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…

But whereas sin is known and confessed from the very hart,¹ unto God, although it be a bitter thing and also a shameful thing,² to feel and bear Gods displeasure for sin, the burden whereof is very death, and more grievous then death it self: yet whereas confidence and trust in the mercy of God is annexed with it, there followeth great consolation and comfort: As it is to be seen in this Prophet that spake with a strong faith boldly: The right hand of God can change these things. So that the latter part of this verse hath more comfort, then the first part hath discomfort. And it is a plain doctrine, that although the sins of man be many & horrible:³ yet be they fewer and less in estimation many thousand folds, then Gods mercies. Death is declared in the first part of the verse, in this, that mans infirmity is not only sinful in body & soul, but also doubtful of Gods mercy & holy promises: Yet in the second part by grace is set forth life, and clean deliverance from the tyranny of the devil, the servitude of sin, the accusation of the law, and the infirmity of nature, by the strong and mighty power of God, whose mercy in Christ is always ready to help poor afflicted and troubled sinners.⁴ After this confession of sin, and the great confidence that the prophet had in God for his mighty power and mercies sake,⁵ that was both ⟨image 113⟩able by power and ready with will, to help and remedy this troubled spirit, and great adversities of the Prophet: he goeth forth in the consolation, & taketh yet more and more of Gods benefits, used in times towards such as were afflicted, after this sort.

But wheras sinne is knowne and confessed from the very hart,¹ vnto God, although it be a bitter thing and also a shamefull thing,