Isaiah 32

Isaiah 32:1-8

Hezekiah, and his princes and officers, shall govern in equity and wisdom; shall protect the oppressed, promote the instruction of the subjects in the laws of God, and treat every one according to his real character, bad or good.—Jesus shall erect and govern his church in the most righteous manner, and his apostles and ministers shall wisely dispense his ordinances. He shall protect, refresh, quicken, and comfort, his people in all their tribulations. Such as have spiritual knowledge shall have it greatly increased; and even the inconsiderate shall be made to know, and the weak to declare, the things of God with great distinctness. Worthless, hypocritical, and mischievous, oppressors shall be detected, and debarred from offices or honours, while they, who are liberal and upright, shall be visibly blessed, and prosper

Isaiah 32:9-14

Terrible shall be the distress and anguish of those cities and wanton women, who, by their pride and vanity, provoked God to wrath; when, through the ravage of the enemy, neither milk, nor corn, nor wine, shall be found, but the whole land be turned into, and for many years or ages continued, a desolate wilderness

Isaiah 32:15-20

But when God shall pour forth his Spirit mighty changes shall ensue, and great revivals in souls, in churches, and nations, shall be wrought. The gospel shall be received, and righteous judgment executed, every where. Great shall be the peace and real prosperity of true believers, even while the unbelieving Jews, or others, shall be fearfully destroyed. And great shall be the success of ministers in the conversion of multitudes to Christ. 8 E

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXII.—Greatly beneficial are virtuous magistrates; but much more a gracious, a divine, Saviour. Safely may the most guilty rest under his all-covering propitiation; and the most weak and oppressed under his powerful protection. Hopeful is the case when those who are ignorant are willing to be taught, and when every thing is called by its own proper name. When persons are held in esteem, according to their real deserts; when they, who are active in plotting or practising wickedness, are disgraced; and they, who are active in contriving or performing what is good, are high in repute. But rarely any remarkable reformation happens, but some fearful judgment on the despisers and opposers thereof attends it. And how alarming at last, to the sons and daughters of unconcern, gaiety, and mirth, are the terrible, the desolating, and the damning, judgments of God! O what remarkable reformation God’s Spirit, by the preaching of the gospel, can make among nations, and in ages the most corrupted! Great are the advantages, the solid satisfaction, and substantial comforts, which are to be had in real fellowship with, and likeness to, God! And great is the honour of faithfully preaching the gospel and abounding in works of charity