Chap, 6. Au Expefition upon the bookof J O. Verf. o. him, like a withered leaf. The reafon why the enemies of God live and are mighty,is beeluie God loth not fully loofen his:hand againli them : if he would but unprifon his power, and let out his hand, he can with cafe defiroy, and cut them off in a moment. Therefore the Prophet prayes but for this onething, Pfal. 74, t a. That God wouldpluck his handout ofhis bofome ; why with -draw- ejt thou thy hand, even thy right band? pluck it out of thy bofome: Lord (faith he)this is the realbn, why enemies yet prevail, thy hand is tyed up, that is, thane own ac`,{ hath tyed up thine hand, thy will fiayes thy power, or thy power is hid in thy will. Gods power kept in by his will is his hand in his bofome. Among men, a hand in the bofome, is the emblemof (loth, Prov. i9.24. Man hideshis hand in his bofome, becaufe he will not be at the pains to work : God is Paid tohide his hand in his bofome, when it is not his will and pleafure to work : therefore he faith, Lord, if thou wouldit but let Toole, and put out thy hand,all mine enemies (hall be confumed.And that's the reafon why there are inch vari- ous difpenfations ofprovidence in thefe times ; when the enemy prevails,.God withdraweth his hand, he keepeth his hand in his bofome, And when at any time his fervants have vidfory, it is, becaufe his hand bath libertyIf God holds his hand,men ftretch forth theirs in vain. Obferve, Thirdly, Affurance ofa better life will carry the Soul with joy through the farrows andbittereff pains of death. It was not any Stoical apathy,or ignorant regardlefsnefs of life which railed the heart of job to thefe defires. He did not invite his end,like a Roman, or a Philifopher, or by the height and gal- lantry ofnatural courage, let the world at nought, and bid defi- ance,to de(iruétion. But he had laid up a good foundation against this day; upon this he builds his confidence. He knew, as Paul, that he had Chrilt while he lived,and (hould have gain when he dyed ; the joy which was'fet before hina made him over-look the crois which was before him. So mach of his requefi, now he tells us the confequence, or effect it would have upon him, in cafe it were granted. Verl to. Thenfhauld Iyet have comfort, yet I wouldharden my felfin f rrow ; Let him notfpare, for I have not con- cealed the words <f the holy One. N n n Theta 457
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=