Hell and damnation These things being thuâ— offered vnto our sight the at length a man begins tâ— feare lest haply he be quiâ— cast out from the face fauor of God beholding nothing else but eternal dead and condemnation Heâ— therefore men haue need 〈◊〉 be couragious of a coâ—stant heart and mind thâ—â— they faint not nor giue aâ— place vnto despaire Praâ— we therfore in this manneâ— A prayer O most gracious God â— most mercifull Father graâ—â— we beseech thee that by thy grace and helpe while we are yet in health and prosperitie we may learne to feare thee to loue thy holy word to beleeue and embrace thy sweete and coÌ„fortable promises to set thee before vs as the scope end of all our actions and that remembring alwaies this sharpe conflict and encounter which we are to vndergoe we may fortifie and arme our selues against this day of triall and so be saued preserued and defended that seruing and fearing thee we may direct all our doings to thy glorie and at the length obtaine and enioy eternall life which thine owne Sonne hath purchased for vs Amen CHAP. IIII. A Remedie against the feare and remembrance of our sinnes VVHensoeuer thy sins shall torment and trouble thee or terrifie thy conscience consider how that the Son of God himselfe for thy sake and for the purging and taking away of thy sinnes came downe from heauen and humbled himselfe to the lowest estate that may be that he being made man took vpon him thy sins and the sinnes of the whole world and of his owne voluntarieâ— will dyed for them vpon the crosse and made full satisfaction for them all by suffering most grieuous punishments in thy name and for thy sake This most precious bloud of Christ was shed euen for thee and for thy saluation Of this his death art thou also made partaker if onely thou shalt beleeue that he dyed as wel for thee as for Peter and Paul and others Neither oughtest thou any whit to doubt but that he died as well for thee as for Paule for in that thou art a sinner euen in this respect thou mayest and oughtest to bee comforted Math. 9.13 For Christ came not to call the righteous but to call sinners to repentance Mat. 9.13 and 1 of Tim. 1.15 1 Tim. 1.15 It is a true saying saith Saint Paul and by all meanes worthie to be receiued That Iesus Christ came into the world to saue sinners Yea admit thou were one of the greatest sinners in the world yet doubt nothing for such a one was Paule as he witnesseth of himselfe in the same place euen the greatest and chiefest among sinners an oppressor a persecutor and blasphemer Moreouer this may and ought to comfort thee and to confirme and settle thy mind Rom. 6.3 that thou art baptized into the death of Christ For seeing thou art baptized into the death of Christ Christ his death shall saue and helpe thee by Christ his death thou shalt die vnto thy sinnes by Christ hiâ— death thou shalt receiue vndoubted remission and forgiuenesse of all thy sins finally by Christ his death thou shalt rise againe vnâ—o a new life here and to a life eternall and euerlasting in the world to come Thâ— remission of our sins confirmed in Baptisme and in the Lords Supper For Baptisme is a sure token and pledge and a certaine couenant as it were of Gods mercie and fauour in which thou art reconciled vnto God So that by meanes of it thou mayest euermore haue a quiet and chearefull conscience by reason of the forgiuenesse and pardoning of all thy sins through the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ Verily it is vnto thee also that Christ speaketh in the institution of his holy Supper wherein he professeth and witnesseth that his bloud was shed for the remission of sinnes Now therefore howsoeuer the life which thou hast led hath not bene altogetheâ— faultlesse blamelesse noâ— in all respects pure and free from sinne yet despaire not but without delay flie for refuge succour vnto that bloud of his which was thus shed for thy sinnes and without ceassing call vpon his Name and thou shalt be saued according to his promise Rom. 10.13 Rom. 10.13 Criâ—â— out vnto him therefore and call vpon him in these oâ— the like words A Prayer O most mercifull God and father of alâ— mercies father of our Lord Iesus Christ be fauourable and mercifull vnto me a sinner Take pittie and compassion vpon me miserable wretch and speedily helpe me euen for that most bitter but yet most precious death and passion of Iesus Christ thy only Son our redeemer and onely Sauiour Amen Amen Enter not into iudgement O Lord with thy seruant Deale not with me after my deserts neither do vnto mee according to my sinnes and iniquities but for thy infinite and endlesse goodnesse and mercie receiue me vnto thy grace I miserable wretched weake and feeble creature am in thy hands in thy power and at thy disposing to do with me what it pleaseth thee â— most mightie and yet mosâ— meeke most gentle most gracious God and mercifull father leaue me not neither reiect and cast mee off as a wretch that is quite forlorne and forsaken I am thine whatsoeuer I am and there is none can comfort me none can helpe me none can deliuer me but thou onely Thou art the true preseruatiue and remedie against all euils and mischiefes and against all infirmities and sicknesses both of bodie and soule Thou art the surest and most present helpe refuge and succour a strong hold and a fortresse and castle in all necessities Psal 46. Thou ô Lord art our hope and strength in troubles Psalme 46. In thee O my God I put my trust Psal 71. 31. let me not be confounded nor ashamed as being frustrate and disappointed of my hope but deliuer me in thy righteousnesse Incline thine care vnto me and saue me and make haste to deliuer me be thou vnto me a strong rocke and house of defence that thou mayest saue me For thou art my rocke my fortresse thou art my Lord and my God Into thy hands I commend my spirit for thou hast redeemed me ô Lord God of truth Let the light of thy countenaÌ„ce shine vpoÌ„ thy seruant saue me for thy mercie O Lord my God Moreouer here thou must especially be admonished to take heed that the suffer not thy selfe to much to be possessed wiâ—â— the cogitation and remembrance of thy sinnes in paâ—ticular But rather if thâ— same shall at any time stanâ— vp against thee set beforâ— thine eyeâ— the remembrancâ— of that most inestimabâ— price of Christ his death suffering and fasten thâ— same into thy minde diligently according to the aduice and counsell of Sainâ— Augustine Inspice vulnerâ— pendentis sanguinem morieâ—tis precium redimentis Capaâ— habet inclinatum in cruce aâ— osculandum brachia extensâ— ad amplexandum totum
of the Epistles of that holy Father which intreate of the like matter CHAP. XV. An Exhortation to all professors of the name of Christ NOw I beseech and intreate all euen as many as are stiled and called by the name of Christians and I charge and require you euen by the mercies of God that once at the length forsaking your former sins and errors and the horrible darknesse and blindnesse in which ye haue liued ye will returne vnto a better course of life with all care and diligence and with sincere heartie deuotion hearing and receiuing the word of God which is able to saue your soules and continually without intermission knocking at the gates of heauen and intreating the heauenly Father through his Sonne Christ Iesus that he will inwardly teach and instruct you and enlighten your hearts and minds with the true knowledge of Christ and of his heauenly will That denying and renouncing all vngodly lusts Tit. 2.12 ye may liue soberly and righteously and godly in this present world looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glorie of the mighty God of our Sauiour Iesus Christ who gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purge vs to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe zealous of good works That same light of grace and of all comfort and consolation as the day starre frō on high hath visited vs and by the infinite goodnes of God hath in these last times in exceeding great brightnesse shined forth vnto vs. We haue manifold examples both in the holy Scriptures and euery day among our selues which testifie the infinite bountie and mercie long suffering patience and gentlenesse of our God toward vs whereby we may see how God would not that we should be lost but that we should conuert liue how soone his iust wrath waxeth hote against vs and how easily againe he is mooued to succeasse from punishing vs as we deserued so soone as we vnfainedly repent of our sinnes and stedfastly intend purpose an amendmēt of our liues Let these things moue you deare brethren and stirre you vp to seeke the Lord Esay 55.6 while yet he may be found to call vpon him while he is yet neare vnto you that the wicked forsake his owne waies and the vnrighteous his own imaginations and returne vnto the Lord and he will haue mercie on him and vnto our God for he is very readie to forgiue Yea let the consideration hereof encourage you in all your troubles and distresses to flie vnto God and vncessantly to pray vnto him that he will mercifully pardon and forgiue you all your sinnes for his deare Sonnes sake Iesus Christ and that he will vouchsafe to preserue and keepe you to sustaine and vphold you to cherish and comfort you and finally to hide and couer you vnder the shadow of his wings and to be present and readie to helpe and succour you in all your need and necessitie Thus did Dauid whē he saw himselfe in great distresse and danger 2 Sam. 24.17 and that for his sin there had fallen by a sore plague in three daies space seauentie thousand men straightway he flieth vnto God confessing his sinne and lamentablie crauing begging for mercy and forgiuenesse crying out Ecce Behold I haue sinned yea I haue done wickedly And whē he had built an altar in the threshing floore of Aranna the Iebusite where the Angel had appeared vnto him he offered burnt offerings and peace offerings thereupon And then the Scripture saith verse 25. That the Lord was appeased toward the land and the plague ceassed from Israel By which example of Dauid deare brethren confesse your sinnes pray vnto God for grace and intreate for mercie and pardon offering vp vnto God that acceptable sacrifice of a penitent contrite heart which aboue all things is well pleasing vnto him and behold God will be present and ready to helpe you neither will he at any time faile you or forsake you In like manner Iona 1.3 when God sent Ionas vnto Nineue he threatned to destroy that populous and famous citie But straightway as soone as at the preaching of Ionah the Nineuites had repented God had compassion on them he pardoned their sinnes and remitted their punishment Set before you my brethren these examples to be imitated followed Distrust not the mercie and goodnesse of God Esay 59.1 Behold the Lords hand is not shortned that it cannot saue he both will and can saue and helpe yea releeue and comfort you so as ye refuse not neither despise his grace and goodnesse so mercifully and abundantly offered but call vpon him for helpe and assistance of his grace Eph. 2.4 who is rich in mercie Ephesians 2.4 euen rich vnto all that call vpon him Rom. 10.12 Romanes 10.12 Now I pray and beseech the Lord Iesus Christ that onely true and approued Physition both of body and soule that these diuine medicines and spirituall directions collected and digested out of the rich store-house of the holy and sacred Scriptures may haue a powerfull and effectuall working in your hearts whereby faith may more more abound and increase and the loue of God and of your brethren more and more feruently bee inflamed in you And that abiding constant and patient in all temptations and tribulations whatsoeuer after the example of the same Christ Iesus ye may euen vnto the last gaspe cleaue and sticke fast vnto him in assured hope of eternall life and saluation through the same Christ Iesus our alone Sauiour To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be all glorie and praise for euermore Amen The second part A Method or order of comforting the Sicke CHAP. I. How to comfort all such as lie vpon the bed of Sicknesse WHereas deare brother thou art so sore vexed grieued with sicknesse know for suretie and make certaine account that thou art thus afflicted and punished not by chance or fortune but by the determinate will purpose and permission of almightie God For whatsoeuer affliction or calamitie befalleth vnto the children of God it is doubtlesse sent of God and it cometh vnto them whollie and altogether at his appointment and by his guidance and direction For as much as in him wee liue Act. 17. and moue and haue our being Psal 100. It is he that hath made vs and not we our selues And doubt not thou but that it is indeed of his good will and of his loue and fatherly affection toward thee that he now sendeth this sicknes whatsoeuer it be not to destroy thee but to call thee to repentance and to exercise and stirre vp thy faith and confidence in him For afflictions are vndoubted signes of Gods vndoubted loue and fauour toward vs. Whom God loueth him saith Salomon he correcteth and chastiseth Prou. 3.12 Heb. 12.6 yea he scourgeth euery one whom he receiueth Heb 12.6 Thy mercifull and heauenly Father most dearely and
righteousnesse Bow downe thine eare vnto me make haste to deliuer me Be thou my strong rocke and house of defence that thou maist saue me For thou art my rocke and mâ— fortresse and strength Into thy hand I commend my spirit for thou hast redeemed me ô Lord God of truth Cry also with Dauid Psal 18.1 Psal 18. Thou euen thou ô Lord art my strength and my fortresse my refuge and my deliuerer my God and my helper In thee will I trust for thou art my shield the â—orn also of my saluation and my refuge vnto thee ô Lord lift I vp my soule ô God in thee doe I trust Psal 25.1 Let me not be ashamed nor confounded Leade me and direct me in thy truth for thou art the God of my saluation Remember ô Lord thy tender mercies and thy louing kindnesse for they haue beene for euer Remember not the sinnes of my youth nor my manifold rebellions ô Lord But according to the multitude of thy mercies Look vpon me for thy goodnesse ô Lord. For thy name sake bee mercifull vnto mine iniquitie ô Lord for it is great Turne thy face vnto me and haue mercy vpon me Deliuer me and draw me out of my troubles Pardon and forgiue mee all mine offences Keepe my soule and deliuer me Let me not be confounded for I put my trust in thee If in this maner thou shalt with thy whole heart call vpon God for help God will assuredly relieue thee in due time and will say vnto thee as he did concerning Dauid his seruant Psal 91.14 Because he hath trusted in mee therefore will I deliuer him I will therfore saue and defend him because he hath knowne my name He hath called vpon me and I will heare him I will be with him in trouble I will deliuer him and after glorifie him Wherefore deare brother fight now a good fight fight valiantly and couragiously and also constantly and stedfastly as becometh a true Christian and a valiant souldier of Iesus Christ Take heede in any wise that thou lose not nor giue ouer thy standing Turne not backe for behold here is no danger at all Thou dost not fight here alone but Iesus Christ thy Lord and King he is thy guide and Captaine in this fight Him follow who in this sharpe combate hath gone before thee He as he is thy guide and captaine so he will be thy defender and deliuerer to defend and deliuer thee in this fight and conflict from all the enemies of thy soule and from all troubles and dangers whatsoeuer For he is not as a mortall earthly king who sometimes for want of power is frustrate of his wil and purpose But he is of endlesse and infinite power able to performe whatsoeuer he hath purposed or promised Yea and he it is that hath alreadie for thy sake vanquished and foiled Satan death 1 Cor. 15. and hell Death is swallowed vp into victory through Christ who hath died for thee And therefore euerlasting death hath no interest nor power ouer thee Christ for thy sake hath descended into hell that he might free and deliuer thee from that horrible and endlesse darknesse Be strong therefore and of good courage and with an vndaunted heart mind now fight that good fight of faith 1 Tim. 6.12 laying hold of eternall life whereunto thou art called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses shake off all feare for here is no danger There is no cause for thee to feare the strictnesse and seueritie of Gods iudgement For behold Christ Iesus is thy mediator in the sight and presence of God he also is thy aduocate intercessor to pleade thy cause and thine high priest to make attonement vnto God for thee He it is that hath reconciled thee vnto God and that hath recouered vnto thee and for thee the loue and the good will and fauour of his heauenly Father which by meanes of thy sins was vtterly lost alienated from thee God almightie in and through Christ and for his sake is now become thy Father and he entirely loueth thee and hath care of thee as of his child that is most tender and deare vnto him Now then forasmuch