Sermons upon the Book of Job

They will lay it in a shady place, where neither wind nor sun shall come at it to dry it, so as the sap shall always be kept close in it: men will find some means or other, and although they cannot save the lives of trees for ever, yet will they help them in some sort. And let not us think that when God listeth to keep us §50unplanted a long time, he can not for all that preserve us, yea even in such wise as it shall not be hard for him to make us take root new again when so ever it pleaseth him. Ye see then what we have to bear in mind. And it is the thing wherein every one of us must exercise himself, and give his whole mind to it, that we may profit our selves by the similitude that is spoken of here. And for to conclude with, and to confirm this matter, it behoveth us to mark well what is said here: namely, That God will never lend his hand to the wicked, but contrariwise:§60 will put the enemies of good men to shame, and have pity of th▪ good men continually. Verily if we should put God to his stint, to say that (in respect of this present life) he should behave himself in such sort towards us, as we should always be blessed at his hand, and continue always in prosperity: this doctrine were false. And also we have records enow in the Scripture, that God will not hold any such rule here, as that they whose father and saviour he is, should live at their ease and rest: and in very deed, it were not expedient for us. As for example, if in these days the good men were handled gently at Gods hand, and had all things at their wish and desire, and that the wicked were punished roughly: where were the hoping for the latter day? we should fall so sound asleep in that case, as nothing should▪ be more needful, than that our Lord Jesus Christ should appear to judge the world. And why so? Gods judgements should be altogether apparent, and there should be none other hope of salvation. We see then that although God suffer things to be confused in this world, so as good folk are tormented to the uttermost, and wicked folk advanced in triumph: yet we be so drowsy and so dulheaded, as we can not be moved to come unto God, and to consider what he saith to us: namely that our life is hidden as yet, and that we must tarry till it be revealed by the coming of Jesus Christ.

They will laye it in a shadie place, where nother wynde nor sunne shall come at it to drye it, so as the sappe shall alwayes bee kepte close in it: men will fynde some meanes or other, and although they cannot saue the liues of trees for euer, yet will they helpe them in some sorte. And let not vs thinke that when God listeth to keepe vs