A03620:4
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.
TO ALL THE FAITHful flock of Christ, grace and peace from God the Creator, Christ the Redeemer, and the holy Ghost the comforter.
TO ALL THE FAITHfull flocke of Christ, grace and peace from God the Creatour, Christ the Redeemer, and the holy Ghost the comforter.
Many are the monuments (beloved in the bowels of Christ Jesus) and volumes of the faithful left as legacies to the Church of Christ: which as they are the true riches (for they are spiritual:) so ought they to be reverenced, not only with outward service of body, but also with inward submission of soul. Among which monuments, being the treasure of the Church, and such jewels in deed as the price of them is invaluable: this excellent work, (though wanting bigness, yet full of brightness) of that most learned, godly, faithful, zealous, constant, and in all points praise worthy Protestant, Master John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester and worcester, challengeth no small title of dignity. ⟨image 3⟩For, if the words of our Saviour be true, (which to improve what incestuous mouth, without horrible blasphemy, a trespass unpardonable, dare presume, seeing he is the very substance of truth it self?)1 that he is a true disciple of Christ, which continueth to the end: then is it the duty of us all, except we hide our profession under the hive of hypocrisy: not only by looking at the life of such a loadesman, to reform our deformities: but also, by tracing over and through the testimonies of the trueth (such godly books I mean as are left in writing to the world, as undoubted assurances of an unspotted conscience) to thank God for so singular an instrument of his Gospel: & to beseech him to work in us the like love his law, that we may be partakers of such glory, as (no doubt) this notable Martyr of God doth immortally enjoy. Of whom briefly to insert and say somewhat (because the brightness of such a glittering star, cannot be overcast with the clouds of obscurity and darkness) shall be a means to make the work more commendable, although (in very deed) precious things have their proper price, and therefore consequently will have their deserved praise.