Sermons upon the Book of Job

Upon Jobs talk which we treated of yesterday, there remaineth to understand, that when we be in prosperity we can not hope that God will continue it for the time to come, nor let us be in rest still. For Job seemeth to mean, that the faithful must always §40stand in doubt, and that they must think that the thing which they hold with the one hand, shall be forthwith taken away in the other. Hereupon we note, that we must not imagine more than God promiseth us. For it is a vain and fond presumption, when men behight them selves that thing which God leaveth them in doubt of. And therefore God punisheth such manner of overweening, when we imagine what we list, and write upon it that it shall be so. God will not have us to have any other leaning stock than his word, which is the assured truth §50that can not lye. Therefore whensoever men presume upon themselves, there is nothing but vanity and leasing, and it is no wonder though they be disappointed of their purpose. For our Lord hath good reason to mock them, when they pass measure after that fashion. And so must we hold this for a general rule, that our trust must be settled wholly upon Gods promises. And now let us consider what God promiseth. He sayeth that if he have thought upon us to day, he will not forget us any more tomorrow but we shall be helped by his hand all the time of our life.§60 Behold what his promise is. Then may we well assure our selves, that God will always keep us, and that by means thereof we shall not be in danger of falling into decay. But yet herewithal we must make our account to be subject to many inconveniences. For our Lord sayeth not that he will keep us shut up in a mew, so as we shall see no adversity, nor be acquainted with any trouble, but be in continual joy and felicity: he promiseth us no such matter: but only that he will aide and succour us in all our necessities. Wherefore it behoveth us to understand, that God will exercise us in many adversities, and that we be subject to the common afflictions of this present life: and that in the mean season it ought too suffice us that we shall be aided by him, and that we shall not be utterly forsaken. Seeing the case standeth so, we perceive very well, that we must not sleep when we be in prosperity, as though this state of ours were everlasting, so as nothing could change it.

VPon Iobs talke whych we treated of yesterday, ther remaineth to vnderstand, that when we be in prosperitie we can not hope that God will continue it for the time to come, nor let vs be in rest still. For Iob seemeth to meene, that the faithfull must alalways