Chap. 2 An Expofitionupon the Bookof 3 O B. Vert. 9. ofHell : And I thall anfwer it in one word, It isfar better to dye praying, then to conquer blafJheming. Such doctrine may flop up a hypocrites mouth, and weaken his heart from duty : But it will more open the mouths,and enlarge the hearts of thole whoare fin. cere. Will thehypocrite always call upon God ? Will he delight himfelf in the Almighty ? faith Job. No, he delights in God no longer,then Godgives himworldly delights;nor calls uponGod a- ny longer, then fenfible bleffings are fent in unto him:IfGod flays his hand, he flops in duty ; he quickly takes up Satans leffon, and will no longer hold his integrity.But Grace (hews us wages in the work: a Godly man hath his fruit in holinefs,and therefore though he receives no outward fruit, he ffill holdsfaff his integrity. But what would Jobs wife advile to him to do, in cafe he thould let . go the hounds ofhis life? That follows in the next words;having endeavoured to take him offfrom one courfe, the direEts him to- another. - 277 Curfe God and dye. Here is the fécond part of her counfel, curled counfel indeed: Curfe God and dye. It is the fame original word which we have opened before, and met with two or three times already. In the proper fignification it noteth bieffing, and fo the word is by many Expofitors rendred in thisplace,Blef r Godanddye ; Mr. Broughton tranllates it fo in one entire fentence, Daft thouJtill retain thine in- tegrity, bleffingGodand dying? We muff therefore examine both fides, that we may find out more fully the fenle of thefe words. Some take -the words in a good fenfe, and tome take them in an ill fenfe. Some take the words in a good fenfe, Blefs God and dye ; And others who tranflate, Biefs God anddye, do yet expound it to an ill fenfe. Firfi, Some make a good conflruEtion out of thefe words of Jobs wife, affirming that the gave her husband wholefom advice, and fo they render. the words, Blefs Godand dye , to this fenfe What ? doll thou (fill (land upon terms with God ? wilt thou not humble thy felf? fhould(i thou not rather biefs God ? that is, pray untoGod, humble thy felf, and leek his face ; fo tobiefs, fignifies to pray, tomake fupplication. Thou feeft in what a dole- ful condition thou art, therefore beefs God, make thy humble prayer before. God,and dye ; that is, dcfirc him to take thee out of this,
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