3. For faithful Constancy. The Earth is called Solum; because it stands alone, depending on nothing but the Makers hand.1 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever. She often changeth her burden, without any sensible mutation of her self.2 Thy faithfulness is to all generations: thou h•st established the Earth, and it standeth. The Hebrew is, To generation and generation: inferring that times, and men, and the sons of men, posterity after posterity pass away, but the Earth whereon, and whereout they pass, abideth. The parts thereof have been altered; and violent ⟨p. 10⟩Earth-quakes begot in the own bowels, have tottered it.3 But God hath laid the foundations of the earth, (the Original is, founded it upon her bases) that it should not be removed for ever: the body of it is immovable. Such a constant solidity is in the faithful heart; that should it thunder Bulls from Rome, and bolts from heaven, Impau•dum ferient ruinae. • Indeed God hath sometimes bent an angry brow against his own dear ones; and then no marvel, if they shudder: if the bones of David tremble, and the teeth of Hezekiah chatter. But God will not be long angry with his: and the balances, at first putting in of the evenest weights, may be a little swayed, not without some show of inequality: which yet after a little motion, settle themselves in a just poise. So the first terror hath moved the godly, not removed them: they return to themselves, and rest in a resolved peace. Lord, do what thou wilt: if thou kill me, I will trust in thee. Let us hear it from him, that had it from the Lord. Psal. 112.4 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, &c. Oh sweet description of a constant soul!
3. For faithful Constancie. The Earth is called Solum; because it stands alone, depending on nothing but the Makers hand.1 One generation passeth away, and another generation commeth; but the earth abideth for euer. Shee often changeth her burden, without any sensible mutation of her selfe.2 Thy faithfulnesse is to all generations: thou h•st established the Earth, and it standeth. The Hebrew is, To generation and generation: inferring that times, and men, and the sonnes of men, posterity after posterity passe away, but the Earth whereon, and whereout they passe, abideth. The parts thereof haue been altered; and violent ⟨p. 10⟩Earth-quakes begot in the owne bowels, haue totterd it.3 But God hath layd the foundations of the earth, (the Originall is, founded it vpon her bases) that it should not be remoued for euer: the body of it is immoueable. Such a constant soliditie is in the faithfull heart; that should it thunder Buls from Rome, and bolts from heauen, Impau•dum ferient ruinae. • Indeede God hath sometimes bent an angry brow against his owne deare ones; and then no maruell, if they shudder: if the bones of Dauid tremble, and the teeth of Hezekiah chatter. But God will not be long angry with his: and the balances, at first putting in of the euenest weights, may be a little swayed, not without some shew of inequality: which yet after a little motion, settle themselues in a iust poyse. So the first terrour hath moued the godly, not remoued them: they return to themselues, and rest in a resolued peace. Lord, doe what thou wilt: if thou kill mee, I will trust in thee. Let vs heare it from him, that had it from the Lord. Psal. 112.4 Surely he shall not be moued for euer: the righteous shall bee in euerlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraide of euill tydings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, &c. Oh sweet description of a constant soule!
- 1Eccle. 1. 4.
- 2Psa. 119. 90.
- 3Psal. 104. 5.
- 4Psal. 112. 6.
