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OBSERVATIONS.
1 Matters of moment must especially be marked.
Great Judgements were coming upon this People, and the Lord by an Ecce, Behold, labours to awaken them to the con∣sideration of them. The birth of Christ is a matter of great moment, and therefore the Angels come with a Behold, Luk. 2.10. the seasons of grace are matters of great moment, and therefore a double Behold is set upon them, 2 Cor. 6.2. Our O∣riginal Sin is a matter deeply to be thought on, and therefore it hath an Ecce setupon it,* 1.1 Psa. 51.5. and so on the Day of Judge∣ment, Iude 7. Revel. 22.7.
2 Warre and Pestilence are Gods Servants, which come and goe at his beck and commandment.
As all Creatures are his Servants, Winds, and Seas, and Sun obey him, Iob 9.7. so all Armies are his, he is Lord of Hosts, and if he but stamp or hiss for an Enemy, or call for a Pestilence on the Land, they readily obey, Isa. 7.18, 19. Le∣vit. 26.25. Ier. 47.6, 7. he can destroy the most potent e∣nemy by the most impotent and contemptible means, as Froggs, Flies, Lice, Psal. 105.31.
If he say to such and such Diseases, Go, seize on such a man, or such a woman, they go; if he bid them cease, they cease. We should not therefore bribe the Sergeant, but compound with the Creditor. Run not in your sickness and distress to Physick or Friends, but make peace with God in the first place, and then all shall be at peace with you.
We should also be patient under all Dispensations, looking at Gods hand in all, seeing him ordering and disposing all for the good of his. This will make you dumbe and silent, when you see it is the Lord that doth it, 2 Sam. 16.10. Psal. 39.9. Ioh. 18.11.
* 1.23 Obs. Universality in sin brings universality in suffering.
The generality of this people were corrupt, and now they are generally ruined. As rich and poor were Idolaters, Apo∣states, and Prophane; so now they should be ransackt and ruined together.
4 Obs. Sin brings a curse on our dwellings, and layes famous fabricks in the dust, as I have shewed before on verse eight.