place your hopes on high But earthly Mindes false wealth admire And toyle with uncontrol'd desire With cleare aspect Thy beames reflect And heavenly thoughts inspire O let my joy exempt from feares Their joyes transcend when Autumne beares His pleasant wines On clustred vines And graine-replenisht eares Now shall the peacefull hand of Sleep In heavenly Deaw my senses steep Whom thy large wings O King of Kings In shades of safety keep PSALME V. CANT BASS TO heare me Lord be thou inclin'd My thoughts O ponder in thy minde And let my cryes acceptance finde Thou hear'st my morning Sacrifice To thee before the Day-star rise My prayers ascend with stedfast eyes Thou lov'st no vice none dwells with thee Nor glorious Fooles thy Beautie see All sinne-defil'd detested bee Liars shall sinke beneath thy hate Who thirst for blood and weave deceit Thy Rage shall swiftly ruinate I to thy Temple will repayre Since infinite thy Mercies are And thee adore with Feare and Praier My God conduct me by thy Grace For many have my Soule in chase Set thy strait Paths before my face False are their tongues their hearts are hollow Like gaping Sepulchres they swallow Fawne and betray even those they follow With vengeance girt these Rebels round In their owne counsels them confound Since their Transgressions thus abound Joy they with an exalted voice That trust in thee who guard'st thy Choice Let those who love thy Name rejoyce Thy blessings shall in showers descend Thy favour as a shield defend All those who Righteousnesse intend PSALME VI. As the 3. LOrd thy deserved Wrath asswage Nor punish in thy burniug Ire Let Mercie mitigate thy Rage Before my fainting life expire O heale my bones with anguish ake My pensive heart with sorrow worne How long wilt thou my soule forsake O pitie and at length returne O let thy Mercies comfort me And thy afflicted Servant save Who will in death remember thee Or praise thee in the silent Grave Vext by insulting enemies My groanes disturbe the peacefull Night My bed washt with my streaming eyes Through griefe growne old and dim of sight All you of wicked life depart The Lord my God hath heard my cry He will recure my wounded heart And turne my teares to tides of joy Who hate me let dishonour wound Let feare their guiltie soules affright With shame their haughtie lookes confound And let them vanish from my sight PSALME VII CANT BASS O Thou that art my Confidence And strong Defence From those who my sad fall intend Great God defend Lest Lion-like if none controule They teare my persecuted Soule If I am guiltie if there be Deceit in me If ill I ever to my friend Did but intend Or rather have not succour'd those Who were my undeserved foes Let them my stained Soule pursue With hate subdue Let their proud feet in Triumph tread Upon my head My life out of her mansion thrust And lay my Honour in the dust Against my dreadfull Enemies Great God arise Just Judge thy sleeping Wrath awake And vengeance take Then all shall Thee adore alone O King of Kings ascend thy Throne Part. 2 Judge thou my foes as I am free So judge thou me Declare thou my integritie For thou do'st trie The heart and reines the Just defend The malice of the Wicked end God is my shield he helpe imparts To sincere hearts The good protects but menaceth The bad with death Nor will unlesse they change relent He whets his sword his bow is bent Dire instruments prepared hath Of deadly wrath And will at those who persecute swift arrowes shoot Who wicked thoughts conceiv'd now great With Mischiefe travell hatch Deceit Who digg'd a pit first fell therein Caught by his sinne On his owne head his outrage shall Like ruines fall But I O thou eternall King VVill of thy Truth and Justice sing PSALME VIII CANT BASS LOrd how illustrious is thy Name VVhose Power both Heav'n Earth proclame Thy Glory thou hast set on high Above the Marble-arched Skie The wonders of thy Power thou hast In mouthes of babes and sucklings plac't That so thou might'st thy foes confound And who in malice most abound When I pure Heaven thy fabricke see The Moone and Starres dispos'd by thee O what is Man or his fraile Race That thou shouldst such a Shadow grace Next to thy Angels most renown'd With Majestie and Glory crown'd The King of all thy Creatures made That all beneath his feet hast laid All that on Dales or Mountaines feed That shady Woods or Deserts breed What in the aierie Region glide Or through the rowling Ocean slide Lord how illustrious is thy Name Whose Power both Heaven and Earth proclame PSALME IX CANT BASS THee will I praise with Heart and Voice Thy wondrous Workes aloud resound In thee O Lord will I rejoyce Thy Name with zealous praises crown'd My Foes fell by inglorious flight Before thy terrible Aspect Thy powerfull Hands support my Right Thou Judgement justly dost direct The proud are falne the Heathen flie Oblivion shall their names intombe Destruction O thou Enemie Hath now receiv'd a finall doome Thou Townes and Cities hast destroy'd Their memorie with them decayes But God for ever shall abide And high his Throne of Justice raise A righteous Scepter shall extend And Judgement distribute to all He will oppressed Soules defend That in the time of Trouble call Who know thy Name in thee will trust Part. 2 Thou never wilt forsake thine Owne Praise Sions King O praise the Just And make his noble Actions knowne Bloud scapes not his revenging hand He vindicates the Poore mans Cause Lord my insulting Foes withstand And draw me from Deaths greedy Jawes That I may in the Royall Gate Of Sions Daughter raise my Voice Thy ample Praises celebrate And in thy saving health rejoyce They falne into the Pit they made Are caught in Nets themselves prepar'd The Lord his Judgements hath displayd The Wicked in their workes insnar'd The Wicked downe to Hell shall sinke And all that doe the Lord disdaine But God will on the Needy thinke Nor shall the Poore expect in vaine Lord let not Man prevaile arise Th' Insulting Heathen judge O then Let trembling Feare their heart surprize That they may know they are but Men. PSALME X. CANT BASS VVIthdraw not O my God my guid In time of trouble dost thou hide Thy cheerfull face Who want thy Grace The poore pursue with cruell pride O be they by their owne Inventions overthrowne The wicked boast of their successe The covetous profanely blesse By thee O Lord So much abhorr'd Their pride will not thy power confesse Nor have thy favour sought Or had of thee a thought They in oppression take delight Thy Judgements farre above their sight Their enemies Scoffe and despise Who say in heart No opposite Can us remove nor shall Our greatnesse ever fall Their mouths detested curses fill Fraud mischiefe ever prone to ill In secret they Lurke to betray The Innocent in
cries To that High Rock O leade So farre above my head That wert and art my Tower Against oppressing Power For to thy sacred Court I ever shall resort Secure beneath thy wings From all their menacings Even Thou my suit hast sign'd A King by Thee design'd To governe such as will Thy holy Law fulfill Whom Thou long life wilt give He Ages shall out-live His Throne shall stand before Thy Face for evermore Thy Mercy Lord extend Him for thy Truth defend Then I in chearfull Layes Will celebrate thy praise And to Thee every day My Vowes devoutly pay PSALME LXII As the 15. LORD thou art the only Scope Of my never-fainting Hope My Salvation my Defence Refuge of my Innocence Thou the Rock I build upon Not by man to be o'rethrown How long will you machinate Persecute with causlesse hate You shall like a tott'ring wall Like a batter'd Bulwark fall All conspire to cast me downe From my browes to teare my Crowne Full of fraud they blesse in show When their Thoughts with curses flow Yet my Soule on God attends All my Hope on him depends He the Rock I built upon Not by man to be o'rethrown He my Glory he my Tower Guards me by his saving Power You who are sincere and just In the Lord for ever trust Powre your Hearts before his Throne His who can protect alone All that are of high Descent To the Poore and Indigent Nothing are but Vanitie Nothing but deceive and lye Balanc'd altogether they Lighter then a Vapour weigh In Oppression trust thou not Nor in Wealth by Rapine got If thy Riches multiply See thou prize them not too high God said once twice have I heard Power is his by Him conferr'd His is Mercy He rewards And as we deserve regards PSALME LXIII As the 34. TO Thee O God my God I pray Before the dawning of the Day My Soule and wasting flesh VVith thirsty Ardor Thee desire In Soiles scorcht with aethereall Fire VVhose drought no showres refresh That in thy Sanctuary I May see thy Power and Majesty Once more with ravisht eyes My lips shall celebrate thy Praise Thy Goodnesse more then length of daies Or life it selfe I prise Extoll'd while I have utterance To Thee will I my Palmes advance That wilt with marrow feast My Verse thy Wonders shall recite Remembred in the silent Night As on my Bed I rest Secur'd beneath thy shady Wing I will in sacred Raptures sing And to thy Promise cleave Thy Hand upholds but who with hate My Soule seeke to precipitate Hels entrails shall receive The raging Sword shall shed their blood A prey for Wolves for Foxes food Yet God his King shall blesse And such as sweare by his