Caryl - Houston-Packer Collection BS1415 .C37 v8

Gñap, z9. fIz Expvition uliQnrbe $o);¿of j o B. Verf. 24. 616 More unbecoming a Godly man then to laugh at the judgments of God, as fighting them. Nor is any thing more comely and honorable fo: a godly man then to laughat themw a confidence upon the promife of God to be delivered from or proceded and provided foe in chem. He that can laugh in a well grounded at%a- rance that God will take care of him and do him good in the mida of loch evills,is a beleiver indeed.To know and he fencible of the dread ulnefs of Gods hand in fuch terrible dì-pensions in fuch.an evil day, and yet co know that God will not s dread nor a terror to us in that evil day (as Jeremiahprayed the Lord would not be to him (Pron. 17, 17.) is to live by faith to pur- pole. Thirdly, There is a gracious laughter , of, thankfulnefs after deliverance received, or upon t be receiving of any mercy. And They who have laughed in a confidence that they fhould be deli- vered or receive any (pedal mercy before it came, will certainly laugh in thankfullnefs when any deliverance or mercy is come. The Church bethinking her felt how the Lord had even furpri- .zed them with awonderful return out of bondage, could not contain from laughing (Pfal. ash. I, a.) When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, wewere like them that dream ; theta wa ,. rm5 >rh filledwith laughter, and our tongue withfenging. They who ::an laugh upon any of chete terms,may laugh as much as they will;while faith in the promife that we (hall receive good. and trufl that we (hall be delivered from evil, or chankfulnefs to.°od whenwe are delivercd,fec us a laughing,our laughter is as much our duty, as it is our refrething. The wicked mans heart is orrowful in laughter (Prov. 14. 13.) A godly mans heart fhould (laugh in forrow, how much more upon all true occatiions of joy. Godly furrow is better then carnal laughter, for by the fadneffe (fuch fadnefs) of the countenance the her is made better ( Eccld 7.3.) But fpiritual laughter is better then godly forrow, for by that chearfulnefs of the countenance the hea: t is made not only better but bell of all. The laughter offooles is like the crackling o f thorns under a pot (Eccl. 7.6.) It makes a noife,btit is apcer to burn then to warme chofe that are near it, &'ris loon extiad.But the laughter of the wife is like well-tuned mufick at the Table, which doch at once glad and compofe the minds of chofe that hear it. Some have put a difgrace upon the fpiric and wayes of Kkkk God

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