Chap. s. An Expoftien urns the Book of j O.B. Verf t y. dcfpifeth, he thinks he fhall have no good by it: Thing, which are unprofitable ars dcfpicable So the word is ufed ( P(41.118. 22. ) 7he fione which the builder: refoefcd or defpifed, is become the bead fions of the corner. There were mailer builders in Else Church, t ho (when they furvey'd all forts of materials or (tones for their fabrique of faith)looking upon the perfon of Chri(l,thought him fit only tocall out among the rubbifh , as altogether unufefull ; They laved him by, as a refufe llone,who is the beadcorner fions, both the ftrength and beautyof the whole building. Thus the word is very appliable co the prefent Texrr,refutenot corrcaions as unprofitable and ufclefs : Say not ( as the Jews of Chrift, Can any good come out of Nazareth ? fo ) can any good come our of chaftnings ? Defpfe not the cbafining of the Almighty. And from this Notion of the word, we may obferve a fe- cond prejudiceagainft the rod: Even the Saints are ready to con- ceiveafi&tions tobe unufeful,and that they could well enough. fpareand kwithout their troubles. A natural eye never fees nor finds any thing but dammage by ofiaion ; and a fpiritual eye doth not always fee theadvantage that comes by them.Yea, hemay fometirne fayof anaffiietion,it will be my undoing,and the ruine of my houfe,and yet,after'ards find it as acorner fions, the choiceft outward meanes, which ( through the blelîng of God ) bathunited the walls both of his fpiritual and civil buil- ding, the frame both of grace within, and comforts without. The Apoftle Peter, bath a ftrange Parenthefis (r Pst. 1.6. ) For hiving told them of their rejoycing in the fatty of their fpiritual efface, being kept ( or fecured as with a Garrifon from Hea - ven ) by the power of God, through faith unto falvation. Though n w fer a fearon ( if need b. ) ye are in heavinefr through ma- nifold Temptations, or afHiCtions. Obferve how he puts an If need be, or a fuppofition of nece.fficy upon the of liáionsof belie- vers.As if he had faid,ye who are theCandidatet ofeternity,& heirs of pal vacion, may judgyour felves paft the rod or the ferula,and think,nowye have needof nothing but comfort or rejoycing in the hope of that falvation,ready tobe reveal'd;but f tell you,you mayhave need of heavinefs yet,before you corn to Heaven:and of manifold temptations, for the removing orfubduing thecor- ruptions of your hearts, before you enter upon your incorruptible inheritance. We are apt to conceive chafinings to be of no ufe,when they arc as neceifary as our daily bread Therefore Tt 2 dffpfe 323
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