Sermons upon the Book of Job

We see then how the faithful that are departed out of this world, are in joy with God, and do know, that forasmuch as they be Christs members, they can not perish: yea and that they know it much better, and with a greater power, than they had done during this present life. And as for the reprobates, they are as condemned caitiffs, that wait but for the hour of execution and torment. For they be sure already of con damnation. And here we see why it is said that the devils are locked up in dark prisons; and bound as it were in chains, until they come to the said final confusion, which is prepared for them against the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus we see what the Scripture doth briefly show us concerning the state of the second life, in waiting for the last day. But it is spoken soberly unto us, because we be too much given too fond and curious questions. And we see that men love better too be inquisitive what is done in Paradise, than too know which is the way too come thither. Behold, God him self telleth us, saying: Come to me. He showeth us how we may come thither: and we pass not for it. You would marvel to see how cold we be when it standeth upon the point of going unto him by the means that he hath given us: and yet in the mean while we be busy in demanding what is done here? and what is done there? what is this? and what is that? We be desirous too know that which God hath hidden from us: for he will not have us too know ought as now, but only in part. And here we see why the holy Scripture useth such a soberness. It is because we should not covet too be oversubtle in these fond questions, but be contented too know that which is for our profit. Yet nevertheless ⟨p. 61⟩it standeth us in hand to be well resolved in the said article: that is to wit, that in death there is not rest for all men. True it is that all men, yea even the wicked also (as I have said) shall be discharged of the necessities of this present life. But in the mean season they fail not to be tormented, feeling God too be their judge, at whose hand they can look for no mercy, for they know that this confusion is throughly ready for them, and that they shall be plunged down into hell. Seeing (I say) that they are caste and reprieved to that day:

VVe see then howe the faythfull that are departed out of this worlde, are in ioy with God, and do knowe, that forasmuche as they bee Christes members, they can not perishe: yea and that they knowe it muche better, and with a greater power, than they had done during this present lyfe. And as for the reprobates, they are as condemned caytifs, that wayte but for the houre of execution and torment. For they be sure alreadie of cō demnation. And heere wee see why it is sayde that the diuelles are locked vp in darke prisons; and bounde as it were in chaynes, vntill they come to the sayde finall confusion, whiche is prepared for them agaynste the comming of our Lorde Iesus Christe. Thus wee see what the Scripture dothe briefly shewe vs concerning the state of the seconde lyfe, in wayting for the laste daye. But it is spoken soberly vnto vs, bycause wee bee too muche gyuen too fonde and curious questions. And wee see that men loue better too bee inquisitiue what is done in Paradise, than too knowe whiche is the waye too come thither. Beholde, God him selfe telleth vs, saying: Come to mee. Hee sheweth vs how wee may come thither: and wee passe not for it. You woulde maruell to see howe colde we bee when it standeth vpon the poynt of going vnto him by the meanes that hee hath giuen vs: and yet in the meane whyle wee bee buzie in demaunding what is done heere? and what is doone there? what is this? and what is that? VVee be desirous too knowe that whiche God hath hidden from vs: for hee will not haue vs too knowe ought as nowe, but onely in parte. And heere wee see why the holye Scripture vseth such a sobernesse. It is bycause wee shoulde not couet too bee ouersuttle in these fonde questions, but bee contented too knowe that whiche is for our profite. Yet neuerthelesse