and pleasure alwaies greene florishing al goodnes is far more excellent in thee theÌ„ meÌ„ may see or proue in any of thy creatures O Creator most excellent thou art the pleasure of althings thou art the abundantfulnes of perfect ioy the vnmesurable sea of holy delights pleasures thou art that light of incredible cleerenes passing brightnes O be wtiful eternal incomprehenlible light That which they do see heare taste smell or feele which are inwardly ioyned vnto thee through exceeding pucenesse of hearâ— whâ—â—â—st they yet remain in this present 〈◊〉 can with no â—ouing be expressed The louing imbracementes the daintye kisses of the mothâ—â— wherwith she appeaseth the weepâ—â—g of her tonâ—â—t childe no nor the â—weâ—â—â— wordes 〈◊〉 pleasant countenâ—nce of the hâ—sbaâ—â—â— towarâ—es hiâ— louiâ—â— wise are 〈◊〉 shadowes and 〈◊〉 vaâ—ue in respeâ—t and conâ—â—de 〈◊〉 â—f the sweete imbraâ—emâ—â—tes wherewith thou O Lorde dost aâ—â—â—â—eâ—◠〈…〉 of thâ—se that â—oue thee But if poore banished men can be so blessed and happy and that they can see such inexplicable incomparable goodnesse whoe see thee but in a darke had owed glasse how much more happyer then ought we to iudge of thy holy citizens who see thee face to face from whom floweth riuers of pleasure more sweeter then honey who are perfectly vnited vnto thee drowned in a bottomelesse of â—ternal delightes Those thy â—â—â—lbeloâ—ed dâ—ldren doo nowe most nâ—â—ifestly knowe and in the â—â—se lues diâ—â—aâ—isest lyefe ele howe muche O meâ—ciful father thou dost fauâ—ur and â—â—uâ— them and from the be giuning haste loâ—â—d them Thou O Lorde â—rofie willingly sinnerâ—â—est and belpest â—â—emaâ— Tâ—â—udâ—â—â—ighten al menne moste pleasaunâ—lye with the light of thy brigh tâ—esâ— Thou dost comiâ—â—ally moste samâ—â—â—e â—â—y and offeâ—â— ally talke in thefeoreete ho weâ—â— of euery man Thâ—â—ddest drawe the â—eâ—â—tes and 〈◊〉 of al men vnto thee with an inâ—â—â—morehensible sweet mes and feruert affeâ—tion of charitye Thou dost qualify gladden refreshe and fatissye with a delicate desyrâ—â—f enioying thy companye the he artes and willes of all men And to saye al O eternal God thou art all in al in that moste holy Citie of newe Hierusalem That is the happy day and the singuler day the onely true daie whereof thou O Lorde Iesus haste thus spoken vnto thy disciples In that day you shal knowe that I am in my father and you in me and I in you O daye so much wished for with most harty desire wherein the holy soules shal be vnited vnto thee O God and shal be inspyred with a meruailous light of wisedome and transformed into the brightnes of eternal glory O Iesus graunt I beseeche thee that so longe as I am in the darkenesse of this perigrination that the eyes of my minde maye beholde and contemplate the most shining light and brightnesse of thee O God and that I may alwaies please thee my Lord and God. Man wisheth for tribulations of this worlde to the ende that he may the more earnestly desire the kingdome of heauen O My soule if wee must euery daye suffer torments yea and a longe time abyde the vexations of this worlde to the ende that wee myght see Christ in his glory and be ioyned in the felowship of his Saintes Is it not conuenient that we should pacientlye suffer al kynde of paines to th ende that we myght be partakers of so great goodnesse and glory Let wicked spirites prepare theyr snares and temptations let sickenesse weaken the bodye let apparel trouble the fleshe lette laboures oppresse it lette longe wakinges fore watche it let this manne exclaime against me let that manne disturbe me let colde benumme me let heate burne me let my conscience prycke me let the head ake let the heart broyle let the stomack be ouercome with superfluous humors let the visage waxe pale and wanne let al the body be weakned let my lyfe be ended in sorowe let my yeres be consumed in sighes let corruption enter into my bones and let my bowels gushe out vnder me What care I though al these come to passe so that I may in th ende and day of trybulation come to reste and ascende into the felowshippe of those that are already preferred vnto glory How great wil the glorye of the iust be what exceeding gladuesse wil be amongst them when theyr faces shal shine as the Sunne and the Lorde in the kingdome of his father beginneth to place his people eache one in his degree and rewardeth euerye one according to his merytes geuyng them in steede of carthly thinges heauenly goodnesse for temporal thinges eternal rewards and for smal things great ample gifts Truely it wyl be a heape of felicity when the Lord shal lead his Saints into the glory of his father and cause them to sit in celestial seates where God is al in al. O what a pleasaunt happines is it to see the Saintes to be with Saintes and to be Saintes our selues to see God and to enioye God him selfe for euer and euer Let vs therefore thinke vpon these thinges with al our heartes affecte them with feruent desyre that wee may be the better able with speede to come to them If thou my soule peraduenture wilt aske by what helpe or by whose merites maye this be done Christ yelded himselfe to death to the ende to winne thee vnto the kingdome of God his father Yelde thy selfe therfore vnto him that therby thou maiest bee of his kingdome And let not synne haue dominion nor reigne ouer thy mortal body but let the soule be occupied in searching for euerlasting life ¶ A prayer that we shoulde repose our selues in God aboue all thinges O Iesus graunt I beseeche thee that I maye rest and repose my self in thee before any creature before al glory honour power dignitie and consolation ouer and aboue al hope and promise yea and aboue all the Angels Archangels and about all the hoste of heauen aboue al thinges visible and inuisible and chiefâ—â—y for that thou art my God yea thou aâ—t nâ—â—e onelyâ— God excelling al other thinges For thou aâ—t the highest the moste mightie thou onely art the fullest and pâ—â—â—ectest O when shall it be fullye gâ—â—â—ted vnto me that I shal forsake my selfe and see howe sweete and pleasantly thou art O Lord my god O Iesu the brightnes of eternal glory the comfort of the wanderinge soule my mouthe is bent towards thee without speaking and silence speaketh vnto thee How long wyl my Lord my God withdrawe himselfe from commings vnto theeâ— come vnto me thy seruant comforte me O Lorde thrust foorth 〈◊〉 â—â—â—pinge hande O God and delâ—â—â—â— me thy seruaunte from these troubles Come come for without thee there can be â—o restful day nor quiet houre Thou art my ioye and without thee I am vnfurnished Beholde a poore wretche howe I am imprysoned and my selfe loaden with Gyues tyl thou deliuer mee and refresh mee with the light of thy presence Thoughe others searche thee at leysure whensoeuer
THE MANER TO DYE WELL. An Introduction most compendiouslie shewinge the fruytfill remembrance of the last fowre things That is to say Death Hel Iudgement and The ioyes of Heauen Gathered out of manye good Authors both comfortable and profitable to the diligent Reader Learnedly instructing howe to prouide for Death ¶ Imprinted at London by Richard Ihones 1578. ¶ To the Reader TO stirre vp a more diligence of the inwardenâ—aâ— in vs our Lorde Iesus putteth foorth this similitud knowe you that if the houshold Father knew at what time the Theefe would inuade his house he would surely watche and woulde not suffer his house to bee broken By this Household is vnderstanded the thoughtes of man and also the invvarde and outward motions and deedes VVhich housholde vvoulde be to lasciuious and vvanton if by the diligence of the Father they vvere not corrected and repressed For if the father be vvearie of his care vvho coulde be able to shevve hovve proude and insolent the thoughtes eyes tongue eares and other members vvoulde become This house is the conscience vvherein this Father dvvelleth and gathereth together the treasure of vertues for vvhich he doth vvatche diligentlie least the house should be broken vp â–ª And it is not one but many Theeues that vvould commit this buglary and robbery For euery verâ—â—e hath a â—ice incident vnto it The cheefe Theefe is taken to bee the Deuell againste whom and all his atmie the saide father if he be not negligent doth watche and warde his house appointing Prudence in the firste warde who vnderstandeth what is to be admitted and what is to be kept out Next vnto her is placed Fortitude to withstand suche enemies as by her warning he seeth to come neere And Iustice sitteth in the middest to geue to euerie one his owne And euerie houre is to bee feared for it is not knowen in what houre the theefe wil come VVe oughte alvvaies to watche least the sleepe of sinne do vnwares creepe vpon vs Now these thinges beeing thus ordered the Memorie of death desireth to come in and is suffered to enter who being demaunded to say what he was and from whence he commeth Hee answered that he would say nothing except all were commaunded to silence VVho obteyning his request began in this order My name saith he is Memorie of death and I foretel you that death is comming Prudence speaking for al putteth the question saying VVher is death Memory ansvvereth I know where he is for he draweth very nere but the houre of his comming I knowe not Prud. VVho commeth with him Mem. A number of Deuilles bringing with them greate bookes in which are written the offences of man and they claime those whose sinnes are written therein and they will violentlie draw with them both their soules and bodies to hel Prudence VVhat thing is hell Mem. Hel is a place of vnmesurable sorowes miserie and darknes there is eternal horror there is no hope of goodnes nor seperation from euyl Euery man that is there hateth himselfe and al others There is weping and gnashing of teeth There is no voyce there heard but Alas Alas Alas they haue no vvord but Alas The deuelishe tormentors doo tormente and are tormented and of them there shall neuer be ende nor remedie Suche a place is Hel and a thousande times worse Prudence O God what shall wee doo My brethren heare mine aduise and geue me yours Be ye faithful watche and pray doo good not only in the sighte of men but in the sighte of god Temperaunce Let vs goo before his face with harty repentaunce and let vs prayse him in Psalmes Bee you sober and watche Fortitud VpoÌ„ whom do you stay Be strong in fayth Comfort your selues in our Lorde Arme your selues with the armour of God Take vppon you the harneys of Iustice the target of Faith and the sworde of the holie Ghost which is the word of god Iustice Let vs lyue sober iust and godlie Sober to our selues iust to our neighbours and godlie to god Let vs not do that to others vvhich vve vvould not haue done vnto our selues Prud. Behold another Messenger verie comelie and pleasaunt vvho seemeth to bring some good newes Iustice Let him come in peraduenture he wyl make vs mery for this first messenger hath terrified vs Prudence I vvill admit him Come in VVho art thour Messenger I am called The loue of eternal lyfe Keepe silence for I can not be heard vvhere tumult is Iustice Yf vve did keepe silence vvhilst the Memory of death spake of iustice we ought to be silent when thou speakest Desire of eternal lyfe I haue seene such thinges as no man is vvorthy to speake of I sawe God the maiestie of the vndeuided Trinitie but yet as it vvere through a glasse that brightnes vvas so cleare that mine eyes dasled to beholde that clearenes vvhich passeth all vnderstanding Yet notwithstanding I behelde a litle vvhyle our Lorde Iesus sitting on the right hande of his father who did so farre excel all creaturs that the Angels themselues desire to beholde and looke vpon him And I sawe vppon his bodye the woundes of his passion wherewith he redeemed vs But not being able any long time to looke vpon this brightnes of the sonne of God I turned mine eyes vpon the orders of Angels that stand before god I behelde also the Prophets the Apostles and Martirs and an innumerable companie of blessed Soules from whose eyes God hath wasshed awaie all teares they doo see the king in his Maiestie and were all appareled in long white garmentes lyuing a lyfe without ende W. B. Of the fall of man and the punishment by death for the same and of the vncertaine howre of death BY shine against the lyning Lorde olde Adam our first Sire Death to him selfe and al his séede hath gayned for his hyre Mortalitie and temporal death this gift our Parents wonne In Paradise the fruite forbyd to eate when they begonne First sinne began and after death in haste dydit ensue By whome ech man must passe herehence as sure as God is true Lest some men would them selues extol too farre aboue the rest If that they shoulde in freedome quite escape this feareful blast Then Death nothing more certen is no doubt thereof we see But no man knoweth the houre ne place nor what his ende shal bee Whether by dint of edged sword or heate of flaming fyre Or roaring wanes of raging seas pale Death shall paye his byre No place nor time there is but Death in watche and wayte doth lye Man to intrappe if that he can vnarmed him espie No shadowe darke on massie corps more duely doth attende Then lurking death who alway séekes Man to confounde and ende What man is he that standeth sure tyll night to drawe his breath Our life beeing the open way that straight doth leade to death The wise therefore remembring oft that once he needes must dye His lyfe at euerie howre to yeelde prepareth wyllingly
by him may do ¶ A redie Instruction and godly exercise for an happy death spoken as it were in the person of Christ vnto the Soule Translated out of the Booke called Pharetra diuini amoris O Thou soule as nothing maketh the loue of the worlde to seeme more folishe and sooner prouoketh vnto thee the happy contempt of al things which are created then the true consideration of this short lyfe due regarde of temporal death by which death al worldly endeuours all earthly honour all vading pleasures all vaine thoughts al hurtful desires transitorie ioye doth perish So nothing doth more reioyce the louing soule then that it beleueth hopeth to be associated vnto me to be altogether drowned in me Where henceforward there shal be no euyl no sin no seperation no daunger no feare nor griefe where in perfect charitie the soule shal continuallie praise alwaies magnifie stedfastly obey and perfectlie please me And lykewise it shal continuallie be with me where it shall neither requyre loue or affect any thing besides me but I shall be the sole possessor of it And for so much as these things caÌ„not perfeetlie happen vnto thee in this lyfe tyll such time as thou shalt be plast with me in my kingdome where al thy desyre shal be satisfied in louing and praising me where I shal be al in al Therefore thou dost iustly require with al thy hart mayst lawfully desire that which is contained in the praier which I haue left with thee which peticion is Let thy kingdome come Therefore my Daughter if thou dost entirely loue me if stroÌ„glie thou affectest to come to heauen if ferueÌ„tlie thou requyrest to see thy kingdome which is this estate whereof I do speake then in this maner with signes praye thou that my kingdom maye come Wherein thou shalt be vnited vnto me in perfect charitie and altogether drowned in me And for that as I haue sayde this can not be but after death which caused my Sainctes in patience of lyfe to wyshe for death which is the verie porte or entrie vnto life Wherby thou mayst see that the soule which perfectlie loueth mee feareth not death For what doth the soule loose by departing out of this vnhappye life surely nothing but the waye to offende snares of sinne occasions of ruine deceiptes of enimies hir owne proper fragilitie and feare â–ª and such like innumerable daungers which do blinde weakeÌ„ and chafe the soule passing ouer the labors of the body which are alwayes changeable and vnstable The soule in this worlde wisheth for many thinges that should not be obtained not knowing that which it would haue It coueteth desyreth many things which can not be The soule being ignoraunt blinde in many things walketh in dauÌ„ger and darknesse not knowing howe it may be ridde from them Why then should not the soule willingly wish and hartelie reioyce to see it selfe deliuered from these innumerable sorrowes and heapes of daungers O thou soule what doest thou feare Why wyshest not thou for death Seeing thou art not hurt by death nor yet canst loose any thing by death if thou haue forsaken the loue of al worldly things Wherfore I tel thee it is daungerous to loue any earthly thing For to tel thee truely I say that by louing them thou imbracest very daunger it selfe Therfore I as one that tedreth thy welth do admonish thee that thou before thy death wilt quite forget al earthly loue and feare not death if I be he whome thou doest onely loue in this life Reioyce then that thou doest die for that is the onely meane wherby thou mayst come to me But peraduenture thou fearest somewhat els as the losse of worldly goodes or some other like thing Knowe thou then that there is nothing in this world whatsoeuer it bee that thou doest possesse be it neuer so greeuous vnto thee but needes thou must forgoe the same Thou art likewise in extreme feare and standest in great doubt whether thou arte worthy to be beloued or hated of me Thou knowest not how I wyl accept thee neither whether I shal receyue thee to peace or paine O my daughter the knowlâ—dge of these things beloÌ„geth not vnto thee Wherfore stay holde thy selfe contented for a while For although thou doest all thy lyfe tyme and at the verie howre of thy death continue in my faith fearâ—st hopest in me yet canst thou not for al this of thee selfe either liue a perfect life or dye a godly death For only by me thou dost attayne come to eyther of these Howe thinkest thou then if I geue thee grace to liue well am I not likewise able to graunt that thou shalt dye a happie death Seeing then that thou haste and gettest al thinges by mee why doest thou assure thee selfe of th one doubting and dispairing in thother for thou canste not of thee selfe neyther liue nor dye wel Trust therefore in me cast al thy care vpon me turne al thy greefe vpon mee for as in thy life time so neither at the howre of thy death canst thou of thee selfe withstande anye temptation nor escape any offence If in thy lyfe tyme I did not forsake thee If in time of