Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/105

But, in the mean time, a new source of sin and misery had arisen in the family of David himself. His personal sins, indeed, were fast followed by sincere repentance, and therefore obtained speedy pardon^[1]; but because they were the sins of one with whom a peculiar covenant had been made^[2] they drew down the severest temporal judgments; the sword never departed from his house; and, by the dissentions which arose in his time^[3] a way was prepared for the schism and two-fold apostacy, first heretical and afterwards infidel, of the greater part of the chosen people. These, with God's endeavours to reclaim them by the warnings of Elijah and Elisha^[4], and by the sword of Jehu^[5], are traced in the chapters taken from the Books of Kings, from the first curse on Jeroboam's schismatical altar, till the final reprobation and captivity of the ten tribes^[6]. In the course of which history, especial emphasis is laid, first on the misfortunes incurred by the nameless prophet from Judah, by king Jehoshaphat and others, for their licentious communication with the heretical and idolatrous tribes,^[7] secondly, on the extension of God's favour to the Gentiles, in two instances^[8] for ever memorable; which extension, we may believe, was virtually a signal warning to His then elect people.

At length we arrive at the last sad scene of the history; the downfal of the Church of Judah also. We behold a temporary amendment in the days of Hezekiah, occasioned by the combination of miraculous mercy to herself, with judgment on Samaria in her sight^[9]. But we presently read of her thorough relapse; of her resistance to the example and efforts of good Josiah^[10]; of her sensuality^[11] and oppression^[12], her neglect^[13] and contempt^[14] of warnings, all accompanied with high pretences to civilization, and a certain kind of orthodoxy. All these, her dealings with God, are delineated at large by Jeremiah. In the Lessons from Ezekiel we have revealed more of God's dealings with her. He peremptorily orders his message to be delivered, whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear^[15]. He denounces the false prophets, preaching peace where there was no peace; and discovers their secret

1. 2 Sam xii. xxiv.
2. Ps. lxxxix. 2 Sam. xii. 14.
3. 2 Sam. xix.
4. 1 Kings xiii. xvii. xviii. xix. xxi. xxii. 2 Kings v.
5. 2 Kings ix. x.
6. 2 Kings xviii.
7. 1 Kings xiii. xxii. 2 Kings ix. x.
8. 1 Kings xvii. 2 Kings v.
9. 2 Kings xviii. xix.
10. 2 Kings xiii.
11. Jerem. v.
12. Jerem. xxii.
13. Jerem. xxxv.
14. Jerem. xxxvi.
15. Ezek. ii.