the pestyleÌ„ce wyth flying awaye leauyng his own wyfe frendes and neyghbours he declareth vnperfectnes of faith and standeth not wyth Chrystian charitie where we owe vnto others the same that we in like case would gladly haue at theyr handes Graunt that the pestylence is such an infectuous sickenesse as one taketh of another What thaÌ„ If one stande in battayle raye to fyghte for hys country must not he also looke for a gonne stonne to be sente hym into hys bosome to carye home doeth it therefore beseme hym to breake the araye and to fly Lyke as there the enemyes of the bodye are at hande So here doe the gostlye aduersaryes besege the soule of hym that is a dying where one Chrystyan shoulde helpe another wyth worthy talke Therfore is that a folish vnaduised counsayll whan we wyth neglectynge of oure owne members wil flie from the wrath of god thynkyng thorowe synne to escape the punyshmeÌ„t of synne Experyence also doth shew that such folkes doe ofte perysh aswel as other yea soner then they that fled not at al. But phisicke is permytted of god as in the tyme of pestylence wyth fyers and perfumes to make the ayer more wholsome from poysoÌ„ and to receaue somewhat into the bodye for the consumyng of euil humours and to hinder the infeccion IteÌ„ whan one is taken with a dysease to be let bloud to sweate to folow the phisicians instruccioÌ„ such thiÌ„ges are in no wyse to be repreheÌ„ded So that whether it turne to deathe or lyfe the hearte onely and hope hange vpon God The physicion shoulde neyther bee despysed nor worshypped For to thynke scorn to vse medecyne in syckenesse what were that els but euen to tempt god ¶ That god is able and wyll helpe for Chrystes sake The .20 Chapter SPecially whaÌ„ death is at haÌ„d a man fyndeth no helpe in any creature of heauen and earth whereby he might fortunatly suppresse the exceading greate feare of death but only in god the father in Christe hys sonne and in the holy sprete of them both It is god that knoweth the parels of thy death and can medle wythall Thorowe hys power shalt thou get thorow and drinke the bitter draught Though we dyyet liueth god before vs with vs after vs and is able to preserue vs for euer Chryst sayeth wepe not the damosel is not dead but slepeth Faythles reason vnderstandeth not the mistery of God and laugheth But Chryst the true god hath both the woorde worke together saieth no more but arise and the soule came again to the bodye she arose Oute of thys and suche lyke ensamples oughtest thou faynte hearted man to vnderstande the infinite power of god who can receaue thi soule also and preserue it Not only is god able but wil also helpe graciousli Whi should not he lay vpon thee some greate thyng as death is seyng he addeth so greate aduauntage helpe and streÌ„gth therto Math. 10. d. Luke 12. a. Psal 34. Psal 55. c. 1. Pet. 5. a to proue what hys grace and power maye doe For he hath nombred all the heares of our head that is he alwai hath hys eies vpon vs and careth euer for vs. Yea that he loueth vs more theÌ„ we loue oure selues and maketh better prouision for vs then we can wysh he hath openly and euidently testified in his own deare sonne Marke 16. c. Luke 22. c. whoÌ„ he caused to take our miserable nature vpon hym and therein for the synnes of all the world to suffer to dye to ryse agayne to ascende vp to heauen Acre 7. â— roma 8. â— Eph. 1 â–ª c. 4. Philip. 2. a Col. 3. a 1. Pet. 3. c Heb. 1. a 2 â— 10 b 12 a Psal 110 a where he sytteth at the right haÌ„d of god the father almyghtye Among the whych articles euerye one doth helpe and comfort such as are a dying The naturall sonne of god him selfe from heauen became a mortall man The humanâ—â—tie of Chryâ—â— to the intent that mans mortal nature thorowe the vnityng thereof with the immortall nature of the Godheade in hys owne onely person myght be exalted to an immortall lyfe He The passion of Chryst hauyng a natural feare of death said my soule is heuy eueÌ„ vnto the death He prayed also father if it be possible take thys cup from me But thys feare and terrour dyd he ouercome Math 26 â— Marke 14 â— Io 12 c Luke 22 â— for he addeth thereto and sayeth father not my wyll but thyne be fulfylled Thorowe thys victorye of Chryst maye al Chrystyans also ouercome such terrour and feare as they be in Item though the Iewes blaspheme neuer so muche and saye lette hym come downe from the crosse Math 27 Marke 14 d Luke 22 c he hath helped other lette hym nowe helpe hymselfe as though they woulde saye There there seyft the death like a wretche must thou dye and no man is able to helpe thee Yet dyd the lorde Iesus holde hys peace thereto as if he heard and saw them not He made no aunswere agayne but onely regarded the good wil and pleasure of his father Therfore though we haue an horrible temptacion of death as thoughe there were neyther comforte nor help for vs ani more yet in Christ and with Chryst we may endure all and wayte styll vpon the gracious good wyll of god He dyd not onely suffer the horrour and temptacyon of deathe but death it selfe yea the moste horryble death wherby he tooke from vs the death eternall and some deale mollified and swaged our temporall death yea besides thys he made it profytable and wholsome So that death 2 Cor 5 â— Phil 1 c roma 7 c Hebru 2 which of it selfe shoulde els be a beginning of euerlastyng sorowe is become an intraunce into eternall saluacyoÌ„ Accordyng to this meanyng are the wordes of Paul whaÌ„ he sayth that Chryst by the grace of god tasted death for all men Item he became partaker offlessh and bloud to put down thorowe death hym that had the lordshyp ouer death that is to say the deuyll and that he myghte delyuer them whyche thorowe feare of death were al theyr lyfe tyme in daunger of bondage Chrystes resurreccyon Moreouer that Chryst is the lyuing immortall ymage against death yea the very power of our resurreccyon and of lyfe euerlastyng he hymselfe hath testifyed wyth hys owne ioyefull and victoryous resurreccion also with that that in hys resurreccyon many other sayntes that were dead rose from death agayne Math 27 Agayne howe full is it of comforte and pure treasure that S. Paul ioyneth our resurreccioÌ„ vnseparably 1 Cor 15 to the resurreccyon of Iesus Christ Lykewyse doth S. Paul comforte hys disciple Timothy with the resurreccion and sayeth 2 Tim 2 â—om 6 b 8 b If we dye wyth Chryst we shall lyue wyth hym if we be pacyent we shal also reigne with hym Chrystes ascensyon No lesse must the frute of the
Chryst Therfore must we wyth draw our selues frō al creatures praying and desyryng all things at gods hande onely thorow the name of Iesu How oughte a man to call vpō god thorowe Chryste What is to call vpon god in Chryste Wyth belefe that we doubt not but oure prayer is heard already To such a fayth and confydence are we occasioned in that God hath commaunded vs to pray and promysed that he wyl graciouslye heare vs knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you ▪ c. For what thynge oughte we to make our prayer vnto god For the vnderstandīg of his word for remissiō of sinnes for increace of fayth for loue euen towardes our enemyes for helpe pacience comforte and all spiritual giftes To pray for health and long lyfe The moderacion of praier for temporal thynges is not vnryghte so farre as we cōmitte and referre it vnto the holy wyl of god For we can not make it better then the faithful father that knoweth best of all And to pray for a long lyfe is oft tymes nothyng els then to desyer to be kept long in miserye Esai 38. Good Ezechyas yet prayed wyth teares that he myght lyue for a season Chryst the most perfect ensāple of al did pray Father if it be possible take thys bitter draught fro me neuertheles not my wyll but thyne bee done Lyke as he nowe prayed thus the seconde and third time moste earnestlye So ought we also without ceassynge to cal vnto god Some appoynte god afore hande what death he must suffer them to dye But they doe best of all that prescrybe vnto the lord theyr god neyther fashyon of death nor tyme neyther other circumstaunce but referre al vnto him who knoweth what is profitable and good better then we ourselues Moreouer we must praye for wife and childe for frende and enemy and for the whole congregacion of the Chrystians that god may graciouslye take thē all into hys own proteccion Vnto praier belōgeth it also cherfulli to geue god thankes for all bodelye and gostly benefites ¶ The fourme of prayer The .32 Chapter Praier to god the father O Almightie euerlastynge god mercyful father of heauē thou hast created me after thyne owne image and endewed me wyth exceadyng plentiful giftes Confessyon Yet not wythstandyng all thy benefites I haue many and sondry wayes contemned and transgressed thy commaundementes All my dayes are passed foorth with greuous synnes I feare and flye from thee as from a righteous iudge Althys what soeuer it be I freelye knowledge and confes and am sory for it frō the ground of my heart Desyre of grace But O heauenly father I cry and call for thy large and great mercy O enter not with me into iudgemente remember not the synnes of my youth O thynke vpon me accordyng to thi mercye for thy names sake and for thy goodnes which hath ben from euerlastyng Vouchesafe to graunt me thy mercy which thou according to the contentes of the gospel hast promised and opened thorow thy beloued sōne in such sort that whoso beleueth on him shal haue euerlastyng lyfe Now is my belefe in Iesu Christ euen in the only redemer of the whole worlde I vtterly refuse all other comforte helpe and assistaunce and my hope is onely thorowe Chryste to haue pardon of my sinnes eternal life Thi wordes are trewe be it vnto me accordīg to thy wordes O let me enioye y◠passion and death of thyne onely begottē sonne Take for my sīnes the satysfaccion and paymente of our lord Iesus Chryste accordīg to the tenour of my belefe Of thys my fayth thou shalt thy selfe O Lord be wytnesse and al thine elect My last wil also shall it be vpon thy mercy to dy in this fayth Though I now by occasiō of pain lacke of reasō or thorowe tēptaciō should happen or would fall awaye suffer me not yet O lorde to sticke fast in vnbelefe blasphemy but helpe myne vnbelefe strength and increace my fayth that synne death the deuil and hel dooe me no harme Thou art strōger and mightier thē thei that is onely my trust and confydence O lord the flesh is feble vnpacient laye not thou my weakenes to mi charge but burne smit prycke and plage as thou wylte thy selfe Pacience and lowlynes is the signe of a Chrystyan only Ibesech the graūt me pacience and lowelynesse of mynde Be thou the strength of my soule in this farre iournei which I haue now to go in an vnknowē lande Now shewe thy selfe vnto my poore soule so as it may fele that thou art my refuge my help proteccyon defence comforte castel my sure stony rocke my safegarde my treasure prosperyte health and wellfare I yelde my selfe wholy vnto thee with soule and body let me neuer bee confounded Helpe also Prayer for the enemy o heauēly father that accordyng vnto thy cōmaundement I may loue myne enemyes and pray for them that haue hurte me Math 5. c roma 12 b. c. And bryng to pas thorowe thy holy sprete that all thei whō I haue done harme vnto may also forgeue me to the cōmoditie and health of their owne soules For it reweth me and sory I am that at any time I haue broken Christian loue and charytie and begiled desceaued or offēded any man wyth euill ensample or with to fewe benefites I besech the O lord thorow Iesus Christ forgeue thou all them that euer haue hurt me in thought worde or dede Praier for eueri man To thy faythfulnes and proteccion O dearest father I commit all that concerneth me speciallye wyfe children frendes all such as thou hast put vnder my gouernaunce Comfort and helpe thou all those that ly in bandes and ar persecuted for thy wordes sake Haue mercy vpon al such as are in prison pouertie sickenes and heuines O bring thou the whole world to the knowledge of thi holy word that they may liue accordyng to thy godly wyl and thorow out all troubles to endure continue styll in the Christiā faith O Lorde Iesu Chryste Praier to god the sonne I besech the thorowe thine owne merites haue mercye vpon me Seinge I my selfe can not make satisfaccion or sufficient amēdes towards the father for my synnes I laye thē vpō the in hope that thou haste already taken them awaye For thou hast payed that we ought oure woundes hast thou healed O increace thou in me and other men fayth pacyence and consolacion what aduersitie or trouble soeuer we be in Thou lord Iesu in thy passion diddest pray Father if it be possible let thys cup passe fro me neuertheles not my wyll but thine be done and that is my praier also Vpō the crosse that dydst pray Father forgeue thē Euē so lord forgeue I al those that euer haue done any thing agaīst me Thou didst cry my god my god why hast thou forsakē me O lorde forsake not thou me then in my deadlye trouble Vpon the crosse thou
neglected whan the body fayleth After thys meanynge dooeth holy Augustine earnestly threatē sayinge with this penaltye is a synner punished that whan he dieth he forgetteth hymselfe who in hys lyfe tyme thought not vpō God Therefore whyle a man is in his floures of health he ought in such sort to learne the comfortable sayinges of the gospel that in his trouble they may of themselues fall into hys mynde or if other men aduertise hym of thē he maye be the better aquaynted wyth them and haue them on his fyngers endes as them that he hath knowne exercised and vsed before Moreouer fayth wherby we ouercome death and hel hath her begynning increace and strēgth and is direct not only aboue but also agaynst al the naturall reasō of man that the infinite eternall god should frely of a very gracious fauour thorow his dear sōne take our part that are most greuous synners Therfore by tymes and in due season thorow the preachīg of the worde thorowe the prayer and sacrament should faith in vs be planted increaced practysed and made perfecte In the meane tyme as long as we lyue ought we to praye and beseche god of a gracious houre and blessed ende And whan the end draweth nye to put God in remembrance of the same prayer as wel as of his commaundemēt and promes in that he hath not only charged vs to pray but promised also that he wil graciouslie heare vs. Oh moste gracious god geue vs grace to doe thys wyth vnfayned heartes to put it in practise Dailie ought we to haue remorce of conscience where as we haue failed to repent and be sorye to craue of God forgeuenes and to take vpon vs immediatlye to amende al such thynges as are amisse For in the sight of god it is a thousande tymes more acceptable to ceasse from euil by tyme in due seasō afore trouble come thē that presente daunger and feare should force vs to amendmente He that is fallen into a depe foggy wel and sticketh fast in it wil he not strayght way call vnto euery mā to helpe hym out one way or other Wyll he not make a soremone howsoeuer men hast to delyuer hym Out of doubt he that goeth aboue with synne and vice hangeth by a bare weake threade so to saye aboue the pit of hell yea he is now in hel alreadi forasmuch as he turneth not from sīne to the grace of god Then muste it nedes bee an horrible deuelysh and obstinate blindnesse whan one sticketh faste in suche a state of lyfe as is altogether cursed and yet wyl appoint a day a greate whyle hence for to come and therein thynke to begynne to geue the deuyll hys leaue whē he knoweth not himselfe whether he shall lyue tyll that daye and whether he shall then haue a mynde to conuerte For to haue a wyll vnto true repentaunce is a free gyfte of god whyche oughte of hym daylye to bee desyred that the commen prouerbe bee not verified in vs vicious lyfe vnhappye death he that wil lye wel and softe muste make hys bed thereafter Yet for al thys it is not my mynd to shut vp the grace of god into a narow strayte or to byd any manne dispaire Whā an euil disposed mā that feareth not god lyeth vpon hys death bed beyng afrayed of hel and damnacyon he may happen to desyer of god longer lyfe for thys intente that he mai afterwarde amende beecome a better man and more directed to dye But let not such vayn thoughtes trouble thee For though thou shouldest lyue yet an hundreth yeares longer thou mighteste thorowe thyne own perfectnesse deserue nothyng towardes god But bee thou of thys assured wythout all doubt that there can no true repentaunt come to late Turne thee yet euen thys present daye vnto god be hartely and vnfaynedlye sory for thy synnes be of a good mynd and whole purpose that if god help thee vp agayne thou wyle amende al thyngs Neuertheles comforte thy selfe by that onelye meane whyche God hath prescrybed namely the Lorde Iesus So shalte thou bee sure with the murthurer vpon the crosse to haue gracyous fauoure for euer ¶ The seconde booke of death ¶ Howe the sicke oughte to be spoken vnto yf nede shall require The .1 Chapter HEtherto haue we declared how one oughte to vse hymselfe in the daungers of body and lyfe Now foloweth how we shuld behaue our selfes towards them that be in lyke case Hereof hath dauid sung these wordes in the .40 Psalme blessed is he that considereth or thynketh vpon the poore for in the tyme of trouble the Lorde shal delyuer him The Lord shall preserue him and saue hys lyfe he shall make hym prosper vpon earth and shal not delyuer hym into the wyll of hys enemyes Whan he hymselfe lyeth sycke vpon hys bedde the Lord shall refreshe hym Yea thou lord makest hys bed in al his sicknes Item he that is iudge of vs all shall at the latter daye pronounce thys sentence come ye blessed of my father possesse the kingdom that hath been prepared for you from the beginning of the world For I was sick ye visited me O what a wicked vnbelef is thys that we ar more afraid at a litle aduersite vncertaine daūger then encouraged by suche a Godly sure and faythfull promes Therfore among the greateste workes of mercy thys is rekened to visite the sicke to haue compassion on them to geue them good counsayll and to comforte them Which thyng must be done with reason and discrecyon to the intente that neyther to litle nor to muche be medled withall To litle were it to cause the sicke styll to beleue that he shall shortlye come vp agayne and recouer For such fonde hope haue men already of theyr owne nature and thereby sometime they ouer see thēselues Agayne it were to muche to deale roughly wyth one that is weake of fayth and sodenlye to feare hym wyth death that were euen as much as to breake the brused rede Esay 42. Math. 12. and vtterlye to quenche the smokyng flax contrary to the ensample of Chryst our Lorde A whole instruccyon oughte to be geuē vnto such sicke persōs as haue nede therof to make thē strong and wiling vnto the crosse and death And so should they also be put in mynde what deathe is whence it came and wherfore what it doeth thorowe the grace of god for Christs sake bi whose sprete and power the most horrible death of all is ouercome Her of is spoken sufficīentlye in the Chapters goyng before Out of the whych foundaciō it maye thus be spoken vnto the sycke thou hast the almighty god thy deare father Iesus Christe thyne intercessour and sauioure who hath taken all thy cause in hande let hym alone wythall he wyll not suffer the to perysh but geue thee hys holy sprete which shall conducte thee into eternall ioye and saluacion Onely direct thou thy selfe euen nowe at thys presente and prepare thee to
Examples of gods helpe folio 88 ☞ The .24 Chapter ☞ That it is necessari to prepare for thys iourney folio 90 ☞ The .25 Chapter ☞ Prouision concernyng temporal goodes chyldren and frēdes whyche muste be lefte behynde folio 92 ☞ The .26 Chapter ☞ Preparacion concerning gostly maters wyth what cogitaciō◠the mynde oughte moste to be exercysed folio 97 ☞ The .27 Chapter ☞ Of repentaunce and sorowe for synne folio 102 ☞ The .28 Chapter ☞ Of trewe fayth folio 103 ☞ The 29. Chapter ☞ Of hope folio 116 ☞ The .30 Chapter ☞ Of the sacramentes fol. 117 ☞ The .31 Chapter ☞ Of prayer folio 120 ☞ The .32 Chapter ☞ The forme of prayer fo 124 ☞ The .33 Chapter ☞ A forme of prayse and thākesgeuyng folio 130 ☞ The .34 Chapter ☞ That the prayer is harde fol. 133 ☞ The .35 Chapter ☞ That the word of god is to be practised and vsed fol. 134. ☞ The .36 Chapter ☞ Amendment of lyfe necessarye foli 136 ☞ The .37 Chapter ¶ Exhortacion vnto pacyence folio 139 ☞ The .38 Chapter * The original and frute of pacyence folio 145 * The .39 Chapter * That a man whyle he is yet in health ought to prepare himself afore hande folio 147 * The .40 Chapter * That the foresaid things ought by tyme and in due season to bee taken in hande fol. 155 ¶ The contentes of the seconde booke * The .1 Chapter * How the sicke oughte to be spoken vnto if nede shall require folio 164 * The .2 Chapter * Of the buriall and what is to be done towardes those that are departed hence folio 180 ¶ The contentes of the thirde boke * The .1 Chapter * How they oughte to be comforted whose deare frendes are dead foli 186. * The .2 Chapter * That vnto such as dye it is profitable to depart out of this lyfe foli 195 * The .3 Chapter * What profit the death of frēds bryngeth to such as are lefte behynde alyue foli 204 * The .4 Chapter * Companions that suffer like heuines of hart folio 212 * The .5 Chapter * Thorowe gods helpe all hearte sorowes are eased fol. 214 * The .6 Chapter * We muste furnyshe oure selues wyth prayer and pacience folio 217 * The .7 Chapter * Ensamples of pacience in lyke case folio 222. The .8 Chapter * The commoditie of pacience folio 228 The .9 Chapter We oughte so to loue our children and frendes that we maye forsake them folio 231 The .10 Chapter * Of the death of yonge persons in especiall folio 234 * The .11 Chapter * Of the death of the aged fo 24◠* The .12 Chapter * Of straunge death fo 244 The firste boke of death declarynge what death is ¶ The .i. Chapter HOly scripture makethe mencion of foure maner of deathes and lyues 1. The