corporall death Fleshe and blood beinge corruptible and mortall cannot inherit the kydgdoÌ„ of god wher nothing is but life Therfore this corruptible bodi must put on iÌ„corrupcioÌ„ Oze xiiii Esa xxv this mortal must put on immortality Than shal the saing that is writteÌ„ be fulfilled Death is swalowed vp in victory They that beleue in Chryste hath nowe ouercommed synne deathe and hel Therfore not fearinge deathe but stronge hold and well harted in Chryste they maye saye deathe where is thy sting death where is thy victorye The stinge of death is synne and the power of synne is the lawe But thankes be vnto God whiche hathe geauen vs the victorye through our lord Iesus Chryste Let vs heare also more senteÌ„ces full of godly and mightye consolacion He that hath raised vp Iesus shal rayse vs vp also with Iesus ii Cor iiii Our conuerâ—acion is in heueÌ„ froÌ„ whence we do loke for the sauiour our lord Iesus christ which shall chauÌ„ge our vile body that it may be like fashioned vnto hys glorious body accordyng to the workynge of his power Philli. iiii by the which also he is able to subdue al thinges vnto him selfe Ye are dead and your life is hid with christ in god Col. iii. but when christ your life shal appere then shall ye also appere in glory with him We wolde not brethern that ye shuld be ignorant concerninge them that slepe i. Tess iiii that ye sorow not also as other do whyche haue no hope For if we beleue that Iesus chryst died and rose agayne euen theÌ„ also which are a slepe through Iesus shal god bringe with him Saynct Paule also doth coÌ„fort Timoth ii Tim. ii with the article of resurrection sayng Râ—membre the the lord Iesus Christe beyng â—he sede of Dauid rose again from the dead according to my gospell And if we be deade with hym we shal also lyue with him If we suffer pacieÌ„tly we shal also raign with him It was written also to the hebrus Heb. ii that Chryste tasted deathe for all men and that he was partaker of fleshe and bloude .i. became very man the he mighte destroye hym which had the rule of death that is the deuell and that he myghte delyuer them which were in bondage al thâ—ir lyfe time by the reason of the feare of death God hath delyuered vs ii Tim. i and called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his purpose and grace whyche is geauen vs in Chryste Iesu before the time of the world but is now made manifest by the apperinge of oure sauioure Iesu Christ which truly hath destroyed deathe and hath broughte lyfe and immortalite to lyghte by the gospell i. Ioh. iii We know that we are translated from lyfe to deathe because we loue the bretherne Iohn 41 In this hathe the loue of god appered in vs because god sente his onely begotten sonne into the world that we mighte lyue through him Iob. xix I knowe that my redem er doth lyue and in the last daye I shall ryse agayne and agayne be wrapped in my owne skine And in my owne fleshe shall see God whome I my selfe shall se these my eyes shall beholde and none othere These places of holye scrypture and suche lyke yf we diligentlye remeÌ„bre faythfully imbrace we shall perceaue greaet consolacion and conforte And euen wyth sayncte Paule reioyse Phil. iii. that we knowe Chryste and the power of his resurrectyon wherby death is ouercomed Nether is there nowe to these that beleue in Christ any thynge in deathe terrible or to be feared sauinge onlye the Image and outwarde forme hurte it can not Lyke as a dede serpente keapeth stil his old fearefull shape forme but to stynge or do harme he hathe no power at al. And lyke as by the brasin serpente whyche Moyses by goddes commaundemente sette vp in deserte when it was loked vpon through the power of goddes woorde men were delyuered fromâ— daunger of the lyuelye and venyme serpentes so our deathe is made harmles and we deliuered frome the feare and daunger of it so ofte as wyth the eyes of our faythe we do beholde the helthefull and medycynable dethe of Chryst In conclusion deathe is nowe become but a Image and shadowe of deathe yea the entrauÌ„ce and gate to lyfe For Christ who is trueth it self sayth Yf anye man kepe my worde Iob. viii he shall neuer see death For a man trustynge to the mercye of God through faithe whiche he conceauith by herynge of Chrystes gospell is so vnite and knyt to christ his lord and mayster that he can not be plucked nor seperate frome hym The bodye in dede for a tyme is seperate from the soule but in certayne hope of risinge agayn to euerlastinge lyfe And so he that beleuethe in Chryst dothe not see nor fele the euerlastinge dethe of body and soule which is euerlasting dampnacion For the death of good men is nothynge els but a departure from thys transitory and mortal life to immortality to chryst to hys angelles and sainctes ¶ Hell and dampnacion DOth offer it self at the hour of death so that many tymes man doth greatli feare lest he be abiecte froÌ„ the fauour of god appoynted to euerlastynge payne The deuyll whyche seketh by al meanes howe to deuoure vs sterynge vp in youre myndes manye daungerous troubellous thoughtes concernyng our electyon predestinacion ¶ A medicine against the feare of hell and dampnacion WHen the deuil goeth about to cause vs to dyspaire or to doubt of our electioÌ„ whether we be of the numbre of them that are appointed to euerlastyng lyfe or no In any wayes let vs not be to boulde in copynge wyth hym let vs not enter dysputacyon agaynste hym for he is to subtyle and expert for vs but say shortly vnto him Away Satan with sorrowe it is written thou shalte not tempt the lord thy God For seing that god as a most louyng father hathe not onlye geauen vs lyfe fedde and preseruyd vs to thys houre but also hathe indued and euen loden vs from tyme to tyme with hys singuler benefites what madnes were it contrary to oure former experyence nowe to doubt of his mercy He hathe receauyd vs into hys flocke by baptime He hathe sente vs the Gospell of hys grace wherein he hathe promysed to become oure father We haue he fedde wyth the fleshe and bloude of hys sonne oure sauiour CHRISTE in remembraunce that oure debtes be payd and we acquyted whye shoulde we nowe then doubte of the good wyl of GOD towarde vs lette vs not therfore admytte the doutfull and daungerous Imagynacyons of oure predestinacion which the deuell like a crafty and malicious marchaunt doth labor to iustiâ—l But let vs thinke vpon suche sentences as God woulde haue our mindes occupied wyth all whych Christe hym selfe hath prescribed as Iohn iii where he sayethe GOD hathe so
A godly and holsom preseruatyue against disperacioÌ„ at al times necessarye for the soule but then chiefelye to be vsed and ministred when the deuil doth assault vs most fiersely deth approcheth nieste Be sobre and watch for your aduersarye the deuell as a roring lyon walketh about seking whom he may deuoure whom resyste stedfast in the fayth 1 Pet. 5. M.D.L.I. The preface THys preseruatiue geÌ„tle reader is prepared for thy profite that thou reding it at leasure maist chose oute suche comfortable sentences as may bothe staye thi owne coÌ„science in the time of teÌ„ptacion also quiet otheâ—s when the Deuil shal be busie with them 2. Cor. 2 For we be not ignoraunte of the thoughtes of satan howe he continually furnisheth hym selfe to bende his ordinaunce agaynst maÌ„ And now with the coÌ„sideratioÌ„ of the greatnes multitude of syn Now with the terrour of death dampnacioÌ„ Ephe. 6 do labour to beate the buck let of fayth out of our handes 1. Tess 5 to strike the helmet of hope froÌ„ our head Ephr. 6 And to wrest froÌ„ vs the swerd of the spriit which is gods word But here christyan reader is thy swerd and buckeler deliuered vnto the here is thy helmete put vppon thy heade here thou shalte find suche armoure and weapon wherbi thou shalt both be able to withstand the force of oure commen enemy the Deuell and also by the counsell to rescue others that they perysh not Yea heare thou shalt find choise of most comfortable sentences wherby mans coÌ„science may be stayed from dampnable desperacion 1. Cor. 16. Watche therfore stand stedfaste in faithe play the man and be of good comfort Iacob 4. Resist the deuell and he wyll flee frome the Not for feare of thy owne power strength or holynes but for feare of Chryste in whome by faythe thou art ingraffed For it is crist through whome god hathe geuen â— Cor. 15. vs vyctory agaynst synne deathe hell the deuyll Acto 4. Nether is there ani other name vnder heueÌ„ geuen vnto man wherin we maye be saued but the name of Iesus Christ our lorde To whome with the father and holye ghost be all honour and glory AMEN A prseruatiue FOrsomuche as the diseases of the body and corporall deathe dothe so trouble mannes mynde that we commonly trimble and quake at the onely mencyon of them How much ought we to feare the sicknes of the soule and death of the same then whiche there can no greater nor more fearefull calamytye chaunce vnto man And seinge that euery man doth auoyde so muche as in hym lyethe the payne myseryes dyseases and deathe of the bodye howe much more ought we to