1IOB.
Chapter the firſt.
verse 1THere was a man in Hz, for zeale whoſe fame
Merits beyond an equall, Job by name:
Perfect and upright, ſuch the world ne'r knew,
Who feared God, and evill did eſchew.
verse 2Bleſt with ten Children, all of a full growth,
The fruitfull off-ſpring of his lively youth.
verse 3In ſubſtance great, for he did ever keep
Three thouſand Camels, and ſeven thouſand ſheep;
2 Five hundred yoke of Oxen, both for ſtore
And worke; Shee-aſſes too as many more,
And a great houſhold: So that as the beſt,
He alſo was the greateſt of the Eaſt.
verse 4His Sons each one his day feaſting did call
Their Siſters to them to partake of all.
verse 5And when their feaſting daies were gone about,
Job ſent & cleans'd them, when he found them out
And in the morning early up he roſe,
And offred off•ings as their number was;
Leſt (ſaid he) they have ſinned, and ſhould curſe
God in their hearts, this was Jobs conſtant courſe.
verse 6A day there was, the Sons of God appeare
Before the Lord; Satan came alſo there.
verse 7Whoſe boldneſſe God thus checks: thus dar'ſt thou range?
Whence commeſt thou? whence is this freedome ſtrange?
He anſwer ſtraight, frō walking in the earth
Where acting miſchiefes is my only mirth.
verse 8Then ſaid the Lord; Haſt thou at any time
Obſerv'd in Job my ſervant any crime?
Do but conſider, and thou'lt never find
His equall in the world, ſo pure in mind:
Eſchewing evill, fearing God, upright,
In goodneſſe conſtant, with a pure delight.
verse 9But ſee alas! what this intruder ſought;
Does Job, replies he, ſerve the Lord for nought?
verse 10Haſt thou not ſet a hedge about him round?
Rampar'd his houſe and kept his Cattle ſound?
Bleſſings flow daily on the work of's hand,
His ſtock too is encreaſed in the Land.
3verse 11But now ſtretch forth thy hand, afflict him ſore,
Touch all be hath, diminiſh but his ſtore:
And if he do not curſe thee to thy face,
Upon me light worſe ſuffring and diſgrace.
verse 12Behold his accuſation; God replies,
Satan this to thy malice open lies;
Do with them what thou wilt, th'haſt pow'r ſo far,
Only from him himſelfe thine hand I bar.
His power is ſcarce granted, when, loe, he
Qnick from the preſence of the Lord doth flee.
verse 13Time was not long before his children meet
In th' eldeſt brothers houſe to drinke and eate.
verse 14A ſervant came, and did with teares relate
The ſad beginning of his croſſe-grown Fate;
While ſome (ſaid he) were with the Oxen plowing,
The Aſſes feeding, other ſervants ſowing,
verse 15A Troope of fell! Sabaeans 'came and took
The Herds away, nor did their fury brook
To ſpare the Servants lives, them all they ſlew,
And I alone eſcap't the news to ſhew.
verse 16While yet he ſpake, another came and wept,
As ſad a ſtory, fire from heaven has ſwept
Away the Sheepe and ſervants (Oh ſad fate!)
And I alone came off this to relate.
verse 17He ſpeaking yet, another came and told
How three pickt bands of arm'd Caldeans bold
Fell on the Camels, taking them away,
Yea and the Servants with the ſword did ſlay;
I only ſcaping from among the reſt,
The news of this misfortune to atteſt.
4verse 18His tale ſcarce told, a fourth draws neer with cries,
Sad news fit only for o'rflowing eyes:
Thy ſons and daughters as they lately were
At their lov'd eldeſt brothers making cheere,
verse 19A ſtrong ſide-wind did from the deſart blow
On th' houſes corners, and it overthrow:
The ſudden ruine kill'd the young men all,
And I alone eſcaped from the fall.
verse 20Then Job aroſe, not able more to beare,
He rent his robe, and tore his beard and haire:
But yet in midſt of this extremeſt griefe,
He only ſeekes to God for ſome reliefe;
Juſt like an humble child he kiſt his rod,
He cries and worſhips to his angry God.
verse 21Naked I came into the world, and when
I muſt returne, naked ſhall goe agen:
The Lord did give, and taken hath the ſame,
Bleſſed and honour'd be his holy Name.
verse 22In all this Job did no offence commit,
Nor was ſo fooliſh to charge God with it.
5CHAP. II.
verse 1AGaine the Sons of God, before his throne
Themſelves preſent, who is the great three-one;
Th' all-daring Foe, brazing his hatefull face,
Among them alſo came and tooke a place.
verse 2Whom God beholding ſaid, what new pretence
Hath brought thee hither Satan? or from whence?
He ſoon replies, I have the world o'r-run,
The Earths vaſt Globe ſurrounding with the Sun,
Gilding with ſpecious ſhews my deadlieſt baites,
That win poore ſoules from thee by their deceits.
verse 3Haſt thou (ſaid God) any ſo perfect ſeene,
Or upright as my ſervant Job hath been?
All vice abhorring with a deadly hate,
Helping poore ſoules preſt with a direfull fate,
Keeping my Statutes with devout eſt zeale,
Earth never yet brought forth his Parallell.
Experience tels us the ſweet Camomile
The more 'tis trodden will the better ſmell:
With the ſame zeale loe he ſtill keepes my Laws,
Though thou wouldſt have me kill him without cauſe.
verse 4Man will not ſtick, replies the foe, to give
All his poſſeſſions to his skin to live.
verse 5But now ſtretch out thine hand, and let him feele
Thine arme, inflicting paines from head to heele,
6 He will with raylings thy high power diſgrace,
And with repining curſe thee to thy face.
verse 6Behold (ſaith God) this further grant I give,
Torment him as thou wilt, but let him live.
verse 7Away goes Satan and ſmites Job all o're
With boiles, his body is but all one ſore.
verse 8Yet down with patience great he humbly ſate
To ſcrape with peeces of a broken pot
His boile-inflicted body, in the aſhes
Enduring meekly theſe ſoule-trying laſhes.
verse 9But ſee, a torment worſe than all the reſt,
His wife comes to him, thus in ſoule oppreſt;
With ſharpe rebukings, ſaith ſhe, doſt thou ſtill
Keepe thine uprightneſs though thou beare this ill?
Away with this preciſeneſſe, wilt thou lie
With patience under this? curſe God and die.
verse 10But he, ſpeake wiſer, elſe ne'r ſilence breake,
Thouſpeak'ſt as fooliſh women uſe to ſpeake:
Shall we take bleſſings from the hand of God,
And ſhall we not with patience beare his rod?
With lowlineſſe ſubmitting to the Lord:
In all this Job utter'd no ſinfull word.
verse 11When Jobs three friends heard of his chang'd eſtate,
By Satans malice and inveterate hate:
With griefe they trembling as 'twere in amaze,
Each by appointment came from his own place,
With ſweeteſt comforts to revive his ſoule,
And with their griefe his miſery condole:
Bildad the Shuhite, Zophar from Naamah came
With Eliphaz the Temanite by name.
7verse 12As Travellers drawing neare their journies end,
With more impatience for it look and tend:
So theſe three friends look ere they yet draw nigh,
The object of their pitty to eſpy;
But when they ſee, yet know him not, they weep
With bitter lamentations, not can keep
Longer their teares, as meſſengers they flow,
Their height of love and pity both to ſhew;
They rent their robes, and ſprinkled on their heads
Duſt towards heaven; ſo them their ſorrow leads.
verse 13So they ſate with him mourning on the ground
Seven daies and nights, before that any found
One word to ſpeake of; for they ſaw his griefe
Was very great, almoſt beyond reliefe.
CHAP. III.
verse 1THeſe daies once ended, Job, as one forlorne,
In ſpeaking curs'd the day when he was borne?
verse 2And as afflicted with his paines he lies,
In very anguiſh of his heart he cries:
verse 3Let the diſaſtrous day of my ſad birth
For ever quite periſh from off the earth;
And let that night be in oblivion put,
Wherein 'twas ſaid, there is a man-child got.
verse 4Let it be cover'd with perpetuall night,
Let not the Lord regard it, nor the light
8 Afford it but one comfortable ray,
Whereby it may be known to be a day.
verse 5Let it a day of darkneſſe ſtill remaine,
Yea, let death bringing darkneſſe it diſtaine.
Let clouds dwell on it, let it fearfull be,
As a moſt fatall day of miſery.
verse 6As for the Night, let darkneſſe on it ſeize,
Let it not joyned be among the daies:
Nor come among the Moneths, to make them leſs,
Happy by its moſt omious acceſs.
verse 7Yea let that night be deſolate, no noiſe
Of joy be heard therein, or pleaſing voice.
verse 8Let them, whoſe mournings with the day their courſe
Renew, on it lay their moſt heavy curſe.
verse 9Let all the ſtars which in its twilight riſe,
Be darkned through the lowrings of the Skies.
Let it expect the light, but none enjoy;
Nor let it ſee the dawning of the day.
verse 10Becauſe it did not in my Mothers womb
Incloſe my body, and make it my tombe;
But clothing my frail fleſh with life, me brought
Of this ſad cup to drink a deadly draught.
verse 11Why dy'd I not before my birth? or why
Aſſoon as I was born did I not die?
verse 12Why did the knees my comming not infeſt?
Or why for nurture did I ſuck the breaſt?
verse 13Then had my woes prevented been by death,
I had been quiet, lying void of breath:
verse 14With Councellors and Kings of higheſt race,
I had enjoy'd a quiet reſting place;
9 Whoſe living works to memoriſe their fame,
To deſart places gave a laſting name.
verse 15Or with great men whoſe treaſuries with ſtore,
Were fil'd with ſilver and refined Ore.
verse 16As an untimely birth I then had been,
Or as poor Infants which no light have ſeen.
verse 17There tyrants ceaſe from troubling, and th'oppreſt
With irkeſome labour have a welcome reſt.
verse 18Thoſe who in priſon lie, are quiet there,
No voice of the oppreſſor do they hear.
verse 19The ſmall and great all there together be,
The abuſed ſervant's from his Maſter free.
verse 20Why to that man is given gladſome light,
Whoſe ſoule is loſt in miſeries long night?
Or why to them the torment of a life,
Whoſe ſoules are bitter through oppreſſing griefe?
verse 21Who wiſh for death in vain, and ſeek it more
Then hidden treaſures, and the Earths whole ſtore.
verse 22Who with exceſs of gladneſs fill their mind,
When they the quiet of the grave can find.
verse 23Why to that man is given light, whoſe way
Is as a Labyrinth, leading him aſtray:
Whom God as with an hedg hath compas'd round,
That to come out of's woe, no way is found?
verse 24My ſighings daily come, my griefe is great,
I am perplexed that I cannot eat.
My roarings are ſo loud, all may them hear;
Like water poured out ſo flow my tears.
verse 25For in my greateſt happineſs of all,
I ever dreaded this my ſudden fall.
10Which now is come with ſuch a deadly ſtroke,
As it to peeces all my bones hath broke.
verse 26I had no ſafety, quietneſs, nor reſt,
Yet trouble came, which hath my ſoule oppreſt.
CHAP. IV.
verse 1THus ſtopping Job: the Temanite began.
verse 2If we aſſay to ſpeak to thee, vaine man,
Wilt thou be angry? who can patience have
By fooliſh•ilence thus to let thee rave?
verse 3Thou art the ſame, whoſe grave inſtructions were
To ſuperſtitious Vanities a Bar.
Thou art the ſame, whoſe comfort and reliefe,
Gave ſtrength and joy to ſouls oppreſt with griefe.
verse 4As are ſtrong pillars to uphold the weak,
So were the words which thou didſt daily ſpeake:
Weak knees even bowing under burthens great,
To thee for ſtrengthning comforts did retreat.
verse 5Thus wouldſt thou others overwhelm'd in griefe,
Helpe with divineſt comforts and reliefe.
But thou doeſt faint, now griefe does thee aſſaile,
Thou art afflicted, and thy heart does faile.
verse 6Is not this all thy fear, thy confidence,
Thy upright dealings and thy patience?
verse 7Remember well, I pray thee, call to mind,
If ere the innocent you falling finde.
11Or in your long experience can you ſay,
The upright dealer ever did decay.
verse 8But I have ſeen thoſe that do miſchiefe frame,
Plowing and ſowing evill, reap the ſame.
verse 9They quickly periſh by a ſudden death,
They are conſumed by th' Almighties breath.
verse 10The Lyons roaring voice, and by his ſtroke,
The teeth of fierceſt Lyons whelps are broke.
verse 11The Lyons range, yet want their ſought-for prey,
And the ſtout Lyons whelps abroad do ſtray.
verse 12I ſaw a ſecret viſion, and mine ear
Some little of it formerly did hear.
verse 13'Twas when Death's elder brother faſt did keep,
Poor mortals hood-wink'd in a veile of ſleep.
Firſt enter'd thoughts, then viſions overſpred
With diſplaid banners, my ſleep-drowned head.
verse 14Fear, diſmall fear ſoon follow'd, which did make
Such an impreſſion, all my bones did ſhake.
verse 15A Spirit paſſed then before my face,
Which frighted me into ſo great a maze;
A dreadfull horror in me I did feele,
My hair ſtood upright, all my blood was ſteel.
verse 16It ſtood before me yet I could not ſee,
At leaſt diſcern its form, what it might be.
An Image did appear before mine eyes,
When loe, thus ſpeaking, I did hear a voice;
verse 17Can it be thought that mortall man can be,
More juſt then the All-judging Deity?
Or ſhall fraile fleſh eſteem it ſelfe more pure
Then the All-good? Can he ſuch thoughts endure?
12verse 18Behold, even in his ſervants he could find
No true faiths luſtre ſhining in their mind:
Nay th' Angels were impure, whom once he dight
With his own glorious livery of light.
verse 19How much more fooliſh and impure are they,
Whoſe hope conſiſteth in a houſe of clay?
Whoſe chiefe foundations but in duſt are laid,
Which are before the moth againe deſtroy'd?
verse 20They are deſtroyed all the day, nor are
They once regarded with one moane or teare.
verse 21Does not their glory quite forgotten lye?
Ev'n without wiſedome as the fooles they dye.
CHAP. V.
verse 1CAll now and ſee if thon canſt any find
That will returne an anſwer to thy mind.
Or wilt thou turne to any Saint? no Age
Can garbe a patterne fitting to thy rage.
verse 2The fooliſh dye in their repining fit,
And wrathfull envy kils the void of wit.
verse 3The wicked have I ſeene to proſper much,
Yet at him never did repine or grutch.
I curs'd his dwelling, for I knew that God
Had deſtin'd him to his deſtroying rod.
verse 4His children are poſſeſt with daily feare
Of fatall danger to attend them here.
13By publike judgement they're condemn'd to dye,
And without helpe or pity cruſhed lie.
verse 5The hungry ſoule ſhall hate his harveſt corne,
Yea they ſhall take it from among the thornes:
And who are thirſty ſhall their drowth ſo ſlake,
For drinke their ſubſtance yet remaining take.
verse 6Though trouble comes not from the duſt, we know,
Nor yet affliction from the ground doth grow:
verse 7Yet ſtill as mans ſhort daies and life encreaſe,
So do afflictions daily on him preſſe;
He's borne to travell, and in griefe to dye,
As ſparkes are upwards from the coales to flye.
verse 8I'de ſeeke to God, relying on his laws,
And unto God would I commit my cauſe;
verse 9Which doth great things beyond the thought of man,
And wonderfull, whoſe number none can ſcan.
verse 10Who gives the former and the latter raine,
To fill the earth with fruits, the fields with graine.
verse 11To ſet on high the lowly, and to raiſe
Mourners from ſorrow to Halcyon daies.
verse 12Wiſe Polititians cannot ſo invent,
But their devices he does diſappoint;
T' effect their purpoſe though they beat their brain,
Yet ſtill they find their enterpriſes vain.
verse 13The wiſe for future actions lay deſignes,
And he their fooliſh wiſedome countermines.
He makes their plots be their own catching-baite,
Whereby they others thought t'infatuate:
But headlong counſels ever do attend
The fooliſh, who to vice their courſes bend.
14verse 14They meet with darkneſſe in the cleareſt light,
And grope at noone as in the darkeſt night.
verse 15But from the raging ſword the poore does ſave,
And from their tongue, whoſe mouth's an open grave;
And from oppreſſors violence, whoſe law
Is only lucre without ſhame or aw.
verse 16The poor have hope when wickedneſſe ſhall crop
Her growing bud and vice her mouth ſhall ſtop.
verse 17That man is happy whom the Lord corrects,
(He chaſteneth moſt that Son he beſt affects)
When he by trialls ſhall thy ſoule refine,
Be not caſt down, nor at his rod repine.
verse 18He gives a wound, and bindeth up againe:
He maketh ſore, and doth aſſwage the paine.
verse 19Thou in ſixe troubles ſhalt untouched be,
Yea, and in ſeven he will maintaine thee free.
verse 20In time of famine he will give thee bread,
Nor ſhall the ſword of war once touch thy head.
verse 21Invective tongues ſhall ne're thy credit ſcourge,
Nor comming ruine thee to terrour urge.
verse 22Though death and ruine rage, thou ſhalt have joy,
Nor ſhall the fierceſt beaſt thy reſt annoy.
verse 23The very ſtones ſhall with thee be at peace;
The beaſts againſt thee enmity ſhall ceaſe:
verse 24And thou ſhalt know thy dwellings ſhall be bleſt
With ſure foundations, and eternall reſt:
Thine habitations thou with joy maiſt ſee,
Yet ſhalt at croſſes not offended be.
verse 25Thou ſhalt perceive the thriving of thy race,
Thy ſeed too ſhall encreaſe as doth the graſſe.
15verse 26Thou being full of daies ſhalt dye, as Corn
In ſeaſon gather'd comes into the Barn.
verse 27Lo, thus it is, we have it underſtood,
Then do thou know and hear it for thy good.
CHAP. VI.
verse 1THen anſwer'd Iob; Oh that my griefe were weigh'd,
verse 2And my afflictions in the ballance laid.
verse 3'Twold be more heavy then the ſand I know,
That I want words convenient to my woe.
verse 4For the Allmighties arrowes in me are,
Whoſe poyſon drinks my ſpirit, and fleſh tear:
And which is worſt, my conſcience doth me fright,
The terrors of the Lord againſt me fight.
verse 5When he hath fodder doth the wild Aſſe bray?
Or doe the Oxen low when they have hay?
verse 6Can any palate reliſh, much leſs eate,
Without taſt-giving ſalt unſavory meat?
Or in the whites of egges can any find
A taſte ſo good to ſatisfie his minde?
verse 7Such things as did my ſoule refuſe to eat,
Were, as are ſorrows, my continuall meat.
verse 8Oh that I might have granted my deſire,
And that the Lord would give what I require:
verse 9That God againſt my life would ſtretch his hand,
And cut me off from living in the Land.
16verse 10Then ſhould I yet have comfort, for I would
Harden my ſelf in ſorrow, though he ſhould
Daſh me to pieces, for I ſtill have ſhewne
And not deny'd the words o'th' Holy One.
verse 11What is my hope, that I ſhall yet endure?
Or length of daies why ſhould I ſeek to aſſure?
verse 12Is my ſmall vigour as the ſtrength of ſtones?
Of brazen hardneſſe is my fleſh and bones?
verse 13Is it not ſo, that there's no help, no joy
In me? And Wiſdome driven is away?
verse 14To the afflicted pitty ſhould be ſhewn,
And friendly help to ſuch as ſigh and groan.
Now friends afflictions cannot draw one teare.
Of the almighty men have left the feare.
verse 15As Brooks by Summers drought do water want,
verse 16And then by Winters froſts our hopes ſupplant;
But when raine gives enough, are overflown,
So have my friends deceitfull been each one.
And as the ſtream of Brooks they paſs away,
Giving nor help, nor comfort by their ſtay.
verse 17Now they are black with Ice and hid in ſnow,
Then dry with heat, and are conſumed ſo,
verse 18Or elſe inclining to another courſe,
They vaniſh, loſing both their name and force.
verse 19Who go to Tema, look the now-loſt floud,
And thoſe of Sheba, ſeek the Watry rode.
verse 20Both are confounded, for their hopes are gone,
They came and ſought, but Water finde they none.
verse 21Sure ye are like them, yee have ſeen my griefe
And fear, or hope to give me, or reliefe.
17verse 22Did I ſeek yours? Or did I ought require?
Or of your ſubſtance a reward deſire?
verse 23Or did I ſay, from foes deliver me?
Or from the hand of Tyrants ſet me free?
verse 24Teach me and ile be ſilent, let me know,
Wherein I err'd, my error I le forgo.
verse 25How forcible is truth? vaine talke you love,
For in me what offence can you reprove?
verse 26Thinke you to carpe at words? or will you finde
With deſperate ſpeeches fault, which are as wind?
verse 27Yea in your wroth, the fatherleſs you rend,
And dig a pit for your diſtreſled friend.
verse 28Now therefore be content, look on my woe,
And if I lie, 'tis evident to you.
verse 29Return. I pray you, let it not be ſin,
Returne and ſee my righteouſneſs herein.
verse 30Things misbeſeeming did my tongue reherſe,
Cannot my taſte diſcover things perverſe?
18CHAP. VII.
verse 1IS not a time appointed from his birth
By Heavens decree to man upon the Earth?
Are not his daies as thoſe of hirelings are,
Who for their wages muſt no labor ſpare.
verse 2As doth a ſervant, hot through work, deſire
Some cooling ſhade whereto he may retire.
And as an hireling daily doth attend
For the reward due when his work hath end:
verse 3So doe I ſee moneths hop'd for paſs in vaine,
And nights returning to renew my paine.
verse 4When I lye down, I ſay, when ſhall I riſe,
And lowring night forſake the darkned skies.
And I am full of toſſings to and fro
Unto the dawning of the day through woe.
verse 5My plague is loathſome, all my fleſh is clad
With Wormes and duſt, no caſe is to be had.
My skin is broken and in ſuch a plight,
That 'tis a loathſome eye fore to the ſight.
verse 6Swifter then Weavers Shuttles paſs my daies,
And without hope are ſpent, or ſhorteſt ſtaies.
verse 7Oh call to mind, my life is but a blaſt,
I ſhall no more ſee good, or pleaſure taſt.
verse 8I periſh thence where I was ſeen before,
Thy eyes are on me, and I am no more.
19verse 9As watry clouds obſcure the cleareſt day,
Yet when diſgorg'd of moyſture, fade away;
So he that goes to'th' quiet of the grave,
No more the pleaſures of this life ſhall have.
verse 10He ſhall no more come from his choſen urne,
Nor to the place of his abode returne.
verse 11With ſaddeſt plaints therefore I'le ſilence break,
I will in anguiſh of my ſpirit ſpeak.
My catalogue of woes I will unroule,
In bitterneſs of my perplexed ſoule.
verse 12Am I a Whale, or Sea, t'o'repaſs my bounds,
That thus with watches thou beſetſt me round?
verse 13When I fore think my bed ſhall comfort give,
My couch ſhall eaſe my plaints and me relieve.
verse 14Then with affrighting dreams thou doſt me skare,
And fearfull viſions all my ſolace are.
verse 15So that my ſoule would ſtrangling, yea and death,
Rather then draw in my ſo hatefull breath.
verse 16I loath it, I'de not live, die would I faine,
Let me alone, my daies are all but vain.
verse 17What's man, that thou ſhouldſt magnifie him yet,
And that upon him thou thine heart ſhouldſt ſet?
verse 18And that thou doſt him viſit every morne,
And moment-tryals tell him, not forlorne?
verse 19Why wilt not leave me, nor let me alone,
Till I my ſpittle may but ſwallow down.
verse 20Oh thou great men-preſerver, now I ſee
My paſſed ſins, what ſhall I doe to thee?
Why haſt thou as thy marke ſet me vile elſe,
So that I am a burthen to my ſelfe?
20verse 21And why my treſpaſs doſt thou not forget,
And take away my ſin from out thy ſight?
I ſhall ſleep hidden then within the ground,
And if thou ſeek me I ſhall not be found.
CHAP. VIII.
verse 1THen Bildad ſpeaking did this anſwer make;
verse 2How long of theſe things wilt thou love to ſpeak?
And ſhall we ſtill thy vainer ſpeeches find,
As are the quick-gone puffes of mighty winde?
verse 3Doth the Allmighty judgement turne aſide?
Or doth perverted juſtice God abide?
verse 4If ſo thy ſons were not of ſin afraid,
And he their treſpaſs hath with death repaid.
verse 5If thou wouldſt early ſeeke to God, and ſend
Thy pray'rs up to him, and his will attend.
verse 6If thou wert pure and upright, ſurely he
Would now awake, to help and comfort thee;
And with continued happineſs would bleſs,
The habitation of thy righteouſneſs.
verse 7Though thy beginning were but ſmall, yet peace
Should crown thy latter end with great encreaſe.
verse 8Inquire I pray thee, laying by thy rage,
Of our fore-Fathers, ſearch the former Age.
verse 9(For of our dwelling here the ſureſt ſtate,
Drawes but from yeſterday its longeſt date:
21 We are unskilfull, nothing know, alas!
Our daies on earth do as a ſhadow paſs.)
verse 10Shall not they teach, and tell thee, and impart
Things ſecret to thee from their knowing heart?
verse 11Without the mire can ſmalleſt ruſhes grow?
Or flags where water doth not uſe to flow?
verse 12While in its greenneſs, and uncut it be,
It before other herbs we wither'd ſee.
verse 13So are the paths of all that God forget,
And hypocrites falſe hope their joy ſhall let.
verse 14Whoſe confidence ſhall be cut off, and's truſt
Shall be ſwept down as ſpiders web or duſt.
verse 15Upon his houſe, his hope and ſtrength ſhall reſt,
But it ſhall fall and not endure the teſt.
Faſt he ſhall hold it as a guard ſecure,
But it ſhall faile his hope and not endure.
verse 16He's green before the Sun, which makes him grow,
And in his Garden ſhooteth forth his bough.
verse 17About the Fountaine wrapped are his roots,
And in the place of ſtones appeares his ſhoots.
verse 18If any ſhall deſtroy him from his place,
Then none ſhall know that ever there it was.
verse 19Behold, he will rejoyce for this his way,
And others ſhall grow there another day.
verse 20See, God the perfect man will not deſtroy,
Nor help the wicked in their ſad annoy.
verse 21Untill with laughing he do fill thy mouth,
And make thy lips rejoyce to ſee his truth.
verse 22As for thy foes who thee purſue with hate,
Shame ſhall their cloathing be, and woe their mate.
22And who their hands with vicious folly ſtain,
Their dwelling places never ſhall remain.
CHAP. IX.
verse 1THen anſwered Job, I know that this is ſure,
verse 2But how ſhould man before the Lord be pure?
verse 3If he would with him ſtrive, when all is done,
He cannot anſwer of a thouſand one;
verse 4He is in heart all-knowing, and all-wiſe,
And powerfull in ſtrength, rending the skies:
Who e're hath proſper'd, or with wealth been bleſt,
Which hath againſt the Lord harden'd his breſt?
verse 5Which doth remove the hills, and they not know,
And in his anger doth them overthrow.
verse 6He doth the Earth remove out of her ſeat,
So that the aire its ſhaking pillars beat.
verse 7He bids the Sun, and loe it will not riſe,
And ſealeth up the Stars within the Skies.
verse 8Himſelfe alone the heaven abroad doth ſpread,
And on the ſeas impetuous billowes tread.
verse 8He doth Arcturus and Orion make,
And Pleiades from him their being take:
The chambers of the South his power owne,
With both the torrid and the frigid Zone.
verse 10Which doth great things beyond the reach of man.
And wonders works, whoſe number none can ſcan.
23verse 11Behold, he paſſeth by, he goes by me,
Yet do I neither him perceive or ſee.
verse 12Behold, he by his power takes a prey,
Who ſhall controule him, or but ſay him nay?
verse 13If God his burning wrath will not withdraw.
The proudeſt helpes ſtoope under him with aw.
verse 14How much leſſe ſhall I anſwer him, or mould
My words with him an argument to hold?
verse 15Whom l'de not anſwer, though I righteous were,
(For 'tis preſumption ſuch a thing to dare)
I ſuch raſh fooliſh courſes would not take,
But ſupplication to my Judge would make.
verse 16If in my torments I to him had cry'd,
And to my calling he had ſtraight repli'd,
Yet would I not my tried faith once cheere
With hopes that to me he had bent an eare.
verse 17For why? he with a tempeſt breakes my bones,
And multiplies without a cauſe my wounds.
verse 18He will not let me take (unwilling) breath,
But fils my ſoule with bitterneſſe of death.
verse 19If I of ſtrength or youthfull rigour ſpeake,
Lo, he is ſtrong; a bow of ſteele hee'l breake.
Or if of judgement, who ſhall ever dare
To bring me•o a pleading at the bar?
verse 20If I ſhould think my ſelfe to juſtifie,
My condemnation my own words ſhould be;
If I ſhould think perfect or juſt to ſeeme,
He me perverſe and wicked would eſteeme.
verse 21Though I were perfect, yet in mine own eyes
Would I not ſeeme ſo; I'de my life deſpiſe.
24verse 22This is one thing: and therefore did I ſay,
He doth the wicked and the good deſtroy.
verse 23After the ſcourge, if ſudden death be ſent,
Hee'l laugh at triall of the innocent.
verse 24The earth is given to the wicked, they
In it the Scepter and Dominion ſway;
The faces of the Judges he doth hide,
They cannot juſtice ſee, but go aſide:
Or if not ſo, where then, or who is he,
That can a reaſon ſhew why theſe things be?
verse 25My daies now ſwifter then a poſt do flee,
They all are vaniſh'd, and no good do ſee.
verse 26As ſwifteſt ſhips they paſſed are away,
Or as an Eagle haſting to the prey.
verse 27If that I ſay I will my plaints forſake,
Leave off my mournings, and ſome comfort take:
verse 28Then do I feare my woes, griefes me infold,
Knowing thou wilt not innocent me hold.
verse 29If I be wicked, why then ſtill in vaine
Thus do I labour, lingring in my paine?
verse 30If with ſnow-water I my ſelfe do waſh,
And make my hands moſt cleane from ſinfull traſh:
verse 31Yet ſhalt thou plunge me in the ditch, moſt vile
I ſhall appeare, yea my cloaths me defile,
verse 32For he is not a man with fleſh attir'd
Like me, vile Creature, who in ſin am min'd;
That if in judgement we together come,
Should I him anſwer? nay, I ſhould be dumb.
verse 33Nor is there any Umpire us betweene,
On's both to lay his hand and intervene.
25verse 34But let him take away his rod from me,
Let not his fear my ſoul thus terrifie.
verse 35Then would I ſpeak and not fear any ill,
But ſince it it is not ſo, I hold me ſtill.
