Sermons upon the Book of Job

The .xxj. Sermon, which is the fifth upon the fifth Chapter.

The .xxj. Sermon, which is the fifth vpon the fifth Chapter.

17 Behold, the man is blessed whom God correcteth: Therefore refuse not thou the chastisement of the Almighty. 18 It is he that maketh the wound, and which by ndeth it up [It is he] which smiteth, and which bringeth life.

17 Beholde, the man is blissed vvhome God correcteth: Therefore refuze not thou the chastizement of the Almightie. 18 It is hethat maketh the vvound, and vvhich by ndeth it vp [It is he] vvhich smyteth, and vvhiche bringeth lyfe.

Heretofore Eliphas hath declared what the power of God is, that we might be in the better readiness too receive the doctrine which he addeth. For we see what the cause is why we be not so teachable as were requisite, namely, because we know not what the majesty of God is, that […]stand in awe of it. Therefore we have need to show,§10 how God governeth the world, and to consider his infinite righteousness, power, and wisdom. Now if the wicked be confounded because God showeth himself against them, and so have their mouths stopped: what must become of us? for God must not constrain us to do him honour: it is enough that▪ he giveth us occasion, and that he showeth how there is just cause for us to do it, and we must come to it of our own good accord. So then, let us bear in mind what hath been declared heretofore: namely, that when Gods judgements are laid §20afore us, it is no matter to laughed at, nor to dally with, but it behoveth all creatures to tremble at them. And now it is said, that the man is blessed whom God chastiseth, and therefore that we must not refuse the corrections of the Almighty. If a man should tell us that God doeth men no wrong when he becometh their judge and useth great severity and rigour towards them: verily this ought to touch us near enough: but yet we would be so astonished at this doctrine, as if a man had given us a knock on the head with a beetle. What is to be done then? There