. We make nothing of our
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religion, whatever our profession be, if we do not make heart-work of
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it.
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(4.) Even in the darkest night of affliction our desires must be
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towards God, as our sun and shield; for, however God is pleased to deal
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with us, we must never think the worse of him, nor cool in our love to
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him.
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(5.) If our desires be indeed towards God, we must give evidence that
|
|
they are so by seeking him, and seeking him early, as those that desire
|
|
to find him, and dread the thoughts of missing him. Those that would
|
|
seek God and find him must seek betimes, and seek him earnestly. Though
|
|
we come ever so early, we shall find him ready to receive us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. It is God's gracious design, in sending abroad his judgments,
|
|
thereby to bring men to seek him and serve him: <I>When thy judgments
|
|
are upon the earth,</I> laying all waste, then we have reason to expect
|
|
that not only God's professing people, but even <I>the inhabitants of
|
|
the world, will learn righteousness,</I> will have their mistakes
|
|
rectified and their lives reformed, will be brought to acknowledge
|
|
God's righteousness in punishing them, will repent of their own
|
|
unrighteousness in offending God, and so be brought to walk in right
|
|
paths. They will do this; that is, judgments are designed to bring them
|
|
to this, they have a natural tendency to produce this effect, and,
|
|
though many continue obstinate, yet some even of the inhabitants of the
|
|
world will profit by this discipline, and will learn righteousness;
|
|
surely they will; they are strangely stupid if they do not. Note, The
|
|
intention of afflictions is to teach us righteousness; and blessed is
|
|
the man whom God chastens, and thus teaches,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+94:12">Ps. xciv. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Discite justitiam, moniti, et non temnere divos--Let this rebuke
|
|
teach you to cultivate righteousness, and cease from despising the
|
|
gods.</I>--Virgil.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. Those are wicked indeed that will not be wrought upon by the
|
|
favourable methods God takes to subdue and reform them; and it is
|
|
necessary that God should deal with them in a severe way by his
|
|
judgments, which shall prevail to humble those that would not otherwise
|
|
be humbled. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. How sinners walk contrary to God, and refuse to comply with the
|
|
means used for their reformation and to answer the intentions of them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>Favour is shown</I> to them. They receive many mercies from
|
|
God; he causes his sun to shine and his rain to fall upon them, nay, he
|
|
prospers them, and into their hands he brings plentifully; they escape
|
|
many of the strokes of God's judgments, which others less wicked than
|
|
they have been cut off by; in some particular instances they seem to be
|
|
remarkably favoured above their neighbours, and the design of all this
|
|
is that they may be won upon to love and serve that God who thus
|
|
favours them; and yet it is all in vain: <I>They will not learn
|
|
righteousness,</I> will not be led to repentance by the goodness of
|
|
God, and therefore it is requisite that God should send his judgments
|
|
into the earth, to reckon with men for abused mercies.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They live <I>in a land of uprightness,</I> where religion is
|
|
professed and is in reputation, where the word of God is preached, and
|
|
where they have many good examples set them,--in a land of
|
|
<I>evenness,</I> where there are not so many stumbling-blocks as in
|
|
other places,--in a land of <I>correction,</I> where vice and
|
|
profaneness are discountenanced and punished; yet there they will
|
|
<I>deal unjustly,</I> and go on frowardly in their evil ways. Those
|
|
that do wickedly deal unjustly both with God and man, as well as with
|
|
their own souls; and those that will not be reclaimed by the justice of
|
|
the nation may expect the judgments of God upon them. Nor can those
|
|
expect a place hereafter in the land of blessedness who now conform not
|
|
to the laws and usages, nor improve the privileges and advantages, of
|
|
the land of uprightness; and why do they not? It is because they
|
|
<I>will not behold the majesty of the Lord,</I> will not believe, will
|
|
not consider, what a God of terrible majesty he is whose laws and
|
|
justice they persist in the contempt of. God's majesty appears in all
|
|
the dispensations of his providence; but they regard it not, and
|
|
therefore study not to answer the ends of those dispensations. Even
|
|
when we receive of the mercy of the Lord we must still behold the
|
|
<I>majesty of the Lord and his goodness.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) God lifts up his hand to give them warning, that they may, by
|
|
repentance and prayer, make their peace with him; but they take no
|
|
notice of it, are not aware that God is angry with them, or coming
|
|
forth against them: <I>They will not see,</I> and none so blind as
|
|
those who will not see, who shut their eyes against the clearest
|
|
conviction of guilt and wrath, who ascribe that to chance, or common
|
|
fate, which is manifestly a divine rebuke, who regard not the
|
|
threatening symptoms of their own ruin, but cry Peace to themselves,
|
|
when the righteous God is waging war with them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. How God will at length be too hard for them; for, when he judges, he
|
|
will overcome: <I>They will not see, but they shall see,</I> shall be
|
|
made to see, whether they will or no, that God is angry with them.
|
|
Atheists, scorners, and the secure, will shortly feel what now they
|
|
will not believe, that <I>it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
|
|
of the living God.</I> They will not see the evil of sin, and
|
|
particularly the sin of hating and persecuting the people of God; but
|
|
they shall see, by the tokens of God's displeasure against them for it
|
|
and the deliverances in which God will plead his people's cause, that
|
|
what is done against them he takes as done against himself and will
|
|
reckon for it accordingly. They shall see that they have done God's
|
|
people a great deal of wrong, and therefore shall be ashamed of their
|
|
enmity and envy towards them, and their ill usage of such as deserved
|
|
better treatment. Note, Those that bear ill-will to God's people have
|
|
reason to be ashamed of it, so absurd and unreasonable is it; and,
|
|
sooner or later, they shall be ashamed of it, and the remembrance of it
|
|
shall fill them with confusion. Some read it, <I>They shall see and be
|
|
confounded for the zeal of the people,</I> by the zeal God will show
|
|
for his people; when they shall be made to know how jealous God is for
|
|
the honour and welfare of his people they shall be confounded to think
|
|
that they might have been of that people and would not. Their doom
|
|
therefore is that, since they slighted the happiness of God's friends,
|
|
<I>the fire of his enemies shall devour them,</I> that is, the fire
|
|
which is prepared for his enemies and with which they shall be
|
|
devoured, the fire designed for the devil and his angels. Note, Those
|
|
that are enemies to God's people, and envy them, God looks upon as his
|
|
enemies, and will deal with them accordingly.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Isa26_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa26_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa26_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa26_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa26_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa26_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa26_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa26_19"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Goodness of God to Israel; Israel Corrected for Sin; Prospects of the Church.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 718.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast
|
|
wrought all our works in us.
|
|
13 O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> our God, <I>other</I> lords beside thee have had dominion
|
|
over us: <I>but</I> by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
|
|
14 <I>They are</I> dead, they shall not live; <I>they are</I> deceased,
|
|
they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed
|
|
them, and made all their memory to perish.
|
|
15 Thou hast increased the nation, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, thou hast increased
|
|
the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed <I>it</I> far
|
|
<I>unto</I> all the ends of the earth.
|
|
16 L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a
|
|
prayer <I>when</I> thy chastening <I>was</I> upon them.
|
|
17 Like as a woman with child, <I>that</I> draweth near the time of
|
|
her delivery, is in pain, <I>and</I> crieth out in her pangs; so have
|
|
we been in thy sight, O L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it
|
|
were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in
|
|
the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
|
|
19 Thy dead <I>men</I> shall live, <I>together with</I> my dead body
|
|
shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy
|
|
dew <I>is as</I> the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the
|
|
dead.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The prophet in these verses looks back upon what God had done with
|
|
them, both in mercy and judgment, and sings unto God of both, and then
|
|
looks forward upon what he hoped God would do for them. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. His reviews and reflections are mixed. When he looks back upon the
|
|
state of the church he finds,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That God had in many instances been very gracious to them and had
|
|
done great things for them.
|
|
|
|
(1.) In general
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Thou hast wrought all our works in us,</I> or <I>for</I> us.
