Sermons upon the Book of Job

I see I must be much more earnest in serving God, and in fighting against the world and mine own flesh, as it is very requisite I should be, for I am held back and hindered by mine own lusts. I say, if a man acknowledge himself such a one: after he hath well examined his life, he sayeth thereupon: yea my God, I see my self in miserable plight, and when shall I be delivered out of it? For needs must I bear sin in me, and although it reign not in me, yet doth it dwell §60in me. And what else is sin, but the Devils sceptre, whereby he reigneth over us? Then am I the bondslave of Satan and of death. O my God, must I tarry evermore in this wearisome plight? A Christian man may well have such sighs, and beseech God to set him free from such a bondage wherein he seeth himself to be. But if the matter concern adversity: we must regard neither cold nor heat, nor poverty, nor sickness: but we must have our eye only on our sins. And specially when God punisheth us, in what wise soever it be, we must mount up higher, without any resting upon the bodily adversity, and think thus with our selves: behold the fruits of our sins: forasmuch as we have done against Gods will, it is good reason that he should show himself a judge towards us. When we have thus acknowledged our sins, the same worketh a remorse in us, and provoketh us to conceive the sorrow whereof S. Paul speaketh. And thus much as concerning the first point. But it is not enough to think as afore is said: that is to wit, to wish death in such wise as I have erst showed: but it behoveth also to keep measure. I say, we must not only wish it upon good cause, but we must also bridle our desire, so as it be ruled by the good pleasure of God. And this will bring to pass, that the outrage which is showed here in Job, shall be restrained as with a bridle. I have already touched this point in the text which I alleged out of S. Paul. For after he had made his moan, and wished to be delivered out of this prison of death: he addeth, I thank my God: and he ceaseth not to be quiet, even in the midst of those complaints and longings. And why so? for he seeth it is good reason that God should be the master, and govern us at his pleasure: and that we should patiently wait for such end as he listeth to give us. S.

I see I muste bee muche more earnest in seruing God, and in fighting agaynst the worlde and mine owne fleshe, as it is verye requisite I shoulde bee, for I am hilde backe and hindered by myne owne lustes. I saye, if a man acknowledge himselfe suche a one: after hee hath well examined his lyfe, hee sayeth therevpon: yea my God, I see my selfe in miserable plyght, and when shall I bee deliuered out of it? For needes muste I beare sinne in me, and although it reigne not in me, yet doth it dwell