Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 15:15

15. Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints ; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.

i. e. In his Angels, as appears, by comparing Chap. 4. 18. who are called his saints or holy ones, Deut. 33. 2. Psalm 103. 20. Dan. 4. 13, 23. Mat. 18. 10. & 24. 36. Who though they were created holy, yet he could not be confident in them, nor they be confident in themselves, that they would continue in their integrity if they were left to themselves, and no[illegible: 1+ letters] upheld by God's special Grace and assistance. See the Notes o[illegible: 1+ letters] Iob 4. 18.

Heb. and the heavens i. e. Either 1. the Heavens properly so called; which though they be free from those drossie mixtures which are and appear in heavenly bodies, yet are not absolutely pure, but have some spots and blemishes in them; as Philosophers have discovered, and the allseeing God knoweth: Compare Chap. 25. 5. where the stars are said not to be p[illegible: 1+ letters]re: Unless the stars also there be metaphorically put for the Angels, as they are, Iob 38. 7. and for other holy Ministers of God, as Dan. 8. 10. Revel. 1. 16, 20. & 12. 1, 4. The Angels that dwell in heaven, being oft put for its Inhabitants; either for God, as Psalm 73. 9. Dan. 4. 26. Luke 15. 18, 21. Or for the Angels, as Psalm 89. 6. & 148. 1, 2. So this is a repetition of the same thing in other words. And these are not pure; to wit, simply and perfectly, and comparatively to God; in which and such like respects, God onely is said to be good and wise, and immortal. The Angels are pure from corruption, but not from imperfection, nor from a possibility of sinning, if God should withdraw his help from them.

Marginal references: Chap. 4[illegible: 1+ letters]