236 Verf. 3. An Expofition upon the Bookof -J O B. Chap. 2. ïi; That God doth ofliU his people fametimes without, refpeit unto their fins. Thin didit move me againft him without caufe.- It, was not in regard ofhis hyp.ócrifie 'or of any thing thou didft chargehim with, why r did' afli± him, and`lay my hand upon him. Though all men have alwayes fin enough to be the meri- torious caufe, yet oftentimes fin is not the moving caufe of their afflictions. When the Difciples put that queftion to Chrift con- cerning the blind man, Job. 9. 2. Maftcr, who did fin, chit. man or his Parents , that he was born blind , jefùt anfwered, neither hat, this man finned nor his Parents (rot as if either of them were without fin, but to (hew that they had not finned as to this purpofe, fc. their fin was not the caufe of his blindñefs, and therefore in the next words he aligns the caufe) But ( R. he was born blind ) that the works of God fhould be made rnanifeft. Aflif ions are alwayes from fin, but not alwayes for fin. Nei- ther are theyat all for fiu. (upon belcivers) by way of the leali fàtisfation to the jufice ofGod ( that chainfement Chrift bath fo fully borne, If. 53. that nobeleivers finger (hall ever ake in that fènfe) but they are often afiaed for fin by way of purgation or prevention. Thirdly, wemay note this likewifc, That God will at the lag give teftimony for the clearing of the innocency of his fervants againft all Satans malicious accufations. God himfelfgives teflimony here "a fecond time concerning job, Thou di elft move me againft him without caufe, thou didit move me to it, but it is clear, and I give my (entente, there was no fuch caufe as thou didit fuggeft againft him, why I fhould deftroy . him. When the Lord had thus calledSaan to account concerningJob, Whether hé had confidered him, 4th in his radical graces, and in this additional grace, the holding faft of his integrity; then Satan comes forth to anfwer this alfo. Ha( thou. (faith God) confidered .myfervant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, aperfeli and an upright man, one that feareth God and efeberveth evil ? And Rill he holdfaft his integrity, ltbough thou movedfl me againft him, to deftroy himwithout caulé? f es faithSatan in the 4.verfe,And Satan anfwered the Lord and(add, Skinfor skin,yea all that a man bath will hegivefor bis life.Butput forth:thine handnow and touch his bone and hisflefh,and he will curie thee to thy face. Bete
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=