Sermons upon the Book of Job

and secondly not too take too much §50pleasure in our own lusts, but rather too forsake all worldly things, and finally to call upon God, which is the principallest point of all. For as long as men be at their ease, although they dare not say, that they can go beyond God: yet by their doings they show themselves so sotted, as they have no mind too call upon God, nor to commend them selves unto him. Ye see then why God suffereth his servants to be afflicted in such wise, yea even as to be pinched with anguish of heart, that they wot not where to become any more. Therefore let §60us bear this doctrine well in mind, considering •hat it is so much for our profit: and furthermore above all, let us advise our selves too practise it at our need. Whensoever we shall be oppressed by men, and when it shall seem that we must needs perish: seeing it is declared here how it is Gods office to lift up them that are so oppressed, and to recomfort them that are so in sorrow: let us not doubt but he will perform his promise: for he hath not forgotten his nature: we shall certainly find that he will show himself to be the same which he was at the beginning. And here we see also wherefore he abaseth such as are advanced too some dignity or honour. When some man beholdeth such back-tumblings, he thinks it to be but the wheel of fortune: the wicked sort grudge that God should play so with men as with a ball: but this happeneth by reason of the unthankfulness of such as are in high estate. For they forget from whence their welfare cometh, and thereupon they be so sotted with their greatness, that they wax stout against God, and divers ways fall too outrage, and therefore God is fain too abate such manner of pride. And so we see the cause that maketh God too pull down those whom he had exalted afore: namely (I say) because they can not keep themselves within the bounds of modesty, nor give the glory unto God, nor know what they are of themselves, and contrariwise the honour that God hath done unto them, but forget themselves, and advance themselves without measure. And therefore God is fain to show them how •bey be nothing, and that they do but beguile them selves by their pride.

and secondly not too take too muche §50pleasure in oure owne lustes, but rather too forsake all worldly thinges, and finally to call vpon God, whiche is the principallest pointe of all. For as long as men bee at their ease, although they dare not say, that they can goe beyond God: yet by their doings they shewe themselues so sotted, as they haue no minde too call vpon God, nor to commende them selues vnto him. Yee see then why God suffreth his seruauntes to bee afflicted in suche wise, yea euen as to bee pinched with anguishe of hearte, that they wote not where to become any more. Therefore let