Clrap. 37. <,...44 Expof tion upon the Book of J o B. Verf. 2. 44 5 r- Fifthly, Thunder breaketh the haèdèfl things which refi ir, but not foft things ; fo the Word of God breaks the flour, buc binds up the contrite spirit ; it refifis the proud, but giveth grace to the humble ( ja{n.4 6. ) Now if the Wordof God be in all rhefe refpeols like Thunder, Let us not only h.ar,t.ut attend, or as the text faith,hear attentive- ly the found of his voice. If anyask,when do we both hear and attend with the inward and outward ear, the Thunder of God, or his voice both in his works and in his word ? I anfwer, Fi I?, When we are flirred up to high and holy thoughts of God. Weare never rightlyaffcaed with the Word of God, till our hearts are wrought up to, and deeply, at leafl truly, affe&ed with the God of the Word. Secondly, When our hearts are raifed up in thankfulne fs for any difcoveries.of God in his goodnefs and mercy to us, who can fo eafilydedroy us by his power. He that trembles at this voice of God, and bath no fenfe nor tail of his goodnefs, nor is moved to praife and fervehim, trembles onlylike a bruit bead. Thirdly, When we learn to depend and hang upon him for all, as he that can do allthings gfiacioufly for us, at well as (peak fo terribly to us ; then we hear diligently the wifeofhis voice, and the found thatgoeth oat of his mouth. For the doleof thismatterI (hall only adde ;Thar though we ought to be affectled with the voice of God in his Word, as with his voice inThunder, yet let us not flay in that , which notes chiefly,ifnot only,that dread of God which the word leaves upon our fpirits;but let us look after and labour for that effe l of the Word, which like the beanies and Iight of the Sun, may warme our hearts with;joy,and leave fdrongefl impredionsofthe kindnefs and favour of God upon them. Mr. Forbes, opening that 'Scrip- ture ( Rev, a . a. ) where Sr. John faith; He heed it voice from, heaven, and that of three fo;ts. Firft, He heard a voice, as the voice ofmanywaters. Secondly, As the voice of agreat Threader. Thirdly, E le heard the voiceofharpers harping w'th their harper. Upon confideration of this threefold voice, whichSr. John heard, the fore-named worthy Author,takes upa medication co this pura. pole. The word of God (faithhe) bath three degrees of opera- tzon_in the hearts of men. :.
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