500 Chap. so. An E.tipof<+iton upen the Book of J O B. Verf, g. .ther veffel, as firmed good to thepotter to make it. Then, the Word of the Lordcarte to him, flying, Cannot I do to you as this pot_ ter ? faith the,Lord,Fehold, as theclay is in the Lind of thepotter, fo are ye inmy hand, 0 houfe of Ifrael. I can form you, and I can break you, Ican put you into what condition I pleale, and ye ought not to be difpleafed at it. A potters vcffel is an embleme of the firongefi Kingdoms, Howmuch more of the firongett Men.? That we are made of clay, intimates three things, at all which jobfeemeth to aim, when he faith, Thou haft made me as ebe clay, First, The excellency of mans frame. He is not thrill/ together like a rude lump or mats of earth,but curioufly n+rought(pfal. r 39 , 5. ). To make a veffel of clay is an Artificial work, not a na- tural: It requireth much pains, but more skill. Whence job a.. . gueth, Thou haft made me as.tbe clay ; Thou haft (hewed thy he verily wifdom in fhaping and contriving me, asa veffel of hono:_r for thy ufe, And wilt than bringme into dull again ? The remem brance of that love and care which God bath laid out upon us in our contlitution, is an argument moving him to pity and corn p .If ion, as was (hewed at the third verle. Secondly, That God bath made us of clay, (hewsour utter in- ability to contend with God, and toRand againfi his firoaks : it is, as ifJob had Paid, Lord, Surely thou forgetteft of what mettal I am made, thole thinlieit I ant made of a hard rock, or of invin- eihle Adamant, that I am .conopounded r fIron, andother theJbrongeJf- materials ; Alas, Lardithere is nofilch matter,Iammade but as th clay; "'great deal of power and wifdom appeared in making me, but a little power will 'erne to ruine me; / am noloaner totcche but crack!. Why then do/t thouplant all thy Ordnance, anddifcharge fo many volleys ofjhoì againJt rat? Lord, What am ; ? Ain Ia mallof .. brats, or a bultPxrk offtene.? Thou knoweft Iam but a wall of clay, apaper wall, apotters eoffel, a little maijlnedearth. Will any min prepare Cannon to.batter a Cottage,ar a beetle to kill a fly ? Thypro- vidence needs not snake fetch provifion agahejt me, or handle me fó role{hly : that, which is weakcalls for tender ofzge, and that which is wtaku'nnzy laf icing, if tenderly died ; a glaft with care tug!, continue nraily ages. Deal gentlywith thy fèrvane, Remember, I be fetch thee, thou haft mademe as theclay. Thirdly, Ihat we are made r the crap, rh.t sour ea fine fsto-b& overeats,!
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