This phrase, Rivers of water, may be here used metaphorically or literally. If metaphorically, the metaphor may be taken from Gardeners, or marsh-keepers, who use to let in streams of water into their gardens, orchards, or meadows, when and where they think good: and to let them out when they will. If literally, the phrase may have reference to former acts of Gods turning waters from their natural course, as it pleased him. For the Lord caused the sea to go back, and thereby saved the Israelites, but destroyed the Egyptians, Exod. 14. 21, &c He made also the waters of Jordan to stay their course, till all Israel passed over into Canaan, Josh. 3. 16. To these evidences of Gods power over the water hath the Psalmist reference, Psal. 114. 3, 5. where he thus saith, The sea saw it and fled: Jordan was driven back. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? and thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? The Lord also opened a rock, and the waters gushed out: they ran in the dry places like a river, Psal. 105. 41. The Apostle, in reference hereunto, saith, That the Rock followed ⟨p. 37⟩them, 1 Cor. 10. 4. by the rock metonymically he meaneth the waters that flowed out of the rock; and they, by Gods ordering providence ran along in those places whither the Israelites removed their several stations, and so followed them. The Lord also upon Elijah's smiting the waters of Jordan, divided them hither and thither. So did he again, when Elisha went over Jordan, 2 King 2. 8, 14. It is also noted, that when the armies of Judah, Israel and Edom were in a dry place where was no water, unexpectedly there came water, and the country was filled with water, 2 King. 3. 20. This was done by the Lord. It is expressly said, Psal. 107. 33. that the Lord turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the water springs into dry ground. And again, vers. 35. He turns the wilderness into a standing water, and dry grounds into water-springs. All these and other like instances evidently demonstrate, that the Lord hath such power over rivers of water, as he can turn and order them, as it pleases him. Now waters running in rivers have a violent course. He therefore that can turn them, can much more turn the hearts of Kings.1 Kings are men: and the Almighty acteth in the hearts of men, even he motions of their will, that he may do by them, what he will do by them.
This phrase, Rivers of water, may be here used metaphorically or litterally. If metaphorically, the metaphor may be taken from Gardiners, or marsh-keepers, who use to let in streams of water into their gardens, orchards, or medows, when and where they think good: and to let them out when they will. If litterally, the phrase may have reference to former acts of Gods turning waters from their naturall course, as it pleased him. For the Lord caused the sea to go back, and thereby saved the Israelites, but destroied the Egyptians, Exod. 14. 21, &c He made also the waters of Jordan to stay their course, till all Israel passed over into Canaan, Josh. 3. 16. To these evidences of Gods power over the water hath the Psalmist reference, Psal. 114. 3, 5. where he thus saith, The sea saw it and fled: Jordan was driven back. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? and thou Iordan, that thou wast driven back? The Lord also opened a rock, and the waters gushed out: they ran in the dry places like a river, Psal. 105. 41. The Apostle, in reference hereunto, saith, That the Rock followed ⟨p. 37⟩them, 1 Cor. 10. 4. by the rock metonymically he meaneth the waters that flowed out of the rock; and they, by Gods ordering providence ran along in those places whither the Israelites removed their severall stations, and so followed them. The Lord also upon Elijah's smiting the waters of Iordan, divided them hither and thither. So did he again, when Elisha went over Iordan, 2 King 2. 8, 14. It is also noted, that when the armies of Iudah, Israel and Edom were in a dry place where was no water, unexpectedly there came water, and the country was filled with water, 2 King. 3. 20. This was done by the Lord. It is expresly said, Psal. 107. 33. that the Lord turneth rivers into a wildernesse, and the water springs into dry ground. And again, vers. 35. He turns the wildernesse into a standing water, and dry grounds into water-springs. All these and other like instances evidently demonstrate, that the Lord hath such power over rivers of water, as he can turn and order them, as it pleases him. Now waters running in rivers have a violent course. He therefore that can turn them, can much more turn the hearts of Kings.
- 1Agit omnipotens in cordibus huminum etiam motum voluntatis eorum ut per •os a•at quod per eos agere ipse voluerit. A• de gra & lib. Arb c. •1.
