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…

Fifthly, Afflictions witness two things concerning God: First, That he hath an eye upon us, and care of us. He will not let us want any thing that is needful for us, no not affliction. Due chastisement given a child, is an argument that his father loveth him, and looks to him. Secondly, They are witnesses of Gods fatherly displeasure. Some say, God cannot be displeased with his children, because his love is everlasting. But will any man say, A father doth not love his child, because he corrects him? yet a father never correcteth his child, but when he is displeased with him: Parents may not strike unprovoked, and 'tis rare that God doth so. A man may be much displeased with, and much love the same person at the same time, and 'tis very usual for God to do so. Afflictions never testify any the least hatred of God against his people, but they often testify some, and sometimes great displeasure, against his people.

Fifthly, Afflictions witnesse two things concerning God: First, That he hath an eye upon us, and care of us. He will not let us want any thing that is needfull for us, no not affliction. Due chastisement given a childe, is an argument that his father loveth him, and looks to him. Secondly, They are witnesses of Gods fatherly displeasure. Some say, God cannot be displeased with his children, because his love is everlasting. But will any man say, A father doth not love his childe, because he corrects him? yet a father never correcteth his childe, but when he is displeased with him: Parents may not strike unprovoked, and 'tis rare that God doth so. A man may be much displeased with, and much love the same person at the same time, and 'tis very usuall for God to do so. Afflictions never testifie any the least hatred of God against his people, but they often testifie some, and sometimes great displeasure, against his people.

Lastly, Afflictions upon the godly are reckoned very sufficient, and credible witnesses by the world, that either they are not godly, or that surely some great ungodliness hath been acted by them. How many precious men have been cast upon this evidence, for traitors and rebels against God. Jobs friends took this for proof enough that he was wicked. They could not be persuaded he was good, because he endured so many evils. As the high Priest cried out against Christ, what further need have we of witnesses? behold now ye have heard his blasphemy, so said Jobs friends concerning him, What need have we of further witness? Behold we have seen his misery. What do these losses in his estate, and ruins upon his family? What do these sores upon his body, and sorrows in his soul, but publish unto us (what he hath kept close and concealed) the profaneness of his spirit, and the hypocrisy of his former profession. Job perceiving his friends making use all along of this proof, as of their chiefest and strongest