An exposition with practical observations upon the three first chapters of the book of…

Wherefore? We are apt to think there is no reason for that, for which we can see no reason. Job was in a dark condition, and could not see the reason, and therefore almost concludes there was none. When we are posed, we think all the world is posed too. If we cannot interpret and expound the dealings of God, we think none can, nay, in such cases, some are ready to think (at least to speak as if they thought) that God himself can scarce give a good account of them; This wherefore goes through the earth, and reaches Heaven. Tell me O my friends, show me O my God, Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery?

Wherefore? We are apt to thinke there is no reason for that, for which we can see no reason. Job was in a darke condition, and could not see the reason, and therefore almost concludes there was none. When we are posed, we thinke all the world is posed too. If we cannot interpret and expound the dealings of God, we thinke none can, nay, in such cases, some are ready to thinke (at least to speake as if they thought) that God himselfe can scarce give a good account of them; This wherefore goes through the earth, and reaches Heaven. Tell me O my friends, shew me O my God, Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery?

Why Job, there may be many reasons, many answers given to this, wherefore a man should be in light, though he be in misery: and why his life should be continued, though his soul be in bitterness. What if God should appear and tell thee, It shall be thus▪ and the reason of it is, because I will have it so; Is not that therefore answer enough, to any mans wherefore? The will of God is reason enough for man, and ought to be the most satisfying reason; If God say I will have life remain in a man, that is bitter in soul, that man should say, Lord it is reason I should, because it is thy pleasure, though it be to my own trouble. Yet it is but seldom that God makes his will his reason, and answers by his bare prerogative: He hath often given weighty reasons to this query. First, The life of nature is continued, that the life of grace may be increased. Again, Such live in sufferings, That they may learn obedience by the things which they suffer. God teaches us by his works, as well as by his word, his dealings speak to us: And, It is as great an act of holiness to submit our selves to the will of God in his works, as it is to the will of God in his word: Another reason of this wherefore, may be this, God sets up some as patterns to posterity, he therefore gives the light of life to some that are in misery, to show that it is no new, nor strange thing for his Saints to be darkness: And what if God doth it to magnify the strength of his own power in supporting, and the sweetness of his mercy when he delivers, such bitter souls. Further observe, first, That