Sermons upon the Book of Job

Therefore let every man think thereof, and then shall all of us be wakened, to withdraw our selves out of our follies and we shall have no moe of these vain imaginations and dotages that have bin wont to rock sinners asleep. Had this bin §20observed: there should be none of the debates that are now adays in christendom about the righteousness of faith. The Papists can not be persuaded of this that we say, namely that we become righteous through the mere favour of God in our Lord Jesus Christ. And why? what shall become of the merits (say they) and of the good works wherein the salvation of men consisteth? And why do the Papists stand so upon their merits, and why are they so besotted with them, but because they look not up to God? They dispute in their §30schools, whether good works deserve recompense and wages, as well as evil works deserve punishment: for they be things flat contrary. If mens sins deserve to be punished, then must there also be some reward for virtues: for otherwise Gods justice should not be indifferent: yea to our seeming, and so might men dispute upon a shadow. But ye see that the Papists fall asleep upon this disputation, and yet in the mean while God ceaseth not on this behalf, to play the judge, not in judging according too their laws, but in behaving himself §40according too his own majesty: that is to wit, in finding out that thing in men which we can not perceive. But if our virtues were godly in deed, that is too say such as might go for payment before God: that were somewhat. But what? when we shall have prised them to the uttermost, they shall be but smoke: If they come before God, all this must be laid down. Then let us remember well how it is said here, that man shall not be found righteous to God ward. And to the intent we may take warning hereby: as oft as any man speaks to §50us of our sins, we must not rest here below, but rather every one of us must summon himself before God, that we may know what manner of Judge he is. For so soon as we take upon us to plead against him, we must needs be confounded, & as it were overwhelmed. And Job addeth immediately. That if a man would dispute with God, he should not answer to one point of a thousand. True it is that this may well be verified of God:

Therefore lette euerie man thinke thereof, and then shall all of vs bee wakened, to withdrawe oure selues out of our follies and wee shall haue no moe of these vaine imaginacions and dotages that haue bin wont to rocke sinners asleepe. Had this bin