Sermons upon the Book of Job

And so in the first place we note, that such as have used sacrifices rightly and according to Gods will, have granted themselves to have been guilty of death, in case as if a man should pass a lawful obligation or bond of some debt. Also this is the cause wherefore Saint Paul speaking to the Colossians of the Ceremonies of the Law, termeth them obligations, bonds, and handwritings which §60serve to hold men in bondage before God, and to show them that they could not shun the judgement of endless death, were it not for one remedy which God hath given of his own free mercy. And it is a very good and profitable lesson, when men acknowledge and confess themselves guilty before God, and set before their own eyes what they have deserved, so as when a brute beast is slain, they know it is for their sins sake. Lo how Gods mind was to allure men to lowliness. Herewithall it was his will also to nourish them in hope, that although they were wretched, yet notwithstanding there should be one sacrifice offered, whereby their sins should be washed away. Behold how the fathers of old time used their Sacrifices. And hereupon the Heathen •olke have done the like: but that hath been without faith, because they knew not the God unto whom they ought to have done the honour, & on the other side they knew not what service was acceptable to God, and therefore they had no sure ground to stand upon: to be short, they knew not, neither to what end, nor to what purpose they made sacrifice. By reason whereof all was done at adventure, (as they say) and so was it but a needless labour, specially forasmuch as God hated and abhorred all sacrifices that were made without knowledge and faith. True it is, that there was solemnity enough in them: but that availed nothing, forasmuch as it behoveth always to hold the rule which the Apostle giveth us: namely that the outward sacrifices boot not at all, furtherforth than they be grounded upon obedience unto God and to his word. And true it is that Job had not the Law written: but it was enough for him that he had the doctrine that came from God, and which Noah had given unto his children. Those that had persevered in the same, were not taught it by men: but although they hard the doctrine by men, yet notwithstanding they held the rule thereof as the rule of God.

And so in the first place wee note, that suche as haue vsed sacrifizes rightly and according to Gods will, haue graunted themselues to haue bene gilty of death, in case as if a man should passe a lawfull obligation or bond of some debt. Also this is the cause wherefore Sainct Paul speaking to the Colossians of the Ceremonies of the Lawe, termeth them obligations, bonds, and handwritings which