.Chap, An Expof tioit.upoìs tbè.ñ6okof J B. Verf, r 3. pofíible the words he means were thefe, Why haft thou fet me as a mark, Jo that I am a burthen to myfel f (Chap.. 20.) or thefe ( Chap. 9.3o.) If 1 math me with 'now water, and make my hands neverfo clear, yet thou wilt plungme in the ditch, or thefe (Chap. r 3.26,) Thou write/t bitter things againft me,and thou makejt me to pofj°efs the iniquities of my youth : Thefe, or fuch as thefe, were the words which Eliphaz leaves under this note of difdain, Such words. Yet thefe Eliphaz thould have mollified with a charitable contiruE?rion,and nothave fharpned his own tongue againft them, much lets thould he have in- terpreted:them, as the turning oflobs fpirit againti God him- fell, For as tome draw near to God with their lips, and give him ftnooth words, while their hearts are far from him, and their fpirits turned againft him : So others may teem to de- part fromGod with their lips, and give him harsh language, while their hearts are racer , and their fpirits cleave unto him. I shall further give you a fourfold charaEer of thefe words, fuitable to the mifprifion whichEliphaz and his Friends had of him all along. Such words, or words fo'apprehended, muff needs found harthly in their ears, and in the ears ofany man fearing God. Firft, Proud words of himfelf, infifting upon his own righ- teoufnefs, as they conceived ; for in the . next words Eliphaz faith, What is man that he thouldbe clean? They thought Job fpake much to paint and bedeck himfelf with his own good- rids and innocency. Secondly, Blafpbemous words of God, though not direly, ,yet by confequence, againft his works and dealings. Thirdly, Reproachful, fcornful words aga:nft them, as if they were neither able nor worthy to behis counfel ; Toot are the men, andwifdom(hall dye withÿóu. Fourthly, .Falfe words upon"the,'whole matter in contro- verfic,maintaining (as Eliphaz judged) contraryto the truth, that he was not punifhed for.his tin. Words under this four- , fold notion are reproveable and finful enough fuch Eli phaz efteemed the words ofjob to be, proud, blafphemous, reproachful, talk', Why letteft thnufuch words as therego out of thy mouth ? Hence obferve : Firf}z
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