In this historie is set before our eyes the example of a singular pacience. For this holy man Job was not onely extremely afflicted in outward things and in his body, but also in his minde, and conscience by the sharpe tentations of his wife, and chief friends: which by their vehement wordes, and subtil disputations broght him almoste to dispaire, for they set forthe God as a severe judge, and mortal enemie unto him, which had caste him off, therefore in vaine he shulde seke unto him for succour. These friends came unto him under pretence of consolation, and yet they tormented him more then did all his affliction. Notwithstanding he did constantly resist them, and at length had good successe. In this storie we have to marke that Job mainteineth a good cause, but handeleth it evil: againe his adversaries have an evil matter, but they defend it craftily. For Job helde that God did not always punish men according to their sinnes, but that he had secret judgements, whereof man knewe not the cause, and therefore man colde not reason against God therein, but he shulde be convicted. Moreover he was assured that God had not rejected him, yet through his great torments, and affliction he brasteth forthe into manie inconveniences bothe of wordes and sentences, and sheweth him selfe as a desperate man in manie things, and as one that wolde resist God: and this is his good cause which he doeth not handel wel. Agayne the adversaries mainteine with manie goodlie arguments, that God punisheth continually according to the trespass, grounding upon God’s providence, his justice, and man’s sinnes, yet their intention is evil: for they labour to bring Job into dispaire, and so they mainteine an evil cause. Ezekiél commendeth Job as a juste man, Ezek. 14,14, and James setteth out his pacience for an example, Jam. 5.11.