An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Yet further, I conceive, when Elihu saith to Job, Suffer me a little, it may signify one of these two things, or both of them. First, That Job had given him some interruption as he was speaking before. It is usual with us, if when a man is speaking, any interpose, to say, Pray suffer me a while, you shall have your liberty to object or reply what you please when I have done. Secondly, That he had showed some dissatisfaction with what Elihu had spoken fully out, or when he had done speaking, and therefore he desired that he might further clear the matter, and speak out his mind, yet, at least, a little more, if it might be to his full satisfaction, and the removal of all his doubts. Suffer me a little.

Yet further, I conceive, when Elihu saith to Job, Suffer me a little, it may signifie one of these two things, or both of them. First, That Job had given him some interruption as he was speaking before. It is usual with us, if when a man is speaking, any interpose, to say, Pray suffer me a while, you shall have your liberty to object or reply what you please when I have done. Secondly, That he had shewed some dissatisfaction with what Elihu had spoken fully out, or when he had done speaking, and therefore he desired that he might further cleer the matter, and speak out his mind, yet, at least, a little more, if it might be to his full satisfaction, and the removal of all his doubts. Suffer me a little.

Lay all these things together, and they will teach us a point of prudence, so to compose and compact what we have to say, that it may not be grievous or burdensome to those that hear us, especially not to those who (as Job was) are already grieved in mind, or body, or both. As the Spirit of God, lest the Faith and Patience of his People should fail in sufferings, telleth, yea assureth them, it is but a little while that they shall suffer; relief, or deliverance, and which is more, the Reliever, the Deliverer, is making hast towards them, (Heb. 10.27.) Yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry; as the Spirit of God (I say) doth thus nurse up the Faith of his People in suffering times: so we had need to nurse up the attentions of our Hearers at all times, but then chiefly when they are under any kind of suffering, and say, yet a little, suffer us a little, we will not burden you much. There are two things of admirable use in speaking. First, Brevity. Secondly, Perspicuity. 'Tis true, that they that strive to be short, prove very obscure; yet doubtless, 'tis no very hard thing, in most matters, to join perspicuity with brevity, and to give a clear sense in a few words. And though it be a truth, That when we have said much of God, and of the things of God, we have said but little, yea, that when we have spoken our all, there remains infinitely more to be spoken, yet we should as much as may be, aim at brevity, especially where the Person spoken to is weak, and unfitted by bodily indispositions to hear much. Suffer me a little,