Sermons upon the Book of Job

And for the better comprehending here of, let us mark how Saint James saith, that he which hath not sinned with his tongue is perfect above all men. And why so? We see that forasmuch as men be overswifte too speak, insomuch that now and then a thing is spoken before we can conceive it: he that is able to hold him self in, so as no word slippeth from him but with good advisement and well set: showeth him self too be endued with a singular grace. Thus we see what we have too note here concerning Job: namely how he is so far off from showing any sturdiness against God, that even all his words are so well ordered, that whereas other men are light of speech, and unable too rule their tongues: Job humbleth him self before God. And hereby we be taught too call upon GOD, too grant us the grace, that we may never cast forth any words that may tend too the dishonour of his holy name. For we know that the tongue ought too be dedicated chiefly too the honour of God. True it is that we ought too apply all our members thereunto: for like as he hath created all, so is it good reason that all should be employed too his glory. But he will have our tongues too sound in such wise in our mouths, as they may be instruments too glorify him: so as if we apply them too the contrary, it is as much as to pervert the order of nature. And forasmuch as we be given too that vice (as I have said) and there is nothing more difficult than too withhold our selves from it: Therefore we have so much the more need too call upon GOD, that he may govern us in such sort, as we may not utter one word that shall not be too his honour. Furthermore, if we now and then conceive some evil imaginations (as it is not possible but we must needs have many wicked thoughts, ⟨p. 48⟩considering our great frailty, and how Satan eggeth us to this or that:) let us assure our selves that we are already faulty before God, and that we must ask him forgiveness of it, and yet therewithal fight valiantly still, and thrust those things under foot, and do according to that which was said yesterday. For Job not only rebuked his wife: but also discovered her folly.

And for the better comprehending heere of, let vs marke how Sainct Iames sayth, that hee which hath not sinned with his tongue is perfect aboue all men. And why so? VVe see that forasmuch as men bee ouerswifte too speake, insomuch that now and then a thing is spoken before we can conceyue it: hee that is able to holde him selfe in, so as no word slippeth from him but with good aduisemente and well set: sheweth him selfe too bee indued wyth a singular grace. Thus wee see what wee haue too note heere concerning Iob: namely howe hee is so farre off from shewing any sturdinesse againste God, that euen all hys wordes are so well ordered, that whereas other men are light of speech, and vnable too rule their tungs: Iob humbleth hym selfe before God. And heereby wee bee taughte too call vppon GOD, too graunt vs the grace, that wee may neuer cast foorthe any woordes that maye tende too the dishonoure of hys holy name. For wee knowe that the tongue ought too bee dedicated chiefly too the honoure of God. True it is that wee oughte too applye all our members therevntoo: for like as hee hathe created all, so is it good reason that all shoulde bee imployed too hys glorye. But hee wyll haue our tongues too sounde in suche wyse in our mouthes, as they may bee instrumentes too glorifye hym: so as if wee applye them too the contrarye, it is as muche as to peruerte the order of nature. And forasmuch as wee bee gyuen too that vice (as I haue sayde) and there is nothing more difficulte than too withholde our selues from it: Therefore wee haue so muche the more neede too call vppon GOD, that hee maye gouerne vs in suche sorte, as wee maye not vtter one woorde that shall not bee too hys honoure. Furthermore, if wee nowe and then conceiue some euill imaginations (as it is not possible but wee muste needes haue manye wicked thoughtes,