Chap, 3 3. An Expofition-upon the Book. of J o B. Verf, ay+, 3°3 reft there, and filleth him (as fob complained, Chap. 7. q:. ) with tofngs too andfrounto the dawning ofthe day. The Lord can make the Stocks or aRack eaGe tous, and our beds as unealie to usas. the Stocks or aRack ufually are Lalily, obferve. The purpofeofGod inchafiening man with ßckknefc, os to teach and tnjru17 hi,uot vex and defiroyhim. The Lord !lath many defignes uponman when he afflicts him, about all which he inliruóts him by afilid ion. He .defignes Firft , To humble and breake the ftou,tnefs of mans fpirit ; hence fickneffes and afflictions are called humiliations; and the fame word fignifies both tobe affli&ed and humbled. Secondly , To make men tafte how bitter a thing fin is ; 'This is thy wichednefa( faith the Lord of his fore Judgements brought' upon his people Ifrael(Jer: 4. r8.) Becanfe it is bitter. Ye would not tafle the-evill or bitternefs of Cm by inllruction, therefore L will teach you by aflli&ion. Thirdly, To put forrowfull fnftall manupon the fearch of his owneheart,and the finding out ofthe errour of his wages. While men are ttrong and healthful!, they feldome find leifure for that worke. And therefore they are confined by ficknefs to their bodes, to their chambers, yea to their beds, that theymayat- tend ir,and read over thewhole book of their lives (Lam. 3.39, 40,.) Wherefore doththe living mancomplain, aman for thepunifh ment ofhisfin Let usfearch and tryour wayes, and turne to ;the' Lord. That's mans worke upon his bed, .and'tis Gods aime in binding: hint to his bed,that he may have liberty for that worke. Fourthly , Afflictions are defign?d by God tobring manout of love with fin, yea to flirre up aholyhatred and revenge in him againít it; as upon many other accounts, fo upon this, becaufe it rewardeth him fo ill, and he finds fuch unfavoury fruits ofir. A little diggingwill difcover fin tobe the roote of all thofe evil! andbitter fruits, which we at any time are fed with in thisworld. Sin is the gall inour cup, and the gravel inour bread, andwe are made to rafle bitternefs' and fine trouble , that we may both know and acknowledge it to be fo. Fifthly , Thepurpofe of God in afflictingus , is to fet us a ayipg,to and feeking after him, We- know our need,: f
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