John Trapp on Job 1:8

Verſe 8. Haſt then conſidered my ſervant Job?] Job then was in Gods account a conſiderable perſon and [illegible: 1 span] one as whoſe praiſe was not of men, but of God. Such [illegible: 1 word] all godly people, but eſpecially thoſe that are eminent, tall Chriſtians; full of [illegible: 1 word], filled with all knowledge, as thoſe Romans chap. 15.14. men of choice ſpirits as [illegible: 1 word], that walk up and down the world as ſo many conquerors 1 John 5.4. then are clothed with the Sun, and tread upon the Moon, Rev. 12.1. Theſe are men of mark [non-Latin text not transcribed] looking after. A man would have gone us farre to have ſoon Luther, as he in the ſtory, did to ſee Livy; or as the Queene of Sheba did to ſee Sol[illegible: 1 letter]mon. A man would fetch ſuch golden ſentences as thoſe he uttered [illegible: 1 word] knees from R[illegible: 1 letter]me or Jeruſalem, ſaith a Reverend man that writeth his life. The tong[illegible: 1 letter]ue of the juſt is at choice ſilve[illegible: 1 letter], but the heart of the wicked is little worth, Mr. Sam. Cla[illegible: 2 letters] Prov. 10.20. Hence Antiochus is called a vile perſon, De[illegible: 1 letter]. 11.21. though a great Potentate. And the Prophet tells Jor[illegible: 1 letter]m that wicked King of Iſrael, that but for Jehoſhaphats ſake (a better man) he would not have looked toward him, nor have ſeen him, 2 King. 3.14. Job was a man of weight, and great worth, as were thoſe precious ſons of Zion, Lam. 4.2. Didſt thou not therefore make a ſtand at his door, ſaith God? Seeſt thou not how he ſtands as a ſtandard-bearer? ſhines as a great light? ſhewes forth in his whole practiſe ſuch a power of godlineſſe, as is ſufficient either to draw hearts, or to daunt them? haſt thou met with ſuch a man in all thy circuit, that can quit himſelf ſo well and wiſely in all eſtates, like as gold is purged in the fire, ſhineth in the water? ſeeſt thou not how all his principles, practiſes, and aims, are ſupernal and ſupernatural?

That there is none like him in the earth] This was an high praiſe indeed; and yet no hyperbole: he was a Giant to other good people, who were but dwarfes and Zanies to him, for growth of grace, and heighth of holineſſe. He was the paragon of his time; and of impatallel piety. As Ahab was a very Non-ſuch for wickedneſſe, 1 King 21.25. ſo was Job for goodneſſe. As Hezekiah out-ſtripped all the Kings of Judah for his truſting in the Lord 2 King. 18.5 and Joſiah for his integrity, 2 King. 23.25. [non-Latin text not transcribed] and the Centurion for his heroick faith Matth. 8. and Paul for his plu[illegible: 1 letter] ultra, Philip. 3. and Ambroſe, that in Theodoſius his account, he was the only Biſhop: So it was here, Job was above others, as Saul was above the people by the head and ſhoulders. As he was the greateſt, ſo the beſt man of all the children of the Eaſt, not a man came neer him, and yet they might be dear to God nevertheleſſe. But it is with good people, as with Jonathans ſignal arrowes: two fell ſhort, and but one beyond the mark &c. God hath his ſervants of all ſorts and ſizes: and eſt aliquid prodire tenus &c.

A perfect and an upright man &c.] A tough piece thou findeſt him, I ſuppoſe, and not eaſily malleable. Thou haſt been doing at him, I doubt not, but canſt do no good on't. Thou haſt ſet thine heart upon him, and tried thine utmoſt skill to overturn him, but haſt met with thy match, and been ſent away without thine errand: thou haſt but beat upon cold Iron: thou haſt ſtruck fire, but without tinder; thou haſt knock'd at the doore, but there was none within to open to thee. Thus God ſpeaketh, to ſting Satan; and (as it were) [illegible: 1 letter]riump[illegible: 1 letter]ing over his and Jobs adverſary.