`Chap. 33, An Expofatien upon the Bakal' J o B. , Verf. 14. 273 to him twice (t Kings It. 9. ) God appeared to him in Gjibeon` ( Kings 3.5 ) when he was fire made King, putting him to his choice,or givinghim a blanke toaske what he would, and he chofe well, he choie wifdome and had ir. God appeared tohint a fecondtime after the building and dedication of the Temple (13 ings 9.2,) Andfaidontohim, Ihave heard thy prayer, and 'thyfupplicatton, that thouhag anode before tne, &c. Thusthe Lord appearedfolemnly unto Solomon twice,and but twice for any thing that appeares upon record in that folemnemanner. Nowwhen notwithflanding thefe twoappearings ofthe Lord to Solomon, the heart of Solomonwas turned away from the Lord God of Ifrael, hisanger was kindled againfiSolomon, and the Lord fmote him once, yea twice, renting his kingdome , and pulling away ten tribes at once , from his fon and focceffor. O doe not refufe God fpeaking to you twice, or the renewed fpeaking ofGod;. to doe fo is very finfull , and therefore verydangerous. For ds 'cis a figne of a holyheart, ofa gracious frame of fpirit,to heare twice at once fpeaking ; asDavid profeffed hedid (Pfal. 62.11.) Godhatb fpoken once ; twice have Iheard this, that power belongeth 'Into God : Alf; unto thee OLord belengeth mercy. There are feve- rail rendrings and interpretations ofthofe words ; But that which tome feemes moil intendedby our rendring is,I heard what was once fpoken twiceat once, that is,I heard it fpeedily;and I heard it believingly;as foon as ever the word came to me I received ir, and I received it not onlywith"niy eare , but with my heart. That's a blefledway of hearing, and they who heare fo, at lira fpeakn,may well be fayd toBeare that twice which God fpeak- ethonce. But how fad is it that God fhould fpeake. twice,thrice, yea foure times, and yet not be heard fo much as once ! When Job was brought upon .:his knees (Chap: 4o. 5..) he faid, Onie have I fpoken, butIwill not anfwer : yea twice but I will proceed nofurther. Tab began tobe fenfible of thatwhichElihu was worl{- inghim ro, that he had been too forward , yea too forward with God ; Job began tofee his,error, and recanted it ; I havefpoken once, yea twice, but Iwill proceednofsmtber. 'Tis good, that after once or twice finning or failing, weyet faywe will proceed no further. Ohow deplorable is mans conditionwhen the Lord thall fay, I have fpokenlmr yeaitwice;butnowIwill proceed ,no fur- ther, I will fpeititemoinexel,Arid this ;nf.ually cones to paffe, N n whew
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