|
|
Whatever good work is done by us, it is owing to a good work wrought by
|
|
the grace of God in us; it is he that puts good thoughts and affections
|
|
into our hearts if at any time they be there, and that <I>works in us
|
|
both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Acti, agimus--Being acted
|
|
upon, we act.</I> And if any kindness be shown us, or any of our
|
|
affairs be prosperous and successful, it is God that works it for us.
|
|
Every creature, every business, that is in any way serviceable to our
|
|
comfort, is made by him to be so; and sometimes he makes that to work
|
|
for us which seemed to make against us.
|
|
|
|
(2.) In particular
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Thou hast increased the nation, O Lord!</I> so that a little one
|
|
has become a thousand (in Egypt they multiplied exceedingly, and
|
|
afterwards in Canaan, so that they filled the land); and in this
|
|
<I>thou art glorified,</I>" for the multitude of the people is the
|
|
honour of the prince, and therein God was glorified as faithful to his
|
|
covenant with Abraham, that he would make him a father of many nations.
|
|
Note, God's nation is a growing nation, and it is the glory of God that
|
|
it is so. The increase of the church, that holy nation, is
|
|
<I>therefore</I> to be rejoiced in because it is the increase of those
|
|
that make it their business to glorify God in this world.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. That yet he had laid them under his rebukes.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The neighbouring nations had sometimes oppressed them and
|
|
tyrannised over them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>O Lord our God!</I> thou who hast the sole right to rule us, whose
|
|
subjects and servants we are, to thee we complain (for whither else
|
|
should we go with our complaints?) that <I>other lords besides thee
|
|
have had dominion over us.</I>" Not only in the days of the Judges, but
|
|
afterwards, God frequently sold them into the hand of their enemies, or
|
|
rather, by their iniquities, they <I>sold themselves,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+52:3-5"><I>ch.</I> lii. 3-5</A>.
|
|
|
|
When they had been careless in the service of God, God suffered their
|
|
enemies to have dominion over them, that they might know the difference
|
|
between his service <I>and the service of the kingdoms of the
|
|
countries.</I> It may be understood as a confession of sin, their
|
|
serving other gods, and subjecting themselves to the superstitious laws
|
|
and customs of their neighbours, by which other lords (for they called
|
|
their idols <I>baals, lords</I>) had dominion over them, besides God.
|
|
But now they promise that it shall be so no more: "Henceforth <I>by
|
|
thee only will we make mention of thy name;</I> we will worship thee
|
|
only, and in that way only which thou hast instituted and appointed."
|
|
The same may be our penitent reflection: <I>Other lords, besides God,
|
|
have had dominion over us;</I> every lust has been our lord, and we
|
|
have been led captive by it; and it is has been long enough, and too
|
|
long, that we have thus wronged both God and ourselves. The same
|
|
therefore must be our pious resolution, that henceforth we will make
|
|
mention of God's name only and by him only, that we will keep close to
|
|
God and to our duty and never desert it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) They had sometimes been carried into captivity before their
|
|
enemies
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
"The nation which at first thou didst increase, and make to take root,
|
|
thou hast now diminished, and plucked up, and <I>removed to all the
|
|
ends of the earth, driven out to the utmost parts of heaven,</I>" as is
|
|
threatened,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+30:4,De+28:64">Deut. xxx. 4; xxviii. 64</A>.
|
|
|
|
But observe, Between the mention of the increasing of them and that of
|
|
the removing of them it is said, <I>Thou art glorified;</I> for the
|
|
judgments God inflicts upon his people for their sins are for his
|
|
honour, as well as the mercies he bestows upon them in performance of
|
|
his promise.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) The prophet remembers that when they were thus oppressed and
|
|
carried captive they cried unto God, which was a good evidence that
|
|
they neither had quite forsaken him nor were quite forsaken of him, and
|
|
that there were merciful intentions in the judgments they were under
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Lord, in trouble have they visited thee.</I> This was usual with the
|
|
people of Israel, as we find frequently in the story of the Judges.
|
|
When <I>other lords had dominion over them</I> they <I>humbled
|
|
themselves, and said, The Lord is righteous,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+12:6">2 Chron. xii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
See here,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The need we have of afflictions. They are necessary to stir up
|
|
prayer; when it is said, <I>In trouble have they visited thee,</I> it
|
|
is implied that in their peace and prosperity they were strangers to
|
|
God, kept at a distance from him, and seldom came near him, as if, when
|
|
the world smiled upon them, they had no occasion for his favours.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The benefit we often have by afflictions. They bring us to God,
|
|
quicken us to our duty, and show us our dependence upon him. Those that
|
|
before seldom looked at God now visit him; they come frequently, they
|
|
become friendly, and make their court to him. Before, prayer came drop
|
|
by drop, but now they <I>pour out a prayer;</I> it comes now like water
|
|
from a fountain, not like water from a still. They poured out <I>a
|
|
secret speech;</I> so the margin. Praying is speaking to God, but it is
|
|
a secret speech; for it is the language of the heart, otherwise it is
|
|
not praying. Afflictions bring us to secret prayer, in which we may be
|
|
more free and particular in our addresses to him than we can be in
|
|
public. In affliction those will seek God early who before sought him
|
|
slowly,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+5:15">Hos. v. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
It will make men fervent and fluent in prayer. "They poured out a
|
|
prayer, as the drink-offerings were poured out, when thy chastening was
|
|
upon them." But it is to be feared, when the chastening is off them,
|
|
they will by degrees return to their former carelessness, as they had
|
|
often done.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) He complains that their struggles for their own liberty had been
|
|
very painful and perilous, but that they had not been successful,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
[1.] They had the throes and pangs they dreaded: "We have been like a
|
|
woman in labour, that cries out in her pangs; we have with a great deal
|
|
of anxiety and toil endeavoured to help ourselves, and our troubles
|
|
have been increased by those attempts;" as when Moses came to deliver
|
|
Israel the tale of bricks was doubled. Their prayers were quickened by
|
|
the acuteness of their pains, and became as strong and vehement as the
|
|
cries of a woman in sore travail. <I>So have we been in thy sight, O
|
|
Lord!</I> It was a comfort and satisfaction to them, in their distress,
|
|
that God had his eye upon them, that all their miseries were in his
|
|
sight; he was no stranger to their pangs or their prayers. <I>Lord,
|
|
all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hidden from
|
|
thee,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+38:9">Ps. xxxviii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Whenever they came to <I>present themselves before the Lord</I> with
|
|
their complaints and petitions they were in agonies like those of a
|
|
woman in travail.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They came short of the issue and success they desired and hoped
|
|
for: "<I>We have been with child;</I> we have had great expectation of
|
|
a speedy and happy deliverance, have been big with hopes, and, when we
|
|
have been in pain, have comforted ourselves with this, that the joyful
|
|
birth would make us forget <I>our misery,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:21">John xvi. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
But, alas! <I>we have as it were brought forth wind;</I> it has proved
|
|
a false conception; our expectations have been frustrated, and our
|
|
pains have been rather dying pains than travailing ones; we have had a
|
|
miscarrying womb and dry breasts. All our efforts have proved abortive:
|
|
<I>We have not wrought any deliverance in the earth,</I> for ourselves
|
|
or for our friends and allies, but rather have made our own case and
|
|
theirs worse; <I>neither have the inhabitants of the world,</I> whom we
|
|
have been contesting with, <I>fallen</I> before us, either in their
|
|
power or in their hopes; but they are still as high and arrogant as
|
|
ever." Note, A righteous cause may be strenuously pleaded both by
|
|
prayer and endeavour, both with God and man, and yet for a great while
|
|
may be left under a cloud, and the point may not be gained.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. His prospects and hopes are very pleasant. In general, "<I>Thou
|
|
wilt ordain peace for us</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
that is, all that good which the necessity of our case calls for." What
|
|
peace the church has, or hopes for, it is of God's ordaining; and we
|
|
may comfort ourselves with this, that, what trouble soever may for a
|
|
time be appointed to the people of God, peace will at length be
|
|
ordained for them; for the <I>end of those men is peace.</I> And, if
|
|
God by his Spirit <I>work all our works in us,</I> he will ordain peace
|
|
for us (for the work of righteousness shall be peace), and that is true
|
|
and lasting peace, such as the world can neither give nor take away,
|
|
