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. | CAP. I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| II. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| 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. I.
1. There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Iob, and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
From Egypt did his captive People bring:
Where th'Heirs of promise, in a sad estate,
As Criminals, by Sentence relegate,
For many years, did, with much sweat and toyl,
Earn a poor Living in a forraign soyl.
Before the Law of God was published,
Before his Standard was on Earth display'd;
Before his Church did visible appear,
And he had only Chapels here and there,
In that vast Canton of Arabia, known
By th'name of Desart, where with Sands o'reflow'n
Whole Regions in a constant deluge ly,
Unfit for humane use, where Husbandry,
Planting, Inclosing, and such Policy
Is hardly known; only amongst the Rocks
Th'Inhabitants do ramble with their Flocks
For pasturage, and like their Beasts, with ease,
And simple food themselves entirely please.
Or else through sandy Valleys, where the Sun
Is almost by his own reflex out-done,
They travel with their Camels, as they are
Employ'd by Merchants, to transport their Ware
From Mart, to Mart, in all the Countreys round,
Where Industry, and Trading doth abound.
Unless perhaps on some small Rivers side,
(Which in that Country too is rarely 'spy'd)
Some fertile Acres fit for Husbandry,
Mix'd with a slender marle a squandring ly;
And there some Castles, Houses, Cottages,
2
Make a small Landskip, and perhaps afford
A Dwelling for some great Arabian Lord.
But generally the Country is so bare
Of Policy, as a Geographer
For a large hire, would hardly undertake
A travelling survey of that Land to make.
Hence are those Idle, Vagrant, Sun-burnt-creatures,
Of cunning, fiery, and malicious Natures:
Hot as their Soil; and by their looks confess
Within their breasts a no less barrenness
Of Piety, and Virtue, then their grounds
To th'eye express: besides they know no bounds
In villany, but live most barbarously
By rapine more, then lawful industry.
In this same High-land-country 'mongst those men,
Who all things good, and sacred did profane,
Whom length of time, and commerce to this day
Have not yet civiliz'd.
In this so barren Land a man did dwell,
Whose name was Job, a man, who did excell
Most of that Age in Piety, a man,
Upon whose heart in lively colours drawn
The picture of true Virtue did appear,
A man, who did his God devoutly fear;
A just, and upright man, who fully knew
The Art of moderation (known to few)
A man, whom all the Vices of his Age
Could not from true Religion disengage,
A man obedient to his Makers Will,
Practising good things, and eviting ill.
Who all things good, and sacred did profane,
Whom length of time, and commerce to this day
Have not yet civiliz'd.
In this so barren Land a man did dwell,
Whose name was Job, a man, who did excell
Most of that Age in Piety, a man,
Upon whose heart in lively colours drawn
The picture of true Virtue did appear,
A man, who did his God devoutly fear;
A just, and upright man, who fully knew
The Art of moderation (known to few)
A man, whom all the Vices of his Age
Could not from true Religion disengage,
A man obedient to his Makers Will,
Practising good things, and eviting ill.
The Land in which he liv'd is called here
The Land of Uz, though, as it doth appear
From Sacred Writ, one of the Race of Sem,
Who, (as it stands Recorded) bore that name
Of old did with a colony repair
To th'lesser Syria, where now the fair
Damasco stands, whence all that Tract of Ground
Was call'd the Land of Uz. 'Tis also found
That one of that same Name of Esaus Race
So call'd his Dwelling in another place:
From hence a part, at least, of Idumæa
Scituate in Arabia Petræa
Is call'd the Land of Uz. But that, which here
Is nam'd, by observation doth appear
T'have been that Land, which one of Nahors Race
Bearing the same Name, for his Dwelling place
Of old did choose; and is a part of that
Arabia call'd Deserta, scituate,
As by our modern Maps, we dayly see,
Betwixt the twice, and the thrice tenth degree
Of Northern Latitude: Bord'ring on the West
With the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf on th'East,
Arabia Fælix on the South, Judæa
Upon the North, with part of Idumæa;
Hence our Geographers do plainly tell
This is the Country, where once Job did dwell.
The Land of Uz, though, as it doth appear
From Sacred Writ, one of the Race of Sem,
Who, (as it stands Recorded) bore that name
Of old did with a colony repair
To th'lesser Syria, where now the fair
Damasco stands, whence all that Tract of Ground
Was call'd the Land of Uz. 'Tis also found
That one of that same Name of Esaus Race
So call'd his Dwelling in another place:
From hence a part, at least, of Idumæa
Scituate in Arabia Petræa
Is call'd the Land of Uz. But that, which here
Is nam'd, by observation doth appear
T'have been that Land, which one of Nahors Race
Bearing the same Name, for his Dwelling place
Of old did choose; and is a part of that
Arabia call'd Deserta, scituate,
As by our modern Maps, we dayly see,
Betwixt the twice, and the thrice tenth degree
Of Northern Latitude: Bord'ring on the West
With the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf on th'East,
Arabia Fælix on the South, Judæa
3
Hence our Geographers do plainly tell
This is the Country, where once Job did dwell.
As for his Family 'tis thought he was
Descended of a branch of Abrams race,
By one of his three Sons with Ketura,
Who, some think, planted in Arabia:
Others affirm, with more authority,
He was a branch of Nahors Family:
How e're it was, his Actions do express
He was a man of honourable Race.
Descended of a branch of Abrams race,
By one of his three Sons with Ketura,
Who, some think, planted in Arabia:
Others affirm, with more authority,
He was a branch of Nahors Family:
How e're it was, his Actions do express
He was a man of honourable Race.
This man was with a goodly Issue bless't
(Which of all Earthly blessings, is the best)
Seven Sons, three Daughters, all of comely Features,
Complaisant Humors, and obedient Natures
Did call him Father, nor was all around
The Neighbour-hood, a fairer Issue found,
Then that of Jobs: for as they did encrease
In Years, so in true Piety, and Grace
They made a large advance; and prudently
Studied true Virtue, and Frugality.
(Which of all Earthly blessings, is the best)
Seven Sons, three Daughters, all of comely Features,
Complaisant Humors, and obedient Natures
Did call him Father, nor was all around
The Neighbour-hood, a fairer Issue found,
Then that of Jobs: for as they did encrease
In Years, so in true Piety, and Grace
They made a large advance; and prudently
Studied true Virtue, and Frugality.
But lest this fair, and hopeful Progeny,
This numerous, and growing Family
Might have prov'd chargeable, as now a days
We see it frequent: God did also raise
This man in Wealth; his Labours he so bless't
That every Year his Revenue encreas't:
For his projections he so surely laid,
As of their Success he was not afraid;
But made his Grounds afford by Pains, and Art
What Nature had deny'd: nay every part
Of his Possessions clearly did express
Their Masters virtue, care, and painfulness.
His Revenue consisted, as appears,
In what was only us'd in former Years,
Corn, Sheep, and Cattel, for the Hills did keep
To him a Stock of some seven thousand Sheep,
From which each Year to him there did accrew
No small proportion of his Revenue.
He had a Stock too of three thousand Camels,
That fed upon his Grounds, both Males, and Females;
Most of which useful Beasts he did let out
For hire to all the Merchants without doubt,
Who traded through that Country, and did bear
From place to place the rich and costly Ware
Of Persia, Egypt, and Arabia
The Happy, Palestine, and Syria:
Because those Beasts can only tolerate
The Sand, the Drought, the Hunger, and the Heat
Which travelling in that Country doth require
And thence for such, a good, and constant hire
Is still afforded.
He had five hundred Yokes of Oxen too,
Which (if we reckon four Yoke to a Plow,
The most we in those Northern Countreys use)
Doth make a labouring of a hundred Plowes,
And five and twenty, so we make account
His Labouring did his Pasturage surmount.
For thirty Acres being the labouring
Of every Plow, we make a reckoning
More then three thousand Acres he possess'd
Of fruitful grounds, and may be also guess'd
To have been one of the few Valleys there,
Watred with Rivers, and Manur'd with care.
He had five hundred Shee-asses to boot,
Which he for lesser burdens did let out
To Labourers, and Merchants all about,
Who had occasion for them.
Now, as he was a man of fair Estate;
(For by our modern reckoning, we may rate
This man, by what's in short related here
T'have had of Rent ten thousand pounds a Year).
So to his Birth, and outward Quality
Was added Power, and Authority:
A man he was, no doubt, of Reputation,
In great esteem 'mongst those of his own Nation,
Chief President, at least, as we may guess
Of th'Courts of Justice in those Provinces,
Which lay contiguous with his dwelling place.
This numerous, and growing Family
Might have prov'd chargeable, as now a days
We see it frequent: God did also raise
This man in Wealth; his Labours he so bless't
That every Year his Revenue encreas't:
For his projections he so surely laid,
As of their Success he was not afraid;
But made his Grounds afford by Pains, and Art
What Nature had deny'd: nay every part
Of his Possessions clearly did express
Their Masters virtue, care, and painfulness.
His Revenue consisted, as appears,
In what was only us'd in former Years,
Corn, Sheep, and Cattel, for the Hills did keep
To him a Stock of some seven thousand Sheep,
From which each Year to him there did accrew
No small proportion of his Revenue.
He had a Stock too of three thousand Camels,
That fed upon his Grounds, both Males, and Females;
Most of which useful Beasts he did let out
For hire to all the Merchants without doubt,
Who traded through that Country, and did bear
From place to place the rich and costly Ware
Of Persia, Egypt, and Arabia
The Happy, Palestine, and Syria:
Because those Beasts can only tolerate
The Sand, the Drought, the Hunger, and the Heat
Which travelling in that Country doth require
And thence for such, a good, and constant hire
Is still afforded.
He had five hundred Yokes of Oxen too,
Which (if we reckon four Yoke to a Plow,
4
Doth make a labouring of a hundred Plowes,
And five and twenty, so we make account
His Labouring did his Pasturage surmount.
For thirty Acres being the labouring
Of every Plow, we make a reckoning
More then three thousand Acres he possess'd
Of fruitful grounds, and may be also guess'd
To have been one of the few Valleys there,
Watred with Rivers, and Manur'd with care.
He had five hundred Shee-asses to boot,
Which he for lesser burdens did let out
To Labourers, and Merchants all about,
Who had occasion for them.
Now, as he was a man of fair Estate;
(For by our modern reckoning, we may rate
This man, by what's in short related here
T'have had of Rent ten thousand pounds a Year).
So to his Birth, and outward Quality
Was added Power, and Authority:
A man he was, no doubt, of Reputation,
In great esteem 'mongst those of his own Nation,
Chief President, at least, as we may guess
Of th'Courts of Justice in those Provinces,
Which lay contiguous with his dwelling place.
But all this Wealth, this Power, and Quality
Had serv'd for nothing, had his Family
Been dis-unite: nor had he car'd for these,
Unless he had enjoy'd Domestick Peace.
This he had too, and that in so great measure,
As far exceeded all his Wealth and Treasure.
For his seven Sons (who, we suppose had now
Attain'd mans age, and that he did allow
T'each of'em distinct Farms off his Estate)
Did mutually each others kindly treat.
In Peace, and Plenty they their hours did waste,
And call'd their Sisters, when they mean't to Feast.
Had serv'd for nothing, had his Family
Been dis-unite: nor had he car'd for these,
Unless he had enjoy'd Domestick Peace.
This he had too, and that in so great measure,
As far exceeded all his Wealth and Treasure.
For his seven Sons (who, we suppose had now
Attain'd mans age, and that he did allow
T'each of'em distinct Farms off his Estate)
Did mutually each others kindly treat.
In Peace, and Plenty they their hours did waste,
And call'd their Sisters, when they mean't to Feast.
But Job considering, in such jollity,
How many strong temptations do ly,
For sinful lewdness, scarce to be evited,
By such, whose Blood, and Brains by Wine are heated;
He would next morning early stir, and pray
That God would pardon sins o'th' by-past day
Committed by his Children. For, sayes he,
I do suspect (how ere the matter be)
There's something sinful in the case, since Feasting
Is still at least accompany'd with Jesting.
Thus, with himself in private reasoning,
Hee'd for each Child make a Burnt-offering;
And, whilst their Feasting lasted, every day,
Job for his Childrens sins would Fast and Pray.
In short, if Jobs Felicity we rate
By Birth, and Knowledge, Honour, and Estate,
A goodly Issue bless't with unity
Amongst themselves, unspotted Piety,
Sincerity in all his Dealings, Grace,
Frugality, and Virtue, we may trace
All Histories, with which the World doth swell,
And 'mongst them all not find his parallel.
For sure this worthy Gentleman appears
T'have been a Patern, for some hundred years,
To all about him: and we here may see
How God thinks fit his Memory should be
To this same day preserv'd; that we may thence
Precisely understand, at what expence
Of true Devotion we should live, and know
When with Afflictions God doth bring us low,
As this same Good man was, how to endure
With Patience the hottest Calenture
Of Sorrows fever: and may likewise see
What silly Expectations those be
On which we feed in our Prosperity,
As if we fancy'd Perpetuity
Of our Enjoyments here: and that our God
Lov'd us so well, he'd never use his Rod;
But with soft Hand would clap our Heads, and lay
Our Pillows every Night, and every Day
Afford us every thing we can project
For our poor Fastings, and our Prayers sake.
No, no that Man, who ere he be, that thus
With fond Delusions doth his Soul abuse,
Doth shreudly erre: for in this Precedent
We may perceive how clear, and evident
The contrair doth appear, and calculate
From thence the folly of a great Estate.
How many strong temptations do ly,
For sinful lewdness, scarce to be evited,
By such, whose Blood, and Brains by Wine are heated;
He would next morning early stir, and pray
That God would pardon sins o'th' by-past day
Committed by his Children. For, sayes he,
I do suspect (how ere the matter be)
There's something sinful in the case, since Feasting
Is still at least accompany'd with Jesting.
Thus, with himself in private reasoning,
Hee'd for each Child make a Burnt-offering;
And, whilst their Feasting lasted, every day,
Job for his Childrens sins would Fast and Pray.
In short, if Jobs Felicity we rate
By Birth, and Knowledge, Honour, and Estate,
A goodly Issue bless't with unity
5
Sincerity in all his Dealings, Grace,
Frugality, and Virtue, we may trace
All Histories, with which the World doth swell,
And 'mongst them all not find his parallel.
For sure this worthy Gentleman appears
T'have been a Patern, for some hundred years,
To all about him: and we here may see
How God thinks fit his Memory should be
To this same day preserv'd; that we may thence
Precisely understand, at what expence
Of true Devotion we should live, and know
When with Afflictions God doth bring us low,
As this same Good man was, how to endure
With Patience the hottest Calenture
Of Sorrows fever: and may likewise see
What silly Expectations those be
On which we feed in our Prosperity,
As if we fancy'd Perpetuity
Of our Enjoyments here: and that our God
Lov'd us so well, he'd never use his Rod;
But with soft Hand would clap our Heads, and lay
Our Pillows every Night, and every Day
Afford us every thing we can project
For our poor Fastings, and our Prayers sake.
No, no that Man, who ere he be, that thus
With fond Delusions doth his Soul abuse,
Doth shreudly erre: for in this Precedent
We may perceive how clear, and evident
The contrair doth appear, and calculate
From thence the folly of a great Estate.
For now, as longest Day must have its Night,
And Darkness must at length succeed to Light:
As greatest Calms do Storms prognosticate,
So greatest Joyes do Sorrowes antidate:
And this Good-man, whom in Serenity,
Under the Zenith of Prosperity,
Wee've lately seen, must now himself prepare
To show his Virtue in another Sphere.
And Darkness must at length succeed to Light:
As greatest Calms do Storms prognosticate,
So greatest Joyes do Sorrowes antidate:
And this Good-man, whom in Serenity,
Under the Zenith of Prosperity,
Wee've lately seen, must now himself prepare
To show his Virtue in another Sphere.
For at a General Sessions of Heaven,
Held at that time, when Liberty was given
To all, that in that Court do make abode
To see the Face of the Almighty God
When Heavens Great Monarch in Majestick State,
Environ'd with his Troops of Angels Sate:
He too, who once was of that Corporation,
As Eminent, as any of that Station;
Until, with foolish Pride he did so swell,
Because he thought he was not us'd so well
As his great Services requir'd, and so
He with some others would a Plotting go
Against his Prince, and think to model too
(As all our discontented States-men do)
The Government of Heavens: but instantly
His Plot was opened, and he, by and by
With all his Friends about him poorly fell
From thence, by Deportation, to Hell.
This wretched Head of Rebels too appear'd
Amongst the Just; demanding to be heard
In some shrewd Accusation patly lay'd
Against some Champions of the praying Trade.
At least that he might shortly understand
Upon what Service God would him command
He there as Serjeant of the Court did waite
To receive Orders at the Utter-Gate.
Held at that time, when Liberty was given
To all, that in that Court do make abode
To see the Face of the Almighty God
When Heavens Great Monarch in Majestick State,
Environ'd with his Troops of Angels Sate:
He too, who once was of that Corporation,
As Eminent, as any of that Station;
Until, with foolish Pride he did so swell,
Because he thought he was not us'd so well
As his great Services requir'd, and so
He with some others would a Plotting go
Against his Prince, and think to model too
(As all our discontented States-men do)
The Government of Heavens: but instantly
6
With all his Friends about him poorly fell
From thence, by Deportation, to Hell.
This wretched Head of Rebels too appear'd
Amongst the Just; demanding to be heard
In some shrewd Accusation patly lay'd
Against some Champions of the praying Trade.
At least that he might shortly understand
Upon what Service God would him command
He there as Serjeant of the Court did waite
To receive Orders at the Utter-Gate.
But, as when Damnster doth in Court appear,
The Condemnation of some Man we fear:
So this Old Rebel did prognosticate
The Alteration of some Persons State,
By his officious presence.
This thing appearing then well known by name
Of Satan, God did ask him, whence he came?
(Not but that all his Wandrings he did know,
With all his Plots, and Projects here below:
But that from his own Mouth he might express
His villanous Toilling, and Unwearyedness
In doing evil, and that since he fell
From Heaven, he every hour doth merit Hell.)
Satan makes answer, I have been abroad
Compassing all this Earth of thine, Great God.
There I have walk'd at randome, to and fro,
And view'd the State of all things here below.
I've seen how thou dost constantly suppress
Me, and my Subjects, by thy watchfulness,
On all our Motions; as if all to thee
Belong'd by Right, and nothing else to me,
But thy displeasure; yet I'le not resign
My claim for all that; nay I still design,
Where ever thou a Colony shall plant
I and my Friends shall all their Meetings haunt,
And make that Church at best but Militant.
For, since I'm not allow'd the Priviledge
Of my Creation, but with bitter rage,
Am to this day secluded from my Right,
Why should not I with all the Force and Might,
That I, and my poor banish'd Friends can raise,
By constant In-roads still disturb the Peace,
Of those, whose constant Prayers do combine
To ruine further yet both me, and mine.
As if already I were not undone,
By thy Displeasure, these forsooth must run
A sharper Scent, and by their Prayers baull,
For my Destruction yet for good, and all.
Nay know, Heavens King (for so I must confess
Thou art indeed) that I am not the less
A Prince on Earth, and will endeavour still
To keep that Right, do with me what you will.
Yes, I'll mentain now what I do possess,
And still will make it my great business
T'enlarge the Limits of my Empire here:
Since in thy Heavens I dare no more appear
As formerly: allow me then Great God
To wander sometimes here, and there abroad
To view my Interest: though yet after all,
I am thy Servant, and obey thy call.
The Condemnation of some Man we fear:
So this Old Rebel did prognosticate
The Alteration of some Persons State,
By his officious presence.
This thing appearing then well known by name
Of Satan, God did ask him, whence he came?
(Not but that all his Wandrings he did know,
With all his Plots, and Projects here below:
But that from his own Mouth he might express
His villanous Toilling, and Unwearyedness
In doing evil, and that since he fell
From Heaven, he every hour doth merit Hell.)
Satan makes answer, I have been abroad
Compassing all this Earth of thine, Great God.
There I have walk'd at randome, to and fro,
And view'd the State of all things here below.
I've seen how thou dost constantly suppress
Me, and my Subjects, by thy watchfulness,
On all our Motions; as if all to thee
Belong'd by Right, and nothing else to me,
But thy displeasure; yet I'le not resign
My claim for all that; nay I still design,
Where ever thou a Colony shall plant
I and my Friends shall all their Meetings haunt,
And make that Church at best but Militant.
For, since I'm not allow'd the Priviledge
Of my Creation, but with bitter rage,
Am to this day secluded from my Right,
Why should not I with all the Force and Might,
That I, and my poor banish'd Friends can raise,
By constant In-roads still disturb the Peace,
Of those, whose constant Prayers do combine
To ruine further yet both me, and mine.
As if already I were not undone,
By thy Displeasure, these forsooth must run
A sharper Scent, and by their Prayers baull,
For my Destruction yet for good, and all.
Nay know, Heavens King (for so I must confess
Thou art indeed) that I am not the less
A Prince on Earth, and will endeavour still
To keep that Right, do with me what you will.
Yes, I'll mentain now what I do possess,
7
T'enlarge the Limits of my Empire here:
Since in thy Heavens I dare no more appear
As formerly: allow me then Great God
To wander sometimes here, and there abroad
To view my Interest: though yet after all,
I am thy Servant, and obey thy call.
Then sayes the Lord, since thou goest every where
A-wandring, since thou couldst not chuse, but hear
Of my great Servant Job: sure thou dost know
How of all Mortals that live there below,
He's the most just; scarce to be equalled
On Earth: him sure thou hast considered
As one of thy chief Enemies, for he
Is a most Loyal Subject still to me.
A Man most Honest, Pious and Upright,
Just, shunning Evil, doing, at my sight,
What I Judge candid good, and equitable,
And for his Heavenly Interest profitable:
One, who by Standart of true Piety
Doth measure all his Actions constantly.
What say'st of him? Is he not such, now say
For all thy Art, can'st fall upon a way,
To make that Man break his Allegiance
To me? can'st thou thy Interest advance
With him, or tempt him to do any thing
That may i'th' least displease his God and King?
A-wandring, since thou couldst not chuse, but hear
Of my great Servant Job: sure thou dost know
How of all Mortals that live there below,
He's the most just; scarce to be equalled
On Earth: him sure thou hast considered
As one of thy chief Enemies, for he
Is a most Loyal Subject still to me.
A Man most Honest, Pious and Upright,
Just, shunning Evil, doing, at my sight,
What I Judge candid good, and equitable,
And for his Heavenly Interest profitable:
One, who by Standart of true Piety
Doth measure all his Actions constantly.
What say'st of him? Is he not such, now say
For all thy Art, can'st fall upon a way,
To make that Man break his Allegiance
To me? can'st thou thy Interest advance
With him, or tempt him to do any thing
That may i'th' least displease his God and King?
Yes, says the Divel, thy Servant Job I know
And have considered too: why be it so
That he is such: as truth I cann't deny
He is; I've view'd his constant Piety.
And great Devotion, and I thank him too
That does, what he is so well hyr'd to do.
Can any man do less, to whom th'hast given
Possession of all Blessings under Heaven:
So well mentain'd he doth but what he ought
To do, then pray doth Job serve thee for nought?
And have considered too: why be it so
That he is such: as truth I cann't deny
He is; I've view'd his constant Piety.
And great Devotion, and I thank him too
That does, what he is so well hyr'd to do.
Can any man do less, to whom th'hast given
Possession of all Blessings under Heaven:
So well mentain'd he doth but what he ought
To do, then pray doth Job serve thee for nought?
Pray now, Great Lord, who would not at this rate
Become thy Servant? yea, who would not state
Himself thy faithful Slave, thus to be us'd
Thus kindly, to have nothing thus refus'd
May contribute for his Convenience here,
As in the case of this Man doth appear.
Why would'st such Favour but to me allow,
As this too happy Man enjoyeth now,
I would become thy Faithful Servant too.
But I, and my poor Friends for ever barr'd,
From thy Cœlestial Favour, and declar'd
Incapable of ever being restor'd
To former Favour, cannot, Mighty Lord,
Expect, upon these terms, to become such,
As those, whose Predecessors err'd as much,
As ever we did: for I know thou hast
A kindness for the Race of Man shall last.
To th'worlds end: and yet those Creatures shall
But prove ungrate to thee, Lord, after all.
For this same Race of Man, this Progeny
Of my old Fellow-Sinner, certainly,
After thou hast them with all Kindness blest,
Will be but Shrubs of the old Root at best.
And as their Fathers did, not long ago,
Provoke thee to a drowning of 'em; so
The Children still their Fathers Steps will trace,
And be to thee the same still, in the case.
Become thy Servant? yea, who would not state
Himself thy faithful Slave, thus to be us'd
Thus kindly, to have nothing thus refus'd
May contribute for his Convenience here,
As in the case of this Man doth appear.
Why would'st such Favour but to me allow,
As this too happy Man enjoyeth now,
I would become thy Faithful Servant too.
But I, and my poor Friends for ever barr'd,
From thy Cœlestial Favour, and declar'd
Incapable of ever being restor'd
To former Favour, cannot, Mighty Lord,
Expect, upon these terms, to become such,
As those, whose Predecessors err'd as much,
As ever we did: for I know thou hast
A kindness for the Race of Man shall last.
8
But prove ungrate to thee, Lord, after all.
For this same Race of Man, this Progeny
Of my old Fellow-Sinner, certainly,
After thou hast them with all Kindness blest,
Will be but Shrubs of the old Root at best.
And as their Fathers did, not long ago,
Provoke thee to a drowning of 'em; so
The Children still their Fathers Steps will trace,
And be to thee the same still, in the case.
Now then this Job, on whom thou hast bestow'd,
What to few Men on Earth thou hast allow'd:
Whom, as with hedge, thou hast environed,
And guarded all he hath on every side;
Whom thou hast rais'd in Wealth and Dignity,
And made him Head of a Great Family:
Pray what can he do less, than Fast, and Pray,
Kneel down, and make an Offring every day
To thee his Patron: and endeavour too
To shun all evil, as a many do,
For fear of me, and not for love of thee,
Because before their Eyes they daily see
How inexorable I am to all
Those Men of Earth, whom thou dost Sinners call;
If in my hands thou once deliver them,
Whereas, if they but call upon thy Name,
With a few Sighs, and Tears, thou instantly
Remit'st them all their Sins, and by and by
Th'effect of all thy Heavenly Clemency,
Upon the matter, proves indeed no more,
Then crossing th'old, upon another score,
To sin afresh, for all those breathing things
Abuse thy Mercy.
Nay they will make a fashion too, when ble'st
As this Man is, and that their Souls have rest
From dunning Pinches, Miseries, and Pains,
(Which are some other Mens Quotidians,)
To use Devotion, and perhaps express,
In a set Prayer, some small Thankfulness,
For these thy Favours, but they alwayes run
Upon that Strain, that, as thou hast begun,
So thou'd continue alwayes to extend
That Peace, and Plenty to them to the end.
For if once interrupted, then we see
What Frettings, and bold Abjurations be
Amongst those formerly fine Supplicants
Now crying out of Miseries, and Wants.
What to few Men on Earth thou hast allow'd:
Whom, as with hedge, thou hast environed,
And guarded all he hath on every side;
Whom thou hast rais'd in Wealth and Dignity,
And made him Head of a Great Family:
Pray what can he do less, than Fast, and Pray,
Kneel down, and make an Offring every day
To thee his Patron: and endeavour too
To shun all evil, as a many do,
For fear of me, and not for love of thee,
Because before their Eyes they daily see
How inexorable I am to all
Those Men of Earth, whom thou dost Sinners call;
If in my hands thou once deliver them,
Whereas, if they but call upon thy Name,
With a few Sighs, and Tears, thou instantly
Remit'st them all their Sins, and by and by
Th'effect of all thy Heavenly Clemency,
Upon the matter, proves indeed no more,
Then crossing th'old, upon another score,
To sin afresh, for all those breathing things
Abuse thy Mercy.
Nay they will make a fashion too, when ble'st
As this Man is, and that their Souls have rest
From dunning Pinches, Miseries, and Pains,
(Which are some other Mens Quotidians,)
To use Devotion, and perhaps express,
In a set Prayer, some small Thankfulness,
For these thy Favours, but they alwayes run
Upon that Strain, that, as thou hast begun,
So thou'd continue alwayes to extend
That Peace, and Plenty to them to the end.
For if once interrupted, then we see
What Frettings, and bold Abjurations be
Amongst those formerly fine Supplicants
Now crying out of Miseries, and Wants.
Stretch therefore out thine Hand, and seize upon
All that Job has, and thou shalt see anon
This unkind dealing will reverse the case,
And heel Blaspheme thee, to thy very Face.
Yes, heel Blaspheme thee, and forget that thou
Didst good things to him, formerly allow:
He'l tell thee plainly th'hast disordered
All his concerns, and fully ruined
His expectations: so that after this
He'l tell thee boldly thus, and thus it is
To serve a God, who takes no care at all
For such as on his Name do dayly call.
All that Job has, and thou shalt see anon
This unkind dealing will reverse the case,
And heel Blaspheme thee, to thy very Face.
Yes, heel Blaspheme thee, and forget that thou
Didst good things to him, formerly allow:
He'l tell thee plainly th'hast disordered
9
His expectations: so that after this
He'l tell thee boldly thus, and thus it is
To serve a God, who takes no care at all
For such as on his Name do dayly call.
Then said the Lord, well, Satan, thou shalt find
My Servant Job is of another kind,
Then falling Adams ordinary Race,
As thou shall't soon perceive upon the Case.
And to demonstrate this thou mayest go try him,
Seize upon all his Substance then, do by him,
As thou thinks't fit: only I do Command
Upon his Person stretch not out thy Hand,
But all his Goods are thine. No sooner sai'd
Then the false Slave of this Commission glad,
Runs out on Execution, and Commands
His Men to Mischief soon, and cries all hands.
My Servant Job is of another kind,
Then falling Adams ordinary Race,
As thou shall't soon perceive upon the Case.
And to demonstrate this thou mayest go try him,
Seize upon all his Substance then, do by him,
As thou thinks't fit: only I do Command
Upon his Person stretch not out thy Hand,
But all his Goods are thine. No sooner sai'd
Then the false Slave of this Commission glad,
Runs out on Execution, and Commands
His Men to Mischief soon, and cries all hands.
Now here Jobs Woes, and Miseries Commence,
His future Troubles take their Rise from hence:
For soon the Devil had drawn his Troops together,
And they all ready to march quickly whether
He should command them: he did only now
Wait for an opportunity to doe
What he intended.
So when the Children were a Banqueting
I'th' Eldests House, suspecting no such thing,
The Devil perceiving their security,
Resolves to catch this opportunity
Of plundering all: with his wilde Arabs hastes,
And in the first place drives off all his Beasts.
His future Troubles take their Rise from hence:
For soon the Devil had drawn his Troops together,
And they all ready to march quickly whether
He should command them: he did only now
Wait for an opportunity to doe
What he intended.
So when the Children were a Banqueting
I'th' Eldests House, suspecting no such thing,
The Devil perceiving their security,
Resolves to catch this opportunity
Of plundering all: with his wilde Arabs hastes,
And in the first place drives off all his Beasts.
Job on a sudden has the dismal News,
How whilst his Oxen Laboured in the Plowes,
The Cattel calmly footing in the Traces,
And all the Asses feeding in their places.
How whilst his Oxen Laboured in the Plowes,
The Cattel calmly footing in the Traces,
And all the Asses feeding in their places.
The Theeving Rogues did violently fall
Upon the Beasts in Ploughs, and plundered all,
In all his Servants Bowels sheath'd the Sword,
Burn't all the Barns, and Houses, in a word,
Sayes Currior, who these fatal News did bring,
I've only 'scapt, thus to relate the thing.
Upon the Beasts in Ploughs, and plundered all,
In all his Servants Bowels sheath'd the Sword,
Burn't all the Barns, and Houses, in a word,
Sayes Currior, who these fatal News did bring,
I've only 'scapt, thus to relate the thing.
Scarce had he told the Tale, when comes another
To give account of News as bad as 'tother:
The Fire of God, sayes he, from Heaven did fall,
And in an instant quite consumed all
thy numerous Flocks of fine Wool-bearing Sheep,
With all the Servants, who these Flocks did keep,
Thus are thy Store-rooms fully desolate,
Only I 'scap'd the Tidings to relate.
To give account of News as bad as 'tother:
The Fire of God, sayes he, from Heaven did fall,
And in an instant quite consumed all
thy numerous Flocks of fine Wool-bearing Sheep,
With all the Servants, who these Flocks did keep,
Thus are thy Store-rooms fully desolate,
Only I 'scap'd the Tidings to relate.
Whilst he yet spoke another comes to tell
How the Chaldeans in three parties fell
Upon the Camels, made them all their prey,
Kill'd all the Herdsmen, carried all away,
Of whom, saies he, I only did escape
To be the Relator of so great Mis-hap.
How the Chaldeans in three parties fell
Upon the Camels, made them all their prey,
Kill'd all the Herdsmen, carried all away,
Of whom, saies he, I only did escape
To be the Relator of so great Mis-hap.
10
I'th' neck of this another comes, who showes,
(In one great Blow, to sum up all his Woes)
How, whilst his Children freely did carrouse,
And drunk Wine in their eldest Brothers House,
Eate merrily, convers'd, and made good chear,
Enjoying one another without fear.
(In one great Blow, to sum up all his Woes)
How, whilst his Children freely did carrouse,
And drunk Wine in their eldest Brothers House,
Eate merrily, convers'd, and made good chear,
Enjoying one another without fear.
There came, says he, so far as I could guesse,
Out from the fields beyond the Wilderness,
A violent, and sudden Hurrycane,
The like of which I think yet never Man
Has seen, and with such fury patly fell
On th'house, where, Sir, your eldest Son did dwell,
And where at that time all your others were,
With your three Daughters met, to make good chear,
That in an instant one might see the walls
Clap closs together, down the Roof-tree falls,
Stones, Rafters, Boards, Dust, in a trice fall down,
And with the ground the House was levelled soon.
Where all your Children smothered in a heap,
I left, and by great mercy did escape,
To tell thee what I with my eyes did see,
And what, with Teares, I now relate to thee.
Out from the fields beyond the Wilderness,
A violent, and sudden Hurrycane,
The like of which I think yet never Man
Has seen, and with such fury patly fell
On th'house, where, Sir, your eldest Son did dwell,
And where at that time all your others were,
With your three Daughters met, to make good chear,
That in an instant one might see the walls
Clap closs together, down the Roof-tree falls,
Stones, Rafters, Boards, Dust, in a trice fall down,
And with the ground the House was levelled soon.
Where all your Children smothered in a heap,
I left, and by great mercy did escape,
To tell thee what I with my eyes did see,
And what, with Teares, I now relate to thee.
Plung'd in deep grief, with sorrows overcome,
Job hearing these sad news did sit as dumb,
With Eyes dejected low, and Arms a Cross,
As if he mean't not to survive his Loss;
But sudden Dissolution did desire,
Hoping he might in some kind sigh expire.
Speechless he sate, and seem'd not to complain,
But having paus'd a while, at length, with pain
He rose, and to his grief was forc'd t'allow
The same Compliance other Mortals do.
For though he knew his miseries alone
Did come from God, yet being more than Stone,
Hearing these sad News, he could not forbear,
At least upon the last to drop a Tear,
And write in mournful ink from grief swoln Eyes,
Upon his Face his Childrens Elegies.
The unexpected loss of his Estate
He doth not value (though indeed 'twas great)
But O his loving Issue! O the loss
Of his dear Children doth him sadly cross:
This in some passion makes him tear his hair,
Unrip his breast, and to the open air,
In some disorder lay his bosome bare.
At length o're come with this sad Exigent,
He formally all his apparrel Rent,
With careless Razor shav'd his Head around,
Fell down, and groveling prostrate on the ground.
Job hearing these sad news did sit as dumb,
With Eyes dejected low, and Arms a Cross,
As if he mean't not to survive his Loss;
But sudden Dissolution did desire,
Hoping he might in some kind sigh expire.
Speechless he sate, and seem'd not to complain,
But having paus'd a while, at length, with pain
He rose, and to his grief was forc'd t'allow
The same Compliance other Mortals do.
For though he knew his miseries alone
Did come from God, yet being more than Stone,
Hearing these sad News, he could not forbear,
At least upon the last to drop a Tear,
And write in mournful ink from grief swoln Eyes,
Upon his Face his Childrens Elegies.
The unexpected loss of his Estate
He doth not value (though indeed 'twas great)
But O his loving Issue! O the loss
Of his dear Children doth him sadly cross:
This in some passion makes him tear his hair,
Unrip his breast, and to the open air,
In some disorder lay his bosome bare.
At length o're come with this sad Exigent,
He formally all his apparrel Rent,
With careless Razor shav'd his Head around,
Fell down, and groveling prostrate on the ground.
Lord, says he, naked from the Womb I came,
And to Earths Womb I must return the same.
What I acquir'd, was but thy pure Donation,
And all the Right that I had was Possession:
Then why should I Complaint of Losses make,
Since God, who freely gives may freely take.
This Morning I was rich in Wealth, and Fame,
Now in the Evening I a Beggar am:
Plundred of all;—Estate, and issue too,
Why sure I shall be no more envy'd now.
Now I'm undone, now absolutely poor,
As those, who beg their Bread from Door to Door.
Then what do Wealth and Honours signify
When, as it were by turning of a dye,
All I possest is now entirely lost:
Then what is he, who doth of Riches boast!
Riches!—the very Dregs of the Creation,
A naughty thing, that never came in fashion,
Until true Virtue become Poor and Old,
What She before did give, was basely sold,
As yet it is, for Money:—Riches!—O
The Bane of Mankind; from whose Spring do flow
Torrents of Falshoods, Jealousies, and Feares!
Riches a lean, dry Nurse of Anxious Cares!
A Food, on which we feed with great delyte,
Yet ne'r allays our ravenous appetite.
Mans Life-race running in a crooked Line,
A dash, which spoil'd the' original design
Of his Integrity; a thing, which all,
Who hugg it here, themselves do even call
Th'abstract of Madness, when Eternity
Appears at hand, and they begin to dye.
For O what help can Riches then afford
To their deluded Owners? in a word
No Man of Judgment should of Riches boast,
For, when (as mine) they are entirely lost,
Then they appear to have been very Dreams,
Which none but he, who softly sleeps, esteems.
And to Earths Womb I must return the same.
What I acquir'd, was but thy pure Donation,
And all the Right that I had was Possession:
Then why should I Complaint of Losses make,
11
This Morning I was rich in Wealth, and Fame,
Now in the Evening I a Beggar am:
Plundred of all;—Estate, and issue too,
Why sure I shall be no more envy'd now.
Now I'm undone, now absolutely poor,
As those, who beg their Bread from Door to Door.
Then what do Wealth and Honours signify
When, as it were by turning of a dye,
All I possest is now entirely lost:
Then what is he, who doth of Riches boast!
Riches!—the very Dregs of the Creation,
A naughty thing, that never came in fashion,
Until true Virtue become Poor and Old,
What She before did give, was basely sold,
As yet it is, for Money:—Riches!—O
The Bane of Mankind; from whose Spring do flow
Torrents of Falshoods, Jealousies, and Feares!
Riches a lean, dry Nurse of Anxious Cares!
A Food, on which we feed with great delyte,
Yet ne'r allays our ravenous appetite.
Mans Life-race running in a crooked Line,
A dash, which spoil'd the' original design
Of his Integrity; a thing, which all,
Who hugg it here, themselves do even call
Th'abstract of Madness, when Eternity
Appears at hand, and they begin to dye.
For O what help can Riches then afford
To their deluded Owners? in a word
No Man of Judgment should of Riches boast,
For, when (as mine) they are entirely lost,
Then they appear to have been very Dreams,
Which none but he, who softly sleeps, esteems.
And then, there's Honour too, that taudry thing,
Of which poor Mortals make such reckoning:
Why I had that, as much as I desir'd
And to no higher Honours I aspir'd:
But now—all's lost—Riches, and Honours too
Have all abandon'd their old Master now.
Then what is this same Idol, of which most
Of its proud Owners insolently boast?
What is it pray!—a meer Device of Men
T'abuse the World, and shiftingly maintain
The Reputation of a Bankrupt Race,
Which long ago was forfeit in the Case
Of the first cadet; when Fraternal Tyes
Could not obstruct Friends being Enemies
For a small triffle: though the World was then
But Tripartite, and those unhappy Men
Had Elbow-room enough; yet was its State
First troubled under that Triumvirate.
And then our Native Honour, Truth, and Faith
Expired with the first expiring Breath.
Of which poor Mortals make such reckoning:
Why I had that, as much as I desir'd
And to no higher Honours I aspir'd:
But now—all's lost—Riches, and Honours too
Have all abandon'd their old Master now.
Then what is this same Idol, of which most
Of its proud Owners insolently boast?
What is it pray!—a meer Device of Men
T'abuse the World, and shiftingly maintain
The Reputation of a Bankrupt Race,
Which long ago was forfeit in the Case
Of the first cadet; when Fraternal Tyes
Could not obstruct Friends being Enemies
For a small triffle: though the World was then
But Tripartite, and those unhappy Men
Had Elbow-room enough; yet was its State
First troubled under that Triumvirate.
And then our Native Honour, Truth, and Faith
Expired with the first expiring Breath.
12
Since then true Honours lost, why should we cheat
Our Reason with its silly counterfeit!
And fancy Titles, Names, and Dignities
Can make the fallen Race of Mankind rise
In Virtues Orb? Why should we proudly boast
We have a thing our Predecessours lost!
For to this day (let us say what we can)
There's neither Honour, Faith, nor Truth in Man.
Why since the substance then is gone, alace
Why should vain man its empty shadow chace!
Its empty shadow,—yes—its meer reflex,
Which only, when it shines, a figure makes.
Though, as an Evening shadow to the Eye
Extends it self beyond the Symmetry
Of what it follows; so this flattering thing
By poor deluded Mortals Reckoning
Appears t'exceed the true Original,
Whilest really it is nothing at all,
And disappears with that same swiftness too,
As when the Sun sets, all your shadows do.
Or if it something be, at best I take it,
To be but what each Fools conceit doth make it,
For, as we see how. Hobby-horses please
Some Children, rattles others; even so these,
Who court this honour, are some pleas'd with that
Which only is acquir'd by toile, and sweat;
And venture boldly, without fear, or shame,
Only t'attain a military fame,
On Fire, and Sword, others themselves do please
With what they can attain to with more ease,
And less expence, so cunningly practise
Mean snaking shifts, and horrid villanies,
By which, at length, they climb to Dignities.
But as we see how those same very Boyes;
When come to years, call those things childish toyes,
Which then they hugg'd; so, when a man attains
To Grace, and Knowledge; Lord how he disdains
Those painted Baubles, which he formerly
Esteem'd, and thinks them now all vanity.
Our Reason with its silly counterfeit!
And fancy Titles, Names, and Dignities
Can make the fallen Race of Mankind rise
In Virtues Orb? Why should we proudly boast
We have a thing our Predecessours lost!
For to this day (let us say what we can)
There's neither Honour, Faith, nor Truth in Man.
Why since the substance then is gone, alace
Why should vain man its empty shadow chace!
Its empty shadow,—yes—its meer reflex,
Which only, when it shines, a figure makes.
Though, as an Evening shadow to the Eye
Extends it self beyond the Symmetry
Of what it follows; so this flattering thing
By poor deluded Mortals Reckoning
Appears t'exceed the true Original,
Whilest really it is nothing at all,
And disappears with that same swiftness too,
As when the Sun sets, all your shadows do.
Or if it something be, at best I take it,
To be but what each Fools conceit doth make it,
For, as we see how. Hobby-horses please
Some Children, rattles others; even so these,
Who court this honour, are some pleas'd with that
Which only is acquir'd by toile, and sweat;
And venture boldly, without fear, or shame,
Only t'attain a military fame,
On Fire, and Sword, others themselves do please
With what they can attain to with more ease,
And less expence, so cunningly practise
Mean snaking shifts, and horrid villanies,
By which, at length, they climb to Dignities.
But as we see how those same very Boyes;
When come to years, call those things childish toyes,
Which then they hugg'd; so, when a man attains
To Grace, and Knowledge; Lord how he disdains
Those painted Baubles, which he formerly
Esteem'd, and thinks them now all vanity.
And yet both Riches, and great Honours too
To some, as blessings God doth still allow,
When seasoned with Grace.
But nor my Honours, nor my Riches pleas'd
My mind so much, nor was I so much eas'd
In any thing, as that my Family
Seem'd to perpetuat my poor Memory
And thar I lost, i'th twinkling of an Eye.
To some, as blessings God doth still allow,
When seasoned with Grace.
But nor my Honours, nor my Riches pleas'd
My mind so much, nor was I so much eas'd
In any thing, as that my Family
Seem'd to perpetuat my poor Memory
And thar I lost, i'th twinkling of an Eye.
Lord what a folly then it is for men
To Trust in things so perishing, and vain
As Children are: a peice of Sophistry,
By which we'd fain out-wit Mortality,
But to no purpose, for do what we will,
Death is before hand, with our projects still.
Things, which to wish we pronely are inclin'd
Though in them we but seldom comfort find.
Nay, but that God after the first Creation,
Enjoyn'd the useful toile of Generation,
No wise man would such methods prosecute,
To bring himself in trouble, and dispute,
With those of his own Loines, and be in fears
Of his, own Children, as they come to years.
Issue! an Art, by which we would create
Our selves anew, and so perpetuat
Our Names on Earth: nay at a huge expence
We purchase too this inconvenience.
Whilst truth our Names and Memories are known
Better by Characters, in Brass, or Stone,
When both our Race, and our Estates are gone.
To Trust in things so perishing, and vain
As Children are: a peice of Sophistry,
By which we'd fain out-wit Mortality,
But to no purpose, for do what we will,
Death is before hand, with our projects still.
Things, which to wish we pronely are inclin'd
13
Nay, but that God after the first Creation,
Enjoyn'd the useful toile of Generation,
No wise man would such methods prosecute,
To bring himself in trouble, and dispute,
With those of his own Loines, and be in fears
Of his, own Children, as they come to years.
Issue! an Art, by which we would create
Our selves anew, and so perpetuat
Our Names on Earth: nay at a huge expence
We purchase too this inconvenience.
Whilst truth our Names and Memories are known
Better by Characters, in Brass, or Stone,
When both our Race, and our Estates are gone.
Riches and Honours then I did possess
As Blessings, and enjoyed domestick peace:
But above all my God was pleas'd t'allow
Something of true Grace to my Spirit too,
That I might use them right, so that of late,
In Birth, in Parts, in Honour, and Estate,
If breathing man can have Felicity,
On this side Time; why such a man was I.
—But now, that thou art pleas'd, Lord, to divest
Me of what but this morning I possest,
Assist me now, now let that Grace appear
Which thou allow'd'st me, give me strength to bear
My Losses so, as all men may confess
Who see me in this miserable case
That thou hast not depriv'd me yet of Grace.
As Blessings, and enjoyed domestick peace:
But above all my God was pleas'd t'allow
Something of true Grace to my Spirit too,
That I might use them right, so that of late,
In Birth, in Parts, in Honour, and Estate,
If breathing man can have Felicity,
On this side Time; why such a man was I.
—But now, that thou art pleas'd, Lord, to divest
Me of what but this morning I possest,
Assist me now, now let that Grace appear
Which thou allow'd'st me, give me strength to bear
My Losses so, as all men may confess
Who see me in this miserable case
That thou hast not depriv'd me yet of Grace.
Lord then what shall I say; thou giv'st, thou tak'st,
Thou raises, thou throws down again, thou mak'st,
And thou unmak'st.—O let thy glorious Name
Sound in the Trumpet of eternal Fame.
For all thy Actings are both just and fair,
And well thou know'st what Criminals men are,
And what they do deserve; O make me then,
Highest of late, but lowest now of men,
O mak me with a serene patience,
Endure what thou art pleased to dispense.
Thou raises, thou throws down again, thou mak'st,
And thou unmak'st.—O let thy glorious Name
Sound in the Trumpet of eternal Fame.
For all thy Actings are both just and fair,
And well thou know'st what Criminals men are,
And what they do deserve; O make me then,
Highest of late, but lowest now of men,
O mak me with a serene patience,
Endure what thou art pleased to dispense.
Thus though we see Jobs Grief was answerable
To his Condition, which was lamentable,
Yet in his greatest paroxism of woe
He did not sin, nor treat his Maker so,
As if he would accuse him foolishly
For th'only author of his Misery.
Then happy he, who can his loss sustain
With patience, and not of God complain:
For when Afflictions Storms from Heavens do fall
We ought to suffer, and not cry at all:
Because we know that God affliction sends,
Upon a many, whom he least intends
T'extirpate in his anger; for we shall
See this good mans afflictions after all,
Converted to a fair, and pleasant Scæne,
Of Wealth and Honours, and a most serene
Aspect of Favour, when our God doth show
To Job his Face ex Postliminio.
To his Condition, which was lamentable,
Yet in his greatest paroxism of woe
He did not sin, nor treat his Maker so,
As if he would accuse him foolishly
For th'only author of his Misery.
Then happy he, who can his loss sustain
With patience, and not of God complain:
For when Afflictions Storms from Heavens do fall
We ought to suffer, and not cry at all:
Because we know that God affliction sends,
Upon a many, whom he least intends
T'extirpate in his anger; for we shall
See this good mans afflictions after all,
Converted to a fair, and pleasant Scæne,
14
Aspect of Favour, when our God doth show
To Job his Face ex Postliminio.
| The grand Tryal | |