Chap. 42, _n ExFofstion tspon the BookefJ o g. Verf.4, 8st. Obferve ; rbe teachings of God are e f fefiiráal, they make urknow. Men may teach others knowledge, but they cannot make them know. God can make a very dullard quick of under(iandìng. Menmay in(iruet the underffanding, but they cannot give under - (landing God Both both. The teachings of God are effeetual to all purpofes. Fitt+, to enlighten the ignorant. Secondly,to con- vincegain-layers. Thirdly, to convert sinners. Fourthly, to com- fort thole that are forrowful.Fifthly, to refolve fuch as are doubt- ful. Sixthly, to encourage the fearful. And, Seventhly, to raife up and recover chofe that are fallen. Thus fob is become a pe- titioner to the Lord for inaruRion, having confeffed his own ig- norance and weaknefs. And that he had formerly profited under the teachings of God, and was now in a further way of profiting, . isevident by that which followeth. Verf. 5. I have beard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eyefeeth thee. J'ob had no boomer asked for teaching, but God taughthim, though not formally and explicitely as he defired, yet really and elfe&wally, as heneeded. For, this verfe feems to be a real an- frier to the petition he made in the former verfe ; and in it yob aiterts two things. Fir(}, That he had heardof God by the hearing of abe ear. Secondly, That now his eye didfee him. There are two opinions about the general fente of this verfes and I (hall conclude in a third. Firfl, Some conceive thefe difcoveries of God to 3ob,were on- ly, inward to his foul ; fo that when he faith, I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye faith thee, we are not to underhand him, as if he had had any vifible appearance of God, but that thefe words may be taken, Pita, as aconparifon between a flight hearing, when the mind is not intent upon what the ear heareth ; and a ferious hearing, which brings the mind fully into the ear. As if pb had formerly been a carelefs hearer ,but now an attentive one; and fo the know- ledge which'.ob had of god formerly, was little compared withhis prefent knowledge. He had aknowledge of God by hearing only be-
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