great Name But those whose Tongues the Just defame Confusion shall suppresse PSALME LXIV As the 10. THou great Protector heare my Cry Save from my dreadfull Enemy O vindicate From their close hate VVho for my Soule in ambush lie From their blind Rage protect VVho Truth and Thee reject Who whet their Tongues more sharp then Swords Their Arrowes draw even bitter words To wound th'Vpright VVith fierce delight VVhen Time to their desire accords Then on a sudden shoot Nor feare divine pursuit Confirm'd in skilfull Malice they Conspire their Nets in secret lay And say VVhat eye Can this descry First counsell take and then betray On mischiefe set their hearts Pursu'd by wicked Arts. But God shall let his Arrowes flie Wound in the twinckling of an Eye Each deadly stung By his owne Tongue Shall with that fatall Poyson die Who this behold or heare Shall tremble with cold feare Men shall their Eyes with wonder raise Rehearse his Deeds and sing his Praise Eternitie Shall crowne their Joy Who walke in his prescribed wayes He to the Pure of Heart His Glorie shall impart PSALME LXV As the 8. DUe Honours Lord on Thee attend Where Sions sacred Towers ascend There thy devoted Israelites Shall pay their Vowes with solemne Rites To Thee shall all Man-kinde repaire Since thou vouchsaf'st to heare our Prayer Our Sinnes thy Mercies expiate When burthen'd with their loathed waight Thrice happy he of whom thou mak'st Thy Choice and to thy service tak'st That may within thy Courts reside There with thy Goodnesse satisfi'd And taste of that sincere Delight VVhich never cloyes the Appetite From thee O God our Safetie springs Thy Judgement threatens dreadfull things Their Hope whom Soiles remote sustaine VVho flote upon the toiling Maine Great is thy Power propt by thy Hand Cloud-touching Mountaines stedfast stand Thou with thy Scepter dost appease The roaring of the high-wrought Seas And the tumultuarie jarres Of People breathing Blood and VVarres Part. 2 Who dwell upon the Earth's Confines They tremble at thy fearefull Signes VVhere first the Sun his beame displaies And where he sets his golden Raies They triumph in the fruits of Peace Inriched by the Earth's increase He Raine upon her Bosome powres His swelling Clouds abound with Showres And so prepares the lusty Soile To recompense the Reapers toile Mellowes the Glebe with fatning juyce VVhose furrowes hopefull blades produce With Plenty crownes the smiling Yeares Shed from the influence of the Spheares The Desert with sweet Claver fils And richly shades the joyfull Hils Flocks cover all the higher Plaine The rancker Valleyes cloth'd with Graine These in Abundance solacing VVithout a tongue thy Praises sing PSALME LXVI As the 29. HAppy Sons of Israel Who in pleasant Canaan dwell Fill the Aire with shouts of Joy Shouts redoubled from the Skie Sing the great Jehovah's Praise Trophees to his Glory raise Say How wonderfull thy Deeds Lord thy Power all power exceeds Conquest on thy Sword doth sit Trembling Foes through feare submit Let the many-peopled Earth All of high and humble birth Worship our eternall King Hymnes unto his honour sing Come and see what God hath wrought Terrible to humane thought He the Billowes did divide Wall'd with waves on either side While we passed safe and dry Then our Soules were rapt with joy Endlesse his Dominion All beholding from his Throne Let not those who hate us most Let not the Rebellious boast Blesse the Lord his Praise be sung While an eare can heare a tongue He our feet establisheth Part. 2 He our Souls redeem's from Death Lord as Silver purifi'd Thou hast with Affliction tri'd Thou hast driv'n into the net Burthens on our shoulders set Trod on by their Horses hooves Theirs whom Pity never moves VVe through fire with flames imbrac'd We through raging flouds have pass'd Yet by Thy conducting hand Brought into a wealthy Land I will to thy House repaire Worship and thy Power declare Offerings on thy Altar lay All my vowes devoutly pay Vtter'd with my heart and tongue VVhen opprest with powerfull Wrong Fatlings I will sacrifice Incense in perfumes shall rise Bullocks shaggy Goats and Rams Offer'd up in sacred flames You who great Jehovah feare Come O come you blest and heare VVhat for me the Lord hath
Voice Let all rejoyce With Joy divine The sprightly Trumpet sound The shrill-voic'd Cornet bring Let all with Joy abound Before the Lord our King Rore out you Seas You spangled Skies All you comprise Rejoyce with these Flouds clap your thronging waves You Hils exalt your mirth He who his People saves Now comes to judge the Earth The round World shall VVith Justice trie His Equitie Dispenst to all PSALME XCIX As the 29. LEt our Foes with terrour quake Let the Earths Foundation shake Now the Lord his Raigne begins Thron'd betweene the Cherubins O how great in Sions Towers High above all Mortall Powers Great and terrible his Name Since so holy praise the same Judgement his great Power affects Yet by Equitie directs These celestiall Twins imbrace These reflect on Jacobs Race O how holy above all Honour at his Foot-stoole fall Moses Aaron heretofore Among those who Mitres wore Samuel by Vow desir'd Among those who were inspir'd These to him their Praiers preferr'd These by him as soone were heard These his Statutes rarely brake Unto these th' Almightie spake In the Pillar of a Cloud To his Service ever vow'd He did their Petitions heare Mercifull and yet severe The Holy on his holy Hill Glorifie and worship still PSALME C. As the 47. All from the Suns uprise Unto his Setting Raies Resound in Jubilees The great Jehovah's Praise Him serve alone In triumph bring Your Gifts and sing Before his Throne Man drew from Man his Birth But God his noble Frame Built of the ruddy Earth Fill'd with caelestiall Flame His Sons we are Sheep by him led Preserv'd and fed With tender care O to his Portals presse In your divine resorts VVith Thanks his Power professe And praise him in his Courts How good how pure His Mercies last His promise past For ever sure PSALME CI. As the 46. OF Justice I and Mercy sing Which Lord from thee their Fountain spring The Graces that adorn a King Grave Wisdome shall my steps direct No Vice my heart nor Roofe infect When wilt thou visit thine Elect No pleasure shall mine eyes misguide Who from the Tract of Vertue slide Just Hate shall from my Soul divide Who mischief in their Hearts contrive Delight in Wrong in Factions strive I from my peacefull Court will drive Who hath his Friend with Slander strook I will cut off nor ever brook A proud Heart and a haughty Look Mine Eyes the Faithfull shall observe Those in my Family shall serve Who never from pure Vertue swerve But who are exercis'd in Guile Whose Tongues malicious Lies defile I from my Presence will exile And all the VVicked in the Land VVill cut off with a timely Hand Nor shall they in Gods Citie stand PSALME CII As the 22. ACcept my Prayers nor to the Cry Of my Affliction stop thine Eare Lord in the time of Misery And sad restraint serene appeare The Sighings of my Spirit heare And when I call with speed reply As Smoke so fleets my Soule away My marrow dry'd as Harths with heat My heart struck down like withered Hay Through Sorrow I forsake my meat While meagre cares my Liver eate The clinging Skin my Bones display Like Desert-haunting Pelicans In Cities not lesse desolate Like Screech-Owles who with ominous straines Disturb the Night and day-light hate A Sparrow which hath lost his Mate And on a Pinacle complaines Reviling Foes my Honour blast And frantick men my ruine sweare For Bread I roll'd-on ashes tast Each drop I drink mixt with a teare For Lord O who thy Wrath can beare Thou raisest and dost head-long cast My Daies short as the Evening shade As Morning Dew consume away As Grasse cut downe with Sithes I fade Or like a flower cropt yesterday But Lord thou suffer'st no decay Thy Promises shall never vade For thou shalt from thy Rest arise Since now th' appointed time drawes neare And look on Sions miseries Her Walls and batter'd Buildings reare VVhose ruins to thy Saints are deare For they her Dust as sacred prise Part. 2 Thy Name then shall the Gentiles praise All Kings thy Honour celebrate For when the Lord shall Sion raise His Glory shall ascend in State So prone to heare the Desolate And succour them in all assaies Unto eternall Memory Our Histories shall this record And all that are created by His pow'rfull Hand shall feare the Lord Who doth such Grace to his afford And on the Earth looks from on high To heare the pensive Captives grone The Sons of Death by him unbound His Name againe in Sion known That Salem may his Praise resound When in his Service all the Round Of Earth shall there be joyn'd in one Yet Lord amidst these Hopes thou hast Consum'd my strength abridg'd my yeares Before my Noon of Life be past Let me not die thus drown'd in teares Time wasts not thee which all out-weares Thy happy Daies for ever last Thou mad'st the Earth thou didst display The Heavens in various motion roll'd These and their Glories shall decay But thou shalt thy existence hold They like a Garment shall grow old And in their changes passe away But thou art still the same before The World and after shalt remaine You blessed Soules who God adore VVith Patient Hope your harmes