Commentary on Ezra Nehemiah Ester Job and Psalms, Commentary 4 · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIV. Verſe 1. Why, ſeeing times are not hidden from the Almighty.]
HEB. Why are not times hidden from the Almighty? q.d. Who could think any otherwiſe, that had not been at the Sanctuary, Pſ. 73.17. and there heard, Wo to the wicked, it ſhall go ill with him, for the reward of his hands ſhall be (ſooner or later) given unto him? Iſai. 3.11. The Jew-Doctors conclude, (but falſly) from this Text, that Job denyed the Divine Providence. And the Vulgar Latine, to ſalve the matter and ſave Job from the imputation of Epicuriſme, takes the boldneſſe to leave out the Interrogative, Why, and rendreth it thus, The times are not hidden from the Almighty; leſt, by making it a queſtion, Job ſhould affirm, that times and events are hidden from God, or at leaſt ſhould wiſh and deſire that they were ſo. Vatablus thinketh that Job here putteth on the perſon of one that denyeth Gods Providence, or at leaſt doubteth of it: as if he ſhould ſay, Ye, my friends, ſay that nothing is hidden from God, and I now demand of you how the times, and thoſe things which are done in time, can be otherwiſe then hid from him, when as we ſee wicked men ſo to take their ſwinge in ſin, and yet, for ought we ſee, to eſcape unpuniſhed? It ſhould ſeem by his winking at wicked practiſes, that he takes no care how things are carried in this preſent world;Brent. as certainly he would do, were he diligens mundi Oeconomus, ant rerum humanarum conſcius. This indeed might ſtagger a David or a Jeremy in a paſſion, as Pſal. 73.2. &c. Jer. 12.1. and make a Diagoras or an Averroes, turn Atheiſt. But Job was better inſtructed in this point, as appeareth by many paſſages in this Book; ſee chap. 21.16, 22. Neither can any ſuch thing be concluded from this Text, if we take in the latter part of the verſe.
Do they that know him, not ſee his dayes?] The whole verſe ſhould be read thus, Why are not times hidden from the Almighty, ſeeing they that know him, de not ſee his dayes? that is ſith his moſt knowing ſervants could never obſerve the times and the ſeaſons (of puniſhing graceleſſe perſons here) which he hath put in his own power, Act. 1.7. Abraham indeed (by ſpecial favour) was told that Sodom ſhould be ſuddenly deſtroyed: And Moſes could ſay, Wrath is gone out from the Lord, take a Cenſer, &c. Numb. 16.46. As any one is more faithful and familiar with God, ſo much better and earlier doth he diſcern his judgements on the wicked, and is affected therewith. See Hab. 3.16. with the Note. But there is no certain rule given us, by what puniſhment to conclude a man wicked, neither can we ſafely ſay at what time, or what manner and meaſure God will puniſh the ungodly in this preſent life. That of Auſtin is very right, Some wicked God puniſheth here, leſt his providence; and but ſome, leſt his patience and promiſe of judgment ſhould be called into queſtion.
Verſe 2. Some remove the Land marks] Here he inſtanceth in all ſorts of wicked perſons, with their ſeculi laetitia, impunita nequitia: they go point blank againſt Gods Commandments; they pleaſe not him, and are contrary to all men; and yet who but they, ſo long as it will laſt? Some remove (or touch) the Landmarks, which the very Heathens held to be ſacred, and not once to be touched.Inter Ethnicor Terminus numinis lo.o habitua eſt. Numa King of Romans made a Law, that if any hid or removed a Land-mark, he ſhould be ſlain by the next that met him, as a ſacrilegious perſon, or publick Peſt. Gods Law curſeth ſuch an Offendour, Deut. 27. and the Civil Lawes paſſe ſentence of death upon him. The Chaldee Paraphraſt and old Rabbins underſtand this and the following Offences, of the old world, full of rapacity and impiety. But are there not the like and worſe evils found alſo amongſt us, upon whom the ends of the world are come, in theſe laſt and worſt times, as Bernard fitly yoaketh them? Read the Catalogue and compare.In his ultimis et peſſimis. temporibus. Bern. Reckon alſo, that you then read or hear this Chapter aright, when applying each paſſage to your ſelves, you learn to waſh your hands in innocency, or at leaſt in teares for theſe abominations: As alſo, if ye be not offended at the proſperity of thoſe who fall into all or but ſome of theſe wickedneſſes, ſith the time is at hand when account muſt be given of all things done in the body, whether good or evil.
They violently take away flocks and feed thereon] Though they eat that on earth which they ſhall digeſt in hell. Or, and feed them; viz. openly and impudently, with as much inſolence as injuſtice; and as if they had got them by right, and not by rapine and robbery. Lavater upon the Text maketh mention of a certain Helvetian Tyrant, who violently took away the Oxen from the Plough of an honeſt Countryman, and told him that it was fit that Clownes ſhould draw the Plough themſelves, without the help of Oxen.
Verſe 3 They drive away the Aſſe of the fatherleſſe] The only Aſſe of Orphans, thoſe helpleſſe, ſhiftleſſe creatures, ſo mercileſſe are theſe abigei, which is no ſmall aggravation of their injuſtice, (ſee 2 Samuel 12.3) For all ſinnes are not equal, as the Stoicks once held, but lighter or heavier according to their circumſtances. To rob the rich is a great offence, but to pillage the poor is far greater.
They take the widows Ox for a pledge] Without which the cannot plough: or. Her Cow, as ſome render it, without which the and her children cannot live. A poor bodies livelyhood is his life (as that poor widowes was, Mark 12.44.foreign and the like is ſaid of the Haemorrhoiſſe, Luke 8.43) cruſh this ſnail in his ſhel, and you kill him. Now therefore albeit it be not unlawful to take a pledge for ſecurity in ſome caſes; yet courteſie muſt be uſed, and mercy muſt be ſhewed to Orphans, Widowes, Strangers, and ſuch like, becauſe they are Gods Clients, and he hath taken them into his ſpecial care and tuition.
Verſe 4. They turn the needy out of the way] Either to make room for themſelves as the only men. Stand back, ſay the Sodomites to L…t, Gen. 19.9. Stand further off, ſay thoſe in Iſaiah, See Prov. 30, 14. Ans. 8.4. Or elſe, becauſe when theſe Spoilers are abroad, they beſet the wayes, and no Traveller,Bezai be they never ſo poor and needy, can paſſe freely by them; inſomuch that they are conſtrained to leave the broad beaten way, and every where to ſeek out by-wayes and unknown paſſages, to eſcape their hands.
And the poor of the earth hide themſelves together] Leſt after their Cattel driven away,Junius. as before, themſelves, …t mancipia nexa, as ſlaves linked together, ſhould be taken and carryed away by them to ſuch baſe Offices, as are mentioned in the next verſes. Tyrants are looked upon as ſo many Comets, or Tempeſts: Attilas ſtiled himſelf, Deiflagellum, et Orbis vnſtinatem. The ſcourge in Gods hand, and the worlds waſte-good: He arrogantly ſaid, That the Stars fell before him, the Earth ſhook under him, and that he would make the Inhabitants thereof wriggle into corners, as worms do into their holes when once it thundereth. We know who they were (even thoſe Worthies of whom the world was not worthy) who hunted as Partridges by their cruel Perſecutors, and driven out from houſe and home, wandred in deſarts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth, Heb. 11.38. where they found the wild Beaſts more mild and merciful to them, then thoſe hard-hearted Tyrants.
Verſe 5.Onagri inter fer as ſunt efferatiſſimi, neque unquam manſueſcunt. Merc. Beza. Behold, as wild-Aſſes in the deſart, go they forth to their work] Theſe barbarous and bruitiſh Oppreſſors, skilful to deſtroy, do live in this world, as the wild-Aſs doth in the wilderneſs, roving and rambling up and down for booty, whereunto early in the morning they prepare and harneſs themſelves, as if this were their trade and occupation whereby they muſt needs get their living. Hic labor, hoc opus, vel artificium corum eſt, ſaith Lavater. As man goeth forth unto his work, and to his labour until the evening, Pſal. 104.23. ſo do theſe greedy Cormorants, theſe evening Wolves (as Micah calleth them) theſe ſpoylers that deviſe iniquity, and work evil upon their beds, when the morning is light they practiſe it, becauſe it is in the power of their hands. And they covet fields and take them by violence; and houſes, and take them away, &c. Mich. 2.1, 2. Job had ſuffered much by the Arabian ſpoylers,Fabric. in deſcrip. peregr. Hieroſol. thoſe wild-Aſſes, who continue their old trade to this day, catching and ſnatching, vivitur ex rapto: neither can they be repelled or reſtrained by reaſon of their multitudes, and their incredible ſwiftneſs.
The wilderneſs yieldeth food, &c.] Their pillage is their tillage, their rapine their revenue, whereby they maintain themſelves and theirs: as the wild-Aſs picks out a living in the deſart. But ſhall they thus eſcape by iniquity? Have they no other wayes to work? no better Mediums? Never think it: In thine anger caſt dawn the people. O God; Pſal. 56.7. He will do it: for the words are prophetical, as well as optative. Treaſure of wickedneſs profit nothing, Prov. 10.2. Mammon of iniquity, is the next odious name to the Devil; and to the Devil it will bring a man, 1 Tim. 6.9. Engliſh Hubertus, a covetous Oppreſſor, is ſaid to have made this, Will; I yield my Goods to the King, my Body to the Grave, my Soul to the Devil. Pope Sylveſter 2. is ſaid to have given his Soul to the Devil for ſeven years enjoyment of the Popedom.
And for their Children] We have a profane and falſe proverb, Happy is that Child, whoſe Father goeth to the Devil. O faithful drudge! ſaid a graceleſs Son once of ſuch a Father, who died and left him great ſtore of ill-gotten goods.
Verſe 6. They reape every one his corn in the field] The poor oppreſſed are made by them to inn their crops, and tread their vintages in the end of the year; as the Hebrew importeth,Serò colligunt. without either meat or wages, or ſo much as a cup of drink, as the eleventh verſe ſets forth: which is extreme cruelty, and flatly forbidden, Deut 24.14, 15. and order taken that the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the corn ſhould not be muzzled, Deut. 25.4. Quantum igitur judicium, ſaith Brentius, how great judgements of God then will light upon thoſe who do that to men of the ſame fleſh, of the ſame faith, of the ſame country with themſelves, which they ought not to do to the bruit creatures they make uſe of? Quo… malum in Germania frequent…ſſimum eſt; V… igitur Germaniae. This, ſaith he, is a common ſin in Germany, woe therefore to Germany. Think the ſame of England, and take notice that this is one of thoſe crying ſins that entreth into the ears of the Lord of Sabboth, Jam. 5.4. and he will hear, for he is gracious, Exod. 22.27. The words are otherwiſe ſenſed by ſome: but this to me ſeemeth moſt ſutable to the ſubſequent verſes.
Verſe 7. They cauſe the naked to lodge without clothing] viz. By denying and detaining from them that they have earned, wherewith they ſhould provide them garments, which are ſo called, quaſi gardments: becauſe they ſerve to guard mens bodies from the injury of the weather. They cauſe them to lodge naked, becauſe they have no clothing; ſo ſome reade the text, they lay them open to the pinching cold of the night. And what a miſery it is to lye a cold and wet, and not to have wherewith to keep us warm and dry, in winter ſeaſon eſpecially, who knows not? Hîc diſce Deo gratus eſſe, ſaith Lavater. Here then learn thankfulneſs to God, thou that haſt not only a warm and wholeſome lodging-room, but alſo good ſtore of bed-cloaths; and thoſe of the better ſort too. Abuſe not theſe bleſſings to pride and luxury, leſt God turn in upon thee ſpoylers and plunderers, who may leave thee little enough; leave thee nuaum tanquam ex mari, as they did many in theſe late ſhredding and ſtripping times, Ezek. 25.4. God threatneth to ſend the men of the Eaſt to dwell (as ſo many Lord-Danes) in their Palaces, and to eate their milk, &c. When the Children play with their meat, and caſt it to the Dogs, what can the Father do leſs, than bid, Take away?
Verſe 8. They are wet with the ſhowers of the mountains] Wet they are, but not at all refreſhed as this word (here only found in the Bible) ſignifieth ſometimes among the Rabbins. Cold comfort they finde abroad; and at home they dare not abide, leſt rich men ſhould oppreſs them and draw them before the judgement-ſeats, Jam. 2.6. or drag them to priſon for refuſing their drudgery. Hence they are forced to live in the mountains, and deſart places, in extreme miſery.
And embrace the Rock for want of a ſhelter] Like Conies or wild Beaſts, glad of any lurking place, that may keep them out of the hands of unreaſonable and wicked men. What hardſhip have many worthy men in all ages ſuffered from perſecutors and oppreſſors (in Dio…leſians dayes eſpecially) driven out of houſe and harbour, and glad to take up in any hole, there to lie on the cold ſtone in ſtead of a warm bed, (as that good Dutcheſs of Suffolk, with that noble Gentleman her Husband did in the Low-countries, whiter they fled from the Marian perſecution) till,In Loc. as Elias once under the Juniper, they wiſh themſelves out of the world? Iterùm hîc diſc… gratias Deo agere, ſaith L…vater. Here again learn to give thanks to God for this great benefit, if thou maieſt ſtay at home, and not be forced to flie for thy life, or for conſcience-ſake; for home is home, as we ſay, and very deſireable: and the Apoſtle reckons it for a piece of his ſufferings, that he was …, and had no ſettled ſtation,foreign no certain dwelling place, 1 Cor. 4.11.
Verſe 9. They pluck the fatherleſs from the breſt] What can be more to be pitied than a fatherleſs ſuckling? Who leſs to be moleſted or violenced than the Mother doing that office to her babe? In the Pariſian Maſſacre, one of the murtherers took a little one in his arms, who ſmiled upon him and plaid with his beard; yet this barbarous wretch was ſo far from compaſſion, that he wounded it with his dagger,Act. & Mon. and ſo caſt it all gore blood into the River. The ſtory of the Infant of the Iſle of Garriſer, thrown back into the fire, out of which it had ſprawled, is well known.Ibid. So is the ſavage inhumanity of that mercileſs Minerius the Popes Champion, who at Merindol… in France, cut off the Paps of many which gave ſuck to their Children;Ibid. p. 868. which looking for ſuck at their Mothers breſts, being dead before, died alſo for hunger. Well therefore might our Saviour ſay, Beware of men, Mart. 10.17. It had been better the Indies had been given to the Devils of hell, ſaid those poor Natives, than to thoſe bloody Spaniards, who daſhed the Mother in pieces upon their Children, as once at Betharbel, Hoſ. 10.14.
And take a pledge from the poor] Miſery, which ſhould beget pity in them, begetteth but audacity, and inviteth them to ruine the poor, and fill their houſes with their ſpoyles. Some render it thus, They take the poor for a pledge; ſc. putting them to their ranſom, and mean while enſlaving them.
Verſe 10. They cauſe him to go naked without clothing] Naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to their ſhame, and danger; as Eſa. 20.4. So dealt the Popiſh Biſhops with the poor Proteſtant Albigenſes, at the Rendition of Carcaſſ…n, in France; they let them have their lives upon condition,Rivet. Jeſuit. vap. that both men and women ſhould go thence ſtark naked; thoſe parts that cannot well be named, being laid open to the view of thoſe Pope-holy Cruciates.
And they take away the Sheaf from the hungry] Or, The handful; that little that they had leazed; ſnatching the eares of corn out of their hands, and condemning them thus denuded and deſpoyled, to a death which is ſo much the more cruel, as it is tedious and languiſhing. Some reade it thus, And thoſe that carried their Sheaves, they made to go away hungery: either not feeding, or not Paying their harveſt-labourers, and other ſervants. It is noted in Hiſtory as a cruelty in the Athenians, that they put an engine about their ſervants necks called foreign, and it reached down to their hands, that they might not ſo much as lick of the Meal when they were ſifting it.
Verſe 11. Which make oyl within their walls, &c.] See the Note above on verſ. 6. and on verſ. 10.
Verſe 12. Men groan from out of the City] viz. Under the preſſures of their oppreſſors. Thus did Jeruſalem that faithful City, when once become an harlot; it was full of judgement, righteouſneſs lodged in it; but now murderers, Iſa. 1.21. The like die the City of Rome, when, under the Government of Marius ſet up againſt Sylla, ſhe cryed out that the remedy was worſe than the diſeaſe: and under Pompey, Calamitas noſtra magnus eſt: and under the Caeſars, that the names of their good Emperours might all be ſet down in the compaſs of a ſignet-ring: and again under the Popes, that for many years together ſhe had not had the happineſs to be ruled by any but Reprobates: Hen, hen, Domine Deus, ſaith Faſciculus temporum, bitterly bewayling Romes miſery under her turbulent Tyrants, Hildebrand, Ʋrban 2. (whom Cardinal Benno worthily calleth Turban) Boniface 8. and many other ſuch like Monſters. Of moſt great Cities it may be ſaid, as of that ſtrange vineyard in Paleſtin…, Iſa. 5.7. God looked for judgement, but behold oppreſſion (Heb. a ſcab.) for righteouſneſs, but behold a cry.Anima confoſſorum veciferatur.
And the ſoul of the wounded (of the deadly wounded) cryeth out] ſc. For grief; and in prayer to God for eaſe.
Yet God layeth not folly to them] Deus non ponit prohibitionem, ſo one of the Rabbins rendreth it. God putteth not a ſtop to the proceedings, he puniſheth not thoſe Tyrants, who do oppreſs whole Cities, making their luſt a Law, and overbearing all right with their Volumus & jubemus: nothing at all moved with the groans of the oppreſſed City, or with the out-cryes of the wounded. Word for word it is, Deus non interponit inſulſ…m quid, God interpoſeth not any thing inſulſe or unſavory; that is, he ſuffereth not any croſs mean while to befal them: Yea, he ſo carrieth the matter, as if he favoured them; yea, approved and proſpered their crafty and cruel practiſes: For they live happy, obtain victories, are magnified among men,Yull. de divin. lib. 2. they flatter themſelves in their own eyes, until their iniquity be found to be hateful, Pſal. 36.2. Mean while, foelix ſcelus virtus vocatur; as the Oratour ſpeaketh, their proſperous villany is called vertue: and if any man mutter againſt them,Di… in Ner. yea if he cry them not up, he is looked upon as a Traytor, as Thraſeas that noble Roman was by Nero.
Verſe 13. They are of thoſe that rebel againſt the light] Againſt the common light of the Sun, ſay ſome, which they are ready to curſe, (as the Atlantes, a people of Ethiopia, Her…dot.are ſaid to do) and could wiſh extinct, that they might ſin unſeen. Others more fitly underſtand it of the light of Nature and Scripture; againſt which wicked Atheiſts riſe up and rebel; as malecontents and mutineres do againſt lawful Authority. In the poor blind Ethnicks it is to be ſeen that ſome few Principles and Notions of good and evil, right and wrong, truth and falſhood, are yet to be found in corrupt Nature: like as when Cities and great Buildings are over-thrown by War, ſome Towers, ſome Pinacles ſurvive the violence. Now ſome deſperate ſinners againſt their own ſouls, take the boldneſs to tear out theſe Principles, that might any way diſturb their courſe in ſin; and to take an order with their natural conſciences, clapping up thoſe Prophets from God, cloſe Priſoners, Rom. 1 18. till at length all that little light is loſt, that ruſh-candle quite extinct. When wine is powred out of a cup, the ſides are yet moiſt. But when it is rinſed and wiped, then remaineth not the leaſt taſte. Even ſo that glimmering of divine Light left in the natural man is ſo defaced by obſtinacy in ſin, that not the leaſt ſpark thereof remaineth. Theſe Bars have flown ſo long againſt that light, that at length they have put it out. And whereas to thoſe that live under the Ordinances, there is another light riſen, viz. that of Gods Word and works, graceleſs wretches ſhut their windows, leſt this light ſhould come in upon them, as the Phariſees did: they hate it becauſe their deeds are evill, ſaith our Saviour: they ſpurn and ſcorn at it, ſaith Solomon, Pro. 1. they are willingly ignorant, Joh. 3.18.ſaith Peter; they wink wilfully, ſaith Juſtin Martyr; Ʋt liberiùs peccent, libenter ignorant, ſaith Bernard: they rebel againſt the light, as Balaam did when he ſet his face toward the wilderneſs, and would needs curſe howſoever. Or as Pharaoh, who ſat not down under the Miracle Moſes wrought, but ſent for the Magicians. How many are there at this day, who after conviction, get the Bit betwixt their teeth, like unruly Horſes, and run away?
They know not the ways thereof] A carnal heart is not willing to know what if ſhould do, leſt if ſhould do what it would not do. Of ſuch Bernard ſaith,Feſtucam quorum us occules cruans. that they ſeek ſtraws to put out their own eyes with. If they ſeek after Gods wayes, it is but as a coward ſeeketh after his enemy, with an hope he ſhall not finde him: So he is loth to find, and fears to know; therefore he ſearcheth no further, than wil ſerve his turn; and the little light he hath, he putteth not under a buſhel, but under a dunghil Woe be to theſe rebels, theſe Soli…uga, that refuſe, or abuſe Goſpel-light. Turks and Pagans ſhall have an eaſier judgment. It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteouſneſs, ſaith Peter, then after they have known it, &c. 2 Epiſt. 2.21. Gravis eſt lux conſcientiae, ſaith Seneca; but grav…or eſt lux Evangelii, ſay we: if this light be hated by any, it is meerly becauſe it ſtands in the light of their wicked wayes, as the Angel did in Balaams way to his ſin.
Nor abide in the paths thereof] They have no ſtability,Hoſ. 6.3. nor ſettledneſs in well-doing. They follow not on to know, but ſoon give over the purſuit and practiſe of holineſs; not caring to adde to Faith Vertue, and to Vertue Knowledge, &c.2 Pet. 1.3.
Verſe 14. The murderer riſing with the light] Betimes, whiles it is yet darkiſh: for here Job ſheweth how thoſe that do evil hate the light, and take the fitteſt opportunities for a diſpatch of the deeds of darkneſs, daily digging deſcents down to Hell, and haſtening thereto, as if they feared it would be full before they come thither. They ſpend therefore the whole day in wicked pranks and practiſes, proùt videtur commodum, as ſhall ſeem beſt for their purpoſes, interdin latrones, nocte fures agunt. By day they do what miſchief they may in woods and deſarts: at night they return into the City, and there play the theeves, hoping to do it un-obſerved.Bernard. Thus every ſuch one may better ſay then that Ancient did, Totum tempus perdidi, quia perdite vixi, I have loſt all my time, by ſpending it looſely and baſely: I have been too faithful a drudge to the Devil, whom Chriſt calleth a murth…rer; Joh. 8.and Tertullian calleth Furem Veritatis, a thief of the Truth. Two notable Theeves of Naples, Rain. de Idol. Rom. prafat.(whereof one was called Pater-noſter, and the other Ave-Maria) had murthered an hundred and ſixteen ſeveral perſons, at ſeveral times and in divers places. Theſe were worthily put to a cruel death by the Magiſtrate: who poſſibly might by his connivence and ſlackneſs in doing his office, be himſelf guilty of ſome of thoſe murders: ſith, to reſtrain juſtice, is to ſupport ſin: and not to correct, is to conſent to the Crime. Hemingius maketh mention of a Felon, who was indicted of ſeven murders: while the Judge was ſtudying what grievous puniſhment ſhould be inflicted upon ſuch a bloody villain, an Advocate ſteps to the Bar, and pleading for him, proved, That the Judge was guilty of ſix of the murders: for th… the Felon was not put to death for the firſt offence.
