ON HOSEA XIV. - VERSE 8. 225 seek unto them any more. Here then is a solemn detestation as of all their other sins, so of that espe- cially which had most dishonoured God, most wounded their own consciences, and procured most sorrow unto themselves, with God's confirmation of it. After this, follow several promises of special mercies. 1. Of hearing and answering their prayers : I have heard" or answered him, or, as others render it, " I will hear him." 2. Of fatherly care and providence over them : " I have observed him," or fixed mine eyes upon him ; I have strictly considered his condition, that I might proportion my mercies thereunto. It is a symbol ; (1.) Of vigilant care and most intent and solicitous inspection and providence ; " The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine," Psa. xx. xiii. 18, 19. (2.) Of direction and counsel; `° I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go. I will guide or counsel thee with mine eye," Psa. xxxii. 8. (3.) Of honour and exaltation ; " He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, but with kings are they on the throne ; yea, he doth es- tablish them for ever, and they are exalted," Job xxxvi. 7. And, (4.) It is an expression of hearing prayers : God is said to have his eye open unto the supplication of his servants, to hearken unto them in all that they call upon him for, 1 Kings viii. 52. and the " eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears open unto their cry," Psa. xxxiv. 15. The church had before professed herself to be an orphan, that stood in need of' tuition and protection : and here God promiseth to cast his eye, and to place his affec- tion upon her, to look to her, to be her tutor and guardian; to govern her with his special providence
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