Chap. io. AnExpofitian upon the Book of J OB. Vert 7. who fiiali deliver me from this body of death ? When (hall I be delivered from this burden and bondage of corruption ? When (hall it once be ? O that it might once be ! Wicked men are fo far from pleading againtl, that théy ulualiy plead for their tins and labour more to make excufesand apologies for them, then toget power and victory over them. They inttead of making preparation to null the lulls of the flcih, make provision for the flefh to fulfill the lulls thereof. Thirdly, A wicked man preferves in himfelfa purpofe to fin, while he Teems to pray and protetl againtl his fin. He is (as Au- guJline confef ed of himfelf before his converfìon) afraid God (h cold grant his prayer, while he prayeth that his corruptions may be mortified. He may put up prayers againtl fin, but he puts up no desires againtl it. As cuflom is the rode ofour lives, fo pur- pofes are the rode of our hearts. What a mans purpofes are, such the movings of his heart are ( Ifa.56. t 2.) 7o morrow fhall be as to day, and much more abundant, tày they in their beatlly abufe of the creatures, we have beendrunk to day, and hope to be more to morrow (Ezek; r r.za.) Their heart cloth go after the heart of their abominable things ; that is, the inclinations and refolutions e' their hearts go or walk after their abominations. A godly main finneth, but he doth not purpofe to fin his purpofes are not to fin, honfs is his way ; and as fin is it felta by-way, fo it is betides his way: The honeft Traveller intends to keep llraight or to his journeys end; if he mils his way at any time, he mifles his purpofe.The robber skulks about in by- waies,and comes not into the rode,but to find and feize upon his prey. Peter denied Chrift, but didPeter purpofe to denyChritl ?No,Peter purpofed not to de- ny Chrilt, yea Peter promifed not to deny Chritl. Peter refolved that he would die rather then deny Chrift, and yet he denyed Chrift; Peter did not go out and make a bargain with the Scribes and Pharizees,asjudas did,to betray his Matler.Peter was betrayed when be denied his IVIafter.Peter was fuddenly attached with a vio- lent temptation & arrefled with bate fear.He did not denyChritt, becaufe he refolved to do it,but becaufe he refolved fo muchnot to do it, without due dependance uponChrill for power not to do it. A godlyman may have force deliberations about fu,yet no refolu- tions : He may deliberate upon the a1ingof fotne fin, when the occa&on is given, but he doth not deliberate upon the finding of occatiions to provoke him to the ading of fin. David did not go -- 477-
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