504 Chap. 40. min Expolition upon the Book of Jos. Vetf.2 this point, as if we fhould fit still , and let the Lordalone (ashe feemingly faid to Mofes , Exod. 32. 10. ) when he dealeth out hard and grievous things to us. There is a contending with God by fupplication and prayer , by mourning and humiliation this becomes us when the works of trod are hard, when they are breaking, defolatiág, fcatteting, and afflidlive towards us. Take heed of difcontent withprovidence,yet wreftle and contend ea:- neftly with Godby prayer, when providence s go hard withyou, or with the whole !Patel of God. Mofes in a holy manner atfaulr- ed God and contended with him in that cafe , and therefore the Lord faid tohim (in the place lall mentioned) Let rae alone , as we fay to a man that contends and ítrives with us, Let me alone., e..911ofes was contending with the Lord about that difpenfation,but it was in a gracious way : and fomay ewe, yea fo mutt we. The Lord expertsp: ayer in all fuch cafes , which if it be (as it ought tobe) earneft and fervent , is a firiving, a contending with him, very pleatingand acceptable to him. When the providences of God were grievous to raeob , and he feared they might be much more grievous to him , the Text: faith he wreftled with the An- gel; but how was that ? the Prophet Ho atellsus(Chap. 12.4.) ie was by weeping and making fupplication. The Apoftle ufeth the fame expreflion (Rom. t 5. 30.) Ibe(eech you brethren,, that you firive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that is, let you and I fetour (boulders to it , wreftling with God in the aet ings of faith for mercy. This is a dutiful contending withGod, ableffed (hiving with God ; Let us ftrìve fo, and we (hall (as facet did) prevail with God, and (brain the blefling. We may warrantably and confidently venture upon this contention with God ; as for any other, take heed of ir, fo-bear it , why {bould we meddle to our hurt , as the King of Ifrael cautioned the King of yudah,when he would needs be contending with him Ca Kings 14. ro.) The Lord may contend with us , and he will whenwe give him caufe ; yet he bath afiured his people that he will not conrend for ever , nor be alwayes wroth (Ifa. 57. 16.) But we mullbaamblcourfelvesunder his mighty hand alwateo(as theApoftle dire&s, i Pet. 5.6.) and not contend with him at all, unleffe in the fenfe and waylaft opened. Ir is as much our duty to I,t God do what he will , what he pleafeth with us , patiently , asto do readilywhatfoever hiswill and pleafure is, Secondly,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=