Sermons upon the Book of Job

is there not a time appointed for man that is upon earth? True it is that here beneath, men are poor and wretched creatures: but yet may they after some sort be glad, seeing that God hath not set them here to continue §30so for ever. Lo here a thing which for the most part is able to assuage all the griefs that we endure upon earth. But now (saith he) God maketh none end of my torments. Behold how Job complaineth that his state is worse than all other mens: as if he should say, God scourgeth me out of measure, for he showeth not that he is minded to rid me out of the miseries that press me. And this is it that I have touched heretofore: namely, that generally we can confess well enough how it is good reason that we should endure many adversities §40while we be in this world: And every man can say, yea we be borne under the same condition and to the same end: and we must not think otherwise but that man even from his birth bringeth with him so many miseries, and so many wants, as it is a pity to see. I say we can well acknowledge this, in general terms: but so soon as God smiteth us, we think he hath no measure with him. And thus ye see at what point Job is. Also ye see why I said that the appointing of the time must be referred to Gods discretion, and not to our lust. Had Job (without being §50carried away by his own passions) considered well what he said: it is certain that he had not spoken amiss. Why? mans time is foreset. But Jobs misdealing is that he himself would be the judge, and by that mean he plucketh away the authority that belongeth unto God. And here we see what we our selves do in the same case. True it is that our intent shall not be to bereave God of his power, nor to usurp the right and authority which he hath over us, we will not say so. But yet in the mean while it is as good as if we did it, if we be not patient, and that we §60hold not our affections in awe when we be afflicted, so as we can say, Well Lord, we are in thy hand, it is not for us to stint thee, nor to task thee to the present time, to say, thou shalt do this or that: but in as much as thou hast told us that thou canst end our miseries, yea and bring them to a happy and desirable end: Lord we will patiently wait for that which thou haste promised us.

is there not a time appointed for man that is vpon earth? True it is that here beneath, men are poore and wretched creatures: but yet may they after some sort be glad, seeing that God hath not set them heere to continue