Sermons upon the Book of Job

Let us mark well then that God procureth our welfare by this means when he saith, I am the fountain of lively water, I am the true river, it standeth you on hand to be watered continually with my grace, or else there will be nothing but dryness in you: and although ye look green yet is it nothing, ye must wither away. And this is it that Baldad meaneth here. Although (saith he) that men cut not up those herbs, yet will they dry away if they have §40no moisture. Yea it shall utterly amaze men to see how they shall be quite withered even in the midst of their greatest pride. Even so is it with the hope of hypocrites. Hereby we be done too understand, that although men put not too their hand, God will consume us by a secrete and unknown working, so as we must be fain to come to naught, except it so be that we have trusted in him, and have taken deep and lively root in him. True it is that sometimes God rooteth up the wicked in punishing them by mans hand, yea and he matcheth them one against §50another in such sort, as they deface and destroy themselves. And oftentimes we see with our eyes, that God undermineth those that have presumed so much, and taken upon them so marvellously. We see (I say) that God consumeth them, no man knows how: and they melt away as snow against the Sun. Men think it strange [saying] how is it possible that this should come too pass? how happeneth that this man is in such plight? But we consider not of what force Gods curse is. Then let us mark well, that God without serving of §60his turn by men, can make not only men to fade away, but also their great Castles with them, and whatsoever other possessions, Lordships and riches they have. All must needs perish when God bloweth upon them, according to that which is precisely expressed here, namely that although such weeds be not cut up, yet they shall not fail to wither, because they have not moisture to ripen them withal. But we must also consider well how it is said, that the hope of hypocrites shall perish. And this bringeth us again to that which I have touched already: that is to wit, that such as have nothing else but smoke and untruth in them, cease not too be fresh and green, yea to their own seeming, and after the opinion of men. And so ye see here wl at it is that deceiveth us.

Let vs marke well then that God procureth oure welfare by this meanes when hee sayth, I am the fountaine of liuely water, I am the true riuer, it standeth you on hande to be watred continually with my grace, or else there will bee nothing but drynesse in you: and although ye loke grene yet is it nothing, yee must wither away. And this is it that Baldad meeneth heere. Although (saith he) that men cut not vp those herbes, yet will they drie away if they haue