384 Chap. 23. An expc.Jition upon the Bookof J O B. Vert. Io. mination ; when once a hypocrite ie tried, then he is/ha n'd.He may. goecurrant for puregold a great while, but at Iafl he appeares but as a gilded fepulcher orilroffeofgold (Pfal. t t 9.1 t 9.)Thora puttefl away all the wickedof the earth like droffe. And the Lord (peaking ofthe degenerate houfeofIjrael ( Each. 22. 18. ) faith, The haute ofIfrael is to mebecomedrof e, all they are braffe, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the raidfl of the furnace, they are even the dreffe (ordreffes) ofp lver ; That is, though they are a profefling people, andhold out my name, yet I having tryed andexamined them throughly, finde them to have nothing but a name of pro- fefiion; They being tryed arecome forth like droffe.The Apoftle ( Or, 3. t 3.) Allegorically fhadowing out all forts offuper- ftrut`tive doctrine, byGold, ftiver, precious f anes, wood, hay, flub. ble, faith, Ifanymore build upon this foundation ( that is, Chrifl) gold,filver, preciousflout, wood, bay, Rubble, every mans worke !ball be made manifef,for the day (halldeclare it, becaufe it ¡ball Them probantur be revealed by fire, and the fire /hall try every mans werke ofwhat -toti infumttm fort it is. Ifany mans werke abide whichhe loath built thereupon, abtunt. he (hallreceive areward ;ifanymans worke fhaKbe burnt, he /ball finer lofs, &c. The wood, hay, f ttbble,!hall be burnt, but the gold, filver, precious (lanes, will abide the tryall of fire. Whether it be the fire ofperfecution, tribulation, and temptation (nothing but holy truth can abide thefe fires) or the fire of the holy Spirit (who in Scripture is often compared to fire, and) who together with the light of the Word revealeth the foundnes or falfenes of all dodrines delivered by men,& like fire confumes what is falfe, but gives a further brightnes & lutire to the truth. Even truth un- tryed may be counted droffe, but being tryed it comes forth like gold. Now, as the truth ofdoétrines, fo the truth ofperlons, in their worker and graces will abide when they come to the Teít or tryall ;God who puts away all the wicked of the earth as droffe, will gather up all the godlyof the earth as Gold, when he bath tryed them, and try them he will. We read ('Dan.7.9, io) how dreadfully God comes to Judgement;I beheld till the thrones were calf downe, and the ancient of dayes did fit ; bis Throne was like the fiery f ame, andbis wheeler uburning fare ; a fieryfireame :Peed and cameforthfrom before him, the judgement was fee, and the books were opened. Which whether it be meant oldie lau Judge- tnent,or of fome fpeciall Judgement upon a particular Rate or op- prefling
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=