dead to synne by Chrystes deathe we haue also certaine and sure remission of our synnes by chrystes deth we be raised also to a newe and euerlastynge lyfe For baptyme is a couenand betwixt god and vs. And a sygne of his grace and fauour towarde vs wherin we be reconciled and made at one wyth god againe so that we may nowe haue a ioyfull and quiet coÌ„science for somuch as our sinnes be forgeueÌ„ vs through the resurrection of Iesus chryst yea christ also in the institucion of the most blesed sacrameÌ„t of his last supper speaketh also to vs saynge that hys bloud is shed for the remission of synne Nowe although we haue not liued alwaye innocentlye nether led suche a lyfe as we ought to haue done Yet we maye not dispaire but without delay resort vnto god by true repentauÌ„ce cal faithfully vpon hys name and we shal be saued Rom. x Ye let euery one of vs with a meke harte burst out into these or like wordes and say O most mercyful god father of al mercy father of oure LORD Iesu Chryste be mercyfull vnto me a wretched synner make spede to deliuer me for the moste bitter but moost precious death and passion of Iesu Chryste thy only begotten sonne our redemer and only sauioure Amen Enter not o lord into iudgement wyth thy seruaunte handle me not accordynge to my deseruyng neyther do vnto me after my iniquities but according to thy infinite and botomles goodnes mercye take me vnto the. I a miserable and wretched creature am in thy hand I am in thy debt daunger thou mayst do with me what it please the. O moost mercyfull father forsake me not nor caste me of I am thine all that I am There can no man comfort no man help no man delyuer me but thou alone Thou art the true comforte the most present helpe the surest bulwarke in all necessite Thou god art my refuge my strengthe my helpe in al troublâ— Thou art my Lord in thy handes resteth al my chaunce and affaires Shew thy louinge and mercifull face vpon thy seruant saue me in thy mercy O lord but many wayes in our extreme sicknes and affliction let vs beware we loke not to earnestly nether to longe vpon oure sinnes But rather let vs haue the image of Christes moste helthfull and precious deth before our eys Let vs fix that in our mynd and be full perswaded that Christe is now bourdened with his synnes that he hathe nowe taken theym vpon his owne shoulders and so hath satisfied for theim and wasshed them awai that he wil neuer charge vs with theÌ„ but frelye for geaue vs theim as we professe in our Crede wheÌ„ we sai Credimus remissioneÌ„ peccatorum we beleue the remission of synnes ¶ Here it shal be mete that in our syckenes we call to remembraunce such places of holy scripture as testifieth of remission of synne purchased by Christe of the which some be here subscribed Ioh. i. BEhold the laÌ„be of God which takith away the synne of the worlde We are bought with no golde nor siluer i. Pet. i nether any corruptible price but with the precious bloud of the vnspotted and vndefyled lambe Iesus Christ ¶ So god hath loued the world that he gaue hys onely begotten sonne to the ende that we so beleuynge in hym dothe not peryshe but haue lyfe euerlasting Io. iii I come not to call the righteous but the sinners to repentaunce Mat. ix Come vnto me all ye that labour and are laden and I shall refresh you Lo he calleth all Mat. xi he refuseth he excludeth none we must includ also our selues within his words All we must resorte to him and he wil receaue and reffeshe vs God setteth forth hys loue toward vs For Christ died for vs Rom. v when we were yet sinners muche more now therfore we being iustified bi his blood shal be sauffe froÌ„ wrath by him i. Cor. i Christ Iesus is be commed vnto vs wisdom righteousnes holines redempcioÌ„ Here let vs confort our selues that though we haue be neuer so gret sinners let vs coÌ„fesse and knowledg our synne let vs call for mercye and pardon let vs vnfainedly beleue christ to be our only helth Iustice and redeÌ„pt on and strayght waye he is so he wyl by and by couer and put awai our sinnes in such sort that we shal nede fere no peril nor dauÌ„ger ii Cor. v Him that knew no sinne hath god made sinne .i. a payment of sinne for vs that we shuld becoÌ„e the righteousnes of god by hym Gal. i Christ gaue him selfe for our sinnes that he myghte delyuer vs fro this preseÌ„t wicked world acording to the wil of god our father In Christ we haue redemption throughe hys bloude Ephe. â— euen the remession of synnes according to the riches of his grace Christ Iesus is come in to this world to saue synners i. Tit. i Christe Iesus hathe geuen hym selfe a redempcioÌ„ for al meÌ„ i. Tit ii This let vs coÌ„stantly beleue vndoubted we be of the nombre of those that shal be saued For wheÌ„ he is come a redemption for all these thynges the he hath suffered pertayneth no lesse to the me euery one of vs so we beleue than to Peter or Paule Christ hath borne our sinnes in his body