University of Virginia Library

Chap. 37.

O how they terrifie my panting heart!
Ready to breake my fivers, and depart.
Hearke, how his thunder from their entrailes breakes!
The voyce of God when he in fury speakes:
Which roles in globes of pitch below the skies.
To Earths extent his winged lightning flies,
Pursu'de by hideous fragors: though before
The flames descend, they in their breaches roare.
His farre-resounding voyce reports his ire:
His Indignation flowes in streames of fire.
O who can apprehend his excellence;
Whose wonders passe the reach of humane sense!
He gives the winters Snow her aërie birth:
And bids her virgin fleeces cloth the Earth.
Now he her face renew's with fruitfull showres:
Now Cataracts upon her bosome powres;
VVhose falling spouts the Hands of Labour tie.
VVhen Swaines for shelter to their houses flye;
Yet on their former toyle reflect their care:
Then salvage Beasts to their darke dennes repaire.
Loud Tempests from the Cloudie South breake forth;
And cold out of the Cloud-repelling North.
The fields with rigid frost grow stiffe and gray:
The rivers solid, and forget their way.
Sad clouds with frequent teares themselves impaire;
And those that shone with lightning, fleet to ayre:
At his obey'd decree returne againe;
T'afflict the Earth, or comfort it with raine.
Thus Judgement and sweet Mercy, which depend
Upon his beck, to men in Clouds descend.
This heare, ô Job; with silence fixed, stand:
Review the wonders of his mighty Hand.
Know'st thou how God collects the must'red Clouds?
How in their darknesse he his lightning shrouds?
How by him ballanc'd in the weightlesse Aire?
Canst thou the wisedome of his workes declare?
Or know'st thou how thy Garments warmer grow,
VVhen dropping Southerne gales begin to blow?
Wer't thou then present, when his hands displaid
The firmament; of liquid Chrystall made?
If so; instruct what we to God should say;
Who in so darke a night have lost our way.
What can we urge that is to him unknowne?
Or who contend and not be overthrowne?
Who on the Sunne can gaze with constant eyes,
When purging winds from vapors cleare the skies,
And Northerne gales his shining face unfold?
Much lesse the Majestie of God behold.
O how inscrutable! his equitie
Twins with his Power. Will he the Just destroy?
For this to be ador'd: yet cannot find
Among the Sonnes of men a prudent mind.