C 5J5 1 SERMON IV. job. x. 2,Shewme wherefore thou contendest with me. .AFTER general observations raised from these words, you may remember the last doctrine from the latter part of the verse was this, It is God alone that by his Spirit can effectually dis- cover to us the sin for ,which he contends with us ; and therefore Jobdesires that Godwould shew himwhy hecon- tendswith him. We first mentioned the common methods that God uses to discover sin to us under affliction. 1. His word written or preached. 2. The admonitions of a friend. 3. The reproaches of an enemy. 4. By Gods providence :but all these of themselves, if the Spirit withhold or deny his presence, are ineffectual to . convince us. , The second general head therefore was, to give some reasons why the Spirit alone can do the work. ;1. Because the sin sometimes lies deep in the heart and very secret, and it is only the Spirit that can search to the bottom of the soul. 2. It is often a be- loved sin that God contends with us for, therefore we are unwilling to have it discovered, and none can do it powerfullybut the Spirit of God. For, 3. We are ready to conceal sin from all other methods of conviction, and to think the word of God may be misapplied, our case maybe mistaken, we are ready to think the providence of God speaks no such thing, but the Spirit alone can set it home. 4. Because it is the particular office of the Spirit to convince us of sin, and he will not give his office to any creature. The third general head which we proceed to is, To shew how and inwhat manner the Spirit effectually convinces. 1. The Spirit gives us a clear, plain, and evident dis- covery of sin ; the providences of God may seem to be but dumb language, and it is by silent signs they point out sin to us ; the voice of the preacher may be confused stud not understood, and the word of God, - when it is ct
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