Chap. 34. An Expofztion upon the Book, of o B. Verf.z . end of thenation to the other, yea throughout the three nations ? If the Lord had notgiven the fwoftl acheck , or counter-mand, if the Lord had not called in the commiffion which he once gave the fword, it had been devouting fieth,and drinkingblood to this very day. We read( as it were ),a dialogue between the Prophet and himfelfe concerning the fword ( fer: 47. 6, 7.) O thoufword of the Lord, (fayd the Prophet beinggrieved for the flaughter and defolationwhich the fword had made even in a ftrange land ) how long will it be ere thou bequiet ? put up thy felfe into thy fit- bard ;refl. and be£hll ; Himfelfe anfwers himfelfe ; how can it be quiet Peeing the Lord pathgiven it a charge ngetinfl Afbkelon, and againfl the Sea-£bore ? there bath he,appotnted it. I fpake to the fword ofquietnetfe (faith the Prophet ) But alas ! how can it be quiet, how can that £heath it felfe in its fcabbard, and not in the bowels of men, feing the Lord bath given it a charge again£ Afhelon ? As if he had fayd, I fee no entreaties can perfwade the fword to ref}and quietnefs, till it lath fully executed the com- mand cf God, and done his work, though it be very bloody work, even the making of it felfe drunke with blood. The Lord can make the fword quiet;& it will hearken to novoyce but his; if the Lord give acharge for the fword to returne,into the fheath then it will,and if not, it will not. The fword raged in thefenations tilt the Lords work and will was done,and then that haddone.And as we have reafon to acknowledge , that the Lord bath commanded the fword back into its fileath,and given uspeace out of warre,fo Secondly , That he huh continued our peace fence the warte,. '14hen hegivethquietneffe, wlao then can make trouble ? Note. IfGod will give thole nations quietne'J'e, where it war not , or continue it where it is, there is no power on earth can flop, or interrupt it. Who can make trouble, where he ordaineth peace ? Balsam was forced to this confeflion ( when he would have troubled the peopleof Ifrael, and went frommountaine tomountaine to feek divination) Icannot curfe whom the Lord bath bleffei; why nor, faid Bala,, I will give thee a good fee if thou wilt, no, faith Ba laam ( Numb: z 3.20.) The Lordbath bleffedand I cannot re- zefe it. We may put this query, When he.givcth quictneffe, who can 735
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