Ezekiel 28
SIBEzekiel 28:1-19
You think yourself every way accomplished in body and mind, in dignity and wealth—as happy as ever Adam was in Paradise; having your crown studded, and your garments glittering with precious stones; and regaled, chiefly on your coronation day, with the finest music of instruments, contrived with exquisite art.—You think yourself a very angel, endowed with power to protect your people. You walk up and down as a god, or as the Jewish high priest, all surrounded with precious stones, glittering like fire. And, till you discovered your violence, pride, fraud, and joy at the miseries of the Jews, you appeared endowed with all excellencies and prerogatives.—But now for these thine iniquities I will overturn thy dignity, eject thee from thy throne and grandeur, render thee a public example of my wrath, and an object of derision to the princes around; and a fire, kindled by thy own imprudence and injustice, shall occasion thy terrible ruin
Ezekiel 28:22-25
God is sanctified in Zidon, by manifesting his justice, holiness, and power, in his judgments; but sanctified in the Jews, by manifestations of his mercy, and making them to own him for a holy and just God in their holy conversation
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXVIII.—It is necessary, and yet very hard, to take proud men know themselves to be but men—but poor, dependent, dying arms. And very rarely they, who are intelligent, wealthy, and dignified, are remarkably humble. Yes, seldom do men carry on very extensive trades with—oppressing and injuring their neighbours. But they, who pretend to be his rivals, are at last forced to quit their cisms, and find themselves but men, sick and sinful. God can easily cast the most fixed out of their dignified states, and devour them with a fire kindled by their own iniquity! Let Britain ask and tremble!—How the cup of his vengeance goes round from one nation another! But the ruin of his people’s enemies remarkably makes way for the restoration and happiness. Even when he corrects them, he takes the latest care that they may not seem vile to those around; and is highly protected with those that despise them and help forward their affliction