Sermons upon the Book of Job

True it is that to the worldward men may oppress them with false slanders, and men may defame them in such wise as it shall seem that they be the worst folk in the whole world: according as we see the frowardness that reigneth nowadays, so as there is neither right nor indifferency remaining. We be come to the time whereof the prophet Isaiah complaineth: namely that right is openly oppressed, and uprightness and truth are chased out of the world. And besides this (sayeth he) although the mischief be increased, and overfloweth his bounds more & more: yet hath there not been any man that hath uttered one word to clear these things that are so confused: but rather it hath seemed that every man hath had a desire too augment the mischief. Behold at what point we be. But (as I have said heretofore) ye see it is an inestimable privilege that we can hold that thing for good which the world hateth, and that when men point at us with their finger, when they spit in our faces, and when they trample all reason under foot. Although we see all this: yet notwithstanding we be not abashed so as we should incline too any wickedness, but do always continue fast rooted and grounded in the said truth, which is mighty enough to maintain us. And so following that which is showed here, let us learn to hold us always to the word of righteousness, assuring our selves that God will evermore be on our side, and that his truth will be so mighty, that in the end it will get the upper had. True it is that forasmuch as men are fugitive, and run on so headily: the truth hath not always his full scope, and it will seem erewhiles to be utterly overthrown: but let us have patience until the day of the Lord do appear as sayeth S. Paul. For that is it whereunto he calleth them, mocking at the overweening of such as judge so awkly, overthwartly and confusedly, in charging him with those reproaches. But (sayeth he) I will wait for the day of the Lord, till God at length discover the false slanders wherewith I have bin charged. For when that day (sayeth he) beginneth to appear, then must rightfulness come abroad, then must slanderers be convicted, and then must all things turn to their confusion.

True it is that to the worldward men may oppresse them with false slaunders, and men may diffame them in suche wise as it shall seeme that they be the worst folke in the whole world: according as we see the frowardnesse that reigneth nowadayes, so as there is nother right nor indifferencie remayning. VVe be come to the time wherof the prophet Esay cōplayneth: namely that right is openly oppressed, and vprightnesse and truth are chaced out of the world. And besides this (sayeth he) although the mischeef be increased, and ouerfloweth his bounds more & more: yet hath there not bene any man that hath vttered one word to cleere these things that are so confuzed: but rather it hath seemed that euery man hath had a desyre too augment the mischeef. Behold at what poynt we be. But (as I haue sayd heeretofore) yee see it is an inestimable priuiledge that wee can hold that thing for good whyche the world hateth, and that when men poynt at vs wyth their finger, when they spit in our faces, and when they trample all reason vnder foote. Although we see all this: yet notwithstanding we be not abashed so as wee shoulde inclyne too any wickednesse, but doo alwayes continue fast rooted and grounded in the sayde truthe, whych is myghtie ynough to maynteyne vs. And so folowing that which is shewed heere, let vs learne to hold vs always to the word of rightuousnesse, assuring our selues that God will euermore bee on our side, and that his truth will bee so myghtie, that in the end it will get the vpper had. True it is that forsomuchas men are fugitiue, and runne on so headily: the truth hath not alwayes his full scope, and it will seeme erewhyles to be vtterly ouerthrowne: but let vs haue pacience vntill the day of the Lord do appeare as sayeth S. Paule. For that is it wherevnto he calleth them, mocking at the ouerweening of suche as iudge so awkly, ouerthwartly and confuzedly, in charging him with those reproches. But (sayeth he) I will wayt for the day of the Lord, til God at length discouer the false slaunders wherwith I haue bin charged. For whē that day (sayeth he) beginneth to appeare, thē must ryghtfulnesse come abrode, then must slaunderers bee conuicted, and then must all things turne to their confusion.