A35535:1173
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and the thirty fourth chapters of the book of Job being the substance of forty-nine lectures / delivered at Magnus near the Bridge, London, by Joseph Caryl ...An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and the thirty fourth chapters of the booke of Job being the substance of forty-nine lectures / delivered at Magnus neare the Bridge, London, by Joseph Caryl ...
London: printed by M. Simmons, 1661
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, this may proceed from their negligence and slothfulness; good men are not always careful as they should, much less critical and wisely curious to observe every providence of God, and to consider why or for what end such or such a word is sent to them. As carnal men thrust the word from them, so godly men fail much at all times, and at some times wholly neglect to lay the word to heart. They do not compare themselves, that is, their lives and consciences; their thoughts and ways with the word, and then no wonder if they perceive not what is spoken to them. Even a Job may be hindered by his own indulgence from perceiving what God saith unto him. The Prophet complained of the people of God for not striving to take hold of him. (Isa. 64.7.) There is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee. And may we not complain that few stir up themselves either to take hold of the word of God, or that the word may take hold of them? Paul exhorted Timothy (2 Tim. 1.6.) to stir up the Gift of God that was in him. They that have received both gifts and grace may be much wanting to themselves ⟨p. 278⟩in stirring them up. Though we deny mans natural power, yet persons converted have a spiritual power, which they often neglect to stir up. When the servants of Benhadad (1 Kings 20.32, 33.) came to Ahab upon that message to beg his life, it is said, The men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him that they might take hold of, and urge it in favour of their Master; and as soon as Ahab had dropped that word, he is my Brother, as soon as they had that word, they did hastily catch it and applied it for their present purpose. So they that are godly should observe what is spoken unto them, what corruption is smitten by the word or by the rod of God, and as soon as ever such a word is spoken, they should take it up and apply it to themselves.
Secondly, this may proceed from their negligence and slothfullnesse; good men are not alwayes carefull as they should, much lesse criticall and wisely curious to observe every providence of God, and to consider why or for what end such or such a word is sent to them. As carnall men thrust the word from them, so godly men faile much at all times, and at some times wholly neglect to lay the word to heart. They doe not compare themselves, that is, their lives and consciences; their thoughts and wayes with the word, and then no wonder if they perceive not what is spoken to them. Even a Job may be hindred by his own indulgence from perceiving what God saith unto him. The Prophet complained of the people of God for not striving to take hold of him. (