Sermons upon the Book of Job

He useth this manner of similitude, because a fatherless child hath no mean to defend himself, but is left as it were to the spoil. So Job (as one whom God scourgeth to the uttermost) showeth us that we shall not scape Gods hand and vengeance, except we labour to succour such as are miserable: that is to say, such as are worthy of pity and compassion, as was said yesterday. Lo what we have to mark in the first place. But in conclusion he exhorteth them, too turn again: and then (saith he) there shall be none iniquity: Turn ye again (saith he once again) And my righteousness shall appear in this behalf. Job in exhorting them, showeth well with what mind we must find fault with the evil and condemn it: that is to wit, to bring men back again, if it be possible to attain to it. Therefore let us think upon it, to the intent that such as will take warning may not perish in their sins: but rather that being sorry for them and ashamed that they have offended God, they may return ⟨p. 134⟩unto him with a greater affection. True it is that when we find that such as have offended God are not touched with the feeling of his justice, & of his vengeance, insomuch that if a man menace them, he shall win nothing at their hands: it behoveth them too be touched too the quick, to make them abashed, if he purpose to bring them to repentance. But howsoever the case stand, we must always shoot at this mark which is showed us here: that is to wit, to draw them back according to the manner that Job useth in this proceeding here. And as touching §10that he saith, Turn ye again and there shall be none iniquity: true it is that a man may expound this strain as if he said, There shall be no more iniquity in you. But there is more reason too say, Return ye and there shall be no more iniquity: Turn ye again and my righteousness shall be known here, as if Job should say, what hath bin the cause that you have hitherto condemned me as a man whom God had cast away, so as to your seeming I should be the worst man in the world? what is the cause why I have cried out in my self, and have not bin herd at your §20hands? It is for that you have turned your backs to all reason, and therefore turn ye again, and my righteousness will be apparent. This will be the better understood, when I shall have applied it to our instruction.