'3745 Chap. ; r. rfn Expofition upon the Rook of J ó B. Verf. 8, I anfwer, An Imprecation, being a kind ofoath, ifan oath the lawful!, that is lawful! too , but it is lawful! to ufe an oath in a ferious matter, and in a ferious manner, for our vindication, and theending of a Controverfie; and thereforeupon there termes it is lawful! to ufe Imprecations. 7,b had fpoken often before, but he could not be believed, and therefore bee was neceitated to make this Imprecation. As for the finfullnes and danger of ufing Imprecations lightly, I fhah not flay upon it here, having fpoken to that poynt before upon thofe words of Y:b (Chap. r6. t8.) O earth cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. Only from the matter ofthis Imprecation, Let meefore, and let another tate. Obferve. It is afore yudgtment uponus,when others injoy thefruit ofour labours, andnot our (elves, nor curs. This was threatned ( Lev. 26. 16. ) Yee (hall rowyour feed in vaine, foryour enemies (hall Bate it. And againe ( Deut.28. 38.) Thou fbalt carry much feed out into thefield, and Jhe& gather but little in, for the Locafl /ballconfume it. So (Ifa. I.7.) Your land firangers devoure it in your pretence; that is,they ease up or fpoyle the corne and other fruits which your land brings forth.The Pro- phet yeremy puts this among the greateft evills which the jewes lamented in their captivity( Lam. 5.2. ) Our inheritance is tur- ned to ffrangers,eur howls to Aliens. 'Tis a fad afiáion to build; and others to dwell in our !mules; to fowe,and others toeate the eucreafe ofour field. The Apoille puts tholequeftions (a Cor.9. 7. ) whogoeth a warfareat any time, at his ownecharges? who planteth a vineyard,andeatethnot of the fruit thereof ? or whofeed- eth a flock, andeateth not of the milke of theflecke ? This is a lawof nature, and every mans common right, that where he fowes bee fhould reape &c. Therefore to (owe and not to reapemuff needs be a vexatious fuffering. As thofe fins arevilefl which are ageinft the very light ofNature, fo thofe afflidions are molt grievous which carry fomewhat in them againft the lawof Nature, as for a mans owne child to rile up againfi him, or to fee others eate what we have fowne. The Lord made a promife, yea Cooke an oath to his people , That a time fhould come when this evil! should
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