uWe'muſt conſider that we are not in an Hiſtory or a Narration of things done, but in a Prophecy foretelling what ſhould come to paſs. The Prophet foretelleth, that before this promiſed Delive- rance ſhould come, the Iſra:lites ſhould be in another Temper. thar cheir uncircumciſed hearts ſhould be humbled, they ſhoull accepe of the Puniſhment of their Sins, co:feſs God's Juſtice, and Righte« ouſneſs, and their own Wantonneſs and Unrulineſs, pray unto God to change their hearts which would never elſe be changed, and: change their conditions, which would depend upon that change of their hearts, laying claim to God as their God, who had promiſed, Deut, 30.1, 2. That when the Bleſſings and the Curſes ſpoken of chap. 28. and 29, ſhould come upon them. ans they ſhould call them to wind among all the Nations, whither the Lord had drive them ; if they returned unto the Lord their God,and obeyed his voice, according to all that be commanded th:m, they and their Chilaren, with all their beart, and all their ſoul, that then the Lord their God would turn their Captivity, and have compaſſion on them, &c. Now ſaith Ephraim after 1 was turned, after God had changed our hearts, we repented and changed our Praftices x After that God had inſtrufted us, either by his Pro- phets, or by Briers and Thorns by our Affffiitions, or by his Holy. Spirit, we ſmote upon our Thighs inteſtimony of our Sorrow and Affliction, Erek. 21.12, y Then I was aſbamed and confounded for my Sins, underſtanding that I did bur bear the juſt Puniſhment of the Sins which I had long ago commirted,in the Time of my Wan- ronneſs, Rebellion and Diſobedience to God : This is expreſſed by the Term Nuth, becauſe ordinarily Men and Womens Youth is their time of Wantonneſs ; Perſons ordinarily growing more con» ſiderate and ſober as years increaſe upon them, Thus the Prophet foretelleth that God would prepare this people for Mercy . In the next Verſes he ſheweth how ready Gods ear would be to hear.
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