It is hard for thee. This is a proverbial sentence, taken from oxen or horses, which when they are pricked with goads, do themselves no good by kicking, save only that they double the evil by causing the prick to go farther into their skins. Christ applieth this similitude unto himself very fitly: because men shall bring upon themselves a double evil, by striving against him, who must of necessity be subject to his will and pleasure will they, nill they. Those which submit themselves willingly to Christ, are so far from feeling any pricking at his hands, that they have in him a ready remedy for all wounds: but all the wicked who endeavour to cast out their poisoned stings against him, shall at length perceive that they are Asses, and Oxen subject to the prick. So that he is unto the godly a foundation whereon they rest, but unto the reprobate who stumble at him, a stone, which with his hardness grindeth them to powder. And although we speak here of the enemies of the gospel, yet this admonition may reach farther: to wit, that we do not think that we shall get any thing by biting the bridle so often as we have any thing to do with god: but that being like to gentle horses, we suffer our selves meekly to be turned about and guided by his hand: and if he spur us at any time, let us be made more ready to obey by his pricks: least that befall us which is said in the Psalm: that the jaws of untamed Horses and Mules are tied and kept in with an hard bit, least they leap upon us, &c. In this history we have an universal figure of that Grace which the Lord showeth forth daily in calling us all. All men do not set themselves so violently against the gospel: yet nevertheless both pride & also rebellion against God are naturally engendered in all men: we are all wicked & cruel naturally: therefore in that we are turned to god, that cometh ⟨p. 213⟩to pass by the wonderful & secret power of God contrary to nature. The papists also ascribe the praise of our turning unto God, to the grace of God, yet only in part: because they imagine that we work together. But when as the Lord doth mortify our flesh, he subdueth us, & bringeth us under, as he did Paul:
It is hard for thee. This is a prouerbiall sentence, taken from oxen or horses, which when they are pricked with goads, doe thēselues no good by kicking, saue onely that they double the euill by causing the pricke to goe farther into their skinnes. Christ applieth this similitude vnto himselfe very fitly: because men shall bring vppon themselues a double euil, by striuing against him, who must of necessitie bee subiect to his will and pleasure will they, nill they. Those which submit themselues willingly to Christ, are so far from feeling any pricking at his hands, that they haue in him a readie remedie for all wounds: but all the wicked who indeuour to cast out their poysoned stinges against him, shall at length perceiue that they are Asses, and Oxen subiect to the pricke. So that hee is vnto the godly a foundation whereon they rest, but vnto the reprobate who stumble at him, a stone, which with his hardnesse grindeth them to powder. And although we speake here of the enemies of the gospel, yet this admonition may reach farther: to wit, that we do not think that we shall get any thing by biting the bridle so often as wee haue any thing to doe with god: but that being like to gentle horses, we suffer our selues meekly to be turned about and guided by his hand: and if hee spurre vs at any time, let vs bee made more readie to obey by his pricks: least that befall vs which is saide in the Psalme: that the iawes of vntamed Horses and Mules are tyed and kept in with an harde bit, least they leape vppon vs, &c. In this historie wee haue an vniuersall figure of that Grace which the Lorde sheweth foorth daylie in calling vs all. All men doe not set thēselues so violently against the gospel: yet neuerthelesse both pride & also rebellion against God are naturally ingendred in all men: we are all wicked & cruel naturally: therfore in that we are turned to god, that cō meth ⟨p. 213⟩to passe by the wonderfull & secret power of God contrary to nature. The papists also ascribe the prayse of our turning vnto God, to the grace of God, yet only in part: because they imagine that wee worke together. But when as the Lord doth mortifie our flesh, he subdueth vs, & bringeth vs vnder, as he did Paul:
