Sermons upon the Book of Job

First and foremost we have too bear in mind what was declared yesterday: which is, that to serve God aright, we must be led §30by a free-hearted affection, to give our selves unto him without having any respect of being well entreated at his hand afterward, or that he will send us our own hearts desire. For as for those that will so indent with God to receive at Gods hand what soever they themselves desire: first they show themselves too be overfleshly, and too much given too their lusts: and secondly they would bind God after a very strange fashion,§40 and behave not themselves as children towards their father. For they be driven by a slavish respect, they be hirelings, and wagismen. What must we do then? Referring our selves to Gods good pleasure, we must have such a constancy in us, as too honour him both in woe and weal, and too desire too be his, and too continue in the obeying of him, what soever he do too us, or how soever he dispose of us. If we be not of this mind, all the service we can do him shall like him never a whit, notwithstanding that it be never §50so well liked and esteemed of the world. And therefore let us not refer our fearing and reverencing of God, too the end that we would have him do what we list. But although he be rough and sharp towards us, so as it may sometimes seem that he would thunder upon us: yet nevertheless let us abide still in awe, and say: Lord it is reason that thou shouldest reign over thy creatures. Also it is not for the child to command his father, nor too bind him too the stake, but too say: Here I am Sir, govern you me according §60too your good pleasure, for I protest I desire nothing but to be subject unto you. Behold what we have to do. But surely we know well enough, that (as the Scripture showeth us) it is not lost labour to serve God, for he hath promised us a plentiful reward, and we shall not be disappointed of our expectation. But yet must the said free-hearted affection go before it, that we make not any bargaining with God to say he is bound to us according too our appetites, and that he must of necessity grant us what so ever we have imagined in our own brain. Lo how gods servants knowing that their service is acceptable, & that it shall not be unprofitable, do notwithstanding not rest themselves upon the reward that is promised them:

FIrst and formost wee haue too beare in mind what was declared yesterday: which is, that to serue God aright, wee must bee ledde