Sermons upon the Book of Job

We see then after what manner divers have expounded this text: namely, that seeing there was no steadfastness in these Angels which fell: what is to be looked for in men whose foundation is of Clay? But we must not seek out forced expositions to magnify the Angels. For this place speaketh of Gods servants, and the title is honourable. Eliphas would not have said, God hath not found steadfastness in his servants, but he would have said, Behold the Devils which were heretofore appointed too the service of God: But now they be fallen after such an horrible fashion, that by their fall all things are brought into a wavering, in so much that even mankind also is come to the like perdition, and is drawn into the self same decay. Eliphas would have spoken so: but he saith, God found no truth in his Angels: he found folly or vanity: He sayeth not that he found Rebellion or backsliding, but he saith only vanity, which is a greater manner of speech. So then when all is well considered, no doubt but Eliphas speaketh here, of the Angels that serve God, and give themselves wholly thereunto. And ⟨p. 81⟩what meaneth he then by saying that there was no steadfastness, but rather vanity and unsteadfastness in them? When Saint Paul sayeth that there is none immortal but only God: it is certain that he excludeth all creatures. And yet we know that the Angels are immortal spirits. For God hath created them of purpose, that they should not any more return to nothing, no more than the soul of man may at any time dye. Howe then shall we make these sentences agree, that the Angels are created to live everlastingly: and that there is none immortal §10but only God? The solution is very easy. For the Angels are immortal, because they be sustained by power from above, and because God maintaineth them, who being the immortal nature it self and the very fountain of life, is in them, as it is said in the Psalm, O Lord, the fountain of life dwelleth in thee, and in thy light shall we see light. Then seeing there is no life but in God only, and yet notwithstanding the same is no hinderance to the spreading of life into all creatures, because it proceedeth of his grace: we perceive how §20the Angels are immortal, and yet have no steadfastness in themselves, but have need of God to strengthen them by his mere goodness.

VVee see then after what maner diuers haue expounded this texte: namely, that seeing there was no stedfastnesse in these Angels which fell: what is to be looked for in men whose foundation is of Clay? But we must not seke out forced expositions to magnifie the Angels. For this place speaketh of Gods seruants, and the tytle is honorable. Eliphas would not haue sayde, God hath not founde stedfastnesse in his seruants, but hee would haue sayde, Beholde the Diuelles which were heretofore appoynted too the seruice of God: But nowe they be falne after suche an horrible fashion, that by their fall all things are brought into a wauering, in so much that euē mankind also is come to the like perdition, and is drawne into the selfe same decay. Eliphas woulde haue spoken so: but he sayth, God found no truth in his Angelles: hee founde follie or vanitie: Hee sayeth not that he founde Rebellion or backesliding, but he sayth onely vanitie, which is a greater maner of speeche. So then when all is well considered, no doubt but Eliphas speaketh heere, of the Angelles that serue God, and giue themselues wholly therevnto. And