chap. 42. 4n Expoftion upon the Book, of ] o B. Ghri(i--, faith (Pfal. 4o. t o.) Ihave not hid thy righteoufnefs with- in myheart,!have declared thy faithfolnefr and thyfalvation.What ismeant by not biding, in the former part of the verfe, isexpref- fed by declaring, in the fatter part of it ; and when he faith, I have declared, his meaning is, I have amply and clearly made knownthy faithfulnefs. So that, becaufe fob had not foclearly as he fnould declared the righteoufnefs, or the righteous counfelsof God concerning him, and his dealings withhim, he may be faid to havehid the counfel of God. While we do not magnifieGod, we leffen him ; whilewe do not declare,to the urmofi,his power, wehide it ; and therefore job thus chargeth himfelf, Who to be that hidetb ? Or we may take it thus, more difiin&ly ; jobhid the counfel of God, Firfi, by being fo much in fatting forth his own innocency. Howmuch he infìíiedupon that argument, bathbeen Chewedbe- fore from other placesof this book.While we fet forthour felves, we obfcureGod. Job fhould have been lefs inhis own commen dation, andmore in the praifesof God. Secondly, job may be Paid to havehid the counfel of God, be- caufe hewas fomuch in amplifying andaggravating his own fuffer- ings, not well confidering the counfel of God in laying chofe fufferingsupon him : Had he duly weighed the counfel of God in affli&inghim, he would have proceeded as he began (Chap. &. 2i.) toblefs God, both inand for his afHi&ion. Thirdly, Hemay be faid tohave hid the counfel of God, be- caufeheexpofiulated with í;Dd, as revere towards him inhis af- fiidtions ; as if Gods counfel had been only to put him to pain. such complainings of the livingman, Jeremiah checkt, while he He laid of God ( Lam. 3.3 3.) loth not afiliíp willingly, norgrieve thechildren of men. As it is not in theheart or counfel of God to affili& menwith his heart (as the words there iiiports) fo not to break their hearts (unit fs with godly forrow for their fin) by af- fli&ion. Therefore Job fpeaking fo much of Gods feverity, hid the counfel of God, which was only to try his gracesandhis good- nefs, and gracioufly to do him good in the latter end. who At this that hidetb soonfcl Verf. 2. $á?
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