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…

Men may mourn and lament their sins and troubles, that they suffer for sin: as we may see how the Psalm of the Prophet,¹ containeth the bewailing and weeping of the people, that sate heavily and lamentably by the river side in Babylon. And the like may ye read in the Lamentations of Jeremiah. But this mourning was without desperation and quarrelling, as the letters and books do record. Besides these things, the cause of their bewailing and lamenting, whiles their souls waited upon the Lord, differeth from the most forte of ⟨image 45⟩mourners and bewailers now a days. For we may see now a days, if the wife bewail the death of her husband: it is most commonly, because she hath taken from her a loving head and governor.² If the husband lament the departure of his wife: it is because he is bereaved of a faithful helper. If the son mourn for the death of his father: it is because there is taken from him, not only his father, but also his patron and defender. If the parents be sorry for the taking away of their children: it is because they want their dalliance, sport and pastime with them, or such other worldly affections. If the prince take grievously, the calling away of his subject from this world: it is because he lacketh a trusty soldier, a faithful captain, a wise counsellor, or profitable officer. If the subject lament the death of his prince: it is because he hath lost his advantage, authority, or estimation. If the servant weep for his master: it is because with his master is departed his commodity, and trust of worldly riches and friendship. If the master mourn for his servant: it is because there is taken from him, a skilful, a diligent, or a faithful doer of his business. And such like causes, as men grievously of every sort feel and lament. If the Parson lament his parishioner: it is most commonly because he seeth the breach of an honest household decayeth his tenths and profit. And if the parishioner mourn for his pastor: most commonly it is, because he loss a good companion or profitable friend. If the Bishop bewail the death of such as die in his diocese: it is most commonly because he is destitute of such a one, as favoured much affection, to set fourth and do such things as he worldly desired should go forwards:

Men may mourne and lament their sinnes and troubles, that they suffer for sinne: as we may sée howe the Psalme of the Prophet,