The Chequer-Work of Gods Providences, Title page – Dedication
THE CHECQVER-WORK OF GOD'S PROVIDENCES, Towards his own People, Made up of Blacks and Whites: VIZ▪ Of their Abasements, and Advancements; Their Distresses, and Deliverances; Their Sullying Tribulations, and Beautifying Relaxations: Represented in a SERMON Preached at the Funeral of that Faithful Servant of the LORD, MARY the late Wife of Joseph Jackson Esq Alderman of the City of BRISTOL; on the 5. day of May, Anno Dom. 1657. By Francis Roberts, Pastor of the Church at Wrington.
Job 23. 10.
When he hath tryed me, I shall come forth as Gold.
Acts 14. 22.
We must through much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God.
LONDON, Printed by R. W. for George Calvert, at the sign of the Half-Moon in Pauls Church-yard. 1657.
To My much Honoured friend IOSEPH IACKSON Es que Alderman of the City of Bristol; As also, To all the entirely beloved CHILDREN of MARY his late Dear and Gracious Yoke-fellow, Now sleeping in IESUS, yea living with IESUS; Grace, Mercy and Peace, from the Father of Mercies, and God of all Consolation.
My dear Christian friends,
WHen, upon your desires, I had Preached this ensuing Sermon at the late sad Funeral of such a Wife, of such a Mother, as you not long since had, I thought my work about this Particular had been at a Period. Since which, through the importunity of divers my Near and Dear Relations (whose Request is to me a virtual command) thinking better of it then I my self, I have been induced to Publish it, for the benefit of them and other. The good LORD add his Blessing both to what was then spoken, and is now written: for furthering of their faith, and helping of their joy. And now I present the Sermon aRevised, with the help of two distinct coples thereof taken in short-hand when I preached it lest any useful passages should be omitted; there being a different Gift in Writing and Preaching.Revised (and where it was needful a little enlarged) unto you: Who, from her own Designation, recommended the present Text to me. The Jewel in the words deserves a richer Cabinet; yea and her sacred Dust a better Monument: But till you meet with Richer and Better, let this be favourably Accepted.
Not long since,bViz From Jun. 22. till almost July 20. 1656. my self was (by reason of a continuing Fever) not far from the cPsa. 49. 15.hand of the Grave: but the living God dIsa. 38. 17.hath loved my soul from the Pit of corruption. So that in this Sermon I have Preached, mine own Experiences, and her Expectations of deliverance. The Gracious LORD, (whose methods of mercy are many) hath Released us both from our respective extremities, as from theePsalm 68. 13. Pots: Me From Death, That I might live to his Praise a while on Earth: Her, By Death, That she may live in his Praise for ever in heaven. Thrice blessed be the God and Father of Mercies, for all the Mysteries of his Mercies.
May I now speak a few words of Advice to you that survive: especially to you the dear and Hopeful children of so Happy a Mother? My sincere love to her, mine …rdent longings after your salvation, constrain me: And I cannot hold my Peace. Let me stand a while as in your late Mothers stead. O let my counsel be accepted and embraced.
1. Become Godly and Religious betimes. f1 Chron. 289 1 King. 18. 3, 12.Know, fear, love and serve God from your very youth.gEccles. 12. 1. Remember your Creator in the daies of your youth. Early Christians are Happy Christians. Under the Old Testament God called for thehExod. 34. 22, 26. First-fruits of the ground, and theiDeut. 12. 6. 17. Firstlings of the Flock; Much more he expects the firstlings of our daies, of our youth, of our strength. Think ofk1 Sam. 3. 4. to the end. Samuel, l1 Sam 16. 7, 11, 13. & 17. 33, &c.David, m1 Chron. 22. 5. & 29▪ 1. … …am. 12. 24. 1 King. 3. 3.Solomon, n1 King. 18. 3. 12Obadiah, o2. Chron. 34. 1, 3.Josiah, pLuk. 1. 15.John Baptist, q2 lim. 3. 15.Timothy, andrLuke 2. 40, 42, 46, 47, 52. Jesus Christ himself: how Religios they were in their very youth, and tread in their steps. Oh what sins and iniquities are prevented: What experiences of God are up-heaped: How large a seed… time of Grace and good works is obtained: How long opportunities ofs2 Pet. 1. 10. making our Calling and Election sure are enjoyed, by giving up our selves to God betimes.
2. Be sincerely and entirely Religious. Hypocrisie, is a meer mockery in Religion: which occasionstMat. 23. 14. & 24. 51. the deeper condemnation. Content not your selves with uRev. 3. 1.a name to live, but be alive indeed. Rest not in x2 Tim. 3, 5.the Form, but look to the power of godliness. y1 Chron. 28. 9.Serve the Lord with a perfect heart. Seek, love, and obey himzPsalm 119. 10. with the whole heart. Let the whole soul be as it were Woaded in Grace. Fill your judgements with knowledge and truth, your consciences with purity, your wills with …ractableness, your hearts and affections with heavenliness, &c. Approve your selves throughout to God: that you may say as Peter; a…oh 21. 17.Lord thou knowest all things, thou knowest I love thee, I fear thee, I trust in thee, &c.
3. Maintain sweet Communion with God in Jesus Christ. Walk closely with God every day, asbGen. 5▪ 22, 24. Enoch, cGen. 6. 9.Noah, dGen. 17. 2. & 48. 15.Abraham, ePsal. 101. 2▪ &c. 1 King. 15, 5. Psal. 18. 22. Acts 13. 22▪David, &c. Think of him frequently; Desire him vehemently; Love him entirely; Be never well but in his Presence. Accept all stirrings of his Spirit, glimpses of his face, tasts of his love. Open with him every morning, shut with him (like the Sun-flower) every night, Turn towards him, and pant after him all the day long. SayfPsal. 73. 25. Whom have we in heaven but thee? &c. Thus you shall recover the lost Paradise, Thus you shall live as in an Heaven on earth: and when you come to die, you shall but exchange one Heaven for another and a better; A Spiritual Heaven of grace for an Eternal Heaven of Glory.
4. Let JESUS CHRIST be your All: yourg1 Cor. 1. 30. Wisdom, to guide you: your Righteousness, to justifie you: your Sanctification, to cleanse you: your Redemption, to save you. If you hunger, he ishIohn 6. 48▪ 51. Mannah: If you thirst, he givesiIohn 4. 10, 14. living water: If you faint, he iskLuke 2. 25. the consolation of Israel: If you pray, he isl1 Iohn 2. 1, 2. an Advocate with the Father: If you conflict with spiritual enemies, he is yourm1 Iohn 5. 4, 5. 1▪ Cor. 15. 57. Rom. 8. 37. Victory and Triumph,: If you live, he is your n1 Tim. 1. 1.hope: If you die, be is youroPhil. 1. 21. gain: If you be buried also, he is your pI…hu 11. 25.Life and Resurrection. O let him be theqRev. 1. 8, 11. Alpha and Omega, The Center and Circumference, yea the veryrCol. 3. 11. All in All, your Desires, Loves, Ioyes, Delights, Endeavours and Undertakings. If you want Christ, you want all things: If you have Christ, you want nothing. In all your joyes, Christ is the highest Exultation: In all your sorrows, Christ is the sweetest Consolation: In all your Gains, Christ is the chief Remuneration: In all your losses, Christ is the richest Compensation. In him make up the loss of Wife and Mother. All Sweetness, Dearness, Tenderness, Fulness, Contentment, Satisfaction, Consolation and Happiness is a thousand fold in him more then in these, or all the Relations of the world. These are but glimmering Lamps, He is the glorious Sun; These are but broken Cisterns, he is the living Fountain; These are but little drops, he is the boundless Ocean. Now therefore turn all your desires and a…fections towards him, and be fully satisfied. One Christ, is beyond ten thousand worlds.
5. Strive after well-grounded Assurance of a good spiritual state. Labour not only, That God, Christ, Grace, and Glory may be yours: but also, That ye may know assuredly they are yours. Assurance is possible; Fors1 Cor. 2. 12. Gods Spirit is given to help us to it, &c. tIob 19. 25, 26, 27. Heb. 10. 34. 1 Tim. 1. 16. 2 Tim. 1. 12.Many have attained it. Assurance is necessary: for God hath charged us to endeavour after it;u2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure, &c. And Assurance is very comfortable, and advantagious to ourx2 Pet. 1. 10. Perseverance. This held upyIob 19. 25. &c. Job under all his misery. This cheared upz2 Tim. 4. 6, 7, 8. Paul against approaching death.
6. Contend exceedingly, That a2 Pet. 3. 18. Col. 3. 5, &c.Grace may still be growing; and sin be dying. The more Grace, and the less Sin: the less like Satan, the more like God; …he further from Hell, the nearer to Heaven. The bEph. 5. 27. & 4. 12, 13.Abolition of sin, and the Perfection of Grace, are the suburbs of Glory.
7. Live to God, and upon God in Christ, that you may live with God and with Christ. cRom. 14. 8.Live to God, in all holy, heavenly, and blameless conversation;dHabak. 2. 4. live upon God, in all constant faithful dependance: That you mayeIohn 14. 3, 19. live with God and Christ in immediate eternal enjoyments.
8. Live in f1 Iohn 4. 7, 8.love one to another, and towards all Gods People. Love entirely, love affectionately, love Christianly in order chiefly to Spirituals and Eternals. Sincere love is thegIohn 13. 34, 35. Badge and Character of Christs Disciples on earth; andh1 Cor. 13. 13. Love will be part of the Crown of Christs Members in Heaven. Oh ye dear children that tumbled in the same bowels, still retain the iPhil. 2▪ 1, 2.same Mind, Heart and Affection one towards another. You shall have adversaries enough in the world: and therefore never be one anothers adversaries. So live in love together on E…rth, as those that look to live in ravishments together in Heaven.
9 Highly prize and frequent All the Means of Grace in Publick and Private Gods Ordinances are his Sacred Channels wherein alone in ordinary, his streams of grace do flow. Haw did David kPsal. 84. 1, &c. & 122. 1, &c.exult in the enjoyment of them! How did helPsalm 12. 1. to 5. & 63. 1, 2. lament in the want of them! Christians ought to mMat. 28. 19, 2….observe all Christs Commandments and Ordinances. TheynH…b. 10. 25. must not forsake the Assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is, … oPsalm 89. 15.blessed is that people that know the joyful sound! ThepHeb. 1…. 20. Mat. 28. 19, 20. 1 Cor. 11. 26. New Covenant, and the Administrations thereof are to continue till the end of this world: and therefore they ought still to be attended upon by all Gods New Covenant People.
10. Be q1 Cor. 15. 58.constant, stedfast, persevering, and abounding in Faith, Obedience, and all goodness unto the End. Be faithful to the Death: ThenrRev. 2. 10. you shall receive a Crown of life; thens2 Ioh. 8. you shall receive a full reward. t2 Thes. 3. 13. Gal. 6. 9.Be not weary of well-doing, for in due time ye shall reap if ye faint not. How constant and stedfast to the end was your gracious Mother in Faith, Patience and Godliness, although no small Tempest of Pain and Trouble lay upon her. The best of Saints may be exercised with the worst of sorrows here: But the Lord isuDan. …. 25. Exod. 3. 2. Isa. 43. 2. Psal. 23. 4. with them in the furnace of their Tryals, yea, was with her to uphold her in the valley of the shadow of Death. Hence, though she wasx2 Cor. 4▪ 8, 9… Troubled on every side, yet was she not distressed, though perplexed, yet not in despair; though cast down, yet not destroyed. yIam. 5. 11.We count them happy that endure. O let not sharpest tryals or troubles ever make you faint or flag at any time. They thatzLuke 9. 62. put their hands to Gods plough, and look back, render themselves unfit for the Kingdom of God.
