as an vncleane thyng all oure righteousnesses are as a cloth stayned wyth the flouers of a woman Dauyd prayed Psal 143. Lorde enter not into iudgemente wyth thy seruaunt for in thy syght shal no man lyuing be iustified Gregory wryteth wo vnto the commendable life of men if it be led wythout mercy Item the Apostell Peter geueth warnyng youre aduersarye the deuil goeth about as aroring lyen seking whō he may deuour If one that is about to shote a gonne be vnsteady at the letting of it goe he mysseth all together and all that he prepared for it afore is in vayne Euen so at the ende of thys lyfe are the deuyls most busy to turne vs from the ryght marke that our former trauayle and laboure maye be loste forasmuche as they knowe that there remayneth but a very small tyme of lyfe So that if the soule escape them now they shall afterwarde goe wythoute it for euermore Euen as myghtie enemyes do besege and lay assaulte to a citie So the deuels compace the soule of man wyth violence and subtiltie to take possession of the pore soule to apprehende it and bring it to hel Whan we are yet in prosperitie the deuils would haue vs to make but a small matter of it as thoughe we were in no daunger to godwarde albeit we blaspheme be dronken and committe whordome breake wedlocke c. But in the daunger of death they bryng forth those wycked sinnes in most terrible wyse putting vs in mynde of the wrath of God how he in tymes paste here and there dyd punishe and destroye wycked doers to the intente that our soules might be hindred snared shut vp bounde and kepte in prison from repētance and faith and neuer to perceiue any waye how to escape to be deliuered And by reason therof wholye to dispayre and to beecome the deuils porcion Furthermore good frendes companyons are loth to departe a sunder speciallye suche as are new knit and boūde together one to another as two maryed persons Now is the bodi and soule nerest of all bounde and coupled one to the other but in the distresse of death the payne is so greate that it breaketh thys vnitie and parteth the soule from the body for the whych cause a man at his death doth naturally sygh in him selfe Good companyons vpon earth though they departe one from another haue an hope to come together agayne But whā the soule ones departeth frō the bodi it hath no power to returne agayne to the body here in thys tyme. Iob. 14. Whereof Iob geueth two similitudes A tree if it bee cutte down there is some hope yet that it will budde and shute forth the braunches agayne Lykewise the floudes whan they be dryed vp and the riuers whan thei be emptye are fylled agayne thorow the flowynge waters of the sea But whan man slepeth he risethe not agayne vntill the heauen perysh Thys vnderstande that after the commen course one commeth not agayne in thys presente lyfe one cannot die twise and after death cannot a man accomplyshe any more that he neglected afore tyme. How goeth it now both wyth the body and soule after death Assone as the soule from the body is departed the body is spoyled of all hys powers bewtye senses and beecome a miserable thynge to loke vpon Augustyne sayeth a man that in his life time was exceadyng bewtiful pleasaunt to embrace is in death a terrible thing to beholde How nobly and preciouslye so euer a man hath lyued vpon earth hys body yet begynneth to corrupte and stynke and becommeth wormes meate by meanes whereof the worlde is of thys opinion that the body commeth vtterly to naught for euer The world also knoweth nothyng concernyng the immortalitie of the soule they whiche already beeleue that the soule is immortall doubte yet whether it shal be saued Yea they say plainly it were good to dy if one wist what chere he should haue in yonder worlde To them is death like vnto a misty darke hole where one woteth not what wil become vpon hym ¶ That we al cōmonly are afrayed of death The .7 Chapter BY meanes of the occasions aforesayde certaine heathē men haue geuen vncomfortable and desperate iudgement concernyng the passage of death In the Poet Euripides in oreste one sayth It is better to lyue il then to dye well Which wordes are very vnchristenli spoken Yet are there founde ensamples euen of holy men that they had a natural feare of death The holy Patriarke Abraham thinkyng that he stode in daunger of death by reason of his wifes beutie woulde rather suffer all that els was exceadyng heuy and bitter He iudged it a smaler mater to call hys wyfe hys sister then to be destroyed hymselfe Ezechias an vpright valeaunt kynge Esay ◠whan the Prophet tolde hym he shoulde not lyue was afraide of death and praied earnestly that his life might bee prolōged In the newe testament whan the Lorde Iesus drewe nere to hys passion and death he swet bloud for very anguishe and sayd My soule is heuy euē vnto the death And thus he prayed Father if it be possible Math. 26. take thys cuppe fro me The Lorde sayeth vnto Peter Verely verely I saye vnto thee Whan thou wast yonge Iohn 21 thou girdedst thy self and walkedst whither thou wouldst but whā thou art olde thou shalt stretche forth thy hādes and another shal girde thee and leade thee whither thou wouldest not Loe Peter beeing excellentlye endewed wyth the spirite of God and stedfaste in fayth had yet in hys age a naturall feare of death for the Lorde said vnto him afore that another shoulde leade hym whether he woulde not Therefore wryteth gregory not vnright whā he saith Yf the pilours treble what shall the bordes doe Or if the heauēs shake for suche feare howe wyll that be vnmoued which is vnder That is if famous saynctes dyd feare to dye it is much lesse to be maruayled at when we poore Christians are afrayed Experience wytnesseth howe febly we set oure selues againste death Many an olde or otherwise vexed man can neither liue nor dye for in hys aduersytie he ofte tymes wysheth death Note And whā death approcheth he would rather suffer what soeuer els vpō earth if he mighte therebi escape death Many of vs haue hearde the gospell a long season and studyed it throughly so to say yet are we so afrayed of the death of oure selues and of oure frendes as though there were none other lyfe more to loke for euen lyke as thei that be of Sardanapalus sorte doe imagyn or els mistrust the promes comforte and helpe of god ▪ as thoughe he were not able or would not succour and deliuer vs. Yea some there be that if death be but spoken of thei are afrayed at it ¶ The commoditie of death whan it delyuereth vs from thys shorte transitorye tyme. The .8 Chapter AL the aforesayd disprofites and grefes doe iustlye vanyshe
depart geuyng all temporal things ther leaue hauyng a ryght vnderstandyng of the holy gospell and exercising the true belef therof by feruente prayer charitable loue and pacyence Turne thee for gods sake froÌ„ all creatures to the creator and maker turne thee from wyfe and chylde turne thee from temporal goods and honour consyderyng that none of them can helpe the neyther from siÌ„ne nor froÌ„ death All that thou leauest behynd the the lord accordyng to his almighty prouideÌ„ce shal wel and fatherli take care for theÌ„ He that hath created thy wyfe and children shal also prouide them a lyuing as he hath sente vnto thee al thyngs necessary eueÌ„ vnto thys houre Afterwarde ought not the minde of the sick to be disturbed or pointed hether thether vp down as the more pitie they vse to do in the Papistry but onelye vnto God the father thorowe Iesus Chryst accordyng to the coÌ„teÌ„tes of the whole ghospell after thys meanyng The spirituall comfortâ—â— Doest thou beleue and confes from the grounde of thy heart that there is but one onely god who hath geuen thee bodye and soule meate and drynke lodgyng and clothyng with al other necessaryes graciously helped thee out of many greuous mischaÌ„ces and miseryes The sicke Then lette the syck say yea that I knoweledge and confesse Doest thou also confesse The coÌ„forteâ— that thou oughtest aboue al thynges to haue feared and worshypped this thy gracyousse maker and father and to haue loued hym wyth al thy heart with al thy soule wyth al thy streÌ„gth and for his sake thy neyghboure also as thy selfe Hath not god deserued that at thy hande The sicke Then let hym saye O Lorde god I shoulde in dede haue done so The comforter Knowledge thou lykewyse that thou oft and many a tyme haste wyttyngly and willingli of very vngraciousnes done against god and thy neyghboure by meanes wherof thou hast iustli deserued the euerlastyng wrath plage and indignacion of god in bodye and soule Then let hym saye Oh sir it is al to true The sicke I yelde my self giltie and confesse it before God Well The coÌ„forter greater and more horrible synnes then these couldeste not thou doe if thou wouldeste styll not regarde the wrath and rigorous iudgement of god as thou haste done heretofore How arte thou mynded Doest thou desier and pray from the grounde of thy heart that God wyl preserue the from such slender regardynge of thyne owne synnes and of hys iust wrath and iudgement Desireste thou also wyth thy whole hearte that God wyll not deale wyth thee after hys diuyne iudgement and iustice but accordiÌ„g to hys fatherly mercye and that he wyll remitte and forgeue thy synnes and trespaces Then let hym say Yea that is my desyer The sicke from the botome of my hearte God from heauen dyd sende vnto thee hys deare and only begotten sonn The coÌ„forter who toke vpon hym the nature of manne and in hys death vpon the crosse he bare not only our trespace but the paine also and punishment due for the same makyng ful payment and satisfactioÌ„ for vs. Iohn the Baptist with hys fynger poynteth vnto Christ and sayeth lo thys is gods laÌ„be that taketh away the synne of the world And Iohn the Euangelist sayth 1. Iohn 1. The bloud of Iesus Christ clenseth vs from all synne Doest thou now confesse that Iesus Chryst the sonne of God dyed and rose agayne for thee also And wylt thou as one parcell of the world one brokeÌ„ rede one pece of smoking flax and one lost shepe cast al thy siÌ„nes vpoÌ„ him embracyng thys comforte of the gospell in thy heart and comprehendyng it wyth a stroÌ„g stedfast belefe Then let hym say O lord Iesu The sicke my heartes desyer is of the to be healed coÌ„forted and refreshed And thankes be vnto God for euermore that I maye haue him my mediator and redemer I wyl wholly committe and yelde my selfe vnto hym Then vpon thys The coÌ„foâ—â— â–ª the Lord Iesus Chryst by hys godlye worde and gospel sendeth thee this message Thy sinnes are forgeueÌ„ the and in hys syght all are taken away not onely the synne but the payne also due for the same namely euerlastyng death hel and daÌ„nacyon So that thou shalte be receaued agayne as a deare acceptable chylde and heire of eternal lyfe Beleuest thou thys comfortable promes of Iesu Chryste Then let hym saye yea The sicke but O mercyfull god strength thou my weake belefe The coÌ„fortâ—â— The summe of all thys is conteyned in the articles of the Christian belefe whyche wyth the aforesayed interpretacion maye bee rehearced vnto the sycke And to the intente that thy hearte maye bee sette at reste and the assured in thy fayth therefore hath Chryst instituted his holy supper and sacrameÌ„t of his body and bloud wherein he dooeth signifie wytnesse and put to hys seale that euen thou also art one of those many for whom he gaue his body and shed hys bloude Now whan synne death hel deuill and gods wrath teÌ„pteth and turmoileth thy conscience thou must wyth the same sacrament as with the word of god comforte thy coÌ„science that Chryst Iesus with hys body and lyfe is thy suertye and that hys soule and bloud and all that he is standeth for thee and on thy syde agaynste al bodelye and gostly enemyes Moreouer thou must byd the sick call vpon god for fayth pacience and other spirituall giftes Some tyme recite before hym the Lordes prayer with a shorte exposicion that he may direct his prayer the better Exhorte also al suche as staÌ„d about the sick to praye for hym consideryng that our lorde hath made a rich and faithful promes Where two or three are asseÌ„bled in hys name he hymselfe wyl be in the myddes among them and graunt them their desyer And for asmuch as al instructions must be taken of the word of god therfore before the sick these parcels folowyng may bee read The .6 Psalme which begineth Lord rebuke me not in thyne anger c. The .22 Psalme Mi god my god c. The .25 Psalme Vnto thee O Lorde c. The .27 Psalme The lord is my lyghte c. The .42 Lyke as the harte longeth c. The .51 Haue mercye vpon me c. The .91 Whoso dwelleth c. The .116 I am well pleased c. The .139 O lord thou searchest me c. The .143 Heare my prayer O Lorde c. The prayer of kyng Ezechias Esay 38. The Psalme of Simeon NuÌ„c dimittis Luke 2. The .11 Chapter of Iohn Of Lazarus The .14 and .17 of S. Iohns gospell The passion of Chryst and specyally concernyng the one of the two murtherers The .8 Chapter to the Romaines The .1 Corinthians 15. Al which places serue to make the prayer feruente and to strengthen true belefe Furthermore the sicke oughte to be told of the fruites of fayth because of prouokyng thankefulnes
Examples of gods helpe folio 88 ☞ The .24 Chapter ☞ That it is necessari to prepare for thys iourney folio 90 ☞ The .25 Chapter ☞ Prouision concernyng temporal goodes chyldren and frēdes whyche muste be lefte behynde folio 92 ☞ The .26 Chapter ☞ Preparacion concerning gostly maters wyth what cogitaciō◠the mynde oughte moste to be exercysed folio 97 ☞ The .27 Chapter ☞ Of repentaunce and sorowe for synne folio 102 ☞ The .28 Chapter ☞ Of trewe fayth folio 103 ☞ The 29. Chapter ☞ Of hope folio 116 ☞ The .30 Chapter ☞ Of the sacramentes fol. 117 ☞ The .31 Chapter ☞ Of prayer folio 120 ☞ The .32 Chapter ☞ The forme of prayer fo 124 ☞ The .33 Chapter ☞ A forme of prayse and thākesgeuyng folio 130 ☞ The .34 Chapter ☞ That the prayer is harde fol. 133 ☞ The .35 Chapter ☞ That the word of god is to be practised and vsed fol. 134. ☞ The .36 Chapter ☞ Amendment of lyfe necessarye foli 136 ☞ The .37 Chapter ¶ Exhortacion vnto pacyence folio 139 ☞ The .38 Chapter * The original and frute of pacyence folio 145 * The .39 Chapter * That a man whyle he is yet in health ought to prepare himself afore hande folio 147 * The .40 Chapter * That the foresaid things ought by tyme and in due season to bee taken in hande fol. 155 ¶ The contentes of the seconde booke * The .1 Chapter * How the sicke oughte to be spoken vnto if nede shall require folio 164 * The .2 Chapter * Of the buriall and what is to be done towardes those that are departed hence folio 180 ¶ The contentes of the thirde boke * The .1 Chapter * How they oughte to be comforted whose deare frendes are dead foli 186. * The .2 Chapter * That vnto such as dye it is profitable to depart out of this lyfe foli 195 * The .3 Chapter * What profit the death of frēds bryngeth to such as are lefte behynde alyue foli 204 * The .4 Chapter * Companions that suffer like heuines of hart folio 212 * The .5 Chapter * Thorowe gods helpe all hearte sorowes are eased fol. 214 * The .6 Chapter * We muste furnyshe oure selues wyth prayer and pacience folio 217 * The .7 Chapter * Ensamples of pacience in lyke case folio 222. The .8 Chapter * The commoditie of pacience folio 228 The .9 Chapter We oughte so to loue our children and frendes that we maye forsake them folio 231 The .10 Chapter * Of the death of yonge persons in especiall folio 234 * The .11 Chapter * Of the death of the aged fo 24◠* The .12 Chapter * Of straunge death fo 244 The firste boke of death declarynge what death is ¶ The .i. Chapter HOly scripture makethe mencion of foure maner of deathes and lyues 1. The firste is called a naturall lyfe so longe as the soule remayneth with the bodye vpon earth The naturall death is it that separateth the soule from the body 2. The seconde is a spirituall vnhappye death here in tyme of lyfe whan the grace of God for our wyckednesse sake is departed from vs by meanes wherof we were deed frō the Lorde our God and from all goodnes allthoughe as yet we haue the lyfe natural Cōtrary vnto this there is a gostly blessed lyfe whā we thorowe the grace of the Lorde our God lyue vnto hym and to all goodnesse Ephe. 2. Hereof wryteth Paull after thys maner God whych is riche in mercy thorow hys great loue wherewyth he loued vs euen whan we were ded in synnes hath quickened vs together in Christ 3. The thirde is a gostly blessed death here in tyme whan the fleshe beyng euer the longer the more separated from the spirite dyeth away from hys own wycked nature Contrari hereunto is there a gostli vnhappy life whā the fleshe wyth hys wycked disposicion continuallye breakethe forth and liueth in al wilfulnes Agaynst thys doth Paul exhort vs saying Collossiās Mortyfye therefore your members whyche are vpon earth fornicacion vnclennesse vnnatural lust euil concupiscēce couetousnes c. 4. The fourth that the scripture maketh mencyon of is an euerlastyng lyfe an euerlasting death Not that the bodi soule of man shall after thys tyme lose their substaunce and be vtterlye nomore For we beleue vndoubtedly that our soule is immortal and that euen thys present body shal arise againe But forasmuch as we our selues graunt that life is swete death a bitter herbe thys word lyfe by a figuratiue speche is vsed for mirth and ioy Thys worde death for heuines and sorowe Therefore eternall lyfe is called eternall ioye and eternall death eternall damnaciō Of these manyfolde deathes haue we commenlye a peruerse iudgement We abhorre the death of the body and hast on a pace to the vnhappy gostli death which yet in it self is a thousand times more terrible then any death corporall For whan a man delyteth in hys owne wyckednes though as yet he lyue vpon the earth he is neuertheles dead before god and the soule must continew stil damned for euermore In thys boke my handelynge is of naturall death which beefore our eyes semeth to be an vtter destruccion and that there is no remedy wyth the dead euen as whan a dogge or horse dieth and that god hath nomor respect vnto them Yea the world swimmeth ful of such vngodly people as haue none other meanynge Els doubtles woulde they beehaue themselues otherwyse towardes god Death vereli is not a destruccion of man but a delyueraunce of bodi soule Where as the soule beeyng of it selfe immortall dooeth eyther out of the mouth ascende vp into heauen or els from the mouth descēdeth into the pit of hel The body losyng hys substaunce tyll domes daye shall than by the power of god bee raysed from death and ioyned agayne to the soule that afterwarde the whole man with body and soule maye eternallye inherite either saluacion or els damnacyon ¶ That the time of death is vncertayne The .2 Chapter THe body of mā is a very frayle thyng Sickenesse maye consume it wylde beastes may deuoure it the fyer may burne it the water maye drowne it the ayer may infect it a snare maye choke it the prickyng of a pynne maye destroye it Therefore whan hys temporall lyfe shall ende he can not tell The principall cause why we knowe not the tyme of death is euen the grace of god to the intēt that we by no occasiō should lynger the amendemente of oure lyues vntill age but alway feare god Luke 12. as though we should dye to morowe But assone as the houre commeth no man shall ouerleape it Hereof speaketh Iob Iob. 14. whan he sayeth that god hath appointed vnto man hys bondes which he cannot goe beyonde ¶ That it is God which hath layed the burden of death vpon vs. The .3 Chapter IT becommeth all Christians not only to suffer
saidst into thī handes I commende my sprete Euen so now lord commende I my poore soule into thy handes O thou holy sprete Praier to god the holy gost Great is the anguish and distresse of my hert haue mercye vpon me for Iesus Christes sake I am afflicted so are many moe O vouchsafe thou to illuminate comfort strēgthē me and them vnto al goodnes cōuey thou and bryng vs out of all trouble and fayle vs not neither forsake vs for euermore Amen ¶ A fourme of prayse and thankes geuyng The .33 Chapter Thankes geuyng to god the father O Almightie eternal merciful god and father I laude and prayse the that thou hast created me a reasonable man and as a father haste preserued me to thys houre keping me from great daūgers euer sithens I was borne doing me more good then euer I was or am worthy Specyally I geue thee thankes for thy endles grace whiche thou shewest vnto me and all faythfull thorowe thy moste deare beloued sonne In that he for my synnes would be tempted so many wayes and suffer so vyle a death to the intente that I from hence forth myght be assured of faythfull assistaunce Magnified and blessed be thy name that thou sufferest me not to dye wythout knoweledge of the holy gospell I thanke thee also dearest father that thou visiting me wyth thys syckenes and daunger doest not forgette me For in the meane season also thou comfortest fortest and helpest and full graciously shalt thou bryng the matter to an ende Thankesgeuing to the sonne Honour prayse and thankes be vnto thee my most deare lord Iesu Christ for thy holy incarnacion for thy martirdom and bytter passyon wherby I am perfectly assured that thou art my redemer and Sauiour Vpon that onely set I my building thither warde standeth my hope there wil I be founde Rom. 6. b. rom 8. b. 2. Timo. 2. b Cherefully and gladli with thy helpe wil I depart hēce trustyng that as I am partaker of thi troubles so shall I also haue my part in thy euerlastyng glorye Namely that at the last daye thou shalt raise vp this my poore mortall body takyng my soule vnto thee immediatly at my departing hence Thankesgeuing to the holi goost O the holy sprete I rēder vn to the prayse and thākes for the true vnderstandyng belefe comfort pacience al giftes whiche thou graciously doest minister geue by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ That the praier is harde The .34 Chapter HEre vnto serue al psalmes of prayer and thankesgeuing Howbeit whatsoeuer cōcerneth prayer it is all cōprehended with few wordes in the holy pater noster if it be diligētly earnestly considered Notwithstādyng no Christian prayer can be done in vayne that it should not be faythfully heard God sayth Psal 91. He hath a desier vnto me and I wyl deliuer him Whan he calleth vpō me I shal heare hym yea I am with him in his trouble whereoute I wyll delyuer hym and bring him to honour He knoweth my name therfore wil I defende hym Wyth longe lyfe wyll I satisfye hym and shewe hym my saluaciō Yea the whole psalter is ful of such cōfortable promyses Luke 23. d. Ensample if thou pray with the murtherer vpō the crosse that Chryst wil remember thee in his kyngdome thou shalte also in thy heart he are the gracyous comfort thys day shalt thou be wyth me in paradyse Neuertheles whosoeuer is in trouble heuines or aduersitie ought earnestly to desyer the intercessions prayers of faythfull beleuers ¶ That the word of God oughte to bee practysed and vsed The .35 Chapter FArthermore he ought alwaye to haue gods word before his eyes and feruētly to exercise him selfe therin For wheras he faythfully calleth vnto god he dooeth it vpon hys worde and in the word of god he is taughte howe to behaue himselfe towardes al what soeuer commeth in his waye If a man now can not geue hymselfe true informacion out of the holye scripture whether it be cōcernīg synnes committed or other tēptacyons then ought he to aske counsayll of hys learned soule shepeheard or of some other mē of godly vnderstandyng The lord saith not for naught My shepe heare my voice and I know them Iohn 10. and they folowe me and I geue thē eternall lyfe and they shal neuer peryshe ¶ Amendement of lyfe necessarye The .36 Chapter THe trewe faith bryngeth wyth it naturally a stedfast purpose to liue from hence forth accordyng vnto all the cōmaundemēts of god Chryst lykewise exhorteth euery man rightly to exercise and well to vse the giftes of god Hereof bryngeth he in a parable A certayn man taking a iourney into a straunge countrye Math. 25. called his seruauntes and deliuered vnto thē his goodes And vnto on he gaue fiue talētes to another two and to the third one c. Vpon the same doth the lorde appointe the faythful seruaunt his reward and punysheth the slougish and euil seruaunt The righteousnes of faith cōprehēdeth the feare of god loue of thy neyghbour pacience all vertue Of thys feare Prou. 14. it is wrytten The feare of god is a foūtain of lyfe to auoyde the snares of death Neyghbourly loue doeth first and principalli require that we frendlye and vnfeynedlye for gods sake forgeue all them that euer haue offended vs and again to vndertake as much as lieth in vs to reconcyle al our enemyes Then dooeth charitie require to geue almes to comforte the heuy hearted and to practyse al works of mercy and loke who hath done the good in thi sicknes it is requisite that thou geue them thankes Among benefites this is not the lest whan one moueth and exhorteth another to kepe himselfe frō al filthines As for bodeli thīgs the sycke shoulde dyspatche thē wyth fewe woordes but such as concerne nourtour honesty the fear of god safegard in hym and the homage which is due vnto hym that ought to be done with more deliberacyon For loke what one speaketh at the poynt of death the same goeth deper to the hearte of such as heare it partly because it cannot be thought that a mā on hys death bed beyng in greatest trouble wyl vse ipocrisye or dissemble partly for that whan the soule begynneth to be discharged of the bodi it oft times sheweth some token of the fredome ioy wyth the which it shall euē now forthwith be perfectly endewed Ensample the deare worthy patriarkes in the olde testament before theyr departyng out of thys lyfe sent and called for theyr children and other folkes instructīg and exhortyng them to submitte themselues vnto the law of god and diligently to walke therein How faythfully dyd Mathathias at hys death 1 Mach. ◠speake to his noble sonnes comfortyng them out of gods worde agaynst all theyr enemyes Exhortacyon vnto pacyence The .37 Chapter FInally we can not doe better than wyth gods helpe beeyng pacient in all aduersitie and stedfast
Cor. 15. Our home is paradise in heauen our heauenly father is god the earthy father of al men is Adam oure spirituall fathers are the patriarkes prophetes and apostles whiche altogether wait and long for vs. Seyng nowe that death is the path and waye vnto them we ought the lesse to fly it to the intente that we maye come to oure righte home salute our fathers and frendes embrace theÌ„ Hebre. 13. end dwel with them foreuer We haue heare no remayninge citie but we seke one to come Psalme 3. Our conuersacioÌ„ burgership is in heaueÌ„ But if any man be afrayed of death and force not for the country of heauen onely because of teÌ„poral pleasures thesame dealeth vnhonestlye euen as dooe they that wheras they ought to go the next way home set them down in a pleasaunt place or among companions at the tauerne Where they lying styl forget their owne country and passe not vpon their frendes and kynsfolkes Howe euill thys becommeth theÌ„ euerye man may wel coÌ„sider bi himselfe The lord Iesus geueth thys similitude except the wheate corne fall into the grounde and dye it â—ydeth alone but if it dye it bryngeth foorthe muche frute Lykewyse Paull compareth vs men vnto graynes of corne the churcheyarde â— Corin. 15 to a felde To dye he sayeth is to be sowne vpon Gods felde The resurreccyon with the life that foloweth after resembleth he to the pleasaunte grene corne in Sommer If a man laie in a darke miserable pryson wyth thys condicion that he should not come forth tyl the walles of the tower were fallen down vndoutedly he would be right glad to see the walles begynne to fall our soule is kept in wythin the body vpon earth as in captiuitie and bondes Nowe assone as the body is at a poynt that it muste nedes fall why woulde we be sory For by thys approcheth the deliuerauÌ„ce whoÌ„ we out of the pryson of miserye shal be brought before the moste amiable countenaunce of god into the ioyefull fredome of heaueÌ„ Accordynge to thys dyd Dauyd pray Psalm 14â— Bryng my soule out of pryson O Lorde that I maye geue thankes vnto thy name Item in many places of scripture to dye is called to slepe death it selfe aslepe Lyke as it is no grefe for a maÌ„ to goe slepe 1. Cor. 15. Thessa 4 â–ª nor whaÌ„ he seith hys parentes and frendes laye them downe to reste for he knoweth that suche as are aslepe doe soone awake and rise again so whaÌ„ we or our frendes depart awaye by death we oughte to erecte and coumforte oure selues with the resurreccion VVytnesse that death is holsome The .17 Chapter FOr the strengthnyng of ouâ— fayth I wyll alledge euydente testimonye of Gods worde Ecclesia 7. The preacher sayth â–ª The day of death is better theÌ„ the day of birth As if he would say in the daye of thy birth theâ— arte sente into the colde into thâ— heat into huÌ„ger and thirst wheâ—in is synne and wretchednesse in the day of thy death thou shalâ— be deliuered from all euil Agaiâ— we reade Sapien. 4. thoughe the righteous be ouertaken with death yet shalâ— he be in rest Iohn 5. Verely verely I say vnto you he that heareth my wordes anâ— beleueth on him that seÌ„t me haâ—â— euerlastynge lyfe and shall noâ— come into damnacyon but is scaâ—â—ed from death vnto lyfe Rom. 14. a. 2. Cor. 4. b Yf wâ— lyue we lyue vnto the Lorde 〈◊〉 we dye we dye vnto the Lorde â–ª Therfore whether we liue or dyâ— we are the Lordes Behold how comfortably thys is spoken of all Christians That death can not be auoyded Item of companyons of them that dye The .18 Chapter VPon thys condicion are we borne into the worlde into thys light not to continewe alway therin but whaÌ„ god wil thorowe temporall death to laye asyde and put of the trauayle of thys miserable lyfe Wyttie men haue fouÌ„de out how hard stones may be brokeÌ„ mollified how wilde beastes may be tamed but nothing could they inuent wherby death myght bee auoyded It is not vnwyselye sayd Goddes hande maye a man escape but not death Metrodorus wryteth that against bodeli enemies there may be made fortresses castels bulworkes but so farre as coÌ„cerneth death all men haue an vnfensed citie In other daungers power money flight counsayll and policy mai helpe But as for death it can neyther be banyshed with power nor boughte wyth moneye nor auoyded wyth flying away nor preuented wyth counsayle nor turned backe wyth polycye And though thou be now delyuered from syckenes yet wythin â— litle whyle thou muste whether thou wylte or no departe hence to deathes home for the higheste law geuer of all tolde oure fyrsâ— father so afore In what daye soeuer thou eatest therof thou shalte dye the death Gene. â— vnderstande that the death of the soule bryngeth with it the death of the body Whoso now grudgeth and is not contente to dye what is that els but that he forgettyng hymselfe and hys owne nature complayneth of God in heauen that he suffered hym to be borne and made hym not an aungell Why should we refuse the thing that we haue commen with other men Nowe doeth death touche not onely vs but highe and lowe estate younge and olde man and woman master and seruaunte As many as came of the first maÌ„ muste laye downe theyr neckes Death is an indifferent iudge regardeth no person hath no pitie on the fatherles careth not for the poore dispeÌ„seth not with the rich feareth not the myghtie passeth not for the noble honoureth not the aged spareth not the wyse pardoneth not the folyshe For like as a riuer is poisoned in the well spryng or fountayne so was the nature of man altogether in our first pareÌ„tes And forasmuch as they themselues were maymed thorow sinne they haue begotten vnright and mortal children roman 5. Touching this saieth Paul by one man came death vpon all men Now let vs consider what excellent companions and holi feloshyp they also haue that ar dead Paul wryteth that we muste bee lyke shapen vnto the ymage of the sonne of god If he nowe that of nature was immortall and innocent became mortal for our sakes euen Iesus Chryste our sauiour why would we then that manye and sondry wayes haue deserued death continewe here styll and not dye Abraham the faythful Sampson the stronge Salomon the wyse Absalom the fayer one yea all the Prophetes and Apostles kynges and Emperours thorowe death departed oute of thys lyfe A very deintie and tender body must that be whych coÌ„sydering so great multytudes of coarses doth yet out of measure vexe hymselfe beecause the lyke shall happen vnto him That wer euen like as if one woulde take vpon hymselfe to be better then all ryghtuous and holy men that euer were sithens the begynnyng of the worlde Of naturall helpe in daunger of death The .19 Chapter WHoso wyll helpe hymselfe from
