Sermons upon the Book of Job

it behoveth us to stand the more upon our guard, and to be well advised, that our sorrowing in our afflictions be after such a sort, as in the mean while God be blessed in all that he doth, that we provoke him §20not to displeasure, no not even by unadvisedness, for it is certain that Job meant not too displease God willingly, neither was it his intent too do against Gods mind: but this befell him through unadvisedness. For our passions are blind, we have no wit too discern, we wander without keeping either way or path. In so much then as we know our affections too be so outrageous, we have so much the more need too pray God too rule them for us. But by the way, if we compare Job with those that blaspheme God with open mouth, I pray you §30how worthy are such men too be condemned? For Job having served God all the time of his life, is nevertheless set here as it were upon a scaffold by the spirit of God, too the end men might by him perceive their own wretchedness and humble themselves, and understand that when the grace of God faileth them, they are in a forwardness too cast themselves into hell, if they be not held back. Seeing that Gods will was to exercise Job in such sort, as too set him out for a gazing stock and too make him serve for an example and learning §40unto others: what shall become of those that blaspheme God, yea even without cause? For there are some that if any heart grief happen to them, so as they be troubled, or if a man do but stir their choler: ye shall see them tear Gods name a pieces, and they think that it ought too serve them for excuse if they can say, why then did he chafe me? If a man happen too do them a little displeasure, or if a fly chance to cross before their eyes: Jesus Christ, and his death, and his blood, and his flesh, and all that ever he hath, shall be torn all too pieces.§50 As who would say, that our Lord Jesus Christ had taken mans flesh upon him, to be made a Railing stock at those monsters hands which are not worthy to live upon the earth. And yet notwithstanding, they will take it for their excuse too say, such a man did anger me. Thou supposest that thou bendest thy self against man, and yet notwithstanding when thou bendest thee against him that hath grieved thee, the case is so that God is offended by it.

it behoueth vs to stande the more vppon our garde, and to bee well aduised, that our sorrowing in our afflictions bee after such a sort, as in the meane whyle God be blissed in all that hee doth, that wee prouoke him