ters and destroys them in this world; yet we find some of them live long and die quietly. They spend all their days in devouring others, and yet God suspends his judgments against some, who, for cruelty, &c. are spoken of, Nahum ii. 11, 12, as lions.

"Perhaps Eliphaz intended in this to reflect upon Job, as if the Lord had measured to him the same measure he had given others.

"The remainder of the chapter contains the third argument, by which Eliphaz labours to convince and reprove Job.

"Invented visions are intended to gain credit to the inventions of man. But this was a true vision, for it was for the confirmation of a truth contained in verse 17, and the matter of the argument in it may be formed thus: That man behaves rashly and sinfully, who would seem more just and pure than his maker.

But thou, Job, speakest as if thou were more just than God, therefore thou art acting very sinfully. He confirms this by an argument taken from divine authority from verse 12 to 16, and another from reason is grounded on the common logical rule of arguing from the greater to the less, verses 18, 21.

"Verse 12. Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof,' (secretly brought) signifies to do a thing by stealth, so thing or word was brought in suddenly and silently, and my narrow ear could drink in but some drops of that ocean that was poured upon me.'

"The Hebrew word for doctrine signifies also catching, receiving, and from the same root comes a word for palate of the mouth, which hints that heavenly doctrine pleases the taste of a heavenly mind; yet in the present state it is only a little they can take in of the truths of God. John xvi. 12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.' Truth is just the mind of God, and that is infinite, and so we cannot comprehend it. Natural men are like sieves, so that every drop of truth they hear runs out; and how can they hold forth the word in a pure conversation, who have not received it into a pure conscience?

"Verse 13. In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men.' "Thoughts in Hebrew signifies the boughs of a tree, and they are called boughs, because they spring from the mind and bear fruit, they are the first-born, the blossoms of the soul, and therefore the word is elegantly translated thought.

66

Prophets were called Seers, because in visions they had either an ocular, or an intellectual sight of the mind of God.

"When a man is fatigued with labour and travel, sleep falls upon him in such a manner that he cannot withstand it. But God by his almighty power makes a revelation of his will, and causes it to take effect not only when men are in a deep natural sleep, but even when they are under the power of spiritual death. Many not only mind earthly things all the day, but

when they awake in the night they are still filled with earthly cares, and love to the world keeps them awake. Happy they to whom God communicates himself in a vision of love, mercy and grace, and thereby enables them to comply with David's exhortation- Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still,' such may expect fresh discoveries of the love of God, and they will not complain of want of sleep upon their beds. We should have more from God if we thought more of him; God sends convictions in the night,' chapter xxxiii. 14, to 16.

"Verse 14. Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.'

"This seems to be a preparation for this divine vision, he was deeply afflicted with it. Fear is caused by the apprehension of some evil. We should serve God in fear, and join trembling with our mirth.

"Verse 15. Then a spirit passed before my face, the hair of my flesh stood up.'

"That God, who often makes angels ministers of his providence, sent this one to reveal his word. This spirit passed before him perhaps as swiftly as a ship moveth with a gale of wind, and produced another effect of fear and consternation, which discovers a conscience of guilt at seeing a spirit pass. From which, learn 1st, That a manifestation from heaven is terrible to man ever since sin entered.

"2d, That God usually humbles, and lays low before he exalts with discoveries of himself and of his truth.

"3d, To become as babes before God, is the best means of improving his revelations to the increase of true wisdom. Those who are high in their own conceits, give no evidence of having attained true saving knowledge.

"Verse 16. It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof; an image was before mine eyes; there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying.

"He could not form an exact idea of it in his own mind, so he could not describe it. His conscience was to be awakened and informed, but not to gratify curiosity, before the message was delivered there was profound silence. When men are to speak for God, or to pray to him, it becomes them to make a solemn pause before they proceed. It is certainly very improper for a creature to appear in the presence of his Creator, with as little forethought or concern, as a horse rusheth into a battle. After this solemn silence he proceeds to say he heard a voice which spake distinctly.

"Verse 17. Shall mortal man be more just than God; shall a man be more pure than his Maker?'

"No. It is impossible. Shall sinful mortals compare with the immortal, the invisible God? But suppose man as strong, wise, holy, and excellent, as at his creation, what is he when compared with his infinitely holy and righteous Creator? He is base, weak, foolish, and filthy. The words are a positive and flat denial of all comparison between God and

man.

"Observe, 1st, That the best men compared with God are evil, and the holiest are impure. "2d, That to complain of God's dealings with us, is to make ourselves more just and pure than God; we are allowed to make our requests known to him, but not to fret against him.

"3d, That God in himself is most just and pure, and neither does, nor can do wrong to any creature. Justice and purity are not qualities in God, they are his very nature; it is impossible for God to be unjust.

"Lucifer says, Isa. xiv. I will be like the Most High,' and it is said of the man of sin, That he shall exalt himself above all that is called God.' But however odious these are, the heart of man goes beyond them.

"Some think Eliphaz infers, if there was not some great crime for which God thus punishes, then man would be more just than God, for no man would punish his servant without some just cause. Others think it is only a reproof to Job for his unreasonable. speeches.

"Verse 18. Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly. "Eliphaz having laid the dignity of man in the dust by these humbling questions in the former verse. Behold, is an affirmation that there is no comparison between God and angels. He did not credit or confide in these servants, and all the wisdom or stability they have is from the divine bounty, and they may be charged with folly comparatively.