Surely, says Elihu, it must be a cardinal truth among all who have understanding that God cannot do evil. If any truth which we hold leads to this conclusion then we must abandon it; if any temptation comes upon us which raises this suspicion the we must reject it. This is true even though we have to turn against ourselves and against some cherished idea which we hold. Pride causes us to cling to things which harm us but all must give way before the justice and integrity of God.
‘Until we come to the point where we are quiet and obedient to God in all things that he does, even though things don’t fall out the way we wish or according to our judgment, we are in effect accusing God of unrighteousness. Why? Because since he governs the whole world, nothing happens but by the disposition of his government and power. So then let us learn to submit to God’s providence, confessing that all that he does is good, and then we shall count him righteous and yield him his due praise’ (Calvin – in modern English).
‘Saint Paul, speaking of the righteousness of God, does not say that he will recompense from day to day, but only that he will recompense. Our faith must be exercised in waiting patiently for the things we do not see as yet … Secondly, God does not so recompense every man according to his works, but that he also bears with those whom he punishes, and shows them some favour … Thirdly, God does not so recompense men according to their ways, that he leaves himself no power to pardon those whom he chooses when he intends to bring them back to himself. God does not punish his chosen. It pleases him to receive them to mercy, and to be at one with them of his own free goodness. In so doing he buries their sins and enter not with them into judgment’ (Calvin – in modern English).
‘Neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.’ ‘Although an innocent man may be oppressed by earthly judges, who charge him with something in which he is not at fault, and a man may often be punished wrongfully and without cause, it is not so with God’s justice. He does not need to show why, or to keep great registers of proof to excuse himself when he is slandered by men. Every man carries his own indictment written and sealed within himself. We need no other judge than our own consciences. And though every man does not acknowledge it right now, after we have flattered ourselves for a long time, we must still return to the point of conviction, namely that he has just cause to punish us’ (Calvin – in modern English).