Chap. 4o. an Expofition upon the Book of J o B. Verf. 4. 5'5 pats by. We are but a light thing, a vile thing in our felves, yet God not only hathus in his heart,but fets his heart upon us. Thus fpake yob in the loweR ebbe of his outward felicity,and he fpake it admiringly as well as truly (Chap; 7. 17.) What is man, that those fhouldft magnife, and that those fhouidfi let thine heart upon bun! When he faith, What is man? it is as if he had Paid, Man is but a vile thing; yet the Lord is mindful of him, yea, magni- fied) him. And though the Lord forbids us to fet our hearts oróaffe&ions on earthly things ,( Col. 3. 2.) on the heft of earthly things, all which are comprehended under that one word or tide, Riches (Pfal. 62. to.) And though the rea- fon why he forbids us to let our hearts upon thefe things, is he- caufe they are vile, yet he is pleafed (O infinite goodneffe!) to let his heart upon us though we are vile,and confidered as finful, much more vile than they,even than the vileft of them. Wehave the likequeltion put again (pfal. 144. 3.) Lord, what is man that thou takefl knowledge ofhim, or the fon of man, that thou ma(. eft account of him? What is man ! 'Tis a diminifhing queflion, implying, that man is a vile thing, or a nothing. Is it not then a wonderful thing ? is it not the fruit of rich and free grace, that God fhould take anaccount,or make Inch an account of man? And if God fets his heart upon man, who is (o vile, how fhould man feehis heart upon God, who is fo infinitely excellent ! God may be faid to defcend, finely he condefcends exceedingly, when he lets his heart upon vile man. The Lordbumbleth himfelf (faith David, Pfal. la 3. 6.) to behold (that is, to take any notice of, or to take into his confideration) the things that are in heaven,and in the earth ; howmuch more doth he defcend, condefcend and humble himfelf, when he fetshis heart upon vile man! Now, doth God fet bighead upon vile man (which is an humbling to him) and (hall not vile man fet his heart upon the great and glo- rious God, which is not only his duty, but his felicity, his ho- nour, and exaltation Again, yob faith, I am vile. What was yo6 ?a godlyman fure, a holy man by Gode own teflinìony, yet even he fpeaks at this low rateof himfelf, Behold, Iam vile. Vvv
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