Chap. 9. An Fxpofttióaa upon tbeBoek of O B. VerLz7. 283 you it isgiven tofufferfor hisfake ( faith the Apoftle, Phil.i.29,) heputs it among the fpeciall priviledges, which fome Saints are graced with,not only.above the world, but above many of the Saints, To whom it is given (and that's a royal gift) only to be-. lieve. Now, if in profecutiug this fuffering task, whether for Chrift, or fromChrift,a beleiver layes out his eftate, cred _i t liber- ty, or life,he is fo far from being wronged, that he is honour- ed. Thoufands are flain on publick imployments,who have given no caufe to be fo flain. If according to the line ofmen , this be no injufiice, much lets is it injuflice in God, who is without line, himfelfbeing the only line and rule to himfelf, and to Laid betides himfelf. Thirdly,I mayanfwerit thus,though the Lord multiplywounds without cattle; yet he Both it without wrong to the wounded,be- catrfe he woundswith an intent to heal, and takes awaywith a purpofe togive more; as .in the prefent cafe God, made Job an amends for all the wounds, whetherofhis body or goods, good. name or fpirit. Now, though it bea truth inrefpeca et tnan,that wemay not breakanothers head,and fay,we will give him a phi- lter, or to take away fromaman this potl'ellion, and fay we will give it himagain, yet Godmay. 'Man mutt not be fo bold with man, becaufe he hathno right to take away and wound , nor is he fure that he can report and heal ; but it isno boldncfs, but a due right in God todothus, for hews Lord hath power to take away, and ability to reftore. And he reftores fometimes in tem- p:zralls, as to.,ob,butalwayes tohis peoplein fpirituals and eter- nals. 'Bend =the Apoftleargueth (2Cor.4.17.) Our light afilti- ónr=whichare bestfor moonent,rvarkfor us an eternal weight ofglo- ry..Aitlidtions work-gloryfor us, not inaway of meriting glory, but in'a tendency to the receivingofglory,and inpreparations for it. There is nowrong in thofe-loJes by which we are madegainers thofe11oJftssbeitag feolt that-tve-seaygain,and thefender ofthe.lofs be- ing able effet'l really to make us gainers. Tie mu'ltiplyetb raj wounds without caufe. Hence obfervt Eirft, ffiuiiio os are oto argument that Goddoth net love us. As:the LordbathaultituClerofmercies.inhis heart, fo a mul. 3itudeofafl$i&ions in. his harid3ancl amultitude of adíiáions may .onflft with a.tntzltitude ofinercies, At the fame time when we 0 o 2 are
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