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
out of one pit another might haue swallowed me But seeing this is no way to bring thee to mitigate thine indignation in this my present estate let me make a further request vnto thee that for as much as the glasse of my life is almost run out it wold please thee to afford me a k verse xx breathing time wherein I may gather my strength together receiue a little refreshing before I depart hence vnto the place where is nothing but perpetuall l verse xxi darkenesse and that most palpable and with out any interchange where is no order m verse xxii at al but a confused heape of all degrees high and low tumbled together whence I shall neuer get forth Syrraxis II. Persons Zophar Iob Zophar ELiphaz shewed thee that thy affliction was a signe that thou wert wicked Chap. xi and proued the same vnto thee very copiously by the punishment of the euill liuing in all ages and on the contrary by the rewardes that follow the good Bildad added vnto that that the good are sometimes afflicted as well as the bad but to their greater preferment and that they might receiue vpon their amendment larger blessinges then before and further that if so bee the vngodly flourish a while yet at length they come to destruction because their faire shew of goodnesse which they made vnto the Worlde was but counterfeit Now I will annexe a third pointe namely that the wisedome of the Lorde in his waies is aboue our capacity and that for this cause though thou Iob seest not where in thou hast offended the Lord yet he hath obserued many defects and declinings in thee But before I enter into it I must reprehend thee for thy much babling and then for iustifying thy selfe before God Is this tollerable that thou sholdest carry away the matter and gaine the cause by a Verse 2 multiplying of wordes and those idle ones to in substance vntrue spoken by way of derision b Verse 3 For so signifieth Subsanno Hebr tilahag of Lahag and receiue no answere from vs to checke thy folly that with bended browes makest a mocke at him There is no wisedome nor vertue in vsing so much talke and lesse wisedome and very little honesty should there be in vs if we should dissemble it and let thee alone in it There is no profit in it for it will not make thee iust neuer the sooner nay the matter of it is vniust and therefore to assent vnto it were to yeald and subscribe as it were vnto blasphemy which is impossible for the truely vertuous and Godly euer to do This is one of thys peeches c Verse 4 and this is the point I purpose to handle What I do teach speake or thinke there can be no fault found in it and why My conscience conuinceth mee not of transgression neither can Men accuse me and thus thou disputest with the Lord imagining thy selfe to haue accesse vnto him But when thou shalt haue a day of hearing d Verse 4 before him indeed it will be otherwise with thee then thou supposest Thy puritie innocency and iustice will not goe for paiement Thou boastest how well thou art seen in thee deep abstruse e Verse 5 wisedome of God and that thou performest all which hee requireth of thee when in truth the duty the Lord calleth for is much greater then wee coniecture and iustice in his vnderstandding farre aboue that we thinke it to be and therefore punishment is in an higher degree and more f Verse 6 seuerity to be inflicted vpon vs then we make account off if hee should lay it vppon vs accordingly as wee faile in the perfection of righteousnesse which he in his wisedome and equity exacteth The debt which we owe we shall neuer bee able to pay vnto him vnlesse he remit much more then he constraineth vs to giue in That which God hath not g verse 7 reuealed is much more then that which hee hath reuealed according to that which is in his reuealed will thou deseruest punishment what then should become of thee if he should deale with thee according to his reuealed will Euen this thy punishment Iob as iust as thou thinkest thy selfe and as great and intollerable as thou reputest of it for the payment of the dew debt which the Lord in his exact account reckoneth to belong vnto him is tenne times lesse how extreame soeuer then that which he might iustly lay vpon thee And if he shall at any time as I †a Supra v. 5. wish hee would submit himselfe to debate the matter with thee no question but that he would condemne thee also to more bitter affliction then this thou now indurest and that for thy sins without any further respect vnlesse bewayling thy former waies thou sue to him for mercy Heereunto thou canst not bee perswaded and therefore troublest thy head to finde out some other cause of thine affliction then thy sinnes The generall and vndoubted cause of all calamity is sin and what intention soeuer beside the Lord hath in it yet that is the maine and principall for without it misery had neuer had any being this the Lord hath reuealed vnto vs to be the cause of distresse let vs admit of it therefore and leaue to study what other drift the Lord may peraduenture haue in it vntill it shall please him to lay it open vnto vs when we haue tyred our selues about other respectes they will proue vncertaine and doubtfull such for which we haue no sure ground neither can wee rest vpon them They will proue dangerous vnto vs because secretes and such as the Lord would not haue knowen and so forbidden vs euen as Paradice into which no man may enter but the Aungels with their flaming Sworde will fley him MOreouer it is a more impossibility to climbe into a Chap. 11. verse 8. Gods bosome to know what he doth there determine If it weremans counsell that he would find out there were some likelihood in it for that he is like vnto vs and we haue reason and vnderstanding to guid vs vnto it aswel as he But God is vnlike vs eternall immortall inuisible vnsearchable in his iudgementes and in his counsels and his wayes are past finding out He is omnipotent al sufficient and absolute in power and we altogither insufficient to any thing So that we want the meanes to come to that which is in him he hath denyed it vs and of our selues weare nothing of that impotency and imperfection in nature that our eyes dazell at the beholding of the Sunne how then is it possible that wee should behold his glory Our dulnes is such that wee cannot conceiue of those thinges which the Lord hath layed before our eyes most vnfit then and vnable are we to ascend vp to those high mysteries whereinto he hath giuen vs no light We attaine not to the perfect knowledge of the heauens b verse 9. which
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
truce of one day or houre stād vpō it that we are iust and that we are so absolutely i verse xvii xviii xix good that there is no want in vs no not if the Lord himselfe should examin vs according to that integrity that is annexed to his owne essence This were to make our felues better then the Angels yea equall with God himselfe who alone in the iudgement of the very Insidels is simply and perfectly good Alas silly Wormes we may more truely confesse of our selues because of the corruption of our nature so polluted throughout that nothing pure can possibly be remaining in vs that notwithstanding all our care and diligence to do well wee are neuer thelesse far from perfection as by the effects of all our actions doth appeare for without all exception made from the generall rule wee offend in euerie action euen in praier it selfe the best of all other And in that we walke more vprightly then many others we must knowledge it to bee the hand of the Lord vpholding vs which were it not we should fal most grossely euery moment and finally to destruction without recouery which being so the case is most plain and euident that God when he punisheth the best of vs he doth vs no wrong or iniury neither doth he shew himselfe vniust toward vs as thou exclaimest against him because of thine own particular calamity but executeth most righteous iudgment howsoeuer he dealeth with vs. For as hath bin said the most righteous man offen deth in the most holy action that he vndertaketh and so to that for his default therein he k Verse 20 21. deserueth to haue his name rased out here on earth l Chap 5 1 to be depriued of the fauor of God for euermore It is manifest then that thou art in an error thus to stād vpon thy perfection as who should say thou wert so good as that the lord had nothing against thee What aduo cate hast thou that wil plead for thee in de fence of that thou maintainest Or who is there that thou calling vpon him neuer so importunatly or crying aloud neuer so outragiously and shamefully for helpe will take thy part If thou fly to the Godly they will not for they are euer the forwardest of all other to acknowledge their wāts to confesse that their sins haue pulled the iudgmēts of the Lord vpon them they know that to reason as thou dost and to say they vndergo the Lords indignation vndeseruedly were to make themselus more righteous then god which were a detestable kind of disputing as diminishing the Lords and establishing their own righteousnes pulling God out of his throne of iustice and placing man in his roome aduancing the creature aboue the creator which is blessed for euer If to the vngodly they cannot for we see the wrath of the Lord breaking forth against them daily for their transgressions rooting them out and that in a moment when they in their owne imagination haue wel nestled themselues and are strongly perswaded that they are seated for euer and shal neuer suffer any change or alteration in their estate When a destruction m Chap 5.1 commeth vppon a land these euer goe to the pot and first pay for it if the theese commeth he taketh of theirs if the needy n Verse 5 he eateth vp theirs if a raine or floud it marreth and drowneth euermore that which belongeth vnto these if the sworde or pestilence it deuoureth these together with their o Verse 4 progeny which argueth them capitall male-factors and that they are with out all pretence or excuse Other p Verse 6 iudges punishing them they might alledge peraduenture indiscretion malice ouersight cruelty or the like for themselues but the iudge of all the World executing his wrath vpon them they can take no exception but must acknowledge that the Lord hath by his displeasure toward them which appeareth in their punishment laied them open as great offenders to the view of all men DOth he not deale so with thee now Chapter 5. what cloak therefore hast thou to couer thy sins Wilt thou say there is nothing in thee that is the cause of this thy misery but that it commeth out of the earth or it is a casual thing incident to Man or else the course of nature in the which there is sometime a flourish sometime a decay To this I answer that the cause of mans affliction is in himselfe and commeth no other way For as we see in the sparkles a chap. 5 v 7 of the coales a naturall lightnesse to fly vpward so in vs there is a natural corruption which as fire couered breaketh forth and kindleth the coales of * actual sin This is spokē not that originall sin deserueth not death but to snew how sin commeth in sin when it is conceiued the coales of Gods anger against vs which neuer returneth empty without some blowes vpon our backs that moued him to displeasure So then the cause of our calamity is not externall but internal proceeding from our sins within vs whereunto wee are as inclinable through the deprauation that cleaueth vnto vs as the flame or smoake to ascend vpward To acknowledge b Verse 8 therfore vnfeignedly thy fault and to seeke vnto him by camest praier euen vpon thy knees that is as able to helpe thee as he was to hurt thee thou wilt find whē thou hast al done to be thy best course This e vers viii I vvold inquire at God way would I take if I were in thy steed And so hauing prooued that the Lord doth now visit thee for thy sins and so deale with thee as his custome hath beene to deale with the most wicked among men whom for a time hee suffreth to flourish that their fall might be greater I will now d verse 9 confirm vnto thee that God is able though thou despairest thereof as thy speech more then bewraieth and will because hee is mercifull cure such as sue vnto him in sorrow assurance And further that which he hath done vnto thee hath bene in the high Court of his eternal wisedome and Counsel first concluded vpon and then afterward in most perfect equity and Iustice administred and executed likewise vpon thee al which shew thy folly to contend with him Wee cannot handle these his properties so distinctly by themselues because they are vnseperable companions and so go to gither that they can hardly bee found seuered the one from the other in anie of his workes for sometime his power sometime his wisedome sometime his mercie is the most predominate artribute and sometimes they are al so eminent that it can hardly bee discerned whether of them doth beare the greatest sway in action wherefore we shal be compelled to let them go together His power f verse x and so his wisedome is vnspeakeable in prouiding an habitation and raiment for man beast and plants in
then Eagle sighted to spy a hole in an honest mans coate hunting him in euery corner for his vertues should not prosper and flourish as they do in all places If this be not so let him be brought forth that can disproue me either in the matter or in the Author that I ascribe it vnto For if God shoulde not haue a stroke in the preferment to earthly honour or if this should come to passe without his ordinance we might iustly exclude him from the gouernment of the world But alasse that I may returne againe to that I intend how momentany is the prosperity of such as giue thēselus to piety The light k verse xxv Horse that runneth in a race striuing to winne the prize flyeth not more swiftly The l verse xxvi shippe that is loaden with nothing but a few dainties greatly desired hauing winde and tyde to helpe her forward and being neare the Hauen which she hath long wished for passeth not faster away The Eagle when shee is hungry and hasteth to the carcase cutteth not the aire more speedily then their happy daies vanish away Lastly m My daies Verse 25 I my selfe who had al my substance and reputation taken from me in the turning of an hand am a visible proofe thereof Thus your positions as wel that the wicked come alwaies sodainly to destruction as that the godly continue firme and vnmoueable in their happy estate fall both to the ground Trouble and griefe indeed the godly are sure of that sticketh by them they cannot be free from it but as for ioy and gladnes the wicked haue it in more continuance and greater measure then they I must therefore dissent from your opinion wherein you affirme that the Lord chastizing his seruants neuer