160 REDEMPTION.
This evil is the Lord's, why should we look To Him for further aid, or longer hope ? Job once the trial knew, but kiss'd the rod, And triumph'd o'er th' unseen Tempter's pow'r. So Jesus now with condescension meek, His Adversary, thus unmask'd, repels :
" Didst thou in truth not know me as I am, (Though this I not the least confess to thee,) Thou would'st not here have follow'd to attempt, Nor, coming, wove thy web of glozing lies. But deeming me the refuge sole of man, Thou hop'st by fond delusion, trick bold play'd, To stumble me, and thus defeat that aim, Which leads me to high task so well begun. Thou know'st my meaning, that late felt the foil Of her, though weak, who proved too strong for thee. Nor is thy tempting new, if somewhat changed ; Though, if thou had'st not so attempted Eve, Who stood not then as I in need of food, Still would its baldness thy pretext betray, And prove thee' as superficial in device, As thin in thy disguise. That I refrain To strip, and send thee howling to thy place, Deem for response sufficient to thy quest. To parl here e'en, were sin to all save One, To be persuaded by thee to do aught, Though it should seeming needful be for life, Would e'en my cause attaint; nor have I least That mind. But waiving, let that pass the while. Since when, hast thou such marv'lous zeal indued, So anxious grown, to prove me Son of God ? 'Twere to be thought thou would'st that proof defer,
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