is nothing more precious with God then the vertue of loue there is nothing that the deuill desireth more then the extinguishing of charitie and loue IERONIMVS THERE is nothing hard or difficult vnto those that doo loue there is no tedious trauell in loue Let vs therefore loue Christe and what so euer thing is hard of it selfe vnto vs wee shall thinke it very easyly to be atcheeued of vs. MARO Poeta THE labours and trauelles of louers can not by any meanes be tedious and burdenous vnto them but euen them selues are delighted therein as they that haue a delight eyther in hunting fowling or fisshing BERNARDVS WHAT man so euer he be that shall perfectly discerne the burden of sinne and the wound of his soule or conscience shal eyther very little or nothing at all feele the payne or vexation of his body neyther shall he thinke much of the labour bestowed wherein he shall vnderstand howe to deface and wype away his sinnes doone and past and learne to take heede how he commit any more such offences in time to come c. As nothing more maketh resemblance To feendish feares then strife and debate So humane kinde by charitable acquaintance To heauenly Angels is associate This laudable loue makes man laureate Loue makes our labour light in comparison Loue is a vertue of valure inuiolate And chaungeth care to consolation AVGVSTINVS BEtter is that medicine preserueatiue then that which is curatiue AVGVSTINVS ALL haynous offences and horrible whiche man dooth by custome commit are eyther thought by him to be but small or none at all so as not only they are not to be cloked and couered but also doo require to be published and openly detected Philippus in Prolog 3. Phil. CErtaine persons there haue been so accustomed to feede vpon very poyson that they haue taken it for their onely meate SENECA de vita moribus GOod custome ought to shake out and reiect those thinges which the euyl custome hath put in vre and trayned in man. ARISTOT 7. lib. Ethicorum IT is a hard thing for man to resist withstand custome because she is made so like nature in her proper vse yet notwithstanding it is an easier thing for vs to alter and chaunge custome then naturall inclination PSALME 42. ONE depthe calleth vpon an other they haue prolonged their iniquitie ECCLESIASTI CAP. 37. O Most wicked presumption from whence art thou descended Thy corporall health from sicknesse to conserue Is more of prise then any medecine So then thy soule may rather deserue Of deadly wound all sinne for to decline Then for to taste the venemous propine Of sinne and after seeke the salue of repentance Presumption ryseth of the olde serpentine VVhiche doubtles doth proue a perillous pestelance BERNARDVS O Thou my soule whiche art the badge of a Christian made noble after the image of God decored with equall forme spoused vnto him in fayth endowed with the spirite redeemed with his blood made heyre with angels receauer of blessednesse the child of grace and partaker of reason what hast thou with thee as touching thy frayle fleshe what may be saide hast thou not found it an vnsauery and noysome dounghil Idem BERNARDVS O Cleare white vnspotted Lilly oh thou tender and delicate floure there are vnbeleeuing people abidyng with thee and such as seeke thy subuertion and with Scorpions hast thou thy dwelling Take heede and see that thou walke warely amongst the thorns because the worlde is full of thornes they breede on the earth they are in the ayre and they are in thy fleshe To be therefore conuersant amongst these and by them not to be hurt consisteth in the power deuine to withstand and not in any vertue that thou hast AVGVSTINVS O Howe is that Soule vnhappy which is sequestred from the cheefe felicitie and ouer whom the deuill hath sway she is made voyde of lyght and enuironed with darkenesse she is consumed with pleasure and made drunke with bitter waters she loseth life and fyndeth death c. Of our soules Lord we make record with ruthe As flowres fayre tender and delicate To Christe our spouse wedded with ring of truthe Though in this life we haue dayly debate Yet graunt in fayth that we be laureate From hurtfull sinne with syncere conscience O Lord to thee let vs not liue ingrate Sithe thou with vs wolte haue thy residence ¶ FINIS Of the Contemplacion for TVESDAY ¶ THE AVCTORS Commemoration for VVENSDAY The damage due to deadly sinne To seeke to voyde let vs not linne The Translators Application The third day this Creator then the waters here belowe Into â—ne place dyd geather and them in one floodde bestowe The drye land thence deuided hee the Sea those waters named The Sea for trauell to and fro the Earth for fruite he framed VVho liues then in this earthy vale Taste fruites of trouble death and bale PSALME 51. BEcause I doo acknowledge myne iniquitie and my sinne is alway against me TOBIA CAP. 12. BVT they that commit sinne and iniquitie are enimies to their owne soule GREGORIVS THERE should no aduersitie or mishap hurt vs yf there dyd no iniquitie condemne and adiudge vs woorthy therof PSALME 38. MY iniquities are gone ouer my head and as a great burden are they heauy vppon me PROVERBES CAP. 14. SInne maketh the people become miserable AGVSTINVS WHAT can be more miserable then the wretched worldling which hath no compassion of him selfe ESAI CAP. 13. I Wyll vizite the landes with diseases and agaynst the wicked wyll I goe with theyr inâ—quities ECCLESIAST CAP. 27. AS the Lion is euer lurking for his pray so dooth the sinnes of man lye in wayte for them that woorke mischeefe AVGVSTINVS SInne is defined to be any thyng spoken or any thyng done eyther any desyre striuing agaynst the lawe of God. BERNARDVS O Howe wretched is the state of sinners which esteeme of the sonne of God as of a Swineheard ESAI CAP. 59. YOur iniquities haue set enimity betwene you and your God and your sinnes haue couered his face from beholdyng you with mercie and that he shoulde not heare you when you pray vnto him Idem sequitur OVr iniquites are multiplied before him and our sinnes haue made answear vnto vs. 2. REGVM CAP. 3. DAVID spake these woordes touching Ioab The Lorde recompence the euyll man according to the mallice of his mischeefe PSALME 31. THOV hast hated all them that doo woorke wickednesse To define of sinne in sentences short No man well may so full it is of care Neuerthelesse as novv I purpose to report Howe in eache season sinne is most contrare To mans weale supplanting eache afare Vnto his damage where it may preuayle Enforcing ay of blisse to reue him bare In soule in body and in goodes temporall AVGVSTINVS SInne is the ransacking spoyle of the good grace receaued and a corruption naturally grafted in man. PROVERB CAP. 4. BVT the wicked and vngodly in the land shal be destroyed PROVERBES CAP.
