we call Man alace This the Heir Male of the first mortals race This Man of Woman born whose foolish years Are wasted in a tract of cares and tears If this be he that proud and lofty creature Who calls himself the Master-peece of Nature Why sure he seems to me so mean a thing As he is hardly worth our mentioning Strange then kind Females should be at such pain In bringing to the world a thing so mean A thing which valued by just Estimation Is scarcely worth the pains of Procreation Yet after all say of him what we can This empty thing is all we have for Man Yes in this very piece of miniature So long indeed as Heavens and Earth endure We see the Image Glory Wit and Power Of him who fram'd him so that to this hour In this same Man with no small admiration We read th' Abridgment of the whole creation This is the Lord of Earth yes this is he Who holds o' th' King of Heaven in capite This goodly Mannor and that as appears In Mort main too to him and all his Heirs For payment only of some Tears and Pray'rs I this same fair and fruitful Seigniory Was once indeed his settled Property For ever in his Person to endure Full and in peace before the forfeiture But O thâ—u man to whom in Paradise This fair Appanage God did first demise Man not of Woman â—orn thou poorly sold What was not to be purchassed for Gold Both thine alace and our felicity For a mean toy and for thy fault we dye Ah! hadst not thou with dull indifference Exchang'd thy opulent state of Innocence For this poor mortal state which we possess What Art could have express'd man's happiness He could for ever have retain'd his breath And bid defyance to the force of death He had with great convenience eat his Bread And call'd himself the Lord of Earth indeed But now that in continued miseries He lives a while then miserably dies He owes to thee and for thy curious Crime He and his Race are eaten up by time As Oxen eat up Grass Then what are all these things we pleasures call Wealth Honours Issue Fame What are they all When man must dye when he must formally Abandon all these pleasant things and dye Yes dy e and as into the world he came Naked and poor go out of it the same For as a flower its beauty doth display And suddainly doth moulder and decay So man in gâ—y and verdant youth appears Most glorious in the Summer of his years Void of all sorrow and anxiety Spread like a Garden-flower but by and by When he is cross'd with thoughts and businesse His Tulip-colours disappear apace And as a shadow when the Sun is gone Appears no more but vanisheth annon So all his beauty vanisheth and now Wrinkles succeed it and with much ado His face is known to those who formerly Knew him i' th' days of adolescency At length Time fairly turns his Glass and now The Fable's done and there 's no more to do But that Wrapp'd up in Home-spun Winding-sheet O brave The Lord of Earth be thrown into his Grave Almighty God! what fluctuating thing Is this same Man how frail and perishing How subject to himself how much a slave To passion from the Belly to the Grave Nay such a piece of meer formality Though Mantled with a glorious vanity Of Wit Birth Riches Learning Honours all Which he doth his appurtenances call That even himself when with impartial eye In Reasons Looking glass he doth survey His worldly state perceives that all he can Pretend at most to is to be a Man A man of woes and sorrows cares and fears A poor retainer to some painful years A short-liâ—d man who rarely doth attain To th' age of sixty and doth still complain Either of pains of Body or of Mind So long as within bounds of Life confin'd So that if th' hadst not let him understand He 's chief of all the Labours of thy Hand He 'd think himself in this same contemplation The very meanest part of the Creation Yet dost thou Lord thou high and Heavenly King Take special notice of this foolish thing Thou look'st upon him with a careful eye And tak'st the pains for his security T' enclose him with a wall of Providence And keeps't a constant Watch for his Defence Both day and night so that the power of Hell Cannot against him with their Plots prevail Whilst guarded thus and so well for tifi'd By his Creators Art on every side Yes and of late too I was one of those Whom thou with a strong Rampart did'st enclose But now thou'hast deserted me and I Unfenc'd lye open to the Enemy Now my accusers in great throngs do bring Their several Charges before thee my King Before thee I as Criminal appear At Bar and am environed with fear Now thou dost try me now thou dost intend To bring me quickly to a shameful end Lord what am I a wretched dying thing Not worth thy wrath not worth thy noticing Why try'st ' me then with such severity And of my actings maks't such scrutiny As if of all men I had most transgress'd Thy Divine Laws thou hear'st I have confess'd I am a sinner dost thou Lord expect That mortal man can other answer make When thou dost charge him with impiety Then I do now I do not Lord deny That all the Judgements I do now endure Were merit long ago for I am sure That man was never born since Adams Fall That can affirm he never sinn'd at all What then wouldst ' have me say I do confess I am all sin I am all guiltiness Can any thing that 's good from me proceed No sure then judge me for I cannot plead Not guilty I 'm unclean and who can bring That which is clean out of an unclean thing Then since it is so since I cann't deny I have abounded in iniquity Since I 'm found guilty and condemn'd why then I ask but what is granted amongst men On such occasions to a Criminal Who freely at the Bar confesses all Of what he hears himself accus'd and so Himself on mercy of the Court doth throw Then what I beg great Judge what I demand Is not to live because I understand As I am sadly circumstantiat now Death will oblige me more than Life can do But only since I have confess'd my Crime I may be but reprived for some time That I may have some leasure to repent And not at least out of the World be sent With all my sins about me Remember Lord how man is in his prime But a poor Gleaner of a scattered time A calculator of some triffling years An Almanack of sorrows woes and tears Are not his days and months determined His bounds design'd which he cannot exceed Let then his bitter persecution cease That for some time this Creature may have peace That he at least may be allow'd to live Until
many moe then thou Or any man can fancy I can do I can with ease oblige the whole Creation T' obey my Orders as I find occasion I can make th' Universe at my command Return to its first Chaos Sea and Land I can confound and mix them so together As th' wit of man cannot distinguish either I can do more then all you can conceive I can do what you but with pain believe Nay so much too thou know'st for frequently I 've heard thee in thy sharpest agony Express thy self with zeal and admiration Upon the copious Theme of the Creation I 've heard thee too with no small Eloquence Discourse upon my works of Providence I ask thee then who made thee understand Who made thee know that by my mighty hand All things in Heaven and Earth were fashioned And to this hour are dayly ordered Who taught thee these things who instructed thee Hadst thou this Wit from any else but me Did not I lend thee Parts and made thee know How from my Power all things created flow How all your Wisdom of which you do boast Is not your acquisition but at most A simple loan of my benevolence Which I to this or that man do dispense As I think good By rules then of your own Philosophy If from me Wisdom flows then certainly I who bestow it must be wiser far Then the accutest of you Mortals are Who all your Knowledge do derive from me Since that for which a thing is such must be More such it self I do demand thee then Thou most pretending to it of all men Is 't fit that any Mortal should be proud Of what in Loan I only have allow'd To him upon design that he should know What he 's himself and then what he doth owe To me who made him such but not to state Himself my Party or like thee debate On my Proceedings but that he should be Content to know that he knows all from me For what is all your Wit what all your Parts What all the subtile Sciences and Arts Which you do study and profess to know Nay what is all that Wisdom here below On which you men value your selves so much What is it how d' ye rate it is it such As by it you can even but calculate The number of the Clouds or estimate The value of those Magazines of Rain What quantity of Vapours they contain Under what Lock and Key they 're all secur'd How guarded by what Policy ensur'd At all Adventures from the craft and force Of th' other fiery rambling meteors Can all your wit at any time restrain The falling of the smallest drop of rain Out of those heavenly bottles which you see That both are fill'd and emptied by me For when by drouth the Earth to flying dust Appears converted then I let out just As I think fit such quantities of rain As may reduce it to soft clay again Thus much for Heavens now let 's to Earth repair And see what absolute power I have there For thou wilt say the Meteors o'th'Air Are far above thee and it is no wonder Though rain and snow hail lightning frost and thunder Be things unknown to thee I 'll lead thee then To objects that more obvious to men In the same Earth with you converse which though Thou see and hear them daily yet I 'll show For all thy wit and art thou dost not know The nature of them I will show thee then That there are many things unknown to men Even in this Earth Do then but cast thy eyes Upon my Parks my Ponds and Volaries Thou 'lt quickly see that I have creatures there Which thou know'st hardly either what they are Or how they live First then you have the Lyon such a creature As best of you do hardly know his nature A creature full of fury full of wrath That to all other creatures threatens death If once withstood but when to him they yeeld There 's no more generous beast in all the field For his opposers he in pieces tears But such as do submit to him he spares Observe this Lyon then he must be fed As well as thou he must be nourished Who therefore taught him pray' to find his prey And how to feed his young ones every day Knows then what shifts he uses for his food And makes provision for his tender brood In the wild Forrest where there is no trade Where for a price no meat is to be had Dost know how in their Dens they couchant ly To catch th'unthinking beasts that passing by Do not their cunning ambuscade espy Next there 's the Raven such a creature too As lives by prey as well as Lyons do Who doth provide its food who entertains This idle creature who is at the pains To feed its young ones when the naughty dame Unkindly in the Nest abandons them When the raw-chicks do squeek and crock aloud Half-starv'd for want of meat who gives them food Who doth with Worms those shiftless creatures feed Which 'bout the nest in Ravens dung do breed Dost understand who is it that supplyes Those small forsaken things with Dew and Flyes Or when as yet pin-feather'd they are thrust By th' cruel Dame out of the Nest and must Make shifts although not able yet to fly For their subsistence in the world or dy Who hears them pray when they for hunger cry And doth them with an Aliment supply So that for all these hardships they do grow To a great age and ramble to and fro Catching their preys and live as well as these Who from their birth enjoy'd both food and ease Cap. XXXIX NExt I demand thee know'st thou who it is That doth preserve the several species Of all those Creatures by what hidden means Are they assisted when they take their pains Dost know what art those artless Brutes do use At such occasions how they do produce Their young ones who 's their Mid-wife who takes care Of them in that estate who doth prepare All that is suitable who makes provision Of necessars for them in that condition Who layes them up who cures them of their sores Who is 't that them to perfect health restores As first for instance the wild Goat who rambles Amongst the Rocks and on sharp Briars and Brambles Doth often thrust her Belly and her Brood Whilst in the Cliffs she searches for her food So that a man would think this same unwary And climbing Creature surely would miscarry Who doth take care of her when doth she bring Her young ones forth dost know her reckoning Or know'st thou when the Hinds do calve what pain These Creatures in their labour do sustain Canst tell how long those Beasts do pregnant go Or dost the time of their delivery know The time of their delivery indeed Of all the Creatures that on earth do feed Both rational and brutal there is none Endures such torment as these Hinds
so great measure As far exceeded all his Wealth and Treasure For his seven Sons who we suppose had now Attain'd mans age and that he did allow T' each of 'em distinct Farms off his Estate Did mutually each others kindly treat In Peace and Plenty they their hours did waste And call'd their Sisters when they mean't to Feast But Job considering in such 〈◊〉 How many strong temptations do ly For sinful lewdness scarce to be evited By such whose Blood and Brains by Wine are heated He would next morning early stir and pray That GOD would pardon sins o'th'by-past day Committed by his Children For sayes he I do suspect how ere the matter be There 's something sinful in the case since Feasting Is still at least accompany'd with Jesting Thus with himself in private reasoning Hee 'd for each Child make a Burnt-offering And whilst their Feasting lasted every day Job for his Childrens sins would Fast and Pray In short if Jobs Felicity we rate By Birth and Knowledge Honour and Estate A goodly Issue bless't with unity Amongst themselves unspotted Piety Sincerity in all his Dealings Grace Frugality and Virtue we may trace All Histories with which the World doth swell And 'mongst them all not find his parallel For sure this worthy Gentleman appears T' have been a Patern for some hundred years To all about him and we here may see How God thinks fit his Memory should be To this same day preserv'd that we may thence Precisely understand at what expence Of true Devotion we should live and know When with Afflictions God doth bring us low As this same Good man was how to endure With Patience the hottest Calenture Of Sorrows fever and may likewise see What silly Expectations those be On which we feed in our Prosperity As if we fancy'd Perpetuity Of our Enjoyments here and that our God Lov'd us so well he 'd never use his Rod But with soft Hand would clap our Heads and lay Our Pillows every Night and every Day Afford us every thing we can project For our poor Fastings and our Prayers sake No no that Man who ere he be that thus With fond Delusions doth his Soul abuse Dâ—th shreudly erre for in this Precedent We may perceive how clear and evident The contrair doth appear and calculate From thence the folly of a great Estate For now as longest Day must have its Night And Darkness must at length succeed to Light As greatest Calms do Storms prognosticate So greatest Joyes do Sorrowes antidate And this Good-man whom in Serenity Under the Zenith of Prosperity Wee 've lately seen must now 〈◊〉 prepare To show his Virtue in another Sphere For at a General Sessions of Heaven Held at that time when Liberty was given To all that in that Court do make abode To see the Face of the Almighty God When Heavens Great Monarch in Majestick State Environ'd with his Troops of Angels Sate He too who once was of that Corporation As Eminent as any of that Station Until with foolish Pride he did so swell Because he thought he was not us'd so well As his great Services requir'd and so He with some others would a Plotting go Against his Prince and think to model too As all our discontented States-men do The Government of Heavens but instantly His Plot was opened and he by and by With all his Friends about him poorly fell From thence by Deportation to Hell This wretched Head of Rebels too appear'd Amongst the Just demanding to be heard In some shrewd Accusation patly lay'd Against some Champions of the praying Trade At least that he might shortly understand Upon what Service God would him command He there as Serjeant of the Court did waite To receive Orders at the Utter-Gate But as when Damnster doth in Court appear The Condemnation of some Man we fear So this Old Rebel did prognosticate The Alteration of some Persons State By his officious presence This thing appearing then well known by name Of Satan God did ask him whence he came Not but that all his Wandrings he did know With all his Plots and Projects here below But that from his own Mouth he might express His villanous Toilling and Unwearyedness In doing evil and that since he fell From Heaven he every hour doth merit Hell Satan makes answer I have been abroad Compassing all this Earth of thine Great God There I have walk'd at randome to and fro And view'd the State of all things here below I 've seen how thou dost constantly suppress Me and my Subjects by thy watchfulness On all our Motions as if all to thee Belong'd by Right and nothing else to me But thy displeasure yet I 'le not resign My claim for all that nay I still design Where ever thou a Colony shall plant I and my Friends shall all their Meetings haunt And make that Church at best but Militant For since I 'm not allow'd 〈◊〉 Priviledge Of my Creation but with bitter rage Am to this day secluded from my Right Why should not I with all the Force and Might That I and my poor banish'd Friends can raise By constant In-roads still disturb the Peace Of those whose constant Prayers do combine To ruine further yet both me and mine As if already I were not undone By thy Displeasure these for sooth must run A sharper Scent and by their Prayers baull For my Destruction yet for good and all Nay know Heavens King for so I must confess Thou art indeed that I am not the less A Prince on Earth and will endeavour still To keep that Right do with me what you will Yes I 'll mentain now what I do possess And still will make it my great business T' enlarge the Limits of my Empire here Since in thy Heavens I date no more appear As formerly allow me then Great God To wander sometimes here and there abroad To view my Interest though yet after all I am thy Servant and obey thy call Then sayes the Lord since thou goest every where A-wandring since thou couldst not chuse but hear Of my great Servant Job sure thou dost know How of all Mortals that live there below He 's the most just scarce to be equalled On Earth him sure thou hast considered As one of thy chief Enemies for he Is a most Loyal Subject to me A Man most Honest Pious and Upright Just shunning Evil doing at my sight What I Judge candid good and equitable And for his Heavenly Interest profitable One who by Standart of true Piety Doth measure all his Actions constantly What say'st of him Is he not such now say For all thy Art can'st fall upon a way To make that Man break his Allegiance To me can'st thou thy Interest advance With him or tempt him to do any thing That may i'th'least displease his God and King Yes says the Divel thy Servant Job I know And have considered too why be it so That he is such as truth I
give me strength to bear My Losses so as all men may confess Who see me in this miserable case That thou hast not depriv'd yet of Grace Lord theâ— what shall I say thou giv'st thou tak'st Thou raises thou throws down again thou mak'st And thou unmak'st O let thy glorious Name Sound in the Trumpet of eternal Fame For all thy Actings are both just and fair And well thou know'st what Criminals men are And what they do deserve O make me then Highest of late but lowest now of men O make 〈◊〉 wiâ—â— a 〈◊〉 patience Endure what thou art pleased to dispense Thus though we see Jobs Grief was answerable To his Condition which was lamentable Yet in his greatest paroxism of woe He did not sin nor treat his Maker so As if he would accuse him foolishly For th' only author of his Misery Then happy he who can his loss sustain With patience and not of God complain For when Afflictions Storms from Heavens do fall We ought to suffer and not cry at all Because we know that God affliction sends Upon a many whom he least intends â— extirpate in his anger for we shall See this good mans afflictions after all Converted to a fair and pleasant Scaene Of Wealth and Honours and a most serene Aspect of Favour when our God doth show To Job his Face ex Postliminio Cap. II. HEre 's a Grand-Tryal then awake all you Who ever in your lives Affliction knew Sum up your Sorrows reckon all your Woes And all your wreaking Miseries unclose Your Crosses and your Losses all declare See who with Jobs afflictions can compare Or with his Patience For now his Issue Wealth and Honours gone His Body must be sadly rack'd anon And put to horrid torture as if what He yet had lost were not proportionate To th' merits of so great a Criminal He must endure the question after all See here then God again in Judgment set Environed with Majesty and State Before whom numerous Angels do appear As if for jury they impannelled were He who by Virtue of his late permission Had to a most deplorable condition Reduc'd this pious man appears there too To see if there was more mischief to do Satan from whence says God from compassing The Earth and there securely travelling In every corner doing all I can Says he to dissappoint the Hopes of Man I 've done what thou allowd says he and â—ow I ask if thou hast any more to do For me on earth is there another there Whom thou thinkst just and upright let me hear Is there a man for whom thou hast esteem Under the Heavens pray let me know his name And by thy good permission I shall try The utmost Force of his Integrity I 'le soon reduce him to the same estate As I have done thy other man of late And then thou 'lt see that all those upright men Are but thy Servants for their privat gain Not so says Heavens King for yet I see My faithful Servant Job doth honour me The Man whom thou so falsly didst accuse As though he like a Hireling would refuse To serve me were his wages taken from him See now thy malice cannot overcome him Th' hast cut off all his Family and tane His means from him yet he doth not complain He thou didst move me without cause t' oppress See he continues firm in uprightness True says the Enemy of Man 't is true To give thy faithful Servant Job his due He bears his Losses yet with that Submission As I expected none in his condition Could well ha' done for by this time I thought The Bitter Potion would a shreudly wrought But yet when I consider these mean Creatures Whom thou call'st men I do observe their Natures To be above all things most prone to live For Skin for Skin all they possess they 'll give For one hours breath so yet thy Servant Job Because as of his goods I cannot robb Him of his life truly he doth dispense With loss of these since the convenience Of breathing is allow'd him still I know The man is in great misery and wo. His Losses do oppress his Spirits sore Yet as a Ship-wrack'd-man when got a-shore Glad to have ' scap'd with life doth soon forget His losses and though wearyed faint and wet To the next Village hee 'll a begging go For men will rather beg than dye we know So Job though stripp'd of all yet still in health Already has forgot his former wealth So glad hee 's yet alive he has forgot The loss of Children Honours Fame what not He with Contentment begs and eats his bread And only sighs for those are lately dead Nay now he with some ease doth spend his years Because hee 's free of all his former cares But pâ—â—â—â—â—â— now great God stretch out thy Hand And touch his Body let me but demand This favour of the once for all and then I 'le make this Job of all the Race of Men The most impatient then thou 'st quickly see What is his true Opinion of thee For with his paines I 'le alter soon the case And make him curse thee to thy very face Then says the Lord his Person 's in thy hand But save his Life I strictly do command And thou shalt surely see all thy designs Soon disappointed by his countermines Of Piety and Patience Out flies the Devil and instantly doth fall On Job by Execution Personal He baits his Body with a thousand sores And makes an humour issue from its pores So pestilentious hot and purulent So foul so loathsome and so virulent As soon his Body doth appear all o're To be but one continued scabby sore Merciful Heavens What a sad sight is here Pouldred with Ulcers Job doth now appear All Comforts and Subsistence from him taken His Body with a scorching Feaver shaken Of loathsome sores what shall this poor man doe Thus cruciat in Mind and Body too Why patiently he sits on Dung and Asâ—â—s Not bursting out in angry fits and flashes As in like case a many sure would doe But with a peice of broken pitcher now He scrapes the putrid matter from his sores And silently his sad Estate deplores But all th' efforts of cruel Poverty With Heavenly thoughts and smiles of Piety One of undaunted spirit will make sweet Though he can neither have to drink nor eat Diseases of the Body often too Afford such thoughts as Health will scarce allow Our Entertainment for when free of pains And in the ouzy channels of our Veins Our Blood flows smoothly then we think on pleasures On Honours and in hoording foolish Treasures And on these things we rest like silly â—ops Feeding our Minds with vain fantastick hopes But when Diseases on our Bodies seize And in our Veins our Blood begins to freeze When th' motion of our Pulse seems at a stand Scarce to be felt â—y the Physicians hand When with excessive pains our
innocent on trust Should men with silence hear thy precious lyes Or when thou dost make faces shut their eyes As if forsooth 't were finful to behold Such a sad Object Dost think but we all with compassion see Thy case although we cann't comply with thee In all thy doleful foolish exclamations Nor second thee in thy expostulations Thou who so often hast thy Neighbours blam'd For such vain talk shouldst thou not be asham'd To prate so idly Shouldst thou not be asham'd thus to assert Thy uprightness when he who knows the heart Doth laugh at thee pray' with what impudence Dost thou upbraid us with thy innocence Thinkst thou that we believe that all is true Which now thou speaks't no if thou hadst thy due And all thy words were well considered ' Stead of being pitied shoulds't be punished Thou blameless in thy Life thou innocent Thou one of whom no man can make complaint Thou in the sight of God upright and clear Bless us what foolish arrogance is here Was ever wise man in discourse so weak Did ever man so like a mad man speak Was e're such talking heard wouldst thou lay claim To what no Mortal can attain for shame Forbear such words forbear this canting strain And of thy Maker do no more complain For all thy exclamations are in vain But since we cann't prevail with thee and since I see we are not able to convince The of thy Errors O that he would speak Who fram'd the Tongue that for his Justice sake Since what we argue is but lame and faint Himself would please to take up th argument And lay thy sins before thee all a row That so we might by demonstration show How much thou' rt in the wrong and let thee see In short how like for all the world to thee The fool doth prate who when in humour cross't And overpower'd with judgements thinks all 's lost O that our God himself would take in hand To answer thee and make thee understand Wisdom's true value which if thou didst know Thou wouldst not through impatience bluster so As now thou dost nor clamour at this rate For were thy punishment proportionat With thy foul sins as thou hast merited Thou shouldst indeed be doubly punished Know therefore that because of thy offence God hath forgot thee and will not from hence Acknowledge thee as he has done before And in his presence shall 't appear no more But say now thou who dost to Wit lay claim And thy own Knowledge dost so much esteem Thou who thy friends and neighbours fools do'st call And think'st thou knowest much more than we do all Vexing us with a pitiful relation Of all thy former Life and Conversation With Tales of thy pretended patience And formal Stories of thy Innocence Cans't thou my friend conclude with all thy art What trulie God is cans't thou for thy heart Reduce thy Maker to his proper kind Or thy Creator in perfection find Say canst thou do this wilt thou take in hand To answer me the question I 'l demand In the first place then I desire to know How high the Heavens are say now canst thou show What bounds that spacious Vault doth comprehend How far it doth from East to West extend On what foundations the proud Pillars stand Which that vast arch support what mighty hand Did found them in each of 'em how much space Doth lye betwixt the Chapter and the Base No 't is in vain thou mayst thy labour spare Such things beyond thy scantling knowledge are For as Heavens are immeasurably high So the Foundations of those Pillars lye Deeper then Hell it self thou canst not reach Their true dimensions which no art can teach Nor can the same by Theorems express For all your Artists do but faintly guess What really and truly these things are For O how mean and low they do appear Demonstrat in a Map a Globe or Sphere By our vain plodding Charlatans of Art Who cannot comprehend the smallest part Of the Creation and yet soar so high As nought below th' Empyrean Canopy Can satisfie their curiosity Nay even those who pretend by art to know The measure of the Heavens and boldly show Their Longitude by Lines imaginary Even those same fools in their opinions vary And cann't agree what bounds they should allow For that capacious Fabrick far less thou Void of all art canst make us understand How far that Powerful All-creating Hand The wings of Heaven beyond the Earth has spread How much in breadth they do the Seas exceed Yet if our God at any time intend To pull down all this Pile and make an end Of what with admiration we behold And so esteem its worth cannot be told If God intend to cut the Heavens assunder And blast the universal Globe with Thunder Pray who can stop him who can turn him back Or to desist from his intentions make If once he thus intend he 'l surely do it And see what any Mortal dares say to it For O he knows vain men he knows us all Full well and what we Wit and Parts do call He names meer folly and can clearly show The wisest man on Earth doth nothing know He knows our private Cabin-thoughts full well In vain from him our sins we do conceal He knows them all no winged thought can flye From Pole to Pole so soon but instantly Our God discovers from whose Breast it came And in that instant can its owner name He sits in all the Councils of the Heart And undiscovered laughs at all our Art By which we mannage every close design So covertly as those who dig a Mine Unseen by any yet he plainly sees What we intend by all such thoughts as these Yet would vain man fain be esteemed wise And think each one injures him who denys To him that goodlie Epithet although This self conceited fool doth nothing know Stupid insipid ignorant and dull Rude as a Boobie of a thick hard scull Is this same man at best a very brute And while refin'd by art without dispute Like a wild Asses Colt so dull a Creature As he appears no more oblig'd to Nature Then rugged Flints untill by Artists hand Polish'd and cut But after all though mankind in hIs eyes Be of no value yet he still will prize Religious thoughts and quickly understand True sighs and pious motions of the hand If evil from thy heart thou'lt banish far And against fin declare a formal War If thou in thy own house as Judge wilt sit Acting in all things what is just and fit Suff'ring no Crime within thy walls to sleep But in a most assiduous method keep Strict watch upon thy actions and practise Good things and use Religious exercise When thou art private with thy Family As an instructer in true Piety Then shalt thou glory in thy Innocence And in thy well Reformed Conscience Enjoy a sweet serene tranquility Beyond
we did mean But since thou put'st me to ' t I shall be plain For thus I argue He whose wickedness Caus'd many cry to Heaven for redress He who was not asham'd to make profession Of that foul sin which men do call Oppression That man I say 't is plain and evident Deserves from God severest punishment This I have still esteemed from my youth A proposition of eternal truth But so it is thou in thy life hast been As is but too well known the worst of men In sin thou didst thy Neighbours all exceed And therefore thou art justly punished But here because I know thou wilt deny What I subsume I 'le prove it instantly Here is my charge then stand to thy defence For thus I do impeach thy innocence Who 's he of us that cannot say his ears Have been infested now these many years With th'horrid noise of thy lewd practices Whilst thou without distinction didst oppress Each living Soul that came within thy reach And seiz'd on all as far as thou couldst stretch Thy grasping Talons may as we have heard Thy avarice so palpably appear'd And thy â—oul dealings were so understood By all the people of thy Neighbourhood As no men durst with thee negotiat Save those who better understood to cheat Then thou didst and we hear they were but few Besides thy self my friend who so well knew The art of Couz'ning nay besides we hear Thy crueltie was such thou wouldst not spare Thy nearest Kins-men but at all occasions Wouldst justle them out of their just Possessions When having lent them money in their need Upon a Mortgage by some Counter-deed After true payment of the Principal Just Interest Expences Costs and all Under the Title of some scurvy lease After Redemption thou wouldst still possess And lest thy Title should be quarrelled Thou'd quicklie purchase in some Latent-deed Which carry'd the reversion and then Th' extinguish'd Mortgage openlie retain Nay more thou didst not onlie strangers use After this fashion but wouldst even abuse Thy very Brother if necessitie Oblig'd him to demand from thee supplie For thou wert rigid cruel and severe In all thy dealings as most rich men are And for thy Soul alace thou took'st no care Interest allow'd by Law would not content Thy covetous mind but even cent per cent Thou'd take from some and Pledges to the boot Worth thrice the money which thou didst lend out Then lest the Statutes might thy dealings reach And thee for bloody usury impeach Thou'd licitat the Goods and for the fashion Cause a led Jury put a Valuation Upon them far below the sum thou lent And then wouldst sell them to the full extent Nay which is strange as we 're inform'd the poor Who daily begg'd their alms from door to door Thou sometimes with provisions wouldst supplie And make the gleanings of thy Usâ—rie In publick pass for acts of Charitie But how pray didst thou order thy affair With those poor Souls say now didst thou forbear To take a Pledge from such for what thou lent Nay my good friend 't was never thy intent For e're thou'd wanted all thou even wouldst seize On their poor rags and make such things as these Yield thee some profit Whilst overcome with cold and penurie Those naked creatures in the streets would die In fine both rich and poor thou us'd to rob For no such famous Usurer as Job Did in these Countries live this was thy Trade By this a great Estate th'hadst latelie made And for this now on Dung hill thou art laid Then as thou did in avarice abounds So in thy petriâ—yed heart was found No room at all for love and charity For thou the thirsty never would supply With one cold cup of water or in need Afford the hungry one poor loaf of bread But O in these days there was no complaining On such as thee as there was no regaining Of what thou took'st thou then didst rule the land And hadst both power and statutes in thy hand Men knew no other laws but thy command And though thou wouldst unmercifully treat The poor yet thou wouldst fawn upon the great And rich men of the land and countenance Them in their law-suits that thou might'st advance The interest of thy self and family And raise thy brats by open bribery Lastly which is the greatest of oppressions When some poor widows would at general Sessions Implore for justice where thou didst preside Protesting they did starve for want of bread And therefore beg'd their suits might come to tryal To this thy answer was a flat denyal Either because some great men were concern'd In these same actions or that thou hadst learn'd It was the interest of some puny friend Those peoples tryals should not have an end The orphans too when thou in Judgement sat And acted as a bribing Magistrat Did starve for want of sustenance and cry'd Aloud when dying Justice was deny'd Hence 't is that woes environ thee around And sudden fears thy spirits do confound Hence 't is that thou art levell'd with the Dust 'Cause whilst thou wert a Judge thou wast unjust Hence 't is that thou art every way undone And with a flood of sorrows over-run Hence 't is that spoil'd of goods health family In an abysse of troubles thou dost ly But O whilst thy proud honours did endure Thou thought'st thou were from punishment secure For God saidst thou who lives above the skie And has his habitation more high Then that of fixed stars can never know What we do act who live so far below The pavement of his Heavenly Residence Will he be at the pains to view from hence The base and silly actions of men No 't is below him sure to entertain Such worldly thoughts sure he has no regard To our mean actings but as we 're debarr'd From seeing of him so his Majesty Employ'd in thoughts more elevate and high Disdains to keep intelligence with such Whose practises he doth not value much Thick vapours saidst thou all our actions shroud From him can he perceive through darkest cloud What we do here on Earth pray can he see What daily passes betwixt thee and me Can 't be imagin'd that he doth perceive What here we act or shall a man believe That through so many Orbs as roul between The Heavens and Earth our actions can be seen No no wrapp'd up in coverlets of clouds He sees us no more then in thickest woods We can perceive the Sun he knows no more How we do live then men upon the shore Can tell us what the several motions be Of Fishes in the bortom of the Sea Noâ— he knows neither what we act or talk But undisturb'd in Heavens large Court doth walk Further my friend I tremble to repeat What were thy thoughts of God whilst thou were great For as most men in grandeur vainly think That at their splendid errors God doth wink And on the rabble only
knows at best his life is but a span And in a little interval of breath He lives but troubled still with thoughts of death For when his God thinks fit that he should die Then must he quit this breath and instantly In the cold grave lye down and be no more A living mortal as he was before All flesh shall perish every creature must At his command be pounded into dust Then why of God should any man complain When he injures him not or why in vain Should he upbraid him with his innocence When he 's afflicted as if providence Were ty'd to th'rules of his convenience And now because my friend what I have said Concerns thee most I 'de fain my self perswade That thou dost with attention hear me speak And dost thy own use of my Doctrine make If thou hast understanding then take heed To my discourse for thus I do proceed You see then how I 've urged all along That our just God to no man can do wrong Nor that he in inflicting punishment On any man though ne're so innocent Can be esteem'd unjust since he can never Do an ill thing on what account soever For were he such how could he regulate The Universe in every rank and state With so much justice mercy and compassion As no created thing can in that fashion Govern some Petty Province yet doth he With great discretion govern all we see Although he here and in Heav'ns knows not what 'T is in dominion to be limitat How in thy raving then dar'st thou express Thy self in such unheard of terms as these Which I have tax'd how darst thou thus exclaim Against the justice of thy God for shame For shame such exclamations forbear And let 's no more of thy complaining hear For pray now let me ask thee is it fit Dost think for any man of solid wit To tell an earthly Monarch in his face That he 's unjust or doth in any case That which is sinful would'st thou tell a King Hee 's such as he deserved not to reign Would'st tell him flatly that his Government Were arbitrary and did represent The seas whose politicks tyrannical Allows the great fish to eat up the small Would'st speak at this rate prethee to a King A Potentate or any ruling thing That sits in State I doubt thou wouldst not do So foul a thing especially thou Who know st all pow'rs on earth from God proceed And upon him depend as on their head By him Kings rule and in their Royal seat Impartial Justice do administrat To all their Subjects ' countable to none For any actings but to God alone To God alone whose mighty hands did frame This Universe and to it gave the name Of earth Which he has slyc'd in many Provinces And over them has plac'd those Deputies Whom we call Princes men of great esteem Since the great King of kings is pleas d to them To grant Commissions of Lieutenancy Each in his own distinct Locality In all the parts of earths vast Monarchy Hence all men are oblig'd in conscience To pay that due respect and deference To all in power which God has ordered Especially to a Crowned head Whose individual power in Government Doth that of Heav'ns more highly represent Then any other Government as yet Devis'd by men for in that single state He represents his God who gave him power And who in his great wisdome to this hour Maintains the state of Kings and will defend The Crown and Scepter to the worlds end His power is such as none should countermand Or when he strikes should bid him hold his hand Nay though he act unjustly yet should none Accuse him for it since to God alone Hee 's countable and though he should commit The worst of sins I do not think it fit Each Subject should reprove him or because Of his few pers'nal failings slight his Laws Or enter into plots of discontent To alter or subvert his Government Because he is not such as they would have him Or with their clamorous tongues and pens out-brave him No not at all for though a Prince may erre As other mortals we should not inferre From thence that it is lawful to rebell Against him for as such bad thoughts from Hell Are prompted to us so we should forbear T' have entercourse with any rebels there Whose work it is to raise rebellion here For though the Prince should erre th' authority Is still the same which flowing certainly From the Almighty we should all obey And to our soveraign Kings all honour pay I ask thee then would'st think it fit to use Such language to a King wouldst thou accuse A Monarch in his face I think indeed Thou would not so imprudently proceed With any such but rather hold thy peace Then run the risque whatever were thy case Of his displeasure or at least I doubt Wouldst use smooth words and be thought wise to boot If then to Kings on Earth thou wouldst not speak In such rude language why art thou so weak As in such jargon boldly to addresse Thy self to th' King of Kings I must confess This is a piece of that extravagance As I admire thou hast the countenance To look up t' Heavens when thou dost reflect How insolently thou didst lately speak Of their great Monarch one before whose Throne All Kings most bow and with submission own Him as their Patron and their Soveraign too And think 't their greatest honour so to doe One who has no regard for this or'tother Who e're he be nor one before another Esteems as we do here because he 's great Wears costly Diadems and sits in State For they 're but all his Creatures and depend Upon their God how e're they may pretend To soveraignity here whilst they abuse Their power and with fine titles would amuse Their fellow mortals but 't is all in vain For God alone above all Kings doth reign He governs all that Nature comprehends And fully acts what ever he intends Whilst Kings and Princes with their swords in hand Before him ready for performance stand Of all that he thinks proper to command Yet none of these can really be said Actively to concur and furnish aid To him in all his glorious operations The thoughts of which exceed our meditations More then if one should undertake to prove That wheels in Engines by themselves do move Without a Spring or that without all air A man can live which clearly doth declare That all these Monarchs whom we here adore Not mov'd by the first Mover are no more With all the force they to the field can bring Then Wheels in Engines are without a Spring For as so many puppits here below By th' hand of God they 're hurried to and fro While he is pleased to keep up the Show But when he doth withdraw his mighty hand They move no more O this great Monarch of the universe Who can his glorious Attributes rehearse Who can
for I will lye before your face 29. Return I pray you let there be no iniquity return I say and you shall yet see my righteousness in that behalf is there iniquity in my tongue doth not my mouth feel sorrows 1. Is there not an appointed time for man upon earth and are not his days as the days of an hireling 2. As a servant longeth for the shadow and as a hireling looketh for the end of his work 3. So have I had as an inheritance the moneths of vanity and painful nights have been appointed to me 4. If I laid me down I said when shall I arise and measuring the evening I am even full with tossing too and fro unto the dawning of the day 5. My flesh is cloathed with worms and filthiness of the dust my skin is rent and become horrible 6 My days are swifter then a weavers shuttle and they are spent without hope 7. Remember that my life is but a wind and that mine eye shall not return to see pleasure 8 The eye that hath seen me shall see me no more thine eyes are upon me and I shall be no longer 9. As the cloud vanisheth and goeth away so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more 10. He shall return no more to his house neither shall his place know him any more 11 Therefore will I not spare my mouth but I will speak in the trouble of my spirit and muse in the bitterness of my mind 1â— Am I a sea or â—whale-fish that thou keep'st me in ward 12. When I say my couch shall relieve me and my bed shall give me comfort in my meditation 14. Then fearest thou me with dreams and astonishest me with visions 15. Therefore my soul chuseth rather to be strangled and to dyâ— then to be in my bones 16. I abhore it I shall not live always spare methen for my days are but vanity 17. What is man that thou shouldest magnify him or that thou â—ettest thy heart on him 18. And dost visit him every moment and tryest him every morning 19. How long will it be ere â—â—ou depart from thou wilt not let me alone whilst I may swallow down mâ—spittle 20. I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou preserver of men why hast thou set me as a mark against thee so that I am a burden to my self 21. And why dost thou not pardon my trespass and take away mine iniquity for now shall I sleep in the dust and if thou seekest me in the morning I shall not be found 1. Then answered Bildad the Shuhite and said 2. How long wilt thou talk of these things and how long shall the words of thy mouth be as a mighty wind 3. Doth God pervert judgement or doth the Almighty subvert justice 4. If thy sons have sinned against him and he hath sent them to the place of their iniquity 5. Yet if thou wilt early seek unto God and pray to the Almighty 6. If thou be pure and upright then surely he will awake up unto thee and he will make the habitation of thy righteousnesse prosperous 7. And though thy beginning be small yet thy latter end shall greatly encrease 8. Enquire therefore I pray thee of the former age and prepare thy self to search of thy fathers 9. For we are but of yesterday and know nothing and our days upon earth are but as a shadow 10. Shall not they teach thee and tell thee and utter the words of their heart 11. Can a rush grow without mire or can grass grow without water 12. Whilst it is yet in its greenness and not cut down it withereth before any other herb 13. â—o are the paths of all that forget God and the hypocrites hopes shall perish 14. His confidence also shall be cut off and his trust shall be as the house of a spider 15. He shall â—ean upon his house but it shall not stand he shall hold him fast by it yet it shall not endure 16 But the tree is green before the sun and the branches spread over the garden thereof 17. The roots thereof are wrapped about the fountain and are folden about the house of stones 18. If any pluck it from his place and it deny saying I have not seen the. 19. Behold it will rejoyce by this means that it may grow in another mould 20. Behold God will not cast away an upright man neither will he take the wicked by the hand 21. Till he have filled thy mouth with laughter and thy lips with joy 22. They that hate thee shall be cloathed with shame and the dwelling of the wicked shall not remain 1. Then Iob answered and said 21 I know that it is so for how should man compared unto God be justified 3. If he would dispute with him he could not answer him one thing of a thousand 4. He is wise in heart and mighty in strength who hath been fierce against him and hath prospered 5. He removeth the mountains and they feel not when he overthroweth them in his wrath 6. He removeth the earth out of her place that the pillars thereof do shake 7. He commandeth the sun and it riseth not he closeth up the stars as under a signet 8. He himself alone spreadeth out the heavens and walketh upon the hieght of the sea 9. He maketh the stars Arcturus Orion Pleiades and the climats of the south 10. He doth great things and unsearchable yea marvellous things without number 11. Lo when he goeth by me I see him not and when he passeth by I perceive him not 12. Behold when he taketh a prey who can make him to restore it who shall say unto him what doest thou 13. God will not withdraw his anger and the most mighty helps do stoop under him 14. How much less shall I answer him or how shall I find out my words with him 15. For though I were juli yet I could not answer but I would make supplication to my judge 16. If I cry and he answer me yet would I not believe that he heard my voice 17. For he destroys me with a tempest and woundeth me without a cause 18 He will not suffer me to take my breath but filleth me with bitterness 19. If we speak of strength behold he is strong if we speak of judgement who shall bring me into plead 20. If I would justify my self mine own mouth willcondemn me if I would be perfect he shall judge me wicked 21. Though I were perfect yet I know not my soul therefore I abhor my life 22. This is one point therefore I said he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked 23. If the scourge should suddainly slay should God laugh at the punishment of the innocent 24. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked he covereth the faces of the judges thereof if not where is he or who is he 25. My days have been more swift than a post they have fled and have seen no good
the world 19. He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people nor any posterity in his dwellings 20. Posterity shall be astonished at his day and fear shall come upon the ancient 21. Surely such are the inhabitations of the wicked and this is the place of him that honoureth not God 1. But Iob answered and said 2. How long will you vex my soul and torment me with words 3. You have now ten times reproached me and are not ashamed you are impudent toward me 4. And though I had indeed erred mine error remaineth with me 5. If indeed you will magnify your selves against me plead against my reproach 6. Know now that God has over thrown me and has compassed me with his net 7. Behold I cry out of wrong but I am not heard cry aloud but there is no judgement 8. He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass and he hath set darkness in my paths 9. He hath stript me of my glory and the crown is taken from my head 10. He hath destroyed me on every side and I am gone and mine hope he hath removed like a tree 11. He hath also kindled his wrath against me and he counteth me as one of his enemies 12. His troops come together and raise their way against me and encamp round about my tabernacle 13. He hath put my brethren far from me and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me 14. My kinsfolk have failed and my familiar friends have forgotten me 15. They that dwel in my house and my maids count me for a stranger I am an alien in their sight 16. I called my servant and he gave me no answer I intreated him with my mouth 17. My breath is strange to my wife though I intreated her for the childrens sake of my own body 18 Yea young children despised me I arose and they spake against me 19 All my inward friends abhorred me and they whom I loved are turned against me 20 My bones cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh and I am escaped with the skin off my teeth 21. Have pity upon me have pity upon me O ye my friends for the hand of God hath touch'd me 22. Why do you persecure me as God and are not satisfied with my flesh 23. O that my words were now written O that they were printed in a book 24. That they were graven with an iron pen in the lead and in the rock for ever 25. For I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth 29. And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God 27. Whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another though my reins be consumed within me 28. But you should say why persecute we him seing the root of the matter is found in me 29 Be ye afraid of the â—â—â—rd for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword 1. Then answered Zophar the Naamathite and said 2. Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer and for this I makchaste 3. I have heard the check of my reproach and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer 4. Knowest thou not this of old since man was placed upon earth 5. That the triumph of the wicked is short and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment 6. Though his excellency mount up to the heavens and his head reacheth unto the clouds 7. Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung they who have seen him shall say where is he 8. He shall fly away as a dream and shall not be found yea he shall be chased away as a vision of the night 9. They also who saw him shall see him no more neither shall his place any more hehold him 10. His children shall seek to â—lease the poor and his hands shall restore their goods 11. His bones are full of the sins of his youth which shall ly down with him in the dust 12. Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth though he hid it under his tongue 13. Though he spare it and forsake it not but keep it still within his mouth 14. Yet his meat in his bowels is turned and it is the gall of asps within him 15. He hath swallowed down riches and he shall vomit them up again God shall cast them out of his belly 16. He shall suck the poison of asps the vipers tongue shall sâ—ay him 17. He shall not see the rivers the floods the brooks of honey and butter 18. That which he laboured for he shall restore and shall not swallow it down according to his substance shall the restitution be and he shall not rejoice therein 19. Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not 20. Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly he shall not save of that which he desired 21. There shall none of his meat be left therefore shall no man look for his goods 22. In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits every hand of the wicked shall come upon him 23. When he is about to fill his belly God shall cast the â—ury of his wrath upon him while he is eating 24. He shall fly from the iron weapon and the bow of steel shall strick him through 25. It is drawn cometh out of the body yea the glistering sword cometh out of his gall terrors are upon him 26. All darknesse shall be hid in his secret places a fire not blown shall consume it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle 27. The heaven shaâ—l reveal his iniâ—uiâ—â— and the earth â—â—all the up against him 28. The encrease of his house shall depart and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath 29. This is the portion of a wicked man and the heritage appointed to him by God 1. Put Iob answered and said 2. Heat diligently my speech and let this be your consolation 3. suffer me that I may speak and after that I have spoken mock on 4. As for me is my complaint to man if it were so why should not my spirit be troubled 5. Mark me and be astonished and lay your hands upon your mouth 6. Even when I remember I am afraid and trembling taketh hold on my flesh 7. Wherefore do the wicked live and become old yea are mighty in power 8. Their seed is established in their sight and their off-spring before their eyes 9. Their houses are safe from fear neither is the rod of God upon them 10. Their bull gendreth and faileth not their cow calveth and casteth not her calf 11. They send forth their little ones like a flock and their children dance 12. They take the timbrel and harp rejoice at the sound of the organ 13. They spend their days in wealth and in a moment go down to the grave 14. Therefore they say
thing 11. He bindeth the floods from overflowing and the thing that is hid he bringeth forth to light 12. But where shall wisdom be found where is the place of understanding 13. Man knoweth not the price thereof neither is it found in the land of the living 14. The depth says it is not in me and the Sea says it is not with me 15. It cannot be gotten for gold neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof 16. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir with the precious Onyx or the Sapphire 17. The Gold and the Chrystal cannot equal it and the exchange of it shal not be for Jewels of fine Gold 18. No mention shall be made of Coral or Pearls for the price of wisdom is above Rubies 19. The Topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it neither shall it be valued with pure Gold 20. Whence then cometh wisdome where is the place of understanding 21. Seing it is hid from the eyes of all living and kept closs from the fowls of the air 22. Destruction death say we have heard the same thereof with our ears 23. God understandeth the way thereof and he understandeth the place thereof 24. For he looketh to the ends of the earth seeth under the whole Heaven 25. To make the weight for the winds and he weigheth the water by measure 26. When he made a decree for the rain away for the lightning of the thunder 27. Then did he see it and declare it he prepared it yea he searched it out 28. And unto man he said behold the fear of the Lord that is wisdom 1. Moreover Iob continued his parable and said 2. O that I were as in months past as in the days when God preserved me 3. When his candle shined upon my head and when by his light I walked through darkness 4. As I was in the days of my youth when the secret of God was on my tabernacle 5. When the Almighty was yet with me when my children were about me 6. When I washed my steps with butter and the rock poured me out rivers of oyl 7. When I went out to the gate through the city when I prepared my â—eat in the strcet 8. The young men saw me hid themselves and the aged arose and stood up 9. The princes refrained talking and laid their hands on their mouths 10. The nobles held their peace and their tongues cleaved to the roof of their mouths 11. When the ear heard me then it blessed me when the eye saw me it gave witness to me 12. Because I delivered the poor that cryed and the fathersess and him that hath none to help him 13. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me and I caused the widows heart to sing for joy 14. I put on righteousness and it cloathed me my judgement was as a robe and a diadem 15. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame 16. I was a father to the poor and the cause which I knew not I searched out 17. And I broke the power of the wicked and plucked the spoil out of his teeth 18. Then I said I shall dy in my nest and I shall multiply my days as the sand 19. My root was spread out by the waters and the dew lay all night upon my branches 20. My glory was fresh in me and aâ—y bow was renewed in my hand 21. Vnto me men gave ear and waited and keeped silence at my counsel 22. After my words they spoke not again and my speach dropped upon them 23. And they waited for me as for the rain and they opened their mouths wide as for the latter rain 24. If I laughed on them they believed it not and the light of my countenance they cast not down 25. I chose out their way and sat chief dwelt as a king in the army as one that comforteth the mourners 1. But now those that are younger than I have me in derision whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of myflocks 2. Yea whereto might the strength of their hands profit me in whom old age was perished 3. For want and famine they were solitary flying into the wilderness formerly desolate and waste 4. Who cut up mallows by the bushes and juniper-roots for their meat 5. They were driven forth from among men they cryed after them as after a thief 6. They dwelt in the cliffs of the valleys in caves of the earth and in the rocks 7. Amongst the bushes they brayed under the nettles they were gathered together 8. They were children of fools yea children of base men they were viler then the earth 9. Yet now am I their song yea I am their by-word 10. They all abhor me they fly far from me and spare not to spit in my face 11. Because he hath loosed my cord and anâ—â—câ—â—â— mâ— they have also lâ—â— loose the bridle before me 12 Upon my right hand â—ife the youth they push away my feet and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction 13 They mark my paths they set forward my calamity they have no helper 14 They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me 15. Terrours are turned upon me they pursue my soul as the wind and my welfare passeth away as a cloud 16. And now my soul is poured out upon me the dayes of affliction have taken hold on me 17. My bones are pierced in me in the night season and my sinews take no rest 18. By the great force of my disease my garment is changed it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat 19. He hath cast me into the mire I am become like dust and ashes 20. I cry unto thee and thou dost not hear me I stand up and thou regardest me not 21. Thou art become cruel to me with thy strong hand thou opposest thy self against me 22. Thou liftest me up to the wind thou causest me to ride upon it and dissolvest my substance 23. For I know that thou wilt being me to death and to the house appointed for all living 24. Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave though they cry in his destruction 25. Did not I weep for him that was in trouble was not my soul grieved for the poor 26. When I looked for good then evil came unto me and when I waited for light there came darkness 27. My bowels boiled and rested not the days of affliction prevented me 28. I went mourning without the sun I stood up and I cried in the congregation 29. I am a brother to dragons and a companion to owls 30. My skin is black upon me and my bones are burned with heat 31. My harp also is turned to mourning and my organ to the voice of them that weep 1. I made a covenant with my eyes why then should I think upon a maid 2. For what
I will answer thee that God is greater then man 13. Why dost thou strive against him for he giveth not account of any of his matters 14. For God speaketh once yea twice yet man perceiveth it not 15. In a dream in a vision of the night when deep sleep falleth upon men in â—lumbrings on the bed 16. Then he openeth the ears of men and sealeth their Instruction 17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword 19 He is chastned also with pain upon his bed and the multitude of his bones with strong pains 20 So that his life abhorreth bread and his soul dainty meat 21 His flesh is consumed away that it cannot be seen and his bones that were were not seen stick out 22 His soul draweth nigh to the grave and his life to the destroyers 23 If there be a messenger with him an interpreter one amongst a thousand to shew man his uprightness 24 Then he is gracious to him saith deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransome 25. His flesh shall be fresher then a childs he shall return to the days of his youth 16. He shall pray unto God and he will be favourable unto him and he shall see his face with joy for he will render unto man his righteousness 27. He looketh upon men and if any say I have sinned and perverted that which was right and it profited me not 28. He will deliver his soul from going into the pit and his life shall see the light 29. Lo all these things worketh God oftentimes with man 30. To bring back his soul from the pit to be enlightned with the light of the living 31. Mark well O Iob hearken unto me hold thy peace and I will speak 32. If thou hast any thing to say speak for I desire to justifie thee 33. If not hearken unto me hold thy peace and I shall teach thee wisdom 1. Furthermore Elihu answered and said 2. Hear my words O ye wise men and give ear unto me ye that have knowledge 3. For the ear trveth words as the mouth tasteth meat 4. Let us choose to us judgment let us know among our selves what is good 5. For Iob hath said I am righteous and God hath taken away my judgment 6. Should I lie against my rigâ—t my wound is incurable without transgression 7. What man is like Iob who drinketh up scorning like water 8 Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity and walketh with wicked men 9. For he hath said it profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God 10. Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding far be it from God that he should do wickedness and from the Almighty that he should commit iniquity 11. For the work of a man shall he render unto him and cause every man to find according to his ways 12. Yea surely God will not do wickedly neither will the Almighty pervert judgement 13. Who hath given him a charge over the earth or who has disposed the whole world 14 If he set his heart upon man if he gather unto him his spirits and his breath 15 All flesh shall perish together and man shall turn again unto dust 16 If thou hast understanding hear this hearken to the voice of my words 17 Shall even he who hateth righ govern and wilt thou condemn him who is most just 18 Is it fit to say to a king thou art wicked and to princes ye are ungodly 19. How much less to him that accepteth not the person of Princes or regardeth the rich more then the poor for they are all the work of his hands 20. In a moment shall they dâ— and the people shall be troubled at midnight paâ—s away and the mighty shall be taken away without hand 21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man and he seeth all his goings 22 There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves 23 For he will not lay upon man more then right that he should enter into judgement with God 24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number and set others in their stead â—5 Therefore he knoweth their works and he overturneth them in the nighe so that they are destroyed 26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open â—ight of others 27 Because they turned back from him and would not consider any of his ways 28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him and he heareth the cry of the â—â—â—â—â—ted 29 When he giveth quietness who then can make trouble and when he hideth his face who then can behold him whether it be done against a nation or against a man only 30 That the hypocrite reign nor lest the people be ensnared 31. Surely it is meet to be said to God I have born chastisement I will not offend any more 32. That which I see not teach thou me if I have done iniquity I will do no more 33. Should it be according to thy mind he will recompence it whether thou refuse or whether thou chuse and â—ot I therefore speak what thou knowest 34. Let men of understanding tell me and let a wise man hearken unto me 35. Iob hath spoken without knowledge and his words were without wisdom 36. My desire is that Iob may be tryed to the end because of his answers for wicked men 37. For he addeth rebellion to his sin he clapâ—eth his hands amongst us and mâ—ltiâ—lieth his words against God 1. Elihu spake moreover and said 2. Thinkest thou this to be right that thou saidst mâ— righteousness is more then Gods 3. For thou saidst what advantage will it be to thee and what profit shall I have if I be cleansed from my sin 4. I will answer thee and thy companions with thee 5. Look unto the heavens and see and behold the clouds which are higher then thou 6. If thou sinnest what dost thou against him or if thy transgressions be multiplied what dost thou unto him 7. If thou be righteous what givest thou him what receiveth he of thine hand 8. Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art and thy righteousness may profit the son of man 9. By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty 10. But none saith Where is God my maker who giveth songs in the night 11. Who teacheth 〈◊〉 more then the beaâ—â— of the earth and maketh us wiser then the fowls of heaven 12. There they cry but none giveth answer because of the pride of evil men 13. Surely God will not hear vanity nor will the Almighty regard it 14. Although thou sayst thou shalt not see him yet judgement is before him therefore trust thou in him 15 But now because iâ— is not 〈◊〉 he hath
Bones do ake And all the Pillars of our Bodies shake With pious thoughts then we our selves soulage And by such lenitives abate the rage Of our Distemper whilst we â—eem to be In love with sickness and would not be free From paâ—n that we may still have fair occasions To raise the value of our meditations Yes sore Diseases loss of all that 's dear An upright man will patiently bear No outward sorrow can his Mind depress Providing he enjoy domestick peace But O when one with sore Afflictions vex't In Mind and Body grievously perplex't Endures debates at home additional To all these Plagues sure this is worst of all For O how wretched must be that Mans Life That 's poor and sick and has a scolding Wife This was the posture this the present state Of this good Man who did enjoy of late All happiness on Earth and here alace To consummat the strangeness of his case He losses after all domestick peace For now his Wife who should in that sad state With all the suggred words appropriate To that kind Sex have mitigate his grief And from her very Eyes have smil'd relief To her afflicted Husband in this case The true design of Wedlock she alace Enrag'd with grief extravagantly sad And for her losses furiously mad Stead of allaying of her Husbands woe Seems to augment it Her losse she so impatiently bears So like a Woman such a flood of Tears Falls from the well-stor'd Sources of her Eyes Which with her passion constantly do rise Her Breasts she so doth beat so tears her Hair And by her gestures now doth so declare Her discontent whilst all this while she sits By him on Dung-hill That at length her Wits Appear to be disordred for she now Upbraids her Husband and demands him how He so could bear his losses Well she says And must we now in our declining days We who have liv'd in plenty formerly Become content with want and penury Must we yet live O must we thus survive The loss of all that 's dear to those alive Yet live live only that we may endure Such miseries as never Mortals sure Before this time did feell yet live to see The Vulgar gazing both on thee and me As horrid spectacles of Heavenly wrath Yet live that we may only wish for Death Yet live to swim in oceans of Tears And whine away a few unhappy years Why this is madness madness yes to me It appears madness in th' extream degree Why Husband then she says since all 's now lost How mean 〈◊〉 look in thâ—â— dear friend to boast Of a fantastick sullen patience A Virtue which no man of common sense Of Wit or Honour ever yet esteem'd A passive dulness hardly to be nam'd But with some indignation patience Why here 's a thing indeed must thou dispense With loss of all only t' obtain the name Of patient i' th Records of future Fame And this forsooth thou must call uprightness Why here 's a stubborn humour I confess A thing unworthy of a man of Wit A poor contented humour only fit For luteous Spirits still to bear respect To Heavens great Prince who doth thy crys neglect Who laughs at all thy pitiful addresses In these sad times and openly professes Himself thy enemy nor will he hear Thy most refined importuning Prayer Yet still thou'lt trouble Heavens and spend thy time In this unpleasant and ill-sounding Chyme I' th' ears of our great God from such as thee Whom he who is not blind may plainly see He doth abhor yet thou wilt still proceed And call to Heaven still as if indeed Thy bare Devotion could afford us Bread Then to conclude says she let me advise Him whom I dearly love to be more wise Then thus persisting in his uprightness To loss himself by his own wilfulness Dye rather then she says if thou'd be free From the sad pressures which now torture thee Do yes do something that deserveth death By Law and unto Justice yeeld thy Breath For rather than thou should on Dung-hill ly A Spectacle to every one goes by I 'de have thee fairly curse thy God and dye O the sad pangs of an afflicted life That one should hear such language from his wife Such language as would make this man despair But that he has a better Comforter Who bids him hope to this shreud Harangue then He thus makes answer Thou talkst like foolish Girle says he why Woman God in his mercy is oblig'd to no Man For all the kindness he did ere extend To man or will do to the worlds end Is not th' effect of merits but indeed From his own goodness solely doth proceed 'T is true dear Wife he favoured us of late With a fair Issue and a great Estate But pray' dost think because he did allow Such Favours to us then that he should now Indulge us with his former bounty too Shall we our selves no better understand Than to be taking good things from his hand Like Children with a canine Appetite And hang upon his table with delite And Complaisance while he affords us food As if he were oblig'd to do us good Perpetually and not also take Ill from him kindly for his Justice sake Then trust me Woman what our God has done In our concerns is very just and none But fools will of his Actions complain Since he who gives may freely take again For shame let us then who Prosperity Have seen now God has sent Adversity Bear all our Griefs and Losses patiently By this officious Fame had published The news of Jobs Afflictions and spread Strange stories of his losses every where Which when three worthy Gentlemen did hear His Blood-relations but what yet was more His Friends they did most heartily deplore His sad condition from their very soul And so would make a Journey to condole With him in his affliction for this end They Messengers did to each others send Appointed where their meeting place should be From whence they in a body might go see Their now distressed Friend whom formerly They had beheld in great Prosperity Their Names were Eliphaz the Temanite Bildad the Shuhite Zophar the Naamathite Men of great wit and parts and certainly In their own Countries of great quality Now we must think that Job was all alone For by this time his Wife was surely gone To shift i' th' Country for convenience Not able to subsist on patience But had good Lady now determined Not to return to what she once did wed For good and evil for her Jointure now Was gone and all the Expectation too Of her afflicted Husbands Restauration Which made her soon abandon him in passion When then his friends did to the place draw nigh Where the afflicted man did pensive ly When first they see his face they were afraid And thought their guide had possibly betray'd Them by some trick and stead of their old friend Had brought them there to see some Ghost or Fiend
Life a Life so poor and mean A Life so larded with sad grief and pain As if his mortal foe a man would curse All his invention could not wish him worse Then I am now then I am I sad I Who that I may be sadder must not dye Lord how my Sighs with force ingeminate Pump up whole floods of Tears which when I eat Are now the only Sawces to my Meat For from my Eyes these as from Water-spout Like Rain swoln Torrents issue always out Then let me dye O let me quickly dye As others do and not so cruelly Be forc'd thus to survive my Losse and see Under the Heavens no sinful man like me No sinful man no none of all that Race So much opprest as I am none alace Of Heavens foes suffering so much as I Who liv'd by th' Laws and Rules of Piety As I who always studied to shun Those Courses which a many Mortals run As I who always shunn'd to give occasion To my indeed kind God of provocation But now I plainly see my former Zeal And Piety could not with him prevail T' avert this blow no no my clouds of Prayers Are now dissolv'd in deluges of Tears And I must suffer now what never man Endur'd before me since the world began Indeed in th' affluence of my former bless I still would fear this sad Catastasis And these same thoughts did so my Spirit seize As in the night time my o're wearied eyes Had little sleep for I could ne're endure In all my prosp'rous time to live secure As some who on their earthly Blessings rest Which makes me so uneasily dâ—gest My present troubles O then let me dye For since alace my â—eal and Piety My Prayers my Tears my daily Offerings Could not prevent my present Sufferings How should I think they can me extricate Out of this sad and miscrable state Then let me dye O let me dye again I beg it Lord let me be out of pain At any rate let not thy dreadful wrath Deprive me of the benefit of death As it has done of all things here below Nâ— my good God permit it not for so I shall in horrour live and possibly After long sufferings in despair shall dye O let me dye then for thy mercies sake Lord let me dye and force me not to take Those resolutions which some other men Would take if in such misery and pain Burst then poor heart O split burst speedily That I may have the happiness to dye To dye and then I know my Makers wrath For all this will be by my single death Quickly appeas'd and in the grave I shall Rest sweetly free of troubles after all O death what mortal can thy worth esteem Who 's he can thy intrinsick value name All states of life are daily to be sold But thou death art not to be had for gold Though th' world of life but one great mercat be Yet all 's bought up and there 's none left for me But that which even mad men would abhor Then why should I this life keep any more This life this hellish life O now kind death Ease me of this and take my parting Breath Then burst sad heart what cannot all my Art Be able yet to burst one broken heart Yes sure burst quickly let me quickly dye And in this ugly â—â—unghill where I lye Let me be buryed but my Friends take heed My Body with much earth be covered Under a heap of stones lest Labouring Men Digging this Dung hill in the Season when They dung their grounds should find my Carcass here For if uncovered will infect the Air. PART II. Cap. IV. JOB having thus attempted to express That inward grief which did his Soul oppress One of his three Friends Eliphaz by name Did him thus tartly for his passion blame Should we says he with thee expostulate And on the matter enter in debate We see the heat of thy impatience Is such as our discourse may give offâ—nce Yet though thou should st be vext and curse us all As thou hast done thy birth-day nothing shall Make us forget our duty for reprove The errors of a man we so much love We must indeed then pray who can forbear To answer thee when such discourse we hear Of thy great zeal and piety of late Thy grace thy virtue and I know not what By which thou'd make us think forsooth that he Who cannot act unjusâ—ly punish'd thee Without a fault preceeding very fair Pray who with patience can such language hear Should in our hearing one of God complain Unjustly and from answerâ—ng we abstain No no my friend we came not here indeed To hear thee in thy Passions exceed The rage of mad-men or allow thee so To cry and overact a man of woe For shame how mean a thing it is to see Thy mind thus discompos'd that such as thee Whose eminent prudence virtue piety And long experience o' th' worlds vanity We thought had taught thee to know better things That such as thee in foolish murmurings Should bluster thus Thou who didst others in affliction teach How to behave would to them patience preach And how with crosses they should be content Thy self to become thus impatient Thou who in troubles others hast restor'd Canst thou no comfort to thy self afford Others thou'd check when in Adversity As thou dost now they 'd passionately cry And curse their Birth-day as thou now hast done Afflictions at length are come upon Thy self and thou art griev'd it toucheth thee I' th' quick and thou art all in flames we see Where 's now thy fear of God thy confidence In him thy Uprightness thy Patience Where are those Virtues now what are they fled At such time as thou most of them hast need Why should'st my friend like mad-man then cry out In view of all thy Neighbours round about And set out thy condition with such Art As if without cause thou afflicted wer 't Have not thy sins call'd for thy punishment Prethee forbear then this thy vain Complaint Who ever perish'd being Innocent Pray call to mind how thou hast liv'd before As other sinners and complain no more Revise the Annals of thy former time And thou wilt surely find the hidden Crime For which we all of us perceive indeed Thou now art most severely punished Consider this pray and without debate Thou 'lt not so with thy God expostulate He acts according to most upright Laws And punishes no man without a Cause But I 've observ'd that Antecedent sin How slow soever still doth usher in Punishment to it self proportionate Which still attends the sinner soon or late So in his Judgement on his sins may read And see the Cause from whence his woes proceed For I have often seen that such as Plow Your heathy Ground and corrupt Seed do Sow For all their Labours when their Harvest came They'd Reap no other but the very same Vain men who
cause not punish'd instantly Mistake forbearance for indemnity At least they think when Judgements God designs He 'l be so kind as by some outward Signs To give them Warning and proclaim the War By th' Herauldry of some Portentuous Star In praevious threatnings he 'l the work begin And not surprize them napping in their sin So ere th' arryval of their punishment They may have some small leasure to repent By which perhaps they may these ills prevent Poor fools who grossely do themselves abuse With such wild notions as if God should use What methods they prescrib'd and give them time First to Commit then mourn for every Crime But let 's suppose that God Almighty now To Sinning men such warnings should allow In that case pray what would these wretches do Would they repent I doubt they would not nay I think they 'd rather crave a longer day That they might mourn with more convenience And so perhaps some hours ere they go hence They'd drop a Tear or two and openly Confess what they no longer dare deny So fraught with hopes and sins they 'd shrewdly dy Thus then we see to warn and to surprize Is all one thing for no man while he dies Thinks on Repentance and it may be then With a few puting words opprest with pain He 'l say he 's truly griev'd to think upon His former Actings and begin annon To settle his affaires and possibly Emit some pious groans before he dye Vain hoping sinner on what grounds should he Thus make account when we may dayly see How when a many swell with boystrous Pride And undervalue all Mankind beside Death or Destruction suddainly appears And pulls them out o' th' world by the Ears For instance see some proud imperious thing Amongst its Neighbours keep such Revelling As Lyons and their Broods in Forrests do Amongst their Fellow bruits for mark but how By the same Law as those do bear away What e're they find proclaiming it their prey So the oppressing wretch under pretence Of Law and Justice by plain violence Seizes on all his Neighbours Lands around And then with Law-suits doth them so confound They 'r glad at length for Aikers to compound And be his Tennents Yet for all his Pride When in Oppressions triumph he doth Ride God strikes this lofty Tyrant on the Face And layes him i th' Dust with all his cursed Race As dead he lyes and no man doth bemoan him From every corner Pleas break out upon him All those whose means by force he did retain Are soon restored to their own again Then this poor Lyon starves for lack of food Nor pity him although he roar aloud And all his Whelps are scattered here and there To â—ake the Dung-hill for their dayly fare But now my friend that thou may'st not suppose Those words to be my own I must unclose The Secrets of my Heart and plainly tell What God of late did to my Soul reveal About the time when Mortals wearied With anxious Thoughts do tumble in their Bed And one small nap after another catch As if they did not mean to sleep but watch Fear came upon me terrours did assemble Before me which made all my joynts to tremble My nerves grew stiff my heart did shrewdly beat And I all o're lay daubling in cold sweat The winds did rage and bluster in my sight Which made my haires for fear to stand upright And all my flesh to quiver nay my bones Keep'd such a ratling as a bag of stones Beat by an Artists hand do what I please I could not shun the grinding of my knees Then see I one whose face I did not know Before my eyes appear'd a glorious show Which goodly sight did soon my fear allay And horrid night to me became as day So when these thundring feares composed were In serene silence I a voice did hear Which thus exprest it self Upon the earth what mortal man is he Can be more just then God who e're he be That in his own eyes thinks himself more pure Then is his maker he mistakes it sure For when his very Angels he did check And them for folly soundly did correct When for his pride one mighty Angel fell From highest Heavens to th' lowest pit of Hell When in those heavenly creatures he did find No constancy according to his mind Can sinful man that mean and silly tool Who lives in Huts of clay be such a fool As think he can perfection attain To which who ere Aspyres does toyle in vain He who from dust derives his Pedegree Compos'd of dust who dwells in dust shall he Pretend to that perfection in his pride Which to his Angels God has even deny'd Poor dying wretch shall he with those compare Who dwell in heavens and immortal are Ah don't we see how vain man perisheth And every day augments the rolls of death He 's alwayes on his march his Passing-bell From morn to night doth every minute knell Yet no man doth consider seriously The importance of this mortality Do not their honours with them fly away And stoop to wasting time as well as they Who did enjoy them I their dignity Crumbles to dust and when the wretches dye They drown i th' Ocean of Eternity Yet no man doth regard this none so wise As after all this once to cast his eyes Upon this subject which so much concerns All men to know yet never mortal learns The art of dying though each hour we hear Sad lectures of it sounded in our eare And every moment doth such meanes afford As may instruct us while deaths raging sword To none giâ—es quarter but doth every day Sweep us and all our hopeful things away For as they live alace how many dye Pregnant examples o' th' worlds vanity Cap. V. COnsider then and ponder well I pray These my discourses marke me what I say Thy plagues I see indeed are very great Yet is thy grief no less intemperate Others have been and as thou art now are For thy condition is not singular Many belov'd of God whil'st here below Have suffered more then thou didst ere yet know In mind and body have endur'd much pain Yet none of them as thou didst did complaine And where are all the Saints who now enjoy Eternal rest how did they here employ Their time when plagues so thick upon them fell Their lives became the Portraiture of Hell Why none of them did raile as thou dost now But calmely would before their maker bow And gently all their blows receive none ere Of those did in their humours thus appear As thou dost now For when a man doth in affliction lye What boot'st him like a child to weep and cry Such houlings and repinings sure are vaine And â—â—ead of casing do encrease the pain But I 've observ'd when any man of wealth Is once depriâ—â—d of riches or of health Although before heâ—'d
seem to represent In all his actings something of a Saint Yet then he cryes then he repines a main Then he complaines of poverty and pain O then he railes upon that providence Which was in former times his sole defence For now all sorrow wrath and desperation He thinks on nothing less then restauration Whereas before he thought he was so sure His wealth to generations would endure Well I have seen some Gallant in his pride Inâ—ulsly laugh at all the world beside Fix'd and firme-rooted as he did suppose And proof against the batterie of his foes When on a suddain providence would frowne And this same fool would tumble headlong down With all his sins about him in a tryce Kill'd by the fall from glories precipice Then would I say this man deservedly Doth fall and with him all his family Is levelled with dust because he did In such vain transitory things conside For by fair justice he shall be destroy'd And all his unjust purchases made voide Then after he has justly forfeit all He without pity shall most justly fall Those who are hungry shall eat up his grain And reap the profit of his nine Months pain Nay they shall sweep his grounds and fields so clean As his poor children shall find nought to glean The thirsty travellers who for rain doth gape Shall drink up all the substance of his grape For thou must know afflictions do not come By accident as is suppos'd by some On any man nor do Heavens noble laws Allow that any one without a cause Should suffer punishment no not at all There 's no such thing as that you fortune call 'T is a meer notion a device of men To palliate their sins and entertain A proud opinion of their innocence And lay the blame of all on Providence Which they call fortune and conclude from thence When any are afflicted at the rate As thou art now that they 're unfortunate Unlucky and I know not what alace Why should we with such sopperies as these Abuse our selves when certainly we know Who know there is a God things are not so But that our God doth formally arraigne For every sin convict and punish men Then know That no affliction comes by accident But that all Judgements to our doors are sent By rule of Heavens Court where information Is made and prov'd preceeding condemnation Besides as sparks by nature upwards fly So man to sorrows born doth live and dye In a continued sweat of toyle and care With dregs of anger for his daily fare Tortures of mind and body all at once Do suck the marrow from his very bones Nor can he pleasure to himself project Or joy and comfort in this earth expect Were I then in thy lamentable case I 'd not repine but humblie make address To my good God from him I would demand A patient mind and learn to understand From whence such floods of evils do proceed And in my sorrows I my sins would read To him alone my self I would apply To whom the world belongs who sits on High To whom all Creatures in subjection are Whose Jurisdiction doth exceed by far All Powers on Earth who things unsearchable Performes of which we are not capable To give a Judgement things beyond our reach Things which to act no humane Art can Teach 'T is he who makes the Rain from Clouds to fall By which the Earth made pregnant yeelds us all Our Hearts can wish affords us dayly Bread Drink Cloaths and Med'cine and what else we need For Maintnance of that Fabrick which he fram'd To Lodge the Soul and it the Body nam'd The Body O a thing most excellent For whose Subsistence we should even torment Our Souls a very precious thing indeed That on the Labours of the Soul should feed The Body a meer piece of useful Dust Demis'd for some time to the Soul in Trust. Though for its use the too kind Soul at best Payes a severe and dreadful Interest Whilst to afford it pleasure legally It forfaults its own true Felicity What is 't we hugg then what do we esteem A dying thing which scarce deserves a name A thing so long as Soul doth it inspire Moves for a time like Puppet on a Wyre That gone it moves it prats it squeeks no more But a dull piece of Clay as 't was before Breathless and Sapless on the Ground it lies Yet in its Fall its Maker glorifies As well as in its Frame because from thence We learn what Honour and Obedience We owe to him who this fair Fabrick raises And by a Breath destroyes it when he pleases Besides who 'd not in Duty be exact When still before his Eyes he sees the Rack The Axe the Gibbet and in Mind doth feel Sad apprehensions of the dreadful Wheel Is not our case the same do we not see How many thousand Shapes of Death there be Dayly presented to our view to show That after all all to the Grave must go From this fair Topick let us argue then He is our God and we poor sinful men Therefore since to him we owe Life and Breath We should live well that when invading Death Approaches he may find us on our Guard Not by his gastly looks to be out-dar'd For though he seize the Body yet on high The Soul shall live to perpetuity 'T is he the mighty God 't is he alone Who in the Heavens has set up his Throne From whence he orders all things and doth raise This man to honours and that man debase That to th' afflicted he may comfort give And make those whom the world abhorreth live The subtile plottings of our knowing men He disappoints and makes their projects vain He laughs at all their consults and despises Both them and all their silly state devises So that what e're those Crocodiles project Their Machinations never take effect He spoiles their counsels and makes all their wit Like salt whose savour's lost down-right unfit For any thing save at a round of Ale To be the subject of some Country tale For the Worlds wisdom in Gods eyes is folly Their Art but th' product of dull Melancholly Their reasoning is notional and vain Erring in things even evident and plain Things manifest things clear as noon-tide-light To them are dark as to one in the night Who nothing sees gropes but no rode can find And stands confounded betwixt raine and wind Whil'st at each justling shrub his joints do tremble Thinking the Night-thieves round him do assemble Lord what is all we brag of then for what Keep we such toyl on earth is 't only that We may be thought more wise than others are And be esteemed wits 't is very fair A rare designe indeed well worth our pain When after all we learn or can retain All our fine wisdom in Gods eyes is vain For when our Politicians counsel take How they the just and pious man
to dye Nor should I offer to expostulate ' And with my Maker enter in debate Is there an Umpire to oblige us both And tye us by Subscription and Oath To stand to his award for who is he Dares arbitrate betwixt my God and me But let him hold a little and at least For some small time forbear at my request To torture me let him withdraw his Rod And let th' hot Pincers of an angry God Piece-meal my Soul no more O let his wrath Be satisfied with a single death Then would I boldly speak and without fear Before him in my own defence appear Then would I argue with such Eloquence As in short time would clear my Innocence But 'cause at present I am not in case For speaking I think fit to hold my peace Cap. X. MY Soul 's cut off and though I seem to breath Yet am I coop'd up in the jaws of death My Soul is fled my days of life are gone And this poor widow'd Body left alone To be the subject of some country fable As in its ruines only memorable This fashion'd piece of Earth which formerly One would ha' thought would shift Mortality For many years a Body which of late In health and vigour fully animate With a most cheerful Soul seem'd to imply As if at least some small felicity Were to be found below the Heavens this point Of the Creation framed joint by joint Into a reasonable shape at last By griefs consuming fury quite defac't Has now no figure but doth every day Like Wax before the Candle melt away For as a stranded Vessel by no hands To be got off and sticking on the Sands Obnoxious to the rage of every Tide Whilst each rude Wave beats ribs out of its side In its dimensions every day decreases Until at length 't is shattered all to pieces And then what was a statelie Ship before In Planks and Boards is cast upon the Shore So this frail Body which in health and strength Look'd like a tall Ship in its Course at length Stranding upon the Shelves of foul diseases In its proportion every hour decreases And that it may be ruin'd with dispatch Each ulcerous Billow doth large Gobbets snatch Out of that vigorous Body which alace Is now in a most despicable case Hence what remains is that this shattered frame Void of all honour beautie shape and name Should like infected Goods by no man own'd In Skin and Bones be hurried under ground Then what is Life O let me but admire What idle expectation can hire Insipid man upon this Earth to dwell And love that thing which we call Life so well Life like the Mornings-dew upon the Grass Exhal'd e're Noon-tide Life a simple lease At will and pleasure of a homelie Farm For us to toile in where we 're hardly warm In the possession of it when anon Our Lease runs out and we must all be gone Life but the parcels of a few years breath Summ'd up at last i' th capital of death Times wast-book health and strengths extinguisher Heavens great derider Hells remembrancer The old mans profit and the young mans loss The rich mans Idol and the poor mans cross Sins active Pander for some little space Then to Repentancea sad looking glass Pleasures mean vassal times obedient â—alve And a most faithful servant to the Grave Death charges Time Time charges Life by Roll To make account of every living Soul The grand Collector by just calculation Himself discharges of each Generation In deaths exchequer then begins afresh T' exact the impost of all living flesh This is that we call Life this is the thing Of which poor Mortals make such reckoning As if the sum of all their happiness Lay in their breathing for some little space Alace that men of reason thus should lye Sick of an universal phrenesie And not rouz'd up at length perceive for shame What is this Life which they so much esteem This Life a thing so burdensome to me As how I hate it you do clearly see May I not then oppress 't with Life repine Since there 's no Life comparable to mine The dregs of Life that do with me remain Are but the meer fomenters of my pain For who extended night and day on rack Would not with all his heart Death welcome make O let me then to God make my address O let me to himself my woes express He is a God of mercy and will hear Th'oppress't and have regard to every tear That drops from pious eyes A sore complaint then on my self I 'l make And in the anguish of my Soul I 'l speak I 'l say to God condemn me not and why Wilt thou contend with such a thing as I An Eagle take the pains to kill a flee Contend with me a thing not to be nam'd A thing of which even Nature is asham'd A piece of Earth that serving for no use Is thrown out on the Dung-hill as refuse The dross of human frailâ—â—y the abstract Of all that 's mouldy low decay'd and crack't A thing now grating at the gates of death Retarded only by a gasping breath A thing so mean as is not worth thy wrath Then why good Lord dost thou take so much pleasure T' oppress so mean a thing beyond all measure What doth this to thy Glory contribute How doth such usage with thy Justice sute Alace I know not how the matter stands But thus t' undo the labour of thy hands Thus to destroy a Creaure thou didst frame And once didst think it worthy of a name Nay as thy Creature thou was 't pleas'd to own Thus to reject it with a sullen frown Me thinks is strange What may the Atheists say When thy own servants are oppress 't this way Why they will surely in their scoffing mode Blaspheme the ever glorious Name of God See here they 'l say a man who seriously Apply'd his mind to th' art of piety Who his great God above all things ador'd A most devoted Servant to his Lord. One who not pleas'd with what his neighbours us'd Despised their Religion and refus'd T' acknowledge any of their Deities But in a zealous phrensy did devise A Deitie to himself peculiar Out of an humour to be singular See now they 'l say see how his God doth treat him See how his Lord he so much lov'd doth hate him How he doth whip him how he takes delite To vex a man who us'd himself to write A most obedient Servant to his God See how he beats him with a heavie Rod. Let him complain weep pray do what he can Let him cry out yet still this pious man Finds none to comfort pity or deplore him And for his God ' has no compassion for him But on the contrair doth appear t' abhor him Sure this will be their language thus alace Those impious wretches will themselves express Yes this will be their Table-talk I fear O then forbear for thy own sake
preach What the Creation every hour doth teach Must we esteem you wise because that you Know as much as the Brutal Creatures do Or shall we think that you deserve esteem Because you can descantupon a Theme Well known to all men for who 's ignorant Of what you speak though you do proudly vaunt You are the only knowing men alace How much do I commiserate your case For ah who knows not how Gods mighty hand Hath all things fram'd in Heavens Air Sea and Land That mighty hand that hand which doth contain The precious Soul of every living man That hand which grasps at once both Life and Death That hand which stops and le ts out every Breath That mighty hand we know hath formed all Without the help of what you wisdom call That powerful hand that right hand which alone Acts by true wisdom is most surely known Beyond what all your wisdom can rehearse To be the Author of the Universe For lets observe but who did frame the Ear And for what use why it will soon appear If once we speak for then articulate And distinct words entring that narrow Gate Through the Ears winding Turnpikes progress make And are conducted to the Intellect In decent order have quick audience And from the council of the common Sense As quick returns for words are instantly Dispatch'd in answer twinkling of an eye Th' earsof both speakers do these words convey T' each others judgements i'th'same form and way Let us observe then how this useful sense By special licence from high providence Enjoys its place and faculty nor are Those many towrs and windings in the ear There to no purpose since experience Demonstrats every day their excellence For as we see in Princes Pallaces How all the avenues and passages Are strictly guarded to oppose the rude Tumultuous entries of the Multitude Whilst civil persons who have business Pass through the Guards and dayly make address To th' Princes ear so all the Guarde o' th' brain To civil courteous words do make a Lane Which passing forward to the Intellect Are there receiv'd with kindness and respect But if in throngs and with a hideous shout They chance to make approach to keep such out The Drum o' th' Ear doth quickly beat to Arms Yet by the frequent use of such allarms Those Guards are oft-times overcome and thence Men lose the use of that most useful sense That useful sense to which indeed we owe The greatest part of what we learn or know So that were 't even but in that curious sense We may admire the work of Providence Observe the Mouth too how it tastes the Meat To try if it be wholesome sowr or sweet Ere to the Stomach whether it doth tend It can have access that it may defend The Body from all Food that 's destructive To health and make its charge securely live Now from such topicks though there were no moe Who may not soon th' Almighties Glory know Forbear then all your arguing pray forbear And let 's no more of your vain Lectures hear Upon this subject since no art can show The full extent of what we only know From such external signs for what indeed The Power of God is whence all things proceed Which here we see how things are regulate In Heavens and Earth how he did Fabricate This vast stupendious Globe which still the more We view the more the Framer we adore Is what exceeds our reach 'T is true indeed and I do not deny But even on this side of Mortality There is a wisdom which one may attain By serious thoughts and labour of the Brain There is a thing I know which in some sense May be thought wisdom call'd experience Which mongst ag'd persons keeps its Residence Seldom in other company we see This grave Instructer whom I take to be A thing made up of many passages Of foolish Life by which it seems to guess At future Events and would wisely cast By th'vanity of things already past The issues of new Counsels but alace When we perceive how still new passages Occur which we have never known before Then we admire and can presage no more And then when we reflect what vast Expence Acquaintance with this same Experience Doth cost ' us daily and how ere we can Improve to its full height the wit of man The life of man runs out who 'd not assert That all the knowledge all the wit the art And all the cunning which we can attain Below the Heavens is absolutely vain Vain and inconstant frail and perishing A very inconsiderable thing Not worth our pains to know for don't we see Mongst all alive on earth how few there be Can teach us which obliges us to crave Instructions from the Records of the Grave Their sayings we esteem their Works we read And borrow all our Knowledge from the Dead But O how mean how poor and despicable This Wisdom looks how like a very bable A thing of no esteem compar'd with that Which did this Glorious Universe creat That that 's true Wisdom that O that indeed Doth all your Human Wisdom far exceed For with our God Wisdom and Strength doth dwell In understanding he doth ail excel No more than of that thing you Wisdom call Here 's Wisdom that gives silence to you all A Divine Wisdom which no art can teach A perfect Wisdom far above our reach A Wisdom infinit incomparable Vastly profound simply inimitable By us poor Mortals O the Excellence Of this eternal pure intelligence This uncreated Wisdom this so fair Unspotted Knowledge this so singular And precious Wisdom this so eminent And glorious Prescience which did all invent This solid Understanding this so clear And pointed Wisdom which should only bear The name of Wisdom this doth plainly show We have no Wisdom we do nothing know But all the Wisdom we can here attain Is without question evident and plain Though on it we bestow a goodly name But like the sparks that issue from the flame Or as we see in a contracted Ray O'th'Sun how Atoms wantonly do play Which were but â—ust while by that glorious Beam Rais'd from the Dung-hill then to men they seem To be some things of moment and become The subject of grave arguing to some More curious Brains as they 're of admiration To duller judgments and of meditation To pious Breasts yet let the Sun recall His Animating Ray and after all Those things appear but transient and vain And soon incorporat with the dust again Just so all Humane Knowledge animat By wisdom from above we estimat For some small time so long as so inspir'd But when the Divine Rayes are once retir'd Then we perceive what we did late esteem Was but a Shadow or an empty Dream O the great Power of God! who can express His admirable Strength we must confess 'T is he alone that rules 't is he alone That orders all accountable to
from the Mothers Nature A creature black with sin Original Before it well its self a man can call One whose defect doth with its life begin And in the Womb becomes acquaint with sin Can he be clean can such a one as he For all the World be esteemed free From all that 's evil Man of a Woman born can he be clean Pray what by such expressions dost thou mean Can any thing that 's good from one proceed Who so much mischief to the World doth breed Who plagues us all with sin that cursed root Which in its season yields no other fruit But sin alone which we do soon disperss Through all the corners of the Universe A fruit in which men drive a constant trade And toil as much as for their daily bread To purchase this dear fruit at any rate In this all mortals do negotiate But after all this Traffique when at last Man on his Death-bed doth begin to cast Th' accounts of this same dismal trade alace How doth he look when all the passages Of his past life before him doth appear And he poor soul already dead with fear Sees by account what profit he has made Through all the course of this unlucky trade Sin upon Sin Loss upon Loss he cries Shuts up his Books curses this trade and dies Yet is this all that Woman doth produce Beseech thee then my friend do not abuse Thy self with fancies as if any thing That 's good from such a tainted root can spring No no wee 're all unclean wee 're sinful all No man on earth himself can upright call What! while the very Saints while travelling here Bedaub'd with sin did in his sight appear Nay even the Heavens themselves are in his eye Grossely unclean full of Deformity Will man pretend that he is clean will he Who 's sin in the superlative degree Who in provocking God takes such delite As in his food and sins with appetite Who greedily sucks in iniquity Shall he pretend i' th' least to purity No sure thou err'st my friend but if thou 'lt hear What 's for thy good I freely will declare What I have seen and in my time have learn'd What with great pains and labour I have earn'd I 'le tell thee things which prudent men of old Have by their Reverend Ancestors been told What these did not think fit to be conceal'd But for their childrens benefit reveal'd Who by learn'd Sayings and wise Apothegms In History have Eterniz'd their Names Who by their Prudence did so moderate And mannage that which God had allocate To them for their inheritance so well With such Discretion and did so excell I' th' art of Government mentaining peace With all their Neighbours living in such case Amongst themselves as none durst undertake T invade them or atempt i' th' least to break Their firm confederacy which of old They had so founded as nor Steel nor Gold Could cut that Knot nor could the smiling tricks Of States-men countermine their Politicks In short they did possess and govern all As if their Land had been Allodial As if it had belong'd to them alone And save o' th' King of Heavens they held of none Those men have told us that the wicked are Most miserable in continual fear In pains like those of Child-birth still they lie Exclaiming in the extream agonie Of a sad troubled conscience which alace Allowes them ease scarce a small moments space The cruel man is never void of fear But fancies Death attends him every where For when he calls to mind by what Oppressions He has enlarg'd his Titles and Posessions How many he has ruin'd and undone And eat up all their means since he begun To set up for himself how cunningly ' Has turned out many a goodly family And sent them all a begging he from thence Infallibly concludes All hate him curse him do his name abhorr And as they ask their alms from door to door They tell by whose oppression they are poor Then when he thus reflects and calls to mind How hateful he s become to all mankind The unjust Tyrant doth not think it strange That all the world should meditate revenge Against their common Enemy a man Proscrib'd and out-law'd by the publick Ban Of all just pious men who in their prayers With fervent zeal and floods of bitter tears Accuse them to their God and constantly For Justice Justice in Heavens Court do cry Against him then he stares and looks about And even his own Domesticks he doth doubt Upon his life have some design and those Who break his bread are now become his foes With horrour thunder-struck with care oppress 't This miserable soul can have no rest Before his eyes strange visions appear His mind is sore belaboured his ear Is still infested with a noise of fear A dreadful noise like that of Passing-bell Which doth his nigh-approaching death foretell In which he 's not deceiv'd for by and by Even in the solstice of prosperity Down from the Mountains falls some injur'd Lord Who and his hungry crew with fire and sword This mighty mans Dominions invade And wasting all before them make a Trade Of pillaging appearing every where Like lightning sometimes here and sometimes there So through his territories nimbly fly Seizing his Towns and Castles speedily Advancing still in a vindictive rage Until in Battel with him they engage Defeat his Forces put them all to flight Then to his glory he bids long-good-night Thus ends the whip and terrour of his age For to him so his mind did still presage I' th' noon-tide of his blesse he durst not hope Or fancy any other horoscope Then a most wretch'd and miserable end Which makes him in perpetual horrour spend The best of all his time enjoyes no ease But is disturb'd in mind for still he sees The raging Sword before him and he fears His Enemies are still about his ears At length when misery doth come indeed Like one that wanders to and fro for bread So doth this great man ramble every where And makes what shifts he can for daily fare Carelesse of Honour outward Pomp and State And costly Dyet now content of what Nature affords a simple Peasants Food To him is pleasant and he finds it good He eats he sleeps no more he doth demand Because he knows his death is nigh at hand Anxiety affliction grief and care Which stir up good mens hopes make them despair Despair down-right in fiery rage exclaim ' Gainst-what the precious fool doth Fortune name And in his humours openly blaspheme Transported drunk with fury he cryes out In fits and like a mad man runs about The Towns and Countrey-fields vents all his passions In angry wrath and horrid execrations 'Gainst him at length despair doth so prevail He becomes faint and all his spirits fail Curs'd be the Stars that rul'd my Birth he crys With a strong sigh thrusts out his Soul and
they did before Because the hand of God hath made me poor Since thou hast made me odious to all And none do pity or lament my fall But even my friends men who I thought had known My temper and at such time would ha' shown Their kindness to me in my sad distresse By their proud words afford me nothing lesse Nay those whom blood to me had rendred dear Insult upon my woes and now appear More fierce more cruel more in Rancour di'd Than all my prating Enimies beside Then let me die at length Lord let me die That I may here shut up the History Of a most miserable Life and close In my last Groan the Fable of my woes For why Lord should I any longer see The light of Heaven who am condemn'd by thee No with my Mantle wrapp'd about my head Let me be to the place of dying led Where I may quicklie find what I desire And in the twinkling of an eye expire Expire O happie word to ease my pain Let me but once repeat that word again Expire alace I fear that favour yet Will not be granted I must longer wait For that last blow and in this panting breath Still live yet feel the horrid pains of Death A thing that should not live yet cannot die Lord what a goodly spectacle am I Poor Lean Diseas'd Sun-dry'd and Withered My Face with Wrinkles deeply furrowed All these do shew it is not fit that I Should live and yet I 'm not allow'd to die Was ever man in such a dismal case Was ever mortal tortured thus alace I 'm torn to pieces by the Divine Wrath And yet deny'd the Liberty of Death I 'm become odious in Gods sight he hates The verie thoughts of me he meanlie rates All my Pretensions nay he frowns upon me Denies his presence will hear no more on me As a notorious Traitor I am us'd The priviledge of council is refus'd To me and which is worse oblig'd down right To answer my Inditement without sight And 'cause th' Almighty doth me thus despise My Enemies in wrath against me rise They rise against me with great Violence And with sharp words assault my innocence With grinding teeth and eyes all in a flame They stare about them when they hear my name With such disdain they do upon me smile As if forsooth it were not worth their while To notice such as I appear to be Or eye such a poor wretched soul as me With mouths wide open they upon me gape As if they 'd me devour and seem to ape The Hectors of the Ocean when they chase With open mouths before them through the seas Shoals of small Fishes and most bitterly With Tongues like Scorpions they continually Do whip my Soul they whisper to each other They go aside and there consult together How they may vex me further they devise With all their force and art that in them lies How to undo me and bring evidence T' invalidat my Plea of Innocence Now it appears alace that God indeed Has me rejected and delivered Me as a slave into the hands of those Who are both his and my declared foes I was in Wealth and Honour and Esteem In great respect of all who heard my name I knew what plentie was I liv'd at ease And no cross-dealings did disturb my peace Now I am poor now I am desolate And forfeit both of Honour and Estate Now I am pinch'd and in great Penury Now I am poor and on the Dung-hill lie Like an old useless Jade expos'd to die The Wrath of God has shattered me to pieces And yet that wrath against me still encreaies As Grim-fac'd Archers Executioners Of earthlie justice do themselves disperse In quest of Malefactors beat the Woods Willowes and Reeds that grow among the Floods Survey the Mountains and the Champaign Ground And give not over while their prey be found So have Gods Archers compass'd me around I 'm now their Captive by those I am led Whether they list pinion'd and fettered They spare me not their fury knows no bounds They 've made me all a Masse of Blood and Wounds With heavy stroaks and blows ingeminat I 'm broke to pieces I 'm excoriat By Furrowing Stripes such cruel usage sure Never yet breathing Mortal did endure As a fierce Giant with his monstrous Spear Banded and pointed beyond ordinar With violence upon his foe doth run So by the strength of God I am undone For this cause I upon my Skin have sow'd A doleful Sack-cloath and my head have bow'd Low to the ground for this cause I lament For this cause I my cloaths have torn and rent My head have shav'd and in this sad Estate Each minut I my Threnody repeat My face with weeping is all withered Death o're my eyes its coverlet hath spread The pretty guardians which did formerly Protect my wearied eyes from injury Now weak and sore with watching overspent And by uninterrupted weeping faint Have quite their stations and take no more care Of their poor charge but now quite uselesse are O let me once again then but demand Of my great God that I may understand From him what is the cause of all my woe Just King of Heavens why am I punish'd so I am not conscious of such horrid guilt As may deserve this do then what thou wilt Cut me to pieces let my flesh be thrown To Dogs for food my bones dispers'd and sow'n Upon the highwayes that each Passenger Who travels on the Road may without care Trample upon them yet I still must cry O my good God with thy good liberty I bear a heart that doth entirely love Its great Creator and each hour doth prove By fervent prayer with what alacrity It doth perform all works of piety And is not guilty of hypocrisie O Earth to Mortals common Source and Grave Who kindly dost all breathless dust receive If I be such as men would have me be Let my foul blood no shelter find from thee But let my Corps expos'd upon the place Be to Spectators shown with open face That if I dy fo great a Criminal As men would have me I may by all Voted unworthy of a burial Why be it so then let me be condemn'd By man on Earth let me be thus esteem'd A lying Rogue a Hypocrite a Cheat Of Principles false and adulterat Yet the great Judge o' th' World doth know my cause And well I hope by tryal of his Laws To be acquit my witnesse is on high My Records in the Heavens securely ly By those one day I hope to make appear How from those Crimes I 'm innocent and clear Then to my unkind friends who on pretence Of consolation vent their eloquence Against the most unpitied of men Accusing me poor wretch once and again Present I shall no other answer make Then that my God I hope at length will speak And from his mouth resolve
cruel in his punishment So when thou sendst afflictons on the just And godly men who in thy mercy trust Thou 'lt not permit that any should conclude From thence that such men must be understood Guilty of all that 's evil for if so The blessed Saints in Heaven might undergo The censure of the most ungodly men That ever liv'd on Earth since it is plain None ever such afflictions endur'd As those and yet to say their sins procur'd All that they suffered and that all they felt Whilst in the land of misery they dwelt Was but the product of their faults and that Their judgements hardly were proportionat To their foul Crimes were inallowable Since thou O Lord hast made them capable Of thy eternal favour Nay this were To prove Religion were no more but Air That none were pious that no man did call Upon Gods Name aright no none at all But that all those goodly Inhabitants Of Heaven known to us by the name of Saints Were the meer dregs o' th' World Since in this Earth they knew no other state Of life then what we do commiserat Even though deserv'd in any whom we see In sad affliction though none pity me I do concclude then 't were a consequence Of dangerous import if we should from thence Infer that because that good men do endure Afflictions in this life that therefore sure Such men are impious vile and execrable For shame let none be so uncharitable As to maintain this error For I 'm perswaded Lord that one may be Under griat troubles and yet lov'd by thee Next Lord I hold it as a rule that all By thy just Statutes are not Criminal Who black with sorrow and o're come with pain Of their afflictions modestly complain If joint with such complaints they prayers send To Heavens and from their hearts do recommend To thy kind mercy the consideration Of their estate and mildly plead compassion Lastly I am perswaded after all That though sad woes like sheets of Snow should fall From Heavens upon a man who puts his trust In his Creator yet like blowing dust These clouds of woes shall vanish into air And their succeeding life shall look more fair Then that in sorrow gloomy did appear These are my principles good Lord from whence With thy good leave I would by consequence Infer that I 'm unjustly tax't by these Who call themselves my friends who proudly raise Themselves against me and do argue still My numerous sins alone say what I will Have brought upon me all that I endure And therefore hold me guilty and impure Thou seest then Lord how these my case mistake Then why should they themselves my Judges make Who in their Censures are so partial And to their own opinions wedded all Me thinks themselves they rather should decline Then by joynt council cunningly combine Under pretence of friendship to encrease My troubles by such arguments as these Should they be Judges they who openly Do value men by their prosperity And look on those who in afflictions waves Do swim with pain as men do look on slaves Coupled in chains Such flattery our God will not permit To go unpunish'd but when he thinks fit Upon those flatterers he 'll such judgements send As in a few dayâ—s space may make an end Not only of their persons but of all What these proud fools a memory do call Shall all their worldly pageantry deface And in his anger root out all their Race Now I remember whilst my sun did shine In its full Oâ—b and all things did combine To make me happy as a man might be In this vain world then would I daily see My friends in crouds within my walls appear Protesting nothing to them was so dear As was my interest and with cast-up-eyes Perswading me that they would sacrifice Their Means their Lives and should occasion call To do me service they would venture all That men call dear I 'm become poor of late By th' hand of God I 'm become desolat With sorrows on all hands environed And all my noon-tide friends are vanished My life is chang'd and all my friends are gone And in distresse I 'm visited by none But three whose visits I may say have been The worst affliction I have ever seen For truly I esteem those Visitants No Comforters but subtile Disputants Men who retain no pity in their hearts But would on this occasion show their parts On me in this deplorable estate Not meaning to condole but to debate Would they had spar'd their unkind kindnesse too And left me here as well as others do Then had I been more easy than I 'm now For all my other friends those Parasites Those Cuckows of my life those Hypocrites That gull the World with a fair pretence Of Love and Friendship are all marched hence Nay would their venimous malice rested there And as they 've quit me so they would forbear The mention of my name and when they meet At their Festivals would they would forget That ever such a thing was born as I am Would that some other Subject might supply'm With new Discourse and I had Liberty At least in dark oblivion here to die But O I 'm now become the Table-talk Of all my friends nay all men when they walk In Streets or Fields of my afflictions prate And speak with pleasure of my sad estate I 'm now the rabbles talk at Wakes and Faires My present sorrows sounding in their Ears Like a melodious Consort and God knows Hearing of my calamities and Woes Those Clowns are no less pleas'd than when they hear The noise of Tabret Fife or Dulcimer Nay so my foes have now their malice spread As those who never knew me never had Acquaintance of me when they hear my name So much bespattered by a foul-mouth'd fame Admire what curs'd and wicked thing I am My eyes with weeping for this cause are dim My heart with springs of grief swoln to the brim Both Day and Night affording new supplies Of brinish liquors for as water rise By force of Pump so from my bursting heart By force of Sighs without all help of art Fresh Streams are suck'd up hourlie issuing out Through either eye as through a Water-spout By this uninterrupting Flux at length With sorrows I perceive my former Strength Is quite exhausted and I now appear Like a meer shadow or a Damp of air This at first view may all good men surprize To see a man plung'd in such miseries A man who thinks at least God doth not hate His Person nor doth so excruciat Him as a Malefactor though he knows That all his sorrows all his pains and woes Are but his Merits these my sufferings May possibly occasion murmurings Amongst the best of men when they perceive My sad condition which though some believe To be the product of my sins yet these Know better things and viewing of my case Upon their own Deportment do reflect
all those Creatures which we Kindred call My Brothers Sisters Nephews Cousins all From whom I might expect relief have now Forsaken me none of 'em will allow Me one kind visit but are pleas'd to hear How I am tortur'd and can scarce forbear From smiling when they see me in this state All my acquaintance too with whom of late I kindly did converse are now asham'd To hear their old but poor acquaintance nam'd My kinsmen ah those men whom every hour I would oblige by what lay in my power Those men to whom I have great favours show'n And studied more their interest then my own These horrid monsters of ingratitude Neither with virtue nor Gods fear endu'd Those Vipers whom I in my House have bred And many years have at my Table fed Else they had starv'd these have abandon'd me These have insulted o'r me now I see What 't is to become poor Nay my Domestick servants who did sleep Under my Roof who did my Substance keep And all those Creatures who did eat my bread Those men do look upon me now as dead Those whom I with my money purchased Who in my Fields and Vineyards laboured And all those numerous maids who formerly Did earn their bread within my Family When they perceive me in so sad a case Are now afraid to look upon my face They do not know me I cannot perswade them That I 'm the person formerly who fed them No they will not believe that I am he Whom but of late in plenty they did see Whom they did honour whom they did esteem Whom they respected at whose very name Those slaves would tremble but in their conceit They look upon me as some counterfeit Of late I to a Servant call'd for aid Not by command but as one would perswade A stranger but the man no answer made I call'd another but he would not hear A third a fourth but no man would appear To do me service all a distance kep't And through the Hedges at their Master peep 't As those who were afraid of Pestilence To be infected all my Eloquence My pray'rs my sighs my tears in any sort Could not from these one single word extort But O sad judgement which is worst of all I from my very Wife for help did call From her whom many years I entertain'd Not as my slave but as my bosom friend In whose embraces lay depositat The greatest treasure of my prosprous state From her from my own Wife from this same Creature I call'd for help by all the tyes of Nature By all the dearest pledges of our love I did conjure her but nothing would move This unkind Woman who has now forgot She is my Consort and remembers not Our former love but in my present state Unhappily is become so ungrate She 'l not come nigh me as she did before And ne'r desires to see me any more She hates me she abhorrs me she denies My converss I am loathsome in her eyes She tells me now my breath is become strange But what alace makes her affection change So suddenlie 't is not my ulcerous case Nor all the furrows in my withered face Nor yet the Scent of my infectious Breath As she pretends by which approaching Death Is clearlie presag'd for she tells anon She cannot converse with a Carion No no these reasons have no weight at all Fig-leav'd excuses meer pretences all 'T is none of these 't is only poverty Occasions this Desertion for why As any man in wealth decays or grows So a bad wifes affection â—bbs or flowes Yea little boyes who seeing me before Would veil their Caps respect me now no more Than one who begs his bread from door to door They point at me they laugh do what they list And though I check them yet they still persist Insulting o're me in my miserie They tell each other there poor Job doth lie No wonder when the parents me despise I should be hateful in the childrens eyes My dearest friends too men whom for my heart I did entirelie love have now ta'n part With all my other enemies even those In whom I trusted are become my foes My greatest foes yet each of them contends How e're I take it they are all my friends And now that I this Historie may close And in one passage sum up all my woes See where with sores all covered I sit Plaistered with Scabs and Boiles for nothing fit But at some tree Root to be buried As Carrions are and there like dung to feed The sucking Vegetable O did I Enjoy my health and strength as formerlie How would I undervalue all my losses Of Means and Children with my other crosses How bravely would I bear it out how fair Would the Effigies of my life appear For all that 's past did I enjoy my health That would be to me Children Honour Wealth Furnish'd with Health I 'd make the Devil give o're And be asham'd to vex me any more But O my sorrows O the grievous pain Which I endure no part doth now remain Of all my body from these Ulcers free No part untouch'd as everie one may see Onlie my mouth not yet by these invaded Nor by these numerous Boils yet barricaded Servs for a passage to my loadened heart By which it may its grief to th' world impart But not blasphem as some men would a' done In my condition No no let God do with me what he will My heart and mouth shall be abstemious still From all such inclination to evil And such bad instigations of the Devil For come what will on 't I had rather lie In this sad case of life perpetuallie Before I should once curse my God and die Have pity then for Heav'ns sake all my friends Have pity on me let your angry minds Be now appeas'd let all your Choller cease When you perceive me in this woful case You see how God has punish'd me you see How all the plagues of Hell have seiz'd on me How God has set me as a mark for all The sorrows of this world both great and small To level at O may not this appease Your wrath against me when such ills as these Do triumph o're me when I 'm led in chains Attended by a thousand woes and paines O may not this suffice have pity then Have pity on me friends as you are men Let all your hearts be moved with compassion When you behold me tortur'd in this fashion Have pity then have pity now upon me O ye my friends forth ' hand of God is on me The hand of God doth heavy on me ly I am involv'd in such perplexity In such sad Circumstances such distress No humane art or language can express Yet still your persecution doth proceed 'Gainst me the Oyl of malice still doth feed Your burning wrath you never do give o're But still oppress my Spirit more and more With bitter words is 't not enough
you see My body thus piece-meal'd but you must be While you pretend my losses to condole The cruel Executioners of my soul. Is 't not enough you see my body pin'd But you must likewise thus distract my mind Ah will your tedious arguing never cease Would as for seven daies you did hold your peace When first you hither came so to this hour You ne'r had spoke alace how lean and poor All your Discourse is on my present state Expressing not so much your wit as hate Still varieing still mistaking of my case Still anvilling on one poor common place As if 't were meritorious to assert Though pious in my words yet in my heart I am a rotten Hypocrite indeed If you intend in railing to proceed In my opinion truly it were fit You should at least those threed-bare tropicks quite You should your former Batteries neglect And on new grounds new arguments erect And truth I think by what I 've spoke of late I 've furnish d you with matter adequat To more then any of you hath spoke as yet Proceed my friends then do your worst let all Your wits joint forces brisquely on me fall All your insults I shall with patience Endure and with my miseries dispence When I reflect on my own innocence My innocence I ever will assert For not your logick not your wit and art Shall wheadle me into acknowledgement Of your so oft repeated argument No no I never will confesse what you To have conceded keep so much adoe No I 'm so far from being asham'd of what I 've spoke since we did mannage this debate That I could wish my words were registrat I care not who hereafter do revise The memoires of my woes and miseries I am indifferent who hereafter read My Plea and see how I have answered Your pointed arguments I care not who In after ages do peruse what now I speak although the words that from my mouth Do issue are not so polite so smooth So fine so quaint so fraught with Eloquence As yours are yet I do presume the sense Imports as much as if you had abus'd Your Parts and most injuriously accus'd A man who ' spite of all your argument And pungent talk will still plead innocent O that my words were keep 't upon record O that my God such favour would afford That what I speak in this my agony Might be transmitted to Posterity In such a fair and lasting character As all our Edicts Laws and Statutes are Would they were graven with an Iron pen In Lead or Brass that all the race of men Might still remember on this conference And see how firm I 've stood to the defence Of my as yet unspotted innocence Nor would I have you think my friends that I Value my self on my integrity Or boldly plead my innocence because I fall not under reach of humane Laws Or that I did on Earth no tryal fear Because my Padlock't-sins did not appear By evidence expos'd to publick view But cunningly were all conceal'd from you No God forbid that e'r I should assert My innocence i'th'least if in my heart By strictest search I found on record that Which my assertion might invalidat No no such practises I do detest I keep a constant Jury in my breast By which I 'm hourly try'd no allegation No fain'd excuse no specious information No falshood no corrupted evidence In that impartial Court of Conscience Will ever be receiv'd at any rate From this same Court I have certificat Of my pure innocence For I 'm perswaded my Redeemer lives I firmly do believe 't is he that gives Assurance to all those whom he doth love That he will interceed for them above I know in him I have some interest And upon that security I rest I know he will at last on Earth appear And make the sinful World quake for fear Of his approach when like a mighty king He shall i' th' Clouds appear and in a ring Oh Heav'ns great Host stand circled all around Issue his Edicts and by Trumpet sound Command both dead and living to appear In Judgement where each mortal thing may hear His just Procedure there he will indite Him whom you call the cunning Hypocrite As well as th' open sinner him he will Find guilty and condemn for all his skill If I be such then as you 'd have me be In that great day my friends you 'll clearly see What shall become of me For after this my Body Worms have eat And with their substance 't is incorporat After my Bones are squandred in the Ground And of my Flesh no vestige can be found My Scull my Arms and Thigh-bones thrown aloft By th' Shovel of the Grave-maker as oft As for new Guests new Rooms he doth provide And in the Earth my Corps are putrifi'd After my Dust about the Grave is roll'd Yet in the Flesh I shall my God behold Yes with these eyes these individual eyes With which I now behold these glorious Skies I then shall see that glorious Architect Who for his glory did the Heavens Erect For though some think our Bodies made of Clay Which crumble in the Grave on rising day Shall not stand up but some of thinnest Air Compos'd shall in their place that day appear Yet I 'm convinc'd that this numerical This Earthly Body this organical Composure which we here a Body name Shall on that day appear the very same Only as Earth when vitrify'd is still But Earth though richly polish'd by the skill Of knowing Artists so this peice of Clay Shall be refin'd and at appearance day Shall with such beauty grace and glory shine As God thinks proper for the grand design Of its perpetual true Felicity Which join'd with Soul in heavenly harmony It shall enjoy impassible of all Those thwarting ills which here we troubles call Then in this Body with those very eyes I shall perceive him with none else but these I shall behold my Saviour I believe Firmly that in the Flesh I shall perceive My bless'd Redeemer though my very Reins Are shrunk within my Back and all my Veins Choak'd up with stagnant and corrupted Blood Are now like Ditches full of Dirt and Mud. Although my moisture is all spent and gone And I am nothing now but skin and bone Though I all humane shape and form have lost And in the eyes of all more like a Ghost Then like a living man I do appear And no man will come nigh me now for fear Of my contagious breath yet after all This bodie this same individual And putrid bodie shall again revive And I again as formerly shall live And my Redeemer with those verie eyes I clearlie shall behold when from the skies He shall descend to judge the Quick and Dead And with those verie eyes I then shall read The Journals of his Actings then I shall Before my Heavenlie Judge convince you all I am no Hipocrite as you assert But
innocent and upright in my heart Then O my friends why do you persecute A poor man thus why do ye contribute All your endeavours why is all your wit Employ'd to prove that I am Hypocrite Ah why so cruel why so inhumane As still to doubt me still to entertain Bad thoughts of me although you clearlie see What e're my faults and outward failings be Yet God to me some kindness doth impart And his true Grace is rooted in my heart Then if for my sake you will not forbear By strength of argument to make appear That I am guilty be at least so kind To your own selves as though you in your mind Suppose I am such yet to hold your peace And not so smartlie tell me in my face That I am of the number of those men Whom God doth hate when you perceive how plain And evident appears from what I speak Although my body be consum'd and weak Yet is my living Soul inspir'd with faith With which supported never while I breath Shall you evince by all your wit and art That I 'm an Out-side saint but in my heart A rotten Sinner truth you should be blam'd For this Discourse indeed I am asham'd To see wise men so over-reach'd with passion In words out run their reason in this fashion Now to conclude my friends I would advise You all hereafter to become more wise Than of your parts to be so proud and vain As thus t' insult on poor afflicted men As thus to stretch your argument so far Thus to conclude that none afflicted are But those who 've sinn'd a Principle indeed Of dangerous import pray my friends take heed How ye give Judgment i' th' afflicteds case How ye pronounce them guilty for alace Why should you thus presume why should you dare T' affirm what God himself doth not declare For he has never yet declar'd that all Those men who in afflictions Quag-mire fall Are meerlie sinners or that sorrows are Still signs of Gods Displeasure pray be'ware How you affirm this for you may incense Gods wrath by such your sawcy Eloquence And what you all so often do repeat Shall be the wretch'd and miserable state O' th' wicked in this world if you persist In these opinions argue as you list I fear shall be your own for you provock Your God to wrath and openly do mock His Providence and inwardly displease Your Maker by such Arguments as these But when your prosp'rous daies are vanished And in your Judgments you your sins do read When your high pride is level'd with the dust ' Then you will clearly see that God is just Pray then forbear for Heav'ns sake pray forbear This foolish arguing let me no more hear Those vain Debates but if you do intend To comfort me beseech you put an end To this Discourse and plainly let me know Whether you be my real friends or no. For if you be seeing how I abhorr This trifling talk you 'l argue so no more And if you be not pray you then begone And leave me here rather to die alone Than a sad life in such a converse lead As all my other sorrows doth exceed Cap. XX. AS one at Bar is to be pitied Who having well and eloquently plead His innocence and made the same appear By evidence as Sun at noon-tide clear Yet after all let him do what he can This friendlesse Creature this unhappy man Must be condemn'd he must to Gibbit go Because the partial Judge will have it so This is this good-mans case for all this time As one Arraign'd for an atrocious Crime He has by force of reason laboured To purge himself and for that end has made Ample confession of his Faith yet all These reasons cannot with his friends prevail They still esteem him guilty and maintain However of injustice he complain That he had grossely in his life provok't His God to wrath though cunningly he cloak't His murdred sins with such a specious vail Of Piety and World-deceiving zeal He closely kep't those murmuring faults conceal'd From sight of men yet now they were reveal'd For God at length had heard their shameful cry And by his punishment did testify How much he did abhor hypocrisie Let us observe then here with how great heat Zophar the words doth faithfully repeat Which Eliphaz himself and Bildad too Had spoke already yet this wise man now In his old strain will lisp them out once more As if they never had been spoke before When first says he fame to our ears did bring The dismal news of thy sad suffering When of thy many losses we did hear No men could be more troubled then we were We did thy griefs as heavilie bemoan As if thy losses had been all our own Nor could we in our troubled minds have peace When men inform'd us of thy woful case Until we see thy self and so forsook All that was dear to us and undertook A tedious journey to this place that so We might perform what every man doth owe To real friendship that we might condole Thy sufferings and from our very soul Lament with thee as one for whom we still Bore great respect think of us what thou will Therefore with more then ordinary speed We hasted hither not that we might feed Our eyes with such a woful spectacle As now alace we do behold or fill The appetites of envy and revenge With observations on so sad a change No we come hither only to declare That as thy friends we mean't to bear a share In thy afflictions and so thou didst see Seven days we sat in complaisance with thee With Garments rent and ashes on our Head Not speaking word more then we had been dead We beat our breasts we bow'd we sigh'd and weep't And with thy sorrows a true cadence kep't We had resolv'd on silence But when we heard thee with great violence Exclaim against the works of Providence When we did hear thee bitterly arraign The Justice of our God once and again When with great fury thou didst execrat The hour that gave thee Birth and with such heat Pursue thy foolish wishes as if he Who out of meanest Dust Created thee Who By his powerful Breath did make thee live Who did to thee wealth honours issue give Were still oblig'd to keep thee in that state And had no freedom to eradicate Thee and thy race as well as other men Who surely were it lawful to complain Could in as sad and mournful tone declare How they did once live and what now they are When we did hear thee with such impudence At all occasions plead thy innocence As if our God had been unjust indeed We might ha' fear'd to ha' been punished As well as thou if we had held our peace And not maintain'd his Justice in the case For who I pray could such discourses hear And after all from answering forbear On this account we 've spoke and spoke again And
for the love we bear to thee would fain Reclaim thee from thy errors but alace I fear 't is all in vain we do expresse Our selves as men that really do fear Their God in all our words and do appear To be thy friends but hitherto we see There 's no convincing such a man as thee For it appears that thou art obstinate In error and with all thy soul dost hate To be reformed esteeming none thy friend Who in discourse will be so free and kind As tell thee of thy faults and let thee see How many men have been as well as thee Oppress'd in spirit and in body too And yet have never kep't so much adoe As thou hast done in all their sufferings Nor us'd so many sinful murmurings Against their Maker not to speak of us Thy friends whom thou dost openly abuse For I 've observ'd friend that when Eliphaz Did learn'dly speak thou told him in his face He did not understand so much as thou Did know of Gods great works when Bildad too Express'd his mind in golden Eloquence And truly spoke with as much deference To thy condition as men did of late When thou didst triumph in thy prosprous state Thou said his tale had formerly been told And so on what he spoke thou laid no hold For he knew nothing but to rail and scold As for my self however I did speak Thou told me all my arguments were weak For my part therefore seing 't was in vain To speak I was resolved to abstain From further talking but that now I see Thou' rt pleas'd of late forsooth to challenge me As one who has injur'd thee hence I find My self oblig'd again to speak my mind My thoughts are numerous and my brimful heart Will burst if I the same do not impart In words for which those numerous thoughts do call And therefore I 'm constrain'd to utter all I think with freedom and I must make haste To speak too for this speech shall be the last That I shall use to thee hear me and then Thou shalt have no more reason to complain Of my discourse let thy two other friends As they most learn'dly can expresse their minds Continue to expostulate with thee Thou shalt hear no more arguing from me Allow me then my friend to vindicat My self from those aspersions of late Thou' rt pleas'd to throw upon me for I 'm touch'd To hear my self so frequently reproach'd Even in my face what man will be so us'd And hold his peace I must then be excus'd If I make answer to thy late Oration Reflecting so much on my reputation Why then my friend were I as much a slave To passion as alace I do perceive Thou art should I give vent to wrath as thou Hast all this time done without more adoe I 'd fall a railing on thee all my words Should be like pointed knives or shearing swords My Tongue I 'd with such acrimony whet Stare with my Eyes and in such order set My Teeth against thee and with clutched Fist Whilst in my burning fury I persist To menace thee so thunder out my wrath As should make thee I doubt wish more for Death Than yet th' hast done I 'd so belabour thee With whips of speech as thou shouldst quicklie see Thy foolish error in provoking me I would so threaten terror and revenge As I suppose would make thy colours change For all thy courage I 'd so tartly speak As would make all thy joints and sinews quake But God forbid that I should be so mad As to practise such an unlawful trade That I should to my passion give such vent Of which hereafter I 'd no doubt repent No my good friend indeed thou dost mistake If thou believe that yet I am so weak No thou shalt hear me with great calmness speak For since thou hast reproach'd me to my face I cannot sure in honour hold my peace But must make answer to what thou hast said Though after all indeed I am afraid I 'le have not better success than before Only since I intend to speak no more Hear me but for some time with patience And then descant upon thy innocence Even as thou wilt for seriouslie I shall In a few mild Expressions sum up all What I intend to speak so I have done And then if thou think'st fit I shall be gone I doubt not friend but thou art fully read In Naturals and hast much laboured To know the real true Origination Of all the glorious work of the Creation I also know by reading History Thou hast great knowledge of antiquity Whence I conclude sure thou dost understand How that since with a high and mighty hand The King of Heavens did first the Earth Create And in its full possession enstate That ungrate thing call'd Man Since that time sure thou can'st not chuse but know How God Almighty brings the wicked low For that accursed man who doth despise His great Creator though in wealth he rise Above his neighbours and in honours sphere A Star o' th' greatest magnitude appear Though like a tall Oak he doth overtop The lower shrubs o' th' World and in his hope Devours whole Kingdoms Cities Common-weals States Empires Districts or what ever else May bring him profit honour and delite And answer his voracious appetite Although he triumphs in the spoiles of those Whose riches only make great men their foes And seizes on all that unhappy ground Belong to whom it will where can be found That Idol of the World which men call Gold To purchase which that Creature will make bold To swim through seas of blood and venture all For what wars Nerves and Sinews he doth call Yet are his triumphs all but empty shows And all his bloody purchases God knows Of which that Heavens-contemning fool doth boast Are scarce well setled when they 're wholly lost His joys do only for a moment last And when his glorious days are overpast And troubles to his former joys succeed What miserable life shall that man lead Each moment haunted by the memory Of his few years spent in prosperity Which galls him more then he had never seen Those whiffling days nor in his life had been Above the rank of those who meanly beg Along the high ways and will make a leg For a poor farthing for its own'd by all That he who for his pride of old did fall From that great share of heavenly happinesse Which whilst he fear'd his God he did possesse Is now more tortur d by the memory Of his so poorly loâ—t felicity Then he had ne'r those higher Regions known Or seen the splendour of the heavenly Throne But had been still in horrid darknesse bred And from his first Creation Billâ—ted I' th' Bowels of the Earth where for his pride He 's now condemn'd for ever to reside That man I say then who doth God despise Although in wealth and honour he Should rise Above all others and
all the world may see What mean esteem he has of mortal race View me I pray look but upon my face And there behold a sad Epitome Of Heavens displeasure O were there no more worth your noticing Then this alone 't is such a dismal thing As if you take it in consideration Affords a subject of sad contemplation Such as might make you all asham'd to speak As you have done and I 'm convinc'd would check The heat of your discourse give ear then pray As you would be inform'd to what I say For when I think upon my former state How in the World I flourished of late How all my wishes did attain their aim And I no sooner could a blessing name But assoon God would send it to my door And blesse me so till I could ask no more And now how wretch'd how poor and miserable In yours and all mens eyes how despicable And quite undone I here on Dung-hill ly Th' hyperbole of pain and misery When I amidst my groans and lamentations Reflect upon the various Dispensations Of our great God and weigh them seriouslie I quake I sweat I tremble by and by I shake all over I am dampt with fear Like one out of his wits I do appear Infernal horror on my Soul doth seize And I become all stupid by degrees When I consider on this sad occasion What unexpected fearful alteration I 've seen of late Oh I am all confounded My Soul with fear and terror is surrounded When I consider how th' Almighty raises This or that man and throws down whom he pleases Without regard to all these mean Defences Which mortals use these pitiful Pretences Of Piety and Virtues by which some Would plead forsooth Exemption from his Doom Whilst he with great indifference on all Sends out his plagues then I a-trembling fall Then I perceive that what you all assert And labour to evince with so much art Concluding firmly God doth punish none Nor sends afflictions but on those alone Whose Sins do call for Judgments and from thence By an unquestionable consequence Infer that I am such then then I see What ever errors you would fix on me That your Position is both false and vain Below such men as you are to maintain Since then my friends by sad experience I know what you who never yet had sense Of such afflictions cannot understand Me thinks I may with reason now demand Your firm atention to what I shall speak Upon the subject which you may expect Shall be sincere for who can so express The Justice of th Almighty in the case As he who feels it as the man God knows Who 's tasted both Prosperitie and Woes If it be true then what you all assert That sin is only punish'd for my part I 'de gladlie know why Heavens King doth give Blessings to those who merit not to live Why doth the race of sin the earth possess Why thus in Issue Honor Wealth encrease Do we not dailie see how sinful men Do in their several stations attain To all that in this life can be desir'd Wish'd or projected Nor doth the Tide of prosprous daies encrease To its full height but for a season last No as their sins so do their blessings grow The current of Gods mercies still doth flow In those mens lives whatever they demand To feed the sense is granted out of hand In a most smooth uninterrupted stream Of earthly blessings like a pleasant dream They 're gently wafted without Wind or Wave Into the spacious Ocean of the Grave Thus live and dy they but this is not all For were these blessings meerly personal And perish'd with themselves we might suppose That their poor issue who their eyes did close Shut up with these all their felicity And became heirs to utmost misery No no these outward blessings are so far From dying with themselves as they appear Entail'd upon their Family and Race And settled so on their appanages As if inherent in the several fees Nay which is more those men whom you do call The worst of sinners do perceive this all In their own time they see their Families Flourish like verdant plants before their eyes They see the hopes of numerous Generations And view the rise of many famous Nations In their fair Off-spring they perceive their seed In peace and plenty fully established Their Childrens Children grow up in their sight As Heirs apparent to their Fathers Right In fine those wretches see their memory Run on the lines of perpetuity These sinful men within doors live at ease Free from all jars bless'd with domestick peace They know no discords no nor quarrels they No picques or humours ly a-crosse their way But all the day they plentifully feed With pleasant converse and at night to bed They drill encircled in each others arms Free from all passions clamours fears allarums And as in plenty within doors they dwell So with these men all without doors goes well Their Cattle thrive their Grounds are well manur'd Their beasts are from ill accidents secur'd Their Revenues are punctually pay'd Their Acts of Court-leet faithfully obey'd Their Tennents too do live in wealth and peace Enjoying each an undisturbed lease For many years and richly cultivat Each one his parcel of his Lords Estate In short these men are fully bless'd in all They can desire their Vassals at a call Attend their motions every one contends Who most shall serve them and be most their friends Around the neighbouring fields their wings they spread And all the Campaign soil is overlaid With numerous Branches of their Families Which soon dilate themselves in Colonies And People Countreys far remote from these Which first their Predecessors did possesse Amongst themselves they make firm allyance And when they meet they revel sport and dance They Correspond in mutual harmony And spend their time in mirth and jollity For when they meet at their grand Festivals They eat and drink and then with Masques and Balls They entertain themselves the Harp and Lute The Viol Organ Timbrel contribute T' encrease their jovialty and all their care Is only for their sports and daily fare In peace and plenty with great affluence Of worldly blessings and convenience Of every thing that humane life requires They waste their days and when their lease expires And sullen death commands them to remove And quite those fields which with their souls they love Then do not these men dy as others do In pain and torment But as soft slumber on the eyes doth creep And gently moves when men would fall asleep Or as a Candle burning nigh the end Its light in twinkling by degrees doth spend So in the Grave those men do gently roul Not troubled with the progress of the soul Not anxious whither it should take its course After this life for better or for worse They care not whether all is one to them For they think Soul and Body
are the same And as they liv'd together so they dy Returning both to dust by sympathy They think re-union not imaginable And hold the Resurrection but a fable Thence void of apprehensions after death With great indifference they shut up their breath Nor are these men to whom God is so kind O' th' better sort more polish'd and refin'd Then common sinners are no they are such As hugg their sins and honour vice so much In foulest shape with so high veneration They 're not asham'd to make it their profession Such as our God so little do esteem They think his glory but a sounding name Such as affirm the works of Providence The checks and dictats of a Conscience To be but stale devices forg'd by those Envious men whom Fortune doth oppose Men who enrag'd because they can't possesse That which themselves acknowledge happinesse Pick'd to see others in a better state Then they themselves invent they know not what To crosse their joyes and fain by art would move The World to credit what they cannot prove For when outwitted by Philosophy They run to th're fuge of a mystery Yet God is even kind to such as these Who think so of him and speak what they please Who boldly laugh at Death Heavens Hell and all In principles so Atheistical As they to God dar impiously say Prethee begone disturb us not we pray Let us alone torment us pray no more With admonitions which our souls abhor Forbear thy curses and dire menaces Vex us no more but let us live in peace And when we dy thou mayest dispose of us Even as thou wilt but whilst we live we 'll thus Employ our time in mirth and jollity And take our hazard of Eternity For who say they shall ever us perswade Or make believe that thou a soul hast made A something which doth after death exist A thing which preachers call even what they list That such a thing of thy own essence part Infus'd into us by thy special art Should after separation be condemn'd To endlesse torments and by thee esteem'd As useless dross because the thing did take Pleasure in that which thou thy self did make Why this we are perswaded were to hate Thy self and so thy self excruciat For others errors this is somewhat strange And in our thoughts a very poor revenge Give orders pray then to thy preaching men Who in this World spend much talk in vain To spare their lungs for they shall ne'r perswade Any of us that thou a soul hast made A subtile Idea a thing Divine Limbeck'd to th' hight sublimat sopra fine To be destroyed eternally No let us live say they even as we please On Earth let us enjoy our mirth and ease Not all thy art our pleasures shall controle Nor shall the silly notion of a soul Ever be able in the least to check What we resolve by what we may expect Pray who 's this God say they let 's understand Who 's this Almighty Lord at whose command We all must live and dy pray let us know Who is this Prince to whom all here below Must pay such homage who 's this Heavenly King To whom all Mortals on their knees must bring Their praying tribute twice a day at least And once a week give audience to some Priest Who calls himself this Kings Ambassador Whilst he repeats his Message o'r and o'r In such a saucy and incensing strain As those who hear him hardlie can abstain From choller when he is so bold to say All men shall be chastis'd who do not pray To this Great God For what end should we pray who stand in need Of nothing from him those whose dailie bread Comes from his Table those who do possess No part of earthlie Joy and happiness As we do all those whom unluckie fate Has plung'd into a miserable state Those men may lie a begging at Heavens Gate But as for us who live in afluence Who spend our time in great convenience Why should we pray what can he give us more Than we enjoy nay whom should we adore Shall we adore an unknown Prince who shrouds Himself behind the Curtains of the Clouds And treats the Sons of Men with such Disgrace As he disdains to let us see his face The Sun and Moon we know and dailie see But for this God of Heaven pray who is he Or if such adoration we allow him What profit shall we make by praying to him Have any fortunes by this praying made Are anie wealthie by this idle trade Do not we see how those who dailie call On this same God are miserable all Poor and Deform'd Contemptible and Mean By want of food most scandalouslie lean Praying and sleeping by a formal Rule Treated by all the world in Ridicule Why then should we to him our selves applie Who live in Wealth since onlie Povertie Is the return of Prayer shall we request That we may become such no let us wast Our Years in mirth and not our selves betray To miserie but chase all cares away By frolick sports whilst Fools and Beggars pray Yet such even such the God of Heavens doth bless Such cursed things in Honour Wealth and Peace Do flourish here on earth those wretched men Have in their lives no reason to complain They know no judgments nor afflictions they Whilst ' those who from their tender Years do pray And in Devotion earlie exercise Their spirits are involv'd in miseries For shame forbear my friends then to assert That punishments are meerlie by desert Inflicted when the contrair doth appear By what I 've said so evident and clear Nor would I my dear friends you should mistake My meaning or suppose by what I speak Whilst I express how happy those men are That I envie them or i' th' least appear To harbour any thoughts of discontent Whilst those means plentie with my punishment And wretched state of life I do compare Or that I would be happy as they are No God forbid that I should entertain Such impious thoughts or any way complain Of Gods good Dispensations No I 'm so far from that as seriouslie I think what those men call Prosperitie Doth not deserve the name of happiness But is at best but like a gentle breeze Which blowes before a Storm I do believe What those poor Souls do fillilie conceive To be the true supream Felicity Is on the matter down-right Misery O let those mens prosperity to me Be never known let these eyes never see Plenty on earth as I have seen before Let my kind Maker never me restore To anie thing which men call happiness Rather than I should be as one of those And now my friends as I have thus express'd How much the wicked in this life are bless'd So I would have yow know that what I say I do not as a firm position lay Nor do I think it proper on my part That I should so tenaciouslie assert That all such
were known From upright men and so would fain perswade Th' afflicted man that he had merited All he did undergo and with what art On th' other hand he laboured to assert His innocence and without heat or passion Did prove by many a lively demonstration That where mens antecedent sins did call For punishment on earth yet after all Heavens gracious Monarch freely did permit Those men to live and dy as they thought sit Whilst pious men were often visited With sad afflictions and overlaid With plagues and torments and that some of those Whom they call'd sinful suffered many woes Even in this life from whence he did conclude What they affirm'd must not be understood To be a general rule which did admit Of no exception and that all their wit Was mis-imploy'd on such an argument And that they 'd surely fail of their intent If by the threatning of their Eloquence They thought to fright him from his Innocence One might ha' thought I say those learned men Would now no longer labour to maintain A thing not only so ofttimes deny'd But prov'd so learn'dly to be false beside Yet will they not their arguing give o're But still assert as stiffly as before Their former Doctrine for to all was said The Temanite this stubborn answer made Why friend sayes he I have with patience Heard thee descant upon thy Innocence I 've heard thee talk much like those quibbling fools Who for the reputation of their Schools Will upon any subject frame debate And even deny what is homologat By all the knowing World who will assert Falshoid it self t' express their prurient art And argue pro or con on what you will As Juglers shift their Balls to show their skill Nay they 'll not stick to prove by argument That the Sun shines not in the Firmament And by their pestilentious parts are able To make all things created disputable So thou to show thy wit art not asham'd T' affirm such things as ought not to be nam'd Thou tell'st us thou art pure and innocent And why should the Almighty thus torment One in the reputation of a Saint I see indeed thou fain wouldst us perswade 'T is not for sin that thou art punished No not at all for thou insistest much That thou art just and always hast been such Even in the hight of thy prosperity And still abhoredst all impiety And being yet such in thine own conceit At least why thy Creator doth think fit T' afflict a man pure just and innocent Only to try a new experiment That he may know how good men will behave Under his Rod not that men should conceive That all afflictions are th'reward of Sin No by no means for if they should begin To entertain such thoughts they might conclude The very Saints cannot be understood To have been just since none ere suffered In all the world more sorrows than they did And then demandst us if God punish none As we affirm but sinful men alone Why do these wretches who in sin abound Flourish on Earth why are so many found Guilty of Sin and yet not punished Why here 's a contradiction indeed Sayst thou a Riddle which I cannot read This is thy Doctrine in this error thou Endeavourest to maintain with much adoe Thy innocence but trust me 't is in vain For we perceive how evident and plain Thy misdemeanours are For even in this that thou so frequently Valuest thy self upon thy Piety And boast est so much of thy righteousness Thou sin'st though there were no more in the case For I do lay it as a principle Beyond all question most infallible That let a man be never so devout Zealous and just in heart it booteth not For this to God no profit doth afford It yields him no advantage in a word All we can do all that our hearts are able To muster out is no wayes profitable To our great God for let us fast and pray Let us give alms and labour every day By all the lawful means which mortals use To make their Court with Heav'n we but abuse Our judgements if by these we do suppose To merit favour of him for God knows When we have labour'd and done all we can To serve our Maker be perform'd by man Yet one with reason may us freely call Unprofitable servants after all For 't is not so with God as 't is with men Where one by parts and prudence may attain To profit and enrich his mind with all The Revenues of what we knowledge call Or feast his Soul with Heavenly Contemplations And frequently imploy in Meditations His heart with pleasure and so happily Improve the noble art of Piety No no all these God values not a whit Of all our works he maks no benefit Then what avails it for a man to boast Of what God doth not value what at most Yields but some profit to himself and so I must with calmness tell thee that although Thou wert ev'n such as thou pretendst to be Just Upright Zealous and from Errors free As we conceive thou are not yet alace Thus to brag of it as a great trespass Next then my friend as he who sits on hie Reaps no advantage by thy Piety So on the other hand I 'd have thee know He fears no hurt from thee nor doth he show Himself offended at thy righteousness As in thy passion thou dost oft express No no mistake it not for certainly God quarrels no man for integrity Nor doth he think it is his interest That such an one as thou should be supprest Lest if perhaps thou shouldst become too wise His Majesty might suffer prejudice By thy practising with his enemies For as th' Almighty doth not apprehend Thy merits to be such as do transcend The power of his reward So fears he not thou wilt become so great But that by his eternal rules of State Though thou shouldst to the Highest pitch attain In power with him can be acquir'd by men Yet he with ease can take thee down again Since then for what is good we plainly see The God of Justice doth not punish thee Nor any man because his upright Laws Ordain that no man should without a cause Be punished why sure we must conclude These thy afflictions must be understood Either to be thy punishment for sin Or else for nothing And how absurd it were for one t' assert I'th'least the verity of the latter part Of this alternative I freely leave it To th' judgement of good men but I conceive it To be an error of so deep a dye As falls within the verge of blasphemy And now dear Friend at length I must be free And tell thee out what are my thoughts of thee Since thou wert pleas'd to say that all this time We spar'd thy person and reprov'd thy Crime 'T is true indeed in pity of thy case We did forbear to tell thee in thy face Thou wer 't the unjust man whom
judgements sends To keep the great-men of the Earth his friends So thou didst think when thou didst live in state God thought it fit thou shouldst be alwayes great As being one so justly qualifi d For Government as there were none beside In all the Countrey to supply thy place Wer 't thou undone and therefore if in peace His Majesty would govern all above He thought it not his interest to remove From Government so great a Minister As thou wer 't hence thou vainly didst infer That having left all to thy management Reward thou might but never punishment Expect from God O principles most Atheistical Opinions to be abhorr'd by all Dost think that God who all things did create Who plac'd us all in every rank and state That he whose eye views all things should not know What all of us think speak or act below His Heavenly Throne dost think the thickest cloud From him who holds them in his hands can shroud Our actings here on Earth dost think but he Whose eyes see clearly through the thickest Sea And through the body of the Earth can tell What all those things do act who live in Hell Dost think but he with far more ease doth see Through all those rouling orbs and clouds what we Act here on Earth dost think that he 'll permit The sons of men to live as they think fit Whilst as a meer spectator he looks on Indifferent and concerns himself with none No sure thou thinkst not as thou speakst for so Thou mightst as well pretend thou didst not know Whether there were a God in Heavens or no. For to conclude with thee that Providence Doth rule the World with such indifference As sometimes here it strikes and sometimes there Sending out plagues or blessings everie where As th' fatal Dye doth turn upon the square As points out each mans Destiny were even To fancie a grand Lottery in Heaven Or think that God who all men fullie knows Should by mistake at anie time send blows Where blessings should be sent allow me then To tell thee that none but the worst of men Should vent such errors in which thou appears To be involved over head and ears For thou thinkst not enough thus to denie That providence doth rule with equitie But dost thy error proudlie justifie Thou argu'st too by reason as do all Those whom the knowing world do Athiests call But were there no more arguments to confute Thee and those prating Fellows who dispute The actions of their Maker this alone May teach you all God will be fool'd by none That though those wretches firmlie do believe There is no God yet still they do conceive There 's some such thing for in their mind they doubt Although they are asham'd to speak it out Whether what they believe be reallie true Or not for to give providence its due They find all 's ordered by some supream hand Though whose it is they will not understand So though in their opinions positive Yet by their doubtings we may well perceive That they with contrare thoughts are still opprest And maugre all their braving cannot rest On such opinions but still apprehend God out of Heav'ns will view them in the end And on their old-age heavy judgements send Take heed I do beseech thee then from hence My friend how thou dost talk of Providence And ask no questions pray why wicked men To great enjoyments in this life attain Whilst pious men are strictly punished As if here Providence did erre take heed And do not think such things for if thou dost Assure thy self thou art for ever lost Then use no more that trivial defence So oft repeated of thy innocence For we are all perswaded that our God Without just cause doth never use the Rod. Remark but th' History of former times Thou 'lt see how men have suffered for crimes Hast thou not heard how men before the Flood Behav'd themselves as if they had withstood The power of Providence and would not bow To the great Prince of princes or allow That homage to him which the Creature owes To its Creator he did so dispose Those Clouds in which thou think'st he 's wrapp'd a round As in a few dayes all those men were drown'd He who by power of his Almighty Hand Clear'd all the Marches betwixt Sea and Land And by the same power doth restrain the Floods Above us in Borrachios of Clouds Was pleas'd then in his wrath t' unty them all Which caus'd a Deluge Epidemical That race of Creatures which not long before He had created he did then abhore Because they had his Government disclaim'd And all his reverend Orators contemn'd Whom he had sent with open mouths to tell 'em Of those sad things which afterwards befel 'em But they with open mouthes those men did mock And told them that they knew not what they spoke Nay when the Good-man whom the Lord design'd To be the great Restorer of Man-kind By special Direction did begin In view of all to build an Ark wherein The Seeds o' the World might be preserv'd entire Whilst all the rest did in the Flouds expire Those silly Fools did laugh at his intent And oft would ask what the old Fellow mean't So in their errors these men did proceed Still living as they were accustomed In wanton pleasures regulating still Their Lives by order of their foolish will Hence when the Cataracts of Heaven did swell And Floods out of the Skies upon them fell They were catch'd napping in their Festivals And minding nothing but their Bacchanals Were in that universal Deluge drown'd With all their sins about ' em But O the man who as they thought had rav'd Was in that Ark which they derided sav'd With all his Family he safety found Amidst those rowling Waves in which they drown'd And the Good-Master of Heavens only Barque With all his Passengers did in his Ark O'r'e-top the Flouds Then on might see when that Spring-tide was full The Stock of Mankind floating in a Hull The hopes o' th' world the Origination Of every future Kingdom State and Nation Shut up below Decks under Boards and Dails Without the help of Masts Ropes Oars or Sails Rudder or Compass Steer they knew not whither Upon the Waters many days together And yet at length as well as any now Who with great Art and Skill the Ocean plow Arrive at their wish'd Port of Ararat From whence they quickly did Disseminat In fruitful Colonies giving Birth to all Who now do scramble 'bout this Earthen-ball Such wicked men then did not dy in peace Nor did they step into their Graves with ease Who said to God depart from us good Lord What more than we enjoy can'st thou afford And generally were so insolent In sin as they disdained to repent As thou affirm'st no they were visibly While living punish'd for Impiety Yet after all with thee I must confess 'T is strange to think how our good God did bless
