Job 9

The next attribute is God's power (Job 9:19). If I speak of strength, lo he is strong.

Laws are founded upon reason; and he must be wise that makes laws. God in this respect is most fit to be a Lawgiver; he is wise in heart (Job 9:4). He has a monopoly of wisdom (1 Timothy 1:17).

The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead (Job 9:4). He is wise in heart.

You would be loath to trade in vain; and why not as well to hear sermons in vain? (Job 9:29) Why then do I labor in vain? Put this question to your own soul, Why do I labor in vain?

So he causes a man's soul to forget all good — as in Lamentations 3:17 the church in desertion is said to do — and to forget his own mercies, as Jonah speaks. He can multiply suggestions so fast, and come in with such a tempest, that as Job complains (Job 9:17) he will not suffe…

And that reproach which is cast upon a Christian, is cast upon Christ; and Christ takes it as done unto himself: the persecutor wounds Christ Jesus through the sides of a poor Christian; which is a fearful thing. For, in so doing, he sets himself against the Lord Jesus, he kicks…

1. God's wisdom is excellent. He is wise in heart (Job 9:4); he knows the causes of things; yea, at one instant; the angels light their lamps at this sun. 2. God's power is excellent.

But I can ask heaven — he can give more than heaven, and above heaven; indeed I can think of Christ, but he can give above the Christ that I can think on, because I cannot comprehend infinite Jesus Christ. Rule 11. Christ is not so intent and heart-bent on freedom from death and…

The heavens, even the heavens are the Lord's; but the earth has he given to the children of men; and oppressors are the landlords of it (Psalm 10). God arises to judge (verse 18), that the man of the earth may no more oppress (Job 9:24). The earth is given to the hand of the wic…

Lastly, the Scripture shuts up all men under sin, even the most sanctified (Proverbs 20:9; 1 John 1:9). Job confesses he cannot answer one of a thousand (Job 9:3). And David says, If you, Lord, shall mark what is done amiss, who can abide it? (Psalm 130:3).

Thus David in the 39th Psalm says: I held my peace, Lord, because you did it. If the fear of God's power restrains us not, we will never cease murmuring: and therefore Job, considering that he had to do with God, says: I will lay my hand upon my mouth: I will make humble supplic…

Jerem. 2. 22. Job 9. 30, 31. their own Sorrow, and Repentance, and Tears of Contrition, and that sorry Amendment of Life they can attain to, shall do this Work for them. And every especial defiling Act, or every renewed sence of it, shall have an especial Act of Duty for its Cle…

By the dead's rising at his command, it appeared that he was the Author and fountain of life. By his walking on the sea in a storm, when the waves were raised, he showed himself to be that God spoken of in Job 9:8, that treads on the waves of the sea. By his stilling the storm,…

O what groundless Jealousies and suspicions of God are found at such times in the hearts of his own Children! Job 9. 16, 17. Psalm 77. 7, 8, 9.

If one man sinagainst another, the judge shall judge him; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? There is not, says Job between us one that might argue the case, in pleading for me, and so make up the matter, laying his hand upon us both, Job 9:33. We now…

The Merchant resis not here, but he hearkens with much solicitousness after the things that should bring home his riches, especially if they have in them his All. Hence such Ships are called Ships of desire, Job 9:26. Such a man greatly desires the speeding of them to their Port.

The wisdom of God is also to be Considered and submitted unto. Job 9:4. He is wise in heart who has hardened himself against him and prospered.

It is called a flower (Psalm 103:15), a vapor (James 4:14). Job sets forth fragile life very elegantly in three of the elements — land, water, air (Job 9:25-26). Go to the land, and there man's life is like a swift post.

"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." So as to walking on the sea in a storm: Job 9:8. "Which alone—treadeth upon the waves of the sea."

Now meekness restrains these winds, says to them, Peace, be still, and so preserves a calm in the soul, and makes it conformable to him, who has the winds in his fists, and is herein to be praised, that even the stormy winds fulfill his word. A brisk gale is often useful, especi…

Luke 19. 42. The longest date of it can be but the time of this Life: This is our day to work in, Job 9. 4. and upon this small wyre, the weight of Eternity hangs. But sometimes the season of Grace is ended, before the night of Death comes; the accepted time is gone, men frequen…

2. Taking away the pollutions of all our actual transgressions: there is a defilement attending every actual sin. Our own clothes make us to be abhorred (Job 9:31). A spot, a stain, rust, wrinkle, filth, blood attends every sin.

Some that have moral resolutions of amendment, dislike at least gross sins, and purpose to avoid them, and it is to them cleanness enough to reform in those things; but they consider not, what becomes of the guiltiness they have contracted already, and how that shall be purged,…

God may permit or suffer us to be tempted, as a Lord or Sovereign, which has power over his own creature, for the trial and exercise of grace, and can absolutely dispose of it according to his own will; but he leads us into temptation, as a Judge. And therefore this is one of th…

Now this is a great encouragement to us, that we go to a God that has an absolute right, for which he is responsible to none. We go not to a servant, or a subordinate agent, who may be controlled by a higher power, and whose act may be annulled; but to an absolute Lord, to whom…

2. In company, there our words must be apt and orderly, moving as much as may be, not to God, but to the hearers; managed with such reverence and seriousness, as may suit with the gravity of the duty, and not increase, but cure the dullness of those with whom we join. And what i…

God can with a word raise all the Militia of Heaven and Earth against us: and shall we dare affront him? Job 9:4. Who has hardened himself against him, and prospered?

Counsel to know fit means to bring his purposes to pass, and wisdom to order the means for attaining these ends. Observe there first, how wisdom and strength are there coupled, as in that text, so elsewhere: Job 9:4: "He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength." As he has wisdo…

[illegible] is it not that evil [illegible] God to [illegible] sometime to [illegible] judgment [illegible] angry [illegible] God would not rebuke [illegible] who knows the power of his anger and [illegible] happy they that [illegible] do not withdraw his anger. The proud helper…

Indeed, if we do but fall into sin, it is matter of grief and shame: so that suffering is as far to be preferred before sin, as joy is before grief, and glory is beyond shame. To which this also may be added, that God himself takes pleasure, joy and delight in the trials of good…

The experience of all men proved it undeniable? Did ever any provoke the Lord and prosper (Job 9:4), and can I in reason expect it should be other and better with me, than it was with any that was ever before me? Can I be so foolish to think that God should send another Christ,…

Give diligence to make your calling and election sure, for so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom (2 Peter 1:10). Our time allotted to us is short; Job compares our life to a swift post (Job 9:25): my days are swifter than a post. The p…

And in chapter 8 he proves Christ to be a more excellent High Priest, a Minister of a more excellent Tabernacle, and a more excellent Ministry, because he is Mediator of a better Covenant. He is a days-man who lays his hands upon both parties at variance — both upon God and man…

18:19. Hence says Gregory in Job 9. lib. 9. cap.

For if one man sin against another, the judge shall judge herein; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intercede for him? (1 Samuel 2:25). "There is not any mediator between us, to lay his hand upon us both" (Job 9:33). In this state of things the Lord Christ as the Son…

And why not, thought he, with me? though by reason of the impediment that attends this place, I cannot perceive it (Job 9:11). Thirdly, For that he hoped (could he overtake them) to have company by and by.

What cannot that God do that can create; nothing can stand before a creating power; He needs no pre-existent matter to work upon; He needs no instruments to work with, he can work without tools; He it is before whom the Angels veil their faces, and the Kings of the earth cast th…

And though his name be evil spoken of, yet in the meekness of their spirits he is glorified, as it is in 1 Peter 4:14. 'If the scourge slays suddenly, he laughs at the trial of the innocent' (Job 9:23) — not at their afflictions, but at the effects and blessed issues and results…

And what arguments Papists in this point use, the same does Eaton and Antinomians use also. Indeed, but justified Job says (Job 9:30-31): "If I wash myself with snow-water, and make my hands never so clean; yet shall you plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes shall abhor me.…

5. As Christ stands between the two parties, he is the great Lord Mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 12:24). 1. Substantially, our text calls him Lord the Son of David, by condition of nature, he has something of God, as being true God, and something of man as sharing with us…