Chap. 38. An Espo/ti>n upon the Bookof J o B. Verf. r. zt table funil)ine. Job faid (chap. 9. i 6, t 7,) If Ihad called, and he had anfrvered me, yet would I nct have beleeved? that he had hearkened to my vice, fur he breaketh me with a tem efl, or a Whirl-wind. Now the Lord carne in a Whirl-wind, and ffu6 finds thequite contrary God carne in a Whirl-wind,not to break him, but to bind him up ; not to condemnhim, but toconvince him ; not to difcourage him, but to comfort him ; comfort comes out of a florme. Thuscomfort hath come tomany a poor foule, and it comes thusfometimes to the whole Church of God. When Jacob was in a ftormy condition, becaufe of his brother Efau, then theLord came to him ( Gen. 32. ) but how came he to him ? one would have thought, that Jacob being in fuch a con- dition,the Lord who came to ccmfort him, would have taken him by the hand andembraced him,or walkt afide with him, and told him,t am come to help thee,and deliver thee; be of good cheer, let not thy heart be troubled at the approach of thy bloody bro- tber.,for I amwith thee.One would have thought(I fay) the Lord fhculd havetreatedhim in fome fuch manner; but what faith the text ? (v.a4) there wrefi led a manwith him until thebreaking of the day. Poor Jacob was tugging, and fwesting all night, as if he would Iweat his heart out ; here was a firange kind of greeting ; 'cis not faid the man falured him, or fpake a kind word to hin,much lets complemented with him,he onlywreffled withhim ; and whenhe had toyled a great while,he put his th-gh oat ofjoy,.t (which was very courte ufage) and only faid Let we got (which wasvery coarfe language ) yet the Lord came at that time with a full purpofe to biefs him,&deliver him out ofthe hand of EJauThen be not afraid of florms,for the Lord hath funlhine in his heatr, when there's nothing but a tidtm in his face. The Lord may come to you in poverty, and fickneff, he may chaflen you withpain upon your bed, and the multitude of your bores with Perpetuun deo firm; pains, till you fay as Ne.,ekiah inhis fcknefs (rya. 58./ 3.) oft vulnerare I reckoned till mornirg,thatas a Lion, fo willbe 6reakall my boner;: dare,pertúere and yet intend fomuch tnercy,that you (hall fay (asDavid,Pf.3 5 quos volt con- ao.)All eny bones fhell fay, Lord, who ie likeunto thee,which deli- flari,ollende- verefl the poor fromhlrn that is tooflrong for him, yea, thepoor and refe msa imurra needy, from him thatfpoileth him. The Lord bathgracious parpoles ommwmt towards his people in faddefi appearances. Then the Lord anfwered mnoniiru tea Jab out of the whirl -wand, and faid; whatfaidhe ? His faying visit florally as his appearing. \'erf:
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