Sermons upon the Book of Job

IT is a great virtue in a man too yield himself teachable, that is too say, too submit himself to reason: for without that, men must needs overshoot them selves,§10 as it were in despite of God: for proof hereof the chief honour that God requireth at our hands, is that whatsoever we know too proceed from him, be received without any gainsaying, that it be held for good and rightful, and that men frame themselves thereunto. And certainly all truth and reason proceed from God. Therefore let us conclude, that God hath no sovereignty nor authority over us, except men yield themselves fully to that which they know too be true and reasonable. So then we shall have §20profited greatly in all our life, when we shall have learned to humble ourselves so far forth, that as soon as the reason of a thing is known unto us, we make no more gainsaying, nor show our selves stubborn and hard to agree unto it: but rather do such honour to God as too say, Lord we see it were to make war against thee, if we should stand any more in this case: for thy truth is the true mark of thy divine glory: and therefore whosoever will worship thee, must obey thy truth: for otherwise, all must needs be trodden under foot. And this §30is the matter that Job treateth of in this strain. For he protesteth, that if he be taught, he will hold his tongue: his desire is too have it showed him wherein he hath done amiss. No doubt but Job doth here in his own person give a common rule too all the children of God. Which rule is, that when God shall have showed us wherein we have done amiss, we must no more open our mouths to allege trifling excuses, and to enter into defence of our doings, but we must give ear too that which shall be told us, without encountering it:§40 and generally we must receive all good doctrine as soon as it is spoken, without asking whither it be so or no, and when we know it to be so, we must go through with it, without kicking against the prick. And as I have said that it is a great virtue too be so teachable: so also let us understand, that it is a very rare virtue and not lightly to be found among men. Nay rather, we see a foolish presumptuousness, so as every man weeneth too be wise in his own conceit:

IT is a greate vertue in a man too yeelde hymselfe teachable, that is too say, too submit himselfe to reason: for withoute that, men must needes ouershoote thē selues,