Job 22

Job 22:2

CAn a man] as when God rewardeth mens good works, it is not in regard of any profit hee reaps thereby, so must his punishments be attributed to no other reason, but only to his iustice; contrary to that as Iob seemed to doe: [hee that is wise] namely the spirituall wise man, who by the light of Gods spirit, apprehends the end of eternall life, and follows the true and sure meanes to obtaine it.

Job 22:4

For feare of thee] because that Iob had termed his afflictions, to be a strong and secure watch, Iob 7. 〈◊〉.

Job 22:6

For thou] that is to say, wee must suppose by thy punishments, that thou art guilty of some or all these sinnes; not that Eliphaz had any proofe that Iob had done any such thing: [for nought] through meere hardnesse, and inhumanity, for covetousnesse to get his goods, though thou wert otherwise sufficiently secured for what thou diddest lend. Or taking of his goods to pawn, and lending him nothing, or much lesse than his goods which he pawned to thee were worth: [the naked] that is to say, the ill clothed, or those who are now brought to poverty by meanes of thy extortion.

Job 22:8

The earth] through thine acceptation of persons when thou wert a publick officer; none but great and mighty men could quietly enioy any thing: or thou diddest assist them in their uniust purchases.

Job 22:9

The armes] thou and the ministers of thy tyrannie have oppressed them, and taken from them all meanes, whereby they might subfist.

Job 22:10

Are round about] God hath stayed the course of thy violence, by these afflictions, as a ravenous beast is catched in toiles, see Iob 18. 8. 11.

Job 22:11

Darknesse] namely a trouble and confusion of understanding, want of counsell and advice.

Job 22:12

Is not God] although God be infinite in his essence, and that from his throne of glory hee seeth and iudgeth all things; yet hast thou prophanely smothered up in thine heart all apprehension of his providence and iudgement.

Job 22:14

Walketh] hee enioyeth his blessednesse in idlenesse, and takes no care of worldly things.

Job 22:16

Out of time] before the end of their naturall course, and before they were come to maturity of amendment or repentance, see Iob 5. 32. Psa. 55. 23. and 102. 24 Ecclesiastes 7:17. [foundation] being in outward appearance happy, well founded and established.

Job 22:17

VVhat can] the Italian, what had, in what particular could they complaine of God, that they shewed themselves so alien from him? Isaiah 5:4. Ier. 2. 31. Micah 6:3.

Job 22:18

Is farre] Eliphaz repeateth the same words as Iob spake, Iob 21. 16. as if hee meant to say, that which thou speakest with thy mouth I speak it from mine heart, and in verity.

Job 22:20

VVhereas our] as God hath spared us, and others that were like us, namely that feared him, even so hath hee destroyed the wicked.

Job 22:21

Acquaint now] get into his favour again, and by prayers, humility, and turning to him, get thy selfe free accesle unto him, see Isaiah 27:5.

Job 22:24

Lay up gold] a hyperbolicall phrase, as much as to say, thou shalt make pavements of gold, see 2 Chronicles 1:15. Psal. 68. 30. [Ophir] the name of a countrey, Genesis 10:29. 1 Chronicles 1:23. where there was excellent good gold grew, and therefore this name is taken absolutely for the finest gold.

Job 22:25

Shall be thy desence] the Italian, thy gold, his grace and blessing shall bee to thee in stead of a deare treasure. Or it will abundantly enitch thee.

Job 22:28

The light] that is to say, God will inspire thee with good counsell, and direction in all thine affaires: or will shine over them with his blessing.

Job 22:29

VVhen thou art] when thou thinkest thine affairs goe to decay, then shalt thou re-assure thy selfe, by thine inward confidence in God, which will not deceive thee: [the humble]namely thy selfe, who shalt have humbled thy selfe before God, who will not regard thy past sins, but the sincerity of thy repentance and thy prayer free from hypocrisie, Iob 11. 15. Isaiah 1:15. 1 Tim. 2, 8.