366 Chapati. 41Expofttionupon the Bookof J O B. Verfi 9 high. job fpealts this, not only becaufe he wanted the witnefs of men, but becaufe of the high efteem he had of the witnefs of God. Hence Obferve. The witnefs ofGod is the molt defireab;e witnefs. The witnefs we have onearth is nothing worth, unlefs we have a witnefs in Heaven : Ifwe have not the inward witnefs ofour own confcience it is little advantage though we have a thoufand outward witneffes, confcience is more then a thou- fand witneffes, but God is more then ten thoufand confci- ences. Therefore never rea in any witnefs, till you have the witnefsof God. We labour (faith the Apolile, 2 Cor.5.9. and that word fignifies not onely an carneft, or an induflrious, but an ambitious labour) that whether prelent or abfent, we may be acceptedofhim : As if he had Paid, Poffibly we mightgainac- ceptationandapplaufeamongmen,would we but Lindy to pleafe and apply our (elves to them ; but the favour ofmen will not ferve our turn, nor canwe fit down and tell our (elves under their fhadow. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation ofmy heart be acceptable in thyfight, O Lord, was Davids pray- er, Pfäl. 19. 14. David could not bear ir, that a word, ora thought`of his thould mils acceptation with God : It did not fatisüè`'hiín that his-ations were well witnel,:d unto by men onearth, unlefs his very thoughts were witnciTed to by the Lord in Heaven. Some, s it is Maid ofiho'fe Rulers (John 12. 42.) Love the#îaife ofmen usare then the praife of God : So long as they have a reéird.herebelow, they'little regard his record who is on high. 'Theree is no greater argument of a carnal mind, then this that loves the praife , or teflimony of men as much as he Ioves the praife or reflimony of God, doth indeed love it more Seeing there is nothing more unequal then an e- qual part;iniro1 ofour:eftéeto between God and Mn a. Where Mir obligation unto two is unequal , we can never be dil' charged by paring each of them an equal fumm We have caui'e to blefs God when we have witnefs among men, but the wit`neffe`of men should be ofno price with us in compari- .ton f the witnelfé of"God Not onely may we have re- 4, courfé to the witnefs of"God; when we cannot obtain the witne% ofmen ; but we muff preferr the Tingle witneffe of God
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