Chap. 2. AnExpofition upon the Baokof J O B. Verf. 6. cayes of nature. And when the life ofnature can fcarcemove one member of the outward man upon tï<,e earth , the lifeof grace moves all the members of the inward man toward Heaven; Though the outwardman peril!' yet the inn and m.i w renewed day by day , 2 Cor.4. r 6. Lalily, God faved his life, as a pi:II-In-Lint and vexation upon Satan. The Taljnudijfsare vouched to afirme that it was not fo grievous to Job to be afllided in his body,as it was to Satan when God reilrained him from dell toying his life. As ifaman should be permitted to crack the glaffe; but he mull not (pill the wine.That his life mutt be kept whole in hitn,was Satans wound. It is a tor- ture tomalice not to do the utmoli mifchief. So much for the clea- ring ofthefe words, Behold, it is in thine hand, but fave his life. From the Lords grant obferve fief} , That God cloth oftentimes give up the bodies of hisfaithfulJervants to be abufed and tormented by Satan and his injirxnaents. Re is in thy hand, thou mayeff do with him what thou wilt, on this fide death. Touch his flefh and his bone, or touch his flefh to the bone, alikeas hard, wound as deep as thou canft. It is laid, Revel.2.io. that Satanfhould cali forme ofthem, that is, ofthe fervantsof God, inprifon. God gave up their bodies to Irons, and Fetters, to the firoaks and thacklesi He permits thofe bodies which are Temples of the holy Ghoft, to be thrust into dungeons and the chambersof death. Therefore do not think it f}range to fee the bodies of the chil- dren of God put into cruel and bloudy hands: though they are veffels of honour and Temples of the holy Ghoil , yet God may give up thofe bodies to be defiled, andpollutcd with theout- rages of the moil abominable wretches ; confider what the A- poftle ípeaks of the Jewifh Martyrs, Heb. i i. Howwere their bodies abufed and mangled ? They were fioned , they were fawn afunder , they were (lain with the (word : they wandered about in fheep-si¿in.r andgoat-skins, being dejiitute, afflilied, tor- mented; of whom the world was not worthy : Their bodies had not a houle to dwell in, nor garments to put on , in whofe foules God himfelf dwelt, and had put upon them the garment of Salvation. Who is able to expreffe , yea to conceive, what ftrange inventions or cruelties have been brought into the world to vex and torment the bodies ofthe Saints ? The Stories of the Primitive times are full: but the Fathers of the Rornifh inquitition have exceeded them all. Satan here invents a ftrange difeafc as an engine. 255
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