a man exasperateth him pride and vaine glorie make him to swell drunkennesse prouoketh and allureth enuie breaketh concord and vnitie zeale and emulation cut off friendship and amitie Thou art moued and enforced to speake euill or to backbite slander which God in his law forbiddeth or thou art constrained to sweare sometimes falsly sometimes vainly which is a thing not lawful A mans mind suffereth euery day so many pursuits and his heart is vexed and molested with so many dangers And can it take pleasure to stay any long time here amidst so many swords When as rather we should wish desire by the helpe of death to hasten more speedily vnto Christ especially when he hath beforehand so instructed and forewarned vs saying Ioh. 16.20 Verily verily I say vnto you ye shall weepe and lament and the world shall reioyce ye shall sorrow but your sorrow shall be turned into ioy Now what man will not make haste to come vnto ioy What man would not wish to be free from sorrow And when is the time that our sorrow shal be turned into ioy This the Lord himselfe declareth afterwards saying verse 22. I will see you againe and your heart shall reioyce and your ioy shall no man take from you For as much then as in beholding of Christ there is true and perfect ioy and that we can haue no true perfect ioy but in beholding him what blindnesse and sottishnes of mind or rather what madnesse is it to loue the teares and paines and sorrowes of this world that are readie to torment and oppresse vs and not rather to make haste vnto the ioy that can neuer be taken away Now surely this cometh to passe well beloued brethren for want of faith because there are so few or none that beleeue how that those things shal assuredly come to passe which God promiseth who is faithfull and true and whose word vnto the true beleeuers is constant and firme eternall and euerlasting If some graue discreet man and one that all men did commend for his honesty and fidelitie should promise thee any thing thou wouldest surely giue him credit and wouldest perswade thy selfe of him that he will in no wise beguile thee nor deceiue thee knowing him to be a man constant and steadfast both in his words deeds Now behold God it is that reasoneth the case with thee and that maketh such gracious promises vnto thee and doest thou with an vnbeleeuing heart like a faithlesse wretch still wauer and stand in doubt God promiseth vnto thee as soone as thou departest out of this world immortalitie and eternall life and doest thou doubt of it Surely this is as much as not to know God at all this is as much as to displease and offend the master of al them that beleeue Christ Iesus by the sinne of vnbeleefe this is as much as for one that is placed in the Church of God in the house of faith to haue no faith at all How greatly behoouefull and profitable also is it for vs to depart out of this world Christ himselfe the master and teacher of our saluation and the author of our welfare sheweth plainly who when his disciples were sorrowfull and grieued because he said that he must ere long depart and go away from thē he spake vnto them in this wise If ye had loued me Ioh. 14.28 ye would verily reioyce because I go vnto the Father Hereby declaring teaching that whensoeuer our deare friends whō we loue depart hence out of the world we should rather reioyce then be grieued Of which thing the blessed Apostle Saint Paule being mindfull Philip. 1. he layeth this downe for a ground and saith Phil 1.21 Christ is vnto me life and Death is vnto me aduantage accounting it the greatest gain and aduantage vnto himselfe that might be to be now no longer bound and held in the snares of the world to be subiect now no longer vnto any sinne or corruption of the flesh But being now exempted freed from all troubles and vexations and set at libertie out of the venemous lawes of the Diuell at the call and summons of his Lord and Maister Christ to passe vnto the ioyes of eternall saluation But yet for al this An obiection it is a matter that still troubleth some men That such weaknesses and sicknesses doe seize vpon vs Christians euen alike as they doe vpon other Heathens Answer As if for this end a Christian did beleeue in Christ that hee might be free from the touch and feeling of miseries troubles and might enioy this world and the time that he hath to abide therein at his own pleasure not rather that he might be reserued for the ioy to come after that he hath suffered heere all manner of crosses and afflictions patiently It greatly mooueth and troubleth some that this death and mortalitie is common vnto vs with other men And what is there indeed in this world that is not common vnto vs with others as long as according to the law and condition of our first birth this flesh still remaineth common In flesh we are all one like another but are seuered in spirit So long as we are heere in this world we are knit and ioyned together with all other men alike and are all one in flesh but are seuered in spirit And therefore vntill this corruptible doe put on incorruption and this mortall body doe put on immortalitie and that the Spirit bring vs vnto God our heauenly Father whatsoeuer inconueniences and discommodities there be of the flesh the same are common vnto vs with all mankind So that when as through some vnkind blasts and vnseasonable weather the ground becommeth barren and vnfruitfull the famine and dearth ensuing thereupon maketh no difference nor distinction of any And when by inuasion of enemies any Citie is taken all are spoiled alike and caried away into captiuitie Also when faire bright clouds put off and driue away the raine some long time the drought is alike vnto all And when the hard rockes breake in sunder the ship the shipwracke is without exception common alike vnto all that saile therein And so in like maner the paines sorenesse of the eyes the vehement heate of Feuers and the crazinesse and feeblenesse that is in all the members of our bodies the same are common vnto vs as well as others so long as in this world we carry this common flesh about vs. Nay rather in asmuch as vpon couenant and condition a Christian doth beleeue in Christ he must know and vnderstand yea and hold for suretie that he is to suffer more and to take more paines in this world then others hauing to wrastle and to encounter with the assaults of the Diuell more then others are Of this the Scripture doth forewarne and teach vs. My Sonne Eccle. 21.2 if thou wilt come into the seruice of God stand fast in righteousnesse and feare and prepare
then it is seene how much we loue God how much wee trust him and put confidence in him when we are oppressed and vexed with some greeuouâ— crosse and affliction Herâ— then before all things seâ— that thou turne vnto Goâ— with all thy whole heart mind and vnderstanding and with all the powers oâ— thy soule vnfainedly repenting of thy euill waies and bewailing confessinâ— before God thy manifolâ— sins and offences for whicâ— thou hast iustly deserue the wrath of God together with all his plagues and punishments to bee powred out and to be inflicted vppon thee Then shalt thou reape and receiue plentifull comfort and consolation euen a perfect discharge absolution and remission of thy sinnes from the promises of the Gospell which as an infinite treasurie euery day standeth open and is offered vnto thee and that by Christ his own appointment and ordinance giuen vnto his Church Ioh. 20.22 Receiue ye the holy Ghost Ioh. 20.22 whosoeuers sins ye remit they are remitted vnto them and whose sinnes soeuer ye retaine they are retained Now when thou hast thus prayed for obtained pardon for thy sinnes doubtles the punishment whether it be of sicknesse or any other affliction that lyeth heauie vpon thee shall either ceasse and leaue thee altogether or else shall by Gods good will and pleasure turne to thy euerlasting welfare and saluation For this assuredly perswade thy selfe and nothing doubt of it that the punishmeÌ„t which thou sufferest how heauie a yoke and burden soeuer it seemeth to the flesh is in deed a fatherly rod wherby God recalleth thee home vnto himselfe being his child and withdraweth thee from sinning securely God with a tender affection loueth vs he willeth and wisheth well vnto vs he doth all that be doth to this end that he might reforme vs make vs better Hebr. 12.6 for whom he loueth him he correcteth and chasteneth and he punisheth him here that after this life he may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11.32 nor tormented and punished euerlastingly in hell And do not thou feare nor doubt but assuredly perswade thy selfe that God thy heauenly father entirely loueth thee and ten leâ—â—th thee howsoeuer he recâ—â—ueth for the time to bee displeased with thee This his wâ—â—â—â— and displeasure is not the wrath and rage of a tyrant or tormenter but of a father that dearely loueth vs who would not that we perish but that wee should repent and amend so be saued This is so sure that there is nothing more certaine if so be that we who are of so little faith could beleeue it First of all therefore desire aske pardon and forgiuenesse of all thy sinnes but see it be done through Christ and that it be done with a true repentant heart that so thou mayest bee at agreement with God and being reconciled vnto him thou mayest haue him friendly and fauourable vnto thee Then afterwards thou mayest also desire and pray to be deliuered from the present affliction that molesteth greeueth thee This aduice the sonne of Sirach giueth Chap. 38. My sonne Eccl. 38.9 faile not in thy sicknesse but pray vnto the Lord and hee will make thee whole Esay 38.25 and 2. Kin. 20. Thus Ezekiah turned his face vnto the wall and prayed in his sicknesse and his prayer was heard and he recouered Esa 38.25 and 2. Reg. 20. And thus Dauid prayeth in his great affliction Psal 39.8 c. Psal 39.8 c. Deliuer me from all my transgressions and make me not a rebuke vnto the foolish and verse 10 and 13. Take thy plague away from me and againe Stay thine anger from me that I may recouer my strength before I go hence and be no more seene Likewise Psal 79. Psal 79.8 Remember not againâ— vs our former iniquities bâ— make haste let thy tender mercies preuent vs helpe vs 〈◊〉 God of our saluation and fâ—â— the glorie of thy name deliuâ—â— vs c. In the which placeâ— and the like Dauid firâ—â— prayeth for remission of hâ— sinnes that by Gods frâ—â— grace he may bee iustified and then he intreateth Goâ— to stay his anger to turn away his plagues and punishments from him anâ— to deliuer him And 〈◊〉 mayest thou pray for easâ—ment and deliuerance froâ— thy sicknesse or trouble but thou must alwaies add this condition If it be tâ— will of God seeme goâ— vnto him following here the footsteps of Christ himselfe and saying Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me notwithstanding not my will but thy most holy and blessed will be done For indeed wee cannot better prouide for our selues then our most faithfull and louing Father doth prouide who is of infinite power wisedome and goodnesse who neuer turneth away his eyes from vs but still hath a diligent care of vs 1 Pet. 5. Mat. 10.30 who hath numbred the very haires of our head that they perish not who giueth life vnto all things and who nourisheth and preserueth prouideth and careth for all things much better then the creatures themselues can wish or desire CHAP. II. The necessitie of Faith in timâ— of Sicknesse and the meaneâ— whereby to strengthen the same WHile a man lyeth vppon his bed oâ— sicknesse being in dangeâ— of death he is coÌ„monly assaulted and set vpon with many sore and greeuous temptations as first of all iâ— is a very sharpe and sore temptation and triall when as hauing the horrible image of death before ouâ— eyes wee thinke with our selues how that very shortly we must needs relinquish and leaue the most delightfull and comfortable light of this world together with all our friends our kinsfolk and acquaintance and all other things which here are most deligntsome and pleasant and most deare vnto vs. By by after our deadly and manifold sins committed against the diuine will and commandements of God these will be readie to present themselues vnto vs and rushing in vpon vs with great violence will become new and fresh againe vnto vs wonderfully disquieting and troubling the conscience and appearing farre more in number and more hainous greeuous then euer they did before Then behold the horror and feare of death and the terrour of Gods iudgements of hell and damnation will as it were all at once be readie to vexe torment vs and to set vppon vs with most sharpe bitter assaults of griefe and sorrow causing our very hearts within vs to quake and tremble Now amidst these agonies and conflicts vnlesse our hearts be fortified and established with a constant and stedfast faith we shall be in great danger of falling into despaire being wearied with the multitude and greatnesse of the temptations For those things which offer and present themselues vnto vs in time of sicknesse appeare much more terrible and more heynous and grieuous then euer before and that for no other cause then this for that our faith is small and very weake and wauering not
Christ thou art now alreadie made partaker of God mercie thou art now alreadie eased of the burthen of thy sinnes thou art now already the heire of God and coheire with Christ for euer and euer Mat. 24 35 For heauen and earth shall passe away but the word of the Lord abideth for euer Beleeue then deare brother and be of good hope and of good comfort neither doubt but that that great God most gracious and most mercifull euen the sonne of God Christ Iesus for thy sake and for thy saluation was made man yea that for thee and for thy sake he was borne into this world for thy sake dyed vpon the crosse for thy sake rose againe from death and ascended into heauen and performed all those things that are promised vnto vs. So that all the promises of God in and through Christ are yea 2 Cor. 1.20 and Amen 2. Corinth 1.20 Pray therefore vnto God and expect and looke for nothing else from God but meere grace and mercie that through Christ and for his sake for as much as without Christ there is no consolation no saluation no hope no helpe In Christ onely and alone is all comfort all manner of refreshing all refuge and succour and in a word all the wholâ— meanes of our saluation In him is all grace goodnesse and mercie infinitely greater and far more abundant then any man can wish or desire or yet comprehend The Lord vouchsafe to giue vnto vs a constant and stedfast faith to beleeue the same Furthermore deare brother I warne and admonish thee to be carefull that with as much diligence as thou canst thou withdraw thy mind from the horrible dreadfull contemplation and view of thy sinnes and of the feare of death and bend all thy cogitation vppon Christ alone Fixe the eyes of thy minde wholly vpon him cleaue and sticke fast vnto him with thy whole heart call vpon him with full confidence and assurance and commit thy selfe wholly vnto him for as much as in him thou shalt find nothing else but absolute and perfect innocency and righteousnesse life and saluation All which being deriued from Christ vnto thee are now become thine if onely thou wilt acknowledge Christ and beleeue him to be thy Redeemer Sauiour and the author and worker of thy saluation I admonish thee therefore againe and againe and I vrge and repeate the same often not without cause that thou renew not in thy mind afresh the remembrance oâ— thy sinnes neither vexe and tormeÌ„t thy selfe by weighing and pondering too exactly the multitude and greatnesse of them But rather hauing thy sinnes remoued farre away set before thine eyes only Christ crucified let him be fixed fast in thy hart let thy mind and cogitation be wholly vpon him flee vnto him with full assurance and confidence and with thy whole heart sticke fast vnto him without being separated from him at any time By this meanes thou shalt preuaile and stand fast against the gates of hell though neuer so cruell and terrible Call vnto thy minde with how great humanitie and kindnesse with how great clemencie and gentlenesse with how great meekenesse and mildnesse Christ in the Gospell intreated and also receiued and entertained all sinners that repented them of their sinnes that desired helpe and craued pardon and forgiuenesse There shalt thou find Mary Magdalen out of whom went seuen diuels Thou shall see there one of the theeues that were crucified with him Thou shalt see the Publican thou shalt see Zacheus and diuers others whom our Sauiour Christ entertained with wonderfull meekenesse and kindnesse and afterward pronounced them to be freed and set at liberty froâ— all their sinnes though neuer so haynous and grieuous for Christ is grace â— mercie consolation and comfort ioy and gladnesâ— it selfe and a present refugâ— and succour yea life and saluation it selfe vnto aâ—â— that expect and hope foâ— the same from him and thaâ— set their affiance in him Alâ— these things God hath promised for Christ his sake who is truth it selfe cannot lie and therefore will neuer deceiue vs neuer disappoint vs neuer forsake vs. CHAP. VI. Reconciliation and restitution required in time of sicknesse if not performed before NOW further Reconciliation in time of sicknesse required while thou liest vpon thy bed of sicknesse it will perhaps come into thy mind how thou hast wronged and iniured thy neighbour in his body or goods or estimation and credit or contrariwise how he hath iniured and wronged thee in all or some of these things Here thou must do as Christ did vpon the crosse thou must pray euen for all thine enemies and must from the bottome of thy heart pardon and forgiue all wrongs and iniuries If thou by dâ—â—traction and slander haâ—â— bene wronged in thy gooâ— name and reputation thoâ—â— must euen from thy verâ— heart forgiue the authoâ— thereof and pray for theâ—â— with S. Steuen Act. 7.60 Lord lay not this sinne to theâ— charge Act. 7.60 and with our Sauiour Christ himselfe vpon the crosse Luke 23.24 Father forgiuâ— them they know not what they do If on the contrary thou hast slandered others and wronged theÌ„ in their good name and credit it behooueth thee with all conuenient speede to seeke reconciliation if it be possible at the hands of the parties so offended If any thing of thine haue bene taken away by theÌ„ thou shalt not with â—olence fiercenesse or cruâ—â—tie exact and require the â—â—me againe Restitution in time of sicknesse required And if thou â—aue either by fraude or viâ—lence taken away from oâ—hers if thou canst make â—estitution or cause restituâ—ion to be made and do not â—n any wise hide or conceale any thing but confesse the same and be sorrie for the wrong committed and desire pardon first at the hands of God then of the party or parties wronged and offended If the parties whom thou hast wronged be dead make restitution vnto their children or others their heires executors or administrators If thou hast done wrong or oppression and thou knowest not to whâ— thou hast done it in steaâ— the parties themselues thâ— hast the poore and need vnto whom thou may giue cheerefully and make restitution So 〈◊〉 Zacheus Luke 19.8 Luke 19.8 Aâ—â— the same is the counsell thâ— Daniel gaue vnto Nebâ—chadnezar Dan. 4.24 Dan. 4.24 â— breake off his sins by righteouâ—nesse and his iniquities by meâ—cie toward the poore If it bâ— so that through pouertiâ— and want thou canst noâ— make restitution it shall bâ— sufficient if thou do it in desire and affect when thoâ— canst not do it in deed and effect 2 Cor. 8.12 If onely there be a willing mind it is accepted before God according to that a maâ— â—ath not according to that he â—ath not 2. Cor. 8.12 In case â—f want and pouertie then â— shall be enough for thee 〈◊〉 first thou haue a will and â—esire to make restitution â—or the wrong
able to rest and relie vpon the word of God and therein to apprehend and lay hold vpon that infinite inestimable treasure and riches belonging to Gods deare children to wit the forgiuenesse of all their sinnes through Christ the resurrection of their bodies at the last day that most wished for and most sweet and ioyfull communion with the Saints in glorie comfortable societie and fellowship of the elect of God Meanes of strengthning our faith and life euerlasting and all these freely giuen and bestowed vpon them in Christ and through Christ Wherefore in these and other articles of our Christian faith Continuall meditation on the articles of our faith in time of sicknesse very needfull it behooueth vs daily and continually to exercise our selues and diligently to meditate thereupon But especially in time of sicknesse and agonie of death we are seriously and earnestly to meditate in our minds and to inculcate repeate often those foure last articles of our Creed Namely concerning the communion of Saints in which number we beleeue and trust stedfastly that we our selues are and shall be reckoned concerning the Remission of all our sinnes through the bloud of Christ Iesus concerning the resurrection of our bodies at the last day and life euerlasting Now vnto the serious meditation of these articles of our faith there must be adioyned 3 other things First of all feruent and continuall prayer for the increase Prayer and strengthning of our faith praying with the Apostles of our Sauiour Luk. 17.5 Luk. 17.5 O Lord increase our faith and with the father of the child that had the dumbe spirit Mar. 9.24 Marke 9.24 Lord I beleeue helpe my vnbeleefe Vnto prayer ioyne carefull studie and diligence in reading and hearing of the word of God Reading hearing the word of God Rom 10.17 Esa 57.19 For faith is both wrought and also increased by hearing of the word Rom. 10. whereupon it is called the fruite of the lips that is of the words of God Esa 57.19 And Acts the 10.44 it is said that while Peter spake those words Act. 10.44 the holy Ghost fell vpon all them that heard the word Yea hereupon it is called the arme of the Lord Esa 53.1 Esa 53.1 and the power of God vnto saluation Rom. 1.16 Rom. 1.16 See therfore that the word of God dwell plenteously in thee Col. 3.16 which alone is able to make thee wise vnto saluatiō through faith in Christ Iesus 2 Tim. 3.15 2. Tim. 3.15 And let thy heart and mind be euermore possessed with the meditation and consideration of those three maine pillars and grounds of thy faith whereof thou hast assurance in the same word namely First the infinitenesse of Christ his merites which thou shalt oppose vnto the infinitenesse and greatnesse of thy sinnes Next the omnipotencie of Gods power and his natural inclinatiō vnto mercy and to pardon and forgiue sins and sinners Eze. 18.32 And lastly the vniuersalitie and generality of his gracious promises made vnto all in which number thou art to reckon thy selfe Vnto the carefull and diligent studie and meditation in the word of God and prayer Oft receiuing the Sacrament adde this also to frequent and to haue often accesse vnto the holy Sacramen◠of the bodie and bloud o◠Christ while yet thou ar◠in sound perfect health But beware that thou come vnto it rightly instructed prepared and that thou presume not to handle the same with defiled hands nor to receiue it with an vnpure and vnsanctified heart And indeed it is an horrible and feareful thing and much to be lamented that for so many yeares this holy Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ hath bene so vnworthily receiued The vnreuerēt handling of the Sacrament dangerous and so vnreuerently handled and of many contemned and lightly regarded Wherein how greeuously dangerously men offend euen the iudgements and punishments which the Lord sendeth euery day among vs do more then sufficiently witnesse testifie as S. Paul hath foretold should come to passe 1 Cor. 11.30 1 Cor. 11.30 For euen for this cause many are weake and sicke and many sleepe and are dead It is verily an exceeding great and a sure signe and token of singular and incomprehensible loue toward vs The benefit offered in the Sacrament that in this Sacrament of his Supper Christ will haue it plainly confirmed vnto vs that he hath giuen and bestowed himselfe wholly vpon vs knitting and ioyning vs vnto himselfe as members to the head to the end we may know and bee assured that we are regarded and loued defended and saued by him Thus ought all godly minds to esteeme and make account that Christ is effectuall and powerfull in them And it were to bee wished that we would at length consider deepely of the greatnesse and worthinesse of so excellent a gift that so we might be thankfull and might stirre vp our wauering and languishing faith