Sermons upon the Book of Job

We see then with what courage we ought too proceed in such cases, and how it is no dallying with Satan §60seeing we find him so furious an enemy, nor no going to the matter as though we went to some light skirmish that were easy to overcome. And furthermore, Job had also an eye to that which hath been recited heretofore. For (as I have said) if a man upbraid us, that it is but a vain thing to trust in God: true it is that the same doing troubleth us, and is enough to quench our faith: and therewithal God is accused of misdealing and of mocking his servants, and specially of uniustice: all that is proper to him is plucked from him, and he shall be no longer God, except he discern good from evil, to advance those that serve him in soundness, so as he may be judge of the world, and ready to hear them that resort to him for succour. If God be bereft of such virtues: we see most certainly, that both his glory, and his Godhead, and his being, are quite abolished. So then Job could not bear with such blasphemies, according also as it is said in the Psalm, that the zeal of Gods house ought too bite our harts and to consume us, and that the reproach which men offer unto him, ought to rebound upon us, so as it behoveth us to be grieved when we see the honour of God impeached. Then if we be his children, it becometh us to set our selves against it. And thus we see what we have to note when Job rebuked his wife so stoutly (as to say) Thou hast spoken like a fool. And herewithal let us bear in mind, that this answer here ought to be made against all like temptations, from what party soever they come, or from whence soever they be sent at us. But above all, when we be troubled with the lewd imaginations of our own flesh, it behoveth us to follow the example of Job, and to learn of him how too deal with our own griefs: and whereas we have been accustomed to be angry with them that sting us or do us any wrong: every one of us must begin to storm against himself: so as we may bethink our selves thus: I have such a vice: I am angry with mine enemies if any one of them have practised evil against me, and I can have no patience, but am carried away with a desire of vengeance to requite like for like: and yet when I have well advised my self, I find not a worse enemy to my welfare, than my self:

VVe see then with what corage we ought too proceede in suche cases, and how it is no dalying with Satan §60seing we find him so furious an enemie, nor no going to the matter as though we went to some light skirmishe that were easy to ouercome. And furthermore, Iob had also an eye to that which hath bene recyted heretofore. For (as I haue sayd) if a man vpbrayd vs, that it is but a vayn thing to trust in God: true it is that the same doing troubleth vs, and is ynough to quench our fayth: and therewithall God is accused of misdealing and of mocking hys seruāts, and specially of vniustice: all that is proper to him is plucked from him, and he shall be no longer God, except hee discerne good from euill, to aduance those that serue him in soundnesse, so as he may be iudge of the world, and ready to heare them that resort to him for succoure. If God be bereft of such vertues: we see most certainly, that both his glory, and his Godhead, and his being, are quite abolished. So then Iob could not beare with such blasphemies, according also as it is sayd in the Psalme, that the zeale of Gods house ought too bite our harts and to consume vs, and that the reproch which men offer vnto him, ought to rebound vpon vs, so as it behoueth vs to be grieued when we see the honoure of God impeached. Then if we be his children, it becommeth vs to set our selues against it. And thus we see what we haue to note when Iob rebuked hys wife so stoutly (as to say) Thou hast spoken like a foole. And herewithal let vs beare in mind, that this answer here ought to be made against all like temptations, from what partie soeuer they come, or from whence soeuer they be sent at vs. But aboue all, when wee bee troubled with the lewd imaginations of our owne flesh, it behoueth vs to folowe the example of Iob, and to learne of him howe too deale with our owne griefes: and whereas wee haue bene accustomed to be angrie with them that sting vs or do vs any wrong: euery one of vs must begin to storme againste himselfe: so as we may bethinke our selues thus: I haue such a vice: I am angry with mine enemies if any one of them haue practised euill againste me, and I can haue no pacience, but am caried away with a desire of vengeance to requite like for like: and yet when I haue well aduised my selfe, I find not a worse enemie to my welfare, thā my selfe: