Sermons upon the Book of Job

We see now how profitable this lesson is to us, when we have the wit to make it our own: that is to wit, that in the end we know that God doth still lean us a remedy to serve our turn with, so as our diseases shall not be incurable, at leastwise if we have recourse unto him. Hereupon we must gather a general sentence: That is too wit, that God doth still §40pity men when he chastiseth them for their sins, and that he never useth so great rigour, but that his mercy is continually mingled there with. And why so? for they be as it were summonings to make us appear before him, too the intent that in feeling him too be our judge, we should flee too his infinite grace and mercy, not doubting but that he will show himself a father to all such as shall have their recourse unto him. And hereby a man may see the unthankfulness of the world. For the afflictions are universal, and there is not the man that hath §50not his portion in them after his rate: we pass not through this present life, but that God chastiseth us many ways: I say, every of us severally and all in general: we see how God visiteth us: And yet in the mean while who is he that thinketh upon his returning unto God? The number of them is very small and thin sown. Then know we how unthankful we be, that although God call us to him and be loth that we should perish: yet we be so stiffenecked, as we shake off all the warnings that he giveth us. But this doctrine must also profit us further to §60make us trust in God, and although we be persecuted in this world, yet notwithstanding he leaveth us not here by low, without calling of us continually unto him. And he will not have us to be disappointed when we shall be come to that point, so our coming thither be to have all our recourse unto him. So then let us hardily trust that our God will be merciful to us, and let us thank him that he hath not taken us out of this present life at the first blow, but hath given us leisure too bethink us of our sins that we may be sorry for them and return unto him. But now let us come to the comfort that is set down here. If thou come too him betimes, and seek him with prayer, if thou be right and pure: be will awake to thee. This is added purposely because men continue stubborn, and although God provoke them to return into the way of salvation, yet they pass not for it.

VVee see nowe howe profitable this lesson is to vs, when we haue the witte to make it our owne: that is to wit, that in the end we know that God doth still leane vs a remedie to serue our turne with, so as our diseases shall not be incurable, at leastwise if we haue recourse vnto him. Herevpon we must gather a generall sentence: That is too witte, that God doth still