The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

This is the second part of the Prophets complaint in the which he in the person of Gods people complaineth, that of their great affliction there appeared not end. This same similitude is used by our Master Jesus Christ; for when he speaketh of the troubles of his Church,¹ he compareth them to the pains of a woman travelling in her child-birth. But it is to another end. For there he promiseth exceeding and permanent joy, after a sort, though it appear trouble. But here is the trouble long & vehement, albeit the fruit of it was not suddenly espied. He speaketh no doubt of that long and dolorous time of their captivity, in the which they continually travelled for deliverance, but obtained it not before the complete end of 70 years; during the which time, the earth, that is, the land of Judah, which sometimes was sanctified unto God, but was then given to be profaned by wicked people, got no help, nor perceiving any deliverance: For the Inhabitants of the world fell not, that is, the tyrants and oppressors of Gods people, were not taken away, but still remained and continued blasphemers of God and troublers of his Church. But because I perceive the hours to pass more swiftly then they have done at other times, I mind to contract that which resteth of this Text into certain points.

This is the second part of the Prophets complaint in the which he in the person of Gods people complaineth, that of their great affliction there appeared not end. This same similitude is used by our Master Jesus Christ; for when he speaketh of the troubles of his Church,¹ he compareth them to the pains of a woman travelling in her child-birth. But it is to another end. For there he promiseth exceeding and permanent joy, after a sort, though it appear trouble. But here is the trouble long & vehement, albeit the fruit of it was not suddenly espied. He speaketh no doubt of that long and dolorous time of their captivity, in the which they continually travelled for deliverance, but obtained it not before the compleat end of 70 yeres; during the which time, the earth, that is, the land of Iuda, which somtimes was sanctified unto God, but was then given to be prophaned by wicked people, got no help, nor perceiving any deliverance: For the Inhabitants of the world fell not, that is, the tyrants and oppressors of Gods people, were not taken away, but stil remained and continued blasphemers of God and troublers of his Church. But because I perceive the houres to passe more swiftly then they have done at other times, I mind to contract that which resteth of this Text into certain points.