Sermons upon the Book of Job

howbeit forasmuch as it behoveth us to consider why he maketh us to pass through the said boultell of affliction: therefore must we the better bear away this lesson here. And furthermore whereas it is said here, that men will curse God to his face when they be cumbered with afflictions: true it is that this cometh not to pass at the first push. For as yet a while there will remain some reverence of God who is §50imprinted in us: so as if we be put to some hard pinch, no doubt but we will groyne at it and repine against it secretly: but to open our mouth to blaspheme God, it will as yet go against our nature. But when we have thus fretted and chafed at it, if the misery increase still, or continue very long: then doeth our impatience kindle as a fire, and we begin to flush out that which had erst been locked up in our hearts. Thus we see how at length they that are afflicted do curse God to his face: that is to say, how they overshoot themselves out of §60measure, so as they regard not any more the Majesty of God▪ to humble themselves unto it, ne consider that if they are become rebels against him, they shall not any more attain to take hold of his judgement which restrained them from rushing into such outrage. And therefore good cause have we to pray unto God to bridle our tongues as well as our hearts, and not to suffer us at any time to fall into such excess as to curse him openly: but rather that the issue of the chastisements which he sendeth may be so lucky to us, as they may turn to our profit and welfare, according as his intent is that they should do, when he scourgeth us. Lo what we have to gather of this strain. And by the way let us mark that although Satan be the father of lying, yet he speaketh truth here, when he sayeth that God bad been as a bulwark to Job, and had fenced his bouse on all sides, and that he had made •im to prosper. Behold how he turneth himself into an Angel of light. Forasmuch as he was before God, it stood him in hand to set a fair colour on his matters, for there was no place for him to use such trumpery as he useth towards men to deceive them. Thus Satan groundeth himself upon true principles: but that was to apply them unto evil: for his desire was nothing else but to destroy Job. And he sayeth, that God had been a bulwark to him.

howbeit for asmuch as it behoueth vs to consider why hee maketh vs to passe thorowe the sayde boultell of affliction: therefore must wee the better beareaway this lesson heere. And furthermore wheras it is sayd here, that men will curse God to his face when they bee combered with afflictions: true it is that this commeth not to passe at the firste pushe. For as yet a while there will remayne some reuerence of God who is