Sermons upon the Book of Job

upon the sight of such an issue we may conclude, that there is nothing better, than to submit ourselves unto God, and to suffer peaceably whatsoever he sendeth us, until he deliver us of his own mere goodness. And herewithal (besides the story) we have to consider the doctrine comprised in this book. That is to wit, concerning those that came unto Job under pretence to comfort him,§60 and yet tormented him much more than did his own miseries: and concerning the answers that he used to repulse their checks, wherewith it seemed they would have daunted him. But first of all, as in respect of our afflictions, we have to note, that although God send them, and that they proceed from him: yet notwithstanding the devil also stirreth them up in us, according as S. Paul telleth us, that we have war against the spiritual powers. For when the devil hath once kindled the fire, he hath also his bellows: that is to say, he findeth men that are fit to prick us always forward, both to feed the evil, and to increase it. So then we shall see how Job (besides the misery that he endured) was also tormented both by his friends and by his wife, and (above all) by such as came to tempt him spiritually. For I call it a spiritual temptation, not only when we be smitten and afflicted in our bodies: but also when the devil comes to put a toy in our head, that God is our deadly enemy, and that it is not for us to resort any more unto him, but rather to assure our selves, that henceforth he will not show us any mercy. See whereunto all the discourse tendeth which Jobs friends laid afore him. It was to make him believe, that he was a man forsaken of God, and that he deceived himself in imagining that God would be merciful unto him. Surely these spiritual battles are far more harder to be borne, than all the miseries and adversities that we can suffer by any persecution. And yet doth God let Satan nine so far upon the bridle, that he also bringeth his servants with him, who give us such assaults, as we see Job hath endured. Mark well this for a special point. But here withal we have further to mark, that in all this disputation, Job maintaineth a good case. And yet it is more, that Job maintaining a good quarrel, did handle it il, and that the other setting forth an unjust matter, did convey it well.

vpon the sight of suche an issue wee may conclude, that ther is nothing better, than to submit ourselues vnto God, and to suffer peaceably whatsoeuer he sendeth vs, vntill hee deliuer vs of his owne mere goodnesse. And herewithal (besides the storie) we haue to consider the doctrine comprised in this booke. That is to wit, concerning those that came vnto Iob vnder pretence to comfort him,