9. God is able to put as much power as he pleaseth §9into the least creature, to raise it above the nature of it, so as though it be never so poor and weak in it self, he can make it irresistible. Hence it is that God by contemptible means hath so often brought down the power, the rage, the pride of the great ones of the earth: how terrible was he to Pharaoh in the very flies? that is observable; whereas upon the judgement of the Hail, he did but promise that he would let Israel go, Exod. 9. 28. but upon Gods Army of flies he bids them go, Chap. 10. 8. But that place Joel 2. is most remarkable for this; observe what high expressions God hath of a mighty Army of his, and the truth is, it was but an Army of Locusts and Caterpillars. Ver. 2. he calls the day of their coming, A day of darkness, of gloominess, a day of thick darkness: he calls them a great people and a strong, there hath not been ⟨p. 121⟩ever the like, ver. 3. A fire devoureth before them, and behind them a flame burneth; the Land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness, yea and nothing can escape them: And ver. 4. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. I know some interpret it of the Babylonians thus described; but if the Text be looked into, we shall clearly see it meant of the Locusts and Caterpillars, therefore the expressions are metaphorical all along: As horses, as a strong people in battle array: And ver. 6. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness, even those who had impudent, brazen foreheads in ways of wickedness, & would not fear the mighty God, even these stout hearts shall tremble before the Locusts. God will put so much terror into these poor creatures, that all faces shall gather blackness, they shall look swart for fear of them. Ver. 7. They shall run like mighty men, they shall climb the wall like men of war: And ver. 8. When they shall fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. They shall run to and fro in the City, they shall climb up upon the houses and enter in at the windows. Ver. 10. The earth shall quake before them, the heavens shall tremble;
9. God is able to put as much power as he pleaseth §9into the least creature, to raise it above the nature of it, so as though it be never so poore and weak in it selfe, he can make it irresistible. Hence it is that God by contemptible means hath so often brought down the power, the rage, the pride of the great ones of the earth: how terrible was he to Pharaoh in the very flyes? that is observable; whereas upon the judgement of the Haile, he did but promise that he would let Israel goe, Exod. 9. 28. but upon Gods Army of flies he bids them goe, Chap. 10. 8. But that place Joel 2. is most remarkable for this; observe what high expressions God hath of a mighty Army of his, and the truth is, it was but an Army of Locusts and Caterpillers. Ver. 2. he calls the day of their comming, A day of darknesse, of gloominesse, a day of thick darknesse: hee cals them a great people and a strong, there hath not been ⟨p. 121⟩ever the like, ver. 3. A fire devovreth before them, and behind them a flame burneth; the Land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wildernesse, yea and nothing can escape them: And ver. 4. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leape, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battel array. I know some interpret it of the Babylonians thus described; but if the Text be looked into, wee shall cleerely see it meant of the Locusts and Caterpillars, therefore the expressions are metaphorical all along: As horses, as a strong people in battel array: And ver. 6. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blacknesse, even those who had impudent, brazen foreheads in wayes of wickednesse, & would not feare the mighty God, even these stout hearts shall tremble before the Locusts. God will put so much terror into these poore creatures, that all faces shall gather blacknesse, they shall look swarte for feare of them. Ver. 7. They shall run like mighty men, they shall climbe the wall like men of war: And ver. 8. When they shall fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. They shall run to and fro in the City, they shall climb up upon the houses and enter in at the windows. Ver. 10. The earth shall quake before them, the heavens shall tremble;
