his most great and ample reward wherein there is no ende of his goodnesse no number of his mercies no measure of his wisedome no depth of his bounty So Goâ— doth deale like God himselfe Si tanta in terris moraretur fides quantâ— merces expectatur in coelis if there were so great â—aith in earth as there is reward looked for in heauen saith Tertullian mercifull Lord what loue should wee haue to the life to come Pharao was content at last the people should goe to doe sacrifice but they must leaue their heades of cattell behinde No Moyseâ— will leaue a house in Egipt all our desires must goe with vs in beleeuing that high rewarde of blessednesse so farre aboue all humane desert that is or may be Seneca writeth that Alexander the great giuing a poore man two talentes the man was so astonished with the greatnesse of the gifte as he aunsweared the â—ing Most Princely Sir I am not woorthy to receiue so much to whome Alexander replied I doe not respect good man what thou art meete to receaue but what beseemes me so great a Potentate for to giue God doth not so much regard what we most vnâ—â—oorthy creatures are worthy to receiue as what becommeth him the God of all mercy and magnificence to bestow and giue Herod promised much when hee promised halfe his kingdome but Christ when he giues we finde him giuing an whole kingdome Venite benedicti patris mei accipitote regnum Come yee bessed of my father receiue the kingdome Men are sometimes liberall in promising but more niggardly in performing with God it is not so Againe amongst men the elder or one onely doeth inherite but with God all sonnes are heires all heires inherite and the inheritance too is a heauenly kingdome to raigne to reioyce euer The meditation of this happy ende of man if man did knowe his owne happinesse were inough to make him little respect a thousand worldes nay to say with the Prophet Like as the Hart desireth the water streames so is my soule a thirst for God Oh. when shall I enter those courts of ioy Demetrius Phalerius hearing the Philosophers dispute about the immortality of the soule wretched man that I am quoth he who haue so long liued in the perishing delightes of this crrruptible body â— Wee know not what we loose wheÌ„ we loose opportunity of seeking and buying that pretious pearle for which the prouident husband man should sell all that he hath When the people as wee reade in the two and thirtieth of the booke of Nombers were come to their entrance into the land of promise the children of Ruben and Gad regarding not the promise so often promised desired Moyses that they might stay on the hether 〈◊〉 of Iordan beecause it was a place meete for their droues of cattell which they more respected then their passage into the holy land Are there not some in the worlde not farre vnlike these children of Ruben and Gad. who desire to make their stay heere and would gâ—e no farther for that they esteeme the pleasures and profites of a life temporall more then they doe the incomprehensible ioyes in that life eternall but for the true Israelites all is wearynesse vntill they come vnto the land of rest whereas in other thinges saith Cyprian wee are wont to blame it yet in the expectation of so great a good wee may commend impaciency Woe is me saith Dauid That my pilgrimage is prolonged In thinges that are ordained vnto an ende the rule and measure of all actions is taken from the same which ende is first in the intention and last in the execution Now if blessednesse be mans ende then is it the marke we all shoote at and the scope of all our exâ—erprises whatsoeuer Euery thinge is required for blessednesse and onely blessednesse for it selfe Iacobs seauen yeares seruice seemed but light in regard of Rachell for whome he serued The labour and trauell not of seauen yeares but of all the yeares of our life is nothing in respect of Rachell the fairer the happier state to come And this doth aunsweare the prophane Atheist and meete with the obiection of Iobs frends What good hath thâ— righteousnesse brought thee Or as some would not blush to say in the time of the Prophet Malachy What profite is there by seruing God That most happy reward in the life to come doth strike theÌ„ all dumme that very assistance in the life present may make them amazed Doe but trie me saith the Lord if I will not powre out a blessing vpon you This blessing say the Auncient Fathers is both viae and patriae that is of the way and of the country That which God giueth in the way is spoken of by the Prophet Dauid in the first Psalme where mentioning the state of him that walketh not in the counsell of the vngodlâ— he shal be blessed saith the Prophet and how Looke whatsoeuer he doth it shall prosper So saith he of the man that feareth God hee shal be blessed and wherein For hee shall see his childrens children and peace vpon Israell The worlds manner is the Iewes manner who were wont to bring the best wine first Christ he obserues his olde manner and keepes the best vntill the last It is said of Isidot who being at a great banquet and there beholding a great signe of Gods bounty towardes the sonnes of men suddainely he brake out into aboundance of teares and being demaunded the cause why For that quoth he I heere feede on earthly creatures that am created to liue with Aungels as if the remembrance of the time to come did draw his affections as it should do the affections of vs all to a comfortable expectation of the same Our bodiâ—s walke on earth but our soules should bee in heauen by our heauenly desires and wee should frame our affections in forme of a ship thaâ— is close downeward but open vpward in a harty desire of a superâ—our condition The remembrance whereof is like the message of the Angell Gabriell which brought tydines of great ioy which may make the faithfull aunsweare with Ezechias and say The worde of God is good let there be peace and that to peace eternall In the meane tune saith S. Austen Let my minde muse of it let my tounge mention it let my hart loue it and my whole soule neuer ceasâ— to hunger and thirst after iâ— O Lord God of hostes blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee The Sixt Chapter That wee neede not feare Death much lesse to meditate thereof WHen Moses saw his rod turned into a Serpent it did at first somewhat affright him for hee began to step from it but when once God commanded him to take hold thereof hee found afterward by many effects it did him and the people of God much good At first sight Death doth fray our naturall
through thee haue I beene holpen euer since I was borne it grieueth mee that I haue so often offended thy goodnes and I am grieued that I grieue no more Lord as an humble suitor I appeale vnto the throne of mercie and there begge at thy handes remission of all my sinnes in the merites of thy bitter passion I offer vnto thee a penitent heart for the time past and promise amendment if it shall please thy diuine wisedome to continue on this my pilgrimage for the time to come wherein I refer my selfe wholly to thy heauenly will in hope of a better resurrection vnto euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another prayer for the sicke ALmightie and euerlasting God maker of mankind which doest correct those whom thou dost loue and chastenest euerie one whome thou receyuest receiue O Lorde wee beseech thee thy seruant here visited with sicknesse distrusting in his owne merites and trusting in thy mercies Looke vpon him O Lorde as thou didst vpon Ezechias restore vnto him his former health if it bee thy will or otherwise giue him grace to take this sicknes patiently that after this life ended in thy faith and loue hee may dwell with thee in life euerlasting vnto which life vouchsafe to bring him and vs all thy hamble seruants for thy infinit mercies sake Amen The one and twentieth Chapter Wherein is laid downe the manner of commending the sicke into the handes of God at the houre of death GOd the Father who hath created thee God the Sonne who hath redeemed thee God the holy Ghost who hath infused his grace into thee assist thee in all thy tryals and leade thee the way into euerlasting peace Answer Amen Christ that died for thee keep thee from all euill Answ. Amen Christ that redeemed thee strengthen thee in all temptations Answ. Amen Christ that loued thee so deerly raise thee body and soule in the resurrection of the iust Answ. Amen Christ that sitteth at the right hand of God in heauen bring thee vnto euerlasting ioy Answ. Amen God grant thy place may be in Abrahams bosome Answer Amen God grant thou mayest behold thy blessed Sauior in the state of glorie Answ. Amen God grant thy death may be precious in his sight in whom thou art to rest for euer Answ. Amen A briefe forme of praier MOst mercifull father wee commend vnto thee this thy seruant the worke of thine own hands we commend vnto thee his soule in the merits of Christ Iesus his redeemer Accept O Lord thine owne creature forgiue we beseech thee what soeuer hath been committed by humaine fraâ—ltie and command thy Angels to bring him to the land of euerlasting peace Answer Amen Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant as thou diddest Noah in the floud Answ. Amen Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant as thou didst Lot from the fire of Sodom Answer Amen Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant as thou diddest Iob in all his aduersitie Answ. Amen Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant as thou diddest the Israelites from the power of Pharaoh and the oppression of Egypt Answ. Amen Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant from the malice of Sathan as thou didst Dauid from all his enemies Answ. Amen Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant as thou didst Daniel from the mouth of the Lions Answ. Amen Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant as thou diddest the three children from the fierie flames Answ. Amen Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant as thou diddest Elias from the false Prophetes that sought his ouerthrow Answ. Amen Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant and deliuer him as thou diddest thy Aposties out of prison Answ. Amen From that ruefull darknes Answer Deliuer him O Lord. From the paines of Hell Answer Deliuer him O Lord. From euerlasting malediction Answer Deliuer him O Lord. By thy natiuitie Answere O Lord deliuer him By thy crosse and passion Answere O Lord deliuer him By thy descention into hell Answere O Lord deliuer him By thy resurrection from the dead the third day Answer O Lord deliuer him By thy ascention into heauen Answer O Lord deliuer him Into thy merciful hands O heauenly Father we commend the soule of thy seruant nowe departing acknowledge wee beseech thee a sheepe of thine owne fold a lambe of thy own flocke Receiue him into the armes of thy mercy knowing the thing cannot perish which is committed to thy charge O most mercifull Iesus receiue we beseech thee his spirit in peace Amen The blessing of the sicke Iesus Christ absolue shee from all thy sinnes Answ. Amen Iesus Christ that died for thee put out all thy offences Answ. Amen Iesus Christ that calleth thee receiue thee into his heauenly kingdome Answ. Amen The Lorde blesse thee and keepe thee The Lord make his face to shine vpon thee The Lord lift vp his countenance ouer thee and giue thee a ioyfull resurrection to life euerlasting Amen Depart O Christian soule in the name of God the Father who created thee of God the Sonne who redeemed thee of God the holy Ghost who sanctified thee one liuing and immortal God to whom be glory for euer and euer Amen A Praier to be vsed by the assemblie at the time of the Christian mans departure Let vs pray O Almightie and euerlasting God seeing it hath pleased thee to take this thy seruant out of the miseries of a sinfull world vnto thy heauenly kingdome for which Lord thy name bee blessed make vs we beseech thee that yet remaine mindful of our mortalitie that we may walke before thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all the daies of our life and when the time of our departure shall come we may rest in thee as our hope is this thy seruant doth that we with him and all other departed in the faith of thy holy name may reiorce together in thy eternall and euerlasting glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The two and twentieth Chapter An exhortation is comfort those who lament mourne for the departure of others TO vse mourning for the dead decencie amongst men and Christianitie doth allow it examples of holy scriptures doe approue as much What more seemely then the performance of the dutie whereby we giue testimonie of naturall affection in this solemne departure each from other God hath neither made vs stockes nor stones nor giuen vs heartes which should haue no seeling when occasions offered or times beseeming require sorrowfull affections In the contrarie what more vncomely then to vse nurth in the house of mourning A very Heathenish manner was it thought to bee by the decree of an ancient council to sport at these motiues to mourning For examples in holy scripture we find that Abraham mourned for Sarah all Israel for Samuel the people in the wildernesse for Aaron their high priest the inhabitantes of Bethulia for Iudeth that honorable widdow the Machabies for their
griefe is present Hope But the reward is yet to come Disc. But I often want mirth in this world Hope God doth humble vs a litle by want of worldly mirth but blessed are they who nowe weepe for they shall reioyce we thinke them happie that here laugh but Christ saith Blessed are they that mourne Discon Well Hope seeing the case is such and so full of comfort in times of distresse whatsoeuer befall me I will put my trust in God Hope Then assuredly thou shalt neuer faile eyther in life or death in this world or in the world to come A Dialogue between Presumption and Feare PResump I am more holy then others Feare So saide they who were most vnholy Presum But I am not so prophane as I see many men Feare What art thou that iudgest Pres. But may I not glorie in my vertues Fear Glorie in God Pres. But I haue more graces then others Fea. Dispise no man thou knowest what thou hast beene thou knowest not what thou shalt bee Pres. But I haue better gifts theÌ„ a number besides Feare Take heede thou knowest not howe long thou shalt enioy them Presu But I am sure all is saâ—e Fe. So saide they who counted themselues children of Abraham and are fallen Pres. But I am wise Fear So wert thou if thou didst not say so Presump But I am happie Fear S. Paul saith let him that standeth take heede least he fall Pr. But I haue many daies to liue Fear No thou hast no warrant for the least continuance Presump But I am strong and healthie Fear So haue many beene and yet taken away in a moment Pre. Me thinks I should not passe away so soone Feare Why not thou hast here no continuing Citie Pres. Wel I wil make lesse reckoning of the world then I haue done Fea. Then shalt thou doe well here hereafter Pre. Now I see my follie in being so confident Fe. Be carefull bee carefull too much selfe loue and boldnesse hath vndone many Presump Well I will not from henceforth glory in my selfe Feare Let him that glorieth onely glorie in God and know this that by how much the higher thou art by so much shouldst thou be the more humble Pre. Nowe I consider my owne frailtie Feare This consideration will make thee poore in spirite and blessed are the poore in spirit for theirs is the kingdome of heauen A short Discourse wherein is shewed the great commendations of a peaceable course of life vnto which course of life we are moued by a consideration of our departure hence TO passe ouer the daies of this our pilgrimage in peaceable maner is and ought to bee our Christian honest care The holy Ghost commanding vs to seeke peace and to ensue it It was Christs owne farewell from his disciples My peace I leaue vnto you And one of S. Paules last exhortations vnto the Corinthes Brethrâ—n be at peace and the God of peace shall be with you Amongst other great differences whereby Gods children are discerned from the children of the world this is not the least that they are the children of peace Saul that had an euill spirit had an vnquiet and troublesome spirit but Dauid that had a good spirit had a spirite of peace Amongst the punishmentes of Egypt that of the flies was not the least which would not suffer the Egiptians to rest In like manner amidst this worlds felicity these combersome thoughtes are wont much to molest yâ— worlds followers The graces yâ— flow from Gods spirit are resembled often vnto riuers and pleasant waters These riuers abide not on the higher mountaines but haue their course through the lowest vallies It is want of humilitie that makes men so far from a peaceable state and condition of life Our Sauior Christ exhorteth vs to learne of him to be humble and mâ—â—ke that so wee may find rest vnto our soules Was it not follie in the Israelites to desire rather to liue in the troubles of Aegypt then in the lande of promise where they might haue quiet and time to doe their sacrifices vnto God The same is the follie of many who choose rather to bee moâ—ling in the worlde about ambitious and contentious practises seeking reuenge and glorie rather then to retire a little to a peaceable state of life wherein they might applie themselues to deuotion Stories make mention of Arseniuâ— who of a glorious Senator becaâ—â—e a great louer of Christ and contemner of the worlde who was also said to haue by a diuine oracle this aduertisement Fuge tace quiâ—sce Arsenius flie bresilent giue thy selfe to quiet or peace The more we estrange ourselues from the loue of this world the neerer we draw to God if we draw neere vnto God saith S. Iames God will draw neere vnto vs. The most honourable state of life is to serue him all our inferior eyther pleasures or profits for a time like some small cloudes passe to and fro and are at last dissolued into nothing So we haue as much water as will carrie the ship or with Iacob food raiment for this iourney let God be our God and let his benefits bind vs vnto him An vnquiet or troublesome life is their life who haue not knowne the way of peace may also fear a time of trouble to come To liue religiously and peaceablie before God and man is their Christian conuersation whose praier is with the Prophete One thing haue we desired of yâ— Lord that we may dwell in the house of our God all the daies of our lines If Christ did call worldly men to labors and anguish of minde they might answer as those in the Gospell Lord haue vs excused but calling them to vndertake a sweet yoake and promiâ—ing rest vnto their souls peace internall in yâ— state of grace and peace eternall in the state of glorie how can they but fâ—nd in their hearts to come being so louingly called and to passe their time in that peaceable course which true deuotion is wont to afforde the well disposed for their euerlasting good The bird who for necessity is faine sometimes to staire vpon the earth is notwithstanding for the most part soaring in the aire where she tunes many a quiet and pleasant dittie In like manner for necessities sake onely our cogitations are sometimes on thinges here beneath but our chiefe delight should be higher where is quiet and peace of conscience where no distracting thoughts which are wont to disturbe the louers of this world do not come neere them they are risen with Christ and therefore seeke the things that are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God The deuout mans life therefore is angelicall whose bodie walketh on earth but his desire as hath beene before shewed are aboue in heauen It is a wondrous case to see how apt men are to debates and quarrels at the least offences sometimes rather taken then giuen their stomacks are
