Caryl - Houston-Packer Collection BS1415 .C37 v12

Chap. 42. AnExpofixion upon the Book ofJ o D. 'Vert; it. 961 Note Fifthly ; The Lords favouring us, or turning the light of his countenance towards ud,can foon caufe men to favour su,andfbine upon see. See what a change the Lord made at that iime,borh in the mate of things, and in the hearts of men, when the Lord outwardly forfook Job; friends forfook him, children mocks him, acquain- tance defpiied him, his very fervants flighted him : yet no loon- er did the Lord return in the manifeflations of his favour,but they all returne, defiring to ingratiate themletves with him,and (hive who (hall engage himmofl.(od canquickly give us new friends, or refaoretheold. The hearts of all men are in the hand of the Explenr contra Lord, who turns them from us, or to us, as he pleafeth. When metias honori- God manifefis his favour, he can command our favour with men, bxs, áetrimeu" munaribsrrexe- Though that which is a real motive ofthe Lords favour to his peo- crationesprea° ple, their holinefs, and holy walkings, gets themmany enemies, bur. and they are hated for it by many ; yet the Lord difcovering or owning the gracesof his fervants, by lignal favours, often gets them credit, and fers them right in the opinion of men. Thus it was with lob; all his friends returned to him, upon the Lords high refpc& to him in turning his captivity. Again,in that Jobs friends came, to him, Cui dominoo ft.; Obferve, Sixthly ; vet, ei omnia It is the duty offriends to befriendly, to come t)o and vifit one fávent. another. It is a duty to do foinboth the feafon§, or inall the changes of oúr life : It is a duty to do fo in times of profperity, when God ¡hints upon our Tabernacle. When any receive extraordinary mercies, it is the duty of friends to thew them extraordinary courtefies, and to biefs God for them, and with them. When Elizabeth.; neighbours and coufns heardbow the Lord bad fbeoeed great mercy uponher, they rejoycedwith her ( Luke a. 58. ) It is a duty to rejoycewith thole that rejoyce, and to come to them . that we may rejoyce with them. It is a duty alfo to vifit thole that mourn, and to mourn with them. Friendlyvifits are a duty in all the feafons of our lives. Ooce more. Then came all his brethren,(&c. It was late e're they came, but theycame. HenceNote; It is better toperformaduty late, than not atall, Gggggg They

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=