An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-sixth chapters of the book of Job being the summe of thirty-seven lectures, delivered at Magnus near London Bridge. By Joseph Caryl, preacher of the Word, and pastour of the congregation there.

Vers. 9. I goe on the left hand where he doth worke, but I cannot behold him.

These words are a description of the Northern part of the world, for that is on the left hand, (as was sayd) according to the most naturall position of mans body. And he addeth, where he doth worke; which addition gives a peculiar character or descrip∣tion of the place, and is variously translated.

First, On the left hand when he doth worke. Secondly, On the left hand, in his worke, or working; thirdly, On the left hand while he worketh; wee render, On the left hand where he doth worke, or where he doth his worke. Here a question is raysed, why is this de∣scription given of the left hand, or of the Northern part of the world? doth not God worke on the right hand, or in the South as well as on the left hand, or in the North.

I answer; Though God worketh all the world over, yet God worketh in some parts of the world in a more eminent manner. God worketh so in some places, as if he did worke no where else: All places are the worke of God by Creation, and God worketh in all places by his providence. The workes of creation would run to ruine, if God did not sustaine, and as it were keepe them in re∣paration by the workes of providence, yet as God worketh in some men, and by some men, more then in, nnd by others, some

persons are to him as his right hand, he calls them forth to be greatly instrumentall to him. So hee worketh in some places, and nations, and by some places and nations more then he doth in or by others. God is a free Agent, he worketh where he will, and he pitcheth upon some speciall places, and persons, (according to the pleasure of his owne will) to worke in, and by, more then many others. And seing according to this Interpretation, The left hand where he is said to worke so eminently, is the North.

Wee may observe;

First, That God worketh more in the Northern parts of the world then he doth in the South.

And the reason of this may be, because the Northern parts of the world are more inhabited and peopled then the Southern are. And which may be a second reason of it, The Inhabitants of the Northern parts of the world are more civillized and better in∣structed then the Southerne: Now the providences of God are most remarkable where there are most people, and they best taught and instructed, where the natural faculties of man are most raised and sublimated by art and regular education, there or by them God doth his greatest workes; those places are (as it were) the stages whereon he acts and brings to issue the secret purposes and counsels of his heart, both in wayes of judgement and in wayes of mercy.

Besides, we finde that the Northerne Nations have in all ages been the most active and warlike.

The Fourth Monarchy, That of the Romanes whose seate was more Northerly then any of the former three, was the most active and warlike of the Foure, and extended its Dominion by extreame and unwearyed industry further then any had done before. And those irruptions of enemies and Armyes which gaue the greatest checke to the Romane Greatness, and often plum'd or pull'd off the Feathers of that mighty Eagle, were still made by those people who lived and were bred up in climates more cold and Northerly then they; as all Historyes doe with one consent make good. In∣somuch that it grew into a Famous Proverb; All evill comes from the North, that is, all troubles, invasions, and devastations are brought upon the Nations by some hardy people or other coming out of the North. And the holy Scriptures of the Prophets are full of

