the wicked shall be paid with present punishments according to the measure of his deme

rits.

2dly, That if a wicked man flourish in outward prosperity, yet it is very momentary, and suddenly turns to, and ends in visible judgments in this life. And that if at any time a godly man be withered with adversity, yet it is very short and suddenly (in this life) ends in visible blessings. The sum of this is, that a man greatly afflicted and held long under their pressure, is to be numbered with the wicked, though no other evidence appear against him, hence

The peculiar opinion of Eliphaz, that all the outward evils which overtake a man in this life are the proceeds of his own sin, and so from the process of God's justice, chapter iv. 8. They that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness,' shall reap the same, which he applies personally to Job, chapter xxii. 5, 6. Is not thy wickedness great ? &c. ; the whole scope of his speech bends the same way, and is as if he had said to Job, Though thy carriage has been so plausible among us, that we are not able to accuse thee of sin, yet those judgments accuse thee, and are sufficient witnesses against thee that thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought.'

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Bildad grants that afflictions may fall upon a righteous person, but if God send not deliverance speedily, &c. Then upon the second ground of the fourth principle, such a man may be censured, cast and condemned as unright

eous. That such was Bildad's judgment is clear, chapter viii. 5, 6. and 20, 21. Behold God will not cast away a perfect man,' &c. As if he had said, I cannot assent to Eliphaz affirming, that every man that is afflicted is for his wickedness. I believe that a godly man may be afflicted for the trial and exercise of his graces. But as soon as he cries and calls, the Lord makes his habitation prosperous again.

Zophar differs from the two former, affirming that all afflictions are to be resolved into the absolute will and pleasure of God, &c. chapter xi. 7, 8, 12.; in the rest of his speech he comes nearest the opinion of Bildad, verse 14, 15, 16. and gives out as hard thoughts of Job as the other two, numbering him among the wicked, and assigning him the reward of an hypocrite, chapter xx. 29.

These, I conceive, are the characteristical opinions of Job's three friends about his case, all consistent with these four principles, which they hold in common, all equally concerning Job, and yet some difference among themselves.

But what says Job? He says that the providence of God dispenses outward prosperity and affliction so indifferently to good and bad, that no unerring judgment can possibly be made of any man's spiritual estate upon the view of his temporal. He declares this as his opinion, chapter ix. 22, 23. which is no way at variance with the three first principles, but only with the fourth, which he throughout refutes as unsound, &c.

In the strong hold of this truth, Job secures himself against all the assaults, and scatters all the objections of his opponents, resolving to maintain it to the death.

That he is a sinner, he readily grants; that he is an hypocrite, he flatly denies.

That the Lord was righteous in all his dealings with him, he readily grants.

That himself was unrighteous, because the Lord had dealt so with him, he flatly denies.

He confesses that he needeth the free grace and mercy of God to justify him, but withall asserts that he was perfect enough to justify himself against all the challenges of men.

In these acknowledgments of his sinfulness and denials of insincerity, in these humblings of himself before God, and acquitting of himself before men, in these implorings of mercy from the Lord, and complaining of the unkindness of his brethren, the strength of Job's answer consists, and it may be thus summed up.

'Tis true, that through the extremity of his pain, the anguish of his spirit, and the provocation of his friends, some unwary speeches slipt from him, for which Elihu reproved him, and of which he repented, all which a gracious God freely pardoned.

Thus I have endeavoured to give a brief account of the argumentative part of this book, and to represent how far in this great controversy the answerer and his objectors agree in judgment, and where they part. April 28th, 1645.

JOSEPH CARYL.

"Verse 1.

CHAPTER IV.

Then Eliphaz, the Temanite,

answered, and said "Verse 2.

If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved?' assay or try—commune. It notes serious speaking, wilt thou be grieved? The word signifies to be extremely grieved, even unto rage or fainting. He seems to hint at Job's distempered. speeches, wilt thou fall into such a passion again? but however thou take it.

"Who can withhold himself from speaking in such a case as this?

"From this preamble, observe, 1. That reproof is a wholesome, yet a bitter pill, it needs to be wrapt up in gold and sugar, that, pleasing both eye and palate, it may be taken down the

better.

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"2d, That it is no easy thing to bear reproof. To take a reproof well is as high a point of spiritual wisdom as to give it in a proper

manner.

"3d, That in some cases it is a duty to reprove however it may be taken.' When we see God dishonoured, and the soul of our brother in danger, we must speak. In such cases we must adventure to save men by fear, plucking them out of the fire. But what is it that he could not forbear? It is, that he supposed that Job acted opposite to his own principles.

"Verse 3. Behold thou hast instructed many.' The Hebrew signifies both to correct and teach, because they are usually joined, it

G

is thou hast taught and directed, and (where need was) corrected many.

"And thou hast strengthened the weak hands." That is those whose hands are weak, by reason of manifold trials, thou hast spoken words to them which have been as sinews to their hands, and strength to their joints, Heb. xii. 12. Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down.

"Verse 4. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.'

"Some afflictions not only make us shake and totter, but either from their nature, number, or duration, are like to overwhelm us.

"Weak, or hanging down hands, may denote a kind of despair of relief from evils felt, and feeble knees may arise from expected evil.

"Job stood ready to uphold such as was ready to fall. Timely assistance and advice may prevent a fall, and strengthen for future trials.

"Observe 1st, That to instruct and comfort others, is not only a man's duty but his praise. "Job taught many, though he had no direct calling to it. Now, what shall we think of those who neglect to instruct after they have solemnly engaged to be teachers?

"Observe 2d, That charity, especially spiritual charity, is very liberal, and open hearted charity to the soul, is the soul of charity. When words are wisely dispensed, and accompanied with the divine blessing, what can they not do?