SONG XXXIV. Rafh Judging condemned; or, Job's Warning to bis cenforious Friends. Job xix. 28, 29. Ver. Friends! your groundless rage suppress, 28 And worketh not the righteoufnefs, Rafh judging him in whom is found Your darts will on yourselves rebound, In fierce uncharitable zeal But cover'd fraud God will reveal, Know that the day approaches faft, SONG XXXV. The Profperity of the wicked short, and their Ruin fure. Job xx. 5,—9. 11,—14. 5 THE HE wicked's triumph is but fhort, His empty joy, and idle fport, Does but a moment' stay. 6 Though to the heav'n his head he raife, Yet, loft, for ay, he and his praise, Fades with a swift decay; Ver. He, miferable and forlorn, 7 Caft, like his own vile dung, with scorn, And with contempt, away. These who his fplendor did admire, And, where is now his place! enquire, 8 His fhort-liv'd fame and great esteem, Yea, he fhall by a fudden bane 9 His blazing lamp fhall disappear, And in the place of his career II As he was closely fix'd to fin, 12 For guilty marks, and enfigns bad, 13 Continue his companions fad, And fellows in the duft. *14 Thefe morfels sweet shall bitter grow, Confume his vital breath, And follow him, with dool and wo, To th' other fide of death. SONG XXXVI. The Wicked hardened in their Impiety by their Profperity. Job xxi. 7,-15. FT do we fee the wicked fafe, 7 OFT And unmolefted dwell; Oft do they flow in pleafure foft, And in their wealth excel. Ver. In merriment and carnal ease They spend each happy day; The regal throne of pomp In triumph they afcend; and pride Repeat their conquefts, and abroad 8 Vig'rous, though far advanc'd in years, And num'rous progeny. 9 Their houses safe from fears and foes, Nor God's vindictive heavy blows 10 Their profp'rous cattle, thick and throng, Ingender on the hill; And, with their num'rous wanton young, II Their merry little ones, in trains, Sport in the streets, and o'er the plains 12 They take the harp, and in the round, And, at the organ's chearful found, 13 Pamper'd in ease, and mirth, and wealth, By years, and not by fickness, they At laft their fhoulders bend; 14 Hence, puff'd up with prodigious pride, God's threats and precepts they deride, Ver. They bid th' Almighty God depart, We don't defire or have at heart, The knowledge of thy way. 15 What's the Almighty? Where's our fee? Some pray and praife, but don't we fee Thus wicked men, whom Heav'n does load Their native fpite against their God Profanely does exprefs. SONG XXXVII. GOD's Way of Providence towards Men attended with great Variety. Job. xxi. 17,-26. 17 SOMETIMES deftruction, impious men Ev'n in this world invades ; Though oft their lamp of life's burnt out, God's fatal judgments for their crimes, Amidst their pomp, there's but a step 18 Oft with his driving wrath he's pleas'd 19 Their fin and guilt the mighty God And for their children's heritage, Their progeny that tread their fteps, 10 Their curfed lips fhall deeply drink, Their haughty eyes fhall downward fink, Ver. Ah, then! what comfort to them fhall 12 Their race furviving raise, When in the middle, after all, Grim death cuts off their days! Is trouble, want, and pain. 22 Yet who will thence against the ways To guide, govern, and rule the world, Does not the great omnifcient God Who then to teach him wisdom will And clearly fhow him how, with skill, 23 One dies in his full ftrength and health, 24 When full of marrow, mirth, and wealth, Yet in a moment gone. 25 Another, who in tort'ring pains, And bitter anguifh lies; Long griev'd and gall'd with heavy chains, In ling'ring fickness dies. 26 Both these at last the friendly grave And on their flefh, within the cave, Promifcuous tribulations thus Befal both good and bad. No difpenfation of this fort Does ever take its rife, From one man's virtuous effort, Or from another's vice. |