The tragedies of tyrants Exercised upon the church of God, from the birth of…The tragedies of tyrantes Exercised vpon the church of God, from the birth of…

There is also another cause of persecutions, for that it pleaseth God through them to reveal the trueth unto men: namely, when the faithful being apprehended in persecutions, and brought into judgment: do plainly and openly profess the Gospel. And our saviour christ saith: you shall be brought before Lieutenants and kings for my sake, that this may be a testimony to them, and the Gentiles. Matthew the x. Chapter.

There is also another cause of persecutions, for that it pleaseth God through them to reueale the trueth vnto men: namely, when the faithfull béeing apprehended in persecutiōs, and brought into iudgment: do plainly and openly professe the Gospell. And our sauiour christ saith: you shalbée brought béefore Lieutenantes and kinges for my sake, that this may bée a testimonie to them, and the Gentiles. Mathew the x. Chapter.

Moreover, by persecutions which God layeth upon the Church: he proveth the same how strong and constant it is, purging those that are unclean, like as Goldsmiths use to try & cleanse their gold, and silver in the fire. For if the flesh continue in rest and idleness, feeling no manner of adversity, oftentimes it waxeth wanton, and lascivious: wherefore God exerciseth his servants with persecutions, to awake them that they should not to much be wedded unto temporal things, but with more earnest desire seek for things eternal. Unto which purpose and meaning S. Peter writeth: Dearly beloved, be ye not troubled in this heat, which now is come among you to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you: but rather rejoice, in as much as you are made partakers of Christs passions, that when his glory appeareth: ye may be merry and glad. Peter the first Epistle, the. 4. chapter. Whereunto also tend the words of the Apostle S. Paul: We rejoice also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation ⟨p. 117⟩bringeth patience, patience bringeth experience, experience bringeth hope and hope maketh not ashamed. Paul to the Romans, the. 5. chapter.

Moreouer, by persecutions whiche God layeth vpon the Church: hée prooueth the same how strong and constant it is, purgynge those that are vncleane, like as Goldsmithes vse to trie & clense their golde, and siluer in the fier. For if the fleash continue in rest and idlenesse, féelyng no maner of aduersitie, oftentimes it waxeth wanton, and lasciuious: wherfore God exerciseth his seruantes with persecutions, to awake them that they should not to mutch be wedded vnto temporall thinges, but with more ernest desier séeke for thynges eternall. Vnto which purpose and meanyng S. Peter writeth: Deerely beloued, bee yee not troubled in this heat, whiche now is come among you to trie you, as though some straunge thyng had hapned vnto you: but rather reioyce, in as mutch as you are made partakers of Christes passions, that when his glory appereth: yee may be mery and glad. Peter the first Epistle, the. 4. chapter. Wherunto also tende the wordes of the Apostle S. Paule: We reioyce also in tribulations, knowyng that tribulation