Of this part we learn, that the dangers of this life, be no more then God can and will put from us, or preserve us in them, when they come unto us without danger: also that the troubles of this world be not perpetual nor damnable for ever, but that they be for a time only sent from God, to exercise and prove our faith and patience. At the last we learn, that the troubles being ended, we begin and shall continue for ever in endless pleasure and consolation, as David showeth at the end of his Psalm. So doeth Christ make an end with his disciples, when he hath committed them, for the time of this life, to the tuition of the heavenly father, whiles he is bodily absent: he saith at length they shall be where he is himself in heaven for ever. For in this life, all be it the faithful of God, have consolation in Gods promises, yet is their joy very dark and obscure, by reason of troubles both without and within: outwardly by persecution: inwardly by temptation. Therefore, Christ desireth his father, to lead and conduct his Church in trueth and verity, whiles it is here in fight & persecution with the devil, until it come to a perfect and absolute consolation, where as no trouble may molest it. For then, and not before (to what perfection soever we come) shall we be satisfied, as David saith:1 The plentifulness of ⟨image 39⟩pleasure and joy is in the sight and contemplation of thee, ô Lord. For, Then shall the mind of man fully be satisfied, when he being present, may presently behold the glorious majesty of God: 2for God hath then all joys present to him that is present with him, & then man knoweth God, as he is known of God, These joys in the end of troubles, should give the troubled man the more courage to bear troubles patiently,3 and be persuaded (as S. Paul teacheth,) that The troubles of this present life, be not worthy of the joys to come, which shall be revealed to us, when Christ cometh to judge the quick and the dead. To whom with the father and the holy Ghost, be all honour and praise, world without end. Amen.
Of this part we learne, that the dangers of this life, be no more then God can and will put from vs, or preserue vs in them, when they come vnto vs without danger: also that the troubles of this world be not perpetuall nor damnable for euer, but that they be for a time onely sent from God, to exercise and proue our faith and patience. At the last we learne, that the troubles being ended, we begin and shall continue for euer in endlesse pleasure and consolation, as Dauid sheweth at the end of his Psalm. So doeth Christe make an ende with his disciples, when he hath committed them, for the time of this life, to the tuition of the heauenly father, whiles he is bodily absent: he saith at length they shalbe where he is himselfe in heauen for euer. For in this life, all be it the faithfull of God, haue consolation in Gods promises, yet is their ioy very darke and obscure, by reason of troubles both without and within: outwardly by persequution: inwardly by temptation. Therefore, Christ desireth his father, to lead and conduct his Church in trueth and veritie, whiles it is here in fight & persequution with the diuel, vntill it come to a perfect and absolute consolation, where as no trouble may molest it. For then, and not before (to what perfection soeuer we come) shall wee be satisfied, as Dauid saith:1 The plentifulnesse of ⟨image 39⟩pleasure and ioy is in the sight and contemplation of thee, ô Lord. For, Then shal the minde of man fully be satisfied, when he being present, may presently beholde the glorious maiestie of God: 2for God hath then al ioyes present to him that is present with him, & then man knoweth God, as he is knowen of God, These ioyes in the end of troubles, should giue the troubled man the more courage to beare troubles patiently,3 and be persuaded (as S. Paule teacheth,) that The troubles of this present life, be not worthie of the ioyes to come, whiche shall be reuealed to vs, when Christ commeth to iudge the quick and the dead. To whome with the father and the holy Ghost, be all honour and praise, world without end. Amen.
- 1Psalm. 16.
- 22 Cor. 13.
- 3Rom. 8.
