Sermons upon the Book of Job

If §60they perceive that the Church behaveth not it self as it ought to do, so as it have troubles and contrarieties in it, and specially that Gods name be blasphemed: it behoveth them to sigh for it, and to bear the burden of it, assuring themselves that God showeth unto them, that they have not discharged themselves as they should have done. And here ye see why Saint Paul sayeth, that he is brought low because of the faults that were in the Church of Corinth. Behold, it was Gods will (sayeth he) to do me shame there. Had Saint Paul consented to whoredom, or to robbery, or to wantonness, or to other such vices of the Corinthians? No, he had laboured to rebuke them by all means possible: can it be said that he had showed them the way of riot? No whit at all. But although he had discharged himself to the uttermost towards men: yet notwithstanding he ceased not to feel still, that God meant as it were to disgrace him in part, so as he was fain to bewail the offences and disorders that happened in the Church whereof he had the direction and charge. If Saint Paul, who had had such a zeal to do his duty, did nevertheless feel himself blameworthy when there befell any misorder in the Church: I pray you what will become of us, who are as cold as ice in respect of him? what shall become of them which make no account at all whither God be honoured or no? but all is one with them so they may make their own profit and maintain their own state? Then let us mark well that which is said here: that Job sacrificed according to the number of his children: and let us likewise take good advice to humble our selves afore God, and not only to ask him forgiveness when the mischief is come to pass, but also to prevent it as much as is possible. And how? That parents hold their children short: that Masters look well about them, so as God be served and honoured by them, and their houses well ruled in all pureness, that they may be as it were little churches: Also that such as have a more honourable charge and authority, be so much the more diligent. As for example, that the Magistrates be circumspect to make laws convenient to hold their people in good order, & to cut off all things that are against the service and honour of God:

If §60they perceyue that the Church behaueth not it selfe as it ought to do, so as it haue troubles and contrarieties in it, and specially that Gods name be blasphemed: it behoueth them to sigh for it, and to beare the burthen of it, assuring themselues that God sheweth vnto them, that they haue not discharged themselues as they should haue done. And heere ye see why Sainct Paule sayeth, that hee is brought lowe bicause of the faults that were in the Church of Corinth. Behold, it was Gods will (sayeth he) to do me shame there. Had Sainct Paule consented to whoredome, or to robberie, or to wantōnesse, or to other such vices of the Corinthians? No, he had laboured to rebuke them by all meanes possible: can it be sayde that he had shewed them the way of riot? No whit at all. But although hee had discharged himself to the vttermost towards men: yet notwithstanding he ceassed not to feele still, that God ment as it were to disgrace him in part, so as he was faine to bewayle the offences and disorders that happened in the Church wherof he had the direction and charge. If Sainct Paule, who had had such a zeale to do his dutie, did neuerthelesse feele himself blameworthy when there befell any misorder in the Church: I pray you what will become of vs, who are as colde as yce in respect of him? what shall become of them whiche make no account at all whither God be honored or no? but all is one with them so they may make theyr owne profite and mainteyne their owne state? Then let vs marke well that which is said here: that Iob sacrifized according to the nūber of his children: and let vs likewise take good aduice to hūble our selues afore God, and not onely to aske him forgiuenesse when the mischiefe is come to passe, but also to preuent it as much as is possible. And how? That parents holde their children short: that Maisters looke well about them, so as God be serued and honored by them, and their houses well ruled in all purenesse, that they may be as it were litle churches: Also that suche as haue a more honorable charge and authoritie, be so much the more diligēt. As for example, that the Magistrates be circumspect to make lawes conuenient to hold their people in good order, & to cut off all things that are against the seruice and honour of God: