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…

neither thought he him self rich nor blessed with the riches of Egypt, ne cursed when he was in need, and lacked them. Elijah the Prophet,¹ if he had considered his need and ⟨image 79⟩danger, he might have accounted him self very miserable and unhappy: but because he knew it was appointed him of GOD, he complained not of Gods doings: for he was as well contented to have bread from God by the Raven in the morning, and water at night from the fountain: as though he had had all the world. And he was nothing the less blessed, although he was poor, but rather more blessed: because he was rich to God ward. Read the Gospel of S. Matthew,² and see the practise of this felicity. Moses that was so destitute of all worldly help, and Elijah void of all worldly consolation, do talk with Christ in the mount of Thabor, where as Peter would have tarried with all his heart, although he knew both Christ, and those that he talked with, in the estimation of this world, were accounted most unhappy, and miserable of all men: yet he saw, that transitory honours, riches, and felicity holp nothing to the life everlasting. As Christ plainly teacheth in S. Luke,³ Blessed are the poor: for theirs is the kingdom of God. Blessed be they that hunger and thirst for justice: for they shall be satisfied. Blessed be ye that now weep: for ye shall laugh. Therefore the poverty, misery, and affliction that the Prophet was in, when he spake this Psalm and most godly Hymn, hindered nothing at all his felicity, and blessing of God: but rather furthered it, if he had wist wherein truly and verily felicity had consisted: as ye may see hereafter, how he came to the knowledge of it.

neyther thought he him self rich nor blessed with the riches of Egypt, ne cursed when he was in néede, and lacked them. Elias the Prophet,¹ if he had considered his néed and ⟨image 79⟩daunger, he might haue accounted him selfe very miserable and vnhappie: but bycause he knewe it was appointed him of GOD, he complained not of Gods doings: for he was as well contented to haue bread from God by the Rauen in the morning, and water at night from the founteine: as though he had had all the world. And he was nothing the lesse blessed, although he was poore, but rather more blessed: bycause he was riche to God ward. Reade the Gospell of S. Matthewe,