Cl ap. 37. e/fn Ex,pofition upon the Book of J o B. Verf. 19. earfpeech by reafonof dark:°efs. And this dat`knefs,which I call im- properor metaphorical, is of feveral kinds. Fitt}, Trouble and forrou in Scripture language are called darknefs ('Pjal. F 8. 28.) 'Ant, OLord, wilt lighten my darkner, that is, thou wilt bring nie our of a for >ow'ul, into a joyful Race. ( foe!. z. 2.) It is a day of darknef; what is that ? a day of trou- bleand a(ßialen. Hence the Rare of the-damned in Hell is called darkne fs, yea, utter darknefs ( Math. z z. t 3.) becaufe is is a !lace of forrow,even of everlaftirg forrows. This darknefs of forrow and trouble will hinder a nunvery much from ordering his fpeech. He that is compaffed about wirh,efpecially if difcon+apoCed by for- row,is unfit to fpeakbefore men of underltandiug ; yer,I conceive, this was not the darknefshere mean:, Secondly, Darknefs in Scripture pores the Rate of a natural nun, as unregenerate and without faith. Ye were fometimes dare nets, faith the Apoftle (Elk. 5.$.) that is, yewere fornetimes un- converted, or in a Rate of nature,which iscalled darknefs,not only there, but often elfewhere (r Yheff. 5. 4. ) Pretbren,ye are not in darknefs, that is, ye are not in afinful condition, grace bath Rai- ned unto you,yea,it bath fhined intoyon,or as the Apo(tle fpeaks (z Cor.4.6.) st bath fhined in your hearts,to giveyea the light ofthe knon ledgof the glory ofGod, in the face of ,jefets Chrifl ; he it was who came on purpofe into the world, as to give life to them that were dead, fo togive light to them that fit in darknefs (Luk. 79.) 'Tis a truth alfo that this kind of darknefs doch exceedingly hin- der a Man in fpeaking, efpecially when forne things are to be fpo- ken. He that is in the darknefs of a natural.condition, will be to Peek (as we fay) or knoweth not how to order his fpeech before God,in any fpiritual matter. Yet, neither is this here meant for Eli/5 was not a man in this kind of darknefs, he was doubtiefs a godly man, aman that had much acquaintance with, and in the things of God: Therefore it was not becaufe of this darknefs that he could not order his fpeech before God. Thirdly, Darknefs is put ferilbt deferredelate of a godlyman (Ifaiah. 50. to.) who is among yen that feareth the Lord,and obey- eth the voice of hisfervant (he that dub fo is furely a godly man, or in the Rate of grace ; who is there of this fort among you) that walketh in darknefs, and bath no light,God having with-drawn the light of his countenance from him ? Now 'Cis a very great t :trrh Eeee z (and 579
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