A Christian exhortation taken oute of the holy Scriptures, for the great comfort of euery faithfull person being in the agonie of deathe, before whome it must be oftē times red and recited (if neede be) euē to his last breath. Wherevnto is ioyned in the end a singular Prayer for the partie greeuously afflicted by sicknesse, dravving tovvard his death. Therewith is a briefe Catechisme, which is not only to instructe the sicke, but also to refresh his memorie vvith the greate mysterie of our redemption.
Printed at London by Henry Bynneman. Anno. 1579.
The carelesse and negligente seruante shall be surprinsed and cutte off, and haue his parte vvith the hypocrites, there shall be vveeping and gnasshing of teeth.
Death is the end and beginning of life.
Before sicknesse vse medicine, and before thou come to iudgement examine thy selfe, and in the sight of God thou shalt finde fauoure.
If thou doest not vvatch, I vvil come vpon thee as a theefe, and thou knovvest not at vvhat time I vvill come vpon thee.
Blessed is he vvhiche vvatcheth and keepeth his garmentes least he vvalke naked, and that men see his filthynesse.
Be ye readie, for yee knovv not in vvhat hour the sonne of man shall come.
To the very Honorable his singular good Lord the Earle of Lincolne, Lord Clinton and Say, Lorde high Admirall of Englande, Knighte of hir Maiesties order, and one of the Lordes of hir Highnesse most honourable priuie Counsell.
THe greate and cunning workemaister, yea, the maister of all mischiefe Satan, hath not ceased, euen from the firste creation of man, to molest and persecute the same, lying euer in wayt to destroy him, as is playnely seene in his assaults, deliuered to our first parents Adam and Eue, very shortlye after their creatiō: he neuer left them, [Page]vntill suche time as he hadde caused them to transgresse the commandement of the Almighty, wherby they purchaced to themselues, and to all their posteritie eternall damnation. He continually putteth his cunning and Stratagemes in vse against seely poore man: Sometime by open battaile, as causing him to commit murther, adulterie, theft, extortion, and such like grosse offences, against the commaundementes of the seconde Table. Another time, he solliciteth him to pride, Idolatry, blaspheming, vnbeliefe, lothing the word of God, contempte of the same, rebellion againste God, vnthankefulnesse toward God, and such like, against the commandements of the first Table: whereby he deliuereth vnto vs terrible and dangerous assaultes, othertimes he dresseth agaynst vs surprinses, as when by meane of the ingraffed corruption whiche dwelleth in [Page]vs, he raiseth in vs horrible motions, thoughtes, affections, and consentes, yea, and that whiche most daungerous of all is: he hath so banded oure eyes, that the greatest number of men doe thinke filthy motions, vncleane thoughts, corrupt affections, and detestable consents to be no sin, vnlesse the acte do ensue. But indede the Eternall, which hath created the heart, seeth all these things in vs, and abhorreth and condemneth them, he is the searcher of the raines, which knoweth the thought before it bee hatched in vs. Wherefore, we haue great cause, to beg of God, his grace, that we may vnderstand and know the ruzes and deceiptes of Sathan, whereby to auoyde them, and when he shal at any time sollicite vs to any of the aboue named things, or suche like, let vs then know that the enimy is at hand, that he dresseth his scaramuches againste vs: and that he placeth [Page]his ambushes to cut betweene vs, and our saluation: wherefore, it behoueth vs to bee alwayes armed with the armour of God, whereof Sainct Paule speaketh in the Epistle to the Ephesians, 6. Chapter, and to bee well acquaynted with the perfect vse of our weapon: for oure enimie is both strong and skilfull, and woulde soone make an end of mankind, if that God did not holde him in bridle: his cunnings are in maner infinite, he can transfigure himselfe sometime into the likenesse of an Angel of light, 2. Cor. 12.13.14. yea, into the likenesse of Christe himselfe, and alleage the Scriptures vnto vs, but it shall be altogither to cast vs downe with the weight of our sinnes, into desperation, and so to damne vs: for he wyll alleadge vnto vs the iustice of God, the horrour of oure sinnes, and the Law, cleane contrarie to Christe, for Christe is the nouriture, medicine, [Page]and consolation of afflicted soules, he will not breake the bruzed reede, nor quench the smoking tow, wherfore we must beware of this false and counterfetted Christe, he can make this day, that which is horrible sinne to seeme to me to be no sinne, and to morrow that whiche is no sinne, to be horrible sinne: thus can he amplifie and swell the least euill thing that is, and make it to seeme as great and huge as a mightie Mountayne. I haue spoken some thing of this cū ning aduersarie, whiche the sacred Scripture calleth the great Leuiathā and the redde Dragon: to the ende we might beware of him, and auoide his snares which he laieth aboue and beneath vs, before and behinde, on euery side, and within and without vs, to the ende, that when wee shall feele our selues in any sort solicited by him▪ we maye forthwith repaire to our Panacea and most holesome [Page]medicine for al diseases, which is the word of God, in the which we shall finde all comforte: and hauing founde it we must lay sure holde on it in all humilitie and Prayer, the whiche word doth euen repulse and chase Sathan from vs. It is a lighte whiche lighteneth to our feete, it is a most pure thing, it cōuerteth soules, it is a faithfull witnesle, yea, it is the power of God to saluation to all beleeuers. Saincte Paule calleth it the Sword of the Spirit, the which wōudeth and putteth Sathan to flighte: it is that Sword, without the whiche we may not fight the battayle wyth that strong and mightie enimie, with whome wee must euerye one of vs fight a battayle, eyther in the time of oure healthe, or else in the article of our death, for then beginneth he to play sharply the accuser, then setteth he forth vnto vs the Lord Christe, as a lawgiuer and exactor, then maketh [Page]he euery sinne to seeme twenty, to the ende he maye make vs to dishonour God through vnbeleefe, and so to fall into desperation: our aunswer must be to him, Satan thou canst not speake truth except it be to get credite, whereby afterward thou mayst the more boldly tel millions of lyes: but know thou, Hebr. 1.10. & 14. that my Lord Iesus Christe hathe payde my debt more than abundantly, for with one onely offering, he hath cōsecrated for euer thē which are sanctified. Nowe God is iust, yea iustice it selfe, wherefore he is contente with one (more than sufficient) paymente, for one thyng, wherfore thou canst in no wise hurt me, if he can not in this sort preuaile. Then commeth he in another lykenesse; with his faire face, with flattering and entising words, to lift vs vp into pride and vayne glorye, and would perswade vs that we haue deserued Heauen and eternall life by [Page]our workes, vnto whome we muste answere in this sort, O thou horrible enchanter, thou bearest me in hande that I am a Saincte, to the ende thou mightest make me a Diuell. Who is he that doth that which is commanded him to doe? none; no not one, wher are then my deserts? I wil shew thee Sathan, my Lorde Christ hathe taken from mee all my sinnes, and hath nayled them to his crosse, 2 Cor. 5. d. Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 15. g. Ephes. 1.19. Ephes. 2.1.13 Coloss. 1.20. & 2.14.15 and hath cancelled the obligation which was againste me, yea, he hath done more for me, he hathe giuen mee all his deserts, to witte, his obedience, iustice, righteousnesse, and innocencie, as to a member of his bodye, wherefore I (being a member of his body) can no more bee damned than my Lorde Christe may. Now when hee seeth himselfe thus aunswered and proued a lyar by the sacred Scriptures of God, whiche are the onely weapon wherewith to put him to [Page]flight, he then yeeldeth all lost, therfore we may easily see how needeful it is to be armed against Sathan with the most blessed word of God, wherwith to quenche all his fierie dartes, and to repulse all his assaults. Wherfore I haue turned this exhortation into our english tongue, the whych was written in the French by a reuerend, worthy, learned, and godly father, to a noble, martiall, and Christian Gentleman of France, his good Lorde and friende, wherewith in the time of his quietnesse he might fitte his armoure and weapons in suche sort, as by battayle, he might valiantly fighting: obtayne a glorious and victorious Crowne For as your honor knoweth, he that will be a good Souldioure, must enter timely into the warres, therefore I saye, I haue turned into the Englishe the same exhortation, for the profite of the Churche of God heere in Englande. [Page]And albeit that the wordes be not many, they be of singular valew and effecte, the whiche I haue published vnder your honors name, doubting not, but that you will take my poore trauel in this behalfe in good part. I haue added in the ende of it a Table of certayne consolatorie passages of Scripture, whiche I haue gathered out of the old and new Testament, for confirmation of oure faith, in the moste sweete and comfortable promises of the almighty. For when we shal come to the battayle, the which we must once sighte, eyther in the time of our health, or else in the article of deathe (for none is crowned that fighteth not, and a Christian life is a continuall warre) by the grace of God thys shorte exhortation shall greatly helpe as manye as shall make the same familiar vnto them, towardes the obteyning of the victorie agaynste the aforesayde [Page]trayned, experimented, cunning, mightie, and cruell enimie. In London the twentith of Marche. Anno Domini. 1579.
To the faithfull Reader saluation.
FRiende Reader, take in good parte the exhortation the vvhich I haue heere vvritten, for the great comfort and profit of al persons vvhich feare God, vvherevvith to serue them at neede, vvhen it shall please the Lord to call them. But note you, that to vse thys vvell, that of these three letters B. S. N. the firste letter signifieth brother, if the partie be a manne, the seconde Sister, being a vvoman, and [Page]the third signifyeth the propre name of the person vvherby he must be named. For vve may not then honor them by names of vvorldlye honour and dignitie, but to stand firmely against Satan in the vertue of the Lorde. We must name thē by their proper names, vvhiche they haue receyued at the holye Sacramente of Baptisme. This doing, thou shalt obey God, vvhome I beseech to be merciful vnto thee in the secret day of his comming.
¶ To my Lorde, my Lord of Senarpont, Knight of the Kings order, Captayne of fiftie men at armes, and his Lieutenant generall in Picardie.
MY Lorde, hauing oftentimes considered the beginning, the continuance, and the ende of mās life: I haue plainelye knowen, as by an ordinarie experience, that men are more curious and carefull for the entertaynement and conseruation of this their life: than to prepare themselues to a more happie ende according to God: for man being in this bodily prison, as blinde, and not perfectlye regenerated, do the better loue the darkenesse of suche an earthly prison, than hee doth the heauenlye lighte: for the whiche cause it is written, that hee that is of the earthe, Iohn. 3. speaketh of the earth. As beeyng [Page]like the sonnes of Agar, whiche soughte the wisedome of this worlde, Ba [...]c. 3. 2. Cor. 1. Eccles. 41. the whiche is foolishnesse before God. Howe manye bee there at this day, vnto whome the remembrance of death is very vnpleasaunt, yea rather detestable, so delighting themselues in their worldly pleasures, that they seeme to haue forgotten God, not caring any thing at all for Religion, Psal. 52.72. nor for the vengeance and iudgement of God, terrible and fearefull to all those which haue their names written in the earth, being scraped out of the booke of life. VVherefore my Lord, to the end you walke not in the large way which bringeth to destruction, Psalme. 68. Math. 7. Eccles. 7. being taught by the wise man saying: In all thy workes, see thou doe remember thy latter dayes, and thou shalt neuer sinne. I haue thoughte good to drawe out of the holye Scriptures a Christian exhortation, to bee recited with a loude voyce before euerie faithfull person, the whiche approcheth to this bodily death (couered with a casuall life) passing on to one muche better, and [Page]more happie. For hauing this done, I will attribute to my selfe nothing, for I am but earth and durt: yet notwithstanding, I do not thinke to haue laboured in vayne, considering that the Lorde Iesus Christ do the admonishe vs, Luc. 12. Math. 24. 2. Pet. 3. 1. Thess. 5. Psal. 2. that we shoulde be alwayes readie, not knowing the houre: for the day of the Lord wil come suddainely as a theefe in the night. O how happie then shall they be, whiche shall put themselues into his safegard. VVherefore my Lord, I do present you this little Christian exhortation, very humbly beseeching you to keepe the same to serue you at youre neede, at what time it shall please the Lorde God to call you. I know well, that when the same tyme shall come, you shall haue good meanes to haue with you some man learned, and furnished with holy letters, to declare vnto you the worde of life, yet for all that, not knowing the time, nor the place, ne yet the oportunitie that we may haue, I dare boldly say without beast, that hearing thys exhortation redde with a loude voyce, [Page]being in mortall agonie, it maye be vnto you as holesome as the Christian consolation of the best learned Doctor of the Religion, for they might preach no more vnto you than the Prophets and Apostles doe preach vnto you in the sayd exhortation; the which I beseech you to receyue, with as good heart, as I do desire the supreme gouernour to giue you the grace my Lorde, to glorifie him as well in your life, as in your death, and in the meane time, that it maye please him to make you to prosper from good to better, and to giue me to perseuere in your seruice, as your very humble and very obedient seruant for euer: (*⁎*)
A Christian exhortation, the vvhyche must bee recited with a loude voyce before euery faithfull person being in the agonie of Death.
