[ 1155] The good Christians comfort, in time of the Chur∣ches trouble.
MArtin Luther perceiving the cause of the Church to go backward,* 1.1 puts pen to paper, and writes to the Elector of Saxony, where amongst other expres∣sions, this was one; Sciat Celsitudo tua, & mhil dubitet, &c. Let your Highnesse be sure, that the Church's businesse is far otherwise ordered in Heaven, than it is by the Emperour and States at Norimberg. And, Gaudeo quod Christus Dominus est, &c. I am glad that Christ is King, for otherwise, I had been utterly out of heart and hope,* 1.2 (saith holy Myconius, in a letter to Calvin) upon the view of the Church's enemies. Thus, it staggers many a good Christian at this day, to see Sion in the dust, the Church under foot, the hedge of government and discipline broken down, all the wild beasts of Heresie and Schism crept in, such as labour to root out true Religion, to dethrone Christ, and to set up the idle fancies, and enthusiasti∣call conceits of their own phanatick brains; some crying out against the Church with those Edomites,* 1.3 Down with it, down with it even to the very ground; others casting dirt upon her harml••sse ceremonies. But let the Churches friends rest assured, that God sees, and smiles, and looks, and laughs at them all; that the great counsell of the Lord shall stand,* 1.4 when all's done; that Christ shall reigne in the midst of his enemies,* 1.5 and that the stone cut out of the mountains without hands, shall bring down the golden Image with a vengeance, and make it like the chaff of the summer floor, Dan. 2. 35.