smiteth at the root * n Bildad Ch 8 v. 17 18 Elip chap. 5 v xix 25 26 to the vtter ruin of them and theirs temporally but raiseth them vp againe either in their own person or in their posterity and say of my selfe howbeit his seruant notwithstanding your rash iudging to the contrary that he will neuer o Verse 27 28 clense me of these vlcers which vex and consume my body in euery part For if I should be wicked p verse 29 as you accuse me then the Lord would not heare me so I shold vse but wast words in my defence for my recouery If I should q Verse 30 be innocent and clean from offence as he that is washed with snow water or purged with sope and so become as white as Snow or wooll yet should I be as a man fallen into a r Vers 31 ditch and wallowing in the mire in his sight And therefore his decree shall take place vpon me the ſ And mine owne cloths shal make me filthy v xxxi herse shall couer me and the mourners with their blacke attire shall accompany me to to the graue which all men auoide and this shall conuince me to be defiled with sinne THe cause why I should not bee found innocent pleading my cause before the L. is because he is not a man as I a chap 9 v 32 am our estate and condition is diuers and far different and the power of his Godhead would ouerwhelme me He giueth the mouth to man he may stop it vp He openeth the vnderstanding powreth reasons into it he may close it and leaue it so naked that I shal not haue one argument for my defence In euery disputation it is necessary that there be some b verse 33 moderator and iudge appointed who by his authority may prescribe an order therein as to reduce them to the point again when they stray from it to restrain them from inconuenient tearmes to commaund silence againe as occasion shall be offered to arbitrate the whole controuersie in euery particular Now seeing the Lord who is of that incomprehensible glory power and wisedome must be one party in the disputation whereof I now speak where is there any in heauen or earth that is able or may be admitted as arbitrator Howbeit if he might bee intreated to ease mee of this my c verse 34 paine to put availe betweene mine eyes and his infinite brightnesse and to answer me not by thunder tempest or Earth-quake but in a stil and soft voice then d verse xxxv I doubt not but I should purge my selfe euen in his presence of those heinous crimes you lay to my charge and proue my selfe to be another manner of Man than you make account off To take this course mine innocency both in respect of men though they be mine enimies if they speak truely of mine owne conscience imboldneth and my necessity because I haue none beside to iudge my cause compelleth me My purpose therein is not to cleare my selfe of al fault in the examination of the Almighty for that I cannot doe according as I haue often acknowledged but that hee might disproue your accusations as false and approue of me as an vnfeigned fauorer of his truth and louer of vertue though now smitten by him as you see NOw wil I presuppose that the Lord had giuen me audience Chap. x and that I were to speake for my selfe in his presence then thus would I say vnto him O my GOD through the excessiue griefe of my bodye and a Verse i anguish of my Soule my life is so loathsome so tedyous so heauie and wearisome a burden vnto me that I cannot withholde but must needs let goe what I conceiue in my mind I know thou art a iust God iudging righteously and the earthly Iudges are not of that equity and lenity as thou art Do not thou therefore denounce the sentence of condemnation b Verse 2 against mee before thou hast made the cause of my punishment knowne vnto me For this were to deal worse with me then the Iudges of this world are wont Opression and cruelty is farre from thee thou wilt not then I trust defraud me of that which is mine owne spoile and depriue me c Verse 3 of mine innocency and Iustice which is my right for why shouldst thou do so when it will be no commodity nor commendation vnto thee at al This manner of dealing is among wicked Iudges whome all men condemne The common artificer hath a loue to his owne handie worke and cannot abide that it should bee defaced I am the worke of thy hands my hope is thou wilt deale no otherwise by me They are furious craftsmen that rent in sunder their owne labour they are as monstrous as the damme that regardeth not her owne yovng ones that haue a loathing or dislike of their owne cunning The Magistrate here below sheweth fauor oftentimes to guilty and apparant wicked persons and thou thy selfe lettest them prosper here in the world Thou wilt not I perswade my selfe bee more hard then men thou wilt not be kinde to the open offenders and vnkind vnto me that
haue indeuored my self to a better course Men are carried with affection d Verse 4 arising from their corrupt nature with a peruerse conceipt with a preiudicate opinion they iudge by the countenance they ouershoote themselues in their doings through the ignorance that is in them they are blinded with anger malice selfe-loue desire of worldly gaine fleshly delight earthly honor None of al these are incident to thy most pure nature no affection doth ouersway thee sinister opinion conceipt superficiall knowledge thou wast neuer acquainted withall but thy doings are in soundnes of iudgement and deepnes of wisedome fetched from the rootes themselues so that thy search is of the inward partes and Original of thinges and thy proceeding to iudgement by that rule which maketh me to maruel speciaily seeing thou neuer swaruest e verse 5.6 from the same method how thy sentence hath passed against me thus to afflict me that am of that singlenesse and sincerity of hart toward thee And again why thou sholdst take so much time to enquire into me and deferre me off so long before thou callest me to my answere Our rulers heere on earth vse delaies in difficult causes because they cannot see into them at the first and their maner is to torture offenders to draw them to a confession but thou knowest what is in the breast and spiest into the waies of men before hand and therefore needest not to vse any such extremity toward me if I were guilty but being not guilty f verse 7 whence commeth it that I am denied release from these troubles Thine own hands g verse 8 haue fashioned me and that in great wisedome there is not the least part of my bodie which thou thy selfe hast not framed My very excrements as my haires and nailes are thy handy worke These coulde not haue bin added by any creature if thou thy selfe haddest not anexed them as a ful complement to the residue shall thy displeasure then be as a gulfe to swallow me vp euerie whitte vppon whome thou hast bestowed such great labor Haue a respect I pray thee to my weaknes and frailty consider how brittle a vessel h verse 9 I am and that I am as soone broken as the Workmanship of the potter Remember the base matter which thou hast ordained as the ground of my substance at the first into the which I shal bee resolued at thy pleasure though thou neuer vse this violence Where the cittie is strong and will not yeeld there needeth the siedge of an Army well appointed but for a Captaine to make an assault against a place that maketh no resistance is a needlesse and vaine attempt such is thy contending against me I Haue receiued many pledges and euidences of thy loue toward me thou didst prepare