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 Children can speak, why then doth he say, days should speak? I answer; There is a twofold speaking; First, natural, thus Children, as soon as they are out of their swaddling-bands, learn to speak; such speaking is but a natural act; Secondly, There is a speaking which is an artificial or studied act; thus Orators and men of eloquence speak; such speaking Elihu intended when he said, days should speak; He looked they should speak to purpose, speak by rule, even the quintessence of reason; he presumed they would have brought forth somewhat worthy of their years, and that he should have received such instruction from them, as they had learned from old age it self; I said days should speak Children can speak words, but old men should speak things, every word should have its weight; their tongues should drop as the honey-comb, and be a tree of life to feed and refresh many. It is most truly said of the word of God in Scripture, Every tittle of it hath a mountain of sense, a mighty weight of truth in it; And surely the words of old men should be weighty and convincing; They should speak truth with such evidence both of testimony and reason as may put to silence all those who speak against or besides either truth or reason. As, day unto day (saith David, Psal. 19.2.) uttereth speech, that is, every day speaks somewhat; so men of days should speak much both for instruction and conviction. I said days should speak.

But Children can speak, why then doth he say, dayes should speak? I answer; There is a twofold speaking; First, naturall, thus Children, as soone as they are out of their swadling-bands, learne to speak; such speaking is but a naturall act; Secondly, There is a speaking which is an artificiall or studied act; thus Orators and men of eloquence speake; such speaking Elihu intended when he sayd, dayes should speak; He looked they should speake to purpose, speak by rule, even the quintessence of reason; he presumed they would have brought forth somewhat worthy of their yeares, and that he should have received such instruction from them, as they had learned from old age it selfe; I sayd dayes should speak Children can speak words, but old men should speak things, every word should have its weight; their tongues should drop as the honey-combe, and be a tree of life to feed and refresh many. It is most truly said of the word of God in Scripture, Every tittle of it hath a mountaine of sence, a mighty weight of truth in it; And surely the words of old men should be weighty and convincing; They should speak truth with such evidence both of testimony and reason as may put to silence all those who speak against or besides either truth or reason. As, day unto day (saith David,