Sermons upon the Book of Job

But if ye examine his hart, ye shall find him ready to burst for spite, & that there is as it were a fiery rage in him: and if it were possible that he might fight with God, he would do it. Another unloadeth him self at the first dash, and many wicked words slip from him: but yet he hath not so much bitterness in his heart. But howsoever the world go, both of them be naught. What ⟨p. 143⟩is to be done then? If our sorrows oppress us to sore, let us settle ourselves to pray to God, that it may please him to aid us in the midst of them, so as we may not conceive any moodiness against him, at leastwise which should hinder the honouring of him. And herewithal we must also labour and fight: for whereas men are wont to harden them selves when they have once conceived any wilfulness and stomaking, and to nourish themselves therein: it behoveth us to know that we must withstand it. Then let us restrain our affections, and let them be tied up like §10wild beasts. And when we have so done our endeavour to repress our passions and to hold them in awe:then let us assure ourselves that we can also discern and say: Howe now? Shall a mortal man have leave to give himself the bridle▪ so as he shall stand in contention with God, as if he would pick a quarrel to him? Then let us keep us from such licentiousness of murmuring against God, as to have our tong unbridled to say, how now▪ Is this of Gods doing? Wherefore handleth he me after this manner? No: [let us not do so] But let us make our moan in such §20sort as God may alway always be honoured at our hands, and let us confess that he is righteous and unpartial howsoever he deal with us. Mark here a special point. And moreover therewithal let all our complaints be made unto him. For ye see wherein men overshoot themselves oftentimes: that is, in shrinking away from God as much as they can, when they would make their complaints, or else in discoursing with their neighbours, And how? I have a misfortune (say they) and there is no man that endureth so much as I: it should seem that God mindeth §30to torment me without end or ceasing. Lo how men do always grunt. And although they utter not such murmurings with their mouth: yet it is sure that they keep ever some store of such stuff behind in their harts, and lay it not open before God as he requireth.