Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

4. May he not impose what terms he pleases? May he not impose what Laws he please, and exact what he will of his Creature without promising any Rewards? May he not use his own for his own honour, as well as men use for their credit what they do possess by his indulgence?

5. Affliction is an act of his Sovereignty. By this right of Sovereignty may not God take away any man's Goods, since they were his doles? As he was not indebted to us, when he bestowed them, so he cannot wrong us, when he removes them. He takes from us what is more his own, than it is ours, and was never ours but by his gift, and that for a time only, not for ever. By this right, he may determine our times, put a period to our days, when he pleases, strip us of one member, and lop off another. Man's being was from him, and why should he not have a Sovereignty to take, what he had a Sovereignty to give? Why should this seem strange to any of us, since we our selves exercise an absolute Dominion ⟨p. 712⟩over those things in our possession, which have sense, and feeling; as well as over those that want it? Doth not every man think, he hath an absolute Authority over the Utensils of his house, over his Horse, his Dog, to preserve, or kill him, to do what he please with him, without rendering any other reason, than 'tis my own? May not God do much more? Doth not his dominion over the work of his hands transcend that which a man can claim over his Beast, that he never gave life unto? He that dares dispute against God's absolute right, fancies himself as much a God as his Creator; understands not the vast difference between the Divine nature and his own; between the Sovereignty of God and his own, which is all the theme God himself discourseth upon in those stately Chapters. Job 38, 39. &c. Not mentioning a Word of Job's sin, but only vindicating the rights of his own Authority. Nor doth Job in his reply, Job 40.4. speak of his sin, but of his natural vileness as a Creature in the presence of his Creator.