11. Lastly, Mourn moderately in the loss of her, and other earthly comforts. When holy Iacob dyed in Egypt, aGen. 50. 10.The Israelites the children of Jacob mourned seven daies, but thebGen. 50. 3. Egyptians seventy daies: This was not because the Egyptians had more love to Jacob then the Israelites; but because the Israelites had more Grace, and Hope, and Moderation, then the Egyptians. Natural affection is commended:c1 Thes. 4. 13. excess in mourning is condemned.dIohn 11. 35. Jesus himself wept at Lazarus his Grave: and yet Christs memberse1 Thes. 4. 13. must not mourn as others that have no hope for them that sleep in Jesus. Were she still lying among the sullying pots, in midst of her sighs, groans, dolours and extremities, you might well bleed over her and lament her; but that she is delivered from all her sins and sorrows; is as the wings of a Dove, covered with silver, &c. hath laid aside her earthly sables, and is cloathed in heavenly white: Is in fLuk. 16. 22.Abraham's bosom, ingLuke 23. 43. Paradise, hHeb. 12. 22, 23. Phil. 1. 23.with Saints, Angels, and with God in Iesus Christ, which is far best of all, &c. Now rejoyce in her joyes, triumph in her triumphs,iIntelligeres …llum non emori, sedemigrare; & mutare amicos, nonrelinquere. Hicr…nym. in Epitaph. Nepotian. p. 25. Tom. 1. Basil. 1553. she is not so much dead, as delivered by death: she hath (as Hierom said of Nepotianus) not so much lost her friends; as changed them, and changed them for better: she is not so much k2 Cor. 5. 4.uncloathed, as cloathed upon, her mortality being swallowed up of life. Let her have your Imitations, rather then your Lamentations. Her graces and gracious deportments towards God and Man, and more especially towards you, In her health and sickness, in her life, and at her death were very Christian and exemplary. In all, l1 Cor. 11. 1.do ye follow her, as she followed Christ. Let her vertues still live in you: so shall she in some sense still live with you. And inasmuch as,mFiducla Christiano rum, Resurrectio mortuorum. Tertul. de Resurrect. c. 1. p. 31…. The Resurrection of the dead, is the peculiar Hope and Consolation of Christians, consider; shen1 Thes. 4. 14. 15, 16, 17. sleeps in Jesus, she shall at last awake and be Raised again by Iesus: And ye shall meet again; meet, and never part; meet, not to sigh and mourn together, but to sing and triumph together. Ye shall be caught up with her and with all the Elect together, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall ye be ever with the LORD. Amen. So prayeth.
Your affectionate friend, and brother in the Lord, for the furtherance of your Faith and joy, Fran: Roberts. Wrington Iune 12. 1657.
THE Checquer Work of Gods Providences towards his own people, Made up of BLACKS and WHITES: VIZ.
Of their Abasements, and Advancements; Their Distresses and Deliverances; Their Sullying Tribulations, and Beautifying Relaxations, &c.
PSAL. 68. 13.
Though ye have lien among the Pots; yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yeallow Gold.
GOD's dearest people, may for a long timeaIsa. 50. 10. Iob 19. 8, &c. & 30. 26. walk in darkness; yet at last thebPsal. 18. 27, 28. Gen. 15. 17. light of refreshing consolation shall shine upon them: MaycIob 2. 8. with chap. 42. 10, &c. sit down with Job a great while among the ashes; yet at length shall be lifted up, God turning their captivity: and maydPsal. 68. 13▪ lie with ISRAEL (Gods only people under the Old Testament) among the Pots, for many ages: but in fine shall safely escape, like silver-winged and golden-feathered Doves, from all the blackish sulliedness of their Afflictions. The sharpest storm ends in a grateful calm: and the darkest night hath its succeeding Day. This Mercy here Promised, was (according to the purpose of the most high) Performed to Gods Israel: And this blessing is in some sense accomplished to our late dear Sister deceased, an Israelite indeed. This was her condition: she long walked in darkness; sate down with Job in ashes: and lay with Israel among the Pots: But at last the Gracious LORD hath turned, Her Darkness into Light, Her Ashes into Beauty, Her Pots of sad affliction into glory.
These words were First and Immediately Directed to the Jewish Church, which had been a long time exercised with very many and heavy afflictions: but are extensive also, in like condition, to the Christian Church which is incorporated into it, ande…ph. 3. 6. of the same Body: yea and applicable also, in a due Rule of Proportion to any Particular Christian in a like parallel case of darksom distressing tribulations. A Particular Promise first directed to one single Person is sometimes improved to the General Consolation of Christians: As that sweet Promise to Joshuah; fIo…h. 1. 5. with He…b. 1…. 5, 6.—I will not fail thee nor for sake thee, is urged by the Apostle, as a General ground of Contentment to all Christians in any troubles or oppositions. How much more may a General Promise to the whole Church, as here, be Applyed to the comfort of a Particular Member. And therefore I cannot but impute it to the Christian judgement and apprehensiveness of our deceased Sister (now with the LORD,) that she could appropriate the consolation of this more General Promise, to her self in Particular: and that, though the sense and comfort of this Promise be wrapped up and infolded in obscure Metaphorical expressions. The words were often in her heart and lips in the daies of her Tribulation: whence doubtless she supported her self with pertinent and comfortable Meditation. For, 1. Here she had, (in the Churches abject, blackish, deformed, and despised condition, that had lien among the Pots,) A lively Po…traiture or delineation of her own extream Distresses. And, if the whole Church of God lay among the Pots: why might not she? This might administer to her much matter of Patience, Contentedness, and Consolation,gSolamen mis…ris soclos h…buisse Dolo…ls. Its some Consolation, not to be alone in heavyest Tribulation. 2. Here she had, (in the Churches Promised Felicity, that should be as the wings of a Dove covered with Silver, and …er Feathers with yeallow Gold,) a foundation of Hope touching her Deliverance at last out of all her extremities. If the Church should be brought from her black sullying Pots, to the wings of a silver and Golden-coloured Dove: from darkest miseries to brightest felicities: Why might not she, in Gods due time, one way or other, expect the like happy transmutation? This might sweetly nourish her F…ith, Hope and Christian Expectation. This Scripture was so suitable to her condition, and so much in her thoughts, that discoursing about her expected dissolution, she said; I think this must be the Text at my Funeral;hPsalm 68. 13. Though ye have lien among the Pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, and her Feathers with yeallow gold. And hereupon, I have been requested, by some of her nearest Relations, to make these words the subject. matter of my discourse upon this sad Occasion.
This Scripture, (and so this Psalm,) is very mysterious and intricate: One thing being expressed, another intended: As is usual in Metaphors and Allegories. For removing the obscurity of the words, and improving them to our present utility, consider we; 1. Their coherence with the context. 2. Their true sense and meaning. 3 The Lessons or Doctrinal Propositions intended in them. We must take more pains then ordinary to attain the right meaning of these words.
1. The Coherence of these words with the context, may be briefly represented as followeth, viz.
Of this Psalm, (most justly stiled by R. A. EZra, iNon inter omnes conven…t de A gumento hujus Psalmi, quem affirmat …zra valde esse excellen…e…. Sim. de Muis in …rg. ad Psal. lxv …A very excellent Psalm) 1. The Penman: …. Matter: 3. Occasion: and 4. Parts are as followeth.
I. The Instrumental Author, or Penman, was DAVID, that k2 Sam. 23. 1.sweet Psalmist of Israel. See, Title of the Psalm.
II. The Subject-Matter, is of a mixt Nature: being made up of Petition and Gratulation, of Doctrine and Exhortation, of History and Prophecy. And containing such an Eminent Prophecy of Christs Triumphant Ascention into Heaven, and of the Benefits thereof:lCompare Psal. 68. 18. with …phel. 5. 8▪ &c. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive, &c. it may deservedly be ranked among the Prophetical Psalms.
III. The Occasion seems to be, 1. Either Davids mCompare Psal. 68. 1 &c. with Nu…b. 10. 35.bringing up of the Ark of God into the place prepared for it in Sion, in the City of David: as some. 2. Or, somenAs that in 2 Sam. 21. 15. to the end. See Psal. 68. 1, 2. difficult and eminent expedition of DAVID against his enemies: wherein he aforehand assures himself of desired success and victory, both from the assistant power of the mighty God, and from Israels constant experiences of like nature: as other…. 3. Or, some …amous and Renowned victory obtained: as others. 4. Or, (As to me seems most probable) a Complexive Series and Heap of victories over his and his Kingdoms enemies subdued under him, even from N…lus to Euphrates, recorde… in 2 Sam 8. & 1 Chron. 18. whereupon he is by some supposed to have Penned two Triumphant Psalms, viz. Psalm 47. See vers. 5. & Psal. 68. See vers. 18. Herein King David being a special Type of CHRIST, the King of Kings, that subdues all our spiritual enemies, and Captivates our Captivity, AsoPs…l. 68. 18. with …ph. 4. 8, &c. part of this Psalm applyed to and interpreted of CHRIST, doth clearly intimate. And throughout the whole current of this Psalm▪ besides the immediate literal sense of it touching David and his Temporal Kingdom, there is easily observable a Mediate, Spiritual and Mystical meaning touching CHRIST the true DAVID and his spiritual Kingdom. Let this be still remembered: lest we lose much of the spirituality of this heavenly Psalm.
IV. The Parts or Branches are chiefly three, viz. 1. Petition, 2. Exhortation, and 3. Gratulation.
1. A Prophetical Petition. Let God arise, &c. ver. 1, 2, 3. This was thepNumb. 10. 35. Prayer at the moving of the Ark, that singular Token ofqExod. 25. 21, 22. Gods Presence, Type ofrExod. 25. 2…. with o…. 3. 25. 1 Ioh. 2. 2. Iesus Christ, andsRom. 9. 4. 1 Sam. 4. 21, 22. Glory in Israel.
2. A Pathetical Exhortation, or Hortatory incitation, unto the High Praises of God, ver. 4. to 19.
3. A grateful Exultation in the LORD, for his many Blessings and victories, verse 19. to the end.
This 13. verse falls under the second branch, viz. the Exhortation. The Psalmist exhorts to the Praises of God, from two sorts of Motives especially, viz. I. From Gods more General and Common Acts of Providence, 1. To the Fatherless. 2. To the widows. 3. To the solitary. 4. To the Captives. ver. 4, 5, 6. II. From Gods more Special and Peculiar Providences towards his own People Israel: and this chiefly in four observable intervalls of Time that came over them, viz. …. When they came out of Egypt, and marched through the wilderness. ver. 7, 8. 2. When they were newly possessed of, and planted in the Land of Canaan, ver. 9, 10. 3. In the troublesom and unsetled times of the Iudges, ver. 11, 12. 4. In the more composed and happy daies of David, ver. 13, to 19. In this last Particular note two things, viz.
(1) The Preface to this matter of Praise and Thankfulness for Gods Providential goodness which should be to Israel in the daies of David, more then in former times: Though ye have lien among the Pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver, &c. ver. 13. That is: In the three former times, in Egypt and the Wilderness, In Canaan, and Under the Iudges, ye have lain as among the Pots, low, debased, blacked, deformed, &c. with many, and sore afflictions: But now under Davids Dominion, especially under Christs, ye shall be as Doves wings and feathers of silver and golden colour: ye shall escape and be delivered, ye shall be advanced to a more joyous, prosperous and happy condition, and have better times then ever formerly. Ye shall be taken from among the Pots, and adorned with opposite Beauty and Glory.
2. The Particular Arguments inciting Israel to Praise and Thankfulness hereupon, are drawn, 1. From Gods victoriousness over his enemies, to his Peoples prosperity, ver. 14. 2. From the Eminency and Fertility of Gods Hill, Sion: especially of the Church of God shadowed out by it, ver. 15. 3. From the Lords constant Residence in, and Al-sufficient Protection of, his own Hill, his Church and people, ver. 16, 17. 4. From Gods Triumph over all his, and his Peoples enemies: which was to have its chieftEph. 4. 8, &c. accomplishment in IESUS CHRIST Ascending up into heaven, and leading captivity captive, &c. ver. 18. Thus stands the coherence: by which you may receive much satisfaction touching the right meaning of the words.
11. The sense and meaning of the words will now be the more easily extracted. Here's one Hebrew word in the Original which especially renders the Scripture intricate, viz. foreign Shephattajim: which, being a word of divers Significations and Translations, occasions various Interpretations. It is Rendered, 1. Limits, or Bounds. 2. Lots, or Inheritances. 3. Pots, or Pot-ranges.
1. Some render it, Two-limits, or Two-bounds, (the word being of the Dual number,) viz. the uTo this effect merc…rus & Cev…l… rius in S. Pagnin. Thes. ad very. foreign & Moller. Com. in Psal. 68.two limits, bounds or coasts of the enemies, ready to afflict, vex, and infest them on each hand. Or, two confines of the Countrey where they fortified themselves against their enemies. This sense some later writers embrace. And itsxOr, we may understand it of the two bounds. and limits of the enemies. where they are continually assailed an… e…dangered. And t… is t…e Greek seemeth to favour, tu…ning it ana meson toon cler…on amids, (or between) the Inheritances; even as they also translate the two bur…ns o… limits between which Isacha… couched▪ Gen. 49. 14▪ which Tribe had the Philis…ins at one end, and the Ammonites on the other, that vexed them. H. Amsworth in … …AWORD…, on Psal. 68. 14. one of the Interpretations which Ainsworth gives, though not in the first place. But, this version seems here very unsuitable: for that it quite destroies the Elegancy and fitness of the Opposition betwixt the two Metaphors, representing Israels different conditions, before and under Davids Government.
