Chap.:i6. An Etepofition upon the Book of J O B. Verf..4, Wee have this action joyned with two more , which lignifte the greatefl contempt, by lamenting feremiali ( Lam. 2. i5.) All that pars by, clap their bands at thee,they hifr, andwag their bead, at the Daughter of ferufalem, ftying,Is this the Citythat men call theperfeelion of beauty. thejoy ofthe wbole. Earth ? Our bleffed Saviour (uponwhom contempt and fcorn was to vent it Pelf all manner of ways, he being tobear all that fcorn, as well as 111 that pain which was due to our fans , our bleffed Saviour, I fay ) was (corned this way (Matth. 27. 39.) And they that paffed by reviled him, wagging their heads. So then to (hake, or wag the head at a man in afflition,fpeaks, as fometimes our pity , fo molt times our contempt ;> and as it is ulitally accompanied with audible mockings, fo it felt is a vilble mock Which being interpreted, fpeaks thus to the perfon of liC ed , Thou evil.doer, or thou hypocrite , thou delft even well become thy ftsfferings, all theft miferies are well beftow. edon thee &c. In this lenieYob feetns to fpeak.here, I could (hake my bead- atyou: I have indeed been as one mocked of his friend ; Chap., a2.4.) and I could mock my friends , I could laugh at your calamity , and mock when your fear cometh ; but my con- fcience bears witnefs withme,that if it (hauld come , I would not. Hence note. Firíl, Agodly man bath a power to do that evil which he bath oto will to do. A carnal man bath a will to many evils , for which he bathno power or opportunity A Godly man would not do any evil,howmuch power and opportunity foever he hath. And indeed, though he hath anatural, or civil, yet he hath not a moral power to do any evil. In which fente the A- poille fpeaks of a regenerate perfon ( John 3. g.) He that ia.bornof God cannot fin : He hath a natural power to fin any fin , to lye, tobe drunk, . to be unclean, &c. Hemay have a civil power to opprefs, to deceive , towrong his Brother ; yet he cannot turn either his hand or his heart to fuch works as thefe are hehath learned better, and is better.He is born of God ,. his blood and pedigree is fo high , that he cannot meddle, nor trade in fuch low things. Wildano it toohigh for afro/ ( faith Solotnon, Prov, 4. 7.) and folly is too low fora - wife 231
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=