sustaine For you shall prosper in his Reign And yours subsist for evermore PSALME CIII As the 8. MY Soule and all my Faculties Jehovah praise sing till the Skies Re-eccho his ascending Fame My Soule O celebrate his Name Nor ever let the memory Of his surpassing Favours die He gently pardons our misdeeds And cures the VVound which inward bleeds Hath from the Chains of Death unbound With Clemency and Mercy crown'd VVith Food our Hunger he subdues And Eagle-like our Youth renues His Justice he extends to all Oppressors by his Vengeance fall His sacred Paths to Moses shown His Miracles to Israel known From Him the Springs of Mercy flow Swift to forgive to anger slow For he will not for ever chide Nor constant to his VVrath abide But mildly from his Rage relents And shortens our due Punishments For as the Heavens in amplitude Exceed the Centre they include So ample is his Clemencie To all who on his Grace relie Part. 2 As farre as the bright Orient Is distant from the Suns Descent So farre he sets from his Aspect Their Cuilt who him with feare affect And as a Father to his Child So soft so quickly reconcil'd He knowes the Fabrick of us all That dust is our Originall Man flourisheth like Grasse a Flower That blowes and withers in an houre By scorching heat by blasting Wind Deflowr'd and leaves no print behind But his firme Mercy shall imbrace His Saints for ever and their Race Those who his equall Lawes fulfill Remember and performe his VVill. In Heaven the great Jehovah reigns And governs all that Earth contains You Angels who in strength exceed VVho him obey with winged speed You ordred Hosts of radiant Stars O you his flaming Ministers All
all the World relate His Fame in your Assemblies raise And in the sacred Senate praise Part. 4 He Rivers turnes t' a Wildernesse Springs dry'd up by the Suns accesse To scourge their Sins he makes the Soile Vngratefull to the Owners toile Turnes sandy Deserts into Pooles And parched Earth with Fountains cooles There plants his hungry Colonies VVhere strongly-fenced Cities rise The Fields their yellow Mantles weare And spreading Vines full clusters beare They infinitely multiply Their Heards of no diseases die But when their Sins his Wrath incense Then Famine Warre and Pestilence Their miserable Lives devoure Their Princes he deprives of Power Who in the Path-lesse Wildernesse Conceal'd themselves from Mans accesse The Poore he raiseth from the ground Their Families like flocks abound The Just shall this with joy behold Th'Unjust with feare and shame controll'd The Wise these Changes will record That they may know and serve the Lord. PSALME CVIII As the 2. MY Thoughts the Lord their Object make Before the ruddy Morning spring My Glory of his Praise shall sing Awake my Lute my Harp awake While I to all the VVorld rehearse His praises in a living Verse Thy Mercy O how great extends Above the Starry Firmament Still unto tender pity bent Thy Truth the soaring clouds transcends Thy Head above the Heavens erect Thy Glory on the Earth reflect O heare us who thy aide implore And with thy owne Right hand defend To thy Beloved Succour send God by his Sanctitie thus swore I Succoths Valley will divide In Sichems Spoils be magnifi'd Manasseh Gilead both are mine Ephraim my Strength in Battaile bold Thou Judah shalt my Scepter hold I will triumph o're Palaestine Base Servitude shall Moab waste O're Edom I my Shooe will cast Who will our forward Troups direct To Rabbah strongly fortifi'd Or into sandy Edom guide Lord wilt not thou that didst reject Nor wouldst before our Armies goe Now lead our Host against the Foe VVhen Death and Horrour most affright Doe thou our troubled Souls sustaine For O the helpe of Man is vaine Lead and we valiantly shall fight Thy Feet our Foes shall trample downe Thy Hands our Browes with Conquest crowne PSALME CIX As the 1. MY God my Glory leave not in Distresse Nor let prevailing Fraud the Truth oppresse They who delight in Subtilties and Wrongs Afflict me with the Poison of their Tongues VVith Slander and Detraction gird me round And would without a Cause my life confound Good turnes with evill proudly recompense And Love with Hate my Merit my offence But I in these Extremes to thee repaire And poure out my perplexed Soule in Praire Subject him to a Tyrants sterne command Subverting Satan place at his Right hand Found guilty when arraign'd in that fear'd time Let his rejected Prairs augment his Crime May he by violence untimely die And let another his Command supply Let his distressed Widow weep in vaine His wretched Orphans to dease Eares complaine Let them the wandring Paths of Exile tread And in unpeopled Deserts seeke their bread Let griping Vsurers divide his spoile And Strangers reape the harvest of his toile Part. 2 In his long misery may he find no Friend None to his Race so much as Pity lend Let his Posterity be overthrowne Their Names to the succeeding Age unknowne Let not the Lord his Fathers Sins forget His Mothers Infamy before him set O let them be the Object of his Eye Till hee out-root their hated Memory That to the wretched would no Mercy show But cruelly pursu'd his Overthrow Laid Trains to kill the Broken and Contrite On his owne head let his dire Curses light He hated Blessing never be he blest Let cursing like a Robe his Loines invest And like a fatall Girdle gird him round As he with Execrations did abound Let them like Water in his Bowels boile And eate into his Bones like burning Oyle Thus let the Lord reward my Enemies VVho seeke to blast me with malicious lies Part. 3 But Lord in my deliverance proclaime Thy Mercy for the honour of thy Name For I am poore with misery opprest My wounded heart bleeds in my panting brest I like the Evening shadow am declin'd And like the Locust toss'd with every Wind. My feeble knees beneath their burden bend My Flesh with fasting falls my Bones ascend Reproch hath seis'd on me my Foes revile And in derision shake their heads and smile My God O snatch me from the swallowing grave Thy servant with accustom'd Mercy save That they may know it was thy powerfull Hand And how I by divine Supportance stand Still may they vainely curse whom thou dost blesse And pine with envy at my good successe Let them be cloth'd with shame O be their owne Confusion on them like a Mantle throwne But I thy praise will duly celebrate And to the multitude thy Deeds relate That hast th' afflicted Soule from sorrow freed And from their snares who had his death decreed PSALME CX As the 34. THE Lord unto my Lord thus spake Sit at my right hand till I make A Foot-stoole of thy Foes He will thy Rod from Zion send Unto whose Power all powers shall bend That dare thy Rule oppose Thy People willingly shall pay Their vowes in that triumphant Day VVith their united Powers Aray'd in Ephods nor so few As are those Pearles of morning-dew VVhich hang on Herbs and Flowers He swore who never Oath did breake Of th' order of Melchisedek That thou a Priest should'st raigne Even while the Sun disperst his Light VVhile Moones should rule th'alternate Night Or Stars their course maintaine God in that Day at thy right hand Their Bloud who Tyrant-like command Shall in his fury spill He in his Justice shall confound The Heathen and the purple ground VVith heaps of slaughter fill VVho over many Nations sway And onely their owne Wils obey Shall sinke beneath his rage Then shall this all-subduing King VVith VVater of the Chrystall spring His burning thirst asswage PSALME CXI CANT BASS MY Soule the honor of our King Shall in the great Assembly sing Great are the wonders He hath showne With joy by their admirers knowne His glorious deedes all praise transcend His equall Justice knowes no end Left in eternall Monuments VVhose Mercy Death and Hell prevents Feeds those who feare his Name and will His Promise faithfully fulfill VVho planted with a powerfull Hand His people in this pleasant Land Just Judgement executes directs By sacred Lawes and Truth affects These fretting Time shall never waste But squar'd by Justice ever last His Word to us confirm'd by deed So often from oppression freed His Name is terrible to all His feare is the Originall Of VVisdome and they onely wise VVho make his Lawes their Exercise His praise while men have memory And power of speech shall never die PSALME CXII As the 111. Hallelu-jah THat man is blest who feares the Lord And chearfully obeies his VVord His Seed shall flourish on the Earth Their Off-spring
