houses of the wicked 6 The Tabernacles of robbers prosper and they that provoke God are secure into whose hand God bringeth abundantly and though they hold all their goods from the liberality of God their ingratitude makes them forget it and their insolence transports them to provoke his anger 7 But aske now the beasts and they shall teach thee and the fowles of the aire and they shall tell thee It is certaine then that the favours which heaven heapes upon men are not alwayes a good proof of their innocence nor the afflictions which he sends them an assured testimony of their wickednesse he is Master of his creatures he disposeth of them as he pleaseth and his truth is so well known that if you aske the birds of the aire or the beasts of the earth they will both make you know by their answers that they are not ignorant of it Speake to the earth it selfe 8 Or speake to the earth and it shall teach thee and the fishes of the sea shall declare umto thee its fruitfulnesse which is never weary of bringing forth will teach you the same thing and the fishes of the sea as dumbe as they are will give give you new assurances of it Also one must be very stupid to be ignorant that all the creatures are the works of Gods hands 9 Who knoweth not all these that the hand of the Lord bath wrought this and as their different qualities are effects of his power and their different motions are markes of his providence Who knowes not at last that their being depends upon his will 10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind that as he hath produced them he can annihilate them and that the nobility in which man glories doth not exempt him from this necessity The minde of man may as easily conceive of these 11 Doth not the eare try words and the mouth taste his meat truths as the ear judgeth certainly of the variety of sounds and the tongue of the diversity of tasts But though nature should have denyed us this knowledge 12 With the antient is wisdome and in length of days understanding it were easie to gather it from those venerable old men to whom time being a master hath discovered secrets which young ones are ignorant of But if it be permitted me to make tryall of my abilities 13 With him is wisdom and strength heâ—â— hath counsell and understanding and strive for victory over the weake prayses which you have given to God I shall tell you that wisdom and force which are divided betwixt the old the young are united in him and as by his supreame intelligence he knowes generall things by his incomparable providence he governes particular ones and conducts them happily to their end This power of which you speak is so absolute 14 Behold he breaketh downe and it cannot be built againe he shutteth up a man and there can be no opening that if he ruine townes it is in vaine to undertake to raise them again and if he confine a malefactor to prison they strive to no purpose to deliver him If he shut up the heavens hinder the clouds from dissolving into raine 15 Behold he withholdeth the waters and they dry up also he sendeth them out and they overturne the earth the earth shall be barren or if it produceth some â—ruits the drought shall not permit them to come to perfect maturity if he open the sluces to the waters of heaven they will overflow all the earth and making a second deluge they will againe overthrow its buildings It is true then that he hath Power 16 With him is strength and wisedome the deceived and the deceiver are his if you doubt that he hath wisedome know that he understands the artifices of those who deceive others and the simplicity of those who let themselves be deceived He mockes at Statesmen 17 He leadeth counsellers away spoyled maketh the Judges fools and causeth that their wisest counsells are followed but with bad events 18 He looseth the bond of Kings and girdeth their loyns with a girdle he blindeth those who make lawes and makes Judges stupid who are appointed over the people to govern them but his power never shines forth more then when he assaulteth Monarchs when he taketh the Crowne from their heads and treating them like slaves he despoyles them of their belts leadeth them with chaines and makes their backs bend under the weight of their Irons Or when he changeth the glory of priests into contempt 19 He leadeth Princes away spoyled overthroweth the mighty and to confound their pride he permits his temples to be violated and his altars profaned or when he ruines those men whom berth or favour of Princes hath elevated to the highest degree of honours 20 He removeth away the speech of the trusty and taketh away the understanding of the aged And do not think that the qualities of the minde are lesse subject to his power then those of the body or of fortune he can take credit from those who speak the truth he takes away the power of perswading from the most eloquent and makes old men lose that knowledge which time and travaile hath acquired them When he will chastise Princes 21 He powreth contempt upon Princes and weakneth the strength of the mighty he takes from them that esteeme which maintaines their reigne he casts confusion upon their faces or renders them despicable to their subjects and producing at the same time a contrary effect he takes the the miserable out of oppression and makes them mount upon the throne of Kings He discovers the most hidden crimes 22 He discovereth the deep things out of darknes and bringeth to light the shadow of death he makes publick those pernicious designes which are conceived in the darke and which have no other witnesses then the night he does wonders upon all occasions he brigns day into the Abysses of our heart and makes evident their most secret thoughts Be doth he not appear very absolute 23 He increaseth the nations and destroyeth them he inlargeth the nations straightneth them againe when to increase the number of people he makes women fruitfull and for to diminish it he makes lands barren or when touched with their teares or conquered with their prayers he delivers them from their miseries and reestablishes them in their former greatnes Is not this an admirable point of wisdome and justice when he changes the heart of Princes 24 He taketh away the heart of the cheif of the people of the earth and causeth them to wander in a wildernesse where there is no way which he holds in his hands when for to deceive them he maks them leave their good resolutions which they had taken in their counsel and ingageth them in designes where they cannot
of my state 25 If I rejoyced because my wealth was great and because my hand had gotten much and if I have thought that I was more puissant than my neighbours because I was more rich I oblige my self to the same punishment 26 If I beheld the Sun when it shined or the moon walking in brightnesse if the estate which my Predecessors have left me or that which mine own cares have acquired me have given me any vanity and if when Heaven hath blessed my lands and augmented my flocks they have seene me more joyfull or more insolent if I have superftitiously looked upon the Sun when at his rising he discovers all his beauty and when the people of the earth prostrate themselves to adore him or if with Idolatrous eyes I have looked upon the Moone when she is in the full and marcheth over our heads with so much pompe and light If the sight of those two slarres have given me sentiments either of respect or joy 27 And my heart hath bin secretly enticed or my mouth hath kissed my hand if their beauty have perswaded me that they were the Gods of the world and if lowing my head or kissing my hand I have reverenced their greatnesse and implored their assistance 28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the Judge for I should have denyed the God that is above If I have committed this crime which surpasseth all others and which endeavours to drive God from his Throne to deface his Name out of the minds of men and to render his creatures an honour which is due onely to Him I would that Heaven might chastize this sinne with an eternity of miseries If the ruine of mine enemies hath rejoyced me 29 If I rejoyced at the destruction of him that hated me for lâ—â—t up my self when evill found him and if by a notorious basenes which cannot fall upon a great conrage their miseries have begotten my pleasures and the ill successe of their affaires hath given me contentment I will perish with them I make this imprecation so much the more boldly 30 Neither have I snffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul as I know that my tongue was never given to detraction and that my heart hath never formed any wishes which were prejudiciall to the safety of my enemies Notwithstanding I wanted neither power nor occasion to revenge my self 31 If the men of my tabernacle said not Oh that we had of his flesh we cannot be satisfied for I had not any about my house but would have cut them in peeces if I had desired it and who to repaire my honour on content my passion would noâ— have devoured them If I have kindely treated mine enemies 32 The flranger did not lodge in the street but I opened my doors to the traveller I have no lesse courteously received strangers for I never suffered them to passe the nights in the fields and without inquiring of their condition or their birth it was sufficient that they were Travellers to oblige me to open them the gates of my house If I have concealed any sin 33 If I have covered my transgression as Adam by hiding my iniquity in my bosom like that unhappy man whose children we are and if I have preferred a little honour before the repose of my conscience and if I have hidden my faults and would passe for innocent though I were guilty If I have been afraid of the people 34 Did I seare a great multitude or did the contempt of families terrifie me that I kept silence went not out of the door and if their tumults have made me change my good designes if the contempt which they have had of mine Alies hath given me resentment or if rather keeping filence and staying at home I have not let their differences be determined by disinterested Judges I condemne my selfe to the punishment which this injustice may deserve But I reade in your countenances 35 Oh that one would hear me behold my desire is that the Almighty would answer me and that mine adversary had written a book that these true discourses finde no belief in your minde so that your incredulity makes me wish that God would give me more reasonable Auditors or that he himselfe who ought to judge me would write down my complaints and make a booke of them 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder and binde it as a crown to me to the end that I might tye it upon my shoulders and that it might serve me for ornament or that I might put it upon my head and that it might serve me for a crowne that it might publish mine