Chap. 3 3. An Expofition upon the Book of J o B. Verf. Li.. meanes to ioftenanidmelt them and they that Ihut their eyes againflany truth, in indanger of having them (hut againfi all truth,even by that means which ufually openeth eyes. Thus we fee that this lira fort of men, meere carnali men, cannot fee of perceivewhenGod fpeaketh, and why it is fo. Secondly, ( which I cony;I:ve rather to be the meaningof Eli- Iv here) Man may be confiuered in his fpiritnall Bate. That is, asconverted and renewed in fpirit, by the mighty workingof the Spirit. Now to men in thiseflate God fpeakes once, yea twice, and they perceive it not. They that are fpirituall doe not alwayes perceive fpirituall things. For Firfi, they have much corruption in them. Though they are renewed, yet they are renewed but in part ; we fee in part and but darkly, yea fometimes.Saints can hardly feeat all,efpecially as to forne difpenfations and manifehations of God ! he may fpeak once, yea twice and thrice to them in fuch a thing, or to fuch a purpofe, and they take little or nonotice of it. He may poynt un- to themby fuchprovidences, and by fuch Sermons, and yet they look upon themfelves as un-concerned,not makingany borne-ap- plication ofwhat they outwardlyhear or fee, yea feele and fmart. under ; and all this byreafon of forne prevailing corruption. Secondly,thismayproceed from their negligenceand flothfull- neffe ; goodmen areAot aiwayes carefull as they fhould, much leffe criticall and wifely curious toobferve every providence of God, andtb confider why or for what endfuch or fuck aword is. fent to them. As carnali men thrufi the word from them,fo godly men faile'much atall times, and at fome times wholly negleel to lay theword to heart. Theydoe not compare themfelves, that is, their livesand confciences, their thoughts and wayes with the word, and then no wonder if they perceive not what is fpoken to them. Even a jobmaybe hindred by his own indulgence from perceiving what God faith unrahim. The Prophetcomplained of the people ofGod for not {hiving to take holdof him. (Ifa. 64 7.) There is noose that calleth upon tloy name, that fiirreth up him- fel f to täke holdon thee. And may wenot complaitae that few flirre up themfelves either to take holdofthe weed of God, orthat the word may take hold of them ? Paul exhorted Timothy (, a Tini. r. 6.) toflir up the Gift ofGod that was inhim. They that have received both gifts andgruemaybe.muchwantingtG._t reraifelves in 277
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