Sermons upon the Book of Job

Nevertheless in the fourth chapter of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, the same word Hus is put for a part of Edom. We know that the Edomites are descended of Esau: and true it is that they also had circumcision. Howbeit forasmuch as they were strayed away from Gods church, they had it no more as the sign of his covenant. Therefore if we take Job to have bin of this land of Hus, then was he an Edomite, that is to say, of the line of Esau. And we know how the Prophet saith, that although Esau and Jacob were natural brethren, borne both at one burden: yet God of his mere goodness chose Jacob, rejecting Esau, and cursing him with all his whole linage. Lo how the Prophet in speaking to magnify Gods mercy towards the Jews, telleth them that he chose them not for any worthiness that was in their persons, considering that he had rejected Jacobs eldest brother, to whom the birthright belonged, and had chosen him that was the younger & inferior. So then, although that this man was borne of Esau's line: yet notwithstanding we see how soundly he lived, & how he served god not only by upright ⟨p. 3⟩conversation & equity among men: but also in pure religion, which he defiled not with the idolatries and superstitions of the infidels. As touching the name of Job, some interpret it to signify weeping or wailing. And other some take it for an utter enemy, not such a one as he hateth, but such a one as is as it were a white for men to shoot at. There is no cause why we should doubt whether this man (whose country is so marked out, & whose name is expressed) were or no, or lived or no, or whether the things that are written here, did come to pass or no: so as we should think it to be but a §10tale contrived, as if a man should under a counterfeit name set out some thing unto us that was never done. For I have already alleged the record of Ezekiel, and also of Saint James, who showed right well that there was a Job in deed. And further, seeing that the story it self declareth it, we can not in any wise deface the thing which the holy Ghost meant to utter so precisely. As for the residue, we have too mark, that in that time, although the world were fallen away from the true serving of God, and from pure Religion: yet notwithstanding there was still §20far more soundness by a great deal, than there is at this day, specially in the papacy.