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…

Of these means how men take consolation in adversity, that the Prophet now maketh mention of: first we learn, what difference is between the consideration of Gods works advisedly & by faith: & the consideration of Gods works rashly & without faith. The which diversity is to be seen in this Prophet. For the one part, as touching the remembering of Gods works out of faith and in faith, he spake before in the second verse, and in the fourth verse, ⟨p. 117⟩how that he considered the works and old doings of the Lord when he was troubled. But, as ye have heard, because his spirit was in a doubtfulness and mammering upon the certainty of Gods doings: he felt no consolation thereof, but much heaviness and anguish of mind. For those demands: Will God absent himself for ever? Will he be no more merciful, and such like heavy and doubtful complaints, could never proceed but from a sorrowful and much troubled conscience. But now, after that Gods spirit hath wrought in his spirit this assurance and judgment, that God can in him change the conditions of his miseries (as ye may see,) he maketh no more complaint of doubtfulness, neither remembereth any more the fearfulness of his conscience: but goeth forth with repetition and rehearsal of all things comfortably, how that God in time past helped troubled spirits and afflicted personages, that put their trust in him. So that of this we learn, that whosoever hath a sure faith in God, taketh consolation of Gods word and works. And such as have not first true faith in God, cannot in the spirit receive comfort of Gods word or works. Outwardly men may marvel at God and his worker, but inwardly it easeth not the heaviness, nor yet quieteth the grudge of conscience.

Of these meanes howe men take consolation in aduersitie, that the Prophet nowe maketh mention of: first we learne, what difference is betwéene the consideration of Gods works aduisedly & by faith: & the consideration of Gods workes rashly & without faith. The which diuersitie is to be séen in this Prophet. For the one part, as touching the remembring of Gods workes out of faith and in faith, he spake before in the second verse, and in the fourth verse, ⟨p. 117⟩how that he considered the workes and old doings of the Lord when he was troubled. But, as ye haue heard, because his spirite was in a doubtfulnesse and mamering vppon the certeintie of Gods doinges: he felt no consolation thereof, but much heauinesse and anguish of minde. For those demaundes: Will God absent himselfe for euer? Will he be no more mercifull, and such like heauie and doubtfull complaintes, could neuer procéed but from a sorrowful and much troubled conscience. But now, after that Gods spirit hath wrought in his spirit this assurance and iudgment, that God can in him chaunge the conditions of his miseries (as ye may sée,) he maketh no more complaint of doubtfulnesse, neither remembreth any more the fearefulnesse of his conscience: but goeth foorth with repetition and rehearsall of all thinges comfortably, how that God in time past holpe troubled spirites and afflicted personages, that put their trust in him. So that of this we learne, that whosoeuer hath a sure faith in God, taketh consolation of Gods word and workes. And such as haue not first true faith in God, cannot in the spirite receiue comfort of Gods word or workes. Outwardly men may meruel at God and his worker, but inwardly it easeth not the heauinesse, nor yet quieteth the grudge of conscience.