exclaime Ah! Perished Are all my hopes from me my strength is fled These thoughts my Soule have humbl'd trod to Earth My Pride and given my Hopes a second Birth T' was thy abundant goodnesse Lord that all Did not together in one Ruine fall Thy Mercies with the rising Light renue And thy Fidelitie as large as true My soule is arm'd with stedfast Confidence Since thou my Portion art and strong Defence To those how gracious who on thee relye Who seeke thee with unfainting Industry T is good to hope and rest upon thy Truth T is good to beare thy yoake in early youth Alone he silent sits nor will distrust Thy Promise when he hides his head in Dust His cheeke submits to blowes by all revil'd Yet knowes at length thou wilt be reconcil'd When God with griefe hath fixt thee to the ground His Mercy will powre balme into thy wound For He delights not in our Misery On those to trample who in fetters lye Hates that the weake should be opprest by might Or Justice suffer in the Judges sight O tell what can befall beneath the Sun That is not by the Lords appointment done Both good and bad from Him proceeds why then Grudge you at punishment vaine sinfull Men Turne we to God by tryall of our wayes To Heaven our hearts our hands and voyces raise We have transgres'd rebell'd no pardon gaine The Food of Wrath by thee pursu'd and slaine Thou hast with Cloud 's thy selfe inclos'd of late Through which no Prayers of ours can penetrate With Men the refuse and off-skouring made Whom all our Foes with open mouthes upbraid Fill'd with vastation ruines snares and feares While for my Childrens losse I melt in Teares Nor shall those briny Rivers cease to flow Till God looke downe with pitie on our woe Mine eye ah wounds my heart when I behold My Cities Daughters to Afflictions sold Those who thy Beauty Solyma deface My soule like a retrived Partridge chace Cut from the living in a Dungeon throwne And over-whelmed with a Pile of Stone Stormes ore my head their rowling billowes tost Then cry'd I ah I am for ever lost Thou from the Dungeon Lord my cryes didst heare O never from my sighes divert thine Eare Thou stood'st besides me in that horrid Day And said'st Take courage nor thy feare obey My cause thou Lord hast pleaded in this strife And from their greedy jawes redeem'd my Life Thou that hast seene my wrongs restore my right Thou hast their vengeance seene and cursed spight The malice heard which their false tongues disclose The thoughts and machinations of my Foes VVhen they sit downe and when they rise I still Become their Musick and their Laughter fill Rewards according to their works disburse Their Hearts with Sorrow wound blast with thy Curse Pursue destroy nor Lord thy wrath restraine Till none beneath the arch of Heaven remaine Chap. 4 How is our Gold growne dimme of all the most Refin'd and pure hath now his Lustre lost That Marble which the Temple beautifi'd Torne downe by impious Rage and cast aside The wretched Sons of Sion ah behold Of late so precious more esteem'd then Gold How slighted to how low a value brought Like Earthen vessels by the Potter wrought The Monsters of the Sea and Salvage Beasts Their young ones gently foster at their Breasts My Daughters ah more cruell are then these Or then the desert-haunting Estriges Their Children cry for Bread but none receive Whose thirsty tongues to their hot pallats cleave VVho fed Deliciously now sit forlorne And those who Scarlet wore on dung-hils mourne The Punishments as did their sinnes excell That which from Heaven on wicked Sodom fell Devour'd with sodaine flames No Creature found To whom his wrath could adde another wound Her Nazarites late pure as falling Snow More white then Streames which from stretcht udders flow Not Rubies of the rocke such red insphear'd Nor polisht Saphires like their Veines appear'd Their faces now more blacke then Cinders growne To such as meet them in the Streets unknowne VVhose wither'd Skins more dry then saplesse wood Cleave to their fleshlesse Bones for want of Food O farre lesse wretched they whose parting Breath Breaks through their wounds then those who starve to death For they in lingring torments pine away And find not Death so cruell as Delay Soft-hearted Mothers live by horrid spoile And their beloved Babes in Caldrons boyle On these with weeping Eyes and hearts that bleed The famisht Daughters of my People feed The Lord his vengeance now accomplish't hath And powred forth the Viols of his wrath Forsaken Sion sets on fire whose Towers And Palaces the hungry flame devoures You Kings that sway the many-Peopled Earth All who from groaning Mothers take your birth O would you have believ'd that thus the Foe Should have triumpht in her sad overthrow Her Priests and Prophets sins who should have taught By their Example have her ruine wrought VVith humane flesh her flaming Altars fed And blood of Innocents profusely shed VVho blindly wander so defil'd with gore That none would touch the Garments which they wore Depart they cry'd Depart and touch us not Depart ô you whom foule pollutions spot Thus chid they stray'd and to the Gentiles fled Yet said ere long we shall from hence be led For this the Lord hath scatter'd in his Ire Nor ever shall they to their homes retire Their unregarded Priests slaine by the Foe Who would no pitie to the aged show Yet vainely we in these our Miseries With expectation have consum'd our eyes And fostered flattering hopes built on their word Who can no ayd to our Extreames afford Like cruell Hunters they our steps pursue While we in Corners lurke from publike view That Fatall Day drawes neere wherein we must Descend to Death and mingle with the Dust Not Eagles fearefull Doves so swiftly chace As they with winged feet our foot-steps trace Pursue o're Mountaines watch at every Streight And to intrap us in the Defart waite The Lords Anointed even our nostrils Breath They have ensnar'd and rendred up to Death Of whom we said Among the Heathen wee Beneath his wings shall live in exile free Daughter of Edom thou that dwelst in Hus Exalt thy Joy This Cup to thee from us Shall swiftly passe thy braines inebriate so As thou thy nakednesse shalt boldly show Yet when thy Sins deserved Punishment O wretched Sions Daughter shall be spent Jehova will thy Banishment repeale Foment thy wounds and all thy bruises heale Then he on Edoms Issue shall impose Our yoake and her deformitie disclose Chap. 5 Remember Lord the Afflictions we have borne See how we are to all the world a Scorne Our Lands and Houses forreiners possesse Our Mothers Widdowes and we Fatherlesse To us our wood the greedy Strangersels And dearely purcha'st water from our wels Our necks with heavy burthens are opprest All Day we toyle at Night depriv'd of Rest We in the Egyptian and Assyrian Lands Are forc't to
to move Thou from thy rebell Heart hast God exil'd Kept backe thy Prayers his sacred Truth revil'd Thy Lips declare thy owne impiety Accuse of fraud condemne thee and not I. Art thou the first of Mortals wert thou made Before the Hils their lofty Browes display'd Hath God to thee his Oracles resign'd Is wisedome only to thy Breast confin'd What know'st thou that we know not as compleat In Natures graces in acquir'd as great There are gray heads among us Counsellers To whom thy Father was a Boy in Yeares Slight thou the Comforts we from God impart VVhat greater Secret lurkes in thy proud heart That hurries thee into these extasies VVhat fury flames in thy disdainfull Eyes VVilt thou a warre against thy Maker wage And wound him with thy tongues blasphemous rage VVas ever humane flesh from blemish cleare Can they be guiltlesse whom fraile women beare He trusteth not his Ministers of Light The radiant Stars shine dimnly in his Sight How perfect then is man from head to foot Defil'd with filth and rotten at the root VVho poys'ning sinne with burning thirst devours As parched Earth sucks in the falling showers VVhat I have heard and seene would'st thou intend Thy cure I would unto thy care commend VVhich oft the wise have in my thoughts reviv'd To them from knowing Ancestors deriv'd VVho God-like over happy Nations reign'd And Vertue by suppressing Vice sustein'd Th'Unjust his Dayes in painefull travell spends The Cruell sodainly to Death descends He starts at every sound that strikes his Eare And punishment anticipates by feare VVho from the heigth of all his Glory shall Like newly-kindled Exhalations fall Despaires cold breath his springing hopes confounds VVho feeles th' expected sword before it wounds He begs his bread from doore to doore and knowes The Night drawes on that must his Day inclose Horror and anguish shall his soule affright Daunt like a King that drawes his Troops to fight Since he against the Almighty stretcht his hand And like a rebell spurn'd at his Command God shall upon his seven-fold target rush And his stiffe necke beneath his shoulders crush Though Luxury swell in his shining eyes And his fat belly load his yeilding thighes Though he dismantled Cities fortifie From their deserted ruines rais'd on high Yet his congested wealth shall melt like snow VVhose growth shall never to perfection grow Destruction shall surround him nor shall he His Soule from that darke night of Horror free God with his breath shall all his Branches blast And scorch with lightning by his vengeance cast Will the deluded trust to vanitie And by the stroake of his owne folly die For he shall be cut downe before his time His spreading Branches wither in their prime Lo as a storme which with the Sunne ascends From creeping vines their unripe clusters rends And the fat olive ever greene with Leaves Together of her hopes and flowers bereaves So shall the great Revenger ruinate Him and his Issue by a dreadfull fate Those fooles who fraud with pietie disguise And by corrupting Bribes to Greatnesse rise Their Glories shall in desolation mourne While hungry flames their lofty structures burne With Mischiefe they conceive their bellies great With swelling Vanitie bring forth Deceit Chap. 16 Then Iob How long wilt thou thus vexe mine eares You all are miserable Comforters Shall this vaine wind of words ah never end VVhy Eliphas should'st thou afflict thy Friend VVere you so lost in griefe would I thus speake Such bruised hearts with harshinvectives breake VVould I accumulate your Miseries VVith Scorne and draw new Rivers from your Eyes Oh no my language should your passions calme My words should drop into your wounds like balme But oh my frantick Sorrow finds no ease Complaints nor silence can their pangs appease Thou Lord hast my perplexed Soule deprest Bereft of all the comforts shee possest My Face thus furrowed with untimely age My pale and meagre lookes professe thy rage VVhose Ministers like cunning foes surprise Teare with theirteeth transfix me with their eyes Against my peace combine at once assaile VVith open mouthes and impudently raile God hath deliver'd me into their Jawes VVho hunt for spoile and make their swords their Lawes Long saild I on smooth Seas by fore-winds borne Now bulg'd on rocks and by his Tempests torne He by the Neck hath hal'd in pieces cut And set me as a marke on every Butt His Archers circle me my reines they wound And ruthlesse shed my gall upon the ground Behold he ruines upon ruines heaps And on me like a furious Giant leaps For thus with sackcloth I invest my Woe And dust upon my clouded forehead throw My cheeks are guttered with my fretting teares And on my falling Eye-lids Death appeares Yet is my heart upright my prayers sincere My guiltlesse Life from your aspersions cleare Reveale oh Earth the Blood that I have spilt Nor heare me Heaven if I be soil'd with guilt My conscience knowes her owne Integritie And that all-seeing Power inthron'd on high Yet you traduce me in my Miseries But I to God erect my weeping Eyes Would I before him might my cause defend And argue as a mortall with his friend Since I ere long that precipice must tread VVhence none returne that leads unto the Dead Chap. 17 My spirits are infected and my Tombe Yawnes to devoure mee my last Dayes are come Yet you with bitter scorne my pangs increase Nor ah will suffer me to die in peace VVhat Advocate will take your cause in hand And for you at the high Tribunall stand Since God your erring soules deprives of sense Nor will exalt you in your owne defence His Children shall their dayes in sorrow end VVhose tongue with flattery deludes his Friend I to the vulgar am become a Jest Esteemed as a Minstrell at a Feast My sleeplesse eyes their splendor quench in teares My tortur'd body to a shadow weares This in the Righteous wonder shall excite The Innocent shall hate the Hypocrite He in the path prescrib'd shall boldly goe And his untainted strength shall stronger grow Revoke your wandring Censures nor despise The wretched you who seeme but are not wise My flying houres arrive at their last date My thoughts and fortunes buryed in my fate How soone my shortned Day is chang'd to Night Abortive Darknesse veiles my setting Light Oh can your counsell his despaire deferre VVho now is housed in his Sepulchre I in the shades of death my Bed have made Corruption thou my Father art I said And thou O Worme my Mother by thy Birth My Sister borne and nourished by Earth Where now are all my hopes oh never more Shall they revive nor Death her rapes restore But to the graves infernall prison must With me descend and rot in shrouds of Dust Chap. 18 To whom thus Bildad when wilt thou forbeare To clamor and afford a patient eare Do'st thou as beasts thy ancient friends despise Are we so vile and triviall in thine Eyes Oh miserable Man
behold in me His Misteries Are Sacred and conceal'd from mortall Eyes I therefore tremble at his dreadfull sight Distracted thoughts my troubled Soule affright For oh his terror melts my heart to teares Dissolves my braine and harrowes me with feares Who neither would by Death prevent my woes Nor ease my Soule in these her bitter Throes Chap. 24 Why are the punishments by God decreed To wicked men and their rebellious Seed Since times to come are present in his sight Conceal'd from those who in his Lawes delight Some slily markes remove from bordering Lands Feed on the Flocks they purchase with strange hands The Orphants only Asse they drive away And make the Widowes morgag'd Oxe their prey Who force the frighted poore to turne aside Whom milder Rocks in their darke Cavernes hide Like Asses in the Desert they their Toile With Day renew and rise betimes for Spoile The barren Wildernesse presents them food To feed themselves and their adulterate brood Their Sicklers reape the Corne another sowes They drinke the Blood which from stolne clusters flowes The poore by them disrobed naked Lie Veild with no other covering but the skie Expos'd to stiffning frosts and drenching showers Which thickned Aire from her blacke bosome powres To Torrents which from cloudy Mountaines spring And to the hanging Cliffs for shelter cling They from their mothers Breasts poore Orphants rend Nor without gages to the needy lend For want of clothes they force them starve with cold From hungry Reapers they their sheaves withhold Those faint for thirst who in their vintage toyle And from the juicie Olive presse pure oyle Oppressed Cities grone the wounded cry To Heaven for Vengeance yet in peace they die Others that truth oppose despise the way Of her prescriptions and in Darknesse stray Sterne Murtherers that rise before the light To kill the Innocent and rob at night Vncleane Adulterers whose longing Eyes VVaite for the twy-light enter in disguise And say who sees us Theeves who daily marke Those Houses which they plunder in the Darke These Strangers are to light the Morning Rayes By them are hated as their last of Dayes The Agonies of Death are on them when They are but knowne or spoken of by Men And yet they perish by Jehova's Curse And faile like roaring floods that have no Sourse Vnlike the generous Vine which cut abounds With budding Jems and prospers in her wounds As scorching heat the mountaine snow devours As thirsty Earth drinks up the falling Showres Even so the Graves insatiable Jawes Those Rebels swallow who infringe his Lawes The Wombs that bare their Burthens shall forget And greedy wormes their flesh with pleasure eate No tongue or Pen shall mention their Renowne But lye like trees by sodaine Stormes cast downe The barren they more miserable make And from the Widow all her Comfort take The Mighty fall in their seditious strife When once they rise who can secure his life Though they be resolute and confident Yet are Jehova's eyes upon them bent But oh how short their glory rais'd to fall Lost in the Ashes of their funerall For they as others die like Eares of Corne By lightning blasted or with sickles shorne Who doubts these contraries who will dispute Against me and my Instances confute Chap. 25 SHVETIAN BILDAD made this short reply Dominion and awefull Majestie To him belong who crown'd with sacred Rayes The Host of Heaven in perfect concord swayes VVho can his Armies number infinite And full of Fate on whom shines not his light Can Mortals righteous in his Eyes appeare Can they be spotlesse whom fraile women beare To him the radiant Sunne is but obscure The Moone still in Eclipse the Stars impure VVhat then is Man polluted in his Birth An uncleane Worme that crawles upon the Earth Chap. 26 All tongues said Iob of thy perfections speake Thou he that renders vigor to the weake Thy strength the feeble Arme with Nerves supplies Thou by thy Counsell makes the foolish wise No secret from thy Knowledge is conceal'd Caelestiall Oracles by thee reveal'd To whom art thou so prodigall of breath Or by what vertue do'st thou raise from Death Gods Workes Oh Bildad we admire no lesse His prudence in their Government confesse Dead things within the Deepe were form'd by him And all that in the curled Ocean swim The silent vaults of Death unknowne to Light And Hell it selfe lye naked to his sight He fashion'd those Harmonious Orbs that roule In restlesse Gyres about the Artick Pole The massie Earth supported by his Care On nothing hangs in soft and fluent Aire He in thicke Clouds the pendant water binds Not thaw'd with heat nor torne with strugling winds Before his radiant Throne like Curtaines spred Yet at his becke in showres their substance shed With constant bounds the raging floods confines Till Day his Throne to endlesse Night resignes Heavens Columns when his Stormes and Thunder rake The troubled Aire with sodaine Horror shake Lo at his Breath the swelling waves divide His awefull Scepter calmes their vanquish't pride Whose hand the adorned Firmament displai'd Those Serpentine yet constant Motions made These but in part his power and wisedome show For Oh how little doe we Mortals know Although his Fame resound through all the world Like Thunder from aëriall vapors hurl'd Chap. 27 They silenc't Iob proceeds in his Defence As the Lord Lives who knowes my Innocence Yet will not judge but hath my Soule depriv'd Of all her Joyes to Misery long-liv'd VVhile these my vitall Spirits shall receive The food of Aire and through my Nostrils breath No falsehood shall defile my Lips with Lies Or with a vaile the face of Truth disguise Nor will I wound my cleare Integritie By yeilding to your wrongs but rather die Shall I my selfe betray my Strength refuse Desert my Justice and my truth accuse First may I sinke by Torments yet unknowne That those which now I suffer may seeme none Let such as hate me in their Sinnes rejoyce And surfeit with the pleasant Baites of Vice What hope hath the prevailing Hypocrite When God shall chase his Soule to endlesse Night Will God relieve him in his Agonies Or from the Depth of Sorrow heare his Cries Will he in God delight his aide implore Incessantly and his great Name adore Oh be instructed by these Characters Of his impression which my Body beares I his more secret Judgements will disclose Which you have seene yet desperately oppose This is the Portion which the wicked hath He shall inherit the Almighties wrath The lawlesse Sword his Childrens blood shall shed Increast for slaughter borne to begge their bread Death shall the Remnant in his Dungeon keepe No Widow at his funerall shall weepe Although he gather Gold like heaps of Dust The fuell of his Luxury and Lust His Cabinets with change of Garments fraught By silke-wormes spun and Phrygian Needles wrought Yet for the Just reserv'd who shall divide His Treasure and divest him of his pride Though he his
dreadfull breach With equall fury they upon me roule Even to the desolation of my soule Besieging Terrors storme-like roare aloud Pursue and chase me like an emptie Cloud O how my soule is powr'd upon the ground Full growne Affliction hath a subject found Torments by Night my wasted marrow boyle My Pulses labour with unequall toyle My soares pollute my garments Plagues infest My poysoned skin and like a Coat invest O I am Dust and Ashes Lord thou hast Downe in the durt the broken-hearted cast Thy eares the incense of my prayers reject No teares nor vowes can alter thy neglect Ah! hast thou lost thy mercy Wilt thou fight Against a worme and in his groanes delight Thou setst me on the winds with every blast Tost too and fro while I to nothing wast I see my Death approach I to the wombe Of earth am cal'd of all the generall Tomb. Thou never wilt the Dead to Life restore Though heere in Sorrow they thy grace implore How oft have I for those that suffer'd wept Afflicted for the poore when others slept Yet when I lookt for joy for cheerefull light Then griefe fell on and shades more blacke than night My tortur'd Bowels found no hower of rest By troopes of sodaine miseries opprest Unknowne to Day I mourn'd my clamors tare The eares soft Labyrinth and cleft the Aire The hissing Dragon and the screeching Owle Became Companions to my pensive Soule My flesh is cover'd with a vaile of jet And all my Bones consume with burning heat My Harp her mournfull Straines in Sorrow steep's My Organ sighes sad aires as one that weepes Chap. 31 I with my Eyes a Covenant made that they Should not my Soule nor she their lights betray To the deceit of sin why then should I Behold a Virgin with a burning eye What Judgements are reserv'd what Vengeance due To those who their intemperate Lusts pursue Destruction and eternall Ruine shall From Heaven like lightning on the wicked fall Do not his searching Eyes my wayes behold Are not my steps by him observ'd and told If tempting Sinne could ever yet entice My feet to wander in the Quest of Vice Let that great Arbiter of Wrong and Right Waigh in his Scales and cast me if to light If I from vertues path have stept awry Or let my heart be govern'd by mine eye If I oh Justice have thy Rites profan'd If bribes or guiltlesse blood my hands have stain'd Then let another reape what I have sowne Nor let my Race be to the Living knowne If ever woman could to sinne allure If I have waited at my Neighbours doore Let my laicivious wife with others grin'd And by her lust repay my guilt in kind This were a hainous crime so foule a fact As would due vengeance from the Judge exact A wasting fire which violently burnes And all to povertie and ruine turnes If I by Power my Servants should oppresse Nor would their crying Grievances redresse What should I doe or say when God shall come To judge the world that might divert his Doome Both made he in the wombe of equall worth Though to unequall Destiny brought forth If from the poore I did their hopes detaine Or made the widowes Eyes expect in vaine If I alone have at my Table fed Or from the fatherlesse withheld my bread Nor fosterd from my youth their wants supplide To him a father and to her a guide If I have seene the naked starve for cold While Avarice my Charitie controld If their cloth'd Loines have not my bounty blest Warme with the fleeces which my flocks divest If I my armes have rais'd to crush the weake The Judge prepar'd the witnesse taught to speake Be all their ligaments at once unbound And their disjoynted bones to powder grownd Divine Revenge my Soule from sinne deterr'd For I the anger of th' Almighty fear'd I never Idolized Gold embrac'd Nor said In thee my Confidence is plac'd Nor on decitfull Riches fixt my heart Together scrap'd by no omitted Art If when I saw the early Sunne ascend Or the new Moone her silver hornes extend I bowing kist my hand those Lights ador'd As Deities and their releife implor'd The Sinne had beene flagitious and had cry'd To him for vengeance whom my Deed 's defi'd Have I with joy beheld my ruin'd foe Have I exulted in his overthrow Or in the tempest of my passion burst Into offences and his Issue curst Though my Domesticks said oh let us teare His hated flesh nor after death forbeare Who made the Stones their bed or sigh'd for food If knowne my house to strangers open stood Suppose I were corrupt and foule within Yet to what end should I disguise my Sinne Need I so much contempt or censure dread As not to speake my thoughts or hide my head Where shall I meet with an indifferent Eare Oh that the Soveraigne Judge my Cause would heare Peruse the Adversaries evidence Try and determine my suppos'd offence I on my shoulders their complaints would beare And as a Diadem their Slanders weare More like a Prince then a Delinquent would Approach his presence and my life unfold If the usurped Fields against me cry Their ravisht Furrowes weepe if ever I Have forced from them their unpaid for Graine Their Husbandmen and ancient Owners slaine For wheat let thistles from their clods ascend For barley cockle Iobs complaints here end Chap. 32 Nor would his Friends proceed in their replyes Since he appear'd so pure in his owne Eyes When Elihu Barachels sonne who drew His Birth from Aram much incensed grew Not only against Iob that durst defend His Innocency and with God contend But with his three austere Companions since They would condemne before they could convince When he perceiv'd the rest no answer made But like dumb Statues sate the Buzite said Till now I durst not venture to unfold My labouring thoughts to you that are so old For gray Experience is with wisedome fraught And sacred knowledge by the aged taught Yet oh how darke is mans presuming sence Not lightned with caelestiall Influence The great in Honor are not alwayes wise Nor Judgement under silver Tresses lies Since so at length vouchsafe to heare a youth And his opinion in the search of Truth For I your words have weigh'd your reasons heard The Instances by each of you inferr'd And yet in all the heate of your dispute Not one could answer Iob much lesse confute Know therefore least too rashly you conclude It is not Man but God that hath subdu'd Against me Iob did not his speech direct No more will I your Arguments object You all were at his Confidence amaz'd And silently upon each other gaz'd VVhen I your answers had expected long Nor could discerne the motion of a tongue I said behold I now will act my part And utter the Conceptions of my heart My Soule is rapt with fury and my brest Containes a flame that will not be supprest My Bowels boyle like wine that hath
thy Lawes affect Shine on my Soule thy Statutes teach mine Eyes Shed showres of teares when men thy Lawes despise TSADDI Part. 18 As Thou thy Selfe so all thy Lawes are just Faithfull to those who in thy Promise trust Zeale hath consum'd me for my Foes neglect Of thy pure Lawes which I in heart affect Those to observe though meane and scorn'd intend Truth crownes thy Word thy Justice without end These in my griefe and trouble comfort give Informe with Knowledge that my Soule may live COPH. Part. 19 O heare my cries preserve his life who will Thy Laws obey and just Commands fulfill My Eies out-watch the Night my cries prevent The early Morne in due Devotion spent Heare and revive thy Justice execute On lawlesse men preserve from their pursuit Thy oft-tri'd Mercy ever is at hand Thy Judgements on eternall Bases stand RESCH. Part. 20 Behold my sorrowes patronize my cause Thy Word performe to him that keepes thy Lawes Death shall devoure who thy Commands neglect Thou great in Mercy my sought life protect In all extreames I have thy VVill observ'd Griev'd when Transgressors from thy Statutes swerv'd To me who love thy Lawes thy Grace extend Thy Truth began with Time and knowes no end SCHIN Part. 21 Tyrants oppresse thy VVord restraines my Minde VVherein I joy like those who Treasure finde Fraud I abhorre inamour'd on thy VVaies Seven times a Day my Lips thy Justice praise VVho love thy Lawes sweet Peace and Safetie blesse In Thee I hope nor thy just Will transgresse Thy Word observe thy Statutes I affect Which through these humane Seas my course direct TAV Part. 22 Accept my Prayers with Knowledge Lord indue From Death redeeme since to thy Promise true Thy Statutes taught I will thy Praise resound Thy Word extoll and Lawes with Justice crown'd These are my choice uphold with thy right Hand Who feed on Hope and joy in thy Command Prolong my life that I thy Praise may sing Lord thy straid Sheepe backe to thy Pasture bring PSALME CXX As the 5. DIstrest and in my minde dismay'd When destitute of humane aid To Thee successefully I prai'd Lord shield me from the Fraudulent From those that are on malice bent Who envious Calumnies invent O thou false tongue steep't in the gall Of Serpents what reward for all Thy mischiefe shall to thee befall Like Arrowes shot from Parthian strings Fir'd Juniper and Scorpions stings Such art thou ô thou worst of things Wo's me that I from Israel Exiled must in Mesech dwell And in the Tents of Ismael O how long shall I live with those Whose savage minds sweet Peace oppose Where Fury by disswasion growes PSALME CXXI As the 15. TO the Hils thine Eies erect Helpe from those alone expect He who Heaven and Earth hath made Shall from Sion send thee aid God thy ever-watchfull Guide Will not suffer thee to slide He even he who Israel keepes Never slumbers never sleepes He thy Guard with Wings display'd Shall refresh Thee in their Shade Suns shall not with heat infect But their temperate beames reflect Nor unwholsome Serene shall From the Moones moyst influence fall When thou travel'st on the way VVhen at home thou spend'st the Day VVhen sweet Peace thy life delights VVhen imbroil'd in bloudie Fights God shall all thy steps attend Now and evermore defend PSALME CXXII As the cxi O Happy Summons to the Court And Temple of the Lord resort Jerusalem our Feet shall tread VVithin thy VValls O thou the Head Of all the Earth and Judah's Throne Three Cities strongly joyn'd in one The Tribes in throngs to Thee ascend The Tribes which on the Lord depend Fat Offerings to his Altar bring And his immortall Praises sing There shall he his Tribunall place The Judgement-seat of Davids Race Your joyes shall with your daies increase VVho love and pray for Salems Peace May Peace within thy VValls abound Thy Palaces with joy resound Even for my Friends and Kindreds sake May never VVarre thy Bulwarkes shake Even for the hope of Israel And House where God vouchsafes to dwell PSALME CXXIII As the 34. THou mover of the rolling Spheares I through the Glasses of my Teares To Thee my Eies erect As Servants marke their Masters hands As Maids their Mistresses commands And liberty expect So we deprest by enemies And growing troubles fixe our Eies On God who sits on High Till he in mercy shall descend To give our miseries an end And turne our teares to joy O save us Lord by all forlorne The subject of contempt and scorne Defend us from their pride VVho live in fluency and ease VVho with our woes their malice please And miseries deride PSALME CXXIV As the 72. BVT that God fought for us may Israel say But that God fought for us in that sad Day VVhen men inflam'd with wrath against us rose VVe had alive beene swallowed by our Foes Then had we sunke beneath the roaring Waves And in their horrid entrailes found our graves Then had their violence like torrents powr'd From melting Hils our wretched lives devour'd O blest be God! who hath not given our bloud To quench their thirst nor made our flesh their food Our Soules like Birds have scap't the Fowlers Net The snares are broke which for our lives were set Our onely confidence is in his Name VVho made the Earth and Heavens immortall frame PSALME CXXV As the 9. THey who the Lord their Fortresse make Shall like the Towers of Sion rise VVhich dreadfull Earth-quakes never shake Nor raging tumults of the skies Lo as the Hils of Solyma Divine Jerusalem enclose So shall his Angels in the Day Of danger shield them from their Foes The Wicked shall not long subject Their holy Race lest through despaire They should the Lawes of God neglect And be as their Commanders are Lord to the Good be good the Just Protect Their punishments increase Who follow their rebellious lust But crowne thy Israel with Peace PSALME CXXVI As the cxi VVHen God had our deliverance wrought And Sion out of Bondage brought It seem'd to us a Dreame who were Distracted betweene Hope and Feare Then sacred Joy fill'd every Brest In flowing Mirth and Songs exprest The wondring Heathen oft would say How good how great a God have they Great things for us the Lord hath wrought Above the reach of humane thought We therefore will his praises sing The Remnant Lord from Bondage bring As Rivers through the parched Sand Or showres which fall on thirsty land VVho sow in Teares shall reape in Joy We after long Captivity Unto our native Soile retire The scope and crowne of our desire PSALME CXXVII As the 7. VNlesse the Lord the house sustaine They build in vaine In vaine they watch unlesse the Lord The City guard In vaine you rise before the Light And breake the slumbers of the Night In vaine the bread of sorrow eat Got by your sweat Unlesse the Lord with good successe Your labours blesse For he all good on
purchased Both Men and Maides more in my House were bred My Flocks and Heards abundantly increa'st So great as never King before possest Silver and Gold the Treasure of the Seas Of Kings and Provinces foment mine ease Sweet Voices Musicke of all sorts invite My curious Eares and feast with their delight In greater fluencie no Mortall raign'd In height of all my wisedome I retain'd I had the Beauties which my Eyes admir'd Gave to my Heart what ever it desir'd In my owne workes rejoyc'd The recompence Of all my Labours was deriv'd from thence Then I survey'd all that my hands had done My troublesome delights Beneath the Sun VVhat solid good can mans indeavour finde All is but vanitie and griefe of Minde At length I wisedome pond'red in my thought And madnesse weigh'd for folly is distraught VVhat man can my untraced Steps pursue Or doe that Act which to the King is new Then found how wisedome folly did excell As much as brightest Heaven the Shades of Hell The wisemans Eyes are towred in his head The foole in Darknesse walkes by Error led Yet equall Miseries on either waite And both we see obnoxious to one fate Thus in my heart I said The foole and I Suffer alike and must together Dye Why then vexe I my braines to grow more wise Even this was not the least of Vanities Both must be swallowed by Oblivion What is will not to after times be knowne The wise and foolish to the Earth descend And in the grave their various travels end For this I hated Life which only feeds Increasing Sorrowes fruitlesse are our Deeds And wearisome Man no content can find For all is vanitie and griefe of Mind I hated all the Glory I had wonne My State my Structures all my hands had done Fore-seeing how that certaine houre would come When I must leave them Nor yet know to whom VVho can divine if prudent or a foole Yet he must over all my Labours Rule Of all my wisedomes purchaces possest This vanitie was equall with the rest I therefore sought to make my Heart despaire To slight the fraile successe of all my Care What by Integritie and honest toyle A wise man gathers must become his spoile Who only pleas'd his Sence this is a great Vexation and an undiscern'd deceit What hath a Man for all his Industry And griefe of Soule sustain'd beneath the sky All is but sorrow from the Houre of Birth Till he with age returne unto the Earth His Travell paine night yields him no repose This vanitie from our first Parents flowes To eate to drinke t' enjoy what we possesse With freedome is the greatest Happinesse That Mortals can attaine unto A good Deriv'd from God by Men not understood Who feasted more then I who spent his store More liberally or cheer'd his Genius more God wisedome gives gives Knowledge and Delight To those whose hearts are perfect in his sight To Sinners trouble who their time employ To gather what the Righteous shall enjoy By their owne A varice in plenty pin'd This is a vanitie and griefe of Mind Chap. 3 Lo all things have their times by God decreed In Natures changes all things which proceed From Mans Intentions under the vast skie A Time when to be borne a Time to Dye A time to plant to extirpe to Kill to Cure A time to batter downe a time to immure A time of laughter and a time to turne Our smiles to teares a time to dance to mourne To scatter Stones to gather them againe A time to embrace embraces to refraine A Time to get to loose to save to spend To teare asunder and the torne to mend A time to speake from speaking to surcease A time for Love for hate for warre for Peace What good can humane Industry obtaine When all things are so changeable and vaine For God on Man these various Labours throwes To afflict him with varietie of woes He in their times all beautifull hath made The world into our narrow hearts convay'd Yet cannot they the causes apprehend Of his great workes the Originall nor End What other good can Man from these produce But to take pleasure in their present use To eate to drinke t' enjoy what is our owne Is such a gift as God bestowes alone His purpose is Eternall nor can wee Adde or Substract from his Divine Decree That Mortals might their bold Attempts forbeare And curbe their wild affections by his feare What hath beene is what shall be was before And what is past the Almighty will restore Besides the seats of Justice I survay'd There saw how favour and corruption sway'd Then said I in my heart God surely shall Reward the just the unjust to Judgement call All Purposes and Actions have their Times A time for Vengeance to pursue our Crimes As much as sense concernes God manifests To Men how little they dissent from Beasts One end to both befals to equall Death Are lyable and breath the selfe same Breath Then what preheminence hath Man above A Beast since both so Transitory prove Both travell to one home are Earth and must Returne to their Originary Dust Who knowes that Soules of men ascend the sky That those of Beasts with their fraile Bodies dye What Mortall then can make so good a choice As in his owne acquirements to rejoyce This is his Portion for of things to come None can informe him in the Graves darke wombe Chap. 4 Then I observ'd the Bold oppressions done In Presence of the all-survaying Sun Beheld the teares that fell from Sorrowes Eyes No Comforter t' asswage her Miseries With all th' oppressors powerfull Violence While weake Integritie found no defence For this before the Living I prefer'd Those whom the quiet Caves of Death interr'd Before them both such as have yet not beene Nor these diversities of evils seene Againe observ'd how our best Actions bred Ignoble Envie by our Vertue fed Nor friendship could so great a vice controule This was a Vanitie and griefe of Soule The foole sits with his Armes a-crosse his houres In sloth consumes and his owne flesh devoures Better saith he a handfull is obtain'd With happy ease then two by trouble gain'd While I this chace of Vanitie pursue A worse presents her folly to my view Lo one who hath no Second Child nor Heire VVeares out his Life in restlesse toyle and care To gather Riches nor can satisfie VVith all his store the Avarice of his Eye Nor thinks for whom doe I my Soule deceive And injur'd Nature of her Dues bereave This is a sore disease if truly knowne And such a vanitie as yields to none Two better are then one of more regard Their Labour lesse and greater their reward If either fall one will the other raise When he who walkes alone his Life betrayes If two together lye both warmth beget But he who lies alone receives no heat If one prevaile two may that one resist Coards hardly breake which of three lines consist
God hath on me in his fury throwne He from the breaking Clouds his flames hath cast Which in my Bones the boyling Marrow wast Hath set snares for my feet throwne to the ground Left desolate and fainting with my wound Who of my Sins hath made a yoake to check My Insolence and cast it on my Neck My Strength hath broken to my Enemies Subdu'd my Powers now ah too weake to rise He in the mid'st of me hath trodden downe My mighty Men and those of most Renowne His Troopes on my strong youth like Torrents rush't As in a wine-presse Judah's Daughter crush't For this I weepe my eye my galled Eye Dissolves in Streames for he who should apply Balme to my wounds farre ô farre of is fled My Children desolate their Foe their head Her Hands sad Sion rais'd no Comfort found Jehova charg'd her foes to guir'd her round Jerusalem O thou of late belov'd Now like a Menstruous Woman art remov'd The Lord is just t is I that have rebell'd And by my wild revolt his Grace expell'd Heare and behold my woes my Orphans torne From my forc'd Armes and into exile borne I to my boasting Lovers call'd for ayd But they their vowes infring'd my trust betray'd My Priests and Princes while they seeke for bread To feed their hungry Soules augment the Dead Lord looke on me my heart roules in my Breast My Bowels stoyle like Seas with Stormes opprest I have provok't thy Vengeance with my Sinne Without the Sword destroyes and Dearth within My sighes no pitty move my cruell Foes Enjoy thy Wrath and glory in my Woes Yet that presaged Time will come when they Shall equall Sorrowes to thy Justice pay O set their impious deeds before thine eyes And presse them with my waighty Miseries The Birth of Sinne which breake into complaint My groanes are numberlesse my Spirits faint Chap. 2 How hath Jehova's wrath ô Sion spread A vaile of Clouds about thy Daughters head From Heaven to Earth thy beauty Israel throwne Nor in his fierce displeasure spar'd his owne How hath he swallow'd Judah's Mansions ra'st His Holds and to the ground his Bulwarks cast The Land in his relentlesse rage profan'd And with the Blood of her owne Princes stain'd He in his Indignation hath the Horne Of Israel from his bleeding forehead torne Before the Foe O forc't to flye with shame His wrath to Jacob a devouring flame Foe-like hath bent his Bow his Hostile hand Advanc't and slaine the Beauty of the Land All that the eye attracted with Desire And powr'd his anger forth like floods of Fire Against thee Solyma Converts his Powers Sad Israel and his Pallaces devoures His strong built Fortresses to ruines turnes Whil'st Judah's Daughter for her Children mournes His Tabernacle He with Violence Hath now demolish't like a Garden Fence None Sions feasts and Sabbaths celebrate Both King and Priest abnoxious to his hate Detests his Sanctuary and forsakes His flamelesse Altar while the Enemy takes His Palaces and Walles fill'd with their Cryes As late by us in our Solemnities The ruine of Jerusalem designes And levels the Foundation with his Lines Nor his fierce hand withdrawes the tottering walls And stooping Turrets languish in their falls Her Gates sinke to the Earth with shiver'd bars Her King and Princes Slaves or slaine in wars All Lawes surcease Jehova to her Seers No more by Visions or by Dreames appeares Her Elders sit on earth with silent Woe And Dust upon their Silver Tresses throw In sack-cloath mourne Her Virgins hang their heads Like drooping Flowers that bow to their cold Beds My Bowels toyle mine eyes with teares are drown'd My bleeding Liver powr'd upon the Ground To see my tender Babes unpittied lye On flinty Pavements and through famine dye While others to their weeping Mothers say O give us Food our hunger to allay Then fainting by the bloodlesse wound of Death In their infolding Armes sigh out their Breath How shall my tongue expresse ô how compare Thy matchlesse Sorrowes to asswage thy Care Distressed Sions Daughter for thy breach Is like the Seas whose rage no bounds impeach Vaine tales and foolish have thy Prophets told Nor would they thy exiling Sins unfold False Burthens and false Prophecies invent The fatall Authors of thy Banishment The Passengers they wry their heads aside Hisse at thee clap their hands and thus deride Is this their only Joy which they of all The world the Beauty and Perfection call Thy Foes make mouthes scoffe grind their teeth and say Now have we swallow'd our desired prey This is that Day we did so long expect VVherein our hopes have had their wish't effect God hath accomplished his old Decree VVe thy oft-menaced Destruction see Hath ruin'd without pitie made a Scorne To thy Triumphant Foe and rais'd his Horne To him their hearts now cry O Sions Towers All Day all Night let teares descend in Showers O never give thy labouring Thoughts repose Nor let the humid Night thy eye-lids close Arise and cry cry from the Nights first houre Thy Heart before thy God like water powre O raise thy Hands to Heaven least Famines force Thy Childrens soules from their pale corps divorce Lord see thy Masacre's shall cursed wombes Become their new-borne childrens fatall Tombes Thy Priests and Prophets by the sword are slaine And with their Blood thy Sanctuary staine Lo in the Streets old Men and Infants lye My Virgins and bold Youth by slaughter dye Thou with their Blood thy Vengeance didst imbrew Thy burning Fury without pitty slew As in a solemne Day thy Terrors have Inviron'd me thy Anger cloyes the Grave Those whom I swatled in my Bosome bred The Barbarous Foe hath sent unto the Dead Chap. 3 Lo I the Man who by the wrath of God Have seene afflictions stormes and felt his Rod He hath depriv'd me of the cheerefull Light Inveloped with Shades more darke then Night Against me his revengefull Forces bent Nor sets his Anger with the Suns descent My slesh hath wasted wrinckled my smooth skin With Sorrowes age and broke my Bones within Against me digg'd atrench cast up a mound With travels bitter gall besieg'd me round Imprison'd where no beames their brightnesse shed Like that darke Region people by the Dead On every side my Flight with Barres restraines And clogs my galled Legs with massie Chaines Who stops his eares against my Cryes and Prayers With Stone immures and spreads my Path with snares He like a Beare or Lion lyes in waite Diverts in pieces teares leaves Desolate At me as at a marke his Bow he drew Whose Arrowes in my Blood their wings imbrew He lets the People circle me in Throngs Who all the Day deride with spitefull Songs With wormewood made me drunke with gall hath fed My teeth with gravell broke with Ashes spread My soule to Peace is such a Stranger growne As if I never better Dayes had knowne When I my wrongs to memory recall My Miseries my Wormewood and my Gall My Passions thus