all families they spoil And what the poor ones do with daily toil Amongst the reapers glean they take away Making the sheaves of th' hunger-starv'd their prey Nay though our Peasants for security From these shrewd thieves within doors silently Tread out their Wines and with great care and toyl Do in some hidden corner make their Oyl Yet maugre all the shifts they can devise Those cruel men before their very eyes Take all away and cunningly do cheat Those anxious souls of both their Drink and Meat So that for want of sustenance they dye And in the fields their bodies scattered lye As food for Crows unburied here and there And with contagious scent infect the aire VVhich quickly doth engender Pestilence That in its rage making no difference Betwixt the rich and poor doth sweep away Some thousands at a Muster every day Where both the guilty and the innocent In the same Coffin to the Grave are sent On shoulders of poor Slaves and Pioneers Whilst not a man of all their friends appears At the Graves-mouth in mourning to condole The Dead or say a requiem to their Soul So that a man may well infer from thence Oppression is some cause of Pestilence And yet though Heavens are hourly battered With cryes of many thousands ruined By such Oppressours though the Towns exclaim And all the Countys bitterly do blame The Magistrate who should by force restrain The frequent in rodes of those barbarous men Though Ghosts of all the Murthered round about With a loud voice for vengeance do cry out Yet God appears to slight this joint address And still permits those Varlets to oppress And now that I have spoke sufficiently Of those whose trade is sin who openly Practise it and esteem it no disgrace To be descended of a thieving race Now I shall show you how on th' other part Some men do sin as much but with great art Endeavour closely to conceal the same Not for its guilt but to avoid its shame There be indeed some who commit offence Against the light of their own Conscience And therefore as asham'd of what they do Because they dare not openly avow Their sinful actings they abhore the light And wrapp'd up in the mantle of the night Practise the works of darkness with delight Yet those most part escape the censure too Which you affirm to wicked men is due And flourish in this life Of these I shall give you some instances For if I should endeavour to express The several kinds of such who do offend I fear that my discourse should have no end I 'le not then reckon all but satisfie My self with Murder and Adultery Two loud-tongu'd sins as to the world are known And which are able of themselves alone To bring down Judgements which might overthrow Whole Kingdomes States and Nations at a blow Two sins that in a constant Threnody Do call for vengeance whilst most bitterly They do accuse their actors and in crouds Make for themselves a way through thickest Clouds Each day from hence not resting while they be Familiar in the Court of Heavens and see The very face of God yet after all Although for justice every hour they call God will not hear them for great reasons known To his Eternal Majesty alone For let 's observe but how the Murderers Before the Sun with morning blush appears On th' utmost confines of our Horizon Are ready arm'd and to their work are gone Enter some Countrey-dwellings silently And cut the throats of all the Family Then riffle every Room take all away And get them home before it is yet day Th' Adulterer too knowing the proper time In which he may with safety act his Crime Longs for the twilight when he poorly may To his poor pleasures his poor Soul betray For whilst he sick with last nights surfeit sleeps Till noon-tide then attires himself and keeps Within Doors at his Book and violin To put himself in humour for his sin The closs dissembling night draws on apace Then doth he with great art disguise his Face As all who go a rambling Wrappp'd in long-cloak he sneaks along the streets Unknown as he conceives to all he meets To th' evening-walks he doth direct his march Where he with great anxiety doth search In every Grove and arbour o're and o're Until he find out his beloved Whore Whom when he finds in a most lustful passion He hurries to the place of assignation Sometimes in publick on design he walks And seemingly unconcern'd converses talks With one or other whilst still privatly Upon some Window he doth cast an Eye Where some bewitching face he doth espy Then on the door he sets a private mark That he may find the place out in the dark Thence to his Pandress quicklie drives and there What he has now discovered doth declare A beauty O most excellent and rare Th' old sinner views her Books with care to see Who this same so much cry'd up Whore can be At length by his account she seems to guess And tells him she will do his business And cunningly appoints both time and place Where these do meet and at their ease and leasure Until the morning glut themselves with pleasure But O the morning O the rising Sun When that appears this man is quite undone Upon his nights atchievments he reflects And finds himself assaulted by the checks Of an enraged Conscience and appears As one distracted betwixt lusts and fears Leaps from his Bed attires himself anon Calls for a Bill and fain he would begone Whilst th' Whore yet sleeps because he apprehends If he should tarry longer by some friends Who early stir about their businesse He may be seen from that unlawful place Come out and so these men may soon proclaim Through all the City both his sin and shame On th' other hand he judges he may stay Within doors with more safety while the day Be spent and in the evening steal away In these reflections and sad apprehensions Each moment he doth alter his intentions His resolutions waver to and fro He knows not whether he should stay or go Cold fear invades his Nerves his Blood doth frieze His Joints do tremble and Deaths terrors sieze Upon his Soul for in this pannick fear He thinks he sees the Husband every where Whom he has injur'd with Sâ—iletto arm'd Ready t' assault his Person He thinks he hears him swear in every place He shall be soon reveng'd of his disgrace At length 'twixt hope and fear he issues out Down next blind-lane he slips and veers about By many durty windings here and there Until to the next fields he doth repair Where he doth walk as if he took the Air But by and by he to the Woods doth fly For now he doth suspect the Hue and Cry Is out against him thus he doth declare How for his sin he punishment doth fear Resolving from such actions to forbear In all time coming
Monarchs can be bought Make such a strange appearance as the eyes Are dazled with the sight and do surpize Th' uncurious home-bred unexpecting mind When they present it Idea's of that kind Nay those who 've seen those glorious passages When they relate such goodlie sights as these They 're not believ'd and every one who hears Their Stories think them lying Travellers Then O if these so glorious do appear Which if with Heavens rich pallace we compare Are but as Cottages what must that be Which none but with the eye of Faith can see Yes with the piercing eye of Faith alone Must we discover the coelestial Throne Which when we see our minds shall then abhore All other sights and wish to see no more The Sun and Moon who in their Orbs appear Most necessarie for his Glorie here Are there of no more use than Candles be After the Day is broke for then wee see These little Raies which sparkled in the night Are fullie swallowed in the greater light So where God in his Majestie doth shine These most resplendent Beames those Raies Divine Do so much light afford as there 's no need Of Sun and Moon this light it self doth spread So brightlie and so fullie over all That other Lights we may but Tapers call But hear my friends pray even admire with me Heavens outward Fabrick which we dailie see Let us with admiration cast our eyes Upon those verie Heavens and view the skies How Glorious how Beautiful and Fair When Sun at Noon-tide shines they do appear When nothing in our Horizon we view But a Sun Radient in a Field of Blew Which like a spacious Arch appears to th' eye Whilst we as sitting under Canopie Do eat in state anone when he inclines To rest and takes good-night in Oblique-lines How sweetlie on the Mountain tops he shines Whilst round his squinting beames the skies appear In such bright various Colours here and there So curiouslie damask'd at that rate As Artists yet but faintlie imitat That evening Picture and at length confess No Pencil can such glorious showes express Whilst most part of that Field which now we view Is shadowed Scarlet which before was Blew At length when after all the Sun is gone And Darkness doth invade our Horizon Then of what colour is this Canopie How do the Heav'ns appear then to the eye Why then we see the Moon and Stars do yield A comelie Figure in a Russet Field Under which spacious covering we sleep Till from the Seas the Sun again doth peep And then what Russet was before we view Now of a mixt Pearl Orient Gray and Blew Then if these outward Heavens themselves display In changes of attire four times a day And with such rare and goodlie Variation Affords us so much cause of admiration Ah! how much more should we admire if we The Inner-court of the third Heavens could see The Heavens of Heavens where in Magnificence The Great Creator keeps his Residence How should we be surpriz'd if we could see What glorious sights in these Apartments be Where he who fram'd all things doth sit in state When we so much admire the utter Gate Now as those curious Heavens his Hands did frame Which everie hour his Greatness do proclaim So as a Limner when to show his skill He makes his Pensil draw what shapes he will The Great Creator to express his art That from the highest to the lowest part This Universe might be replenished With these so various works his hands had made The Insects too which on the Earth do crawl He fram'd to show his Glorie shines in all What we can see or fathom in our mind And writes his name on things of everie kind Then to conclude since those few passages Do so much of his Glorious Pow'r express Since what with our dull eyes of flesh we see Which may by Computation hardlie be The hundred thousand part of that great whole Of which the Great Creator is the soul Affords such grounds of serious contemplation How should it far exceed all admiration Were I my friends but able to relate His Glorie in its true and real state But ah there 's no man able to do that And thus I hope I have demonstrate now I understand these things as well as you Let these suffice then let these things my friends Of which I 've spoke fullie possess your minds Debate no more I pray but let us all Upon this subject to admiring fall That Great Creator at whose verie name We mortals should our faces vail for shame And prostrat on the ground in ashes ly When we consider that great Deity That chief and supream Beeing that so vast Extent of Power that glorious first and last Compar'd with whom man is a cheaper thing Then is a Beggar ballanc'd with a King Ten thousand times Then O let these suffice And let us no more in contention rise Concerning things we cannot comprehend Which all our art and reason do transcend In painting out of which there is no end Cap. XXVII THus having reply'd to what Bildad said Expecting some should have an answer made Job paus'd a while but then perceiving how Those learned men had all concluded now That he was so perversly obstinate As not to be reclaim'd at any rate And therefore seeing what they spoke before Prevail'd so little mean't to speak no more Lest he might seem t' approve what they decreed He still in his defence did thus proceed Why now my friends says he at length I see You think 't lost labour to dispute with me You think all you have spoke has been in vain And so from speaking more you 'll now abstain Why you do well indeed I 'me glad 't is so But should I hold my peace I firmly know You would undoubtedlie conclude from thence That I pass'd from my plea of innocence Therefore I still must speak in my defence As the Lord lives then as our mighty God Eternal in the Heavens keeps his abode As he has heard and seen all that has past Amongst us and will judgment give at last Against those of us who have err'd I here Before you all most solemnlie do swear I 'me wholly innocent of all these crimes Of which you 've me accus'd so many times I know not why my Maker thus has vex't My soul with troubles why I 'me thus perplex't With griefs and Sorrows which I ne're did merit At his so gracious hands or why my spirit Should thus be crush'd with misery and woe Of no crimes yet convict I do not know For I protest my friends I firmly still Assert let God do with me what he will I know no cause for my sad punishment For to this hour I 'me wholly innocent Of what th' injurious world lay to my charge And which in your discourse you have at large To my own hearing told Nay whilest Gods spirit moves within my breast And whilst I breath I solemnlie
bright and fair Highly esteem'd because it is so rare With this in value never can compare The finest Gold which we poor Mortals hugg Compar'd with this is but a very Drugg From whence this wisdome then from whence from whence This sacred wit this high intelligence Which doth all humane knowledge far exceed Whence doth it spring in what place doth it breed Where doth it breed pray where is 't to be found In Fire or Air above or under ground What shall we do then shall we yet enquire What thing it is or our invention tyre In finding out its place which yet no eye Ev'n the most piercing ever did espy A thing which still the more we strive to know The less we in its knowledge forward go A thing as not conspicuous to our eyes So far exceeding the abilities Of our created Souls to comprehend A thing in search whereof there is no end 'T is true we may by long experience Attain some knowledge of its excellence We may indeed by daily observations Upon Gods great and various dispensations Attain some random-notions of the thing Especially when by canvassing Th' affairs o' th' world and viewing carefully VVith serious eyes the instability Of humane state we see what shines to day Most brightly and is gloriously gay To morrow is obscur'd what now is high Beat down annon in lowest dust doth ly Thence in some measure we may learn to know What is this Wisdom For when we do observe how Providence 'Mongst mortal things doth make no difference But sometimes here and sometimes there le ts fall Blessings or Plagues without regard at all To this mans well improven Piety Or ' t'others gross habitual villany Yes when we see how all our art and care In guarding of our Souls by daily prayer In thinking speaking doing what is good Though of our claim to Heaven we are not proud Nay even our pure and Dove-like innocence Can not prevent a blow when Providence Thinks fit t' afflict us and on th' other hand How wanton sinners do securely stand Rooted in their Possessions and appear As safe from danger as they are from fear Then sure in some proportion we may guess What is this Wisdom by such acts as these For God with good intention beats his own That he from thence may make their virtue known Which in the Sun-shine of Prosperity Even in the best of men but soberly Makes an appearance like a Candles-light Which only shines i' th' dark or in the Night And for those others who their God do hate And yet their Bread in peace and plenty eat Nay to our outward senses do appear Not ordinarly to their Maker dear Why if wee look aright upon their case We 'll find God only suffers such as these To live in plenty 'cause he doth not care What becomes of 'em and doth only spare Those slaughter-fed Bread eaters for some space That they their little short liv'd Happiness All they desire may peaceably possess But of destruction certain they at last When all their days of jollity are past Perceive there is a Divine Wisdom too As well as Earthly which they never knew Till now and find that by its ordinance Hell and Damnation's their Inheritance But O to our great God to him alone This Divine Wisdom is exactly known To him to him it is appropriat And no man with him can participat In that high Knowledge for by that alone He gives directions from his lofty Throne For th'Government o' th' World for well he knows He knows exactly what we but suppose Or faintlie guess although indeed we find No little satisfaction to our mind When having in our recess meditat By what strange means what hidden Rules of state This World is govern'd whilst by what we here Observe in earthlie courts these do appear To counter-act all wise proceedings there When we I say with contemplations eyes Have view'd at random what beyond the skies Is the procedure in the Government Of this vast Fabrick and how evident In it that Divine Wisdom doth appear Which is not to be learn'd or valued here Then finding how our curious Thoughts have reacht Their ne pâ—â—s ultra From Heavens high Court we modestlie retire And with great pleasure do these things admire We cannot learn since to our God alone The Government o' th' world is only known For who can manage this vast Government But he alone who is Omniscient Who everie moment views with searching eye All that lies under Heavens Canopie Who onlie knows who onlie understands How this great bodie which his mightie hands Have fram'd and moulded must be governed Who by his wisdom has so ordered And all affaires dispos'd so prudentlie As far exceeds all Human Policie For not one puff of wind i' th' air doth blow Nor from the clouds do anie waters flow Without his special Tolerance for when By his Decree some quantitie of rain Is on the earth let out or when from high Out of his Cage swift Lightning is let flie When all these for their sudden march are clear Ere they dare move before him they appear Where with a serious and perpending eye He takes review of them and carefullie These fierce Invaders strength doth estimat And sees it onlie be proportionat For his Design whether for Punishment A second Deluge lies in his intent Or that he means by lightning to destroy Men Beasts and Fruits o' th' earth and thence annoy Some sinning Nations whose lewd practices Have call'd to Heavens for such returns as these That they may not be able to offend The passive World more than he doth intend From whence my friends 't is plain and evident That the eternal solid Government Of all things which his mighty hands have made Is by this Divine Wisdom managed Then to conclude my friends from henceforth pray Let us forbear let us forbear I say To argue on the Rules of Providence For sure we cannot well without offence Make enquiry in things which certainlie The King of Heavens from all Eternitie Resolv'd should from his Creature be conceal'd And to himself belong No more debating then but let us here Content our selves with things that do appear Obvious to our reason and enquire No further in Gods secrets but admire His Government o' th' world for after all To know this thing we Divine Wisdom call Is not our business but if we would learn To know what our Salvation doth concern Of all that Knowledge here 's th' abreviat Let us fear God all sinful courses hate Our Neighbours love to each his right allow And in this world we have no more adoe This this is all the Knowledge this is that We ought to study without more debate For this alone for this we should implore For who endeavours to know any more Will find i' th' end he spends his time in vain In searching what he never can obtain But this by
enjoy Not worth my thoughts nor would I e're employ The least part of my time in valuing My self in that contentment Gold doth bring For though as much as many I possess 't Yet on that dust my spirit did not rest I never look'd on 't as a sure defence 'Gainst misery nor plac'd my confidence In that weak Rampart as if all my store Although I had possess'd some ten times more Had e're been able to withstand one hour The Battery of Divine Wrath. No no what 's all that we on Earth possesse Our Lands our Stores our Money what alace Do all these triffles signify when wrath From Heaven assault us or approaching Death Hangs out his bloody Flag and bids us soon Yeeld up our Fortresse or he 'll throw it down O where are all our Stores and Treasures then Where all our Wealth which with much toile and pain We'd had rear'd up as a most sure defence Against all troubles where 's that confidence Which in our count'nance did before appear Where 's all our hope where all our courage where Are all our mighty Allies where is all The valour of our boasting Mineral Oh where is all its force when death appears And we 're invested by an host of fears Nay where are they when Heavens King in wrath Against their master doth his Sword unsheath Why these same peaceful Warriors assoon As they perceive the enemy take down Their glorious Ensigns pack up all anon And in a moment they are fled and gone Leaving their hopelesse master all alone Tendure the Siege O brave Assistants O stout Legionaries O hopes of men O firm Auxiliaries Who make your owners foolishly believe You can do wonders when they do perceive What glorious show you make in time of peace But dar not look an enemy i' th' face Who then would trust to those same cowardly troops In time of trouble who would place their hopes In such a crew of aery painted things Which we call riches Creatures that have wings And on the high boughs of prosperity Do sweetly chirp but when adversity Begins to fire away like smoke they fly In such vain things then would I never trust Nor valu'd them more then as useful dust By which we live with some convenience But in them ne're would place my confidence Because I knew such emptie things as these Were only the Concomitants of Peace And when afflictions winds began to roar In rising Billows signify'd no more Then wicker anchors hausers made of dust Or Ropes of Feathers in which none would trust Therefore my friends I never valued My self upon what I had purchased I never thought I should be more esteem'd Cause I was rich or should be happy nam'd Because in plenty or 'cause Means encreass't To be repute above my neighbours bless't Or because wealthie that I liv'd in ease No I knew always better things then these I knew indeed and to this hour I know There 's nothing more ridiculous here below Nothing more silly nothing more absurd Nothing more indiscreet yea in a word Nothing more wilfully irrational Amongst us mortals then for men to call This or that Person Prudent Knowing Wise Only because he 's rich and to despise Others 'cause poor and say they have no wit Because they have not reap'd such benefit In their transactions as those others have And so by each mans successe do conceive He 's wise or foolish Whereas commonlie The first are men of small sagaciâ—â—e Dull and Phlegmatick and the latter are Often in parts and prudence singular For God has ordred in his Providence It should be so that men may learn from thence Th' Art of contentment whilst they seriously Observe with what discreet variety He doth bestow his Gifts Knowledge to these Wealth to these others and that none possess All blessings upon Earth for he whom Wealth Doth crown with plenty usually of health Is destitute whilst he whom poverty Puts to sad pinches with his Family Enjoys it fullie he whom parts adorn Is despicably poor and laugh't to scorn By those whom Means have rendred boldly proud Whilâ—â— of rich fools the world doth talk aloud As th' only wise men To some he allows Wealth without issue others he endows With a fair Off-spring but scarce competence For feeding of 'em with convenience To others he gives both but thinks not fit T' enrich them with a treasury of wit And all that God to us would signify By this remarkable variety Of Dispensations is undoubtedly This only That since all blessings do from him alone Proceed and that 't is in the power of none To become masters of these qualities And be Rich Fruitful full of Health and Wise Or to attain by toile or strength of art That which he only freely doth impart To whom he will that men may not be proud Of what to them is by his Grace allow'd Nor boast of any prosperous condition Which cann't be say'd to be their acquisition Besides if we 'll but think how mean esteem God has for Riches we will quickly blame That vulgar apprehension which doth pitch It s silly slubbering fancy on the rich Who generally are but men of base Unworthy and unhallowed Principles Men of mean spirits and deceitful hearts Great Master of the most pernicious arts Of couz'ning and oppression men of wealth Term'd by the world because by cunning stealth They 've rais'd Estates men they are seldom bred In any Learning scarce intituled To moral virtue men who take no pleasure In any Science but upon their treasure Do fix their Souls and yet dare do no more Then with devout eyes gaze upon their Ore But thinks't a sin to touch that sacred score Hence those poor Silk-worms with great toile and pain Spin out their Bowels to make orhers gain Not living mean time on the precious fruit Of their own Labours which without dispute Is none of theirs on Leaves they meanly feed And ' midst their riches are half-famished They 're men whose sordid labours have no end For when great store of riches they have gain'd They vex themselves no lesse in the tuition Of these sad toyes then in their acquisition For there 's a certain Idol on which all Those Sons of Earth do every moment call An Idol by these had in great esteem Which in their phrase security they name This they with vows this they with offerings load This is their patron this their houshold god Yet that security they can never find For all their art in which their troubled mind Doth fully rest for still some point doth lake Of this or 'tother evident to make A compleat Right and sure establishment Of what these men have purchased or lent So on they go in all the Chicanries Which their well hired Scriv'ners can devise To make it out though to make them secure Many an honest Fam'ly should endure Great want and hunger for they seize on all Their Debtors means and constantly do baule About the
of me which now you hear And as good men your justice testifie At least in showing how you heard me die That th' unjust World at length may be asham'd To have me without Reason so defam'd From such just men as you I do expect No less to you therefore I shall direct My full but last Confession of Faith That if not in my life yet after death Has stop'd my mouth when you hear any speak Of your deceased friend with disrespect You may assure them I was no such man As I was represented nay you can If you believe what I now speak is true You can I say that Argument pursue With so much Candor Art and Eloquence As you may soon perswade all men of sense How much I 've been abus'd how much injur'd By bloody Tongues and they may be assur'd That all the ill things they have heard of me When I 've been censur'd in a high degree By foul-mouth'd Tiplers ' have been only Lies Unjust Reproaches and base Calumnies First then my friends I since my Infancie Firmly believ'd that from Eternitie There was one God who all things did create One only God whose Power doth regulate The universal World in Soveraignty And doth by a Supream Authority Give Laws to all and save that God alone Man of a Woman born should worship none And therefore those that did the Sun adore The Moon or Stars I truly did abhore Nay though those splendid Creatures I esteem'd Beyond all others which his hands had fram'd Yet were those glorious parts of the Creation Only the subject of my admiration But not of my devotion for indeed As in a Picture I in these would read The immense Power of him whose mighty hand At first did mould them by whose sole command They did exist and to this Power obey Their first directions whilst the Sun by day The Moon and Stars by night the World survey By his sole order and acknowledge none For their Superiour but Heavens King alone Hence would I looke on them with admiration But at no time with secret veneration Only as those at Court a leg will make T' th' Princes Servants for their Masters sake So when I 'de see the Sun at morning rise With great devotion I would turn my eyes To th' East and with uplifted hands confess Gods greatness and my own unworthiness T' approach the Throne of that bright Deity Who keep'd such servants in his Family As was that Creature in one single beam Darting more splendor then all those we name Kings here on Earth with all their glorious shows Patch'd up in one can on the World impose Again when I this Creature could espy Shining at Noon-tyde in his Majesty Then would my soul fly out in admiration Of him who 's Author of the whole Creation When such a member of it in its Sphere So worthy admiration doth appear And through that glorious Prospect I 'de descry The beauty of the Divine Majesty As at great distance When again at night I 'de see it from the World withdraw its light Then would I think what 's all our glory here When even th' illustrious Sun which did appear In stately splendor but some hours ago Is now extinct with all it pompous show Then when I 'de see the Moon and Stars draw out Like the Night-watch and walk the Round about This spacious Globe I 'de think O what must he Who entertains such Guards what must he be What must he be to whom those glorious things Perform such service sure he 's King of kings For there 's no Prince on Earth with all his power That can command those Forces for one hour To stop their march nay not the Sun by day Nor in the night will Moon and Stars obey Their Edicts but proceed in their Carreer And on their duty still by turns appear As their instructions from their Master bear Thus for respect to him who these did frame Which as so many Heralds do proclaim His Glory far and wide at all occasions I 'de honour them with pious Contemplations As Servants of that Heavenly Majesty Under whose feet all things created ly And by the splendor of such things as these I would the glory of their Maker guess As Artists by Proportions Rules will show The Bodies bulk by measure of the Toe But all my life-time I would ne're allow To any of 'em that honour which is due To God alone though such Idolatry Were not by Law repute Grand Fellony Hence in this God alone I put my trust And 'cause he was impartially just When any one did me an injury To him alone I would my self apply I never was vindictive never knew That humour which is but unknown to few That prompts men to revenge I 'de never strive T' encroach upon his high Prerogative To whom alone Revenge doth appertain But would shut up in patience remain Until that God did think it proper time For him to punish and revenge the Crime Yea though my cruel Enemies God knows Would every day when from their Bed they rose Bitterlie curse me and my Family Instead of Morning Prayer yet would not I Though these did hate me as I hate the Devil To their unguarded souls wish any evil Nay though my followers when they would perceive How much I was injur'd would trulie grieve To see my usage and at all occasions Would own my Quarrel with dire imprecations And often wish it were to them allow'd To take revenge angrie they were withstood By my commands and often would repeat Would we had of those Villains flesh to eat Who have injur'd our Master we would make Those Slaves a bloody Victim for his sake Yet would I ne're consent I 'de ne're agree That ever man should take revenge for me But on the contrair I would pardon those Who wrong'd me were they even my greatest Foes I never on revenge would meditate Nor thought my self oblig'd at any rate To quarrel those who did me injuries Which rather then resent I would despise But O I took delight in Charity By taking always opportunity T' assist all Persons whom I knew to be In want as oft as they apply'd to me The wearied Traveller whose lean Purse did shrink Below the credit of a cup of Drink Whose Visage and Apparel look'd so thin He was a very Bug-bear to an Inn All destitute or'edaub'd with Dust and Sweat Readie to take up lodgings in the Street Into my House I 'de always kindlie take And entertain him for his Makers sake Now though those Virtues did possess my breast And I all sinful courses did detest Yet if at any time I 'de chance to fail And some strong sin against me did prevail Then would I not my Conscience abuse By framing of some pitiful excuse As once poor Adam did t' extenuate The error which he could not pailiate No no such stale devices I abhor'd And therefore when I fail'd I 'de
