Chap.1 7. ,eqn Expofrtion upon the Bookof J O B. Ver.S, time of clear light, and againft frequent admonitions, if not convi%ions. Whofoever ( faith Chrift, Mat, 5. 19, `.)hall breake one of tbefe lea(I Commandments, and teachmen fo (joyn- ing the error ofhis praáice with,or turning it into the Errour of his Opinion) he fhall be called leaf ( that is, nothing at all, or No-body ) in the Kingdom ofHeaven : And he who is noa thing in the Kingdom of Heaven is not exalted , how high foever he may get in the Kingdoms ofthe Earth. And if the teacher of Errour againft the loft Commandment of the Law (hall hafellace in Heaven , where will their place be who teach Eriurs againft the Commandmentsof the Law, yea a- gainfi the molt precious and abfoluteneceffary principles and foundationsof the Gofpel i' Veg. 5. He thatfpeaksflattery to hisfriend, even the eyes ofhis Children (hallfail. There is force variety inexpounding thefe words ; becaufe of the feveral notions into which the Original is rendred :. As we read the Text, it is a plain affirmation of judgement upon the pofterity of Flatterers.. pt11ï Div ft The word which we tranflate Flattery fignificsin the Verb in P terún to divide into parts, and hence in the Noune, a Lot or Porti- ibil emottiv;t, on, becaufe every lot or portion is divided from the whole ; it lavig.wit, lignifiesalto a prey or booty,which men take in War,or which blonditusfuit- Thieves and Robbers take from Travellers upon the high way, and that upon the former reafon, becaufe when a prey is taken, they divide, or cali it into feveral portions, or parts Hence alto ( fay force) it lignifies to flatter ; becaufe the tongue ofa flatterer is. divided from. his heart. Further, It tignifieth to fmooth and pollifh,.or (as we fay) to make a thingvery glib and neat. This comes. near.- eft our tranflation ; for a flatterer hath a fmooth pollithed. tongue, and his trade is to fmooth, or booth both things and perlons. The flatterers tongue islike the Harlots tongue, to whom this word is . applyed , Prov. 7. 2 c. With much fair fpeecb, ,(he caufed him toyield, with the flattering of ber lips (with the fmoothnels, oras force tranflate, with the lenity of her lips )fheforcedhim : Flattery feems to be far from force yet nothing puts, or holds men under a greater force then flat- tery. He 437
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