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…

Then he setteth forth the third Allegory, and expresseth an other means, which God useth for the defence and consolation of his poor sheep, and saith, that GOD hath prepared a table in his sight, against all those that trouble him. By the ⟨image 31⟩name of a table, he setteth forth the familiar, and (in manner) fellowlike love, that the God omnipotent hath towards his sheep, with whom he useth not only friendship, but also familiarity, and disdaineth not (being the King of Kings) to admit and receive unto his table, vile and beggarly sinners, scabbed & rotten sheep.¹ That friendship and familiarity is marvellously set forth in this, that he made a table for David: as though David had said, Who is he that can hurt me, when the Lord of Lords doeth not only love me, but admitteth me to be always familiarly in his company? The same manner of speech is used of king David, towards Miphiboseth Jonathan son,² when he said he should not only have the fields again of Saul his grandfather, but also be entertained at his own table, that is to say, used friendly, honourably, and familiarly. This word (Table) is diversly otherwayes taken many times in the Scripture, but in this place it is nearest to the mind of king David, to take it in this signification that I have noted. And our Saviour Christ taketh it in the same signification, in Saint Lukes Gospel where he saith, his disciples shall eat with him at his table in the kingdom of God.

Then he setteth foorth the thirde Allegorie, and expresseth an other meanes, which God vseth for the defence and consolation of his poore shéepe, and saith, that GOD hath prepared a table in his sight, against all those that trouble him. By the ⟨image 31⟩name of a table, he setteth foorth the familiar, and (in manner) fellowlike loue, that the God omnipotent hath towardes his shéepe, with whome he vseth not only friendship, but also familiaritie, and disdaineth not (being the King of Kings) to admit and receiue vnto his table, vile and beggarly sinners, scabbed & rotten shéepe.¹ That friendship and familiaritie is meruellously set foorth in this, that he made a table for Dauid: as though Dauid had saide, Who is he that can hurt me, when the Lorde of Lordes doeth not onely loue me, but admitteth me to be alwayes familiarly in his companie? The same manner of speache is vsed of king Dauid, towardes Miphiboseth Ionathas sonne,