Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. LXVI.

1 THus saith the LORD * 1.1, The heaven is my throne a 1.2, and the earth is my footstool b 1.3: where is the house that ye build unto me c 1.4? and where is the place of my rest d 1.5?

2 For all those things hath my hand made e 1.6, and all those things have been f 1.7, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, * 1.8 even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, & * 1.9 trembleth at my word h 1.10. * 1.11

3 He that killeth an ox i 1.12, is as if he slew a man: he that sacrificeth a lamb ‖ 1.13, as if he * 1.14 cut off a dogs neck k 1.15: he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swines blood: he that † 1.16 burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol l 1.17: yea, they have chosen their own ways m 1.18▪ and their soul delighteth in their abomi∣nations n 1.19▪

4 I also will chuse o 1.20 their ‖ 1.21 delusions p 1.22, and bring their fears upon them q 1.23, * 1.24 because when I called none did answer r 1.25, when I spake, they did not hear s 1.26, but they did evil before mine Eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

5 Hear the word of the Lord, you that * 1.27 tremble at his word s 1.28: your brethren t 1.29 that hated you, that cast you out u 1.30 for my names sake x 1.31 said, * 1.32 Let the Lord be glorified y 1.33 but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed z 1.34.

6 A voice of noise from the city a 1.35, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendreth recompence to his Enemies b 1.36.

7 Before she travailed she brought forth, be∣fore her pain came, she was delivered of a man∣child c 1.37.

8 Who hath heard such a thing d 1.38? who hath seen such things e 1.39? shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a Nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travelled, she brought forth children f 1.40?

9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not ‖ 1.41 cause to bring forth? saith the Lord g 1.42, shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God h 1.43.

10 Rejoyce ye with Hierusalem, and be glad with her all ye that love her: rejoyce for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her i 1.44.

11 That you may suck and be satisfied with the k 1.45 breasts of her consolations l 1.46, that you may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory m 1.47.

12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold I * 1.48 will ex∣tend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles n 1.49 like a flowing stream o 1.50, then shall ye * 1.51 suck p 1.52, ye shall be * 1.53 born upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees q.

13 r 1.54 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and you shall be comforted in Hierusalem.

14 And when you see this, your heart shall re∣joice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb u 1.55: and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants x 1.56, and his indignation toward his Ene∣mies y 1.57.

15 For behold the Lord will come with fire z 1.58, and with his chariots, with a whirle-wind a 1.59, to render his anger with fury b 1.60, and his rebukes c 1.61 with flames of fire.

16 For by fire, and by his sword, will the Lord plead d 1.62 with all flesh e 1.63, and the slain of the Lord shall be many f 1.64.

17. * 1.65 They that sanctifie themselves, and purifie themselves in the gardens g 1.66, ‖ 1.67 behind one tree in the midst h 1.68, eating swines flesh i 1.69, and the abomi∣nations k 1.70, and the mouse, shall be consumed to∣gether, saith the LORD.

18 For I know their works, & their thoughts l 1.71, it

shall come m 1.72 that I will gather all nations n 1.73, and tongues, and they shall see my glory o 1.74.

19 And I will set a sign amongst them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nati∣ons p 1.75, to Tarshish, Pul and Lud that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the Isles afar off q 1.76, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory, and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. r 1.77. * 1.78

20 And they shall bring all your brethren s 1.79 for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations: up∣on horses, and ‖ 1.80 in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts t 1.81, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD u 1.82, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel unto the house of the LORD x 1.83.

21 And * 1.84 I will take of them for priests, and for Levites y 1.85, saith the LORD.

22 For as * 1.86 the new heavens, and the new earth z 1.87 which I will make; shall remain before me (saith the Lord) so shall your seed, and your name remain a 1.88. * 1.89

23 And it shall come to pass that from † 1.90 new moon to another; and from one sabbath to ano∣ther b 1.91 shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

24 And they shall go forth c 1.92, and look upon the carkasses of the men that have sinned against me d 1.93: for their * 1.94 worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched e 1.95, and they shall be an ab∣horring unto all flesh.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Ein. 8. 27. Act. 7. 48, 49. & 17. 24.
• a 1.2

  The Heaven, that is, the highest Heavens, are the place where I most manifest my power and glory, and shew my self in my Ma∣jesty. So Psal. 11. 4. Psal. 103. 19. Matth. 5. 34. Hence we, are taught to pray; Our Father which art in Heaven.
• b 1.3

  And the Earth is my footstool, or place wherein I set my feet, Matth. 5. 35.
• c 1.4

  Can there be an house builded, that will contain me, who can encom∣pass the Heavens and the Earth with an house?
• d 1.5

  Or, where is the place wherein I can be said to rest in a proper sense? The Ark •…•…deed called God's footstool, and the place of his rest, in a figurative sense, because there God manifested himself, though in degrees much beneath the manifestations of himself in Heaven, but proper∣ly, God hath no certain place of Rest.
• e 1.6

  The Heavens and the Earth are the work of my hands, Gen. 1. 1. Ioh. 1. 3. (some expound it of the Temple, and the Sacrifices.)
• f 1.7

  They were not onely made by God, but subsisted and were kept in being by him. These things were not therefore valued by him, nor could he have any need of, or respect to an house which is but a very little part of the Earth; he having made the Heavens and the Earth, had all them at his command, and how could he need a Temple? or, wherein could he be advantaged from it?
• * 1.8

  Psa. 34. 18. & 51. 17. Chap. 57. 15.
• * 1.9

  Ezr. 9. 4. & 10. 3. Prov. 28. 14. & v. 5.
• h 1.10

  who trembleth when he heareth God's threat∣ning words, nor ever heareth any revelation of the Divine Will without a just Reverence.
• * 1.11

  g But God will look with a respec•…•…, and with a favourable Eye to him that hath a broken and contrite spirit, whose heart is subdued to the Will of God, and who is poor, and low in his own Eyes, Mat. 5. 3. Luke 6. 20. And
• i 1.12

  Solomon, Prov. 15. 8. gives us a short, but full commentary on this whole verse; The Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. He that kill•…•… an ox, that is, for Sacrifice, as it is expounded by the next words, He that sacrificeth a Lamb.
• ‖ 1.13

  Or kid.
• * 1.14

  Deut. 23. 18.
• k 1.15

  The comparison shew•…•…th God's detestation of ceremonial performances from men of wicked hearts and lives.
• † 1.16

  Heb. makes a memorial of.
• l 1.17

  From hence it is plain, that the Pro∣phet is not here reflecting upon Idolatrous Worship, but Formal Wor∣ship: for to say, He that burneth Incense to an Idol, is as he that blesseth an Idol, is but to say, he that blesseth an Idol, blesseth an Idol; but upon those who in a formality worshipped the true God, and by acts which he had appointed, such were offering Sacrifices, Obla∣tion, Incense. God by the Prophet declares, that these mens Ser∣vices were no more acceptable to him then Murther, Idolatry, or the most horrid prophanation of his name such would, cutting off a dogs neck for Sacrifice, have been, or offering Swines blood so little do ritual performances, though instituted by God himself, please God when they are but meer formalities, as they alwaies are,
• m 1.18

  When those that perform them, live as they list, leud, and loose lives, and think to save themselves by their prayers, like the Whore, Prov. 7. 14, 15.
• n 1.19

  Not only 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by humane frailty, but taking plea∣sure in their sins, Prov. 15. 26. to offer a Sacrifice with an heart re∣solved (when it is offered) to go on in sinful courses, is to offer it with an evil mind. This is a dreadful text to persons who will murder, and steal, and swear▪ and c•…•…rse, and lie, and commit Adultery, and then come and stand before God in his house, which is called by his name, that is, come to serve him in acts of Worship, Levit. 10. 3. See Psal. 50. 16, 17, 18. Isaiah 1. 11, 12, 13, 14. Ier. 7. 9, 10. Mat. 7▪ 21, 22, 23. Iohn 4. 24. 1 Tim. 4. 8.
• o 1.20

  They had made their choice, they chose not the ways of God, but their own ways, that which God delighted not in, as in the latter part of this verse, therefore (saith God) I will also chuse
• ‖ 1.21

  Devic•…•…s.
• p 1.22

  Their delusions, or illusions, or devices, Montanus translates it, adinventionibus, it is a Noun derived from a word which signifies to speak childishly, or corruptly, the word in this form is only used in this text, and in 1 Sam. 25. 3. it signifieth studies, or works, Psal. 12. 4. Isa. 3. 4. Hos. 4. 9. It is an ordinary thing for God thus generally to declare his justice against men. That he will deal with sinners, as they deal with him, so Psal. 18. 25, 26. Lev. 26. 27. Ier. 34. 17. Prov. 1. 24. 28. The meaning is, I will be no kinder to them, then they have been to me. They have chosen to mock and delude me, I will chuse to suffer them to delude themselves, or they have chosen to work wickedness, I will chuse to bring the fruit of their works upon them. They have chosen the cause, I will chuse the effect.
• q 1.23

  That is (say some) the things which they feared, and did these things to avoid, as Ier. 42. 16. Eze. 11. 8. Others by their fears chuse rather to understand such terrors and affrightments as are natural to men up∣on the prospect of great evils, as Ier. 20. 4. as God in mercy deli∣vereth his people from their fears, Psal. 34. 4. So in judgment he causeth •…•…ears as a great judgment to possess sinners, Lev. 26. 16. Deut. 28. 66.
• * 1.24

  Prov. 1. 24. ch. 65. 12. Jer. 7. 13.
• r 1.25

  Because when by my Prophets, I exhorted you to your duty: very few yielded obedience, see Prov. 1. 24. ch. 65. 12. Ier. 7. 13.
• s 1.26

  Hearing here signifieth hearkning, or obeying, not hea∣ring is expounded by doing evil, and chusing that wherein God deligh∣ted not, God accounts that those do not hea•…•…, who do not obey his will.
• * 1.27

  V. 2.
• s 1.28

  The Prophet turneth his discourse from den•…•…uncing judgment against the Idolaters, and formalists amongst the Jews to such as fea∣red God, whose religion is described by a trembling at his word, as v. 2. such a turning of the Prophets discourse was, ch. 50. 10. ch. 51. 1. 7. The same words belong not to Saints and presumptuous Sinners.
• t 1.29

  Your Brethren, by Nation, or by external profession in Religion, tho •…•…alse brethren, Gal. 2. 4. Thus Paul calls all the rejected •…•…ews Bre∣thren, Rom. 9. 3.
• u 1.30

  That either shut you out of their intimate soci∣ety, or (which is more probable) excommunicate, and cast you out of their Synagogues, or cast you out of their City, and some of you out of the world, Iohn 9. 35. 22. Iohn 16. 2.
• x 1.31

  i. e. For my sake, for your owning me, and adherence to m•…•… law, said.
• * 1.32

  Ch. 5. 1•…•…▪
• y 1.33

  Ei∣ther mocking you as the Jews did Christ, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hanging upon the cross, Mat. 27. 43. Luke 23. 35. thus they mocked at David, Psal. 42. 3. Or, Let the Lord be glorified, thinking they did God good ser∣vice, Io•…•…n 16. 2.
• z 1.34

  There will come a day when God shall appear and let them know his judgment concerning their violence, and rage, then you shall have joy, and they shall be ashamed, 2 Thes. 4. 16, 17, 18.
• a 1.35

  The expression of a Prophetical extasy, as much as methinks I already hear a voice of noise, rather a sad and affrighting noise, then the noise of Triumphers (as some think) yea, it comes not from the City only, but from the Temple, wherein these formalists have so much gloried, and reposed so much confidence, there is a noise of Soldiers slaying, and of the Priests or poor people fled thither, shrie∣king or crying out.
• b 1.36

  A voice of the Lord, not in thunder, which is sometimes called so, Psal. 29. 3, 4, 5, &c. but that rendreth recom∣pence to his enemies. Thus, the noise of Soldiers, the roaring of Guns, the sounds of Drums and Trumpets are the Voice of the Lord. Thus the Prophet seemeth to express the destruction of the Jews by the Roman Armies, as if a thing at that time doing.
• c 1.37

  The whole verse is expressive of a great and sudden salvation, which God would work for his Church, like the delivery of a wo∣man, and that of a man-child before her travel, and without pain. The onely doubt is, whether it referreth to the deliverance of the Peo∣ple out of Babylon, or the worlds surprizal with the Messiah, and the sudden and strange propagation of the Gospel, and it is a question not easily determined. The delivery of the Jews out of Babylon, indeed was without struglings or any pain, not like their deliverance from Egypt, after the wasting of their enemies by ten successive Plagues but by the kind Proclamation of Cyrus, but it seems not to have been sudden only as to the day, & hour, & manner, for Daniel understood by Books that the time was come, Dan. 9. 2. and the people had a prospect of it 70 years before, Ier. 25. 12. & 29. 10. The Prophecy therefore seems rather to refer to the coming of Christ, and the sud∣den propagation of the Gospel. The Popish Interpreters applying it to the Virgin Mary bringing forth Christ is like other of their •…•…ond dreams.
• d 1.38

  The Prophet calls either to the whole world, or to such as fear∣ed God amongst the Iews, to admire God in his stupendious works of Providence, either in the easie manner of the deliverance of the Jews out of the Captivity of Babylon, without any pain, without so much as one throw; or else in the erecting of his Gospel Church, into which all the Jews that received Christ, were gathered as well as the Gentiles making both one, Eph. 2. 14.
• e 1.39

  Which seems to be meant by the Earths bringing forth in one day as great a work of Pro∣vidence, as if all the women in the world should have brought forth in a day; or as if all the plants of the Earth had brought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their flowers and fruit in one day.
• f 1.40

  As soon as the Church of the Jews began to move out of the Captivity of Babylon, God put it into the hearts of multitudes to go up, Exod. 1. 5 ch. 2. 1, 2, &c. Or, as soon as the voice of the Gospel put the Church of the Jews into her Travel in Iohn the Baptists, Christ's, and the Apostles times, it pre∣sently brought •…•…orth. In Iohn Baptist's time, the Kingdom of Heaven suffered violence, and the violent took it by force, Mat. 11. 12. and it con∣tinued so, as 3000 were converted at Peters Sermon, Acts 2. The Gentiles were the Children of Zion, being planted into their stock▪ the law of the Gospel first going out of Zion.
• ‖ 1.41

  Or 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• g 1.42

  The work before spoken of, seeme•…•…h not after the manner of men, who do things that are great gradually, nor in an ordinary course of nature, whose motions also bring things by degrees to their perfection, but you must consider who it is that speaketh (saith the Lord) now as is the God, so is his strength. Again, men may undertake things, and for want of power not bring them to perfection, but shall I do such a thing? I have by many prophecies and promises secured you in the expectation of such a thing, and shall I not by my Providence effect it? I, that in the ordinary course of my providence use to give a birth to Women, to whom. I have given a power to conceive, shall I not give a birth to Zion, to my people, whom by my 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and promises I have made to conceive such hopes, and expectations?
• h 1.43

  Nor shall Zion once only bring •…•…rth, but she shall go on teeming, her womb shall not be shut, she shall every▪day bring forth more and more children, my presence shall be with my Church to that end, to the end of the world.
• i 1.44

  There is nothing more ordinary amongst men, then for friends, and neighbours, to meet together with their friends recovered from affliction, or brought into a better state to rejoice with them especially such friends as in their afflictions have mourned with them. Thus Mary, Luk. 1. 40. went to rejoice with Elizabeth and Iobs friends came to rejoice with him, Iob 42. 11. The Prophet in like manner calls to all the friends of Hierusalem, especially such as in the days of her affliction had mourned for her, to come and •…•…∣joice and be glad with her, upon the prospect of her better state af∣ter the Babylonish Captivity: or at least in the time of the Messiah, for though joy and gladness be the affection of the Soul that works upon its union with its desirable object, and the deliverance of the people out of Babylon was not to be for many years after this, nor the M•…•…ssias to come▪ or many years after that, yet faith being the evi∣dence of things not seen, there is a rejoicing of hope, hope giving the Soul an union with its object hoped for, and these things were now pr•…•…sent to believers who by faith called the things that were not as if they were: because they had the security of a divine Revela∣tion for them, and they were already existent in their necessary causes.
• k 1.45

  Hierusalem is here s•…•…t out as the mother of us all, as indeed she was, for out of Zion wen•…•… forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Hierusale•…•…, I•…•…aiah 2, 3. Christ was of the seed of Abraham, he was sent to the los•…•… She•…•…p of the house of Israel, and is called, Rom. 15. 8. the Minister of the Circumcision: they were the Olive, the Branches; the Gentiles but a wild Olive, grafted in amongst them, Rom. 11. 17. we sucked at their breasts, Christ was first preached to them, the 12. the 70. were all of them.
• l 1.46

  The Gospel doctrine was their breasts of consolation. Christ was in the first place,
• m 1.47

  The glory of the p•…•…∣ple Israel, though he was also a light to lighten the Gentiles, Lu. 2. 32. we are required to rejoice with Hierusalem. That we may suck and be Satisfied, &c. Intimating, that our joy should not be a meer act of charity to them, but a proper expression of our sense of Gods goodness to our selves, who should suck and be Satisfied from the glad tidings of the Gospel first published unto them, and our selves be inlightned from what was at first the glory of Israel.
• * 1.48

  Chap. 48. 18. & 60. 5.
• n 1.49

  That this promise respects the times of the Messias seems plain; not only from the consideration that no history giveth us any account of any great or long peace or prosperity the Jews had before that time, nor indeed then, if we understand it not of a Spiritual Gospel peace, which Christ preached to them that were nigh as well as to those •…•…sar off, Eph. 2. 17.
• o 1.50

  It also appears from the mention of the glor•…•… of the Gentiles a•…•… a flowing stream, which can hardly be un∣derstood of any thing but Christ and the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles. But I leave it to the issues of Providence to expound and determine, whether the Prophecy of this text doth not relate, to a further conversion and calling of the Jews then •…•…ath been yet seen.
• * 1.51

  Cha. 60. 16.
• p 1.52

  When Christ was revealed to the Jews not those only of the Gentiles, but those of the Jews who belonged to Gods election sucked Gospel doctrine, the Gentiles were born upon the sides of Hierusalem and dandled upon her knees, as first hearing from the Apostles who were some of the Daughters of Hierusalem, members of the Jewish-Church, the glad tidings of Salvation.
• * 1.53

  Chap. 49. 22. & 60. 4.
• r 1.54

  That is, in the most tender, and compassionating way ima∣ginable, the husband doth not comfort his wife with that tender∣ness, and those bowels that the mother comforteth the Child after it hath received some fall, or mischief. Hierusalem now mourneth, and you mo•…•…rn with her, but she shall recover from her afflicti∣on and from her sorrows, and shall be comforted and you that mourn for her, shall partake of her joys, as you now share with her in her afflictions, God in the day that he wipeth tears from her Eyes, shall also wipe them from yours: and you shall have as great an occasion of joy from the happy, as now you have of sorrow from the afflicted state of Hierusalem.
• u 1.55

  The peace, and tranquillity of the Church and the propaga∣tion of the Kingdom of Christ, is always the cause of an heart re∣joycing to such as fear God, Psal. 105. 3. the reason is because it is the greatest object of their desires which are then satisfied, and their thoughts are then at rest, and besides they are members of the same body so as their own bones, which before are dry and withered, Eze. 37. 1, 2. and the sinews, and the flesh, comes again upon them, and the skin covers them above, so as they flourish like an herb in the spring, all whose verdure and beauty in the winter was concealed in the root hid in the earth.
• x 1.56

  And in this the power, protection, and influence of God for, of and upon such as truly serve and obey him, shall be made manifest and known.
• y 1.57

  But the wick∣ed shall be under a quite contrary dispensation, Psal. 1. 4. As they have had a day which hath been to you the power of darkness: so you shall have a day, which shall be to them the power of darkness, as Gods hand shall be upon and toward such as fear me, to cover, and bless, and influence them, so his indignation shall in that day be shew∣ed towards those of your nation who have declared themselves the enemies of the Lord.
• z 1.58

  Here the Prophet comes more particularly to expound what indignation should be shewed towards his enemies. That is, with terrible Judgments, nothing being more terrible, and wasting then fire or with fire in a proper sense, understanding it of the fire with which enemies use to consume places brought under their power.
• a 1.59

  with a sudden sweeping Judgment that like a whirl-wind shall destroy this people.
• b 1.60

  With fury, that is, with fervor, for •…•…ury pro∣perly so taken is not in God, ch. 27. 4. but God sometimes executes justice and Judgment more smartly and severely.
• c 1.61

  By reb•…•…kes, he means punishments, for it is said God will execute them with flames of fire. They had contemned the rebukes of his law, now God will rebuke them with fire, and sword.
• d 1.62

  This kind of rebuking is also called a pleading with them, so he threatens to plead against Gog with Pestilence, and blood, Ezek▪ 38. 22. God at first pleads with sinners by words▪ but if he can∣not so prevail, he will plead with them in a way by which he will overcome by fire, pestilence and blood.
• e 1.63

  Thus he threatens to do with all sinners, or with all the wicked Jews.
• f 1.64

  To the fire he threatens to add the Sword, so as the slain of the Lord, that is, those whom God should cause to be slain, should be many.
• * 1.65

  Ch. 65. 3, 4.
• g 1.66

  That the Jews might not think that the Judgments threatned, concerned only the Heathen, he tells them they concerned them, the Idol Worshippers amongst them and not Idolaters only, but such as broke his laws about mea•…•…s, which he had prohibited them to Eat. Those that sanctified and purifyed themselves in gardens, gardens in which they Worshipped Idols, ch. 1. 29. & ▪ 65. 3. 4. Kings 14. 23. & 15 13. the word translated gardens signifieth such as were thick plant∣ed with trees, and had groves in them, where they set their Idols, 1 King. 15. 13. hence the Idol is called the Grove▪ 2 Kings 23. 6. they had also in these Gardens Pools where they washed themselves in a way of preparation for their Idol-Worship, as the Priest by Gods Ordinance was to bath himself, Num. 19. 7.
• ‖ 1.67

  One after a∣nother.
• h 1.68

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the trees, or one by one behind the Trees. Some think that Achar is here a proper name of an Idol, behind which, or behind whose Temple these Idolaters were wont to purifie themselves. These Gar∣dens were places too as well for brutish Lusts as Idol-Worship as may be learned from 1 Kin. 14. 24. 2 Kin. 23. 7. and they by these washings thought to make themselves clean.
• i 1.69

