Chap. r o. An Expoftion ufiontbe Book of J O B. Verf, 2. 4"3 foffered fuch things I er thofi eighteen upon whom the Tower of Si. loe fell, thinit, ye that they were firmer: above all that dwelt inJe- rxfalem ? As if he. had Paid, I; who know your thoughts, know ye are ready to think fo. It is a very ill, but it isa very common thing, to judge both of perlons and of caufes by fuccefs. Doth a man gain and thrive in the world ; here's a man fiare whom God loves, faith the world. Though a 7eremy can fay, Why Both the way of the wick,cd,profper ? tie can fee them to be wicked tho- row all their profperity ; yet, how often are they accounted 'righteous, who profper ; and good, who enjoy good? But Both a man wither and go down the wind in the world ? He's a man lure whomGod hates,faith the world. Man is apt to think them the worfi, who fuffer worfi, and that they have finned moli who have inoit forrow. The Prophet (lfa. 53. 4, 5 .. fore-tels that Ghxili himftlf, While he bore our griefs, and carried our forrors, fhouldbe efteemed jtrieiten, finitten of Godand a fined. Chrift was efieemed a great (inner, when God gave him up to be fmitten for íìnners , therefore he adds, but bewas wounded for our tranfgref- fens, &c. Secondly, oblerve, The difpleafure of God it more grievous to the Saints, then all other preffures and furrows whatfoever; Job faith not, Lord do not afflif.;E me, do not chaflen me, lay not thine hand upon me any more, but, Lord, do not condemnme, It is infinitely worfe to be condemned, then tobe chafiened, yea then to be killed., Condemnation carries in it an argument of disfavour, and that makes it fo burdenfom. As the love of God is better to us, thenall the good things of this life (Pfàl. 4...6.) Many will fay, Who will !hew as anygood? This is the great que- ry of the world : but what faith David, Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon as ; thou haft putgladnefs in my heart; more then in the time that their corn andtheir wine encreafed. And as the favour of God is better to us then the good things of this life,fo then life, which is better then all earthly goods (Pfel. 63. 3. ) Thy loving ktindnefs is better then life ; Now, I fay, as the loveof God is better to us then the bell things in the world, fo thediiplealure ofGod is worfer to us then the worfi things that are in the world ; all the torments, and racks; allthe.ficknefíes and diliempers, all the reproaches and contempts óf men have not fo much evil in them to us, as one frown from God. Hence, as when two foredifeafes (fuppole the gout and the fione) both K k k very
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