John Trapp on Job 4:2

Verſe 2. If we aſſay to commune with thee] Or may we aſſay to commune with thee? Art thou in caſe to be counſelled? and will not an eſſay to this purpoſe further trouble thy patience and diſtemper thee? the eare which taſteth words (as the mouth doth meat) if filled with choler,Bafil. orat. 12. can reliſh no comfort: and the eaſieſt medicines, on mildeſt waters, are troubleſome to ſore eyes. Hony cauſeth pain to exulcerate parts, though in it ſelf it be ſweet and medicinall: children, though at other times they like it and [illegible: 1 word] in,Alex. Aphrod. problem. yet they will not endure to have it come neare their lips, when they have the [illegible: 1 word] ſome patients are mad againſt their medicines: and ſome hearers rage at a reprob[illegible: 2 letters] Eliph[illegible: 3 letters] knew not but that Job might do as much, and that having newly been in a fearfull fit of paſſion, he might fall into another, as Jonas did; the [illegible: 1 letter]rifice of his corruption being not yet cloſed up by repentance: Hence this preamble by way of friendly inſinuation. The like art uſeth Paul with Philemon, and with the Corinthian often.

But who can with-hold himſelf from ſpeaking?] Who that hath any piety toward God, or pity to his offending friend? we uſe to ſay, He that receiveth a courteſie ſell[illegible: 1 letter]th his liberty; but true love will not be tongue-tied. Our Saviours mouth was not ſtopped with all the good cheer that Simon the leper made him, Luke 7. neither entertained he the Phariſees with fewer menaces, then they did him eft-ſoons, with meſſes of meat. Job had been doubtleſſe very friendly to his friends, who yet ſpare him not: and had they done it aright with the meekneſſe of wiſedome, they had ſhewed themſelves friends indeed, there being not a better office or evidence of love then this, Lev. 19.17. Friends, as Bees, are killed with the hony of flattery, but quickned with the vinegar of reproofe, ſo it be well managed. The Eagle, though ſhe loveth her young ones dearly, yet ſhee pricketh and beateth them out of the neſt when they are ready for flight.