the wombe conuert the blood there Chap x vers x xi into the similitude of milke which being thin and liquid thou diddest bind by the coniunction of hotter matter which concurring with the former resemble the cruddes then thou couerest me with skinne as a fence or hedge to keepe me from hurt and with flesh to shelter from danger those more Noble parts that are within Afterward thou gauest me veines as so many conduits to conuey nutriment vnto euery part sinnewes for the better and more nimble motion to euerie member and these diddest thou fasten together and strenthen by bones which thou madest as pillers and supporters to beare vp my whole building and frame of my body and to bring force and power vnto it Herewithal thou diddest inspire into me life causing me to breath through thy Diuine power myraculously a verse xii beeing closed vppe within the matrix Being drawne out of the womb by thy special prouidence thou hast dealt more beneficially with me an hundred times then with the beasts not onely in that Deuine soule which thou infusedst into me in my creation but in the instructing and informing the same daily in thy law and framing it to thy obedience and moreouer in the watching ouer mee by the eie of thy goodnes and prouidence from time to time These thy blessings were so exquisit and so admirable that nothing could be more desired But that thou shouldst come in with such a change as thou now dost and together with thy fauor b verse xiii set thy hart vpon reuenge for it coulde not come to passe but that thou diddest determine it before for me what may I conceiue of it but this that thou tookest a note of euery transgression of mine when I liued in prosperity that at length thou mightest be doing with me for it as now thou art and holde me very long in it as long a time peraduenture as thou diddest forbeare me before or rather without end For now I am fallen into thy hands which way should I redeeme my selfe If I haue beene a wicked and abhominable liuer then I haue pulled vpon my head the cursse by breaking c verse xiiii thy Law which wil not easily be remoued If I be found to haue bin of godly d verse xv innocency and vprightnes it shal nothing auaile me notwithstanding while I remaine thus wretched thus pressed downe with greefe and sorrow so that I cannot lift vp my head For let me call vppon the Lorde acknowledge my sinne and what further may be thought to be a meanes for the easing of my vexation I am stil notwithstanding at the same state as before yea worse euery daie then other so laden with affliction and reproach that I am readie to sinke vnder them for they increasing more and more are a meanes that my disease getteth stil stronger possession of my body and waxeth as it were prouder euery day It is thee O God that doest pursue me fiercely chasing cruelly griping me as a Lyon e verse xvi doth his prey yet so that thou doest not make a speedy end of me but vsest delayes and commest a gaine vpon me doubling still and tripling thy wounds in such sort as it is marueilous to behold Thy strokes they keepe their turnes as orderly as if they were called in for so many witnesses against mee of my faults and thy displeasure In the fiedge of a strong Cittie the souldiors fight not al at one time but one company being spent a new supply commeth in so do thy armies of stripes which thou sendest out against me one being ouer and worne out another fresher g verse xviii more eager and bitter then the former eftsoones succeedeth Much better had it bin for me if thou hadst stifled me in the womb g that no eie might haue looked vpon me then that I should be borne to beare bitter calamity h verse xix O I would I had beene like them that neuer had any beeing i verse xix at all or that my Mothers Wombe hadde beene my Graue or otherwise that I hadde euen beene an abortiue and vntimely birth that so being deliuered
scruice for their Country Whatsoeuer they be that are in credite either for their wisedome wealth strength or birth in City or Country at home or abroad he bringeth into disgrace taketh away the girdle of their loines which is as the chanell of the riuers to giue strength and comelines to their imploiment No consultations no conspiracies yea though they be done in the darkest night in the deepe f Verse xxii vnder the ground in the solitary wildernes can be so secret but he discouereth it and produceth it into an open Theater for al the worlde to behold Whole g Verse xxiii Nations and Kingdomes hee rooteth out and placeth other in their steed If then the Lorde by his prouidence wisedome and power thus disposeth of the commaunders of Countries shall wee thinke that the silly people and vulgar fort are exempted from his gouernment No such matter for one while he doth multiply these mightily and another while he doeth destroy them by famine pestilence the sword of the enemie and ciuill dissention anon after hee increaseth them againe or hauing carried them into bannishment restoreth them into their olde habitation It is with the people as it is with the guides h Verse 24. if the Lord depriue them which are as the eyes to the body of Counsel and of a heart and wisedome to rule and in steede thereof giue them the spirit of giddinesle shutte them vp in the darkenesse of errour and ignorance that they wander out of the way and cannot tell what is good for them can it be chosen but that the people which are the body should remaine in blindnesse and bee out of the way There is none of al these thinges but eyther I haue seene them my selfe with i Chap 13 verse 1 mine owne eies and therefore knowe them for a certainety as I haue sette them downe or else I haue receiued them from such Auncestors of ours as you haue councelled mee to aduise withall whome not to beleeue were infidelity For not to giue creddite to these were to reiect the word of God which in these times we haue onely by relation and tradition from those Patriarches and holy Fathers which haue gone before vs who haue left vnto vs in the mouthes of many witnesses Presidents of the most thinges which I haue mentioned And as for the rest the Lorde hauing reuealed them in these daies it is our part to obserue them and keepe them as carefully in record among the residue of the Lords mighty and fearefull workes for the posterities to come as our predecessors haue bin studious to keepe in remembraunce those wonders of old for our instructiō And verily for mine owne part I haue vsed much dilligence this way to haue a regester in my head of those acts and monuments that haue hapned in my time that so I might be able to teach them vnto the younger sort This course as hauing a care to make my patterne according to Ancient records whereby I am forced to call them often to mind hath made me very expert and prompt in antiquities and so cunning and ready indeede that your skill k Verse 2. though thrice greater then that you haue shewed cannot go beyond mine that make it my continuall studdy and meditation You haue compelled me thus much to speake for that you extenuate my experience and knowledge in Histories of old and latter ages and make me a nouice in comparison of your selues when in truth I am more auncient then any heere but Eliphaz ANd as for thee Zophar Chap. 13 thou hast an ouer hard opinion of me to thinke me void of all goodnes For other wise thou wouldst not affirme that if the L. would