That one of so little Use or Worth as I am, and one who-hath so much deserved the Displeasure of Heaven, should feel such a Stroke from God, no body may wonder at it. But why must such an Eminent Man of God, as the Prophet Ezekiel, be thus dealt withal? The Blessed God ⟨p. 192⟩would not only Try the virtue of His Holy Servant, but also make the Trial of the Prophet, a thing Prophetical of what was to come upon all the People. It is often so, that the things befalling of one Considerable person, who hath been much concerned for the Welfare of a people, are Ominous of what is to befall all the people for whom he hath been concerned. The Case of David, in the Fifty first Psalm; the Fate of Miriam, in her Leprosy and Exclusion; & many more such Things, were Types of what was to befall the Israelitish Nation. The Angels of the Seven Churches, had in their Condition, that of their Churches. Tho' this Minister of God, our Ezekiel, was a most unspotted Liver, and a most excellent Preacher, and his Hearers would also confess him to be so, yet he had Enemies among them: Heaven took Notice of it, with much offence at it. Son of Man, The Children of thy people are still talking against thee. It may be, some of these would be so malignant, as to Rejoice in the Affliction that now befell him. Rejoice not against me, O mine Enemies, (might our Prophet now say;) for the Affliction upon my Family, is but a sign ⟨p. 193⟩of a greater Confusion to come upon the Public When God was going to cast off a people, whom He had once Espoused and Married unto Himself, He does by Death cut off the happy Marriage, which there had been between His Prophet & a Daughter of Israel. When God was going to deprive the people of the Dear Enjoyments, which their Hearts were most of all set upon. He takes away from His Prophet the Dearest Thing he had in the world. And, because the Judgments coming upon that people, would be such, that they should not have liberty to Mourn with due Compassion and Solemnity for one another, therefore the Lord forbids now unto His Prophet, the solemn Rites of Mourning, which else on this mournful Occasion had been proper for him. Thus Ezekiel, is unto you a Sign, saith the Lord.
That one of so little Use or Worth as I am, and one who-hath so much deserved the Displeasure of Heaven, should feel such a Stroke from God, no body may wonder at it. But why must such an Eminent Man of God, as the Prophet Ezekiel, be thus dealt withal? The Blessed God ⟨p. 192⟩would not only Try the vertue of His Holy Servant, but also make the Trial of the Prophet, a thing Prophetical of what was to come upon all the People. It is often so, that the things befalling of one Considerable person, who hath been much concerned for the Welfare of a people, are Ominous of what is to befal all the people for whom he hath been concerned. The Case of David, in the Fifty first Psalm; the Fate of Miriam, in her Leprosy and Exclusion; & many more such Things, were Types of what was to befal the Israelitish Nation. The Angels of the Seven Churches, had in their Condition, that of their Churches. Tho' this Minister of God, our Ezekiel, was a most unsported Liver, and a most excellent Preacher, and his Hearers would also confess him to be so, yet he had Enemies among them: Heaven took Notice of it, with much offence at it. Son of Man, The Children of thy people are still talking against thee. It may be, some of these would be so malignant, as to Rejoice in the Affliction that now befel him. Rejoyce not against me, O mine Enemies, (might our Prophet now say;) for the Affliction upon my Family, is but a sign ⟨p. 193⟩of a greater Confusion to come upon the Publick When God was going to cast off a people, whom He had once Espoused and Married unto Himself, He does by Death cut off the happy Marriage, which there had been between His Prophet & a Daughter of Israel. When God was going to deprive the people of the Dear Enjoyments, which their Hearts were most of all set upon. He takes away from His Prophet the Dearest Thing he had in the world. And, because the Judgments coming upon that people, would be such, that they should not have liberty to Mourn with due Compassion and Solemnity for one another, therefore the Lord forbids now unto His Prophet, the solemn Rites of Mourning, which else on this mournful Occasion had been proper for him. Thus Ezekiel, is unto you a Sign, saith the Lord.
