Job 4

Yes, undoubtedly. And yet this is the spiritual madness that takes place everywhere among men: for God has prepared for us two houses, one is this our body which we bear about us, which is a house of clay, as Job says (Job 4:19), "We dwell in houses of clay whose foundation is d…

They understand neither the Holiness of God nor man, who suppose that they are absolutely and immediately suited to one another, or that under that Notion of it, we can take any encouraging Motive to our Duty herein. Nay no Creature is capable of such a Perfection in Holiness, a…

Do you dare infringe his laws, and violate his commands, who is so great and terrible a God, that he can destroy you by the very breath of his nostrils? By the breath of his nostrils they are consumed (Job 4:9). Indeed, he can look you to death: They perish at the rebuke of your…

One knock, if it hit right (as one says) may make a wise man a fool, but to be sure, they all leave us at death. Does not his excellency which is in him, go away? (Job 4:21). Indeed, then all natural excellency departs.

Christ's ministers are fishers of men, but we seldom fish successfully in these troubled waters. The voice Eliphaz heard was ushered in with a profound silence (Job 4:16), and in slumberings upon the bed, a quiet place and posture. God opens the ears of men, and seals their inst…

And as the word gives no allowance for the least sin, so it is the very nature of sincerity and uprightness, to set the heart against [every] way of wickedness, Psalm 139:23, 24. Job 4. 23. And especially against that sin which was its darling in the days of his vanity, Psalm 18…

This habitual holiness of Christ was inconceivably above that of the angels. He who charges his angels with folly, Job 4:18, who puts no trust in his saints — and in whose sight the heavens are not clean, Job 15:15 — always embraces Christ in his bosom and is always well pleased…

What are we to the Lord, who can stop our breath in a moment? (Job 4:9) By the blast of God they perish; and by the breath of his nostrils they are consumed. With a breath God can destroy us all, and resolve us into nothing; therefore to rise up against God, this is the greater…

(1.) Whether they be upbraidings of our trust, (Matthew 27:43) He trusted in God, let him deliver him now if he will have him, for he said I am the Son of God. (Job 4:6) Is not this your fear, your confidence, and the uprightness of your ways your hope? (2.) Or insultings over o…

Use. Not to be severe against those that fail out of infirmity, nor to cast them off, for God does not pity them; rather than censure them, let us help them out of the mire. Unhumbled hearts that are puffed up with pride and confidence in their own strength when out of the tempt…

That is a true sight of God which abases all things besides God, not only in opinion but affection; that attracts and unites the soul to God, and draws it off from all created excellencies. The sight of God's purity darkens the purity of the angels, and stains the pride of all c…

That goodness which we have in participation from him, will appear no goodness in comparison of him; the heavens themselves are not clean in his sight (Job 25:5-6): Behold even to the Moon, and it shines not; indeed the stars are not pure in his sight: how much less man that is…

David here does not only own the general truth, but sees God's faithfulness when the stroke lighted upon himself. So (Job 4:3-5) you shall see this was objected to Job, that he could comfort others; but now the hand of God was upon him, his soul fainted. They that stand upon the…

Thirdly, we have given counsel to others. (Job 4:5), But now it is come upon you, and you faint: it touches you, and you are troubled. It is an easier matter to instruct others, than to carry it well ourselves.

But ah, how are things altered since sin came into the world! The angels he has charged with folly (Job 4:18). The heavens are not clean in his sight (Job 15:15).