A treatise co[n]teining certain meditatio[n]s of true & perfect consolatio[n], ... Written in the…A treatice co[n]teining certain meditatio[n]s of trew & perfect consolatio[n], ... Written in the…

But after their example we should be incited and moved to suffer the ⟨p. 19⟩like evils and torments that they have suffered. This was used sometimes until the superstition of man had perverted and turned all these things to Idolatry. For if we honour them with temples, altars and Images: we may rightly be called superstitious, as now in these days, we see many which deck there Images and altars and celebrate their feasts & frequent their temples. And I pray you why do they these things, but because they will not suffer the persecution which the saints by their example and memory, have showed to be suffered? But in doing these things what desire they otherwise, but the contrary of that they should desire? that is to be made unlike to them, to whom they celebrate the feast, for •e apostle to the Hebrews in the .12. Chapter, treateth very well this passage of consolation among other saying. Ye have not yet resisted to bludsheding, repugning against sin, ⟨image 32⟩and have forgotten the consolation which speaketh unto you, as unto children, saying. My son despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art corrected of him, for whom the Lord loveth: he chasteneth, and scourgeth every child that he receiveth. If ye suffer correction: God offereth him self to you as to his children. For what child is it whom the Father correcteth not? for if ye be without chastisement of the which all are partakers: then are ye bastards and not sons. Moreover. We have had to chastise us, our carnal Fathers, and have suffered them, shall not we rather suffer our heavenly Father, that we may live? But this correction for the present, seemeth not to be joyous, but rather sorrowful, but afterward it bringeth a quiet fruit of righteousness to those that be exercised therein. These be the words of the Apostle. Who will not be astonied at these words of the Apostle? ⟨p. 20⟩whereby he declareth openly that those which be not corrected and chastised of God: be not the children of God. But to be more strongly comforted in this text, let us consider that those which be chastised by the hand of God, be his well beloved and dear children, and that they be garnished and armed with the communion of all the faithful saints and that it is not they alone that do suffer. And truly this meditation, shall moderate our pains and torment in our correction.