Sermons upon the Book of Job

although it be there, yet do not we perceive it but in part. I have told you already that this must not be expounded of the substance of God, but only of his work, whereby he uttereth himself unto us: and yet when he showeth himself there, and is come near us so familiarly, if we see him not then: how shall we do in comparison when we purpose to come unto himself and to enter talk with him too surmount him▪ Shall we be mighty enough to do it? So then we see what the overweening of men is, when they mind to match themselves so with God, as they ween themselves able to sty above the clouds. Alas: we see what folly, or rather what madness is in them. Then let us mark well to what purpose this sentence is placed here as I have laid it forth. After this, Job treateth of Gods power and strength, saying that God catcheth, and who is he that will pluck it out of his fist? who is he that dare say unto him, why doest thou so? Verily it seemeth that Job granteth here an absolute power too God, and such a one as hath neither right nor reason in it. But let us mark that he pursueth still the same point that was declared yesterday: that is too wit, that Gods justice consisteth not only in punishing of transgressors, when their crimes be notorious. Wherein then? Even in that when God worketh so strangely, as he seemeth unto us too have no reason in his doings, but too do us wrong, so as even the very unbelievers take occasion too grudge against him: even therein specially we must acknowledge his righteousness. But in this strain it is said, that God will snatch. And doeth he snatch? No: but hereby it is meant that if God use any terrible power that maketh us afraid, as if he were a Lion (as oftentimes he likeneth himself to the wild beasts) in such wise as he overwhelmeth all, and turneth the earth upside down (as they say:) when God thundereth after such a sort, so as we be amazed at it: yet may no man say unto him, wherefore doest thou so? and much less may he pluck the play out of his fist. That is to say, it is not for men to plead with God, for they shall but lose time. True it is that men think they have a good cause to make complaints: yea and they are so senseless in that behalf, that when they have spewed up their blasphemies, they think they have gotten the victory of God.

although it be there, yet do not we perceyue it but in part. I haue told you alreadye that this must not be expounded of the substaunce of God, but onely of hys woorke, whereby he vttereth himselfe vntoo vs: and yet when he sheweth himselfe there, and is come neere vs so familiarly, if we see him not then: how shall wee doo in comparison when we purpose to come vnto himself and to enter talke with him too surmount him Shall wee bee mightie ynough to do it? So then wee see what the ouerweening of men is, when they mind to match themselues so with God, as they weene thēselues able to stie aboue the clouds. Alas: we see what folly, or rather what madnesse is in them. Then let vs marke well to what purpose this sentence is placed here as I haue layd it foorth. After this, Iob treateth of Gods power and strength, saying that God catcheth, and who is he that will plucke it out of his fist? who is hee that dare say vntoo him, why doest thou so? Verely it seemeth that Iob graunteth heere an absolute power too God, and such a one as hath nother right nor reason in it. But let vs marke that hee pursueth still the same poynt that was declared yesterday: that is too witte, that Gods iustice consisteth not onely in punishing of transgressors, when their crymes be notorious. VVherin then? Euen in that when God woorketh so straungely, as hee seemeth vntoo vs too haue no reason in his dooings, but too doo vs wrong, so as euen the very vnbeleeuers take occasion too grudge againste hym: euen therein specially wee must acknowledge his ryghtuousnesse. But in this streyne it is sayde, that God will snatch. And doeth hee snatch? No: but hereby it is meante that if God vse anye terrible power that maketh vs afrayde, as if he were a Lion (as oftentimes hee likeneth himselfe to the wild beasts) in such wise as he ouerwhelmeth all, and turneth the earth vpside downe (as they say:) when God thundereth after such a sort, so as we be amazed at it: yet may no man say vnto him, wherefore doest thou so? and much lesse may hee plucke the play out of his fist. That is to say, it is not for men to pleade with God, for they shall but lose time. True it is that men thinke they haue a good cause to make complaints: yea and they are so senselesse in that behalfe, that when they haue spewed vp their blasphemies, they thinke they haue gotten the victorie of God.