Sermons upon the Book of Job

It is expedient for us to know, that we be not made of steel, nor that we be not as rocks of stone: but that we be mortal men full of frailty. It is behoofefull that God should make us feel this. Also although he assist us in our afflictions, so as we be not overcome: yet doth he make us to be wounded and to halt, that is to say [he leaveth] always some feebleness [in us] which showeth it self in the mighty operation §40which he giveth us. Thus ye see the two points which we have to consider here. But first of all let us call to remembrance that which I have touched heretofore: which is, that if we be tempted, and whensoever we be pinched with any adversity in our body: we must the more fear still this spiritual temptation, when God citeth us to his judgement, and becometh as it were our Judge, so as we must be fain too answer before him, and too render him our account. True it is that we shall much more perceive that thing which toucheth us in §50our flesh. And why so? For we be wholly given too that. So then we see commonly that men fear famine, pestilence, sickness, or death which is the uttermost. If a man threaten us with this, we be afraid: but if a man speak too us of God, we be not moved a whit. And why so? Herein we show our selves too be dull, yea even too the uttermost, as they that differ nothing from Oxen and Asses, in that we make so small reckoning of Gods wrath, and of the damnation that is prepared for our souls, I mean of them that continue §60enemies unto God: But if a man talk to us of any thing that concerneth this present life, we are amazed out of measure. Nevertheless, in the mean time while other continue in their dullness, God ceaseth not too exercise those that are his, after such a manner as he maketh them too feel his wrath, and then (as I said) they be tempted much more without all comparison, than if they endured all the miseries that are possible too be imagined. Sometimes we shall think it strange that the faithful should speak thus: And what? God hath showed himself as a Lion towards me: he hath broken all my bones, I am on a burning fire, I wot not where to become, my soul is as it were swallowed up, my body is as good as rotten, and there is nothing but stench in me. Wherefore is it that the faithful speak so? It seemeth that they be nice and womanish:

It is expedient for vs to know, that we bee not made of steele, nor that wee bee not as rockes of stone: but that we be mortall men full of frailtie. It is behoofefull that God shoulde make vs feele this. Also although he assist vs in our afflictions, so as we be not ouercome: yet doth he make vs to be woūded and to halte, that is to say [he leaueth] alwayes some feeblenesse [in vs] which sheweth it selfe in the mightie operation