382 Çhap. z3. An Expofztion upon the Book of Jos. Verf. g. them thews man his duty he conveys an ability, he dotli not b d a perfon unconverted obey and believe, becaufe he bath an in- herent power to do them, but becaufe out of his free love and grace in Chritl he intends togive him that power. And therefore theexpedient for the removingof the former difficulties, is not to be found in the free -will of man, but in the free'-grace of God : who'though he requires what we are not able to do, yet enables us to do what he requires. If we feek other helps to eafeus of thefe fcruples, we alai' be convinced at lath, toh.ave overthrown the truth of God, while we would be thought zealous for his ho- nour : And that is the finof accepting tl#perfon of God, whom we cannever honour enough,either in hisperfon,works or truths, willye accept his perfon ? Willye contendfor God f It is not a fault but a duty to contend forGod, to contend for God with our tongues, and to contend for God with our hands, (Jud. 5. z3.) Merez, was turfed becaufe they came not to the helpof the Lordagain.g the mighty. Therefore when hefaith, Willye con- tendfor God? He doth not blame them for the matter, their ta- king Gods part, but for themanner in which they did it. As if he had faid, /fyou mill engage as patrons ofGods caufe, and contendfor him, you muff do it f. ær becomes the castle of God, you muß not, to gratifie God, ópprefs the pooreff man. 2. We may give this fence,De ye conte ndfor God? that is, do ye think God cannot maintain his own caufe without you?When Gideon had detlroyed the altarof Baal, and foafh his fatherde- fended the aftion;Joafh faith; Willyeplead for.Baal ? willyefave him? ifhe be a God, let himpleadfor hinefelf, becaufe one bath cai down hisaltar (Jadg. 6. 25.) You need not troubleyour felves;for if Baal be a god hewill do well enough, he will fer himfelf right, and maintainhis own divinity. In that fence alfo job might here fpeak tohis friends, Willye contend for God ? Do ye thinkhe is a B1t4lone thatcannot favehimlelfand manage his owncaufe?doth he need you ? he being the true God will plead for himfelf:there- fore holdyour peace and hear what I have tofpeak.Youhave fpo- ken wickedly for God,and talked deceitfully for him:you have fo accepted his perfon and contended for him, that he will giveyou no thanks for yourlabour. Jobyet proceedeth togivefotne further arguments;why they íhouldforbear to!peak,ard givehim further audience. J o 3
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