686 Chap. 4o. an Expoftionlepon the Book of J o B. Vet ,9f he could not attain his end, for the more he oppre fled chum, the more they multiplied ; therefore all fucll, are faid to imagine a vain then:, (Plat. z. r, 2.) why do the Heathen rage, and the peo- ple imagine a vain thing? the Kings of the earth_ fa themfelves,and the Balers tak,g coaxfel together, again%í the Lord and againfi his anointed, but all in vain. Nothing lets came of ir, than what they imagined, or their imaginations came tonothing, yea, brought t hem to nothing. I (faith the Lord, Zach. 12. 3.) will make Jerufalem a burdenfore (tone for all people; all-that barden them- 'elves with it, (ball becat in pieces. If any meddle with Jerufalem, they will find they lift at a very heavy fione, and that they med- dle not with their match ; they (hall furely be not only over- matchr, but overthrown at length, whodo fo. The Church is founded upon a rock, and the gates of hell fhall not prevail againft it (()Wat. 16. r 8.) that is, neither the counfels nor confedera- cies, neither the power nor the policyof men or devils, (hall be able to prevail againfi it. The Hiflory of the Church, faith of Doclefian a cruel perfecuter, that for very vexation he gaveup the Government of the Empire, becaufe he faw he could not fupprefs Chrillianity by all his machinations againfi the Chriftians. And doubtlefs they in the Gofpel (John 12. 19.) were not a lit- tle troubled, when they Paid among them/elves, Perceive ys how weprevailnothing? Behold, theworld is goneafter him. Thirdly, Note ; The loft of hope, or hopeloft, is the greateft lofs. When Godwould flew mans worfi condition, he faith, Hoo hope ù in vain ; hedoth not fay, his labour is in vain, but, his hope is invain ; that pincheth moll of all, and that's it which will pinch Hypocrites moll at la(I , who were in hope' of injoying God ; but not only their labour, but their hope (hall be invain: when they come big with expe&lation, and fay, Lord, Lord, we have done thus and tbsts ; when,as the foolifh Virgins,they (hail knock boldly, and cry earneflly, Lord, Lord, open to us, the an- fwer given themwill be only this, knowyou not ; that is, I know you not for mine, as you prefumed your (elves to be, even while you walked (notasmine,in wi(dom, but), in your own folly. This lofs of hope will grieve more than the lois of Heaven. As Chrifl told the Pharifees, Tou (hall weep, and gimp your teeth, when you lee
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