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

These (I conceive) are the Characteristical opinions of Jobs three friends, about his case. All consistent with those four principles, which they hold in common, all equally closing in the censure and condemnation of Job, though in some things dissenting and falling off from one another.

These (I conceive) are the Characteristicall opinions of Jobs three friends, about his case. All consistent with those four principles, which they hold in common, all equally closing in the censure and condemnation of Job, though in some things dissenting and falling off from one another.

But what thinks Job? or how doth he acquit or extricate himself from these difficulties? very well, His sentence is plainly this.

That, The providence of God, dispenses outward ⟨image 5⟩prosperity and affliction so indifferently to good and bad, to the righteous & the wicked, that no unerring judgement can possibly be made up, of any mans spiritual estate, by the face, & upon the view of his temporal. He declares this, as his opinion, in clear, resolute and Categorical terms, (Ch. 9. v. 22, 23.) This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked, if the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent. Which opinion hath no quarrel at all with any of those three principles, held by Job jointly, and in consort, with his three friends, but only with their fourth: which he throughout refutes as heterodox & unsound in it self, as uncomfortable to the Spirits, and inconsistent with experiences of the Saints. In the Strong hold and Fort-royal of this holy truth, Job secures himself against all the assaults, and scatters all the Objections of his Opponents: resolving to maintain it to the very death; he will lay his bones by this position, say his unkind friends, what they can against him, & let the most wise God, do what he pleases with him.