A69056:698
Sermons upon the Book of Job
Sermons of Master John Calvin, upon the book of Job. Translated out of French by Arthur GoldingSermons of Master Iohn Caluin, vpon the booke of Iob. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding
London: printed by Henry Bynneman for Lucas Harison and George Byshop, 1574
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The fifth Sermon upon the first Chapter.
The fifth Sermon vpon the first Chapter.
9. Satan said to the Lord: doth Job fear the Lord for nothing? 10. Haste not thou been a bulwark to him on all sides? Haste not thou fenced his house and all that he hath? Doest not thou prosper him in all his affairs? Is not his possession far enlarged? 11. But lay thy hand upon him, and touch that which he hath, and see if he will not curse thee to thy face. 12. The Lord said unto Satan: I give thee power over all that he possesseth: but touch not his person. And Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
9. Satan sayde to the Lorde: doth Iob feare the Lord for nothing? 10. Haste not thou bene a bulwarke to him on all sides? Haste not thou fenced his house and all that hee hath? Doest not thou prosper him in all his affayres? Is not his possession farre inlarged? 11. But lay thy hande vpon him, and touche that whiche hee hath, and see if he will not curse thee to thy face. 12. The Lord sayde vnto Satan: I gyue thee power ouer all that hee possesseth: but touche not his person. And Satan went out from the presence of the Lorde.
Albeit that the Devil do but his office §40here, that is to wit, pervert all goodness, and falsely accuse Job as though he were an hypocrite: Yet nevertheless, in so doing he discovereth the evil which is in men willingly, and whereunto we be inclined by nature. For being wily and politic as he is, he knoweth full well on which side to assail us. Let us mark then, that here the Devil bewrayeth a disease wherewith all of us are attainted, until God have healed §50us of it by his grace: that is to wit, that in time of prosperity we can bliss God: but if he afflict us, we change our mind, and thenceforth begin to grudge against him, forgetting all the praise which we had given him so long as he dealt with us after our desire. And so there be many hypocrites which cannot be known nor discovered until God send them adversity. For so long as they be at their ease, and in rest: they show not the rebelliousness that is within them, but let it lie hid. Lo