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…

But some may say; was it not an over-bold part in Elihu a young man to impose silence upon Job, or to bid him hold his peace?

I answer; Elihu doth not bid Job hold his peace, either, first, as if he had seen him unwilling to let him speak, or would not hear him any more; Job was a very patient hearer; he heard his friends patiently, and he had heard Elihu too with silence and patience, yea though Elihu offered him leave, yea almost provoked him to speak (v. 5.) yet he did not but gave him scope to speak out. Nor did Elihu speak this, secondly, as if he slighted Job, or thought him a man unable to answer him, or speak to purpose, for presently in the next verse he desireth him again to speak. Nor thirdly, as if he had such high thoughts of his own wisdom, and loved so much to hear himself speak (as some men do) that he cared not to hear others, but would engross all the discourse. Nor was it, fourthly, because he saw such an affectation in Job to speak, that he needed (as the Apostle speaks of some, Tit: 1.11.) to have his mouth stopped. It was not upon any of these or such like reasons, that Elihu desired Job to hold his peace; but it was either first, that himself might speak more clearly, and carry his matter through to his understanding; or secondly, that he might set the matter more home upon his conscience, and move him to consider yet more seriously what he had ⟨p. 478⟩said, of the various ways of Gods dealing with man to humble his soul, and bring him nearer to himself; or lastly, that Job might perceive and take notice, that he was the man aimed at in all the foregoing parable. As if he had said, Sir down quietly, and consider with thy self, whether all this discourse hath tended, or whether or no thou art not the man intended in it. As Christ when he had spoken that parable of the sower concluded (Math: 13.9.) He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear; that is, let him take it home to himself; or as Christ concludeth his Epistles to the seven Churches in the second and third Chapters of the Revelation, with, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches; so doth Elihu to Job in special, Mark-well, O Job, and hearken unto me, hold thy peace.