Sermons upon the Book of Job

But forasmuch as we be so froward, that we cease not to offend god: [and besides §10that] do play the hypocrites with him, seeking to conceal our faults from him: and forasmuch as there is so great pride in us, that we would have God to let us alone and to uphold us in our lusts, and finally would be his judges rather than he should be ours, considering (I say) how we be so froward: it standeth God on hand to use some violent remedy to draw us unto him. For if he should handle us altogether by gentleness, what would become of it. We see this thing partly even in young children. For if their fathers and mothers chastise them not, they send them §20to the gallows. True it is that they perceive it not: howbeit experience showeth it, and we have common proverbs of it, that the more that fathers cocker their children, the more do they mar them: and the mothers do it yet much more: for they be fond in flattering of them, and in the mean while do bring them to naught: Herein God showeth us as it were small beams of that thing which is much more in himself. For if he should handle us mildly, we should be utterly undone and past recovery. Therefore he must be fain to show himself a father §30towards us, and to be rough with us, seeing we are of so sturdy a nature, that if he should deal gently with us, we should take no good by it. Ye see how we may attain to the truth of this doctrine, that the man is happy whom God chastiseth: that is to wit, by considering what our nature is, namely how it is stubborn, how it is hard to be framed to order, and that if God should never chastise us, it were not for our profit: and therefore that it is needful that he should hold us short, and that he should give us so many lashes with the whip, as we should be constrained §40to regard him whither we would or no. Then shall we at length come to conclude, that the man is happy whom God chastiseth: yea verily if he add the second grace unto it: that is to wit, if he make his rods and his corrections to avail, and cause the holy Ghost to work in such wise in the hart, as a man may no more be hardened to advance himself against God, but may have the care too think upon his own sins, and be rightly tamed and humbled.

But forasmuch as we be so froward, that we cease not to offend god: [and besides §10