firste is called a naturall lyfe so longe as the soule remayneth with the bodye vpon earth The naturall death is it that separateth the soule from the body 2. The seconde is a spirituall vnhappye death here in tyme of lyfe whan the grace of God for our wyckednesse sake is departed from vs by meanes wherof we were deed frō the Lorde our God and from all goodnes allthoughe as yet we haue the lyfe natural Cōtrary vnto this there is a gostly blessed lyfe whā we thorowe the grace of the Lorde our God lyue vnto hym and to all goodnesse Ephe. 2. Hereof wryteth Paull after thys maner God whych is riche in mercy thorow hys great loue wherewyth he loued vs euen whan we were ded in synnes hath quickened vs together in Christ 3. The thirde is a gostly blessed death here in tyme whan the fleshe beyng euer the longer the more separated from the spirite dyeth away from hys own wycked nature Contrari hereunto is there a gostli vnhappy life whā the fleshe wyth hys wycked disposicion continuallye breakethe forth and liueth in al wilfulnes Agaynst thys doth Paul exhort vs saying Collossiās Mortyfye therefore your members whyche are vpon earth fornicacion vnclennesse vnnatural lust euil concupiscēce couetousnes c. 4. The fourth that the scripture maketh mencyon of is an euerlastyng lyfe an euerlasting death Not that the bodi soule of man shall after thys tyme lose their substaunce and be vtterlye nomore For we beleue vndoubtedly that our soule is immortal and that euen thys present body shal arise againe But forasmuch as we our selues graunt that life is swete death a bitter herbe thys word lyfe by a figuratiue speche is vsed for mirth and ioy Thys worde death for heuines and sorowe Therefore eternall lyfe is called eternall ioye and eternall death eternall damnaciō Of these manyfolde deathes haue we commenlye a peruerse iudgement We abhorre the death of the body and hast on a pace to the vnhappy gostli death which yet in it self is a thousand times more terrible then any death corporall For whan a man delyteth in hys owne wyckednes though as yet he lyue vpon the earth he is neuertheles dead before god and the soule must continew stil damned for euermore In thys boke my handelynge is of naturall death which beefore our eyes semeth to be an vtter destruccion and that there is no remedy wyth the dead euen as whan a dogge or horse dieth and that god hath nomor respect vnto them Yea the world swimmeth ful of such vngodly people as haue none other meanynge Els doubtles woulde they beehaue themselues otherwyse towardes god Death vereli is not a destruccion of man but a delyueraunce of bodi soule Where as the soule beeyng of it selfe immortall dooeth eyther out of the mouth ascende vp into heauen or els from the mouth descēdeth into the pit of hel The body losyng hys substaunce tyll domes daye shall than by the power of god bee raysed from death and ioyned agayne to the soule that afterwarde the whole man with body and soule maye eternallye inherite either saluacion or els damnacyon ¶ That the time of death is vncertayne The .2 Chapter THe body of mā is a very frayle thyng Sickenesse maye consume it wylde beastes may deuoure it the fyer may burne it the water maye drowne it the ayer may infect it a snare maye choke it the prickyng of a pynne maye destroye it Therefore whan hys temporall lyfe shall ende he can not tell The principall cause why we knowe not the tyme of death is euen the grace of god to the intēt that we by no occasiō should lynger the amendemente of oure lyues vntill age but alway feare god Luke 12. as though we should dye to morowe But assone as the houre commeth no man shall ouerleape it Hereof speaketh Iob Iob. 14. whan he sayeth that god hath appointed vnto man hys bondes which he cannot goe beyonde ¶ That it is God which hath layed the burden of death vpon vs. The .3 Chapter IT becommeth all Christians not only to suffer
valeaunt worthi and victorious man that sayd bee of good comforte I haue ouercome the world That is to say sine deth deuyll hell and whatsoeuer cleaueth to the world And verely verely Iohn 6. he that beleueth and putteth hys trust in me hath eternal life Wyth the whyche wordes the same deare valeaunt worthy and victorious man doth applye also vnto me his victory and power With him will I continew and kepe me to hys worde and comforte whether I lyue longer or must dy Here ought we perfectly to be sure that the greater the battayll of death is the nerer is Iesus Christ to crown vs with mercy and louing kindnes Euident ensamples out of the new and olde testament Paul reioyseth and bosteth agaynste the terrour of death Death is swalowed vp in victory Death 1. Cor. 15. where is thy victory Hel where is thy styng As though he wold say To the faytâ—â—full death is a comforte O death thou mayest wel make one afrayed as a death image of wood maye doe but to deuoure thou hast no myghte For thy victorye stynge and power is swalowed vp in the victory of Chryste And thorow Iesus Christ our lord hath god geueÌ„ vs the victory agaynst thee so that all true faythfull Christians are become lordes ouer death hell Out of suche a fayth is Paul not afrayed to say Whether we liue or dye Roma 14. we are the lordes And agayne thus he speaketh exceadyng comfortably Chryste is to me lyfe Philip. 1. Oh that these wordes were printed in our hartes and death is to me aduauntage For hereby goe we froÌ„ labour to rest from shame to honoure from heuynes to ioye froÌ„ death to lyfe 1. Iohn 5. We knowe that we are translated froÌ„ death vnto life Though I walke in the valey of the shadowe of death Psal 23. yet feare I no euyll for thou lord god arte with me Vnbelefe Therfore let them feare death that know not Christ neither beleue in hym euen suche as from temporal death passe vnto death euerlastynge For God geuethe charge and coÌ„maundement that we shoulde receaue coumforte in the lord Iesu as the words souÌ„d be of good comforte How god 〈◊〉 blasphemed by our fear of death I haue ouercome the world Whoso now wil not be comforted wyth the lorde Iesu doth vnto god the father the sonne the greatest dishonour as though it were false that he byddeth vs be of a good comforte as though it wer not true that he hath ouercome the worlde The fearer oâ— death armeâ—â— the deuyll agaynst hymselfe And by this whereas the deuil sinne and death is ouercome alreadye we strengthen them to bee oure own tirannes againste the faythfull true sauiour Trust in ouâ— own streÌ„gtâ— is the way to desperacyon Hereof procede such wordes as these I wote not how to endure and abyde it alas what shal be come of me What is that els but to haue respect vnto our owne strengthe as thoughe Chryst were not at hande to take our part and to fynish the matter Item thorowe vnbelefe a man desyreth to remayne here longer whether god be content with all or no. In the sight of the worlde he is taken to bee no honeste man that vily forsaketh hys bodelye master doth not be then procure vnto hymselfe euerlastyng shame that in trouble of death pyketh hymselfe away from Chryst the heaueÌ„ly master Witnes he that beleueth not Mark 16. Iohn 3. shal be damned He that beleueth not on the sonne of god shal not see lyfe but the wrath of god abydeth on hym ¶ Of hope The .29 Chapter The worke streÌ„gth of the lyuely fayth FAyth though it be no greater then a litle sparke gendreth hope which loketh and wayteth for the deliueraunce to come and shall vndoubtedlye not come to confusion Committe thy cause vnto the lord hope vpoÌ„ hym Psal 37. and he full wel shal bryng it to passe Ipse faciet he hymselfe wyll be the doer The good Patriarck Abraham is set forth vnto vs for an ensample of fayth and hope Like as he hoped against hope that is to say there as nothyng was to hope euen so must our hope stande fast and sure agaynst al that our own naturall reason or the wycked enemye can obiect or cast in oure waye ¶ Of the Sacramentes The .30 Chapter TO the confirmacioÌ„ of faith and hope serue the holye sacramentes of baptisme and of the supper of the Lord. The vse or frute of Baptime Baptime is an vndoubted true token and euideÌ„ce of the grace of god fastened eueÌ„ vpon the bodi wyth the which god promyseth byndeth himselfe that he wil be thy god father for hys sonnes sake and wyl also preserue the with hys owne sprete in thy greateste parels for euermore The sacramente of the body bloud of Chryst muste be exercysed and practised The place of the supper and persons onely in the commyng together of the whole congregacion and church according to the ensample of the Apostles Therfore let the sycke satisfy him selfe with the generall breakinge of bread whereof he was partaker wyth the whole congregacioÌ„ But let hym diligently consyder the frute therof after this maner The frute of the supper god hath promysed me his grace in Christ and geueÌ„ me an assured token from heauen in thys sacrament that Chrystes lyfe hath in hys death ouercome my death that hys obedyence in hys passioÌ„ hath destroyed my synnes Thys godly promes token and euideÌ„ce of my saluacyoÌ„ shal not disceaue me I wyll not suffer thys to bee taken fro me to dy for it I wil rather deny al the world my selfe also then to doubt in gods token and promes Here the deuyl teÌ„pteth a man to say yea but thorow my vnworthynes I may spil the giftes of god that are offered me by the worde token and so bee spoyled of thesame for euer Our worthynes to communicate Answere God geueth thee nothynge for thyne own worthynes sake yea he buyldeth thee vnworthy vpon the worthynes of his owne sonne If thou beleue on the soÌ„ne of god thou art and continueste worthy before the face of god Item forasmuche as thou hast gone heretofore vnto the supper of the lord thou art thorowe the same sacrameÌ„t incorporated and conioyned wyth al them that are sanctified in god and art already come in to the feloweshyp of the sainctes so that they with thee in Chryst dye and ouercome Of prayer The .31 Chapter NO man shoulde presume to exercyse fayth hope or other spiritual giftes out of his owne power but humbly to prai vnto god for all suche thynges Oure sufficiency is from god as are nedeful And seing we haue nede of one mediatour and aduocate god hath geuen vs hys sonne Iesus Christ Neither is ani of our prayers acceptable vnto god Hebru 1â— but such as we offer thorowe Iesus
saidst into thī handes I commende my sprete Euen so now lord commende I my poore soule into thy handes O thou holy sprete Praier to god the holy gost Great is the anguish and distresse of my hert haue mercye vpon me for Iesus Christes sake I am afflicted so are many moe O vouchsafe thou to illuminate comfort strēgthē me and them vnto al goodnes cōuey thou and bryng vs out of all trouble and fayle vs not neither forsake vs for euermore Amen ¶ A fourme of prayse and thankes geuyng The .33 Chapter Thankes geuyng to god the father O Almightie eternal merciful god and father I laude and prayse the that thou hast created me a reasonable man and as a father haste preserued me to thys houre keping me from great daūgers euer sithens I was borne doing me more good then euer I was or am worthy Specyally I geue thee thankes for thy endles grace whiche thou shewest vnto me and all faythfull thorowe thy moste deare beloued sonne In that he for my synnes would be tempted so many wayes and suffer so vyle a death to the intente that I from hence forth myght be assured of faythfull assistaunce Magnified and blessed be thy name that thou sufferest me not to dye wythout knoweledge of the holy gospell I thanke thee also dearest father that thou visiting me wyth thys syckenes and daunger doest not forgette me For in the meane season also thou comfortest fortest and helpest and full graciously shalt thou bryng the matter to an ende Thankesgeuing to the sonne Honour prayse and thankes be vnto thee my most deare lord Iesu Christ for thy holy incarnacion for thy martirdom and bytter passyon wherby I am perfectly assured that thou art my redemer and Sauiour Vpon that onely set I my building thither warde standeth my hope there wil I be founde Rom. 6. b. rom 8. b. 2. Timo. 2. b Cherefully and gladli with thy helpe wil I depart hēce trustyng that as I am partaker of thi troubles so shall I also haue my part in thy euerlastyng glorye Namely that at the last daye thou shalt raise vp this my poore mortall body takyng my soule vnto thee immediatly at my departing hence Thankesgeuing to the holi goost O the holy sprete I rēder vn to the prayse and thākes for the true vnderstandyng belefe comfort pacience al giftes whiche thou graciously doest minister geue by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ That the praier is harde The .34 Chapter HEre vnto serue al psalmes of prayer and thankesgeuing Howbeit whatsoeuer cōcerneth prayer it is all cōprehended with few wordes in the holy pater noster if it be diligētly earnestly considered Notwithstādyng no Christian prayer can be done in vayne that it should not be faythfully heard God sayth Psal 91. He hath a desier vnto me and I wyl deliuer him Whan he calleth vpō me I shal heare hym yea I am with him in his trouble whereoute I wyll delyuer hym and bring him to honour He knoweth my name therfore wil I defende hym Wyth longe lyfe wyll I satisfye hym and shewe hym my saluaciō Yea the whole psalter is ful of such cōfortable promyses Luke 23. d. Ensample if thou pray with the murtherer vpō the crosse that Chryst wil remember thee in his kyngdome thou shalte also in thy heart he are the gracyous comfort thys day shalt thou be wyth me in paradyse Neuertheles whosoeuer is in trouble heuines or aduersitie ought earnestly to desyer the intercessions prayers of faythfull beleuers ¶ That the word of God oughte to bee practysed and vsed The .35 Chapter FArthermore he ought alwaye to haue gods word before his eyes and feruētly to exercise him selfe therin For wheras he faythfully calleth vnto god he dooeth it vpon hys worde and in the word of god he is taughte howe to behaue himselfe towardes al what soeuer commeth in his waye If a man now can not geue hymselfe true informacion out of the holye scripture whether it be cōcernīg synnes committed or other tēptacyons then ought he to aske counsayll of hys learned soule shepeheard or of some other mē of godly vnderstandyng The lord saith not for naught My shepe heare my voice and I know them Iohn 10. and they folowe me and I geue thē eternall lyfe and they shal neuer peryshe ¶ Amendement of lyfe necessarye The .36 Chapter THe trewe faith bryngeth wyth it naturally a stedfast purpose to liue from hence forth accordyng vnto all the cōmaundemēts of god Chryst lykewise exhorteth euery man rightly to exercise and well to vse the giftes of god Hereof bryngeth he in a parable A certayn man taking a iourney into a straunge countrye Math. 25. called his seruauntes and deliuered vnto thē his goodes And vnto on he gaue fiue talētes to another two and to the third one c. Vpon the same doth the lorde appointe the faythful seruaunt his reward and punysheth the slougish and euil seruaunt The righteousnes of faith cōprehēdeth the feare of god loue of thy neyghbour pacience all vertue Of thys feare Prou. 14. it is wrytten The feare of god is a foūtain of lyfe to auoyde the snares of death Neyghbourly loue doeth first and principalli require that we frendlye and vnfeynedlye for gods sake forgeue all them that euer haue offended vs and again to vndertake as much as lieth in vs to reconcyle al our enemyes Then dooeth charitie require to geue almes to comforte the heuy hearted and to practyse al works of mercy and loke who hath done the good in thi sicknes it is requisite that thou geue them thankes Among benefites this is not the lest whan one moueth and exhorteth another to kepe himselfe frō al filthines As for bodeli thīgs the sycke shoulde dyspatche thē wyth fewe woordes but such as concerne nourtour honesty the fear of god safegard in hym and the homage which is due vnto hym that ought to be done with more deliberacyon For loke what one speaketh at the poynt of death the same goeth deper to the hearte of such as heare it partly because it cannot be thought that a mā on hys death bed beyng in greatest trouble wyl vse ipocrisye or dissemble partly for that whan the soule begynneth to be discharged of the bodi it oft times sheweth some token of the fredome ioy wyth the which it shall euē now forthwith be perfectly endewed Ensample the deare worthy patriarkes in the olde testament before theyr departyng out of thys lyfe sent and called for theyr children and other folkes instructīg and exhortyng them to submitte themselues vnto the law of god and diligently to walke therein How faythfully dyd Mathathias at hys death 1 Mach. ◠speake to his noble sonnes comfortyng them out of gods worde agaynst all theyr enemyes Exhortacyon vnto pacyence The .37 Chapter FInally we can not doe better than wyth gods helpe beeyng pacient in all aduersitie and stedfast
in al temptacions most gently and mekely to geue ouer oure wils into the wil of god I spake not of such a pacience valeauÌ„tnes as vtterly to fele no more terrour of death For that is a verye blockishe vnsensiblenes of wylde madde barbarous people but al suche feblenes as is felte must a ChristeÌ„ man ouercome and with faythful confidence vpon the grace of god cherefully steppe foorthe before the eyes of death In the passion and death of Chryst we haue a perfecte ensample not onli of pacience but also of eueri other thyng that hitherto is written concerning preparacion vnto death 1. Cor. 1. Colossi 2. For he is geueÌ„ vnto vs of god not only to be oure redempcyon but also to be vnto vs wysedom wherby we must learne al that is necessary for our health The seuen words that the lord spake vpon the crosse are specyally to be pondered weied and consydered The first father forgeue theÌ„ for they wote not what they doe The seconde woman loe there is thy sonne The thyrde thys daye shalte thou be wyth me in paradyse The fourth my god my God why hast thou forsaken me The fift I am a thirst The sixt It is fynished The seuenth Father into thy handes I commende my sprete Thorowe the knowledge of Iesus Chryst Ensamples of saynctes dyd all holye fathers and seruauntes of god in the olde and new testament geue ouer theÌ„selues wyllyngly vnto death the waye of al fleshe Luke 2. Holy Simeon sayth lord now lettest thou thy seruaunt depart in peace accordyng to thy word For mine eyes haue seen thy saluacyon whyche thou haste prepared beefore the face of al people c. Seeyinge than that euerye faythfull Christian A lesson to learne to dye dooeth no lesse see Chryst with the eyes of his heart he ought with prayse and thankes to saye forasmuche as I am assured and doe constaÌ„tly beleue that I am redemed and deliuered by Iesus Chryste and not destroyed but onelye chaunged thorowe the death of the body I am ryght wyllyng and wel contente to departe hence and to dye whan soeuer nowe it shall please the lord my god The murtherer vpon the crosse dyd wyllingly suffer the death that he had deserued and so he obteyned the euerlastyng tryumphe of a Martyr Actes 7. Holy Steuen was content to suffer the fearce crueltye of the enemyes for in hys laste trouble he kneled downe and cryed wyth a loude voyce Lord Iesu receaue my sprete lord lay not this sinne to their charge Philip. 1 Paul the chosen vessel of god speaketh thus very comfortably My desyer is to bee loosed to departe hence out of misery and to be wyth Chryst whyche thynge is best of all for Chryst is to me lyfe and death is to me aduauntage These and such noble ensamples of other holi martirs should by reason prouoke vs feble sluggishe Christians to bee the more hardy and stoute and to thynke thus well goe to Thou haste as yet suffered no great thyng for the lord Christes sake therfore now eueÌ„ as a lambe geue ouer thy self cherefullye vnto death for hys names sake Thou haste daylye made thy prayer Prayer requireth pacieÌ„ce as Chryste hath taughte thee that god wyll take thee oute of thys wycked worlde into hys kyngedome Mathe. 6. and that his wyll be done Now if he wyll gracyously conuey thee into his kingdom thou oughtest froÌ„ the botome of thy heart to reioyse and as hys owne chylde willinglye to obeye them Forasmuch as the famous heathen man Socrates being before the seate of iudgement where the mater touched his body and life desyred no aduocate neyther submitted hymselfe to the Iudges but valeauntly disputed beefore them and proued that there is no euil in death It should sound very euil If we which oute of the infallible worde of God are instructed coÌ„cernyng a better lif shoulde forsake thys lyfe of misery with les pacieÌ„ce and with more vnquietnes of mind theÌ„ dyd the heathen maÌ„ The original and fruyte of pacyence The .38 Chapter TO the inteÌ„t that the feblenes of our nature which quaketh at death as at a thyng terrible may shew ChristiaÌ„ pacieÌ„ce we must cleaue vnto Iesus Chryste wyth true fayth which shal warme our hartes to haue a loue and desyre after the heauenly glori and euerlastyng saluacion Yea rather to lose an hundreth bodies if it wer possible then to bee destitute of the holy gospell wherby we are assured of deliuerauÌ„ce from siÌ„ne deuil hel by meanes of the bloud shedding of Iesus Chryste VnpacieÌ„t folkes grudge against god pouryng out al vnthankefulnes for that they wer not created immortal and so imagen thei in theÌ„selues a terrible cruell god Gene. 13. b roman 4. Galathi 3. a. Gene. 12. c 10. a. .26 a. b Yea al maner of vices grow oute of impaciency Abraham who other wyse is set forth for an ensaÌ„ple of fayth and ryghteousnesse fearyng death to sore synned greuously denying Sara to be hys wyfe Note thys wel What ChristeÌ„ hart can read this withoute â—eares In these later dayes the more pitie god bee mercyful vnto vs it is become a commen thynge for feare of death to cary the true belefe only in hart secret outwardely to deny the holi gospel with mouth behauour gesture to serue Antichrist ¶ That a man whyle he is yet in health oughte to prepare hymselfe afore