Sermons upon the Book of Job

Because the sacrifice which Jesus Christ hath offered, and whereof we be made coparteners, is everlasting, and the virtue thereof endureth for ever. So then, let us every morning and evening apply our endeavour to that which is showed us here: that is to wit, to sanctify our selves, until it please God to be so gracious unto us, as to dwell with us for ever. From the time that the law was published, God specially commanded the Jews, saying: Sanctify your selves: for to morrow (sayeth Moses) the Lord will show you his glory. But God is openly showed unto us in the person of his son, yea and that in such wise, as we may behold him as it were face to face, so the Gospel be preached, for there hath God discovered himself familiarly unto us. Therefore it becometh us to have the said affection and zeal which I have spoken of: that is to wit, that we be wholly and fully given unto him, forsaking all filthiness that may hinder us from the serving and honouring of him. But it followeth, that Job offered sacrifices according to the number of his children. We have already briefly showed, that although Job feared least his children had offended God: yet notwithstanding he forbade them not to keep company still together: because their so doing was a good thing: but sought the remedy of the infirmities whereunto men are inclined and subject. Moreover it may be demanded, how it came to pass that Job durst offer sacrifice, seeing he was not instructed in the law, specially forasmuch as it is very likely, that he lived before Moses was borne. For the Sacrifices that men offer unto God without faith, deserve to be misliked. How then could Job offer sacrifice, ⟨p. 12⟩having not any assurance of Gods will? We must call again to mind that which hath been touched in the first Lecture: that is to wit, that it was Gods will, to have always some seed & remnant of people in the world, that should call upon him with a pure hart, until such time as his Church were settled among the Jews▪ and his law published in writing. True it is that by and by after the flood, Noes children were corrupted: I mean those that were descended of his race, who having yet the fresh remembrance of Gods horrible vengeance, ceased not to invent §10many superstitions, and to disannul the true serving of God:

Bycause the sacrifize which Iesus Christ hath offered, and whereof wee be made coparteners, is euerlasting, and the vertue thereof indureth for euer. So then, let vs euery morning and euening apply our indeuour to that which is shewed vs here: that is to wit, to sanctifie our selues, vntill it please God to be so graciouse vnto vs, as to dwell with vs for euer. From the time that the lawe was published, God specially cōmaunded the Iewes, saying: Sanctifie your selues: for to morrow (saieth Moyses) the Lord will shew you his glorie. But God is openly shewed vnto vs in the person of his sonne, yea and that in such wise, as we may behold him as it were face to face, so the Gospel be preached, for ther hath God discouered himselfe familiarly vnto vs. Therefore it becommeth vs to haue the sayd affection and zel which I haue spoken of: that is to wit, that we be wholly and fully giuen vnto him, forsaking all filthinesse that may hinder vs from the seruing and honouring of him. But it foloweth, that Iob offred sacrifyzes according to the number of his children. VVe haue alreadie briefly shewed, that although Iob feared least his children had offended God: yet notwithstanding hee forbade them not to keepe companie stil togither: bicause their so doing was a good thing: but sought the remedie of the infirmities wherevnto men are inclined and subiect. Moreouer it may be demaunded, how it came to passe that Iob durst offer sacrifize, seeing he was not instructed in the lawe, specially for asmuch as it is very likely, that he liued before Moyses was borne. For the Sacrifyzes that mē offer vnto God without fayth, deserue to be mislyked. How then coulde Iob offer sacrifyze,