An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…

But now he hath made me weary.

[But Now] Now, is not here a Particle of time only,¹ or a specification of the season, noting that then God either began, or still continued to make him weary; but it carries also a strong asseveration, or the certainty of the thing; as in that promissory exhortation (Hag. 2.4.) Yet now be strong O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord, and be strong, O Joshua. Though you see things yet below expectation, though this be a day of small things, yet take heart and encourage your selves to carry on this reforming work. Yet now be strong, even now, when so many things might weaken both your hearts and hands, ⟨p. 246⟩and be ye assured that I will not reject your confidence, but vvill cause you to prosper in it.² And in promises, besides the certainty of the thing promised, and the speedy fulfilling of them, it intimates much sweetness of affection in him that makes the promise. On the contrary, in threatenings, and comminations, besides the certainty and speed of them, it notes the sharpness and severity of his spirit, who gives those threats. So (Isa. 5.5.) And now go to, I will tell you what I will do to my Vineyard. Now, go too, is chiding cheer. As if the Lord had thus rated them; What? Have you served me thus, as sure as I formerly planted and hedged this Vineyard, so surely will I now pull down the hedge, and root it up. In this fullness of sense take it here, But now he hath made me weary; certainly or of a truth he hath; I was once sweetly and strongly hedged about with mercy, But now he hath made me weary and desolate.

[But Now] Now, is not here a Particle of time onely,¹