438 Chap. 33, tin Expofition upon the Book, of J o B. Verf. 26, large fence ; for this allo is a part of our fan&ification. And when it rs fayd, he will render unto nun his righteoufnefs, we are not to underhand it ofrighteoufnefs in kinde, but of the reward or fruit of his righteouinefs. For here E/,hu fj eaks ofa perfon al- ready righteous, or at leali of him who had repented ofand -tur- ned from his unrighteoufnefs. So that, to return or render unto man his righteoufnefs.is to returne the mercy promifed to thole Redder iii_ that are righteous. For as iniquity or unrighteoufnefs is often put o. i.e. .._ for the puniihmentof unrighteoufnefs; fo equity or righteoufnefs niura iupita.: isoften putfor the reward of righteoufnefs,or for thatwhich God Druf: according tohis righteous promife returns unto a righteous per- ion. Thus we may.underhand elihu, here. As if he had fayd, God dealt with this manbefore, as with a firmer, or he ßáfflitlied him fer hisfn ; Butnow hewilldeale kindly -with him as with a righte- ous .. perfon, and removing his api5tien, and takinghis handof f from him, hewill render his righteoufncfr tohim, he will not reckonwith him for anyformer unrigloteoufnsfs. From this notion of the word; Obferve. God ufually deals withmenas they are, and according to what they doe, Ifagodlyman fin he (hall (mart for it ; and if a firmer return and repent, Godwill (hewhim kindnefs. Though the mercy and kindnefs which God (hews to a returning firmer, be not for his returnings or repentings, yet 'tis according to them. The favour whichGod fheweth anyman is for Chrifis fake,or for what Christ bath done and fuffered, but it is according towhat himfelfe hath doneor fuffered.David experienced this himfelfetPfal: r 8.20,)_ TheLord rewardedme according to myrighteoufnes, &c.That is,as I have been a righteous and jut+perfon,fo the Lord hath dealt with me. And he gives the rule with refpe& toall others (v, 25. ) with the upright thou wilt fhew thy felfe upright, with the pure thouwilt Phew thyfelfe pzrre, &c. That is, Thou wilt be fuch to men in thy difpenfations, as they are in their converfations and difpofitions, in the frame andbent of their hearts and lives. And as it followeth (v. 27. ) Thou wilt fave theafifted( or humble ), !People ; but wilt bring downe high lookes ; that is, thefe that are proud and high-minded. The Prophet holds out the fame truth in way of direiìion( Ifa: 3. i-o. ) Sayye to the righteous, it/hall h
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=