746 Chap. ;4. An. Expofition upon the Book. of J o B. Verf.29. God takes upon him the a&ings of themo(l faváge beafls in righ- teoufnefs, to thew how much he is provoked, when he feeth his people a& like beafts in unrighteoufnefs, filthinefs, cruelties,fen- fual pleafures ; whenmen behave themfelves mnlike men, God will not meet them (ás he told Babjlonhe would nor, Ifa. 47. 3.) as a man, that is, either in the s eaknefs.of a man, or in the com- paffions ofa man ; but he will meet them either asabean ofprey, who bath rno companion, or as God in the fulnefs of his power, not drawing forth, but quite reflraining his compaflions. Yea, the ipiritoof God will ílrive no more in wayes of mercy with futh a people, but turning their enemy (Ifa. 63. To.) will fight again them.He not only forbeareth to afTill them againfl,& deliver them from their enemies, but even allifleth their enemies againfl them, or delivereth them up into their enemies hand. Sixthly, When God hideth himfeif froma people, heremoves theirfpiritual enjoyments ; he takes away his holy Ordinances, his Worfhip, the light and power of his Gofpel, or leaves them, nothing but the (hells andout-fide formsof them ; they (hall be fed with husks, becaufe they have not improved fweet kernels and wholfome food ; they (hall havelong (haddows,but little true . light or Sun thine. Vifion (hall ceafe ; Godwill take away his Miniflersand be gone, and then they are prefently over-runwith. erfour and fuperilitionupon one hand, or with ignorance andpro- phanenefs onnc other. Seventhly, He will fpoil themalto in their Civil enjoyments, he will take away good Magiflrates, who are as a flaff and a flay, as . a fhield and a fhelter to aNation ; he will break the flay and elate of Government, as he threatned (Ifa. 3. t, 2.) and then (as it followeth verf. ç.) Thechilde 'hall behavehimfelf proud!) againfl the ancient, and the baje awing thehonourable ; he will leave them to the corruption of Juflice,Judgement (hall be turned awayback- ward, and jcfiice(hall(land afar off, and then truth falleth in the fireets, and equity cannot enter, (Ifa. 59. 14.) and after all this, what will he do with them ? He will either leave them to the worfl of National evils, total Anarchy, or, he will give children to be their Princes, andbabes (hall ruleover them. When God hid his face from the Jewifh Nation, hebroke their Government by takingaway ten Tribesout of Rehoboams hand, and putting thena under jeroboam; and out of his hand they fell into the hand of fe. veral:
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