And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.
Ver. 18. As her soul was in departing,] viz., To God that gave it. It is a spiritual, immortal substance, distinct from the body; and can subsist of itself; a as the mariner can, when the ship is broken.
For she died.] In our birth, we rent our mothers, to death sometimes, whom before we had burdened; so far nature witnessing our viperous generation, because of sin, which we bring into the world.
But his father called him Benjamin.] Lest the former name should be a daily reminder of his loss. Let men make their burdens as light as they can, and not increase their worldly sorrow by sight of sad objects. It will come, as we say of foul weather, soon enough; we need not send for it. What should dropsy men do eating salt meats?
a Epicharmium est illud; concretum fuit et discretum est, rediitque unde venerat, terra deorsum, spiritus sursum.