A35535:150
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and the thirty fourth chapters of the book of Job being the substance of forty-nine lectures / delivered at Magnus near the Bridge, London, by Joseph Caryl ...An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and the thirty fourth chapters of the booke of Job being the substance of forty-nine lectures / delivered at Magnus neare the Bridge, London, by Joseph Caryl ...
London: printed by M. Simmons, 1661
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Vers. 3. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
We find Elihu angry on all hands, angry with Job, and angry with his three friends; some query upon this renewing of his anger (as God did Jonah) whether he did well to be thus angry or thus to appear in passion, and break out afresh in wrath? and whether the reasons of his anger will bear him out to have been angry with Reason; anger prevails most in those in whom reason prevails least, and they have usually the strongest passions, who have the weakest judgements; children and aged persons, the sick and pained are apt to be angry with others, and hard to be pleased themselves. And 'tis a general axiom; 1The weak and impotent are naturally angry and passionate. Therefore we had need look to our passions, that they grow not strong, for they will soon proclaim us weak: he is a wise man indeed, that can be at once wise and angry. (Proverbs 19.11.) The discretion of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression; ⟨p. 28⟩And as there Solomon teacheth us, that discretion mastereth anger, so he assureth us, that angry persons are more then indiscreet, foolish. (Eccles. 7.9.) Anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Anger often assaults the prudent, but if it abides and takes up its lodging in any bosom, 'tis in the bosom of a fool, at least, in that point, he doth foolishly who lendeth his bosom (though but one night) for anger to lodge in. And as at all times, so then especially we should narrowly watch and severely bridle our passions, when (as Elihu here did) we undertake to advise those who are mistaken, or to reduce those that are out of the way; when we give counsel to others, we should be sedate and quiet our selves. A Physician must not be angry with his patient, nor is it proper to apply medicinal healing counsel to the mind of another with an exulcerated mind. Much might be said concerning this anger of Elihu, but I have spoken to that before in opening the former verse, therefore I shall not stay here upon it; but proceed to consider the reason why he was so.