Sermons upon the Book of Job

yet we cease not to fret and chafe against him, like as Job hath been tempted too do. What is to be done then? Let us consider that God is the keeper of men: that is to say, that we are here within his sight: we may well find fare colours and lurking holes before men, but all our hypocrisies cannot keep God from §50seeing us, or from discerning all, even too our very thoughts. What got our father Adam by covering himself with leaves, when he was summoned before God? He should have appeared, and his sin should have been laid afore him spite of his teeth. So then let us consider that Gods Registers are full of our works, words, and thoughts. And although that as now we read not our Indictments as they be framed: yet shall Daniels saying be fulfilled, which is, that when the judgement is settled, then the books shall be opened. Ye see §60then that the thing which we have to mark in the first place, is that God is mens keeper: we may well set here below, and take leave too leap like frogs without order, and (as the Proverb sayeth) play the Mice in the chaff, so as all things may be confused to manwarde: but yet will God mark and bear away all. When we know this, let us learn to walk in •eae & carefulness: and seeing that our God looketh upon us, let us walk as before him. And if we have this lesson well printed in our hearts: we shall be sure to have one care more than we had before. We shall be ashamed afore men, so as we will not do our naughtiness in the open day nor in the open street. And why so? Because the eyes of men will let us. Behold also how God and his Angels are witnesses of our life: ought not that to make us walk in far more awe a great deal? This knowledge then must hold us in awe, to the end we think not that our sins shall scape unpunished: but that forasmuch as God knoweth them, he will also give judgement against them. For he governeth not after the common order of men: he hath other manner of eyes than we have: although we have confessed our faults, he knoweth that which is hidden within, and that which is unknown too our selves. When an offender hath acknowledged his crimes & evil doings before an earthly judge, a man demandeth no more at his hand: but God is a spiritual judge, and will bring us to the inward knowledge of our sins.

yet wee ceasse not to frette and chafe agaynste him, like as Iob hath bene tempted too doo. VVhat is to bee done then? Let vs consider that God is the keeper of men: that is to saye, that wee are heere within his sight: wee maye well finde fare colours and lurking holes before men, but all our hypocrisies cannot keepe God from