Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 36:4

4. For truly, my words shall not be false : he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee .

I will not speak any thing against my own Conscience, nor against Truth, either to flatter God, or to vex thee, as thou supposest thy other Friends have done, Chap. 13. 7. and elsewhere.

This is meant either 1. of God. Thou hast to do with a God of perfect Knowledge by whom all thy words and actions are weighed; and therefore hast need to be more wary and circumspect in thy expressions and behaviour. Or rather 2. of himself, as the former part of the Verse is. And he speaketh of himself in the third Person for modesty's sake. He speaks not of absolute, but of comparative Perfection. And whatsoever perfection of Knowledge he had, he doth not ascribe it to himself but to God's Spirit, Chap. 32. 8. And the meaning may be this, Thou hast not to do with a Novice, but with one who hath accurately considered, and though God's grace doth fully understand these matters. Therefore hearken to me. But the word rendred perfect signifieth also sincere or upright, or right. And this may seem best to agree with the former Clause, wherein he saith that he would not speak what he knew to be [illegible: 1+ letters]alse, and now he adds, that he was and would be upright in the use of his knowledge, or in the delivery of his Opinion in this matter, and not be [illegible: 1 word] by any passion or prejudice either to speak otherwise than he thought, or to judge otherwise than he should.

Marginal references: Ch. 37. 16.