An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…

Thus we see, how the Spirit of God by Elihu hath made a double application of the fo mer part of the text (when he giveth quietness, who can make trouble, &c.) in this latter, first, to a nation; secondly, to a person. If the text were not thus expressed, it might be thus expounded and improved without any strain at all to it. But forasmuch as the Spirit of God hath told us distinctly, that this great truth concerns nations as well as persons,¹ therefore we have a clear ground (besides the great usefulness of it) to speak to the words in both their references. And this present memorable day (as also their native order) leads me specially to speak of them, first, under a National consideration.

Thus we see, how the Spirit of God by Elihu hath made a double application of the fo mer part of the text (when he giveth quietness, who can make trouble, &c.) in this latter, first, to a nation; secondly, to a person. If the text were not thus exprest, it might be thus expounded and improved without any streine at all to it. But forasmuch as the Spirit of God hath told us distinctly, that this great truth concernes nations as well as persons,¹ therefore we have a cleare ground (besides the great usefullness of it) to speake to the words in both their references. And this present memorable day (as also their native order) leades me specially to speake of them, first, under a National consideration.

1. 1This Lecture was preached upon the Fifth of November 1658.

When he giveth quietness to a nation, who can make trouble or disturb the peace of it. And the text may well respect that national blessing, peace, because the word translated giveth quietness, signifies such quietness primarily, as is opposite unto war, sedition, and tumult in a nation (Josh: 11.23.) And the land rested from war, it is this word, so (Judg: 3.11.) The land had rest forty years. (Judg: 3.30.) And the land had rest fourscore years. (2 Chron: 14.1.) In his days the land was quiet ten years. (Zech: 1.11.) And behold all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest; in all these places we have the word here rendered quietness, in opposition to war; who knows not how great an unquietness war makes wheresoever it comes? and by a like analogy, the word is sometimes rendered to be silent. War is full of clamour (Isa: 9.5.) Every battle of the warrior is with confused noise. Not only is it so in some battles, but (saith that Scripture) 'tis so in all battles, Every battle of the warrior is with confused noise. What a noise is there in an Army, especially when joining battle with another Army? what beating of drums? what sounding of trumpets? what neighing of horses? what clashing of armour? what groanings of the wounded? When God gives quietness or peace, there is none of this noise, none of this confused noise of the warrior. Hannah saith in her song (1. Sam: 2.9.) The wicked shall be silent in darkness; that is, either they shall be destroyed and thrust into their graves, where there's nothing but rottenness and stench; darkness and silence; or they shall be so affrighted & confounded with the horror and darkness of those miseries which shall come upon them while they live, that they shall not have a word to say, the mouth of iniquity shall be stopped. In this manner the wicked are silent in