A01278:20
Of the preparation to the cross, and to death and of the comfort under…Of the preparation to the crosse, and to deathe and of the comforte vnder…
Of the preparation to the cross, and to death and of the comfort under the cross and death, two books very fruitful for devout people to read, translated from latin to english, by Richard Tracy.Of the preparation to the crosse, and to deathe and of the comforte vnder the crosse and death, two bokes very fruictefull for deuoute people to rede, translated from latyn to englysshe, by Rycharde Tracy.
Londini : In ædibus Thomæ Bertheleti typis impress. Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum, Anno. M.D.XL. 1540Londini : In ædibus Thomæ Bertheleti typis impress. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum, Anno. M.D.XL. 1540
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
¶Cross is the work of the good will and mercy of god. Cap. v.
¶Crosse is the worke of the good wyll and mercy of god. Cap. v.
IT IS not enough, to feel and consider, that we are afflicted through the counsel and will of god, but we must moreover mark the cause and intent of his godly will, for reason judgeth, that we are punished, to the end to be hurt or destroyed: and examples likewise move us, of them that have ben punished and cast of from god, as of Pharaoh, Saul, and other like, but we must forsake reason, and flee such examples, and cleave to the word of god. The word of god teacheth, that we suffer affliction, ⟨image 15⟩to our health and salvation. For afflictions are not signs of wrath and displeasure, but of grace and favour. God calleth to repentance, and by affliction he in a manner speaketh and declareth, that he will forgive. For as baptism, or eating of the lords body, do witness unto us, that we are forgiven: even so near hand affliction may be called a certain sacrament. For it signifieth, that god will forgive. And why doth it so signify? for even as other sacraments have the word of the element: so to affliction is the word annexed, whereby is promised grace, for so saith Paul.1 while we are punished, we are corrected of the lord, lest we should with this world be condemned. Affliction calleth to repentance, that ⟨image 16⟩we perish not. And he correcteth the son,2 whom he loveth. It is good for me, that thou haste brought me under, that I may learn thy righteousness.3 Lord in tribulation have they visited thee: it is thy learning to them, that they should cry to the in anguish and sorrow.