Now if God even in our whole life, grant us the grace too get the upper hand of all malicious persons that go about to trample us under foot, when we shall have walked unfeignedly in truth: much more shall we have that preeminence when the case concerneth faith and the service of God, & the doctrine of salvation, that is to wit, God will give us such & so steadfast a constancy, that when the devil shall have bent all his force against us, he shall gain nothing at our hands, according also as we have a promise thereof. Whereof is it long then, that we be no stedfaster now adays, seeing the troubles that are in the world? whereof cometh it that we see so many men give themselves too naughtiness? Even because they have not this said rightness, and because they be not fenced against the manifold assaults which Satan bendeth against them. Verily there are some of a good mind: if a man warn them, they receive chastisement quietly: if no man trouble them, it is well, they will hurt no man, neither will they give any cause of offence. But if they once see that iniquity hath full scope, and that if a man mean too live simply and uprightly, he shall be pricked on the one ⟨p. 132⟩side, and punched on the other: then he starteth aside and boweth with all winds. And whereof cometh such inconstancy? It is because they have not the rightness that is spoken of here well rooted in their harts. Behold (I say) what is the cause why we see so many wavering men, who are not sure of the truth of the Gospel, insomuch that they be but as weathercocks that turn with every wind, or as reeds that bow every way. And why is that? Even because they never knew the power of Gods word and his truth. For it is certain that the truth is §10so strong, as the devil may well assail us, and work us all the trouble that he can devise: but yet howsoever the world go, we shall hold our own, and we shall abide steadfast in our state. What is too be done then? Let us pray God to make us feel the power of his word, whereof mention is made here, (that is to wit, how it is an invincible fortress) that we may know the same by experience: and in very deed we be too blame if we do it not. And let us not say as many ignorant persons say, I know not on what side to turn me, for I see contrarieties §20in mens opinions, one says this, and another says that.
Now if God euen in our whole lyfe, graunt vs the grace too get the vpper hand of all maliciouse persones that go about to trample vs vnder foote, when we shall haue walked vnfeynedly in truthe: much more shall wee haue that preheminence when the cace concerneth fayth and the seruice of God, & the doctrine of saluation, that is to wit, God will giue vs such & so stedfast a constancie, that when the diuell shall haue bent all his force against vs, he shall gayne nothing at our hāds, according also as we haue a promis therof. VVherof is it long then, that we bee no stedfaster now adayes, seeyng the troubles that are in the world? whereof commeth it that wee see so many men giue themselues too naughtinesse? Euen bicause they haue not this said rightnesse, and bycause they bee not fensed against the manifold assaults whiche Satan bendeth agaynst them. Verely there are some of a good minde: if a man warne them, they receyue chastizement quietly: if no man trouble them, it is well, they will hurt no man, neyther will they gyue any cause of offence. But if they once see that iniquitie hath full scope, and that if a man meene too liue simplely and vprightly, hee shall bee pricked on the one ⟨p. 132⟩syde, and punched on the other: then he starteth asyde and boweth wyth al wyndes. And whereof commeth such inconstancie? It is bycause they haue not the rightnesse that is spoken of heere well rooted in their harts. Behold (I say) what is the cause why wee see so many wauering men, who are not sure of the truthe of the Gospell, insomuch that they be but as wethercockes that turne wyth euery wynd, or as reedes that bow euery way. And why is that? Euen bycause they neuer knew the power of Gods woord and his truthe. For it is certayne that the truth is §10so strong, as the diuell may well assayle vs, and woorke vs all the trouble that he can deuise: but yet howsoeuer the world go, wee shall holde our owne, and wee shall abide stedfast in our state. VVhat is too bee done then? Let vs pray God to make vs feele the power of his word, whereof mention is made here, (that is to wit, how it is an inuincible fortresse) that we may knowe the same by experience: and in very deede wee be too blame if wee doo it not. And let vs not say as many ignorant persons saye, I knowe not on what syde to turne me, for I see contrarieties §20in mennes opinions, one sayes this, and another sayes that.