HE that is of GOD, let him heare the word of GOD, Iohn. 8. Math. 7. and let hym not only hear it, but let him kéepe it, and put it in execution: Esay. 40. for all thinges shall haue an ende, and shall weare as a garmente, but the worde of the Lorde GOD remayneth eternally.
Nowe séeing it is so, that by one man sinne is come into the worlde, Rom. 7. and by sinne death, and consequentlye [Page]all afflictions and aduersities depend of the same, therefore iustly the life of man is nothing else, but a continuall battell vpon the earth, in suche sorte, that the flesh sighteth against the spirite, and the spirite against the Diuell, the Worlde, and the Flesh, which are the enimies of our soules. Note. But following the counsell of the Apostle, to obteyne victorie in that spirituall battayle, you must constantly resist by Faith: for the victorie which ouercommeth the world, it is our faith, the whiche is a true and stedfast knowledge of the loue of God towards vs, Hebr. 11. according as by his Gospell he declareth himselfe to be oure father and sauioure, by the meane of Iesus Christ. Hauing then suche a stedfast Faith for your principal foundation, acknowledge and confesse without fayning, before the Maiestie of God, that you are a poore and miserable sinner, [Page]conceiued and borne in iniquitie and corruption, Psalme. 51. Psal. 142. prompte to all euill doing, vnapte to anye good thing, and that by youre vice you haue transgressed without ende and withoute ceassing, the whole commaundementes of God. In which thing doing, you haue drawen by hys iust iudgemente, ruine, and destruction vpon you: yet for all that you are displeased in your self, that you haue offended him, and do condemne your selfe and youre vices with true repentance, desiring, that the grace of God doe help your calamitie. Praye then in such stedfast fayth: if you can not with youre mouth, pray wyth youre hearte, that God, our very louing and most mercifull father, doe not enter at all into iudgement, nor into accompt with you, but that hée will haue pitie vpō you, in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ our Lord, and that it may please him to blotte [Page]out our vices and spottes by the merites of the death and passion of the same Iesus Christe, in whose name presente you to him his holy Prayer, the whiche he hath taught vs, in saying with a pure hearte, Our Father which art in Heauen, thy name be halowed. Thy Kingdome come. Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heauen. Giue vs this day our dayly bread. And pardon vs our offences, as we pardon them whiche haue offended vs. And leade vs not at all into temptation, but deliuer vs from the euill. For thine is thy Kyngdome, the power, and the glorie, throughout all ages. So be it.
B. S. N. Acknowledge with all youre hearte your vniustice, Math. 3. Tit. 3. Ephes. 2. Psal. 51. Rom. 8. Rom. 1. Math. 1. Philip. 2. be forse for your sinnes, repent you continually, and the Kingdome of God shal draw néere vnto you: acknowledge that there is no iustice nor innocencie, nor anye good workes of you or [Page]in you: but as a child of wrath, Acts. 3. Math. 27. Esay. 53. Apocal. 1. Hebr. 9. conceyued & borne in the sinne of the old Adam, you do deserue eternall death and damnation. Yet for all that, let not the same, nor all the sinnes of the world, if you should haue committed thē, feare you at al: for Iesus Christ, the true and eternall sonne of God, is made verye man, conceyued by the holy Ghost, borne of a holy Virgin. To sanctify and to cleanse you, he hath suffered vnder Ponce Pilate many afflictions, iniuries, 1. Pet. 1. and outrages, making himselfe a seruante and captine, to sette you into full libertie. Iesus Christ was crucifyed vpon the woodde of ye Crosse, to delyuer you from the eternall cursse. Iesus Christ dyed in sheding his precious blaud for youre redemption, to deliuer you fully from deathe, Rom. 6. Marke. 16. from Hell, and from the power of Satan Iesus Christ was buried in the Sepulchre, to burie all youre sinnes, the [Page]which he hathe borne & blotted out. Iesus Christe is descended into the lower partes, 1. Cor. 15. Actes. 1. Coloss. 3. Hebr. 7. Math. 25. Psalme. 61. in suffering an extreame anguish, to deliuer you from all paynes and griefes of death. Iesus Christe arose agayne from the dead, to make you to rise agayne in your proper body, and glorious immortalitie. Iesus Christ is gone vp into Heauen, to make you to go vp after him. Iesus Christ is set at the right hād of God his father almightie, being youre aduocate and intercessor towardes him, and ye appointment of all your sinnes. We a waite for him, that he shall come to iudge the liuing and the dead, to yeèlde to euery one according to his workes: but to his faithfull ones whiche beléeue in him, he will not impute at all their sinnes, but hauing iustified them by his grace, will make them to raigne for euer with him in hys heauenly throne.
B. S. N. Such is the great misterie of our redemption, the whiche by the helpe of the grace of the holye Ghoste, you oughte stedfastly to beléeue to baue bin wrought for youre saluation. And doubt not at all, but that by the merite of Iesus Christe the head of his Churche, you are made a member incorporate to the same, yéelding him thankes in great humilitie, that he hathe giuen you the grace to haue liued in the communion and companye of his faithfull, hauing nou [...]ished you with hyword, with his bodye, and with hys bloud: acknowledging as well assured, the great mercie of God, Rom. 8. Math. 25. Ephes. 1. by the remission of all youre sinnes, the which he hath giuen you by Iesus Christ, who will make you to rise againe at the latter daye, to raigne with him in the life eternall, the which he hath promised to all those whiche beléeue in him, being baptised [Page]in his name. Math. 4. 1. Cor. 11. An excellent gifte. Rom. 5. 1. Cor. 15.
Nowe B. S. N. séeing that you haue this Faith, doubt not at all to receyue the promise of Faith: for God is true, he is not a lyar as man is, rather Heauen and Earth shall passe, but the worde of God remayneth for euer. God is youre father and creator, Marke. 16. Rom. 3. Math. 24. Esay. 40. Genes. 1. 1. Tim. 2. Tit. 3. 1. Tim. 1. Actes. 4. Apocal. 1. you are hys creature, and the worke of his hands, he hath not made you to destroy you, for hée is the sauiour of all men, and willeth not the deathe of a sinner, but that he conuert and liue: wherefore I declare vnto you, in the name of God, that of his great goodnesse and mercie he giueth you full pardon, and remission of all your sinnes, by the onely merite of his sonne Iesus Christe our Lorde, in the sheding of his pretious bloud, for he is the propitiation, not only of all your sinnes, but of all the sinnes of the whole world.
B. S. N. ☞ Iesus Christ sayeth with his owne mouth, that all things are possible to him which beléeueth, beléeue then without any doubte, that Iesus Christe, taking to him oure flesh, became very man: wherefore he dyed for you, hauing borne all your sinnes in his body, 1. Iohn. 2. Math. 17. Rom. 1. Philip. 1. 1. Pet. 2. Rom. 3. to blotte and put them out. Present vnto God the pretious deathe of his sonne Iesus Christ, and by the merit of the same death and passion, aske him mercie, in saying from the bottome of youre heart in great humilitie and repentance:
LOrd God Almightie, be merciful to me poore wretched sinner, for the loue of thy sonne Iesus Christe my Lord and Sauiour. And for the merite of his deathe and passion, it maye please thee to receiue my soule, the which I recommend into thy hands.
B. S. N. Put your strong trust in God, for séeing that he is for you, none shall be against you: for Iesus Christ, Iohn. 14. Math. 26. Psalme. 30. Rom. 8. which is the Lamb without spotte, hathe ouercome all for you, he offered himselfe once onely for you, and by the same only oblation, hathe wholly wiped out all youre sinnes, he hath made of none effecte your folly, Esay. 55. Math. 11. imustice, abhomination, with thys good Lord Iesus Christ, God the father hathe giuen you all things.
B. S. N. Fortifie your selfe in Iesus Christ, the whiche calleth you; and iuuiteth you by his Prophets, Apostles, and Euangelistes, to addresse youre selfe fréely to him, saying, all you which haue thirst, come to the great fountayne, Come to me all ye that laboure and are loden, and I will ease you.
B. S. N. Beléeue stedfastly, that Iesus Christ hath set you frée from [Page]all your sinnes, and hath reconciled you to God his father, to whome in great humilitie and repentance, 1. Iohn. 5. say you from the bottome of your heart.
LOrd God Almightie, be mercifull vnto mee poore wretched Sinner,Rom. 3. Iohn. 14. Math. 26. Psalme. 30. Marke. 16.for the loue of thy sonne Iesus Christ my Lorde and Sauioure. And for the merit of his deathe and passion, it may please thee to receiue my Soule, the which I recommende into thy hands.
B. S. N. Be of good chéere, for vndoubtedly he will receyue youre soule as his, for the loue of his sonne Iesus Christe our Lorde, whiche is the Sauioure and Redéemer of all those which beléeue in him. Deut. 18. Psalme. 2. Esay. 53. Genes. 3.3. Moyses and all ye Prophets haue borne witnesse, that all people shal receiue saluation and blessing by Iesus Christ.
The Apostles and Euangelistes witnesse, that Iesus Christe is not [Page]come to call the iust, but the sinners te repentance, and to giue his soule for the Redemption of many: for hée hath shedde his bloud for the remission of sinne. Math. 9. Iohn. 10. Luc. 22. Hebr. 1. Ionh. 5. Beléeue then and doubt not at all, for Iesus Christe hathe made the purgation of all youre sinnes, hauing promised, that all those which shal beléeue in him, and in his father, which hath sent him, shall haue eternall life, and shall not come at all into iudgemente, but shall passe from death into life.
Go to now B. S. N. reioyce in Iesus Christe, for he hathe loued you, and washed you from al your sinnes in his bloud. Esay. 53. Apocal. 1. Take this strong faith wherewith to fighte valiantlye against the aduersarie, haue none other buckler to defende youre selfe withall, but this pretious bloud of Iesus Christ, Rom. 7. the which by the vertue of his deathe and passion, hathe reconciled you to God his father, [Page]vnto whome, from the bottome of your hearte, in great humilitie and repentance, presente this Prayer.
LOrd God Almightie, Rom. 3. Iohn. 14. Marke. 26.shew mercie vnto me poore wretched sinner, for the loue of thy sonne Iesus Christe my Lorde and Sauiour, and for the merite of his death and passion, it may please thee to receyue my soule, the whiche I commend into thy handes.
B. S. N. Holde fast this hope, and stedfast fasth, that thy good God, full of all mercie, will receyue youre soule as his, into his handes, Psalme. 30. Iohn. 10. Actes. 4. Rom. 8. Rom. 10. for the loue of his sonne Iesus Christe, for there is none other name vnder the Heauen giuen to men, by the which we maye be saued, and there is no saluatiō in any other, than in Iesus Christ: arme you then well wyth this good Iesus Christe, for he hathe done all for you, he hath fulfilled the [Page]Law for you, he hathe ouercome all for you.
Now go too B. S. N. reioyce you in God, stand alwayes fast in thys liuely fayth. Hebr. 11. Followe and imitate the holy Patriarkes, Prophets, and Apostles, which are all saued in this faith, who do all assure you, that the aduersarie can in no wise hurt you, for youre cause is wonne by Iesus Christe, Iohn. 5. 1. Iohn. 2. whiche is youre Iudge and your aduocate both togither, wherefore saye alwayes in this stedfast faith, Albeit I shoulde walke in the middest of the shadowe of deathe, I will feare no euill, Psalme. 22. for thou Lorde God art with me.
B. S. N. Be you also neuer wéerie, to say from the bottome of youre heart, in great humilitie and repentance:
LOrde God Almightie, be mercifull to me poore wretched sinner, [Page]for the loue of thy sonne Iesus Christe my Lord and Sauiour.Rom. 3. Iohn. 14. Math. 26.And for the merite of his death and passion, it may please thee to receyue my soule, the whiche I commende into thy hands. So be it.
A singular Prayer, for one whyche is greately afflicted wyth sickenesse, the whiche is more lyke to dye, than to liue.
With a little Catechisme made of purpose, to instructe the sicke person, and to cause him to behold by Faith the greate misterie of oure Redemption.
Before the sicknesse vse medicine, and before thou come to Iudgemente examine thy selfe, and in the presence of God thou shalte finde fauoure.
Nowe the Lorde admonisheth vs to pray alwayes, chiefely, when we [Page]are touched with his rods. Math. 26. Wherefore, all the faithfull parentes and friends, which visit the sicke person, shoulde not onely visit and comforte the body, but also should searche and enquire for spirituall medicine for his soule, whiche thing shoulde bée done by good Prayers, confession of sinnes, and Christian exhortation, according to the word of God, without the whiche man can not liue, but is deade béeyng yet lyuing. And to the end that all these things may be done in good order, and wyth zeale, first it is néedefull to prostrate themselues before the Maiestie of God, and to pray vnto him, begynning in this sort:
Then to presente vnto hym the generall confession of sinnes, and consequently thys presente Prayer as followeth.
O Lord God Almighty, Math. 18. Iohn. 14. and father of all mercies, we are aēssbled in the name of thy welbeloued Sonne oure Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe, in the fauour of whome we are bold to presente oure selues vnto thée, to call vpon thy most blessed name, hauing oure onely resuge to thy soueraigne goodnesse, the whiche we doe not desire to féele and tast in oure selues only, but also in the necessitie of thy poore creature, being afflicted both with bodily sicknesse, and affliction and calamitie of the spirite. Iames. 5. 1. Cor. 11. We know O Lord that thou doest iustly visit and chastice him wyth thy roddes, to cause hym to vnderstande thy fatherly affection: but thy great mercies, whiche thou hast vsed towardes oure fathers, Psalme. 74. Math. 26. are not yet quenched and consumed: for thou art the great eternall God, fauourable [Page]and mercifull, Psalm. 102. Iohn. 14. Hebr. 7. whiche neuer changest. Thy holy worde teacheth vs very playnely, that all the earthe is full of thy mercies, the whiche doe farre surmount thy Iustice: wherefore, appease thy rigour towardes thy creature, haue pitie and compassion of him, for the loue of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. Looke not vppon his sinnes, but beholde the face of thy Christe, who hathe sufficientlye satisfyed for the same, in offering to thée vppon the Crosse, the greate Sacrifice of hys body, we beséeche thée then most louing and mercifull God, to make him to féele thy grace, the whyche thou neuer denyest to thy Children. And for so much as thou art oure eternall father, Math. 6. whiche knowest well what is necessarie and expediente for our saluation, we doe not pray thée to prolong or to shorten hys life, for we do repose our selues vpon [Page]thy holy will, the which we doe only desire to do. Thou arte wise, Rom. 11. not néeding councell, to dispose of thy creature according to thy good pleasure, but if it please thée to call him, who is he that maye resist? and if thou wilt send him health, Rom. 8. Iohn. 1. which is he that maye controll thée? For all things are in thy hand, and nothing is done without thy will and holye Prouidence. Yet notwithstanding O Lord, if of thy mercie thou doest prolong his dayes, thy scourge shall serue hym for chastizemente, to amende, and to turne to thée, and wée wyth hym shall yéelde vnto thée thankes and prayses. But if thou haue determined to passe him into a better life, we beséeche thée, for the loue of thy sonne Iesus, to forget all hys faultes and offences, the whyche thou hast willed to be blotted out, and washed in the shedding of his pretious bloud. That it maye [Page]please thée for the merit of the death and passion of thy sonne, to receyue his soule into thy hands, when thou shalte call him out of thys Worlde. O Lord God, Psalme. 30. Psalme. 71. Psalme. 51. despise not the workemanship of thy handes, for beholde héere thy poore creature, in manner vtterly beaten downe, the whyche calleth vpon thée from the deapth of all his euils, presenting vnto thée his sorowfull and penitente hearte, the whiche we beséeche thée to haue for acceptable, Iohh. 14. for the loue of thy sonne Iesus Christe our Lorde, for whose sake thou hast promised vs to heare our requestes. Wherefore O Lord, Math. 6. we beséech thée to receyue vs into thy holy conduct, lightning our heartes and vnderstandings, to addresse vs towardes thée, and to call vpon thy name, so as thy sonne Iesus Christe our Lorde hath taughte vs to pray for all oure necessities, saying, Our Father whiche arte in [Page]Heauen, &c. Lastly O God, and most mercifull Father, that it maye please thée euer to susteyne vs by thy grace and power, to the ende that through the weakenesse of our fleshe, we fall not. And for so muche as of our selues we are so féeble, that we are not able to stande fast the space of one minute, may it please thée to fortifie vs by thy holy Spirit, and to arme vs with thy graces, to the end that we may constantlye perseuere in thy Fayth, without the whiche, it is not possible to please thée, it may please thée to confirme vs dayly in the same, Hebr. [...]. whereof wée wyll make confession both wyth heart and mouth, saying:
I beleeue in God the Father Almightie. &c.
The Prayers being ended, they may sée how the sicke person doeth, and enquire how he féeleth himselfe, with Christian and gratious spéech: [Page]but if they sée that he decline, and that within shorte time after no token of recouerie doe appeare, they may chose some mete time to speake to the sicke person, and to aske hym if he do desire to heare spéech of God, and to hearken to his word, whilest he hath yet good remembrance. Iohn. 8. For if he be of God, they maye then beginne thys little Catechisme, which followeth. (*⁎*)
A shorte Catechisme, vvhiche is not onely to instructe the sicke, but also to refreshe his memorie, with the great mysterie of oure Redemption: for the good vnderstanding and remembrance whereof, in his latter dayes,Eccles. 18.he ought to make confession of his faith, before the company of the faythful, of the which one (in the absence of the Minister) hould demaund of hym as follovveth.
B. S. N. Euery man whiche knoweth well himselfe, and is not ignorante of his estate and qualitie, Genes. 1. Psalme. 51. certaynely ought to acknowledge, that albeit he is created to the image and likenesse of God, yet notwythstanding, he is conceyned and borne in the sinne of the olde Adam, wherby he is made a poóre and wretched [Page]sinner, Ephes. 2. Rom. 5. ignorant, inconstant, and full of iniquitie: and consequentlye, subiecte to all miseries, afflictions, aduersities, and lastly to deathe, the cause whereof is sinne, the whyche God not willing to leaue it vnpunished, doth afflicte vs dayly, and to speake it playnely, he chastiseth vs in this world, to the end we shoulde not be damned wyth the worlde. Wherefore B. S. N. be patiente in your sicknesse, 2. Cor. 11. Psal. 31. and you shall possesse your soule in spiritual ioy: acknowledge youre sinne, and accuse youre selfe before the Maiestie of God, whome you must looke vpon and behold by Faith, making confession of the same, both with heart & mouth, before the whole company. For it is written, that man beléeueth wyth his hearte to iustice, and confesseth with his mouth to saluation. Rom. 10. Harken then to the demaundes whyche now I will make vnto you, and answere [Page]me faithfully according to the vnderstanding that you haue receyued of the Lord. But if you can not, bycause of your weakenesse and impeachment of your sicknesse, I wyll answere for you, and it shall suffice vs that ye giue vs to vnderstand by some token your heart, and cōstancie of faith, in the whiche you must liue and dye.
Now I aske of you.
For what cause and to what end were you created in this worlde?
For to know God. Genes. 1.
Was it necessarie for you to know God?
Yea truely, Psalme. 26. for so muche as hée is my soueraigne goodnesse, withoute the knowledge of him I shoulde bée [Page]more miserable, than the brute beastes.
Séeing that you know God, Genes. 1. 1. Iohn. 1. Luc. 1. 1. Iohn. 5. Genes. 18. you know well that he is an infinite power, wisedome, and goodnesse, one onely God in three persons, father, sonne, and holy Ghost. It is the onlye God, which Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob did worship in spirit & truth. It is the only eternall God, whiche hathe created Heauen and Earthe, as all the thyngs whyche are in them: the knowledge of GOD whiche you haue, is it not suche?
