Chap. 7. AnExpojtion upon tbeSeokofJ 0 3. VerG 19, thefe tortures and troubles, As we are-girded with ltrength, fo allo we are girded with weakneCs job (peaks of God in this word ( Chap. 12. 21. ) He weakneth the ffrength of the mighty ; The Hebrew is, He loofeth the g'rdle of the flrong. The fame God, who loofeth the girdle of our flrength, loofeth the bands of our infirmity : and therefore Job praies, 0 depart from me, loofen me, let me alone, let me got., Hence obferve Fire, The Lord can make his own prefence grievous to his ewnfervants. In hisprefuce, there is fulnefs of Joy, and at bit right band, there are pleafre.r for evermore (19fä1: t6.) Yet he ca nmake his prefence robe the fullnefs of forrow, and give us p Á es with his right hand. As he can be tohis people like a Sun to K,arm,and comfort them, fo like a fire to confume and borne them, as like a fhield to defend, fo like a fword to wound them. The Lord is a Sun and a theild ( Pfal. 84. t 6. ) yea, and he is fometime as a fire and a fword, even to thole, who walke up- rightly. The finners in zion are afraid, fearfulnefs bath fur- priz'd the hypocrites. Who among us Jhall dwell with devouring fire ; who among no (hall dwell with everlaffing burn ìngs ; That is, who (hall be able to bare the difpleafed prefencecf Go d, which makes him to finners, as a devouring fire, Ifa 33. 14. And thus the Saints in Sion are fomtimes afraid and fearefulnese1 furprizes the upright in heart : Even they cry_out, how (hall we well wit(+ this devouring fire, with this evcrlafing burning ? They efpecially who have flighted the prefence of God, may quickly feel the burthenof it. Not only doarc), fo, who fay formallyand in plain termes, depart from us ; but they allodoe, it, in a great meafure, who doe not prize theprefer= of God, who doe not welcome and entertain him , in all his approaches to them. Ifa friend come to your houfe & you will not look upon him, or fpake to him, you bid himbe gone, and your filence_interprets his non- acceptance with you. Then take heed ofneglef#ingthe comforta- ble and fanc`ifying prefence of God, leaft you falls peedily into his afßiáing prefence . The angry prefence ofGod isnever fo ter- rible to use as it is, after put undervaluingsof hisgracious pre. fence. Secondly, note, iftheprefcnce of God ehaftning, tibe fo grie.. vous, what w'tllhis prefenee be punifhing and formen ng If af.. ffi$ions whicharc but for tryal, and are all ficep'd inlove be Co grievous s what, will thole renown be.. which ale ticcpt im pure 673
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