A03620:227
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…
Certain comfortable expositions of the constant martyr of Christ, M. John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester and Worcester written in the time of his tribulation and imprisonment, upon the XXIII. LXII. LXXIII. and LXXVII. Psalms of the prophet David.Certeine comfortable expositions of the constant martyr of Christ, M. Iohn Hooper, Bishop of Glocester and Worcester written in the time of his tribulation and imprisonment, vpon the XXIII. LXII. LXXIII. and LXXVII. Psalmes of the prophet Dauid.
London: printed by Henry Middleton, 1580London: printed by Henrie Middleton, 1580
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.
At the first they seem unto the flesh,1 things impossible, as we may see by Nicodemus, who was as ignorant as could be at the beginning,2 when he came first to school to Christ. But when a man hath been exercised a while in it, he feeleth more sweetness in the promises of God: as we see by this Prophet. For after he had borne the cross of affliction ⟨image 61⟩a little while, and learned the nature of God, how merciful he is to sinners, he said: Although I fall, yet it shall not be greatly. But when he had tarried in the school of Christ, and learned in deed what he was, and how that he was able to perform his mercy, he said plainly: Whatsoever, sin, the devil, the world, the flesh, hell, heaven, or the earth would say against him, he should not fall. These two interpretations are to be noted. For which so ever we use, we may find comfort, and unspeakable consolation.
At the first they séeme vnto the fleshe,1 things impossible, as we may sée by Nichodemus, who was as ignoraunt as could be at the beginning,2 when he came first to schoole to Christ. But when a man hath bene exercised a while in it, he féeleth more swéetnesse in the promises of God: as we sée by this Prophete. For after he had borne the crosse of affliction ⟨image 61⟩a little while, and learned the nature of God, howe mercifull he is to sinners, he saide: Although I fall, yet it shall not be greatly. But when he had tarried in the schoole of Christe, and learned in déede what he was, and howe that he was able to perfourme his mercy, he saide plainly: Whatsoeuer, sinne, the diuell, the world, the fleshe, hell, heauen, or the earth would say against him, he should not fall. These two interpretations are to be noted. For which so euer we vse, we may finde comfort, and vnspeakable consolation.
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