An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

If we assay to commune with thee wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?

If we assay to commune with thee wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himselfe from speaking?

The words import, as if Eliphaz had said thus unto Job; we thy friends have all this while stood silent, we have given thee full liberty and scope to speak out all that was in thine heart, let it not grieve thee, if we now take liberty to speak our selves: and indeed a necessity lies upon us to speak. Two things Eliphaz puts into this Preface, whereby he labours to prepare the mind of Job, readily to hear and receive what he had to say unto him.

The words import, as if Eliphaz had said thus unto Job; we thy friends have all this while stood silent, we have given thee full liberty and scope to speak out all that was in thine heart, let it not grieve thee, if we now take liberty to speak our selves: and indeed a necessity lies upon us to speak. Two things Eliphaz puts into this Preface, whereby he labours to prepare the minde of Job, readily to hear and receive what he had to say unto him.

First, he tells him that he speaks out of good will and as a friend to him. If we assay to commune with thee wilt thou be grieved? Pray do not take it ill, we mean you no harm, we would but give you faithful counsel, we speak from our hearts, not from our spleen, we speak from love to thee, let it not be thy grief.

First, he tels him that he speaks out of good will and as a friend to him. If we assay to commune with thee wilt thou be grieved? Pray doe not take it ill, we meane you no harme, we would but give you faithfull counsell, we speak from our hearts, not from our spleen, we speak from love to thee, let it not be thy griefe.