temptation I did stroÌ„gly assist thee and strengthned and enabled thee against thine aduersaries I wil likewise doe the same for thee at the very last houre Thou doest neuer go armed with thine owne armour into the feelde but alwayes presumest vppon mee If thou wilte leane and staye thee selfe vpon me I wyll fight for thee and I beeing thy champyon and defendour what shouldest thou then neede to feare whiche in respecte of thy selfe art of no value And for the manner and order of thy death take thou no care for no kinde of temporal death can hinder the Iuste Care thou not therefore after what sorte thou dyest whether in thy bedde or in the feelde for that ought not to be feared After what sorte soeuer thy life is bereft iroÌ„ thee eyther by violence or otherwise care thou not seing it is natural to dye If there bee one kind of temporal death happier then another then were my Saints vnhappie of whome the greatest number in the sighte of the worlde and to the iudgement of men ended their liues with moste vylest death Which of my holye Martyres hath past ouer his full course ended his lyfe by natural death Which of the Martyrs is there that hath bene done to death eyther vpon the painefull crosse or by force of wylde beastes or by rage of flaming fyre or by dint of cruell Tirauntes sworde Not one truely It hindreth not therefore any whit whether thou diest eyther by the raging pestylence or by the sencelesse disease of Apoplexa or any other death eyther in thy bedde at home or in the feelde abroade Beware and watche thou onely that thou maist be found in perfect fayth hope and charitie and then no kinde of death nor funeral can
needeth not to feare death so as hee be founde according to this instruction it shal suffice ¶ Wholsome admonitions to dye WHatsoener things at the howre of thy death thou wouldest haue to bee done doe thou the same presently and whatsoeuer thou arte by duety bound to doe commit not the charge thereof vnto others For if thou thy selfe wast negligent and carelesse of thine owne wealth and busines howe thinkest thou that others wyl take any heede or regarde to thy health Beleeue not vncerten thinges and vaine promises neither commit thyselfe to doubtful chaunces Liue so behaue thee selfe that thou mayst be so quieted in thy conscience as though this were thy dying daye Neuer go vnto thy bedde before thou hast accoumpted with thy selfe the maner state of thy life Examine thy selfe calling thy harte with al thy sences to iudgement and knowe whether thou be the better or the worse for this daye Neuer go thou to bedde with such a coÌ„science wherein thou fearest to dye If thou doest finde thee selfe in such state as thou doest feare to die search out the cause therof for peraduenture there be some sinnes of the which as yet thou hast not perfectlie repented thy self or else thou forsakest to acknowledge confesse them or peraduenture thou doest refuse to abstaine froÌ„ the occasions thereof or thou liuest vnder the daunger or obedience of some man or as a peruerse maÌ„ thou dost continue in malice or in the vniust withholding of other mennes goodes or thou art too much addicted bent to the couetous desyre of worldly wealth carnal sensualitie or rauished with the vnlawful lust of some creature or being so deepelie drowned in the greedy desire of earthlie visible thinges in such sort as thou canst by no meanes be withdrawen from them coueting for nothing of that which belongeth to the Soule foolishly looking and lyking in al external things lothing and vomiting out al heauenly thinges The cause that mooueth thee to feare death is that thy guyltie conscience foretelleth thy feareful minde the torments whiche are prouided for thy sinneful soule after thy death Which soeuer of these resteth and raygneth in thee cutte them off persecute them and with all thyne endeuour doo what lyeth in thee to deliuer thy selfe from them Imbrace my crosse and folow my footesteppes and they shal be a great furtheraunce to thee in this thine attempte and with rigour of minde holy hatred against thy self proclayme thou open warre against al vyces with a determinate wyll not to sinne renewing oftentymes this holy battayle without ceassing And least thou shouldst be ouerthrowen for weaknesse and want of courage contemplate and earnestly beholde the examples of me and of my Saints commending thy selfe to the prayers exhortations of good meÌ„ reposing thy selfe with inwarde and wholsome inspiration be occupied in prayer and godlie reading be neuer ydle loue solitarinesse and sylence These and such like driue away euyl thoughts froÌ„ the harte banish the feare of death When thou coÌ„mest to the ende of euery day say vnto thy self Now my life is shortned by one day And when thou rysest in the morning saye O God I am by one night neerer to death then I was ¶ An Exercise to be vsed in the Morning or at other times when you thinke conuenient ALmightie and eternall God my Creator and louer I praise adore and blesse thee for that in mine offeÌ„ces and vngratefulnesse thou hast so mercifullie and leysurelie forborne suffred me to liue euen to this houre wherunto by thy benefits thou hast brought me geuing to me thine vnworthy reprocheful seruaunt both life necessaries therunto beloÌ„ging appointing Angelles to be my keepers O good God who knoweth whether tyll euening my life shal be prolonged or what death is appointed forme O merciful Lorde God heauenly father graunt that I may with harty repentaunce truly repeÌ„t â—â—y sinnes inwardly bewaile that â—â—et I offended thy godly maiestie Suffer not my soule to departe this body before it be through thy mercie perfectlie reconciled and adopted vnto thee by thy grace bedeckt with thy merites and vertues inflamed with perfect charitie and acceptable vnto thee according vnto thy wyl O mercifull Lorde Iesus Christe if those thinges whiche I desyre doo stand with thy pleasure grauÌ„t them I beseeche thee although I be not worthy to be heard yeelde and geue I beseech thee of thine infinite mercie that by the merites of thy passioÌ„ I may be purged from al my sinnes And that at the howre of my death I maye be striken with true and vehement contrition and being knitte with thee in perfect charity I maye immediatly flit vnto thee my sweete Redeemer safelie and freelie from al dampnation Neuerthelesse in al these my requestes O best beloued Iesu I do fully and wholy offer and resigne my selfe vnto thee to be altogether disposed ordered according to thy wyl and to suffer for thy glorious sake desyring this one thing at thy hands that thou wilt remember my fragilitie vnworthinesse vnstablenesse miseries together with thine owne goodnesse and most charitable mercy praying thee neuer to forsake or leaue me but that thou wylt alwaies possesse and gouerne me according to thy wyl Amen ¶ An oblation of Christ and of his merites vnto his Father OMnipotent and benigne Father al the paines dolours checkes punishmentes rebukes and labours of thy onelie begotten Sonne Iesus Christ lambe immaculate which he vpon his owne body hath suffred for my sake his trauels with the afflietion of al his members for me his bloudshed and feete nayled for me his most noble and godly soule seuered from his delicate body for mee his infinite vertues and merites the strength also of his body soule and al thinges the hare lyfe in him yeelded to death for my redemption inseperately notwithstaÌ„ding vnited with the Deitie Christ also thy blessed soÌ„ne God man omnipotent both weakned looking downe glorious working myracles and hanging vpoÌ„ the Crosse I do here offer vnto thee in exaction satisfaction of my synnes al the worldes and in mortifying extinguishing of al my passions euil affections sinful vices in steede and supply of al my negligeÌ„ce and in the laude and prayse of al thy graces benefites O heauenly father haue coÌ„passion vpon me for his sake haue thou mercie vpon me for the loue of thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ THere beâ— which doe prefixe a certaine kinde of exercise vnto them selues as death were present preparing themselues euerye fyue dayes continually in suche sorte as though they shoulde dye presently The fyrst daye they do remember death the presidentes and horror thereof to whom they do wyllingly yeelde The seconde daye they do thinke vpon theyr sinnes and them so busie and diligently they do confesse as though presently after theyr confessioÌ„ they should die passing ouer that daye in sobbes and teares The thyrde day with the greatest deuotion they can
they do prepare themselues comming to the holye Eucharist and vittayle themselues therewith for theyr reliefe in theyr iourney The fowrth daye they do continually pray vnto God for the inspiration of the holy ghost wherby they may lighten soften the hardnes of theyr hartes and thus they do continew al that day The fift day with feruent deuotiō they make theyr humble supplications vnto God for a spyrituall death wherby they may perfectlie mortify them selues and yet continually liue to God. To ech of these dayes a man may applie fyt Psalmes and Prayers And lastly they do giue harty thāks to almightie God for his innumerable benefits bestowed vpon them at al times during theyr liues ¶ Spirituall counsayles at the howre of death MY Daughter thou beeing brought to infyrmitie prepare thy soule to God taking such order for thy temporal goodes that there be no strife nor cōplaint for them after thy death Nothing profiteth the soule more then to leade a iust innocent lyfe and to do good to euery man in thine owne life tyme whatsoeuer thou wouldest that others should do for thee be thou careful and diligent to do the same thy selfe If after death thou dost goe to euerlasting paine what doeth the fulfylling of thy Testament the pompe of thy Funeral almes or sacrifice auayle thee after thy death Do these things thy selfe in thine owne life dayes that thou maist be deliuered not only frō sinne but also increased in my grace thou mayst escape damnation and I preseruing thee from thine offēces thou maist continue and perceuer in good workes vnto the ende When death approcheth see thou do ridde thy self from al cares and worldlie labours that with feruent desire thou mayst affect to come to me without spotte beeing ful of fayth not trusting any thing to thine owne workes but let the hope of thy reliefe be onely planted in mine ineffable mercie In this faith altogeather betaking thy selfe and al other things which thou hast in this worlde vnto my prouident wyl humblie and deuoutlie receyue thou the Sacraments of my body blood which haue theyr vertue only by my merites and were by me geuen vnto the Church as a treasure Although that many men haue oftē times abused them as they haue done many other good things neuer thelesse receiue thou them with a feruent zeale and a sure fayth vnto thy euerlasting ioy ¶ An Exercise wherein the weake man may resigne himselfe to God. O My saythful louer O mercyfull Lorde Iesus Christ graunt that with al my harte and minde I maye perfectly vnderstande that which I saye As the Harte desireth to come to the fountaynes of freshe waters so doeth my soule desire to come to thee O Lorde I haue chosen rather to bee an abiect and an vnderling in the house of my god then to dwel in the Tabernacles of sinners Blessed are they which dwell in thy house O Lord they shal prayse thee for euer By soule dothe thirse to come to thee O Lorde when shal I appeare before thy face O my soule why art thou heauy why troublest thou me Hope in the Lorde for I wyl trust in him the health of my countenaunce and my god Turne thy face vpon me thy seruaunt saue me in thy mercie O Lorde that I be not confounded foreuer I cal vpon thee linger not from me my god Looke backe and assist me a poore man left vnto thee for thou arte the releeuer of Orphantes thou art the refuge of al my trouble that compasseth me O my triumph delyuer me from them that assault me O thou Lorde God of my health come and helpe me for thou arte my strength my helper and refuge do not forsake me nor despise me O God salute me with welcome beholde I come vnto thee my God whome I haue neglected and despised for all the earth is ful of thy mercy I doe therefore flye vnto thee moste mercyfull God receyue me according to thy word by which thou saydest I wyll not the death of a sinner and I shal lyue do not consounde me contrarie to mine expectation My God I craue not for this temporal life but I do onely inuocate and call vpon thee with al my harte which art the eternal life Alas my best beloued Alas my only Lord and God that euer I offended thee that euer I neglected thy inspirations and counsayles that euer I loued any thing besides thee my Lorde God this is it that repenteth me I beseech thee therfore to graūt vnto me that during my life I maye with al my hart truely faithful lie repent and bewayle these mine offēces I woulde I coulde powre forth and vp before thee al the droppes of my bloud and teares in true repentaunce Lorde Iesu I craue and loke neyther for death nor life but onelie for thy good wyl Let al thinges be done according to thy good wyl and pleasure Seeing it pleaseth thee that I must dye O Iesu receyue my soule graūt that I may haue eternal rest with thee If it be thy pleasure O Iesu that my lyfe shal be prolonged I haue determined with al my harte to beseeche and aske that thou wylt most graciously graunt it me through the helpe of thy mercie and grace so to offer my selfe vnto thee as an offering to thy glorie wyll O best beloued Iesu for that I haue past ouer my lyfe in contempt of thy glorious name lyuing out of thine obedience graunt nowe I beseeche thee that henceforward I may wyllingly spēde al the strength of my soule and body and al the rest of my time graūted by thee vnto thy glorie and wyl O Mercyful Iesu bee present with me and mercifullye helpe mee in these my paynes and miseries and if greeuouser paynes shall happen to oppresse me which for mine offences I knowe I haue deserued farre greuouser greater then these graunt that I maye suffer and beare them paciently Osweete Iesu although I had neuer offended nor deserued punishment in thy sighte yet to thy glory and wyl in these paynes as in euerye other I doe offer and resigne my selfe vnto thy Maiestie not trusting in mine owne vertue but only in the multitude of thy merits vpon which I doe presume and doe inuocate and call vppon thee that thou mayst by thy vertue erect strengthen the weaknes and vnstedfastnes of my soule and that thou wilt comfort it with strength and strengthen it with patience that I doe not fall downe beeing vanquished with aduersitie and temptation nor weried with weaknes of minde but beeing altogeather consumed in the flame of thy sweete fyre and loue I maye onely long for thee and that wyth a thirstie appetite I maye coole my thirst in thee that I may thinke vpō thee and altogether long for thee that I may forsake disdaine and cōtemne the world al things therin that I may geue thee like thanks both in ioye and sorowe O Most louing Iesu I haue chosen thee
I wishe and loke for thee I runne to meete thee and I doe renounce all things that are not of thee Whatsoeuer thou wilt I wyll and whatsoeuer thou wylt not the same I wyl forsake Whatsoeuer thou doest detest I doe refuse it and whatsoeuer shal hereafter happen vnto me coÌ„trarie to this my present minde I beseeche thee my God not to impute the same vnto me neither according vnto that but accordyng to this present choyse of my soule iudge me For al thinges whiche I ought not to doe I doe here vtterly forsake them And if at anye time hereafter I shall chaunce by any sinister occasion to agree to any thing that may be a cause to withdraw thy nâ—â— dyd from me I do 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 vtterly 〈◊〉 and dâ—tâ—â—â—tlys satile O Lorde Iâ—â—â— if it please thre or if if maye stande 〈◊〉 thy glâ—â—y â—â—auÌ„t I beâ—â—eche thee in this my present lyfe â—hat I 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 wherein I haâ—e oâ—â—â—nded â—â—om al the pâ—ines 〈…〉 â—â—â—â—â—uedlie I â—â—ght to 〈…〉 And that thâ—◠〈…〉 of thy 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ned farry afte◠〈…〉 〈…〉 Lorde Iesu 〈◊〉 my 〈…〉 ¶ 〈…〉 or lâ—st 〈…〉 therto be saye 〈◊〉 to be â—â—ought 〈…〉 vp on at the howre 〈…〉 〈…〉 seath 〈…〉 IN the name of the Father and of the Some and of the holie Ghost I Hâ— a wretched synner â—â—deemed with the precious bloud of our Lord Iesus Christe through his greate merry and loue not by my merites do confesse and â—â—knowledge openly eyther by this wryting or by these my wordes before God omnipotent and before you that are here as witnesses if there needeth any that I aâ—â—â—â—â—d doo dyethe true serâ—â—unt of our Lorde Iesus Christe as it becomâ—eth a true Christian I do beleeue and confesse generallie all and euerie parte and Article of the Christian fayth wherein euery Christian beleeuer is â—â—â—â—â—de is beleeueâ— And chiâ—sâ—ie the vâ—iuersall 〈…〉 â—oâ—teyned in the twelue Articles of the Christian faith either openly expressed or by reason excluded According as through the holye Ghoste by the twelue Apostles and by the true gospel they were delyuered vnto vs And to be shorte I beleeue so muche as a true Christian ought And I do with all my harte reioyce to dye in this immoueable and fyrme Fayth holding this scripture in my handes and offering it vp as a most defensible and inuinsible shield against all the inuasions and deceiptes of the diuell And if which God forbyd it come to passe that by the temptation of the diuell or by the violence of my disease I shall happen to thinke speake or do any thing contrarie to this pretestation Or that I shall fal into any error misbelefe or dispaire Yf any of these doo chaunce vnto me I do here in the presence of you al reuobe vtterly renounce the same in such sorte as I woulde do if I had my perfect sences For this I cal you al which are here present thee my good Angell vnto whose custodie I am coÌ„mitted that you as witnesses may testifie this my protestation and confession before the omnipotent and righteous Iudge As muche as in me lyeth I doo here clearely forgeue and remit al iniuries iuries whatsoeuer haue beene done vnto me And the lyke I do aske 〈◊〉 theyr handes whoâ—â—eit her by word or dee de I haue at any time â—â—leÌ„ded And cheessie I do request to bee partaker of the bytter PassioÌ„ and innocent death of our Lord Iesus