ON HOSEA XIV.- VERSE 1, 2. 11. serve : none could look on a thing so many ways lovely, with the same eye as upon a professed and provoking enemy. Lastly, God's name and glory He hath spared his people even in the midst of their provocations for his name's sake, Deut. xxxiii. 26, 27. Josh. vii. 9. How much more when they repent and seek his face ! He will never let it be said, that any " seek the Lord in vain," Isa. xlv. 19. But it may be objected, does not Solomon say, that all things happen alike unto all ? and that " no man can know love or hatred by that which is before him ?" Eccl. ix. 1, 2. And is it not certain and common, that in public desolations good as well as bad do perish ? Does not the sword devour as well one as another ? It is true, God does not always distinguish his servants from wicked men by temporal deliverances : troubles commonly and promiscuously involve all sorts ; but there are these two things to be remarked in it. 1. That many times the good suffer with the bad, because they are together corrupted with them, and when they join in the common provocations, no wonder if they suffer in the common judgments, Rev. xviii. 4. Nay, the sins of God's people do (especially in this case) more provoke him unto outward judgments than the sins of his professed enemies. Because they expose his name to the more contempt, 2 Sam. xii. 14. and are committed against the greater love, Amos iii. 2. and he hath future judgment for the wicked, and therefore usually begin - neth here at his own sanctuary, Ezek. ix. 6. 1 Pet. Iv. 17. 2. When good men, who have preserved themselves
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