A35535:213
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.
I am young, and ye are very old, wherefore I was afraid, and durst not show mine opinion.
I am young, and ye are very old, wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew mine opinion.
What effect that sense which Elihu had of his youth or fewness of days produced in him, is set forth in these words; 'twas fear, I (saith he) was afraid, &c. There is, (as to this point) a twofold fear: First, a cowardly fear; Secondly, a modest fear; when Elihu saith, he was afraid, he doth not mean the fear of a coward; but of a modest man: it is not not cowardice to be afraid of doing many things, to fear to do those things which are unlawful, or which are uncomely, is no part of cowardice. This latter fear surprised or rather composed Elihu; ⟨p. 43⟩he was a man bold spirited enough, but modesty made him afraid to show his opinion. There is a great elegance in those words;1 I durst not show mine opinion; They imply, he hid his speech, as Serpents hide themselves when men approach. (Micah 7.17.) Serpents which are a terror to men, and make them afraid, are also afraid of men, their appearance causeth them to run and hide their heads. The Rabbins take much pains in their Criticisms about this word to express a virtuous modesty. As it is a duty to be (as Christ exhorts his Disciples to be) especially in times of persecution (Math: 10.10.) wise as Serpents, so it is a virtue to be fearful as Serpents, even to fear as much to be heard by some men, as Serpents fear to be seen by any man.2 Thus Elihu held down his head, he was afraid and durst not show his opinion suddenly, nor declare his judgement in the case, for the reverence he bare to those graver and elder heads.
What effect that sence which Elihu had of his youth or fewnesse of dayes produced in him, is set forth in these words; 'twas feare, I (saith he) was afraid, &c. There is, (as to this poynt) a twofold feare: First, a cowardly feare; Secondly, a modest feare; when Elihu saith, he was afraid, he doth not meane the feare of a coward; but of a modest man: it is not not cowardize to be afraid of doing many things, to feare to doe those things which are unlawfull, or which are uncomely, is no part of cowardize. This latter feare surprized or rather composed Elihu;