A paraphrase on the Book of Job As likewise on the Songs of Moses, Deborah, David: On Four Select Psalms: Some Chapters of Isaiah, and the Third Chapter of Habakkuk. By Sir Richard Blackmore |
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THE xlth Chap. of Isaiah. PARAPHRAS'D. |
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 | A paraphrase on the Book of Job |  |
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THE xlth Chap. of Isaiah. PARAPHRAS'D.
Ye Prophets who divine Credentials bear
Distinguish'd by your Sacred Character,
Envoys and Agents, who by my Command
Reside in Palestina's Land;
To whom Commission I have giv'n
To manage there the Interests of Heav'n;
Ye holy Heralds who proclaim
Or War or Peace in mine your Master's Name,
Let my desponding People know,
That I their God will mitigate their Woe,
Tell them Compassion melts my Heart
That I of punishing Repent,
And that their bleeding Wounds and Smart
Which my own hand inflicted, I Lament.
Comfort Jerusalem, and cry
The time of her Deliverance is nigh.
Say her Offences I'll forget,
Nor more my scourging Strokes repeat.
Her Suffrings and her Servitude shall cease,
And from Oppression I'll her Sons release.
Th' Allarms of War she shall no longer hear,
No more Assyrian Armys fear.
She shall enjoy uninterrupted Ease,
Gather'd beneath the downy Wings of Peace.
The Suff'rings she has undergone
Abundantly my Wrath for all her Sins atone.
Distinguish'd by your Sacred Character,
Envoys and Agents, who by my Command
Reside in Palestina's Land;
To whom Commission I have giv'n
To manage there the Interests of Heav'n;
Ye holy Heralds who proclaim
Or War or Peace in mine your Master's Name,
Let my desponding People know,
That I their God will mitigate their Woe,
Tell them Compassion melts my Heart
That I of punishing Repent,
And that their bleeding Wounds and Smart
Which my own hand inflicted, I Lament.
Comfort Jerusalem, and cry
The time of her Deliverance is nigh.
Say her Offences I'll forget,
Nor more my scourging Strokes repeat.
Her Suffrings and her Servitude shall cease,
And from Oppression I'll her Sons release.
Th' Allarms of War she shall no longer hear,
No more Assyrian Armys fear.
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Gather'd beneath the downy Wings of Peace.
The Suff'rings she has undergone
Abundantly my Wrath for all her Sins atone.
Hark! What a loud Majestic sound
What awful Accents from the Hills rebound!
Listen with Rev'rence, Hark! the noise
Grows more distinct; 'tis the commanding Voice
Of one that in the Desart crys,
Let all the Nations round arise:
Ye Pioneers of Heav'n prepare a Road
Thro' the pathless Wilderness,
Make it plain and strait and broad,
And let your Shouts your Joy express.
Th' obstructing Groves and Forrests level lay,
And for th' Almighty make a way;
For he in Person will his People head
And out from Babylon his rescu'd Captives lead.
He will from Heav'n descend to free
The Nations from Infernal Slavery.
He'll bring them out by Miracles of Might
From Pagan Darkness to Celestial Light.
What awful Accents from the Hills rebound!
Listen with Rev'rence, Hark! the noise
Grows more distinct; 'tis the commanding Voice
Of one that in the Desart crys,
Let all the Nations round arise:
Ye Pioneers of Heav'n prepare a Road
Thro' the pathless Wilderness,
Make it plain and strait and broad,
And let your Shouts your Joy express.
Th' obstructing Groves and Forrests level lay,
And for th' Almighty make a way;
For he in Person will his People head
And out from Babylon his rescu'd Captives lead.
He will from Heav'n descend to free
The Nations from Infernal Slavery.
He'll bring them out by Miracles of Might
From Pagan Darkness to Celestial Light.
Sink every Mountain, every Hill,
And with their Ruins every vally fill.
Smooth every rugged, rocky place,
And every narrow Defile enlarge,
For God this way in Triumph means to pass,
As he from Babylon conducts his Charge.
And with their Ruins every vally fill.
Smooth every rugged, rocky place,
And every narrow Defile enlarge,
For God this way in Triumph means to pass,
As he from Babylon conducts his Charge.
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Make an open, easy way,
Where God his Glory may display;
For the Divine Deliverer
Will on his March in Majesty appear.
His high Perfections he'll reveal, and shew
Th' astonish'd World what Wonders he can do.
That he'll effect this mighty Work, the Lord
Has giv'n his never-failing Word.
