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

Verse 7. Yet, man is borne unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Verse 7. Yet, man is borne unto trouble, as the sparks flye upward.

Yet man, or but man is borne to trouble: Some read, Man is borne to sin, that is, he is borne with a nature ready and prone to sin, because he is borne in sin, Psal. 51. 5. And so by consequent he is borne to trouble, which is caused by and is the fruit of sin. These two, sin and trouble, are so near in blood and kindred, that still one word includes them both; The former word which signifies sin, properly is translated affliction, and this word which signifies affliction, properly may be translated sin. When it is said, That Man is borne to trouble or sin; It notes two things.

Yet man, or but man is borne to trouble: Some reade, Man is borne to sin, that is, he is borne with a nature ready and prone to sin, because he is borne in sin, Psal. 51. 5. And so by consequent he is borne to trouble, which is caused by and is the fruit of sin. These two, sin and trouble, are so neere in blood and kindred, that still one word includes them both; The former word which signifies sin, properly is translated affliction, and this word which signifies affliction, properly may be translated sin. When it is said, That Man is borne to trouble or sin; It notes two things.

1. A right to them, a right to sin, and a right to sorrow. That which a man is borne to, is duly his, it is his inheritance, or his birth-right; that is the common understanding of the phrase: As some men are borne to a great estate, to lands and honours, &c. so all men are borne to trouble and sin; They are ours by a line all right, derived from our next, yea first parents, so they descend to us as land descends.