CHAP. X.
verse 1MY ſoule's cut off, though painefull life I have,
I my complaint upon my ſelfe to leave;
My catalogue of Woes I will unroule,
And ſpeake in anguiſh of my troubled ſoule.
verse 2I'le ſay to God, Condemne me not, but ſhew
Wherefore it is with me thou ſtriveſt ſo.
verse 3Doth it ſeem good to thee, that thou oppreſs
Without a cauſe, and heighten my dirtreſs?
Or without pitty that thou ſhouldſt deſpiſe
Thine handy-work? is that thy wonted guiſe?
Or wilt thou let thy ſhining favour crown
Perverſe mens counſels, and yet caſt me down?
verse 4And haſt thou eyes of fleſh, or doſt thou ſee,
As erring mortals, who unknowing be?
verse 5Are thy daies fleeting, as the daies of man?
Or are thy yeers denoted in a ſpan?
verse 6That of my faults thou doſt enquiry make,
And of my ſin a view ſo narrow take.
verse 7Thou know'ſt I am not wicked, that I lye
Reſtrain'd from ſinning by my miſery.
26Thou alſo know'ſt, none can ſo mighty be,
Who may out of thine hand deliver me.
verse 8Thou didſt my formeleſs lump faſhion and make,
Yet thou deſtroy'ſt me and my life doſt take.
verse 9Thou all-Creator call to minde I pray,
That thou haſt made me as the brittle clay;
And wilt thou ſcourge me in thy wrath with pain,
And into duſt convert my fleſh again?
verse 10Haſt thou not poured out like milke my lees,
And into curds converted me as cheeſe?
verse 11Thou haſt with skin and fleſh my frailty clad,
And all my joynts and bones and ſinews made.
verse 12Thy grace and favour too hath made me live,
Thy providence my ſpirit did relieve.
verse 13And thou haſt hid theſe things within thy heart,
That this is with thee, know I for my part.
verse 14If I offend, thou markeſt me wherein,
And wilt not hold me guiltleſs of my ſin.
verse 15If I be wicked, woefull is my fate;
If I be righteous in the worlds conceit,
Yet dare I will not to lift up my head.
Both of confuſion I am full and dread.
See thou therefore my miſery and griefe,
And of thy mercy ſend me ſome reliefe.
verse 16For why, alas, my daily woes renew
With the upriſing Sun; thou doſt purſue
Me as a faging Lyon, and again,
Shew'ſt thy ſelfe wondrous to prolong my pain.
verse 17Thy plagues againſt me Lord thou doſt encreaſe,
And wilt not let thine indignation ceaſe.
27I am unſetled, yea and full of change,
Sorrowes againſt me do an army range.
verse 18Why didſt thou then bring me from out the womb?
Would I had di'd, or it had been my tomb;
And that no mortall ever had me ſeen,
That it might not be ſaid, I once had been.
verse 19Then of not being I my wiſh ſhould have,
And from the womb been carried to the grave.
verse 20Are not my daies few? let me then alone,
That I by comforts may aſſwage my moan,
verse 21Before I go, whence no return can be
Unto a land of gloomy miſery.
verse 22A land of darkneſs, like to pitchy night,
Or like that darkneſs which did Egypt fright:
And of the ſhadow of moſt dreadfull death,
Whoſe light is darkneſs, and no order hath.
28CHAP. XI.
verse 1THy throngs of words, ſaid the Naamathite,
verse 2Should we not anſwer, then you juſtly might
Tax us of folly, and you upright be;
But words their ſpeaker cannot juſtifie.
verse 3Should thy deceits make our advices ceaſe,
Or thy devices make men hold their peace?
And when thou mockeſt, doſt thou think no man
Should for thy floutings make thee bluſh with ſhame?
verse 4Haſt thou not ſaid, my doctrine is moſt pure,
And I my cleanneſſe in thine eies aſſure?
verse 5But Oh! that God would now againſt thee ſpeak,
And now at length his long-kept ſilence break.
verse 6That hee'd unlock the moſt myſterious deep,
Of ſacred wiſdome, which his treaſures keep,
That they are double to that ford of thine,
From which thou boaſteſt to be ſo divine:
Then would'ſt thou know thy ſins did merit far,
More heavy plagues then laid upon thee are.
verse 7Canſt thou by curious ſearchings of thy mind,
Preſume on ſuch a thought as God to find?
Or canſt thou tread the Dedalaean maze
Of his perfection in thy ſpan of daies?
verse 8'Tis as the heights of Heaven, what canſt thou do?
Deeper then loweſt hell, what canſt thou know?
29verse 9In meaſure longer then the earth can be,
And broader then the world-ſurrounding ſea.
verse 10If he cut off, ſhut up, or gather will,
Who can him let his purpoſe to fulfill?
verse 11He knowes vain men, he wickedneſſe ſees too;
Will not he then give it his guerdon due?
verse 12Man would be wiſe, yet is a lumpiſh dolt,
Yea, he is borne like a wild Aſſes colt.
verse 13If with repentance thou thine heart prepare.
And ſtretch out hands which purified are;
verse 14If thou with ſin be laden, throw't away,
And let it not dwell in thy houſe of clay:
verse 15Then ſhall thy ſpotleſs face exalted be,
And thou ſhalt ſtand and no more terror ſee.
verse 16Thou ſhalt forget thy woe, enjoying good,
And it remember as a by-paſt Flood.
verse 17Thou ſhalt be clearer then the day at noon,
And ſhine as bright as doth the morning Sun,
verse 18Thy hope ſhall make thee to remain ſecure,
And thou in ſafety ſhalt thy ſelfe immure.
verse 19Thou ſhalt lie downe, and none ſhall make thee feare,
Yea many thee ſhall call their ſutes to hear.
verse 20But for the wicked, loe their eies ſhall faile,
They ſhall not ſcape, terror ſhall them aſſaile:
Yea all their hopes ſhall be cut off by death,
And fly away as doth a puffe of breath.
30CHAP. XII.
verse 1THen anſwer'd Job; yea, you the people are,
verse 2Who ſuck in wiſdome as you draw in aire;
No doubt but you do underſtand alone,
And wiſdome too ſhall dye when you are gone.
verse 3But be not ſo deceiv'd; I underſtand
As well as you, Ile never give the hand
To the moſt ſelfe-conceited among you:
For who ſuch things as theſe are doth not know?
verse 4I am as one mock'd of his friends, who call
Upon my God, who anſwers me in all;
The wicked Atheiſt laugheth him to ſcorne,
Whoſe mind pure juſtice doth with grace adorne.
verse 5Whoſe feet are ſliding in a ſlippery place,
Is as a Lampe ſcorned by one at eaſe.
verse 6The place of robbers proſpers; they're ſecure,
Who to provoke the Lord themſelves enure.
verse 7But aske the beaſts, they ſhall to thee declare,
The foules ſhall teach thee from amids the aire:
verse 8Or aske the earth, it will thee wiſdome ſhew,
The very fiſhes will the ſame thing do.
verse 9As not to know in theſe, who is ſo rude
That God doth this with mighty pow'r indu'd;
verse 10In whoſe diſpoſall in the life of man,
And every living ſoule comes from his hand?
31verse 11Doth not the eare diſtinguiſh ſounds? and meat
Doth not the palate taſte before it eate?
verse 12Wiſdome is taken for the crown of age,
With long life underſtanding mounts the Stage.
verse 13Wiſdome and ſtrength do the Almighty cloath
He counſell hath, and underſtanding both:
verse 14He breaketh down, and none can build agen;
He ſhutteth up, and who can open then?
verse 15Loe, he with holds the waters, and they dry,
He ſends them out, and o'r the world they flie.
verse 16With him both ſtrength and ſacred wiſdome is,
Both the deceiver and deceiv'd are his.
verse 17The Counſellors he leads unto the ſpoile,
And in their folly doth the Judges foile.
verse 18The bond he looſeth of moſt mighty Kings,
And round about their loines a girdle brings.
verse 19He ſpoileth Princes, and doth overthrow
The mighty ones in an Abyſſe of woe.
verse 20He from the faithfull counſell takes away,
And from the aged underſtanding ſtay.
verse 21He powrs contempt on Princes with his frown,
And brings the ſtrength of the moſt mighty down.
verse 22He unvailes ſecrets from the miſt of night.
And brings the very ſhade of death to light,
verse 23Sometimes hee'l ruine Nations, ſometimes bleſſe,
Now hee'l enlarge, anon hee'l make them leſſe.
verse 24He doth the leaders of the earth aſſaile,
And makes their hearts in midſt of mirth to faile;
Making them wander in a deſart maze,
Where neither paths are, nor frequented waies.
32verse 25They grope in darkneſſe, looking pale and wan;
He makes them ſtagger like a drunken man.
CHAP. XIII.
verse 1BEhold, mine eye hath ſeen all this, mine eare
The ſame did daily underſtand and heare:
verse 2What ye do know, the ſame I alſo do,
I am no whit inferiour unto you.
verse 3For you I care not, ſure my thoughts are higher;
With God to ſpeake, and reaſon I deſire.
verse 4But ye to me as Sycophants do ſeeme,
Ye are Phyſitians all of no eſteeme.
verse 5A modeſt ſilence would your wiſdome ſhew
More than this babling: Oh that 'twould be ſo.
verse 6Hearken to me, my arguments now heare,
And to my pleadings give attentive eare.
verse 7You folly ſpeake, and make God your pretence,
And talke deceit of him with confidence.
verse 8Will ye exceptions at his perſon make?
Thinke you he wants your ſtrength his part to take?
verse 9Think you it well, that he of you ſhould ſeeke?
As for a man, lies for him will you make?
verse 10He will reprove you both as fooles and vaine,
If ye mens perſons do accept for gaine.
verse 11Shall not his Majeſty make you afraid?
Shall not his Anger make you quaile with dread?
33verse 12Your memories like aſhes flye away,
Your bodies liken bodies too of clay.
verse 13Hold, hold your peace, let me alone, I ſay,
That I may ſpeake, let come what will or may.
verse 14My fleſh as famiſh'd, why do I devoure,
And put my life in perill every houre?
verse 15Although he ſlay me, in him will I truſt,
But mine own waies I will maintaine and muſt.
verse 16He ſhall to me a Saviour be moſt deare,
And hypocrites before him ſha'n't appeare.
verse 17My declaration diligently heare;
Attend my ſpeech with an attentive eare.
verse 18Behold, my cauſe I have in order ſet,
And know I ſhall be juſtified by it.
verse 19Who is he that will plead with me? If I
Be forced now to ſilence, I ſhall dye.
verse 20Only let not two things to me betide,
Then I my ſelfe from thee will never hide.
verse 21Let him with-draw his hand away from me,
Let not thy feare my ſoule thus terrifie.
verse 22Then if thou call, loe, I will anſwer thee,
Or let me ſpeake, and anſwer thou to me.
verse 23How many are my ſins? make me to know
My paſt tranſgreſſions, and my ſins forgoe.
verse 24Why hideſt thou thy face? why doſt thou hold
Me for thine enemy profeſs'd and bold?
verse 25Wilt thou a leafe breake, driven by the wind?
Or to purſue dry ſtubble doſt thou mind?
verse 26For thou againſt me writeſt bitter things,
My ſins of youth now plagues upon me brings.
34verse 27Thou putſt me into priſon, and my way
Thou narrowly obſerveſt all the day:
My heeles thou markeſt and my feet eſpie;
My ſteps thou noteſt if they tread awry.
verse 28And as a rotten thing he fades away,
As a moth-eaten garment doth decay.
CHAP. XIV.
verse 1MAn that is borne of woman hath a life
Though ſhort of daies, yet full of troublous ſtrife.
verse 2He as a flower ſpringeth forth and bloſſomes,
But cropt before the time of ripenes comes.
And as a ſhadow he does flye away,
Either without continuance or ſtay.
verse 3And doſt thou ſuch an one behold and ſee,
And into judgement bringeſt me with thee?
verse 4Will nature changed be? a cleaner thing
Out of an uncleane maſſe what man can bring,
verse 5Seeing his daies appointed are, and thou
The number of his months and bounds doſt know?
verse 6Turne but thine hand from him, that reſt he may,
Till as an hireling he make up his day.
verse 7For of a tree ſome hope doth yet remaine,
Although cut down, that it will ſprout againe;
And that its tender branch yet will not ceaſe,
But budding firſt, further at length encreaſe.
35verse 8Although its root grow old within the ground,
And in the earth its ſtock decay'd be found;
verse 9Yet through the ſent of water will it ſprout,
And like a plant, greene boughs afreſh ſhoot out.
verse 10But man, poore man does die, and waſte, and flee;
He giveth up the Ghoſt, and where is he?
verse 11As Rivers faile to run into the Sea,
And ſo the floud doth dry up and decay;
verse 12So man lies down and riſes not againe,
Untill the heavens no more be, or remaine:
They ſhall not waken, but ſhall ſilence keep,
Nor ſhall they raiſed be out of their ſleep.
verse 13Oh that the grave might be a hiding place,
Wherein to hide me till thy wrath to paſſe:
And that thou wouldſt appoint a time wherein
Thou wouldſt thinke on me, and forgive my ſin.
verse 14If once man faile by ſtroke of look'd-for death,
Shall he yet live againe and draw his breath?
The daies of my appointed time Ile waite,
Untill my change my paines abreviate.
verse 15Thou ſhalt call me, and I will anſwer make,
Thou in thy workmanſhip wilt pleaſure take.
verse 16For now my ſteps thou numbreſt, and doſt note;
Doſt thou not watch over my acted fault?
verse 17My ſin, as in a bag, is ſealed faſt,
And my tranſgreſſion ſewed up thou haſt.
verse 18The mountains falling come to nought, ſure 'tis,
And from his place the rock removed is:
verse 19The waters weare the ſtones: the things that grow
Thou ſpoileſt, and mans hope doſt overthrow.
36verse 20Thou doſt prevaile againſt him, and he's gone,
His countenance thou changeſt, and he's done.
verse 21His ſons though great, unknown to him's their lot,
They are dejected, but he knows it not.
verse 22His fleſh upon him ſhall be payned ſore,
And's ſoul within him ſhall for anguiſh roar.
CHAP. XV.
verse 1THen Eliphaz: Should wiſe men folly mind,
verse 2And fill their belly with the Eaſtern wind?
verse 3Should he with talke unprofitable frame,
His arguing reaſons, or with ſpeeches vaine?
verse 4Yea, off thou caſteſt reverentiall fear,
And doſt reſtrain before the Lord thy prayer.
verse 5For loe thy mouth thine own tranſgreſſion ſhews,
And thou the tongue doſt of the crafty uſe.
verse 6And thine own mouth condemneth thee, not I;
Yea, thine own lips againſt thee teſtifie.
verse 7Wert thou the firſt of all men born, or had
You a beginning, ere the hils were made?
verse 8Haſt thou Gods ſecret heard, and doſt reſtraine
Wiſdome and policy to thine own braine?
verse 9Wherein doth thy experience over-reach
Our knowledge? or wherein us canſt thou teach?
verse 10With us grey headed men and aged are,
Yea much more aged then thy fathers were.
37verse 11With thee are all Gods conſolations ſmall?
Is there with thee one ſecret thing at all?
verse 12Why doth thine heart lead thee aſtray? or why,
Or whereat doſt thou wink with wicked eye?
verse 13That God thou thus deſpiſeſt without dread,
And let'ſt ſuch words out of thy mouth proceed.
verse 14What are frail mortals that they ſhould be clean,
And think themſelves from wickedneſs to wean?
Or he that's of a woman born that he
Himſelfe ſo righteous ſhould eſteem to be?
verse 15To truſt his Saints, Loe he takes no delight,
Yea and the heavens unclean are in his ſight:
verse 16How much more filthy and impure is man,
Who doth like water drink tranſgreſſion.
verse 17Behold, I'le ſhew thee, liſten then and hear,
Only what I have ſeen I will declare.
verse 18VVhich wiſemen have from their fore-fathers told,
And did not from their children it with-hold.
verse 19To whom alone the earth was given, and
No ſtrangers paſt among them in the Land.
verse 20The wicked man travels with daily paine,
And yet of yeeres the number cannot gain.
verse 21A dreadfull ſound is in his eares; the foe,
In his moſt proſperous time ſhall on him flow.
verse 22He out of darkneſs credits no return;
The ſword waits for him, yet he does not mourn.
verse 23For bread he wanders ſeeking through the Land,
He knowes the day of darkneſs is at hand.
verse 24Trouble ſhall terrifie, and anguiſh fright,
And foil him, as a King prepar'd for fight.
38verse 25For againſt God he ſtretcheth out his hand,
Againſt th' Al-mighty he himſelfe doth band.
verse 26He runneth on him, even on his neck,
On his defenſive bucklers boſſes thick;
verse 27Becauſe with fatneſs he his face doth hide,
And makes fat collops on his flanks and ſide.
verse 28He dwels in Cities which are deſolate,
And in the houſes where none habitate:
In places which ſo full of ruines are,
That nothing but deformed heaps appear.
verse 29He never ſhall be rich in his revenue,
Nor ſhall his gather'd ſubſtance long continue:
Neither ſhall he prolong upon the earth,
Its ſmall perfection, or for gaine or mirth.
verse 30He ſhall not out of darkneſſe get, the flame
Shall dry up his branches, and burn up his name;
And by the breath which from Gods mouth doth fly,
He ſhall conſume, and go away, and die.
verse 31Let not deceived men truſt in things vain,
For vanity ſhall them reward again.
verse 32It ſhall be e're his time accompliſh'd ſeen,
And his now-dying branch ſhall not be ſeen.
verse 33His unripe grape, as Vines, ſhake off ſhall he,
And caſt his flower as the Olive tree.
verse 34For hypocrites ſhall periſh from their Place,
And fire the place of brib'ries ſhall deface.
verse 35They bring forth air, conceiving miſchiefs great,
Their belly alſo doth prepare deceit.
39CHAP. XVI.
verse 1THen Iob: I have heard many ſuch like things,
verse 2Even all of you moſt wretched comfort bring.
verse 3Shall vain words have an end? or elſe whereby
Art thou emboldned, that thou art ſo high?
verse 4I too could ſpeak as ye do; if your ſoule
Were in my poor ſouls place, I could a roule
Of words heap up againſt you: and in ſtead
Of giving comfort, at you ſhake my head.
verse 5But with my mouth, I'd ſtrengthen your reliefe,
And with my moving lips aſſwage your griefe.
verse 6Although I ſpeak, my griefe yet doth not ceaſe;
And though I do forbear, I have no eaſe.
verse 7But he hath tyred and me weary made,
And my companions deſolate hath layde.
verse 8Thou haſt with wrinckles furrowed my face,
Which are againſt me in a witneſs place;
My leanneſſe in me, through my griefe and fear,
Even to my very face doth witneſſe bear.
verse 9My foe doth tear me in his wrath; his eyes
And teeth he ſharpning, doth my hurt deviſe.
verse 10They gap'd on me, and with reproach did ſmite
My cheek; to meet againſt me they delight.
verse 11God me deliver'd to the ungodlies bands,
And turn'd me over into wicked hands.
40verse 12I was at eaſe, but lo, he hath me broke,
And by the neck, me, wretched me hath took.
And hath my afflicted body even ſlaine.
And ſet me as the mark whereat hee'l aim.
verse 13He cleaves my reines in ſunder without ſpare,
Yet doth regard nor my complaint nor pray'r,
His Archers have about beſet me round,
He powreth out my gall upon the ground.
verse 14With daily breaches he doth me amerce,
He runs upon me like a Gyant fierce.
verse 15I have ſow'd ſackcloth on me, as was juſt,
And have defil'd mine honour in the duſt.
verse 16My face is foule with weeping, ſo's my breath,
And on my eye-lids is the ſhade of death.
verse 17Not that my hands injuſtice can endure,
Aſo my prayer before the Lord is pure.
verse 18Cover not thou my bloud, O Earth, and let
My dolefull cryings in thee no place get.
verse 19Alſo behold, my witneſſe is on high,
And my beſt record is above the skie.
verse 20My friends deſpiſe me, making mowes and jeeres,
But yet mine eye poure out to God my teares.
verse 21O that one might with God for frail man plead,
As for his friend another may at need.
verse 22When but few yeers are come, then ſhall I go,
The way whereby I ſhall returne no more.
41CHAP. XVII.
verse 1MY breath is grown corrupt, ſhort are my daies
And for the ready graves I am a prey.
verse 2Are there not mockers with me? don't mine eie,
Too long within their provocations lie.
verse 4Lay down now, put in ſurety which I like,
Who is he that with me his hands will ſtrike?
verse 4For thou haſt hid their heart from wiſdoms things,
Thou ſhalt therefore them to honour bring.
verse 5He that doth cheat his friends with flattering tongue,
His childrens eyes ſhall faile for ſuch his wrong.
verse 6The peoples by-word he made me, (alas!)
And as a tabret I aforetime was.
verse 7Mine eye is dimme by reaſon of my pain,
And all my members as a ſhade are vaine.
verse 8At this ſhall be amazed men upright,
And the innocent ſhall vex the hypocrite.
verse 9The righteous ſhall hold on his way, and ſo
He that hath cleanſed hands ſhall ſtronger grow.
verse 10As for you all return and liſten now,
For I one wiſeman cannot find with you.
verse 11My daies are paſt, my purpoſes are done,
The very thoughts within my heart are flown.
verse 12They change the Night into a lightſome day,
The light is ſhort, darkneſſe it drives away.
42verse 13If I do waite, my houſe the grave is made,
And in the darkneſs I my bed have laid.
verse 14Unto corruption I have ſaid forlorne,
Thou art my father: to the ſilly Worm,
Thou art my mother, and my ſiſter too,
Whoſe weak ſimplicity my frailty ſhew.
verse 15And where is now my hope? as for my hope
Who ſhall it ſee, and know his drift and ſcope?
verse 16They ſhall into the pit go; when we have
Our reſt together in the quiet grave.
CHAP. XVIII.
verse 1HOw long wil't be, ſaid Bildad; ſee you make
verse 2An end of words; mark us, & then wee'l ſpeak.
verse 3Wherefore as beaſts are we accounted ſlight,
And as moſt vile, reputed in thy ſight?
verse 4He tears himſelf in's wrath: ſhall th' earth be left
For thee or rocks removed be, or cleft?
verse 5The light of wicked men ſhall fade and die;
The ſparkles of their fire ſhall dying lie.
verse 6In his houſe light and darkneſſe are the ſame;
His lamp ſhall faile too with his periſh'd name.
verse 7His ſtreightned ſteps ſhall make his ſtrength to fail,
And his own counſell make him fall and quaile.
verse 8He goes into a net at unaware,
And walks on (laid to catch himſelfe) a ſnare.
43verse 9The way-laid grin ſhall take him by the heel,
And againſt him the robber ſhall prevaile.
verse 10Upon the ground for him a ſnare they lay,
And ſpread a trap to take him in the way.
verse 11Terrors of death ſhall fright him every where,
And drive him to a haſty flight for feare.
verse 12His ſtrength ſhall faile for hunger, and beſide
Nought but deſtruction ſhall to him betide.
verse 13It ſhall devoure his skin with tedious length,
The firſt-born of grim death ſhall eat his ſtrength.
verse 14His confidence ſhall from his houſe be fled,
And it ſhall bring him to the King of Dread
verse 15It in his houſe ſhall dwell, becauſe of right
'Tis none of his; Brimſtone ſhall on it light.
verse 16His root ſhall wither, and dry up below,
Yea and his branch above ſhall ceaſe to grow.
verse 17His name ſhall be forgotten, and his birth,
Shall be no more remembred on the earth.
verse 18Out of the world he ſhall be chaſed quite,
And driven into darkneſſe out of light.
verse 19He ſhall nor Son, nor nephew have, nor land,
Nor ought remaining in his houſe to ſtand.
verse 20They that come after, ſhall b'affeighted more,
At this his day, then thoſe who went before.
verse 21Such is the houſe of worldlings, ſuch their rod,
This is the place of them who know not God.
44CHAP. XIX.
verse 1THen Job: How long will ye thus vex my foul,
verse 2And me in pieces break with words ſo foul?
verse 3Ten times have ye reproached me with blame,
Yet of your ſtrangeneſs to me have no ſhame.
verse 4Be it indeed that I have err'd, vile elfe,
Mine error yet remaineth with my ſelfe.
verse 5If ye your ſelves will magnifie indeed,
And my reproach againſt me ſurely plead;
verse 6Know now that God hath me quite overſet,
And hath my feet encompas'd with his net.
verse 7Lo, I cri'd out of wrong, but none doth hear,
I cry aloud, but judgement don't appear.
verse 8He fenced has my way, I cannot paſs,
And he hath ſet ſad darkneſs in my place.
verse 9He ſtrips me of my glory, and doth tread
On me; He takes the Crown from off my head.
verse 10He hath deſtroy'd me, and I'm gon; and he
My long-liv'd hope hath moved like a tree.
verse 11His wrath is kindled to increaſe my woe,
And he accounts me as his daring foe.
verse 12His troops beſiege me, and defence their waies,
They doe encamp about my dwelling place.
verse 13He makes my brethren from me too too ſtrange,
And my acquaintance will not know my change.
45verse 14My Kin have failed, and my well known friends
Forget my paſſed love for my amends.
verse 15My houſhold for a ſtranger tooke me quite,
I am an alient in my maidens ſight:
verse 16I call'd my ſervant, he no anſwer gave,
And I intreated with my mouth my ſlave.
verse 17My Wife as ſtrange my loathed breath did take,
Though I did beg for mine own childrens ſake.
verse 18Young children alſo did me wretch deſpiſe;
They ſpeak againſt me, when I did ariſe.
verse 19My inward friends abhor me, cauſe I mourn;
They whom I loved, do againſt me turn.
verse 20My bones cleave to my skin, and to my fleſh;
I am conſumed with this cruell laſh.
verse 21Have pitty on me, O my friends, for God
Hath ſcourg'd me ſorely with a heavy rod.
verse 22As God, why do you perſecute me ſtill;
And are not ſated with my fleſhes fill?
verse 23Oh that my words were written now in frame,
That they were printed in the book of fame.
verse 24That they were graven with an iron pen,
And laid i'th' Rock for ever to remain.
verse 25For why, I know that my Redeemer lives,
(Who juſt rewards to his true ſervants gives)
And at the latter day that he ſhall ſtand,
The wicked to condemne and judge the Land:
verse 26And though my skin and body worms deſtroy,
Yet in my fleſh I ſhall ſee God with joy;
verse 27Whom I ſhall ſee in this ſame very mould,
And mine eies, not another, ſhall behold.
46Although my reines conſumed be with griefe,
Within my boſome without leaſt reliefe.
verse 28But ye ſhould ſay, why perſecuted's he,
Seeing the chiefeſt matter's found in me.
verse 29Fear ye the ſword, wrath brings it as its right,
That ye may know, a judgement's there upright.
CHAP. XX.
verse 1THen Zophar ſaid: My thoughts no time will waſt,
verse 2But make me anſwer, yea for this I haſt.
verse 3I have obſerv'd the check of my reproach,
Which makes my ſpirit thus an anſwer broach.
verse 4Knowſt thou not this of old, ſince man on earth
From God received a created birth.
verse 5That though the wicked triumph in his joy,
Yet in a minute griefe will him annoy;
And the diſſemblers mirth ſhall onely laſt
A moment, and then periſh like a blaſt.
verse 6Although his honour in the heaven he ſhroudes,
And though his head aſpire unto the cloudes;
verse 7Yet ſhall he periſh like his dung, and they
Which once have ſeen him, where is he? ſhall ſay.
verse 8As doth a dream, ſo he away ſhall flee,
And none ſhall find where ſuch an one could be.
And as a ſudden motion frights a way,
A mighty viſion: ſo is his decay.
47verse 9The eye that ſaw him, him no more ſhall ſee,
Nor in his dwelling ſhall he henceforth be.
verse 10His children ſhall be forc'd to pleaſe the poor,
And his own hands their taken goods reſtore.
verse 11His ſins of youthfull daies he bears and muſt,
For they ſhall lie down with him in the duſt.
verse 12Though to his palate wickedneſſe be ſweet,
And though his tongue taſt it as pleaſant meat.
verse 13Although he ſpare and will not from it part,
But keep it ſtill both in his mouth and heart:
verse 14Yet ſhall his meat within his bowels turn,
It as the gall of Aſpes ſhall in him burn.
verse 15He fondly thinking none or knew or ſaw,
Hath ſwallow'd riches with a greedy maw:
But he ſhall them diſgorge, though ne'r ſo ſtout,
For from his belly God ſhall bring them out.
verse 16The rankeſt poyſon he ſhall ſuck of Aſpes,
The vipers tongue him in the grave ſhall claſp.
verse 17He doth not to the Brooks, Floods, Rivers go,
That do with honey and with butter flow.
verse 18When he expects the benefit to reap,
Of all his paſſed labors, and to heap
Reſt to himſelf, he ſhall it not digeſt,
But ſhall reſtore thereof the very beſt.
As is his ſubſtance ſhall his payment be,
Yet to rejoyce therein none may him ſee.
verse 19Becauſe he did with violence oppreſſe,
And after leave the poor in their diſtreſſe;
Becauſe by wrongfull force he took away,
His neighbours houſe, his lively hood and ſtay,
48verse 20He in his belly ſhall diſeaſes have,
That which he moſt deſires he ſhall not ſave.
verse 21There ſhall be of his meat a great defect,
None therefore ſhall his wicked goods expect.
verse 22In all the fulneſſe of his pride, and height
Of his poſſeſſions, he ſhall be in ſtreight:
The wicked ſhall oppreſſe him with their force;
And every hand ſhall vexe him in their courſe.
verse 23When he expects of his now-ripe-growne fruit
To taſte, God quickly him from th' earth ſhall root;
The fury of his wrath ſhall on him raine
While he is eating, and doth doubt no paine.
verse 24While from the ſword he flees, the bow of ſteele
Shall ſtrike him thorow, following his heele.
verse 25'Tis drawn out of the body at his fall,
The gliſtring ſword doth come out of his gall.
verse 26Terrours are on him, nought but darkeneſſe ſad
Within his dwelling ever ſhall be bad.
A fire not blown ſhall him of life bereave,
And in his place quick ruine none ſhall leave.
verse 27The very heavens his full-grown ſin ſhall ſhew,
And the earth againſt him ſhall a rebell grow.
verse 28The large encreaſe of his ſo ſtately place
Shall in the day of wrath fly thence apace.
verse 29This is the wickeds portion: even the rod,
Which as a living's given them by God.
49CHAP. XXI.
verse 1BUt Job reply'd: my ſpeeches now attend,
verse 2Which to your comfort all their reaſon bend.
verse 3But let me ſpeake, and after I have ſpoke
If ye thinke good, ye may proceed to mock.
verse 4Is my complaint to man? if't were, yet why
Should not my ſoule be troubled, yea, and cry?
verse 5Marke well my terrours, and amazed ſtand,
Andon your mouth ſo ſilenc'd lay your hand.
verse 6When I remember, I am full of feare,
My Fleſh doth tremble, and my haire doth ſtare.
verse 7Why do the wicked live, encreaſe in wealth,
And aged grow through long continu'd health?
verse 8Their children proſper in their ſinfull lives,
And in their ſight their ſetled off-ſpring thrives.
verse 9Their houſes are ſecure through peace: no dread
Or croſſe approaching once their feareleſſe head.
verse 10Their Bullockes breed, not once receiving wrong,
Their Cowes bring forth no dead abortive young.
verse 11Their Sons are many, as a flock of ſheep,
Who mirthfull meetings for their luſts do keep.
verse 12The harp and tabret do their joies make ripe,
In meaſures tripping to the Organ-pipe.
verse 13They ſpend their daies in luxury, and have
No dread, till death doth throw them quick in grave.
50verse 14Who ſay to God moſt wiſe, that crownes their daies,
Depart, we have no wil to know thy waies.
verse 15What's this Al-mighty? who this God? what cauſe
Have we to addict our ſervice to his lawes.
Suppoſe, we pray to this ſo talk't a King,
What profit would our vaine ſpent houres bring?
verse 16See, ſtraight theſe braggers with their wealth are gone,
'Twas onely lent by God, and not their own.
If ſo, their riches are a ſnare: O then,
Preſerve me from the bliſſes of ſuch men.
verse 17How oft the wicked faile even with a puffe,
Their credit dying like a candles ſnuffe.
God in his wrath will them divide and raze,
The wicked ſhall not live out halfe their daies.
verse 18They ſhall before the wind as ſtubble be,
Like chaffe by ſtormy blaſts driven, ſo they flee.
verse 19For Parents ſin (ſo ſtrickt a Judge is God)
He on their children oft inflicts his rod.
This he ſhall know, this he ſhall plainly ſee,
When he to merit ſhall rewarded be.
verse 20His eyes ſhall ſee his own, and off ſprings fall,
And of Gods wrath ſhall drink the very gall.
verse 21For when his daies are ſhortned, what vile pleaſure
Hath he in's houſe, or late relinquiſh't treaſure?
verse 22Shall any teach God knowledge, or reprove
His acts as ill, who judgeth from above?
verse 23One in his height of ſtrength and beſt of daies,
Dyes, even choak't with too much wealth and eaſe;
verse 24His breſt and bones of milk and marrow full,
Which cares and croſſes never did annull.
51verse 25Another lives a life far worſe then death,
Drawing an irkſome with a carefull breath.
verse 26They both ſhall die alike, and in the grave
Their rotting bodies wormes for meat ſhall have.
verse 27Behold I know your private cloſeſt thoughts,
Where with you'd wrong me; I foreſee the plots.
verse 28Where does, yee cry, this Princes Palace ſtand?
Where is the dwelling of the wicked man?
verse 29Ask them that paſſe, and travell by the way,
And mark their tokens, hear what they will ſay.
verse 30Are not the wicked to a ruine kept,
That by the day of wrath they may be ſwept?
verse 31Who ſhall his error to his face declare,
His ſin to blame, or puniſh who ſhall dare.
verse 32Yet he to his appointed grave ſhall come,
And lie concealed in a tragick tombe.
verse 33The ſlimy valley to him ſhall be ſweet;
Him ſome precede, ſome follow, ſome do meet.
verse 34How then do all your comforts prove but vaine,
Since in your anſwers falſhood doth remaine.
52CHAP. XXII.
verse 1THen Eliphaz reply'd; may man indeed
verse 2To God bring profit, as he may proceed
In his affaires who's wiſe in worldly things,
Whoſe very action dayly profit brings?
verse 3If ſo thou art upright, what can it yet
Profit th' Almighty? can he gaine by it?
verse 4Will he reprove thee as poſſeſt with feare?
Will he his judgements at thy will forbeare?
verse 5Haſt thou not greatly multiply'd thy ſin?
Have not thy faults innumerable bin?
verse 6Thou haſt for nought thy brother made a prey,
And from the naked•a'ne their cloaths a way.
verse 7With drinke the weary thou didſt not relieve,
Nor to the hungry of thy bread didſt give:
verse 8But to the mighty ſtill was added more,
Thy hand and power encreaſt the rich mans ſtore.
verse 9The widowes teares ne'r made thee to relent,
Thou haſt oppreſſed Orphans empty ſent.
verse 10Therefore in every path is laid a ſnare;
Thy ſoule ſhall be perplext with ſudden feare.
verse 11Or diſmall darkneſſe that thou canſt not ſee,
Afflictions ſhall like water cover thee.
verse 12Ah! Is not God in heaven? Behold the sky,
And view the ſtars beyond our wonder high.
53verse 13Canſt thou yet ſay, how ſhould th' Almighty know?
Can he judge through the clouds? tuſh, ſurely no.
verse 14They are a vaile through which he cannot ſee,
Walking in heaven, what our offences be;
verse 15But hold, haſt thou obſerv'd that worldly way,
Wherein of old the wicked went aſtray?
verse 16Who e'r they thought of death were ſnatcht away,
And their foundations ſwallow'd by the ſea.
verse 17Who ſay to God, depart, we will not feare,
What can th' Almighty doe, for which we care?
verse 18Yet he increas'd their ſtock, and fil'd their ſtore
With ſought-for wedges of refined Ore.
Yet never let me from thy truth ſo erre,
As theſe mens counſels juſtly to prefer.
verse 19The righteous ſee it, and rejoyce withall,
And who are guiltleſs laugh and ſcorne their fall.
verse 20Whereas our ſubſtance ſtands untouch'd: but fire
The ruine of their remnant ſhall conſpire.
verse 21Therefore returne to him and make thy peace,
So ſhalt thou proſper, and thy trouble ceaſe.
verse 22Receive his Law, I pray: and in thine heart
Lay up his words; thence let them never ſtart.
verse 23If thou returne, he will repaire the breach,
And thou ſhalt put prophaneneſſe from thy reach.
verse 24Thou ſhalt hoord gold as duſt, with gold of Ophir,
Even as with ſtones thou ſhalt fill full thy Coffer.
verse 25Yea the Almighty ſhall be thy defence,
Plenty of ſilver ſhall delight thy ſence.
verse 26In the Almighty thou ſhalt then delight,
And in his preſence lift thy face upright.
54verse 27Then ſhall be hear and anſwer when you pray,
And in thy zeale then ſhalt thou vow and pay.
verse 28Thou ſhalt decree, and he ſhall make it ſure,
And all thy waies his favour ſhall procure.
verse 29When others fall, then ſhalt thou ſay, I have
A lifting up; God will the humble ſave.
verse 30The juſt ſhall ſave the Land, yea it ſhall be
Preſerved by the goodneſſe that's in thee.
CHAP. XXIII.
verse 1BUt Iob repli'd: my plaints moſt bitter grow;
verse 2My wound is greater then my griefe can ſhow.
verse 3Oh that I might my angry God but meet,
That I might be admitted to his ſeat!
verse 4Then would I plead my cauſe before his face,
And with my reaſons make him know my caſe.
verse 5I would his anſwer know, and underſtand
What he would ſay, or what he would command.
verse 6Will he his pow'r againſt my frailty uſe,
O no, an anſwering ſtrength he will infuſe.
verse 7There might the juſt diſpute with him, ſo I
Should from my Judge be made for ever free.
verse 8If I go to the Eaſt, he is not there;
If to the Weſt, yet will he not appear.
verse 9I find him not, though I the North ſurround,
He's hidden in the South, and is not found.
55Forward and backward, he? e and there I ſpie,
Yet all my ſearches cannot him deſcry.
verse 10But he knowes all my waies; and when I'm tri'd,
I ſhall come forth like ſilver purifi'd.
verse 11My foot hath held his ſteps moſt equally,
I've kept his way, and have not gone awry.
verse 12I have not turn'd my back upon his law,
Nor from his precepts did my ſelfe withdraw.
I did eſteem his words as far more good
Unto my ſoule, then to my body food.
verse 13But he is conſtant, who can change him then?
He doth his pleaſure to the ſons of men.
verse 14He will perform what is decree'd of me,
And ſomething doth, we can nor know, nor ſee.
verse 15I tremble at his preſence, I fall down,
When I conſider, then I fear his frown.
verse 16The Lord hath made my heart from hardneſs free,
And the Almighty hath afflicted me.
verse 17I am afflicted, but not quite deſtroy'd,
Although I know not why I am annoy'd.
56CHAP. XXIV.
verse 1CAn the All-knowing God, to whom obey
Dayes, times and houres, be ignorant how they
Do paſſe or circle? whence proceeds, if then
That thoſe who know him not, moſt wicked men,
Can ſee his daies, and think to force his will,
To bear their crimes, and luxuries fulfill?
verse 2The Land-markes ſome remove, and take away
The flocks, and feed upon them as their prey.
verse 3The Orphans Aſſe they drive away unbought,
And take the widdowes Ox to pledge for nought.
verse 4The needy they miſlead, and make them glad
Of Caves to keep them from a life more ſad.
verse 5Loe, as wild Aſſes in the deſart doe,
So to their buſineſſe doe theſe wretches go,
Riſing for pr•y: they will not be withſtood;
The Deſart yeelds them and their children food.
verse 6They reap the poor mans corn, while yet it grew,
And pull the vintage of their very crew.
verse 7They make the naked without clothing lye,
And through extremity of cold to dye.
verse 8Showrs of the mountain wet their naked skin,
And they embrace the rocks for covering.
verse 9They pluck Orphans from their mothers breſt,
And take the pledge from men with need oppreſt.
57verse 10From his half-naked back his clothes they pull,
And take their gleaning from the hungry ſoul.
verse 11Yea thoſe who make their oyle, & for their wine,
Tread in their preſſes, ſuffer thirſt and pine.
verse 12Men through extortion in the City groan,
They weep, and ſuffer, and unpittied, moan.
The crying blood of ſlain even preacheth woe,
Yet God unpuniſh't lets their folly go.
verse 13Theſe, theſe are they that ſo abhor the light,
And in the way of truth will not delight.
verse 14The murtherer ariſing with the day,
The poor and needy in his wrath doth ſlay.
Among his conſorts he's accounted chiefe,
And in the night he is a cunning thiefe.
verse 15Th' adultrous monſter with a watchfull eye,
Waſteth his wiſhed twilight to eſpie.
No eye ſhall ſee me, in his heart he ſaies,
And with diſguiſes ſeeks to hide his face.
verse 16They rob thoſe houſes in the dark of night
They marked in the day: they hate the light.
verse 17As is grim death unto our frame of clay,
Such to theſe wretches is the dawning day.
For if one know them, they are ſtraight in fear,
As if the pangs of death did then appear.
verse 18He's ſwift upon the waters, for he knows
His portion on the earth is nought but woes.
His mind's ſo fraught with jealouſies and feares,
That go the publike way he never dares.
verse 19As heat and drought the waters dry away,
So ſhall the grave thoſe men that go aſtray.
58verse 20Yea they ſhall be forgotten, and inſtead
Of all their pleaſures, worms ſhall on them feed.
They ſhall no more on Earth remembred be,
The wicked ſhall be broken like a tree.
verse 21He to the barren did no comfort give,
Nor poorer widdowes with his goods relieve.
verse 22He drawes the mighty by his power to ſtrife,
And when he riſeth none is ſure of life.
verse 23Though he may reſt ſecure and live in peace,
If they but move, his eies are on their waies.
verse 24They are exalted for a little while,
Then are brought low, and have a ſudden foile.
They are deſtroy'd, cut off, yea in their prime;
As are the eares of corn in ſummer time.
verse 25If't be not ſo, who'le me a liar make,
And from my ſpeeches their true value take?
59CHAP. XXV.
verse 1THen Bildad ſaid: Power and ſtrength remain
verse 2With him, that Peace doth with himſelf retain.
verse 3His Armies have no number, his is might;
On all things living doth ariſe his light.
verse 4How then can man be juſtify'd with God?
How can the ſons of men be free from's rod?
verse 5He ſpeaks the word, the Moon deny's its light,
The very ſtars are faulty in his ſight.
verse 6How much leſſe man who is a worm, and frail,
Whoſe greateſt worth doth as a ſhadow fail.
60CHAP. XXVI.
verse 1BUt Iob returned: Haſt thou the weak ſupply'd
verse 2Out of thy ſtrength againſt the arme of pride?
And ſuch as through weakneſſe void of might,
To help or ſtrengthen haſt thou ta'ne delight?
verse 3Haſt thou ſuch counſel'd as did counſell need,
Or haſt thou ſhewn the thing as 'tis indeed?
verse 4Why, or to whom doſt thou theſe words declare?
What or whoſe ſpirit in them doth appear?
verse 5Mines, metals, dead things, God does wiſely frame,
Under the waters, yet he knowes the ſame.
verse 6Naked before him is the Earths abiſſe,
Deſtruction is not hid; Hell open is.
verse 7Hee makes the Heavens turn round, the Northern Pole,
The Earths vaſt body nothing doth uphold.
verse 8He binds the waters in his Clouds, and yet
The clouds not broken are under their weight.
verse 9He holdeth back his throne, and in a cloud,
He makes the heavens their glorious beauty ſhroud.
verse 10Unto the waters he hath ſet their bounds,
As long as day and night fulfill their rounds.
verse 11The very Heavens before his face do ſhake,
At his reproofe the pillars of it quake.
verse 12His power calmes the ſea, whoſe waves did croud
Themſelves into a ſtorme: he ſmites the proud.
61verse 13The Heavens their garniſh by his Spirit have,
His hand a form to crooked Serpents gave.
verse 14Behold and ſee of's waies this little ſhare,
How little of his power do we hear.
If this ſo little be, then Lord what man
The thunder of thy power can underſtand.
CHAP. XXVII.
verse 1VVHen having ſtaid a little Iob proceeds,
And in his ſpeech to's friends this Lecture reads.
verse 2The living God doth me afflict ſo ſore,
I want my judgement, madneſſe makes me roar.
So many ſorrowes daily on me break,
That I in anguiſh of my ſoule do ſpeak.
verse 3Yet while I live, as long as that ſame brearh,
Infus'd by God into me, being hath,
verse 4I will my lips from wickedneſſe refraine,
Nor ſhall deceit my purer ſpeeches ſtaine.
verse 5You judge me faulty: can your ſin be hid?
Shall I applaud your ſin? no, God forbid.
I under undeſerved torments lye,
Yet will not leave my juſtneſſe till I dye.
verse 6I my uprightneſſe will not quit, my heart
Shall not accuſe me, while I live to ſtart.
verse 7Let all thy judgements follow ſuch as riſe
Againſt me; and my chaſtiſement deſpiſe.
62Oh let them as preſumptuous ſinners be,
Whom death cuts off, ere half their daies they ſee.
verse 8What's the diſſemblers hope to heap up wealth,
When God takes from his ſoule his ſaving health?
verse 9When dreadfull terrors do his mind aſſaile,
Shall then his teares or cries with God prevaile?
verse 10Will his afflictions make him call on God?
Or will he love him when he feeles his rod?
verse 11I will through God great myſteries reveale,
What the Almighty does, I'le not conceale.
verse 12Which you your ſelves have ſeen, but do not know;
Why will you then ſo much your folly ſhow?
verse 13This lot the Lord to wicked men will give,
This is the portion tyrants ſhall receive.
verse 14The ſword with raging fury ſhall orethrow
His growing off-ſpring with a ſudden blow;
And his ſurviving ſtock for want of bread
Shall travell deſarts, yet be never fed.
verse 15Death ſhall his remnant in oblivion rake,
Their relict Widdowes no complaint ſhall make.
verse 16Although as duſt in heaps he ſilver hoord;
Though he with rayment as with clay be ſtor'd:
verse 17The juſt ſhall ſhare his wealth; he may prepare:
But th' innocent his clothes ſo got ſhall wear.
verse 18He like the moth builds in anothers ground,
And as a Keepers booth at night's not found.
verse 19The rich lie down, but dying never have,
As had their fathers, a contented grave.
verse 20He look's and's gone: terrors ſhall them affright,
Tempeſts ſhall ſteal him in the dead of night.
63verse 21The eaſt-wind takes him, and away he's flown,
It hurles him from his place, and he is gone.
verse 22God will caſt trouble on him, and not ſpare;
He faine would flee, and fals into a ſnare.
verse 23All men ſhall clap their hands at his diſgrace.
And with deriſion hiſſe him from his place.
CHAP. XXVIII.
verse 1VVIthin the earth for ſilver there's a mine,
And there's a place the golden Ore to fine.
verse 2Iron is digg'd from out the earth with paines:
And Braſſe is molten out of ſtones for gaines.
verse 3God endeth darkneſſe, all perfection hath;
He binds up darkneſſe and the vale of death.
verse 4The floud breakes out againſt the dwellers by,
The floud-forgotten waters are grown dry.
verse 5Out of the earth growes bread, for mans uſe fit,
And fire (as 'twere) is turn'd up under it.
verse 6The ſtones thereof are as the Saphires ſtore,
Its duſt is of the pureſt golden Ore.
verse 7Within its path no foule hath ever been,
The Vultures eye its walkes hath never ſeen.
verse 8The Lions whelps in it ne'r ſet their foot,
Nor have fiere Lions ever come into 't.
verse 9He doth but touch the rocks, and laies them low;
He doth the mountaines by the roots o'rthrow.
64verse 10He turneth rocks to rivers by his might,
All things are obvious to his ſight.
verse 11He binds the flouds, they cannot overflow,
And hidden things he maketh all men know.
verse 12But where is wiſdome found? thrice happy he
Who can the place of underſtanding ſee.
verse 13No man the knowledge of its price can gaine,
Much leſſe can fleſh-clad mortals it attaine.
verse 14The depth cries out, it doth not reſt in me;
Nor is it with me, anſwereth the Sea.
verse 15It is not gold this rareſt jewell buies,
Nor ſilver can its value counterpoiſe.
verse 16Pure Ophir gold can't for its worth prevaile,
The precious Onix and the Saphire faile.
verse 17Nor gold, nor jewels, nor the Cryſtall pure
Have worth this heaven-fetcht jewell to procure.
verse 18Corall or Pearles ſhall not be thought of for't,
Nay more, the rubies of its worth fall ſhort.
verse 19The Ethiopian Topaz cannot hold
To purchaſe it no more than can the gold.
verse 20Whence then proceedeth underſtanding? where
Doth wiſdome in its height of worth appeare,
verse 21Seeing 'tis bid from every mortall eye,
And from the foules kept cloſe that ſoare on high?
verse 22Death and deſtruction ſay, its force and ſound
Hath to our eare a frequent paſſage found:
verse 23But only God the way thereof doth know,
And underſtands the place whence it doth flow.
verse 24For he the corners of the earth doth ſee,
And knows all things that ſublunary be.
65verse 25As in a ballance he the winds doth weight,
And meaſures all the waters in ſurvey.
verse 26When for the raine he its decrees did lay,
And for the thunders lightning make a way.
verse 27This ſecret then he ſaw, and did declare
He in his hidden thoughts did it prepare.
verse 28But unto man he ſaid, If it be ſo,
That you this ſacred wiſdome faine would know,
In fearing God conſiſteth wiſdomes skill,
And underſtanding in eſchewing ill.
CHAP. XXIX.
verse 1ANd Job proceeded: Oh that now I were
verse 2As in times paſt when God of me took care.
verse 3While on my head his favour ſhined bright,
And when I walk'd through darkneſſe by his light,
verse 4As in the daies of youth: when God more neare
My dwelling with his preſence did appeare.
verse 5When God with favour did my actions meet,
And when my children came about my feet.
verse 6When butter waſh'd my waies, and when the rock
Poured out flouds of oile t' encreaſe my ſtock.
verse 7When to the gate I went, and judgement ſeat,
And when I made my ſtation in the ſtreet.
verse 8The young men ſaw my gravity, and fled,
The aged to my wiſdome bow'd their head.
66verse 9The Princes, when they ſaw me, ſilence kept;
verse 10The tongue of Nobles was of ſpeech bereft;
verse 11The care that heard me did my juſtice bleſſe;
The eye that ſaw me did my praiſe confeſſe.
verse 12Th' oppreſſed poore, and fatherleſſe I freed,
And helpfull was to him that help did need.
verse 13I did the bleſſing of the poore enjoy,
And made the widdowes heart to ſing for joy.
verse 14I put on juſtice, which as cloaths did ſeeme,
My judgement was a Robe and Diademe.
verse 15I was as eyes unto the blind mans woe;
And to the lame I was as feet to go.
verse 16I was a father to the poore: when doubt
Made cauſes hard to know, I ſought them out.
verse 17I from the wicked brake their claws away,
And from his ravening teeth I pluckt the prey.
verse 18Then ſaid I, I ſhall dye within my neſt,
My daies, even as the ſand, ſhall be encreaſt.
verse 19My root was by the waters ſpread and grew,
Upon my branch all night lay pearled dew.
verse 20My glory, as the bay-tree, freſh did ſtand;
My bow was ſtrengthened in my ready hand.
verse 21Men harkened to me, waited my advice,
And when they heard it, kept a ſilent guize.
verse 22After my words they never did reply;
My ſpeeches dropped on them from on high.
verse 23They waited as for raine my ſight to gaine,
They op'd their mouth as for the latter raine.
verse 24If I did laugh, they would it not beleeve
They did not let my mirth, or make me grieve.
67verse 25I choſe their way, I ſate as chiefe, as King,
Like him that comfort doth to mourners bring.
CHAP. XXX.
verse 1BUt now my youngers follow me with mocks,
Whoſe fathers I diſdain'd ſhould tend my flocks.
verse 2For to what ſervice could their ſtrength availe,
Who not for age, but did for famine faile.
verse 3For want ſo ſore diſtreſs'd they fled in haſte
Into the deſart lately darke and waſte.
verse 4Who by the buſhes Mallows cut to eat,
And pull up roots of Juniper for meat.
verse 5Chaſed from men, whom ſtill they did abuſe,
Who cried at them, as at thieves, they uſe.
verse 6They dwelt in clifts of valleys and in caves;
In rockes, in holes, on hils they ſhelter have.
verse 7They roare among the buſhes: there's the ſcene;
Under the thiſtles they themſelves convene.
verse 8The ſons of ſlaves, and fooles, who were more vile
Then is the mud, which doth as pitch defile.
verse 9But now am I their mocking-ſtock, and ſong,
Of me they talke their villanies among.
verse 10They ſhun, abhor, and mocking, flee my waies,
Maliciouſly they ſpit into my face.
verse 11Becauſe afflictions have my ſtate o'rthrown,
They've loos'd the bridle, are licentious grown.
68verse 12The youth againſt me riſe, they puſht my feet;
And as deſtruction humbled me, they greet.
verse 13They ſpoil'd my paths, tooke pleaſure in my woe,
Nor wanted helpe to quicken them as ſlow.
verse 14They came, as waters paſſe their wonted place,
And on my trouble heape they up diſgrace.
verse 15Terrours are come upon me, as the wind;
So they purſue my ſoule, and vexe my mind.
My welfare, which from ſtormes the poore did ſhrowd
Now daily paſſes as a ſcattering cloud.
verse 16My ſoule is powred out, I am halfe dead;
I am from trouble into trouble lead.
verse 17My bones are pierced in me in the night,
In reſt my ſinews cannot have delight.
verse 18The greatneſſe of my griefe doth change my dreſs;
As with a coat, I'm clad with heavineſſe.
verse 19I'm caſt into the mire, his plague hath brought
Contempt upon me: I, as duſt, am nought.
verse 20I cry unto thee, but thou doſt not heare:
I ſtand before thee, but thou ſtopſt thine eare.
verse 21Thou Lord art to me cruell grown at length,
Thou to my weakneſſe doſt oppoſe thy ſtrength.
verse 22Upon the wind thou cauſeſt me to flye,
My ſubſtance thou diſſolveſt, and I dye.
verse 23I know my body thou to death wilt give,
And to th' appointed houſe for all that live.
verse 24None to the grave will ſtretch his hand at all,
Though at his death they may lament his fall,
verse 25Did I not weep for them whoſe woes grew more?
Was not my ſoule afflicted for the poore?
69verse 26When I expected good, then evill came,
And in my hopes of light it was the ſame.
verse 27For griefe my bowels boiled in my breſt;
I am afflicted, and can have no reſt.
verse 28For others woe I joy'd not in the Sun,
I ſtood and in the Aſſembly made my moane.
verse 29Dragons and Owles, as friends and kin, I get,
verse 30My skin is black, my bones are burnt with heate.
verse 31My harpe and mirth thou doſt to wailing turne,
My organs to the voice of them that mourne.
CHAP. XXXI.
verse 1I Made a covenant with mine eies, that they
Alluring beauties ſhould no more ſurvey;
And ſhall I wanton yet thinke on a maid?
Of ſuch tranſgreſſions make me, Lord, afraid.
verse 2What portion ſhould I have from God above?
Or what reward? could I expect his love?
verse 3Doth not quick ruine on the wicked tend?
Do not ſtrange judgements haſte them to their end?
verse 4Doth he not ſee my waies, and count my ſteps?
Doth he not reckon all my fayles and trips?
verse 5If I with vanity have been repleat,
Or if my foot hath haſted to deceit;
verse 6Let me in even ballances be weigh'd,
Before the Lord be my uprightneſs laid.
70verse 7If from the way of truth I've gone away,
Or if mine heart hath followed mine eye:
If I have any but right gotten lands;
If any blot have cleaved to my hands:
verse 8Then let another eat what I ſhall ſow.
Yea let my off ſpring fall before my foe.
verse 9If ſo my heart have err'd through womens baites;
If at my neighbours door I have laid waite:
verse 10Then let my wife be made anothers ſlave,
Let other men their will upon her have.
verse 11For this is ſuch a ſin, ſo great a crime,
As merits Judgement ere too high it clime.
verse 12Yea this is ſuch a fire as ſhall deſtroy,
And root out all encreaſe and hope of joy.
verse 13If any ſervants with me did contend,
And both their cauſe and griefe I did not end,
verse 14What ſhall I doe when God ſtands up on high?
And when he viſits, what ſhall I reply?
verse 15Have we not one Creator? did not he,
Within the wombe, faſhion both him and me?
verse 16If I the poores deſires ere laid away,
Or made the widdowes eies fail through delay;
verse 17Or eat my bread alone, and have not given
A ſhare to Orphans, who to want were driven.
verse 18(For to me as a father he might come,
And I have holpen Widdows from my wombe)
verse 19If I for want of clothes have any ſeen
Periſh, or any poor have naked been,
verse 20Did he not bleſſe me that my ſtore was full?
Was he not warmed with my fleece of wooll?
71verse 21If againſt Orphans I my hand did heave,
And did not help him when I help might give:
verse 22Mine arm and ſhoulder let no more be one,
Yea let mine arm be broken from the bone.
verse 23For why? Gods Judgements terrors are to me,
And from his Highneſſe I could not be free.
verse 24If gaining gold of Ophir were my ſcope;
If I made gold my confidence or hope:
verse 25If I rejoyced that my wealth was great,
And thought it good enough ſo much to get:
verse 26If I beheld the ſhining of the Sun,
Or reverenc'd the brightneſſe of the Moon.
verse 27And by that ſight my heart hath been entic'd,
Or that my mouth my hand in honor kiſs'd.
verse 28I had deſerv'd Gods Judgements for that ſin,
For that I had deny'd God to have bin.
verse 29If in the ruine of my foes I joy'd,
Or was well-pleas'd when miſchiefes him annoi'd.
verse 30(Nor did I let my mouth proceed to worſe,
By wiſhing to his ſoule the ſmalleſt curſe.)
verse 31Yea though my ſervants ſaid, give us his fleſh
To ſatisfie his faults that are ſo freſh.
verse 32No traveller ere lodged in the ſtreet,
My houſe was open for the ſtrangers feet.
verse 33If I, as Adam, conſcious have bin,
Concealing in my boſome ſecret ſin;
verse 34Did I fear multitudes? was I afraid
Of greatneſſe, or contempt, or height of pride,
That I kept ſilence when they did provoke,
And for revenge made no diſſembling cloak?
72verse 35Oh that I might be heard! 'tis my deſire,
That the Almighty would my cauſe enquire,
And giving anſwer, on my troubles look;
And that my foe had written but a book.
verse 36I'de take it on me, make it to be read,
And binde it as a crown upon my head:
verse 37The number of my ſteps I would declare,
I would to him as to a Prince draw near.
verse 38If that my land be not my lawfull gaine,
Or if the furrowes of it do complaine;
verse 39If I have eat the fruits thereof unbought,
Or if the owners prejudice I ſought:
verse 40Let Thiſtles then inſtead of Wheat grow there,
Inſtead of Barley let it Cockles beare.
Here Job ſet end unto his ſpeeches ſourſe,
And adds a period to his friends diſcourſe.
CHAP. XXXII.
verse 1SO theſe three ceaſe to ſpeake (their former guiſe)
Becauſe Job ſeem'd upright in his own eyes.
verse 2Then was Elihu angry at the ſame,
The Son of Buzite Barachel of Ram;
Againſt afflicted Iob his wroth was hot,
Who rather juſtifi'd himſelfe then God.
verse 3As for Iobs friends he angry was at them,
Becauſe they anſwer'd not, yet did condemn.
73verse 4Elihu having ſtaid Iobs end to ſee,
Becauſe in yeers they elder were then he.
verse 5But hearing no reply, he angry grew,
And in his words his anger thus did ſhew.
verse 6You all are ancient, I am yet but young,
Which makes me doubt, leſt I ſhould ſlip my tongue:
verse 7I ſaid, ſpeak they who length of daies do reach,
The multitude of years ſhall wiſdome teach.
verse 8A ſpirit is in man: but God alone
Gives underſtanding b' inſpiration.
verse 9Wiſdom is not confin'd in great mens hand,
Nor old men alwaies judgement underſtand:
verse 10Therefore I pray hear me a little now,
And my opinion I will ſhow to you.
verse 11Lo, on your words I waited, and did hear
Your ſought-out reaſons with attentive ear.
verse 12I mark't your words, as I ſtood ſilent by,
And to Iobs ſpeech find them a weak reply.
verse 13Ye cannot ſay, Iob is by us convict,
'Tis God, not man, that doth him thus afflict.
verse 14I from his words no priviledge can claime,
Nor from your ſpeeches will I anſwer frame.
verse 15They heard: and fearing anſwered no more,
They left the talke which they diſcuſs'd before.
verse 16When I had waited, for they would not ſpeak,
And as amazed would not ſilence break;
verse 17I alſo will (thought I) anſwer my part,
And ſhew my judgement from my very heart.
verse 18For I am full of matter, can't refrain,
The ſpirit in me doth to words conſtrain.
74verse 19My belly is like wine that hath no vent,
That breaks the bottles if not quickly ſpent.
verse 20I'le ſpeak that ſome refreſhing I may take,
My lips I le open and an anſwer make.
verse 21I will the perſon of no mortall fear,
Nor will I flatter any man that's here.
verse 22For flattering titles I muſt not beſtow;
My maker will deſtroy me doing ſo.
CHAP. XXXIII.
verse 1VVHerefore I pray thee Iob my ſpeeches hear,
And to the words which I ſhall ſpeak give eare.
verse 2Lo, I my mouth have open'd, and my tongue
And mouth have ſpoke what to me did belong.
verse 3My words th'uprightneſſe of my heart ſhall ſhow,
My lips ſhall ſpeak what I from Heaven do know.
verse 4The Spirit of the Lord did me create,
Th' Almighty's breath unto my life gave date.
verse 5If thou canſt give an anſwer, I will hear;
Stand up before me, and thy ſelf prepare.
verse 6Lo, I, as you deſire, am in Gods ſtead,
I alſo from the clay am faſhioned.
verse 7Nor ſhall the fear of me make thee afraid,
Nor ſhall my hand be heavy on thee laid.
verse 8Have not mine ears perceiv'd the words you ſaid?
Did I not hear the arguments you made?
75verse 9Thou ſaiſt I'm clean without or ſin or ſtain,
I'm guiltleſſe, in me doth no crime remain;
verse 10Yet doth he vex me, I no joy can ſee,
He me eſteemeth as his enemy.
verse 11He gat my feet into the ſtocks, his eye
On all my goings narrowly doth ſpie.
verse 12In this thou art not juſt, if things you ſcan;
I anſwer, God far greater is then man.
verse 13The ſtage to ſtrive with him why do you mount?
He of his matters doth not give account.
verse 14For God it may be ſpeaketh once or twice,
Yet man perceives it not, he's not ſo wiſe.
verse 15In dreams or nightly viſions, when the head
Is full of ſleep and ſlumbers on the bed:
verse 16Then openeth he the ears of men, and ſeales
Firſt their inſtruction, then their folly heales.
verse 17That he might from his purpoſe man with draw,
Whoſe pride doth in his judgement make a flaw,
verse 18He keeps his ſoule from ruine and from ill,
And doth forbid the ſword his blood to ſpill.
verse 19Sorrow and griefe chaſtiſe him on his bed,
And all his bones with paine are tortured.
verse 20His bitter life makes him abhor to eat,
His ſoule doth loth both bread and finer meat.
verse 21He's nought but skin and bone; he is ſo lean
His bones ſtick out, which ne're before were ſeen.
verse 22His grieved ſoul draws neer unto the grave,
And for his body, it the mourners have.
verse 23If one interpret, or a meſſage beare
Unto man his uprightneſſe to declare:
76verse 24Then will he pitty, and cry out, O ſave
Him from the pit: For I a ranſome have.
verse 25Then as a child he ſhall renew his fleſh,
As in his youthfull daies he ſhall befreſh,
verse 26He prayes, and God his mercy doth begin,
He ſhall ſee God, who will forgive his ſin.
verse 27He looks on men, whereof if one confeſſe,
I have perverted truth and righteouſneſſe.
Yea, I have ſinn'd, and all the gain I find,
Is Gods fierce anger with a guilt of minde.
verse 28He'l ſave his ſoul from going down to Hell,
And crowning's life with light make all things wel.
verse 29Lo, all theſe things God worketh oft with men,
verse 30To bring their ſoules to light from ſins foul den.
verse 31Mark well and hear, be ſilent when I ſpeak,
verse 32And if you ought can ſay, an anſwer make.
To juſtifie thee Iob, is my deſire;
verse 33Then hear, I will with wiſdome thee inſpire.
77CHAP. XXXIV.
verse 1ELihu further ſaid: yee Wiſe men hear;
verse 2Ye that have knowledge to my words give ear.
verse 3The taſting ſenſe doth in the palate lye,
So doth the ear all ſounds and ſpeeches try.
verse 4In this ſame buſineſſe let us judgement chuſe,
Let us, what's good, among our ſelves peruſe.
verse 5For Iob hath ſaid, I righteous am this day:
Although my judgement God hath ſnatch'd away.
verse 6Shall I againſt my right to lying ſwerve,
My wound is greater then my ſins deſerve.
verse 7What man is like to Iob, who will not ſhrink;
But doth like water bitter ſcornings drink:
verse 8Who with the wicked walketh in their way,
And with the fooliſh ſeems to go aſtray?
verse 9Hath he not ſaid; It profiteth not man,
Though in the waies of God he alwaies ſtand?
verse 10Hear me, ye Wiſe men, Hath God any ſtain?
Or in th' Almighty can there ſin remain?
verse 11As they deſerve he will to all men give,
According to their way they ſhall receive.
verse 12For the All-juſt, All-good, won't ſin commit;
Nor will God judge amiſſe, or ſuffer it.
verse 13Of whom did he receive the earth in charge?
Who fixt the Word, or can its bounds enlarge?
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78verse 14If he in heart decree a man to death,
And gather to himſelfe his vitall breath;
verse 15All fleſh ſhall fall together, mortals muſt,
As made of earth, return again to duſt.
verse 16If thou haſt Wiſdom, then this leſſon hear,
And in thy minde my talk and lectures bear.
verse 17Shall he that hateth judgement rule with might?
And wilt thou judge him wicked that's upright?
verse 18Is't fit to ſay to Kings, ye impious are?
Princes to blame of ſin, who will, or dare?
verse 19How then to him who Princes doth not ſpare;
To whom the rich and poor both equall are.
verse 20For he created both: they all ſhall die
Within the ſhorteſt twinckling of an eie.
The people ſhall be troubled and be gone,
The mighty ſhall be flain by God alone.
verse 21His eyes are watchfull over all their waies,
He all their goings marketh all their daies.
verse 22There is no darkneſſe, vale of death, no cave
Which wicked men can for their ſafegard have.
verse 23He on no man ſo heavy laies his rod,
That he in judgement ſhould contend with God.
verse 24He ſhall in pieces break all Tyrants great,
And raiſe up others in their wonted ſeat.
verse 25Hee knowes their workes, deſtroyes them in the night,
They are cut off and never ſee the light.
verse 26He uſeth theſe as ſinners he hath done,
He ſtrikes them in the preſence of the Sun.
verse 27They ſtarted from him like a broken bow,
And would his waies nor keep, nor ſeek to know.
79verse 28They made the poore ſend up their voice on high,
Th' afflicted cried, and he heard their cry.
verse 29When he gives quiet, who can trouble make?
He hides his face, and all the earth doth quake:
Whether he angry be at one alone,
Or whether it be againſt a Nation done;
verse 30When hypocrites the ruling Scepter beare,
Then are the people led into a ſnare.
verse 31'Tis meet to ſay, I have been chaſt'ned ſore,
I do repent, and will offend no more.
verse 32What I ſee not, that teach me by thy skill,
I will no more do what I have done ill.
verse 33Muſt all be at thy will? whether thou chuſe,
He will performe't, or whether thou refuſe,
Although not I: ſpeake therefore what you know,
And do not into further follies go.
verse 34Behold, let wiſe and underſtanding men
Firſt hear me ſpeak, and ſhew their judgment then.
verse 35Job without wiſdome ſpoke, yea, like a foole,
Nor were his words framed by wiſdomes rule.
verse 36'Tis my deſire, Job may be try'd agen,
Concerning his replies for wicked men.
verse 37He addeth ſin to ſin: with us claps hands,
And aggravating words againſt God ſtands.
80CHAP. XXXV.
verse 1ELihu further ſaid; thinke you this right
verse 2Which you have ſpoke, then God I'm more upright?
verse 3For thou haſt ſaid, what profit ſhall I have?
Or what advantage if my ſin I leave?
verse 4He anſwer you, and your aſſociates all,
That do into like errours with you fall.
verse 5Looke up to heaven, and ſee, and view the clouds,
Whoſe height oft-times the Suns bright luſtre ſhrowds;
verse 6If thou doſt ſin, doſt thou the Lord diſeaſe?
Or doſt thou hurt him by thy ſins encreaſe?
verse 7What by thy juſtice doſt thou to him give?
Or from thy hand what gaine doth he receive?
verse 8But by thy ſin a man thou maieſt offend,
Thy juſtice may anothers ſtate amend.
verse 9The mighty man makes the oppreſſed cry;
Variety of torments makes them dye.
verse 10None looke to God that made them of the clay,
Who in the night gives ſongs griefe to allay.
verse 11Who teacheth us more than to beaſts is given,
And makes us wiſer than the foules of heaven.
verse 12Then through the pride of evill men they cry,
But he to their requeſts gives no reply.
verse 13God ſurely will not vanity regard,
Nor ſhall it go unpuniſht from the Lord.
81verse 14Thou ſaiſt, thou ſhalt not ſee him, yet he's juſt;
Judgement's before him, put in him thy truſt.
verse 15But ſince it is not ſo: although thou ſmart,
Thy torments do not ſ•te with thy deſert.
verse 16Therefore Job ſpeaketh vainly as a foole,
He doth diſpute without diſcretions rule.
CHAP. XXXVI.
verse 1ELihu further ſaid: Let me proceed;
verse 2To ſpeake on Gods behalfe I have decreed:
verse 3I from above my knowledge will receive,
And to my maker righteouſneſſe will give.
verse 4My words ſhall not be falſe, thou ſhalt confeſſe,
When I have ſpoke, my wiſdomes perfectneſſe.
verse 5Behold, the mighty Lord doth not deſpiſe
Who are in courage valiant and wiſe,
verse 6He will not ſave ſuch as in ſin delight,
But to the poore in ſpirit giveth right:
verse 7But as for thoſe who are to goodneſſe wiſe,
He doth protect them with obſerving eyes.
They are with Kings upon the Throne, their place
He fixeth firmly, free from all diſgrace.
verse 8If they in priſon bound in fetters lie;
If they be tyde with cords of miſery:
verse 9Then will he ſhew them both their work and ſin,
That in their life they have exceſſive bin.
82verse 10He openeth to diſcipline their eare,
And bids them from iniquity retire.
verse 11If they obey him, and obſerve his way,
Their daies in pleaſure, yeares ſhall end in joy.
verse 12If they obey not, by the ſword they'l fall,
And in their folly they ſhall periſh all.
verse 13But hypocrites in heart prepare his rod,
Who, though afflicted, will not call on God.
verse 14With the uncleane they ſpend their youthfull time,
And periſh in their heat of bloud, and prime.
verse 15He from affliction doth the poore ſet free,
In times of trouble he their help will be.
verse 16He would even ſo take ſorrow from thy face,
Putting thy feet into a broader place:
And not confine thee to a narrow ſtreight,
Yea, all upon thy Table had been fat.
verse 17But, loe, thy thoughts do with the wicked ſhare,
Therefore thy judgements all moſt righteous are.
verse 18Gods wrath is kindled, of his ſtroke take heed,
No ranſome frees from woe, if once decreed.
verse 19Will he regard thy wrath? no, nor thy gold,
And all thy ſtrength he doth as nothing hold.
verse 20Deſire not Night, his ſecrets do not trace,
How he deſtroy'd the people from their place.
verse 21Take heed and ſin not, looke not once amiſs,
For thou haſt rather trouble choſe, than this.
verse 22Lo, God exalts, who dares his pow'r impeach?
Or, like the Lord, what man can wiſdome teach?
verse 23Who to th' Almighty hath ſet out his way?
Or, thou haſt erred, who to him can ſay?
83verse 24To praiſe him for his worke do not forget,
verse 25Which all men ſee, and view at diſtance great.
verse 26Loe, God is great, and we alas are low,
The number of his yeares we cannot know.
verse 27When he the drops of water doth reſtraine,
'Tis by its vapour powred down in raine;
verse 28Which from the clouds the thirſty earth doth fill,
And with great plenty upon man diſtill.
verse 29Who knows the ſpreadings of the clouds? or can
The thunders of his dwellings underſtand?
verse 30He ſpreadeth light, and it the light doth keep,
And hides the bottome of the ſwelling deep.
verse 31He doth the people judge thereby, and give
Meat in abundance for the poore to live.
verse 32The ſhining light he under darkneſſe ſhrowds,
By the interpoſing of commanded clouds.
verse 33The noiſe thereof concerning it do ſhow,
The cattle alſo from the vapour go.
84CHAP. XXXVII.
verse 1AT this my heart is in a great amaze,
And is with trembling moved from his place.
verse 2The ratling of his voice with terrour heare,
And to his thunder give attentive eare.
verse 3He ſends it under heaven, his lightning's hurl'd
Unto the furtheſt limits of the world.
verse 4His thunder roares, and by the world is fear'd,
He will not ſtay them when his voice is heard.
verse 5God doth to our amazement thunder ſend,
He doth ſuch things we cannot comprehend.
verse 6He but commands, the ſnow the fields doth fill;
Both great and little raies obey his will.
verse 7No man dares ſtirre, if once he will it ſo,
For all the greatneſſe of his power know.
verse 8Then doth the beaſts, who rove and rage for prey,
Go to their Dens, and in their places ſtay.
verse 9Out of the South the whirle-wind commenth forth,
And ſtormy guſts of cold blow from the North.
verse 10The froſt is given by th' Almighties hand;
By him the waters on a heape do ſtand.
verse 11The watry clouds he doth with motion tire;
And ſcattereth the cloud that holdeth fire.
verse 12They're turn'd about by his all-ruling will,
And on the world his pleaſure they fulfill.
85verse 13Raine, cold, heat, tempeſts, ſtormes, all theſe are ſent
For help, as mercies, or for puniſhment.
verse 14Heare then, O Job, (for what I ſay is true)
The wondrous workes of God ſtand ſtill and view.
verse 15How God diſpos'd theſe things can you define?
Or when the lightning of his cloud did ſhine?
verse 16Knowſt thou the changing of the clouds, that be
The works of the all knowing Deity?
verse 17How in thy garments doſt thou warmneſſe find,
When th' earth is quiet by the Southerne wind?
verse 18Haſt thou ſpread out the heaven, for ſtrength as braſſe,
And as tranſparent as a molten glaſſe?
verse 19Teach and inſtruct us by thy knowledge, pray,
Through ignorance we know not what to ſay.
verse 20Doth not God know when any man doth ſcoffe?
Or can man murmure and not be cut off?
verse 21And now the clouds from men obſcure the Sun;
Yet if the wind but paſs, they all are gone:
verse 22Faire weather from the North-clime doth proceed;
Gods Majeſty is terrible indeed.
verse 23We cannot find th' All-mighty: Great in might,
Repleat with juſtice, puniſhing by right.
verse 24Men therefore feare him: for without reſpect,
The ſelf-conceited man he will reject.
86CHAP. XXXVII.
verse 1THe Lord, to ſhew his Majeſty and ſtrength,
Out of the whirle-wind anſwered Job at length.
verse 2What wretch is this, that by his words ſo vaine
Obſerves the counſell that before was plaine?
verse 3Gird up thy loines, thy ſelfe with manhood beare,
I will demand of thee, do thou declare.
verse 4When I the Baſis of the earth did lay,
Where waſt thou then? if thou have knowledge ſay
verse 5What man hath meaſur'd it; or who the line
To ſtretch upon it doſt thou know incline?
verse 6What are the earths foundations pitch'd upon?
