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…

The cause which moved the Pharisees, and all other enemies of Christ to persecute him: surely was none other, then ye they were desirous to retain their own erroneous doctrine, & oppress the gospel we the followers thereof, whereby they might with security enjoy their reign, lusts, and pleasures. And likewise in our age, many of the Papists do persecute the faithful for none other cause

The cause which moued the Pharises, and al other enemies of Christ to persecute him: surely was none other, then ye they were desierous to retaine their owne erronious doctrine, & oppresse the gospell we the followers therof, wherby they might with securitie enioye their raigne, lustes, and pleasures. And likewise in our age, many of ye Papists do persecute ye faithful for none other cause

This is a comfort unto us, that in so great affliction, when the disciples were scattered, & Christ of all men forsaken: yet only John amongst all the other disciples ⟨image 13⟩durst boldly approach to the cross of Christ, and join himself unto Mary the undefiled and perpetual virgin the mother of our Lord, and Mary Magdalen Cleophas, with other moe. Here, by their infirmity the power of God is declared. Likewise Joseph, and Nicodemus valiantly behaved themselves. Like as at this day also it falleth out, for where as the trueth is taught to be so grievously pressed with persecution, that there seemeth to be no man that taketh regard or care thereof: then most times by the meanest sort, and not seldom by noble and great personages, there be new and fortunate foundations laid, whereby the trueth is wonderfully increased. Wherefore we must not in the greatest persecutions, cast of our hope and comfort.

This is a comfort vnto vs, that in so great afliction, when the disciples were scattered, & Christ of all men forsaken: yet only Iohn amōgst al ye other discipls ⟨image 13⟩durst boldlye approche to the crosse of Christe, and ioyne himself vnto Mary the vndefiled and perpetuall virgin the mother of our Lord, and Mary Magdelen Cleophas, with other moe. Heere, by their infirmitie the power of God is declared. Likewise Ioseph, and Nicodemus valiently béehaued themselues. Like as at this day also it falleth out, for wher as the trueth is taught to bée so greuously pressed with persecution, that there séemeth to be no man that taketh regard or care therof: then most times by the meanest sort, and not seldome by noble and great personages, there bée newe and fortunate fowndations laid, wherby the trueth is wonderfully increased. Wherfore wée must not in the greatest persecutions, cast of our hope and comfort.