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…

In this also Job comforts himself, that whatsoever fruit he might seem to bring forth, yet the Lord judged him not (as his friends did) by some unsavoury speeches that came from him, but by the savouriness of that spirit which was in him. He knew God judged him by the settled temper of his inward man, and the soundness of his mind, not by the casual distemper of his outward man, or the sound of his tongue. Job was a good tree, and the root of the matter was in him. And Job was assured God would not condemn him for his fruit, if some of it were bitter and unpleasant, while he saw his root was good.

In this also Job comforts himself, that whatsoever fruit he might seem to bring forth, yet the Lord judg'd him not (as his friends did) by some unsavoury speeches that came from him, but by the savourinesse of that spirit which was in him. He knew God judged him by the setled temper of his inward man, and the soundnesse of his minde, not by the casuall distemper of his outward man, or the sound of his tongue. Job was a good tree, and the root of the matter was in him. And Job was assured God would not condemn him for his fruit, if some of it were bitter and unpleasant, while he saw his root was good.

4. Man must take time to hear and discuss every case, to find and beat out the truth of every controversy, but God judgeth all at an instant; the matter is no sooner before him, but ⟨p. 458⟩he knoweth it fully: indeed the matter was ever before him, and ever fully known, he knew it from eternity: Things are known to him before they are, by whom all things are. The Lord needeth not to put questions or to be informed by confessions. God is able to prevent our questions with resolutions, and to give us answers before we give him our doubts (Joh. 16.30.) Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee; that is acquainted with our doubts before we propose them, can answer them as soon as we propose them. Seeing it is thus (saith Job) why am I held so long upon the rack to draw out the matter from me? I know thou dost not judge as man judgeth, by enquiring into, or comparing circumstances and actions, answers and questions. Thou art able to make out a judgement of me, and of my condition from thy own knowledge without the contribution of my answers to thy questions, or of other mens testimonies concerning my actions, Thou seest not as man seeth.