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…

More largely, The word signifieth, To make crooked, and so it very well answers the point in hand. Judgement and justice are both carried by a straight line: They are the rectitude of our actions. To pervert judgement, is to make crooked lines: So we have the word (Eccles. 1.16.) That which is crooked cannot be made straight. ⟨p. 14⟩He means it of civill, not natural things, whose crookedness is often cured by art; but who can cure all civill evils; man is not able by all his diligence to turn the course of things which God hath determined, though to him there appear much crookedness, and many distortions. Solomon himself makes this interpretation (Chap. 7.13.) where he shows, that it is best to submit to God, because his will is irresistible, and the effects of it unavoidable, Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he hath made crooked? So then, to pervert judgement is to make judgement crooked; or to make judgement (to which all things and persons should bow) to bow it self down, as the word is also used, Eccles. 12.3. In the description of old-age, The strong men shall bow themselves; the legs and knees in old-age bow and double under us. To pervert justice is to cripple justice, to make it lame and halt. This word is translated to overthrow (Job 19.6.) Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me in with his net. Job speaks in a great passion, as if God had come upon him violently in judgement, and cast him: We say a man is overthrown or cast in his suit. God overthrows men and Nations; but he never overthrows justice. A man who overthrows his adversary, may settle justice. Job looked upon himself, as one against whom God had entered his action, and overthrown him in the suit. Lamenting Jeremiah cries out (Lam. 3.59.) O Lord, thou hast seen my wrong (it is this word) Thou hast seen how I am vexed, and wrested by the hard dealings of men, judge thou my cause; Thou wilt judge me aright, and set me straight again.

More largely, The word signifieth, To make crooked, and so it very well answers the point in hand. Judgement and justice are both carried by a straight line: They are the rectitude of our actions. To pervert judgement, is to make crooked lines: So we have the word (