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…

Secondly, Thou hast said, I am innocent; so we read; There are two significations given by the learned, which are of very useful consideration for the clearing up of this text. First,¹ the Hebrew word which we translate innocent, is derived from a root which signifieth to hide, to cover, or protect; And that two ways; First, to protect actively, or to defend others; Secondly, It notes protection passively, or to be protected by another. Some conceive that Elihu here intended it of Job in an active signification, whereas we say, I am innocent, they say, I protect, ⟨p. 200⟩and so refer to him, as a Magistrate I have protected the oppressed, I have protected those whom the sons of violence have prosecuted. Indeed Job speaks his practice much in that (Chap: 29. 12.) I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him; The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widows heart to sing for joy. Job had been a great Protector of the poor; And by this word the Hebrews express an haven or harbour for Ships; Because harbours or havens are places of protection to Ships; First, they are places of protection to Ships from winds and storms, they are safe places from rocks, shelves and sands; a Ship in harbour is under protection from the dangers of the Sea. Secondly, A Ship in harbour is under protection from enemies and Pirates; while she is abroad at Sea, if enemies come she must shift for her self, she must run or fight, but in the harbour she is under the protection of the State or Country where she arriveth. Thus all Magistrates are or should be, a just Magistrate is a good harbour for all that are in danger of the winds and storms, of the rocks and rage of wicked men. Good Governors are an harbour, and oppressors like storms and rocks. That's one sense of the word in the active signification. And taking it in this sense Job asserts highly for his own honour, while he saith, I have been a protector of the oppressed, I have been a harbour or a haven to the weather-beaten poor.

Secondly, Thou hast said, I am innocent; so we read; There are two significations given by the learned, which are of very usefull consideration for the clearing up of this text. First,¹ the Hebrew word which we translate innocent, is derived from a roote which signifieth to hide, to cover, or protect; And that two wayes; First, to protect actively, or to defend others; Secondly, It notes protection passively, or to be protected by another. Some conceive that Elihu here intended it of Job in an active signification, whereas we say, I am innocent, they say, I protect,