8 Chap, 26. An Ixpofition open the Tooke!' J OB. Vert, t 3. is this terpent ? Divers interpreters conned the fence ofthefe words with the former part of the verfe, and fo place this crook- ed ferpent in the heavens,as belonging to thegarniJbing ofthem, or as if74 were giving a particular inftance of what God path done towards thegarnifhing of the heavens; Hit band kath for- ded thecrooked ferpent. By.which they underftand the coeleftial circles or fpheares which are wrapt and involved one within ano- ther as a ferpent wrappeth and twineth himfelfin revere! rounds. Another following the fame fence k xpaundeth it of that which Aftronomers call themilkey way, which is a beauty in heaven;It being (as it were) the coalition of a number of little ífars,which becawfe they looke weite andmiekifb, are therefore called the »Wilkey way ; Which alfo hath foneewhat of the forme ofa fer- pent, as is evident to theeye of any diligent obfaver. A third, keeping fïill to that fence, expoundeth it yet more particularlyofthat fpeciall conftellation in the heavens known- among Aftronomers by the name of the dragon or ferpent; Which is fuppofed to be fpoken ofhere by lob fynecdochicallhi,putting a part for the whole,or one for all the other Conftellations with which tls heavensare garnifhed;As if it had been faid,Hir band leachformed the crooked ferpent,that is, all the Scamin their feve rai fhapesand configurations,among which One reprefenteth the forme of a Lion,another ofa Bear,anorher of a Raan,and among many othersone appeareth in the forme of a Dragon er Crooked ferpent, Jbooting kimJe/feforth erforward like the bolt ofa door,. I find a fourth fort, who though they keep the crookedferpent of the Text Rill in the hcavens,yet they bring it down to a lower heaven,that is,from the ftarryheaven,or from that heaven which is thefubjeá of the Stars to the ayery heaven, which is the fob- jeâ or fhop in which the meteors,of all torts are bred & formed, and amongthem there is a meteor called by Naturaliffs,chr firing ferpent, As if the meaning ofthefe words, Hie hand bath farmed the crecked /erpent,were this;God hath wrought & formed by his power &wifdome all thofe fiery meteors that are often feel) as it were flyingand (hooting in the ayre,to the wonder ofmany, & the aftonifhment of not a few. There are the treafures of the fnow & of the hayl,there God prepareth a way for the lightning of the thunder (lob 38.22.25.,)Some learned interpreters infift rauch upon this E pofi.tion, placing the crooked ferpent in the heavens9, ëYata5luJ viam 1ab4,am itttelli- Oraeo ife- Lint.
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