Sermons upon the Book of Job

yet must you always assure your selves of this, that the righteous shall reap the fruit of their labours. So then it is true that there can not be a worse temptation, than too think that we lose our labour in serving God, and in praising his name, and in holding our selves under him. And therefore it behoveth us to be fully persuaded, that God will in no wise disappoint those that honour and serve him. If we have not this opinion: it is impossible that ever we should have the least desire that can be in the world, to give our selves unto God. If we imagine that God turneth his back upon us, that he makes a sport to see us turmoil so here below that he shutteth his eyes, and that it is but lost time to walk in all carefulness: who is he that can bend himself to do well? Now then, forasmuch as it behoveth those that serve God and come nearest unto him, too be fully resolved, that he rewardeth those that fear him: we see that the worst and deadliest temptation that Satan can trump in our way, is when he bears us in hand, that we do but lose time, when we pray unto God, and make our recourse unto him. And so much the more must we be watchful against such temptations, as we perceive them to be so wicked and dangerous. Herewithall let us bear in ⟨p. 45⟩mind, that it behoveth us to be ready fenced against the greatest friends that we have. The case is so here, as I may yield neither to my wife, nor to my neighbour simply, no nor even to him whom I trust best. For our linking one with another must be such as we always have regard of God, and that the bond of our concord and friendship proceed from him. Also let us remember, that if a man have a devil in his house too disquiet him, or if he have two or three: so much the more need hath he too stand upon his guard: and it may in no wise serve to excuse §10them for setting themselves in a chafe against God. For it declareth unto us that we must guard our selves on all sides. And why so? for Satan our mortal enemy is overwily, he spieth on what side he may best enter, and if there be any feeble place, there will he make a breach. And the easiest entrance that he hath into us, is by the love that the husband beareth too the wife, and a singular friend unto him that he trusteth.

yet must you alwayes assure your selues of this, that the rightuous shall reape the frute of their labours. So then it is true that there can not be a worse temptation, than too thinke that wee lose our labour in seruing God, and in praysing his name, and in holding our selues vnder hym. And therefore it behoueth vs to be fully perswaded, that God will in no wise disappoint those that honour and serue him. If we haue not this opinion: it is impossible that euer we should haue the least desire that can bee in the world, to giue our selues vnto God. If wee imagin that God turneth his backe vpon vs, that hee makes a sporte to see vs turmoyle so here below that hee shutteth hys eyes, and that it is but lost time to walke in all carefulnes: who is he that can bende himselfe to do well? Now then, forasmuch as it behoueth those that serue God and come neerest vntoo hym, too bee fully resolued, that hee rewardeth those that feare him: we see that the woorst and deadliest temptation that Satan can trumpe in our way, is when he beares vs in hand, that we doo but lose tyme, when wee praye vntoo God, and make our recourse vntoo him. And so much the more must wee be watchfull againste such temptations, as we perceiue them to bee so wicked and daungerous. Herewithall let vs beare in