Sermons upon the Book of Job

Verily we will not eat of the meats that are unsavoury. If a man should make us to sup off the white of an Egg, it were enough too make us spew: for it were a thing that would go against our stomach. Seeing that this word betokeneth an unsavoury thing: what is to be said §10of a bitter thing that should serve to choke us? But yet much worse are the miseries wherewith Job was afflicted. And therefore he concludeth thereupon, that he would fain have his own wish: which is, that God would kill him at the first blow, and not make him to pine away after that sort. Ye see in effect what is meant here. And first of all let us mark, that this sentence is good and true, yea and that the doctrine contained therein is very profitable: for it is expedient for us too be warned of our passions. There are which stand much upon the reputation §20of their own virtues: and therefore it is good for us to know that we have need too have our fleshly desires repressed. Why so? Too the end that if things fall out according too our mind, we may have skill to say: Behold, God giveth us our hearts desire, and therefore we have whereof to rejoice. And that if things fall out against us, we may acknowledge and say, behold, it is God that afflicteth us: Wherefore? Even because we have offended him, and he will cut us out our morsels. It is good therefore that these things here §30should be known unto us, and that we should mind them, and that the remembrance of them should oftentimes be renewed. And specially it is a great shame for men that they have no discretion, seeing that the brute beasts can show them how that according to their measure they have some discretion. True it is that there is no reason nor judgement in an Ox, nor in an Ass. Yet hath God given them a certain wit, which leadeth them thither as their nature goeth. Now let us consider what it is that God giveth unto man who ought too have §40judgement. Because of the spirit which is imprinted in his soul. It behoveth him to have discretion. But yet let us note further, how it behoveth us especially too fight against our lusts. Howe so? An Ass will leave his braying when he hath pasture afore him: so will not a man do, he will not content himself. Very well.

Verely wee will not eate of the meates that are vnsauerie. If a man shoulde make vs to suppe off the white of an Egge, it were ynough too make vs spewe: for it were a thing that woulde go agaynst our stomacke. Seeing that this worde betokeneth an vnsauerie thing: what is to be sayd