A06516:85
A right comfortable treatise containing fourteen points of consolation for them that labour and…A right comfortable treatise containing fourteene pointes of consolation for them that labor and…
A right comfortable treatise containing fourteen points of consolation for them that labour and are laden: Written by D. Martin Luther to Prince Frederick Duke of Saxony, he being sore sick, thereby to comfort him in the time of his great distress. Englished by W. Gace.A right comfortable treatise containing fourteene pointes of consolation for them that labor and are laden: VVritten by D. Martin Luther to Prince Friderik Duke of Saxonie, he being sore sicke, thereby to comfort him in the time of his great distresse. Englished by W. Gace.
London: printed by Thomas Vautrollier, 1578
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.
The fourth chapter of the fourth consideration, which is of the good beneath us.
The fourth chapter of the fourth consideration, which is of the good beneath vs.
Hitherto we have seen the good things which are our own, and in our selves, we will now consider those that are in others, and without us: the first whereof is in them which are beneath us, that is the dead and damned. Howbeit it seemeth very strange, that any good can be found in the dead and damned. But the power of the divine goodness is every where so great, 1that it maketh that we may see good things even in the greatest evils. Now let us first compare them with our selves, then shall we see our inestimable commodities, as it may easily be understood by the contrary consideration of evils. For as great evils of death and hell as we see in them, so great without doubt do we see our commodities to be, yea and so much greater, as their evils are greater. All which are not to be lightly passed over, forasmuch as they do greatly commend unto us the exceeding mercy of God. And it is to be feared, that ⟨p. 63⟩if we make small account of these, we shall be found unthankful, and condemned together with them, or tormented worse, for that the more we see them to be grieved & sorrowful, so much more ought we to rejoice for Gods goodness toward us, according to that saying in Isaiah chap. 65: Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall have hunger: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall suffer thirst: behold, my servants shall be merry, but ye shall be confounded: behold my servants shall rejoice for very quietness of hart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and complain for vexation of mind: your name shall ye leave accursed among my chosen, &c. Finally as I have said, the examples of them that die ill, and are condemned, as B. Gregory saith in a certain Dialogue, ought to bring this good unto us, that they should admonish and teach us, that he is happy, whom other mens harms do make to beware. Howbeit this good, forasmuch as it is commonly known, doth little move us, when as notwithstanding it is to be counted among the chief, and is not lightly esteemed of them that are wise: forasmuch