23,4 Chap. 22. An Expofrion up n, the Bookof1 O.B. Verf. 23 themas ever they would approve themfelves tohave returned to God in their repentance,to look to it,that they turned from that Idel.lf every ftrange God muft'bc put awaywhen we returne to God., how canwe returne to God, ifwe put not away our .Afa- rotb.Thus :he rule was given by the kingofNiniveh,in proclaim- ing a fait (7on.3.8. )Let them turne every, one from hie evil! way. (chat is, from hts beloved fin) and from the violence that is in their hands, that is, from the fin ofoppreffion,by which they got much into their hands. Bus whydoth heinttance in that finne? Surely becaufe that was thecotíymon fin of thatCiry, they were an oppreffi g people,-and loved the gaineof oppreffion,or to get by violence : They lived more by the blondof others, then by their own fweate, more by the violence, then the labour oftheir bands, therefore they mull particularlyrepent ofthat fin. If the covetous man r;turn toGod, he mutt turn from every finne, and from his covetoufneffe. If the proud man returne to God, he muff turne from every fin, and from his pride, chis is the nature of returning to the Allmighty, yet Thirdly, Unleffe w doe all this.with the whole heart, we doe not return to the Allmighty (z Chron. 6. 38.) 7ere. 3. i o. ?ere. 24. 7. Thewicked are ferions and cordialI in finning, they, mutt be fo in repenting. But Tome (inner poflibly may fay, I have gone away too far to returne; No, ter. 3. r. Thou hagplayed the harlot with many lovers, let returnunto me, faith the Lord. , Another will fay, I have fliden back and relapfed, Ihave as it werc,repented ofmy repentance.The Prophet anfwers thisdoubt (ter. 3. u.) Rrturnthou baskEliding !Erne!,faith the Lord. And againe (v. 14.)TurneO back.fliding!children, faith the Lord, for Iám.marrieduntoyou, &c. 1fthou return, &F. Elipkazhaving thus (hewed him that it is bis duty to returne et the Allmighty, now proceeds to (hew-that itwill k his happineffe, and this he doth by an enumeration of thofe manifold bluffing, which follow our returning, to him. Whereofthe firft is, ThouPall hjhuilt up, Affli&ion and trouble, which are the fruit offin, pull downe, and lay us waft; godly farrow and repentance, which areour turn- ing from fin, have,a pratnife of this good fruit, That we shallbe b lilt upagain.. This
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