In this Historical Narrative, he first gives a general account of the ground of God's controversy and the procuring cause of the mischiefs and miseries which befell that People, vers. 9, 10, 11. From whence he proceeds to an enumeration of sundry choice and singular acts of Providence wrought in favour of them, In Egypt, and in the Wilderness: These are scattered through the whole Psalm: To which he adjoins (and by which he illustrates) the greatness of their provocation in sinning and rebelling against Him. And indeed, for a People under the special and eminent conduct of God's favour, to revolt and degenerate, is a deep dyed transgression. No wonder then if we find him interweaving the story of God's wrath, and the mischiefs which wasted and brought them low; the particulars whereof are recorded in Moses's History. And that which most of all deserves remark, is, the moderation of Divine severity, and God's remembrance of mercy in the ⟨p. 133⟩midst of Judgement, so far, that He spared that People, and brought them to a settlement and establishment in the Land of Canaan, notwithstanding they had so grievously incensed His displeasure against them. One most observable (and indeed admirable) Circumstance whereof we may observe in the Text, with some Verses of the Context, viz. Their grievous dissimulation in their Repentance and renewals of Covenant, This you may view from vers. 34. The sum of it is thus much; when God's Hand lay heavy upon them in sore and vexing Calamities, they fly to their Confessions, Reformations, and Covenants: And indeed it is no new (but a frequent) thing for a professing People, under the rod of God's anger, to do thus. Judgments (especially such as are distressing) do awaken the Conscience which before was infected with a Lethargy, and this being affrighted with the Terrors of the Almighty drives (at least) to use outward means to pacify an offended Majesty, and come upon terms of agreement with God. But here lay the misery of all, that in this they betrayed their horrible wickedness, and did but dissemble, flatter and lie. And what could have been expected to befall them for this but more heavy wrath? Yet, in vers. 38, 39. God's pity prevailed, and when He might righteously have destroyed, He spared.
In this Historical Narrative, he first gives a general account of the ground of God's controversie and the procuring cause of the mischiefs and miseryes which befel that People, vers. 9, 10, 11. From whence he proceeds to an enumeration of sundry choise and singular acts of Providence wrought in favour of them, In Egypt, and in the Wilderness: These are scattered through the whole Psalm: To which he adjoynes (and by which he illustrates) the greatness of their provocation in sining and rebelling against Him. And indeed, for a People under the special and eminent conduct of God's favour, to revolt and degenerate, is a deep dy'd transgression. No wonder then if we find him enterweaving the story of God's wrath, and the mischiefs which wasted and brought them low; the particulars whereof are recorded in Moses's History. And that which most of all deserves remark, is, the moderation of Divine severity, and God's remembrance of mercy in the ⟨p. 133⟩midst of Judgement, so far, that He spared that People, and brought them to a settlement and establishment in the Land of Canaan, notwithstanding they had so grievously incensed His displeasure against them. One most observable (and indeed admirable) Circumstance whereof we may observe in the Text, with some Verses of the Context, viz. Their grievous dissimulation in their Repentance and renewals of Covenant, This you may view from vers. 34. The summe of it is thus much; when God's Hand lay heavy upon them in sore and vexing Calamities, they fly to their Confessions, Reformations, and Covenants: And indeed it is no new (but a frequent) thing for a professing People, under the rod of God's anger, to do thus. Judgments (especially such as are distressing) do awaken the Conscience which before was infected with a Lethargy, and this being affrighted with the Terrors of the Almighty drives (at least) to use outward means to pacify an offended Majesty, and come upon terms of agreement with God. But here lay the misery of all, that in this they betrayed their horrible wickedness, and did but dissemble, flatter and lie. And what could have been expected to befal them for this but more heavy wrath? Yet, in vers. 38, 39. God's pitty prevailed, and when He might righteously have destroyed, He spared.
