43o Chap. 29. an Expofrtion upon the Bookof J o B. Verf. 2: lob fovifibly that he had not fo much as a fcratch with a pin any enemy or danger,; but when all was tore from him to his skin, when his very skin and flefh, and which is yet more, his foul and fpiric were all betorn, whenhe was foresand boylcs and wounds all over, in that cafe all bis discernable prefervation was gone he had no arm offlefh, to defendhim ; yet then his invifible pre- fervation was not gone , The everlafting arms were under him, but thofe arms not being seen he looked upon himfelf as if out of the armsof God,as if not at all preferved ; and therefore deft- red the returnof fuch comforts as he had in thofe days when god (vifibly) prefervedhim. HenceNote ; Firfl, tfriansprefervation u ofGod. He condefcends to the daily care and over-light ofhis people° As he is our Creator, foour preferver. He gave us our being, an d he maintains us in ir. He is not like the Architect} that builds a houfe, and leaves ir,never looking after'ir more,Iet it rots or ruine if it will : nor like the Shipwright who builds a (lately veffel, and then lets it go to the wide Sea and da(h againfl Rocks, or be fwallowed with finds for all him. God deals not thus withus, eitherrin regard of our bodies,or ofour foules; when he hash built usup a fpiritual boufe,he !eavel usnot to the winds,and fands,and Rocks, but he looks to us and repairs us, and proteus us inour graces, and in our comforts. As we owe our effeuual vocation into aflate ofgrace, foour abiding and continuance in it unto him. He confirms as to theend (a Cor. s . 8.) As he calls usout of fin to holìnefs, fo hekeeps us from fin in holiness. He is the .tfu- thsr of ourfaith, by vocation,and thefinisher ofit, byprefervation (Hob. r2. r.) We arekept (:s witba Garifon, oras in a Cari- fon'd Cìty) by thepower of Çed, through faith unto falvation ( ' Pet. I. y.) He preferves us, fir(l, from temptation ; fecondly, in temptation. Again, he prefervs forge, frrfl, by affliuion, A hedgeofthorns keeps them from wandring in forbiddenparhs(Hof. 2.6.) Many are preserved inbrine from corrupting. Secondly,he preferves others as we doe ripe fruits, in fugar, from corrupting ; Thepeaceof God which paffeth all atnderflanding, keeps their hearts andminds through Cbrifl 3Ors (Phil,4 7,)Thirdly, he preferves us as befieged Citiesare,by fortifying us,aad putting in fre(h fup. plies
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