Sermons upon the Book of Job

But if we can show by our own doings, that the thing which we speak unto others is in our selves, and that we speak it from the heart: that is a true proof that we deal not deceitfully. We shall see divers that are as eloquent, and more eloquent than needeth, and which can babble so well too the purpose as ye would wonder, and they never want tongue, if it be but too prattle. But if it happen that God do but fillip them with his fingers end, they wot not what comfort or any thing else ⟨p. 70⟩meaneth. What is too be done then? When we speak too our neighbours, let us show unto them, that the thing which we speak unto them with our mouth, is throughly grounded in our harts. Thus we see how we ought to proceed. Yet is it not meant hereby, that we should cease to comfort and encourage our neighbours, & to reprove one another. For they that pass not to chastise such as do amiss, and to comfort such as are in heaviness, and to reform such as go astray: show themselves to have no care, neither of God, nor of his service. For if §10we love God with a right affection: it is certain that (as much as in us lieth) we will seek that all men may do the like. A true Christian will not content himself too walk aright: but he will [do his best] too draw the whole world to the same accord. And therefore it behoveth us to put that thing in ure, which Saint Paul also showeth us, of teaching and reforming one another: but (as I said) we must do it from our hart. And how is that? Verily that when it shall come to the trial, we may show in very deed that we have not spoken from the teeth §20outward, but that the word which issued out of our mouth, is throughly rooted in our hart. But here we see what the use of Gods word is: namely not only to teach and to show what is good: but also too correct such as have done amiss, to rebuke such as deal disorderly, and to strengthen the weak, the feeble, and those that are of small courage.

But if wee can shewe by oure owne dooyngs, that the thing whiche wee speake vnto others is in our selues, and that wee speake it from the heart: that is a true proofe that wee deale not deceitfully. VVee shall see diuers that are as eloquent, and more eloquent than needeth, and whych can babble so well too the purpose as yee woulde wonder, and they neuer want tongue, if it bee but too prattle. But if it happen that God doo but fillip them wyth his fingers ende, they wote not what comforte or any thing else