Page 527
Verse 9. Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
10. He openeth also their ear to disci∣pline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
In the second branch of this part of the Vindicati∣on, we have an account, of Gods end in afflicting righteous men, and of the use they should make of it; Namely, That God afflicts them, that he may give them a sight of sin, wherein they have exceed∣ed, v 9. and may excite them to repentance and conversion from sin, v. 10. This doth clearly vin∣dicate Gods righteousness in afflicting them, seeing he doth thereby chasten them for their faults, and take pains to reclaim them. And it is very applica∣ble to Jobs case, in respect of his failings (not gross hypocrisie, or wickedness) especially under trouble. Though as to what was mainly intended in his tryal, we are to remember another Argument, taken from the Soveraign Dominion of God, which clears the case yet further.
From v. 9. Learn, 1. It is not simply our being afflicted, and made miserable by trouble, that God doth mind, Lam. 3.33, 34. nor is it that which we should be chiefly affected with, under afflictions; but we should mind another lesson taught by it, which if we neglect, our sense of trouble will be to little purpose: Therefore here is subjoyned an ac∣count of Gods end in afflicting, and of the lesson we should learn under the cross. See Josh. 7.8, 9. with v. 10, 11. It is the property of beasts to feel only the smart of a rod; but men, and especially godly men, should make another use of it. And yet many fail in this, and do long for deliverance, when they really obstruct it, by their negligence, or their fair promises in trouble, which they would soon for∣get if they were delivered. But (whatever God be pleased to do, according to his Soveraignty in grace) we should still remember that sad process that may justly pursue us, till we mind some other thing in our trouble beside our afflictions, Lev. 26.14 — 40, 41, 42.
2. This may sufficiently justifie God, in afflict∣ing his people, that the best of them have sins which deserve, and may procure affliction, and especially miscarriages under trouble, which may continue them; For, they have work, which is transgression, and Job did sl••de in the hour of his tryal. Such as are imbittered because of trouble, do prove that they have little sense of sin. And they who look not upon their lesser sins of infirmity as sufficient to pro∣cure any trouble that cometh upon them, are justly given up, under the Cross, ••o miscarry more grosse∣ly, as Job did. Whence it cometh to pass, that afflictions, which were but simple tryals before, become real chastisements for sin, as here he inti∣mateth it fared with Job.
3. No affliction should be accounted bitter which may help to cure and purge out sin; For, upon that account is Gods righteousness here vindicated, that he afflicts to discover and purge out sin. They evidence their love to sin, who repine at rods; and they who would find trouble easie, ought to be dili∣gent in purging of sin, and that will make it sweet, Ps. 119.67, 71.
4. When God afflicts his people most sharply, his aim is only to cure their sin, and it will have no worse effects, unless they turn incorrigible; For, he binds them in the cords of affliction, v. 8. for this very end. See Is. 27.9. He intends not their hurt, but only the destruction of sin, unless (as we say••) they will take the ridders-stroaks, by interpo∣sing to spare their lusts.
5. The right cure of sin must begin at the disco∣very of it, and at convictions for it, without which, there will be no reformation, or it will not prove sound; For, this work begins at shewing them their work; and where this root is not, the fruits will not follow, or they prove but withered and blasted.
6. Men do not readily see sin, nor are solidly con∣vinced of it, till they be in trouble; For, when they are bound, v. 8. then he sheweth them their work. Either the affliction, must point it out (mens sin being written upon their rods) or when they rage and fret, or will not stay to admit of, or digest re∣proofs, affliction tameth and holdeth them. So that it must be sad when convictions decay under trouble.
7. Whatever men attain of convictions under the rod, yet it is not the rod of it self, but God by it, who worketh and produceth them; For, he sheweth them their work.
8. Conviction is wrought by Gods leading men through their work, by examination, till they find out what transgression is in it; For, he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions, which he dis∣covereth to them in their work, when they see it well.
9. True and solid convictions under trouble will discover sin in its aggravations, both in the frequen∣cy thereof, that there are transgressions; and in the nature thereof, that there are transgressions wherein they have exceeded, or, prevailed and run violently ••ver all bounds and limits, as waters overflow their banks. If the Law should discover sin to be sinful, Rom. 7.13. much more when the rod is joyned with it, should sin be seen in its aggravations, Jer. 2.19.
10. When God comes to plead against sin by the rod, it is an evidence of the greatness of sin, were there no other thing to prove it, but that he must plead his quarrel that way; For, when they are bound, v. 8. then he sheweth, that they have ex∣ceeded. They must be no small faults which pro∣voke God to plead against his people in the publick view of all; and therefore they should beware of ex∣tenuating sin at such a time.
From v. 10. Learn, 1. Conviction of sin, were it never so great, is not all the fruit that should fol∣low upon chastisements, but there should be also conversion and turning from sin; For, this is sub∣joyned to the discovery, formerly mentioned, that they return from iniquity, without which, it will be to little purpose to sigh and turn backward, Lam. 1.8.