vpon the crosse i. Pet. ii Christ died ones for our synnes the ryghteous for the vnrighteous i. Pe. ii The bloud of Iesus chryst clenseth vs from all sinne i. Ioan. i If ani man doth sinne we haue a aduocate with the father eueÌ„ Iesus i. Ioan â—i Chryst the ryghteouse and he is the attonemente for our synnes Not for ours onely but for the synnes of the whole worlde By these places and suche lyke we maye se howe god the father which wyll not the death of a sinner but that we shulde turne and lyue for that moost feruente burnyng loue that he beareth toward vs hath eased vs of the burden of our sin hath layd it vpoÌ„ the back of his most dere beloued sonne which his soÌ„ne hath so takeÌ„ borne and suffered for them that they can neuer condemne vs. For god taketh and reputeth the deathe of his sonne for a full satisfactyon paiment for al our sinnes so that we truly beleue in hym For seing that our sinnes thus layde vpon Chryst could not ouercome hym retain him in deth nor daÌ„pne him for why he rose againe vndoubtedly a full satisfaccion is alredye made for them the iustyce of god is fully answered and they be vtterly hid and forgeuen Let vs beleue thys and we shall not perysh euerlastingly For chryst is nowe become ours with al that he hath with hys death with hys resurrection wyth his assencion into heauen with his lyfe Qui proprio filio suo non sepercit his merites hys glorye As saynt Paule wytnesse Rom. viii wherfore Satan hath nowe no title to
vs he can not medle with vs he hathe no power to hurt vs. Forsomuch as we be iustified by christ purged from our synnes and made the chyldren of god by Chryst who hath reconcyled vs wrought our peace we must therfore be of good coÌ„forte For seinge we be in the handes of god that is omnipotent who is now our best most louiÌ„g trusty father we be in a sureporte we be wtout dauÌ„ger there caÌ„ no incommodity nor aduersitie hurt vs for we be inuironed with the custodi of god the gard of angels oute of the handes of this heuenly father can no creature by force pluck vs When we be at an end by deathe of thys crosse and corporal afliction then haue we ended our iourney then haâ—e we fynyshed oure warre Christ hathe borne the same crosse Chryste hathe passed the same waye he hathe suffered lyke deathe he is oure heade we must be lyke to hym we mâ—st suffre with hiÌ„ yf we intend to raygn with him we must leue thys corporall lyfe ere that we can enioye lyfe euerlasting Lette not oure sinnes trouble vs lette them not tormente oure conscyence as though they coulde not be forgeuen They are alredy forgeuen if we repent and beleue Christ is al ours as muche as he is He by hys innocency hath couered and taken away our synnes As Chryst can not be dampned euen so we can not be dampned yf with a ryghte faythe we cleaue vnto hym As synne deathe and hell hadde no power agaynst Chryste so haue thei no power against vs so we be in Chryste and Chryste in vs. Yf the matter hadde be left and coÌ„mitted to vs to haue borne our owne sinnes and to haue satisfied for them they wolde haue be to heuy for vs we had not be able to stande vnder theym they wold haue pressed and sunke vs downe to hell But christe bothe god and man hathe of hys owne free will offered hym selfe for vs. he hath taken our turne he hathe playd our parte and paide for vs all that we ought As it is in the Psalme spoken in the persone of christ I payd that I oughte not We had trespased we were the detters so farre behind hand that all that was in vs was not able to paie the lest soÌ„me we ought Christ became our suerty paid for vs acquited vs and set vs at libertie yea made vs coheires wyth hym of euerlasting glorye If it were possible for one man to commit the sinnes of the whole worlde so he truelye repente and cleaue by true fayth to Chryst he can not be dampned hys synnes be sufficiently and abundaÌ„tly by Christ satisfied for For Chryst as touching hys godhead one in substance with the heuenly father As touchynge his man hede oure very flesh and bloode hath purchased and truely boughte grace and pardon for vs. For Chryst be came man for vs was borne for vs died vpon the crosse for vs rose from death for vs ascended into heuen for vs and hath accomplyshed and perfourmed all thynges mete for our saluacion for vs. If therfore we beleue in christ we are becoâ—e partakers of Gods fauor we are eased of the packe bourdeÌ„ of sinne we are made the heires of god and coheiris with Chryst for euer and that by chryste and for christ For withoute Christ there is no consolacion on helth no hope no helpe In Chryste alone is all comforte all helthe all hope all succoure â–ª all refuge all grace and mercy more habundant more pleÌ„teous more exceleÌ„t than any man is able either to comprehend or to wishe God graunte vs therfore a true and a constant faith In this forme or in like sort we most comfort our selues in our sickenes or calamitye and our