A81199:1335
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth chapters of the book of Job being the sum of thirty-seven lectures, delivered at Magnus near London Bridge. By Joseph Caryl, preacher of the Word, and pastor of the congregation there.An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth chapters of the book of Job being the summe of thirty-seven lectures, delivered at Magnus near London Bridge. By Joseph Caryl, preacher of the Word, and pastour of the congregation there.
London: printed by M. Simmons, 1655
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
We render, I have esteemed the words of his mouth more then my necessary food. The Original word signifies a statute, or a law, and so any thing which is established or appointed for our use, as a law, or statute is. And because our food, our necessary food, is that which is cut out or appointed to us, either by God or man, therefore this word is applied to signify daily bread, or necessary food. Banquets, and great feasts, are without all measure, and bounds, they know no law, but are usually full of excess, both as to what is prepared, and to what is consumed, 'tis seldom that either providers or eaters keep the rule in feasting. But a due necessary food, which is for the maintaining of our lives, and the renewing of our strength, to go on in our callings, this food hath a bound, and we eat (as it were) by measure, or by statute; therefore we translate necessary food, others appointed food, or a ⟨p. 410⟩portion. So the word is used (Gen. 47.22.) Only the Land of the Priests bought he not, for the Priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and they eat the portion which he gave them; their assigned portion is expressed by this word; a portion it was to live upon; such as Scholars have in Colleges, and Alms-men in Hospitals by the Statute of their Founders. And in the book of the Proverbs, we have it twice used in such a sense (Pro. 30.8.) Remove from me vanity, and lies, give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with food convenient for me, or with my statute bread; that is, give me so much only as the law of nature, or the law of my necessity and conveniency calls for, to fit me for duty; with this statute bread let me be fed, let others have their full tables, this shall serve my turn. Again (Pro. 31.15.) She ariseth also while it is yet night (speaking of the good house-wife) and she giveth meat to her house-hold, and a portion to her maidens; she doth not throw the house out at windows, or make havoc of all, as not caring which end went forward. And as she is no prodigal waster, so she is neither niggardly nor scraping, neither pining nor pinching, but giveth a meet portion to her maidens. So here, I have esteemed the word of thy mouth more then my necessary food. This small proportion of food greatens the sense of the Text, and heightens Jobs holiness and piety very much;