Sermons upon the Book of Job

Seeing then that we perceive how God hath so well provided for all things which he knoweth too be behoosefull, as he will have his word too serve us throughly in that behalf: ought not we to be §60the more inflamed too receive the same word? Seeing we perceive it too be such a treasure, ought we not (I say) too receive it with a cheerful mind? considering how it is sweeter than honey, as it is said in the nineteenth Psalm. Also when we hear the word of God: it standeth us in hand too know wherefore. There are that would have a man too do nothing else but say, Behold what we have too mark upon this text: and that man should make cold expositions, and that there should be no exhortations, no rebuking of vices, nor liveliness. Yea, but that were as much as too deface the doctrine of God, as if a man should cut a sunder the sinews of a body, that it might have no more strength in it. What is too be done then? When we come too a Sermon, or when any man readeth alone by him self, we must understand, that it is Gods intent, not only too show us what is good, as if he should say, go on that way: but also too rebuke our sins in us, that it may be as a messenger too prick us forward too learn too humble our selves before him. Is it even so? Then let us mark also how sluggish we be, and that we high us not unto him with such zeal as were requisite, insomuch that he is fain to give us some strokes of the spur too quicken us up, and all his exhortations serve too humble us, and too make us too submit our selves frankly to his will: Thus we see how we ought to deal to make the word of God to serve our use, and in what wise we ought too put it in ure. Above all, they that are chief in this charge must mark well, that they be not quite discharged when they have faithfully informed the people what is good: but also that they must have the foresaid liveliness of encouraging them, too the intent that such as are dull, may be somewhat quickened: and of comforting such as are in distress, too the intent they may find relief in God: and of rebuking such as delight in their own vices, too spur them in such wise as they may be abashed and ashamed in them selves. And like as the ministers and teachers must apply these things to all men openly:

Seeyng then that wee perceyue how God hathe so well prouided for all things whiche hee knoweth too bee behoosefull, as hee will haue hys worde too serue vs throughly in that behalfe: ought not wee to bee §60the more inslamed too receyue the same worde? Seeing wee perceyuc it too bee suche a treasure, ought wee not (I saye) too receyue it with a cheerefull minde? considering howe it is sweeter than hony, as it is sayde in the nyneteenth Psalme. Also when wee heare the worde of God: it standeth vs in hande too knowe wherefore. There are that would haue a man too doo nothing else but say, Beholde what wee haue too marke vpon this text: and that man should make colde expositions, and that there shoulde bee no exhortations, no rebuking of vices, nor liuelynesse. Yea, but that were as muche as too deface the doctrine of God, as if a man shoulde cut a sunder the sinewes of a body, that it might haue no more strength in it. VVhat is too bee done then? VVhen wee come too a Sermon, or when any man readeth alone by him selfe, wee must vnderstande, that it is Gods intent, not onely too shewe vs what is good, as if he should say, go on that way: but also too rebuke our sinnes in vs, that it may be as a messenger too pricke vs forwarde too learne too humble our selues before him. Is it euen so? Then let vs marke also howe sluggish wee bee, and that wee hye vs not vnto him with suche zele as were requisite, insomuch that hee is fayne to gyue vs some strokes of the spurre too quicken vs vp, and all his exhortations serue too humble vs, and too make vs too submit oure selues frankly to hys will: Thus we see how wee ought to deale to make the worde of God to serue oure vse, and in what wise we ought too put it in vre. Aboue all, they that are cheefe in this charge must marke well, that they bee not quite discharged when they haue faithfully informed the people what is good: but also that they muste haue the foresayd liuelinesse of encouraging them, too the intent that suche as are dull, may be somewhat quickned: and of comforting suche as are in distresse, too the intent they may finde reliefe in God: and of rebukyng such as delight in their owne vices, too spurre them in suche wise as they may be abashed and ashamed in them selues. And like as the ministers and teachers must applye these things to all men openly: