n verse 21 be not so cruel as to harden your hearts bee not so sauage as to sharpen your tongues against him that is so miserable but let it suffice that the Lord o verse 22 pursueth me in such bitter and feareful maner as hath beene described THe onely thing why you are against me is as you pretend because I am a Wicked man Chap 19 25 5 26 27. for confutation whereof that so I may the rather drawe you to pitty my estate consider with me what a wicked man is A wicked Man is hee that is without faith and hee is a godly man that is indued therewith for the want of faith is it that only condemneth and the inioying thereof that only iustifieth a man Because al the sins in the world cannot condemne a man where faith is nor al the good works in the world can saue a man where faith is not because no prayer no preaching is pleasing to the Lord without sacrifice in these daies which leadeth vs to faith in the redeemer to come No transgression or offence so great but is purged thereby because faith can no more be without good fruits then fire without heat or water without moysture nor good works where faith is wanting any more then light appeare in the world the Sunne being taken out of the firmament or life remaine in the body the soule beeing seperated from it Before oblations be offered to the Lord there is necessarily mioyned †m Exod 19 10 Iob 1 5 washing this washing doeth fignifie faith where by our hearts and hands the inward and outward man are * n Acts 15.9 purged from sinne where as otherwise wee a Cage of all vncleannesse deliuered ouer to a * o Rom 1 28 29 reprobate minde and full of all vnrighteousnesse As therefore when the sacrifices are layed vppon the Altar the fire commeth downe from heauen and consumeth them it is an euident and infallible signe of the Lordes presence so where faith inflameth the heart with astedfast expectation of the Lords deliuerance from death and destruction there doubtlesse is a sure and certaine testimony of his feare and freedome from the bondage of sinne and Wickednesse so that it raigneth not in his mortall body whosoeuer he be For this faith it is neuerydle neuer so litarie but alwaies in building and repairing of the Temple where it abideth that so it may befit for the receiuing of her honourable redeemer when hee commeth alwaies attended with such royal vertues as may grace it in the eyes of him that cannot indure iniquity Now let this be a testimony of my faith grounded vpon a true knowledge of the Lord which you * c Chap 8.21 deny to be in me and let it be as a confutation of your reasons to the contrary which also I desire may remaine in recorde * f ch 19 23 to all posterities and be ingrauen with anyron pen in marble neuer to bee razed out that I rest vppon the promise of the Lord for the resurrection of my body from death vnto life the restoring of it againe after it shall bee eaten vppe with Wormes and consumed to dust and the beholding of the glory of my Sauiour and redeemer with the very same eyes which now I inioy that I rest vpon the comming of that blessed seede which shall break the Serpents head and recouer mee together with the whole housholde of faith to the state of immortality lost in Adam because he is immortal co-eternall with his Father liueth for euer and wil make vs like vnto himselfe I confesse indeed that he hath not as yet taken vpon him our humane nature neither wil do it vntill the last daies Yet I know for a certainty that he himselfe through the power of his God-head shall be the first that shall arise out of the graue by vertue of whose resurrection Iâ—ogither with all that beleene shall be reuiued and quickned againe For this is the office of the Messiah to make that good againe which was deâ—aced in Adam and therefore I terme him my redeemer as standing assured of the restauration of this my weake and fraile slesh to that happy estate which was in Paradise a life like vnto that of the Angels in heauen which neuer shall haue an end and so replenished with ioyes as is vnspeakeable This my disease teacheth mee as much wherein though my skinne and flesh be rotten my bones broken and so consumed that dust g verse 26 may as it were be shaken out of them yet notwithstanding by the power and goodnes of God I am preserued aliue Howbeit though I bee thus afflicted and my faith rooted in the Zord yet you cease not still to persecute mee with your h verse 28 bloody words denouncing more peremptorily then at the first Gods heauy iudgementes against me But take heed that you pul i verse 29 them not vpon your selues by your iniquity and cruelty toward me For certainely the Lord will not suffer such harde measure as you haue offered me which hath pierced my soul like vnto a sword to escape the sword of his indignation Syrraxis 14. Persons Zophar Iob Zoph THough thou reprouest a verse 3 me I wil passe it ouer Chap 29 and prosecute that which hath bin interupted namely that it cannot go well with the b verse 5 wicked And here I appeale to thy own knowledge c verse 4 and conscience whether since the beginning of the world the prosperity of the Hippocrite and wicked man hath beene of any d verse 5 durance The glory of such thou knowest touching the clouds e verse 6 hath bin broght down to the dunghil hath vanished away sodeÌ„ly as a dreame f verse 8 neither doe their Children g verse 10 which they enioy according to their desire * h cha 21 1 possesse * i Chap 21 ver 16 17 18 any part of theyr wealth flowing in vnto them most happily * k chap 21 10 how great soeuer it hath beene Be it that their sinnes haue remained with them a longe time and that they bee so sweete that they cannot leaue l chap 20 11 12 13 them they become not withstanding at length as deadly as the poison of Aspes or the sting of the tongue of the Viper vnto them The Hippocrite and wicked must not looke alwaies to flow in wealth neither when he is once downe by all his labor to recouer his former estate for how should he stil prosper that hath inriched himselfe by oppression m verse 15 16 17 18 19 et sequent of the weake The Lord in his Iustice must needes repay vnto him the like measure as he hath offered to others And therefore as hee hath depriued poore of their foode so shall hee perish for want of nourishment and though he haue aboundance yet notwithstanding he shall not be satisfied When he hath prouided for his belly the wrath of the Lord shall scatter it and
and a great office that I vndertake to moderate betweene such learned and wife men to determine of such profound and hard questions and I doe acknowledge that it belongeth rather to a man of more experience Howbeit for that I see the e verse 7 8 9 10. aged are ledde into error as well at others neyther is true iudgement alwaies founde in the gray-heade but the Lord giueth it where it pleaseth him induing yong men sometimes with more soundnesse of vnderstanding with more sharpnesse of wit then the elder sort hauing yeelded them that reuerence which is due vnto thē in giuing place and leaue to debate the poynts of doctrine in question betweene them vntill they had no more to say on either side I cannot perceiue why I should conceiue to my selfe any discouragement by meanes of my youth but rather in the former respects as being called vnto this busines by the motion of Gods holy Spirit and it being the Lords worke assume vnto my selfe without all feare or doubting the anthoritie therevnto appertaining and proceede with courage in giuing my sentence Wherein my purpose is to set down plainly and omitting all circumstances of speech to f verse 21 22 name still the parties whom I reprehend according as they are ordinatily and vsually called For it is a fault to vse cunning this way for feare of blame as the manner of some is who will not say expresly It is you that thus offend but the wicked man choosing rather in generall termes and so in the cloudes in a darke and obscure sort to vtter foorth theyr mindes rather then in famillar and euident manner This is too much nicenes and it bewrayes some subtiltie in vs some weakenes also and want of courage to reprooue want of vprightnesse to commend freely and according to the truth The titles the authority the greatnes of men must not be regarded neither must we be carried with affection toward any to peruert iudgement no partiall dealing no couloring or smothering of thinges must bee admitted all flattery smoothing fauning vpon any mans person fauouring one side more then another winking at one mans fault and wounding the cause of another must bee banished from hence For hee that is faultie any of these g verse 22 wayes the wind of the Lords indignation shall goe ouer him and he shall be no more scene Yea hee that vseth any meanes to keepe backe the due execution of Iustice or stoppeth the truth from comming abroade into the light shall be taken at vnawares and perrish in a moment No man for that hee is terrified with the excellencie of some mans person or place desisting to doe his office though he hold but a low and meane place in the common wealth shall escape vnpunished much lesse thē may I that am appointed to sit here in Gods steade and that in the Highest roome in a matter for the Church and that not of the smallest weight thinke it will goe well with me if I dally and trifle in it if I looke more vnto men whom it concerneth then vnto the equitie veritie of the thing it selfe that is to be compounded THe manner which I determine to obserue herein Chap. 32. shall not be insuch a verse 14. acerbitie as you which professe your selues the friends of Iob haue vsed but I will shewe my selfe much more milde and mercifull toward him I will make more fit and reasonable applications of my doctrines You haue exceeded all modestie I will striue to keepe my selfe within the listes thereof you haue condemned him for his former life when he liued in prosperitie therevnto I cannot be induced onely I shall reprone him for his raging against God together with the rest of his vnreuerent behauiour toward him since the time of his visitation Iob prouoked you by his speeches to deale more roughly with him me he hath not b verse 14. touched you were moued with anger zeale of Gods glory hath stirred me vp for that I saw the Lords glory defaced my hart was wounded and my spirit thervpon kindled within me you contended for the victory after a fleshly manner because of the assembly heere present The arguments which I shall produce * b chap. 33 verse 3. shall be * onely diuine well premeditated yours were intermingled with much humane Learning or Leasing rather and verie much extemporarie stuffe You suppose this maketh stronglie on your behalfe for the evicting of Iob to be a wicked man that hee is handled in this rigorous sort by the Lord who had not his sinnes called for it Chap 32 ver 3.11.12 All the matter following vnto the 3 Cumata dependeth heerevpon would not haue been drawne vnto it and therefore you are contented to bee silent and would haue this very thing together with that his striuing against God and calling his holines into question to speake for you and confute him as obstinate wilfull giuen ouer to a reprobate minde a refuser of wholsome admonition a reiecter of his owne saluation but I am perswaded that the Lords hand vpon Iob in that heauines doth not strengthen at all your assertion concerning the greatnesse of his sinnes that he hath sufficiently refelled your reasons stopped your mouthes with plaine and euident demonstrations in such wise as that you haue nothing to reply as beeing drawne from the infallible rules of Gods word which from time to time he hath revealed in vision that he hath convinced also your consciences of error ignorance vntruth vniust dealing against him And for mine owne behalfe I make no doubt though you nor no man else beside as of himselfe or by his owne wisedome or profunditie is able yet the Lord is able to bring him euen by me a weaker meanes thē your selues to a sight of his folly which hee hath committed in this disputation and a more reuerent regard of his maiestie You see therefore what difference there is betweene the course that I shall take and yours what disagreements there is in our iudgements concerning Iob and to how much better an end I hope to bring the matter Attend now while I further shew you wherein you haue failed Among many other things which you haue lay de vnto his charge this hath not been the least as before I vrged that he is a peruerse obstinate offender such a one as by no meanes can bee brought to acknowledge his fault when you your selues are culpable of this crime and not hee For obstinacie is not to stand stifly in the defence of the truth as Iob hath done but in an errour which is your case Moreouer where hee is innocent there you labour to finde a hole in his coate but where hee is guiltie and to be blamed there you presse not home enough to his conscience As namely that hee standeth too much in his owne light in that he acknowledgeth not his sinnes to deserue so great punishment as he indureth cōplaineth too
vnto him it is a righteous thing with him to deny vtterly to communicate his will vnto them to refuse afterward to gratifie them neuer so little that haue refused his instructions so often tendered vnto them though they make loude cryes vnto him be most earnest and importunate with him about it True it is that all his councels all his iudgements which hee hath decreed vpon the sonnes of men he participateth to no man to no Prophet to no Angell but yet many more of them to his faithfull seruaunts then to others Howbeit hee fore-warneth euery man and that sundry times eyther when he is sleeping by some diuine dreame such as greatly disquieteth him or when he is waking by some vision in the dead time of the night or in some solitary place in the day time fit for contemplation or else if these will not stay him from transgression by the execution of the fearefull and grieuous punishments f verse 16 17 18. fore-told therein vpon him As by afflicting of him so in g verse 19. body that hee can take no h verse 20. sustenaunce but hath a loathing of the choisest foode that can bee prepared for him and heereby hath his i verse 21 22 flesh consumed his bones dryed vp and is ready to enter into the pit And then withall sendeth vnto him some Man of knowledge of excellent and rare giftes such a one as if thou shouldest make thy choyce of the wisest and best disposed persons in a whole k Verse 23 Country thou couldest not find the like culled out of the World and set apart for this purpose roundly to tell him wherein he hath offended and soundly to instruct and informe him of the way that hee must take for to get l verse 23 out of his misery for the Lord doth not his worke by halues Which if it cause in him an acknowledgement m Verse 27 confession that he hath offended the Lord and grace to n Verse 26 cal vpon him in assurance of his mercy he shall commaund that Prophet of his to proclaime o Verse 24 vnto him that his sins are pardoned a reconcilement is made with him And so shal his strēgth notonly be restored to that it was before but renewed p verse 25 againe and made like vnto that it was in the prime and flower of his time his q Verse 28 body shall be freed from all affliction and the same togither with his soule not onely saued from eternall darkenes but made partaker of the ioyfull light of the Lordes most glorious presence the fulnesse and perfection of all blessednesse COnsider Iob seriously with thy selfe Chap. 33 v 31 Marke well Iob. whether the Lord hath not vsed these meanes to reclaime thee from thy vnreuerent carriage toward him in this thy calamity For he calling vppon thee these waies thou oughtest to haue giuen eare vnto him forthwith not to haue deferred the time to returne vnto him for thee to be dull of vnderstanding or to harden thy hart when thou vnderstandest are such faultes as he cannot indure He hauing acquainted thee with his mind once And again he loueth not to beat it into thy head any more neither can he abide such a dullard as is not capable of his meaning with competent instruction but delighteth in such a one that assooone as hee admonisheth him any way will stirre vp his wits by and by and labour to conceiue what hee will haue him to do and when he hath attained vnto it be forward careful to accomplish it out of hand whatsoeuer it is This is his course with all men He faileth not to giue them such and so many instructions as shall bee sufficient for them but he wil not go beyond this stint He alloweth euery mā time enough to aduise of his admonitions but this being expired and refusall made though hee be sought vnto with teares and lamentation yet will he not incline his eare But this thy affliction which is one of the meanes wherby the Lord vseth to instruct vs and proueth his greatnes aboue that which is man for what man is able to bring any trouble vpon the Lord no lesse then the argumentes hitherunto produced which I haue drawn partly from the nature and admirable vertues of the Almighty partly from the ignorance of man not able to reach vnto his counsels partly from his dulnesse when he is admonished of his iudgments not to vnderstand them and partly from his carelesnesse not to marke when he informeth him this thy affliction I say still continuing vppon thee plainely declareth that though hee hath peraduenture forewarned thee before of his displeasure for thy misdemeanor in thy speeches yet hee hath not as yet giuen thee ouer but still offereth thee saluation vpon thy repentance Which because thou canst not be perswaded vnto hee doth handle thee more rigorously and increase his anger more more that thereby thou mightest be compelled vnto it Neither will he bee induced to listen vnto thee for the easing thee of thy extremity vntill such time as thou do acknowledge thy faults committed against him in this action and humble thy selfe Whatsoeuer therefore thou conceiuest of thy scuere chastizement the ende thereof notwithstanding sheweth that it is for thy good For what can be better then this way to imprint in thy mind none otherwise then by dreames and visions that either the Lord hath already and hereof I am perswaded for mine owne part in regard of thy present euill behauiour or should haue by some other greater transgression which hee fore seeth thou art about to fall into something against thee that so thou hauing offended as doubtlesse thou hast in the wordes that haue passed from thee in this thy misery thou mightest lay to amend or seeing thee running into some more notorious offence by this visitation thou mightest be preuented and stayed from it thy pride of hart Abimelech Laban for heereunto thou seemeth to be very much inclined then the which no pain is more dangerous vnto Man nothing more detestable in the eyes of the L. might be pulled down Not miserable and wretched therfore as thou supposest but most blessed but that thou canst not see into it is thy estate now in respect of that it might haue bin if thou haddest bin let go◠on in thy course without correction But most happy of al in that the Lord hath raised vp one and let it bee admitted that I am the man to put thee in mind of that is amisse in thee and so to redeeme thy life from perishing by beleeuing the Lords promises made to all penitent sinners through the immaculate Lamb slaine from the beginning of the world not to looke vpon thine own righteousnesse a verse 23 being altogether imperfect but to seek to be made righteous through him whose righteousnesse alone is able to iustify thee before God Euen such a one as will be
11 12 13 c. reprehension of thine arising from these words The Lord looketh l Chap. 13. verse 27 narrowly vnto my pathes For thou doost so take mee vp for this speech with some other of the like nature as if I had therevy sought to preferre my selfe before m verse 12 God or inflamed with the spirit of arrogancie I had n Chap. 33 verse 13 lifted vp mine arme against him Whereas in truth the vehemencie of my paine forced mee to vtter those words in regard whereof thou shouldest rather haue comforted me and exhorted me to constancie then to haue aggrauated my sinne to my further discouragement Sometimes thy confutation is by way of o Chap. 34 verse 2 insultation Heare ô yee Wise men ô yee of vnderstanding harken vnto mee For what is this else but in triumphing manner to call in all men as witnesses of my vndiscreetnes sometimes thou doost number me among the p Chap. 36 verse 17 18 Elihu saith as much elsewhere The former place is noted though it follow because it is most euident of all other for this purpose wicked sometimes among such with whom God is q Chap. 36 verse 18 angry as with the rebellious and blasphemers Onely this is the difference betweene thee and my other Accusers they condemne me for my life past thou for my present carriage in this cause And thus I am prouoked and grieued euen by thy moderating of the controuersie because partly thou doost not see so fully into the matter thou vndertakest as were to be wished partlie because either thou doost not vnderstand my meaning in many things or else which is worse thou doost wrest the sence of my words doost carry them to another end then they were produced by me partly also because the feruencie of thy zeale hath made thee to transgresse the boundes of modestie and moderation in thy reproofes For hee that will doe good by his reprehension must not onely looke to his groundes that they be sound and such as cannot be confuted but hee must haue also a regard of the manner of his proceeding therein that it bee not in too much lenitie nor in too much acerbitie but sutable euerie way vnto the offence Which beeing greater the reprehension must be in the more sharpnesse beeing lesse the reprehension must be in the more mildnes this last thou hast not remembred But notwithstanding proceede I pray thee neither let this breake off the thread of thy speech for I trust there is something behind and such as shall make recompence for whatsoeuer is past and yeeld me much more comfort then all the discomfort I haue hether-vnto receiued from thee Syrraxis 18. Persons Elihu The Lord. Iob. Elihu HEthervnto I haue beene in the confutation of those thinges which I thought to be amisse Chap. 36. wherein albeit I haue laboured to keepe an euen course saue onely that my studie hath been to hold vp Gods honor to the vttermost of my power yet I perceiue Iob by thy a Chap. 36 verse 2. Exspecta me paululum forwardnes to answere that it doth not very wel please thee Neuerthelesse giue me leaue a little to produce some other more cleere proofes and to fortifie and strengthen what hath beene spoken more fully My proofes shall be fetched from the b verse 3. auncient records and from such as are memorable and famous in latter times from the miraculous workes of the Lordes high and deepe wisedome and of these I will produce as well such as are extraordinary as those that alwayes keepe wonted and vsuall manner continually And is it not good reason thinke you that I should thus search my wits and beate my braines in the Lords c And will attribute righteousnes vnto my Maker verse 3. behalfe striue and contend for the maintenaunce of his credite to free him in his good name from the least suspition of blame all the waies I can that hath made me so noble a creature indued me with d Verse 4. He that is perfect in knowledge speaketh with thee vnderstanding to see so farre into his excellent and admirable works tending therevnto For is not our learning giuen vs to that end to honour our God that bestowed it vpon vs And I dare auouch that this learning of mine which I nowe professe is most perfect and sound indeede most exquisite most absolute and without all exception such as standeth vpon sure infallible grounds and that thou hast not to do with such a one as knowing the truth will deale e verse 4. For truly my wordes shall not be false vnfaithfully with thee in adding vnto it or taking from it reuealing some part and concealing the rest or in the misaplying of the doctrines but with such a one as is well affected towarde thee will truly and sincerelie demeane himselfe in the carriage of the whole matter both concerning the substance it selfe and also the circumstances aunswerable to a good Teacher pertaining therevnto The propositions are the same as before first that the Lord hath a care of his seruants defendeth them from the iniury of the f verse 6. Oppressour For he is of so good a nature so full of compassion that hee cannot see his suffer the least wrong but he must succour them and though the Oppressour be strong hee feareth not to encounter with him because his g verse 5. Est validus et virtus est cordis strength is more then all the power of man crusheth it in peeces giueth also fortitude to his souldiers to ouercome And no maruell for beeing iust how can hee winke at the violence of the wicked Verse 15 or passe ouer the * wrongs of the afflicted Secondly though it goe otherwise with thē for a while yet hee lifteth them to h verse 7 honour at the last and blesseth them in the end Thirdly if they haue gone astray reiecteth them not but reduceth and i ver 9 10 15 bringeth them home againe by his louing k verse 8 chastisements after their conuersion comforteth theyr harts with the l verse 11 sweetnes of whatsoeuer earthly delights with a reseruation also of more permanent ioy to insue Fourthly and for the m verse 12 other sort that will not returne vnto him vppon his corrections this is my rule that the Lorde will pursue them with the sworde and other messengers of his wrath neither will euer leane them vntill he hath brought them vnto finall ruine and destruction for their obstinacie Fiftly much after the same is my obseruation for the close and cunning hypocrite who can so finely dissemble the vncleanenesse of his n verse 13 hart euen then couering his fault when the Lord correcteth him for it neither will hee be induced to confesse it howe heauie soeuer the hand of the Lord lie vppon him but still though this be a meanes to heape the Lordes plagues more
grieuously vppon his head seeke to purge himselfe and lay the fault vpon God Such a one neuer cryes for mercie neuer magnifieth the Lords goodnes but is euer telling him of his owne deserts and of the greatnesse of his merrits Both these must looke to drinke of the same cuppe with the most abhominable and detestable liuers who are cur off by o verse 14. vntimely death when they least thinke of such a matter euen in the flower of theyr time and chiefest iollity TAke heed Iob thou be not of this last ranke Chapter 36 for among these must all such be reckoned as beeing afflicted wil not though theyr hart be neuer so corrupt acknowledge theyr faultes but murmure against God as if hee had done them wrong But if yet thou wilt be an humble suter vnto the Lord for pardon of that thou hast committed against his highnesse I will exempt thee for this sort and will assure thee as many beside as are peticioners vnto the Almightie in this kind that there is a verse 15 mercy in store for them what affliction soeuer it is they are vnder And if b verse 16 thou haddest thus done heretofore thou haddest beene deliuered out of the mouth of destruction before this time which for that thou art guiltie of high treason against the Maiestie of GOD whom thou condemnest as an vniust Iudge is c verse 17 now life to deuoure thee For certainely hee is angry with thee in that measure because thou submittest not thy selfe vnto him that without hee see a relenting in thee nothing no not the best and most d verse 18 pretious thinges in the world shal be taken for thy Redemption no strength no e verse 19 power vpon earth shall be able to reskue thee from his indignation VVhen hee is determined therefore to come against thee and that his wrath shall breake forth it shall be in vaine for thee to long for the f verse 20 night that thou mayest take thy rest For he whose manner is when after long forbearance he is resolued indeede to smite not to make any truce at all neither to giue any breathing time to him that standeth out against him Novve then hee that spareth not vvhole * Gene. 14 17 Nations but commeth vppon them in the night and consumeth them with the sword will not g verse 22 spare thee that art but one and such a one to as is not onely at warre with him but goeth about to impeach his honour chooseth rather to accuse him as iniurious theÌ„ to be obedient in suffering with meeknesse such corrections as he knoweth to be most profitable for him for his h What Teacher is like him verse 22. speciall benefit if he could rightly consider of them and therefore doth impose them Wherefore euen as in thy former prosperitie so now in this thy present calamitie is made manifest how carefull the Lord is euermore for thy good And this meeteth notably with thy murmuring on the contrary in thine owne behalfe principally but withall in the behalfe of his Church and chosen seruants Which poynt I will now inlarge and declare how wonderfull the Lord hath alwaies beene in the prouiding for the safegard and welfare of them ME thinkes it is very much Chap. 36. verse 22. that any one should murmure against his gouernment the absolutenes wherof all the world in all ages haue had such notable experience both concerning his a verse 22. abilitie wisedom care thervnto He seeth and knoweth how euery thing standeth for the present fore-seeth for the time to come what will be the euent of it and that so exactly in each particular aâ— nothing can be more required To this his knowledge and speculation his practise is euery way correspondent as beeing drawne forth proportionably vnto it as by a patterne of direction The one therefore beeing most exquisite it cannot bee chosen but the other must be so to And this is the forme of his regiment Which as appeareth by the most excellent order which he hath set and established in all his workes so farre is it from b verse 23 Who can say thou hast doâ—â— wickedly reprehension any way as he left it to be a platforme to guide all such as he hath placed heere in earth in the seate of authoritie The framing of the World in that goodly manner as wee see was meerely his owne c Who hath appointed to him his waies verse 23. inuention and so the disposing of all matters that are done therin For there is no man that can challenge the least right or interest in the one or in the other neither is there any man that can iustly find fault with ought either for the portraiture and draught which he hath drawne out and engrossed all at once or for his intendement therein or else for the meanes which hee hath prouided for the supporting of the same from time to time vnto the end of all times in an equall proportion vnto the first foundation It is a cleere case then that order and gouernment is the Lordes right wholy and onely belonging vnto him as the deuiser and vpholder thereof the imagination of an idle braine to thinke that hee is able in the shallownesse of his owne conceit to frame a Common-wealth beyond his Which were it not layd out in the heauens and in the earth as a great light as the Marriners starre to guide our ship there would be nothing but confusion among all people If such a one would take a view but of those presidents which are presented daily before the face of all d ver 24 25 men and hidden from none saue those that haue no eyes to see his mouth would be stopped vp Call me to mind therefore such euidences of the Lords dealing as are plaine and knowne and whereof no doubt can be made and iudge we by them of such works of his as are obscure For by the * Rom. chap. 1 verse 20. visible things of God to come to the knowledge of those wayes of his which are invisible is an excellent course TO see the equity of his gouernment which is the thing now in hand Chap. 36. appearing by the good order that he keepeth in all his actions the power and wisedome he is of his mercifull and bountifull dealing to man this is a notable way Howbeit though wee be neuer so skilfull in these his visible works yet are we not capable for all that of the Lords greatnes and the a verse 26. admirablenes of those his wayes These wee beholding alwaies with our bodily eyes doe rather rauish vs with theyr beautie and cause vs to wonder at them then instruct vs fully in those other which are out of the view of flesh and blood yea then bring vs to the absolute knowledge of theyr owne excellencie as they are in nature Which we may perceiue by this in that we are
not able to number the Lords yeeres or to know his beginning or ending that so we might begin and end our reckoning And this cutteth the throate of all curiositie of man and so Iob of thy to too much boldnes and presumption that will busie himselfe in things aboue his reach convinceth him of exceeding ignorance of GOD and his attributes for no more can hee apprehend his Iustice in that height of perfection and excellencie as it is then his Eternitie and so of extreame pride that knowing nothing will take vpon him to iudge condemne him in whom are * Colos 2.3 hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Whose iustice is as infinite as * Dan. 7 9 auncient as vnreproueable as is his power which together with his wisedome and prouidence how worthie howe wonderfull they are is to bee seene in his admirable workes which hee doth heere in this visible world Into the declaration whereof I am nowe entring and that for this cause as well to make manifest therby vnto vs the righteousnesse of his iudgments that if any thing happen wherof we canot find out the reason or that displeaseth vs wee wil alwaies be censuring of the Lord about it as also to restraine our curiosity that will neuer leaue medling with things that are too high for vs. FOr if we do looke into his power Chap. 36 which we may behold in his marueilous workes wee caunot chuse but acknowledge that such an excellent artificer must needes be no lesse iust then he is mighty no lesse beyond vs in his gouernment then in his workemanship and the rather if we consider that the attributs of God cannot be * But are the Beastes and their wheeles Ezech 1.19 diuided which maketh the approbation of the one the allowance of all the rest The generation of the a Verse 27 28 29. Raine is an ordinary and common worke of the Lorde and though some haue attained to the knowledge of it after a sort yet could neuer any climb vnto the reason how a Cloud shold bee able to containe such slippery matter consisting of so many deuisions and partes This is all they are able to say that the sunne by his vertue draweth from out of the waters or as they terme it vapoures which being extenuate is resolued into ayre which ayre remaining in the middle Region is thereby meanes of the cold which commeth to passe by reason that the Sun hath no resting place or reflexion there is congealed for a time and afterward dissolued and then because of the grauity of it as consisting of water and grosser matter heauier then that element which containeth it distilleth downe there whether it is carried by the winds somtimes in a greater somtimes in a lesser quantity according vnto the measure of the eleuation of the Meteor But they are vtterly ignorant b verse 29 when it shall drop downe neither canne they define the place or yeald a reason how it should disperse c Secondly shall any bee able to vnder stand the extensions of the Cloude Miphresei-hab of Paras to stretch forth it selfe into so many cuntries far distant and lying opposite yea diffuse it selfe notwithstanding the wind as sometimes it doth ouer the whole face of the earth They are not to seek likewise how far the noyse 3 Teshueth a shaah the same with shaah personate to make a noice ver 29 and so taken for the Thunder of the thūder goeth how the wind 4 Iun. vnderstandeth this noyce to bee of the winds verse 29 being an exhalation and higher substance then the vapours whereof the raine is ingendred shoulde notwithstanding bee of force both to driue away the raine and bring it in in great aboundance euen to the couering wher it falleth of the whole earth not only where it is the root c verse 30. of the Sea but to the darkening 5 By light here vnderstand the rain because by the comming downe hereof the light shineth forth of the maine Continent it selfe and the ouerflowing of it in such sort that Riuers run in the drye places of the Wildernesse whereby the people are both d ver 31 hee iudgeth the people confounded and comforted Confounded when it is extreame and of long continuance comforted when though it bee much yet is it not immoderate This the Lord doeth at his pleafure when he will and which way he will and then he worketh the one and the other when it seemeth strange to humane vnderstanding With the turning of his hand e verse 32 Manibus obtegit lucem Trem. cappaijm caph the palme of the hand of Caphaph curnare to bow And so by senecdoche the whole hand light is turned into darkenes When the Sun shineth most glory ously in the firmament God commaundeth a colde vapour to f verse 33 Chap. 36 meet with a fiery exhalation Verse 31 sucked from out of the bowels of the earth being full of chinkes whereby the beames of the Sun enter in and thereby calleth for Thunder and lightning and so vppon the sodaine the Heauens are spread ouer with blacknesse Seeing therefore wee are not able withall our cunning to find out the cause of these thinges which are daiely before our eyes what hope can we haue to come to the light of those secrets which are not onely aboue the cloudes but aboue the heauens Were it not then a senselesse thing for vs to censure the Lorde in that we know not BVt if thou shalt reply here that the knowledge of the Raine Thunder Winds and such like is such as wee are guided vnto by the instinct of nature I must returne it home againe vnto thee thus That to diue into the depth of these thinges as they are indeede to procure vnto our selues such an exact and complet science of them as the Lord himselfe hath were wee adorned with the rarest naturall partes with the most exquisite skill and iudgement of the best and most experienced heads in the world could not for all that be obtained Nay man in his first creation the Angels themselues haue it not in that perfection I speak off but they both did admire it in the beginning and the Angels do still wonder at and * g Reuel 14 17. magnific the Lords power and wisedome therein For the Lorde hath pitched his h Verse 29 The thunders of his tabernacle pauilion there in the middle Region of purpose to doe wonders and such as shall yeald matter of admiration and praise to all his creatures accordingly as doth euery action of his as well the least as the greatest And verily for mine owne part though my skill in those things be nothing inferior to theirs Chap. 37 that be the best naturalistes yet notwithstanding must I needs confesse that as often as I thinke vpon them so often do such doubts arise whereof by no study nor conference I can be resolued And thereby am forced to
acknowledge the wisedome of the Lord not onely in these high my steries but in the vilest and basest of his creatures to surpasse my vnderstanding and surmount my wits Hence it is that I cannot cal to mind the great raines the mighty windes and Thunders of former times but my hart i Verse 1 forthwith is astonied at his power that is so mighty striken with the terror of his maiesty that is so fearefull and my mind pricked to the honoring of him submitting my selfe vnto him in awe and trembling that is so glorious and great euery way in euery act and worke of his aboue that I am not able to conceiue BVt were it that I could see into all things Chap. 36 whatsoeuer they are that belong vnto them euen as far as fully as the Lord himself I ought notwithstanding not so much the lesse but so much the more to admire and reuerence the Almighty to commend and extoll his excellency For therefore it is that the Lord giueth vs a sight of his greatnesse though not in that measure before mentioned but so as is more meet requisite for vs that I should be brought to a deeper consideration of his wortthynesse thereby to praise and obey his name in more ample and humble manner then they whom he hath not indued with the like vnderstanding But this by way of digression because a worthy obseruation Now to returne againe to my former purpose and to shew further that we are not able to compreheÌ„d the Lords power in ful perfection in these visible works of his or let it be if thou wilt his greatnes for that this lodgeth in the lap of it al the rest of his proprieties mark how he declareth it in the Thunder which goeth not forth without his coÌ„mandement a Verse 2 1 Protinus horvisico tonitru caelum omne remugit Bucha Psalme 38. For this being his 1 mighty voyce is heard from one end of the earth vnto the other pierceth with his lightning being his younger Sister as first perceaued but fast conceaued which is neuer diuided from him but cleaueth vnto him like a twin in the wombe into all parts b verse 3 of the world euen vnto the very bottom of the sea raiseth fierce and raging tempests causeth terrible waters c Verse 4 in exceeding great drops and wonderfull aboundance to power down from Heauen maketh the most 2 Suetoniâ—s de Nerone 60. Imp. 48. mortalià corda stra uit pauor cruell and flinty hart that euer liued to shake shiuer and rent in sunder with his horrible cracking * d Psal 29 89 Deutro 8 15 Fugere ferâ— Virg. forceth the Lyons how greedy soeuer of their prey to get them packing to their dens the Dragons and Eliphants which otherwise neuer part without giuing a deadly wounde to each other to leaue their fight the hardy Ostrich which by meanes of his swiftnes scorneth the Horse and his Rider neuer looking behind him to ply him wings legs to tosse turmoyle himself in the alte that he may betake him to his couert Verse 2. Shimhu shamoha audite audiendo heare diligently Berogen cum tremore of ragaÌ„ tremere ver 2 heare diligently with trembling compelleth the Hinds that do most hardly * e Iob 39 6 of all other beastes bring forth their young to cast their burden breaketh in pieces the stately and durable Cedars * f Psal 29 5 tumbleth downe to the ground the high Towers 3 Aut Ahon aut Rhodopen aut alta Cerannià tele â—eijcit Virg. lib. 1. Georg. turneth vp by the roots the strong Oakes maketh the foundation * g Psal 18 7 of the huge Mountaines and craggy Rocks the very center of the earth 4 Quo manima metu terra tremit Sea and Land to tremble and therefore as it is to bee receiued with due regard and dread and to bee esteemed as the marueilous worke of God so is it such as may appeare by these wonderfull effects as the causes thereof cannot be fully attained h Verse 5. Hee worketh great thinges which wee know not vnto by the wisedome of man I make no question but we may probably coniecture at some 5 Plinie Natura Hist lib. 20 Cap 43 rendreth sundry causes of the Thunder causes of it but the perfect knowledge thereof depending vppon the Lordes power and will and hee keeping from vs the sight of the middle Region we canot haue and see the error of those that professe great skill this way For they suppose that the thunder must take a time for generation when the Lorde no sooner speaketh i ver 6 for that which is there applyed to the Snowe may as truly be affirmed of the thunder and the meaning ther is as Gen. 1 3 concerning the light namely as soone as euer the Lord com maunded snow to be it was the word but it breaketh forth in a moment Which may be truely auouched also if the Snow lying vppon the earth like Wooll of the soft shewers which proceede of his fauour of the violent and tempestuous storms tokens of his wrath compelling man k Verse 7 8 Chap. 37 and beast to his harbour and not to dare to looke out of their doores namely that the lord hath them at command in an instant And this doth augment the greatnesse of the worke being otherwise worthy of eternall praise and admiration and declareth our vnablenes to come vnto the complet knowledge thereof PAsse we theÌ„ from hence vnto the a Verse 9 whirle-wind which the Lord when it is shut vp within a thick cloud 〈◊〉 it were in an inward preson vnder many lockes and keies causeth to issue forth with great force and a mighty noyse with aboundance of rain vpoÌ„ the fal therof to poure down And forthwith vpon it the scattering North wind to come in dispersing the Cloudes clearing the ayre drying vp the moysture lessening the slouds turning the earth which seemed before to be molten euen as wax against the sun into as hard b Verse 10 a substance as the Clay in the middest of Summer changing the liquid waters into as firme and solide a body as the Iron or Adamant it selfe and though there be many clouds c Verse 11 threatning moysture yet for al that it neuer suffreth them to take effect but tossing them to and fro in the ayre chasing them as a Partrich on the Mountains leaueth them not vntill it hath wearied them in their course driuen them to such an exigent that they must needs yeald themselues and vanish away euen those that are ioyned with Thunder lightning being the fullest and forciblest of all the rest d Verse 12 Thus interchangably now after this manner now after that manner doth the Lord by these Meteors bring to passe whatsoeuer he hath before determined vpon the face of the earth Sometimes for the c Verse 13 good of man as also for the good