16$ Chap. 2,0. AnExpofition upon the Book! of J O B. +Vert. 24. ments ofdefence to prote& and fafegard thofe that truft upon him; he bath a thojfaud fhields for them. Now as the Lord bath a thoufand`fhields, or defenfive weapons for the proteeti- on of his owne people- fo he bath a thoufand bowes and ar- rows, and fpeares, and fwords to wound, and deftroy hisor theirenemies. HowcanGod want weapons, who can make any thing a weapon ? for as the Baptift told the 7eres who; gloried in theirflefhly defcent from Abraham. as if God were eyed to Abrahams line, oras if they beingout ofthe way. God knew not how tobe fupplied with a people:; I tell you (faith iohn)Cod is able of theft flows to rai/éup Children to Abraham. (Match. 3. 9.) As ifhe had laid ; Thinke not that God will be ftraitned for a people, if he remove you, for he can raffle ano- ther peopletohimfelfe out of thofewho are as unlikely, and in humane reafon as much indifpofed to thew f,rth his praile as thefeftones are. Even thus,,ifall wea.ps <:Ans and vifible meares for the deftru&ion of wicked men were removed, God can make any thinga weapon, he can make an iron weaponout of a ttraw , or the grolleof thefield. As God can eafily fupply himfelfe with inftruments to ferve his providence for the good of thofe who are veffels ofmercy and heiresoffalvation, fo he can quickly havea fupply of inftruments to annoy thofe who are veffelsof wrath and children ofperdition. Secondly, Wemay take notice how thefe weapons are de- fcribed in their Etf,&ualneffe, Striking thorow, &c. Whence obferve; Theweapons and means which godufethfor the punifhing of wickedmen, Jhall be effeíluall, they (hall doe their worke. What ever weapon God fends on his arrand fhall doe it to purpofe, the bowof fteele ftrikes thorow. It doth not give a light wound,and skarre the flefh a little, but goes to the heart, and cleaves the bones,God hath a mightie arme,and according to the might ofhis owne arme, is the might ofhis inftruments. As they a& not by their own will, fo not by their own might. What the Apoftle fpeaks about the weapons ofourfpirituall warfare (z Cor. 10.4.) They arenot carnali but mighty through god. What to doe ?To pulldownflrongbolds, to lay all level!, to fubdue all finfull powers, or the power of fin within us. What
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