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…

Out of this part is to be noted. First, a great fault and oversight in the people of God, for lack of judgment and true knowledge: wherein trueth and very felicity in deed consisteth: the lack of the which knowledge, maketh men both impatient, and lewd judges of Gods holy works. The Prophet therefore herein amendeth his own, and our ignorance, and willeth us to know perfectly, wherein felicity and happiness doth rest. The Christian must understand and assure him self, that the felicity and everlasting beatitude of man, is wrought by quietness of conscience, and innocency of life: of which two parts and virtues, in this tract I will speak more hereafter, as well what they be, what be the causes of them: as what is the effect of them. I will assure you, if we know not these things well: our religion will be but a while permanent, and true unto God. To enter therefore into the knowledge of the matter, wherein the beatitude & felicity of man ⟨image 77⟩consisteth: it is requisite to cast some clouds and darkness upon these worldly things that wicked men possess, and godly men think them thereby to be happy. Look as the Sun at the rising and passing over the earth, doth hide and cover the globe & sphere of the Moon, and darkeneth also the light, and clearness of the stars: even so doth the tranquillity of conscience, and the brightness of faith and charity that dwelleth in the heart of the faithful, darken and hide all things that seem beautiful and voluptuous to the world, and carnal lusts of man. And he that hath a testimony at home in his own conscience, that he is in the favour of God, will not greatly pass of other mens judgements, whether they save or damn, laud or dispraise: nor yet greatly pass, although he lack such notes of riches and glory, as worldly men judge and know felicity by. For he that knoweth surely wherein felicity doth consist, will not take the worldly opinion of men for his record, nor for his reward: neither will he greatly fear for any damnation or punishment, that the world can annex and join unto his life, for this mortal time. It is therefore Christianity to know, that felicity and beatitude resteth in the riches of the mind, by Gods grace, wrought by the holy Ghost, for the merits of Christ.

Out of this part is to be noted. First, a great fault and ouersight in the people of God, for lacke of iudgment and true knowledge: wherein trueth and verie felicitie in déede consisteth: the lacke of the which knowledge, maketh men both impatient, and lewde iudges of Gods holy workes. The Prophete therefore herein amendeth his owne, and our ignorance, and willeth vs to knowe perfectly, wherein felicitie and happinesse doth rest. The Christian must vnderstand and assure him selfe, that the felicitie and euerlasting beatitude of man, is wrought by quietnesse of conscience, and innocencie of life: of which two partes and vertues, in this tract I will speake more hereafter, as well what they be, what be the causes of them: as what is the effect of them. I wil assure you, if we knowe not these thinges well: our religion will be but a while permanent, and true vnto God. To enter therefore into the knowledge of the matter, wherein the beatitude & felicitie of man