A view of the threats and punishments recorded in the Scriptures, alphabetically composed with some briefe observations upon severall texts / by Zachary Bogan ...

Blesings turned into curses.

If ye will not heare, and if ye will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, saith the Lord of hoasts, I will even send a curse upon you, and will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart, Mal. 2. 2. these words are spoken to the Piests; and so perhaps the meaning may be rather of actions then things (though in that sense also, it will serve for my pur∣pose) viz. that the Priests for not giving glory to God's name (perhaps it is meant by Confession of sinnes, which is usually expres∣sed by giving glory to God, Josh. 7, 19. 1 Sam. 6, 5.) should lose that priviledge of Benediction which good Priests and Pro∣phets were wont to have, viz: that those whom they blessed should be blessed, and those whom they cursed should be cursed As Balak told Balaam Num. 22, 6.

The prosperity of fooles shall destroy them, Prov. 1, 32, of fooles, &c. it is an ordinary thing with fooles (i. e. wicked men) to have that which David either prayes for, or pro∣phecies of, fulfilled upon thē: Let their table become a snare before them, and that which should have beene for their welfare, let it be∣come a trap, Ps. 69, 22. evē spiritual blessings* 1.1 shall become thus unto them; for to such

has Paul applyed those words in the epist. to the Rom. c. 11. v. 9. as appeareth by the words before and after that verse. Indeed Grotius, who perhaps sometimes makes too much use of that excellent vaine which he had of finding out the literall sense (as in exponding that place of Isaiah, A Virgin shall conceive &c. of Hezekiah's wife, who was once a virgin: for which Rivet* 1.2 hath sufficiently taxed him: and likewise in expounding many other places) sayes, that David speaking of those familiar friends (of whom he complained before, Ps. 41. 9.) who being entertained at his table, like true parasites, and psycophants, made his freedome of entertainment a snare to en∣trap him, and carry tales to Saul; doth in those words wish the like usage to them a∣gaine, viz. that their table also might be∣come a snare and a trap to them, as his was to him; and this by way of punishment, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for a just* 1.3 reward to them for their ill rewarding him. but under correcti∣on, he interprets neither David's, nor Paul's words; nor does he set them downe; for he leaves out the conjunction 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and, and reads 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Let their table &c. be made a stumbling blocke, for a recompence: and so it is easie e∣nough for any one to interpret. for it is not

indifferent whether, And, be there or not; seeing the removall thereof, both changes the use of the preposition 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for, (as if it were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that they may be rewarded) and▪ also the relation of the word recom∣pence; * 1.4 which, whereas before it was related to table only, now is related to the whole prayer. But Beza, methinks, expounds this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or recompence, otherwise For inter∣preting, Table, of the Law; and saying that David in those words prophecy'd, rather then prayed (as he does no doubt many times in such expressions, where the word Lett is us'd) that As* 1.5 the birds are allur'd unto death by that in which they seek their life; so the Jewes, seeking life in the Law, and reje∣cting the Gospel, should by that meanes be ensnar'd and destroy'd; he may seeme to have made 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to signifie as much as a bait layd before a snare; or as a baited snare layd in the way* 1.6 before a creature to take it. But to give you in a few words my owne conceit, by way of comparison. That peice of flesh wherewith the Faulco∣ner couzens his hawk, and takes him off from the bird, that he may* 1.7 not eat it, me thinkes, may well be said to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to such a hawke. So may any thing which we put before a mans eyes, to keep him from seeing another thing which we

would not have him* 1.8 see. If a man should give his child, or his servant his choice, ei∣ther to take such a certaine portion, or so much wages in hand; or else to trust to his courtesie; with an intention hereafter to give him a great deale more then such a portion or wages comes to, if he refuse it, but to give him no more if he take it. If a friend, or a servant having done such a courtesie, or such a service, and being gi∣ven to his belly, accept of a dainty dinner (given perhaps of purpose to gull him) for satisfaction. If a child take a glittering piece of brasse, to part with a piece of sil∣ver; Either of these things, which I have named, may be said to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for a recompence, or reward to the party that takes it. And indeed it is a very great pu∣nishment, for a man to have any thing from Gods hands now, as a reward: as it is the greatest punishment of all, to have his reward, or his portion, in this life: for so the wicked have, Ps. 17, 14. Who have their portion in this life; Whose belly thou fillest with thy hid trea∣sure. The wicked, filled with the things of this world, are like one that hath filled his bellyupon courser meat (set before him first, it may be, for that purpose) so that he has no stomach (either of strength or desire) to eat of finer. Seeing they are for this

worlds goods, they shall have their belly full, but it is their reward, and they must looke for noe* 1.9 more. God seemes to have spo∣ken to the Israelites (when they murmurd for want of flesh) after this manner. See∣ing you are so much for flesh, and loath my Manna, you shall have enough of it, even till it come out of your nostrills: But you shall have it for a reward; you shall have it instead of Canaan, and die as soone as you have eaten it. Num. 11, 20.

This having a mans reward now, our Sa∣viour used as a scar-crow, to affright men from shewing liberality to the rich: and he u∣sed also the same word that is here used by the Apostle viz: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which we translate recompence. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 least they also bid thee againe, and a recompence be made thee Luk: 14, 12. he sayes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 without 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and without relation (as I conceive) of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (made) to what was spoken before: whereby the evill of having a mans reward now, is more fully ex∣pressed; as if he would have* 1.10 a man by all meanes take heed of having, or desiring, or being content with a reward in this present world. But to give you all that I have to say of those words of the Psalmist; I ob∣serve that not only the noune 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (for

so it is likely that the Septuagint red it) signifying recompence, is more especially meant of the recompence of bad works, as in Isaiah ch. 34. 8. and else where; but also the verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifying to reward, is diverse times so used as if it were properly appli∣able only to rewarding by punishment, as Prov. 11. 31. Psal. 31, 23, &c.

Blindnesse see Ignorance.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In that place of the Psalme last quoted, The Chal∣dee parap. renders Schelomim Sacrifices. Christ him sélfe to the Jew be∣came a snare, Isa. 8, 14.
• * 1.2

  In hi•• examen A∣nimadver∣sionū Hu∣gonis Gro∣tii; and in his Grotia∣nae discus∣sionis Dia∣lysis.
• * 1.3

  It seemes to be as much as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is the word in the Septuagint
• * 1.5

  Beza upon Rom. 11, 9.
• * 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which suits well with stumbling∣block.
• * 1.7

  Lest they should hear &c. Mat. 13, 15.
• * 1.8

  were blinded Rom: 11, 7.
• * 1.9

  Habeant sibi
• * 1.10

  Mat. 6, 2. they have their re∣ward; or, all that they are lik to have.