The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Secondly, We observe, as these were external, bodily and temporary judgments, so the people were actually under them; they were not under the threats of the judgments, but the judgments themselves. So Levit. 26.41. expresseth it plainly, when they were in the Land of their enemies, If then their uncircumcised hearts were humbled, and they accept of the punishment: What punishment? This their scattering amongst their enemies. So in the Lamentations and Micah: Make this agree with our question, the Soul must be actually given up to its lusts, and actually damned.

Thirdly, They were such evils, that though they were actually under them, yet they might have union with God, and live in communion with him; though strangers in an enemies Land, yet not strangers to God. Thus we read of precious Saints in captivity, Daniel, &c. So, The Lord is my portion, saith my soul, Lam. 3.24. My God will hear me, Micah 7.7. God would be a Sanctuary to them, Ezek. 11.16. though scattered among Heathen: promise, He will not cast them away, nor abhor them, Levit. 26.44.

Fourthly, These evils were means in the hand of God to bring them home to God; when they tasted the fruit of their rebellion, it helped to bring them to repentance: in a strange Land they learned acquaintance with God, when they were strangers to him in their own Land: thus Ephraim found it, or shall find it,