Sermons upon the Book of Job

for otherwise all the talk that is rehearsed too us here, will be confused. Job (as I have said) hath a good case. For he acknowledgeth that it is God which scourgeth him: and although he account himself worthy of such corrections in as much as he is a sinner, yet notwithstanding he is fully persuaded that God looketh not at that, and that his sending of so great adversities unto him, is not in respect of his sins, but for some other secrete cause whereof he is not privy. In the mean while he shutteth his mouth, and saith that he can win nothing by pleading against God. Yet ceaseth he not to use much wandering talk: And that is the cause why I said that he handled a good case amiss. But they that visit him do take an untrue principle: which is, that God doth always deal with men in this earthly life, according to their deserts. This saying is utterly false: for we see the plain contrary, and the scripture showeth it us, and experience serveth us for another proof of it. But yet the case so standeth, as in the mean season they that say so, cease not to allege good and holy reasons, whereout of we also may gather good and profitable doctrine. Howbeit for the better understanding of the whole, let us call to remembrance how it is said in the Psalm. Blessed is the man that considereth aright of him that is smitten: that is to say which judgeth discreetly of him that is afflicted. And what manner of wisdom is that? It is too think that God will deliver him in the time of adversity. Thus we see what the holy ghost requireth of us, if we will not be rash judges, and turn all God's works upside down. When we see poor men beaten that they can bear no more: we must understand that God is so merciful, as he will succour them: and that it is not to be said, that he meaneth to destroy them utterly. To be short, if we will be discreet judgers of the chastisements and corrections that God sendeth upon men: we must wait for the end of them: and we must not be overhasty to give sentence at the first dash: but we must stay our selves, and mark what it pleaseth God to do. And according as he sayeth that his displeasure is short, and that his mercy lasteth unto life: we must incline our selves to wait on the hither side, that is to wit, to hope well, and to wait for a good and happy issue.

for otherwise all the talke that is rehearsed too vs here, will be confused. Iob (as I haue said) hath a good case. For he acknowledgeth that it is God whiche scourgeth him: and although he account himselfe worthie of suche corrections in as much as he is a sinner, yet notwithstanding hee is fully perswaded that God looketh not at that, and that his sending of so great aduersities vnto him, is not in respecte of his sinnes, but for some other secrete cause whereof he is not priuie. In the meane while he shutteth his mouth, and sayth that he can win nothing by pleading against God. Yet ceasseth he not to vse muche wandring talke: And that is the cause why I sayd that he handled a good case amisse. But they that visite him do take an vntrue principle: which is, that God doth alwayes deale with men in this earthly life, according to their desertes. Thys saying is vtterly false: for we see the plaine contrary, and the scripture sheweth it vs, and experience serueth vs for another proofe of it. But yet the case so standeth, as in the meane season they that say so, ceasse not to alleage good and holy reasons, whereoutof wee also may gather good and profitable doctrin. Howbeit for the better vnderstanding of the whole, let vs call to remembrance howe it is sayde in the Psalme. Blessed is the man that considereth aright of hym that is smitten: that is to saye which iudgeth discreetely of hym that is afflicted. And what maner of wisedome is that? It is too thinke that God will deliuer him in the tyme of aduersitie. Thus wee see what the holy ghost requireth of vs, if wee will not bee rashe iudges, and turne all Goddes woorkes vpside downe. VVhen wee see poore men beaten that they can beare no more: wee must vnderstande that God is so mercifull, as he will succoure them: and that it is not to be sayd, that hee meeneth to destroy them vtterly. To be short, if we will bee discreete iudgers of the chastizements and corrections that God sendeth vppon men: wee muste wayte for the ende of them: and we must not bee ouerhastie to giue sentence at the first dash: but we must stay our selues, and marke what it pleaseth God to do. And according as he sayeth that his displeasure is short, and that his mercie lasteth vnto life: wee must encline our selues to wayte on the hitherside, that is to witte, to hope well, and to wayte for a good and happie issue.