Sermons upon the Book of Job

For the matter consisteth not altogether in saying, that God must be superior over us, and we subject to him as all other creatures are: But we must yield him this honour which is specified here: namely that he only is righteous, and that there is nothing else in us but all manner of wickedness, too the end we may have our mouth shut, and be destitute of all excuse, so as we may not make any account of our selves, but acknowledge that nothing §50belongeth too us but shame, and that we deserve too be cast away as stin••ng and cursed creatures. If we be not come too this point, it is no honouring nor serving of God, according as Saint Paul showeth in the third to the Romans. For in speaking of Gods infinite glory, he sayeth it becometh us too come before him with such fear and lowliness, as we may be like poor offenders with halters about their necks, so as we should go to hell, if he plucked us not back of his infinite goodness. So then it is not without cause that God afflicteth §60his servants, and presseth them in such wise as he bringeth them to this point, too the end he may be glorified in them. As touching that he saith, that his words are swallowed up: it is as much as if he had said, that he speaketh not Rhetorically as we see some men do, who are eloquent in setting out their own adversities. As for those that are Cockneys, if they endure any little adversity, they need no man of law to plead their case, it seemeth (to hear them speak) that there are none but they on whom men should have compassion. But they that can so well plead and babble, show well enough that their adversity did not so greatly grieve them: for had they been touched in good earnest, it is certain that they would show that which is said here. And here ye see wherefore it is expressly said in the song of Hezekiah, that he had chattered like the Swallows, and that he had no more had the voice of a man to utter his conceit, but had been so shut up that time in sorrow, that he wist not what to say, nor how to couch his words to utter what his mind was. Let us mark then that when God summoneth his servants in such wise, he showeth himself to be their judge and pincheth them to the quick, as they are even destitute of words, and confounded, and know not how too express their meanings.

For the matter consisteth not altogither in saying, that God must bee superior ouer vs, and wee subiect to him as all other creatures are: But wee muste yeelde him this honour which is specified here: namely that he only is righteous, and that there is nothing else in vs but all maner of wickednesse, too the ende wee may haue our mouth shette, and bee distitute of all excuse, so as wee maye not make any account of our selues, but acknowledge that nothing