The Institution of Christian Religion

And this is it that Paul teacheth, that by troubles is engendered patience,¹ by patience proof. For whereas God hath promised the faithful that he will be present with them in troubles, they feel the same to be true, when they stand patiently, being upholden by his hand, which by their own strength they were not able to do. Patience therefore bringeth a proof by experience to the holy ones, that God when need requireth, will in deed perform the help that he hath promised. And thereby also their hope is confirmed: forasmuch as it were to much unthankfulness not to look for in time to come, the same truth of God that they had already by experience proved to be constant and sure. We see now how many good things do come unto us in one knot by the cross. For, overthrowing the opinion that we falsely presume of our own strength, and disclosing our hypocrisy that delighteth us, it shaketh away the hurtful confidence of the flesh, and teacheth us being so humbled, to rest upon God only, by which it cometh to pass, that we neither be oppressed nor fall down. And after victory followeth hope, in so much as the Lord in performing that which he hath promised, stablisheth the credit of his truth for time to come. Truly, although there were no moe reasons but these, it appeareth how much the exercise of the cross is necessary for us. For it is a matter of no small importance, to have the blind love of thy self wiped away, that thou mayst well know thine own weakness. To feel thine own weakness, that thou mayest learn to distrust thy self: to distrust thy self, that thou mayst remove thy confidence from thy self unto God: to rest with confidence of heart upon God, that being upholden by his help, thou mayst continue unovercome to the last end: to stand fast by his grace, that thou mayest understand that he is true in his promises: to know by proof the truth of his promises, that thy hope may be strengthened thereby.

And this is it that Paule teacheth, that by troubles is engendred pacience,¹ by paciēce profe. For whereas God hath promised the faithfull that he will be present with them in troubles, they fele the same to be true, when they stande patiently, beyng vpholden by his hande, which by theyr owne strēgth they were not able to do. Patience therfore bringeth a profe by experience to the holy ones, that God when neede requireth, will in deede performe ye help that he hath promised. And thereby also their hope is confirmed: for asmuche as it were to much vnthankefulnesse not to loke for in time to come, the same truth of God that they had already by experience proued to be constant and sure. We see now howe many good thinges doe come vnto vs in one knot by the crosse. For, ouerthrowyng the opinion that we falsly presume of our owne strength, and disclosing our hypocrisie that deliteth vs, it shaketh awaye the hurtfull confidence of the fleshe, and teacheth vs beyng so humbled, to rest vpon God only, by which it commeth to passe, that we neyther be oppressed nor fall downe. And after victorie foloweth hope, in so much as the Lord in performing that which he hath promised, stablisheth the credit of his truthe for time to come. Truely, although there were no moe reasons but these, it appereth how much the exercise of the crosse is necessarie for vs. For it is a matter of no small importance, to haue the blinde loue of thy selfe wiped away, that thou mayst wel know thine owne weakenesse. To fele thine owne weakenesse, that thou mayest learne to distrust thy selfe: to distrust thy selfe, that thou mayst remoue thy confidence from thy selfe vnto God: to rest with confidence of heart vpon God, that beyng vpholden by his help, thou mayst continue vnouercomme to the last end: to stande fast by his grace, that thou mayest vnderstād that he is true in his promises: to know by profe the truthe of his promises, that thy hope may be strengthened thereby.