Disce Mori Learne to Die A Religious discourse moouing euery Christian man to enter into a serious remembrance of his ende Wherin also is contained the meane and manner of disposing himselfe to God before and at the time of his departure In the whole somewhat happily may be obserued necessary to be thought vpon while we are aliue and when we are dying to aduise our selues and others Put thy house in order for thou shalt not liue but die Esay 38. 1. LONDON Printed by Iohn Wolse. 1600. To the Honourable and vertuous his very good Lady the Lady Elizabeth Southwell one of the Ladies of the Queenes Maiesties most honourable priuy Chamber LAtely entring Right vertuous Lady into some more then ordinary consideration of the gracelesse attempts and desperate enterprises which many in these dayes the more the more pittie by a cowardly yeelding to euill motions commit euen against their owne selues yea their owne safetie I thought to discharge my duetie vnto Almightie God and plaine meaning to men by setting downe onely some shorte aduertisement for discontented and distressed mindes But after waying with my selfe how much it concerneth euery man to be careful of his end whereupon dependes so great a charge as his eternall welfare is worth I then began to draw that particular aduertisement appertayning vnto some to a more general discourse appliable vnto all and euerye one in this forme DISCE MORI Learne to Die For it seemed to me a thinge most necessarie for euery sober Christian to be mooued to enter into a serious remembraunce of his ende to know the meane and manner of disposinge himselfe to GOD before and at the time of his departure that so by the assistance of Gods good grace hee might liue and die the life and death of the righteous and that it may bee saide of him which S. Ambrose sometimes spake of Abraham Mortuus est in bona senectute eo quód in bonitate propositi permansit Abraham dyed in a good old age for why Abraham perseuered in his good resolutions in his old age yea euen vnto the ende Madam I beseech the God of Abraham to graunt you Abrahams good successiue course both in the way and at the ende of the way Your more then vsuall fauor and long continued acceptance hath bounde me vnto you whome otherwise I truely reuerence for that I am fully perswaded you truely reuerence God and serue him whome to serue is blessed libertie yea as I shall in the discourse following shew is the most honourable estate of all To make issue of my duetifull regard this small occasion is offered Were I a meere straunger I could not for protection sake seeke any better patronesse of a religious discourse theÌ„ from a religious disposition but your particular respect towardes me many waies is such as I shall liue and die vngratefull I could haue wished to haue made testimonie of my willing intention by some other meanes theÌ„ by publishinge vnder your Ladyships name these small labours to the view of the world for I must needes confesse I wâ—s very loath respectinge my owne weakenesse to make that knowne vnto others which is best knowne vnto my selfe vntill at last being ouer entreated by some speciall friendes from the vniuersitie of Oxford whose sober iudicious very learned aduise I knewe not howe to gainesay I was induced to let this presente tracte goe forwarde in the name of GOD. Wherein I seeke not praise where none is deserued but onely desire the Christian Reader where ought is amisse to attribute that vnto my selfe and beseech your Ladyship that if there bee any thing obserued which may mooue so much as a good thought that it woulde please you to giue the glory only vnto God to whose heauenly protection commeÌ„ding you euer in my prayers I cease for this time to holde you any longer from the matter it self which followeth Your Ladyships in humble duetie Christoph. Sutton As death sâ—aueth thee so shall Iudgment find thee The Preface to the godly Reader THat Religion is somewhat out of ioynt when Christian conuersation goes not euen as it ought with Christian profession it is so apparant it caÌ„not be denied such and so sensible a defect as that thereby the whole bodie is not a little blemished Those whose hearts desire is that Israel may be saued and whose true charity is woont to beseech God for the good of all haue not onely lifted vp humble handes to heauen but also endeuoured by painfull labors to seeke as much as in them lieth and so farre-forth as the times may permit and suffer the best redresse in this case they could some by substantiall answering and soberly asswaging the turbulent humors of those men whose priuate fancies haue much hindred higher proceedings in matters of faith Refuted they may be and are quieted they will not bee others by deuout and learned exhortations in seeking to make a stay of those euils which Atheisme and want of the fear of God would in great likehoode bring vpon this declining world both labouring for their times to keepe some remembraunce of Iesus Christ in the minds of men before all be too farre out of square or come to vnrecouerable ruine But here may wee not demaunde of the diligent obseruers of our imperfections abroad whose maner is so much to strike vpon this one string and by this defect take occasion to call in question nay to bring in open oblequie our Christian cause are none fallen at home from the ancient sinceritie and harmlesse deuotion of former and better ages of the Church Some state medling actions these vncharitable censures in cleane shutting out from the housholde of faith and hope of life those who haue poore soules to saue as well as others and beare as true a loue to Christ crucified as themselues may put them in minde that wee may all beare a part togither in that song of mercy Asper gas nos Domine Cleanse vs O Lord. May we not all bâ— thinke our selues on both sides whether these bee not the dayes whereof our Sauiour Christ spake Wherin iniquitie shoulde abound Was euer that old complaint of Hilary more trulie verified Dum in verbis pugnaest dum in nouitatibus quaestio est dum in ambiguis occasio est dum in consensu difficultas est iam nemo Christi est While there is strife in wordes while there is question in innouations while there is occasion in doubts while there is a waywardnesse in consent none is of Christ. This nipping and galling one of and at another this eger pursuit of the liuing and troubling the verie ashes of the dead who can not answer for themselues is farre from that charitie that hopeth all thinges and the counsell of that spirit that biddes vs pray one for another To see what wit and learning is wont to doe in tossing the testimonies of auncient record to and fro nay which is more in wresting the verie text of holie
aloft they swel in malice their heartes are so big nothing will qualifie them it is a disgrace they thinke to beare a little or put vp the least iniurie the inâ—â—nite needles actions and sutes of law which for some vile vnconscionable gaine find some fit patrons abroad in the world doe much nourish this vnchristian trouble and troublesome life of Christian men who should affect nothing lesse they follow on their course from tearme to tearme till at last Actio moritur cum persona the action dieth with the partie they can account a lease of one and twentie yeares as good in a maner as a state of three liues and they see time weares out the Councellour his client the assurance and all but no amendment at al is seen were this wel remembred it woulde soone make men of another disposition then for the most part they are more patient more peaceable sesse contentious Is there not a wise man to iudge betweene brethren Wee haue God knowes but little time to spend in the worlde what should wee desire more then to spend that little well deuoutly towardes God peaceablie amongst men It was Iosephes counsell to his brethren when they were returning to their owne country Fall not out by the way go along together to your fathers house quietly as trauellers louingly as brethreÌ„ Let onely loue of the life to come moue vs to serâ—e God â— bee at peace with our neighbors that so we may turne our good purposes to good practises our practises to custome our custome to delight our delight to perseuerance our perseuerance to liue to God and to die to God For the better performancâ— hereof wee should euerie day more and more waxe out of loue with this combersome world There is such a noise in the catching desire of riches that we cannot heare the soft voice which cals vs to deuotion There is such a noyse in mens deuises for maintenance of pride as they cannot heare the softe voice which cals them to humilitie There is such a noise in yâ— multitude of earthie affairs that we cannot heare the soft voice which cals vs to think of heauenly we may be compared vnto those men who liuing neere the riuer Nylus are said to become verie dull of hearing we are so neere in affection to these transitorie delights as the prophetes trumpet-like voice will scarce hee heard to moue vs to contrition for our sâ—nnes wee feele the troubles of the world and yet for all that wee make the world our paradise Wee maruell at the rude and ignorant Indians who for glasses and trifles are saide to depart from the purest gold But we neuer thinke of our owne follie which is farre greater who forgo the treasures of heauen for very bables things of smal or no continuance nay which is more with toyle we follow this meane traffique as the spider that exhausteth her bowels to make a slender web which is dissolued againe with euerie puffe of winde it is enough to astonish any indifferent man to see the worldes blindnesse in this when men might bee more at peace they neuer leaue climing vntill they take a fall they looke vnto pleasures as they are comming to them not as they are going from them when they are woont to leaue trouble behind It were to be wished that men would once withdrawe themselues from vnnecessary cares desires in seeking too vehementlie the vaine riches and pleasures of this worlde which are so much in request as they are In so doing might they not passe ouer the dayes of their pilgrimage more peaceablie more religiouslie They might young men from the childehoode in fearing God old men now departing the worlde by giuing good examples vnto others all considering the state and condition of life it selfe which is but as a flower First it buddeth then comes the blooming and flowrishing a little after it withereth and is gone Wherefore man saith one may bee well greeted with a threefolde salutation From childehoode to thirtie the greeting is you are welcome From thirtie to fiftie the greeting is you are in a good day From that time afterwarde Then God giue you a good departure Nowe therefore gentlie to accomplish this iourney to passe from childehoode to youth from youth to strength from strength to olde age from olde age to death as certaine riuers who are saide by a still soft course to runne through a part of the maine Ocean is a verie Christian and commendable condition of life vnto which wee are mooued by a consideration of the vncertaintie of life it selfe Unto him that is able to direct vs in this course of life to keepe vs that wee fall not and to present vs faultlesse in the life to come in the presence of his glorie with ioy that is to God onelie wise with Iesus Christ our Sauiour and the holie Ghost three persons but one eternall and euerlasting God be all honour and glorie and power and dominion both now and for euermore Laus Deo The Table A ABraham tempted that when we are tried to teach vs what to doe 2â—9 Adam happy had hee knowne his owne happinesse 140 Adam sinning we sinned 119 Almes deeds commended 181 182. c. Athanasius falsly accused 93 Auncient fathers mindefull of their mortalitie 73 An aduertisement for those who are moued to commit gracelesse attemptes against themselues 289 Aduertisement for those who vndertake dangerous attempts by sea or land 281 B Blessednesse the center of our desires 110 Benefits receiued of God make vs worship God Bodily griefes inflicted for sin 89. 90 Burials amongst Christians decent 274 C Care in youth to liue well in old age to die well 48 Charitie the fruite of Faith 167 168. c. Christes resurrection our resurrection 118. 119 Christ our Ioseph 227 Christs second comming ioyful to them that feare him 209 Commending of our soules into the hands of God a good dutie 198 Conscience quieted how Curious scanning the time of Christes second comming to iudgement vnnecessary 333 D Death hath absolute authoritie ouer all 62 Death of the righteous a steepe 120. 1â—1 Death not to be feared 113 Dispaire farre from Christians 238 Discontentment of mind to bee shaken off 346 E End of man his comming into the worlde 51 End to be remembred 60. 61 Euerie day must bee prepared because the last day of our end is vncertaine 61 Examples should mooue 66. 67 Examples of the godly in suffering 136. 137. c. Excesse of worldly cares hinders a godly course of life bringeth much disquietnesse of mind 320. 321 F Faith described 164. 165 c. Faith the staffe of the afflicted 117. 164. Feare of God necessary 312 Feare to die none ought 115 G Glory of this world fleeteth 85 God stayeth til we repent 49. 50 Good life hath a peaceable death Good rule to â—oresee and to take oportunity in things spirituall 47 H Health of body to be continued Helpe onely of God Hope described 167 Houre
of Death vncertaine 61 I Ioyes of Heauen comfortable to be remembrâ—d 102. 103. c. Intention of the mind acceptable vnto God 287. 288. K Knowledge of God and our selues 45 Knowledge of the Saints in the life celestiall L Law satisfyed 238 Learning to die behoouefull 69 Loue of God and our neighbor goe together 171 Life described 84. 85. c. Life of man full of sorrowes and afflictions 90 M Meditation of heauenly things Mercies of God wonderfull Mourning for the dead allowable 2â—9 270 N Necessity of calling vpon God 240 Necessary instructions for the sicke 249 Neglect of Gods worshippe a great euill 50 O Olde Prophets suffered 136 Obedience to the will of God 208 Oppression of others punished 72 P Patience 195. 196. c. Perseuerance 200. 201. Pleasures of this worlde but a shew â—0 Prayer a religious duetie 187. 18â— c. Prayer a refuge in distresse ibid. Prayer to be deliuered from suddaine death Presumption dangerous 302. 303. c. Q Questions of friuolous matters needlesse 46. Quietnesse of life commendable 352 R Remembraunce of our estate 140. 141. Repentance in time 68. 303 S Salomon his verdicte of the world 125 Securitie in sin dangerous 66 Serpent in the wildernesse 176 177 Sicke to acknowledge their sinnes 173. 174 178 Soule businesse the chiefe of all T Temporall goods onely lent vs. 180 Time pretious 47 Trials of the righteous 134 135 V Vaine-glorious like the Camelion 47 Visitation of the Sicke a worke of mercy 246 W Want of humility the cause of trouble 353 Wils and Testaments 180. 181 Wise Virgins teach vs to bee watchfull 67 Worldly goods how to be disposed 180 World not worthy to be beloued 86 Wordly wisedome foolishnesse Willingnesse to depart when God doth call vs. 184 Wordly possessions are vanities deceites thornes and sorrowes 217 Y Youth and age are vnequally yoaked 63 FINIS The Register ¶ A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P and Q the halfe leafe Hilarius ad Constantium Chrysost. in hom Mat 43. 1. Tim. 13. Gen 27. 30. Gen 38. 36. Psal. 6â— 28 29. Bernard in Cant. Mala. 1. 6 Dan. 5. 25. 1 Cor. 15 26. Iam. 5. 14. Eccles. 38. 3. Luc. 2. 72 Psal. 72. 15. Esa 38. 4 Phil. 1. 24 2. Sam. 21 17. Gen. 42. 38. Dan. 4. 24. Eccles 12. 1. 1. Pet. 4. 3. 1. Sam. 13. 14. Psal. 39. 5 Cor. 1. 20. Fulgent epist. ad â—al Gal 2. 20. Phil. 1. 23. Chrisost. in Homil. 31. Psal. 116. 15. Gen. 6. 12 Gen. 41. 48. Sene. epist. 62. August de mat Luc. 10. Luc. 2. 29 Gen. 7 5 Ion. 3. 4 Prou. 1. 2. Hos. 6. 4 2. Cor. 5 20. Matth. 25 7. Matt. 22. 30. Gen. 3. 4. Eccles. 9 12. Act. 24 26 Thes. 5. 3 Iere. 8. 11 Iudg. 4. 21. Iere. 5. 31. Ecclesiast 38. 23. Luc. 12. 20. Cypr. de vanit idâ— Pro. 14. 9. B. Reâ— in Tertul. de Anima Deu. 32. 29. Ecclesiast 1â— 3. 9. Ierem. 22. 29. Gen. 3. 21. Mat. 17. 3 Psa. 49. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. Cor. 1. â— 5. Ioan. 19. 41. Greg. mor. Lam. 1. 9 1. Sam. 15. 6. 2. kiâ— 1. 4. Aug. Ep. ad Diase Exod. 5 2. Eccle. 5. 4. Deut. 32. 49. Nom. 20. 23. Gen. 5. 27 Cicero de Senect Gen. 27. 2 2. Kin. 1. 13. Psal. 116. 15. Luc. 3. Ion. 3. 8. 1. Sam. 2. 6. 1. Thess. 1. 4. 16. Ioan. 5. 25 2. Pet. 3. 10. Mat. 16. 27. Matt. 25. 41. Apocal. 6. 16. Psalm 5. 22. Math. 25. â— Luc. 12. 37. Gen. 6. 5 Gen. 19. 14. Mat. 25. 11. Gen. 27. 38. Eccles. 11. 3. Gen. 7. 21 Lu. 12. 20 Esa. 38. 1. Luc. 16. 2. Eccles. 1. 40. 1. King 5. 18. 2. Sam. 13 19. 1. Kin. 13. 9. Lu. 17. 32 Psal. 90. 12. Gen. 18. 27. Iob. 14. 14 Psal. 120. 3. 2. Pet. 1. 13. Gen. 28. 12. Act. 28. 5 Ierem. 18. 2. 3. Eccles. 10 12. Collâ—s 3. 2 Heb. 9. 27 Gass. col 18. Mat. 27. 25. Apoc. 6. 8. Psal. 145. 5. Iob. 7. 7. Iam. 1. 11. Psal. 102. 3. Iam. 4. 14. 1. Pet. 2 11. Aug. 31. tractat in loaâ—n Hier. ad Paul Psal. 49 8. Lu. 12. â— 38 Math. 2â— 43. Gen. 24. 63. Ionas 46 Gen. 47. 9 2. Esdr. 8 Dan. 2. 33. Math. 24. 2. 1. Cor. 7 31. Iob. 14. 1 Aug. de â—ug anima Cyprian â—e mâ—r 1. Cor. 15 Apoc. 14. 13. Iud. 1. 5. Num. 11 Num. 16 Num. 21 Gen. 42 25. Mat. 6. 34 Psal. 91. 5 Apo. 18. 4. Exâ— 7 11. 2. Tim. 3. 8. Gen. 37. 11. 1. King 19. â— 1. Tim. 1 20. Socr. hist. eccles lib. 1 cap. 20. Mat. 5. 21. Gen. 16. 4 Rom. 6. 12 Ecclesiast 4. 1. 2. 3 Apoc. 14 11. Math. 27. 32. Exo. 8. 25 Psa. 55. 5 1. King 19. 4. Toby 5. 13 Psal. 137 4. Lu. 15. 14 August de ver Dom. Serm. 70 Gen. 8. 9 Heb. 11 38. 2. Cor. 11. 26. Rom. â— 22. Mich. 2. 10. Exod. 16 15. Luc. 19. 3 Gen. 13 17. Phil. 1. 23 Apoc. 22 20. 1. Sam. 6 3. 1. King 2. 3. Psal. 84 4. 1. Cor. 9. 24. 2. Tim. 4. 7. Gen. 3â— 26. 1. Cor. 2 9 Apoc. 7. 9. Lact. lib. 6 de diui prae Tertul. de Hamelier Exod. 1â— 24. Mar. 6. 23 Math. 25 34. Rom. 8 17. Psal. 42. 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Math. 13 44. Nom. 32 3. Cypr. de mort Gen. 29 28. Mal. 3. 10 Ciril de fide ad Reg. Hil. de vnit pat fil Psal. 1. 6 Psal. 128. Ioan. 2. 10 Esa. 38. 9 Aug. maÌ„ vlt. cap. Ps. 84. 13. Exod. 4. 3. 1. Riâ— 18 2. Cor. 5. 1 2. Mac. 7. 9. Aris Eth. lib. 3. Tert. in apo Psal. 49 Hier. de vit Hilar. Gen. 45. 28. 1. Cor. 15 42. Num. 17. 8. Ion. 2 10 Psal. 90. 3 Iob. 19. 25 Ezech. 37 7. Rom. 5. 14 Phil. 3. 10 Dan. 12. â— Ioan. 11. 43. 1. Thess. 4. 13. Eccl. 40. 1 Wisd. 5. 8 2. Cor. 11 Chrisost. Homel 10 in Math. Gen. 2. 7 Cas. lib. de Bel. Gal. Gen. 12. 4 Lâ—â— 2. 29 Phi. 1. 21. Ro. 8. 35 1. Pet. 1. 3 Eccl. 2. 11 Iohn 15 19. Eccles. 2. 2 Psal. 88. 125. Gen. 8. 4 Genes 19 17. 1. Kin. 19 Apo. 6. 10 Ps. 42. 11. Ps. 94. 29 2. Cor. 1. Ioan. 1. 4 16. Ps. 32. 19 Ap. 16. 17 Naum. 1. D. â— 9. 18. Psal. 94. 14. Psal. 44. 18. Gen. 27 23. Psal. 137 1. 2. Iob. 1. 8. Iam. 5. 11 Tob. 2. 10. Chrisost. Homil. 7. in Epist. ad Heb. Apo. 7. 14 2. Esd. 7 Agg. 3. 4 Ro. 17. â—4 Phil. 3. 21 Prou. 13. 42. Ieron de Consol. in aduers. Eccl. 11. 3 Gal. 6. 10. Mat. 5. 25 Math. 25. 8. Psal. 34 22. Iob. 21 13 Psal 33. 6 Psa. 39. 1 Lu. 29. 41 1. Mach. 6. 12. 13 2. Cor. 11. 27 Dan. 9. 21 Luc. 7. 38 Pro. 1. 28 Mat. 25 11. 12. Eccl. 2. 6. Euseb. Emis Hom. 1. ad Mona Psal 132. 4. Bernard de consid ad