The affliction and deliverance of the saints: or, The whole booke of Iob composed into English heroicall verse metaphrastically. / By Thomas Manley Iun. Esq;

CHAP. XXXIII.

[verse 1] VVHerefore I pray thee Iob my speeches hear, And to the words which I shall speak give eare. [verse 2] Lo, I my mouth have open'd, and my tongue And mouth have spoke what to me did belong. [verse 3] My words th'uprightnesse of my heart shall show, My lips shall speak what I from Heaven do know. [verse 4] The Spirit of the Lord did me create, Th' Almighty's breath unto my life gave date. [verse 5] If thou canst give an answer, I will hear; Stand up before me, and thy self prepare. [verse 6] Lo, I, as you desire, am in Gods stead, I also from the clay am fashioned. [verse 7] Nor shall the fear of me make thee afraid, Nor shall my hand be heavy on thee laid. [verse 8] Have not mine ears perceiv'd the words you said? Did I not hear the arguments you made?

[verse 9] Thou saist I'm clean without or sin or stain, I'm guiltlesse, in me doth no crime remain; [verse 10] Yet doth he vex me, I no joy can see, He me esteemeth as his enemy. [verse 11] He gat my feet into the stocks, his eye On all my goings narrowly doth spie. [verse 12] In this thou art not just, if things you scan; I answer, God far greater is then man. [verse 13] The stage to strive with him why do you mount? He of his matters doth not give account. [verse 14] For God it may be speaketh once or twice, Yet man perceives it not, he's not so wise. [verse 15] In dreams or nightly visions, when the head Is full of sleep and slumbers on the bed: [verse 16] Then openeth he the ears of men, and seales First their instruction, then their folly heales. [verse 17] That he might from his purpose man with draw, Whose pride doth in his judgement make a flaw, [verse 18] He keeps his soule from ruine and from ill, And doth forbid the sword his blood to spill. [verse 19] Sorrow and griefe chastise him on his bed, And all his bones with paine are tortured. [verse 20] His bitter life makes him abhor to eat, His soule doth loth both bread and finer meat. [verse 21] He's nought but skin and bone; he is so lean His bones stick out, which ne're before were seen. [verse 22] His grieved soul draws neer unto the grave, And for his body, it the mourners have. [verse 23] If one interpret, or a message beare Unto man his uprightnesse to declare:

[verse 24] Then will he pitty, and cry out, O save Him from the pit: For I a ransome have. [verse 25] Then as a child he shall renew his flesh, As in his youthfull daies he shall befresh, [verse 26] He prayes, and God his mercy doth begin, He shall see God, who will forgive his sin. [verse 27] He looks on men, whereof if one confesse, I have perverted truth and righteousnesse. Yea, I have sinn'd, and all the gain I find, Is Gods fierce anger with a guilt of minde. [verse 28] He'l save his soul from going down to Hell, And crowning's life with light make all things wel. [verse 29] Lo, all these things God worketh oft with men, [verse 30] To bring their soules to light from sins foul den. [verse 31] Mark well and hear, be silent when I speak, [verse 32] And if you ought can say, an answer make. To justifie thee Iob, is my desire; [verse 33] Then hear, I will with wisdome thee inspire.