Sermons upon the Book of Job

Therefore that is but a very fond excuse, and God hath no need of our leasings to maintain his truth and righteousness withal. We must not find such starting holes to stop wicked §60folks mouths withal, which would speak blasphemy against Gods holiness: but it is enough to have that which the holy scripture telleth us. For that God not only permitteth and giveth leave, but also executeth his will, both by the devil and by wicked persons, it appeareth by this, that the Scripture saith not, Lord thou haste permitted but Lord thou haste done: Like as where David confesseth his sins and offences when God had punished him grievously: he saith, Lord, of whom shall I complain? for I see it is thy hand: and although that David was persecuted by wicked men: yet he called it the hand of God. Behold how the Lord himself speaketh. VVill we be wiser than he? Shall we make him believe that he had need of our gay colours, to warrant him that no man may offer him reproach? For see how he speaketh of his own works. When he minded to punish David for ravishing Bathsheba, he said unto him, thou hast done this thing privily, but I will make the Sun too bear witness of it. Howe was that? What was it that God would do unto David? It was that Absalom should ravish his fathers wives, and defile them in the presence of all the people, in the sight of the Sun. Ye see here an incest, which is horrible and against nature, and yet nevertheless God saith flatly, I will do it, for those be his words. We see then how it is not a single leave or permission▪ but that God himself worketh in such wise, as the wicked must needs be the instruments of his will, as we have said. And I pray you, as touching the office of a judge, is it no more but to give the hangman leave to do what he list? When a judge must set upon an offender, and give sentence according as law and conscience will bear: will he say to the hangman, I give thee leave, go do what thou wilt with this man? No, but contrariwise he pronounceth the sentence, and afterward according too the same, putteth▪ the offender into the Hangman's hands too do execution upon him. Behold, God is the sovereign Judge of the world: and do not we dishonour him, in saying that he doth but give Satan leave to do what he li•teth?

Therfore that is but a very fonde excuse, and God hath no neede of oure leasings to maintayne his truth and ryghtuousnesse wythall. VVee must not finde such startingholes to stoppe wicked