as he who is so great and mightie a king is with thee who can go about to do thee hurt who shall impugne or oppose and set himselfe against thee Heare what S. Paul saith Rom. 8.31 If God be with vs who can be against vs who spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him vnto death for vs all how shall he not with him giue vs all things also Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that iustifieth who shall condemne It is Christ who â—ath died yea rather who is risen againe who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Who shall separate vs from the loue of God I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Seeing then that Christ with all his goodnes and benefits is giuen vnto thee righteousnesse also holinesse iustification and redemption yea euerlasting life and saluation these are all freely giuen and bestowed vpon thee as S. Paul witnesseth 1. Cor. 1. That Christ is made vnto vs of God his Father 1 Cor. 1.30 both wisedome and righteousnesse sanctification and redemption See then that thou haue thy hope and confidence wholly setled and firmely and stedfastly fixed vpon this corner stone Christ Iesus He is a most sound and a most strong and sure foundation whereunto thou mayest safely commit thy selfe and whereupon thou mayest boldly relie No tempest though neuer so blacke and cloudy or neuer so hideous and terrible no showers or stormes whatsoeuer are or shall be able to cast cast downe or ouerthrow this foundation vppon this thy sweete Sauiour Christ I say let all thy hope and happinesse be founded and built Cast thy selfe vppon him and giue thy selfe ouer wholly vnto him put thy confidence in him and cleaue fast vnto him And let no affliction nor temptation plucke thee away froÌ„ him howsoeuer things seeme to come to passe neuer so aukwardly or contrary to reason and sence howsoeuer thine owne reason shall deeme and iudge otherwise or flesh and bloud shall neuer so much perswade and counsell otherwise yea howsoeuer the diuel now and then may suggest vnto thee whisper into thine eares or put into thy mind that thou art quite vndone and art past all hope that God cannot but still be highly displeased with thee and that thou shalt be condemned to be punished in hell fire as thou hast deserued Yet notwithstanding all these and the like suggestions do thou by a stedfast and true faith relie vpon thy sweete Sauiour Christ Iesus and sticke fast vnto him Heb. 11.1 For
faith is the ground or expectation of things that are hoped for to wit being promised not of things that are sensible or conceiued by sense and it is the euidence of things not seene that is a sure and certaine knowledge and proofe of the things that appeare not Hebrews 11.1 It standeth thee vpon therefore with the holy and faithfull Patriarch Abraham euen beside hope and aboue hope 〈◊〉 beleeue vnder hope Rom. 4.18 Thy faith thy hope must set it self to resist all those things which either blinde reaâ—on shall suggest vnto thee 〈◊〉 that cunning and craftie â—nemie the diuel who lieth â—n waite to destroy shall seeke to infuse and put into thee Here therefore thou â—â—t to learne and obserue 1 Pet. 5.8 for thy coÌ„fort Gods manner and custome in sauing those that are his whom he will lift vp into heauen him â—e doth commonly first of all bring downe to hell Whom he will quicken and make aliue him he doth first bring downe to the gates of death Vpon whom he will shew his greatest mercie kindnesse in sauing and deliuering him him he suffereth before to be tempted and maketh as if he would condemne him Wherefore euen then when thou feelest nothing else but present death when God seemeth most of all to be angry with thee wheÌ„ he seemeth to be furthest from thee yea and to haue wholly and altogether forsaken thee cast thee off as one reproued and condemned euen then is he nearest vnto thee to protect defend and deliuer thee then he most of all loueth thee and then he â—ath greatest care ouer thee For in the middest of trouble and affliction God remembreth mercie as the Prophet in many places beareth witnesse Psal 30.5 His wrath endureth but the twinckling of â—n eye but in his fauour is life Weeping may abide at night but ioy cometh in the morning Lam. 3.31 And againe He will not forsake or be angry for euer yea rather As a father piâ—ieth his owne children so is the Lord mercifull to them that feare him For he knoweth whereof we be made he remembreth that we are but dust Now Psal 103.13 the mercie of the Lord is for euer and euer vpon them that feare him The Lord is gracious and full of compassion Psal 145.8 slow to anger and of great mercy yea our God is good vnto all how much more to his children to them that loue and feare him and his mercy is ouer all his workes as the same Prophet witnesseth Psalme 145.8 And therefore closing vp the eies both of thy mind and also of thy senses and vtterly casting off the iudgment of reason submit and giue ouer thy selfe wholy vnto Christ and take it in good part howsoeuer he shall deale with thee Thou must not esteem and iudge of death or of the horror and paines of death according to the iudgement of outward sight or of sense and reason but according to the word of God and the censure and iudgement thereof Dauid saith That Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Psal 116.15 And the voyce of God himselfe from heauen cryeth in the Reuelation of S. Iohn Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord. Apoc. 14.13 And Christ himselfe saith Iohn 8.51 He that beleeueth in me shall not taste of death Wherefore if any thing be presented vnto thee which may seeme to turne thee away from Christ cast the same wholly out of thy mind Sticke fast vnto the word of God which abideth for euer Meditate still vpon it and by often repeating the same imprint it stedfastly in thy mind For thou canst not indeed euer conceiue by the quicknesse sharpnesse of thine own reason how al this may be that thou shouldest passe thorough death vnto the true life how thou shouldst die and depart this world by breathing out thy soule how thy soule should bee kept safe in the Lord and should abide and rest with him vnto the last day and how also thy body being putrified and eaten vp of wormes and consumed to dust and ashes could rise again in the last day of iudgment and come forth in so fresh and glorious a forme maner This reason in no wise is able to conceiue onely faith can comprehend it And therefore still meditate vpon the Articles of thy faith and diligently weigh and consider in thy mind all the seuerall parts of the same with a particular application thereof vnto thy selfe CHAP. III. How the sicke partie is to be called on and comforted being ready to giue vp the Ghost NOw deare brother is the time that thou must fight that good fight and lay hold on eternal life Now therefore fight manfully and couragiously keep thy standing diligently lay hold fast on Christ Iesus that none take away thy Crowne Fixe stedfastly in thy mind the promises of Christ thy Redeemer I am saith he the resurrection and the life Ioh. 11.25 He that beleeueth in me shall liue and shall not dye for euer Christ hauing taken our nature vpon him with all those defects and infirmities whereto we are subiect and dying vpon the altar of his Crosse hath offered vp himselfe a full and perfect sacrifice oblation and satisfaction for all our sinnes He it is that by his most precious blood hath purged away the sinnes of all that truly and vnfainedly beleeue in him And this thy Sauiour Iesus Christ wil in no wise forsake thee He it is that vndoubtedly careth for thee to saue protect and deliuer thee Nothing therefore shall touch thee nor preuaile against thee to hurt thee The foundation of God remaineth sure hauing this seale 2. Tim. 2.19 The Lord knoweth who are his Christ saith My sheepe Iohn 10.27 heare my voyce and I know them and they follow me and I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any be able to take them out of my hand My Father that gaue them vnto me a greater then all and none is able to take them out of my Fathers hand I and my father are one Wherefore deare brother beloued in Christ commend thy soule into the hands of God thy heauenly Father who for his Son his sake doubtles doth entirely loue thee hauing ransomed and redeemed thee with so great a price as the death and bloodshedding of his only sonne Cry out therefore confidently with thy elder brother Christ O heauenly Father into thy hands I commend my spirit which thou hast redeemed with so great a price Lord Iesus receiue my soule Now the Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort and consolation confirme and strengthen thee conduct and leade thee and by the ministery of his holy Angels transport and carrie thee as they did Lazarus into the bosome of Abraham euen into euerlasting life and finally preserue and keepe thee vnto that most ioyfull resurrection at the last day Amen A SERMON OF MORTALITIE
