It's true,1 we read in Heb. 11. that the Christians wandered up and down in Sheep skins,2 and Goats skins, whom the world was not worthy of: But that was in a way of persecution for God, and for his Truth; it was not because they would not hearken, but because they would hearken; and though thou shouldst be forced to wander from thy Brethren, and the sweet Habitation that thou hadst, and thy Friends, perhaps thou art fain to wander up & down even for thy life, yea, but canst thou say, Yet I hope I am not one of Gods cast-away•? It's one of Gods Epithets that he glories in, That he will gather the out-casts of Israel; Man hath cast me out, yea, but I bless God, I carry a good Conscience with me; and that man or woman needs not be troubled with wandering, that can carry a good Conscience with them; you are cast out from your Friends, yea, but still thou hast the Bird that sings in thy bosom: Canst thou say, I have not cast away thy Commandments, Lord? Indeed if a mans conscience tell him, that he hath cast away Gods Commandments, then if he wanders it is dreadful to him: What, though thou art wandering from thy house, from thy outward comforts, but not from Gods Commandments; Cast me not out of thy presence, saith David; though thou beest from thy friends, yet not from God presence: here it is, I will cast them out among the Nations. 3It was a Curse in Psal. 44. 11. Thou hast scattered us among the Heathen: It was a great Judgment of God, to be ⟨p. 298⟩scattered among the Nations,4 for they were a people that were separated from the Nations, and not to be reckoned among the Nations, and Gods peculiar Treasure. There were these three expressions, not only to be wandering among the Nations, not only among Strangers, but among Heathens, among Blasphemers, this must needs be a heavy and sore judgment, to be cast among Idolaters; This Curse is upon the Jews to this very day, how are they wanderers among the Nations.
It's true,1 we reade in Heb. 11. that the Christians wandred up and down in Sheep skins,2 and Goats skins, whom the world was not worthy of: But that was in a way of persecution for God, and for his Truth; it was not because they would not hearken, but because they would hearken; and though thou shouldst be forc'd to wander from thy Brethren, and the sweet Habitation that thou hadst, and thy Friends, perhaps thou art fain to wander up & down even for thy life, yea, but canst thou say, Yet I hope I am not one of Gods cast-away•? It's one of Gods Epithites that he glories in, That he will gather the out-casts of Israel; Man hath cast me out, yea, but I bless God, I carry a good Conscience with me; and that man or woman needs not be troubled with wandring, that can carry a good Conscience with them; you are cast out from your Friends, yea, but still thou hast the Bird that sings in thy bosome: Canst thou say, I have not cast away thy Cōmandements, Lord? Indeed if a mans conscience tel him, that he hath cast away Gods Commandements, then if he wanders it is dreadful to him: What, though thou art wandring from thy house, from thy outward comforts, but not from Gods Commandements; Cast me not out of thy presence, saith David; though thou beest from thy friends, yet not from God presence: here it is, I will cast them out among the Nations. 3It was a Curse in Psal. 44. 11. Thou hast scattered us among the Heathen: It was a great Judgment of God, to be ⟨p. 298⟩scattered among the Nations,4 for they were a people that were separated from the Nations, and not to be reckoned among the Nations, and Gods peculiar Treasure. There were these three expressions, not only to be wandering among the Nations, not only among Strangers, but among Heathens, among Blasphemers, this must needs be a heavy and sore judgment, to be cast among Idolaters; This Curse is upon the Jews to this very day, how are they wanderers among the Nations.
- 1Answ.
- 2Heb. 11.
- 3Psal. 44. 11. observ.
- 4This curse of wandering upon the Jews to this day.This curse of wandring upon the Iewes to this day.
