Sermons upon the Book of Job

Let us assure our selves we be too unexcusable, if in this behalf we walk not with fear and wariness, considering that these are things incomprehensible: and if we think to attain so high, our desire to sty up after that manner above the skies, having no wings, will make us break our necks. Moreover, when we have given the glory unto God, and confessed not only with mouth, but also in very deed,§30 that his works are incomprehensible, and as a bottomless pit to swallow up all our understanding: let us not cease to pray him too make us perceive them, so far forth as he knoweth them meet for our capacity: and therewithal let us also search that which is showed us in the holy Scripture. For God will not have us negligent: it is not for us to say with the Papists, O we must not be inquisitive of Gods secretes. For why then was the holy Scripture given us? Gods will is, that every man should seek after him: but yet therewithal, his will §40is also, that men should hold the way which he showeth them: that is to wit, that they should with all humility, follow that which is contained in the holy scripture. Now when we have learned that which God teacheth us in his school, let us hold us to it: and if there come any toy in our head to the contrary: so as our harts be tickled to seek for more than is meet for us to know: let us beware that we have the wisdom & modesty to say: Poor creature, is it meet that thou shouldest presume to have a larger instruction, than that which God gives thee in the §50holy scripture? So then let us weigh well this saying, to the end we may hold our selves in such sobriety, as we judge not rashly of Gods works. For by and by it is said, That God is he which doth wonderful deeds without end. Whereas Gods wor• are called wonderful, or secret (for so the word importeth:) it is to bring us to the reverencing of them. For Gods meaning is not, that our knowing of such greatness in his works, should be to astonish us, and to drive us further off from him: but contrariwise to draw us to such a reverence, as we should honour him, saying:§60 Lord how mighty art thou? Lord how great is thy power, thy goodness, thy justice, and thy wisdom? Undoubtedly David knew well the infinite greatness of gods works: