And therefore,1 beloved brethren in our Saviour Jesus Christ, hold up to God your hands that are fainted through fear, and let your hearts that have in these dolorous days slept in sorrow, awake, and hear the voice of your God, who sweareth by himself, That he will not suffer his Church to be oppressed for ever;2 neither that he will despise our sob• to the end,3 if we will row and strive against this vehement wind; I mean, if that ye will not run back headlong to Idolatry, then shall this storm be assuaged in despite of the devil; Christ Jesus shall come with speed to your deliverance, he shall pierce through the wind, and ⟨p. 56⟩the raging Seas shall obey, and bear his feet and body, as the massive, stable and dry land. Be not moved from the sure foundation of your faith: For albeit that Christ Jesus be absent from you (as he was from his disciples in that great storm) by his bodily presence, yet is he present by his mighty power and grace:4 He standeth upon the mountain in security and rest; that is, his flesh and whole humanity is now in heaven, and can suffer no such trouble as sometimes he did: And yet he is full of pity and compassion, and doth consider all our travel, anguish and labours; wherefore it is not to be doubted, but that he will suddenly appear to our great comfort. The tyranny of this world cannot keep back his coming, more then the blustering wind and raging Seas let Christ to come to his disciples, when they looked for nothing but present death. And therefore yet again I say, beloved in the Lord, Let your hearts attend to the promises that God hath made unto true repentant sinners, and be fully persuaded with a constant faith, That God is always true and just in his performance of his promises. You have heard these days spoken of very plainly, when your hearts could fear no danger, because you were nigh the land, and the storm was not yet risen; that is, Ye were young Scholars of Christ when no persecution was felt or seen: But now ye are come into the midst of the Sea (for what part of England heard not of your profession?) and the vehement storm whereof we then almost in every Exhortation spake of, is now suddenly risen up. But what? Hath God brought you so far forth,5 that you shall both in souls and bodies every one perish? Nay, my whole trust in Gods mercy and truth is to the contrary.
And therefore,1 beloved brethren in our Saviour Jesus Christ, hold up to God your hands that are fainted through fear, and let your hearts that have in these dolorous dayes sleeped in sorrow, awake, and hear the voyce of your God, who sweareth by himself, That he will not suffer his Church to be oppressed for ever;2 neither that he will despise our sob• to the end,3 if we will row and strive against this vehement winde; I mean, if that ye will not run back headlong to Idolatry, then shall this storm be asswaged in despight of the devill; Christ Jesus shall come with speed to your deliverance, he shall pierce thorow the winde, and ⟨p. 56⟩the raging Seas shall obey, and bear his feet and body, as the massie, stable and dry land. Be not moved from the sure foundation of your faith: For albeit that Christ Jesus be absent from you (as he was from his disciples in that great storme) by his bodily presence, yet is he present by his mighty power and grace:4 He standeth upon the mountain in security and rest; that is, his flesh and whole humanity is now in heaven, and can suffer no such trouble as sometimes he did: And yet he is full of pity and compassion, and doth consider all our travell, anguish and labours; wherefore it is not to be doubted, but that he will suddenly appear to our great comfort. The tyranny of this world cannot keep back his coming, more then the blustering winde and raging Seas lett Christ to come to his disciples, when they looked for nothing but present death. And therefore yet again I say, beloved in the Lord, Let your hearts attend to the promises that God hath made unto true repentant sinners, and be fully perswaded with a constant faith, That God is alwayes true and just in his performance of his promises. You have heard these dayes spoken of very plainly, when your hearts could fear no danger, because you were nigh the land, and the storm was not yet risen; that is, Ye were young Scholars of Christ when no persecution was felt or seen: But now ye are come into the midst of the Sea (for what part of England heard not of your profession?) and the vehement storm whereof we then almost in every Exhortation spake of, is now suddenly risen up. But what? Hath God brought you so far forth,5 that you shall both in souls and bodies every one perish? Nay, my whole trust in Gods mercy and truth is to the contrary.
- 1Exhortation.
- 2Isai. 48 51.54 62.
- 3The coming of Christ to his d•s•ipl•s upon the S••s, is op•ned.
- 4Christ is suit upon the mountain.Christ is sute upon the mountain.
- 5God never brought his people into trouble to the intent that they should perish therein.
