Disce mori. = Learne to die A religious discourse, moouing euery Christian man to enter into a serious remerbrance of his ende. Wherein also is contained the meane and manner of disposing himselfe to God, before, and at the time of his departure. In the whole, somewhat happily may be abserued, necessary to be thought vpon, while we are aliue, and when we are dying, to aduise our selues and others.

Author: Sutton, Christopher, 1565?-1629.1600

Disce Mori.

Learne to Die.

A Religious discourse, moouing euery Christian man to enter into a serious remembrance of his ende.

Wherin also is contained the meane and manner of disposing himselfe to God, before, and at the time of his departure.

In the whole, somewhat happily may be obserued, necessary to be thought vpon, while we are aliue, and when we are dying, to aduise our selues and others.

Put thy house in order, for thou shalt not liue, but die. Esay. 38. 1.

LONDON Printed by Iohn Wolse. 1600.

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To the Honourable and vertuous his very good Lady, the Lady Elizabeth Southwell, one of the Ladies of the Queenes Maiesties most honourable priuy Chamber.

LAtely entring (Right vertuous Lady) into some more then ordinary consideration of the gracelesse attempts, and desperate enterprises, which many in these dayes (& the more the more pittie) by a cowardly yeelding to euill motions, commit euen [Page] against their owne selues, yea their owne safetie; I thought to discharge my duetie vnto Almightie God, and plaine meaning to men, by setting downe onely some shorte aduertisement, for discontented and distressed mindes. But after, waying with my selfe, how much it concerneth euery man to be careful of his end, whereupon dependes so great a charge, as his eternall welfare is worth; I then began to draw that particular aduertisement appertayning [Page] vnto some, to a more general discourse, appliable vnto all, and euerye one, in this forme, DISCE MORI, Learne to Die: For it seemed to me a thinge most necessarie, for euery sober Christian to be mooued to enter into a serious remembraunce of his ende, to know the meane and manner of disposinge himselfe to GOD, before, and at the time of his departure: that so by the assistance of Gods good grace, hee might liue and die the [Page] life and death of the righteous, and that it may bee saide of him, which S. Ambrose sometimes spake of Abraham, Mortuus est in bona senectute, eo quód in bonitate propositi permansit; Abraham dyed in a good old age, for why? Abraham perseuered in his good resolutions, in his old age, yea euen vnto the ende. Madam, I beseech the God of Abraham, to graunt you Abrahams good successiue course, both in the way, and at the ende of the way. Your [Page] more then vsuall fauor, and long continued acceptance, hath bounde me vnto you, whome otherwise I truely reuerence, for that I am fully perswaded, you truely reuerence God, and serue him, whome to serue, is blessed libertie, yea, (as I shall in the discourse following shew) is the most honourable estate of all. To make issue of my duetifull regard, this small occasion is offered. Were I a meere straunger, I could not for protection sake, seeke any [Page] better patronesse of a religious discourse, thē from a religious disposition: but your particular, respect towardes me many waies, is such, as I shall liue and die vngratefull. I could haue wished to haue made testimonie of my willing intention by some other meanes, thē by publishinge vnder your Ladyships name, these small labours, to the view of the world: for I must needes confesse. I w [...]s very loath; (respectinge my owne weakenesse) to make [Page] that knowne vnto others, which is best knowne vnto my selfe; vntill at last, being ouer entreated by some speciall friendes, from the vniuersitie of Oxford, whose sober, iudicious, & very learned aduise, I knewe not howe to gainesay: I was induced to let this presente tracte goe forwarde in the name of GOD. Wherein I seeke not praise, where none is deserued: but onely desire the Christian Reader, where ought is amisse) to attribute that [Page] vnto my selfe: and beseech your Ladyship, that if there bee any thing obserued, which may mooue so much as a good thought, that it woulde please you, to giue the glory only vnto God, to whose heauenly protection commēding you euer in my prayers, I cease for this time to holde you any longer from the matter it self, which followeth.

Your Ladyships in humble duetie Christoph. Sutton.

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As death s [...]aueth thee so shall Iudgment find thee

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The Preface to the godly Reader.

THat Religion is somewhat out of ioynt, when Christian conuersation goes not euen, as it ought with Christian profession, it is so apparant it cānot be denied, such and so sensible a defect, as that thereby the whole bodie is not a little [Page] blemished. Those whose hearts desire is, that Israel may be saued, and whose true charity is woont to beseech God, for the good of all, haue not onely lifted vp humble handes to heauen, but also endeuoured by painfull labors, to seeke (as much as in them lieth, and so farre-forth as the times may permit and suffer) the best redresse in this case they could: some by substantiall answering, and soberly asswaging the turbulent humors of those men, whose priuate fancies haue much hindred higher proceedings [Page] in matters of faith. Refuted they may be, and are, quieted they will not bee: others by deuout and learned exhortations, in seeking to make a stay of those euils, which Atheisme and want of the fear of God, would in great likehoode bring vpon this declining world, both labouring for their times to keepe some remembraunce of Iesus Christ in the minds of men, before all be too farre out of square, or come to vnrecouerable ruine. But here may wee not demaunde of the diligent obseruers of our imperfections [Page] abroad, whose maner is so much to strike vpon this one string, and by this defect take occasion to call in question, nay, to bring in open oblequie our Christian cause, are none fallen at home from the ancient sinceritie, and harmlesse deuotion of former and better ages of the Church? Some state medling actions, these vncharitable censures in cleane shutting out from the housholde of faith, and hope of life, those who haue poore soules to saue as well as others, and beare as true a loue to Christ crucified as themselues, [Page] may put them in minde, that wee may all beare a part togither in that song of mercy; Asper gas nos Domine, Cleanse vs O Lord. May we not all b [...] thinke our selues on both sides, whether these bee not the dayes whereof our Sauiour Christ spake, Wherin iniquitie shoulde abound? Was euer that old complaint of Hilary more trulie verified?Hilarius ad Constantium Dum in verbis pugnaest, dum in nouitatibus quaestio est, dum in ambiguis occasio est, dum in consensu difficultas est, iam nemo Christi est; While [Page] there is strife in wordes, while there is question in innouations, while there is occasion in doubts, while there is a waywardnesse in consent, none is of Christ. This nipping and galling one of, and at another; this eger pursuit of the liuing, and troubling the verie ashes of the dead, (who can not answer for themselues) is farre from that charitie that hopeth all thinges: and the counsell of that spirit that biddes vs pray one for another. To see what wit and learning is wont to doe in tossing the testimonies of auncient record [Page] to and fro: nay, which is more, in wresting the verie text of holie writ vpon th [...] tenters of our owne dispositions, would so amaze him, that shall reade ouer with aduisement, the controuersies of these times, as he shall think some of them rather discourses to trie masterie, then otherwise sincere trauels imployed for Gods glorie, and his Churches good. Now God of his mercy grant that once this frowarde crossing worlde may drawe to a Christian harmonie, that wee may haue lesse fighting and writing for religion, and more [Page] indeuouring on all partes to become as we ought, more religious; that so this little Arke of Christes Church may nowe in the coole of the Euening, with a so [...]t gale drawe homewarde, and with olde Simeon embracing Christ, make readie to depart in peace. It is the Wisemans aduise to euerie one, Remember thy ende, and let enmitie passe. And thus much wee beseech at their hands, in whose hardest iudgement our cause is so feeble, that setting aside all priuate respects, they would at last considerwhose [Page] gratious protection hath defended so long his, and our cause, whose louing and watchfull eye hath preserued her, who is (and God graunt long may bee) the staffe of our peace, calling to minde that of our Sauiour, If you will not beleeue me, yet beleeue me for my workes sake. For those busie spirits nearer home, who would needs gouerne before they haue well learned to obey, and that at their first bourding must sit at the helme to guide all, how raw, how vnskilfull soeuer: but experience hath long time since [Page] taught the worlde, and the ruine of the East Church, howe daungerous it is to saile in a ship, where the pilots are of a disposition to bee quarrelling within themselues: these mens new deuises in matters of meere conceipt, haue long seemed vnto themselues, better then all the wisdome of the world. But may we intreat them at the last to recount with themselues their own follie, in making it as they haue done, a perfection of godlinesse, to call and reckon others vngodly. And this cursed scoffing at Noahs nakednesse, a sport to [Page] delight their sower austerities. would to God these strange minded men would listen to the graue counsell of Saint Chrysostome: Chrysost. in hom. Mat, 43. Quod si cupiditate iudican di, iudex esse velis, sedem ego tibi o [...]tendam, quae magnum quaestum tibi conferet, & nulla animi labe maculabit, sedeat mēs & cogitatio, iudex in animam at (que) conscientiam tuam, adducas omnia delictatua in medium, dicastecum quare hoc velillud ausus es, If with a desire of iudging thou wouldest needes be a Iudge, [Page] I will shew thee (saith he) the iudgement seat, which shall be gainfull vnto thee, and no way touch thy conscience, let thy minde and thought sit downe to giue sentence, call forth all thy offences, and begin to say with thy selfe, why hast thou done this or that? This priuate examining of themselues, would soone make these publike controllers of all others, by plausible pretenses of reformation, to looke nearer home, and amend in themselues where much is amisse.1. Tim. 13. S. Paule blamed their courseGen 27. 30. whose manner was to goe [Page] from house to house. Esau that lost the blessing, was hunting abr [...]d; but Iacob that had the blessing and the inheritaunce too, kept at home. The wise man, saith Salomon, is the first accuser of himself. And Iudah spake humblie of an offender, when hee said:Gen 38. 36. She is more righteous then I. Let these men know that obedience is better then sacrifice, and that he who is woont to giue grace vnto the humble, is also said to resist the proud. Bee they well assured this sleight stuffe will shrinke when it comes to the wetting. [Page] This counter [...]et coine will proue drosse, when it shall be put to the great triall. An easier matter is it for deuisers to reproue others, then to amend them selues. Those who haue a blemish in their eye, thinke the skie to be euer cloudie. Nothing more common with troublesome dispositions, which haue not knowne the way of peace, then to bee contending, seldome contented what cause soeuer there be otherwise, to be thankefull vnto God. The Lord by the Prophet Malachie saith, I haue blessed you: the [Page] vnthankful people replied, wherein hast thou blessed vs? If all be not answerable vnto some mens conceipts, all is amisse; no blessing of God acknowledged, no thankfulnesse at all remembred. To let these also go, with their childish proc [...]edings, men are men, Truth is truth: little need haue we, did wee bethinke our selues well, in this case to complaine: worse we may fear [...], better to come we doe not hope for: our rather wā ting then enioying, may make posteritte to acknowledge our present good, in which case the religious [Page] and well disposed may deuoutly say,Psal. 6 [...]. 28, 29. O Lord stablish the thing that thou hast wrought in vs, for thy temples sake and Ierusalem. A third sort there is, who seeing the world deuided into so many parts, care in effect for neither: of these kinde of men the Apostle could not but with weepinge speake. And sure what more lamentable, then that men, who beare the name of Christians, should liue like Pagans, and Infidels, and say in their hearts with the foole, There is no God? Is not that of the same Prophet [Page] founde true in these mens maners? Man that is in houour may bee cōpared vnto the beasts that perish. I th [...]nke surely saith Saint Bernard, Bernard. in Cant. if the beasts could speake, they would call godlesse people beasts. The [...]aunger gre [...], the perill imminent, no feare of God, no remembrance of the state present, for that to come, if euer it were needfull, it is nowe needfull, comparing what men are, with what they should be, to call this world to a remembraunce of it selfe:Mala. 1. 6 If I am a father (saith God) where is my [Page] loue, if I am a master, where is my feare? If there be a heauen, where is our ca [...]e in directing our liues, for the obtaining of the same? if there bee anie thing to do these men good, a remembrance of their mortalitie, and an applying themselues to learne to die, shoulde somewhat aua [...]le. The hand-writing once against Baltazar caused his verie hart to shake, and his knees to knock togither, Mene, Dan. 5. 25. mene, tekel peres. The worde mene, God hath nūbred thy daies, tekel▪ thou art weighed in the ballance. I mē take not heed in time, it [Page] may bee written of euerie one whose dayes are in the numbring & we may feare lest the hād write peres too which may make al to cōsider both what they are and what they shalbe▪ when we see others dead we may cō sider we shall shortly do the like, & take part in the same lot that they haue done before vs.1 Cor. 15 26. In the mean seasō, if death be an enemie, as it is, saith the Apostle, thē let vs watch it as an enemy, preuēt it as an enemy, & so be a ble to ēdure the assalts therof whē need requireth, & at the houre of our departure rather reioice thē fear. herupon, [Page] this present discourse of learning to die, shall first lay before thee (good Christian reader) how necessary it is for euerie one to enter into a serious remembrāce of his ende. The manifolde reasons that should mooue him to this remembrance, amongst these reasons, specially the meditation of his state, and manifold afflictions incident vnto the life present, should mooue him herevnto. Correction causeth the scholler more painfullie to applie himself vnto h [...]s lesson: and so the manie chasticements in this world, cause vs the rather [Page] to [...]ee more industr [...] ous in this learning: the meanes that call vs away from so good a labour are mentioned, and the maner how to auoid these meanes is with all expressed. To make an entrance into this so solemne a subiect; I was sometime since occasioned by the treatable visitation and most Christian ende of that verie woorshipfull knight sir Robert Southwell, whose approued seruice in this Commonwelth, and good reputation in his Countrie, is well knowne vnto manie: but of whose true heart to God-warde, [Page] both in the time of his life, & at the time of his death, my selfe can truly relate before others. If there be (as without doubt there is) a dutie which wee owe vnto the faithfull departed, and a good remembrance to bee had of those happie soules; then might I not omit a reuerende mention of him, whose portion I trust assuredly is with God. Looke what a mournefull minde during the time of this his so Christian visitation, could at times consider of, and obserue in priuate, I haue beene since by speciall motiues drawn on, to make [Page] that poore labour publike, as a discourse proper vnto the time. For although a consideration of our departure from this world bee a subiect not vnfitting all ages, yet seeing we are fallen into those dayes, wherein manye liue as if they should neuer die▪ and die, as if with death al were done; and when they come to depart this world they are so farre to seeke in a right disposing themselues to God, as if they seldome or neuer entrod into any earnest consideration of the same. Necessarie are those manie treatises which tend [Page] to the amendment of life, but because vpon our last conflict dependeth our eternall victorie, against the professed enemie of our soules, the well behauing our selues in this combate, must needes of all other be most necessarie. To guide the ship along the seas, it is no doubt a good skill, but at the verie entrance into the hauen, then to auoide the daungerous rockes, and to cast anchor in a safe roade, is the chiefest skil of all. To run the race in good order is the part of a stout champion; but so to run towards the end of his race that hee [Page] may obtaine the crowne, is the verie perfection of all his paines. Then a good life what more Christian like, but after that passed to die in the faith and feare of God, what more diuine? To order aright the vpshot of our owne time, and farewell from this world, what more behouefull if we respect our selues? but in these occasions to bee also helpfull vnto others, what more charitable in respect of the communion of Saints, and that common ioy we receyue in the good of all? Wee are charged to let men liue loselie, and [Page] most vnchristianlie to depart this worlde, to leade their liues, and to goe out of their liues without order: what men doe, is one thing, what wee wish were done, is another. God knowes, and many can witnesse how often, howe earnestlie wee call vpon this carelesse world, to remember that high and weighty businesse of the soule men haue in hande. Though there bee not in vse,Iam. 5. 14. vnguentes eum oleo, which we finde rather appropriate vnto the former times of the Church, and neerest vnto the Apostles [Page] themselues. Yet we say with Saint Iames: Infirmaturquis? inducat presbyte. ros & orent super eum: and to this ende is our Church forme set downe: An order for the visitation of the sicke, so intituled. We wish as hear [...]ilie as anie Christians can, that once the holy exercises of fasting and prayer, were more deuoutly put in practise then we see, and sorie to see the [...] are. We reuerence antiquitie, wherin without all question, God was more carefullie worshipped, memorable deedes of deuotion and hospitalitie, to h [...]s glory [Page] glorie more chearefullie performed, what is consonant to faith, and good maners, wee allowe and commend euen in those, who seeme otherwise in the opinion of manie so farre different from vs, and wee heartily wish that men might see our good workes, And so glorifie our father which is in heauen. It is said of Aristides, who perceiuing the open scandal likelie to arise, by reason of the contention sprung vp betwixt him and Themistocles, to haue besought Themistocles mildly after this manner: [Page] Sir, wee both are no meane men in this commonwelth, our dissention will proo [...]e no smal offence vnto many, good Themistocles, let vs be at one, and if we will needes striue, let vs striue who shall excell each other in vertue and loue. The Elements though in qualities diuerse: yet doe they all accord for the constitution of the bodie naturall, what should Christians but acaccord for the conseruation of the Church, that they be not a shame to Israel which Church is a bodie mysticall: we are all sheepe of that folde whereof Christ [Page] is the sheepheard, we are all stones of that building, whereof he was the corner. We are all braunches of that Vine whereof hee was the stocke. We haue but one God for our father, that created vs all, one Christ Iesus to our Sauiour, that redeemed vs all, one holie Ghost to our sanctifier, that doth adorne vs all. We are but pilgrimes and straungers, and wee shall one day find, that a peaceable christian life, with a good departure from this worlde, shal stand vs more in stead then all the world besides, when after bearing our [Page] braines in matters of contradiction, we shall perceiue that this charitable Christian life is worth all. And therefore beseech we God, the authour of all good giftes, that Mercie and truth may meete togither, that righteousnesse and peace may kisse each other. And his glorie dwell in our land, vntil wee come to dwell in the land of glorie.

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As thou art, I once was. As I am, thou shalt be.

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A Copie of a letter sent from Oxford to the Authour of this booke, and thought good in his absence to be set down by those to whome the publique allowance heereof did appertaine.

MAster Sutton, I haue perused your copie, which seemeth to mee in my simple opinion, very deuout, diuine & learned: The subiect of your booke, I greatly [Page] approoue, for to teache to die well, is the forciblest perswasiue to liue well, which alas are in these wicked times, both little thought on: for in deede, men liue as though they neuer made accompt to die: and they die as if they neuer thought on another life. Your seuerall treatises are very Christian & most necessary in this dying age, to all goodnesse: your phrase and vaine of penninge sweete and patheticall: your allusions diuine & comfortable. I say at [Page] once, and I thinke, Omnia in illo libro spiritum dininum olent. Wherfore my counsell vnto you is, that you woulde make this your booke liue by printing, which may make many liue frō sinning. Gods good spirite hath not moued you to take this good paines, now to bury the fruite, so soone as it is borne, and none profited, but that it shoulde be presented vnto the worlde, to liue, when you are dead: Foelix & formosa proles est: be not then so vnnatural now, [Page] to stifle it in the cradle, or cast it with Moyses to drowning: it is worthy the nurcing, and bringing vp of a Princes daughter, and your honourable patronesse. The Church looketh to haue good seruice of it: the Vniu [...]rsitie, your Colledge, your mother, your frendes expect credite & commendation by it: your selfe the father of it, will no doubt haue great ioy of it. Goe forwarde then on Gods name, and christen it to the world. And so I leaue [Page] with my hartiest commendations, longing to see that faire printed, which is now so neere written, I could s [...]a [...]ce reade it. From L. Col. the 6. of August. 1600.

Your assured louing frend. R. K.

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The Contents of the Chapters.

An exhortation moouinge euery one to apply himselfe to learne to die.

II.

Wherein is shewed the cause, why men so seldom [...] in these dayes, enter into a serious remembrance of their end.

III.

How behoouefull it is for euery Christian man, soberly to meditate of his end.

IIII.

Wherein is shewed that the estate [Page] and condition of the life present, may instely mooue vs to this consideration.

That a meditation of the li [...]e to come, may also mooue vs to the same remembrance of our ende.

VI.

That we need not feare Death, much lesse to meditate thereof.

VII.

That the afflictions of minde, which are incident in the life of man, may mooue him to meditate of his ende.

VIII.

That the griefes of body, may also mooue him to this serious meditation.

IX.

[Page]How it concerneth euery one, in time of health, to prepare himselfe for the day of his dissolution.

Wherein is shewed, the manner of this preparing, or the estate and condition of life, wherin the Christian shoulde euer stād prepared for Death.

XI.

How the Christian man should demeane himself, when sicknesse beginneth to grow vppon him.

XII.

How he shold dispose of worldly goods and possessions.

XIII.

How necessary it is for the sick, leauing worldly thoughtes, [Page] to apply his mind to prayer and some godly meditation.

XIIII,

How the sicke, when sickenesse more and more encreaseth, may be moued to constancy and perseuerance.

XV.

How they may bee aduertised who seeme vnwilling to die.

XVI.

How they may bee induced to depart meekly, that seeme loath to leaue v orldly goods wife, children, frends or such like.

XVII.

How the impatient may be perswaded to endure the paines of sickenesse and death peaceably.

XVIII.

How they are to be comforted, [Page] who seeme to bee troubled in mind, with a remēbrance of their sinnes, and feare of iudgement to come.

XIX.

How the sicke in the agonye of death, may bee prepared towards his end.

XX.

In what maner the sicke should bee directed by those, to whome this waightye businesse doth properly pertaine.

XXI.

Wherein is laide downe the manner of commending the sicke into the hands of God, at the hower of Death.

XXII.

An exho [...]tation to comforte those, who lament & [...] for the departure of others.

XXIII.

[Page] How those that vndertake any daungerous attempte either by sea or land, wherein they are in perill of Death, shoulde deuoutly, before, make themselues ready for God.

XXIIII.

A briefe direction for such as are suddenly called to departe the world.

XXV.

A Consolatory Admonition for those who are often ouermuch grieued at the crosses of this world.

XXVI.

An admonition to all, while they haue time, to make speede in applying them to this lesson of learning to die.

XXVII.

The great folly of men in neglecting this oportunity or [Page] time offered to learne to die.

XXVIII.

Wherin is shewed, that this learning to die, may iustly mooue vs to leade a Christian life, in holy conuersation and godlynesse.

XXIX.

Wherein is shewed in the last place, that a consideration of Christ his second comming to iudgemente, ought to mooue euery one to liue religiously, & also to apply himselfe to this lesson, of learning to die.

XXX.

A short Dialogue, between faith and the natural man, concerning mans estate in the worlde, and his departure from the worlde.

XXXI.

[Page] A Dialogue between Discontentment and Hope.

XXXII.

A Dialogue betweene Presumption and Fea [...]e.

XXXIII.

A short discourse, wherin is shewed the great commendation of a peaceable course of life, vnto which wee are moued by a consideration of our ende.

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DISCE MORI: Learne to Die.

The First Chapter.

An exhortation moouing euery one to apply himselfe to this lesson of learning to Die.

TRue it is, that our abode heere in this world is an ordinaunce established of God, and may also be very acceptable to man. To procure [Page 39] the continuaunce of life, by meanes ordained, is allowable.Eccles. 38. 3. To auoide thinges hurtfull to the preseruation thereof, is behoouefull. Wilfully to hinder our owne health, is not onely against the cours [...] of nature, but a way to tempt the very God of nature. To wish eyther to bee gonne sooner, or to stay longer in this earthly station, then it shal seeme good vnto him, by whose appointment wee all stand, is a part (saith one) of great ingratitude. The time therefore allot [...]ed vs to walke in, we may accept, vntill God cal vs away, with thankefull hearts: vsing that space to serue him,Luc. 2. 72 in holinesse and righteousnesse. To desire with the Prophete,Psal. 72. 15. that God, who hath taught vs frō our youth by, would not leaue vs in age, when wee are grayheaded: vntill wee haue shewed his power vnto them who are yet to come. With Ezechias [Page 40] to do God yet a little more seruice in the world.Esa 38. 4 With S. Paule to be content to stay our▪ dissolution,Phil. 1. 24 to be helpefull vnto others. In which respectes, we may accept of, and wish yet some farther continuaunce of our selues and others. The true Israelites in desiring so hartely the life and preseruation of Dauid their king;2. Sam. 21 17. because when he should be taken from them, the light of Israel wold bee quenched, and many a good Israelite shoulde (as Iacob saide) bring his gray heires with sorrow,Gen. 42. 38. vnto the graue, did herein she [...], no lesse dutifull, then godly affection. Notwithstanding, seeing that man hath here onely a course to finish, which beeing finished, he must away: seeing that life is [...], true as y^e saying hath, a debt to Death, who hath absolute authority ouer all, then as the Prophet Daniell said, Heare acceptable [Page 41] counsell: Nay heare O mā,Dan. 4. 24. counsell by y^• wisest amongst men, from the God of Heauen,Eccles 12. 1. Remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth: or at the least, before the dayes come wherin thou shalt saye, I haue no pleasure in them: That is to wit, thy approaching end It is sufficient,1. Pet. 4. 3. [...]aith S. Peter, That wee haue seene the time past after the lustes of the Gentiles. As if he should haue said▪ for the time past that is gone, and cannot be recalled. Now for God his sake bee carefull for the time to come. That we are not borne Angelles wee knowe, and experience dooth shew we are all mortall▪ Liue well and Die well: If wee take heede in time, wee may, Liue, and not to Die, wee cannot. Neither are we to regard how long wee liue, but how well we liue. To take then a Religious remembrance of our end, as a potion next the heart in [Page 42] this miserable world, that begins apace to w [...]xe sickly in the doctrine of the Resu [...]rection, and goes forward so coldly in the exercises of Christian pietie, will with God his help be a warme, and speciall preseruatiue to the soule, To Learne to Die, is a lesson worthy our best, and best disposed attention, being a speciall preparatiue vnto a happy ende, wherein consisteth the welfare, of all our beeing. Dauid who was for his learning a Prophet; for his acceptation (saith the Scripture) A man after Gods owne heart; 1. Sam. 13. 14. was thē very studious in this learning, who after watching, and fasting hee besought God to be instructed,Psal. 39. 5 cōcerning the nomber of his dayes, and the time hee had yet to liue: Like the carefull scholler that breakes his sleepe, forsakes his meate, is often in meditation, when he [...]eates vpon some seriou [...] [Page 43] subiect. Now therefore this [...], of all lessons, or learninges,Cor. 1. 20. this learning to Die, what more waighty? what more diuine? where is the Scribe? where is the Disputer? what is it to haue the force of Demosthenes? the pe [...]swasiue arte of Tully, so great an Orator? What is it by Arithmeticall accompte, to deuide the least fractions, and with the man of God, neuer to think of nombring the time we haue yet to liue? what is it by Geometrie, to take the longitude of the most spatious prospectes, and not to measure that, which the Prophete calleth, onely a span long? what is it to set the Triapason in a musicall concent, and for want of good gouernement, to lead a life all out of tune? what is it with the Astronomer, to obserue the motion of the Heauens, and to haue his harte buried in the earth? With the [Page 44] Naturalist, to search out the cause of many effectes, and let passe a consideration of his owne [...]railty? With the Historian to knowe what others haue doone, and to neglect the true knowledge of himselfe? With the Lawyer to prescribe many lawes in particular, and not to remem [...]er the common Law of Nature, that all must Die, which is a Law generall? In a woord, what is it for the deepest worldlings to be able by reaching pollicy, to compasse plots of high enterprise, as Doctors in that faculty, and die God knowes, like simple men? Surely all is nothing worth. If thou art wise, bee wise then vnto thine owne soule. As the rich man, saith Fulgentius, Fulgent. epist. ad [...]al. spoken of in the sixteenth of Luke, was poore in all his pompe, mourning in all his mirth: so are those who Liue and neuer Learne to Die: ignorant in all their knowledge. [Page 45] For why? the greatest Rabbines in these professions, may come with Nicodemus to be catechised in this learning▪ wherein either as babes they haue not receiued the first rudiments, or as very trewantes, haue a little by roate, and so soone forget all. Well, the perfection of our knowledge is to know God, and our selues: our selues wee best knowe, when wee acknowledge our mortall being. As men we die naturally, as Christians wee die religiously. In the schoole of Christ, first by mortifying the old man, wee endeuour to die to the world, and then by a vertuous disposing of our selues, for the day of our departure, we learne to die in the worlde. By our dying to the world, Christ is saide to come and Liue in vs, and by our dying in the world, wee are saide to goe to Liue with Christ.Gal▪ 2. 20. Now therfore seeing to die, is so necessary, and to Die wel is [Page 46] so Christian-like,Phil. 1. 23. let euery one apply himselfe sov [...]rly to this learninge, as the greatest part of true wisedome. How many in the world beat their braines about friuolous matters: some beeing more busie to knowe where Hellis, sayth S. Chrisostome, Chrisost. in Homil. 31. then how to auoid the paines thereof: others pleasing themselues, in pelting and needelesse questions, to seeme singular amongst men. When they come to departe this world, then they perceiue they haue spunne a faire thred, and wearied themselues in vaine; then they consider howe they shoulde rather haue applyed themselues as they ought, Wherefore to grow more and more, out of loue and liking, with these transitory delights: to breake off by little and little, from this wearysome world, to his home-warde, disposing himselfe for the day of his departure is a course most beseeming euery wise Christian. Let [Page 47] the vaine glorious, who with the Camelion, liue by the ayre, and therefore is said to be euer found gaping: who haue with the Moone, but a borrowed light in the world, not lighte in themselues, & therefore are still waxing and wayninge, follow shewes, and shadows, all which shal perish, in the twinckling of an eye, but let the wise Christiā man Learne to die the death of the righteous,Psal. 116. 15. that so hee may liue ioyfully heere & hereafter. That which foolish menne are willing to do in the end, wise men do in the beginning. Wisedome it is with Noah, Gen. 6. 12 Gen. 41. 48. to build an Arke while the season is calme: with Ioseph to laye vp store in the dayes of plenty: while y^• weather is faire to bethinke our selues of a tempest: in a word, whē oportunity doth serue, to follow a thriuing husbandry, sowing the seed of godly actio [...]s, in the field of a repē tāt hart, that so at y^• Antumne, or end of our age, we may reap [Page 48] the fruites of euerlasting comfort. We are for the most part euen out of the world, before euer we consider out condition in the same, and we then begin to direct our course aright, whē the time is come rather to make an ende. Would to God we would remember that worthy sayinge of one, when hee was now drawing towards the period of his time,Sene. epist. 62. quando iuuenis curaui bene viuere, quando senex bene mori, Whē I was a yong man, my care was how to liue well, since age came on, my care hath beene h [...]w to die wel. And of an other, who brake out into these words:August. de. mat. Luc. 10. Nihil suauius in hac vita, quā vt quietus fiat exitus ex [...]adem, In this life now nothing more sweete vnto me then to prepare for a peaceable passage from the same. With Martha we are combred about many things. Mary that sate musing, chose the good parte. Vnum est necessariū, One thing is necessary: Learne, O learne to [Page 49] Die. The enemy that is often loked for, dooth least hurte, when hee makes his assault. If this Basiliske Death, first see vs, before we it, there is some daunger: but if wee first discrie the Basiliske, then the Serpent dieth, wee neede not feare. The tempest before expected, dooth lesse annoy, when the storme shall arise. He that leaueth the worlde, before the worlde leaues hym, thinketh of the day of his dissolution: as the Sicke man hearkeneth to the clocke, shall giue Death the hand: like a welcome messenger,Luc. 2. 29 and with Simeon pray to depart in peace. Yet the weather is faire,Gen. 7▪ 5 wee may frame an Arke to saue vs from the floud. Yet Ionas calls in the streete ofIon. 3. 4 Niniuie. Yet Wisedome crieth to all that passe by,Prou. 1. 2. vsque quo: O how long will you loue vanitie? Yet the Angels are at the gatesHos. 6. 4 of Sodome. Yet the Prophet woos; O Iuda how shall I entreate thee? Yet the Apostle beseecheth for Christes sake,2. Cor. 5 20. that we would bee reconciled vnto [Page 50] God. To conclude, yet the Bridegroome tarries and stayes the virgins leysure,Matth. 25 7. to haue them enter with him vnto the marriage solemnitie. Lord that they would make speede, and cast off many meere vanities, seeing the ioyes of heauen carry for them. The pleasures of this worlde, are pleasures in shew: but the pleasures that Christ hath layd vp for them, that are his, are pleasures in deede. God almighty increase in our hartes a desire of this learning: that so wee may liue in his feare, & die in his loue, to liue for euer.

The Second Chapter.

Wherein is shewed, the cause why men so seldome enter into a serious remembrance of their end

CAn wee sufficiently woonder, that the regenerate manne, whome God hath made by grace, [...] contemplatiue creature, and by [Page 51] glory,Matt. 22. 30. equalled vnto the state of Aungels, should bee so delighted in the affaires of thys vncomfortable worlde: so enchaunted with the harlot-like allurements of sinne: so carried away from himself by the way of sensuall securitie, as vtterly to cast away all remēbrance of his ende, and to become worse then an Idoll of Canaan, which had eyes, & saw not, that is, to haue a Reasonable Soule, and vnderstand not to induce the sonnes of men lightly, and loosely to passe ouer a religious remembrance of this their ende? Is his sleight, whose businesse was, and is, at, and since the fall of Adam, Gen. 3. 4. to slay soules: Nequaquam moriemini, Tush you shall not dye at all? As if he would haue the remembrance of death▪ but a melancholy conceite: and least it should make in mans hart too deepe an Impression of the feare of God, he will haue the Forbidden tree to delght the eye: fayre woordes to please the eare, and driue all away. Eritis vt Dii: Why? you [Page 52] shall be as Gods: when his drift was to haue had them Diuels. By this we see, whose practise it is to make the worlde runne at randome as it doth, and so many graceles Libertines by a carelesse course to passe ouer their dayes in vanity, their yeares: in folly, so long, vntill they be taken by the euill day, when they thinke not of it,Eccles. 9 12. as birdes in the snare, and fishes in the nett, sayth the wise man, and so become vtterly vndone for euer. To muse of our Ende, is none of our thoghts: to heare S. Paule speake of iudgement to come, is too chilling a doctrine for our delightful dispositions,Act. 24, 26, and makes vs cold at the hart. We cannot abide to stay vppon such austerities. with Felix wee are not at leysure, for this [...]arring musicke▪ which soundes not a right in the consort of our worldly pleasures, and therefore will heare it another tyme, happely not at all. To thinke of death it is Acheldoma, a fielde of bloud: but to let the time slide wastfully, and our sinnes increas [...] [Page 53] daungerously:Thes. 5. 3 to promise vnto our selues many dayes, to heare placentia, and to be told of Peace, Peace, Iere. 8. 11 though sodeine destruction bee neuer so neere, is our pleasing ditty: vntill the soul bee rocke a sleepe in sinne, and sleepe as Sisera (which God forbid) he slept▪ Iudg. 4. 21. but neuer waked againe. Mercyfull Lorde!Iere. 5. 31. what will become of this at the last? If nothing els, yet the dayly instances of death before vs, doe euidently shew, what shall in like maner shortely betide our selues. The enterlude is the same: we [...] are but now Actors vppon the stage of this world. They which are gon, haue played their parts: and wee which remayne, are yet acting ours, onely our Epilogue is for to ende. It is a maruaile aboue maruailes, that in a battaile, where so manye goe to the grounde, our remisse hartes can take no warning, to enter into some remēbrance of our state. The neighbours fire cannot but giue warninge of approachinge flames, Mihi heri, tibi hodie: yesterday [Page 54] to mee,Ecclesiast. 38. 23. to day to thee. Whose turne is next, God onely knowes, who knoweth all▪ Hee that once thought but to beginne to take his ease, Luc. 12. 20. was faine that very night, whether he would or no, to make his ende. If nothinge els, yet so manye, so apparant precedentes, should mooue vs toshake off this strange forgetfulnesse, vnlesse that complainte of Cyprian be also verified;Cypr. de vanit. id [...]. Nolumus agnoscere quod ignora [...]e non possumus: Wee will not knowe that which we cānot but know. Good Lord, into what a daungerous Lethargie of the soule are wee fallen, when so many obiectes before our eyes, which are so often sounding in our dullest eares, can nothing moue: or at least so little, as sodeinely all is gone. Our mouing is with Agrippa, in modico tantum, but onely somewhat, which by and by is forgot againe. Our consultations are, Volumus, & nolumus, we will, and we will not: and so with the sluggarde, nothinge is done. What long discourse [Page 55] haue we in our greatest meetings, but dead men are partly, if not chiefly, the subiect of the same? How often heare wee the solemne [...]nell. when our selues can say, well, some body is gon? Do we not passe by the graues of manye, who for age, and strength might haue rather seene vs lead the way? and yet for all this,Pro. 14. 9. to dreame, as if there were no death at all? Goe too sayth Salomon to the slothfull, sleepe on. Let fooles, as they do, make but a sporte of sinne, and say with the olde Epicures, [...],B. Re [...]. in Tertul. de Anima. Why? what haue we to do with death? They shall one day finde, that death will haue to d [...]e with thē, when he shall strip them into a shrowdinge sheete, [...]inde them hand and foote, and make their last bed to be the hard and stony graue. Of which sorte of men, that moane of Moyses may iustly be renewed:Deu. 32. 29. O that this people were wise, and would remember the latter thinges. That they would cast to minde, the dayes [Page 56] will come, and God knoweth how soone too. When the kepers of the house shall tremble, which are the handes: when the stronge men shall bow themselues, to wit, the legges: when they shall waxe darke, that looke out of the windowes, that is to say, the eyes: When the eares, Ecclesiast. 1 [...]. 3. 9. or daughters of musicke shalbe abased: when grashoppers on bended shoulders shalbe a burden: when the wheele shall be broken at the Cisterne: that is the hart, whence the head draweth the powers of life: in a word, when dust shall turne to dust againe: the ioyntes stiffed, the senses ben [...]mmed, the countenaunce pale, the bloud colde, the eyes closed, the browes hardened, the whole body all in fainte sweate,Ierem. 22. 29. wearied. Heare O earth, earth, sayth the Prophet: Almighty God clothed our first parentes with the shinnes of dead beasts,Gen. 3. 21. that when they saw what was about thē, they should remember by reason of sinne, what shoulde become of them. When Christ shewed at his transfiguration [Page 57] vpon the mount, Peter and Iames, a part of his glory; he shewed them withall Moyses, and Elyas, Mat. 17. 3 two dead men, are de [...]acted from men: which might bee withall a remembraunce of their mortality. When the Prophet Dauid spake of mans vncertaine condition and certaynePsa. 49. 1▪ 2. 3. 4. 5. en [...]e, in the 49. Psalme, because it is so long before; the most glorious amongest men, in the eye of the world, will remember thē selues to be but men. First, he [...] speaketh vnto all: Heare all yee people. And least any shoulde thinke themselues exempted, thē vnto all, of all estates: High and Low, Rich and Poore, one with an other: and because he would haue it knowne to be a matter of importaunce in deede, hee sayth: My mouth shall speake of wisedome, my hart shall talke of vnderstanding: vtter inge the selfesame twise ouer, as if wee might wonder, what the Prophet had to say, which is indeede his own wondering. Seeinge that wise men die as well as fooles: that [Page 58] death groweth vpon them: that their beauty shall consume in the Sepulchre: that they shall carry nothing away with them: that all their pompe shall leaue them, when they go and follow the generation of their Fathers: yet for all this they thinke that they shall continue for euer, and their dwelling places endure from one generation to another, callinge their landes after their owne names: this is their foolishnesse saith he. And surely as in many other thinges, the wisedome of man is foolishnesse with God, so is it in this,1. Cor. 1. [...]. 5. Ioseph of Aramathea, a rich mā (as we read in the Gospel) had a Sepulcher in his garden. Surely in places,Ioan. 19. 41. where we take felicity, wee should not but haue a mention by some good thought at least. of our mortal beeing. In all other affaires wee are often vigilant: but in this so remisse, as if all wer but a game. Did we watch death, which in times of our chiefest delighted most watcheth vs, and often taketh vs too; then would we not [Page 59] liue as we liue, and sinne as we sinne, but giue a thousande dalliances, a bill of diuorce, as if for their baggage dealing we would haue no more to doe with them. But so long as wee liue, wee spend our dayes, as if we had an estate of Feesimple, or Patent at large to continue as we lift, to commit sinne, as easily as beasts drinke wat [...]r, without remorse, without feare. One of the greatest euils in the life of man, is a carelesse neglecte of Gods woorship. One of the greatest causes of this neglect, is the forgetfullnesse of his ende. Therfore (saith Gregory) doe so many cast off all care of Christian piecy, beecause they neuer care at all.Greg. mor. to minde their present condition of humane frailty. When the Prophet Ieremy woulde shewe the state of Ierusalem to haue become altogether irreligious: without mentioning many causes, hee expresseth the maine cause in briefe, as thus: Non est recordata finis, Lam. 1. 9 She remembred not her end. So by this wee see, Sathan hath no [Page 60] more daungerous deuise to draw men from GOD, like Absolom, who stole away the hartes of the people, when they were goyng downe to doe homage to Dauid their king,1. Sam. 15. 6. then by stealing from their hartes this remembrance of their ende. The Panther, as is written of him, knowinge howe beastes flie from him by reason of his oughly head, which frayes thē, thrusts onely his head in some secrete corner, whilest they gazing on his goodly spotted hide, nothinge suspectinge their approaching ende, suddenly he breaketh out, and prayeth vpon them. So this foule headed Panther Sathan, perceiuing well, how much delight men take in worldly pleasures, hideth his deformed head, settinge out his fine coulored skinne; that is, the glory and vanitie of pleasaunt, but daungerous delightes, whilest in the meane time they neglecting their enemy, their ende; hee suddenly seeketh to entrappe and deuoure them. Wherefore men had neede be prepared and vigilant in thys [Page 61] respect, that they may bee euer prouided against his so subtle deceites, and Remember their end, before it end them; that is, beefore it be said, as vnto Ahaziah, 2. ki [...]. 1. 4. Thou shalt not come downe from the bed, vnto the which thou art gone vp. And that which is chiefest of all, beefore the soule by a consumption of sinne, pyne to death. Blessed Lord! who? were he not carelesse in the superlatiue degree, would not sometimes retire himselfe from this combersome world, and remember that which almost hee cannot forgett, That he must one day die? Why did God leaue, saith S. Austen, Aug. Ep. ad Diase. our last day of our life vnknowne to vs; was it not because euery day should be prepared of vs? which preparing wee may not neglecte vpon paine and perill of losse foreuer. Wherefore let them take heede in time,Exod. 5 2. who passe ouer their dayes Pharao-like,Eccle. 5. 4. Atheist like, sayinge, who is the Lorde? Wee haue sinned, and what euill is happened vnto vs? be they well assured, that Death like a Sargeant [Page 62] sent from aboue, vppon an action of Debt, at the suite of Nature her selfe, will sooner or later, attache and arrest them all: and make them aunsweare this high contempt, where God himselfe is a party, at the Courte of Heauen. Let them know▪ that all must yeelde, bee they as strong as Sampson, as glorious as Herode, as mighty as Alexander: this tyrant Time will sweepe them all away. Moyses vpon the mount Abarim: Deut. 32. 49. Aaron vpon the mount Hor: Nom. 20. 23. Methusalath after so many yeares.Gen. 5. 27 The holiest, the healthiest, where, or when, we know not: all must downe when death commeth. Wee dayly see it, and will not sticke sometymes our selues to say as much, and yet remember nothinge lesse, as if it were onely some arbitrable matter, and so wee bring our yeares to an ende, as it were a tale that is tolde. Of all other we cannot sufficiently maruelle, that olde men, when as now drooping nature putteth them in minde, that their continuance is not long, [Page 63] when bended backe makes them looke downe, whether they will or no, and biddes them thinke of their hearse or graue: to see these either addicted to the insatiable desire of gaine, or giuen vnto the lightest behauiour of youth, shewes them to be far from this religious remembraunce of their ende. Sophocles a heathen man would blush for shame to see the most vnseemely matches & marriages of our time. wherein age and youth are yoaked together; a thing so contrary in nature, so vnseemely in reason, as nothing more: and the inexcusable folly of age, to bee so farre from a consideration of that which is seemely both before God and man Tully could say longe agoe, of ciuill gouernemente amongest men,Cicero de Senect. Aptissima arma senum exercitationes virtutum: Olde mens weapons, what shoulde they els bee, but exercises of vertue? In Christianity, more fitter wer it a great deale for them, to be at their deuotions, then to do often as they doe. Isaack thoughte it tyme atGen. 27. 2 [Page 64] these dayes, to commune of blessing, and of his ende: My sonne let me blesse thee, I am olde, and know not the day of my departure.

They doe as much labour in effect and more, that sit at the sterne, and gouern, as those that toyle and tosse otherwise: but to mooue age to this consideration, the very beholding of others,2. Kin. 1. 13. that goe before them, is in reason sufficient. When the thirde gouernor ouer Fifty, of whome mention is made in the seconde booke of Kings, saw but his two fellow Captaines ouer Fifty deuoured before him, it went so nere his hart, that he came forth, fell downe and besought the man of God, that his life mighte bee pretious in his sight. How many Fifties in late yeares of mortalitie and warre haue we seene, or heard to haue beene deuoured by death? How many of our fellow Souldiers in this spirituall conflict, in which wee all fight, haue wee seene die in the fielde? How many of our deerest frends [Page 65] haue taken their leaue and gone before, and yet for all this there is no comming to make humble supplication (I say) not to the man of God, but to God himselfe, that our liues and deathes may be pretious in his sight As is,Psal. 116. 15. saith Dauid, the death of hys saintes. The Publicans but hearing the Axe to bee laide to the roote of the tree, and that euery tree, which did not bringe foorth fruit, should be hewen down, and cast into the fire, it made them come to Iohn the Baptist wyth their Quid faciemus? Luc. 3. O what shall we doe to avoide these thinges! The men of Niniueh hearing but once of their imininent ende, it wrought such, & so great remorse in them, as they all out of hand fasted, put on sackecloth,Ion. 3. 8. and sorrowed for their sinnes Often hath God knocked at the doore of our hartes, to aduertise vs of our mortalitie: For whe is there that hath not sometime experienced in himselfe by feeling the infirmity of his declining nature? by auoidinge the perils of [Page 66] apparant daunger, beesides the sondry warninges to this effecte, whether we must? And here wee may all wonder at the mercy and patience of God, whō by these motiues dooth admonish vs of our approaching ende. But yet for all this how little humblinge of our selues is ther before him, whose dominion reacheth vnto the endes of the earth, whose power is aboue all powers, 1. Sam. 2. 6. from generation to generation, worlde without ende: who bringeth to the graue, and rayseth vp agayne. What a daungerous course is it neuer to awake Christ, though the shippe leake, and bee often in perrill of drowninge, neuer to thinke of God,1. Thess. 1. 4. 16. vntill wee stand in neede of him,Ioan. 5. 25 neuer to begin to liue, vntill wee are ready to die,2. Pet. 3. 10. neuer to call to minde that Time of Times, Mat. 16. 27. vntill we heare the Trumpe soundinge,Matt. 25. 41. vntill we see the graues openinge,Apocal. 6. 16. the earth flaming, the heauens melting, the iudgement hastening, the Iudge with all his Angels comming in the cloudes to denounce [Page 67] the last doome vppon all flesh, which will bee vnto some, wo, wo: when they shall crye vnto the mountaines to couer them, and for shame of their sinnes hide themselues, if it were possible, in Hell fi [...]e. If we haue any feare, this shoulde mooue feare: If any remembrance, this shoulde cause a carefull remembrance of our ende. O consider, saith the Prophet, you that forget God, Least he take you away, Psalm. 5. 22. and there be none to deliuer you. Saluation is a matter of great earnest. Our Sauiour Christ by those parables of the Wise Virgins, Math. 25. [...]. and Watchfull seruauntes, what els doth he teach his Disciples & vs all,Luc. 12. 37. but in so weighty a cause to be carefull in deede? Wee haue as much neede as any that euer liued vnder the cope of heauen, considering these sinnefull dayes. When God saide, the wickednesse of men is great vppon earth,Gen. 6. 5 it was time for Noah to prepare for an Arke to saue himselfe. When once the crye of Sodome was ascended to Heauen, [Page 68] it was time for Lot to thinke of his departure, Gen. 19. 14. vnto the Hill countries. When this world now after many strong fittes of great contentions beginnes to trifle idlely with euery fancy, we may partlye gather by these sickly signes, which may it is drawing and say. God of Heauen helpe this worlde, for it is a weake worlde indeede. These bee no dayes to liue securely in: but rather time and high time is it for euery one, to amend one, that God may haue mercy vppon vs all. Haue wee not example by them that sleepe vntill the Bridegroomes comminge,Mat. 25. 11. that euerye knocke will not bee sufficiente warrant to enter?Gen. 27. 38. By him, that wepte for a blessinge, when it was too late: that euery sigh will not be a satisfaction for our sins. Tis most sure, and we had neede looke to it in time:Eccles. 11. 3. Where the tree falleth, there it lyeth. And as the last day (saith S. Austen) of our life leaueth vs; so shall the day of Doome finde vs. To let all alone vntill it be too late, was [Page 69] their folly, who long since were drowned in the floud.Gen. 7. 21 To cast onely for wealth and ease, was his worldly wised [...]m, that made a suddaine farewell from both: when that night his soule was taken from him, Lu. 12. 20 and not yeelded of him. To deferre all vnto the last push, neuer entringe into a Religious remembraunce of our ende, is an effete of that ill spirit, called sensuall security, which kinde of Spirite is not cast out, but by Fasting and Prayer.

The Third Chapter.

How behoouefull it is for euery Christian man, soberly to meditate of his ende.

IN the whole Tenure of a Christian life, no parte more heauenly, then that wee spende in Religious meditation, for this Religious meditation, no subiect more neerely concerneth the state of man, then often to beate vpon a [Page 70] Remembrance of his ende, wherin consisteth the Center of al his desire [...], the haruest of all his labours, his s [...]re and most happy repose for euer. How behoouefull then is it for euery one, to sequester himselfe sometimes frō incombrances of this worlde, vacare Deo, to bee at leasure for God, & to call his best thoughts to counsel to this businesse of his soule: the manyfold effectes of so good and practise will easily shewe and approoue as much. For who is there that with Ezechias will not fall to set his householde, his life,Esa. 38. 1. his soule, and all in order, when once that of the Prophet mooues his very hart: Ezechias moriere, Ezechias now God bee mercifull vnto thee, thou art no longer a man of this world, dispatche to bee gone, thou must shortly die? Who is there that will not set downe, and cast ouer his bils of account, before he run too farre in Arrerages, that thinkes throughly he shall (beefore long bee) heare his masters voice to warne him out of office: [Page 71] Iam non poteris villicare, Thou shalt bee no longer Steward.Luc. 16. 2. In a generality, how this or the like remembrance causeth a carefull direction of all our life, whē any temptation doth come, that of the Wise mā doth briefly expresse: My sonne remember thy ende, Eccles. 1. 40. in whatsoeuer thou shalt take in hand, and thou shalt neuer doe amisse. This remembrance, if it did sincke into the hart, whereas often like a peece of musicke it soundeth in the eare, then would it woorke better effectes in the world, then commōly it is wont. If coueteous menne, who seeme possessed with a spirit of hauing, who like Moales and Antes, are alwayes turning in the earth. If the proude, who like Gyants, with contempte, disdayne the meaner sorte of menne, who are made of the same mould▪ as well as they, did deepely consider that one of these dayes, they shall become a clod of earth: when like a State-searcher. Death will see they carry away nothinge wyth them, when these loftye lookes [Page 72] shall bee layde full lowe, and all their glorye bee Eclipsed: some good thoughte to this effecte,1. King. 5. 18. would make them say with Naaman the Sirian, God be mercifull vnto vs, in this one thinge: that wee thincke not oftener of our ende. Would any Ammon committe that freely in the sighte of God,2. Sam. 13 19. which he shameth to cōmit in the sighte of the meanest of all Gods creatures [...]. Would any Ahab oppresse & wrōg poore Naboaths; 1. Kin. 13. 9. & did himself remember hee were but a Soiourner, as wer his Forefathers; & that after an euill course, he must shortly goe to answeare for all, when the hart shall feele, for wrong offered, many a colde pull: and the sinnes lye vpon the soule, as heauy as lead. Our Sauiour Christ saide, to fore-warne Reuolters: Remember Lots wife. Lu. 17. 32 So may it bee sayd, to aduise all oppressors: Remember poore Naboths vineyard. To call to minde, that this world, and the glory thereof, so soone passeth away, that we are heere to day, and gone tomorrow. [Page 73] If nothinge els: yet with men of reasonable capacitie, this were inough, were it considered, to contayne them within the listes and limites of a Christian & conscionable course. But because this is not considered, so many liue, as if they had no soules to saue. Such is the calamitie of our time: Non sic erat a principio; but it was not so from the beginning. The godly Patriarkes, in purchasing onely a place to bury in, what doth it els, but manifestly shew vnto succeeding posteritie, howe mindefull they were of theyr state mortal. That song of Moyses, which the auncient Fathers say, the people of God vsed, in forme of a dayly prayer, to witt,Psal. 90. 12. the 90. Psalme, wherein both man [...] frailtie is acknowledged, is also this petition pathetically inserted: Lord teach vs to nomber our dayes: doth it not shew vnto vs, with what deuotion they [...]aily entred into a Remembrance of their ende? Where is that mindfullnesse of Abraham, so [Page 74] great a Patriarke,Gen. 18. 27. who confessed himselfe to bee but dust and ashes? Of Iob, who dayly wayted till his chaunginge shoulde come?Iob. 14. 14 Of king Dauid, who made no other reckoning of himselfe,Psal. 120. 3. but to bee onelye a straunger amongst men? Of the Apostle S. Peter, who counted his contynuance here,2. Pet. 1. 13. but an abode in a Tabernacle, which hee shoulde shortlye laye off. Tabernacles were only for men in warrefare & Pilgrimes, to shew, while we are in these bodies, wee are no other, but men ready to remooue. How farre these were from setting their repose heere in earth, we may hence easily perceiue, Amongst heathen men, the Emperours, when they were crowned, the Sepulchers of dead men were shewed vnto them, and they asked, what one should bee made for them; thereby putting them in remembrance, that they must looke for no other, but themselues shortly to haue the like. For the old Saintes and seruauntes of God, who liued in [Page 75] a continuall farewell from the world, like wise marchantes alwayes thinking of their returne, endeuoured to take vp treasures by billes of receite, where they should stay and make their abode for euer. Iacob was carefull in his iourney to Haram. Gen. 28. 12. Iacob slept, the same night God shewed him a ladder, the top wherof reached to Heauen. Iacob that as the iourney thou and al Pilgrims should be carefull of indeede. The Philosophers who saw no farther then the cloudes of humane reason, perceyuinge the declining course of humane nature, could say, the life of wise men, what should it els bee, but a continuall meditation of death? If any to exercise himselfe in this speculatiue remembrance of hys state, would keepe a Catalogue to this ende, and often recite by name? how many reuerend Prelates, how many graue Counsellors, how many worthy men of Armes, & gallants of the world, how many of his nerest familiars he had knowne, within these few [Page 76] yeares, to haue flourished wyth their troupes and trames after them▪ saying (Good Lord:) Are t [...]ey not deade and rotten? are they not all gone almost, as if they neuer had bene? Why should menne make so much accompt of this world, that is so transitory? Againe, what more effectuall meane, to make vs shake off the allurements of this life, as Paul did the viper,Act. 28. 5 into the fire, then this or the like religious Meditation of our ende? Almighty God would shew the Prophet Ieremy in no other place, then a house of clay,Ierem. 18. 2. 3. the state and condition of the despisers of his word, to signify, that wee are best lessoned, where our fraile estate may bee best considered. The Wise man could not but woonder, Why any shoulde bee puffed vpp with pride,Eccles. 10 12. considering what he was▪ Quid [...]uperbis terra; O earth saith he, why art thou proud? As if all our pompe, and our selues too, were no better then the ground we treade vpon. A strange case to see the meanesse of our estate, [Page 77] and yet to exalt our selues? to consider vpon how weake a foundation we stand, and to thinke of nothing lesse? If we will needs be high minded, would to God we would set our mindes on heauenly thinges,Coll [...]s. 3. 2 or things on high. For consideration, necessary is it, to thinke of that which must necessarily beefall. Were it but onely for that which stands lyke the Law of the Medes and Persians: Constitutum est omnibus semel mori: Heb. 9. 27 It is enacted that all must die▪ this were inough to cast a cloud ouer all mens fairest delightes. But that same post autem iudicium, ther is somewhat more behinde, and that is called the time of iudgemente. This once possesing the harte▪ there neede not so manye penall Lawes to deterre them and their affections, which are often so far out of square, from extreame impietie. The Cocke (saith one) fearing the Eagle and the Hauk, hath one eye fixed on his meate▪ and the other often directed in the ayre: So a prouident godly man [Page 78] prouiding before-hand thinges necessary, hath respect vnto the Eagle, or Christes comming in the ayre to iudgement, as also vnto the Hauke, which is Death, therefore called Rapax▪ because it suddainely seizeth and prayeth vpon all. A generall restrainte from euill (saith Cassianus an auncient writer) is a mindfullnesse of Death,Gass. col. 18. which the Egiptians perceiuing, thought a bare resemblance thereof, al trembling and shaking brought in at their solemne Feastes, to bee a speciall [...]neane to mooue the beholders vnto Sobrietie. The Centurion in the Gospell▪ who otherwise was farre off from acknowledging the Sauior of the world,Mat. 27. 25. when hee saw the vale rent▪ the earth mooue, the stones cleaue a sonder▪ the Heauens mourne in blacke, and after all the graues themselues to open and yeeld vp the dead bodies of the Sainte [...] ▪ a spectacle of death amidst all▪ mooued him to giue this testimony, Surely this was the Sonne of God. Seeing then that henc [...] rise [Page 79] so forc [...]able motiues vnto a godly and carefull direction of our wayes▪ did wee but sometimes behold that pale horse▪ andApoc. 6. 8. he that sits thereon, whose name is Death, in our musing dispositions, it would make vs trample vnderfoote many alluring occasions, and cause vs to steppe backe in the pursuite of some sinnefull vanities. The Holy Ghost resembling the state of mā, To the grasse, Psal. 145. 5. to a shadow, the smoke, a vpour, a flower, things of so small continuaunce,Iob. 7. 7. what els would hee intimate vnto vs,Iam. 1. 11. but a consideration of our vnconstant and variable estate?Psal. 102. 3. The Apostle S. Peter vnto the dispersed Iewes,Iam. 4. 14. 1. Pet. 2 11. and conuerted Christians, to draw them from carnal desires, vsed this as an arga [...]ēt of effect, Obsecro vos tanquam advenas, & peregrinas, I beseech you, saith hee, as Pilgrimes and straungers: as if he should haue said, seeing you are in this world but as wayfaring men, stay not your selues vpon carnall desires, [...] bay [...]es of Sathan, and very [Page 80] bane of your soules▪ abstaine from them, flie them. It is the manner of straungers not to intermeddle with many, much lesse daungerous attemptes: but no wise and circumspect men, to remember, they are only in the way to a farther home, of more continuance, wher they are to make their abode. Wherefore saith S. Austen, Aug. 31. tractat. in loa [...]n. Nihil aliud in hac vita peregrinationis nostrae meditemur, nisi quia hic non semper crimus, & ibi locum bene viuendo praeparabimus, vnde nunquam migrabimus: Let vs meditate in this life of nothing more, then of our pilgrimage, that heere woe shall not alwayes bee: preparing our selues rather to that place, whēce we shall neuer depart, but haue a sure stay for euer. And S. Ierome, Hier. ad Paul. Qui quotidie recordatur se esse moriturum, contemnit praesentia, & ad futura festinat: He that doth remember, that die he must, little regarding thinges present, euer hasteth towards things to come: which the olde enemy of man perceiuing, seeketh nothing more [Page 81] then to draw vs frō this frequēt meditation of Death, chiefly by the pleasurable allurementes of intising vanities. The Hunter when he seeketh to take the Tygers young (which is onely one) is said, to set vp looking glasses, where the Tyger should passe a longe, in seekinge this younge, which shee doth sometimes by straying abroad, loose; finding in the glasse, a resemblance of herselfe, leaues the pursuite, and looseth her younge. This olde hunter perceiuing mans industry, in the conseruation of that which is one, and onely one, his deere Soule; would by many goodly shewes, make vs neglect this religious care, and stay our selues, vppon euery triuolous delighte, so longe, that wee cleane forget, whereabout wee goe, and so hazarde that, which the Prophet calleth, most precious, euen the Redemption of our Soules. Psal. 49▪ 8. But the prouident Christian man, knowing how daungerous it must needes bee, for the bird to take delight amidst [Page 82] the ginnes, and snares, of the Fouler, makes no stay vppon these intising euils, soares aloft, and taking the winges of contemplation, thinkes of the ioyes of Heauen, the paines of Hell, his owne Death, and the Death of the Sonne of God, for the saluation of vs all: with Daniel, strawes ashes or thoughtes of his earthly beeing, to descry the steps of Death, who stealeth along and eateth to the continuance of our dayes: or like a skillfull Pilot, who often sits at the Sterne, lookes vnto the Stars, and Planets, beares off from the shelues of many daungerous occasions, that so by the prosperous gale of God his holy Spirite, hee may put into the port of euerlasting rest. No seruants, more orderly vse their maisters Talents, then those, who euer feare their maisters sodayne returne.Lu. 12. [...] 38 No Householder more safe;Math. 2 [...]. 43. then hee who at euery wateh, suspecteth the Theeues entring. When that of the Prophet Esay cals vs aside from the world, and tels vs softly, [Page 83] Mori [...]re, thou shalt Die, it makes vs penitent, for the time past, and respectiue for the time to come causing the feare of God, to haue a predominate force, in this our naturall, and otherwise weakely constitution. To meditate therefore of our ende, at our lying downe, which doth res [...]uble the graue, and our rising vp, which may minde vs of a ioyfull resurrection; to make this Remembrance, the key to open the day, and shut in the night: is a behoouefull practise, and we shall soone perceiue it▪ by the manifold effectes, which doe then consequētly ensue. Isaack vpon Sarahs Death went forth to meditate: hauing lost Sarah, he met Rebeckah. Wee sometime loose earthly comfort; but going foorth religiously to meditate vppon God his excellency, and our own [...]railty, wee meete with Rebeckah, Gen. 24. 63. better comfort, that is to▪ say, heauenly.

[Page 84]

The Fourth Chapter▪

Wherein is shewed, that the state and condition of the life present may iustly mooue vs to this con [...]sideration.

AMongst the manifolde reasons which may induce vs to this religious remē braunce of our ende, none more effectuall, then a due consideration of our estate present. For what is our life, but a Ionas growen,Ionas. 46 sodainely sprung vp, and by and by, withered againe, and gone: But a Iacob▪ pilgrimage,Gen. 47. 9 the dayes whereof, are in nomber [...]oo, and in condition euill Is not all our glory but as the visions which Esdras 2. Esdr. 8 saw, goodly to looke vpon, an [...] vanished in a moment? Or as Nabuchadnezzars Image,Dan. 2. 33. that had a head of golde, brest and [Page 85] armes of siluer, and yet one dash with a stone out of the rocke, brought all to ruine? May it not be said of the goodly pompe, and most glorious shewes, which we so much admire amongst men, as Christ said, of the buildinges of the Temple:Math. 24. 2. See you not these thinges; verely, there shall not be lefte a stone vpon a stone? As if little or no mētion at al should be lefte. As for popular applause, is it not much like smoke, which the higher it mounteth, the sooner it vanisheth away? And for beauty▪ doe not some few fittes of a [...]ea [...]er, marre all the fashion? O the inconstancy of all worldly glory! All t [...] is stately and pageant like pompe shall vanish away, and come to nothing, as if it neuer had bene. Hee that had come to the Tombe of Alexander the great, and there found interred, within the compasse of seauen feete, him, whom a whole world could not suffice, might hee not iustly say, Is heere the mirror of the world? Is heere the flourishing Monarke of his time? [Page 86] O world most vnwoorthy to bee affected of vs? We are but Tennants at wil, in this clay farme, the foundation of all the building, is a small substance, allwayes kepte colde, by an intercourse of aire, the pillar wherevpon the whole frame stayes, to only the passage of a little breath he strength, some fewe bones tied together with dry stringes, or sinewes, how so euer we peec [...] and patch this poore cottage, it will at the last fall in manus Domini, into the Lords hands and we must giue surrender, whē Death shall say, this or this mans time is come. First wee mourne for others, a little after, others mourne for vs. Now we supply the places, and offices, and heritages of them that were before; and cre long be, others shall come a fresh in our roomes, and rule where we rule, sway where wee sway, and possesse all which wee haue scratched together with care▪ kept with feare, and at last, left with sorrow. Whereby we see, that we came not into this [Page 87] worlde to build houses▪ or purchase landes, and ioyne house to house, but rather by this our short continuance, we are put in minde, to haue temporalia in vsu, aeterna in desiderio, these temporall thinges in vse, but eternall thinges in desire; to vse this worlde,1. Cor. 7 31. as if we vsed it not▪ and so be gone. To this short continuance of life may be added, the miseries of the same. For all is not life▪ we heere liue: when Iob said. Iob. 14. 1 Man that is borne of a woman, hath but a short time to liue he by and by, sheweth, how this time is annoyed, and is, saith he full of misery. Herevppon by the Grecians, the first day of the life of man, was called [...], that is to say, a beginning of conflicts, our ingresse, and egresse, is with signes of sorrow S. Austēn saith of mans first entrance into the world: Nondum loquitur & tamen prophetat, a tender infant, not able to speake, doth by teares prophesie of the sorrowes incident in the life of man. Come [Page 88] we to our new birth▪ according to grace, doe we not in baptisme take our prest money, to fight a battaile, vnder the banner of Christ our Chiefetaine? And thou needest not, saith S. Austen, care to fight against many enemies, Aug. de [...]ug. anima. for be thou well assured, in my enemies will fight against thee; which combate Cyprian declareth after this manner: If thou, Cyprian. [...]e m [...]r. O man ouercome coueteousnesse, coueteousnesse being ouercome, some euill affection will assaile thee: if that euill affection bee strangled, vaine glory will allure thee: if vaine glory be [...]espised; wrath and a desire of reuenge, will incense thee: if wrath be pacified, then pride will puff▪ thee vp: if pride be allayed, some other enemy will step, to giue thee [...] fresh assault: As if the whole life of man were no other, but a continuall hacking, and he [...]ing at, and of these Hydraes heads of sin.1. Cor. 15 The last enemie that shall be destroyed, is death: to shew that vntill death become and gone, an end of enemies will neuer come. [Page 89] I heard a voice from heauen saying. (saith S. Apoc. 14. 13. Iohn) Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, they rest from their labors: As if the Saintes neuer rest, vntill rest and blessednesse meete together. Here the flesh is the field wherein wee must be euer toiling. Sin is the Iebusite, that will be euer troubling: the world is the stepmother to Gods children, that will be euer chiding:Iud. 1. 5. afflictions are the waters where our Gideon will trie whether we are fit soldiers to fight his battell. We reade in the eleuenth,Num. 11 sixteenth, and one and twentieth of the booke of Nombers,Num. 16 that the people much murmured in the wildernesse,Num. 21 thinking that after their deliuerance out of Egypt to haue found their sweetnesse, there the people were deceiued: God keepeth that vntill wee come into the land [...] of promise. Wee must not look [...] for our happinesse here, God keepeth that vntill we come into th [...] holy land. Here wee are euer [...] day gathering Manna: whethe long Sabboth comes▪ the [...] [Page 90] we cease gathering. Ioseph gaue his br [...]ethren prouision for the way,Gen. 42 25. but the full sackes were kept in store vntill they came home vnto their fathers house God giues vs heere a taste and a say of his goodnesse: but the full sackes are kepte in store, vntill we come vnto his heauenly king doine. For this life Adam in [...] dore vultus tui, in the sweat of thy browes thou shalt eate thy bread: Nay Adam in laboribus comedes cunctis diebus vitae tuae, in labour and sorrow shalt thou eate thereof all the daies of thy life, vntill thou returne vnto the earth, out of which thou wast taken. As if the daies of man by reason of sinning; were no other, but the daies of sorrow: because euerie day hath suam malitiam, Mat. 6. 34 his griefe: and euerie night s [...]um terrorem, Psal. 91. 5 his terror. So that in this the auncient saying will bee verified [...], Humana vita non est vita sed calamitas, the life of man is rather calamitie then life [Page 91] If one haue goods and substance be liueth in trauell, and is same to imprison his mony vnder▪ loth and bolt, for feare it should flie from him. If he be destitute and needie, he liueth in griefe, because want is grieuous vnto mans nature. If he be in high estate, he is either enuied, or enuieth: as if the chiefest felicitie of worldlings were infelicitie: and no other▪ but Splendida miseria, a verie shining miserie: if we will heare Augustus so great a Potentate, we shal find him wishing rather to leade a priuate life, then to inioy, the whole Regal Empire of the west Cyrus King of Persia, was wont to say; that did men but know the infinit cares he sustained vnder an imperiall Crowne, hee thought no man would so much as stoope to take it vp If these who had the chiefest glorie amongst men, found all so weari [...]some, much more may the Christian soule resolue neuer to [...] her sweete requiem, vntill shee come to beare a part in that ioyfull quire of Saints and Angels a [Page 92] boue in heauen. For the delights of sin they go downe as the win▪ (saith Salomon) pleasantly at the first, but at the last they bite like a Serpent, and are as the Rose, when the flower is gone, ther remaines nothing but a pricke: in a word▪ they play vs a very Tragedy. Howsoeuer they begin with applause, yet at the shutting vp of all they will end with horrour. In the meane time doe we not see the v [...]ces themselues rewarde their followers with sundrie griefes and infirmities at the last, and their fairest end often to bee extreame penurie. For the world it selfe, doth it not (saith S. Iohn) passe away, & concupiscentia eius, and the lusts thereof, doeth it not shew matta very Iudas part, & betray them vnto Sathan, saying, whom I kisse with a fained signe of loue, take them, torture them: which is enough to make them out of loue with this world, and with Lot to get them from Sodom, or with the Saints, to come out of Babilon, or the affections of this sinfull [Page 93] world,Apo. 18. 4. that they bee not partakers of the punishment, to be inflicted vpon the same. Now to come a little to the state of those in this world, whose inheritance is aboue, what els do they find it but a maine sea of calamities, where they are tossed with the billowes of many stonnes, and do feele this passage full of bitternesse. Least they should take too much delight in wasting to and fro vpon worldly pleasures, God doth ballast their ship with some affliction, to see a little the state of Gods owne friendes.Ex [...]. 7 11. There was neuer yet a Moyses, 2. Tim. 3. 8. but hee had a Iannes and a Iambres to resist him Neuer was there a good Ioseph, Gen. 37. 11. but hee had in his owne fathers house vnkind brethren to enuie him.1. King. 19. [...]. Neuer an Elias, but a I [...]sabel to hunt him. Neuer a Paule, but an Alexander to doe him much eu [...]ll.1. Tim. 1 20. Neuer a reuerent Athanasius, or most learned and painfull Bishop of his time,Socr. hist. eccles. lib. 1 cap. 20. but bolde spirited schismatickes wrongfully to maligne him▪ wherfore to haue enemies in this [Page 94] world we must be content, it was his case that now sits at the right hand of God in heauen to suffer persecution, tis no new accident. Sic pers [...]cuti sunt Prophetas, Mat. 5. 21. qui fuerunt ante vos, said our Sauior to his disciples, the Prophets of old dranke of the same cuppe, all suffered. From this annoyance we may come vnto the domesticall or home troubles within our selues,Gen. 16. 4 where olde Adam, or nature, like Hagar the bond woman is verie disdainfull towards her mistresse Sarah: to witte, infused grace, where the rebellious appetites conspire against the regiment of reason, where our will like another Eue is stil prouoking vs to reach after the forbidden fruit,Rom. 6. 12 where sinne like Tarquinius the proud, would tyrannise & vsurpe a perpetual Dictatorship, did not the regenerate like men of courage and constancie cast him out of his kingdome. And thus labouring to bring all to that seemely Monarchy of Gods spirit, no small labor and trauell is vndertaken. In pleasing men [Page 95] wee often incurre a greater losse by displeasing God: by pleasing God (which is best of all) we often times displease men. So which way soeuer wee cast our eies, wee see and find that of the wise man verified:Ecclesiast. 4. 1. 2. 3 Great trauell is created for all men: and a heauie yoake for the sonnes of Adam, from the day that they come out of their mothers wombe, to the day that they returne to the earth the mother of all thinges: from him that sitteth in the glorious throne, vnto him that is beneath in earth and ashes. This being the estate of all in general, sinners corrected, sonnes chastened, nay the euill themselues much tossed and turmoiled, they that worship the beast (saith S. Apoc. 14▪ 11. Iohn) haue no rest day nor night, as they haue not who make an idoll of sensual pleasure. Looke how many vices, so many furies is wont to haunt the licentious liuers. But the good, who onely haue their trials, and are proued with Simon of Cyrene, Math. 27. 32. euery one with his crosse must bee content to accompany [Page 96] Christ vnto his kingdome. Manifolde troubles are incident to all, but in more special manner vnto those who are going from the dirt and mire of Egypt, to doe sacrifice to God,Exo. 8. 25 who will bring them into a good land, the remembrance whereof may make them wish with Dauid, that they had wings like a Doue, and so flying they might come to rest. Wherefore for these transitorie and fleeting delightes of this sinfull world, happie are wee if wee see them,Psa. 55. 5 more happie if we shun them, but most happy of all when God shall take vs cleane from them, when we shall be deliuered from this irk [...]some necessitie of sinning. It is some comfort vnto the wayfaring man to commune of his iournies end. Ioyfully doth the bond mā reckon of the yeare of Iubilee. This wearisome pilgrimage of ours may iustly mooue vs, this burdensome bondage may mooue vs indeede▪ to enter into a sad remembrance of our ende,1. King. 19. 4. and pause with that of the Apostle, Haec medita [...]e, [Page 97] meditate of these thinges. Elias fled but a dayes iourney before Iesabell, and he said, it is inough Lord, take my soule. The Angell would haue Toby reioyce: Toby replied,Toby. 5. 13 quale mihi erit gaudium, qui in tenebris sedeo, &c. What ioy can I haue, that doe here sit in darkenesse, and doe not behold the light of the Sunne? Those of Babilon, Psal. 137▪ 4. would haue the Israelites sing them a song. Alas, what song could they sing, being so sorrowfull captiues as they were? Here we are flying before many Iezabels. Heere wee sit in darkenesse, and see not the true [...]ight, that doth shine aboue in glory. Heere wee are poore captiues, what reioycing should we haue in a vale of teares, in so low and marshie a soile, naturally subiect vnto moisture?Lu. 15. 14▪ This farre country is full of penury and sorrow, no plenty, no musicke, vntill we returne vnto our Fathers house. While we are on this side Iordan, wee are amidst many trials, and to say trueth, we may looke for no other. Wee [Page 98] finde that of S. Austen true, Quid est diu viuere, August. de ver. Dom. Serm. 70 nisi diu torqueri? What is it to liue long, but to be long troubled? Wee reade that Noahs Dooue, at her first flight from the Arke, (well shee might mount aloft) fetcht many retires, but shee could haue no resting place,Gen. 8. 9 vntill Noah opened the window of the Arke, to receiue her in againe: so the poore soule may soare a time, by lifting vp many a sigh▪ and supplication vnto God, who at last doth open the window of his heauenlye Arke; and then, but not before, shee hath sure footing, to rest for euer. Those good men, saith the Apostle S. Paul, Heb. 11 38. in the eleuenth to the Hebrewes, of whome sometimes the bad worlde was vnworthy, wandred vp and downe, in sheepes skinnes, in deserts, as men forelorne, shewing euidently, that their glory was not of this worlde, where they founde so sorry acceptance, and therefore had their hope ful of immortality, hoping for a reward to come. Now therefore, seeing in [Page 99] this state of life,2. Cor. 11. 26. all is so troublesome; enemies at home, enemies abroade, perils on euery side: a Christian Meditation of our departure from this world, may tell vs, All will one day be better. That wee shoulde not thinke of our continuance here, we see this life to be onely a pilgrimage: That we should not take the way for our country, or thinke of setting vp our rest. where our state is so [...]ombersome; where wee haue much Wormewood, but little Hoonny: more motiues to reade the Lamentations of Ieremy, then wee haue to sing the Songs of Salomon. God would haue it so, that we should looke for an other home, and hope for a better rest. If euery creature groane,Rom. [...]. 22. then much more may man, the most excellent of all creatures, waytinge for that adoption of the Sonnes of God, which shalbe giuen in the resurrection of the iust. When the Prophet Micheas Mich. 2. 10. would raise vp the pensiue harts of the people, in the time of their [Page 100] captiuitie, he put them in minde of their departure, as thus, Surgi [...]e, hic non habetis requiem, Arise to be gone, here is not your place of rest. In like manner to quicken a little our weary spirites, amidst many calamities, the lifting vp of our hartes, by a meditation of our deliueraunce from this earthly thraldome, as the prison of the soule, will tell vs of a blessed state to come, where we shall haue rest▪ which is the ende of euery motion, and the perfection of all our labours.

The Fifth Chapter.

That a consideration, of the li [...]e to come, may mooue in vs the same remembrance of our ende.

IT is a rule in naturall Philosophy, that to see the Planets, and those superior lightes at [Page 101] mid-day, men must go downe into some wondrous deepe pit or well, cleane from the light of the Horizon, where they liue. To behold with the eye of the soule, the light and ioyes of the life to come, men must bee farre remooued from the loue, and delights of this in [...]erior world. The people neuer tasted Manna, Exod. 16 15. vntill they were come from the Leauen of Egipt. Our auncesters when they saw no other but straw cottages, they neuer minded any farther buildinges: but when once they beheld more seemely mansions, they began forthwith to dislike that, which before was very acceptable vnto them. Whilest wee set our affections on earthly thinges, wee seeke for no be [...]ter, we looke no higher: but once taking a taste of heauenly, we beginne to dislike that, which before was very acceptable vnto vs, and grow out of liking with the meanesse of our former des [...]res. And therefore as Zacheus, so long as he abode in the presse,Luc. 19. 3 was vpon the low ground to see [Page 102] Christ, vntill he gate him vp into the figge tree: so while we are in the route of too many worldly affaires, wee are too low, and therefore should get vp into the sweete Figge-tree, or contemplation of heauenly things: that there and thence, we may see the ioy of Israell, or excellency of the life to come.Gen. 13 17. God saide vnto Abraham, arise, and walke about this lande, this is the country that I will giue thee. God sayes vnto Faith, arise, beholde thy heauenly inheritance. that is the city where thou shalt haue thy blessed abode for euer. Seafaring men, hauing bene long weatherbeaten in the surging and daungerous Seas, are wont to shout for ioy, when they do discry their hauen. Ioyfully may the Christian behold a farre off, after the manifold stormes of this world, his heauenly & euerlastinge harborough, the remembrance where of may mooue vs, either to wish with S. Paule, Phil. 1. 23 to be dissolued, and be with Christ, or reply with the Saintes in the Apocalips vnto him [Page 103] that said, I come:Apoc. 22 20. Euen so come Lord Iesus. Here we do but sow in teares, there is the place, wher we shall reape in ioy. Here we are members of the church militant, where is nothing but combatting: there shall wee be parts of the Church triumphāt, where is no other but reioycinge. The state of the life present, and to come, is figured by the Tabernacle, and Temple of the old Testament:1. Sam. 6 3. the Tabernacle, for that it was mooueable, may resemble the condition of the life present:1. King. 2. 3. the Temple, for that it was fixt, and immoueable, the fruition of the life to come. To the framing of the Tabernacle, came the Iewes onely: but to the buildinge of the Temple, with the inhabitants of Iewry, the men of Tyre and Sydon, to wit, both Iewes and Gentiles: all concurre in this building, wherein is neuer heard, the noyse of a hammer.Psal. 84 4. Blessed are they O Lord (saith Dauid,) that dwell in thy house, where the Sonne of God in glory, is light vnto their eyes, musicke vnto [Page 104] their eares, sweetenesse vnto their taste, and contentment vnto their hart: where, in seeing, they shall know him: in knowing, they shall possesse him: in possessing, they shall loue him: in louing, t [...]ey shall receiue eternall blessednesse, and blessed eternitie, which is the garland we all runne for,1. Cor. 9. 24. the crowne we all fight for. All our watching,2. Tim. 4. 7. and fasting, and praying, is like Iacobs striuing with the Aungell: Gen. 3 [...]. 26. O blesse me Lord. Euery thing doth in nature require a perfection: the heauens which are in continuall motion: the Aungels, which are ascending and descendinge, are saide not to haue their full perfection, but specially man, in this troublesome motion, vntill he come to the accomplishment of all his hope. If the Apostle, which was taken vp into the third heauen, and is thought to haue seene part of this blessednesse, could not expresse the excellency thereof, being so high a subiect the more he did consider of it, (he more he seemed to wonder at it,) yet thus much he could [Page 105] say,1. Cor. 2▪ 9 that eye had not seene, care had not heard, the heart of man could not cōceiue the things that God had prepared for them that loue him. Reach as farre as humane vnderstanding can reach, all is not aunswearable vnto the same O [...] thinges infinite, we cannot but infinitely consider. To life vp our eyes, towardes those glistering beames of Gods glory, where the sharpest Eagle may be dazeled: to wade into the depth of his excellency▪ wherein a Camell may be pl [...]nged, the short reach of humane reason may mooue vs to cry with y^• Apostle, O altitudo, O the depth of the loue and bou [...] ty, and mercy of God, They that come vnto the maine Ocean, find water inough, if they come by millions, to take handfull [...] of it, be there a multitude which no tounge can number.Apoc. 7. 9. God hath crownes for their heades, and palmes for their handes, when they shall follow the Lambe, wheresoeuer he goeth▪ when they shall rest vpon Mount Sion, when they shall [...] with him, and raigne [Page 106] with him.Lact. lib. 6 de diui. prae. If you aske, saith Lactantius, why God created the world, it was for no other cause, but that man should be created: if you demaund, why man was created, it was because he should worship his Creator: if you inquire farther, why hee shoulde worship his Creator, it was for no other cause, but that he should be rewarded by him. Lord, what was man, that thou diddest so respect him? This was the bowels of Gods mercy, who had no other cause of his mercy, but his mercy, no other ende, but hys owne glory, and our good, which is called [...] his most great and ample reward, wherein there is no ende of his goodnesse, no number of his mercies no measure of his wisedome, no depth of his bounty: So Go [...] doth deale, like God himselfe. Tertul. de Hamelier. Si tanta in terris moraretur fides. quant [...] merces expectatur in coelis, if there were so great [...]aith in earth, as there is reward looked for in heauen (saith Tertullian) mercifull Lord, what loue should [Page 107] wee haue to the life to come? Pharao was content at last theExod. 1 [...] 24. people should goe to doe sacrifice, but they must leaue their heades of cattell behinde. No Moyse [...] will leaue a house in Egipt: all our desires must goe with vs, in beleeuing that high rewarde of blessednesse, so farre aboue all humane desert, that is, or may be. Seneca writeth, that Alexander the great, giuing a poore man two talentes, the man was so astonished with the greatnesse of the gifte, as he aunsweared the [...]ing: Most Princely Sir, I am not woorthy to receiue so much: to whome Alexander replied, I doe not respect good man, what thou art meete to receaue, but what beseemes me so great a Potentate for to giue. God doth not so much regard, what we most vn [...]oorthy creatures are worthy to receiue, as what becommeth him, the God of all mercy and magnificence, to bestow and giue. Herod promised much,Mar. 6. 23 when hee promised halfe his kingdome: but Christ, [Page 108] when he giues, we finde him giuing an whole kingdome:Math. 25 34. Venite benedicti patris mei, accipitote regnum; Come yee bessed of my father, receiue the kingdome. Men are sometimes liberall in promising, but more niggardly in performing: with God it is not so. Againe, amongst men, the elder, or one onely doeth inherite: but with God,Rom. 8▪ 17. all sonnes are heires; all heires inherite: and the inheritance too is a heauenly kingdome, to raigne, to reioyce euer. The meditation of this happy ende of man, if man did knowe his owne happinesse, were inough to make him little respect a thousand worldes: nay to say with the Prophet,Psal. 42. 1▪ Like as the Hart desireth the water streames; so is my soule a thirst for God. Oh. when shall I enter those courts of ioy? Demetrius Phalerius hearing the Philosophers dispute about the immortality of the soule, [...]. wretched man that I am, (quoth he) who haue so long liued in the perishing delightes of this crrruptible [Page 109] body [...] Wee know not what we loose, whē we loose opportunity of seeking, and buying that pretious pearle, for which the prouident husband man should sell all that he hath.Math. 13 44. When the people, as wee reade in the two and thirtieth of the booke of Nombers, were come to their entrance, into the land of promise, the children of Ruben and Gad, Nom. 32 3. regarding not the promise so often promised, desired Moyses that they might stay on the hether [...] of Iordan, beecause it was a place meete for their droues of cattell, which they more respected, then their passage into the holy land. Are there not some in the worlde, not farre vnlike these children of Ruben and Gad. who desire to make their stay heere, and would g [...]e no farther for that they esteeme the pleasures and profites of a life temporall, more then they doe the incomprehensible ioyes in that life eternall? but for the true Israelites, all is wearynesse, vntill they come vnto the land of rest. [Page 110] whereas in other thinges (saith Cyprian) wee are wont to blameCypr. de mort. it: yet in the expectation of so great a good, wee may commend impaciency. Woe is me saith Dauid, That my pilgrimage is prolonged. In thinges that are ordained vnto an ende, the rule and measure of all actions is taken from the same, which ende is first in the intention, and last in the execution. Now if blessednesse be mans ende, then is it the marke we all shoote at, and the scope of all our ex [...]erprises whatsoeuer. Euery thinge is required for blessednesse, and onely blessednesse for it selfe. Iacobs seauen yeares seruice seemed but light,Gen. 29 28. in regard of Rachell for whome he serued. The labour and trauell, not of seauen yeares but of all the yeares of our life▪ is nothing in respect of Rachell the fairer, the happier state to come. And this doth aunsweare the prophane Atheist, and meete with the obiection of Iobs frends: What good hath th [...] righteousnesse brought thee? Or as some [Page 111] would not blush, to say in the time of the Prophet Malachy: Mal. 3. 10 What profite is there by seruing God. That most happy reward in the life to come, doth strike thē all dumme: that very assistance in the life present, may make them amazed. Doe but trie me, saith the Lord, if I will not powre out a blessing vpon you. This blessing say the Auncient Fathers is both viae, Ciril. de fide ad Reg. and patriae, that is, of the way, and of the country. That which God giueth in the way,Hil. de vnit. pat. & fil. is spoken of by the Prophet Dauid, in the first Psalme, where, mentioning the state of him, that walketh not in the counsell of the vngodl [...], he shalbe blessed, saith the Prophet, and how? Looke whatsoeuer he doth it shall prosper. Psal. 1. 6 So saith he of the man that feareth God, hee shalbe blessed, and wherein? For hee shall see his childrens children, Psal. 128. and peace vpon Israell. The worlds manner is the Iewes manner,Ioan. 2. 10 who were wont to bring the best wine first. Christ he obserues his olde manner, and keepes the [Page 112] best vntill the last. It is said of Isidot, who being at a great banquet: and there beholding a great signe of Gods bounty towardes the sonnes of men, suddainely he brake out into aboundance of teares, and being demaunded the cause why: For that (quoth he) I heere feede on earthly creatures, that am created to liue with Aungels: as if the remembrance of the time to come, did draw his affections, as it should do the affections of vs all to a comfortable expectation of the same. Our bodi [...]s walke on earth; but our soules should bee in heauen, by our heauenly desires; and wee should frame our affections in forme of a ship, tha [...] is close downeward, but open vpward, in a harty desire of a super [...]our condition: The remembrance whereof is like the message of the Angell Gabriell, which brought tydines of great ioy, which may make the faithfull aunsweare with Ezechias, and say:Esa. 38. 9 The worde of God is good, let there be peace, and [Page 113] that to peace eternall. In the meane tune saith S. Austen, Aug. mā. vlt. cap. Let my minde muse of it, let my tounge mention it, let my hart loue it, and my whole soule neuer ceas [...] to hunger and thirst after i [...]. O Lord God of hostes, Ps. 84. 13. blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.

The Sixt Chapter.

That wee neede not feare Death much lesse to meditate thereof.

WHen Moses saw hisExod. 4. 3. rod turned into a Serpent, it did at first somewhat affright him, for hee began to step from it: but when once God commanded him to take hold thereof, hee found afterward by many effects, it did him, and the people of God much good. At first sight Death doth fray our naturall weakenesse, and we beginne to shrinke from it: but hauing confidence in [Page 112] [...] [Page 113] [...] [Page 114] God, who hath willed vs not to feare, we finde it a meane, to [...]iuide the waters of many tribulations, to make vs a passage from the wildernesse of this world, vnto a better land of rest Tis strange we should make so nice of our selues, as to count it a death, to meditate of Death. Nay to esteeme the very remembrance thereof, as Ahab did the presents of the Prophet Elias, 1. Ri [...]. 18 to be troublesome vnto vs. Whereas Death is so farre from hurting them, who put their trust in God, as they shall rather finde it a gentle guide, to bring them home to their owne Cittie, where they would be, to remaine for euer. That which wee call life, is a kinde of death, because it makes vs to die: but that which we count death, is in the sequcle a very life: for that indeede it makes vs to liue. There is a death, which some call mortall sinne, and this is the death of the Soule, which death wee should all feare. There is also a moderate feare of the other death, [Page 115] which is profitable to withdraw vs from the allurements of euill. But so to feare it, as if it were the vtter ruine and ouerthrow of all our beeing, we neede not, wee ought not. When the Apostle S. Paule spake of the vnconqu [...]rarable faith, which was his stay, and the stay of all them, whose hope was in Christ: 2. Cor. 5. 1 Wee (saith the Apostle) know, that if this earthly house of our Tabernacle be destroyed, we haue a building, not made with handes, but giuen of God, eternall in the Heauens. As if he would tell the persecutors of his time, that miseries for a moment could not dis [...]ay them: the perishing of the outward man could not daunt them▪ nor present death could discourage them: for they knew their habitation was in [...]eauen, and themselues incorporated Cittizens into that Ierusalem, which is aboue. A heathen man could say, Degeneres animos timor arguit. this [...]biect feare, is farre dissident from a generous ofspring. Salomon saith, The iust is as a [Page 116] Lion, of whome the Naturalist writeth, that hee is of such courage, as beeing fiercely pursued, he will neuer once alter his gate, though he die for it. With what constancy aunswered the second of those seauen brethren who all yeelded vp manfully themselues to torment, for the mainetenance of the Law of God:2. Mac. 7. 9. Thou O King takest these our liues from vs; but the King of Heauen, shall raise vs vp, in the resurrection of euerlasting life. The Philosopher might say.Aris Eth. lib. 3. [...], that is, of thinges terrible, none more then Death. But it is otherwise with Christians.Tert. in apo. Tertullian told the persecutors of his time, that their cruelty did but open a doore to Gods distressed people, whereby they might enter the sooner into a state of glory: and therefore death was very acceptable to them. Why should I feare (saith the Prophet,) in the euil day.Psal. 49 As if Dauid saw no cause of dreading death, howsoeuer nature may begin to tremble [Page 117] at the mention thereof. Hila [...]ion could not but wonder his soule should be so loath to depart,Hier. de vit. Hilar. after hee had serued God, and God him, so many yeares. Consider death, as in it selfe, and so naturally we seare it. Consider death as a meane to bring vs vnto Christ, willingly we may embrace it. When Iacob saw the chariots of Egipt, Gen. 45. 28. and thereby perceiued his sonne Ioseph was aliue, his fainting spirites reuiued, saying, I will goe see him before I die. When faith dooth bring vs many testimonies, our Ioseph liueth, the Christian soule may recomfort her selfe in her panges and say: Mori [...]r vt vido [...], In the name of God, to see him, let me die. Now for these corruptible bodies, they take no dammage at all by death. Tis no harme to the seede, though it hath for the time, a little earth raked ouer it, it shall spring againe, and flourish, and bring foorth fruite in due season. No hurt is it to these our bodies, to be cast into the grounde: beeing [Page 118] sowen in wealienesse, they shall rise againe in power: being sowen naturall bodies, they rise againe bodies spirituall:1. Cor. 15 42. being sowne in dishonor, they rise againe in glory. The keeping greene of Noahs Oliue troo vnder the floud; The budding againe of Aarons rod;Num. 17. 8. The deliuerance of Ionas, from the depth of the Sea;Ion. 2 10 The voice that calleth,Psal. 90. 3 come againe▪ ye children of men;Iob. 19. 25 The hope of Iob, that he should see God,Ezech. 37 7. with no other, but with the selfe same eyes; The Prophesie of Ezechiell vnto the dry bones, that should come os ad os, bone to bone, may stirre in vs a ioyfull hope, and cheere vs vp, against all the feare and terror of death. But the resurrection of our Sauiour Christ, that is the comfort of all coinforts, Vox Christi, vox Christianorum: The voice of Christ, is by Christ, the doyce of Christians saith S. Austen. Death, where is thy sting? Hell, where is thy victory? As he was the cause efficient: so was he also a figure of the Resurrection. Hee risinge, wee all [Page 119] arise. Of a more powerfull cause there is a more powerfull effect. If the sinne of Adam, who was a liuing soule, was the cause that death raigned ouer all, much more the resurrection of Christ,Rom. 5. 14 who was a quickening spirite, shalbe of power to raise vp all, that beleeue to the hope of euerlasting life.Phil. 3. 10 What greater ioy then to be able to know him, as the Apostle speaketh, [...]. And the power of this resurrection. Christ as in dying shewed what we should suffer: so in risinge from death, what we should hope: To wit, that all the bones in Golgatha shall rise.Dan. 12. [...] and those that sleepe in the dust of the earth,Ioan. 11. 43. shall heare the voice of Lazarus, come foorth. Wherefore though Death doe swallow vs vp, as the Whale did Ionas: bind vs as the Philistines did Sampson, yet wee shall come foorth, and breake the bendes, as the birde out of the snare. The snare is broken, and we are deliuered. They may well feare death, saith S. Cyprian, that haue [Page 120] no saith in Christ: but for those who are members of that head, who vanquished the power of Hell and Death, Death is to them aduantage, and a gentle guide, that bringes them home to euerlasting rest. Hence is it that dying they are said since Christes resurrection to fall asleepe. They that sleepe in Iesus, saith the Apostle, they lay them downe,1. Thess. 4. 13. and take their rest, and God it is, that makes them dwell in euerlasting safety. We should not then feare to fall a sleepe, for sleepe is a refreshinge after wearysome labours. The painefull labouring man, after his dayes worke ended, sleepes often more quietly then Diue [...] in his marble pallace, on his bed of Iuory, where hee tosseth and tumbleth: hee sleepes not quietly, either in life or death, and of such is that verified, O mors quam amara, Eccl. 40. 1 O death, how bitter is thy remembrance? Hauing wearied themselues, sayth the Wiseman, in the way of wickednesse, they shall cry out, what hath pride profited vs,Wisd. 5. 8 or [Page 121] the pompe of riches brought vs. Surely this barren and light lād, after all our drudgery yeeldes no other, but a crop of cares, trouble, feare, and vexation of mind. When those that haue laboured in the vineyard, and haue beene often in watching, in fasting often, these rest from their labours, and fal asleepe to rise againe wyth their bodies, when the Sonne of righteousnesse shall appeare in euerlasting glory. Of these the Apostle saith,2. Cor. 11 I would not haue you sorrow, as men without hope, for those that are a sleepe. How acceptable therefore may death bee, when in dying we sleepe and in sleeping, we rest from all the trauels of a toile some life. Againe, where as death is a tribute, wee must all pay homage.Chrisost. Homel. 10 in Math. Fi [...]t voluntarium quod futurum est necessarium, & offeramus Deo pro munere, quod pro debito tenemur reddere, Let vs make that [Page 122] voluntary, which is necessary, and yeeld it to God as a gifte, which we stand bound to pay as a due debt. Had we no farther hope, then onely to attaine a state temporall, wee might feare indeede, because when we die, all our happinesse shall deceiue vs: but when God made man of the dust of the ground. God breathed into him,Gen. 2. 7 the breath of life, and man was made a liuing soule, therefore not a dying soule. Cesar writeth, that the bare opinion of the Druides, Cas. lib. de Bel. Gal. who taught that the soules had a continuance after their separation from their bodies, it made many of their followers hardy, in great attemptes, and abated in most, the feare of death. Cyrus himselfe could say vnto his children, when hee was ready to die: Thinke not deere children, that I shalbe no where or nothing. If a baresupposall of a future beeing, could so much [Page 123] auaile against the feare of death: what doth faith effect that doth warrant vs by good euidence, of the blessed assurance of the resurrection? If Abraham the faithfull Patriarke,Gen. 12. 4 left his owne country and kindred at the commaundement of almighty God, and went into a strange land, how willingly should wee leaue this country, wherein we are only strangers; and goe, where wee haue our owne home, and abode for euer? This was the resolution of S. Ambrose: who neither loathed life, nor feared to die, because saith hee, wee haue a good Lord. This was the faith of Simeon, L [...] 2. 29 who hauing seene Christ, prayed to depart in peace. This was S. Paules gaine, when he said,Phi. 1. 21. To die is to me aduantage: because this passage was a dissolution, and this dissolution was to bee from the body, and this his being from the body, was to bee [Page 124] with Christ. Seeing therefore that death it selfe, being duely considered, should nothing at all dismay vs, then much lesse the meditation thereof. The more we meditate of death, the lesse wee feare it; the lesse wee feare it, the more faith haue wee. What shall seperate vs from the loue of God, Ro. 8. 35 that is in Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish? shall life or death? Blessed be God, saith S. Peter, 1. Pet. 1. 3 who hath begotten vs to a liuely hope of the resurrection.

[Page 125]

The Seauenth Chapter.

That the afflictions of minde, which are incident in the life of man, may mocue him to a Meditation of his ende.

SAlomon, whome GOD for wisedome chose as it were to be a forman of a great Enquest, to make enquiry of the state of the world, to come foorth, to speake for all, and his conscience of all, hauing heard and seene the nature of thinges vnder the Sunne; yeeldes vp his verdite of all, as thus,Eccl. 2. 11 All is vanitie, and vexation of minde. This is in briefe the condition of all in generall. The rich discontented in honors, the poore languishing in griefe, the learned full of restlesse [Page 126] labours, all of what estate soeuer, subiect vnto troubles and vexation of mind. As if Salomon should haue said, you may looke for no other, all is vexation. Small cause had the Israelites, to care for their continuance amongest the Taske-masters of Egipt, and as small cause, haue any to desire to liue in this wildernesse, amongst many wolues. Wee know, Christ our Sauiour hath told vs,Iohn. 15 19. that beeing in the world, we are not of y^e world: here we may not looke for perfect rest of body, or all contentment of minde: and therefore to meditate of deliuerance, may bee some refreshing to the distressed soule, who may powre out her complaintes, saying, Would to God that day might once shine, when I shall see my Redeemer. When I shall come where is peace, within and without, when I shall appeere before the presence of God, [Page 127] with ioy, and bee no more oppressed with griefes, disturbed with cares, molested with thoughtes, but liue and rest for euer. What comfort can a man reape▪ or what quiet should hee take, where want is miserable, plenty full of peril? which way soeuer wee cast our eyes, wee finde cause of complainte, that we may well count Laughter, Eccles. 2. 2 error, and subscribe to that of the Prophet, Lord, Psal. 88. 125. thy terrors haue I suffered from my youth vpward, with a troubled minde. Hauing then so little cause to ioy in this life, where there is so small a cause to make vs reioyce: where the minde is so inuested with cares, and molested with griefes, wee may recount with our selues, the happinesse of them, who after the stormes of this troublesome sea, haue cast anker, in their safest roade. Noah had much molestation in the old world,Gen. 8. 4 hee had the waters swelling vnder [Page 128] him,Genes. 19 17. the heauens darke & gloomy ouer him. At last the Arke stayed vpon the mountaines of Ar [...]at. and then was Noah a glad man. Lot was grieued amongst the sinfull Sodomites, at last God sent his Aungels to take him cleane away. Elias mourned for a time, sate vnder the Iuniper tree, sent vp his sighes to heauen,1. Kin. 19 at last came the charriot, and then there was no more Iesabell to persecute him, no more false Prophets to band themselues against him.Apo. 6. 10 The Saintes vnder the▪ Altar may for a time cry, How long Lord Iesus: after a little more sufferinge, their disgrace shall be turned into glory, their mournefull teares, into gladsome triumph:Ps. 42. 11. Why art thou so vexed O my soule, and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God. In the multitude of my sorrowes (saith the same Prophet,) that were in my hart, thy [Page 129] comforts (Lord) haue refreshed my soule. Thereby shewing,Ps. 94. 29 that as the world had a multitude of sorrowes to assault his hart, so God had a multitude of comfortes to refresh his soule amongest them all. For as our sufferinges in Christ doe abound, so our consolations also in Christ do abound t [...]o,2. Cor. 1. s [...]th S. Paule. Our Sauiour, knowing that his Apostles should haue many, and great discomfortes in the world,Ioan. 1. 4 16. promiseth to send them after his Ascention vp into heauen, an other comforter: for his presence was their com [...]ort, and afterward in their deepest prisons, they should haue the holy Ghost their fellow prisoner: & howsoeuer the world did outwardly annoy them, yet they should inwardly haue a comforter to make them reioyce in their sufferinges, and after all to reioyce for euer. Now therfore though the burden be heauie, [Page 130] yet a lightsomenesse it is, to remember, the way is not long. When the Apprentise cals to minde that his yeares of couenant will now shortly expire, and that then hee shall haue his freedome confirmed, the remembrance hereof maketh many laborsome workes seeme more light, and lesse grieuous vnto him. The poore Traueller in thinking of his Inne, goes on more cheerefully in his painefull iourney. The bondman in callinge to minde the yeare of Iubilee, is wont with more patience, to goe through the yeares of bondage. Now then amidst the sondry afflictions that grieue the minde, a Meditation of our ende, may much mittigate, if not altogether take away the greatest sorrowes of all;Ps. 32. 19 Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord deliuereth them out of all: And taketh either sorrowes [Page 131] from them, or them from sorrowes. Great are their trials, but saluation w [...]ll one day make amendes, when they shall haue all teares wiped from their eyes: and their reward by so much the more ioyous, by how much the more the course of their life hath beene grieuous vnto them. Seeing therefore, that on euery side, wee haue such vrgent occasion, to passe the dayes of this wearysome Pilgrimage in trouble, and pensiuenesse of minde, may wee not thinke them thrise blessed, who are now landed on the shoare of perfect Securitie, and deliuered from the burden of so toilesome a labour? May wee not bee refreshed, in calling to minde, that this battaile will one day beat an ende, and wee freed from the thorowes of all these bitter calainities? well may we weepe and mourne, as Iob and Ieremy, in consideration [Page 132] of our entraunce into this vale of teares, and often may wee muse with gladnesse, of the time of our departure. After all sorrowes, and those threatning voyces, A voyce wil come from the throane, Ap. 16. 17 when the viall of the seauenth Aungell shall bee powred out, and will say, Factum est, Now all is done: though God doe beginne with, Asslixi te, I haue afflicted thee, he would surely ende, with non affligam te amplius, I will afflicte thee no more.Naum. 1.

[Page 133]

The Eight Chapter.

That the griefes of body may also mooue vs to enter into this serious meditation of our ende.

WHen the Prophet Daniel saw what was, and in all likelyhood (vnlesse God setD. [...]. 9. 18. to his hel [...]inge hand in time) what still would bee the estate of the people, while they were in the thraldome of Babilon, hee thought more and more of his and their deliuerance: and beesoughte God, to looke vpon the desolation of his people, and to shew mercy in ridding them from all. When wee see and feele, what is, and still will bee the condition in this our Babilon: [Page 134] griefes of body, and afflictions of minde. wee may in our highest deuotion to God, call to [...] the time of dismis [...], and our good deliuery from all. Yea, we may consider, that there will come a day, when the [...]e crased bodies, subiect to seuerall infirmities, as, the Head to megrimmes; the Lunges to suffocations; the Iointes to gowtes; the stronger partes themselues to convulsions: when these bodies I say, which haue holpen to beare the burthen of the day, shall with the happy soule liue together, and reioyce together. In the meane season, wee may remember in all these infirmities, that of the Prophet,Psal. 94. 14. The Lord will not faile his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. Dauid knew it was Gods manner to trie his seruauntes, &c. therefore in his afflictions, made this protestation of himselfe and them; [Page 135] though all this come vpon vs, yet will not wee forsake thee. It is our Isaaks vse, first to feele vs by tribulation,Psal. 44. 18. and then to blesse vs: by these infirmities of the body, wee may consider Gods feeling. Now after we haue suffered a little, then Take a blessing my sonne. Gen. 27 23. Though the wind blow colde, yet dooth it cleanse the good graine: though the fire burne hoate, yet it purifieth the best golde. Afflictions as they are [...] so are they also [...] both sufferings and instructions. For these afflictions doe often cause an vtter contempt of all worldly pleasure, humblenesse of minde, penitency and sorrow of hart, for sinnes passed.Psal. 137 1. 2. In the hundreth and seauen and thirtieth Psalme, the peoples captiuity is thus mentioned, Super flumina Babilonis, by the waters of Babilon, wee sate downe and wept, in the verse following, [Page 136] As for our Harpes, wee hanged them vp vpon the trees that are therenigh: We sate downe, a token of their humility; and wept, a signe of sorrow and penitency: as for Harpes we hanged them vp, which shewed they were now very farre from mirth and melody. All the life of Salomon was full of prosperity, and therefore wee finde, that Salomon did much forget God: but the whole life of Dauid hath much aduersity, and therefore we see by his penitentiall Psalmes, and others, that Dauid did much remember God. These chasti [...]ements of the body in particular, as they are in the consequent, meanes oftentimes of our good (for the worser part of man faith S. Ierome, is somtimes punished, which is the body, that the better parte of man, to wit, the Soule, in the day of iudgement, may bee saued, so are they in the cause, [Page 137] effectes of Gods loue. For though he be at times a chasteninge father, yet a father, though a [...]aunching Phisition yet a Phisition: and therefore one that loues, and that cures. we neede no more, but lay open our griefes, and let him alone with the saluing, who knowes better then our selues, how best to ounce vs, though the potion bee sharpe, yet it is his, whose intent is, to do vs good, whose loue in chasteninge wee may not refuse. Chrisostome could say, Magna tentatio non tentari, A great temptation is it, not to be tempted at all. Iob was a righteous man, by the testimony of him, whose testimony was most true. What saist thou to my seruant Iob, an vpright man, and iust man, one that feareth God? The next newes wee heare of him,Iob. 1. 8. Iob is afflicted in body, from the crowne of the head, to the soule of the foote. You haue heard [Page 138] (saith S. Iames) of the patience of Iob, and what end God made with him. Iam. 5. 11 The holy man was tempted, that when wee are tried, to teach vs what wee should doe. S. Ierome, hauing read the life and death of Hilarion, who after hee had liued religiously, died most Christianly, said: Well, Hilarion shall be the champion, whome I will follow. If S. Ierome could say, Hilarion should bee the champion whom he would follow: If chaste men may say, Ioseph shall be the champion whome we will follow: Then may afflicted men say for true patience, Iob shall be the champion whome we will follow. Toby after that deede of mercy, in burying the deade, was accepted of God, the next tydinges we heare of Toby, is,Tob. 2. 10. the holy man Toby is striken blinde. To suffer some chastisementes, wee may bee contente: for respectinge our [Page 139] sinnes, God by these afflictions doth lay but a soft hand vpon vs. It was an auncient Fathers praier, Domin [...] hic vre, hic seca, vt in posterum sanes, Lord here seare & cut me, that thou maist heale me in the time to come, Better to suffer here, then hereafter. Non respicias (saith Chrisostome) quod via est aspera, Chrisost. Homil. 7. in Epist. ad Heb. sed quo ducit, Respect not so much that the way is painefull, as that the [...]nde thereof is pleasant. When S. Iohn asked the Aungell what they were that appeared in long white garmentes, with Palmes in their handes: the Aungell aunsweared,Apo. 7. 14 These are those that came out of many tribulations in the world. To shew after the stormes of a troublesome life, they weare Palmes & crownes, in token of euerlasting triumph. There is a threefolde consideration that may mooue in vs matter of meditation to this effecte: [Page 140] The first, Quid fuimus, what we once were: The seconde, Quid [...]umus, what we now are: The third, Quid e [...]mus, what after a short space we shalbe. What we once were, is shewed by that of Esdras, 2. Esd. 7 O Adam (saith he) what hast thou done? When Adam fell, wee all fell. If the estate of man had beene without sinne mans estate had beene as the Aungels in heauen. Salomon in his princely seate, was clothed in greate royalty, and yet Salomon, in all his royalty, was not clothed like the Lillies of the Fielde. But neither Salomon in all his royalty, nor the Lillies of y^e Field, was euer so clothed, as was Adam beefore hee lost the clothing of innocency. O happy Adam, if Adam had well considered so much. Wherefore as the people, in the time of the Prophet Aggee, Agg. 3. 4 beholdinge the forme of the Temple, how farre inferior it was vnto the [Page 141] former glory thereof, might in effect sorrow, when they saw the one, and remembred the other. In like manner, when wee call to minde the state of innocency, wherein GOD made all thinges for man, and man for himselfe, (in that wonderfull excellency) placed him in Paradise, a Garden of all delightes, subiect neither to griefe of body, or vexation of minde. Wee cannot but with some sorrow for sinne, bethinke our selues of that former felicity, and in the first place, Quid [...]uimus, what wee once were. For the second consideration, Quid sumus, what wee now are, euen soiourners in this vale of teares, exiles from our natiue home, where troubles come like Iobs messengers, no sooner one hath tolde his tale, but another steps in, to say as much: where men are beset with crosses and calamities round about, the feeling wherof [Page 142] may mooue vs to breake foorth into that desire of the Apostle,Ro. 17. [...]4 Who shall deliuer vs from these bodies of death? Cato the wise, a Heathen man, could tell his Schollers, that were he offered to be young againe, he would in no case accept of such an offer, so wearysome is the condition of our estate present. For that future state, Quid crimus, what we shalbe, when these drossie bodies shalbe chaunged, and made like the glorious body of the Sonne of God,Phil. 3. 21 to which bodies God in mercy saith, as sometimes vnto Abraham, For Ismaell I will blesse him also: so of these bodies in their resurrection, though as Ismaell, they are not so free borne, as Isaacke the Soule, yet shall they haue a blessing too. A Christian remembrance hereof, doth make vs desire wyth longing,Prou. 13. 42. aperfection els where. Hope (saith Salomō) that is deferred, [Page 143] doth afflict the minde. In the meane season, considering that God is at the last the rewarder of patience, and death the finisher of paine, it may make vs the more cheer [...]fully to passe ouer the gretest griefes of body, and afflictions of minde whatsoeuer, which afflictions in this life are testimonies of Gods loue, but in the life to come, signes of his iustice. It is the wont of Fathers, to holde in their owne children, when they suffer the children of bondmen, to goe loosely as they list. God that keepes an inheritance for his, after his rod in correcting, hee hath a staffe of stay and comfort. Wherefore wee may reckon these trials, as harbingers to warne vs before hand of deathes comming, as testimonies of Gods care ouer vs, as schoolemoisters towardes our ende, to teach vs this lesson of learning to Die. If God [Page 144] (saith S. Ierom) had promised vs all peace and quiet both in this world, Ieron. de Consol. in aduers. & in the world to come, then our troubles here might amaze vs, and make vs doubt of our future rest: but finding by proofe, the manifolde tribulations of the life present, we may expect with comfort, the promise of the time to come. If a Heathen man could say, when he saw a suddaine shipwrack of all his worldly wealth, all lost in a momēt: Wel Fortune I see thy intent, thou wouldest haue me bee a Philosopher: how much more may the Christian man say, after the many and manifold afflictions in minde, and body: well I see that God would haue me euen to become religious, and to enter into a meditation of the life that is freed of all.

[Page 145]

The Ninth Chapter.

How much it concerneth euery one, in time of health, to prepare himselfe for the day of his dissolution.

SEing that our good or bad estate in the life to come, depēds much vpon the qualitie or condition of the life present. (for where the tree falleth there it lieth) and our passage in order is from the life of grace,Eccl. 11. 3 vnto the life of glory: they see but little, that perceiue not how greatly it concerneth euery Christian, in time of best health, while hee hath yet day before him, to set forward in a prouident course; that so in the coole of the euening, he may [Page 146] arriue at the porte of euerlasting rest. The dayes of man are but short, his time vncertaine, that little moment, wee haue, to prouide for a state of all continuance, is runne ouer before wee are aware: Gods mercy in giuing vs time and grace, passeth a long, as a pleasaunt riuer if wee stoppe the course thereof, by our continuance in sinne, it will arise high and turne into iustice, and beare them downe by force, & ouerthrow our securest repose in this worlde. That which once, and neuer but once, is done, should bee aduisedly begun, carefully prosecuted, and most seriously laboured with all industry vnto the end. It is the counsell of the holy Ghost:Gal. 6. 10. Do good while ye haue time. The place of making attonement with our aduersary,Mat. 5. 25 is while wee are in the way. No preparing oyle in our Lampes,Math. 25. 8. no entringe with, the Bridegroome: [Page 147] no running, no crowning. For a sure rule is it with God, Do well, and haue well. Liue the life of the righteous, and die the death of the righteous. If any aske (saith) Lactantius) whether death bee good or euill, my aunsweare is, Looke vnto the condition of the life present, which if it be passed ouer in vertue, O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be: if otherwise, the case is altered, Mors peccatorum pessima, Psal. 34 22. the death of sinners is worst of all. For why, they passe ouer their dayes, saith Iob, Iob. 21, 13 in great iollity, and suddainely fall into a sea of miseries. Because wee know not the day, wee should watch euery day: because wee know not the hower, wee should watch euery hower. We see that in matters of waight, foresight and deliberation is wont to bring them better to passe. The husbandman will take his season, the Souldier [Page 148] will watch his fittest time: euery one will cast the best way to compasse the businesse hee hath in hande: and shall the Christian man be altogether carelesse and negligent, in preparing himselfe for his departure? God forbid. It is the Wise mans wise counsell, Ante languorem adhibe medicinam, ante iudicium interroga teipsum, Before thy languishing griefe, consult of the medicine. before iudgement, examine thy selfe. The Prophet Dauid expressing the prouident care, and carefull prouidence of an holy man, saith,Psal 33. 6 Orabit ad te in tempore oportuno, Hee shall pray vnto thee in a time conuenient, or remember thee O Lorde, in a time when thou maist bee found. The seruants that saide in their hartes, the master dooth deferre his comming, the master of those seruantes shall come in a time they thincke not of, and giue [Page 149] them their portion, where shalbe weeping and gnashing of teeth. But happy are those seruantes, who attend his returne: these are those, that make all cleane and handsome [...] these are those that sometimes looke foorth, sit as Abraham, at the entrance of the Tabernacle: these are those, who haue their loynes girt, their lampes burning, their oyle ready, and waite with the wise virgins, for the Bridegromes coming: these are those, whome their Lord shall finde, sic facientes, so dooing, and therefore make them rulers ouer much, take them by the handes, and bring them to the participation of euerlasting ioy. That menne would well prepare themselues in time, while they are their owne men, they shall one day finde the benefite of this carefulnesse. To him that passeth through darke places▪ one light carried before [Page 150] him, will doe him more good, then many, that are brought after. For him that vndertaketh a long iourney, abuise beforehād wil stand him in stead. Of this spirituall voyage, the vowe of the Prophet should be the vow, and resolution of euery particular man, by the assistance of Gods grace,Psa. 39. 1 Dixi custodiam vias meas, I said, I will take heede vnto my wayes. I religious preparation in time, woulde doe men more good, then they are aware. Christ wepte for the men of Ierusalem, whiche would not weepe for themselues,Lu. 29. 41 and all was because they knew not the thinges that did belonge vnto their peace. Antiochus after his many iniuries [...]ffered vnto the people of the Iewes,1. Mach. 6. 12. 13 and vnto the temple of God it selfe, taking sacriligiously frō thence the ornamentes appointed for Gods seruice, when the Lord [Page 151] called him to aunsweare the cause at his owne consistory, he could then wish hee had neuer medled with sacred goods onely consecrated ad pios vsus. to Church, to godly vses. When Pharao saw the Sea ready to swallow him, hee could then no doubt be sorry, that euer hee had wronged poore innocents, and oppressed Gods owne portion. When sleepe is gone from their eyes, and rest from their tossed beds, then many may wish, that they had vsed lesse oppression then they haue, that they had fasted often with the Apostle,2. Cor. 11. 27 prayed with Daniell, Dan. 9. 21 wept with Mary Magdalen, Luc. 7. 38 liued in meane estate, and so haue feared God, rather then to haue inioyed the pleasures of sinne for a season, which they find to be ful of bitternesse at the last.Pro. 1. 28 These thinges should be considered in time, and here is the time. They shall seeke me, saith Wisedome, speaking [Page 152] of negligent sinners, but they shall not finde mee, and why? because they seeke when it is too late. The foolish virgins may call,Mat. 25 11. 12. Lord, Lord: but when the Bridegroome is past, and that mild countenance of Christ turnd away, the woefull plight of these virgins shalbe such, as it were inough to breake their hearts with sorrow, and such sorrow, which shall neuer cease to wound their very distressed soules. Had wee not need, then in a case of such importance, to stande euermore ready, by a serious preparation for our ende, to hold vs fast in the feare of God, and to waxe olde therein,Eccl. 2. 6. as Syrach counselleth vs. Moreouer, our cō tinuance here, beeing onely certaine in vncertainety, and therefore saith one:Euseb. Emis. Nobis certam solicitudinem, Hom. 1. ad. Mona. imponat incerta conditio, In any case let our vncertaine condition, put into vs a certaine carefulnesse [Page 153] of our estate to come. If in any thinge that care of the Prophet is to bee remembred,Psal, 132. 4. who would not suffer his eyes to sleepe, nor the temples of his head to take any rest, it should surely in this of all other be [...]emembred. Who would pas [...]e a day in sinnefull security? Wh [...] would lay him downe in that [...] of life▪ wherein hee would [...] loath to depart this Tabernacle? Doe not many meere with death and are often surprised at places of greatest triumph, where men are wonte to thinck of nothinge lesse? Now merry, within short time mourned for: A boane in the meate, a [...] in the cup. The laying wait of an enemy, hath made many a stout champion after manifest pe [...]ls escaped, in the middest of hatefull enemies, to yeeld by so weake a meanes, whether they would or no. Many good friendes oftentimes in the [Page 154] worlde, shake handes at partinge, and wee see their nexte meeting is at heauen. Wherefore when wee keepe our solemne assemblies, we had neede keepe them religiously minded, for we know not whether wee shall euer keepe them any more. When wee make our humble repentance to God, wee had neede doe it sincerely in deede: Sathan hee is busie, because his time is short, and therefore his wrath is the fiercer. But wee remembring the continuance of time, should vse all diligence, and therefore our care should be the greater to preuent the subtile Serpent. The Church doth pray, and that in most Christian manner too, that the faithfull may be deliuered from suddaine death. And surely great cause hath the sober Christians man to desire rather leysurely to yeelde himselfe to God, then to bee taken in a moment from the society of [Page 155] men. To haue a good departure out of the worlde, may bee a good mans prayer, and to close vp the course of life, with a treatable dissolution, is that faire Christian ende wee may all beg at the handes of God. Notwithstandinge, when the minde is well prepared, and euery day resigned to his will, who knoweth better then our selues, how best to bring vs to his kingdome Though the Christian end the dayes of his transitory life, by a more short riddance, from these bodily in [...]rn [...]ities, the suddainenesse with Gods helpe is no pre [...] dice vnto his future good, that liues euer prepared for the day of his departure, and they are not ouertaken with death, how suddain [...]ly soeuer they are gone, that dayly mind the tune of their dissolution. Wee may remember, that if wee respecte our estate and condi [...]ion of life, we are all at one, and the selfe [Page 156] same stay. Considera (saith S. Bernard) non qualis sis, Bernard. de consid. ad Eug. lib. 3. sed qualis fueris, consider not so much what thou art, as what thou shalt be: What is become of all Adams posterity, for these many hundred yeares passed? excepting a remnant that must shortly follow after, are they not all gone? Moyses mentioning the age of those who liued before the floud (when as yet the dayes of man were of more continuance then they are) saith:Gen. 5. 8. 20. 27. All the dayes of Seth were nine hundreth and twelue yeares, and hee died. All the dayes of Iered were nine hundreth sixty and two yeares, and he died. All the dayes of Methushelah were nine hundreth sixty and nine yeares, and hee died, that same, & mortuus est, and he died, will yere long, bee the clause appliable to vs all. In the meane season we reade the Epitaphes of others, follow the Funeralles of some [Page 157] deere friends; we see many, as those on whom the Tower in Siloa fell) gone in a moment,Luc. 23. 4 warninges sufficient, if warninges will serue to make vs liue prepared for our ende. Carelesse men (saith one) are not vnlike dissolute seruitors in princes courts, who hauing their allowance of lights, spend them out in riot, and so at last are faine to go to bed darkling: prouident Christians haue a foresight to thinke of the time to come, consider this transitorie estate will haue an end, and therefore prepare for an other world, where they may haue a stay or perpetuity of rest. Now then to bee euer in a readinesse for the giuing vp our acc [...]unt to God, to liue prepared for the day of death,Luc. 16. 3 the vncertaintie of life, the waightinesse of the charge may iustly moue vs all to bee carefull indeed. Howe much therfore it concerneth vs in time of health to prouide for [Page 158] another world, euery one doth see we haue not two souls, that wee may hazard one. God willed his people vpon their passage out of Egypt to haue their loines girt,Exod. 12. 12. their staues in their handes, their shooes on their feete, that there might be no let when the time of their deliuery should come: wee know not how soone God will sende vs from this Egypt: Iesus Christ graunt we may keepe our Pasouers with soules prepared to bee gone. Who so feareth the Lord (saith the Wise man) it shall go well with him at the last, Eccles. 1. 13. and hee shall find fauour in the day of his death.

[Page 159]

The Tenth Chapter.

Wherein is shewed the maner of preparing, or the state and condition of life, wherein the christian man should stand prepared for death.

THe meane then to die the death of y^• righteous, is firll to liue the life of the righteous. The meane to sit with Abraham, is here to walke with Abraham: for God hath appointed a vertuous life to go in order before the great reward of eternall life, not as the cause, but as the consequent of our blessed righteousnesse in Christ our Sauiour: What remameth but to frame the premises as we would fine the conclusion. To sow, as we would one day [Page 160] reape, for those that will lie soft, must make their bed thereafter, and to liue the life wee hope to liue, is in a generalitie here to liue religiously. The old Christians made the worlde to reade in their liues, that they did beleeue in their hearts, and Heathen men to say this is a good God,Iustin. Mart. whose seruants are so good. Therefore, then this godly and holy conuersation of life, what better state for a Christian man to stand in, euer prepared sor his end? Was not that a memorable protestation of Samuel, 1. Sam. 12. 3. when before his death, in the presence of all the people, he declared as thus, his integritie of life: Behold here I am, beare recorde of me before the Lord and his anointed. As if he should haue said, giue me my qui [...]t [...]s est at parting, whose oxe h [...]u: I taken, to whom haue I done wrong? The peoples replie in effect was, now God be with thee good Samuel, to whō [Page 161] thou art going, and so with mournfull heartes they gaue him this testimonie at parting. That of Saint Paul when hee tooke his farewell of the men of Ephesus, Act. 20. 26. 37. who wept abundantly for the words he spake, being chiefly sorie they should see his face no more. I take you to recorde this day, I am pure from the blood of al men, I haue couered no mans siluer or gold. After so good a life, was not this a good farewell? That of Simeon a iust man,Luc. 2. 19 one that [...]eared God, and waited for the consolation of Israel, who imbracing Christ, prayed to depart in peace. O good life (saieth an ancient father) what a ioy art thou in time of distres? It made the some father neither ashamed to liue any longer,Poss. de Amb. because hee had liued honestly, nor afraid to die, because he had a good Lord. Plutarch writeth of Pericles, Plutar. in Gita Peric. that he neuer caused man to weare sorrowfull [Page 162] attire, he was so harmlesse. And of Lysander, that hee was more honoured after his death then euer he had beene in all his life,Plut. in vit. Lysand. hee was so vertuous. But the Wise man speaking of the seruants of God, who passed through the darkenesse of this world with lamps in their liues, which did both light themselues and others. The righteous (saith he) are had in a perpetuall remembrance, Eccles. 44. 14. their bodies are buried in peace, but their name liueth for euermore. For such is the power of vertue, as it makes men, not onely honoured when they are aliue, but also when they are dead, and it is wont to take them out of their graues, and cause them to liue in the mention of long posteritie, hauing their names registred and inrolled with the Saints of heauen. These stood euermore vpon their departure, hauing that heauenly treasure of a good [Page 163] conscience, hauing peace and tranquilitie of mind. When the euill are tossed, saith the Prophet Esai, as the raging waxes of the sea, their name perisheth, saith the Wise man as if they neuer had beene. Thus the innocent life like the watchfull seruant openeth the doore gladly, when his maister knocketh: but the riotous seeketh corners, being ashamed to be seene: the one is quit by a ioyfull proclamation, the other found guiltie at the barre of his own conscience. He that will say with the Apostle,Phil. 1. Mors mihi lucrum, Death is to mee aduauntage, must liue with the Apostle, [...] Omni bona conscientia, Act. 23. 1. 2. with all good conscience. Thus much ingenerall of preparing our selues for the time of our dissolution, in particular, to come nearer home, the applying of himselfe to Faith, Hope, and Charitie, is that Christian estate wherein [Page 164] the seruant of God once setled, need not to feare,Ps. 128. 5 To speak with his enemies in the gate. Faith is the staffe wherevpon we stay both in life & eath: the which faith telles vs, that God thorough Christ is become our welfare. By faith we are blessed,Gal. 3. 4. in the third to the [...]alathians and fourth. By faith we reioyce in tribulation. in the fift to the Romans and second.Rom. 5. 2. By faith we haue accesse vnto God in the thirde to the Ephesians and twel [...]t.Eph 3. 12 This is the shield whereby wee quench the fier it darts of Sathan.Ephe. 6. 6 This is the meane whereby wee resist his power. Nahash the Ammonite woulde make peace with the men of Iabesh Gilead, 1. Sam. 11 2 3 4. but vpon condition, that he might thrust out their right eies. This ol [...] Ammonite our enemie wou [...] offer peace to Gods children, but it is vpon condition: for he would haue their right eye, [...] that blessed faith that behold [...] [Page 165] Christ crucified put out. But will the true Giliadites yeelde to such a condition? No, not for ten thousand worlds of riches. Haue we any thing to do at the throne of God in heauen, there wee haue but two pleas, the one of innocencie, the other of mercie? Faith bids boldly pleade the plea of mercy, and tels vs the iudge is reconciled. What shall sepearte vs once confirmed in faith from the loue of God in Christ Iesus? Shall powers, Rom. 5. 1 or principalities? thinges present, or thinges to come? no, neither life,Rom. 8. 8. nor death. What manner of faith Christ commendeth in the Gospell, wee reade by that of Mary Magdalene, who after sorrowing and weeping f [...]r her sines, Christ tels her: Thy faith hath made thee whole: Luc. 7. 50 as if he shold haue said; Mary, this weeping, this repenting faith is faith indeed. When hee had seene the religious duetie of the [Page 166] Samaritan, that came backe to giue God praise, and fel downe at Christes feete, he faith vnto him also;Lu. 17. 19 Thy faith hath made thee whole: as if this humble faith, this religious faith is a sauing faith: Go in peace. The blind man that cried.Lu. 18. 42 Sonne of Dauid haue mercy vppon mee. And being reproued would not leaue Mercie, vntil he obtained Mercie: Christ said to him as to the former, thy faith hath made thee whole, as if this praying faith of thine is a good faith: Receiue thy sight. What made many old Saints to endure bondes and imprisoment, to bee stoned, to bee hewen a sunder?Heb. 11. 37. it was faith (saith the Apostle.) This was no pals [...]e faith, but firme and constant vnto the end, that comforts the languishing mind, and sayes, if we liue, we liue vnto the Lord; it we die,Rom. 14. 8 we die vnto the Lord; Whether we liue or die wee are the Lords. To this faith is adioyned [Page 167] Hope, which is called by the holy Ghost, the Ancre of the soule. The anker lyeth deep, and is not seene, and yet is the stay of all: So hope reacheth farre,Heb. 6. 19 is of thinges vnseene, and yet holds sure anuds the surging waues of a boistrous world. This hope maketh not ashamed, abideth with patience,Rom. 5. 5. reioyceth in afflictions, is as S. Austen calleth it, the very life of life. For why? it biddes vs go comfortablie to the throne of grace,Rom. 13. 25. and not to refuse the chaunging of these mortal badies, that we may receiue them in a better resurrection. In the third place Charitie1. The. 1. 6 the indiuisible companion of faith may be considered.Heb. 4. 16 God in the creation did seperate light from darknesse; we may not in the state of iustification ioyne the workes of darknesse as enuyinges; strife, and contentions, with the light of faith. In the second booke of [Page 142] Kings, and the tenth Chapter, When Iehonadab came to wardes Iehu, 2. King. 10. 15. as if hee had some earnest intent to be his follower, Iehu saide, is thy hearte vpright with mine? he aunswered, it is; then quoth Iehu, giue mee thy hand. Our noble Iehu, whom God hath set vp to pull downe the power of darknesse, sayes to all that would professe his name: Is your faith vpright to me? then giue me the operations of your hands. The children of God, as they shal differ from the children of this world hereafter; so must they differ from them here by good works, which doe manifest themselues by Christian charitie. Christ sayes vnto his, as the Lord of the vineyard said vnto them in the market place, Quid statis oriosi, why stand ye idle? Faith like Rachel mourning for her children,Mar. 2, 18. lamenteth the defecte of good works; and saith as Sara, giue me fruit or Idie. Our [Page 169] Sauiour Christ saith to his disciples, by this shall men know you, whose you are,Ioan. 13. 35. In that you loue one another. Gen. 4. 5. 8. Caine offered bad offerings, which was a token that the loue of God waxed colde in Caine, it was not long after that he laid violent hands on Abell, which shewed that he lost withall the loue of his neighbour.Ieron. de cons. in Aduers. But O Caine (saith Saint Ierome) what doest thou? what cause hast thou of this cruel hatred and desire of shedding innocent bloud? Quid commeruit frater? quam vim intulit? what hath thy brother deserued? what violence hath he offered? hath thy solitarie brother displeased thee, because hee pleased God? thou knowest not what a losse thou shalt haue in the misse of so good a companion. But enuie puffes vp, blinds the vnderstanding where it once entreth. If you will heare how Lamoch that was an euill man speakes:Gen. 4. 25 If [...]aine were auenged [Page 170] seuen folde, I will bee auenged seuentie seuen fold: Here is nothing but a mind set vpon reuenge. But if you will heare how Dauid the man of God speaks,2. Sam. 9. 1. Is there any of the house of Saul, that I may shew mercie vnto them? He speakes of loue and kindnes towards his verie enemies. And so Ioseph when hee forgaue his brethren,Gen. 50. 19. because saith he, I my selfe am vnder the hande of God. All that we can, or do forgiue our enemies, are [...], offences or some final trespasses:Mar. 11. 25. but that which God forgiues, they are [...], debts of great importance:Mat. 6. 12 we some few pence,Luc. 18. 28. 30. he talents, and those ten thousande too. Thrasibulus [...] heathen man, to renew amitie lost amongst men; made a law, [...] of forgetfulnesse of all wronges and iniuries that had beene offered: it is nor a lawe of Th [...]asibulus; but of [Page 171] Christ Iesus:Luc. 6. 37 Forgiue and it shall bee forgiuen you. What hath heauen more glorious then the vnion of the Trinitie? What hath the earth more heauenly then consent and vnitie? When one riuer runneth towardes the Ocean, it is a good course, and goes as it should: but when it meeteth with another riuer, then they make a current in deede. When the loue of God doeth carrie vs along, wee go well but when this meeteth with the loue of our neighbor, then wee set forward with a main streame into a sea of all blessednes. A special meane to increase this double loue in y^• hearts of al beleeuers, is a frequent participation of the holy and blessed Eucharist, [...]. which is called of some [...], that is to say, a most necessarie prouision for out spiritual voyage: O blessed mysterie! which amongst other high and heauenly effectes, is a meane to [Page 172] strengthen vs in this great iourney, and comfort vs towardes the ende of the way. Thus setting our selues in order, wee may accept of the time whensoeuer it shall please God, that broughts vs into the worlde, to take vs from this our continuance in the same. The condition of life wherein we may stand prepared, requires our Christian practise: the happinesse of this condition wee shall finde when wee come vnto the state of all happinesse.

[Page 173]

The eleuenth Chapter.

How the Christian man shoulde demeane himselfe when sicknes beginneth to grow vpon him.

THe first and principall thing religiously to bee remē bred in the beginning of sicknes is, that the soule do cal her selfe to a serious account of sins passed, of the euill committed and the good omitted, remembring that of the Prophet,Psal. 32. 6. Dixi quod confitebor aduersum me iniustitiam meam. I said I will confesse against my selfe my owne vnrighteousnes. Therefore,In decre. vinc. by an auncient decree, the sicke was enioyned before sending for the Phisition, to make first a contrite confession, and humble acknowledgement [Page 174] of his sinnes, as if our sinnes were (as they often are) the cause of our sicknesse: and surely this decree was very respectiuely had in vse. For God doth oftentimes take away the effect, when we take away the cause or vse of sinning. Christ hauing cured the man that lay so many yeares by the poole Bethesda, Ioan. 5. 2. 3. and shewed no small worke of mercie, for being put backe at the mouing of the water, of himselfe weake, of friendes destitute, the right course of this vnrighteous worlde; if any go downe, this man doeth. Well, Christ cures him, and giues him this caution as a Memorandum for the time to come: Beholde, Ioan. 5. 14 thou art made whole: sinne no more, least a worle thing come vnto thee: made whole, therefore sometimes a dieased creature: made whole, therefore not of thy selfe whole: made whole, therefore [Page 175] now a sound man: Sinne no more, least a worse thing come vnto thee. Hee that afflicted thee for a time, coulde haue held thee longer: he that touched thee in part, could haue stricken thee whole: hee that laide this vppon thy bodie, hath power to lay a greater rodde vppon both body and soule; Sinne no more. So that by this wee see, that sicknesse of the bodie may moue vs to crie out with the Prophete, Peccata iuuentutis ne memineris Domine, Lord remember not the sinnes and offences of our youth:Psa 25. 6. And ab occultis munda nos, cleanse thou vs from our secreate faultes.

When sicknesse beginneth sharpely to touch vs,Psal. 19. 12. wee are carefull in seeking and sending to procure the health of the body; as Asa sought to the Phisitions to heale his disease,1. Chro. 16 12. when he should haue rather sent to y^• [Page 176] Prophet to haue giuen him some spirituall receipt for his sicke soule: when the phisition hath done, then we can be content the Diuine should begin: as if some fewe wordes of ghostly counsell were enough when wee see there is but one way with vs No, no, the first and chiefest care in all extremities should bee a penitent imploring of the help of God, who in this case doeth oftentimes cure both bodie and soule, and lengthen the daies of sorrowfull suppliants, as hee did the daies of Ezechias. The lumpe of dried Figges, meanes ordained by God, haue also their conuenient vse. The phi [...]eke of the soule must haue the best cordials for the penitent patient. That of the people in the booke of Nombers may bee remembred, who being stung with the serpentes in the wildernesse, had no other meane of succour then the looking vp to [Page 177] the serpent, which Moyses (as a meane ordained by God) set vp for the procuring of their health, we haue no other refuge in time of need,Nom. 21. 8. then the lifting vp of the eyes of our soules to beholde Christ crucified. The people cryed vnto Moyses and Aaron, but there was no helpe vntill God in mercie appointed this miraculous meane. No reliefe could bee founde in the Law for the distressed soul, vntil God in his wonderfull loue raised vp a mighty saluation in the state of grace. The serpent was lifted vp on high, that all might behold him, so was the Sonne of God, that all beleeuers might receiue sauing health from and by him. In the curing those who were stung by the Serpent, it was, Vide & viue, Nom. 21 9. looke and liue: for Christes curing, it is Crede & viue, Ioan 3. 14. beleeue and liue. This blessed meane in times of greatest extremitie doeth adde no [Page 178] small comforte to the afflicted man. And thus the principall [...]are, when sicknesse beginneth, being an humble acknowledgement of our sinnes, which may moue vs to say, as Iosephs brethren, Therefore is this trouble come vpon vs; Gen. 42. 21. a heartie confession of them all; an humble desire with bended hearted and knees for the remission thereof; a willing mind [...]o bee deliuered from the bandes of sinne, may make vs crie with the prophet Dauid, I am so fast in prison, that I cannot get out: And last of all, a ioyfull lifting vp of the hart to the throne of grace, may make vs willingly renounce the world and resigne ouer our selues vnto his diuine pleasure, to whose appointment we ought with patience meekely to submit our selues. Wee see wee are in his hande, who alone hath power ouer al flesh: when we are in want, we then know the benefite of plenty: [Page 179] when we are in bondage, wee then best perceiue the good of freedome: when we are in sicknesse, wee must thankfully acknowledge the blessing of health, (if we haue any thank fulnesse) and may easily gather how God by lingring sicknesse doth in mercy, stay till we make vs rendie. If it shall please him to adiourne the time of this our pilgrimage, we ought to offer a determina [...]e purpose, as a sacrifice vpon the altar of our hearte, to serue him truely all the daies of our life. And thus hauing our trust in Christ crucified, we make this resolution; If we liue, we shall do well: if we die wee shall doe better.

[Page 180]

The Twelfth Chapter.

How the sicke shoulde dispose of worldly goods and possessions.

HIs sinnes by the sicke partie confessed, his soule religiously commended vnto God, his desire either to liue or die, giuen ouer to the Divine prouidence, an orderly disposing of those temporall blessings, which GOD hath heere lent vnto his seruants, is verie conuenient for euerie Christian in time of health, and nothing ominous, as some haue timirously doubted. None ought to alienate ancient inheritance, Numb. 27 11. God would that [...]he [...]ight heire should take place, and succeed in order. Experience doth shew, that after [Page 181] wise men haue liued long, and serued God many yeares in the world, this disposing of blessings temporal, maketh vs not to die the more quickly, but the more quietly. And therefore it was put in practise of Abraham, when he gaue the principall part of his goods vnto Isaacke his Sonne,Gen. 25. 5. 6. and vnto others. Abraham gaue giftes or legacies:1. King. 1. 25. this did Dauid, Toby, and Ezechias, Tob. 4. 20 Esa. 38. 1. for the quiet of succeeding posteritie, dispose of earthly possessions, going to possesse heauenly. In this disposing, to bee aduised by them, whose learning and knowledge is approued, doth much further the well ordering of all. Wee shewe our thankfulnesse vnto God, and charitie to men, when wee become beneficiall vnto others, remēbring whose saying it was:Act. 20. It is a blessed thing to giue. In which giuing, the maintenaunce of Churches, Colledgs, Schools [Page 182] Hospitals, and such like godly vses, should▪ where abilitie is answerable, be chiefly remē bred: for by these deeds of mercie we doe not onely our selues acknowledge Gods goodnesse, but make many others, when wee are long since dead and rot [...]en, blesse him in the participation of the same. Merciful men (saith the Wiseman) haue honoured God by this meanes, and how;Eccles. 44 2. 15. The Lord hath gotten great glorie by them. To giue vnto the poore in time of sicknes, [...]is good: but more acceptable were it to do it dayly, and in time of best health. This giuing is the ship that will neuer strike against the rocke, but bring our marchandise home in safetie. This giuing is the most gainefull interest, when the mercifull shall receiue a thousand for one. In keeping our riches saith Gregorie, wee lose them: but in dispearsing them [Page 183] abroad, wee most surely keepe them. To dispearse them when wee can holde them no longer, is not so much, though commendable in this kind: but to giue our bread vnto the hungrie, nay to take from our owne plentie, to giue vnto Christes little ones, is commendable indeede:Psal. 41. 1 Blessed is hee (saith Dauid) that considereth the poore and needie. A cuppe of colde water shall not want one day a rewarde. Where is the large liberalitie wee should haue towardes the poore members of Christ▪ The excessiue pride of the worlde in attire, the needlesse superfluitie in diet hath eaten vp hospitalltie and there [...] towardes many hungrie soules. But to the disposition of these worldly goods and possessions, wherein naturall affection may not bee extinguished, the next [...] heyre or name disinherited, the custome of the place [Page 184] and auncientrie not violated: restitution where wrong hath beene offered, should be remembred: debts truely discharged: all which Christianlike disposition is seemely both before God and man. The forgiuing our enemies when we can hurt them no more, is not so much. The perfect charity at al times, but principally at this time, that becommeth Christians, may not be wanting. The example of Steuen praying for his persecutors, may shew vs a mirror of charity towards all. These speciall respectes obserued, the sicke may in the name of God dispose himself and his, as thus.

First with a free heart and willing mind, to yeeld and render his soule into the hands of Almightie God his Creator, who of his endlesse goodnesse gaue him being; of his infinite mercie vouchsafed to redeeme him, by the death and passion [Page 185] of his deare Son & our Sauiour Christ Iesus, in whose onely merites is his last repose at parting: the commending his body to Christian buriall, hee may proceede as Gods grace and wise aduertisement shall direct, that so the sicke laying aside all earthly respectes, hee commend with penitencie and contrition of hart, his soule into the hands of almightie God, humbly applying vnto his faith, the innumerable benefits of Christs passion, and of the three things hee is then to dispose of, His body, goods, and soule: that principall care he had of all other, in commending this his soule with al deuotion into y^• hands of Iesus Christ.

[Page 186]

The Thirteenth Chapter.

How necessarie it is for the sicke, leauing all worldly, thoughtes, to apply his mind to praier and some godly meditation.

THe disposition of worldly goods being well and wisely▪ ordered, the mind is at more quiet to consider of heauen and heauenly thinges, more apt to draw neerer vnto God by the actions of Christian pietie: amongst which actions we haue no sweeter incense then our deuotion offered vp by prayer:Psal. 141. 2. The lifting vp of our handes wee may make our euening or latter sacrifice. Wee haue no better Orators to pleade our cause, no surer ambassadors to conclude our peace, then our [Page 187] humble supplications vnto him, who sits euer in commission to heare our suites, and lookes that we should send vp ou [...] prayers, that he may send downe his mercie: by which meanes we enter into a spirituall traffique with God himselfe: we giue a cuppe of colde water,Ioh. 4. 14. and hee returnes vs a fountaine of the water of life. Wee giue him with the poore widdow two mites, and hee giues vs againe the whole treasure of the Temple.Luc. [...]1. 2. The merey of God (saith one) is like a vessell full to the verie brimme. If once his faithfull children by the hand of faithfull prayer beginne to take of it, it doeth ouerflowe vnto them.

Moreouer, it is not with God as with man: those who are petitioners are wont to bee trouble some vnto thē; but with God the more we offer vp our praiers vnto him, the more we [Page 188] are accepted of him. The Ediles amongst the Romanes had euer their doores standing open for al that had occasion of complaint, to haue free accesse vnto them. With God the gates of mercie are wide open to all poore sinners, that will make their prayers vnto him, Come and wel [...]come. Now as wee should at other times, and vpon other occasions, with Abraham, sometimes leaue our terrene affaires,Gen. 22. 5. as hee left his seruants beneath, when hee went into the mount to sacrifice to God: so principally in sicknesse and griefe of bodie, should we then ascend into the contemplation of heauenlye things, and haue recourse to Gods mercie, as to a Cittie of refuge: Call vpon me (saith the Lord) in the time of trouble, & I will heare thee, and thou shalt praise me. Psal. 50. 15. In the t'me of trouble, there is a refuge for extremitie; and I will heare thee, [Page 189] theres the rewarde of mercie: and thou shalt praise me, there is the reflex of thankfull dutie. Christ wils all that are wearie and heaui [...] laden to come vnto him, Math. 11. 28. and they shall not loose their labour, hee will refreshe them. In time of need no surer centerie, then by humble prayer to repaire to God. Demus operam (saith S. Austen) vt moriamur in precatione, August▪ de vera inuoca. cap. 33. Psal. 123. 2. Let vs indeuour euen to die in prayer. I lifted mine eyes vnto the hils, (saithe the Prophet) from whence commeth my helpe. And in an other place, As the eyes of seruants looke vpon the hand of their master; and as the eyes of a maiden. v [...]to the hand of her mistresse: so our eyes waite vpon the Lord our God, vntill he haue mercy vpon vs. Wherefore with the same Prophet let vs deuoutly say; In thee O Lord haue I put my trust, let me neuer bee put to confusion, but [...]idd [...] mee, and deliuer me in [Page 190] thy righteousnesse: correct mee not in thine anger O Lord, neither rebuke me in thine indignation: heale me for my bones are vexed: be not farre from me, for trouble is hard at hand, & there is none to deliuer me: remember thy louing mercies, which haue beene euer of old: cast me not away when my strength faileth mee: I acknowledge my faultes, and my sinne is euer against mee: wash me and I shall be cleane: Lord heare me, hide not thy face from me, for trouble is harde at hand: O let my crie enter into thy presence. To this or the like penitent complaint, that ioyfull reply is not farre off;Psal. 91. 14. 15. Quoniam sperauit in me, liberabo [...]um, Because he hath put his trust in mee, I will deliuer him. I will set him vp, because he hath known my name: Cum ipso sum in tribulatione▪ I am with him in his tribulation. The select prayers to bee vsed in the [Page 191] visitation of the sicke, should bee obserued with many of the Psalmes of Dauid, which, when the afflicted reade them, instruct the conscience, and in times of sicknesse are wont more then ordinarie to moue the minde. For these diuine hymnes saith Saint Basill, Basil. in pra [...]a. in lib. Psal. they are a parte of holy Scripture, High in misterie, profounde in sence, comfortable in doctrine, and haue in times of affliction a special and peculiar grace to instruct the soule. Amongst these the thirtie eight Psalm. Domine ne arguas me▪ Put me not to rebuke O Lord. The fiftie one, Miserere mei Deus, Haue mercie vpon me O Lord. The seuentie Psalme, Deus in adiutorium, Haste thee to deliuer me O God. The seuentie one, In te Domine sp [...]raui. In thee O Lord haue I trusted. The seuentie seuen; Voce mea ad Dominum, I will crie vnto the Lord with my voice. The [Page 192] hundred and thirtie Psalme: De profundis clamaui ad te domine, Domine exaudi vocem meam, Out of the deepes haue I called vnto thee O Lord, Lord heare my voice, with many other like Psalmes, proper and peculiar for the sicke. Herevnto may bee added, a silent meditation, wherein the soule doth enter a solitarie talke with God, which is verie conuenient in this ease. When the ioyes of heauen haue leasure to present themselues to our religious thoughts, the pleasures of our sinfull life, and this worldes vanities, are then seene to be of small valew, (as they are indeede) then may we call to minde the vnspeakable loue of God towardes man in generall, and our selues in particular. How this [...] s [...]ept foorth in thine of need, before execution of iustice▪ to [...] man. That it was a worke [...] comfort, when God said Fi [...] [Page 193] Lux, Gen. 1. 3. let there bee light made▪ But that it was a worke of counsell, and all comfort, when hee said in the great worke of mans redemption, Fiat Chri [...]tus, Let ther be a Christ borne, which shall saue my people from their sinnes. And now haue wee fit opportunitie to meditate vpon the sufferinges of the Sonne of God; his passion, his descention into hel, his resurrection the third day, his ascention, and glorious sitting at the right hand of God, so that at the name of Iesus, the sorrowfull sinner may say with Thomas, Dominus meus, Ioan. 20. 28. & Deus meus, My Lord and my God.

We cannot in the world better imploy our thoughts, then in calling to mind how God hath kept vs from our youth vp; from how many daungers we haue beene deliuered,Psal. 22. 9 into which we haue seene not a few fall before our eyes,Psal. 27. 21. and our [Page 194] selues by his onely mercie vnto this day freed from the same. Can we but with all thankfulnesse call to minde the goodnesse of God towards vs, for the time past, and put our whole trust and confidence in him euen in these greatest extremities, yea both in life and death, for the time to come, seeing the Lorde is nigh to them that call vpon him,Psal. 145. 1 [...]8. yea to all such as call vpon him faithfully.

[Page 195]

The fourteenth Chapter.

How the sicke, when sicknes more & more increaseth, may be moued to cōstancie & perseuerance

WHen sickenesse more and more encreaseth, wee are more and more put in minde of our mortalitie, and gently mooued to renounce by little and little, all the repose wee haue, or can haue in this tran [...]torie life, to arme our selues to stand with constan [...]y vnto the end, remembring euermore, as we had a time to be borne, so haue wee a time to die. And our way to enter into life, is first to passe the pinching griefs of a momentarie death. To raise vp our spirits in times of greatest triall, we may recoūt with our selues. [Page 196] that Christ himselfe went not vp to glorie, but first hee suffered paine. When Vriah was willed by Dauid himselfe to take his peace at home: Shall I see (quoth hee) my Lord Ioab, 2. Sam. 11 11. and the Arke of God lie abroad in the field, and shall I goe take my rest and [...]ase? No, I will not. Shall we see the Sonne of GOD himselfe all in gore bloud, suffering for the sinnes of the whole world, and shall we refuse all suffering, taking our case in Sion, and our rest vppon the mountaines of Samaria, as loath to endure any crosse or calamitie at all? Is that Souldiour worthie to triumph with his Captaine, that woulde neuer strike stroke to fight the battaile? Againe, whatsoeue [...] wee suffer,1. Cor. 9. [...]6. Christ suffered more for vs. But that which principally is to bee remembred, this our striuing is not beating the ayre: for after wee haue fought a good fight [Page 197] there is laid vp for vs a crown of glorie.2. Tim. 4. 8. God is (saith Tertullian) Agonothetes, Tertul. ad Mart. both he that purposeth the prize, and rewardeth the champion. Consider the olde generations of men, and marke them well:Eccle. 2. 11 12. 13. Was there euer any confounded that put his trust in the Lord who hath continued in his feare and was forsaken? Or whome did hee euer despise that called vpon him? Wherefore let the languishing person take vnto him comfort in Gods mercie; Was euer the righteous forsaken? God told Iosias, 2 King. 22. 20. that hee should bee gathered vnto his Fathers in peace, and yet Iosias died in warre.2. King. 23. 29. God gaue him a constant mind▪ whereby hee died peaceably: The Lord told Ieremie he should not bee vanquished: Ieremie was stoned, but not vanquished: God gaue him an inuincible faith. The Angell to the Church of Smyrna, saith, Esto fidelis vsque [Page 198] dabo tibi coronam vitae, A [...]o. 2, 10. Bee thou faithfull vnto death, and I will giue thee a crowne of life. To raise vp himself in this liuelie faith, the sicke may make a heartie confession of his christian beliefe, saying, O holie Trinitie, I commend my selfe vnto thee, the father, the sonne, and the holie ghost, which in vnitie of nature art one, and the sel [...]e same God. I commend me vnto thee. O omnipotent father, which hast created me, yea heauen & earth, with all things visible and inuisible. I commend me vnto thee, O Lorde Iesus Christ, who for mee, and the saluation of mankind, wert sent into the world, conceiued by the power of the holy Ghost, borne man of the blessed virgin Marie, didst suffer, wast dead, vnried, discendedst into hell, the third day didst rise againe from the dead, ascendedst into heauē, where thou sittest at the right hand of the father, from whence [Page 199] thou shalt come at the day of iudgement, to iudge all flesh. I commend me vnto thee, O holie Spirit, which proccedest from the father a [...]d the sonne, whom togither I adore and glorifie, which doest quicken one Catholike and Apostolike church, to which thou hast in mercie graunted remission of sinnes, the resurrection of these mortall bodies, and euerlasting life after death. The same confession may be made of the sicke in maner of oblation: As I offer my selfe vnto thee, O holy Trinitie, the father, the sonne, and the holy ghost, &c. Also in maner of an [...]sibl [...] supplication. As I beseech thee, O holy Trinitie, the father, the son, and the holy ghost, &c. In which christian confession Gods seruants may stand constant vnto the end, against all temptations. Not vnlike y^• people of Ciniensis, who when the ambassadors of Brutus would haue thē deliuer ouer their city, and freedome into his handes, [Page 200] Ferrum nobis a maioribus, &c. Tel your Captaine Brutus, our auncesters haue left vs weapons, to defend our right with courage & constancie vnto the end. The holy Ghost, by the Apostle S. Paul in the s [...]xt to the Ephesians, Ephes. 6. 14. 15. sheweth what these weapons are; as the brest plate of righteousnesse, the shield of faith, the Helmet of saluation, the sword of the spirit, their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell, where is spirituall furniture for all parts, only the back or hinder part excepted, to signifie that the Christian souldier should not turne his backe before his enemies. The Eagle to trie her young, is said to carrie them vp against the piercing beames of the Sunne, which seeing them to endure, she acknowledgeth them as her owne Christ knowes vs to be his, by our constant suffering, and therefore somtimes brings vs vnto the conflict. Wee reade [Page 201] in the 2. Sam. 20. That Seba a rebellious Iew, 2. Sam. 20 1. blew a trumpet, and many of the people followed after him, but the men of Iuda, who were of the bloud royal, they as good Isralites would liue and die with Dauid their king. The olde Seba, blowes many an entising blast to carrie vs away from our true allegiaunce of Christ Iesus our king, All that are borne of water and the holy Ghost, will liue and die in his faith. Howsoeuer the world for a time frowne vpon them, yet they are not as the Reede without pith or substance, and so wauing with euerie winde, but firme & constant, like Iohn Baptist, that will holde his profession, though he loose his head for it. Wherefore considering that there is no crowne without a conquest, and no conquest without courage and perseuerance, the faithful like Iob say,Iob. 13. 15 Though the Lord kill vs, yet wil we put our trust in him.

[Page 202]

The Fifteenth Chapter.

How they may be aduertised, who seeme vnwilling to depart the world.

IF in this life only (saieth the Apostle) we haue hope in Christ, 1. Cor. 15 17. then are we of al men most miserable: to shew in effect, that we haue not in this life the occomplishment of our hope. Not here therefore we should expect it else where: this is not our Paradise, but a barren desert: we may not looke for our heauen here, our citie is aboue, which wee all must inhabite, to drawe backe when we are to goe most comfortablie to take possession of the same, and the hope so long hoped for, should most strengthen vs in the way, [Page 203] is far from that Christian beliefe whereof wee make dayly profession. Oftē haue we praied Thy kingdome come. Mat. 6. 10 Nowe when God is leading vs vnto the same, our vnwillingnesse to be gone cannot but argue great weakenes of faith▪ Quid face [...]emus si mori tantummodo fine resurrectione praeciperet Deus? Ier. de non lugend. mort. voluntas eius suf [...]iceret ad solatium, What would we haue don, if God (saith Saint Ierome) had commaunded vs to die, without mentioning the resurrection, his will ought to haue bin our comfor [...]t: but now hauing this stay, why should we wauer? Oftentimes haue we wished, that we were once freed from this worlds captiuitie: now God is going about to free vs indeede our desire is to continue our captiuitie still, not vnlike children, who crie out of pain [...] and griefe, and when th [...] Chirurgion comes that should ease them of all, they chuse [Page 204] rather to remaine as they are. There is no Marriner but after many sharpe stormes desireth the hauen: and shal not we after so many tempests of this troublesome world, accept of our deliuerance, when the time is come? We are giuen to loue the world too much, and a great deale more then we should, being onely straungers in the same. Had we no farther expectation, but onely to enioy a state temporall, where wee might set vp our rest, as hauing here attained our chiefest good, then might our departure from this world bee very grieuous in deede, because our being and happinesse should ende together. But looking as we doe for a further condition, so perinanent, so blessed, and death being the passage or entrie thereunto, there is no cause why man, if hee bethinke himselfe, should vnwillingly set forwarde, when his [Page 205] time of departure is at hande. First remembring it is the ordinance of God, the course of all flesh, and, as Iosuah calleth it,Ios. 23. 14 the way of all the worlde. What man is he (saith the prophet)Psa. 89. 47. that liueth and shall not see death? It is not proper to any one, which is commō to all: kings, princes, strong, valiant, take parte with them in this lot. There is no reason that any should looke to bee priuiledged in that wherin all without exception must, will they, nill they, sub [...]t themselues. Secondarily, that it is a meane to bring vs from a prison with out ease; from a pilgrimage without rest, wee all see euidently: and this made the Wise man praise the dead aboue themE [...]cl. 4. 2. which are yet aliue, and prefer the day of death before the day of birth, surely for no other rea [...]son, then for that in the one we come into a vale of misery, in the other we depart from it, [Page 206] departing in the farth of him, by whom we looke for a better state to come. Thirdly, this being the way for the obtaining so high a reward, we may steppe forth with confidence in his mercy, who now calleth vs by death to the participation of y^• same. Why on Gods blessing should any bee loath that the soule should returne to him that gaue it? When the louing mother sendeth forth her childe to nurse, and the nurse hath kept it long enough▪ if the mother take her owne child home againe, hath this nurse anie cause to grudge or complaine? How much lesse cause haue wee to shew any part of vnwillingnesse, that God shoulde take home this departing soule, the worke of his owne hands, the plant of his owne grafting, who first gaue it, and will before all others most louingly keepe and tender it. There is none knowes the loue of a mother, [Page 207] but a mother. There is none knowes the loue of God, but God, who is loue. Wherefore wee are verie vnnaturall to our selues, if we should giue testimonie of discontentment, when our soules should be deliuered into his handes, who is the best preseruer of all. Where is our desire with S. Paule? Phil. 1. 23 To bee dissolued and to bee with Christ. Where is our complayning with the Prophete Dauid? Psa. 42. 2 That we are not yet come to appeare in the presence of God. Where is the longing of Saint Austen? August. Medit. 2. to see that head which was crowned, those handes which were pearsed for our sins. Had wee the loue and faith which these good men had, we should rather wi [...]h for the houre of our rest, then shewe any vnwillingnesse to departe when God is about to call vs hence. Shall naturall inclination ouer-rule the [Page 208] force of Christian hope. Can wee forget the prayer of Christ in the garden?Luc. 22. 42. Father not my will but thine be fulfilled. The starres by their proper motion are carried from the West to the East, and yet by the motion of obedience to the first Mouer, they passe along from the east vnto the west. The waters by their naturall course follow the center of the earth, yet yeelding vnto the higher body, which is the Moone, are subiect to her motions. The motion of obedience to the will of God, who is the first mouer, the higher bodie should drawe vs and al our desires, how contrary soeuer in nature: for hereunto all should yeelde themselues, and obediently follow. Those who by Alchemie will turne worser mettall into a more pure, must first dissolue the worse: so if we will change our wils into the will of God, wee must cleane dissolue them, [Page 209] that his will onely may take place. When Christ in the Apocalips saith,Apoc. 22. 20. I come quickly: the Saints replie; Euen so Amen, come Lord Iesus. To shew whatsoeuer doeth please Christ, coulde not displease them, much lesse his comming, which is most ioyful to all that feare and loue his name. And here we may consider by this meanes of yeelding our selues meekely vnto God, wee haue occasion offered to shewe our subiection to his diuine pleasure:Gen. 22. 4 as Abraham had, when God commanded him to offer vp Isaack his sonne, nay Isaack his only son, and Isaack whom he loued, and Isaack in whome rested all the hope of his blessed posteritie. Here was a conflict, wherein God would see which was strongest in Abraham, eyther faith or fatherly affection But Abraham, who is called the father of the faithfull▪ and so one that leaues his children [Page 210] an example for the tune to come, in this straight resigned his will to the wil of God, stood not weighing so high a precept in the light scales or ballance of humane reason: but with hope contrarie vnto hope, proceeded to the accomplishment thereof. The Apostles of our Sauior Christ being willed to launch forth▪ and to passe vnto the other side of the lake, stoode not casting timerous doubtes; as thus,Mar. 4. 35. this Genazereth is a dan [...]gerous passage; y^• euening draweth on; we our selues plaine fishermen, none of the skilfullest Pilots: but when Christ cōmanded them, without more ado away they go. Now Christ bids vs to put off frō the shore of our earthly estate; what should wee but obediently set [...]orward? at the other side is heauen, the hauen of our hope. Againe, seeing we must needes away, Si aliquando cur nō nunc, If wee must away, why not now? if not now, when? There [Page 211] is a time to bee borne (saith the Wiseman, & there is a time to die: we came into this world, vpon condition to leaue it: yeeld vp our liues we must w^t Codrus that valiant Athenian, and that before the field be wonne. With the Thebane Captaine, let vs not care to change life w^t death, so the victorie may bee ours, & to say the verie truth, we haue no great cause to couet long life in this stony hearted world: we see some miseries, & wise men foresee more, the righteous is taken away,2 Kin. 22. 20. from the euill to come: as God took Iosias, because he shold not see the calamitie of the sinfull people. For our own estate in particular, when de [...]repite age cōmeth which we so much wish for before, and those fourscore years which is y^• furthest hope of our strength, are wee not thē combersome to others, & irksome to our selues? In the meane time, so many snares and engins are laid by the professed enemie of [Page 212] man to entrap mens soules, as wee may with reuerence and loue wonder at the mercy of God in our deliuerie for the time past, and peaceablie accept our passage into a place of true securitie, now consequently to ensue. Last of all, a remembrance of the place whither we are going should take vs away, as the Angels tooke Lot from Sodome. It is vnto a cittie of all continuance,Heb. 13. 4 Euen that citie where our soules shall liue. Let vs send our faith in beleeuing, our hope in expecting, (as losua sent messengers before) to view that countrie which God will g [...]ue vs. These messengers will bring vs word, that eye hath not seene, nor eare heard, nor the hart of man conceiued, the high excellencie thereof, which (me thinks) shold moue men to giue this world a willing farewell. To conclude with S. Cyprian, let Pagans and infidels feare death▪ who [Page 213] neuer feared God in their life. But let Christians go as trauellers vnto their nature home, as children vnto their louing father, willingly, ioyfully.Psa. 27. 4 One thing (saith the Prophet) haue I desired of the Lord, that I may dwel in the house of my God all the daies of my life.

The sixteenth Chapter.

How they may bee induced to depart meekely, that seeme loath to leaue worldly goodes, wife, children, friends, or such like.

WHile wee set our affections vpon earthly thinges onely, we much affect them, and are loath to depart from them: but once taking a taste of heauenly, we begin to grow out of liking with [Page 214] the basenesse of our former desires, and bend all our affections to an earnest expectation of farre better. If wee do respect riches, Christ hath greater riches in another worlde, then all the empire of Alexander can yeelde, If honour, he hath greater honor then all the thrones of earthly Potentates can afforde. (For one day in his house is better then a thousand.) If friends, heauen hath the glorious companie of Saintes and Angels, who reioyce at our entrance into their common ioy: what more [...]cceptable then good company, & together, ioyful company? The company is good where the righteous liue for euer, ioyfull, where is nothing but a cheerefull singing of Allelu [...]ah. Apoc. 19. 3. For worldly possessions here we found them, & here we leaue them. The time of our enioying of thē is vncertaine, because we see them ebbing & flowing like [Page 215] the sea, and we do not possesse them as we ought, vnlesse wee are readie at times best beseeming vnto God to leaue them. But the losse of friends cannot be but grieuous vnto flesh and bloud; to leaue wife and children cannot but go neere the heart, where affection hath been rooled. Yea, but if we open the other eye, and see whether wee are going to Christ that redeemed vs, and is neerer then all, we leaue pleasant delights, but receiue more pleasant by infinit degrees: wherefore to vnburden our selues of all earthly cares, wee may obserue this course, which is, to commend wife, children, friends, & such like in our humble praiers, vnto his protection, who can better prouide for them then our selues, who is a father of the fatherlesse, and taketh into his owne hand the cause of y^• widdow & orphanes,Psal 88. 5 which y^• ancient patriarks well knowing at their departures frō the world [Page 216] for the blessing of God to come vpon their posterities, and so left them. Knowing that they were but sent before them, who should also follow after. Did we rightly consider the manifold grieuances, which euen our chiefest delightes, which wee are so loath to leaue, haue often brought vs, we should soone see our departure from them to be a departure from many cares. The Sun though it be cheerefull and warme, yet is it sometimes lesse pleasing, by reason of scorching heate: the aire though it be lightsome, yet is it sometimes glomie and ouercast. Our worldly delightes, and whatsoeuer is here pleasing vnto vs, haue had oftentimes much sower sawce. Why then (saith Fulgentius Fulg. ad Theod.) do wee not forsake this want to attain a future plenty? Of all other wee neede not so much respect the forgoing of worldly possessions, which are (sayeth [Page 217] one: For these causes, rather to be dispised of vs, then to bee left with discōtentment. First, for that they are vanities: Secondarily, for that they are not onely vanities, but also deceits: Thirdly, because they are spinae, pricking thornes: Fourthly, for that they are aerumnae, euen griefes themselues. Be it we vse them aright, we are but only stewards: when the owner himselfe will haue it so. What should we els but with all contentment of mind forsake and leaue them? We came all of vs with Iob [...]ked into the world; and with Iob, naked shall wee returne againe: onely our good deeds and our bad (as they say) beare vs company; bona sequū tur, mala presequuntur. A great conqueror of the world would haue his ensigne-bearer carrie forth Linteam vestem, a sorie cloth or shrowding sheete, saying: here is all, of all his conquests a worthy captaine doth [Page 218] carie with him. Hither we come as Iacob came to Laban; Gen. 32. 10. onely by Gods prouidence wee are that we are. These heards and droues about vs, they are from the mercy of God. Not plants growing in our owne soile, not vapors that did arise of vs, but of the nature of influences that from heauen are come vppon vs: euery one sueth to God in forma pauperis, for things necessary. Wherfore the Prophet Dauid saith;Psa. 148. Te dante, nos colligimus, Lord, thou giuing, we gather: and therefore called goods, because they are Gods, his, and not our owne: whereby we learne with contentinent to leaue them, when the giuer thereof shall of his bountie call vs away to receiue better. But is it possible wee should forget whither we are going? where should the members bee, but where the head raigneth? where should the heart be,Mat. 6. 21 but where our heauenly treasure is? [Page 219] Christ who is our treasure, is in heauen, whither first our affections ascend, and then wee follow after. All these riches remaine not, nor helpe in time of need: they take them wings often and flie from vs, and are but straw and stubble,Prou. 27. 24. whereupon wee may build no sure foundation: And therefore we neede not so much care to forsake them. On the other side, we leaue the society of men, and go to that celestiall societie aboue in heauen, where a multitude of our good friends expect vs. Our seperation each from other here, is only for a time, our continuance together in the life to come shall be for euer.

[Page 220]

The seuenteenth Chapter.

How the impatient may be perswaded to indure the paines of sicknes, and to die peaceablie.

THe conflict once begunne, the courage of the Captaine then, and neuer but then is experienced. When God doeth call his children to any crosse or calamitie, then begins the battell: then their blessed patience & meeke contentment is made manifest, or neuer: Knowing that all goes by his ordering, in whome wee liue, Act. 17. 28. moue, and haue all our being, and that no Phisition can be more carefull for the health of the bodie, then God is wont to bee for the health of the soule: how bitter soeuer the potion seeme, yet receiuing [Page 221] it frō him who meanes vs so well, we should not but receiue with patient suffering whatsoeuer his mercifull hand shall reach vnto vs.Eccles. 2. 1. 2. 3. My sonne (saith the Wiseman) when thou commest vnto the seruice of God, prepare thy soule vnto temptation, and shrinke not away when thou art tried, for whom the Lord loueth, him hee chastiseth. Gold and siluer are tryed in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of aduersity. If God will haue Moses to beExod. 2. 3 a gonernor of his people, God will haue Moses to be cast out, and laid in the bulrushes by the riuers brinke. If God will haue Daniel to be a ruler vnder Darius, Dan. 6. 16. Daniel must lie for a time in the Lyons den. If God will haue Lazarus to bee in Abrahams bosome,Luc. 16. 20. blessed Lazarus thy soares and sorrowes soone ceased, but thy ioyes are euerlasting.1. King. 19. 3. He that had seene Elyas persecuted by Iezabel; Susanna [Page 222] accused by two false elders:Susa. Iob. 2. the holy man Iob afflicted from top to toe, would haue thought God had little respected their sincere worship and reuerence of his name. Flesh and bloud wold haue thought their state most distressed: but if wee stay a little and obserue their patience, we shall see their deliuerance not farre behind▪ Should wee not departe the worlde with a willing minde? the faith wee haue or ought to haue of our chaunging can tell vs:Ioh. 12. 24. Nisi granum frumenti cadat in terram, & mortuum fuerit, that same fructum adferet will not follow: The graine of corne must bee cast into the earth, before wee can haue increase of fruit. Although our dissolution bee vnto nature a painefull trauell; and therefore it is,Gen. 35. 18. as Rachel said, Benoni an effect of sorrowe, yet is the same to Grace an ofspring of strength, and so counted Pilius [Page 223] dexterae, the sonne of her power, to endure and suffer somewhat, seeing the reward of suffering is great, shoulde bee lesse grieuous vnto vs. Elias must goe to heauen in a whirlewind.2. King. 2. 11. God will sende Iacob an Angel to comfort him in his iourney,Gen. 32. 2. after all his trouble with Laban: and God will bring him home with aboundance of increase at last.

God is faithfull, and will not suffer his to bee tempted aboue that they are able: tarrie a little the Lords leasure, deliueraunce will come; peace will come; ioye will come: shoulde it so much grieue any in time of sicknesse? why Christ himselfe w [...]nt not vppe to glorie, but first hee suffered paine. Crux pendentis, Cathedra docentis; Christ vppon the Crosse as a Doctor in his chayre, read to vs all a Lecture of patience. Whatsoeuer wee suffer, [Page 224] he patiently suffered more for vs,1. Pet. 5. 10. and hath called vs to his eternall glorie, that after suffering a little, hee will make vs perfecte, confirme, strengthen, and stablish vs, which will bee a happie refreshing after all. That I may (sayeth Saint Austen) after this languishing life,August. manu. see Christ in glorie, and be partaker of so great a good, what though sicknes weaken, labours oppresse, watchinges consume, colde benumme, heate enflame [...]nay though my whole life bee spent in sighes, and sorrowes, what is all to the rest that shall ensue in the life to come? The Apostle Saint Paule Rom. 8. 18 counted these momentarie afflictions not worthy of the glorie that shalbe shewed vnto vs: wherefore seeing that after all these sorrowes, we are going to so quiet a hauen, we may with patience endure a time some fatherly correction. Shall we [Page 225] looke for a garland and neuer set foot to runne the race? shall we with Iobs wife be content onely to receiue good at the handes of God, and no touch of trouble?2. Sam. 10. 4. Dauid tooke it not wel whē the Ammonites ill entreated his ambassadors▪ these afflictions are Gods ambassadors: to repine or grudge against them, is to intreate them euill. What should we but accept all thankfully, and in peaceable manner depar [...]e this world. It is said of Plato, a heathen man, who at the point of death amidst all his paines was saide to giue the Gods thankes that hee was borne a man, and not a beast; a Greeke, and not a Barbarian, and so quietly left the worlde. How much more should the Christian man with all gratefull remembrance of Gods goodnesse towardes him, of blessings receiued, of daungers preuented, now patiently bequeath his departing [Page 226] soule into the handes of God, quietly enduring his transitorie triall. Sorrow may endure for a night, but ioy cō meth in the morning. Be patient saith S. Iames: Iam. 5. 7. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruites of the earth, vntill he receiue the former & the latter raine: settle your harts, for the comming of the Lord draweth nigh. Take the Prophets for an example, if wee will reioyce as they now reioyce, wee must liue as they sometimes liued, and suffer as they suffered. If we look into the proceedings of God with all his seruantes, wee shall see him chastening them for a time, and leauing theim a little in the trial of their faith. The louing mother doth sometimes leaue the child, goes aside, and seeing the infantes moaning after her, then shee runneth and is wont to make the more of it. When God seemeth to withdraw a little his [Page 227] help from vs, it is onely to see whether wee will moane after him; which when he perce [...]ueth we do, we are the more beloued of him, & withall our selues the sooner drawen by these meanes to the exercise of obedience, humility, patience vnto y^• end whē the waters of the floude came vpon the face of y^• earth, downe went slately turrets & towers; but as the waters rose, so the Arke rose still higher & higher In like sort when the waters of afflictions arise, down goes the pride of life, the lust of the eyes: in a word, all the vanities of the world. But this Arke of the soule riseth as these waters rise; and how too? euen naerer and neerer towards heauen. Wherefore to endure the paines of sicknes patiently, being an example taken from all Gods children, as if a voice from heauen did testi [...]e of the patient man; Hie est filius meus dilectus, this is my beloued son, [Page 228] wee may not forget in time of need so good a vertue, for which God hath a double crowne, the one our content here, the other hereafter of all continuance.

The eighteenth Chapter.

How they are to be comforted, who seeme to bee troubled in minde with a remembrance of their sinnes, and feare of iudgement to come.

WHen the seruant of2. King. 6. 15. the man of God saw the Citie Dothan to be compassed about with [...] multitude of enemies, he cries out to the prophet saying, alas maister, what shal we do? The sorrowful sinner considering y^• iustice of God, the seueritie of iudgemente, the malice of the olde Serpent, nowe all laying siege and [...]atterie [Page 229] vnto his departing soule, the worlde forsaking him, his friendes departing from him, or at least sometimes weeping by him, cannot but with complaint say, What shall I doe, which waye shall I turne? Let vs sprinckle our heartes with the blood of the Lambe, and the destroyer shall not enter, nor haue power to hurt. Let vs call to minde the loue of God, in not sparing his owne Sonne, Ro. 8. 32. which the Apostle tooke as an argument of good consequence: if he gaue vs his owne Sonne, how much, will hee not giue vs all thinges, and therefore mercie in time of need. What heart is able to conceiue the diuine prouidence from the beginning had ouer man? One bringeth in the three persons in Trinitie, after this manner, consulting of his good. God the Father, saith let vs create man, but being created will hee not fall away? God the Sonne aunswereth [Page 230] though he fall away, I will redeeme him: but being redeemed will hee walke worthie of his calling; God the holie Ghost replieth, I will conserue him, I will sanctifie him. The Prophet prayes that the eyes of his seruant might be opened, which petition graunted, then hee sees that they were more, who stood for them, then all the multitude which compassed the citie. Now may the sicke with Apostles pray, Lord increase my faith. By which faith hee shall see that Christ with all, is merits is for him, which is more, and of more efficacy, then the whole power of darknesse, that can oppose it selfe agaynst him. This blessed obiect of Christs merits, is alone able to reuiue the fainting sinner, and make him argue his right against Satan, as thus▪ Where in thy force thou roring Lion, hath not Christ weakened it? Wilt thou know my strength or might wherin I ouercome? It [Page 231] is the bloud of the lamb. Thus when like Dauid, wee come to fight with Goliah, wee cast away Sauls armor, and al trust and confidence in our selues, & onely set forward in the name of the God of Israel.Gal. 3. 13. Doth the law indite vs of transgression? wee haue a supersedeas to stay that course, & our cōmission is vnder seale, to appeale vnto the throne of Grace.Col. 3. 14. Doth it bring forth our debts bil, our answer is the obligatiō is cancelled, the booke is crossed, and the whole debt fully discharged. Doe the sins and offences of our youth now dismay vs? If we acknowledge our sinnes, 1. Ioh. 1. [...] saith S, Iohn, God is faithfull, and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes, and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnesse. I but doe a multitude of sinnes inuiron vs? & we see our selues great sinners? why Christ appeared first after his resurrection to Marie Magdalene to shewe that he brought comfort to the greatest sinners of all. [Page 232] This is a true saying, saith the Apostle,1. Tim. 1. 15. That Christ came into the world to saue sinners, whereof I am the chiefe: as if S. Paul put himselfe in the number, as euerie one shoulde, and say, wherof I am one, nay the chiefe. And here we may call to minde that bottomles depth of Gods mercie, who will bee called rather by the name of a father to intimate vnto vs his loue, and to enconrage vs to call vpon him in time of neede, whose goodnes is diffusiue, and communicable vnto others, whose bountie is delighted in nothing more then in doing good. And is woont rather to giue great then small things. God is not such a one as Adam tooke him to be, from whom when he had sinned hee shoulde flie, or hide him selfe for feare: but God is such a one, to whom Adam, and all that haue sinned, may haue accesse with hope, and loue. The seruants of Benadab, in the first [Page 233] of Kinges, and the twentieth, when they saw and considered wel their distressed case, began to aduise their maister Benadab after this maner:1. Kin. 20 31. We heare that the Kings of Israel are mercifull, wherefore let vs cloath our selues in sackecloath, that so we may goe and find fauour in their sight. If this mercifulnes were a thing proper vnto the Kings of Israel, what may wee looke for at the handes of him, who is the God of Israel, before whom they that humble themselues, shall questionlesse find grace and mercie. My sin is greater: no Cain, thou errest, God his mercie is far greater, couldest thou aske mercie. Men cannot bee more sinnefull then God is mercifull, if with penitent heartes they will but call vpon him. But come we vnto Christ, the fountaine of al mercie, there shall we find God in his mediation onlie, great without quantitie, and good without [Page 234] qualitie (as Saint Austen speaketh.)Matt. 11. 19. Christ in the Gospel was called of the Pharisies, by way of reproach, a friend of Publicans and sinners, and so was hee in truth and verit [...]e. Neuer was there such a friend to poore sinners, & such Publicans, as he was, who strake his breast & saide, God be mercifull to me a sinner. Luc. 18. 13. The Parable of the lost shaepe, doth shewe this loue in seeking the lost sinner: the ioy of the Angels of heauen, ouer our repentance may much comfort vs, to cal for grace When the wandering sonne had consumed his fathers substaunce, but yet returned sorowfully to acknowledge himselfe, the father saith not, whence [...]mest thou, or where is now all thy patrimonie,Luc. 15. 22. but bring hither the newe garment, [...]il the fat calfe, let vs reioyce, my son was dead, and is aliue? Here was a welcome [...]ome that might amaze this [Page 235] wandering sonne: though wee sometimes lose the nature of children, yet God doth neuer lose the name and nature of a father, a name of priuiledge to his children,Gal. 4. 6. we crie Abba father, a name of care and prouidence,Mat. 6. 32 your heauenly father eareth for you,Luc. 11. 13. a name of loue, If you giue your Children good things, how much more shall your father in heauen giue you, if you aske them of him. And not onely a father, but our father, which should wounde our harts, and kindle our affections in al distresses with comfort to [...]al vpon him. It may be said also in this case as before it was saide of the affection of a mother. There is none knowes the loue of a father, but a father, nor any the loue of God, but God himselfe, who is loue. That thou mightest bee blessed O man: first hee created the [...]: that thou mightest bee recouered when thou wert [Page 236] lost, then hee redeemed thee, which redeeming sheweth a price paied for thy raunsome, which price was his dearest bloud. When Christ wept and shed some fewe teares for Lazarus, Ioa. 11. 36 the Iewes reasoned and said, see how he loued him: but when Christ shedde his owne bloud for vs, and that in great aboundance, Osee how he loued vs. If hee bought vs with so deare a price, will he refuse his owne peniworth? If he sought vs flying from him, shal be not much more receiue vs when we come vnto him? Can a mother,Esa. 59. 4 saith the Prophet Esay, forget the childe of her wombe, yea tho [...]gh she do: yet will not God forget his people.Psal. 27, 12. When my father and mother forsooke me (saith Dauid) the Lord tooke me vp. Luc. 10. 34. We haue a good Samaritan, that when the Priest, and the Leuite left vs wounded, to wit, the Law and figures thereof passed by vs, hee bound vp [Page 237] our wounds, and paid for our curing, that we might be recouered vnto euerlasting health. Our Ioseph is gone before to prouide for his brethren,Gen. 45, 5 was there euer such loue? Looke how wide the East is from the West▪ so farre hath hee sette our sinnes from vs. Nay like as the pillar of clouds was set betweene the host of their enemies,Exod. 14. 20. and the tents of the people of Israel, that no harme might befall them: so hath hee set his prouidence betweene vs and all casualties, that no hurt should oppresse vs Wee should be sutors vnto Christ, and least our manifolde sinnes shoulde make vs bashfull, he calleth vs vnto him, saying:Matt. 11. 28. Venite omnes qui laboratis & onorati estis, & ego reficiam vos, Come vnto me al that are wearie, and hea [...]e loden, and I will refresh you. Did al the poore creatures come vnto the Arke to saue themselues? Did the Angels [Page 238] carrie Lot out of Sodome? and shall not wee come vnto him, who calles vs so louingly, and meanes no other but to bring vs vnto his euerlasting kingdome? Wherefore let neither the multitude of our sins, the terror of the lawe, nor the feare of Gods iustice, discourage vs in time of distresse, Christ hath put thē al to flight; as Dauid did the Philistines, 2. Cor. 3. 6 by killing the killing letter of the lawe; who would not cast his burthen vpon him that doth desire to giue vs ease? As I liue, Ezec. 33. 11. saith the Lord, I woulde not the death of a sinner. God woulde haue the sinnes to die, but the sinner to liue, whose creatures haue nourished vs; whose-prouidence hath preserued vs; whose mercies hath carried vs all along from, our verie cradles vntill this d [...]y, whose watchfull eye hath deliuered vs from so manie daungers, both of bodie and soule: [Page 239] haue we had such and so many experiments of his loue, and should we now doubt thereof? Is the Iudge become our aduocate and shall we feare to go forwards towards the throne of grace? The Spirite and the Bride say, come, Apo [...]. 22. 17. and let him that is a thirst com [...], and let who soeuer will drinke of the water of life come freely. Rom. 8. 34. who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen? who shall condemne. Christ at the right hande of God maketh request for vs.

[Page 240]

The ninteenth Chapter.

Howe the sicke in the agonie of death, may bee prepared towards his ende.

AL our life long haue we liued in a departure & farewell frō the worlde; since our very first entrance, wee were euer drawing towardes our ende; our pilgrimage is almost ouer. When we approach towardes the period of our course, what else remaineth but a heartie commending our soules to God, and a comfortable expectation of a better life to come, when weaknes of humane nature doth not affoord habilitie to manifest our soules affections, God shall accept at our [Page 241] handes the sending vp of our [...]ghes and desires to heauen,Exod. 14. 15. who saide vnto Moses, why hast thou cried vnto me for this people, & yet we find that Moses spake neuer a worde: to shew that hee heard the secret supplication of Moses heart. Ionas praied in the belly of the whale,Ionas. 2. 1. 2. when hee thought vpon God. Susanna in her distresse,Susan. 35. when she lifted vp her eyes to heauen. Haue I not remembred thee, saith Dauid, vpon my bed, and thought vpon thee when I was waking?Psa. 63. 7 And in anotherPsal. 108. 1. place, O Lord my heart is ready, my hart is ready, As if his trust was, that God would accept the readinesse of his heart: wherefore the minde beating vpon a remembraunce of Christes passion, shall mittigate in part the bodies paynes. Nowe is the time that Timothie, 2. Tim. 4. a good Soldiour, shoulde fight, by Saint Paules example, a good fight, Keepe the faith, and so [Page 242] finish his course, for after all there is a Crowne of glorie reserued for Gods children: This is the last Secane of all the Comedie. When a little brunt is ouerpast, troubles cease, but ioyes neuer ceasse. And therefore a good remembraunce, that wee are going from the darkenesse of this worlde, to the lande of the liuing, Where is no night, no neede of the Candle, nor light of the Sunne: for God giueth them light, and they shal reigne for euermore. Hold thy peace Babylon (sayeth Epiphanius) and bee mute, Epiph. O Sodome, Epist. 323 because (that article) I beleeue life euerlasting is cleere, and consequentlie, bringeth comforte to Gods departing Children. But let vs hearken to Christ himselfe, I am the Resurrection, Ioan. 11. 25. and the life, (sayeth the Lorde) whosoeuer beleeueth in mee, yea though hee were dead, yet shall hee liue, [Page 243] and whosoeuer liueth, and beleeueth in me, shall not die for euer. O ioy of ioyes, wee lay vs downe to sleepe, and take our rest, to dwell in safetie. And here wee may not omitte to call to minde, the manner howe Gods seruants of olde haue shut vp the day of their mortalitie. As first that of Moyses, Deu. 33. 1 who after beholding the lande of promise,Deu. 34. 5 blessed God for all his benefites, blesseth the people, and so dyeth. That of Iosuah, Iosu. 23. 11. who exhorteth Israel to feare God, to stande stedfastlie in all his ordinaunces,Iosu, 24. 29. and so mildly goeth the way of all the worlde. That of Dauid, 1 Kin. 2. 2 who enioyneth Salomon his sonne to walke in the waies of God, that so hee might prosper in whatsoeuer he tooke in hand. That of Tobie, Tob. 13. 8 who called his sonne, and his sonnes sonnes, exhorting them to bee mercifull, and iust, that it might [Page 244] goe well with them. That of Saint Steuen, Act. 7. 60 who praying for his persecuters, and calling vpon the name of Iesus, fell a sleepe. And after this manner haue the godlie taught vs to depart this worlde. That of Serapion, Euseb. Hist. li. 5. cap. 45. a good and faithfull olde man (sayeth Eusebius) who after receyuing the holie Eucharist, moste meekelie departed the worlde, Now for things transitorie, they leaue vs, and we them, the soule onely remaineth to bee commended vnto God. If when thou art going a iourney, thou wouldest be glad to commit thy remporall goodes to such a friend, by whome thou mayest be sure they shall bee well and safelie kept, how much more may the Christian man comfort himselfe in committing his soule to the custodie of Iesus Christ his Sauiour, who will keepe it sure and safe for euer? Reuben saide of Beniamin, when [Page 245] Iacob was loath to let him go: Deliuer him vnto me, Gen. 42. 37. and I will bring him safelie home. So of Christ it may be more rightlie said: Commend thy departing soule vnto him, and hee will bring it vnto her long and blessed home.

The Twentieth Chapter.

In what maner the sicke should be directed by those to whom this weightie businesse doth speciallie appertaine.

AMongest men, those whom GodNum. 6. 23. hath set apart to helpe distressed consciences, to loose or pronounce remission in his mercy, to blesse in his name, to teach his people, and to doe thē good in times of need, partly by matter of exhortation, [Page 246] and partly also by offering vp in their behalfe deuout praiers towards the throne of Grace, In the vi [...]tation of the sicke, so high a worke of mercie, they are occasioned, if euer, to enter most seriouslie into the exercise of both. That care may bee thought to bee of greatest importaunce, which is imployed in helping them, who be now least able to helpe them selues, and had neuer more neede (God knowes) of ghostly direction. There is nothing which the sicke in these extremities doe more desire agaynst the naturall terrours of death, and many troubles of conscience which at this time are woont to assault them. It is greatly to be wished, that like as the serpent, that olde enemie of mankinde, who the shorter the time is, the [...]ercer his wrath is, and chiefly entendeth ruine vnto the heele.Apoc. 1 [...] 12. As the last part of mans life is at this [Page 247] time busie: so those who in louing feede, and in feeding▪ loue Christ his lambes, should now bee most carefull to keepeIoh. 21. 15 them from this deuouring Lion,1. Pet. 2. 25. and endeuoure to present them sounde in faith,1. Pet. 5. 8 hope, and charitie, vnto the great Bishop and Sheepheard of their soules. Notwithstanding that the good grace of that spirite, which directeth our highest proceedings, can better direct a discreet and sober Agent in this case, then all forms of direction whatsoeuer: yet as in other duties, so in this some aduertisements may bee obserued by those, who are content also to heare the aduise of others. First therfore, death being that which all men suffer, but not all after one sort, care ought to be had answerable vnto the disposition of the dying. Tediousnesse of discourse may soone weary the weake partie. Few words, & those sometimes [Page 248] in priuate well ordered, are woont for the most part to auaile most. Impertinent speeches verie vnfit, the presence oftentimes of those, who haue beene associate in follie, yea sometimes the presence of those who are nearest in alliance remooued, is thought by graue indgement to bee the fittest oportunitie for the giuing of soule counsell, bearing a simple and honest intent to doe good. A premeditated exhortatiō, after information taken of the disposition of the sicke, is verie behoouefull, this loose and sleight hudling vp of diuine matters, and sometimes of Gods mysteries themselues, doth often bring in contempt the high wisedome of holie Scripture, which but with all reuerence, watchfulnesse, and prayer, none should presume to search, and open. This disposing then of the sicke vnto a Christian ende, being a worke [Page 249] of such moment; they may proceede, to whom this shall appertaine in this or the like manner.

And first: Care is taken that the sicke

1 Now make a most sincere and humble confession of all his sinnes.
2 That he be content with all his heart to liue, or die, as it shall seeme go [...]d to God his diuine pleasure.
3 That hee bee resolued to make a heartie reconciliation with the worlde, desiring forgiuenesse, and forgiuing all offences whatsoeuer amongest men.
4 That hee take in good part this visitation sent vnto him, to prepare him to die leysurablie Gods seruant.
5 That hee wholie commend [Page 250] him to God his mercie, in the onely mediation of Christ Iesus his sauiour.

Secondarily. Let care bee had that the sicke may be moued to call to minde

1 That all of what state or condition soeuer must depart this transitorie worlde.
2 That Gods children thoroughout the volume of holy scripture and examples of auncient writers haue willingly yeelded themselues at the time of their visitation.
3 That Christ himself went not vp into glorie, but first hee passed through death.
4 That the death of the seruaunts of God is pretious in his sight, and that they rest from their labours.

These demaundes may bee proposed to the sicke.

[Page 251]1 Whether he acknowledge the faith of the holie Trinitie, with the articles of the Creede, and in this faith be resolued to liue and die,
2 Whether he be sorie for his sinnes, and aske God forgiuenes, with a penitent heart in the merits of Christ Iesus.
To which confession, of faith God sendeth him this message, go in peace

The sicke should be willed seriously to consider,

1 That Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repētance, he is a sinner therfore for him.
2 That hee was the verie lambe of God that came to take away the offences of the world.
3 That he is a refuge for all them that be wearie, and heauie loden.
4 That he is our righteousnesse,
[Page 252] 5 That if he liue, he liueth vnto the Lord, and it hee die, hee dieth vnto the Lord: whether he liue or die, he is the Lords.

He may be requested to say with

1 The Prophet Dauid, Lord remember thy seruant in al his troubles.
2 The Publican, God bee mercifull to me a sinner.
3 The woman of Canaan; Iesus thou sonne of Dauid, haue pitie on me.
4 Iob, I know that my redeemer liueth, and that I shall rise againe, and see God, not with other, but with the selfe same eies.
5 Saint Steuen: Lorde Iesus receiue my spirite, & to say: I am that wounded man, blessed Samaritan, heale me: I [...]am that wandering child, that is not worthie to be called thy son, father, make me thy meanest seruant: I am [Page 253] the lost sheep, O seeke & saue me; bring me home Lord vnto thy heauenly fold.
6 To mention the words of Christ vpon the crosse: Lord into thy handes I commend my spirit.

Let him also say, Iesus giue me

1 Patience in my trouble.
2 Comfort in my afflictions
3 Strength in thy mercies.
4 Deliuerance at thy pleasure.

If the sick bee

1 Not able to pronounce them himselfe, let the articles of the Creed be recited in his presence by some other: I belieue in God, &c.
2 Distempered, as the best may be, in burning feauers, and otherwise, choller shooting vp into the braine, and the malignant humour meeting with the vitall powers, [Page 254] which may cause rauing; let him in fewe wordes bee moued to remember God, and the assemblie may softly pray by him.
3 Troubled with strange visions, as good men haue beene, beseech him in the name of God, to call to mind the aboundant loue of Iesus Christ crucified.
4. Pensiue and sorrowfull, mention the ioyes of heauen, whither he shall go by Gods grace,
If the sick be
and the troubles of this sinfull world, which hee hath often felt, and may nowe very thankfully leaue.

Reade by the sicke

The history of the passion, Luke 22. 23.
The nine and twentieth Psalme. Vnto thee O Lord.
[Page 255] The 42. Psalme: Like as the Hart desireth the water streames, &c.
The 143. Psalme▪ Heare my prayer O Lord.
The 14. Chapter of S. Iohns Gospell.
The 7. Chapter of the Apocalips.
The 15. Chap. of the first Epistle to the Corinth.

If the sicke bee painefully grieued or strangely visited.

1. Let not any censure him,
Iob. 20. 5.
as Iobs friends,
Iob. 22. 6.
who thought Iob an hipocrite because of his affection.
2. Or as those y^• told our sauior of the Galileans,
Luc. 13. 4
who iudged them greater sinners then the rest, because the tower of Siloah fell vpon them.
3. Or as the Barbarians,
Act. 28. 3
who deemed S. Paul an euil man, because the viper claue vnto him.
4. Let none be glad when his enemie falleth,
Prou. 24. 17.
least the Lord see it, and it displease him.

[Page 256] Let euery one remember that of Ioseph, Gen. 50. 19. 5. Am not I also vnder the hand of God?

That of the Apostle in the twelft to the Romanes,Rom. 12, 15. 6. Weep with them that weep.

That of the Wiseman;Eccles. 7. 35. 7. Bee not slow to visite the sicke.

That of S. Iames: Ia. 5. 16. 8 Pray one for another.

A forme of leauing the sicke to Gods protection.

THe Lord heare thee in the day of trouble: the name of the God of Iacob defende thee, send thee helpe from his sanctuarie, and strengthen thee out of Sion.

Iesus Christ the Sonne of the eternall God, put his blessed passion betweene thy sinnes and iudgement to come. God the holy Ghost be thy comfort, to and at thy end, Amen.

[Page 257] The sicke may sometimes be left to silent meditation, and apply hunselfe thereunto in the name of the holy Trinitie.

Let him also sometimes commend himself to rest with these meditations.

A forme of praier to bee vsed for the sicke, by them that are present.

MOst merciful Lord wee are at this present constrayned to praye for other, who are not worthy to pray for our selues, beseeching thee in the multitude of thy mercies, to looke downe from heauen, and behold thy seruant here visited with sicknesse; enlighten his mind; preserue his sence; continue thy grace; asswage his paine; and if it be thy good pleasure, prolong [Page 258] his daies as thou diddest the daies of Ezechias: if otherwise, receiue him vnto thy Arke of mercie. In the meane while, giue him patience in trouble, comfort in affliction, constancie in temptations, and victorie against his ghostly enemies. Let the blood of thy deare sonne wash and cleanse all the spots and foulnesse of his sinnes. Let thy righteousnes hide and couer his vnrighteousnes. Let that ioyfull voice bee heard of him: Thou shalt be with mee in Paradise. Grant this O Lord for the honor and glorie of thy holy name, through the same Iesus Christ our only sauior and redeemer, Amen.

[Page 259]

A Prayer to be vsed by the sicke himselfe.

O Lord Iesus, who art the resurrection and the life, in whom whosoeuer beleaueth shal liue though he die. I neither desire the continuance of this mortalitie, or a more speedie deliuerance, but onely commend my selfe wholly to thy will. Doe with mee most mercifull Sauior, accor [...]ding to the riches of thy goodnes: through thee haue I beene holpen euer since I was borne; it grieueth mee that I haue so often offended thy goodnes, and I am grieued that I grieue no more. Lord as an humble suitor I appeale vnto the throne of mercie, and there begge▪ at thy handes remission of all my sinnes in the merites of thy bitter passion. [Page 260] I offer vnto thee a penitent heart for the time past, and promise amendment, if it shall please thy diuine wisedome to continue on this my pilgrimage for the time to come, wherein I refer my selfe wholly to thy heauenly will, in hope of a better resurrection vnto euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Another prayer for the sicke.

ALmightie and euerlasting God, maker of mankind, which doest correct those whom thou dost loue, and chastenest euerie one whome thou receyuest; receiue O Lorde wee beseech thee thy seruant here visited with sicknesse, distrusting in his owne merites, and trusting in thy mercies. Looke vpon him O Lorde, as thou didst [Page 261] vpon Ezechias; restore vnto him his former health, if it bee thy will, or otherwise giue him grace to take this sicknes patiently, that after this life ended in thy faith and loue, hee may dwell with thee in life euerlasting; vnto which life vouchsafe to bring him and vs all thy hamble seruants, for thy infinit mercies sake, Amen.

The one and twentieth Chapter.

Wherein is laid downe the manner of commending the sicke into the handes of God at the houre of death.

GOd the Father who hath created thee, God the Sonne who hath redeemed thee, God the holy Ghost who [Page 262] hath infused his grace into thee, assist thee in all thy tryals, and leade thee the way into euerlasting peace.

Answer, Amen.

Christ that died for thee, keep thee from all euill.

Answ. Amen.

Christ that redeemed thee, strengthen thee in all temptations.

Answ. Amen.

Christ that loued thee so deerly raise thee body and soule in the resurrection of the iust.

Answ. Amen.

Christ that sitteth at the right hand of God in heauen, bring thee vnto euerlasting ioy.

Answ. Amen.

God grant thy place may be in Abrahams bosome.

Answer. Amen.

God grant thou mayest behold thy blessed Sauior in the state of glorie.

[Page 263] Answ. Amen.

God grant thy death may be precious in his sight, in whom thou art to rest for euer.

Answ. Amen.

A briefe forme of praier.

MOst mercifull father, wee commend vnto thee this thy seruant the worke of thine own hands: we commend vnto thee his soule, in the merits of Christ Iesus his redeemer. Accept O Lord, thine owne creature: forgiue we beseech thee, what soeuer hath been committed by humaine fra [...]ltie, and command thy Angels to bring him to the land of euerlasting peace.

Answer. Amen.

Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant, as thou diddest Noah in the floud.

Answ. Amen.

Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant, as thou didst [Page 264] Lot from the fire of Sodom.

Answer. Amen.

Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant as thou diddest Iob in all his aduersitie.

Answ. Amen.

Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant, as thou diddest the Israelites from the power of Pharaoh, and the oppression of Egypt.

Answ. Amen.

Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant from the malice of Sathan, as thou didst Dauid from all his enemies.

Answ. Amen.

Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant, as thou didst Daniel from the mouth of the Lions.

Answ. Amen.

[Page 265] Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant, as thou diddest the three children from the fierie flames.

Answ. Amen.

Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant, as thou diddest Elias from the false Prophetes that sought his ouerthrow.

Answ. Amen.

Preserue O Lord the soule of thy seruant, and deliuer him as thou diddest thy Aposties out of prison.

Answ. Amen.

From that ruefull darknes,

Answer.

Deliuer him O Lord.

From the paines of Hell,

Answer.

Deliuer him O Lord.

From euerlasting malediction,

Answer.

[Page 266] Deliuer him O Lord.

By thy natiuitie,

Answere.

O Lord deliuer him,

By thy crosse and passion,

Answere.

O Lord deliuer him.

By thy descention into hell,

Answere.

O Lord deliuer him.

By thy resurrection from the dead the third day.

Answer.

O Lord deliuer him.

By thy ascention into heauen.

Answer.

O Lord deliuer him.

Into thy merciful hands O heauenly Father, we commend the soule of thy seruant nowe departing: acknowledge wee beseech thee a sheepe of thine owne fold, a lambe of thy own flocke. Receiue him into the armes of thy mercy, knowing the thing cannot perish which [Page 267] is committed to thy charge, O most mercifull Iesus receiue we beseech thee, his spirit in peace: Amen.

The blessing of the sicke.

Iesus Christ absolue shee from all thy sinnes.

Answ. Amen.

Iesus Christ that died for thee, put out all thy offences.

Answ. Amen.

Iesus Christ that calleth thee, receiue thee into his heauenly kingdome.

Answ. Amen.

The Lorde blesse thee, and keepe thee.

The Lord make his face to shine vpon thee.

The Lord lift vp his countenance ouer thee, and giue thee a ioyfull resurrection to life euerlasting, Amen.

[Page 268] Depart O Christian soule in the name of God the Father who created thee: of God the Sonne, who redeemed thee: of God the holy Ghost, who sanctified thee: one liuing and immortal God, to whom be glory for euer and euer, Amen.

A Praier to be vsed by the assemblie at the time of the Christian mans departure.
Let vs pray.

O Almightie and euerlasting God, seeing it hath pleased thee to take this thy seruant out of the miseries of a sinfull world, vnto thy heauenly kingdome; for which (Lord) thy name bee blessed: make vs we beseech thee, that yet remaine, mindful of our mortalitie, that we may walke before thee in righteousnesse [Page 269] and holinesse all the daies of our life: and when the time of our departure shall come, we may rest in thee, as our hope is, this thy seruant doth▪ that we with him and all other departed in the faith of thy holy name, may reiorce together in thy eternall and euerlasting glorie, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

The two and twentieth Chapter.

An exhortation is comfort those who lament & mourne for the departure of others.

TO vse mourning for the dead, decencie amongst men, and Christianitie doth allow it; examples of holy scriptures doe approue, [Page 270] as much. What more seemely then the performance of the dutie, whereby we giue testimonie of naturall affection, in this solemne departure each from other. God hath neither made vs stockes nor stones, nor giuen vs heartes which should haue no seeling when occasions offered, or times beseeming, require sorrowfull affections. In the contrarie, what more vncomely, then to vse nurth in the house of mourning. A very Heathenish mannerConcil. Arela. 3. sub Leo. 1. was it thought to bee, by the decree of an ancient council. to sport at these motiues to mourning. For examples in holy scripture, we find that Abraham mourned for Sarah: Gen. 23. 2 all Israel for Samuel: Sam. 25. 1 the people in the wildernesse for Aaron Nomb. 20 29. their high priest: the inhabitantes of Bethulia for Iudeth, Iud. 16. 24. that honorable widdow: the Machabies for their nobleMac. 9. 20. 21. Captaine: Martha and Mar [...] [Page 271] for Lazarus their brother:Ioan. 11. 31. the women of Iewrie for their tender children,Mat. 2. 18. those young infants: the twelue Putriarks for Iacob their aged father:Gen. 50. 14. Dauid for Ionathan his trustie and faithfull friende.2. Sam. 1. 17. Nay Christ himselfe saith Saint I [...] rome went not to his sepulcher without weeping eyed: Neither hath this mourning beene a light passion onely.

Great was the lamentation that Iacob made at the supposed death of his sonne Ioseph, when hee said;Gen. 50. 14. I will goe vnto the graue to my sonne sorrowing. Great was the lamentation that Dauid made, when newes was brought him of Absalon his2. Sam. 1. 17. eude: O Absalon, Absalon, my sonne Absalon, I woulde to God I had dyed for thee.

Great was the lamentation which the widdowes made for Dorcas, so good a woman [Page 272] full of good workes and almes,Act. 9. 39 when they considered her bountie towardes them. And thus wee see the laudable custome and practise in mourning for the dead. When the Apostle forbad the Thessalomans1. Thes. 4. 13. to sorrow, he did not absolutely forbid all sorrowing, but onely after the manner of the Gentiles;Bern. in Cant. serm. 26. Noa culpamus affectum, saith S. Barnard, sed excessum, We blame not the affection it selfe, but the excesse or want of moderation. We may not onely vse moderate sorrow in the departure of others, but euen in the departure of the godly and well disposed themselues: for as good men often are, and, in regarde of their great misse in the world, where they had beene many waies helpfull vnto others, may be mourned for of many; which is a testimonie of their neede, who haue left but fewe such behinde: So is it a signe of [Page 273] some ill dealing amongst men, when the poore and distressed let them go away without any lamentation at all. It was saide by the Prophet Ieremie, Ierem, 22. 15. to Iehoiakin; So long as thy father did helpe the oppressed, did hee not prosper? And after hee addeth this, as a great punishment to bee laid vpon him, well thou shalt die in griefe of mind, and there shall bee none to make lamentation for thee.

The Apostle confesseth in plaine wordes, that God had mercie on him in sparing Epaphroditus, Phil, 2. 27. lest hee should haue had sorrow vpon sorrow: to shew that hee was not so vnnaturall, but himself [...] should haue had feeling in such a case. My sonne saith the wiseman,Eccles. 38. 16. powre forth thy teares ouer the deade, and neglect not his buriall: whence mee may gather, that funerall rytes, decent interring, exequies, [Page 274] and seemely mourning, is not vnsitting the practise of those, amongst whome all thinges should bee done in order.

The Israelites in burying so honourablie their Fathers1. Cor. 14. and Gouernours, did shewe themselues a people of good and orderly disposition. My sonne (saith Tobie) when ITobie. 14. 10. am dead bury me honestly. The new sepulcher, the cleane linnen cloathes, the sweete ointmentes, the assemblie of men of reputation, shewed how our Sauiour was respectiuely regarded and entombed with some solemnitie: and sure these bodies, which haue beene the temples of the holy Ghost, and shall bee chaunged at the day of doome into a condition of glorie, should haue that decencie performed as to agreeable both to practise, and conneniencie. Wherefore not to yeeld the dead after a Cynick manner, comely burials, or [Page 275] Christian mourning with moderation, is most inhumane, is a concept to say truth, very barbarous. Notwithstanding this Christian sorrow, yet to sorrow as men without hope, is farre distant from the rule of faith; which tels vs, that the death of the Saintes isPsal. 116. 13. precious in Gods sight. They are at peace, and that their hope is full of immortalitic. He that said my sonne,Eccles. 38 17. Powre forth thy teares ouer the dead, said also comfort thy self. And surely for Christians of all others, who beleeue the resurrection vnto a better life, shold raise vp themselues by faith, frō too too deleful passions For as in all other things, so in this a moderation should be had. Haue we lost a good father, friend, husband, wife or children, we may say w^t Iob. Dominus dedit, Iob. 1. 21. Dominus abstulit, The Lord hath giuē, & y^• Lord hath takē away, neither are they yet clean taken frō vs; [Page 276] but gone a little before the way, wherein wee must all follow. Wee shall one daye meete againe, at which meeting (sayeth Cyprian) there will bee no meane ioy,Cypr. de mort. 1. when friendes come to reioyce together.Aug. Cir. Our knowledge is now but in parte, then shall wee knowe as wee are knowne; where Peter shall bee Peter, and Paule shall bee Paule; and many long since departed shall (as some of the auncient Fathers say) bee knowne of vs, that haue liued long after. But of all other meanes of comfort, that happie hope of the resurrection should raise vs vp from ouer pensiue thoughts. Christ our Sauiour before his passion, when hee saw the disciples sorrowfull for his departure, which was so shortly to ensue,Ioan. 14. 28. saith vnto them; Let not your hearts bee troubled, I go vnto the father. So it may bee said to those that mourne [Page 277] for the misse of others, let not your minds be too much plunged in sorrow: those for whom you thus lament, are gone vnto their mercifull redeemer. It is saide of Enoch, because his soule pleased God,Ecclus. 4. 10. God tooke him away. It was spoken as a blessing to Iosias, 2 King. that hee should bee gathered vnto his fathers before the captiuitie of the people came Saint Ierome of sinful times saith,Hiero. ad Helio. Foelix Nepotianus, qui haec non videt, Nepotian is a happie man that liues, not to see this wicked world. When God ships his Noahs, Gen. 7. 1 it is signe there is a floud not farre behind. When God sends Angels to fetch his Lots out of Sodome, Gen. 19. 1 it is signe there is a punishmēt for the sinfull Cities shortly to ensue. When God takes L [...]zarus to Abrahams bosom,Luc. 10. 22. there is then no more penurie to endure. Wherefore seeing we are all to passe downe the streame of mortalitie, [Page 278] we may not thinke it so straunge to haue experience thereof. If we complaine of the death of friends, we compla [...]ne in effect that they were borne mortall Death is as the liues drawne from the C [...]nter vnto the Circumference, euen on euerie part, or as the vpright magistrate equall to all, which may the rather moue vs to bee content. The good meaning borrower, the sooner his debt is discharged, the sooner is hee a [...] quiet. He that makes but a short voyage, and is the soonest at the hauen of rest, is the sooner also from daunger of shipwracke. We may not forget to conforme our wils to the will of God,Luc. 1 [...]. 3. as we daily pray, Fiat voluntas tua, Thy wil be done. The Wiseman praised the dead aboue the liuing. And S. Iohn pronounceth thē blessed which die in y^• Lord,Ap [...]c. 14. 13. because they now rest frō their [...] And therefore thir good estate now obtained [Page 279] should the rather moue vs to remember their good. At our entraunce into the worlde wee brought with vs a subiection vnto death. Againe, al sinned, & therefore death goeth ouer all, and returne we must to y^• place frō whence we came, this world being our banishmēt for a time; from which these blessed soules now freed, would tell vs (were they to return into these earthly regions, which without controuersie they do not) that they with Mary haue chosen the better part. Luc. 11. 42. We here with Martha, are carefull about many things: They haue y^• one thing which is necessarie, that shall neuer be taken frō them How to accept of, and take in good part as we may, the losse as we count it, or rather misse for a time of friends departed. The behauior of D [...] uid in this case may be considered, who when the childe was sicke, fasteth, prayeth, pros [...]rateth himself vpon the earth, but hearing that Gods will was [Page 280] accomplished in the death of the childe, Dauid rose vp, eate bread, receiued comfort, as it seemed after all his sorrow: being demaunded the cause of this diuersitie of behauiour, answered: While the child was yet aliue, 1. Sam, 12 19. I fasted and wept, for I said who can tell whether God will haue mercie on mee, that the childe may liue: but being dead, wherefore should I now fast, can I bring him againe any more? I shall go vnto him, but hee shall not returne vnto me. In the like case Saint Barnard being not a little mooued for the death of one: I turned mee (saith hee) to praier, and weeping, at last I considered that God had done what seemed best in his diuine prouidence, what should more sorrowing auaile? Lord thou hast taken thine, none of mine, teares forbad mee to speake further: And so the good father resolued to rest content with the will of God.

[Page 281]

The three and twentieth Chapter.

Howe those that vndertake any daungerous attempts, either by sea or land wherein they are in perill of death, should specially before hand make themselues readie for God.

IF those men, who liue in times and places of moste safetie, should, respecting the vncertaintie of humane condition, thinke euery day of their last day, which by little and little will come vpon them: then howe much more ought those who enter into place of apparant perill, vndertake attempts of greatest daunger, stand vpon their guard, and be well prouided for to bee readie for God. [Page 282] Heathen men coulde tell Ionas Ionas. 1. 6. that in this case there was no other refuge but to flie vnto the assistaunce of some superiour power.Exod. 8. 8 Pharaoh himselfe coulde intreate Moyses to pray for him: how much more then shoulde those whose hope reacheth further then the sauing or preseruation of a life mortall, entring into any attempt wherein they are in hazard,Iud. 9. 1 with Iudith, who first worshipped God with all deuotion, and their went forth for y^• deliuerāce of Bethulia. Faith and trust in God doeth not make men towards, but rather addeth spirite and comfort in greatest assaults of enemies. By faith (saieth the Apostle)Heb. 11. 32, 34. Ged [...]on, Barac, Samson, Iephte, and also Dauid, of weake were made strong, waxed valiant in battell, turned to slight the armies of aliants, who came against Gods people, with great force and multitudes. While [Page 283] they were arming themselues with sword and shield, the maner of God his people was to arme them with deuotion, and a religious commending themselues either in life or death to Gods protection.Num. 22. 5. When Balaac saw the people of Israel to prosper, more by their praying, thē he could by his strogest forces, he would needs haue Balaam to curse them. Moses (saith S. Ierome) fought as well as Iosua against Amelech: Iero. ad Heliod. for while Moses held vp his handes,Exod, 17. 11. Israel preuailed. Rufinus, and Socrates write, that Theodosius the Christian Emperour,Rufi. Soc. Eccle. hist. in a great battell agaynst Eugenius, when hee sawe the huge multitude that was comming agaynst him, (and so in the sight of man there was apparant ouerthrow at hand, he gets him vp into a place eminent or in the sight of all the armie, falles downe prostrate vpon the earth, beseecheth [Page 284] God, if euer hee would looke vpon a sinfull creature, to helpe him at this time of greatest neede: suddenly there rose a mightie winde, which blew the darts of the enemies backe vpon themselues, in such wonderfull maner, as Eugenius with all his host was cleane discomfited, who saw that the power of Christ fought for his people,Exod. 14. 25. and therefore cried in▪ effect as the Egyptians did, O, God is in the cloude: or God fighteth for them. Thus with faith and constancie haue the seruants of God gone foorth against their enemies with all deuotion, and a through preparing of themselues either for life or death, as it should best stande with the good pleasure of God. For those therefore that vndertake any attempt, either by sea or land, wherein life more then ordinarie is endaungered, let them in the name of God, goe forth with soules prepared: for [Page 285] in so doing, they remember themselues to haue a further expectation, then either the gaining, or loosing of a life temporal. Paratos inueniat, Eus. Emis. hom. 1. ad Mon. saith Eusebius Emisenus, extrema necessitas, quae saepe opprimit imparatos, Let extreame necessitie find them readie, which is wont to oppresse men vnprepared. In worldly affaires, wee oftentimes forget heauenly, & therefore good reas [...] that in heauenly, we should also go aside from al earthly cogitations; and presenting our selues before God, commende in solemne manner our soules into his handes; which done, with Hester, Hest. 4. 16. wee may say: If we perish, we perish: now the will of God bee fulfilled. So therefore of preparing themselues before anie attempt of daunger, it may bee said,Apoc. 13. 18. as S. Iohn saith, Hic est sapientia: here is wisdome.

[Page 284]

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[Page 285]

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[Page 286]

The foure and twentieth Chapter.

A briefe direction for such as are suddenly called to depart this world.

COncerning praies for the deliuerance fr [...] sodain death, some what hath beene before mentioned, and their hard censure who are euer hastie in this cause to iudge others, in part, answered. Nowe for him, who vpon short warning is willing to die, this briefe direction may suffice. First, let not the suddainnesse dismay him, for that vnto a well disposed man, it is no suddainnesse at all, howe soone soeuer hee departe. Secondarilie, that God hath his pennie for [Page 287] those that come at the eleuenth hower: and an acceptance for the seruauntes, that are found stirring at the second or third watch. He hath Paradise for him that will call in his dying fittes. Lord remember mee▪ in thy▪ heauenly Kingdome. With Marie Magdalene, to giue God at once the sacri [...]ice of a sorrowfull spirit, shall with Abell his offering, goe vpwarde, and be acceptable vnto God. Wee must let this little threede of life, twine out vntill our clewe bee all ended. When the Shippe is couered with waues, Then helpe Maister. When a good remembraunce of Iesus Christ shall not returne voyd: Abraham had but an intention in his minde concerning Isaac, to offer him, and yet the Apostle to the Hebrues saith,Heb. 11. 17. By faith Abraham of fred vp Isaac: as if y^• deed had bin done, when his intention was good to doe it, Whereby we see [Page 288] that God doth accept a good meaning heart, which is all we can offer at these times. The mercie of man extends it selfe vnto his neighbour, saith the Wise man, but the mercie of God reacheth to all flesh; and both can, and will, saue in a moment: wherefore this suddennesse, may not either giue occasion to others to iudge vncharitably, or vnto the patients thēselues, to bee discōforted for want of time. Non nocet bonis, saith one,Ansel. si subito moriantur, It dooth not hurt good men, how suddenly soeuer they are called away: so they depart when God calleth them; which time all must tarrie. For as the pleasures of this world, should not cause vs to bee altogither addicted to the same: so also the miseries of life, shoulde not cause any, how deepely distressed soeuer, distrustfully to flie away; or desperately with Saul, to iucurre his owne daunger: [Page 289] which foule attemptes nature herself doth abhorre: but christianitie vtterly condemne. To be any way accessarie vnto our owne decay, or much lesse principall, O God forbid. Fie vpon that discontent, or faithlesse cowardlinesse, to run away, or to flie, where no feare is: God is a sure refuge, and wil neuer fail: God is a present helpe in trouble. He that brought vs into the worlde, should haue the calling vs from the worlde. At whose calling, we may meekelie depart, as becommeth vs: Abridge the time we may not, we ought not, for all the afflictions that may betide the sonnes of men. The lawes of nations haue forbid in this case the benefite of decent buriall, to terrifie men from this shamefull fact of casting away themselues desperatelie. At the verie motions wherof, the true Christian is woont to say, as Christ sayde vnto [Page 290] the tempter in the wildernesse: Vade Satana, auoyde Sathan. Thus therfore an humble submitting our selues to Gods pleasure, and also a faithfull commending our soules into his hands, how soone soeuer we are called to depart, is that direction, which we should put in practise by the assisting help of Gods blessed grace.

A praier to be vsed of any, who findes himselfe troubled in conscience, or disquieted by euill motions.

STrengthen me, O Lord▪ against al mine enemies both bodily and ghostlye, that they neuer bee able to say, wee haue preuailed agaynst him. By spirite is sorrowfull, my heart is sadde and heauie within mee: if thou be not my comfort, I shal surely perish in my trouble. [Page 291] For thy names sake, O Lord, haue mercie vpon mee, rise vp to helpe me: that hauing helpe in thee, I may withstand my mortall aduersarie, and say, depart from mee thou wicked spirit, that bringest euill thoughts and this deiection of mind, goe from me thou deceyuer of man, thou shalt haue no part in me, for my sauior Iesus standeth by me as a strong chā pion, and thou shalt flie away to thy confussion. I had rather endure al affliction, al punishmēts and infamie of the world, then consent to thy malicious motions: Be stil therefore thou wicked spirit, cease thy prouokements to euill. I shall neuer assent vnto thee though greater trobles thē these come vpō me, our lord is my light & my helth, whō shal I dread? he is y^• defender of my life, of whō then shal I be afraid? Though an host of men set themselues against me, though in [...]inite calamities ouercome mee, I shall not bee [Page 292] discomforted, for why? God is my helper and redeemer, in whom I trust; he is my portion. To whom be praise and honor now and for euermore Amen.

A prayer for a good departure out of this world.

ETernall God, and most mercifull father, seeing that the daies of man are as the flower of the field that soone fadeth; and his time like a shodow, that vanisheth away: considering we are all straungers as were our forefathers, and haue here no continuing citie, make vs euermore, Lord, we beseech thee, mindfull of our mortalitie, that like wise virgins, we may prouide oyle in our lamps, to bee [Page 293] readie against the bridegrooms comming; and that, tarying thy good pleasure like watchful seruants, we may bee so doing whensoeuer the maister shal returne. And when sicknes summoneth vs to bee gone, graunt we beseech thee, thut neither the infirmitie of the flesh, nor the sharpnesse of affliction, nor any other meanes whatsoeuer, remoue vs from a true and steadfast hope, in the blessed passion of thy deare sonne Christ Iesus. And when the houre of our rest is come, graunt O Lord, we may commend our selues into thy handes, and die thy seruants, to the glorie of thy name, & comfort of our soules, through Iesus Christ, Amen.

[Page 294]

The fiue and twentieth Chapter.

A consolatory admonitiō for those who are often ouermuch grieued at the crosses of this world.

IF the world hate you, saith Christ our sauiour vntoIohn. 15. 18. his Disciple [...], you know it ha [...]ed me before it h [...]red you [...] that heauinesse might not dismay or cast them downe without hope of deliuerance: where he proposeth the one, he promiseth the other. Blessed are they that mourne, Mat. 5. 4. for they shall receyue comfort: are not those happie teares well distilled frō the limbeck of a sorowful heart,Apo. 1. 17. y^• shall haue the hands of the sonne of God himself to wipe thē cleane away? when al flesh, saith Moses had corrupted his wayes,Gen. 6. 6. it repented y^• lord he had made man, [Page 395] that is, God was sory that man created to so excellent an ende should himself destroy himselfe. Now God sends a deluge vpon y^• face of our earthly pleasured, these floods of teares extinguish the heate of vnlawfull desires, clense the corruption of our s [...]nfull liues, when all is ouerpast, there, ensueth a calme. The church wel celebrateth solemne and sanctified feasts as publike memorials of Christes blessed birth, his resurrection, his ascention, & many others, before which feasts she appointeth the eeuens, to be fasted: in this worlde we fast the [...]uen, we shall keep holiday when we come to heauen: our lord & master Christ Iesus, as he did seldom laugh in theMat. 18 [...] worlde, so did the worlde as seldom laugh vpon him. He tels his followers, they must become as little children, litle children we know haue no other weapons to auenge themselues but their tears, and what other haue wee agaynst our crosses [Page 296] of this worlde, but our sighes and supplications sent vp to God. Iob saieth, Before I eate I sigh:Iob. 3. 24. whose suffering was such, that all which wee doe or can suffer (sayth Saint Ierome) is in effect nothing.Hier ad Iulia. Exod. 3. 2. We may not looke to find God in the Gardens of Egypt, whom M [...]ses [...]ound in the thornie [...] of manifold tribulation [...] [...] [...]e without crosses, we may rather wish then hope. The golden worlde is gone wheein men did ioy in nothing more then in sinceritie and loue; now this yron age of ours yeeldeth store of crosses, and vnconscionable wrongs (such is the calamitie of our time) wel, heauines may endure for a night,P [...]al. but ioy commeth in the morning. Wee may not repine at these trials, if we desire to solace our selues in the vanities of this worlde, our desires are vnlawfull. Lots wife,Ge. 19. 26 her minde was vpon her substance in Sodom, Luc. 17 29. she looked, [Page 297] backward, but she neuer looked forward againe. When with the spider wee haue exhausted our verie bowels to make a slender web, one puffe of winde carries all away: when we haue endeuoured to the vttermost to mount aloft, suddenly death doth clippe the winges of our soaring endeuours, and downe we fall. Did we looke backe and consider howe many are vnder vs, as wee are ouer readie to prie how many are aboue vs we should soone see our estate lesse gree [...]ous th [...]n the state of manie, who are as deare to Christ as our selues. But ease and pleasure is acceptable to flesh & bloud, which the world is woont to promise? Nahuchadnezzar, to drawe the people from Gods seruice to foule Idolatrie, caused the noyse of instruments, to sound that so delighting themselues they might forget their obedience to God.Dan. 3. 10. But is it possible that any [...]elights [Page 298] should draw him from God, for whō the wh [...]le frame of the world was made? should base desires make man vnfaith ful vnto him from whom commeth all his good?Gen. 39. 8 Ioseph saide behold my master hath cōmitted al into my hands, how then can I do this? As if he could not find in his heart to commit euil agaynst him, that had deal [...] so liberally as his master had done. For these worldes vanities wee may let them passe, what soeuer they promise, their pleasure is not permanent▪ Whē Iacob was hasting into his own country, Laban followed him & said, why didst thou not tell me of thy departure▪ that I might haue let thee go with mirth and melody? Whē his meaning was to haue kept him still in longer serunitude. But as Iacob did wel,Gen. 31. 2 seeing Labans countenance once set agaynst him, to make readieto depart into his owne country: so when we shall finde [Page 299] the world to frowne vpon vs, to make speede and prepare our selues to be gone. Notwithstanding the people in the wildernesse did drinke of the bitter waters of Marah, Exod. 15 23. yet in that God appointed his angel to direct them in their way, it was a testimony he would bring thē into a better land. God ha [...]h giuē vs his spirit more then an angel, for our guide, which may beare witnes to our spirits, we were not created for this fraile and momentarie state, but looke for better things to come: in the meane time no calamities of life should make vs hate life, the course wherof we may not slack or hasten at our owne pleasure. If it did so much reuiue y^e harts of distressed people, that one (& that in vision only) should seeme to see Onias who had been high Priest,1. Mac. 15 12. a vertuous and a good man reuerent of behauior, & of a sober conuersation, wel spoken, & one that had beene ex [...]re [...]sed in [Page 300] points of vertue of a childe, holding vp his hands to heauen, and praying for them: then to see Iesus Christ himselfe at the right hand of God, there to stand for vs; mercifull Lord, how can it not but raise vp our pen [...]u [...] h [...]rts? Elkanah said vnto Hanna, when she was sore greeued at the hard vsage of the world. Quamobrem affligitur cortuum, nunquid non ego tib [...] melior quam decem filii? Why is thy heart greeued, am not I better vnto thee then tensons? This was a speach of comfort to her troubled mind. But vnto the distressed man whose ioy is in Christ crucified, may it not be said Is not his loue and mercie better vnto vs all then ten thousand pleasures of a sinfull [...]ife? Who hath saide to all feare and loue his name, In the world you shall haue affliction, but be of good comfort, Iohn. 16. 33. I haue oxcrcome the world.

[Page 301]

The sixe and twentieth Chapter.

An admonition to all, while they haue day and time before thē, to make speed, to apply themselues to this lesson of learning to die.

SEeing that all flesh is grasse, and the glorie of man,Esa. 40. 6 but as the glorie of the field, the grasse withereth, and this flower fade [...]h away. How behouefull then it is for all to apply themselues to this lesson of learning to die, the Apostle sheweth when he exhorteth all to walke wisely,Eph. 5. 15 16. because the daies are euill: our spring is fading, our lampe is wasting, and the tide of our life is drawing by little and little vnto a low ebbe, whatsoeuer [Page 302] we do, our wheele whirles about apace, and in a word, wee die dayly. Hence may we consider▪ that health is the mart where the prouident marchant may lay for his store: strength is the seede time, wherein the diligent husband: [...]an may prou [...] for haruest. Hee that will neuer put on sack [...]loth, vntill with Ahab he see Gods iustice at hand, to require punishment for his s [...]es. He that wil neuer begin to liue vntill he bee readie to die, may wish one day hee had beene better aduised, when all the world cannot recal oportunitie past [...] It is the generall practise of Sathan to promise carelesse sinners time enough: as racking, vsurers are wont to giue day to yong heires, from time to time, vntil at last they wind their inheritance from them. Wee know not how dangerous it is to deferre all vnto the last cast; As I will not promise, so I dare [Page 303] not presume (saith S. Austen) of euening repenters. To make all our of doubt▪ the best course is to repent bet [...]es. The holy Ghost saith,Heb. 3. 15 Dum bodie appellatur, while it is called to day. The world thought it selfe neuerLuc. 17. 27. more secure, then whē they were eating and drinking, whē they were planting & building, yet sodenly came the sloud, and ouerwhelmed all. The morning was faire when Lot went out of Sodome, Gen. 19. 23. & yet before night were the Sodomites destroyed. Nabuchadnezzer thought himself neuer more s [...]re, then when he had builded g [...]at Babe [...]and yet while the word was in hisDan. 4. 12. mouth, God pulled him downe vpon his knees. The rich man thought himselfe neuer more likely to haue liued, then when he had viēwed his barnes;Luc. 12. 20. set downe in his counting house, & told ouer his bags, but yet before twilight, his soule was taken from him. We all know [Page 304] what we haue beene, we know not what we shall bee, or how suddenly we shall be taken frō all. Wherefore our Sauior exhorteth vs to agree with our aduersarie quickly, to walke while we ha [...]e light. And the Prophete Esay, Esa. 55. 6. to seeke God while he may be found. In hac vita, Theod. in Psal. sext. saith Theodoret, locus est gratiae & misericordiae, in illa tantum iustitiae, In this life there is place of grace and mercie, but in that other life of iustice onely: which being so, had we not need to seeke the Lord earely, as Iob speaketh? Our Sauiour in the Gospell saith, Adolescens tibi dico [...]urge, Luc. 7. 14 Yong man, I say vnto thee arise. As there is resurrectio ad vitam glori [...]e, a resurrection vnto the the life of glorie: So is there also resurrectio ad vitam gratiae, a resurrection to the life of grace. Sinne is a fall:Prou. 24. 16. The righteous falleth, [...]aith the wiseman: amendment of life is a resurrection, [Page 305] and Blessed are those that haue part in this resurrection. Sinne is a kind of death: the father saide of his riotous sonne, Filius hic mortuus erat, Luc. 15. 31. This my sonne was dead Sin is a drowsie or heauie sleepe: considering the season,Rom. 13. 11. saith the Apostle, it is now time to arise from sleepe. Newnesse of conuersation is a resurrection; and blessed are those that haue part in this resurrection. Christ when he rose,Ioan. 11. 39. he rose carely. Lazarus that lay foure daies, began to sauour. If we lie long in our sinnes, we shal ware vnsauorie too. But with the women that came betimes with sweete odors vnto the sepulcher; we should bring our praiers and supplications, which are acceptable to the most highest. Though wee doe not yet heare the trumpe or voice of the Archangell summoning all to iudgement, yet wee shall heare with these eares at the [Page 306] day of doome, that doleful v [...]ice▪ but vnto them that take heed in time, ioyfull. Surgite a mortuis, & venite ad iudicium; Arise from the dead & come to iudgement. Let vs not offer the first of our vintage to the delightes of sinne, and serue God with the lees and dregges of our age. Let vs not yeeld the flower of our life vnto the fowle affections of sinfull nature, and reserue for God the very refuse of our time. It is no conquest to ouercome a weake and feeble enemie, to resist the pleasures of the flesh, when nature it selfe is decayed. Wee should consider that our care is not so much now what to do, as what one day we may wish we had done. Wherfore let men [...]asse through this worlde, as the people did by the land of Edon, Nomb. 20 17. who onely required to go through it, but woulde make no stay at all. What should wee set our delights in this Edon: our passage [Page 307] through it, is all we should require. The chiefest matter wee are to attend, is the good houre of our departure. We see by experience, that the longer wee deferre the curing of wounds, the harder is their recouerie at the last. Th [...] losse of time is verie precious, wee haue no warrant for the least continuaunce thereof. Make no [...]rrying thereforeEccles. 5. 7 [...]ith the Wiseman, to turne vnto the Lorde. Lose not any longer therefore bonas horas, good houres. Quem saepe transit casus, aliquādo inuenit; This common cuse of all flesh passeth so often by vs, that at the last it takes vs too, aswell as others: wee may no [...] deferre [...] worke of [...]uch importance, but with all expedition proc [...]ede wee in the performance of the same. The Apostle S Paul sayth;Rom. 12. 2. Giue your bodies a liuely [...] sacrifice vnto God, your reasonable seruing [Page 306] [...] [Page 307] [...] [Page 308] of him. When we repent onely in our last extremities, wee giue not a liu [...]ly but a dead sacrifice, not our reasonable, but our vnreasonable seruing of God. Wherefore, as Christ said,Ioh. 1. 35. Walke while you haue light: so may it be said vnto euerie one; Repent while yee haue time.

The seuen and twentieth Chapter.

The great follie of men in neglecting this oportunitie of time offered, to learne to die.

DId many in the worlde as much abhorre the practise and course in the cō [...]on life of Saduces & Epicures, as they are wont to doe, their profession and name: then would God [Page 309] be more sincerely worshipped then bee is: then woulde the time allotted vs to prepare our selues for the kingdome of heauen be better imployed then ordinarily it is wont. We wonder at the old world,Luc. 17 26. 27 who for all Noahs forewarning of the floud to come, yet repented not. We maruel at the Iewes, who had Christ amongst them,Luc. 19. 42. and did not accept him: but wee [...]ane forget our selues, hauing [...] much warning as they: We [...]aue Christ amongst vs. Iacob [...]aid; Surely the Lord was in this place, Gen. 28. 16. and I was not aware of it. [...]e haue time, and health, and grace, the light of his truth: Surely Gods goodnes is vpon vs, and wee are not aware of it: wee neglect all, which neglect is daungerous. Despisest thou (saith the Apostle) [...]he riches of his bountifulnesse and patience,Rom. [...]. 4 and long suffering, not knowing that the bountifulnesse of God leadeth [Page 310] thee to repentance. God is not slacke,1. Pet. 3. 9 as some men count flacknesse, but is patient towards vs, and would haue no man to perish, but would haue all men come to repentance. Wherefore (as Salomon sendeth the [...]luggard, so may we sende the carelesse sinner to schoole to the Emet: For she laboureth in the Summer, and prouideth for the time to come. I passed (saith hee)Pro. 6. 6. by the [...]elde of the slothfull man, and [...]ound it full of briars and brambles, such is the life of negligent people vntilled, all out of order. They royst and riot out time, mouing God to sue them vpon an action of wast. They spend their golden daies of youth and prosperitie, as ill husbands wast and spend their substance they know not how, and are in a manner so carelesse, as if God were bound to bring them to heauen whether they woulde or no, thinking that all is so [Page 311] sure, as if there were no more care to bee had. No, no, S. Paule who knewe better then all the deuisors in the world, can tell men howe to dispose themselues to heauen,Phil. 2. willeth euerie one, that thinks he standes, to take heede least hee fall, yea to worke out his saluation with feare and trembling.2. Pet. 2. 4. The fall of the Angels, the losse of Adam; the reiection o [...] Saul. If wee considerGen. 3 23 1. Sam. 16 what hath become of the tallest Cedars in Lybanus, wee cannot but with feare thinke of our fraile condition. But what speake wee of any one in particular; the Iewes that ancient people of God, the Churches of Asia, which sometime flourished, to consider how they are nowe defaced and brought to ruine, may make all feare sinfull securitie; What?Rom. 11. 20. not possible to erre? Saint Paul told the Romaines themselues long since; [Page 312] Be not high minded, but feare▪ Beatus qui timer, Blessed is the man that feareth: our sinnes may make a seperation betweene God and vs. The Iewes haue not onely erred, but fallen away frō that God, whose loue and care they so long enioyed. Make your election sure (saith S. Peter) and giue your diligence hereunto: [...]. Pet 1. 10. for if you do these thinges, you shal neuer fall: Thereby shewing, that our perseuerance in the faith, and feare of God, is y^• dutie after free iustification in mercie, which only he expecteth at our hands. Folly therefore is it to flatter our selues in a fruitlesse course of life, and to deferre time vntil it be too late: If God offer grace to day saith S. Austen, Tract 33. in Ioan. thou knowest not whether he will offer the same to morrow, & therfore now vse it, if thou wilt vse it at all. The light will shine when we shall not see the closing in of that [Page 313] day, the euening will come, when we shall not see the breaking forth of the morrowe light. Lazarus after his want, Diues for all his wealth, sicut homines moriemini, Psal. 82. 6. 7. and of the children of the most highest, saith the Prophet, ye shall die like men. Neither is that all, but as Saint Peter saith,1. Pet. 4. 5 Tanquam rationem reddituri, which shall giue accompt vnto him which is readie to iudge both quicke and dead, when the secrets of all harts shall be disclosed, when the foolish virgins shall crie Lord, Lord, open vnto vs: but it shall bee answered, and said vnto them,Mat. 25. 12. I know you not. But as for the wise virgins, which haue prouided oyle in their lampes, they shall lift vp their heades and passe vnto that ioyfull mariage of the lambe. Now therefore to conclude with Saint2. Pet. 3. 11. Peter, seeing wee looke for such thinges▪ What manner [Page 314] of persons ought wee to bee, in holy conuersation and godlines? But it is Durus sermo, a hard saying, Discite, learne you: but it will one day be a harder, if men take not heede in time: Discedite, get ye hence, depart you. Dispatch therefore about this businesse of learning to die, the tide tarrieth no man: our going to such and such a Citie is vpon condition, Si, if God will, if we liue, to set forward in time is best: these after wits are not so good.

It were to bee wished, that men at last would see their follie, and seeing it, endeuour to reforme the same. A vaine thing is it for any to flatter himselfe with hope of continuance. We go to our beds, Christ knoweth whether euer we shal arise. For all this, one sinne draweth on another, and wee neuer thinke that secret sinnes shall come to open iudgement▪ The carelesse guests made ligh [...] Mat. 22. 5 [Page 315] of their calling to come to the marriage of the kinges sonne, did they not find at last, when they were shut out, there was no testing with so great a king that sent for them? Christ offereth mercy (which is our last refuge) freely, willingly, vnto all: now is the accepted time: the flower of our age wil away a pace: wee may bee preuented we know not how soone: death & iudgement hasteth: Shal we know these things, and neglect oportunitie? God forbid.

[Page 316]

The eight and twentieth Chapter.

VVherin is shewed that this lear [...]ning to die may iustly moue vs to leade a Christian life in holy conuersation and godlinesse.

SUndry are the reasons which may stir vp and quicken our backward dispositions to the dutifull performance of that religious worship we all ow [...] vnto God. To omit the promises, and those [...] mercy; the threatning, and those in iustice, which the volume of holy scripture doth often mention to this ende.Gen. 1. 3. 4. 5. 6. Moyses to moue all the world to acknowledge God, he concluded no other argument but, thes [...] and [Page 317] these are the workes of God [...] which the Apostle also in effect expoundeth, saying: That the inuisible things of him, to wit,Rom. 1. 20. his power & Godhead are seene by the creation of the world. Elimah, to expresse God his Maiestie,Iob. 22. 12 saith: Behold the starres. The Prophet Dauid calleth allPsal. 148 2, 3. the creatures of God to praise God, as in deede they doe by their wonderfull order and decencie of motion. If all creatures serue God, then much more should man, for whome they were all created, and hee only for the honourable seruice of God. Come we vnto man his new birth, there he taketh his couenant peny, to serue his redeemer in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of his life. Consider we his iustification and sanctification: there wee finde him drawen by the cordes of loue▪ vnto this sweet yoake of Christ. It is a Maxime in Morall Philosophie, [Page 318] omne beneficium exigit officium, euerie benefit doth require a dutie. In nature where the Sun doth extend the beames of light, there the solide bodie hath a reflexe of heate. But that which doth often moue vs wee may remember (as we should neuer forget) the author of our health; our wealth, our peace, our prosperitie and all, if these moue not, we are inferior vnto the insensible creatures, if we should haue no reflexe of dutie.

Auncient histories make mention how much religious and de [...]out minded men haue desired to passe ouer their daies in this world in some priuate and peaceable course of life. It is said of Paphnutius, y^• hee betooke him wholy by this desire to the seruice of God. Iohn an Egiptian, of whom Saint Ierome speaking, wee haue seene: this Iohn (saieth hee) in the portes of Thebais [Page 319] neere the Cittie Ligo, liuing so calme and angelicall kinde of life, as is wonderfull, wholly addicting himselfe to liue and die in the seruice of God.

Now therefore if the promises of grace and mercie in Christ Iesus, if the greatnesse of the rewarde layde vppe for them that walke in the way of Gods commandementes, and keepe them with their whole heartes, (for is there not a rewarde for the righteous? then might they well say with the Prophete;Psal. 73 12. Sine causa lauimus manus inter innocentes, In vaine haue wee washed our handes amongst the innocente. If promises I say, and those in mercie cannot winne vs to a iust remembrance of our estate to come; yet at least to bethinke our selues of this reckoning day at hand should somewhat moue vs in this case. [Page 320] The rich man in his scalding torments hath a Discite ex me, Luc. 16. 24. O learne of me to take heede in time: for all that swimme in worldly pleasures, in sensuall delights, the conclusion whereof is sorrow and paine, when they shal say, would to God we had neuer offended so gracious a Lord: Would to God wee had neuer neglected so fauourable a time of grace: Wold to God we had neuer followed the follies of a sinfull life: the b [...]nket is pleasant, but the shot will proue deep and chargeable after an euill course: and therefore if there be any consolation in Christ Iesus, any comfort of loue, any hope of mercy: if there bee any feare or dread of iudgement to come: consider we of a future condition: prepare wee our selues for a life permanent; for an estate of all continuance; and God of his infinit mercy grant all grace so to do. A speciall meane with [Page 321] Gods good assistance to obtain this calme & peaceable course of life is to withdraw our selues from the inordinate and excessiue cares of this world; from the too too much delight in these earthly affaires, which is called by diuines, [...], a multitude of worldly businesses. S Iohn saith, Loue not the world, and we loue nothing1. Ioh. 2. 15. els. Loue it so long as we will saith S. Ambrose, Ambr. de spe resur. Quas non patimur tempestates? it will yeelde vs stormes enough. We set our harts on riches, do they make the possessors euer the quieter, euer the merrier? no verily▪ and rich men know I speake true. Woulde wee vnburden our minds of some earthly desires, should we not find much peace & quiet, vndoubtedly we shold. Moreouer, what doth trouble the world so much as a selfe desire to please our selues. When1. King. 19. 11. Elias fled before Iezabel there came a wind but the Lord was [Page 322] not in the wind: after the wind there came an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake: after y^• earthquake there came a fire, but y^• Lord was not in the fire: after the fire there came a still soft voice, and the Lorde came with the voice: Where a calme and quiet life is, there God is. These tossing and troblesome dispositions,Iam. 1. 17 these fierie scorching humors, are they from that wisedome, that is pure, peaceable, gentle, easie to bee intreated, full of mercie and good fruites, without iudging, and without hypocris [...]e, as S. Iames speaketh? it seemeth not, if we may, as we may (saith he) iudge the fountaine by the water: or that men would once frame themselues to liue religiously, to liue peaceablie. Christ saith,Ioh. 14. 27. Pacem relinquo vobis, Peace I leaue with you, my peace I giue vnto you.

In the trial of the holy man [Page 323] Iob, Sathan saith of him: hast thou not hedged him in? asIob. 1. 10. of these droues of Camelles, and heardes of cattell and children. Iob is so blessed▪ as if Iob should not blesse God, Iob were worse then a stocke or stone. Wee see amongst men, the Master requireth seruice, the Captaine fight. Hee that said, Da Caesari quae sunt Caesaris, said also, Date Deo, quae sunt Dei, Giue vnto God that which is Gods: which is the reuerence and worship of his holy name.

The principall effectes therefore that this remembrance of our ende ought to worke in vs, is puritie and sinceritie of life, which doth not consist in some talkatiue shew of a mortified profession, but must bee done in t [...]uth and veritie. The Prophete Esay Esa 1. 17 exhorting to the true fruits of con [...]r [...]tion, doth not say Discite bene loqui, learne to speake [Page 324] well, but Discite bene facere, learne to do well, apply your selues to equitie, deliuer the oppressed, helpe the fatherlesse to his right, let the widdowes complaint come before you: it was our Sauiors owne rule;Ioh 10. 25 The works that I doe, testifie of mee. In like manner, the workes that proceede from vs, doe beare witnesse of vs. Wee must not haue the voice of Iacob, and the hands of Esau. We must not doe as boat-men are wont, who row one way, but looke another: talke this way, but liue the contrarie: nor as foolish Marchants, who make a little shew outward, but haue bare storehouses beneath: but our religious actions are they that must shortly stand by vs: the pennie is readie for the end of the day,Mat. 20. 8 which is drawing on apace: the sunne is long since past the Meridian line, & we know death will not be answered with a Habe nos excusatos, Luc. 14. 19. [Page 325] we had need bestirre our selues, the time is not longe, & we may remember whither we are going. Foolish virginesLuc. 16▪ 8 thinke their oyle will neuer be spent. Christ sayes, the children of this world are wiser in their generation. Are we so carefull for the time to come, as commonly we are for the time present? I wold to God we were. Last of all, our continuance in this world being onely a passage vnto that to come, should mooue vs to meditate of the ende wherefore God sent vs hither. And the condition we expect, when wee are departed hence, which departure should dayly put vs in minde to eschew euill and doe good, to feare God, and keep [...] his commaundements.

[Page 326]

The nine and twentieth Chapter.

VVherein is shewed in the last place, that a consideration of Christ his second comming to iudgement, ought to moue euerie one to liue religiously, and also to applie himselfe to this lesson of learning to Die.

THe manifolde reasons before alledged, may induce the carefu [...]l Christian to liue reli [...]giouslie, & to learn to die, the ineuitable necessitie of death is in it selfe sufficient. For what Esculapius, or phisition how skilfull soeuer, can make mortali [...]ie immortall. The radicall moysture by little and little, will flash so long with the wasting Lampe. vntill at last [Page 327] the light goeth out, the lampe is spent, and so an ende. God himselfe doth teach vs a consideration of our mortal [...] estate, both by testimonies of his sacred word, as also by many spectacles before our eyes: so that wee doe not onely heare with our eares, but also behold often with our eies, both what we are, and what we shall bee▪ Many are the euents which we may reade to haue befallen others;Act. 5. 3. 4. the sudden end of Ananias and Saphira; of Anastasius whom the Church stories doe mention, may moue t [...]e most retchlesse to remember themselues. The Prophet Dauid mentioning the sudden destruction of those which murmured against God in the wildernes,Psal. 78. 30. sayth,1. Cor. 10. 11. While the meate was yet in their mouthes, the wrath of God came vpō them. Of which very instance the Apostle saith, These things came vpon them for our example, and are written [Page 328] to admonish vs vpon whom the ends of the world are come. If all this be not sufficient, yet a consideration of Christ his second comming to iudgement, should at last moue euerie man vnto a moste serious remembrance of the time to come. That which the holy Ghost doth set downe so often, and is in scripture forceablie expressed, and that in too many places so euidently laide before vs, the holy Ghost doth thereby shew, how diligently the same subiect should bee considered of by vs. Now what more forceablieIoel. 2, 31 expressed in the sacred volume,Ioel. 3. 15. then is the second comming of Christ vnto iudgement,Dā. 7. 13 which is called a great day;Mar. 13. 24. and such a day as neuer was from the beginning of the world:Lu. 21. 25 when the Sunne shall be darkened,Mat. 24. 29. the Moone shall not giue her light:Esa. 13. 10. when the Stars shall fall from heauen:Eze. 32. 7 10. 5▪ 22. when the voice of the trumpet [Page 329] shall sound:Apoc. 20. 13. when all the kindreds of the earth shal mourne: when they shall see the sonne ofMatt. 16, 27. man come in the clouds of heauen, with power and great glorie:2. Cor. 5. 10. when the Sepulchres shall open: when the sea▪ Rom. 14. 10. and the earth shall giue vp their dead: when all the worlde, Kinges, princes, and potentates of the earth, shall appeare before the tribunal seate of Christ. (Blessed Lord) what a time shall this bee.Chrysost. h [...]m. 77. in Mat. I knowe not (sayth Saint Chrysostome) what others doe thinke of it: for my selfe it makes mee often tremble to consider it. Doe wee not beholde from yeare to yeare the Sunne to yeeld lesse heat, whereby the fruites of the earth doe lesse kindly ripen. O that we had hearts to meditate of this great comming of Christ to iudgement? then woulde wee soone for a sinfull life past bee auenged vpon our eyes, and wish with Ieremie, Ierem. 9. 1. 2. that our [Page 330] heads were a fountane of wa [...]ter: then woulde wee say with Demosthenes, yea euerie one would soone answere, the first prouocatiō to euil [...], I will not buie repentaunce so deare. To flatter our selues with hope of deferring of this time is all in vaine. Talem [...]te inueniet dies Domini, qualem [...]e reli quit extremus virae dies, Looke howe the laste day of thy life doeth leaue thee, so shall the day of iudgement finde thee.

Who woulde not but accept of the fatherlie forewarning of Christ our Sauiour, by those many precedent tokens, as fore-runners of his comming? These are both sayinges, and signes: The sayings amongest other,Mark. 13. 20. That for his elect sake, the dayes shall bee shortened. Apoc. 12. 12. And beholde, I come quickelie. For signes, the waxing [Page 331] c [...]lde of Charitie, the rising of Nation agaynst Nation,Mat. 24 12. the abounding of iniquitie, without further application,Luk. 17 27. these maye bee left vnto our silent thoughtes. Was there euer lesse loue? Where is that Ionothan that loues Dauid as his owne soule? Where is that vprightnesse of conscience, when men rather for shame of the worlde, then otherwise, abstaine from extreame impietie. Howe manie with Ioab embrace friendlie,2. Sam. 3 27. but c [...]rrye a malicious heart to Amasa. The Apostle sayeth,2. Tim. 3 1. 2. That the latter dayes shall bee perillous dayes, for men shall bee louers of their owne selues, couetous, boasters, proude, cursed speakers, disobedient to parents, vnthankfull, vnholy.

The Philosophers can tell vs, Nullum violentum est perpetuum: That no motion violent is woone to bee [Page 332] permanent. The Rainbowe as it hath a waterie colour, which may shewe vs what hath beene past: so hath it also a f [...]erie, to signifie what is to come. Sathans f [...]erce rage,Apoc. 12. [...]2. may argue the shortnesse of his time: the coldnesse and barrennesse of the earth and trees, shewe the qualities of aged bodyes, or in effect tell vs, there will come a time, when we shall not haue anie longer the vse of them. The decay of auncient families and houses, the defect of strength and stature, doe make vs dayly see, this worlde is wearing away. That which is the flash of lightning, before the hideous clappe of thunder; that which is the mustering of an hoste of men, before a sadde battell, the same are these signes before Christ his second comming to1. Sam. 6. 1 [...]. iudgement. To bee curious with the Bethshemites, in prying into God his Arke, hath [Page 333] beene the follie of some men: to be calculating au [...] skanning the day and yeares of that time, which is vnknowne vnto the Angels of heauen, is needlesse. For seasons or times, Non est nostrum scire, It is not for vs to knowe, for our appearance at that time before Christ to giue our account: Omnium est scire: It is for all to know [...], That the secretes of all hearts shall be reuealed; that a generall audite shall be kept, Christ himselfe sheweth in the Parable, where the kingdome of heauen is likened vnto a certaine king,Mat. 18. 23. that will take account of his seruants. God will require a reckoning at our hands, of the time he hath lent vs, of the graces he hath giuen vs, of the blessinges in this worlde bestowed vpon vs. When the rich mans stewarde in the sixteenth of Saint Lukes Gospel, sawe how the worlde was likelie to goe with him, to [Page 334] wit, that he must giue an account, it was time for him to call his wittes togither,Luc. 16. 3 and so is it for vs all, if we haue anie care of the account which will be required at our hands. An account for our selues: Adam vb [...] es? Adam where art thou? How hast thou walked in the comman dements I gaue thee? Gen. 3. 9. An account for our brethren, Cain Gen. 4. 9. vbi est frater tuus Abel? Caine where is thy brother Abel? how hast thou vsed him? An account1. Cor. 6. 19. for our bodies: haue they beene kept as the temples of the holy Ghost?1. Pet. 2. 25. An account for our soules:Apoc [...]2. 12. whether be they fit to appeare in the sight of the great sheepheard?Mat. 12. 36. An account for our workes: An account for our wordes:VVis. 1. 9. An account for our verie thoughts: it is most true God is mercifull. but wee cannot tell whether our sinnes wil make a separation between God and vs, if we be not carefull in time: a consideration hereof may be the compasse to [Page 335] guide our ship, the squire to frame our building, and may euermore moue vs to cast in our mindes how to prouide for a day to come. Now therefore seeing our condition of life is onely certaine in vncertaintie▪ seeing our time passeth away, as the prophet Dauid saith, as noth [...]ng, and man disquieteth him self in vaine▪ why do we not endeuor to attain a retired course of life, & cōtent our selues with our calling, be it but meane amongst men. we know assuredly after all our climing▪ downe we must, die we must, where, or when we know not: one falleth in his full strength, being in all ease & prosperitie, another in y^• bitternes of his soul, and neuer eateth with pleasure: both saith Iob, sleepe in the dust,Iob. 21. 23 the slimie valew shall be swept ouer them. O good Lord that men woulde sometimes consider this, leaue the pursute of this troublesome world, & follow Christ in meeknes, who is the way, the truth, [Page 336] and life: without the way we walke not: without the truth we know not: without this life we liue not. We follow him in lowlinesse of minde;Mat. [...]1, 29. the reward of this following is rest vnto our soules.Gen. 48. 14. Iacob laid the hande of blessing vpon Ephraim the yonger: and God (saith SaintIam. 4. 6. Iames) bestowes the gift of grace vpon Ephraim too, that is to say, the lowlier. The Apostle Saint Paule in euerie Epistle where he commendeth them to whom he wrote to grace, hee commendes them ioyntlie to peace: his vsuall stile is Grace & Peace, as if where grace is, there peace is: as where the fire is, there heate is. wherefore, that same vnum petii of the Prophet, may be the vnum petii of euerie well disposedPsa. 27. 4 man: One thing haue I desired of the Lorde, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord. or serue him peaceablie all the dayes of my life. Noah was an [Page 337] hundred yeares togither, busie about an Arke, to saue him from the floud, we haue not so long to labour, in framing a peaceable and religious course of life, which will one day be an Arke for the bodie, and a tabernacle for the soule, when wee shall bee safe in deede. It is a world to see the vnquiet disposition of some mens natures, who are either whyning at Gods prouidence, because they haue not their owne willes, or otherwise in bitter conflicts, because they will be euer in trouble with men: did these consider that the daies of their warfare are not long, and that they are towardes an other worlde, they coulde soone endeuour to passe ouer that small time of continuance, yet remayning in more quiet and contentment both with God and man. Now when wee heare that God is iust, we learne to feare him, an [...] when we heare that he is mercifull, [Page 338] wee learne to loue him. So that with feare. and loue, we may go forward from vertue to vertue, vntill we growe vnto a perfect age in Christ Iesus: who is there that doth not desire to se [...] good dayes?1 Pet 3. 11. Good dayes in deede, to wit, the dayes of all eternitie,Psal. 34. 13. let him eschew euill, and doe good. For the day of the Lord, that dreadfull day, it is resembled to the comming of a theef in the night:2. Pet. 3. 10. well it may spoyle and torment the carelesse, and the retchlesse: but for the watchfull householder. that expectes the comming thereof, it shall passe along by him▪ and neuer hurt him. The iuste shall stande VVis. 5. 1. (saith the Wiseman) with great constancie, Luc. 21. [...]8. and they shall lift vp their heades▪ for their redemption draweth nigh. There is no better counsell to bee giuen to the worlde, then the counsell of him, who came to redeeme the worlde; Watch and pray continually, [Page 339] that you may be counted worthie to escape all these things that shall come to passe,Luc. 21. 36.and that yee may stande before the Sonne of man:Mat. 25. 34.go vpon his right hand, and heare that ioyfull voyce: Come ye blessed of my father, receyue the kingdome prepared for you, from the feundations of the worlde, vnto which kingdome Iesus Christ bring vs all, for his infinite mercies sake. Amen.

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A shorte Dialogue betweene Faith, and the Naturall man: concerning mans estate in the world, and his departure from the world.

Faith.

IS thy beleefe rightlye grounded?

Natur.

I professe the name of Christ.

Neuer tell me of profession. Dost thou thinke of no other estate but a bare continuance in this world onely?

Natur.

Yes, I thinke of an other worlde to come, and also of my departure from the life present.

Faith.

I would to God thou diddest in [Page 342] heart, in truth, and veritie; for I feare thou doest deceiue thy self.

Nat.

As ho [...]o I pray you?

Faith.

Because this is but a superficiall conceit.

Natur.

How know you that?

Faith.

Marie thy life is ledde in such securitie, as if thou mindedst nothing lesse, then y^• time to come.

Natur.

But may I not take part in the pleasures of this world, and vse them when they are offred?

Faith.

Thou maist, for honest recreation: but vse the worlde, as if thou vsedst it not

Nat.

I am of great birth and parentage.

Faith.

True honour is not of others. but of our selues.

Nat.

But my house is ancient.

Faith

Then began it by vertue, & by vertue shouldest thou continue it.

Nat.

But my progenitors haue flourished.

Faith.

Tr [...]e, but are they not gone the way of al y^• world? and thou also must follow.

Nat.

But I am in the flower of youth.

Faith.

Yet remember [Page 343] thy end, youth is but a flower that may soone sade.

Nat.

But there is nothing more distant frō the end then the beginning.

Faith.

In the state of man, it is not so, wherein often we begin and end togither

Nat.

But I haue strength.

Faith.

Boast not of strength, some litle touch of sicknesse will make thee soone stoupe.

Nat.

But I am healthfull.

Faith.

Health is a blessing, and therefore vse it well.

Natur.

But I liue in great abundance.

Faith.

Then liuest thou in great care.

Nat.

But I liue amidst many delightes.

Faith.

The [...] liuest thou amidst manie temptations, and therefore take heede of them.

Natur.

But I am in high place.

Faith.

Then art thou in a s [...]ipperie place.

Natur.

But I haue the gouernment of manie.

Faith.

Then art thou also seruant vnto manie.

Natur.

But I haue friendes.

Faith.

Trust not in princes, trust not in any child of [Page 344] man, trust in God.

Nat.

But I haue riches.

Faith.

If riches encrease set not thy heart vpon them.

Nat.

But I haue honors.

Fai.

Then hast thou enuie also.

Nat.

But I am glorious in the world.

Fa.

Desire to be hid vnto the worlde, and knowne vnto God.

Nat.

But me thinks I am wel.

Fa [...].

How can that be, liuing as thou liuest, in a vale of tears.

Natur.

But I hope for peace of mind.

Faith.

Then must thou be a cō queror of thine own affections.

Na.

But I haue much laid vp for many yeares.

Faith.

So saide hee whose soule was suddenly taken from him.

Nat.

Is our sta [...]e then in this world so vncertaine.

Faith.

It is.

Nat.

Then will I hope for the life to come.

Faith.

In so doing thou dost wel.

Nat.

But what shall I doe in the meane space?

Faith.

Loue God w^t all thy hart, with all thy soule, with all thy strength: and thy neighbor as [Page 345] thy selfe.

Natur.

Seeing this world is so variable, then I bid all trust in earthly vanities fare well.

Faith.

Lift vp thy mind to God, in him onely is thy eternall welfare.

A Dialogue betwixt Discontent and Hope.

Discontent.

I Am more miserable then anie.

Hope.

Others are miserable to, wee all liue in a worlde of miserie.

Discont.

But I more miserable then any.

Hope.

Leaue to complaine, deliuerance is of God, who will not faile them that call vpon him.

Disc.

I am in bondag [...] ▪

Hope.

Remember there will come a time of freedome.

Disc.

But I am poore & helples.

Ho.

So was Lazarus, [Page 346] who doth reioice in Abrahams bosome.

Discont.

But I am afflicted in body.

Ho.

So was Iob, Whom God loued,

Discon.

But I am reproached in the world, and I feare infamie.

Ho.

Feare God: If the reproach be true, craue mercy for thy fault at his handes: If false, let thy owne conscience comfort thee.

Disc.

But I haue lost the time.

Hope.

Indeed a great losse, but it is neuer too late, so that at last thou do well.

Disc.

But I am destitute of friends.

Hope.

God is thy friend. if thy relie be vpon him.

Disc.

But I am wearie of this toylesome world.

Hop.

Heauen is the hauen of rest.

Disc.

But I would bee gone from it, I care not how.

Hop.

F [...]e Discontent suffer rather a world of torments, then to be so faithles.

Disc.

But I haue no other remedie

Hope.

Call for grace: cast off this abiect feare with vaine thoughts, away with them: hearken not [Page 347] to the shamefull intisements of Sathan.

Disc.

But I am full of troubles.

Hope.

So was he in the worlde, that is in glorie,

Disc.

But death is verie grie [...]

Ho.

It is not so, but an end of grief. In sorrow thou shalt eat thy bread▪ vntill thou turne to earth, as if th [...]n sorrow should end.

Dis.

But I am sorrowful.

Hope.

Sorrow may endure for a night, but ioy commith in the morning.

Disc.

But I eate the bread of carefullnesse.

Hop.

So haue all the seruants of God done.

Disc.

But I haue often called, and see no deliuer [...]ce.

Hop.

God will send deliuerance, assure thy selfe at the last.

Di.

But I haue not the possessions y^• others haue.

Ho.

A competent measure of wealth to retaine honest reputation in the world, is sufficient.

Dis

But I waxe in age.

Hop.

Then doth the time of thy deliuerance draw on▪

Dis

But I am olde and crooked.

Hope.

[Page 348]

Then make an end with the world.

Discon.

But I am pained with sicknes.

Ho.

The health of the soule is most to be desired.

Discont.

But I feare death.

Hope.

Thou needst not, for it shall not hurt thee, but make thy happie entrance into life.

Discont.

But I am loath to leaue the world.

Hope

Why shouldst thou so be, seeing thou art going to liue with Christ.

Discont.

But I liue not in that pleasure I see others liue.

Hope.

Be content, remember to whom it was said, Sonne thou in thy life time receiuedst thy pleasure.

Discon [...]

But I am euer vnder the crosse.

Hope.

So must all bee who will follow Christ.

Disc.

But griefe is present.

Hope.

But the reward is yet to come.

Disc.

But I often want mirth in this world.

Hope.

God doth humble vs a litle by want of worldly mirth: but blessed are they who nowe weepe, for they shall reioyce: we thinke them [Page 349] happie that here laugh: but Christ saith. Blessed are they that mourne.

Discon.

Well Hope, seeing the case is such. and so full of comfort in times of distresse, whatsoeuer befall me, I will put my trust in God.

Hope.

Then assuredly thou shalt neuer faile, eyther in life or death, in this world, or in the world to come.

A Dialogue between Presumption and Feare.

PResump.

I am more holy then others.

Feare

So saide they who were most vnholy.

Presum.

But I am not so prophane as I see many men.

Feare.

What art thou that iudgest?

Pres.

But may I not glorie in my vertues?

Fear.

Glorie in God.

Pres.

[Page 350] But I haue more graces then others.

Fea.

Dispise no man, thou knowest what thou hast beene, thou knowest not what thou shalt bee.

Pres.

But I haue better gifts thē a number besides.

Feare.

Take heede, thou knowest not howe long thou shalt enioy them.

Presu.

But I am sure all is sa [...]e.

Fe.

So saide they who counted themselues children of Abraham, and are fallen.

Pres.

But I am wise.

Fear.

So wert thou, if thou didst not say so.

Presump.

But I am happie

Fear.

S. Paul saith, let him that standeth take heede least he fall.

Pr.

But I haue many daies to liue.

Fear.

No, thou hast no warrant for the least continuance.

Presump.

But I am strong and healthie

Fear.

So haue many beene, and yet taken away in a moment.

Pre.

Me thinks I should not passe away so soone.

Feare.

Why not, thou hast here no continuing [Page 351] Citie.

Pres.

Wel, I wil make lesse reckoning of the world then I haue done.

Fea.

Then shalt thou doe well here & hereafter.

Pre.

Now I see my follie in being so confident

Fe.

Be carefull, bee carefull: too much selfe loue and boldnesse hath vndone many.

Presump.

Well, I will not from henceforth glory in my selfe.

Feare.

Let him that glorieth, onely glorie in God, and know this, that by how much the higher thou art, by so much shouldst thou be the more humble.

Pre.

Nowe I consider my owne frailtie.

Feare.

This consideration will make thee poore in spirite: and blessed are the poore in spirit. for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

[Page 352]

A short Discourse, wherein is shewed the great commendations of a peaceable course of life, vnto which course of life we are moued by a consideration of our departure hence.

TO passe ouer the daies of this our pilgrimage in peaceable maner, is, and ought to bee our Christian honest care.Psal. 34. 14. The holy Ghost commanding vs to seeke peace, and to ensue it.Ioan. 14. 17. It was Christs owne farewell from his disciples: My peace I leaue vnto you. And one of S. Paules last exhortations vnto the Corinthes. Brethr [...]n be at peace,2. Cor. 13. 11. and the God of peace shall be with you. Amongst other great differences whereby Gods children are [Page 353] discerned from the children of the world, this is not the least, that they are the children of peace. Saul that had an euill spirit, had an vnquiet and troublesome spirit, but Dauid that had a good spirit, had a spirite of peace. Amongst the punishmentes of Egypt, that of the flies was not the least, which would not suffer the Egiptians to rest. In like manner amidst this worlds felicity these combersome thoughtes are wont much to molest y^• worlds followers. The graces y^• flow from Gods spirit are resembled often vnto riuers and pleasant waters. These riuers abide not on the higher mountaines, but haue their course through the lowest vallies. It is wantWant of humilitie the cause of an vnquiet life. of humilitie that makes men so far from a peaceable state and condition of life. Our Sauior Christ exhorteth vs to learne of him to be humble and m [...]ke,Mat. 11. 29. that so wee may find rest vnto [Page 354] our soules. Was it not follie in the Israelites, to desire rather to liue in the troubles of Aegypt, then in the lande of promise, where they might haue quiet, and time to doe their sacrifices vnto God? The same is the follie of many, who choose rather to bee mo [...]ling in the worlde about ambitious and contentious practises, seeking reuenge and glorie rather then to retire a little to a peaceable state of life, wherein they might applie themselues to deuotion. Stories make mention of Arseniu [...], who of a glorious Senator, beca [...]e a great louer of Christ, and contemner of the worlde, who was also said to haue by a diuine oracle, this aduertisement: Fuge▪ tace, & qui [...]sce, Arsenius flie, bresilent, & giue thy selfe to quiet or peace. The more we estrange ourselues from the loue of this world, the neerer we draw to God:Iam. 4. 8. & if we draw neere vnto God (saith S. Iames) God will [Page 355] draw neere vnto vs. The most honourable state of life, is to serue him: all our inferior, eyther pleasures or profits, for a time like some small cloudes passe to and fro, and are at last dissolued into nothing. So we haue as much water as willGen. 28. 20. 21. carrie the ship, or with Iacob food & raiment for this iourney: let God be our God, and let his benefits bind vs vnto him. An vnquiet or troublesome life, is their life who haue not knowne the way of peace, & may also fearRom. 3. 17. a time of trouble to come. To liue religiously and peaceablie before God and man, is their Christian conuersation, whose praier is with the Prophete: One thing haue we desired of y^• Lord, that we may dwell in the house of our God all the daies of our lines. If Christ did call worldly men to labors, and anguish of minde, they might answer as those in the Gospell:Luc. 14. 18. Lord haue vs excused: but calling them to vndertake a sweet [Page 356] yoake, and promi [...]ing rest vnto their souls, peace internall in y^• state of grace and peace eternall in the state of glorie: how can they but f [...]nd in their hearts to come, being so louingly called? and to passe their time in that peaceable course, which true deuotion is wont to afforde the well disposed for their euerlasting good? The bird, who for necessity is faine sometimes to staire vpon the earth, is notwithstanding for the most part soaring in the aire, where she tunes many a quiet and pleasant dittie. In like manner for necessities sake onely, our cogitations are sometimes on thinges here beneath: but our chiefe delight should be higher, where is quiet, and peace of conscience; where no distracting thoughts, which are wont to disturbe the louers of this world, do not come neere them: they are risen with Christ, and therefore seeke the things that are aboue where Christ sitteth [Page 357] at the right hand of God. The deuout mans life therefore is angelicall, whose bodie walketh on earth, but his desire (as hath beene before shewed) are aboue in heauen. It is a wondrous case to see how apt men are to debates and quarrels, at the least offences; sometimes rather taken then giuen, their stomacks are aloft: they swel in malice, their heartes are so big; nothing will qualifie them, it is a disgrace they thinke to beare a little, or put vp the least iniurie: the in [...]nite, needles actions and sutes of law, which for some vile vnconscionable gaine, find some fit patrons abroad in the world, doe much nourish this vnchristian trouble, and troublesome life of Christian men, who should affect nothing lesse: they follow on their course from tearme to tearme, till at last Actio moritur cum persona, the action dieth with the partie: they can account a lease of one and twentie [Page 358] yeares, as good (in a maner) as a state of three liues: and they see time weares out the Councellour, his client, the assurance, and all, but no amendment at al is seen; were this wel remembred, it woulde soone make men of another disposition, then for the most part they are: more patient, more peaceable,1. Cor. 5. sesse contentious. Is there not a wise man to iudge betweene brethren? Wee haue (God knowes) but little time to spend in the worlde, what should wee desire more then to spend that little well, deuoutly towardes God; peaceablie amongst men? It was Iosephes counsell to his brethren, when they were returning to their owne country; Fall not out by the way; go along together to your fathers house quietly as trauellers, louingly as brethrē. Let onely loue of the life to come moue vs to ser [...]e God. [...] bee at peace with our neighbors, [Page 359] that so we may turne our good purposes to good practises, our practises to custome; our custome to delight, our delight to perseuerance, our perseuerance to liue to God, and to die to God. For the better performanc [...] hereof, wee should euerie day more and more waxe out of loue with this combersome world. There is such a noise in the catching desire of riches, that we cannot heare the soft voice which cals vs to deuotion. There is such a noyse in mens deuises for maintenance of pride, as they cannot heare the softe voice which cals them to humilitie. There is such a noise in y^• multitude of earthie affairs, that we cannot heare the soft voice which cals vs to think of heauenly▪ we may be compared vnto those men, who liuing neere the riuer Nylus, are said to become verie dull of hearing: we are so neere in affection to these [Page 360] transitorie delights, as the prophetes trumpet-like voice will scarce hee heard to moue vs to contrition, for our s [...]nnes: wee feele the troubles of the world, and yet for all that wee make the world our paradise. Wee maruell at the rude and ignorant Indians, who for glasses and trifles, are saide to depart from the purest gold. But we neuer thinke of our owne follie, which is farre greater; who forgo the treasures of heauen for very bables, things of smal or no continuance: nay which is more, with toyle we follow this meane traffique, as the spider that exhausteth her bowels to make a slender web, which is dissolued againe with euerie puffe of winde, it is enough to astonish any indifferent man, to see the worldes blindnesse in this: when men might bee more at peace, they neuer leaue climing vntill they take a fall, they looke vnto pleasures [Page 361] as they are comming to them, not as they are going from them, when they are woont to leaue trouble behind. It were to be wished, that men would once withdrawe themselues from vnnecessary cares & desires, in seeking too vehementlie the vaine riches and pleasures of this worlde, which are so much in request as they are. In so doing might they not passe ouer the dayes of their pilgrimage more peaceablie, more religiouslie? They might, young men from the childehoode in fearing God: old men now departing the worlde by giuing good examples vnto others, all considering the state and condition of life it selfe, which is but as a flower. First it buddeth, then comes the blooming and flowrishing, a little after it withereth, and is gone. Wherefore man (saith one) may bee well greeted with a threefolde salutation. From childehoode [Page 362] to thirtie, the greeting is, you are welcome. From thirtie to fiftie, the greeting is, you are in a good day. From that time afterwarde, Then God giue you a good departure. Nowe therefore gentlie to accomplish this iourney, to passe from childehoode to youth, from youth to strength, from strength to olde age, from olde age to death: as certaine riuers, who are saide by a still soft course to runne through a part of the maine Ocean is a verie Christian and commendable condition of life, vnto which wee are mooued by a consideration of the vncertaintie of life it selfe. Unto him that is able to direct vs in this course of life, to keepe vs that wee fall not, and to present vs faultlesse in the life to come, in the presence of his glorie with ioy, that is, to God onelie wise, with Iesus Christ our Sauiour, and the holie [Page 363] Ghost, three persons, but one eternall and euerlasting God, be all honour, and glorie and power, and dominion, both now, and for euermore.

Laus Deo.

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The Table.

ABraham tempted, that when we are tried, to teach vs what to doe. 2 [...]9
Adam happy, had hee knowne his owne happinesse. 140
Adam sinning, we sinned. 119
Almes deeds commended. 181 182. &c.
Athanasius falsly accused. 93
Auncient fathers mindefull of their mortalitie. 73
An aduertisement for those who are moued to commit gracelesse attemptes against themselues. 289
[Page] Aduertisement for those who vndertake dangerous attempts by sea or land. 281

Blessednesse the center of our desires. 110
Benefits receiued of God, make vs worship God.
Bodily griefes inflicted for sin. 89. 90
Burials amongst Christians decent. 274

Care in youth to liue well, in old age to die well. 48
Charitie the fruite of Faith. 167 168. &c.
Christes resurrection, our resurrection 118. 119
Christ our Ioseph. 227
Christs second comming ioyful to them that feare him. 209
Commending of our soules into the hands of God a good dutie. [Page] 198
Conscience quieted how.
Curious scanning the time of Christes second comming to iudgement vnnecessary. 333

Death hath absolute authoritie ouer all. 62
Death of the righteous a steepe. 120. 1 [...]1
Death not to be feared 113
Dispaire farre from Christians. 238
Discontentment of mind to bee shaken off. 346

End of man his comming into the worlde. 51
End to be remembred. 60. 61
Euerie day must bee prepared, because the last day of our end is vncertaine. 61
Examples should mooue. 66. 67
Examples of the godly in suffering. [Page] 136. 137. &c.
Excesse of worldly cares hinders a godly course of life, & bringeth much disquietnesse of mind. 320. 321

Faith described. 164. 165 &c.
Faith the staffe of the afflicted. 117. 164.
Feare of God necessary. 312
Feare to die none ought. 115

Glory of this world fleeteth. 85
God stayeth til we repent. 49. 50
Good life hath a peaceable death.
Good rule to [...]oresee, and to take oportunity in things spirituall. 47

Health of body to be continued
Helpe onely of God.
[Page] Hope described. 167
Houre of Death vncertaine. 61

Ioyes of Heauen comfortable to be remembr [...]d. 102. 103. &c.
Intention of the mind acceptable vnto God. 287. 288.

Knowledge of God and our selues, 45
Knowledge of the Saints in the life celestiall.

Law satisfyed. 238
Learning to die behoouefull. 69
Loue of God and our neighbor goe together. 171
Life described. 84. 85. &c.
Life of man full of sorrowes and afflictions. 90

[Page]Meditation of heauenly things.
Mercies of God wonderfull.
Mourning for the dead allowable. 2 [...]9. 270

Necessity of calling vpon God 240
Necessary instructions for the sicke. 249
Neglect of Gods worshippe a great euill. 50

Olde Prophets suffered. 136
Obedience to the will of God. 208
Oppression of others punished. 72

Patience. 195. 196. &c.
Perseuerance. 200. 201.
Pleasures of this worlde but a shew. [...]0.
[Page] Prayer a religious duetie. 187. 18 [...]. &c.
Prayer a refuge in distresse▪ ibid.
Prayer to be deliuered from suddaine death.
Presumption dangerous. 302. 303. &c.

Questions of friuolous matters needlesse. 46.
Quietnesse of life commendable. 352

Remembraunce of our estate. 140. 141.
Repentance in time. 68. 303

Salomon his verdicte of the world. 125
Securitie in sin dangerous. 66
Serpent in the wildernesse. 176 177
Sicke to acknowledge their sinnes. 173. 174 & 178
Soule businesse the chiefe of all.

[Page]Temporall goods onely lent vs. 180
Time pretious. 47
Trials of the righteous. 134 135

Vaine-glorious, like the Camelion. 47
Visitation of the Sicke, a worke of mercy. 246

Want of humility the cause of trouble. 353
Wils and Testaments. 180. 181
Wise Virgins teach vs to bee watchfull. 67
Worldly goods how to be disposed. 180
World, not worthy to be beloued. 86
Wordly wisedome foolishnesse.
Willingnesse to depart, when [Page] God doth call vs. 184
Wordly possessions are vanities▪ deceites, thornes, and sorrowes. 217

Youth and age are vnequally yoaked. 63

FINIS.

The Register.

¶A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P, and Q the halfe leafe.

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Author: Sutton, Christopher, 1565?-1629.1600

The First Chapter.

The Second Chapter.

The Third Chapter.

The Fourth Chapter▪

The Fifth Chapter.

The Sixt Chapter.

The Seauenth Chapter.

The Eight Chapter.

The Ninth Chapter.

The Tenth Chapter.

The eleuenth Chapter.

The Twelfth Chapter.

The Thirteenth Chapter.

The fourteenth Chapter.

The Fifteenth Chapter.

The sixteenth Chapter.

The seuenteenth Chapter.

The eighteenth Chapter.

The ninteenth Chapter.

The Twentieth Chapter.

A forme of leauing the sicke to Gods protection.

A forme of praier to bee vsed for the sicke, by them that are pre­sent.

A Prayer to be vsed by the sicke himselfe.

Another prayer for the sicke.

The one and twentieth Chapter.

A briefe forme of praier.

A Praier to be vsed by the assem­blie at the time of the Christi­an mans departure.Let vs pray.

The two and twentieth Chapter.

The three and twentieth Chapter.

The foure and twentieth Chapter.

A praier to be vsed of any, who findes himselfe troubled in conscience, or disquieted by euill motions.

A prayer for a good departure out of this world.

The fiue and twentieth Chapter.

The sixe and twentieth Chapter.

The seuen and twentieth Chapter.

The eight and twentieth Chapter.

The nine and twentieth Chapter.

A forme of praier to bee vsed for the sicke, by them that are present.

A Praier to be vsed by the assemblie at the time of the Christian mans departure.
Let vs pray.