Sermons upon the Book of Job

namely that if we be grounded upon good and rightful reason, it behoveth each one of us to stand upon his guard, that he reel not, ne waver not one way or other. For there is nothing easier than to mar a good and rightful matter, so sinful is our nature, as we find by experience at all times. God of his grace may give us a good case: and yet we may be so stung by our enemies, that we can not hold our selves within our bounds, nor simply follow that which God hath enjoined us, without adding of some trick of our own.§30 Seeing then that we be so easily carried away: we ought the rather to pray unto God, that when we have a good case, he himself will vouchsafe to guide us in all singleness by his holy spirit, so as we may not pass the bounds, which he hath set us by his word. Herewithall also we be put in mind, not to apply Gods truth to any evil use. For in so doing we dishonour it: like as these men do here, who although they speak holily (as we have showed already, and as we shall see more fully hereafter) are notwithstanding but traitors to God. For they corrupt Gods truth,§40 and abuse it falsely, applying that thing to an evil end, which of it self is good and rightful. So then, whensoever God giveth us the knowledge of his word, let us learn to receive it with such reverence, as our receiving of it may not be to deface good things, nor to set a colour upon evil things, as oftentimes those that be most sharp-witted and cunning, do overshoot themselves, and abuse the knowledge that God hath given them, unto deceit and naughtiness, turning all things topsituruie, in such wise as they do nothing but snarl themselves. Considering therefore §50how all men are given to such infirmity: it, standeth us so much the more on hand, to pray God to give us the grace to apply his word to such use as he hath ordained it: that is to wit, to pureness and simplicity. And thus ye see what we ought to consider in effect. But now that we understand what is in this book: we must lay forth these matters more at length in such sort as the things that we have but lightly touched, may be laid forth at large according to the process of the history. It is said, that There §60was a man in the land of Hus, named Job, a sound and upright man, and fearing God, and withdrawing him self from evil.

namely that if wee be grounded vpon good and rightfull reason, it behoueth eche one of vs to stande vpon his garde, that he reele not, ne wauer not one way or other. For ther is nothing easier than to marre a good and rightfull matter, so sinfull is our nature, as wee finde by experience at all times. God of his grace may giue vs a good case: and yet we may bee so stinged by our enimies, that wee can not holde our selues within our boundes, nor simply followe that whiche God hath enioyned vs, without adding of som trick of our own.