Answ. But there is an higher matter here meant; for the metaphor is taken from malicious mischievous enemies who poison the heads of darts, and arrows, & bullets which they shoot at men: these poisoned things being of a fiery nature, if they pierce into a mans flesh, lie burning, and tormenting the body, and continue to inflame it more and more, till they have soaked out the very life of a man, if in time they be not cured. Thus the forenamed temptations of Satan, tending to doubt and despair, (if they fasten) vex, grieve and torment the soul, burning and festering therein, till they bring a man to utter destruction, if the fire and heat of them be not slaked and taken away. It must needs be great burning, great anguish and vexation that made David cry out and⟨p. 283⟩ say,b O Lord rebuke me not in thy wrath, &c. My bones are vexed: my soul is also sore vexed, &c. I fainted in my mourning, &c▪ cI am in trouble, mine eye, my soul and my belly are consumed with grief, &c. I roared all the day. dMuch more bitter exclamations did Job send forth, and yet what men were these? what excellent Worthies of the Lord? If the fiery venom, and burning poison of Satan's darts so tormented such men, men of admirable Faith, how do they torment men of weak Faith, yea men of no Faith?f Judas was so tormented thereby, that his life was an unsupportable burden unto him, he could not endure it, but made away himself, as many other have done in all ages.
Answ. But there is an higher matter here meant; for the metaphor is taken from malicious mischieuous enemies who poison the heads of darts, and arrowes, & bullets which they shoot at men: these poisoned things being of a fiery nature, if they pierce into a mans flesh, lie burning, and tormenting the body, and continue to inflame it more and more, till they haue soaked out the very life of a man, if in time they be not cured. Thus the forenamed temptations of Satan, tending to doubt and despaire, (if they fasten) vexe, grieue and torment the soule, burning and festring therein, till they bring a man to vtter destruction, if the fire and heat of them bee not slaked and taken away. It must needs bee great burning, great anguish and vexation that made Dauid cry out and⟨p. 283⟩ say,b O Lord rebuke me not in thy wrath, &c. My bones are vexed: my soule is also sore vexed, &c. I fainted in my mourning, &c▪ cI am in trouble, mine eye, my soule and my belly are consumed with griefe, &c. I roared all the day. dMuch more bitter exclamations did Iob send forth, and yet what men were these? what excellent Worthies of the Lord? If the fiery venome, and burning poison of Satans darts so tormented such men, men of admirable Faith, how doe they torment men of weake Faith, yea men of no Faith?f Iudas was so tormented therby, that his life was an vnsupportable burden vnto him, he could not endure it, but made away himselfe, as many other haue done in all ages.
- bPsal. 6. 1, 3, 6
- c& 31. 9, 10. & 32. 3, 4.
- dJob 3. 3. &c. & 6. 2, &c.Iob 3. 3. &c. & 6. 2, &c.
- fMat. 27. 5.