2. Some render it: Two-lots, or Two-Inheritances. So the lxx. foreign; that is, Amidst the Lots, or between the Inheritances: Inheritances (as in Canaan) being antiently set out by lots. This Hierom seems to follow, turning it; Si dormiatis inter medios cleros. And thus he expounds it,ySi dormiatis inter medios …leros, &c. Cum duobus …rediderls Testamentis, in…enlcs in u…toque Spiritum Sanctun… ▪ Et cet sit pul…htitudo el|m juxta l… eram scire quae legas; amen vis lecor…s omnis …n sensu est. Exter…or lta que …e…borum orllatus in Argenti nomine demonst…atur, occultiora vero mysteria in reconditis …uri muleribus continentur. Si dormiatis inter medios cleros; hoc est, si quiescati… inter novum …ve us Testamentum… invenietis in duobus Testamentii gr…clum Spiritus San…i. Cle…i licuntur singuli lib…, &c. Hi…r…ny…, in Comment▪ ad Psal. lxvii. pag 94. …. C. Tom. 8. …sil. 15…3. When thou believest the two Testaments, in both thou shalt find the Holy Ghost. And though there be a beauty, even according to the letter to know what thou readest: yet the force of all the comliness is in the sense. Therefore the outward Ornament of the words is demonstrated by the name of silver, but the more secret mysteries are contained in the hidden gifts of gold, &c. So that, with him; The two Lots, are the two Testaments; The Dove, is the Holy Ghost; Her wings covered with Silver, the outward letter of the Testaments; The feathers of yeallow gold, the inward; spiritual, and mysterious sense. But this is rather a witty Allegorical All…sion, then a judicious and solid Exposition. zAugustin. in Enarrat. in Psal. lxvii. p. 702, &c. Tom▪ 8. Basil. 1569▪Augustine also expounds the words much to this effect: but altogether as unsatisfactorily. The antient Fathers are not alwaies the best Expositors.
3. But most do render the word, Pots or Pot-ranges. Thus; Although ye have lien among the Pots (or, between the… Pot-ranges: or, between the two banks, or rows, viz. of stones to hang pots on in the Camp or Leaguer) yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered (or, decked with silver, & her feathers… with yeallow-greenish gold. And they observe in the words a double Metaphor: 1. The one of Israels lying among the Pots, as scullions lie among the pots, kettles or cauldrons in the camp or leaguer in time of war, and so are blacked, soiled, smutted, deformed: denoting Israels abject, low, mean, sullied, deformed and despicable condition under afflictions and extream distresses in time past in Egypt, the Wilderness, Canaan, and in the time of the Judges. 2. The other of Israels being like the wings of a Dove (which is of veryaPsalm 5… 6, 7,… speedy flight for escape) of bright silver, and beauteous golden-colour: representing their escape and deliverance at last out of all their blacking, smutting and deforming afflictions, into the contrary, beauteous, prosperous and happy state, under the Kingdom of DAVID, especially of IESUS CHRIST the true DAVID. Blackness notes extream affliction and misery: Doves wings, escape: white silver-colour and beauteous golden-colour, Prosperity and Felicity. Thus, the Metaphors are elegantly opposed one to another, and very significantly set forth the several conditions of Israel, first as lying among the pots of deep afflictions in former times, but after as assured of deliverance, of better daies, and that they should be as a silver winged and golden-feathered Dove, full of beauty, comeliness, prosperity and felicity. To this effect,bR. David, un Comment. foreign sunt foreign i. Chytropodes, loca ubi ponuntur ollae, aut caldariae. l. In loco humili, & nigro, ut est hic locus. Ac si dicat, …i ambulastis hactenus nigris induti estibus ob inimicotum afflictionem, adhuc eritis albi sicut alae columbae, quae tect…est argenta. l. Quae habet pennas albas sicut argentum. S. Pagia. in Thesaur. ad verb. foreign. R. David Kimchi, cInter Chytropodes.] …. In l…co humili, sicut est locus chytropodum: vel in loco obscuro & atro, l. In summa anxietate & rebus adversis constituti fueritis, &c. Eritis adhuc sicut Pennae columbae tectae argento. Candor▪ faelicitatem significat. Pag….& Mercer ab.Pagnin, dNunc per modum correctionis addit, etiamsi fideles interdum contingat jacere in tenebris, Deum nihilominus in tempore prodire liberatorem.—Generaliter admonet, inter medias afflict iones arcana & mirifica Dei vertute fideles quasi integros servai, vel subito restitui, ut nulla malorum signa appareant. Utrumque enim sensum verba admittunt; Quod jacentes in suligine & tenebris, nitere tamen non desinant: Vel quod liberatio contractum ex malis nigredinem dis…utia…. Uirumvis Eligas, summa huc redit, nunquam afflictionibus vel. consumi vel obrui sideles, quin sua illis maneat incolumicas, &c. Joan. Calvin. in Comment. ad Psal. 68. 14.Calvin, eIn priore membro Metaphora est à calonibus & lixis castrensibus petita, qui ab aeris injuria utcunque se defendunt, delitescendo inter fuliginosas ollas, & lapides focarios, apta huic loco, ubi de bello Sermo est, figura. In posteriore est metaphora à Columbis desumpta, quae per medium aerem volitantes, nunc niveum atque argent…um, nunc aureum splendorem ejaculantur. Significatur porro hoc versuex omnibus angustiis & periculis, quantumvis ingentibus, emersuros exituros que salvos & incolumes. In Sacris literis Atror mala; Candor vero, incolumitatem & prosperitatem notat. Simeon de Muis in Comment▪ ad Psal. 68. 14.Muis, fQuamvis antea jacueritis, &c.] Quamvis tribus predictis temporibus, In Egypto & Deserto, Interra Cananes, & sub judicibus fueritis hactenus similes Calonibus & lixis fuligine deformatis▪ deinceps tamen eriti… similes pennis columbae.—nunc sub imperio Davidis ampliorem habebant letandi occasionem quam unquam antea, &c. Joan. Foord in Expos. Psal. 68. 14.Foord, gB…tween the Pot ranges] Or, b…tween the two banks or rews, to wit, of stones made to hang Pots and Kettles on in the Camp or Leaguer; places where scullions lie, and so are black; meaning hereby affliction and misery; as on the contrary, by the Doves silver-Wings is meant prosperity. H. Amsw. Annotat. on Psal. 68. 14.Ainsworth, andhThough ye have]—The meaning is, After that ye O People of God, shall for a long time have endured base slavery, and have been like scullion boyes lying upon he ground, dirty and smoaky; you shall be again restored to glory and honour by Gods deliverance. J. Diodat. Annot. on Psal. 68. 14. Among the Pots] Though God suffer his Church for a time to lie in darkness, like a black scullion among the Pots; yet he will restore it, and make it most shining and bright. Large Lond. Annotat. on Psalm 68. 13. others expound these words. And in my judgement this Exposition seems most genuine and proper: as being, without forcing, most agreeable both to the intent of the Context, and Propriety of the words. And thus they are very suitable to this present sad Occasion.
The words, thus explained, are 1. Narratory, 2. Promissory. For Here's 1. A Narrative of Israels former deep affliction and misery; Although ye have lien among the Pots. They had been in former times, in Egypt, Wilderness, Canaan and under the Judges, as so many scullions among the Pots, abased, smutted, spotted, made black and deformed with many and great tribulations.
2. A Promise of Israels future Deliverance, Prosperity and Felicity; yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove, covered with silver, and her feathers with yeallow Gold: They should not alwaies lie blacked and sullyed in the smoak and among the Pots, they shall be as the wings of a Dove, speedily escaping, they shall be delivered out of their dark and black condition, and be made bright, beauteous, and every way prosperous, as white silver-coloured and yeallow-greenish-golden feathered Doves: most naite, pleasant and beauteous.
III. The third thing that remains, is, The observation of theiExod. 14. 20. Doctrinal Positions, or Lessons here intended. The words are somewhat like the Cloudy Pillar in the Wilderness; Which had, 1. A black side, full of darkness: and 2. A bright side, full of light. In the Black side we may read this Lesson; 1. That, Sometimes Gods Israel, Gods own endeared People, may lie, as it were among the Pots, in deepest distresses and afflictions. In the Bright side, on the other hand, we may read this Instruction; 2. That, Gods distressed and afflicted People shall not alwaies lie among the Pots, but at last, as with Doves wings, escape out of all their distress and misery, and enjoy all contrary Mercy, Prosperity and Felicity.
Let me speak a little briefly to both these Observations; which notably set forth the Diversity of Gods dispensations towards his own people. As it were the Checquer-work of Gods Providence to them, Their Black and White conditions: God one while abasing them by sullying Tribulations, and after advancing them by beautifying Relaxations.