Sermons upon the Book of Job

and yet notwithstanding he ceaseth not to say, Lord thy works are full of wisdom and righteousness. He knew well what we have to consider of Gods works: and yet he honoured them nevertheless. Let us learn then too conceive such a greatness of Gods works, as might make us dull, like brute beasts, so as we should not know where to become, nor take any instruction of good learning by them: but so too conceive of it, as the same may serve to repress us, that our wits be not overwandring, and that we play not horses that are broken loose, and so take liberty (as I have told you) to say, I will know how this and this cometh to pass. Not so: but let us be modest. For our true wisdom is to be ignorant in the things that God will have hidden from us. Thus we see how we must prepare our selves to lowliness & modesty. And furthermore let us understand there withal that we must reverence the works of God. And how? To comprehend the infinite wisdom, righteousness, and power that is contained in them, according to our small capacity, assuring our selves that God doth not any thing without reason, no not although the same be not known unto us at the first dash. For God doth not always utter a present reason in his works, so as men may perceive them: and again, the said wisdom is so deep, as it is named a bottomless pit. Therefore let us learn to reverence gods works, although we perceive not evermore the cause why he worketh so. We see well then in what wise Gods works are wonderful. And he saith expressly, that they have none end. Whereby men are yet better humbled. For it we chance to come to the full understanding of some one thing: O it seemeth to us that nothing can go beyond us: we be so cunning, that all questions which can be propounded unto us shall be assoiled out of hand. But put the case we be able to judge of Gods works, as of two or of three, or of a hundred: What is that? It is right nought. And why so? For they are without number. But (as I have said already) the least of Gods works is enough to overwhelm us: and what then shall become of us, when we come to the said bottomless depth whereof there is none end?

and yet notwithstanding hee ceasseth not to say, Lorde thy works are full of wisdome and rightuousnesse. He knew well what we haue to consider of Gods works: and yet hee honoured them neuerthelesse. Let vs learne then too conceyue suche a greatnesse of Gods workes, as might make vs dull, lyke brute beastes, so as we should not knowe where to become, nor take any instruction of good learning by them: but so too conceyue of it, as the same may serue to represse vs, that our wits be not ouerwandring, and that wee play not horses that are broken loose, and so take libertie (as I haue tolde you) to say, I will know how this and this cōmeth to passe. Not so: but let vs be modest. For our true wisedome is to be ignorant in the things that God will haue hidden frō vs. Thus we see how we must prepare our selues to lowlinesse & modestie. And furthermore let vs vnderstand ther withall that we must reuerence the workes of God. And howe? To comprehende the infinite wisedome, rightuousnesse, and power that is conteyned in thē, according to our smal capacitie, assuring our selues that God doth not any thing without reason, no not although the same be not knowne vnto vs at the first dash. For God doth not alwayes vtter a present reason in his workes, so as mē may perceiue thē: and againe, the sayd wisdome is so deepe, as it is named a bottomlesse pit. Therefore let vs learne to reuerēce gods works, although we perceiue not euermore the cause why hee worketh so. VVee see well then in what wise Gods workes are wonderfull. And hee sayth expressely, that they haue none ende. VVhereby men are yet better humbled. For it wee chaunce to come to the full vnderstanding of some one thing: O it seemeth to vs that nothing can go beyonde vs: we be so cunning, that all questions whiche can be propounded vnto vs shall bee assoiled out of hand. But put the cace we be able to iudge of Gods workes, as of two or of three, or of a hundred: VVhat is that? It is right nought. And why so? For they are without number. But (as I haue sayd alreadie) the least of Gods workes is ynough to ouerwhelme vs: and what then shall become of vs, whē we come to the sayd bottomlesse depth whereof there is none ende?