A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…

Use 1. To stir up all such who have any of their friends thus exercised, to pity and compassionate them; Is it nothing to you that pass by, that Gods hand lies so sore on him? to him that is afflicted, pity should be shown by his friends; but they forsake the fear of the Almighty, Job 6.14. Even as some Sea-men at their first voyage, they can pity those that are Sea sick and tossed, but afterward they grow senseless: so when Christians first launch out themselves into this troublesome condition, they could have pitied others in the like case; but through custom men forsake the fear of the Almighty: for though commonly these fears be safe, yet they may end in despair, ⟨p. 326⟩and therefore pity should be showed them, Job never cried out for help in the loss of his children or estate, but when Gods hand touched his soul, then he called upon all that feared God to pity him; and indeed God is very sensible of all such as compassionate them; why, if ever God send them comfort he will restore comfort likewise to their mourners, Isa. 57.78. for those torments are not always safe, except you find then mixed with some spark of faith and love, but however, God looks, that if he be angry, we should fear.

Ʋse 1. To stir up all such who have any of their friends thus exercised, to pity and compassionate them; Is it nothing to you that passe by, that Gods hand lies so sore on him? to him that is afflicted, pity should be shewn by his friends; but they forsake the fear of the Almighty, Job 6.14. Even as some Sea-men at their first voyage, they can pity those that are Sea sick and tost, but afterward they grow sencelesse: so when Christians first lanch out themselves into this troublesome condition, they could have pityed others in the like case; but through custome men forsake the fear of the Almighty: for though commonly these fears be safe, yet they may end in despair, ⟨p. 326⟩and therefore pity should be shewed them, Job never cryed out for help in the losse of his children or estate, but when Gods hand touched his soul, then he called upon all that feared God to pity him; and indeed God is very sensible of all such as compassionate them; why, if ever God send them comfort he will restore comfort likewise to their mourners, Isa. 57.78. for those torments are not alwayes safe, except you finde then mixt with some spark of faith and love, but however, God looks, that if he be angry, we should fear.