608 Chap. 29. tin txpaftton upon the Bookof J.o B. Vert.24r in derefon,the Lord fcoros all the rage of the people, all the plots and counfels of the Princes, as knowing that they shall never be able to hander his defign, nor give check to his bleffed plot and counCel, infttting his -King upon the holy bill ofZion. Secondly, Laughter, liigniftesa pleaCant fpirit and chearful countenance, or fettling it good will (Eccl. le.- a ,) e4ftaff ss madefor laughter; that is, a fcaff is not only for the repair of na- ture, or for(lrengthning of the body, which is the ordinary end of eating, but we make feafts for honefi mi: th, and to Chew good will one to another, by loving and friendly entertainment. Thirdly, Laughter,ìmportsany,freedornc and affability of beha- viour towards others, and fo 'cis oppofed not only to forrow and melancholly, but to feverityand auaaeernefs. (Prov. 29. 9.) Ifa wife manc.Intendetb witha foolifb man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no ref{. Some-make the Antecedent CO the Relative He to be the foolifh man, and then the fence is, whether a fool or - wicked man be in a good temper or a bad, a wife man (hall ne- ver make a good end with him. But I rather conceive,that Hc,in the latter part of the verle, referring to the wife man in the for- mer;tnd then the meaning is clearly this,if a Nile or godlyman, bath to-do witha fool, with any perverfe or_obfiinare finner, either to convince him of the evil which he bath done, or to per- fwade him to doe better ; whether the wife man be angry (as the tort fhould rather be rendred,then by the word rage)that 1s,whe- thee the wife mandeal fharply with the fool (as he defers) or laugh,th.at is,deal mildly and fweetly with him, there W no reft, that is, the fool will not be fatisñed, not fit down quietly under any way of convid} ion. Thus it is with wicked men, not only whilewife met., but while the moil wife God bath to do with them,either immediately by bimfelf(alluring them by his favours, or fccurging themwith his rods)or mediately by his Minif'cers, either offering them promifesof m:rcy, or threatning themwith judgements ; let God have todo with them in all or any of there rvayes,there's no refl;they will not ceafe to provoke him by their folly.This is the fpi it of folly(ro touch that only by theway)which Chri(l at once difcovered and reproved in the fecv,(Marh.si.t6. -17.) Whereunto/ball I l,ken thisgeneration ? It is like little chtldr fitting in the market place, and crying to their fellowes,and fayin e, we havepipet' unto you,and yehave not danced,we have morarned or,
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