A35535:389
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and the thirty fourth chapters of the book of Job being the substance of forty-nine lectures / delivered at Magnus near the Bridge, London, by Joseph Caryl ...An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and the thirty fourth chapters of the booke of Job being the substance of forty-nine lectures / delivered at Magnus neare the Bridge, London, by Joseph Caryl ...
London: printed by M. Simmons, 1661
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First, Some expound them as the words of Elihu. Secondly, Others as the words of Jobs three friends.
First, Lest ye should say, we have found out wisdom. I (saith Elihu) say, God shall thrust him down not man. That's the principle by which I will deal with Job, and so thrust him down from that opinion which he hath of himself, and humble him, (that's the sense of the words (thrust him down) according to this interpretation) God shall do it and not man. Some of the ⟨p. 88⟩learned insist much upon this interpretation;1 wherein Elihu is supposed making a great discovery of his humility, as not daring to undertake Job himself, but going about it in the strength and power of God; As if he had said, 'Tis a work above or too hard for man to put Job off from that opinion wherein he is settled. To do this is a work worthy of God, nor can it be done by any power, but that which is properly divine. And seeing God is graciously pleased to use the ministry of man for the bringing about such works of Grace; far be it from me that I should arrogate and assume that to my self which God is pleased to work by my word. We may parallel this speech of Elihu with two o•her places of Scripture, which will give light to it. First, (Gen. 42.16.) And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me, but God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. When Pharaoh proposed to him his Dreams of the seven lean kine, and of the seven thin ears of Corn, Joseph professed it was not in him to expound them, but only in God; and that God would do it he wa• confident; God shall give to Pharaoh an answer of peace. I own no wisdom in or of my self, enabling me to resolve this question, or to open this secret; If ever I do it, 'tis God who doth it, not I; unless he reveal the secret unto me, I cannot reveal it unto thee. Thus also spake Daniel, (Dan: 2.27.) When all the wise men of Babylon were foiled, and gravelled at the Kings proposal; The secret which the King hath demanded, cannot the wise men, the Astrologers, the Magicians, and the South-sayers show unto the King. They cannot do it; it is not put by way of interrogation, cannot they do it? but they cannot, by way of negative assertion; how then can it be done? or who can do it? He answers, But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the King Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.