1These words are a further description of the manner how God strikes the wicked, he doth it openly, or (as we put in the margin) In the place of beholders, that is, in such a place, and in such a manner that all may behold it: we say, He strikes them in the open sight of others; that is, he punisheth them in an exemplary way, or that they may be an example of warning unto others. For, The place of seers, or of beholders, is some open and eminent place opposed to a Corner; as Paul said pleading his cause before king Agrippa (Acts 26.26.) This thing was not done in a Corner; no, it was done, as upon the house-top, even in the place of beholders. The Lord will not have to do with wicked men only in a Corner. He will have witnesses of his doings with them. There shall be enow to take notice how he handles them, therefore he often takes open vengeance on them, in the frequent assembly and concourse of many beholders, both approving and reverencing, yea adoring the impartial equity of the supreme Judge, and his care of humane affairs. So then, the words are an allusion to the execution of Common malefactors, who dye by the Judgement of the Magistrate, such being condemned and sentenced by the Judge, are not put to death in the prison, or in a hole, but are taken out and carried to some noted place of execution, or a Scaffold is purposely erected, where a multitude of spectators are admitted to come and behold the Tragedy. When our Lord Jesus Christ, who (to deliver us from our transgressions) was numbered with transgressors, when he (I say) was crucified, The Evangelist saith (Luke 23.35.) The people stood beholding, and the Rulers also with them derided him. Christ himself was strucken as a wicked man in the place of Beholders. And so have many thousands of his faithful witnesses. The wicked deal with them often, as the Lord dealeth sometimes with wicked men, they are brought forth from prison to death, and executed in the open sight of others. All things (in this world) come alike to all, no man knoweth love or hatred by all that is before them (Eccl: 9.1, 2.) The Apostle Paul speaking of himself and his fellow-Apostles (to show the public disgrace which they were put to) saith, We are made a spectacle ⟨p. 695⟩to the world, to Angels, and to men (1 Cor: 4 9.) The Greek is, we are a Theatre to the world, &c. As if he had said, all see how we are used;
1These words are a further description of the manner how God strikes the wicked, he doth it openly, or (as we put in the margin) In the place of beholders, that is, in such a place, and in such a manner that all may behold it: we say, He strikes them in the open sight of others; that is, he punisheth them in an exemplary way, or that they may be an example of warning unto others. For, The place of seers, or of beholders, is some open and eminent place oppos'd to a Corner; as Paul sayd pleading his cause before king Agrippa (Acts 26.26.) This thing was not done in a Corner; no, it was done, as upon the house-top, even in the place of beholders. The Lord will not have to doe with wicked men only in a Corner. He will have witnesses of his doings with them. There shall be enow to take notice how he handles them, therefore he often takes open vengeance on them, in the frequent assembly and concourse of many beholders, both approving and reverencing, yea adoring the impartiall equity of the supreame Judge, and his care of humane affaires. So then, the words are an allusion to the execution of Common malefactors, who dye by the Judgement of the Magistrate, such being condemned and sentenced by the Judge, are not put to death in the prison, or in a hole, but are taken out and carried to some noted place of execution, or a Scaffold is purposely erected, where a multitude of spectators are admitted to come and behold the Tragedy. When our Lord Jesus Christ, who (to deliver us from our transgressions) was numbred with transgressors, when he (I say) was crucified, The Evangelist saith (Luke 23.35.) The people stood beholding, and the Rulers also with them derided him. Christ himselfe was strucken as a wicked man in the place of Beholders. And so have many thousands of his faithfull witnesses. The wicked deale with them often, as the Lord dealeth sometimes with wicked men, they are brought forth from prison to death, and executed in the open sight of others. All things (in this world) come alike to all, no man knoweth love or hatred by all that is before them (Eccl: 9.1, 2.) The Apostle Paul speaking of himselfe and his fellow-Apostles (to shew the publick disgrace which they were put to) saith, We are made a spectacle ⟨p. 695⟩to the world, to Angels, and to men (1 Cor: 4 9.) The Greeke is, we are a Theater to the world, &c. As if he had sayd, all see how we are used;
- 1Locus videntium, locus pattens frequens celebris, omnium oculis expositus. Par: Importat visionem paradigmaticam et exemplarem. Merc:Locus videntium, locus patens frequens celebris, omnium oculis expositus. Par: Importat visionem paradigmaticam et exemplarem. Merc:
