An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Secondly, Judgement in Scripture is taken for that moderation, or due measure, which is observed in any thing that is done. This follows the former; for unless a man have a Judgment or true understanding in the thing it self, he can never hit a right measure of it. Thus, I conceive, that Scripture is to be understood (Math 23.23.) where Christ denouncing or thundering out woes thick and threefold against the proud hypocritical Pharisees, ⟨p. 622⟩he tells them, Ye pay tithe of Anise and Cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law, Judgment, Mercy; that i•, either they did not give a right judgment according to Law, or their legal Judgments were given with rigour, not at all attempered, mixed, and moderated with mercy. Of such the Apostle James speaketh (Chap. 2.13.) He shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy, and mercy rejoiceth against Judgment. In this sense the Lord is excellent in Judgment; For as he hath wisdom and understanding to see what is just & •ight, so in Judgment he remembers Mercy: His patience is great before he gives Judgment; and his moderation is great when he gives it. He dealeth not with us according to our sins, nor rewardeth us according to our iniquities, (Psal. 103.10.) that is, his Judgments are not proportioned to the greatness of our sins and iniquities; For (as it followeth at the 11th verse of that Psalm) as high as the Heave• is above the Earth, so great is his mercy towards them that fear him. Therefore the Prophet brings in the Church praying thus (Jer. 10.24.) O Lord, Correct me (I conceive it is not a direct prayer for Correction, but a submission to it: As if he had said, I will not murmur, nor rebel against thy Correction; O Lord, Correct me) but with Judgment, that is, with due moderation: It cannot be meant of Judgment, as it notes the effect of divine displeasure, but Correct me moderately, or, as another text hath i•, in measure, as thou usest to correct thy people. This meaning, is plain from the opposition in the next words, Not in thine anger, least thou bring me to nothing. Anger transports men to do things undecently & without moderation; we quickly exceed our limits, if carried out in passion;