Chap. r5. AnExpo/Won upon the Bookof J OB. Verf 34. 195 before it,''it will fubdue the harden materials, and tougheft peices.The hot íiomachof theOflrich(as tome afíirm)concoecs Iron, what will not the heat of Gods anger concod,and con- fume to afhes ? Thirdly, There is a mercilefnefs in the judgments of God. as in fire,we fay, Fire and Water have no mercy ; there is no in- treating them,they are not only hard,but impoffible to be in- treated.Such('in reference to wicked men)is the wrath ofGod; as good fpeak to fire not to burn,or to water not to drown; as toithe "wrath of God not to confume wicked men; it muff and will do it(fer. i 5,1,)7hough Mofes and Satneel flood before me, &c.to entreat, yet the fentence dull not be taken off, wrath muí{ burn.Thoughprayer bath in many cafes quenched wrath yet fometimes the wrath cannot be quenched by prayer, nor intreated down, there is no (peaking to it;and fometimes that it might burn quietly,theLord had fiid,pray notfor thispeople, Fire fhall confume the Tabernacles ofBribery. . Tabernacles of Bribery, may be taken two wayes: Either for the Tabernacles of thole whohave taken bribes : Or the Ta- bernacles of thole who have given bribes ; for there goes (as we fay) but a pair of Shears between him that gives, and him that takes bribes ; both are ofa piece, and both are alike mifchievous and wicked. Some take bribes toprevent Juftice, and others give bribes to pervert Julice, Fire is prepared proprie munut for both their tabernacles ; that is, for their whole efìates, guod data ad or for all that belongsunto them. Yet Eliphaz may teem ra corrumpendnnr ther to ayme at bribe takers, or unjufi Judges (among whom jttdicemDruf. he fecretly numbers Job) who fullers themfelves to be corrup- ted with gifts, and to have their eies put out by rewards : TheSeptuagint is exprefs in that fence,Fire(hall confume (fay they)the Tabernacles of bribe- takers. And indeed,ifthere werefoY7rvav nobribe- takers,there would be no bribe- givers : as we fay, ar' 4rer c i' There would be no Theeves, ifthere were no .Receivers, The Re. p ceiver makes the Thief; and corrupt Judges,who take bribes, make fo many bribe- givers. Further, the word which we tranflate Bribery, lignifies properly agift ; and theText may be rendred thus,Fire (hale confume theTabernaclesofgifts. There are many gifts which C cz are
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