An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

The peculiar opinion of Eliphaz rises thus; That, all the outward evils, which over-take man in the course of this life, are the proceeds of his own sin, and so from the process of Gods justice. He gives us this sense, for his, in express terms, Chap. 4. 8. They that plough iniquity and sow wickedness reap the same; which he applies personally to Job (Chap. 22. v. 5, 6.) Is not thy wickedness ⟨image 4⟩great, and thine iniquities infinite, Thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and and stripped the naked of their clothing, &c. The whole scope of his speech bends the same way; and is, as if he had said, to Job; Though thy carriage hath been so plausible among us, that we are not able to accuse thee of sin, yet these judgements accuse thee, and are sufficient witnesses against thee; These cry out with a loud voice, that thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, &c. Though we have not seen thee act these sins, yet, in these effects we see thou hast acted them; The snares which are round about thee tell us, thou hast laid snares for others, & he that runs may read how terrible, how troublesome thou hast been to the poor, in the terrors which have seized thy spirit, and in the troubles which have spoiled thee of thy riches.

The peculiar opinion of Eliphaz rises thus; That, all the outward evils, which over-take man in the course of this life, are the proseeds of his own sin, and so from the processe of Gods justice. He gives us this sence, for his, in expresse termes, Chap. 4. 8. They that plow iniquity and sow wickednesse reape the same; which he applies parsonally to Job (Chap. 22. v. 5, 6.) Is not thy wickednesse ⟨image 4⟩great, and thine iniquities infinite, Thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and and stripped the naked of their cloathing, &c. The whole scope of his speech bends the same way; and is, as if he had said, to Job; Though thy carriage hath been so plausible among us, that we are not able to accuse thee of sin, yet these judgements accuse thee, and are sufficient witnesses against thee; These cry out with a loud voyce, that thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, &c. Though we have not seen thee act these sins, yet, in these effects we see thou hast acted them; The snares which are round about thee tell us, thou hast laid snares for others, & he that runs may read how terrible, how troublesome thou hast been to the poore, in the terrours which have seaz'd thy spirit, and in the troubles which have spoyl'd thee of thy riches.