Chap. 3 3, An Expofition upon the Bookof J o s. Verf. i z, or any evill affection tocome forth and a& their part. Fourthly, Striving with God is an argument that fin bath much ftrength in us , and that corruption bath got a mighty hand over us. Fifthly , Striving with God layeth us open to all the tempta- dons of Satan, toall the fierydarts of the Devill. Our shield is gone, when once we Wive with God, who is our fhield in all Sa- tans ftrivings and aflì,ults againft us ; And then we (rand naked before that,armed enemy. Sixthly, Striving with God, cloth at once unfit us for every good duty, and putteth us further otf from every defredmercy. Seventhly, and laftly, Striving againft God, makes man moil like the Devill, who is the moil unquiet and difcontented crei tute in the world, and is alwayes both ftriving with God , and vexingat his owne condition. The devill's fin at flrft was ftriving with God, and 'tis the fumme of all his at, ings and workings againft man ever fine. None refemble the devill more.lively then male-contents ; and who are they but fifth as ftrive and ilruggleagainft the afiktiveproviden ofGod. Now for thepreferving and kee f our hearts from this great, this complicated fin, a fin co mg many fins in it, atd difpofing us to all fin. Lay thefe things to heart. Firft,let us confider our ownnothingnefs in comparifon ofGod. God is all, and what are we ? we are nothing, and {hall we ftrive with God ? {hall Folly (+rive againft wifdorne, and weakneffe againft ftrength ? When the Prophet would comfort the people of God againft the ftrivings of the nations with them, he Both it upon this confderation (Ifa: 40: 17. ) All nations before himare to nothing, and they are counted to him leffe then nothing, andva- nity ;Towhomwill ye compare him ? And furely we may by the fame argument, much more deterre all men from (+riving with God. Shall tingle perfons ftriveagainft him, to whom not only they,but whole nations are nothing, yea and lette then nothing ? Secondly, Doe we find our felves under a croffe, or in ahard condition ? remember we have deferved no better. As we are nothing, fo we have deferved nothing. Jacob to keepe his fpirìt quiet in a time of great diftreffe confefled (Gen: 3 2. i O. ) Lord I am unworthy ofthe lee of thymercies. As if he had fayd, I have no reafon to complain, or be angry, tofret or vex at this dif- L 1 s pen- 259
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