Sermons upon the Book of Job

What is he that thou visitest him a Mornings, that thou settest thy heart upon him, and hast so great care of him? Some expound this sentence, What is man that thou makest so much of him, ⟨p. 146⟩as though Job meant here as it were too rail at God, that he lifteth us up as if we were little kings, and that he seemeth to have a fatherly care of us and to prefer us above all creatures: and afterward throweth us down as men in the picture of the wheel of fortune. Thus ye see how some take this strain. Othersome think that Job meant to make comparison between himself and all mankind: as if he had said, Alas Lord, Thou art so good unto men, that thy mercy filleth the whole earth: there is not the man that feeleth not how thou art his §10father, & that thou bestowest many benefits upon him: there is none but my self alone to whom thou art unkind. What meaneth this? why shall not I be in the same rank that other men are? But when all things are well considered: Jobs plain meaning is to say, yea Lord, why art thou so grieved against men? Thou settest very great store by them. Then doth he not speak of Gods benefits: but rather meaneth that it is not a convenient thing for God too be grieved at men. As for example, If a great Prince should take pitch against a §20poor Labourer, it were not for this honour: for men would say, why matcheth he not himself with his equal? He doth himself great wrong in that he knoweth not who he is. Yea and even the proud sort of this world can well enough say, if such a one were my match, I would show him who I am. Ye see then after what sort men commonly use to show token of disdain. If men (who are but worms of the earth) can well skill too allege, that it is not comely for them to bear malice to those that are far their inferiors: there §30is far greater reason too think that God seemeth too magnify men over much, when he matcheth himself against them. For who are they? What is their state? God therefore ought to set light by them, [and to say:] Tush, well ye are but worms, ye are but vermin: and shall I challenge you too go fight with you? That were greatly too the defacing of my glory and Majesty. Ye see then what Jobs chief meaning is. Furthermore we have too mark, that this present sentence is not like that of the eight Psalm, where it is said: