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…

¹The word, If he would, is, If he have a mind, or delight to contend, if any man takes pleasure in contending with God, he shall quickly (as we speak) have his hands full, and his belly full of it.

¹The word, If he would, is, If he have a minde, or delight to contend, if any man takes pleasure in contending with God, he shall quickly (as we speak) have his hands full, and his belly full of it.

1. 1[Greek or Hebrew] Voluit, optavit.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Voluit, optavit.

From this word the Church is called Hephzibah, that is, my pleasure is in her (Isa. 64.2.) And (Psal. 16.3.) David professes of the Saints (Hephsiham) my pleasure, or, my delight is in them. So here,¹ if any one hath a pleasure, or a delight, or would take upon him to contend with God, or (as the word signifies) to chide,² to argue, and plead with God. The word may be taken either for an angry chiding, or a rational chiding, which is disputing. The place where the Israelites did contend or chide with Moses, is called Meribah, from this word, Exod. 17.7. And after Gideon had pulled down Baals altar, a great controversy or contention, a pleading or arguing ensued, therefore he was called Jerubbaal, a contender or pleader with Baal,