Sermons upon the Book of Job

seeing also that we have such a proudness in us, as we think that God doth us wrong if he chastise us: Seeing (I say) that we have these two so great vices: it is a very hard matter too purge us of them. So much the more therefore must we mind the lesson that is showed us here: that is too wit, that God by scourging us meaneth to bring us back to himself, yea even to our benefit and welfare. Furthermore it behoveth us to mark well the promise that is set down here: that is to wit, that God will beale the wounds which §60•e hath made. True it is that this healing pertaineth not to all men, but only to such as receive his corrections meekly. And by the way let us mark, that God will have all men put in mind to return unto him, considering the gentleness which he showeth them. But what? There are many which taste not the thing that is contained here: and this also is the cause why we see so much impatience, so much murmuring, and so much blasphemy used against God. The corrections light on all through out, but where is the repentance? There is none at all. But we see how it seemeth that men had conspired to withstand God to the uttermost. Why is that? Because there are very few that conceive this present doctrine, or that receive the said promise to say, Lord it is thine office too bind up the wounds which thou hast made, and to heal the sore. And therefore let us remember well this lesson, specially seeing it is so often repeated. For it is not only in this sentence, that the holy Ghost speaketh so: but also we see how it is said, the Lord smiteth us, and healeth us again the third day after: so that if he have given us any stripe with his rod, we should not therefore imagine that he will not be merciful too us when we come unto him. When such exhortations are made unto us in the Prophets, it is all one as if God should say unto us, true it is that I have scourged you for a while, but I will spread out my mercy upon you, and that shall be everlasting: for as if ye felt any anger or any sign of choler (as in a father that is displeased with his children,) it was not because I have hated you, but because I have been fain to make you feel the fruit of your sins, and to do you to understand that I hate them:

seeing also that wee haue suche a proudenesse in vs, as wee thinke that God dothe vs wrong if he chastize vs: Seeyng (I saye) that wee haue these twoo so greate vices: it is a very harde matter too purge vs of them. So muche the more therefore must we mind the lesson that is shewed vs here: that is too witte, that God by scourging vs meeneth to bring vs backe to himselfe, yea euen to our benefite and welfare. Furthermore it behoueth vs to marke well the promisse that is set downe heere: that is to witte, that God will beale the woundes which