For hee deliuereth mee from the snare of the hunter , and from the noysome Pestilence .

And in these words , doth he shortly shew vnto vs , that almightie God can and will deliuer his owne from all mis-fortune , yet euen in this life . For all the mischaunces that we be troubled withall in this temporal life , are of two sortes : Some come out of the wicked deuise of the Deuill , and of men : as shame and persecution . Some plainely of nature , and out of the ordinance of God : as Tempest and Pestilence . The faithfull now beleeueth and maketh his boaste , that these mischaunces can not be so great and mightie , but GOD shall deliuer him therefrom .

And it is a goodly natural similitude , that he likeneth the euil wicked deuice of the vngodly against the faithfull , to a nette or snare of the hunter . For like as a hunterproueth the kinde and nature of euery wilde beast , commeth priuily after him , seeketh out the course and habitation therof , and afterward setteth the Nette , that he may driue it thereinto : Euen so do the vngodly also vnto the righteous . First , they looke howe they bee minded : If any one be free of language , then set they him on fire , that he may speak somewhat sharpely , as Saint Ste euen did . Actes the vij . Chapter . If he be gentle and friendly , then imagine they some foolish thing vpon him , and flatter away his harte from him as Dalila did vnto Sampson . If he séeke the saluation of the people , then sclaunder they him , as the Iewes blaspheamed Christ to be a Wine-supper , and a companion of Publicanes . If he be simple , then lye they vpon him , behinde his backe , or euer he beware thereof : Then follow they vpon him , cry , lye , and complaine , that the vertuous Christian man knoweth not what poynt to be at or how he hath deserued it . Neuerthelesse , they thinke the Bell is so cast , that at the last it must ring as they will , but if fayleth them .

For the Lord on whom we beleeue , which is our hope , refuge and God , can not onely preserue vs from their snares that wee fall not therein , but also when we fal into them , and they thinke wee be their captiues , hee can and will deliuer vs yet thereout . In like manner doeth God the Lorde preserue his faithfull , not onely from the noysome sickenesse of the Pestilence , but also when they bee taken therewith and infected already , he deliuereth them from it , and maketh them whole againe . But howe that commeth to passe , and how we shal vnderstand it , it shal follow hereafter more clearely .

This is now well to be marked also , that the Pestilence is a noysome sickenesse , not because it bringeth death ( for that doe all other mortall sickenesses likewise , and death is no losse vnto the faithfull , but aduantage , as Paul sayeth vnto the Philippians , the first Chapiter ) but because that it taketh away the people very suddenly , vnlooked for and vnawares : And thereout then followeth strife , lawing or businesse among sinners , and of the common wealth , as euery man by him selfe can lightly perceiue and vnderstande .

Therefore it is also an horrible punishment ouer the sinne of the worlde , which concerneth both them that dye , and them that are left aliue , as hereafter it shall follow .

Where as if there be now such a fayth as gieueth credence vnto God , hee shal preserue him from al wicked imaginations of men , like wise from all noysome sicknesses . And at the last shall hee saue him , that continueth not without fruit , but breaketh out with right loue and faithfulnesse towardes his neighbour , & desireth also to bring him vnto that point , that he may beléeue and be pertaker of all such goodnes and benefites of God . Therfore doth the Prophete turne his words now also vnto his neighbour , and saith furthermore ;

Hee shall couer thee with his fethers , and thine hope shall be vnder his wings . That is : if thou also wilt put thy trust in him , thou shalt finde it so likewise . For hee sheweth such his benefits vnto all and euery one that put their trust in him As for the couering of his fethers , and hope vnder his wings , your charitie hath heard ynough before what it is .

Now , though all the faithful look for such help at God , & it happeneth vnto them , yet is it not done without a speciall battaile of Faith . For such help doth he promise vs in his holy word , that we should beléeue it : and if we beléeue it , it happeneth vnto vs according to our Faith . Therefore saith the Prophete moreouer , His truth is speare & shield , that is , his godly promises , which are sure & true , and neither lie nor deceane : Those are our weapons wherewith we fight , and ouercome all aduersities . But like as speare and shield are not profitable vnto him that cannot , or will not vse them : euen so also doe not the promises of God profite him , that cannot fight therewith , and will not beléeue theron . For that is the right science in this battaile , when mis-fortune , aduersity , or tentation commeth , that we looke out all for according vnto Gods word : Namely , what comforte and promise he hath made vnto vs in such a case , and with a right beliefe to take holde of the same , as of a shield , and to comfort and defend our selues therewith : so can there no mischance doe vs harme , as the holy Saint Paule in the last chapter of his epistle to the Ephesians teacheth , and saith : Before al things take the shield of Faith , where with ye may quench all the fierie darts of the wicked .

Against the same ( namely against Sathan our head enemy ) is such word of God , euen the right speare , wherewith wee wound and ouercome him . For no bodily weapon hurteth and hindreth men so sore , as the word of God stoppeth and hindreth Sathan , if it bee thrust vnder his nose , against his venemous dealing and tentation , For if a seruant ( that dealeth wrongfully and vnthriftily in his maisters goods and businesses ) be affraide , vexed , and pearsed through the hart , when a simple man saith vnto him : Thou vnthrift , why doest thou so ? That is not thy maisters will and meaning , he did not so commaund thée . How much more goeth it thorow Sathans hart , when a vertuous Christian man holdeth the worde of God vnder his eyes , and bringeth witnesse ouer him that he as a wicked creature dealeth against his maker , and against his chosen children ? Therefore doeth holy Saint Paul call Gods word also the sword of the spirit : And the Lord Christ defendeth himselfe onely with the same against all temptations of Sathan in the wildernesse .

Nowe when thou takest holde thus of Gods promises thorow-faith , and vsest them for speare and shielde to defende thy selfe , and to smite Sathan , then out of the same , it followeth , as the Prophete sayeth farther :

That thou needest not to feare for the horriblenesse of the night .

For the arrowes that flye in the daye time .

For the Pestilence that commeth priuily in the darke .

For the sickenesse that destroyeth in the noone day .

For these foure aduersities set forward and shorten the life of the vnbeléeuers : But the faithfull hath such consolation and promise , that he néedeth not be afraide . First , for the horriblenesse of the night : That is , for al manner of temptation & deceite , that happen vnto men by night in the darknesse . For this we al perceiue , that in the night & in the darkenesse wee are weaker minded , of more dispaire , and more afraid then in the light .

The bloud runneth to our hearts , and the haires stand vpright , and all the body waxeth colde for feare . Out of this commeth it then , that wethinke we sée , heare , and perceiue somewhat , which in very deede is not so : then goeth one astray , another léeseth his colour , the thirde falleth sicke , the fourth is become crooked : the fift goeth out of his witte : And so men thinke that the Deuill hath done it , where as it is yet a plaine naturall woorking of the excéeding great feare , which would destroye a man euen by daye time , if it were so greate .

How-be-it , true it is that the Deuill causeth such feare , and printeth it in , that hee may beguyle and destroy vs by feare , as by a naturall working . Yet is it nothing but a feare : for the Prophet calleth it not an euil or good spirit , but plainely the horriblenes of the night : Neither is it any thing else but an horrour and feare , and continueth an horrour and and feare .

Therefore where a right beliefe is , there is no feare . Where no fearefulnes is , there is also no horrour , nor fantasie of spirites or deceitfulnes of the night , but plaine courage and boldnesse . If any thing els be séene ( as fire or light ) they be but naturall things , out of the heat of the ground : like as lightnings , dragons , falling starres and Cometes , be in the aire and in the heauen . But herewithal will not I speake against the wonderfull visions and tokens , which God sendeth for a warning before great mischaunces to come .

Secondarliye the faithfull is sure for the arrowes that flie in the day time . That is all manner of mischaunces , which ouertake a man openly in the daye : and yet so suddenly and vnwares , that he can not escape them . As when a tyle falleth from the rooofe of an house , when a wicked beast doeth euill , or when an vn̄grations person doth hurt in body , traine , or goods . For such misfortunes come for the most part so suddenly , that a man can not preuent them , but must let them hitte as with an arrow , and afterward restore and heale the harme with great trauayle and labour . But now will God preserue his faithfull from such misfortune ▪ if they haue his promises before their eyes , beléeue thereon , and order their liues thereafter .

Thirdly , a faithfull person needeth not also to be afrayde for the Pestilence , that flippeth in priuilie in the darke . This is verily a comfortable promise in this dangerous time , for the which , wee should by right put our trust in God , and thanke him therefore , for asmuch as it is one of the most perilous and horrible Plagues , wherewith hee visiteth & punisheth the sinne of the world . For it taketh holde of life vnwares , and plucketh a man a way in two or three dayes ( or euer he can order his busynesse and house , and make his Testament ) créepeth in priuily in the darke , so that no man knoweth what it is , or whence it commeth , or whether it goeth , therefore can no man kéepe himselfe surely from it .

For if it were in meate or drinke , it might be eschued : If it were an euill tast , it might be expelled with a sweet sauour : If it were an euil winde , the chamber might with diligence be made close therefore : If it were a cloude or mist , it might be seene and auoyded : If it were a raine , a man might couer himselfe for it : but nowe it is a secrete misfortune that créepeth in priuily , so that it can neither be séene nor heard , neither smelled nor tasted , til it haue done thee harme .

Therefore the more daungerous and noisome that the plague is , the better and more excellent is the promise , that no man shoulde haue cause to despaire . For how might God make vs a more excellent and fairer promise then that hee promiseth to deliuer from the Pestilence vs that be his children , and that we néede not to be affraide thereof , though a thousand die of the same at our left side , & ten thousand at our right side . Yet shall it not reach vnto vs , if we doe but beléeue this promise , and let it be our speare and shield . For if we so doe , then shal such poisoned arrowes either not hit vs at all , or else not wound vs to death .

Fourthly , God will also preserue his children from the sicknesse that destroyeth in the noone daye : For the noone day when the Sunne is at the strongest , is cause of much heate and feuerous sicknesses : specially in those countries where the Sunne ryseth hye , and commeth nye ouer mens heads . For great heate bringeth much sweat , consumeth and altereth the bloud , causeth inordinate drinking , and maketh that the people are glad to coole themselues againe foolishly : and thereout ariseth all manner of perillous diseases , which are not very vnlike the sicknesse of the Pestilence .

Nowe , whether it be feare of the night , or arrowe of the day , whether it be Pestilence or sicknesse that commeth by the euil South-winde , or what plague soeuer , that lyeth vpon the world because of their sinnes , God the Lord will preserue his faithfull therfrom or delyuer them from it . And that shal come to passe so certainly and so wonderfully , that ( as the Psalmist and our Prophet sayeth , ) Though a thousand fall at thy left side , and ten thousand at thy right side , yet shal it not touch thee .

This is doubtles a louing , merciful , comfortable and faire promise , whereon our hart by reason should trust , and chieslie reioyce in the same . For he that speaketh it , is only Almightie , and moste true , therefore wee shoulde with reason giue credence vnto him .

For we can do God no greater dishonour then to dispair in his holy word . We ought therefore to be much more afraide of that inordinate feare then of death it selfe : for death can not hurt vs , in asmuch as ( we thorowe baptisme ) are graffed and buried vnto like death with Christ . But fearefulnesse ( which is nothing else but an vnbeliefe ) may harme vs , and bring vs into imprudence . Wherefore my most dearely beloued , take these promises to heart , strengthen your heart , mind , and vnderstanding therewith , and be not faynt harted . So shall yee proue by experience , that God is true , and faithfully performeth that which he promiseth .

And that yee may the more easely beléeue it , I wil declare it vnto your charitie , by a similitude how it commeth to passe , & whence it springeth , that a right faithful Christian man may bee safe and free from all these Plagues : for it is good to vnderstande , and comfortable to know .

Your charitie séeth and prooueth daily by experience , how mighty & horrible a thing the darkenesse of the night is . For when it falleth , it couereth all the whole world , darkneth the colour and fashion of all creatures , captiuateth all men and beastes liuing , that they must be still and rest , yea , and maketh them faintharted and fearefull , and so of all things it is a mighty inuincible tyraunt whom no man may withstand . Neuerthelesse , it is not yet so mighty , that it can darken , ouerwhelme , and quench the least light that is founde in the world . For wee sée , that the darker the night is , the clearer doe the starres shine : Yea , the least candle light that is lighted , withstandeth the whole night , and suffereth not onely the darkenesse not to couer or oppresse it , but giueth light euen in the middes of the darkenes , and smiteth it backe a certaine space on euery side : & where it is borne , thence must darkenesse depart , and giue place vnto the light : al the power and fearefulnesse thereof , can not helpe against it .

And though a light be so weake , that it giueth not light farre aboue it , neither can smite the darkenesse backe ( as the sparke of an whote cole ) yet can not the darkenes couer it , much lesse quench it : but it giueth light it selfe alone , so that it may be séene a farre off in the darkenesse , and remayneth vnouercome of the same , though it cannot helpe other thinges , nor giue light vnto them .

Yea ( that yet more wonderfull is ) a rotten shining péece of Wood , which neuerthelesse hath the fayntest light that can be founde , remayneth inuincible of all the power of darkenesse : and the more it is compassed about with darkenesse , the clearer light it giueth : so little can darkenesse ouercome or holde downe any light , but it ruleth , vanquisheth , and expelleth the darkenesse , which else ouerwhelmeth , snareth , and putteth all things in feare .

Euen so likewise doth a well spring also , for there may we see , how a little vaine of water , breaketh out of the groundsome where scarce so great as a finger .

And when it is closed in rounde about , that the water may gather together , and must néedes be a ditch or a pitte , yet springeth it neuerthelesse . And though the water bee certaine hundreds weight aboue the spring , yet may not it driue the spring backe , but the spring driueth the whole burthen of the water backe , and aboue it selfe , and springeth still more and more , till the poole flowe ouer . And if the other water be foule and vncleane , it cannot mi●e it selfe vnder the fresh cleare water of the spring , but it remaineth cleare till it come farther abroad from the first head thereof , as it may wel be prooued by daily experience . If a naturall light then be so mighty against the darkenes of the night , and an earthen well spring so strong in stryuing against all standing waters : howe much more doeth it then , the true euerlasting and heauenly light , and the onely inuinsible spring of all life , namely , God the Lorde our maker and Sauiour ?

That God is the true , euerlasting and heauenly light , witnesseth Iohn the Euangelist in the first Chapter , and sayeth : God was the worde , in him was the life , and the life was the light of men . Likewise also in his Canonicall Epistle in the first Chapter : God is light , and in him is no darkenes .