An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…

Master Broughton following one of the Rabbins, presents us with a different translation from either of these, What Doctrine can thy heart give thee, or what can thy heart teach thee? The word which we render to take, to carry, or hold up a thing, signifies also to learn or teach Doctrine, but rather to learn then to teach, as Grammarians tell us, which somewhat abates the clearness of that version; yet the Chaldee Paraphrase follows the same sense, What hath thy own thought taught thee? What learnest thou there, as if Eliphaz had said, Thou hast an evil heart, and surely an ill Master will teach but ill Doctrine; when the heart is inditing of a good matter (Psal. 45.) then we may learn good lessons from the heart: and then we speak most effectually to the hearts of others, when we speak from our own hearts, they having first been spoken to by the spirit of God. But a corrupt heart can teach no better then it hath, and that is corrupt Doctrines. These are truths, yet too much strained for upon this Text, and therefore I pass from them, and abide by the ordinary signification of the word as we read it, Why doth thy heart take thee up, or carry thee away; as if he had said, Thy heart hath seized upon thee, and arrested thee, thou art led away prisoner, or captive by the violence and impetuousness of thy own spirit.

Master Broughton following one of the Rabbins, presents us with a different translation from either of these, What Doctrine can thy heart give thee, or what can thy heart teach thee? The word which we render to take, to carry, or hold up a thing, signifies also to learne or teach Doctrine, but rather to learne then to teach, as Grammarians tell us, which somewhat abates the clearenesse of that version; yet the Chalde Paraphrase followes the same sense, What hath thy owne thought taught thee? What learnest thou there, as if Eliphaz had sayd, Thou hast an evill heart, and surely an ill Master will teach but ill Doctrine; when the heart is inditing of a good matter (Psal. 45.) then we may learne good lessons from the heart: and then we speake most effectually to the hearts of others, when we speak from our owne hearts, they having first been spoken to by the spirit of God. But a corrupt heart can teach no better then it hath, and that is corrupt Doctrines. These are truths, yet too much strained for upon this Text, and therefore I passe from them, and abide by the ordinary signification of the word as we read it, Why doth thy heart take thee up, or carry thee away; as if he had sayd, Thy heart hath seized upon thee, and arrested thee, thou art led away prisoner, or captive by the violence and impetuousnesse of thy owne spirit.