The Hebrew word rendered North, signifieth hiding, 1because the remote parts of the North are much hidden from the Sun, a great part of the year being quite dark; and therefore the Northern Climate may well be called the hidden part of the world. Some put a Question upon those words of David (Psal. 75.6.) Promotion comes neither out of the East, nor out of the West, nor from the South: Here are three of the four Winds specified, and it is said, Promotion comes from neither of them. But why is it not also said, that Promotion comes not from the North? that's the question. I answer, It were answer enough to say, that we ought not to put questions curiously about such things; it should satisfy us that the Spirit of God is pleased to say it is so, and no more. Yet some tell us, the reason why it is not said, Promotion cometh not from the North, is, because indeed it cometh out of the North, which, say they, is intimated in the Hebrew word for the North, which signifies •idden or secret. Promotion comes not from the East, nor West, nor South, but from the North, (saith this Author) it comes from the North in a figure or mystery, that is, it comes from some hidden providence or secret hand, which many take no more notice of, than we do of the furthest part of the North. God promotes many in this world to power, and sends them great prosperity, we see not how or which way: The causes and contrivances of it are hidden close, and in the breast of God. This also is a truth; in that sense we may say, Fair weather cometh from the North. Promotion is visible, but the manner of it is a secret, we see not the causes for which, nor the ways in which it cometh. It is enough to touch these niceties, and to touch them can do no hurt, while the matter arising from them, hath the clear consent of, and is harmonious with other ⟨p. 606⟩plain places of Scripture. Fair weather cometh out of the North, and (as it followeth) With God is terrible Majesty.
The Hebrew word rendred North, signifieth hiding, 1because the remote parts of the North are much hidden from the Sun, a great part of the year being quite dark; and therefore the Northern Climate may well be called the hidden part of the world. Some put a Question upon those words of David (Psal. 75.6.) Promotion comes neither out of the East, nor out of the West, nor from the South: Here are three of the foure Winds specified, and it is said, Promotion comes from neither of them. But why is it not also said, that Promotion comes not from the North? that's the question. I answer, It were answer enough to say, that we ought not to put questions curiously about such things; it should satisfie us that the Spirit of God is pleased to say it is so, and no more. Yet some tell us, the reason why it is not said, Promotion cometh not from the North, is, because indeed it cometh out of the North, which, say they, is intimated in the Hebrew word for the N•rth, which signifies •idden or secret. Promotion comes not from the East, nor West, nor South, but from the North, (saith this Author) it comes from the North in a figure or mysterie, that is, it comes from some hidden providence or secret hand, which many take no more notice of, than we do of the furthest part of the North. God promotes many in this world to power, and sends them great prosperity, we see not how or which way: The causes and contrivances of it are hidden close, and in the breast of God. This also is a truth; in that sence we may say, Fair weather cometh from the North. Promotion is visible, but the manner of it is a secret, we see not the causes for which, nor the wayes in which it cometh. It is enough to touch these niceties, and to touch them can do no hurt, while the matter arising from them, hath the clear consent of, and is harmonious with other ⟨p. 606⟩plain places of Scripture. Fair weather cometh out of the North, and (as it followeth) With God is terrible Majesty.
- 1[Greek or Hebrew] abscondit occuliavit, hinc [Greek or Hebrew] septentrio aquilo, quasi abscondita quia sol ibi multo per annum temp re ibi non conspiciatur.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 abscondit occuliavit, hinc 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 septentrio aquilo, quasi abscondita quia sol ibi multo per annum temp re ibi non conspiciatur.