which God ordains; for, to those that have it, it shall be unchangeable
|
|
as the ordinances <I>of the day and of the night.</I> Moreover, from
|
|
what God has done for us, we may encourage ourselves to hope that he
|
|
will yet further do us good. "Thou hast heard the desire of the humble,
|
|
and therefore wilt
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+10:17">Ps. x. 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
and, when this peace is ordained for us, then <I>by thee only will we
|
|
make mention of thy name</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
|
|
|
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we will give the glory of it to thee only, and not to any other, and we
|
|
will depend upon thy grace only to enable us to do so." We cannot
|
|
praise God's name but by his strength. Two things in particular the
|
|
prophet here comforts the church with the prospect of:--
|
|
|
|
1. The amazing ruin of her enemies
|
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
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<I>They are dead,</I> those <I>other lords</I> that <I>have had
|
|
dominion over us;</I> their power is irrecoverably broken; they are
|
|
quite cut off and extinguished: and <I>they shall not live,</I> shall
|
|
never be able to hold up the head any more. Being <I>deceased, they
|
|
shall not rise,</I> but, like Haman, when they have begun to fall
|
|
before the seed of the Jews they shall sink like a stone. Because they
|
|
are sentenced to this final ruin, therefore, in pursuance of that
|
|
sentence, God himself has visited them in wrath, as a righteous Judge,
|
|
and has cut off both the men themselves (<I>he has destroyed them</I>)
|
|
and <I>the remembrance of them:</I> they and their names are buried
|
|
together in the dust. He has <I>made all their memory to perish;</I>
|
|
they are either forgotten or made mention of with detestation. Note,
|
|
The cause that is maintained in opposition to God and his kingdom among
|
|
men, though it may prosper awhile, will certainly sink at last, and all
|
|
that adhere to it will perish with it. The Jewish doctors, comparing
|
|
this with
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>,
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|
|
|
infer that the resurrection of the dead belong to the Jews only, and
|
|
that those of other nations shall not rise. But we know better; we know
|
|
that <I>all who are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of
|
|
God,</I> and that this speaks of the final destruction of Christ's
|
|
enemies, which is the second death.
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|
|
|
2. The surprising resurrection of her friends,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
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|
Though the church rejoices not in the birth of the man-child, of which
|
|
she travailed in pain, <I>but has as it were brought forth wind</I>
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|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
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|
|
|
yet the disappointment shall be balanced in a way equivalent: <I>Thy
|
|
dead men shall live;</I> those who were thought to be dead, who had
|
|
received a sentence of death within themselves, who were cast out as if
|
|
they had been naturally dead, shall appear again in their former
|
|
vigour. A spirit of life from God shall enter into the slain witnesses,
|
|
and they shall prophesy again,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+11:11">Rev. xi. 11</A>.
|
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|
The <I>dry bones shall live,</I> and become an <I>exceedingly great
|
|
army,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+37:10">Ezek. xxxvii. 10</A>.
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<I>Together with my dead body shall they arise.</I> If we believe the
|
|
resurrection of the dead, of our dead bodies at the last day, as Job
|
|
did, and the prophet here, that will facilitate our belief of the
|
|
promised restoration of the church's lustre and strength in this world.
|
|
When God's time shall have come, how low soever she may be brought,
|
|
they shall arise, even Jerusalem, the city of God, but now lying like a
|
|
dead body, a carcase to which the eagles are gathered together. God
|
|
owns it still for his, so does the prophet; but it shall arise, shall
|
|
be rebuilt, and flourish again. And therefore let the poor, desolate,
|
|
melancholy remains of its inhabitants, that dwell as in dust, <I>awake
|
|
and sing;</I> for they shall see Jerusalem, the <I>city of their
|
|
solemnities, a quiet habitation again,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+33:20"><I>ch.</I> xxxiii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
The dew of God's favour shall be to it as the evening dew to the herbs
|
|
that were parched with the heat of the sun all day, shall revive and
|
|
refresh them. And as the spring-dews, that water the earth, and make
|
|
the herbs that lay buried in it to put forth and bud, so shall they
|
|
flourish again, and <I>the earth shall cast out the dead,</I> as it
|
|
casts the herbs out of their roots. The earth, in which they seemed to
|
|
be lost, shall contribute to their revival. When the church and her
|
|
interests are to be restored neither the dew of heaven nor the fatness
|
|
of the earth shall be wanting to do their part towards the restoration.