decline and eschewe the causes of these euilles which be sinnes and offences and feare the ire of god which we so by oure enormities do prouoke Yf we be neuer so lytle sick in our body by and by we send for the phisycion we spare no cost we sike for medecines and remedy thoughe they be neuer so chargable al to patch and clout vp this earthen vâ—ssell of oure bodye which do we neuer so muche can not last long And why vse we not lyke dylygence in desiring seking remedies against the diseases of the soule whyche like as thei be more greuous eueÌ„ so they bring with them without comparison infinitely more dauÌ„ger For what can it profit a man thoughe he haue all the riches in the world though he liue a thousand yere and that in such health pleasure that he is not ones touched with sickenes or gryefe hys soule in the meane time being poisoned with sinne being captiue to satan hauing God displeased with him and dampnacion readye for him after thys lyfe For truelye thys lyfe must once haue an ende nether know we whan where after what maner Math. 25. or how sone Therfore sayth Christ watch for ye nether know the day nor hour when the sonne of man wyl come And lest we this shorttime of our abode omittinge thinges mooste waightye and profitable shulde folow trifulles things of smal price he hathe vouchesafe to prescribe vs an order and as it were a breue certaine and sure way to come vnto true felicite sayeng Seke first for the kingdom of god and righteousnes therof Math. 6. and all thynges shal be added vnto you Care for liuing care for ryches care for worldly dignytie worldly fauoure worldlye estimacion and such lyke transitory thinges which in dede doth lytle profitte but many times be cause bothe of filthy vices and also of greuous calameties doth besy doth vexe doth trouble doth eueÌ„ defatigat vs both day and nyght but in seking for and procurynge of godly heuenly thinges we be most negligent most slacke most dull most forgetfull And I pray you what can be a greter blindnes or a more dangerous madnes whyles we be lustye whyles we be in helthe whyles we be in prosperity we scaselye thinke vpon any lyfe to come we remembre not once that we shall dye But when we be in perell and daunger by syckenes and deathe begynneth to knocke at our dore Euen at that same houre when we shulde playe the menne and fyght agnynst our enimy being sufficiently armed weponed afore theÌ„ begin we first to thinke vpon oure armoure to thinke vpon our wepon to think vpon mending of our lyfe These thinges declare vs to be smallye exercised soudiers to be meÌ„ of preposterous iudgement and verye weaklings in fayth God be mercyfull vnto vs. Amen But yet though a man be neuer so old though the day be neuer so far past so he amend whiles he is here eare it be night his repeÌ„taÌ„ce cometh not out of season Neuertheles it were to be wished the no man shuld differ his repeÌ„tance to his last most dangerous coÌ„flict For eueÌ„ thei shal haue much ado to stand and to defend theÌ„ selues from the assaultes the guiles inuasions of the enemy whych in the time of their helth prepared armed them selues what then shall come of them whiche not fearing god neither minding once repentaunce hath led a dissolute filthie and naughty lyfe how shal thei fyghte howe shal they be able to wythstand the force of satan ¶ Seinge therfore the multitude of people is great and the ministers of the gospel very few nether able to be euerye where to do their office to euery man I hauing a wil to help al men haue gathered to gether written out of scriptur a certaine brief forme how to admonishe instructe and comfort such as be sicke that thei either reding these thiÌ„ges or hearing them red bi others may conceiue certaine hope perfit consolacioÌ„ lest in this most dauÌ„gerus coÌ„flict they faint geue ouer like cowards so be ouercomed perysh For this is certain wheÌ„ soeuer a man is takeÌ„ with extreme sicknes is in daunger of deth he is assauted with diuers many greuous tentacions First
thirst after righteousnes Let vs be of good chere we shall oâ—tain our desyre we shal be comforted we shal be counted iust afore god for Chryst our sauioure his sake Finally let vs after this example of Chryst and sainct Steuen coÌ„mend our soules into the handes of god your heueÌ„ly father sayng euery one after this maner O Most merciful father I commend into thy holye handes my spirit yea thy spirit for thou hast creat it thou haste commytted it for a tyme to the body thou hast geuen it thy owne Image and simylitude Thou hast sente for the redeÌ„ption of it thi owne most derely belouyd sonne to shed his bloud Thys the spirite I resigne into thi handes O GOD of all mercye I am thyne al that I am I beseche the refuse not thy owne but receaue kepe and place me in euerlasting glory for the sake of Iesus Christ thy only begotten sonne Amen ¶ A prayer to be sayde at the houre of death O Lorde Iesu whych art the onely health of al menne liuynge and the euerlastynge lyfe of them whyche dye in thy fayth I wretched synner geue and submit my selfe wholy vnto thy most blessed will And I beynge sure that the thynge cannot peryshe whych is coÌ„mytted vnto thy mercy wyllyngly nowe I leaue thys frayle and wycked fleshe in hope of the resurreccion which in better wyse shal restore it to me againe I beseche the most mercyful lorde Iesu Chryst that thou wylte by thy grace make stronge my soule agaynst all temptacyons and that thou wylte couer and defende me wyth the buckler of thy mercye agaynst al the assaultes of the deuyl I se and knowledge that there is in my selfe no helpe of saluacion but al my confidence hope trust is in thy mooste mercyful goodnes 〈◊〉 haue no merytes nor good workes which I maye allâ—ge before the Of sinnes euyl workes alas see a great heape but thorowe thy mercy I truste to bee in the numbre of theÌ„ to whomâ— thou wylt not impute theyr sinnes but take and accept me for ryghteous and iust to be thinheritour of euerlastynge lyfe Thou mercyful Lord werte borne for my sakâ— thou dyddest suffâ—e bothe hungre and trust for my sake the dydest preache and teache thou didst pray faste for my sake thou diddest all good woorkes and dedes for my sake thou sufferedest most greuous paines and tormeÌ„tes for my sake And finally thou gauest thy moste precyous body to dyâ— and thy bloud to be shed on the crosse for my â—ake Nowâ— moost mercyfull sauyour let all these thynges profyte me whyche thou freely haste geuen me that haste geuen thy selfe for me let thy bloude cleâ—â—e washe awaye the spottes and foulnesse of my synnes Lette thy ryghteousnesse hyde and couer myne vnryghteousnesse Lette the merytes of thy passyon and bloude be the satisfaccion of my synnes Geue me Lord thy grace that my faythe and saluacioÌ„ in thy bloud wauer not in me but euer be fyrme and constante that the hope of thy mercy and lyfe euerlastynge neuer decaye in me that charytye ware not colde in me fynallye that the weakenesse of my fleshe be not ouercome wyth the feare of death Graunte me mercyfull sauioure that when deathe hath shutte vp the eyes of my bodye yet that the eyes of my soule maye styll beholde and loke vpon thee that wheÌ„ death hath taken awaye the vse of my tonge and speache yet that my harte may crye saye vnto the In manâ—s tuas domine commendo spiritum meum that is to sâ—y O lord into thy handes I gâ—ue and commytte my soule Domine Iesu accipe spirituâ— meum Lorde Iesu receiue my soule vnto thee Amen ¶ Imprynted at London by Wyllyam Copland for Rychard Kele
vs he can not medle with vs he hathe no power to hurt vs. Forsomuch as we be iustified by christ purged from our synnes and made the chyldren of god by Chryst who hath reconcyled vs wrought our peace we must therfore be of good coÌ„forte For seinge we be in the handes of god that is omnipotent who is now our best most louiÌ„g trusty father we be in a sureporte we be wtout dauÌ„ger there caÌ„ no incommodity nor aduersitie hurt vs for we be inuironed with the custodi of god the gard of angels oute of the handes of this heuenly father can no creature by force pluck vs When we be at an end by deathe of thys crosse and corporal afliction then haue we ended our iourney then haâ—e we fynyshed oure warre Christ hathe borne the same crosse Chryste hathe passed the same waye he hathe suffered lyke deathe he is oure heade we must be lyke to hym we mâ—st suffre with hiÌ„ yf we intend to raygn with him we must leue thys corporall lyfe ere that we can enioye lyfe euerlasting Lette not oure sinnes trouble vs lette them not tormente oure conscyence as though they coulde not be forgeuen They are alredy forgeuen if we repent and beleue Christ is al ours as muche as he is He by hys innocency hath couered and taken away our synnes As Chryst can not be dampned euen so we can not be dampned yf with a ryghte faythe we cleaue vnto hym As synne deathe and hell hadde no power agaynst Chryste so haue thei no power against vs so we be in Chryste and Chryste in vs. Yf the matter hadde be left and coÌ„mitted to vs to haue borne our owne sinnes and to haue satisfied for them they wolde haue be to heuy for vs we had not be able to stande vnder theym they wold haue pressed and sunke vs downe to hell But christe bothe god and man hathe of hys owne free will offered hym selfe for vs. he hath taken our turne he hathe playd our parte and paide for vs all that we ought As it is in the Psalme spoken in the persone of christ I payd that I oughte not We had trespased we were the detters so farre behind hand that all that was in vs was not able to paie the lest soÌ„me we ought Christ became our suerty paid for vs acquited vs and set vs at libertie yea made vs coheires wyth hym of euerlasting glorye If it were possible for one man to commit the sinnes of the whole worlde so he truelye repente and cleaue by true fayth to Chryst he can not be dampned hys synnes be sufficiently and abundaÌ„tly by Christ satisfied for For Chryst as touching hys godhead one in substance with the heuenly father As touchynge his man hede oure very flesh and bloode hath purchased and truely boughte grace and pardon for vs. For Chryst be came man for vs was borne for vs died vpon the crosse for vs rose from death for vs ascended into heuen for vs and hath accomplyshed and perfourmed all thynges mete for our saluacion for vs. If therfore we beleue in christ we are becoâ—e partakers of Gods fauor we are eased of the packe bourdeÌ„ of sinne we are made the heires of god and coheiris with Chryst for euer and that by chryste and for christ For withoute Christ there is no consolacion on helth no hope no helpe In Chryste alone is all comforte all helthe all hope all succoure â–ª all refuge all grace and mercy more habundant more pleÌ„teous more exceleÌ„t than any man is able either to comprehend or to wishe God graunte vs therfore a true and a constant faith In this forme or in like sort we most comfort our selues in our sickenes or calamitye and our brother beinge visited But in ani wais and with al dilygence it is to be foreseene that we wythdrawe oure mynde from the fearefull and terryble contemplacyon of synne death and damnacyon And that we fixe these of our mynd and whole thoughte vpon christe onlye the we cleue vnto him that we call vpon hym that we coÌ„mit our self wholy to hym For in christ we shal espie nothng but innocencie iustice lyfe saluacyon which al be deriued from Chryste into vs so that we wyll acknowledge him receaue him for the author of our saluacion and only redemer yf we haue christ crucified afore our eyes if we imprinte him in our hart yf we flee to hym with out fath if we wholy clyue to him Then shal hel gates nothyng preuayle against vs then shal we be able to wythstaÌ„d al the forcible assaultes of Satan though thei be neuer so sore neuer so fierce neuer so terrible Let vs cal to remembraunce with what lenitie what geÌ„tilnes what humanitie what clemency Chryst as it is in the euangelicall history hath called vnto him and receued al suche sinners as hath repented them and desired his helpe We shall finde Mary Magdalen the synner that honge vpon the right hand of christ crucified the publicane zache wyth other mo whoÌ„e Chryst most louyngly receiuinge pronouÌ„ced cleare froÌ„ sin though they had synned greatlye and the chyldern of saluacion chryste is very grace mercy helpe comfort life ioye and saluacion to al those which loke for these things at his haÌ„des and put theyr trust in hym And all these thynges hathe God who is truethe it selfe can not lie nor wyl not deceyue promysed vnto vs for chrystes sake Fynallye wheÌ„ deth approcheth we must do as Chryste dyd vpon the crosse Mat. vi we must praye for our enemyes and forgeaue them with our harte Yf we haue offended any man we must be hartely sory for it we must desire forgeuenes yf we haue iniured anye man we must make hym amendes or take such order that amendes maye he made vnto him yf â—t passeth oure power to make restytucyon and amendes it shal be ynoughe that we desire forgeuenes And wyth our hartes forgeaue others which hath hurt vs ether 11. name body subâ—â—ance or estimacion For if we truely forgeue god hathe promysed we shal be fyrgeuen as it is in the syxt of Mathew It is verye necessarye also and profitable for the confirmacion strengthening of our fayth to receaue the most blessed sacramente of the body and bloud of our sauyour christ which we ar coÌ„maâ—ded to receaue in remembrauÌ„ce of his benefytes that hereby we may be truely sertyfied in our conscyence hys body to be geuen for vs and his bloud to be shed for remission of our synnes Dethe OF our flesh fraill nature is so ferd abhorted that wheÌ„ he approcheth mans hert is filled and laden wyth suche sorowes panges and anxieties as tong is not able to expresse ¶ A medicine agaynst the feare of death WE muste call to our remembraunce deathe to be ouercomed and abolyshed by Chryst So that nowe the soules of so many as trust in Christ caÌ„ not dy nor peryshe but departynge from the body goeth straight to Chryst
