iniquities let thy mercies spéedily preuent vs Psal 79. help vs O God our Sauior Conuert vs O thou Lorde God of power shewe vs thy louing countinance and we shall be safe how long wilt thou be angrie First he desireth forgiuenesse of his sinnes that he might be iustified by the grace of god Next he entreateth against the wrath of God And when thou prayest for the deliuerance and easement of the crosse which oppresseth thée thou shalt alwayes put to this additiō Thy most blessed and holy will be done For we cannot better sée vnto our selues then cā our most faithfull Father of his endlesse power wisedome and infinite goodnesse which neuer turneth his eies from vs but with all diligence taketh care of vs which knoweth the number of the heares of our heads Math. 10. which doth quicken comfort cherishe couer nourish preserue and defend all things which helpeth and prouideth for all men much more and farre better then any creatures can bée able yea to wish for There be three things which torment vs most greeuously and cruelly and doe trouble our mindes in the Agonie of death that is to wit Sinne Death Hell or Damnation Sinne WHen those Sinnes come in our mindes we lying sicke wherein wée haue wickedly noughtily passed ouer our lyues wherby we haue very gréeuously offēded both God and our neighbor we are striken with great feare and sorrow euen as S. Paule sayeth vnto the Romaines Indignation wrath Rom. 2. tribulation and anguishe shall come vpon the soule of euery man that doth euill Death ADam our flesh dieth very vnwyllingly Wherefore when death approcheth neere mans heart is altoo shaken wyth great dolors and heauinesse which no tongue is able to expresse For our fearefull affection and oure naturall man dreadeth miserablie least that when he is once dead and buried vnder the earth he shall neuer returne againe and liue but supposeth that he is vndone for euer Hell fire and Damnation WHen those things come as it were before our eyes then man feareth least he bée vtterly cast away from the presence of God and séeth none other thing in himselfe but euerlasting death Wée haue neede therfore of a good courage in this case and of a strong and valiant heart that there appeare in vs no point of cowardnesse and desperation ¶ A Prayer for the same O Most mercifull God and most louing Father I beséech thée aide vs and graunt that we which bée yet in good health and safetie may learn to feare and dreade thée may loue and imbrace thy holy worde and that we may set thée before vs as a scope and marke whervnto we may direct all our doings and that we being alwayes mindefull of the most bitter agonie of death may so prepare arme our selues that we maye order all our deedes to thy glory as doe the godly which feare thée and that we may in the ende obteyne euerlasting lyfe Amen What is to be done when Sinne doth vexe and stirre our consciences THinke with thy selfe that the sonne of GOD came downe from heauen into the lowest partes and was made man he tooke vpon him thy sinnes and the sinnes of the whole worlde hée willingly dyed on the crosse for them and made full satisfactiō for them all suffering for thy sake most gréeuous paines The moste precious blood of Christ was shed for thy saluation and thou art partaker of his death if so be that thou constantly beleue on Christ that he died as wel for thée as for Peter and Paule And thou oughtest not to doubt any thing at all but that hée dyed as effectuallye for thée as for Paule Thou art baptised throughe the death of Christe This thing ought to comforte thée this thing ought to lift vp and strengthen thy minde For séeing that thou art baptised through the death of Christ his death shall ayde and saue thée through his death thou shalt not die in thy sinnes but through his death thou shalt vndoubtedly obteine forgiuenesse of them all and in the ende through Christ his death thou shalt rise againe vnto a new and euerlasting life For baptisme is a sure token Babtisme pledge and signe of Gods grace and fauour wherein thou art reconciled vnto God that thou maiest haue a ioyous and quiet conscience through him Math. 26. Mark 14. Luc. 22. 1. Cor. 11. for the forgiuenesse of thy sinnes by Christ his resurrection And he certeinlye speaketh vnto thée in the institution of his last supper where as he professeth and testifieth that his blood was shed for the remission of sinnes Now therfore although thou haue not liued an vpright and pure life in eche respect yet Rom. 10. there is no cause why thou shouldest dispaire but spéedily call vpon the name of of the lorde without ceassing and thou shalt bée safe And thus begin thou to saye O moste mercifull GOD A prayer O father of all compassion father of oure lorde Iesus Christ bee mercifull vnto mée a sinner haue compassion on me a poore wretch and make haste to helpe mée for that most bitter yea moste precious passion and death of Iesus Christ thy onely begotten sonne and our onely redéemer and sauior Enter not into iudgemēt with thy seruant oh lorde Psal 143. deale not with mée according to my desertes neyther rewarde me according to mine iniquities but receiue me for thine infinite and endlesse goodnesse and mercies sake I a wretch and séely creature am in thine hand power and daunger oh moste mightie and mercifull God oh most louing father cast mée not awaye vtterly refused in miserie I am thine whatsoeuer I am No man can comfort mée no man can help me besides thee onely Thou art the true propulsour driuer awaye of all mischiefe from men Thou art the most sure and readie helpe ayde succour and defence Thou art the moste strong tower Thou art O God our hope Psal 46. Psal 31. and strength thou art a very present help in trouble In thée O Lorde do I put my trust let me not be cōfounded let me neuer bee ashamed my hope béeing in vayne but deliuer me in thy righteousnesse Bow downe thine eare to mee make haste to deliuer me And be thou my strong rock and house of defence that thou mayest saue mée Thou art my strong rock my castle Thou art my lorde my porcion is in thine handes Lighten thy face vpon thy seruant and saue me O lorde in thy mercie Further thou that art sick must be chiefly admonished of this point that thou think not what sinnes thou hast committed but rather haue before thine eies to cōtemplate and looke on the image of Christ his most holesome precious death Fasten it surely in thy minde and thorowly perswade thy selfe Esay 53. Math. 8. that thou art not now oppressed with thy sinnes for Christ and that they are all layed vpō his shoulders which taking them vpon him hath made satisfaction
2. Cor. 5. God hath made him to be sinne for vs that knew no sinne that we by his meanes should be righteous Wherfore if thou beléeue Ioan. 1. Rom. 8. Gala. 3. Rom. 6. thou art nowe becomme the sonne of God If thou be the sonne of God thou art also the heire of God and the fellow heyre with Christ If so be that eternall lyfe be the inheritaunce and gift of God as saint Paule doth call it thou canst not deserue it by the paynes and gréefe of thy sicknesse But God woulde haue thée punished wyth this disease vnto this ende purpose that thou shouldst therby keepe downe breake and mortifie this thine olde man that at the length he maye cease from committing of sinne 1. Cor. 15. the ende whereof commeth onely by this corporall death And for this cause wée muste dye that our soules may depart vnto euerlasting saluation For death is the gate Death is the enterance vnto eternall lyfe and entraunce vnto eternall lyfe where in the ende we are deliuered from all calamities †Apoc. 21. myseries and wretchednesse from all errours and deceytes of the diuell that we shall no more be defiled with the moste filthy spottes of sinne neyther shall we be seduced into heresies or errours neither be cast headlong into desperation 1. Cor. 15. Then there shall be an ende of all euills of all aduersities and discommodities Then shall we rest in the lorde and shall obtaine lyfe and euerlasting ioyes Death therfore is not to be detested and abhorred yea rather it is earnestly to be desired and imbraced seing that we passe thorow it into eternall ioyes And that is a most true saying which saint Paule speaketh Rom. 8. That all things vnto the godly shall turne vnto good Truely death vnto the worlde séemeth to be a thing most odious most horrible and cruell but vnto the beleeuers it is moste swéete pleasant and acceptable Although our olde Adam doth tremble at hir comming abhorreth escheweth hir Our inward man notwithstanding is readie chéerefull quick and willing to die seing that he vnderstandeth and knoweth that he shall be deliuered from al filthinesse of sinne wickednesse vice and wredchednesse by hir and shall go forth vnto eternall ioyes How those are to be comforted which lye in the daunger of death GOD thy good and moste louing father hauing compassion on thée déerely beloued doth call thée out of this most miserable and wretched lyfe wylling to translate bring thée vnto himselfe into the perpetuall ioyes of the celestiall life Therfore giue and commende thy selfe and all thine wholy vnto him and whatsoeuer he will haue done will thou the same also Math. 26. Mark 14. Luc. 22. Io. 6. Lu. 23 And say thy wil be done O God my father and not mine Cry vnto Christ as the théefe did which hanged on the crosse Remember mée O lord when thou commest into thy kingdome Crie with the publican Luc. 18. O lord be mercifull vnto me a wretched sinner Crie instantly with the woman of Cana that heathen gentile Oh sonne of Dauid haue mercie on mée Math. 15. And doubt not but Christ will heare thée calling vnto him and haue compassion on thée He will forgiue thee thy sinnes and thou shalt be with him in paradise Therefore take thou holde by this Christ sticke fast vnto him and sée that thou commit thy soule vnto him Crie thou with this Christ crucified vnto GOD which is father vnto you both In thée O lorde I put my trust Psal 31. let mée neuer bée put to confusion delyuer me in thy righteousnesse Bowe downe thine eare to mée make hast to delyuer me Be thou my strong rock and house of defence that thou mayest saue mée Thou art my strong rock and my castle be thou my guide also Into thy handes I commend my spirite Crie thou with Dauid also O lorde thou art my strength the lorde is my stony rock and my defence God is my sauiour and my buckler the horne also of my saluation Vnto thée O lorde Psal 18. Psal 25. haue I lifted vp my soule my God I haue put my trust in thée O let me not be confounded Leade me forth in thy truth For thou art the God of my saluation Call to remembraunce O lorde thy tender mercies and thy louing kindnesse which hath bene euer of olde Oh remember not the offences of my youth but according to thy mercie thinke thou vpon me O lord for thy goodnesse For thy names sake O lorde bée mercifull vnto my sinne for it is great Turne thée vnto mée haue mercy vpon me O bring thou me out of my troubles Forgiue mée all my sinnes O keepe my soule and deliuer mée Let me not bée confounded For I haue put my trust in thée If thou call for Gods ayde and succour after this maner God will helpe thée in a conuenient time and will say as it is written in the psalme Psal 91. Bicause he hath set his loue vpon me I will therfore delyuer him I will set him vp bicause he hath knowne my name He shall call vpon me and I will heare him yea I am with him in trouble I will deliuer him and bring him to honor Wherefore O thou christian here fight a good fight fight thou valiantly stoutely constantly as it becommeth a true christian to doe Beware thou giue no ground nor go backwards there is no perill Thou fightest not here alone But the king Iesus Christ is thy captaine in this agony Follow him going before thée in this conflict This thy capitaine shal be thy reuenger he shall saue and defende thée in this battell from all thē enimiys of thy soule from all perill from al calamitie He is not a king as others are but he is of infinit and vnspeakable power He hath vanquished and subdued for thy sake death sathan and hell Esa 25. Oscae 13. 1. Cor. 15. Death is swalowed vp into the victorie Christ died for thée Therefore eternall death hath no power on thée Christ descended into hell that he might deliuer thée frō this eternall darknesse Be thou therfore of a valiant stout courage runne into the front of the battell with a bold hart put away all feare here is no daunger There is no cause why thou shouldest feare the seuere streight iudgement of God 1. Ioan. 2. 1. Timo. 2. 1. Petr. 2. Rom. 5. Iesus Christ is thy mediatour before God He is thine aduocate patrone He is both thy bishop priest He hath recōciled thée vnto God and hath restored vnto you his fatherly loue which was alienated from thée for thy sinnes sake God now is now thy father for Christ his sake Esay 63. Iohn 14. He taketh care of thée He entéerly loueth thée as his most tender childe Now séeing that this so mighty a king standeth on thy side who shall be able to trouble thée Who shall be
