If [I speak] of strength, lo, [he is] strong
Or think of it, or betake myself to that, and propose to carry my
point by mere force, as some men do by dint of power and
authority they are possessed of; alas! there is nothing to be
done this way; I am a poor, weak, feeble creature in body, mind,
and estate; I am not able to contend with so powerful an
antagonist on any account, in any way: God is strong, he is the
"most strong" F23, as some render it; he is mighty,
is the Almighty; the weakness of God is stronger than men; there
is no disputing with God upon the foot of strength:
and if of judgment, who shall set me a time [to
plead]?
If I think and propose to put things upon the foot of justice, to
have the cause between us issued in that way, I cannot expect to
succeed by right, any more than by might; he is so strictly just
and holy, that no righteousness and holiness of, mine can stand
before him; he is God, and I a man, and therefore not fit to come
together in judgment; and he a pure and holy Being, just and
true, and without iniquity, and I a sinful polluted creature; and
besides, there is none superior to him, that I can appeal unto,
none that can appoint a place, or fix a time, for the hearing of
the cause between us, or that can preside in judgment and
determine the matter in controversy; nay, there is not one among
the creatures that can be a daysman, an arbiter or umpire; yea
not one that can be so much as employed as council, that can take
the cause in hand, and plead it, and be a patron for me, and
defender of me; so that, let me take what course I will, I am
sure to be nonsuited and worsted, see ( Jeremiah
49:19 ) .