Yes.
But coulde suche a simple knowledge of God bring you well to eternall life?
Very hardly: for it is eternall life, Iohn. [...]7. to confesse and knowe one onely God, and hym whome hée hathe sente, hys onely eternall sonne, oure Lorde and Sauioure Iesus Christ.
For what cause is it necessarie for you to confesse and knowe the Lord Iesus Christ?
Bycause I must recouer in Iesus Christe, all that whiche I haue lost in my self, Rom. 5. Psalme. 51. Luke. 24. Psalme. 21. by meane of the sinne of the olde Adam, wherein I was conceyued and borne. Wherefore, it was néedefull for my saluation, that Iesus Christe, very God and verye man, being clothed with oure fleshe, shoulde of his frée liberalitie and grace, giue me all that which I had lost in Adam.
It is very well sayde: that is the cause why Iesus Christe was conceyued by the holy Ghost, Rom. 1 [...]. Math. 1. Luc. 12. Ephes. 2. Psalme. 51. Rom. 8. and borne of the Virgine Marie, to purge and sanctifie you, for cleane contrary to him you are, conceyued and borne in sinne, and of sinfull parents, wherefore, do not you confesse that wythout Iesus Christe you shoulde haue remayned a poore and wretched sinner in eternall death? Rom. 5.
Yes verily, but I beléeue and confesse, that this good Iesus Christ hathe reconciled me to God his Father.
Yea, but how hath he reconciled you to God his father?
By his deathe and passion, in the sheding of his pretious bloud, Math. 26. for to [Page]deliuer me from eternall paynes. Hebr. 7. Actes. 3. This good Iesus Christe hath suffered for me vnder Ponce Pilate manie afflictiōs, iniuries, and troubles. It is Iesus Christ which was crucifyed for me, as accursed vpon the woodde of the Crosse, to deliuer mée from the eternall cursse, wherevnto Adam had bound me. This my faniour Iesus Christ was indéede buried, to burie all my sinnes wyth him, to the ende they shoulde not bée imputed vnto me before God. It is my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ which is gone downe into the lower partes, suffering an extreame temporall anguishe, to deliuer me from an eternall.
All this whiche you haue nowe confessed of Iesus Christe, was it sufficient to saue you?
No, but that the holy Scriptures should be in euery iote fulfilled: for what is it that Iesus Christ should haue profited me, to haue bin borne, crucifyed, dead, buried, and gone downe into the lower partes for me only, withoute being risen agayne. Wherefore, Bray. 53. Math. 26. Marke. 16. 1. Cor. 15. I beléeue and confesse, that my Lorde, my head and Sauiour Iesus Christe, is risen from the dead, to make me to rise with hym, as one of his little members, into eternall life.
Consequently it is written, that he is gone vp into the Heauens, Actes. 1. being nowe set at the righte hande of God his Father. But what dothe this ascention profit you?
My Lord, my head and Sauiour Iesus Christe, is gone vp into the [Page]Heauens, to make me to go vp after him, for there where the head is, the members are also, and I beléeue, that being set at the right hande of God his Father, Coloss. [...]. he is mine Aduocate, intercessor, and only mediator towards him, very wel assuring me, that none may be able to hurte me, séeing that Iesus Christ is mine aduocate & my iudge togither, 1. Iohn. [...] Rom. 8. Iohn. 5. wherefore, I haue no occasion to feare the day of his iudgement, when he shall come to iudge the liuing and the dead, for I beléeue and confesse in steadfast Faith, that there is no iudgemente nor condemnation againste those whiche are faithfull members in Iesus Christ. Rom. [...].
Who hathe giuen him the grace to vnderstande and knowe all these things?
It is by the grace of the holye Ghost, 1. Iohn. 5. one onely God with the Father, and the sonne, by whose meane we receyue all the good thinges and giftes whiche are offered vnto vs in Iesus Christ.
Séeing that you haue alreadye confessed, that you are a member of Iesus Christ, it followeth then that you are also incorporate to hys Churche, the whiche ye ought to beléeue to be holy, Catholike, and vniuersall.
I beléeue certaynely the holye Church vniuersal, washed and clensed in the pretious bloud of Iesus Christ: Ephes. 5. wherefore, I doe most humbly thanke him, that he hath gyuen me the grace to be one of the little members of his Church: and beyng [Page]baptised in his name, he hath made me to liue in the communion, vnitie, and charitie of the same, hauing instructed me with his holy word, and nourished me with his true bodye, Math. 4. 1. Cor. 11. hauing giuen me to drinke of hys most pretious bloud, in hope of the eternall life.
Nowe séeing that you are so well founded vpon ye liuely Rocke which is Iesus Christ, 1. Cor. 10. and knowing your selfe well, you must confesse and acknowledge ye principall good things whiche you haue receyued of thys Lord Iesus Christ.
It is very méete, for I will not be ingrate, to acknowledge the good things and giftes that I haue receiued of God, wherefore I consesse, that I wretched and miserable sinner, haue infinitely, and withoute [Page]ceassing, Psalme. 51. Luke. 17. offended the goodnesse and iustice of God, hauing transgressed his holy commandements. In doing whereof, I haue deserued eternall death and damnatiō. Notwithstanding, I appealing to the mercie of God, 1. Tim. 1. Actes. 4. do aske him mercie, and beléeue and confesse vndoubtedly, that my sinnes are fully and wholly forgiuen me, by the only merite of the deathe and passion of my Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ, Apocal. 1. Math. 26. in the sheding of hys most precious bloud, wherein I doe assure my selfe, to be sufficientlye, and fully washed and purged, which is the greatest cōtentation, and good thing, that euer I mighte receyue, and such is my faith, in the whyche I will liue and dye, Math. 10. by the grace of the holy Ghost.
Séeing that you haue receyued so great a good thing of God, by the [Page]meane of his sonne Iesus Christe, Marke. 11. it behoueth you also to do hys commandementes, for euen as he hathe pardoned and forgiuen you all your sinnes, euen so likewise must you fréely, and with a good heart, forgiue all those whiche may haue offended you, other wise, Math. 5. you shall not walke according to God.
Héerein haue I knowen the Law of Iesus Christ, Math. 16. to be the onely holy and perfect lawe, commaunding vs to loue our neyghbours, both friēds and enimies, as our selues: wherefore, I beséeche all those, whome I may haue offended, eyther in worde or déede, to forgiue me with as good a heart, Luke. 23. as I doe forgiue all whyche haue offended me, desiring to doe them pleasure and seruice, as to my good bréethren and friends.
Now séeing that it is ordeyned of [Page]God, that all men shall dye, we may not resist his ordinance, but we must continually conforme our selues to his holy will: Hebr. 9. Genes. 3. wherfore my brother, you may not find it strange, if I doe declare vnto you that which the good Prophete Esay dyd declare to the King Ezechias, Esay. 38. saying vnto hym from the Lorde, Giue order to thy house, for thou shalt die, & shalt liue no longer. This good councel should stirre you vp, to dispose your self spiritually well in your cōscience. Esay. 55. It is first to turne your selfe to God, and to bewayle your sinnes, as this good King did, to implore his mercie in asking him forgiuenesse, and saying alwaye in your heart: O Lord God be mercifull and haue pitie vpon me wretched sinner, for the loue of thy sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and sauioure.
This done, you maye not forget your house and familie, the why he [Page]you ought so well to ordeyne, and dispose by good festamente, or other last will, that it maye be after youre deceasse, in peace and quietnesse: but to shew you the better to vnderstand howe to giue order, and to dispose of your house: it is that you giue vnto euery man that whiche is his due, withoute deceyuing any man: that you leaue youre wife, heire, youre childrē, and kinffolke, in good agréement and quietnesse, to the end, that after your deceasse, they haue no occasion to be diuided. This done, you must forget al the cares and griefes of this worlde, the whiche passeth away, with all his concupiseence, but he that doth the will of God remaineth eternally. Touching your children, you are only their naturall father for a time: but God is euerlastingly their spirituall Father, [...]. hauing them in his holy keeping and protectiō, to kéepe and nourish them, [Page]and to preserue them from all euill, Math. 6. prouided, that they wyll walke in his wayes. For the rest, séeing that you are a Christian, regenerate at the holy Sacramente of Baptisme, it is long since that you did know, that we haue héere no permanente citie, for we looke for a better, which is euerlasting, wherefore I pray you, in the name of God, trouble not your selfe at all with anye kinde of worldly griefe, for we are héere but straungers as oure fathers were, Psalme. 38. when then our Lord God shall haue ordeyned, that you shall dislodge and marche before vs, will you not then submitte your selfe to his holy wyll and ordinance? Also, if he sée it expedient for your saluation, to prolong your life, as he did to his good Kyng Ezechias, will not you be contented we it, Esay. 38. ye it shall please him to dispose of you? yes certainely, for he is Lord and maister, you are but a seruant: [Page]he is your creator, you are his creature, and the worke of his hands. Euen so then will he dispose of you according to his wyll, wherevnto you shoulde humble and conforme your selfe, saying with a good heart, O Lord God, thou knowest my necessitie, if it be thy pleasure to prolong my life, thy will be done, if it please thee also to cal me vnto thee, thy will bee done, for thy creature O Lorde nathe none other will, but thine.
Now my brother, comforte your selfe in God, who if he haue ordeyned to call you, your calling shall hée happie, for you must beléeue and trust with a strong faith, that hée will make you to rise in your owne body in a glorious immortalitie, to cause you to raigne with him in the eternall life, 1. Cor. 15. Apocal. 1. the whiche is wonne and giuen to you, in the vertue of the most pretious bloud of our Lord [Page]and Sauioure Iesus Christe, in whose name, the Lord God blesse & conserue you, and cause hys countenance to shine vpō you, and be merciful vnto you. The Lord God turne his face towardes you, and maineteyne you in good estate. So be it.
This being done, if they sée the sicke person to impaire, and to draw néere his deathe, as willing to tende to his appoynted ende, forthwith in his mortall agonie, fayle ye not to recite wyth a loude voyce before him the Christian exhortation, the which is placed here before, thus doing, God will giue him grace well & faithfully to dye in him. So be it.
I Woulde desire héere to saye something more, but there is I can not tell what griefe in my heart, which maketh me to holde my peace in the middest: of my purpose, when I thinke vpon the blindnesse, and horrible darkenesse of the time passed. [Page]For the Monkes and Priestes, refusing in this laste necessitie the comforts that the Scripture giueth, and the confirmations against the feare of Death, they brought forth of the one side, and of the other, I can not tell what trash? Firste beholde the faire exhortation whiche they gaue to those which were vpon the pittes brinke, to trust in ye Popes Bulles, wherein they did promise them forgiuenesse of their sinnes, and tooke frō them all feare of the fire of Purgatorie. Now all this, what was it, other than to leane againste a wall that was readie to fall, or to trust to a broken réede. Further, they exhorted the poore sicke persons, to communicate, and to take part of ye good works whiche should be done in all their order, as fastings, abstinences, watchings, Prayers, and other such lyke dayne thynges, and to haue theyr parte therein: they myghte [Page]in no wise spare anye siluer, no, if they woulde saue their soule. For it is in this forte, that these furred pawes, and hooded beastes, haue accustomed to set forthe their workes of superabundance that they might sell to others, leauing alwaye that whiche was prositable and necessarie to obteyne saluation. And of this matter, men maye yet at this daye, bring forth faire obligations passed, which shall giue testimonie of these things. Note this blasphemie. The sicke persons then being néere deathe, were admonished to thinke, howe greate merits they had, for so muche as Heauen was due vnto them, howe manye good works they had, with the multitude whereof they were cleane couered, in suche forte, as a man coulde not knowe whether they had offended God or no. Beho [...]d there the goodly comforts which they were wont to giue to poore languishing persons, [Page]and such as they do giue at this day vnder the Popes rayne. And aboue all the holynesses, beholde this great superstition which hath place, that if any man did dye, being clad wyth the habite of a Frier, the Diuell should haue no power ouer hym. Among the whiche, manye Italians haue bin drunken with this foolishe superstition, yea men of renoune, and of great wisedome, the whyche woulde be receyued before they departed out of this world, into the familie of S. Frances, and after their death, would be bursed in hys habit. Nowe I speake not héere at all of Obsequies, Vigilles, Anniuersaries, Peligrimage, taken in hand for the saluation of the dead, nor of other suffrages of the liuing, nor of merits, satisfactiōs, and good works, wherein they did put their onely hope and trust, to obteyne saluation. And to auoyde the paynes of [Page]Purgatorie. I will not speake of the other things, which these idle bellies were wont to set forth, to poore sicke persons, to prepare them to death, I leaue to spoke of these blasphemies. Whē they shaped this goodly hunne to the Virgin Marie in ye Article of deathe. Marie mother of grace, mother of mercie, defend vs from the enimie, and receyue vs at the houre of death. Now let vs acknowledge the inestimable benefites of oure onely God, and heauenlye Father, who in our dayes hath restored the doctrine of the Gospell, and hathe stirred vs vp to serue him in all purenesse, in true reuerence and honor, and hathe drawen vs out frō the deadly darkenasse, to bring vs to the knowledge of his sonne our Lord & only sauiour Iesus Christ. And euen as the good old m [...]n Simeon (of whom S. Luke maketh mention) after that he had séene according to the promise made Luke. 2. [Page]vnto him Iesus Christ, whome hee had wayted for, and desired of long time, blessing and praysing God, did say, Lorde thou lettest goe nowe thy seruante in peace, according to thy word, for so much as mine eyes hane séene thy saluation, the whiche thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a lighte for the lightening of the Gētiles, & the glory of thy people Israell, Euen so we, after that wée haue knowen the sonne of God oure mediator and Aduocate, after that we haue séene him with the eyes of our saith, with the good old Simeon, yea, he whiche is the Christ and anoynted of the Lorde, let vs gyue thankes with ioy and gladnesse, to the great liuing God, and let vs sing very Christian songs, prayses, and himites, in the holye company of the faithful, and let vs depart from thys life willingly, & with a glad hearte, at what time soeuer it shall please [Page]this good heauenly father, yea, and being in good healthe, lette vs desire with S. Paule to be separated from this body, & to be leste in peace with Simeon, to the ende, that we maye lastly come to that only and eternal ioy of Angels and of men, whych is Iesus Christ, after whom, the faithfull doe languishe with a burning zeale, to enioy his so amiable company with all the Saincts, God the author of euery good thing and blessing, the father, the sonne, and the holy Ghost, make vs partakers of this holye grace, vnto whome bée prayse euerlastingly. So be it.
Remember those which are afflicted, as being your selfe of the same bodye, and subiecte to endure as much.
¶ Heere followe certayne consolatorie sentences concerning the loue of God towards man, and of the benefits of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christe, bestowed vpon vs, taken out of holy scripture, for the comfort and confirmation of the afflicted in mind, whome Sathan by all his cunnings would drawe into desperation: and he that would escape comforte of thys small collection, must haue the Bible by hym, and turne to the sentences heerein vvritten, and not onely reade the sentences heere cyted, but also that vvhich goeth next before it, and that also vvhich follovveth next after is. (*⁎*)
FIrst, God is the God of loue and peace. 2. Cor. 11. God deliuereth vs frō ouil, Esa. 3. a. 63. & ye know ye he appeared ye he might take away our sins, & in him is no sinne, Ioh. 3. b but God setteth out his loue toward [Page]vs, séeing that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for vs. Ro. 5. b. for those which he hathe predestinate to be made like to the image of his son, to the end he should be the first born amongst very many brethrē. Ro. 8. f. and that which I liue now in ye flesh, I liue in the faith of the son of God, who hath loued & giuen himselfe for me. Gala. 2. d, and walke in loue euē as Christe bath loued vs, & hathe giuen hymselfe for vs to be an offering and a sacrifice of a sméet smelling sauoure to God, Ephe. 5. a. Grace and Peace be vnto you, frō hym that is, that was, and that is to come, & from the seauen spirites, which are before his throne, & frō Iesus Christ, which is a faithfull witnesse, the first borne of the dead, and Prince of the Kings of the earth, vnto him that loued vs, and washed vs in his bloud frō oure sins. Apoc. a. b. for the Lorde doeth chastice him that he loueth, euen as [Page]the father doth the childe, in whome he delighteth: my sonne despise not ye chastning of the Lord, neither fainte when thou arte rebuked, for whome the Lord loueth, he chastneth: and he scourgeth euery sonne, that he receiueth. If ye endure chastizemēt, God offereth himselfe vnto you as vnto sons, for what sonne is he? &c. Hebr. [...] i. b. c. Prouer, [...] b. But Sion (sayd ye Lord) hath forgotten me: can a woman forgette hir childe, and not haue cōpassion of the sonne of hir wombr? though they should forget, yet I will not forget thée. Esay. 49. d.e. I haue sound thée saith the Lord, with an euerlasting loue, therefore with merrie haue I drawen thée, Iere. 31. a. b. What shall we then saye to these things, if God be on our side, who cā be againste vs? who spared not hys owne sonne, but gaue him for all to deathe, howe shall he not with hym giue vs all things also. Rom. 8. f. So [Page]we doe therefore loue him, bycause he loued vs first. Iohn. 4. d. as my father knoweth me, euen so knowe I my father, and I lay downe my life for my Shéepe. Ioh. 10. b. c. the false Prophete, whiche woulde drawe vs from the loue and perfecte trust that we ought to haue in God, ought not to be heard, but slayne. Deut. 13. a. b. c. Call vppon me in the daye of thy trouble, and I will deliuer thée, and thou shalt glorifie me, Psalm. 50. c. for O Lorde thou arte good and mercifull, & of greate kindnesse vnto all thē which call vpon thée. Psal. 80. [...]. The Lorde is ful of compassion and mercie, flowe to anger, and of greate kindnesse, he will not alwayes chide, nor kéepe his anger for euer. Ps. 103. a. The Lord is gratious & merciful, flowe to anger, and of great mercie. The Lord is good to al, & his mercies are ouer al his works. Psalm 102. At what time soeuer a sinner doth repēt [Page]him of his sin from ye bottome of hys hart, I wil put all his wickednes out of my remēbraunce (saith the Lorde) Ezechiel 18. g. A sorrowfull spirite is a sacrifice vnto God, dispise not O Lord humble and contrite harts. Ps. 51. Séeke the Lord whilst hée may be soūd, cal vpō him whilest he is néere, let ye wicked forsake his wayes, & the vnrighteous his own imaginations, & returne to the Lord, & he will haue mercie vpō him: & to our God, for he is very ready to forgiue. Esa. 55. b. c. Then shall ye crie vnto me, and yée shall goe and pray vnto me, and I will heare you, and yée shall séeke me and find me, bycause ye shal séeke me with all your hearte, and I wyll bée founde of you sayth the Lorde, and I will turne awaye youre captiuitie. Ierem. 29. c. Grace be vnto you, and peace from God the father, and from oure Lorde Iesus Christ, who gaue himselfe for our sinnes, to deliuer vs [Page]from this presente wicked world, according to the will of God dure Father, to whome be glorie for euer. So be it. Galath. i. a. Amend your liues, for the kingdome of God is at hande. Math. 4. c. I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance, Math. 9. b. Come vnto me all ye that are loden and wéerie, and I will ease you. Math. [...]. d. If any man sinne, we haue an aduocate with the father Iesus Christe the righteous, and he is the reconciliation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of ye whole world. 1. Iohn. 2. a. (*⁎*)