in Christ Iesus our Lord. The confidence of Paul quickneth al meÌ„ So S. Paule doth constantly shewe that he which is graft in GOD the father by Christ doth valiantly fearing nothing stand and abide agaynst all manner terrours how or whence soeuer they happen agaynst the inuasions furious rage and raging noyse of enemies agaynst the horrour of death Psal 46. which either enemies or foes doe threaten or which sicknesse accelerateth or the lawe of nature bringeth What taketh away feare of death Seeing therefore that there is nothing more effectuall to deliuer mens minds from the feare and great dread of death then sure and stedfast trust in GOD through Christ our leader guide and Captaine whereby we conceiue most sure and vndoubted hope of resurrection and most assured expectation of euerlasting life vnto this most sure refuge let all men make all speede possible and bend all their endeuour let euery one of vs embrace accept loue and imprint in his heart this holesome and heauenly doctrine herewith let all men comfort stay and strengthen themselues in all daungers distresse and imminent extremities herewith let them appease and quiet their conscience and with the meditation hereof let them put away all sorowe of heart and shake off heauinesse and mourning which they conceiue when they are depriued either of parents or of children Hereunto belongeth that liuely consolation of the Apostle wherewith he comforteth the Thessalonians with coÌ„stant expectation of the resurrection sure hope of eternall life and willeth them to refraine from weeping and not to mourne and make lamentation for their friends departed and taken away from amongst the liuing as the Ethnickes or heathen vse to doe I would not brethren saith he 2. Thess 4. that yee should bee ignorant concerning them which are fallen a sleepe being brought to rest as it were with sleepe and not with death The dead must not be mourned for after the maner of the heathen that yee sorrowe not nor take griefe as other doe which haue no hope of returning to life againe Death is a sleepe For if wee beleeue that Iesus dyed and liued againe euen so them also which are fallen a sleepe by Iesus God will bâ—ing with him And againe when he withdraweth the Philippians from worldly things and reduceth them to thinges sure incorruptible and perfect hee saith Philip. 3. Our conuersation is in heauen out of the which wee looke for the Lord Iesus Christ who will transfigure our base bodie and make it in fashion like vnto his glorious bodie according to the mightie working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himselfe By what things and meanes the feare of death is to be put away In which wordes Saint Paule admonisheth them to comfort strengthen and fortifie themselues in all their afflictions with the loue and longing desire of eternitie and in the conflict of this life to bee afrayd of nothing that may withdrawe or call vs away from that farre better life to the which Christ hath opened vs the way by the power of his resurrection Comfort in Christ Wherfore wheÌ„ we come to the last day of our life and when death is euen hard at hand which euery man feareth vnlesse he consolate and corroborate himselfe in Christ or when any meditation hereof commeth into the minds of them that be sound and well in health or if pouertie or sicknesse or miserie or any other daungers and perills of this life doe oppresse and afflict vs let vs then and at all times Our eyes must be fastened and fixed on Christ referre all our petitions hope and desires vnto Christ Iesus who by his death hath payed the penaltie and suffered the punishment that was due to vs Coloss 3. who hath forgiuen vs all our sinnes who is the propitiation for our offences who is our aduocate as Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 2. our intercessor and spokesman vnto GOD the father who is the reconciler of GOD and man and who as Saint Paule saith 1. Tim. 2. Esai 50. hath giuen and offered vp himselfe a redemption raunsome offering and sacrifice for all men In him onely consisteth our saluation life and resurrection Ephes 2. By him wee haue accesse and entraunce in one spirit vnto the father Coloss 1. Ioh. 1. By his bloud shed wee haue obtayned redemption and remission of siâ—… Because it well pleased the father that in him should all fulnesse dwell and by him to reconcile vnto himselfe all things being pacified by his bloud Seeing therefore that wee haue such a great such a worthie and such an excellent high Priest as saith the author to the Hebrewes Hebr. 4. who hath pierced the heauens euen Iesus the sonne of God who being tempted by all me 〈◊〉 without sinne feeleth and hath compassion on our infirmities Christ is the peace-maker between God and man Let vs come with trustie boldnesse vnto the throne of grace that wee may obtaine mercie to helpe in time of our neede For wee being succoured with the defence and protection and stronglie enuironed and fenced with the garde of such a renowmed Captaine doe valiantly withstand and constantly abide against all monstrous mischiefes of diuels How the mind and conscience is to be strengthened when death approcheth which forthwith vanish away assoone as the light of the trueth ariseth agaynst sinne death and hell and so wee are brought out of the daungerous watch and watchfull warfare of this life vnto that desired and happie hauen and most blessed habitation in heauen Wherefore if any dammage detriment in conuenience misfortune or miserie shall come to a man in the swift running course of this life In Christ is the comfort of all calamities if any man happen to be cast or brought into any daunger of his life to bee pinched with pouertie to bee afflicted with sicknesse to bee vexed of enemies if desolation and calamitie fall vpon him if his wickednesses and iniquities abound if the innocent and giltlesse be oppressed and killed if sounde and holesome doctrine bee contemned if heresies and pernicious sects and opinions growe vp if peruerse errours bee sowne abroad on euery side in all this so great confusion and troublous tumult of worldlie affayres Christ is the sacred and sure anchor in al tempests of this troublous world let euerie man betake and committe himselfe vnto Christ and seeke the assurance of saluation at and of him onelie rest and trust whollie in him and vpon him staye and strengthen himselfe on him as on the sacred anchor and finally eftsoones meditate and ruminate in his minde that constant profession of Dauid Psal 16. I will set the Lord alwayes in my sight for hee is on my right hand so that I shall not bee mooued nor troubled In which wordes hee sheweth that hee hath his eyes still continually fixed on GOD and that he trusteth in his defence and that by
onely giuen vs the vse and commodity of all thinges but also which farre exceedeth these benefites hath bestowed euen his onely beloued Sonne for the redemption of man that by the death resurrection of Christ man might obtain reconciliation and grace it is meet and decent and both equity and thankefulnesse for such a benefite bestowed on vs doth require that euery one of vs do put al our whole hope trust and confidence in him Our life must be approued vnto God and magnifie him with most high and excellent prayses and endeuour to approue our conuersation lead our liues acceptable before him please him with Faith not an idle and vaine Faith Faith is adorned with fruits but that which is susteyned declared enuironed and accompanied with the workes of charity and denying and forsaking vngodlinesse and reiecting carnal lusts and worldly desires consecrat our selues wholly vnto him and liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2. Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Sauiour Iesus Christ who gaue himselfe for vs to redeeme vs from all iniquity and to purge vs a peculiar people vnto himselfe zealous and feruent follower of good workes For by framing our liues and ordering our conuersation after this manner and by the operation and consolation of the holy Spirite the Comforter giuen vnto vs and dwelling in vs Rom. 5. peace tranquility and sure safety shal be nourished and stablished in our hartes and consciences and dread feare of death being shaken off and driuen away Christ being our leader and guide our captain and forerunner we shall enter into immortality and the blessed and euerlasting mansions And indeede death is not the destruction of the body Death is the renewing of life but the renewing of it It is not the extinguishment or perishing of nature but it is the porche and doore of the other farre better life to come and the very gate and first entry vnto the heauenly Cittie and the entrance and way vnto euerlasting life Of the certainty whereof no man hath cause to doubt or mistrust the promises of God when as the trueth it selfe which is infallible and neuer falleth or deceiueth doth faithfully perfourme that which it hath promised God is true in his promises For God is true and euery man is a lyer that is God saileth no man deceiueth no man nor disappointeth any man of his hope and expectation Psal 62.116 He is no vaine promiser nor vnfaithful promis-keeper as men vse to be which dissolue leagues and alliance breake couenants and with a kind of old crafty subtilty winde themselues out of the bonds of their promises and slip from their word but he is constant stedfast sure and very faithfully performeth and accomplisheth that which he hath promised and which he hath vndertaken to bring to passe But euery man is a lyer that is to say deceitfull slippery light inconstant mutable doubtfull wauering variable The expositioÌ„ of these words man is a lyer fraudulent vaine crafty slie vnfaithfull and which speaketh one thing standing and another sitting so that no maÌ„ may safely trust him Which vices are very farre from the Maiesty of God yea so far as cannot be expressed because that no humane affections can bee inciâ—ent vnto him Therefore we must with most assured confidence trust leane and cleane vnto him specially and principally and direct refer all our praiers requests hope In daunger and distres we must flee to God and desires â—nto him onely whensoeuer either dangers or calamities are imminent or when death and our extreame conflict is euen at hand For by his fauour presence present helpe al things are mittigated and made mild easie and tollerable and al things are of sowre grieuous bitter made sweete delectable and pleasant By sure trust in him the feare of death is driueâ— away and al terror and trembling is abolished out of our harts For the loue of him wee contemne despise the fawning delights flattering pleasures of this life By the power and helpe of him wee endure and patiently suffer miseries dammages and inconueniences which compasse besiege and assaile vs euery moment With firmely stablished hope in him and constant expectation of immortality weâ— being supported and comforted doe willingly gladly and chearefully flit and depart from the prison of this life and short time of our abiding here and by Christ our guide and leader we are conducted and brought vnto those eternall and blessed dwelling places And with lesse griefe and greater ioy are wee separaâ—… from the society of the body and from the course and standing place of this life And our last conflict and wrastling with death in which for the most part mistrust and despaire assaileth the conscieÌ„ce maketh vs to haue the lesse carefulnesse heauinesse and perplexity because we are sure 1. Tim. 2. that redeÌ„ption grace iâ— obtained for vs by the merit of Christ The death of Christ washeth away our sinnes For the Mediator between God and man Iesus Christ hath reconciled vs vnto his father and with his bloud hath washed away our sinnes and by the power of his resurrection hath giuen 〈◊〉 righteousnesse 1. Ioh 2. For Christ was deliuered for our sinnes as Saint Paul sayeth Rom. 4. And was raised for the iustification of vs. The resurrection of Christ iustifieth vs. So that wee being confirmed and assured by the resurrection of Christ as by a sure pledge doe trust that wee shal be saued and raysed vp by his power For he as the Apostle testifieth Philip. 3. Wil transforme our vile body and make it of like fashion vnto his glorious body according to the mighty working whereby hee is able to subdue all thinges to himselfe For although according to the doctrine of Saint Paul 2. Cor 4. 5. This our earthly mansion of this tabernacle must be destroyed euen as a ruinous house which is dissolued when the ioints and â—enons are loosed and the framing together of the â—afters is plucked asunder yet that building which we haue of God is not made with handes but eternall in heauen For God which hath raised up the Lord Iesus shall raise vs vppe also by him and shall make vs partakers of the common resurrection Which most certaine hope bringeth this to passe that we being lesse depriued naked or destitute doe suffer our selues to be withdrawen and remoued from hence FINIS A Table of all the Chapters conteined in this exhortation 1 WE must chiefely fasten our eyes vpon God through Christ and lift vp our minde vnto him pag. 1 2 How great benefites God the Creatour of â—ll things hath bestowed vpon man p. 2 3 Nothing more deare in the sight of God then man and that all thinges are created for the vse of man p. 4 4 How great the thankefulnes of man towards God ought to be p. â—
not one things which are on the earth and direct erect al our cares studies cogitations desires and delights vnto Christ Iesus which sitteth at the right hand of God that our conuersation may be in heauē with him And for him that true incorruptible and vnspeakable treasure to iudge all these things to bee but dung Philipp 3. And for the winning of him to thinke and count al these things but losse that we may be found in him that is not hauing our owne righteousnes which is of the lawe but that which is through the faith of Christ euen the righteousnes whiche is of God through faith 2. Cor. 4. And that wee should not looke on the things which are seene but on the thinges which are not seene Mat. 6. And that like the foules of the heauen and the lilies of the field which liue and growe without care and toile of this life wee should not weary our selues in labouring for the meate which perisheth but labour for the meat which endureth vnto euerlasting life Ioh. 6. which the sonne of man shall giue vnto vs. For as the Israelites walked iourneyed and wandered in the great wildernes fourtie yeares Psal 66 107. and passed through manie probations tribulations before they did goe in and possesse that good land that flowed with milke and honie which the lord had promised and sworne vnto their fathers to giue them Euen so the same our good God which so conducted his peculier people and proued them with many miseries afflictions before he brought them to that plentifull land doth in like maner by his fatherly prouidence and fauourable protection leade vs his adopted children Galat. 