An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

First, Some say it was that he so importunately desired to plead with God. Secondly, Others, that he did so much justify himself; for though he did well in maintaining his integrity, yet his over-doing it or being so much in it, was not well. Others, That his once was his complaining of the afflictions of the godly, especially of his own, as if they were too heavy, and he not weighed in an even balance, at least afflicted more than needed. That his twice, was his heightening the prosperity of the wicked, as if God favoured them; at least, that he did not punish them as they deserved, nor show displeasure enough against them. But we need not stay upon such particulars, nor take once and twice strictly. This expression, once, yea twice, implies only, that he had spoken often; I have spoken not only once, but twice, that is, I have spoken several times amiss. The first step beyond once is twice; and who knows how much beyond twice he had spake? when he said once have I spoken, yea twice, the meaning plainly is, I have several times spoken amiss. We had this form of speech (