Sermons upon the Book of Job

And this complaint draweth near too that which Cain made, the which (as we know) was not without blasphemy. For as soon as Cain heard the condemnation which God pronounced against him: it is certain that he could not justify himself, (for his sin was manifest, and he was convinced of it:) but he accused God of cruelty or overgreat rigour. My punishment (saith he) is overgreat, I am not able to bear it, thou wilt chase me over all the earth, I am not able to stand before thy face: how doest thou handle me? we see here that although this wretched ⟨p. 114⟩caitiff could not deny but he was punished justly: yet notwithstanding he had his starting hole, that God punished him not uprightly, but passed measure in rigorousness against him. I said it seemeth that Job doth the like here. For he saith it is no marvel though he be in great distress, because the affliction which he endureth is exceeding great, and much more heavy. As if he should say, he could not lament enough, seeing that God handled him so roughly. But we have seen, how he hath come already even to the cursing of his birthday, and how he would §10that he had bin borne dead. And not only so, but he also banneth the day wherein he was borne. It seemeth then that Job might not be excused. And in deed (as I have told you already) although he have a good case: yet doth he handle it amiss: and it behoveth men to know how there is some faultiness in this respect. Nevertheless he ceaseth not too speak truth when he sayeth that the misery which he endureth is so great and so extreme, as even his words are swallowed up, in so much as in that behalf he is as a man overwhelmed, which hath §20no liveliness in him, so that all that ever he is able too say, is nothing in comparison of the affliction wherewith God presseth him. Let us mark therefore, that we have here two things: the one is, that we see what a poor silly creature is, when God presseth him with his judgement, as I have said already: and the other is, that we should know, that in fighting against our temptations, although we do the best we can too withstand them, and too submit our selves unto God: yet notwithstanding we sway aside either one way or §30other through infirmity, so as there is never sufficient strength in us, except God hold us up and suffer us not to bow at all. And why so?