death Fleshe and blood beinge corruptible and mortal can not inherit the kyngdō of god wher nothing is but life Therfore this corruptible body must put on īcorrupciō thys mortal must put on immortality Ore xiiii Esa xxv Than shal the saing that is writtē be fulfilled Death is swalowed vp in victory They that beleue in Christ hath nowe ouercomed synne deathe and hel Therfore not fearinge deathe but stronge bold and wel harted in Christe they may saye deathe where is thy sting death where is thy victorie The stinge of deathe is synne and the power of synne is the lawe But thankes be vnto god which hathe geauen vs the victorie through our lorde Iesus Christe Let vs heare also more sentēces full of godly and mightie consolacion He that hathe raised vp Iesus shall raise vs vp also with Iesus ii Cor. iiii Phili. iii. Our conuersaciō is in heuin frō whence we do loke for the sauiour our lorde Iesus christ which shal chaūge our vile body that it may be like fashioned vnto his glorious bodie according to the workinge of his power by the which also he is able to subdue all thinges vnto him self Col. iii. Ye are dead and your life is hid with christ in god but when christ your life shall appere then shal ye also appere in glorie with him i. Tesso 4. We woulde not brethern that ye shuld be ignorant concerninge them that sleepe that ye sorowe not also as other do whiche haue no hope For yf we beleue that Iesus christ died and rose againe euin thē also which are a slepe through Iesus shal God bringe with him ii Tim. ii Sainct Paule also doth comforte Timothe with the article of resurrection saing Remembre the the lord Iesus Christ beinge the seed of Dauid rose again from the dead accordinge to my gospell And if we be dead with him we shall also liue with him Yf we suffer paciētly we shal also raign with him It is writen also to the Hebreus that Christe tasted deathe for all men Hebre. ii and that he was partaker of flesche and bloode .i. became verie mā that he might destroy him which had the rule of death that is the deuil and that he might deliuer theim which were in bondage all their life tyme by the reason of the feare of death God hathe deliueryd vs ii Tim. i. and called vs with an holie calling not accordinge to our workes but accordinge to his purpose grace whiche is geauen vs in Christe Iesu before the tyme of the world but is nowe made manifest by the apperinge of oure sauioure Iesu Christ which trulie hath destroied death and hathe brought life and immortalitie to lighte by the gospell i. Io. iii. We knowe that we are translated frome life to death because we loue the brethern i. Io. 4. In this hathe the loue of god apperid in vs because God sent his onlie begotten sonne into the world that we might liue through him Iob. xix I knowe that my redemer dothe liue and in the last daie I shall rise againe and againe be wrapped in my owne skine And in my owne flesshe shall see God whome I my self shall see these my eyes shall beholde and none other These places of hollie scripture and suche like if we diligentlie remēbre faithfullie imbrace we shall perceaue great consolacion and conforte Phi. iii. And euin with saincte Paule reioyse that we knowe christe and the power of his resurrection wherby deth is ouercomed Nether is there nowe to these that beleue in Christ any thinge in deathe terrible or to be feared sauinge onlye the Image and outwarde forme hurt it can not Like as a dede serpent keapith stil his old fearful shape and forme but to stinge or do harme he hathe no power at al. And like as by the brasin serpente whiche Moses by goddes commaundemente sette vp in deserte when it was loked vpō through the power of goddes woord men were deliuerid frome daunger of the liuelie and venyme serpentes so our deathe is made harmles and we deliuered frome the fear and daunger of it so oft as with the eys of our faithe we do beholde the helthefull and medicinable dethe of Christe In conclusion deathe is nowe become but a Image and shadowe of deathe yea the entraunce and gate to life For Christ who is trueth it self saithe Yf any man kepe my worde Io. viii he shall neuer see deathe For a man trustinge to the mercy of God through faithe which he conceauith by heringe of Christes gospell is so vnite and knitt to christ his lorde and maister that he can not be plucked nor seperate from him The body in dede for a tyme is seperate from the soule but in certaine hope of risinge againe to euerlastinge life And so he that beleuithe in Christe dothe not see nor fele the euerlastinge dethe of body and soule which is euerlastinge dampnacion For the deathe of good men is nothinge els but a departure from this transitory and mortal life to immortality to christ to his angelles and sainctes Hell and dampnacion DOth offer it self at the hour of death so that manye tymes man doth greatly feare lest he be abiect frō the fauour of god and appoynted to euerlastyng payne The deuyll which seketh by all meanes howe to deuoure vs steringe vp in oure myndes manye daungerous and troubellous thoughtes concerninge our eleccion and predestinacion A medicine against the feare of hel and dampnacion WHen the deuil goeth about to cause vs to dyspaire or to doubt of our election whether we be of the numbre of theim that are appointed to euerlastinge life or no In any wais let vs not be to boulde in copinge with him let vs not enter disputacion against him for he is to subtile and expert for vs but say shortly vnto him Away Satan with sorrowe it is writen thou shalt not tempt the lord thy God For seing that god as a most louinge father hathe not only geauen vs life fedde and preseruid vs to this houre but also hathe indued and euen loden vs from tyme to time with his singuler benefites what madnes were it contrary to our former experience nowe to dout of his mercy He hathe receauyd vs in to his flocke by baptime He hathe sente vs the gospell of his grace wherein he hathe promised to become oure father we haue be fedde with the flesshe and bloode of his sonne oure sauioure CHRISTE in remembraunce that oure debtes be paide and we acquited whye shoulde we nowe then doubte of the good will of GOD towarde vs lette vs not therefore admitte the doutfull and daungerous Imaginacions of oure predestinacion which the deuill like a craftie and malicyous marchaunt doth labor to iustill But let vs thinke vpon suche sentences as God would haue our myndes occupied withall whiche Chryst him selfe hath prescribed as Iohn .iii. where he sayethe GOD hathe so loued the
dead to synne by Christes deathe we haue also certaine and sure remission of our synnes by Christes dethe we be raised also to a newe and euerlastinge life For baptime is a couenand betwixt God and vs. And a signe of his grace and fauour towarde vs wherin we be reconciled and made at one with god againe so that we may nowe haue a ioyfull and quiet cōscience for somoche as our synnes be forgeuē vs through the resurrection of Iesus christ Yea christ also in the institucion of the most blessed sacramēt of his last supper speaketh also to vs saing that his blood is shed for the remission of synne Nowe although we haue not liued alwaie innocentlie nether led suche a lyfe as we ought to haue done Yet we maye not dispayre but wtout delaye resort vnto god by true repentaunce cal faithfullye vpon his name and we shal be saued Rom. x. Ye let euery one of vs with a meke harte burst out in to these or like wordes and say O moste mercifull God father of al mercy father of oure LORD Iesu Christe be mercyfull vnto me a wretched synner make spede to deliuer me for the most bitter but moost precious death and passion of Iesu Christe thy onlie begotten sonne oure redemer and only sauioure Amen Enter not o lord in to iudgement with thy feruaunte handle me not accordinge to my deseruinge nether do vnto me after my iniquities but accordinge to thy infinite and botomles goodnes mercy take me vnto the. I a miserable and wretched creature am ī thy hand I am in thy debt daunger thou mayst do with me what it please the. O mooste mercifull father forsake me not nether cast me of I am thine all that I am There can no man comfort no man help no mā deliuer me but thou alone Thou art the true comfort the most present helpe the surest bulwarke in all necessitie Thou god art my refuge my strength my helpe in al trouble Thou art my Lord in thy handes resteth al my chaunce and affaires Shewe thy louing and mercyfull face vpon thy seruaunt saue me in thy mercy O lord but in any ways in our extreme sicknes and affliction let vs beware we loke not to earnestly neither to longe vpon our synnes But rather let vs haue the image of Christes moste helthfull and precious deth before our eys Let vs fix that in our mynd and be fully persuaded that Christ is now bourdened with our synnes that he hathe nowe taken theim vpon his owne shoulders and so hathe satisfied for theim and washed them away that he wil neuer charge vs with thē but frelie forgeaue vs theim as we professe in our Crede whē we say Credimus remissionē peccatorū we beleue the remyssion of synnes Here it shal be mete that in our sicknes we call to remebraunce such places of holie scripture as testifieth of remission of synne purchased by Christe of the which some be here subscribed Io. i. BEhold the lambe of god which takith away the synne of the world We are bought with no golde i. Pet. i. nor siluer nether any corruptible price but with the precious blood of the vnspotted and vndefyled lambe Iesus Christe So god hath loued the world that he gaue his onlie begotten sonne to th ende that we so beleuinge in him should not perishe but haue lyfe euerlastinge Io. iii. I come not to call the righteous but the synners to repentaunce