Sermons upon the Book of Job

that if he be of a good wit, he may come forward, that he may make himself brave, that he may gather goods, that he may come to credit and honour. Lo here the respects that fathers have in their desire to have their children brought up. But where is there a man to be found so well advised or bent to such simplicity, as to say, It is enough for me that my child serve God, for I am sure that God will bliss him, and §40make him to prosper, and although he be poor to the worldewarde, it is enough for me that God is his father? And God also will render such reward unto the fathers, as they have deserved. For they imagine that they have done very much for their children, when they have advanced them: and God suffereth their children to put out their eyes, and to be as hangmen to torment them. We see it to be so before our eyes: and yet they perceive not how it is God that chastiseth them, and that justly. And therefore so much the more hehoveth it us to mark §50well the doctrine which the holy Ghost showeth us here under the example of Job, that is to wit, that fathers and mothers should hold their children in such awe, as they may cause them to serve God. And specially this circumstance is not to be forgotten: namely, that although Jobs children were grown to full years of discretion: yet nevertheless their father held them always as it were under awe, warning them to ask forgiveness of God when they had offended him, and to purify themselves. But now adays as soon as children be ten years old, by and §60by they think themselves men: when notwithstanding it were meet to give them the rod fifteen years after that they wear the furniture of a man, and seem to them selves to be marvellous fellows, for they be no better but silly offscourings: and as for to suffer any correction or any instruction, it is very strange with them: yea they would think they had great wrong and injury offered them. Contrariwise we see what is said here. But what? The fathers are worthy to have their children disobedient and stubborn against them, Why so? For meet it is that he which will be honoured should be honourable: that is to wit, it is requisite that he should show cause why to be honoured. Howe then shall a father purchase himself authority towards his children, to be obeyed of them and to keep them in fear?

that if he be of a good wit, he may come forewarde, that he may make himselfe braue, that he maye gather goods, that he may come to credite and honour. Lo here the respects that fathers haue in their desire to haue their childrē brought vp. But where is there a man to be found so well aduised or bent to such simplicitie, as to say, It is ynough for mee that my childe serue God, for I am sure that God will blisse him, and