Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 31:34

34. Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrifie me: that I kept silence, and went not out of the door ?

This Verse either 1. contains new Matter and another Argument, or evidence of his Integrity taken from his courage and faithfulness in the discharge of his duty as a Magistrate. The Interrogation implies a denial, and so the sense is, either 1. This, I did not for fear of a gre[illegible: 1+ letters]t Multitude, or for any Contempt, or Reproach, or other inconvenience which might bifall me from great and numerous Families, or combinations of People, who were ingaged for him, who had an unrighteous Cause, forbear to speak for the poor oppressed and injured Person whom they all opposed, or den to go out of the Door of my House to plead his cause, as a timorous and man pleasing Judg would have done. Or, 2. This, Though I could have terrified or, violently oppress[illegible: 1+ letters]d a great Multitude, because of my great power and interest, yet did the most contemptible Persons, or, Families terrifieme; i. e. I was afraid to do them any injury, not for fear of them, as appears from the former Clause, but for fear of God; therefore I kept silence, and went not out of the Door, i. e. I durst neither move Tongue▪ nor Hand, nor Foot against them. Or, 2. It contains an Amplification or Confirmation of what he said, v. 33. Either thus did I cover, or conceal my Transgressions because I was afraid of the rage of the Multitude, or of the contempt of Fa milies, which would be brought upon me by the confession of my wickedness? Did I therefore keep silence, i. e. Forbare to confess my sin, and not go out of my Door? But keep at home as one in that case ashamed or afraid to be seen abroad? No, the fear of shame or contempt from men, did not hinder me from giving glory to God by confessing my faults. Or rather thus, did I therefore cover all my oppressions, and frauds, and other wickednesses (wherewith you tax me) with the mask of Vertue and Piety, and use all possible caution and cunning in my evil courses, because I feared the great Multitude, (who were my Friends and admirers, but in case of the discovery of my wickedness, would have hated and persecuted me;) Or because the contempt of so many Families (whose favour and good opinion I needed or desired) terrified me? Then (as the Particle va[illegible: 1+ letters] is oft used, i. e. If that were really my case:) I should be silent (I should silently and patiently bear all the stroaks of God and all the reproaches of my Friends) and not go out of the door of my house, as one ashamed to shew his Face before men. But my condition being through God's Mercy far otherwise, and my Couscience bearing me witness of my integrity in these and many other things, I dare now lift up my Head and open my Mouth to plead my cause, and I desire nothing more than a fair hearing: O that one would hear me! As it follows in the next Verse.