Sermons upon the Book of Job

But they labour in vain, forasmuch as they hold not themselves under the rule of Gods word. Behold wherein we differ from them which know not how there is but one God whom we ought to worship, and unto whom §60we must come by means of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that it behoveth us to serve him according to his word. When we know this: we may well say, that the sacrifices which we offer unto God are acceptable unto him, and that he taketh them in good worth. But we observe also, that many men abuse even the said manner of worshipping God which is good and holy, inasmuch as they do it after a beastly manner. How is that? True it is that we have not any Idols in it: true it is that we have none of all the fine masking knacks that are in the papacy, wherewith the service of God is infected and marred. But yet there are which think they have well quit themselves, when they have done some Ceremony, as when they have put of their cap, or made curtsy. Behold how they discharge themselves afore God (for so they bear themselves in hand) and yet in the mean while regard not the lowliness that I have spoken of: namely that when we press unto God, it becometh us to acknowledge our selves guilty before him by reason of our sins: they regard not the mean of seeking favour in our Lord Jesus Christ: they regard not the yielding of themselves unto God in all pureness, so as they may be holy unto himward. They pass not a whit for all this gear. They have good store of outward Ceremonies. Yea verily, but (as I have said) all this is nothing. Now then let us learn to serve God in spirit and truth, & faith will be a good guide thereunto, when we have our eyes fastened upon Gods word, which will lead us always to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the heavenly pattern & the mirror wherein we must behold the will of God his father, to frame our selves thereafter? Thus much concerning the Sacrificing whereof mention is made in this place. Now when it is said that Job offered Sacrifices according to the number of his children: it is to show that he spared not his substance which God had endued him withal. If he had been a poor man, he had been never a whit less welcome unto God, though he had brought no sacrifice at all. But inasmuch as he had the mean and ability wherewith to do it: it is said that he employed it thereabout.

But they labour in vayne, for asmuch as they holde not themselues vnder the rule of Gods worde. Behold wherin we differ from them which know not how there is but one God whome we ought to worship, and vnto whome §60