Where God his Glory may display;
For the Divine Deliverer
Will on his March in Majesty appear.
His high Perfections he'll reveal, and shew
Th' astonish'd World what Wonders he can do.
That he'll effect this mighty Work, the Lord
Has giv'n his never-failing Word.
Th' Almighty bid his Prophet say,
All Men are subject to decay,
And wither, like the Grass, away.
To every Storm or Blast they yield,
And Fade, like Flowers, that paint the Field;
But the Almighty's Word shall stand secure,
And like himself for ever shall endure.
All Men are subject to decay,
And wither, like the Grass, away.
To every Storm or Blast they yield,
And Fade, like Flowers, that paint the Field;
But the Almighty's Word shall stand secure,
And like himself for ever shall endure.
O Zion! whose impending, airy Brow
Surveys the Hills, as well as Vales below.
The joyful Tydings thou hast got, impart
To raise my People's drooping Heart.
Lift up thy Voice and let the Ecchoing sound
From Wood to Wood, from Hill to Hill rebound,
And ring thro' all the Vales and all the Towns around.
Cry with a loud and fearless Voice,
Let all thy Cities, Palestine, rejoyce.
Your sinking Heads ye Towns of Judah reer
Behold your God your great Deliverer
In Person to your Aid advances near.
Surveys the Hills, as well as Vales below.
The joyful Tydings thou hast got, impart
To raise my People's drooping Heart.
Lift up thy Voice and let the Ecchoing sound
From Wood to Wood, from Hill to Hill rebound,
And ring thro' all the Vales and all the Towns around.
Cry with a loud and fearless Voice,
Let all thy Cities, Palestine, rejoyce.
Your sinking Heads ye Towns of Judah reer
Behold your God your great Deliverer
In Person to your Aid advances near.
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See where th'Almighty Conq'rour takes the Field;
In his strong Hand what Terrors does he wield?
How dreadful are his Steps? how bright his Sword and Shield?
See how the Forrests at his Presence bow
How silently the Rivers flow.
How do the Plains, thro' which he marches, smoke!
How do the troubled Mountains rock!
He needs the Aid of no Confed'rate Pow'r,
His single Arms will Victory ensure.
He brings to crown the Just a bright Reward,
And for the Wicked Vengeance has prepar'd.
In his strong Hand what Terrors does he wield?
How dreadful are his Steps? how bright his Sword and Shield?
See how the Forrests at his Presence bow
How silently the Rivers flow.
How do the Plains, thro' which he marches, smoke!
How do the troubled Mountains rock!
He needs the Aid of no Confed'rate Pow'r,
His single Arms will Victory ensure.
He brings to crown the Just a bright Reward,
And for the Wicked Vengeance has prepar'd.
He as a faithful Shepherd, will attend
His Flock with tender Care, and condescend
To carry in his Arms the Feeble Lambs,
And gently lead the pregnant Dams.
His People in his Word may, rest secure,
For Boundless, as his Mercy, is his Pow'r.
His Flock with tender Care, and condescend
To carry in his Arms the Feeble Lambs,
And gently lead the pregnant Dams.
His People in his Word may, rest secure,
For Boundless, as his Mercy, is his Pow'r.
In the wide hollow of his Hand may sleep
All the collected Waters of the Deep:
Let all the Rivers too be thither roll'd,
The vast Abyss will yet more Seas and Rivers hold.
His Span across the widest Heav'ns can stretch,
And the vast Void beyond 'em over-reach.
The Rocks and Hills he in a Ballance lays
And high amid'st the Air th' uplifted Mountains weighs.
This Globe when held in his Capacious Hand,
Seems a small Atome, or a single Sand.
All the collected Waters of the Deep:
Let all the Rivers too be thither roll'd,
The vast Abyss will yet more Seas and Rivers hold.
His Span across the widest Heav'ns can stretch,
And the vast Void beyond 'em over-reach.
The Rocks and Hills he in a Ballance lays
And high amid'st the Air th' uplifted Mountains weighs.
This Globe when held in his Capacious Hand,
Seems a small Atome, or a single Sand.
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When God the Draughts of Heav'n and Earth design'd,
And form'd the noble Platform in his Mind,
Did any skilful Architect
Help him his wondrous Model to correct?
When he the World's Foundations laid
And rais'd the lofty Pillars with his Hand,
To give him or Advice or Aid
Did any Wise Surveyor by him stand?
Did he from any, Counsel need
How in Creation to proceed?
