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…

Job (I grant) found little comfort from his friends: but I do not find that they gave him evil counsel, much less that they took wicked counsel against him. The Lord reproved them for the error of their speech, but he did not reprove them for the wickedness of their persons. Indeed Job charges them deeply (Chap. 13.7.) Will you speak wickedly for God? Yet I do not believe that he judged them wicked. A thing in it self wicked may be spoken, and yet the speaker not be wicked. Therefore I would not think Job aims at his friends, or fastens so deep a charge on them, though they had charged him so deep.

Job (I grant) found little comfort from his friends: but I doe not finde that they gave him evil counsel, much lesse that they took wicked counsel against him. The Lord reproved them for the errour of their speech, but he did not reprove them for the wickednesse of their persons. Indeed Iob charges them deeply (Chap. 13.7.) Will you speak wickedly for God? Yet I do not believe that he judged them wicked. A thing in it self wicked may be spoken, and yet the speaker not be wicked. Therefore I would not think Job aims at his friends, or fastens so deep a charge on them, though they had charged him so deep.

Secondly, Others conceive Job means the devil and his angels, Wilt thou shine upon Satan's counsel? As when Ahasuerus (being informed of that conspiracy against the Jews) enquired, who is he? and where is he that durst presume in his heart to do so? Queen Esther said, the adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman (Chap. 7.5, 6.) So might Job have answered the Lord. My adversary and enemy is this wicked Satan. He laid the plot and hath stirred up all these evils against me: I know Lord, thou wilt not take Satan's part: thou wilt not help him who would be the destroyer and murderer, who is the great malignant and projector against thy servant.

Secondly, Others conceave Job means the devil and his angels, Wilt thou shine upon Satans counsel? As when Ahasuerus (being enformed of that conspiracy against the Jews) enquired, who is he? and where is he that durst presume in his heart to doe so? Queen Esther said, the adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman (Chap. 7.5, 6.) So might Job have answered the Lord. My adversary and enemy is this wicked Satan. He laid the plot and hath stirred up all these evils against me: I know Lord, thou wilt not take Satans part: thou wilt not help him who would be the destroyer and murderer, who is the great malignant and projectour against thy servant.