as evidences of his glorious dominion See Psal 104.24 25 26 and 107.23 24 c. 6. Gods providence reacheth even to the depths of the Sea as here we are also taught There providence can find out a Rebel Amos 9.13 There the bodies of Saints will find a resting place till he call for them Rev. 20.13 And there Jonah will find a Whale to preserve him Jon. 1.17 7. Gods providence is to be seen and adored not only in living but in lifeless creatures even in even in every pile of grass and in those dead things which are formed from under the waters We need no wonders to demonstrate the glory of God which is obvious in every even in the meanest thing And he is so glorious in riches that as it were he casts away Pearls and other precious things into the depth of the Sea and waters and buries Minerals in the bowels of the Earth Whereby also he tells us that our hearts should not lust so much after these things which his providence hath set out of our way Verse 6. Hell is naked before him and destruction hath no covering The second evidence and effect of Gods Dominion is his omniscience and that he knoweth and consequently ordereth what is most obscure and remote from the knowledge of men So that hell and the place of destruction whether we understand it of the grave and horrid station of the dead and under that comprehend all things that are in the deepest bowels of the Earth and hid under gross obscurity and darkness or of the place of the damned is no less naked before him than if it wanted a skin or covering For so the latter part of the Verse is an explication of the former Doct. 1. Hell and destruction are but one thing For here the one is explained by the other See Prov. 15.11 If we understand this of the grave death and the grave do not only destroy and cut off all our temporal enjoyments as to us but do destroy our persons and dissolve our bodies into dust And therefore nature looks upon it as a destruction and no wonder Saints sometime look so upon it also So that we have no cause to do at upon our bodies which will be brought to this issue at last and if men place their happiness in their temporal enjoyments and life the day will come wherein they will have done with all of that See Psal 49.16 17. Is 10.3 and 14.9 10 11. But the godly may rejoyce in God who out of that eater brings forth meat unto them and doth warrant them to take a more comfortable look of death If we understand it of the place of the damned that is a place of everlasting destruction 2 Thâ—ss 1.9 without any redemption or hope of recovery as there is in other sad conditions and then misery will triumph over these who have long insulted over it So that nothing should be looked upon as a ruine where this is away Mic. 7.8 1 Cor. 11.32 2. God is omniscient and seeth the most secret and hidden thing were it even in Hell or the bowels of the Earth For hell is naked before him that is before God and destruction hath no covering See Psal 139.8 c. Heb. 12.13 Hence 1. If these things be naked before God much more are men and their hearts known to him See Prov. 15.11 So that though men dig deep to hide their counsels from the Lord and seek many coverings of secrecy denial extenuations and pretences yet all these will serve in no stead before him but will only render their courses more odious to him who hates dissimulation and who is provoked to give men a sad proof of his omniscience when they would attempt to deceive him Jer. 2.35 See Is 29.15 and 30.1 Job 31.33 2. If God know all things so well we are bound to trust his verdict concerning us in his word and not our own deceitful hearts Jer. 17.9 10. 3. His eye upon us is still to be remembred and that as was said to â—â—hazi by Elisha 2 King 5.26 his heart goeth with us wherever we go See Psal 44.20 21. and 139.7.8 c. Job 31 4. and 34.21 22. So that if our own hearts condemn us much more may he condemn us who is greater than our hearts and knoweth all things 1 Joh. 3.20 4. When at any time the word of God fines us out we should not look upon it as falling forth by chance but as directed to us by his all seeing eye and providence For therefore is the Word quick and powerful to discern the thoughts and iâ—tents of the heart because all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.12 with 13. See 1 Cor. 14 24 25. 5. This also may comfort the godly under afflictions Psal 31.7 and 142.3 when they are slâ—ndered by men Job 16 19. and secretly plotted against Psal 94 7 8 c. 2 King 6 11 12 31 32. Is 29.15 16. Verse 7. He stretcheth out the north over the empty place and hangeth the earth upon nothing The third evidence and effect of Gods powerful dominion and providence is his fixing of Heaven and Earth As for the first part of the Verse He stretcheth out the North over the empty place it may indeed be understood thus that he spreads that part of the Heavens which is near the North Pole over the empty or uninhabited place of the Earth as that part of the Earth under the Pole is uninhabited But it is clearer to understand the whole Verse thus That the Lord stretcheth out the whole Heaven which here he denominates from the north or Northern Hemisphere thereof under whâ—ch himself lived like a curious vault above that void and empty space which is betwixt the Earth and it and he hangeth the globe of the Earth and Water upon nothing causing it hang as a ball in the air And for further clearing of the words consider 1. He calls that interjacent space betwixt the Heaven and the Earth the empty place because though there be no vacuity in Nature yet the Air which fills that space to common sense seems to be nothing and sure it is an empty place of any thing which might support that fabrick of the Heavens 2. Though the Earth be elsewhere said to have foundations upon which it is setled Psal 104 5. yet that is to be understood of the deepest placeâ— of the Earth near the center thereof which are as foundations to these parts of it which are above them not that the whole Earth hath any foundations Or it may be thus understood that the Earth is no less fixed than if it were setled upon the firmest foundations And whereas it is said Psal 24.2 That the Earth is founded upon the seas and established upon the floods the word rendred upon may in that place be more fitly rendered above to point out the great power of God who hath made the dry Earth stand
up above the Waters which at first were above it to be a commodious habitation for man Or it may be rendered beside to point out that God hath founded the Earth beside and with the Seas in one Globe and beside and with the floâ—ds and rivers which run through it Psal 104.10 c. Doct. 1. The works of Creation do set forth the glory of God the stately curtain of Heaven being as his Throne and Canopy and the founded and fixed Earth as his Footstool Is 66.1 For this is one of Job's instances of Gods glorious dominion that he stretcheth forth the north and hangeth the earth See Psal 19.1 and 104.1 2 c. Is 40.22 And in the close of this Book God demonstrates his own glory by these and the like operations of his hand So that they are without excuse who see not God in these things Rom. 1.20 And men should be much in meditating upon these things for their instruction and edification as was David's practice Psal 8. and 19. and 104. and 148. and elsewhere Whose profiting by that study may tell us that spiritual minds will still find the lessons taught by that Book fresh unto them even all these who do not drown themselves in the study of nature and second causes in these things forgetting God And the barrenness of many who have these demonstrations of the glory of God still before their eyes may tell us how formality will hide the lustre of most glorious things were they even as visible as the Heaven and Earth 2. It is an evidence of the glory of God that he supports the whole Fabrick of Heaven and Earth by the word of his Almighty power For by this Job commends him here that he stretcheth out the north over the empty place and hangeth the earth upon nothing See Heb. 1.3 This assures us that he can do greatest things without visible means by the power of his word so that if he but speak the word it shall be done Luke 7.7 See Psal 119.89 90 91 92. Verse 8. He bindeth up the waters in his thick cloud and the cloud is not rent under him The fourth evidence and effect of his Dominion and power is that he binds up the Waters which are in the air in clouds that they may not fall down but in drops and that though they be very weighty yet the cloud bursts not under the burden Whence Learn 1 It is an evidence of the dominion of God that he hath waters above our heads bottled up in clouds For this is another instance that he hath waters in his thick clouds Those the Lord hath prepared for several ends Job 37.11 12 13. Not only to have a scourge in readiness when sinners provoke him but to furnish needful refreshment to the earth which neither nature by it self nor Idols could do Jer. 14.22 and thereby to manifest his kindness to his people Psal 65.9 10 c. and 68.9 and therefore we should see much of God even in this Act. 14.17 2. It is a proof of the dominion and goodness of God that he binds up these waters in clouds and lets them out but by little and little otherwise they would drown the earth or make it fruitless as appeared in the general deluge and particular floods and may be daily observed in innundations by rain For it is an instance of that truth which Job is amplifying that he binds up the waters in his thick clouds where the clouds are called his clouds that is Gods clouds because he created them and prepares them for his service and because they are his Chariots upon which he rides and his habitation where he dwells Ps 18.11 and 97.2 Is 19.1 See Job 36.27 28. and 37.11 By this the Lord sheweth that moderation in dispensing of mercies as in the sifting down of rain is the mercy of our mercies and that he is a faithful God in keeping Covenant with his people as his Covenant with Noah Gen. 9.9 10 11. stands firm with mankind in general however he deal with some particular persons 3. It commends the power of God that he keeps us free of many hazards by unlikely means Aâ— here he makes a cloud which is but a mass of condensate vapours hold up the heavy waters and yet the cloud is not rent under the weight of them By this the Lord would put us in mind how obnoxious we are to hazards without him as we live under a mass of waters above our heads held up only by a weak cloud and how little or nothing in his hand is sufficient to secure those who are under his protection Verse 9. He holdeth back the face of his throne and spreadeth his cloud upon it The fifth evidence and effect of Gods Dominion and Providence is That as at some times he spreads out the Heaven which is his Throne in glorious brightness so at other times he covers it with a cloud as with a curtain that we see it not as he did in the Egyptian darkness and doth ordinarily in dark dayes Whence Learn 1. God is a soveraign King and Governour and hath a Throne upon which he sits to order all affairs Therefore are the Heavens called his throne See Is 66.1 2. Gods throne is high above all thrones For it is no lower than the very heavens See Eccl. 5.8 And therefore all ought to be subject to him and all will be subjected to him whether they will or not 3. God is pleased sometimes to give demonstrations of his glory and dominion by obscuring the face of the heavens with clouds For it is one proof of his glorious dominion that he holdeth back the face of his throne and spreadeth his cloud upon it See Job 36.32 Psalm 147.8 And by this he teacheth 1. The greatness of his glory and of our blindness that he must be environed with clouds and dwell in thick darkness whereby he obscureth himself that he may reveal himself as we are able to bear it See 1 Timoth. 6.16 Psalm 97.112 1 King 8.12 2. That hâ—s glory shineth even in obscuring his glory at some times as it is a proof of his glorious dominion that he spreadeth a cloud upon the face of his throne And Saints are to believe that God intends to seâ— forth his glory even when clouds are interposed that they cannot find access unto God as Lam. 3.44 3. That all our joy and light are in Gods hand to obscure them when he pleaseth as he darkens the heavens when he will 4. That our light and comforts are not gone when we see them not As the heavens are bright and the Sun shineth in the firmament when clouds intercept the sight thereof from us 5 That God would have our enjoyment of light and our other comforts made more sweet and refreshful to us by their being interrupted at some times As a bright day is sweet after dark clouds 6. That God brings good out of obscure and dark dispensations whereby our mercies are hid
excess thereof as moderation is the mercy of our temporal mercies Prov. 30.8 9. or by the unseasonableness thereof as every thing is beautiful in its season Eccles 3.11 For he causeth it to come for correction or a rod. 4 Mercieâ— unto the earth are mercies to men seeing even Kings are served by the field Eccles 5.9 For the coming of rain for his Land or Earth is a mercy to men So that men should not think little of these common mercies 5. Though God hath given the Earth to the Children of men for their use and benefit Psal 115.16 Yet he testifieth his interest in it by constant watering of it For by this he proveth it to be his Land or his Earth The necessities of the Earth of young Lions Psal 104.21 and young Ravens Job 38.41 and of other Beasts Joel 1.20 have a mouth to God as being the necessities of his Creatures when none else can help them Which sheweth That an interest in God were it even upon the account of Creation is a claim whereof we should make use and whereof humble persons will make use if other interests be darkned Job 10.8 Psal 119.73 And that if God by rain testifie his respects unto the earth much more doth he witness his respects to men by many favours if they would be affected with them 6. God can easily make ordinary mercies be seen to be signal Mercies when we undervalue them because they are ordinary As here at sometimes rain cometh eminently for mercy in rescuing those persons and other Creatures which are ready to be destroyed with droughâ— Verse 14. Hearken unto this O Job stand still and consider the wondrous works of God Elihu having propounded these several Instances for proving of his Assertion doth now make application of his Dâ—ctrine to Job wherein 1. He excites him to attend and remark those works of God as proving him to be great and unsearchable to v. 19. 2. Hence he checks him for his presumption in desiring to dispute with God to v. 23. In this Verse he begins the Application and propounds his Counsel That he would mark and seriously consider these wonderful works of God Which doth not imply that Job was either not attending or going about to make a reply but doth only declare his own earnestness to have Job study that Point well for proving whereof he had produced those Instances Doct. 1 It is not sufficient nor will it satisfie conscientious men that they speak well of God and to mens cases unless they apply and put home their Doctrine to those they deal with As here he applieth his former Doctrine to Job 2. Even they who are silently hearing may yet need excitation to attend and to ponder what is said As here he requires of Job â—hat he will hearken unto this though he had been hearing all the while 3. Such as would profit by what they hear or take up of God would fix their own minds well on what they are about As here he bids him stand still or seriously compose himself 4. It is required also of those who would profit at this study that they rest not upoâ— what they may take up of Gods working at first view wherein their blindness prejudices and passions may wrong them but that they seriously consider what is before them as here he required 5. As it is our duty to see all things that are wrought to be Gods works so also to remember that they are wonderful as here they are called the wondrous works of God Which sheweth that they are not easily taken up or comprehended nor are we right Proficients in the study thereof unless we be effected with them as admirable 6. Such as would do good to others by what they say ought not only to excite them to attention but ought themselves so to commend God and his works as may evidence that they are affected therewith as here Elihu in exciting of Job is careful to commend Gods works as wondrous that thereby he may stir him up yet more to be serious Verse 15. Dost thou know when God disposed them and caused the light of his cloud to shine 16. Dost thou know the ballancings of the Clouds the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge 17. How thy Garments are warm when he quieteth the earth by the South-wind 18. Hast thou with him spread out the Sky which is strong and as a molten Looking-glass The counsel propounded v. 14. is here pressed by overcharging Job with new Instances which might discover unto him his incapacity and ignorance Where he propounds 1. In general Gods disposing and ordering of all these works formerly mentioned and afterward to be produced v. 15. 2. The matter of Light that God caused the Light of his Cloud to shine v. 15. Whereby we are not so much to understand the Rainbow or the light of the Sun breaking through the divided Clouds as the lightning which appears in the Cloud 3. The ballancing of the clouds in the Air sometime lifting them up and sometime letting them down nearer the earth as he pleaseth which is a wondrous work of God declaring him to be perfect in knowledge v. 16. 4. The heaâ— which is caused by the calm and warm winds or Sun-shine which come from the South and was so vehement in these Countreys that is made mens very garments a burden to them v. 17. 5. The Sky or air which though fluid and thin and often rent with those thunders and lightnings yet is strong and transparent like a Looking glass which it seems in these Countreys they made of some Mettal molten and refined v. 18. Elihu's scope in propounding of all those Instances in this his Advice to Job may be taken up in these First To point out thereby that God is infinitely great in power and wisdom which is the Conclusion to be confirmed in all this â—iscourse as appears in his ordering and disposing of all those wherein Job had no hand Secondly That Job cannot comprehend God who is unsearchable in his operations seeing 1. He is infinitely inferiour to God and was not with him in doing of thâ—se things v. 18. But God is the Creator and he but a Creature 2. He was but of yesterday and far to seek when God disposed all these things v. 15. from eternity or from the beginning and so was none of his Counsellers 3. That he cannot dive into the depths and reasons of Gods works for if he cannot know the reasons and causes of these natural and ordinary things which are obvious and felt by him v. 16 17. as indeed though men may know somewhat of them yet they cannot dive into the bottom of them or comprehend them fully and exactly how can he be able to comprehend his more singular and extraordinary works I shall not insist here upon what might be gathered from the particular Instances how much of Gods glory shineth in bright lightnings coming out of the dark cloud whereby he