An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

First, If the earth be such a great thing, that a man cannot perceive the breadth or dimensions of it, then how great are the heavens! The earth in comparison of the heavens is but as a point, 'tis as little as is imaginable. O what a broad thing is heaven, if the earth be such, that we cannot reach the breadth of it!

Secondly, If the earth be so great, how great is God, who made the heavens and the earth too! That's it which God would lead Job to the consideration of, even of his own infinite greatness. How great is God, who made this great earth! To him (as the prophet Isaiah speaks, chap. 40.15, 16.) The Nations, the people (of the earth) are but as the drop of a bucket, and as the dust of the balance: He weighs the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance: He holds the dust as one single grain in his hand. What a nothing are all things to God, seeing the earth is a nothing to the heavens! God puts the question to Job, Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? and we may put that question into this negative Proposition, O Job, Thou hast not perceived the breadth of the earth. The wisest of men know not the breadth or bigness of the earth. Some have undertaken to tell us how great the circle of the earth is; but theirs are but guesses: though somewhat may be said that way, yet no man can give it exactly; and therefore the Roman Orator attempting to write about the earth and the dimensions of it, prefaceth or apologizeth thus for himself;¹ I will do my endeavour to satisfy thee about Geography, or the dimensions of the earth, but I promise nothing of certainty, 'tis a great work. Hast thou known the breadth of the earth?

Secondly, If the earth be so great, how great is God, who made the heavens and the earth too! That's it which God would lead Job to the consideration of, even of his own infinite greatness. How great is God, who made this great earth! To him (as the prophet Isaiah speaks, chap. 40.15, 16.) The Nations, the people (of the earth) are but as the drop of a bucket, and as the dust of the ballance: He weighs the mountains in scales, and the hills in a ballance: He holds the dust as one single grain in his hand. What a nothing are all things to God, seeing the earth is a nothing to the heavens! God puts the question to Job, Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? and we may put that question into this negative Proposition, O Job, Thou hast not perceived the breadth of the earth. The wisest of men know not the breadth or bigness of the earth. Some have undertaken to tell us how great the circle of the earth is; but theirs are but guesses: though somewhat may be said that way, yet no man can give it exactly; and therefore the Roman Orator attempting to write about the earth and the dimensions of it, prefaceth or apologizeth thus for himself;