this observation (Jer. 1.14, 15.) Then the Lord sayd unto me, out of the North an evill shall breake forth upon all the Inhabitants of the land. For lo I will call all the familyes of the kingdome of the North, saith the Lord, and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throane at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, &c. By The North in this prophecy, he meanes Chaldea and Babylon, which are scituate North from Jerusalem. And by all the familyes of the kingdomes of the North, he meanes all the Northerne parts under the obedience of the King of Babylon, who should readily follow and serve him in his warres against Judea. Againe in the same Pro∣phet (Ch 4.6.) I will bring evill out of the North (Ch. 6.1.) Evill appeareth out of the North (ver. 22) A people comes forth from the North (Chap. 10.22.) Behold a great commotion out of the North. And when the Lord promised to remove far away from his peo∣ple the Northerne Army, (Joel 2.20.) he therein promised them the removall of all Armyes and troubles, because the North had most of all, if not alone troubled and harrazed them with Armyes. Againe, In the North, the Gospel (which is the highest teaching and instruction) hath been more generally and more clearely pub∣lished then in the Southern parts of the world; so that in allusion to that of the Prophet (Isa. 30.26.) we may say, That the light of our Northern Moone hath been as the light of the Southern Sun, and that the light of our Sun hath been seven-fold to theirs, even as the light of seven dayes. And according to the greatnes of Gospel light, the dispensations, and changes, which we have been under, have been very great; we especially in this Northern Nation, with those adjoyning to us and united with us under one Government, have had full Experience of, and may therefore (giving glory to God) seale to the truth of Jobs position; That God worketh on the left hand, or in the North. Have not we found God working in the North? What changes, what variety of action have our Northern parts both seene and felt? What wonders of mercy and salvation? what terrible things in righteousnes hath God wrought of late among us? The heavens and the earth, States of all sorts, The heavenly and the earthly, and of all degrees, the higher and the lower have been terribly shaken in these Nations. Providence hath wrought to amazement in our dayes; The Nations round a∣bout have heard the report of it, and wondered. Many have and will have cause to say of us, what hath God wrought! on the left

hand, in our North, God hath been at worke indeed!

Moreover, we finde that Mount Sion (which was not onely an eminent part of the literall Jerusalem, but a figure also of the my∣sticall Jerusalem, or whole Church of God under the Gospel (Heb. 12.22.) This Mount Sion (I say) is Geographically de∣scribed in our Northerly scituation (Psal. 48.2, 3. Beautifull for scituation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Sion; on the sides of the North, the City of the Great King. God is knowne in her palla∣ces for a refuge. As if he had sayd, in Sion, on the sides of the North God worketh wonderfully, as it follows expressely (v. 4, 5.) for lo the kings were assembled, they passed by together, they saw it and so they marveiled, they were troubled and hasted away: that is, Kings conspiring against the Church were so terrified with the evidences of Gods power working mightily there, that they fled away, or as another Scripture phraseth it, They came one way and returned seven. And in this forme of speech is both the then Jeru∣salem, and the Church ever since expressed, in that boast which the king of Babylon (who was a type of all the enemies of the Church cloathed with mighty power and soveraignty) makes against her, (Isa. 14.13.) I will sit also (that is, erect my throane) upon the Mount of the Congregation on the sides of the North. Mount Sion was called the Mount of the Congregation, because there the peo∣ple of God the Jewes were famously knowne to congregate often together, and this (saith that proud boaster) on the sides of the North. And to compleate this notion of the workings of God in and from the North, Christ himselfe is sayd to be raysed out of the North; For so some expound that Scripture (Isa. 41.25.) I have raysed up one out of the North, and he shall come, from the rising of the Sun shall ••e call upon my name, &c. This prophecy (I say) some expound of Christ, who shall gather his dispersed and despi∣sed ones from all quarters of the world. The greatest workes of God that ever were done, Christ did them; and therefore the North, may justly be called the place where he worketh, seing he raysed Christ from thence.

Secondly, As the words are read thus; On the left hand while hee worketh; as if Job had sayd, I look after God on the left hand, or in the North, even in the time while he is working, or doing great things, and yet I cannot behold him.

Observe;

That God may be, and often is, working great things, and we not able to apprehend or behold him at his worke.

The invisible thengs of God, even his eternal power and Godhead are seene in the things that are made, and that not onely in the things that he made while he created the world, but also in the things which he makes while he governes the world, and yet him∣selfe is not seene in making them; and that not onely because he is invisible in his nature, but because (which is the poynt in hand) the manner of his working is invisible. In some things God workes so evidently, that the natural man cannot but say, The finger of God is here. But in other things he workes so secretly, that the spiritu∣all man is not able to see where the finger of God is, unlesse upon that general acknowledgement that the finger of God is every where. Solomon (Prov. 30.18.) saith, There be three things which are too wonderfull for mee; yea, foure which I know not; the way of an Eagle in the ayre, the way of a Serpent upon a rock, and the way of a Ship in the midst of the Sea; even such are the mo∣tions of God, the wayes and workings of God among the sons of men; A ship in the Sea leaves no track, no path, you cannot see where the Ship hath sailed; The ship plowes the Ocean, but the furrowes are unseene as soone as made. A Serpent upon a rock, makes no dint, leaves no footsteps behinde him; the flying Eagle parts the aire, but there's no discerning where shee hath past.

