-4z8 Chap. 29. An Expofition upon the Book of J o Verf. "2. kept me and all mine, from invading evils. The fame word isufed in the 7 h Chapter of this book at the 2orh verfe,as alto Cbap,to, v. 14. in all which it (hews the providential care of God for andover his people and fervants,both in reference to their per- focal fafety, and the fafety of their families, of their dwellings, goods, cattle, and affairs. Satan took envious notice of Gods pre- ferving mercy towards Job, yea he could no but complain of it (Chap. 1. i o.) Haft than not made an hedge about him, anda- bout his houfe, and aboutall that he bath on every fide ? Thou hail bleffed the work of his hands, and his fubftaace is increafed in the land ; thou haft fecured, fhettered, and feted him from danger, as if he were thy darling, thy de light. Now as Satan was very en- vious ar, fo Job himfelf was very fenfible of this former kìndnefs of God, and therefore he faith, O that it were with me as in the days when Godpreferved me, as in the days when the Devil could not touch me without leave obtained. But it may be asked, did not God preferve yob at that time, and all along in the dayes of his -1 Ction ? had God taken away or laid afide hiscare of him, and left him to the wide world to fhift for himïelf, to fink or fwim ? or if God did then preferve him , how can Job be blamelefs, in this intimation that he did not ? I anfwer, Fi<r(t, yob fpeakesaccording ro tht common opinion of men, who eafily grant that God preserves a man .vben he is free from trouble, and no evil comes neér him to greive nim but when once they fee him fall into the hand,and uncle, the pref- fure of anyevil,rhen are they ready to fay,yes conclude God do. h not preferve him ; inch is the vulgar untie' fl;,nding and judge- ment of man concerning the providences of God. They ka;ce believe there is a prefervation in trouble as well as from trouble; or that God is gracioufly prefent with tholewho fuff r g,eivnua chings.As (Mary laid to (hí ifl concerning Lazarus(Joh.t r 32.) Lord, if thou hadit been here mybrother had not dyed. Or as Gideon to the Angel (Judges 6.13.) Ohmy Lord,if the Lord be w;thus, why then ts all this befallen us ? Thus the molt of men argue upon every crofs.. accident (as they call ir) as if the forrows which prefs us, were inconfifiant with the care of God over us. Where- as indeed, his preferdaticns in trouble are greater then ehofcby which we are kept from trouble,, Secondly,.,
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