An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

Hence note, Secondly, It is not in the power of man to loose what God binds.

The Lord put the question to Job about his works, that he might see his own weakness and utter inability to undo his providential workings: When God had Job in bonds, it was not in ⟨p. 144⟩his power to loose his bonds by his strength and striving. The providences of God were to him as Orion to the earth, cold and sharp, causing the frost of adversity to bind him so strongly, that he could by no means loose himself. Christ saith to his Disciples about Church-censures rightly laid, and Church-approbation duly given (Mat. 18.18.) Whatsoever ye bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. Where man binds in Gods way, God binds too; and where man looses in Gods way, God looses too; but take it either in natural or spiritual things, it is not in the power of man to bind where God looseth, nor to loose where God bindeth: Canst thou loose the bands of Orion? If God appoint cold to bind the earth, man cannot loose it; and if God will bind man with the cords and cold iron of any affliction, man cannot free himself. In the hottest natural season of the year, man may be in cold providential bands, and under them he must abide till the Lord breaks the frost and set him free. It is said of Joseph (Psal. 105.17, 18, 19.) He was sold for a servant, his feet were hurt with fetters, he was laid in iron; or, (as the Margin reads it) His soul came into iron. But how came he out? did he himself loose the bands of that Orion who cast him into prison? surely no, the Text tells us otherwise; he lay fast enough in bands, until (ver. 19.) the word of the Lord came; the word of the Lord tried him. But what was this Word of the Lord? some say, it was the word of God to Pharaoh in a dream, concerning the seven years of plenty and famine, which may be said to try Joseph, none but he could interpret it, & that may be said to unloose his bands, because it was the occasion of his deliverance and advancement. But I rather conceive the word that came, was the word of Gods decree and promise made to Joseph in a dream, for his advancement above all his brethren (