------. zq.q. Cahp.z6. An Expofition rìpou the Book of J O B. Ver(6; themprefntly with foundcounfel, andpowring the-oyl ofconfolaa tion into their woundedfpirits ; but alas, it is notfo with me,for whether Ifpeakor holdmypeace,it is all one,ye are all againff me; and are neither perfwsdedby myfpeech nor by my filence, to apply proper remedies for the afrvagingof mygrief, or the ea fng ofmy, pains. Hence Note. It is the duty, andfhould be the care ofthofe who vifit Friends in a_$lil ion,topickfomewhat out of what theyfay or at leajf to take occafionfrom their filence, to adminifier confolation to their, grieved minds. When the Servants ofRedhadad came to Ahab to fue for their. Matters life : the Text faith, r Kings 20.33. The men did dig ligently obferve whether any thing wouldcome from him(that is, whether any wordof hope would come fromAhab ) and they did baffiy catch it = And thab had no fooner laid, He is my brother : but theycatcht at this as a wordofcomfort,they had what they lookt fort and faid, Thy Brother Benhadad. If thou ownefi him as a brother,- furely thou wilt not ufe him as an. enemy : There is (to the point in hand) a holy cunning_ in catching up words; which drop from the lips ofmen in afflihien ; and 'tis- our Wildem to make improvement of theme As for inflance, Therewas an ancient Prof.fíórr( as I have been informed ) in much dilireff of confcience , even to de.. (pair; he complaining bitterly of his miferable condition to a friend, let this word fall , That which troubles me mof}, is, that God will be difhonouredbymyfall: This word was haftily catcht at,and turned upon him to theafTwaging of this grief, Art thou careful ofthehonour ofGod, anddoff thou think God loath no care ofthee, and ofthyfalvation ? Afoulforfaken ofGod regards not what becomes ofthe honour ofGod : Therefore be of good cheer;if Gods heart were not towards tbee,thine couldnot be ÑwardsGod,or towards the remembranceofhisname.Thus words mould bewatcht,yea and !Hence (}could be watcht foradvan. tages to cafe a difireJTed foul. I>ailly, Thefe words may refer to God ; afiffob had laid, Whether I (peak, or whether I forbear, God doth not come in to my help, I findno comfort from him he puts no flop to mypains nor doth he affwage the floods of grief which arc.
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