Job, Chapter 34

Then Elihu his speech directs to those
Who in a Ring the Disputants inclose.
You that are wise, said he, my Doctrine heare:
You who have knowing Soules, afford an Eare.
For sence is by that Organ understood;
Even as the taste distinguisheth of Food.
By Equitie let us our Judgements guide:
And this long controverted Cause decide.
Iob cries; I guiltlesse fall, to God appeale:
Yet will not he the clouded truth reveale.
Shall I with lyes betray my Innocence?
My wound is mortall: ô, for what offence!
Who of himselfe but he so vainely thinks?
Who contumacy like cold water drinks.
He is in shackles by the wicked led;
And walkes the way which his Associates tread.
What bootes it man (sayes he) to take delight
In God! and live as alwayes in his sight!
O heare me, you who high in knowledge sit:
Is it with God that he should Sinne commit?
No, each according to his Merit shall
Receive his hire: to Justice stand, or fall.
O can Compassion in Destruction joy?
Or will the righteous Judge the just destroy?
Shall he the world by mans direction sway;
Whom Heaven and Powers Angelicall obey?
In his disposure is the Orbe of Earth;
The Throne of Kings, and all of humane Birth.
O, if he should the heart of man survay;
Reduce, and take the breath he gave, away:
All Living in a moment would expire;
And swiftly to there former dust retire.
Then Iob, if thou hast reason; if a mind
Not partiall; let my words acceptance find.
Shall he who Justice hates, rule by his lust?
Or will't thou him condemne who is most just?
Shall Subjects taxe their Kings? their Princes blame?
And with detractions poys'nous breath defame?
Much lesse upbraid his just Dominion,
To whom both Lords and vassals are all one.
Who Rich and Poore alike regards; since they
By him were form'd from the same lump of clay.
Pale Death shall in an instant quench their light;
Whole Nations ravish, in the dead of Night,
Sweep from the Earth: the mightie in Command
Shall from their Thrones be snatcht without a hand.
He all beholds with eyes that never close:
Observes their Steps, and their Intentions knowes,
No mufling Clouds, nor Shades infernall, can
From his inquiry hide offending Man.
Nor shall the Punishment, which guilt pursues,
Exceed the Crime; lest he should God accuse.
He shall for sinnes unknowne the mighty breake;
And to their empty thrones advance the weake:
The Misteries of Night reveale to Day;
And in their falls their secret faults display.
Nor his exemplary revenge deferre;
Presented on the Worlds great Theatre:
Since they revolt from God, with open jawes
Blaspheme his Justice, and despise his Lawes.
So that the cries of their oppressions rend
The suffering Aire, and to his eares ascend.
Who can disturbe the peace which he bestowes?
What tumult waken their secure repose?
What Nation, or what one of Mortall Race,
Shall God behold, if he withdraw his Face?
That Hypocrites no more may tyrannize:
Nor in their snares the credulous surprize.
Say thou; I will not with my God contend;
But beare his Chastisements, nor more offend.
My Ignorance informe, if I have lent
An Eare to vice, lest I my sinnes augment.
Will he with thy Arbitrement comply?
Whither thou should'st consent, or shouldst deny,
His censure is the same. Shall I transgresse
In not reproving? what thou know'st, professe.
And you my Auditors, by God indu'd
With sacred wisedome, will I hope conclude,
That Job on Justice hath aspersions flung;
And spoken indiscreetly with his tongue.
O Father, give his Miseries no end;
While he shall his impietie defend.
They to their sinnes rebellion adde, who jest
At their Instructors, and with God contest.