made manifeste in the company assembly of all sorts of men had rather the earth should swalow him vppe then to haue so manye witnesses of his sinnes and wickednes how doe we think shall we be affected when the hearts of the wicked being opened all our thoughts purposes and deedes shal be brought to light before the whole world before the angels of god before all the saints If we count it here a miserable wretched thing to be caried to prison what a thing will it be to be cast into eternall torments If it be a dreadfull thing here to be punished with exile or death what a thing will it be to be exiled and banished from that heauenly countrye for euermore and for the body with the soule to be tormented with continual death If it shall be most pleasaunt to the godly to heare when the Sonne of God shall bidde them inherite the kingdome prepared for them from the foundations of the world howe dreadfull and terrible to the wicked thinke we shall that voyce of the Iudge be condemning them to euerlastinge fire prepared for the deuil his angls If wee beleeue these thinges concerning the iudgement to come the reward of the godly and deserued punishment of the wicked Why doe we so liue as thoughe there were neither heauen nor hel If we do not beleeue them why will we be counted and called Christians Let vs therfore shake of this securitie which possesseth our minds y sluggishnes slothfulnes that dulnes drousines which is come vpon vs For we haue not to doe with trifling matters but with such as concerne the saluation of our soules y inheriting of the kingdome of Heauen the life blessed and immortall Now now therefore I say while we liue and are in helth while there is yet time for pardon while we haue him an aduocate in heauen whom hereafter wee shall haue a iudge let vs endeuour to amend our life and not differre so long till sinnes rather forsake vs then we them Neyther let vs euer be vnmindfull of the daye of Iudgemente and the dreadefull voice of the Iudge bidding the wicked departe from him neither of the pains of hell and that euerlasting fire Let vs haue alwayes in mind the shortnes of our life the certaintie of Death the vncertaintie of the houre thereof which is such that no man can promise to him selfe that he shall liue till to morowe no not so much as one moment longer Whereupon well surely sayth Seneca it is vncertaine saith he in what place death looketh for thee therefore looke thou for it in euery place Wherefore the lesse certaine and continuing that the life of men is so much more while they maye oughte they to thinke of repentance Remedies againste the second cause for which men driue of to amend their life vvhich was sayde to be hope of Gods mercy pardon WHereas vpon hope and truste of Gods goodnes and clemency thou prolongest the amendment of thy life that we may nowe speake some thing againste the seconde cause thou oughtest in no wise to be moued thereby so to do Christ when he came called sinners in deede but to repentance of their former lyfe not vnto libertie and licence to sinne As God is mercifull so dooth he graciouslye forgiue howbeit them that repente not such as obstinately perseuer in wickednes Christ bare our sinnes in his body on the tâ—ee saith S. Peter I graunt it but what addeth he that we being deliuered from sinne should liue vnto righteousnes Christe gaue himselfe for vs sayth Paul writing to Titus There is none that denyeth that but what foloweth in the same place that he might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purge vs to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe zealous of good works Christ hath washed vs from our sinnes in his bloude as Iohn saieth in hys Reuelation I confesse it but not to this ende that we should againe defyle our selues wyth the filthinesse of sinne and wickednesse We haue Christe an aduocate with the Father howebeit if wee repente our former lyfe and so flye vnto him I will thou wilt say hereafter lament mine euill life But how knowest thou whether thou shalt liue one momente longer much lesse so long while thou bewaile thy sinnes and amend thy life Call to mind what God saith to that riche man mencioned in the Gospell who in great prosperitie promised himselfe to liue yet manye yeeres Thou foole sayeth God this night will thy fetch away thy soule from thee Thou haste cause to feare leaste the same happen vnto thee I hope thou wilt say it will be better with me then so But what if this hope deceiue thee for here one may worthely crye O vayne and deceitful hope Nowe if thys come to passe whiche I woulde in no wyse shoulde thou shalt perishe for euer and willinglye caste thy selfe into euerlastinge destruction And thou canst not denye but it maye come to passe in so greate vncertaintye of thy lyfe What follye is it then to bringe thy saluation in doubte by differring and prolonginge that thinge whereby thou mayst presently prouide for the same Why dooste thou not therefore foorthwith amende thy lyfe rather then with so greate perill of thy saluation nourishe such vaine and deceitfull hope God is mercifull thou wilt saye True it is but he is also iuste Whereas then thou trusteth in hys mercy why doost thou not also feare his iustice I haue no pleasure in the death of a sinner saieth the Lorde by the Prophet It is true but what dooth he adde by by after But that he turne from hys waye and lyue Turne then vnto the Lorde as Ioel exhorteth wyth all thine heart wyth fasting weepinge and mourninge Turne thee to the Lord thy God for he is gracious and mercifull flowe to anger and of greate goodnesse as the same Prophet sayeth Hereunto maketh that sayinge of Ezechiell If the vngodly wyll turne away from all hys sinnes that he hath done and kepe all my statuts and doe the thing that is iudgemente and righte doubtlesse he shall liue and not dye And a little after Haue I any pleasure in the death of a sinner saith the Lorde God shall he not liue if he returne from his wayes To the same effect tendeth that saying of Esai Let the vngodly man forsake his owne wayes and the vnrighteous his owne imaginations and turne againe vnto the lord so shal he be merciful vnto him and to our God for he is verye ready to forgiue The Prophet declareth that God is gentle and mercifull but to such as repente acknowledge their sinnes Doe thou therefore first repent returne vnto goodnes aske pardon of thy sinnes with weeping and mourninge be sorye euen from thy heart for thy offences committed forsake thine owne way and turne vnto the Lord thy God and then conceiue sure truste of thy saluation neither despeire of pardon neither doubte of Gods goodnes and clemencye In
