I 8o Chap.12. An Expofltion upon the Boo&ofJOB. Terf.4., give, and anfwer ifwe call. Chrifl raifeth upour confidence that God will hear us, becaufe men doe.(Q.Mat.7,9,io.) What man (faith he) is there ofyou, whom ifhis Sonask bread, will hegive him a floe? or if he aska fifb, will hegive him a Serpent?Chrifr argues from that readinefs which is in men ( efpecially in thofe who are in relation to us) to give that God will give much more. Ifye theca beingevil, knowhow tògivegoodgifts untoyour Children, howmuch more(hall your Father which is in Heaven , givegood things to them that ask him ? Ifa Father will anfwer when a fon asks, much morewill God : Yea though when a fon asks, aFather will not anfwer; thoughwhena fon asks,a Father mocks, and in flead ofbreadgives him a flone, in (lead of Filha ferpent, though in flead ofgranting, he crofs his Ions petition ; yet be confident your Father in Heaven will anfwer , he will not mock, he will not give flones for bread , nor a ferpent for Fifh he loves to be giving , and to be giving good gifts is his delight, Further, From thefe words taken together , we may Ob- ferve, That As it is finful fo it is extreamly dangerous to mockjhofe who have the ear of God, or acceptance with God in prayer. Will you ufe him ill that can go and tell God how youhave ufed him, and fhall be fure to be heard ' It is uncomely to mock an enemy, it is more for one friend to mock another, it is yet worfe to mock a friend in his affliftion but it is wordof all to mock any man living that is praying in Faith,and humbling him- fell before God. Such the Pfalmifl brands , ye have pained the Councel of thepoor ,becaufe God is his refuge.(Pfal,i4 6,) That is, ye have derided godly men when ye have heard them pray in their afflitlion. The great wits and politicians of theworld fmile at the fimplicity of thofe who make fuch a bufinefs ofprayer in times ofdiflrefs : who, when they hear ofany troubles arifing, prefently give this counfel, come let us go pray and leek God. This counfel of the poor they fhame , and think them filly fel- lows who give it. Theyhad rather lay their heads together a plotting, then their hearts together a praying. And iffuchjoyn in counfel to call for prayers in times oftrouble, it is not out of an opinion, much lefs out ofFaith that it will do any good, or prevail any thing, but only to pleafe the people,or comply with party : for in truththey flame thofe counfels of the poor, as
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=