perceiue mine ende to approache to the example of many that the iudgement and iustice of GOD maie openly be declared vpon me And when he had thus saide he turned his face awaie from vs turnyng himselfe on the other side then saide the reuerende father Vergerius Ah deare master Francis turne your face vnto vs I would wee praied to God togither and saie Our father c. Then he turnyng him began to say the lordes praier in his mother tongue with suche grauitie and deuotion that all wee did wonder and this vttered hee added these woordes I haue saide it with my mouth but my hearte is cleane from it God hath taken all his grace from mee My heart is vtterly hardened Ye labour in vaine And when we had spoâken with hym all these wordes and many other we had hym farewell And so departed all thence with the Lord Vergerius to pray vnto God for hym entendyng to returne on the morow if the blessed God woulde vouchesafe to shew hym his mercie The next daye we came to the wretched man saluting him as the maner is to whom the reuerende lorde Vergerius sayde Right welbeloued Maister Francis is it any better with you by the grace of GOD haue ye receiued no comforte in your hart haue you conceyued any good hope to whome he aunswered nothing at all but rather coÌtinually worse and worse Then began we to demaunde of him many questions and especiallye what time he fell first into that coÌfusion and desperation and when that vnquencheable worme did firste begin to burne his conscience then recited he vnto vs the whole order and processe of his first and seconde abiuration as we haue declared in the beginning Which abiurations made by and by he perceiued himselfe to be smitten wyth the mightie haÌd of God not with any affliction or infirmitie of the body which he right gladly would haue acknowledged for the chasticement and correction of sinne and would not vtterlye haue cast away hope and trust But the most wretched felow from that houre and that sodainly parceyued himself to be stricken in heart spirite and conscience for God from that houre sente into his harte a gnawyng worme an vnquencheable fire that sodainely he might be filled with errour confusion and desperation which worme and fire neuer since forsooke hym in so much that hée confessed himselfe to be in farre worse estate than if his soule were deuided from his body and he with Caine and other dampned persons desiring rather to be in the place of any deade and damned soule than so to lyue in his body and that death shoulde be much more welcome to him Then wéeping he began to declare vnto vs horrible visions how that he perceyued since that time coÌtinually Deuils to come to his chamber yea to his bed making a noyse and businesse putting him in feare and sheauering sticking pinnes in the pillow vnder his heade and sayde that he coÌceyued not these thinges by a false or corrupt imagination but euen as truely as he sawe vs all aliue and speaking with him Then sayde the reuerend Lorde Vergerius Ah deare Maister Frauncis yo ãâ¦ã spirite vtterly corrupt representeth ãâ¦ã to you these erronious illusions and f ãâ¦ã imaginations But returne a while vnto the spirite of truth and direct your hart with hope and affiaunce vnto the blessed God mercifull and full of goodnesse and without doubt he will be good and mercifull vnto you he wyll cast from you all horror and confusion haue sure coÌfidence swéete M. Francis we all haue good hope of you through the infinite mercye of God and if it please you let vs saye togither from the heart the Lords prayer Then sayde he in Latine the whole prayer with pleÌtifull teares so deuoutly and grauely and wyth such inwarde affection as we thought that all we that stoode by did wéepe wyth hym And when I behelde both the teares the repentance and contrition of the man I sayde Maister Frauncis the blessed God be praysed Now are not these the tokens of vtter refusyng or castyng awaye You âourne ye cal for the fauor of God with âarâest desire Doe not vtterly dispaire of his pardon and say not with a desperate minde that God is against you and that ye beleue that yée were reprobate and refused from the beginning For no ãâ¦ã aâ can know as long as he is in this mortall lyfe whether he bée worthie the hatred or loue of God through the righteousnesse of workes And when we earnestly exhorted him that in no case he shoulde fall from all hope and trust and that euerie man that is borne although he had committed all the sinnes of the whole worlde ought yet to haue some hope of the fauour and mercy of God whose goodnesse mercie is muche more plenteous than mannes vnderstandyng can perceyue and that if any of vs were fallen into suche miserie yet shoulde he not dispaire of the mercie of the high and good god To the which hée aunswered I knowe all this and I beleue that the infinite mercy of God doth farre surmount all the sinnes of the worlde and that euerye man that beléeueth and hath fayth eastlye obtayneth pardon of all the sinnes of the worlde But this hope thys faith is the gifte of god And this one thing wante I that I can neyther hope nor beleue of the fauour and mercie of God towardes mée And I would God that he would graunt me this one thing that I coulde conceyue neuer so little hope and beliefe of forgiuenesse and pardon But this is euen as possible as to take the whole water of the sea in one spoone and to drinke it vppe at a draughte If Salomon had bene in suche case as I am and had some what knowne those thinges which I prooue nowe by manifest experience hee woulde neuer haue vttered that Sentence But I doe beléeue and this I knowe most assuredly that there was neuer any man that had more manifest experience in his lyfe of the hatred wrath and indignation of the righteous god against hym then I haue I would I were in the place of any damned person You that are in blessed estate suppose thys an easie thing to be done that a sinner reknowledging his fault may lift vp himselfe to hope and faith towards God ⪠and therefore ye exhort me for as much as ye sée me repentaunt and sorowfull that I would conceiue some hope and trust to rise againe ⪠The helthfull hath no néede of a Phisâtion and he that is whole can soone giue councell to the sicke But herein am I tormented this is my hel this is my confusion and desperation that I knowe all grace to be taken from me that I féele my heart hardened that I can not beleue nor hope any thing at all of the attonement and mercie of god Fewe there be whome iust Iupiter hath loued We comforted the miserable estate of this desperate man by such meanes as we coulde
ãâ¦ã comfort oure selues in oure sickenesse calamitie and our brother being visit But in any wise and with all diligenc ãâ¦ã is to be foreséene that we withdraw ãâ¦ã mynne from the fearefull and terri ãâ¦ã contemplation of synne death and da ãâ¦ã nation And that wee fixe these of ãâ¦ã minde and whole thought vpon Chr ãâ¦ã onely that we cleane vnto him that call vpon him that we commit our sel ãâ¦ã wholy to hym For in Christe wee s ãâ¦ã espie nothing but innocencie iustice ãâ¦ã saluation whiche all be deriued fr ãâ¦ã Christe into vs so that we will acknââledge him and receiue him for the ãâ¦ã thor of our saluation and onely redée ãâ¦ã if we haue Christe crucified afore ãâ¦ã eyes if we imprint him in oure hart ãâ¦ã wee flye to him with oure faithe if âholye cleane to him Then shall hell ãâ¦ã tes nothyng preuaile against vs then ãâ¦ã all we be able to withstande all the ãâ¦ã rcible assaultes of Sathan though they ãâ¦ã neuer so sore neuer so fierce neuer so ãâ¦ã rrible ⪠Let vs call to remembraunce with ãâ¦ã hat lenitie what gentlenesse what huâanitie what clemencie Christe as it is the euangelicall hystorie hath called to him and receiued all suche synners hath repented them and desired his ãâ¦ã pe We shall finde Marie Magdalen ãâ¦ã sinner that hong vpon the right hand Christ crucified the publicane Zache ãâ¦ã h other mo whome Christe mâoste ãâ¦ã yngly receiuyng pronounced cleare ãâ¦ã synne though thei had synned grea ãâ¦ã and the children of saluation Christe ãâ¦ã erie grace mercie helpe comfort life ãâ¦ã e and saluatio to al those whiche loke these thynges at his handes and put ãâ¦ã r trust in hym And all these thynges ãâ¦ã God who is truthe it self and can ãâ¦ã lye nor wil not deceiue promised vn ãâ¦ã for Christes sake âinally when Death approcheth wée must do as Christ did vpon the crosse wâ muste praie for our enemies and forgi ãâ¦ã them with our hart If we haue offend ãâ¦ã any man we must be hartely sorie for ãâ¦ã we muste desire forgiuenesse if we ha ãâ¦ã iniured any man we must make hym mendes or take suche order that ameÌd ãâ¦ã maie be made vnto hym if it passeth o ãâ¦ã power to make restitution amende ãâ¦ã shal be inough that we desire forgiuene ãâ¦ã And with our harts forgiue others wh ãâ¦ã hath hurte vs either in name bodie s ãâ¦ã staunce or estimatioÌ For if we truly ãâ¦ã giue God hath promised we shal be fo ãâ¦ã uen as it is in the 6. of Mat. but aboue haue an vnmouable faithe in the for ãâ¦ã promises of God made in Christe Ie ãâ¦ã our lorde It is verie necessary also ãâ¦ã ââble for the confirmation and stren ãâ¦ã ning of our faithe to receiue the i ãâ¦ã blessed sacrament of the body and ãâ¦ã of our sauiour Christ which we are ãâ¦ã maunded to receyue in remembra ãâ¦ã of his benefites that hereby wee ãâ¦ã be truely certified in our consciencâ his body to be giuen for vs and his bloud to be shed for remission of our synnes Death OF our fleashe and fraile nature is so feared and abhorred that when he approcheth mannes hart âe filled and laden with suche sorrowes panges ãâ¦ã d anxieties as tongue is not able too ãâ¦ã presse ¶ A medicine against the feare of Death WE muste call to our remembraunce Death to bee ouercommed and abholished by Christe So that nowe the soules of so many as truste Christ can not dye nor perishe but de ãâ¦ã tyng from the bodie goeth straight to ãâ¦ã rist For thus was it saied to the these ãâ¦ã is houre of death This daie shalt thou with me in paradise The body though ãâ¦ã est and pause for a while yet wee bee certaine hope that at the laste daie it ãâ¦ã bee raised againe to immortall and ãâ¦ã rlastyng life And therefore scripture ãâ¦ã eth the death of the bodie but a slepe that this same fraile weake vile mortall and corruptible bodie whiche wee cary aboute whiche lieth sicke and sore diseased whiche shortly shall bee put into the yearth burne to ashes deuour ãâ¦ã with beastes or foules drowned in water that self same bodie I saie shall be raised againe incorruptible glorious beautifull stronge pure immortall ãâ¦ã possesse a newe and euerlastynge life where there shall neither bee hunger thirste ⪠heate colde synne death nor a ãâ¦ã kinde of calamitie but iustice innocent life ioye blesse world without ende ⪠F ãâ¦ã as the bodie of Christ laied in the gra ãâ¦ã rose againe the third daie neuer more ãâ¦ã die euen so shall the bodies of all that beleue in Christe at the latter daie bee ãâ¦ã suscitate to a life after whiche shall folowe no death God who is of infinite ãâ¦ã wer and infallible truthe hath promise these thynges thei muste therefore ãâ¦ã des bee so And here it shall bee ãâ¦ã ble to âall to remembraunce suche plaâ of scripture as treateth of the resurr ãâ¦ã on of the fleshe whiche bee the woor ãâ¦ã not of manne but of GOD who is ãâ¦ã and will certainely fulfill whatsoeuer ãâ¦ã hath spoken No manne can chaunge ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ill no manne can alter his purpose No ãâ¦ã eature can frustrate lette or tarie his ãâ¦ã tence He is omnipotent he is true he ãâ¦ã faithfull his goodnesse and mercie is ãâ¦ã explicable Lette no manne therefore ãâ¦ã ubte of the truthe of his woordes lette ãâ¦ã manne doubte of the performaunce of ãâ¦ã s promise ãâ¦ã Here after followeth certaine places of scripture witnessing the resurrectioÌ of the ded ãâ¦ã accordyng to the articles of our faith wherein we saie we beleue that this fleshe shall rise againe THis is the will of my father whiche sent me that whosoeuer seeth the soonne and beleueth in hym shall haue life euerlastyng and I will ãâ¦ã se hym vp at the last daie The houre commeth wherein all thei ãâ¦ã t bee in the graues shall heare the ãâ¦ã e of the soonne of God and shall goe ãâ¦ã the thei that haue doeâ good vnto the ãâ¦ã rrection of life For if so ⪠bee that the ãâ¦ã ite of him whiche raised vp Iesus froÌ ãâ¦ã dedde dwelleth in you euen he that ãâ¦ã ed vp Iesus Christe from the dedde ãâ¦ã ll also quicken your mortall bodies because of his Spirite that dwelleth ãâ¦ã you GOD hath bothe raised vp our Lo ãâ¦ã Iesus Christe and shall also raise vs ãâ¦ã by his power Christ saith Lazarus was but a sâe ãâ¦ã where in verie deede he was dedde ãâ¦ã buried But Christe is the resurrection and life ⪠as it is in the same place so th ãâ¦ã he that beleueth on him though he w ãâ¦ã dedde he shall liue In verefiyng whe ãâ¦ã of he raised straight waie Lazarus ãâ¦ã yng fower daies dedde and stinkyng A ãâ¦ã because wee bee naturally in the ago ãâ¦ã of death verie fearfull weake and fai ãâ¦ã harted to the ende that we might bee ãâ¦ã easelier perswaded in the Article of ãâ¦ã surrection Scripture
laste daye I shall ryse ag ãâ¦ã againe be wrapped in my owne s ãâ¦ã And in my owne fleshe shall see ãâ¦ã whome I my selfe shall sée and these eyes shall beholde and none other These places of holy Scripture ãâ¦ã suche lyke if we diligently reme ãâ¦ã and faythfully imbrace we shall pe ãâ¦ã great consolation and comfort And ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã saint Paule reioyce that we knowe ãâ¦ã ste and the power of his resurre ãâ¦ã whereby death is ouercommed ãâ¦ã ther is there now to these that be ãâ¦ã in Christe anye thing in death ter ãâ¦ã or to be feared sauing onely the ãâ¦ã ge and outwarde forme hurte it can ãâ¦ã Lyke as a deade serpent keepeth ãâ¦ã is olde fearefull shape and forme ãâ¦ã sting or to doe harme it hath no ãâ¦ã r at all And lyke as by the brazen ãâ¦ã ent whiche Moyses by Gods com ãâ¦ã dement set vp in the desert when ãâ¦ã s looked vpon through the power of ãâ¦ã worde men were deliuered from ãâ¦ã er of the liuely and venymous Ser ãâ¦ã s so our death is made harmelesse wee deliuered from the feare and ãâ¦ã er of it so oft as wyth the eyes of ãâ¦ã i the wee dooe beholde the health ãâ¦ã nd medicinable death of Christ In ãâ¦ã ion death is nowe become an I ãâ¦ã ⪠and shadowe of death yea ⪠the en ãâ¦ã ce and gate of lyfe For Christe ãâ¦ã s truth it selfe saith If any man my worde he shall neuer see death ãâ¦ã trusting to the mercy of God ãâ¦ã h faith whiche he conceiueth by hearyng and knit to Christe hys Lorde and ãâ¦ã ster that he cannot be plucked nor s ãâ¦ã rate from him The bodye in déede for a time is ãâ¦ã rate from the soule but in certaine ãâ¦ã of rysing againe to euerlasting lyfe ãâ¦ã so he that beléeueth in Christe doth ãâ¦ã see nor feele the euerlastinge death ãâ¦ã bodye and soule whiche is euerla ãâ¦ã damnation For the death of good m ãâ¦ã nothyng els but a departure from ãâ¦ã transitorie and mortall life to im ãâ¦ã talitie to Christe to his Aungelles ãâ¦ã Sainctes Hell and damnation DOeth offer it self at the wer of death so that ãâ¦ã tymes manne doeth g ãâ¦ã ly feare least he bee ab ãâ¦ã from the fauour of ãâ¦ã and appoincted to euerlastyng pain ãâ¦ã Deuill whiche seeketh by all m ãâ¦ã howe to deuoure vs stirryng vp i ãâ¦ã myndes many dangerous and troub ãâ¦ã thoughtes concernyng our election ⪠predestination ¶ A medicine against the feare of Helle and damnation WHen the deuill goeth about to cause vs to dispaire or to doubt of our election whether wee bee of the nomber of them that are appoincted ãâ¦ã euerlastyng life or no. In any wise let ãâ¦ã not bee to bolde in copyng with hym ãâ¦ã t vs not enter disputation against hym ãâ¦ã or he is to subtile and expert for vs but ãâ¦ã ie shortly vnto hym A waie Sathan ãâ¦ã i th sorrowe it is written thou shalte ãâ¦ã t tempt the Lorde thy god For seyng ãâ¦ã t God as a moste louyng father hath ãâ¦ã t onely giuen vs life fedde and preser ãâ¦ã vs to this hower but also hath en ãâ¦ã ed and euen loden vs from tyme to ãâ¦ã e with his singuler benefites what ãâ¦ã dnesse were it contrary to our former ãâ¦ã erience now to doubte of his mercie ãâ¦ã hath receiued vs into his flocke by ãâ¦ã ptisme He hath sente vs the Gospell ãâ¦ã is grace wherein he hath promised ãâ¦ã ecome our father We haue been sed ãâ¦ã h the fleshe and bloud of his Soonne ãâ¦ã Sauiour Christe in remembraunce ãâ¦ã our debtes bee paied and we acquired why should wee now then doubt the good will of God towarde vs Leâ not therefore admitte the doubtfull daungerous imaginations of our prâstination whiche the Deuill like a ãâ¦ã tie and malicious marchaunte dooe ãâ¦ã bour to iustle But lette vs thinke ãâ¦ã suche sentences as God would haue myndes occupied withall whiche C ãâ¦ã hymselfe hath prescribed as Ihon where he saieth GOD hath so loue ãâ¦ã worlde that he hath giuen his onelâ gotten soonne that whosoeuer bele ãâ¦ã in hym shall not perishe but haue l ãâ¦ã uerlastyng Loe here wee see th ãâ¦ã whiche beleueth in Christ whiche ãâ¦ã fully acknowledgeth Christe to b ãâ¦ã sanctification iustice redemption a ãâ¦ã tisfaction can not bee dampned but ãâ¦ã sured of euerlastyng life So many ãâ¦ã ceiue faithe by hearyng of Gods w ãâ¦ã and so trust stedfastly vpon the me ãâ¦ã Christ Vndoubtedly thei be of the number of those whiche bee chosen to e ãâ¦ã styng blisse knowen before in C ãâ¦ã predestinate and written longe s ãâ¦ã the booke of life These thinges be ãâ¦ã certaine and moste true God can n ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ceyue nor be deceyued Suche is his ãâ¦ã od will so hath he purposed and de ãâ¦ã ed afore the worlde beganne what ãâ¦ã nges so euer therefore oure enimie ãâ¦ã Deuill spyting oure saluation and ãâ¦ã king oure destruction shall put in ãâ¦ã e minde contrarie to this doctrine ⪠ãâ¦ã t them not moue vs let them not ãâ¦ã ke vs afrayde but let vs trust truely Christe and so shall he become ours ãâ¦ã wee become his who being our good ãâ¦ã de we can not perishe nor bee dam ãâ¦ã For he wyll lose none of those that ãâ¦ã father hath giuen him wee muste ãâ¦ã oure eyes vpon Christe we muste ãâ¦ã to hym we muste cleaue to hym He ãâ¦ã ure onely and true Sauiour who ãâ¦ã te be apprehended and imbraced by ãâ¦ã h if we looke to be saued For they ãâ¦ã beleeue rightly in Christe they are ãâ¦ã estinate to euerlastyng life âere we wuste diligently remember ãâ¦ã earnestly expende the godly exhor ãâ¦ã n of Saincte Paule whiche he wri ãâ¦ã in the xij to the Hebrues whose ãâ¦ã es be these Let vs runne by pa ãâ¦ã e vnto the battaile that is set afore ãâ¦ã ooking vnto Iesus the aucthor and finisher of faithe whiche when the ioâ⦠was set afore him suffered the Crosse and dispised the shame and fitteth at ãâã right hande of the seate of God. Furthermore all the grieuous temptations and afflictions that Christe sââ¦fered he suffred them for oure sakes ãâã saincte Paule saieth also in the fourth ãâã ãâã the Hebrues we haue not a highe Prieâ⦠that is not able to haue compassion ãâã our weakenesse but suche one was prââ¦ued in all pointes without synne let ãâã therefore with boldenesse go vnto tâ⦠seate of his grace that we may obtayâ⦠mercie and finde grace to helpe in tiââ⦠of neede Let vs in any wyse consider and deepely imprint in our hartes Christe to ãâã giuen vnto vs not onely to the ende thâ⦠we might be redeemed reconcyled aâ⦠made partakers of euerlasting saluâtion but also that in him we might haâ⦠an example bothe how to liue and alâ⦠howe to ende our life Neyther can aâ⦠man liue suffer or die well vnlesse ãâã looke vpon and followe the lyfe suffââ¦ring and death of Christe if therefoââ wée desire to ende this life
glorie Amen ⪠A preseruatiue against desperation FOr as muche as the diseasâ of the bodye and corpor ãâ¦ã death doth so trouble maâ minde that we commo ãâ¦ã tremble quake at the o ãâ¦ã mention of them Howe much ought ãâ¦ã to feare the sicknes of the soule and deaâ of the same then which ther can no grâter nor more fearefull calamitie chau ãâ¦ã vnto man. And seyng that euerie man doth a ãâ¦ã so much as in hym lieth the paine ãâ¦ã ries diseases and death of the bodie h ãâ¦ã muche more ought wee to decline and ãâ¦ã chewe the causes of these euils which ãâ¦ã sinnes and offences and feare the yre ãâ¦ã God which we so by our enormities ãâ¦ã prouoke If wee be neuer so little sickeâ our body by and by we send for the P ãâ¦ã sition we spare no cost we seeke for meâcines and remedie though they be ne ãâ¦ã so chargeable and all to patche and cl ãâ¦ã vp this earthen vessel of our body whi ãâ¦ã doe we neuer so muche can not last l ãâ¦ã And why vse we not like diligence in ãâ¦ã siryng and seekyng remedies againsâ diseases of the soule which like as they be ãâ¦ã re grieuous euen so they bryng with ãâ¦ã m without comparison infinitely ãâ¦ã re daunger For what can it profite a ãâ¦ã nne though hee haue all the riches in ãâ¦ã world though he liue a thousand yere ãâ¦ã that in such health and pleasure that âs not once touched with sicknesse or ãâ¦ã e his soule in the meane time being ãâ¦ã oued with synne beyng captine to than hauing god displeased with him ãâ¦ã damnation readie for hym after this ãâ¦ã For truely this life must once haue ãâ¦ã nde neither know we whan where ãâ¦ã what maner or how soone Therefore saithe Christ watch for ye ãâ¦ã er knowe the daie nor houre when âonne of man will come And least we âshort tyme of our abode omittynge ãâ¦ã ges moste waightie and profitable ãâ¦ã d followe trifles and things of small ãâ¦ã hee hath vouchsafe to prescribe vs ãâ¦ã der and as it were a briefe certaine ãâ¦ã re waâe to come vnto true felicity ãâ¦ã g. ãâ¦ã eke first for the kindome of God and ââghteousnesse therof and all thinges ãâ¦ã e added vnto you ⪠Care for liuyng care for riches care for worldly dignitie worldly fauour worldly estimation and such like traÌsitorie things which in déedâ doeth little profite but many times bycause both of filthie vices and also of grieuous calamities doth busie doth vexe doth trouble doth euen defatigat vs both day and night but in séeking for and procuring of Godly and heauenly thinges ⪠we be most negligent most slacke moste dull most forgetfull And I praye yoâ what can be a greater blindenesse or â more daungerous madnesse whilest wâ be lustie whilest we be in helth whileâ we be in prosperitie we scarcelye thinkâ vpon anye life to come we remember not once that we shall die But when we be in perill and daunger by sickenesse â death beginneth to knock at our dore EueÌ at that same houre when we should play the men and fight against our enimy beyng sufficiently armed and weaponed afore then begin we first to thinke vpon our armor to thinke vpoÌ our weapon to thinke vpon mending of our lyfe These thinges declare vs to be smally exercised Souldiours to bée men of preposterous iudgement and verie weakelings in faith God be mercifull vnto vs Amen But yet though a man be neuer so olde though the daye be neuer so farre past so he amende whiles he is here ere it be night his repentance coÌmeth not out of ceasoÌ Neuerthelesse it wer to be wished that no man should defer his repeÌtaunce to his last and most daungerous conflicte For euen thei shall haue muche a dooe to stand and to defend them selues from the assaultes the guiles and inuasions of the enemie which in the time of their health prepared armed them selues what thaÌ shal come of theÌ whiche not fearyng God neither mindyng once repentaunce had ledde a dissolute filthie and naughtie life howe shall thei fight how shall thei be able to withstande the force of Sathan Seing therefore the multitude of people is great and the ministers of the Gospell verie fewe neyther able to be euerie where to doe their office to euery maÌ I hauing a will to helpe all men haue gathered togither and written out of Scripture a certaine briefe forme howe to admonishe instruct and comfort such aââe sicke that they either reading these thinges or hearyng them red by others may conceiue certain hope and perfite consolation least in this most daungerous conflict they faint giue ouer like towards and so be ouercomed perishe For this is certaine whensoeuer a man is taken with extreme sickenesse and is in daunger of death he is assaulted wyth dyuers many and grieuous temptations ⪠First it is a grieuous and behement teÌtaption when he séeth the moste terrible Image of death afore his eies when he séeth he must leaue this lighte leaue this lyfe leaue friendes leaue landes goodes ⪠kinsfolkes father mother wyfe children all thinges wherin he had here eyther pleasure or comfort Then suche sinnes as he against the wyll and pleasure of God hath committed shall shewe and present themselues and shall appeare more in number and more grieuous thaÌ euer they séemed afore and so shall wonderously vexe and tormente the conscience Then death iudgement âell dampnation as it were in a plumpe shall assault and layd siege with diuers daungerous ingines against the old man of ours ⪠In these Agonies except a man be armed with a sure and constaunt faith it is to be feared least he be wearied tired at last ouercommed For these temptations which chaunce vnto men liyng in extremes appéere most huge fearefull and daungerous and that for bycause out faith is verie slender and wauering neyther yet able to see perceiue or apprehende the incomprehensible and inestimable riches of the childreÌ of God which be remission of sinnes through Christ resurrection of the fleshe communion of sainctes euerlasting life and all these giuen vnto vs in Christ and for Christ In these articles of our fayth we must daily exercise our selues These we must diligently reuolue and earnestly expeÌde in our mindes For though all the articles of oure fayth are diligently to be remembred and without all wauering beleeued yet in the Agonie and poynt of death these foure that is the communion of sainctes remission of synne by the bloud of Christ the resurrection of the fleshe and euerlasting life are chiefly to be minded expended and inculcated For lyke as death is the paine and ââpende of synne euen so for synne God doth commonly punishe vs with diuerâ diseases and plagues as it is to be seene in diuers places of Scripture Iohn 5 ⪠Psal. 88. Deut. 28. 2. Reg. 24. Neuerthelesse afflictions be many tymes laide vpon vs that our faith may be tryed For than is it easie
5 Christe is that most gentle fathââ whiche with so great ioye and with ãâ¦ã bracing armes receiued home againe ãâ¦ã lost sonne Come vnto me all ye that labour ãâ¦ã are laden and I shall refresh you Lo ãâ¦ã calleth al he refuseth he excludeth n ãâ¦ã we must include also our selues with his wordes All we must resort to him and he ãâ¦ã receiue and refresh vs. God setteth forthe his loue towa ãâ¦ã For Christ died for vs when we ãâ¦ã yet synners muche more now the ãâ¦ã we being iustified by his bloude sh ãâ¦ã safe from wrath by hym Christe Iesus is become vnto vs wiâdome righteousnesse holinesse and reââmption Here let vs coÌfort our selues ãâ¦ã at though we haue beene neuer so âeat synners yet let vs confesse and ââowledge our synne let vs call for mer ãâ¦ã and pardon let vs vnfainedly beleeue ââriste to be oure onelye health iustice ãâ¦ã redemption and straight way he is ãâ¦ã he will by and by ââuer and put away ãâ¦ã âynnes in sââhe sorte that we shall ââe feare no peril nor daunger Him that knew no fynne hath God ãâ¦ã de synne j. a payement of synne for ãâ¦ã that we shoulde become the righ ãâ¦ã snesse of God by hym Christe gaue himselfe for our synnes ãâ¦ã he might deliuer vs from this pre ãâ¦ã wicked worlde according to the ãâ¦ã of God our father âhriste Iesus is come into this worlde ãâ¦ã e synners âhriste Iesus hath giuen himselfe a ãâ¦ã ption for all men This let vs con ãâ¦ã ly beleeue vndoubted we be of the ãâ¦ã er of those that shall be saued For ãâ¦ã he is come a redemption for all ãâ¦ã thinges that he hath suffered pertaineth no lesse to thee and mee and euerie one of vs so we beleeue than to Pâter or Paule Christ hath borne our synnes in his body vpon the Crosse By these places and suche lyke we maye see how God the father whichâ will not the death of a synner but th ãâ¦ã we shoulde tourne and liue for that m ãâ¦ã seruent burning loue that he bear ãâ¦ã towarde vs hath eased vs of the burth ãâ¦ã of our synne and hath laide it vpon ãâ¦ã backe of his moste deere beloued soon ãâ¦ã whiche his sonne hath so taken bor ãâ¦ã and suffered for them that they can âuer condemne vs For God taketh ãâ¦ã reputeth the death of his sonne for a ãâ¦ã satisfaction and payement for