Sermons upon the Book of Job

Seeing we have this, have we not whereof too §10rejoice even in the middest of all our adversities? So then, the faithful man which speaketh with good advisement, will never curse the day of his birth, what misery soever he endure. Job therefore behaveth him self unthankfully to Godward, in cursing so the day of his birth: and it cannot be said that he deserved not blame for passing his bounds. Furthermore let us mark, that the Children of God may also bliss their birthday. I mean in not considering their wants, too bewail themselves with Saint Paul: but simply §20in having an eye too the benefit which God gave them when he sent them into the world. True it is that the Heathen men abused it: for when they solemnized their birthday, they did it too exceed in many follies and superfluous pomps. But the very original and wellspring of the solemnizing of birthdays, was, for that the holy fathers knew it was good reason, too yield God thanks, and therefore they held that day as a solemn feast, to the end to provoke themselves to praise God. Yea verily: for when we have passed some years §30of our life, although we ought too call Gods benefits too remembrance incessantly: yet is it requisite that at the day of our entrance into the world, there should be kept an everlasting memorial of them, so as we might say, I see well that this year is past: God hath brought me hitherto: I have off ended him many ways, and therefore it is meet that I should now ask him forgiveness. But above all things he hath showed me great favour, he hath maintained me always in hope of the salvation that he hath given me, and he hath delivered §40me from many dangers: and therefore it becometh me too call the same to remembrance. And now that I am too enter into another year, it is good that I prepare my self to the serving of God. For the evil adventures that I have passed, show me how great need I have of his succour, and that without him I shall be undone a hundred thousand times. Thus we see how the holy fathers were wont to solemnize their birthdays, and how it is a good and profitable exercise. The Heathen men (I say) have abused it, and we see at this §50day how they that call themselves Christians do play flat mock holiday with God when they solemnize their birthdays.