Chap. 2. An Expofition upon the Bookof J O B. Vert: t. 307 the Widow, but toéiít them in their- Aficioe, is PareReligion ; that is this is a fruit, that which groweth up from the root of pure Religion : If pure Religion live in the heart, this will be a fruit in the life. Wherefore looknot upon the vifitation of a dif- confolate friend,as a matter ofindifferency, but ofduty s and doit not only for love, but for confcience. Thirdly, theText faith, asfaon as theyheard, or when theyheard ofall the evil that was come upon Job, they came to mournwith him. Thence Obferve The very report of another's feffering, fhould move us to mourn andfuffer with him. Report fhouldbringus, when we do but heir offuch a thíng;It is veryunwarrantable to judg or cenrure a friend upon report and hear-fay ; but a report is warrant enóugh topity and pray for him, tovifìt and comfort him. Remember them that are in bonds (faith the Apoflle,) Heb. 13.3. as boundwith them: Remember them. Remembrance is of thingsand perfons which are abfent ; remember them, though you fee themnot,though ab- fent fromyou,yet make their cafeas prefent;be as boundwith them, be asalitled with them, yea haften into their prefence. Bear one anthersburthens, Gal. 6. 2. Rejoyee with them that rejoyce, and weep with them that weep, Rom. 12.5. Beye all ofone mind, bay- ingcompaffion one of another, i Pet. a,. 8. are Apoftolical rules for, and tryals ofGofpel-love. It was a fad condition that David was in; and it was very finful condition that others about him were in,when'he, faith, Pfal. 69. 2o. 1 looked for fame to take pity, but there was none, andfor comforters, but Ifound none. But if it be finful not to eafe (when it is in our power) the forrows ofothers, how finful is it to add to their forrow ? Such David found (typingChrift in his fufferings) who gavehim gall for meat, and in bis thirft they gave him vinegar to drink Thus the Lord complains of thole Heathen by the Prophet Zechary, (Zach. 1. ii.) I was but a little difpleafedwith my people, and they helped forward the 1ifilion. Again, If it be a duty to mourn over the afflictions ofothers ; how exceeding finfull is it to-rejoyce at the ofliCcions of others ? This was Edoms wickednefs , reprovedby the Prophet Obadiah, verf.. 12. Thou fhould'ft not have looked on the day of thy Brother, ¿ y t' t he became a ftranger : neither fhouldfl thou have rci yeed ver;t1-e children of Judah, in the day of their Affliction neither fhouldfii thou have fpoken proudly in the day of diftreff. Rr2 We
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