A81199:674
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth chapters of the book of Job being the sum of thirty-seven lectures, delivered at Magnus near London Bridge. By Joseph Caryl, preacher of the Word, and pastor of the congregation there.An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth chapters of the book of Job being the summe of thirty-seven lectures, delivered at Magnus near London Bridge. By Joseph Caryl, preacher of the Word, and pastour of the congregation there.
London: printed by M. Simmons, 1655
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
To draw towards a close of this point; we may take notice, That there is a twofold acquaintance with God; First, from necessity, when we come to him and desire to have to do with him, pressed with our own wants, fears, or afflictions; of this the Prophet speaketh (Isa. 26.16.) Lord in trouble have they visited thee, they have poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. And of this the Psalmist speak (Psal. 78.34.) When he slew them they sought him, and they returned and enquired early after God: nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouth, &c. These make God their refuge not their choice; They, I grant, who have made God their choice in good times, may comfortably make him their refuge in evil times. But to neglect God while it is well with […], and only to run to him when it is ill with us, or to have our ⟨p. 211⟩evils and burdens removed, is to acquaint our selves with God, because we cannot choose, or because we cannot be without him, not because we have chosen him, or desire to be with him. As there is a patience, so there is an acquaintance, perforce. Though God doth not refuse acquaintance with many poor souls, when their necessities drive them to him, yet it is best to acquaint our selves with him for the love we bear to him, or the desire we have to enjoy him, rather then (though we all have need of him, and are bound to come to him because we have) for the need we have of him. And therefore, secondly, there is an acquaintance with God from pure love. As when we come to a friend, having nothing to do but to see him, & to renew or strengthen our acquaintance with him. We do not come to load him with our cares, or advise with him about our businesses, or desire a courtesy of him, but, merely & purely to show our love to him. Thus to come to God when we are not pressed with fears, nor pinched with wants, nor clouded with doubts, nor vexed with troubles, is the most noble & ingenuous way of acquainting our selves with him.
To draw towards a close of this poynt; wee may take notice, That there is a twofold acquaintance with God; First, from necessity, when wee come to him and desire to have to doe with him, prest with our owne wants, feares, or afflictions; of this the Prophet speaketh (