Sermons upon the Book of Job

Let us mark what happened to Hezekiah. Although he were wholly given to serve God and too do his own duty: yet notwithstanding, when he saw himself advanced above ordinary, he sent no more for the Prophet Isaiah, nor meddled any more with seeking counsel at Gods hand, but did all things after his own fancy, and magnified himself so much, that he provoked Gods displeasure §50in the turning of a hand for showing his riches vaingloriously, in so much that the hand of God was fain to fall very roughly upon him, because of his folly and overweening, wherewith he was carried away. And this is he that David meaneth when he sayeth, I said in my abundance or prosperity I shall never be removed. David knew well how he had bin advanced by God, and he never darkened his grace: but rather his mind was, that it might be had in remembrance too the §60worlds end, that God had drawn him up from the dung of the cattle, and settled him in the state of the kingdom. He magnified this, his will was, that this should be spoken of after his death, he vaunted not himself of his nobility, he challenged nothing to himself. And yet for all that, when God had stablished him in his kingdom, so as he saw himself in rest: he began to advance himself, and said he had brought all things to such a point, as he should never be more removed. But David showeth what we be when we be at our ease, namely, that we be sotted in the said folly, as it seemeth unto us that God will never change our estate when we be in our pleasures and jollities. Lo what we have to mark here: namely that there was a wonderful strength of mind in Job, considering how he resisteth the said temptation so sudden and so great, and not only one temptation, but as many as came upon him altogether at one blow, and yet we see how he outstood them. A little afore, he had bin in such prosperity, as it might seem that all men had favoured him: there was not that man that did not magnify him. Too be short, Satan himself sayeth, it should seem that God held him in his lap. He is in thy hand (sayeth Satan) and thou preservest him in such wise, as it should seem thou makest a cockney of him. Herewithall we see how he is handled in the turning of a hand, which thing might have bin a very hard matter for him.

Lette vs marke what happened to Ezechias. Although hee were wholly gyuen to serue God and too doo his owne duetie: yet notwithstanding, when hee sawe himselfe aduaunced aboue ordinarie, hee sent no more for the Prophete Esaye, nor medled any more with seeking councell at Gods hande, but did all things after his owne fansie, and magnifyed himselfe soo muche, that hee prouoked Gods displeasure