1Howbeit they that believe in God, do not avoid peril if it come for his sake, but commit all things to his divine power, that he may order them according to his will, and thus they think: ⟨p. 387⟩The Lord hath given me both a house and the furniture thereof, wife, children, &c. I have not obtained them of my self, forasmuch then as they are Gods, I will commit them unto him, he shall best preserve them. For even otherwise I must leave them, wherefore I will refuse to suffer no peril, and to leave whatsoever I have for his sake, if the case so require. If he will have me so to do, he can give me other things, for he hath promised that he will give sufficient to them that believe, both here and in the time to come. If he will not have me to live here, I owe death unto him, when he shall require me, I will be ready for his words sake. He that shall not do thus, denieth God, and is notwithstanding compelled to lose both this frail life, and eternal life. The stinking belly which we make our god, is the cause,2 that we do not cleave to the word of God: for I will first be certain how I may feed my self, and where my goods be. The Gospel saith, Trust in God, but I provide for my belly, and if I have one noble in gold, I think I have sufficient to sustain & nourish me for ten days, & trusting unto that which I have laid up, I trust not in God, that as he hath hitherto fed me, so he will nourish me still. Is not this a detestable thing, that I trust to one piece of coin only, whereby I look to have my food and sustenance to morrow? Fie, what a cursed thing is such care for the belly? Shall a vile piece of coin be more esteemed of me, then God him self, in whose power are heaven and earth, who giveth unto us air and water, maketh grain to grow unto us, and sendeth all things necessary? It is more detestable then that it can be expressed by the voice of man, that God is not esteemed of us so much as a little money. Why dost thou not think: God who hath made me, will well nourish me, if he will have me live. If he will not, well, then shall I have no need. But, saith the belly, I find no god in my chest. Thou foolish ass, who can assure thee that thou shalt live till tomorrow? It is uncertain whether thou shalt keep thy belly till to morrow, and desirest thou to know where food and sustenance is?
1Howbeit they that beleeue in God, doe not auoide perill if it come for his sake, but commit all things to his diuine power, that he may order them according to his will, and thus they thinke: ⟨p. 387⟩The Lord hath giuen me both a house and the furniture thereof, wife, children, &c. I haue not obtained them of my self, forasmuch then as they are Gods, I will commit them vnto him, he shal best preserue them. For euen otherwise I must leaue them, wherfore I will refuse to suffer no perill, and to leaue whatsoeuer I haue for his sake, if the case so require. If he will haue me so to doe, he can giue me other thinges, for he hath promised that he will giue sufficient to them that beleeue, both here and in the time to come. If he will not haue me to liue here, I owe death vnto him, when he shall require me, I will be ready for his wordes sake. He that shall not doe thus, denieth God, and is notwithstanding compelled to lose both this fraile life, and eternall life. The stinking belly which we make our god, is the cause,2 that we doe not cleaue to the word of God: for I will first be certaine howe I may feede my selfe, and where my goods be. The Gospell sayth, Trust in God, but I prouide for my belly, and if I haue one noble in gold, I thinke I haue sufficient to sustaine & nourish me for ten daies, & trusting vnto that which I haue layd vp, I trust not in God, that as he hath hitherto fedde me, so he will nourish me still. Is not this a detestable thinge, that I trust to one peece of coyne onely, whereby I looke to haue my foode and sustenance to morrow? Fy, what a cursed thing is such care for the belly? Shall a vile peece of coyne be more esteemed of me, then God him selfe, in whose power are heauen and earth, who giueth vnto vs ayer and water, maketh graine to growe vnto vs, and sendeth all thinges necessary? It is more detestable then that it can be expressed by the voice of man, that God is not esteemed of vs so much as a litle money. Why doost thou not thinke: God who hath made me, will well nourish me, if he will haue me liue. If he will not, well, then shall I haue no neede. But, sayth the belly, I finde no god in my chest. Thou foolish asse, who can assure thee that thou shalt liue till tomorrow? It is vncertaine whether thou shalt keepe thy belly till to morrow, and desirest thou to know where foode and sustenance is?
- 1The faithful refuse not to suffer peril and trouble for God his sake.The faithful refuse not to suffer perill and trouble for God his sake.
- 2Immoderate care for the belly the cause of diffidence and distrust of Gods care & providence.Immoderate care for the belly the cause of diffidence and distrust of Gods care & prouidence.
