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

This is it which Elihu saith in the Text, Because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger. Job was sorely afflicted before, but now he is visited in anger, because he did not manifest such trust in God as he expected in that condition. As when the wicked repent ⟨p. 121⟩not of their sins under the punishing hand of God, he will punish them more and more, even seven times more for their sins, (Levit. 26.41.) So when good men act not their Graces, believe not, trust not under the afflicting hand of God, he usually afflicts them more and more, gives them sorer stripes, and layeth yet heavier burdens on them. When God misseth what he looked for, we may quickly feel what we looked not for. Mr. Broughton's Translation speaks the Point fully, But now for missing, his anger doth visit. Man seldom misseth trouble from God, when God misseth duty from man; and 'tis a me cy that he doth not: 'tis mans mercy when God minds him of his deficiencies in duty, though by a smart visiting rod. Thus the Lord spake of Davids Seed, (and 'tis to be understood of all the Seed of Christ, whom David typed, Psal. 89.) If his children forsake my Law, (v. 30, 31.) Then (vers. 32.) will I visit their transgressions with the Rod, &c. How true this charge of Elihu was, as to Jobs omission of duty, I shall not stay to enquire; only this we know, Job had professed trust in God, yet because it was mingled with so much complaint, with so many unbelieving expostulations, Elihu might say the Lord missed the patience, trust and confidence, which he expected from Job. Doubtless, more of all these should have appeared in him, and they should have appeared more in that time of affliction. There are two things which God looketh for, and aims at in the time of our affliction; first, the mortifying of corruptions, that they wo•k no more, at least no more so strongly as they have done; secondly, The stirring up, and acting of our Graces, that they may be more working, and work more strongly than ever they have done. Where the Lord sees not these effects of affliction, that our sins grow less, and our graces more, that we complain less, and trust or believe more, we are like to be afflicted more, and he will discover his anger more. Because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger. And thence