A paraphrase on the Book of Job As likewise on the Songs of Moses, Deborah, David: On Four Select Psalms: Some Chapters of Isaiah, and the Third Chapter of Habakkuk. By Sir Richard Blackmore |
 |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
Ch XXII.
|
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
|
|
| LIII. |
 |
Ch XXII.
A paraphrase on the Book of Job |  |
Ch XXII.
Then Eliphaz:
If undefil'd thou dost thy Virtue keep,
Is God oblig'd? does he the Profit reap?
Were all thy Days in pure Religion spent,
Would that th' Almighty's Happiness augment?
When he does strictly Righteousness enjoyn,
Does he his own Advancement seek, or Thine?
If thou art Good the Profit is thy own,
God needs thee not, he on his Heav'nly Throne
Crown'd with Essential Bliss, in Triumph sits,
Unmeasur'd Bliss which no increase admits.
Does he in Wrath attempt thy overthrow,
Fearing in time thou shouldst too Potent grow?
I grant thy Suff'rings great and numerous are,
But with thy Guilt they just Proportion bear.
Justice Divine its Banks ne'er overflows,
All monstrous Suff'rings, monstrous Crimes suppose.
Is God oblig'd? does he the Profit reap?
97
Would that th' Almighty's Happiness augment?
When he does strictly Righteousness enjoyn,
Does he his own Advancement seek, or Thine?
If thou art Good the Profit is thy own,
God needs thee not, he on his Heav'nly Throne
Crown'd with Essential Bliss, in Triumph sits,
Unmeasur'd Bliss which no increase admits.
Does he in Wrath attempt thy overthrow,
Fearing in time thou shouldst too Potent grow?
I grant thy Suff'rings great and numerous are,
But with thy Guilt they just Proportion bear.
Justice Divine its Banks ne'er overflows,
All monstrous Suff'rings, monstrous Crimes suppose.
Either thy Neighbour's Pledge thou hast detain'd,
And by Extortion hast his Substance drain'd:
Or of his Garment thou hast stript the Poor,
And sent him Naked from thy cruel Door.
Or to the Man with burning Sunbeams fry'd,
At his last Gasp thou hast thy Spring deny'd.
Or thou hast seen thy hungry Neighbour dye
For want of Bread, which thou wouldst not supply.
Or else unjustly to the Rich and Great,
Thou hast decreed another's Land and Seat.
While thou the mournful Widow didst oppress,
And crush without Remorse the needy Fatherless.
For some such Crime tho' secret and unknown,
Thou dost beneath this heavy Vengeance groan.
For this, with Snares thou art encompass'd round,
And suddain Fears thy trembling Soul confound.
Thick Shades and Darkness o'er thy Dwelling spread,
And dismal Floods of Grief whelm o'er thy Head.
And by Extortion hast his Substance drain'd:
Or of his Garment thou hast stript the Poor,
And sent him Naked from thy cruel Door.
Or to the Man with burning Sunbeams fry'd,
At his last Gasp thou hast thy Spring deny'd.
Or thou hast seen thy hungry Neighbour dye
For want of Bread, which thou wouldst not supply.
Or else unjustly to the Rich and Great,
Thou hast decreed another's Land and Seat.
While thou the mournful Widow didst oppress,
And crush without Remorse the needy Fatherless.
For some such Crime tho' secret and unknown,
Thou dost beneath this heavy Vengeance groan.
98
And suddain Fears thy trembling Soul confound.
Thick Shades and Darkness o'er thy Dwelling spread,
And dismal Floods of Grief whelm o'er thy Head.
Does not th' Almighty sit enthron'd on high,
On the steep Convex of th' Empyreal Sky,
Whence with a quick and easy Prospect he
Can all his Works and Worlds around him see?
Yet thou dost act, as if thou didst believe,
Thou couldst th' Almighty's searching Eye deceive:
As if thou saidst, how can th' Almighty know,
How can he mind and judge of things below?
Vast is the Gulph of Air that lies between,
And from his sight thick Clouds the Sinner skreen.
He walks the happy Circuit of the Sky,
Nor casts on this low dirty Ball an Eye.
Uninterrupted Pleasure him employs,
While he alone his Blissful Self enjoys.
Our Good or Evil Deeds, our Joys or Pains,
Unworthy of his Notice, he disdains.
Lo, from thy Lips whate'er expressions break,
This is the Language which thy Actions speak.
On the steep Convex of th' Empyreal Sky,
Whence with a quick and easy Prospect he
Can all his Works and Worlds around him see?
Yet thou dost act, as if thou didst believe,
Thou couldst th' Almighty's searching Eye deceive:
As if thou saidst, how can th' Almighty know,
How can he mind and judge of things below?
Vast is the Gulph of Air that lies between,
And from his sight thick Clouds the Sinner skreen.
He walks the happy Circuit of the Sky,
Nor casts on this low dirty Ball an Eye.
Uninterrupted Pleasure him employs,
While he alone his Blissful Self enjoys.
Our Good or Evil Deeds, our Joys or Pains,
Unworthy of his Notice, he disdains.
Lo, from thy Lips whate'er expressions break,
This is the Language which thy Actions speak.
Didst thou with due Attention ne'er behold,
The Paths in which the Wicked trod of Old;
Who from the Earth for their enormous Crime,
Were hurried off by Death before their time;
Who to th' gen'ral Flood became a Prey,
And with their Sons and Wealth were swept away.
These did th' Almighty's sacred Laws deride,
Contemn'd his Favour, and his Threats defy'd.
They cry'd, if we Religion's Rule regard,
Who will our Pains, and pious Zeal reward?
Yet God their Houses with Abundance blest,
Enlarg'd their Empire, and their Stores increast.
But who was by their Wealth to Envy mov'd,
Or who their impious Words or Ways approv'd?
For tho' like thee, they Peace a while enjoy'd,
Yet they at last were from the Earth destroy'd.
But Righteous Men have still the Joy to see,
Justice Divine rebuke Impiety.
Th' Almighty they'll exalt in Songs of Praise,
Who does his Glory by such Judgments raise.
They shall th'Oppressor's Pomp and Power deride,
When Heav'n's just Vengeance thus corrects their Pride.
The wicked perish, while the pious Race
Of Patriarchs, whence our Descent we trace,
Favour'd by Heav'n, possest their ancient place.
They never were to Desolation doom'd,
Never by such prodigious Fire consum'd,
As raining down from Heav'n in flaming Showers,
Destroy'd proud Sodom's and Gomorrah's Towers.
The Paths in which the Wicked trod of Old;
Who from the Earth for their enormous Crime,
Were hurried off by Death before their time;
Who to th' gen'ral Flood became a Prey,
And with their Sons and Wealth were swept away.
99
Contemn'd his Favour, and his Threats defy'd.
They cry'd, if we Religion's Rule regard,
Who will our Pains, and pious Zeal reward?
Yet God their Houses with Abundance blest,
Enlarg'd their Empire, and their Stores increast.
But who was by their Wealth to Envy mov'd,
Or who their impious Words or Ways approv'd?
For tho' like thee, they Peace a while enjoy'd,
Yet they at last were from the Earth destroy'd.
But Righteous Men have still the Joy to see,
Justice Divine rebuke Impiety.
Th' Almighty they'll exalt in Songs of Praise,
Who does his Glory by such Judgments raise.
They shall th'Oppressor's Pomp and Power deride,
When Heav'n's just Vengeance thus corrects their Pride.
The wicked perish, while the pious Race
Of Patriarchs, whence our Descent we trace,
Favour'd by Heav'n, possest their ancient place.
They never were to Desolation doom'd,
Never by such prodigious Fire consum'd,
As raining down from Heav'n in flaming Showers,
Destroy'd proud Sodom's and Gomorrah's Towers.
Wherefore, O Job, to God with speed return,
With deep Contrition thy Offences mourn;
O'erwhelm'd with Shame and Sorrow, prostrate lye
Before his Feet, and for Compassion cry.
Let humble Prayer and penitential Tears,
Appease Heav'n's Wrath, and thus remove thy Fears.
When God is pleas'd, all Nature will express
A forward Zeal t' advance thy Happiness.
God's gracious Aspect, with its Heav'nly Light,
Will dissipate this dark tempestuous Night.
Joy will arise, and with its cheerful Ray,
Chase all these sullen Clouds of Grief away.
With deep Contrition thy Offences mourn;
O'erwhelm'd with Shame and Sorrow, prostrate lye
Before his Feet, and for Compassion cry.
Let humble Prayer and penitential Tears,
Appease Heav'n's Wrath, and thus remove thy Fears.
100
A forward Zeal t' advance thy Happiness.
God's gracious Aspect, with its Heav'nly Light,
Will dissipate this dark tempestuous Night.
Joy will arise, and with its cheerful Ray,
Chase all these sullen Clouds of Grief away.
Will Job prophane and impious Maxims learn
From stupid Heathens, who from all concern
From Things below th'Almighty's Care exempt,
And thus expose Religion to Contempt?
No, let the Law which God of old reveal'd
To humane Kind, which yet is unrepeal'd;
Or which should written in thy Heart abide,
Be made thy Rule of Life, and sacred Guide.
Within thy Breast with pious Care record
His blest Instructions, and his Heav'nly Word.
If thou sincerely wilt thy Life devote
To virtuous Deeds, and wilt with Zeal promote
Th' Almighty's Honour and Religions Cause,
By strict observance of his Righteous Laws;
He all thy dismal Ruins will repair,
And all thy reunited Fragments rear.
He'll raise thy Head now buried in the Dust,
And make thee midst the Clouds thy glitt'ring Turrets thrust.
He'll fix thy Pillars deeper in the ground,
And stronger Bulwarks shall thy House surround.
He shall thy Plenty and thy Peace restore,
And give thee Empire wider than before.
Thou shalt no more of Vengeance be afraid,
No Terrors more shall thy safe Tents invade.
Thy Neighbours shall with Wonder thee behold,
With Cedar blest, adorn'd with Gems and Gold.
Thou such prodigious Treasures shalt command,
Thou shalt, like Dust, collect thy Golden Sand.
Thy rich, but disregarded Ophir Oar,
Shall lye like Stones on every River's Shore.
Wedges of Silver from the purest Mine
Pil'd high in Heaps, shall round thy Dwelling shine.
Against thy Foes th' Almighty will contend,
Protect thy Plenty, and thy Life defend.
Thou with his Favour shalt be ever blest,
A vast Reward exceeding all the rest.
Thou shalt derive from him thy chief Delight,
The Thoughts of whom does now thy Soul affright.
Up thou shalt look with Courage, and employ
Thy Thoughts on Heav'n with Confidence and Joy.
Thou to th' Almighty shalt have free Access,
And to his Throne prevailing Prayers address.
When thou art heard, thy Vows in Trouble made,
Shall with a glad and thankful Heart be paid.
All thy designs th' Almighty shall approve,
And thy decrees will ratify above.
Before thee he shall Heav'nly Light display,
To solace, and to guide thee in thy way.
He shall protect thy Paths, thy Counsels bless,
And crown thy Undertakings with Success.
When wicked Men shall be around destroy'd,
Stript of the Power and Wealth they once enjoy'd:
Thou shalt not feel th' Almighty's wrathful hand,
But undisturb'd enjoy thy fruitful Land.
For God the humble Person will regard,
And with his Blessing will his Love reward.
Nor shall thy Prayer sent to th' Almighty's Throne
Obtain his Favours for thy self alone;
If thou shalt Supplication for them make,
Thy Neighbours round shall prosper for thy sake.
From stupid Heathens, who from all concern
From Things below th'Almighty's Care exempt,
And thus expose Religion to Contempt?
No, let the Law which God of old reveal'd
To humane Kind, which yet is unrepeal'd;
Or which should written in thy Heart abide,
Be made thy Rule of Life, and sacred Guide.
Within thy Breast with pious Care record
His blest Instructions, and his Heav'nly Word.
If thou sincerely wilt thy Life devote
To virtuous Deeds, and wilt with Zeal promote
Th' Almighty's Honour and Religions Cause,
By strict observance of his Righteous Laws;
He all thy dismal Ruins will repair,
And all thy reunited Fragments rear.
He'll raise thy Head now buried in the Dust,
And make thee midst the Clouds thy glitt'ring Turrets thrust.
He'll fix thy Pillars deeper in the ground,
And stronger Bulwarks shall thy House surround.
He shall thy Plenty and thy Peace restore,
And give thee Empire wider than before.
101
No Terrors more shall thy safe Tents invade.
Thy Neighbours shall with Wonder thee behold,
With Cedar blest, adorn'd with Gems and Gold.
Thou such prodigious Treasures shalt command,
Thou shalt, like Dust, collect thy Golden Sand.
Thy rich, but disregarded Ophir Oar,
Shall lye like Stones on every River's Shore.
Wedges of Silver from the purest Mine
Pil'd high in Heaps, shall round thy Dwelling shine.
Against thy Foes th' Almighty will contend,
Protect thy Plenty, and thy Life defend.
Thou with his Favour shalt be ever blest,
A vast Reward exceeding all the rest.
Thou shalt derive from him thy chief Delight,
The Thoughts of whom does now thy Soul affright.
Up thou shalt look with Courage, and employ
Thy Thoughts on Heav'n with Confidence and Joy.
Thou to th' Almighty shalt have free Access,
And to his Throne prevailing Prayers address.
When thou art heard, thy Vows in Trouble made,
Shall with a glad and thankful Heart be paid.
All thy designs th' Almighty shall approve,
And thy decrees will ratify above.
Before thee he shall Heav'nly Light display,
To solace, and to guide thee in thy way.
He shall protect thy Paths, thy Counsels bless,
And crown thy Undertakings with Success.
When wicked Men shall be around destroy'd,
Stript of the Power and Wealth they once enjoy'd:
102
But undisturb'd enjoy thy fruitful Land.
For God the humble Person will regard,
And with his Blessing will his Love reward.
Nor shall thy Prayer sent to th' Almighty's Throne
Obtain his Favours for thy self alone;
If thou shalt Supplication for them make,
Thy Neighbours round shall prosper for thy sake.
|
Ch XXII.
A paraphrase on the Book of Job | |