Mar. ix Come vnto me al ye that laboure and are laden and I shall refreish you Lo he calleth al he refuseth Math. xi he excludeth none we must includ also our selues within this worde All we must resorte to him and he will receaue and refresh vs. God setteth forth his loue toward vs. For Christ died for vs Rom. 5. when we were yet sinners muche more now therfore we being iustified by his blood shal be sauffe frō wrath by him i. cor i. Christ Iesus is becommed vnto vs wisdome rightousnes holines redempcion Here let vs cōfort our selues that though we haue be neuer so great sinners let vs cōfesse and knowledge our sinne let vs call for mercy and pardon let vs vnfainedly beleue Christ to be our only helth Iustice and redēption and straight waye he is so he will by and by couer and put away our synnes in such sort that we shal nede fere no peril nor daūger ii co v. Him that knew no sinne hath god made sinne .i. a paymente of sinne for vs that we shulde becōe the righteousnes of god by him Gala. i. Christ gaue him selfe for oure sinnes that he might deliuer vs frō this presēt wicked world according to the wil of god our father In Christ we haue redempciō thorough his bloude Ephesi i. euen the remission of sinnes according to the riches of his grace Christ Iesus is come into this worlde to saue synners i. Ti. i. Christ Iesus hath geuin him self a redemption for al men i. Ti. ii This let vs constātly beleue vndoubted we be of the number of those that shal be saued For whē he is come a redemption for all these thinges that he hath suffered pertaineth no lesse to the me euery one of vs so we beleue than to Peter or Paule i. Pe. ii Christ hath borne our sinnes in his body vpō the crosse Christ died once for our sinnes the righteous for the vnrighteous i. petr iii The bloud of Iesus christ clēseth vs from al sinne i. Io. i. Yf any mā doth sinne we haue a aduocate with the father euē Iesus i. Ioan. ii Christ the righteouse and he is the attonemente for our synnes Not for ours onely but for the sinnes of the whole worlde By these places and suche like we maye se howe god the father which wil not the death of a sinner but that we shulde turne and liue for that most feruent burning loue that he beareth toward vs hath eased vs of the burden of our sin hath laide it vpō the back of his most dere beloued sonne which his sōne hath so takē borne and suffered for them that they can neuer condemne vs. For god taketh and reputeth the death of his sonne for a full satisfaction paiment for al our sinnes so that we truly beleue in him For seing that our sinnes thus laide vpon Christe could not ouercome him detain him in deth nor dāne him for why he rose againe vndoubtedly a full satisfaccion is alredy made for them the iustice of god is fully answered and they be vtterly hid and forgeuen Let vs beleue this and we shall not perishe euerlastignly For Christ is now become ours with al that he hath with his death with his resurrection with his assencion into heauen with his life Qui proprio filio suo non pepercit his merits his glorie As saint Paule witnesse Rom. viii wherfore Satan hath nowe no title
A godlye and holesome preseruatyue against desperatiō at all times necessarye for the soule but then chiefly to be vsed and ministred when the deuill doth assault vs moost fiersely and deth approcheth niest Be sobre and watch for your aduersary the deuyll as a roring lyon walketh about seking whō he may deuoure whom resist stedfast in the fayth 1. Pet. 5. The preface THis preseruatiue gentle reader is prepared for thy profit that thou reding it at leasure maist chose oute suche comfortable sentences as may bothe staye thy owne conscience in the tyme of temptacion also quiet others when the Deuil shal be busie with them 2. Cor. ii For we be not ignoraunte of the thoughtes of satan how he continually furnisheth him selfe to bende his ordinaunce against man And now with the cōsideration of the greatnes and multitude of synne Now with the terrour of death dampnacion Eph. 6. do labour to beate the buckler of faith out of our handes i. Tess 5. to strike the helmet of hope from our head Eph. 6. And to wrest frō vs the swerd of the spirite which is gods word But here christian reader is thy swerd and buckeler deliuered vnto the here is thy helmette put vpon thy heade here thou shalte finde suche armour and weapon wherby thou shalt both be able to withstande the forse of cure commen enemy the Deuill and also by thy councell to rescue others that they perishe not Yea here thou shalt find choise of moste comfortable sentences wherby mans cōscience may be staide from dampnable desperation i. Co. xvi Watche therfore stande stedfaste in faithe playe the man and be of good comfort Iaco. iiii Resist the deuyll and he will flee frome the. Not for feare of thy own power strength or holines but for feare of Christe in whome by faythe thou art ingraffed For it is christ thorough whome god hath geuē i. Cor. xv vs victory against synne deathe hell the deuyll Acto iiii Nether is there any other name vnder heuē geuē vnto man wherein we may be saued but the name of Iesus Christe oure lorde To whome with the father and holye ghost be al honoure and glorye AMEN A preseruatiue FOrsomuche as the diseases of the body and corporall deathe dothe so trouble mannes mynde that we commonly trimble and quake at the onely mencion 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 him lyethe the payne myseryes diseases 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 sende for the phisicion we spare no cost we seke for medicines and remedye though they be neuer so chargable al to patch and clout vp this earthen vessell of our bodye whiche do we neuer so muche can not laste longe And whye vse we not lyke dylygence in desiring seking remedies against the diseases of the soule whiche like as they be more greuous euē so they bring with them without comparison infinitely more daunger For what can it profitte a mā thoughe he haue all the riches in the world though he liue a thousande yere and that in such helthe pleasure that he is not once touched with sickenes or greife his soule in the meane time being poisoned with sinne being captiue to satan hauyng God displeased with him and dampnacion readye for him after this lyfe For truelye this lyfe muste once haue an ende nether know we whan where after what maner or how soone Therfore saith Christe watch for ye nether know the day nor hour when the sonne of man wyl come Mat. xxv And lest we this short time of our abode omittinge thinges moost waightye and profitable shulde folow trifulles thinges of smal price he hath vouchesaue to prescribe vs an order and as it were a breue certaine and sure way to come vnto true felicite saienge Seke first for the kingdom of god and righteousnes therof Math. vi and all thinges shal be added vnto you Care for lyuynge care for riches care for worldly dignitie worldlye fauoure worldlye estimacion and such lyke transitory thinges which in dede doth litle profitte but many times be cause bothe of filthie vices and also of greuous calamities doth besy doth vexe doth trouble doth euē defatigate vs both daye and night but in sekynge for and procuring of godly heuenly thinges we be most negligent most slack moste dull most forgetfull And I pray you what can be a greater blindnes or a more dangerouse madnes whiles we be lustie whiles we be in helthe whiles we be in prosperity we scasely thynke vpon any lyfe to come we remember not once that we shal dye But when we be in perell and daunger by sickenes and deathe beginnethe to knocke at oure doore Euen at that same houre when we should playe the menne and fyght against oure enimy beinge sufficiently armed weponed afore thē begin we first to thinke vpon oure armoure to thinke vpō our weapon to think vpon mending of our lyfe These thinges declare vs to be smallye exercised soudiers to be mē of preposterouse iudgement and verye weaklinges in faith 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 repētāce cometh not out of season Neuertheles it were to be wisshed that no man shuld differ his repentāce to his last most dangerous cōflict For euē thei shal haue much a do to stande to defend them selues from the assaultes the guiles inuasions of the enemy which in the time of their helth prepared armed them selues what then shall come of them whiche not fearing god neither minding once repentaunce hathled a dissolute filthie and naughtye life how shal thei fighte howe shall they be able to withstand the force of satan ¶ Seinge therefore the multitude of people is great and the ministers of the gospel very few nether able to be euery where to do their office to euery man I hauing a will to help al men haue gathered to gether writen oute of scripture a certaine brief forme how to admonishe instructe and comfort such as be sick that they either reding these thīges or hearing them red by others may conceiue certaine hope perfit consolaciō lest in this most daūgerous cōflict they faint geue ouer like cowardes so be ouercomed perish For this is certain when soeuer a mā is taken with extreme sicknes is in daunger of deth he is assawted with diuers many greuous
