Chap. 4. An Expofition upon the Book of J O B. Verla 3, 4. ; jalom, that he fhould go up upon the boufe top,in the light of all jfracl,and abide his fathers Concubines; and he giveth the reafon ofit, then (faith he) Jhall the hands of all that are with thee be f rang; his meaning is,then they will be íb refolved to (lick to thee, s,,, that they will doe their utmolt; he grounds his counfel upon the prefent irrefolution of the people,he doubted whether AbJálo ;: t party would adhere cordially to him or no,therefore(faith he)doe anad which may render thy felt and all that are with thee irre- concileable to the King; this will unite them to thee, and their hands will be strong. Ifonce they be out, of hope to be receiv'd into the Kings favour, thou mailt be out of fear,that they will re- turn to the Kings obedience. In any lawful and good defìgn it is belt to raife up refolution,and ingage it to the highell. Where the heart it firongly ref lved,the bands will ac`t firongly. The reafon why men are flow and dull in\great undertakings, is, becaufe they are off and on, full Of neutrality and indifferency, in what they un- 'gamer i s. derrake.Unfetled fpirits can never fLttle aFions. A double mind- ed man is lenjiable (and weak-handed)in all his wca) es. Laftly, there is a weaknefs of the hands ( which is I conceive molt proper to this place) aritïng from forrow and grief ; from the weight and burden of affliaion,or from a fudden furprifeof trouble. As it is laid of Balteffiazar (Dan. 5. 6.)who feting the hand-writing upon the philter of the wall, prefèntly changed countenance, and his thoughts troubled him, fo that thejoynts ofhis loynes were tooled, and his k+tees(mote One againjt atother. 713ou haft Jtrengthened the weak hands; that is, chore whole hands are weak by reafon ofmanitold trials & tribulations: thou hail fpoken words to them, which have been as finews to their hands, and flrcngth unto their joynts. In this fenfe the Apoflie ufes both the expr fiions of the Text, Heb. 12, 6. where having treated about the nature of affliftions, together with the fruit and benefit of them, he concludes thus, wherefore lift up the hands which hang down and thefeeble knees; as if he fhould fay, it is pro- bable that affliction hath made your hands hang down, that for- row and grief have loofcned your fpirits and your loyns too, therefore now be ofgood cheer,lift upyour bands that hang down, and the feeble knees. :This Symptome or tffedof forrow is ele- Columns pro gantly. defcribed,Ez.el.7, 17. where the Prophet having (hewed car:tu g min s that many fhould mourn. as Doves of theVall eys, adds,all hands e.11 13771 tnamæ- Jhail befeeble, and all kneesPall be weakas water. murmur çSatlía.in.E:fe C 2 bv cop, 7,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=