310 Chap.2. An Expofitim upon the Bookof J n.B. VrG r r. when God departs from us ; and there is but Iittle , daily thing, to be rejoyced in, when Ordinances (whichare the figesofGods pretence, and themeans of Communion with God) are taken or departing from us. Thirdly, Thefe friendsof job came to mourn with him ; they were not Pent for they were not invited by letters or me11'engers, but they came of their own accord. Obferve, It becomes its wellfor the comforting ofour friends, toprevent the invitation ofourfriends. Someout ofa kind ofmodetiy (that is the beti we can fay ofit)willnot come to a troubled friend,unlefs they be fent for. I do affure you this, it isgoodmanners to be an unbid- dengueft at a houfe of mourning. Another thing I would offer toyou from hence,is this;It isPaid, that before they came, &eymade an appointment to come, to mourn with him,and to comfort him ; you fee they agreed upon their end, before they let a foot in the way. Note this then.; It is an excellent point ofholy prudence, to be f tledabout our end, before we undertake or enter upon any aelion. Some go about bufi- nefs, and they knownot why ; they vifit their friends, and they know not for what. That was jutlly called a confufed affembly, (A61:1 9.32.) when themots part knew not wherefore theywere come together. Though noman can know theendofhis anion, refpeding the event,yet every wife man doth and ought toknow the end of all his anions, in refpen ofhis own intendment : His end is firfi intended, though it be laff, yea though it be not all at- tained. Obferve further, Wifdom dotb not onlypropof e an end, but`afutableend. jobs three friends propofed twoof the moil futable ends that could be for fuch a bufinefs, To mourn with him, and to comfort him. Ifa_man were to vitit or converfe with a wicked man, it were good to fay, I will go to counfel him, to convince him of his fin, to convert him from his fin. IfI go to one who is full of doubts, it were bell to fay, I will go fee, If I can fettle and refolve hint A fuitable end is the beauty and grace of all our undertakings. Again, Confider the order and method of thek two ends, it is faid , they came td mourn with him, and to comfort him. Com- fort is the higher and the nobler end, the Tait and ultimate end in regard of than ; it is the end into which all anionsare retùlved, and all ends emptied at the lafl;all the as ofholineßs have, a ten- dencyunto joy ; all godly forrow leads unto comfort; Therefore the
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