innocence and protect me from your calumnies Wheresoever I go it shall be mine onely comfort and to give it the more credit I will present it to some Prince which shall cause it to be read in his Dominion and make mine innocence as knowne as it is hidden But because you accuse me of tyranny 38 If my sand cry against me or that the furrows likewise thereof complain and that your discourses are all full of reproaches know that if the Lands are desert long of me and if the abandoned furrowes complaine of my violence 39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life if I have deprived the husbandmen of their hopes or if making the labours of their hands unprofitable I have afflicted their minds and drawne teares from their eyes 40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat and cockle in stead of barley The words of Job are ended I am content that heaven curse my lands that their sterility may not be conquered by those that cultivate them that for wheat they may give me but thistles and that for the barley which I shall sowe they may bring but thornes CHAP. XXXII THE ARGUMENT ELihu a young man by conditiâ—n who had assisted in the dispute which Job had with his friends demands that they would heare him and promiseth that his minde will provide him reasons for to defend the cause of God and to oppose the obstinacy of Job THose three persons broke up the conference 1 So these three men ceased to answer Job because he was righteous in his own eyes and replyed no more to Job whether perswaded by his reasons they beleeved that he was innocent or whether as it is more probable they lost all hope of making him confesse that he was guilty A young man 2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite of the kindred of Ram against Job was his wrath kindled because he justified himself rather than God the sonne of Barachel of the Countrey of Buz and of the family of Râ—â— who had been present at all this dispute grew angry at Job and was principally offended that he persisted in his first
men But certainly you are no lesse rash to perswade your selfe 2 Can a man be profitable unto God as he that is wise may be prositable unto himself that he is interested in your innocence and that to make it publike he is obliged to do a miracle what profit can he hope from your vertue who possesseth all in himselfe and what honour can he expect thence whose glory is infinite Thinke not that he is like those Judges 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous 〈…〉 gaine 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 makest thy wayers perfect whom feare makes to change their resolution and who daâ—e not condeâ—ne one that iâ—guilty for feare of incurring his dis-favour Perswade not your sest that he enters into judgement with you and that to appease your complaints he declares to you the motives which oblige him to punish you Soveraignes which are men render no account of their actions to their Subjects and when they make an Edict or pronounce a Decree they often conceale the causes of it and alledge no other reasons than their wills Beleeve then that God punisheth you for your crimes 4 Will he reprove thee for feare of thee will he enter with thee into judgement and that all these afflictions which overwhelme you are the just chastisements which your impiety deserves Nor can you deny but that you have reigned like a Tyrant 5 Is not thy wickednesse great thine iniquities infinite that against the fundamentall Lawes of State you have treated your Subjects aâ—â— Slaves that taking pawnes 〈◊〉 those who were insolvable you have made as many poor as you had Debters and that by a violence which deserves not pardon you have taken from them their clothes and have enriched your selfe with their spoyles I passe under silence 6 For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought and stripped the naked of their clothing as not being your greatest crime how that you have refused the necessitous the use of the water which you have turned aside for to water your gardens 7 Thou hast nor given water to the weary to drinke and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry and denying the bread which you owed to the miserable in their need you have taken from them that which you would not give them As long as heaven favoured you as your Subjects feared you you invaded the Lands of your neighbours and without acknowledging any right but that of Armes you kept with injustice what you acquired with violence 8 But as 〈◊〉 the mighty man he had the earth and the honourable man dwelt in it And to be no better your Subjects than to strangers you ravished the estate of the widowes and added the misfortune of poverty to that of their condition Orphans who thought to finde a second father in you 9 Thou hast sent widowes away empty and the arms of the fatherlesse have bin broken had no more cruell enemy and their riches making their crimes you did not judge them innocent but when you had made them miserable The miseries which now besiege you are the punishments of these sins 10 Therefore snares are round about thee and sudden fear troubleth thee and without searching any more whence these sanique terrours come which affright you and these invisible chayns which take away your liberty you must believe that your injustice is the true cause of it But that which astonisheth me the most 11 Or darknesse that thou canst not see and abundance of wares cover thee is that amongst so many violences you lived without feare for when you made any reflection upon the condition of your fortune you imagined that it had so much luster that disgraces could not obscure it and that it had so much stedfastnesse that all mis-fortunes could not overthrow it When you entertaine your selfe with these false hopes 12 Is not God in the height of heaven and behold the height of the stars how high they are you believe without doubt that because God lodgeth in the heavens because he walketh upon the starres and his glory seperates him from his creatures he doth not watch over their actions or if he take any notice of them 't is with so much confusion that as one must not hope for recompence one need not be afraid of punishment Your superstition formed it selfe a God 13 And thou sayest how doth God know can he judge through the darke cloud who could neither know nor punish crimes and to entertaine your self in this foolish beliefe you were perswaded that the thicknese of the clouds stole from him the sight of them 14 Thick clouds are a coveriog to him that he seeth not and he walketh in the circuit of heaven and that being onely busied about the motions of the heavens he neglected the conduct of the earth Oh! will you never leave following the errours of past ages 15 Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have troddeâ— which in thus much ought to be suspected of you as that they who invented them have undergone the pumshment of them 16 Which were cut down out of time whose fonndation was overflown with a flood that their death was hastened to stop the course of their perverse Doctrine and that famous Deluge which drowed the Universe was a chastisement which God found to punish them They also said impudently 17 Which said unto God Depart from us and what can the Almighty do for them that they would not serve him since he could not protect them and that a God who had not power deserved no honouâ— Finally they spoke with contempt of him whom Angels adore and made a vaine Idoll of him who gives the heavens motion and the earth repose I know not how these impious men 18 Yet he filled their houses with good things but the counsell of the wicked is far from me whose sentiments are so farre from my beliefe could vomit out these blasphemies against God for whilest they condemned his providence it filled their houses with riches and whilest they despised his power it made their Lands fruitfull Moreover these errours are so visible 19 The righteous see it and are glad and the innocent laugh them to scorn that the just shall mock at them one day and the simple whose minde hath nothing elevated shall laugh at these wise men of the world who boasted themselves to be the Authors of them Their vanity shall then be humbled 20 Whereas our substance is not cut down but the remnant of them the fire consumeth for besides the displeasure of seeing their opinions despised they shall have the regrett of seeing their disciples serve as a prey to the flames for having been willing to maintaine their pernicious Doctrine Do not you then beare any part in their opinions 21 Acquaint now thy self with him and be at peace thereby good shall come unto
make them statues is drawne from stones which melted by the heat of the fire turne into Mettal Though nature hath taken pleasure to hide all these Mettalls 3 He setteth an end to darknesse and searcheth out all perfection the stones of darknesse and the shadow of death industry provides man with certaine markes for to discover them and infallible conjectures to know the time when they must be drawne out of their Darknesse and though the shadow of Death forbids the entry into these caves avarice and curiosity give him courage enough to go downe thither and enrich himself with their spoyls There are torrents found which divide certaine people from all others 4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant even the waters forgotten of the foot they are dryed up they are gone away from men and where waters are so profound and rapid that shutting the passage from travellers they make the Provinces inaccessible which they water and put them in the Ranke of those things which were never seen There are lands seen which brought forth corne 5 As for the earth out of it cometh bread and under it is turned up as it were fire and which by their fertility contributed to the Noutriture of men which are become barren and which burnt by the Sunne which shined upon them and dryed with the sulphur which heated them have lost their first fertility T is true that this losse sometimes is advantagious to them 6 The stones of it are the place of Saphires and it hath dust of Gold for it oftens happens that for corne they yeeld pretious stones and their Rocks turne into Saphyrs and their turfes into wedges of Gold But as on the other side 7 There is a path which no fowle knoweth and which the Vultures eye hath not seen they are separated from the world and lodged under climates too hot the Birds never fly thither and Vultures whose penetrating sight can observe the prey so far could never yet discover them 8 The Lions whelps have not troden it nor the fierce Lyon passed by it Those wilde Beasts whose savage humour searcheth out the most Solitary places could never yet finde them and the Lionesses which run every-where when they have lost their little ones have never approached them Yet man discovers them by his Industry 9 He putteth forth his hand upon the rock he overturneth the mountains by the roots as by the Obstinacy of his labour he pierceth Rocks throwes down Mountaines and carries away the Treasure which they hide within their entralls His hands animated by his Curiosity 10 He cutteth out rivers among the rocks and his eye seeth every precious thing divert the Course of Rivers breake the Rockes which serve them for bankes and his Eyes enjoying the labour of his hands discover all that 's rare and beautifull in the World Finally his minde which can not be overcome by difficulties 11 He bindeth the floods from overflowing and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light and which to surmount them imployes both force and skill sees the wonders which the Rivers Cover with their waters and contrary to the designe of Nature reveales her secrets and discovers all that she hides What soever good successe he hath in these searches 12 But where shall wisdome be sound and where is the place of understanding he is not so happy nor so dextrous in that of Divine wisdome for he knows not where shee dwells and what diligence soever he use to penetrate her designs he is obliged to consesse that she surpasseth his understanding and that he ought rather to adore then search after them He knowes not what she is worth 13 Man knoweth not the price thereof neither is it found in the land of the living and the esteem which he makes of things of the world sufficiently testifies that he is ignorant of the price of her he abuseth himselfe grossely when he perswades himself that he shall finde her in the Palce of them who place all their Happinesse in Pleasures What diligence soever he use 14 The depth saith It is not in me and the sea saith It is not with me he shall have much adoe to hear any news of her for the Abysses which shut up so many Treasures confesse that they possesse her not and the Sea which enticheth it selfe with our losses and which makes us pay use for the Commodities wich it lends us acknowledgeth that she growes not with the Pearls nor with the Corall Though all things obey Gold 15 It cannot be gotten for gold neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof and there is nothing which one may not buy with Silver * notwithstaning as Wisdom hath no Price she gives and doth not sell her self no treasure can buy her and Experience teacheth us that the most rich are not the most wise Finally her merit surpasseth all that India hath of Rarity 16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir with the precious Onyx or the Saphire and it would injure her to compare her with those stuffes whose matter being so rich the tincture is more beautifull or with those precious stones whose luster is so glittering and greatnesse so monstrous That excellent Gold whose Purity the fire cannot encrease 17 The Gold and the Chrystall cannot equall it and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold the Chrystall which seems to be the last attempt of Nature and makes us finde Heaven on Earth those great Vessells of Gold whose workmanship is yet more precious then the matter are not exquisite enough to be given in exchange of wisdom Those starres with which the firmament adornes it self 18 No mention shall be made of Corall or of Pearles for the Price of wisedome is above Rubies when night drives away the day that Sun whose Beauty makes so mary Idolaters and all those other lights which oblige us to preferre Heaven before Earth cannot be compared with her but if her beauty beget a desire in us of seaching her her dwelling more unknowne then the Rockes out of which they setch the Diamonds makes us loose the hope of finding her This Difficulty which enhanceth her price is the cause that the Topazes of Ethiopis 19 The Topaz of Ethiopia shall not equall it neither shall it be valued with pure gold which seem to have the lustre of Gold and the Purity of Chrystall and those agreeable mixtures of colours which make the Purple of Kings are not rich enough to purchase her 20 Whence then cometh wisdom and where is the place of understanding Yet must we learn her dwelling and permit our curiositie to search the place where she makes her residence I know she is hidden from the eyes of men 21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living and kept close from the fowles of the aire that her Purity
the day of triumph cover your selfe with sumptuous cloathes and march with a Majesty which may strike respect in all your subjects In this glorious Equipage 11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath and behold every one that is proud and abase him make your just indignation felt by all the rebells of the world compose your eyes in that manner that their lookes may astonish the arrogant and teach the proud humility Beat downe Kings under your feet 12 Looke on every one that is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked in their place use not your power but to tame their insolence and when they shall have oppressed your Subjects make the same place which was fouled by their Crime be washed with their bloud and their death give an example where their life hath given scandall Bruise their Scepters 13 Hide them in the dust together and binde their faces in secret hide the lustre their Crownes hide the lustre of their glory under obscurity pursue them after their death and teach them that the Grave is not a sanctuary which can protect them from your anger When you have done these Miracles 14 Then wil I also confesse unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee I shall confesse that in the miseries wich encompasse you my succour is unprofitable to you and that your forces being equall to mine one cannot assault you so well but you can better defend your selfe But as all these effects surpasse your power 15 Behold now Behemoth which I made with thee he eateth grasse as an ox and you despise not mine but because it is not sufficiently knowne to you I will give you new proofes of it Consider then the Elephant which I have produced like you and which I have fed as an Oxe with the grasse of the fields His force which hath no equall resides particularly in his loynes 16 Lo now his strength is in his loyns and his force is in the navell of his belly which are so strong that in the Battell he carries Towers filled with Souldiers and his vigour is inclosed in his Navell which is as the center to which all the members of his body answer 17 He moveth his taile like a cedar the sinews of his stones are wrapt rogether This advantage is the recompence of his purity for he is so chaste that he is never seene to doe undecent actions and Nature which accommodates her selfe to his inclination hath hidden all those parts which seeme for the conservation of his species as the Barke covers the wood of Cedars and of Cypresses His bones 18 His bones are as strong pieces of bras his bones are like bars of iron and principally his teeth which were given him for defence are as hard as plates of Brasse and his truncke which seemes to be composed of gristles is equall in its strength to barres of Iron and in its dexterity to the hand of man Amongst the Creatures which conduct themselves by instinct he is the Master-piece of my power 19 He is the chiefe of the wayes of God he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him and if I had not given hornes to the Rhinoceros and poyson to the Dragon who are his most mortall enemies there were no beasts to be found which could have the better of him Although he be so strong 20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food where all the beasts of the field play he is so gentle that content with the Grasse which the Mountaines bring forth he seeketh not for prey and the other Beasts which know his humour feed quietly in his company When he would repose himselfe he seekes out moyst places 21 He lieth under the shady trees in the covert of the reed and fens where he sleepes under the freshnesse of the shade which the Groves afford him or the Willowes which so pleasantly bound the streams When he drinkes 23 He drinketh up a river and hasteth not he trusteth that he can draw Jordan into his mouth it is such great draughts that it seemes to those who see him that he would dry up Rivers and when he enters into Jordan to appease his thirst you would say that he hath a designe to drayne it With all his strength he hath so little cunning 24 He takeeth it with his eyes his nose pierceth thorow snares that he sees the snares of the Huntsmen and doth not avoyd them he is so simple that he lets himselfe be taken like Fish with the Hooke and so gentle that he lets his nostrils be pierced and himselfe be led by the nose But that your weaknesse and my Power may appeare as well upon the Water as the Land 1 Canst thou draw out Leviathan with an hook or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down make triall of your strength against the Whale see if you can take him with a Hooke or with a Line 2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose or bore his jaw thorow with a thorn and if after having tyed his tongue with a Cord and thrust a Buckle of Iron through his nostrils or his cheekes you can draw him from his Fortresse and lead him where you please Doe you thinke to oblige him to say his prayers to you 3 Will he make many supplications unto thee will he speake soft words unto thee doe you beleeve that astonished at your power or surprized with your Artifices he will aske his liberty of you with words of sweetnesse and respect Doe you thinke to reduce him to make an agreement with you 4 Will he make a covenant with thee wilt thou take him for a servant for ever and to protest to you publickly that he honours you as his Master and will serve you as your slave and that the tearme of his life shall be no longer than that of his servitude Will you play with him as with those poore Birds 5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird wilt thou bind him for thy maidens which serve as pastime for little Children Shall your Daughters tye him with a thread which lengthening or shortning at their discretion shall make his prison either larger or straighter Doe you thinke it easie for a band of armed men to catch him in Nets 6 Shall the companions make banquet him shal they part him among the merchants to cut him in pieces to load vessels with his spoyles and to divide his Body amongst the Merchants who have contributed to his taking If it be not a thing impossible it is dangerous at the least 7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons or his head with fish-spears for when you assault him remember that you must prepare your selfe for so furious a fight that after you have tried him you will lose the desire of medling any more And though the designe should not be