Killeth the poor and needy] Without Authority, (ſuch as Magiſtrates have to kill Malefactors, and Souldiers in a lawful Battel to kill their Enemies: Sum Talbotti pro occidere inimic…s meos; Speed.this blunt boiſterous ſentence was written upon the renowned L. Talbots Sword, whileſt he warred in France) and without any preſent neceſſity for his own lawful defence, as Exod. 2.22. when he muſt either kill or be killed: provided that he endeavour firſt to ſave himſelf by flight if poſſibly he can: For that Tenet of Soto, a Popiſh Caſuiſt, is the moſt falſe,Quia fugs eſt ignominioſa. That it is lawful for a man in his own defence to kill another, becauſe it is a ſhame to flie. And that alſo of Navarrus, that for a box on the ear, it is not unlawful to kill another,Ad bonor em recuper …. for the recovering of his honour.
And in the night is as a thief] That is, very thief: for this as, is magis expre… … veritatis, as Mercer ſpeaketh, he would not ſeem to be, but yet is an arrant thief, ending the day with theft, which he began with murder. How theſe two ſins go commonly coupled, ſee Hoſ. 4.2 and Iſai. 13.16.
Verſe 15. The eye alſo of the Adulterer wa…teth.] Obſerveth, expecteth, and longeth till it cometh. Ʋt videas ill…m non precare infirmitate ſed malitiâ, ſaith Vatablus; This ſheweth, that he ſinneth not of infirmity, but of forethought, malice and wickedneſſe; which he plotteth and ploweth (as the Scripture phraſeth it) purveying for the fleſh,Quotidie perire me ſentio. Suer. Rom 13. ult. putrifying alive, under a …abe, of impure luſts, and daily periſhing therein, as Tiberius at Caprea, by his own confeſſion. This beaſt was not aſhamed of his deteſtable filthineſſe; as being a moſt impure and impudent defiler of other mens beds. But the Adulterer here ſpoken of, ſeeks the covert of the twilight, and another of a diſguiſe. He putteth hu face in a ſecret place (ſo the Hebrew hath it) wrapping it in his cloak, or getting on a Vizzard, which (ſaith he) ſhall render me unknown, and none eye ſhall ſee me. For as for Gods eye, either he conceits him blind, or preſumes him indulgent, not doubting or an eaſie and ſpeedy pardon. This is charged upon David, 2 Sam. 12.10. Becauſe thou haſt deſpiſed me. &c. viz. in thinking to ſin ſecretly, not conſidering mine All-ſeeing eye, not caring though I looked on, &c. therefore ſhall all come to light, verſe 12. Sin ſecretly committed, ſhall bee ſtrangely diſcovered: yea, perhaps the ſinner himſelfe ſhall confeſſe his ſinnes, as Judas: So ſooner on later, God wil bring every work into judgement, with every ſecret thing, Eccleſiaſ…es 12.14. See alſo Eccleſiaſticus 23.
Verſe 16. In the dark they dig through the earth, &c.] Heb. He digs through houſes; i.e. the Adulterer doth, to come at his Strumpet, with whom he had agreed upon a place of meeting for that evil purpoſe, and in whoſe boſome by night (the dark and black night, as Solomon calleth it, Prov. 7.9) he ſpareth not to bury his name, ſubſtance, ſoul and carcaſſe, whilſt they glut their unclean deſires by the favour of the darkneſſe. This is a bitterneſſe beyond that of death, Eccleſ. 7.26. But the divel preſenteth his Butter in ſo Lordly a diſh, that the ſoul ſpies not the hammer and nail in his hand, till he have driven it into the Temples. Roger Mortimer, who digged that hole at Notingham Caſtle, and was afterwards hanged at Tiburn, (a juſt reward of his Ambition and Uncleanneſſe) had the experience of this.
They know not the light] i.e. They brook it not, but run full butt againſt it, becauſe it diſcovereth and diſquieteth them. See on ver. 13.
Verſe 17 For the morning is unto them as the ſhadow of death] i.e. They are in deadly fear leſt the light ſhould bewray them, and expoſe them to condigne puniſhment. How fearful was Judah of being ſhamed, after he had thus ſinned, Gen. 38.23? And how forward to ſave his credit by ſending his Kid by the hand of that hang by Hiram? Ter. in Eun.That young man in Terence, was ſore aſhamed to be ſeen in the Eunuchs garment, a token of his Uncleanneſſe; whereas to have done the deed did nothing ſo much trouble him. But the children of light hate and ſhun ſin more for the filth that is in it, then for the fire that is in it: the blackneſſe of that coal offendeth them more then the heat of it.foreign Plato condemneth the Poets for ſetting forth Jupiters Adulteries, whereby the people were drawn to the like wantonneſſe; and for ſaying, it were no matter though men did commit ſin, ſo they could hide it. Si non caſtè, ſaltem cautè, ſay the Popiſh Shavelings, who are ſometimes taken in the manner, as was that carnal Cardinal Cremonenſis, Acts & Mon. fol. 1065. Ibid. 1905. Barns Funccius Luth. Coloq.the Popes Legat here, in Hen. 8. dayes, and Dr. W…ſton Dean of Windſor in the Raign of Queen Mary, apprehended in Adultery, and for the ſame deprived of all his Spiritual Livings by Cardinal Pool. Pope John the twelfth, being taken a bed with another mans wife, was killed immediately by her husband. In Germany a Gentleman of note and his Harlot, were ſerved in like ſort, as Luther relateth. So was Re…ldus the Eighth, King of Lombardy; and Sergui a King of Scotland. Of all theſe,P.Mel. Chron. Lang. Chron. and many more eſuſdem furfuris, it may well be ſaid, as here, that being noted and notified, they were in the terrors of the ſhadow of death. Which death to eſcape.
Verſe 18. He is ſwift as the waters] He ſtayes not long in a place, but flies away ſwiftly (like the River Tigris, ſwift as an arrow out of a bow) to avoid puniſhment. Heb. He is light upon the face of the waters. The meaning…s (ſaith One) they are as a light thing upon the ſtreams of water running ſwiftly, and carrying it away with ſpeed. Some, that it is ſpoken in reſpect of their ſwift paſſing on from one wickedneſſe to another, or their never being ſettled after ſuch wickedneſſe committed, but alwayes ready to be overturned as a ſhip that is unballaſted, and ſo to be drowned in the ſea.
Their portion is curſed on the earth] Cain-like, they wander up and down, à corde ſuo facti fugitivi; but their ſin will ſurely find them out; neither can they run out of the reach of Gods rod, &c. This Job ſaith, leſt any ſhould gather from what he had ſaid before, that it ſhould be alwayes well with the wicked, and ill with the godly. Some take it curſe-wiſe thus, Let their portion on earth be accurſed, neither let them turn themſelves to the Vineyards; ſcil. either to dreſſe them, or to taſte of the fruits of them.
He beholdeth not the way of the Vineyards] That is, ſay ſome, to run away by them, which were common wayes to Cities, but by ſome other obſcure byway that he may not be found. In Vineyards ſomething is to be done at all times, that way therefore they take not, leſt they ſhould be diſcovered and puniſhed. Beza rendreth it, He turneth not into the way (that is, the nature) of the Vines, which by cutting and pruning, ſprouteth out, and becometh more profitable. Others ſenſe it far otherwiſe. The conciſe brevity and ambiguity of the words, together with the change of number, hath cauſed a cloud upon them.
Verſe 19. Drought and heat conſume the ſnow waters] Here alſo brevity hath bred obſcurity. Snow waters as they are more ſubtile, ſo they ſooner ſink into the dry earth; ſo dye the wickeds, quickly and eaſily. See chap. 21.13, 31. There are that read the whole verſe thus, In the drought and heat they rob, and in the ſnow waters; they ſin to the grave; that is, they rob (and run into other flagitious practiſes) in all weather, Summer and Winter, and never give over till they dye. They perſiſt in their ſins (ſaith Calvin) wherein they have been nuzzelled up, even to their grave. This is a good ſenſe. Luther tells of one filthy Adulterer, ſo ſet upon that ſin, that he was heard to utter theſe abominable words, If I were ſure to live here for ever, and that I might ſtill be carried from one Brothel-houſe to another, I would never deſire any other heaven then that. Vae dementiae, & impietati. Theat. Hiſt. pag. 568.This beaſtly man breathed out his wretched ſoul betwixt two harlots. Once I knew a moſt odious Adulterer of ſeventy years old (ſaith another great Divine) who having waſted his fleſh and ſtate with harlots, and lying neer death, was requeſted thus, Potter, call upon God;M. Dan. Rog. he replyed with his ordinary oathes, Pox and Wounds, is this a time to pray? I knew, (ſaith a third Reverend man) a great ſwearer, who coming to his death-bed, Satan ſo filled his heart with a madded and enraged greedineſſe after ſin,Mr. Bolton. that though himſelf ſwore as faſt and as furiouſly as he could, yet (as though he had been already among the bannings and blaſphemies of hell) he deſperately deſired the ſtanders by to help him with Oathes, and to ſwear for him. Athenaeus reporteth of one covetous Mammoniſt, that at the hour of his death, he devoured many pieces of Gold, and ſewed the reſt in his coat, commanding that they ſhould be all buried with him. And our Chroniclers write of King Edward 1. that he adjured his ſon and Nobles,Dan. Hiſt. 202. that if he dyed in his Expedition againſt Bruce King of Stots, they ſhould not interre his Corps, but carrie it about Scotland, till they had avenged him on that Uſurper.
Verſe 20. The Womb ſhall forget him] Some read it, The merciful man forgetteth him; ſcil. becauſe himſelf was mercileſſe. Or becauſe he was a trouble to the world, and a common Peſt, therefore good men are glad to be ſo rid of him; and in ſtead of ſighing over him, ſay, Let the worm feed ſweetly on him, 'tis well he is gone, as he lived wickedly, ſo he dyed wickedly; let him be no more remembred or honourably mentioned, but moulder away, and fall as a rotten tree. Others interpret the words of the ſudden and eaſie death of the wicked, thus, The womb ſhall forget him; that is, ſaith Beza, being once dead, neither his mother nor his wife do bewail and lament his death, becauſe without that pain and torment, that many ſuffer when they depart the world.
The wormes ſhall feed ſweetly on him] Moritar impunitus, he maketh the worms a feaſt with his fat Corps (as Dr. Taylor Martyr made account to have done, if buried in Hadley Church-yard) and feels no pain.
He ſhall be no more remembred] And this is reckoned up as a piece of his happineſs See Eccleſ. 8.10. with the Note there.
And wickedneſſe] that is, the wicked perſon, that crooked piece that can hardly ever be ſet ſtraight again.
Shall be broken as a tree] As a rotten tree blown down by the wind.
Verſe 21. He evil intreateth the barren that beareth not] Who had more need to be comforted, then further afflicted. But Homo homini Daemon. Jacob and Elkanab loved and comforted their wives under this croſſe. The Vulgar rendreth it, He hath fed the barren, whereupon ſome expound it of wicked mens feeding Whores, and maintaining them for their pleaſure; keeping them barren, that they may keep their beauty.
And doth not good to the widow] i.e. Doth her much hurt; for not to do good, is to do evil, Mark 3.4. He hath afflicted his barren wife, and evil intreated the poor deſolate widow his mother. What marvel then if the womb forget him, &c. if his wife bewail not ſo unkind an husband, nor his mother ſo unnatural a ſon, as verſ. 30 Thus Beza here.
Verſe 22. He draweth alſo the mighty with his power] i.e. He hath brought them by force under his girdle, and compelled them to do him homage and ſervice.
He riſeth up.] In the fulneſſe of his might, as a King againſt whom there is no riſing up, Prov. 30.31.
And no man is ſure of life] Which the Tyrant taketh away at his pleaſure. Or thus, The Tyrant himſelf, after he hath made all cock-ſure, as he may think, is not yet ſure of his owne life, dare not confide in his beſt friends: Dionyſius for inſtance, and our Richard the third. The Hebrew is, And he is not ſure of life.
Verſe 23. Though it be given him to be in ſafety] Heb. It is given him to be in ſafety, whereon he reſteth. His ſafety and proſperity was given him for a better purpoſe; but (as if God had hired him to be wicked) he abuſeth it to creature confidence, leaning too hard upon the arm of fleſh.
Yet his eyes are upon their wayes] Nevertheleſſe God proſpereth them (according to Pſal. 34.11.) Or, as others ſenſe it, God eyeth their wicked wayes, and deſigneth them to deſtruction. And the next verſe ſeemeth to make for this Interpretation.
Verſe 24. They are exalted for a little while] Or, They are exalted, but within a little while they are not. This former part of the verſe needeth no Expoſition, ſaith an Expoſitor. And as for the later
They are taken away as all other, they are cut off as the tops of the ears of corn] It may be underſtood of the like violence,Velm frit-ſpica ſuccidu…tur. Trem. ex Varr. wherewith Tyrants ſhall be cut off, by which they have cut off other mighty and great men: as Thraſibulus King of Mileſians by ſtriking off with his ſtaff certain ears of corn, and Tarquin King of Romans by doing the like to certain Poppies in his Garden, ſignified their minds to have diverſe chief men beheaded: which was accordingly accompliſhed. So Mithridates King of Pontus, V. l. Max.by one Letter cauſed the death of fourſcore thouſand Romans, trading throughout Aſia. Now God loveth to retaliate as hath been ſaid before. See it exemplified in Adonibezeck, Agag, Haman and others.
Verſe 25. And if it be not ſo now, who will make me a Lyar?] Quis ementietur me? Who ſhall diſprove or confute what I have affirmed? viz. That God doth many things, the depth whereof we cannot fathom, and that he lets wicked men many times ſpend their dayes in pleaſure, and end them without much pain. this I will abide by, and I would fain ſee the man, qui anſit & poſſit, who can and will maintain the contrary.