John Trapp on Proverbs 30:16

Verſ. 16. The grave] Which in Hebrew hath its name of craving. It is a Sarcophagus, feeds on fleſh, and it as little appears as once in Pharaohs lean kine; or as in thoſe that having a flux, take in much, but are neither fuller nor fatter. The word here uſed, may be rendered Hell, called by the Latins, Infernus ab Inferendo, from the devils continual carrying in ſouls to that place of torment.

And the barren womb] Barren women are moſt deſirous of children, which yet are certain cares, but uncertain comforts. How impatient was Rachel? how importunate was Hannah? One hath well obſerved, that the barren women in Scripture had the beſt children, as being the fruit of their faith, and the product of their prayers. The Vulgar renders it, Os vulva, and Mercer Orificium matricis, referring it not to barren, but to incontinent women; ſuch as was Meſſala, and other inſariate punks, quarum libido non expletur virili ſemine vel coitu.

The earth that is not filled with water] That can never have enough at one time, to ſerve at all times. That is a ſtrange earth or country that Pliny ſpeaks of, ub ſiccit as dat lutum, imbres pulverem, where drought makes dirt, and rain cauſeth duſt. And yet ſo it is with us (ſaith a Divine.) The plentiful ſhowers of Gods bleſſings rained down upon us, are anſwered with the duſty barrenneſs of our lives. The ſweet dews of Hermon have made the hill of Sion more barren. Oh I how inexcuſable ſhall we be? &c.

And the fire that ſaith not, It is enough] Fire is known to be a great devourer, turning all combuſtibles into the ſame nature with it ſelf. How many ſtately Cities hath this untamable element turned into aſhes? It is an excellent obſervation of Herodotus, that the ſparks and cinders of Troy are purpoſely ſet before the eyes of all men, that they might be an example of this Rule; That great ſinnes bring great puniſhments from God upon the ſonnes of men. Scipio having ſet Carthage on fire, [non-Latin text not transcribed] and beholding the burning, foreſaw and bewailed the deſtiny of Rome: which as it hath been often burnt already, ſo it ſhall be ſhortly to purpoſe: the Kings, mariners, and merchants, ſtanding aloof and beholding the ſmoke of her burning, Rev. 17.16. and 18.8, 9. God will caſt this rod of his wrath into the fire, burn this old whore, that hath ſo long burnt the Saints for Hereticks, and refuſed to be purged by any other nitre or means whatſoever: therefore all her droſs and traſh ſhall paſs the fire. This is ſo plain a truth, that even the Papiſts themſelves ſubſcribe to it. Hear what Ribera a learned Jeſuite ſaith,Ri[illegible: 1 letter] in loc. Roma[illegible: 1 letter] non ſolum o[illegible: 1 letter] priſtinam impietatem, &c. That Rome as well for its ancient impiety, as for its late iniquity, ſhall be deſtroyed with an horrible fire, it is ſo plain and evident, that he muſt needs be a fool that doth but go about to deny it.