ascension of Christ be coÌ„sidered For the sonne of god hath promysed and sayd Father I wyl that where I am they also be whom thou hast geuen me Seyng that Chryst now with body and soule is go te vp to heauen what can be thoughte more comfortable for a man at hys death then that we Chrystyans shall also after death be takeÌ„ vp into the ioie of heaueÌ„ In heauen sytteth Chryste at the ryghte hande of god Chryste syâ—teth at the ryghte hand of god Lorde and kyng ouer synne deuil death and hel Him we haue in that heauenly lyfe wyth god an assured faythfull mediator and helper Though we must fyghte in extremitie of death yet are we not alone in thys conflyct or battayl euen the valeaunt heauenly captayne hymselfe who vpoÌ„ the crosse ouer came death and all misfortune for our sakes hath respecte vnto vs from tyme to time goeth beefore vs in oure battayle and fyghteth for vs Deut 1 c 20 Exo 14 c Iosu 23. a 1 Pat 6 a 2 Pat 20 32 4 reg â— d Zach 10 a kepeth vs from all mischaunces in the way to saluacyon so that we nede not care nor feare that we shal sinke or fal down to the bottome He shall cause vs with oure own bodely eyes to see the glorious victory and triumphe in the resurreccioÌ„ of the dead to haue experyence therof in oure own body and soule Death is euen as a darke caue in the grounde but who so taketh Chrystes light candell puttyng hys truste in hym and goeth into the dymme darke hole the mysre flyeth before him and the darkenesse vanysheth awaye In Chryste haue we a mighty effectuous ymage of grace of life and of saluacyon in suche sorte that we Chrystyans should feare neyther death nor other misfortune Summa he is oure hope our safegarde oure triumph our crowne Wrinesse of scripture Iohn 1â— I am the resurreccion and the lyfe he that beleueth one me yea though he were dead yet shall he lyue And whosoeuer lyueth and beleueth on me shall neuer die Forth wyth after he had spoken these wordes raysed he vp Lazarus who had lyen fouer dayes in the graue and beeganne to corrupte and stynke As by AdaÌ„ al die so by Christ shall all be made aliue 1 Cor 13 euery one in hys order Item oure burgershyppe is in heauen from whens we loke for a sauioure Philip 3 eueÌ„ Iesus Chryste whyche shall chaunge oure vyle bodyes that they maie bee fashyoned lyke vnto hys gloryous body accordyng to the working wherby he is able to subdue all thynges vnto hymself Also Ye are dead ColossiaÌ„s 3 and your lyfe is hid wyth Chryste in god But whan Chryst your life shal shewe hym selfe then shal ye also appeare with hym in glory Here dooeth Paul declare that our life is not in this worlde but hyd wyth Chryste in god and shall thorowe Chryst in hys tyme be gloryously opened After thys maner should Christe be prynted into the feble troubled and doubtfull consciences of the sycke And withal diligeÌ„ce ought the office of Chryst to be considered how that he accordyng vnto the scripture comming into thys world for our welth did also for our wealth preache wrought miracles suffred died to deliuer vs oute of thys false vnhappye worlde to open vnto vs the ryghtâ— dore into eternall lyfe to bring vs with body and soule into heauen Wherin neyther sinne death nor deuill shall be able to hynder vs for euermore Who shall euer be able sufficiently to prayse and magnify the infinite glori of the grace of god What would we haue the Lorde oure God to dooe more for vs to make vs lustely steppe forth beefore the face of death manfullye to fyghte in all trouble and wyllynglye to wayte for the delyueraunce ¶ That god hath promysed hys helpe and comfort The .21 Chapter OVte of thys exceadynge grace of god for the blessed sedes sake proceade gods comfortable promises in the olde and newe testament Psal 32 Psal 91 Myne eyes shall still be vpon thee that thou peryshe not The Lorde shall delyuer thee froÌ„ the snare of the hunter and from the moste noysome death Wyth hys owne wynges shall he couer thee so that vnder hys fethers thou shalt bee safe Hys trueth faythfulnes shall be thy shylde buckler so that thou shalt neither nede to feare any inconuenyence by nyght neyther swyfte arowe in the daye season neyther the pestilence that crepeth in darknes nor yet any hurt that destroyeth by day tyme. Though a thousand fall on thy lefte hande and ten thousande on thy ryght yet shall it not touche the. Heare dooeth god euydently promyse that he wyll gracyously preserue hys own chyldreÌ„ First from suche temptacion phantasy and disceaueablenes as come vp on a man by nyghte in the darke Secondly from the violence of wycked vnthriftes and all myschaunces that ouertake men opeÌ„ly in the daye season yea sometyme sodenly and vnwares Thirdly from the pestylence that we nede not to feare it thoughe there dye of it a thousande on the lefte hande and ten thousand on the ryghte The pestilence shal either not take vs or not wouÌ„de vs vnto death or els serue to oure euerlastyng welfare Fourthlye from hote feuerous syckenesses suche as commenlye growe in hote countryes whan the sonne shyneth most strongly Vnder these foure plages are all mischaunces comprehended In the ende of thys Psalme staÌ„d these words I am with him in trouble I wil deliuer him and bryng hym to honour Whan god saith I am with hym coÌ„syder not thou thine own powers for thei helpe nothing at al. Behold much more the power of him that is with the in trouble Whan thou hearest I wyll delyuer hym thou must not be faint hearted though the trouble doe seme longe to continewe whan thou hearest I wyl bryng hym vnto honour bee thou sure that as thou arte partaker of the death of Chryste so shalt thou be also of hys glory Math 11 Chryste calleth thee to hym cryeth yet styll come to me all ye that laboure and are laden and I wyll ease you Take my yoke on you and learne of me that I am meke and lowly in hearte and ye shall fynde rest vnto your soules Agayn verely vereli I say vnto you Iohn 8 If any maÌ„ kepe mi sayinges he shall neuer see death Vnderstande that the light of life doeth shine clearer then the darkenesse of death can blynde For the faithfull thorowe hys belefe is after suche sorte incorporated and ioyned vnto the lord Chryste that true lyfe that he shal not be separated from hym Thoughe bodye and soule departe a sunder now for a season yet is that done in an assured vndoubted hope of the blessed resurreccion that veri shortlye both bodye and soule shall come together agayne to eternall ioye And thus the ChristiaÌ„ beleuer neyther seeith feleth nor tasteth the euerlasting death of his body and soule that is
to say eternall damnacyon God setteth to his owne helpyng hande in suche wyse and at such time as is beste of all The .22 Chapter GOd now thorowe Chryst dooeth not onely promes most graciously hys comfort and helpe but faythfully perfourmeth he thesame in due season so farre after suche sorte as is expediente The verye ryghte tyme vndoutedly doth not he omitte Death in dede is a narowe way but god shorteneth it The bitternesse of death passeth all the paynes that we haue felte vpon earth but it endureth not longe Death must make quyâ—â—â— spede wyth vs as Ezechyas the kyng of Iuda sayeth Esaye 38 he shall cut of my lyfe as a weeber doth his webbe And whan the payne is greatest of all then is it nere the ende Hereunto may be applyed that Chryste sayde it is but a modicum a veri litle while Iohn 11 Though it were so that the troubles of death dyd long endure Yet towardes the eternitie that foloweth after is the same scace as one pointe or prycke in comparison of a whole Circle In the meane season God can more comforte and helpe theÌ„ the most horrible death of all is able to disturbe or greue Sometyme taketh he froÌ„ vs the greuous enemy or mortal sickenes so deliuereth vs out of the parelles of deathe Els geueth he some ease or refreshyng outwardely or yf the trouble gooe on styll he sendeth hys swete gracious comforte inwardely so as the pacyeÌ„t thorowe then or kyng of the holy gost doth fele a taste a proufe and begynnynge of the heauenly ioye by meanes whereof he is able wyllyngly to forsake all that earthy is and to endure al maner of payne and smerte vntyll the ende â—â—mâ— 8 The sprete of god certifieth our sprete that we are the children of god If we be chyldren we are al so heyres the heyres I meane of God and heyres annexed wyth Chryste if so bee that we suffer wyth hym that we maye also be gloryfyed wyth hym God commaundeth his Aungels that they wyth hym doe loke vnto thee O man whan thou dyest to take hede vnto thy soule to keepe it to receaue it whan it shall depart out of the body Wytnes thys is â–ª the aungell of the Lorde pitcheth rouÌ„d about them that feare him Psal 34 and delyuereth theÌ„ And Psal 9â— â–ª he hath geuen hys aungels charge concernyng thee that they kepe thee in all thy wayes and beare thee in theyr handes that thou hurte not thy fote agaynste a stone The Aungels Hebru â— whiche are many wythout noÌ„ber be ministring spretes sente to dooe seruyce for theyr sakes whych shal be heires of saluacyon Therfore a Christian at his laste ende muste bee throughlye assured that in hys death he is not alone but that very many eies loke vnto him First the eies of god the father himself and of hys sonne Iesus Chryste then the worthye aungels and all Chrystyans vpon earth Then accordyng to the coÌ„tentes of the sacrament of baptyme and of the supper of the lord al Christians as a whole body to a meÌ„ber thereof resort vnto him that is a dying by hauing compassioÌ„ and prayer to helpe hym by that at hys death he maye ouer come death synne and hell ¶ Examples of Goddes helpe The .23 Chapter IN the tyme of the Prophetes and apostles God raised certayne from death to the inteÌ„te that oure weake feable nature myght haue the more helpe to beleue the resurreccion eternal lyfe For the dead could not haue been raysed if death dyd bryng man vtterly to naught Abraham fell sicke Gene 25 and died in a good age whan he was olde and had liued inoughe and was put vnto hys people that is hys soule came to the soules of the other saynctes which died afore So is it also of Isaac Gene 3â— Word was brought to kiÌ„g Ezechias that he should lyue no loÌ„ger But after he had made his earneste prayer vnto God there were added fiftene yeares vnto lyfe Whan Lazarus dyed Luke 16 hys soule was caryed of the aungels into Abrahams bosome The murtherer vpon the crosse hearde in hys extreme trouble that Chryst sayed vnto hym thys daye shalte thou be wyth me in paradyse Luke 23 Dayly experyence testifieth that god forsaketh not hys own Therfore vndoubtedlye he that hath begonne hys kyngdome in vs shall graciously perfourme and finishe it ¶ That it is necessarye to prepare for thys iourneye The .24 Chapter IF we could fynde in our hertâ— gladlye for to heare howe vnhurtefull yea wholsome and vincible death is become thorow Chryst we would not be idell and lynger styll tyll the tyme came that we must nedes dye A good housholder maketh prouision for hymselfe and hys familye and bieth afore hande fewel and victualles and such thynges as he hath nede of for a whole yeare or for a moneth c. accordyng as he is able Muche more oughte a Christian to prouyde that whyche concerneth not onely one moneth or one yere but an eternitye that hath no ende Lyke as faythfull seruauntes wayte for theyr master so ought we to loke for the commyng of Chryst whaÌ„ he shall call vs out of thys tyme. Luke â—â— If the housholder knewe what houre the thefe woulde come he woulde watch and not suffer his house to be broken vp math 24. Therfore be ye also ready for in the houre that ye thynke not wyll the soÌ„ne of man come Whoso hath perfecte knoweledge of death as it is hetherto descrybed and set forth he in makyng prouision afore hande hath fyrste thys aduauntage that it is good fyghtynge wyth a knowne enemye Contrary wyse on the other syde what shall an vnmete warryour doe that knoweth not the nature subtiltie weapons and polycy of the enemye Prouisyon concernyng temporall goodes children and frendes which must bee lefte behynde The .25 Chapter AGayne concernyng temporall goodes Let the ryche who hath wyfe and children or other heyres make prouision for them in good ordâ—â— vnder wrytyng accordyng as iâ— euery place the custome is But iâ— honour and auctoritie substauÌ„câ— or goodes go to nere thi stomack then consyder that they be noâ— true but vncertayne transitoryâ— and vayne goods whyche brynâ— more vnquietnesse then rest Coâ—syder also that many moe rychâ— myghtye Prynces kynges anâ— Lordes muste bee spoyled of 〈◊〉 theyr glorye and bee faine to contente themselues with a shorte narrowe place of the graue Thoughe we here lose all yet dooe we scace lose one farthynge And in the other lyfe we haue not kyngedomes nor empires but GOD hymselfe and euerlastynge goodes In comparison whereof all minstrelsye pastyme pompe myrthe and chere vpon earthe is scace to bee estemed as castynge counters towardes the fyneste coynes of golde Therefore oughte we to learne specyallye in syckenes to geue all temporall goodes theyr leaue and to byd them fare wel And if any manne wyll further more disquyete and trouble vs in tellynge vs styll of
Chryst Therfore must we wyth draw our selues frō al creatures praying and desyryng all things at gods hande onely thorow the name of Iesu How oughte a man to call vpō god thorowe Chryste What is to call vpon god in Chryste Wyth belefe that we doubt not but oure prayer is heard already To such a fayth and confydence are we occasioned in that God hath commaunded vs to pray and promysed that he wyl graciouslye heare vs knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you ▪ c. For what thynge oughte we to make our prayer vnto god For the vnderstandīg of his word for remissiō of sinnes for increace of fayth for loue euen towardes our enemyes for helpe pacience comforte and all spiritual giftes To pray for health and long lyfe The moderacion of praier for temporal thynges is not vnryghte so farre as we cōmitte and referre it vnto the holy wyl of god For we can not make it better then the faithful father that knoweth best of all And to pray for a long lyfe is oft tymes nothyng els then to desyer to be kept long in miserye Esai 38. Good Ezechyas yet prayed wyth teares that he myght lyue for a season Chryst the most perfect ensāple of al did pray Father if it be possible take thys bitter draught fro me neuertheles not my wyll but thyne bee done Lyke as he nowe prayed thus the seconde and third time moste earnestlye So ought we also without ceassynge to cal vnto god Some appoynte god afore hande what death he must suffer them to dye But they doe best of all that prescrybe vnto the lord theyr god neyther fashyon of death nor tyme neyther other circumstaunce but referre al vnto him who knoweth what is profitable and good better then we ourselues Moreouer we must praye for wife and childe for frende and enemy and for the whole congregacion of the Chrystians that god may graciouslye take thē all into hys own proteccion Vnto praier belōgeth it also cherfulli to geue god thankes for all bodelye and gostly benefites ¶ The fourme of prayer The .32 Chapter Praier to god the father O Almightie euerlastynge god mercyful father of heauē thou hast created me after thyne owne image and endewed me wyth exceadyng plentiful giftes Confessyon Yet not wythstandyng all thy benefites I haue many and sondry wayes contemned and transgressed thy commaundementes All my dayes are passed foorth with greuous synnes I feare and flye from thee as from a righteous iudge Althys what soeuer it be I freelye knowledge and confes and am sory for it frō the ground of my heart Desyre of grace But O heauenly father I cry and call for thy large and great mercy O enter not with me into iudgemente remember not the synnes of my youth O thynke vpon me accordyng to thi mercye for thy names sake and for thy goodnes which hath ben from euerlastyng Vouchesafe to graunt me thy mercy which thou according to the contentes of the gospel hast promised and opened thorow thy beloued sōne in such sort that whoso beleueth on him shal haue euerlastyng lyfe Now is my belefe in Iesu Christ euen in the only redemer of the whole worlde I vtterly refuse all other comforte helpe and assistaunce and my hope is onely thorowe Chryste to haue pardon of my sinnes eternal life Thi wordes are trewe be it vnto me accordīg to thy wordes O let me enioye y◠passion and death of thyne onely begottē sonne Take for my sīnes the satysfaccion and paymente of our lord Iesus Chryste accordīg to the tenour of my belefe Of thys my fayth thou shalt thy selfe O Lord be wytnesse and al thine elect My last wil also shall it be vpon thy mercy to dy in this fayth Though I now by occasiō of pain lacke of reasō or thorowe tēptaciō should happen or would fall awaye suffer me not yet O lorde to sticke fast in vnbelefe blasphemy but helpe myne vnbelefe strength and increace my fayth that synne death the deuil and hel dooe me no harme Thou art strōger and mightier thē thei that is onely my trust and confydence O lord the flesh is feble vnpacient laye not thou my weakenes to mi charge but burne smit prycke and plage as thou wylte thy selfe Pacience and lowlynes is the signe of a Chrystyan only Ibesech the graūt me pacience and lowelynesse of mynde Be thou the strength of my soule in this farre iournei which I haue now to go in an vnknowē lande Now shewe thy selfe vnto my poore soule so as it may fele that thou art my refuge my help proteccyon defence comforte castel my sure stony rocke my safegarde my treasure prosperyte health and wellfare I yelde my selfe wholy vnto thee with soule and body let me neuer bee confounded Helpe also Prayer for the enemy o heauēly father that accordyng vnto thy cōmaundement I may loue myne enemyes and pray for them that haue hurte me Math 5. c roma 12 b. c. And bryng to pas thorowe thy holy sprete that all thei whō I haue done harme vnto may also forgeue me to the cōmoditie and health of their owne soules For it reweth me and sory I am that at any time I haue broken Christian loue and charytie and begiled desceaued or offēded any man wyth euill ensample or with to fewe benefites I besech the O lord thorow Iesus Christ forgeue thou all them that euer haue hurt me in thought worde or dede Praier for eueri man To thy faythfulnes and proteccion O dearest father I commit all that concerneth me speciallye wyfe children frendes all such as thou hast put vnder my gouernaunce Comfort and helpe thou all those that ly in bandes and ar persecuted for thy wordes sake Haue mercy vpon al such as are in prison pouertie sickenes and heuines O bring thou the whole world to the knowledge of thi holy word that they may liue accordyng to thy godly wyl and thorow out all troubles to endure continue styll in the Christiā faith O Lorde Iesu Chryste Praier to god the sonne I besech the thorowe thine owne merites haue mercye vpon me Seinge I my selfe can not make satisfaccion or sufficient amēdes towards the father for my synnes I laye thē vpō the in hope that thou haste already taken them awaye For thou hast payed that we ought oure woundes hast thou healed O increace thou in me and other men fayth pacyence and consolacion what aduersitie or trouble soeuer we be in Thou lord Iesu in thy passion diddest pray Father if it be possible let thys cup passe fro me neuertheles not my wyll but thine be done and that is my praier also Vpō the crosse that dydst pray Father forgeue thē Euē so lord forgeue I al those that euer haue done any thing agaīst me Thou didst cry my god my god why hast thou forsakē me O lorde forsake not thou me then in my deadlye trouble Vpon the crosse thou