A35535:957
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.
But did Job ever say, That God sought occasions against him, or took notice of his lesser sins so severely?
But did Job ever say, That God sought occasions against him, or tooke notice of his lesser sins so severely?
I answer, Though some acquit Job wholly of this charge, and recriminate Elihu with this accusation as a slander, yet Job had spoken words which might give occasion to charge him thus, (as was showed also concerning those former speeches, I am clean from transgression, I am innocent, there is no iniquity in me) though Job had not spoken these or such like words, with that scope and spirit as Elihu might seem to allege them; yet he had given Elihu cause enough to say so, while he spake more of himself then came to his share, considering that he was a sinful man, and more then did become him in his condition, being an afflicted man. Upon both which accounts, it had better become him to have been much in humbling himself, rather then at all in justifying himself. Now as Job had spoken words which might bear out Elihu in his former charge,1 so we find several speeches or complaints concerning God, which may justify him in this. As for instance (Chap: 14.16, 17.) For now thou numberest ⟨p. 221⟩(or numbering thou numberest) my steps; dost thou not watch over my sins? As if he had said, thou watchest me so strictly, so narrowly, that I cannot (in the least) step awry, but presently I am observed and shall be sure to hear of it; Yea, my transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sowest up mine iniquity; that is, thou keepest the memory of my sins, thou dost not pass them by, but hast them ready by thee. When chaste Joseph's wanton mistress disappointed in her lust, was resolved to seek an occasion of revenge, she laid up his garment by her until her Lord came home (Gen: 39.16.) To lay up the evil deed of another, presageth ill to him. And therefore when Elihu heard Job speaking thus, might he not say, Job hath said, God seeketh occasions against me, yea, (which is more) as it followeth in the verse under hand; And counteth me for his enemy.