en God suffers
his own children to be cast down, as though he would at length desert
them. Therefore he says: Do not mistake on this account, and suffer
yourself to be blinded, but be confident, since you have a sure
promise that it is God's hand and will. Therefore should you not
regard the time, however long it be, that you are brought low; for
though He has cast you down, He will yet lift you up. Hence it
follows:

V. 7. _Cast all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you._ You have
such a promise as this, whereby you may rest secure that God doth not
forsake you, _but careth for you_. Therefore let all your cares go,
and cast your burden on Him. These words are exceedingly precious;
how could He have made them more sweet or tender? Why does He employ
so great allurement? It is in order that no one might easily despond
and give up his purpose. Therefore He gives us such consolation as
this: that God not only looks upon us, but cares also for us, and has
a heartfelt regard for our lot. He further says:

V. 8. _Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the devil goeth
about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour._ Here he gives
us a warning, and would open our eyes, and it would be well worthy
that the text should be written in golden letters. Here you perceive
what this life is, and how it is described, so that we might well be
ever wishing that we were dead. We are here in the devil's kingdom,
just as in case a pilgrim should arrive at an inn, where he knew that
all in the house were robbers; if he must enter there he will yet arm
himself in the best way he can devise, and will sleep but little: so
are we now on earth, where the prince is an evil spirit, and has the
hearts of men in his power, doing by them as he will. It is a fearful
thought if we properly regard it. Therefore St. Peter would warn us
to take heed to ourselves, and act the part of a faithful servant,
who knows the state of things here. For this reason he says: be
sober, for they who indulge themselves here in eating and drinking,
and are like fat swine, are such as can be fitted for nothing useful.
Therefore must we have ever by us such a talisman as this.

And be vigilant (he says), not only as to the spirit but also as to
the body. For a vitiated body, prone to sleep when it eats and drinks
itself full, will give the devil no opposition, though it belong even
to those swine who have a faith and spirit.

Wherefore should we then be