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 was amongst the Philosophers great diversity of opinions in this matter, wherein felicity & beatitude should consist. Some said it rested in this, a man still and continually to be void from anguish and sorrow. Other said, it consisted in the knowledge of things. Some said, in pleasure and voluptuousness. Aristotle and Theophrastus, and such other as were of the sect of the Peripatets, did hold, that a blessed and fortunate life did ⟨p. 81⟩consist in honesty, and said, that The same might be accomplished with the voluptuous pleasures of the body, and with external riches, honour, and felicity. But both these opinions, and all the rest are confuted by our saviour Christ, and his holy word. He saith,¹ This is life everlasting, that men know thee (O father) the only and true God, and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ. And in an other place he saith,² Every one that forsaketh house, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or possessions for my name, shall receive an hundred fold, and possess life everlasting. By these places we know, that beatitude & felicity consisteth in knowledge, & working of Gods will, which be the causes of quietness of conscience, and innocency of life: wherein felicity doth consist, as I said before. The right knowledge of GOD bringeth faith in Christ. Faith in Christ bringeth tranquillity of conscience. Tranquillity of conscience, by faith worketh charity and love, to do, and work the will of our heavenly father. This may ye see also in the book of the Psalms, that felicity & bliss resteth not in these trifling things that glitter to the eye, wherewith the Prophet was so sore offended: but in knowledge and working of Gods will.³ Blessed is the man whom thou teachest (Lord,) and whom thou instructest in thy law. And in an other Psalm he saith,⁴ Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, and desireth to work his will. In these Psalms, if ye read them with judgement, and prayer to God: ye shall find both knowledge and consolation, far above the common sort of such as read and use them in the Churches now, to the dishonour of GOD, and to the destruction of their own souls. And in this matter of felicity and beatitude of man and woman in this life: I