Sermons upon the Book of Job

And therefore it is not without cause that Eliphas termeth it here a secrete, when God showeth him that he himself only is righteous, that all men ought too be ashamed of their wants, and knowledge themselves §60to be wretched. And after the same manner also doth Saint Paul take it, when he telleth the Romans how it was an unknown and secrete thing unto men, that God purposed too utter forth his righteousness by Jesus Christ, to the end that all the world should acknowledge themselves indebted unto God. True it is that a man can not say there is any difficulty herein: but yet (as I have showed afore) men attribute I wot not what too themselves, and they can not find in their hearts to uncase them selves out of the said vain overstatelinesse: in so much that in their own opinion, they think them selves able to work wonders by their free will. Hereupon they bear themselves in hand, that they shall purchase reward at Gods hand. But contrariwise God will be known too be only righteous, and that there is nothing but wickedness too be found in men. Thus much concerning this point. But Eliphas in saying that he heard a little of the said word, showeth well that he exalted not himself to far. For he taketh not upon him a perfection of wisdom, to say that nothing had escaped him, and that he had comprehended every whit of it to the uttermost: but he saith he had some taste of the said doctrine of God, and that he had conceived some part of it. We see then that here he speaketh modestly: declaring that he is not as an Angel of heaven, so as he could behold Gods glory in full sight: but that according to mans rudeness, he had been taught to know how to communicate, that thing unto his neighbours, which he had received of God. Lo what he meant to say in effect. And hereby we be admonished, that how familiarly so ever God showeth himself unto us: it is a great matter that we [be admitted to] know things in part, and we must not think that we can have any so perfect understanding, as there may be no lack in it. For they that think so of themselves, beguile themselves, and thereby shut themselves out of the gate that was open for them to come in afore. And so let them mark well, that there is much done for us, when we have any little taste, or any entrance into the knowledge of Gods truth.

And therefore it is not without cause that Eliphas termeth it heere a secrete, when God sheweth him that he himselfe only is rightuous, that all men ought too bee ashamed of their wants, and knowledge themselues §60