Sermons upon the Book of Job

let us learn to take the whole burden and blame of it upon our selves, and not charge either heaven or earth with it. As for example, when we see the weather distempered, so as there cometh frost, or thunder, or hail: let us assure our selves, it is not the air that is so disposed of it self: or if there come a drought, it is not the heaven that is so hardened of it own nature: or if the earth be barren, it proceedeth not of it own kind, but we our selves are the cause of all. And therefore when §60it is said that we be borne unto it, Eliphas presupposeth, that forasmuch as we be borne to evil, and are wholly inclined to overmany vices: it is meet that we should be handled thereafter, and that God should answer us according as we come unto him. But verily we bring all corruption with us out of our mothers womb, so as we be naturally given to naughtiness and sin: and therefore must our state be suitable thereunto: that is to say forasmuch as god findeth us to be such he must also send us that which he knoweth to be convenient, just and rightful for us. And so Eliphas meaneth not that God created us of purpose to deal so hardly with us: but he taketh man in his corrupt nature ever since he was turned away from God, & saith it is requisite that his estate should be such as it is, because we be not able to conceive how God spreadeth out his goodness upon us, and entreateth us gently, as if we were obedient unto him in all points. But forasmuch as men do never humble themselves except they be constrained thereto by force, but endeavour to strive against god: Eliphas addeth here another sentence, that is to wit, that he turneth himself unto God, and purposeth to reason with him, as if he should say: Men cannot abide to receive this doctrine, namely that it should be told them that they be well worthy to be scourged, and therefore that they must not strive against it, but take all in good worth, & not blame the other creatures for the miseries that they endure, but rather acknowledge themselves to be the cause thereof. Men then cannot stoop to conceive that this is true, except they be made to stoop, by showing them what the majesty of God is. And therefore until we have our sins laid afore us, and be made to perceive how it is God with whom we have too deal:

let vs learne to take the whole burthen and blame of it vppon oure selues, and not charge eyther heauen or earth with it. As for example, when wee see the weather distempered, so as there commeth frost, or thunder, or haile: let vs assure our selues, it is not the aire that is so disposed of it selfe: or if there come a drought, it is not the heauen that is so hardened of it owne nature: or if the earth be barrein, it proceedeth not of it owne kind, but we our selues are the cause of all. And therfore when