Sermons upon the Book of Job

And in deed we see, that in Abraham's time Melchizedek had Gods Church and sacrifices which were without any defilement. And so albeit that the more part of the world was wrapped in manifold errors, and false and wicked imaginations: yet notwithstanding, God had reserved some little seed to himself, and he had always some that were held still under the pure truth, yea and which waited continually when God should stablish his Church, and choose out one §30people, (that is to wit the offspring of Abraham) to the end they might know that they were picked out from the rest of the whole world. But very true it is, that Job lived after this time, howbeit that the Church of God was not then so well established as it was afterward. For we know that while the children of Israel lived in Egypt, it was like that all should have come to naught. And specially we see to what an afterdeale they were come in the end when Pharaoh commanded that their menchildren should be killed: and in the wilderness where it seemed that god had §40rejected them. When they were come into the country of Canaan, they had great battles against their enemies, and specially the service of God and his tabernacle were not yet there so well appointed as was requisite. God therefore having not yet settled an apparent state of the church, would there should always remain some small seeds of it among the Paynims, to the intent he might be worshipped: & that was also to convince those that are turned aside out of the right way like Paynims: for Job alone was enough to condemn a whole country. Noah also condemned §50the whole world (as the scripture sayeth) because he held himself always in pureness, and walked as before God, at such time as every man had forgotten him, and all men were gone astray in their own superstitions. Here then is Noah judge of the whole world, to condemn the unbelievers and rebels. As much is to be said of Job, who hath condemned all the people of that country: in that he hath served God purely, and the residue were full of idolatry, shameful deeds, & many errors. And this came to pass, because they held scorn to know the true and living god,§60 and how and after what sort it was his will to be honoured. So great regard hath God always had (as I have said) too make the wicked and the unbelievers always unexcusable.