642 CI1flp. 2I ` LA's Fxpofitiob upon the Bookof j o s. Verf. 5. fhewes how induftrions forceof old time wereabout them, of whichfalvation the Prophets have enquired& fearched diligent- ly. And ( ver. 12. ) which things the Angels defire to lookineo them. Angels pry into the ferrets ofthe Gofpel, they (as the word ufed by the Apoftle implyeth ) do, as it were, ftretch out their necks CO fee the glory ofthofe myfteries. Were we but thu, bufie and intent upon them, how fbouldwe be fwallowed up and tranfported with the riches ofthat Grace, with the free, neffe of that love which is manifefted to the fonnes ofmen. The works of providence, whether workes of mercy, or of judgement, are full ofmyfterie, theyaregreat, andfought out of all that have pleafure in them, (Pfal. I I r. 2.) Ifwewould feeke . them out,and fcan their circumftances,wefhould ftand amazed, both at the wifdome and power ofGod difcovered in them. At this time it would be Paid, what bathGod wrought ? How tsn- fearchable are thyjudgements, and thy wages paftfinding out,who is a God like unto thee,gloriom inholinef e, fearefullinpraifes,: doing wonders. Fourthly, Obferve ; that The dealings ofGod withforce godly menarefull ofaftonifbment. David himfelfe faid (7)fal.I r g.,I2o.) Myf efh tremblethfor flareofthee, and 1amafraid ofthy judgement.. Thofe Judge- ments which caufe trembling before they come, being come caufe aftonifbrnent. As the mercy which God fometimes be- flowes upon his fervants, is beyond their faith, fo many ofhis chaftnings are beyond their flare; and as then-delves are alto- piffled at what God bath layd upon them, fo others alloought to be.The Judgements ofGod upon 7erufalem were fo ffrange, that the Kings ofthe earth andall the inhabitants of the world, would nothave beleeved them ; where faith endswonder muff needs begin. What God did to ferufalem for the punifhment ofher fin, he did to lob for the tryall ofhis graces, even furls things as no man who knew his integrity would have beleeved, though it hadbeen told him before he law it : And therefore hthad reafon to fay, Markme and be ofonied.- And layyour hand spunyourmouth. This action follows aítoniflament before fpoken of(Micb.6, T6.)
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