An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…

Now when notwithstanding these two appearings of the Lord to Solomon, the heart of Solomon was turned away from the Lord God of Israel, his anger was kindled against Solomon, and the Lord smote him once, yea twice, renting his kingdom, and pulling away ten tribes at once, from his son and successor. O do not refuse God speaking to you twice, or the renewed speaking of God; to do so is very sinful, and therefore very dangerous. For as 'tis a sign of a holy heart, of a gracious frame of spirit, to hear twice at once speaking; as David professed he did (Psal: 62.11.) God hath spoken once, twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God: also unto thee O Lord belongeth mercy. There are several renderings and interpretations of those words; But that which to me seems most intended by our rendering is, I heard what was once spoken twice at once, that is, I heard it speedily, and I heard it believingly; as soon as ever the word came to me I received it, and I received it not only with my ear, but with my heart. That's a blessed way of hearing, and they who hear so, at first speaking, may well be said to hear that twice which God speaketh once. But how sad is it that God should speak twice, thrice, yea four times, and yet not be heard so much as once! When Job was brought upon his knees (Chap: 40.5.) he said, Once have I spoken, but I will not answer: yea twice but I will proceed no further. Job began to be sensible of that which Elihu was working him to, that he had been too forward, yea too forward with God; Job began to see his error, and recanted it; I have spoken once, yea twice, but I will proceed no further. 'Tis good, that after once or twice sinning or failing, we yet say we will proceed no further. O how deplorable is mans condition, when the Lord shall say, I have spoken once, yea twice, but now I will proceed no further, I will speak no more! And this usually comes to pass, ⟨p. 274⟩when men are dull and slow of heart to understand what he speaketh, which as natural men always, so godly men often are, as it followeth in this text; He speaketh once, yea twice, Yet man perceiveth it not.

Now when notwithstanding these two appearings of the Lord to Solomon, the heart of Solomon was turned away from the Lord God of Israel, his anger was kindled against Solomon, and the Lord smote him once, yea twice, renting his kingdome, and pulling away ten tribes at once, from his son and successor. O doe not refuse God speaking to you twice, or the renewed speaking of God; to doe so is very sinfull, and therefore very dangerous. For as 'tis a signe of a holy heart, of a gracious frame of spirit, to heare twice at once speaking; as David professed he did (Psal: 62.11.) God hath spoken once, twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God: also unto thee O Lord belongeth mercy. There are severall rendrings and interpretations of those words; But that which to me seemes most intended by our rendring is, I heard what was once spoken twice at once, that is, I heard it speedily, and I heard it believingly; as soon as ever the word came to me I received it, and I received it not only with my eare, but with my heart. That's a blessed way of hearing, and they who heare so, at first speaking, may well be sayd to heare that twice which God speaketh once. But how sad is it that God should speake twice, thrice, yea foure times, and yet not be heard so much as once! When Job was brought upon his knees (Chap: 40.5.) he said, Once have I spoken, but I will not answer: yea twice but I will proceed no further. Job began to be sensible of that which Elihu was working him to, that he had been too forward, yea too forward with God; Job began to see his error, and recanted it; I have spoken once, yea twice, but I will proceed no further. 'Tis good, that after once or twice sinning or failing, we yet say we will proceed no further. O how deplorable is mans condition, when the Lord shall say, I have spoken once, yea twice, but now I will proceed no further, I will speake no more! And this usually comes to passe,