Sermons upon the Book of Job

For by his example the rich men of this world are warned of their duty, which is, to take good heed that when God hath put abundance into §60their hands, they be not entangled by them, according also as the Psalm exhorteth them. And further (according as Saint Paul speaketh to Timothy) that they be not puffed up with pride, nor put their trust in the transitory things of this world, wherein there is no certainty: for he that is rich to day, may become poor by too morrow, whensoever it pleaseth God. So then, seeing that the goods of this world are tickle, and that we may soon be bereft of them: rich men (saith Saint Paul) ought too take good heed, that they rest not themselves upon them, nor make an idol of them, as though they were sure too possess them, and enjoy them ever, but must be ready to yield them up. And to be short (according as it is said in another text) such as have fields and vineyards, meadows and corn ground, money and wares, must have a care to use them in such sort, as if they had none at all, so as they may be poor in heart. Thus then we see what we have to note upon this sentence. For least any man might allege, that it is very hard too behave himself so purely in the midst of so great riches, considering how Christ himself calleth them thorns: therefore the example of Job shall condemn all such as keep not themselves undefiled, how hardly soever it be to be done. It is very certain, that a rich man shall have more ado to walk in the fear of God, than shall a poor man. And true it is also, that poverty of it self bringeth store of temptations. For when a man is in necessity, he falleth to thinking in himself, what shall become of me? and the devil thrusteth him forward to distrust. Hereupon he shall be induced to murmur against God, according as we see that many fall into a rage, and it seemeth to them that God doth them wrong, and they wot not on which side to turn themselves: whereupon they conclude thus: Sith I can not get my living by my labour without doing other men wrong: I must take an other way to the wood. Hereupon they take leave to rob and reave, and they do many shrewd turns, harms, and damages to their neighbours. Behold (I pray you) the temptations which poverty bringeth. But if a man make comparison between it and riches:

For by his example the riche men of this world are warned of their dutie, whych is, to take good heede that when God hath put abundance intoo §60their hands, they be not entangled by them, according also as the Psalme exhorteth them. And further (according as Sainct Paule speaketh to Timothie) that they bee not puffed vp with pride, nor put their trust in the transitorie things of this world, wherein there is no certaintie: for he that is rich to day, may become poore by too morrow, whensoeuer it pleaseth God. So then, seeing that the goodes of this world are tickle, and that we may soone be bereft of them: rich men (sayth Sainct Paule) ought too take good heede, that they rest not themselues vpon thē, nor make an ydoll of them, as though they were sure too possesse them, and enioy them euer, but must be ready to yeeld them vp. And to be short (according as it is sayd in another text) such as haue fields and vineyardes, medowes and corne ground, money and wares, must haue a care to vse them in such sort, as if they had none at all, so as they may be poore in heart. Thus then we see what we haue to note vpon this sentence. For least any man might alledge, that it is very hard too behaue himselfe so purely in the middes of so great riches, considering how Christ himself calleth them thornes: therefore the example of Iob shall condemne all suche as keepe not themselues vndefiled, how hardly soeuer it be to bee done. It is very certaine, that a rich man shall haue more ado to walke in the feare of God, than shall a poore man. And true it is also, that pouertie of it selfe bringeth store of temptations. For when a man is in necessitie, he falleth to thinking in himselfe, what shall become of me? and the diuell thrusteth him forward to distrust. Herevpon he shall be induced to murmure against God, according as we see that many fal into a rage, and it seemeth to them that God doth them wrong, and they wot not on which side to turne themselues: wherevpon they conclude thus: Sith I can not get my liuyng by my labor without doing other men wrong: I must take an other way to the wood. Herevppon they take leaue to rob and reaue, and they do many shrewde turnes, harmes, and damages to their neighboures. Behold (I pray you) the temptations whiche pouertie bringeth. But if a man make cōparison betweene it and riches: