436 Chap. ao. An Expofition upon the Book of J O . derf. 2, propofell to thy fell in thefe my unheard of affliCfions ? Cut is it lawful to put fuch queries,or todefire fuch refolutions from the Lord ? Ought not Job to have prayed for wifdom how to bear his crofs, rather then have asked knowledge, why it was laid uponhim ? job defired a reafon : Firfl, Not to fatisfie his curiofity,but his conlcience; not that he would be prying into Gods ferrets, or unlocking the cabinet of his counfel to fee what was there ; but that the fecrets of hisowrrheart might be opened, and a difcove- ry made to him of what was hid there. Hedefired a reafon, not doubting the juflice or goodnefsof God, but as fufpeding force evil in himfelf, as yet unfeen. Or, fecondly, He defired a reafon, not fo much to fatisfie him- felf,as that the world might be fatisfied ; that they who judged and condemnedhim,asau hypocrite, might have their rath judg- ment confuted and anfwered by a determination from heaven. As if he had further laid, Lord, if thou wouldejt but !hewme this thing, it would eitherflop the mouths ofthefe, who bave been fo for- ward to cexfitre me ; or flop my mouth from any further complain- ings to thee : I cannot refcue my felfout of thy hand, nor dare I ac- cufe thy wifdom, in laying thyhandupon me. But, Lord, deal not with me by the jkicl rule oftbyfoveraignty, which is to as above all rules, and to do.What thou wilt, becaufe thou wilt, without giving a reafon to thy creaiure. I cannot charge thee with injuflici, if thou fhouldff refolve to keep meflill unrefolved. Iknow thouárt not obli- ged togive mean account of any ofthy matters ; but, Lord, c nde- fccnd f far to duff andafhes. Shin: me wherefore thou contendefl with me. If it be for fin, a fight of that (through thygrace) will humble me for it, and caufe me to return to thee from it. If it be for trial, I fhail undergo it with more patience, and my friends will behold me under it withmore charity. Let all or force of thefe confiderations prevail with thy majef}y,to open this feetet to rate,and expound the myflery ofmy afflictions, Shewme nherefore thoucontendefl with me. Obferve hence, Firft, Anafi ied foul is very felicitous about the reafonof his afillion, )1e that knows what it is to be in the dark, lovesnot to be in the dark.. As natural, fo moral light is Tweet, and fpïritual light is fweeteit of all. Malwould not be .under concealments, Or
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=