Citap46; AnÉxpofztion upon. the Book of J O B; Verf r 2 common captives can eafily lift up their eyes and cryes to thofe that are in profperity, for relcif and help; whereas o- thers whohave lived at eafe, can with more cafe (larve them beg. As a downfall from a feeming height in fpirituals into the mire (Alin, bathmore wickednefs in it than a bare continu- ance in fin ; fo a downfall from a real height in temporals in- to the mire ofmifery, hash more trouble in it then a bare continuance in mifery. They who have made a fair thew, or an outward flourifh in the Faith,and afterward fall back, are worfe then thofe who never made any (hew at all, It is fad for any one to live openly in fin ; but for fuch as have made anopen profcfíion ofgodlinefs, to apollatize, and fall back, to fin, this is matter offaddefl lamentation : For as the A- po(ile Peter fpeaks,It hadkeen betterfor them that they hadnot known the way of God, then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandement : It is better (in fpiritual re- fpet`s) never to have been a Profellor,then to be anApoflate: Thus alto it is better (in civil refpeCts) never to have been high, or great in the World, then after all this to fuffer a mi.; ferable downfall, and tobe numbred among the lowefi ofthe People. And in this we may fee the wonderful love of Nits Cbriff to poor finners, who fuffered fo great a change for our fakes ; hemight well fay,/ was at cafe, but he bath broken me a[under Chrift was broken all to pieces for us, he was broken and bruited for us, but he had been at cafe : How great was his love who willingly fuffered, not only for tanners, but as a firmer, having reigned in righteoufnefs from all eternity ? The Apoílle ufeth this argument,more thenonce, to advance the kindnefs of Chrifi to fnful man (2Cor. 8. g.) Beloved, You know the grace ofour Lord Jefus Cbrifi,who though be were rich, yet be becamepoorfor our fakes ; that we through bis po. vertymight be made rich :For Chxift who was rich to become poor, argues the riches ofhis love ; this (hewes the great af- felion he bare to us, becaufc it thews that he bare fuchgreat aflliórion for us. Again (Phil.2 6, 7. ) Who being in theform of God, thought it no rcblery to be equal withGod;but made bimfelfofno reputa. tion,and tookupon him theform of a fervent : He emptied him. fell,
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