Shoulde Gods goodnesse deface his glorie Ought it too barre vs from humbling ourselues vnto him from yelding him his due honour No but cleane contrary For what is the cause that our Lorde speaketh so grosly in the holy Scripture It is his infinite goodnesse who seeing our wittes so dull stāmereth with vs Seeing the cace standeth so let vs learne to yeeld reuerence to the holy scripture notwithstanding that our Lord vse an ordinary maner of speach yea euen such a grosse speach as serueth for homely folks that are vnlearned But there is yet more for S. Paule telleth vs that we must so much the better beholde the heauenly power and godly maiestie that is in the holy Scripture seeing there is no paynting nor filed language after the manner of the worldlings that studie Rethorike and colour theyr woordes with a fonde brauery In the holye Scripture then we finde grosse language But behold the Maiestie of God sheweth it selfe therewithall There is no fleshly nor earthly thing to set any glosse vpon it but wee are conuinced that God discouereth his owne arme there yea and we be constrayned to feele it and to speake it And therefore so little ought the simplicitie of the holy Scripture to cause vs to despise it as we see the proude stinking sorte doo whiche make no account of it that it ought rather to make vs perceyue that God needeth not to borow any helpes elsewhere that his power sheweth it selfe there as it were too eyesight too the ende wee should be the more moued to honour him to submitte our selues wholly vnto him Therfore let vs marke well that it is not ynough for vs to haue a good desire to profite in the holy Scripture but also that we must come to it with all reuerence and desire nothing but to embrace al that is conteyned there not hauing oure tongues filed to prattle with God nor bringing any doctrine or disputations against the pure doctrine of the Scripture but cōcluding generally and saying looke whatsoeuer is sayde to vs here or whatsoeuer we reade here wee knowe it to be the truth of god Lorde seeing thou haste spoken it it is ynough for vs It is not for vs to reply it is meete for vs to stād to that which thou hast vttered without any gaynsaying Ye see then that the thing which we haue to note in this worde VVisdome is that where as men are drawen away by theyr owne vayne imaginations whē they buyld newe wisdomes in the ayre we must say that our Lorde hath not without cause intitled his worde by the name of wisdome For his qualifying of it after that sort is to shew vs that we must come thither and submit ourselues vnto it rest wholly there And why For it is the thing wherin lyeth our whole perfectiō And as touching that which is sayde of the feare of God like as Golde and Siluer are tryed in the fornace or by the tutchstone so muste we be tryed that it may be knowne whither we haue profited in the holy Scripture that is to say whither wee bee edified in the feare of God or no. VVe go to a sermon and they that haue the commoditie doo reade Holye Scripture also Very well it is a good and holy exercise and would God wee were yet much more giuen vnto it without all comparison than we be But yet therewithall it behoueth vs to know whither wee haue bestowed our time well or no. And howe shall we knowe that Not by that wee can skill to talke of it and giue fayre answeres to mennes demaundes nor that we bee able to resolue all doubtes that shall be alledged nor that we can giue fitte expositions to the texte ▪ to say thus must they be vnderstoode True it is that these things are necessary but that is not all Howe then shall it bee knowne whither wee haue profited eyther by Sermons or by reading of Gods woorde wee shall know it by this namely if our life yeelde recordes of it If wee feare God it is a token that wee haue studied well in his schole and that like as he on his side hath bene a good and faythfull schoolemaister so wee on oure side haue not loste our tyme Thus muche haue wee too marke And furthermore wee see that when the holye Scripture intendeth too giue a good and sure marke too discerne the faythfull from the despizers of God it sayeth let thē that feare the Lord prayse him you that feare the Lorde enter into his house Let them that feare God be glad and reioyce Let men that feare God rest boldly vpon him Ye that feare God blesse the lord This I say is the true marke whereby to discerne Gods flocke from all the wilde beastes that raunge abroade So then if wee come to a Sermon or haue the Bible in our handes let vs learne to knowe that God meeneth not too puffe vs vp with vayne presumptiō of knowledge nor to scratch our eares when they itch nor yet to teach vs nice poynts but to edifie vs in his feare that wee may honoure and serue him ▪ if we shoote at this marke then shall we not roue in the holy Scripture as wee were wont to do For whereof cōmeth this vice that men cannot finde in their hartes to stoope to take holde of that which is for their profite but euery man forgeth I wote not what by himselfe whereof also procede so many Errours Heresies false opinions so far out of square It is bicause we know not wherevnto God would guide vs by his word that also is the cause why we cast the feare of God behind our backes bearing ourselues in hand that the holy Scripture is giuen vs to a far other vse Now seing that men do so abuse Godsword and euery man vnhalloweth it vngraciously so much the more behooueth it vs to marke well this texte where the holy Ghost giueth vs the maner of examination whereby to trie who bee of good right vnderstanding To bring this to passe as I haue sayd already we muste know God as hee is For wee shall neuer feare him aright vntill that like as he sheweth himselfe to vs so we knowe him to bee our God our Mayster our Sauiour and our Father And here you see also why Salomon in the text that we alledged out of the first chapter of his Prouerbes sayeth that the knowledge of holy things is the true vnderstanding After he had spoken of the feare of God he setteth down the knowledge of holie things Seeing then that the holy Ghost hath knit these two things togither in vnseparable bonde it behooueth vs also to knit them togither Hereby he meeneth that the feare of God will neuer be in vs till we be come to the poynt that we spake of whiche is that we know Gods mercy as it is offered vs in our Lord Iesus Christe Namely that wee bee drawne vnto him by his goodnesse where through he allureth
and fall downe and serue them whiche the Lorde thy GOD hath distributed to all people vnder the whole heauen 593. b 26. 745. a 13. 24. God is a consuming fire 395. a 30. 643. a 28. 6. 5. Thou shalt loue thy GOD vvith all thy hart soule and vnderstanding 570. b 40. 10. GOD hath promised to Israell to make them dvvell in houses whiche they haue not builded 388. a 46. 8. 3. Man lyueth not by breade onely but by euery woorde that proceedeth out of the mouth of god 347. a 54. 3. God hath fedde his people of Israell in the Desert vvith Manna to geeue vs knovvledge that man liueth not by bread onely but by all that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord. 385. a 13. 10. 17. GOD accepteth no persons nor taketh no gyftes 673. a 20. 12. 7. You shall eate before God and you shall reioyce 376. a 42. 7. They that feare GOD shall eate and reioice before him 448. b 46. 7. You shall reioyce in all that in the which God hath blessed you 509. b 55. 7. Thou shalt reioyce in the presence of thy God 510. a 30. 7. Thou shalt reioyce before the the Lorde thy God eating and drinking 592. a 40. 18. Thou shalt reioyce before God in al that thou puttest thy hand too 509. b 58. 32. All that God commaundeth vs we ought to doe without putting any thing there too or taking ought there from 327. a 25. 15. 9. Bevvare that there bee not a wicked thought in thine hart to say the seauenth yeare the yeare of freedome is at hande and that thine eye bee not euill against thy brother to giue him nought then I will heare his crye 468. a 28. 16. 19. Rewardes blinde the eyes of the wise and peruert the woordes of the iust 315. b 52. 18. 11 Thou shalt not goe to witches and inchaunters or that councelleth vvith famyliar spirites nor aske counsell at the deade 624 a 54. 18. God will rayse vp a Prophet from amongst vs 624. a 59 24. 12. 13. If it bee a poore body thou shalt not sleepe vvith his pledge but shalt restore him his pledge when the Sunne goeth downe that hee may sleepe in his rayment 431. a 45. 15. Thou shalt not defraude the hirelinge of his wages leste hee crye agaynste thee 468. a 25. 17. Thou shalt not take the wydovves rayment to pledge 431. a 35. 27. 16. Cursed bee hee that Curseth his Father and moother 204. a 30. 15. Cursed be the man that shall make any carued or molten Image vvhiche is abhomination vnto the Lorde 26. Cursed bee hee that cofirmeth not all the vvordes of this law to doe them 26. Cursed be hee that hath not fulfilled all the law 261. a 2. 28. 1. If Israell doe the will of God he vvill set him vp on high aboue all the nations of the earth 447. a 15. 2. If Israell dooe the will of GOD hee shall bee fylled wyth all maner of blessinges 447. a 16. 4. The fruite of thy bodie shal be blessed and the fruit of thy ground and the fruite of thy cattell 417. b 3. 229. a 45. 10. All people of the earth shall see that the name of the LORDE is called vppon ouer the godly and they shall feare him 11. God maketh the Godly to abounde in riches and in the fruite of his body 351. a 59. 15. 18. If Israell vvill not obey the voyce of the Lorde Cursed shall bee the fruite of his body the fruite of his Lande the fruite of his kyne and sheepe 15. VVhosoeuer obeyeth not the voyce of the Lorde shall bee afflicted after diuers sortes 606. b 2â— 22. The LORDE will smite the trensgressours of the Lavve with the swoorde and will pursue him till hee make him peryshe 230. a 29. 23. The heauen that shall bee ouer thy heade shall bee brasse and the earth that is vnder thee shall bee of Iron 240. b 46. 744. b 49. 25. The Lorde shall cause the transgressour of the Law to fall before his enemies 230. a 11 30. The rebels shall plant the vineyardes but they shall gather no grapes 349. a 56. 471. a 28. 33. People vnknowen shall eate the fruite of the earthe of the wicked and all his labours 306. a 36. 38. 39. 40. Thou shalt sowe and gather lyttle thou shalt plant a Vineyarde and shalt not drinke of the wyne thou shalt haue Oliue trees but shalt not anointe thy selfe vvith the oyle 471. a 26. 48. The transgressour of the Lawe shall serue his enemie vvhich the Lorde shall sende vppon him 230. a 14. 49. The LORD shall rayse against the transgressours of the law a people from a farre euen from the endes of the earth flying swift as an Eagle 230 a 24. 65. GOD vvill giue a trembling heart vnto the transgressours of the Lavve and dazeling eyes and a sorrovvfull minde 230. a 14. 66. 67. Thy lyfe shall hange beefore thee and thou shalt feare both night and day and haue none assuraunce of thy lyfe Thou shalt saye in the morning would to God it were eueninge and at eueninge thou shalt saye woulde GOD it were morning for the feare of thine heart which thou shalt feare and for the sight of thine eys which thou shalt see 111. b 5. 66. 67. Thy lyfe shall hang before thee thou shalt say in the morning would GOD it were euening 111. b 5. 29. 4. The Lorde hath not giuen you an hart to perceiue eyes to see and cares to heare vnto this day 335. a 11. 29. The secrets of the Lorde are not reuealed vnto vs for to doe aii the words of this law 772. a 33. 30. 6. The Lorde will circumcise thine hart and the hart of thy seede that thou mayest loue the Lord with all thine hart and with all thy soule that thou mayest liue 225. a 15. 12. VVho shall goe beyonde the sea who shal goe vp to heauen who shall goe dovvne into the deepe to bring vs the worde that is very nere vs. 221. a 46. 527. a 28. 19. I call heauen and earth to record this day against you that I haue set before you life and death blessing and cursing therfore chuse life that thou mayest liue 685. a 39. 32. 2. My doctrine shall droppe as the raine my woorde shall distill as doth the devv 551. a 48. 10. GOD keepeth his people as the apple of his eye 182. b 56. 11. The Eagle fluttereth ouer her byrdes stretcheth out her winges taketh them and beareth them on her winges 146. b 42. 15. He that should haue ben vpight vvaxed fat and hath spurned 441. a 50. 22. The fyre is kindled in my wrath and shall burne vnto the bottom of hell and shall consume the earth with her incrase set on fire the soundations of the mountaynes 5â—â— a 23. 34. Althings are shut vp in gods Cofers 208. a 22. 323 b 8. 34. Is not this layd in store wyth me sealed vp among my treasures 581. a 45.
