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…

A third translation puts it by an Interrogation, I am full of confusion, see thou mine affliction, Can it be lifted up? That is, Can my head be lifted up, when I am so full of sorrow and confusion? whatsoever my righteousness is, I am not in case now to stand upon it, 'tis no time for me to talk great words; Can I lift up mine head when thou pressest me with such a weight of affliction? Great afflictions will keep down the greatest spirits, or break them down. Affliction will make the stoutest heart stoop, and the highest head to bow.

A third translation puts it by an Interrogation, I am full of confusion, see thou mine affliction, Can it be lifted up? That is, Can my head be lifted up, when I am so full of sorrow and confusion? whatsoever my righteousnesse is, I am not in case now to stand upon it, 'tis no time for me to talk great words; Can I lift up mine head when thou pressest me with such a weight of affliction? Great afflictions will keep down the greatest spirits, or break them down. Affliction will make the stoutest heart stoop, and the highest head to bow.

But take the word according to our reading, as it referreth to his afflictions; it increaseth, that is, my affliction increaseth, and so a double exposition is given.

But take the word according to our reading, as it referreth to his afflictions; it encreaseth, that is, my affliction encreaseth, and so a double exposition is given.

First, As if Job had spoken his wish or his desire, I am (said he before) full of confusion, see thou mine affliction, O that mine affliction might increase, and that I might be fuller of confusion! O that my troubles might be strengthened upon me, and that I might be weak enough to see an end of my troubles, I am yet too strong for death, O that thou wouldest quickly dispatch me, more weight, deeper wounds, harder blows would be welcome. As if here again Job had assumed and renewed that complaining desire mentioned (Chap. 6.7, 8.) O that I might have my request! and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! (What was that?) Even that it would please God to destroy me, that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! But I shall let this pass; Job hath spoken these wishes plainly, and in the letter too often; I will not charge him with another from a questionable interpretation.