Chap. 34. Aa Expoftion upon the BookofJ o B. Verf. 26. 697 the nations roundabout feeing the fufferings of that people for. their fin, might feare and tremble to fin astheyhad done ; for if yerufalem the feate ofinítituted worfhip and Gods peculiar peo- plewere not fpared when they provoked God , their neighbours might well conclude, furelywe ¡hall not be fpared ; As the Lord himfelfe argued it againft thofe uncircumciled naticns (fer: 25. 20.) Behold 1 will bring evill upon the City that is called by my name, and fhauld yegeeutterly unpuni¡Fed ? Certainly no l If God punifh his own people in the fight of the heathenish nations when they doe wickedly ,'What then are heathen nations to expect, who doe nothing but wickednefle ? And this ( by the way) may give the Alarme, and be a very awakening confideration to all the Churches and people of God at this day throughout the world. IfGod did ftrike Jerufalem of old, that is, his people there,as wicked meneven in the open fight of others ; if the Lord was fo wroth with hrs people, thathe polluted his inheritance, andgave them into the hand ofthe Chaldeans (Ifa. 47.6. ) If he forfaake his hale and left his heritage, and lave the dearely beloved-ofhis joule into the hands of her enemies (Jet:t 2.7.) and fayd (v. 9.) Mineheritage is to meas a fpeckled bird,the birds round about her areagainfb her ; yea if he (in the dole of that verfe)invited the worft of men under the name ofbeafts to fpoyfe them, Comeye, alembicall thebeafls ofthe field come to devoure ; Now(I fay) If God ¡truck his ancient people,the Jewish Church, as wicked men,by wicked men, in the open fight ofothers, O lec the Gentile Churches take heed , left they alto be ftriclçen after the fame manner. Many Churches in Germany and elfe-where have been firicken fo already in this laft age,lec the remnant both there and elfe-where remember themfelves and give glory to God , before he caufe fuch darkneffe to come upon them , and strike themalto aswicked men in the open light ofothers. God lets fome ¡inners Puffer or punifhech them openly, both becaufe he would have all others take notice that he diflikes what they have done, asalto becaufe he would not have others doe the like, left they be made like them, both in the matter and manner oftheir full rings.'Fis-a favour (as well as our duty ) to be taught byother mens harmes, and to beinflruied by theirflraakes, to pre- vent our own. And as the Lord ftrikes fome wicked men openly, that others Vuuu may
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