384 Chap.'6. An Expofition upon the Book,of JOB. Verf.21. cription of the manner how fob defired God to plead the caule ofman with God, even as man pleads with man,; This third makes it a fecond diítin defire, and the wholeverfe to confiff of two diftinC# delires. Firll, That God would judge for a man with God. Secondly, That Godwouldjudge the Son of man in refpell of bis Ne;gbour. In the former he petitions formercy with God; in the latter for right againfl'man; or in the former he fues for a judgement ofacceptation for himfelf, and in the latter for a judgement of reproof; and redargution upon his friends. This difference is groundedupon the different confiru6ion ofthe words in the original. For the word which is rendred -to plead or judge, is confirued with, or governs (as gramari. ans fpeak) the Dative cafe in the firft, and the 4ccufative cafe in the latter claufe of the verfe. Hence the former is rendred, That he would judge or pleadfara manwith God,which notes favour and a benigne defence or patronage ofhis caufe with God, fo this is ufed by the Prophet, Ifni. II 4. He Jball reprove (argue judge or plead) with equity for the meekofthe earth ; that is, he thall reprove or plead in favour ofthe meek, or on theirfide, he (hall undertake their caufe, and make their defence for them. And thus at laft God did judge or pleadfor yob, giving fentence in his behalf, and calling the fcales onhis fideagainft his friends, and therefore the latter claufe is ren- dred, thus, That he would judge the $on ofman in refpert ofhis Neighbor; that is, that he would reprehend and reprove him for the wrongs which he hath done to, and for the uncharitable cen- fures which he bath laid upon his Neighbour. The meaning of the whole verfe according to this tranflation, may be relate- fenced and paralleld in that prayer of David, Pfal. 35. I, 2:3: Pleadmy caufe 0Lordwith them that ftrive withme; fight a- gainfi them that fight againgme, t-c,fay unto myfoul, I am thy falvation. Thus Job,as David,defires the Lord to fpeaka word ofcomfort to him, and to tell his enemies, or his uncomforta. ble friends their own. I !hall only leave one obfervation upon this expofition, When Cbrift comesgratioufly to affect the innocencyof his own people,
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