to day especially seeinge it is vncertaine whether wee shall liue vntil to morowe As concerning the clemencie gentlenes of God let that alwaies remaine in our mind which Cyprian sayth in a certaine place As fauourable saith he gracious as God alwayes is by the loue of a father so much is he to be feared by the maiesty of a iudge So shall it come to passe that the feare of Gods punishmente wil reclaime vs from sinning hope of Gods pardon will not lull vs a sleepe in ouer much securitie It is too much to say howe Priestes in the papacie doe flatter themselues with this hope of Gods clemency who al their life time kepe concubines and vnder a pretence of single life company with harlots freely without punishment neuer thinking of reforming their life or putting their concubines away And in the meane season knowing themselues guiltie of this dishonestie vnclean and wicked life they doe notwithstanding almoste euerye day celebrate diuine seruice and come to the misticall and holy table feeding vnworthely of y breade of the Lord vnworthely drinking of his holy cuppe Now how horrible a thing is it and how ful of peril and danger alwais to liue in that state in which if death come vpon thee there is no hope at all of thy saluation In vaine therfore do they flatter themselues with hope of gods mercy who so kepe cōcubines do with an obstinate mynd perseuer in wickednes neither euer go about to put away their strumpets or to amend their life neither do repent truely from their heart neither with weeping sighes craue pardon of God for their wickednes cōmitted But will some mā say they aske pardon of God oftentimes they often beseech his clemency to forgiue them For in the end of their euening prayer they say almost dayly Conuert vs O God and turne thine anger away from vs Also in the end of morning prayer Thou O Lord say they haue mercy vpon vs So at other times also they often pray that God wil haue mercy on them that he will be fauourable vnto them forgiue them I heare it neither doe I here stand to decide with howe earnest attention of mind with what zeale ferueney of spirite they doe that But be it that they pray with a mind ardent lifted vp vnto God and with a most serious and earnest affection what then What doth this auaile if they put not away their concubines with intent neuer to receiue them againe and do persist in a setled purpose and determination to liue chastly afterward doe also perseuer in endeuouring to amend their life and in continuall repentance for their wickednes committed Now because they doe not this as the thinge it selfe plainly sheweth who can doubt but they either beleue those things to be a fable with the holy scriptures tech of the last iudgemēt or els do too much flatter thēselues with a vain and false hope of Gods pardō O horible face of y popish church They which oughte to ouersee guide gouerne and teach others and that as wel by example as word they behaue themselues so that others are meruelously offended by them When the laity come to the Lordes table with what reuerence with what feare trembling with howe deuout loue and godlines doe they the same Howe doe they prepare themselues to confesse their sinnes and to aske pardon of God How doe they endeuour to their vttermoste that no scruple or doubt remayne in their minde conscience how certainely and firmely do they determine with them selues to amende theyr maners and reforme their life Now what doe the Popish Priestes These forsooth as one of their owne profession sayth make hast from the wicked company of their concubines to go to the alter and this they doe very often vnpunished without all shame They haue no care to amend their life they thinke not of putting away their harlots finally they are touched with no greefe in their mindes by considering their sinne and not to vse many woordes they seeme christians in name onely and word but in very deede are plain heathen Howe many occasions haue they to repente and turne vnto goodnes they visite such as are afflicted with greeuous diseases they heare thē confesse their sinnes they cōfort thē giue them wholesome exhortations and are oftentimes present with them when they yeelde vp the ghoste Moreouer they celebrate their funerals exequies and with great ceremony burie them commit their bodyes to the earth they walking in the temple oftentimes reade Epitaphs and verses grauen vpon tombes sepulchers they oftentimes heare and reade of the comming of the lord of the resurrection at the last day of the voyce of the Archangell of the trumpe of God c. So that by these meanes they may remember not onely the dead but euen death it selfe hanging ouer their heades euery houre they may remember also the laste iudgement the tribunall seate of the Lord and many other thinges which mighte moue them to amend But seeing by all these they are not brought to repent one of these two must nedes be true eyther that they count a fable those things which they reade in the holy scriptures of the iudgement to come and are with the Epicureans perswaded that the soule is extincte and dooth perishe with the body or els as I haue said that they flatter themselues with a vai◠and false hope and trust of Gods mercy Of the third cause why men driue of to reforme their life THe third cause why we prolong the amendment of our life is the custome of sinning which hath now almost the force of nature Now as it is very hard for euery one to ouercome his owne nature so the force of custome also is almost inuincible which men truely say to be as it were another nature Neither is it said amisse of one that those vices are hardlye cut of which do as it were grow vp with vs Howe tenderly gently parents bring vp their children frō their infancie we al do know From their tender age they are accustomed to delights pleasures They abstaine not frō foule silthy words and suche as are wicked blasphemous against God they weare sumptuous gorgeous apparel they do al things stoutly boldly impudently nothing modestly or reuerently They honour not their parents they reuerence not old folkes they disdaine their equales briefly what soeuer they list they think is lawful for thē to doe They are reclaimed frō naughtines neither with shame of men nor with feare of god They haue no care of religion pietie toward God much lesse of vertue honesty among men What should I vse many wordes Parents doe at this day by their owne example marre corrupt their children that they can with no aucthoritie correcte their maners Whereas in dede it becōmeth parentes neither to say any thing before their children with is vnsemely to be spoken
A Guide vnto godlinesse moste worthy to bee followed of all true Christians A TREATISE WHEREIN is set forth the folly of man in prolonging the amendment of his sinful life togither with the chiefe causes thereof and souereigne remedies againste the same Written in Latin by Iohn Riuius Englished by W. G. ¶ Imprinted at London by Gregorye Seton and are to be solde at the signe of the Hedghogge at the West end of Paules To the right reuerend father in God Gylbert by Gods merciful prouidence Bishoppe of Bath and Welles W. Gace wisheth peace and saluation in Christ. YOV are not ignorant as I think right reuerend Father that the corruption of our age is become euen lamentable and the enormities vvhich novve doe reigne verye great and grieuous For pietie nowe preuaileth with fevv but sinne seduceth many the most part slepe in senselesse securitie Vertue and godlinesse are almoste quite exiled vice and vvickednes almost vvholy embraced mē for the most part are become not godly but godles not vertuous but vicious professinge one thing in vvordes performing another in works as swift as the swallow to runne vnto vanitie as slow as the vvorme to folow vertue and pietie If any proofe be sought hereof we neede goe no further then to dayly experience and vsuall examples For to confes that there be some in dede which serue the Lord with vnfeyned fear dutiful obedience yet vvithout all dout the greatest part do liue very leudly and are too too slacke and remisse in matters of theyr saluation In steede of humilitie many nowe a dayes vse hautines in steede of prayer prating in steede of fasting feasting in steede of almes auarice in steede of setting forth Gods glory with their tongue which was made giuen thē especially to that end herrible dishonouring of his holy name by most wicked and vnlavvfull othes in steede of chastitye adulterie vvhich is nowe counted almost no sinne in steede of plain dealing deepe dissembling in steede of hearty good will hatred malice so that there is almost no faithfull friendshippe or loyall loue left amongst vs But I cannot stand to rehearse al so greate is the corruption and so many folde are the vices vvhich at this day doe reigne yea manye are so farre frō leading a life vvhich beseemeth Christians that in vertuous behauiour and liuing they are farre inferiour to many of the heathen as in sanctitie to Socrates in abstinence to Aristides in integrity to Phocion c That I may omit many other which vvere vvith sundrye vertues very plentifully endued vvho notwithstandinge had onelye the lighte of nature and rule of reason to directe them If then this age of ours be such that all kind of vice so mightely preuaileth vertue and godlines being litle or nothing regarded which as I sayd by daily experience vsual examples before our eyes is plainly proued so that the vertuous actions of many of the Heathen may be to a greate number in these our dayes as it were lanterns of light patterns and examples to imitate and folow If I say the case be thus as vndoubtedly it is how requisite are such remedies as may reduce men from such levvde liuing to the doing of their duetie By consideration of the premisses righte reuerend father I vvas moued to employe some time to englishe this treatise thinking that it vvill bee verye profitable in these our dayes wherin sin so aboundeth forasmuch as in the same is set forth the folly of men in prolonginge the amendmēt of their sinfull life as also the chiefe causes which moue them so to doe with singular and souereigne remedies againste the same whereupon I haue entituled it and that not amisse as I thinke A GVIDE VNTO GODLINES for that it reclaimeth men from sinne vvithdravveth them from vice and shevveth vnto them the right and plaine path to pietie vertue Now vvhat is better for men thē to follovv such a guide what more profitable then to vvalke in such a path which shal plainly appeare if we consider from vvhence they leade and vvhither they direct namely from vice to vertue frō sinne to godlines from the seruitude of Satan to the liberty of Christ from the snares of the deuill to the fatherly fauour of our most gracious God. As concerning vice or sinne from whence this Guide leadeth vs it is vndoubtedly a thing foule and filthy as by testimonies of the Scripture may be plainly proued Dauid sayth VVash me throughly from mine iniquitie clense me frō my sinne purge me frō my wickednes c. Now vvhat do vve vse to wash what to clense purge but that which is vncleā defiled with filthines Moreouer to omit how almost euery sinne is punished some vvay or other euen in this life hovv great a discommoditie is it that this vice or sinne bringeth vnto vs in that it moueth the Lorde to vvithhold his benefits and blessings from vs Most feruent is the loue of the Lorde God yet the vvaters of wickednes are able to quench it exceeding great is his liberalitie and bountie infinite is his clemencie and mercye yet sinne is able to close his hand and to cause him to detein his benefites from vs sinne is able to make him of a gracious giuer a vvrathfull reuenger of a fauourable father a sharpe and seuere iudge the like may be sayd of the rest of Gods benefits Finally the end of sinne is eternall torments and perpetuall paynes Many thinges mighte be spoken pertinent to this purpose some I onely briefly touch manye moe I willingly omit thinking these sufficient VVhereas this Guide directeth vs to vertue godlines it is a thing assuredly of a very great importaunce For that vvhereunto it guideth vs farre exceedeth all vvorldlye vvelth all terrene treasures Noblenes of birth is a thing much esteemed yet is it receiued of our forefathers by succession Riches are much regarded had in great price yet are they subiect vnto manye casualties Beauty is a thing much loued and liked yet is it also very fraile and fading Helth of the body is muche to be vvished yet is it diuers and sundry wayes mutable strength of the body is of many much made of yet is it by sicknes abated by age adminished vvasted Howbeit vertue or godlines commeth not by succession but frō the speciall grace of God the fountaine of all goodnes Vertue is not subiect to vvorldly changes chances it is not by aduersity altered by torments abated by enemies taken avvaye neither by anye other worldlye meanes fayleth vnlesse man through his owne defaulte be the cause thereof It remaineth as vvell with the sick as the vvhole vvith the old as the young Finally as they that follovv vice and perseuer in sinne are the seruaunts of sinne slaues of Satan so they that embrace and exercise true vertue and godlines are not bonde but free not seruants but sonnes euen the sonnes of God and heyres annexed vvith Christ For true
sclaundering theft extortion sacriledge surfetting riot dronkennes vsurie and such like sinnes neither onely all idle rayling vaine foule filthy light fond foolishe rash vnmodest presumptuous wordes and all other whereby godly eares are iustlye offended but also the secrete wills of mē vngodly wishes thoughtes wicked affections and such as disagree with the lawe of God as wrath hatred contentiō enmitie spite enuye euel will pride couetousnes desire of that which is an other mans and not our owne and other of like sort Who is there then that verelye beleueth that the last iudgement shall come whom the remēbraunce thereof doth not reclaime from sinning and retaine in his dutie being otherwise ready and prone to offende Well sayd one of the auncients Whether I eate sayth he or drinke or doe anye thinge els me thinkes I heare that voyce alwayes sound in mine eares Arise yee dead and come vnto iudgement As often as I thinke vpon the day of Iudgement I tremble for feare in my whole heart and body c. If therefore the fleshe stirreth vp anye man to lust and filthy pleasures if to gluttony and surfeiting if to other vices and naughtines lette him remember the day of the last iudgemente If prosperitie as it often commeth to passe doth puffe vp any if riches do make any proud and insolent if honour dignitie rule doe cause anye to bee ouer stoute and presumptuous let such straight call to mind the iudgement seate of god If wrath stirre vp anye to take reuenge if enuye and malice possesse anye mans minde if auarice moue thee to fraude or extortion if the world allure any to ambition pride riot if the deuill prouoke anye to blaspheme God and to other sinnes and wicked dedes let him thinke vpon the voyce of the Archangell let him beleeue that he shall plead his cause before the iudgement seat of God let him earnestly dread the sentence of the iudge that condemneth the wicked to eternall fire I would to God I would to God I say this day of iudgemente did neuer slippe out of the mindes of men then would we all endeuour to doe our duety Princes would procure the prosperitie and se to the safetie of the people which God hath committed vnto ihem they woulde defende and preserue their libertie they would establishe and maintaine good and wholesome lawes in their common wealth Againe the people would shewe themselues obedient and loyall to their princes they woulde not grudge at their rule and aucthoritie they would not refuse to pay tribute custome they woulde giue vnto them due feare and honour Euerye man would loue his wyfe as himselfe Wiues would reuerence their husbandes and be subiect vnto them as vnto their head Parents would bring vp their children in the discipline and nurture of the Lord as the Apostle Paule teacheth Children on the otherside would obey their parents in the Lorde and giue vnto them due reuerence and honour Seruaunts woulde obeye them that are their maisters according to the fleshe with feare and trembling and singlenes of their hearts as vnto Christe as the Apostle Paul admonisheth Masters would deale more gently curteously with their seruants knowing that they themselues also haue a maister in heauen Pastors would haue that care of the Lordes flocke which they oughte Rich men would relieue the penurie of the poore with their substaunce Widowes would giue themselues day and night vnto prayer Poore men woulde suffer their pouertie patientlye seeing it pleaseth the Lorde they shall liue in that state He that hath a wife would be as thoughe he hadde none He that is single woulde haue care of those thinges that pertaine to the Lorde What shoulde I make manye wordes Euerye one would doe his duety from his heart if that day of the last iudgemente did neuer departe out of our mindes when as God wil require of vs an account of our whole life and all our actions and will reward and punishe euerye one according to his desert We see in the time of a great plage or sicknes whē death is daily before our eyes how careful all are to reforme and amende their life at the least such as doe not falsely vsurpe the name of Christians What then Oughte we not at all times at all houres yea and almost euery moment to thinke of the amendment of our lyfe to be touched with vnfained and bitter greefe of mind for our sinnes and to pacifie gods wrathe with earnest and harty repentaunce seeing that by reason of the vncertaine chaunces which be incident vnto vs in this life death is dayly imminent wee ought to be verely perswaded that almost euery houre it is present and doth hang ouer our heads Let him that is wise therefore endeuour as I haue sayde so to leade his life as men for the most parte are wont in the time of some great plague or sicknesse at whiche time they being as it were wakened oute of sleepe beginne to haue some minde and care to amende their life to auoyde and detest sinne to loue and embrace vertue and godlines briefely are wont by true repētance to pacifie God beīg iustli offended at their sinnes Let euery one thē continue such a one being nowe deliuered from feare of the plague as he purposed with himselfe to be when the plague most reigned and raged There is none but he doth confesse that the houre of death is vncertaine albeit it be moste certaine that we shall at one time or other dye Now how foolish a thing is it to feare death hanging ouer our heads euery moment and in the meane season to thinke nothinge of amending of our life But thus it is In aduersitie as in the time of a great plague in the time of famine warre earthquakes in the time of some greeeueous and daungerous disease of the body we acknowledge Gods moste iust wrath indignation against sinne sinne But when we haue the worlde at will thinges are on euery side prosperous we sticke not to abuse his bountie and goodnes neither doe wee then remember death that hangeth ouer our heades euery houre neither the last iudgemente neither the voyce of the Archangell whereof Paule speaketh writing to the Thessalonians neither the sounde of the trumpe of God neither of hell or eternal punishment neither the fire that shal neuer goe out neither that darkenes where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth The memorie of which thinges ought neuer to depart out of our minde neyther when we rise in the morning nor when we goe to bed at night whether wee dyne or sup whether we are occupyed aboute any earnest matter or recreate our mind with some honest pastime But all these things seme fables to the wicked namely the last iudgement the tribunal seate of the lord that voice of that Archangel the trumpe of God the eternall paines of hell fire And as the heathen did in time past thinke those thinges false w the Poets were wont to speake
suddenly slaine so that he can not repent for his sinne when as wee in the meane season by the singular benefite of God haue time and space graunted to returne vnto goodnes Let vs not then abuse this so greate goodnes of our moste gracious God who doth as it were looke for occasion to take pitie vpon vs Let vs amende our lyfe lest that being suddenly preuented with the day of death we seeke space to repent can not fynde the same And truly he that hath promised pardō to the penitent as I sayd euen now but it must be eftsones repeted hath not granted so much as the morow to him that continueth in sinne But that sinner wil some man say may repent flie vnto God for mercy when he lieth nowe visited with sicknes In dede it is not to be denied that this may be but marke howe manye impediments be heare which can scarce be ouercome For to omit the regarde which he ought to haue to make his last will and testamente the care of his wife and children the griefe of his sicknes and such like which seeme perhaps of small importance Howe will Satan at that time besturre himselfe what meanes will he not attempte that he may driue miserable man to despeyre of his saluation because of his innumerable sinnes committed For then especially if euer he putteth in thy mind what soeuer euil thou hast throughe thy whole life from thy childhood either thought willed sayd or done and those offences that be otherwise greeuous of themselues he encreaseth and amplifieth Finallye he goeth about by all meanes to take from man all hope of pardon and to driue him to despeire of hys saluation because of the multitude and greatnes of his sinne Hereunto may be added the remorse of a guilty conscience the great feare of death being nowe before mans eyes the sorrowfull and bitter cogitation of the tribunall seate of the Lord that terror of Gods iudgement which doe sore amaze and astonish the horror of hell fire but who can rehearse all the impediments and all the causes which will hinder thee that thou canst not thinke of repenting Doe not therefore doe not I say if thou bee wise differre the amendment of thy lyfe vntill the last day thereof For this is a thing full of perill and daunger That I may not adde here vnto that such repentance forasmuch as it is vrged by necessitie forced with feare of hell rather then proceding from a ready willingnes of mind shal little preuaile vnto saluation But there is no repētance to late before god I confesse it is true in deede for in what hour so euer a sinner repenteth God will no more remember any of his iniquities and as the Prophet saith in another place The Lord desireth the repentaunce of a sinner rather then his death and destruction But what if sudden death come vppon thee vnawares that thou shalt haue no time to lament thy sinne or to thinke of repenting For that whiche maye chance to all is to be looked for of all Call to mynde the sudden destruction of them who perished by the fall of the tower in Siloam as it is in Luke What it thou be suddenly taken with such a disease or sicknesse that thou shalt lose thy right vnderstandinge and fall into rauing and madnes which we haue seene oftentimes to haue come to passe Nowe if this chaunce as vndoubtedly it may that hope to repent which the sinner had in prolonging the amendment of his life is then vtterly frustrate and vayne That which may come to others may also come to thee thinke not thy selfe exempt from that which is common to all For true is that saying of Publius It may chance to euery one that may chaunce to any Cast of therfore hope of long life then which nothing assuredly is more vaine and deceitfull doe not dreame that thou shalte haue opportunitie neither appoint the time when thou wilt repent Finally doe not with this so vayne hope further thy folly or rather madnes in differring the amendment of thy life If thou be wise repent at that time when thou canst yet sinne For if thou purpose then to repent when thou canst now sinne no more surely thou hast not forsaken sinne but sinne hath forsaken thee Moreouer it is to be feared lest that thou which wilt not repent when thou mayst shalte not be able when thou wouldest For the iudgments of the omnipotent God are vnsearchable in punishing the sinnes of men As God of his goodnes and clemencye is wont to giue space to repent to them that be willing therevnto and ready and fit to receiue mercy and in the meane season to suffer sinners with much patience and leuitie til they returne vnto goodnes so whē he seeth one desperatly dissolut and naught deluding Gods long sufferance and nowe worthy of destruction he ceaseth any more to kepe him from falling into voluntary perdition and as the Scripture speaketh he blindeth the desperate and bardneth the obstinate neither looketh he any more for his conuersion neither giueth to the condemned time to repent or occasion to amend For God hath appointed euery one his day measure beyond which neither can man procede in sinning neither wil God any longer differ the punishment of sinne Which thing surly ought worthely to stirre vp al without delay to repēt and to endeuor to receiue that grace offered vnto them But seeing we haue spoken sufficiently hereof we will nowe proceede to speake of other matters Remedies against the sixt cause for vvhich many in the Papacie differre and neglecte the reforming of their life SVch as differre the amendment of their life vpon confidence in popish pardons and indulgences doe as the prouerbe is truste to a broken staffe and leane to a ruinous wall as also they that worship S. Barbarie and they that prouide that they may bee buried in S. Fraunces habit For what is there any where in the whole Scripture concerninge these tryfles What in the volumes of the olde Testament What in the bookes of the Prophets What in the doctrine of the Gospell What in the writings of the Apostles Finally which of these thinges was eyther in the Primatiue Church obserued or by the true general iudgment and consent of the Churche at all times receiued and allowed as profitable to saluatiō much lesse as necessary He therefore that lamenteth not his sinne before his death can not obtaine saluation albeit he be furnished euen with a thousande popishe pardons and bulles Wherefore vnlesse thou wilt bring thy saluation in doubt omitting these trifles repent thy euill life reknowledge thy sinne and be hartelye sorye and greatlye greeued for the same with earnest prayer and teares craue mercye of God and flye for succour and refuge to the onely merites of Christ with a firme faith and assured hope to obtaine Gods grace and fauor for Christ his sake whom the father hath giuen to death for vs So will
it come to passe that God will take pitie vppon thee forgiue thy sinnes and receiue thee into fauour for hys sonnes sake For he is our aduocate with god who maketh intercessiō for vs and reconcileth and pacifieth our heauenly father being offended at our sinne and wickednes as Iohn in his first Epistle generall teacheth East of therefore all regard of popishe indulgences of that superstitious worship of S. Barbarie and of the habit and clothing of S. Fraunces by which thinges no man can haue any hope to obtain saluation Flie vnto Christ himselfe who is our mediator and aduocate as I haue sayd the throne of grace the reconciliation for the sinnes of the worlde the Lambe which was slaine from the beginning of the world briefly our righteousnes sanctification and redemption as the Apostle saieth to the Corinthians Doe not then that I may returne to my purpose doe not I saye prolong the amendment and reformation of thy maners trustinge to indulgences and other such trifles especiallye in such shortnes of this life the houre of most certain death being so vncertain Which death forasmuch as it is dayly imminent by reason of the vncertaine chaunces which be incident vnto vs may euen at this very instant come vpon thee vnlooked for surely by reason of the shortnes of our life as it is saide of one it can neuer be farre of Howe daungerous a thing is it then to liue in that state in which if sudden death ouertake thee there is no more hope of thy saluation That thou mayst auoid this daunger see thou alwayes liue godlily acknowledge thy sinnes flie humbly to God for mercy aske pardon and forgiuenes and throughe Christe hope and looke for saluation from god Resort also often to the ministers of Gods word and aske of them godly instructions and spirituall comforte And that thou mayst be stirred vp to remember the promises concerning remission of sinne and be more more confirmed concerning the good wyll of God towarde vs come often to the Lordes table and as Christe hath instituted feede of that body which was once offered for the sinnes of mankinde and drinke that blood which was shed for the remission of our sinnes and so being mindfull of the Lords death giue heartye thanks to God for so great benefites and sing hymnes and prayses vnto him both priuatly with thy selfe at home and publikely in the assembly of the faithfull abroade A most fruitful admonition to auoid euill company NOw that I may goe forward to other matters endeuor as much as thou may alwayes to seuer thy selfe from the companye of the wicked and to associate thy selfe as neere as can be wyth the vertuous and godlye And as one admonisheth bee conuersaunt with suche as may make thee better admit such into thy companye as thou mayste amende It is a matter of no smal importance whose familiaritie thou vsest and with whom thou daily liuest For as we are infected with the company of the wicked as with a certen contagion so by dayly liuing together with the vertuous and such as feare God we are almoste reformed and amended Be therefore familier and a frend with these latter as for the other thinke thou oughtest to haue nothinge to doe with them The same doth Salomon commaund in his Prouerbs Paule also writing to the Corinthians doth so earnestly dehort from the companye and societie of the wicked in all thinges that he will not haue vs so muche as to resort to the table with them If anye that is called a brother be a fornicatour or couetous or a worshipper of Idoles or a rayler or a drunkard or an extorsioner with him that is such see that yee eate not There be in deede other causes I graunt why he will haue such to be auoyded either lest we shoulde seeme to allowe their lewdnes and wickednes or that such when they see all men shunne their companye may be ashamed and amende but surely this is not one of the smallest causes least the contagion of their vices shoulde infect others if any haue familiaritie with them For as a little leuen leueneth a greate lumpe of dough so oftentimes the example of one dooth marre and infect a great number Nowe althoughe it be in deede difficult and hard to forsake the aquaintance and familiaritie of them with whō thou hast long liued delightfully and pleasantly thou must notwythstanding with might and maine attempte the same and verye diligentlye endeuour to sequester and seuer thy selfe from the companye of such Onely be willing and earnest in the matter and without doubte it wil goe better forward then thou lookest for And because according to the greeke prouerbe the beginning is halfe of the whole and again as Horace saith he that hath well begunne hath halfe done see in any case thou doe beginne and doubt not of the successe by considering the difficultie If as it commonly falleth out thou doe eftsones thinke vppon the feastes mery meetings and such other vaine and fond delights which thou hast had with them if thou often euen against thy will remember thy mery mates and companions see thou doe then forthwith call to mynde the shortnesse of this lyfe death that hangeth ouer our heads euery houre the laste iudgement the tribunall seate of the Lord hell fire and eternall condemnation and so as the saying is driue out one nayle with another If thou call to mind these thinges and do thus speake with thy selfe Thy felowes pleasaunt companions inuite thee vnto them suppers dinners and mery meetings allure thee what doe I If thou doe earnestly say this with thy selfe what doe I then reason after a sort gathering her strength will subdue thy desire and thy will wyll yeelde to reason exhorting to that which is best Take therfore time as I haue sayde to thinke vpon these thinges and deale aduisedly in them when any such thinge come into thy minde by the suggestion of Satan cast of all remissenes of mynd neither doe straighte giue place to thy desire nor runne whither the deuill would driue thee Doe the companyons inuite thee to drinke and make mery with them See thou then cal to mynde that which our Sauior saith in a certen place Take heede saith he that your heartes be not ouercome with surfetting drunkennes Also that which Paule saieth Be not drunke with wine wherein is excesse and again drunkerds and gluttons shal not inherite the kingdome of heauen Also that which Peter saieth Be sober and vigilant moreouer that saying of Esayas Woe be vnto them that rise vp early to folow drunkennes Remember that thou must obey the authoritie of God and his Apostles rather then follow the will of wicked mē and that thou must yeld vnto reason exhorting vnto that which is best rather then consent to the deuill mouing thee to that which is worst finally that thou muste rather resist that euill spirite then grieue the holy spirite of god Do not therefore doe not
