This Book of JOB bears the Image of these times, and presents us with a resemblance of the past, present, and (much hoped for) future condition of this Nation. As the personal prosperity of Job, so his troubles look like our National troubles; and why may not the parallel be made up, by a likeness in our Restoration? Job was the most flourishing, the greatest man, of all the men of the East. We are the greatest, and lately were the most flourishing Nation, of all the Nations of the North. Our Oxen (like his) were strong to labour, our Sheep brought forth thousands, and ten thousands in our streets, our garners were full, affording all manner of store; our sons (like his) as plants grown up in their youth, our daughters as corner stones polished after the similitude of a palace. There was no breaking-in nor going out, no complaining (in reference to outward wants) in our streets. We washed our steps with butter, and the rock poured us out rivers of oil. The Candle of God shined upon ⟨image 3⟩our Heads, and the secret of God was upon our Tabernacles: Our roots were spread out by the waters, and the dew (of blessings) lay all night upon our branches. Unto us the Nations gave ear and waited, & kept silence at our counsel; After our words, they spake not again, and our speech dropped upon them; If we laughed on them, they believed it not: our glory was fresh in us, and the light of our countenance they cast not down: we chose out their way, and sate chief and dwelt as a King in the army, as one that comforteth the Mourners. Surely, a happy people were we, being in such a case, yea most happy were we, having the Lord (many ways declaring himself) for our God. And had we (as these mercies did oblige us) filled up, or laboured to fill up the other part, the better part of Jobs character? Had we been a People perfect and upright, fearing God and eschewing evil? We might (according to the promised, and often experienced tenor of Gods dealing with his people) have continued and increased in all that happiness unto this day.
THis Book of JOB beares the Image of these times, and presents us with a resemblance of the past, present, and (much hoped for) future condition of this Nation. As the personall prosperity of Job, so his troubles looke like our Nationall troubles; and why may not the parallel be made up, by a likenesse in our Restauration? Job was the most flourishing, the greatest man, of all the men of the East. We are the greatest, and lately were the most flourishing Nation, of all the Nations of the North. Our Oxen (like his) were strong to labour, our Sheep brought forth thousands, and ten thousands in our streets, our garners were full, affording all manner of store; our sonnes (like his) as plants growne up in their youth, our daughters as corner stones polished after the similitude of a palace. There was no breaking-in nor going out, no complaining (in reference to outward wants) in our streets. We washed our steps with butter, and the rock powred us out rivers of oyl. The Candle of God shined upon ⟨image 3⟩our Heads, and the secret of God was upon our Tabernacles: Our roots were spread out by the waters, and the dew (of blessings) lay all night upon our branches. Unto us the Nations gave ear and waited, & kept silence at our counsel; After our words, they spake not again, and our speech dropped upon them; If we laughed on them, they believed it not: our glory was fresh in us, and the light of our countenance they cast not down: we chose out their way, and sate chief and dwelt as a King in the army, as one that comforteth the Mourners. Surely, a happy people were we, being in such a case, yea most happy were we, having the Lord (many ways declaring himselfe) for our God. And had we (as these mercies did oblige us) fill'd up, or labour'd to fill up th'other part, the better part of Jobs character? Had we beene a People perfect and upright, fearing God and eschewing evill? We might (according to the promis'd, and often experienc'd tenour of Gods dealing with his people) have continued and encreased in all that happinesse unto this day.
