A35439:1531
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…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of the book of Job being the sum of thirty two lectures, delivered at Magnus near the bridge, London / by Joseph Caryl ...An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of the book of Job being the summe of thirty two lectures, delivered at Magnus neer the bridge, London / by Joseph Caryl ...
London: printed by A. Miller for Henry Overton, 1647
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
As he laughs at wicked men in earnest, and hath them in derision: So he puts out an appearance of derision in what he doth to his own people.
Secondly, To see good men tried is a delight unto God.
Laughter is an expression of our inward content and joy. Though the word of the text is scarce used for laughter in a good sense, yet here it may. The Prophecy saith of Christ (Isa. 53.10.) It pleased the Lord to bruise him; God the father was delighted to bruise his Son, not that he delighted in afflicting or striking him, he was tender and dear to him, as the apple of his eye. But with respect to the issue and fruit of it, the Lord was pleased; His father laughed to see him cast down and suffering, whom he fore-saw conquering and triumphing: So it is here. A man delights to see wrestlers show their strength, as also to behold men striving for masteries in fencing or running a race, which are but trials of activity, and contendings for honours. Thus when the Lord bringeth his innocent servants into affliction, he doth but bring them to a wrestling, to a running or a fencing, to see how they can make use of their hands and legs, how they can make use of their spiritual armour, how they can wield the sword of the Spirit, how they can defend themselves with the shield of faith, how they can bear a knock upon the helmet of salvation, how they can walk upon thorns and sharp stones, himself having before shod their feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. This is the spectacle which God delighteth in and laughs at, and it is a glorious spectacle. The Roman triumphs were but childish plays to these of the Saints, called out and clad with the armour of righteousness, which makes them more then Conquerors, over tribulations and distress, over persecution, famine, nakedness, peril and the sword, yea over principalities and powers, over things present and to come; The Saints in their trial conquer not only all present evils, but all that are possible.