Sermons upon the Book of Job

IF we had the wit to know God accordingly as he uttereth himself, there should need no long process to be used: for every of us should be able too discern the things that are set afore our eyes. But forasmuch as we be so untoward in that behalf, God had need too upbraid us with our unthankfulness by telling us of his works. And to this purpose maketh that which is said here: namely §60that when God listeth, the sky shall be covered with great and thick clouds, so as the Sun shall not be seen: and contrariwise that when it pleaseth him to send light, the cope of the skies appeareth & that fair pavilion which is the heaven of his majesty showeth itself: he walketh aloft upon the Sea, that is to say, his power showeth itself throughly there also, & he setteth the stars of the sky in order, according as they be certain in number. This (I say) is rehearsed to us, to the end we should know our duty the better, and apply our minds to the considering of Gods works, that we may honour him as he deserveth. ⟨p. 171⟩And although that God having cast us in the teeth with this vice which is in us, might leave us there for such as we are: yet notwithstanding his intent is to instruct us to our welfare. And the two points that we have too mark in this strain for our own profit, are these. The first is, that we should understand how there is not any of us that thinketh upon Gods wisdom and power in such sort as he ought to do. In deed we can confess enough with our mouth, but the same entereth not into our hart, which thing we show by our contemptuousness. For (as §10it was touched yesterday) if we were thoroughly persuaded that all the wisdom of man is but vanity, and that all the strength which we see in creatures is nothing: God should hold us in such awe as we should be (as ye would say) reined up hard to it with a short bridle, and none of us should once be so hardy, as to think, speak, or do any thing that were not according to Gods good pleasure. Seeing then that we be so negligent, and that every of us beareth with himself, and that we give bridle to our wicked thoughts, and nourish them without any remorse of conscience,§20 insomuch that they burst out even into outward deeds:

IF wee had the wit to knowe God accordingly as hee vttereth himselfe, there should neede no long processe to bee vsed: for euery of vs should bee able too discerne the thynges that are set afore our eyes. But forasmuchas we be so vntowarde in that behalfe, God had neede too vpbrayde vs with our vnthankfulnesse by telling vs of his works. And to this purpose maketh that which is sayd heere: namely