The Hebrew word which we translate,1 without cause hath been opened, Chap. 1.9. and Chap. 2.3. and it hath occurred elsewhere. Here, He multiplies my wounds without cause, is not a charge of injustice upon God, Jobs heart was far from the least thought of that, as you may see in all the dispute: But it is an acknowledgement of the sovereignty and power of God, Though he hath wounded me already, yet he may wound me still, without giving me a reason; or though I have given him no cause. What? Do ye think God would yield to me, if I should contend with him? He multiplieth, or, He hath multiplied my wounds without cause, that is,2 without giving me any account hitherto; and do you think that now I shall have liberty to call him to an account; or that he will give me one? He wounds without cause, is,* without cause manifested. God hath not told me the reason of his chastenings. And I do not perceive the reason. I know not why he contendeth with me. And so he expounds what he spake at the 12th verse, Lo, he passeth by me, and I see him not. There are mysteries in providence. Mans eye is not clear enough to see all that God doth before his eyes. Job is his own Expositor. This later expression gives us a comment upon the former. And it is observable, that both in this book, and in the whole body of the Scripture, easier texts may be found to interpret the harder, and clear ones to enlighten those which are darker and more obscure. The Word of God is not only a light and a rule to us, but to it self.
The Hebrew word which we translate,1 without cause hath been opened, Chap. 1.9. and Chap. 2.3. and it hath occurred elsewhere. Here, He multiplies my wounds without cause, is not a charge of injustice upon God, Jobs heart was farre from the least thought of that, as you may see in all the dispute: But it is an acknowledgement of the soveraignty and power of God, Though he hath wounded me already, yet he may wound me still, without giving me a reason; or though I have given him no cause. What? Doe ye think God would yeeld to me, if I should contend with him? He multiplieth, or, He hath multiplied my wounds without cause, that is,2 without giving me any account hitherto; and do you think that now I shall have liberty to call him to an account; or that he will give me one? He wounds without cause, is,* without cause manifested. God hath not told me the reason of his chastenings. And I doe not perceive the reason. I know not why he contendeth with me. And so he expounds what he spake at the 12th verse, Loe, he passeth by me, and I see him not. There are mysteries in providence. Mans eye is not clear enough to see all that God doth before his eyes. Job is his own Expositour. This later expression gives us a comment upon the former. And it is observable, that both in this book, and in the whole body of the Scripture, easier texts may be found to interpret the harder, and clear ones to enlighten those which are darker and more obscure. The Word of God is not only a light and a rule to us, but to it self.
- 1Vulnera sine causa sunt mala & flagella, quae non ob aliquod mittuntur peccatum.
- 2His verbis evidenter exponit, quae supra occultè dixerat; si venerit adme, non video. Hoc enim ubique fere in dictis Jobi observanaum, quod obscurè dicta per aliqua consequentia exponuntur. Aquin.
- *Sine causa manifesta, et ab homine affl•cto perceptibili. Aquin.