visitations For certainly if thou wilt call to mind Thy by past life I doubt not but thou'lt find Th' hast had some warnings were 't but in a dream Of thy afflictions long before they came Yes in a dream for often-times I know God is accustom'd seriously to show To men what often they conceal for shame Their future state i' th' mirrour of a dream For when the active soul outwearied With toile o' th' day at night is brought to bed Of a sound sleep then it begins to fly Then liberat from the bodies drudgery It soares aloft and in another sphere Begins to act nay then it doth appear To be what we cannot imagine here For being then as fit for contemplation Almost as 't will be after separation By vision intuitive it sees The state of things to come and by degrees Becomes so subtile and doth at that rate In contemplation then expatiate With such delight as if it did not mean By natural Organs e're to act again But when some hours it has thus wandered And in that time God has discovered What for its profit he intends at large Then he commands it to its former charge Have you not sometimes seen a General His Officers to his Pavilion call Whilst all the Army do securely sleep Save a few Companies who Guard do keep And there inform them what he would ha' done Give every one his Orders and anon Command each to his Post so let 's suppose When in profoundest sleep the eyes are close The Body one would think o're-come by death Were 't not that only it did softly breath Th' Almighty then is pleas'd as 't were to call The soul unto him and inform it all What he intends to do with it and then Commands it to the sleeping Corps again Whether when come the sad Noctambulant In a cold sweat with fear and rambling faint Rouzes the Body from its sleep and then Shows its instructions and begins t' explain What it has seen and heard and plainly shows What Miseries Calamities and Woes They may expect God will to them dispense If not prevented by true penitence Then as if God himself to them did speak When on these admonitions they reflect With fear and horrour they begin to quake For they consider that his sole intent By these night-warnings is but to prevent Their total fall and by such signs as these Divert them from those foolish purposes Which in their hearts they proudly do intend To prosecute did he not kindly send Such seasonable messages to show What will be th' event if they forward go In such mad projects and by consequence Make them to understand the difference 'Twixt humane power and his Omnipotence By Dreams and Visions then he doth allarme Th' unwary race of man and from all harm Preserve both soul and body which alace Would fall into the dreadful ambushes Of th' enemy o' th' world wer 't not that he Who fram'd both soul and body thus did free Them both from danger and did constantly Mind their concerns with a Paternal eye For else the murdered body soon would drop Into the grave the soul without all hope Of pardon in that deep abyss would fall Which God in justice has design'd for all Whom he doth hate and dolefully in Chains Compare short pleasures with eternal pains Thus then we see how much we should esteem The ordinar Phaenomenon of a dream And not contemn it because usual As if a common accident to all Occurring in their sleep ane aâ—ry thing Of which the wiser make no reckoning For sure those dreams and visions contain The mind of God and are not shown in vain Next as by dreams so by diseases too The Spirit of God is pleased to allow Kind warnings to us for if understood All sicknesses of body for our good Are sent upon us so that did we know What kindness by diseases God doth show To our poor souls we never would complain But think our selves most happy in our pain For let 's observe now don't we daily see How man in health from all diseases free Consumes his precious years so wantonly As if he never did expect to die He so imploys his time in sinful pleasure As for devotion he can find no leasure But when diseases on his body seize And conquering death approaches by degrees When th' lungs all overflow'n with constant rain Of Pituite that falls down from the Brain Afford scarce room for breathing when the Blood Is in its Circulation withstood By stagnant humours when the Bones do ake And all the Pillars of the Body shake When for his food he has no appetite And in his Table he takes no delite But every dainty Dish doth nauseate On which with pleasure he did feed of late VVhen all his flesh in health so plump and fair Now rotten and consum'd doth not appear As formerly but shrunk quite to the bone The bones which were not seen before anon Stick out i'th'figure of a Skeleton When in this sad condition on his bed Helyes and sees that all his hopes are fled And he must die when all he can perceive Is nothing but the avenue o'th'grave And with himself he now considereth There 's no avoiding of a certain death Then he begins with horrour to reflect Upon his by past actions and take Account of all his wandrings then he falls On thoughts of Heaven and for Preachers calls For pious men who in this sad occasion May by their words afford him consolation And teach him how he may attain salvation Then all his former wayes he doth abhorre Complains on sin and can endure no more To hear the voice of pleasure in his ears But buried now in sorrows pains and fears His only thought his sole consideration Is what shall become after separation Of his poor soul how that in death shall fare For which in life he took so little care And if perhaps which is rare to be found A man of God appear who can expound The matter to him and before his eyes Draw out the Map of his iniquities Speak to his soul and to his anxious heart The gracious language of the Heavens impart Then will this good man to his God address And say have pity on this sinners case Father of mercy for I 'me confident He of his sins doth seriously repent Restore him to his health and let him see How much O Lord he is oblig'd to thee Who when thou couldst have ruin'd him with ease And made him perish in this sad disease Art pleas'd to let him live that he may yet Express thy glory in his mortal state To this petition God shall lovingly Make answer well this sinner sholl not dye For I have found him in this exigent Vext at his sins and truly penitent Then let him live for I his heart have try'd And for his errors he hath satisfy'd I 'me reconcil'd and freely to him give Full liberty
yet for some years to live At this his sicknesse shall decrease apace His spirits shall return and in his face The blossoms of new life shall then appear As when the Spring doth usher in the year His flesh shall be as soft and delicate As it appear'd once in his infant state But that 's not all for as to health restor'd So God to him most kindly shall afford That sweet communion with himself which all Esteem so much who on his Name do call And that bless'd comfort which afflictions cloud So long time from this poor mans soul did shrowd Shall then more bright appear and shine again As when the Sun triumphant after rain Unto the longing Earth himself displays And chears her up with warm refreshing rays Then he shall be above all calumny And shall rejoice in his integrity Shall pray to God with successe and no more Sadly suspect as he had done before That he who dwells in Heaven did disdain So much as t' hear him when he did complain And all his tears and prayers were in vain For our good God in mercy infinite Be sure my friend doth take no small delite To save a sinner that is penitent When he perceives him heartily repent For often upon men he casts his eye Where if he in a corner doth espy Some poor heart-bursting sinner on his knees Whose outrun eyes are now upon the lees Whose voice with crying to that note is shrunk As if he mutter'd through a hollow Trunk Who after many a sad and killing groan Whose heat would almost melt a heart of stone In a few words can only stammer out Lord I have sinn'd and now what doth it boot What doth it boot good Lord what after all My trade of sin can I my profit call Ay me good God to what by just account Doth th' provenue of all my sins amount What have I gain'd alace what have I gain'd To what have I by my dear sins attain'd How foolishly good Lord as now appears Have I consum'd my profitable years And spent the cream of all my youth and strength In prosecution of what now at length Affords no profit to my soul but brings The thoughts of sad and execrable things Into my mind which though I do deplore And by thy grace intend to act no more Yet the remembrance of my wanton years Present a prospect of perpetual fears Before my eyes and I still apprehend That I shall justly suffer in the end For all my sins unless that thou in Grace Wilt hear me and have pity on my Case This poor convinced sinner God will hear And to him soon most gracious appear He will not let him perish but will save His soul from Hell his body from the Grave Thus then by Dreams by Visions and Diseases And by his Preachers whensoere he pleases He warns us of our danger and commands His killing Angels oft to hold their hands For a few years at least that he may see What the effects will of these Warnings be For in mens ruine he no pleasure takes But even suspends his Justice for their sakes That they may have some leasure to repent And not be reeking in Offences sent Like Devils t' endure eternal punishment But of their foolish Errors undeceiv'd Spite of themselves they may at length be sav'd Then pray my friend remark what I have said And to what I have yet to say take heed Observe me pray and to my words give ear For it is fit thou with attention hear What God has by Commission ordered me To speak dear friend in reference to thee Yet if th' hast any thing to say my friend In thy defence I 'le not be so unkind As to command thee silence but allow Thee liberty to speak and argue too Against what I have said for my intent I' th' series of my present Argument Is if I can to prove thee Innocent If not pray hold thy peace be silent pray And with attentive mind mark what I say Mark what I say for by his Divine Grace Who ordered me to speak upon this Case I 'le teach thee Wisdom more then ever yet Thou understood'st although thou wert of late Renown'd for Wit and Literature at least In Reputation rank'd amongst the best Of those sharp Wits who live here in the East Cap. XXXIV AFter some pause as if he did expect An answer seeing Job no answer make To what he said he thus continued To speak and argue on the common Head And now says he you see how I am sent By warrand from my God to represent His judgment of the Question in hand And therefore I must let you understand As I 'me commanded with Authority Where you 've done right and where your Errors ly Shall then request you of my audience Whom I esteem men of great eminence For wit and parts to hear with patience What I am now to speak For I am not to speak before a Rabble O' th' Vulgar but before those who are able To judge of my Discourse before such men As on this Subject can themselves explain Better then I and handle with more wit The Question if their Passion would permit Let 's then impartially consider now Without all heat what 't is we have to do With moderation let 's the Question state And understand on what we 're to debate For I am not ambitious in the least Nor do I entertain within my breast Such a proud thought as that I may be said T' have had the better of you no indeed I 'me none of those that argue for applause Or love to preach for reputations cause Or in discoursing make it all my care To angle Ears and become Popular By flourishes of studied Eloquence Or gain the name of learn'd with great expence Of painted Language as too many now Of my Profession are in use to do No no my friends I hate such practices And only shall in a few passages Without all Art a short Relation make Of what my God has ord'red me to speak To come to th' point then as I 've formerly Show'n how th' Almighty by his Ministry By Dreams Diseases Visions and such means Is in his Mercy pleas'd to take much pains To show the sons of Men what he intends Before upon them he Afflictions sends That by the prospect of their Punishment He may perswade them timely to repent Especially when thus before their eyes He lays the scene of their Calamities By which you see he deals not by surprize With any man from whence I do maintain That he who of his Judgments doth complain As if such Woes without prediction were Pour'd out upon him doth extreamly err So in the next place I intend to show That when our God is pleas'd to inflict a blow On anie man I think in conscience Th' afflicted man should with great patience Endure it as a thing which suddainlie Has
the power of this great Prince express Who can his glory even but faintly guess He who doth Kings and Emperours create As he thinks fit and orders every state Below the Heavens as he thinks pertinent Whether for blessing or for punishment Who can describe him For if at any time he doth intend To plague a Nation thither he doth send Some sullen Tyrant fraught with Cruelty Pride Anger Avarice and Impiety And where he means a blessing to a State Thither as quickly he doth delegate Some sober prudent Prince of generous Parts A friend to peace a favourer of Arts Where either in their stations do move As they receive directions from above Sure then as he 's undoubted Lord of all This spacious World so he 's impartial In all his ways he no man will despise 'Cause poor for rich and poor are in his eyes Both the same thing their riches and their crimes He doth reward and punish at all times As either of 'em in their Orbs do rise Without distinction of their qualities For all those powerful Princes who to day Appear in Robes most gloriously gay Who with their present state so proudly swell They laugh at the Romance of Heaven and Hell To morrow you may see them poorly ly Like other parcels of Mortality Incorporat with Dust for all must dy When God commands all must resign their breath Without exception all must stoop to Death Nay greatest men are often suddainly Conveyed hence i'th'twinkling of an eye By poyson Dagger or the blows of War To which great Monarchs most obnoxious are They 're snatch't out of the world and in their fall Bring on their Subjects sometimes national And fiery judgements whilst Competitors For their Succession muster all the force They can to make their several titles good And all the People are involv'd in blood By their ambition that the world may see There is no Monarch absolutely free But him who is above all Monarchy By whom all Earthly Monarchs live and dy Why since it is so then since Majesty Only belongs to him who sits on high Which on the Rock of Justice firm and sure Establish'd to all ages doth endure Should any breathing thing compos'd of dust Dare but to think that God can be unjust Besides my friend I 'de have thee understand That as this Monarch by his mighty hand All that we see has fram'd and ' stablished And governs by the same what he has made Above all powers so his all-piercing eye Views all our thoughts and actions carefully For trust me at he is Omnipotent So without doubt he is Omniscient He all things sees his all-discerning eye Looks through the bowels of obscurity Not earths dark Caverns where perpetual night Doth cover all can cover from his sight The works of darkness or i'th'least conceal Those villanies which he means to reveal No let a sinner run from Pole to Pole From East to West not any lurking hole Will the poor Creature find where he may lye Safely conceal'd from that all-searching eye How then should any foolish man suppose That he who all things sees and all things knows Can be unjust or that he should direct Wilfully or by error and mistake That to be done in any mortals case Which is unjust No sure for as he each mans sins doth know Though wrapp'd up in the clossest thoughts even so He knows his strength he knows what he can bear And thence my friend no living man should fear That what sad woes his Maker has decreed He should endure will e're his strength exceed Since then our God is just and equitable In all his wayes it is not tolerable To hear a man complain as thou hast done Of him that can do injury to none Nay further though 't were lawful to complain Yet all our exclamations are in vain For he whose power is full and absolute Over all mankind may without dispute Do what he lists for don 't we daily see How even the greatest Monarchs are not free From their afflictions how the mighty men VVho think their grandeur can his wrath sustain Are broke to pieces in their hight and laid As low as these who were of them afraid Without all help by his own strength alone He pulls the greatest of ' em from his Throne And with the same breath ere the wretch be dead Sets up another Pageant in his stead For all their actings he doth carefully Observe and laughs at all their policy Their Cabin-Councils are to him reveal'd Although by them industriously conceal'd Yes he knows all and though he doth permit These for a while to do what they think fit Yet when he thinks it time to punish them He takes them down with much disgrace and shame All their designs he doth annihilate And cancells their memorials of State He sweeps them off the world like dust and makes Their Subjects feel great judgements for their sakes Nay he doth strike them openly that all May learn and take example by their fall What 't is for men t' abuse that power which he Entrusts them with and so may plainly see That all upon that mighty God depend Whose absolute dominion knows no end Because his just commands they did despise And did forget they were his Deputies Nor did remember of his kindnesses Show'n to them in the days of their distress Nor how he had appear'd in their defence And mercifully by his providence Had sav'd them from the plots and treacheries Oftner then once of their great enemies Nor thank'd him for his kindnesses renew'd But stead of that with great ingratitude Proudly rejected his authority And mean't to rule by their own Majesty For stead of ruling faithfully and well They to oppressing of their Subjects fell Whose cryes did mount to Heav'ns when they complain'd And audience quickly from that King obtain'd Who rules all Kings below and doth redress All the afflictions and just grievances Of those that are oppress'd hence by and by He makes those Kings as low as they were high In view of all he doth those men debase And sets up others quickly in their place For what he doth intend who can withstand Who can resist his high and mighty hand Who can obstruct his progress tell me who Can hinder what be has a mind to do Whether on single men his wrath doth fall Or that he means a Judgement National For if to any he gives quientness What fury can distrub that peoples peace Of if he means to punish them with war Who can resist him who are they that dare Oppose their breasts to th' torrent of his rage Or with the Armies of his wrath engage When he intends to pull a Tyrant down And in his anger reassume that Crown Which he did lend him lest his people may By his example learn to disobey Their Supream Monarch and be cunningly Enamoured with his Apostacy What counsel what device what power below
What leagues what armies can prevent the blow And now my friend by all that I have said I have no other aim but to perswade Both thee and these who hear me to forbear Such language as I am asham'd to hear On this occasion and in stead of crys Complaints rash questions and apologys To use another method and expresse Thy self in terms more moderat then these Which I have heard For thus I think indeed At such a time as this thou shouldst proceed In thy expressions and no otherwise If thou 'lt be pleas'd to follow my advice Lord I have sinn'd and given provocation For which I have sustain'd thy indignation Pardon me Lord and teach me to abhore My former ways that I may sin no more If all this while Lord I have not perceiv'd My errors but have foolishly believ'd That I was free of sin Lord teach thou me And now at length be pleas'd to let me see In what good Lord I have offended thee And I 'll do so no more Now choose thee then my friend such things are so Whether thou 'lt follow my advice or no For pray consider seriously my friend Is 't fit that God according to thy mind Should now dispose of thee or rather do What he thinks proper which of these thinks't thou Doth most agree with him who certainly Knows better what is fit then thou or I For any man t' endure he does indeed And will in his own methods still proceed Whether thou wilt or no go to then speak See what defence thou for thy self canst make If thou 'lt not follow my advice speak on And I shall hold my tongue while thou hast done Speak out thy mind but pray remember now It is with God not me thou hast to doe For if thou in the least canst make appear That I have err'd henceforth I shall forbear To speak upon the subject but give o're All my discoursing here and speak no more But only this my friend I 'll boldly say That men of understanding who to day Have heard me speak will fully testify That what I 've said is naked verity And that what thou hast spoke since thou began T' open thy cafe is much below a man Of underctanding and doth savour so Of one that his Creator doth not know That I 'm afraid they 'll think what thou hast said In thy defence rather appears to add To thy offence and so will find the Bill Against thee say or argue what thou will But after all my friends I think it yet Proper to speak on this mans present state Because I think he 's not yet humbled so As I would have him I 'de therefore wish his tryal might endure Yet for some longer time until his cure Were perfect and I might perceive my friend Converted from his Errors in the end For by what yet I in his carriage see Without dissembling truth I must be free To tell you all that I perceive no less Then that his sins do with his pains increase So that if I my speaking should give o're And to his passion make an open door I fear he will miscarry as before ' Has done in his Discourse I 'le therefore speak And to himself my speech I will direct Cap. XXXV UPon the Question in hand intent Thus then he prosecutes his Argument Dost think says he my friend thou' rt in the right Or rather dost not sin against thy light When in thy raving thou art pleas'd to express Thy thoughts so much of thy own Righteousness As if thou'd seem to argue all along That God both just and good had done thee wrong For thou hast said 't is very strange to see That God has no regard to such as thee Who hast observ'd his will and piously Demean'd thy self even from thy Infancy And therefore think'st Piety is a thing Of no advantage not worth studying But to be guilty or be innocent Are in themselves but things indifferent Well I shall answer quickly all these questions And easily refute those mean suggestions Of a disordered spirit and assert 'Gainst thee and all those Fools who take thy part That thus for one though just and innocent Upon whom God has sent a punishment To argue that it is a vanity For any man to study Piety As thou hast done since God alike regards The just and unjust and so ill rewards His faithful Servants as thy case doth show That therefore to be guilty yea or no Is all one thing since Judgements thus are sent Both on the guilty and the innocent Is no less error than if one should say As many do come let us pass away Our time in sin and not so foolishly Study the useless art of Piety As this good man has done and after all Like him in saddest of afflictions fall Are these thy thoughts then has afflictions force Driven thy Spirit to such weak Discourse Have sorrows so distracted thee my friend That in such terms thou shouldst express thy mind Why if thou be with grief so overcome 'T were good in my opinion thou wert dumb That whatso'er thou thinkest might at least Be keep 't within the kennel of thy breast And not break out in such rude eloquence As to all pious ears doth give offence For if thou wouldst but for a moment check The fury of thy passion and direct Thy eyes to Heaven then wouldst thou plainly see The difference betwixt thy God and thee Then wouldst thou see how high and excellent Besides what all on earth do represent That Mighty God whom we both love and fear Above all things created doth appear For but observe the clouds see how they fly Hither and thither through the spacious sky And often do themselves conglomerate In a thick body which to dissipate The Sun attempts in vain For with a dark line of Circumvallation They so surround us that with Consternation We 're oftentimes for many days together Lock'd up in Prison of bad soultry weather Whilst all the while the Sun his Chamber keeps But now and then that through the chinks he peeps For at Noon-tide he dares no more appear Than one at Change-time who a Writ doth fear Yet after all themselves they rarifie Into a pleasant calm serenitie Who is 't do'st think that makes these Vapours march In so good order through the spacious arch That makes these clouds condense and then dilate Sure this no humane art can operate What need I tell thee 't is our God alone Who on these clouds doth sometimes place his Throne That Monarch who eternally doth live To question whose Supream Prerogative Is a great madness without all debate In any thing that e're he did create Since then he is so high and we so low As hardly we by Contemplation know What these things are which o're our heads do fly And make such preety figures in the sky Since all the Wit that God has to us
Death be a thing I must confess Which we ought all to meet with cheerfulness And every man who doth th' Almighty fear Should surely at all times himself prepare To welcome Death yet thus before the time Design'd by God to wish it is is a crime And is as if one in a raging fit Should head-long throw himself into a Pit We must not wish for death nor foolishly When winds of troubles blow desire to dye No we must leave the rules of life and death To God alone and whilst he gives us breath We ought to live content with every state Which he is pleas'd for us to allocate From time to time and when he thinks it fit That we should die why let us then submit All our concerns with patience to the blow And not down to the grave in anger go As if wee 'd die whether he would or no. Take heed then pray lest through impatience Of thy afflictions thou give God offence For men should rather choose to undergo Even the extremity of pain and wo Then by complaining in some sullen fit As thou alace hast often done commit The least of sin Nay if thou dost expect That such complaints as these at length may break The stream of thy afflictions and so Thou through the River of thy woes may'st go With ease and safety and be thence reliev'd From misery trust me thou art deceiv'd For as young Children vex't with their disease Of Itch by scratching think to find some ease But after they have scratch'd their skin to pieces In stead of finding ease their pain encreases So thou my friend by such complaints as these May'st well augment the force of thy disease But thou canst not allay it trust me then 'T is a great folly for thee to complain For what 's complaining else but quarrelling Of Gods procedure What but murmuring Against his justice What but ignorance Of what God is and foolish arrogance Which thence proceeds allow me then again Allow me pray a little to explain The Power Dominion Wisdom Majesty And Equity of him who sits on high All which I do intend to evidence Even from the common works of Providence That I may show thee all thy weaknesses For hadst thou understood such things as these Which are so obvious and at all occasions Afford us subject of high Contemplations Under thy Tryal thou hadst not behav'd So sinfully th' hadst not so madly rav'd In thy expressions nor with so much spleen Quarrell'd thy Maker over and again Know then my friend whatever be our state We must not quarrel God at any rate Or if we do we 'll find our labour vain And we had better suffer then complain For as he is himself exalted far Above all Powers that e're created were So whom he pleases he doth quickly raise And others he as quickly doth debase As he thinks fit in all which he 's so wise As he from none on Earth doth need advice And as his Supream Power doth not allow That any man should teach him what to do So we to what he does should all submit For he will do whatever he thinks fit Remember then he is thy God and know How much the whole Creation doth show His Power and Glory for by what we see In all his works we know that none but he Doth rule the World and by computation Of what we do admire in the Creation We may attempt to take his elevation For even from these common Phoenomena Some little Maps we may with safety draw Of the vast Region of his Providence And through the very Microscope of sense Perceive so much as we may learn from thence How great he is Yet after all the best of us I doubt Cannot with all his curious Wit find out His true Perfection which no Mortal sure Can further see then in the Miniature Of his external works for he is great Beyond what all our Art can calculate He govern'd all before what now we see Appear'd to us 't was God 't was only he That rul'd all before Infant Time did fly Out of the belly of Eternity To which though we on Earth would fain restrain Its rapide flight it hastes with speed again Before it in the World set up a Shop And sold that necessary Toy call'd Hope Which every day we buy at any rate The Pedling Churle is pleas'd to estimate Before this Time appear'd e're it was known He ordered all things from his heavenly Throne And will so do when Time is broke and gone Let none attempt then by Philosophy T'unriddle this great divine mystery Of Providence but rest content with what May with their reason be proportionat For even the knowledge of those common things Which we by art can fathom surely brings No little satisfaction to our mind For as in Copper Ore we sometimes find Some grains of Gold ly hidden in the Vein So without doubt Gods outward works contain Some scattered grains of his Excellency Perceptible by a just serious eye Though after all the knowledge we attain By all these outward signs do not explain What God is fully no that is indeed A knowledge which doth all our art exceed For God's a thing incomprehensible Infinit boundless and invisible And by no rules of art definible Then let us view the Heavens and see what there Doth worth our admiration appear And first we may discern with little pain Even in that small phenomenon of rain No small appearance no small demonstration O' th God of Natures powerful operation In ord'ring on 't for he commands the Sun As in his dayly progress he doth run About the Earth to suck up here and there What vapours moist and unctuous do appear Upon its surface which he gathereth In several Clouds and these distributeth In all the quarters of the spacious Air Whilst out o' th' vapours he doth rain prepare That finish'd and those clouds all mustered Before him ready if so ordered With their whole force upon the Earth to fall And in a general Deluge drown us all As once they did loos'd by his mighty hand And would do yet if he should so command He kindly doth their violence restrain And makes them only squirt themselves in rain So that as through a Seive in little drops Those waters now do fall and feed the hopes O' th' Labourer when he perceives his Grain Spread out its ears by th' influence of rain And every drop which on the Earth doth fall In its due season prove spermatical But O what art what language can declare The motions of these Clouds whilst here and there In troops they ramble and to us appear T' observe no order but so scattering Themselves as if they went a forraging Through all the spacious Sky would make us stand Amaz'd if so we did not understand Th' Almighty is their Captain General That he commands in chief and gives out all The orders for these
to give a reason why he now Doth punish thee truth that I dare not do No no for to be free with thee my friend There 's no man here dares so expresse his mind As thou hast done at least I 'me not the man Dares undertake this for I neither can Nor dare by publick Program intimate That I am with my Maker to debate For if I did I might expect a stroak From him whom by so doing I 'd provoke To wrath against me and for my offence That I by death should soon be hurried hence But what needs further let us cast our eyes But at this instant up into the Skyes Let us observe but how the troubled Air All overspread with Clouds doth now appear Who by their throng Eclipse the Heavens light And keep the glorious Sun out of our sight See how those Clouds from every quarter march In several bodies through the spacious Arch In dreadful squadrons strong and numerous All hastning to the general Rendâ—vous T' attend the King of Heavens who as I guesse By such great preparations as these Intends himself in person to appear Heark how these Clouds do ramble dos't not hear A noise of Thunder dost not now espy The Van-guard of his lightnings nimbly fly In rambling parties through the darkned Air Yes sure our God himself will now appear For as by dust afar we quickly know Th'approach of mighty armies even so By such prognosticks we may understand The Lord of Hosts is now himself at hand Unlesse the winds do clear that troubled state And all those foggy vapours dissipate For if the Northern winds should blow apace 'T would scatter soon those sad appearances And by its cold and cleansing blasts restore Th' Air to the same state as it was before But still I think th' Almighty God draws nigh Th' Almighty terrible in Majesty And that these great though usual preparations Are but so many signs and demonstrations Of his approach Here then he comes he comes With such a noise as millions of Drums Trumpets and Symbals cannot parrallel Th' Almighty God who doth in power excel All that we can imagine now draws near And he himself in judgement will appear That after all this tedious debate Mannag'd on all hands with such zealous heat The supream Judge o' th' world may decide The controversie and show either side Where they have been i'th'right where in the wrong And let thee see my friend how all along Upon the matter thou hast err'd and now What thou so oft desir'd he will allow He 'll hear thee now himself he 'll challenge thee Now to debate and thou shalt quickly see What 't is before th' Almighty God to plead Yes now thou shalt perceive thou shalt indeed What 't is to speak with him remember now 'T is not with us thy friends thou hast to do But 't is with God that will not be abus'd By such wild reasoning as thou hast us'd With us no don't mistake thou hast to do With no less then the Judge of Judges now With thy Creator one whom mortal Men Cannot esteem too much prepare thee then To hear him be attentive when he speaks For hear how in the Thunder he directs His speech to thee I therefore shall forbear Further to speak since he doth now appear But what he speaks shall with attention hear PART V. Cap. XXXVIII THE Storm increasing and the Clouds appearing Still to augment the Darkness stead of clearing The Thunder roaring and the Lightning flying Before the face of God so terrifying As both th' afflicted man his friends and those Who then were present firmly did suppose This threatning Storm would suddenly renverse The goodly Fabrick of the Universe At least they fancied those distracted Clouds Would shake out quickly most prodigious Flouds On th' Earth and by a Deluge general As once before again o'rewhelm them all In these sad apprehensions damp'd with fear At length out of the Whirlwind they could hear After the ceasing of that dreadful noise A soft but most intelligible Voice A Voice so audible a Voice so free A Voice which all could hear but none could see The mighty Speaker And now both Plaintiffs and Defendant too Undone with horrour could with much ado Retain their spirits when they see indeed That God himself to Justice would proceed Himself in Person and determine what Had been th' occasion of so much debate Whilst none of 'em would yield t' each other none Would be determin'd but by God alone He therefore to make all their jarrings cease Doth thus at length give judgment on the Case Who 's he says God presumes thus to debate On what I 've ordred who is â—e dares state Himself my Party who 's the man who 's he That offers to debate the Case with me Who who 's the man that with such insolence Dares canvass thus my acts of Providence Who 's he to whom I 've given life and breath Dares utter such rebellious words of Death Show me the man you Slaves amongst you all That dares what I design in question call Because forsooth in kindness I 've bestow'd A little Reason on you you grow proud Why could not I you Things profusely vain At first have made you Beasts as well as Men Nay cannot I reduce you all again To your first Principles and let you see All your Subsistence doth depend on me Why then Should such as I from nothing did create Presume to be my Secretars of State Should such as you whom I 've distinguished From other Creatures offer to implead That Power which made you such or when you meet In your wise Consults offer to debate On my Proceedings should such Wasps as you Dare but repine at any thing I do Should such as only by my favour live Presume to quarrel my Prerogative Can any humane Reason comprehend What I have done or what I do intend No know all of you I 'me your God and King No more then of your foolish reasoning Now as for thee thou Job whom I did raise And let thee see a deal of golden Days Who of all earthly blessings mad'st collection And liv'd most happy under my protection Enjoying all thou couldst project yet now Thou ungrate man thou must be prating too Thou must be medling with my Providence And asking Questions with great impudence Why I permit this or that man to live At their convenience and all blessings give To such as do not merit at my hand Whilst others at my doors unserved stand Whose Piety did merit better things And so proceeds in foolish murmurings Against my Actings nay thou dost proceed To greater hights and dost desire to plead Thy Case with me and that so freely too As one man with another man would do I 've heard thee all this while with patience Make formal Harrangues on thy innocence I 've heard thee speak and argue all along Against me as if I had done thee
The killing wrath of this familiar Beast Yet though by day he on the Hills doth feed When night approaches he doth make his bed In warmer places and delights to ly Under the sweet and spacious Canopy Of some small branching Oak where this tall Beast As in a Pallace doth securely rest Or under covert of Bull-rushes Reeds Low-spreading Willows or thick bushy Weeds That flourish about Fenns and Marishes And there he lays him down and sleeps with ease Under the shadow of the Trees he lyes Couching upon his Belly with his Thighs And Legs laid under him and doth not lean Upon the Trunk o' th' Tree as some do faign 'Cause wanting Joynts he could not rise again Should he ly down no but as other Beasts For all his bulk he feeds he moves he rests When to the River he for drink draws nigh Like other Beasts he drinks not hastily As if the Huntsman with his Hounds were by Nor stands he on the Bank but boldly wades Into the Channel and securely treads The ouzy Bottom whilst his bulk doth seem To stop the very current of the stream For ere he drink he plunges for some time And with his feet doth raise and mix the slime O' th bottome with the current till it be So thick and muddy as he cannot see His feet below him for he doth not care To drink the water when 't is pure and clear As other beasts are us'd to do but when He has thus troubled all about him then He drinks securely at his ease and leasure Void of all fear with great delight and pleasure Yes Tuns of Water to appease his drouth He by his Trunk doth pump into his mouth Nay should he chance by Jordans streams to graze He 'd drain that River in not many days For in his thirst he greedily doth seem As at one draught hee 'd swallow up the stream And then he drinks too with such eagerness As though both Reeds and Bushes he doth press For water and what else doth him oppose He bores it through with his prodigious nose Now this same creature though he doth excell In strength both thee and all on earth that dwell Yet owes he all this strength to me alone Who gave it to him and will stoop to none But me for while he has my liberty He lives when I recall it instantly For all his strength he must ly down and dy Cap. XLI THus having shown thee how I do command All things that have their beeing on the land Now I 'le inform thee of my pow'r at Sea And show thee what vast Creatures too there be Within that District which though they appear To thee and others to be Soveraign there And by their bulks to those who Plow the Seas Would something like unlimit power express Yet they are but my Vassals and are even Subject to th' Admirality of Heaven As well as all the smallest Fishes are That swiming in the Ocean appear To give you then for all one notable And famous instance as most suitable To my intent I 'd have thee seriously Observe but with a meditating eye The Princely Leviathan such a creature As shall hereafter furnish no small matter Of dispute in your solemn Homilies What this same Leviathan signifies But whatsoe're it be it is a thing Of such a force beyond all reasoning As all the force of man cannot subdue And where it swimes is yet but known to few Canst draw this Leviathan then with ease By simple hook or line out of the Seas Like other Fishes hale him on the Land By force of rops and kill him on the sand Canst thou with angle catch this Fish canst thou When catch'd as men with lesser Fishes do String him upon a hook a thorn or cleck And bear him lightly home upon thy back Dost think if thou should catch him that he 'll cry To thee for quarter and degeneratly Offer to be thy slave as th' Elephant And all the other beasts will covenant To save their lives or will he offer thee As others do a ransom to be free Dost think he 'll supplicat and speak thee fair That thou forsooth in pity shouldst him spare And not with Hatchet cut him down to pieces And of his bulk make havock as thou pleases Canst tame him so by art as thou canst make Thy boys in playing with him pleasure take As they with other beasts are used to do And birds of several species canst thou As with a pretty linnet with him dandle And make him gentle for thy girles to handle Upon him shalt thou and thy partners feast And of his fat and oily bulk make waste Gobbets of him to friends as tokens send And to each merchant give his dividend Dar'st thou with barbed Irons boldly fall Upon this Fish as men do on a Whale And when his body is stuck full of these Let him at ropes-end tumble in the Seas Till overcome with pain he forcibly Doth rush his belly on the shore and dy Do lay thy hands upon him then thou 'lt see By sad experience he is not to be So tamely catch'd thou'lt see what he can do What cunning art he will practise and how To save his life he 'll all his force assemble And make the very stoutest of you tremble Then as thou wouldst desire to live forbear T' assault this war-like thing with hook or spear That man who thinks to catch him is not wise For he can kill one with his very eyes Since then there 's none of you who dares attacque This mortal creature which my hands did make Since no man dares contend with him who 's he That lives on Earth and dares contend with me Who 's he amongst you all that dares contend With me who 's he of you that dares pretend By any merit t' have oblig'd me so That I should to him any kindness show Fools that you are doth even the best of you By all your tears good works and fastings too Or any thing that man on Earth can doe Suppose you can of Heaven a purchase make Or of your God in gratitude expect Not as a favour but as a reward What I have from Eternity prepar'd For such of you as I intend to blesse After this life with so much happinesse A happinesse to which no man can claim And those are fools that confidently dream They by their art of living can attain What all without my aid attempt in vain Nor am I oblig'd in this Earth to show Kindnesse to any of you or bestow A foot of ground upon the best of you For any good you by your selves can do No all you do possesse all you design Your property on Earth is simply mine And what you think your own inheritance Is only yours by my pure tollerance I do to this man a large portion give To th' other hardly whereupon to live I do allow from this man
just man one that feareth God and escheweth evil 9. Then Satan answered the Lord and said doth Iob serve God for nought 10. Hast thou not made anâ— hedge about him and about his house and about all that he hath on every side thou hast blessed the works of his hands and his substance is increased in the land 11. But stretch now out thine hand and touch all that he hath and see if he will not blaspheme thee to thy face 12. Then said the Lord unto Satan loe all that he hath is in thine hand only upon himself shalt thou not stretch out thy hand so Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. 13. And on a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brothers house 14. Then came a messenger unto Iob and said the oxen were plowing and the asses feeding in their places 15. And the Sabeans came violently and took them yea they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword but I only am escaped alone to tell thee 16. And whilst he was yet speaking another came and said the fire of God is fallen from heaven and hath burn't up the sheep and the servants and devoured them and I only am escaped to tell thee 17. And whilst he was yet speaking another came and said the Chaldeans set out three bands and fell upon the camels and have taken them and have slain the servants with the edge of the sword but I only am escaped to tell thee 18. And whilst he was yet speaking came another and said thy sons and thy daughters were eating drinking wine in their eldest brothers house 19. Behold there came a great whirlewind from beyond the wilderness and smote the four corners of the house which fell upon the children and they are dead and I only am escaped to tell thee 20. Then Iob arose and rent his garment and shav'd his head fell down upon the ground and worshipped 21. And said naked came I out of my mothers womb naked shall I return thither the Lord hath given the Lord hath taken blessed be the name of the Lord. â—2 In all this did not Iob sin nor charge God feolishly 1. And on a day the children of God came and stood before the Lord Satan came also among them stood before the Lord. 2. Then saidthe Lord unto Satan whence comest thou and Satan answered from compassing the earth to and fro and from walking in it 3. And the Lord said unto Satan hast not considered my servant Iob how none is like him in the earth an upright and just man one that feareth God and escheweth evil for he yet continueth in his uprightness although thou movedst me against him to destroy him without cause 4. And Satan answered the Lord and said skin for skin all that a man has he will give for his life 5. But stretch now out thine hand and touch his bones and his flesh to see if he will not blaspheme thee to thy face 6. Then the Lord said unto Satan he is in thy hand but save his life 7. So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord and smote Iob with fore boyls from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot 8. And Iob took a potsherd to scrape him and he sat down among the ashes 9. Then said his wise unto him dost thou continue yet in thy uprightness blaspheme God and die 10. But he said unto her thou speakest like a foolish woman what shall we receive good at the hands of God and not receive evil in all this Iob did not sin with his lips 11 Now when Iobs three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him they came every one from his own place Eliphaz the Temanite Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him 12 And when they lift up their eyes afar off and knew him not they lift up their voice and wept and they rent every one his mantle and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven 13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven dayes and seven nights and none spoke a word to him for they saw that his grief was very great 1. After this Iob opened his mouth and cursed his day 2. And Iob spake and said 3. Let the day perish wherein I was born and the night in which it was said there is a man child conceived 4. Let that day be darkness let not God regard it from above neither let the light shine upon it 5. Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it let a cloud dwell upon it let the blackness of the day terrify it 6. As for that night let darkness seize upon it let it not be joyned to the dayes of the year let it not â—â—me into the numâ—â—â— of the months 7. Let that night be solitary let no joyful noise be heard therein 8. Let them curse it that curse their day being ready to renew their mourning 9. Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark let it look for light but have none neither let it see the dawning of the day 10. Because it shut noâ—â—p the doors of mâ— mothers womb 〈◊〉 hid sorrow from nâ—â—e eyes 11. Why did I not dye from the womb why did I not give up the ghost when I came from the belly 12. Why did the knees prevent me or why the breasts that I should suck 13. For now I should have layn still and been quiet should have slept then had I been at rest 14. With Kings and Counsellors of the earth who built desolate places for themselves 15. Or with Princes that had gold who filled their houses with silver 16. Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been as infants who never see the light 17. There the wicked cease from troubling there the weary be at rest 18 There the Prisoners rest together they hear not the voice of the oppressor 19. The small and great are there and the servant is free from his master 20. Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery and life to the bitter in soul 21. Who long for death but it cometh not and dig for it more than for hid treasures 22. Who rejoyee exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave 23. Why is light given to a man who is hid and whom God hath hedged in 24. For my sighing cometh before I eat and my roarings are poured out like the waters 25. For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me and that which I was afraid of is come unto me 1. Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said 2. If we essay to commune with thee wilt thou be grieved but who can withhold himself from speaking 3. Behold thou hast taught many and hast strengthenâ—d the wearied hands 4. Thy words have confirmed him who was falling and thou hast strengthened the weâ—k
princes and maketh the strength of the mighty weak 22. He discovereth the deep places from their darkness and bringeth forth the shadow of death to light 23. He encreaseth the people and destroyeth them he enlargeth the nations and bringeth them in again 24. He taketh away the hearts of them that are the chief over the people of the earth and maketh them to wander in the wilderness out of the way 25. They grope in the dark without light and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man 1. Lo mine eye hath seen all this mine ear hath heard and understood it 2. I know as much as you know I am not inferior to you 3. But I will speak to the Almighty and I desire to dispute with God 4. For indeed you forge lies you are Physicians of no value 5. O that you would hold your tongue that it might be imputed to you for wisdom 6. Now hear my disputation and give ear to the arguments of my lips 7. Will you accept his person or will you contend for God 8. It is well that he should seek of you will you make a lye for him as one lyeth for a man 9. He will surely reprove you if you accept any person secretly 10. Shall not his excellency make you afraid and his fear fall upon you 11. Your memory may be compared to ashes and your bodies to bodies of clay 12. Hold your tongues in my presence then and let me speak let come upon it What will 13. Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth and put my soul in my hand 14. Loe though he slay me yet will I trust in him and I will reprove my ways in his sight 15. He shall be my salvation also for the hypocrite shall not come before him 16. Hear diligently my words and mark my talk 17. Behold now if I prepare me to judgement I know I shall be justified 18. Who is he that will plead with me now for if I hold my tongue I dye 19. But do those two things to me then will I not hide my self from thee 28. withdraw thy hand from me and let not thy fear make me afraid 21. then call thou and I will answer thee or let me speak and answer thou me 22. How many are mine iniquities and my sins show me my rebellion and my sin 23. Wherefore hidest thou thy face and takest me for thine â—remy 25 Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro and wilt thou pursue the dry stuble 26 For thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth 26. Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks and lookest narrowly into all my paths and makest the print thereof in the heels of my feet 27 Such an one consumeth like a rotten thing and as a garment that is moth-eaten 1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble 2. Hr shooteth forth as a flewer sâ—cut down he flyeth â—â—o as a shadow continueth not 3. Yet dost thou open thine eyes on suen a one and bringst me into judgement with thee 4. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean no not one 5. Are not his days determined the number of his months are with thee thou hast appointed his bounds which he cannot passe 6. Turn from him then that he may cease until his desired day as an hireling 7. For there is hope of a tree if it be â—ut down that it will yet sprout and the branches thereof will not cease 8. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth and the stock thereof be dead in the ground 9. Yet by the scent of water it will bud and bring forth boughs like a plant 10. But man is sick and dyeth man perisheth and where is he 11. As the waters pass from the sea the flood decayeth and dryeth up 12. So man sleepeth and riseth not for he shall not awake again nor be raised from his sleep while the heavens be no more 13. O that thou wouldst hide me in the grave and keep me secret untill thy wrath were past and wouldst give me a term and remember me 14. If a man dye shall he live again all the days of my appointed time will I wait till while my change come 15. Thou shalt call me and I shall answer thee thou lovest the work of thine own hands 16. But now thou numbrest my steps and dost not delay my sins 17. Mine iniquity is sealed up as in a bag and thou addest to my wickedness 18. And surely as the mountain cometh to nought and the rock that is removed from his place 19. As the waters break the stones when thou oversâ—â—â— est the the things â—â—â—ion grow in the dast of the earth 〈◊〉 thou destroyest the hope of man 20. Thou prevâ—â—lâ—st against him so that he passeth away he changeth his face when thou castest him away 21. And he knoweth not if his sons shall be honourable neither shall he understand concerning them if they be of low degree 22. But while his filesh is upon him he shall be sorrowfull and while his soul is in him it shal mourn 1. Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite and said 2. Shall a wise man speak words of the wind and fill his belly with the east-wind 3. Shall he dispute with words that are no comely or with talk that is not profitable 4. Sure thou hast casten off fear and restrains prayer before God 5. For thy mouth declareth thy iniquity seing thou hast chosen the tongue of the crafty 6. Thine own mouth condemneth thee not I and thy lips testify against thee 7. Art thou the first man that was born and wast thou made before the hills 8. hast thou heard the secret council of God and dost thou restrain wisdom to thee 9. What knowest thou that we know not and understandest that is not in us 10. With us are both ancient and very aged men far older then thy father 11. Seem the consolation of God smal unto thee is this thing strange unto thee 12. Why ' doth thine heart take thee away and what do thine eyes mean 13. That thou answerest thy God at thy pleasure and bringest such words out of thy mouth 14. What is man that he should be clean and he that is born of woman that he should be just 25. Behold he found no sted fastness in his saints yea the heavens are not clean in his sight 16. How much more 〈◊〉 man abominable filthy who drinketh iniquity like water 17. I will tell thee hear me and I will declare what I have seen 18. Which wise men have told as they heard of their fathers and have not keeped secret 19. To whom alone the land was given no stranger passed through them 20. The wicked man is as one that traveleth continually with child the number of years is hid from the tyrant 21. A found of fear is in his ears and
in his prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him 22. He believeth not to return out of darkness for he seeth the sword before him 23. He wandreth to and fro for bread where he may he knoweth that the day of darkness is prepared at hand 24. Affliction and anguish shall make him afraid they shall prevail against him as a king ready to the battel 25. For he hath stretched out his hand against God and made himself strong against the Almighty 26. Therefore God shall run upon him even upon his neck against the most thick part of his shield 27. Because he hath covered his face with his fatness and has collops in his flank 28. Though he dwell in desolate cities and in houses which no man inhabite but are become heaps 29. He shall not be rich neither shall his substance continue neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof in the earth 30. He shall never depart out of darkness the flames shall dry up his branches and he shall go away with the breath of his mouth 31. He believeth not that he erreth in vanity therefore vanity shall be his change 32 His branch shall not be green but shall be cut off before his day 33 God shall destroy him as the vine her sauce-grape and shall cast him off as the olive doth her flower 34 For the congregation of the hypocrite shall be desolate and fire shall devour the houses of bribes 35 For they conceive mischief and bring forth vanity and their belly hath prepared deceit 1. And Iob answered and said 2. I have oft times heard such things miserable comforters are you all 3. Shall there be no end of words of wind or what maketh thee bold so to answer 4. I could also speak as you do but would God your soul were in my souls stead I could keep you company in speaking and could shake my head at you 5. But I would strengthen you with my mouth and the comfort of my lips should asswage your sorrow 6 But though I speak my sorrow cannot be asswaged though I cease what release have I 7. For now he maketh me weary O God thou hast made all my congregation desolate 6. And hast made me full of wrinkles which is a witnesse theirof and my leanness riseth up in me testifying the same in my face 7. His wrath hath torn me he hateth me and gnasheth upon me with his teeth mine enemy hath sharpned his eyes against me 10. They have gaped upon me with their mouth they have smirten me upon the cheek reproachfully they have gathered themselves together against me 11. God hath delivered me to the ungodly and turned me over into the hands of the wicked 12. I was at ease but he hath broken me asunder he hath also taken me by my neck and shaken me to pieces set me up for his mark 13. His archers compass me round about he cleaveth my reir asunder doth no spare he poureth my gall upon the ground 14. He hath broken me with one breaking upon another and runneth upon me like a giant 15. I have sowed a sackeloath upon my skin have abased my horn to the dust 16. My face is withered with weeping and the shadow of death is upon my eyes 17. Though there be no wickedness in my hands and my prayer be pure 18. O earth cover not thou my blood and let my crying find no place 19. For lo now my witness is in heaven and my record is on high 20. My friends speak eloquently against me but mine eye poureth out tears to God 21. O that a man might plead with God as he doth with his neighbour 2a For the years accounted come I shall go the way whence I shall not return 1. My breath is corrupt my days are cut off the grave is ready for me 2. There are none but mockers with me and mine eyes continueth in their bitterness 3. Lay down now and put in surety for thee who is he that will touch my hand 4. For thou hast hid their heart from understanding therefore shalt thou not set them up on high 5. For the eyes of his children shal fail that speaketh flattery to his neighbour 6. He hath also made me a by-word of the people and I am a tabret before them 7. Mine eye therefore is dim with grief and all my strength is like a shadow 8. The righteous shall be astonished at this and the innocent shall be moved against the hypocrite 9. But the righteous will hold his way he whose hands are pure shall encrease his strength 10. All you therefore turn you and come noâ— and I shall not fiâ—â— one â—ise man among you 11. My days are past mine interprises are broken and the thoughts of my heart 12. They have changed the night for the day and the light that approacheth for the darkness 13. Though I hope yet the grave shall be my house and I shall make my bed in the darkness 14. I shall say to corruption thou art my father and to the worms you are my mother my sisters 15. Where is now then my hope or who shall consider the thing I hoped for 16. They that go down into the bottom of the pit surely they shall ly together in the dust 1. Then answered Bildad the Shuhite and said 2. When will you make an end of your words cause us understand and then we will speak 3. Why are we counted as beasts are vile in your sight 4. Thou art as one that teareth his soul in his anger shall the earth be forsaken for thy sake or the rock removed out of its place 5. Yea the light of of the wicked shall be quenched and the spark of his fire shall not shine 6. The light shall be dark in his dweling and his candle shall be put out with him 7. The steps of his strength shall be restâ—â—â—â—d and his own council shall cast him down 8. For he is taken-in the net by his feet and he walketh upon the snares 9. The grin shall taâ—â— him by the heel and the thief shall coâ—â— upon him 10. A snare is laid for him in the ground and a trap for him in the way 11. Fearfulnesse shall make him afraid on every side and shall drive him to his feet 12. His strength shall be famine and destruction shall be ready at his side 13. It shall devour the inner parts of his skin and the first born of death shall devour his strength 14. His hope shall be rooted out of his dwelling shall cause him to go to the king of fear 15. Fear shall dwell in his house because it is not his and brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation 16. His roots shal beâ—lvyed up beneath and above his branches shall be cut down 17. His remembrance shall perish from the earth and he shall have no name in the street 18. They shall drive him out of the light into darkness and chase him out of
unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways 15. Who is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit should we have if we pray unto him 16. Lo their God is not in their hand the counsel of the wicked is far from me 17. How oft is the candle of the wicked put out and how oft cometh their destruction 18. They are as stuble before the wind and as chaff that the storm carrieth away 19. God layeth up his iniquity for his children he rewardeth him and he shall know it 20. His eyes shall see his destruction he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty 21. For what pleasure hath he in his house after him when the number of his months is cut off in the midst 22. Shall any reach God knowledge seing he judgeth those that are high 23. One dyeth in his full strength being wholly at case quiet 24. His breasts are full of milk and his bones are moistned with marrow 25. And another dyeth in the bitterness of his soul never eateth with pleasure 26. They shall ly down alike in the dust and the wormes shall cover them 27. Behold I know your thoughts and the devices which you wrongfully imagine against me 28. For ye say where is the house of the Prince and where are the dwellings of the wicked 19. Have you not asked them that go by the way and do you not know their token 30. That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath 31. Who shall declare his way to his face and who shall repay him what he hath done 32. Yet shall he be brought to the grave and remain in the tomb 33. The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him and every man shalldraw after him 34 How then comfort you me in vain seing in your answers remaineth falshood 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said 2 Can a man be profitable unto God as he that is wise can be profitable to himself 3. Is it any plea-sure to the Almighty â—â—at thou art righte â—â—us or is it gain to him that thou makest thy wayes perfect 4. Will he reprove â—heâ— for fear of thee â—â—ll 〈◊〉 enter with 〈◊〉 into judgment 5. Is not thy wickedness great and thine iniquities infinite 6. For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother â—ornoght and stripped the naked of their cloathing 7. Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink and thou hast witholden bread from the hungry 8. But as for the mighty man he had the earth and the honourable man dwelt in it 9. Thou hast sent widows away empty and the arms of the farherless have been broken 10. Therefore snares are round about thee and suddain fear troubleth thee 11. Or darkness that thou canst not see and abundance of waters cover thee 12. Is not God in the height of heaven and behold the hight of the stars how high they are 13. And thou sayst how doth God know can he judge through the dark cloud 14. Thick clouds are a covering to him that he seeth not and he walketh in the circuit of heaven 15 Hast thou marked the old way which men have troden 16 Who were cut down out of time whose foundations was overflown with a flood 17 Which said unto God depart from us and what can th' Almighty do for them â—8 Yet he filled their houses with good things but the counsel of the wicked is far from me 19 The righteous see it and are glad and the innocent laugh them to scorn 20 Whereas our substance is not cut down but the râ—mnaâ—â— of them the fire consumes 21 Acquaint now thy self with him and be at peace thereby good shalâ— come unto thee 22 Receive I pray thee the Law from his mouth and lay up his words in thine heart 23 If thou return to the Almighty thou shalt be built up thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles 24 Thou shalt lay up gold as duâ—â— and the gold of Ophire as the stones of the brooks 25 Yea the Almighty shall be thy defence and thou shalt have plenty of silver 26 For then thou shalt have thy delight in the Almighty and shalt â—â—ft up thy face unto God 27. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him and he shall hear thee and thou shalt pay thy vows 28. Thou shalt also declare a thing it shall be established unto thee and the light shall shine upon his wayes 29. When men are cast down then thou shalt say there is a lifting up and he shal save the humble person 30. He shal deliver the Island of the innocent and it is delivered by the pureness of thy hand 1. Then Iob answered and said Even to day is my â—â—â—â—laint bitter my 〈…〉 heavier than my groaning 3. O that I knew where I might find him that I might come even to his feat 4. I would order my cause before him and fill my mouth with arguments 5. I would know the words which he would answer me understand what he would say unto me 6. Will he plead against me with his great power no but he would put strength in me 7. There the righteous might dispute with him so should I be delivered for ever from my judge 8. Behold I go forward but he is not there and backward but I cannot perceive him 9. On the left hand where he doth work but I cannot behold him he hideth himself on the right hand that I cadnot see him 10. But he knoweth the way that I take when he hath tryed me I shall come forth as gold 11. My foot hath held his steps his ways I have keeped and not declined 12. Neither have I gone back from the commandments of his lips I have esteemed the words of his mouth more then my necessary food 13. But he is of one mind and who can turn him and what his â—â—â—eth even that he doth 14. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me and many such things are with him 15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence when I consider I am afraid of him 16. For God maketh my heart soft and the Almighty troubleth me 17. Because I was not cut off before the darkness neither has the darkness covered my face 1. Why seing times are not hidden from the Almighty do they that knew him not see his days 2. Some remove the land-marks they violently take away flocks and feed thereof 3. They drive away the ass of the fatherless they take the widows ox for a pledge 4. They turn the needy out of the way the poor of the earth hide themselves together 5. Behold as wild asses in the desart go they forth to their work rising betimes for a prey the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children 6 They reap everyone his corn in the field and they gather the vintage of the wicked 7 They cause