John Trapp on Job 20:3

Verſe 3. I have heard the check of my reproach.] Zophar conceived himſelf diſgraced as well as menaced by Job; and this kindled him: Some are of ſo teſty a nature, ſaith one, ſo skittiſh and unquiet humour, that a little offenſive breath, a diſgraceful word, blows them up into rage that will not be laid down, with out revenge, or reparation of their credits. Jobs reproofs were by this man conſtrued for reproaches: and what was ſpoken to them all, he applieth to himſelf. It appeareth that he was ſick of a Noli me tangere; when being touched ſo gently, nettle-like, he ſtingeth him who handled him.

And the Spirit of my underſtanding cauſeth me to anſwer.] This I ſhall do with reaſon and underſtanding, not with paſſion and recrimination, Spiritus Dei nec mendax, nec mordax; meekneſs of wiſdom is a fruit of Gods Spirit; by the which, and not by his reaſonable ſoul only, Zophar ſeemeth to himſelf to be carried on. And ſurely they are holy Truths all along that he uttereth, but wreſted and miſapplyed as to Job, whom he will needs have to be wicked, becauſe wretched; Interim obſervemus, ſaith Lavater, mean-while let us obſerve, that theſe things, ſc. the ſtate and portion of the wicked, the greatneſs and ſuddenneſs of their puniſhments is therefore by Gods appointment ſo oft propounded and preſſed in this whole Book (whereof this is almoſt the ſole Argument) that we might be right in that point; fear to offend, and not fret at the wicked mans proſperity, which is but momentany. The Tigurin[illegible: 1 letter]s tranſlate this clauſe thus, Tametſi me conſcientia hîc conſolabitur Albeit herein my conſcience ſhall comfort me.