ON HOSEA xlv.--- -TERSE S. 227 enables them to do as they have said, and affordeth comfort and refreshment unto them, as the shade of a fir -tree unto a weary traveller. Lastly, they believe and acknowledge that when they are fatherless, and destitute of all help, there is mercy in God to comfort and provide for them ; and this God makes good too. Mercy of protection, " I am as a green fir -tree ;" and mercy of bounty and benediction, ". from me is thy fruit found ;" by the one defending them against their fears, by the other enabling them unto their duties. Thus God doth enlarge and proportion his mercy to the uttermost extent of Israel's prayer or promise, and when they have no help or comfort out of him, he himself becomes all in all unto them, making a thorough compensation for every thing which they part with for his sake, and causing them to find in him alone all that comfort and satisfaction to their desires, which in vain they sought for in other things. The parts contain God's promise enabling Israel to perform theirs ; " Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols ?" and God's special re- gard to their prayers, " I have hard him ;" to their persons, " and observed him ;" illustrated by two meta- phors, the one importing protection and defence, "I am as a green fir -tree ;" the other, grace and bene- diction, " from me is thy fruit found." " Ephraim shall say." This is God's speech and pro- mise, setting to his seal and gracious ratification to the covenant that Israel made, ver. 2, 3. without which it would have been null and void ° for a man by believing setteth to his seal to the truth of God, John iii. 33. So God by assisting setteth to his seal to the purpose of man : but with this great difference, man's seal is but a subscription and confession of that which was firm before ; for all God's promises
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