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…

But is it lawful to put such queries, or to desire such resolutions from the Lord? Ought not Job to have prayed for wisdom• how to bear his cross, rather then have asked knowledge, why it was laid upon him?

But is it lawfull to put such queries, or to desire such resolutions from the Lord? Ought not Job to have praied for wisdom• how to bear his crosse, rather then have asked knowledge, why it was laid upon him?

Job desired a reason: First, Not to satisfy his curiosity, but his conscience; not that he would be prying into Gods secrets, or unlocking the cabinet of his counsel to see what was there; but that the secrets of his own heart might be opened, and a discovery made to him of what was hid there. He desired a reason, not doubting the justice of goodness of God, but as suspecting some evil in himself, as yet unseen.

Job desired a reason: First, Not to satisfie his curiosity, but his conscience; not that he would be prying into Gods secrets, or unlocking the cabinet of his counsel to see what was there; but that the secrets of his own heart might be opened, and a discovery made to him of what was hid there. He desired a reason, not doubting the justice of goodnesse of God, but as suspecting some evil in himself, as yet unseen.

Or, secondly, He desired a reason, not so much to satisfy himself, as that the world might be satisfied; that they who judged and condemned him, as an hypocrite, might have their rash judgement confuted and answered by a determination from heaven. As if he had further said, Lord, if thou wouldest but show me this thing, it would either stop the mouths of those, who have been so forward to censure me; or stop my mouth from any further complainings to thee: I cannot rescue my self out of thy hand, nor dare I accuse thy wisdom, in laying thy hand upon me. But, Lord, deal not with me by the strict rule of thy sovereignty, which is to act above all rules, and to do what thou wilt, because thou wil, without giving a reason to thy creature. I cannot charge thee with injustice, if thou shouldst resolve to keep me still unresolved I know thou art not obliged to give me an account of any of thy matters; but Lord, condescend so far to dust and ashes, Show me wherefore thou contendest with me. If it be for sin, a sight of that (through thy grace) will humble me for it, and cause me to return to thee from it. If it be for trial, I shall undergo it with more patience, and my friends will behold me under it with more charity. Let all or some of these considerations prevail with thy majesty, to open this secret to me, and expound the mystere of my afflictions, Show me wherefore thou contendest with me.