Sermons upon the Book of Job

Thus we see what we have to mark. But Jobs friends remembered not that, and that was the cause why they overshot themselves. They see Job smitten with extremity, and thereupon conclude, that God meant to show in him an example of a reprobate person, and that those things had not happened unto him, if he had not been a wicked and ungracious person. And why so? for they conceived not that which the scripture showeth us: namely how it is the property of God too succour those that ⟨p. 69⟩are his, when they be in distress. And the scripture telleth us, not only that God aideth the afflicted, but also that he draweth those out of their graves, which seem to be already dead. Although then that our afflictions be great and excessive, yet must we still hope for Gods help, which doubtless will be beyond all the opinion of man, and beyond all the means that we can conceive. And it is not in this Text only that the Scripture speaketh so: but it is a doctrine very rife through out. It is said that the righteous man not only §10shall be shaken, but also that he shall fall seven times a day. Then may we fall many times: but yet shall Gods hand be ready to hold us up, so as our fallings shall not be deadly, at leastwise not too bruise us so sore, but that God shall deliver us. Behold how the Scripture speaketh. True it is that there be diverse promises whereby it seemeth that God maketh a difference of his own children from the reprobates and despisers of his word: as when he sayeth, that the hardhearted man §20shall be tamed by force of stripes like a Mule or a resty horse, and that GOD will not cease too beat upon them with great strokes, which are so rebellious and sturdy against him: and contrariwise that such as trust in him shall be hedged in with mercy, that is too say, that God will on all sides bless them and make them to prosper. We see here a princely promise, which seemeth to exempt Gods children from all adversities. But yet it behoveth us so to expound these said promises, as we have an eye to that which is said, how God will be known to be the preserver of his servants, by drawing §30them from their grave.

Thus we see what wee haue to marke. But Iobs friendes remembred not that, and that was the cause why they ouershot themselues. They see Iob smitten with extremitie, and therevpon conclude, that God meant to shew in hym an example of a reprobate person, and that those thinges had not happened vnto him, if hee had not beene a wicked and vngracious person. And why so? for they conceyued not that which the scripture sheweth vs: namely howe it is the propertie of God too succoure those that