Sermons upon the Book of Job

but yet let us not cease to make lusty cheer: if we must needs come before God, well then the time is worth the money. Behold the devilish blasphemies which a man shall hear: and although they pass not out of their mouths, yet are their harts full fraught with them. To be short, we see ungodliness too be so unreasonable and outrageous in these days, as it may well be said that men do make their reckoning to provoke God to anger. Let us learn therefore on our side to walk in such singlehartednesse,§30 as God may not be compelled to lift up his hand, to execute his dreadful power whereof mention is made here: that is to wit, that we perish not, ne be overtaken in our own wiliness. Thus we see what we have to mark in this sentence. And consequently it is said, that God delivereth from the sword and from the hand of them that are too mighty, and that he which is afflicted shall have hope hereafter, and that the mouth of wickedness shall be stopped. This is added further for the comfort of Gods children. For what else is our state in this world than a tormenting §40with many griefs, and a troubling with many anguishes and annoyances? We are then in a continual battle. True it is that God spareth us now and then, as I have said heretofore, because he seeth how we are weak and that if he should give the bridle loose to Satan, and his mates, we should be devoured at the first chop. Well then, our Lord keepeth us as it were brooded under his wings, and yet doth he suffer us to be vexed and troubled and to have many heart-sores given us. And wherefore. To the intent we should be provoked to desire his help, and §50also to the intent we should learn to take heed to ourselves, that we be not surprised by Satan: for there is no other cause of our decay but this negligence, which is, that we flee not unto God in such wise as we be provoked to call upon him. Lo after what manner all of us must be in this world that is to wit, we must be afflicted. And in very deed, the word that signifieth Poor or oppressed in this place, signifieth also well humbled or brought low. And why so? Because that poverty is the true schoolmistress to bring men to mildness that they may not §60be to high-minded in themselves, nor have the said overhardinesse and spiritual drunkenness too adventure too far.

but yet let vs not cease to make lustie cheere: if we must needes come before God, well then the tyme is woorth the monie. Beholde the diuelish blasphemies whiche a man shall heare: and although they passe not out of theyr mouthes, yet are their harts full fraught with them. To be short, we see vngodlinesse too be so vnreasonable and outrageous in these dayes, as it may well be sayde that men do make their reckening to prouoke God to anger. Let vs lerne therfore on our side to walke in such singlehartednesse,