284. Verf. q, An Expofition upon the Book, of J O B. Chap: 2: we take the words in that worn fenfe, yet it doth not neceffarily infer; thatjobs Wife was a wicked, anungodly Woman, which is the Objcdion againft that Expofition. From the words tranflated, Curfe God and dye, and thus ex- pounded, we mayobferve, ïirft, That Satan is reftlefs and unweariedin thisdefign to bring the people of God to think,ill and fpeakill of Gad. It is that he laboured for in the carrying on of this whole bufinefs concerning Job; and every florae is turned,every, way tryed,to accomplith this propoCed end. Secondly, In that he perfwadeth Job by his Wife,when he was in this woful condition, to curie Godanddye; Obferve,'That Sa- tan would perfwade its to eafe our felves of troublefome evils,, by falling intofinful evil... Job was grievoully difeafed ; you fee the medicine, and the cure that Satanprefcribeth ; Go fin) faithhe, Curfe God and dye ; whereas one of. the leaft evils of fin is worfe then all the evils of fuffering that can befall us. All forrows are more elegible then one fin.It hashbeen rightly taught usfromAn- tiquity, That the loweff degree ofa lye (becaufe fin) is not tobe made or admitted (if that medium could be affured fo noble an end) for the laving of a World. What a father and teacher oflies then is Satan, who directs many a poor foul to fave it fell from, or help it fell out of a final' affliction, by adventuring upon force great Tranfgreflion ? Thirdly, Curfe G 0D and,dye ; It it finful to will our own deaths, though we are under pains morepainful then Death. It is finful todefire death abfolutely; we may delire it with fubmiflion to the Will ofGod. To live is an ad ofNature ; ,but to be wii- ling,to live,becaufe God wills it,is an ad of Grace:Andas it is our holinefs to do the Will ofGod while we live,fo it is our holinefs to be content to live, while we fuffer according tohis Will. On the other hand, to dye is,an at of Nature ; but. to dye, becaufe God wills is, is an ad of Grace : Chrift is faid.to be obedient unto death, becaufe he died in contemplation of Gods Decree, and in conformity to his goodpleafure.Todye thus, is the duty ofa Chri- flian, and the crown of all his Obedience. Satan would haveus live aswe will, and dyewhen we will ; he tempts us.as much to dye when we lift , as to live how welift. Satanputs Job upon it peremptorily, Curfe. Godanddye, detireor procure thy own death. Towith death that,we may enjoyChrift;it is a holy with..; but yet we
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