Sermons upon the Book of Job

And a man might say, But behold, is it not too be seen that it was but a fondness for him too glory of his trusting in God, and to warrant himself that he would succour him? for we see the plain contrary. Forasmuch therefore as David was condemned by men under the colour that God persecuted him, and exercised his patience in sundriewise: he sayeth, Right happy is the man that hath consideration of the afflicted. Hereby he meaneth, that if we see any man in anguish for his hard adversities: God requireth above all things, that we should not at the first dash take such conceit as to say, O he is damned, God showeth full well that he purposeth to cut him off, there is no more hope of him, behold he is past recovery. We must not be so rigorous, but we must have the wit to say, very well, let us wait what God will do: adversities are common as well to good men as to bad, and when they light upon good men, they are not without a cause. When God scourgeth them, although we perceive not the cause wherefore he doth it, yet it becometh us to consider that God is righteous. We see then that afflictions are common both to Gods chosen people and such as he holdeth for his children: and▪ also too the castaways and those that go into damnation. But forasmuch as it is not for us too judge of it, except God hath showed us what end the afflictions shall come unto▪ it becometh us to hold our verdict in suspense, as if a man should say, Is this man afflicted? very well, let us acknowledge the hand of God, and begin to say, Alas I have well deserved as much or more: wretched creature, look if thou have not offended thy God so many ways, as he may punish thee an hundred thousand fold more than him whom thou seest too endure so much. Let us then advise our selves to conclude thus, Very well, I see this poor man is handled very roughly: true it is that he lead a naughty life, and that he suffereth rightfully: but yet we know not what God ⟨p. 50⟩will do with him. Lo here the wisdom that David exhorteth us unto: namely that we should wait too see whether God will deliver those whom he persecuteth with his own hand, albeit that it be rightfully done.

And a man might say, But beholde, is it not too bee seene that it was but a fondnesse for him too glorie of his trusting in God, and to warrant himselfe that he woulde succour him? for wee see the plaine contrarie. For asmuche therefore as Dauid was condemned by men vnder the colour that God persecuted him, and exercised his pacience in sundriewise: hee sayeth, Right happie is the man that hath consideration of the afflicted. Hereby he meaneth, that if wee see any man in anguish for his hard aduersities: God requyreth aboue all things, that we should not at the first dashe take suche conceyte as to say, O he is damned, God sheweth full well that hee purposeth to cut him off, there is no more hope of him, behold he is past recouerie. VVe must not bee so rigorous, but wee must haue the wit to say, verie well, let vs wayt what God will do: aduersities are common as well to good men as to bad, and when they light vppon good men, they are not without a cause. VVhen God scourgeth them, although wee perceyue not the cause wherefore he doth it, yet it becōmeth vs to consider that God is rightuous. VVee see then that afflictions are common both to Gods chosen people and such as hee holdeth for his children: and also too the castawayes and those that go into damnation. But forasmuche as it is not for vs too iudge of it, except God hath shewed vs what ende the afflictions shall come vnto it becommeth vs to holde our verdit in suspence, as if a man should say, Is this man afflicted? very well, let vs acknowledge the hande of God, and begin to say, Alas I haue well deserued as much or more: wretched creature, looke if thou haue not offended thy God so many wayes, as he may punishe thee an hundred thousand folde more than him whom thou seest too indure so much. Let vs then aduise our selues to conclude thus, Very well, I see this poore man is handled very roughly: true it is that hee lead a naughtie life, and that hee suffereth rightfully: but yet we knowe not what God