saide to the thefe at his houre of death This daie shalt thou be with me in paradise The bodye thoughe it reste and pause for a while yet we be in certaine hope that at the laste daye it shal be raised againe to immortall and euerlasting lyfe And therfore scripture calleth the deathe of the body but a slepe for that this same fraile weke vyle mortal and corruptible bodye which we carie about which lieth sicke sore diseased which shortly shal be put into the earth burnt to asshes deuoured with bestes or foules drowned in water the same self body I say shal be raised again incorruptible glorious bewtifull stronge i. cor xv pure immortall to possesse a newe and euerlastinge lyfe where there shal neither be huÌ„ger thirst heat cold synne deth nor any kynde of calamitie but iustice innocencye lyfe ioye blesse world withoute ende For as the body of Christe laid in the graue rose againe the thirde day neuer more to die EueÌ„ so shal the bodies of al that beleue in christ at the later day be resuscitate to a lyfe after whiche shall folowe no death God who is of infinite power and infallible truth hath promised these thynges they muste therfore nedes be so And here it shal be profitable to call to remembraunce suche places of scripture as treatith of the resurrection of the flesh which be the wordes not of man but of god who is able will certainly fulfill what soeuer he hathe spoken No man can chaunge his wil no man can alter his purpose No creature can frustrate let or tarie his sentence He is omnipoteÌ„t he is true he is faithfull his goodnes and mercie is inexplicable Let no man therfore doubt of the treuthe of his wordes let no man doubt of the performaunce of his promise Herafter folowithe certayne places of scripture witnessinge the resurrection of the dead according to this article of our faith wherin we saie we beleue that this flesh shall rise againe Iohn vi THis is the will of my Father which sente me that whosoeuer seith the sonne beleuithe in him shall haue life euerlastinge and I will raist him vp againe in the last daye The houre comithe wherin all they that be iÌ„ the grauys shal here the voice of the sonne of God and shall go forthe thei that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life Iohan. v For if so be that the spirit of him which raysed vp Iesus from the dead dwell in you Rom. viii euin he that raised vp Iesus Christe from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodyes because of his sprite that dwelleth in you God hathe bothe raised vp oure Lorde Iesus Christ and shal also raise vs vp by his power i. Cor. vi Christe saithe Lazarus was but a slepe where in verie dede he was dead and buried Iohan. xi But Christ is the resurrectioÌ„ and life as it is in the same place so that he that beleuethe on him thoughe he were dead he shall lyue In verefienge whereof he raised straighte waye Lazarus being foure dayes dead and stynkynge And because we be naturallye in the agonye of deathe verye fearefull weake and faintherted to th ende that we might be the easelier perswaded in the article of resurrectioÌ„ Scripture maketh mencion of manye whiche in the time of the prophetes Christe and thappostles were called from deathe to lyfe Luc. 7. Christ raysed the widowes soÌ„ne Luc. 8. He raised the ruler of the sinagoge his daughter Ioa. xi He raised Lazarus Act. ix Peter restored to life Tabitha Act. xx Paule raised again Eutichus iiii Re. 4. Elizeus the prophet called againe to lyfe his hostes sonne iii. re xvii Helias raised the babe of the woman of Sareptanie God toke also vnto him out of this frail and transitory lyfe Gen. 5. 4. Reg. ii these two excellent and holy meÌ„ Enoch and Helias quicke bothe bodye soule to giue vs as it were a tast and representacion of the true lyfe to come lest after the opinion of the ethnickes and epicures we shulde thinke there were no worlde nor beinge after this wretched miserable life Let vs not forget what christ Iesê° lord of life deth saith in the .viii. of Luke wepe not the maid is not dead but a slepe Reason not coÌ„preheÌ„ding the misteries of god nether perceiuing his power doth laugh this saiÌ„g to scorne but christ prouethe his saing true he raiseth by by the dead maid to life The .xv. chapter of the first epistle to the Corin. is replenished with moste godly pleasaunt and pithie consolacions Trulye it is more precious than anye golde For in that Chapit saincte Paule dothe so annexe and couple our resurrection to the resurcection of christ as though thei coulde in no wise be seperate or diuided after this forme Christ is risen from death which thing is certain ergowe al so shal vndoutedly rise For christ is our head and we his membres This head is neither without nether will forsake his membres TheÌ„ it foloweth that where christ is there shall we be For why we are the membres of his bodie and euin of his flesshe and bone Ephesi 5. what tonge what penne what witte is able to set forthe as it is worthy this ineffable inestimable glory of the mercy and grace of god that God hathe vouchsafe so lowe to humble him self as to become mortall man that this feble and fraile nature of man vnited and knit to the diuine nature by the power efficacie of the godhead might be inhaunced promoted to immortalitie For trulie the nature of all faithfull men which ether were before christ hathe be sens ar now or shal be to the worldes ende vndoubtedlie in christ verie god and man hathe optained imortality The consolacion therfore that riseth of christes resurrection is of great efficacitie As when sainct Paule saithe to the Corinthians Christ i. Cor. xv is risen againe from deade and is the first fruictes of theim that slepe for by one man truli came death by one man cometh the resurrectioÌ„ of the dead And as al die iÌ„ Adame euin so shall all be made aliue in christ but euerie one in his order The first is christ TheÌ„ they which are christes which hathe beleued in his commiÌ„g And saincte Paul dothe adde a similitude taken of naturall thinges wher by he doth set forthe and declare the resurrection of bodies The similitude is taken of sede which cast into the earthe by the husbandman dieth as it were and rotteth Neuer the lesse it is not vtterlie lost but at lenght springeth cometh forthe of the earth goodlie beautifull pleasaunte So our bodyes shall rise againe not feble vyle corruptible mortall but stronge glorious incorruptible immortal neuer to die again but euer to liue The way in to true and euerlastinge lyfe to our longe home as they call it and contrey is by corporall
worlde that he hathe geuyn his onelye begotten sonne that whosoeuer beleuythe in him shall not perishe but haue life euerlastynge Loo here we see that he whiche beleuithe in Christ which faythfullye acknowlegeth christ to be his sanctifycacyon iustyce redemption and satisfaccion can not be dampned but is assured of euerlastynge lyfe So manye as conceaue faithe by hearynge of Goddes worde and so trust sted fastelye vpon the mercy of christ Vndoubtedlye they be of the number of those which be chosen to euerlastyng blysse knowen before in CHRIST predestinate and wrytten long sith in the boke of lyfe These thynges be mooste certaine and moost true God can neither deceaue nor be deceaued Rom. viii Such is his good wyll so hathe he purposed and decreed afore the worlde beganne what thynges soeuer therefore oure ennemye the deuyll spytynge our saluacion and sekynge our destructyon shall put in our mynde contrarye to this doctryne Let them not moue vs lette them not make vs afrayde but lette vs trust truly in chryste and so shall he become oures and we become his who beyng our good LORD we can not perysshe nor be dampned Io. x. For he wyl lose none of those that his father hathe geuen him 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 Christ they are predestinate to euerlastynge lyfe Here we muste diligentlye remēbre and earnestelye expende the godly exhortacion of saynt Paul which he writeth in the .xii. to the Hebrewes whose words 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 faithe whiche when the ioye was set afore hym suffered the crosse and dyspysed the shame and sitteth at the right hand of the seate of GOD Furthermore all the greuous tentacions and afflictions that CHRISTE suffered he sufferyd them for oure sakes As saincte Paule saithe also in the iiii to the hebrues He. iiii We haue not a highe priest that is not able to haue compassion on our weakenes but suche one as was prouyd in all pointes without synne let vs therfore with bouldnes go vnto the seate of his grace that we may obtaine mercy and fynde grace to help in tyme of nede Let vs in any ways consider and deplie imprinte ī our harts christ to be geuin vnto vs not only to th end that we might be redemid recōciled made partakers of euerlastinge saluaciō but also that ī him we might haue an example bothe howe to liue and also how to end oure life Nether can any man liue suffer or dye well vnles he loke vpon and folowe the life sufferinge and dethe of Christ yf therfore we desire to end this life well and godlie let vs consider and remembre howe Christe behaued him self in that bitter and smart agonie when hanginge vpon the crosse he was assaulted with diuers fyersse and most greuous temtacions and pray that we may haue grace to folowe his example First he was temptyd with syn whan beinge hanged betwixt two theues as a notable haynous synner it was said vnto hī yf thowe beist the sonne of God mat xxvii come downe from the crosse By this cōtumelious voice what do they signifie elles but that they iudged him a noughtie and vngodly person such one as by craft subtiltye falsheade sossery and other vnlawfull meanes had deceaued the people hadde blinded the worlde and to be nothinge 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 thē considered and perceauid 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 this maner I knowlege my selfe to haue synnes aboue all numbre and measure but Christe who neuer synned in whose mouth was foūd 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 Esa liii howe many and howe greate so euer they were Christes deathe partaineth also to me he was wounded also for my iniquities he was brused for my vngraciousenes by his strypes