wrath and displeasure In stead of death and after death grant vnto him life euen life euerlasting that he may for euer liue with thee in glory And if thou thinke it better more expedient for him that he abide yet longer in this mortalitie either for the benefit of others and for the vse and seruice of the Church or else for his owne behalfe and benefite that he may more nearely be conformed and made like vnto the example and image of thy Sonne Christ Iesus restore vnto him mercifull and gracious Lord his former health strength and with health and strength increase in him euery day more and more the gifts and graces of thy holy Spirit Howbeit thy will be done alwaies in all things which cannot but euermore be for the best All these things grant vnto vs we beseech thee most gracious and merciful Father and to this our feeble and distressed neighbour and brother for thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ his sake who is our onely helper and redeemer for his sake who for the comfort of sinners translated by the ministerie of his blessed Angels the theefe on the crosse into Paradise and the soule of Lazarus into Abrahams bosome euen for his sake who sitteth at thy right hand of power and glorie to be our Aduocate and to make intercession for vs who also liueth and reigneth together with thine owne maiestie in the vnitie of the holy Ghost euer one God world without end Amen A Prayer to be said by the Sicke partie LOrd Iesus thou that art the health of al men liuing and the life euerlasting of all that in thy true faith depart out of this wretched transitorie world I submit and wholly giue ouer my selfe vnto thy most blessed will whether it plâ—aâ—e thee that this silly soule of mine shall abide in this house and tabernacle of my bodie yet for some longer time to do thee seruice or whether thy will be that I shall shortly depart hence being certainly assured that the same can in no wise perish which is committed and deliuered ouer into thy mercifull hands O Lord I am most readie and willing to lay downe this fraile and corruptible flesh in certaine hope of the resurrection thereof at the last day when it shall be restored vnto me againe much more glorious and happie In the meane time confirme and strengthen my soule I beseech thee with thy grace holy Spirit against all temptations and against all assaults of Satan Gird compasse me about with the shield of thy mercie as thou diddest in times past thy holy Saints and Martyrs making them thereby strong inuincible against all torments and deaths though neuer so cruell or so fearefull and horrible I see that there is no helpe in my selfe ô Lord but all my helpe and hope my trust confidence is in thine vnspeakeable goodnesse and mercie I haue no deserts nor good works ô Lord that I can bring or alledge before thee But of misdeeds alas I see many and infinite as the sands of the Sea which hauing passed and gone ouer my head are as a grieuous burthen too too heauie for me to beare But yet through thy precious death and bloudshedding I beleeue that they are all quite purged and washed cleane away And through thy most perfect righteousnesse and obedience imputed vnto me I trust and am assured that I shall be yea and am already registred and receiued into the number of thy righteous Saints and seruants It was for me and for my sake that thou wast borne into the world and wast subiect vnto all the miseries and infirmities of this life Thou didst hunger and thirst for my sake thou didst teach and preach and worke many strange wonders and miracles for my sake thou didst fast and pray for me and for my sake For my sake it was that thou didst so many good deeds while thou liuedst and didst conuerse amongst men for my sake didst thou suffer so many bitter paines and torments yea and gauest thy precious bodie and soule vnto death vpon the crosse for my sake Now let all these things sweete sauiour Iesus Christ be auaileable and profitable vnto me thy poore seruant who hast willingly performed all these things for me and hast giuen and bestowed thy selfe wholly vpon me and for me Let thy bloud cleanse and wash away the filthinesse of my sinnes let thy righteousnesse hide and couer my vnrighteousnesse and let thy merits stand for me before thy tribunall seate of iudgement And as my sicknesse and paine increaseth so increase ò Lord in me thy good gifts and graces both of faith and of patience and of constancie and perseuerance that my faith confidence may neither wauer nor stagger nor my loue toward thee be abated nor my humane weakenesse be deiected and cast downe by feare of death But after that death hath seized vpon closed vp the eyes of my body the eyes of my mind may not sweâ—ue nor turne aside from thee And when it hath taken away the vse of my tongue yet let my heart without ceassing crie vnto thee Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit or rather thy spirit for thou hast dearely bought it and redeemed it euen with thy most precious bloud Sweete Sauiour Iesus Christ receiue my soule Saue and keepe me protect and defend me vnder the shadow of thy wings that I sleepe not in death Saue and deliuer me euen in death from the power of death In thee ô Lord my God do I put my trust let me not be confounded Thou art my onely Lord Sauiour leaue me not neither forsake me ô God of my saluation But be thou still present with me to sustaine and vphold me to refresh and comfort me and finally at the time which thou hast appointed to conuey my soule into thy heauenly kingdome which thou hast purchased prepared for me before the beginning of the world Euen so come Lord Iesus Amen Amen A prayer for the Sicke being readie to giue vp the Ghost LOrd Iesus Christ thou which art the resurrection and the life in whom whosoeuer beleeueth shall not die for euer looke downe from heauen euen from thy Sanctuarie and holy habitation Behold visite and relieue this thy seruant Correct him not in thine anger neither chasten him in thy displeasure but according to the multitude of thy mercies looke vpon him we beseech thee with a fatherly affection Restore him if it be thy gracious will and pleasure vnto his former health and strength that so he may liue to glorifie thy name Or if it stand with thy will otherwise to deale with him euen by this present sicknesse to call him home vnto thine owne selfe out of this vale of wretchednes and miserie giue vnto him constancie to endure faithfull vnto the end and patience to suffer quietly and meekely thy rod and fatherly correction His flesh ô Lord is weake and fraile assist him with thy grace strengthen his weaknesse by the mightie power of thy holy Spirit His spirituall enemies are many and the craft and malice of Satan neuer wanting especially in the houre of death when the bodie is most weake to daunt affright if it be possible the soules of thy seruants that so he might destroy the soule together with the bodie Couer him therefore deare Father vnder the shadow of thy wings against all the assaults of the flesh the world and the diuell that neither through the infirmitie and weakenesse of the flesh nor through the grieuousnesse and painefulnesse of his sicknes nor the loue desire of this world nor the multitude of his sinnes nor the malice of Satan nor by any other meanes he be drawne away from his loue towards thee and his assured trust and confidence in thee We coÌ„fesse ô Lord that there is in himselfe as in our selues no power nor strength to helpe at all being borne in sinne and conceiued in iniquity whereunto also haue bene added many actuall sinnes and transgressions both in thought word and deede whereby he hath prouoked thy iust wrath indignation In whom then shall he trust and from whom shall he looke for helpe but onely in thee from thee which art the Sauiour of all that put their trust in thee Thou didst vouchsafe for his sake to be borne into the world and to humble thy selfe to the state of a seruant to suffer all the miseries and infirmities of this life for his sake to sustaine beare all manner of reproches iniuries for his sake finally thou gauest thy most precious bodie to die and thy bloud to be shed vpon the crosse for his sake Now let all these things profit him we beseech thee most mercifull Sauiour Let thy most precious bloud wash away the multitude of his sinnes let that pure and vnspotted garmeÌ„t of thine obedience and righteousnesse hide couer his vnrighteousnesse let thy grace and power euermore defend succour him and let the sweet comfort of thy Spirit neuer depart from him vntill thou hast called him out of this vale of miserie into the blessed inheritance purchased for him where he may rest for euer with Abraham and Isaac and Iacob and all the Saints of God Heare vs we beseech thee most gracious and mercifull Sauiour saue thy seruant that putteth his whole trust in thee Let thy mightie hand and outstretched arme be still his defence Let thy holy Spirit coÌ„firme strengthen him let thy louing kindnesse and mercte still abide and continue with him and be his stay and comfort alwaies vnto the end and in the end and for euermore Amen FINIS
Christ thou art now alreadie made partaker of God mercie thou art now alreadie eased of the burthen of thy sinnes thou art now already the heire of God and coheire with Christ for euer and euer Mat. 24 35 For heauen and earth shall passe away but the word of the Lord abideth for euer Beleeue then deare brother and be of good hope and of good comfort neither doubt but that that great God most gracious and most mercifull euen the sonne of God Christ Iesus for thy sake and for thy saluation was made man yea that for thee and for thy sake he was borne into this world for thy sake dyed vpon the crosse for thy sake rose againe from death and ascended into heauen and performed all those things that are promised vnto vs. So that all the promises of God in and through Christ are yea 2 Cor. 1.20 and Amen 2. Corinth 1.20 Pray therefore vnto God and expect and looke for nothing else from God but meere grace and mercie that through Christ and for his sake for as much as without Christ there is no consolation no saluation no hope no helpe In Christ onely and alone is all comfort all manner of refreshing all refuge and succour and in a word all the wholâ— meanes of our saluation In him is all grace goodnesse and mercie infinitely greater and far more abundant then any man can wish or desire or yet comprehend The Lord vouchsafe to giue vnto vs a constant and stedfast faith to beleeue the same Furthermore deare brother I warne and admonish thee to be carefull that with as much diligence as thou canst thou withdraw thy mind from the horrible dreadfull contemplation and view of thy sinnes and of the feare of death and bend all thy cogitation vppon Christ alone Fixe the eyes of thy minde wholly vpon him cleaue and sticke fast vnto him with thy whole heart call vpon him with full confidence and assurance and commit thy selfe wholly vnto him for as much as in him thou shalt find nothing else but absolute and perfect innocency and righteousnesse life and saluation All which being deriued from Christ vnto thee are now become thine if onely thou wilt acknowledge Christ and beleeue him to be thy Redeemer Sauiour and the author and worker of thy saluation I admonish thee therefore againe and againe and I vrge and repeate the same often not without cause that thou renew not in thy mind afresh the remembrance oâ— thy sinnes neither vexe and tormeÌ„t thy selfe by weighing and pondering too exactly the multitude and greatnesse of them But rather hauing thy sinnes remoued farre away set before thine eyes only Christ crucified let him be fixed fast in thy hart let thy mind and cogitation be wholly vpon him flee vnto him with full assurance and confidence and with thy whole heart sticke fast vnto him without being separated from him at any time By this meanes thou shalt preuaile and stand fast against the gates of hell though neuer so cruell and terrible Call vnto thy minde with how great humanitie and kindnesse with how great clemencie and gentlenesse with how great meekenesse and mildnesse Christ in the Gospell intreated and also receiued and entertained all sinners that repented them of their sinnes that desired helpe and craued pardon and forgiuenesse There shalt thou find Mary Magdalen out of whom went seuen diuels Thou shall see there one of the theeues that were crucified with him Thou shalt see the Publican thou shalt see Zacheus and diuers others whom our Sauiour Christ entertained with wonderfull meekenesse and kindnesse and afterward pronounced them to be freed and set at liberty froâ— all their sinnes though neuer so haynous and grieuous for Christ is grace â— mercie consolation and comfort ioy and gladnesâ— it selfe and a present refugâ— and succour yea life and saluation it selfe vnto aâ—â— that expect and hope foâ— the same from him and thaâ— set their affiance in him Alâ— these things God hath promised for Christ his sake who is truth it selfe cannot lie and therefore will neuer deceiue vs neuer disappoint vs neuer forsake vs. CHAP. VI. Reconciliation and restitution required in time of sicknesse if not performed before NOW further Reconciliation in time of sicknesse required while thou liest vpon thy bed of sicknesse it will perhaps come into thy mind how thou hast wronged and iniured thy neighbour in his body or goods or estimation and credit or contrariwise how he hath iniured and wronged thee in all or some of these things Here thou must do as Christ did vpon the crosse thou must pray euen for all thine enemies and must from the bottome of thy heart pardon and forgiue all wrongs and iniuries If thou by dâ—â—traction and slander haâ—â— bene wronged in thy gooâ— name and reputation thoâ—â— must euen from thy verâ— heart forgiue the authoâ— thereof and pray for theâ—â— with S. Steuen Act. 7.60 Lord lay not this sinne to theâ— charge Act. 7.60 and with our Sauiour Christ himselfe vpon the crosse Luke 23.24 Father forgiuâ— them they know not what they do If on the contrary thou hast slandered others and wronged theÌ„ in their good name and credit it behooueth thee with all conuenient speede to seeke reconciliation if it be possible at the hands of the parties so offended If any thing of thine haue bene taken away by theÌ„ thou shalt not with â—olence fiercenesse or cruâ—â—tie exact and require the â—â—me againe Restitution in time of sicknesse required And if thou â—aue either by fraude or viâ—lence taken away from oâ—hers if thou canst make â—estitution or cause restituâ—ion to be made and do not â—n any wise hide or conceale any thing but confesse the same and be sorrie for the wrong committed and desire pardon first at the hands of God then of the party or parties wronged and offended If the parties whom thou hast wronged be dead make restitution vnto their children or others their heires executors or administrators If thou hast done wrong or oppression and thou knowest not to whâ— thou hast done it in steaâ— the parties themselues thâ— hast the poore and need vnto whom thou may giue cheerefully and make restitution So 〈◊〉 Zacheus Luke 19.8 Luke 19.8 Aâ—â— the same is the counsell thâ— Daniel gaue vnto Nebâ—chadnezar Dan. 4.24 Dan. 4.24 â— breake off his sins by righteouâ—nesse and his iniquities by meâ—cie toward the poore If it bâ— so that through pouertiâ— and want thou canst noâ— make restitution it shall bâ— sufficient if thou do it in desire and affect when thoâ— canst not do it in deed and effect 2 Cor. 8.12 If onely there be a willing mind it is accepted before God according to that a maâ— â—ath not according to that he â—ath not 2. Cor. 8.12 In case â—f want and pouertie then â— shall be enough for thee 〈◊〉 first thou haue a will and â—esire to make restitution â—or the wrong
in Christ that is who haue beleeued in Christ being now dead they rest in their graues onely for a time in a most assured hope of a ioyfull and glorious resurrection whereby they shall rise againe in the last day vnto a new life and that eternall and euerlasting wherein shall be nether sinne nor death nor any miserie and wherein shall bee nothing else but righteousnesse and perfect holinesse life and saluation ioy and happines for euer and euer These things God himselfe hath promised who is of infinite power able to performe whatsoeuer he hath promised and who is also truth it selfe and therefore neither will nor can faile in performance thereof Trust stedfastly then in his promises and wauer not CHAP. IX Testimonies of Scripture concerning the Resurrection of the dead MOreouer it is good for thee to repeate often and in thy mind to ponder and diligently to meditate vpon those testimonies of holy Scripture which concerne the resurrection of the flesh Hereof it is that Saint Paul admonisheth vs in his first Epistle to the Thessalonians That we raise vp confirme comfort both our selues 1 Thes 4.18 and comfort one another with these and such like words concerning the resurrection Neither indeed can there be any consolations more fruitful and plentifull or more sure and certaine then those which we fetch from those testimonies of Scripture which concerne the resurrection of our bodies they being the words not of man but of God who both can and will assuredly performe whatsoeuer he hath spoken as hath bene said There is none that can alter or change his will and determination none that can let or hinder his purpose and counsell He is of power infinite in his word and promises most faithfull and true yea truth it selfe his goodnesse and his mercie vnspeakeable as a fountaine that neuer can be drawne drie And therefore let no man doubt thereof Math 13.43 Christ saith Mat. 13.43 The iust men shall shine as the Sunne in the kingdome of their Father Iohn 5.24 Likewise Iohn 5.24 Verily verily I say vnto you he that heareth my word and beleeueth in him that sent me hath euerlasting life and shal not come into condemnation but hath passed from death vnto life Chap. 6.40 And Chapter 6.40 This is the will of my Father that hath sent me that euery one that seeth the Sonne and beleeueth in him should haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Againe Chapter 8.51 Verily Chap. 8.51 verily I say vnto you if any man keepe my word he shall neuer see death And Chap. 11.11 Christ saith that Lazarus slept and 11.11 who notwithstanding was dead and his dead corps did then lie in the graue But Christ raiseth the dead to life againe and calleth those things which are not Rom. 4.17 as if they were as Saint Paule saith And therefore our Sauiour Christ addeth in the 25 verse Ioh. 11.25 I am the resurrection and the life he that beleeueth in me though he were dead yet shall he liue And by and by after the vttering of these words he raised vp Lazarus from death hauing lien rotting and stinking in the graue foure daies And because in these conflicts of sicknesse and death we are naturally very fearefull and faint hearted to the end that we might be furthered and helped on forward the more to beleeue that there shall be a resurrection many haue bene raised vp from death vnto life in the times of the Prophets and Apostles In the new Testament Christ raised from the dead the widowes sonne at Naim Luke 7. Luke 8. Luke 7. He raised vp Iairus his daughter Luke 8. He raised vp Lazarus Iohn 11 Act. 9. and 20. Iohn 11. Saint Peter raised Tabitha Act. 9. and Saint Paul Eutychus Act. 20. In the old Testament the Prophet Elias raised vp the widowes son at Sarephtha 1 Kings 17. 1. Kings 17. and the Prophet Elisha his hostesse sonne the Shunamite 2 Kings 4. Gen. 5. ◠Kings 2. 2. Kings 4. And God also himselfe rapt vp Henoch and Elias aliue both bodie and soule out of this miserable and transitorie life and conueighed and tooke them vp vnto himselfe Gen. 5. and 2. Kings 2. That by thē he might leaue vnto vs some resemblance of the true life that is to come lest according to the conceit and opinion of the Epicures and heathens we should imagine that after this life nothing else remained vnto vs. Furthermore consider thinke with thy selfe what that great and mighty Lord of life death Iesus Christ saith Luke 8.52 Weepe not Luke 8.52 the Damsell is not dead but sleepeth Reason not beleeuing this notvnderstanding the mysteries of God maketh a mock of these things Wherupon it is added that All laughed him to scorne when they heard it But Christ making good his owne words as soone as he had said it he raised vp the maid that was dead and restored her to life And so in like maner will the same Lord Iesus Christ not onely receiue thy soule and preserue the same in sure custodie but will also at the last day render and deliuer againe this body vnto thy soule and will couple and knit them together againe vnto life eternall Iohn 5.28 Our Sauiour Christ pronounceth plainly Ioh. 5.28 That the day and houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voice and shal come forth they that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life And Daniel prophecieth foretelleth also Dan. 12.2 That many of them which sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake vnto euerlasting life and that they that be wise shall shine euen as the brightnesse of the firmament and they which turne many vnto righteousnesse shall shine as the starres for euer euer Saint Paule in like manner prooueth and confirmeth the certainty of the resurrection of our bodies by many strong and infallible reasons arguments Rom. 8.11 Rom. 8.11 If saith he the Spirit of him that raised vp Iesus from the dead dwell 〈◊〉 you he that raised vp Christ from the dead shall also quicke◠your mortall bodies because that his Spirit dwelleth in you And 1. Cor. 6.14 1 Cor. 6.14 The same God that raised vp the Lord Iesus Christ he shall also raise vs vp by his power And as for the fifteenth Chapter of his first Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 15.12 c. it is full of nothing else but sweete consolations and comforts of wonderfull force and efficacie In that Chapter Saint Paule linketh and ioyneth our resurrection so fast and close vnto the resurrection of our Sauiour Christ that they cannot be separated nor plucked asunder the one frō the other Christ saith he is risen frō the dead which is a thing most certaine and sure therefore out of all doubt we shall also rise againe For Christ is our head and we his
vntrue in his word he will assuredly in due time make his promises to appeare he will helpe refresh and comfort vs. Whensoeuer then thy faith thy hope is not firme stedfast as it should be when thou seest and perceiuest thine heart smitten with feares and terrors when thou findest in thy selfe that thou beginnest to doubt of Gods mercie and that thou hast little or no faith at all forthwith call vpon God for helpe as Peter did when he was readie to sinke and to be drowned Math. 14.30 Implore and craue for mercie from him Mat. 14.30 and deplore and lament thine vnbeleefe and incredulitie before him Request desire his helpe with earnest prayer and intreatie and he will ease thee refresh and comfort thee and thereupon thou shalt glorifie praise him Psal 50.15 God hath vndertaken to do it and he will do it Onely see that thou ceasse not to call vpon him Beg craue incessantly with sighes and grones proceeding from the very bottome of thy heart at the hands of almâ—ghtie God the father of all mercies the God of all comfort that he will not turne his face from thee Crie out with the Disciples Luke 17.5 Lord increase my faith and with the father of the lunatick child Lord I beleeue helpe my vnbeleefe Mar. 9.24 A Prayer O Lord make haste to helpe me before I be pressed downe with this heauie burden and ouerwhelmed with the same Thy mercie is aboue all thy workes O most meeke most mercifull and most gracious Father O Lord God of my saluation my refuge and deliuerer enter not into iudgement with thy seruant Christ is my righteousnesse 1 Cor. 1.30 sanctification and redemption He it is that for me and for my sake hath endured yea and most willingly hath offered himselfe to die a most sharpe and cruell death Let these things moue thee and preuaile with thee O Father of all mercies For this Christ thy Sonne his sake haue mercie on me confirme and strengthen my heart with true and stedfast faith in thy Sonne Christ Iesus and comfort me with the consolations of thy holy Spirit that so I may haue the fruition of true and perfect ioyes in Christ Iesus for euer and euer Amen In this maner labouring and wrastling and fighting striuing with thine owne weaknesse yea and accusing and bewailing vnto God thine vnbeleefe and faint-heartednesse if thou shalt withall lay hold on Christ and shalt cleaue and sticke fast vnto him with feruent and incessant prayer crauing and desiring his helpe that he substituting himselfe as it were in thy stead would supply whatsoeuer is wanting vnto thee if thou shalt do this then behold all is well with thee then there is no danger thou art safe enough for as much as there is little difference betweene these two betweene beleefe in Christ a feruent or earnest desire to beleeue How weake therefore and faint-hearted soeuer thou art let this comfort and releeue thee that God willeth and commandeth thee in thy greatest trouble