|
|
Now this (as Ezekiel's vision, which is a comment upon it) may be fitly
|
|
accommodated,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To the spiritual resurrection of those that were dead in sin, by
|
|
the power of Christ's gospel and grace. So Dr. Lightfoot applies it,
|
|
<I>Hor. Hebr. in Joh.</I> 12.24. "The Gentiles shall live; with my body
|
|
shall they arise; that is, they shall be called in after Christ's
|
|
resurrection, shall rise with him, and sit with him in heavenly places;
|
|
nay, they shall arise my body (says he); they shall become the mystical
|
|
body of Christ, and shall arise as part of him."
|
|
|
|
(2.) To the last resurrection, when dead saints shall live, and rise
|
|
together with Christ's dead body; for he arose as the first-fruits, and
|
|
believers shall arise by virtue of their union with him and their
|
|
communion in his resurrection.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Isa26_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Isa26_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Sure Refuge.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 718.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy
|
|
doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment,
|
|
until the indignation be overpast.
|
|
21 For, behold, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> cometh out of his place to punish the
|
|
inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall
|
|
disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
These two verses are supposed not to belong to the song which takes up
|
|
the rest of the chapter, but to begin a new matter, and to be rather an
|
|
introduction to the following chapter than the conclusion of this. Of
|
|
whereas, in the foregoing song, the people of God had spoken to him,
|
|
complaining of their grievances, here he returns an answer to their
|
|
complaints, in which,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He invites them into their chambers
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Come, my people,</I> come to me, come with me" (he calls them
|
|
nowhere but where he himself will accompany them); "let the storm that
|
|
disperses others bring you nearer together. Come, and <I>enter into thy
|
|
chambers;</I> stay not abroad, lest you be caught in the storm, as the
|
|
Egyptians in the hail,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+9:21">Exod. ix. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. "Come into chambers of <I>distinction;</I> come into your own
|
|
apartments, and continue not any longer mixed with the children of
|
|
Babylon. <I>Come out from among them, and be you separate,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+6:17,Re+18:4">2 Cor. vi. 17; Rev. xviii. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
If God has set apart those that are godly for himself, they ought to
|
|
set themselves apart.
|
|
|
|
2. "Into chambers of <I>defence,</I> in which by the secresy or the
|
|
strength of them you may be safe in the worst of times." The attributes
|
|
of God are the <I>secret of his tabernacle,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+27:5">Ps. xxvii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
His name is a strong tower, into which we may run for shelter,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+18:10">Prov. xviii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
We must be faith find a way into these chambers, and there hide
|
|
ourselves; that is, with a holy security and serenity of mind, we must
|
|
put ourselves under the divine protection. Come, as Noah into the ark,
|
|
for he <I>shut the doors about him.</I> When dangers are threatening it
|
|
is good to retire, and lie hid, as Elijah did by the brook Cherith.