I am also healed All my synnes hath CHRISTE taken to hym selfe so that nowe I haue none thankes be to CHRISTE who hathe satysfyed for theym in hys owne bodye CHRISTE was tempted also with death when it was sayde vnto hym he hathe saued other Mat. xx7 but he canne not saue hym selfe As though it shoulde bē saide he is nowe at appointe he muste dye there is no remedye he can not escape Thus dothe oure olde and irreconciliable enemy labour to feare vs with death but let vs holde out the buckeler of faythe in Christ againste hym Lette vs remember that Christe our Lorde kynge of glorye and prynce of lyfe coulde not be ouercommed nor holden of death but thoughe he once tasted of death he nowe lyueth and raigneth for euer Thys LORDE of ours wyll not leaue vs nor suffer deathe to execute anye tyrannye agaynste vs that after he hathe suffered vs to be tempted a while he wyll also that we dye corporally al that is wholy for our welth Neyther coulde we other wayes come to euerlasting life but by temporall deathe We must therfore leaue this present life ere we can inherite the eternal life Also this corporall deathe bringethe this comoditie that by tastinge the bitternes and sowernes of it we haue experience and knowe the excedinge loue that Christe bare toward vs and the inestimable benefitt the he did for vs in clensinge our synnes in abolisshynge of death in breaking vp of hel gates and al by his death Other ways we could neuer haue knowen the power of christ in abolishinge of death we could neuer haue iustly estemed the excellency of this benefit we could neuer haue sene how iust cause we haue to giue thankes to christ our lord and redemer Christe liuinge truly we shall also liue and this corporall deth to vs shal be nothinge elles but a swete and holsome slepe an intraunce and gate in to the true blessed lyfe For after this transitory lyfe then beginne we first truly to lyue THirdly Christ was tempted with hel or euerlastynge damnation whā it was said vnto him he hath trusted in GOD let him now delyuer him yf he wyll As thoughe they should say Nowe it appearethe that he hathe hoped in god in vain For god wyl none of hym he hathe forsaken hym he likethe hym not he dothe abhorre hym he will
caste hym downe to hell perpetualy cōdempne him When therfore the temptor shal lasche at vs which lyke temptacions we maye not shrinke we may not be afraid we may not be discoraged but cōmend our self wholy to CHRISTE hange vpon him who is wholy oures who hath geuin him self wholy to vs so that synne dethe nor hel hath nothing to do with vs. CHRIST with a inestimable price his owne blood hathe deliueryd vs from the tyranny of the deuil and euer lastinge dampnaciō he is become our innocency our life and our iustice Let vs take hede in any ways that we turne not our hartes from CHRISTE crucifyed Yf we cleue to him we are set vpon a sure and inexpugnable rocke againste the whiche all the power of hell is able to do nothinge So that we may boldly exclame and euery one say with CHRISTE I prouided the Lorde afore my eys all way Psal xvi for he is at my righte elbowe that I shulde not be mouyd therefore my harte hathe be gladde and my tonge hath reioysed moreouer my felsshe shall reste in hope By faithe in CHRISTE we become the sonnes of GOD the bretherne and coheires of Christ and partakers of euerlastinge life by this faith departing hence we shall go to the kingdome preparyd for the electe afore the beginnynge of the world And if in the feruentnes of these temptaciōs our faithe begin to wauer yf we do not bere pacientlye the will of oure heuinlye Father if oure loue towarde god waxe faint and cold yf oure hope beginne to be feble weake and therfore we begin to feare lest god and we be not all at a full point but that he is yet displeasyd with vs which tentacion surely is very greuous painful daungerous and hard to ouercome we must call to remembrance Christ to haue sufferyd for vs so intollerable and inuincible tentacions that there apperyd no help no comfort no refuge wherin GOD and the whole world semyd to haue forsaken him and to be against him In somouche that he exclamyd O my god o my GOD why haste thou forsaken me Oh here was a greuous tentacion A sharpe and a bitter death that CHRISTE sufferid for vs and all to make the way of the crosse and deathe easy vnto vs. Therfore seing that CHRISTE of his owne free wyll caste him selfe into the felinge of so intollerable paine calamity and anxiety GOD our most louinge Father beinge therwith contente vndoubtydlye he knowith and consyderyth our infirmite vndoubtydly he will not deale with vs accordinge to the rigour of the law but will bere muche with vs and pardon many thinges to our infirmity Doth not CHRIST speake to al men dothe he not call men when he saith Come vnto me all you that do labour and are laden and I shal refresh you howe can ther