Sermons upon the Book of Job

But it will come too pass that when the first passions assault the faithful, they shall (as a man would say) be harried away in such manner, as it may seem that God governeth them not any more, and that they play the horses that are broken loose. Nay but it is as if a man were upon a horse: and very well, ye see the horse flingeth and kicketh and doth all that he can to escape and to run over all the field: but anon the man that is handsome can tell well enough §10how too tame him, he will rein him up with the bridle, and bring him too a good pace. Even so is it with us, that we shall oftentimes be carried away headlong by our overheady passions: but yet for all this, God will not let us alone so, but will rather rein us up and draw us too him, according as we shall see how he worketh towards Job. But (as it hath been declared heretofore) it is true that we may well allege unto God the frailty of our life, when we would obtain some mercy and relief at his hand. But Job speaketh here excessively,§20 as a man that is out of his wits, and knoweth not to whom he ought to direct his words. Every faithful body will lightly say, Lord my days are nothing but vanity and smoke: therefore have pity upon so miserable a creature. This request is good and holy, & God accepteth it in good worth because we be taught by his holy spirit to speak so. But Job steppeth to him after an other fashion, and with another manner of style. Howe? my days (sayeth he) are but vanity, and comest thou here to set thy self against me? Wilt thou not give §30me respite to swallow down my spittle? Why dost thou not get thee from me? He is of opinion that if God would draw away his hand from him, he should have some ease. Yea, but what would become of us if God should let us alone? Should we have power to swallow down our spittle? Howe could we breathe, if the spirit that giveth liveliness to all things should forsake us? Do we not see that we should needs decay? But (as I have declared already) Job is an amazed man that hath no consideration but of his misery. And §40this serveth us for a good and profitable warning. For we see what it is too be overpressed with our own passions: namely that we forgo all wisdom and patience, and become as dull as brute beasts. Verily it will not seem so to us.

But it will come too passe that when the firste passions assaulte the faythfull, they shall (as a man woulde say) be harried away in suche maner, as it may seeme that God gouerneth them not any more, and that they play the horses that are broken looce. Nay but it is as if a man were vpon a horse: and very well, yee see the horse flingeth and kicketh and doth all that he can to escape and to runne ouer all the feelde: but anone the man that is handsome can tell well inough