634 Chap. 24. An Expofirion upon the dookefJOB. Verf. 21. he evil! entreateth, that is,he vexeth or oppreffeth The barren that beareth not. The barren, in ftrictnes offignification, are they that have not received the bleating offruitfulneffe in Child. bearing ; and this phrafe, the barren that beareth not, implyes a woman that never bare children. Such a one was Hannah in a proper fence (z Sam. z. 5, 6. ) and in a fpirituall or myfìicall fence, fuch were the Gentiles for a long time , whom the Prophet thusencourageth Ufa. 54. z ) Sing 0 Barren, thou that die not bears f that is,Re- joyce Oye Gentiles , who as yet havebrought forth no fruit to God .The churchdale 7ewes was fruitfull,the,rought fbrth,but the Gentiles were barren ; yet at left the Gentiles were btoughc forth intoa Church, and then they brought forth aboundantly, both in reference to holy actions, and holyperfons; for asthe Apoftle applyeth that prophecy ( 4.27.) Thedefolate bath many mve children thenA s that bath a husband. Barrennefs is an afflic`;tion,yea it was areproach ; and therefore that good woman Hannahwhen God heard her prayer and gave her achild laid, God bath taken away my reproach. Afftfxitfteri'etn Some render the Text as if it were the defigne of the wicked rQp4reret.&7. man to of iét the barren, though his own wife , left the fhould ter ß! ?emne beare him children ; others as if this werehis wicked:effe, he af- pareret. Pap). flickedand vexed his wife becaufe the was barren, whereas fuch Hir elf imf:rc- womenought rather to be comforted by their husbands.As good bao tl?e,gaux Elkanab did his wife Hannah when grieved becaufe of her owne °rem riFriaf b.trrennef (a Sam. z .8.) why weepeff thou ? and why eateff thou qutafFri. eJf malio oef not ? and why is thy heart grieved ? am not Ibetter to thee then ten: txzerl. - fans ? It is inhumanity in any,efpecially in a husband to ai lií`k the barren, much more to affli& them becaufe barren. Hence note. Toupbraid any with their ajjli lions , efpecially with their matt - rall infirmities,fetch as barrenneffe or any bodily dtfeif, is very fnfuh. rodgivetb liberally and upbraidetb not (Jam.z.5.) and than we upbrayd anybecaufe God denyes them his gifts ? Thiswas ¶Peninabs fin in the prefent cafe (z Sam. z. 6.) and it will be a En to any todoe fo in anyother cafe. Againea
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=