Sermons upon the Book of Job

And Job addeth, That the earth is delivered into the hand of the wicked, and that the eyes of the Judges are turned aside: that is too say, that such as ought too redress the troubles, offences, and misorders that are committed, are guilty of all. If not (sayeth he)§20 where is he and who is he? In effect Job showeth here, that during this present life, things shall be so mingled together, that men shall not (as they say) know white from black. The Earth then shall be delivered into the hands of the wicked, that is to say, men shall see the wicked have their full scope here, that such as are most unruly, most loose of life, fighters, seditious, and full of all ungraciousness, so as there is neither uprightness nor humanity in them, shall have all things at their will. Therefore when we see God give bridle to the wicked after such §30sort, what is to be said? There is but one only remedy, which is, that those which bear the warder of Justice should repress such as vex good men after that fashion. But contrariwise, it is to be seen that they be so given to themselves, that they let all go too havoc. What is to be said, but that the magistrates which ought to yield every man his right, suffer the wicked to do the worst they can? A man shall find no relief at their hands, but when he shall have waited to have them do their duty, it is to no purpose, they are but Idols. And what is the §40cause of all this? And who is too blame for this (sayeth Job) but God? For is not God the governor of the earth? Then ought not all the wicked too be rooted out of it? Or else if he bear with them, and lay the reins of the bridle in their neck to vex and trouble good men, without stopping them of their purpose: may it not be said that God doth all this gear? On the other side is it not said that it is Gods office too govern such by his holy spirit as walk in his fear and in modesty? Moreover he telleth us how he hath stablished the Civill state of the §50world, and that judges can have neither wisdom nor discretion, but at his hand. Seeing then that God leaveth magistrates so blind, that they be as Idols, and so lazy as they have neither courage nor inclination in them too maintain good and to punish evil: no body is to be blamed but God as it is said here by Job. True it is that this sentence may be expounded otherwise.