2. In the prosecution of this Argument, the Apostle doth, manifestly, carry in his eye, other Tentations, or sufferings, then from Persecution, as appears from the Examples he allegeth, to press them, to this Patience. ⟨p. 38⟩For among others, and above all others, he brings the instance of Job and His, by Name only, as well as of the Prophets in General, (whom Christ says, they persecuted.) Thus chap. 5. 11. Ye have 1heard of the patience of Job. His alleging the Prophets, is but a General, v. 10. Take the Prophets (not naming any) for an example of suffering, and of Patience. But that of JOB singularly, and by name: Now surely he would not cite His most eminent example, to confirm his Exhortation to this Patience he intended, of one, whose case did not come within the compass, and dint of his Exhortation. Let us therefore have recourse to Jobs case, and story. His losses were but providential from God. The Sabeans, and Chaldeans plundered him of his goods, and slew his servants. And the fire of God, (or from God,) is fallen from heaven, ⟨p. 39⟩so his messengers tell him, chap. 1. v. 16. 'Tis true, 'twas the Devil out of spite, that moved them that did it: but they did it, not in a way of Persecution, but as common enemies; As when the Clangs of one country break in upon another. But it was God, and the Devil agreed it together: yea, and 'twas God gave first occasion to the Devil, to move him to have leave to do it. So as that was not, for the Gospels sake in way of Persecution: nor did Job at all know of that transaction between God and Satan, not all that while his Patience was in the exercise of it: But took all as the hand of God, though extraordinary.
2. In the prosecution of this Argument, the Apostle doth, manifestly, carry in his eye, other Tentations, or sufferings, then from Persecution, as appears from the Examples he alledgeth, to press them, to this Patience. ⟨p. 38⟩For among others, and above all others, he brings the instance of Job and His, by Name only, as well as of the Prophets in General, (whom Christ says, they persecuted.) Thus chap. 5. 11. Ye have 1heard of the patience of Job. His alledging the Prophets, is but a General, v. 10. Take the Prophets (not naming any) for an example of suffering, and of Patience. But that of JOB singularly, and by name: Now surely he would not cite His most eminent example, to confirme his Exhortation to this Patience he intended, of one, whose case did not come within the compass, and dint of his Exhortation. Let us therefore have recourse to Jobs case, and story. His losses were but providential from God. The Sabeans, and Chaldeans plundred him of his goods, and slew his servants. And the fire of God, (or from God,) is fallen from heaven, ⟨p. 39⟩so his messengers tell him, chap. 1. v. 16. 'Tis true, 'twas the Devil out of spight, that moved them that did it: but they did it, not in a way of Persecution, but as common enemies; As when the Clangs of one countrey break in upon another. But it was God, and the Devil agreed it together: yea, and 'twas God gave first occasion to the Devil, to move him to have leave to doe it. So as that was not, for the Gospels sake in way of Persecution: nor did Job at all know of that transaction between God and Satan, not all that while his Patience was in the exercise of it: But took all as the hand of God, though extraordinary.
- 1Mat. 5. 12.
