A69056:1092
Sermons upon the Book of Job
Sermons of Master John Calvin, upon the book of Job. Translated out of French by Arthur GoldingSermons of Master Iohn Caluin, vpon the booke of Iob. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding
London: printed by Henry Bynneman for Lucas Harison and George Byshop, 1574
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The .xxvij. Sermon, which is the first upon the seventh Chapter.
The .xxvij. Sermon, which is the first vpon the seuenth Chapter.
1 IS there not a time appointed too man which is upon the earth, and are not his days as the days of an hireling? 2 As a bondman longeth for the shadow, and as an hireling longeth for the end of his labour: 3 So have I the vain months, and painful nights are appointed unto me. 4 In laying me down I say, when shall I rise? and being in my bed, I am cloyed with bitterness even until the evening. 5 My flesh is clothed with worms and with dust of the earth: my skin is alto broken & corrupted. 6 My days glide away like a weavers shuttle, and wast away without hope.
1 IS there not a time appoynted too man vvhiche is vppon the earth, and are not his dayes as the dayes of an hireling? 2 As a bondman longeth for the shadovve, and as an hireling longeth for the end of hys laboure: 3 So haue I the vayne moneths, and paynefull nights are appoynted vnto me. 4 In laying me dovvne I say, vvhen shall I rise? and being in my bed, I am cloyed vvith bitternesse euen vntill the euening. 5 My flesh is clothed vvith vvormes and with dust of the earth: my skin is alto broken & corrupted. 6 My dayes glide avvay like a vveauers shettle, and vvast avvay vvithout hope.
WE know well that as long as we live in this world we must endure many miseries, but yet we could find in our harts that God should handle us after our own measure. And we be so tender and nice, that so soon as he layeth his hand upon us, we think §20it to be very much: yea and even the patientest of all are at that point. But when God proceedeth with afflicting of us still, ye shall see our faintness bewray and discover it self more. And this is the thing that we have to handle at this time. For Job complaining that his misery endureth over long, saith that a man ought to have had a time set him afore hand: as if he should say, God hath not set us upon the earth in such unquietness as we be, but that there should be some time to make an end of our miseries. But I am in such plight, as I have no release nor rest