A35535:66
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.
1When we see it is in vain to persuade, we give over persuading, Despair of working our end, puts an end to our working. Industry is at a stand, yea withdraweth when impossibilities appear. And though nothing be impossible unto God, yet we find God himself giving over both speaking and smiting when he seeth he is like to do no good by either. Thus he expresseth his purpose (Isa. 1.5.) when he had spent many rods of sore Judgements & afflictions upon that people, when he had stricken them till, from the crown of the head, to the sole of the feet, they were nothing but a continued wound, and yet they received not correction; he presently reasons thus, Why should ye be stricken any more, ye will revolt more and more. As if he had said, The end why I smote you was to amend you, to bring you home to my self, to cause you to turn back, or return from your evil ways, but I see I have lost my labour, and spent not only my rods but my scorpions in vain upon you, therefore I will cease from this kind of work, why should ye be stricken any more, ye will revolt more and more. ⟨p. 7⟩And when God hath spoken long to a people who regard it not, he ceaseth to speak any more, but saith, Why should ye be taught any more? Let the Prophets tongue cleave to the roof of his mouth, let him be dumb and silent, as the word is (Ezek. 3.26.) Thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be a reprover (why) for they are a rebellious house. After all thy speaking, they continue rebelling, therefore speak no more. We read the like dreadful prohibition (Hos: 4.4.) Let no man strive nor reprove another (let all ways of reclaiming this people be laid aside) For thy people are as they that strive with the Priest; That is, they are obdurate and desperately engaged in wickedness (Hos: 4.17.) Ephraim is joined to Idols (he cleaveth and sticketh fast to them, he will not be pulled from his own inventions) Let him alone. Thus God saith to his Prophets and Ministers, cease, he saith to his Ordinances, cease, when sinners will not cease to sin and do wickedly against the Lord. The same unprofitable and incorrigible people are threatened in the same manner by another Prophet (Amos 8.9.) It shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the Sun to go down at noon. And (ver. 11.) I will send a famine in the Land, not a famine of bread, but of hearing the words of the Lord.