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

He that is not (as Job was not) a first, nor second, nor third-ground-hearer, but (as Job was) a fourth-ground-hearer, one that heareth with a good and honest heart, yet, even he may a little let down his watch, and give just occasion to the speaker for such a short diversion as Elihu here used, Hearken (I pray) to this. There is a willingness of spirit in all fourth-ground, or right-hearted hearers, yet, there is also, even in them, a weakness of the flesh; corruption may be stirring, temptation may be working, therefore 'tis no unnecessary jealousy in the Ministers of the Gospel, sometimes to mingle or interweave such passages as these, in speaking to them, pray hearken, stir up and awaken your selves: There may be need of this (I say) where there is a general good bent of heart. Some pretending hearers are like the Idols of the heathen, who have eyes and see not, ears and hear not; who, when they are hearing, set themselves, at least give way, to sleep, and willingly yield to the drowsiness of their spirits; this showeth an evil heart: but a good man may be overtaken with drowsiness, and find much indisposition to duty, while he is in duty, and then he will count it a favour, to hear such a word as this cast in, Pray hearken.

He that is not (as Job was not) a first, nor second, nor third-ground-hearer, but (as Job was) a fourth-ground-hearer, one that heareth with a good and honest heart, yet, even he may a little let down his watch, and give just occasion to the speaker for such a short diversion as Elihu here used, Hearken (I pray) to this. There is a willingness of spirit in all fourth-ground, or right-hearted hearers, yet, there is also, even in them, a weakness of the flesh; corruption may be stirring, temptation may be working, therefore 'tis no unnecessary jealousie in the Ministers of the Gospel, sometimes to mingle or interweave such passages as these, in speaking to them, pray hearken, stir up and awaken your selves: There may be need of this (I say) where there is a general good bent of heart. Some pretending hearers are like the Idols of the heathen, who have eyes and see not, eares and hear not; who, when they are hearing, set themselves, at least give way, to sleep, and willingly yeeld to the drowsiness of their spirits; this sheweth an evil heart: but a good man may be overtaken with drowsinesse, and find much indisposition to duty, while he is in duty, and then he will count it a favour, to hear such a word as this cast in, Pray hearken.