ought to knowe that neyther the iust man nor the vniust the child nor the olde man are exempted but be dissolued by death the soule from the body before they be in that state of goodnesse or euill beyonde the which yf they should heare liue alway they shoulde neuer passe further to any felicitie c. ECCLESIASST CAP. 14. OH death how bitter is the remembrance of thee vnto a wicked man hauing peace in his ritches AVGVSTINVS OH life howe many hast thou deceaued whiche whyles thou fleest and passest away art as nothing whyles thou art seene of vs thou art as a shadow whyles thou art made much of thou art as a vanishing smoke sweete art thou vnto fooles and bitter vnto wyse men therefore thou art to be shunned thou art to be feared because thou art daungerous So fareth it with man in this lyfe euen as a man that soiourneth in an other mans house not knowyng when it shall be sayde vnto him arise and depart from hence Ad Romanos CAP. 5. BY meanes of sinne death entred into the worlde AVGVSTINVS THE true death in deede which men doo feare is the separation of the soule from God who is the life of our soules VERSVS O happy is mortall kinde If he alwayes life fynde And feare the eternall good end in respect of his vertuous mind A mighty medecine a royall eke remede Sinne to subdue I finde for eche degree Is to remember that state yf he were deade VVhen soule all sorowfull departes the body Then waying this liues instability VVe shal be sure to receaue iudgement Togeather both in soule and body Of woord and worke of thought and time mispent â–ª ECCLESIAST CAP. 10. WHY art thou proude O thou Earth and Ashes sequitur A King to day and to morowe dead and when a man dyeth he shall become the heyre of Serpentes Beastes and Wormes GENESIS CAP. 3. DVst thou art and into dust shalt thou returne againe HIERONIMVS WE dye dayly and we are changed dayly and yet we thinke our selues to be eternall euen this very woord that I speake that I write when I eate when I drinke or what thing els so euer I doo somewhat therby is my life time shortened PSALME 44.144 MAn is made like vnto vanitie his dayes doo passe away as a shadowe VERSVS Est homo res fragilis durans pro tempore parvo Hic est hic non est quasi flos qui crescit in aruo Man is a brickle and fraile thing That lasteth but small time Now here nowe fades as flowre In feelde that groweth fine ECCLESIAST CAP. 9. MAN dooth not know his end but as the fyshes are taken with the hooke and the birdes are catcht in the snares so in the euill dayes are men snared and yet notwithstanding this man knoweth not whether he deserue more to be hated or loued but the vncertainetie of thinges are reserued till a further time EZECHIEL CAP. 3. THE vngodly and wicked shall die in his sinnes AMBROSIVS WHAT thing can be more miserable vnto vs which are cast foorth into this life as all bare and naked fraile in body weake in mind doubtfull and full of disquietnesse slowe to take paines prone and redy to pleasure AVGVSTINVS IT is a foolishe thing for a man to liue in that case wherein a man dare not aduenture to die and he is of better courage which slumbreth and resteth with one deadly sinne going no further then he that waigeth battel with seuen enimies Thinke on thy corpes now delicately fedde VVhose foode shal be euen woormes and scorpion Thinke howe with costly clothing thou art cladde VVhich death shall change into corruption Yet of our death by naturall condition No creature knoweth time when nor place VVhether Heauen or Hell for our possession Eyther els ioy or sorowe we shall imbrace PSALME 94. MIscheefe shall fall vpon and ensnare the wicked to his destruction AMBROSIVS IT is better for sinners that doo euill to dye then that they shoulde remaine still long in sinne ARISTOT 3. Ethicorum OF all fearefull thinges death is the most fearefull PSALME 49. THE graue is their dwelling place and last end they shall leaue their ritches vnto others to possesse PROVERBES CAP. 11. RItches shal not profite nor preuaile them that haue abused them in the last day of reuenge but iustice shall deliuer a man from death of hell SAPIENCE CAP. 3. FOR horrible is the death of the vnrighteous generation GREGORIVS in moribus EVery man feareth the death of the fleshe but fewe doo feare the death of the soule ECCLESIAST CAP. 1. ONE generation passeth and an other commeth 2. REGVM CAP. 13. BEhold we all taste of death and are as it were water cast vpon the earth which returneth not from whence it is sent so do we fall away ECCLESI CAP. 1. THERE is no suruiuing memorie of them that went before PSAME 9.10 THE memorie of them is perished as it were with a sodaine noyse PSALM 9.10 I Am yeelded vp vnto obliuion as a man that is dead from his owne hart BARVCK CAP. 3. WHERE are the Princes of the nations become which were lordes ouer the beastes of the feeld which delighted them selues in the foules of the ayre whiche haue hoorded vp their siluer and gold wherein men do put their trust and those neuer linne searching for the same which doo woorke therevpon and are busie therein their dayes are ended and them selues are gone downe into the deepe pit Death vnto the wicked is terrible euermore But vnto the godly a comfort doubtles To liue well eche man be carefull therefore And whyle thou hast light refuse darknesse Behold the nine nobles of famous woorthynes As Dauid Salomon Hector and Alexander Iulius Caesar and the rest of noble renowne VVhose flickring fame through the world doth wander Hath not death by his dart laid them adowne DEVTE CAP. 32. de impiis IT is a nation without aduise or counsell and without wysedome would God they would once be wyse and haue vnderstanding and woulde prouide for â—heir later dayes Which woords being more amply discussed by saint Bernard he saith Would God they would be wyse in three thinges that are past that is to say In the losse and lacke of good thinges whiche are brought to passe vnder mortall power or in dooing those thinges which they haue neglected to doo 2. That they woulde be wyse in not constituting the wicked in aucthoritie whereof the number is infinite in the worlde 3. And that they would be circumspect and carefull in the losse of time then which thing there is nothing to be coumpted more precious And sayth saint Bernard Would God they would vnderstand three things that are present that is to say 1. The shortnesse of our life because we haue neither certaine day nor houre how long to rest here 2. The difficulty of our saluation because straight is the way that leadeth therevnto and fewe there are which walke in thereby 3. And the small number of
shall the Heauens be clearely clarificate The godly shall enter with triumph victorious VVherefore repent you wicked in time els too late Recouer you the damage of that dome dangerous GREGORIVS WHen thou art greeuously handled in bodyly sicknesse thou canst scarse thinke vpon any other thing then vppon the payne thou feelest for thyther is the cogitation of the minde caryed where as is the force of payne and perplexitie most greeuing a man. IOHN CAP. 5. BEhold thou art now made whole sound doo thou not hencefoorth sinne any more lest some other woorse euill happen vnto thee MATTH CAP. 22. THere are many called but fewe are chosen MATTH CAP. 7. ENter in at the narrowe gate because brode is the gate and wyde is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there are which enter there aubâ—ry narrowe is the way that iâ—adeth vnto lyfe and fewe there are which finde the same ECCLESIASTI CAP. 1. THE whole fulnesse and effect of wysedome is to feare God. IACOB CAP. 3. IN many thinges we all offend SENECA THE most safest thing for man is to feare nothing els but God only PROVERBES CAP. 18. BLessed is the man that liueth alwayes in the feare of God. PSALME 34. FEare the Lorde all his saintes Let all the seede of Israel feare the lord Blessed are all they that feare the Lord. To conclude thinke wee eache one of this case No man shall be iudged but deseruingly Then in this life whyle wee haue time and space Let vs in contemplacion and prayer mortifie Our wicked mocions so as continually VVe fearing the iudgementes of the iust God aboue Come death come dome for him may be ready To rest with our redeemer in peace ioy and loue ¶ FINIS Of the Contemplacion for THVRSDAY ¶ THE AVCTORS Commemoration for FRYDAY Christes passion print in minde Shewe not thy selfe to him vnkind The Translators Application Our Creator commaunded than the waters foorth to bring Both Fishe and Foule for foode of man with sondry other thingâ— And blessing them with sacred mouth for humane vse to bee He sayd to them ye Creatures nowe increase and multâ—plee Gods blessing is woonderous great shewed heare His passion yet is to vs most deare BERNARDVS NOthing enflameth so the hart of man vnto loue as the continual remembred passion and effabilitie of our Redeemer because