Isaiah 66

Another Sermon, like the former; and that as in matter; so also in many expressions, agreeing with it.

Isaiah 66:1

The heaven in my throne,] Cited Acts VII. 48, 49, 50. See Psalme CIII. 19. Matth. V. 34.

where is the House] That ye have, or should, or can, build unto me, when as I fill heaven and earth with my presence, Jer. XXIII. 24 See 1 Kings VIII. 27. Acts XVII. 14, 25. And this is to take off their minds from the Temple of Jerusalem, wherein they over-much trusted, and gloried, Jer. VII. 4.

place of my rest] Psal. CXXXII. 8, 14. Not but that he can well be without them; as he was also before they were. He needs no house to receive him, nor service of man to be done to him, Psal. XVI. 2. and L. 10, 11. He needs not these things, as their idols do.

Isaiah 66:2

contrite spirit] John IV. 21, 23, 24. God looks to him more then to his material Temple, Psal. XXXIV. 18. and . 6.

Isaiah 66:3

He that killeth an Oxe] For sacrifice. 3 As in the Temple, so in their Sacrifices, the Jewes much confided and boasted, 2 Chron. XIII. 10, 11. But when they rested in these outward things and exercises, without any grace and goodnesse in the soul, and with much filthinesse, and wickednesse in their hearts and lives, God loaths their persons and their sacrifices, chap. I. 11,—14. Prov. XV. 8. and XXI. 27. Jer. VI. 20. and VII. 21, 22, 23. Amos V. 21, 22, 23. Micah VI. 6, 7. Ezek. XX. 39.

blessed an idol] With a Present or oblation, Gen. XXXIII. 10. and XLIII. 11.

Isaiah 66:4

I also will choose] An implication of a Retaliation; As, chap. LXV. 12. Levit. XXVI. 27, 28. Psal. XVIII 26. Jer. XXXIV. 17.

their delusions] Passively, or objectively; their illusions or mockages, that they shall be exposed and subject unto. As they have made choice of such wayes and courses, as please not me; so will I make choice of such things for them, as they shall finde small pleasure in.

Their fears] Prov. X. 24.

Isaiah 66:5

that cast you out] Either by unjust Censure, under pretence of a legal proceeding; or that shun you, as persons so polluted and defiled, that there is no dealing with you, without being defiled by you. See John IX. 34. and XVI. 2. See chap. LXV. 5. Lam. IV. 15. Niddui a word of this root is the lowest degree of Excommunication in the Jewish Church

for my Names sake] For your loyalty to me; As, Matth. X. 22.

Let the Lord be glorified] Spoken in way of derision. Let him manifest his might and majesty, in doing some remarkable matter for you, if ye be so dear to him, as ye deeme your selves to be. Thus jearing their trust and confidence in God; As, chap. V. 19. Psal. XXII. 7, 8. Matth. XXVII. 43. 2 Pet. III. 3, 4.

but he shall appear] The answer to that jear.

Isaiah 66:6

A voice] Esay breaks out into these words, as if in a Prophetical rapture he heard the noise and voice. Like that, chap. XIII. 4. Jer. L. 22, 28. and LI. 54. A voice of noise of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Temple, by the Chaldeans, or by the Romanes.

from the Temple] To control their vaine confidence in it; as implying, how little relief or safeguard they should then receive from it, Lam. II. 20.

to his enemies] Most likely, the obstinately wicked amongst the Jewes, verse V. 14. chap. LXV. 6, 7, and I. 24.

Isaiah 66:7

Before she travelled] A prophecie of the strange sudden, and unexpected restitution of the Church, and the dilatation of it into all parts. This may relate to the delivery out of Babylon by Cyrus, done at an instant by his Proclamation: not with so much ado, as that was out of Egypt. Here Zion is like the Hebrew women, Exod. I. 19. But principaly this relates to the times of the Gospel, and the Christian Church, under Christ; to which the other is subordinate.

a man-child] Collectively multitudes are meant, 8. Ezra II. 64, 65. Acts II. 41. and IV. 4.

Isaiah 66:9

shall I] Set upon a work, and not go through with it?

Isaiah 66:11

Suck] Chap. LX. 16.

Isaiah 66:14

and your bowes] Shall get vigor, and verdure againe: as those bones, Ezek. XXXVII. 1,—10.

Isaiah 66:15

come with fine] Towards and against his enemies. Fully to be accomplished at the last day of judgement.

Isaiah 66:17

They that sanctifie themselves] Using superstitious rites of expiation.

in the gardens] Set apart for idolatrous services.

behinde one in the midst] Or, one person, or company after another; possibly purifying themselves in the fountaine in the midst of the garden.

Isaiah 66:18

It shall come] Since this people do take such courses, ver. 3, 4. I will execute judgement upon them, and casting them off, take in the Gentiles, Rom. XI. 11, 12, 15, 17.

Isaiah 66:19

Set a signe] A Signe or Ensigne to gather them. Or, a saving signe and mark upon them; as, Ezek. IX. 4, 6. Apoc. VII. 3. and IX. 4.

those that escape of them] The reserves and holy remnant of the Jewish Nation, the Apostles, and other faithful, to all Nations, to call them in by the preaching of the Gospel.

Isaiah 66:20

your brethren] In Christ, the Converts of the Gentiles, chap. LX. 4, 9.

Isaiah 66:21

for Priests, and for Levites] Make of them Ministers of the Gospel.

Isaiah 66:22

For as the new heaven] Chap. LXV. 17. Heb. XII. 28.

remaine] Stand, continue for ever, Matth. XVI. 18.

Isaiah 66:23

to worship before me] By allusion in termes to the old Jewish maner of worship, Zech XIV. 16.

Isaiah 66:24

and look upon the carcases] Be spectators and witnesses of the execution of Gods vengeance upon those wicked ones, 15, 16. Psal. LVIII. 10.

for their worme] Hell here is principaly intended. See chap. XXX. 33. Matth. III. 12. and X. 28. and XVIII. 8, 9. and XXV. 41. James V. 3. Apoc. XIV. 10, 11. and XIX. 20. and XX. 14, 15.