s 16 Chap,4o. an ExpoJtion upon the loollofj o B. Vert. 1. Ihisphra(e (gird up thy loins) was opened at the 38th Chap. 'cis a metaphor taken fromTravellers, or thole that go about any bufinefs; who wearing long grmenes, ufed to gird them up, that they might be more expeditious, whether for labouror for travel. Thus the words arematter of eostnfelandencouragementgiven tojob,* d under that notion I (hall Note two things from them. Firil, As they are words of tweet, the Lord having further bufinefs with fob or more to do with him,advifeth him to gird up his loins like a man. Hence, Obferve ; When we have to do with Cod, we Pheuld put eta our felve, to the urtermoff. To Girdup our lint like a man imports our befi preparation ; and fuch preparation we need for everylholy duty. When we are to pray,we had need gird up our loins like men,for then we are to wreflle or drive with God, we mutt work it our with God in the duty of prayer ; and if our garments hang loofe, that is, our af' feetions be upon the earth, and our hearts in the corners of the world , how can we prevail with God in prayer ? we muff gird up our loins like men, when we declare our delires and requefis to God in prayer, and expe& that God fhould anfwer us. The holy Prophet complained of the Jews failing in this (Ifa.64.7.) There is none that calleth upon thy name, that ffirreth up bimfel f to takehold of thee. Doubtlefs many called upon God in thole days, but they did not fir up themfolves to take hold of God by faith, and fo their prayers went for no prayers. And when we go to hear the word ( wherein God deals with us) we had need gird up the loins of our minds, elfe we cannot mind the word while we hear it, nor remember, much lets prablice the word which we have heard. The Scripture often calls us to pre- paration for every duty : What can ditcompofed perfons, loofe- fpirited perfons, loofe-loin'd perfons do with Godor for God? Whenwe have any thing to do;w:th GodAny thing to doforGod, we fhould do our befl,andbe at our befl,we fhould play the men. Mafler Broughton expreffech it well, though "not clear to the words in the Original, Let me fee thy still or how skilfully thou canti handle the matter with me. The Lord would have us thew our
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