An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

That a wicked man and his children are often wrapped up in the same destruction.

That a wicked man and his children are often wrapt up in the same destruction.

I cursed his habitation and his children are far from safety, they are crushed in the gate. A godly man is a defence for his children; ¹It is a great blessing to be born of holy parents, and it is a curse to be borne of oppressing wicked parents. As, the blessing of God descends from the father, upon the children; so, the curse of God many times descends from the father, upon the children, and they inherit their judgements, as well as their lands. Though the justice and goodness of God, will make that Proverb cease in all the families of the world for ever, which was once taken up by the Jews, Ezek. 18. 2. The Fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge. The Naturalists observe, and experience teacheth, that when a man eats very sour grapes (and so makes a sour face) another standing by is affected with a sympathy, ²and his teeth are set an edge or pained with the very sight or grating of another's teeth, though himself taste not the grape. The present Jews thought themselves but bare lookers on upon their fathers sin, and yet they suffered. But the Lord found the sour grapes in their mouths also, or them risen up in their fathers stead, an increase of sinful men to fill up the fierce wrath of the Lord against them. Now (I say) though the Lord will make that proverb cease, in their sense: For no child is punished merely ⟨p. 201⟩in contemplation of his fathers sin. Yet when a son is wicked, the wickedness of a father, whether immediate or further off, may come in remembrance against him, and at once aggravate his sin, and increase his sorrow. Secondly, note this from it,