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 |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
Ch. XXV.
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| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
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| LIII. |
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Ch. XXV.
A paraphrase on the Book of Job |  |
111
Ch. XXV.
Then Bildad answer'd, Why does Job delight
Thus to reflect on Wisdom Infinite?
Wilt thou th' Almighty's Providence correct,
And charge him with Injustice, or Neglect?
As if he ne'er did Righteousness regard,
And did the Impious, not the Just reward?
Or else as if he ne'er did interpose,
But doubtful Chance did all Events dispose.
Should not his awful Majesty deter
Thy Arrogance, and make thee shake with fear?
His Creatures never should debating stand,
But strait obey his absolute Command.
This low Terrestrial World does not alone,
His Soveraign Rule and Jurisdiction own;
His Empire is of unconfin'd extent,
O'er all the wide Etherial Continent;
O'er all the liquid Regions of the Air,
And all the shining Islands floating there.
He Peace preserves in the bright Realms above,
And makes the Spheres in beauteous order move.
All the Seraphic, glorious Hierarchy,
The Pure and God-like People of the Sky,
Adore the depths of Providence Divine,
And to th' Almighty's Will, their Wills resign.
And yet shall discontented Job debate
His Case with God, and quarrel with his Fate?
His Empire to protect, and to controul
Uproar and Strife, what Troops can he enroll?
What mighty Armys can th' Almighty head?
What numerous Brigades to Battel lead?
Myriads of Angels lye encampt on high,
His Houshold Squadrons that defend the Sky:
Sabres of Flame th' Immortal Warriors weild,
And now in fiery Chariots take the Field;
Now high in Air the Wing'd Battalions rise;
And glorious War hangs hovering in the Skies.
Along th' inferiour Air at his Command,
His must'ring Meteors Regimented stand.
Tempests of Thunder, Whirlwinds, Rain and Fire
To fight th' Almighty's Battels will conspire.
All Nature at his beck, if Rebels rage,
Strait take up Arms, and on his Part engage.
Thus to reflect on Wisdom Infinite?
Wilt thou th' Almighty's Providence correct,
And charge him with Injustice, or Neglect?
As if he ne'er did Righteousness regard,
And did the Impious, not the Just reward?
Or else as if he ne'er did interpose,
But doubtful Chance did all Events dispose.
Should not his awful Majesty deter
Thy Arrogance, and make thee shake with fear?
His Creatures never should debating stand,
But strait obey his absolute Command.
This low Terrestrial World does not alone,
His Soveraign Rule and Jurisdiction own;
His Empire is of unconfin'd extent,
O'er all the wide Etherial Continent;
O'er all the liquid Regions of the Air,
And all the shining Islands floating there.
He Peace preserves in the bright Realms above,
And makes the Spheres in beauteous order move.
All the Seraphic, glorious Hierarchy,
The Pure and God-like People of the Sky,
Adore the depths of Providence Divine,
And to th' Almighty's Will, their Wills resign.
And yet shall discontented Job debate
His Case with God, and quarrel with his Fate?
His Empire to protect, and to controul
Uproar and Strife, what Troops can he enroll?
112
What numerous Brigades to Battel lead?
Myriads of Angels lye encampt on high,
His Houshold Squadrons that defend the Sky:
Sabres of Flame th' Immortal Warriors weild,
And now in fiery Chariots take the Field;
Now high in Air the Wing'd Battalions rise;
And glorious War hangs hovering in the Skies.
Along th' inferiour Air at his Command,
His must'ring Meteors Regimented stand.
Tempests of Thunder, Whirlwinds, Rain and Fire
To fight th' Almighty's Battels will conspire.
All Nature at his beck, if Rebels rage,
Strait take up Arms, and on his Part engage.
Of such Extent is his Imperial Power;
With so much Ease he can his Foes devour.
Yet is his Goodness equal to his Might;
The Sun his unexhausted Sea of Light,
Lavish of Glory, does to all dispence
His chearing Beams, and fruitful Influence.
Wide as the World, God has his Table spred,
At his Expence are all his Creatures fed.
Who of his Regal Bounty does not tast?
Whose Stores, if not supply'd by him, can last?
If on his Power and Goodness we depend,
And can to nothing as a Debt pretend;
We murmur and complain without a Cause,
When he his Blessings, not our Right, withdraws.
Besides our various Crimes which Heav'n provoke,
Justly expose us to his wrathful stroke.
Who can before his high Tribunal stand,
Plead Innocence, and his Discharge demand?
Can Man be Clean, born of degenerate Race,
And scape the Leaven that infects the Mass?
Never a wholsom, unpolluted Stream,
From an impure, infected Fountain came.
Can a wild Vine a generous Vintage bring?
From a base Stock, can noble Branches spring?
The Constellations that adorn the Sky,
Reveal their Spots to God's All-searching Eye,
Then what foul Stains will he in Man descry?
In Man, a worthless Worm, who turns to Dust
And Putrefaction, whence he sprang at first.
With so much Ease he can his Foes devour.
Yet is his Goodness equal to his Might;
The Sun his unexhausted Sea of Light,
Lavish of Glory, does to all dispence
His chearing Beams, and fruitful Influence.
Wide as the World, God has his Table spred,
At his Expence are all his Creatures fed.
Who of his Regal Bounty does not tast?
Whose Stores, if not supply'd by him, can last?
If on his Power and Goodness we depend,
And can to nothing as a Debt pretend;
We murmur and complain without a Cause,
When he his Blessings, not our Right, withdraws.
113
Justly expose us to his wrathful stroke.
Who can before his high Tribunal stand,
Plead Innocence, and his Discharge demand?
Can Man be Clean, born of degenerate Race,
And scape the Leaven that infects the Mass?
Never a wholsom, unpolluted Stream,
From an impure, infected Fountain came.
Can a wild Vine a generous Vintage bring?
From a base Stock, can noble Branches spring?
The Constellations that adorn the Sky,
Reveal their Spots to God's All-searching Eye,
Then what foul Stains will he in Man descry?
In Man, a worthless Worm, who turns to Dust
And Putrefaction, whence he sprang at first.
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Ch. XXV.
A paraphrase on the Book of Job | |