Chap:3. An Expofitionupon the Bookof J O 11 VerC5. 359 dwellingofit, notes continued darknefs : As ifjob`íhould have laid, If the light do thine upon that day, I with that a curtain might be drawnperpetually betweenthe world and the Sun ; let a Cloud dwell before the face ofthe Sun , which may muffle it, and intercept thofe beams which would enlighten and refrcíh the Earth. - Clouds are refrefhings,yet Clouds you fee may prove afrlidions: As a Cloud is a protefionat one time, fo it may be an affli±ion at another : As a Cloud.fhadowes us from the heat, it is a bleffìug ; as a Cloud eclipfes the light, fo it is a curfe : The fame creature may be employed both fora curfe,and for a biding. Yet further, job would not only have it a dwelling Cloud , but a condenfed Cloud. Some Clouds are fo thin that the Sunuppears, and light ¡lines through them ; job delires this may be thick enough, not only to caufe darknefs , but to caufe blacknefs ; which is the lafi branch ofhis curfe upon his day. Let the blacknefsofthe day terrific it. fobs heart was fo full of paflion, that his forrows,could not come out at once, he takes time and breath. Now faith he, Let the blácknefs of the day terrific it. Blacknefs is more then darknefs, thereforewe find blacknefs an addition to darknefs in the Epit}le of ude,verf.i 3. where giving divers elegant characters ofwicked men , whom he calls 'pots in their f alts ofCharity, clouds without water , trees withoutfruit, ragingwaves ofthe Sea, foaming out their own fhame, wandering Stars: And what is the portion ofmen thus qualified, but Hell, wrath, and vengeance ? Sohe tells us in the next words,Towhom is refirved the blacknefs ofdarknefsfor ever: Darknnefs , and the- blacknefs ofdarknefs, is the - portionofthofe that fha\l for ever lie under the wrath ofGod ; blacknefs of darknefs is the beauty of Heil, that fire will befoot the damned to all eternity: Then the blacknefs of darknefs , is the darkettdarknefs that can be imagi- ned; blacknefs ofdarknefs was Egypts plague ; that was darknefs, and thickdarknefs, darknefs to be felt, Exod. 10.21. fo dark, that no man couldfeeanother , neither arofe anyfrom hid- placefor three dayes,verf.23. This was blacknefsofdarknefs,the picture of Hell, that chamber ofdarknefs.The word in the Hebrew fignifieth heat `Ian and blacknefs:The reafon is given,becaufeheat makes things black and
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