|
|
|
|
3. Into chambers of <I>devotion.</I> "Enter into thy closet, and
|
|
<I>shut thy door,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+6:6">Matt. vi. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Be private with God: <I>Enter into thy chamber,</I> to examine thyself,
|
|
and commune with thy own heart, to pray, and humble thyself before
|
|
God." This work is to be done in times of distress and danger; and thus
|
|
we hide ourselves, that is, we recommend ourselves to God to hide us,
|
|
and he will hide us either under heaven or in heaven. Israel must keep
|
|
within doors when the destroying angel is slaying the first-born of
|
|
Egypt, else the blood on the door-posts will not secure them. So must
|
|
Rahab and her family when Jericho is being destroyed. Those are most
|
|
safe that are least seen. <I>Qui bene latuit, benevixit--He has lived
|
|
well who has sought a proper degree of concealment.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He assures them that the trouble would be over in a very short
|
|
time, that they should not long be in any fright or peril: "<I>Hide
|
|
thyself for a moment,</I> the smallest part of time we can conceive,
|
|
like an atom of matter; may, if you can imagine one moment shorter than
|
|
another, it is but for a <I>little</I> moment, and that with a
|
|
<I>quasi</I> too, <I>as it were for a little moment,</I> less than you
|
|
think of. When it is over it will seem as nothing to you; you will
|
|
wonder how soon it is gone. You shall not need to lie long in
|
|
confinement, long in concealment. The indignation will presently be
|
|
over-past; that is, the indignation of the enemies against you, their
|
|
persecuting power and rage, which force you to abscond. <I>When the
|
|
wicked rise, a man is hid.</I> This will soon be over; God will cut
|
|
them off, will break their power, defeat their purposes, and find a way
|
|
for your enlargement." When Athanasius was banished from Alexandria by
|
|
an edict of Julian, and his friends greatly lamented it, he bade them
|
|
be of good cheer. <I>Nubecula est quæ cito pertransibit--It is a little
|
|
cloud, that will soon blow over. You shall have tribulation ten
|
|
days;</I> that is all,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:10">Rev. ii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
This enables God's suffering people to call their afflictions light,
|
|
that they are but for a moment.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He assures them that their enemies should be reckoned with for all
|
|
the mischief they had done them by the sword, either of war or
|
|
persecution,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Lord will punish them for the blood they have shed. Here is,
|
|
|
|
1. The judgment set, and process issued out: <I>The Lord comes out of
|
|
his place, to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their
|
|
iniquity,</I> in giving such disturbance to all about them. There is a
|
|
great deal of iniquity among the inhabitants of the earth; but though
|
|
they all combine in it, though hand join in hand to carry it on, yet
|
|
<I>it shall not go unpunished.</I> Besides the everlasting punishment
|
|
into which the wicked shall go hereafter, there are often remarkable
|
|
punishments of cruelty, oppression, and persecution, in this world.
|
|
When men's indignation is over-past, and they have done their worst,
|
|
let them then expect God's indignation, for <I>he sees that his day is
|
|
coming,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+37:13">Ps. xxxvii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
God <I>comes out of his place to punish.</I> He shows himself in an
|
|
extraordinary manner from heaven, the firmament of his power, from the
|
|
sanctuary, the residence of his grace. He is <I>raised up out of his
|
|
holy habitation,</I> where he seemed before to conceal himself; and now
|
|
he will do something great, the product of his wise, just, and secret
|
|
counsels, as a prince that goes to take the chair or take the field,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+2:13">Zech. ii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some observe that God's place is the mercy-seat; there he delights to
|
|
be; when he punishes he comes out of his place, for he has no pleasure
|
|
in the death of sinners.
|
|
|
|
2. The criminals convicted by the notorious evidence of the face:
|
|
<I>The earth shall disclose her blood;</I> the innocent blood, the
|
|
blood of the saints and martyrs, which has been shed upon the earth
|
|
like water, and has soaked into it, and been concealed and covered by
|
|
it, shall not be brought to light, and brought to account; for God will
|
|
make inquisition for it, and will give those that shed it blood to
|
|
drink, for they are worthy. Secret murders, and other secret
|
|
wickednesses, shall be discovered, sooner or later. And the slain which
|
|
the earth has long covered she shall no longer cover, but they shall be
|
|
produced as evidence against the murderers. The voice of Abel's blood
|
|
cries from the earth,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+9:10,11,Job+20:27">Gen. ix. 10, 11; Job xx. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those sins which seemed to be buried in oblivion will be called to
|
|
mind, and called over again, when the day of reckoning comes. Let God's
|
|
people therefore wait awhile with patience, for behold the Judge stands
|
|
before the door.</P>
|
|
|
|
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