The grand Tryal or, Poetical Exercitations upon the book of Job. Wherein, Suitable to each Text of that sacred Book, a modest Explanation, and Continuation of the several Discourses contained in it, is attempted by William Clark |
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| I. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| II. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. | Cap. IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| III. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| IV. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| V. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
 | The grand Tryal |  |
Cap. IX.
During these learn'd digressions of Wit;
Job all the while most pensively did sit.
For as to one condemn'd, before he dye
The Judge from Bench doth use himself t'apply
In exhortations, laying out his Crime.
Resumes his Case, and whilst it is yet time,
Conjures him to Repentance, so, while these
Did open thus Jobs Case, he held his peace;
At length perceiving he had no defence,
'Gainst their Insults, but his own Innocence.
Thus mildly answers.
Job all the while most pensively did sit.
For as to one condemn'd, before he dye
The Judge from Bench doth use himself t'apply
In exhortations, laying out his Crime.
Resumes his Case, and whilst it is yet time,
Conjures him to Repentance, so, while these
Did open thus Jobs Case, he held his peace;
At length perceiving he had no defence,
'Gainst their Insults, but his own Innocence.
Thus mildly answers.
Why, my dear friends, you tell me God is just,
And in him only I should put my Trust.
To me this is no new thing, for I know,
And always was convinc'd that it was so.
Gods justice, I confess, is admirable,
Impartial, Pure, beyond what I am able,
By all the parts allow'd me, to express;
Gods Justice is most powerful, I confess.
Compar'd with which, all that we can acclaim
Of Righteousness, doth not deserve the name
Of moral vertue; for should we be try'd,
By Law of God, who can be justify'd?
In Courts of Men, we use to lay Defence,
Against the Bill, the Jury, th'Evidence,
Refuse the Words o'th' Law, and plead the Sense:
But in Gods Court no such Procedure is,
His Laws are clear, need no Paraphrasis,
The Bill is so well founded, it is found
Without Removal from the Court: 'tis own'd
By all as true: it needs must be confess't,
Who can deny't? when from our very Breast,
Both Evidence are brought, and Jury too,
What Court such fair Procedure can allow?
And in him only I should put my Trust.
To me this is no new thing, for I know,
And always was convinc'd that it was so.
Gods justice, I confess, is admirable,
Impartial, Pure, beyond what I am able,
By all the parts allow'd me, to express;
Gods Justice is most powerful, I confess.
Compar'd with which, all that we can acclaim
Of Righteousness, doth not deserve the name
Of moral vertue; for should we be try'd,
53
In Courts of Men, we use to lay Defence,
Against the Bill, the Jury, th'Evidence,
Refuse the Words o'th' Law, and plead the Sense:
But in Gods Court no such Procedure is,
His Laws are clear, need no Paraphrasis,
The Bill is so well founded, it is found
Without Removal from the Court: 'tis own'd
By all as true: it needs must be confess't,
Who can deny't? when from our very Breast,
Both Evidence are brought, and Jury too,
What Court such fair Procedure can allow?
When God Arraigns us Mortals, who's the'man
Dare, plead not guilty? who is he, that can
Make answer to his Charge? hold up his Face,
And with his Maker dares dispute the Case?
T'one of a thousand Questions he'l demand,
When at the Barr of our Great Judge we stand,
Who's he can frame an answer? or deny
His Errors, or himself can justify,
I'th' smallest point? who can his Charge refuse
His Vices palliat, or his sins excuse?
Dare, plead not guilty? who is he, that can
Make answer to his Charge? hold up his Face,
And with his Maker dares dispute the Case?
T'one of a thousand Questions he'l demand,
When at the Barr of our Great Judge we stand,
Who's he can frame an answer? or deny
His Errors, or himself can justify,
I'th' smallest point? who can his Charge refuse
His Vices palliat, or his sins excuse?
Who can express the glorious qualities
Of our Great God? he's admirably wise:
In boundless force, and power most formidable,
And in all things, that's good, incomparable.
Who ever yet did with his God contend,
And boasted of his success in the end?
Of our Great God? he's admirably wise:
In boundless force, and power most formidable,
And in all things, that's good, incomparable.
Who ever yet did with his God contend,
And boasted of his success in the end?
The highest Mountains, which to humane eyes
Appear to be contiguous with the Skyes,
Whose proud Imperial tops themselves do shroud
I'th' tiara of a continual Cloud:
He pulls up by the roots with little care,
And like so many Peebles, here, and there,
He throws them from his hand, with wondrous ease,
Some in the Pools, and Lakes, some in the Seas:
Some in the Isles, the Main-land, and the Shore,
And Hills are now, where Valleys were before:
Nor do those stubborn Mountains feel his Blows,
When in his anger, he them overthrows.
Appear to be contiguous with the Skyes,
Whose proud Imperial tops themselves do shroud
I'th' tiara of a continual Cloud:
He pulls up by the roots with little care,
And like so many Peebles, here, and there,
He throws them from his hand, with wondrous ease,
Some in the Pools, and Lakes, some in the Seas:
Some in the Isles, the Main-land, and the Shore,
And Hills are now, where Valleys were before:
Nor do those stubborn Mountains feel his Blows,
When in his anger, he them overthrows.
This Center of the Universe, which all
Admire so much, and with good reason call
Earths glorious Fabrick, which for certain Term,
Our God to Mankind has Let out in Farm.
This Earth adorn'd with so much bravery,
And with such fair, and rich variety
Enammeled: as no Art can imitate;
For atomes whereof we so much debate:
Buzzing about this Globe, like Bees in Hive,
Where who each other shall out-toile, we strive,
Whilst mean time one poor lease for life is all
We here on Earth our Property can call.
Nay happy, could it so long time endure,
That each man could his Turff for Life ensure:
But ah where on those precious Clods retains,
To death, and leaves the fruit of all his pains
To those he loves, ten thousand, ere they dy,
Are strip'd of all, and in sad Poverty,
Consume their hopeless years, and so do I.
This Glob of Earth he tosses too and fro,
As one doth Ball with Racket, high, or low,
As he thinks good, he makes its surface quake,
Its body twirle, and all its Pillars shake.
Admire so much, and with good reason call
Earths glorious Fabrick, which for certain Term,
Our God to Mankind has Let out in Farm.
This Earth adorn'd with so much bravery,
And with such fair, and rich variety
Enammeled: as no Art can imitate;
For atomes whereof we so much debate:
Buzzing about this Globe, like Bees in Hive,
Where who each other shall out-toile, we strive,
Whilst mean time one poor lease for life is all
We here on Earth our Property can call.
Nay happy, could it so long time endure,
That each man could his Turff for Life ensure:
54
To death, and leaves the fruit of all his pains
To those he loves, ten thousand, ere they dy,
Are strip'd of all, and in sad Poverty,
Consume their hopeless years, and so do I.
This Glob of Earth he tosses too and fro,
As one doth Ball with Racket, high, or low,
As he thinks good, he makes its surface quake,
Its body twirle, and all its Pillars shake.
The Sun, who, like a Conqueror every day
His Glory doth triumphantly display:
Whose splendid Beams afford such radiant light
As scattereth all the vapours of the night.
With such bright Lustre doth this Glob surround,
As its fair influence every where is found.
Who in his Motion doth observe such Grace,
No force, or Art will make him change his pace;
But 'round th'Horizon makes such pretty tours,
In his Diurnal, and his Annual Course,
Check'd by no snare, obstructed by no fear,
With great exactness measuring out the year;
As one would soon conclude, without dispute
This Creature were a Monarch absolute.
Our God prohibits this same Sun to rise,
And couching like a Spanniel, closs he lies
Below the foot of our Almighty God,
Nor for the World, dares he peep abroad,
Until licens'd, by the same Divine Power,
Which him confin'd, and which from hour to hour
He doth expect: whilst we poor Mortals ly
Plung'd in a horrid, deep Obscurity:
Where in our nasty holes, like Toads we craul,
And grope, like Blind-men 'bout this earthen Ball,
Until by warrand in our Hemisphere
This most Illustrious Prince doth re-appear.
His Glory doth triumphantly display:
Whose splendid Beams afford such radiant light
As scattereth all the vapours of the night.
With such bright Lustre doth this Glob surround,
As its fair influence every where is found.
Who in his Motion doth observe such Grace,
No force, or Art will make him change his pace;
But 'round th'Horizon makes such pretty tours,
In his Diurnal, and his Annual Course,
Check'd by no snare, obstructed by no fear,
With great exactness measuring out the year;
As one would soon conclude, without dispute
This Creature were a Monarch absolute.
Our God prohibits this same Sun to rise,
And couching like a Spanniel, closs he lies
Below the foot of our Almighty God,
Nor for the World, dares he peep abroad,
Until licens'd, by the same Divine Power,
Which him confin'd, and which from hour to hour
He doth expect: whilst we poor Mortals ly
Plung'd in a horrid, deep Obscurity:
Where in our nasty holes, like Toads we craul,
And grope, like Blind-men 'bout this earthen Ball,
Until by warrand in our Hemisphere
This most Illustrious Prince doth re-appear.
Poor toiling Spiders, inconsiderat things,
Who call themselves here Emperours and Kings!
Whose great ambition is to imitate
This Splendid Creature in his Pomp and State:
Dreaming themselves in a most happy case,
When by the World esteemed of his race:
Who cause themselves be pictur'd, with their heads
Environ'd with his Rayes: that he who reads
Their aery Motto's, may perceive how much,
These Fools affect to be imagin'd such,
As is that Creature in his Noon-tide glory;
And in that pride transmit themselves to story.
Ah how I pity those poor crowned toyes,
Who fool themselves, to pleasure Girles, and Boyes:
The Spring-tide of whose Souls no higher rises,
Than to abuse us with such State Devices.
When this same glorious, bright Original,
The mean Apprentice-copies whereof all
Those Buzzards do at most aspire to be
Esteem'd, who is not blind, may plainly see
Is but a Vassal to th'Almighty Lord,
Answers his call, and watches by his Word.
Who call themselves here Emperours and Kings!
Whose great ambition is to imitate
This Splendid Creature in his Pomp and State:
Dreaming themselves in a most happy case,
When by the World esteemed of his race:
Who cause themselves be pictur'd, with their heads
Environ'd with his Rayes: that he who reads
Their aery Motto's, may perceive how much,
These Fools affect to be imagin'd such,
As is that Creature in his Noon-tide glory;
And in that pride transmit themselves to story.
Ah how I pity those poor crowned toyes,
Who fool themselves, to pleasure Girles, and Boyes:
The Spring-tide of whose Souls no higher rises,
Than to abuse us with such State Devices.
When this same glorious, bright Original,
The mean Apprentice-copies whereof all
Those Buzzards do at most aspire to be
55
Is but a Vassal to th'Almighty Lord,
Answers his call, and watches by his Word.
Those lights, which in their Rowes so eminent
Make such a Figure in the Firmament:
And with such beauty in their Orbs appear,
As one would think the Heavens pellucid were:
Those pleasant Stars, who with their sparkling light
Allay the Horrour of a Winters Night.
Who teach th'almost despairing Mariner,
In blustring Storms, how he his Course may steer:
And when his Sea-card, and his Compass fails,
Instructs him how to tack and ply his Sails.
These troops of pointed Lights, Heavens numerous Eyes
In Packs, and Bundles the Almighty tyes:
Then with his Signet doth those Bundles seal,
As one doth Wares, and merchandize for sale:
So that their twinkling light appears no more,
And darkness reigns, where Lamps did shine before.
Make such a Figure in the Firmament:
And with such beauty in their Orbs appear,
As one would think the Heavens pellucid were:
Those pleasant Stars, who with their sparkling light
Allay the Horrour of a Winters Night.
Who teach th'almost despairing Mariner,
In blustring Storms, how he his Course may steer:
And when his Sea-card, and his Compass fails,
Instructs him how to tack and ply his Sails.
These troops of pointed Lights, Heavens numerous Eyes
In Packs, and Bundles the Almighty tyes:
Then with his Signet doth those Bundles seal,
As one doth Wares, and merchandize for sale:
So that their twinkling light appears no more,
And darkness reigns, where Lamps did shine before.
The Canopy of Heavens he stretches out,
And makes those Orbs, like Whirle-winds, roul about
This fixed Mass of Earth: 'tis he alone
Directs their Motions, and makes every one
Of those great Engins in their circles move,
Some quick, some in a course more slow, above
What human art can imitate, 'tis he,
Who walketh on the surface of the Sea:
Where stoutest Ships like drunken men do reel,
And forc'd by strength of waves, turn up their Keel.
On those proud billows doth our Mighty God
Walk unconcern'd, as on a beaten road.
And makes those Orbs, like Whirle-winds, roul about
This fixed Mass of Earth: 'tis he alone
Directs their Motions, and makes every one
Of those great Engins in their circles move,
Some quick, some in a course more slow, above
What human art can imitate, 'tis he,
Who walketh on the surface of the Sea:
Where stoutest Ships like drunken men do reel,
And forc'd by strength of waves, turn up their Keel.
On those proud billows doth our Mighty God
Walk unconcern'd, as on a beaten road.
The Stars in several bodies he doth frame,
To each of which he gives a proper name:
Such as Arcturus, Orion, Pleiades,
And quarters them through all the Provinces
Of his vast Empire; where those bodies ly,
Each settled in its own Locality,
The standing Forces of Heavens Monarchy.
To each of which he gives a proper name:
Such as Arcturus, Orion, Pleiades,
And quarters them through all the Provinces
Of his vast Empire; where those bodies ly,
Each settled in its own Locality,
The standing Forces of Heavens Monarchy.
Great things he acts; O things most admirable!
Beyond our reach, things most innumerable!
Things, which no human Language can express,
Though every Language doth the same confess.
Beyond our reach, things most innumerable!
Things, which no human Language can express,
Though every Language doth the same confess.
Why even those works, which daily to our eyes
In course are obvious, our Capacities
By many thousand Stages do transcend,
Nor can our groping reason comprehend
The meanest of his actings, or espy
This Mighty Monarch. when he passeth by,
And makes his splendid Progress through the Sky.
Nor can our eyes perceive his Royal Seat,
Though, every day he shows himself in State.
In course are obvious, our Capacities
By many thousand Stages do transcend,
Nor can our groping reason comprehend
The meanest of his actings, or espy
This Mighty Monarch. when he passeth by,
And makes his splendid Progress through the Sky.
Nor can our eyes perceive his Royal Seat,
Though, every day he shows himself in State.
When this great King would Justice execute,
What man dares his Authority dispute?
Who's he that dares Declinator alledge,
Against his Court, or offer to repledge
The highest Prince, whom he intends to try?
Or save his Life, whom he commands to dye?
When he our Goods, and Substance doth distrain,
Who can compel him to restore again
What he hath taken? who's that Mortal, pray,
Dares offer to resist his Power? or say
He does unjustly? or in Court dares bring
A quo warranto, 'gainst this mighty King!
What man dares his Authority dispute?
Who's he that dares Declinator alledge,
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The highest Prince, whom he intends to try?
Or save his Life, whom he commands to dye?
When he our Goods, and Substance doth distrain,
Who can compel him to restore again
What he hath taken? who's that Mortal, pray,
Dares offer to resist his Power? or say
He does unjustly? or in Court dares bring
A quo warranto, 'gainst this mighty King!
No, all's in vain, no force of Eloquence,
No Laws, no proofs, can clear the Innocence
Of him, whom God condemns; no surely he,
Unhappy Creature, (who so e're he be)
After his reasoning, praying, after all,
A victim to the Divine wrath must fall.
Nay, you, my friends, for all your wit and parts,
Which doth afford you talk, though in your hearts,
You think not what you speak, even you must dye,
When God pronounces Sentence, from on high,
Against you, nor will all your Art can say
In Rhet'ricks sweetest flowers procure delay
For one small moment: no, his Sentence must
Be execute, and you return to Dust.
No Laws, no proofs, can clear the Innocence
Of him, whom God condemns; no surely he,
Unhappy Creature, (who so e're he be)
After his reasoning, praying, after all,
A victim to the Divine wrath must fall.
Nay, you, my friends, for all your wit and parts,
Which doth afford you talk, though in your hearts,
You think not what you speak, even you must dye,
When God pronounces Sentence, from on high,
Against you, nor will all your Art can say
In Rhet'ricks sweetest flowers procure delay
For one small moment: no, his Sentence must
Be execute, and you return to Dust.
Since you then even with all your Eloquence,
'Gainst his Procedure can make no defence:
Ah how can I a wretch so despicable,
Void of all Reason, Wit, and Parts, be able
To make him answer? where shall such as I
Find sugred words t'obtain indemnity?
'Gainst his Procedure can make no defence:
Ah how can I a wretch so despicable,
Void of all Reason, Wit, and Parts, be able
To make him answer? where shall such as I
Find sugred words t'obtain indemnity?
Nay though perswaded of my innocence,
Yet 'gainst his Justice I'de make no defence.
All he layes to my Charge, I would confess,
And then to his sole Mercy make address.
I would not plead, but say I firmly knew,
All my Inditement to be simply true:
And then exibit, with great veneration,
Before my Judge my humble supplication,
Wherein I'de ask, that he by me would do,
As he thought fit; but if he pleas'd t'allow
Some breathing time, that I might yet implore,
(Before I trindle hence, and be no more)
His pardon for my sins, I'de only say,
This favour would oblige me still to pray.
For should I in this manner supplicat,
I'de hope that God would me commiserat.
'Tis but what he can grant me out of hand,
Though more than I deserve, or dare demand.
Fools, with their Maker, do expostulat,
And think by words themselves to liberat,
But pious men, who better things do know,
Upon Gods Mercy still themselves do throw.
For when th'Almighty doth in Judgement sit,
All that are knowing will to him submit.
He, who to search the Records is inclin'd,
Of that high Court of Justice, soon will find
No formal pleadings there, no exculpations,
But only prayers, and humble supplications.
These are the most prevailing arguments
With the great Judge o'th' World, the glorious Saints,
When them for Crimes th'Almighty would accuse,
In all their tryals, ne're did other use.
Yet 'gainst his Justice I'de make no defence.
All he layes to my Charge, I would confess,
And then to his sole Mercy make address.
I would not plead, but say I firmly knew,
All my Inditement to be simply true:
And then exibit, with great veneration,
Before my Judge my humble supplication,
Wherein I'de ask, that he by me would do,
As he thought fit; but if he pleas'd t'allow
Some breathing time, that I might yet implore,
(Before I trindle hence, and be no more)
His pardon for my sins, I'de only say,
This favour would oblige me still to pray.
For should I in this manner supplicat,
I'de hope that God would me commiserat.
'Tis but what he can grant me out of hand,
Though more than I deserve, or dare demand.
Fools, with their Maker, do expostulat,
And think by words themselves to liberat,
But pious men, who better things do know,
Upon Gods Mercy still themselves do throw.
For when th'Almighty doth in Judgement sit,
All that are knowing will to him submit.
He, who to search the Records is inclin'd,
57
No formal pleadings there, no exculpations,
But only prayers, and humble supplications.
These are the most prevailing arguments
With the great Judge o'th' World, the glorious Saints,
When them for Crimes th'Almighty would accuse,
In all their tryals, ne're did other use.
Now, though I know that God doth hear the cry
Of those, who from the pit of misery
Do make address to him, and that our Lord
In his good time to such will help afford:
Yet in my present pain, and agony
I do believe, with some difficulty,
That God will hear my prayer, or if he do,
That he to me such favour will allow
As he to others grants: since only I
Condemned to perpetual misery,
Can hope for no relief, then pray excuse
These hot expressions, which you hear me use,
For I'me undone with grief: my case is sad,
And still oppression makes a wise man mad.
Of those, who from the pit of misery
Do make address to him, and that our Lord
In his good time to such will help afford:
Yet in my present pain, and agony
I do believe, with some difficulty,
That God will hear my prayer, or if he do,
That he to me such favour will allow
As he to others grants: since only I
Condemned to perpetual misery,
Can hope for no relief, then pray excuse
These hot expressions, which you hear me use,
For I'me undone with grief: my case is sad,
And still oppression makes a wise man mad.
Like a strong tempest, God his wrath lets out,
Which will at length destroy me, without doubt.
The torrent of his anger swells so high,
And rushes on my Soul so furiously,
As all the art of humane patience
Cannot resist its force, and violence.
I'm wounded by the order of his Laws,
Most justly, though as yet I know no cause.
My plagues, and torments sensibly I feel,
And know the measure of my woes full well,
But such my dulness is, I cannot yet
Perceive those ugly sins, which did beget
Those monstruous Evils; of which I complain,
And call for reparation, but in vain.
Which will at length destroy me, without doubt.
The torrent of his anger swells so high,
And rushes on my Soul so furiously,
As all the art of humane patience
Cannot resist its force, and violence.
I'm wounded by the order of his Laws,
Most justly, though as yet I know no cause.
My plagues, and torments sensibly I feel,
And know the measure of my woes full well,
But such my dulness is, I cannot yet
Perceive those ugly sins, which did beget
Those monstruous Evils; of which I complain,
And call for reparation, but in vain.
For I'm so harrass'd by that Heavenly wrath,
As I can find no time to take my breath.
Continued sorrows do my Soul oppress,
My Heart is brim-full of sad bitterness.
As I can find no time to take my breath.
Continued sorrows do my Soul oppress,
My Heart is brim-full of sad bitterness.
But what doth yet encreass my misery,
To th'utmost, is the vast disparity,
'Twixt him, who doth these ills inflict, and me,
He's great, and I as mean, as mean can be.
And, if we speak of strength, why th'Lord of Hosts,
Is strength it self in abstract, he who boasts,
Of any strength, valour, or gallantry.
Compar'd with God is but a butter-fly
Compar'd with Eagle, or a silly Ant,
In scales with a huge, big-bon'd Elephant.
Talk we of Judgement: who shall make address
For me? and bring me in to plead my case?
When I appear before his Majesty,
What shall I say? how shall I justifie?
My actings in this Earth? how shall I frame
Excuse for what to mention is my shame?
To th'utmost, is the vast disparity,
'Twixt him, who doth these ills inflict, and me,
He's great, and I as mean, as mean can be.
And, if we speak of strength, why th'Lord of Hosts,
Is strength it self in abstract, he who boasts,
Of any strength, valour, or gallantry.
Compar'd with God is but a butter-fly
Compar'd with Eagle, or a silly Ant,
In scales with a huge, big-bon'd Elephant.
Talk we of Judgement: who shall make address
For me? and bring me in to plead my case?
When I appear before his Majesty,
What shall I say? how shall I justifie?
58
Excuse for what to mention is my shame?
For if with God I'd enter in debate,
And justifie my self at any rate:
If I desert, or innocence would plead,
Then words which from my own mouth do proceed,
Would prove me guilty: and if I but name
My uprightness: his Justice will proclaim
My misdemeanors, and make evident,
How I in courting sin my time have spent.
And justifie my self at any rate:
If I desert, or innocence would plead,
Then words which from my own mouth do proceed,
Would prove me guilty: and if I but name
My uprightness: his Justice will proclaim
My misdemeanors, and make evident,
How I in courting sin my time have spent.
Nay though I were upright, yet would I not
Desire to live: my Soul hath quite forgot
Its former kindness to that piece of clay
It lov'd so much before, and every day,
Longs to be from its consort separate;
Whom it doth now with so much reason hate.
Desire to live: my Soul hath quite forgot
Its former kindness to that piece of clay
It lov'd so much before, and every day,
Longs to be from its consort separate;
Whom it doth now with so much reason hate.
Yet here's my comfort, that I understand,
My God will punish, with impartial hand,
Both just, and unjust, and will evidence,
That 'twixt them both he makes no difference:
Has no respect for persons, no regard
For one, or other; but gives out award
In every point, as he finds just and layes
Every mans Cause in equal ballances.
In unjust Causes he will none maintain,
So of Gods Justice no man should complain.
My God will punish, with impartial hand,
Both just, and unjust, and will evidence,
That 'twixt them both he makes no difference:
Has no respect for persons, no regard
For one, or other; but gives out award
In every point, as he finds just and layes
Every mans Cause in equal ballances.
In unjust Causes he will none maintain,
So of Gods Justice no man should complain.
If in his wrath God should the wicked slay,
And root them out, what could those wretches say,
Against Gods Justice, when their Conscience,
Assures them he has done them no offence.
Because Gods Judgements do their sins pursue,
And punishment t'offenders is as due,
As Wages to the Labourer: for each sin
First acts its part, then Judgement does begin,
Where it leaves of: and so pursues the Chace,
Until the breathless sinner end his Race.
This is his Justice, but his Mercie sure,
Eternal, to all ages doth endure.
Must not our God be full of Clemency,
When on the wicked even unwillingly
He executes his Justice: punishment
Is long delay'd, and vengeance seldom sent
'Gainst any but the stiff impenitent.
Who at his Judgement, doth repine, and cry,
Out upon Gods too great severity;
Sure that unhappy Creature doth mistake
Gods Bounty, and his own Condition make
Worse than it was intended: for we know
In Mercy God is quick, in anger slow:
A God of Mercy he himself doth write,
And so in sinners death takes no delite:
Far lesse than should the just, and innocent
Think God takes pleasure in their punishment.
And root them out, what could those wretches say,
Against Gods Justice, when their Conscience,
Assures them he has done them no offence.
Because Gods Judgements do their sins pursue,
And punishment t'offenders is as due,
As Wages to the Labourer: for each sin
First acts its part, then Judgement does begin,
Where it leaves of: and so pursues the Chace,
Until the breathless sinner end his Race.
This is his Justice, but his Mercie sure,
Eternal, to all ages doth endure.
Must not our God be full of Clemency,
When on the wicked even unwillingly
He executes his Justice: punishment
Is long delay'd, and vengeance seldom sent
'Gainst any but the stiff impenitent.
Who at his Judgement, doth repine, and cry,
Out upon Gods too great severity;
Sure that unhappy Creature doth mistake
Gods Bounty, and his own Condition make
Worse than it was intended: for we know
In Mercy God is quick, in anger slow:
A God of Mercy he himself doth write,
And so in sinners death takes no delite:
Far lesse than should the just, and innocent
Think God takes pleasure in their punishment.
59
Nor ought we to repine, when we reflect
How God the wicked Lords o'th' earth doth make:
How he puts Pastures, Vineyards, Houses, Lands,
Power Jurisdiction, Honours in their hands;
By which puff'd up a wanton life they lead,
Whilst godly men do toil for daily bread.
Nor how the Judges of the earth abuse
Their Sacred Function, and their Power do use,
T'oppress the Just: whose eyes with avarice
Are sealed up: who boldly set a price
On Justice: and employ their utmost Art
To sell the same, as in a publick Mart.
Who by their Friends use to negotiat
For Quotes of Pleas: and closely stipulat
For so much at the Issue of the cause:
T'attain which point, they cruciat the Laws;
And make them serve their ends so forcibly.
As all the world may see their Bribery.
If we consider how God doth permit
Those men to live on earth, as they think fit,
Because they're none of his, and have no share
I'th' land of Promise: whilst the upright are
In sad afflictions toss'd, and seem to be
O're whelmed by a most impetuous Sea
Of miseries: wee'l find these walk i'th' Road
Of black Damnation; of such Creatures God
Doth take no care: but lets them all run wild,
Like Herds of Asses, in the open field.
But his own Children he doth exercise
In a continual tract of miseries.
That being keep'd in such strict Discipline,
In a full body they may mount the Line,
I'th' daily Seige of Heaven, and in the end
Possess the same; only to be attain'd
By Sighs and Tears: whilst wicked men do run,
Without all order, and so are undone,
Amidst their pleasures, for they do compell
Their Souls instead of Heaven to march to Hell.
How God the wicked Lords o'th' earth doth make:
How he puts Pastures, Vineyards, Houses, Lands,
Power Jurisdiction, Honours in their hands;
By which puff'd up a wanton life they lead,
Whilst godly men do toil for daily bread.
Nor how the Judges of the earth abuse
Their Sacred Function, and their Power do use,
T'oppress the Just: whose eyes with avarice
Are sealed up: who boldly set a price
On Justice: and employ their utmost Art
To sell the same, as in a publick Mart.
Who by their Friends use to negotiat
For Quotes of Pleas: and closely stipulat
For so much at the Issue of the cause:
T'attain which point, they cruciat the Laws;
And make them serve their ends so forcibly.
As all the world may see their Bribery.
If we consider how God doth permit
Those men to live on earth, as they think fit,
Because they're none of his, and have no share
I'th' land of Promise: whilst the upright are
In sad afflictions toss'd, and seem to be
O're whelmed by a most impetuous Sea
Of miseries: wee'l find these walk i'th' Road
Of black Damnation; of such Creatures God
Doth take no care: but lets them all run wild,
Like Herds of Asses, in the open field.
But his own Children he doth exercise
In a continual tract of miseries.
That being keep'd in such strict Discipline,
In a full body they may mount the Line,
I'th' daily Seige of Heaven, and in the end
Possess the same; only to be attain'd
By Sighs and Tears: whilst wicked men do run,
Without all order, and so are undone,
Amidst their pleasures, for they do compell
Their Souls instead of Heaven to march to Hell.
Now were it lawful to repine, did God
Allow to any that do feel the Rod,
To say that his condition were sad
Sure never any Mortal Creature had
More cause than I poor wretch have to complain,
Who've lost my years, and spent my days in vain.
Swifter than Post my days their course have run,
That I might be more speedily undone.
My days are gone, my time is vanished,
My hours are fled, my life is finished.
My wretched life, a Scene of woes has been,
Under the Sun I have small pleasure seen.
Whilst others of obscure, and mean estate,
To Wealth, and Honours have been elevate:
Their modest parts, buoyd up by Friends and Fame,
Purchassing quickly to those Fools a Name:
Which impudently they would attribute
To their abilities, I destitute
Of every thing that's good, do silently
Spin out my days in grief, and penury.
And as the south wind, with a gentle breese,
Breaths on the verdant Plain, and skims the Seas;
With little noise, so I my days have spent,
My view o'th' world was meerly transient.
Allow to any that do feel the Rod,
To say that his condition were sad
Sure never any Mortal Creature had
More cause than I poor wretch have to complain,
Who've lost my years, and spent my days in vain.
Swifter than Post my days their course have run,
That I might be more speedily undone.
My days are gone, my time is vanished,
My hours are fled, my life is finished.
My wretched life, a Scene of woes has been,
Under the Sun I have small pleasure seen.
Whilst others of obscure, and mean estate,
To Wealth, and Honours have been elevate:
Their modest parts, buoyd up by Friends and Fame,
Purchassing quickly to those Fools a Name:
60
To their abilities, I destitute
Of every thing that's good, do silently
Spin out my days in grief, and penury.
And as the south wind, with a gentle breese,
Breaths on the verdant Plain, and skims the Seas;
With little noise, so I my days have spent,
My view o'th' world was meerly transient.
Have you not seen a Vessel under sail,
Swoln with a stiff, but favourable gale,
Post through the stubborn Seas, and make a Line,
Upon its surface, in a foaming brine?
Or with what wonderful celerity,
The ravenous Eagle to her prey doth flye?
So have my days run out, so have my years
Plough'd through a sea of foaming brinish tears.
Swoln with a stiff, but favourable gale,
Post through the stubborn Seas, and make a Line,
Upon its surface, in a foaming brine?
Or with what wonderful celerity,
The ravenous Eagle to her prey doth flye?
So have my days run out, so have my years
Plough'd through a sea of foaming brinish tears.
Now should I say I will complain no more,
But here my exclamations give o're.
Here to my querullous Notes I'le put a stop,
And from this minute I'le begin to hope.
But here my exclamations give o're.
Here to my querullous Notes I'le put a stop,
And from this minute I'le begin to hope.
Then all my sorrows, all my woes, and fears,
Would suddainly appear about my ears,
With ghastly looks they'd stare me in the face,
And in their silence publish my disgrace.
Because (however I my self do vent)
I know God will not hold me innocent.
Would suddainly appear about my ears,
With ghastly looks they'd stare me in the face,
And in their silence publish my disgrace.
Because (however I my self do vent)
I know God will not hold me innocent.
If horrid sins then do my Soul distain,
Why do I thus excuse my self in vain?
If to my Maker I have given offence,
Why should I all this while plead Innocence?
Why do I thus excuse my self in vain?
If to my Maker I have given offence,
Why should I all this while plead Innocence?
No sure, if things be so, all I can say
Is to no purpose: only I betray
My weakness in endeavouring to maintain
My just demeanour, where my guilt is plain.
Is to no purpose: only I betray
My weakness in endeavouring to maintain
My just demeanour, where my guilt is plain.
For certainly, however I pretend
To Piety, and Grace, yet in the end,
The great Heart-searcher will make evident,
That to this minute I my days have spent
In wickedness, and sin, in villany
Not to be nam'd, in stead of purity.
And thou, O Lord, in just conceived rage,
will Sentence such a Scandal of his age
To utmost torment, that the world may see,
How much thou hatest such a one as me,
Whilst all the Fig-leav'd arguments I use
To palliate my sins, and make excuse
For my false dealings, and unrighteousness,
'Stead of concealing, shall my guilt express.
For God Almighty's not a man as I am,
That I should set my face to't, and defye him.
When he to Justice doth himself betake,
That I before my God should answer make.
Ah what am I a moulded piece of Dust,
Consigned to a few years breath in trust?
A walking ghost! a meer night wanderer,
Like th'empty figment of some Conjurer.
That such as I forsooth, should undertake
Harangues befor the King of Heavens to make,
And argue for my self, whilst tacitely
My Conscience tells me I deserve to dye.
To Piety, and Grace, yet in the end,
The great Heart-searcher will make evident,
That to this minute I my days have spent
In wickedness, and sin, in villany
Not to be nam'd, in stead of purity.
And thou, O Lord, in just conceived rage,
will Sentence such a Scandal of his age
To utmost torment, that the world may see,
How much thou hatest such a one as me,
Whilst all the Fig-leav'd arguments I use
To palliate my sins, and make excuse
For my false dealings, and unrighteousness,
'Stead of concealing, shall my guilt express.
For God Almighty's not a man as I am,
That I should set my face to't, and defye him.
When he to Justice doth himself betake,
That I before my God should answer make.
Ah what am I a moulded piece of Dust,
Consigned to a few years breath in trust?
61
Like th'empty figment of some Conjurer.
That such as I forsooth, should undertake
Harangues befor the King of Heavens to make,
And argue for my self, whilst tacitely
My Conscience tells me I deserve to dye.
Nor, should I offer to expostulate,
And with my Maker enter in debate,
Is there an Umpire, to oblige us both,
And tye us by Subscription, and Oath,
To stand to his award: for who is he
Dares arbitrate betwixt my God, and me.
And with my Maker enter in debate,
Is there an Umpire, to oblige us both,
And tye us by Subscription, and Oath,
To stand to his award: for who is he
Dares arbitrate betwixt my God, and me.
But let him hold a little, and at least
For some small time, forbear, at my request,
To torture me: let him withdraw his Rod,
And let th'hot Pincers of an angry God
Piece-meal my Soul no more: O let his wrath
Be satisfied with a single death.
For some small time, forbear, at my request,
To torture me: let him withdraw his Rod,
And let th'hot Pincers of an angry God
Piece-meal my Soul no more: O let his wrath
Be satisfied with a single death.
Then would I boldly speak, and without fear,
Before him in my own defence appear:
Then would I argue with such Eloquence,
As in short time would clear my Innocence,
But 'cause at present, I am not in case
For speaking, I think fit to hold my peace.
Before him in my own defence appear:
Then would I argue with such Eloquence,
As in short time would clear my Innocence,
But 'cause at present, I am not in case
For speaking, I think fit to hold my peace.
| The grand Tryal | |