5. 8 I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercies and in thy feare will I worship towardes thy holy Temple 464. a 31. 7. 10. God tryeth the heart and the reines 149. a 6. 16. The wicked shall fal in the pit that he hath digged 75. a 15. 8. 2. 10. The name of the Lorde is great and excellent through out all the earth 495. b 23. 5. VVhat is man that thou art mindfull or him 146. a 40. 9. 3. Thou turnest man to destruction againe thou saiest returne yee sonnes of men 764. a 33. 10. 4. The wicked is so fierce that he careth not for God he thinketh that there is no God. 596. a 53. 6. The wicked sayth in his heart I shall neuer be moued bicause he seeleth no aduersities 314. b 49. 417. a 43. 549. a 1. 11. The wicked sayth in his hart God hath forgotten him he hideth away his face and wil neuer see 678. b 58. 11. 4. 5. The eyes of the Lord will consider his eye liddes will trie the children of men The Lord will trie the rightuous but he hateth the wicked and him that loueth wrong 75. b 52. 12. 7. The woord of the Lorde is like siluer tried fired seuen times 461. b 47. 13. 1. How long Lorde wilt thou hide thy face from me 648. a 2. 2. How long shall I take counsell with myself hauing wearinesse dayly in mine heart Howe long shall mine enemies be exalted aboue me 138. b 36. 14. 2. The Lord looked dovvne from heauen vpon the children of men too see if there were any that would vnderstand and seeke God. 200. a 38. 3. Ther is not one man only that doth good 396. a 6. 813. b 21. 15. 4. A vile person is contemned but he honoreth them that fear the Lorde he that sweareth too his owne hinderance and changeth not his oth 89. b 26. 16. 2. Our weldoing extendeth not to God. 425. a 60. 701. b 59. 5 The Lord is my reward 413. a 43. 593. a. 18. 10 God will not suffer his holy one to see corruption 333. a. 15. 17. 3. VVhen thou hast proued and visited mine hart in the night when thou hast tried me thou hast found nothing I purposed that my mouth should not offend 50. b. 48. 8. Keepe me as the apple of thine eye and hide me vnder the shadow of thy winges 259. a. 43. 18. 2. 3. God is our strength rock fortresse deliuerer buckler the horne of our saluation our refuge 508. b. 54. 27. VVith the pure thou wilt shew thy selfe pure and with the frovvard thou vvilt shew thy self froward 86. b. 38. 107. a. 18. 28. God will saue the poore people and will cast downe the proude lookes 246. b. 38. 42. The vnbeleuing cried but the Lord answered them not 218. a. 57. 19. 2. The Heauens shew foorth the glory of God. 235. a. 35. 8. The law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule the testimony of the Lord is faith full giuing wisedome to the ignorant 18. b. 33. 11 The commandements of God are svveeter than the hony and that distilleth from the hony combe 70. b. 3. 12. By thy commaundements thy seruaunt is made more circumspect and there is great reward in keeping of them 71. b. 40. 13. VVho can vnderstand his faultes clense me from my secrete faults 168. a. 57. 274. b. 46. 429. a. 13. 22. 1. My God my God why hast thou forsaken me 57. b. 49. 2. My God I cry all the day and thou aunswerest not and by night and cease not 357. a. 11. 7. I am a worme and not a man a shame of men and the contempt of the people 351. a. 8. 10. Thou didst draw me out of the wombe 57. b. 53. 22. 15. 16. I am powred out like water and all my bones are out of ioint my hart is like wax it is molten in the midst of my bowels my strength is dried vp like a potshard and my tongue cleaueth to my iaws 57. b. 44. 24. Ye that feare the Lord praise him 532. a 3. 4. Though I shuld vvalk through the valley of the shadowe of death I wil feare none euil for thou art with me thy rodde and thy staffe they coÌ„fort me 74. a 44. 25. 11. Pardon mine iniquitie for 〈…〉 is great 428. b 26. 26. 6. I will wash my handes in innocencie 188. a 31. 226. b. 12. 27. 5. God hideth his in his tabernacle in the time of trouble 395. a 10. 28. 7. 8. The Lord is my strength and my shield he is the strength of the deliueraunce of his annointed 508. b 54. 29. 9. Euerie man declareth the glorie of God in his Temple 741. b 28. 30. 4. O Lord thou hast brought vp my soule out of the graue thou hast reuiued me from them that go downe to the pit 69. a 30. 6. God indureth but a while in his anger but in his fauour is life weeping may abide at euening but ioy commeth in the morning 68. b 49. 7. VVhen I was in my prosperitie I sayde I shall neuer bee moued â—30 a 57. 31. 4. God is our strong rocke and house of defence 508. b 51. 6. Into thy hand I commend my spirit for thou hast redemed me lord God of truth 111. b 16. 10 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord for I am in trouble mine eye my soule and my bellie are consumed with griefe 114. b 15. 10. 11. Mine eye my soule and my bellie are consumed with griefe my life is wasted with heauinesse and my bones are consumed 564. b 15. 12. I was a reproch among mine enemies and neighbors 351. a 7. 20. God reserueth his goods for those that feare him 390. a 1. 32. 1. Blissed is the man whose iniquities are forgiuen 328. a 55. 333. b 15. 455. b. 51. 3. VVhen I held my tung my bones consumed when I roared all the day 144. b 9. 4. For thine hande is heauie vpon me day and night my moisture is turned into drought of sommer 118. a 42. 8. The rightuous prayeth to God in time conuenient 508. b 18. 9. Be ye not like an horse or like a mule which vnderstaÌ„d not whose mouthes thou dost bind with bit bridle least they come neere thee 69. a 20. 104. a 55. 33. 7. God gathereth the waters of the sea together as vpon an heape laieth vp the depthes in his treasures 491. a 57. 19 The Lord deliuereth the soule of the rightuous from death preserueth him aliue in the time of famine 306. a 39. 34. 8. The Angel of the Lord pitcheth rouÌ„d about theÌ„ that feare him and deliuereth him 16. a. 51. 26. a 45. 9. Tast how good the Lord is 411. a 28. 11. They that seeke the Lord shall lacke no good thing 72. b 58. 16. The eyes of the Lorde are vpon the rightuous and his eares are open vnto their crie 73. a 48. 17. The face of the Lord is against them that do euill to cut of
the yeare with thy goodnesse and thy steppes drop fatnesse 766. a 2. 66. 3. O God how maruellous are thy workes 766. a 12. 10. O God thou hast proued vs thou hast tried vs as siluer is tried 69. a 37. 12. Thou hast caused men to ride ouer our heads we went into fire into water but thou broughtest vs out into a wealthy place 69. a 73 110. a 58. 320. b 5â— 68. 21. God is our God to saue vs to the euerlasting Lorde belongeth the issues of death 74. a 28. 109. b 13. 69. 2. 3. 4. The waters are entred euen to my soule I sticke fast in the deepe myre I am wearie of crying my throte is drie mine eies fail whilest I waite for my God. 564. b 15. 5. They that hate mee without a cause are mo in nuÌ„ber than the haires of my head they that would destroy me and are my enemies falsely are mightie so that I am constreined too restore that which I toke not 75. a 36. 10. The zeale of thine house hath eaten mee the rebukes of them that defamed thee are falne vpon me 45. b 16. 71. 20 God hath taken me vppe from the depthe of the earth 320. b. 48. 2. As for mee my feete were almost gone and my steps had welny slipt 44. b 12. 4. There are no bands in the deth of the children of God. 344. b 48. 6. Pryde compasseth the wicked as a chayne and crueltie couereth them as a garment 309. b 10. 7. Their eyes stande out for fatnesse they haue more than heart can thinke 88. b 7. 310. b 6. 723. b 14. 9. The wicked set their mouthes against heauen and their tong trotteth through the earth 795. b 39. 13. It is in vayne that I haue washed my handes in purenesse and kept my hart pure 668. b 33. 700. a 54. 17. It is too troublesome a thing to consider the ende of the wicked 313 b 59. 77. 11. I sayd it is my death then I remembred the yeares of the right hand of the Lord. 284. a 14. 20. Thy way hath ben in the sea and thy pathes in the great waters 30. The meate was yet in their throte 392. a 8. 32. The reprobate sinned still when the wrath of God came vpon them 392. a 9. 39. God remembreth that we are flesh and as a wind that passeth and returneth not again 140. a â—8 566. a â—3 71. From thence where Dauid followed the Ewes with yong God brought him to feede his people laacob and Israell his heritage 30. a 61. 7â— 5. Howe long Lord wilt thou be angrie for euer shall thy Iealousie burne like fire 138. b 36. 80. 4. O God cause thy face too shine and we shall be saued 796. b 15 8. Lorde cause thy face too shine vpon vs and wee shall bee deliuered 796. b 16. 81. 3. God letteth the wicked goe aecording too the presumption of their harts and walke in their counsels 257. a 47. 82. 1. God standeth in the assemblie of gods and iudgeth among the Gods. 17. a 29. 6. You are Gods and ye are al the children of the most high 61. b 10. 88. 4. Blowe the trumpet in the newe moone in the solemnitie and on the day of our feast 114. b 12. 89. 33. God wil visit the sinnes of his with a rod. 361. a 14. 90. 3. God turneth man too destruction againe thou sayest returne ye sonnes of men 277. a 7. 504. b 56. 4. A thousand yeares in thy fight are as yesterday 157. b 53. 11. VVho knoweth the power of thy wrath for according to thy fear is thine anger 643. a 27. 12. Teach vs rightly to nuÌ„ber our dayes that we may apply our hartes vnto wisdome 83. a 4. 20. O Lord cause thy face to shine and we shall be saued 796. b 15. 91 4. The faithfull are sure vnder the wings of the Lord. 395. a 10. 11. Hee shall giue his Angelles charge ouer thee to keepe thee in all thy wayes 16. a 51. 12. The Angelles shall beare thee in their handes that thou hurte nor thy foote againste a stone 108. b 47. 277. a 7. 359. b 44. 15. Hee shall call vpon me and I will heare him 413. b 29. 92. 8. O Lord howe glorious are thy workes and thy thoughtes are verie deepe 766. a 14. 13. The rightuous shall florishe like a palme tree 350. a 18. 94. 7. The wicked say the Lorde shal not see neyther will the God of Iacob regard it 678. b 56. 11. The Lorde knoweth that the thoughts of men are euill 695. b 25. 19. VVhen I had many thoughts in my selfe thy comforts haue reioyced my soule 303. b 6. 95. 1. Come let vs reioyce vnto the Lord let vs sing aloud vnto the rock of our saluation 155. b 34. 6. Come let vs worship and fall downe and kneele before the Lord. 155. b 35. 7. The Lord is our God and we are the people of his pasture 285. b. 60. 8. Harden not your hearts as in Meribah and as in the day of Massah in the wildernesse 50. b 48. 97. 5. The mountaines melted like wax at the presence of the Lord. 173. b 58. 100. 3. God hath made vs and not we 746. a 12. 102. 17. God shall build vp Sion 388. b 38. 27. 28. 29. The earth and the heauens shall perish â–ª but thou shalt endure all shall waxe olde as dooth a garment as a vesture shalte thou change them and they shal be changed But thou art for euer thy yeears shall neuer haue end The children of thy seruantes shall continue and their seede shal be established before thee 84 â–ª b 17. 103. 4. The Lorde redeemeth the life from the graue and crouneth vs with mercie and compassion 74. a 6. 14. God knoweth that we be but dust â–ª 140. a. 28. 20. Praise the Lord ye his Angels that excell in strength that doe his commaundement in obeying the voice of his word 17. a 5. 104. 1. 3. God is clothed with glorie and honor which layeth the beames of his chambers in the waters and maketh the thicke cloudes his chariot walketh vpon the wings of the winde 735. a 55 795. a 53. 4. God maketh the windes his messaÌ„gers and a flaming fire his ministers 29. b 40. 12 VVhen the sunne riseth they retire and couch in their dennes 776 a 17. 13. Then goeth man forth to his worke and too his labour vatill the euening 344. a 58. 14. God causeth grasse to growe for the cattell and herbe for the vse of maÌ„ that he may bring forth bread out of the earth 344. a 14. 15. God causeth wine too growe which reioyceth the heart of man 509. b 57. 19. God made the Moone for certaine seasons the Sunne knoweth his going downe 344. a 38. 20. God hath made the darknes 344. a 38. 24. O Lord howe manifold are thy workes in wisdome hast thou made them al the earth is full of thy riches 95. b 4. 26. The ships runne in the Sea
that mocketh the poore reprocheth him that made him 583. b 57. 27. 28. A man of vnderstanding is sober in his speache likewise a foole when he holdeth his peace is counted wise 251. a 50 â–ª 400. b 42 18. 3. VVhen the wicked commeth then commeth contempt and with the vile man reproch 473. a 14. 739. a 8. 10. The name of the Lorde is a strong tower the righteous commeth thither and is exalted 356. b 46. 20. 7 The children of the righteous shall bee blessed after him 417 b 10. 24. The steps of man are ruled by the Lord. 303. b. 30. 21. 13. He that stoppeth his eare at the crying of the poore shall also crie and not be hearde 328. b 30. 431 b 38. 472. a 26 543. b 57. 22. 2. God hath made rich and the poore 431. b 37. 6. Teach a childe in the trade of his way and when he is old he shall not depart from it â–ª 380. a 51 24. 16. The iust falleth seauen times and riseth againe but the wicked fall into euill 69. a 11. and 108. b 34. 25. 22. Thou shalt lay coales vppon his head and the Lord shall recompence thee 600. a 36. 27. It is no glory vnto those that seeke their owne glory 37. a 40. 27. 7. He that is very hungry although he eate bitter meat it seemeth vnto him sweet 382. b 49. 28. 1. The wicked flie when none pursueth but the righteous are bolde as a Lyon. 111 â–ª a 59. 14. Blessed is the man that feareth alwaye 15. a 57. 448. b 3. 682. a 10. 30. 32. If thou hast thought wickedly laye thy hande on thy mouth 403. b 7. Ecclesiastes 5. 15. VVHat profite hath hee â–ª that hath trauailed for the winde 673 a 18. 9. 4. It is better to a liuing dog â–ª then to a dead Lyon. 424. a 34. Isaie â— 3 THe OXe knoweth his owner and the Asse his maisters â—rib but Israell â–ª hath not knowen â–ª my people hath not vnderstand 235. b 26. 784. a 15. 6. From the soule of the foote vnto the heade there is nothing whole therin but wounds and swellinges and â—ores full of corruption they haue not beene wrapped nor bounde vp nor molyfied with oyle 721. a 32. â—2 If you come too appeare in my presence and to treade in my courtes who hath required this of your hands 327. b. 29. 15. VVhen you make many praiers I will not heare for your hands are full of bloud 327. b 18. 18. Come now sayth the Lorde let vs reason together when your sinnes shall be red as C 〈…〉 zin they shall be made white as snow 330. b 59. 453. a 56. 2. 19. They that feele the wrath of God shall goe into the holes of the rockes and into the caues of the earth for feare of the Lorde when he shall arise to destroy the earth 280. a 35. 411. a 17. 644. b 36. 22. Cease you from the man whose breath is in his nosethrels 311. b 59. 3. 10 Say ye it shall be well with the iust for he shall eate the fruites of his woorkes 2â—1 a 15. 413. a 35. 666. b 47. 5. 3. You inhabitauntes of Ierusalem and you men of Iuda iudge beetweene mee and my Vineyarde 190. a 39. 4. VVhat could I haue done any more to my vineyard that I haue not done VVhy haue I looked that it should bringe foorth grapes and it bringeth forth wylde grapes 161. b 57. 11. VVoe vnto you because you rise vp earely to follow drunkennes 721. b 38. 13. My people is gone into captiuitie â–ª because they had no knowledge and their nobles haue bene famished and the multitude is dryed vp with thirst 530. a 21. 20. VVoe vnto them that call good euill and euill good 131. a 15. 24. As the flame of fire deuoureth the stubble and as the chaffe is consumed of the flame so theyr roote shall bee as rottennesse and their budde shall rise vp like duste for they haue caste of the Lawe of the lord of hostes and haue blasphemed the word of the holy one of Israell 60. b 25. 26. God will whistle to a people from the end of the earth and beholde they shall come hastly wyth speede 671. b 43. 30. Beholde the darkenesse of afflictions vppon the people 535. b 51. 6. 2. The Seraphines stoode vnder the Lorde and euery one of them had sixe vvinges with twaine they couered their face and with tvvaine they couered their feete 156. a 20. 715. b 55. 5. Mine eyes haue sene the king the Lord of hostes 77. b 60. 9. In hearing ye shall heare and shall not vnderstande and in seeing ye shall see and shall not perceiue 810. b 13. 11. I sayde hovv long Lord and hee sayde vntill the cities bee wasted without inhabitaunt and the houses vvithout men and the lande be vtterly desolate 336. a 3. 7. 18. In that day shall God whistle after afly that is at the vttermost partes of the flouddes of Egipt and after the Bee whiche is in the land of Assur 671. b 44. 8. 9. 10 Gather together on heapes O ye people and ye shall be broken in pieces and harken all yee of farre countries make your selues readie and ye shall be broken in pieces take couÌ„cell it shal be brought to nought speake the woord and it shall not stande for the Lord is with vs. 99. b 32. 10. Take councell and it shall be brought to nought speake the vvord and it shall not stand 392. a 60. 4â—1 260. 9. 13. The people is not tourned towarde him that strooke them and haue not besought the lord of hosts 721. a 27. 10. 12 VVhen the Lord hath accomplished all his vvorke vppon mount Sion and in Ierusalem I will visit the fruite of the proude hearte of the king of Assur 812. a 49. 11. 2 The spirit of wisedome vertue shall reste vppon him 548. b 1. 616. a 58. 4. God shall smite the earth vvith the rodde of his mouth shall slay the vvicked vvith the spirit of his lips 76. a 20. 13. 10. The starres of heauen and the planetes thereof shall not geeue their light the sunne shall bee darkened in his going foorth and the moone shall not cause her light to shine 299. b 1. 15. 7. They shall beare their prouision to the floud of the Arabians 184 a 40. 19. 11. The princes of Soan are fooles the princes of Noph haue erred they haue caused Egipt to erre 246. a 50. 14. The Lorde hath mingled among the Egiptians the spirit of errours and hath caused Egipt to erre in euery vvorke thereof as a drunken man erreth in his vomite 99. b 19. 22. 14. Let vs eate and drink for tomorrow we shall die 721. b 16. 24. 23. The moone shall bee abashed and the Sunne ashamed when the LORDE of hostes shall raigne in mount Syon and in Ierusalem and when hee shall bee glofyed in the presence of his auncient men 81. b 9. 26. 1. God is our vvall and bulwarke 508. b
worse deceiuing and being deceiued 132. b 4. 16. Euery scripture is giuen by the inspiration of God and is profitable to teach to improue to correct and to instruct in righteousnesse 70. a 43 251. a 11. 526. b 2. Hebrues 1. 3. THe Sonne is the brightnesse of the glory and the ingraued forme of the person of the Father 17. a 24. 710. a 24. 14. Are they not all ministring spirites sent foorth to minister 17. a 46. 486. b 42. 2. 14. That hee might destroye through death him that had povver of death that is the deuill 25. a 30. 16. Iesus Christ tooke not the Angels but he tooke the seede of Abraham 17. b 5. 18. Christ suffered in being tempted 577 b 43. 4. 12. The woorde of God is a two edged svvoorde and entereth through euen vnto the deuiding a sunder of the soule and of the spirit and of the ioynts and of the marow c. 410. b 19. 437. a 55. 446. b 4. 474 a 4. 539. b 42. 13. All thinges are naked and open vnto his eyes with vvhom wee haue to doe 149. a 6. 15. VVee haue not an hye priest which can not bee touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all things tempted in like sort yet vvithout sinne 146. b 7. 577. b 43. 816. b 20. 5. 4. Aaron ought to offer for sinnes 816. b 1. 6. Thou art a priest for euer after the order of Melchizedech 816. b 29. 6. 10. God is not vnrighteous that he should forget your woorke and labour of loue vvhich ye shevved toward his name in that ye ministred to the sainctes and yet minister 71. b 46. 700. a 20. 12. Through faith and patience we inherite the promises 564. a 48. 19. 20. VVee holde hope as an Ancker of the soule both sure and stedfast and it entereth into that which is within the varle whether the fore runner is for vs entered in euen Iesus that is made an hie priest for euer after the order of Melchizedech 233. a 20. 817. b 52. 8. 5. The giftes of the law serue vnto the paterne and shadovve of heauenly thinges 13 b 28. 10. 11. 12. Sacrificators coulde not take avvay sinnes by their sacrifices but Iesus Christ after hauinge offered one sacrifice for sinnes sitteth for euer at the right hand of God. 817. b 52. 9. 24. Christ is not entred into holy places made with hands vvhich are similitudes of the true sanctuary but is entred into very heauen to appeare now in the sight of God for vs 817. b 52. 10. 20 Christ through the vayle that is his fleshe hath prepared the way by the which we haue boldnes to enter into the holy place 227. b 25 31. It is a fearfull thing to fal in to the hands of the liuing God. 309. a 44. 590. a 5. 643. a 24. 35. Your confidence shall haue great recompence of rewarde 564. a 48. 11. 1. Fayth is the euidence of things vvhich are not seene 421. b 26 4. By fayth Abell offered vntoo God a more excellent sacrifice then Caine. 12. a 33 6. VVithout fayth it is vnpossible to please God c. And that he is a rewarder of them that seeke him 72. b 29. 7. Noe through the Arke condemned the worlde 3. a 50. 9. Abraham aboade in the land of promise as in a straunge countrie 407. b 29. 17. By fayth Abraham offered vplâ—aac 12. b 12. 12. 5. 6. Dispise not the chastening of the lord neyther saint when thou art rebuked of him for vvhom he loueth he chasteneth and scourgeth euery sonne that hee receyueth 155. a 10. 771. a 60. 11. No chastising for the present seemeth to be ioyous but grieuous but afterwarde it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousnes 105. b 15. 12. Lift vp your handes vvhich hand dovvne and your vveake knees 70. b 40. 486. a 52. 659. a 32. 767. a 61. 14. Follow peace vvith all men and holinesse without the vvhich no man shall see the Lord. 603. b 41. 18. 19. Ye are notcoÌ„e vnto the mouÌ„tain that might be touched nor burningfire nor to blackenes darknesse and tempest and sounde of a trumpet and the voyce of vvoordes which they that hearde it excused themselues that the worde should be spoken to them no more 79. b 12. 19. Ye are not com to the sounde of a trumpet â–ª and the voice of words which they that hard it excused theÌ„selues that the woord should not be spoken to them any more 754. a 4. 29. God is a consuming fire 395. a 30. 643. a 28. Iames. 1 4. PAtience must haue a perfect vvorke that wee may be perfect and whole 814. a 26. 5. If any lacke wisedome let him aske it of God. 343. b 3. 692. b 21. 6. 7. He that asketh in fayth receiueth that vvhich he asketh but he that doubteth is like a waue of the sea toste of the winde 449. a 44. 651. b 26. 9. Let the brother of low degree reioyce that he is exalted 677. a 12. 10 The rich shall vanish away as the flower of the grasse 441. b 24. 11. The heat of the sunne withereth all 441. b 29. 14. 15. Euery one is tempted when hee is dravvne away by his ovvne concupiscence then when lust hath conceiued it bringeth foorth sinne and sinne when it is finished bringeth foorth death 569. a 55. 21. Receiue vvith meeknesse the vvoorde that is graffed in you 659. b 59. 1. 8. Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe 319. b 42. 10. VVhosoeuer shall keepe the whole lawe and yet fayleth in one point he is guiltie of all 186 b 50. 574. a 47. 575. b 23. 13. There shall bee iudgement mercilesse to him that sheweth no mercy 75. a 16. 76. a 59. 328. b 13. 431. b 57. 585. b 48. 16. If any man say to the poore depart in peace warme your selues and fill your bellies notvvithstanding ye geue them not those things that are needfull to the bodie vvhat helpeth it 585. a 61. 3. 1. Be not many maisters 541. a 4. 2. If any man sinne not in word he is a perfect man and able to bridle all the bodie 47. b 29. 251. b 18. 4. 6. God resisteth the proude 246. b 42. 13. To day and tomorrovv vvee will goe into such a citye and continue there a yeare and buye and sell and get gaine 66. a 16. 5. 4. The hire of the labourers whiche haue reaped your fieldes which is of you kept back by fraud crieth the cries of theÌ„ vvhich haue reaped are entered into the eares of the Lord of hostes 610. b 4. 11. VVee counte them blessed which haue endured you haue hard of the pacience of IOB and haue knowen what end the Lorde made 729. a 47. 1. a 37. 359. b 25. 818. b 39. 13. If any amoÌ„g you be afflicted let him pray 63. a 48. 376. b 14. 20. VVhosoeuer shall conuert a sinner shall saue a soule 648. a 61. 1. Peter 1. 2. VVE are elected according to the
sort Is it not euen to breake thy necke when thou wilt stie thus aboue the skies without wings So then let vs learn to walke in humblenesse and praye God that we may take all for good which hee disposeth of vs and that we may yeld therevnto and saye Lord thou art rightuous and wyse in all thy doings And therefore graunt vs the grace not to cease to prayse thee and to giue thee this glory namely to take in good worth what so euer thou sendest and to frame our selues to the same notwithstanding that to the flesh it be hard and bitter to indure Thus ye see what we haue to marke in this text Furthermore when he saith That his dayes are passed more swiftly than a weauers shettle heere seemeth to bee some contrarietie For he sayth that his life is ouerlong and yet neuerthelesse hee addeth that his dayes slippe away as swiftly as any thing If any man saye that Iob was caried awaye with his ouerheadie passions verie well that is somewhat But there is no contrarietie if we marke well howe that according to the similitude whiche is put heere the same is also well placed in the song of king Ezechias in Esay and it serueth to shewe that when a man is pressed with the hande of God hee woteth no more where he is For although we endure many aduersities yet notwithstanding wee count still vpon our life But if God pursue vs ouerhastily then wee become as it-were dulheaded wee bee not after the manner that wee were wont to liue we be vtterly dismayde saying How nowe could this time be passed so sone Yee see then what this similitude importeth and what Iob ment as nowe by saying that his life passed swiftly away like a weauers shettle And why so For he felte Gods hand presse him so sore as hee coulde not but sighe and lament and saye what will there be no end Ye see then how Iob ment and yet in the meane season hee ceasseth not to bee attached with such feare and anguishe that he was as it were plunged ouer head and eares by cause God hild him as it were vpon the racke and seemed to keepe no measure in chastizing him Lo how we ought to apply this similitude And hereby we be warned to pray vnto God in our afflictions that howsoeuer he keepe vs in them wee may haue some rest to thinke vpon our selues and vpon him I saye to thinke vpon ourselues to the intent we may knowe our sinnes and consider howe much time wee haue lost in our life to the end that wee may not thinke it straunge though God scourge vs and vexe vs For we passe the most part of our life in pampering of ourselues yea euen to aduaunce our selues against god And therefore we haue great neede to pray him to waken vs and to giue vs respite to examine well oure faultes And more ouer let vs also thinke vpon him But that cannot be done but we must haue some rest and be somewhat cheered Forso long as wee bee in such hartburning as to chawe vpon our bridle it is vnpossible for vs to come vnto God to comforte oure selues in his goodnesse which he is readie to make vs to fele Therfore we must praye him to holde vs in awe if we will haue our myndes to abyde quiet and peasable in the midst of the troubles that may befall vs And this also cannot be done except Iesus Christ be at hande with vs that we may haue some solace in him according as he himselfe sayth come vnto mee all yee that laboure and are ouerloden and I will refreshe you and you shall finde rest for your soules As oft then as God scourgeth vs let vs determine to pray vnto him that we may turne our heart and minde to our Lorde Iesus Christe so as wee maye in him haue the rest whereof hee speaketh and that when wee haue founde the same wee may bee hild in such wise by it as wee may receiue Gods chastizementes and corrections to humble vs before him that wee maye leane vnto his good will so as we may not doubt but that in the end he will bee helpfull to vs and shew himselfe fauourable towards vs Beholde I say after what sort it behoueth vs to bee comforted in the middes of the miseries and afflictions whiche wee haue to endure in this worlde wayting to enioye the blissed comfort which God offereth vs now by his word and which we shall one day enioy in full perfection when he shall haue taken vs hence to himselfe And nowe let vs fall downe before the face of oure good God with acknowledgement of our sinnes praying him too make vs feele them better than wee haue earste done yea euen in suche sorte as wee may bee ashamed of them presently and come vnto him touched with suche a zeale as feeling him to bee oure father and sauiour wee maye yeelde our selues wholly to his goodnesse and hee strengthen vs more and more in the truste that wee haue in him vntill such time as he haue deliuered vs not only from the miseries of the worlde but also from the slauerie of sinne and called vs into his heauenly glorie whiche we possesse not nowe but in hope That it may please him to graunt this grace not onely to vs but also to all people and nations c. The .xxviij. Sermon which is the second vpon the seuenth Chapter 7 Remember that my life is but vvinde and that mine eye shall see no more good 8 The eye of the seer shall see mee no more thine eyes are vpon me and I shall be no longer 9 Like as a cloude passeth and vanisheth avvay So also he that goeth dovvne into the graue shall no more comevp againe 10 He shall no more returne to his house his place shall knovve him no more 11 Therefore I vvill not spare my mouth that I shoulde not speake of mine anguishe and talke of my miserie 12 Am I a Sea or am I a vvhalefish that thou keepest me so in vvarde 13 VVhen I say my bed shall ease me and my couch shal comfort me vvhen I speake in my self 14 Then thou frayest me vvith dreames and visions 15 Behold my soule hath chosen the halter and death rather than my bones THE holy Scripture telleth vs oftentimes that God pitieth vs in respecte of our frailtie for we must not thinke that he is moued with any worthinesse that is in vs there is no such thing Then if God spare vs and vse mercie towardes vs it is more in respect of the needinesse that he knoweth to be in vs than otherwise according also as it is saide he considereth that men are but as grasse whiche fadeth out of hand and withereth away Men are but flesh that is to say corruption and breth that is to say a winde that passeth awaye and vanisheth without returning any more Now seeing that the holie Scripture witnesseth this vnto vs we also ought to set it before
