A03620:458
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.
Commentary Psalm 77 › Body of exposition › Part 3 (verses 2-9): ¶The third part.
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.
1Therefore, this is a common wisdom and daily experimented sentence, Omnes, cùm valemus, bonum, consilium aegrotis damus. When other men be sick, we can give good counsel patiently to bear it. When other men be afflicted and troubled, we can speak of many means to quiet them. When they be in any mistrust of Gods promises, we can comfort them ⟨p. 109⟩with many arguments of faith: but most commonly, if we be sick our selves, troubled, or in mistrust of Gods promises, we can ease or comfort our selves very little. And good cause why: for God that giveth of his own gist and only free liberality, wisdom, knowledge, learning, and consolation: giveth also the grace that the said virtues may work their operation, and expel the infirmities and diseases, wherefore these wisdoms and virtues were ordained. As it is marvellously noted of Saint Paul:2 I have planted, & Apollo hath watered: but God gave the increase. The word of God is a means to teach truth,3 and to condemn falsehood: to place virtue, and to remove vice:4 to give consolation, and to banish and put away diffidence and mistrust: but God giveth and worketh the effect thereof.5 Meat is made to preserve the body: but if God giveth not strength, it misseth the purpose.6 The horse and man be means to overcome: but in battle God giveth the victory. The preacher preacheth Gods word: but God openeth and teacheth the mystery thereof. Man heareth: but God giveth the understanding. Asaph remembered Gods works, and had in mind his own godly Psalms: but God must give the consolation. He saw the trueth, and knew that God was faithful: but the joy and profit thereof, lay in the distribution and gift of God: as we may well perceive by this sorrowful interrogatory: Will he be entreated no more?