Sermons upon the Book of Job

This Sermon is yet still upon the text of the fifth verse, which is set down in the last Sermon afore, according also as it bath partly been showed already.

This Sermon is yet still vpon the text of the fifth verse, which is set downe in the laste Sermon afore, according also as it bath partly bene shewed alreadie.

I Began to tell you yesterday, what is meant by this saying, that Job sanctified his children, or commanded them that every of them should sanctify himself. For under the Law and before §30the Law, when men offered sacrifices, it behoveth the offerers to be cleansed before hand: and that was to do them to wit, how we be not worthy to approach unto God, by reason of our uncleanness and filthiness. If we come unto God such as we be of our selves: we deserve to be shaken off, and to be taken at his hand for stinking carrions. Therefore it standeth us in hand to make our selves clean. And how may that be done? The men of old time had certain Ceremonies, according as it was needful that they should have §40such helps before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, by reason of the rawness of the time. But now in these days we know, how we ought to have recourse to the precious blood of Gods son, which was shed to wash us withal. Therefore if we mean to be received for clean before God: it behoveth us to repair to the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. And furthermore we must also sigh for our sins. For by this means are we to be cleansed: namely by acknowledging the evil that is in us, which by and by causeth a sorriness and hatred of §50ourselves, for that we have been so unhappy as to displease God. And thus we see, why we have no more the figures that were before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and yet do keep still the truth and substance of them. What is to be done then at all times and as oft as we call upon God? Every one of us must have an eye to his own poorness and uncleanness, and be displeased with himself for it, and therewithal also desire our Lord Jesus Christ to wash us and make us clean with his blood, so that we may appear as if we were pure and clean, in the presence of God his father. And this is to