remembring how heynous and horrible a sin vnthankfulnesse is in this kinde and how fearefull punishments must needs follow the prophanation of so holy a mystery Neither indeed are we to imagine that the grieuous threatnings vsed by S. Paul are in vaine for God is true yea truth it selfe and certainly we are to thinke that the greatest part of those plagues iudgments both publike and priuate which befall in these last times is to be imputed vnto the prophanatiō of this most holy mysterie It behooueth vs then with godly care and zeale to haue often accesse vnto that holy Sacrament wherin our soules being refreshed and comforted with that heauenly food our faith and our repentance our hope and our confidence may be more more strengthned and increased CHAP. III. Of three things which in the agonie of death do most greeuously torment terrifie and trouble our minds The remembrance of our sinnes the feare of death and the horror of hell together with the seuerall remedies thereof FIrst the sinnes which in our whole life time we haue wickedly and wretchedly committed Sinne. and wherby we haue most greeuously offended both against God and against our neighbours these when on the bed of sicknesse they come vnto our remembrance must needs greatly terrifie vs and much vexe torment vs remembring that saying of S. Paul Rom. 2.9 Rom. 2.9 That indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish shall be vpon the soule of euery man that doth euill Againe inasmuch as this old Adam and flesh of ours is most vnwiliing to die Death therof it is that when death approcheth mens hearts begin to quake and tremble and are readie to faile them through exceeding great sorrow and griefe For this our fearefull nature or naturall man is miserably afraid lest being once dead buried in the earth it shall neuer returne no◠come againe to the forme state but thinketh now tha◠it is past all helpe and hop◠of recouerie
denque corpus expositum ad redimendum Haec quanta sint cogitato haec in statêra cordis appendito vt totus tibi figatur in corde qui totus pro te fixus est in cruce Behold and looke stedfastly vpon the wounds of him that hanged on the crosse for thee vpon the bloud of him that dyed for thee vpon the price of him that redeemed thee He hath his head bowed downe on the crosse to kisse thee his armes stretched out wide to embrace thee and finally his whole bodie exposed and offered to redeeme thee CoÌ„sider of how great price and of how great weight and moment these things are and weigh well and ponder the same in the ballance of thine owne heart that the same Christ may be wholy fixed and fastened in thy heart who was wholy fixed and fastened vpon the crosse for thee And assuredly perswade thy selfe that not thou but Christ is charged with the sinnes which haue bene committed by thee and that they are all laid vpon his shoulders who hauing taken them vpon himselfe hath discharged vs and made ful satisfaction and payment for vs so as he will neuer impute them vnto vs not lay them to our charge but will freely forgiue them all as in our Creed we professe and say I beleeue the forgiuenesse of sinnes CHAP. V. Here it will be very necessarie and profitable for the comfort of the patient or sicke partie to vrge and repeate often some testimonies of the word of God concerning the forgiuenesse of sinnes by and through Christ as these and the like IOhn the 1.29 Ioh. 1.29 Iohn the Baptist crieth out maketh this proclamation Ecce Agnus Dei Behold the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world Saint Peter likewise 1 Epist Chap. 1.18 Know this 1 Pet. 1.18 that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as siluer and gold from your vaine conuersation but with the precious bloud of Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and withouâ— spot Let these things deare brother sinke deepe into thy minde to confirme and comfort thee Thou hast no cause to doubt of the remission and forgiuenesse of thy sinnes for in as much as thou hast professed the Name of Christ and puttest confidence in his mercie he will also take away thy sinnes And if thou nothing doubt but stedfastly beleeue this thou art alreadie freed and discharged from all thy sins and art alreadie become the child of God there is no cause for thee to wauer or to feare But yet heare and hearken vnto further testimonies and so heare them that thou imprint them throughly in thy mind Iohn 3.16 Ioh. 3.16.18 God so loued the world saith our Sauiour that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And againe Whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall not be condemned c. And againe Mat. 9.13 I am not come saith he to call the righteous Mat. 9.13 but sinners to repentance and Math. 11.28 and 11.28 Come vnto me all ye that are weary and laden and I will ease you Marke how that he calleth al vnto him he refuseth none he reiecteth and casteth off none In this word All he concludeth thee And therefore call thou and crie vnto him for mercie and he will assuredly accept thee and will refresh thee Rom. 5.8 Rom. 5.8 God setteth onâ— herein his loue toward vs tâ— that while we were yet sinners Christ died for vs much more then being now iustified by his bloud we shall be saued from wrath through him This ioyfull tydings full of singular comfort deare brother almightie God thy most tender and louing father will haue to be preached and proclaimed vnto thee for thy comfort For eueÌ„ for thee it is that Christ was sent for thee it was that he died Only beleeue and commit thy selfe vnto Christ thy redeemer and sauiour Likewise in the same Chap. to the Romans verse 10. If when we were enemies Rom. 5.10 we were reconciled vnto God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saued by his life And 1. Cor. 1.30 Christ Iesus is made vnto vs of God 1 Cor. 1.30 wisedome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption Now then deare brother lift vp thine heart and comfort thy selfe Albeit thou art neuer so great and grieuous a sinner no cause there is wherefore thou shouldst therefore be discouraged but acknowledge and confesse thy selfe before God to be such a one beg and craue for mercie in and through Christ aske paâ—don and forgiuenesse anâ— beleeue Christ to bee thâ— onely Sauiour thy righteousnesse and saluation And he will euermore 〈◊〉 thine and will hide and couer all thy sinnes and vtteâ—ly abolish them so as thaâ— shalt not need to feare theâ— by any hurt or danger Againe 2 Cor. 5.21 2 Cor. 5.21 God hatâ— made him who knew no sinnâ— to be sinne for vs that 〈◊〉 might be made the righteousnesse of God in him Like wise Gal. 1.4 Galat. 1.4 Christ hatâ— giuen himselfe for our sinnes that he might deliuer vs from this present euill world according to the will of God euen our father And Ephes 1.7 Ephe. 1.7 By Christ we haue redemption through his bloud euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes according to his rich grace And 1 Tim. 1.15 Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners saith Saint Paule of whom I am chiefe Now then brother haue thou also good hope and beleeue these words as Saint Paule did and then shalt thou assuredly be in the number of them that are iustified and saued 1 Tim. 2.6 S. Paul saith That Christ Iesus gaue himselfe a ransome for all 1 Tim. 2.6 Beleeue this then stedfastly and without controuersie thou art now one of them alreadie that are ransomed and redeemed Furthermore Math. 26.26 Thou hearest Christ in 〈◊〉 last Supper talking wâ— thee and thou seest hâ—â— nourishing feeding thâ— with his body and also oâ—fering and giuing vnto thâ— his bloud to drinke vnto â—uerlasting life Math. 26.26 wheÌ„ he saitâ— Take eate this is my bodâ— which is giuen for you do tâ— in remembrance of me Likâ— wise also after he had suppeâ— he tooke the cup and said 1 Cor. 11.25 Thâ— cup is the bloud of the 〈◊〉 Testament which is shed â— you and for many for the râ—mission of sinnes Do this often as ye shall drinke it remembrance of me These words deare brâ—ther it behooueth thee 〈◊〉 fixe fast in thy memorie 〈◊〉 to thinke theÌ„ spoken to thâ— selfe For when as he speaketh vnto all he speaketh vnto thee also And all the things which Christ did or suffered shall be auaileable vnto thee and shall turne to thy saluation and to thy benefit no lesse then they did to Peter or Paul 1 Pet. 2.24 it is said That Christ his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his bodie on the tree 1 Pet. 2.24
and 3.18 And Chap. 3.18 Christ hath once suffered for sinnes the iust for the vniust that he might bring vs vnto God And Saint Iohn 1 Epistle 1.7 saith 1 Ioh. 1.7 That the bloud of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God clenseth vs from all sinne and Chap 2.1 If any man sinne and 2.1 we haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the iust and he is the reconciliation fâ—â— our sinnes and not for ouâ— onely but also for the sinnes 〈◊〉 the whole world Thou hast heard heâ— deare brother the word not of man but of the holy Ghost which witnessâ— onely that God the fatheâ— who willeth not the death of a sinner EZech. 18. but that heâ— should conuert and liue euen he of his infinite louâ— toward thee hath easeâ— thee of the heauie burtheâ— of thy sinnes and hath laiâ— them on the shoulders oâ— his best and onely beloueâ— Sonne He hath borne them and suffered for them in hiâ— body that they cannot aâ— any time condemne thee For as much as God accepteth and reputeth the death of his Sonne in stead of plenarie and perfect repentance and of full payment and satisfaction for all thy sinnes so that thou beleeue in his Sonne Christ Iesus Forasmuch then as thy sins being laid vpoÌ„ Christ could not hold him in death neither condemne him verily satisfaction is now already made for them and to thee they are all now remitted pardoned Beleeue these things and thou shalt liue eternally for euer Christ himself hath borne thy sins and also died for them But he is risen againe and the sinnes of all true beleeuers are by the death of Christ more then sufficiently purged and discharged and the strict and seuere iustice and iudgement of God abundantly satisfied for thy sins by Christ Iesus Christ now then is thine togetheâ— with all his benefits with his death Rom. 8.32 resurrection and ascension into heauen with his merits righteousnesse obedience and finally witâ— his life and endlesse glorie Satan therefore hath no right nor interest in thee nor power ouer thee neither can he do vnto thee any hurt or iniurie sith thou art iustified by Christ seeing thou art freed and deliuereâ— from all thy sinnes and seeing thou art the child oâ— God For behold God is thy father and such a father aâ— entirely loueth thee for Christ his sake who hath reconciled thee vnto himselfe Be of good comfort then Phil. 4.4 and reioyce againe againe in the Lord. For as much as thou art in the hands of almighty God thy most tender and louing father who is also most true and faithfull in his word promises thou art safe and out of all danger so as no euill can befall thee being vnder his custodie and enuironed about and garded with a troope of Angels as he hath promised Psal 91.11 That he will giue his angels charge ouer thee Psal 91.11 to keepe thee in all thy waies Christ also is thine how mightie soeuer he be in power how rich soeuer in goodnesse and how great and high soeuer in maiestie and glorie He it is that hath couered all thy sinnes with the cloke of his innocencie and obedience and taken them all quite away Rom. 8.32 so that none shall be able to wrest or plucke thee out of the hands of thy heauenly Father As soone as thou shalt haue suffered and passed ouer this bodily affliction and temporall crosse which being compared vnto euerlasting life is light and momentany thou hast then got the victorie Christ Iesus hath gone before thee in suffering the like yea and a farre more sharpe and bitter Luke 22.44 and a farre more terrible conflict Now he is thy head vnto whom thou must of necessitie be conformed made like vnto him by dying vnto thy sinnes and by leauing and laying downe this life so embrued and defiled with sinne that so with thy Lord Christ thou maist liue the blessed life and that for euer Let not thy sinnes then vexe and trouble thee there is no cause why for them thy conscience should be disquieted seeing that they are alreadie taken away and abolished the euil spirit that seeketh the destruction of our soules is for thee vanquished and ouercome cast downe and trodden vnder foote God now in fauor looketh vpon thee he taketh care of thee to defend and keepe thee yea the societie and fellowship of all the blessed Angels attend vpon thee they watch ouer thee and pitch their tents about thee readie to minister vnto thee to carrie thy soule into the bosome of Abraham so that thou canst in no wise be condemned no more then could thy head Christ Iesus so that with thy whole heart thou fixe and repose thy confidence in him If sinne death and hell be not able to do any harme or displeasure vnto thy Lord Christ no more theâ— can they do vnto thee for as much as thou art iâ— Christ and Christ in thee thou canst neuer be condemned whereas indeed if thou were to sustaine and beare thine owne sins and to make satisfaction for them thou shouldest neuer be able to sustaine and vndergoe so great a burthen but thy sinnes would weigh and presse thee downe into hell vtterly ouerwhelme and swallow thee vp But now Christ being the selfe same true God and true man he hath willingly offered himselfe for thee and hath substituted himselfe in thy stead making full payment of all for thee as he saith Psal 69.4 Psal 69.4 That he made payment of the things which he neuer tooke Thou hast indeed in thy selfe coÌ„mitted many sinnes but Christ hath in thy stead discharged and made satisfaction for them all He it is that hath set thee at liberty that hath made thee partaker with himselfe of eternall life if onely thou shalâ— beleeue and giue credencâ— vnto this word and Gospel Yea assuredly deare brother though the sinnes of the whole world did liâ— vpon thy necke alone yeâ— notwithstanding behold there is infinite mercy with God abundantly sufficient or rather more then sufficient for them all Now God hath promised in Christ his blessing of grace and mercie vnto thee And the same his promise is in thy Lord Christ ratified and assured and fully accomplished and performed vnto thee so as thou canst not but be saued if onely thou do but cast thine eyes vpon Christ There is then nothing more sure and certaine then thy saluation For Christ being the naturall Sonne of God and in his diuine essence truth it selfe he is in respect of humane nature our flesh and bloud Who then shall be or can be more trustie and more faithfull to giue and performe this promise of grace and mercie then this Christ who is himselfe the truth of the promise who loueth vs so feruently and earnestly that he chose rather to suffer death voluntarily and willingly theâ— that we shold be frustrated of any promise Wherefore if thou shalt beleeue in
in Christ that is who haue beleeued in Christ being now dead they rest in their graues onely for a time in a most assured hope of a ioyfull and glorious resurrection whereby they shall rise againe in the last day vnto a new life and that eternall and euerlasting wherein shall be nether sinne nor death nor any miserie and wherein shall bee nothing else but righteousnesse and perfect holinesse life and saluation ioy and happines for euer and euer These things God himselfe hath promised who is of infinite power able to performe whatsoeuer he hath promised and who is also truth it selfe and therefore neither will nor can faile in performance thereof Trust stedfastly then in his promises and wauer not CHAP. IX Testimonies of Scripture concerning the Resurrection of the dead MOreouer it is good for thee to repeate often and in thy mind to ponder and diligently to meditate vpon those testimonies of holy Scripture which concerne the resurrection of the flesh Hereof it is that Saint Paul admonisheth vs in his first Epistle to the Thessalonians That we raise vp confirme comfort both our selues 1 Thes 4.18 and comfort one another with these and such like words concerning the resurrection Neither indeed can there be any consolations more fruitful and plentifull or more sure and certaine then those which we fetch from those testimonies of Scripture which concerne the resurrection of our bodies they being the words