Sermons upon the Book of Job

so must every one of us apply it to himself, following that which the Apostle saith in the Epistle to the Hebrews: for in alleging the saying of the prophet Isaiah, he saith we must not tarry till others speak too us, but every one of us must be a schoolmaster to him self. As if he should say, Behold how that unto all such as are appointed to carry abroad Gods word in his name, the Prophet Isaiah giveth commandment to comfort the trembling knees, to stay up the hands of such as faint, to relieve such as are oppressed, and too pull them back into the right path, which are gone astray. But yet nevertheless my friends (saith he) mark how every one of you also is bound to succour him that is weak and feeble, to cherish him that is weary and out of heart, to comfort them that are oppressed with sorrow, and (to be short) to employ him self in that which he knoweth to be meet and expedient for the welfare of his neighbours: and finally, that every one of us must do the duty of a preacher towards him self. Lo what we have to mark in this text. And whereas record is given unto Job, that he had instructed many. Here is showed us, first the excellent virtue that was in him. And we must also take instruction by it too do the like: that is to wit, to draw all men with us (as ⟨p. 71⟩much as in us lieth) too serve God with one common consent. True it is, that all men are not endued with so great gifts: but yet must every man consider his own measure, and employ him self according as God hath given him ability towards his neighbours. Therefore we must understand, that whatsoever God hath imprinted in each of us for the common building up of his Church, we must discharge our selves of it, and according to the gifts that every of us hath received, so must he profit others, and all of us must communicate togethers,§10 that we may go to God with one accord, and every man show openly that he hath a desire too serve his neighbours turn. But now let us come to the conclusion that Eliphas maketh. Forasmuch (saith he) as thou art out of patience when the adversity is come upon thee: it must needs be said, that thou hast been but an hypocrite, and that the fear which thou hast had, was but a hope and a looking that God should always favour thee.

so muste euery one of vs apply it to himselfe, following that whiche the Apostle sayth in the Epistle to the Hebrues: for in alleaging the saying of the prophet Esay, he sayth wee must not tarrye till others speake too vs, but euery one of vs must bee a scholemaster to him selfe. As if he should saye, Beholde how that vnto all such as are appoynted to carrie abroade Gods worde in his name, the Prophet Esay giueth commaundement to comfort the trembling knees, to stay vp the handes of suche as faynt, to releeue such as are oppressed, and too pull them backe intoo the right pathe, which are gone astray. But yet neuerthelesse my freends (sayth he) marke howe euery one of you also is bounde to succour him that is weake and feeble, to cherishe him that is weery and out of heart, to comforte them that are oppressed with sorrowe, and (to be short) to imploy him selfe in that which he knoweth to bee meete and expedient for the welfare of his neyghbours: and finallye, that euery one of vs must do the duetie of a preacher towards him selfe. Lo what we haue to marke in this texte. And whereas recorde is gyuen vnto Iob, that he had instructed many. Heere is shewed vs, first the excellent vertue that was in hym. And we must also take instruction by it too doo the lyke: that is to witte, to drawe all men with vs (as