Sermons upon the Book of Job

So then, let us bear in mind, that in the person of Job, it is Gods will to give us a looking glass, wherein to behold that if we be scourged we must not take our adversities so sore to hart, nor be so §10nice, as too say, I can have no worse than this. Let us take good heed that we provoke not Gods wrath in that wise, as many unadvised persons do. But let us bethink our selves thus: Surely my adversity is not over burdensome, and that is because I am too tender. But what should be done with me, if my God did not reach out his hand unto me? then out of question I should not have this trouble alone. For he hath store of other far greater and far more excessive. God knoweth what measure to keep in punishing me, so as if it please him, he can cast me into so bottomless §20depths, as I shall be carried even into hell. Therefore it becometh me now to have an eye to his goodness: and to thank him that he hath pitied me, and spared me. And for the proof hereof, behold here Job, who was a man as I am, and seemed too be throughly fenced to the uttermost: and yet I see how God hath afflicted him here, not only in one kind, but after divers fashions. So then, when I weigh my self in the balance with him, it is good reason that I should be patient, that I should humble my self under the mighty hand of God, and §30that I should apply my self too his good will, desiring him to govern me, and to dispose of me as of his creature that is in his hand. If we deal thus: we shall perceive that God is ever present too succour such as trust in him, and rest themselves upon him. For albeit that we see a wonderful strength in Job: yet verily he was a frail man as we be. And for proof here of, how could he have bin so strengthened, if God had not lent him his hand? And is the strength that God uttered in Job, abated at this day? Hath God altered either his purpose or his nature? No:§40 Then when we see that God hath strengthened Job: we come to the promises that belong not to any one man alone, but to all men. Lo how God showeth, that if we be dismayed at the feebleness of our own flesh, he hath where with too remedy it, if we flee too him for refuge: & that if we be beaten down, he hath wherewith to strengthen us, yea though we were otherwise altogether forsaken.

So then, let vs beare in mynd, that in the person of Iob, it is Gods will to giue vs a looking glasse, wherein to behold that if we be scourged we must not take our aduersities so sore to hart, nor be so