18 Chap. is. An §xpofition upon the Bookof JOB. Vert. 24. fon ; andbecaufe every friend of God is a fon of God, therefore once a friend and evera friend : yet, they who are for ever the friends of God, are not alwaies perfwaded of the love of God. The relation cannot be loft, but the fweetnefs of it Tray. As many wicked menare high-flown in confidences that they are the friends of God, and that God ufeth them as friends, they are rich,ancl they are full, they have favour and honour in theworld, above thoufands of their brethren, upon thefe grounds they boas}, fee how God loveth us, and yet at that time God hates them and counts them' as his enemies. The Jews had an high e- fteem of Mofee, they trufted in Mofes, yet Chrift faith unto them (joh.5.45.) /willnot accsfeyou to the Father, there is one will accufe you, even Mofes in whomye true, So will force glory that God is their friend, and they his favourites. But while they think they truft God, and God helps them, we may fay, God whom they truft will accufe,andnot only accufe,but deftroy them as profeffed enemies. Now, as force have falfe perfwafions that God is their friend, foothers are under falfe fufpitions that God is their enemy. An upright heart is not alwaies fetled in this great truth, that God loves him, yea, he comes almoft to a fettlement in this great errour, that God hates him. Nothing can feparateus from the benefits of the love of God (Rem.8.39.)' but many things may feparate us from the feelings of it. Thirdly, Obferve, To be an enemy to God is the worfl ofallconditions. God is the belt friend, and the wort} enemy; no love like his no wrath like his ; 7hofemine enemies that wouldnot have mereign or er them, bring-themforth and flay them herebeforeme. His foes fha'I be his foou}ool. And as to be a real enemy to God, is to be in the worft condition; fo to apprehend our felves enemies to God, or not in the favour of God, is a very fad condition. I have opened this point further at the 7th Chapter, verf. fr. Wherefob complains in language near this, ókhy haft thoufret me as a markagainft thee, fo that- Iam a burden unto myfell'? An ene- my is themark again(}whom we direct all our fhot, and brandifh alb oar weapons. We are all by nature enemies to God, bleffed are they who through grace are his reconciled friends. fob ha- ving asked thequel}ion, whyGod hidhis face, and held him as an enemy,befeeches him not to contend with him,becaufe he was. (ifhe was) fo weak and inconfiderable an enemy. Verfe
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