ON HOSEA XIV. -VERSE 9. 271 they are to despise and undervalue the ways of God, as being better able to reason and to cavil against them, Matt. xi. 25. Acts iv. 11. John vii. 48. 1 Cor. ï. 28. ii. 8. 2 Cor. x. 5, 6. Therefore, I. .In the ministry of the word we must continue our labour, though Israel be not gathered, Isa. xlix. 4, 5. We must stretch out our hands, though it be to a dis- obedient and gainsaying people, Isa. xlix. 4, 5. whe- ther they will hear, or whether they will forbear, we must speak unto them, be they ever so rebellious, Ezek. ii. 7. and the reason is, because the word is never in vain, but it doth ever prosper in the work whereunto God sends it, Isa. lv. 11. If men be righ- teous, they walk ; if wicked, they stumble, and in both there is a sweet savour unto God, 2 Cor. ii. 15. God's work is accomplished, his glory promoted, the power of his gospel commended in the one and the other, as the virtue of a sweet savour is seen as well by the antipathy which one creature hath unto it, as by the "refreshment which another receiveth from it : the strength of a rock, as by holding up the house that is built upon it, so by breaking in pieces the ship that doth dash against it ; the force of the fire, as well by consuming the dross, as by refining the gold : the power of water, as well in sinking the ship that leaks, as in supporting the ship that is sound. The pillar of the cloud was as wonderful in the darkness which it cast upon the Egyptians, as in the light which it gave unto the Israelites, Exod. xiv. 20. The, power of the angel as great in striking terror into the soldiers, as in speaking comfort unto the woman, Matt. xxviii. 4, 5. 2. In attendance on the word ; we must resolve rather to walk with the wise, though few, than to follow a multitude to do evil, and to stumble with the wicked, though they be many : rather enter
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