Sermons upon the Book of Job

For as soon as we shall have made such a protestation, God will laugh us too scorn. It is nothing else but folly and fondness for a man too say, if such a thing happen I will do this or that, Therefore if a man come to that point, needs must God laugh his pride too scorn. And in good sooth what is our strength?§40 whereof can we boast? So then let us know that after what manner so ever God handle and entreat us, we must always have the discretion to glorify him, beseeching him so to guide us by his holy spirit, as he will give us the virtue of patience thereafter as it shall please him to afflict us. Thus ye see what we have to mark in this strain. And heerewithall he addeth: What is my strength that I should be able too endure? Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh as steel? Here Job entereth into his complaints, too show that he §50hath just cause too cha•e after that manner, although he pass measure. And why so? For God (sayeth he) on his side is too excessive in chastising. Ye see in effect what he purposeth too say. And we see that which I have touched heretofore: that is too wit, that Job is so overpressed with the present pain, as he hath no regard of all the rest, but is utterly blind in it. And this is a point that we must mark well. For ye see in what case we be, and experience showeth the same. Whensoever we have any trouble,§60 straightways without regarding what it is, our eyes are dazzled at it, so as we can not discern between read and green, but we babble out this and that too no purpose. So much the more then must we mark what is contained here. Job sayeth here, what is my strength? True it is that his strength is nothing. But when he knoweth it and stayeth upon it, is it not the next way too make him more impatient than he was afore? Job thinks that his strength faileth him not, save in the present misery that he endureth. But contrariwise let men try themselves throughly, and search well what is in them: and they shall find that the least inconvenience that troubleth them and pricketh them, is not without great grief, I mean as touching the body. But this is nothing in respect of that which Job endureth through his spiritual temptations whereof I have spoken.

For assoone as wee shall haue made suche a protestation, God wyll laugh vs too scorne. It is nothing else but follie and fondenesse for a man too say, if suche a thing happen I wyll do this or that, Therefore if a man come to that poynte, needes muste God laugh his pride too scorne. And in good sooth what is oure strength?