And thus Job seemes to speake here; Though I goo to the North while God worketh, yet I can see no more of him, then of the way of an Eagle in the aire, or of a Serpent upon a rock, or of a Ship in the Sea, I cannot behold him while he worketh, nor the way of his working. And further,

Hee hideth himselfe on the right hand that I cannot see him.

The word which we render hideth, signifieth, to wrap up with a covering, implying that God doth cover himselfe from the eye of man, in or with the right hand part of the world. Some render it thus; He hideth his right hand, or his working hand, that I cannot see him. We render it well, hee hideth himselfe on the right hand that I cannot see him. The right hand, is put in opposition to the left, mentioned in the former part of the verse. There, in the South, God doth (as it were) purposely and artificially hide, and cast a

vaile over himselfe (saith Job) lest I should see him there, hee keeps himselfe yet more out of my view and reach then elsewhere. The word which we translate, the right hand, signifies the Sou∣thern parts of the world (Cant. 4.16.) Awake O Northwinde, and come thou South, blow upon my Garden. (Exod. 26.18.) On the South (or right) side Southward. The word is also rendred, the right side, (2 Sam. 24.5.) On the right side of the City. Fur∣ther the word signifies, as the right hand, so also strength, because the right hand is strongest in most men and readyest for use. And so he hides himselfe on the right hand may import (as was toucht before) that God hideth himselfe even there, where he puts forth his strength and power.

From all these expositions layd together, in that Job here saith, hee went forward and backward, or East and West, on the right hand, and on the left, or North and South (from all I say) it ap∣peares that Job was a great traveller, that he travel'd all the world over; yet where was Job when he spake all this? Was he not up∣on his bed? was he not Gods Prisoner, shut up in his Chamber, when he said, I goe forward and backward, Northward and South∣ward, and yet I finde him not, perceive him not, see him not.

Hence learne.

First, That God is every where.

Job knew there was a presence of God forward and backward, Northward and Southward, He knew that God fills heaven and earth with his presence. There is a presence of God from which the worst of men cannot goe, and there is a presence of God into which, many times, the best of men cannot get; there was a pre∣sence of God out of which Job could not get, while (according to his desires) he could not get into the presence of God.

Secondly, From those various negatives here used, I cannot perceive him, I cannot behold him, I cannot see him.

Observe;

God is a spirit, not visible at all in himselfe, and he onely appeares, as and to whom himselfe pleaseth to appeare to and among men.

The appearances of God are not naturall but voluntary, when his will is to be seene he gives man the priviledge to see him. It is altogether impossible to see him with a bodily eye, (1 Tim. 6.16.)

God onely hath Immortality, dwelling in the light that no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see, that is, with bo∣dily eyes, and as it is impossible to see him at any time with an eye of sence, so he will not alwayes be seene by the eye of our under∣standing, no nor alwayes by the eye of faith. Faith shall hereafter be perfected in the vision of God, but here faith is sometime quite deprived of the vision of God, He hideth himselfe from the house of Jacob. Faith is opposed to all bodily sight (2 Cor. 5.7.) We walke by faith not by sight; and faith hath not alwayes a spirituall sight. It is said (Heb. 11.27.) that Moses saw him that is Invi∣sible, he saw him with a spirituall eye, the eye of faith; wee have reason to beleeve, that Job at that time, saw God with an eye of faith, but he saw him not with an eye of understanding, to discerne the way of his working with him. They who are most spirituall and of the largest understanding in spiritualls, can no more com∣prehend God then a cockle-shel can containe the Ocean; and ma∣ny who are spirituall, are so darke in their understandings, or God is so darke to their understandings, that they cannot so much as apprehend or discerne him, see or perceive him.

