which in all make two hundred and ten But it is not worth our while to trouble our selves with such uncertainties much less is it safe to rely upon any thing which is supported by no stronger Authority then the Hebrew Tradition The vanity of which appears most notoriously in this that Manasseh Ben Israel saith * Lib. 1. de Resurrect Cap. ult it is evidently certain by Tradition that the Mahometans at this day pay a great reverence to this holy man's Sepulchre and honour it at Constantinople with much religion and devotion when all men that have any considerable acquaintance with other Authours besides those of their own Nation upon which the Hebrews dote may easily know that the Job whom the Turks honour was a Captain of the Saracens who was slain when they besieged that City in the year of Christ 675. It will be to better purpose if I take notice of an observation of theirs which hath more certainty in it because clearly founded upon the Holy Scriptures Which is that Job was a Prophet among the Gentiles and a Prophet of very eminent quality and degree Who deserved to have been at least mentioned by Josephus in his Book of Antiquities where he hath not vouchsafed to Name him nay to have been praised by the Son of Sirach in his Catalogue of famous men XLIV Ecclus c. who were honoured in their Generations and were the glory of their Times But according to the humour of the Jews he magnifies onely those of their own Country or such from whom they were directly descended not considering how much it was for their honour that by the care of their noble Ancestours the History of Job and his excellent Vertues had been preserved Which he ought not therefore to have omitted but to have celebrated him among the chief of those Worthy persons by whom God wrought great glory such as did bear rule in their Kingdoms men renowned for their power giving counsel by their understanding and declaring prophecies c. XLIV Ecclus 2 3. Nay his Friends deserved a short remembrance who seem nothing inferiour to the Wise men among the Jews though they mistook in the application of many excellent Truths but are acknowledged by themselves to have been Prophets among the Gentiles And not without reason for Eliphaz we reade IV. 13 c. had Night-visions an Apparition of an Angel and secret Whispers like the still small Voice which Elijah heard 1 Kings XIX 12. which made R. Sol. Jarchi not fear to say that the Shechinah was upon him And Elihu it is easy to discern felt a Divine Power working in him mightily XXXII 8 18 19. which was not altogether a stranger he shews XXXIII 15 16. to other men whom God in those days instructed by Dreams among other ways that he had of communicating his mind to them But there was none equal to that wherein He made Himself known to Job who in three things seems to have had the preeminence above all the Gentile Prophets First In that God was pleased to speak to him aloud by a Voice from Heaven XXXVIII 1. which the Jews call the Bath Col and not merely in such silent Whispers as He did to Eliphaz Secondly That this Voice was attended with a notable token of a Divine Presence from whence it came viz. a Whirlwind which I take to have been something like that sound as of a rushing mighty wind wherein the Holy Ghost came upon the day of Pentecost And Lastly He saw likewise in all probability the appearance of some Visible Majesty XLII 5. suppose in a glorious Cloud as the LXX seem to understand it XXXVIII 1. or something like that which Moses beheld in the Bush when God first called unto him out of the midst of it III. Ex. 4. Which need not at all puzzle our belief when we consider that the Church in those days was Catholique and not as yet confined to any one Family or Nation God was pleased indeed to shew an extraordinary grace to Abraham in calling him out of his own Country and Father's House where Idolatry had taken a deep root and had been long growing without any hope of amendment For if we may give any credit to Kessaeus a Mahometan writer or to Elmacinus a Christian they were infected with it in the days of Heber who stoutly opposed it but with so little effect that though God sent a whirlwind which threw down all their Idols and broke them in pieces that false worship still prevailed But this doth not warrant us to imagine that God utterly rejected and neglected all other people to whom He revealed Himself in a very familiar manner and gave many demonstrations of his Divine Presence among them till they corrupted their ways by such abominable Idolatries that they became altogether unprofitable and unfit for the society of that Holy Spirit which oft times moved them Even among the Canaanites into whose Country God led Abraham we find Melchisedeck was then a Priest of the most high God a greater person then that Prophet and the Minister of that Oracle some fancy which Rebekah went to consult when she felt the Twins struggling in her Womb XXV Gen. 22. To whom I might adde several others if I had a mind to prolong this discourse And though the Book before mentioned Sedar Olam Rabba Chap. 21. is pleased to say that the Holy Ghost ceased to inspire men of any other Nation after the giving of the Law yet it is easy to shew that therein it contradicts even their own affirmation elsewhere which is grounded on good reason that Balaam was a Prophet divinely moved among the Syrians in Mesopotamia He was a man indeed of naughty affections and inclined to Superstition but still had many illuminations and motions from the most High as appears not onely by his predictions but by the express words of Moses who says the Spirit of God came upon him XXIV Num. 2. To which if I should adde his own testimony concerning himself that he heard the words of God and saw the vision of the Almighty and that in an extraordinary manner having his eyes open in his ecstasy I see no reason why it should be rejected especially since he declared at the first when the Princes of Midian importuned him to goe with them that he would be wholly guided by the LORD in the buisiness and when he was come to Balack constantly went to meet the LORD to ask Him what he should say and professed his care to speak what the LORD had put in his mouth XXII 8. XXIII 3 12 15 c. These considerations to which many more might be added are sufficient to shew that there is little if any ground for the opinion of Theodoret who resolves * Quaest 39. in Num. that Balaam did not enquire of the True God though the answer was given by him of whom he was ignorant not by him whom he invoked and that the conclusion of S. Basil
