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

These words plainly intimate, that Jobs scope, when he said he should not see God, was, that he should not see him as a Judge clearing up his cause, or appearing to vindicate the wrong done him, and to do him right. As if Elihu had said, Whatever thy opinion is concerning God, that he will never appear in thy cause to do thee right, yet know this (O Job) Judgement is before him, ⟨p. 108⟩and therefore I advise thee, be thou better persuaded both of his presence with thee, and of his providence over thee. The word rendered Judgement, is that from which one of the Patriarchs had his name, and it is a great elegance, (Gen. 49.16.) Dan shall Judge his people. The proper name Dan, is the same with the Verb which follows, shall Judge.

These words plainly intimate, that Jobs scope, when he said he should not see God, was, that he should not see him as a Judge clearing up his cause, or appearing to vindicate the wrong done him, and to do him right. As if Elihu had said, Whatever thy opinion is concerning God, that he will never appear in thy cause to do thee right, yet know this (O Job) Judgement is before him, ⟨p. 108⟩and therefore I advise thee, be thou better perswaded both of his presence with thee, and of his providence over thee. The word rendred Judgement, is that from which one of the Patriarks had his name, and it is a great elegancy, (Gen. 49.16.) Dan shall Judge his people. The proper name Dan, is the same with the Verb which follows, shall Judge.

When Judgement is said to be before the Lord, it may be taken three ways, (so we find it in the Scripture) First, we read there of Judgement as it is opposed to mercy. These terrible and dreadful Judgements of God are every where spoken of. Secondly, Judgement is opposed to imprudence and want of understanding or discretion; Judgement is a wise and clear sight or apprehension of things; as we say such a one is a Judicious man, or a man of a great Judgement. Thirdly, Judgement is opposed to injustice or to unrighteousness; thus we do judgement and justice. Many have a great stock of judgement or understanding, who yet will do little judgment, that is, little justice, they have a right understanding of things, yet will do little or nothing right. Here, when it is said, Judgment is before him, we are to understand it in the two latter senses; for though it be a great truth that judgment as opposed to mercy, is before the Lord, And he shall have judgement without mercy, that hath showed no mercy, though (as the Apostle adds in the same place