Chap. 36. an Expofstion upon theNook of fo s.. Verf..zi. 321 not we, poor Shrubs, reafon to look about in ouch a day? When an affli &ion is very great, they that are for reputation great and lirong in faith, very a:hoice believers, experienced fouldiers in the wars of Jefus Chriff ( when an affliction (I fay) growes very great) how apt are they to be difmayed, to be out of heart, tode- fpond, to look upon thcmfelves as undone, and all undone I O regard not, turn from this iniquity; It fhouldnot fatisfie any fer- vant of God that he avoids grofs iniquities in pradif, he mutt make confcience of an impatient word, and order his fp_ech a- r'ght under the rod,as well as his converfation. Secondly, Forafmuch as Eliáucalls this an iniquity, Obferve ; Impatient fpeeclses render see guilty, let our ofitliontand troubles be never f great, robs affliction was as Leavy as the land,. yet Elihu tellshirrr,your complainings are your iniquity. I have had occafion leverai times in this bookto fpeak ofthe evil of complaining, under the ivorfl and foreff of affli&ions, and therefore I onlyname it here. Thirdly, taking iniquity in the largefl notion, Obferve ; Sin defer,ver no refpetî from see. Sinners deferve no refpe&, much let's doth fn, 'Tisone part of the character which Davidgives of a Citizenof Sion, , (Pfal. t 5. 4.) He is one, in whofe eyes a vile perfon (that is, a wicked per- fon, a perfon given up to his lulls) is contemned. That which makes a perfon vile and contemptible, isworfe than a vile perfon, and therefore fhould have Ids refpe&,or more contempt from us. Remember, fin is the only thing which makes any perfon vile ; (hould we thengive any refpe& to fin ? fhould we give refpe to that whichbrings utter difrefpe& uponus? have we any reafon to honour that which brings ens ro fharne ? to regard that which makes us regardlefs both with God and all goodmen ? However force men are regarded with men for their wickednefs, I mean with wicked men ( they regard t heir like the more, when they are moll like them) yet (I fay ) fin makes every man regardless with God and every good man:Therefore regard it not,yea,flight it, trampleupon it. Take that T c For
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