A17182:13
A commentary upon the second epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the…A commentary vpon the seconde epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the…
A commentary upon the second epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the which besides the sum of our faith, there is sincerely handled [and] set forth at large, not only first co[m]myng up [and] rising with the full property [and] dominion, but also the fall and utter confusion of the kingdom of Antichrist: that is to say of Machomet [and] the bishop of Rome.A commentary vpon the seconde epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the which besydes the summe of oure faythe, ther is syncerelye handled [and] set forth at large, not onely fyrst co[m]myng vp [and] rysyng with the full properyte [and] dominion, but also the fall and vtter confusion of the kyngdome of Antichriste: that is to say of Machomet [and] the byshop of Rome.
Printed in Southwark : In S. Thomas hospital by James Nicolson, 1538Printed in Southwarke : In S. Thomas hospytall by Iames Nicolson, 1538
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
This is a cause whereby is showed, how that tribulation of saints is a token of the righteous judgement of God. Whereupon S. Ambrose sayeth very goodly: because that saint Paul sayeth, that a token of the just judgement of God, doth appear, whether upon the good or upon the bad, therefore he saith afterward: It is verily a righteous thing with god, to give unto every man according unto his deeds. What is so righteous as that they which in this world do suppress good men, and banish them out of their country through persecutions, should suffer such like things in the world to come, as they do them selves here: And that the ⟨p. 3⟩other should be in rest with other saints, which coming out of many tribulations, shall receive the everlasting kingdom. For the Apostle doth set forth rest or refreshing, against the fire of tribulation, wherewith holy men without ceasing are exercised in this world. For when they shall be gone from hence, all labour and sorrow shall cease, and quietness and toy shall follow. But to the ungodly shall happen contrary wise. Whereupon we read in the Gospel, that to the rich glutton it was said: Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy pleasure, & contrary wise Lazarus pain. Now therefore he is refreshed, and thou art tormented. It differeth nothing from this, that we read in the fourth chapter of the book of Sapience. And these things truly are to be laid up in the remembrance of the faithful, to the intent that in time of adversity we might persevere in truth and righteousness,1 against the tentations of the devil. For the prosperity of wicked men which they have in this world, and on the the other side the trouble of holy men & their most infortunate estate, do greatly vex our minds, ⟨image 6⟩for to caste of the kingdom of God, and embrace this present world. Let us remember therefore the righteous judgement of God, and the change of all things. Forsooth there were in the time of the Prophets, contemners of God and lovers of this world, which (after the manner of our men) commending the felicity of the wicked, and scorning or condemn nynge the perils that saints are in, said: Men serve God in vain, for there cometh no profit by that we have kept his commandments.
Thys is a cause wherby is shewed, how that trybulacion of sayntes is a token of the ryghteouse iudgement of God. Whervpon S. Ambrose sayeth very goodly: because that saynt Paul sayeth, that a token of the iust iudgement of God, doth apeare, whether vpon the good or vpon the badde, therfore he saythe afterwarde: It is verely a ryghteous thyng with god, to geue vnto euery man accordyng vnto hys dedes. What is so ryghteous as that they whiche in thys worlde do suppresse good men, and banyshe them out of theyr country thorowe persecucions, shuld suffre such lyke thynges in ye world to come, as they do them selues here: And that the