An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

I answer, He had not. Yet because he thought God might have done better by good men, or have given out that which was more suitable to their estate, than such continual sorrows and afflictions as he endured, therefore this saying is deservedly imputed to him. For, it would have become Job, and doth every man, to say, that is best done which God doth, and that he hath chosen or pitched upon the best, and most proper means of doing his own choicest servants good, even when 'tis worst with them in the world, or, when he afflicts them with the greatest evils; For, Who can (then) say, he hath wrought iniquity?

I answer, He had not. Yet because he thought God might have done better by good men, or have given out that which was more suitable to their estate, than such continual sorrows and afflictions as he endured, therefore this saying is deservedly imputed to him. For, it would have become Job, and doth every man, to say, that is best done which God do•h, and that he hath chosen or pitched upon the best, and most proper meanes of doing his own choisest servants good, even when 'tis worst with them in the world, or, when he afflicts them with the greatest evils; For, Who can (then) say, he hath wrought iniquity?

Hence observe; First, The infinite purity of God, as also his love to righteousness and justice;

Who, though he be so absolute in power, that none can call him in question (none can enjoin him his way, and therefore none can question him for his way) yet he is so perfect in righteousness, that no fault can be found in him, nor any error in his way. Though the Lord hath power to do what he will, yet he hath no will to do wrong with his power. The Lord neither doth nor can do wrong to those who have, to their power, continually wronged him. And indeed, he that hath all power in his hand, can have nothing but right in his heart. How few are there in power (though their way be enjoined to them, though they have power merely by commission, from superior powers, though their power be such as they are to give an account of, yet, I say, how few are there in power) who do not much iniquity, who do not, either for want of better information, or, of a better conscience, oppress, grieve and afflict those that have to do with them, or are subject to them! God may do what he will, yet will do nothing but what is right. How infinitely then is God to be exalted in his truth and righteousness! And thus the word of truth exalts him (