Christ and that my natural and voluntarie death may through thy grace stande for al my sinnes I do also intitely requeâ—â— and desire you al that be here present to say the Lordes prayer with me and for me Our Father which arte in Heauen hâ—â—o 〈◊〉 be thy 〈◊〉 Thy kingdom thing Thy wyl be done in earth as it is in heauen â—eue vs this day out â—â—ylâ—e breade And forgeue vs our trespasses as we forgeue them that trespasse against vs And leade vs not into temptation But deliuer vs from al euyl For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen Would to God I had neuer sinned nor offeÌ„ded against my God nor my 〈◊〉 periors 〈◊〉 against my neighbours nor my selfe Lastlie I geâ—â—â— thâ—â—bes 〈◊〉 thaâ—â—â—â—ghty God for al his 〈…〉 â—â—sâ—â—wed vpon west And I commâ—â—de my body and soule into thy 〈…〉 that my soule may he saued through the bitter passion of our Lord 〈◊〉 Christ to whom be prayse 〈◊〉 glory for euer and euer Amen ¶ Howe feareful and bytter corporal death is of it selfe and the muâ—â—â— causes thereof AS man naturallie desyreth to be in this worlde to lyue and to reioyce So is it also natural for him to feare death and the paines presydents thereof Vertuous and perfect men not withstanding are accustomed to wysh for death wrâ—oâ—â—â—ch as it is the ende of the myseties and offences of this present lyfe the entry like wise into the felicitie and ioye to come They do therfore couet death whiche loue no vnâ—â—wâ—all thing in this lyfe and despiseth and settethat nought al the vanities pleasutes tiches homours prosperities of this world with a most â—â—dent affection aspyring to the most blessed syght of theyr God whome aboue al other thinges they do with al their hartes entirely loue and inwardlie burne with the hartie desyre of heauenlie pleasures eternall wealth saying with the prophet Dauid As the Hart desireth to come to the fountaines of fresh waters so doth my soule desire thee O lord My soule hath thirsted to come vnto God the lyuing fountaine When shal I come appeare before the face of God And to the same effect sayth Paule I vnhappie man who wyll deliuer me from the body of this death That is to saye from this mortal miserable body Also I desyre to be dissolued to be with Christ Neuerthelesse though the consideration of death of it self be a most bytter paine and that the losse of lyfe to a humaine 〈…〉 is naturaâ—le fearfull and horâ—â—â—â— insomuch that our Lord Iesus Christ death approchâ—ig by natural â—eaâ—e of death whiche he tooke willingly vpon him began to feare to ware weerie and to be heauy Such wâ—â—eâ—aâ—e 〈◊〉 of death is proâ—â—â—able for it withdraweth man from cauâ—â— detectatioÌ„ and from the vanities of this worlde He that wyl wisely consider howe pawful an ende howe bytter a death and howe greeuous a sorow doth dayly approche vnto him and peradueÌ„ture is presentlie at hande hee wyll refrayne him selfe from dyssolute and vaine secutitie from sportes games and laughters Saying with Salomon I haue accompted laughing for errour And to myrthe I haue sayde Why doest thou deceyne in vayne And that they be so in deede the wyse Salomon doth in another place witnesse the same Better it is sayeth he to gâ—e into a sorrowfull house then into a hoÌ„â—ueting house Iâ—â—thoue that is the sorowful house man is admonished of theâ—de of all men lyuing he thinketh vpon that which shall happen and is
to come As the Scripture sayth Blessed is he that is alwayes fearefull And by this the olde Doctours Hierâ—ome and Augustine 〈◊〉 wryte that Plato that excellent and moste noble Philosopher dyd forgoe the delicate and beautifull Cittie of Athens â–ª with â—â—â—tayne of his Schollers choosing rather to dwell in an olde thinous Vyllage beeing often with Earthquakes and Tempestes wel neare ouerturned so that by the frace of daungers and death they myght in themselues mortifie the vicas of the fleshe withdraw themselues from concupiscence and all other vices For so muche as the Gentyles haue done this howe much more I praye you ought Christians to withdraw themselues from delectations by remembring the daungers of death And that by this the preme ditation of death there might growe in vs such an healthful feare The disposition of him that dyeth is to be consydered to behold the present howre of the separation of the soule from the fleshe whereof man hath a naturall feare for then man altogeather waxeth pale his feete waxeth colde his weake hands becommeth blacke his countenaunce chaungeth colour his eyes becommeth dimme and sinketh in and for intollerable pangues of paynes they are turned vpwarde See how his hart waxeth faynt his forehead shrinketh all his members waxeth flyffe his chinne falleth his pulses chaungeth theyr course his breath gathering it self from the innermost bowels doo altogether forsake the body The paines of death do then appeare deadly pangues stinging with the mortal stinges the very harte which fyrst of al begynneth to lyue and last of al doth dye And last of al there commeth breaketh foorth a dead sweate shewing that Nature is ouercome And thus being vanquished by griefe the soule is cast out from hir dwelling place If we wyl consyder this disposition of them that dye and do dilygentlie imagine that the lyke wyl short lie happen vnto our selues there is no doubte but we wyll consider the healthfull feare of death ¶ THE MANER howe to dye well Written in Latin by Petrus de Soto AL men must nedes dye a punishment assigned vnto vs for that sinne of our fyrst parentes Mortalitie that is â—euitable death is test cast vpon vs for that Adam and Eua did eate of the forbidden fruit wherby they sinned against the lord And as sinne was first commited so death presently folowed By syn they lost life gained death For as by doing well they shoulde haue obteyned immortality to themselues their posterity so by doing the contrarie they haue gained death mortality to them vs for euer from the general sentence whereof none shal escape lest that any one shoulde haue cause to exalt himself aboue another if he might freely escape the same The certentie of death and the vncertayne howre thereof NOthing is more certayne then death but the howre the place and maner thereof none knoweth For who is he that knoweth when where and after what sorte he must dye whether he shal dye a good or a shamefull death whether hee shall ende his lyfe by sword fire or water or by any other kynde of death No not one truely For death more diligent then our shadows at al times and places continuallye geueth his attendance laying for vs his trappe thinking at euerye houre vnwarely to intrap vs therein Who is then so foolish as to assure himselfe to lyue but tyl night of what age soeuer hee be of For what other thing is our life but the verye beaten pathe and straight way to death Hee therefore that is wise loketh prepareth him selfe for death and at al tymes and in al places is continually ready to dye For death is at the gates of old men and lyeth in a readines to oppresse ouertake yong men the houre when the Lorde reserueth and keepeth to himselfe to the ende that we beeing vncertayne when to dye shoulde the rather prepare our selues to dy And whylst we haue our perfect health memorie we ought to acknowledge our redeemer to cal vpon him betaking our selues altogether vnto his clemencie great mercye And in no wise to detract the time to the laste houre and extreme instant of death For death most commonlie assaulteth and oppresseth those whom he seethe most vnwilling and the worst prouided And as death findeth the man so man shall finde death The perfect man dyeth in securitie and gladnes the iust manful of hope fayth and assured confidence and the vniust dyeth in stare and desperation VVhy Iust men doe wishe for death WE do continually walk amongst innumerable dangers that is the dangerous snares of our aunciente enimie the diuel the bloody swordes of the wicked the intollerable greefes paynes and labours of the body The habitation or dwelling place of the body wherein we dwel is ruinous the worldely sea wherein wee fayle is ful of stormes dangerous wrackes no earthly thing wherein wee can delight our selues lacketh great perils and that wherein wee thinke we finde great felicitie therin alwayes consisteth our most miserie and calamities But yet our benigne Sauiour doth not without heauenly prouidence appoynte suffer that this our mortal life shoulde be so replenished and fylled with those so great calamities paynes and perils And also doth according to his profounde wisedome prouidentlye ordeyne and appoynte them I meane those temporal paynes which we do abide to the ende that wee shoulde repent vs of our former sinnes and amend our present lyfe and diligently to care for the lyfe to come and that we shoulde willingly contemne the worlde and set at noughte this transitorie life erecting and lifting vppe our mindes soules and hartes vnto the almightie God â–ª earnestlye affecting the glorious euerlasting life with feruent desire from the bottome of our hartes Our forefathers which in times past tasted but verye litle of this glorious and heauenlye sweetnes did yet abandon al earthly vanities abhorred the delight of the world despised and quite forgot this transitorie life most painfully labouring with al diligence to obteine the vnspeakeable pleasures of heauen greedely thirsting for the eternal blisse saying with the Apostle â–ª O wretched man who shal deliuer me from this mortal body My desire is to be dissolued to be with thee O christ for as the Harte desireth to come to the fouÌ„tains of fresh waterâ— so doth my soule O Lorde desire to come to â—hee Although death bringeth vnto vs suche and so many pleaâ—â—res and that through it the soule is carried thither where it shal eâ—â—â—auy liue yâ—â— we ought not to dâ—â—â—â—te nor argue of the rest of our life which is presâ—â—lbed by God neyther ought werâ— bee the causeâ—s or procâ—reâ— of our owne death For as we 〈◊〉 not hither by 〈◊〉 owne appoynâ—ment so ought we not to be â—hâ—â—â—â—â—rs of ouâ— ende before the â—ime appoynted vnto vâ— by god Hereby I iudge him to be altogether forgetful of himselfe and litle to regarde his owne state that thinketh his time in this
