460 Chap. 29. . An Expoficien tepees the Book of J o B. Verf. g; and truth, who thinks God hath totally left him. Upon which ground we may confidently conclude that yob meant only that God was nor every way and in everydegree fo near unto him as formerly, when he faid, 0 that it were with me as 1 was in the day: of myyouth, when the Almighty was yet withme. When my children were about me. itfj aúy }emu- The Hebrewword here rendred children, liigniftes afro young It Peer men, or fervants. And hence fome tranflate, When my fervants p,o fervo,Jc were about me. Vtfe, When my children were abotetme. The words moue grace Ire the defcription of a familyblefl'ing, whether -we render chil- ucu!. dren or fervants. And the fame word fignifiethboth, as implying that children ought to be ferviceable and obedient to their Ps- rents, and that faithful fervants fhould be dear and acceptable to their Mailers, evenas fo many children. When children they their Parents like fervanrs, and fervants love their Matters like children, as if their Maters were their Fathers, then things got right in a family. So then the meaning of the text is extendible to either relati- on, to children or CO fervants, or indifferently toboth. We eran- flate well, though reffrainedly to one relation, When my children were about me. Thofe words about me, may note two things ; firf}, their pre- fence with him. Time was when fobs children filled his houfe and his eye, which way foever he turned ; rimewas when they werenot fcattered nor divided from him by death, as then they were when he fpake thefe words, 'Tisa mercy when they who are near to us in nature, are notfeperated from us by providence; when all are abut us, who are of us. Secondly, thofe words about me, may note the readinefs of his children to attend and ferve him. Good children, like fer- vants are about their parents,waiting for their orders and direF&i- ons what they would have them do. The very poure, of being about, referrs to duty. How comely is it for children ro Band about their parents as fo many fervants about their Mailers, to hearken to their counfel, or recieve their commands?children or fervants are not about Parents or Metiers for fociety or company as friends are,much lefs for complemen-,as flatterers a're,bur for aft and help.. as4rrcw, in the band.ofa mightymansfo are-chil- dren.
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