Chap. 6. An Expofitionupan the Book of JO B. ,Verf. ï. 409 or irrational in complainingofmine ? Alas all my fodder and my grafr, all my comforts and refrefhings are takenfromme. Dolt those notfee, how, upon a due confederation ofmy eftate, all thy repreofes may be wiped offfromme,or retorted upon thyfelfe?what great matter is it, ifthou doff not complain, who fittefi at eafe, and knoweft no forrow?Thouart ingreenpaff tares orfull barnes, thou haft grafi and fodder in abundance,and therefore haft nocaufe ef complaint. Thus in the general. But J O B anfweredandraid. 7o anfwer, is here taken properly : he anfwers to a charge,rc proof, or argument. At the thud Chapter, verle the tiro, when job began to fpeak, it is faid, Job anfwered and Paid. In Scripture language anfwering is often put- for fpeaking, though none have fpokep a word or made any propofal before. But here anfwering is taken in a firia fenfe, as it notes a reply to fome- what before fpoken Job anfwered and Paid. Note this from it. It is the duty ofa man to anfwer,when he is gueftioned or charged. It is the Apofiles rule, ( r Pet. 3. 15. ) Be ready alwayes to give ananfwer to everyman, thatasketh you a reafon of the hope that is inyou.Asa man in duty ought to give a reafon of the hope that is in him;fo in duty he ought to give a reafon ofthe forrows that are in him, and of the complaints that proceed from him;LYe muff anfwer for ourpaffions, as well as for our 1-ruches ; we muff anfiverfor our forraw.r, andfor ourjoyes, and forourfeares, as.well asfor our hope, orfor ourfaith. Thefe muff all be anfwered for, and when any (hall charge us about anyof thefe,wemull; be rea- dy to give a reafon ofthem (as the Apottle advifes there, in the cafe of our hope ) withmeeknefs andfeare. It is our duty to anfwer thus, both in reference to our felves and others. Piro, it is our duty in reference to our felves, that we may vindicatethat which fhould be more precious to us, then the goldofOphir,our own credit or fincerity, No man ought to de. fpife hisMlle integrity or reputation, fo, as not to ftand up for it. Therefore jobg rowes refolute in that point, profefling that be, would hold his integrity, till be died, he wouldnever let that goe, but anfweríiiffely for it:It is juffice todif afperfe our felves, and give witnefs to our, own wronged innocency. A man is more. Gg g bound
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