to the great iudge might it please him to yeald mee a day of audience I should haue my desire howsoeuer Howsoeuer I say not that I despaire but that I would haue you see my boldnes which is euermore a companion of a good cause specially if it be in the hart as well as in the face as it is with me BVt I pray you tell me my friendes Chap. 13. you that professe so great skill in the matter of affliction woulde not this make you despaire of life if your fleshe were thus mangled throughout your whole bodye and were made fitte Morselles a Verse 14. for your teeth to teare and rent asunder as you see mine is Were your liues in your handes as it is in the Prouerbe wherein wee can account nothing safe as being subiect to marring loosing taking away and miscarrying twenty wales woulde you thinke there were any other waye but one with you I nourish in me no other kinde of despaire then this that I haue no hope to liue and for this you condemne mee as a distrustfull person and a man without al hope of saluation which you gather from my pittifull crying out by reason of the extremity of my disease concluding thereupon as if I were so inraged that I did gnawe my flesh beate my selfe with my fists knocke my head against the wall like a Bedlem or Franticke man and thus were become an executioner of my bodie and a Butcher of myne owne life and for that I cal vpon the Lord to iudge my cause a traitor to mine owne soule But I would haue you know that in the battle betweene the flesh and the spirit though the inner man bee not ouercome yet in the best of the Lordes souldiors it is soiled oftentimes by the outward man So then albeit I haue receiued many a wound by my flesh whereby I haue bin sometime brought to misdemeane my selfe in this my combat yet I haue helde mine owne still I haue reserued my heart from yeilding yea my faith is as strong stil notwithstanding so many afflictions one in the neck of another as euer it was All the miseries and torments in the world could not draw mee to despaire nor drawe mee from that trust b verse 15 and confidence I haue in my God concerning a better estate after this life and as cōcerning my recouery again here in this life I doubt not of the power of God but be cause of the weake and vnrecouerable estate of my body in the sight of flesh and blood it seemeth to me to be his decree to take me out of this vale of misery And hereevpon I perswade my selfe that it cannot be auoided but that I must needs go the way of all the liuing You further obiect that I haue no regard of my life nor of my soule when the greatest regard that I can haue concerning these is to labor for faith in the Lords promises which is my continuall practise and whereby I haue gained this fruit not onely in whatsoeuer calamitie but in death it self to trust and depend vpon him knowing c Verse 16 that it shal go wel with me as long as I hold me to this fortresse This answereth to your reprehension *d chap 4. v. 5.6 As is a mans religion and life so is his hope but my hope you see is great and therefore I conclude from your owne ground that my religion hath not bin counterfet as you immagine but sound and sincere nor my life wicked but godly and vertuous namely such as hath proceeded from a liuely faith and stedfast hope in the Lord with loue of his name and zeale of his glory which haue euer bin accounted as the onely true markes both of the one and of the other This is that which I haue stood vpon al this while that I haue sought the lord and his honour in all my actions and serued him with my whole hart and hereupon would I still stand were death to ceaze vpon me by and by and were I now to yeelde forth my last breath This is my confession no other but this shall be wrung from me My innocency in the matters whereof you accuse mee is that I striue for and were I nowe about to render my soule into the hands of my Creator this is it I would craue at his hands the arbitrating and compounding of this controuersie betweene vs. Now for the carriage of my selfe in this my present visitation thus much I may truely say for my selfe that thogh my conflict hath bin long and bitter yet the Lorde of his goodnes hath so kept me that I haue not fallen from him I haue indeed offended against his Maiesty with my toong and failed of my dutie many waies but he which is the beholder of such as trust in him hath kept my heart vpright and I doubt not but he will so keepe it to the end and place in it such a confidence in his mercies in the midst of death that Sathan whose instrumentes you now are and whose part you take in this disputation with all his policie shall not be able to surprize the iuuincible Castle of my hope Were I an Hippocrite according as you accuse ★ e chap. 8.13 me I could not bee thus confident For hee that is such a one dares not come to his tryal he had rather that all the world had his cause in handling then the Lorde for he knowes that he will lay open the Booke of his conscience which is as a filthy skie full fraught with deceit lying dissembling impiety and vngodlines and discouer with the brightnes of his presence the deeds that are done in the night the vncleannes thereof together with the detestable affections desires and cogitations of the same and with all make manifest to the eles of all men what a monster hee is become that outwardly is a louer ofreligion and vertue but inwardly a mortall hater of them both I feare none of al this which maketh me so forward and earnest with the Lord to take the cause into his own hands But what maketh you so plentiful in disswading from this course Is it not the contrary namely a distrust that you haue in your cause a guilty conscience that you haue not dealte faithfully and according to your hart in that you haue so vehemently vrged against me and a feare that you should receiue a checke for your vnkind and vndiscreet behauiour toward me as also for the application of al your doctrines true in themselues for the most part vntruely and wrongefully to my person But meethinkes I see you relent when you heare me thus confident and bolde in my cause Heare f Verse 17. me therefore diligently with your ears and consider well in your minds what I am able further to say for my selfe not against the Lord as you would haue it for his righteousnes and truth I reuerence but against your accusations and I doubt g Verse 18.
submission I desire not to be mine owne iudge heerein but appeale to thine owne mouch d verse 6 which hath broached iniquity and reiected all feare of God When thou pleadest thine owne innocencie we demaunding of thee how thou wilt be tryed thou makest a subtle kind of answere saying the Lord shal arbitrate my cause hereupon takest vpon thee to dispute thy cause before him vsurping the office of Opponent Respondent and arbitrator to thine owne selfe and so carriest the matter vpon meere c Thou haste chosen the tongue of the crafty verse 7 imagination as if the day must needs be thine and we all farle in our iudgement I account it a subtle plea because thou makest choyse of such a iudge as cannot bee procured and so flyest to an impossibility and withal assignest him before hand his sentence both which argue the foulenes of thy cause For where as first thou refusest an ordinary and flyest to an extraordinary Iudge thou shewest thy despaire otherwise to prenaile and next whereas thou framest vnto him his iudgement before hand thou discouerest thy great folly and impudency I pray thee whence ariseth this high conceit of thy selfe f verse 7 thy wisdome I am sure that some of vs Pe so much before thee in antiquitye knowledge and â—â—â—arity that for any of these thou canst not contend It should seeme by thy words that thou wast the first maÌ„ that euer was made in the world or rather more auncient then the world it selfe Nay if thou shouldst bee so skilful as thou wouldst make vs beleeue it cannot be chosen but thou must needs be present in that holy and sacred Councell g verse 8 of the diuine Trinity for the framing of Heauen and earth and all creatures For otherwise whence should it be that all other men are left naked and that al knole dge is drawne together into thy bosom But thou dost but deceiue thy selfe in thine own opinion it is not so as thou supposest For we are not behind thee any way in knowledge and as for antiquity there is some of vs more auncient then thy father h verse 9 which maketh vs to be accepted and reputed of among the people who are wont to ascribe very much to the Authority of the aged Notwithstanding for al this thou hast despised vs and our counsels and made light reckoning of those our spirituall and Diuine comforts l verse 19 which we haue layed before thee euen accordingly as wee receiued them from the Lord. Some thing is amisse either thou art to confident in thy owne opinion or thou hauing no good opinion of vs wilt not giue entertainement to our exhortations For the good opinion we haue of a man maketh vs like of k verse 11 of his admonitions though weakely deliuered whereas if we were otherwise affected toward him the strongest perswasion would not be admitted Againe there is somewhat that otherwise blindeth thine eyes so that thou canst not see into our intention or seeing into it thou makest as though thou sawest it not thereby to keepe close some secret not as yet vttered which being disclosed would bee of more efficacy and more material thenal thouhast hetherto spoken It is thy proud hart l Why doeth thy hart take thee away verse 12 that is out of frame and carrieth thee beyond the bounds of al modesty the nodding of thy head the winking of thine eyes m What do thine cies meane v. 12 like vnto the Archer together with the rest of thy scornings proceed from that root But no maruell though thou handle vs thus when thou sparest n verse 13 not the Almighty himselfe but takest tomacke against him aspirest so high as to chalenge him into the field to incounter with thee and that in termes of vile reproach and blasphemy But dare man be so audacious to braue the Lord to his face and stand vpon termes of disgrace with him that is of that admirable glory and maicsty as cannot be conceiued He could do no more if the Lords honor were vpheld by him or if he haue Heauen and earth vpon his shoulders or if Gods Iustice truth righteousnes power and al were he not would lie in the dust BVt alas poore worme n = a verse 14 of the earth Chap. 15 what helpe is he able to yeeld vnto God if he should neede his seruice He made him the last of all his creatures that he might arrogate nothing of all his workemanship vnto himselfe The heauenly spirits themselues which he made before he vseth onely for his pleasure not that he at all standeth it neede of their industry for he was in equall glory and power before without them what cause then is there why he should any way call for the seruice of man but that it is his wil so to dignfie him that is most vnworthy In substance like vnto the potters vessell which is broken at euery knocke In nature as weake as she that bare him subiect to as much greefe and sorrow as she in her child-bearing as defiled and filthy as the very polution menstruousnes from which he proceeded The blessed Angels themselues could not stand in that integrity of theirs but that they are supported by the hande of the Almighty Their righteousnes consisteth in the fulfilling of the ten commandements c For the perfection of maÌ„ and angels in their first creation was alike they both had free vvil vnto good as vvel as vnto euill they both had povver to keepe the ten commandments vvhich if they had don they had not loste their hapines they both in their fal traÌ„sgrest against the first commandement the state of of them both after the resurrection shal be one the same and that is all the Lord requireth and all that they are able to performe But there is another righteousnes in God which is annexed to his essence cannot be seperated from him and is incomprehensible in this they would be found to faile of that perfection that wer to be looked for if the L. should call for such duty herein as wer to be rendred him acording to that vnmatchable dignity of his God-head which is so holy pure and perfect as the seruice of no creature can be answerable thereunto For vnlesse the Lord had imparted something of his owne essence vnto them which he hath not nor could not do It cannot bee they shoulde bee comparable to him in righteousnes It cannot be they should yeild him obedience sutable to his worthines It canot be but there must be wants in them wheÌ„ they are matched with him that is matchles hath no peere For he alone it is that is absolutely good absolutely perfect and righteous and none but he and the seruice of that which is finite cannot be compleat toward him that is infinite The Angels therfore if they be called to an acount to see whether they haue performed their semice to God in that
THE CONFLICT OF IOB By way of DIALOGVE Compiled for illustration or opening of that great Encounter and may also serue as a Paraphrase vpon that heauenly worke By R. H. 2 CORINTH 10 4. The weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mightie through GOD. PRVDENTIA LONDON Printed by William Iaggard dwelling in Barbican and are to be sold in Paules Church-yard 1607. TO THE RIGHT NOble and Honorable Robert Earle of Salisbury vicount Cranborne Baron of Essingdon principall Secretarie to his Maiestie Maister of the court of Wardes and Liueries Chancellor of the Vniuersitie of Cambridge knight of the Noble order of the Garter and one of his Highnesse most Honourable priuie Councell ALbeit Right Honourable my purpose was at the first to haue dedicated these my labours to the Right and truly Reuerend Father of the Church of Christ the most wise and iudicious Bishop of London my very good Lord onely for whose sake this taske was vndertaken as beeing in his place a like President to this Peere whose vertues I labour to lay out yet in regard they are more agreeable to one of your sort but chiefly in regard of a late accident whereby I was made knowne vnto your Honour I thought it requisite likewise as well for the testimony of mine owne synceritie as also of mine entire affection toward your Lordship to recommend the same vnto you Behold then I humbly intreate your Honour a subiect sutable to a man of your ranke and offering vnto you a most woorthy patterne for your imitation euen such a one as the whole Booke of GOD which ought to be a direction for all estates doth not afford a more notable and eminent for those of high degree sitting in the seate of Iustice as your Lordship doth The wisedome of God onely wise hath spoken it That such as weare soft and costlie attyre are in a Math 11 8 Kings Courts It is an ancient Apothegge Exeat aula qui vult esse pius and againe Libertas scelerum virtus et summa potestas Ioseph his example hath sealed it for a truth who by beeing in the Court of Egipt inured his tongue to sweare by the life of Pharao and the example of Moses more notably who for this cause refused to be called the sonne of Pharao his b Hebr. 11.24 25 daughter c Non in Asiam venisse sed in Asia continenter vixisse laudandum est Cic pro Mur Neuerthelesse this our Iob a man of great Honour conversing among the states of the Countries where hee liued and those Infidels to for the most part kept himselfe notwithstanding vndefiled yea remained both for life and religion the onely mirror among men not of that age alone but of all succeeding generations An example therefore without comparison the rarest and most admirable of all other For notwithstanding the supply of so many helpes for the furthering them in the way of a godly life as can hardly be recounted which this man wanted yet neuerthelesse Salomon with all his wisdome hath not left vnto vs the like and Dauid himselfe a man according to the Lords owne hart must come behind it For Daniell Nehemiah Mordecai Hester though children of the captiuitie of Iudah to seperate themselues from the filthines of the Heathen among whom they liued and claue to the Lord God of Israel is a thing very rare and extraordinarie but for Ionathan the sonne of prophane Saule King of Israel hauing for his consorts ordinarily a companie of beastly Atheists for his Fathers Court yeelded none other is a thing more to be obserued in respect of our times because the Spirit of God in the mouth of the holy Apostle pronoūceth very peremtorily Not d 1 Cor. 1 26 many Mightie not many Noble are called Hence it is that all ages doe yeeld vs very few of his place who are of Ioseph of Arimathea his minde that haue stepped foorth to their Pilates and spoken for the Honour of Iesus and that the number of these hath beene exceeding thinne which haue beene of that renowned Queenes affection who seeing her Nation the people of God now ready to be yeelded ouer to vtter destruction resolued vpon these termes I will aduenture my life for their safegard if I perrish I perrish Which beeing so wee of this Nation must needes acknowledge the spirit of the Highest to haue extraordinarily replenished the hart of your Honour because of the like resolution for the maintenaunce of the same Cause the faith of the Lord Iesus against the viperous broode of Antichri-christian Iesusies with theyr Complices contemning no lesse then one mounted on horse-backe doth the barking of an idle whippet theyr base threatnings and esteeming a rebuke for Christ the greatest beautie and grace vnto your Name that can possibly be cast vpon it And let your Lordship stand assured that together with his Maiestie the Heauenly Maiestie the GOD of incomprehensible glory will not be vnmindfull to e 1 Sam 2 30. reward you for this Other policie there is I know and meanes to procure and continue preferment but this is the onely true Christian policie to take Moses Iohn and Elias his part and to stand for the Lord and his Word Nothing is there in Heauen or Earth nothing so high and excellent which this shall not atchiue What better warrant can you haue for it then his owne f Prou 4.8 9. Oracle pronouncing it True it is that all that will liue godly in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution but read and consider what g Iames 5 11 end the Lord maketh with our Iob heere and respect the same for your selfe haue an eye alwaies to the h Hebr 11 26 1 Thes 1 7. Reue 2 10. recompence of the reward with Moses And as for this your mortalitie also perswade your selfe that hee will not leaue you comfortlesse For what a strong i Iere 1 17 18 Ezra 8 22. assurance hath he giuen you euen for this likewise Fight still therefore manfully the good fight of fayth continue this your fidelitie in the Lordes seruice vnto the death and gaine to your selfe his protection impregnable heere neuer ending securitie hereafter ioy and solace euerie way as much as your hart can desire Now as you may seeme for your k Iob 29 17. courage in the Lordes behalfe and Gideons l Iob. 29 9.10 21 22 23. about which I haue spent these many lines and againe for your prudènt gouernment in your place to haue propounded this our Prince Patriarch of the Gentiles for your example so in many other his admirable m Pauareton read chap. 29 31 through out vertues the onelie Impes indeed drawne from the vitall iutce of a Noble stocke otherwise questionlesse there had not beene such lamentation for your Lordship in the time of your late sicknesse for this must alwayes be remembred n Hor lib. 1. Carm Ode 4. Palliola mors ęquo pulsat pede paupere tabernas
that the Lord neuer passeth them ouer without some fearefull f Chap 31 23 iudgement that offend this way Stranger VVHen I was weary hungry weather-beaten out of my way and euen ready to perish and the rather because of the darkenesse of the night wherein I had occasion to trauell I lighted vpon Iobs house where I was so refreshed by him that my heart reioyceth to thinke of it and my tongue can neuer so sufficiently commend it as I would neither can I euer bee satisfied vntill some occasion be offered me to shew forth some token of my thankefulnesse Infinite are the thankes that are due to him For his house is as a common a chap 31 32 Inne to all passengers there is a table alwaies prepared for them Water for their feet fire and lodging euer in readines A strāger can neuer come amisse thither some repast is to be had at all times lodging at all seasons His Gates are shutte against none carrying the shew of honest men none are excluded but all receiued as well at midnight as at nooneday reasonable cause being alledged for their vnreasonable trauelling And when they depart they go not away empty but he contributeth vnto them according to their necessity euen so much as may bring them if their need require to their iournies end And he seeth them also safely conducted accompanying them some part of the way either himselfe if his leasure and their worth be thereafter or else by his seruants which is a duty that he c chap 29 12 neuer neglecteth Innocent IF a case be intricate and doubtful very diligent and carefull is he to sift it out very iudicious a chap. 29 9. x xi 21 22 23 and sharpsighted to discern where the rightlyeth and very iust in giuing sentence accordingly looke therefore that you haue not being a borderer offered those Amorites wrong in times past and now spying their oportunity they haue righted it if it be so he will quickly find it out and cause you to be we punished for troubling him in so bad a matter But if the cause be good then feare nothing but stand assured that hee will quickly see that you haue sustained losse vniustly and affoorde you the best help may be had and so that you your selfe shall confesse that he hath dealt well by you yea beyond that you euer hoped for So he dealt by me being sometime in trouble conuented before a Iudge imprisoned arraigned at the barre vpon a false accusation and like to haue beene condemned to b Chap 39 13 death had I not appealed to him When I came before him and pleaded mine innocency he sifted out very carefully and wisely the truth not onely cleared c Chap 29 12 me of the accusation saied to my charge which was all that I expected but found out likewise to the great admiration of all men and my credit for euer the offender who was the man himselfe that followed the matter so eagerly against me See therefore I say that your matter be good and no fault committed on your part and that you be an innocent harmelesse man as you pretend and then I make no question but that your remedy shal be aboue that you looke for He is a very rare man I tell you and such a one as the Lord seemeth to haue set apart for this purpose to comfort the hearts of the d chap. 29 25 mourners and to haue lifted vp to honor for this end to remoue the wronges of the Innocent Oppressed SVndry times hath hee marueilously righted my cause when the violent hand of the oppressor hath beene vpon me and wroong the pray a Chap 19 17 by the sword of iustice out of his teeth Now blessed bee the Lord that sent him blessed the kingdome that inioyeth him blessed let him be all the dayes of his life most blessed and happy in his death after death most honorable and glorious among the saints Syrraxis 2. PERSONS The Tennant The Servant The Youth The Ancient The Prince The Commons The Abiect The Enemy TENNANT I With my fellow tennantes that haue liued vnder Iob these many yeares for he is a man that wil not easily be brought to remoue an olde tennant must needes veryfie the testimony of these men concerning him for surely hee is a man very pittifull and bene ficial to such as want and ready to succour such as haue any way sustained wrong to the vttermost of his power And as for my selfe and my estate vnder him it is such as I would not desire a better Lord. I know none like him in all this Country I heare them complaine euery where of the hardnes of their Landlords as that they are still commaunding such seruice at their handes as they can neuer be quiet nor haue any time to followe their owne businesse Their purse prouision for their owne House Corne Grasse Cattle Cart Plow Oxen Asses Cammels must be at their commaund whensoeuer they will call them what occasion soeuer they haue of their own or what vse soeuer of their commodities Their fashion is like wise vpon euery light cause to put out their tennant or if they can finde no coulourable matter against him to finde a hole in his coppy or lease and so to make him forfeit his estate And now that the world beginneth to abound with people to raise their rents or to put them to great fines ten times the valew they were wont to pay yet notwithstanding to abridege thē very much of their old estate For if there be a good inclosure meddow peece of ground woods for building or fuel that they take in their own hands Let the tennant speak to them of this he shall be reuiled let him plead his right so far is he from hauing his cause heard that they threaten him either with death or banishment or beggery if he proceed or else they rate him thus What wilt thou quarrell wich thy Lord Thou wrangler thou thou impudent fellow How darest thou be so bold to meddle with mee thy Lord and Maister from whom thou thy Wife children and seruants haue your maintenance and by whom thou hast reaped this and that benifit Or else they lay such matter of accusation against him that may indanger his life and so the forfeiture of liuing and goods into their hands Of such Landlordes the word is full and poore tennants feele it to their smart But Iob he is none of this ranke for if there be any thing grieueth his tennant he is very ready to heare his allegations a chap 31 13 and to yeald rather to the losse of some of his own right then that hee should sustaine the least wrong Yea when a tennant complaineth vnto him hee is not at rest vntill he hath satisfied him to bis content and he is glad to see that he is willing to thriue vnder him And when hee perceiueth him to be behind hand he laboureth to helpe
