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…

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 ⟨p. 565⟩medium, might well complain to God, upon the renewal of every days affliction; Thou renewest thy witnesses against me.

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 ungodlinesse hath been acted by them. How many precious men have been cast upon this evidence, for traitors and rebels against God. Iobs friends took this for proof enough that he was wicked. They could not be perswaded 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 Iobs friends concerning him, What need have vve of further vvitnesse? Behold vve have seen his misery. What do these losses in his estate, and ruines 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 profanenesse of his spirit, and the hypocrisie of his former profession. Iob perceiving his friends making use all along of this proof, as of their chiefest and strongest ⟨p. 565⟩medium, might well complain to God, upon the renewall of every daies affliction; Thou renewest thy witnesses against me.