SERMON VI. EPHRAIM SHALL SAY, WHAT HAVE I TO DO ANY MORE WITH IDOLS.? I HAVE HEARD HIM, AND OBSERVED HIM : I AM LIKE A GREEN FIR -TREE. FROM ME IS THY FRUIT FOUND: HOSEA %IV. 8. THE conversion of Israel unto God in their trouble, was accompanied with a petition and a covenant. A petition imploring mercy and grace from God, and a covenant promising thanksgivings and obedience unto him. And God is pleased in his answer to have a distinct respect unto both these ; for whereas they petition, first for pardon, that God would take away all iniquity, he promiseth to heal their backslidings, and to love them freely ; and whereas they pray for blessings, Receive us into favour, do us good, God likewise maketh promises of that in great variety, ex- pressed by the several metaphors of fertility, answer- ing to the name and blessings promised formerly unto Ephraim. And all this we have handled out of the four preceding verses. Now in this eighth verse, God is pleased not only graciously to accept, but further to put to his seal, and to confirm the covenant which they make, promising that by the assistance of his Spirit they should be enabled to do what they had undertaken. This is the greatest ground of confidence that we can have to bind ourselves in holy covenants unto God, even the pro- mise of his strength and assistance enabling us to keep covenant with him, Therefore when David had
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=