of the earth and from what businesse thou nowe commest and art called from and withal thy true vsage what it hath bin which if thou wilt tel thou must needes confesse that thou hast plaied the part of the geeedy Lionesse robbed of her whelps in biting most cruely in wounding most greeuously and incurably In deuouring destroying whatsoeuer thou mightest that came in thy walk without mercy Playing the Dragon in thy wily fierce malicious dealing stil playing vpon the aduantage sodainely assayling hotly pursuing and neuer giuing ouer The Tyrant in thy cruel tormenting of the bodies and soules of my people murdering of thē acording as thou hast euer done frō the beginning in that thy vsurped principallity where I haue giuen thee power left no means vnatempted to draw to disloyalty wher I haue not restrained thee of thy wil to hurt and more particularly thou hast carried a most malicious eie against some one of my seruants Shew me therefore distinctly from what place and person thou now cōmest against whom thou didst lay thy siege whom thou soughtest to tempt About whom thou didst vse al thy might and policie to ouercome and subdue as thou hast the rest of the world for the most part and yet couldest nor preuaile Which is the thing that maketh thee thus out of patience not only euer since and that continually I last reckoned with thee but immediately before I forced thee to come before me and wast euen then too too busie about it when the Scitation was serued vppon thee for this thine apparence Shew me I say plainlie and expressely without any further circumstance whether this bee not the matter that displeaseth thee Sathan Most thinges please me well enough yea all things in a manner are according to my hearts desire yet can I not neither shall I euer be satisfied as long as there is any thing at al when I am in my circuit thogh it be of very great compasse that shal neuer so little crosse mee of my will Lord. Thou wouldst faine cloke the matter of thy griefe chap 1. v 7 but thou canst not hide it from me Who so inconstant as thy selfe counterfetting all colours yea euen of the Angels of light and yet in dissembling thou art alwaies one and the same I perceiue I must come nearer home vnto thee and laie thee naked by naming the partie For I see though I presse thee neuer so hard thou wilt not withstanding for al that confesse nothing Because my seruaunt Iob is a good man thou dost visite him I am sure in thy walk frequentest very often his house ouer lookest him verie straightly and hast thine eie euer vpon him How saiest thou therefore is it not he that is a corziue to thee Be not silent but speake He wil not accuse himselfe though he be neuer so guiltie but had it bin to accuse other wee should haue had a thousand words in this space Trie him on that eare and he will reuiue his spirits by and by If Iob be not my faithfull seruant louing me and mine in trueth fearing me exceedingly walking in al my commandements most carefully hee deceiueth me much hast thou ought whereof thou canst accuse him Sathan Sathan I heare thee stil marueilously commending him Chap 1 v 9 but I see no such great cause Lord. Loe now he speakes now his natural corruption and cankred malice breaketh forth toward my seruants No dost thou see no great cause why I should commend Iob Is he not the onely man in the worlde for knowledge for vertue for religion faith in my promises fear of my name obedience to my wil Doth he not loue the saints comfort the afflicted countenance the good hate sinne punnish the wicked Verily neuer was there wisdome nor grauity vpon earth neuer Iustice mercy nor integrity among men if not in him Denie me Iob for my seruant denie me also a Church vpon earth grant me that which if thou wilt not do Sathan then take from me the making of the world and al for I made it for my seruantes which I traine vp therein and thou canst not though neuer so malicious but graunt in like manner that Iob deserues more highly to bee commended reputed as my faithfull seruant and to be rewarded Sathan Rewards a Verse 8 he hath not wanted good store honor credite b chap i v x wealth blessings of Cattle lands children in great abundance thy special hand of sauegard compassing him round as a wal of defence thy fauor shining vpon him continuallie from heauen in the earlie and latter raine in pouring downe al comforts that his hart can desire and in the remouall of al calamitie whatsoeuer This is the thinge that hath made him serue thee who vvould not do it if he might haue so manie benefits heaped vpon his backe as thou hast heaped vppon him Rewardes wil draw anie man to fidelitie I haue thousands that are as careful to worship and honor me thogh they receiue none of al these things at my hands as euer Iob was to serue thee The feare of my punnishment bringeth them to it yea though I doe afflict them neuer so much yet they dare not displease me but beare it patientlie and seeke by al means to appease my wrath Thus woulde not Iob doe if thou shouldst but once touch him neuer so little but would out of al peraduenture cast vpon thee as many reproaches as euer thou hast cast fauors vpon him Make trial of him by some more then ordinary affliction see what is in him by the susteining of the losse of all that euer he hath thou canst giue him more at thy pleasure and commit the handling of him to mee and either hee shall proue an Hippocrite or else I wil be contented if any curses and punnishments can possibly be added to these that I now indure to abide the hazard of them or if that be not inough let me abide the shame of it for euer Lord. Thou knowest it Sathan to bee otherwise with Iob chap. 1 but that by these thy perswasions thou wouldst faine draw me to deliuer him into thy hands that by the malice where with thou art swolne vp to the brim might breake out vpon him Thou enuiest his prosperity and that is the cause thou art so earnest against him This a Verse 1 thou thinkest wil make any man good but it is cleane contrary for albeit I haue appointed it as a meanes to make men better yet through the corruption of nature it hath turned to the marring of many of the better sort of men It marred the old world it marred the Sodomites neither did Esau the founder and father of the Country where Iob dwelleth want welth Many haue I blessed heretofore as abundantlie as now I doe Iob and manie there are at this time in the world among the Egiptians Canaanites Chaldeans Sabaans and there are some in Edom to that are not much inferior yet notwithstanding none
feeding and nourishing them together with al creatures which are inumerable with the dew of his blessing In ruling and ouer-ruling them at his pleasure for when he vvil he chaungeth the verie order which he hath set in nature and turneth all things vpside downe How fruitful doth hee make the earth that is an element in it ovvne nature most vnfitte forgeneration for colde and drie vvhich is the constitution thereof is no friend thereunto The fruite of the Sea how contrary is it vnto the Fountaine the one being fresh the other being salt The g verse xi Counsel of the vvicked he confoundeth taketh the most crafty h v xii xiii xiiii and politicke of them in their ovvne net and so oâ—dâ—eth mutters that they contriue their owne oâ—â—â—â— throw A man would woonder how it should come to passe that men of that place wisedome and experience should be so blinded as to stumble at noon day or grope for light when the sunne shines Can i vers xv xvi be do these great thinges and can he not raise vp him whom he hath debased Yes verily he both can and will if he belong vnto him for such he preserueth from the k 18 verse xix 20 c sword from oppression from violence from euil tongues and from whatsoeuer l Six troubles verse xix euils which the wicked are continually subiect vnto There m verse 27 is no doubt therefore but that the Lorde if thou haue recourse vnto him by praier will deliver thee out of this thy calamity and if thou sue vnto him for forgiuenes with a promise of amendment he wil restore thee againe to thy former estate and make thee no lesse blessed n Verse xvii Chap 6 vers 2 3 then in times past Iob. Thou maruellest at my complaint but considerest not my paine though I am wounded by the Arrowes o vers 4 of the Almighty and my greefe if it were wel weighed would bee heauier then the p verse 3 sand My soule doth abhorre such manner of me at as thou doest administer It hath no more relish or comfort in it then there is in the white of an Egge yea it is more bitter vnto me then Wormwood Thou condemnest me for my vaine q verse 6 speeches not considering that many light speeches are vvoont to passe from men in such vehemency of paine as I indure For vvere I of stone r x ver xii or brasse I were not able to beare it How then should I vnder goe it but that I must needes expresse some greefe In the greatest bitternes of my affliction I euer shewed forth some token of my f ver x hope in the Lorde and that which thou gatherest vppon my Words to the contrary is but thine owne finister conceit For what if I swarued aside a little in my wordes doth it therefore follow by and by that I despaire of saluation and so am become a reprobate Is this your charity thus rashly to iudge your Brother Howe if I take not that comfort to my selfe now in the time of my sickenesse which I gaue vnto the diseased when I was in health doth that prooue that there was no foundnes within but that all was done in Hippocrifie Or doeth not rather the vnsupportablenesse of my trouble cause the same Which being so great were there that Friendship and kindnes in you you pretend toward me in this your visitation your harts woulde rather melt thereat then you woulde stand thus amazed and incensed And I tell you he that doth not relent in heart to see his Brother in such a case as you now see me howsoeuer he flatteteth himselfe to the contrarie yet in verie deed he hath cast off the feare f chap 6 14 of the Almighty When I needed you not you would be very pleasant with me but nowe you are like a brooke g v 15.16 xvii xviii xx xxi dryed vp in the time of drought which defraudeth the traueller of his expectation who seeing such aboundance of Waters in the Winter repaireth thither in his necessity with a hope to be releeued For there is nothing with you now but dumpes or rough and harsh Wordes vnsauory and vnseasonable speeches condemning my life and religion without cause If I shoulde desire your releefe which neuertheles one friend may honestly craue of another either for my selfe or for mine h Verse xxii or your labour and trauell for me or else your substance to ransome i Verse xxiii me out of the hands of an enemy or to free me from prison it were no honesty for you to deny me a good worde kind and louing speech your charitable opinion which would be no hinderance nor losse at al vnto you Thy heauenly vision proueth that the righteousnes of man is not to bee compared with the incomprehensible righteousnes of the Almighty And againe that there is no man but would bee found faulty if the Lord shoulde strictly examine him but this is nothing to the matter in hand being this Whether God punnisheth for no other cause but for sinne k Verse xxv There is great force in a iust reproofe but no man regardeth these friuolous Obiections Thoustandest trifling vpon wondes and those also are wrested to â—wrong sence what canst thou truely reprehend Eliphâ—â— in the substance l Verse xxvi of my speech Leaue off then to be verball and learne to be more materiall let go words and instance in any particular conuince me of error in it and I wil yeeld which if thou canst not do as in my conscience thou shal not be able for I am not guilty within my selfe of ought wherof thou accusest me then cease thy reprehension But were it that this thy reprehension were iust yet were it want of discretion in thee to greeue a sicke man as weake and as vnable to helpe himselfe as a sucking m verse 27 2â— childe For he that will do good by his phisicke must haue respect vnto the time and then administer it when his patient is fit for it Such a one derideth not his patient though he be neuer so much diseased and neuer so great a stranger vnto him but yee play vpon me that am of your old and familiar acquaintance with termes of reproch It is not good counsel thou giuest me Eliphaz when thou aduisest me to accuse my selfe that am innocent n Verse xxix of al impiety and vngodlines For hereby should I dishonor my holie profession and deface the graces of God in me and sinne against mine owne soule VVHerefore seeing you can giue me no better counsel then so Chap 7 I wil turne awaie from you and speak vnto him that is able to informe me aright harken vnto me thou which iudgest righteously while I put my payne and my complaint together in a ballance Euerie a chap 7 1.2 daie hath his greefe the seruant wisheth for the shaddow the laborer for
neuer so meane and naked in it selfe remaineth impregnable For his force canot be resisted what he wil must come to passe and his decree is vnchangable whosoeuer gainesayeth it The b Verse 15 Lord it is that containeth the waters aboue as it were in Bottles and the waters beneath within bars that they cannot breake forth When he intendeth to bring a famin vpon a land or the destruction of a c When hee sendeth them out they destroy the earth ver 15 Country by waters he causeth them to breake out of their fountaines and the cloudes to set open their windowes that a floud may ouerwhelme the earth Howbeit he plaies not the Tyrant d Verse 16 in this his gouerment but keepeth the rule of equity in it doth it in reason and wise dome for though we see not oftentimes into the cause of his proceeding yet most sure it is that his power and a prescript rule of his iustice in euery action are neuer deuided the one from the other Heerein may wee admire his wisedome in that thinges casuall as we account them †e 1 Sarn 6 12. Pro. 16 33. are ordered by him and that also according to the law of reason and equity For albeit neither the deceiuer f He that is deceiued he that deceiueth are his Verse 16 neither hee that is deceiued which falleth out oftentimes to bee a matter casuall and by chance in our estimation haue the ground of their errour from him according to their creation yet that the one goeth astraye and that the other is led into errour is not without his appointment yea it is his act For there is no action be it good or euill but it is of the Lord For it standeth more with his glory to let euill to bee and turne it to his honor then to suffer none at all to be because this would be a diminishing of his honor True it is that that which the Lorde intendeth in himselfe the wicked by their evill affection euil means which they vse and euill end which they propound make faulty and sinnefull Now heere of reuolting from God in Adam naturall corruption pronenesse to sinne hardnesse of heart Sathans seducement that they beleeue lyes is the cause Howbeit is commeth not to passe without the Lordes ordinaunce from the beginning commaundment to Sathan to intise them yealding them ouer thereunto guiding and leading them in the way according to his fore knowledge and decree euen to the very poynt and yet for all that himselfe free from the g Empy mouentur agunt mali a deâ— Male i. malis affectobus malis consiliss malâ— modo male fine à se vitiousnesse of the act h Fond therefore is that of the Poet. Now tibi Tyndaridis facies inuisa Lacaenae Culpatusue Pâ—ris verum inclâ— mentia Diuum has euertit opes Virg. Aeneid lib. 20. and cleare from being the cause thereof Which as the efficient is the Diuell the father of lyes and all cuill and as the materiall their owne wicked heart and corrupt nature The reflection of the Sunne vppon a dead carcase is no way the cause of the euill scent and stinch thereof nor the efficient for that is the stroake of Death not the formall for the badde sauour would bee without the heate of the Sunne and is caused by the ayre which is the obiect of the smell not the materiall for that is the corruption which remaineth in it selfe the Sunne onely concurreth with these and helpeth forward as a collaterall meanes So is it with the Lord in the matter of deceite whether it concerne the agent or patient as also in other sinnes This is a deepe point indeede and beyonde our reach in this regard because it will not admit of any similitude to illustrate it exactly in euery particular A rule in the Mathematickes without any example is very obscure so is this action that the Lord leadeth into errour seeyng we cannot instance in the like for demonstration sake For this cause it doth more notably commend vnto vs the power and wise dome of God in his wayes and declare that not onely the truth but errour it selfe hath a dependance vpon him and is not committed without his foreknowledge determination guidance instigation * i Kinges 22.20 In the euil of punishment it is a plaine case in the euill of sinning not so of the one he is absolutely the Authour no way of the other Which appeareth by this in that he seuerely punisheth those euill Instruments which he vseth in his seruice either for the exercising or chastizing of the elect or for the executing of his iudgements vpon the wicked but yet hee disposeth of errour and transgression it selfe AND so he doth of the Counsell of great Peeres a cha 12.17 in the matter of estate in a Country when they faile in their deuises yet falleth it not out by hap hazard that they haue decreed for the welfare of their Realme as they suppose turneth to the downefull of it but hee hath blinded them that they should not see rightly into the matter seeing he hath determined the ruine of that Nation Sometimes the sinnes of the land manifestly shew why the Lord doeth thus depriue the wise of Councell and take awaye iudgement from the learned and prudent namely that he might be auenged of her for her abhominations and sometime he concealeth the cause that so men might the more be astonished Ordinary accidents how great soeuer in theÌ„selues yet because they are vsual they pierce not the minds of men as those do that are strange and vnvsuall Therefore the Lord commeth in sometimes with strange and extraordinary dealing that hee may awake vs from security vnto a consideration of our waies and an admiration of his maiesty Neither doth he strippe them onely of their wisedome to gouerne but of their power making such as were rulers ouer others themselues to be vnder the yoke and to be depriued b Verse xviii of that reuerence wherein the people haue the persons of their Princes because of their office For the Lorde translateth kingdomes c Verse xix at his pleasure and the ordinary meanes which he vseth herein is by remouing these three pillars Wisedome Power and Authority whereby all gouernment is supported But not the alteration of the Kings alone together with the Councellors d Verse xx and Iudges proceedeth from the Lorde and that oftentimes for such causes as are vnknowne vnto vs but of the meaner sort as of such as are assistants vnto these in gouernment such together with the Captaines and men of Warre e Verse xxi he causeth to be made a prey and spoile to the enemy as being not able eyther by their Witte pollicy or strength to make resistance The braue Orator the learned Lawier the wise and eloquent Ambassador the Auncient and Graue Senator he so confoundeth in their speech and iudgement that they are not able to performe any
not but I shal make you yeeld much more vnto me Especially if I may haue the mannaging of my cause the ordering and disposing of my reasons my self and the information which I giue in shal bee taken and accepted Before the Lord I would answere for my selfe because none dare gainsay his Verdict being iudge of althe world because no controuersie can haue a final end vntil he discide it either by himselfe his worde or his Oracles and beecause when he hath had the handlig of it no mā wil presume meddle withall but wil rather subscribe vnto his determination So that the Lord giuing sentence on my side who h Verse 19. will be so bold to attempt or if any man may be found that will attempt it shal be able to lay any thing to my charge Vntil my cause be tryed before him it standeth me vpon to defend my innocency in those things you obiect against mee while I liue For if I should not so do but hold my peace and say nothing for my selfe greef would break my hart whereof while I thus largely speak for my selfe I feel great ease to my soule And further by my silence I might weaken my cause and offer iniurie vnto the truth Heereupon I force my selfe to this paineful trauaile for can it be chosen but that my word being a man in this estate must needs passe from me with great paine to vse long Apologies for the patronaging of mine innocencie from your imputations BVt that I may returne againe to my desire chap. 13 and that my soul most lōgeth after a Verse 20 might it please God to let my caus come before him I would intreat of him two things One b Verse 21 that he would withdraw his hand of punishment from me during the time of my answere another that he would lay aside the excellency and brightnes of his glory and woulde conforme himselfe to my condition that so those impediments which now compasse me round might be remoued and I might apeare before him without feare and conferre with him as with a mortall man either by way of opposion c Verse 22 or replication Let me vnderstand from thee I beseech thee O my God wherein I haue offended my neighbour wherein I haue ignorauntly or wilfully erred or if there hath bin any rebellion in me against thee or reuolting from thee shew it me and withal why thou art like vnto one that is angry that turneth d Verse 24 away his face and will not looke vpon him against whō he hath conceiud a displeasure which also thou declarest by pursuing me with such kind of plages as if thou haddest no greater enimy vppon the face of the earth then my selfe To what end dost thou it Will it bring any honor vnto thy name Or is it a thinge beseeming thy maiesty to contend with me that am as a leafe e Verse 25 withered and ready to fall off my selfe without any shaking Or as the dry stuble which if a sparke of fire be put vnto it is by and by consumed Howbeit thou commest against me in iudgement and decreest against me a most seuere f Verse 26 and bitter sentence and that in the most rigorous manner as omitting the good that I haue done and noting the bad in the hardest construction without pretermitting the least particle that might make against me The sinnes of my youth g Verse 26. which I thought had beene vtterly remitted long since and blotted out of thy remembrance thou seemest to haue as fresh in thy memory and in such sort to come vpon me for them as if they had bin committed but yesterday or as if they were such as did stil cleaue vnto me I accounted my self as a man acquitted free yet thou condemnest me as a guilty person thro west me into prison layest cold chaines vppon mee and as if I should neuer be fast enough hamperest my feete in the h Verse 27. ftockes and being there thou art also suspicious of mee and whensoeuer I wagge my foote thou makest me faster for feare of escape But if thou graunt me at any time a little more liberty thou art euer at my heeles that I cannot stirre a foote euer at my backe that I can doe nought but thou ouerlookest it yet all this thou dost against a rotten carcase as it were against an old and ouer worne garment for to such may my coate of flesh be fitly resembled or as one gnawen ouer and eaten with Mothes HEre is occasion offered me to bewayle the state of all mankinde Chap. 14. being of a polluted and vncleane birth proceeding from a weake a Verse 1. Vessell full of griefe in her conception Child-bearing and trauell and such as is the condition of the Mother such is the condition both of the Son and Daughter though not in the same kind wretched in his beginning proceeding and end and neuer otherwise during his continuance in this life His b Verse 2 life how long soeuer it be is nothing in regard of that eternity which is in the Lord nothing because of the infinite daungers whereunto it is daily subiect Nothing because of the sundry and almost innumerable diseases whereunto it is incident For hereby he is not only exposed to death but in expectation thereof euery houre where these are neither felt nor feared there is the hand of God euer prepared for sodaine destruction What continuance is there in a floure What hold to be taken of a shadow Such is the life of man soone withered alwaies flying away no means can be vsed but it will decay and that quickly as the flower no cunning can be deuised for staying of it or laying hold vppon it no more then vppon the shadow Alas how short is the time betweene the blowing and fading of the flower It must be taken in the very nick otherwise it is gone A shadow hath no substance in it it cannot be touched by the hand it will not beare to be imbraced of the body neither it wil not come into any mans possession There is no building therefore vpon our life for it wil fal away in the turning of a hand it maketh the shew of something when indeede it is nothing it possesseth vs as a traueller doth his Inne for a night or more but we possesse not it at all It is in vs indeede but as a Lord to commaund vs not we it For who hath the commaund of his Lord yea who hath any interest in him any further then at his pleasure This being the miserable-estate of man For what will not a man do for his life And it is of vs and wee of it neither can there be a separation between vs but by death yet can we not say it is our own but lent vs not for a yeare nor for a day nor for an houre but to be returned back vnto the owner and Author therof at the same instant whensoeuer
acknowledge the wisedome of the Lord not onely in these high my steries but in the vilest and basest of his creatures to surpasse my vnderstanding and surmount my wits Hence it is that I cannot cal to mind the great raines the mighty windes and Thunders of former times but my hart i Verse 1 forthwith is astonied at his power that is so mighty striken with the terror of his maiesty that is so fearefull and my mind pricked to the honoring of him submitting my selfe vnto him in awe and trembling that is so glorious and great euery way in euery act and worke of his aboue that I am not able to conceiue BVt were it that I could see into all things Chap. 36 whatsoeuer they are that belong vnto them euen as far as fully as the Lord himself I ought notwithstanding not so much the lesse but so much the more to admire and reuerence the Almighty to commend and extoll his excellency For therefore it is that the Lord giueth vs a sight of his greatnesse though not in that measure before mentioned but so as is more meet requisite for vs that I should be brought to a deeper consideration of his wortthynesse thereby to praise and obey his name in more ample and humble manner then they whom he hath not indued with the like vnderstanding But this by way of digression because a worthy obseruation Now to returne againe to my former purpose and to shew further that we are not able to compreheÌ„d the Lords power in ful perfection in these visible works of his or let it be if thou wilt his greatnes for that this lodgeth in the lap of it al the rest of his proprieties mark how he declareth it in the Thunder which goeth not forth without his coÌ„mandement a Verse 2 1 Protinus horvisico tonitru caelum omne remugit Bucha Psalme 38. For this being his 1 mighty voyce is heard from one end of the earth vnto the other pierceth with his lightning being his younger Sister as first perceaued but fast conceaued which is neuer diuided from him but cleaueth vnto him like a twin in the wombe into all parts b verse 3 of the world euen vnto the very bottom of the sea raiseth fierce and raging tempests causeth terrible waters c Verse 4 in exceeding great drops and wonderfull aboundance to power down from Heauen maketh the most 2 Suetoniâ—s de Nerone 60. Imp. 48. mortalià corda stra uit pauor cruell and flinty hart that euer liued to shake shiuer and rent in sunder with his horrible cracking * d Psal 29 89 Deutro 8 15 Fugere ferâ— Virg. forceth the Lyons how greedy soeuer of their prey to get them packing to their dens the Dragons and Eliphants which otherwise neuer part without giuing a deadly wounde to each other to leaue their fight the hardy Ostrich which by meanes of his swiftnes scorneth the Horse and his Rider neuer looking behind him to ply him wings legs to tosse turmoyle himself in the alte that he may betake him to his couert Verse 2. Shimhu shamoha audite audiendo heare diligently Berogen cum tremore of ragaÌ„ tremere ver 2 heare diligently with trembling compelleth the Hinds that do most hardly * e Iob 39 6 of all other beastes bring forth their young to cast their burden breaketh in pieces the stately and durable Cedars * f Psal 29 5 tumbleth downe to the ground the high Towers 3 Aut Ahon aut Rhodopen aut alta Cerannià tele â—eijcit Virg. lib. 1. Georg. turneth vp by the roots the strong Oakes maketh the foundation * g Psal 18 7 of the huge Mountaines and craggy Rocks the very center of the earth 4 Quo manima metu terra tremit Sea and Land to tremble and therefore as it is to bee receiued with due regard and dread and to bee esteemed as the marueilous worke of God so is it such as may appeare by these wonderfull effects as the causes thereof cannot be fully attained h Verse 5. Hee worketh great thinges which wee know not vnto by the wisedome of man I make no question but we may probably coniecture at some 5 Plinie Natura Hist lib. 20 Cap 43 rendreth sundry causes of the Thunder causes of it but the perfect knowledge thereof depending vppon the Lordes power and will and hee keeping from vs the sight of the middle Region we canot haue and see the error of those that professe great skill this way For they suppose that the thunder must take a time for generation when the Lorde no sooner speaketh i ver 6 for that which is there applyed to the Snowe may as truly be affirmed of the thunder and the meaning ther is as Gen. 1 3 concerning the light namely as soone as euer the Lord com maunded snow to be it was the word but it breaketh forth in a moment Which may be truely auouched also if the Snow lying vppon the earth like Wooll of the soft shewers which proceede of his fauour of the violent and tempestuous storms tokens of his wrath compelling man k Verse 7 8 Chap. 37 and beast to his harbour and not to dare to looke out of their doores namely that the lord hath them at command in an instant And this doth augment the greatnesse of the worke being otherwise worthy of eternall praise and admiration and declareth our vnablenes to come vnto the complet knowledge thereof PAsse we theÌ„ from hence vnto the a Verse 9 whirle-wind which the Lord when it is shut vp within a thick cloud 〈◊〉 it were in an inward preson vnder many lockes and keies causeth to issue forth with great force and a mighty noyse with aboundance of rain vpoÌ„ the fal therof to poure down And forthwith vpon it the scattering North wind to come in dispersing the Cloudes clearing the ayre drying vp the moysture lessening the slouds turning the earth which seemed before to be molten euen as wax against the sun into as hard b Verse 10 a substance as the Clay in the middest of Summer changing the liquid waters into as firme and solide a body as the Iron or Adamant it selfe and though there be many clouds c Verse 11 threatning moysture yet for al that it neuer suffreth them to take effect but tossing them to and fro in the ayre chasing them as a Partrich on the Mountains leaueth them not vntill it hath wearied them in their course driuen them to such an exigent that they must needs yeald themselues and vanish away euen those that are ioyned with Thunder lightning being the fullest and forciblest of all the rest d Verse 12 Thus interchangably now after this manner now after that manner doth the Lord by these Meteors bring to passe whatsoeuer he hath before determined vpon the face of the earth Sometimes for the c Verse 13 good of man as also for the good
m Exod. 4.22 5 1. renown I say whose name is Iohouah am heere descended downe in a whirlewinde accompanied with n Exod. 6 3 14 4 thunder lightning o 1 Sam. 12 17 Ezech 1 14 and great raine and do ioyne with Elihâ—â— and wil prosecute the matter of my power as a warrant for the truth of his doctrine spoken to this purpose The b Verse 2 cause that moueth me vnto it is partly the vnaduised speeches voyde of vnderstanding and iudgement which haue eftsoomes slipped from thee and among many others worthy of reprehensioÌ„ those which thou hast spent about inquiring into the reason of thy visitatioÌ„ which thou oughtest not to haue done Specially both to demaund the question and resolue the doubt and to determine in such manner as that it is not for thy sins making thereby thy selfe no sinner putting thy auditory in doubt whether originall corruption were a sin deseruing punishment and not contenting thy selfe with thy affliction vntill I had reuealed it vnto thee As being ignorant that my iudgments how secret soeuer they are yet are they alwaies iust And partly because throgh thy so immoderate complaints and so without al measure of thy calamity thou hast offended the hearers and made them to thinke that the Lorde in thine opinion did put no difference between the good and bad but did handle them both alike ayming at one and the selfe same end in each of them And partly for thy so eager defending of thy innocency and that without all measure as hauing neuer done with it neuer spoken enough of it together with an vtter forgetfulnesse of my righteousnesse Where by thou hast giuen an occasion to al that heard thee to conclude from thine owne mouth that thou holdest thy selfe more righteous then I confirming them likewise in this their opinion by challenging me often very boldly without all reuerence and dread of my maiesty to giue thee a day of hearing Thus hast thou by thy vnskilfull and vndiscreere carry-age of thy cause both obscured thy selfe defaced thy religion and also impeached my iustice weakened my power darkened the brightnesse of my glory and renowne And thus farre haue I suffered thee answering nothing in myne owne person to thy obiections made against me vntill now and that onely in a word Now then giue me c Verse 3 leaue a little to reply vnto thee and prouide thou thy selfe by all meanes gather thy strength together stirre vp thy wittes take courage vnto thee and answer me First of all I would gladly know of thee that seeing I made Man of the earth how it covld be that I should have thy helpe or covnsell or any Man beside when I founded d Verse 4 the same Thou professest thy selfe a great Wise-man and wilt teach me how to gouerne I pray thee resolue mee this doubt what e Verse 5 squire or line vsed I for the fashioning of the worke being so comely or the hand of what Mason or Carpenter called I for to lay the corner stones and pillers for the ioyning together supporting of the whole building or of what matter they were off For the earth being the foundation f Verse 6 of the Worlde and that vppon which the heauenly spheares are turned about the other three elements of water ayre and fire doe leaue and being of it selfe of that exceeding great waight must it not of necessity be both well vnderdroped and firmely compacted together Looke vppon the glistering Starres g verse 7 that are wont to shew themselues so bright and cleare before the morning do they not in their shining commend the excellency of the worke of my creation and proclaime my praise throughout the World to be inestimable So likewise doth not that innumerable host of Aungels the Noblest of all my creatures and nearest vnto me and in that respect my Sons extoll me for my vnsearchable wisedome therein And thus they did forthwith after I had framed the Heauen and the earth applauding my skill and greeting me with praise So did the heauenly bodies in like manner lighting vp their Torches all at once standing euery one in his due order flaming forth diuersely in an equall and distinct sort the one from the other make a sweete harmony and song of degrees lifting vp their voyces in their kind in the highest note of admiration But though the diuine spirits and celestiall company of heauenly Souldiers did vppon the sight of that exquisite worke of sixe daies sound forth with ioy and gladnesse Hymnes of holinesse reuerence and honor vnto my name yet far was it from them to take vpon them such state as thou dost namely to seem companions and equals with me in the worke or to intrude themselues into the possession of my prerogatiue titles of Creator Gouernor Disposer of the world Now from the stars and seat of glory go we back again to the Sea h verse 8 an element adioyning to the earth where we began and tell me when it proceeded forth in mighty and violent streames out of the womb of the deepe and that in so great aboundance as it threatneth the couering of the face of the whole earth as before Shew mee withall whose helpe I vsed for the shutting it vppe within certaine bouÌ„ds And to speak as it is the diuision of the Waters being made in a moment and the struggling of this great Babe the sea at the same instant if neede had required and helpe might haue beene had how could I so much as haue consulted with any much lesse haue obtained ayde for the staying of her huge waues swelling vp to the Heauens and swallowing all No no there was none that had or could haue a hand in it but my selfe alone I tooke her as soone as she was born how vnweeldy soeuer and bound vp her feete from sprawling any further then the lap of the sand and shore of my decree I alone lapped her in swadling cloutes i vrese 9 couered hir face and laid her in the Cradle of the thicke Mystes which I haue appointed as Chaines k verse 10 to restraine her force I haue cut out for her a Channell to walke in and set my l verse 11 commaund vpon her backe that for all her big and lofty lookes she offer not once no not so much as the breadth of a naile to exceede her compasse though fixed in plaine and euen ground as oftentimes it is where is nothing to make resistance euen as if the hard and high Rockes or stately hils mounting vp to heauen were opposed against her to keepâ— her in THY dayes are nothing to the creation of the World Chap. 38 the creation of the world nothing to my eternity Is it likely then that thy experience should bee more then mine to rule and gouern Is it likely that thou shouldest coÌ„mand the Sun a Verse 12 to arise at thy pleasure appoint it a place where and when
and consolation vnto all as it begaÌ„ with miraculous trouble so being shut vp with miraculous deliuerance the birth of Iobes latter ChildreÌ„ must in correspondent manner bee extraordinary and so by consequence borne by the same wise now in years and therefore she was recoÌ„ciled to her husband Husband I perceiue now that the Lord in indeed loueth thee and therefore confesse that my counsell was wicked whereas I bid thee ply the Lord with praier and thanksgiuing by way of derision I am nowe sorry for it That which I then did the extremity of griefe wherewith I was touched moued me therevnto It was strange vnto me that the Lord whom thou haddest so carefully serued as I think no Man vpon the earth did the like should for that thy seruice deale so hardly with thee If the Children which I bare vnto thee the long society in the which we haue bin yoak-follewes together if thy faithful promise made vnto me at the first entrance of our loue which notwithstanding ought to be speciall inducements may not winne thee to continue thy wonted kindnes Let the frailty of mankind the weakenes of our sex aboue thine own moue thee to pitty Or for that the offence was so grosse and monstrous thou canst not bee brought vnto this yet let the resemblance of our marriage betweene that of the Messias and his spouse the Church as being bone of her bone and flesh of her flesh how foule and notorious soeuer her sportes appeare in the face of the World draw thee to reconciliation What if I could not abide to come at thee in the time of thy calamity was not the loathsomnesse a * Chap. 19 Verse 17. of thy disease such as no body was able to indure to come neare thee And beside who is their but at one time or other hee forsaketh his Messiah What if I haue transgressed through my impatiency The Messiah is patient toward his spouse and beareth with whatsoeuer her infirmities What if I haue beene a vexation or a tentation make the worst of it thou canst vnto thee in thy calamity doe not our sacrifices shew that when the Messiah commeth hee shall not onely forgiue them but be slaine for the sins of al the worlde and so for them that grieue tempt contemne deride reuile with wordes of blasphemy yea more then this though this bee the most that thou canst make of my fault buffer kill crucifie him Thou professest thy selfe the Lordes Disciple he remitteth thy transgressions and this great one made against him or rather a multitude of transgressions concurring together in one action and some of them in the same nature with mine tread in thy maisters steps do by me as he hath done by thee Vppon thy repentance he hath receaued thee againe that haddest gone out of the way vpon the same condition accept of me thy disobedient and vndutiful wife Wicked am I indeede and most vnworthy to haue that name any way to bee cast vpon me because I derided him that conioyned vs together in that holy estate and hath beene euer from our first comming together saue onely now of late for a small time a most good and bountifull father vnto vs yet for that I am now grieued for my offence I know he will not refuse mee do not thou then reiect me but vouchsafe me the place and honor I before enioyed with thee And I vow vnto thee that come what can come I wil 〈◊〉 heereafter sorsake thee neither will I euer griâ—â—â— the◠〈◊〉 more but yeeld what comfort possible I may at all times specially in the time of aduersity when there is most need consider of the vehemency of sicknes what it is stick by thee vnto death how tedious soeuer shal be thy visitation obey thee both in word and deed render al due reuerence vnto thee yea endeuor my self by al means vnto that good carriage euery way vnto thee as is recorded to haue been in Sara the onely excellent patterne for married Women to follow toward her worthy husband Abraham Who also may be a notable spectacle for all married Men as well for his wise dome in gouermnent as for his loue vnto his Wife from whom rather then he would indure a separation hee chose to be at defiance with Kings for whose sake though she were barren he renounced his Coâ—cuâ—in by whom he had issue and therefore most deare vnto him Kinsmen We committed a fault in that wee did not visite thee Iob in the time of thy calamity Cha. 41 v 11 the greatnesse and strangenesse therof caused vs to forget our selues and thee how deare soeuer vnto vs. Our harts were with thâ—â— then and we prayed for thee so that ther was no loue wanting in vs. The defect of our duty did arise from an amazednesse which possessed our harts in regard of the wonderfull burden of the Lord vpon thee and his vnwonted dealing toward thee And moreoner wee durst not * a Pro. 4 â—4 come at thee least peraduenture we might haue beene punished after the same manner For many times the Lorde scourgeth those that haue any familiarity * b 1 King 22 32. with the wicked euen for that cause onely because they consort themselues with them This made vs to forbeare from resorting to comforte thee in thy great extremity misery for that we knew not what thine hart and secret sin might be to Godward albeit we had seene thee demeane and carry thy selfe no otherwise then well outwardly But now the LORD hath approued of thee and we know we may repaire vnto thee without danger we do most gladly and willingly come vnto thee for to administer what comfort we may after thy distresse And for that experience teacheth vs that nothing is more delightfull vnto vs then to conferre and discourse of our aduersity when it is ouer our purpose is to sit with thee a while to that end And further for that wee are not ignoraÌ„t that the body after long sicknes needeth to bee cherished we are not altogether vnmindful to gratifie thee in that respect as also to leaue with thee beside some token of our good will Our desire is thou wouldest take these thinges in good part and renue again toward vs and the rather for affinity sake thy former loue and amity Nature hath wrought this kindnesse in vs toward thee let it worke the like in thee toward vs and as we are met together in thy house which we thought wee should neuer haue done to solace thy hart after thy great sorrowe so vouchsafe thou to frequent our houses vpon the like occasion But if thou shalt please to adde vnto this as a supereminent frendship a care to see vs as well when we are in our affliction as when we are out of it wee shall holde thee more faithfull vnto vs a great deale then we haue beene to thee For to speake ingenuously of our selues we haue beene to to vnnaturall yet we confessing this