A TREATISE of the great and generall daye of Iudgement Necessarie for euery Christian that wisheth good successe to his Soule at that great and terrible day By Henrie Greenwood Master of Arts and Preacher of the word of God With an addition of certaine godly prayers the contents appeare in the next page But I say vnto you that of euery idle word that men shall speak they shall giue account therof at the day of iudgement Mat. 12.36 The contents of the Praiers A short disputation betweene the diuell and the poore soule of a christian A short death-bed dialogue A praier for the morning A praier for the Euening A thanksgiuing for our late deliuerance A prayer comprehending the matter of the last iudgement A short prayer of purpose against Sathans assaults A short prayer at hand vpon all occasions A prayer for all sorts ⧠TO THE Right Worshipfull and my very good friends LESTRANGE MORDAVNT of Massingham Hall in the County of Norfolke Esquire and Mâ— MARGARET MORDAVNT his louing bedfellow Eternall welfare and euerlasting happines in Christ Iesus our Lord and Sauiour BEeing earnestlye requested and often intreated Righte worshippefull by manye of my good friendes to putte in printe this small Treatise of the Generall day of doome which I lately preached and in publike place deliuered I haue being ouercome with their perswasions condescended to their earnest demaund although very vnapt and exceedingly vnworthy for the penning of so worthy a matter Wherefore I haue made choyse crauing pardoÌ„ for my presumption herein of your well disposed worship at this time being the Alpha of my tender and slender endeuours to sound in your sacred cares this last and generall trumpet to dedicate to your worship the same both in regard of the demonstration of my true vnfamed and lasting thankfulnesse to your benigne worship for saith Seneca Beneficium hominem gratuÌ„ semper delectat ingratum semel id est A thankfull man will alway remember a benefit but an vnthankfull person wil soone forget it for your extraordinary Kindnesses bestowed vpoÌ„ me Absque vllo demerito without any desert in the world as also in regard of the greateâ— affection good deuotion and thrice welcom entertainment you beare to diuine and spiritual tractates which appertain to the euerlasting blisse of the soule accounting theÌ„ blessed which bring glad tidings of saluation I desire therfore idque more humillimo in most submissiue maÌ„ner this one thing at your worships hand that you would pardoning my boldnesse vouchsafe aequi bonique consulere to take in good worth this simple and slender gift Which thing if your worship shall vouchsafe to doe it shall not onely be an incouragement to my future proceedings but also it shall be vinculum in dissolubile an inuincible bond to tie me in all duty in al loue to your worship dum memor ipse mei duÌ„ spiritus hos regit artus so loÌ„g as life shal last Thus huÌ„bly taking my leaue of your good worships nothing doubting of the goodnes of your natures in the acceptaÌ„ce of these my first preseÌ„ted fruits I coÌ„mit you with yours to the safe protection of the almighty alwaies begging before the throne of his moste glorious Maiesty that he would in this life infuse his holy spirit with all his graces into your heartes aboundantly and in the worlde to come crowne you with the crowne of immortall glory that for Christ Iesus his sake our Lord and only Sauiour AmeÌ„ From Sampford Magna in Essex this 30. of Aprill 1606. Your Worships in all duty for euer to commaund Henry Greenewood A Treatise of the Great and general day of Iudgment necessary for euery Christian that wisheth good successe to his soule at that great and terrible day But I say vnto you that of euery idle word that men shall speake they shall giue an account thereof at the day of â—udgement math 12.36 MAn in regard of the corruption of his nature through the fall of his greate Grandfather Adam who was the foyle of Mankinde the parent of sinne and the author of death to all his posteritie forasmuch as wee were all In Iumbis Adama In his Ioynes as hee is subiect to all sinnes whatsoeuer so is hee especially addicted to the sinne of securitie and carelesnesse Therefore as Adam sleeping securely in his transgression and hiding himselfe from the presence of the Lorde behinde the bush had greate neede of that watchbell from God to rouse him from the sleepe of sinne and to call him againe vnto God Adam vbi es Adam where art thou So as necessary for euery sinful Adamite to raise him vp from the sleepe of sinne wherein hee was borne is this notable Memento this worthy rehearsall of the great and terrible day of doome But I say vnto you c. which wordes of our Sauiour Christ spoken to the scribes and pharisees who would not beleeue that be wrought this miracles by the powrful spirit of God but slanderously and contemptuously tolde him to his face that hee did cast out diuels through Beelzebubs name are as much in effect as if he had said on this manner It account must be rendered at the daye of Iudgement of euery idle word that men shall speake then much more of blaspheamous wordes But I say vnto you that of euery idle worde that men shal speak they shall giue account therof at the general day of Iudgement Ergo much more of blasphemous wordes as yours are in saying that I cast out diuels through the name of Beelzebub So that these words of our Sauiour are nothing else but a true proposition and sound argument drawne A minore ad maius whereby Christ doth prooue the greatnes of punishment that should befall the blaspheamous Pharisees in regarde of the greatnesse of they re sinne In which portion of Scripture fowre things necessarily must be considered 1 The persons that must giue account who they bee 2 Of what things these persons must giue an account 3 To whome must this account bee giuen 4 When this account must bee giuen 1 The persons that muste giue an account they are expressed in this text in general to be meÌ„ That men shall speake Men yea all men must giue an account as wee may reade in the Epistle of Saint Paule to the Corinthians VVee must all appeare before the tribunall seat of Christe that euery man may receiue according to his works All men none excepted of euery age of euery sex and of euery nation ritch and poore Princes and common people noble and ignoble all that haue beene from the beginning of the worlde and shall bee to the end of the same shall appeare before Christs Iudgement seat and giue an account euery one for himselfe to God For It it is appointed vnto men once to die and after that commeth iudgment As it is therfore most sure that al men must die so it is sure that all men most come to iudgment
bee carefull and circumspect to all his wayes that hee treade not his shooe awry at any time that he offend not this fearefull iudge in any thing that at this day of iudgment hee may finde him a gentle and louing Lambe and not a Lyon of Iuda for as to the wicked this iudge is terrible so to the godly hee is a friendly and a welcome Iudge as to the wicked the day of iudgement is a daye of desolation a day of cloudes and blacknesse so to the godly it is a day of redemption yea the godly shall leape for ioy at that day and for the comming of that eternall daye the blessed spirits in heauen cry out saying how long Lord and the blessed ones vpon earth desiring the comming of this day also saying with Paule Cupimus dissolui esse cum Christo id est Wee desire to bee dissolued and to bee with Christ and praying with Iohn Veni Domine Iesu Come Lord Jesus come quickly Let euery Christian therefore so lead his life that it may goe well with him at that day What if J haue all the world and loose my soule at that day what doth it profit me If a man be called to appeare before some earthly iudge hee will haue an especial care to array himself in the best manner hee may and to be haue himselfe accordingly that hee may bee the better accepted of him So euery Christian against the daye of iudgement when hee must appeare before the king of Kings and iudge of all the worlde must haue an especiall care to put on the wedding garment of Christs righteousnesse and regeneration least hee bee sent packing to Hell with the wicked and all those that forget God Mordecay because he went basely in sackcloth could not bee permitted to come into the Kings pallace and doest thou thinke whatsoeuer thou art that thou shalt be admitted into the glorious Pallace of the King of heauen hauing on the stinking defiled abhominable garment of impurity and the menstruous cloath of iniquity no no the Lord will spue thee out of his mouthe a stinking carkas stinketh not to before men as a polluted sinner in the nostrells of almighty God Nebuchadnezzar woulde haue no children in his Pallace but those that were wise and beautifull and doest thou think that the King of heaueÌ„ and earth will haue any fooles that is sinners for the sinner is called a foole in the Scripture the fooâ—e â—ath said in his heart there is no God to dwell with him in his Pallace or doest thou think that any vgly person shall bee suffered there that is any sinner for the sinner is an vglye and abhominable thing in the sight of God no the Lord will entertaine none into his kingdome but such as are beautifull shining in holinesse purity and righteousnesse as the portalls of the burnisht sunne such as are without spot or wrinckle Omnino ad imaginem suam altogither like vnto him holy as hee is holy pure as hee is pure such will the Lord haue in his kingdome to sing Halleluiah Saluation and glory and honor and power be to the Lord our God Therefore as the theefe is exceeding prouident and very carefull how hee may aunswere the Iudge at the barre and as in earthlye courtes men will be very carefull to prouide an answere against they bee called yea and will make some friende to the iudge that they may speede the better So likewise euery Christian soule shoulde carefully prouide a good aunswere againste hee bee cited by the Apparitour death to appeare before Christe at the generall Courte of Heauen And that then it may goe well with him let him get some friend to mooue the iudge in his behalfe as he tendereth the welfare of his deare soule and who must that friende bee Not Mary nor Peter but it muste be Christ Iesus that sitteth at the right hand of his father in glory and maketh daily intercession for the sinnes of the whole worlde Get him for thy Proctour who offereth himselfe to al and then happie shalt thou bee the diuel shall not preuaile against thee for Christ hath broken his head the gates of Hell shall not preuaile against thee for Christ hath conquered them and death shall not bolde thee captiue for christ hath ouercome it Happy art thou that art in such a case yea blessed arte thou if thou hast the Lord for thy God Thus much for the third pare of this Text namely of the iudge to whome we must giue an account But I say vnto you that of euery idle word c. 4 When we shall giue an account it is said heer at the day of iudgement The time wheÌ„ this great generall day shal be cannot be known of mortal maÌ„ yea it is not for maÌ„ to know of it as we may read in the Acts It is not for you to know the times seasons which God hath put in his owne power yea Christe himselfe knoweth not of this day But of that day and houre saith Marke knoweth no man no not the Angels which are in heauen neither the Sonne himlelfe saue the Father id est Christe according to his humane nature knoweth not of it but according to his diuine nature he knoweth of it as well as God the Father for he is coequall with God the Father in knowledge wisedome and in all thinges whatsoeuer yea hee knewe of this daye before the foundation of the world was laide yea he himselfe shal sit iudge at the day God will not