hande The .39 Chapter THis preparacion ought no man to lynger or dyffer tyll another tyme thoughe he beeÌ„ neuer so whole and sounde but euery one forthwyth and dayly to begynne to make hymself for death to the intente that at all houres he maye be founde ready Lyke as a stoute and valeaunte souldier whan he muste bee vp and fyght wyth the enemyes ouerslepeth not hym selfe but kepeth hys standyng and hath his weapons and harnes alreadye vpon hym so muche more oughte we ChristiaÌ„s at al tymes to wait vpon our heaueÌ„ly captayne whaÌ„ he bloweth the trompe that we mai be readi to pas forth with him Let your loynes be girded about and your lyghtes brennyng Luke 12. and ye your selues lyke vnto me that wayte for theyr master whan he wyll returne from the weddyng that assone as he commeth and knocketh they may opeÌ„ vnto him immediatly Happy are those seruauntes whom the lord whaÌ„ he commeth shal fynde wakinge Wyth thys similitude doethe Chryst exhorte euery man that at all tymes we prepare our selues agaynst his comminge whan he knocketh thorowe sycknes and other dauÌ„gers whan he calleth vs out of thys lyfe and whan he shal come agayne out of hys heaueÌ„ly palace to iudge the lyuiÌ„g and the dead The ryghte preparacyon is true faith feruent loue and charitie the cleare shyne of al vertues and specially a gentle wyllynge mynde to open vnto the lord to let hym in and with him to passe forth into hys royal and matrimonial palace of the euerlastyng ioifull kyngdome
for the vnspeakable grace of god wyth exhortacyō to forgeue hys enemyes to doe euery man good accordyng to hys power in euery point to amend his own lyfe and conuersacyon but specyally wyth a pacyente gentle quiete and good wyllyng mynde to wayte for delyueraunce Namly thou mayst say thus Take vp thy crosse vpō thy necke pacyentlye and folowe Chryst thy Lorde Remember and beholde Chryste hangynge in great Martyrdome vpon the crosse He suffered pacyently vntyll hys fathers wyll was fulfylled in him Euen so thou also holde styll vnto the Lorde thy god that he maye perfourme hys wyl in the if it be hys good pleasure now to take the stinkīg transitory fleshe from thee to purifie it and to make an eternall gloryfyed body of it thou haste great cause to reioyes At the pointe of death Whan the sick is drawynge a way and specheles hauynge yet vnderstandyng thou maist speke vnto hym these wordes fyght valiauntly as a worthy Christian dispayer not be not afrayed of the rigorous iudgement of god hold thee faste to the comfortable promes of Chryst there as he sayth I am the resurreccion and the lyfe He that beleueth on me shal liue though he were dead and whoso lyueth and beleueth on me shall neuer dye In hym is thy belefe ▪ therfore shalt thou liue with him for euer Chryst thy sauiour shall neuer forsake thee There can no man plucke thee out of hys hand Iohn 10. Heauen an earth shall passe but gods worde endureth for euer Haue thou therefore no doubte Luke 21. thou shalt after thys batayll receaue the crowne of euerlastynge lyfe Aske now the mā whether he vnderstande and beleue desyer a token of hym and crye vnto hym fayer and softly good brother vpon thy soules health depart not shrencke not awaye from Iesus Chryst committe thy soule vnto thy faythfull god and louyng father Speake from thy heart rote wyth Chryst thy brother vpō the crosse Father into thy handes into thy proteccyon and defence I commit my sprete Whan hys vnderstandyng is paste committe hym vnto god Make thy prayer alone or wyth others that god wyll take thys sicke man into eternall lyfe and graunte hym a ioyfull resurreccion at the laste daye onely for the Lorde Iesus Chrystes sake Amen ¶ Of the buryall and what is to be done towards those that are departed hence The .2 Chapter THe soule of the dead assone as it is departed frō hence cōmeth into a state there as prayers if one woulde make thē for him afterward haue no place and ar eyther vnprofitable or els vayn yea offēsyue also and hinderāce to our Chrystyan belefe The body of hym that is departed ought reuerently and soberly to bee conducted vnto the earth and buryed For that is the last seruice that we can dooe for suche as are departed and therbi mai we declare our charitable loue towardes them In the meane season whan we reuerently commit the body as the wheat corn vnto the earth we testifie our belefe of the resurrecciō for to come The scripture also commendeth those that faythfully wyll haue to doe wyth burying of the dead after the ensample of Tobias Of misordring the bodies of the dead wryteth Plato the heithen Philosopher Lib. 7. De repub Is it not a bonde gredye and voluptuous thyng to spoyle the deade coarse and to rage againste the bodye as an enemy whan the enemy that fought in the body is departed awaye What differre they frō dogges which bite the stone that is caste at them and let hym goe fre that cast it There is no dyfferēce Of such points ought we to be ware for they bryng hurt vnto victory Of gorgeous graues and sepulcres it is wrytten in the Poete Euripides mennes myndes are mad whan they beestowe vayne cost vpon dead bodyes For if we consider the matter ryght we must nedes greatly meruaill that euer a man should fall into suche a frēsy as to vse pryde after death Touchyng the place of Burial it is to be noted that by such ordinary meanes as be permitted vs we are bounde to auoyde sicknes and all hurt Now out of graues there come naturalli euil sauours or vapours which alter chaung the ayer and increase the disease of the pestilence whā the church yarde or place of burial standeth in the myddes of Cities or townes Therfore both the Iewes heathē and Christians were wonte to haue theyr Burials wythout the Cities For what tyme as Christe raysed the wedowes sonne from death the Euangelist saieth Whā he came nye vnto the gate of the Citie beholde there was caryed out one dead who was the only sonne of hys mother Luke 7. she beeyng a wedowe and much people of the Citie wyth her Moreouer the sepulcre of our Lorde Iesu Chryst was wythout the Citie But the Pope and hys adherentes wyth theyr money market found here a treasure bagge otherwise perswadyng the people as though to lye here or there dyd further or hynder saluacyon Afterwarde let the dead rest quietly no euill beyng spoken of them of malice but good Good counsayll though they were our enmyes of malice I say for otherwyse muste vyce and synne aswel of the dead as of the liuing be declared and rebuked that others may beware The olde Poete Mimnermus wryteth we al are enclyned to enuye an excellent famous mā but after death to prayse hym Therfore doe they not onely agaynste Christiā charitie but also agaīst mans nature that disdayne to geue vnto the dead theyr due prayse and commendacyon Specially whā one that hath shewed vs frendshype and kindnes is departed we oughte neuer to forget hys benefytes but to declare our thankfulnes to his kynsfolkes or frendes But if we cary the remembraunce of them to the graue and bury it with the coarse thynkīg nomore vpō their gentlenes Then are we like vnto wilde beastes that are hote and burnyng in desyer but assone as the thyng desyred is out of sight the loue is quenched Herof cōplayneth the Poete Euripides seldome are there founde faithful constaunte frendes after death thoughe afore tyme they were ioyned neuer so nere together The thankfulnes that is shewed to him that is presēt passeth away and vanisheth whan one is caryed out of the house The third booke of death How they oughte to bee comforted whose deare frendes are deade ¶ The .1 Chapter NAturallye we mourne wepe and lament whan our kynsfolkes frēdes departe Whan father mother dyeth the sonne and the daughter remēbreth howe many a fote step the elders went faythfully and worthely to prouide them their liuinge yea if it had been possible they woulde haue shewed the chylde theyr owne soule and geuen them the hearte in theyr body Againe the parentes consider howe good obediente chyldren they haue had of theyr sonnes or daughters and what honoure and ioyefulnesse more thei might haue had of theyr chyldrē if they should haue lyued longer The sisters and brothers remember
