Sermons upon the Book of Job

But yet is this no let that he should not be called our Keeper, in respect that he seeth and beholdeth all that we do, so as we can not hide our selves from him: according as all the scripture saith, that he searcheth men, examineth their thoughts, ciscovereth all things, and nothing is hidden from him in all our life. And it appeareth that Job meant so: for why and to what purpose saith he, What shall I do to thee? if it be not because he must be §10fain to yield himself guilty? Lord (sayeth he) I can gain nothing at thy hand by starting aside, I confess my debt, I have sinned: but by the way what shall I do to thee? For I must be fain to pass that way: and why lettest thou me not alone? Although thou see here a poor creature cast under foot, that hath neither strength nor power, yet nevertheless thou followest upon him with thy rigour still. I acknowledge my self too be indebted to thee: and yet thou holdest me still upon the rack, as if a judge should hold a malefactor upon the rack and §20say too him, Tell me thy fault, and that the malefactor should answer, I will so, I have committed such a murder, yea two or three, and such and such are accessories. Too what purpose should the Judge hold him still upon the rack after such confession? Behold here the like case concerning Job. Truth Lord (sayeth he) I have sinned, thou needest too torment me no more, nor too rack me too make me confess my faults. For sith I have granted thee thy debt, wherefore dost thou persecute me? Thou art the keeper of men, thou knowest all.§30 If thou needed too make inquisition now of a thing that were hidden from thee: very well: thou mightest say, I will hold thee here till I have gotten the knowledge of all thy faults. But thou knowest them (sayeth Job,) thou art the keeper of men: and admit that men knew not themselves: yet knowest thou what they be. Then seeing the case is so, why dost thou not draw thy hand away from me without pressing me after such a sort? Thus ye see the natural meaning of this sentence. And here we see how men fare when they will measure §40Gods Justice by their own wit and capacity: for it will seem too them that God passeth measure at every blow, and that he useth over great rigour. Although our intent be not too accuse God of cruelty with full mouth:

But yet is this no let that hee shoulde not bee called oure Keeper, in respect that hee seeth and beholdeth all that wee doo, so as wee can not hyde oure selues from him: according as all the scripture sayth, that he sercheth men, examineth theyr thoughtes, ciscouereth all things, and nothing is hidden from him in all our lyfe. And it appeareth that Iob ment so: for why and to what purpose sayth he, VVhat shall I do to thee? if it be not bicause he must be