these things by the only strēgth of nature flie vnto God for helpe assistance acknowledge thine infirmitie and weaknes pray dayly vnto God humbly and hartely that he will giue thee his holy spirit which Christe hath promised in the gospell that he will giue vnto vs if we aske it of him If thereforr thou desire that the same spirit may be shed on thee abundantly through Iesus Christe then those thinges that could not be done by the strength and power of nature shall by his ayde helpe be accomplished Onely let there be no faulte in thy selfe neither yeelde thou willinglye to thine euill desires but haue an especiall care to shake of all remissenes of mynd For the holye ghost doth not helpe suche as bee slothfull and sluggishe and sit idle with their handes folded together but such as are doing and put to all their strength and endeuour and counteth thē worthy of his helpe which labour to represse and subdue their naturall corruption and haue a continuall combat and fight with the euil affections of their minde Let vs not doe then as that contriman did whiche is mentioned in a certen fable who when the carte that he draue stucke fast in the myre called to God for helpe he himselfe in the meane season standing idle and doing nothing Moreouer let the presence of God in euerye place which thou canst by no meanes auoyde greatly feare thee from sinning and stirre thee vp to liue holilye and vertuouslye seing thou must nedes haue God a witnes be holder of al thine actions If so be thou wouldest not haue a man to come in vnto thee when thou committest any vnsemely or dishoneste thinge howe muche more oughte that reuerence and shame which shoulde be in thee for that God beholdeth thee reuoke thee from sinne and wickednes Thou fearest to haue man know of thy sinne darest thou then attempt any thinge the Lord God beholding thee which thou durste not commit in the sight of man especially seeing that whom thou haste nowe a witnes and beholder of all thy doings him thou shalt haue in time to come thy censor and iudge One of the heathen admonisheth that we must so liue as though we liued in the sight of men that we must so thinke as though men might alwaies see into the depth of our heart And againe the same heathen man saith So saith he doe all thinges as though some man behelde thee It is profitable vndoubtedlye for thee to sette a keeper ouer thy selfe and to haue one whom thou mayste beholde and whom thou mayste thinke to be priuie to all thy cogitations A greate parte of sinne is taken awaye if there be a witnes present wyth him that is aboute to sinne These thinges saieth that heathen man whiche let euerye one thinke spoken to himselfe If thou therefore purpose to doe any dishonest or vngodlye thinge before thou attempte the same thinke thus with thy selfe What doe I Shall I enterprise to doe that GOD beinge witnesse thereof and beholdinge me whiche I durste not doe in the sight of a mortall man Shall I by this deede procure the displeasure of the Lord GOD when I woulde not willinglye lose the fauour of a man that is my friende Shall I greeue the holye Spirite of GOD that that wicked spirite maye reioyce ouer me Hath Christe therefore redeemed me with his blood that I shoulde voluntarilye yeelde my selfe to the seruitude of Satan hath he therefore deliuered mee from sinne that I shoulde wittinglye and willingly fall into the same againe Hath hee therefore made me an heyre of the kingdome of heauen that I shoulde throughe myne owne defaulte depriue my selfe of suche an inheritance Where is nowe that ardent loue towardes GOD Where is reuerend feare and honest shamefastnesse Where is pietye and fayth Doe I thus thanke God for his innumerable benefytes Doe I thus thanke Christe for my saluation purchased Doe I thus geue my selfe to bee guided of the holye Ghoste Doe I come wyth these deedes to the table of the Lorde Do I thus looke for the comminge of Christe Shall death fynde me in thys wise occupied Shall I thus come to the iudgemente seate of God Doe I so muche fauour my selfe that euell desyres preuayle againste me the infirmitie of the fleshe ouercommeth mee and synne reigneth in my bodye Am I so voyde of all vigour and vallour that lyke an effeminate person I resiste not these motions of the mind Doe I so see that that is better and follow that which is worse of these other like thinges for who can rehearse all if thou dayly thinke with thy selfe thou shalte not easily commit any thing which is vnsemely or dishonest To conclude then what soeuer thou art about to doe be verily perswaded that God is present as he is in deede and doth behold all thinges that thou doest him see thou feare let the reuerence which thou oughtest to giue vnto him who is in euerye place keepe thee from doing any euill For as one sayeth He vvitnes is and arbiter he all thinkes doth behold and see VVhich in mans minde conceiued are before him all shall iudged be This also may moue thee much to liue well if thou continually consider that in thy spiritual regeneration thou wast made the sonne and heyre of God and which is the greatest dignitye the brother of Christ and an heire annexed with him For who is not greatly inflamed vnto godlines who dooth not with a certaine reuerend feare and shame fastnes detest sinne and wickednes when he calleth to minde that hee hath God to his father Doe not therefore do not I saye euer forget this benefite he that hath adopted thee to be his sonne se thou loue reuerence and honour and not offende in anye thinge whatsoeuer Submit thy selfe to hys wyll follow his commaundements obeye hys precepts Thinke that not onely the participation of his inheritance but also the imitation of his goodnes and vertue doth pertaine vnto thee so that albeit thou canst not by imitating attain to the excellencie of the goodnes which is in this thy heauenly father yet must thou in will come as neere as may be and count it a most vnsemely thing to degenerate therfrom If thou doe any thing vnawares that may displease this thy father as the frailty weakenes of mankind is greate let the same strike such greefe into thy mind that thou wilt thinke thy selfe worthy of any punishment who haste offended so gracious a father and be not quiet in mynd before thou hast by true and heartye repentance pacified him So farre is it of that thou shouldest euer wittingly sinne or commit any offence against thy conscience And surely he that remembreth that he is the sonne and heyre of God the brother of Christ and heyre annexed with him is terrified frō sinne wickednes not so much with drede of the last iudgemēt of eternall torments of the fire that shall neuer goe out as with feare of offending