world to be but short seeing it is suâ—â—â—fent to liue a short time and smal age so that we spende the same in dooing well For what matter is it whethâ—â— one dye yong or olde for so much as the number of yeeres nor length of tyme do make neyther blessed nor vnblessed happy nor vnhappy And that by coÌ„ming to death the ende of al humain kinde we shal aryue in a safe porte quiet harborowe free and safe from al the dauÌ„gerous stormes troublesome broyles of this worlde The death of the iust man. NOthing ought to be more wished for then to be in the handes of God â–ª wherein the Soules of the iust quietly rest Theyr death is acceptable to the Lorde if a man maye caâ— that death which is the greatest pleasure that can happen to good men for it is to them the ende of labour care the winning of victory the way of lyfe the entrie into perfect securitie and ioyning of the soule to God the thiefest goodnes which is of al other the greatest rewarde that men can haue The departing of the iust man from this lyfe is the vyage and passage from trouble to rest froÌ„ paynes to glory from pouerty to a kingdom from feare to securitie from griefe to ioye from death to that lyfe which onelie ought to be called lyfe And to conclude death is nought else vnto him but an escape from prisonment a returne from banishment a finishing of labours an arriual to the port of rest an ending of pylgrimage a lyghtning of his burden a delyueraunce from a ruinous house an ending of euylles an escape from daungers and paying to nature hir duetie and entrye into his countrey of euerlasting ioye and glorie By meanes where of that daye wherein the Saintes departe hence and are receyued into Heauen is commonlie called their natall daye for that when they departe hence then doo they begynne to lyfe and by dying in this worlde they enter into a better The death of the euyll THe death of a sinner is most wretched of al euyls for there by he loseth the worlde the greatest aspect familyer felowship of his best beloued also by it the soule is seuered from the body is condempned to abide the affliction of Hell fyre For the paines of one coÌ„demened soule is farre worse greeuouser then al the tormentes of al the holy Martirs yea though they were al gathered in one For the sinner hath horror feare at his departing griefe sorow in his iourney shame and confusion in the sight of God the vpright iudge incredible terror dreade in departing from this lyfe entring into an vnknowen Region wherein feareful spyrites wycked Angels meete the soule and pul it to eternal paines The goodes of the wycked are diuided into three Fyrst his soule to the diuel his body to the wormes his temporal goodes to his heyres which are coÌ„monly vngratefull and too prodigal The daungers of death THe diuel doth with al his engines and snares seeke to intrap mans Soule at the very howre of death if God of his speciall goodnesse assyste him not tempting him fyrste of the verity of his faith persuading him to forgo the same putting him in remembraunce of his coÌ„mitted offeÌ„ces thinking with the greatnes of them to driue him into dispayre And at the same instaunt coÌ„monly a pang more painful then tongue can tel assayleth him which is the separation of the soule from the body That paine is so great that as then he can remember nought els but the deadly paÌ„ges of death only Therfore it is written In death O Lorde none remembreth thee And Saint Augustine sayth The sinner is stricken with such animaduersity that dying he forgetteth him selfe who whylst he lyued remembred not god Saint Barnarde also treating of the hoâ—â—e of death Cursed spyrites sâ—â—th he watcheth at my doores and â—â—rrible diuels attende my comming so that I dare not goe forth Sâ—â—â—â— lie I am not able to escape theyr haudes vnlesse the Lorde defende me But he who tedeemed me wyll defende and faue me Howe we shoulde comfort those â–ª that be in daunger of death To the end that euery manâ—night learne the ryght waye howe to dye I haue gathered together these sewe lynes folowing out of dyuers good Authors Three exhortations to the sicke 1. Consider good Brother that all men of what condition or degree soeuer they bee must once dye some sooner some later according to the tyme appoynted them by God to whom we are al subiect to paye vnto Nature hir fees whensoeuer his omnipotencie shal thinke good who hath appointed this worlde vnto vs as a bayting Inne and not to be our continual dwelling place There is no cause therefore why you should so much affect this transitory life for by how much the loÌ„ger your life is prolonged by so much y more your syns are increased And y elder you grow in age the more your offences are multiplied for euery day vice increaseth and vertue decayeth We ought therefore to be the more wylling to dye for the by flytting from this poore mortal life we shal come to the euerlasting and blessed lyfe 2. Acknowledge good brother most thankfully â–ª God 's bountiful goodnes towardes thee in that that hytherto of his vnspeakeable mercie he hath permitted thee to lyue yea for that at this present extremitie of death his hyghnesse hath graunted thee thy perfect senses reason and vnderstanding whereby thou mayst acknowledge thy bounden duety vnto his heauenly Maiestie And in that he hath not oppressed not preuented thee with sodaine death and for that also he hath of his merciful goodnes called thee vnto his true and vnfaigned faith through which by his help thou shall be brought to his euerlasting kingdome and eternal inheritaunce For this and al other his innumerable benefites geue vnto his highnesse most hartie thankes and altogether betake thy selfe vnto his endles mercie humblie crauing pardon of him for thine offences 3. Consider that God the Father hath geuen and yeelded his welbeloued sonne in whome he tooke great delyght to be crucifyed and tormented with innumerable tribulations tortures and paynes and to suffer most vyle bitter death for vs most wretched sinners Seeing therefore thou hast in this transitorie life commytted done innumerable synnes and haynous offences which deserueth farre greeuouser and greater paynes and punishmentes then bee assigned vnto thee Thou oughtest therfore patientlie to beare the paines and panges of this thy deserued disease and death Christ for thine offences most willynglie and patientlie suffred death and the holy Martyrs and Apostles with al theyr minde moste wyllingly imbraced death for his names sake Knowe thou therefore that what maner of death soeuer thou suffrest is muche lesse painefull then theyrs for wyl thou nyl thou die thou must therefore in the name of Christ good brother take it patiently Questions to bee asked of him that lyeth sicke by
Death at the gates of olde men is and prest to youth also But neither knoweth the certen howre when they away must go Let vs therfore not knowing when God shall vpon vs call Prepare our selues in readinesse both soule minde harte and all Yeelding our selues vnto the Lorde whylst we our health enioy Not wasting time by posting off least we our selues annoy Euen like as death doth finde the man so man the death shal finde For perfect men in safetie do dye with ioyfull minde With hope of blysse the iust doth ende their lyfe in quiet rest And wicked men full desperate doo ende in cares opprest Therefore to auoide these dangers all keepe thou these verses in minde Which I amongst the learned workes of godlie men doo finde ¶ Of Death Iudgement Hell and Heauen EChe thing returnes to massie earth and endes where it begunne Fresh flowres and all that beareth breath as shades away doth runne Nothing for long accompted is that must in time decay To morrowe next perhaps shal be my death and dying day This present day may likewise be the last day of my dayes Wherein appoynted is that I. must dye without delayes No hope of dooing wel is left after that deadful day That day in ioy without al greefe To passe God sende I may It is great folly to accompt long time here to endure Séeing that none one day to liue himselfe can wel assure Oft to accompt or mencion make of dayes it is but vayne Since restful day or quiet houre none hath without great paine Haue thou as long a time and race as thou doth lust to runne As ought of nought was made in fine so ought to nought must turne A thousand thousand men haue bene and thousand of thousands eke VVhose bones in earth consumed are whose fame is nowe to seeke A iust rewarde for their desertes doth onely nowe remayne And for their déedes by iudgment iust they suffer ioy or payne Beholde that feareful iudgement iust for one shal geue the dome VVho doth appoynte that trembling day when he thereto wyl come Dread feare and cast thy count therfore prepare thy harte I say Liue thou as though death present were thy due preparde to pay ¶ Of the houre of death worthye of often repetition REmember oft O mortal man consider in thy minde VVhat soden feare and terror great thy soule is like to fynde VVhat pinching wormes begin to fret the hart on euery side VVhen soule from flesh life from man begins away to slide Ten thousand griefs begins to paine the wicked soule with woe VVhen from the prison of the fleshe away it needes must goe It doth bewayle with streames of teares the vayne bestowed time VVherein it might ful leasurely repent eche sinful crime And bitterlie with scryching cryes it makes a rufull mone To see the time of strict reuenge that drawes so hardlie on It seekes a whyle then to remaine in hope some mendes to make No sute maye then preuayle but that the fleshe it must forsake Full fayne it would recouer againe the ioye which it hath lost All is in vaine it wyll not be away the soule must post But looking backe it séeth againe when it was wald with bones The whole full course of passed lyfe all presentlie at once And taking yet more earnest viewe it séeth not farre beside The infinite Eternitie that neuer away wyl slide Then trikling teares by watred leares in floudes for gréefe doth runne For losing al the heauenly ioyes that easly mought bene wonne Intisementes fowle of filthy fleshe iust cause of greefe then brings For that by them the swéete delight of heauen and heauenlie thinges From sinfull soule for euer alas remediles is reft And endles paines by iust desart by God to it is left It blusheth for that the sinfull flesh it dyd so much set by The foode of gréedie scrauling wormes in graue when it doth lye Forgetting quite it selfe alas which if it had done wel To Angels might compared be that in the heauens doo dwel O howe the soule confounded is when it doth sée with eyes The perfect glée that was and is aboue the starrie Skies With fléeting stoudes of cares I saye the doleful soule is tost When it doth see the heauenly health that it hath vainely lost For vading glorie of the worlde in this poore mortall lyfe Wherein we see nothing is had without debate and strife When the blacke vale of miserie it doth from farre beholde It wondreth at the shyning light of heauen more pure then golde It doth then sée the wauering worlde that séemde to it most bright To be none other but a clowde more darke then drowpy night How godly harde and strict a life the soule woulde vndertake What fastings great what promise large what holy vowes would make To get by grace some space of tyme wherein it might repent The vaine surpassed course of life that earst in sinne was spent But when the dasled eyes begins to loose their wonted sight And holo we chest yet feble pants and loosing neare his might The ratling throte doth faintly breath the téeth waxe blacke and rust The lippes becommeth pale and wan the toung is thicke and thurst And euerie lym neare styffe and colde when these doo play their parte As verie signes and tokens true of Death his pearsing darte Then al his wicked works and thoughts as witnesse forth are brought And strongest euidence they geue gainst him that them haue wrought He no where then can fire his eyes but there they present are And as his strongest enimies they worke his greatest care Huge routes of vgly dreadfull douyls on thoâ—e side standeth nâ—â—re The vertues all on thother side with Angels passing cleare And in the midst betwixt them both by iust and vpright dome It s clearely iudged to whether side the wandâ—ing soule shall come If in the pathe of vertue true the soule did runne her race Then do the Angels euery one craue that it maye haue grace With pleasaunt heauenly harmonie full sweete they do allure The soule with them in heauen to go they earnestly procure But if the soule all blurred be with blottes of filthy sinne Then war like troupes of hateful deuils agaynst the soule doo â—iune And sodenly in boyâ—â—rous wise alheadlong downe doth cast The guyltie soule eternally to heâ— they pul at last In ambushe they in priuie wise the waye doo al beset Thereby the soule to stop and stay and it from heauen to let By calling these and such like thinges to minde with inwarde thought Al raging fleshlie lust we shal despise and set at nought And weigh as thinges of litle weight al worldlie pleasures vaine Forsaking quite thentisements sweete of hoores and hoorishe traine Applying our studies by stedfast faith to God in godlinesse VVe shal I trust by Christ at last be plast with Saintes in bliffe Praise be to God our Sauiour and to his name also VVho graunt that to his glory we all thinges
hinder thee Although I speake to thee O beloued soule I do meane and speake these thinges also to those which are as yet vnperfect aduising and counsayling you al to loue innocēcie and hate euyl What soule soeuer thou be that offendest be sory and repent and so repent if thou doest meane to reape the fruites of true repētance that thou doo not returne to thine olde sinnes nor to the occasions therof Looke alwayes for death and so prepare thee selfe for it as though euerie howre should be the instaunt therof And lest weake soules should lacke any kinde of godlie instruction whereby they might the better prouide them selues to dye I wyl adde more to this which I haue sayde Marke well the wordes of mine Apostle which thing the matter it self doeth plainely shewe You haue no stedfast dwelling nor permanent cittie sayth he in this trāsitory world for such a cittie is onely to be looked for in the worlde to come vnto the which this world is nought but the way and pilgrimage which iourney and pilgrimage is ended when your life is determined Death is the end of al men that boundeth and leadeth directly from the pilgrimage wherein you now are vnto the region whervnto you cast your course in suche dyrect sorte that there is none other way or gate through which you cā enter or departe out of this Pylgrimage into your countrey but onelie by death As there is no assuraunce of lyfe so there is an assured certenty of death but this indyfferent betweene the good and the euyll that being mixt in this perigrination they be al but straungers and they al do long to come to the blessed kingdom although they al walke not in the ryght path Al you so lōg as you are in this iourney although you stray you may returne to the ryght way againe And when you come to the ende of your iourney euē at the very gates therof at the extreme instant of death some go from eryle to lyfe and other some go to myserable and eternall death You ought not therfore lightly to esteeme nor forcelesse with a neglygent conscience to consider in what sort you shoulde come to death For then must you forgoe leaue behind you al thinges whatsoeuer you put any trust or confidence in whether it be riches honour friendes or any other vanitie whatsoeuer for at the howre of death they shal profite nothing but must be al left behind and you fellowlesse without companye shal goe alone before the tribunall seate of almightie God thereto receyue accordinge to your workes What greater blindnesse madnesse maye there be then to take pleasure or reioyce in any thing that may happē vnto you whylst you trauaile in this iourney or to loue any transitorie thing that neither auaileth or profiteth the soule And as it were cast into a certayne sodaine madnesse with a drye wythered conscience without God to seeke for such things as are altogether fleshly and rashly to rush and thrust foorthe after externall thinges onely neglecting slouthfully tyme and godly occasions wherby they might amend their liues taking no regarde nor heede to the spiritual estate of their inwarde man And in this maner you doe runne headlong vnto death O how many are in this very point deceyued Loe here how they are intraped wrapt vp and taken in the deceytful nettes and priuie snares of this transitorie and miserable worlde See howe vnhappilie they are taken captiues and compelled to drawe the yoke of the diuell that thus vnaduisedlye come to death with blinde and hard hartes O howe vnhappie bee their liues that neglecting death prepare not for their owne health They whiche hinder the soule and with pleasure pamper theyr fleshe forgoing althinges behouefull and necessarie for theyr saluation are worthy to be cut of an cast away Euerie man ought so to liue at euery howre as though the same were the last howre of his life wherein he should go to heare the iudgement of god And right now if not oftner alwaies he ought to cal present before his eyes the dreadful houre of his departure from the fleshe for the soule shal be iudged for euery word work and thought Alwaies and presently thou oughtest so to rule thy self that by thy nowe doing thou shouldest be found in such a readinesse as in tyme to come thou wouldest wyshe thou shouldest be found in when vndoubted death shal appeare It is therefore the parte of a foolish and madde harte to deferre the correction of life vnto that time wherein the ende of lyfe appeareth and when there is no further hope of life At what time we ought not neede to be amended but rather being amēded we ought to meete our god Departing out of this life thy soule forgoeth not onlie al offences but also leaueth al other thinges behinde it And yet art thou not sayde then to forsake sinne whē thou canst sinne no more Therfore whilst thou hast power to sinne forsake it seeing that true repentāce can neuer be to late notwithstanding that such repentance as is deferred to the last howre is much doubted whether it maye be called true repentance or not If the feare of damnation do so much trouble thee at the howre of thy death take heede then that thou prepare what remedie thou canst to preuent the same I feare me thy feare groweth not by charity for that thou didst offence me thy Lord God but that it commeth only of the proper loue thou bearest to thee selfe Thy onely cause of griefe is for that by thine owne offences thou hast gained death and eternall damnation whereas if thou hadst truely repented thy chiefest cause of sorowe shoulde be in that thou wast vnobedient stubborne vnthankfull reprocheful and that thou yeeldedst not due honour vnto me This ouer great lamēting of thine owne cause doth iustly argue that if there had bene no daunger or if sinne should freelie escape vnpunished thou wouldest neuer bewayle thy sinfull estate although thou hadst continued therein a thousand yeres The true repentāce whereby the soule is reconciled vnto me is grounded only vpon charity doth continually lament and repent that it hath so often despised me the best the greatest faithfullest Lord God Creator redemer And that it hath exalted it self so hyely so proudlie so arrogantlie and vnobedientlie against me it being but dust and of no value Whosoeuer he be that meaneth to dye well let him as mine Apostle teacheth lyue soberlie iustlie and godly For after a good and iust life foloweth an happy death For the death of my Saints are precious in my sight by what death soeuer they doe depart out of this life whether it be by water or by fyre or in their beddes And for a preparation thervnto in the meditation whereof a wyse man spēdeth the whole course of his natural lyfe take here this short exercise whereby euery Christian may in suche sorte admonishe and direct himselfe in such order as he
al true beleeue us cast out and vomite foorth with horror and hatefulnes all the delectations of the fleshe and vanâ—ties of the world through which they come to so great calamities in hell FINIS ¶ Hereafter followeth certayne meditations of the Heauenlye kingdome or the ioyes of Heauen WE oughte so to liue in this worlde that when our bodies beginne to become subiectes to wormes in the Sepulture then our soules should beginne to be glad with Saintes in heauen directing of spyrites thither whither it continually aspyreth We ought to hasten our selues thither where wee shall alwayes lyue and where we shalle are death no more If we do any thing at al affect this vâ—ding and transitory life which at no time is void of cares and labors and that by eating drinking sleeping or any other recreation scarce can we at any time satisly the necessity of the flesh By how much the more ought we to desyre and wishe for eternal life wherein we shal abide nor suffer no lobor or payne where there is continual health eternal felicity happy lyberty and perfect blysse where men shal be like vnto the Angels of God and iust men shal shine as the Sun in the kingdom of their father How thinkest thou then of what brightnes wil the soule be when the body shal possesse the light of the Sun In that place there is no heauinesse no sorrow no griefe no feare no labor no death but a perpetual health and euerlasting blisse In which eternal kingdome there is no malice nor misery of the fleshe no disease no lack no huÌ„ger no thrist no colde nor heate no weriâ—es of fasting nor temptation of the enemy no will to sinne nor power to do euyl but a quiet harborough of pleasur crumph where men in the society of Angels shal continually dwel without any infyrmity of the flesh There is infinite ioy eternal blisse from whence none shal be remoued that once can enter therein Ther is the rest from labours peace froÌ„ the enemy a new kinde of pleasure a securitie of eternity taking a meruaildus delite and exceeding plesure in the beholding of god Who is he theÌ„ that wil not seeke and desyre by all means possible to be a dweller there both for the desire of peace ioye and eternity for the perfect sight of god The desire the soule hath to the Heauenly iudgement O Spirituall Hierusalem the holye citie of God happy wer my soule if I might obteine to behold thy glorie thy gates thy wale thy streetes thy innumerable habitations thy most noble citizens and thy omnipotent king in his maiesty glory For thy walles are made of pretious stones thy gates of excellent margarites thy stretes of most pure golde wherein that sweete song Alleluy a is incessantly songe Thy manifolde mansions are founded vpon square stones and builded with Sâ—phyres couered with golden Tiles wherin no wicked man entreth nor sinner dwelleth O heauenly Hierusalem thou art sweete bewtiful in al thy peasures and delights There are no such miseries in thee as wee feele abid suffer in this poore miserable life Ther is in thee no darknes no night nor chaunge of time The shining of the Moon the twinkling brightnesse of the stars geueth not light in thee but only the God of God the light of light and the Sun of iustice geueth light in thee The white inunaculate Lambe a most beutiful light is thy light thy â—rightnes goodnes is an endles contemplation and beholding of thy moste â—ewtiful king The king of â—â—ngs is in the middest of thee inâ—uâ—â—â—â— on ech 〈◊〉 with his beloued â—hâ—â—â—â— In thee are legions of Angels sâ—â—ging of sweete â—iâ—â—es in thee are the felowship of heauenly Citizens there resteth the sweete soleÌ„nity of al such as returne from this miserable pilgrimage vnto thy glory the prouident coÌ„pany of the prophetes dwel in thee there are the whole nuÌ„bet of the twelue Apostles and there is the victorious army of innumerable martirs there are true perfect holy men and women which haue vanquished the pleasures of the world and the infirmity of the flesh Ther are yong childreÌ„ and maideÌ„s which haue passed ouer their yeres in holines of life ther are they that haue escaped the snares nets of pleasure and sensuality Euerye one reioiceth in his degree though not equal in glorye yet lyke in ioyes and gladnes For there reigneth perfect charity and God is al in al whom without â—â—d they 〈◊〉 coÌ„tinually and stil in 〈◊〉 â—olding him theyr loue increseth they loue prâ—ise him al theyr worâ—â—â—â— to the prayse of God without ende intermission or labour Happye were I yea most happye if I could obteine after my departure from this life to beare the song of heauenly melody which is song by these heueÌ„ly Citizens happy companies of blessed spirites in the laud praise of the eternal king Most fortunate and blessed wer I if I my selfe could come to sing that sweete song and to stand neere my kinge my God and captain to behold him in his glory and maiesty as he himself hath vouchedsafe to promise saying father I wil that those which thou hast geueÌ„ me be with me the they may see that excelleÌ„t purenes that I haue with thee before the constitution of the world Let him who ministreth vnto me followe me where I am â—heâ— shâ—lâ—â—y seruaÌ„t be And again â—e that loueth me is beloued of my father Iâ—â—â—il loue him and shew my self vnto him Howe plentifull of al goodnes and how spare of all euill the heauenly Hierusalem is O My soule let vs returne vnto the heauenly citie wherin we are registred appointed to be dwellers as the felowes of Saints and housholde seruances of our Lord heires of God and coheires with Christe our Sauiour Let vs consider so far as possible we can of these licitye of that holy Citie saying with the prophete O what glorious thinges are sayde of thee O thou Citie of God for thou art the habitacle of al those that reioice and be glad For the art filled with ioye There is no olde age nor miserye of age in thee There is none maimed lame crookebact nor deformed in thee for in thee al men grow to ful strength and perfectnes yea vnto the very yeres of our Saui or Christ What life is happier then that life where there is no feare of pouerty nor weakenesse by desease Ther is no anger hurt nor enuy no couetousnes nor ambitious aspiring to honor nor power pricketh the mind of any that dwel in that holy Citie The feare of the deuil his dauÌ„gers and the terror of hel is far absent froÌ„ thee The death neither of body nor soule is feared in thee but a pleasant life rewarded with inâ—â—ortalitye Ther wil be then no euil peace shal be there proclaymed in euery place and al discorde shal be quyte forgotten for the concorde of the holye Saintes is one Althinges shal