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…

When Job puts the question, Is it good unto thee to despise the work of thy hands? he alludes to artificers,¹ who having made an excellent piece, will not destroy or break it in pieces, no, they are very tender of their work, yea, they are apt to boast and grow proud of it. The instinct of nature teaches us to love, not only that which is our own by natural production, but that also which is our own by artificial conception or operation. Indeed if a man make a mean, or an unworthy piece, he despises it; such work discommends the workman, and he will break or burn it, rather then let it be made public to the publishing of his own weakness or unskilfulness. Man was the master-piece of the whole visible Creation. Man was made (not as other creatures) to have a being only, but that he might be in the likeness of God, ²and bear his image. The Lord needs not be ashamed of, neither doth he despise any part of his work, much less this, which is the best and noblest part of his work. Hence observe in general,

When Job puts the question, Is it good unto thee to despise the work of thy hands? he alludes to artificers,¹ who having made an excellent piece, will not destroy or break it in pieces, no, they are very tender of their work, yea, they are apt to boast and grow proud of it. The instinct of nature teaches us to love, not only that which is our own by naturall production, but that also which is our own by artificiall conception or operation. Indeed if a man make a mean, or an unworthy piece, he despises it; such work discommends the workman, and he will break or burn it, rather then let it be made publike to the publishing of his own weaknesse or unskilfulnesse. Man was the master-piece of the whole visible Creation. Man was made (not as other creatures) to have a being only, but that he might be in the likenesse of God, ²and bear his image. The Lord needs not be ashamed of, neither doth he despise any part of his work, much lesse this, which is the best and noblest part of his work. Hence observe in generall,

1. 1