he tooke vpon him therby to make vs a new creature a freshe loue and to haue newe and vnaccustomed consolations in him and of consequence to tasâ—e by his death and passion a certayne new estate of sweete life in as much as he seemed to be a fore runner of the glory predestinate vnto him selfe APOCAL. CAP 1. HE hath loued and washed vs from our sinnes in his blood BERNARDVS WHere is the safe and fyrme rest for our imperfection to be founde but in the woundes of our Sauiour so much the safer doo I there dwell how much the more therby he is of power to saue me The world rageth the fleshe keepeth me vnder the Deuill lyeth in wayte for me yet fall I not because I am established vppon the rocke I haue sinned thy conscince is troubled but it shalâ— not be tormented because I haue remembred the death and passion of the Lord. Bernardus â—uper illud Canticorum Fasciculus miâ—â—he dilectus meus c. EVen from my childehood because of the huge heape of desartes which I know to be wantyng in me I haue carefully endeuored this little bundle of Mirh to haue geathered and layde it â—p in my brostes which is gathered euen of al the anguishes and smarts of my Lord god This said I should teache me wysedomâ— the perfection of righteousnes and fulnesse of knowledge CANTICO CAP. 8. SET me Lord as a marke or token of remembrance before thy brest HEBREOS CAP. 12. CAll him agayne and agayne vnto your mindes who hath suffered such reproche done vnto him by the sinful for you haue not as yet withstood touching his blood shed for you to fight agaynst sinne and you haue forgotten the comforter whiche speaketh vnto you as vnto his children saying Good children despise not the correction of the Lorde nor be thou aweary at suche time as thou art repreheâ—ded for whom the Lord loueth him chasteneth he This louely leafe as Rose so rubicound Of Christe repoâ—â—yng thâ— precious passion The croppe the roote the height and the ground The proper price of mans saluation Deserues due imprintyng in our cogitation Of ghostly comfort most soueraigne suffisance Bringing with it the true operation Of the medcine agaynst sinne and all encombrance Barnardâ—s supper HEB. CAP. 2. YOV shal drawe vp waters with ioy out of the springes of your Sauiour that is to say all kinde of vertues and graces are to be founde in the precious bloodshedding of Christe 2. PETER CAP. 2. CHriste hath suffered for vs leauing vs an example to folowe his steppes who hath not committed any sinne neyther was there any guyle found in his mouth 1. PETER CAP. 4. ANd none of you haue suffered as a murderer or robber for your euyll deedes and agaynst your wylles IEREMI CAP. 31. IN euerduring good wyl haue I loued thee therefore haue I drawne thee vnto me taking compassion vpon thee BERNARDVS WHAT is there so much helping thee to doo well whiche is not more saluing thy sore in the death of Christe 1. IOHN CAP. 3. HErein knowe we that the loue of God is in vs because he hath geuen his lyfe for vs c. BERNARDVS PLentifull redemption is geuen vnto vs in the bloodshedding of our Redeemer great abundance of sweetenes and grace or rather fulnesse and perfection of vertues Sequitur IN all my aduersities I finde not any suche and so effectuall remedie as I finde in remembring the death and passion of Christe for out of these I taste sometimes the potion of healthfull bitternesse and againe I feele howe sweete and supple is this oyle of consolation These betweene ioy and sadnesse administer vnto my present life whyther soeuer I be tossed a safe abidyng and refuge This is my more profound wysedome then any other that I reioyce in to knowe Christ and him crucified Who euer heard of the lyke thing or who hath seene at any time the lyke of this he suffered death him seâ—f for his enimies and for the sinfull rather choosing to passe by death into the Heauens to the ende this sweete freend wise counsellor and mighty helper might also transpasse vs into the Heauens Here is the fountayne of humane felicitie The way to repentance plaine and compendious Here is the cheefe charter of charitie Surprisyng our mindes with motions amorous And salue for vvounded concience gracious The hony combe of harty consolation The VVell of vvealth and storehouse precious Left vs by Christes death and passion ECCLESIAST CAP. 29. FOrget not thou the frendship of thy Suretie for he hath pawned his lyfe for thee BERNARDVS SO long as I reposing my confidence in God doo vsurpe
appoynted feastes and the solempne feastes of the soule from sin and refraine the wicked labors of thy hands but these thinges are thought easie to be done or accomplished by him that hath mind vpon the euerlasting fyre in hell PSALME 89. WHAT man is he that liueth and shall not taste death or shall saue his soule from the neathermost hell CIRHSOSTOMVS DOthe not all the tyme of this our lyfe â–ª wherin we seeme to take our pleasures manifestly appeare a mainteyner of pleasure and lust as the sleepe of one onely night in respect of the felicitie in the lyfe eternall ANCELMVS ALL the good thinges or euill thynges which we enioy in this world are entermixed with their contraries neyther haue they any fyrme or certayne degree of their perfection but eyther may they be encreased or diminished eyther els may they be enioyed or had of vs somewhat more or lesse as it is euident in euery vertue vice and as well in eury good or euyll part of the body as in euery good or euyll cogitation or affect of the soule Neyther is there ioy found here without feare nor sorowe or sadnesse with consolation neyther perfect health without diseases or some hurtfull harme neyther yet valiant courage of body and mind without debilitie or feeblenes of nature But in heauen are all good things not mixed with contrarietie and those are certayne to trust vnto with most perfect consolation in hell likewyse are all euyll thinges quite contrary GREGORIVS CErtaynely there is one onely fyre of torment in hell which we ought to beleeue is ordeyned for the wicked but all shall not be tormented alike in one maner for euery one accordyng as the qualitie of his trespasses hath required shall there feele the smart of the pounishment due for the same And in this torment which hath no temperance Shall be no maner of relaxation Neyther shall preuayle any prayer of instance In any wyse to empayre the paines or passion Yet though this payne passe all estimation The fury thereof ordeyned by Gods wyll As euery sinner deserued hy transgression Shall them molest destroy consume and spill AVGVSTINVS THE world passeth away and the concupiscence thereof oh man what wouldest thou haue Whether hadst thou leuer to loue temporall thinges and so slide away with time transitory or loue Christe and with him liue for euer Idem THis world is more dangerous when she flattereth vs then when she loureth vpon vs There can be no greater madnes then for momentany pleasures to loose eternal ioyes and to euthrall thy soule vnto perpetuall torment Oh how happy is that man that hath not walked after the glory of this world and the dissembling madnes of the same 1. CORINTH CAP. 1. THE wysedome of this world is counted meare foolishnesse before God. EZECIEL CAP. 28. IN the multitude of thy worldly affares when thou art occupied the very inwarde partes of the body are replete with iniquitie AVGVSTINVS THE poyson against loue and charitie most pernicious is the lust after temporal pleasures BERNARDVS OH my soule what feare shall then take hold of thee when all these thinges haue forsaken thee whose presence are so pleasant vnto thee so acceptable in sight and so familier to dwell togeather Altogeather fearefull and trembling thou alone shalt enter into a strange countrey when as those most vglye and fearefull monsters all vpon an heape shal runne vpon thee GREGORIVS THose eyes which the offence hath shut vp and made to wincke at the same shall the due pounishment for suche offence open and make to see plainely IOB CAP. 17. IF I shall endure this vexation hell it selfe is my house ordeyned and in the darcknesse haue I made my bed I haue sayde vnto corruption thou art my father and my mother and to the woormes thou art my sister Where is then my recouerie and helpe become all that I haue in possession shall goe downe into the deepe pit of hell Therefore geue me leaue to depart that I may bewayle my sorowe before I shall goe hence and not returne vnto the darke land couered with the heate of death the land of miserie and darknesse whereas is the shadowe of death and no order of lyfe to say euerlasting horror inhabiting there Oh amazed witte O soule congeled in sinne Frozzen through affection of foolishe felicitie VVhereunto retchles ryot doth at no time linne To offend thy Creator thou art so foole hardy Thy sight is blinded so with sensuality That the loue of God causeth no correction Nor yet of heauenly ioy no cupidity May make thee leaue sinne for dread of damnation INNOCENTIVS HE that feareth onely for a small tyme to put his finger in the fyre why rather feareth he not both in soule and body to be tormented Oh howe great is this madnes of man for these frayle and transitory things to suffer perpetuall pounishment both in soule and body Chrisostomus dereparacione lapsi DEclare thou howe many and what ages haue been or are spent in ryot and carn iâ— pleasures what times and seasons passed in vayne delightes whiche are to be compared vnto the euerlastyng paynes of hell If thee lyst bestowe thou an hundred yeeres in suche delectacions yea adde there vnto an hundred yeeres moe or rather tenne hundred yeeres moe what shall this or that be in respect of the lyfe euerlastyng EPHESI CAP. 5. AWake thou that sleepest and ryse vp from the dead and Christe shall lighten thy steppes ECCLESIAST CAP. 29. FOR all thinges are had by seekyng for them in their due tyme. DEVTERONO CAP. 4. KEepe thee therefore within thy bondes and establish thy soule stand to thy tackling with a good courage and thou shalt see the helpe of God vpon thee AVGVSTINVS HE that dyeth and dooeth not repent him of his sinnes eare he depart out of this lyfe dyeth not at all but liueth in eternall torment PSALME 77. MY Soule is alwayes before me AVGVSTINVS HE shall geue victory to him that contendeth for victorie who hath emboldned the wrastler DEVTERONO CAP. 32. WOulde God they once in their dayes would be wyse and haue vnderstandyng that they might prouide for the last day LVKE CAP. 6. WOe be vnto you riche men which haue all your consolation in your riches here vpon earth MATTHE 5. BLessed are they whiche doo mourne after godlines in this life because they shall be comforted Idem CAP. 16. WHat shall it preuayle man yf he gayne vnto him selfe all the world and loose his owne soule Awake out of thy dreame and speedely addres Thee to beware in tyme eare thou feele woe Though blinded thou liue here with thy ritches Yet thincke thou shalt this lyfe and them forgoe â–ª VVhere in the end yf thou this race runne so That sinne and vice by thee may be subdued Thou shalt no doubt vanquishe eche feendishe so And with eternall blessing be endued BERNARDVS FOoles doo esteeme of greatest thinges least in value to be cared for haue greatest
for a man that shoulde be adorned with reason to liue without reason is and may be wel counted a trespassing life PSALME 49. MAN being in honor hath none vnderstanding but is compared vnto the brute beastâ—s yea vnto the vnwyse and is made like vnto them c. GREGORIVS THE carnall delectation darkeneth and obscureth so that mind which she doth infect that she can not see the clearenesse of the true light but therevpon is more deuilishly delighted so as thencefoorth she suffereth fierie flame euen ascending vpward HIERONIMVS WE all are geuen to be wary in least matters and negligent in greatest thinges Isidorus de summo bono BEcause thou wouldest be such one that no earthly thing delighteth thee at all beleeue me thou shalt see euen at the same moment of time that thing which thou desirest GREGORIVS IF we would consider what and how great benefites these be which are promised vs in the heauens we should thinke in our mindes that all thinges are vyle and base whiche wee enioy vppon earth for the earthy substance being compared vnto the heauenly felicitie is a burden heauy for vs to beare and not a treasure to enioy The temporall lyfe being compared vnto the life eternall is rather to be called death then lyfe for that same dayly diseaze of corrupt nature what other thing els is it then a certaine proloxitie or circumstaunce of death IOHN CAP. 6 THere shall no man take away your ioy from you BERNARDVS OH thou house of God the Citie of the great kyng what woonderful ioyes are there in thee howe much and what great gladnesse how blessed are thy inhabitantes VVhen men to things temporall doo beare affection They least esteeme of euerduring blisse VVherevpon in nature ryseth such corruption That oft who on earth most prosperous is Of the heauenly beautitude most of all mis Their carnall lust a bondage dooth become To them selues who then would consider of this For transitorie pleasure should eternall paines shone PSALME 101. I Wyll sing of mercy and trueth vnto thee oh Lord. PSALME â—8 FOR what is there for me in heauen and what would I haue of thee vpon earth I am delighted in the way of thy testimonies as in all my ritches my hart hath refused to be comforted in worldly thinges Sequitur I Haue been mindfull of my God and I am comforted PSALME 76. THY consolacious oh Lorde haue made my soule glad BERNARDVS FOR vnto the image and similitude oâ— God is euâ—ry reasonable soule made It may be better exercised then all other creatures but in very deede it can not be satisfyed at all PSALME 34. I Shall be satisfyed when thy glory shall appeare AVGVSTINVS THE soule that is entrenched with the flowres of vertues and with the deawe of heauenly grace is called the Paradise of the Lorde GREGORIVS THE vâ—permost trenche possesseth the soule when she is afflitted with the desire of the heauenly kingdome euen with salte teares but the neathermost trenche doth she enioy when she throughly feareth by her sorowe and teares the tormentes of the pitt of hell Secundus Bonauentura FOR our naturall bodyes are compaâ—t of foure Elementes wherevpon with foure fould qualities shall they be remunerate for the Earthy Elament shal be turned to eternall immortalitie the Watry Elament into al maner of vnabilitie in suffering the Ayrie Elament into a speciall agillity or swiftnes and the Fyry Elament into most bright clearenes And then shall these shine as the Sunne and as the sparckes out of a flaming Furnace shall they disperse them selues abrode because the Lorde shall wipe away all sorowe from their eyes AVGVSTINE WHere so euer the spirite desireth to be then there altogeather shall the body be also c. VVe shall in the heauens of God haue inspection In soule and body endowred with dignity Yea and in this bodyly shape shall we haue cognition Eche one of other before Gods great maiesty VVhen as thus glorified in soule and eke in body Such ioyes shall we taste and endles consolation That in the midst our sauiour triumphing with victory VVe shall shine seuen times more dearer then the son VINCENCIVS AND there is a fruition of blisse whiche shall endure for euer and that in diuers maner not vpon the behalfe of euery perticuler soule which shall enioy the same but on the behalfe of such as shal posses them soules for the blesâ—ed and elect of God howe muche the more perfectly they are enobled with the light of glory and by the same ilâ—ustration or noblenesse the more conformable made So muche the more sharpe contemplacion haue they of the deuine essence and in the same contemplacion the more are they delighted 1. CORINTH CAP. 15. THere is one light of the Sunne an other light of the Moone and an other lyght of the Starres but euery Starre differeth in hrightnesse eche from other and so shall the resurrection of the dead differ one soule from an other AVGVSTINVS NO inferior shall enuie his superior euen as now no other angel inferior doo not enuie their superior in heauen for some one shall haue a larger gift of blessing and some other a lesse So as notwithstanding what so euer gyft eyther of them haue in the blisfull state of heauenly ioy he shall hold him selfe content therewith and shal not at any tyme wyshe or desyre for more c. GREGORIVS LEt therfore the greatnes of the rewards â–ª layd vp for thee in heauen encourage tâ—y â—oule but let not the force of the conflict in Christes fayth terrifie thee for no one man shal be câ—owned with the gaâ—lâ—nd of victory but he that hath rightfully â—ought it out to the vttermost BERNARDVS THat is y alone true and only ioy which is not conceaued of the Creature but of the Creator whiche when a man possesseth there is no man shal take the same away â—roÌ„ him Whereunto yf we compare all other sweetenesse the same may be coâ—mpted to a mindful pâ—rson al sweetenes a sorrâ—we euery bitâ—er thing sweete euery comely thing filthy and finaâ—ly whatsoeuer other may seeme to delight vs the same in deede is but greeuous and intollerable PAVLVS I Desire to be dissolued and to be with Christe ORIGEN ALL my comforters seeme vnto me â—eâ—ious and burdensome They vexâ— me but comfort me not I seeke for my Creator and it is greefe to me to behold euery Creature PSALME 56. THis is my rest for euer and euer wyll I dwell here because I haue chosen the same Nathles in respect of that eternall glory All worldly ioy is but fond ianglyng And beauty braue is but deformity Sweete thinges are sowre myrth very mournyng Or what so euer other delectable thyng All is reâ—uted but payne in comparison And worldly wealth is very vomentyng In respect of heauenly store of graces many one AVGVSTINVS COnsider wel thou faythful soule what inestimabâ—e honor it shal be for thee to be crowned of the cheefe King of Kinges with his owne handes and to
