Sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, vpon the booke of Iob. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding

The .Clix. Sermon, which is the thirde vpon the .xlij. Chapter.

This Sermon is yet still vpon the eight verse, and then vpon the Text insuing.

9 Then Eliphas the Themanite, and Baldad the Suhite, and Sophar the Naamathite, vvent and did as God had commaunded: and the Lorde receyued the face of Iob.

10 And the Lorde turned the captiuitie of Iob vvhen he prayed for his freends, and he blissed the latter state of Iob more than the first.

11 And all his brethren, and all his sisters came vnto him, and all they that had bin of his acquain∣tance before: and they are vvith him in his house, and had compassion of him, and com∣forted him, of all the aduersitie which the Lord had caused to come vpon him: and he re∣ceiued of eche of them a peece of siluer, and of ech of them an ornament of golde.

12 And the Lorde blissed the latter state of Iob more than the first, insomuch that hee had .xiiij. thousand sheepe, six thousand Camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, & a thousand Sheeasses.

13 Also he had seuen sonnes and three daughters.

14 And he called the name of one, Iemima, and the name of another, Kezia: and the name of the thirde, Kerenhapuk.

15 And there vvere not founde more fairer vvomen in all the Countrey, than Iobs daughters: and their father gaue them in heritance among their brethren.

16 And after these things, Iob liued a hundred and forrie yeares, and he savv his sonnes and his sonnes vnto the fourth generation.

17 And he died aged and full satisfied vvith dayes.

WEe haue seene howe God in rebu∣king Iobs freends, would not leaue them hopelesse, but called them to [ 10] repentance by telling them that hee woulde heare them, and haue pitie vpon them. And so ye see that cor∣rections are profitable too vs, when God shetteth not the gate agaynst vs, but sheweth vs that he is readie to receyue vs to mercie. For otherwise what should it boot vs to be cōuicted of our sinnes? VVe should be drowned in dispaire, if we toke not hold of Gods mer∣cie: and so shoulde wee neuer bee touched with true ear∣nestnesse to repent vs of our euill doings, but rather wexe [ 20] hardhearted, so as we should chafe vpon the brydle, and there should be none amendment in vs. Therfore let vs marke well, that God worketh men a singular benefite, when after his causing of thē to feele theyr owne naughti∣nesse, he sheweth them that yet notwithstanding they shal obteyne fauour if they seeke it. But heerewithal we haue seene also, that God commaunded those men to bring their sacrifices to Iob, to the end that he should pray for them: and that was too humble them. For although God shewe him∣selfe gentle & welminded towardes vs: yet haue we neede [ 30] that he should partly shew himselfe hard to be intreated of vs. Yea & that is to make vs haue a disliking of our sinnes: for oftentimes it seemeth sufficient to vs to haue giuē one good sigh and away (as we commonly say in our tongue) and so we do as it were but dally with God. Repentance ought to make vs vtterly dismayd, and it ought to sttike vs with feare whē we consider Gods wrath, which is able to ouerwhelme vs vtterly. VVe thinke not vpon that, but wee passe ouer it, as wee would passe ouer whote burning coles as they say. In this respect it is good & profitable for [ 40] vs, that our Lorde should as it were reine vs short, & shew vs that there is yet still some naughtinesse lurking in vs, the which it standeth vs in hande too perceyue better. Then Gods afoording of so large penywoorthes of his mercie vnto men, is to the intent they should alwayes bee the more humbled, and cal to mind the faults which they haue committed. That therfore is the reason why it is said in this text, that Iob should pray for those that had offended: But yet notwithstanding, it is not to be doubted, but that as well by the sacrifices as by Iobs person, God ment too [ 50] shewe that men haue neede of some meane or Media∣tor, to make them way to him, and to cause them to finde fauour according as we see, that in the law, God had or∣deyned the high Priest to enter alone into the Sanctuarie, in the name of all the people and that all men else should stande aloofe, acknowledging themselues vnworthie to preace neere the presence of God. For that was to beto∣ken, that without a Mediator to go in vnto God on oure behalfe, it shoulde neuer bee lawfull for vs to pray vntoo him: and good right also is it that wee shoulde bee hilde [ 60] scorne of and shette out. Nowe then Iob hilde heere the roome and office of a Preest when hee made interces∣sion for his frendes: but hee toke it not vpon him of his owne head: for that had beene to great presumptiō in him. It behoued him to sewe vnto God for [other mennes] pardon, and yet could not hee himselfe come thither with∣oute a Mediator and Aduocate: and howe then coulde he haue obteyned grace for all the rest, if God had not inioi∣ned him that charge? And so as touching the present act, God appoynted Iob to be a Preest, and it behoued him so to be. For (as the Apostle sayeth) no man ought to take that honour vppon him, sauing he that is appoynted by God: and such a one is a true and lawfull Preest, like as Iesus Christ himselfe was, who thoughe hee bee mayster in the Churche, and the heade of men and Angelles, and sitteth in the glorie of God his father: did yet notwithstanding not thrust in himselfe, but was called therevntoo with a solemne othe by him that sayde to him, I haue sworne and will not repent, thou art a Preest for euer after the order of Melchisedecke. Thē let vs marke wel that whereas Iob is set foorth here for a Preest: it is to the ende that wee should gather thereof, that whensoeuer we haue to seeke forgiuenesse of our sins, euery of vs must not thrust forth himselfe without hauing any better meane: but consider that it is the office of Iesus Christ to giue vs accesse, and to open vs the gate, and to bring vs to the presence of god his father, to the end we may be herd there, & that the throne of Maiestie may not be terrible but amyable to vs. Now if this were done in the time of the lawe, yea and euen a∣mong those to whome God communicated not himselfe so familiarly: what shall we do in these dayes when wee haue a full declaration that Iesus Christ is the only Aduo∣cate which maketh intercession for vs, to the intent that our sutes may be well receyued? And heerein appeareth the vnthankefulnesse of the worlde. For what hath beene the cause of seeking so many Aduocates and Pa∣trones, and that euery man hath had a seuerall deuotion to bring himselfe in vnto God, but bycause men haue not knowne the office of our Lorde Iesus Christ? So then let vs marke, that whensoeuer any of vs offendeth, hee must not steppe rashly to the heauenly throne, but come thither by the meanes of him that is appoynted for the purpose. And then are we sure that God will not shake vs off, for we haue his promise, whiche cannot deceyue vs. But if wee come thither geerishly, or at aduenture, it shall not boote vs awhitte. In like cace is it with the Sacrifices that are spoken of heere: For the prayers were neuer heard without the Sacrifice. And why? For God intended to shewe that of good right, men are vnworthie to come vnto him, bycause all haue deserued death, and there fore that their cōming thither shuld be but their de∣struction. Therfore all they that euer minded to obteyne fauour haue brought some Sacrifices with them, to cōfesse that they were in daunger of Gods iudgement, and that they could not be deliuered otherwise than by Sacrifice.

The verie Heathen men haue also followed the same: but they vnderstode not to what ende: [and therfore] it was but onely a witnesse agaynst themselues. Neuerthe∣lesse it was Gods will to leaue a president through the whole world, where by mē should acknowledge that there was nothing but damnatiō in themselues, and that they could not be ridde of it, except their sinnes were blotted out by making some amēdes. But nowe haue we the truth of it reueled vnto vs in the Gospell: which is, that as oft as we pray before God, wee must haue our recourse too the [ 10] death and passion of oure Lorde Iesus Christ: for we can∣not otherwise be reconciled vnto him, and therefore our prayers must be besprinckled with the bloud which he did shed to wash away our spottes. Thus ye sehow we may be∣come acceptable to God, notwithstāding that of good right he be our mortall enimie, and that as we haue made warre vnto him, so his vengeance and curse lie vpon vs, that is to wit, by cōming vnto him with the Sacrifice that was offe∣red by our Lorde Iesus Christ, and by applying the same to our vse, to the intent that we & our prayers may be blissed [ 20] and throughly accepted of God: for then will hee not faile too receyue vs intoo fauour. Howbeeit, it is to be noted here, that whereas God sayth to the end I do no follie vntoo you, (for so is it worde for worde in the text:) that maner of speech woulde bee somewhat with the hardest. But if wee marke what is written in the eightenth Psalme, wee shall haue a plaine and easie declaration of this saying. It is sayde that God will handle men according as hee findeth them. VVith the frowarde (sayeth hee) I will deale frowardly. This may seeme verie straunge: ne∣uerthelesse, [ 30] it proueth not that God chaungeth his pur∣pose or is like vntoo vs: but onely importeth that wee shall finde God to bee a rough ryder to a rough horse (as the prouerbe sayth.) For if we bee stubborne and stiffe∣necked, so as wee will not bowe: God will come vppon vs with maine blowes of the beetle. Then it might seeme vntoo vs, that God is terrible and feerce. Accor∣ding therefore as wee finde God too bee, and as wee conceyue him too bee in our fancies when hee stryketh vppon vs: such a one is hee sayde too bee, althoughe [ 40] no chaunge can light vppon his Maiestie. As muche is to be sayde of this text. It is sayde to the ende I doo no follie with you: as thoughe our Lorde shoulde say, too the ende that I handle you not according too your follie and frowardnesse: for the woorde importeth that also. Too the intent then that I execute not my vengeance vpon you, that is to say, to the intent I handle you not after suche fashion as you haue deserued: looke that ye go to my seruant Iob. This is according to that which I haue sayde alreadie: namely that forasmuch as Iobs [ 50] freends hauing knowledge of their offences were not yet sufficiently subdeued: God was faine too discouer their shame further, and too make them perceyue that if hee shoulde handle them as they were worthie, it woulde be a terrible dealing too them: and therefore that when Iob came as a meane betwixt them with his prayers, then he woulde be at one with them. And therewithall their obedience is declared, in that they did as God had commaun∣ded them. And heerein we see howe men are chaunged when God speaketh to them effectually, not only by ma∣king [ 60] thē heare his voyce with their eares, but also by ma∣king them too receyue it into their harts. For before that time Iobs frends had taken him for a reprobate, and gaue iudgement vpon him without admitting any excuce. They spake lustily agaynst him as though he had bin but some sillie worme of the earth, or some vyler thing than a worme. But nowe they come to him, yea euen with in∣treatance. For god hath bereft them of the pryde that blinded them before. Lo then what chaunge followeth when we be humbled before God, and that he hath so spo∣ken in our hearts, as we knowe what wee bee. For there is nothing that keepeth vs from walking in feare, and frō vtter abacing of ourselues, but that we bee sotted with a foolish ouerweening, to thinke our selues too be that which we be not. Therfore God must be faine to teach vs. For all the men in the worlde cannot mend this foolishe pride wherewith we be puffed vp, till God haue put to his hande. But besides that Iobs freendes had forgotten the pride wherewith they had erewhyles beene caried away, they did also shewe theyr repentance in obeying God: and in verie deede the true frute that sheweth the roote to be good, which otherwise should lie hidde in the heart, is that we indeuer too obey Gods ordinaunce. And that also is the cause why it is sayde in the Actes. Men and brethren, what shall wee doo? VVhen Saint Peter had as it were thūdered agaynst those that had erewhyles despysed oure Lorde Iesus Christ: it is sayde that they beeing wounded in theyr heartes, and pricked inwardly with remorse, said what shal we do? They offered themselues vnto God, to followe whatsoeuer he shoulde commaunde them. Ther∣fore wee see the like frute of Repentance in this Text: For Iobs freends vpon knowledge and putting away of the fonde ouerweening wherwith they had bene hild be∣fore, come and do all that God willed thē. And so when∣soeuer wee bee throughly humbled before God, so as we be displeased with our selues: we shal also haue a willing∣nesse and desire to submit our selues too Gods woorde: For it is one peece of our ouerweening, to do the things that we haue ymagined in our owne braine. And when wee will needes bee ouerwise, wee cannot obey God: but when we be vtterly bereft of all pride, then we know that God ought to haue authoritie to tel vs what is good for vs to doo, and that there is nothing else for vs to doo, but to submit our selues without any gainsaying. Nowe it is added immediately, that God receyued the face of Iob, and turned his captiuitie, or was turned at his repentance, when he prayed for his freends. Seeing it is so that God regarded the face of Iob, and accepted his prayer, forso∣much as he had appoynted him to bee a pr••est: I pray you haue not wee a much better certentie, seeing our e∣uerlasting Aduocate who is entered into the Sanctuarie of heauen, that is to wit our Lorde Iesus Christ, shall ne∣uer be refuzed, nor wee neyther if we come to God hys father by his meanes, holding euermore the way and furtherance that hee hath giuen vs? Beholde, Iob was a poore man, and euen entering into the high way to blas∣pheme God: and although hee did holde himselfe in pacience in the winding vp, yet had he such pangues as made him to fling ouer the feeldes, in somuch that he o••∣fended God greeuously, as I haue declared heeretofore: and yet for all that, when God inioyned him that office of praying, he heard him: not onely for himselfe, but al∣so

for straungers, yea and for suche as had bene his ene∣mies, and were as good well neere as separated frō God. For they had vtterly peruerted his woorde, and beaten downe and destroyed the hope of the endlesse lyfe that is to come, as I haue sayde afore: and yet notwithstan∣ding, Iob obteyneth grace for them. Nowe if it be sayde that God made that thing auaylable which was but a lit∣tle dimme shadowe: what shall bee done nowe that hee hath appoynted his owne onely sonne to bee the Priest, and commaunded him, not too offer vp Goates and Cal∣ues [ 10] or Sheepe, but to offer vp both his bodie and soule in Sacrifice? Seeing then that the Sonne of God hath in his owne person offered himselfe for our redemption, and to do away all our sinnes, and ceasseth not to make inter∣cession for vs still: shoulde wee doubt of obteyning for∣giuenesse for his sake, or of beeing alwaies receyued with all louingnesse and fauour at Gods hande? But (as I haue touched alreadie) the naughtynesse of the worlde sheweth it selfe in this, that men can not content them∣selues with one mediatour alone. The Papists runne [ 20] seeking to their Hee saincts and Sheesaincts, to bee their Patrones and Aduocates. And what is the cause thereof? For that they yeeld not so muche woorship vnto Iesus Christ, as to acknowledge that he hath bought them with his deathe and passion. They can well ynough call him Sonne of God, & Redeemer: but they acknowledge him not for their Aduocate, neyther flee they too him for suc∣cour: they know not what it is to pray to him, they heare no tydings of it among them. And on our side, do we our dutie as becommeth vs? I speake of those that are duely [ 30] taught. For as oft as wee shoulde pray vnto God: the euerlasting Sacrifice wherby redemption hath bene pur∣chased for vs, ought to come too our remembrance and before our eyes. But wee neuer thinke vppon it but at a glaunce: and there are many so grosse and beastly, that al∣though they ought to haue their eares deafe with hearing that Iesus Christe is our Aduocate: yet can they not dis∣cerrie betweene God & our Lord Iesus Christ, in somuch that when they shoulde call vpon the father in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christe, they wote not whither there [ 40] bee any Aduocate that maketh intercession for vs or no. But it is no maruell though our Lorde do oftentimes so dazle mens eyes to the end to turne them away from the meane of furtherance whiche he hath giuen them by his worde. For they be turned away by their own malicious∣nesse, and haue shet the gate against themselues, that they might haue none accesse vnto God to call vpon him: ac∣cording also as we know that there is no opening, except wee haue Iesus Christe for our spokesman, whome they haue forsaken. And that is, bicause the Diuell hath at all [ 50] times so laboured to put forth fonde imaginations to ca∣rie away men hither and thither. But let vs keepe our selues from gadding out: and rather sith we see that God hath heard men by meanes of their Sacrifices, so that the Priestes of the law entered not in vaine into the Sāctua∣rie that was made with mans hands, and was corruptible, when as they brought no better thing with them than the bloud of a beast: let vs be sure that nowe our Lord Iesus Christ will make vs too find God pitifull and fauourable towards vs, so as we shal be receiued to mercie, doubtlesse [ 60] if our prayers be grounded vpon the Sacrifice which hee hath offered, and that we acknowledge how it belongeth to him to carie worde for vs, and to cause vs to be heard. Heerewithall we haue also to marke how it is sayd heere, that God made Iobs captiuitie to tuine, or was turned at his repentance: for so may the woordes bee taken. But the playnest translation is, that he turned Iobs captiuitie, so as the anguish wherein he was, was taken away: or else, his captiuitie, that is to say, his cattell and substance [that had bene taken away from him] were restored againe. But howsoeuer it was, it betokeneth that in the end God had pitie vpon his seruant. Yea and it is purposely expressed to haue come to passe, when Iob prayed for his freindes, that is too say, for those that had persecuted him, as wee haue seene afore. And herein we see that if wee loue our eni∣mies, and procure their welfare and saluation: it shall be to our owne benefite and profite, and God will make the blessing to returne vppon vs. VVee bee diuerse times a∣frayde least wee should bee too gentle and kinde hearted when men haue offended vs: and this diuelish Prouerb, that if a man play the sheepe, the woolfe will eate him vp, is too muche practised. That is the cause why wee bee so wedded to our owne reuenge, when men haue troubled vs or done vs any wrong. It seemeth to vs that in forgi∣uing, wee be layde open to all reproche, and that our eni∣mies will take the more boldnesse at it agaynst vs. But it behoueth vs to let all those fancies go: for God hath ta∣ken the charge of vs himselfe, and hath giuen vs a good Shephearde, euen our Lorde Iesus Christ, who hath pro∣mised too keepe vs. And furthermore let vs marke well, that when wee pray for such as vexe vs, the same blissing will light vpon vs. If it please God that it take place: it is verie well: whereas they were enimies before, now they shall bee our brethren. And if they continue wilfull in their malice, yet will our Lorde make all the requestes to redounde to our selues, which we shal haue made for thē. Thus ye see why it is purposely sayd, that God looked mer∣cifully vpon Iob, whē he had prayed for those that had so mis∣vsed him, as we haue seene. And so it behoueth vs to call to mind how S. Iames saith, you haue heard of the paciēce of Iob, & seene what ende and issue God gaue him. Now he sheweth vs that the afflictiōs which God sendeth vpō his children, laste but a while, and that the ende of them is right happie, so as it is farre better for them to be so af∣flicted for a time, than to liue alwayes at their ease. For if God should spare them to much, there were not that mā which would not fall asleepe in this world: VVe should no more knowe what obedience were: the lustes of our flesh would play the reslife iades: and wee would thinke vpon nothing but this present transitorie life. Therefore let vs vnderstande, that when God afflicteth his faythfull ones, first it is not of purpose to presse them to the vtter∣moste: for hee knoweth what they bee able too beare: and Sainct Paule sayeth accordingly, that forasmuche as God is faythfull, he will not suffer vs to bee tempted be∣yonde that which we be able to beare. And furthermore he sheweth in the ende, that we haue cause to wishe to be so beaten with Gods scourges, according as Dauid saith, Lorde it was good for me that thou didst chastise me. In∣somuch that we may alwaies glorie in our aduersities and corrections. That is the thing whiche it behoueth vs too marke in this streyne. For it is not for Iobs sake that this

was written, that God blissed his latter state more than hys first, that hee doubled his goodes and substance whiche were verie great afore, that hee gaue him sonnes and daugh∣ters, and that he lengthued his life, so as he saw the children that came of his owne race vnto the fourth generation, after he had seene himselfe at so lowe an ebbe. True it is that here the holy ghost ment too leaue a memoriall of the gracious goodnesse that God shewed vpon the person of Iob: how∣beit, that was not for his instruction, but for ours. Then is it not without cause that Saint Iames hath set vs downe [ 10] this selfesame mirrour, saying: my freends, true it is that it is a hard and troublesome thing to kepepacience when men are tormented: it is agaynst their nature. Howbeit, in the ende God turneth all things in such wise too their welfare, as they perceyue it was much better for them to haue beene so afflicted, than to haue beene to much and to tenderly borne withall and cockered. To be short, whē soeuer we are troubled with aduersitie, I meane not one∣ly of b••••y, but also when we haue such hartbytings as set vs in a chafe, and tempt vs to dispayre, or to carpe against [ 20] God: let vs bethink vs of the things which we haue read of Iob and of his pacience. For if wee compare his ad∣uersities with all the aduersities that we be able to beare: wee shall certenly finde that in him God ment to set out a mirrour that passed all the temptations and troubles that dayly befall the Godly. See how Iob was on the one side spoyled of all his substance: hee had beene rich, and as a Prince in his Countrey: he is vtterly bereft of all things, and hath neither house nor any thing else left him: be∣sides this, yee see he was also bereft of his children: hys [ 30] wife spyted him and was agaynst him: As for his bodie, behold, it was as a rotten carion, such a one as men would bee loth to looke vpon, according as wee haue seene him complaine that his skinne cleaued too his bones, yea and how it hath beene sayd that he scraped of the rottennesse of his fleshe [with a potsherd.] This was a terrible sight, but yet were not the things that Iob suffered bothe in his goodes, and in his children, and in his wife, and in hys bodie, the cheefe things that he indured. All those were nothing in comparison of the anguishe that hee abode, [ 40] when hee sawe that God was agaynst him: and that also is the thing whereat hee was greeued when hee made his complaintes saying: VVhat nowe? VVhy doth not God take me away? VVhy am I not raced out of the worlde? Must I singer heere after this sort? And seeing I am but a poore frayle creature, why doth God presse me so gree∣uously? Iob then was in great trouble, when he saw that God was his aduersarie partie, and that he on his side wist not why. Now seeing it is so: it must not greeue vs if wee bee meanly afflicted, and that God chastice vs according [ 50] to our infirmitie, euerie man in his owne behalfe: wee must not thinke it straunge: but let vs resort to this storie which is written for our learning, and therevpon haue an eye to the ende. For if wee looke no further, but too the extremitie wherein Iob was during the time that God persecuted him: alas wee shall bee vtterly dismayde, and there is none of vs all but hee shall vtterly quayle, saying: VVhat booteth it a man to serue God, seeing that suche as haue walked in his feare, are most vnfortunate? But when we looke vpon the ende: that is the thing wherein [ 60] we haue wherewith to comfort our selues: namely, first of all (as I haue sayde) bycause the afflictions of Gods children last but a while: and secondly they serue them for [salues &] medicines: and [moreouer] the end of thē is alwayes happie: insomuch that they haue euer cause to glorifie God, not onely when hee deliuereth them, but also bycause hee mortifyeth all their wicked lustes: and also therein they haue a better confirmation of the do∣ctrine, in that whereas our Lorde Iesus Christ is the liue∣ly Image of all the faythfull children of God, they bee made conformable too him, as Saint Paule declareth in the eight to the Romaynes, that in all our aduersities wee be shaped like to the Image of our Lord Iesus Christ, who is the eldest sonne in the house of God. And truely if we looke but onely vpon the crosse of Iesus Christ, it is cur∣sed by Gods owne mouth: we shall see nothing there but shame and terrour: and to be short, it will seeme that the verie gulfe of hell is open to swallow vp Iesus Christ. But whē we ioyne his resurrection to his death, behold wher∣with to comfort vs, beholde wherewith to asswage all our sorrowes, to the ende we be not ouersorowfull whenso∣euer it shall please God to afflict vs. And this was pur∣posely fulfilled in our Lord Iesus Christ, to the intent we should knowe that this was not written for any one per∣son onely: but too the intent that all of vs should vnder∣stand, that the sonne of God will make vs partakers of his lyfe if we die with him, and partakers of his glorie, if wee beare all the shames and aduersities which it shall please God to lay vpon our shoulders, according also as S. Paule, speakecth of it in another place. VVe see then that the cause why this is reherced to vs, is that we should not bee vtterly dismayde, when wee see that God afflicteth vs, nor conceyue any such sorow as should shet vp our harts and hold vs prisoners so as we might receiue no comfort: but that wee should alwayes haue an eye to the end which God hath promised to his children, according as he hath shewed by effect, as well in Iob, as also in Dauid, and o∣thers, but cheeflyest in our Lorde Iesus Christ, who is the true and cheefe patterne of all the faithfull. True it is that it doth not cōmonly fal out that God doubleth his bene∣fites towardes such as haue beene afflicted, so as it may be seene that they be farre rycher than they were before and that they haue children and ofspring, and all that is to •••••• desired too the worldwarde. This is not alwayes seene: for God handleth vs not after one egall rate: he kn••weth what is fitte for euery man, and it behoueth vs to frame our selues to receyue our portion in suche wise as it shall please him to deale it vnto vs, as at a householders hande which knoweth well what is meete for his household. But howsoeuer the worlde go, it behoueth vs to take it for a generall rule, that God will not onely bring our afflicti∣ons to an ende, but also make them to turne to our wel∣fare, so as wee shall perceyue that he forgat vs not, at such time as hee afflicted vs, but rather 〈…〉〈…〉wed himselfe conti∣nually a father towardes vs, in that he suffered vs not too fall too fast asleepe in this worlde. As for the temporall blisings, well may wee take them also as God sendeth them: howbeit let vs haue an eye to the principall: which is, that if there were nothing else but that we bee confir∣med in Gods goodnesse, that wee haue ••e greater assu∣rance of his ayde, and that our fayth is alwayes exercised when we bee afflicted: is not that verie much? The man

that scarce knew how auaylable Gods fauor is too helpe vs at our need, doth in affliction see that God strength∣neth him in such wise by his holy spirite, that he beareth the affliction meekly: & whē he is deliuered, then know∣eth he that god did put to his hand: & thervpon he gathe∣reth that seeing god hath assisted him for one brūt, he wil neuer faile him after. If we had none other thing but that on the one side we see the helpe that God giueth vs: and secondly that he worketh in vs by his holy spirit, to the in∣tent we should not quaile: and finally sheweth vs by expe∣rience [ 10] that he is redy to help vs at al times: I say if we had no more but that: were it not an in estimable profite? But there is yet more: which is, that God maketh vs to per∣ceiue our infirmities which wee knew not before: & ther∣by we be the more prouoked to cal vpō him, as though he had wherted vs therevnto. And on the otherside, whereas we had taken the corrections to come by haphazarde, we be taught to receiue them as at his hand, & too make our profit of thē. And again, whē we be so striken down we bee the better dispozed to seke for the heauenly life: for suche [ 20] as royst it out to the worldward, do turne away frō God. Contrariwise, when we bee ouermaistred, and God hath cast vs downe to the ground, and we be brought so lowe & feeble as we wote not where to become: it is to the end to make vs to cleaue vnto him, and to taste better of the spirituall welfare that is prepared for vs. Then if wee had none other things than these, ought we not to know that the things which are written of Iob are performed in vs, and that we haue a true example of them? Therfore let vs suffer God to handle vs, and to deale his benefites to vs as [ 30] he himselfe shall see good. But howsoeuer we fare, let vs assure our selues that the end shall alwaies be happie. And 〈…〉〈…〉y if there were none other thing but this, that afflicti∣〈…〉〈…〉rue to bring vs to the glorie of our lord Iesus christ, 〈…〉〈…〉t when we be once taken out of this world, we shal 〈…〉〈…〉 companie with the sonne of God and his Angels: 〈…〉〈…〉t we not to honor thē? And although they be sharpe 〈…〉〈…〉ard too our flesh: yet notwithstanding haue we not 〈…〉〈…〉of to reioyce continually, and to yeeld thankes vnto God, specially when hee deliuereth vs out of our present [ 40] mi••eries? Howbeit, forasmuch as all could not be dischar∣g〈…〉〈…〉t length, and it is ynough to haue a short summe of 〈…〉〈…〉ings that are sayd here. I forbeare to speake now of 〈…〉〈…〉 of Iobs daughters: for in effect the scripture mēt to betokē, that God made him to prosper in suche wise to the worldward, as we may see with our eyes that he fauo∣red him, yea euen beyond the commō rate. And let vs not thinke it ••••••aunge, that God woulde in those dayes vtter his loue towardes the faithfull, by earthly and transitorie prosperitie. For the heauenly life was not then so perfect∣ly [ 50] discouered, as 〈…〉〈…〉is nowadayes by the Gospell. Iesus Christ was not yet manifested, who came downe hither to lift vs vp, and clothed himselfe with our flesh, too shew that God dwelleth in vs, and hath ioyned vs to his glorie & immortalitie. These things were not yet come to passe, and therfore it behoued the faithfull too be handled part∣ly like little children. And that is the cause why that when the auncient fathers are spoken of in the scripture, it is purposely said that God blissed them in their ofspring, in their cattell, in their possessions, and in such other things, [ 60] and specially in length of life and why so? It was for them to be helped by those meanes in wayting till the heauenly life were discouered vnto vs, vnto whom our Lord Iesus Christ hath opened the gate of Paradise by his comming to make vs mount vp a loft with him. Then if God make not vs now to prosper so much to the worldwarde, wee must not be greeued at it: for our state is not worse thā the state of the auncient fathers: wee haue afarre better re∣compence which ought to comfort vs. For example, let vs take but only that whiche is said concerning long life. God in his law hath highly esteemed the long life that he gaue to the faithfull. And yet notwithstanding many vn∣beleeuers and vtter reprobates haue liued long. Therfore we must not rest there, forasmuch as it is a benefite that may be cōmon as well to Gods enimies, as to his friends: It is not the souereine good thing, it is not the true and perfect happinesse: no, it commeth farre short of it. But we must also adde the second point: which is, that the fathers of old time knewe not yet so perfectly as wee do, that God had prepared them an heritage in heauen. True it is that they had some taste of it, and they had the same faith which we haue: but yet had they no such opening as wee haue in our Lord Iesus Christ. Therefore it was meet that God should let them liue long and make them too profit [in knowledge] by long experience in the world Lo why Iob liued long time. Now adayes our life is shorter, and that is bycause Iesus Christ is appeared vnto vs, and hath shewed vs that we are but straungers in this worlde, that we might runne to the heritage which is purchased by his bloud. The thing that was then but in shadowes, was too be confirmed by visible benefites. But now we haue the substance: the shadowes and figures are past: wee haue the bodie of them in our Lorde Iesus Christ: therfore wee must be contented with whatsoeuer God giueth vs, and referre our selues wholy to his guiding. And furthermore let vs vnderstand, that wee must bee contented with the life that we haue liued, whensoeuer it shall please God to take vs out of the world. True it is that when the scrip∣ture speaketh so of Iob and Abraham, that they died olde men and full satisfied with dayes: it is to expresse the tem∣porall blissing that I haue spoken of. But howsoeuer they fared, neither Iob nor Abraham, nor such other like would euer haue bin satisfied with liuing in this worlde, if they had not amed at a better and more excellēt end. Ye see thē how it was requisit that God should prolong their life: to the end to giue them the longer experience of his good∣nesse: which thing is not nowe so requisite for vs, whiche haue a more large declaration of Gods fatherly loue to∣wards vs. Therfore it behoueth vs to be satisfied with our life, and too dispose our selues to die when it shall please God, so as we may go hence with a glad hart, & not with gnashing of our teeth as the vnbeleeuers do. For if they had liued a hundred thousand yeres, yet would they faine tary here beneath still: for they haue none other hope but of this present life, & it seemeth to thē that death dispat∣cheth all. And that is the cause why they are neuer redy to go out of the world. Contrariwise the fathers of old time were wont to confirme their faith by the length of the life which God gaue thē: and therwithal disposed themselues to depart whensoeuer God listed to take them hence too himselfe. And what ought we on our side to do nowadays? I haue told you alredie that we must not loke to liue long

to take knowledge of gods fatherly loue therby: for if you liued but three dayes in this world, it were inough to giue vs a tast of Gods goodnesse & mercie, and to cōfirme our faith. For seeing that our Lord Iesus Christ hath died and is rise again, we need no long time in this world to know that God is our father, and that we be sure of our salua∣tion. Therfore as soone he giueth vs knowledge of the truth of his Gospell, let vs alwayes be readie too die, assu∣ring our selues that hee hath adopted vs for his children, and that he will shew himselfe our father both in life and [ 10] death. Ye see then that we must alwayes be satisfied with life, seeing that God hath giuē vs so good a pledge of his loue in our Lorde Iesus Christ, and we must not desire too haue our life prolonged here, to the end to haue a larger confirmation thereof. VVherfore let vs continually pray him, that hauing guided vs cōtinually with his holy spirit, he will draw vs [hence] too himselfe: and that wee may come thither full satisfied, bycause he hath nourished and mainteyned vs, and shewed vs that our true life and euer∣lasting happinesse is prepared for vs aboue.

Now let vs fal down before the face of our good God, with acknowledgement of our sinnes, praying him too vouchsafe to touch vs with them more and more, that we may come to him with true repentance to frame our sel∣ues after his rightuousnesse: and that for asmuch as we be wretched sinners; and wrapped and ouerwhelmed in so many temptatiōs as it is impossible for vs too discharge our selues of the hundreth part of our dutie, it may please him too ayde vs with his holy spirite, and too beare with our infirmities and imperfections, vntill hee haue quite & cleane rid vs of them. And so let vs al say, Almightie God heauenly father, &c.