Chap. z 3. An Expoftionupon the Book ofJos. Verf. i g . -43 5 cure, nor mywounds for healing, why then fhould I ftand ho- ping about thefe poor tranfìtory things? yet I would not have you think I am without all hope, I have better things to hope for than thefe, and about them I have a lively hope, though I die, as he adds in the next verfe : He alfofhall be my falvation, and anhypocritefhall not come before him. But I (hall pats that negative tranflation, and give the fence verb, act as it lies affirmativelybefore us inours. The firengthof faith is magi, fpei never fully tried but under and upon a crofs : Death and hope fidei, cujus vis feem tobe the greatelt diltance; herewe have death and hope maxime ix crta brought together : Death couldnot kill fobs hope, his hope did eke dziú ortideo almott enliven his death. fob had more life in death, then mofl utru :,t eon_ have in their lives. God could ealily flay jobs body; but.. his j,Qxit, mortem faith could not be (lain. God will not flay faith, and no other e'r fpein. Mena= power can. Behold Job dying and believing, Though heflayme, yet will I trail in him ; and fo this text is the triumph-of fobs faith over forrow anddeath : The uprightnefs of his heart, the greatnefs of his fpirit, the undauntednefs of his courage, his contempt of the world, and his longing delires after-God, are all wrapt up and fpoken out together in thefe words.. As if he had Paid, I fee the Lord is determined to take my life, but what if he do ? do you think that Ihave nothing to troll him for beyond that? Ifhe delroy my body, Iknow he willPave my foal ; 1 have matters ofgreater moment to truf God with then thole which con- cern thisfrailpiece offlefh : Death itfelffháll not call use downfrom thefootings of my faith, or beat me offfrom the hold-faß of my hope inGod. Again, As thefewords have in them an affertionof jobs faith, fo all() a vindicationof his perfon from the fufpitions or accufa- tions ofhis friends. For how can he be char;;ed as wicked who profeffeth truft inGod, and promifeth that lie will truft in him, even unto death, and in it. The word which we tranflate trug, lignifies alto to expert or exte,, hope ; and it lignifies expeftation, firtl, with patience and wait- 'e . c7 ° tou- ing: fecondly, with afïuranceof receiving that which we wait f ven is,pecum for: thirdly, with prefent joy, or joy concomitant with for- certtindine fu.. row. So then, I will craft him, is not. only, I will flay more turf bons dr time, but I will flay with patience, with affurance, yea,and with 1titiæ, Coc, joyfulnefs. But how can aman troll God, when he is -slain ? He that is Kkk z dead
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