Sermons upon the Book of Job

Thus we see at what point we must begin, if we mind to have a true rule of wisdom. And afterward let us enter into our own selves too understand our own vices and wants, that we may mislike our selves for them, and sigh when we see that we keep not our way forth on to Godward as we ought to do. When we have done so, we may have a good discretion to judge of fools. For although the world clap their hands at the wicked: yet let not us cease too set light by them, yea and to hate them, and to abhor them, as it is said in the fifteenth Psalm. For we must have none in estimation but such as walk in the fear of God. Behold who ought to be honourable, and honoured among us. For as for all these despisers of God which delight in naughtiness: we must esteem them but as dirt and mire, we must account their doings but as filth, so as we cannot abide the stink of it. For they live not but to the dishonour of God: and when men make reverence to them, or sooth them up: we must abhor them as dogs, and as filthiness that doth but infect the whole world. Thus we see how we ought to proceed, that we may judge accordingly with God. And therewithal let us also practise the thing that is set down here when Eliphas saith, that he out of hand deemed them accursed whom the world thought to have attained too the full measure of all felicity. Whereby it is meant, that we must not change our opinion, according to the alterations that we see in the world, when we perceive the wicked to be exalted, so as it seemeth to us that all will come to naught, or rather that God executeth not his office any more, and that it is all one to do good or evil, and that it is to no purpose to do well. Therefore let us not be so swift and hasty too judge according to the success of things: but let us consider, that be the world never so troublesome, we must always conclude, that whatsoever God hath once declared unto us, shall be fulfilled. To be short, there is no reason why we should measure Gods judgements after our own fancy. But let us hearken to that which he saith unto us, and although that at the first dash we perceive not the effect and accomplishment of that which is contained in the holy Scripture: yet let faith work in that behalf, and hold us back, and let not our wits rove here and there, but let us say:

Thus we see at what point we must begin, if we minde to haue a true rule of wisedome. And afterwarde let vs enter into our owne selues too vnderstande our owne vices and wantes, that we may mislyke our selues for them, and sigh when we see that we keepe not our way forth on to Godwarde as wee ought to do. VVhen we haue done so, we may haue a good discretion to iudge of fooles. For although the worlde clappe their handes at the wicked: yet let not vs ceasse too set light by them, yea and to hate them, and to abhorre them, as it is sayde in the fiftenth Psalme. For we must haue none in estimation but such as walke in the feare of God. Behold who ought to be honourable, and honoured among vs. For as for all these despisers of God which delight in naughtinesse: we must esteeme them but as dirt and myre, wee must account their doings but as filth, so as we cannot abide the stinche of it. For they liue not but to the dishonour of God: and when men make reuerence to them, or sooth them vp: we must abhorre them as dogges, and as filthinesse that doth but infect the whole worlde. Thus we see howe wee ought to proceede, that wee may iudge accordingly with God. And therewithall let vs also practise the thing that is set downe here when Eliphas sayth, that hee out of hande demed them accursed whome the worlde thought to haue attayned too the full measure of all felicitie. VVherby it is ment, that we must not change our opinion, according to the alterations that wee see in the worlde, when we perceyue the wicked to be exalted, so as it seemeth to vs that all will come to naught, or rather that God executeth not his office any more, and that it is al one to do good or euill, and that it is to no purpose to do well. Therefore let vs not be so swift and hastie too iudge according to the successe of things: but let vs consider, that be the worlde neuer so troublesome, wee must alwayes conclude, that whatsoeuer God hath once declared vnto vs, shall be fulfilled. To be short, there is no reason why we should measure Gods iudgementes after our owne fansie. But let vs hearken to that which he sayth vnto vs, and although that at the first dashe we perceyue not the effect and accomplishment of that which is conteyned in the holy Scripture: yet let fayth worke in that behalfe, and holde vs backe, and let not our wittes roaue here and there, but let vs say: