Chap. 34. An Expofition upon the Boii¿.of J o B. Verf. 29. 731 peace with him (Pro: 16. 7.) fo when God is difpleafed with a man, his very bet° friends shall turne enemies to him. Yet I con- ceive the text carrieth it rather the otherway , referring to God himfelfe ; If Godhide his face, who can behold him .? that is, who can confidently behold God, or drawneere to himwith comfort ? And fo it generally comes to paffe, or thus it is, whether it be doneagainft a nation,or againft aman only. As if Elihu had fayd; What I have affirmed, that, when God giveth quietnefs,noman can make trouble,or when he,hideth hisface no man can beholdhim is appliable to whole nations, as well as.to particular perlons. This is an extenfive truth, a truth oflarge con- cernment, and therefore a truthof neceffary and important confi- deration.That which maybe any mans or all mens cafe,fhould be f udyed by everyman. whether it be done againft a. nation, &c. Theparticle which we render againft, fignifieth alto for. We find it fo tranflated Pfal: 32. 6. and at the 36th verfe of this Chapter. Now , to doe a thing, for a nationor for a perfon, notes the doing of it with refpea to or in favour of either. Thus we commonly fpeake in our language , pray doe fach orfuck a thing for me. To this fianfe fome render here, whether it be done for a nation, orfor a man only. So, Mr Broughton, whether it be donefor a nation, orfor an earthlyman alone. But,whether we read for, or againft, the generali truth is the fame. The word and power of God in fending good or evill upon nations or perfons,in adtmg for or againft them, is uncontrouleable and irrefìftible. Further, to cleare the text,that word in the dole of the verfe, sir' triafgnr rendred only, fignifieth, fometimes together ( Ezra 4. 3.) fome ficatJimul, pa. times alike (Pfal: 34.15. ) and fometuiies as we underfland it "ter, folum. alone, or only, whether it be done againf} a nation or a man toge- ther,or againfl a man only or alone,the matter is alike or the fame to God. Many or one makea great difference among men in any marrer, but they make no difference with God,he can deale with whole nations (inwayes of Judgement or mercy ) as well aswith fngle perfons;yetbecaufe of the oppofitionwhich the text makes between one manand a nation, it is moll futable to tranflate it ei- ther only or ri ke not together. a a as 2 Thus
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