let us learn, not only to look a foot or twain §30before our noses (as men say:) but also to stretch out our wits to that which happened before we were borne. And above all things, we ought to be moved so to do, forasmuch as we see it hath pleased God, that there should be as it were a glass, wherein we might behold, after what manner he hath in all times preserved and maintained his Church since the world was made, by strengthening the good men to fight against all assaults: and finally how he hath chastised his own children, yea and double corrected them when they became hard hearted: insomuch that §40when he hath admonished them by his prophets & they have continued in stubbornness: they have been fain to feel a greater and more excessive rigour. Insomuch then as we see these things, and that God hath so provided by his providence in this behalf, that the thing which might have bin buried, is now laid afore us for our instruction: I pray you ought not we to exercise our selves therein the more earnestly? Then let us bear in mind, how it is said here, that we must ask of them that have lived afore us: howbeit not of their persons, for we have no access too §50the dead, neither is it lawful for us to seek to them for counsel: God hath not ordained them to be prophets, furtherforth than by the service which they did in their own time. S. Peter, S. Paul, and the rest of the Apostles, & the Prophets speak unto us at this day: but that is by their writings which are immortal. As for their persons, God hath withdrawn them from our company. Yet must we ask of the time wherein they lived, and we must also follow the records which they have yielded of Gods works, and thereby learn to be established in his fear. But the §60reason that must move us most of all hereunto, is added when Baldad saith, That we be but of yesterday, and are ignorant, because our life is but a shadow. True it is that this present text may be expounded two ways. There are which think that Baldad meant to say, ô I know thou wilt not esteem that which I can bring of mine own: thou wilt say I am not so old, that men should give ear to me as to a wise man. Well, put the case that my saying be nought worth, because my person is not agreeable thereunto: yet shalt thou find, that the old men will tell thee as much. And I set down this interpretation, because it may go for good.
let vs learne, not only to looke a foot or twain §30before our nozes (as men say:) but also to stretch out our wits to that which happened before we were borne. And aboue all things, we ought to bee moued so to do, forasmuch as we see it hath pleased God, that there should be as it were a glasse, wherein wee might beholde, after what maner he hath in all times preserued and mainteyned his Church since the worlde was made, by strengthning the good men to fight agaynst all assaultes: and finally how he hath chastized his owne children, yea and double corrected them when they became hard harted: insomuch that §40when he hath admonished them by his prophets & they haue continued in stubbornnesse: they haue bene faine to feele a greater and more excessiue rigor. Insomuch then as we see these things, and that God hath so prouided by his prouidence in this behalfe, that the thing which might haue bin buried, is now laid afore vs for our instruction: I pray you ought not we to exercise our selues therin the more earnestly? Then let vs beare in mind, how it is sayd here, that we must aske of them that haue liued afore vs: howbeit not of their persons, for we haue no accesse too §50the dead, neither is it lawfull for vs to seeke to them for counsel: God hath not ordeyned thē to be prophets, furtherforth than by the seruice which they did in their own time. S. Peter, S. Paule, and the rest of the Apostles, & the Prophets speake vnto vs at this day: but that is by theyr writings which are immortall. As for their persons, God hath withdrawne them from our companie. Yet must we aske of the time wherein they liued, and we must also folow the records which they haue yelded of Gods works, and thereby learne to bee established in his feare. But the §60reason that must moue vs most of all herevnto, is added when Baldad sayth, That we bee but of yesterday, and are ignorant, bicause our life is but a shadow. True it is that this present text may bee expounded twoo wayes. There are which think that Baldad ment to say, ô I know thou wilt not esteeme that which I can bring of mine owne: thou wilt say I am not so old, that mē shuld giue ear to me as to a wise man. VVell, put the cace that my saying be nought worth, bicause my person is not agreeable therevnto: yet shalt thou finde, that the olde men will tell thee as much. And I set downe this interpretation, bicause it may go for good.
