Chap. 33. An Expofition upon the Bookof J o s. Verf.;a. 221 withmany, he puts them in the flocks, that hemay keepe them from the wayes of f;n, or give check to forne unruly affeaion. When we need .this difcipline, we may looke for it , and 'tis a mercy tobeunder it. Will younot keep order ? ( faith God ) theRyou (hall to the flocks. Secondly, afflictions are a reftrainc toour comforts, as well as to our corruptions. As this expreflion notes the taking of lulls fhort, fo the taking of us (hors as to lawful! liberties and enjoyments. Sicknefs upon the body fowres all that this worldhath,to us, and will not futfer us coufe much of it, howmuch foever of it we poffetfe. Many have enough to eate, who never eate in pleafure , as Yob fayd ( Chap: a i . 25. And when in our-profperity we run out and take unlawful! li- berty, God fends an affli&ion, as his flocks, to hold us from our lawful! liberties. When we have had vaine out-goings and ex-- ceffes of fpirir, all goingwell with us and comfortably in the world, we may expe& the flocks next, or that things fhould goe ill with us, yet for our good. Thirdly, To be in the 'flocks is a difgracefull thing; it is not only apaineand a reflrainr, but is a reproach ; He that is in the flocks, or in the pillory, is expofed to (name , every onepoynts at him , and many revile hifn. ÁfÁì&ion as to the eye of the world, carrieth adifgrace with ir, or, at leaf+, fubje&s the perfon affli&zed to difgrace; And it hath been Chewed from feverall paf- fag s of this booke, howjob's affli&ions were interpreted tohis (brace ; and he looks upon , as I may fay, like a vagabond in the flocks, that God had brought him thither, and clapt him by the heeles for his mifdemeanours. Though affli&ions diminish no mans honour or efleeme with God, or with his people (an afflicted Saint is as precious and honorable in their eyes, as when in the greate(l profperity The clouds of trouble cannot ec- clipfe the glory of Grace, nor render the gracious contemptible ro thofe who know them fuch ) yet, as to the eye and opinion of worldly men they doe. pb fayd his afiii&ions were a wirnefs a- gainfl him, as if all were not right with him , yea, as if he had . been very unrighteous. The flocks are a wiriiefs againfh a man, . that furely he bath done fome ill thing. Thus you fee there is paine in afAidion, refiraint in aifli&ion , difgrace in afidion, efpecially in the opinion of the world, and therefore tobe in af- ilidion is tobe as in the - flocks. Heputteth myfeet in theflocks. s.
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