God's Eye on the Contrite

THis Chapter and the foregoing contain the last and 〈…〉 ing S◊ on of this Prophet, in the publick A◊ce o◊ 〈…〉 Iews, 〈…〉 that did concern and was proposed to the General ◊dy of that People. in which Discourse the Lord does by the Prophet declare the Removal of the Glory and of his Kingdom from them to another People: and withal mentions th◊ ◊rticular sins, and their Obstinacy in them; for which he would 〈…〉 deal with them in removing from and rejecting of them. But yet notwithstanding to evidence his Love and Faithfulness to this people that had been so near him, and that he had so graciously manifested Himself to: the Lord promises to preserve a Remna◊ in this calamity, whom He would follow with signal favours where ever they should be cast, and reserve to better times. In the finishing and making up of his Prophecy the Prophet intermixes many things by way of Comfort to the godly, and Threatning to the wicked under all the great Revolutions of Providence that should happen in the accomplishment of what was here fore-told. And because this people of the Iews both good and bad did too much confide in the Temple and the external Rites and Ordinances of God's worship attended among them: while in the mean time they were not suitably spirited nor did suitably carry themselves. The Prophet in the beginning of this Chapter beats them off from that carnal confidence, and shews them the true way of obtaining and re-taining Divine, Favour▪ declaring ◊hat it would be vain Confidence to rest in any external ◊gns of Gods pr◊e or

[1 page missing or illegible in the copy TCP transcribed (missing).]

p. 3be constantly and certainly depended upon: But to this m◊ 〈…〉 look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and tremble◊ at my Word.

Concerning the former part of the words, there a rise two Questions:

QUST. I. What is the Antecedant to the Relative those, those things which its said God had made, and that they had been?

p. 3ANSW. Some refer it to the Heaven and Earth mentioned in the beginning of the first verse. Them, and whatsoever is contained in them, all the works of Creation which we behold, above or below, in the Sky or Heavens, or on the earth. Others refer it t◊ the House that had been built unto God, that had been the place of His rest viz. the Temple mentioned in the latter part of the first verse. it is not inconsistent or impossible but both may be referred to, having been just before both mentioned, and the repeating of the Relative is not unlikely, but doth intimate so much; All those things hath My hand made, 〈…〉 the works of Creation. And all those things have been, viz. ◊t have pertained to my Temple, House, Rest and Abode among you.

QUEST. II. What is the scope and drift of these words, to what end 〈…〉 they thus exprest? [For all those things hath mine hand made &c.]

ANSW. They may import either

1. Seeing that God is HE who has given being to all things, one and another, He cannot be supposed to have any need of, to receive benefit by, or be engaged unto Man for any service he hath done Him. And so they respect and may be joyned with the following words after this manner, q. d. Although I who AM the Authour and Creator of all things whatsoever, cannot therefore need or be engaged to any creature, yet I will condescend to shew grace to such who are of 〈…〉 truly humble mind, and do fear before Me. My Greatness shall not hinder Me dwelling with, and regarding the lowly in spirit. Or else

2. It may be as if the Lord should say. Its true My Temple, My House, My Rest, My Worship, Order and Ordinances have been among you: All these things have been: But the bare Being of these is no certain Sign of My continuing Presence and Favour; There may be many things that may drive Me away, notwithstanding all that may have been of this nature: But here I give you a certain mark by which you may try and be assured of My Favour, Viz. if these following properties be found in you; That you be p. 4poor, contrite in spirit, and tremble at My Word. But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor, &c.

p. 4I shall a little open this latter part of the words,

But to this man] scil. To every such man; man or woman; and therefore to any Company or Society of such men as shall be so spirited; To any people that are in such a frame. What agrees to Individuals, will also agree to the whole that is made up of such Individuals.

Will I look] Verbs of Sense denote also suitable and proportionable affections. It imports therefore. To look with favour and acceptation, to respect, regard, take notice and take care of, to accept with good Will, to embrace with Favour and Love. So Exod. 2. 25. God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect to them. Numb. 16. 15. Moses was very wroth and said to the Lord, respect not thou their offering. Psal. 11. 7. His countenance doth behold the upright. Amos 5. 22. Your meat-offerings I will not accept, neither will I regard—which is the same word ◊th this here in the Text.

Even to him that is poor] The word sometimes signifies those which are outwardly poor and afflicted, and such frequently is the condition of those in this world who find most Favour with God. But here it is to be understood of such who are spiritually poor, or poor in their own sight and esteem, poor in spirit, as they are called Mat. 5. 3. that think modestly, lowly, meanly of themselves. They are meek and humble, that feel their need of divine answers to their cries, and of divine Help. All men indeed are poor in spiritual regards, but it is the man that does duly sense his spiritual poverty, who understands himself to be and bears himself as a poor man, that is here meant. Qui nihil altum de se sapit. His heart is not haughty, nor his eye lofty, and he feels and believes that there is no cause they should.