be any greater consolaciō howe could CHRISTE speake more mercyfully to vs. There be many thinges that pinche vex and trouble man greuously but what thinge is it that can trouble the conscience of a synner more thā whan he doubteth of the mercy of god then whan he fearethe leaste GOD will cast him of then whā he can not persuade him self to conceaue any trust of gods mercy but Imagine that as a witheryd member he shal be cut of and cast away Here we had nede of christes presēt helpe here we had nede of spedy cōforte lest this violent tempest ouerwhelme and drowne vs. But let vs not feare CHRISTE is no dissembler he wyll stande by his worde he wyll perfourme hys promyse He wyll helpe and refresshe Therefore when we begynne to trymble and feare in oure conscyence when we begin to doubte of goddes mercy when we perceaue our faithe to be feable Lette vs forthwith call vpon GOD and that feruently and that indesinantly leuen from the bottome of oure hart that he tourne not his face from vs. Lette vs power before hym all that dothe trouble vs. Let vs disclose to hym oure myserye oure imbecillitie oure incredulity Let vs crye with the disciples lorde increase oure faith Luc. xvii And with the Father of the Lunaticke Lorde we beleue helpe our incredulity And with the prophet Marci ix Lorde make hast to helpe vs. For thy mercy is aboue all thy workes O moste louing O moste mercyful father lord god of our healthe Ps lxix our only help and refuge Enter not into iudgemente with thy seruauntes Christe is our iustice our redemption and innocēcy he for vs hathe sufferyd most bitter cruel death Let these thynges moue the o father of mercy For thys thy son our sauior Christes sake haue mercy vpō vs confirme and strength our harte in faith comfort vs with the consolacions of thy holy sprit that we may finally optayne Ioy euerlastyng through Iesus christ Amen After this sort if we laborynge wresting and striuinge with our imbecillity accusing afore god lamentinge our pusilianimity and incredulity do catch hold of christ and cleue fast to hym earnestlye and feruently desirynge hys help that he wyl vouchsafe to take our place to supply that is lackinge in vs. These thinges if we do surely all thinges shal be well we shal auoyde and escape easly all daunger peryl we shal be safe enogh For these two to beleue in Christ and with hart to desire faith doth not much differ the one frō the other For though we fele yet great weaknes and imperfection in our self yet this ought to comfort vs that god wylleth commandeth that he shoulde be called vpon that he hath promised to here and help these that call ryghtly vpon him Now as nothing is more iustly or necessarily desired thē true faith euen so god hearith no praier soner or more gladly then whan mā findyng no goodnes in hym selfe doth acknowlege his owne infirmity his owne mysery his owne beggerlines dothe accuse and lament his owne incredulity with depe sighes harty desires calleth for faith These sighes these desires these prayers this litle sparke of faithe is the very sede of GOD wrought in vs by him which saith of Christe by the Prophet Esay that he shall not quenche the smokinge flaxe nor breake the brusyd rede Therfore let vs stedfastly beleue or at the leaste earnestelye and hartely pray that we may beleue bewaylyng afore god our lacke of faithe whiche thinges if we do we nede not doubt but we be acceptid of god we be taken for his childrē For it is not for noughte nor in vaine that he hathe layde our imbecillitie and synnes vpon his only begoten sonnes backe In Mathew Math. v. it is said blessed be those that mourne for thei shal be cōforted blessyd be those that hōger after righteousnes for they shal be satisfied These words are spokē al so to vs they may iustly be applyed to vs we mourne are sory in our hartes that we haue mispendyd our life paste We wishe and desyre yea we euē honger thriste after righteousnes Lette vs be of good chere we shall optayne oure desire we shal be comfortyd we shall be counted iuste a fore GOD for CHRISTE oure sauior his sake Fynally let vs after the example of Christ and sainte Steuin commend our soules into the handes of GOD our heuenly father sainge euery one after this maner O Most mercyfull father I cōmēd into thy holly hādes my spirit yea thy spirite for thou hast create it thou haste commytted it for a tyme to the body thou haste geuen it thy owne Image and similitude Thou haste sent for the redēption of it thi owne most derely belouyd sonne to shed his blood This the spirite I resigne into thi handes O GOD of all mercy I am thyne all 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 begoten sonne Amen ¶ Imprinted at London by Iames Burrel dwellyng without the Northe gate of Paules in the cornor house of Pater noster rowe openinge in to chepesyde Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum