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Verse 13. Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time: for it is an evil time.
Some take this v. as a further challenge and aggravation of their sin, that they were so impetuous and incorrigible, v. 10. that prudent men would meddle no more with
them, nor speak against that which they could not amend. Which yet doth not so much commend or justifie their silence in their station, nor warrant others to follow it as a rule; as it declareth what was the great pride of that people, who shut all doors upon good counsels. But it seemeth rather to be a threatning because of these their ini∣quities, formerly challenged. And it may be conceived, either thus; That as they would not suffer any admoni∣tions, v. 10. so the time should come, wherein their evils and oppressions should be so great, and their oppres∣sours so cruel, that any, who had their wits about them, should not dare to mutter. Or, (which seemeth to be the more simple interpretation) that judgements should come, wherein the godly and prudent, wisely considering the iniquity of the times procuring the same, should silent∣ly and without murmuring, adore the justice of God, and should have nothing to say or plead on their behalfe, why it should not be so with them. Doct. 1. Insolent and im∣prudent boldnesse in sinning, is justly punished with such cruel usage from men, as that they dare not speak nor be∣moan themselves. And albeit it be mens great cruelty so to intreat an afflicted people; yet the afflicted are bound to see Gods justice therein. So much doth the first inter∣pretation hold forth. 2. As all men are bound reverent∣ly to adore, and submit to God in his judgements, and to silence all the swelling thoughts of their heart against his dealing, or at least to smother them, when they cannot suppresse them, (for, so much doth this silence in general import. See Lev. 10.3. Psal. 39 9;) So it is a sad case when the truly godly, who are cordial sympathizers, and earnest intercessours in the straits of a Nation, are striken dumb in a day of calamity; and do see so much provoca∣tion among a people, and so much incorrigiblenesse under other means, that they have nothing to say wherefore God should not take his rod in his hand; for, beside the general duty, this is it which is here held forth in particular, as an addition to Israels calamity, that they should be smit∣ten, and the godly should have nothing to plead why it should not be so, The prudent shall keep silence &c. 3. Such as would walk aright under sad dispensations and judge∣ments, ought to be spiritually wise and prudent, and ought to compare dispensations with provocations procuring
the same; for they are the prudent, who keep silence, and they consider that it is an evil time, for which God send∣eth these dispensations.