1Thirdly, (which suits the former) That Job here shows his friends, the true way of reconciling his own innocency, with the sharp afflictions and troubles which were upon him, Job felt and saw (and others either did or might) that he was sorely afflicted, And Job knew (though others did not) that he was innocent, as to the charge brought against him. Then how shall he reconcile the justice of divine providence, with his own innocence? His friends knew not how to reconcile, the innocency of an afflicted man, and the Justice of an afflicting God. This was a riddle which they could not unfold. And therefore when they saw God thus afflicting him, they concluded as strongly as if they had seen it, that Job had greatly offended God. But Job knew how to unlock this secret, and expound this riddle; He knew how to maintain and assert his own integrity while he suffered, and yet acquit the Justice of God in laying those sufferings upon him. He could say, God is supreme; He is in one mind; And what he doth, he may do because he hath a mind to do it. He hath deep purposes and designs, which I am not able to reach or fathom: Therefore though I complain, I do not complain as if God had done me wrong, but because I smart, because I feel such pains, and so heavy a pressure upon me. I am far from saying that he hath injured me, though he hath thus afflicted me; nor can any thing which he hath done or shall further do, be an injury to me, for I confess that he hath a right to do whatsoever he pleaseth to do. Thus we have an excellent defence made by Job in these words, to vindicate the Lords sharp dealings with him from the least suspicion of injustice, and to accord the assertion of his own afflicted innocence, with a believing reverence of the righteousness of God; and so these words of his are the breathings of a very gracious spirit: teaching us far better then his friends had done, how to answer for God in his saddest dispensations towards man. They knew no other way to do it, but by rendering Job a notorious hypocrite, an heinous offender, and these his sufferings to be the punishments of his hypocrisy and offences. But Job resolves all into the ⟨p. 417⟩unchangeableness of Gods will, and the sovereignty of his power. Thus much for the general scope of these words.
1Thirdly, (which sutes the former) That Job here shewes his friends, the true way of reconciling his owne innocency, with the sharp afflictions and troubles which were upon him, Job felt and saw (and others eyther did or might) that he was sorely afflicted, And Job knew (though others did not) that he was innocent, as to the charge brought against him. Then how shall he reconcile the justice of divine providence, with his owne innocence? His friends knew not how to reconcile, the innocency of an afflicted man, and the Justice of an afflicting God. This was a riddle which they could not unfold. And therefore when they saw God thus afflicting him, they concluded as strongly as if they had seene it, that Job had greatly offended God. But Job knew how to unlocke this secret, and expound this riddle; Hee knew how to maintaine and assert his owne integritie while he suffered, and yet acquit the Justice of God in laying those sufferings upon him. He could say, God is supreame; He is in one minde; And what he doth, he may doe because he hath a minde to doe it. He hath deep purposes and designes, which I am not able to reach or fathome: Therefore though I complaine, I doe not complaine as if God had done me wrong, but because I smart, because I feel such paines, and so heavie a pressure upon me. I am far from saying that he hath injured me, though he hath thus afflicted me; nor can any thing which he hath done or shall further doe, be an injury to me, for I confesse that he hath a right to doe whatsoever he pleaseth to doe. Thus we have an excellent defence made by Job in these words, to vindicate the Lords sharp dealings with him from the least suspition of injustice, and to accord the assertion of his owne afflicted innocence, with a beleeving reverence of the righteousnesse of God; and so these words of his are the breathings of a very gracious spirit: teaching us far better then his friends had done, how to answer for God in his saddest dispensations towards man. They knew no other way to doe it, but by rendering Job a notorious hypocrite, an haynous offender, and these his sufferings to be the punishments of his hypocrisie and offences. But Job resolves all into the ⟨p. 417⟩unchangeablenes of Gods will, and the soveraignty of his power. Thus much for the generall scope of these words.
- 1Egregie tuetur divinam providentiam nam cum amici illa tantum ratione pro divina providentia pugnent, quod scelera puniat, at Job illam agnoscit cum aerumnas ille immittit propter praeclaros fines nobis occultos soli deo notos. Pined: Juri & libertati dei assignat afflictiones, quas amici peccatis. Coc: