An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

But may we say that Job sat down, and putting his affliction in one balance and sin in another, chose iniquity rather than affliction, or sin rather than suffering? Surely the bent of Jobs spirit, the frame of his heart was far otherwise; nor is it consistent with a gracious state, or a state of grace, to sit down and make a perfect election of any sin, upon any terms whatsoever. Therefore the word choosing may be taken in a milder sense, or in a more moderate intendment; as if Elihu had said, Thou hast spoken and done such things, thou hast behaved thy self so under thine afflictions, as that a man may say, surely thou hast chosen iniquity rather than affliction; thou hast given others great cause to judge thus of thee. Elihu did not purpose to fasten this upon Job, that he had purposely concluded to choose sin rather than affliction;¹ but he had taken liberty (through the violence of his temptations an• the extremity of his pains) to use such impatient speeches an• actings as might be interpreted, in a sense, a choosing of iniquity (that is, impatience) rather than affliction; that is, a quiet sufferance of affliction. This thou hast chosen rather than affliction, or, (As some render it) For this cause hast thou chosen any thing ⟨p. 324⟩rather than affliction, thou hast chosen what came next rather than affliction; or, thou hast chosen this because of thine affliction, so others read it; that is, thou hast been so pressed with thine affliction and trouble, that thou carest not what thou choosest.

But may we say that Job sat down, and putting his affliction in one ballance and sin in another, chose iniquity rather than affliction, or sin rather than suffering? Surely the bent of Jobs spirit, the frame of his heart was far otherwise; nor is it consistent with a gracious state, or a state of grace, to sit down and make a perfect election of any sin, upon any tearms whatsoever. Therefore the word choosing may be taken in a milder sence, or in a more moderate intendment; as if Elihu had said, Thou hast spoken and done such things, thou hast behaved thy self so under thine afflictions, as that a man may say, surely thou hast chosen iniquity rather than affliction; thou hast given others great cause to judge thus of thee. Elihu did not purpose to fasten this upon Job, that he had purposely concluded to choose sin rather than affliction;