4. Ephes 1. whom he hath receiued by grace through the great wide wildernesse of this wicked wretched world In which our iourney towardes that happie and heauenly countrey that continuing citie to come Heb. 11. 12. he trieth vs with manie kind of troubles and calamities Psal 66. 78. Ioh. 14. and causeth vs as the Psalmist saieth to go through fire water before he bring vs forth to that welthie place that pleasaunt land that celestiall habitation those eternall mansions that supernall Ierusalem the mother of vs all Galat. 4. Coloss 1. Act. 14. the euerlasting kingdome of his deare sonne Iesus Christ vnto which we must enter through many tribulations This is that precept which our Sauiour doth inculcate into the eares and hearts of all them which will folow him and become his true disciples Luc. 9. namely to forsake and denie themselues take their crosse paciently that is to say to suffer constantly all tribulations that the lord laieth vpon them Hebr. 12. 1. Cor. 9. And to cast awaie euery thing that presseth downe as riches cares and voluptuousnes And so abstaine that they may get the maisterie and finally so runne that in Christ Iesus they may obtaine victoriously and be crowned with him triumphantlie Vnto this continuall bickering and warfare wherein the church of Christ militant here on earth is continually exercised he himselfe being our most mightie and puissant Capitaine doth animate and encourage vs most comfortably with these wordes Ioh. 16. Be of good comfort saieth he I haue overcome the world For he hath conquered the Deuil the world sin damnation death and hell for vs and hath loosed all our sorowes Therefore this holy heauenly diuine contemplation raiseth lifteth vp our harts our cogitations our studies our sences desires and loue from vaine pleasures vnto the true and euerlasting treasures according to that effectual and pithy praier of Dauid O turne awaie mine eyes least they behold vanitie For indeede all things are vaine Psal 119. Wis 13. except the knowledge of God and most miserable are they that are destitute thereof Now as concerning the Knowledge of a mans selfe wherewith euery Christian ought to be instructed endued there is almost no naturall mortall and earthly man no not commonly among the heathē much lesse among true Christians but that by the vse of reason and quicknes of wit infused by nature he vnderstandeth and perceiueth himselfe to be created and ordeined of God to a far better happier and more excellent end purpose then all other creatures voide of reason wit iudgment ouer whiche creatures God the creator hath made and constituted man lord ruler gouernour Psal 8. And in the creation of him which as Dauid saith is wonderfull and fearefull he hath made the fashion Psal 139. forme shape of his body straight vpright towards heauen wherby he is admonished to lift vp his heart vnto heauen set his loue on heauenly things and not to fix and cast down his cogitations vpon earthly things only but to haue mind continually on that diuine Genes 1. spirituall and immortall substaunce whereof his soule is a likenes and image And to cōsider that in this his meruailous creation hee excelleth all other liuing creatures whose bodily shape is in forme prone and groueling downe towardes the earth being created and ordained vnto corruption Rom. 8. and subiect vnto vanitie and destinated to perish with the earth whereas contrariwise man is appointed and assigned thorowe faith in Christ Iesus vnto immortalitie and eternall felicitie in heauen This certaine persuasion and true opinion the poet vndoubtedly seemed to haue fixed and stablished in his mind declaring the same in these elegant verses Ouid. in 1. lib. Metamorph Os homini sublime dedit coelumque videre Iussit erectos ad sydera tollere vultus which may be englished thus God gaue to man a face on high And heauen to behold And visage straight lift vp toth ' starres Commanded him he should But whosoeuer will knowe him selfe rightly and perfectly must cōsider that mā consisteth of two parts namely the bodie and kthe soule whereof the one is subiect to corruption the other is incoruptible the one perceiued sensible thother inuisible the one subiect to death the other immortall the one a deuine spirituall and heauenly substaunce the other a grosse and fraile lumpe of earth which turneth into earth againe In euery faithfull vertuous and godly Christian the soule which is the highest or chiefe◅ part of the mind or spirite or power intellectiue being led by the Spirite of God ought to rule the body and the lustes appetites and desires therof And the bodie as a seruaunt or minister vnto his lord maister ought alwaies to be obedient to the good and godly motions of the Spirite as the Apostle teacheth saying If ye mortifie the deeds of the body by the Spirite ye shall liue And a little after he saieth Rom. 8. The same Spirite beareth witnes with our spirite that wee are the children of God So that wee haue two witnesses that is to say Gods spirite and ours which is certified by the Spirite of God which must haue domination ouer the affections lustes
his inward shape doth meruailously adorne and beautifie him Genes 1. because it is conformed according to the image and likenesse of God that is representeth and sheweth the substance of his Creator Man is the image of God and commeth nearest vnto his nature Which vertue efficacie and power being excellent and infused into him from God consisteth wholly in the soule and minde being drawne forth from the principall paterne and sacred closet of the Godhead By which diuine gift man attayneth to be endued with reason iudgement and vnderstanding and made capeable of heauenly doctrine and by conceiuing the knowledge of God 2. Cor. 3. and by the light of faith is vnited vnto him and wholly transformed into him But besides other notable prerogatiues man hath specially gotten this that whereas God hath made other creatures reasonlesse that is to say dumbe and destitute of the vse of speech and voyce he hath graunted to man the gift of speaking Wherein man differeth from beasts whereby he may communicate and impart to others the meaning of his minde and declare the conceit of his counsell and purpose which is the chiefest of al and most acceptable to God Speech is a singular gift of God that with his voyce he extoll and most highly praise his Creator the knowledge of whome he hath conceiued in minde by faith For by this meanes not only his Maiestie and his great power God requireth thankfulnesse and high honor is magnified but also according to the small portion and measure of mans wit some thankes euen so great thankes as wee are able to giue for the benefits that we receiue is acquited and a testification of our thankfull readie and well willing minde towards our bountifull father Psalm 16. is vttered and declared and because God needeth not our goods hee requireth nothing else of vs but loue and thankefulnesse Nothing more deare in the sight of God theâ— man and that all things are created for the vse and commoditie of man CHAP. 3. God beareth a merueilous loue to maÌ„ FOrasmuch as God beareth a singular loue towards man hee hath garnished his heart and minde wherein his diuine power appeareth with many and great ornaments and hath also furnished him abundantly with outward gifts and with the most ample possession of things which nature Gods minister dooth plentifully poure forth and hath giuen vnto him the gouernance All things are created for the vse and benefit of man rule and principalitie of all the same wholly and vniuersally yea euen to euery base cobler and meanest man which enioyeth the bounty of his Creator and the goodly and passing delectable pleasantnesse of the whole world aswell as any King of them all that aboundeth in wealth and riches so that he dwelleth in the great wide and large stage of this world not as a forayner and stranger borne which dwelleth in another mans house to whom the possession of worldly things apperteyneth not but as a citizen Man is a ruler of the world burgesse and free man of the world and Lord of all things which the earth containeth For vnto his vse and commoditie and the seruice and obedience of him all things are created whatsoeuer are contained in the compasse and circuit of Heauen and earth and sea which thing Dauid being an entier and singular prayser of the workes of God declareth in these verses Psal 1.8 O Lord our Lord how wonderfull is thy name in all the world For thy magnificence is exalted aboue the Heauens What is man that thou art mindefull of him or the sonne of man that thou hast regard of him Thou hast made him a little lesse then God or the Angels thou hast crowned him with glorie honor and hast made him ruler ouer the workes of they hands Thou hast put all things in subiection vnder his feete c. By which words he sheweth how greatly God esteemeth man next after Christ and how great the estimation of man is in his sight to whome all the whole worke of nature vniuersally serueth and is obedient so that not onely all things are created for his commoditie and ready for his vse Rom. 8. but also Christ for his sake hath submitted himselfe to death for whose fauour and merites the father giueth vs all thinges abundantly How great the thankefulnesse of man toward God ought to be CHAP. 4. This thing ought chieflie to stirre vp man â—… loue God entirely and worshippe him sincerely that when as man was abandoned from God and cast downe into euerlasting death for breaking his commandement our heauenly father for the singular fauour and merites of Christ The reconciliation of man receiued him into fauour againe for Christ hauing coÌ„passioÌ„ on the calamitie of 〈◊〉 reconciled man to his father being purged by his bloud and conquering death and shaking off the tyrrannie of our most cruell enimie â—… whome man was bound and as it were in debted deliuered and brought man safe againe into the libertie which he had lost and restored him vnto the inheritance of the kingdome of heauen so that as Saint Paul witnesseth we are no more foreiners and strangers with God Ephes 2. but citizens heyres finally his friends and of his houshold being builded vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ being the head corner stone by whome we haue accesse and entrance in one spirit vnto the father Tit. 3. Wherefore sith that euery one of vs by the helpe of wholsome and sound doctrine is graft into Christ by faith and by the fountaine of regeneration and as Saint Paul saieth 2. Tim. 1. Hath obtained grace and inheritance by the renewing of his holy spirit which he hath poured forth vpon vs richly It is meete and the restauration of our sauing health dooth require that all our hope and trust being reposed in so bountifull a father and his sonne Iesus Christ who hath abolished death and sinne we submit our selues to him and direct our life conuersation desires delights and studies vnto his good will and pleasure and with purenesse of heart holy and vnblameable manner of liuing Our life must be approued vnto God and continuall and feruent praier knit our selues and cleaue fast vnto him and endeuour all that euer wee can to seeke and get his fauour and grace by and through Iesus Christ our onely aduocate with the father the onely propitiation for our sinnes What good man hath by Baptisme and what we are taught thereby CHAP. 5. BEcause Baptisme or the holy washing is the first entrance What effect Baptisme hath and the very dore and porch into the Church congregation company of the faithfull it bringeth vs into the hope and trust of our saluation For our bodies being mortified and our mindes renewed by faith and repentance that is by detesting and abhorring our former life we are graftâ—… to Christ who by the vse of this outward
boldnesse and confidence he sayth I saide I will confesse my vnrighteousnesse vnto the Lord against my selfe and so thou forgauest the wickednesse of my sinne For such is the loue and louing inclination of God towards men such is his mildnesse meeknesse long suffering and lenitie that as soone as men think and purpose to repent forthwith hee forgiueth them their sinne Which hee sheweth playnelie by the Prophet Esaie in these wordes Esai 65. And it shall bee that or euer they call I will answere them and whilest they are yet but thinking how to speake I shall heare them Wherby he declareth his prompt goodnesse his prone louing kindnesse and ready fauour that if a man doe but conceiue in his minde the purpose of a better amended life straight way the Lord remitteth vnto him the offence that he hath committed So in Ezechiel Ezech. 18. At what time soeuer a sinner shall bewaile his sinne I will no more remember his iniquityes Whatsoeuer good thing happeneth vnto vs we must ascribe the same vnto God CHAP. 52. Whatsoeuer good thing happeneth to man must be transferred ascribed vnto God IF any honourable famous royal or magnifique thing happen vnto thee in this fraile caducall body and in this momentany and transitory life if thou haue great possessions hereditaments and goodly manours nigh vnto to the Citie if thy wealth and riches doe abound and if honour reputation greatnesse of power or maiestie noblenesse dignitie and renowme doe adorne the same if thy minde be endewed with the knowledge skil vnderstanding of many things doest not want wisedome ioyned with prudencie and discretion finally if thy body bee healthfull lusty and strong or if thou haue any thing more then all these acknowledge that thou hast receiued all these things of our most bountifull father from whome euery good thing whatsoeuer it be proceedeth coÌ„meth springeth and floweth To this document S. Paul reduceth him that swelleth with pride and is puffed vp with vaine perswasion and taketh away from him the trust which he hath of himselfe with these words 1. Cor. 4. What is it which thou hast not receiued which if thou haue receiued why doost thou boast as though thou hadst not receiued it The Lord also by the Prophet Ieremie doth euen print thrust and beate the same into euery mans heart saying Ierem. 9. Let not the wise man glory in his wisdome nor the strong man glory in his strength nor the rich man glory in his riches but whosoeuer glorieth let him glory in this that he vnderstandeth and knoweth mee He that glorieth saith S. Paul 1. Cor. 1. 2. Cor 10. let him glorie in the Lord of whome wee haue obtayned all good things whatsoeuer they bee plentifully and aboundantly by Iesus Christ who is made vnto vs of God wisdome righteousnesse sanctification saluation redemption And further to the end that no man should reioyce in himselfe or fauour and flatter himselfe and extoll himselfe too insolently and proudly concerning outward and inward gifts S. Paul putteth vs in minde and telleth vs that we beare this treasure in earthen vessels that is to say in a frayle and dying body to the ende that euery man may know that this ought to bee ascribed to the power highnesse and excellencie of God and not to the strength of man All good things that we haue come from God And as all good things that bee in man whatsoeuer light and vnderstanding whatsoeuer wisdom and knowledge whatsoeuer vertue or righteousnesse is in him ought to bee yeelded reckoned and rendered vnto God and to the father of light from whome all good giuings and gifts doe descend as S. Iames Iam. 1. the Apostle testifieth All naughtines wickednes proceedeth froÌ„ our corrupted mind so whatsoeuer vice vngraciousnesse malitiousnesse wickednesse whatsoeuer darknes ignorance and blindnesse whatsoeuer lewdnesse naughtinesse and corruption is in mans minde all that same ought to bee ascribed and imputed vnto our owne malicious will and not the very least fault to be laid on God Wisd 2. For sin the transgression of God his coÌ„mandement hath brought vpon vs al kinde of miseries calamities diseases sicknesses griefs both of body mind lastly death hath graffed in mans heart al maner of procliuitie and inclination vnto wickednesse Discretion aduisement and consideration must be had in choosing the kind of life CHAP. 53. DeliberatioÌ„ in choosing any kind of life IN chusing that kinde maner of life which thou determinest to imbrace wherin thou purposest to rest abide vnto the end quietly to passe thy dayes vntil old age come stealing vpoÌ„ thee this thing ought chiefly to be regarded namely to attempt things prudeÌ„tly aduisedly not rashly to addict thy self to any purpose fashion of life from which afterward if thou repeÌ„t or be yrke therof thou maist not retire or be released For they which being of vnripe age hauing apt inclination of nature which is not yet well tried nor perfectly proued and knowen neither well considering whereunto by nature they be most fitly bent doe take in hand some kinde of life and binde themselues therunto perpetually they lead an vnpleasant life and ful of tediousnes and grief if at any time as oftentimes it commeth to passe they begin to be yrke or weary of their maner trade of life or perceiue themselues vnable to beare the burthen charge therof Wherfore lest any man snare or intangle himselfe vnaduisedly before that he imbrace any trade or maner of life let him take himselfe a time to deliberate what course of life hee will chiefly folow wherunto he is minded to addict himself In which deliberation according to the aduertisement of Cicero all counsayle and aduisement must haue respect regard to the nature of euery man Cic. lib. 1. Offic. to the ende that framing himself to som fashioÌ„ of liuing very carefully he may persist in his enterprise stedfastly For many seeking laboring to attaine to the best are deceiued not so much with their will as with the error of their course Some goe awry decline froÌ„ the right way not willingly but erroniously who goâ—… wrong way to worke and wandering with from the marke which Christ hath prefixed 〈◊〉 set before vs doe decline vnto superstition that is to say doe fall into a shew and appearance of religion coloured with simulation couÌ„terfayted with hypocrisie But the ayd fortification and protection of our saluatioÌ„ must chiefly principally be sought for at Christs hand who being our onely captaine we passe through the raging waues of the surging Sea of this world and arriue in the happy hauen long looked for Iohn 10. Hee is the doore which openeth vnto vs the entrance and way to come to the Father Of Christ must we seeke saluation He is the way the truth and the life from whom Satan seeketh and
doe shore and proppe vp a vine whereon it is sustained and being as it were maried ioyned and nayled thereunto groweth vp exceedingly and spreadeth it selfe very largely For as a vine destitute of proppes and shores Matrimony compared to a vine falleth downe and lyeth flat on the ground so doth matrimonie also fall and houshold wealth decay vnles it be vpholden with mutuall helpe and diligence of man and woman But if there be any enormitie in this societie if any inconuenience suspitions tumults disquietnesse or discord doe inuade the maried couple it must be rather imputed and ascribed to the affections perturbations Mens affections are to be blamed not nature and waywardnesse of both sexes then to this institution and ordinance For these enormities are not proper to wedlocke but be the offences and vices of our depraued and corrupt nature and of a troublous mind which we haue gotten by the spot of originall sinne vpon which all the blame ought to be layed How and by what meanes it may be brought to passe that death be not terrible to a man of lewd and naughtie nature CHAP. 56. COnsidering that in humane estate there is nothing permanent nothing sure stedfast but all things yea euen the best commended most approued are momentanie fraile We must haue no trust in caducall things transitorie and doe soone faile and fall there is no cause why a man should greatly loue like extoll and esteeme the same and be delighted withall more then is meete but rather erect and lift vp his minde and heart vnto the heauenly habitations and regarde consider meditate and muse vpon thinges perfect sure and eternall For whosoeuer fixeth in his heart vndoubted trust in GOD the father by Christ Iesus and thereupon groundeth the sure hope and expectation of immortalitie Assured trust in Christ putteth away the feare of death he need not feare any imminent chaunces and endammagements he hath 〈◊〉 cause to dread sicknesse calamities daungers no nor finally death whereof those men specially be sore afrayd who are destitute of the Spirit of God not endued with any knowledge of the deitie For they which put theâ— confidence in GOD being strengthened and supported with his holy spirit doe boldly and manly without any feare or discouraging stand and abide against all aduersities For as S. Paule saith Rom. 8. 2. Tim. 1. Gal. 4. We haue not receiued the spirit of bondage or of feare but the spirit of adoption of power and of loue by whom we boldly cry Abba father Herein saith S. Iohn 1. Ioh. 4. is the loue perfect with vs that we should haue trust in the day of iudgement There is no feare in loue but perfect loue casteth out all feare for feare bringeth painfulnesse or trembling dread Therefore to the end we may shake off all feare and driue out of our minds all dread of death and whatsoeuer it be that causeth trembling horror let vs cast all our care on our bountifull father and referre and erect all our thoughts our hope Coloss 2. our prayers and our whole trust and confidence vnto him and vnto Iesus Christ who hath purged cleansed and cleared vs with his bloud Christ hath ouercome death and hath deliuered vs and set vs at libertie from sinne and from the tyrannie of death and hath blotted out rased and quite cancelled the obligation or handwriting which was against vs A similitude of theÌ„ that be in great debt wherewith wee were bound and as it were indebted to the diuell Moreouer Christ our Sauiour to the end he might comfort and fortifie mens fearefull minds and declare that all our hope and trust consisteth and resteth in him saith thus Ioh. 16. Be of good comfort I haue ouercome the world Now is the Prince of this world iudged that is to say he which brought in death is repulsed by my death and condemned in iudgement and deposed from his power to doe hurt whereof hee is depriued Ioh. 14. The Prince of this world commeth and hath not any thing in mee By the comfort of which words he sheweth manifestly that Satan Christ is a terror to Satan and those which in this world by sinne are his confederates hath no power against Christ or his members which cleaue vnto him Comfortable sentences and bee graffed in him by faith These holesome and liuely sermons worke this effect in the mindes of those men which leane and trust vnto his defence that casting away the feare of death they lustily cheerefully and couragiously enuirone and fortifie themselues against any assaults or inuasions of troubles or calamities whatsoeuer and declare their inuincible magnanimitie and with great confidence breake forth into these words Psal 25. Myne eyes are euer looking vnto the Lord for he shall plucke my feete out of the nette Psal 27. The Lord is my light and my saluation whom then shall I feare The Lord is the defender of my life of whom then shall I be afrayed If an hoast of men were layed agaynst me yet shall not my heart bee afrayed Psal 3. I will not feare thousands of people that compasse mee about If there rise vp warre agaynst mee yet my hope is in him Psal 23. Though I walke in the middest of the shadowe of death I will feare no euill for thou art with mee Iob. 13. Though hee kill mee I will put my trust in him that is to say If he cast vpon mee the horrour of death and if I must bâ—… spoyled of my life yet for all that I will trust in him who by his prouidence will make a way and vse meanes to saue mee Psal 118. Hebr. 13. The Lord is my helper I will not feare what flesh shall do vnto mee And that saying of Ieremie Ieremy 17. Behold say they where is the word of the Lord Let 〈◊〉 come And I was not troubled following this the sheepeheard and thou knowest I haue not desired the day of man that is A place of Ieremy expounded I looke not for helpe of any other but of thee so that I regard not a whit neither doe I feare them which threaten my death Be not thou a terror vnto mee O my hope in the day of my affliction Let them be afeard but let not me feare Saint Paule being inflamed with the same feruent and ardent zeale of faith and trusting vnto the ayde and protection of GOD pronounceth assuredly and boldly that there is nothing in the world so dreadfull or horrible that can put godly mens mindes in feare of plucke them away from the loue of GOD and sure trust reposed in him For I surely perswade my selfe saith he Rom. 8. that neither death neither life neither angels or inuisible spirites neither principalities or powers neither things now at hand nor things to come neither any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of GOD which is