Ezekiel 9

Ezekiel 9:2-11

The six armed destroyers denote the Chaldeans, and other instruments of God’s vengeance. The man with the inkhorn denotes Jesus Christ, who manages all the slaughter of apostate nations, nay, all in the world, so as may consist with the preservation of his people, especially those who faithfully mourn over, and testify against, abounding iniquities

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IX.—God’s ministers of wrath, no less than of mercy, are always ready at his call. But how exceeding loth he is to leave a church, till their obstinacy and impudence, as it were, force him away! And dual even then are the removals of his comfortable presence. But even in he midst of ruin and destruction he takes peculiar care of the protection of his followers, however weak and concealed their holiness and zeal may be. He nows them that are his; and not one of them shall be lost. And he will keep them safe amidst common calamities, who keep themselves pure amidst abounding provocations. But, when he has gathered his wheat into his garner, nothing remains for the chaff but unquenchable fire. Those who persist in impenitence must die without mercy. And none meet with more terrible destruction than unfaithful magistrates and ministers. God’s temple protects penitent, not obstinate, offenders. And, if judgment begin at the house of God, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear! If servants in it defile it with their idolatries, no wonder that God should suffer the enemies of it to defile it with their violences.—But, if God spare us in mercy, we ought to intercede for our sinful brethren. And, even though for their sinfulness God should refuse to grant our requests, he will condescend to shew us the reasons of his conduct