Sermons upon the Book of Job

Whosoever wisheth other mens goods, although he never go about to take them: yet is he a thief already. And God hath not only forbidden to desire to do amiss: but he passeth yet further. For he hath forbidden lust, that is to say, if we be but tickled and stirred up to any evil desire or liking, forthwith we be transgressors of Gods law. But finally do men consider this as I have said heretofore. Seeing we be so blockish as to have no regard of our selves, and that the law is so clear and large a looking glass for us to behold ourselves in: I pray you who is he that can boast him self too be righteous, and that he is able too perform all that is in the law, and all that God commandeth? Therefore we must not think it▪ strange if men can not clear themselves of that which is contained there. And furthermore, that we may take profit of this doctrine, it behoveth us to call to remembrance what we have declared afore: namely that Gods law is a sufficient perfect rule whereby to live a good and holy life, that is to wit, in respect of us. Let us mark then that the righteousness which is contained in the law, may well be termed a perfect righteousness: yea in respect of men, that is to say, according too their capacity and measure. But this righteousness is not answerable to the righteousness of God, nor equal with it, it cometh far short of it. As how? This will be better known by the Angels. Ye see the Angels have no law written, and yet they frame them selves too the obeying of God. And here ye see also why we say in our prayer, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. For there is no gainsaying, God is obeyed fully, and he reigneth in Heaven. Then do we desire to be conformable to the Angels, and that ought to be enough for us: for then shall we have such a perfection as ought to be in creatures. Yea but is that as much to say, as the Angels have a righteousness that may fully match and be compared with the righteousness of God? There is as great odds betwixt them, as there is distance between heaven and ⟨p. 204⟩earth. Although the righteousness of the Angels be perfect in respect of creatures: yet is it nothing but smoke when it cometh before the infinite Majesty of God. Then let us mark well, that the law which was given us, is a full and certain rule whereby to live well.

VVhosoeuer wisheth other mens goodes, although he neuer go about to take them: yet is he a theefe alreadie. And God hathe not onely sorbidden to desire to do amisse: but he passeth yet further. For hee hath forbidden lust, that is to saye, if we bee but tickled and stirred vp to any euill desire or lyking, forthwith wee bee transgressers of Gods lawe. But finally doe men consider this as I haue sayde heeretofore. Seeing wee bee so blockishe as to haue no regarde of our selues, and that the lawe is so cleere and large a looking glasse for vs to behold ourselues in: I pray you who is he that can boast him selfe too bee rightuous, and that hee is able too performe all that is in the lawe, and all that God commaundeth? Therefore wee must not thinke it strange if men can not cleere themselues of that which is conteined there. And furthermore, that we may take profit of this doctrine, it behoueth vs to call to remembrance what we haue declared afore: namely that Gods lawe is a sufficient perfecte rule whereby to liue a good and holie life, that is to wit, in respecte of vs. Let vs marke then that the rightuousnesse whiche is conteined in the lawe, may well be termed a perfect rightuousnesse: yea in respect of men, that is to say, according too theyr capacitie and measure. But this rightuousnesse is not answerable to the rightuousnesse of God, nor equall with it, it commeth farre short of it. As how? This will bee better knowen by the Angelles. Yee see the Angelles haue no lawe written, and yet they frame them selues too the obeying of God. And heere ye see also why wee say in our prayer, Thy will bee done in earth as it is in heauen. For there is no gaynsaying, God is obeyed fully, and hee reigneth in Heauen. Then doe wee desire to be conformable to the Angelles, and that ought to bee ynough for vs: for then shall wee haue suche a perfection as ought to bee in creatures. Yea but is that as much to say, as the Angels haue a rightuousnesse that maye fully match and bee compared with the rightuousnesse of God? There is as great oddes betwixt them, as there is distance betweene heauen and