When by a thousand Wonders wrought
His vast Design was to perfection brought,
What Councellour of State did him instruct
The World his Creature to conduct?
Who taught him how the Universe to sway,
And form the Maxims of his Government,
To settle Nature in a stedy Way,
And all destructive Uproar to prevent?
How, where ten thousand Creatures disagree,
To make their Motions end in perfect Harmony?
How with unerring Methods to pursue
The glorious Ends he had at first in view?
And form'd the noble Platform in his Mind,
Did any skilful Architect
Help him his wondrous Model to correct?
When he the World's Foundations laid
And rais'd the lofty Pillars with his Hand,
To give him or Advice or Aid
Did any Wise Surveyor by him stand?
Did he from any, Counsel need
How in Creation to proceed?
When by a thousand Wonders wrought
His vast Design was to perfection brought,
What Councellour of State did him instruct
The World his Creature to conduct?
Who taught him how the Universe to sway,
And form the Maxims of his Government,
To settle Nature in a stedy Way,
And all destructive Uproar to prevent?
How, where ten thousand Creatures disagree,
To make their Motions end in perfect Harmony?
How with unerring Methods to pursue
The glorious Ends he had at first in view?
God does the Nations of the World regard
As a small drop with the vast Deep compar'd;
Or Dust that in the Ballance gives no Weight
To press the Scale and change its equal State.
God by their rocky Roots takes up the Hills,
And from their Oazy Beds the Isles.
He hurls them from their former Seat,
As things of neither Bulk, nor Weight.
As a small drop with the vast Deep compar'd;
Or Dust that in the Ballance gives no Weight
To press the Scale and change its equal State.
God by their rocky Roots takes up the Hills,
And from their Oazy Beds the Isles.
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As things of neither Bulk, nor Weight.
O Lebanon whose spacious Head
Is with aspiring Cedars spread,
With Wood sufficient is thy Forrest stor'd,
Or can it Beasts enough afford
For a Burnt off'ring for all Nature's Lord?
Against him should the Nations rise
He would neglect their weak alarms,
This wretched Host of Worms he would despise,
And laugh at empty Vanity in Arms.
If God the Spring of Life and Pow'r
By whose supplys his various Worlds endure,
Held back his Streams, Mankind would soon expire,
Dissolve, and into nothing strait retire.
Is with aspiring Cedars spread,
With Wood sufficient is thy Forrest stor'd,
Or can it Beasts enough afford
For a Burnt off'ring for all Nature's Lord?
Against him should the Nations rise
He would neglect their weak alarms,
This wretched Host of Worms he would despise,
And laugh at empty Vanity in Arms.
If God the Spring of Life and Pow'r
By whose supplys his various Worlds endure,
Held back his Streams, Mankind would soon expire,
Dissolve, and into nothing strait retire.
Since his Perfections so transcendent are,
What Image can his Being represent?
What can you with Almighty Strength compare?
What Figure of Infinity invent?
The senseless Heathens to the Artist run
Who deals in Deities of Wood and Stone;
The Fools bespeak an Antick lacker'd God
To Guard their Persons, and Abode.
What Image can his Being represent?
What can you with Almighty Strength compare?
What Figure of Infinity invent?
The senseless Heathens to the Artist run
Who deals in Deities of Wood and Stone;
The Fools bespeak an Antick lacker'd God
To Guard their Persons, and Abode.
The melted Metal in the Furnace flows
Then in the Mould the stiff'ning Idol glows:
And when their God grows Hard and Cold,
The Workman makes him fine, and daubs him o'er with Gold.
The Crowd their gaudy Deity admire
Th' effect of Art, the Creature of the Fire—
Then least their Feeble God should fall
With Silver Chains they fix him to the Wall.
A likely Guardian this, to save
The Men, that his Protection crave.
Then in the Mould the stiff'ning Idol glows:
And when their God grows Hard and Cold,
The Workman makes him fine, and daubs him o'er with Gold.
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Th' effect of Art, the Creature of the Fire—
Then least their Feeble God should fall
With Silver Chains they fix him to the Wall.
A likely Guardian this, to save
The Men, that his Protection crave.
The Man that's grown so Indigent and Poor
He can't an Off'ring for his God procure,
To Idols he's so much inclind,
Will ways to get Materials find,
And to engage the chiefest Artist's Care
A Graven Image to prepare.
Tho' after all his Cost and Pains
The worthless Piece fixt in his Place remains.
It can't advance a Step, or move a Hand
In his Defence that does his help demand.
He can't an Off'ring for his God procure,
To Idols he's so much inclind,
Will ways to get Materials find,
And to engage the chiefest Artist's Care
A Graven Image to prepare.
Tho' after all his Cost and Pains
The worthless Piece fixt in his Place remains.
It can't advance a Step, or move a Hand
In his Defence that does his help demand.
Ye Pagan Realms that cover'd lie
With the thick Darkness of Idolatry,
How can a Truth to all reveal'd,
As clear as Day, be still from you conceal'd?
That is, that God's the only God, to whom
You should with humble Adoration come.
The Starry Heav'ns which he has made,
The Earth whose deep Foundations he has laid,
His Being and his Majesty declare,
And shew how boundless his Perfections are:
Above the Circle of the Earth, on high
He sits enthron'd amidst th' Emperial Sky;
Whence when he casts his Eyes around,
And views the Earth hung low in Air,
As little Insects creeping on the Ground,
Contemptible Mankind appear.
The Heav'nly Sphears as Curtains he expands,
With Orbs of Light Magnificent,
His fine transparent Ether with his Hands,
He spreads to form his Royal Tent.
He at his Pleasure can destroy
The Kings that greatest Pow'r and Wealth enjoy.
He can their royal Heads uncrown
And from their Thrones can cast them headlong down.
Deep Root they shall not take nor spread
Amidst the Clouds their shady Head.
Blasted, and with th' Almighty's Breath opprest,
As with a furious Tempest from the East,
Their ruin'd Branches shall decay,
And fade, like with'ring Plants, away.
With the thick Darkness of Idolatry,
How can a Truth to all reveal'd,
As clear as Day, be still from you conceal'd?
That is, that God's the only God, to whom
You should with humble Adoration come.
The Starry Heav'ns which he has made,
The Earth whose deep Foundations he has laid,
His Being and his Majesty declare,
And shew how boundless his Perfections are:
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He sits enthron'd amidst th' Emperial Sky;
Whence when he casts his Eyes around,
And views the Earth hung low in Air,
As little Insects creeping on the Ground,
Contemptible Mankind appear.
The Heav'nly Sphears as Curtains he expands,
With Orbs of Light Magnificent,
His fine transparent Ether with his Hands,
He spreads to form his Royal Tent.
He at his Pleasure can destroy
The Kings that greatest Pow'r and Wealth enjoy.
He can their royal Heads uncrown
And from their Thrones can cast them headlong down.
Deep Root they shall not take nor spread
Amidst the Clouds their shady Head.
Blasted, and with th' Almighty's Breath opprest,
As with a furious Tempest from the East,
Their ruin'd Branches shall decay,
And fade, like with'ring Plants, away.
Where then, says God, can Men my Equal see?
What Object can resemble me?
Lift up, O Man, on high thy wond'ring Eyes,
Regard the Palace of the Holy One,
View the bright Constellations of the Skies
Where he has fixt his Adamantine Throne.
Did not th' Eternal from th' Abyss of Night
Call forth those Heav'ns, and all those Orbs of Light?
Do they not run their Courses and dispence
At his Command their Light and Influence?
He their great Gen'ral Day by Day
Draws out his glitt'ring Armys in Array.
In constant Musters on th' Etherial Plains
The Squadrons he reviews, and all their Posts ordains.
As Master of his Starry Family,
He calls his shining Servants out by Name,
Gives them their Tasks to which they all agree,
Whereby his Pow'r and Greatness they proclaim.
What Object can resemble me?
Lift up, O Man, on high thy wond'ring Eyes,
Regard the Palace of the Holy One,
View the bright Constellations of the Skies
Where he has fixt his Adamantine Throne.
Did not th' Eternal from th' Abyss of Night
Call forth those Heav'ns, and all those Orbs of Light?
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At his Command their Light and Influence?
He their great Gen'ral Day by Day
Draws out his glitt'ring Armys in Array.
In constant Musters on th' Etherial Plains
The Squadrons he reviews, and all their Posts ordains.
As Master of his Starry Family,
He calls his shining Servants out by Name,
Gives them their Tasks to which they all agree,
Whereby his Pow'r and Greatness they proclaim.
Why dost thou say, O Jacob, I complain,
And make to God my moan in Vain.
He to my Sorrow no Compassion shows,
Neglects my Tears, and disregards my Woes.
The proud Oppressors cruel Yoke
Does not his vengeful Wrath provoke.
I am no more th' Almighty's Care,
Else he would hear my mournful Pray'r,
And not desert me in my deep Despair.
He'll be no more my Advocate,
My Cause to manage in debate.
He will no more my Injuries redress,
No more condemn my Foes, who me oppress.
He's pleas'd so long his People to disown,
That now our Case is desp'rate grown.
Now, if he would, he can't assistance give,
We're ruin'd, and undone, past all retrieve.
And make to God my moan in Vain.
He to my Sorrow no Compassion shows,
Neglects my Tears, and disregards my Woes.
The proud Oppressors cruel Yoke
Does not his vengeful Wrath provoke.
I am no more th' Almighty's Care,
Else he would hear my mournful Pray'r,
And not desert me in my deep Despair.
He'll be no more my Advocate,
My Cause to manage in debate.
He will no more my Injuries redress,
No more condemn my Foes, who me oppress.
He's pleas'd so long his People to disown,
That now our Case is desp'rate grown.
Now, if he would, he can't assistance give,
We're ruin'd, and undone, past all retrieve.
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O, dost thou not unthoughtful Jacob, know
Who made the Heav'ns above and Earth below?
Did not thy God, th' Eternal Lord
Create them with his great commanding Word?
He rules the World he made, with equal Laws,
Will such a God desert his Peoples Cause?
Will he that all things wisely does direct,
His People's Interests neglect,
Will he their Suff'rings slight, and earnest Pray'rs reject?
Who made the Heav'ns above and Earth below?
Did not thy God, th' Eternal Lord
Create them with his great commanding Word?
He rules the World he made, with equal Laws,
Will such a God desert his Peoples Cause?
Will he that all things wisely does direct,
His People's Interests neglect,
Will he their Suff'rings slight, and earnest Pray'rs reject?
He grows not faint, nor does his Vigour wast
With Age, or with his Labour past.
His undeclining Strength feels no decay,
Still can he punish those who disobey.
He can as strong an arms as e'er extend
To crush his Foes, his People to defend.
Nor dos he with a less attentive Ear
The Crys of guiltless Suff'rers hear:
But then the Seasons of Deliv'rance rest
As Secrets in th' Almighty's Breast.
The Depths of Providence are fathomless,
Nor will its Heights admit access,
And therefore in his Pleasure Man must Acquiesce.
He to his People still Deliv'rance sends
When it promotes their Good, and serves his glorious Ends.
His Counsels, which so far exceed our reach,
Sould Patience and Submission teach.
With Age, or with his Labour past.
His undeclining Strength feels no decay,
Still can he punish those who disobey.
He can as strong an arms as e'er extend
To crush his Foes, his People to defend.
Nor dos he with a less attentive Ear
The Crys of guiltless Suff'rers hear:
But then the Seasons of Deliv'rance rest
As Secrets in th' Almighty's Breast.
The Depths of Providence are fathomless,
Nor will its Heights admit access,
And therefore in his Pleasure Man must Acquiesce.
He to his People still Deliv'rance sends
When it promotes their Good, and serves his glorious Ends.
His Counsels, which so far exceed our reach,
Sould Patience and Submission teach.
275
He gives supplies of Pow'r to those that want,
Strengthens the Feeble and revives the Faint.
The Youngest Men in whose distended Veins,
And brawny Nerves Athletic Vigor reigns,
If they on God should not rely,
Would quickly languish, sink and die.
But those who humbly on his Strength depend,
Their stock of Vigor ne'er shall spend.
He'll reinforce them with recruits of Pow'r,
And their decaying Strength restore.
They shall on Wings like Eagles mount on high,
And with like force and swiftness cut the Sky.
They shall or Walk or Run, still forward press,
And ne'er complain of Weariness.
God daily shall their Strength encrease,
That they their Burdens may sustain with Ease,
Till he shall chuse his time his Captives to release.
Strengthens the Feeble and revives the Faint.
The Youngest Men in whose distended Veins,
And brawny Nerves Athletic Vigor reigns,
If they on God should not rely,
Would quickly languish, sink and die.
But those who humbly on his Strength depend,
Their stock of Vigor ne'er shall spend.
He'll reinforce them with recruits of Pow'r,
And their decaying Strength restore.
They shall on Wings like Eagles mount on high,
And with like force and swiftness cut the Sky.
They shall or Walk or Run, still forward press,
And ne'er complain of Weariness.
God daily shall their Strength encrease,
That they their Burdens may sustain with Ease,
Till he shall chuse his time his Captives to release.
| A paraphrase on the Book of Job | |