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

The heart is here put for the whole inner man,¹ or for all the powers of the soul; and the word rendered to tremble, notes a disturbance of the whole man, both of soul and body. the Septuagint render it by the same Greek word used (Math. 2.3.) where (upon the wise mens coming from the East, to inquire concerning the King of the Jews) it is said, When Herod heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. That news of a new King put them into a grievous fright, they knew not what to make of it, nor which way to turn themselves, in such a turn of affairs, in such a new world as that new-born King might make. This word is else-where in Scripture used to note the suddenest surprise and the strongest possession of fear. Thus when Isaac, through the subtlety of Rebekah, had given the blessing to Jacob which he intended for Esau, 'tis said, that upon the appearance of his mistake, he trembled exceedingly (Gen. 27.33.) Doubtless it did wonderfully astonish the good old man, to think, that God should carry him beyond and beside his own purpose, to bless the younger brother instead of the elder. This strange disappointment by the overruling providence of God, put him to a stand, and troubled his thoughts more than a little; especially, because he was now taught, that by his carnal affections to Esau, he was running quite cross to ⟨p. 436⟩the mind of God, revealed (Chap. 25.23.) Read the same force of the word (Exod. 19.16.) to which the Apostle re•e••ing, saith (Heb. 12.21.) So terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake. Read also the same importance of the word 1 Sam. 4.13. Chap. 14.15. Such was the Condition of Elihu, he was deeply affected, trembling •ook hold of him. The Spirits run to the heart in a time of fea, or upon a sudden fight, as Ciiz ns to the Castle in a day of danger; and then the outward members (being deserted by the spirits) grow cold and tremble. There is a natural infirmity called, The palpitation or trembling of the heart; But this of Elihu was supernatural, at least, some-what more then natural, as arising either from the consideration of what God hd done, or of what himself was about to speak; and not only did his heart tremble, but