Sermons upon the Book of Job

nor yet be amazed as we see the most part to be, who are stricken with such an astonishment, that they know not where they be. Therefore if we bethink us a great while afore hand what our end shall be, and upon what condition we were created: then shall we not perish like fools without thinking upon it. But there is yet more: that is to wit, that we must have a further foresight than to this matter only if we will not perish for ever. Why so? For here is mention made but of men in their own kind. Now it is certain, that if we have not an eye to the renewment which God maketh by the power of his spirit: we must all of us be consumed. And for the better conceiving hereof, let us take the help of that which is said in the hundred and second Psalm. There, to the intent that men should not overlike of themselves in their own state, nor brag of any lustiness of their own: the Prophet giveth us even the very skies for an example. Although we see so high a majesty in them, as we be driven into a maze with it: yet notwithstanding, even those self same skies must grow old, and be changed, and go into corruption as a garment doth. And what then shall become of men? Must not they needs be much more frail? But in the mean season (saith he) the sons of Gods children shall continue. If we be given to the fear of God, we shall have a firm and well settled state. Behold how the Prophet separateth Gods children from the common order of nature, when they have once the seed of life in them, whereof Saint Paul also speaketh in the eight to the Romans. For see how he comforteth us: forasmuch as we be laden with the burden & with the corruptible weight of the body, we have (sayeth he) the spirit of God, which is the seed of our true life, and by his power we shall one day be fully restored. And therefore let us mark well, that such as think upon their frailty as they ought to do: after they have known themselves to be nothing, and that there is nought else but vanity and leasing in them: shall not perish for altogether. And why so? For they seek the remedy which God hath offered them: which is, that they shall be gathered out of this bondage of death, and be renewed by God, who hath chosen them to himself, and make his power to flow down upon them, that they may draw water out of that fountain of life.

nor yet be amazed as wee see the moste part to bee, who are striken with such an astonishmēt, that they know not where they be. Therfore if we bethinke vs a great while afore hande what our end shall be, and vpon what condition we were created: then shall we not perish like fooles without thinking vpon it. But there is yet more: that is to witte, that we must haue a further foresight thā to this matter onely if we will not perish for euer. VVhy so? For here is mention made but of men in their owne kinde. Now it is certaine, that if we haue not an eie to the renewment which God maketh by the power of his spirite: wee must all of vs be consumed. And for the better conceyuing heereof, let vs take the helpe of that which is sayd in the hundred and second Psalme. There, to the intent that men should not ouerlike of themselues in their owne state, nor brag of any lustinesse of their owne: the Prophet giueth vs euen the very skies for an example. Although wee see so hygh a maiesty in them, as wee bee driuen into a maze with it: yet notwithstanding, euen those selfe same skies must grow olde, and be chaunged, and go into corruption as a garment doth. And what then shall become of men? Must not they needes bee much more frayle? But in the meane season (saith he) the sonnes of Gods children shall continue. If wee bee giuen to the feare of God, wee shall haue a firme and well settled state. Behold how the Prophet separateth Gods children from the common order of nature, when they haue once the seede of life in them, whereof Sainct Paule also speaketh in the eyght to the Romanes. For see how hee comforteth vs: forasmuche as we be loden with the burthen & with the corruptible weight of the body, wee haue (sayeth hee) the spirite of God, which is the seede of our true life, and by his power we shall one day bee fully restored. And therefore let vs marke well, that such as thinke vpon their frailtie as they ought to do: after they haue knowen thēselues to be nothing, and that there is nought else but vanity and leasing in them: shall not perish for altogither. And why so? For they seeke the remedy whiche God hath offered them: which is, that they shall bee gathered out of this bondage of death, and be renued by God, who hath chosen them to himselfe, and make his power to flowe downe vpon them, that they may drawe water out of that fountayne of lyfe.