Sermons upon the Book of Job

that we worship him, that we do homage unto him for the things that he hath given into our hands, that we confess how he §40ought to have all superiority over us, that we protest it by our prayers and requests, and that we show how it is he that is our whole refuge, and how it is he to whom we are beholding for all things. Lo here the record which it behoveth us to yield, of the soundness that is hidden in our heart, as of a root that is hidden in the earth. But forasmuch as the case so standeth that we can not walk as it becometh us to Gods liking, except we utterly withdraw our selves from evil: This also is well attributed unto Job, and under his person we are advertised,§50 that we shall never serve God without great difficulties and many hinderances which the Devil stirreth up: so as if we will keep the right way, it behoveth us to leap over the trenches, to steppe over the stones, and to march among thorns. And thus we see the manifold encumbrances that are cast afore us, to turn us aside from walking as God hath appointed, yea & even to mar us altogether. But what for that? Let us learn to put this lesson in ure, that Job served God by withdrawing himself from evil. So then, when we see the whole world §60corrupted, so as we be as it were among briers, & can see nothing but evil examples: let us resist all such things. For why? If we be so lazy as to make excuse, that because the world is wicked & froward, we may well do as other do: that is overfond. For lo, here is Job set before us to condemn us. For if he in those days withdrew himself from evil: ought not we to do the like in these days too? Specially seeing that God giveth us warning, that we cannot live holily without great battles and great hardiness? And what more? He giveth us the grace to overcome all Satan's assaults, in such wise as there is no excuse for us▪ if we do not as Job hath done. For he lived not in a time when all things were well ordered, or where men were as Angels: No, no: he lived among idolaters: abundance of wickedness reigned in his time: and there was as great store of vice in the world then, as there is at this day. And yet for all that, Job followed not the bent of other mens bows, as the Proverb sayeth: But he retired into himself, being well assured that he ought to serve God.

that we worship him, that we do homage vnto him for the things that he hath giuen into our handes, that we confesse howe he