Moreover, this history is written unto us both to instruct,1 and also to exhort. To instruct, that we may learn hereby, that Christ by this his fasting, hunger, tentation and victory against Satan did serve us, & furthered our salvation: that whosoever believeth in him, may never need, or be hurt by any tentation, but rather shall abound with good things in the midst of poverty, and be safe in the midst of tentation, for that his head and Lord Christ hath overcome all these things for him, whereof by faith he is most certain, according as the Lord himself saith Joh. 16: Be ye of good comfort, I have overcome the world. And if God could without meat nourish his Christ forty days & so many nights, so he c•• also Christians. We are exhorted also here, that according to this example of Christ, we suffer hunger, tentation, and other necessities when they come, and when the case so requireth, to the glory of God & profit of our neighbours. And surely if we do earnestly confess and stick to the word of God, these things will undoubtedly come unto us. The present text therefore containeth a marvellous consolation and strengthening of faith, against ⟨p. 340⟩the filthy and incredulous belly, which being diligently and faithfully weighed, our conscience shall be very much comforted and strengthened, that we may not be careful for living, but trust with a full confidence, that God will give us plentifully those things that be necessary. Now, that this tentation also is incident unto us it is manifest. For as Christ was led aside into the wilderness, that is, was left alone of God, Angels, men, and all creatures, which might help him:2 so also falleth it out with us. We are led aside into the wilderness, we are forsaken and left alone. And this in deed is it, which especially grieveth us, to feel or perceive nothing whereunto we may trust, or from whence we may look for help. As when it lieth upon me to prepare sustenance for me and mine, and I have nothing at all of my self, neither perceive any help coming from any man, neither know where to look for any. This is to be led aside into the desert, and to be left alone, I being in this case, am in the true exercise of faith, then I learn how I my self am nothing, how weak my faith is, how great and rare a thing sound faith is, and how deep abominable incredulity is settled in the harts of all.
Moreouer, this history is written vnto vs both to instruct,1 and also to exhort. To instruct, that we may learne hereby, that Christ by this his fasting, hunger, tentation and victorie against Satan did serue vs, & furthered our saluation: that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, may neuer neede, or be hurt by any tentation, but rather shall abound with good thinges in the middes of pouertie, and be safe in the middes of tentation, for that his head and Lord Christ hath ouercome all these thinges for him, whereof by fayth he is most certain, according as ye Lord himselfe sayth Ioh. 16: Be ye of good comfort, I haue ouercome the world. And if God could without meat nourish his Christ fortie dayes & so many nights, so he c•• also Christians. We are exhorted also here, that according to this example of Christ, we suffer hunger, tentation, and other necessities whē they come, and when the case so requireth, to the glorie of God & profit of our neighbours. And surely if we do earnestly confesse and sticke to the word of God, these thinges will vndoutedly come vnto vs. The present text therefore containeth a meruelous consolation and strengthening of faith, against ⟨p. 340⟩the filthie and incredulous bellie, which being diligētly and faithfully weyed, our conscience shalbe verie much comforted and strēgthened, that we may not be carefull for liuing, but trust with a full confidence, that God will giue vs plentifully those thinges that be necessarie. Now, that this tentation also is incident vnto vs it is manifest. For as Christ was led aside into the wildernes, that is, was left alone of God, Angels, men, and all creatures, which might helpe him:2 so also falleth it out with vs. We are led aside into the wildernes, we are forsaken and left alone. And this in deede is it, which especially grieueth vs, to feele or perceiue nothing whereunto we may trust, or from whence we may looke for helpe. As when it lyeth vpon me to prepare sustenance for me and mine, and I haue nothing at all of my selfe, neither perceiue any helpe comming from any man, neither know where to looke for any. This is to be led aside into the desert, and to be left alone, I being in this case, am in the true exercise of faith, then I learne how I my selfe am nothing, howe weake my faith is, how great and rare a thing sounde faith is, and howe deepe abominable incredulitie is setled in the harts of all.
- 1The history of Christs tentation containeth both instruction & exhortation.The historie of Christes tentation cō taineth both instruction & exhortation.
- 2How we are sometime led aside into the wilderness.How we are sometime led aside into ye wildernes.
