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The One and Twentieth SERMON. (Book 21)
PART VI.
EZEKIEL XXXIII. 11.—why will ye die, O house of Israel?
* 1.1WE have led you through the chambers of Death, through the school of Discipline, the school of Fear. For why will ye die? Look upon Death, and fear it, and you shall not die at all. Thus far are we gone. We come now to the house of Israel; Why will ye die, O house of Israel? To name Israel is an argument. Take them as Israel, or take them as the house of Is∣rael; take the house for a building, or take it for a family, and it may seem strange and full of admiration that Israel, which should prevail with God,* 1.2 should embrace death; that the house of Israel, compact in it self, should ruine it self. In Edom it is no strange sight to see men run on in their evil wayes:* 1.3 In Meseck or the tents of Kedar there might be at least some colour for a reply: but to Israel it is gravis expo∣stulatio, a heavy and full expostulation. Let the Amorites and Hittites, let the Edomites, let Gods enemies perish; but let not Israel, the people of God, die. Why should they die? The Devil may be an Edomite; but God forbid he should be an Israelite. The QƲARE MORIEMINI? why will ye die? we see is levelled to the mark, is here in its right and pro∣per place; and being directed to Israel is a sharp and vehement expro∣bration: O Israel, why will ye die? I would not have you die. I have made you gentem selectam, a chosen people, that you may not die. I have set before you life and death:* 1.4 Life, that you may chuse it; and Death, that you may run from it: And why will ye die? My sword is drawn to affright, not to kill you; and I hold it up, that I may not strike. I have placed Death in the way, that you may stop, and retreat, and not go on. I have set my Angel,* 1.5 my Prophet, with a sword drawn in his hand, that at least you may be as wise as the beast was under Balaam, and sink and fall down under your burden. I have imprinted the very image of Death in every sin. And will ye yet go on? Will ye love Sin, that hath such a foul face, such a terrible countenance that is thus clothed and apparrel∣led with Death? Quis furor, ô cives? What a madness is this, O ye Is∣raelites? As Herode once upbraiding Cassius for his seditious behaviour in the East,* 1.6 wrote no more but this, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Herode to Cas∣sius: Thou art mad. So God may seem to send to his people, GOD, by his Prophet, to the Israelites: You are mad. Therefore do my people run on in