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4. The ceasing of all distinction in the grave, shows us how unbecoming pride and arrogance are. Do the rich and the poor meet there? do the small and the great, the servant and the master, lie down and rest together without distinction? How unbecoming then are those haughty airs, and that tyrannical treatment, which the rich and the great, which princes and nobles and masters, too often manifest to their subjects, servants or children, yea, to all the poor! Were men but to consider their common end, those who have power would be humble, moderate, kind, and benevolent; and those who are in subjection would be patient and content; especially when we take in the thoughts of another world, where God shall judge and treat men according to their real characters, and not their rank, distinction or circumstances here on earth; for he will judge every man according to his works.

5. Let us learn from the whole, to guard our tongues and hearts, especially in seasons of affliction. This poetical description of Job's complaints intimates to us, how prone even good and upright men are to be impatient, to vent unbecoming complaints, and to talk in an irrational, foolish manner. We have need to keep our mouth as with a bridle, to keep our hearts with all diligence, that we speak not unadvisedly with our lips, or suffer our hearts to repine. Though we are now in safety, have rest and quiet, troubles may come. Let us labour in patience to possess our souls, and make the best of a troublesome life. Be it ever so afflictive, we have opportunity of glorifying God, and of advancing in religion, of promoting and adorning it, and preparing for a better life. Else we shall have reason hereafter to take up these complaints, and utter them with great and everlasting anguish; for better would it have been for men that they had never been born, or died as soon as born, than lived irreligiously, and treasured up to themselves wrath against the day of wrath.

CHAP. IV.

In this chapter the dialogue begins between Job and his friends. They argue, that if Job had been an upright man, he would not have been so heavily afflicted; this he denies; and the debate is carried on between them till Elihu moderates it, and God is introduced in all his majesty to determine the cause. All the remarks that have been made by commentators concerning the manner in which Job's friends treated him, and his behaviour toward them, have no foundation, since it is evident the whole is dramatic and poetical, and the author put into their mouths what he thought most likely to illustra'e his argument, to impress the reader, and answer the end for which he wrote the book. This thought should be continually borne in mind.

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HEN Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, [If] we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking? intending an apology VOL. IV. P

for speaking what he feared would be disagreeable; but he expresses a greater regard for truth and usefulness, than for what 3 would please. Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou 4 hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. He gives just commendation of Job's friendly attempts to support and counsel others, to uphold the weak and feeble knees 5 which sunk and trembled under their burdens. But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest ; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled; thou dost not practise thy own lesson; thus insinu 6 ating a reflection on Job's character. [Is] not [this] thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways? is 7 not this a time to exercise thy piety, patience, and hope 2* Remember, I pray thee, who [ever] perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? consult thy own observation, and give one instance in which a person was thus afflicted who was 8 not guilty of some heinous crime? Even as I have seen, they that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same; many wicked men cut off, and reaping the due reward of their iniquity. 9 By the blast of God they perish, by some terrible storm which God raised up against them, and by the breath of his nostrils are 10 they consumed, by his anger, or by some secret jadgment. The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken; not only such wicked men as are weak, but the strongest, stoutest and fiercest, with all their depend11 ants, are destroyed by God. The old lion perisheth for lack of 12 prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.† Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof; some precious instruction concerning the will and word 13 of God. In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep

sleep falleth on men, it happened in the night, when all was silent, 14 and my thoughts were composed; then Fear came upon me, and

trembling, which made all my bones to shake, I was seized with *15 violent dread. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair 16 of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the

form thereof: an image [was] before mine eyes, [there was] 17 silence, and I heard a voice, [saying,!] Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man, the greatest and most accomplished man, as the word signifies, be more pure than his Maker? 18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants, no such trust as if they

• Should not thy picty be thy confidence, and the uprightness of thy ways thy hope? Scott. Tyrants and oppressors are here described by lions; and five different words are used for lions, some say, to express the fury and cruelty of oppressors. He intimates not only that they should be destroyed, but their descendants should be reduced to low circumstances, and wander about destitute, seeking food and finding none. He illustrates and confirms this, by an account of a remarkable vision he had seen. There has been much trifling among commen tators about the time when Eliphaz saw the vision. the nature of the apparition, the manner, the scenery, and design of it. But it seems to be a beautiful effort of the poet's imagination. and contains a plain reference to the manner in which God often revealed himself to his ancient people in visions and dreams.

The original here signifies a wind, like that which used to precede the appearance of the Shekinah, or visible manifestations of God to his prophets.

Some would render it, I saw no image, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying.

were absolutely perfect and infallible; and his angels he charged with folly, or vanity, who, though good in themselves, and free from sin, yet being liable to err, may be said to be charged with folly 19 when compared with unerring wisdom. How much less doth he put any such trust [in] them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation [is] in the dust, [which] are crushed before the moth? poor, weak, frail creatures, who are more easily crushed 20 than a moth, that feeble and contemptible insect. They are destroyed from morning to evening; continually dying and passing away they perish for ever without any regarding [it ;] they never return to the world again, and this is so common that it is 21 scarce attended to. Doth not their excellency [which is] in them go away they die, even without wisdom; whatever was excellent in them dies with them; they moulder to the dust, like the brutes that have no understanding. The design of all this was to rebuke Job's complaints and discontent, to show what incompetent judges, weak frail men are of the proceedings of the infinitely wise, pure, and holy God; and in this view it is very much to the purpose.

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REFLECTIONS.

O B's benevolent and friendly conduct in prosperity, is wora man full of business, who had great and numerous affairs to manage, yet he was disposed and found time to go among his neighbours, to talk with them about their souls, and visit, direct, and comfort them under their afflictions. Thus should we do; instruct the ignorant, reprove the impatient and discontented, lift up the hands that hang down, strengthen the feeble knees, and say unto them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong. This is a duty we owe to God and our fellow christians, and is an essential part of pure and undefiled religion.

2. It is easier to give good instructions than to take them. Job did not practise his own lessons so well as he should; and this is too common a case. Those who are ministers, are conscious of their weakness, and how difficult it is to behave as they exhort others to do. This should be a motive to them and to christian parents, and to all, who by their office or relations are instructors of others, to be peculiarly watchful over their own conduct, lest they give occasion for that reproof, thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Ministers desire the prayers of their people that their example may teach as well as their doctrine; and that they may be abundantly comforted of God under their afflictions, that they may be able to comfort others with the like consolations.

3. We are taught that the connection between sin and misery is inseparable. v. 8. Even as I have seen, they that filough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. This is an awful truth. It does not always appear in this world, though it would generally do so, if we could see men's hearts, and know what they feel in their

conscience. But it is undoubtedly true, if we take in the whole of men's existence. Good men, though ever so much afflicted, shall be finally happy; and the wicked shall reap the fruit of their doings. This is the language of the New Testament, and let us at tend to it; Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for what a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

4. The majesty of God and the meanness of man, are both very great, but never appear more so than when compared together, as they beautifully are in the passages we have been considering. God employs many servants, to display his glory and widely to diffuse happiness; but puts no absolute trust in them. The greatest, brightest, holiest angels are chargeable with possible and comparative folly; and all sink infinitely beneath his glory. What is man,

when compared with him! a weak, frail, dying creature. And shall a creature so far below the angels, so infinitely below the Almighty, pretend to quarrel with his providence, to arraign his proceedings, censure his conduct, and act so, as if he was more just and pure than God? What shameful arrogance! what abominable im◄ piety Let the thoughts of God's immense greatness and glory, his perfect justice, and unspotted purity, check every murmuring, repining thought; and bow all our souls in humble submission to his will. We need no vision to teach us so plain a lesson; our own infirmities, and the death of our neighbours from morning to evening, speak it loudly; and if we do not attend to and learn this lesson, all our excellency will vanish; we shall die without wisdom, and shall be finally miserable, without hope and without end.

CHAP. V.

In which Eliphaz proceeds with the same argument, that afflictions such as Job's are a proof of hypocrisy; he therefore advises him to repent, and return to God; and assures him of returning prosperity, greater and more secure than his former was.

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CALL now, if there be any that will answer thee; and

to which of the saints wilt thou turn? examine the ofinions of others, the holy beings, or angels, who have seen the revolutions of ages, and all the saints on earth, let them all produce an 2 instance of a godly man punished as thou art. For wrath, the wrath of God, killeth the foolish man, and envy, or indignation, 3 slayeth the silly one. I have seen the foolish taking root, and flourishing: but suddenly I cursed his habitation; I judged him unhappy, saw a curse hanging over all that belonged to him; and 4 this will be thy portion. His children are far from safety, they are exposed to great dangers and calamities, and they are crushed in the gate, by the hand of public justice, neither [is there] 5 any to deliver [them.] Whose harvest, though fenced about ever so strongly, the hungry, whom he had oppressed, breaks through

she fence, and eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance, any part that might remain. He has a reference to Job in all these remarks, and 6 reflects severely upon his supposed character. Although afflic tion cometh not forth of the dust, by chance, or only from second 7 causes, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward; it is as natural for him to fall into it as the sparks to mount, and his afflictions are as numerous as they; naturally arising from his circumstances and condition on earth, and his connections with others; therefore it 8 is unbecoming to murmur and repine. I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause; were I in your case, I would seek relief from him, I would refer myself to his providence ; 9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number; he is therefore able to help those that seek him, 10 and punish those who rebel against him: Who giveth rain upon

the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields; is good to all his 11 creatures: To set up on high those that be low; that those

which mourn may be exalted to safety; he can exalt the poor to 12 wealth, and place the oppressed in security. He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise; cannot raise themselves to power, or execute their 13 designs. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong; he makes artful and insinuating men miscarry in their most sanguine expectations, and 14 hasten their own ruin. They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope in the noon day as in the night; they are con founded in the plainest things, and see not their danger though othą 15 ers do. But he saveth the poor, him that humbles himself and seeks to God, from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty; from open violence, and the deceitful mouth 16 of flattery and calumny. So the poor hath hope, he need not despair, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth; proud oppressors should not boast themselves, because they shall be soon mortified and confounded; therefore on all occasions God is a fit object of 17 thine addresses and confidence. Behold, happy [is] the man whom God correcteth, so as to convince and humble, as the word signifies therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty; count it not a terrible evil, or useless and unprofitable; but esteem it a privilege, a means of happiness, and impreve ic 18 accordingly: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole, like a tender and skillful surgeon. 19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee; if thou wilt take this course amidst all the troubles that surround thee, he will be at hand to help and deliver 20 thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war 21 from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the

Scourge of the tongue, from slander: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh; of ruin by calumny or false aca

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