404 Chap. 9. 4rt Expofitionupon the Bo k of 1 O B. V'erf 3 . Mancannot comprehend the loveofGod (Ephef 3. 18,x9 ;) The Apoflle exhorts, 7oknow the loveofGodwhichpaffeth knowledge that is, to know fo much of it as is knowable ; (the love of God - is pail the knowledge,not only ofnature, but ofgrace,becaufe it is intìnite)So we lhould labour,7o know theanger of God, whichpaf - feth knorledge,that is,to know. it iò far as it is knowable. The an-O ger ofGod-cannot be fully known, becaufe it-hath an infinitenefs in it,as well as his love.And as theone (hall never befullyknown,, but by enjoying it ; fo neither can the other; but by feeling it.. Upon this confideration theLord makes thatgracious promite to his people (Ifa.57.16..) I will not contendfor ever, neither will I be slwayes wroth, fir the.fpiritfhonld fail before me, and the fouls which Ihave made,. But is not the fpirit or foulofmanofan ever- Tailing make ?' And (hall not the damned endure the con tendings of Gods wrath for ever; and not fail ?- The fubflance of the foul cannot fail, and the fpirit is incorruptible ; The fpirit is full of moral corruption, but is it notfubje&to natural corruption, or the corruptionof itsnature.. Howglad would the damned be, if their fpirits might-fail , and their fouls return tonothing. The failing of the fpirit underthe wrath of God, is the failing of its hopeand courage.. Thus the fpirit finks, and the immortal foul Hies away under the fenfe and weight of Gods difpleafure, But what if the Lord (hould take away his rod,and change his, terrours into fmiles? What will job do then? when this is grant.. cd, fee what he will do.. Jerfe 35. Then would I fpeak, andnot fear him but it is not f withme,. But is this theufe which Yob would make of the mercy he begs ? Doth he entreat the Lord to take his terrifying fear away, from him,and then refolve not tofear him at all ? Wholevoice is, this ? Is this the Voice ofjob I will[peak and notfear bim ?fobs charafter in the fiat Chapterwas, Aman fearingGod ; and 'dares lenow fay,Iwillfpeakandnotfear him? As the fearof God ought to be the feafoning of all our worksand act ions, foit ought to be the feafoning of allour words and fpeeches : why thendoth he fay, I will fpeak, andnot fear him ? To clear this, I anfwer, Fear may be taken twowayes. Either for the graceof fear, or for the pexturbation offear, When job Au Ae)lritw. Sep, faith'
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