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

Thunder is so unquiet and tumultuous, that any thing which is so, may by a figure be called Thunder. The text speaks of proper Thunder; and if we enquire among Philosophers about the nature and generation of Thunder, some tell us briefly, Thunder is a crashing or cracking noise made by the stroke of enclosed fires breaking through the louds. Or thus, Thunder is a dreadful sound in a thick Cloud, caused by the hot and dry exhalation shut up in the bowels of it, which seeking passage out makes its own way with mighty violence.

But though the matter here treated upon by Elihu be philosophical, yet I must remember that mine is a Divinity, not a Philosophy Lecture, and therefore it may suffice me to touch these things, and leave the Reader, who desires to know more of them, or of other mysteries in Nature, to seek his satisfaction in those learned Authors who professedly handle this subject of Thunder; and shall here only take notice that Elihu doth not only say, He thundereth, but He thundereth ⟨p. 458⟩With the voice of his excellency.

¹That's an explication of he roareth. The voice of his excellency, is his high voice. The word signifieth pride, because they that are in high places are so apt to be proud, or because high-mindedness is the same with pride. Proud men think themselves higher than their brethren, as Saul was above the people by head and shoulders; therefore the same word signifieth pride and light. The Lord thundereth with the voice of his highness or excellency of his greatness.

1. 1[Greek or Hebrew] Excellentia elatio, supernia verbum medium est.