An exhortation to the carrying of Christs cross with a true and brief confutation…An exhortacion to the carienge of Chrystes crosse wyth a true and brefe confutacion…

When all things be in rest, and men be not in trouble, then are they forgetful of god commonly, and attribute to much to their own wisdoms, policies, provisions, & diligence: as though they were the procurers of their own fortune, and the workers of their own wealth.

Whan all thynges be in rest, and men be not in trouble, thē ar they forgetfull of god cōmonly, and attribute to muche to theyr owne wysedomes, policies, prouisions, & diligence: as thoughe they were the procurers of their own fortune, and the workers of their own wealth.

But when the cross cometh, and that in such sort, as their wits, policies and friends can not help: then, though the wicked despair, and run from god to their avowries, saints and unlawful means, yet do the godly therein behold the presence, providence and power of god. For the scripture teacheth, that ⟨p. 54⟩all things, well and woo, should be considered as gods work: all ¹though Satan, the devil, be the instrument, by whom god worketh justly and mercifully. Justly to the wicked, and mercifully to the godly: as by the ensamples of wicked Saul, and godly Job, ²we may easily see gods work by Satan, his instrument in them both.

But whan the crosse cōmeth, and that in suche sorte, as theyr wyttes, policies and frendes can not helpe: then, though ye wicted dyspayre, and runne from god to theyr avowryes, saynctes and vnlawfull meanes, yet doe the godly therin behold the presēce, prouydence and power of god. For the scripture teacheth, that ⟨p. 54⟩al thynges, wel and woo, shoulde be consydered as gods worke: al ¹