A word in season

Verse 3. The Plowers ploughed upon my back, and they made long furrows.

Verse 3. The Plowers plowed upon my back, and they made long furrows.

See what unlike and almost contrary things he joineth here together. Before he comforted the faithful, that the enemies should never be able to do any thing against the Church, because it is invincible and cannot be overcome: and here he complaineth that they plough upon the backs of the Church, and make such furrow, as seem to be of an infinite length. This is an offence therefore which vehemently troubleth the godly, that God suffereth Satan and the world so long to rage, so long to vex and afflict the Church, that he giveth success unto their wicked counsels and attempts; that he suffereth the ungodly ⟨p. 34⟩even then to prosper when they are most worthy to be punished with all manner of torments, and utterly consumed. On the oath other side, the godly, the more they pray, and the more they hope, the less seemeth their prayer and their hope to take effect: Every day are they more and more afflicted: every day there is less and less hope left. Wherefore this similitude is well applied unto them in that they are compared to a ground which is continually ploughed; wherein such furrows are drawn as seem to have no end; as though there were no God which either seeth their calamity, or the impiety and outrageous cruelty of the enemies of the word. He signifieth therefore that they have need of continual patience, not for a day or two, but all the days of their life. So that they which have the word, must assuredly purpose and determine, never to depart from God, although they should suffer the same afflictions a thousand years together. How many have we seen in these our days which have fallen away, (yea and such also as sometime did stand) when the fruit of the word was hindered through Persecution, like as the Sun dryeth up and withereth the Corn that is sown in a stony ground?

See what unlike and almost contrary things he joyneth here together. Before he comforted the faithfull, that the enemies should never be able to do any thing against the Church, because it is invincible and cannot be overcome: and here he complayneth that they plow upon the backs of the Church, and make such furrow, as seem to be of an infinite length. This is an offence therefore which vehemently troubleth the godly, that God suffereth Satan and the world so long to rage, so long to vex and afflict the Church, that he giveth success unto their wicked counsels and attempts; that he suffereth the ungodly