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…

And hath shaken me to pieces.

And hath shaken me to peices.

I will not let it pass unobserved, that the word which we translate to shake to pieces, is but one in the Hebrew, but as that which we render to break asunder, so this is doubled to heighten the sense, and intimate no ordinary, but a terrible shaking; such a shaking as is followed with scattering, or a shaking,¹ like the breaking of a potters Vessel with an Iron Rod. The word is used to signify the irresistible efficacy of the Word of God, whether to convert, or to confound, to break the stony heart into contrition for sin, or to batter the obstinate heart, which continueth in sin. Is not my word a fire? (saith God) The word of God is a fire, to consume the dross and corruption that is in the hearts and lives of men. And is not my word a Hammer? What kind of Hammer? A Hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Yes, the word of God is all this, 'tis a fire, and 'tis a Hammer, it burns, it batters all that stands before it. Now as the Word of God is to the hearts of men, so the Rod of God is to the estates of men; it shakes, shatters, and breaks them to pieces: To shake, or break a man to pieces, is in common speech appliable to the estates of men, as well as to their persons, for of such a man we say, He is broken.

I will not let it passe unobserved, that the word which we translate to shake to peices, is but one in the Hebrew, but as that which we render to break asunder, so this is doubled to highten the sense, and intimate no ordinary, but a terrible shaking; such a shaking as is followed with scattering, or a shaking,¹ like the breaking of a potters Vessell with an Iron Rod. The word is used to signifie the irresistable efficacy of the Word of God, whether to convert, or to confound, to break the stony heart into contrition for sin, or to batter the obstinate heart, which continueth in sin. Is not my word a fire? (saith God) The word of God is a fire, to consume the drosse and corruption that is in the hearts and lives of men. And is not my word a Hammer? What kinde of Hammer? A Hammer that breaketh the rock in peices? Yes, the word of God is all this, 'tis a fire, and 'tis a Hammer, it burnes, it batters all that stands before it. Now as the Word of God is to the hearts of men, so the Rod of God is to the estates of men; it shakes, shatters, and breakes them to peices: To shake, or break a man to peices, is in common speech applyable to the estates of men, as well as to their persons, for of such a man we say, He is broken.