An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

Hence it is that the Italian version begins the sixteenth verse thus, But the perfect man is green before the Sun, &c. And so the sense may be given to this effect. As if Bildad had said, Though hypocrites wither like a rush, or like a flag, though they are suddenly swept down like a spiders web, yet a godly man is a green tree before the Sun; he is not like a rush without water, but like a tree planted by the rivers side, which is able to endure the heat of the Sun, yea the hottest Sun of persecution: [His branches shoot forth in his garden] he is no wild tree, no tree of the forest, or of the wilderness, he is a tree of the enclosed garden, which if it want the water from the clouds, the Gardener will take care to water it with his hand. Or [his roots are wrapped about the heap, about the fountain;] he is strongly set, and he hath water continually to feed and supply his branches; Thus the Church is so described by Balaam (Numb. 24.6.) How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! as the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the rivers sides, as the trees of Lign aloes, which the Lord hath planted, and as Cedar-trees besides the waters. Thus the godly mans roots are wrapped about the fountain, and there he is fruitful; though the Sun shine hot upon him, yet it cannot exhale his moisture faster then the river can supply him with more. And he seeth the place of stones, he will live upon a flint, having a lively root of faith continually sucking in refreshings from Christ, under whose protection and favour he remains strong and abounding in the work of the Lord. [But if he destroy him from his place, it shall deny him] that is, if the wicked of the world attempt to root the godly man up: the place, that is, the men of the place shall take part with them, own him, and deny to give him up into the ⟨p. 119⟩hands of those who would destroy him. But if the place should not secure him, if the power and violence of the enemy destroy and pluck him up, yet this is his joy, a godly man may be destroyed, but none can destroy the joy of a godly man. [This is the joy of his way] he delights in persecution, he is as sorrowful, but always rejoicing, even in death it self, [And out of his earth shall others grow] He shall have a blessed posterity to stand up in his stead, in whom he shall live, when he is dead.

Hence it is that the Italian version begins the sixteenth verse thus, But the perfect man is green before the Sun, &c. And so the sense may be given to this effect. As if Bildad had said, Though hypocrites wither like a rush, or like a flag, though they are suddenly swept down like a spiders web, yet a godly man is a green tree before the Sunne; he is not like a rush without water, but like a tree planted by the rivers side, which is able to endure the heat of the Sunne, yea the hottest Sunne of persecution: [His branches shoot forth in his garden] he is no wilde tree, no tree of the forest, or of the wildernesse, he is a tree of the inclosed garden, which if it want the water from the clouds, the Gardener will take care to water it with his hand. Or [his roots are wrapped about the heap, about the fountain;] he is strongly set, and he hath water continually to feed and supply his branches; Thus the Church is so described by Balaam (