Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

1. Motives to it.

1. God being Sovereign, hath an absolute right to dispose of all things. His Title to our persons and possessions is upon this account stronger than our own can be; We have as much reason to be angry with our selves, when we assert our worldly right against others, as to be angry with God for asserting the right of his Dominion over us. Why should we enter a charge against him, because he hath not tempered us so strong in our bodies, drawn us with as fair colours, embellished our spirits with as rich gifts as others? Is he not the Sovereign of his own goods, to impart what, and in what measure he pleaseth? Would you be content your servants should check your pleasure, in dispensing your own favours? 'Tis an unreasonable thing, not to leave God to the exercise of his own dominion. Though Job were a pattern of patience, yet he had deep tinctures of impatience, he often complains of God's usage of him, as too hard, and stands much upon his own integrity; But when God comes in the latter Chapters of that book, to justify his carriage towards him, he chargeth him not as a criminal, but ⟨p. 785⟩considers him only as his Vassal. He might have found flaws enough in Job's carriage, and corruption enough in Job's nature, to clear the equity of his proceeding as a Judge, but he useth no other medium to convince him, but the greatness of his Majesty, the unlimitedness of his sovereignty, which so appals the good man, that he puts his finger on his mouth, and stands mute with a self-abhorrenc; before him as a sovereign, rather than as a Judge. When he doth pinch us, and deprive us of what we most affect, his right to do it should silence our lips, and calm our hearts from any boisterous uproars against him.

1. God being Soveraign, hath an absolute right to dispose of all things. His Title to our persons and possessions is upon this account stronger than our own can be; We have as much reason to be angry with our selves, when we assert our worldly right against others, as to be angry with God for asserting the right of his Dominion over us. Why should we enter a charge against him, because he hath not temper'd us so strong in our bodies, drawn us with as fair colours, embellisht our spirits with as rich gifts as others? Is he not the Soveraign of his own goods, to impart what, and in what measure he pleaseth? Would you be content your servants should check your pleasure, in dispensing your own favors? 'Tis an unreasonable thing, not to leave God to the exercise of his own dominion. Though Job were a pattern of patience, yet he had deep tinctures of impatience, he often complains of God's usage of him, as too hard, and stands much upon his own integrity; But when God comes in the latter Chapters of that book, to justifie his carriage towards him, he chargeth him not as a criminal, but