Chap, 9. In Lxpertion upon the Book,of J O B. Verf. 28. our ft1ves, we have more reafon tobe afraid, then to be com. forted. As we muff work out our falvation with fear and trem- bling , fo we have caufe tofear and tremble at our works. But rather as we tranflate, Iam afraidofall my forrows ; that is, I ITO fooncr endeavour to comfort my felt, but prefently my forrows throng about me, they appear before my face, and make fuch a gafhly apparition, that I am afraid. Sorrows charge and affault me afreth, when I am purpoting to make an efcape from -the handsof forrow. When I thinkof leaving off my heavinefs, or of getting out of the fight ofit, forrows come upon me with greater violence then before. while a prifoner is quiet and con. tent with his re(iratnt, the keeper layes no great refiraint upon him ; but ifhe perceive himmeditating anefeape, or attempting to break prifon, and fet hinafelf at liberty, prefently more irons are clapt upon him, and an advantage taken even to load him with chains.Such hard ufage even thispoor prifoner feared at the hand of his forrows, IfIfay, I will leave off my beavinefs, I will throw off my bolts and fetters, and get out ofthefe troubles, I one afraid of all myforrows ; I (hail have all the Keepers and Jaylers about me, they will laymore load upon me, and watch me mere ftrietly then before: You tell me I am in love with my forrows, the truth is; fears of forrow incompafs me round about, I am a- fraidof all my forrow.r. Note hence; Fitly, this general truth, That gfiition iq matter affear. ?atural fear arifes 'from the apprehenfion offome approach- ing evil ; and as fear grows more boifterous and inordinate, fo it reprefeats us with (adder (though but fuppofed) evils. Secondly, Obferve, 4 godly, mans may be museh, oppreff with the fearofafi6iio tt. W hen. i would comfort.my felf,I am afraidofallmy farrows : it is. terrible to me to think that. they (till encreafe upon me, and that whileft I hope to efeape, ham more enfnared. Chrift hímfelf, when he was in our nature,andcloathed with our fleth,was afraid of all his furrows o he wás a. maw,offarrows, and he was afraid of his forrows too, Matth.. 26. 38. He laid, My foul if exceeding forrowful even unto deathcondhe offeredupprayers andfupplications with jtrongcryes andtears unto him that wasable tofive himfront death, andwas heard in that hefeared (Heb.5.) His wereextraor- dtinary.fcrrows.indeed; fuchas no creature ever felt or tatted. The Cup
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=