When I spake last of these words, I showed you how the Apostle commendeth unto us three virtues, of greater price than the three presents which the wise men brought unto Christ: the first is, Rejoice evermore, the second is, pray continually, the third, in all things give thanks. All three are of one last, for we must rejoice continually because he saith, rejoice evermore, and we must pray continually, because he saith pray continually, and we must give thanks continually because he saith, in all things give thanks. These are the three things which one saith, Al men do, and no man doth, because every man doth them, and scarce one doth them as he should. Therefore the Apostle to show us, how we should do them well, doth put continually unto them, as though continuance were the perfection of all virtues. I chose this scripture for a consolation to them which are ⟨p. 851⟩afflicted in conscience, which is commonly the disease of the innocentest soul: for they think that they do well to mourn continually, and Paul saith, Rejoice continually: and therefore I will speak a little more of these words than I did before. If you mark it, it may well be called, The Ladder of Peace▪ for it stands upon three steps, and every step is a step from trouble to peace, from sorrow to joy, for he which can Rejoice, is past his grief: & he which can pray, is passing from his grief, & he which can give thanks, hath obtained his desire. A man cannot rejoice & mourn, a man cannot pray and despair, a man cannot give thanks, and be offended, therefore keep still upon one of these three steps, and you shall never sorrow too much. If thou canst not rejoice as if thy pain were past, then give thanks, because thy pain is profitable: if thou canst not think that thy pain is worth thanks, then pray that thou mayest have patience to bear it: and it is unpossible that in praying or thanking or rejoicing, that any grief should want patience enough to bear it. But when you forget to rejoice in the Lord, then you begin to muse, and after to fear, and after to distrust, and at last to despair, and then every thought seems to be a sin against the holy Ghost. How many sins doth the afflicted conscience ⟨p. 852⟩record against it self, repenting for breaking this commandment, and that commandment, and never repenteth for breaking this commandment, rejoice evermore.
WHen I spake last of these words, I shewed you how the Apostle commēdeth vnto vs three vertues, of greater price than the three presents which the wisemen brought vnto Christ: the first is, Reioice euermore, the second is, pray continually, the third, in all things giue thankes. All three are of one last, for wee must reioice continually because he saith, reioyce euermore, and we must pray continually, because he saith pray continually, and wee must giue thankes continually because he saith, in all things giue thanks. These are the three things which one saith, Al men doe, and no man doth, because euerie man doth them, and scarce one doth them as hee should. Therefore the Apostle to shewe vs, how we should doo them well, doth put continually vnto them, as though continuance were the perfection of al vertues. I chose this scripture for a consolation to them which are ⟨p. 851⟩afflicted in conscience, which is commonly the disease of the innocentest soule: for they thinke that they doo wel to mourne continually, and Paul saith, Reioice continually: and therefore I will speake a little more of these wordes than I did before. If you marke it, it may well be called, The Ladder of Peace▪ for it stands vpon three steps, and euery step is a step from trouble to peace, from sorrow to ioy, for hee which can Reioyce, is past his griefe: & he which can pray, is passing from his griefe, & he which can giue thankes, hath obtained his desire. A man cannot reioyce & mourne, a man cannot pray and despaire, a man cannot giue thankes, and bee offended, therefore keepe still vpon one of these three steps, and you shall neuer sorrow too much. If thou canst not reioyce as if thy paine were past, then giue thankes, because thy paine is profitable: if thou canst not thinke that thy payne is worth thankes, then pray that thou maist haue patience to beare it: and it is vnpossible that in praying or thanking or reioycing, that any greefe should want patience enough to beare it. But when you forget to reioyce in the Lord, then you begin to muse, and after to feare, and after to distrust, and at last to despayre, and then euery thought seemes to be a sinne against the holy Ghost. How many sinnes doth the afflicted conscience ⟨p. 852⟩recorde against it selfe, repenting for breaking this commaundement, and that commaundement, and neuer repenteth for breaking this commaundement, reioice euermore.
