21S Chap. 19. ddnExpofition upon the Book of J o a. Verf. i l plurall number, to note fome fpeciall thing or perfon in the fïn- guiar. Thus'ris laid of 7ephtha that after he had judged Ifrael fixyeares,he dyed, andwas buried in the Cities of gilead (Judg.12. 7. ) that is, in one of theCities of Glead. Againe, Thegodly is like a tree planted by the riversofwaters ( Pfa1. t. 3.) That is, as a tree planted by fome 'eminent river of water ; fo here, He bath countedme as his enemies, that is, as one of his enemies, yet fucha one as may Rand for all the i eft. Frac!arl dicer further, yobdöth.not fpeake ábfolutely, he bathcounted me an ra quail), vet, enemy ; as if God 'had proceeded againft him (h. f iii anima ) coati. N nvn,a ut Ho)ilt t with the heart ofan enemy, but he expreffeth himfelfe compara- animo aut etiem tively, or with a qualification by a note of fimilttude he bathac- pe'ru,bato (es« counted meas oneof his enemies, or, like anenemy. Jrtlp1: a 7IT4- yob didnot fufpe&, much lefa conclude that Godhadwritten ßu. Ntcet hisname in the Catalogue ofhis enemies, no, he knewGod was his friend, and his heart told him that he was Gods friend, that he bareno ill will toG d ; yet ( faithhe though fuch be my Rate, though I knowGolovesme, and though he knowes I love him, yet) he bathcounted me, (that is) he hash carried himfelfe to- wards me,and dealt with me as with oneof his.enemies ; his heart is withme, bnt his hand is againft me. Hence note; Firft , Gad is reallyafriend to hispeople , yet hefometimes dealer with them_appearingly, as with enemies. The love of God is everlafting and unchangeable tohis peo- ple, but his difpenfations towards them have many changes. Hypocrites make a Phew as if they were Gods friends , and God makes a film againft the fincere, as if they werehis ene- mies. Hypocrites are as Gods friends , and God deales with them as with hi's friends, they give him an outfide profeffion, and he often gives them outfide comforts and profperitie, be deales with them as if they were his friends : now ( I fay) as hypocrites declare a formali friendfhip or love to God, fo God declares a formals enmitie againft many who are fincere , that is , he gives them the ufage of an enemy, the wounds and ftroakes of an enemy. As the Lord defcribes the formall profefïions and prat'{ices of love and fervice to him, (Ifa. 58. z. ) They feeke medaily, anddelight to know my wages,
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