A09439:55
How to live, and that well in all estates and times, specially when helps…How to liue, and that well in all estates and times, specially when helps…
How to live, and that well in all estates and times, specially when helps and comforts fail.How to liue, and that well in all estates and times, specially when helps and comforts faile.
printed by John Legat, 1601printed by Iohn Legat, 1601
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.
Fourthly, hence we learn how we are to carry our selves in greatest dangers, as in the time of plague & pestilence, in the time of famine, in the time of war & bloodshed, in the time of our last and deadly sickness. We have then ⟨p. 84⟩need of great help: and the only way is then to stay our selves and establish our hearts by our faith on Gods promises. It is the very scope of this text to teach this one point of doctrine to the Jews, being now oppressed by the Babylonians. David in danger, and Christ in the time of his passion, by their faith commend their spirits into the hands of God. Of the martyrs and Saints of God,1 some were by their faith imprisoned, some racked, some stoned. Faith in perilous times is of great use. First, when a man is half dead, it quickens and puts life in him, as David saith, Remember the promise made to thy servant, 2wherein thou hast caused me to ⟨p. 85⟩trust: it is my comfort in my trouble: for thy promise hath quickened me. Understand here the promise as it was tempered and mingled with his faith. Again faith in the times of danger doth as it were sense and compass us with the promises of God. This may be gathered by the opposition that is between these words and the former. The unjust man puffs up himself; saith the Prophet, or builds towers of defence to himself: but the just man only believes: and that shall be to him in stead of all the towers in the world. For it brings us under the presence, wing, and protection of god: it makes him to be our safeguard and tower of defence. ⟨p. 86⟩This doctrine is to be thought on the rather; because, though we now enjoy peace and other blessings of God, yet our common sins and especially our unbelief, calls down for the great and grievous judgements of God.
Fourthly, hence we learne how we are to cary our selues in greatest dangers, as in the time of plague & pestilence, in the time of famine, in the time of warre & bloodshed, in the time of our last and deadly sicknes. We haue then