For thus was it sayde to the thefe at his houre of death Thys daye shalt thou be with me in paradise The bodye thoughe it reste and pause for a whyle yet we be in certaine hope that at the laste daye it shal be raysed againe to immortal and euerlasting life And therfore scripture calleth the deathe of the body but a slepe for that thys same frayle weke vyle mortall and corruptible bodye whych we cary about which lieth sicke sore diseased which shortly shal be put into the earth burne to asshes deuoured with bestes or fooles drowned in water the same self bodi I say shal be raised again incorruptible glorious bewtifull stronge pure immortall to possesse a newe and euerlastyng lyfe i. Cor. xv where there shall neither be huÌ„ger thirst heate cold synne deth nor any kynde of calamitie but iustice innocencye lyfe ioye blesse world withoute ende For as the body of Chryst laid in the graue rose agayne the thirde day neuer more to dye eueÌ„ so shal the bodies of al the beleue in chryst at the latter day be resuscitate to a lyfe after whiche shall folowe no death God who is of infinite power and infallible truth hath promysed these thynges they muste therfore nedes be so And here it shal be profitable to call to remembraunce suche places of scrypture as treateth of the resurrectyon of the flesh which be the words not of man but of god who is able will certeynly fulfill what soeuer he hath spoken No man can chaunge his wil no man can alter his purpose No creature can frustrate let or tary his sentence He is omnipoteÌ„t he is true he is faithfull his goodnes and mercye is inexpicable Let no man therfore doubte of the trueth of his wordes let no man doubte of the performauÌ„ce of this promise ☞ Here after foloweth certayne places of scripture witnessing the resurrection of the dead accordynge to the article of oure fayth wherin we say we beleue that this flesh shal rise agayne Ioan vi THis is the wyl of my father which sent me that who soeuer seith the soÌ„ne beleueth in hiÌ„ shal haue life euer lastinge and I wyl raise him vp again in the last daye Iohan. v The houre cometh wherin all they that be iÌ„ the graues shal here the voice of the sonne of god and shall go forth thei that haue done good vnto the resurrectioÌ„ of lyfe For if so be that the spirite of him which raysed vp Iesus from the deade dwell in you Rom. vi.i. euen he that raysed vp Iesus Chryst from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies because of hys spiryte that dwelleth in you i. Cor. vi God hathe both raysed vp oure Lord Iesus Christ and shal also raise vs vp by his power Iohan. xi Christe sayeth Lazarus was but a slepe where in verye dede he was dead and buried But Christ is the resurrectioÌ„ and lyfe as it is in the same place so that he that beleueth on him thought he were dead he shall lyue In verefienge whereof he raised strayghte waye Lazarus being foure dayes dead and stynkynge And because we be naturallye in the agonye of deathe virye fearefull weake and faintherted to th ende that we myght be the easelier perswaded in the article of resurrectioÌ„ Scripture maketh mencion of manye whiche in the tyme of the prophetes Chryste and thappostles were called from death to lyfe Luc. vii Luc. i. Christ raysed the widowes soÌ„ne He raised the ruler of the sinagoge his daughter Iohan. xi Act. ix He raised Lazarus Peter restored to life Tabitha Act. xx 4. Reg. iiii Paule raised again Eutichus Elizeus the prophete called againe to lyfe his hostes sonne 4 Re. xvii Helias raised the babe of the woman of Sareptanie God toke also vnto him out of this frail and transitory life Gen. v. 4. Reg. ii these two excellent and holy men enoch and Helias quicke bothe bodye soule to giue vs as it were a tast and representation of the true life to come lest after the opinion of the ethnickes and epicures we shulde thynke there were no worlde nor beinge after this wretched miserable lyfe Let vs not forget what christ Iesus lorde of lyfe death sayth in the .viii. of Luke wepe not the maid is not dead but a slepe Reason not coÌ„preheÌ„ding the misteryes of god nether perceiuing his pooer doth laugh this saiÌ„g to scorne but crist proueth his saiÌ„g true he raiseth by by the dead maide to lyfe The .xv. chapter of the first epistle to the Corin. is replenished with most godly pleasauÌ„t and pithy consolacions Trulye it is more precious than any golde For in that Chapit saincte Paule dothe so annexe and couple oure resurreccion to the resurrectioÌ„ of christ as though thei coulde in no wyse be seperate or deuyded after thys forme Chryst is rysen from death which thing is certen ergo 〈◊〉 also shal vndoutedly rise For christ is our head and we his membres Thys head is nether without nether wyll forsake his membres TheÌ„ it foloweth that where christ is there shall we be For why we are the members of hys body and euen of his fleshe and bone Ephe. v what tonge what penne what wytte is able to set forthe as it is worthy this ineffable inestimable glory of the mercye and grace of god the God hathe vouchsafe so lowe to humble himself as to become mortal man that this feble and fraile nature or man vnited and knit to the diuine naturâ— by the power â—fficacie of the godhead myght be in haunced promoted to immortalitie For trulye the nature of al faythfull men whyche ether were before chryst hath be sens at now or shal be to the worldes ende vndoubtedlie in chryst very god and man hath optained immortallity The consolacion therfore the riseth of christes resurrection is of great efficacitie As when sainct Paule saythe to the Corinthians i. Cor. xv Christ is risen againe from dead and is the firste fruictes of theim that slepe for by one man truly cam death bi one man cometh the resurrectioÌ„ of the dead And as al die in Adame euyn so shall all be made alyue in chryst but euery one in his order The first is christ TheÌ„ thei which are christes whych hathe beleued in his comming And saint Paul dothe adde a similitude taken of naturall thynges wherby he doth set forthe and declare the resurrection of bodies The symilitude is takeÌ„ of sede whych is cast into the earthe by the husbandman dieth as it were and rotteth Neuer the lesse it is not vtterlye loste but at lenght spryngeth coÌ„meth forthe of the earth goodlye beautyful pleasaunte So our bodyes shall rise agayne not feble vyle corruptyble mortall but stronge glorious incorruptible immortal neuer to dy again but euer to liue The wai into true and euerlastynge lyfe to our longe home as they call it and contrey is by
loued the woorlde that he hathe geuen his onelye begotten Sonne that who so euer beleueth in him shall nor perishe but haue lyfe euerlastynge Loo here we see that he which beleueth in Chryst which faythfully acknowlegeth chryste to be his sanctificacyon iustyce redempcyon and satisfaccion can not be dampned but is assured of euerlasting lyfe So many as conceaue faythe by bearynge of Goddes â—ord and so truste stedfastly vpon the mercy of chryste Vndoutedlye they be of the number of those whych be chosen to everlastyng blysse knowen before in CHRISTE predestinate and written long syth in the boke of lyfe These thynges be mooste certayne and most true God can neyther deceyue nor be deceaued Rom. viii Such is hys good wyll so hathe he purposed and decreed afore the worlde beganne what thynges so euer therefore oure ennemy the deuell spytinge oure saluacion and sekynge our destructyon shall put in our minde contrary to this doctrine Lette them not moue vs lett them not make vs afrayde but lette vs trust truly in christe and so shall he be come oures and we become hys who beynge our good LORD we can mot perishe nor be dampned Io. x For he wyl lose none of those that hys father hathe geuen hym we muste fyxe oure eyes vppon Chryste we muste flee to hym we muste cleaue to hym He is oure onelye and true sauyoure who muste be apprehended and imbraced by faythe yf we loke to be saued For they that beleue ryghtelye in Chryste they are predestinate to euerlastynge lyfe Here we muste diligently remembre and earnestelye expende the godly exhortacion of saynt Paul whych he writeth in the .xii. to the Hebrewes whose wordes be these Lette vs runne by pacyence vnto the battell that is sette afore vs He. xii lokynge vnto Iesus the auctore and finisher of fayth whyche when the ioye was set afore hym suffered the crosse and dyspysed the shame and sitteth at the ryght hand of the seate of God Furthermore all the greuous temtacyons and afflictyons that Châ—yste suffered he sufferyd them for our sakes Heb. iiii As saincte Paule sayth also in the .iiii. to the hebrus we haue not a highe priest that is not able to haue compassyon on oure weakenes but such one was prouyd in all pointes wythout synne let vs therfore wyth bouldnes go vnto the seat of hys grace that we may oâ—tayne mercye and fynde grace to helpe in tyme of nede Let vs in any ways consider and deplye imprinte iÌ„ our harts christ to be geuin vnto vs not onlye to th end that we might be redemid recoÌ„ciled made partakers of euerlastyng saluacioÌ„ but also that iÌ„ him we myght haue an example bothe howe to liue and also how to end oure lyfe Nether can anye man liue suffeâ—r or dye well vnles he loke vpon and folowe the lyfe suffâ—rynge and death of Chryst if therfore we desire to end thys lyfe well and godlye let vs consider and remembre howe Chryste behaued him selfe in that bitter and smarte agonye when hangyng vpon the crosse he was assaulted with diuers fyersse and most greuous temtacyons and praye that we may haue grace to folowe hys example FIrst he was temptyd with syn whan being haÌ„ged betwixte two theues as a notable and haynous synner it was sayd vnto hiÌ„ yf thou beist the sonne of God â—at xxvii come downe from the crosse By this coÌ„tumelious voyce what do they signifye elles but that they iudged hym a noughtie and vngodly person such one as by craft subtiltye falsheade sosserye and other vnlawfull meanes had deceaued the people hadde blynded the worlde and to be nothynge lesse then the sonne of GOD. Euen in lyke maner at the houre of deathe doth the deuyll tempte man what soeuer man hath committed againste god al the sinnes that euer he dyd he sheweth vnto hym he doth exaggerate them to the vttermoste to th ende that the multitude and hainousnes of theÌ„ considered and perceaued manne shulde doubte of the mercye and fauoure of god and so fall into desperacion Here we had nede to stande sure And euery one of vs had nede to aunswer our enemye thus temptinge vs after thys maner I knowledge mi selfe to haue synnes aboue all numbre and measure but Chryste who neuer sinned in whose mouth was fouÌ„d no guile who is that verye innocent lambe hathe suffered deathe for my synnes he hathe wasshed them awaye he hathe satysfied aboundantlye for them Esay iiii howe manye and howe greate so euer they were Christes deathe partayneth also to me he was wounded also for my iniquities he was brused for my vngracyousenes by hys strypes I am also healed All my synnes hath Chryste taken to him selfe so that nowe I haue none thankes be to CHRIST who hathe satysfyed for theym in hys owne body CHRIST was tempted also with death when it was said vnto hym Math. â—7 he hathe saued other but he canne not saue hymselfe As thought it shoulde be sayd he is nowe at appoynte he must dye there is no remedye he canne not escape Thus dothe oure olde and erreconcyble ennemy labour to feare vs wyth deth but let vs holde out the buckeler of faythe in Chryst agaynst hym Lette vs remembre that Chryste our Lord kynge of glorye and prynce of lyfe coulde not be ouer commed nor holden of death but thoughe he once tasted of deathe he nowe liueth and raygneth for euer Thys lorde of oures will not leaue vs nor suffer deathe to execute any tyranny agaynst vs that after he hath suffered vs to be tempted a whyle he wyll also that we dye corporally al that is wholy for our welth Neyther coulde we other wayes come to euerlastynge lyfe but by temporall death We must therefore leaue this present lyfe ere we can inherite the eternall life Also thys corporall deathe bringethe thys comoditie that by tastynge the bitternes and sowernes of it we haue experyence and knowe the excedynge loue that Chryste bare towarde vs and the inestymaâ—le benefite that he did for vs in clensyng our synnes in abolysshynge of death in breakinge vp of hel gates and al by his death Other wayes we could neuer haue knowen the power of chryst in abolishing of deathe we could neuer haue iustly estemed the excellency of thes benefit we could neuer haue sene howe iuste cause we haue to geue thanks to christ our Lord and redeamer Chryste lyuing trulye we shall also lyue and this corporal deth to vs shall be nothynge els but a swete and holsome slepe an intraunce and gate into the true blessed lyfe For after thys transitory lyfe theÌ„ begynne we fyrst truly to lyue THirdli christ was tempted with hel or euerlastynge daÌ„nation whaÌ„ it was said vnto him he hath trusted in GOD let him now delyuer hym yf he wyll As thoughe they should saye Nowe it appearethe that he hathe hoped in God in vayne For god wyl none of hym he hathe forsaken hym he likethe hym not he dothe abhorre hym