giue mee audience according to my desire my affliction should bee found twice lighter * a Chap. 11 verse 5 6. then I by my sinnes haue deserued Speciallly seeing thou hast heard mee acknowledge my selfe a sinner before God and that the defence of my innocency hath beene onely in respect of your accusations against me of rebellion against God condemning him for vniust cruell vnmercifull of hypocrisie in religion oppression and fradulent dealing and other notorious offences toward men whereof I am no way guilty Very intemperate therefore and rash is thy censure in this for what man wel aduised would vndertake to iudge before hand what the Lord is about to do being of that aboundant mercie as he is though the matter were cleare to thy thinking much lesse then in a doubtfull point resting vpon the conscience of a man and such a one as both is blamelesse to the world and protesteth his sincerity I induring calamity to the terror and astonnishment of all the world griefe of my body vnsupportable the like whereof hath neuer bin knowne before what inconsideratnes is this to say my heinous sinnes haue deserued much greater temporarie iudgements This maketh me to be weary of disputing with you and to desire to propound my cause vnto the Lord a verse 13 whome I know notwithstanding thy words will not condemne me for an Hippocrite or for an extraordinary wicked man according to my extraordinaiy punnishment which is thy ground as thou ouer-boldly doth auouch The reason why I am weary in contending with you is dubble one is false dealing b verse 4 for the foundation of all your argumentes you bring against me is vntrue yet you will not acknowledge it which is that it standeth with the Iustice of God to punish none but the Wicked and those also in such a degree and measure as is iust and aunswerable to their offences Hereupon you inferre that the Lord punnishing mee in the seuerest maner I must needs be an extreame and grosse offender Which ground of yours though I haue before confuted yet you still maintaine and condemne mee as one striuing to ouerthrow Gods Iustice in that I labour to defend my innocency My defence likewise you wrest to a wronge sence taking it for graunted that I say I am no sinner at all no not in the eyes of the Lorde himselfe when that I onely denye my selfe to bee guiltie of those your foule impositions of dissimulation of infidelity dispaire blasphemy as they are tokens of a reprobate iniury oppression extortion and the like in regard of Men and withall how great soeuer my sins be in Gods sight that he respecteth them not at all as the end of this my affliction These be your groundes these the weapons of your Warfare against me yet notwithstanding with these though like vnto a rusty blade in a painted sheath you haue made such a flourish as though you would make the standers by beleeue you contend for Gods right But let God alone with his right hee is able to defend it without your false grounds without your wresting of matters otherwise then they are ment without your neate stile witty inuention cunning applycation of doctrines true in themselues to the condemnation of the innocent You
they else but deride him those doubtlesse most of all that were most notoriously wicked and among them the most vile and contemptible in the eye of the world beeing incited the rather therevnto to please the great ones who are wont to vse such as instruments to execute theyr malice Neyther were the children in the streets whose manner is to followe the example of their Parents exempted from a part in this offence And in very deede so it is that scorne contempt is euermore an vnseperable companion of the truth and that there was neuer any one that tooke in hand the defence therof but he hath bin despised more or lesse of the world Error hath many waies so many followers the truth but one and therefore but fewe in respect that imbrace it The truth is hardly found and as hardly kept when it is found for he that will find it it will cost him much sweat and when he hath it if hee be not exceeding carefull he shall loose it before he be aware This makes it dainty because Industry Care be rare qualities Nature and Grace are opposites in Nature there is blindnesse and ignorance it is Grace that brings vs to the knowledge of the truth Howsoeuer reason may seeme to be some helpe there-vnto yet because it is greatly defaced in regard of that it was in our first creation it cannot apprehend without the other that which is diuine For reason can neither beget nor foster nor continue in vs the truth nor discerne it from false-hoode but all these are the workes of Grace Howbeit the greatest part of the world content themselues with that which Nature affordeth and goeth no further Hence it is that they which attaine vnto the truth are wondred at for theyr singularitie which procureth them many followers and such as flocke after them and withall the hatred of most especially of the mightie and renowned of all sorts the condemnation of all degrees saue onely of a very small remnant and that because they want the light of grace to reach vnto theyr doctrines Euen so it falleth out in this disputation for that I defende such doctrines as are not futable to the generall receiued opinions among men and for that againe they are aboue the capacity of that man in nature comprehendeth the learned specially in the schoole of humanitie or professing Diuinitie without the gift of the spirit of Grace reprehend them and the vnlearned carried away with a conceite of the deepe iudgement of those their profound leaders make but a scoffe both of me and what I affirme Heerevpon also commeth the vnreuerent behauiour of the children toward me herevpon likewise it is that no man pittieth my misery but when they see me grow weaker euerie day then other my garments more defiled through the noysomnes of my disease my conscience more affrighted with the honour of the Lordes indignation my mouth opened vnto louder cryes my hart breathing out more pittifull sobbes and that vnto the Father of mercies and God of consolation himselfe and yet receining no comfort I am had in the greater contempt and derision of all men Which because I knowe from what roote it springeth and withall that I am not the first which haue sustained such crosses I satisfie my selfe with this that I haue a cleere conscience before God and desire no fauour at his handes if I haue not walked with an vpright hart in regard of his maiestie Neither doe I doubt but assure my selfe that if I holde out as I hope to doe through the strength of the same his grace which hath hethervnto supported mee in the feare of his Name and confidence of his mercy constantly and couragiously in this my fiery triall this my rebuke reproch and iniury which I now suffer shall be recompenced mee at the length with praise honour reward and victory to the great and endlesse ioy of my soule It is very long before the Lord heareth my complaint my sicknes hath beene very tedious and voyd of all outward reliefe and I am nowe brought to the last cast which maketh mee vtterly out of hope of the continuance of my life any longer yet for all that I doube not of the Lordes power therein and I knowe that his manner hath beene from time to time then to shew himselfe most strong vnto them that depend vppon him when themselues are most weake then to succour his whē they are euen sinking downe vnder the burden then to open vnto them a way to escape whē they see death and the graue present before theyr eyes and preparing to swallow them vp Howbeit so notwithstanding that hee hath not alwaies tyed himselfe to this course in the temporall deliuerance of his seruaunts in euery particular and therefore I stand otherwise a ver 23.24 perswaded in mine owne behalfe Elihn Albeit I am not the fittest man by reason of my yeeres neither came I hether to that intent to be a Moderator in this famous disputation but with a purpose Chap. 32. desire heare onely but yet Notwithstanding for as much as I perceiue there is silence on both sides the controuersie remaineth still vndetermined the auditory is like to depart not satisfied and there is none heere in this assembly that will vndertake the disciding of the matters that haue beene heere discussed I hold it necessary for that I finde my selfe furnished for it to enter therevpon and I am emboldened to doe it be cause these Copartners descending all from Abraham and I that come of Buz the sonne of Nahor Abrahams brother are of alliance Iob also the aduerse partie who is so hardie that hauing none to backe him feareth not to take vp armes against three is not onely of the same stocke and lignage with me but an importunate suter vnto the Lord for one to arbitrate the controuersie And againe because Aram my Country and Nation is of account and renowned for courage for wit humanitie and humane knowledge neither is the religion of our predecessors vtterly extinguished among vs nor the holy fayth and profession of our great Vncle Abraham cleane forgotten and abolished therefore though I be not so a verse 6 graue yet am I as great and as honourable as these Princes themselues heere contending together in argument And lastly which is not the least but the weightiest cause of all the rest and such as b verse 18 violently carrieth me vnto it because I am so replenished with the gifts of Gods Spirit that if they should haue no vent would breake mee in peeces as we see the newe Wine doth the c verse 19 barrels that are closed vp be they neuer so strong and so inflamed with so great a d verse 2.5 zeale of Gods glory that like vnto the fire of a hote burning Furance it cannot bee contained but will forcibly come foorth vvhatsoeuer resistance bee layde against it It is a high steppe I confesse that I climbe vnto
world to heare it vvhich declareth that it cannot bee chosen but that it must be highly displeasing to the Lord. Neither will this free thee from blame heerein more then the former that thou wert compelled vnto it through the violence of thy disease whereby thy hart being grieued out of measure thy affections exceeded the meane For these are tentations where-with the Lorde vseth to try what is in man which he biddeth him resist not yeeld vnto shewing him withall the danger that will insue vppon it if he doe not withstand them as that before as long as hee fought manfully against tentations he was vnder the Lords banner now for his cowardize he is brought vnder the captiuity of Sathan This Sathan mouing my familiar friendes to reuile and slaunder me shall I goe so farre in the iustifying of my selfe that I shall denie that I am a finner This thou doost in denying that thou hast not transgressed against the Lords reuealed will For sinne is a breaking hereof without which there is no finne because of which onely and for no other cause all men are finners so in the case of affliction vvhen the hand of God lyeth heauily vpon mee to try what is in mee shall I suffer the corruptions of my hart to breake out without restraint think that I haue not offended When there is no more noble victorie in the worlde then to subdue it and keepe it vnder nothing that can redownd more to my reproch and shame then to giue it way and let it preuaile When if I doe the one heauen shall be my reward if I doe the other my portion shall be the same with his that working vppon my corrupt affections accomplisheth his desire in them and conquereth me This is it therfore that putteth a difference betweene the Cittizens of heauen and the fire-brands of hell The one beare with patience and long suffering cheerefully and thankfully the Lords chastisements suppresse theyr euill affections abstaine from euill words the other yeelding the raines vnto both murmure and grudge in theyr harts curse and blaspheme with theyr tongues whensoeuer they fall into any calamitie Though peraduenture thou goest not so farre as this yet that thou moderatest thine affections no better but giuest way vnto them as thy wordes doe bewray doth euidently shewe that there is great wickednes and rebellion euen in thy hart against God and that thou art not farre from the blasphemy of the same BVt to prosecute a little the matter of grudging Chap. 33. ver 8.9.10 and repining against GOD for if wee may iudge by thy vvordes thou doost no better this very one faulte alone maketh euident to all men that thou thinkest thy selfe more iust then hee For no man is stirred vp to anger mooued to impatience and murmuring against a thing but he conceiueth a reason vnto himselfe why hee is so affected and that reason he approueth of as the strongest and soundest of all other and disaloweth the contrarie accounteth of this action of his as iust and right and of whatsoeuer opposeth it selfe vnto it as vniust and vnrighteous Whereas therfore in this time of thy visitation thou subscribest not to the Lordes ordinaunce submittest not thy selfe neyther willingly referrest thy selfe wholie ouer vnto him to doe with thee whatsoeuer best pleaseth him hee not reuealing the cause thereof vnto thee waitest not nor expectest with patience vntill it shall please him to declare the same but art out of measure discontented withall thou preferrest doubtlesse thine owne wisedome before his thy righteousnesse before his that is most righteous and so iustifiest thy selfe more then God Euen to wish and desire onely as thou doost that is might be lawful for vs to dispute with God about our trouble though there be no purpose in vs to accuse him of iniustice is a sufficient argument to proue that we are not pure because God is infinitely greater more to be admired and honoured for his excellent vertues of wisedome instice together with the rest of all sorts then any of the sonnes of men then Adam himselfe in his first creation yea then the Angels themselues howsoeuer adorned with most diuine parts O how much better therefore had it beene for thee not to haue inquired of the cause but to haue been still and silent when the Lord strooke thee not to haue called into question his iudgements but to haue reuerenced them not to haue demaunded why not to haue stoode in thine owne defence not to haue called for his inditement but to haue humbled thy selfe vnder his hand to haue trembled feared when he held vp his rodde against thee to haue confessed thy faults brought thine in ditement in thy hand euen to thine owne condemnation cryed out and exclaimed against thy selfe instantly crauing pardon for that thou wast disobedient and disloyall vnto him IS this such newes that hee shutteth thee vp in prison Chap. 33. verse 11. that hast no way offended him as thou supposest will not let thee know the cause of it though thou a ver 13 vvhy doost thou striue with him striue struggle with him neuer so much about it For is hee b verse 13. He doth not giue account of his matters bound to communicate his secrets to man are not sundry of his counself so c God is greater then man Verse 12. wonderful that beeing laid open man cannot comprehend them are not many of them such that it is not for his profit to be made partaker of them We haue the lawe of Nature or Morrall law written in the tables of our harts and a great part of his will deliuered vnto vs in visions and dreames from time to time euen before our eyes to guide vs And vvithall hee d verse 14.15 16 17. fore-warneth euery one of vs in his time in his place seuerally before hand more or lesse eyther by one meanes or other of his secrete iudgements which hee determineth to bring vppon vs though our dulnes bee such that wee see it not our carelesnesse so great that we obserue it not but shut our eyes against the meanes when they offer themselues and against the daily admonitions which he giueth vs in other mens harmes whereby he intendeth to instruct vs. Oftentimes c verse 14 29 hee doth this vseth all these meanes leaueth no way vnattempted that may stir vs vp to preuent his iudgements And there is no wise man though peraduenture at the first hee may stand amazed not knowing how to demeane himselfe but at the last will be admonished Some there are indeed that will take no warning the first second third fourth fortieth caueat because they are hardned in theyr wickednesse will doe no good vpon them It is iust therefore with the Lord not to vouchsafe to manifest any further vnto such or to giue them any more the least light into the cause of his proceeding against them but they denying after so many admonitions to harken
〈◊〉 Tremeli Iâ—â— The reason of this answere of Iob to Elihu being not in the text is inserted because it may be very wel presumed that if the L. had not immediately vpon the ending of Elihu his speech and for this consider of the sence of chap. 36. ver 2 giuen his sentence in this controuersie that Iob himselfe would haue answered as much and more vnto it if thou first bewaile thy Pride of hart and presumptuous speeches and then suest vnto him for mercy he wil case thee hopest in him he wil helpe thee callest vpon him he will haue a blessing for thee And know for a surety that the want of the performance of these duties hath bin the cause of the heat of his displeasure against thee thus long Iob. I do acknowledge Elihu that the Lord who neuer sendeth away empty his poore suppliants hath in fauor vnto me abundantly inspired thee with diuine wisedome and raised thee vp according to my often and feruent desire vnto him to compound this controuersie For these things are so euident that not to confesse them t were meere wilfullnes I do beleeue that holy anger and zeale for the truth because of my friends vniust imputations layed vppon me and mine owne going to farre and standing to much in my defence togither with my breaking out into vnseemely wordes tending vnto the Lordes dishonor Secondly because Elihu had little eased Iob of the anger of the Lord toward him for though hee cleared him for his life past yet he condemned him for this present action hath moued thee thereunto And I am hartely thankefull vnto the Lord for this mercy vouchsafed mee at the length and euen then when I was at the pointe of desperation and likewise vnto thee for thy loue and faithfull dealing Thirdly because Sathan vsed euen this Elihu though a special maÌ„ as an instrumeÌ„t to moue Iob to blaspheme the Lords name in clearing mee on the one side to my great contentation and the confutation of my accusers of blame in my life past and on the other side in conuincing me of ignorance presumption Fourthly because Iobe through this speech of Elihu though deliuered in more discretion and mildnesse theÌ„ the rest of his friendes yet in too much acerbity had been brought to a more desperate estate then before and made more head-strong in his affections to break out against the Lorde if hee had not in most mercifull manner therevpon straight way vttered his voyce vntemperancy in my affections that so I might see myne errour bee cast downe in mine opinion and conceiue sorrow within my selse Howbeit some thinges there are wherein thou doest not so well acquite thy selfe As first in not waighing so throughly the importunatenesse of mine accusers and those such as I had a good opinion of in times past touching very deepely my creddite then the which nothing is more deare vnto vs prouoking me to goe to farre in myne owne defence nor the vnsupportablenes of my calamity which made me breake forth into vnsauory speeches and shew my selfe impatient for such circumstances ought not to bee neglected by him that will duly arbitrate a matter Then in making an harder construction of my words then that I intended whereas I deserue to be reproued there through the heat of thy zeale which is a common fault of most so * Though this were a fault in Elihu yet the Lord reproued him not for it neither Moses when he brake the two tables written by the finger of God Exod. 32 19. Nor Phinehas Numb 25 because they all did it in zeale of gods glory Which declareth that they which offend this way are to be borne with all in some measure affected to exceede the meane and to runne out into ouermuch bitternesse Sharpnes I confesse was fit for mee and so fit that without it I could not haue been called home to acknowledge mine owne weakenes and vilenesse in that manner and in that lowlinesse to bow my selfe at the feete of the Lordes Maiesty as now I am brought yet for any Man specially one apointed as a Iudge in a cause to be more rough violent in his reprehension then the nature of the offence doth quire is not commendable For concerning the former of these two last namely thy oner-hard construction of my words I must tell thee that thou hast very much forgotten thy selfe to a Chap. 33 verse 8. say that I vsed any such as these I am b Chap. 33 verse 9. pure cleane without iniquitie free from transgression Some others indeede I vsed tending that c Chap 33 verse 18 way but not with a purpose to iustifie my selfe according to thy collection before God For I haue professed the contrary d Chap. 9. ver 2 20.21 14 chap. 14. ver 4 sundry times but that I might refell the cauill of my Accusers against my former life and this and no other is my meaning in all my speeches to the like effect That long e Chap. 34. from verse 13 to 31. oration therefore of thine concerning the righteousnes of GOD though it be a worthy one yet nothing worth to confute any thing that I haue spoken for I haue f Chap. 12. commended it as much my selfe I will not denie but that I said the Lord hath remoued away my g Chap. 27. verse 2. iudgmeÌ„t but I vtterly denie thy interpretation thereof For I had no thought therein to disparage the Lordes vpright dealing towardes mee according to thy illation but I conceiued it in this sence that my iudgement in the sight of men was such as belonged to a most wicked person and that which belonged vnto me was not to be made a terror vnto others in my rare and fearefull punishment because of my extraordinarie wicked life but to haue my reward and this is remoued from the eyes of men with the faithfull whom the Lord in his mercy is wont to exempt from the horrible vengeance which he hath prepared for the vngodly I know well that the righteous cannot be discerned from the vnrighteous by these outward afflictions for that they are common as well to the one as to the other And yet I know againe that the world is of another opinion thinking them only in Gods fauour that liue heere in a happy estate which caused me to vtter forth these words The Lord consumeth the h Chap 9 verse 22 iust and vniust that is to say freeth neither of these from temporall calamitie but this is farre from that thou gatherest i Chap 12 verse 27 therevpon namely that to studie to please God hath no profit in it And let this suffice to shew vnto thee that thy construction of my wordes is harder oftentimes then that I intended in them Now that I may proue in like sort that when thou hast iust cause to reproue mee thou goest too farre I will begin with that bitter k Chap. 33. ver
11 12 13 c. reprehension of thine arising from these words The Lord looketh l Chap. 13. verse 27 narrowly vnto my pathes For thou doost so take mee vp for this speech with some other of the like nature as if I had therevy sought to preferre my selfe before m verse 12 God or inflamed with the spirit of arrogancie I had n Chap. 33 verse 13 lifted vp mine arme against him Whereas in truth the vehemencie of my paine forced mee to vtter those words in regard whereof thou shouldest rather haue comforted me and exhorted me to constancie then to haue aggrauated my sinne to my further discouragement Sometimes thy confutation is by way of o Chap. 34 verse 2 insultation Heare ô yee Wise men ô yee of vnderstanding harken vnto mee For what is this else but in triumphing manner to call in all men as witnesses of my vndiscreetnes sometimes thou doost number me among the p Chap. 36 verse 17 18 Elihu saith as much elsewhere The former place is noted though it follow because it is most euident of all other for this purpose wicked sometimes among such with whom God is q Chap. 36 verse 18 angry as with the rebellious and blasphemers Onely this is the difference betweene thee and my other Accusers they condemne me for my life past thou for my present carriage in this cause And thus I am prouoked and grieued euen by thy moderating of the controuersie because partly thou doost not see so fully into the matter thou vndertakest as were to be wished partlie because either thou doost not vnderstand my meaning in many things or else which is worse thou doost wrest the sence of my words doost carry them to another end then they were produced by me partly also because the feruencie of thy zeale hath made thee to transgresse the boundes of modestie and moderation in thy reproofes For hee that will doe good by his reprehension must not onely looke to his groundes that they be sound and such as cannot be confuted but hee must haue also a regard of the manner of his proceeding therein that it bee not in too much lenitie nor in too much acerbitie but sutable euerie way vnto the offence Which beeing greater the reprehension must be in the more sharpnesse beeing lesse the reprehension must be in the more mildnes this last thou hast not remembred But notwithstanding proceede I pray thee neither let this breake off the thread of thy speech for I trust there is something behind and such as shall make recompence for whatsoeuer is past and yeeld me much more comfort then all the discomfort I haue hether-vnto receiued from thee Syrraxis 18. Persons Elihu The Lord. Iob. Elihu HEthervnto I haue beene in the confutation of those thinges which I thought to be amisse Chap. 36. wherein albeit I haue laboured to keepe an euen course saue onely that my studie hath been to hold vp Gods honor to the vttermost of my power yet I perceiue Iob by thy a Chap. 36 verse 2. Exspecta me paululum forwardnes to answere that it doth not very wel please thee Neuerthelesse giue me leaue a little to produce some other more cleere proofes and to fortifie and strengthen what hath beene spoken more fully My proofes shall be fetched from the b verse 3. auncient records and from such as are memorable and famous in latter times from the miraculous workes of the Lordes high and deepe wisedome and of these I will produce as well such as are extraordinary as those that alwayes keepe wonted and vsuall manner continually And is it not good reason thinke you that I should thus search my wits and beate my braines in the Lords c And will attribute righteousnes vnto my Maker verse 3. behalfe striue and contend for the maintenaunce of his credite to free him in his good name from the least suspition of blame all the waies I can that hath made me so noble a creature indued me with d Verse 4. He that is perfect in knowledge speaketh with thee vnderstanding to see so farre into his excellent and admirable works tending therevnto For is not our learning giuen vs to that end to honour our God that bestowed it vpon vs And I dare auouch that this learning of mine which I nowe professe is most perfect and sound indeede most exquisite most absolute and without all exception such as standeth vpon sure infallible grounds and that thou hast not to do with such a one as knowing the truth will deale e verse 4. For truly my wordes shall not be false vnfaithfully with thee in adding vnto it or taking from it reuealing some part and concealing the rest or in the misaplying of the doctrines but with such a one as is well affected towarde thee will truly and sincerelie demeane himselfe in the carriage of the whole matter both concerning the substance it selfe and also the circumstances aunswerable to a good Teacher pertaining therevnto The propositions are the same as before first that the Lord hath a care of his seruants defendeth them from the iniury of the f verse 6. Oppressour For he is of so good a nature so full of compassion that hee cannot see his suffer the least wrong but he must succour them and though the Oppressour be strong hee feareth not to encounter with him because his g verse 5. Est validus et virtus est cordis strength is more then all the power of man crusheth it in peeces giueth also fortitude to his souldiers to ouercome And no maruell for beeing iust how can hee winke at the violence of the wicked Verse 15 or passe ouer the * wrongs of the afflicted Secondly though it goe otherwise with thē for a while yet hee lifteth them to h verse 7 honour at the last and blesseth them in the end Thirdly if they haue gone astray reiecteth them not but reduceth and i ver 9 10 15 bringeth them home againe by his louing k verse 8 chastisements after their conuersion comforteth theyr harts with the l verse 11 sweetnes of whatsoeuer earthly delights with a reseruation also of more permanent ioy to insue Fourthly and for the m verse 12 other sort that will not returne vnto him vppon his corrections this is my rule that the Lorde will pursue them with the sworde and other messengers of his wrath neither will euer leane them vntill he hath brought them vnto finall ruine and destruction for their obstinacie Fiftly much after the same is my obseruation for the close and cunning hypocrite who can so finely dissemble the vncleanenesse of his n verse 13 hart euen then couering his fault when the Lord correcteth him for it neither will hee be induced to confesse it howe heauie soeuer the hand of the Lord lie vppon him but still though this be a meanes to heape the Lordes plagues more
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