15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.



Ver. 15. That thou take them out of the world] Many godly men, weary of the world’s ill usages, are found often sitting under Elijah’s juniper, and wishing to die; for what are they better than their fathers? "Oh that I might have my request!" saith Job, "and that God would grant me the thing that I long for." And what was that, think you:! "Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off," Job_6:8-9. But was that well prayed, Job? Or was that wisely done, Jonah? to fret one while at God’s goodness to the Ninevites? to faint another while at the loss of the gourd? and both times to wish to die, saying, "It is better for me to die than to live?" Jon_4:3; Jon_4:8. Were it not better to serve out your time, with David, Act_13:36; to finish your course, with Paul, 2Ti_4:7; to wait till your change shall come, Job_14:14; well assured that that "wicked one shall not touch you," as St John hath it, 1Jn_5:18; that is, tactu qualitativo (as Cajetan senseth it), with a deadly touch?