Sermons upon the Book of Job

it is certain that the same would make us to forget all our sorrows. Well then God doth now smite me: but what for that? I have received as much good at his hand, and he hath showed himself bountiful towards me: was it not to the end I should always taste of his mercy, and that I should trust to it, and flee thereunto for refuge? we cannot eat one bit of bread, but the same is a witness unto us of Gods goodness, and that he will always be our father and Saviour. Behold here an inestimable remedy to sweeten all our §30sorrows whensoever we be afflicted: which is by calling to mind the benefits and gracious gifts that we have received at Gods hand. But Satan who seeth well this, useth a clean contrary policy: which is, to make us forget the good that God hath done us and bestowed upon us, too the end we might have nothing in us but anguish to set us in a fretting and that there might be nothing but bitterness, nor nothing that might cheer us or comfort us in our troubles. This is it that Job showeth us now. My days (sayeth he) are slipped away, like a little Pinnace §40that will go swiftly upon the water, or else as an Eagle flying in the air, or as a Lackey that goeth post. Hereby he doth us too wit, that he remembereth no more how God caused him to be borne into the world not that he had given him so many tokens of his fatherly love, as he might well have wherewith to comfort himself: yea, if he had had such regard & consideration as were requisite. True it is that Job kept always still some taste of Gods goodness, so as he was never in despair. And verily although he were tormented and tossed to and fro, yet had §50he always such understanding, and was still held in such awe, as he knew God too be righteous, and also waited too be delivered of his miseries. Now when we see such temptations in him, it behoveth every of us to have an eye to himself, & to behold himself here. And in deed although God show us the favour to make us taste continually of his goodness: yet notwithstanding we know not sufficiently & fully how well he loveth us: but rather if he trouble us, we quite forget the good that he hath done us, and to our seeming we never received any benefit §60at his hand.

it is certain that the same would make vs to forget all our sorrowes. VVell then God doth nowe smyte mee: but what for that? I haue receyued as muche good at his hande, and hee hath shewed himselfe bountifull towardes mee: was it not to the ende I should alwayes taste of his mercie, and that I shoulde trust to it, and flee therevnto for refuge? wee cannot eate one bit of breade, but the same is a witnesse vnto vs of Gods goodnesse, and that he will alwayes be our father and Sauiour. Beholde heere an inestimable remedie to sweeten all our