Paraphrase on the Book of Job, Chapter 35
CHAP. XXXV.
1. ELihu yet prosecuted his reproofe1. Elihu spake moreover, and said. of Job, to procure his conviction, thus:
2. Hast thou any plea for thy selfe,2. Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidest, My righteousnesse is more than Gods? or thinkest thou that thou art not blame-worthy, in uttering as aforesaid, such a blasphemous speech as in effect thou hast spoken, to wit, That thou art more righteous than God?
3. For thou hast said, that thou art3. For thou saidest; What advantage will it be unto thee, and, What profit shall I have if I be cleansed from my sinne? righteous, and that thou sufferest undeservedly, being thy selfe uublameable and innocent of any offence against God that might justly cause his displeasure, and that it availeth thee no more to be righteous, than if thou wert the greatest sinner in the world.
4. I tremble to heare such audaciousnesse:4. I will answer thee and thy companions with thee. but I will answer thee, and all such men as dare in the pride of their hearts venture to stout it thus, and argue the matter so with God in stead of humbling themselves, and seeking to him in their afflictions.
5. Looke thou up unto the heavens,5. Looke unto the heavens, and see, and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. view their height, and the clouds which are so farre above thee, and thinke with thy selfe, whether thou canst adde or diminish, make them better or worse.
6. And if not, then consider further6. If thou sinnest, what dost thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what dost thou unto him? of what little advantage or disadvantage, thou must needs be unto God? who is so farre above them, that thou shouldest thus capitulate the matter with him, in stead of praying to him; as for example: Thy sins, what is he the worse for them, more than a cloud over thy head, if thou shouldest shoot an arrow at it, remaines not hee the same in all points notwithstanding? yea, if thy transgressions were never so many, how doe, or can they any way harme him, who is selfesufficient and independant.
7. And as it is with thy sins, so likewise7. If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? is it with thy righteousnesse which thou bearest thy selfe so much upon; what benefit is that to God, or what addes it to him that thou art righteous, how dost thou make him beholden to thee by it, who needs nothing that is thine?
8. It is nothing but thy pride that8. Thy wickednes may hurt a man as thou art, and thy righteousnesse may profit the sonne of man. maketh thee thus forget thy selfe, otherwaies thou must needs know, That God is nothing bound to thee for any thing that is thine, but that as he is not the worse for thy being wicked, but thy selfe, and such as thou art; so on the other hand, neither is he the better for thy being righteous; but if thou, and others like thy selfe doe their duty, it's they that fare the better for it, and not he: small reason therefore hast thou to beare thy selfe thus high towards God? prayer would better become thee, and more profit thee.
9. But multitude of pressures doe9. By reason of the multitude of oppressions, they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arme of the mighty. usually transport all manner of men, and make the oppressed cry and keepe adoe when they suffer, against them they suffer under.
10. But few or none are so wise in10. But none saith, Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night? such a case, as soberly to recollect themselves, and in humility to draw nigh to God in prayer, putting him in minde of his owne gracious nature towards the worke of his hands to have mercy upon it, and in faith to seeke to him for redresse and consolation, as to the onelyonly he that can relieve and glad the heart in extremity and griefe.
11, Hath not God given us wherewithall11. Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowles of heaven. to know how to carry our selves better in time of affliction, than the beasts of the earth, and to be wiser than the fowles of the aire, which can cry and complaine, when ought aileth them by instinct of nature, but reason and religion should teach us a better lesson that know who hurts us, and who can onelyonly heale us, to wit, humbly, and in faith to seeke to him for release.
12. For want of which, men in12. There they cry, (but none giveth answer) because of the pride of evill men. pressures lie and cry like brute creatures, without either helpe or hope (and so they may doe long enough without answer from God, except they humbly seeke to him in faith) though they endure never so much violence and oppression.
13. For it's certaine that God will13. Surely God will not heare vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. not shew mercy, nor grant release for the naturall and vaine cries, and outrages of men in extremity; however we poore men through selfe-love, and humane pity, thinke of them, and are moved by them; yet the Almighty regards them not, but lookes for other fruit of affliction, as that they should seeke to him with humble and faithfull prayer before hee'll heare to any purpose.
14. Wherefore although thou desperately14. Although thou saiest, thou shalt not see him, yet judgement is before him, therefore trust thou in him. givest thy selfe for lost, never expecting to see God gracious to thee againe, (thus complaining, but not praying under thy burthen) yet I know it, and dare assure thee of it, that if thou wouldest but take that course whereunto I advise thee, that is, to humble thy selfe before him in prayer, thou shouldest find that hee is graciously righteous to heare and answer thee, therefore trust thou in him, and in faith and hope make thine addresses to him.
15. But now because thou goest not15. But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger, yet hee knoweth it not in great extremity: this way to worke, nor carriest thy selfe toward him as thou oughtest, hee is forced thus to intreat thee, and to increase his plagues upon thee, to manifest his anger against thee for thy pride, which yet thou perceivest not (so blind art thou) no not in the midst of all this thy great extremity.
16. For which cause, and till which16. Therefore doth Iob open his mouth in vaine: hee multiplieth words without knowledge. time that thou humble thy selfe under the mighty hand of God, and seeke unto him, thou losest all thy labour, and breathest forth thy complaints in vaine, uttering a great many proud and passionate speeches ignorantly to no purpose, saving to provoke God further against thee, whereas thou mightest bestow them more to thine availe.