Sermons upon the Book of Job

Yesterday I declared in effect what Job meant by this sentence, We have received good at the Lords hand, and why receive we not evil also? It serveth too show how men are toto unthankful, if they acknowledge not themselves so greatly bound unto God, for the number of benefits which they have received at his hand, as they ought not to refuse any manner of afflictions when he listeth too exercise them there with But there are that understand it §10otherwise, as though that by these words, We receive good at the Lords hand, Job hoped, that yet in time too come, God would be the same towards him again, that he had felt him to be heretofore. And so it seemeth too them, that Job meant to comfort his wife and himself by saying, This misery shall not continue for ever: although God punish us, he meaneth not to continue it too the uttermost: for in the end he will have pity upon those that are so distressed. But the natural meaning is that which I have set down already▪ that is to wit, that Job §20calling to remembrance the good that he had received at Gods hand, held him self so beholden unto him, as he thought him self bound to abide all adversities patiently. And hereupon we may gather a good and profitable doctrine: that is to wit, that as oft and as long as adversities oppress us, we must acknowledge, that God hath showed him self so good a father to us in so many sorts, as it becometh us not to think it strange if he chastise us at times, nor be provoked & moved to grudge against him for the same. And heerewithall it is certain §30that Job could not have been comforted, except he had applied Gods former benefits too the time to come. For if we consider but only how God hath been good to us in time past, and that we shall have no more: too what purpose were that? for we could not be patient, as hath been said already. We must be well assured of the goodness and love of God, and we must trust continually to his grace, not doubting at all but that he will proceed too love us still, notwithstanding that he deal roughly with us. Job then calleth to mind the benefits §40that he had received heretofore at Gods hand, in such wise as he maketh this conclusion: namely that God had not changed neither his purpose nor his nature, nor ceased to continue good and righteous, notwithstanding that he had afflicted him.