Sermons upon the Book of Job

As touching the second, let every of us learn to speak of God soberly, and with all reverence and humbleness, so as we caste not forth such a wind as is mentioned here. For although we be not able to prejudice God by any manner of means: yet will not he fail to take vengeance of them that endeavour too lift up themselves after ⟨p. 151⟩that sort against him by casting for the proud and presumptuous words. What is to be done then? If we have once settled that thing in our hearts which the holy Scripture teacheth us: the same will hold us in true steadfastness. And afterward when we speak after the measure of our faith, we shall not only caste forth goodly blasts, but God shall be exalted and magnified in all our talk. But now let us come to that which is set down here for the principal. VVill God pervert Judgement and right? will the Almighty overthrow Justice? Here we be §10put in mind to yield God the honour of being the fountain of all equity and right, and that it is impossible that he should do any thing that is not good and rightful. Some can well find in their hearts to grant that God is Almighty, but in the mean while they acknowledge him not to be righteous as they ought to do. For the one of them must not be separated from the other. We must not imagine that there are things in God which can be divided one from another. True it is that it behooveth us too put a difference between the wisdom, and the §20goodness, and the Justice, and the almightiness of God: but yet notwithstanding, in respect that he is God, all these things must needs be in him at once, and they must be as it were himself or his very being. Then let us beware that were surmise not a lawless power in God, as if he governed the world like a Tyrant, and used excess or cruelty. But let us understand whereas he hath all things in his hand, and is of endless power and doth all things, yet notwithstanding he ceaseth not to be righteous. It is true that this righteousness of God is partly §30hid from us, so as we comprehend it not: but yet nevertheless, it is of his mightiness also: and for proof thereof, are we able to measure it by our with and understanding? It is certain that we cannot. And therefore when we hear speaking of Gods righteousness and Justice: