Sermons upon the Book of Job

First we have to gather the sum of that which hath bin expounded already: which is, that when we have done amiss, and God chastiseth us therefore: he will always be ready to show us mercy, if we call unto him. And it is expressly said, that we must make §40hast to come to him, least we abuse his patience, as we see these mockers do. And afterward there is added that we must Sue unto him with a right meaning & in pureness. This Suing importeth that we must confess our sins: & the word pureness betokeneth that it must be don unfeignedly. Now then we see, that by this promise god allureth us to himself, & is desirous to draw us to him, as if he should say, will men needs perish wilfully when as I am ready to receive them to mercy, notwithstanding that they be in the high broad way to damnation?§50 Therefore let us mark well that sith God openeth the gate so unto us, we be double worthy of damnation, if we come not unto him. We know well enough that despair is the cause of the hardening of the most part of such as give themselves to unthriftiness, and makes them too play double or quit (as men say:) but when as God showeth us that his mercy shall always be ready for us, ought not that to move us? Then let us mark well the promise that is contained here, and therewithal make hast, seeing it is Gods will that we should not drive off, nor delay our coming §60unto him. When God provoketh us to think upon our sins, let us not delay our repentance till to morrow. And above all, when this voice of God (Come) soundeth from heaven: let us not harden our harts, as it is said in the Psalm: but rather let us do as is said in the Prophet Isaiah▪ Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near you, and let the wicked man leave him own ways. For as it is said again in another text, Behold [now is] the fit time, these are the days of saving, when God exhorteth us to repentance. If we forslow: the occasion will slip away, & it shall abash us when the gate shall be shut against us. Ye see then how it behoveth us to put this Hasting in ure. And let us mark well that in our coming unto God, we shall gain nothing by bringing our excuses. For if we have but one word to lay for our selves, God (as we shall see hereafter) shall have a hundred, yea a thousand articles against us to condemn us.

FIrst we haue to gather the sūme of that which hath bin expounded alreadie: which is, that when wee haue done amisse, and God chastiseth vs therfore: he will alwayes be ready to shew vs mercie, if we call vnto him. And it is expresly said, that we must make