Certain comfortable expositions of the constant martyr of Christ, M. John Hooper, Bishop of…Certeine comfortable expositions of the constant martyr of Christ, M. Iohn Hooper, Bishop of…

Let the mind of the thief be touched for theft:¹ straightway poverty, the work of GOD, beareth the blame.² Let whoredom vex the whoremongers mind: immediately the tongue complaineth upon Gods work,³ youth, strength, and such other. Let the mind be troubled with covetousness: by and by Gods work, wife, children be alleged for excuse. For they must be provided for, saith the covetous ⟨p. 48⟩man: when he hath enough for himself and ten times as many moe children, as God hath sent him, if it were thankfully used towards God, and liberally towards the world. So that if any man be touched with anguish or heaviness for sin: immediately the tongue saith, He was borne under an evil Planet,⁴ or in an evil hour, and so findeth fault with the work of God, which God made excellent good. Thus may ye see, where as the soul of man waiteth not upon God: the impatient man accuseth God, and all his works, both in heaven and in earth.⁵ But the godly feeling the rod of God for sin and iniquity (as GOD never punisheth without just cause,) he first accuseth him self, and acknowledgeth his own offences: and then sayeth with the Prophet Micah, I will suffer the indignation of God, for I have deserved it.

Let the minde of the théefe be touched for thefte:¹ streightway pouertie, the worke of GOD, beareth the blame.² Let whoredome vexe the whoremongers minde: immediately the tongue complayneth vpon Gods worke,³ youth, strength, and such other. Let the minde be troubled with couetousnesse: by and by Gods worke, wife, children be alledged for excuse. For they must be prouided for, saith the couetous