Sermons upon the Book of Job

After that Eliphas hath showed his reason, that Job had not served God faithfully, and with a pure heart, at least wise §30not of any affection that he had to do so: here he addeth Gods authority, to show that Job neither can nor ought by any means to reply, that he should not be condemned of God by good right. Some men think that Eliphas boasteth here of the having of some revelation, which he nevertheless had not. But if all be well considered: there is no doubt, but that his pretending that God had revealed such a matter unto him, is a matter of certainty. For we must hold this for a principle, that these general sentences §40which he allegeth are good, but yet ill-applied. And we must not think it strange, that God should inspire him after that manner. For nowadays we be taught after an other fashion than were the fathers of that age. God speaketh unto us. But how? It is in such wise, as that the Prophets are the instruments of the holy Ghost, and we have the Gospel wherein God showeth himself familiarly. Then let us look upon the manner of speaking which God useth nowadays in his Church: which is, that he hath disclosed his whole will unto us in his holy Scriptures.§50 In times paste God opened himself to such as it pleased him to show that special favour. And how? By visions, as the holy Scripture witnesseth. So then let us assure our selves that Eliphas was an excellent man: and therefore we must not think it strange, that God should appear unto him in vision by night, and that he should know that thing which the Scripture teacheth us this day. Then is not the pretending of this matter a false brag. But Eliphas doth out of doubt in this case misapply that thing to an evil purpose in the person of Job, which §60had bin revealed unto him for an other end and use. For we see that God showeth him, that men ought too walk in lowliness. Behold, whereunto this vision which was given him tendeth: that is to wit, that men should not stand in their own conceit, nor be puffed up in pride, to think themselves righteous or of great worthiness: but that they should understand, that when they come to show themselves before God, there is nothing but sin in them, by reason whereof they must needs be confounded, and therefore must have an eye to their corruptions and be sorry for the same.

AFter that Eliphas hathe shewed his reason, that Iob had not serued God faithfully, and with a pure heart, at least wise