Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

But for a more particular handling this verse, I shall first give a short paraphrase of it; secondly, show the several doctrinal conclusions contained in it. [He chose] Choice notes a comparing of one thing with another, and the deliberating of the mind about the things compared, and at the last a free determination of the will which way to go. Thus Moses compares the estate of Gods people, and the pleasures of sin, one with another; he deliberates in his mind, which is the safest, and the best way for him to go, and at last freely, yet throughly and fully determines the case; He chose rather to suffer affliction: he did not choose affliction absolutely, for affliction in it self is an evil, but rather then the pleasures of sin, afflictions are to be chosen: Job 36. 21. Elihu charges Job, that he chose sin rather then affliction; this choice is an ill choice, ⟨p. 8⟩Moses his choice was a wise and gracious choice; he chooses affliction rather then sin. [Affliction] that is, any affliction, not this or that affliction, but whatsoever affliction God should think fit: Many think themselves willing to suffer affliction in the general, until they be called unto some particular affliction, and then they think, Oh, if it were any other we could bear it, but this we know not how to bear; whereas the true subjection of the heart to God, is to bear what God himself shall appoint. He chose [to suffer affliction,] not to bring affliction upon himself: Religion teaches no man, rashly and headily to bring himself into misery. [To suffer affliction with the people of God:] That is, either in joining with the people of God in the ways of godliness, in which they were; or in appearing for them; or in joining in communion with them. [Then to enjoy the pleasures of sin.] The words are in the Original, Then the enjoyment of sin. [The pleasures of sin;] that ¹is, either such pleasures as are in themselves sinful: or secondly, such as cannot be enjoyed, or maintained but in a way of sin: or thirdly, such us would be means to draw the heart unto sin. [The pleasures of sin for a season:] that is, either for a short season, or for an uncertain season.

BUt for a more particular handling this verse, I shall first give a short paraphrase of it; secondly, shew the several doctrinal conclusions contained in it. [He chose] Choyce notes a comparing of one thing with another, and the deliberating of the minde about the things compared, and at the last a free determination of the will which way to go. Thus Moses compares the estate of Gods people, and the pleasures of sin, one with another; he deliberates in his minde, which is the safest, and the best way for him to go, and at last freely, yet throughly and fully determines the case; He chose rather to suffer affliction: he did not choose affliction absolutely, for affliction in it self is an evil, but rather then the pleasures of sin, afflictions are to be chosen: