After a certaine time will I gather the afflicted that were of thee, and them that bare the reproch for it.
* 1.1THe aunswering of an obiection, whereunto is added a most assured confirmation of the former promises. The obiection
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After a certaine time will I gather the afflicted that were of thee, and them that bare the reproch for it.
* 1.1THe aunswering of an obiection, whereunto is added a most assured confirmation of the former promises. The obiection
is that men, which are ouer quicke and hastie should not thinke these foretellings of the Prophet to be vaine, because the church is not forthwith gathered together, or holpen, the which at that time was afflicted or in trouble, that is to say, because those promises are not fulfilled out of hand. The Prophet therefore answereth, that they are indeed to be fulfilled, but in their due and set time, and the same appoynted by God. For the word Mogned, is the fulnes of time, as Paul speaketh Galat. 4. ver. 4. of the time of the incarna∣tion of Christ, where he sayth: When the fulnes of time was come, God sent forth his sonne made of a woman, &c. Therefore that worke of God is to be wayted for of vs with patience. And in this selfe same answere there is a repetition and a confirmation of those promises. Likewise he addeth a reason, why God one day will gather them together, how afflicted and forsaken soeuer they seemed at that time for to be: and why he will in such sorte refresh them, who at that season were worne away with so great sadnes, or rather mour∣ning because of their sundry afflictions, and especially such as were hyd vpon them by the Babylonians (the which he threatned vnto them before): because saith he, they also are of thee, or are thine,* 1.2 O my spouse and Church, the which certes are in this sorte afflicted. Therefore all the godly are of the family or houshold of God albe∣it they be most afflicted, because they are a part and members of the church, also because the burthen and affliction, the which by the vngodly is layd vpon the church, doth turne vnto the reproch of God himself. God therfore will put away the affliction, and wil not suffer his church for euer, or continually to be molested or grieued.
The answer∣ing of an ob∣iection.
The cause why God will one day gather to∣gether & help his church.