A commentary upon the whole Old Testament, added to that of the same author upon the whole New Testament published many years before, to make a compleat work upon the whole Bible. Vols. 2-4. Wherein the divers translations and expositions, literall and mysticall, of all the most famous commentators both ancient and modern are propounded, examined, and judged of, for the more full satisfaction of the studious reader in all things, and many most genuine notions inserted for edification in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. A work, the like unto which hath never yet been published by any man, yet very necessary, nor only for students in divinity; but also for every Christian that loveth the knowledge of divine things, or humane, whereof this comment is also full. Consisting of IV parts. I Upon the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses. II Upon the historical part, from Joshua to Esther. III Upon Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Solomons Song. IV Upon all the prophets both great and small. By John Mayer, doctor of divinity.

CHAP. XXXII.

BEING now to enter upon the long oration of Elihu, continued six Chapters together, because no mention hath yet been made of him amongst other of Jobs friends; it is necessary to inquire how he came to be one amongst them, and when and upon what occasion he came, and who he was: For his coming, it is conceived, that it was after that he heard of the going of the other three by consent to visit Job, they being all Kings and wise men; he thought, that he would also go to heare their conferences, not doubting, but that he should heare many wise senten∣ces uttered amongst them, whereby he might benefit his understanding: For his person, he is set forth by his name Elihu, signifying, He is my God: Olympiodorus saith, God hearing: But wherefore he interpreteth it so, * 1.1 I know not, it may also be rendred, He is my strength. An excellent name, and therefore the name of many of the people of God, as of the Grand-Father of Samuel, of a certain Prince of the Tribe of Manasseth, of the Nephew of Obed-Edom, and of the brother of David: And not only his name is set down, but more then is said of any of the other three, his stock whereof he came. The Son of Barachel, a Buzite of the kindred of Ram. Whereby it seemeth, that he was by Original a Son of Nahor, the Bro∣ther of Abraham: For his Sons are said to be Hus and Buz; so Philip, * 1.2 Necetas, Beda, but Gregory saith, That he is called a Buzite, from a Ci∣ty of the Ansitidan countrey, and this is more probable, because he is said after this, to be of the kindred of Ram therefore an Buzite, cal∣led from the City whereof haply he was Ruler: But some, and Jerom especially place the Ansitidan region in Idumea: Touching Ram, some think, that this was one name of Abraham, first called Ram, when he was in Ʋz of the Caldees, then Abram after he was come out, and God promised to exalt him, for Abram signifieth an high Father. Lastly, Abraham a Father of many Nations, for this maketh the Cald. Pha∣raph. which hath it, Of the kindred of Abraham. And this is followed * 1.3 by Jerome, Beda, and Philippus: If the question be, whether he were not of the kindred of that Ram mentioned in the genealogy of David, who came of Pharez, it is answered, no; For that Ram lived long after Gregory•• upon the Name, Countrey, and Kindred of Elihu, allegorizeth thus, Elihu, signifying He is my God. Is the name of this arrogant man, * 1.4 who had the knowledge of God indeed, and boasted not a little hereof, but by reason of his pride and self-conceitednesse, he was a type of all such as lift up themselves, and are proud of their knowledge; for which [Note.] he is also said to be of the kindred of Ram, Excelsus, or High, for high∣mindednesse, and therefore though he were the Son of Barachel, signi∣fying, Blessed of God, yet he is a Buzite, that is contemptible, for God despiseth the proud and giveth grace to the humble; and therefore it is * 1.5 to be noted, That when Job was bidden to sacrifice for the other three, no sacrificing for Elihu is spoken of, but Who is this, saith the Lord, that darkeneth counsell by words without knowledge? Where in saying, Who is this? He speaketh as to reprobates at the last day: Depart yee workers * 1.6 of iniquity, I know you not. A man of excellent parts then to speak, although he be herein the Son of blessing, for his eloquence and ready utterance of things pertaining to the knowledge of God, yet if he be proud, is con∣temptible and vile in Gods account, and one for whom there is no sacri∣fice, * 1.7 as there is for those, that have gone astray through errour, but after∣wards

have been turned: For the words of v. 1. So these three men ceased to an∣swer Iob, because he was righteous in his own eys: It is not meant that he was so indeed, but in their opinion, for he confessed that he had sinned divers times: Touching Elihu it is sayd also, that he was angry with Job because he justi∣fied himself, and with his freinds because they found not what to say more * 1.8 against Job, whom they had all condemned to make good their assertion, and herein he did after the manner of a man that is proud of his wit and pie∣ty, he is offended at Job as taking more holinesse upon him, and ascribed more to himself then he thought was fitting, in respect of all manner of vir∣tues, and at his freinds, as thought by him to be ignorant men in comparison of himself, so proud men think none so good or so wise as themselves, in [Note.] things pertaining to God and to religion, and who so doth thus is a follower of Elihu.

Then Elihu sayd, I am young and yee are very old, therefore I durst not shew mine opinion. Here he beginneth as if he had been full of humility, as * 1.9 he was younger in years, so being willing rather to hear his Elders speak, then to speak himself, which is a thing commendable in young men, but un∣der this cloak of words lay hid much pride and vain glory, for he presently discovereth what he was, viz. one that thought himself wiser then they all, for he sayth, There is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the almighty gi∣veth understanding. * 1.10

Great men are not alwaies wise, neither do the aged understand judgment: For of pride and vain glory saith Gregory, there be four sorts. * 1.11

First, When a man thinketh that he hath the wisdome that is in him, from himself, as he, whom the Apostle put in mind, saying, What hast thou, * 1.12 that thou hast not received? &c.