all our ãâ¦ã nes ⪠so that we truely beleeue in h ãâ¦ã For seyng that our synnes thus laied ãâ¦ã Christe coulde not ouercome him ãâ¦ã taine him in death nor damne him ãâ¦ã why he rose againe vndoubtedly a ãâ¦ã satisfaction is alreadie made for them ⪠ãâ¦ã iustice of God is fully aunswered ãâ¦ã they be vtterly hid and forgiuen ãâ¦ã beleeue this and we shall not peri ãâ¦ã uerlastingly For Christe is now ãâ¦ã ours with all that he hath wit ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã at h with his resurrection with his as ãâ¦ã tion into heauen with his lyfe his ãâ¦ã rites his glorie As sainct Paule wit ãâ¦ã sseth Rom. 8. Wherefore Sathan hath ãâ¦ã w no title to vs he caÌ not meddle with ãâ¦ã he hath no power to hurt vs ⪠Forso ãâ¦ã e as we be iustified by Christ pur ãâ¦ã from our synnes and made the chil ãâ¦ã n of God by Christ who hath recon ãâ¦ã d vs and wrought our peace we must ãâ¦ã refore be of good comfort For seeing ãâ¦ã be in the handes of God that is om ãâ¦ã otent who is now oure best moste ãâ¦ã ng and trustie Father we be in a ãâ¦ã porte we be without daunger there ãâ¦ã o incoÌmoditie nor aduersitie hurte ãâ¦ã or we be inuironed with the custodie ãâ¦ã od and the garde of Aungels out of ãâ¦ã handes of this heauenlye father can ãâ¦ã reature by force pluck vs When we ãâ¦ã t an ende by death of this crosse and ãâ¦ã orall affliction then haue we ended ãâ¦ã ourney then haue wee finished oure ãâ¦ã re Christe hath borne the same ãâ¦ã e ⪠Christe hath passed the same ãâ¦ã e he hath suffered lyke death he is heade we must be lyke to him we suffer with him if we intende to raigne with him we must leaue this âââporall life ere that we can enioye ãâã euerlasting Let not oure synnes troââ⦠vs let them not torment oure consââââ¦ces as thought they coulde not beforââ¦ââ¦uen They are alreadie forgiuen if ãâã repent and beleeue Christe is all ãâã ãâã as muche as he is He by his innoceââ⦠hath couered and taken awaye oure âââ¦nes As Christe can not bee dampneââ¦ââ¦uen so we can not be dampned if wââ⦠right faith we cleaue vnto him As siââ⦠death and helle had no power agaiâ⦠Christe so haue they no power agâ⦠vs so we be in Christe and Christe iââ⦠Yf the matter had bene lefte and ââ¦mitted to vs to haue borne oure oââ⦠synnes and to haue satisfied for thâ⦠they woulde haue beene to heauy ãâã ãâã wee had not beene able to stande tâ⦠them they woulde haue pressed ãâã ãâã sunke vs downe to Hell. But Chââââ⦠both God and man hath of his ãâã ãâã free will offered himselfe for vs he ãâã ãâã taken oure tourne he hath playde ãâã parte and paide for vs all that we oââ⦠As it is in the Psalme spoken in thââ¦âââ¦sone of Christe I paide that I oughâ⦠ãâ¦ã e had trespassed we wer the detters so farre behinde hande that all that was in ãâ¦ã s was not able to paye the least somme ãâ¦ã hat we ought Christe became our suer ãâ¦ã y paied for vs acquited vs and set vs at âibertie yea made vs coheires with hym âf euerlastyng glorie If it wer possible for one man to comâit the synnes of the whole worlde so he âruely repent and cleaue by true faith to Christ he cannot be dapmned his sinnes ãâ¦ã e sufficiently and abouÌdantly by Christ ãâ¦ã iffied for For Christ as touchyng his ãâ¦ã dhed one in substance with the heaueÌ ãâ¦ã father As touchyng his manhoode our ãâ¦ã rie flesh and bloud hath purchased and ãâ¦ã uely bought grace pardon for vs For âhrist became man for vs was borne for ãâ¦ã died vpon the Crosse for vs rose from ãâ¦ã at h for vs ascended into heauen for vs ãâ¦ã hath accomplished and performed al ãâ¦ã ynges mete for our saluation for vs If ãâ¦ã refore we beleue in Christ we are be ãâ¦ã e partakers of Gods fauour we are ãâ¦ã ed of the packe and burthen of synne ãâ¦ã e are made the heires of God and co ãâ¦ã es with Christe for euer and that by ãâ¦ã iste and for Christe For without Christ there is no consolation no health no hope no helpe In Christe alone is ãâ¦ã comfort all health all hope all succou ãâ¦ã all refuge all grace and mercy more âboundant more plentious more exc ãâ¦ã lent then any man is able eyther ⪠ãâ¦ã comprehende or to wish God graunt ãâ¦ã therefore a true and a constaunte faith In this forme or in like sorte we mu
maketh menti ãâ¦ã of many whiche in the tyme of the P ãâ¦ã phetes Christe and the Apostles we called from death to life Christe raised the widowes soonne He raised the ruler of the Sinag ãâ¦ã his dâughter He raised Lazarus Peter restored to life Tabitha Paule raised againe Euâiâhus Elizâus the Prophet called againe ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã e his hostes soonne Helias raised the Babe of the woman ãâ¦ã f Sareptanie GOD tooke also vnto hym out of this ãâ¦ã aile and transitorie life these twoo er ãâ¦ã llent and holie menne Enoch and He ãâ¦ã as quicke bothe bodie and soule to giue ãâ¦ã as it were a taste and representation of the true life to come leaste after the o ãâ¦ã iâion of the Ethnicks and Epicures we should thinke there were no worlde nor ãâ¦ã eeyng after this wretched and miserable life Let vs not forget what Christe âesus Lorde of life and death saieth in the eight of Luke Wepe not the maide ãâ¦ã not dedde but a slepe Reason not comprehendyng the misteries of GOD neither perceiuyng his power dooeth laugh his saiyng to scorne but Christ proueth his saiyng true he raised by and by the ãâ¦ã edde maide to life The fiftene Chapiter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians is ãâ¦ã eplenished with moste godlie pleasaunt ãâ¦ã d pithie consolations Truly it is more precious then any gold For in that Chaâter Saincte Paule doeth so annexe and ãâ¦ã uple our resurrection ⪠to the resurrection of Christe as though thei could in no wise bee separate or deuided after th ãâ¦ã forme Christ is risen from death which thyng is certaine ergo wée also shall v ãâ¦ã doubtedly rise For Christe is our hedd ãâ¦ã and we his members this hed is neith ãâ¦ã without neither will forsake his meâbers Then it followeth that where ⪠Chr ãâ¦ã is there shall we bee For why wee ãâ¦ã the members of his bodie and euen of ãâ¦ã fleshe and bone what tongue what p ãâ¦ã what witte is able to set foorthe as i ãâ¦ã worthie this ineffable and inestima ãâ¦ã glorie of the mercie and grace of GO ãâ¦ã that God hath vouchsafe so lowe to h ãâ¦ã ble hymself as to become mortall m ãâ¦ã that this âeble and fraile nature of m ãâ¦ã vnited and knitte to the diuine nat ãâ¦ã by the power and efficacie of the god ãâ¦ã might be inhaunced and promoted to ãâ¦ã mortalitie For truely the nature oâ faithfull menne whiche either were fore Christe hath been since or now ãâ¦ã shall be to the worldes ende vndoubtly in Christe verie GOD and ma ãâ¦ã hath obtained immortalitie The ãâ¦ã lation therefore that riseth of Chr ãâ¦ã resurrection is of great efficacie A ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ncte Paule saieth to the Corinthians ââriste is risen againe from dedde and is ãâ¦ã e first fruictes of them that slepe for by ãâ¦ã e manne truely came death and by one ãâ¦ã nne commeth the resurrection of the ãâ¦ã de And as al die in Adam euen so shal ãâ¦ã bee made aliue in Christe but euery ãâ¦ã e in his order The firste is Christe ⪠âhen thei whiche are Christes whiche ãâ¦ã h beleued in his commyng And sainct ãâ¦ã ule dooeth adde a similitude taken of ãâ¦ã urall thynges whereby he dooeth set ãâ¦ã the and declare the resurrection of bo ãâ¦ã s. The similitude is taken of seede ãâ¦ã iche is cast into the yearth by the hus ãâ¦ã dman dieth as it were and rotteth ⪠âuerthelesse it is not vtterly loste but ãâ¦ã ength springeth and commeth foorthe ãâ¦ã he yearth goodlie beautifull and ãâ¦ã saunt So our bodies shall rise again ãâ¦ã feeble vile corruptible and mortall ãâ¦ã stroÌg glorious incorruptible immor ãâ¦ã neuer to dye againe but euer to liue â The waie into true and euerlastyng ãâ¦ã to our longe home as thei call it and ãâ¦ã ntrie is by corporall death Fleashe ãâ¦ã bloud beyng corruptible and mortal ãâ¦ã not inherite the kingdome of GOD where nothyng is but life Thereforâ this corruptible bodie must put on in t ãâ¦ã ruption and this mortall muste putteâ immortalitie Then shall the saiyng t ãâ¦ã is written bee fulfilled Death is swa ãâ¦ã wed vp in victorie Thei that beleeue Christe hath nowe ouercommed sy ãâ¦ã death and helle Therefore not fear ãâ¦ã death but strong bolde and well ha ãâ¦ã in Christe Thei maie saie Death wh ãâ¦ã is thy sting Death where is thy vict ãâ¦ã The stynge of Death is synne and ãâ¦ã power of synne is the Lawe But t ãâ¦ã kes hee vnto GOD whiche hath g ãâ¦ã vs the victorie through our Lorde I ãâ¦ã Christe Let vs heare also more sentences ãâ¦ã of godlie and mightie consolation He that hath raised vp Iesus ãâ¦ã raise vs vp also with Iesus Our conuersation is in heauen ãâ¦ã whence we doe looke for the sauiour ãâ¦ã lorde Iesus Christ whiche shall cha ãâ¦ã our ãâ¦ã I le bodie that it maie be like ãâ¦ã ned vnto his glorious bodie a ãâ¦ã to the woorkyng of his power by ãâ¦ã whiche also he is able to subdue all ãâ¦ã ges vnto hymself Ye are dedde and your life is hid with ââriste in God but when Christe your ãâ¦ã shall appeare then shall ye also ap ãâ¦ã rs in glorie with hym Wee woulde not brethren that ye ãâ¦ã uld bee ignoraunte concernyng theim ãâ¦ã t sleape that ye sorrowe not also as o ãâ¦ã r doe whiche haue no hope For if we ãâ¦ã eue that Iesus Christe died and rose againe Euen theim also whiche are a ãâ¦ã pe through Iesus shall GOD bryng ãâ¦ã h hym âaicte Paule also doeth comforte Tithe with the article of resurrection ⪠ãâ¦ã ng RemeÌber the Lorde Iesus Christ ãâ¦ã yng the seede of Dauid rose againe ãâ¦ã the dedde accordyng to my Gospell ãâ¦ã if we bee dedde with hym wee shall ãâ¦ã liue with hym If we suffer pacient ãâ¦ã e shall also reigne with hym It was written also to the Hebrues ãâ¦ã Christe tasted death for all menne ãâ¦ã that he was partaker of fleashe and ãâ¦ã d firste became verie manne that he ãâ¦ã ht destroye hym whiche had the rule ãâ¦ã at h that is the Deuill and that he ãâ¦ã ht deliuer them whiche were in boÌ ãâ¦ã all their life tyme by the reason of the hearing of Christes Gospell is so v ãâ¦ã the feare of death God hath deliuered vs and called ãâ¦ã with an holy calling not according to ãâ¦ã workes but according to his purpose ãâ¦ã grace whiche is giuen vs in Christe ãâ¦ã before the time of the world but is n ãâ¦ã made manifeste by the appearyng of ãâ¦ã sauiour Iesus Christ whiche truely ãâ¦ã destââied death and hath brought lifeâ immortalitie to light by the Gospell Wee knowe that wee are trans ãâ¦ã from life to death bicause wee loue ãâ¦ã brethren In this hath the loue of God appe ãâ¦ã in vs bycause God sent his onely be ãâ¦ã ten sonne into the worlde that we ãâ¦ã lyue thorowe him I knowe that my redeemer doth ãâ¦ã and in the
well goââ⦠ãâ¦ã t vs consider and remeÌber how Christ ãâ¦ã haued himself in the bitter and smarte ãâ¦ã onie when hanging vpon the Crosse ãâ¦ã was assaulted with diuers fierce and ãâ¦ã ost grieuous temptations and praye ãâ¦ã at wee maye haue grace to folowe his ãâ¦ã ample FIrst he was tempted with synne when being hanged betwixt twoo theeues as a notable and hainous synner it was said vnto him thou be the sonne of God come downe ãâ¦ã m the crosse By this contumelious ãâ¦ã yce what doe they signifie else but ãâ¦ã at they iudged him a naughty and vn ãâ¦ã dlye person suche one as by craft sub ãâ¦ã tie falsehood socerie and other vnââwfull meanes had deceyued the peoââe had blynded the worlde and to be ãâ¦ã thing lesse than the sonne of God. Euen in lyke maner at the houre of ãâ¦ã at h doth the Deuill tempt man what ãâ¦ã euer man hath coÌmitted against God ãâ¦ã l the synnes that euer he did he she ãâ¦ã th vnto him he doth exaggerate them ãâ¦ã the vttermost to the ende that the multitude and hainousnesse of them ãâ¦ã sidered and perceyued man shoud do ãâ¦ã of the mercy and fauour of God and ãâ¦ã fall into desperation Here we had ne ãâ¦ã to stande sure and euery one of vs h ãâ¦ã neede to aunswere our enimie thus teâpting vs after this maner I knowled ãâ¦ã my selfe to haue synnes aboue all number and measure but Christe who ne ãâ¦ã synned in whose mouth was founde ãâ¦ã guile who is that verie innocent lam ãâ¦ã hath suffred death for my synnes he ha ãâ¦ã washed them away he hath satisfied ãâ¦ã boundantly for them how many a ãâ¦ã how great so euer they were Christe death pertayneth also to me he w ãâ¦ã wounded also for my iniquities he w ãâ¦ã brused for my vngraciousnesse by ãâ¦ã stripes I am also healed All my synne hath Christe taken to himselfe so th ãâ¦ã now I haue none thankes be to Christâ who hath satisfied for them in his own body CHrist was teÌpted also with dea ãâ¦ã when it was sayde vnto him ãâ¦ã hath saued other but he can ãâ¦ã saue hymselfe As though if shoulde ãâ¦ã sayde he is now at a poynt he must dye ãâ¦ã ere is no reamedie he can not escape ãâ¦ã hus doeth our olde and erreconcible ãâ¦ã imie labor to feare vs with death but ãâ¦ã vs holde out the buckeler of fayth in âhrist against him let vs remember ãâ¦ã t Christe our Lorde King of glorie ãâ¦ã Prince of life coulde not be ouer ãâ¦ã nmed nor holden of death but though ãâ¦ã once tasted of death he nowe liueth ãâ¦ã reigneth for euer This Lord of ours ãâ¦ã ll not leaue vs nor suffer death to ere ãâ¦ã e any tyranie againste vs that after ãâ¦ã hath suffered vs to be teÌpted a while ãâ¦ã will also that we dye corporally all ãâ¦ã t is wholy for our welth Neyther could we eotherwyse come euerlastyng life but by teÌporall death ⪠ãâ¦ã e must therefore leaue this present ãâ¦ã e ere we can inherite the eternall ãâ¦ã e. Also this corporall death bringeth ãâ¦ã s commoditie that by tasting the bit ãâ¦ã nesse and sowernesse of it we haue ãâ¦ã erience and knowe the exceding loue ãâ¦ã t Christe bare towarde vs and the ãâ¦ã stimable benefite that he did for vs ãâ¦ã ensing our synnes in abolishing of ãâ¦ã th in breaking vp of Hell gates and all by his death Otherwyse wee coulde neuer h ãâ¦ã knowne the power of Christ in abo ãâ¦ã yng of death wée could neuer haue i ãâ¦ã esteemed the excellency of this bene ãâ¦ã wee coulde neuer haue seene how i ãâ¦ã cause we haue to giue thankes to C ãâ¦ã our Lorde and redeemer Christe ly ãâ¦ã truely we shall also liue And this co ãâ¦ã rall death to vs shall be nothyng els ãâ¦ã a sweete and holsome slepe an entr ãâ¦ã and gate into the true and blessed ãâ¦ã For after this transitorie life theâ ginne we first truely to liue THirdlie Christe was te ãâ¦ã with helle or euerlastyng ãâ¦ã nation when it was saied ãâ¦ã hym he hath trusted in G ãâ¦ã let hym nowe deliuer hym if he will ãâ¦ã though thei should saie Now it app ãâ¦ã that he hath hoped in God in vaine ãâ¦ã God will none of hym he hath for ãâ¦ã hym he liketh hym not he doeth ãâ¦ã hym he will easte hym doune to h ãâ¦ã perpetually condemned him W ãâ¦ã fore the temptour shall lashe at ãâ¦ã like temptations wee maie not ãâ¦ã maie not be afraied we maie not bee ãâ¦ã ouraged but commende our self who ãâ¦ã o Christ hang vpon hym who is who ãâ¦ã urs who hath giuen hymself wholie âs so that synne death nor helle hath thyng to doe with vs Christe with an ãâ¦ã stimable price his own bloud hath de ãâ¦ã ered vs from the tyrannie of the De ãâ¦ã and euerlastyng damnation he is bene our innocencie our life and our iu ãâ¦ã e. Let vs take héede in any wise that ãâ¦ã tourne not our hartes from Christe ãâ¦ã cified If we cleane to hym we are set ãâ¦ã on a sure and inexpugnable rocke a ãâ¦ã nst the whiche all the power of hell is ãâ¦ã e to dooe nothyng So that wee maie ãâ¦ã ly exclaime and euery one saie with ãâ¦ã riste I prouided the Lorde afore my ãâ¦ã s alwaie for he is at my right elbowe ãâ¦ã t I should not be moued therefore my ãâ¦ã te hath been glad and my tonge hath ãâ¦ã yced moreâuer my fleshe shall reste ãâ¦ã ope By faithe in Christe we become âsoânnes of God the brethren and co ãâ¦ã es of Christ and partakers of euerla ãâ¦ã life by this faithe departyng heÌce ãâ¦ã shall goe to the kyngdome prepared the electe afore the beginnyng of the world And if in the feruentnesse of thâ temptations our faith begin to waueâ we do not beare paciently the will of â heauenly father if our loue toward ââ ware faint cold if our hope begin toâ feble and weake and therefore we beâ to feare least God and wée be not all ââ full pointe but that he is yet displeased wâ vs whiche reÌptation surely is very grââuous painfull dangerous harde to ouâ come we must call to remeÌbrauÌce Chrâ to haue suffered for vs so intollerable aâ inuincible temptations that there apâred no help no comfort no refuge whâ in God and the whole worlde seemed â haue forsakeÌ him and to be against hyâ in so muche that he exclaimed O my gâ O my God why haste thou forsaken ââ Oh here was a greeuous temptation â sharpe and bitter death that Christe suâfered for vs and all to make the waieâ the crosse and death easie vnto vs Theââfore seyng that Christe of his owne frââ will caste hymself into the féelyng ofâ tollerable paine calamitie and anxietâ GOD our moste louyng father beeââ therewith content vndoubtedly he knâweth and coÌsidereth our infirmities ⪠ââ âbtedly he will not deale with vs acâyng to the rigour of the Lawe but âl beare muche with vs and pardon âny