haue vs know of this daye when it shall bee for these three causes 1 To prooue and trie our patience faith and other vertues to see whether wee will put our whole trust and affiance in him although wee â—â—â—â—…e not the time of our dissolution 2 To bridle our curiositie and peeuish inquisition after such too high matters qua supra nos nihil ad nos that which is aboue our capacitie wee ought not to meddle withall 3 To keepe vs in continuall watchfulnesse for if wee knew certainely the day of death and iudgement surely it would be a greate and forcible motiue to drawe vs to a loose negligent and secure kind of life Watch therfore saith the Euangelist because yee know not when your Maister will come For these three causes the Lord will not haue vs know of the time of iudgement Although my beloued in Christe we know not the certainetie of the time of this day yet neuerthelesse wee muste knowe that this great and general day cannot bee farre off both according to the prophesies of holy Fathers as also to the truth of holy Scriptures Augustine in his booke vpon Genesis against the Manichees saith that the worlde shoulde laste sixe ages the first from Adam to Noah the second from Noah to Abraham the third from Abraham to Dauid the fourth froÌ„ Dauid to the transmigration of Babilon the fifth froÌ„ the
This is the seuenth article of our faith to beleeue that Christ shall come from heauen to iudge the quick and the dead by the deade all those are to bee vnderstoode that shall bee found dead at the second comming of Christ by the quicke all those are to bee vnderstoode that shall bee found liuing at that his second comming Augustine in his Enchirioson to Laurentius chapter 55. sayth that this article may bee expounded two wayes eyther by the dead sayth be may be meant those that shall be found corporally dead by the quicke those that shall be found corporally liuing at Christs comming or saith hee by the dead may bee meant those that bee dead in sinne according to that in the Gospell of Matthew Let the dead bury their dead and by the quicke those that be dead to sinne and liuing by faith according to that of the Prophet Abacucke the iust shall liue by faith But this exposition is not agreeable to the simplicity of the Creed Yet notwithstanding true it is that both the godly and the wicked shall come to iudgement for by the power of Christ all men shall be raised vp the holy Angels with the greate sound of a Trumpet shal be sent forth into all the world and they shall gather togither the elect from the fowre quarters of the earth from one end of the heauen to the other Then shall Christ separate the electe from the reprobates the wheate from the Tares the come from the cheffe the Lambes from the Contes the iust from the vniust So that you see that the godly and the wicked yea all men whatsoeuer shall appeare before Christs tribunall seate and giue an accounte of themselues and for themselues to the terrible Iudge Ob. Som not withstanding may obiect against this doctrin deliuered and say as it to in Iohn That bee that beleeueth in Christ shall not be iudged or shall not come into iudgement and so by consequence all men shall not bee iudged Ans To which I answer that iudgment in that place of Iohn as in many other places of sacred scriptures is taken for condemnation in which sense true it is that bee that beleeueth in Christ Iesus he that is ingrafted into Christ by a true and aliuely faith he that is flesh of his flesh bone of his bone one with Christ and Christ with him by the spirituall coniunction of the Church with CHRIST this party shall not come into iudgement sâ—â—l Condemnationis that is of Condemnation in iudgement he shall not bee confounded condemned or ouerthrowne but he shall come in iudicium absolutionis that is Into the iudgement of absolution In iudgement hee shall stand out hauing on the white Robe of Christs righteousnesse and beeing couered with the wedding garment of Regeneration The trueth of which doctrine the Preacher affirmeth saying GOD will iudge the iust and the vniust The iust vnto saluation and the vniust to damnation Seing then that all must be brought to iudgement let no man thinke with himselfe that it may be possible for him to escape this dreadfull day whither shall hee flie from the presence of the Lord If he ascendeth vp to heaueÌ„ God is there if hee goe downe to hell God is there also if he take the wings of the morning and she to the vttermost parts of the sea God will finde him out there also For God is euery where hee is in heauen by his glory hee is vppon the earth by his mercy hee is in hell by his iustice God is vbique nulquam he is euery where by his power and wisedome but no where in respect of circumscription of place being a spirit In earthly and terrestriall courts a man may haue his proctor but then wee must volentes nolentes whether wee will or no personally appeare and pleade for our selues In terrestriall courts bribes many times blind the eyes of the wise and for a little greasing the fist of the Magistrate many times small faults nay by your leaue greate and scandalous crimes may be winked at but at this great court of heauen the Iudge will not be partial to any for God hath no respect of persons hee will execute iust iudgement vpon all men as the Psalmographer speaketh VVith righteousnes will be iudge the world and the people with equitle Bribes friends intreaties bowlings cries lamentations nothing wil then preuaile but a pure heart and a spirits vpright yea the damned in Hell confesse the same quid profuit nobis superbia quid diuitiaruÌ„ copia what hath pride profited vs or what hath the pomp of riches done vs good alas these cannot saue our soules Let the Atheist therfore mock God neuer to blasphemously let the Sadduces brag of no resurrection no Angel no spirit neuer so schismatically let the Epicure slug that cursed Epitaph of Sardanapalus neuer so beastly Ede lude bibe charum praeseÌ„tibus exple delicijs animuÌ„ post martem nulla voluptas that is Eat drink play be merry live in al kind of plesure for after death there is no pleasure Yet notwithstanding let all these miserable wretches know that there wil come a day and the a dismal day wherin they shall giue an account of euery idle word Alas lamentable world that men shoulde thus murther their dearest darlings I meane their soules which Christe hath holden so dear that men should with Esau sel their birthright and heritage of heaueÌ„ for a messe of pottage of worldy pleasure that men shoulde delight in wallowing with the sow in the myre of sin and with the dog in swallowing the vomit of iniquity so purchase to their souls and bodies euerlasting torment in the lake vnquenchable whereas they should aboue all things seeke the kingdome of God and the righteousnesse therof that they mighte haue heauenly mansions at the great day of account Let euery Christian therfore bewayle the wickednesse of this world lament the iniquity of these dates least it bee saide of vs as of the carelesse and gracelesse Christian Cadit afina est qui sublenet perist anima nonest quirecogitat If an asse falleth vnder his burthen there be some that will diligently helpe it vp againe but if a soule perish no man regardeth it Men are like the horse asse mule that haue no vnderstanding the more is the good mans griefe Dauid his eyes gushed out into riuers of water because men kept not gods law The prophet Ieremy crieth out on this maÌ„ner My belly my belly I am payned euen at the heart I cannot be quiet becaus my people is a foolish people they are wife to do euill but to doe well they haue no knowledge That godly Matrone Monica saiâ— Augustine mother wayte daily and prayed for her sonne a conuersion for hee was before his conuersion a Manichâ—e So likewise it is the duty of euery Christian to desire the conuersion of their
from the heart of man The Diuell first suggesteth after suggestion commeth cogitatioÌ„ after cogitation followeth affection after affection followeth delectation after delectatioÌ„ followeth consent Now is the sin of thought fully coÌ„mitted after consent followeth operation after operation foloweth custom after custom followeth desperation after desperation followeth defending of sins committed after defending of sinnes committed followeth vaunting boasting and glorying in sinne which is next to damnation it selfe thus the heart is the fountain from whence springeth all sinne whatsoeuer Yet haue wee not many wicked ones in this world that think the sin of heart eye her to â—ee no sinne at all or else but asmall sin that shall neuer bee broughte in question at the day of accouÌ„t But let al these know that as of euery idle word so of euery wicked and sinful thought conceiued and nourished within the hearte of man with full consent to the performance of the same for there is no sinne that can be committed without consent had men yea all men must giue an account I giue all men therefore to the good of their soules this good counsell of Salomon Keepe thyne heart with all diligence for thereout commeth life if thou keepest it not diligently and warily therout wil proceed death I meane sinne whose wages is death The heart is a mill alwais grinding either good corne or bad either good thoughts or bad therefore keep it diligently for thy soules sake let it meditate in the law of god day night abandon all wicked motions that at the day of iudgement thou mayst bee pure bread and fine manches for the bread of life Christ Iesus his table in heaueÌ„ the Lord grant this to me the writer thee the reader and to euery hearer of it 2 We must giue an account of our words Of euery idle word that men shal speak c. Diuers of the learned writers haue diuersly commented of this idle word what it shold be one affirming one thing another another thing Therfore I wil in a word set down the opinions of some of theÌ„ not incoÌ„gruent neither disagreeable to the holy Scripture Gregory saith that Verbum otiosum est quod iusta necessitate pia vâ—â—atate caret That is saith he an idle word which is spokeÌ„ eyther without iust necessity or godly profit Ierome saith that VerbumotiosuÌ„ est quod sine vâ—elitate loquentâ— vel audieÌ„tis profertur that is saith he an idle word which is spokeÌ„ either without edification of the hearer or speaker Basil Omne verbuÌ„ quod non condâ—is ad propositam vtilitatem vanuÌ„â—st otiosum that is Euery word which beloÌ„geth not to an intended profit is a vain and an idle word Maister Iohn Caluin saith that Sermo otiosus pro inutili sumitur qui nihil aedificationis vel fructus affert id est an idle word is takeÌ„ for a word vnprofitable for a word that bringeth with it no fruitful edification So that froÌ„ these descriptions of holy men I doe describe an idle word on this manner Verbum otiosum est quod ad bonam rem non pertinet quod non facit ad gloriaÌ„ dei vinentis quod mutile est infrugiferuÌ„ quod nec loquenteÌ„ nec audienteÌ„ aedificat id est An idle word is that which doth not appertaine to a proposed profit which tendeth not to the glory of the euerliuing God which is vnprofitable vnfruitful which edifieth neither the bearer nor the speaker If then good brethren in christ Iesus so great account must be giuen of euery idle vain fruitles word what account thinke yee shall be giuen for swearing cursing banning and blaspheaming What accouÌ„t shal the swearer giue that hath not one word in his mouth but it is guarded with an execrable oath How common alasse this sinne of swearing is who knoweth not for the small infants and tender childreÌ„ in our streetes haue cursed outhes Ad vnguem At their fingers end yea at their tongues end too What account shall the cursing and â—anning tongue giue that Cruelly Disdainfully and Despightfully speaketh against his neighbour What account shall the blaspheamous person giue that speaketh contemptuously of God saith that Christ did cast out Diuels throgh the name of Ecclzaebâ—b If the iust shall scarce be saued where shall the sinner appeare If account must be made of euery idle word Lord what account shall they make that rappe and vomiteous blasphemies against the terrible Iudge of Heauen and Earth As men thinke and fondly imagine that the sinne of thought vnles it proceed into outward act is but a small sinne so likewise do they imagine of idle wordes that they are but small sinnes and a small account for them shall be giuen But let all the world knowe that no sinne can be said to be smal in respect of it owne nature for the least sinne that can bee committed in the world is so weightie as without repentance had it will sink the sinner downe to the bottomlesse pitt of Hel. Yet not withstanding an idle worde in respect of other sinnes maye bee said to be a smal sinne yet as smal as it is it is able to damme the soul for euer Wel therfore saith Petrus Damianus sermone secuÌ„do de vitio linguae Audiut lingua vaniloqua audiat otiosa linguae au diat panescat intelligat pethorrescat sententiaÌ„ horribilem extremique iudicis terrorem c. that is Hear o vain babling tongue heare â—o idle tongue heare and tremble vnderstand and quake at the hearing of the terrible day of iudgement he that hath hands to slay hath hee not cates to heareâ— he saith that of euery idle worde that men shall speak they shall giue an account therof at the day of iudgement Although an idle word be a small sinne in respect of greater sinnes yet neuertheles an innumerable company of idle words coÌ„gested accumulated and heaped vp together they wil make a nighty sinne Quid peuna lenius quid miltâ— breuius What is lighter then a feather and what is shorter thaÌ„ the seed â—ill Yet notwithstaÌ„ding an innumerable company of feathers truffed vp together wil break the poâ—ters back Smal wer the gnats that troubled Pharao yet they being innumerable ouer came proud Pharao and all the power of Egypt An hour is but a short time but Dâ—m horae horae coÌ„tinua successiona congeritur While on houre by continual succession is added to another the whole cours of our liues is finished Quid saxâ— durius quid aqua liquidius What is harder then a stone and what is softer then the water Yet a wise man saith â—ita cauat lapidem consimitur anâ—us vsu that is Water by continuall droppes doth eate vp the stone and a Ring by continuall vse is worne in pocces So an idle word although it be but a small sin yet many a little makes a mickle many of them heaped vp together make an
intolerable lump At hath beene is and euer will bee the fond nature of man to imagine sinne a greate deale lesser than indeed it is A man would thinke that Adam through the diuels suggestion and through the abuse of his own free wil Eating of the forbidden fruite had committed but a small trespasse yet hee was guilty of euerlasting torment for the same A man would thinke that that poore man had committed but a small sin in gathering chips of meere necessitie on a Sabbath day yet hee was by the law stoned for his labour A man would think that Peter had giuen his maister good counsell when as Christ told him that he must goe to Ierusalem there suffer many things saying Maister fauour thy selfe and goe not yet he was called Sathan for his labour A man would thinke that Ananias and Saphira had committed but a small sinne when as they did detaine parte of the Apostles money for feare of afterclaps and protested the contrary with a lye yet they died both suddenly at the feete of Peter So a man would thinke that an idle word were but a smal sinne yet Christ saith heere that a great account muste bee made for the same For by thy words thou shalt bee iustified and by thy wordes thou shalt bee condemned Seeing this is true it behooueth euerie man to set a watch before the doore of his lippes and to keepe his tongue from idle and euill words that he may obtaine that blessednesse blessed is he that hath not fallen by the words of his mouth 3 We must giue an account of our workes as it appeareth to the Corinthians Wee muste all appeare before the iudgement seat of Christe and there receiue according to our works Againe the Preacher saith that God will bring to iudgement euery worke with euery secret thing whether it bee good or euill Hee that hath liued in sinne shall receiue the reward of sinne which is death and damnation and he that hath liued in faith and amendment of life shal receiue a crowne of glory whiâ—h the Lord will giue him at that day It is the duty therefore of euery Christian to labour and endeauour with all diligent carefulnesse to liue toell that at the day of iudgement he may speed well 〈◊〉 bene vmore that is liue well shoulde bee the delightsome poesie sweete perfumed Nosegay of euery christian thus liue wel that thou maiest die wel and after death eternally speed well obtayning that blessednesse Blessed are they that die in the Lord. 4 Wee must giue an account of our temporall goods howe wee haue gotten them whether iustly or vniustly how we haue spent them whether we haue cloathed the naked with them or whether we haue made naked the cloathed for them howe wee haue disposed them least there bee any debate for them after wee bee gone therefore Esay telling Ezekia that hee should not liue but die saith Dispone domum tuam c. Set thine house in order for thou must not liue but die Howe then shall those griping vultures make an account that haue by oppression vndone their brethren The worlde is grown so hard bearted that men will rather suffer their brethren to starue in the streets than to succour or relieue them the dogs shall haue the remnant of the ritch mans Table before poore Lazarus shall haue one crumme that falleth from the same How shall these flinty heartes looke for one dramme of mercy at the daye of iudgement Let theÌ„ look with what measure they haue measured to others it shall be measured to them againe let them know that it they will stoppe their ears at the cry of the poore they shall crie themselues and shall not bee heard if they will bee partakers with the Saints of the ioys of heauen their brethren must be partakers with them of their wealth on earth for this is to treasure vp treasures in heauen to layout their treasures on earth Let men therefore so vse their temporall goods and worldly ritches as they may at the daye of account receiue a crowne of immortall glory 5 We must giue an account of the time wherein wee liue and of our seuerall vocations how wee haue imployed our selues in the same Saith Bernard Omne tempus tibi impensum requiretur á te qualiter fuerit expensum id est All the time that God hath giuen thee shall bee required at thy hands how thou hast spent it Whether in the seruice of God or in the seruice of Sathan The Prince must giue an account how hee hath gouerned his kingdome whether hee hath as it becommeth Gods vicegerent mildly louingly and carefully trained his subiects vp in the worship of GOD or as a bloodie Nero and hard-hearted Tyrant cruelly oppressed them The ministers of the word of God who haue taken vppon them curam animarum the charge of soules must giue an account how they haue be haued themselues in their ministerie whether they haue preached Christ for Christ that is for the conuersion of sinners to Christ or as hirelings for lucre and gaine of worldlye trash whether they haue fedde their flocks carefully or fed vpon their flocks couetously The Magistrate must giue an account how he hath behaued himselfe in his magistracy whether hee hath sought the maintenaÌ„ce of vertue and the confusion of vice or hath his eyes beeing blinded with siluer scales maintained iniquity and oppressed the innocent The housholder how hee hath gouerneâ— his family whether in reading of holy Scriptures and prayer to the praise and glory of God or in reading of foolish fables in gaming dicing playing swearing and such like Yea euery man must giue an accounte of the time spent in his seueral calling from the highst to the lowest Let euery Christian therefore beware of mispendâ—ng his time liuing in security loosly and of loosing his time securely carelesly for there will come a day when for euery houre of thy life thou shalt giue an account how thou hast spent it according as Salomon telleth the carelesse liuer Reioyce O young man in thy youth cheere thy hearte in the dayes of thy youth and walke in the wayes of thine hearte and in the sighte of thyne eyes but know that for all these thinges GOD will bring thee to iudgement Time lost can neuer bee recouered the houre past cannot bee recalled time is painted like an olde man hauing a locke of hayre on the former parte of his head but balde on the hinder part to signifie that men should lay hold of time comming and make much of it when they haue it for being once gone it can neuer bee recouered Augustine confesseth that hee spent his time idlely when hee stoode gazing and looking on a Spider howe thee catcht a flye in her net But alas men in these daies do not onely spend their time in idlenes which is a shamefull fault amongst Christians but also in all manner
trueth in his words yea he reporteth of himselfe in John that he is via voritas vita the way the truth and the life He therefore that speaketh truth to his neighbour sheweth himselfe to bee the child of Christ Iesus the fountaine and origo of al truth but he that speaketh â—asings and vttereth forth lies sheweth himselfe to be the childe of the diuel the author originall of all lies 2 Christ had vt in verbis profit in his words as he spake truly so he spake profitably he neuer spake one idle or vnprofitable word throughout the whole course of his life which was aboue 32 years 3 Christ had moderameÌ„ in verbis A mean in his wordâ— the neuer was in words excessiâ—e and when iust and necessarie occasion was offered hee was neuer deficient but Ladie meane I meane golden vertuâ— drew forth his well contriued wordes out of the rich content of his euer-flowing heart He fulfilled that saying of Iesus the son of â—h the wordes of the wise are weighed in a ballance In these three thinges should euerie one imitate Christ Iesus and then wee should abstaine as hee did from idle vaine friuolous and vnprofitable words for which a great account must be giueÌ„ the which imitation of Christ the Lord for Christ his sake graunt to all men that they being like vnto him may bee receiued to reigne with him and his holy Angels in the thrice happie heauens at that day Amen But I say vnto you that of euery idle word that men shall c. 3 To whome this account must bee giuen although in this scripture the Iudge is not expresly mentioned yet notwithstanding quod subintelligitur non dâ—est that which is vnderstoode is not wanting and therefore not to bee omitted This Iudge therefore before whose tribunall seat all mankinde must appeare it is Christ for he was annointed of his father into a triple office to be a Priest after the order of Melchisedech to be a Prophet after the order of Dauid to be a King after the order of Salomon Therfore Christ as hee is king ouer all in heauen and earth is this iudge before whome wee muste all appeare the truth of this is euident in the Epistle of Saint Paule to the Corinthians VVe must all appeare before the tribunall seate of Christe c. Wee read also in Iohn that the father iudgeeth no man but hee hath committed all iudgement to his sonne And in Mathew it is written that all power is giuen to Christe in heauen and in earth This was prophecied of him in the Psalme Thou art my sonne this day haue I begotten thee aske of mee and I wil giue thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the ends of the earth for thy possession thou shalt crush them with a Scepter of iron and breake them in peeces like a potters vessel And againe in another place Sit thou at my righte hand vntill I make thine enemies thy footstoole Yea it is an article of our faith to beleeue that Christ shall come againe to iudge the quicke and the dead Christ is therfore the iudge yea he is the vorus Index a righte Iudge for this word Index that is Iudge is as much as ius dicens id est One that speaketh iustice and Iudice that is to iudge is as much as ius dice to speak iustice and iudicium that is iudgement is as much as iurisdicium if I may so terme it that is a iust and righte speech So Christ being an vprighte iudge maintaineth iustice in iudgement hee is a iudge that will vse no partialitie but will reward euery man according to his works he is a iudge that hath no respecte of persons Men in this world may fitly be compared to actors of a Comedie vpon a stage Whereto one acteth that part of a Prince another of a Duke another of an Earl another of a noble man another of a GentlemaÌ„ another of a Magistrate another of a merchant another of a countrimaÌ„ another of a seruaÌ„t one acteth one part one another so long as they are vpon the stage so long there is respect according to their parts one of another amongst them but when the Comedie is ended and the stage pulled downe then there is no such respect amongst them yea many times he that played the basest part is the best man So likewise so long as men art suÌ„dry parts vpon the stage of this earth that is so long as men doe liue in seuerall vocations so long there is respect amongst men and that worthily but when as the Come die shall bee ended that is the day of doome shal come vpon all men when as the stage shall be pulled downe that is the earth shall bee chaunged for the earth shall neuer bee brought ad non ens to nothing but onely the corruptiue qualities shall bee consumed then shall there bee no respecte of persons amongest men yea it may bee that the poore man shall be greater before God than the rich man Yea and Besides all this vpon the earth GOD hath no respecte of persons although there bee respecte amongest men but euery man shall receiue according to his workes the Prince as wel as the subiecte the rich as well as the poore If a Iudge then should come into a citie should iudge the greatest part of the citty to death sparing no man nec precio nec prece neither by bribes nor intreaties would not euery man in that Citty be in great perplexity and feare so feare this Iudge who shall come with thousandes of Angels in greate Pompe Maiestie and Glorie into the citty of this world and iudge the greatest part of mankinde to death and damnation sparing no man neither pretto nor prece neyther by bribes nor yet by intreaties a Iudge that wil vse no partiality A Iudge that is able to destroy both bodie and soule in hell are for euermore feare this iudge this terrible Iudge this iust Iudge this strict Iudge that wil not suffer one idle word to escape in iudgement thou that hast offended this Iudge by thy manifolde transgressions thou that hast deserued for them euerlasting torments in the pit of hell feare him quake and tremble before him at the hearing of this hard saying But I say vnto you that of euery idle words that men shall speake they shall giue account thereof at the day of iudgement If Paule a chosen vessel and a faithful seruant of Iesus Christ was afraide of this iudgement if the iust and vprighte man Iob cried out and said Quid agam quò me conuertam cum venerit dominus ad iudicandum What shall I doe O whither shall I tuâ—ne me when the Lord commeth to iudgement If blessed Hilary who from the fourteenth yeere of his age serued the Lord in singlenesse of heart and in sincerity of life to his liues end was afraid of this day as it appeareth by
vs but hurt vs increase our iudgment neither our smalnes will excuse vs or accuse vs to harme vs but we must all of al sorts and degrees and sexes stand hould vp hand at thy hat O sweet Iesus let it please thee that we may vse our greatnes to thy glory to good and not to harme our smalnes with comfort and contentednes O lord though we may couer our sins before men and finde a friend in court yet we pray thee good Iesus let vs remember that we must answere in thy courte when it shall be too late to intreat O Lord awake vs and make vs mindfull of our account before that wee be called for and seeing most greate god al sesecrets must then be known or pronounced pardoned O good lord let vs haue grace froÌ„ thee to confes our secret sins to take heed of such for thou keepest a depte book Lord let vs find speedily thy depe book Rased thy word answered the book of life to haue our names that when they shal be opened in the great day of thy iudgement they may bee no terror to vs. Good Christ let vs prepare our witnesses and make ready our answere without delay for we know not what wil be to morrow O lord we confes we caÌ„ haue no lesse then 4 sufficient witnesses thy word thy spirit our conscience and the conscience of our neighbours iointlie Let vs be sure of these to stop the mouth of all hellish Enimity and to seale vp to vs pardon and recoÌ„ciliation in Iesus Christ Let vs iudge our selues that our Iudgement may quickly be passed ouer that after we may iudge not be iudged O lord we know before that we must heare iustice mercilesly if we repeÌ„t not if we turne not we must be turned out if we wil not come in time we must fearfully go with out time O Lord let vs bethink vs of our estate be sure of our peace with thee els our doting will quickly appeare for we are euery moment within the compas of death the prison of hell O Lord happy are toades before Reprobates for death fully ends theÌ„ but death doth keepe the wicked to restore them and bring them out againe to iudgemente O Lord let vs see thee angrie let vs see thee pleased