Sermons upon the Book of Job

Howbeit if all things be nearly looked to, it will appear that the plain meaning of this text is, That Baldad's moving of Job to inquire of the time past, was because that if we look no further than before us, it shall be to small purpose. True it is that the very same which God showeth us from day to day, is enough for our instruction: so as there shall need no other process too make us unexcusable, than that which we shall have perceived in one year or in two, yea or even in one day, God showeth us so many things, as there remains no more excuse for us, neither can we allege, I never wist of this, God never gave me knowledge of this. I say we see enough before our eyes for our instruction. But such is our slothfulness, as God had need to chaw our morsels to us aforehand, and yet shall we have much ado to swallow them down when they be so chewed, as the proverb saith. Lo here wherefore he giveth us knowledge of the time past. As for example. If we despise all that is come to pass before our birth, and say, ô I shall be wise enough by considering the things that we see of our own life: was it Gods will that the presidents which he giveth us of the time so far past, should be to no purpose? When the scripture telleth us, that ever since the creating of the world, God hath governed men, chastised them for their offences, pitied them, and with his goodness continually surmounted the naughtiness of those that had don amiss: and that above all things he had defended those that were his, & succoured them in their afflictions: seeing that God from age to age discovereth things so greatly for our behoof: will we have everiwhit of it despised, & thrust under foot? do ye not see too villainous an unthankfulness, when we thrust far from us, the thing that is more than profitable for us? Let us mark then that this is the very thing whereunto he that speaketh (namely Baldad) hath pretended to bring Job. And therefore shall it grieve us to inquire of the things that are for our welfare? Let us consider a little of our own age. What are we? We are of yesterday. When men have cast up their account throughly: they are but as Snails, which vanish away out of hand.

Howbeeit if all things bee neerly looked to, it will appeere that the plaine meening of this text is, That Baldads mouing of Iob to inquire of the time past, was bycause that if we looke no further than before vs, it shall be to small purpose. True it is that the verie same which God sheweth vs from day to day, is ynough for our instruction: so as there shall neede no other processe too make vs vnexcusable, than that which wee shall haue perceyued in one yeare or in twoo, yea or euen in one day, God sheweth vs so many things, as there remaynes no more excuse for vs, neither can we alledge, I neuer wist of this, God neuer gaue me knowledge of this. I say we see ynough before our eyes for our instruction. But such is our slothfulnesse, as God had need to chawe our morsels to vs aforehand, and yet shall we haue much ado to swallowe them downe when they bee so chawed, as the prouerbe sayth. Lo here wherefore hee giueth vs knowledge of the time past. As for example. If we despise all that is come to passe before our birth, and say, ô I shall bee wise ynough by considering the things that we see of our own life: was it Gods will that the presidents which he giueth vs of the time so far past, should be to no purpose? VVhē the scripture telleth vs, that euer since the creating of the world, God hath gouerned men, chastized them for their offences, pitied them, and with his goodnesse continually surmounted the naughtines of those that had don amisse: and that aboue all things he had defended those that were his, & succored thē in their afflictions: seing that God frō age to age discouereth things so greatly for our behoofe: wil we haue eueriwhit of it despised, & thrust vnder foot? do ye not see too villainous an vnthankfulnesse, when we thrust farre from vs, the thing that is more thā profitable for vs? Let vs mark then that this is the very thing whervnto he that speaketh (namely Baldad) hath pretended to bring Iob. And therfore shal it grieue vs to inquire of the things that are for our welfare? Let vs consider a little of our owne age. VVhat are wee? VVee are of yesterday. VVhen men haue cast vp their account throughly: they are but as Snayles, which vanish away out of hande.