Chap. 23. An Ëxpafition upon the Book of J OB. Vert. 2. 31I when be loath graf e, or loweth the Ox over brafodder ? Irra- tionall creatures will not complaine when they have the conveni- ences ofnature. Surely then tholemen at much below grace, who co mplaine when they have food convenient,and health con. venient, yea all things convenient ( poflïbly aboundant) for the fupport ofnature ; who complaine when they have not fo much as an akeing joynt about them, or the fcratch ofa pin, no nor the want ofa pin, nor ofa fhooe.latchet. Somecomplain when they have meate enough, becaufe they have not lance, yea forne com- plaine when they have both meate and lance enough, the afflu- ence ofall things, not onely for neceffity but for delight. What (hall we fay ofthem who are never well neither full nor fatting ; who are fo farre from having learned the Apoftles leffon to be content in all eftates, that are content in none. The people of If- rael murmured not only when they wanted bread,but when they had it ; when they had Mannah they murmured for Quailes,and at fait they murmured at their very Manna'h, their foules loathed that light bread : Confider how great their finne is, who com- plaine upon fuch termesas thefe, who complaine before theyare hurt, yea who complainewhen they have no caufe but to be very thankful!. We live in complaining times, many cry out ofpref.- luresand burthens, nothing pleafeth many among us,becaufe eve- ry thing is not as they pleafe. Tale heed your groaning! be not heavier then your firoak. efpecially take heed ye be not found groaning without a ftroak, and complaining over your blef iingc ; the Lord bath healed our ftroakes in a great degree, but our corn. plainings are not healed; Ifwe be found complaining when we have nocaufe, or when we fhould be giving thanks, we may quickly provoke God to give us caule enough of complaining. God bath heavier ftroakes for them, whole groaning is heavier then their ftroake, and he bath heavieft ftroakes for tlem, who groan when they arc not ftricken.When children try or nothing, they are u!ually made to feelefomething which will make them cry to purpofe. This humour is childifh enough inchildren, it is worfe in men, but it is worft ofall in Chriftians, who are alto the children ofGod. There are two thingswhich Godwill not bear in his ; Fir(t, when they grow wanton with a mercy ; Secondly, when teycomplaine without a croffe. Tocomplaine under a croffe,
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