Sermons upon the Book of Job

And therefore the Prophet Isaiah avoucheth, that it belongeth too the charge of all Prophets, all teachers of the Church, and all such as have charge too bear abroad the word of God not only too utter that §30which is commanded them too speak, (we may see here what God will have declared unto us) but also too have the cheerfulness too spur and prick forward them that are lazy, too give courage too the weak, too lift up them that are fallen, and too bring back them that stray, into the right way. Thus ye see what is the true use of Gods word: namely that it is the way, aswell too instruct men aright as also to show the effectualness of the Gospel, according also as when Saint Paul telleth us how we must apply the holy scripture too our instruction,§40 he sayeth, that it serveth not only to know what is good, and too discern between good and evil: but also to exhort, too reprove, and to convince us. And hereby we must be the more provoked to receive Gods word desirously, and with a cheerful and loving affection, for so much as we see how all that belongeth to our welfare is comprehended therein. God then not only bringeth us that which is for our behoof too know: but also forasmuch as he seeth our frailty, he intendeth too remedy it, and will have his word to serve to strengthen §50us: and forasmuch as he seeth we be brittle and in danger too fall, he setteth us up again anon after: and forasmuch as he seeth us inclined too hypocrisy, and too soothe our selves in our own vices: he spurreth us, too the end we may perceive our own evils, and not delight in them.

And therefore the Prophet Esay auoucheth, that it belongeth too the charge of all Prophets, all teachers of the Church, and all suche as haue charge too beare abroade the worde of God not onely too vtter that §30whyche is commaunded them too speake, (wee may see heere what God will haue declared vnto vs) but also too haue the cheerefulnesse too spurre and pricke forwarde them that are lazie, too giue courage too the weake, too lift vp them that are falne, and too bring backe them that stray, into the right way. Thus ye see what is the true vse of Gods worde: namely that it is the way, aswell too instruct men aright as also to shewe the effectualnesse of the Gospell, according also as when Sainct Paule telleth vs howe wee must applye the holy scripture too our instruction,