Ezekiel 16

Ezekiel 16:2

CAuse Ierusalem] namely, the remnant of the Jewes, which are in Ierusalem, which represent the whole body of the Nation and State.

Ezekiel 16:3

Thy nativity] Though you be of Abrahams race, yet you are so degenerate, that you deserve rather to be called Amorites, and Hittites, which were two accursed and execrable Nations. See Isaiah 1:10. Hosea 12:7. Iohn 8. 33, 37, 40. Rom. 2. 28. and 9. 7, 8.

Ezekiel 16:4

For thy nativity] An Allegory continued in all this Chapter, wherein the peoples estate is represented by a wretched maid, married, exalted and enriched through meere grace. Now the peoples birth seemes to be referred to the time, as being come to some forme and perfection of a body of a Nation in Aegypt, they began to be persecuted there. See Exodus 1:7-8. Thy navell] termes taken from that which useth to be done to little children newly borne, to shew that the people had no humane help nor assistance, but were utterly forsaken in their misery:Salted] the Italian, rubbed with salt] salt being used about these little creatures, to bathe and rub them, to drie up, cleanse and strengthen the body of the childe.

Ezekiel 16:6

I passed] Hereby seemes to be shewne, that God did not deliver his people presently, but let them lie a long time in misery in Aegypt, amidst sundry bloudy persecutions; preserving them still alive, and not suffering them to be destroyed, which is signified by these reiterated words, live in thy bloud.

Ezekiel 16:7

Thy breasts] He continues the same figure of a maid, that is now come to age to have a husband, to signifie the time appointed by God, to set his people at liberty, and honour them with the title of being his Church, and to make his covenant with them in Horeb, as Son 8:8. See Hosea 2:15 Naked] without any honour or defence, being yet in misery and captivity in Aegypt.

Ezekiel 16:8

Spread] An ancient ceremony, wherein the husband in signe of the right of property which he obtained in his wife, and for a pledge of his interchangeable duty of protection and love, did when hee married her, cover her with the skirt of his garment, Deuteronomy 22:30. Rth 3:9. which was a figure of the righteousnesse, innocency, and merit of Christ, which hideth all the blemishes of his Church from Gods sight, and by this meanes gets the title of being her head, Lord, and husband, which hath at all times been the foundation and summe of the covenant of grace I sware] I made a solemne covenant with thee, that I would take thee to be my people. See concerning the time of the peoples marriage,Ier. 2. 2.

Ezekiel 16:9

Washed] Corporally I tooke away from thee all signes and tokens of misery, and of thy former oppression, and enriched thee with my gifts and benefits. And spiritually I purged thee from thy sinnes, which are the uncleannesse of the soule in which man is borne, and endowed thee with the graces of my spirit; signified by the anointing which was commonly done after they had washed, Rth 3:3. Luke 7:44.

Ezekiel 16:10

Badgers skin] which were some way neatly dressed for to make handsome shooes Covered thee] with a curious vaile, which maidens bore over thy head.

Ezekiel 16:12

Thy forehead] the Italian, thy nose] See touching this kinde of ornament, Genesis 24:47. Isaiah 3:21.

Ezekiel 16:13

Didst prosper] So high that thou becamest a great and glorious kingdome.

Ezekiel 16:15

Thou didst] Thou art become presumptuous and bold, by reason of the gifts which thou hast received from me; and wouldest be no longer subject to me, nor containe thy selfe within the chastity of my service and obedience, but didst chuse to live a loose life, Playedst the harlot] Thou hast joyned thy selfe by unlawfull covenants, and by imitation of idolatry, to prophane people, which thou hast drawne to thee, by the greatnesse of thy state, and the preheminence which thou hadst above other Nations Poured out] Thou hast indifferently, and impudently prostituted thy selfe. See Ier. 3. 13. Ezekiel 16:36. His it was] He might satisfie his lust as he would, for thou gavest him free liberty to doe it.

Ezekiel 16:16

High place] namely, the Altars, Chappels and Temples of thine Idols, garnished with ornaments, and rich tapestries, which I had bestowed upon thee for thine owne use.

Ezekiel 16:17

Of men] namely, idols, which were as adulterers to the idolatrous soules, though there were many female idols also.

Ezekiel 16:19

Sweet savour] burning those offerings as it were, to appease the idols; as God had appointed they should doe to him Thus it was] All these things were notoriously knowne and verified, and they are not to be denyed nor excused.

Ezekiel 16:20

Whom thou hast] Who at their birth were mine, by vertue of my covenant, whereby the whole body of the Nation were as a wife to me, and the particular persons as children, wherefore thou shouldest have consecrated them to me.

Ezekiel 16:21

For them] namely, for the images of the foresaid idols.

Ezekiel 16:22

In all] Thine unbridled idolatry hath been accompanied with an infamous ingratitude, and presumptuous confidence, that you could no more fall into your former miseries.

Ezekiel 16:24

Thou hast] Like to an unchaste woman, who after she hath used dishonesty privately with some particular men, doth afterwards prostitute her selfe publickely in a brothell house: whereby is meant idolatry that is commonly practised and allowed by publicke authority. See Isaiah 3:9.

Ezekiel 16:26

Committed fornication] He hath a relation to the frequent treaties, and covenants between the Aegyptians and them, together with the acceptation and imitation of their idolatries. See Ezekiel 8:10; Ezekiel 8:14; Ezekiel 23:19 Great of flesh] A figurative terme taken from the shamelesse desires of lascivious unchaste women, Ezek. 23 20. to signifie that the power and wealth of Aegypt did entice the people to desire to adhere, and be linked unto them.

Ezekiel 16:27

Diminished] I have diminished thine estate, and have taken away the abundance of my blessings from thee The daughters] namely, to the Cities and people. See 2 Chronicles 28:18. Ashamed] They detest and abhorre thine unconstant and wavering idolatry: they holding themselves constant to their ancient idolatry, which was at first established. See Ier. 2. 10, 11, 33.

Ezekiel 16:30

Weake] Weakened and melted in spirituall lust, which worketh the same offect in the soules, as bodily lust doth in the bodies, extinguishing all manner of vertue in them, and effeminating them to a base and sensuall esteem of God and his service, and weakening the true worship of him in spirit and truth Imperious] that is to say, licentious, unbridled, and incorrigible, that taketh liberty to doe what she pleaseth.

Ezekiel 16:31

Thou scomest] the Italian, For thou despisest] as much as to say, thou hast not been sought after, nor solicited, nor rewarded, nor paid; but thou thy selfe hast solicited and paid thine adulterers, which in a woman is the extreame of impudency. See 2 King. 16 7, 8. 2 Chronicles 28:21 Isaiah 36:1-22. Hosea 8:9.

Ezekiel 16:34

In that] No body hath desired nor solicited thee: so is the sinne of the people aggravated, who without any bodies inducement, of their owne proper motion were run into idolatry. See Ier. 31. 32.

Ezekiel 16:36

Thy filthinesse] Heb. thy poison, that is to say, the infamous fluxes of whores. The meaning is, thou hast sinned without shame, and I will punish thee with infamy and disgrace, even by them with whom thou hast sinned.

Ezekiel 16:37

Loved] most constantly, and to the end, like to the Aegyptians, hated] namely, the Babylonians against whom the Jewes tooke part with the Aegyptians, Ezekiel 23:22; Ezekiel 23:28.

Ezekiel 16:38

That shed] that doe murther the children which they bring forth v. 36. give thee] the Italian, punish thee] or I will make thee all bloud.

Ezekiel 16:39

Eminent place] the Italian, thy brothell] namely, the City of Ierusalem it selfe, or the whole state where idolatry had been publickely practised and without controule, v. 24. 31.

Ezekiel 16:40

Store thee] He hath a relation to the punishment appointed for adulteresses by the Law, Deuteronomy 22:24.

Ezekiel 16:41

Women] namely, of many kinde of people, and Nations, whereof the Chaldean army shall be composed.

Ezekiel 16:42

To rest] that is to say, I will powre out and execute it fully.

Ezekiel 16:44

As is the mother] It was a common proverbe: by the name of mother, he meanes the Hittites, whom the Jewes had succeeded, not only in the possession of their countrey, but also in customes, and works, v. 3. Now these Nations were taxed with serving of Devils, and sacrificing their children to them, Deuteronomy 18:9-10.

