1Secondly, Say others, it proceeds from another radical word, that signifies to rain, and that not only some small drizzling dewing rain, but full showers, or as we say to pour down; and in the Hebrew, the same word signifies, to rain, and to teach, because teaching by the word is like raining, or the sending down of rain. The Apostle (Heb. 6.7.) alludes to it. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, &c. by the earth he means those who hear the word or doctrine, which comes down upon them like rain to soften their hearts and make them fruitful. There are two other Texts of Scripture very suitable to this Exposition (Isaiah 30.20.) Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into Corners any more, but thine eye shall see thy teachers. Thy teachers shall not be removed, so we render: but strictly from the letter of the Hebrew we may read it thus;2 Though the Lord give thee the bread of adversity &c. yet shall not thy rain ⟨p. 221⟩be removed from thee. It may seem strange that they should have the bread of adversity, and the water of Affliction, and yet have also rain, which naturally causeth the earth to bring forth bread, and fills the pools with water. But the Prophet who speaks of corporal bread and water in the former part of the verse, speaks of spiritual rain in the latter, making this so full a compensation to the people of God, for the want of other two, that they should have no cause to complain of it. As if the Prophet had said, Though you are cut short in outward things, yet you shall not be shortened in spirituals, the rain of holy doctrine shall not be removed from you, or as we translate, thy teachers shall not be removed &c. Some amongst us would have the teachers of holy doctrine removed, lest by feeding them the bread & water of the Land should fail, as if the charge of public preaching the riches of the Grace of Christ would be an undoing, or at least an impoverishing of the Nation. Whereas (I touch it only by the way) the Prophet comforts the people of God in the midst of all their wants & outward afflictions, that they should not want the presence of their teachers, nor the showers of holy instruction by them. Again (Joel 2.23.)
1Secondly, Say others, it proceeds from another radicall vvord, that signifies to raine, and that not onely some small drissling dewing raine, but full showers, or as we say to powre downe; and in the Hebrew, the same vvord signifies, to raine, and to teach, because teaching by the vvord is like raining, or the sending dovvne of raine. The Apostle (Heb. 6.7.) alludes to it. For the earth which drinketh in the raine that commeth oft upon it, &c. by the earth he meanes those vvho heare the vvord or doctrine, vvhich comes dovvne upon them like raine to soften their hearts and make them fruitfull. There are tvvo other Texts of Scripture very suitable to this Exposition (Esay 30.20.) Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into Corners any more, but thine eye shall see thy teachers. Thy teachers shall not be removed, so wee render: but strictly from the letter of the Hebrew we may read it thus;2 Though the Lord give thee the bread of adversitie &c. yet shall not thy raine ⟨p. 221⟩be removed from thee. It may seeme strange that they should have the bread of adversity, and the vvater of Affliction, and yet have also raine, vvhich naturally causeth the earth to bring forth bread, and fills the pooles vvith vvater. But the Prophet vvho speakes of corporall bread and vvater in the former part of the verse, speakes of spirituall raine in the latter, making this so full a compensation to the people of God, for the want of other tvvo, that they should have no cause to complain of it. As if the Prophet had said, Though you are cut short in outward things, yet you shall not be shortned in spiritualls, the raine of holy doctrine shall not be removed from you, or as vve translate, thy teachers shall not be removed &c. Some amongst us vvould have the teachers of holy doctrine removed, lest by feeding them the bread & vvater of the Land should fayle, as if the charge of publick preaching the riches of the Grace of Christ would be an undoing, or at least an impoverishing of the Nation. Whereas (I touch it onely by the way) the Prophet comforts the people of God in the midst of all their wants & outward afflictions, that they should not want the presence of their teachers, nor the showers of holy instruction by them. Againe (Joel 2.23.)
- 1A radice [Greek or Hebrew] quod est p•uere irrigare; quare commune & fere idem est nomen, pluviae Doctoris & legislatoris.A radice 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 quod est p•uere irrigare; quare commune & fere idem est nomen, pluviae Doctoris & legislatoris.
- 2[…] elongabit ••viam.〈…〉 elongabit ••viam.