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Verse 7. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Pro∣phets.
8. The lion hath roared, Who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, Who can but prophesie?
Lastly, whereas they might except, that if judgements were to come upon them from God, yet why would they trouble them continually with the noise thereof before they came? They could not but look on Prophets as the authors of their disquiet, and delighters in their ruine
since they would never let them alone: and in particular, they would little regard him, who was a base man, and one of Judah who bare them at little good will: The Prophet in the Lords name declareth (in answer to this) that they were rather bound to see and acknowledge Gods long-suffering and mercy, who would forwarne them of their danger before it came, and for that end imployed his messengers, and him in particular, v. 7. And therefore it was but folly and madnesse in them not to tremble, when God by him did testifie his anger like a roaring lion; or to let out all their spleen against him, who could not but de∣liver what he had in Commission, v. 8. For the understanding of that general assertion, v. 7. consider, 1. God is not bound at all to observe this method, but may execute what he pleaseth, though he have neither reveaved it to men nor angels: onely it pleaseth him out of his gracious condescendence, ordinarly to follow this method. 2. This is not to be extended to all persons, nor yet to all things, as if he did nothing in mercy, justice, or soveraignty in all the world, but he did communicate it with his servants first; But the meaning is, that in inflicting judgements on the Church, he usually takes this course, first to advertise them by his messengers. 3. Albeit this relates especially to the time wherein the Church had extraordinay Pro∣phets; yet this holds still true that the desert of all sin is held out in the written word, and declared unto people by their faithful pastours from the word: so that the Church may see and know what she is to expect, as well as when she had extraordinary messengers. Doct. 1. As divine Doctrine is a mystery above the reach of reason, and to be known onely by revelation; so in particular, how∣ever the Lords wrath be very clearely deserved by sinners, yet it is ofttimes a secret to them, and not discerned till it be inculcate upon them, or till they feel it: Therefore is it called his secret here. 2. The way to know Gods minde concerning men, is by the ministery of his servants, either extraordinary, or ordinary, speaking according to the word; for, he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets, for the Churches information. 3. Such as would get the minde of God to carry to his people, would become his servants, not onely by taking up that office up∣on his call, and attending on him in it; but also by being
in their whole course, devoted to him, that so he may blesse them in that particular function; for they are his servants. 4. It is the Churches great mercy, whereof she should make especiall use, that God doth warn her of her danger before she fall into it; for, it is held out as their advantage, that surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets. 5. A people may mistake and quarrel many dispensations of God towards them, which yet do speak his great kindnesse to them, if it were well considered; for, they quarrelled all this freedom, which yet flowed from Gods mercy and long-suffering toward them. 6. The word of God is the sure rule, whereby men may know their duty, and what will be the profit or danger of any course they follow; And albeit dispensations may seem for a time to go otherwise then according to the words verdict; yet at last, all things will certainly and visibly be according to what the word sayth; for, so much doth this hold out in general, that it is from the word, whoever carry it, that men may know what God thinks of their way: and such as cleave to the word in duty, may expect that Gods dealing will in due time be according as they are warranted from the word to expect. 7. It is needful work, to stir up our own hearts again and again, to see God in threatnings, and to read his dreadfulnesse therein; that so we may be asham∣ed of our own stupidity, that will not fear his anger, albeit it have not burst forth in execution: Therefore, is it again inculcate, The lion hath roared; who will not feare? 8. There is small cause to be offended at ministers freedome in publishing their Commission; considering that it is an evidence of their zeal, to be imitate by all, rather then quarrelled; and that they stand strictly engaged to be faithful, upon their greatest perill: for, whereas they could not indure this Prophets freedome, he excuseth himselfe with this, that the Lord God hath spoken, (by giving Com∣mission) who can but prophesie? Whereby we are not one∣ly to understand a strong impulse upon their hearts, with the Commission (though Prophets had that, Jer. 20.9. and conscience, and love and zeal for God, will set all on edge to plead for God, who have his Comission) but that his calling laid a necessity on him, were he never so un∣willing, as, Cor. 9.17. And that he was in great hazard,
having his own soul at the stake, if he were not faithful, as Ezek. 33.6. And therefore he behoved to preach, how∣ever they quarrelled or contemned him.