T H E A R M 0 F G 0 D. Book II. . M ET A PH 0 R. lV. The Arm is a very ufeful and ready Thing to take hold of, and ro bear fuch up that are weak and feeble. We commonly fay, to fuch efpecially whom we dearly love, Take hold, and lean upon my Arm. V. The Body hath, and needs two A rms, and cannot by any Means fpare either of them. VI. The Arm is not only ready f6r Defence, but alfo ro offend thofe Enemies, that would deftroy ~nd ruin the Body. <Thou ho.fl fmitttn all mine Enemies Ungodly, Pfal. iii. 7· VII. With our Arms we em– brace our Friends, and thofe we dearly love. Thus Laban embrac– ed Jacob, Gen. xxix. 13. and ]a– cob his Sons, before he died, Gen. xlviii. 13· It is a Sign our Wrath is pacified ro thofe that have of– fended us; tln.s Efau embraced Jacob at their Meeting, Gen. xxxiii. 4· VJII. The Arms of a mighty Man are faid to be mighty ftron g. Sampjo;z broke the two Cords where– with he was bound, the Cords that were upon his Arms became as Flax ; and by the Strength of his Arm, with the Jaw.bone of an Afs, he llew a thoufand Men,Judg. xv. I 3, 14, 16. and afterwards overthrew the Houfe where the Lords of the Pbiliftines were, Judg. xvi. 30. IX. In our Arms we carry our weak and young Children, if they cannot go; we that Way lhew our Care and Bowels of Compaffion towards them. X. The Arm or Hand is the In– ftrument of Action and Adminif– tration, it is that by which all our Works are performed; without Arms we can do nothing. There is a Neceffity of Arms, to get our Bread, and afterwards to feed our Mouths, &c. XI. A Man ufually firetches out his Arms, when he calls a Child to him that hath been rebel– lious, whom he iswilling to pardon. PAR ALL EL. IV. God's Power is ufeful and ready, to bear up and fupport all fincere, though weak and fee– ble Saints; nay, there is none can go alone, walk and not ftumble, unlefs God takes hold of them, Pfal. xxxvii. 23. He led them (it is faid) by the Right-hand of Mofes, with his glorious Arm, !fa. lxtii. 12. V. We read not only of the Arm, but Arms of God : Underneath ar. the ever/afting Arms, Deut. xxxiii. 27. There is the Arm of his Mercy, as weli as the Arm of his Power ; and the Church can by no Means fpare either of thefe Arms of God. VI. The Arm of the Moft High is not only for Defence and Protection to the Church, but alfo to offend and defiroy her implacable Ene– mies : He Jhall thruft out the Enemy from before thee, andjhallfa;•, Deflroy them, Deut. xxxiii. 27. on the Cbuk-bone, and hP.jl broken the Teeth of the VII. God in his Arms of Grace and Mercy, embraces all thofe that fubmit themfdves unto him in an homble and fil)cere Manner; and by this lhews that his Wrath is appeafed. And Chrift is faid to embrace the Spoufe: His Left-hand is under my Head, and his Right-band doth embrace me, Cant. ii. 6. As the H eart lignifieth inward Love; fo the Arm of Chrifi fignifieth the Mani– .feflation of that Love, faith a reverend Author.* VIII. God is mighty in Power, who hath an Arm like the Arm of Gorl ? Job xl. 9· Who knoweth the Power of his Anger, Pfal. xc. I'· or who can lhew the Strength of his Love? Eph. iii. I9· There is nothing too hard for the Arm of God to do; nay, nothing is hard to him. With his Arms he will deliver his People: ~ownArm brought Salvation, lfa. lxiii. 5· With the Strength of his Arm he will dalh the Wicked in Pieces, and overthrow the Strong-holds of Babylon : I the Lord have jpoken it, and I will do it, Ezek. xxxvi. 36. IX. The Lord manifefieth his Bowels ofCom– pa!Iion and tender Care over his poor, young, and weak Children, by carrying them in his Arms: He jhallfeed his Flock like a Shepherd; hejhallgather the Lambs with his Arms, and carry them in his Bofom, !fa. xl. n. X. Without God we can do nothing, John xv. 5· he it is that works and labors for the Good of his Church: Lord thou haft ordained Peace for us; for thou alfo haft wrought all our Works in us, Ifa. xxvi. 12. He provides us Bread, and then feeds us alfo : Open thy Mouth wide, and I 'Will fill it, Pfal. lxxxi. 10. XI. GdJ is faid to firetch forrh'his Arms, when he calls upon rebellious Sinners', !hewing how willing he is, upon their Repentance, to pardon and forgtve them, Jfa. lxv. -2. 8 .Ai11jwrJrJb. DISPARITY.
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