EZEKIEL.
THo' the LORD suffered Jechoniah or Je∣hojachim, with a great Number of Jews, and amongst them Ezekiel the Prophet, to be carried Captives into Babilon, yet did not he altogether forsake them in that their Exile con∣dition; but to evidence, that he was still resol∣ved to preserve his own Church amongst them, even in Babylon, and afterwards graciously de∣liver and restore them to their own Country, he raised up this excellent Prophet, by whom he declared to these poor Captives in many Visions, Prophesies and Exhortations, the same thing he had continually propounded by the Prophet Je∣remy to their Brethren, who still remained in the Country and City of Jerusalem under King Zedekiah; tho a like Incredulity and obstinate Impenitence, had seized those that were in Babylon, and their Brethren left in Judea.
At Jerusalem they gave no credit to the words of Jeremiah, and made their Mocks of those who had delivered themselves up to the King of Babylon, and had suffered themselves to be carried away Captives, supposing that themselves now should be the sole Possessors of Judea, and that their Captive Brethren should continue deprived thereof for ever. Neither did the Jews in Babylon give any more heed or be∣lief to what Ezekiel the Prophet declared to them from the LORD, but murmured against GOD, supposing themselves more unhappy than their Brethren, that were left in the Land, notwithstanding that GOD by Ezekiel, as well as Jeremiah, did pronounce most terrible Judg∣ments against them, which they felt soon after in the total overthrow and desolation of their Country, City and Temple; yet always subjoyn∣ing to those Denunciations very glorious and comfortable Promises, to such as did repent of his Grace and Favour for time to come as well in Temporals as more especially in Spi••ituals; and severe Judgments against all their Ene∣mies and Persecutors.
This is the sum and substance of this Pro∣phecy of Ezekiel; in the first three Chapters whereof he describes a most admirable and my∣stical Vision, by which GOD confirms, instructs and fortifies him in the Charge and Employ∣ment he had laid upon him; and in the fol∣lowing Chapters, until the 25th, the horrible Sins of the Jews, especially those who were left in Judea, and their approaching Punishments, are most lively set forth and represented by many divine Signs, special Visions, suitable Similitudes and Prophetical Censures. ••rom thence to the 33th Chapter, GOD foretels the ruin and destruction of many Neighbouring Nations, the Jews Enemies, viz. of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, (of whom also mention is made Chap. 35.) the Philistins, Tyrians, Sidonians, and the Egyptians.
Afterwards, from Chap. 33, to 40. the Sins, Murmurings, and Hypocrisie of the Jews that were Captives in Babylon, are grievously cen∣sured by GOD, with an Exhortation to true Repentance, and an expectation in Faith of their approaching Deliverance, and the resto∣ring and blessing of his Church, not only by re-establishing them again in their own Country; but chiefly by that unutterable Grace and Mercy, which GOD would pour forth upon his Uni∣versal Church of Jews and Gentiles, by their only Saviour and King JESUS CHRIST, with a particular advance of the War, and ex∣tream Enmity they would be exposed to from Gog and Magog and their Adherents; but with the certain Promise of an happy issue of that Threatning Danger.
In the Nine last Chapters, GOD ratifies, seals and concludes these Prophesies in Baby∣lon, by a great and most remarkable Vision of the Structure of a New Temple, of a New Divine Service and Worship; of a New Policy or Government of the People of GOD; of a New Inheritance and a New City; and all this for Israel and Strangers, representing by Figures comporting with the state of those Times, the blessed and happy future state of the Church of GOD, both Military and Triumphant, under their Head and King Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the alone True GOD of Israel, is to be blessed and praised for ever and ever. Amen.