tob Chap. 7. An Expofrtionupon the 8oekpf J OE. yeff.t7 famousfor greatnefs, for riches, for honours, as Come have been for fufferings. Who is there upon record throughout the whole book of God ? who is there in any hifloryof the world fo famous for greatnefsand riches and high atchievements,as Job a futferer? All thevictories of Alexander or Cfar, yea ofJoJhua and David, have not rendered them fo famous to posterity, as the conflicts of yob. His afllidions have magnified him more, thenall his other greatnefs,or then the greatnefsof other men hathmagnified them. If job had only been the richell man in the Eaft, I beleive we fhould never have had a word ofany ofhis a±s,or fo much as men- tionofhis name in Scripture. That which gave him the honour to have a whole book written of himalone by the pen ofthe holy Gholt, betides the often mention of his precious game in other books,is this,that he endured fo much.That man is magnified really who is thus ofiaed, and comes ofholily. Secondly afflictionshave an influence upon the life to come. The Apoftle is exprefs in that, 2.Cor. 4.17.where he exhorts, not to be troubled with our prefent afllicttous, for they work,for us a far more exceeding weight ofglory. That which works for us an ex- ceeding weight ofglory, magnifi.sus. It is not Paid any where in the Scripture, that mans honours, or his riches, or his greatnefs in the world, work for him a far more exceeding weight ofglory : There is no thing afcribed or attributed to outward comforts cr priviledges;,-but our afflictions work for us a far more exceed- ing weight ofglory. Not (as Papifts abufe that Scripture ) as ifafictions did merit glory:but as the way andcourfe wherein Juntdair, God fets men, and through which he will exalt and lift them yogi-afar, quo up greateft glory. Glory is the purhafe of Chrifl, and all the étinare ad gle- heavieft fufferings ofthe creatures are not able to purchafe one rim perveni, grain of glory, not the leaft imaginable weight of glory,much lets tw. an exceeding weight of glory ; but God, brings his people to glo- ry, and makes them (as hedid the Lord Chrift) in their degree, perfect through fufferings. Hence obferve; Mat afflictions are (if rightly improved) the exaltations, and magnifying:of the Saints. The iirebofdifcipline in Gods hand, . becomesa Scepter ofhonour in ours. This croffes the common thoughts of the world. The truth is there is, fcarce a foul in the world underaffliLtion , but he thinks him abated by it, and faith that God hath laidhim low.Yet the right ufe and improve- ment of afllic` ion, is theb.eft preferment. The Apofllejames `i.. is
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=