him for all your pretence of desirousnesse too iustifie him Hee will shewe that hee abhorreth such dealings and that he will be mainteyned by his owne rightuousnesse withoute borrowing of anye meanes to be acquitted at mens hands and without borrowing of theyr leazings and of the excuses that they shall haue forged VVhereas Iob sayeth hee will talke with God and dispute against him verely there is some excuse in that saying but lette vs also marke the good that is in it that wee maye discerne it from the euill Beholde the good that is in this saying of Iobs is that he wyll turne awaye from men And why For they with whome he had too doo perceyued not the spirituall battell that he had in himselfe and that he could haue found in his harte too haue indured a hundred times more so be it that God had sweetened his stripes with such comfort as hee might haue knowen that God is fauourable to me and he will neuer faile me Had Iob bene throughly perswaded of that and that God had hylde him by his mighty hande no doubt but hee had bene ready to haue iudured a hundred tymes more How be it forasmuche as he perceyued perceyued nothing in God but rigour so as it seemed to him that God was vtterly agaynst him and persecuted him with extremitie he woteth not where he is behold he is out of his wittes But suche spirituall battels are not easie to bee knowen of men And therefore Iob sayeth that bee will talke with God that is too saye that hee will shrinke into himselfe and that being so gathered close in secrete hee will holde himselfe there For men take these words at randon and wrest them as they list themselues but God knoweth well ynough too what ende his speaking tendeth Marke this for a speciall poynte And further let vs also marke that when the cace standeth vpon the framing of our selues vnto pacience if we indure any aduersitie we must comfort our selues in God and if wee bee tryed so as the Diuell tempteth and thrusteth vs forewarde to despayre there is nothing so good as to gather oure wittes home And why so For so long as wee gaze at men wee shall nothing auayle but whiche more is wee shall do our selues harme If I bee troubled that I can no more well if I cōforte my selfe with fayre shewes onely and make greate protestations before men God will laugh my fondnesse to scorne in so much that when I come to my selfe agayne and am alone my conscience will pinche mee and then shall I feele how all that euer I pretended was but smoke And why Bicause I haue had more regarde of men than of god So then when a man intendeth to frame himselfe vnto pacience it is good for him to withdraw into himselfe as if he were separated frō the whole worlde and to referre himselfe wholly vnto God and suffer himselfe too bee gouerned by him And truly seing we are in such necessities we haue good cause to call vpon God but how shall we call vpon him if we bee not as it were cut off from men For so long as I am fastened to this or that so long am I turned asyde from god VVee see then that we must cut off all those cordes that hold vs backe and present our selues before the maiestie of God as the only partie whome wee haue regard of True it is that we muste regarde our neyghbours also bothe too edifie them and to receyue comfort at their handes But in the meane whyle wee muste beginne at this poynt that is to wit at the laying open of our harts before God that we disburden all our matters sorowes and cares vnto him Yee see then howe our talking with God muste bee to the ende that men drawe vs not hither and thither but that like as God seeth vs so wee haue our eyes settled and fastened vpon him alone and all that is hidden in our hartes maye bee clenzed and voyded away when wee bee come to that poynte and are appeered be fore him Thus yee see the good that wee haue to gather out of these woordes of Iob and howe they bee profitable for oure instruction But there is also euill in them which is that hee will enter into disputation with god True it is that sometimes God giueth vs leaue too reason with him yea but oure disputings muste not bee long and besides that the conclusion of them muste alwayes bee to glorifie him As howe VVee see that the Prophets finde fault with the calamities and desolations which they sawe for they say Lorde howe can it bee that thou shouldest destroye thy people wilt thou suffer things to be confounded after this sorte wilt thou neuer set them in order Thus yee see one kinde of disputing or reasoning with god Yea but the Prophets holy men rested not in that poynte For when they had bewrayed their infirmities after that maner they alwayes concluded do thou therwith and dispose thou thereof according to thy wonderfull wisedome it is not for vs to replie against thee and therefore wee will paciently wayte what shall become of thy worke True it is that wee bee sore amazed as nowe when wee see things go to suche confusion Yet notwithstanding Lorde thou wilt prouide well ynough for all and in suche wise as thy name maye bee praysed vntill suche time as all bee set in order agayne we will as it were shrinke down our heads to the groūd according as it is sayde I will lay my mouth to the duste and the Sainctes muste bee humbled in that wise leremie was in horrible extremitie when hee saide so for he saw the vtter desolation of Gods Churche in so muche that his couenant seemed to bee abolished his whole seruice turned vpside downe and the hope of the whole worlde buryed And therefore after that Ieremie had made his moane hee sayeth hee will lay his mouth to the grounde and rather eate duste and dung than lifte vp his beake to lette his tung at large agaynst god Yee see then howe it is lawfull for vs sometime to reason with God howbeit so as it bee very mildly and that the winding vp of it bee as I haue sayde that is to witte too glorifie God referring oure selues wholly vnto him Lo in effect what wee haue too marke But lette vs come backe agayne too Iobs persone He intendeth to dispute against God and after what maner It is after suche a sorte that althoughe he knowe there is a double rightuousnesse in God that is to witte the same which is manifested to vs in his law and the other which he keepeth hidden yet hee coulde not conceyue the cause why God tormented him after that sorte but it seemed to him that God ought too haue borne with him Therefore in this disputing Iob vexeth himselfe and this passion of his is farre out of square and the disputation is ioyned with it and dependeth vppon it Ye see then that Iob
thing of the promisse that God maketh vs But now let vs come too Bildads saying that the memoriall of the wicked shall perish Let vs marke that his so saying is a curse peculiarly belongyng to the despizers of God according to that which I haue touched alreadie For they bee drunken in their foolish ambitiō so as they beare themselues in hand that their name shall neuer fade in the worlde but men shall haue it in remembrance for euer But we see how it goeth cleane contrarie with them For what is the cause that they turmoyle themselues after that sorte It is too haue men to talke of them VVell then are the despyzers of God desirous to make themselues renowmed in the mouths of men God will turne it quite and cleane to the contrarie For if their remembrance continue it shall be in reproche and men shall not speake of them but in skorne and mockage And as for them that haue bene caried away with this sayd vaine desire do we not see that God hath buried them so as menne coulde no more tell what was become of them VVhereas it seemed that they should be talked of while the worlde indured and whereas they themselues surmized that euery of them should become greatest for although they sawe many go before them yet did euery of them thinke with himselfe I shall be chiefest yet hath God buried them as I sayde afore and if men speake of them after what maner is it Euery man is made priuie too their naughtinesse and shame And doth not this come of the sayd curse of God Therfore lette vs marke that Bildad hath expressed here the chiefe thing that those kinde of men seeke whiche are giuen to the worlde And that ought to bee well marked For if God make our name to perish too the worldward what loze wee by it what harme haue wee by it For wee knowe our names are written in the booke of lyfe Be glad sayeth our Lorde Iesus Christ too his Disciples for your names are written in Gods registers too your euerlasting saluation Is not this ynough to content vs VVee be not like these fooles that haue none other immortalitie than to make themselues to be spoken of For that were ouergreat fondnesse But wee know that God hath written our names in his booke and ingroced the recorde with his owne hande that is too say in his owne euerlasting determination for Gods hande is the vnchaungeable ordinance that hee hath appoynted and afterward ratified the whole with the bloud of our Lord Iesus Christ finally sealed it by the working of his holy spirite Seing then that wee haue our memoriall there among the Angels of heauen and among the Patriarkes Prophets and Apostles haue wee not cause too be concontented And so albeit that our remembrance be razed out of the worlde yet shall wee looze nothing by it But wee see that God maketh the memoriall of his seruants to be blissed as I sayd afore notwithstanding that they be despyzed for a time and counted in the world to be dirt and dung as Saint Paule speaketh for he likeneth them to guttes full of filthinesse that are cast away Thus then the faythfull are exercized for a time yea they are vnder the curse of men as though they bare al the sinnes of the worlde but in the end God maketh their rightuousnesse to shine foorth as the breake of the day and they are had in blessed remembrāce VVe see that Abraham in his time was despized and shaken off VVhat may a man thinke of Iacob and yet we see that their memoriall is blissed Euerie man ranne vpon Dauid they cursed him they spited him he became as a worme of the ground he was made a skorne and mockingstocke to the veriest rascalles and euery man did as it were lothe him and yet notwithstanding we see that his remembrance is blissed yea euen in Gods Churche For as for the vnbeleeuers a man must not seeke to haue any renowme or remembrance among them bicause they bee wretched blinde soules that cannot iudge nor are able too discerne betweene white and blacke Thus ye see what we haue to marke in this sentence And consequently heere is added That they shall bee cast out of light into darkenesse that they shall bee driuen out of the worlde that they shall haue neyther children nor Graundchildren-among the people and that they shall haue no ouerliuer or heyre in the lande where they dwell Heere Bildad confirmeth the matter that hee had treated of which is that if God make the wicked to prosper that is not alwayes And that is verie true For what happinesse is there in their state seing that all their laughter muste be turned into sorow So then let vs assure our selues that the present light of the wicked serues but to leade them into the way of darknesse VVhen we heare this if wee be in darknesse that is to say in aduersitie according also as the worde importeth so as we wote not on which side to turne vs bycause we be besette with so many miseries round aboute as wee see no way out of them well let vs for our parte assure our selues that the same darknesse be it neuer so great shall be a pathe to leade vs to Gods light For hee hath wonderfull meanes to leade his children too saluation yea euen when he seemeth fully minded to destroy thē Are we then as it were vndone Let vs assure our selues that by that meanes God draweth vs to saluation Are wee in thicke darknesse let vs assure our selues that he can well bring vs to light Thus yee see what wee haue to gather vpon this text Contrariwise do wee see the wicked puffed vp with their nobilitie and make great braueries and spread out their wings VVell it is true that they are in greate brightnesse but lette vs tarie till God performe that whiche is sayde heere that is too witte till hee bring darkenesse vppon them Thus as wee see heere is a verie profitable thing for vs to knowe whiche is that although God make the wicked to prosper for a tyme their cace is neuer the better for it for alwayes the ende muste bee looked vnto And contrarywise thoughe the poore faythfull ones bee distressed heere so as they wote not where to become their state is neuer the worse for all that And why Let vs looke vpon the ende whiche is that by this darkenesse God meeneth too bring them light Againe whereas it is sayde that the wicked shall haue neyther children nor ofspring nor leaue any heires in their dwellings that is according to the curse of the lawe For it is sayde that issue is a blissing of god And although our Lorde would that all the benefites of this life should be dedicated vnto him and that men should acknowledge him to bee the authour of them and yeelde him prayse for them yet notwithstanding he auoucheth it to be a speciall benefite when he giueth men issue Now
hath bereft me of my iudgement euen the Almightie who hath set my soule in anguish Here Iob playeth not the restie Horse For although he haue double anguishe yet knoweth hee well that God hath all dominion and superioritie ouer him For he woulde not say God liueth except it were to honour him as if hee shoulde say Lorde I am thy sillie creature and thou hast all power ouer mee I sayd he was in double affliction which thing we ought to marke well For wee haue seene howe hee was persecuted both in his goodes and in his persone so that he indured as much as was possible for a mortal wight to indure And yet had he another affliction which is that hee was tormented by such as came to moue him to despayre For it passed all other miseries too haue it sayde too him God hateth thee thou seest well ynough that thou hast no more accesse to him it is in vain for thee to looke for any ease at his hand for hee is agaynst thee and he giueth thee a sure token of it in afflicting thee after this maner VVhat shouldest thou do but condemne thy whole life afore passed If thou wilt haue any mercie at Gods hande thou must chaunge altogither and acknowledge that hitherto thou hast beene starke naught a mocker of God and a man full of hypocrisie and lewdnesse Thus then ye see the two afflictions that Iob indured and yet notwithstanding honored God still For he sweareth by his name howbeeit not as men do nowe adayes whiche blaspheme God in swearing For doubtlesse what else are the othes that are sworne now adayes for the most part but reproches vnto God in despizing his name Like as if a man sweare at aduenture he sheweth well that hee regardeth not the name of God which ought to be holy in our sight that whensoeuer wee heare any speaking of it wee ought too cast downe oure heades and acknowledge the infinite glorie that is in him But contrarywise the name of God runneth roundly in our mouthes in way of mockage And therefore looke how many light othes a man maketh so many are the reproches and iniuries wherewith hee disgraceth the name of god Againe there are also forswearings which are yet more heynous in so muche that after a man hath invred himselfe to sweare foolishly he goeth foreward with it to falsifie the truth to turne it into a lie and the name of God shall run in such wise with it as it shall bee a pleasure for men to think vpon it But Iob in his swearing had an eye to the principall poynt whiche is that when wee sweare by the name of God we must acknowledge him to bee our iudge yeelding him his due authoritie by setting our selues before his throne to be cōdemned by him if we haue done amisse VVe see then how Iob acknowledgeth his afflictions too come of Gods hande and dealeth not stubbornly Hee kicketh not agaynst his mayster like a restie Iade but humbleth himselfe and sayeth God liueth howsoeuer the world goeth True it is that I see my selfe to be a forlorne man and I indure so much as it is impossible for mee to be so pacient as I ought to bee Yet will I not be so desperate as to play the mad bedlem and to say I knowe not what God is I would he would let me alone and that he had no more power ouer me but contrarywise I know him to be my iudge and to haue all authoritie I will not imbrace the mightie power which he hath ouer me but I will hold me alwayes vnder his hand acknowledging my afflictions to bee of his sending And therfore not without cause haue I sayd that we haue here an excellent doctrine For we be taught first to acquaint our selues with chastizement correction at Gods hand VVherefore when we happen to be tempted to despayre and feele such a fearfulnesse in our selues as we think our selues to be alreadie in hell let vs acknowledge our owne frailtie and leane vnto this namely that God hydeth our iudgement and bereeueth vs in such wise of our right as we seeme to our selues to be forlorne past al recouery VVell then God hideth away our right And what is to be done we must cast downe our heades and tarie till God lift vs vp by the chin and redresse our state and set vs vp againe and mainteyne our cace so that if we be oppressed and turmoyled by men if folke bleare out their tungs at vs and make a ieastingstock of vs yet must not we lose our courage And why For we see the example that is set down to vs here Behold then how the faythful ought to come to this practize to profite themselues by it And although they cannot conceyue the reason of the things that God doth to them yet neuerthelesse they must always become so lowly as to say Lord deale thou with vs as it shall please thee and therewithall giue vs power too prayse thee alwayes in thy workes and to say the Lord liueth although we be confounded Thus ye see what wee haue to marke in this streyne and now it will be easie for vs to knowe the things that are conteyned in it And sith we haue comprized the whole summe we need no more but to ioyne and cloze the sentences that followe vnto it For Iob sayth that so long as he liueth there shall not passe any deceyte nor wicked worde out of his mouth Hereby he sheweth that he speaketh as in the presence of god And that is a thing well worthie to be noted I haue tolde you oftentimes in expounding this booke how there is an ouer-common vice among men which marreth them which is that they be so wedded to the world as they neuer come in the presence of God to examine themselues there As how If men blame vs falsly we rest so much vpon them as we enter not into our selues to examine our selues before god But what is to be done The cleane contrarie if we will answere men well let vs first accuse our selues and let vs be fully resolued vpon it in our conscience before God without hauing an eie to one man or other For the cause why we be hypocrites in al our doings and take so much paine too couer and colour our faults is for that we woulde fayne keepe still the good reputation and credite that we haue among men But contrariwise Iob sheweth that hee setteth himselfe as it were in the presence of God and that although he speake before men yet is hee not forepossessed with so foolish ambition as to pretend to be vtterly blame lesse No but he iudgeth himselfe before God and according as hee findeth in his conscience so layeth he forth the matter openly So then let vs mark that it is as euill a thing as can bee deuized to rest so vpon men and not to begin at this poynt that is to say when we iudge not our selues as in the presence
that our naturall wit doth rest vpon and looke at The things that we feele see and touche Therefore when God leaueth vs in such extremitie as we knowe not what shall become of vs there seemeth to be a thicke cloude betwene him and vs and that we be no more vnder his hād guiding But yet notwithstāding see how God promiseth to be neere at hand to vs VVhē we thinke he is furthest off frō vs And when it shall seeme that his eyes are shut he will haue vs to thinke thus hath God spoken it Let vs hardly hold vs to his promis Now then we see that there is a double cōceiuing in the faithfull and it standeth vs in hand to practise this well It is not ynough too say it but euery man must put it in vre in himselfe VVhē any aduersitie befalleth vs we cānot but think that God hath turned his back vpon vs See wherevnto our nature driueth vs But afterwarde it behoueth vs to run immediatly to the promises of God who biddeth vs call vpon him in the day of our trouble In that he willeth vs to call vpon him it is a token that we are in his keeping protectiō So thē we see that fayth must ouerrule our naturall reason to the ende wee may be quiet in the mids of all our miseries wayting for Gods succour walking as hee commandeth vs According herevnto Iob sayeth here VVhere are the tymes become wherein God preserued mee For he meeneth that God hath shewed by effect and by very eysight that he had preserued him as if some mā shold say seeing that Iob is so persecuted is it to be sayd that God keepeth him Is it to be sayd that God mainteineth him No but rather that God hath forsakē him as a wretched creature Iob thē speaketh not heere of the thing as it was in very deede as thoughe God had at that time forgottē him but he speketh of that which might seeme to mē of that which he perceyueth by his naturall wit howbeit that he resisted it by the force of faith resting himselfe vpon Gods promises fighting against the tētation that was put vnto him Yee see then in what wise it behoueth vs to take this text therewithall to apply it to ourselues and so let vs vnderstande that if we be in prosperitie we muste not terme it good fortune according to the maner of mē which alwaies are so malicious that they rob and bereue God of his honour that belōgeth vnto him but we must vse such language as this namely that God preserueth vs VVhat is the cause then that God prospereth vs what is the cause that we liue are still mainteyned whē we be beseeged with a thousand deathes It is bicause God pitieth vs is our Protectour Lo how it behoueth vs alwaies to resort to Gods prouidēce that we may yeeld him the prayse of al the benefites which he bestoweth vpō vs yea euē in respect of this trāsitory life And furthermore whē our Lord chaungeth to outward apperance and suffereth vs to be assaulted on all sides so as one mā pilleth vs and another defameth vs many aduersities light vpō vs might it not be sayd to mās seeming that God hath forsakē vs will no more come at vs Yet notwithstanding let vs not cease to receyue the promis which God giueth vs yea to hope euen against hope as which is the lesson that is taught vs in the person of our father Abrahā as S. Paule speaketh of him But Iob addeth that in that time God had lightned his lampe vpō him and that he had walked in his lyght in the middes of darkenesse Let vs marke how it is diuers times said that God inlighteneth vs when he teacheth vs by his worde and for that cause is it termed a lampe But in this text it hath another sense For Iob meeneth not simply that God taughte him by his lawe or by any reuelation of the holy Ghoste But that God had giuen him comfort in all his aduersities therwithall also a good desirable issue of them VVhat then is the lampe of God It was Iobs prosperitie in that God stoode by him according also as we see that the scripture likneth the afflictiōs of this present life vnto darknesse As for exāple if we be in warre or be troubled with famine or pestilence we are as it were in the night Gods countenāce is hidden from vs we know not on which side to turne vs So on the contrarie part when our Lord hādleth vs louingly it is asmuche as if the sunne did shine vpō vs we see that the daylight maketh men glad cōtrariwise that the light maketh men sadde and heauy Also when it is clowdie and raynie weather we are after a sort beaten downe and euery one of vs shrinketh So then let vs marke that Iob doth here cōtinue his matter by saying that the lampe of God shined vpon him when hee was in happie state euery man laughed vpon him VVherein is cōfirmed yet better the doctrine which I haue touched namely that neede must not father the prosperitie of this world vpon fortune as we see these worldlings do which looke not vnto Gods hād nother in weale nor wo. Therfore we muste not do so but rather whensoeuer we haue any prosperitie let vs consider that God shineth vpon vs and sheweth vs a louing countenance and would haue vs to know him to be our father that we might glorifie him Behold then how our Lord sheweth vs his countenance in all prosperitie to the end that by seeing him we might haue occasion to prayse his goodnesse also be drawen vnto him by his gentle allurement and that both of them might giue vs courage too loue him and to yeelde oureselues to his seruice Nowe wee see that these manner of speeches are not superfluons when in stead of saying after the manner of the vnbeleeuers I haue had good fortune I haue liued at mine ease Iob sayeth that God had shone vpon him with his lampe and addeth that God had giuen him lyght in the middest of darkenesse And hee sayeth this bicause it is not possible but that we must be in many inconueniences and daungers in this worlde I meane euen those which seeme to haue all things as they would wish Although we perceyue some man to be as it were exempted from all trouble Yet notwithstanding so long as he is vpon earth he must nedes walke among thornes VVe shall alwayes be threatned with many deaths and though a man haue his Garners Cellers full yet is it not to be sayde but that he may be made poore in the turning of a hand So then let vs marke well that in the middes of this worlde wee be alwaies as it were in darkenesse that is to say we be besette with many troubles and daungers insomuch that if our Lord prouided not for vs we could not step one pace forward no nor
haue good record that we be not faultie before God and can also shewe the same in deede Then although men make bookes against vs that it to say although they deface vs with so many blames and slaūders as shal seeme to be houge moūtaynes yet shall the same be no heauy burthen to vs bycause we shall be vphild by Gods hand and rest ourselues vppon him But rather we shall make it a crowne or garland vnto vs For it is much better for vs to be so blamed of the world and that God should allowe of vs than to be flattered on all sides and that the same should excuse vs according as we see there be many that take libertie to do euill and to despise God bycause the world sootheth them For what is the reason that so many mē runne out of square and giue themselues the bridle to all euill but bycause they haue bin spared and mēnes eyes haue ben shet to wink at all their wicked doings Lo what is the cause of their destruction So then it is much better that our Lord shoulde bee our warrant and in the meane whyle the whole world bee against vs than to be praysed and commended of the world and in the meane whyle to haue heauē crye out for vengeaunce against vs VVe see how the Pope is exalted nowadayes in his holinesse and that although he be a monster and a diuell incernate yet do all men bowe to him and giue greater titles of honour to him than to god And in the meane whyle is not this a cause to augment his damnation more and more As much is to be sayd of them that iustifie the world too the ende the world also should receiue and flatter them in all their sinnes But contrariwise as I haue sayd let vs learne too looke continually vnto God and in the meane whyle if hee suffer vs to bee vniustly condemned of men let vs suffer it paciently and not cease to beare our heads still vpright Furthermore according to that whiche is sayd here concerning the reckening of all our steppes let vs bee ready to yeeld an account whensoeuer we shall be accused of any cryme Let vs not thinke too scape Gods iudgement by concealing any misdeede in vs but let vs consider that it behoueth vs to aunswere for ourselues and that although men doo iustifie vs yet they cannot hyde the things that are in vs from god Now after that Iob hath spoken so he added his last protestation for a full knitting vp If my land sayeth he haue cried against me or if the furrowes thereof complaine that I haue eaten the foyson of it without money or if those that haue tilled it complaine of me that I haue oppressed them let mee eate Tristles insteade of wheate and darnell insteade of barley Hereby Iob concludeth that whiche wee haue seene afore that is to wit that although he had bin greuously afflicted by the hand of God yet notwithstanding men ought not to haue condemned him as though he had bene a greater offender than others whome God spared And why For as I haue sayd God keepeth not all one rate in afflicting men Sometime hee punisheth them for their sinnes and otherwhyles whē he intendeth to visite his owne seruaunts with extreme rigor he reserueth the cause of their afflictiōs to himselfe For although they haue serued him and indeuored to frame themselues wholly to his righteousnesse yet will he not therfore forbeare to send them right greate afflictions In that case we knowe not what to say vntill the last day when God shall manifest the things vnto vs whiche now are hidden So then Iob sheweth that wee must not esteeme his lyfe according to the state wherein he is For although he bee the miserablest of all men to outward sight yet doeth he protest that hee had a desire to serue god And wherein sheweth he that wee haue heretofore seene many of his protestations and now this is the last that his land cried not out against him True it is that the earth hath no mouth to cry nor complaine nother hath it feeling to suffer any wrong at our hand nother semeth it that we do the earth any wrong insomuch that although it could speake yet a mā wold not say that it had cause either to cry or to wepe or to make any complainte against vs VVhat doeth Iob then meene by saying that his land complayned not and that his furrowes wept not He meneth not that the earth of it selfe hath cause to complayne but the holy scripture vseth such maner of speche to make vs perceiue the better and with greater vehemencie that if we do amisse before God the creatures shall be against vs and beare witnesse against vs As how If we haue oppressed the poore labourers that til the earth to giue vs foode If we haue vsed extortiō against thē or if we haue plucked away their goods not only they shall beare witnesse against vs but the earth whiche they haue tilled shall also depose against vs And why ▪ For they haue bestowed their sweate there and that is as their blood Now it is a greate cruelty in vs whē we think not how the earth on her behalf hath opened her bowels according to the order that God hath fet and yelded her frute when shee was tilled The earth thē hath don hir dutie wrought with hir labourer as if ther were a mutuall agreement betwixt thē and yet notwithstanding behold how the Seagulfes deuoure the foyson of the earth taking away mens goods and doing them a thousand extortions Then if the laborer complaine must not the earth also on hir parte answere which hath bin as it were tormented Yee see then why the holy scripture vseth such speech wee see the hardnesse that is in vs in so much that if a mā tel vs of our sinnes we think our selues quite discharged if we may find some prety starting hole And although we be cōuicted of thē before God yet are we not so afraide as to bee sory for them or to feele how dreadful the wrath of God is Therfore it behoueth vs to be spurred not as asses but as folke that are vtterly hardened Insomuch that whē God striketh vpō vs with mayne strokes as vpon stones he can no more soften vs or make vs to yeld than stithies or anuildes except it be by force Thus ye see what we haue to marke And so as oftē as the scripture speaketh after that maner namely that the earth crieth out and that hir furrowes aske vengeāce let vs vnderstand that God reproueth our stubbornesse and sheweth vs that we be so blinded in our sinnes as we cannot come to knowledge except he drawe vs to it by some violent meanes Marke well that point So therfore let vs not continue hardharted whē we see our Lord vseth such vehemencie against vs to wake vs withal but at leastwise let vs then enter into the examination of our faults and bee cast
VVhat is too be done then but onely to woorship our God confessing our selues to come farre short of so houge greatnesse and so incomprehensible wisedome For of a truth it is good reason that we shoulde walk in all humblenesse and feare when we come to the considering of Gods woonderfull workes which shewe themselues euerie where in the order of nature And so wee see verie cleerely what is conteyned heere Yet notwithstanding it behoueth vs too come backe too this poynt namely why God setteth the earth before vs as a looking glasse It is too the ende wee might beholde his infinite glorie wisedome power and might too guide vs and leade vs as it were by the hande too the considering of his woorkes whiche are exceeding greate and excellent thereby too bee rauished into woonderment of purpose to humble our selues vnder his incomprehensible greatnesse and too honour him VVee see that God adorneth himselfe so excellently as there is no more replying agaynst him nor no more entering intoo such boldnesse as to desyre to controll him as though hee had done amisse VVho is hee that shall comprehende his infinite highnesse Let vs but open our eyes and wee shall bee confounded For on the other side if wee looke too the earth it is as our fostermother that feedeth and cherisheth vs and yet notwithstanding wee wote not howe VVe see well ynough howe it is tilled and we can tell well ynough howe to talke of it but yet must wee needes bee astonished euen in that behalfe And that is the conclusion of the text Seing then that we haue a mirrour of Gods incomprehensible power and wisedome euen in the verie earth that wee treade vpon what shall wee haue if wee looke vp too heauen which is farre aboue and whereunto we be not able to atteyne Is it meete for vs to reply agaynst God and to aske why he doth so or so or why he suffereth this thing or that Alas who are we So then let vs marke well that when we haue looked well vpon the earth it ought to serue to hold our affections in awe to the ende wee attempt not to aduance our selues aboue the skies but rather yeeld the glorie to oure God in all things that it pleaseth him too do knowing that he is the soueraine God and that he hath a perfect and substantiall glorie and that his woonderfull power and might are matched with infinite rightfulnesse and wisedome so as there is no fault to bee found in him If we conceiue this well we shall haue profited greatly for one day Now let vs come to that it is said That the starres sung prayses and the children of God reioyced in triumph at the creating of the worlde By these wordes God betokeneth that as soone as the starres were made it was a sette song or melodie to glorifie him Not that the starres sung nor that they be sensible creatures but for somuch as god did therin set out his owne greatnesse goodnesse power and wisedome it is all one as if he had spoken lowd and shirle Do we then lift vp our eyes to heauen VVe must needes heare the melodie of the starres according as they began to sing at the creation of the worlde And surely such melodie ought of right too waken vs and to stirre vs vp to sing the Lordes prayses and to glorifie him Yea though we were starke deafe yet ought wee to giue eare to so melodious songs and to receyue them for behold euen the Angelles of heauen are prouoked so to do But wee bee to blockish in that behalfe insomuch that when we lift vp our eyes to heauenwarde to behold the starres wee consider not too what purpose they shoulde serue vs Yet notwithstanding it behoueth vs too applie this text to our instruction to the end we may fare the better by it Now then it is sayd in the first part that the starres began to sing from theyr first creation After what maner As I haue tolde you alreadie not with tongue for they be senslesse and dumbe creatures but the goodnesse power and wisedome of God whiche shyne foorth in the starres ought to serue vs for as many songs If the ayre rung with shirle and cleare voyces wee ought not to be more stirred to glorifie our God than when wee see the woonderfull order which hee hath set before our eyes Howbeeit to moue vs yet better to glorifie him it is sayd that the Angels reioyced at that sight and at the hearing of such melodie of the speechlesse creatures in so muche as it made them for to triumph Hereby we ought to bee moued to glorifie our God and such a ioy shall bee a right and true ioy and a farre other one than the ioy of these madde worldelings and vnthrifts which cannot be merry but in displeasing god VVe see here a farre other gladnesse set afore vs which is that the Angels of heauen did as it were leape for ioy when they sawe the excellent course and wonderfull order of the heauen by gods appointment They were then moued to such a reioycing as is mencioned heere Seeing that the Angelles do guide vs to the glorifying of God to the singing of prayses vnto him ought not we to be glad when we beholde the goodly order which is in the skie Is not that the poynt wherevnto wee ought to come as oft as we lift vp our eyes aloft But what we bee farre off from putting the thing in vre which wee bee exhorted to heere for truly when we heare any text of that doctrine it slippeth away Although we be warned neuer so muche that we ought to glorifie God in looking vp to heauen and reioycing at the lighte of the Sunne and although we be sufficiently put in minde to do it yet doth it slip from vs But seing that the cheef seruice which god requireth of men is to be praysed at their hands and we make none account of it but whiche woorse is doo rob him of his honour disfeate him of that which is his in that we glorifie him not as he deserueth surely wee shall pay deerly for it when it commeth to the reckening True it is that our Lord knoweth well ynough that hee cannot drawe any thing from out of vs whereby to be magnified as he is worthie but yet he is contented that men should exalt him and glorifie him in his works that we should be moued to prayse him by the beholding of them Now if wee do not so are wee not woorse than traytours Yes doubtlesse are wee So then let vs learne to profit in the doctrine that is conteyned here By the way let vs marke that the Angels are termed Gods children to the ende wee should be the more persuaded to runne too the triumphe that is spoken of heere and ioyne with them in triumphing out Gods prayses and in glorifying him with one common accord when wee heare the sayde melodie both aboue and beneath inasmuche as God hath