be adurned with the Dyadem of eternal glory not in the dounghill of this world but in the Pallace of Heauen in the sight of innumerable Angâ—ls and of al the Saincâ—es in your stoole of immortalitie and with splendant royal ornamentes to be inuested Vnde Sapi. CAP. 5. LTT them receaue the kyngdome of honor and the Dyadem of dignity euen at the handes of the Lord. AVGVSTINVS OH thou my soule yf it be so that we must needes suffer tormentes euery day yea to suffer the very horrible hel it selfe a long time so that we might afterwards see Christ our sauiour in his glory and with his saintes euermore accompanied should we not onely suffer all sorrowe and paine to be made partakers of such glory and good graces VINCENCIVS BEloued brethren in the perplexity of this worldly pilgrimage we suffering the sorowes of our exile as it were with want of all goodnes are defiled and suffer the disposing of all incombrances the snares of sinnes laide for vs in euery place fearing the subtel deceiptes of our enimies but not sufficient watchfully or diligently preuenting them as we ought forbearing detrimentes and vexations and not able to shake from vs calamities swelling in vices enclined to vanitie in steade of veritie enduring exile for our countrey taste pouertie in steade of abundance vyle thinges for want of glorious thinges and doo so loue this world with a miserable blindnes or rather foolishe madnes that we are vtterly ignorant of that same glory of the holy ones of God whervnto lyfting the face of our mind and inward man we then behold the ioyes of eternal lyfe that we might some what surely sauour in our hartes the sweetenesse thereof AVGVST OH that I knew what I my selfe am and what thou art oh Lorde Oh yf a man knewe what him selfe were and what GOD were he would suffer a thousand deaths yf it wer c. SAPIENCE CAP. 3. BEholde the perpetuall goodnes of the reward for such as feare God. ECCLESIASTI vltimo BEhold with your eiesâ— forasmuch as I haue laboured a little and I haue found great rest vnto my selfe Let your hart reioyce in his mercie Be dooing what you can before the time and he shall geue you your reward in due time VVhen humane soule her selfe so dooth demene That she loues death and leaues lyfe spirituall Both God she then forgetteth quite and cleane Vertue dispisde she flowes in sinnes sensuall Contemning Christe obayes to Belyall And what her selfe is eke forgetting she For heauenly ioy feeles sorowes infernall For life she tastes death then perpetually Actum Aposto CAP. 5. THE Apostles went from out of sight of the people which gaue counsell because they were coumpted woorthy for the name of Christe or in his behalfe to suffer reproches AVGVSTINVS WE wyll reioyce with the elect of God and we wyll suffer tribulations of the world with them for surely they that would not imitate the holy ones in this manner shoulde not attaine vnto their renowne and glory 1. CORINTH CAP. 3. FOR euery one shall receiue his owne reward according to his labour and trauell but many for the most not meanyng to liue well desire to dye well knowyng how precious in the sight of the Lorde is the death of his sainctes Is he the God of the Iewes onely is he not also of the Gentiles yes of the Gentiles also CIRHSOSTOMVS IF any man shal thincke the way paynefull to liue wel such a one is the excuser of his owne slouth and negligence for yf Mariners and Seafaring men soppose the raging floods of the Sea to be threatninges of danger vnto them yf the season of Winter be thought a hinderance vnto husbandmen yf woundes and slaughter of Souldyers seeme a thyng tollerable and yf most greeuous stripes and blowes seeme thinges easie to be borne withal of very champions them selues for the hope of temporall thinges and transitory commodities much more when heauen is prepared for a rewarde of the godly we ought not once to thincke any thing of these present calamities neither ought a man to looke that this way is streyt but whyther it bringes a man neyther ought we to seeke for any other beeause it is brode but where the same finisheth LVKE CAP. 9. AND being bidden to the supper they begun euery man to excuse them selues BERNARDVS FOrgeue vs Lorde forgeue vs we excuse our selues we woorke al against the graine so as there is scarce any man whiche wyl be made practized as he may wâ—ll be in those thynges which parteyne vnto thee They all sauour earthly thinges they seeke that which is theirs and not that which is parteinyng vnto Iesus Christe They embrace vices they flee vertues and they waxe vâ—le togeather as the brute beast through filthynesse of their sinnes MICHEA CAP. 7. THe godly man perisheth vpon the earth and there is not any one amongst menne that liueth aright c. Resume thy strength nowe as a knight spirituall Fyght for the heauen winne it with diligence The â—ende the fleshe and vyces mundyall Quite to subuert by deuyne sapience If weake thou be craue God for thy defence Hauing good hope by Gods prouision Through watchfull care and humble pacience VVith tryumph thou shalt win an heauenly crowne AVGVSTINE THere shal be the cheefe securiâ—ie the safe tranquility the tranqiul or safe sweetenes the sweete felicitie the happy eternitie the eternall blessednesse· BERNARDVS OH heauenly Citie thou safe Mâ—nsion place a countrey fully câ—nâ—eyning whâ—â— so euer may be delightful â–ª a people without murmuring quiet inhabitance men hauyng no neede of any thing ORIGEN THE deuine bountie of the most highest shal replenishe all the receptacle of the soule with all goodnesse that is to say the angry and irefull soule with power and dignitie the greedy and couetous soule wiâ—h delightes and the reasonable soule with wysdome that there may therein appeare power without contradictâ—on dignity without comparison PROVERBIORVM CAP. 1. THE feare of the Lorde is the Well of lyfe AVGVSTINE LET the loue of this present Woâ—lde depart from thee wherein no man is so borne that he may not dye and let the loue of the worlde to come take place in thee wherein al men are made liuing so as thence foorth they shall not dye where no aduersitie shall trouble thee and no greeâ—es disquiet thee but whereas euerlastyng ioy and gladnesse raigneth for thy perpetual comfort ESAI CAP. 6. THeâ— sayd I Lorde how lonâ— Hâ— answered vntyl the Cities be vtterly wasted without inhabitantes c. ESAI CAP. 35. THey shall obteyne ioy and gladnesse and sorowe and lamentaâ—ion shall flee from them PSALME 119. OH howe good is the God of Israel vnto such as are true of hart Remember man this solace shal be sure Altogeather voyde of worldly variaunce It shall without dreade or distance ay endure But in this lyfe is no continuance Ritches pouertie lyfe and death are but a traunce VVherefore in this worldly mutable estate Let vs seeke to liue after God his ordinaunce Least of that lasting blis we make our selues frustrate DEVTERONO CAP. 3. MOYSES sayd vnto the chyldren of Israel Consider that this day I haue set before thee in thy sight both lyfe and good and of the contrary part death and euyll Sequitur I Take this day Heauen and Earth to witnesse that I haue set before you lyfe and good blessing and cursing choose you therefore lyfe that you may lyue I marueyle and greatly marueyle that man whiche aboue others is a creature endued with reason dooeth not in any thyng followe the iuâ—gement of reason despiâ—yng wholesome thynges and embrasing daungerous thinges seekyng and desyring deadly and hurtfull thinges OH eternall GOD what is the cause of suche dotyng foudnesse in man what reason is there of such foolishnesse and madnesse Why dooeth he desyre the death of the soule with so wicked a hart c. Nowe Heauens and Earth for witnes in I call How God disposeth for mans direction Perpetuall payne and ioy celestiall Vertue vice health and perdition Put to our choyse by free election VVherefore our hartes and eyes le ts eleuate To God the geuer of all grace deuine Of him to craue that he the fyrme estate Of lastyng blisse would graunt vs all in fine ¶ FINIS Of the Contemplacion for SONDAY Per Authorem Namque huius mundi fallacis gaudia vitae Et quibus exuere se debet omnis homo Sunt miserandâ—a niâ—â—is vexant mortalia corda â–ª Virtutum faciunt quemlibet immemorem Quos igitur Chricti baptisma sacruÌ„ renouauit Librum hunc perlegite qui facit esse sacros Quid Iusto prodest aut quid peccator egebit Si Libet inspicere vos docet istud opus Soli Deo Gloria Here endeth this woorke of Contemplacion fyrst printed in Latine at Westminster the yeere of our Lord God. 1499. and nowe newly englished and printed at London by Hâ—gh Singleton dwelling in Creede Lane at the signe of the gylden Tunne Neare vnto Ludgate Anno. 1578.
of Iuda entred into the fauour of Ioas the Kâ—ng and did honour the King as a God who being ouercome with their flattering seruices gaue eare vnto them and both the King and his Counsell then forsooke the Church of the Lorde and dyd woorship vnto the starres of the Firmament and grauen Images and the wrath of the Lorde was mooued vppon Iuda and Hierusalem for this offence PROVERBES I Wysedome haue my dwelling in the counsels of men 3. REGVM CAP. 12. ROboam the King forsooke the counsell of the Elders of the kingdome wherevppon it came to passe that of twelue tribes which ruled in Israel he lost ten of them PROVERBES CAP. 12. THE counsels of the vngodly are meare deceiptfull snares vnto them selues VERSVS Regnum stat sanum per consilium veteranum Where auncient heads doo counsell giue The kingdome there dooth safely liue Regnum decressit vbi consilium iuuenescit That kingdome must of needes decay Where counsellors young do beare the sway Et proprium lucrum crescit Liuorque patescit And eche mans priuate gaines increase And malice from mischeefe doth not cease PSALME 26. I Haue hated the vniust liuers and I am abhorred of them Good company is of so great vertue It causeth sinners to become gracious VVhen they endeuour them selues to rescew From their folly and faultes defamous And eke euill company is so contagious That it corrupteth good inclination It is so vigorus violent and venemous It puts euen princes to great perdicion PSALME 112. THERE is risen vp a light in place of darknesse to suche as are of a true hart SAPIENCE CAP. 17. FOR with one chaine or band were they all linckt ESAI CAP. 56. THVS sayth the Lorde Keepe equitie and doo right for my sauing health shall come shortly and my righteousnesse shall be opened SENECA ad Lucillum PVT thou no confidence in fortune of this world for in a moment is the Sea altered and chaunged GREGORIVS THE great surges of temporall thinges carrieth with them the iudgement of eternall damnation HIERONIMVS IT is not possible for a man to enioy both the present felicities of this life and of the life to come and here to fyll his belly and there to satisfie his mind and from pleasures to pleasures to passe his appointed course that he may be both happy and blessed in heauen and earth togeather GREGORIVS IF we wyll seeke for the sweete it is requisite that wee doo suffer and tollerate the sower VERSVS Dulcia non meruit qui non gustauit amara The sweete to haue deserues not he That hath not tasted the sowre tree SOPHONI CAP. 1. THEY shall walke as the blind doo because they haue sinned against the Lorde EXODVS CAP. 10. AND Moyses lifted vp his handes vnto Heauen and there was made horrible darknesse for the space of three dayes vppon the whole land of Egypt so that no man knâ—we his owne brother neither knewe he in what place him selfe was but contrarywyse â–ª where so euer the children of Israel had their abiding there appeared light vnto them IOHN CAP. 10. THE light shineth in the darknesse but the darknesse comprehendeth it not ESAI CAP. 9. THE people that walketh in the darkenesse haue seene a great light appeared vato them there is light arysen vp vnto them that dwell in the shadowe of death LVKE CAP. 1. TO lighten those that sitte in darknesse and in the shadowe of death Actum Apostolorum CAP. 9. A Light from Heauen compassed him shining rounde about him and when he opened his eyes he sawe nothing SAPIENCE CAP. 2. FOR their owne malice hath blinded them selues Among the plagues of Egypt most horrible One was of darknes three dayes enduring VVhich was a token troublesome and terrible To all the Egyptians but there abiding The people of Israel had large light shining So though this world be blinded by abusance Yet amongst all some be in grace growyng To innocent lyfe through fruitefull repentance ECCLESIAST CAP. 40. THERE is great labour and trauell ordeyned for all men and a yoke of greeuous painefulnesse which shall be laid vpon the sonnes of Adam from their birth day vntill they shall returne vnto the Earth their graue the mother of all thinges euen from the degree of him which beareth the scepter and weareth the Diadem or Crowne vnto that lowe degree of him that is clothed in sackecloth fury zeale hurlyburly trembling and the feare of death burning in irefull indignation and contencion shall molest him and when he would take his rest in his bedde the dreame of the night passed shall take away his vnderstanding IOB CAP. 14. MAN which is borne of a woman hath but a short time here to liue and is filled with many miseries with heate colde and hunger and neuer remaineth in one estate because he is nowe in good health straightway sicke c. All mortall creatures conceaued in sinne VVretchedly borne liuing in variaunce Are lyke fragrant flowres in a Garden VVith fading florishe euer chaunging the chaunce The newe to olde succeedeth by ordinaunce So in his kinde goeth humane succession Now sicke now sound now glad now in greeuaunce Neuer standeth in one estate by condicion BERNARDVS HOO ritche Lorde art thou in mercie howe mighty in iustice howe bountifull in grace O Lorde our GOD there is none like vnto thee PSALME 34. BVT those that seeke foorth the Lorde shall not be put to confusion in euery good enterprise wherevppon saith Cassiodorus When we loue the Lorde we finde al things in him he is one onely to be sought for but he is that one wherein all thinges are conteined Oh woonderfull gaine oh singuler sallary or steepend for our paines why then doo we wearie our selues by diuers meanes but let vs with one vnitie of mind make haste vnto him who being had let vs seeke for none other felicities besides him but let vs holde him with fixed faith GENESIS CAP. 31. THOV hadst very little before that I came vnto thee and nowe thou art made riche by me and God hath blessed thee at my entrance vnto thee THOME CAP. 2. AT all times and seasons doo thou geue praises and pray vnto God and desire of him that he would direct thy wayes according to his wyll VVherefore our God meekely to thee we call Graunt vs thy grace for most surest suffisance To set aside all sinnes sensuall And be our guide with all good gouernance In mysty darknesse of worldly variance Graunt wylling mindes thy will to execute That vve may so serue thee vvithout dissimulance So as of thy grace vve be neuer destitute IERONIMVS THERE is nothing more like vnto the woorkes of the Deuils then to be continually at strife and debate one man with an other CASSIODRVS SEe that you haue vnitie in the bond of peace because there is not a more liuelier shape and fourme of Angelicall conuersation then is brotherly vnitie of one man with an other AVGVSTINVS GOD loueth the bonde of concorde and vnitie GREGORIVS THERE
them that are to be saued because there are many called but fewe are chosen And againe he saith Woulde God men would prouide for those three things that are to come that is to say 1. Death then which nothing is more bitter 2. The iudgement that shall be generall at the last day then whiche nothing shal be more horrible to heare 3. Eternall punishment ordeyned for the vngodly then the which nothing shal be more sharper The memorie of the dead for rhe liuing is a president How better we shall for our state prouide VVhyle we haue grace and space of the Omnipotent Print we well in hart what others hath betide VVhich haue eyther walkt straight or staggered aside At our neighbours fall let vs be eke vvare Lest vve that stand fast vvith them doo not slyde Our armour of perceuerāce in good life le ts prepare ECCLESIAST CAP. 14. BE mindful of death because when he commeth there is no stay with him IEREMI CAP. 4. THEY are wyse ynough to doo wickedly but to doo well they haue no knowledge at all ESAI CAP. 44. I The Lorde am he that doo transport wyse men backwards and doo make their perseuerance to become meare foolishnesse IOB CAP. 7. MY dayes are passed away my cogitations are dispersed disquieting my hart they haue changed the night with me into day and againe yet after darknes I hope to see light BERNARDVS in meditatio TELL me where are the louers of this worlde become whiche a fewe yeeres before passed were with vs there is nothyng remaining more of them at this day but dust and woormes Had they not their appoynted time to drinke with thee to eate with thee and to laugh with thee And so esteemed they of their dayes spent in their wealth and ritches and in the ende they are gone downe into the neathermost pit Their fleshe is here in the earth bestowed vpon the woormes and in hell there theyr soule vnto the flaming fyre tyll being againe lincked in that vnhappy familie they are tossed in perpetuall burning flames VVithout repentaunt turning vve encrease eche day To death and his dome vvherefore vvith diligence Amend vve our misdeedes vvithout delay To saue our soules shevv vve our sapience Eschevving the vice of vvylfull negligence That the time redeemed may render alvvay Sound fruites of vvoordes vvoorkes and conscience To ballance accompt iust at the iudgement day PSALME 11.34 THERE is ordeyned a most vyle death for sinners PROVERBS CAP. 5. HE shall dye that hath not receiued discipline GREGORIVS FOR the most highest is a pacient rewarder of the wicked for those that he hath long suffered to sinne to the ende that they might be conuerted and repent The same persons not being conuerted nor repentyng he dooeth more greeuously adiudge them to the greater damnation SAPIENCE CAP. 4. THE iust man though he be ouertaken with death yet shall he finde rest CHRISOSTO THERE is nothing so much deceaueth man as the vayne hope to liue longer SENECA VNcertaine death doth preuent and steale vpon many amendementes of mislyfe that are deferred or euer they be aware PSALME 49. DEath shall feede the euyll men euen as sheepe that are throwen into the lake of hell they shall desyre to dye but death shall flee from them c PSALME 116· PRecious in the syght of the Lorde is the death of his Saintes BOETIVS DEath vnto those men is happy and welcome when she seemeth not to plant more pleasure at one time then at an other and being often called for he comes sodenly to the sorowfull SENECA TRuely to dye well is for men to dye wyllingly AVGVSTINVS THere is nothing more withdrawes man from sinne then the often meditating and thinking of death ECCLESIAST CAP. 18. THE Lorde hath wrought woonderfull thinges in the death of man. SENECA THere is nothing shall profit thee so much vnto temperance and moderacion of all worldly thinges nor cause thee so much to contemne them as the dayly forethincking and meditating of death APOCA CAP. 2. REmember from whence thou art fallen and be wylling to repent thee thereof ESAI CAP. 38. DIspose and set in order all thinges within thyne house because thou shalt dye and not line And Ezechias turned away his face vnto the wall and prayed vnto the Lorde Sequitur And Ezechias wept with bitter teares As scriptures truely pronounce in sentence Death due to sinners impenitent vvhich dye In this vvorld damnation is by consequence VVhen the sound of Trumpe is hard from on hye From death to lyfe ryse then shall the godly VVherfore preuenting duly the fyrst death Repent vve in time vvith purpose earnestly To liue for euer vvith Christe by fyrme fayth ¶ FINIS Of the Contemplacion for VVENSDAY ¶ THE AVCTORS Commemoration for THVRSDAY Remember the iudgement generall How for our liues then pleade we shall The Translators Application Thalmighty in the Firmament made lightes for to deuide The day night which lights for signes should serue eche time and tide A greater light the Sunne to shine by dry by night a lesse The Moone and Starres the self same light doth plainly lo expresse VVhyles we haue lyght le ts walke that way That gaynes light at the iudgement day AVGVSTINVS WE haue this experience because the minde of man is more familier and invred with the diuers intisementes of this world and ouercome with the concupiscences or lustes thereof that therefore she refuseth to be occupied in well dooing requireth pleasure and scarcely is she brought to this poynt that she shal be able to exclude and reiect from her selfe the custome of her former lyfe But when she shall once fall in reckoning howe necessary it is to thinke vpon the latter day of the efficacie of the iudgement whiche shall then be being stirred vp and prouoked eyther with hope of reward or with feare of pounishment she proclaymeth wylfull warres against her good mocions and passions whiche shoulde resist the same and assaulteth her auncient former good desyres and forecibly as it were striueth with her selfe to subdude her selfe PROVERBES CAP. THE wicked and vngodly men haue no mind vppon the day of iudgement but they that seeke the Lord doo consider therof IEREMI CAP. 12. TRuly Lord thou art righteous notwithstanding in thy iudgementes yea yf I should dispute with thee what the cause is that the wicked in their wayes doo florishe IOB CAP. 22. WHY doo the wicked liue still vppon earth and are so exalted on high they leade their liues in wealth and yet in the end they goe downe into hell ECCLESIASTES 3. THere are some godly persons before whose faces their owne euils haue come to light as though they had offended with the wicked And there are also some vngodly persons whiche liue with suche securitie and thinke them selues so safe as though they had the woorkes of godly disposed persons with them And I haue perceaued that af all the woorkes that the Lorde hath done man can not comprehend and finde out
's none by flyght vvhich may be fugitiue Then Sunne and Moone obscured vvith anoyance Yea other Planets vvith beames obumbratiue Shall in their kinde shevve dolorus countenance DEVTERO CAP. 9. THere shall goe before thee a deuouring fyre and a consuming flame IOEL CAP. 2. BLowe vp the Trumpet in Sion Reioyce you that dwell vpon my holy hill Let all the inhabitantes of the earth be troubled and disquieted because the day of the Lorde is at hand because the day of darknesse and of smoothering heate draweth neare the cloudy and troublesome day Idem BEfore his face shall goe a deuouring fire and after him shal folow a burning flameâ— for the day of the Lord is a mighty day and a very fearefull day and who shall abide the same neyther is there any man which shall escape it Eodem IOEL BE you therefore conuerted and turne vnto me saith the Lorde with all your whole hart in fasting in mournyng and in bitter teares and you shal be saued APOCA CAP. 20. AND the sea gaue out from her the dead bodyes that were buried in the bottome thereof yea death and hell it selfe sent foorth their dead gohstes and there was sentence of iudgement pronounced vppon euery one according to their woorkes IOEL CAP. 3. I Wyll geather all nations togeather and I wyll bring them into the vale of Iosaphat and wyll dispute with them 1. CORINTH CAP. 15. TRuly we shall ryse againe at the iudgement day but we shall not all be immutable or vnchanged euen in a moment or twinckling of the eye in the last blast of the Trumpe Ricardus super 4. dist 47. HOwe or in what maner the Lorde wyll geue iudgement is not presently manifested to the world neither hath he woorthely rewarded euery man neyther hath he punisht them accordingly but the accomplishment thereof resteth behind in his handes as touching the body and the soule and as touching the desert of prayse or punishment EPHESI CHP. 4. VNtill we shall al runne togeather in one course with vnitie of fayth and woorshipping the sonne of GOD growing vp to one perfect man in measure of the fulnesse of the aige of Christe APOCALIPS 22. ANd I sawe as well the great as smal bodyes standing openly before the throne and the bookes were opened Athanasius in Symbolo AGaynst whose comming all men shall be warned to aryse with their bodyes out of the earth MALACHI CAP. 3. WHO shal be able to consider of the day of his comming or who shall endure to behold the sight of his presence IOB CAP. 14. WHO is able to warrant me that thou wylt protect my soule in the neathermost hell and hide me vntill the furie of thy displeasure shal be passed and that it wyll please thee to appoint me a time when thou wylt remember me That day is the day of wrath and calamitie yea the great day of miserie very bitter HEBREOS CAP. 10. BVT terrible and fearefull is the looking for of the iudgement and feruent heate of the fire which shall destroy all his enimies IOB CAP. 19. FLee you away from the face of the Lorde because the swoord is a reuenger of iniquities All fleshe shall aryse from death to liue In soule and body hauyng resemblance Then to receaue sentence definitiue Decreed by Gods deuine ordinance Hovv euer it be in ioy and greeuance VVe shall addresse vs young olde ritche and pore Happy or vnhappy as it shall then chance To rest in payne or pleasure euermore MARCI CAP. 13. THen shall they see the sonne of man comming in the Cloudes of Heauen SAPIENCE CAP. 12. WHO shall stand against thy iudgement oh Lord or who shall come before thy presence as a reuenger vppon the wicked ones of this world PROVERBES CAP. 6. THE Lord wyll not spare any flesh in the day of reuengement neither wyll he be pacified with the entreaty of any person neither wyll he take great rewardes to redeeme any soule PSALME 110. BEcause his mercie is enduring for euer HIERONIMVS IF only the lawe and iudgement of mortall creature and fraile flesh which shal be turned into dust be with such care â—hroughly trembled at and feared With what carefull feare ought we to prouide for the iudgement of the deuine maiestie PSALME 110. I Wyll sing of mercy and iudgement vnto thee oh Lord. Idem O GOD geue thy iudgement vnto the king c. PSALME 36. THY iudgement oh Lord is as the light of the mid-day APOCA CAP. 20. AND behold the dead were called vp to be iudged as touching those things that were written in the bookes to receaue their reward according to their woorkes NAVM CAP. 3. BEholde sayth the Lord God of hostes I come vnto thee and wyll discouer thy