602 Chap. 20. a/.ln Expofition Ypan the B00%of J o B. érf. 29. Fourthly, Wicked men profper that they may have oppor- tunitie to fbew what is in their hearts, how vile they are, Halle the wicktdneffe of man appeares not, ¡Ibis portion be aiwayes (bort in the world. Many wickedneffes in the heart of man cannot difcover themfelves and appeare above board, till they themlelves are move and aloft in the world. For as af- flietions upon the people of God, difcover many corruptions in them which theydid not thinke of, as murmurring, unbe-. liefe, and dilcontent, &c. They thought in their profperitie, that they could have borne fuch a croffe patiently, and quietly, and have taken it well at Gods hands, but when it comes upon them, they finde corruptions ftirre, which till then furred not, .. Therefore (Dcut. 8. 2. ) God caufed the peopleof Ifrael to wander fortie yeares in the wilderneffe, to prove, and try what was in their hearts. God knew, intuitively, what was in their:- bearts, but they did not know it, they didnot conceive that there Was fo much vanitie, and unbeliefe there, till God led them about, and about,-,to try them. So, wicked men, though their corruptions flow out fall enough, yet if they fhould be alwayes kept to ha :d meat and want, their Info Would be Milled and ffarved, though not at all mortified. As the wit and parts offome are kept downe by their poverty, fo all() are the Was and wickedneffes of many.. But worldly affluence and warmth draw out corruption, as well as af;iliEfiondoth: rim. ches and power let the tufts and wickedneffes ofmen loofe as well as their wits and learning. Hazoelwas a cruel man, but he did not believe that there was fo much crueltie in his heart as indeed there was (2:Kt''ng. 8 r 3. When the Prophet told him what hewould doe ; Dorf thou think I ant a dog (faith he ) that I Jhoulddoe fuch things ae . thofe ?The Prophet replyed; The Lordbath (hewedme that thou fhalt be King of Syria.As ifhe had' fad, thou (halt have a great portion, andmuch power put into thy hands, and the wickedneffe of thy heart will appeare fully, thou doff not know how naught thou art now,thy loft lies clofe in thy owne fpirit; But when thou art KingofSyria, thou wilt have (cope for thy crueltie, and then it will appeare that I ama ttüe Prophet inforetelling thee what bloudy, what cruel worke thou, wilt make. Jr would never be known how bad force are, if shhey fhotald not enjof wuch worldlygood. Fifthly,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=