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
of heaueÌ„ For the lawes of 〈◊〉 people are vaine that is to say their 〈◊〉 proofes or demoÌ„strations are deceitfull â—…bulous Astrologie not vtterly to be condemned By which word the holy Prophâ—… not vtterly condemne or reiect Astrologâ—… which hath vse commoditie and profit pâ—…liar vnto it but they speak against such skilâ—… men of this arte as with deceitfull diuinatâ—… and telling of false things for true The vanity of Astrology reproued of the prophets doe delâ—… the people do blind bleare the credulâ—… easily beleeuing multitude with vaine eâ—…ctation of things Of like sort are the vanitiâ—… Palmestrie Artes that be hurtfull which by beholding the lineaâ—… or lines marks of the hands doe trifle woâ—derfully Likewise the dazling deceit and câ—loured craft of Alcumistrie where with friâ—…lous triflers do perswade men that they 〈◊〉 turne the propriety kind of things chaÌ„gâ— siluer brasse into gold Amongst these 〈◊〉 we reckon those artes that be worse namâ—… Necromancie wherby the bodies of the dâ—… are wont to be called out of their graues aâ—swers required of theÌ„ as we read that the Sorceresse or inchanting woman did who to gratifie Saul 1. Reg. 28. brought vp Samuel in a fained false counterfeit shape Not vnlike to this be Hydromancie Pyromancie which be done 〈◊〉 water fire many other illusions and iugling casts of diuels inchantmeÌ„ts of Magickâ— as Ariolation that is prophecie of things to come Sooth saying by view of sacrifices noise flying of birds that is to say diuinations coniectures by beholding of bowels Witchcraft inchaunting hurtful by the singing chirping chattring of birds amoÌ„gst these do I reckon mischieuous deeds done by sorcery witchcraft wherewith in Germanie diuers witches that hurt infants sorceresses by their inchantmeÌ„ts doe hurt harme their neigbours herds of cattell sheepe by the ministry of deuils do rob them of their milk butter wast spoyle break their haruest vineyards More ouer they take froÌ„ men their bodily manly strength make them feeble vnable 〈◊〉 natural copulatioÌ„ euen as though they were gelded wherof diuers meÌ„ strong firmly coÌ„pact haue made coÌ„plaint to me who lamented that they were degenerated into eunuches and emasculate persons to their great shame the detriment of their wiues to whoÌ„ I indeuoured to minister remedy preseruatiues against witchcraft with laying to of herbs which by the gift of God are effectuall medicinable a soueraigne succour against such delusioÌ„s of InchantmeÌ„ts And therfore to weary the wit with such witchcraft is a thing not onely vnnecessary vnprofitable but also very pernitious dangerous Deuter. 18. for by the lawes of God men they are worthily punished put to death which doe practise any such mischieuous arts which are the works of euil spirits But for what cause enchantments ought 〈◊〉 vtterly reproued and abandoned I will 〈◊〉 more at large in the end of this booke wâ—… will intreate of the Maiestie of the name of â—…sus left here the order and course of my â—…ter and treatise be interrupted We ought to haue as great care and regard the soule and minde as of the bodie yearâ—… much more CHAP. 21. The care culture that is to be imployed on the mind the body COnsidering that man consisteth and 〈◊〉 compact of bodie and soule we must 〈◊〉 very diligent respect and foresigâ—… to the â—…tie and soundnesse of both these parts 〈◊〉 soule is the chiefest part of man the boâ—… the mansion place of the soule We haue 〈◊〉 soule for a ruler and gouernour but we vse 〈◊〉 bodie rather as a seruant and minister Aâ—… therefore we must not be negligent in the culture and due ordering of either of them A similitude taken of houshold affairs Foâ— we be carefull that our houses be not daâ—… and moyst and that the roofes and tops 〈◊〉 them be not gaping open with chinckes and crannies to receaue rayne and winde and â—…nally lest our garments and couerings being filthie and not ayred should be full of mocâ—es and wormes how much more ought we 〈◊〉 looke well to the bodie the vices whereof 〈◊〉 annoy the mind and paâ—… to and fro from the one to the other by the consent and meanes of societie and mutuall participation For Horat. lib. 2 Serm. Satyr 2. The bodie clogd with outward vice doth presse the mind downe too And suffreth not from earth to rise the soule as it should doo Whereunto that saying of the wise man agreeth Wisd 1. The bodie that is corrupted is a heauie burthen to the soule and keepeth downe the vnderstanding that museth of many things Therefore some respect must be giuen to the bodie by the firmenesse and corrobation whereof as Plinie saith the minde is susteyned This did S. Paule obserue 1. Timot. 5. who forbidding Timothie to vse water prescribed vnto him the moderate vse of wine that thereby he might strengthen his stomacke and be the more chearefully animated and encouraged in the spreading abroad and publishing of the Gospell For the bodie being kept sound and preserued safe from sicknesse doth seruice to the minde the better and is no hinderance or encumbrance to the cleare vnderstanding in the contemplation and studious beholding of things that be highest most excellent and most worthie to be knowne But it is required at our hands to haue speciall care of the soule and to adorne and garnish it by all meanes possible And there is no way better to bring this to passe then by sure and steâ—dfast trust in God which rayseth vp man vnto the certain and vndoubted hope of immortalitie and deliuereth â—he mind from feare and dread of death And 〈◊〉 meat is the nourishment of the bodie so is the word of God the foode and sustenance of the soule The foode of the soule by which onely peace and tranquilitie is conceiued in the conscience then the which there is nothing more to be wished of man 〈◊〉 more worthy to be desired or fought for in the course and race of this life But with how great griefe The vngodly are vnquiet trouble and vnquietnes of conscience the vngodly are vexed how cruell tormenâ— of minde the wicked feele euen the outward hâ—… bite quality and condition of the body doth declare For wickednes is a reuenger and punisher of it selfe so that whatsoeuer conscience it hath once caught and possessed it neuer suffereth the same to bee quiet but continually vexeth tosteth and disquieteth it with perturbatioÌ„s Which the Prophet Esay euidently end pressed by a prety similitude takeÌ„ of the raging surges of the Sea for thus he saith Esay 57. The heaâ—… of the wicked rageth like the Sea and the wayes thereof boyle out myre and dyrt that is to say the conscience of theÌ„ which are contaminated with wickednesse and polluted with impietie is tumultuous Vicious
little of himselfe As for the playes of Dice Cards Infamous games and all other vaine delights of idle persons see that thou eschew them as a thing most hurtfull shameful and ignominious For in such games no cunning skill preuaileth but craft deceit guile sleight and subtiltie neither doth consideration aduisement or wisedome take place but chaunce fortune temeritie and rashnesse The dice comprehendeth euery kinde of play that is subiect to the mutabilitie of fortune as draughts What dice is casting of dice out of a boxe or out of the hand chests-play all kind of dice casting or table-play so that in very small things and childrens pastime it deserueth reprehension if it be done either too oft or deceitfully or contentiously So saith Martial featly and properly Martial lib. 14. Small dice doe seeme a trifeling game And hurt to haue none in the same Yet boyes they make oft times to lose Euen all the poynts that tye their hose Wherfore seeing that in this kind of game all things for the most part vse to be done couetously lewdly naughtily and deceitfully such moderation must be had that we seeke for delight some recreation Winning without wylie deceit rather then to be greedie of gayne gotten by winning For we see commonly that they which doe not take heede nor bee circumspect are cleane wiped and beguiled of their money craftily tromped by fraudulent and wylie fellowes And albeit some hope of winning in such exercises tickleth a mans mind and the reward of victorie comforteth the winner yet notwithstanding no man ought to do any thing vpō greedie hope or couetous gaping for aduantage For exercise is ordained and licence to play is permitted not for the winning or the getting of gayne thereby but in respect of health and pleasant recreation to the end that the wearied mind may haue some rest so conceiue new strength to tolerate and sustaine labours agayne But it is the nature and condition of dice-players that assoone as once that itch and scabbe hath gotten hold on their minds The conditiō of dice-players it can hardly be extinguished For men of that habite qualitie and sort on euery side soliciting and procuring them thereunto they run agayne to those hurtfull and noysome pleasures euery moment Which vice also is euen graffed and rooted in whoremongers Therefore Ouid giueth wholesome counsaile Let winning goe mad auarice doth vexe the mind of men And fearefull hands oft times the dice allure to play agayne Indeed the industrie of getting goods and the increasing and enlarging of household wealth in my iudgement ought not to be dispraised nor reproued but it is meete and decent to seeke to get such gayne as is profitable and honest such as may be acquired without the iniurie displeasure and dāmage of any man A proper wittie prouerbe is that of Plautus It is right and reason that euery man for his owne gayne bee more diligent then fraudulent For goods wrongfully and wickedly gotten doe not onely bring infamie and reproach but also hauing no certaintie nor sure continuance Deceitfully gotten quickly spent are very soone spent and quickly consumed and gone such is the end of riches lewdly gotten with deceit craft false reporting and accusing sleight fraude subtiltie and finally with vsurie with table play with dicing and carding Wherefore see that thou ceasse not by all meanes possible to withdrawe them which bee thy companions in studies and exercises from such lewdnesse and vnthriftinesse and to solicite and exhort them vnto honestie vnto commendable comlinesse vnto vertue For this duetie and merite of humanitie doth not only deserue praise amongst wise men but also it is well pleasing and acceptable to God which the Lord affirmeth plainlie by the Prophet Ieremie in these words Ieremy 15. He that separateth the thing that is precious from the vile shall be euen as myne owne mouth A place of Ieremy declared Whereby he giueth vs to vnderstand that the man which withdraweth eyther himselfe or his neighbour for GOD loueth or esteemeth nothing better then man from things that bee most vile from a filthie polluted and defiled life from erring and going astray and bee his principall leader and chiefe onsetter vnto integritie of life and vnblameable conuersation such a man that so dooth is worthie of excellent praise and draweth neerest vnto God and deserueth diuine honour And hereunto belongeth and accordeth that saying of Saint Iames the Apostle Iames. 5. Brethren if any man amongst you erre from the trueth and some man conuert him let him that so doth knowe that he hath reuiued a sinner from death and saued his soule In all enterprises acts exployts good consideration and aduised deliberation must be our counsailour CHAP. 45. IN euery action and in all manner businesses and affayres of this life all things must bee so moderated with reason circumspect aduisement and premeditation that thou doe nothing the day before which may cause thee to repent the next day after It is nought to say I had not thought For it is a shame to commit any such fact that when the deed is done and past thou bee constrayned to say I had not thought Nothing must be done hastily Vpon the which rock thou shalt neither fall nor be hurt if thou doe nothing rashly vnaduisedly and hastely but let all things bee done circumspectly soberly diligently discreetly in such wise that thou frame and conforme euery thing according to the rule of reason So Salust doth aduertise by a good precept Before thou en◅prise or begin a thing it is needfull to hand good aduisement wisely and when thou hast well deliberated then to accomplish the same speedily And Cicero likewise Cic. lib. 1. Offic. In al things that thou attemptest or takest in hand a diligent preparation must be had Whereunto belongeth that prouerbe or old saying commonly vsed Make speed soft and fayre Soft fire maketh sweete mault and Soone enough if it be well enough Doe not those things whereof thou standest in doubt CHAP. 46. DOe nothing that may put thy minde in a scruple and cause ambiguitie so that thou doubt whether it be right or wrong that thou intendest to attempt or enterprise For equitie as Cicero saith Cic. 1. Offic. is cleere and euident of it selfe and is ioyned and vnited both with vertue and honestie But doubtfulnesse is alied and confederated with vnrighteousnesse and other vices Hereunto agreeth that saying of S. Paule Rom. 14. Happie is he which iudgeth not himselfe in that thing which he alloweth that is to say which in attempting any businesse doth not feele his conscience secretly reclaiming and denying the same A place of S. Paul expounded Which sentence although the Apostle wrote it concerning the choise of meats and eschewing offence and hurt of conscience as is declared before yet it may bee also conueniently applyed to other things Doubting bringeth a scruple and trouble
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
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—