An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…

So much for the opening and illustration of this Scripture-phrase, Drinking iniquity like water: I shall propound one Query in general, concerning the whole Verse, and so conclude it. Here is a full description of sinful man: But whether Eliphaz speaks this strictly of a person unregenerate, and so applieth it to Job, or whether this description be not also applicable to a man who is regenerate and godly for the main, and was so intended by Eliphaz, is here a question.

So much for the opening and illustration of this Scripture-phrase, Drinking iniquity like water: I shall propound one Quere in generall, concerning the whole Verse, and so conclude it. Here is a full description of sinfull man: But whether Eliphaz speakes this strictly of a person unregenerate, and so applyeth it to Job, or whether this description be not also applicable to a man who is regenerate and godly for the maine, and was so intended by Eliphaz, is here a question.

Some conceive that the words will suite none but an unregenerate man, and tis granted upon all hands, that they are most suitable to him. An unregenerate man, is abominable and filthy, he drinks iniquity like water; And yet in a qualified sense, we may say all this of a man regenerate: Even He, in reference to the remains of corruption, is abominable and filthy, and He, under some distempers and temptations, drinks iniquity like water: ¹which words of Eliphaz, a modern Interpreter parallels with those of Paul concerning himself (Rom. 7.25.) With the flesh I serve the Law of sin. And delivers his opinion in this case, That though Eliphaz aimed at Job in all this, yet he deals with him not as with a wicked man, but as with an erring brother. For whereas he had said (Chap. 13.23.) How many are mine iniquities? Eliphaz might judge by his words, that surely he thought his iniquities were not very many: and whereas he had said at the 26. Verse of the same Chapter, Thou makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth; Eliphaz might collect, surely this man thinks his elder years have been so free from sin, that God can find nothing in them, which might justify him in these severe punishments. Now Eliphaz opposeth these apprehensions, and would both teach and convince him, that as original sin pollutes every man wholly, till he is washed and borne again by the spirit; so no man is so far washed by the spirit, but that many spots and pollutions of the flesh, do still cleave to him, and often appear upon him. And Eliphaz may be conceived to handle Job in this manner.