Sermons upon the Book of Job

We can well say that Patience is a great virtue, as it is in deed: and yet there be very few that know what this word Patience meaneth: whereby a man may judge, that we be not very hasty too be patient, and to have the virtue that we esteem so much. But God perceiving such carelessness in men, mindeth to set before our eyes the thing that is so need full for us: for if we be not patient, our faith must needs §40vanish away: for she is not able too maintain her self without it. And forasmuch as it is so, Gods will is that in the midst of the miseries of this world, we should always have a quiet heart, and be so well assured of his goodness, as the same may make us merry and contented, and we may boast our selves against Satan and all our enemies. And how were that possible, if we looked no higher than the world, ne considered not that although our estate be miserable in the opinion of the flesh: yet ought we to be contented with it, seeing that our God loveth us?§50 And this present Text is as excellent as any in all the holy Scripture too show us what this word Patience importeth. And it behoveth us to be taught it, if we will have God too acknowledge us for patient in our afflictions. We commonly say, a man is patient, although he have no point of true patience in him. For whosoever suffereth adversity, him do men call patient. But by the way let us hold this for a rule, that to be patient, it behoveth us to moderate our sorrow. If there be any adversity it must be assuaged by considering that God ceaseth not §60to procure our welfare continually, and that we ought too be subject unto him, and that it is good reason he should govern us according to his good pleasure. Lo here wherein patience showeth it self. But there is nothing better nor more behovefull, than too look upon the glass that is set before us here. We have seen that Job might have bin overwhelmed with the report of so many evil tidings. But it is said, that he rose up and rent his clothes, and polled his head, and caste himself upon the ground to humble himself afore God. Here we see, first of all that such as are patient, are sure of some grief, so as they feel great sorrow and anguish of hart: for were we as a block of wood, or as a stone, it were no virtue at all in us.

WEe can well saye that Pacience is a great vertue, as it is in deede: and yet there be verye fewe that knowe what this worde Pacience meaneth: whereby a man maye iudge, that wee bee not verie hastie too be pacient, and to haue the vertue that we esteme so much. But God perceyuing such carelesnesse in mē, mindeth to set before our eies the thing that is so need full for vs: for if we be not pacient, our fayth must needes