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

Observe; The evil of oppression or trouble is preparatory to, or a usual means to fit us for our receiving of good.

Observe; The evil of oppression or trouble is preparatory to, or a usual meanes to fit us for our receiving of good.

He delivereth them in affliction, when he hath opened their ears in or by oppression. When once the soul by hearing the cry of the oppressor is made obedient to the call of God, then God comes and works deliverance. Good men, while free from evil, are oftentimes like the wild ass described in the 39th chapter of this book, such as will not hear nor regard the crying of the driver, though he be not an exactor, (as the word there signifies and we put in the Margin) but a fair and gentle driver. Few hear when spoken to, till they feel as well as hear; and therefore the Lo•d first sends them into trouble, that they may hear, and having by that means opened their ears to hea•, he b•ings them out of trouble. When we are truly humbled by affliction, we are near deliverance from affliction. The plaster must be kept on till the wound be healed. The Lord will not leave off scourging or correcting his people till he hath brought them to such a post•re, that they are fit for mercy. The Lord helps and heals those who submit; and if they whom he hath bound with the cords of affliction, call humbly for release and relief, he will not forsake them, ⟨p. 279⟩but restore them in due time to their former felicity; He delivereth the poor in affliction, when he hath opened their ears in or by oppression.

He delivereth them in affliction, when he hath opened their ears in or by oppression. When once the soul by hearing the cry of the oppressor is made obedient to the call of God, then God comes and workes deliverance. Good men, while free from evil, are oftentimes like the wilde ass described in the 39th chapter of this book, such as will not hear nor regard the crying of the driver, though he be not an exactor, (as the word there signifies and we put in the Margine) but a fair and gentle driver. Few hear when spoken to, till they feel as well as hear; and therefore the Lod first sends them into trouble, that they may hear, and having by that meanes opened their eares to hea, he bings them out of trouble. When we are truly humbled by affliction, we are near deliverance from affliction. The plaister must be kept on till the wound be healed. The Lord will not leave off scourging or correcting his people till he hath brought them to such a postre, that they are fit for mercy. The Lord helps and heals those who submit; and if they whom he hath bound with the cords of affliction, call humbly for release and relief, he will not forsake them,