Sermons upon the Book of Job

But we must not stand here upon diversity of expositions: we must have an eye only to the natural meaning. Thus ye see in effect what Job meant to say here. Upon this verse we have §60a good lesson to gather: which is, first that when we see things so disordered, that the wicked triumph, weltering in their pleasures, enjoying abundance of goods, no man gainsaying them, and working their excesses and out ages without touch of breast: we must consider how it is no new thing, that we should be greatly astonished at such a temptation. For it is good, yea and needful for us to be armed against such imaginations. We see how our own mind driveth us thereunto, so as if things fall not out according to our fancy, it seemeth to us that all things are turned by fortune, and that God regardeth no more the world, or rather that he forsloweth his duty, or that he is as it were asleep, or else that he regardeth neither good nor evil. Lo what fancies run in our heads, if we be not restrained, according as the Scripture telleth us that we ought not too think it strange though the earth be delivered after that sort into the hand of the wicked. And why? For our sins deserve that the wicked should have full power over us. If we obeyed God as becometh us: it is certain that things should be ruled here after such fashion, as we should be contented. But forasmuch as we be stubborn against our God, and play the horses that are broken loose: it is good reason that he also should give the wicked scope, to the end that we might be chastised by the hand of them. And why so? for our unthankfulness deserveth well that God should bring forth his rods and make us feel them with all rigour. Therefore when this is known to us, we think it no strange sight to see things so confounded here below, as we may say that the earth is delivered into the hands of the wicked, or that we should sigh at the coming thereof too pass, because that God giveth us warning of our sins. And verily we have good cause to sigh, seeing that the wicked and the despisers of God, must not only defile the earth, but also have their full scope. God hath created men after his own image, and put all things into their hand, to the intent they should be as his lieutenants here.

But wee must not stand here vpon diuersitie of expositions: wee must haue an eye onely to the naturall meening. Thus ye see in effect what Iob ment to say here. Vpon this verse wee haue §60a good lesson to gather: which is, first that when wee see things so disordered, that the wicked triumph, weltring in their pleasures, inioying abundance of goodes, no man gainsaying them, and working their excesses and out ages without touche of brest: we must consider howe it is no new thing, that we should be greatly astonished at suche a temptation. For it is good, yea and needfull for vs to bee armed agaynst suche imaginations. VVee see howe our owne minde driueth vs therevnto, so as if things fall not out according to our fancie, it seemeth to vs that al things are turned by fortune, and that God regardeth no more the worlde, or rather that hee forsloweth his duetie, or that he is as it were asleepe, or else that he regardeth neither good nor euill. Lo what fancies runne in our heades, if we be not restreyned, according as the Scripture telleth vs that wee ought not too thinke it straunge though the earth be deliuered after that sort intoo the hande of the wicked. And why? For our sinnes deserue that the wicked should haue full power ouer vs. If wee obeyed God as becommeth vs: it is certaine that things should be ruled here after such fashion, as we shoulde bee contented. But forasmuch as we bee stubborne against our God, and play the horses that are broken looce: it is good reason that he also should giue the wicked scope, to the ende that we might be chastized by the hand of them. And why so? for our vnthankfulnesse deserueth well that God shoulde bring forth his roddes and make vs feele them with al rigour. Therefore when this is knowne to vs, we thinke it no straunge sight to see things so cōfounded here below, as we may say that the earth is deliuered into the handes of the wicked, or that wee shoulde sighe at the comming thereof too passe, bycause that God giueth vs warning of our sinnes. And verely we haue good cause to sigh, seeing that the wicked and the despyzers of God, must not onely defile the earth, but also haue their full scope. God hath created men after his owne image, and put all things into their hande, to the intent they shoulde bee as his lieutenants here.