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…

Man desireth his own good. A well-being, as well as a being. What is there in life for nature to prize, if there be nothing but sorrow in it?

Secondly, Observe, That great sufferings make us very modest in our demands.

Job was in great affliction, and now a little comfort would go a great way with him. When the people of Israel were in bondage under Pharaoh and his task-masters, and had heavier burdens laid upon them, they do not so much as move for a total release from their task, but modestly complain, There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick; As if they had said, Let us have straw, and we are willing to make brick. A poor man cries out for a half-penny, for a farthing, not for hundreds or thousands. He that is ready to starve will not ask good cheer, or a plentiful feast, but let me have a crust of bread, or a little water. When Dives was in hell, what did he desire of Abraham? Did he beg to come into his bosom? Doth he say, Lazarus is in a good place, let me come too? No, he desired but a drop of water, and what was a drop of water to flames of fire? O how would it delight the damned in hell to think of a cessation, but for one hour from their pain! What a joy would it be unto them, if it should be told them, that a thousand, or ten thousand years hence, they should have one good day, or that they might be let alone to take comfort a little! They who are low, make low demands. Think of this ye that enjoy much comfort, and swim in rivers of pleasure. Let not the great consolations of God be small to you, when you hear Job thus instant and importunate for the smallest, Let me alone, that I may take comfort a little.

Job was in great affliction, and now a little comfort would go a great way with him. When the people of Israel were in bondage under Pharaoh and his task-masters, and had heavier burdens laid upon them, they do not so much as move for a totall release from their task, but modestly complain, There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick; As if they had said, Let us have straw, and we are willing to make brick. A poor man cries out for a half-peny, for a farthing, not for hundreds or thousands. He that is ready to starve will not ask good chear, or a plentifull feast, but let me have a crust of bread, or a little water. When Dives was in hell, what did he desire of Abraham? Did he beg to come into his bosome? Doth he say, Lazarus is in a good place, let me come too? No, he desired but a drop of water, and what was a drop of water to flames of fire? O how would it delight the damned in hell to think of a cessation, but for one hour from their pain! What a joy would it be unto them, if it should be told them, that a thousand, or ten thousand years hence, they should have one good day, or that they might be let alone to take comfort a little! They who are low, make low demands. Think of this ye that enjoy much comfort, and swim in rivers of pleasure. Let not the great consolations of God be small to you, when you hear Job thus instant and importunate for the smallest, Let me alone, that I may take comfort a little.