depart geuyng all temporal things ther leaue hauyng a ryght vnderstandyng of the holy gospell and exercising the true belef therof by feruente prayer charitable loue and pacyence Turne thee for gods sake froÌ„ all creatures to the creator and maker turne thee from wyfe and chylde turne thee from temporal goods and honour consyderyng that none of them can helpe the neyther from siÌ„ne nor froÌ„ death All that thou leauest behynd the the lord accordyng to his almighty prouideÌ„ce shal wel and fatherli take care for theÌ„ He that hath created thy wyfe and children shal also prouide them a lyuing as he hath sente vnto thee al thyngs necessary eueÌ„ vnto thys houre Afterwarde ought not the minde of the sick to be disturbed or pointed hether thether vp down as the more pitie they vse to do in the Papistry but onelye vnto God the father thorowe Iesus Chryst accordyng to the coÌ„teÌ„tes of the whole ghospell after thys meanyng The spirituall comfortâ—â— Doest thou beleue and confes from the grounde of thy heart that there is but one onely god who hath geuen thee bodye and soule meate and drynke lodgyng and clothyng with al other necessaryes graciously helped thee out of many greuous mischaÌ„ces and miseryes The sicke Then lette the syck say yea that I knoweledge and confesse Doest thou also confesse The coÌ„forteâ— that thou oughtest aboue al thynges to haue feared and worshypped this thy gracyousse maker and father and to haue loued hym wyth al thy heart with al thy soule wyth al thy streÌ„gth and for his sake thy neyghboure also as thy selfe Hath not god deserued that at thy hande The sicke Then let hym saye O Lorde god I shoulde in dede haue done so The comforter Knowledge thou lykewyse that thou oft and many a tyme haste wyttyngly and willingli of very vngraciousnes done against god and thy neyghboure by meanes wherof thou hast iustli deserued the euerlastyng wrath plage and indignacion of god in bodye and soule Then let hym saye Oh sir it is al to true The sicke I yelde my self giltie and confesse it before God Well The coÌ„forter greater and more horrible synnes then these couldeste not thou doe if thou wouldeste styll not regarde the wrath and rigorous iudgement of god as thou haste done heretofore How arte thou mynded Doest thou desier and pray from the grounde of thy heart that God wyl preserue the from such slender regardynge of thyne owne synnes and of hys iust wrath and iudgement Desireste thou also wyth thy whole hearte that God wyll not deale wyth thee after hys diuyne iudgement and iustice but accordiÌ„g to hys fatherly mercye and that he wyll remitte and forgeue thy synnes and trespaces Then let hym say Yea that is my desyer The sicke from the botome of my hearte God from heauen dyd sende vnto thee hys deare and only begotten sonn The coÌ„forter who toke vpon hym the nature of manne and in hys death vpon the crosse he bare not only our trespace but the paine also and punishment due for the same makyng ful payment and satisfactioÌ„ for vs. Iohn the Baptist with hys fynger poynteth vnto Christ and sayeth lo thys is gods laÌ„be that taketh away the synne of the world And Iohn the Euangelist sayth 1. Iohn 1. The bloud of Iesus Christ clenseth vs from all synne Doest thou now confesse that Iesus Chryst the sonne of God dyed and rose agayne for thee also And wylt thou as one parcell of the world one brokeÌ„ rede one pece of smoking flax and one lost shepe cast al thy siÌ„nes vpoÌ„ him embracyng thys comforte of the gospell in thy heart and comprehendyng it wyth a stroÌ„g stedfast belefe Then let hym say O lord Iesu The sicke my heartes desyer is of the to be healed coÌ„forted and refreshed And thankes be vnto God for euermore that I maye haue him my mediator and redemer I wyl wholly committe and yelde my selfe vnto hym Then vpon thys The coÌ„foâ—â— â–ª the Lord Iesus Chryst by hys godlye worde and gospel sendeth thee this message Thy sinnes are forgeueÌ„ the and in hys syght all are taken away not onely the synne but the payne also due for the same namely euerlastyng death hel and daÌ„nacyon So that thou shalte be receaued agayne as a deare acceptable chylde and heire of eternal lyfe Beleuest thou thys comfortable promes of Iesu Chryste Then let hym saye yea The sicke but O mercyfull god strength thou my weake belefe The coÌ„fortâ—â— The summe of all thys is conteyned in the articles of the Christian belefe whyche wyth the aforesayed interpretacion maye bee rehearced vnto the sycke And to the intente that thy hearte maye bee sette at reste and the assured in thy fayth therefore hath Chryst instituted his holy supper and sacrameÌ„t of his body and bloud wherein he dooeth signifie wytnesse and put to hys seale that euen thou also art one of those many for whom he gaue his body and shed hys bloude Now whan synne death hel deuill and gods wrath teÌ„pteth and turmoileth thy conscience thou must wyth the same sacrament as with the word of god comforte thy coÌ„science that Chryst Iesus with hys body and lyfe is thy suertye and that hys soule and bloud and all that he is standeth for thee and on thy syde agaynste al bodelye and gostly enemyes Moreouer thou must byd the sick call vpon god for fayth pacience and other spirituall giftes Some tyme recite before hym the Lordes prayer with a shorte exposicion that he may direct his prayer the better Exhorte also al suche as staÌ„d about the sick to praye for hym consideryng that our lorde hath made a rich and faithful promes Where two or three are asseÌ„bled in hys name he hymselfe wyl be in the myddes among them and graunt them their desyer And for asmuch as al instructions must be taken of the word of god therfore before the sick these parcels folowyng may bee read The .6 Psalme which begineth Lord rebuke me not in thyne anger c. The .22 Psalme Mi god my god c. The .25 Psalme Vnto thee O Lorde c. The .27 Psalme The lord is my lyghte c. The .42 Lyke as the harte longeth c. The .51 Haue mercye vpon me c. The .91 Whoso dwelleth c. The .116 I am well pleased c. The .139 O lord thou searchest me c. The .143 Heare my prayer O Lorde c. The prayer of kyng Ezechias Esay 38. The Psalme of Simeon NuÌ„c dimittis Luke 2. The .11 Chapter of Iohn Of Lazarus The .14 and .17 of S. Iohns gospell The passion of Chryst and specyally concernyng the one of the two murtherers The .8 Chapter to the Romaines The .1 Corinthians 15. Al which places serue to make the prayer feruente and to strengthen true belefe Furthermore the sicke oughte to be told of the fruites of fayth because of prouokyng thankefulnes