Sermons upon the Book of Job

for that had been to abuse Gods name, and to make it a cloak of evil. Sacrifices were not ordained to maintain us in evil, nor that any man should food and flatter himself in his sins, so as he should say, I may do sacrifice and then God will be contented. Job therefore sacrificed not to have it said that he maintained an evil thing: but he knew that his children did well in giving such entertainment one to another, and that it was a commendable thing so to do. Forasmuch as he knew ⟨p. 10⟩that, he meant not to find fault with the thing that was good, but sought for the remedy, that if any fault lay hid under it, it might please God to amend it: as if he should say, Of good reason ought we to crave pardon at Gods hand, to the end he may supply our infirmity. We see then after what manner Job proceedeth here, and also after what manner we must proceed. And furthermore let us mark, that Job in commanding his children to sanctify themselves, hath showed the manner of the bringing up which he gave them in their childhood, that is to wit,§10 to serve God If it had been simply said, that Job had sanctified the Lord: a man might say, Very well, he was a good man for his own behalf, but he had no great regard of his children: he did enough for the discharging of himself to Godward, but he hath laid the bridle in the neck of the others. But contrarily it is said, that he commanded them to sanctify themselves: which thing it had been in vain and unavailable for him to do, had they not been taught long afore how they ought to walk in the fear of God. And although they were as then men-grown,§20 and every of them had a house of his own, and kept a table by himself: Yet notwithstanding, Job ceased not to keep them continually under some awe. Behold here a doctrine very profitable for us, which is, that parents must so guide their children, as God may be honoured of them all. And it behoveth us to mark this doctrine the better, forasmuch as we see it is so ill put in ure. For in these days they that have children, could well find in their harts to have them taught: but hardly shall ye find one among a hundred, that is led with a zeal and affection §30to Godward. How are they led then? Every man mindeth his own profit. He may well say, I would fain have my son taught: but what?