Sermons upon the Book of Job

then let us bethink us of that which we have forgotten: that is too wit, that we be but rottenness and a thing of nothing. For when men are in prosperity, they make themselves drunken, they flaunt it, they sore in the air, and they be not touched with any care. But as soon as God smiteth §50them, then they storm, and they consider neither whence they are come, nor whither they must return. Also the men of old time, to the end too bring all this to remembrance, used the said Ceremony: thereby yielding themselves faulty before God, as though they had been wretched offenders. And the thing that is required at offenders hands, is that they should acknowledge their faults, crave pardon, yield themselves guilty before God, and return unto him with true repentance. Job had good occasion so to do: and his friends also could not show forth §60their friendship, if they had not done the like. For we be bound to take upon us the person of our neighbours, too ask God forgiveness in their behalf. The greatest relief that we can give to such as are in distress, is too pray God that he will not shake them off altogether. But we cannot by our prayers succour those that are in adversity, without having that which I have recited: that is too wit, without keeping of them company, to humble our selves afore God, and without coming to them too mourn with them. David protesteth that he did it even for his enemies, and that when he saw them running into destruction, he was sorry for them in his hart, and shed bitter tears and sighs for them. If David have done thus for his enemies that persecuted him: why should not we do it for them whom we know to be the children of God? Certainly we ought to follow David, in praying for our enemies. For without we do so, Christ will not avow us to be his Disciples. But it is an overgreat lewdness if we have not such pity upon those in whom we perceive some sign of godliness and religion, and which are instructed in all one doctrine with us. Therefore when they come to sue for pardon at Gods hand: it becometh us to join with them in that case. Behold (I say) what ye have to mark when it is said, that Jobs friends rent their garments, cast themselves against the ground, and sprinkled dust upon their heads. Herewithall we note, that although such Ceremonies be signs of repentance:

then let vs bethinke vs of that whiche wee haue forgotten: that is too wit, that wee bee but rottennesse and a thing of nothing. For when men are in prosperitie, they make themselues drunken, they flaunt it, they sore in the ayre, and they be not touched with any care. But assoone as God smyteth