Then let Corn never grow there any more but let it be overrun with Thistles and the most stinking Weeds Here Job ended his Defence CHAP. XXXII ARGUMENT It appears by the 15. verse of this Chapter that there were several other persons present besides those that are named when this Dispute was held between Job and his three Friends Among whom there was a young man named Elihu who was either a Syrian in which language this Book was first written and translated by Moses into Hebrew says the Authour of the Commentaries under Origen's name descended from the second Son of Nahor Abraham's Brother XXII Gen. 21. or an Idumaean of the same Country with Eliphaz the Temanite XXV Jer. 23. I have made him a Syrian in my Paraphrase because he is said to be of the kindred of Ram by whom we are to understand either Aram or as the Hebrews think Abraham by whom such Wisedom and Piety might be promoted in his Brother's Family as is apparent in Elihu Who though much inferiour to the rest in years for which reason he had beld his peace thus long yet was much superiour to them in Knowledge Which he discovers in the judicious Censures he here passes not onely upon the three Friends but upon Job himself whom he hath nothing to charge withall relating to any Crime committed before this Affliction befell him but thinks he had not managed the Dispute about it with so much Calmness and Submission to God as became his Piety In this he differs from those that spake before him For I do not find that he blames him for any Miscarriages but those onely which he observed in the heat of his Disputation and he spends his time rather in justifying God then in carping at Job as the other had done 1. SO these three men ceased to answer Job because he was righteous in his own eyes 1. AND his three Friends also left off disputing with him because they saw him immovably fixed in the opinion of his Innocence 2. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite of the kindred of Ram against Job was his wrath kindled because he justified himself rather then God 2. Which very much displeased a young man who had stood by all this time and heard what both sides said for themselves His name was Elihu descended from a Brother of Abraham who was exceeding angry with Job because he spent more time in justifying himself then in justifying God 3. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled because they had found no answer and yet had condemned Job 3. And with his three Friends also because they were not able to maintain their Charge against Job and yet had condemned him to be a wicked Hypocrite 4. Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken because they were elder then he 4. Yet he moderated his passion so discreetly that he said not a word till he had waited as well as Job to see whether they would resume the Debate because it was not fit he thought for him to meddle as long as his Elders had any thing to say 5. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men then his wrath was kindled 5. But when he saw that none of the three offered to reply but sate as men that knew not what to say he was not able to hold his peace any longer 6. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said I am young and ye are very old wherefore I was afraid and durst not shew you mine opinion 6. But in this manner addressed himself unto them saying I have considered all this while mine own Youth and your aged Experience which hath deterred me so much that I have hitherto been afraid to interpose my Opinion 7. I said Days should speak and multitude of years should teach wisedom 7. I thought with my self that it was becoming one of my small standing to hear rather then to speak and to learn Wisedom in such grave company as yours rather then pretend to teach it 8. But there is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding 8. But I see I was mistaken Man is a very wretched thing though he live never so long if God do not illuminate him It is the Divine Inspiration which gives Understanding 9. Great men are not always wise neither do the aged understand judgment 9. They are not always the wisest who are in Authority and the Teachers of others nor do old men always so well imploy their years as to understand the difference of things 10. Therefore I said Hearken to me I also will shew mine opinion 10. Therefore let me intreat you to lend your ears a little to me I also will tell you what I think about this matter 11. Behold I waited for your words I gave ear to your reasons whilest you searched out what to say 11. Do not think me too forward for I have with great patience heard all your Discourses and observed your Arguments and let you proceed till you have searched as far as you could into the buisiness 12. Yea I attended unto you and behold there was none of you that convinced Job or that answered his words 12. And having duly considered and comprehended every word I must needs pronounce that there is none of you hath confuted Job nor said any thing to the purpose in answer to his Defence of himself 13. Lest ye should say we have found out wisedom God thrusteth him down not man 13. For it is not sufficient for you to say he is Obstinate and therefore it is wisely done of us to leave him to God He shall confound him by continuing his Affliction not We by our Arguments 14. Now he hath not directed his words against me neither will I answer him with your speeches 14. Which truly are so weak that I shall make no use of them But as Job hath directed none of his words against me so I shall trouble him with none of your Replies 15. They were amazed they answered no more they left off speaking 15. See I beseech you all you that hear us how these Disputants are amazed how silent they are as if their speech had forsaken them 16. When I had waited for they spake not but stood still and answered no more 16. You are my Witnesses that I have waited for satisfaction but after long expectation they bring forth nothing they are at a stand and furnished with no further Answer 17. I said I will answer also my part I also will shew mine opinion 17. Which made me resolve within my self that I would have a share in this Dispute and shew as I have often told you what my Opinion is concerning it 18. For I am full of matter the spirit within me constraineth me 18. And indeed it is high time
that sort to whom the Characters here mentioned belong but the Creature now named 1. MOreover the LORD answered Job and said 1. AFTER a short silence to see what Job would reply to this long Discourse the Lord proceeded and said 2. Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him he that reproveth God let him answer it 2. Why dost thou not speak Hath not the Almighty brought Arguments enow to convince thee Let him that will argue with God about His Providence first make an Answer to these Questions 3. ¶ Then Job answered the LORD and said 3. Then Job whose Confusion had made him silent answered with great humility and said 4. Behold I am vile what shall I answer thee I will lay mine hand upon my mouth 4. Behold I am a wretched creature and not worthy to speak unto thy Majesty nor do I know what to answer and therefore I will hold my peace 5. Once have I spoken but I will not answer yea twice but I will proceed no farther 5. I have said too much already in speaking only these two words to Thee But I have done I will adde no more 6. ¶ Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind and said 6. Then the Divine Majesty spake again after the same manner as before saying 7. Gird up thy loins now like a man I will demand of thee and declare thou unto me 7. What hast thou who desiredst so much to plead with Me lost thy Courage pluck up thy spirit man and prepare thy self as I said at the first to answer the Questions I shall farther ask thee 8. Wilt thou also disannull my judgment wilt thou condemn me that thou mayest be righteous 8. Is there any reason to suspect my Care of Mankind who have shewn it so much about other Creatures Canst thou not defend thy self but thou must also complain of Me must I be condemned that thou maist be justified 9. Hast thou an arm like God or canst thou thunder with a voice like him 9. Who art thou that talkest so much of thine own Innocence that thou forgettest to maintain my Righteousness Hast thou a Power equall to mine or canst thou speak with a Voice like this or imitate the Thunder thou hearest in the clouds 10. Deck thy self now with majesty and excellency and aray thy self with glory and beauty 10. Lift up thy self then and let me see thee appear in the highest Majesty put on thy Robes and shew thy self in such Royal state that all may honour and reverence thy excellent Greatness 11. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath and behold every one that is proud and abase him 11. Let all thine Adversaries round about thee as becomes a mighty Prince feel the fierceness of thy Wrath frown upon all the haughty and make them hang down their heads 12. Look on every one that is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked in their place 12. Look I say upon every proud Oppressour and make him cringe and throw himself at thy feet tread down all the Wicked wheresoever thou shalt find them 13. Hide them in the dust together and bind their faces in secret 13. Cast them all into one grave that the world may be no more troubled with them cover those faces with perpetual shame and confusion which now bear themselves so high and overlook all others 14. Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee 14. When I see thee doe such things as these then will I my self also magnify thy Power and acknowledge that thou needest none of my help to deliver thee 15. ¶ Behold now behemoth which I made with thee he eateth grass as an oxe 15. But consider a while if thou art not yet humble enough a Creature * Behemoth i. e. River-horse which I have made in a Country not far from thee He lives among the fishes in the great river of Egypt but he feeds upon the earth and eateth graâ—â— like an Oxe 16. Lo now his strength is in his loyns and his force is in the navel of his belly 16. Consider I say the greatness of his Strength and the firmness of his Flesh not onely in his Loyns but even in the Navel of his belly where other creatures are wont to be weak and tender 17. He moveth his tail like a cedar the sinews of his stones are wrapt together 17. He hath a Tail as thick and as stiff as a Cedar but he bends and throws it back at his pleasure the Nerves of his thighs are so many that they are intricate and perplexed one within another 18. His bones are as strong pieces of brass his bones are like bars of iron 18. His Bones for so they are rather then Grissles are as strong as bars of brass and as hard and firm as rods of iron 19. He is the chief of the ways of God he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him 19. He is one of the principal works of God a very singular instance of his Power He that made him hath fastned such crooked Teeth in his jaws exceeding sharp that therewith he mows the grass and the corn as with a Sythe 20. Surely the mountains bring him forth food where all the beasts of the field play 20. For he goes in the night to graze upon the hills in the company of the rest of the beasts 〈◊〉 the field who sport themselves in those rich pastures 21. He lieth under the shady trees in the covert of the reed and fens 21. But in the day he lies down in shady and close places under the covert of the reeds and in the fenny mud 22. The shady trees cover him with their shadow the willows of the brook compass him about 22. The bushy trees which are there very numerous afford him a shelter he is incompassed with the willows and the osiers which grow in abundance on the banks of Nile 23. Behold he drinketh up a river and hasteth not he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth 23. Nay behold a wonder he dives to the very bottom of the river and there takes his repose without fear He will be secure though Jordan also should break out and be poured upon his mouth 24. He taketh it with his eyes his nose pierceth through snares 24. Who dare come in his sight and attempt to take him by open force where is he that will undertake to fasten hooks in his Nose CHAP. XLI ARGUMENT In this Chapter another Creature of vast bigness and strength is described called in the Arabian language LEVIATHAN By which we are not in this place to understand the Whale because that Fish is not armed with such Scales as Leviathan is here said to have v. 15. nor is impenetrable as every-body knows and to say no more never