Sermons upon the Book of Job

Paul (when he hath said that we must groan so longas we live in this world) addeth, not for that we desire to be unclothed, (for we desire to be here still: behold whereunto our nature driveth us) but because we know there is another better dwelling place prepared for us, when this lodging of ours is once destroyed, & that God will cloth us with his own immortality,§30 & bring us again into our true state. And this is the thing wherein we differ from the unbelievers, and from those that have not tasted a whit of Gods grace. Thus we see why it is said in this sentence, Shall not all their excellency be taken away with them? For if ye do but behold what the present state of men is, & consider what they be in themselves: ye must needs conclude that they be brought to nothing by death. But we have the grace of God, which is a supernatural succour to us, insomuch that in perishing we perish not, & when we be unclothed we be immediately §40clothed again, as I have said already. And thus we see why Eliphas addeth, Not in wisdom. For he intendeth always to condemn men because they be so blockish, as they never think upon themselves. Then let us mark, that it is great wisdom to prepare our selves unto ••ath, & to pass through it cheerfully when we come at it. I say we shall have profited greatly, and be reputed for wise in Gods sight, when we shall have learned this present lesson throughly, & be able to put it in ure to receive fruit by it: and yet notwithstanding we see how every man shunneth §50it. For it is a melancholic matter, insomuch that if a man speak of death, every man is grieved at it, & falls into his dumps. Nevertheless the case so standeth, that if men set not their minds upon it: they must needs overshoot themselves in all their devises, & in all their consultations: and all the greatest wisdom that they ween to have, must needs be turned into foolishness. And wherefore? For is there any greater folly, than for a man not to know himself? to what purpose serve all our wisdom & discretion, but to look to our selves? And so they that think §60not upon death, ne put themselves in mind of it, overshoot themselves as much as is possible for them. Yea they could find in their hearts, to play the wild Colts in forgetting themselves.