A sermon preached unto the volunteers of the city of Norwich and also to…A sermon preached unto the voluntiers of the city of Norwich and also to…

Again, evil times are full of changes,¹ and good courage §2will keep us from the power of those. It is a good speech Seneca hath; He is a stout man whom adversity doth not quail, he is yet more stout whom prosperity doth not allure; but he is most stout of all, whom the change of things doth not disturb. And in another place (saith he) he hath no great mind, that can be bent by injuries; and evil times are full of injuries, without courage, a man will easily be bent by them,² bent unto sin, and bent unto what is evil. Had not the three children been men of courage, how would they have been bent to Idolatry; but being men of courage, say they, Our God is able to deliver us, but if not;³ be it known unto thee, O King, that we will not serve thy gods. Oh my beloved, in evil times good courage keeps us from evil bending, and therefore in evil times good courage is very requisite.

Again, evill times are full of changes,¹ and good courage §2will keep us from the power of those. It is a good speech Seneca hath; He is a stout man whom adversity doth not quaile, he is yet more stout whom prosperity doth not allure; but he is most stout of all, whom the change of things doth not disturbe. And in another place (saith he) he hath no great minde, that can be bent by injuries; and evill times are full of injuries, without courage, a man will easily be bent by them,² bent unto sin, and bent unto what is evill. Had not the three children been men of courage, how would they have beene bent to Idolatry; but being men of courage, say they, Our God is able to deliver us, but if not;³ be it known unto thee, O King, that we will not serve thy gods. Oh my beloved, in evill times good courage keeps us from evil bending, and therefore in evill times good courage is very requisite.