A35438:709
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of the Book of Job being the substance of XXXV lectures delivered at Magnus near the bridge, London / by Joseph Caryl.
London: printed for L. Fawne, 1656
AN EXPOSITION Upon the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Chapters o… › Chapter 5 › Verses 3-5
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
When the Lord would keep his Church from wandering in sinful paths, he resolves thus, Hos. 2. 6. I will hedge up her way with thorns: there are pleasures that she would go fetch, but as men fence their ground and pastures with thorns, so will I do with her, I will hedge up her way with thorns, she shall pay dear, she shall smart for her pleasures, ere she come at them. And therefore, as it shows the extreme intensiveness and resolvedness of a man to sin; when a man will sin, though God hath hedged up his way with thorns, that is, when a man will break thorough many dangers, and run hazards to satisfy his lusts; so here in this place, the hungry mans taking it out of the thorns, notes a resolvedness and eagerness of spirit, to have the estate of this rich man, let him secure it by all the power and policies he can.
When the Lord would keep his Church from wandring in sinfull paths, he resolves thus, Hos. 2. 6. I will hedge up her way with thornes: there are pleasures that she would goe fetch, but as men fence their ground and pastures with thornes, so will I doe with her, I will hedge up her way with thornes, she shall pay dear, she shall smart for her pleasures, ere she come at them. And therefore, as it shewes the extreame intensivenesse and resolvednesse of a man to sin; when a man will sin, though God hath hedged up his way with thorns, that is, when a man will break thorough many dangers, and run hazzards to satisfie his lusts; so here in this place, the hungry mans taking it out of the thornes, notes a resolvednesse and eagernesse of spirit, to have the estate of this rich man, let him secure it by all the power and policies he can.
From this Exposition, we may observe first, the practice of worldly wise men; when they have gotten riches, they do not leave them loose and open to surprisal, they keep them among the thorns; they will secure their estates as much as they can. As they get riches with thorns, so they will keep riches with thorns, ⟨p. 210⟩