A35535:1579
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.
First, As implying the mans ignorance of that uprightness which he hath; or that he hath an uprightness, but doth not know nor understand that he hath it. 'Tis so sometimes with the sound godly man, as well as with the sick, when (though in bodily health, yet) he is discomposed and troubled in mind; For then though he hath an uprightness of heart, an integrity towards God, or (as Job speaks of himself) the root of the matter in him; that is, though he be truly converted and really godly, yet he seeth it not, such temptations of Satan and troubles of mind assault him, such clouds of doubt, and darkness are upon him, that he is not able to make out his own state. In this case the faithful messenger or interpreter coming to him, and inquiring how it is with him, picks out this from him, that there is an uprightness, and an integrity of heart in him towards God, and that his state is good, though he cannot discern it. For as the life and state of grace, is always a secret to those who have it not; so 'tis often a secret to those that have it. Some men, never, few men always understand their own condition, and 'tis very hard to make them understand it. For as it is with many hypocrites, and with all presumptuous ones, you cannot beat them out of a good opinion of themselves; though they are stark naught, rotten at heart, and have nothing to salve themselves up with, but a little boldness and confidence, yet they will not be persuaded off from their false foundations, and deceitful bottoms; they will be good in their own eyes, upright in their own opinion, and do not doubt but all's well with them, and will be well with them always. Now, I say, as it is with some hypocrites, and all presumptuous ones, they think themselves to have an uprightness which they have not; so many are upright and sincere, who see it not, and 'tis a very hard work, the hardest work that the Ministers of the Gospel have to make them understand and see their own uprightness.
First, As implying the mans ignorance of that uprightness which he hath; or that he hath an uprightness, but doth not know nor understand that he hath it. 'Tis so sometimes with the sound godly man, as well as with the sicke, when (though in bodyly health, yet) he is discomposed and troubled in mind; For then though he hath an uprightness of heart, an integrity towards God, or (as Job speakes of himselfe) the root of the matter in him; that is, though he be truely converted and really godly, yet he seeth it not, such temptations of Satan and troubles of mind assault him, such clouds of doubt, and darkness are upon him, that he is not able to make out his owne state. In this case the faithfull messenger or interpreter coming to him, and inquiring how it is with him, picks out this from him, that there is an uprightness, and an integrity of heart in him towards God, and that his state is good, though he cannot discerne it. For as the life and state of grace, is alwayes a secret to those who have it not; so 'tis often a secret to those that have it. Some men, never, few men alwayes understand their own condition, and 'tis very hard to make them understand it. For as it is with many hypocrites, and with all presumptuous ones, you cannot beat them out of a good opinion of themselves; though they are stark naught, rotten at heart, and have nothing to salve themselves up with, but a little boldness and confidence, yet they will not be perswaded off from their false foundations, and deceitfull bottoms; they will be good in their owne eyes, upright in their owne opinion, and doe not doubt but all's well with them, and will be well with them alwayes. Now, I say, as it is with some hypocrites, and all presumptuous ones, they thinke themselves to have an uprightness which they have not; so many are upright and sincere, who see it not, and 'tis a very hard worke, the hardest worke that the Ministers of the Gospel have to make them understand and see their owne uprightness.