Sermons upon the Book of Job

we may defy all the harms that can come too us from men. And it is successively said, that the faithful man shall visit his tent, and shall not meet with any mishap to grieve him. He shall see his linage increased, and the very breed of his cattle shall be blessed of God. Herein it is showed unto us, that God, to show the love which he beareth us, is not contented only to remedy our mishaps and too deliver us from them: but also blisseth us in divers sorts, and maketh us too prosper, too the intent we should feel his grace upon us. Thus ye see the sum of that which is contained here. But as we have need to consider Gods goodness thoroughly because he succoureth us in our afflictions: so on the other side, in all the benefits which he bestoweth upon us, it behoveth us too be attentive too know the fatherly care which he hath of us. And specially that when soever he shall take us out of this world, we may know that which the holy Ghost showeth us here, according ⟨p. 112⟩as I shall set it forth anon: and finally that in all cases and in all respects God will be the guider of those that are his, and that although they be fain too endure things in this mortal life, and are subject to many changes and overturnings: yet God will preserve them, and his blessing will be sufficient too defend them even too the end. Ye see what the holy Ghost meant to show us here by the mouth of Eliphas. But among the other graces which our Lord promiseth unto men, and whereby he will be known too be §10gentle and loving, one is when he giveth us children. For we know how linage is a singular honour which God doeth unto men. And verily if he will have his goodness known even in respect of the beasts in that the beasts do thrive and increase: If God (I say) will have his goodness and favour caught hold of thereby: what is too be done then, when he createth children and formeth them after his own image? for is there not a more excellent and greater dignity in mans nature, than in all other creatures? So then, no marvel §20though God do so often in the holy Scripture mark out this said blessing as a precious thing. By the way, if men be afflicted by their children, let them understand that the same proceedeth of sin, and that Gods order is reversed in that case:

wee may defie all the harmes that can come too vs from menne. And it is successiuely sayde, that the faithfull man shall visit his tente, and shall not meete wyth any mishappe to greeue him. He shall see his linage increased, and the very breede of his cattell shall bee blissed of God. Heerein it is shewed vnto vs, that God, to shew the loue whiche he beareth vs, is not contented only to remedie our mishappes and too delyuer vs from them: but also blisseth vs in diuers sortes, and maketh vs too prosper, too the intent wee shoulde feele hys grace vpon vs. Thus yee see the summe of that which is conteyned heere. But as we haue neede to consider Gods goodnesse thoroughly bycause he succoreth vs in our afflictions: so on the other side, in all the benefites which he bestoweth vpon vs, it behoueth vs too bee attentiue too knowe the fatherly care whiche hee hath of vs. And specially that when soeuer he shall take vs out of this worlde, wee may knowe that which the holie Ghost sheweth vs heere, according