Secondly, here is an use of consolation against all the insultations of malicious enemies:1 if we can with patience and modesty endure, and stand it out for a while, not returning like for like, nor using any sharpness and bitterness against them, we shall see that the Lord will cut them off. If a man had known the day before, what should have befallen Haman, notwithstanding all his boasting of his greatness, and of his honour, and of that favour which he had with the King, and of all the evil that he intended against the Jews, and against Mordecai especially; if (I say) a man had known before hand what should have befallen him, would it not have made him laugh at his pride and folly? Yes certainly: and yet the case of all boasters against Gods Church is little or better then his. And if we could with the eye of faith behold Gods purpose concerning their ruin and overthrow, all their bragging would seem unto us, and it is indeed, even exceeding ridiculous. And this in particular should comfort us against the blasphemies of the Church of Rome, and against all her insultations over the Saints: for the Lord hath set down her sentence:2 In as much as she gloried her self, so much give ye her torment and sorrow: for she saith in her heart, I sit being a Queen, and am no widow, and shall see no mourning. But what saith God? Therefore shall her plagues come at one day, death, & sorrow, & famine, and she shall be burnt with fire, &c.
Secondy, here is an vse of consolation against all the insultations of malicious enemies:1 if wee can with patience and modestie endure, and stand it out for a while, not returning like for like, nor vsing any sharpnes and bitternesse against them, we shall see that the Lord will cut them off. If a man had knowne the day before, what should haue befallen Haman, notwithstanding all his boasting of his greatnes, and of his honour, and of that fauour which hee had with the King, and of all the euill that hee intended against the Iewes, and against Mordecai especially; if (I say) a man had knowen before hand what should haue befallen him, would it not haue made him laugh at his pride and follie? Yes certainely: and yet the case of all boasters against Gods Church is little or better then his. And if we could with the eye of faith behold Gods purpose concerning their ruine and ouerthrow, all their bragging would seeme vnto vs, and it is indeed, euen exceeding ridiculous. And this in particular should comfort vs against the blasphemies of the Church of Rome, and against all her insultations ouer the Saints: for the Lord hath set downe her sentence:2 In as much as she gloried her selfe, so much giue ye her torment and sorrow: for she saith in her heart, I sit being a Queene, and am no widow, and shall see no mourning. But what saith God? Therefore shall her plagues come at one day, death, & sorrow, & famine, and she shalbe burnt with fire, &c.
- 1Use. 2.Vse. 2.
- 2Revel. 18. 7. 8.Reuel. 18. 7. 8.
