Sermons upon the Book of Job

Also let us learn to be fenced against all stumbling blocks that may come in our way, that we be not troubled when things exceed our imagination, and that we be not letted by them to do our duty continually, and that our heart fail us not in the midst of our journey. Truly this lesson is hard too put in ure: but so much the more pain §10ought we to put our selves unto, and God will give us the grace to bring it about. This is the thing that I spake of at the beginning: namely, that if we have a desire and zeal to comfort our neighbours, we must desire of God too furnish us with the means to do it, to the intent that when it cometh to be put in ure, we become not unprofitable like blocks of wood: yet notwithstanding it must not be thought over strange, that Jobs friends were so astonied, considering the plight wherein they found him: for he was utterly disfigured, so as they could not know him §20at the first sight, as the text sayeth. Undoubtedly they had such an affection rooted in their hart, that when they saw him so miserable, yet they could not cease to show that they loved him still, howbeit that when they knew him, they were utterly astonished. It is consequently said, That they lifted up their voice and fell a weeping. These tears here came not of counterfeytnesse, it was a good affection that they had. Howbeit forasmuch as they were abashed by reason of the great miseries that Job endured: we see they be so troubled and dashed out of countenance, as §30they be not able to do their duty as they meant to do. Then to have some love & to utter the signs of it, is not all that is required: but this love must be well ruled, to the end we may well serve one another's turn, as God commandeth. As touching that it is said, that they rent their clothes, and cast dust upon their heads, that they cast themselves upon the ground, and were seven days and seven nights without speaking any word: therein we see the said compassion whereof we have spoken afore: and besides that, we see how their meaning was to humble themselves with §40Job, as it were to make intercession to Godward to have pity upon him. For when the men of old time did cast dust upon their heads, it was in token of humility and acknowledgement of their sins. And first they knew that their estate was to say, doth God punish us?