shamefulnesse euen in thine owne face and wyl shewe thy nakednesse vnto the nations and reproche vnto other kingdomes and I wyll poure out vpon thee thy owne abominations and will smite thee with reproches Then shall our kyng vvhich iudged vvas vs iudge In glorious forme of deuine humanitie From vvhose face there may be then no refuge No fauour freendship revvard parcialitie Nor any respect ouer high and lovve degree VVhen in tvvo diuers maners he shall administrate His iudgement to the godly vvith mylde mercie But most seuere Iustice vnto the reprobate SAPIENCE CAP. 5. BVT the righteous shal liue for euermore their reward also is with the Lord and the care for them is with the highest Chrisostomus super Mattheum IN that day of the Lordes reuenge we shal haue nothing to answeare for our selues for the Heauen the Earth the Sunne and the Moone the Dayes and the Nightes and all the whole Worlde it selfe shall stand against vs to beare witnesse against vs of our sinnes and wickednesse IACOBI CAP. 5. YOur ritches are become rotten and consumeâ— your garmentes are eaten with the Moth your golde and your siluer is become rusty and the rust thereof shal be a witnesse against you ABACVCK CAP. 2. THE stone in the Walle shall crie out against you and the Tymber betweene the Rooffes of your houses shall answere against you HVGO de sancto victore THE conscience of man is as a booke shut whiche shal be opened in the day of iudgement MICHEAS CAP. 3. HEare O ye Princes of the house of Iacob captaines ouer the house of Israel Eiusdem CAP. 6. LET the high Hilles heare the iudgement of the Lord. LVKE CAP. 16. GEVE a reckonyng of thy Stewardshippe SAPIENCE CAP. 6. THere shal be a most sharpe iudgement ordeyned for such as beare aucthoritie ouer others AVGVSTINVS THE Prelates are woorthy to dye so many deathes as they geue euill examples of death vnto their people committed in charge vnto them ESAI CAP. 46. HEare me oh you of hard hartes whiche are farre of from dooing iustice IEREMI CAP. 15. MY people is become a disobedient people their Sheepheardes haue led them a wrong way DANIEL CAP. 13. INiquitie is gone out from Babylon euen from those that were the elder
regard vnto very small thinges They take more care howe to keepe and cherishe their diseased corrupt body then howe to foster and cherish the precious soule Yea they are more carefull howe to batten and â—eede the flesh with fatnesse and good likyng but the kirnell of the soule or the hart of the spirituall man they doo oftentimes destroy Idem super Cantica THey surely that are not diligent in their vocations as men ought to be are partakers of the deuils them selues in their trauayles HIERONIMVS THere can be no labour deemed tedious neither any time seeme long vnto vs wherein the euerlasting glory is obteyned AVGVSTINVS NO doubt sinners doo dayly heare the scriptures promising as well vnto those that loue God the most blessed graces of his good prouidence and contrariwyse they heare the scriptures which doo threaten vnto such as care not for GOD the plagues and pounishmentes by him for them ordeyned And yet geue they no regard therevnto neyther wyllingly do they heare God thus speaking vnto them when he gently entreateth them nor when he seuerely threatneth them but rather doo resist him with their euyll and wicked dooinges PSALME 49. THE wyse man also as well as the foole shall goe to the graue LEOPOLDVS MEN doo more wyllingly toyle them selues for the desire they haue vnto pleasure then for the loue that they beare to vertue Most men are naturally geuen to be feareful and timerus in paines taking in sustayning troubles pouertie and other daungers wherewith humane kind was wonte to be molested But yf they were wyse in deede and vnderstoode the excessiue calamities ordeyneâ— for sinners without ende they woulde then be farre more fearefull to offend in this lyfe IOB CAP. 6. THey that feare a frost vpon them shall haue a snowe come to them Sythen wee see in sicknesse corporall Health to recouer and death for to decline Men wyll absteyne from lustes sensuall And their desyres submit to medecine All for this frayle flesh that runneth to ruine How much more should eche man with busy cure Seeke for the soules health repentyng in time VVherby he may obteyne such ioyes as shalendure 1. THESSALO CAP. 5. WHen they shall say Peace and security is with vs then by and by shall a sodayne destruction come vppon them as the pange of a woman trauayling with chylde and they shall not escape away ECGLESIASTI CAP. 5. MAke thou no tarying to turne vnto the Lorde and prolong not of from day to day for sodaynely shall his wrath come and in time of reuenge he shall destroy thee ESAI CAP. 18. FOr you haue said We haue made a league with death and with hell we haue made a couenant GALATH. CAP. 6. BE you not deceaued in your owne dooinges God is not mocked withall what thing so euer a man shall sowe the same shall he also reape agayne IEREMI CAP. 8. THey haue rather chosen death then lyfe· PSALME 69. THey haue drawen neare euen vnto the gates of death Idem THere is a most vyle death ordayned for sinners ECCLESIASTI 7. REmember to dye because death wyll not tary long BERNARDVS I Tremble and quake for feare of the iawes of the infernall beast yea tylâ— I be deliuered from the body of hell from the roaring feendes prepared to their meate Alacke oh my mother why hast thou conceyued me the child of sorowe the childe of bitter bale indignation euâ—rlasting lamentation Why was I lâ—lled in thy lappe why was I fostered with thy dugges I was borne the meate for woormes and foode of the fyre IACOB CAP. 4. YOur laughter shâ—ll turne into mournyng and your ioy into sorowe APOCAL. CAP. 18. SO much as he hath vaunted and reioyced him selfe in his ritches so much torment and mournyng let him haue administred vnto him DEVTERONO CAP. 25. THere shal be a certayne prescribed rate of pounishment according to the measure of the offence that euery man hath done BERNARDVS BReethren let vs be enflamed to repentance let vs examine our consciences and let vs be encouraged to take reuenge of our selus by repentaÌ„ce to the end we may be able to escape the horrible iudgement of y liuing God. Slombring in sinne some dreame security VVithout feare or forecast of infernall afliction Neglecting repentance in this lyfe transitory That they feare nothing the due correction Ordeyned for sinne by deuine direction As those that are not carefull harmes to eschewe Suche feele the sentence of all malediction VVhen repentance come to late their sorowes to rescewe IEREMI CAP. 3. WHY dooest thou cry out so vppon the contrition of thy soule thy sorowe is incurable by reason of the multitude of thine iniquities and because of thy greeuous sins haue I done this sayth the Lord. HIERONIMVS THE moderacion of Gods displeasure the duetie of godlinesse seeketh onely for our returne and desyreth that we may be saâ—ed by this long forbearance of his goodnes If we wyll not be conuerted yf we be stiffâ— necked and yf we continewe still in our syns vnlawfully euen tyll our death Let vs trust vnto it God wyl not shewe mercie vnto those that continually perseuer in their sinnes BERNARDVS I Tremble to thincke vppon the gnawyng woorme and the death that neuer dyeth I shiuer and quake euery ioynt of me to fall into the handes of that death that endureth and of that lâ—fe that dyeth GREGORIVS THE wâ—cked shall dye the death euerlastyng PROSPER IF at that instant when a man purposeth to sinne he would with diligent mind consider what pounishment claymeth to be done towards those that are taken in trappe for their mischeefts what torment shoulde vexe the conuict soules what feare would shake their members and ioynts in euery part and what wanne and pale colour would dumpe theyr hauty countenances and finally how execrable reproche and ignominie it selfe the sentence denounced vnto suche sinners woulde duely reâ—der I knowe not whether he would take any such delight or frame him selfe vnto such vices and wickednes yea or no. MATTH CAP. 21. BEholde the Bridegrome commeth and they that were prepared to wayte vppon the Bridegrome went in with him vnto the wedding Vnde Gregorius IF thou oh wicked man wert wyse and diddest vnderstand what ioye this were thou wouldest oftentimes consider herevpon and speedely run to repentance neither wouldest thou lose or forgoe the acceptable time and the dayes of thy saluation through thy banquetting dayly ryot and idlenesse without profiting body or soule IEREMI CAP. 9. WHO shall geue water vnto my head a fountaine of teares vnto my eyes that I may weepe night and day when I behold the children of the people committed to my charge IVDITH CAP. 8. LET vs craue his pardon with teares AVGVSTINVS THE iustice of the Omnipotent hauing foreknowledge of thinges to come let ordeyne to be made the fyre of hell euen from the first creation of the world He whiche is of his owne mercifull goodnes contrary to this fire who is enflamed with loue of