Chap. 34. An Expofition upon the Book. of J o B. Verf.; r. words of the 3 2dor next verle, (which are of veer alliance both as to matter and form-with thefe here)If I have done iniquity, I will do nomore. Only before I pafs from this renderingof the Text in hand,take two Notes more ; In that Elihu telleth the penitent perfoti, he ought to fay unto-God, I will not offendany more. Note, Firft. eA truly humbledand repentingfoul, is at careful to avoid the all offinfor the time to come, as tobefreedfrom theguilt of fin Fag. This holy care is a lure argument of a good confcience.A wick- ed wretchmay be defirous to have former offences pardoned, but he bathnot any unfeigned purpofe not to offend any more ; and ufuallyhe bathno bonercaft uphis finby a feemingpenitent con- fellion, but he returnswith the dog to his vomit by a fresh corn- million of his fin. Sorrow for fin yeilds no comfort, if not accorn ,panied with a care not to fin. Chrift was not fo rigid to the wo- man taken in Adultery as her accufers were, yet he faith to her, (Tahn 8. t í.) -Ge andfin no more ; as if he had Paid, thy cafe will be fad, though nowthou haft efcaped or got ridof thyaccufers, if thou tradefl on in this wicked way. And whenDavid prayed for purging the fin pail, he alfé prayed for eflablithing by the free Spirit of ;God, againft fuch-like temptations in time to come, (Pfal, 5.1.) as if he had laid, Lord, I do not askpardon that I might take liberty to offend again, but I defire thy confirming and preventing grace,' that Imayoffend nl more. Secondly, From the extenfivenefs of this engagement,towhich Elihu dire&s the penitent perfon,lwill not of endany more,neither in one kinde nor other. , Note. H,e that is trulyhumbledfor anyonefin, will tohit utmofl avoid everyfin. He faith, I will net offend anymore. He that lovesGod,can- not live in the doingof any one thingwhich God hates,; but as he expe&s good out of all the promifes, fohe bath refpeel ro nll the commandments; whofoever bath fo, would not offend in any thing any more. Further, 799
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=