Job 36

Job 36:2

ON Gods behalfe] to defend his justice which thou questionest.

Job 36:3

From a farre] from the generall grounds of his nature, justice and works, I will come to thy particular cause: [Ascribe] I will acknowledge it, preach it, and maintaine it to be just, for his glory onely, and not for any private respect of mine own.

Job 36:4

Not be false] namely, proceeding from flattery, to insinuate into Gods favour against mine own conscience, or without any motion from the heart, a thing wherewith Iob had taxed his friends, Jo 13. 7. and 17. 5.

Job 36:5

Mighty] not by a tyrannicall might, having no regard to justice: As it should seeme Iob had intimated Iob 19. 7. & 23. 13. & 30 21. but such a might as is alwayes governed and guided with justice and wisedome: [Despiseth] namely, in denying of justice in respect of the inequality of their conditions according to Iobs complaint, Iob 10. 3 [strength and wisdome]the Hebrew, strength and heart.

Job 36:8

In fetters] he calleth afflictions fetters; they being as a prison to the faithfull who are fallen into some sin, for their correction and to prevent judgement, see Iob 13. 27 & 42. 10.Psal. 107. 10.

Job 36:9

Hee sheweth them] namely, by the publike ministery of his word, see Iob 33. 23.

Job 36:10

Sheweth them] he admonisheth them in secret, by divine revelations, Iob 33. 14. 16.

Job 36:12

They obey not] seeing hee here yet speaketh of the just, vers. 7. opposite to the wicked, ver. 13. by this disobedience can no way bee meant an obstinate rebellion, but a carelesnesse in the expresse amendment of some sin, by which others may prevent Gods last visitation in this world.

Job 36:13

But the hypocrites] the Italian, the prophane, that is to say, the wicked doe not only remaine unconverted in their afflictions, but become more wicked, whereby their punishment is also increased.

Job 36:14

Among the unclean] the Italian, among the Sodomins, namely, such as commit the abominable kinde of lust: Ayming at the destruction of Sodome.

Job 36:15

In his affliction] when in their afflictions they voluntarily humble themselves, see Ier. 31. 18.

Job 36:16

Have removed thee] if thou hadst chosen this way for thy conversion.

Job 36:17

But thou hast] thou seemest in some manner to imitate the wickeds extream and irre missible sin; which is to contend with God, saying, that he hath wronged them in their perdition: Now Elihu did onely intend to disswade Iob from such an impiety, to which his specches seemed to incline: But Iobs aime was no other but to maintaine the seale of Gods Spirit, against all appearances and reasons which might be urged to the contrary, which is the good combat of the faith; but it was followed by Iob with a little too much excesse:[Iudgement] thou art already as it were a guilty man in the judges hands, therefore thou oughtest so much the more to beware least thou doe further provoke him.

Job 36:20

Desire not] desire not death in this manner a thou dost, for in the state in which thou art, thou oughtest to feare an extraordinary kinde of death, even by Gods hands whereby many people have passed even to eternall death, as in the deludge, Sodm, ad Egypt.

Job 36:21

Iniquity] the Italian, vanity, namely, that vain desire of death, only to ease thee of some corporall paine, never regarding the eternall state of the soul: [chosen] thou hast desired rather to fall into the hands of God, by such a kinde of death, than to endure these torments, see Job 3. 13. 20. and 6. 8. and 10. 1.

Job 36:22

God] if thou say est thou wouldest argue with God, not to contraty him, but only to relate thy reasons unto him, that he might proceed with thee according to them. Who art thou that shouldest teach or direct him, who is in such heigth of Majesty and command?

Job 36:24

Which men] of which they are neither iudges nor censurers, but onely spectators and adorers.

Job 36:25

A farre off] either for reverence or through weaknesse being not able to come neere so great a light.

Job 36:30

Hee spreadeth] hee shooteth out his lightnings every way, Psal. 28. 13. 15. and 144. 6 [Covereth] with thick clouds, and the gulses, and armes of the Sea which seeme to be so many rootes of a great tree.

Job 36:31

or by them] that is to say, Gods providence is incomprehensible, for with one and the selfe same storme, hee tunder-striketh the wicked, and watereth the earth to cause it to bring forth fruit.

Job 36:32

With clouds, &c.] the Italian, hee hideth the ame with the palmes of his hands, and directeth them what they should meet; he hath as a man should say, both his hands armed with thunders, which directly hit whatsoever he will have them.