An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

Thirdly, I may answer it thus, Though the Lord multiply wounds without cause; yet he doth it without wrong to the wounded, because he wounds with an intent to heal, and takes away with a purpose to give more; as in the present case, God made Job an amends for all the wounds, whether of his body or goods, good name or spirit. Now, though it be a truth in respect of man, that we may not break another's head, and say we vvill give him a plaster, or take away from a man his possession, and say we vvill give it him again, yet God may. Man must not be so bold with man, because he hath no right to take away and wound, nor is he sure that he can restore and heal; but it is no boldness, but a due right in God to do thus, for he as Lord hath power to take away, and ability to restore. And he restores sometimes in temporals, as to Job, but always to his people in spirituals and eternals. Hence the Apostle argueth (2 Cor. 4.17.) Our light afflictions which are but for a moment, work for us an eternal weight of glory. Afflictions work glory for us, not in a way of meriting glory, but in a tendency to the receiving of glory, and in preparations for it. There is no wrong in those losses by which we are made gainers: Those losses being sent that we may gain, and the sender of the loss being able effectually to make us gainers.

Thirdly, I may answer it thus, Though the Lord multiply wounds without cause; yet he doth it without wrong to the wounded, because he wounds with an intent to heal, and takes away with a purpose to give more; as in the present case, God made Iob an amends for all the wounds, whether of his body or goods, good name or spirit. Now, though it be a truth in respect of man, that we may not break anothers head, and say vve vvill give him a plaister, or take away from a man his possession, and say vve vvill give it him again, yet God may. Man must not be so bold vvith man, because he hath no right to take away and vvound, nor is he sure that he can restore and heal; but it is no boldnesse, but a due right in God to doe thus, for he as Lord hath power to take away, and ability to restore. And he restores sometimes in temporals, as to Iob, but alwaies to his people in spirituals and eternals. Hence the Apostle argueth (2 Cor. 4.17.) Our light afflictions which are but for a moment, work for us an eternall weight of glory. Afflictions vvork glory for us, not in a vvay of meriting glory, but in a tendency to the receiving of glory, and in preparations for it. There is no wrong in those losses by which we are made gainers: Those losses being sent that we may gain, and the sender of the losse being able effectually to make us gainers.