able to assault inuade thée Who I pray thée shall be able to doe thée wrong What daunger can there be Harcken what saint Paule sayth Rom. 8. If God sayeth he be on our side who can be against vs Which hath not spared his owne sonne but hath yéelded him vp for vs all howe can it be that he also will not giue vs all things with him Who shall go about to laye anye crime against Gods elect It is God that iustifieth Who is he then that can condemne It is Christ that died yea rather which is raysed vp againe and is at the right hand of God and there maketh intercession for vs. Who shall separate vs from the loue of God I am thorowlye perswaded that neyther death neither life neither heigth neither depth neither any other creature can be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in our lord Iesus Christ Séeing that therfore Christ is giuen thee with al his riches with all his righteousnesse innocency and saluation Eternall life is giuen thée also Sainct Paule testifying the same vnto the Corinthians sayth 1. Corin. 1 That Christ is made of God to vs wisdome and also righteousnesse and sanctifying and redemption Therefore sée that thou haue all thy hope and confidence placed and fixed vpon this Christ and vpon this corner stone This stone is a sure soūd This stone is Christ 1. Petr. 2. Esay 28. and firme foundation wherevnto thou mayst leane and safely commit thy selfe No tempest be it neuer so black and boysterous no shower no stormes are able to throwe downe and ouerturne this foundation Let all thy hope and aide I say be placed and set on this Christ cast thy selfe vpon him sticke fast vnto him let no temptation or calamity be able to withdrawe and pull thée from him although all things seeme to happen vnto thée very absurdly and ouerthwartly Although fleshe and blood doe interprete it farre otherwise and reason thinke it contrary although the deuill doth nowe and then whisper in thy minde saying That thou art vndone that God is highly offended with thee that thou hast deserued the paine of hell fire and that thou muste be damned For faith is a substaunce that is to wit Hebr. 11. an expectation of things hoped for Hypostasis that is of promises and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is as much to say as a sure argument and knowledge of things that are not séene Rom. 4. Gen. 15.17 Thou muste beleue with that holy Patriarch Abraham in hope ouer and aboue hope Thy faith and hope muste resist and set it selfe against all those things which eyther blinde reason suggesteth either that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our most subtile and by all meanes most crafty enimy going about to worke vs deceyt and our destruction doth instill and poure into vs. Wherfore thou must learne well the maner and custome of God which he vseth in preseruing those that are his Looke whome he will lift vp into heauen him will he first seeme to bring downe vnto hell 1. Reg. 2. Looke whom he entendeth to quicken him will he first mortifie and kill Vppon whom he mindeth to shew his notable mercy and fauor he first maketh semblance triing him as though he would cōdemne him Wherfore whē thou perceyuest none other thing but present death when God séemeth to be gréeuouslye offended with thée when that thou thynkest that he is gone most fardest from thée and that he hath vtterly forsaken thée as one refused and condemned then is he most néerest vnto thée ready to defend and deliuer thée he then loueth thee most especially then thou art chiefly regarded of him For when trouble and affliction commeth vpon vs then doth he remember his mercye according to the prophets saying Psal 30. For his wrath endureth but the twinkling of an eye he will not be angry for euer For like as a father pitieth his owne children Psal 103. euen so is the lord merciful vnto them that feare him For he knoweth wherof we be made he remembreth that we are but dust But the mercifull goodnesse of the lorde endureth for euer and euer The lord is full of compassion and mercye long suffering and of great goodnesse Wherfore submit put vnder giue and commend thy selfe wholy vnto Christ closing thine eyes reiecting the iudgement of thy senses reason take it in good parte howsoeuer he intreateth thée Thou must not estéeme and consider death and horrour or the dolours of death according to the iudgemēt of thine eyes sense and reason but according to the worde of God Dauid sayeth Psal 116. Right déere in the sight of the lorde is the death of his saints Lykewise he sayeth Blessed are the dead Apoc. 14 Ioan. 8. which die in the lorde Christ also sayeth He that beléeueth on mée shall not tast of death If any thing therefore come into thy memorie which attempteth to turne thée away from Christ and to cast thée into desperation put all that out of thy minde and stick thou fast vnto the liuely worde of God meditate and ponder thereon print it in thy minde repeating it now and then among For thou canst neuer vnderstand by the consideration and sharpnesse of reason how it may be done that by death thou shalt passe vnto the true lyfe how thou yéelding vp thy ghost mayest depart here hence how thy soule maye be preserued and rest in the lorde euen vntill the last day and how also thy body being rotten consumed and deuoured with wormes maye come forth at the last iudgemēt with a new and a beawtifull shape Reason cannot comprehende this faith onely can Therefore oftentimes thinke thou vpon the articles of thy beléefe diligently consider and attentiuely examine euery particular thereof After what sort he is to bee called vpon which lyeth at the point of death NOw sée déerely beloued in Christ that thou fight a good fight Sée that thou cōstantly and valiantly defende thy self throughly fastē in thine hart the promises of Christ thy redeemer I am the resurrection Ioan. 11. and the lyfe sayeth Christ He that beléeueth on me shall lyue and shall neuer sée death Christ taking vpon him the nature of man subiect to the infirmities of our estate did offer vp himselfe to be a sacrifice for our sinnes dying vpon the aultar of the crosse He by his blessed blood did purge and clense the sinnes of all mankynde This Christe will not forsake thée he taketh a regarde of thée Thou canst suffer no iniurie or calamitie seing that Christ doth preserue and defende thée 2. Timo. 2. Ioan. 10. The sure foundation of God standeth fast hauing this seale the lorde knoweth which are his my shéepe héere my voice and I know them and they folow mée and I giue vnto them eternall lyfe and they shall neuer perishe neyther shall any man pluck them out of my hand My father which gaue them me is
gréeuously feare what thing can more cruelly vexe and torment his conscience ouerwhelmed with sinne then when he doubteth of the mercie of God when he dreadeth least God be his aduersarie and will reiect him when he is not able to conceyue this fayth of his mercie and doth imagine himselfe to be cast awaye as a drie member that is cut off Be present here O Iesus Christ with thine aide and helpe here we haue néede of thy comfort let not this black violent and horrible tempest of troubles ouerthrowe and drowne wretched man But there is no cause why we shoulde doubt Christ is true he will make his promises to appéere he will helpe vs and refreshe vs. Therfore where as thy fayth is not strong ynough where as thy hart is striken with feare and trembling where as thou féelest thy selfe to doubt of Gods mercie and hast well néere no faith at all straight wayes call vppon God bewayle thy miserie and lack of beléefe before him seeke for his ayde and succour by feruent prayer and hée will both helpe and refreshe thée and by this meanes thou shalt glorifie him He hath taken vpon him thus to do and he will bring it to passe But take héede especially thou cease not to call vpon God 1. Cor. 1. Beséech thou without all ceassing the father of all consolation and comfort with sighes comming from the bottome of thine hart that he turne not his face from thée Laye thy weakenesse vpon him and poure out into his bosome al other things which trouble and torment thée Crie out with his disciples Luc. 17. Math. 9. O lord increase my faith Lykewise say thou with the father of the lunatike childe Lorde I beleue help thou mine vnbeléefe Make hast O lorde to helpe me before that I oppressed with this weight be drowned Thy mercie is aboue all thy workes O most mercifull O most bounteous father O lorde God of my saluation Psal 143. my succour and refuge enter not into iudgement with thy seruant Christ is my righteousnesse redemption and innocencie which suffered most bitter and cruel death for my sake Let those things moue thée O father of all compassion Haue mercie on me for this thy sōnes sake Confirme and strengthē mine hart by faith in Christ Comfort mée with the consolations of the holy ghost that I may enioy the true ioyes in Christ for euer If thou after this maner laboring stryuing and fighting with thine imbecillitie and weakenesse accusing and bewayling thine incredulitie and faint courage doe take holde vpon Christ and sticke fast and sure vnto him once taken desiring and beséeching his ayde with continuall and earnest prayers that he will vouchsafe to fulfill all things lacking in thée substituting himself in thy roume if I say thou thus doe then all shall be in good case all things shall go well with thee and there shall be no perill For truely these two things to beléeue in Christ and to cal for faith by earnest praier doe not much differ one from the other Although thou be weake and endued with a féeble minde let this thing notwithstanding comfort and aduaunce thée againe that God hath commaunded and wylleth that we shoulde call vpon him and that he hath promised to héere beneuolently Psal 45. and to helpe vs when we call vpon him Furthermore as nothing is more iustly desired of God than true fayth euen so he héereth no prayer sooner more wyllingly than that wherein man finding no goodnesse in himselfe acknowledging his infirmitie hys weakenesse and miserie accuseth his vnbeléefe bewayling and lamenting the same desiring to haue faith with plentie and wofull sighes earnest prayers These sighes these prayers this smale faith be it neuer so little is in déede a godly and a bright sparkle and the séede of God which neuer riseth without the efficacie and working of God in vs which speaketh of Christ by the prophet Esay Esay 42. A brused réede shall hée not breake and the smoking flaxe he shall not quench Wherefore see that thou beleue constantly on Christ or beséeche him at the least wise with hartie prayers that thou mayest beleeue bewayling thine vnbeléefe before God If thou doe those things thou shalt nothing doubt but thou art reckened righteous before God and to be his childe which not without consideration nor in vaine did laye our weakenesse Esay 53. and all our sinnes vppon Christ his onely begotten sonne Math. 5. Christ himselfe sayeth in saint Mathew Blessed are the pore in spirit For theirs is the kingdome of heauen Blessed are they that mourne For they shal receiue comfort Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousnesse For they shall be filled These wordes were spoken vnto thée also they doe well agrée accorde in thée Thou doest mourne and art sorie for thy wicked lyfe it gréeueth thée from the bottome of thine hart thou doest thirst and hunger after righteousnesse haue a good hope and be of good comfort and thou shalt obtaine the things which thou doest desire and nowe thou art reputed iust before God through Christ For that cause Rom. 4. thou shalt commit thy soule into the hande of God the father after the example of Christ and saint Stephan saying these wordes Acto 7. O most mercifull father I giue and commit into thine handes my spirite yea rather thy spirite seing that thou hast giuen it me ioyned vnto my body for a season seing that it is thine owne ymage lykenesse Gen. 1. 2. made after thine owne similitude seing that thine onely begotten sonne did shed his moste precious blood for the redemption thereof O most fauorable father O God of all mercie compassion I eftsoones commend this my spirit into thine handes I am thine whatsoeuer I am Receiue thine I beséech thée preserue him and giue him eternall life through our Lorde Iesus Christ thine onely begotten sonne Amen Of the making of a testament and confession of sinnes vnto God THe testament is to be made of all them that may lawfully make a will and giue legacies when there yet cōsisteth and remayneth perfite minde and memorie in the body Least if they prolong that businesse vnto the last moment of lyfe they bée preuented by death Therfore it shal be wisdome for him that hath lawfull heires to referre all the care of making his testament vnto them If so be that he haue borowed money and be indebted to any man he shall openly declare it and prouide for the payment of that he oweth This being done let him remoue and put from him all them which trouble hym wyth matters of this worlde Wherein many men doe offende which bring in doubtes vnto him which is now at the point of death of his testament and other externall things and sometimes doe compell him to subscribe that against his will being readie to dye refusing and detesting there importunitie which will not suffer him quietly to die then
diligently to be thought vpon and earnestly to be beaten into our mindes by often repeticion Thus doth saint Paule teache vs 1. Thes 4. that we strengthen one another with such communication of the resurrection that we mought thereby be comforted There can be none more certaine nor more plentifull consolations giuen vnto vs than those which we seeke out of the testimonies of holye scripture for the approbation of the resurrection Wée declare not the wordes of man but of God which surely and mightily will performe and bring to passe all that he hath spoken No man can alter the the will of God no man can let or hinder his purpose and counsell His power cannot be measured he is true and faithfull his goodnesse and mercie is endlesse Therfore let no man doubt thereof The testimonies of scripture for the resurrection of the deade Math. 23. THe iust men shall shine as bright as the Sunne in the kingdome of there Father Ioan. 5. Verily verily I saye vnto you hée that heereth my words and beléeueth on him that sent mée hath euerlasting lyfe and shall not come into damnation but is escaped from death vnto lyfe Ioan. 6. This is the will of him that sent me that euery man which seeth the sonne and beléeueth on him haue euerlasting lyfe and I will rayse him vp at the last day Ioan. 8. Verily verily I saye vnto you if a man kéepe my sayings he shall neuer sée death Ioan. 11. Christ sayde that Lazarus did sléepe which notwithstanding had yéelded vp the ghost whose deade body was committed vnto the graue But Christ restoreth the dead vnto lyfe againe and calleth those things which be not as though they were Therefore he addeth this saying I am the resurrection Rom. 4. Ioan. 11. and the lyfe He that beléeueth on mée yea though he were deade yet shall lyue and forthwith after those wordes hée raysed vp Lazarus which had layne foure daies in his graue being putryfied and smelling And bicause we are fearefull and faint-harted by nature in those agonies that we maye haue the better helpe to beléeue that there shall be a Resurrection many were restored from death to lyfe in the dayes of the prophets and the apostles Christ raysed vp from death to lyfe the wydowes Luc. 7. He raysed vp also the maister of the Sinagoge his daughter Iairus was hir father Luc. 8. He restored Lazarus vnto lyfe Ioan. 11. Act. 9. Act. 20. 4. Reg. 4. Peter likewyse made Tabytha aliue again Paule reuiued Eutychus Helyseus the prophet reuiued his Hostes dead sonne Helias the prophet reuoked the womans childe of Sareptha to lyfe againe 3. Reg. 17. God also assumed and tooke vnto him that two most holy Gene. 5. 4. Reg. 2. mighty men Enoch and Elia rapt alyue both body and soule togithers out of this frayle and wretched world that he might by them giue vs some taste and signification of the true lyfe to come least we also shoulde beleue that no parte of vs remayneth after this miserable lyfe according to the opinion of the heathen gentiles and Epicures Furthermore the faint harted sick body is to be admonished that he remember and thinke what that greatest and mightie lord both of lyfe and death Iesus Christ sayed in saint Luke his gospell Luc. 8. Iairus daughter Wéepe not for the damsell is not deade but sléepeth Mans reason harde of beléefe not vnderstanding the secrete mysteries of God did laugh these wordes to scorne But Christ making it true verifying his words restored the dead mayden vnto life againe as soone as he had spoken the wordes The very same lord Iesus Christ wil receiue thy soule and will preserue it and in the last day he wil restore thy body vnto thy soule againe will couple them vnto eternall lyfe Ioan. 5. The time shall come when al they which are in there graues shall heare the voice of the sonne of God and they that haue done good shall come forth vnto the resurrection of lyfe If so be that the spirite of him that raysed vp Iesus from death dwell in you euen hée that raysed vp Christ from death Rom. 8. shall quicken your mortall bodies bicause that his spirite dwelleth in you God hath raysed vp the lorde Christ and shall rayse vs vp by his power The .xv. 1. Cor. 6. chapter of the first epistle to the corinthians is full of most sweete and effectual consolations hereof no golde is to be compared vnto them Saint Paule in the same chapter so knitteth and fasteneth our resurrection vnto the resurrection of Christ that it maye not be pulled or seperated from it as by this reason Christ is risen againe from the deade the which thing is most certeine Therefore without all doubt wée also shall ryse againe For Christ is our heade Ephe. 4.5 Ioan. 12. and we are hys members mystically This head is not wtout his members neyther doth he leaue and forsake his members Where Christ is Ephe. 5. there shall we be also For we are members of his bodye of his fleshe and of his bones Who can sufficiently declare according to the worthynesse thereof that vnmeasurable glorie of inestimable vnspeakable grace and mercy that God descending from heauen into the lowest partes did vouchsafe to become a mortall man that this frayle and bryckle nature of man vnited vnto his deuine nature mought be brought vnto euerlasting life being made partaker of the heauenly kingdome by the infinite and incomprehensible might and efficacie of his diuinitie and godhead If we beléeue that so great riches were bestowed vpon vs and that so blessed a lyfe remayneth for vs how I praye you can we be false harted or troubled in minde The nature of all faithfull people which haue béene both before and also since Christ and those which are yet to come without all question hath put on immortalitie in Christ being perfite God and perfite man The comfort therfore of Christ his resurrection is most plentiful and effectuall wherewith saint Paule doth strengthen the mindes of the Corinthians 1. Cor. 15. where as he sayeth Christ is risen from the deade and is become the first fruites of them that sléepe For by a man came death and by a man came the resurrection of the dead For as by Adam all dye euen so by Christe shall all be made alyue and euery man in his own order The first is Christ than they that are Christs Here saint Paule maketh a similitude of naturall things whereby the resurrection maye be the more cléerely and manifestly perceyued And the similitude is taken of drie seede which the husbandman casteth into the earth It dieth rotteth after a fashion Yet notwithstanding that which is committed vnto the earth doth not vtterly perishe but it commeth forth of the earth againe freshe and new with a pleasant hansome ioyful forme and shape And euen so shall our
vnto thy destruction For it is writtē Math. 4. Thou shalt not tempt the Lorde thy God Séeing that God hath endued mée alwayes with most large and infinite benefites according to his fatherly loue towardes me seing that he hath giuen me this lyfe and hath nourished and preserued the same euen hitherto seing that he hath heaped me vp with all kind of goodnesse what madnesse were it for mée to doubt of his mercie Seing that through baptisme he hath appointed me into the number to bée one of the receyued flocke of the christians seing that he hath called me vnto the gospell of his grace wherein he hath promised to be my father why shoulde I not then looke for all goodnesse at his hands Why should I not assure my selfe of him in all things Wherfore should not his great good will and kindnesse towardes mée alwayes be remembred of mée for my stay and comfort What néede many words It is a most foolishe perillous thing to yeelde our minds studie to such cogitations concerning predestination but forthwith confound preuent thou such cogitations with others wherwith god would haue thy mind to be occupied preuented that is to wit with those which Christ himselfe hath appointed Ioan. 3. where as he sayeth He that beleeueth in Christ shall not perishe but shall haue euerlasting life 1. Cor. 1. Hearest thou that he which beléeueth in Christ which acknowledgeth Christ to bee his sanctification saluation and iustification cannot be damned and that he shall bée partaker of eternall lyfe How many soeuer therof doe trust vnto the mercie of Christ without all doubt they be of the number of them which are chosen vnto lyfe euerlasting being foreknowne and fore ordayned in Christ Ephe. 1. now already written in the booke of lyfe And those which are predestinate vnto eternall lyfe are made and become like vnto the ymage of Christ For they conceyue there fayth for the which they are counted to bée iust before God of none other thing but of the worde of God They are saued therfore by this faith The iust man lyueth by faith Gala. 3. Abac. 2. Rom. 1. Ephe. 1. that is to saye by the trust and hope of mercie fréely giuen vs for Christ his sake Those things are most certeine and true God can neyther be deceyued nor deceyue any man This is the purpose and intent of God our most bountifull father and the true louer of mankinde He from the beginning hath so purposed so foreknowne so before determined those things There is no cause therefore that thou shouldest be letted or feared with those things which that enimie enuying our saluation and pretending the destruction of our soules putteth in thy minde and layeth against thée Sée onely that thou beléeuing in Christ doe comfort thy selfe in the confidence of his mercie and there shall be no perill at all For if thou fasten thy hope Ioan. 6. Rom. 4. trust on Christ Christ is made thine and thou art Christes If he haue redéemed thée thou canst by no meanes bée damned and perishe For he that beléeueth on Christ is drawen vnto him by the father Ioan. 10. and he will haue them to be saued by him none of them to perish Wherfore sée that thou haue a good hart sée that thou beléeue constantly on Christ and conceyue sure hope of him How many soeuer beleue on Christ the same are predestinate vnto euerlasting lyfe We must therefore fasten our eyes vpon Christ we must flye vnto him This our onely and true sauiour is to be taken holde on by faith if we intende to be saued Here let euery mā diligently way that earnest exhortation of saint Paule whose words are these Let vs runne with pacience vnto the battell that is set before vs Hebr. 12. looking vnto Iesus the author and the finisher of our fayth which for the ioy that was set before him abode the crosse and despised the shame and is set downe on the right hande of the throne of God Furthermore Christ for vs and for our sakes suffered all temptations with the which being most gréeuous he was vexed and troubled the same saint Paule bearing witnesse thereof saying Hebr. 5. We haue not an high priest which can not haue compassion of our infirmities but was in all pointes tempted lyke as we are but yet withoute sinne Let vs therefore go boldly vnto the seate of grace that we may receyue mercie and finde grace to helpe in tyme of néede Print those things déerely beloued in thy minde First Christ was giuen vnto vs for this purpose that he might redéeme vs reconcile vs and make vs partakers of euerlasting saluation Secondly that he might be an example vnto vs to leade and passe ouer a godly life Therfore if so be that thou desire to finish thy life wel and vertuously sée that the death of Christ being set before thine eyes thou ende thy lyfe after his example For Christ is set before vs as a patterne to be folowed of vs in our lyfe and conuersation in all afflictions and in our death No man lyueth godly no man suffereth aduersitie no man dyeth well except he set before him the lyfe and death of Christ and doe folow the same The death of all godly men is abolished swalowed vp in the death of Christ Wherfore thou shalt consider diligently meditate what kinde of death he suffered how he behaued himselfe in that agonies of all other moste bitter when he hanging on the crosse was troubled and pestered with most gréeuous temptations Folow this Christ as neere as thou mayest calling for helpe at Gods handes Howe christ was tempted on the crosse Mark 15. Math. 27. Luc. 23. First he was tempted with death when as it was sayd vnto him He saueth others but himselfe he cannot saue As though they should saye Now he is vndone he must die and perishe for euer no man shall delyuer him and pluck him out of our hands After this manner that our olde and mortall enimie will bring the terrour of death on thée But so muche the bolder go thou against him pluck vp thine hart and strengthen thee in him with a sure hope Christ will subdue and tread vnder foote that enimie and thou also shalt ouercome him by Christ Hold vp the shield of faith in Christ Christ is the lorde Ephe. 6. 1. Petr. 5. he is the king of glorie and he is the lorde of lyfe he is not subiect to death but liueth and reigneth This thy lorde and reuenger will not suffer death to exercise hir tirannie vpon thée He cannot deceyue thée neyther can he lye seing that he is the veritie it selfe Conceyue thou this trust and confidence of him Assure thy selfe to receyue all goodnesse at his hands and thou shalt lyue with him for euer And for that he woulde haue the greeued with temptations and to suffer death of bodye it is done onely for thy
greater then all and no man is able to take them out of my fathers hand And I and my father are one Wherefore O déerely beloued in Christ commend thy soule vnto God thy father which loueth thée singularlye Crie out with thy brother Christ Math. 27. Luc. 27. hanging on the crosse Into thy handes O father I giue and commend my spirite God the father of all mercie bring thée vnto euerlasting lyfe and preserue thée vnto the most ioyfull resurrection of his last iudgement Amen The ende of the fourme and methode or right order to comfort the sick ¶ A prayer to be sayde vnto God for the sick ALmightie euerlasting and most mercicifull God which art woont amoÌ„gst thy sundry disciplines and manyfolde chastisements wherewith thou doest prouoke and allure vs vnto thée to bridle our fleshe with diuers diseases the securitie thereof taken awaye by perillous sicknesse and doest both admonishe vs of the ende of oure naughtie lyfe past and also of ymminent death through paines which are hir fore messengers and likewise of thy iudgement in the last daye and of the eternall lyfe to come which shall be reserued for the good and godly vnto glorie and felicitie but for the euil vnto shame and condemnatioÌ„ of hell fyre Of the which things fleshe being let runne at hir owne will hath no remembrance But now we perceyue this seelye man is layed on his bedde by his impayred health vnto whome is stirred vp the féeling of his sinnes and the ymage of death often flyeth as it were before his eyes We wretches therefore which looke for the lyke houre of aduersitie acording to the condition of our nature doe beseeche desire thée togither with him that thou practise not righteous iudgement with him for his deserts for our lord Iesus Christ his sake which hath made satisfaction on the crosse for the offences of this sicke body and vs all But rather graunt hym as to one redéemed grace and strength of mind that he maye quietly take this thy fatherly discipline and visitation paciently beare it and that he may suffer wyllingly with perfite obedience himselfe to be subiect and obeysant vnto the good will and pleasure of thée his punisher Succour him in all his aduersities and be thou vnto him a refuge and a defence against this instant daunger wherewith he is now in perill especially of his reueled conscience the secret sinnes of his hart doe accuse him vnto thée Therefore set thou against it for his preseruation the moste bitter torments and voluntarie sacrifice of thy sonne Christ which did beare our infirmities 1. Pet. 2. and accomplished the paine due vnto vs beeing made sinne for vs 2. Cor. 5. Apoc. 1. Rom. 4. whilst that he died for our sinnes which he washed away with his precious blood and rising from the deade for our iustification was made our perfite redéemer Let him perceiue through faith the force of these fruits and benifites Let him being oppressed in this misery féele thine aide and let him tast in this moment of time some fruite of suche benifits and gifts in Christ Bring to passe euen nowe by true fayth that there maye be offered vnto him so great a treasure of felicitie that is I meane the forgiuenesse of his sinnes for Christ his sake which by the misterie of the preaching of his worde as is before saide and the vse of his sacramentes frequented in the church is offered vnto him that he maye effectually and of a suertie receiue it to his comfort ayde and defence against the troubles of his conscience gréeuously accusing him and the subtiltie of the deuill And also that the same faith maye be vnto him an armour wherewith he being defenced may enter through death into lyfe â—â—â—â—n he taking hold may enioy the same for euer Therefore O heauenly father we doe wholy commit him vnto thée for thou shalt heale him bicause he is sicke Hée is weake thou shalt strengthen him he lyeth a long thou shalt set him vp he acknowledgeth his spottes and vncleanesse thou shall washe him he is wounded thou shalt cure him he is feareful thou shalt giue him courage And for bicause thou knowest all things and canst bestowe according to thy wil thou shalt satisfie him For he is greatly gréeued with huÌ„ger and thirst after thée Imbrace him For he straight waye flyeth vnto thée and make hym constant to fulfill thy commaundements And to be briefe forgiue him all things wherwith he hath prouoked thy heauie displeasure against him Graunt him in the steade of death life with thée in glorye But if we shall néede him in thy vineyarde in this mortall life and that he maye be imbettred vnto the example of Christ then preserue him vntill that he be increased with more ample benifites Thy will notwithstanding which alwayes is best be euer fulfilled GrauÌ„t all those things vnto vs and this sicke body through Iesus Christ only thy sonne our lord which is our only redeemer helper and which brought the théefe on the crosse with him into Paradyse for the example and great comfort of al sinners which liueth and reigneth with thée in the vnitie of the holy ghost one God world without end Amen ¶ A prayer to be sayd vnto Christ O Lorde Iesu which art the onlye health of all men liuing the euerlasting life of them which die in faith I giue and submit my selfe wholy vnto thy moste blessed will whether it pleaseth thée that this my séelie soule shall tary any longer in the mansion of this my wretched bodye to serue thée or whether thou wilt haue it to depart out of this world being assured that the thing cannot perish which is coÌ„mited vnto thy mercy Willingly now I leaue this fraile and sinfull flesh in hope of the resurrection which shall restore it vnto me againe far better than now it is I besech thée that thou wilt streÌ„gthen my soule with thy grace against all temptations and that thou wilt compasse me about and defende me with the shielde of thy mercy against al the assaultes of sathan wherewith in time past thou madest thy martyrs inuincible against horrible torments and moste cruell deathes I sée and confesse that in my selfe there is no help of saluatioÌ„ but all my hope and confidence is in thine vnspeakable goodnesse I haue no merites or good workes which I maye alleage before thée of sinnes alas I sée a great heape but through thy mercy and righteousnesse I shall be reckened in the number of the iuste Thou wast borne for my sake Thou didst suffer both hunger and thirst for my sake Thou didst preach and teache fast and praye for my sake Thou didst all good works in this life for my sake Thou gauest thy most precious bodie vnto death vpoÌ„ the crosse for my sake Let all these things profite me which thou hast fréely giuen mée which hast giuen thy selfe for me Let thy blood washe awaye the spots of mine offences Let thy
workes which they haue done then shall they confesse and saye that the iudgement of God is true and righteous saying did we not héere of this and yet woulde we not be conuerted from our wicked déedes But then they shall nothing preuaile Alas that euer I was borne which am compassed about with sinnes innumerable aboue the number of the sandes I haue sinned but I turne away from them as froÌ„ many yron chaines For my hope is that I shall not see my sinnes aboue in heauen Vnto whome then shall I flie but vnto thée Oh mercifull God vnto thée I say which forgettest and art not mindefull of iniuries Psal 51. Haue mercie vpon mée O God after thy great goodnesse according vnto the multitude of thy mercies doe awaye mine offences Wash me thorowly from my wickednesse clense me from my sinne For I acknowledge my faultes my sinne is euer before mée Against thee onely haue I sinned I flie vnto thée for thy great mercie and goodnesse sake I haue prouoked thée and yet I runne vnto thee for thy méere placabilitie I haue reiected thée and nowe I come vnto thée for thy great goodnesse and kindnesse sake And I hartily beséeche thée to turne away thy face from my sinnes and blot out al mine offences Make a cléene hart in mée O god renue a right spirit within mée for thy names sake onlye For I haue nothing that I maye present vnto thée not so much as one good worke not a pure hart 1. Cor. 4. but I trusting in thy mercies do wholy commit my self vnto them that thou mayst stirre vp in me a prick of conscience that I may not lightly fal againe into sinne but that I may from this time forth serue and please thée Luc. 1. in holinesse righteousnesse all the dayes of my lyfe For thine is the kingdome the power for euer I beséech thée therefore déerely beloued which hopest to obtaine the forgiuenesse of thy sinnes that thou endeuour thy selfe to be found in peace cléene and without spot If any euill thought come in thy mind take vp this swoorde that is to wit The feare of God is a sworde be mindefull of the feare of God and thou shalt cut off al the power of the enimy And take the holy scripture in the stead of a trumpet For as the trumpet gathereth the souldiers togither euen so the holy scripture crying vnto vs doth gather togither our thoughts in the feare of the lord For our thoughts are euen like souldiours which wage warre agaynst the kings enimies And againe euen as the trumpet sounding in the time of warre stirreth vp the courage of the yong men battailing against their enimies likewyse the holy scriptures do rayse vp thy promptnesse to vertue do make thée valiant against affections Therefore enforce thy self as much as in thée lieth oftentymes to apploye the scriptures that they may gather togither thy cogitations which the enimy hath scattred abrode by his wicked subtilty ministring vnto thée noughty appetites and concupiscence or oftentimes also bringing aduersitie or somtimes giuing prosperitie making thée carelesse For he woorketh these things by his deceite guile that he may seperate man from God For oftentymes it hapneth that when we can not ouercome and subdue one by concupiscence then after he offereth vnto him other temptations thereby to blind his mynd that he may after find it an apt ground to plant in it such things as pleaseth him and in the end beginneth to minister such thoughts vnto men that they will say with an othe At what tyme I doe good I haue infortunate dayes Rom. 3. Let vs therefore doe euill that thereof may come good Then if a man be not well aduised he will swallow him vp as hell aliue If so be that he cannot thus ouercome him then will he offer vnto him felicity and securitie of lyfe and craftily extolleth him bringing in deceit an effect of all other most greeuous and troublous which is that he may make him proude and without feare This draweth the minde into the boâ—â—â—e of pleasures This causeth the mouth to speak blasphemie against heauen Psal 73. For it is written They haue set bestowed their mouth against heauen This maketh man to bée ignoraunt of God and not to vnderstande his owne infirmitie neyther to thinke vpon the daye of death and iudgement For this truely is the way of all wickednesse He that reioyseth to walke in this waye that is to wit of prosperitie and cockering shall in the ende come into the storehouse of death This is the waye whereof the lorde sayed Wyde and broad is the way Math. 7. which leadeth vnto destruction Beholde thou hast heard wherefore the enimie endeuoreth sometime to bring vs prosperitie sometime aduersity For as he proueth the minde of man which struggeleth and striueth against him to be affected euen so by his malignitie doth he furnishe his hoste against him Therfore be sober and warie and alwayes giue thy selfe vnto reading that thou mayest learne how it behoueth thée to eschue the snares of that enimie and to take hold on euerlasting lyfe For the reading of holy scripture maketh the wandring minde to stande fast and giueth hir the knowledge of God God is knowne out of the scriptures Read for this matter the second epistle to Timothi The holy ghost speaketh in the Scriptures Thou hearest how that he which with an vnfained hart ymployeth the holy scriptures receyueth the knowledge of God Nelect not therefore thy selfe but ymploy reading and prayer that thy mind may be lightned that thou mayest be made perfite and honest in all things wanting in no point Let others boast of the fréendship of honorable men princes and kings But reioyce thou before the angelles of God speaking vnto him and to the holye ghost by the sacred scriptures †Math. 10. For the holye ghost is he that speaketh by them * 2. Petr. 1. Doe thy diligence therefore constantly to be occupied in holy scripture and prayers For looke how often thou art conuersant with God by them so often is thy bodye and soule sanctified Then take this for certeintie that when thou happenest to reade the scriptures thou art sanctified Therfore do thy good will oftentimes to imploy them Although thy handes be occupied yet mayest thou praye in thy minde For blessed Anne God is to be praied vnto with the mind 1. Reg. 1. Samuell the prophet his mother prayed and moued but hir lippes onely yet hir prayers entered into the eares of the God of Sabaoth she obtained the thing shée desired Therefore although 〈◊〉 hands be otherwise busied yet praye thou at the least wise with thy minde For God heareth euen the silent If thou haue no skill to read He that cannot reade or vnderstaÌ„deth not what he readeth must resort vnto some wise man yet resort where thou mayst heare and take profite thereof For it is written