Sermons upon the Book of Job

And here ye may see why it is said, that Satan's dominion is over the unbelievers and upon all the stubborn-hearted. It is §10not without cause that Saint Paul maketh this distinction. He worketh even now (sayeth he) in all the unbelievers. Thus placeth he the reign of Satan, in them that are separated from GOD and cut off from his Church. And wherefore? For there we see he is in his own bounds. But when he hath power to wound the children of God, our Lord permitteth that to humble them: too the end that when they be so grievously tormented, and yet do all the while resist the assaults that are made upon them, they should understand that that cometh not of §20themselves, but that they be uphold otherwise, that is too wit by the grace of God, and by the power of his holy spirit. So then, when God giveth Satan leave to tempt faithful ones: ordinarily it is to make them to be served therewith as with a medicine. And herein we see God's marvellous goodness, how he turneth the evil into good. For what can Satan bring but rank poison and venom? Yea we know he hath nothing with him but death for he is called the Prince thereof. So then, whatsoever Satan can bring, it tendeth altogether to mens destruction, and too §30the drowning of them in endless damnation. And yet notwithstanding, God findeth the mean that the evil which is in Satan, is turned to our welfare. And here we see how Saint Paul was physicked, as he himself confesseth, after he had spoken of the high revelations that had been given unto him. God (sayeth he) hath provided that I should not exalt my self too much. Lo here a good provision and very profitable for Saint Paul. For we know that pride is ready to throw us headlong into the bottomless pit, and that there is nothing that provoketh §40Gods displeasure more: for needs must he alway show himself an enemy to the proud, and to such as presume upon their own strength in what wise so ever it be. And Saint Paul was in the same danger, if God had not remedied it. In what sort did he it? It was (sayeth Paul) by sending me the messenger of Satan to buffet me. See how Satan worketh in Saint Paul, yea even by God's permission. And what was the issue of it?

And here ye may see why it is said, that Satans dominion is ouer the vnbeleeuers and vpon all the stubborneharted. It is