Sermons upon the Book of Job

So then, if God hedge us in with his mercy, it is not to make us cockneys, so as no adversity should touch us, so as we should not be needy, so as we should feel no scarcity, or so as we should never have any grief: God mindeth not to use such manner of dealing: for it were not convenient for us. But he will have us to pass through fire and water (that is to say, through all kind of miseries) and to be so distressed, as we wot not where to become. And hereupon §40he will remedy our necessity, to the end we may know how it is he to whom we be beholding for our welfare. Thus we see after what manner our Lord worketh. Also let us note, that too judge well, it behoveth to bear this point always in mind: that is too wit, not only that God punisheth such as are the worst sort, but also that he exerciseth the patience of his faithful ones, scourging them and handling them far more roughly than he doth the wicked. To be short, let us always have an eye to the issue, as I have said, and let us not marvel though we see not Gods help at the first day. Lo §50here the principle which we must lay before us, that we may know how to make our own profit by that which is recited to us here. As touching the words that Eliphas useth, they be these: If a man attempt talk, or If a man raise talk: for as well the one as the other may be spoken, because the Hebrew word hath a double signification. And forasmuch as the Hebrew word which is put here for talk or speech, is sometimes taken also for a thing: Some understand it thus: If God tempt thee, is it meet that thou shouldest be so far out of patience?§60 Is it meet that thou shouldest be so sore moved? For we know that the Scripture termeth it a temptation, when we be troubled, and when God trieth us after what manner so ever it be. So then, the meaning should be such as this: is it meet that thou shouldest repine against God, when thou seest that he trieth and tempteth thee? that is too say, when thou seest that he mindeth too prove what is in thee? But if all things be throughly considered: the natural meaning is, If a man assay or attempt too speak. And why so? For Eliphas addeth immediately, And who is be that can withheld him self from speaking?

So then, if God hedge vs in with hys mercy, it is not to make vs cockneys, so as no aduersitie should touch vs, so as we should not be needy, so as we should feele no scarsitie, or so as wee should neuer haue any greefe: God mindeth not to vse suche maner of dealing: for it were not conuenient for vs. But he will haue vs to passe through fire and water (that is to saye, through all kynde of myseries) and to be so distressed, as wee wote not where to become. And herevppon