Sermons upon the Book of Job

Eliphas had received such manner of doctrine as this, which was good. But now he layeth all the burden upon Job, and thinketh himself to have won his spurs by overcharging him that had served God faithfully. We see then, that for the general case, Eliphas boasteth not in vain, that he had bin taught of God. But he playeth the ill scholar in this point, that he taketh no heed to himself, but intendeth to oppress Job contrary to the truth. Now let us come to lay forth the whole matter particularly. He sayeth, That a thing was brought too him in secrete, and that his ear had heard a little of it: Yea (saith he) in a vision by night, that I heard a blast which whisked hither and thither, and at the last there was a voice, which spake too me in silence. True it is that he addeth, that there was also an Image: and whereas he sayeth he knew not what it was, saving that he was abashed even that he shuddered all his body over, and that the hairs of his flesh stood staring up for fear and astonishment, and that he was as in a trance: all this tendeth to show, that he reporteth no dreams here, but that it is the very testimony of God which must be received with authority. And hereby we see that in all the visions which the ancient fathers had, God did s•t certain tokens to amaze them, and too put them in some terror and fear which served too authorize his word, too the ⟨p. 78⟩end it should be received the better. For we see how men are not so well inclined too hear God speak as they ought too be, except he make them too feel his Majesty. If a man of some great estate speak unto us, it is a wonder too see how we be more earnest too hearken unto him, than we be too hear or read the holy Scripture. Whereof cometh this, but of that we be carnal and beastly? Now too remedy such faultiness, it hath pleased God too give always some tokens of his Majesty, too the intent that his word might be received,§10 and that men should take them to be of the greater credit and authority. Also when mention is made of any visions in the holy Scripture, it is always said that the holy fathers have been stricken in some fear, and not without, cause for so it behoved them too be prepared to humility, that they might obey God simply. There is yet another reason:

Eliphas had receiued such maner of doctrine as this, which was good. But nowe he layeth all the burthen vpon Iob, and thinketh himselfe to haue woone his spurs by ouercharging him that had serued God faithfully. VVee see then, that for the generall case, Eliphas boasteth not in vaine, that he had bin taught of God. But he playeth the yll scholer in this point, that he taketh no heede to himselfe, but intendeth to oppresse Iob contrarie to the truth. Now let vs come to lay forth the whole matter particularly. Hee sayeth, That a thing was brought too him in secrete, and that his eare had hearde a little of it: Yea (sayth hee) in a vision by night, that I heard a blast which whisked hither and thither, and at the last there was a voyce, whiche spake too me in silence. True it is that he addeth, that there was also an Image: and whereas hee sayeth hee knewe not what it was, sauing that hee was abashed euen that hee shuddered all his bodie ouer, and that the heares of his fleshe stoode staring vp for feare and astonishemente, and that he was as in a traunce: all this tendeth to shewe, that he reporteth no dreames here, but that it is the verye testimonie of God whiche muste bee receiued with authoritie. And heereby wee see that in all the visions whiche the auncient fathers had, God dyd st certaine tokens to amaze them, and too put them in some terrour and feare which serued too authorize his woorde, too the