4 Chap. 3 3, An Etpof:tion orn the Bookof J o B. Verf. 19. of him, till we feele it.( Hof: S. i 5. ) In their aiiblion they will feekme early ; afilielion purs man upon fupplicauon, yet every man who is affli ted,doth not prefently feek God (many in their afflictionmind not God, they feek to men, not to God, a croffe without aChrift,never madeany feek God) but affiiaion through the workings of the Spirit of Chriff,is ameanesto bring the foule to God ; andwe fee the effe& of it at thebeginning of the next Chapter in the fame Prophet ( Hof 6.1. ) Come let us return on- to the Lord, for he hath torn, and he Trill Neale ur, &c. Sixthly , God is pleated toexercife us with eroffes, for the exercife of our Graces, or to fer graceaworke ; Grace hath moll bufinef(e to doe when We are takenoff from all worldly bufnets, and are layd upon our bed , our tick-bed. Some worke is not done fo well anywhere elfe, as there. Andmany graces worke bell when 'tis worfl with us ; theywould evenRand flill,and have nìching to doe, if Goddid not bring usinto ftraights, or keep us for a feafon in them. In a lick-bed the Lord Thews us, and we may find work enough for all our graces, efpeciallyfor faith and patience, and fubmifiïon of fpitit COhis worke and will. Wemay doe better worke ( and doeit better ) in ficknefs then inhealth. Seventhly, God bringsmany upon their tick-beds, to teach them the worth of health, and make themthankfull for it. They who are feldome ficke, are as feldome thankfull for their health, andScarce reckon that for amercy,the want .whereof, they have never felt. 'Tis rare that we prize what we have , till we have it nor. Eightly , God exercifeth manywith ficknefs, with apurpofe to put menupona holy purpofe of improving their healthbetter, andof doing more for Godwhile 'tis well with them. Laflly,not a. feware affli&&ed,that Godmay have an opportuni- ty to.doehis worke, and declare his power. God himfelf would be hindredof much glorious work, in reftoring and recovering them to health, did he not chaflen them upon Fickbeds. The queflionwas.putabout the blind man ( oh. 9. 3, 4.) ilw did fsn,this msnor his Parents that he ow born blind. Jefus anfwered neither bath this man tinned nor hisParents, but that the works of GodAvoid be mademnuxi feß in him. If there had not been ablind maninthe world, how could the power of God have been made manifift _ in giving fight to the blind ? ifforrwwere not extreamly tor-
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