Ezekiel 16:45

Her husband] namely, God the Creator of all, and Law-giver to all, whose knowledge and service those Nations utterly forsooke to worship Devils.

Ezekiel 16:46

Thine elder sister] that is to say, thou Jewish Nation, and Samaria; that is to say, the ten Tribes, and Sodome, are like one another in sinning, even as if you were one and the selfe-same mothers daughters, Deuteronomy 32:32. Isaiah 1:10. Jeremiah 3:8. Thy left hand] that is to say, to the Northward: For the Hebrewes call the forepart the East, the hinder part the West, the left side the North, and the right side the South.

Ezekiel 16:47

Nor done] Thou hast not been contented with imitating, and equalling them, but hast gone beyond them.

Ezekiel 16:49

Pride] She had gotten none but temporall excellencies from me, not the spirituall ones of my word and covenant as thou hadst: And besides, her greatest sinne was but against the second Table, rather then against the first, as thine is in violating my service.

Ezekiel 16:50

As I saw good] or after I had seen, namely, their abominations, Genesis 18:21.

Ezekiel 16:51

Halfe] because thou receivedst more favours at my hands, and hast been longer suffered, exhorted and corrected, and hast seene my judgements upon the other; therefore thine ingratitude, rebellion and obstinacy, cannot be equalled, justified] made their sinnes to seeme but little ones, and excusable, by the accesse of thine, and them innocent, in comparison of thee, Jeremiah 3:11. Matthew 12:41-42.

Ezekiel 16:52

Justified] the Italian, judged] condemned them without any pitty, as wicked, and not deserving any mercy.

Ezekiel 16:53

Shall bring] the Italian, if I bring] that is to say, as I will never re-establish those Cities and Nations into their former estate, so shall the Jewish Nation never be restored after the ruine which shall come upon them by the Chaldeans, in respect of the glory of the Temple, and the state of the Kingdome; but as concerning spirituall good, the people had alwayes a remainder of grace, and hope of restorement to salvation, v. 60. which the other Nations had not, Isaiah 1:9. captivity] This word is taken for all kinds of extreame misery, Job 42:10. the captivity] namely, free them from thy servitude, and other continued and successive calamities. See 2 Chr. 33. 11. and 36. 6, 10 Jeremiah 52:28-30.

Ezekiel 16:54

A comfort] A common kinde of speech; as if those other Nations had any way been eased, by seeing the Jewes as much, or more punished then they were, Lam. 46.

Ezekiel 16:56

Was not mentioned] Though thou were like Sodome in sinnes, yet through pride thou didst disdaine, and through hypocrisie thou hadst in abomination the very name of it, and didst thinke thy selfe out of danger of being used in the same kinde.

Ezekiel 16:57

Was discovered] by my judgements which I began to execute upon thee by meanes of these Nations.

Ezekiel 16:59

The Oath] by which thou hadst bound thy selfe to me, as a people to their King, and a wife to her husband. See Deuteronomy 27:15.

Ezekiel 16:60

An everlasting Covenant] namely, the spirituall covenant, made with the true Israel in spirit.

Ezekiel 16:61

Thou shalt] Thou shalt be touched with true compunction and repentance When thou] namely, when I shall convert the Gentiles, and make them members of the Church, whose body was represented by the old Jewish Nation, which was also first imployed in the preaching of the Gospell Thy Elder] more or lesse ancient, powerfull, or noble then thy self But not] not by vertue of the old externall and carnall covenant, in which the naturall Jewes only had part, or such as joyned themselves to their Religion and Ceremonies, Jeremiah 31:32. But by vertue of the new, spirituall and eternall one, grounded upon the Messias, and upon his righteousnesse, redemption, and spirit, which is made with the whole Israel according to faith, Galatians 4:25-26.

Ezekiel 16:63

That thou mayest] these things are here written and set downe, to the end, that after thy re-establishment, especially in the time of the Gospell, thou maist give God all the glory for thy deliverance, by a sincere acknowledgement and consession of thy sinnes, approving of, and in silence adoring the judgements which had formerly been inflicted upon thee, Romans 3:19.