and burning, a day of trial and visitation, he there speaks of. Now what faith shall he want which will not be found in that day ? Not the faith of adherence to himself for spiritual life and justification, but of actual closing with him in the things he then doth, that shall be rare, many shall be stag- gered and faint in that day.
And thus by the several heads of this chapter, have I led you through the very state and condition of this nation at this time.
First, Variety of judgments are threatened to us, and incumbent on us, as in the first part. Secondly, Of these, false worship, superstition, tyranny, and cruelty, lie in the bottom, as their procuring causes, which is the second. Thirdly, These, if renewed under 'your hand, will certainly bring inevitable ruin upon the whole nation, which is the third. Fourthly, All which, make many precious hearts, what for want of light, what for want of faith, to fail, and cry out, for ' the wings of a dove,' which is the fourth.
Fifthly, I come in the fifth place to God's direction to you for the future, in this state and condition, which being spread in diverse verses, as the Lord gives it to the prophet, I shall meddle with no more of it, than is contained in the words, which at our entrance I read unto you ; * Let them return,' &c.
In the words, observe four things :
I. God's direction to the prophet, and in him to all that do his work in such a season as this described ; ' Let them return to thee, return not thou to them.'
n. Their assistance and supportment in pursuance of that direction ; ' I will make thee to this people a brazen fenced wall.'
in. The opposition, with its success and issue, which in that way they should meet withal ; * They shall fight against thee, and shall not prevail.'
IV. Their consolation and success from the presence of the Lord ; 'For I am with thee to deliver thee,' &c.
I. There is God's direction.
Many difficulties in this troublesome season was the pro- phet intricated withal. The people would not be prevailed with to come up to the mind of God ; they continuing in their stubbornness, the Lord would not be prevailed with to
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avert the threatened desolation. What now shall he do? To stand out against the bulk of the people suits not his earthly interest : to couple with them answers not the dis- charge of his office ; to wait upon them any longer is fruit- less ; to give up himself to their ways comfortless ; hence his complaints, hence his moanings ; better lie down and sink under the burden, than always to swim against the stream of an unreformable multitude. In this strait the Lord comes in with his direction: 'Let them return unto thee,' &c. Keep thy station, perform thy duty, comply not with the children of backsliding. But whatever be the issue, if there be any closing wrought, let it be by working them off from their ways of folly. All condescension on thy part, where the work of God is to be done, is in opposition to him ; if they return, embrace them freely ; if not, do thy duty con- stantly.
That which is spoken immediately to the prophet, I shall hold out to all, acting in the name and authority of God, in this general proposition.
Observation. Plausible compliances of men in authority, with those against whom they are employed, are treacherous contrivances against the God of heaven, by whom they are employed.
If God be so provoked, that he curseth him, who doth his work negligently, what is he by them that do it treache- rously ? When he gives a sword into the hands of men, and they thrust it into his own bowels, his glory and honour, those things so dear to him? He that is intrusted with it, and dares not do justice on every one, that dares do in- justice, is afraid of the creature, but makes very bold with the Creator. Prov. xxv. 2. ' It is the glory of God to con- ceal a thing, but it is the glory of a king to find out a matter.' That which God aimeth to be glorious in, to manifest his attributes by, is the concealing and covering our iniquities in Christ; but if the magistrate will have glory, if he will not bring upon himself dishonour by dishonouring God, he is to search and find out the transgressions, with whose cognizance he is intrusted, and to give unto them condign retribution. If the Lord curse them, ' Who come not forth to his help against the mighty ;' Judg. v. 23. What is their due, who being called forth by him, do yet help the mighty
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against him? For a man to take part with the kingdom's enemies is no small crime; but for a commission officer to run from them by whom he is commissionated, to take part with the adversary, is death without mercy. Yet have not some in our days arrived at that stupendous impudence, that when as private persons they have declaimed against the enemies of the nation, and by that means got themselves into authority, they have made use of that authority to comply with, and uphold those, by an opposition to whom they got into their authority? Which is no less than an atheistical attempt to personate the Almighty, unto such iniquities as without his appearance they dare not own. But 'he that justifieth the wicked and condemneth the just, are both an abomination to the Lord;' Prov. xvii. 15. and not only to the Lord, but to good men also : ' He that saith to the wicked, Thou art righteous, him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him ;' Prov. xxiv. 24.