2. How he values them. He doth not stand upon other Nations for their Safety, either to preserve them, or to divert the Destroyer from them. As for Instance, when God raiseth up some furious Instrument, that is Flagellus Dei, the Scourge of God, to pull down and waste, God finds Work for them abroad to save his People; and therefore he saith, Isa. 43.3, 4. I am the Lord thy God, the holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy Ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my Sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give Men for thee, and People for thy Life. He let the Sword go into other Countries to save Judah, that was his Heritage; if the Sword must drink Blood, and eat Flesh, let it go to Egypt, Ethiopia, Seba, into Idolatrous Countries: He puts other Nations in their stead, and counts them as a little Chaff, to save the Jews. And then the highest among the Nations (which is another Argument) are rebuked for their sakes. God plucked the Sceptre out of the Hands of Kings, and the Diadems off from their Heads, Psal. 105.14, 15. He suffered no Man to do them Wrong; yea, he reproved Kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not my Anointed; meaning those that are anointed with his Grace: God will rebuke the mightiest Potentates. Again, tho they are never so despicable, yet Countries, whom God hath deemed to Destruction, hath he saved for their sakes. It is a notable Expression of God to Lot, Gen. 19.22. Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. These are the Blessings in the Cluster that keeps the Vine ⟨p. 179⟩alive, which otherwise would be destroyed; the Chariots and Horse-men of Israel: nay, they are the Pillars of the whole World, the Creation would not continue a jot longer if God had not a peculiar People. As the Ship tarries till all the Passengers be entered, then they hoist up Sails; God's Providence only tarries till all the Elect be gathered, and his Jewels shall be made up, then the World shall be no more. There are some few hidden ones that keep up the World, and preserve the course and frame of Nature. Now will you not put in for this Privilege to be of that number? You must pass the great River and be washed, before you can come to serve and minister in holy Things to God.
2. How he values them. He doth not stand upon other Nations for their Safety, either to preserve them, or to divert the Destroyer from them. As for Instance, when God raiseth up some furious Instrument, that is Flagellus Dei, the Scourge of God, to pull down and waste, God finds Work for them abroad to save his People; and therefore he saith, Isa. 43.3, 4. I am the Lord thy God, the holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy Ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my Sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give Men for thee, and People for thy Life. He let the Sword go into other Countries to save Iudah, that was his Heritage; if the Sword must drink Blood, and eat Flesh, let it go to Egypt, Ethiopia, Seba, into Idolatrous Countries: He puts other Nations in their stead, and counts them as a little Chaff, to save the Jews. And then the highest among the Nations (which is another Argument) are rebuked for their sakes. God plucked the Scepter out of the Hands of Kings, and the Diadems off from their Heads, Psal. 105.14, 15. He suffered no Man to do them Wrong; yea, he reproved Kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not my Anointed; meaning those that are anointed with his Grace: God will rebuke the mightiest Potentates. Again, tho they are never so despicable, yet Countries, whom God hath deemed to Destruction, hath he saved for their sakes. It is a notable Expression of God to Lot, Gen. 19.22. Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. These are the Blessings in the Cluster that keeps the Vine ⟨p. 179⟩alive, which otherwise would be destroyed; the Chariots and Horse-men of Israel: nay, they are the Pillars of the whole World, the Creation would not continue a jot longer if God had not a peculiar People. As the Ship tarries till all the Passengers be entred, then they hoist up Sails; God's Providence only tarries till all the Elect be gathered, and his Jewels shall be made up, then the World shall be no more. There are some few hidden ones that keep up the World, and preserve the course and frame of Nature. Now will you not put in for this Privilege to be of that number? You must pass the great River and be washed, before you can come to serve and minister in holy Things to God.