brother beinge visited But in ani wais and with al dilygence it is to be foreseene that we wythdrawe oure mynde from the fearefull and terryble contemplacyon of synne death and damnacyon And that we fixe these of our mynd and whole thoughte vpon christe onlye the we cleue vnto him that we call vpon hym that we coÌ„mit our self wholy to hym For in christ we shal espie nothng but innocencie iustice lyfe saluacyon which al be deriued from Chryste into vs so that we wyll acknowledge him receaue him for the author of our saluacion and only redemer yf we haue christ crucified afore our eyes if we imprinte him in our hart yf we flee to hym with out fath if we wholy clyue to him Then shal hel gates nothyng preuayle against vs then shal we be able to wythstaÌ„d al the forcible assaultes of Satan though thei be neuer so sore neuer so fierce neuer so terrible Let vs cal to remembraunce with what lenitie what geÌ„tilnes what humanitie what clemency Chryst as it is in the euangelicall history hath called vnto him and receued al suche sinners as hath repented them and desired his helpe We shall finde Mary Magdalen the synner that honge vpon the right hand of christ crucified the publicane zache wyth other mo whoÌ„e Chryst most louyngly receiuinge pronouÌ„ced cleare froÌ„ sin though they had synned greatlye and the chyldern of saluacion chryste is very grace mercy helpe comfort life ioye and saluacion to al those which loke for these things at his haÌ„des and put theyr trust in hym And all these thynges hathe God who is truethe it selfe can not lie nor wyl not deceyue promysed vnto vs for chrystes sake Fynallye wheÌ„ deth approcheth we must do as Chryste dyd vpon the crosse Mat. vi we must praye for our enemyes and forgeaue them with our harte Yf we haue offended any man we must be hartely sory for it we must desire forgeuenes yf we haue iniured anye man we must make hym amendes or take such order that amendes maye he made vnto him yf â—t passeth oure power to make restytucyon and amendes it shal be ynoughe that we desire forgeuenes And wyth our hartes forgeaue others which hath hurt vs ether 11. name body subâ—â—ance or estimacion For if we truely forgeue god hathe promysed we shal be fyrgeuen as it is in the syxt of Mathew It is verye necessarye also and profitable for the confirmacion strengthening of our fayth to receaue the most blessed sacramente of the body and bloud of our sauyour christ which we ar coÌ„maâ—ded to receaue in remembrauÌ„ce of his benefytes that hereby we may be truely sertyfied in our conscyence hys body to be geuen for vs and his bloud to be shed for remission of our synnes Dethe OF our flesh fraill nature is so ferd abhorted that wheÌ„ he approcheth mans hert is filled and laden wyth suche sorowes panges and anxieties as tong is not able to expresse ¶ A medicine agaynst the feare of death WE muste call to our remembraunce deathe to be ouercomed and abolyshed by Chryst So that nowe the soules of so many as trust in Christ caÌ„ not dy nor peryshe but departynge from the body goeth straight to Chryst
loued the woorlde that he hathe geuen his onelye begotten Sonne that who so euer beleueth in him shall nor perishe but haue lyfe euerlastynge Loo here we see that he which beleueth in Chryst which faythfully acknowlegeth chryste to be his sanctificacyon iustyce redempcyon and satisfaccion can not be dampned but is assured of euerlasting lyfe So many as conceaue faythe by bearynge of Goddes â—ord and so truste stedfastly vpon the mercy of chryste Vndoutedlye they be of the number of those whych be chosen to everlastyng blysse knowen before in CHRISTE predestinate and written long syth in the boke of lyfe These thynges be mooste certayne and most true God can neyther deceyue nor be deceaued Rom. viii Such is hys good wyll so hathe he purposed and decreed afore the worlde beganne what thynges so euer therefore oure ennemy the deuell spytinge oure saluacion and sekynge our destructyon shall put in our minde contrary to this doctrine Lette them not moue vs lett them not make vs afrayde but lette vs trust truly in christe and so shall he be come oures and we become hys who beynge our good LORD we can mot perishe nor be dampned Io. x For he wyl lose none of those that hys father hathe geuen hym we muste fyxe oure eyes vppon Chryste we muste flee to hym we muste cleaue to hym He is oure onelye and true sauyoure who muste be apprehended and imbraced by faythe yf we loke to be saued For they that beleue ryghtelye in Chryste they are predestinate to euerlastynge lyfe Here we muste diligently remembre and earnestelye expende the godly exhortacion of saynt Paul whych he writeth in the .xii. to the Hebrewes whose wordes be these Lette vs runne by pacyence vnto the battell that is sette afore vs He. xii lokynge vnto Iesus the auctore and finisher of fayth whyche when the ioye was set afore hym suffered the crosse and dyspysed the shame and sitteth at the ryght hand of the seate of God Furthermore all the greuous temtacyons and afflictyons that Châ—yste suffered he sufferyd them for our sakes Heb. iiii As saincte Paule sayth also in the .iiii. to the hebrus we haue not a highe priest that is not able to haue compassyon on oure weakenes but such one was prouyd in all pointes wythout synne let vs therfore wyth bouldnes go vnto the seat of hys grace that we may oâ—tayne mercye and fynde grace to helpe in tyme of nede Let vs in any ways consider and deplye imprinte iÌ„ our harts christ to be geuin vnto vs not onlye to th end that we might be redemid recoÌ„ciled made partakers of euerlastyng saluacioÌ„ but also that iÌ„ him we myght haue an example bothe howe to liue and also how to end oure lyfe Nether can anye man liue suffeâ—r or dye well vnles he loke vpon and folowe the lyfe suffâ—rynge and death of Chryst if therfore we desire to end thys lyfe well and godlye let vs consider and remembre howe Chryste behaued him selfe in that bitter and smarte agonye when hangyng vpon the crosse he was assaulted with diuers fyersse and most greuous temtacyons and praye that we may haue grace to folowe hys example FIrst he was temptyd with syn whan being haÌ„ged betwixte two theues as a notable and haynous synner it was sayd vnto hiÌ„ yf thou beist the sonne of God â—at xxvii come downe from the crosse By this coÌ„tumelious voyce what do they signifye elles but that they iudged hym a noughtie and vngodly person such one as by craft subtiltye falsheade sosserye and other vnlawfull meanes had deceaued the people hadde blynded the worlde and to be nothynge lesse then the sonne of GOD. Euen in lyke maner at the houre of deathe doth the deuyll tempte man what soeuer man hath committed againste god al the sinnes that euer he dyd he sheweth vnto hym he doth exaggerate them to the vttermoste to th ende that the multitude and hainousnes of theÌ„ considered and perceaued manne shulde doubte of the mercye and fauoure of god and so fall into desperacion Here we had nede to stande sure And euery one of vs had nede to aunswer our enemye thus temptinge vs after thys maner I knowledge mi selfe to haue synnes aboue all numbre and measure but Chryste who neuer sinned in whose mouth was fouÌ„d no guile who is that verye innocent lambe hathe suffered deathe for my synnes he hathe wasshed them awaye he hathe satysfied aboundantlye for them Esay iiii howe manye and howe greate so euer they were Christes deathe partayneth also to me he was wounded also for my iniquities he was brused for my vngracyousenes by hys strypes I am also healed All my synnes hath Chryste taken to him selfe so that nowe I haue none thankes be to CHRIST who hathe satysfyed for theym in hys owne body CHRIST was tempted also with death when it was said vnto hym Math. â—7 he hathe saued other but he canne not saue hymselfe As thought it shoulde be sayd he is nowe at appoynte he must dye there is no remedye he canne not escape Thus dothe oure olde and erreconcyble ennemy labour to feare vs wyth deth but let vs holde out the buckeler of faythe in Chryst agaynst hym Lette vs remembre that Chryste our Lord kynge of glorye and prynce of lyfe coulde not be ouer commed nor holden of death but thoughe he once tasted of deathe he nowe liueth and raygneth for euer Thys lorde of oures will not leaue vs nor suffer deathe to execute any tyranny agaynst vs that after he hath suffered vs to be tempted a whyle he wyll also that we dye corporally al that is wholy for our welth Neyther coulde we other wayes come to euerlastynge lyfe but by temporall death We must therefore leaue this present lyfe ere we can inherite the eternall life Also thys corporall deathe bringethe thys comoditie that by tastynge the bitternes and sowernes of it we haue experyence and knowe the excedynge loue that Chryste bare towarde vs and the inestymaâ—le benefite that he did for vs in clensyng our synnes in abolysshynge of death in breakinge vp of hel gates and al by his death Other wayes we could neuer haue knowen the power of chryst in abolishing of deathe we could neuer haue iustly estemed the excellency of thes benefit we could neuer haue sene howe iuste cause we haue to geue thanks to christ our Lord and redeamer Chryste lyuing trulye we shall also lyue and this corporal deth to vs shall be nothynge els but a swete and holsome slepe an intraunce and gate into the true blessed lyfe For after thys transitory lyfe theÌ„ begynne we fyrst truly to lyue THirdli christ was tempted with hel or euerlastynge daÌ„nation whaÌ„ it was said vnto him he hath trusted in GOD let him now delyuer hym yf he wyll As thoughe they should saye Nowe it appearethe that he hathe hoped in God in vayne For god wyl none of hym he hathe forsaken hym he likethe hym not he dothe abhorre hym
it is a greuous and vehemente tentacyon when he seeth the moste terrible image of deathe afore hys eyes when he seeth he must leaue thys light leue this life leue frendes leaue landes goodes kynfolkes father mother wyfe childern all thinges wherin he had here ether pleasure or comforte Then such synnes as be against the wil and pleasure of god hathe committed shall shewe and present them selues and shall appere more in nuÌ„bre and more greuous then euer they semed afore and so shal wonderously vexe and torment the coÌ„science Then death iudgemente hell dampnacyon as it were in a plumpe shal assault and lay sege with diuers daungerous engens agaynst the old man of ours In these Agonies except a maÌ„ be armed with a sure and constaÌ„t faith it is to be feared leste he be weried tired and at last ouercommed For these tentacious whych chaunce vnto men lyeng in extremes appeare most houge fearful and daungerouse and that for bicause our fayth is verye slender and waueringe nyether yet able to see perceaue or apprehend the incompreheÌ„syble and inestimable riches of the children of god whyche be remissioÌ„ of synnes through Christ resurreccion of the fleshe communion of saynctes euerlasting life and all these geuen vnto vs in Christ and for Chryst In these articles of our fayth we must dayly exercyse our selues These we must diligentli reuolue and earnestly expend in our mindes For thoughe all the artycles of our fayth are diligentlye to be remembred and without al waueringe beleued yet in the Agonye and poynte of deathe these foure that is the communion of saynctes remission of sinne by the bloud of Christe the resurrection of the fleshe and euerlastinge lyfe are chiefely to be mynded expended and inculcated For like as deth is the paine stipend of sinne Rom. 6. euen so for sinne God dothe commenly punish vs with diuers diseases and plages As it is to be sene iÌ„ diuers places of scryptur Io. v. Psa 88. Deut xxviii ii Reg. xxiiii Neuertheles afflictions be many tymes layd vpon vs that our fayth may be tried For than is it easy to be perceaued howe much we loue GOD what faythe we haue in him howe we trust hym when we be pressed greuyd with aduersytie In this case therfore we must bewayle acknowledge our sinnes for the which we haue iustlye incured Goddes displeasure and deserued most greuous paine We must turne to god with true repentaunce in all our harte mynde withoute all faynynge and conterfating we muste haue recourse vnto the Gospell where we shall fynd most bountiful coÌ„solacioÌ„ i absolucioÌ„ or remissio of our sinnes which christ hath instituted iÌ„ the churche Io. xx Receaue sayth Christe the holye ghooste whose siÌ„nes ye forgiue thei ar for geuen This inestimable treasur is dayly opened offred vnto vs WheÌ„ remission of sinnes is thus desire optayned vndoutedly theÌ„ the paine of sinne which is the disease or affliccion shall sone ceasse and leaue vs or elles accordinge to the most beneficiall will of our heuenly father shall turne to the profit and soule helth of him that is diseased or afflicted For this maye we be sure of that the paine and affliccion in the body in this worlde seme it nâ—uer so greuous a bourden or heauye yoke to the flesh as comenlye nothinge elles but a fatherly rod wherwyth god doth drawe vs his children from synne Psal 88. and call vs home to hym Truly our heuynly father dothe loue vs moste feruentlye he beareth vs good mynde Heb. xii and dothe all thinges for our amendmente and profit for whome GOD louethe him he chastisethe and correctythe vs temporally here â— Cor. 11. that we shuld not be punished in hell euerlastingly Thoughe he semith angrie he louith singulerlye Nether is his Ire the Ire of a tiraunt or tormeÌ„tour desirynge our perdycion but of a father â—eking our ameÌ„dement and sauftly First therfore we muste crye God mercy desire pardoÌ„ forgeuenes of our sinnes but by Chryst but with a hart truely penetente that we may be at one wyth God and haue him merciful vnto vs This done we may then desyre GOD to deliuer vs from the Imminente and present affliction and disease For so teacheth ecclesiast Ecclesi â— Sonne in thy infermitye neglecte not thy selfe but pray to the lorde and he shall delyuer the. Also in the Ps Psal 70 remembre not o lord god our old iniquites but let thy mercye spedely preuent vs for we be verye miserable helpe vs God oure sauiour Lord God of power turne vs howe longe wilte thou be angrie shewe thy face and we shall be saued Here we be taught fyrst to desire remyssion of synne that we may so be at one with God and after that to haue his wrathe and the tokens of the same taken awai But when so euer we desire to be deliuered or to be eased of the crosse that presseth vs we must alwaye annexe this addicion Mar. vi Thy wyll o heuenlye father be fulfylled Neither knowe we so well what is profytable vnto vs. Nether caÌ„ we so well prouide for our selues as our most louing heueÌ„ly father Which is both of infinite powre and also of incomprihensible wisdome whyche neuer turneth hys eys from vs whiche carieth continually for vs whâ—ch knoweth the numbre of our yeres whych doth quicken norish fede kepe defend prouide for al his creatures much beter then thei can wish or desire But to drawe to the more perticuler temptacions to shewe what thinges do most fierlly â— daungerously at the time of deth assault vs. And how we shal wtstaÌ„d theÌ„ ¶ There be thre thinges whych at the houre of death doth wonderously vexe trouble feare our mindes that is to saye synne death hell or dampnacion Syne WHerten we haue vngodlye myspent our life wherby we haue greuosly offeÌ„ded God and our neighbour This coÌ„myng to oure remembraunce when we lye vpon our death bed doth dryue vs to a wonderous feare Rom. ii pensiuenes and anxiety As sainct paule sayth wrath indignacion to trouble and anguishe agaynst euerye loule of man that doth euell ¶ A medicine agaynst synne vexinge and troublynge our conscience LEt vs call earnestly to remeÌ„brauÌ„ce that the sonne of god came downe from heuen became man toke vp on his backe the synnes of the worlde died for them vpoÌ„ the crosse there makynge satisfaction for vs and paing our dettes This most precyous blod of christe was shed also for vs of this death we be also partakers so we ryght lye beleue in Chryste Nether nede we to doubt but Chryste died aswell for vs as for Peter and Paule Rom. 6. For we be baptised also as saynct Paule sayth in the deth of chryst Thys ought to comfort vs this ought to erect and stay our myndes For seinge we be baptised in the deathe of chryste Chistes deathe bryngethe also vnto vs helth and saluacioÌ„ By Chrysts deth we be also
A godly and holsom preseruatyue against disperacioÌ„ at al times necessarye for the soule but then chiefelye to be vsed and ministred when the deuil doth assault vs most fiersely deth approcheth nieste Be sobre and watch for your aduersarye the deuell as a roring lyon walketh about seking whom he may deuoure whom resyste stedfast in the fayth 1 Pet. 5. M.D.L.I. The preface THys preseruatiue geÌ„tle reader is prepared for thy profite that thou reding it at leasure maist chose oute suche comfortable sentences as may bothe staye thi owne coÌ„science in the time of teÌ„ptacion also quiet otheâ—s when the Deuil shal be busie with them 2. Cor. 2 For we be not ignoraunte of the thoughtes of satan howe he continually furnisheth hym selfe to bende his ordinaunce agaynst maÌ„ And now with the coÌ„sideratioÌ„ of the greatnes multitude of syn Now with the terrour of death dampnacioÌ„ Ephe. 6 do labour to beate the buck let of fayth out of our handes 1. Tess 5 to strike the helmet of hope froÌ„ our head Ephr. 6 And to wrest froÌ„ vs the swerd of the spriit which is gods word But here christyan reader is thy swerd and buckeler deliuered vnto the here is thy helmete put vppon thy heade here thou shalte find suche armoure and weapon wherbi thou shalt both be able to withstand the force of oure commen enemy the Deuell and also by the counsell to rescue others that they perysh not Yea heare thou shalt find choise of most comfortable sentences wherby mans coÌ„science may be stayed from dampnable desperacion 1. Cor. 16. Watche therfore stand stedfaste in faithe play the man and be of good comfort Iacob 4. Resist the deuell and he wyll flee frome the Not for feare of thy owne power strength or holynes but for feare of Chryste in whome by faythe thou art ingraffed For it is crist through whome god hathe geuen â— Cor. 15. vs vyctory agaynst synne deathe hell the deuyll Acto 4. Nether is there ani other name vnder heueÌ„ geuen vnto man wherin we maye be saued but the name of Iesus Christ our lorde To whome with the father and holye ghost be all honour and glory AMEN A prseruatiue FOrsomuche as the diseases of the body and corporall deathe dothe so trouble mannes mynde that we commonly trimble and quake at the onely mencyon of them How much ought we to feare the sicknes of the soule and death of the same then whiche there can no greater nor more fearefull calamytye chaunce vnto man And seinge that euery man doth auoyde so muche as in hym lyethe the payne myseryes dyseases and deathe of the bodye howe much more ought we to decline and eschewe the causes of these euilles which be sinnes and offences and feare the ire of god which we so by oure enormities do prouoke Yf we be neuer so lytle sick in our body by and by we send for the phisycion we spare no cost we sike for medecines and remedy thoughe they be neuer so chargable al to patch and clout vp this earthen vâ—ssell of oure bodye which do we neuer so muche can not last long And why vse we not lyke dylygence in desiring seking remedies against the diseases of the soule whyche like as thei be more greuous eueÌ„ so they bring with them without comparison infinitely more dauÌ„ger For what can it profit a man thoughe he haue all the riches in the world though he liue a thousand yere and that in such health pleasure that he is not ones touched with sickenes or gryefe hys soule in the meane time being poisoned with sinne being captiue to satan hauing God displeased with him and dampnacion readye for him after thys lyfe For truelye thys lyfe must once haue an ende nether know we whan where after what maner Math. 25. or how sone Therfore sayth Christ watch for ye nether know the day nor hour when the sonne of man wyl come And lest we this shorttime of our abode omittinge thinges mooste waightye and profitable shulde folow trifulles things of smal price he hathe vouchesafe to prescribe vs an order and as it were a breue certaine and sure way to come vnto true felicite sayeng Seke first for the kingdom of god and righteousnes therof Math. 6. and all thynges shal be added vnto you Care for liuing care for ryches care for worldly dignytie worldly fauoure worldlye estimacion and such lyke transitory thinges which in dede doth lytle profitte but many times be cause bothe of filthy vices and also of greuous calameties doth besy doth vexe doth trouble doth eueÌ„ defatigat vs both day and nyght but in seking for and procurynge of godly heuenly thinges we be most negligent most slacke most dull most forgetfull And I pray you what can be a greter blindnes or a more dangerous madnes whyles we be lustye whyles we be in helthe whyles we be in prosperity we scaselye thinke vpon any lyfe to come we remembre not once that we shall dye But when we be in perell and daunger by syckenes and deathe begynneth to knocke at our dore Euen at that same houre when we shulde playe the menne and fyght agnynst our enimy being sufficiently armed weponed afore theÌ„ begin we first to thinke vpon oure armoure to thinke vpon our wepon to think vpon mending of our lyfe These thinges declare vs to be smallye exercised soudiers to be meÌ„ of preposterous iudgement and verye weaklings in fayth God be mercyfull vnto vs. Amen But yet though a man be neuer so old though the day be neuer so far past so he amend whiles he is here eare it be night his repeÌ„taÌ„ce cometh not out of season Neuertheles it were to be wished the no man shuld differ his repeÌ„tance to his last most dangerous coÌ„flict For eueÌ„ thei shal haue much ado to stand and to defend theÌ„ selues from the assaultes the guiles inuasions of the enemy whych in the time of their helth prepared armed them selues what then shall come of them whiche not fearing god neither minding once repentaunce hath led a dissolute filthie and naughty lyfe how shal thei fyghte howe shal they be able to wythstand the force of satan ¶ Seinge therfore the multitude of people is great and the ministers of the gospel very few nether able to be euerye where to do their office to euery man I hauing a wil to help al men haue gathered to gether written out of scriptur a certaine brief forme how to admonishe instructe and comfort such as be sicke that thei either reding these thiÌ„ges or hearing them red bi others may conceiue certaine hope perfit consolacioÌ„ lest in this most dauÌ„gerus coÌ„flict they faint geue ouer like cowards so be ouercomed perysh For this is certain wheÌ„ soeuer a man is takeÌ„ with extreme sicknes is in daunger of deth he is assauted with diuers many greuous tentacions First
corporall death Fleshe and blood beinge corruptible and mortall cannot inherit the kydgdoÌ„ of god wher nothing is but life Therfore this corruptible bodi must put on iÌ„corrupcioÌ„ Oze xiiii Esa xxv this mortal must put on immortality Than shal the saing that is writteÌ„ be fulfilled Death is swalowed vp in victory They that beleue in Chryste hath nowe ouercommed synne deathe and hel Therfore not fearinge deathe but stronge hold and well harted in Chryste they maye saye deathe where is thy sting death where is thy victorye The stinge of death is synne and the power of synne is the lawe But thankes be vnto God whiche hathe geauen vs the victorye through our lord Iesus Chryste Let vs heare also more senteÌ„ces full of godly and mightye consolacion He that hath raised vp Iesus shal rayse vs vp also with Iesus ii Cor iiii Our conuerâ—acion is in heueÌ„ froÌ„ whence we do loke for the sauiour our lord Iesus christ which shall chauÌ„ge our vile body that it may be like fashioned vnto hys glorious body accordyng to the workynge of his power Philli. iiii by the which also he is able to subdue al thinges vnto him selfe Ye are dead and your life is hid with christ in god Col. iii. but when christ your life shal appere then shall ye also appere in glory with him We wolde not brethern that ye shuld be ignorant concerninge them that slepe i. Tess iiii that ye sorow not also as other do whyche haue no hope For if we beleue that Iesus chryst died and rose agayne euen theÌ„ also which are a slepe through Iesus shal god bringe with him Saynct Paule also doth coÌ„fort Timoth ii Tim. ii with the article of resurrection sayng Râ—membre the the lord Iesus Christe beyng â—he sede of Dauid rose again from the dead according to my gospell And if we be deade with hym we shal also lyue with him If we suffer pacieÌ„tly we shal also raign with him It was written also to the hebrus Heb. ii that Chryste tasted deathe for all men and that he was partaker of fleshe and bloude .i. became very man the he mighte destroye hym which had the rule of death that is the deuell and that he myghte delyuer them which were in bondage al thâ—ir lyfe time by the reason of the feare of death God hath delyuered vs ii Tim. i and called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his purpose and grace whyche is geauen vs in Chryste Iesu before the time of the world but is now made manifest by the apperinge of oure sauioure Iesu Christ which truly hath destroyed deathe and hath broughte lyfe and immortalite to lyghte by the gospell i. Ioh. iii We know that we are translated from lyfe to deathe because we loue the bretherne Iohn 41 In this hathe the loue of god appered in vs because god sente his onely begotten sonne into the world that we mighte lyue through him Iob. xix I knowe that my redem er doth lyue and in the last daye I shall ryse agayne and agayne be wrapped in my owne skine And in my owne fleshe shall see God whome I my selfe shall se these my eyes shall beholde and none othere These places of holye scrypture and suche lyke yf we diligentlye remeÌ„bre faythfully imbrace we shall perceaue greaet consolacion and conforte And euen wyth sayncte Paule reioyse Phil. iii. that we knowe Chryste and the power of his resurrectyon wherby death is ouercomed Nether is there nowe to these that beleue in Christ any thynge in deathe terrible or to be feared sauinge onlye the Image and outwarde forme hurte it can not Lyke as a dede serpente keapeth stil his old fearefull shape forme but to stynge or do harme he hathe no power at al. And lyke as by the brasin serpente whyche Moyses by goddes commaundemente sette vp in deserte when it was loked vpon through the power of goddes woorde men were delyuered fromâ— daunger of the lyuelye and venyme serpentes so our deathe is made harmles and we deliuered frome the feare and daunger of it so ofte as wyth the eyes of our faythe we do beholde the helthefull and medycynable dethe of Chryst In conclusion deathe is nowe become but a Image and shadowe of deathe yea the entrauÌ„ce and gate to lyfe For Christ who is trueth it self sayth Yf anye man kepe my worde Iob. viii he shall neuer see death For a man trustynge to the mercye of God through faithe whiche he conceauith by herynge of Chrystes gospell is so vnite and knyt to christ his lord and mayster that he can not be plucked nor seperate frome hym The bodye in dede for a tyme is seperate from the soule but in certayne hope of risinge agayn to euerlastinge lyfe And so he that beleuethe in Chryst dothe not see nor fele the euerlastinge dethe of body and soule which is euerlasting dampnacion For the death of good men is nothynge els but a departure from thys transitory and mortal life to immortality to chryst to hys angelles and sainctes ¶ Hell and dampnacion DOth offer it self at the hour of death so that many tymes man doth greatli feare lest he be abiecte froÌ„ the fauour of god appoynted to euerlastynge payne The deuyll whyche seketh by al meanes howe to deuoure vs sterynge vp in youre myndes manye daungerous troubellous thoughtes concernyng our electyon predestinacion ¶ A medicine against the feare of hell and dampnacion WHen the deuil goeth about to cause vs to dyspaire or to doubt of our electioÌ„ whether we be of the numbre of them that are appointed to euerlastyng lyfe or no In any wayes let vs not be to boulde in copynge wyth hym let vs not enter dysputacyon agaynste hym for he is to subtyle and expert for vs but say shortly vnto him Away Satan with sorrowe it is written thou shalte not tempt the lord thy God For seing that god as a most louyng father hathe not onlye geauen vs lyfe fedde and preseruyd vs to thys houre but also hathe indued and euen loden vs from tyme to tyme with hys singuler benefites what madnes were it contrary to oure former experyence nowe to doubt of his mercy He hathe receauyd vs into hys flocke by baptime He hathe sente vs the Gospell of hys grace wherein he hathe promysed to become oure father We haue he fedde wyth the fleshe and bloude of hys sonne oure sauiour CHRISTE in remembraunce that oure debtes be payd and we acquyted whye shoulde we nowe then doubte of the good wyl of GOD towarde vs lette vs not therfore admytte the doutfull and daungerous Imagynacyons of oure predestinacion which the deuell like a crafty and malicious marchaunt doth labor to iustiâ—l But let vs thinke vpon suche sentences as God woulde haue our mindes occupied wyth all whych Christe hym selfe hath prescribed as Iohn iii where he sayethe GOD hathe so