John Trapp on Job 8:17

Verſe 17. His roots are wrapped about the heap &c.] i. e. they are deeply intrenched, and ſtrongly incorporated into the ground, wreathed in with the heap, as thorns about a hedge. The hypocrite ſeemeth to be notably well rooted, not in the world only, but in the Church too, which we may compare (as Plato doth man, Intricantu[illegible: 1 letter]. whom he calleth [non-Latin text not transcribed], an heavenly plant) to a tree inverted, with the root above, and the branches below. Our Saviour ſpeaketh of branches in him (ſeemingly ſo) that bear not fruit, John 15.2. Theſe are hypocrites, who think themſelves to be rooted in Chriſt, and others alſo think no leſſe of them, but it proves otherwiſe, for they are fruitleſſe; as a poll fixed in the earth, but not rooted there, as a rotten leg cleaves to the body, but is no part of it; or as wens and ulcers which are taken away without any loſſe to it. How farre an hypocrite may go, ſee the parable of the ſtony and thorny grounds, Matth. 13. See alſo Heb. 6.4, 5. and 16.29 2 Pet. 2.20, 21. He may come as far as Kadeſh-barnea, within eleven dayes journy of the heavenly Canaan, and yet fall ſhort of it: he may ſeem to be ſtedfaſt and unmoveable, as a tree whoſe roots are wrapped about a rock.

He ſeeth the place of ſtones] Mr. Brougthton rendreth it, He platteth about the houſe of ſtone: Others, He looketh into the houſe of ſtone; he looks in at the windowes, and ſo hindreth the light, annoying the maſters houſe both below and above, who therefore reſolves to have him down: as it followeth.