Sermons upon the Book of Job

Or who can find any matter that we hold plea with him as if we stood upon even ground with him? There is none at all. I conclude then (saith he) that God consumeth the righteous and the unrighteous all together. There are two ways for us to recover our right, when men shall have taken ought from us that is ours: for we go about it either by force or by way of justice. Princes maintain their quarrels with bloodshed: and private persons would do as much, if they might be suffered. Always they would begin by way of deeds, and hardly can they ⟨p. 160⟩withhold them selves from it, what punishment so ever be prepared for them. And there is also the ordinary means of Justice, Job taketh both these things here, as if he should say, True it is that I find my self tormented with extremity, and yet notwithstanding, how shall I withstand my God? For if I fall to violence, what shall I gain by it? I am no equal match for him. If I go to it by way of Justice, will he receive me? who shall take upon him as Judge or umpire betwixt us? whereat shall I begin my plea? To be short, I see that God consumeth both the §10righteous and the wicked: This talk seemeth yet more strange than that which we have set down: howbeit if we look well into it, we may after a sort make them both one: which thing will be very good, and very fit to serve our turn. Whereas Job sayeth there is none that can match God in strength, nor that can hold plea with him in law, because he will not be so much at commandment: he meaneth not hereby to impute unto God such a lawless power as to do what he listeth, and to deal unjustly. True it is that we ought to ask none other reason §20at Gods hand, than his own good will: but yet therewithal we must hold it for a certainty that Gods will cannot be otherwise than just & rightful: no though we see it not to be so, but rather the flat eontrarie. Here then Job taketh his ground upon that which I have discoursed afore: that is to wit, that Gods justice consisteth not in the knowledge that we have of it, or that can enter into mans brain. Wherein then? It consisteth in it self, so as we must say, hath God done this or that? It is well done. Hath God willed this? his will is right and rightful, there is no §30fault too be found in it. And how may that be?