The grand Tryal :: :: University of Virginia Library

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

Clarke, William (fl. 1684-1688)

II.

III.

II.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

XV.

III.

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

XIX.

XX.

XXI.

XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.

XXV.

XXVI.

XXVII.

XXVIII.

XXIX.

Cap. XXIX.

XXX.

XXXI.

IV.

XXXII.

XXXIII.

XXXIV.

XXXV.

XXXVI.

XXXVII.

XXXVIII.

XXXIX.

XL.

XLI.

XLII.

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Cap. XXIX.

1. Moreover, Iob continued his parable, and said.

After by all the strength of argument,
Job had endeavoured to make evident
How much his friends did err, whilst they maintain'd
That God on no man did afflictions send,
But such, whose sins for punishment did call,
Which as a proposition general,
They did assert, whilst on the other hand.
This good man, by his reason did withstand,
What they did often press, with so much heat,
From whence resulted their so long debate,
Upon the Subject; and endeavoured too
To show that their Great Judge did not allow
Such curious questions to be canvassed,
As by what Laws, and Rules he governed
His Native Subjects, or what unknown fashion
He us'd in ordering of his own Creation,
Now he subsumes.—
That his own case was a strong evidence
O'th' truth of what he spoke, and that from thence

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All knowing, and impartial men might see
How much his sad condition did agree
With that of many, whom their God did love,
Whilst here on Earth, and now enjoy'd above,
Eternal rest: so he, for all they spoke,
Did not believe, this sad, and fearful stroak,
Under which now he lay, was merited
By his preceeding sins, but only laid
Upon him, for a tryal, by his God,
Who in his Divine Wisdom us'd his Rod,
As oft on those of his own Family,
To keep them strictly in conformity
With what is good, and just: as upon those,
For punishment, who are his open foes:
And therefore thus proceeds, as formerly,
Maintaining still his own integrity,
And from that head, doth modestly regrate
The doleful figure of his present state.

2. O that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me.

O that I were, says he, as I have been!
O those fair Halcyon-days that I have seen!
O those sweet times! O those delightful hours,
Which I have seen! which like the fragrant flowers,
That shine upon Earths surface in their prime,
With fairest showes did beautifie my time!
O that I were, as all my Neighbours know
I was indeed not many years agoe!
When my good God did think me worth his care,
When he would hear, and grant my daily Prayer:
When he'd preserve me by his Providence,
And guard me from each inconvenience,
Had else befall'n me; when he'd lovingly,
With all my wishes every hour comply.

3. When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness.

When in my Person he did take delight,
And with him I was no small Favourite:
When Gods great Mercies were so eminent,
As all, who knew me see how evident
His love was to me; when they cast such light
About me round, as Candles in the Night
Afford, so that if Troubles on me fell
At any time, they did not with me dwell,
As now they do, but meerly transient,
They scarce did hurt me, when their force was spent.

4. As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret, of God was on my tabernacle.

O that I were again, as I have been!
O those bless'd golden hours that I have seen!
O that I were, as I was formerly,
In the smooth current of Prosperity!
As I was in the days of verdant Youth,
When, like the gentle breezes from the South,
Which with such kindness breath upon the Fields,
As to their court-ship Nature quickly yields,
And all things, in their seasons, doth produce,
That any way doth sute with humane use;
So God did breath upon me in his love,
And rain such showers of blessings from above,

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On me, and my poor house, that I from thence,
Might well perceive the large munificence,
Of my great Patron, who did every day
Hear my request, oftner then I could pray.

5. When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me.

When the Almighty yet was pleas'd t'expresse,
For my concerns great love, and tendernesse:
When my dear Children liv'd, who now are dead,
When they, on whom base Vermine now do feed,
Like Olive-plants about me flourished.
When they for beauty, health, wit, vigour stood
Against the greatest of our neighbour-hood,
When fraught with hopes, of what each day did grow,
My total satisfaction here below,
Lay in those Childrens souls depositat,
And by their health, I reckon'd my Estate.
When in their converse, I did take such pleasure,
As oftentimes I'd steal some hours of leasure,
To enter with them in some conference,
That I their Wit, and Parts might know from thence.
When under my poor Roof some hundreds fed,
To whom I did afford their daily Bread;
Who by my orders, twice at least a day,
Assembled in my Chappel-room, to pray;
Whilst with uplifted hands, all on our knees,
We'd offer a sweet smelling sacrifice
Of prayer, and in our privat exercise,
Addresse our selves to him, who hears alone
All prayers: but now these happy days are gone.
Those happy days are gone, those hours are spent,
And darknesse now succeeds:—I faint, I faint,—
—Alace, I faint,—when I do call to mind,
And sadly think in former times how kind,
My great Creator at all times appear'd,
And all my prayers with attention heard;
But now I such devotion may spare,
For when I cry aloud, he will not hear:
He will not hear me, nor will he allow,
That I should bow the knee before him now.

6. When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oyl.

O then that I could have once more again,
But even a Prospect of what I have seen
In former times! O, that I could once more,
But live a little, as I've done before:
When I had all things so accommodate,
And had so well improven my Estate,
As all the Hills around did Tribute pay,
In Honey, Milk, and Oyl; nay, every day
They did me so much of their Growth afford,
As three parts of my Rent I might ha' stor'd,
And with the fourth, supply'd my Famlly,
Through all the year well, and conveniently:
When all my Corn-fields yearly did produce,
Three times as much as serv'd my private use:
When all my Cattel pleasantly did feed
In their own Pastures, and did yearly breed,

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With so great increase, as (my Stock intire)
I had all profit that I would desire.

7. When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street.

When with a great attendance, I would go,
To th'Court of Justice, and my self would show
Upon the Bench, where all would make address
To me, who in that Court had business:
And when some times with clamour I would meet,
Of shrewd oppression, in the open Street,
I'de stop, and hear both parties in their sute,
For a small time: then without more dispute,
When I had heard them both, and fully try'd
The truth of all, as I found just, decide.

8. The young men saw me, & hid themselves, and the aged arose and stood up.

At my approach, young men would by and by
Slip out o'th' way, scar'd by my gravity:
Old men, as I did pass, would, in a row,
Salute me, and their bodies humbly bow;
Nor would they one Punctilio neglect,
Of courtesie, in paying their respect.

9. The princes refrained talking, and laid their hands on their mouths.

The Lords o'th' Country, who at home, in State,
Did govern all, when I in Judgement sate,
Would with submission, in the Court appear,
And from debates amongst themselves forbear,
Whilst all their Counsel I would calmly hear.
And when I did give Judgement in the case,
They'd stop their mouths, and freely acquiesce
To what I did determine: none repin'd
At my procedure: none of them declin'd
My Jurisdiction: none of them complain'd,
But all obey'd, what I had once ordain'd.

10. The nobles held their peace, and their tongues cleaved to the roof of their mouths.

What I had once ordain'd did fully stand
For Law, my Sentence was a firm command:
The greatest of them all would silently,
Forthwith with my Decisions comply:
Such was my Justice: so by Rules of Law,
I gave decisions: that all stood in aw
To ask a further hearing, 'cause they knew
What I did order, needed no review.
In all the time of my authority,
(God knows, I speak this without vanity)
By his assistance, I did judge so well,
I ne're so much as heard of an appeal.

11. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me, & when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me.

For in my judging, I had no respect
To persons, nor did information take
From private mouths, to this mans prejudice,
Or t'other: nor did I the qualities
Of Plaintiff, or Defendant e're regard,
But freely my opinion still declar'd,
As by the Laws and Statutes of the place,
I found should be adjudg'd upon the case.
I never would encourage my relations,
And friends to ply me with sollicitations,
On any mans behalf, whose sute did ly
In Court before me: but would still deny
Access to all, that for their friend would speak,

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Except in open Court: I ne're would take
A Bribe from any: neither would I hear,
Or look on such, as whisper in the ear,
And offer private compacts: nor allow
My servants to exact, as others do,
From Parties, who in Court had business,
That they to me might make these mens address.
Nor would I e're allow, at any rate,
That any of my Children should debate
In Court for any man; lest men might think
I might their Party favour; or might wink
At their contrivance, and adjudge the case,
T'advance their foul, and unjust purchases.
Nor would I ever suffer in the least
Defendants in their Pleas, should be opprest,
By powerful men, to whom it was thought fit
The Plaintiffs oft times should their Suits transmit.
No, for by rules of Court, I openly
Forbid such unjust dealings, and would try
Each Parties Title, e're I suffered
Either of them upon the fact to plead.
For as I all oppression did detest,
So on concussion, as none of the least
O'th' many species of that loud-tongu'd Crime,
I alwayes look'd thence if at any time,
Such cases did occur, I'de carefully
Restrain such active, cunning tyranny.
For this cause all men bless'd me, for this cause,
Of all who knew me I had great applause.

12. Because I delivered the poor that cryed, and the fatherless, and him that hath none to help him.

Because the poor whose daily cryes did grieve
My very soul, I quickly did relieve
From sad oppressions, under which they groan'd,
And only by the rabble were bemoan'd.
The Orphan too, and him that destitute
Of counsel in the Court did move his suit,
I freely heard, and without much debate,
In their possessions I would re-instate.

13. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widows heart to sing for joy.

Those, who in Law-suits all their means had spent,
And at the Court-gates daily did present
Petitions on their knees for Aliment.
I'de frequently relieve, and in return
Procure their blessings; Widows, who did mourn,
And kep't a howling with their Girles, and Boyes,
Before I left the Court, I'de make rejoice.

14. I put on righteousness, and it cloathed me; my judgement was as a robe, and a diadem,

Nor did I act thus to procure the name
Of a just Judge, or by a running fame,
T'abuse the World; but meerly, I protest,
Out of a principle, which in my breast
I entertain'd, that taught me to deny
All fellowship with partiality.
For I in simple justice took delight,
And as no threatnings did my mind affright,
So was I not by Female-pity mov'd
To do injustice; nay, I ever lov'd

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To hear both parties fully, how so e're
The ones pretensions often did appear
More favourable then the others were.
For, In my jugdement I'd not contribute
To th'verifying of either parties suit;
But by the rules of Justice, and in that
My self indeed I valu'd; for I sat,
Not as a friend to any, but to all,
A Judge most upright, and impartial.
As such indeed I did my self esteem,
More then if I had worn a Diadem.

15. I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame.

For such, as could not their own case relate,
In terms of Law, I would the question state,
And even their Counsel, where 'twas evident
In point of Law, they were deficient,
By my own knowledge I would oft supply,
And help their Pleadings, yet impartially.
Nay, where I see a Cause like to miscarry,
Through th'influence of a potent adversary,
Though just, and fair, I would indeed from thence,
Appear for th'Party, and in his defence,
Bestir my self, as wholly opposite
To all oppression, nay I took delite
To crush the projects of those powerful men,
And make their Congees, and attendance vain.

16. I was a father to the poor, and the cause which I knew not, I searched out.

I was indeed a father to the poor,
And always would protect them from that hour,
I see their Cause was just, and would withstand,
On their behalf, the greatest in the land.
For where by Lawyers wrangling, and debate,
Their Causes had been rendred intricate,
I'd call for th'Process, and with careful eye,
In privat every Article survey,
Not trusting to my Clerks, as others do,
But with my own eyes, I'd go fully through,
The several pieces, and next day report
My judgement on the case, in open Court.

17. And I broke the power of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.

So that, when the oppressour judg'd his prey
Was now his own, and without more delay,
He'd seize on all the poor man did possesse,
Then on a suddain would I turn the chase,
And as a man out of a Lyons paws,
Would tear his spoile, so the poors dying Cause,
I'd rescue by the very strength of Laws.
Yea, not so only, but I would allow
Such costs to the prevailing Parties too,
And whip the fuillers with such dammages,
As they should not be able to oppresse,
As they had done; but thence forth should forbear,
In such foull, unjust actions, to appear.

18. Then I said, I shall dy in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.

Thus firmly rooted, thus established,
Thus flourishing, thus branching, I could read
In all those figures, and fair instances.
The History of my own happinesse.

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Then said I, Lord, how hast thou bless'd me now,
In every thing, what have I more to do,
Then thus to live in Honour, Wealth, and Peace,
And when the motion of my Lungs shall cease,
Crown'd with the Lawrels of Felicity
To lay my self down, and in triumph die.

19. My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branches.

For my enjoyments daily did increase,
My joys were greater then I could express,
And there was no bounds to my happiness.
I liv'd in plenty, and in confidence,
Of Gods great favour, and a permanence
Of all his kindness: never did I dream
On what I now perceive, but did esteem
My self so fixt in my enjoyments here,
As not unlike a Tree I did appear,
That planted by a River with its roots,
Sock't in the Waters, always freshly sprouts,
And 'twixt the Water, and the Dew, which lyes
Each Night upon its branches, multiplyes
So in its growth, as one might judge from thence
This Tree might be of long continuance.

20. My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.

I thought my honour never should decay
For I might well perceive how every day
My reputation as a Judge increas'd,
And I all mens affections possess'd.
Yea, as I us'd to judge impartially,
So arm'd with Power, and Authority
All my Decrees I would see execute,
And my Commands obey'd without dispute.

21. Vnto me men gave ear and waited, and keeped silence at my counsel.

Without dispute, for I remember well
In parts, and prudence I did so excell,
And did my Reputation so maintain,
In every point amongst my Countrey-men,
That whilst on any point of Law, or State
I chanc'd to speak, all with attention sat,
And with great patience heard me to an end,
Whilst what I counsell'd they would still commend.

22. After my words, they spoke not again, and my speach dropped upon them.

Yes; though before I spoke they would debate
The points in hand, and argue with some heat,
No sooner I'de arise, then instantly
They'd shut up all their Mouths, and by, and by
Hush'd up in silence seriously give ear
To what I spoke: and greedily would hear
What my opinion was upon the case;
And after I had spoke they held their peace.

23. And they waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouths wide as for the latter rain.

My words were to them as a casting vote,
For to what I held out, they reply'd not:
Because they always bore great deference
To my opinion, and with reverence
Would acquiesce to my determination
Of whatsoever was in agitation.

24. If I laughed on them, they believed it not, and the light of my countenance they cast not down.

Indeed, my friends, such was my reputation,
So was I lov'd and honour'd in my station:
Such was th'ambition of all knowing men

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To be of my acquaintance.—
That if at any time I'de cast an eye,
On any of 'em somewhat courteously,
They'd from that verie moment calculate
Their happiness, and reckon their estate
By th'figures of my smiles: yet would not dare
For all that, to become familiar
With me at anie rate, but warilie
Would keep due distance: and not saucilie,
Encroach on my good humour, but forbear
All idle Divination, of my ear
From such Prognosticks: or suppose that I
Could ere be merrie out of Levitie.

25. I chose out their way, and sat chief, & dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.

But what needs more! alace I do with teares,
Reflect on th'beautie of my former years;
When all at my Devotion were, when all
Obey'd my orders, as their General.
When in all their Assemblies still I sat
Amongst them as Lord Paramount, in state,
And ordered all affairs, yet would not I
At anie time use that Authority
But with Discretion, and would rather aid
All men with Counsel, than make them afraid
Of me, because I in my hand did bear
That, by which men procure both love, and fear.
In fine my Grandeur, and Authority
Differ'd but little from pure Soveraignty,
For as a Prince, I in these days did live,
And no man question'd my Prerogative.