Or of the world who laid the corner ſtone?
verse 7When as the morning ſtars did ſing my praiſe,
And all the Angels changed Roundelaies:
verse 8Who did the Sea within its bounds intombe,
When it by force brake out as from the wombe?
verse 9When I the clouds as garments for it made,
And as its ſwadling bands the darkeneſſe laid;
verse 10When my commands upon it I did found,
And its tumultuous Waves with doores did bound:
verse 11Saying, hereto thy angry waves may come,
Here thou muſt ſtay, but ſhalt no further rome.
verse 12Haſt thou the morning ordered ſince thy daies?
Or made the day-ſpring know its fixed place?
87verse 13That it the corners of the Earth might hold,
And ſhake thoſe thence that have in ſin bin bold.
verse 14As clay 'tis turned to the ſeale new made,
And all ſtand up as with a garment clad.
verse 15Behold, their light the wicked men ſhall loſe,
The pride of their aſpiring aim I'le bruiſe.
verse 16Haſt thou the fount aines of the deep been in?
Or in thy ſearch haſt thou the Ocean ſeen?
verse 17Or hath the gates of death to thee been free?
The vale of dreadfull death didſt thou ere ſee?
verse 18Canſt thou the broadneſſe of the earth perceive?
If ought thou knowſt of this, an anſwer give:
verse 19Where is the way, wherein the light abides?
Or what's the place where darkneſſe doth abide,
verse 20That thou ſhouldſt binde it to the limits ſo,
And to its houſe that thou the path ſhouldſt know?
verse 21Doſt thou becauſe thou then wert born, know it?
Or cauſe the number of thy daies is great?
verse 22Haſt thou the ſnowy treaſures enter'd in?
Or of the haile haſt thou the ſtore-houſe ſeen?
verse 23Which I have kept againſt the time of war,
The day of trouble and encreaſing jar?
verse 24The light is parted, who the way can finde,
Which on the earth ſcattereth the Eaſtern wind.
verse 25Who for the waters did a courſe divide?
Or who the lightning in their way did guide?
verse 26Even there where no man is, to make it rain,
And in the deſart where there's none remain.
verse 27That the untilled ground much fruit may bring,
And that the tender herb may bud and ſpring.
88verse 28Who is the Father of the rain? or who
Begotten hath the pearled drops of dew?
verse 29Who hath begot the hoary froſt of Heaven?
Out of whoſe wombe is Ice congealed given?
verse 30The waters all are hid as with a ſtone,
The ſurface of the deep condenſe is grown.
verse 31canſt thou the ſweets of Pleiades reſtraine?
Or of Orion looſe the bands againe?
verse 32Canſt make in ſeaſon Mazeroth appear?
Or canſt thou with his ſons Arcturus ſteer?
verse 33Know'ſt thou the courſe of Heaven? and canſt thou make
The ſtars o're earthly things dominion take?
verse 34Canſt thou lift up thy voice unto the Clouds,
That they would hide thee with the water flouds?
verse 35Canſt thou ſend lightnings, that they may appear,
And ſay unto thee, we, behold, are here?
verse 36Who hath put wiſdom in the inward parts?
Or who hath given knowledge to the hearts?
verse 37Who can by wiſdom the clouds number ſay?
Or who the bottles of the Heaven can ſtay;
verse 38When as the earth condenſate is as ſtone,
And all the clods are faſt together grown?
verse 39Wilt thou for hungry Lyons hunt the prey?
Or of the Lyons whelps the hunger ſtay;
verse 40When in their dens they quietly reſide,
Or lurking in the covert are eſpi'd?
verse 41Who for the Raven doth provide to eat?
His young ones cry to God and have their meat.
89CHAP. XXXIX.
verse 1KNowſt thou when Goats bring forth the Rockes among?
Or doſt thou marke when Hindes doe calve their young?
verse 2Canſt thou account the moneths that they fulfill?
To know when they bring forth, haſt thou the skil?
verse 3They bow themſelves, with paine their young they bruiſe,
Thus they their ſorrowes to caſt out do uſe.
verse 4Yet do their young ones thrive, & grow with corn,
They go abroad and do no more return.
verse 5Who is't that hath ſent out the wild Aſſe free?
Or to them who hath given liberty?
verse 6Whoſe houſe the deſart is made by my hand,
His habitation is the barren land.
verse 7The Cities multitude he ne'r abides,
The crying of the driver he derides.
verse 8He runneth to the mountains for his meat,
No green thing comes amiſſe for him to eat ▪
verse 9Canſt thou th' unruly Unicorne make tame?
Will he himſelfe to eat thy fodder frame?
verse 10Canſt thou to work enforce him in the ſurrow?
Or after thee will he the valleys harrow?
verse 11Or wilt thou truſt him, 'cauſe his ſtrength is great?
And leave thy labor to his ſpoyling feet?
90verse 12Wilt thou beleeve that hee'l bring home thy ſeed?
And gather it into thy barn indeed?
verse 13Their goodly wings to Peacocks didſt thou give?
Did the Oſtrich from thee his rich plumes receive?
verse 14Which lay their eggs upon the open land,
And keep them warm within the heated ſand;
verse 15And that the foot may cruſh them does forget,
Or that wild beaſts may break them with their feet:
verse 16She's cruell to her young, as though not hers,
She cares not for them, nor them damage feares;
verse 17For God of wiſdome doth her cleane deprive,
Nor doth he underſtanding to her give:
verse 18And when at laſt ſhe mounteth up on high,
The rider and his horſe ſhe nought ſets by.
verse 19Haſt thou beſtowed ſtrength upon the horſe?
Or haſt thou cloath'd his brawny neck with force?
verse 20As a Graſhopper canſt thou him affright?
His noſtrils dreadfull are and full of might.
verse 21He paws the ground; with triumphs running on,
And doth undaunted meet the armed man.
verse 22He mocks at fear, no terror makes him ſlack,
And from the cutting ſword ne're turns his back.
verse 23The quiver ratleth at him in the field,
He's threatned with the glittering ſpear and ſhield.
verse 24He through his rage even ſwallows up the ground,
Nor doth believe it is the trumpets found.
verse 25He cryes, ha, ha, and ſmels the fight from far,
The voice of Captaines and alarme of war,
verse 26I'ſt by thy wiſdome that the Hawk doth fly;
And ſtretch her wings South climates to come nigh?
91verse 27Or doth the Eagle mount at thy command,
And in the higheſt make her neſt to ſtand?
verse 28She dwels upon the rock, even on it height,
And in the ſtrongeſt place ſhe makes her ſeat.
verse 29From thence ſhe ſeeks her prey: and with her eye
At a vaſt diſtance doth the ſame eſpye.
verse 30Her young ones alſo daily ſuck up blood,
And where the ſlaine are there is her abode.
CHAP. XL.
verse 1ANd God proceeded: Can the Scholar teach
verse 2His Tutor? more is God above mans reach.
He that reproveth God doth fooliſhly.
verse 3Then Iob unto the Lord made this reply:
verse 4Lo, I am vile, What ſhall I further ſay?
Yea, I my hand upon my mouth will lay.
verse 5Once have I ſpoke, henceforth I'le take more heed,
Yea twice, no further will I now proceed.
verse 6Again, the Lord, who ruleth all on high,
Out of the whirle wind gave Job this reply.
verse 7Gird up thy loynes, thy ſelfe with manhood bear,
I wilt demand of thee, do thou declare.
verse 8Wilt thou my judgement, as not right diſguſt?
Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayſt be juſt?
verse 9Haſt thou like God an arm or any limbe?
Or canſt thou thunder with a voice like him?
92verse 10Deck now thy ſelf with majeſty moſt bright,
And cloth thy ſelfe with glorious beauties light.
verse 11Diſperſe thy furious wrath in every place,
And by thy power him that is proud abaſe:
verse 12Look on the proud, and bring their glory low,
And on the wicked make thine anger flow.
verse 13Hide them together in the duſt; their faces
Bind, if thou canſt, within the ſecret places.
verse 14Then I'le confeſſe this priviledge you have,
That thy right hand thy ſelfe from hurt can ſave.
verse 15Behold now Behemoth, I did create
With thee; who fodder as an Oxe doth eate.
verse 16Loe, now his ſtrength is in his loines, his might
Is in the navell of his belly pight.
verse 17His tayle moves like a Cedar in foule weather,
The ſinewes of his ſtones are wrapt together.
verse 18His bigger bones like brazen pillars are,
His leſſer bones are as an iron bar.
verse 19He is the greateſt of the works of God,
Yet can his anger kill him with his rod
verse 20The mountaines to him meat as tribute pay,
Where all the beaſts within the fields do play.
verse 21Under the ſhady trees he lies, and feeds,
And in the covert of the fens and reeds.
verse 22The ſhady trees do him encompaſſe round,
Among the Willowes of the Brook he's found.
verse 23He drinks whole rivers, and no haſt doth make;
He truſteth Iordan in his mouth to take:
verse 24He takes it with his eies; and being fierce,
Through ſtrongeſt ſnares his noſe with eaſe doth pierce.
93CHAP. XLI.
verse 1VVIth a ſmall hook canſt thou draw out the Whale?
Or can a cord againſt his tongue prevaile?
verse 2Canſt thou an hook into his noſtrils put?
Or through his jawes canſt with an angle cut?
verse 3Will he to thee intreaty make or pray'r?
Or for his freedom will he ſpeak thee fair?
verse 4Will he a covenant make with thee? wilt thou
For ever as a ſervant make him bow?
verse 5Wilt thou as with a Bird, ſo play with him?
Or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens trim?
verse 6Shall boon-companions of him make a feaſt?
Shall they among the merchants part the reſt?
verse 7Canſt thou his skin with barbed irons fill?
To ſtrike his head with fiſh-ſpeares haſt thou skill?
verse 8Lay thine hand on him, once thy danger know,
And then 'tis ſure thou wilt no more do ſo.
verse 9Hope not to take him all their hopes ſhall die:
Shall one mot at his ſight amazed lie?
verse 10If he's ſo fierce that none dare him provoke,
Who then is he can ſtand before my ſtroke?
verse 11Who hath prevented me, when I encline
Him to repay? All under heaven is mine.
verse 12His parts and power I will not conceale,
His comely lineaments I wil reveale.
94verse 13What man's ſo hardy to pull off his skin?
Who can a bridle put his jawes between?
verse 14Or who the doores dare open of his face?
His teeth are all moſt fearfull in their place.
verse 15His power and his pride his ſcales reveale,
All ſhut together cloſe as with a ſeale.
verse 16They are ſo near together ſo conjoyn'd,
That between them can come nor air nor winde.
verse 17To one another fixed ſo they grow,
That they can be divided by no blow.
verse 18His neezings chaſe the darkneſſe quite away,
His eyes are like the eyelids of the day.
verse 19Out of his mouth come burning flames of fire,
Whoſe ſparkles from his throat he doth expire.
verse 20Out of his noſtrils riſeth ſmoke as hot,
As from a coldron or a boiling pot.
verse 21He coales and fire kindleth with his breath,
Out of his mouth proceed flames bringing death.
verse 22His neck is clad with ſtrength, fear no annoy,
Sorrow before him is ſoon turn'd to joy.
verse 23His fleſh and members are ſo joyn'd together,
They can't be mov'd by ſtrength or valour either.
verse 24His heart is firm and ſtrong as is a ſtone,
Yea as the nether milſtone hard its grown.
verse 25When he doth raiſe himſelf, the mighty fear;
They faint through terror, if he but appear.
verse 26The ſword that ſtrikes him breakes, yet don't hee ſtart;
He ſcornes the ſpear, habergeon, and dart.
verse 27He doth eſteem, when in his furious mood,
Iron as ſtraw, and braſſe as rotten wood.
95verse 28He will not flee, though him the archer ſtrike;
Sling-ſtones and ſtubble, hurt him both alike.
verse 29He doth at darts, as ſtraw or ſtubble, jeer,
And laugheth at the ſhaking of the ſpear.
verse 30Upon ſharp ſtones he lies, and takes his eaſe,
As much as mud, ſharpe pointed things him pleaſe.
verse 31He makes the ſea as though it boyled ſeem,
One would the deep a pot of oyntment deem.
verse 32He leaves a ſhining path, where he doth go,
One would ſuppoſe the deep did hoary gorw.
verse 33In all the earth none like him doth appear,
He is by God created without fear.
verse 34He looks at, and deſpiſes all high things,
Over the proudeſt beaſt he is a King.
CHAP. XLII.
verse 1THen Iob with terrors of his guilt afraid,
Unto the Lord this humble anſwer made;
verse 2I know thou canſt do all, and that from thee,
Our very thoughts cannot with-holden be.
verse 3There's none but I, who by my words ſo vain,
Obſcure that counſell that before was plain;
I ſpake I knew not what, yea I did preſſe
Things that I underſtood not, I confeſſe.
verse 4Oh hear me when I ſpeak, I thee beſeech;
I will demand, O Lord thy Scholar teach.
96verse 5I have by hear-ſay, heard of thee before.
But now I ſee, I feele, I know thee more.
verse 6I do abnor my faults, my crimes reſent,
In duſt and aſhes I my ſins repent.
verse 7After theſe ſpeeches God to Job had made,
To Eliphaz the Temanite he ſaid,
Againſt thy ſelfe and friends my wrath's at height,
Ye have not ſpoke of me the thing that's right,
verse 8As did my ſervant Job. Take now to you
Seven Bullockes, and ſeven Rams, and to him go;
And for your ſelves offer a ſacrifice,
And Job ſhall pray for you, for him I prize:
Elſe of your glory I ſhall you diſrobe,
Becauſe you ſpoke not of me as did Job.
verse 9So Bildad, Eliphaz and Zophar went
As God commanded, and to Job they ſent;
Who pray'd to heaven that they might mercy have,
And God heard Job, and th' asked mercy gave.
verse 10Then God to Jobs Captivity gave end,
When he petitioned for his ſinfull friends;
And that his bleſſings might not want of ſtore,
He doubled to him what he had before.
verse 11Then all his brethren, ſiſters, former friends.
Who lately ſhunn'd him, now to make amends,
Came and eat with him in his houſe each one,
And all his paſt misfortunes did bemoane;
And gave him comfort over all the ill
God had brought on him by his ſecret will:
Yea, none from giving did their hand with-hold,
Each gave him money and a ring of gold.
97verse 12So God with bleſſings crown'd Jobs latter daies,
His end more bleſt than his beginning was.
He had a flock of fourteen thouſand ſheep,
For worke ſix thouſand Camels did he keep;
He own'd a thouſand yoke of Oxen ſtrong;
Shee-Aſles too as many old and young.
verse 13Three Daughters and ſeven Sons the place fulfill
Of thoſe whom Satan formerly did kill.
verse 14Jemima firſt, bright as the Suns bright riſe;
Kezia the next, pleaſant as ſweeteſt ſpice;
As third of theſe was Kerenhappuch borne,
The child of ſweetneſſe, and rare beauties horne.
verse 15In all the Land no women were ſo faire,
Or ſo renown'd as Jobs three Daughters were.
And that their fortunes he might more advance,
He gave them part of his Inheritance.
verse 16And after this Job ſevenſcore yeares more ſpent,
And of his children ſaw the fourth deſcent.
verse 17So Job replete with goodneſſe as with daies,
His ſoule to God, his fleſh to earth repaies.
FINIS