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…

It is too evident, and also too horrible, (if it pleased God,) that men be contented only with the external consolation contained in the word of God. For if they hear that Gods commandments be true, and full of consolation, they be contented to hear of them in the letter or by speech, and never learn them or feel them by heart. The like is in the Articles of our Christian religion. They be thought to be true and godly: and yet the most part that so judge, neither learn them nor feel them in their conscience: Wherefore they do outwardly and inwardly as much idolatry, contrary to their Creed, by the commandment of men, as can be devised: for their consolation of faith is no more but such an outward knowledge, as the most men hold withal, without any proper judgement, or singular feeling of their own spirits.¹ The same is likewise in prayer. For in the external letter, there is so much consolation as may be: but in the heart of him that prayeth, is there no understanding nor feeling of the consolation that outwardly is spoken and talked of. Therefore, mark this order of the Prophet Asaph. He said, that His spirit could take no consolation in all the night time, whilst he held up his hands. And as there is not only discomfort and unquietness spoken of, but also felt: not only noted and written in the ⟨p. 99⟩letter of y• Psalm, but also throughly felt inwardly in the spirit with heaviness and anguish, without comfort and consolation: so in this verse is there consolation in the letter, in the voice, & in the mouth mentioned of, & inwardly the same consolation felt in the spirit. And as outwardly Gods displeasure troubled him: so inwardly Gods holy name & promises comforted him. And this is to be noted, least we should hear of consolation outwardly, or read it in the book of the holy Bible: and yet inwardly neither feel nor know any consolation at all.

It is too euident, and also too horrible, (if it pleased God,) that men be contented only with the externall consolation conteined in the word of God. For if they heare that Gods commaundements be true, and full of consolation, they be contented to heare of them in the letter or by speach, and neuer learne thē or féele them by heart. The like is in the Articles of our Christian religion. They be thought to be true and godly: and yet the most part that so iudge, neyther learne them nor féele them in their conscience: Wherefore they doe outwardly and inwardly as much idolatrie, contrarie to their Créed, by the commaundement of men, as can be deuised: for their consolation of faith is no more but such an outward knowledge, as the most men hold withall, without any proper iudgement, or singular féeling of their owne spirites.