210 Chap. 36. vfn Expoftion tspon the BoWkof o g. Verf. 8. á'. yet God withdrawethnot his eyes from them, no not then yea, he is doing them goodby all the evils that they fuffer. So then, if this relative they referre to righteousmen in either capacity, ei- ther iafuchas were before exalted, and are now afThcted, or co fuck righteous menas were never fo exalted, yea as are depreffed' and calf into an aFflitled condition, yet God withdraweth not his eyes from them, but frill continueshis care of them, and tender - nefs towards then. If they be hound infetters, andholden by the cords of agaio07. Here are two hard words, bound and holden, bound as captives, bound as prisoners, bound in fetters, yea, and holden in cords, holden or caught as apoor bird in a net or Mare, or as awild beast in a Foyle. Bound infetters,and holden in cords. Thefe fetters and cords maybe underflood two wayes. ft, Literally and properly, it is poflible fo: a righteous man to be bound in fetters, and holden in cords , plainly fo called. Yofeph was cart into prison, and the Iron entred into hisfoul, and his tees were hurt in the Stocks, in material Stocks. Secondly, We may expound these fetters and cords figurative - ly, or metaphorically,and fo any trouble or freight is as a fetter, and as a cord : Thus tobe boundinfetters, and holden in cords, is but an expreflîon fignifying any affli&ed condition. Fetters and cords areEmblems of flavery captivity.The Prophet forefhew- ing the willingcontribution ofdivers (}rangeNations towards the helpof theYewes in their return from the Babylon:1h captivity, as alto, beyond that, their fubjedtion to Christ and the power of the Gospel, gives it under this fhadow, (Ifa. 45. a 4. ) Thatfaith the Lord, the labour of Egypt, andmerchund:fe ofEthiopia , and ofthe Sabeans, menofffatorefhall come over unto thee, and they [ka11 be thine,( that is, they thall yeild thetnfelves to thee as thy fubjes t , and more ) they fhall comeafter thee in chaines, they fhall come o- ter; that is, they (ball follow thee as captives do a conquering enemy,in chaines. In what chaines ? the meaning is not,that they shall come with chainesof Iron upon their bodies ; but even the ftouteft,greateft,& richeftof them (ball humbly fubmir,they (ball come even asprifoners, with their chaines about them, fupplica- ring and intreating thy favour. We read in the holy Hiflory of the rings, that the fervantsofBenhadadcame with ropes about their necks
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=