262 Chap.a6. AnE-xpofstion upon the Bookof J OB. rVerf.8 Secondly, Obferve ( which is the natural Theology of the Text.) Wrinkles,and leannefs inyouth, or ftrength ofage are an ar« gument ofextraordinaryforroty. Thirdly , Take the words according to the fenteof Job's friends, which job altohints as meeting with their Objection, They witnefr againft me:that is,You ufe them,you bring them as witneffes againft me. Then Note. Great afiietions are looked on acgreat proofs , or witneffer of great fins. We no fooner -hear of, or fee a man under great af$ietions, but ourfirtt thought is Curdy he bath committed fàme great fin. This is almoft every mans fufpicion; but it is an ill groun- ded fufpicion. This point was fpoken to ( Chap.io.i7.)where job tells the Lord, Thou haft renewed thy witneffes againft me, &c. There 'twas fhewed how aftlietions are brought in by God and man as a witnefs, and this was the greateft evidence, and (upon the matter) all the evidence which the friends of ob brought againft him, his wrinkles andhis leannefs; I thall only add this caution. Take heed ofpafling Judgment upon the evidence of fuch witneffes as thefe, wrinkles and leannefs : for though every wrinkle witnefs that a man is a finner ( were it not for fin we thould ever have remained inour body and outward conditi- on, as believers (hall be retlored by Chrift without a wrinkle) yet they are not witneffes that a man is wicked : I Play fay two things of thetè witneffes. Firit, They are always doubtful witneffer. Secondly, For the moll part theyare fá lfe witneffes. It is verygaefiionable and uncertain evidence which air flietions giveagainft us : For no man knows love, or hatred by all that is before hem : We can but guefs-at the belt , by what F'iugd c9éd t fthey fa Y But ufually they bear false witnefs againft the in- inonium cunt contra nocent ; fö they did againfi job ; they witneffed-that ofhim me, £,f(cita, to- his Friends which was not right. Therefore the Vulgar ratur fa c. trinllates the latter branch ( though nòt" wéll.to the-Letter of login+ adwsr the Original, yet well as to the fence a falfi witneft it rifen fro ficiem $ , yet f noatncgntra- up againft my face , contradiîling me r that- is, Oppofing or dicen: tnzhr'. weakning all that I have laid concerning my own innocence. Yea,
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