Ezekiel 13

Ezekiel 13:3

THat follow] that doe meddle with prophecying of their owne proper motion, being driven thereunto by their owne carnall affection, and declare nothing but their owne imaginations and inventions.

Ezekiel 13:4

Like the Foxes] which have spoyled the Lords vineyard as Foxes doe, when the inclosures of mud-wals (as are made in those countries) are broken downe, Son 2:15.

Ezekiel 13:5

Ye have not] Manners of speech taken from sieges, in which the duties of Captaines are to repaire and fortifie the place, and then stand to defend it if there be any breach made. The true strength of the Church is faith, obedience, piety, &c. The defence is invocation, intercession, repentance, and zeale to represse the wicked, &c. See Psal. 106. 23, 30. Ezekiel 22:30. The false Prophets are here reproved for failing in both these duties: Of the Lord] Of his judgements.

Ezekiel 13:6

The word] namely, their false predictions.

Ezekiel 13:9

They shall not] I will root them out of the world, so that they shall not onely be debarred from having any voice in publicke Assemblies, as the Prophets in those dayes had, Ier. 26. 7. but they shall not so much as be members of the people which were all numbred and set downe, Exodus 30:12. nor they shall not be sustered to dwell in the Holy Land, which was not denyed even to strangers.

Ezekiel 13:10

Built up] Proverbiall speeches: The meaning whereof is, the people doe heap up a great masse of sinne, and build vaine hopes of happinesse. The false prophets with their lyes and predictions plaister and dawbe over these sinnes, and give theit false hopes some colour; but the building being of it selfe ill built, this plaistering of it over cannot keep it from ruining, as strong plaister will for a time keep up an old ruinous wall.

Ezekiel 13:11

Overflowing shower] Hereby are meant Gods extreame judgements.

Ezekiel 13:12

Shall it not be said] You will beare the just reproofes for your flattering predictions.

Ezekiel 13:14

In the midst] You shall be infolded in the ruines of it.

Ezekiel 13:15

The wall is] I will presently destroy both the wall and the dawbers.

Ezekiel 13:18

The women] They were certaine false prophetesses, that did use these signes and ceremonies after the manner of the Prophets: And it should seeme that the pillowes were a signe of peace and ease for the one: and the vailes of mourning and calamity for the other, according to the custome of covering their faces in the like cases, 2 Sam. 15. 30. and 19. 4 Est. 6. 12. and 7. 8 Job 9:24. And to this seemes to have a relation that which is spoken, v. 19. and 22 Allarme-holes] indifferently to whom they please, without regarding either Gods will, or the worth, or unworthinesse of men Every stature] the Italian, Of persons of all statures] namely, of all conditions and qualities, great and small, young and old: to hunt] to ensnare them in errour, and consequently in perdition, at your pleasures.

Ezekiel 13:19

Pol’ute me] making me the authour and maintainer of your lyes and deceits, without any respect to my most holy name For handuls] that is to say, for any sleight reward, Micah 3:5. To slay] denouncing death and unhappy chances to good men, and raising persecution against them amongst the people. And contrariwise, promising life and prosperity to wicked men, and defending them against the justice of men.

Ezekiel 13:20

Behold] I will quickly cause you and your false ceremonies to perish.

Ezekiel 13:23

Ye shall see] I will root you out, that you may no more seduce my people with your deceits.