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

I answer, Such-like Scriptures do not intend an universality, as to every individual; but only show that 'tis so for the most part, or often so. Hypocrites in heart, men of profane spirits, usually dye in their youth, and are cut off in the Flower of their Age. They who multiply their sins, subtract from their days; and they have least ground of hope to live long, who live ill. As bloody, so deceitful men (such are hypocrites in heart) shall not live out half their days. They who live not out half their days, dye in youth. That also is the meaning of Eliphaz (Chap. 15.32.) where he saith, The wicked man shall have his recompense before his time; as also when he saith (Chap. 22.16.) They were cut down out of time; that is, before the ordinary time of cutting man down by Death was come. And therefore, I answer,

I answer, Such-like Scriptures do not intend an universality, as to every individual; but only shew that 'tis so for the most part, or often so. Hypocrites in heart, men of prophane spirits, usually dye in their youth, and are cut off in the Flower of their Age. They who multiply their sins, substract from their dayes; and they have least g•ound of hope to live long, who live ill. As bloody, so deceitful men (such are hypocrites in heart) shall not live out half their dayes. They who live not out half their dayes, dye in youth. That also is the meaning of Eliphaz (Chap. 15.32.) where he saith, The wicked man shall have his recompence before his time; as also when he saith (Chap. 22.16.) They were cut down out of time; that is, before the ordinary time of cutting man down by Death was come. And therefore, I answer,

Secondly, they die in youth, needs not be taken in that strictness, as importing that they die before they come to mens estate, but only that they die before the common time of dying. To die in youth signifieth any immature death; or when death cometh suddenly upon any, they may be said to die in youth. Thus here; they die in youth, that is, some immature or sudden death overtakes them, they come to an hasty or untimely end, they prolong not their days on earth.

Secondly, they die in youth, needs not be taken in that strictness, as importing that they die before they come to mens estate, but only that they die before the common time of dying. To die in youth signifieth any immature death; or when death cometh suddainly upon any, they may be said to die in youth. Thus here; they die in youth, that is, some immature or suddain death overtakes them, they come to an hasty or untimely end, they prolong not their dayes on earth.