and so let not thy wrath death nor the last iudgemeÌ„t terrifie vs. Let thy church our king and state be blessed Let Sions ilwillers be either conuerted or confouÌ„ded send out in thy bottomles mercies a reuocation of the commission gone out against the people of this nation By vertue whereof many die many poor widdows poore orphans cry lord work what thou wilt take what thou wolâ—est be pacified Lord al thy afflicted seruants make mone to thee Lord hear in heauen and send comfort to the earth and it shal bring vp hearty praise to thee by Iesus Christ Amen A short prayer of purpose against Sathans assaults MY louing and most pitifull father who in Iesus Christ for his sake hast called me to thee by grace I am come to thee Now blessed father I finde stronger enmity then before and finde such a combination betweene Sathan and my nature with the worlde against me that my weaknes is ready to yeelde good father seing that nowe this rage of assault seems to bee for thy sake I thy poore child doe beseech thee to manage thy owne cause and make thy part good against these enemies of thine in all theire forcible assaults let them all know they haue to deal with thee so defend thy glory and this poore soule of myne that commeth trembling to creep vnder thy wings and desireth to cast liuely thy sweet fauour and neuer to be drawne from thee she we thy selfe for Christs sake and let me not be blinded in iudgement nor so weak in faith that I should be deluded thy Maiesty dishonored the enemy incoraged or thy little ones dismaied free me therefore good father from all these daungerous perplexities that in patience faith and true Godlines I may runne my race and fighte a good fight conquer that I lose not my Crowne for Iesus Christs sake Amen A short prayer at hand vpon all occasions O Christe I beleeue helpe my vnbeleefe I am tolde from thee that Sathan is conquered sinne is killed hell is shut thys wrath is pacified curse and law are fully answered and no perill can possibly befal me Good Christ let me not onely see it but liuely and ioyfully apprehend it and so stablish me and mortisse me into thy self vnchangeably against winde and storme and all that the Dragon can cast out of his mouth and so I the least of thine with many thy deare children will praise thee for euer Amen A prayer for all sorts O Lord heare vs looke mercifully vpon vs thou hast promised it commaunded vs to ask it performe thy promise and helpe vs in asking for thy sons sake Thou hast been gratious and thy mercy endures we haue been vngracious our sinnes continue let thy wrath prouoked be pacified let thy iustice stirred be stayed and satisfied in Iesus Christe our mediatour Pitty vs and pardon vs we beleeue helpe our vnbeleefe resolue vs and peswade vs remoue all dangerous doubts from vs as olde Adam liued and ruled when thou wert prouoked so let it die and be subiecte nowe thou art pacified let vs be lightned by thy word let vs be affected with it let vs haue it in high estimation and let vs follow it in our conuersation let it be our sword against the deuils temptation let vs conquer in Christ Iesu let a god conscience Iudge vs Let a continuall watch keepe vs Let the power of thy spirit arme vs Let our weaknes neuer grow to wilfulnesse let thy spirit neuer forsake vs leaue vs not ouerlong though thou tri'st vs set security aside shake of our drowsinesse quicken our deadnesse soften our hardnesse quenche all the fiery dartes of Satan in vs let vs looke back to our former state and to our present state let our heart grieue that it can bee no more grieued let our souls ioy be in Christ thy son let vs glad our selues in the holy ghost let vs be giuen to reading hearing and meditation let vs resorte to the company of thy saints let vs loath the companie of the wicked let vs be lowly conceited in our selues let vs think reuerendly of al thy children let vs rest in thee our good father-watch vs by night guide vs by day blesse vs in both with al ours publikly and priuately protect thy gospell and church preuent thy foes at home and abroad for Iesus sake amen Finis Gen. 3.9 Mat. 12.24 The first part 2. c 1.5 10 Heb. 9 2â— Art 7. August Mat. 8.22 Habâ— 2.4 Mat. 24.31 Mat 13.40 Obiect Ioh. 3. â—8 Answer Eccle. 3.17 Psal 139â— 8.9 Rom 2 11 Psal 98.9 a a wisd 5 8 b. Act. 23 â— Gen 25.33 2 Pet. 2.22 Psal â—â—â— â—37 Ierem. 4 19 â—â— Monica Apo. 13.16 Eph. â— 2 1. Pet. 5.8 1. Iohn 2.16 Anst a psal 12 1 Compa Note Inuen â—uk 12.19 Iero. The secoÌ„d part â—wis 1 9 Mat. 5 28 Bernard b. 1. Pc. 5.9 a. Iob. 3.15 Mat. 15.11 The laâ—er of sinne Prou. 4.23 om 6 23 Word Greg. Ierome â— Basil Calv. Psal 31 1â— 1. Pet 4.18 Pet. Dami Exo. 8 2.4 Poet. Gen. 3.6 Nu. 15.36 Mat. 16.22 23. Act. 5.35 Ma. 11.3.5 Eccl. 14.8 Works 1. cor 5.10 Ecle 12.14 Goods Esay 38.1 Iuk 16 21. Time Ber. Aug. Amos 6. â— Exemp Quid 1. Pc. 4.11 Epes 4.29 Psal 34.1 Iob. 27.4 Poet. Mat. 12 3â— Three kingdoms Ouid. Iob. 3.31 1. Iohn 4.5 Eccles 3. â— Greg. Iohn 14.6 â—cclesiasti 21.25 Text The third part 2. Cor. 5.10 Iohn 5 22 Math. 28.18 Ps 2.7.8.9 Psal 110 1 Iudge Rom 2 â— Iam. 4.12 Iob. 31.14 Hilâ—ion 1 Pc. 4.18 Ex. 16.18 Apo. 1.17 Dan. 8.17 Hest 7.6 Gen. 3.8 Aug. Apoc. 6.16 Psal 50.21 Psal 50.4 Rom. 2.15 Mat 25 41 Goc Apoc. 9.6 Luk. 6.25 Psal 11.6 Mat. 13 4â— Yee Curâ— Into euerl fire Mat. 22.13 Which is prepared Zeph 1.15 Apoc. 6.9 10. Phil. 1.23 Apoc. 22. Math. 〈◊〉 2. Dan. 4. Psal 14.1 Apo. 19.1 P. 44.15 Text. Act. 1 7. Marke 13 32. Arist Mat. 24.42 1 Ioh. 2.28 Eliah 1. Co. 10.11 Iam. 5.9 Mat. 3.2 Death what Heb. 9.27 2 Es 14.25 Ans Luke 23.43 Psal 90.4 Ans Gen. â— 17 Ob. Ans Aug. Heb. 9.27 Phil. 1.23 1 Co. 13.11 Exo. 33.23 Luk. 16.22 Eccle. 12.7 The vse hereof Ber. Gen. 6.3 Ionâ—s 1.4 Pl. 95.10 Mat. 25.4 Iosephu Gen. 7.23 Luke 13 3 Aug. Ecclesiasticus Poet. Psal 27.9 Chrysost Obiect Eze. 18.21 22. Aug. Iob. 1.18 Liuie Galen August Rom 6 13. Poet. Demasc Ieromes Act. 16.