It is the property of this Faith to adhere to Christ, even when it cannot see him, nor apprehend one jot of love from him, when he hideth his face from the soul, and speaks bitter things, and doth bitter things unto the soul, Behold (saith Job) I go forward, but he is not there;1 and backward, but I cannot perceive him, on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him. He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him. He writeth bitter things against me, 2and maketh me possess the iniquities of my youth; He putteth my feet in the stocks, &c. But concludes. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. When God hid his face from Job, and he could neither apprehend his love, in his Providences, nor in his Promises, yet he adhered to him still. This the Scripture calls for, Isa. 50.10. Therefore it follows, that this a true believer in some measure doth: It is the property of a true believer to adhere to Christ as Asahel adhered to Abner, 3and Elisha to Elijah; Asahel would ⟨p. 13⟩not turn aside from Abner, though he dyed by his hand: Elisha would not leave Elijah what ever became of him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy Soul liveth, I will not leave thee, said Elisha to Elijah; and so saith a true believer to Christ; Take from me what thou wilt; do with me what thou wilt, I will not leave thee, I will cleave unto thee still; though I cannot see thee, I will trust in thee, I will dye in thine arms.
It is the property of this Faith to adhere to Christ, even when it cannot see him, nor apprehend one jot of love from him, when he hideth his face from the soul, and speaks bitter things, and doth bitter things unto the soul, Behold (saith Job) I go forward, but he is not there;1 and backward, but I cannot perceive him, on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him. He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him. He writeth bitter things against me, 2and maketh me possess the iniquities of my youth; He putteth my feet in the stocks, &c. But concludes. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. When God hid his face from Iob, and he could neither apprehend his love, in his Providences, nor in his Promises, yet he adhered to him still. This the Scripture cals for, Isa. 50.10. Therefore it follows, that this a true believer in some measure doth: It is the property of a true believer to adhere to Christ as Asahel adhered to Abner, 3and Elisha to Elijah; Asahel would ⟨p. 13⟩not turn aside from Abner, though he dyed by his hand: Elisha would not leave Elijah what ever became of him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy Soul liveth, I will not leave thee, said Elisha to Elijah; and so saith a true believer to Christ; Take from me what thou wilt; do with me what thou wilt, I will not leave thee, I will cleave unto thee still; though I cannot see thee, I will trust in thee, I will dye in thine arms.
- 1Job 23.8, 9.
- 2Job 13.•6, 27. ver. 15.
- 32 Sam 2. 2 Kin. 2.4.
