prosperity, when we may enioy benefites at our owne pleasure, is a
matter easily to be performed: But to endure the fire of Tribulation,
that is the proofe of a stedfast Christian, and in losses and sickenesse
procured by such to bee silent, and submit our selues, this is the note
of a faithfull man, & to choose rather obeying the law of God, to beare
the infirmity of the body, then to ouer-flow in riches, and enioying
health and strength offend the Lord.

[Footnote o: _Trithemius in libel. 8 qu[e,]stionum quas illi
dissoluendas proposuit Maximilianus Imperator, qu[e,]st 7._]

Second, this maketh a difference betweene the wicked and the godly: for
thus the holy Apostle speaketh of the righteous, that by many
afflictions they must enter into the kingdome of heauen, _Act. 14. 22_.
And all that will liue godly in Christ Iesus suffer tribulations, _2.
Timoth. 3. 12._ for whom the Lord loueth, he doth chasten, _Prouer. 3.
12_. It is a Christians glory to vndergoe for Gods cause, any vexation
whatsoeuer, whether wrought by the diuell, or brought to passe by wicked
men his [p]instruments; for when he is tryed, hee shall receiue the
crowne of life, which God hath promised to those who loue him, _Iames 1.
12_. But wee reade contrary of the wicked, they become olde, yea, are
mighty in power, their seede is established in their sight with them,
and their of-spring before their eyes, their houses are safe from feare,
neyther is the rod of God vpon them, &c. they spend their dayes in
wealth, and in a moment go downe into the graue, _Iob 21. 7.8.9._ &c.
Yet surely they are set in slippery places, sodainely destroyed and
perished, & horribly consumed as a dreame when one awaketh: O Lord, thou
shalt make their Image despised, &c. _Psal. 73. 18.19.20_.

[Footnote p: _Potestatis diabolo concess[e,] has causas ponit