Secondly, when he acknowledgeth that it cometh from God; but that he was worthy of it; as the Pharisee that thanked God that he was not as the * 1.13 Publican, contrary to whom, as Paul, who sayd, by the Grace of God I am that I am.

Thirdly, when he thinketh that he hath more in him then he hath, as the Angell of the Church of Laodicea, who sayd that he was rich and wanted nothing, yet he was poor, miserable, blind, and naked. * 1.14

Fourthly, When he thinketh himself wiser then all other men, in two of which Elihu grosly faulted, for he ascribed more to himself then was in him, and despised the wisdome of others in comparison of his own, as the Pharisee also did, preferring himself: And this is to do like the Devill, who would as∣cend up on high above the other Angels, and set his throne besides the Throne of God, but he had a fearfull fall, and so shall all the Proud * 1.15 have.

Least yee should say we have found out wisedome, God thrusteth him down * 1.16 and not man. Vulg. Deus projecit eam, & non homo. But Hebr. it is him, and the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifieth, hath reproached him; the meaning is, Elihu would now speak, and desireth to be heard by the other three, least they should think that it was not want of wisedome to answer Job that made them now silent, but they seeing that by no words of men he would have his mouth stopped, ceased therefore to speak any more, because they would leave him to God, who alone could cast him down: Thus Isidorus. * 1.17

Now he hath not directed his words against me, neither will I answer him with your speeches. Herein saith Gregory, he rightly personeth a proud hea∣rer, who takes nothing as spoken to him, but all against the sins of other men. All the Preacher spareth not to speak against his pride, as well as against the Errours of others, for he will not beleive that he is proud, but humble, and thinks himself wiser then his Teacher: For his not answering in their words, it is meant, being applyed also to the arrogant in the Church, by maintaining such opinions as Hereticks who are without the Church do, and opposing the truths taught in the Church by words, but

by Deeds, wherein they go contrary to that which the Church teacheth from time to time.

Elihu makes a kind of rhetoricall flourish, wherein he sheweth Eloquence, * 1.18 but little matter worth the speaking upon: Whereas N. Tr. hath these words, v. 17. I wil shew mine opinion, the vul. hath it, I will shew my knowledge▪ wherup∣on Greg. saith the arrogant love to speak, not for the benefit of the hearer, but shew to his knowledge, of which he is most proud: But for this he is like unto a vessell without a cover, touching which the Law saith, that it shall be counted unclean, so the man that putteth himself forth to speak, that he may shew all the knowledge that is in him, and keepeth not rather a cover hereupon, is judged for this to be proud, and so unclean, for it is our duty to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and not be many Masters for * 1.19 fear of the greater condemnation: Thus He and the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 indeed sig∣nifieth my knowledge. But to utter a mans knowledge for the Edificati∣on of others, as the faithfull Pastors of the Church do, is not pride, but zeale; for so he that desireth to be a Byshop, desireth a worthy work, viz. For the diligent teaching that is in such an one required, and accordingly * 1.20 Timothy is exhorted to preach the word, and to be instant in season and out of season.

For I am full of matter, the spirits within me constraineth me, my belly is like wine, that hath no vent, it is ready to burst like new bottles. A * 1.21 most high degree of pride in a young man thus to arrogate to himself as if he were a Prophet like Jeremiah, who used some such words of himself or * 1.22 an Apostle, for of the Apostles it is sayd, New Wine must be put in new vessells, otherwise they will burst: Whereas Gregory sayth, that all this came from pride in Elihu, Chrisost. contrariwise praiseth him that having so much matter to utter he could so long contain himself from speaking out o•• modesty * 1.23 and reverence to his Elders: But Chrisost, was herein in an Errour, as may be gathered from the censure of GOD spoken of before; Only Vers. 21. 22. He saith well, that for respect of persons he would not use flattering titles, for so he should indanger himself to be by God cut off, who is offended at * 1.24 it, when a man is to teach and to set forth his truth, and to call sin in whom∣soever.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Sam. 1. 2 Cron. 12. 10. 1 Cron 26. 7. Chap. 27. 18. Vers. 2.
• * 1.2

  Gen. 22. 21. Gregor. Hugo. Tho: Aqui. Hyeron.
• * 1.3

  Cald. Pharaph.
• * 1.4

  1 Cron. 2. 9. 1••. Gregor.
• * 1.5

  Jam. 4. 6.
• * 1.6

  Chap. 42. 2. Matth 27. 1.
• * 1.7

  Iam. 5. 18.
• * 1.8

  Vers. 3. 4.
• * 1.9

  Vers. 6.
• * 1.10

  Vers. 8.
• * 1.11

  Ver. 9. Gregor.
• * 1.12

  1 Cor. 4. 7.
• * 1.13

  Luk. 18.
• * 1.14

  Revel. 3. 20.
• * 1.15

  Isa. 14. 12.
• * 1.16

  Vers. 13.
• * 1.17

  Isidorus. Vers. 14. Gregor.
• * 1.18

  Vers. 15. 16. 17.
• * 1.19

  Iam. 1. 19. Iam. 3. 1.
• * 1.20

  1 Tim. 3. 1. 2 Tim. 4. 1.
• * 1.21

  Vers. 18.
• * 1.22

  Ier. 20. Math. 9. 16. 17.
• * 1.23

  Chrisost.
• * 1.24

  Vers. 21. 22.