Sermons upon the Book of Job

Finally, when God giveth goods into our hands, we imagine that we shall possess them some long time, and that the ownership of them shall continue with us, and that we shall be so accompanied with our riches, as they shall go with us too our grave, and that they shall never depart from us. But let us not make such account of them: for that were but too deceive our selves. But contrariwise, let us assure our selves, that if it be Gods good pleasure to take away the goods that he hath lent us, whither it be to night §30or to morrow, we must be ready too forgo them, and that he doth us no wrong to bereave us in one minute of an hour, of all that we could get during our whole life. As concerning the residue, Job leadeth us yet further, in saying, that God had given, and God had taken away, and that the name of the Lord was blessed therefore. When he sayeth, that God had given, he showeth how it is good reason, that God should have the disposing of the things that he hath put into our hands, seeing they be his. For when God sendeth us riches,§40 he releaseth not his own right, that he should no more have the sovereignty which he ought to have as the maker of the world. For this word Maker importeth that he hath made all things in such sort, as it is meet that all power and sovereign dominion should remain unto him self. And albeit that men possess their portion of it, according to the portion of goods which he hath given them in this world, yet it is meet that he should still continue lord and master. Job therefore knowing this, submitted himself wholly to Gods good will. And it is the thing that §50all of us confess to be most rightful, notwithstanding that in the mean while there is not any man that is willing to frame himself thereafter. And for proof hereof, if God give us leave too joy a two or three days in any benefit of his: we think he doth us great wrong if he take it from us again, and we grudge against him for so doing. And what meaneth this? It is the same unthankfulness that I spake of even now: namely that when God hath once showed himself liberal to us of his own free goodness: we are of opinion that he §60ought never too fail us what so ever we do.

Fynally, when God gyueth goodes intoo our handes, wee imagine that wee shall possesse them some long tyme, and that the ownership of them shall contynue with vs, and that wee shall be so accompanyed wyth oure ryches, as they shall goe with vs too oure graue, and that they shall neuer departe from vs. But lette vs not make suche accompte of them: for that were but too deceyue oure selues. But contrarywyse, lette vs assure oure selues, that if it bee Gods good pleasure to take away the goodes that hee hath lente vs, whither it bee to nighte