This building up, may be taken two ways; first, more generally for an increase in all good things; secondly, more specially for an increase in children. In the Hebrew the same word,1 which signifies a son, signifies, to build, because children build up their fathers house, or are their fathers building; in that sense the word is often used, (Gen. 16.2. Gen. 30.3. Ruth 4.11.) It is said (Exod. 1.21.) that God built the midwives houses; which some interpret, he gave them children,2 or made them more fruitful in child-bearing. We read in rhe law how that man was to be dealt with, who refused to take his brothers wife, according to the commandment of God in those times, and the conclusion of all is (Deut. 25.9.) So it shall be done to the man that shall not build up his brothers house, that is, who refuseth to marry his brothers widow, and (through the blessing of God) to have children by her, which would be as the building up of his house, or the continuance of his name and family. Thus some understand the phrase here; Thou shalt be built up, that is, thou, who hast lost all thy children; Thou, whose house hath been pulled down by the fall of a house (Ch. 1.19.) shalt have more children, and so thy house built up again. But I rather take the phrase here in that larger sense, and so to be built up, implieth all kind of prosperity in outward things. (Mal. 3.15.) Now ye call the proud happy, yea they that work wickedness are set up, we put in the Margin, are built up, that is, they are very prosperous, they may have what they will in this world, or (as we say) the world at will. And (note that by the way) 'tis the worst character of an age, when they that work wickedness (which ruins the best built State) are built up. The Lord makes a promise in the language of this Metaphor to the Church, (Jer. 31.4.) I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel; As if he had said plainly, I will bless thee, and raise thee up out of the dust of thy present desolate condition, into a glorious fabric of prosperity and honour; so it follows in the same text; Thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and go forth in the dances of them that make merry. This sense of the word is clear in that opposition used in the Psalm (Psal. 28.5.)
This building up, may be taken two wayes; first, more generally for an encrease in all good things; secondly, more specially for an encrease in children. In the Hebrew the same word,1 which signifies a sonne, signifies, to build, because children build up their fathers house, or are their fathers building; in that sense the word is often used, (Gen. 16.2. Gen. 30.3. Ruth 4.11.) It is sayd (Exod. 1.21.) that God built the midwives houses; which some interpret, he gave them children,2 or made them more fruitfull in child-bearing. We read in rhe law how that man was to be dealt vvith, who refused to take his brothers wife, according to the commandement of God in those times, and the conclusion of all is (Deut. 25.9.) So it shall be done to the man that shall not build up his brothers house, that is, who refuseth to marry his brothers widdow, and (through the blessing of God) to have children by her, which would be as the building up of his house, or the continuance of his name and family. Thus some understand the phrase here; Thou shalt be built up, that is, thou, who hast lost all thy children; Thou, vvhose house hath been pul'd downe by the fall of a house (Ch. 1.19.) shalt have more children, and so thy house built up againe. But I rather take the phrase here in that larger sence, and so to be built up, implyeth all kinde of prosperity in outward things. (Mal. 3.15.) Now ye call the proud happy, yea they that worke wickednesse are set up, we put in the Margin, are built up, that is, they are very prosperous, they may have what they will in this vvorld, or (as we say) the world at will. And (note that by the way) 'tis the vvorst character of an age, when they that worke wickednesse (which ruines the best built State) are built up. The Lord makes a promise in the language of this Metaphor to the Church, (Jer. 31.4.) I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel; As if he had said plainly, I will blesse thee, and raise thee up out of the dust of thy present desolate condition, into a glorious fabricke of prosperity and honour; so it follows in the same text; Thou shalt againe be adorned with thy tabrets, and goe forth in the dances of them that make merry. This sence of the word is cleare in that opposition used in the Psalme (
- 1[Greek or Hebrew] filius inde dictus, quod aedifictum sit & structura parentium. Merc:〈non-Latin alphabet〉 filius inde dictus, quod aedifictum sit & structura parentium. Merc:
- 2Prolem dedit. Merc: