Sermons upon the Book of Job

Paul perceiving this, concludeth immediately, that although he be a wretched sinner: yet notwithstanding he is sure that God will guide him in such wise, as his salvation can not miscarry. S. Paul then had an eye to those two things. And therefore he sayeth that he yieldeth God thanks, notwithstanding that he be in misery. Even so must we do. And in so doing, we shall not only be the readier to endure all the miseries of this world for the honour of God, that he may be glorified both in our persons, and in our humility: but also we shall be willing to suffer for our neighbours, as Saint Paul also showeth us by his own example. He sayeth to the Philippians, that as for himself, it should be far better for him to be taken out of the world: but for your sakes (sayeth he) it is requisite that I live, because I know that you have as yet need of my labour, and that God employeth me about the edifying of your faith, and unto him do I submit my self. And afterward he sayeth: Although it were for my behoof to go hence out of hand, yet am I willing to abide here still. Lo how Saint Paul exhorteth all men to submit themselves in such wise unto Gods pleasure, as while they live in this world, they may not only bear their afflictions patiently, but also be ready to suffer for their neighbours, so as their labour may be profitable to the common weal, and they themselves do service to the Church of God. Thus we see what we have to mark. But what? This lesson is not yet understood, forasmuch as there are very few that put it in ure: for if God leave us in rest, ye shall ⟨p. 65⟩see us so blinded with vain and fond joy, and we be so oversotted, as we know neither death, nor our own frailty any more, neither have we any discretion at all. And if God visit us with any afflictions: it needs not to be asked whether we blaspheme or no, or whether any oaths pass out of our mouth or no: there will be store of misliking, of murmuring▪ and of impatience, which shall be full of sturdiness. And when the wind is in that door with us, how many be there that think upon their sins, and that groan under such a burden, and therewithal look §10unto the aid that God giveth them, how he suffereth them not to be utterly overcome by Satan, and thereupon do quiet themselves and take comfort in that he preserveth them?

Paule perceyuing this, concludeth immediately, that although hee be a wretched sinner: yet notwithstanding he is sure that God will guyde him in such wise, as his saluation can not miscarie. S. Paule thē had an eye to those two things. And therefore hee sayeth that hee yeeldeth God thankes, notwithstanding that hee bee in miserie. Euen so muste wee do. And in so doyng, we shall not onely be the readier to indure all the miseries of this world for the honour of God, that hee may bee glorified bothe in our persons, and in our humilitie: but also wee shall bee wylling to suffer for our neyghboures, as Sainct Paule also sheweth vs by his owne example. Hee sayeth to the Philippians, that as for himselfe, it shoulde bee farre better for him to bee taken oute of the worlde: but for youre sakes (sayeth hee) it is requisite that I lyue, bicause I know that you haue as yet neede of my laboure, and that God imployeth mee aboute the edifying of your fayth, and vnto him do I submit my selfe. And afterwarde hee sayeth: Although it were for my behoofe to goe hence oute of hande, yet am I willing to abyde here still. Lo howe Sainct Paule exhorteth all men to submitte themselues in suche wyse vnto Gods pleasure, as whyle they lyue in thys worlde, they may not onely beare theyr afflictions pacientlie, but also bee readie to suffer for theyr neyghbours, so as theyr labour may be profitable to the cōmon weale, and they themselues do seruice to the Churche of God. Thus wee see what wee haue to marke. But what? This lesson is not yet vnderstode, for asmuche as there are very few that put it in vre: for if God leaue vs in rest, yee shall