A03620:517
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 4 (verses 10-20): ¶The fourth 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.
There is also out of this trouble of the water, this doctrine to be learned: how to receive consolation, and how to learn fear by the creatures of God that bear no life, and yet be thus troubled. Consolation in this sort: When the penitent man that suffereth ⟨image 123⟩affliction and trouble, seeth unsensible things moved and unquieted that never offended,1 he shall judge the less wonder at his own trouble. When he seeth that a sinner, and wretched offender of God, is punished, he shall learn fear. When he seeth God doth punish his creatures that never offended, for the sin of man: what punishment is man worthy to have, that is nothing but sin it self? And what fear should this bring into Christian mens consciences,2 to know that no creature deserveth punishment, no creature disobeyeth God: but the devil and man? Oh what man or woman can with faith look upon the least flowers of the field, and not hate himself? In Summer time, when men shall see the meadows and gardens so marvellously apparelled with flowers of every colour, so that he shall not be able to discern, whether their beauty better please the eye, or their sweet savour the nose:3 what may they learn, in thinking of themselves (as the trueth is) that there is nothing in them but filth and sin, that most heinously stink before the face of God? And when man shall perceive that flowers vade,4 and loose both beauty to the eye, and sweet savour to the nose, that never transgressed: what may miserable man think he is worthy to loose that is nothing but sin, and ever offendeth? Again, when man shall perceive that God thus marvellously, after long Winter and great storms, doth raise out of the vile earth so beautiful flowers, plants, and trees: what consolation may the man take that hath his faith in Christ, to think that all his sins in his precious blood be forgiven: and after long persecution & cruel death, he shall come to eternal life. After this sort did the Prophet consider the works of God, & the troubles of his creatures, & received great consolation thereby.