The happiness of the church, or, A description of those spiritual prerogatives wherewith Christ…The happines of the church, or, A description of those spirituall prerogatiues vvherewith Christ…

It is extensa, a hand put forth, and stretched out. ⁱStretched out, not to receive, but to give. The Prophet speaks of Rulers that stretch out their hands for bribes and cry ^kGive ye: but the Lords hand is put forth to offer good things. ^lAll day long have I stretched forth my hands to a disobedient people. Indeed God hath a hand; and woe to the man against whom it is stretched. Homer saith that all the Gods could not ward a blow of Jupiters hand. His hands are not only [Greek or Hebrew], hands that cannot be sufficiently praised: but [Greek or Hebrew], hands that cannot be resisted. It is a heavy hand when it lights upon men in anger. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. When revolting Israel fell to serve Baal and Ashtaroth ^mWhithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil. When the men of Ashdod were smitten with Emerods, it is said ⁿthe hand of the Lord was heavy upon them. So David in his grievous misery, ^oThine arrows stick fast in me, & thy hand presseth me sore. It is not this hand that God here stretcheth out. ^pBernard saith, God hath two hands; Fortitudo and Latitudo. A hand of strength, Qua defendit potenter: wherewith he protects his friends, and confounds his enemies. A hand of Bountie, Qua tribuit affluenter, whereby he disperseth and disposeth the larges of his gifts. This is the hand here put forth, manus regalis, and gives munus regale; a royal hand, full of real mercies; let us humbly kiss it.

It is extensa, a hand put forth, and stretched out. ⁱStretched out, not to receiue, but to giue. The Prophet speakes of Rulers that stretch out their hands for bribes and cry