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BEZA VPON IOB.
CHAP. I.
VERSE. 1. There was a man in the land of Huz called Iob, and this man was an vpright and iust man, one that feared God and eschewed euill.
THere was a man.] This chapter I may fit∣ly deuide into three parts: the first, com∣prised in the first fiue verses, declareth who this Iob was, and of what account & estimation both with God and men: also what benefits he had receiued at the hands of God, as who is pleased with righteousnes. Hebr. 13.16. And yet if we will iudge aright, all this was of Gods free grace, that Iob was such a one towards God and men, as here he is described. For who hath giuen to him first? The second part conteyneth the decree of God concerning Iobs triall and temptation, whome Satan laboureth to ouerthrow. The third part from the twentith verse to the end of the chapter, setteth forth Iobs victorie in this first conflict. Now whatsoe∣uer in this place is spoken of Iob, it serueth not onely to set before our eyes a most singular example of a man trulie bles∣sed here vpon earth: but also maketh very much to the ex∣emplifying of that heauie and tragicall discourse that fol∣loweth. For this had beene no straunge matter, that a man abusing the great blessing of God, should suddenlie fall as it were from the top of prosperitie, into extreame miserie, suffe∣ring the punishment due to ingratitude and vnthankefulnes: seeing histories both sacred and prophane yeald vs many such examples, and these times offer vs not a few. But that so godlie and so a iust man, liuing in great prosperitie, should on a suddeine become so wretched and vnhappie, it might seeme a thing altogither incredible. Moreouer all this com∣mendeth vnto vs Jobs constancie, which is so much the more wonderfull, by how much this chaunge was more suddeine and vnlooked for. For a man that hath beene exalted from a