[2.] It is the heritage of Him whom the whole world looks upon to be their greatest enemy. The whole world is at enmity against God : and you see the state of things in the world ; every one's design is to destroy the heritage of his enemy. As long as the world con- tinues in this enmity against God, its whole design is to destroy his heritage. Look upon the nations abroad in all their agitations; — their main design is to ruin this heritage, because it is God's; against whom they maintain enmity in their hearts, worship, and ways. If, therefore, God doth not take care of his own heritage, it will cer- tainly be destroyed, because his.
[3.] This argument may also be pleaded : — If this flock be the lot of God's heritage, then take it away, and the whole world is hell. If God's lot be out, if this remnant be destroyed ; let men make things as fine as they will, adorn their dungeons as much as they please,- — it is all but hell.
These are the arguments that may be pleaded with God from this, " Feed thy people," and, " The flock of thy heritage :" — It is a poor, helpless, harmless flock ; yet useful to the glory of God, and the good of men. It is God's heritage : if he minds it not, none will ; and if it be taken out of the earth, it will presently become a hell. This is the second argument in the text for faith to plead with God.
8. The third argument is taken from then state and condition, — That they " dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel." The first argument pleads God's glory, his love, and faithfulness: " Thy people," in covenant. The second argument pleads God's in- terest : " The flock of thy heritage." This third argument pleads God's oity and compassion : " Which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel." Every word hath argument in it to plead with God in this case : —
(1.) They " dwell solitarily ;" that is, disconsolately. It is a poor, disconsolate flock that dwells separate from relief. This takes in two
28-1 Christ's pastoral care.
things- — inward disconsolation, from themselves, and their own fears and distresses ; and outward helplessness. They are where none comes at them to relieve them. It is a great plea, — the solitariness of God's flock, with the compassion and mercy of God, for their relief. It may be, through our peace and plenty, and such things as we enjoy, we are not so sensible of the efficacy of this argument; but the Lord knows, and many of his understand, how strong a plea it is with God upon that account : " We are a poor solitary people ; comfortless with- in, and helpless without/'
(2.) As they " dwell solitarily/' so " in the wood;" that is, in a dark and entangled condition. They are not only solitary, disconsolate, and helpless, but they are in the dark, see not their way, and so in danger to wander; and if they are out of the certain path, the wild beasts of the forest are ready to devour them. There is nothing harder with the people of God at this day, than that they are in the wood, where it is difficult to find their way. The Lord make them careful, and to see the steps of their Shepherd going before them, that they may not wander, and so be exposed to the wild beasts that are ready to devour them !
(S.) Another plea is from the place where this wood is; it is " in the midst of Carmel." Though there was a particular place so called, yet the word is a common name for a fruitful field for feeding. The country or nation where they lived was such. Some think this hath relation to Babylon, which was very fruitful unto the inhabitants of it ; yet the poor remnant dwelt in the wood, in the midst of Carmel. The Jews did so. Nehemiah gives us a most pathetical description of their state, chap. ix. 36, 37, "Behold, we are servants this day; and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof, and the good thereof, behold we are servants in it : and it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us, because of our sins: also, they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress." This people " dwelt in the wood, in the midst of Carmel," a land good and pleasant ; yet they were in a distressed condition.
(4.) There is yet another plea in it for mercy : That they are not only solitary for a little season, entered into the wood, but they dwell in this solitary condition, — have been long in it, and may continue long so. It signifies an abiding or continuing in that state. This argu- ment, as I told you, respects the pity, the bowels of God, his com- passion and tenderness, when his poor people shall dwell and abide long solitary, in an entangled, perplexed condition, as in a wood, in the midst of a fruitful land that God had given their fathers. It is so at this day with many of God's people ; and it is a great plea for mercy and compassion.