ons, nor shine
as the sun, nor give light as the moon.

6:67. Beasts are better than they, which can fly under a covert, and
help themselves.

6:68. Therefore there is no manner of appearance that they are gods: so
fear them not.

6:69. For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing, so
are their gods of wood, and of silver, and laid over with gold.

6:70. They are no better than a white thorn in a garden, upon which
every bird sitteth. In like manner also their gods of wood, and laid
over with gold, and with silver, are like to a dead body cast forth in
the dark.

6:71. By the purple also and the scarlet which are motheaten upon them,
you shall know that they are not gods. And they themselves at last are
consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.

6:72. Better, therefore, is the just man that hath no idols: for he
shall be far from reproach.

THE PROPHECY OF EZECHIEL

EZECHIEL, whose name signifies the STRENGTH OF GOD, was of the priestly
race; and of the number of captives that were carried away to Babylon
with king JOACHIN. He was contemporary with JEREMIAS, and prophesied to
the same effect in Babylon, as JEREMIAS did in Jerusalem; and is said to
have ended his days in like manner, by martyrdom.

Ezechiel Chapter 1

The time of Ezechiel's prophecy: he sees a glorious vision.

1:1. Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on
the fifth day of the month, when I was in the midst of the captives by
the river Chobar, the heavens were opened, and I saw the visions of God.

The thirtieth year... Either of the age of Ezechiel; or, as others will
have it, from the solemn covenant made in the eighteenth year of the
reign of Josias. 4 Kings 23.

1:2. On the fifth day of the month, the same was the fifth year of the
captivity of king Joachin,

1:3. The word of the Lord came to Ezechiel the priest the son of Buzi in
the land of the Chaldeans, by the river Chobar: and the hand of the Lord
was there upon him.

1:4. And I saw, and behold a whirlwind came out of the north: and a
great cloud, and a fire infolding it, and brightness was about it: and
out of the midst thereof, that is, out of the midst of the fire, as it
were the resemblance of amber:

1:5. And in the midst thereof the likeness of four living creatures: and
this was their appearance: there was the likeness of a man in them.

Living creatures... Cherubims (as appears from Ecclesiasticus 49.10)