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…

First, The excellency of mans frame. He is not thrust together like a rude lump or mass of earth, but curiously wrought (Psal. 139.15.) To make a vessel of clay is an artificial work, not a natural. It requireth much pains, but more skill. Whence Job argueth, Thou hast made me as the clay; Thou hast showed thy heavenly wisdom in shaping and contriving me, as a vessel of honour for thy use, And wilt thou bring me into dust again? The remembrance of that love and care which God hath laid out upon us in our constitution, is an argument moving him to pity and compassion, as was showed at the third verse.

First, The excellency of mans frame. He is not thrust together like a rude lump or masse of earth, but curiously wrought (Psal. 139.15.) To make a vessel of clay is an artificiall work, not a naturall. It requireth much pains, but more skill. Whence Job argueth, Thou hast made me as the clay; Thou hast shewed thy heavenly wisdome in shaping and contriving me, as a vessel of honour for thy use, And wilt thou bring me into dust again? The remembrance of that love and care which God hath laid out upon us in our constitution, is an argument moving him to pity and compassion, as was shewed at the third verse.

Secondly, That God hath made us of clay, shows our utter inability to contend with God, and to stand against his strokes: It is, as if Job had said, Lord, Surely thou forgettest of what metal I am made, thou thinkest I am made of a hard rock, or of invincible Adamant, that I am compounded of iron, and other the strongest materials; Alas, Lord, there is no such matter, I am made but as the clay; A great deal of power and wisdom appeared in making me, but a little power will serve to ruin me; I am no sooner touched but cracked. Why then dost thou plant all thy Ordnance, and discharge so many volleys of shot against me? Lord, What am I? Am I a wall of brass, or a bulwark of stone? Thou knowest I am but a wall of clay, a paper wall, a potters vessel, a little moistened earth. Will any man prepare Cannon to batter a cottage, or a beetle to kill a fly? Thy providence needs not make such provision against me, or handle me so roughly: that which is weak calls for tender usage, and that which is weak may last long, if tenderly used; a glass with care will continue many ages. Deal gently with thy servant, Remember, I beseech thee, thou hast made me as the clay.