Chap. tg. * An Expo/rionupon the Bookof J OB. Verf. 28. 401 Firíi thus : for,you willfay, as implying a futureground, or oc- cafion,yea anurgent neceffity which they'fhould fee,and be con-, vinced ofat laft to fay ,whyperfecute we him ? Secondly, thus ; Wherefore doeyefay ? intimating their prefent aftion or affertion. Thirdly, We render it, Te/hould/ay, at once fhewing their pope t?a duty, and convincing their oegled ofit. As ifhebad fayd O dicer: defiuera- my friendsye ought tofay, or it is befl foryouraj chips ; looktoyour ris, vet vejtrum (elves this isyour duty tofay, why perfecute we him So the Pro- eiat dicere. phec (Mal t. 6) A (onhonoureth hisfather ; the meaning is, a Meret fon ought to honour hisfather ; There are many fopswho dill honour their fathers, but it becomes every fon to honour and obey, or byobeying to honour his father.Thus here,Foryou fay, that is, you should fay, or you ought to fay, Why [perfecute ] we him ? We had this word (verf. 22.) why doe ye perfecute me as God, andare not fatisfiedwith my flab? Here he puts it to them againe reAmid fay, whyperfecute we him ? The word which we translate to perfecute, is a metaphor ta- r7 infecu- ken fromwilde beasts, or ravenous birds, whole hunger or cru- t:, prorating; eltie makes them fwift and fierce to overtake, and fo to fatiate Pelftutus rhemfelves with their prey. The Greeke tranflators ofthe old 464'4 Teítament ufually render it by that word which is used in the Greek of the New Tettament, to expreffe the vexation of the Saints or Golpe!- profeíforsby the world, for the faith ofChrift and the reftimony of a good conscience. And becaufe this word beares in it the fence ofa molt earnest and vehement purfuire, therefeore when the Spirit ofGod would put Saints upon the firongeft, andmost vehement purfuiteof any grace, or ducie, he uieth this word , and exhorts them even to perfecute it (I Cor. t 4, i.) Follow after haritie. `Perfeeute charitie; that is, be as eager after charitie as a cruel! man is eager to perfecnte him that is innocent, and godly. (Heb. I2. r4,) Follow peace znithall men; and holineffe : it is this word ; As it is the f}rongeft evidence of the finfulnetfe of any man toperfecuta thofe per. ions who have received grace ; fo it is an evidence of pureft ho-, lineffe to perfecute or earneftly to purfue the highest attain- ments ofgrace, There is nothingoffreer gift then grace, and F f f the
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