1 The manner of it is declared in the four former verses, and that by divers circumstances: namely,
1 By the greatness of it: for in regard of the misery of the daughter of his people, he did not only moisten his eyes with tears, but sent forth rivers of tears, vers. 48. which is an excessive kind of speech usual in the Scriptures, and signifying that he wept abundantly.
2 It is set out by the continuance of it. Mine eye droppeth without stay, and ceaseth not, vers. 49. Neither shall it cease, but I will continue lamenting till the Lord look down from heaven, and show some sign that he doth behold and pity our estate, vers. 50.
3 Their lamentation is set out by the sincerity of it, that it proceeded from trueth and uprightness: Mine eye breaketh mine heart, vers. 51. That is, the things that I see with mine eye, do cause me to lament wonderfully: so heavy is the case of all the daughters of my city, that it even breaketh my very heart.
2 The causes of it are of two sorts:
1 Inward, which was grief of heart, vers. 51.
2 Outward, which was the cruelty of their enemies: which cruelty is set forth:
1 By a similitude taken from fowlers: Mine enemies have chased me sore like a bird, vers. 52. Implying thereby that they made it a sport, a recreation and trade to pursue Gods servants: they did as it were go a hawking after innocent and harmless souls.
2 Their cruelty is described by a comparison taken from hunters, who used to dig pits to the intent that great beasts might fall into them, and so be entrapped: and then they would throw stones at them, or use some such means to kill them, when they durst not go down into the pit where they were. ⟨p. 7⟩Such were the plots and endeavours of their adversaries: they were as cunning and as eager in their attempts against the people of God, as men would be in killing a Bear or a Lion, that otherwise would kill them if they were at liberty, vers. 53.
3 Lastly, their cruelty is set out by a comparison drawn from the inundation of waters: their rage was like the violence of mighty rivers and floods, that overflow and drown all that comes in their way, vers. 54.
1 The manner of it is declared in the foure former verses, and that by diuers circumstances: namely,
1 By the greatnesse of it: for in regard of the miserie of the daughter of his people, hee did not onely moisten his eyes with teares, but sent forth riuers of teares, vers. 48. which is an excessiue kinde of speech vsuall in the Scriptures, and signifying that he wept abundantly.
2 It is set out by the continuance of it. Mine eye droppeth without stay, and ceaseth not, vers. 49. Neither shall it cease, but I will continue lamenting till the Lord looke downe from heauen, and shew some signe that hee doth beholde and pitie our estate, vers. 50.
3 Their lamentation is set out by the sinceritie of it, that it proceeded from trueth and vprightnesse: Mine eye breaketh mine heart, vers. 51. That is, the things that I see with mine eye, doe cause me to lament wonderfully: so heauie is the case of all the daughters of my citie, that it euen breaketh my very heart.
2 The causes of it are of two sorts:
1 Inward, which was griefe of heart, vers. 51.
2 Outward, which was the crueltie of their enemies: which crueltie is set forth:
1 By a similitude taken from fowlers: Mine enemies haue chased me sore like a bird, vers. 52. Implying thereby that they made it a sport, a recreation and trade to pursue Gods seruants: they did as it were goe a hawking after innocent and harmelesse soules.
2 Their crueltie is described by a comparison taken from hunters, who vsed to digge pits to the intent that great beasts might fal into them, and so be intrapped: and thē they would throw stones at them, or vse some such meanes to kill them, when they durst not goe downe into the pit where they were. ⟨p. 7⟩Such were the plots and endeuours of their aduersaries: they were as cunning and as eager in their attempts against the people of God, as men would be in killing a Beare or a Lion, that otherwise would kill them if they were at libertie, vers. 53.
3 Lastly, their crueltie is set out by a comparison drawne from the inundation of waters: their rage was like the violence of mightie riuers and floods, that ouerflowe and drowne all that comes in their way, vers. 54.
