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…

There is also to be noted, that the Prophet said, He was almost gone, and not altogether. Here is the presence, providence, strength, safeguard, and keeping of man by almighty God, marvellously set forth: that although we be tempted and brought (even to the very point,) to perpetrate, and do all ⟨image 75⟩mischief: yet he stayeth us, and keepeth us that the temptation shall not clean overcome us. And so Saint Paul saith of Gods providence, and present help: that He will not suffer us to be tempted further, then we shall be able to bear. And many times when we be brought into the greatest danger and peril both of body and soul: before we fall and be overcome, the Lord preserveth us, and preventeth the evil.¹ As when Abraham went into Egypt, and perceived that the Egyptians would put him in danger for his wife Sarah, (for she was a fair woman,) he desired her to say, She was his sister: and by that means thought to save him self from danger, and to win favour at the Egyptians hands. The chastity of this godly matron Sarah and wife of Abraham, came into such extreme peril, that neither Abraham nor she, knew how to stand fast in the state and chaste condition of matrimony: for she was coupled to the king, as his wife. But least the woman should have fallen, and her feet slipped: the Lord rebuked the king, and told him, that Sarah was an other mans wife, and unlawful for him: and so, by his merciful defence and goodness, kept all parts from falling in that respect.² The like may ye see also in Judith the godly woman, that without a singular grace of God, had fallen with Dlofernes, and abused womanhood, and widowhood: had not the Lord stayed in time, the fall was imminent, and (in manner) at hand.³ And ye may read the same likewise of the people that were within the city of Bethulia, at the same time, how near they were fallen, when they appointed God a time to help them the space of five days: in case he deferred his help any longer, they would yield them selves into the hands of their enemies: but God stayed their fall, ⟨p. 79⟩and that by the hands of a woman. And if there had not been more mercy in GOD, then faith in them, their feet had not only slipped: but also all the whole land, country, and city. The like ye may see also in the notable history of Esther: