Sermons upon the Book of Job

Furthermore we see what ⟨p. 116⟩need we have of such a medicine, sith we be such dullards as to follow the lusts of our flesh. For what are we the better for Gods word? how are we moved for all the threatenings that are made to us? It seemeth that we would hold our own against God, and spite him by our defiances. Behold the pride which is to be seen commonly in men: and we also should be subject thereunto, were it not that God cleanseth us of it by showing himself so rough toward us, as we might feel his arrows in our harts, and that all our courage might be swallowed up by §10it. And likewise Job saith, that the terrors of God are directed [or levelled] at him. And why so? For his words are as it were swallowed up, or consumed. Whereas he saith that the terribleness of God was levelled at him, he meaneth (as I have said already) that he hath not men to his enemies, but that it is God himself which warreth against him. True it is that we may be assaulted at mens hands: and yet notwithstanding we must not cease to acknowledge that which is said here: that is to wit, that God armeth his creatures against us, to the end to show us §20his displeasure. At a word, on what side soever the mischief do threaten Job, yea even that he be wounded, he must acknowledge how it is the hand of God that toucheth and presseth him. And this is the cause why he saith the terrors [or the terribleness.] He knows well enough that when God scourgeth him, his int••t is to have him return unto him, and that God seeketh nothing but to receive his servants too mercy, and too deliver them from the trouble which they endure. But in these sorrows which he suffereth, he is not able to take hold of the goodness §30which God intendeth to use towards him. And thus ye see what is the cause of our impatience: even for that we are not touched as were requisite, to render God his due honour. For proof hereof, when we speak of calling upon God, and of desiring him to have pity upon us: we do it but ceremonially until we know that we are at the last cast, and that we be as poor damned souls and forlorn creatures: Until we know this throughly too the quick, it is certain that our desiring of God too have pity upon us, shall be but from the teeth outward.§40