Job 23

Job 23:2

EVen to day] after so many protestations, and justifications of mine, doe you still continue in your sinister misconstructions of my laments, though they doe no way equall my torments, as to terme them mournings, and ebellions against God? see Iob 6. 2. [my stroke] the Hebrew, my hand. Others translate it, though my hand be aggravated upon my groanes, that is to say, though I strive to represse them it is but all in vaine.

Job 23:3

VVhere I might finde] O that hee would appeare to mee in vision, or spiritually shew himselfe present by his power in my heart: [his seat.] not that of soveraign Maiesty or exact rigor, but his throne of grace, Heb. 4 16.

Job 23:6

VVill hee plead] I am sure hee would not deale with me as an enemie; nor as having absolute power, but in his fatherly benignity, Isa. 27. 4. 8. Ier. 10. 24.

Job 23:7

Might dispute] in that laudable manner, whereby the faithfull man opposeth unto the appearances of Gods wrath, the firme persuasion of his grace, by the seale of his spirit, see of such a kind of contention Genesis 32:24. [should I bee] I should by Gods definitive sentence bee absolved from your rash iudgements, 1 Corinthians 4:5. or God himselfe after hee had heard my cause would free mee out of this hard prison, Iob 13. 27.

Job 23:10

As gold] I should bee found good and loyall, like gold comming out of the furnace.

Job 23:11

My foot] hee doth confute Eliphaz his false accusations, Iob 22. 5.

Job 23:13

But hee is] the Italian, but if hee is, notwithstanding this mine innocency, I know that if it please him to afflict mee hee will doe it, and it is not possible to oppose his will; or to search out the reasons of it.

Job 23:14

And many] hee doth not deale so with me alone, but it is an ordinary thing.

Job 23:16

My heart soft] the Italian, melteth my heart, makes mee want strength to beare his rigor, see Psal. 39. 11.

Job 23:17

Because I was not cut off] the Italian, why was I not cut off before that these calamities did fall upon mee: [neither hath hee] the Italian leaves ont; neither, hath hee hitherto preserved mee from death, which is the only meanes to end mine afflictions, Iob 3. 23. and 6. 9. and 30. 24.