An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

First, We may expound him thus, Lord, Do not that against me, which may give the world occasion to condemn me; or, Lay not thy hand so heavily upon me, lest they that understand not the reason of thy dealings, should be occasioned to adjudge me wicked: Though Job had a witness above, and a record on high, though he knew his reputation was unblemished before God in the midst of all these breaches upon his family, and botches upon his body, yet he knew men would condemn him as guilty of the most notorious evils of sin, when they saw him languishing under such unparalleled evils of punishment. This moved him to pray, Lord, do not condemn me, by making me an object of the worlds condemnation.

First, We may expound him thus, Lord, Doe not that against me, which may give the world occasion to condemn me; or, Lay not thy hand so heavily upon me, lest they that understand not the reason of thy dealings, should be occasioned to adjudge me wicked: Though Job had a witnesse above, and a record on high, though he knew his reputation was unblemished before God in the midst of all these breaches upon his family, and botches upon his body, yet he knew men would condemn him as guilty of the most notorious evils of sin, when they saw him languishing under such unparallel'd evils of punishment. This moved him to pray, Lord, do not condemn me, by making me an object of the worlds condemnation.

Again, The words (Do not condemn me) may have this meaning, Lord,^* Do what thou wilt with me, only do not condemn ⟨p. 432⟩me. His earnest deprecation of this may carry in it a willing submission to any thing besides this. And 'tis very usual with men to do so; we think we could bear any affliction but that, or better then that, which is upon us. Yet Job had great reason to choose any affliction rather then this. He might well say, I can (through thy grace enabling me) bear these or any other pains of my body, and losses in my estate, but I know not how to bear the loss of mine innocency, or the reproach of being thrown out of thy favour. The world, and these my friends will be confirmed in their misapprehensions of me, if thou doest not speedily deliver me, and confute their rash judgment by some eminent mercy.