Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 3:20

20 Again when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall dye: because thou hast not given him warning he shall dye in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remem-but his blood will I require at thy hand.

What must be done to sinners is said now for those that have been righteous take thy directions.

Either one that hath for some continuance of time professed the way of Righteousness, but is now overcome of vices. Or, who is Righteous onely in appearance, as Prov. 18.17. Ezekiel 18.24.26 and 33.13. Matth. 9.13.

Gives just cause to fear he not onely hath committed some particular Sin, but that he hath changed the course of Life, the thoughts and purposes from good to evil, hath forsaken the way of Righteousness.

Gives himself up to a sinful life, wallowes in sin.

Dispose affairs so by a just and punishing Providence that what did restrain is taken away, or what will be occasion of greater sinning is not removed or any other way, I give such an one up to his own hearts lust, so that he continue in sin.

Shall perish in his Sin.

Either external, and seeming. Or, his partial and temporary Righteousness which he himself or others ascribed to him and thought to be in him.

Shall not be profitable to him, he that Apostatizeth is the worst of men, because he falls from known ways of Goodness and Holiness. Yet such must be warned else their blood will be required at the hand of those who were to warn them.

Marginal references: Chap. 18 2[illegible: 1 letter]; Heb. rightousnesses.