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α) either (with Janovius) 746 for me and the inhabitants of Jerusalem there
is strength in the Lord; and when they indicate not only that their trust was alone
in God, but also, that they now were become strong, having been but weak and
timid formerly; compare verse 8 and Isaiah 33:24 747 Joel 3:10. 748
β) or rather, with our translation, the inhabitants etc.
a) by the inhabitants of Jerusalem, we understand the common
believers, in distinction from their governors for Jerusalem, you know, is a usual
type or emblem of the Church of Christ; which is here compared by Jerusalem,
and therefore their living members are called the inhabitants thereof because they
are all born in this Jerusalem, that is from above, and entitled to the privileges as
well as enabled to perform the duties of this spiritual city of God, having their
conversation in heaven, Philippians 3:20; 749 being also Holy and at the same time
safe, dwelling in the City of God, and enjoying peace with God and the
Communion of Saints; but lastly, praying as faithful citizens for the peace and
prosperity of the Common Wealth of Israel, as their inhabitation. Nay, this
figurative diction may intimate besides that they never should be thrust out but
preserved by the power of God through faith until they be translated into the
eternal and joyful mansions of bliss in the Celestial Jerusalem.
b) And now, I trust my hearers, you will allow such inhabitants of
Jerusalem were precious and of great weight in the scale of public affairs.
Therefore the governors who knew them said with pleasure and confidence they
Shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts, their God.
1) The inhabitants of Jerusalem are here supposed to be
already delivered; and they, as saved from the Lord, should encourage the
governors to continue and proceed in their pious attempts to rescue their
oppressed country, going forth, conquering to conquer, for their God was the Lord
of hosts; who hath all times and opportunities as well as all the powers of Heaven
and Earth in His hands, under His control and command, and therefore mighty to
save the glory of their strength and who would not cease nor rest, until he hath
caused Jerusalem to be his glory and his praise on the Earth.
2) But, please to observe, this great event should take place by
the intervention through means of the inhabitants, and their governors. The
inhabitants should be faithful as well as strong in the Lord; none of them being
called out to arms for the defense of their land should stay home, but all and every
one come up to the help of the Lord, and each of them should also some more for
the propagation of the gospel.
ז) Willing and ready should the Christians be to assist their governors
with their counsels and strength; nay, if taxes were required, to pay the expense or
the officers and servants of the land, no true Christian would refuse to contribute
746
Mathias Janovius (d. 1394), a Bohemian confessor to the emperor, Charles IV, and zealous
reformer, predecessor of Jan Hus: “The rage of the enemies of the truth hath now prevailed against me;
but this shall not always be; for an ignoble people shall arise without sword or power, over whom they
shall not be able to prevail” [Blair 1832:428].
747
“And no inhabitant will say, ‘I am sick’; the people who live there will be forgiven their iniquity.”
748
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weakling say, ‘I am
a warrior.’”
749
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ.
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