That's the thing at the bottom which the Lord would convince Job of. Discontented persons seem to say unto God, they could put things into a better way, if they had the handling of them; or that they could model the government of the world more equally, if it were in their hands. Such is the pride and sinfulness, or the sinful pride of mans heart, that he thinks himself able to instruct God, and teach him to mend his work. Some have been so arrogant and presumptuous, as to say, they could have mended some things in the natural fabric of the world, had they been the contrivers of it; and many have said, at least in their hearts (where the fool saith there is no God) that they could mend the providential fabric or course of it. Beware of these presumptions. Remember, it is our duty to be instructed by God, to receive instruction from God. Woe to those who would give him instruction (Job 22.22.) Acquaint thy self now with him, and receive the law at his mouth, that is, the rule of all thy actions, but do not give the law to him. No man hath mo•e need of instruction than he who thinks he can give instruction to God. It is said proverbially, when we see an inferior, much more a smatterer in any Art or Science, offer to control a perfect Artist; What, A Sow or a Swine teach Minerva! 1how much more may we say so of the most learned, that control God or contend with him about his works! The works of God of every kind are so exact in every kind, that it is impossible to find any real defect or redundancy in them. To go about to mend them, is to mar them; to alter them, were to deface them. Those things which men call or count the blemishes of Gods works, are the true beauty of them; and what they contend with him about, is the commendation of them, and the glory of his workmanship. And as at last Jesus Christ will Present the whole body of believers, or the persons of all that believe, to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing (Eph. 5.27.) so he will at last represent the providences of God, or his ⟨p. 506⟩works of providence, both in the Church and all over the world, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.
That's the thing at the bottom which the Lord would convince Job of. Discontented persons seem to say unto God, they could put things into a better way, if they had the handling of them; or that they could model the government of the world more equally, if it were in their hands. Such is the pride and sinfulness, or the sinful pride of mans heart, that he thinks himself able to instruct God, and teach him to mend his work. Some have been so arrogant and presumptuous, as to say, they could have mended some things in the natural fabrick of the world, had they been the contrivers of it; and many have said, at least in their hearts (where the fool saith there is no God) that they could mend the providential fabrick or course of it. Beware of these presumptions. Remember, it is our duty to be instructed by God, to receive instruction from God. Wo to those who would give him instruction (Job 22.22.) Acquaint thy self now with him, and receive the law at his mouth, that is, the rule of all thy actions, but do not give the law to him. No man hath mo•e need of instruction than he who thinks he can give instruction to God. It is said proverbially, when we see an inferior, much more a smatterer in any Art or Science, offer to controule a perfect Artist; What, A Sow or a Swine teach Minerva! 1how much more may we say so of the most learned, that controule God or contend with him about his works! The works of God of every kind are so exact in every kind, that it is impossible to find any real defect or redundancy in them. To go about to mend them, is to marr them; to alter them, were to deface them. Those things which men call or count the blemishes of Gods works, are the true beauty of them; and what they contend with him about, is the commendation of them, and the glory of his workmanship. And as at last Jesus Christ will Present the whole body of believers, or the persons of all that believe, to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing (Eph. 5.27.) so he will at last represent the providences of God, or his ⟨p. 506⟩works of providence, both in the Church and all over the world, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.
