Chap. 6. An Expofztion upon theBook, ofJ O B, needof him. That is the Cu+xi ofall. In winter, when there is water in every ditch, tholebrooks abound with water, but in the fummer, efpecially in a dry fummer, when the rain of the land is deft (as Mofes fpeaks,) thefe brooks are duff too, they vanifh and are confumed out oftheir place, they afford no refrefh- ing at all. When the man that went down from hierufalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves (Luk. 10. 3o.) lay in the way, ffriptand wounded, even half dead, A certain Prieft came that way (faith the Text,) andwhen befaw him hepaffed by on the o- ther fide; andlikewrfe a Levite,wben be was at the place came and lookedon bim, and paffedby on the other fide ; but the Samaritan to him (not from him) and had compafon on him. Job (peaks ve- ry near this language, but fully this fenfe, ofhis friends. They like the uncharitable Prieft and Levite, gaffedby him,as the fiream ofbrooks theypafsaway, Whereas they thould have been like the goodSamaritan, afountain a river of fettled fpringing comfort to him. This is the great difference between the love of God, and that ofmöff men, God is the bell friend tous at all times (he is belt to ys in the bell times,if we hadnet him to friend, it would be very ill with us when we have moll friends) but God is beff of all to us in the worfl times; a bell friend to us when we have no friends, he is our fpring when the rain falls, but he is our fureff, fweeteff fpring, when there is neither rain nor dewupon the face of the earth. Therefore he is compared (as 3er, 2. fo in other places) unto a living fountain,' where you may be lure to find water in the hotteff feafon.This infinitely commends the love of God be- yond that ofmen, who at thebell, are but broken ciflerns which leak out the comforts they are trufted with,and for the moll part, are but like Jobs brooks,they turn afide and pals away, when we have moll need of them. It is,obferved of the Samaritantsin Jofephus,that when ever the Jews affairs profpered, they would be their friends, and profefs much kinánefs, but ifthe Jews were in trouble and wanted their affi{lance,then they got them far enough off, they wouldnot have to do with them, or own them, The riots man bath many friends (faithSolomen,Prov.r4.2o.)bnt the poor is.hated even of his own neighbour. Worldlyfriendfiip endswith riches; and be that wants cunas,lrb3fcia moneyfeldome abounds withfriends. 9 amíciùá. But confider how far this is from the verynatureofa brother,, and VerC2ì: 5i 7'.
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