Thirdly, When Job sayth, God hideth himselfe on the right hand, or in the South, so that I cannot see him.

This teacheth us;

That God doth sometimes purposely withdraw and reserve him∣selfe from his most pretious servants.

The Propher hath a strange description of God (Isa. 45.15.) Verily thou art a God that hidest thy selfe (as if he had sayd) it is thy use and custome to doe so) O God of Israel the Saviour; hee was the God and Saviour of Israel, yet Israel could not see him, for he hid himselfe; When God will conceale himselfe, his Israel cannot see him. And hence wee finde in Scripture so many earnest Deprecations, that God would not hide himselfe, and so many vehement Expostulations when he did. Wherefore hidest thou thy face (saith the Church, Psal. 44.24.) and forgettest our affliction and oppression? God hides himselfe five wayes, or in five things from his people.

First, He hides his favour and the light of his Countenance from his people. And (when this is hid God is hid) hee will not let them see the love which he hath in his heart towards them,

yea (possibly) he lets them see anger, wrath, displeasure; hee puts on the habit of an enemy, and deales with them as with ene∣mies. Job complaines more then once that God hid his favour from him, and shewed him nothing but his dread and terror.

Secondly, God hides his workes from his people, hee will not let them be seen, nor be seene in them; O how unsearchable are thy Judgements, and thy wayes past finding out! God hath wayes and Judgements which man cannot reach unto. Some of his workes are acted (as we say) above bord, they are done in a cleare light, hee that runs may see and read them, and God in them; hee that runs may read love written upon some of them in letters of Gold, or with beames of light. And he that runs may read wrath written upon others of them in letters of blood, or with streames of dark∣nes, and the very shadowes of death; but some workes of God are so curtaynd about and vailed, so hidden and obscured, that we cannot perceive them. Though all the works of God are works of light, yet many of them are in the darke to man; While judge∣ment and righteousnesse are the habitation of Gods Throne, clouds and darknes are round about him, (Psal. 97.2.)

Thirdly, God hideth the reason of his working. His works are often hid, but the reason of his working is oftener hid. Jeremy complaines, Why doth the way of the wicked prosper? Hee would know a reason of it; hee saw that God let the wicked prosper, but the reason he saw not.

Fourthly, The design, or end of the worke of God is a hidden thing; as God doth not let men see the reason why he doth this or that, so not his aime, and end, what he would have, or what he drives at in doing it. When God afflicts a Godly man, whether it be for the tryal of his graces, or to chasten him for his failings, or for the purging out of his corruptions, is often his doubt: and as 'tis thus in personal workings, so also in publique workings; Whether God hath to doe with a Nation, or with a man onely, hee hath his secrets.

Fifthly, As God hides what himselfe doth, so he hides from us what he would have us doe, he hides his owne will from us in some things; we have indeed his Letters Patents, his proclaimed lawes before us in all things needfull to salvation; but there are some things which concerne particular actings in our lives, where∣in a godly man may be very ignorant of the will of God, & much

puzzled in his Spirit what to doe, whether this or that be the course which God would have him take. God hides himselfe from us in the hidings of his will from us. For as when the Apostle saith (Ephes. 4.20.) Yee have not so learned Christ, wee are not to understand Christ personally, but Christ according to the Reve∣lation of himselfe in the Gospel, Christ there is the will or minde of Christ; so when God hideth himselfe from or doth not discover himselfe to us, the meaning may be this; hee doth not discover his minde and will to us, what he would have us doe, as to our particular case and condition. God keepes some long in suspence, long in the darke about this poynt; so that they often cry out with that good King in his dangerous strait, We know not what to doe, but our eyes are towards thee. (2 Chron. 20.12.) Many a man is in as great a strait what to doe in regard of the darknes of his condition, as Jehosaphat was, in regard of the dangerousnesse of it.

Fourthly, Note;

That, a Gracious soule useth all meanes to attaine what he desires, especially to finde out the minde and will of God in his workings.

What else is the meaning of all this? why else went Job forward and backward? why went he on the right hand, and on the left? why did he thus traverse his ground, and represent himselfe in these busie enquiries after God, travelling in the multitude of his thoughts upon his bed from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth, leaving no stone unturned (as we say) nor path untrodden, that he might get his cause determined, and his heart setled. Obadiah tells Eliah after he had met him (see how indu∣strious the malice of Ahab, against that holy man, made him to to finde him out whom his soule hated, 1 King. 18.10.) As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdome whether my Lord hath not sent to seek thee &c. Not that Ahab had sent Messengers into every quarter of the world, but the meaning is, that he had been very diligent and industrious to finde out Elijah. And so saith Job, there is not any Corner under heaven, where I have not been seeking to finde him whom my soule loveth and longeth for. Thereby importing his exceeding diligence to finde God. They who have a desire after God indeed, will take paines for him, they will seek him, East, West, North, and South, and never complaine of the length of their journey. They will not stay till God comes

home to their dores, but out they will go to seek him. For though it be a truth that no man can seek or looke after God, till God hath first looked after and found him, yet they whom God hath once found, have such an impression left upon their hearts, that when God seemes to leave them, and to be as lost to them, they will more then seeme to looke after and seeke him while he is ab∣sent from them; that is, while he hides himselfe from them. Sure∣ly God hath never toucht the hearts of those lazie professors that would faine be saved, but will goe neither forward nor backward, neither North nor South after Jesus Christ; whereas if their desires were true and genuine, they would use all meanes, goe all due wayes, leave nothing unassayed that might probably bring them to the knowledge and enjoyment of him; O how busie was Job's spirit to finde out God? And so busie should our spirits be to finde him out, both for comfort and for counsel in all the turnings of our lives.

Lastly, Observe;

That after the use of much meanes to finde God, yet possibly God may not be found by us as to our apprehension.

Job spared no paines to finde out God, and yet he could not speed at that time, after all his search he found him not, he percei∣ved him not, he did not behold him; you may pray, and seek, and advise, and waite, follow this meanes and that meanes to finde out God, or to recover the sence of his gracious presence with your soules, and yet (for a long time) misse of him. This is one of the exercises which God is pleased to put his people to, hee therefore hides that we may seek him; he doth not hide himselfe because he will not be found, but he hides himselfe because he will be sought; and yet when he is sought, and sought in a right way too, he will not presently be found. For though none that seek him in sincerity, but shall finde him at last (He hath not said to the seed of Jacob, seek yee my face in vaine; that is, seek mee and never finde mee, the Scripture speakes no such thing) nor did Job al∣wayes seek and not finde; yet, as he in his time, so we in ours may seek him long and not finde him, and yet still we must conti∣nue seeking, because God hides himselfe that we may seek him more, not that he would have us give over seeking. And there∣fore in times of desertion, in hideing, and withdrawing times, doe

not give over seeking; for the reason why God doth withdraw, is, that we may seek him more, and follow harder after him; that we may seek him (as Job did) East, West, North, and South; that is, in all meanes, duties, ordinances, he will not alwayes hide himselfe; that's the summe and scope of the 8^th and 9^th verses.

Notes

• Quando opera∣tur. Pagn. In faciendo ip∣sum. Pagn. Dum operatur. Vatabl. Ʋbi facit opus suum. Isidor:
• Omne malum ab aquilone.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cooperi∣re, involvere seu occultare significat. Quasi deus meridiona∣li parte velut operimento sese circumtegat. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 est mare at 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 dextra unde etiam meridies dici∣tur 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Theman Nomi∣ni Ja••in pra••••∣sitio Thau. Exo. 26.18. unde Theman si ap∣pellativè suma∣tur dextrum Australe sive meridionale sig∣nificat si autem proprie est no••∣men regionis Australis. Hieron.