488 Chap. 31. An Expo/iris's upon the 'Book of JO B. Verf. 2 t. a geflure ofpraying, or of praife ; Iwill ( faith the Apoftle) that menpray every where, lifting up pure hands (I Tim. 2.8.) Prayer in the efftnce ofit is a lifting up ofthe heart to God, and in fig- nification of that 'cisaccompanied with the lifting up of the band to God. Secondly, to lift up the hand, is a gefture of (wearing, or taking a facred oath. Thus Abram anfwered the King of So- domwhenhe offered him the fpoyles ( gen. 14. 22. ) I have lif ted up my hand to the mofi high Grd ( that is, I have fworme) that 1 will not take &c. And thus the Lords lifting up his hand is his (wearing (Ezek. 20.5. ) Thut faith the LordGod, in the daywhen 1 chofe Ifrael, and lifted up my hand( or fware, as we put in the Margin) unto thefeed of the houle of facob &c. Thirdly it is a gefture importing readines,and fpeciall intention in doing a thing (Pal. 119. g8.) My hands ( faith David) alto will Haft up to thy Cmmmandements ; asa man that is willing to doe a thing, and addreffeth himfelfe to the doingofit,liftsup his hand ; fo a God- ly man is defcribed lifting up his hand to fulfill and obey the Commands ofGod. Fourthly, lifting up ofthe hand is ageflure intimating our defire to call or invite another to come tous , or doe fomewhat for us ( Ifa. 49.22.) Thusfaith the Lord, behold 1 will lift up my hands to the gentiles; that is, I will call them into the fellowflip of the Church , and admit them into the Common wealth of Ifrael who have all this while been aliens from it. Againe, To lift up the hand is taken in a bad fence; And fo it mull be underftood here, as that addition neceffitatgs it, againff the fatberleffe. Thus to lift up the hand againft any one, notes, Fira, a prefent purpofe to hurt or vexe, Secondly, it lignifies a menace or threat; 'Tis ordinary to flake or lift up the hand at thofe with whom weare much difpleafed. Thirdly, it notes aäu- ailrebellion and oppofition or revenge (2 Sam. 20.21.) A man of mount Ephraim, Sheb,a by name, the fun ofBichri kath lift sep bis band againft the King, even againft David : that is,he bath donewickedly againft David, or fer himfelfe againft David, to rayfe fedition andruine him. Wemay expound it in any of or in all thefe three notions, as ufed by yob ; IfI have lift up my hand againft thefatkerlefe;that is, if I have done any thing that beares the lignificationofan ill intendment, or of a threatning againft the fatherleffe, much more if I have ufed anyviolence againft the fa-
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