Chap. 39. 4n Expa/tion upon the Book of J o B. Verf. 5. 329 creation (which was occafionally Chewed at the thirdverfe) is fubje& unto bondage, by reafon of the fin of man, and groaneth till it be delivered ; fo the foveraignty of God bath laid this bondage heavier upon tome parts of the creation, or upon fame creatures, than uponothers. And as we fhould daily and deeply bewail it, that our fin bath brought bondage upon the creature, fowe (hould humbly fubmit to whatfoever bondage or hard tra- vel the foveraignty of God bath defigned us in one kind or other, whilewe are in this world. Secondly, Confider to whom 'ris granted tobe free, and to have their bonds looted ; it is to wilde Affes. Then cbferve ; ro be free from labour andfervice, is but avery lowprivï ledge. It is but the priviledge of an Afs ; and as it is but a low pri- viledge to be free íromCervice, fo it is a great fin to cart off fer- vice. Some under pretence of liberty, call off obedience, and will not bear the yoak of duty or good government ; this is in- deed to be free as the wilde Ms is free.Such are fpoken of (Pfal. a, 2, 3.) Come let us break their bonds, andcall their cordsfrom us. They that would break the bonds and cords there fpokenof, defire only, and look after a linful liberty , a meaner liberty than that of the wilde ACs. The Prophet going to the great men (fer. s. 5.) laid, 7'befe bave altogether broken the yoak, and burft the bonds ; that is, the yoak of duty which God bath laid upon them. They have no caufe of boafling, that are free from the bonds of fervice ;but theywho cart off the bonds of duty, have great caufe to be afhamed. Thus the Prophet reproves that people, as one man (Hof. 8. 9.) They aregone up to Affyria, awilde e,fs alone bybimfelf. As if the Prophet had Paid, They look not up to the highGod for help, but to Affyria ; the high hod was not fohigh in their eyes as Iffyriee : doing thus, they were like a wilde Als (faith the Prophet) and fo they were in two things ; Fir?, They were extream fiubborn, resolved to have their will, and fa- tisfie their lulls. Ephraim was as violent in his way as a wilde Afs. Secondly, They were like a wilde Afs, they would be alone; Awilde Afsalone byhimself ; that is, they would be at liberty, free from all command, to do what they lilt ; they had rather be Vv iar
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