not of man but of God who both can and will assuredly performe whatsoeuer he hath spoken as hath bene said There is none that can alter or change his will and determination none that can let or hinder his purpose and counsell He is of power infinite in his word and promises most faithfull and true yea truth it selfe his goodnesse and his mercie vnspeakeable as a fountaine that neuer can be drawne drie And therefore let no man doubt thereof Math 13.43 Christ saith Mat. 13.43 The iust men shall shine as the Sunne in the kingdome of their Father Iohn 5.24 Likewise Iohn 5.24 Verily verily I say vnto you he that heareth my word and beleeueth in him that sent me hath euerlasting life and shal not come into condemnation but hath passed from death vnto life Chap. 6.40 And Chapter 6.40 This is the will of my Father that hath sent me that euery one that seeth the Sonne and beleeueth in him should haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Againe Chapter 8.51 Verily Chap. 8.51 verily I say vnto you if any man keepe my word he shall neuer see death And Chap. 11.11 Christ saith that Lazarus slept and 11.11 who notwithstanding was dead and his dead corps did then lie in the graue But Christ raiseth the dead to life againe and calleth those things which are not Rom. 4.17 as if they were as Saint Paule saith And therefore our Sauiour Christ addeth in the 25 verse Ioh. 11.25 I am the resurrection and the life he that beleeueth in me though he were dead yet shall he liue And by and by after the vttering of these words he raised vp Lazarus from death hauing lien rotting and stinking in the graue foure daies And because in these conflicts of sicknesse and death we are naturally very fearefull and faint hearted to the end that we might be furthered and helped on forward the more to beleeue that there shall be a resurrection many haue bene raised vp from death vnto life in the times of the Prophets and Apostles In the new Testament Christ raised from the dead the widowes sonne at Naim Luke 7. Luke 8. Luke 7. He raised vp Iairus his daughter Luke 8. He raised vp Lazarus Iohn 11 Act. 9. and 20. Iohn 11. Saint Peter raised Tabitha Act. 9. and Saint Paul Eutychus Act. 20. In the old Testament the Prophet Elias raised vp the widowes son at Sarephtha 1 Kings 17. 1. Kings 17. and the Prophet Elisha his hostesse sonne the Shunamite 2 Kings 4. Gen. 5. ◠Kings 2. 2. Kings 4. And God also himselfe rapt vp Henoch and Elias aliue both bodie and soule out of this miserable and transitorie life and conueighed and tooke them vp vnto himselfe Gen. 5. and 2. Kings 2. That by thē he might leaue vnto vs some resemblance of the true life that is to come lest according to the conceit and opinion of the Epicures and heathens we should imagine that after this life nothing else remained vnto vs. Furthermore consider thinke with thy selfe what that great and mighty Lord of life death Iesus Christ saith Luke 8.52 Weepe not Luke 8.52 the Damsell is not dead but sleepeth Reason not beleeuing this notvnderstanding the mysteries of God maketh a mock of these things Wherupon it is added that All laughed him to scorne when they heard it But Christ making good his owne words as soone as he had said it he raised vp the maid that was dead and restored her to life And so in like maner will the same Lord Iesus Christ not onely receiue thy soule and preserue the same in sure custodie but will also at the last day render and deliuer againe this body vnto thy soule and will couple and knit them together againe vnto life eternall Iohn 5.28 Our Sauiour Christ pronounceth plainly Ioh. 5.28 That the day and houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voice and shal come forth they that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life And Daniel prophecieth foretelleth also Dan. 12.2 That many of them which sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake vnto euerlasting life and that they that be wise shall shine euen as the brightnesse of the firmament and they which turne many vnto righteousnesse shall shine as the starres for euer euer Saint Paule in like manner prooueth and confirmeth the certainty of the resurrection of our bodies by many strong and infallible reasons arguments Rom. 8.11 Rom. 8.11 If saith he the Spirit of him that raised vp Iesus from the dead dwell 〈◊〉 you he that raised vp Christ from the dead shall also quicke◠your mortall bodies because that his Spirit dwelleth in you And 1. Cor. 6.14 1 Cor. 6.14 The same God that raised vp the Lord Iesus Christ he shall also raise vs vp by his power And as for the fifteenth Chapter of his first Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 15.12 c. it is full of nothing else but sweete consolations and comforts of wonderfull force and efficacie In that Chapter Saint Paule linketh and ioyneth our resurrection so fast and close vnto the resurrection of our Sauiour Christ that they cannot be separated nor plucked asunder the one frō the other Christ saith he is risen frō the dead which is a thing most certaine and sure therefore out of all doubt we shall also rise againe For Christ is our head and we his
members This head neither is nor can be without the members neither doth he leaue or forsake his members Where Christ therefore is there also must we needs be Ephe. 5.30 For we are members of his bodie of his flesh and of his bones Eph. 5.30 Now who can sufficiently praise and magnifie according to the worthinesse thereof the infinitenesse of that inestimable vnspeakeable grace meâ—cie of God who vouchsafed so to debase himselfe aâ— to come downe from heâ—uen and to be made a mortall man in all things likâ— vnto vs sinne onely excepted that this corruptible 〈◊〉 fraile nature of man being vnited and ioyned vnto hâ— diuine nature might by the infinite and incomprehensible vertue and power oâ— his diuinitie bee aduanced vnto immortall life and made partaker with it of the heauenly kingdome 〈◊〉 we did beleeue so great riches to be giuen vnto vs to be laid vp in store for vs and that so blessed and happie a kind of life shall hereafter befall vs how I pray you could we be daunted or troubled The humane nature of all the faithfull which haue bene before since Christ and which shall be hereafter in Christ who is both true man and also true God hath and doth put on immortalitie glorie Abundant then and of great force and effect is that comfort concerning the resurrection of Christ wherewith Saint Paule doth fortifie and establish the minds of the Corinthians when he saith 1 Cor. 15.20 c. That Christ is risen from the dead being the first fruites of them that are fallen asleepe for since by man came death by man also cometh the resurrection of the dead For as by Adam all die euen so also by Christ shall all be maâ— aliue But euery man in 〈◊〉 owne order the first fruites 〈◊〉 Christ afterward they thaâ— are of Christ at his coming c. And after all this Sainâ— Paule addeth a similitude concerning naturall things wherby the resurrection of our bodies is most clearely perceiued verse 36. and plainely demonstrated The similitude or comparison is taken from seede which being drie when it is cast into the ground by the seedsman or husbandman it dieth as it were and rotteth in the ground But yet doth it not perish altogether but it sprouteth and cometh forth out of the earth fresh and new in an elegant and a delightfull shape and forme Euen so also shall our bodies arise not corruptible or subiect to corruption not fraile and transitorie not weake and feeble not withered and decayed and readie to die as now it is but comely and beautifull strong and lustie immortall and incorruptible and full of brightnesse and glorie This is the way by which we are to passe into our true countrie which is aboue euen by death vnto euerlasting life Flesh and bloud cannot inherite the kingdome of God wherein is nothing else but life and immortalitie For which cause 1 Cor. 15.33 This corruptible bodie must put on incorruption and this mortall bodie must put on immortalitie thâ—â— shall come to passe the saying that is written Death is swalowed vp into victorie They that beleeue in Christ haue now vanquished sin death and hell And therefore coÌ„temning despising death and through Christ being now become bold and couragious they shall triumph and say Hos 13.14 1 Cor. 15.55 â— death where is thy sting O hell where is thy victorie The sting of death iâ— sinne and the strength of sinne is the law But thankes be vnto God who hath giuen vs victorie through our Lord Iesus Christ Hereunto also may be added other sentences of holy Scripture full of comfort as that 2. Cor. 4.14 He that hath raised vp the Lord Iesus from the dead shall also raise vs vp by the same Iesus And that to the Philippians Chap. 3.20 Phil 3.20 Our conuersation is in heauen from whence we looke for the Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ who shall change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie according to the mightie working whereby he is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe Againe Colos 3.3 Ye are dead Colos 3.3 and your life is hid with Christ in God but when Christ which is your life shall appeare then shall ye also appeare with him in glorie And 1. Thes 4.13 1. Thes 4.14 I would not saith Saint Paul haue you ignorant concerning them which are a sleepe that ye sorrow not as others which haue no hope For if we beleeue thaâ— Iesus is dead and is risen againe Euen so them thaâ— sleepe in Iesus will God bring with him In like manner doth S. Paul comfort his disciple Timothie 2. Tim. 2.8 Remember 2 Tim. 2.8 that Iesus Christ made of the seed of Dauid wâ— raised againe from the deaâ— according to my Gospell And verse 11. verse 11 If we be dead wâ— Christ we shall also liue wiâ— him If we suffer with him 〈◊〉 shall also reigne with him Anâ— againe 2 Tim. 1.9 2. Tim. 1.9 God haâ— saued vs saith he and calleâ— vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purposâ— and grace which was giuen through Christ Iesus before the world was but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortalitie And in his Epi. to the Heb. Chap. 2.14 he saith That Christ was made partaker of flesh and bloud that is Hebr. 2.14 was made true man that throgh death he might destroy him that had power of death that is the diuel and that he might deliuer all them which for feare of death were all their life time subiect to bondage S. Iohn likewise in his 1. Epistle Chap. 4.9 telleth vs that 1 Ioh. 4.9 In this appeared the loue of God toward vs that God sent his onely begotten Sonne into the world that we might liue through him to wit eternally and for euer and Chap. 3.14 and 3.14 We know that we are translated from death vnto life because we loue the brethren And to conclude in the same manner Iob comforteth himselfe in the middest of all his afflictions Chap. 19.25 Iob. 19.25 I am sure saith he that my Redeemer liueth and that he shall stand the last on the earth And though after my skinne wormes destroy this bodie yet shall I see God in my flesh whom I my selfe shall see and mine eyes shall behold and none other for me though my reines be consumed within me These testimonies of holy Scripture whosoeuer he be that pondereth well and meditateth on the same diligently he cannot but be filled with exceeding great ioy and comfort A most euident example whereof we haue in Saint Paul Phil. 3.10 Phil. 3.10 Where he professeth himselfe to reioyce glorie in nothing more then this that he knoweth Christ and the power of his Resurrection whereby our death was slaine as it were
vntrue in his word he will assuredly in due time make his promises to appeare he will helpe refresh and comfort vs. Whensoeuer then thy faith thy hope is not firme stedfast as it should be when thou seest and perceiuest thine heart smitten with feares and terrors when thou findest in thy selfe that thou beginnest to doubt of Gods mercie and that thou hast little or no faith at all forthwith call vpon God for helpe as Peter did when he was readie to sinke and to be drowned Math. 14.30 Implore and craue for mercie from him Mat. 14.30 and deplore and lament thine vnbeleefe and incredulitie before him Request desire his helpe with earnest prayer and intreatie and he will ease thee refresh and comfort thee and thereupon thou shalt glorifie praise him Psal 50.15 God hath vndertaken to do it and he will do it Onely see that thou ceasse not to call vpon him Beg craue incessantly with sighes and grones proceeding from the very bottome of thy heart at the hands of almâ—ghtie God the father of all mercies the God of all comfort that he will not turne his face from thee Crie out with the Disciples Luke 17.5 Lord increase my faith and with the father of the lunatick child Lord I beleeue helpe my vnbeleefe Mar. 9.24 A Prayer O Lord make haste to helpe me before I be pressed downe with this heauie burden and ouerwhelmed with the same Thy mercie is aboue all thy workes O most meeke most mercifull and most gracious Father O Lord God of my saluation my refuge and deliuerer enter not into iudgement with thy seruant Christ is my righteousnesse 1 Cor. 1.30 sanctification and redemption He it is that for me and for my sake hath endured yea and most willingly hath offered himselfe to die a most sharpe and cruell death Let these things moue thee and preuaile with thee O Father of all mercies For this Christ thy Sonne his sake haue mercie on me confirme and strengthen my heart with true and stedfast faith in thy Sonne Christ Iesus and comfort me with the consolations of thy holy Spirit that so I may haue the fruition of true and perfect ioyes in Christ Iesus for euer and euer Amen In this maner labouring and wrastling and fighting striuing with thine owne weaknesse yea and accusing and bewailing vnto God thine vnbeleefe and faint-heartednesse if thou shalt withall lay hold on Christ and shalt cleaue and sticke fast vnto him with feruent and incessant prayer crauing and desiring his helpe that he substituting himselfe as it were in thy stead would supply whatsoeuer is wanting vnto thee if thou shalt do this then behold all is well with thee then there is no danger thou art safe enough for as much as there is little difference betweene these two betweene beleefe in Christ a feruent or earnest desire to beleeue How weake therefore and faint-hearted soeuer thou art let this comfort and releeue thee that God willeth and commandeth thee in thy greatest trouble and distresse to call vpon him Psal 50.15 and that he hath promised if thou do call vpon him he will heare thee and helpe thee Moreouer as nothing is or can be more iustly and rightfully desired of God then true faith so he heareth no prayer sooner nor more willingly then that which a man powreth forth finding no goodnesse in himselfe acknowledging his owne weakenesse and wretchednesse deploring and lamenting his owne incredulitie and vnbeleefe with feruent and earnest prayers and often sighes and grones desiring and begging for faith to be giuen him These desires and requests these sighs grones these prayers this little faith though it be neuer so little or so slender it is verily a cleare sparke of that holy fire it is the good seed of God which can in no wise spring vp in vs but by the effectual working of God who by his Prophet Esay thus speaketh concerning Christ That he will not quench the smoking flaxe Esay 42.3 nor bruise the broken reede Wherefore see thou beleeue stedfastly in Christ thy Sauiour or else pray heartily and feruently that thou mayest beleeue lamenting in the meane time and complaining vnto God of thine vnbeleefe If thou do this thou needest not doubt but that thou art accepted and reputed righteous before God and art the child of God who not in vaine laid vpon Christ his onely Sonne our weaknes and our sinnes In the fift Chapter of S. Mathew his Gospell Christ himselfe saith Math. 5. That blessed are the poore in spirit blessed are they that mourne and blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse These things Christian brother are spoken vnto thee do properly belong to thee Thou art humbled and cast downe thou art poore in thine own eyes and in thine owne conceit euen poore in the graces of Gods spirit thou mournest and art grieued and vexed from thy verie heart for thy leude and wicked life formerly spent thou doest hunger thirst for righteousnesse desiring to haue faith wherby thou mayest be iustified and saued Be of good cheare and comfort thy selfe thou shalt haue that thou desirest thou art euen now alreadie become righteous before God And hereupon thou mayest boldly by the example of Saint Steuen Act. 7.59 Act. 7. and of Christ himselfe also Luke 23.46 Luk. 23. commend thy spirit into the hands of God thy heauenly Father saying A Prayer O most mercifull and louing Father into thy hands I commend my spirit or rather thy spirit for as much as thou hast made it and inspired it and placed it in this earthly tabernacle of my bodie committing the same onely vnto my charge and custodie for a short time for as much as it is thine owne proper image made after thine owne similitude and likenesse and for as much also as for its sake and to redeeme it thine onely begotten Sonne hath vouchsafed to shed his most precious bloud This Spirit of thine I say I commend againe and againe into thy hands O most gracious Father thou God of all mercies thine I am whatsoeuer I am Receiue thine owne I beseech thee Saue preserue defend and keepe it and finally of thy free mercie giue vnto it euerlasting life through Iesus Christ thy true Sonne and our onely Lord and Sauiour Amen CHAP. XIII A short Admonition touching the making and ordaining of last Wils and Testaments IT were to be wished that while men are in sound and perfect health they would be carefull to set in order all their worldly affaires and by their wils and bequests or otherwise to dispose of their temporall estate and of such earthly blessings as God hath lent them weighing and remembring the frailty and vncertaintie of this present life lest if perhaps they deferre this businesse vnto the last moment and period of their life they be preuented by death or at the least wise hindered by extremitie of
faith is the ground or expectation of things that are hoped for to wit being promised not of things that are sensible or conceiued by sense and it is the euidence of things not seene that is a sure and certaine knowledge and proofe of the things that appeare not Hebrews 11.1 It standeth thee vpon therefore with the holy and faithfull Patriarch Abraham euen beside hope and aboue hope 〈◊〉 beleeue vnder hope Rom. 4.18 Thy faith thy hope must set it self to resist all those things which either blinde reaâ—on shall suggest vnto thee 〈◊〉 that cunning and craftie â—nemie the diuel who lieth â—n waite to destroy shall seeke to infuse and put into thee Here therefore thou â—â—t to learne and obserue 1 Pet. 5.8 for thy coÌ„fort Gods manner and custome in sauing those that are his whom he will lift vp into heauen him â—e doth commonly first of all bring downe to hell Whom he will quicken and make aliue him he doth first bring downe to the gates of death Vpon whom he will shew his greatest mercie kindnesse in sauing and deliuering him him he suffereth before to be tempted and maketh as if he would condemne him Wherefore euen then when thou feelest nothing else but present death when God seemeth most of all to be angry with thee wheÌ„ he seemeth to be furthest from thee yea and to haue wholly and altogether forsaken thee cast thee off as one reproued and condemned euen then is he nearest vnto thee to protect defend and deliuer thee then he most of all loueth thee and then he â—ath greatest care ouer thee For in the middest of trouble and affliction God remembreth mercie as the Prophet in many places beareth witnesse Psal 30.5 His wrath endureth but the twinckling of â—n eye but in his fauour is life Weeping may abide at night but ioy cometh in the morning Lam. 3.31 And againe He will not forsake or be angry for euer yea rather As a father piâ—ieth his owne children so is the Lord mercifull to them that feare him For he knoweth whereof we be made he remembreth that we are but dust Now Psal 103.13 the mercie of the Lord is for euer and euer vpon them that feare him The Lord is gracious and full of compassion Psal 145.8 slow to anger and of great mercy yea our God is good vnto all how much more to his children to them that loue and feare him and his mercy is ouer all his workes as the same Prophet witnesseth Psalme 145.8 And therefore closing vp the eies both of thy mind and also of thy senses and vtterly casting off the iudgment of reason submit and giue ouer thy selfe wholy vnto Christ and take it in good part howsoeuer he shall deale with thee Thou must not esteem and iudge of death or of the horror and paines of death according to the iudgement of outward sight or of sense and reason but according to the word of God and the censure and iudgement thereof Dauid saith That Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints Psal 116.15 And the voyce of God himselfe from heauen cryeth in the Reuelation of S. Iohn Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord. Apoc. 14.13 And Christ himselfe saith Iohn 8.51 He that beleeueth in me shall not taste of death Wherefore if any thing be presented vnto thee which may seeme to turne thee away from Christ cast the same wholly out of thy mind Sticke fast vnto the word of God which abideth for euer Meditate still vpon it and by often repeating the same imprint it stedfastly in thy mind For thou canst not indeed euer conceiue by the quicknesse sharpnesse of thine own reason how al this may be that thou shouldest passe thorough death vnto the true life how thou shouldst die and depart this world by breathing out thy soule how thy soule should bee kept safe in the Lord and should abide and rest with him vnto the last day and how also thy body being putrified and eaten vp of wormes and consumed to dust and ashes could rise again in the last day of iudgment and come forth in so fresh and glorious a forme maner This reason in no wise is able to conceiue onely faith can comprehend it And therefore still meditate vpon the Articles of thy faith and diligently weigh and consider in thy mind all the seuerall parts of the same with a particular application thereof vnto thy selfe CHAP. III. How the sicke partie is to be called on and comforted being ready to giue vp the Ghost NOw deare brother is the time that thou must fight that good fight and lay hold on eternal life Now therefore fight manfully and couragiously keep thy standing diligently lay hold fast on Christ Iesus that none take away thy Crowne Fixe stedfastly in thy mind the promises of Christ thy Redeemer I am saith he the resurrection and the life Ioh. 11.25 He that beleeueth in me shall liue and shall not dye for euer Christ hauing taken our nature vpon him with all those defects and infirmities whereto we are subiect and dying vpon the altar of his Crosse hath offered vp himselfe a full and perfect sacrifice oblation and satisfaction for all our sinnes He it is that by his most precious blood hath purged away the sinnes of all that truly and vnfainedly beleeue in him And this thy Sauiour Iesus Christ wil in no wise forsake thee He it is that vndoubtedly careth for thee to saue protect and deliuer thee Nothing therefore shall touch thee nor preuaile against thee to hurt thee The foundation of God remaineth sure hauing this seale 2. Tim. 2.19 The Lord knoweth who are his Christ saith My sheepe Iohn 10.27 heare my voyce and I know them and they follow me and I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any be able to take them out of my hand My Father that gaue them vnto me a greater then all and none is able to take them out of my Fathers hand I and my father are one Wherefore deare brother beloued in Christ commend thy soule into the hands of God thy heauenly Father who for his Son his sake doubtles doth entirely loue thee hauing ransomed and redeemed thee with so great a price as the death and bloodshedding of his only sonne Cry out therefore confidently with thy elder brother Christ O heauenly Father into thy hands I commend my spirit which thou hast redeemed with so great a price Lord Iesus receiue my soule Now the Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort and consolation confirme and strengthen thee conduct and leade thee and by the ministery of his holy Angels transport and carrie thee as they did Lazarus into the bosome of Abraham euen into euerlasting life and finally preserue and keepe thee vnto that most ioyfull resurrection at the last day Amen A SERMON OF MORTALITIE