Sermons upon the Book of Job

like as in these days it is very requisite for us to be armed with the example of Job, that we may beat back all the wicked slanders, wherewith the enemies of God and of his word labour to overthrow and turn away our faith. Ye see how the Papists do us great wrongs: insomuch as it should seem we are not worthy that the ground should bear us. But in the mean while there is no talk of showing why. It is enough for them that they have filled the ears of the ignorant sort afore hand, [bearing them in hand] that we speak against the holy Church because we will not be subject to all the traditions which they have made. Yea: but it is said that Gods word is it that must be received: and therefore that whosoever speaketh, must not advance himself too bring fancies, but must speak in such wise as men may know that the thing which he uttereth is godly and of God. Then must God be exalted among us. Also when the Papists pry out and cast up their scum: it behoveth us to be always ready too be taught. Yea howbeit so as it be the doctrine, not of men but of the living God, and of him whom he hath appointed to be our only master, that is too wit our Lord Jesus Christ, who nameth himself a shepherd, to the ⟨p. 131⟩intent that we should be his flock, that his only voice should be herd among us, and that we should shake off the voice of strangers. And moreover it is not against the Papists only, that we must be armed with this warning: But we are at this day in so miserable a time, as the children of God have great need of invincible constancy to resist so many and so sundry adversaries. In these days it booteth not to find fault with the evil and to condemn it: for every man supporteth it too manifestly. In these days we become to such a bottomless gulf, that if there §10happen any wickedness, every man covereth it, yea and justifieth it: and if there be any good, O it must needs be condemned. And how so? do not men fear this horrible curse which God hath uttered by his prophet, Cursed be you that call evil good, and good evil? Truly so little do men think of it, that (as I have said) the evil shall be borne withal, yea and borne out: and the good shall be borne down. When a man shall not only have done amiss, once or twice, but also proceeded so far as to spite God too the full:

lyke as in these dayes it is very requisite for vs to be armed with the example of Iob, that we may beate backe all the wicked slaunders, wherewith the enemies of God and of his woorde labour to ouerthrowe and turne away our fayth. Ye see how the Papists doo vs greate wrongs: insomuch as it shoulde seeme wee are not woorthy that the grounde shoulde beare vs. But in the meane while there is no talke of shewing why. It is ynough for thē that they haue filled the eares of the ignorant sort afore hand, [bearing them in hande] that we speake againste the holye Churche bycause wee will not be subiect to all the traditiōs which they haue made. Yea: but it is sayd that Gods woorde is it that must be receyued: and therefore that whosoeuer speaketh, must not aduaunce himselfe too bring fancies, but must speake in such wyse as men may knowe that the thing whiche hee vttereth is godly and of God. Then must God be exalted among vs. Also when the Papistes prye out and cast vp their skum: it behoueth vs to bee alwayes readye too bee taught. Yea howbeit so as it be the doctrine, not of men but of the liuing God, and of him whome hee hath appointed to be our onely mayster, that is too witte oure Lord Iesus Christ, who nameth himselfe a shepherd, to the