and distresse to call vpon him Psal 50.15 and that he hath promised if thou do call vpon him he will heare thee and helpe thee Moreouer as nothing is or can be more iustly and rightfully desired of God then true faith so he heareth no prayer sooner nor more willingly then that which a man powreth forth finding no goodnesse in himselfe acknowledging his owne weakenesse and wretchednesse deploring and lamenting his owne incredulitie and vnbeleefe with feruent and earnest prayers and often sighes and grones desiring and begging for faith to be giuen him These desires and requests these sighs grones these prayers this little faith though it be neuer so little or so slender it is verily a cleare sparke of that holy fire it is the good seed of God which can in no wise spring vp in vs but by the effectual working of God who by his Prophet Esay thus speaketh concerning Christ That he will not quench the smoking flaxe Esay 42.3 nor bruise the broken reede Wherefore see thou beleeue stedfastly in Christ thy Sauiour or else pray heartily and feruently that thou mayest beleeue lamenting in the meane time and complaining vnto God of thine vnbeleefe If thou do this thou needest not doubt but that thou art accepted and reputed righteous before God and art the child of God who not in vaine laid vpon Christ his onely Sonne our weaknes and our sinnes In the fift Chapter of S. Mathew his Gospell Christ himselfe saith Math. 5. That blessed are the poore in spirit blessed are they that mourne and blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse These things Christian brother are spoken vnto thee do properly belong to thee Thou art humbled and cast downe thou art poore in thine own eyes and in thine owne conceit euen poore in the graces of Gods spirit thou mournest and art grieued and vexed from thy verie heart for thy leude and wicked life formerly spent thou doest hunger thirst for righteousnesse desiring to haue faith wherby thou mayest be iustified and saued Be of good cheare and comfort thy selfe thou shalt haue that thou desirest thou art euen now alreadie become righteous before God And hereupon thou mayest boldly by the example of Saint Steuen Act. 7.59 Act. 7. and of Christ himselfe also Luke 23.46 Luk. 23. commend thy spirit into the hands of God thy heauenly Father saying A Prayer O most mercifull and louing Father into thy hands I commend my spirit or rather thy spirit for as much as thou hast made it and inspired it and placed it in this earthly tabernacle of my bodie committing the same onely vnto my charge and custodie for a short time for as much as it is thine owne proper image made after thine owne similitude and likenesse and for as much also as for its sake and to redeeme it thine onely begotten Sonne hath vouchsafed to shed his most precious bloud This Spirit of thine I say I commend againe and againe into thy hands O most gracious Father thou God of all mercies thine I am whatsoeuer I am Receiue thine owne I beseech thee Saue preserue defend and keepe it and finally of thy free mercie giue vnto it euerlasting life through Iesus Christ thy true Sonne and our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen CHAP. XIII A short Admonition touching the making and ordaining of last Wils and Testaments IT were to be wished that while men are in sound and perfect health they would be carefull to set in order all their worldly affaires and by their wils and bequests or otherwise to dispose of their temporall estate and of such earthly blessings as God hath lent them weighing and remembring the frailty and vncertaintie of this present life lest if perhaps they deferre this businesse vnto the last moment and period of their life they be preuented by death or at the least wise hindered by extremitie of
also the truth as hee witnesseth in the same place And therefore neither will nor can deceiue vs but the promises of God in him and through him are 〈◊〉 and Amen 2. Cor. 1.20 2. Corinth 1.20 And to the end that thou maiest nothing doubt but that God will abide by his words promises he hath by an especiall and peculiar couenant and signe added vnto thy body bound and tyed himselfe as it were vnto thee For of an earnest loue and desire of thy saluation hauing sent his owne Sonne into the world to giue vp himselfe vnto death for thee he hath made a couenaÌ„t of grace with thee through Christ in whom he hath promised that if thou beleeue and be baptized he wil freely giue vnto thee eternall life he will neuer leaue thee nor forsake thee but will be a Father vnto thee and will crowne thee with his goodnesse mercie Now the signe and seale of his couenant is thy Bapâ—isme Wherefore vnto the promises annexed vnto this signe it behoueth thee to cleaue fast to lay sure hold vpon the same For God hath giuen thee this signe in thy flesh that thou mightest nothing doubt of his fauour and mercie promised and of his faithfulnesse goodnesse towards thee Rom. 6.3 Thou art baptized as S. Paul saith into the death of Christ that his death may become thy death and that he might make a full and perfect satisfaction vnto God for thee Gal. 3.26 Yea thou hast put him on as it were in Baptisme for so saith the Apostle vnto the Galathians that so thou mightest be wholly in him and he in thee Baptisme therefore is such a couenant and such a figure and signe as comforteth reioyceth quieteth thy conscience before God as Saint Peter witnesseth assuring thee 1 Pet. 3.21 that God will neuer condemne thee for thy sinnes being throughly purged and washed away in the bloud of his Sonne For being iustified by faith Rom. 5.1 thou hast peace with God Ro. 5.1 A quiet peaceable chearefull conscience is this true peace Now thou hast receiued Baptisme as a most certaine signe and seale of this thy iustification and of the remission of all thy sins that thou mightest assuredly beleeue that God hauing mercie and compassion vpon thee for Christ his sake will saue and deliuer thee Now then forasmuch as God hath a fauor vnto thee and will be a Father vnto thee and consequently will neuer forsake thee and forasmuch as thou hast so infallible a signe and testimonie thereof thou oughtest to commit and giue ouer both all thy affaires and thy selfe also wholly vnto him to obey his will and to suffer patiently his hand vpon thee whether it be his will that thou liue or die praying and desiring that his good will may be done vnto his praise and glory And it is vnpossible if thou trust stedfastly in Gods mercie promised through Christ and thus dedicate thy selfe wholly vnto him it is vnpossible I say that thou shouldest perish or be condemned Forasmuch as God hath promised that he will be thy Father euen the same God who is most true of his word yea truth it selfe while thou doest beleeue acknowledge him so to be and thereupon hopest and lookest for all good things from him he cannot but as a tender Father take care of thee and so consequently in good time saue and deliuer thee how hardly soeuer for the present he may seeme to intreate thee yea forasmuch as he hath promised to be a Father not onely vnto thee but also vnto thy seede after thee thou stedfastly beleeuest these his promises he will without all doubt haue a diligent and prouident care both of thee and thine And therefore mayest thou well recommend vnto him not onely thy bodie and soule but also thy wife and thy children thy kinsfolke and thy friends and briefly all that thou hast belonging vnto thee Nothing doubting but that he will be a true Father vnto thy children a true husband vnto thy wife and a true friend vnto thy kinsfolke and friends For God hath hitherto vsed thee in these toward these onely as a Steward And now when he will haue thee to leaue the execution of this office and charge he will doubtlesse substitute in thy stead another Steward ouer them who shall faithfully and diligently take care of them If with full confidence of heart thou shalt hope and looke for this from him there is no doubt but that he will do it as I haue said Wherefore shake off from thee and cast out of thy mind al care for thy friends and for all thy worldly affaires and commit the same ouer vnto God Be rather careful for thy selfe and bethinke how to prouide for thy soule and to resigne the same ouer into the hands of thy Creator and Redeemer And now whereas God hath freely for Christ his sake pardoned and forgiuen thee all thy sinnes he requireth nothing else of thee for this infinite and inestimable benefite but that thou in like manner from thy very heart forgiue all those that haue done wrong and iniury vnto thee And he promiseth that he will forgiue vnto vs our trespasses so as we shall forgiue vnto men their trespasses Wherfore hauing from the bottome of thy heart pardoned all wrongs and offences so as thou intendest not euer after to renew nor call to minde againe the remembrance thereof pray earnestly and heartily for them that haue any way â—â—iured or hurt thee according to the doctrine and example of Christ himselfe And if thou shalt recouer of this thy sicknesse helpe them to the vttermost of thy power if they shall stand â—n need of thy helpe Now if thou hast thy mind thus voide and free from inward grudge malice and displeasure thou hast also an vndoubted signe that God hath pardoned thee all thy sinnes vtterly rased them out of his sight For faith whereby thy heart is purged shewing it self bringing forth her fruits in thee for the blessings and benefits of God towards thee being infinite in pardoning all thy sinnes which are in number infinite it cannot but stirre thee vp in like maner to forgiue thy neighbour and to do good vnto him Here the fruite of thy loue and charitie witnesseth vnto thee and putteth thee in assurance that thy faith is a true and liuely faith when it bringeth forth good fruite and such as is vnfained This is that which S. Peter meaneth when he willeth vs to giue all diligence to make our calling and election sure by our good workes 2 Pet. 1.10 giuing vs to vnderstand that those good works are witnesses and tokens that we are elect chosen of God and adopted to be his sons and consequently to be heires of eternall life and saluation Howbeit notwithstanding al this know that thou canst not neither must thou in any wise hope or looke that God will for the painfulnesse or grieuousnesse of thy sicknesse and
to the beholding and embracing of these what great ioy and reioycing must it needs be in generall both vnto them and to vs What maner of pleasure and comfort is there in the kingdome of heauen without feare of dying any more with eternitie of liuing euerlastingly time without end How endlesse and exceeding great shall be the felicitie and happinesse There is the glorious company of the Apostles There is all the whole assembly of the Prophets triumphing and reioycing together There is an innumerable multitude of Martyrs crowned for the conquest of their conflicts sufferings There are the virgines triumphing who by the force and strength of continency subdued the lust and concupiscence of the flesh and of the body There are mercifull men recompensed rewarded such as haue wrought the workes of righteousnesse by feeding and sustaining the needie and by giuing liberally vnto the poore and finally all they who keeping the Lords Commaundements haue translated and changed their earthly riches and patrimonies into heauenly treasures Vnto these beloued brethren let vs hasten to go with greedie and earnest desire that we may be with them as soone as possible And let vs wish and desire speedily to come vnto Christ Now I pray and beseech God that he will behold and consider this our meditation and the Lord Iesus Christ look vpon this purpose of our hart and of our faith beleefe to giue vnto them greater reward of his glory whose affection and loue hath bin greater and more aboundant toward him Amen A Prayer for the Sicke O Almightie and eternall Lord God and our most gracious and mercifull Father in Iesus Christ Whereas among thy manifold corrections and chastisements whereby thou dost inuite and call vs yea and prouoke and stirre vs vp to come vnto thee thine vsuall and wonted manner is by sundry and manifold sicknesses diseases to bridle keepe vnder this flesh of ours to remoue farre away from vs our naturall securitie and to put vs in mind both of our wicked life past together with the end thereof and of our death and mortality wherof we are forewarned by the griefes and pains which we suffer as forerunners of the same and finally of the last day of iudgement and of life euerlasting which shall follow thereupon and shall be continued euerlastingly vnto the glory and happinesse of the good and godly and contrariwise vnto the iust condemnation and vtter confusion of the wicked and vngodly the remembrance whereof flesh and blood being left vnto it selfe will in no wise admit And for as much as we find this our neighbour and brother cast downe vpon the bed of his sicknesse and grieuously chastised with the rod of thy correction hauing a true liuely feeling of his sins a representatiō of death before his eyes hereupon ô Lord we miserable and wretched sinners in respect of our naturall condition waiting and looking for daily the like houre of aduersity and sicknesse we presume to come vnto thee in the name and mediation of Christ Iesus praying beseeching thee together with this our brother and in his behalfe that thou wilt in no wise enter into iudgement with him neither deale extremely with him according to his deserts and that for Iesus Christ his sake our Lord and Sauior who hath purged and cleansed both his and all our sinnes and made full satisfaction for them vpon his Crosse But rather O Lord sith thou hast ransomed him with so great a price giue him grace and also strength and courage whereby he may quietly receiue and patiently suffer this thy fatherly visitation and chastisement and with all obedience willingly and readily submit himselfe vnto thy good pleasure Send him help in all his troubles and be thou vnto him a defence and fortresse against this present danger Especially O Lord at what time his conscience shall accuse him and his inward vnknown and secret sinnes shall stand vp against him oppose then and set thou for his defence the most bitter torments and voluntary sacrifice of Christ thy deare Sonne who hath borne all our iniquities and infirmities and suffered the punishment due vnto vs Being made sinne for vs while he dyed for our sins purging and washing them cleane away in and by his most precious blood and who also rising againe from death is becom our righteousnes perfect redemption Grant we beseech thee gracious Father that by faith he may feele the force and the power and vertue of these good blessings Being in this great anguish distresse trouble let him haue certaine proofe and experience of thy present aide succour and at this present let him haue a sure and certain taste of the fruit of all thy gifts and graces and of all thy mercies and benefits in Christ Iesus Make him with earnest desire with stedfast assurance and faith vnfained to receiue so great a treasure of happinesse to wit the remission of all his sinnes thorough Christ Iesus and for his sake which by the ministery of the word and by the participation of the Sacraments hath heretofore beene exhibited and offered vnto him that so it may be a comfort a fortresse sure refuge against the feare and trouble of his accusing conscience and against all the subtile sleights and assaults of the Diuel Yea let the same his faith be vnto him an armour of proofe wherby he may repell and beate backe all the fierie darts of the wicked so may safely passe euen through death vnto life which hauing once attained he may enioy the perfect fruition thereof for euermore We therefore wholly commend him vnto thee O heauenly Father and inasmuch as he is so grieuously sicke and diseased be thou his Physition to cure and heale him Forasmuch as he is weake and feeble confirme thou and strengthen him Inasmuch as he is destitute and void of worldly help send aide we beseech thee and in due time releeue and succour him Forasmuch as he lieth thus deiected and cast downe raise thou him vp againe Forasmuch as he is thus wounded binde thou vp his wounds Forasmuch as he is so fearefull and timorous giue him O Lord boldnesse and courage Forasmuch as he acknowledgeth his manifold sins and corruptions wash him and cleanse him from them all in the blood of thy Sonne Christ Iesus that immaculate Lamb. Yea for as much as thou knowest all things whereof he standeth in need and according to thy good pleasure canst bestow the same satisfie we beseech thee O gracious Father his lawful and godly desires satisfie his inward hunger and thirst yea satisfie him him abundantly with thy truth and with thy saluation Receiue and embrace him for he flyeth only vnto thee for succour Accept him therefore and make him constant stedfast in all things to obey and to doe thy will Finally we pray thee of thine infinite goodnesse and mercie to pardon and forgiue all those sinnes whereby he hath prouoked against himselfe thy fierce