The conflict of Iob. By way of dialogue. Compiled for illustration, or opening of that great encounter: and may also serue as a paraphrase vpon that heauenly worke. By R.H.

Syrraxis. 4.

Persons.

• ...Sathan.
• ...Lord.

Sathan.

VVHat a deale of holinesse is there in this Man; Morning, and Euening sacri∣fice: Oblations for himselfe, for his Children peace offe∣ringes, offeringes of redemption, burnt offerings, praying with his family, praysing the Lorde with Psalmes, and Hymnes, and singing them vnto the❀ a Harpe, and o∣ther instruments of Musicke; preaching vnto them, Cate∣chising them, instructing his Children, by Doctrine, admo∣nition, exhortation: talking, conferring, reasoning about Religion with all, (as well strangers, at familiar friendes) and he hath neuer doone with it; he is in it day and night, earely and late, no time commeth amisse for it, nothing can hinder him from it, those that haue any dooings with

him, shal be well lessoned I trow. But I will misse fowly of my marke, if I alter not this geare shortly: for the Lord shall hardly say me nay, or I will be doing with him eare it be long.

Oh I cannot be at rest, vntil I be about it. Oh, how much good it would do me to be vpon his skirts: for this is my delight to vexe mankinde, and to get them into my clut∣ches to torment them: herein is my ioy, heerein is my fe∣licity, to macerate that pampered flesh of theirs. O how tender, how dainty, and delicate they are? But when I take them once in hand, I put them to such hard meate, and so crush them, that I bring them to dispaire, and loe, then they are where I would haue them. But when it is so, that I cannot haue my swinge at the Sonnes of Adam, when the World flourisheth, the graces of God abound in Men euery where, War ceaseth, peace is maintained vp∣on the face of the earth; then fret I, then am I consumed with enuy, eaten vp with malice; then sorrow woundeth my life, griefe and vexation teareth and renteth my spi∣rit. Hence it is, that because I am not permitted to med∣dle with Men themselues, I wreake my anger vppon the Corne, fruite, Grasse, trees, Houses, Cattell, &c. procu∣ring mil-dewes, immoderate shewers, Hailestones, Cater∣pillers; lightnings, and flamesb of fire from Heauen, to de∣stroy them.

This doth a little ease my Malady: but if this may not be graunted me, yet I neuer rest, night nor day, from ven∣ting out of mallice one way or other to the annoyance of men. One while leaue being giuen me (for here is the mis∣chiefe I can doe nothing without leaue)c I so shake the earth with fearefull Earth-quakes, which turneth vppe the Mountains by the roots, swalloweth vp Citties, & Coun∣tries, causeth the very foundation and Pillers of the earth to tremble: another while, I so trouble the ayre (the feat of my kingdome) with Hideous and horrible Thunder∣claps, powring down withall such mighty streames of Wa∣ters, and so darkning the light of the Heauens, that it strip∣peth

the sons of men of all comfort of life, causeth the hair of their heades to stand an end, and their harts to shiuer in their bellies. Neither doth this satisfie my fury, (for I must be doing still, and playing my prizes in euery corner) but here I enter into beasts; there, into men; and those of ra∣rest gifts of wit and learning, whereby they become mad: here I sow heresies, and false doctrine, there scisme, & con∣tention; here I lay riches and honours before the Religi∣ous professors of the truth, to pul them from their sincerity; there I puffe vp the harts of the learned with pride. The iust man I tempt with bribes, the Wise man, with a conceit of great wisedome; the good Man with an high opinion of his deserts; the temperat man, and him that hath gouern∣ment ouer his affections; with dainties of all sortes, with pleasures of each kind, with strong motions to vncleane∣nes, vncomely speeches; with matter of reuenge; with prouocations vnto blasphemy. When I find a mans humor once I am safe (and I can quickly guesse at that to) I follow him at an inch, I am with him to bring at euery turn what∣soeuer he be. There is none that is free from my assaultes, King or Begger, young or old, Male or female: All is one with me, I pitty none, I spare none, very infants and suck∣lings are my prey; I haue a cast at all one way, or other, and so to, that I neuer leaue them vntill I haue fetched them ouer the coales. Adam himselfe scaped not my fingers (alas silly man) for all his great wisedome, he was no match for me. Noah withall his righteousnesse, I turned into a very Swine. Lot withall his godlines, into an incestu∣ous beast. Abraham that was such a beleeuer, into a very dissembler, whom haue I not ouercome? Where haue I not preuailed by my tentations? What man was there liuing at any time vnder the cope of Heauen, that I haue not foyled more or lesse, first or last in the Combate? Shall Iob then be able to stand out alwaies, and set vp the flag of defiance against me? No, no, the Lord will cal for me shortly, I will then be in hand with him, to see whether he may be won to let me buckle with him a little? O how

doth malice with her poyson and venim torment me, till I haue disgorged my stomacke vpon him?

Lord.

Come Sathan, giue in thine account heere before my Tribunal, do that homage that to me thy Lord belon∣geth. These my good seruants, my holy Angels, they are al∣waies most willing, and ready, most speedy, and cheerefull, most obedient and faithfull, both to execute my comm••••∣dements, and to bring in a reckoning vnto m•• of their ser∣uice; euen of their own voluntary inclination, loue, & af∣fection toward me. But I can haue neither the one nor the other done by thee nor by any of thy retinue (which canot be numbred for multitude) saue only what by strong and violent hand I wring from thee. I make vse of these my good seruantes, and so of thee, not that I stand in neede of any of you (for I am all sufficient of my selfe, and there∣fore my name is Shadai) but that through their mi∣nistery, my goodnes might the better appear to my church militant, for whose sauegard I imploy them: As also tho∣rough thy ministery, whom together with them I haue or∣dained as a terrour and scourge to the aduersaries of my church, and as a triall of my spouse, that so she might be comforted and incouraged in her warfare (on the one side) and on the other side, experienced in my deliuerance, hardned and armed against whatsoeuer assaults for the ad∣uancement of my kingdome.

I dare vndertake for thee Sathan, that thou meanest no∣thing lesse then this, and that it is ful sore against thy mind to set forward my kingdome: for though thou art heere present before me among these my sons: yet is thy mea∣ning as contrary to theirs, as the light of this my throne, and the darkenes of thy Dungeon of Hell. It is my migh∣tie power that hath dragged thee hither, otherwise thou wouldest not haue come before me.

And now thou art heere, I know thou art come as a mali∣cious enimie of mine, and wilt also quarrell with mee a∣bout something before thou departest; For thou hast not thy name for nought: but continuest a sworne eni∣my

of mine (as thy name Sathan doth import.) And such a one, whose guise hath alwaies beene to oppose himselfe against me and my seruants, euer cauilling with vs, peering and prying spightfully into vs, euer spying a knot in a bul∣rush, and seeking to vndermine vs withall thy cunning; and therefore art thou iustly termed the Diuell. Thy very countenance bewraieth as much for the present, and the fury wherewith thou art inflamed, breaketh foorth in thy face. Surely there is some great matter that inrageth thee. Where madest thou thy last walke Sathan?

Sathan.

I haue bin walking vp and downe, ouer and o∣uer againe in myc principallity, according to thine ap∣pointment.

Lord.

This is nod direct nor perfect answere to my question. For I woulde knowe from what part 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 play∣ing vpon the aduantage: sodainely assayling, hotly pursu∣ing, and neuer giuing ouer. The Tyrant in thy cruel tormen∣ting 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 po∣wer) left no means vnatempted to draw to disloyalty, wher I haue not restrained thee of thy wil to hurt, and more parti∣cularly 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, 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 thou∣sand words in this space. Trie him on that eare and he will reuiue his spirits by and by. If Iob be not my faithfull ser∣uant, louing me and mine in trueth, fearing me exceeding∣ly, 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, 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 com∣mended, reputed as my faithfull seruant, and to be rewar∣ded.

Sathan.

Rewardsa he hath not wanted good store; honor, credite,b 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 con∣tinuallie from heauen in the earlie and latter raine, in pou∣ring 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 e∣uer 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 cur∣ses, 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, 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 vp∣on him. Thou enuiest his prosperity, and that is the cause thou art so earnest against him. Thisa 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 a∣bundantlie 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 of them al, haue beene induced thereby to serue me, but rather haue thereby taken an occasion, to cast off my yoke from their shoulders, and to yeeld themselues ouer to al lasciuiousnesse and wanton∣nes of life.

Though I bestow riches and rewards vpon men, to make them more in loue with me, yet for the most part they of all other are most vnkind, vnthankful, forgetful, proud, ambiti∣ous, contemners of my worde, cruell, craftie, and requite me with worse and harder measure then anie beside. It is wonderful to see what contrarie effects riches work to those that I intend? For whereas I bestovv them as comfortes and helpes to the godlie in their proceeding and growing in

Religion: they turne to the choking vp the good feedes of my word, to the drowning of the good graces of my spi∣rit, and conuerting them whom I haue not onely indued with a reasonable soule, but inspired with diuine know∣ledge into vnreasonable beastes.

And therefore Iob is an admirable man, whom wealth hath not corrupted, but made more dutifull, forward, and cheerefull in my seruice, and more humble toward the poore. And as for the feare of thy punishmentes, it is a very idle speech, and a fond thing, for any one to stand in awe of ought thou canst do against them, seeing thou canst not lift vp thy finger against any one (no not thea most wic∣ked) without my speciall leaue and authority. For albe∣it thy power is aboue theirs, they are by nature vnder thy thraldome, and thou leadest them for the most part as cap∣tiues and Prisoners at thy pleasure: yet my hand is aboue thine, I redeeme whom I will, how vile sinners soeuer, yea though vessels of wrath, from vnder thy seruice, vse toward them long patience, and shew toward them my rich fauours, and mercies for a time. Neither canst thou hold any in perpetuall bondage, vntill I giue them wholy ouer vnto thy tyrranny.

In that thou vauntest of thy thousands, whom thou hast brought to thy seruice, or rather slauishe seruitude, for feare of punishment; thou sayest truely, because it is for feare, and not for loue they doe it. But what a mischie∣uous mind is this, that nothing will content thee, but the losse of al that euer he hath? Which how can it be granted thee? For by thine owne confession, I haue set a Hedge a∣bout him for a defence against thee? Wilt thou haue mee to remoue that Hedge without a cause? But he feareth me not (thou sayest) as I suppose: but whatsoeuer he doth is in Hypocrisie, that so his turne may be serued: wherein to omit thy impudency in controling my testimony of him, (and that to my face) thou shalt find by wofull experience, that hee is no Hypocrite, neither can bee brought by the greatest affliction thou canst deuise, to curse, and blas∣pheme me.

Sathan.

Suffer me to afflict him and good enough?

Lord.

I assure thee thou shalt haue shame enough by it, and the infamy thou thinkest to bring vppon me by his blaspheming my name, shall through his patience, and constancy in glorifieng and blessing the same in his extrea∣mest misery, light vppon thine owne head. And whereas thou makest account to destroy Iob thereby, & to insult and triumph ouer my Church: so farre shalt thou bee from that, that thou shalt destroy thereby thine own kingdome, and doe him such honour, as neuer shall be forgotten, and be a meanes that my Church shall take vp the same as a song of tryumph and victory against thee, in all thy ten∣tations, vnto the worldes end. Wherefore to put away all doubts concerning Iobs constancy, I will yeald him ouer into thy handsa. Spare not any thing he hath, none of his thousands of Cattell, none of his Sheep, Oxen, Asses & Cammels; none of his Corne, Grasse, Woodes, Vines, Barnes, & Storehouses, none of all his seuen Sons, or Daughters, which hee valeweth aboue all the treasures in the world, only meddle not I charge thee with his person.

Sathan.

The Assisses being now ended, and my commis∣sion sealed: it remaineth that I play the Hangman. I will bee gone therefore in posta hast, and put my commission in execution with all my skill and cunning, and who can go beyond me? With all my industry and diligence, and I am vntireable in my indeuoures. Neither will I abate him the least pinnes point of my graunt, saue onely cer∣taine messengers, to bring him tydinges of his losses, his Wife to vexe him, and some of his Seruants to grieue, and contemne❀ b him in his misery.

It grieueth me to doe this, but that I must needes. For my desire is, to lay on loade vpon all that he hath, and to spare nothing, vntill I haue belched out all my malice, re∣venged my deadly and insatiable hatred vpon him to the vttermost, and with the stretching out of my commission euen vpon the tainter hookes.

Notwithstanding if I should doe this to, and sweepe a∣way

all that he hath hand smooth, not leauing any thing behind me: yet would not my hart for al that be satisfied. For there being an vndraineable fountaine of spight there, against the Lords elect, it is impossible I should euer haue my fil at them as I would. I hauing now sued out the lords commission, I am bound to follow the matter: but that is not it that I regard. It is enough for the Angels, that keepe their stāding, to aime at obedience to the law of God when any thinge is imposed vppon them: Let the Lord intend therfore what he wil here in my drift is, through the great∣nesse, sodainesse, strangenesse, and diuersity of affliction, proceeding by degrees, and yet winding vp it selfe toge∣ther at the last, and comming in vpon him as it were all at a clap, to bring Iob to curse, and blaspheme God in his hart. The Lordes purpose I know heerein is, to vse mee as an instrument to procure his honor by Iobs constancy: but my purpose, to purchase honour to my selfe, and to deface his glory, all I can, by the vnmasking of this mans disguised holinesse, and discoureing of his dissimulation. Now for a time to play this my Tragedy in, I was neuer better fitted in my life. For at this very instant; his Sons and Daughters are all a banquettingb together: and doe not so much as once thinke of any euill, that is toward them. I will fetch about for my other exploits, and be vpon them in a trice, before they dreame of such a matter, and tumble downe the very house wher they are assembled vpon their heads.

Notes

• Chap. 1, v, 6
• ❀ a

  Chap. 30, 31.
• b

  Chap, 1, 1
• c

  Chap. xi, xii Chap. 2, 5, 6,
• None of these fell fi∣nally, but rose againe.
• Shadai of Shadad, vefte∣re because the Lord is able to lay all things wast that shall a∣ny way anoy his children.
• c

  chap. 1.7
• d

  chap. 1 8
• chap, 1. v, 7
• Chap 1 v 9
• a

  Verse. 8
• b

  chap, i, v, x
• chap. 1
• a

  Verse. 1
• a

  Not Achab himselfe. 1 Kings 22, 20, 22
• Chap, 1, v, xi
• Chap 1, v, xii
• a

  verse. 12
• a

  Chapter 1 Implyed in exiuit, depar¦ted verse, xii
• ❀ b

  chap, 19, 16
• b

  Verse xiii,
• Chap. i,