Sermons upon the Book of Job

but for that we be given to so much naughtiness, and to so great rebelliousness against God, that whereas his image ought to shine forth in us, it seemeth that we have conspired too do him spite. And this is the cause why Saint Paul lamenteth, and we see here the true sorrow which Christians ought to make: but not for their having of cold and heat, not for their enduring of diseases and other calamities: but for that they see themselves as it were in the prison and bondage of sin. Wretch that I am, sayeth Saint Paul. And sayeth he so because he is impatient, or for that he lifteth up himself against God? No: but for that he is the instrument of the holy ghost, and showeth us, that in this present life we have cause too sigh and groan without ceasing. And why so? for we be shut up in a deadly prison, and are subject too so many wicked lusts, as we can not by any means attain to dedicate our selves unto God, by reason of the great number of our corruptions, which cease not too provoke us unto evil. Thus we see how we may lament our case after the example of Saint Paul, who giveth us a rule thereof. But here we see how Job cursed the day of his birth, wherein he is not too be excused, neither can it be said that he overshot not himself. And why so? For it behoveth us too join them both together: that is too wit, that when God created us, he also printed his own Image in us, and did us the honour too be the excellentest of all his creatures: In which respect ⟨p. 54⟩we have cause too bliss his name continually: And although this life be so full of miseries, as nothing can be more: yet the case standeth so, as we can not sufficiently value the inestimable benefit that God hath bestowed upon us, in giving us this present life, because that by maintaining us therein, he maketh us too feel by experience, that he hath a care of us, and will not by any means forsake us, howsoever the world go.

but for that we be giuen to so much naughtinesse, and to so great rebelliousnesse agaynst God, that whereas his image ought to shyne foorth in vs, it seemeth that wee haue conspyred too doo him spyte. And this is the cause why Sainct Paule lamenteth, and wee see here the true sorrow which Christians ought to make: but not for their hauing of cold and heate, not for their induring of diseases and other calamities: but for that they see themselues as it were in the prison and bondage of sinne. VVretch that I am, sayeth Sainct Paule. And sayeth hee so bycause hee is impacient, or for that hee lyfteth vp himselfe agaynste God? No: but for that hee is the instrument of the holy ghost, and sheweth vs, that in this present life wee haue cause too sighe and grone without ceassing. And why so? for wee bee shutte vp in a deadly pryson, and are subiecte too so many wicked lustes, as wee can not by any meanes atteyne to dedicate our selues vnto God, by reason of the great number of our corruptions, which ceasse not too prouoke vs vnto euill. Thus wee see howe wee maye lament our cace after the example of Saynct Paule, who giueth vs a rule thereof. But here wee see howe Iob cursed the daye of his byrthe, wherein hee is not too bee excused, neyther can it bee sayde that hee ouershotte not himselfe. And why so? For it behoueth vs too ioyne them bothe togyther: that is too witte, that when God created vs, hee also prynted hys owne Image in vs, and dyd vs the honour too bee the excellentest of all hys creatures: In whiche respecte