Sermons upon the Book of Job

That we may fare the better by this doctrine, we must call to remembrance what hath been said heretofore: namely §30how Jobs intent was too show that Gods justice appeareth not always unto men, nor is so known, as it can be said, that men may touch it with their finger: but rather that God worketh after such a strange fashion, as it seemeth unto us that there is neither reason nor indifferency in him, and that he maketh a hotchpotch of all things. But I have told you afore, that Gods Justice doth sometimes show it self, and that there are certain marks for us too discern it by. If God punish a wicked §40man, there is none of us, but he thinketh us all too have warning by such example, and we be compelled to glorify him, according as it is said in the hundred and seventh Psalm. If God deliver any one that calleth upon him, and hath walked in his fear: we will say, God is righteous. But he keepeth not all one rate too do continually so. For he hath his secrete judgements, which are incomprehensible too us, insomuch that we cannot but be abashed and amazed when God shall do things that seem too be quite against reason. Ye see §05then how Jobs meaning is, that he findeth himself as it were amazed, because God ruleth him not after his own mind and fancy, but hath another manner of doing of his works, which is utterly unknown unto us. And here ye see why he sayeth, If the whip smite too kill, how shall God laugh at the temptation of good men? Because this sentence is dark, and short (which causeth darkness:) it hath been expounded divers ways. But when all is throughly considered the very right meaning is this: namely that if God rise up against the wicked,§60 how doth he laugh at the trouble of the good? for he that spake afore, (that is to wit Baldad) pretended that God uttereth out his chastisements openly, so as when soever men have deserved it, and whensoever they have done amiss, God punisheth them for it. Too be short, he seemed (by his saying) that men were already come too the latter day, and that judgement and justice were set in full perfection. Howbeit, God reserveth many things: And so ye see why God seemeth too goveme things confusedly to this day.

THat wee may fare the better by thys doctrine, we must call to remembrance what hath bene sayd heretofore: namely §30