Sermons upon the Book of Job

Where as it is said here, that God exalteth such as are despised: it is a sentence well worthy to be borne §10in mind. For hereby we be warned too repair unto him when we see our selves so oppressed by the proud, as it seemeth that we shall be utterly overwhelmed: specially forasmuch as it is, said that God plucketh him back too safety, which is vexed at the hart. If we be so tormented with adversities, as we be in extreme anguish: let us learn to call upon our God, sith he challengeth it as his office to save those that are in such distress as they are able too endure §20no more. True it is that God can give his servants such prosperity, as they shall never be disquieted: but he hath rightful reason to move him not to do it. For we see the pride that is in mans nature, and although it appear not fully, yet is the seed of it hidden there. God therefore must remedy it: and the mean thereof is to tame us by affliction. Surely we shall see divers that will suffer many adversities, and yet for all that be never the more humbled. For like as a resty jade will suffer himself to be beaten, and his belly to be ripped, rather than §30he will obey: so is it with them that are stubborn too the uttermost. But when it pleaseth God too tame men, he maketh the afflictions to be of force which he sendeth too them, so as they serve for medicines too purge them of the said pride and presumptuousness, whereout of they could not otherwise draw themselves. We see then how it is not without cause that God doth so exercise his children, as even too suffer them too be despised too the worldwarde, and too be scorned, and too be quite and clean without authority or credit,§40 and (to be short) too seem too be utterly forsaken of him. Why then doth he so? Because they have need to be in such a school. Wherefore sendeth he them so many adversities, that they are fain to sigh and groan, and wot not on which side too turn them? It is too make them too call upon him, and too flee unto him for refuge. We see then how that by these afflictions we be taught, first to know ourselves, that we presume not any thing of our selves, nor be puffed up with pride and stateliness:

WHere as it is sayde heere, that God exalteth suche as are despised: it is a sentence well worthy to bee borne §10