The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Instrument and means wherewith Christ Jesus used to remove and put away the horrible fear and anguish of his Disciples, is his only word; for so it is written, But by and by Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good comfort, it is I, be not afraid. The natural man (that cannot understand the power of God) would have desired some other present comfort in so great a danger; as, Either to have had the heavens to have opened, and to have showed unto them such light in that darkness, that Christ might have been fully known by his own face; or else, That the Winds and raging Waves of the Seas suddenly should have ceased: or some other Miracle that had been subject to all their senses, whereby they might have perfectly known that they were delivered from all danger. And truly, equal it had been to Christ Jesus to have done any of these (or any work greater) as to have said, It is I, be not afraid: But willing to teach us the dignity and effectual power of his most Holy Word, he useth no other Instrument to pacify the great and horrible fear of his Disciples, but the same his comfortable Word, and lively Voice; and this is not done ⟨p. 63⟩only at one time, but whensoever his Church is in such straight perplexity, that nothing appeareth but extreme calamity, desolation and ruin;¹ then the first comfort that ever it receiveth, is by the means of his Word and Promise: As in the troubles and temptations of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and Paul may appear.

The Instrument and means wherewith Christ Jesus used to remove and put away the horrible fear and anguish of his Disciples, is his onely word; for so it is written, But by and by Iesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good comfort, it is I, be not afraid. The naturall man (that cannot understand the power of God) would have desired some other present comfort in so great a danger; as, Either to have had the heavens to have opened, and to have shewed unto them such light in that darknesse, that Christ might have been fully known by his own face; or else, That the Winds and raging Waves of the Seas suddenly should have ceased: or some other Miracle that had been subject to all their sences, whereby they might have perfectly known that they were delivered from all danger. And truely, equall it had been to Christ Jesus to have done any of these (or any work greater) as to have said, It is I, be not afraid: But willing to teach us the dignitie and effectuall power of his most Holy Word, he useth no other Instrument to pacifie the great and horrible fear of his Disciples, but the same his comfortable Word, and lively Voice; and this is not done