  Eating Swines flesh, forbidden, Lev. 11. 7. Deut. 14. 8.
• k 1.70

  And the abo∣mination, either any abominable things, or all those Beasts for∣bidden the Jews for meat, Lev. 11. 9, 10, &c. Some think a par∣ticular abominable thing is here meant, & think it is the Weasel which Lev. 11. 29. is joined with the Mouse, which is here next mention∣ed. The word which we translate Mouse being no where •…•…ound but there, and here, and 1 Sam. 6. 4, 5, 11, 18. some think it is not that creature we call a Mouse, (because a Mouse is properly no creeping thing; but the word Lev. 11. 29. signifyeth a creeping thing,) they therefore think it rather signifieth some Serpent. It is a matter of no great consequence. The sense is, that God would not only destroy the open and gross Idolaters and superstitious per∣sons, but all those also who had made no Conscience of yielding Obedience to the Law of God in such things as seemed to them of a minute nature, and such as they easily might have yielded Obe∣dience to; he saith that they shall all perish together. In the day of Judgment the Idolatrous P•…•…n, and Papist, and the leud and disobedient Protestant shall fare alike. It will be an hard thing for a thinking Soul to see how Baptism, and a membership in the Chri∣stian Church, should save men from Gods Wrath, without Holi∣ness, more than Circumcision and Membership in the Jewish Church.
• l 1.71

  The Hebrew is thus, word for word; And I their works, and their thoughts, coming together all nations, and languages, and they shall come and see my Glory. So that it is necessary for Interpreters to supply some words to make out the sense. And the sense will differ according to the Nature and sense of those supplied words. We supply the Verb know, as Amos 5. 12. others supply I have noted. Others make it a question. And I should I endure their thoughts and their works? O∣thers, But as for me O their works, and their thoughts! Some make these words, for I know their works and their thoughts it shall come, one sentence, and to relate to the judgments before threatned, v. 15, 16 and the latter words a new sentence, and a promise of the call of the Gentiles. If we thus divide the words into two sentences, the former part doth but assert the certainty of the Judgment that should come upon this People, and the confirmation or reason of it from the Omniscience and Iustice of God. They have done these things, and I know it, and am of purer eyes than to behold iniqui∣ty. I know I have marked their thoughts and works (before menti∣oued,) O the vileness of them! Should I suffer, should I endure them? No. It shall come, either the Judgments before threatned shall come: or it shall come to pass, that I will cast them off, and then I will gather all nations, &c.
• m 1.72

  So as it shall come, may ei∣ther refer to the threatning of Judgments in the former part, or the promise of calling the Gentiles in the latter part of the verse. Others make the verse one entire sentence, and the sense thus, see∣ing I know their works, &c. or when the time shall come, that I shall let them by my vengeance know, that I know their works. I will gather all Nations and Languages.
• n 1.73

  I will call the Gentiles into my Church, and
• o 1.74

  My Oracles, my holy Institutions and Ordinances, which hitherto have been locked up in the Church of the Jews, Rom. 3. 2. and been their glory, shall be published to the Gentiles. Psal. 97. 6. Isa. 40. 5.
• p 1.75

  It is on all hands agreed that this Verse is a Prophecy of the conversion of the Gentiles.
• q 1.76

  Tarshish, Pul, Lud, Tubal, Ia•…•…an, to Europe, Asia, and Africa, to all the quarters of the World, (see the Latin Synopsis, and the English Annot. large dis∣courses of these particular places,) to all Nations that had never before heard of God, or his true Worship,
• r 1.77

  And they shall eve∣ry where preach the Gospel, and set up my Gospel-Ordinances and Institutions. This was eminently made good upon the Apostles leaving the Jews, and turning to the Gentiles, Act. 13 46. and more fully after the destruction of Ierusalem, when the Believers among the Jews, as well as the Apostles, went about publishing the Gospel to all People, which was the declaring of the Lords glory.
• * 1.78

  n By sign here some understand an Ensign, as the word signifies, Psal. 74. 4. which is a military sign to gather people together, by this may be understood Christ, Luk. 2. 34. See Isa. 11. 10. or as others the ministry of the Word at∣tended with miracles (often called signs) these were set up amongst the Jews first, then among the Gentiles. Others (but less probably) understand by sign a mark of distinction, like that mentioned, Ezek. 9. 4. so as, saith he, some shall escape and not be destroyed. and for those that shall escape, I will send them to
• s 1.79

  Those who are the Children of Abraham, not considered as the Father of the Jewish Nation onely, but considered as the Fa∣ther of many Nations, and as the Father of the Faithful, or who are the Children of God. being believers, and receiving Christ; and so are your Brethren, (how contemptible soever you judge them,) shall be brought out of all Nations for an offering to the Lord, God will have no more offerings of Bullocks, and Rams, or Lambs, but of Men, and Women, reasonable services, Rom. 12. 1. he will have an offering up of the Gentiles, Rom. 15. 16.
• ‖ 1.80

  Or, c•…•…hes.
• t 1.81

  And because the Gentiles are many of them far off from Ierusalem, and as yet fur∣ther off from God, Eph. 2. 17. God will find out fit means for this end, as Horses, and Litters, and Mules, and swift Beasts are to bring Me•…•… and Women long Journeys.
• u 1.82

  And they shall be brought into the Church, which began at Ierusalem, and this you may be assured of, for the Lord hath said it, who cannot ly nor repent.
• x 1.83

  And they shall come with as much joy and gladness, with as much sincerity and holiness as the Godly Jews use and exercise when they bring their offerings in clean vessels.
• * 1.84

  Ex. 29. 6. Ch. 61. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Rev. 1. 6.
• y 1.85

  Le•…•…t the Jews, being assured that the Tribe of Levi, which God anciently chose to minister before him, was among them, should say, Alas if the Gentiles should be brought in, where would they have Priests or Levites? God here by his Prophet tells them, he would provide Priests, he would take of them, of these con∣verted Heathens, for Priests and Levites, that is for Gospel-Ministers, to teach and to instruct People, which was the Priests work of old, Deut. 33. 10. 2 Chron. 17. 7, 9. Mal. 2. 6. (for they are mighti∣ly mistaken, that think the Priests amongst the Jews had nothing to do, but to sacrifice and burn incense, which work is ceased,) saith the Prophet, God will find amongst the converted Gentiles those who though they be not of the Tribe of Levi, or House of Aaron, yet shall they do the true work of Priests and Levites.
• * 1.86

  Ch. 65. 17. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Rev. 21. 1.
• z 1.87

  The new state of the Church to be raised up under the Messias.
• a 1.88

  As I intend that shall abide, so there shall be a daily succession of true Believers for the upholding of it, for if Believers could fail from the Earth, the Church made up of them onely, as the true Members of it must fail also.
• * 1.89

  This whole verse is onely a promise of the perpetuity of the Gospel Church, and the not failing of the additions to it of such as shall be saved, till the World shall have an end
• † 1.90

  from new moon to his new moon, and from sabbath to his sabbath. Zech. 14. 16.
• b 1.91

  In the Gospel-Church, there shall be as constant and settled a course of Worship (though of another nature) as ever was in the Jewish Church, Christians are not bound to keep the Jewish Sab∣baths or New-moons, Gal. 4. 10, 11. Col. 2. 16. But New Testa∣ment Worship is often expressed by Old Testament Phrases. The Jews were onely obliged to appear Three times in a year at Ieru∣salem, but (saith the Prophet) the Gospel-Church shall worship God from one Sabbath to another.
• c 1.92

  Either the Gentiles, or the sincerer part of the Jews shall go forth from their places, or from Ierusalem, or, go out of their graves at the last day.
• d 1.93

  And look upon the vengeance I have taken up∣on these vile Idolaters and Formalists, for their satisfaction, Psal. 58. 10. they shall see none of them alive, but they shall see their car•…•…asses.
• * 1.94

  Mar. 9. 44, 46, 48.
• e 1.95

  For the worms that feed on their slain carcasses shall not suddenly dye, and the Enemies fire burning up their Habi•…•…i∣ons shall not go out till they be wholly consumed: and after this Life, and at the day of Judgment, they shall go into eternal torments. See Mar. 9. 44, 46, 48. where they will feel a worm of Conscience that shall never die, and a fiery Wrath of God upon their Souls and Bodies, that shall never go out.