Vers. 10. Say ye, Surely it shall be well with the iust: for they shall eate the fruites of their works.
BEfore I set downe the opinion of others, I will touch ye true meaning of the words. Because it is an vsuall thing that the threat∣nings of such heauy vengeances of God haue been wont to bring a marueilous bitter and sharpe temptation to the faithfull; and with∣all because there is seldome any such pub∣like calamities, but they are also wrapped vp in the same with the wicked; for this cause the Prophet, as I take it, brings them back to the prouidence of God, which neuer so con∣founds things together, but that in the mid∣dest of such confusions he hath skill to dis∣cerne betweene the euill and the good.
But this place is diuersly expounded. For some translate, Say to the iust, because he is good, he shall eate the fruite of his hands: and after their opinion, we should gather this sense; I will and commaund that the godly be of good courage: for howsoeuer I doe sharply punish the sinnes of the people, yet notwith∣standing it shall goe well with them. But this sense seemes to me more agreeable, Say, that is, hold this for a sure principle. Because to say, is often taken in the Scriptures to think, and to haue been perswaded:* 1.1 as in Dauid, I said, I will take heed to my waies: and infi∣nite other such places. He commaunds not then that one should tell the iust; but that euery godly man should rather be perswaded of this truth in his owne heart: namely, that his estate should be happie and blessed, how∣soeuer it seemed miserable for the time pre∣sent. And so I take the word Tou; for an happie and prosperous estate: as in the for∣mer verse he vsed the word Raah, which is of a contrarie signification, & against which he now opposeth Tou. And thus I thinke that Raah should not be taken for wofull; but for a troublous estate.
Also because word for word, it is, Say, Surely it shal be well with the iust, it seemes that the particle C•• should either be affirmatiue, as in many other places: or rather superflu∣ous. Although it be very likely, it should be put by way of confirmation, as if he had said, Surely it shall be well to the iust, let all occa∣sion of doubting therefore betaken away, and let it be held for certaine, that his con∣dition shall be most blessed and happie. Now forasmuch as this is hard to perswade any of, he addes, that he shal eate the fruit of his workes, that is, he shall not bee defrauded of the re∣ward of his equitie. Whereas others take To say, to admonish, and translate these words It shall be well, Admonish the iust that he do well; I reiect that expositiō as beeing drawne too farr off.