Sermons upon the Book of Job

but yet God keepeth a good way too give us such a knowledge of them, as he knoweth too be for our behoof. And so we note, that Gods works are incomprehensible in themselves: that is to say, that if we will search out all that ever is in them by piecemeal, we shall never be able to attain to the depth of them. Therefore we must be as it were whelmed under the said greatness, assuring our selves that if we take upon us too be judges of Gods works, we shall find wherewith to stop our eyes, because we cannot attain to the secrets that are in them. Furthermore when we shall have proceeded in such humility, knowing that we be not competent Judges too know the thing that is too high and to deep for us: let us pray God too give us the spirit of wisdom, that we may judge aright of his works: and then will he grant us the grace too perceive so much as is for our behoof. Not that we may discover and decipher all that is in them, so as nothing should be unknown too us, and all should fall out after our ⟨p. 95⟩imagination: No, God will hold us short of that, so as we shall not know but in part: but in the mean season, the said knowledge must suffice us, for as much as nothing shall be hidden from us, that is good and convenient too our welfare. And therefore let us content our selves herewith. For otherwise what an unthankfulness is it for us too be desirous too enter so into Gods secretes, as to read therein, and that we would not have any thing too escape us, but are so fond and curious as to have a desire to make him subject to our fond §10brain. Thus we see the two points that we have too mark here. But if there be infinite wisdom in those works of God which are the smallest and basest: what is there in the greatest sort, and in such as surmount all our capacity? Specially when the case concerneth our redemption, and when it concerneth Gods sealing up of the record of our adoption in us by his holy Spirit: it is a matter that surmounteth the common order of nature. Chiefly when it is said that he hath chosen us, before the world was made, and that he hath chosen us, not all in §20general, but so many as he thought good, and that he hath forsaken the rest: do• we not see secretes that are too high for us? What is to be done then?

but yet God keepeth a good way too giue vs such a knowledge of them, as he knoweth too bee for our behoofe. And so we note, that Gods workes are incomprehensible in themselues: that is to say, that if we wil search out all that euer is in them by parcelmeale, we shall neuer be able to atteyne to the depth of them. Therefore wee must bee as it were whelmed vnder the sayde greatnesse, assuring our selues that if we take vpon vs too bee iudges of Gods workes, we shall find wherwith to stoppe our eies, bycause we cannot atteyne to the secrets that are in them. Furthermore when wee shall haue proceeded in suche humilitie, knowing that wee bee not competent Iudges too knowe the thing that is too high and to deepe for vs: let vs pray God too giue vs the spirite of wisedome, that wee may iudge aright of hys woorkes: and then will hee graunt vs the grace too perceyue so much as is for our behoofe. Not that wee may discouer and decypher all that is in them, so as nothing shoulde bee vnknowne too vs, and all shoulde fall oute after oure