Sermons upon the Book of Job

WE have seen by the premisses, what the life and conversation of Job was among men: and now is showed in what wise God disposed of him, to the end we might know, that while we live here below, we be not governed by fortune, but God hath an eye upon us, and full authority over us, as good reason is he should §30have, seeing that we be his creatures. For anon after we shall see, how it pleased God to afflict Job, wherein the chief thing that is principally touched, is that God hath the direction of the world, and that there is not any thing done, which is not disposed by him. To express this, the Scripture useth a fashion agreeable to our rudeness. For we be so weak, as we can never comprehend Gods majesty in the full highness thereof, nor possibly attain unto it. Therefore it behoveth God to come down to be comprehended of us: that is to wit, that he show not himself in his glory, which §40is infinite, but according to the small capacity that he seeth in us, whereunto he applieth himself. To be short, we shall never know God as he is, but we shall know him in such measure as it shall please him to manifest himself unto us, that is to wit, according to that which he knoweth to be profitable for our salvation. And the manner of speech which we see here when it is said that the Angels appeared before God as it were on a solemn high day, is borrowed of the Kings of this world, which keep their estates & Assizes. Certain it is (as the scripture showeth in many places)§50 that the Angels are evermore before God, notwithstanding that they execute his commandments, according as it is said that they pitch their tents round about us to guard us, and that God hath appointed them to guide us, to the end we should be as it were under their protection. Also it is said that they execute his wrath & vengeance upon the wicked. But yet for all this the Angels being spirits are not hindered to serve God, and to obey him, nor to execute his judgement here below, albeit that they be all the while continually in his presence. And therefore when our Lord §60Jesus Christ saith, that the Angels which have the keeping of little infants, do continually see and behold the face of his father: thereby it is given us to understand, that although the Angels assist us, & that we feel their virtue in maintaining us:

WE haue seene by the premisses, what the life and conuersation of Iob was among men: and now is shewed in what wise God disposed of him, to the ende we might knowe, that while we liue heere belowe, wee be not gouerned by fortune, but God hath an eye vpon vs, and ful authoritie ouer vs, as good reason is he shuld