❧ OF THE PREPARATION TO THE CROSS, and to Death, and of the comfort under the cross and death, two books very fruitful for devout people to read, translated from latin to english, by richard Tracy.  
1534   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, AND HIS singular good lord and master, Lord Thomas Crumwel, Lord Privy seal, richard Tracy desireth and wisheth bodily prosperous health, and to the soul eternal life and felicity.  
WHEN I consider the weak frailty of man, and how naturally we be subject to many troubles, adversities, and temptations, as well of the body as of the soul, and also when I call to my remembrance the words of Christ, spoken to his elect, 
joh. 16.  That in this world they should suffer persecution and oppression, and likewise the saying of the apostle Paul, 
2. Tim. 3.  That all they which will live godly in Christ jesus, must suffer persecution: I think surely, that every christian man doth expect Christ's promises, and constantly believeth, that the scriptures shallbe fulfilled and found true. Wherefore seeing there is no evasion nor mean, to escape the adversities, temptations, and cross, which god shall lay on the shoulders of his elect, and nature is so inconstant, frail, and weak, that of our own might and power we are not able to resist, nor can not willingly and patiently sustain and bear such adversities, and cross, it behoveth every christian man, to search out and provide some godly consolation and remedy to comfort and make strong his mind, that he may patiently suffer all tribulation, all temptation, all adversity, which god shall send to him, alway reknowledging, that there is no power but of god, and that god will not send to his elect any such cross, but therewith he will also give grace and mean patiently to suffer the same, so that he shall not be found disobedient to the good will of god. Of the comforts against the cross of tribulation, one in especial of late I found. Not a year passed it pleased God to send me some adverse tribulations, which were to strong for Nature to suffer and bear patiently: but my chance was so good, through the merciful providence of god, that in my troubles this little book was sent me from a friend: which when I had read over, and delyberately perused, it animated & made me strong not only patiently to suffer all mine adversities, but also for them to give god right hearty thanks, that it would please him of his abundante mercy and goodness to remember me, his miserable creature with his so earnest a token and most sure pledge of his godly favour and love, according to his promise, 
Hebr. 12.  which is, whom the lord loveth, him he chasteneth, yea and he scourgeth every son that he receiveth. For in the reading of this book, I received such consolation and comfort, that I thought it most necessary, yea and expedient (seeing I have by experience felt, what good fruit cometh thereof) to translate the same in to english, and so to put it forth in print, that it might be the more common, and that many chancing to fall into like cross of adversity, may be partakers and optein like consolation, as I have received thereby. And I have dedicated this book to you my singular good lord & master, for as much as I evidently perceive, that you are endued not only with godly knowledge and doctrine, but also have a right fervent zeal, good mind, and desire to set forth all such thing as may be for the utility help and comfort of the hole congregation and church of this realm. Therefore with all humility I desire your accustomed benignity to accept this the first fruit and labour of me your poor servant, which am, and shall be ever ready and glad with all diligence, to do you the service that I can, & daily pray almighty god, to preserve you in long life, wealth, honour, and prosperity. Amen.   

❧ THE PREPARATION TO THE cross, and how it must be patiently borne.  
FOR as much as Christ commandeth us to deny ourselves, and to follow him, and suffer the cross, he commandeth us also, to prepare us to suffer the cross patiently, saying: 
Matth. 16.  If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up my cross, and follow me. And who so ever doth not bear my cross, and follow me, can not be my disciple. So counseleth the wise man, saying: 
Eccle. 2.  Son, when thou dost come to the service of god, stand in righteousness and fear, and prepare thy soul to suffer temptation. but because there be divers crosses, ne lest a man peradventure should take a strange cross, which pertaineth not to him, that is to say, should feign to himself new torments, as prescript days of fasting, vowed chastity, shurtes of hear, disguised garments, and such other trifles, which god hath not commanded: therefore Christ hath put to this term, sciliceth (his own) which is as much to say, that every man study to mortify his own flesh, & the sin, which reigneth in him, being ever ready to suffer what so ever god doth send him.  

¶ What the cross is. Cap. i.  
A CROSS is every affliction and tribulation, or every adversity and heaviness sent by god, to every kind of living, through faith, and the word of god: when that every thing doth not prosper, even as a man would have it: which in some place is called learning, or correction, and temptation, a rod, and a staff. Wherefore it is a foolish and an heavy cross, which we by our own presumption do take upon us not commanded of god, as the priests of Ball, and all hypocrites do take upon them. But that is the true cross, which god doth lay upon us, which when it is laid upon us, we suffer patiently, every body in his vocation and kind of living, as to get our bread with the sweat of our countenance, and women to bring forth their children in pains, to suffer patiently the good will of the lord, to mortify our mortal membres upon the earth, to be ever busily occupied in the commandments of the lord, and for the word of god, to suffer all scorns, and mocks, lies, persecutions, and not to fear the most cruel, ye even the most shameful death. Therefore to suffer a cross, is nothing else, then to suffer patiently, what so ever come to us, by the godly and benevolent will of the lord.   

¶ Two kinds of crosses. Cap. two.  
THERE BE two kinds of crosses, the one a strange cross, the other our own, the one of the faithful, the other of the wicked. for the unfeythful be punished, that they may be an example of their own iniquity, and that they be perpetually condemned: but the faithful be punished, that they may be made strong, and that the lord be glorified in them. So strange punishments be a warning to put the faithful in mind of the good will of the lord. For the lord doth punish some in this life, that he may provoke such as may be made hole to repentance, as the scripture saith: 
Prou. 19  When the mocker or scorner is punished, the unlearned is made wiser. 
Gen. 8.  So the angel did show Abraham, what should become of the Sodomites, that he might teach his children the judgement of god. Also Christ saith, 
Luc. 13.  that all shall perish, as they were killed of pilate, if that they do not repent.   

¶ How the faithful be tempted. Capi. iii.  
THe faithful be tempted with a natural and spiritual temptation, an outward & an inward, that is of the flesh, of the world, and of the devil. For the cross signifieth as well the inward temptation as the outward. Of the first speaketh the apostle, 
1. Cor. 10.  Let no temptation take you, except the natural temptation, that is every persecution, which may happen in this world, which doth not hurt the life, but rather provoketh to the blessed life: but the spiritual or inward temptation, is the inward fear of sin and death, it is the affliction or temptation of the conscience, such temptations be most grievous, and where god is not, they bring the tempted to death eternal. Of the which Paul to the Hebrews saith: It is impossible that they, 
Hebre. 6.  which once be enlyghtened, and have tasted the good word of god and the virtue of the world to come, if they slide and fall again, to be renewed by repentance: as Demas, Hymeneus, and Philetus, professing the faith, did fall from it. and that is sin to death, sin in the holy ghost, sin of unbelief, sin of spiritual pride. Wherefore Christ did command us to pray, 
Luc. 11.  Let us not be led into temptation. They that believe, do sin, but they fall not utterly away: so that they consent not to the flesh, the world, and the devil, but by the grace of god they be preserved and go away, having victory and triumph.   

¶ The cross is of god only. Cap. iiii.  
first, we must consider, that in all our afflictions, no calamity or pensiveness falleth on us by fortune or chance, but by the appointed council of god, by his will and sufferance, as witnesseth holy scripture. 
Exod. 20.  Fear not, for god cometh not, but for to try us. 
Deut. 13.  The lord your god trieth you, to make it known, whether ye love or not. 
job. 9  The lord hath given, the lord hath taken away. The lord killeth, 
1. Samu. 2.  and giveth life again, he bringeth even to hell, and back again. 
Prover. 3.  Refuse not the chastising of god, neither grudge thou when he correcteth the. For whom god loveth, he correcteth: and yet delighteth no less than the father in the child. 
Psal. 65.  for thou hast proved us o god, and haste tried us, as the silver is tried by fire. Thou hast led us into a snare, thou hast laden our backs full of troubles, thou haste appointed men to be heads over us, we have passed thorough fire and water, and yet hast thou refreshed us. 
Psal. 118.  It is for my wealth, that thou haste brought me under, to learn thy righteousness. 
Psal. 20.  Blessed is that man, which is under the love and nurture of the lord. 
Hiere. 31.  Thou haste stricken me, and I have repent, thou hast chastened me lord, and I am taught as one under age, wild, and untamed. 
Threno. 3  Who can say, that any thing, can be done, without the lords commandment? From the mouth of the highest goeth there not good and ill? By which saying the prophet rebuketh the wicked, which deny, that afflictions happen by the council and providence of god. Such also rebuketh Sophon, 
Sopho. 1.  I shall viset men drowned in their dregs, which say in their hearts, The lord will not do both good & ill. 
Matth. 10.  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and yet not one of them falleth on the earth, without the will of your father? 
Roma. 11.  All things are of him, by him, and in him. 
1. Cor. 11.  While we judged, we are punished of the lord, lest we should with the world be condemned.  
¶ It is undoubtedly no small comfort, to be assured, that the cross is of god, and that we are chastened of god, and not of the devil, or else of any wicked man: which utterly can have no power upon us, not so much as to move one hear of our head, beside the will of the lord, without the sufferance of god, as christ himself comforteth us, saying, 
Matth. 10.  Even the hears of your head are all numbered. As though he should say, if god be careful for the sparrows, how moche more shall he be careful for you? which are his people and sheep of his pasture, that nothing happen rashly unto you, without his benevolent will. seeing also that the devil had no power upon swine, much less upon them that are godly, whom he can not hurt at al. 
Matth. 9  for so the evangelists write, that the devils prayed Christ, and said, If thou cast us forth, 
Marc. 5.  suffer us to enter into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go ye. They have then no power upon the holy, no truly not on the swine, except that god shall suffer them, no they dare not, nor can not any thing against them, but by the sufferance of god. for god alone bindeth this dragon, and he alone looseth him, as Christ saith, No man can enter into the house of a strong man, 
Marc. 3.  and spoil him of his vessel and treasure, whiles he first bind the strong man. For the devil is chained & bound so straightly, that he may do nothing, before that god appoint him, 
job. 1.  as it is written in job. The lord said to Satan, Lo, all that he hath, are in thy hand, but extend not thy hand upon him. Satan doth nothing, but that, that god suffereth and will. Also all the godly (as the sons of god) are ever in god's presence. For whom the lord ever careth for, tendering them, nuryshing them, keeping and defending them, from all ill. what greater comfort than can there be of faith, as a sure rock, then that the godly are well assured and know, themselves evermore set before the lords eyes, and to be kept under his hand? Can misery oppress thee? can the cross? can sin? can death? can hell? Be assured, that thou art in the presence of god. they shall not prevail, the lord careth for thee, the lords eye is directed toward the. whom then shalt thou fear, if by faith thou be made the son of god? God careth for thee, yea and sendeth his angels to keep and defend thee, according to the witness of David, 
Psal. 90.  He hath command his angels of thee, to keep the in all thy ways. The angel of the lord shall be sent abroad, among all them that fear him, and shall deliver them. And if god give liberty to the devil, to tempt us, let us surely believe, that with that temptation god shall give increase: that is, that the temptation shall be for our wealth and profit, and that we shallbe able to suffer. 
1. Cor. 10.  He shall strike and his hands shall make hole. Temptations also have their limits, 
job. 5.  neither can they overpass their end appointed. And as the see is compassed round with borders, even so have all crosses their borders and ends, beyond the which they may not overpass. Let every one therefore, which is of god, and believeth in god, keep himself: and the wicked or ill shall not touch him. 
1. joh. 5.  For that thousand wily craftsman goeth forth and tempteth the godly, as he temted David, Adam, and Peter, with a thousand snares: but he hath never the victory. In the cross or temptation, god hath one purpose, and the devil an other. Wherefore there are two kinds of temptation, both common to the godly and ungodly, although diversly. The one kind is, when god trieth men with much adversity, that as well the meekness, as the faith of the godly, may shine forth, and be made more open, not to other only, but to themselves also: and contrary wise, that the wickedness of the wicked, (which they without shame deny, or else under some false colour of religion cloak) may openly apere, and also be punished. The other kind is, when we are tempted by suggestions of the devil, and affections of the flesh, and oftentimes under such temptations they fall and lie under, where some so fall to everlasting death, that they never arise again, other after their fall are made more low and more ware. God therefore correcteth, to make hole, and not to destroy: he punisheth the godly, for that they should not be condemned with this froward world, to prove and exercise their faith, to mortify their flesh, and to kendell in them a more fervent desire of the everlasting life to come: last of all, lest they should by reason of great gifts, be blown up with pride: and thereby they are proved also, to be the very true sons of god, and not unlawful and bastards. But the devil tempteth to destroy, and to draw into desperation and unbelief. 
Luc. 22. Act. 5.  He rooted in the heart of judas, to deliver up Christ. He temted Ananias and Saphira, and had the mastery. He tempted job, 
job. 1.2.  and was ready to destroy him, if he had been so suffered. 
Matth. 4.  He tempted Christ, but he prevailed nothing. He was busy with the apostles, to sift them as wheat, but the lord prayed, and he wan nothing. He stirred up David to number Israel, he obeyed the temptation, 
Para. 22.  and broke the precept of god. So Peter forswore christ, and yet they obtained mercy. Thus he runneth about, seeking whom he may devour. So the godly over come in temptation, although sometime through the good council and providence of god, they be overcome: but all things worketh with them to their wealth, and for the best. Wherefore we pray our father, that he lead us not in to temptation, that he will not tempt us above that we shall be able to bear, but to make with the temptation increase, and deliver us from ill. Satan therefore nor dareth nor can do any thing against the holy, but by god's sufferance. All things are done after god's arbitrye or will, without whose beck or grant, no adversity can happen. God sendeth afflictions, sometime by himself through his own will only, sometime by his ministers, for he both destroyeth the wicked with the countenance of his wroth, and also by contrary angels and persecutors he suffereth his sons to be exercised. For god giveth power sometime to the devil, to assault the righteous man: but because his cursedness is insatiable, till he devour a man all together, there is a law prescribed unto him, beyond the which he may not tempt. For god is faithful, and measureth our fight or battle according to our strengths. wherefore let no man's heart fail him, god knoweth, how far it is expedient, that our meekness be exercised, that from henceforth, we may be meet to do greater things. For undoubtedly if god had not known the strength and constancy of job his soldier, he would not have given so moche liberty to Satan, against him, suddenly and at ones to despoil, one so rich, so blessed of all his substance, and to pluck him from all his felicity. After we are well taught these things of god's prudency, we shall the easier bear the cross.   

¶ Cross is the work of the good will and mercy of god. Cap. v.  
IT IS not enough, to feel and consider, that we are afflicted through the council and will of god, but we must moreover mark the cause and intent of his godly will, for reason judgeth, that we are punished, to the end to be hurt or destroyed: and examples likewise move us, of them that have been punished and cast of from god, as of Pharaoh, Saul, and other like, but we must forsake reason, and i'll such examples, and cleave to the word of god. The word of god teacheth, that we suffer affliction, to our health and salvation. For afflictions are not signs of wrath and displeasure, but of grace and favour. God calleth to repentance, and by affliction he in a manner speaketh and declareth, that he will forgive. For as baptism, or eating of the lords body, do witness unto us, that we are forgiven: even so nearhand affliction may be called a certain sacrament. For it signifieth, that god will forgive. And why doth it so signify? for even as other sacraments have the word of the element: so to affliction is the word annexed, whereby is promised grace, for so saith Paul. 
1. Cor. 11.  while we are punished, we are corrected of the lord, least we should with this world be condemned. Afflition calleth to repentance, that we perish not. And he correcteth the son, 
Psal. 50.  whom he loveth. It is good for me, that thou haste brought me under, that I may learn thy righteousness. 
Esai. 26.  Lord in tribulation have they visited thee: it is thy learning to them, that they should cry to the in anguish and sorrow. 
Esai. 28.  Trouble giveth understanding again. To the end to do his own work, he doth an other work. that is, to the intent to make safe, he chasteneth and scourgeth. 
Psal. 50.  A troubled spirit is a sacrifice to god. A sacrifice is that that pleaseth god. Wherefore for so much as affliction pleaseth god it signifieth not those which are afflicted, to be reproved, and cast of from god, for he will not the death of a sinner, 
Ezech. 33.  but that he convert and live. We must therefore in affliction steadfastly believe, that our trouble cometh not by chance, but that it is governed of god. Moreover, that god will not us therefore to be troubled, to hurt and destroy us, but to call us to repentance, to exercise us and save us, as holy scripture every where declareth. 
Psal. 102.  He will not still be angry, he will not continually threaten us. He hath begun, 
Hosie. 6.  and will make us safe, he shall strike and make us hole. 
Hos. 144.  The lord lifteth up all them that fall, and plucketh up all those which are broised. 
Esai. 49.  Can the woman forget her babe, that she have not compassion of the child of her womb? And if she be forgetful, yet will not I forget the. 
Matt. 16.  So Christ comforteth his. The woman, when she bringeth forth: 
Esai. 46.  which are borne of my womb, which are borne of my belly, even to the old age I myself will carry, even to the hoar hears, I have done it, and I will bear, I will carry and make safe. 
Mich. 4.  Morn and be busy o daughter of Zion, as a woman travailing, for now thou shalt go forth from the city, and shalt dwell in a region, and shalt come even to Babylon, there shalt thou be delivered, there shall the lord redeem the. 
job. 33.  teaching them, he instructeth with learning, to pluck a man from those things, which he hath done, and to deliver him from pride. 
Gen. 22.  So Abraham was tempted to be tried, that his faith mought be made noble and manifest, he tempted him, and setteth forth before us such example to follow, when he tempteth and trieth our faith. 
job. 1.2.  So job was tempted of the lord, that his faith mought be made more clear. So David, 
2. Par. 13. Tobi. 2.  so Manasses on every side vexed, repent. Also Tobias was therefore made blind, to give example of patience, to his after comers. Likewise judith. we ought to be mindful, how our fathers were tempted, to be tried. 
Matth. 15.  So it happened in the woman of Chanaan. 
Matth. 9  And to the woman labouring with the issue of blood. by which examples we are taught and confirmed, to be plucked from god by no temptations, by no oppressions, by no chastisings, be they never so great: but the more that god tempteth us, chasteneth, and repelleth, so much the more let us cry to him, till he graciously here us. It is therefore no   

¶ The godly are the first that are afflicted, and they are afflicted of god, to their good and wealth. Cap. vi.  

Hiere. 25. et. 49.  LO IN the city, in which my name is called upon, begin I to punish, and shall ye be as innocentes, and without punishment? 
Ezechi. 9  The lord commanded them that destroyed Jerusalem, to begin at his sainctuarye. 
1. Pet. 4.  The time is now, that judgement must begin at the house of god. If the judgement of god begin at the godly, what end tarrieth them, which believe not the gospel of god? but the godly, when they are punished, they are punished of god to their wealth and good, as the epistle written to the Hebrews, doth clearly testify. 
Hebre. 12.  Whom the lord loveth, him he correcteth. and he beateth every child whom he receiveth. if ye suffer chastising, god offereth himself unto you, as to his sons. What son is he, whom the father chasteth not? If ye be without chastising, whose partakers are all the sons, then are ye servants, and no sons at al. So Solomon: 
Prou. 3.  The chastening of god thou shalt not refuse, and neither grudge thou, when he shall correct the, for whom the lord loveth, him he correcteth, and delighteth himself, as the father in the son. 
Apoc. 3.  Whom so ever I love, I rebuke, and chaste. The godly therefore are chastened of the merciful god, to their wealth and good, and those which are most corrected, are most loved of god. As Tobias was chastened for his profit. 
Tobi. 2. Gen. 37.  joseph through the oppression of his brethren, was made ruler of Egypt. 
Exod. 1.  By reason of the tyranny of Pharaoh, the children of Israel increased, and were made innumerable. 
Num. 21.  The people hurt of serpents cried. So he afflicteth the holy because they should not be in security without all fear but that their repentance shall increase, & their faith be confirmed, when they feel themselves to be holp: Although we know, that no man is scourged of god, without his deserving. 
Roma. 3.  For every man is a liar and a sinner, and no flesh shall be justified before the face of god. 
Gen. 6.  For all flesh hath corrupted his way. Wherefore all flesh is punished, and yet we know that not always the godly are punished for sins, but sometime to prove the faith of the afflicted. As job, David, and many other, or to declare and make manifest the majesty of his name. So he punished the Israelites in Egypt by Pharaoh, that he might be glorified in Pharaoh, and make his name clear in all the world. 
joh. 9  So of the man borne blind from his nativity, neither this man hath sinned nor his parents, but that the works of god mought be manifest in him. And when god doth afflict his people for their sins, he doth not therefore afflict them, that by their afflictions, they should satisfy for their sins. For the passion and suffering of jesus Christ only, is the ransom and expiation of our sins. But therefore he afflicteth, that by affliction he may drive sinners to repentance. For repentance or penance cometh first by the knowledge of sin: and then by faith, that our sin is forgiven us for gods promise sake: and of faith burgeth forth the calling on the name of god.   

¶ In tribulation we must pray. Cap. seven.  
HERE are we taught, what a christian man must do in temptation, when he seeth himself forsaken of all men, that is, to pray, and not to cease to pray, but to pray in faith, mistrusting nothing, 
ja. 1.  for he that mistrusteth, is like the rage of the see, which is carried with the wind, and tossed and driven with violence. Which thing also christ warned us of, 
Matt. 16.  saying. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. So like wise Solomon: Son, 
Eccle. 38.  in thy sickness despise not thyself, but pray to the lord, and he shall heal the. Thereto god hath also commanded, that we should in tribulation call on him: yea and calleth that invocation or crying on him, a sacrifice, the true and most accepted honour. For so saith the psalm. 
Psal. 49.  Call to me in the day of thy trouble. And he addeth promises, And I will deliver thee, and thou shalt honour me And he said before in the psalm, that he regarded not the oblations of beasts and such other works, but that he delighteth in this sacrifice. if that we call on him in trouble, and believe, that he will help us: and when we are helped, to give thanks, and preach his benefit. And so like wise he calleth the hope, 
Psal. 4.  whereby we tarry his help in affliction, sacrifice. Sacrifice you the sacrifice of justice, and hope ye in the lord. as though he should say, that hope is a sacrifice, whereby we yield justice to god, that (seeing he hath so promised) he will pluck us out, and deliver us: for so much he is righteous and true. Thou seest then, that christian patience hath ever hope annexed: but that hope beholdeth no creatures, but only the word and promise of god, and holdeth hope against hope, as saith Paul: that is when all creatures fail, and show no help at all, yet is there hope, that god will help. And though he give us not those things, which we would, or by that way or means that we will, yet governeth he so the end, through his wisdom and goodness, that we perish not, and that our prayers be not spent in vain. Paul teacheth the same in this gradation. Tribulation bringeth patience, when he cometh thither, and teacheth us, that we ought to hold a sure hope in time of trouble, and addeth a promise. 
Roma. 4.  Hope maketh us never a shamed. We must therefore believe, that we are hard of god, that god will help us, and that we are defended of god. For so the psalms command us to believe and pray. 
Psal. 17.  And in my trouble have I cried to the lord, and to my god have I called, and he hath graciously from his holy temple hard my voice. 
Psal. 80.  In trouble thou hast called on me, and I have delivered thee, I have graciously heard thee, in the darkness of trouble. He hath cried to me, 
Psal. 9●.  and I will hear him. I am with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and he shall glorify me. Of this matter we have no few ex-examples. Children prayed in the mids of the furnace, and they were hard and delivered. 
Danie. 3.  Daniel in the mids of captivity, prayed, and in the den of lions, and he was preserved. 
Daniel. 9  Susan forsaken of all men, prayed, and she was hard. 
jonas. 2. Esai. 38.  jonas in the belly of the fish, prayed. Hezechias sickened even to the death, he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the lord, and the lord hard him, and was made hole. 
4. Re. 20. Luc. 22.  Christ in the time of his tribulation and passion prayed, shedding forth drops of blood. Stephan in the mids of them that stoned him, 
Act. 7.  prayed. While Peter was kept in prison, 
Act. 12.  there was prayer made of the congregation for him. Such examples ought to stir up our minds and our faith, to pray more diligently, and with a more ferventness. For affliction, and the great wailings and sorrow of the afflicted, are regarded of god, so moche, that no more acceptable sacrifice can be offered to god, them if ye offer a contrite and an humble heart, which god never refuseth, as saith the prophet. 
Psal. 112.  Who is like the lord our god, which dwelleth in the high, and yet regardeth and beholdeth low things? Whom shall I look on, 
Esai. 66.  but on the poor and contrite in spirit, and him that feareth my word. The lord is nigh them, 
Psal. 36.  which have a troubled heart. We are taught also, that the lord beholdeth and heareth the prayers and cry of sinners, of those sinners, which although they have committed never so filthy offences, yet believe that the lord god is their god, for his promise made to Abraham: that is, which believe, that they have god the father pacified in heaven for jesus Christ's sake. and through this faith call to god, and are hard: through this faith, their sins committed, are washed away. And the prayer of the afflicted goeth through to the throne of the grace of god. This faith is much worth, to persuade the heart of the afflicted in temptation, that his prayer is hard. And for as much as god is more readier to hear, than we to pray, we ought surely to believe, that our prayers are not idle, but that they please god, and are undoubtedly hard, as Sirach also doth warn us: 
Eccle. 18.  Before thy prayer, prepare thy soul, and be not, as a man that tempteth god, that is, lift up thy mind with a sure confidence, that god will here thee, but not for thy worthiness: But first, because thou art sure, that god hath commanded us to pray, and for because god hath promised graciously to here us. Secondly, for because thou haste a form and manner of prayer assigned of him. Wherefore we need not to fear, that our prayer should offend him, for god casteth of no man that cometh unto him, yea he calleth all men unto him, which are troubled in heart: 
Matth. 11.  Come to me all ye that labour and are laden, and I shall refresh you. Marry Magdalyn was a sinner, which afterward she began to wash Christ's feet with her tears, she hard of christ. 
Luc. 7.  Thy sins are forgiven the. Also the thief, in his extreme suffering, went to joy. Like wise of zach. Matth. Peter. 
Matth. 9  For he came not to call the righteous, but sinners. He came to seek the lost sheep, and lost dram or groat. 
Luc. 18.  He hath promised to them that repent, remission of sins, and receiveth them in to his favour, as the prodigal son. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, 
1. joh. 1.  and to cleanse us from all iniquity. 
Psal. 31.  I have said, I will confess against myself, my unryghtuousenes, and thou haste forgiven the wickedness of my sin. Also if the wicked shall repent from all his sins, 
Ezech. 18.  which he hath done, and shall keep all my precepts, and will keep judgement and justice, he shall live, and shall not die.  

¶ Of prayer and the manner of prayer in tribulation.  
¶ PRAYER is the desire of the heart for any thing, to be required of god, it is the pensive sigh of godly minds, which call on the name of the lord. We are commanded to pray: 
Matt. 16. 1. Tes. 5. Colo. 4.  watch and pray. Also, Ask and ye shall have. Ask and it shall be given you. also, Pray continually. Again: Be busy in prayer, and watch in it. 
Luc. 18.  For god doth not only suffer us to pray, but also commandeth, as he hath commanded us, not to kill, not to commit adultery. Wherefore like as they sin, that kill, or rob, even so do they that never pray.   

¶ whose preyars are hard of god.  

Eccle. 9  ¶ THE desire of the poor, god heareth. The prayer of him that mekeneth himself, penetrateth & goth through the clouds. 
Psal. 101.  He hath regarded the prayer of the meek, and hath not despised their prayers. The lord is nigh all them, 
Psal. 144. joh. 4.  that cry unto him in truth. Such worshippers god requireth, which worship him in spirit. 
Psal. 33.  The righteous have cried, and the lord hath heard them, and he hath delivered them from all their trouble. 
Psal. 60.  From the ends of the world have I called to thee, when my heart was dysmaied, and in a rock hast thou exalted me. 
Psal. 119.  To the lord have I cried in my trouble, and he hath graciousey hard me. 
Esai. 66.  He beholdeth the lowly and broken in spirit, and such as fear his word. Parts of true prayer, are the promise, faith, the affect, to desire in the name of christ, and thanks giving.   

¶ The promise of god.  
¶ WHAT so ever ye ask the father in my name, 
joh. 14.  he shall give it you. 
Psal. 49.  Cry on me in the day of thy tribulation, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. He shall give good things to them that ask him. 
Matth. 11. Marc. 11.  I say unto you, what so ever things ye ask in your prayer, believe that ye shall receive, and they shall happen unto you. Ask, and it shall be given you. 
Matt. 18.  If that two of you agree of any thing upon the earth, what so ever thing they shall require, it shallbe given them of my father, which is in heaven. 
Hiere. 33.  Call to me, and I will gracyousely here the. In prayer, god's promise must be considered, how god hath promised, that he will here us. For he which hath commanded to pray, hath promised that he will both hear us and help us.   

¶ Faith.  

ja. 1. 1. joh. 5.  ¶ WE must pray with a confidence, doubting nothing. This is the confidence, which we have toward him, that what so ever we desire, according to his will, he heareth us. A prayer without faith obtaineth nothing at god's hand. We must therefore pray in faith. And if we ask in faith, he heareth us. Faith is assuredly to believe, that god forgiveth us our sins, for Christ's sake, and not only forgiveth our sins, but also is present with us, ruleth and governeth us, that he may make us safe. In this faith if we ask any thing, god doth graciously here us. For god will give all things to them that believe in him.   

¶ To ask in the name of jesus,  
¶ IS to have a respect, to the glory and will of god, that the name of god may be glorified. For the end of every prayer, is the glory of god. To ask therefore in the name of jesus, is to ask and desire the glory of christ, and the spreading abroad of his name.   

¶ The affect to desire any thing.  
¶ THE lords prayer teacheth plainly, what thing we should pray for. More over, faith, hope, love, patience. We must also pray, that we be not tempted, for prayer only obtaineth the victory of all temptations. Also for public and common necessities, for officers, for peace.   

¶ Thanks giving.  

Psal. 49. Psal. 115.  ¶ OFFER TO god, praise. To the shall I sacrifice the host or oblation of praise, and I shall call on the name of the lord. 
Psal. 33.  I will bless the lord at all times, his praise shall ever be in my mouth. None turned again, 
Luc. 11.  to give glory to god, but the stranger. The faithful give thanks, that they are delivered of their trouble, they magnify god, and preach forth, his giving of benefy●●es: but god oftentimes deferreth to here, to exercise the faith of the godly, as it appeareth in Syrophenisse, also Luc. 18. and yet stint not they to pray, 
Luc. 18.  nor mistrust god, although they obtain not straight ways, that which they ask and desire, but continue still in prayer. For continuance in prayer hath the reward. 
Daniel. 9  He continued in prayer, he prayed the hole day through even to eventide, and was visited of Gabriel. We must prescribe or appoint no time to god. 
judith. 9  He that continueth knocking, to him it shall be opened. God gave not to Abraham straight ways, that which he promised. Therefore must we say, If thou wilt lord, 
Marc. 1. job. 13.  thy will be fulfilled. Although he shall kill me, yet shall I trust in him.    

¶ We ought to be patient in affliction, not to be angry, nor to speak evil of god. Cap. viii.  
PATIENCE, is to feel and consider, that god doth scourge us, to call us to repentance, and therefore gladly to suffer the hand of god, and to have a confidence, that god will forgive us, and that he will deliver us. Of this patience to godward, springeth forth patience toward men. For when the heart is at peace with god, it tarrieth help of him, and utterly setteth aside lust to avenge. Thus patience can never be, but when by faith we are assured, that we please god, and that at length it shall come to pass, that we shallbe saved. Christian patience therefore, is the comfort and joy of the heart in afflictions, to whom there is annexed hope. For faith presently receiveth reconciliation and forgiveness of sin, & a promise of the end. Hope tarrieth and looketh for the end to come, as saith Esai In silence and hope shall be your strength. 
Esai. 20.  For Hope hath his eye to the will of god, and knoweth, that god hath care on him. And it shall come to pass, that god will govern the ends according to his promise, although there appear no help at all, in any creatures, as it is spoken of Abraham. Against all hope, he believed in hope. that is, although in the hole compass of nature, there be no hope at all, yet beholding the word of god, felt inwardly, that that which god had promised, should come to pass. Who (as saith Paul) calleth those things which are not, as though they were? Therefore the mind is quiet in christian patience. For it considereth, that afflictions are not ill, nor are laid on us of god to our destruction. For he is well assured, that he is tempted through the good will of god, and exercised to repentance for his health. And for as much as the mind is fixed toward this will of god, he is not angry with god. For he knoweth, how this calamity or trouble cometh not by chance or fortune without a cause, but rather rejoiceth in affliction. that is it that Esai speaketh. In silence and hope shall be your strength. that is, be ye not angry in god or with god. 
Psal. 5.  Be ye angry, but sin not, that is. Be ye not angry with god, because he suffereth you to be punished, and doth not by and by help you, be ye not for that moved, to exercise vengeance, or to forsake god: but speak closely within your hearts, that is, consider the word, and according thereunto suffer affliction. Such patience is steadfast and sure, yea even when all man's comfort and council forsake us. which thing holy scripture evidently proveth every where. for he will not be forgetful of the poor continually. The patience of the poor shall not perish at length. Tarry the lord, 
Psal. 26.  do manfully, comfort thy heart, and suffer the lord. 
Esai. 30.  In silence and hope, shall be thy strength. 
Thren. 3.  It is good to look for the health of the lord in silence. 
Eccle. 2.  What so ever is laid on thee, receive it, and when thou art brought low, have patience. He that is patient, 
Prou. 14.  is ruled with moche wisdom. He that is impatient, showeth forth his foolishness. In your patience shall ye pocesse your souls. 
Matt. 10. Roma. 5.  affliction bringeth forth patience, patience probation or trial, probation hope, and hope shall never be a shamed. So David, 
2. Re. 16.  patiently suffered the persecution of his son, and the curse of Semei. job is a notable example of patience. The lord gave the lord hath taken away. Abraham was patient, 
Gen. 12.  when his wife was taken away, and set in Pharaos' house. christ is the only captain and most perfect example of patience. So far is it of, that adversities should noy or hurt us, that they are very profitable unto us. For the good, the more they are afflicted, the more patient they are, knowing that through moche trouble, is the way of heaven. for they know, that by much patience, they are tried and proved as Peter saith. 
1. Pet. 1.  whereby the trial of our faith, may be more precious than gold, which perisheth and is tried by fire. wherefore a proof or trial helpeth to the increase of hope. For when we consider, that in no such so great afflitions, we are not forsaken, we gather confidently, that never after this shall we be forsaken. we ought therefore patiently to suffer those ills, which happen on us in this world. for if we be impatient, we be not christians. For as many as have been sithen the beginning of the world hitherto, godly and christian men, they have all been afflicted with manifold troubles. But for bycause, they have overcome them with patience, their hope set and fixed in god, therefore they are made safe, as witnesseth the examples of the holy, from the first Abel, unto those righteous which in these days are on live. Wherefore it behoved even christ himself, by the cross, to enter into life. And this in all adversities is great comfort, and of great strength, to know, that god requireth patience, and that mingled with joy. But man's reason perceiveth not that, 
Colo. 1.  but god teacheth it. For our reason is therefore troubled & vexed in persecution, because it thinketh, that we are afflicted, because god other hateth us, or doth not regard us, neither will help us. These false opinions god plucketh from us, and teacheth us, that we are afflicted, not because he hateth us, but because he will other amend us, or when we be amended, so to continue, according to that saying: He correcteth the son whom he loveth. Again: I will not the death of a sinner. 
Ezech. 18.  Again, He hath concluded all under sin, not to destroy all, but to have mercy on all. And this thing engendereth gladness in our minds, to know and feel, that it pleaseth god, to have us afflicted. For we must be like the image of his son. More over, that in our affliction he will help us, and keep us, and also comfort us with the holy ghost, and set our conscience at peace, and make us be glad in god, so that we desire help of him. For he commandeth, that we should look for help at his hand, according to this: All they that tarry thee, 
Esai. 49.  shall not be confounded. And god commandeth likewise, that we should ask help of him. Call on me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Of this patience and comfort god alonely is the author, which also giveth patience. 
Psal. 70. Psal. 61. Hiere. 29.  For thou art my patience o lord. yet o my soul be under and subject to god. for of him is my patience. Think the thoughts of peace, that I may give you the end and patience. 
Rom. 15.  The god of patience and comfort. etc. This christian patience hath certain conditions, whereby it is known, to be the true patience. first it grudgeth not, neither excuseth itself, as though it should suffer unworthily for his sins. wherefore he sitteth down and holdeth his peace, as Hieremie saith. 
Thren. 3.  He sitteth alone, and speaketh no word, for he hath laid a yoke upon him. secondly it casteth all carefulness on god, 
1. Pet. 5.  and committeth itself all hole to god, that gods will be done, and not his. thirdly, it humbleth himself, and casteth of riot, and the pleasure of the world. Fourthly, he is merry and ready to suffer yet more heavier and more grievous ills.   

¶ succour in affliction must be asked of god. Capi. ix.  
WE MUST look for help in all afflictions, for god promiseth his help, saying. I am with you, fear ye not, I will strength you. Again, 
joh. 15.  Without me, ye are able to do nothing. But when he is present, we are able to do all things through him. And if he be with us, 
Roma. 8.  who shall be against us? Of what danger shall we be afeard of? he hath promised truly to be with us, until the end of the world, and undoubtedly he will be. Let us call therefore on his help, he is true, and is ready to all them that call on him in truth. 
judit. 6.  judith desiring help of god, said: Help me thy handemaiden, 
Hest. 14.  which have none other help but the lord. Give us help from the holy place or else, 
Psal. 19  he sendeth help from his holy place. and from Zion will he defend the. 
Psal. 69.  O god give heed toward my help, and hast to help me o lord. Blessed is that man, whose help is of the. 
Psal. 83. Psal. 107.  Help us from tribulation. For vain is the health of man. 
Psal. 120.  My help is of the lord, which made heaven and earth. In time of tribulation we ought from above to look for the help of god: but the manner, time, and kind of help is unknown unto us, that faith and hope may have place, which sticketh to those things, which are not seen nor hard. Do not therefore in time of trouble run without thyself, but tarry within thyself, and tarry the strength of the lord: He will come, if thou depart not: he will strength thee, if thou seek none other strength. For he cometh not to them that flee, but to them that tarry boldly. Tribulation must not be overcome with flight, but with constancy, and sticking in the faith of the name of god. Also the help of the lord is over them, that only put their confidence and trust in god: he is ready with all his angels, when all other things forsake them: he hath a respect to his in affliction continually. He keepeth them, and comforteth them. 
3. Re. 17.  To Helias when he was fled and was hungry, he sent a raven which brought him bread. Again, 
2. Re. 19  he sent him bread & water by his angel. He was with the elder Toby, 
Tobi. 5. Hest. 9  and at length healed him of his blindness. He turned the wailing of the jews in to joy. 
judit. 10.  He wrought marvelously with the Betulians', which cried upon him. 
Daniel. 5.  He was with Daniel and the children in the furnace of fire, that the fire should not hurt them. 
Dani. 14.  When Daniel was in the den of lions in Chaldee, the lord sent him his dinner from jeury. Susan was left comfortless and in desperation, and yet in extreme danger, god delivered her, and considered her anguish. 
jonas. 2.  He preserved jonas in the belly of the fish, that he should not perish, which yet had deserved death. He was with Peter in prison, and delivered him. 
Act. 12.23  He brought Paul forth of prison, to whom god spoke by a vision in the night. Fear not, but speak, and hold not thy peace. And for as much as I am with thee, no man shall draw nigh to hurt the. Wherefore Paul crieth on this manner: As the passions and sufferings of Christ do abound in us, 
2. Cor. 1.  even so do consolations and comfort by Christ. We must therefore ask help in time of trouble, of god only: which of himself, and by himself, defendeth every man, that is his, and not by the help of man. Of which thing there be examples, how oft times he holp the people of Israel, when none of all the people about them were with them, but all against them, alonely with his presence, through his true worship in Jerusalem & Zion. 
Psal. 19  He will send help unto the from his holy place, and out of Zion shall he defend the. And as often as they looked not for help out of Zion, but out of Egypt, or from the Assyrians, so oftentimes they fell, and were worse hurt, as men which clave to a staff of a reed. For help or succour required of creatures, is not only vain, but is also to our hurt and loss, as Luke telleth, of the woman, which had the course of blood, which bestowed in vain all the substance she had on physicians, and received health by faith only in Chryst. For god delivereth when most need is, that his glory may shine the brighter. Therefore the will of god must be looked on, and our help & hope may be affyxed in nothing else, then in god, which is an helper in time convenient: Which hath fixed his eyes upon the. 
Psal. 31.  For the eyes of the lord are on the righteous, and his ears ready to their prayers. 
Psal. 33.  We may put no affiance nor trust in man, nor in man's help, but in god only. 
Psal. 59  Vain is the health of men. Cursed is he that trusteth in man, 
Hiere. 17.  and maketh flesh his defence, and his heart departed from god. 
Deut. 17. Esai. 31.  Thy king shall not increase his horses. woe to them which go down into Egypt, hoping in the help of horses. Some in horses, 
Psal. 19  and some in chariots, but we in the name of the lord. 
Psal. 146.  Nor hath he delight in the strength of the horse, neither yet pleasure in the legs of men. The lord delighteth in them that fear him, and in them that put their hope in him.   

¶ Yet in affliction or sickness, medicine and council are not to be despised. Cap. x.  
FOR GOD by instruments performeth his will, and doth and worketh all things in their order by means, as clearly testifieth holy scripture. 
Esai. 38.  Esai commanded to take a cluster of figs, & to plaster them upon Ezechias wound, and so to be made hole. This is certainly a great praise and defence to physic. 
4. Re. 20. 2. Par. 32.  For god will not the use of his creatures to be neglected or despised. He condemneth only the faith and confidence in creatures. And although he mought easily have healed Ezechias, with one word: yet would he do it by medicine. So he mought bring forth and increase children of man's body, otherwise or by some other manner, but yet he will do it by the woman. Wherefore let us use things, as god hath created them, with thanks giving, and let us only put no confidence in them: as we read that Asa did, 
2. Co. 15.  which in his sickness sought not the lord, but physicians. Hope must chiefly be put in the lord, and afterward let us use the help of physicians, as the benefit of god. Moreover, we must consider, that god hath created medicine, as witnesseth jesus Syrach: 
Sirach. 3●  Honour the physician for necessities sake, for the highest hath created him. For of god is all remedy. etc. Beside that, among the people of god, there were ever physicians, and Luke himself the evangelist was also a physician. 
Colo. 4.  But yet (as I said) we must put no confidence in the physician, but rather in god. For physic without the working of god, helpeth nothing, as witnesseth the history of the woman, 
Matth. 9  which twelve years suffered the flux. For the outward physic is deceitful, and nothing at all, except health be inwardly given of god. The woman is not reproved, because she spent moche on physicians, but rather is privily showed, that physic is vain, when it is attempted without god. So may we not despise physic, whom the highest hath created of the earth: so that we renounce our will into the hand of god, which is the chief point, that is by physic, other to heal us, or to kill us. This is the strong faith in god, through which, no sickness is so grievous and uncurable, which is not made hole. This faith I say, is nothing else, but the most lively opinion and undoubted trust in the mercy of god, whereby a man undoubtedly persuadeth himself, that he is in the favour of god, and that god is courteyse and forgiving him all things, that he hath other done or said. Courteyse, in good things: forgiving, in ill things. 
Rom. 10.  This faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of god. Physic therefore may not be despised. For god is the author and creator of things, in which also he worketh as by a mean. So Helizeus took salt and cast it into the fountain of waters, which were very ill, and unwholesome, and made the water's hole. Again. He purged and rid the leper of Naaman, 
4. Re. 2.  captain under the king of Syria, in the water of jordan. 
4. Re. 5.  Water without the word and promise of god, is nothing. as if any other had washed himself a hundred times in jordan, he should not have been cleansed. Naaman is cleansed, for he had a promise. Be thou washed, and thou shalt be hole. When he regardeth not this promise, but only the water, he erreth, and tarrieth in leprosy, and so should have perished, and have been a blasphemer against god, unless he had been warned of his servants. He came therefore with faith, and was made hole. 
joh. 9  So christ to make the blind man hole, made clay with spittle. Again. 
Matth. 9  The hem of Christ's garment touched, delivered the woman from the flux of blood. The voice of Christ called forth Lazarus. The voice of Christ called forth unclean spirits from men. The shadow of Peter expelleth sickness. So moche can the creature do, taken into the hands of the almighty, which hath not this strength of nature, but of the everlasting word of god. of whom it receiveth the strength of doing, that it resteth not, but is ever working and mighty. For there is nothing made of god in vain, although it be never so vile. For therefore god created those vile things, to signify, that he himself worketh in those abject and vile things: but the wicked do attribute the strength of curing, healing, multiplying, and bringing forth, to the earth, nature, and herbs: but the faithful attribute it, to the living word of god, and to the present power of god. For god worketh all things, by the earth, herbs, and other his creatures, as by instruments: but yet we ought not to attribute those things to trees & herbs, although god use those things for our sake, but to god, which worketh all things, in all things, that all things may be referred to their first well spring. Wherefore it is sure, that god by instruments doth work, cleanse, heal, and make safe. So god only feedeth us, 
Matt. 6.  your heavenly father feedeth them, yet useth he bread as an instrument to feed by. 
Psal. 104.  Bread confirmeth the heart of man. Again. God alone keepeth us and defendeth us, according to this. 
Psal. 227.  Except the lord do keep the city, he that keepeth it, watcheth in vain, and yet he keepeth it, with the ministry of angels and governors. Finally, god is the author and lord of all things, he hath his organs and instruments, with the which, as with means he doth what he wil   

¶ In affliction no time may be appointed to god, neither yet manner whereby we would be delivered. Ca xi.  
THERE IS no time nor measure of affliction, to be prescribed or limited to the lord, although he deffer the matter a long season, as it appeareth in the .v. chapter of john, 
joh. 5.  that the infirmity of the sick was prolonged until the xxxviii year, by the will of god, until christ should come and be glorified. So let us believe certainly, all our afflictions to endure the longer, through the mighty will and work of god, that at the last the lord be glorified in us. 
joh. 9  A certain man was borne blind, and did continue so blind until he came to the perfect age of a man. but wherefore? verily, that the work of the lord might be showed in him. In like wise the israelites were not only grievously punished under Pharaoh in Egypt, but also a long season, not that they should be destroyed, but rather that the name of the lord should be glorified in them. job also was cast into grievous hell pains many months, that by the continuance of his pains, it might be made manifest, that all men were liars, and god only true. that is, that the name of god by him might be glorified. In like manner joseph, having knowledge by his dream, that he should be a governor, was kept long time, partly under grievous servitude and bondage, and partly in prison. but for none other cause, but that the name of god, by him delivered from so low humility, and brought to so great honour, might be glorified. God will therefore help when need shall require, when we be compelled to despair in all human help, and when all carnal council shall deceive us, for god only will be glorified. 
joh. 2.  christ did not change water into wine at the beginning, but did tarry until it appeared manifestly to all the gests, that there lacked wine. that the glory only to god and to none other might be given. It seemeth oftentimes, that god doth leave his elect in the middle of all ill, but suddenly he helpeth and giveth succour, specially when all thing is brought to desperation: and beside all hope, with some rare and seldom shown miracle he helpeth, although natural remedy do lack, and trouble abound on every side, so that it seemeth, that the lord hath forgotten his elect: but afterward he faileth not to deliver them out of the mids of all their troubles more gloriously. He might have let Pharaoh, that he should not have punished the children of Israel, but when all man's help was past, he delivered his people from Pharaoh in the red see. The lord doth prolong help for our utility and profit, that he might exercise and prove faith by temptation: so that he only might possess the title and name of a helper, that we might learn the better to trust in god, and to have compassion upon other that be tempted. as in the psalm. 
Psal, 17.  And thy learning hath corrected me for ever, and thy discipline shall teach me. 
Hebre. 2.  So Paul speaketh of christ: It behoveth that Christ, in all things should be made like his brethren, that he might be merciful over them. We ought not therefore to despair in the time of affliction, specially when we know certainly, that the term and end of punishment and pain, is to be prescribed, limited, and appointed of god, as the prophets bear witness. When the years begin to be fulfilled, 
Hiere. 29.  I will viset you, and raise upon you a good word. 
Hiere. 30.  Also, and the day shall be, that I will break his yoke from thy neck, and strangers shall bear no more rule over it. 
Esai. 28. Abac. 2.  He which shall believe, shall make no haste. He which yet seemed a far of, shall appear at the end, and shall not lie, although he tarry, yet look for him, for he is coming, and at the last he shall come, and shall not be slow. wherefore we must say: 
Matt. 6. Marc. 1.  The will of the lord be fulfilled. Also, Lord, if thou wilt, thou mayst make me clean. Also Paul saith. 
1. Cor. 10.  The lord is faithful, which will not suffer you to be tempted above your might, but shall give with temptation power to resist, that you may be able to suffer. 
job. 13.  Although he kill me, yet I will trust in him. 
Psal. 22.  If I shall walk in the middle of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil things, because thou art with me. judith in the vii and viii chapter, is a good example. The people of Israel were forty years in desert. God did not give to Abraham shortly that which he promised. So christ said his hour was not yet come. 
joh. 2. Matt. 14. Matth. 4.  The woman of Chananie is a good example. Also Chryst was tempted of the devil in wilderness forty days.   

¶ It is a great comfort to them that be in affliction, to remember, that Christ was also tempted and exercised with ill as we be wont to be exercised. Cap. xii.  
first WE see Christ tempted: in whom we have an example of patience and long suffering. This is our captain, whom we ought to follow in suffering, ne lest it should be heavy to us, when we be tempted and punished in this world, other of the devil or of his membres. For as the apostle saith. 
Hebre. 5.  We have a bishop tempted in all things like to us, without sin. And for as much it chooseth him so to be tempted, he might the better help than that be tempted, Therefore Christ was delivered to the devil to be tempted, as he was after betrayed to the jews to be crucified: that we, which be tempted, by him and in him might live. And furthermore, that by his temptation he should overcome, lest we should obey and be overcome in temptation: and by that his death he might redeem us from perpetual death. Therefore let us not be angry, nor take it grievously, when we be let flyp by god our father in to divers temptations, tribulations & afflictions: Because no man is tented, except the lord will. nor the devil hath no power to hurt any man, except the lord will permit and suffer him. And when so ever he shall suffer him to tempt, yet he will not suffer us to be tempted above our power. We have not only Christ for our example, but also the godly both prophets and apostles, which in like wise be tempted, persecuted, stoned, 
2. Cor. 11.12.  killed, & crucified. as Paul of himself witnesseth. It is a great comfort to the godly, when for the name of Christ and his holy gospel, they suffer persecution, imprisonment, & at the last death, in which troubles yet joy and affliction have place and be mixed together. If they be punished, it is joy and comfort to them, to have Chryst and all good and holy men fellows with them in their afflictions. 
1. Tes. 1.  as Paul saith. receiving the word with great affliction, and joy of the holy ghost. So christ doth comfort his elect, 
joh. 16.  saying: In the world you shall have affliction, but be of good comfort, I have overcome the world. You shall weep and lament, and the world shall rejoice: you shall mourn, but your mourning shall be turned in to joy. 
joh. 15. Matt. 16.  The servant is not better than the master. He that will follow me, let him deny himself. etc. He which doth not take up his cross and follow. etc. 
Matt. 16. Marc. 8.  He that will save his soul, shall lose it. etc. and he which will lose his soul for my sake, shall find it everlastingly. For the gospel is the word of the cross, who so ever preacheth it truly, and confess it, must needs suffer affliction. For the gospel doth reprove the world, and condemneth those things, which be in the world, but the world can not suffer that. Therefore he punisheth, persecuteth, and killeth the godly. We have examples enough. cain killed Abel, Esau persecuted jacob, Saul David, Pharaoh Moysen, the Phariseis christ, the jews the apostles, Herode john the baptist. If therefore we be likewise punished, and tempted, there chanseth no new things to us. But let us remember christ and his apostles our examples, which admonished and warned us of such things, which were in like wise punished, & did teach us, that all such as would live godly & meekly in Christ, 
2. Tim. 3. Acto. 14.  should suffer persecution. And by many troubles we must entre into the kingdom of god.   

¶ It is great comfort in affliction that no man can hurt the faithful, except christ will. Cap. xiii.  
ALTHOUGH the world and the devil be never so furious and mad, yet the faithful can not be hurt. 
Psal, 3.  I will not fear a thousand people, compassing me about, because they stand under the wing of god. Also all the creatures can not hurt the faithful, except god will. The water did not hurt the Israelites: the fire did not hurt the three children, being in the furnace: the lions did nothing hurt Daniel: David plucked a bear out of the mouth of a lion, as the epistle to the Hebrews written, clearly witnesseth. If the faithful perish in battle, it is the good will of god. whitout whose will and sufferance, no adversity can come unto them. And he that hurteth one faithful, doth not hurt him but god. For god doth revenge the wrong done to the faithful, as it were done to himself. And if any adversity or heaviness, hang over the people of god, god regardeth and taketh that even as he himself were punished, and grieved: but the revenging thereof, is to be left to god. For god maketh himself defender of all believers: 
Deut. 32.  he doth take them, and carrieth them upon his shoulders. Therefore god hath charge over the godly, whether they live or die. nor he doth not leave them in the middle of their trouble and cross, but then he is more near than, and can not forget his elect. He is the god of Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, 
Matth. 10.  where so ever they be. So Christ, The hears of your heads be numbered. 
joh. 7.  The jews did seek to kill christ, but his time was not then comen. 
joh. 8.  No man did set hands upon him, because his hour was not yet come. 
joh. 10.  They went about to take him, but he did escape from the middle of their hands. notwithstanding the wicked do often overcome the godly, and god doth suffer the wicked to prevail against the good: but through that rod, the lord doth call his to repentance, and teacheth them in fear. So cain prevailed against Abel, the Sodomites against Loth, Esau against jacob. The Philistians often did overcome the israelites, Abymelech overcame Sichimites, Saul against David, Herode against john, the jews against christ, Acab and jesabel against Helian, the jews against Stephin, the turk often overcometh the christians. In these examples it is great comfort to the godly, which suffer wrong: to whom the lord saith, 
Psal. 31.  I will fix mine eyes steadfastly upon the. That which was done in the beginning of the world, is done also even unto the end of the world. ¶ The wicked think, that they overcome, when that they kill, and cast other into exile, and think that the lord doth forsake them, when he doth not deliver them from death and persecution, by some visible miracle. Surely, christ was so delivered from death: and so all they, which do believe in christ, by Christ be delivered from death. God would not grant (if he did not certainly know) that of persecution, and such other ills, which be wont to chance to his elect, greatest profit to come unto them. He suffereth them to be cast into prison, into ills, and into death, that he may declare thereby, that he hath both power and will to save them. Such diligent care hath the lord over the godly. God with all his angels is ready, when all other things do forsake. Whereof the psalm saith, Because my father and mother have forsaken me, the lord hath taken me. Further, it is a great comfort to the godly, that the wicked (whom god doth use as a rod, to scourge the godly people) go not clear away without punishment, whom he maketh other shamefully ashamed, or through their own council, he doth take them, and bringeth them into the same destruction, which they theyr selfes have studied & found out for other. As it is right before god, that he should reward every man according to his works. What is so just before god? as that they which do oppress the godly in this world, and through persecution make them exiles, in the world to come shall suffer the same persecution, which they have done to other: The godly, that they may be in rest with other saints, which coming from great trouble, shall now receive the kingdom eternal. For when we be gone here hence, all labour and sorrow shall cease, and rest and joy shall follow: and to the wicked shall follow clean contrary, like as (we read in the gospel) did follow to the rich glotten. Son remember. 
Esai. 10.  etc. Woe be to the Assure, the rod of my anger & fury, I will tear thee, & break thee, as the bough of a tree. Also Paul, It is right (saith he) before god, to give affliction to them, which do punish you, and to you which be punished, release and deliverance thereof. 
Rom. 9 Exod. 9 Daniel. 5. Esai. 10. Micha. 5.  Examples hereof be Pharaoh, Balthasar, Daniel, Sennacherib, Saul, Absalon, the Phariseis, Caiphas and Pilate. The cause is, for he that hurteth one faithful, hurteth not only him but god: the which doth revenge the injury and wrong done to the faithful, as injury done to himself. as the lord said to Samuel: 
1. Re. 8.  They have not cast the away but me. He forbiddeth to touch his faithful, saying, 
Psal. 104.  Do not touch mine anointed, and say not ill of my prophets. 
Hiere. 2.  They which devour jacob, do sin, and ill shall come upon them. 
Zacha. 2.  He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye. They that spoil thee, 
Hiere. 10.  shallbe spoiled. Also Christ, He that heareth you, heareth me: and he that despiseth you, despiseth me. And so god did speak from heaven to Paul, 
Acto. 9  saying, Saul Saul, why dost thou persecute me?   

¶ The goodness of god is not to be despised, or lightly regarded before afflictions. whirby god will punish and give warning. Capi. xiiii.  
GOD THEREFORE giveth warning and monition before, that men should repent, and so repenting, should believe and receive grace: and they which will not believe, should be without excuse, and suffer punishment justly. 
Gen. 6.  So Noah in his time did admonish men an hundredth years. And Loath did warn the Sodomites. 
2. Pet. 2. Gen. 19  Also Egypte was in peril to perish, them Moses was sent. It was showed before by the prophets, that the ten tribes should be carried to Babylon, Jerusalem should be overthrown by the Chaldees, and the people brought to captivity. Hieremie was sent, which preached forty years. 
Daniel. 3.  Nabugodonosor was made afraid in his dream. So christ did bewail and show before the destruction of Jerusalem. The place of repentance with god is before the sentence given: but not so, if it be written: the foolish virgins did ask oil in vain, when the yates were shut up. Esau murned to late, when jacob had gotten the blessing. So the psalm, Seek the lord while he may be found. King Balthasar did not seek the lord, nor did not find him: but Nabugodonosor did seek him, and did find him. Also the unfaithful ministers bounden both hand and foot, were cast out into outward darkness. When the wroth of the lord is consummate or at the full, the godly be punished with the wicked. The judgement of god, when he is angry, is given upon all, as well good as ill, 
Esai 64. Psal. 43.  as Esai teacheth. Also the psalm, The godly conceive a hope of felicity and grace, as they do confess: We have not forgotten the. 
Psal. 76.  The lord shall not cut away his mercy for ever. And they which be chastened do suffer judgement, and at length do obtain mercy. He will not be angry for ever. 
Psal. 67.  Therefore the lord doth punish all the godly, which do repent, with pains in this world, as he punished David, that he might make them more lowlyer: he doth instruct them with learning, and maketh them more circumspect and aware. God doth ever send before both messengers and tokens, that men might repent: and to them, which will not repent, no excuse shall be left: as the prophets, Chryst, and his apostles did warn men in their time, as it is written: 
Prover. 1.  Wisdom sitteth without the doors, and preacheth in the streets, and crieth aloud. etc. He counseleth and stirreth his to repentance, that they may fear, ne lest he cast them amongs the blasphemers. But they be not cast away, the which made afeard by god's word, do believe Chryst: but rather Christ draweth them to himself, saying, Come to me all you which labour and be burdened and laden, and I will refresh you. But thou wilt say: The proper work of god is to favour and to have mercy, and therefore he will revoke his sentence. It is true. for it is a strange work to him to be angry: for verily, he would not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live. But under this condition, he will revoke his sentence, if we knowledge our sins: 
Ezech. 18.  whereby we have provoked god to wroth, and do repent. If the wicked do repent. etc. But Repentance is conversion and turning of the wicked man, whose two parts be contrition & faith. Contrition, is to knowledge the sin, and by the judgement and sentence of god, truly to be made afraid, saying, We have sinned only to thee: behold, 
Psal. ●0.  thou art angry. Also, I am he which have sinned. But Faith is a constant trust of mercy, by the which we decree and reckon surely, that our sins be forgiven us for Christ'S sake: Then shall god revoke his sentence, when there is yet time to pacify god. as we read in jonas of the drowning of the ninivites. And the word of god was spoken to Esai: Go and say to Ezechias, This saith the lord god of David thy father, I have hard thy prayer, and seen thy tears & weepings, behold, I will add and put to thy days fifteen years etc. So christ did set forth the faith of the woman of Chananie, which before he seemed to put away. Is god therefore to be esteemed mutable? no: for although he revoketh the sentence, which he willeth to be secret and hid from us, yet he doth not change his eternal council: but for this cause those things be done by the godly providence of god, that the faith of the righteous might be proved. Therefore the decreed purposes of god be irrevocable, and can not be called again. nor any man living can break or disapointe the decree and purpose of god, as Esai witnesseth, saying. The lord of hosts hath decreed it, 
Esai. 14.  who can break or make it void? he hath put forth his hand, who can turn him again? So Naum. 
Naum. 1.  Who can stand before the face of his wroth and indignation? And, who is able to resist in the wroth of his fury? Surely, no man nor creature can break the decreed appointment of god, or resist his wroth. The decree of god may be broken by repentance: that is, by sorrow, that the sin is done: and by faith, which doth certainly believe and feel, that all our sins be forgiven us for Christ's sake. This faith doth overcome the judgement of the law. (which is the decree of god) which is his wrath. 
Ezec. 22.  Whereof Ezechiel speaketh: The lord saith, I have searched for a man, the which would make up the hedge, and set up himself in the gap before me in the lands behalf. It is said to Moses, Let me destroy this people. He which saith, let me, doth signify and declare, that he may be letted, which by no carnal armure, no walls of defence, nor by no man's wisdom, is or can be brought to pass, but by the only faith in the word of god, which is jesus christ.   

¶ There be diverse crafts of the devil, whereby he tempteth, and where one craft profiteth nothing, he addeth many other. Ca xv.  
THE devil hath not one grin, snare, or deceit, but diverse. For he goeth about to deceive fasters and solitary people or cloisterers, by one policy, and other which be conversant in the multitude and common people, by an other craft: but against all the assaults of the devil, there is none so sure and ready a remedy at hand, as the continual meditation of scripture: 
Matth. 4.  as Christ did overcome all the assaults of the devil by the only meditation and recitell of the scriptures. For that is the only commodity and profit, the continual meditation of scripture both by day and night. and so Paul saith, 
Ephe. 6.  Take you the hats of health, the sword of the spirit, which is the word of god, whereby we defend all his fiery darts and weapons, and utterly extinguish them. Wherefore it is best remedy in the beginning of all temptation, to check the devil in the mouth, that it becometh not us to do that, which he stirreth and suggesteth us to do, specially, because god prohibiteth and forbiddeth it to be done. that, he can not by any means suffer: nor he will not be smitten down nor driven away with one stroke or twain, but he will come again as often. 
1. Pet. 5.  For he walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Whom you must resist with steadfast faith, saith Peter. For the devil knoweth how to bring forth the witnesses of scriptures, but falsely of his spirit of error.  

1 If thou be tempted in pride or vain glory, answer him again.  

1. Pet. 5.  IT IS written, God resisteth the proud, but to the lowly he giveth grace. 
Eccle. 11. Matth. 16.  Ashes and earth, why art thou proud? He which exalteth himself, shall be made low. and he that lowly meeketh and submitteth himself, shall be exalted. So Moses and Aaron in the beginning were lowly, but at the last they were great. So joseph was lowly in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon was lowly, the apostles were fishers. Pride did overthrow Lucifer out of heaven. So Pharaoh, Nabugodonosor, Balthasar, Holofernes, and other proud kings: pride hath cast them down into extreme misery. 
Luc. 2.  The lord hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the lowly.   

2 If thou be tempted in wroth or anger.  
SAy, It is written, 
ja. 1.  The wroth of a man doth not work the justice of god. 
Ephe. 4. Psal. 9 Leuiti. 19  Let not the son go down upon your wroth. Be ye angry, and do not sin. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart, but shalt tell thy neighbour his fault, that thou bear not sin for his sake: nor thou shalt not have in remembrance the wrong of thy citizens. For wrath engendereth hatred, and hatred manslaughter: and cain by hatred killed his brother. 
1. joh. 4.  And every one, which hateth his brother, is a mankyller. To hate a man is not only to be of a strange mind toward him, but to deny your neighbour such works, as brotherly love doth require.   

3 If thou be tempted in feasting, or gluttony and drunkenness.  

Luc. 21.  SAy, It is written, Take heed to yourselves, ne lest your hearts be overcome with feasting and drunkenness. 
Prove. 23.  Who is accursed? be not they which delight in moche drinking of wine, and study how to drink of cupfulles? Woe be to you, 
Esai. 5.  which be strong to drink wine, and expert to set up drunkenness. Also, Woe be to you, that rise up early, to use yourselves in drunkenness, and yet at night are more superfluous with wine. 
Prover. 2.  Wine maketh scorners, and drunkenness prepareth brawling or chiding. 
Ose. 4.  Fornication, wine, and drunkenness take away the heart. Also drunkards shall not possede the kingdom of god. Be you not drunken with wine, in the which is lechery. It is not unlawful to drink wine, the scripture would that the body should be chastised, that he be obedient and submit himself to the spirit, as Paul saith. Be you fulfilled with the holy ghost, as he would say: Be you sober: for so you shall be apt to the motions of the holy ghost. Empty fasters all so wax mad, nor be not meet nor apt for godly things.   

4 If thou be tempted in avarice or covetousness,  

Matt. 10.  SAy, It is written. What prevaileth it to a man, if he win all the world, and yet lose his soul? Take heed & beware of covetousness. 
Luc. 12. Hebr. 13.  Let your manners be far from covetousness, & be ye contented with the things which ye have. Who that desireth to be made rich, 
Eccle. 11.  shall not be without sin. Of this thing are examples. Giesi Helizeus servant, 
2. Re. 5.  was stricken with the leprosy. Again, Acham was stoned. 
judic. 7.  The end or intent of covetousness, is to live long, to lack nothing, that he be not in danger or loss of any thing. It is the fountain & root of unbelief. The lord therefore will, that we put our confidence in him, that we cast all our carefulness & hope in him: and then shall it come to pass, that he shall provide all things meet and necessary for us. Infidelytie then alonely in all matters maketh us so careful and pensive, for because we trust not God, nor believe steadfastly in him.   

5 If thou be tempted with hunger, poverty, or carefulness of living,  
SAy, It is written: Man shall not live in bread only, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of god. 
Psal. 33.  They which seek the lord, shall want no goodness. I have been young, 
Psal. 36.  and am waxed old, and I have not seen the righteous forsaken. 
Psal. 54.  Lay thy care on the lord, and he shall nourish the. 
Psal. 44.  Thou openest thy hand, and fillest every creature with thy blessing. 
Psal. 146.  Which giveth meat to the hungry. Be ye not careful. christ fed with five barley loves and two fishes, 
Matt. 6.  five thousand men. 
Marc. 6. 3. Re. 17.  The ravens brought meat to Helias. Also, the angel brought meat from heaven to Helias. Therefore the care of temporal things must be left to god: For food is given, and is not gotten with labour, yet god willeth us to labour. 
Gen. 3. Psal. 127.  In the sweat of thy face. etc. For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands. We must therefore labour, for because we are made for that purpose: and forbycause so is the will of god, to whose divine will we must obey. Also he hath enjoined us to labour, to macerate and mortify the flesh, to profit our neighbour, and to provide for our necessity.   

6 If thou be tempted of idleness,  
SAy thou: 
Gen. 3.  In the sweat of thy face, shalt thou eat thy bread. For the lord hath appointed the children of Adam to labour, 
Prover. 6.  At the example of the pismire. And christ was a carpenter, 
Matth. 13.  and wrought with his hands till the time of his preaching. Again, No planted a vineyard. 
Gen. 9  He which tilleth the land, shallbe satisfied. 
Prove. 12.  Consider thou godly Christian, how god curseth idleness, and how much he abhorreth it. For experience teacheth, that from thence springeth forth all kind of vice. ezechiel saith, The sin of Sodom was pride, plenty of bread, abundance, and idleness. Wherefore god hath commanded us to labour, and hath blessed than that labour. for without the blessing of god all labour is in vain.   

7 If thou be tempted of security to be without fear.  

Matt. 25.  SAy thou, Watch ye, for ye know not the hour. He that studieth, let him take heed he fall not. Adam stood not in paradise. The people of Israel, as oftentimes as they were made fat, and increased to a multitude, so oftentimes fell they backward, and forgot their lord god. David, when he was at rest, and sitting at home without resistance, he was made an adulterer and a murderer, and numbered the people in his great fury. 
Daniel. 4.  So Nabugodonosor counteth himself happy. The rich man in the gospel promising himself ease and rest, did here. O fool. etc. 
Luc. 12.  Ezechias in tribulation continued righteous. in prosperity he was overcome of vain glory. For the lord forsook him, and his heart was advanced. and therefore is security reproved. for through it, is neglected the commandment of god. Christ said before, that the householder being absent, and all were asleep, came the enemy & sowed cokell.   

8 If thou be tempted of fornication and adultery,  
Say thou, It is written: 
1. Cor. 6.  He which cleaveth to an harlot, is made one body with her. 
1. Tes. 9  This is the will of god, your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication. Nother horemaysters, 
1. Co. 6.  nor adulterers shall inherit the kingdom of god. Sodom and Gomer show manifestly, how much god punisheth that sin. Also of the same sin, there are other pains, execution, induration, and the contempt of god. Also Dina the daughter of Lya, for whose whoredom were the Sichimites killed. Again, the commandment is, thou shalt not commit adultery. Let there be no harlot of the daughters of Israel: neither horemaisters of the sons of Israel. but thou wilt say, How can I avoid this ill? with prayer to god, to give the continency. Also by the word of god and avoiding it, as saith Paul. Flee fornication. joseph is an example, which fled because he would not be kindled with the filthy love of the wife of another.   

9 If thou be tempted with lying or light words,  
SAy thou: That dying is forbeden in the law: that we should not speak false things. Thou shalt i'll dying. Ye shall not lie. 
Exod. 23. Leuiti. 19 Psal. 5. Ephe. 4.  Thou shalt destroy all them that speak lies. but dying set aside, let every man speak the truth to his neighbour, for as much as we be members together. Peter killed Ananias and Saphira, because they lied. I say unto you, 
Matt. 10.  that of every idle word that man shall speak, they shall give account in the day of judgement. Again, Let no filthy communication go forth of your mouth.   

10 If thou be tempted of confessing the gospel, or suffering persecution for the gospel,  

Matt. 10.  HE THAT receiveth not my cross, and followeth not me, is not worthy of me. 
Matt. 16.  If any will come after me, let him forsake himself, and take his cross, and follow me. For he that will save his soul, shall lose it. contrariwise, he that loseth his soul for my sake shall find it. He that will confess me before men, I will confess him before my father. 
2. Tim. 2.  I am afflicted and persecuted for the gospel, as a wicked doer. john bore the cross for the truth sake. So the apostles rejoiced, because they were counted worthy. So Daniel. For Christian men are hated of the world, and despised in this world. Therefore this world knoweth not 
1. joh. 2.  you, for because it knew not him: which speak ill of you. 
1. Pet. 4. Io. 15.16. 1. Tim. 3.  The servant is not above his lord: All they which will live godly.   

11 If thou be tempted of the faith of thy parents: as wherefore believest thou not that, which thy forefathers have believed,  
BE YE not made like to your fathers. and I have said, 
2. Para. 3.  These ever err in heart. 
Psal. 94. Zacha. 2.  Be ye not as your fathers were. We must not consider our parents, nor kindred, nor long custom, but only the will of god: the will of god is to believe. This is the will of god, 
joh. 6.  that ye believe in him, whom he hath sent.   

12 If thou be tempted of strange religion or of worshipping of saints, pictures, images, or men,  
SAy thou, It is written, 
Deut. 6.  Thou shalt worship thy lord god, and him only shalt thou serve. Wherefore I will give godly honour to no creature under heaven, but to the living god only. 
Philipp. 2.  For to me (saith he) shall every knee bow, of all in heaven, in earth, and in hell. 
Exod. 41.  Again, I will not give my glory to any other. Here if thou be tempted of blasphemy, thou mayst suffer it in no case. and when the name of god is blasphemed, we must cry, and also set our life in jeopardy, if need so be. For no temptation doth so separate us from god, as doth blasphemy.   

13 If thou must die, and lean wife, children, and thy dear friends,  
SAy, The lord shall be their defender. for god both will and is able to cherish mine, to nourish and defend them. 
Exod. 22. Psal. 36.  For he is the father of the fatherless and widows. I forget things behind my back, 
Philipp. 3.  and endeavour myself to those things, that are before my face. Again, 
1. Cor. 7.  They which have wives, let them be as though they had none. and they that weep as though they wept not. We must be diligent, that we leave our wife and children well instruct and taught in the fear of god. For the fear of god is better and more precious, than a chest full of gold and silver.   

14 If thou be tempted of condemnation, that thou art condemned of god.  
SAy thou, 
Roma. 3.  That is no condemnation to them which are graffed in Christ. that is, sin can not damn them, be it never so much in them: for they are made one body through faith. For the sin, which they have, is forgiven them, and is not imputed unto them for Christ'S sake, in whom we are graffed, which is the head, and we the membres. 
joh. 3.  He that believeth in the son, hath everlasting life. 
Rom. 10. Psal. 36.  Al they which believe in him, shall not be confounded. When the righteous falleth, he shall not be broysed, for the lord setteth his hand underneath him. 
Prou. 24.  The righteous falleth seven times in a day.   

15 If the devil say, thou art a sinner, and art not graffed in Christ.  
CHRIST CAME into the world to make safe sinners. For the death of christ hath satisfied for all sins, 
1. Tim. 1.  through his strokes, 
Esai. 53.  are we all made safe. For he hath borne our sins in his body. 
1. Pet. 2. Ephe. 1.  by whom we have redemption through his blood. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. They which are hole, 
1. joan. 2.  need not the physician. And if any do sin, we have an advocate and spokesman to the father, jesus Christ. The godly have sin also, but god imputeth it not. 
Psal. 31.  The saints do ever pray, forgive us our trespasses. If we confess, 
1. joh. 1.  that we have sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity. We have many examples. Marry Magdalyn, also Paul was a blasphemor, of the thief which went from extreme punishment to joy, of zachary. Matth. and Peter.   

16 If he continue and say, but thy sins pass the sonde of the see.  
AS FAR as the east differeth from the west, 
Psal. 104.  so far of hath he made, that our sins are from us. 
Esai. 1.  If thy sins be as red as scarlet, yet shall they be as white as snow: and if they be as red as purple, yet shall they be as white as will. 
Psal. 31.  I have said, I will confess my unrighteousness against me, and thou haste forgiven the wickedness of my sin. 
2. Re. 12.  I have sinned lord. 
Esai. 38.  etc. And the lord hath taken thy sin from the. Thou haste cast all my sins behind thy back. 
Miche. 7.  And he hath thrown all our sins in the bottom of the sees, 
Ezech. 18.  If the wicked shall repent. etc. For god hath promised remission of sins to them that repent.   

17 If he say, such promises are made to the godly, thou art an apostata and a lost man.  

Luc. 15.  AND the prodigal son was lost, and an apostata, yet he found grace▪ so great is the love of god toward us, he will save all them that will knowledge themselves. He hath so great care even for the least, that are lost, in the sight of the world. Examples are David, Peter, and the thief, and also Paul: God sometime suffereth his saints to err for a season, but he calleth again at length He bringeth them in to diverse troubles, that they may know him. He yieldeth them up sometimes into the hands of Satan, and his membres, that they may know how moche easier it is to serve him, than the prince of this world. The confession of the prodigal child is great: 
Luc. 15.  Father I have sinned against heaven and against the. So David, 
Psal. 50. Esai. 64.  I have done ill against the. Lo all our righteousness are as a bloody cloth of a woman. 
Luc. 1.  This meekness god beholdeth, he is moved with mercy, as the father of the prodigal child. 
Rom. 5.  We are therefore received without all our merit or deserving, for we are yet enemies.   

18 But god heareth no sinners nor strayers away,  
SAy thou, It is truth, god heareth not sinners, which repent not, which sorrow not, nor are borne again by faith: those are the ungodly and hypocrites, which pray not to god: and if they pray, yet pray they not in faith. Then shall they call on me, 
Prover. 1.  and I will not here them. So in the psalm, 
Zacha. 7.  They shall cry, and I will not hear them. But he graciously heareth the contrite, and them that repent, and are borne again by faith in Christ. 
Psal. 50.  A contrite and humble heart o god, thou wilt not despise. 
jaco. 5.  The busy prayer of the righteous is much worth.   

19 But thou comest very late with thy contrition.  
CONTRARY wise answer thou, 
Luce. 23.  None cometh to late into the vineyard of the lord, as witnesseth the history of the thief, which was full of wicked deeds, and yet said to jesus, Remember me lord, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. And jesus said unto him, truly I say unto thee, this day. etc.   

20 But he had a strong faith in god, which thou lackest,  
ANSWER, Therefore pray I with the apostles, 
Luc. 17.  O lord increase faith within us, help our unbelief.   

21 What if all holy scripture be false, for they were men, which spoke it and wrote it?  
SAy thou contrary, Moses, the prophets, and apostles were truly men, but yet they neither spoke nor wrote with the spirit of man, but with the spirit of god, they set not forth their own doings, but those things which either they saw with their eyes, or received of the lord. So said the lord to Moses: 
Exod. 4.  Who hath made the mouth of man? Or who hath made the doom and the deaf? the seeing and the blind? not I? Go forth then, and I will be in thy mouth, and will teach the what thou shalt speak. Say not, I am a child, 
Hiere. 1.  for thou shalt go to all those, to wome I will send the to, & thou shalt speak all that, that I shall commandeth. 
Luce. 21.  He giveth the apostles both mouth and wisdom. Again, Ye are not which speak, but the spirit of your father. So Paul: 
Rom. 15.  I dare not speak any thing, which Christ hath not wrought by me. 
1. Pet. 4. 1. joh. 1.  If any man speak, let him speak as the words of god. that we have hard, that we have seen with our eyes. 
Luc. 1.  as they have delivered us, which from the beginning have seen it with their eyes. 
2. Pet. 1.  But those things which we have seen with our eyes. All scripture heavenly inspired. 
2. Tim. 3. 2. Pet. 1.  The prophecy in old time, was not given by the will of man, but the holy men of god spoke, driven with the holy ghost. 
Ephe. 5.  As it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by spirit: 
Matt. 22.  So Christ confirmeth david's writings. How doth David them in spirit call him lord? Certainly I am fully persuaded, and doubt nothing at all, that the holy scriptures are inspired from heaven.   

22 If the temptator say, thou haste not kept the law of god, wherefore thou art accursed.  
SAy thou: Christ, which was made a curse for us, 
Galath. 3.  hath redeemed us from the curse of the law. Again, 
Ephe. 2.  evacuating, and taking away the law of commandments set in decrees. 
Colo. 2.  Taking away the handwriting against us, which is in decrees, and is contrary to us. 
Roma. 6.  For ye are not under the law, but under favour, delivered from sin. For the death of Christ hath delivered us from the law. For truly by Christ's death, we are now in conscience free from the law, that is, from the wroth of god, and everlasting death. For the law can not be fulfilled of nature, for it is spiritual, as undoubtedly the apostles decreed. The yoke that neither. etc. Again, 
Acto. 15. Deuter. 5. Luc. 18.  who can give them such a mind? Which is impossible to men.   

23 If he say, thou must forsake the world.  
What then? Answer thou contrary wise. I shall obtain heaven. For blessed are the dead, 
Apoc. 14. 1. joh. 5. Ibidem.  which die in the lord. Again: All the world lieth in wickedness. Again, All thing which is borne of god, overcometh the world: and this is the victory, which overcometh the world, our faith. Who is he, which overcometh the world, but he that believeth, that jesus is the son of god? I am sure therefore in Christ. All the world shall perish with his lusts and desires. Again. 
1. joan. 3.  Love not the world, neither those things which are in the world. We are strangers in this world, and citizens of heaven. Ye sons of men, how long are ye hard hearted? 
Psal. 4.  Why love ye vanities and seek lies? Again: How long love you infancy or childhood, and fools desire those things, which are hurtful? Again: Vanity of all vanities, 
Eccles. 1.  and all things are vanity. 
1. joh. 2.  The cause is this: for all things which are in the world, as lust of the flesh, concupiscence of the eyes, and pride of life, are not of the father, but of the world, and the world passeth, and his lust also, but he that doth the will of god, tarrieth for ever.    
The end.   

❧ THE PREPARATION TO DEATH, AND how they which be in point of death, should be comforted, the ii book.  

¶ What is death. Cap. i.  
DEATH IS Nothing else but a separation or division of the soul from the body. It is a quiet rest from the afflictions and troubles of this world, in the which they that be dead, be so refreshed and newly made, that from thence they shall rise far above all other most happy, not into a life which shall die again, as it is in a sleep, but into an everlasting life.   

¶ What is the cause of death. Cap. two.  
THE CAUSE of death is sin: For out of sin death flowed, and is the punishment, or pain, or reward of sin, or the revengeance of ill things, as the holy scripture beareth witness, Fire, 
Eccle. 39  hail, hunger, and death, be created for punishment, as witnesseth the psalm. For anger and death be in his indignation, 
Psal. 29.  and life in his will: 
Roma. 6. Hiere. 3.  The wages or reward of sin is death. In what day so ever thou shalt eat of it (that is, thou shalt sin) thereof thou shalt die. God did not make death, 
Sap. 1.  nor doth not rejoice in the destruction of the living. Also, Through the malice and envy of the devil, 
Sap. 2.  death hath entered. And Paul saith. 
Rom. 5.  By one man sin entered into the world, and through sin death. 
Ezech. 33  And in Ezech. I will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he convert and turn from his sin and live: Also, The soul which shall sin, shall die. Therefore where death is, there necessarily sin did go before, which dwelleth in us, which we have by inheritance, which is sprung forth into us all: of the which sin the first father to us was Adam, from whom we have by inheritance original sin, which is a natural disposition and inclination, to sin, which hath with him in fellowship blindness of heart, dullness towards virtue, the love of himself, the hatred of god, fleeing from the cross, hatred of the law, and disdaining of his neighbour. For by Adam's disobedience our flesh is become disobedient to god, so long as it is not inspired with the holy ghost: and for the said sin of Adam, all we be called sinners: And so in him we be all dead: for we be his flesh and his children of his own substance: He is the grain and seed, of whom all we be sprung out. As he is dead, so shall we die: and from Adam is sprung into us, both original sin, and death, the pain of sin, is come forth: And the tyranny of the devil, to whom our nature is subject, and in whom the devil useth cruelty, and doth exercise it with fear and all kinds of misery, and also doth kill: And moreover enforceth to all manner of unhappiness, to blasphemy, murder, and hatred.   

¶ Two manner of deaths. Cap. two.  
THE ONE is of the body or of nature, to whom all men be subject: for all have sinned, and have broken the law of god: that is, when this bodyely life is broken away, when we give up the ghost, and do not occupy this mortal life: As it is written to the Hebrews: 
Hebre. 9  It is ordained and decreed, that all men shall die once: and after that judgement. By Adam's sin nature is subject of necessity to die, as jesus Sirach writeth. 
Eccle. 40.  There is a heavy yoke upon the children of Adam, from the day of the coming out of their mother's womb, until the day of their burial, into the mother of all. The other death is of the soul, or of faith, or of health. When the unbelievers, drowned in their wickedness, not caring for god, nor desiring god, nor asking forgiveness of god, be made bondmen to eternal darkness, which is called everlasting death: Which is a perpetual fear of conscience through the wroth of god, 
Sap. 5.  which Satan doth increase. example of these two manner of deaths is the rich glutton, 
Luc. 16.  which being dead, was buried in hell, and Lazarus the beggar being dead, and carried of angels into the bosom of Habram. This man hath comfort: and contrary wise, the rich man was punished and buried in hell: that is, he died with an ill conscience: he saw in his death his own wickedness and damnation, as all wicked men do. This is the worm, 
Esai. 66.  which doth not die. Even than the foolish virgins do first see, 
Matt. 25.  that the wise have oil. Then it cometh to remembrance, to whom they have done both good and evil: There the law doth first show himself (the gospel being taken away) thenne they seek for grace, but all to late and in vain. 
Prover. 1  There god doth cut of all hope of recovery of health or favour: the sentence of the cruel judgement of god is then, as saith saint james: 
jaco. 2.  judgement without mercy shall be to them, which have not done mercy. I have hungered, 
Matt. 25.  and you have not given me. etc. Therefore the word of god doth teach us, how we should avoid eternal punishment, and how we shall be saved: which if we neglect, & set nought by, there is no cause why we should have any further hope. Of these two kinds of deaths the psalms make mention: 
Psal. 33.  The death of sinners is ill. And contrariwise, The death of saints is precious in the sight of god. 
Psal. 113. Psal. 6. Matt. 7. Matt. 11.  Also, Go from me all you workers of iniquity: I know you not: Come to me all you that do labour and be burdened, and I will refresh you: Also In their sin they shall die. And Paul saith: 
Philipp. 3.  Whose end is death Also of the faithful is written: They shall not fault, all they which trust in him, 
Psal. 33.  The Lord doth keep their bones, and one of them shall not perish, or be broken. 
Rom. 8.  There is no damnation to them which be in Christ jesus. 
Apoc. 14.  Blessed be the dead, which die in the lord. As there is two lives, a yerthely and an eternal life: so there is two deaths, the one a temporal, the other an everlasting death. The earthly life hath a beginning and a ending, and is subject to many miseries: and this life no christian man doth greatly esteem, but saith daily with Paul Christ is my life, 
Philipp. 1.  and death is lucre. And if it fortune me to live in the flesh, than it is profitable to me to work: and what I shall choose, I know not, I am constrained of these twain, desiring to be dissolved, and to be with Christ: which thing is moche better for me, but to live in the flesh, is more needful for you. 
Galath. 6.  So in an other place, God forbeade, that I should rejoice in any thing, but in the cross of our lord jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. I live, but not I only: 
Gala. 2.  but Christ liveth in me. for in that that I live in the flesh, I live in the faith of the son of god, which loved me, and gave himself for me. Therefore he that knoweth not Christ, nor doth not trust in him, feareth death, as that which threateneth and bringeth eternal ruin and destruction: but he which knoweth Christ, and hath him doth not fear death: whom Christ being victor, hath overcome and overthrown.   

¶ To the efecte and faithful, eternal death by Christ is overcome. Cap. iii.  
THIS is the great comfort of them, that be in the pangs of death; which comforteth and lifteth up the fearful minds: that is, that Christ hath utterly abolished death, take away sin, and that surely through Christ, they shall obtain remission of sin, be reputed righteous, and have everlasting life. Therefore Christ, the promised sede, the son of god, came down from heaven, and became man: by his cross, death, and resorrection, hath saved us, and delivered us from eternal death: and he paid for us all our debt, as it is written in the epistle to the Hebrews: Ones he is offered, 
Hebre. 9  that he should take away the sins of many. Also, 
1. Pet. 3.  He hath once suffered for our sins. And, 
1. joh. 1.  The blood of jesus Chryst hath made us clean from all our sin. And, 
Matth. 1.  Thou shalt call his name jesus. for he shall save his people from their sins. Also, 
Hebr. 2.  That through death he should put away him, which had rule over death, that is the devil, that he might deliver them, which all their life were brougte in bondage, through fear of death. For verily he hath delivered us from the power of Sin, that it should not kill us: from the power of death, that it should not condemn us: from the power of affliction, that it should not grieve us: from the power of the devil, that he should not destroy us: & hath restored us to justice, joy, life, and to the best and most mighty god, that is, he hath made us free men and partakers of god, which before were captives and bondmen to the devil. So our iniquities did cast us headlong into the deepness of hell, and there did drown and bury us: but god moved with mercy, hath cast all our iniquities upon the shoulders of his son, delivering us all from sin death and hell, hath satisfied for us, which of god is made to us wisdom, justice, holiness, 
1. Cor. 1.  and redemption. Which hath given himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present ill world: And under such form by Christ we be delivered from death sin and hell, that they utterly have no manner of right in us, nor can not destroy and damn us, As Osee saith: 
Osee. 13.  I will deliver them from the hand, that is, from the power of hell, from death I will redeem them: O death, I will be thy death. O hell, I will be thy bit. Death, 
1. Cor. 15.  where is thy sting? Hell, where is thy victory? Thanks be to god which hath given us victory through our lord jesus Christ. So great is the power of faith, and we be brought into so great liberty: through faith. We feel punishment in this world, but through faith we perish not. We be killed, but we shall not die: We bren in hell fire, but we be not consumed in deed: and so of all the rest, which be not taken away from the believer. 
joh. 16.  In the world saith he, ye shall have affliction. etc. Nor the believers be not delivered from the feeling of them in this world, but they be delivered from the power and rule of them, and the sting is taken from them, whereby all men did perish. The christian man is therefore sure, that as death eternal could not prevail against Christ, so likewise against him it hath no power. For Christ hath taken away sin, bringing in justice: he hath strangled death, giving life: He hath obtained victory over hell, administering eternal glory. For as in Adam all died: so in Christ all shall be revived. For by Adam's disobedience sin death punishment, and that most cruel tyrant Satan did challenge both right and rule over all, how many so ever were borne of him. The law of sin is to kill: the wages of sin is death: the right of death is to damn, the right of afflictions is to grieve & make heavy: the right of the devil is to destroy: Into all these rights and powers Adam by his disobedience, hath cast us. And Adam then had been utterly extinct and undone, if that he had not be comforted again & revived with the word of grace. But he was received unto grace, and the father did take from him fear of death and anguish: for he did feel and perceive the wroth of god, and god to be his enemy, and also all creatures, so that he could not tell, which weigh to turn him: This fear I say, the father hath taken away from him through the most sweet absolution and promise of grace, when he said unto the serpent: 
Gen. 3.  I will put enmite betwixt the and the woman, and that seed shall all to break thy head. This word when Adam did here and believe, he was helped and delivered, and came from hell, and now believed the word of god: thinking under this form: This god hath spoken, which can not lie or deceive. In this faith Adam died, and after Adam all the faithful unto Aabraham, which did also cleave fast to this word, thinking thus: he will come, yea surely at the last he will come: because the lord hath so promised, which can not lie: and in this faith they were saved.   

¶ Although the godly die, yet they shall live. Cap. iiii,  
THE godly and just people have most comfort, although in this life they be put to death, and seem to be forsaken of god, cast into hell, and as sheep ordained to be slain: 
Roma. 8.  As scripture witnesseth of them. For thy sake we be judged as sheep ordained to be slain. Also, I think verily, 
1. Cor. 14.  that god hath showed, that we which be the last apostles, are as it were appointed to suffer death: For we, 
2. Cor. 4.  which live, be always delivered to death for jesus sake: yet they do not despair, no not in death, but as they which be sure, that they shall pass through death to life eternal, and cry to god, and suffer the hand of the lord, and be patient, and put their hope in god. Also they have this comfort, that their death is good and precious. They also know, that through Christ'S death, death is overcome and abolished. 
1. Cor. 14. Osee. 3. Gen. 3.  Death is supped of in victory. O Death, I will be thy death: The seed hath broken the head of the serpent. Therefore if any man taken in the pangs of death, do hold fast and believe this word: in the middle of death he shall have life. for verily the christians do live, when they be esteemed and thought to die. 
Sap. 5. 2. Cor. 6. joh. 16.  The righteous shall live for ever. And so Paul saith: Behold we be ever as dying, and yet we live: Also Christ saith. 
joh. 16.  In me you shall have peace, but in the world, you shall suffer oppression. And, 
Sap. 3.  The torment of death shall not touch them. Also, 
Esai. 26.  Thy dead persons shall live, they shall rise with their bodies. He shall not taste death. 
Io. 5. et. 11  And he which believeth in me, although he were dead, yet he shall live. They shall not taste death. 
Marc. 9 Sap. 2.  The just man, although he be prevented with death, yet he shall be refreshed. Also, 
Psal. 15.  Thou shalt not suffer thy holyon to see corruption. Also, 
Psal. 32. joh. 5. et. 11. et. 3.  That he may pull out from death the souls of them. He shall pass over from death to life. He shall not see eternal death. He shall not die for ever: He doth not perish, but hath eternal life: Seek god, 
Psal. 68  and your soul shall live: 
Esai. 55.  Bow your ears, and come to me: here you, and your soul shall live.  
¶ These places ought to be well noted, for the comfort of them, before whose eyes death is present: which if they believe in Christ, they be not lost, but have eternal life. Therefore they be not called only dead, but the dead of god, as such as die in the lord: for such do rise again in glory, and none other, 
Danie. 12.  as it appeareth in Daniel.   

¶ The death of the godly, is a sleep. Ca v.  
CHRIST calleth the death of the godly, a sleep. Lazarus our friend sleepeth. 
joh. 11.  For by the benefit and goodness of Christ, death is made a sleep, which by his death, hath changed death into a sleep. So Paul doth call the faithful, 
1. Thes. 4.  which be dead, sleepers, saying. I will not you to be ignorant of them, that sleep. So Steven slept. 
Acto. 7.  And so the godly to the outward sight, and perceverance, dieth. But without doubt that death is but a sleep. For how many so ever die in Christ, all sleep in him, and he shall raise them in the last day. I have slept, and do slumber, 
Psal. 3.  and I have risen. Here sleep betokeneth death of the body, as in Genesis, Abram slept with his father. 
Psal. 4. Psal. 15.  I will sleep and rest in peace to god with other. Also, My flesh shall rest in hope. Therefore in death not so much the death itself, as sure life and resurrection, is to be considered to them, which be in Christ, according to Christis saying. He that shall keep my word, 
joh. 8.  shall not see death everlasting. How shall he not see death? shall he not feel it? Shall he not die? no verily, but he shall see only a sleep, and beholding steadfastly with the eyes of faith in the resurrection, by death he shall so pass away, that surely he shall not see death? And death verily to him shall not be death.  
¶ All these things be begun in baptism, and be finished in the end of life. 
Rom. 6.  For we be buried with him through baptism in to death. Therefore faith exercised with divers passions, causeth, that natural death to the faithful, is but a sleep. For the faithful die surely in hope, and look after the last day and the coming of Christ: This security they get in this life by the spirit of faith, that they may say with Paul: By hope we be made safe? 
Roma. 8. Rom. 5.  And again. Hope doth not confound. That is to dwell in the Paradyse of god, the kingdom of heaven in the church of the living god: And the lord saith, 
Levit. 26. Esai. 31.  To sleep with out fear. To sit in the beauty of peace, in the tabernacles of faith, and trust, and in a rich rest.   

¶ Baptism is a comfort in the point of death. Cap. vi.  
SUCH as be at the point of death, aught to take comfort and be strong, in that they know, they carry with them both letter and token, which is baptism: where by their death is incorporate with the death of Christ, and that it is not their death, but the death of Christ. Wherefore let them surely trust, that they shall overcome, as the death of Christ hath overcome. For baptism is a sure token of the passing over from death to life. And as we know surly, that Christ passed through death to life: So let us not doubt, but that we shall surely pass through death to life. Christ hath overcome sin and death: Let us nothing doubt, but that we shall overcome sin & death. Sin shall not bear rule over you. 
Rom. 6.  a Figure of this thing was the passing over the see, which was the passing over from death to life. So in baptism we receive a token of death: that by death of the body, we might trust surely to come to the true life. In baptism Pharaoh, with all his host, did lie under foot to us, that is, through faith in the word of promise: we have escaped the tyranny of the prince of darkness, with all vices: so that the lord will not impute them to us, nor they can not take away from us the entry or going in to the kingdom of heaven. But yet not withstanding, sin dwelling in our flesh, doth not rest in the mean time, to assault us, that is, unclean affections, which must be put away with daily mortifying of the fleshly desires, until our baptism be fully complete and finished in death. So greatly the hope of all christian men doth stand in baptism, and so beginneth from death: that death to us is winning, that is, an entrance to life. 
Roma. 6.  Be you ignorant, that all we, which be baptized into Christ jesus, are baptized into his death? For we be buried together with him by baptism in to death, that as Christ was raised up from the dead, by the glory of his father: even so we also should walk in a new life. 
Colo. 2.  You be buried together with him through baptism, in whom you are also risen again with him. 
Gala. 3.  Who so ever of you be baptized in Christ, have put upon you Christ. 
1. Pet. 3.  Baptism is the promise of a good conscience towards god, whereby we be sure, that god is pleased with us. It is therefore a token, that we be delivered from the devil, and a sign of our translation from the kingdom of Satan, in to the king- of Christ, that we be reconciled unto god, it is a token which beareth witness of the good will of god towards us. Therefore remember, that thou art baptized, that is, that thou hast received remission of sins: that thou haste made a covenant with god, that thou art delivered from the devil, death, and sin, reconciled to god. This is a great comfort against death, the devil, and sin. So the promise made to Abraham, of the seed to come, had been sufficient: yet god did put thereto circumcision, that Abraham might have a sure token of god's goodness towards him, that he was accepted of god. So baptism is a token of god's favour and good will towards us, through the word of promise, whereunto is knit an earnest bargain of a good conscience with god. For first god maketh promise with us, that he will forgive us that fault and blemish, which we have drawn by original sin, from our forefathers, that he will receive us into his favour, and that he will not only forgive us our sins, but also not lay or inpute them to our charge. We again do bind ourselves to god by like reason, that we shall mortify our flesh all our life time, and purge out our old leaven, our concupiscence, desires, and dispositions to do sin, and utterly to cast out all the dregs: and to wrestel against and utterly forsake the world, the devil, and all their pomps: Therefore if thy conscience be troubled and vexed with the borden of sin, thou mayst pray on this manner. O lord god, remember thy promise, that thou haste made to us: thou haste promised to us in baptism, remission of sins and eternal life, when thou diddest say: 
Marc. 16.  He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: nor do not make void thy covenant, nor let not thy words be in vain, which have passed thy mouth. 
Psal. 89.  Thou shalt perform that thou hast promised, thou canst not deny thyself, neither our infirmity, or infidelitfe, or any other thing can make void thy faithful promise.   

¶ The godly know the time of dying to be determined of god. Cap. seven.  
UNTO the godly this is a great comfort, that they know that death is not in the power of tyrants, nor put in the hand of any creature, lest they should be troubled, over moche careful for death: but that they may die as children, when pleaseth the lord. For so writeth Ecclesiastes: 
Eccle. 3.  All thing hath time: and all things under heaven, have their convenient season: A time is of birth, and a time of death. 
job. 14.  and so job. Thou haste appointed to him a a time, which he shall not pass. Also the psalm: 
Psal. 103.  Thou hast limited a time, which they shall not over pass. 
Psal. 38.  Behold, thou hast put my days to a certain number. And so Christ doth comfort his. One hear shall not fall from your head without the will of your father. 
Matt. 10.  Also, My hour is not yet come. 
joh. 2. 1. Reg. 2. Esai. 38.  So the mother of Samuel, God doth kill and revive again. And, The years of life, be of the lord. As he promised to Ezechias: 
4. Re. 20. 2. Re. 7.  Behold, I will add unto thy days xu years. So. When thy days shall be ended. For the corporal life is determined of god with certain limits: and with god is a certain point and measure set to every man's life: and also to the same, the years, months, ours, and also the minutes of hours: And also the hears of your head be numbered. Therefore if our hears be numbered in the sight of god, how moche more are the minutes and articles of our life numbered before him? We can not therefore live any longer than the lord hath appointed: We shall not die, although we be in the greatest peril and extreme jeopardy, before our hour. Therefore it skilleth not what manner of death, or with what instrument, sword, fire, water, sudden death, or that thou be taken away by chance, before the course of nature requireth it. For god hath given the hour, the mean, and that kind of death: Which doth not force, whether thou die of this death or that death, of a little wound or a great: of whom the time, both of our life and death is determined and set. Also many die by tempests or hail. And yet do not thou condemn, as wicked, such as be smitten with lightning. For the judgements of god be rare and unknown in private persons: which for as much as pertaineth to him, careth not, whether one die of this death or that. Many times innocentes and baabis body. But thou wilt say, that many die wilfully, through their own rashness, the which might have lived longer. Somme have cast away themselves headlong. etc. Could they not have preserved their life? I answer no. God gave that hour, that mean, and that kind of death. which thing experience doth teach. Some deadly wounded, are lightly healed, and do live: Some other are scarcely hurt, and yet they die. Some Astronomers ascribe this to the stars, and some to fortune: but holy scripture attributeth it to god, with whom the time both of our life and death is limited, who also careth not, whether thou die of a great or small wound: that he may confound all wisdom and man's imagination. So that it is a thing most like madness, vain, and frustrate, to be afraid or curious of any manner of death. For there is no cause why it should make any man afeard. For other the appointed time of death is not yet come, or else if it be come, he, over whom it hangeth, would not prefer any pleasure before death. For death (as I have said) hath his appointed time, like as Christ saith: 
Luce. 21.  The hears of your head do not fall. If the hears of your head do not fall without the appointed will of god, by what mean may the hole body die without the fire will of god? So great is the care of god over the godly, whose life, death, years, days, hours, and minutes of hours, he hath in his hand, which can not die but at the hour appointed of god.   

¶ notwithstanding the ungodly shall not live out half their days. Cap. viii.  
AS holy scripture witnesseth in all places. In the psalm. The deceitful shall not live out half their days. Also job, 
Psal. 54. job. 16.  In the time which is not his, he shall make an end. And, The fear of the lord, prolongeth the life. the years of the wicked be short. For the godly be ever ready, watching when the lord shall come, whether it be in the first watch, or in the fourth, they in the mean time, follow their calling, as long as the lord will, nothing determining for themself, nothing caring for their life, whether it shall end on the morrow, or ten years after: for they have lived all their time, although they die young: 
Sap. 4.  As the wise man saith, Though the righteous be overtaken with death, yet shall he be in rest. The ungodly do appoint unto themselves long time, as he which said in Luke: 
Luce. 12.  My soul, thou hast much goods laid up in store for many years. They do so, and live so, as they should live a long season: but in the middle of their life, being void of faith, they be taken away, in the day which they did not look for, and the hour which they did not know. 
Matt. 25.  So the foolish virgins, being unredye, in the middle of their days, were called away. So for the most part always, the judgement of god doth catch the ungodly, careless, negligent, and not watching. So in Daniel, 
Daniel. 5.  Balthasar the king was slain in the night of his enemies. Also in the gospel, The tumultuous servants, the sodomites, and they which were in the time of the flood. the ungodly death doth alway find unready: but all the godly tarry until their full time, that is, they be ever ready.   

¶ The godly also in the time of hunger, pestilence, and war, be punished, and die with the wicked. Cap. ix.  
IT IS true, that the godly be punished with the ungodly, where the wroth of god is consummate. For the judgement of god, when he is angry, is given upon all, both good and bad: but the godly conceive a hope of felicity and favour. 
Psal. 76.  He shall not withdraw his mercy for ever. And so they, that be punished, suffer judgement, and at the last shall obtain mercy. For the godly do know, that god doth punish sinners, which do repent in this life, as he punished David, that he might humble them, instruct them in learning, and make them more ware and circumspect. And although they die in the time of hunger, pestilence, or war with the wicked, yet they know it to be done by the good will of god. And because they know that they once shall die: Therefore they offer themselves to the good will of god, which doth all things after the council of his will. 
Ephe. 1.  And they know, that they have a time appointed to die, and they desire to be dissolved in the time of dying appointed by god, and to be with Christ. Otherwise, Nother pestilence, hunger, nor war can hurt the godly, except the appointed time of death, ordained of god, be present. For god can well deliver his, as he did in times passed deliver Loath, No, Daniel, jeremy, and other: as jacob being carried with his children in to Egipte: And like wise the israelites in Egypt. 
2. Pet. 2.  For these could not die, but in their hour: So all the faithful can not die, although they be in the greatest peril, and in extreme desperation, but in their hour. Then wherefore shall they fear death? They can not live longer than the lord hath appointed, nor die any sooner.   

¶ To whom they that die ought to commit their spirit. Cap. x.  
STEVEN did yield up his spirit into the hands of Christ For it is he that hath overcome death, 
Acto. 7.  & in death he doth quicken us. This is he, which said: 
Matt. 12.  Come unto me all you that labour and be burdened, and I will refresh you. And farther, this is he, which ought to be called upon, that he deliver us in affliction, and receive our spirit in the hour of death. 
Luc. 23.  So did christ, Father I commend my spirit in to thy hands. 
Psal. 30.  So David: Lord, I commend my spirit into thy hands. There it shall be sure, under the shadow of thy wings, thou shalt keep it unhurt: and that which is taken away, thou shalt restore. Let the spirit return to the lord which did give it. 
Eccle. 12.  Also Christ to the thief. 
Luc. 23.  This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. This Paradise is a true and perfit quietness in Christ, amiable, joyful, and most sweet: And so Lazarus rested in the bosom of Abraham, to whom Lazarus soul was carried by angels, that is, he is contained in the hands of our god and of the lord jesus Christ, and leadeth the most pleasant life. For the bosom of Abraham, is the promise made to Abraham of the seed which is Christ, in whom all the godly from Abraham unto Christ, were kept: and as many as did believe, were preserved. 
Philipp. 1.  So Paul desireth to be loused, and to be with Christ. And in an other place Whether we live or die, we be the lords. Therefore the hand of the lord receiveth the souls of such as be faithful, and they rest quietly in the hand and word of god, until the day of judgement come. For they be in peace, and entered in to rest. Turn my soul in to thy rest. For they be in pleasure, in joy, 
Sap. 3. Hebre. 4. Psal. 114.  in blessedness, in surety, in Christ, and with Christ in comfort.   

¶ The body is buried, but it shall rise again in the last day. Cap. xi.  
IT IS the only comfort of the godly, to hold surely in all adversity this article of our faith, that is to say, the resurrection of the flesh, the which ought to comfort the righteous: because through the grace of god they shall be revived, and raised up, as well the body as the soul, the souls to justice, the bodies to glory. This hope the wicked have not. For their bodies shall be the more punished and overthrown down to the ground, although they have seemed here to be mighty: but their bodies shall be raised up and quickened by the word of god, to whom all things obey. Of whose promise the very empty and dry bones shall be partakers. 
Ezec. 37.  This saith the ruler, the lord of these bones: Behold, I do bring into you a spirit, and you shall be quickened, and I will put upon you sinews, and I will raise up flesh upon you, and I will cover you with a skin, and I will put in you a spirit, and you shall live, and you shall well know, that I am the lord. 
job. 19  Thou shalt raise up my skin, which this flesh beareth. And I do know, that my redeemer doth live, and at the last he shall raise me up of dust, and shall compass my body about with skin, and in my flesh I shall see god.  
¶ verily the holy scripture declareth, that the resurrection of the dead shall be, for that the body, for his nature and power, shall be made perfit in the knowledge of the lord. The glory of the soul redoundeth into the reformed body. In the mean time, the soul lacketh not the knowledge of god and of his Christ. For he is with Christ, and hath in him eternal life, and most lively and blessed knowledge, 
joh. 17.  But the perfit blessedness is not, until the bodies be borne again. 
Danie. 12.  Many, which sleep in the dust of the earth, shall rise again, some into eternal life, & some into shame. The dead shall rise again, and they shall be raised up, 
Esai. 26.  that be in graves. Thy dead shall live lord, and they which die in me, shall rise again. Your bones shall blossom as the grass. 
Esai. 66.  Therefore we believe, that there shall be a resurrection of this flesh by god's power, and that the dead shallbe quickened again by the spirit of christ. Which shall quicken your mortal bodies through his spirit, 
Rom. 6.  dwelling in you. The first ground of this article is, that Christ is risen. If Christ be preached, 
1. Cor. 15.  that he hath risen from death, how can some of you say, that there shall be no resurrection? If Christ hath risen, we shall also rise. Christ, the first begotten of the dead, hath sufficiently declared his resurrection. What so ever was in Christ the head, the same shall be in his membres: and we ought to believe, that we shall surely attain that, which our head now doth obtain, according to the measure of our faith. The fruits of Christ's resurrection, is our resurrection, and waking. for if god hath raised up our lord jesus, he shall also raise up us through him. So Paul. 1. Cor. 15. through the hole chapter. 1. Thes. 4. And the dead in Christ shall rise. 
joh. 5.  Do not marvel, for because the hour shall come, that all such as be in their graves shall here his voice, and shall come forth. etc. Also thy brother shall rise. 
Cap. 11.  Martha answered: I know that he shall rise in the last day.   

¶ In the pangs of death, and in all temptations, the remedies be to be learned of the sufferance of Christ. Ca xii.  
THE example of living and dying is set forth before our eyes in Christ's life and passion: for so saith Peter. 
1. Pet. 2.  Christ is afflicted for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps. But how can we follow his steps? Here thou: If thou receive thy cross on thee, as christ teacheth the. How can that be, 
Matt. 10.  sayest thou: Behold, take an example. If thou be punished with sickness reckon with thyself, how it is not to be compared with Christ'S crown of thorn and his nails. If thou be restrained of thy desires and lusts, remember Christ led hither and thither. If pride stir thy mind, remember Christ nailed on the cross between two thieves. Whereof Esai saith. 
Esai. 53.  And we have seen him, and there was no fayernesse in him, and we have desired the despising of all men. If thou burn in lechery, or any other ill desire, remember how Christ's tender flesh was all to torn with stripes, thirst through, and all to broken. Whereof the scripture saith, 
Psal. 21.  They have numbered all my bones. If thou be vexed with envy or desire of revenging, think with thyself, that Christ did prey to his father for them, which crucified and scorned him. Which when he was reviled, did not revile again. 
1. Pet. 2. Esai. 53.  As a sheep led to be slain. If sin troubleth thee, cast thyself upon Christ, believe all his to be thine, and that by his work thou art saved. If thou look so only in Christ, thou shalt have peace, and thou shalt rejoice that god is thy god. And although thy sin be great, yet the grace of god is much greater. Therefore say: Although I alone had committed all the sins of the world, they were utterly none, if I may obtain the grace of god through Christ. God suffereth his to fall, yea and that sometimes grievously, as David and Peter: that they might rise and thank god more fervently. Therefore no sinner should despeire, seeing that so great men have sinned so grievously, and by the grace of god have repent and amended their living. If Satan do tempt the of predestination, whether thou be amongst them, which be ordained to the kingdom of heaven, be deaf, taking example of Christ, which hanging on the cross said nothing at all to this, when they said: He hath trusted in god, let him deliver him if he will. So Daniel, 
Danie. 3,  When the king of Babylon said: And what god is he, that may deliver you out of my hands? They answered: we ought not of this matter to answer the. Behold, our god, whom we worship, may deliver us from this furnace of hot burning fire, and out of thy hands O king. So thou must commit all the matter to god, whether thou be predestinate or no, do not curiously search out the majesty of god, 
Prou. 25.  lest thou be oppressed of his glory. In trouble and death it seemeth to many, that god is a sleep, and utterly forsaketh them, as Christ crieth. God, yea my god, why hast thou forsaken me. So the gospel setteth forth to us an example of them, to whom it seemed, 
Marc. 5.  that Christ slept in the ship. But now Christ (death being overcome) hath promised, he will be to us a saviour, as it is in Mat. xi. Come to me all you that labour & be bordened, 
Matth. 11.  and I will refresh you. 
Luce. 12.  Again, Fear not little flock, for it hath pleased your father, to give to you a kingdom. Therefore by such examples of the gospel, weak men ought to be encouraged, to whom it seemeth, that Christ is a sleep: that be of inconstant and wavering minds, which doubt, whether god be merciful to them, and whether god be in them. They ought to be monished, that they trust constantly to Christ, that although Christ seem to them to be a sleep, yet let them continue, and the lord will revenge and deliver them out of all their evils, sooner than it can be spoken. Esai saith: 
Esai. 54.  for a little season at a pinch, I have forsaken thee, and in great mercies I will gather the together. 
1. Reg job. 13 cap. 5.  The lord leadeth down to hell, and bringeth from thence again. yea although he kill, yet I will trust in him. He doth wound, and giveth remedy: he smiteth, and his hands shall make hole.   

¶ They that be dying, must be exhorted. to forgive. Cap. xiii.  

Matth. 6.  BECAUSE god commandeth, forgive, and it shall be forgiven you. and putteth thereunto a condition, He that doth not forgive his brother, to him god doth forgive nothing: and if god do not forgive sins, we can not be saved. 
Luc. 16. Marc. 11.  forgive, and it shall be forgiven you. And when you shall stand praying, forgive, if you have any thing against any man, that your father also may forgive you. 
Matt. 5.  When thou offerest thy gift at the aultare, first reconsile thyself to thy brother. 
Matt. 18.  If you will not forgive each of you, your brother's faults, & that with all your hearts: your father will not forgive you. 
Colo. 3.  If any man have a quarrel against his brother, as Christ hath forgiven you, so do you forgive. So in the prayer of the lord, we desire forgiveness to be done to us, as we forgive them, which be our debtors: that is, that we forgive them, of whom in any thing we have been hurt, either in deed, to be wrongfully handled, or else in word to be shamefully entreated. And to them that be at the point of death, this should be minded, If they at any time have hurt or endamaged their neighbour, or taken any thing from him by extortion or robbery, or have defamed any man. Here also they must do as Christ did on the cross, let them pray for all their enemies, and forgive them their wrongs with all their hearts. And if any thing of theirs be taken away by theft, let them not require it again with violence. If they have taken away any thing of another man's, let them yield it again, if they may: or let them labour, that it may be restored: nor let them keep secret any thing, but confess their fault, be sorry that they have offended, and desire forgiveness. If for lack of riches they be not able to make satisfaction: it shall be sufficient, that they forgive other, which have harmed them, other in body or goods. If they forgive them with all their heart, god will forgive them the wrong done to other: As Christ teacheth. 
Matth. 6.  If you forgive men their offences, your heavenly father shall forgive you.   

¶ Such as be dying should be admonished, that they receive the Sacrament of Christ's body and blood. Ca xiiii.  
IT IS a great token of the inestimable love of god and of his abundant mercy toward us, that in his supper he would should be witnessed, that Christ doth deliver and give himself to us, and doth join us to him as his members: that we may know, that the lord loveth us, hath respect to us, and saveth us. furthermore in this supper, we here Christ speaking to us, feeding us with his body, proffering us, that we should drink his blood for eternal life: where he saith, Take, eat you, 
Matt. 26. Marc. 14. Luc. 22. 1. Cor. 11.  this is my body, which for you is given. Do you this in my remembrance. Likewise after he had supped, taking the cup, he said: This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for the remission of your sins. Do you this as oft as you shall drink it in the remembrance of me. Good brother, think that these words be spoken to the. print them most deeply in thy mind. for when he speaketh to all, he speaketh also to thee, to thee, to the I say, they profit All things, which Christ hath suffered, shall profit the no less, than they do help Peter & Paul. This sacrament is verily both commanded & instituted of Christ himself, for the remission of our sins and eternal life. For the promise soundeth so, the which he that receiveth by faith, and believeth that which he saith (Given for you, and Shed out for you) hath and obtaineth without doubt remission of his sins.   

¶ diverse consolations, that the life and time of affliction is short. Cap. xv.  
IT IS a great comfort, that affliction shall not endure continually. 
Roma. 8.  The afflictions of this time, are not worthy of the glory, which shall be showed upon us. The eye hath not seen, 
Esai. 64.  nor the ear hath not hard. etc. the joys that god hath prepared for his elect. 
1. Cor. 2.  Through many troubles we must enter into the kingdom of god. 
Acto. 14.  Our trouble, which is but temporal and light, worketh an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory unto us which look not on the things that are seen, but on them, which are not seen. The souls of them, 
Apoc. 6.  which were killed, cried out under the altar. to whom it was answered, that they should rest yet a little time. As a little minute of an hour until the wrath be passed by. 
Esai. 26.  Also Christ in the gospel calleth the time of affliction, 
joh. 16. Esai. 54,  A little time. A little while you shall not seem. In distress for a little season I have forsaken thee: but in eternal mercies I have gathered the together.  

¶ The comfort of widows & Orphans.  
THOU wilt say, I am now a widow, and have no man, which careth for me, here David, which saith. 
Psal. 145.  To the fatherless and widow thou shalt be a helper. 
Psal. 9  Also, The poor is left to thee, & also to the fatherless thou shalt be a helper. And Christ saith. I will not leave you fatherless: 
joh. 14.  that is, without help. So great care hath god over the fatherless and widows, that he will comfort them in their trouble. Hereof we learn, that we also should be moved with pity towards the widows and fatherless, and that we should aid and secure them: For this is a pure and an undefiled religion before god the father, 
jaco. 1.  to vysete the fatherless and widows in their trouble. God doth diligently commend to us this sort of men, both in the law and in all the prophets, threatening grievous punishment to them, which either do oppress them, or else do not soccour and deliver them, when they be oppressed. Exodus xxii Esai. i. & ten jere. v. & xii Zacha. seven. So Paul commandeth Timo. to honour the widows.   

¶ The comfort of women traveling with child.  
THE child is in the hand of god, and is not borne, before the time appointed, which is not in our power, but in the will of god, at whose hand we must look and seek for favour and help. And surely the lord is nigh to them, which call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the will of them, 
Psal. 144.  which fear him, and will here their prayer, and save them. But we must consider, that all things have their time, and that all things under heaven, pass forth by certain limits and spaces. There is a time of birth, 
Eccle. 3.  and a time of dying. The time that god hath ordained, must be looked for in the faith of god's promise. The promise is this, Thou shalt bring forth thy children, although with pain, but he promiseth the deliverance and birth. This promise requireth faith. For he that promiseth, is able to perform. And more over, it requireth obedience, that the woman be obedient to the will of god: upon whom this cross is laid by god the merciful father. For it is a great mercy of god, that god delivereth the soul from misery, and vexeth the body with misery, the soul I say, is delivered, and is the daughter of god by faith: as Paul witnesseth, saying. 
1. Tim. 2.  The woman shall be saved through bearing of children, if she continue in faith, love, and sanctification, with soberness. And Christ saith: The woman, 
joh. 16.  when she travaileth, is in sorrow, because her hour is come: But when she hath brought forth her child, she remembreth not her tribulation, for joy that a man is borne in to the world.   

¶ A comfort for them that lament the dead.  
COMEN honesty and charity of our neighbour requireth, that we adorn and worship the burials of our friends, which sleep in the lord, with convenient morning. But we must not lament and mourn of ungodliness and superstition, as the unfeythefull heathen do, which believe not the resurrection of the dead, which know not, that god liveth, and careth for us, although our friends die. For of them Paul saith: 
1. Thes. 4.  We will not brethren that ye should be ignorant of them that sleep, that ye sorrow not, as other do, which have no hope. For if we believe that jesus died, and rose again: even so them also, which sleep by jesus, shall god bring with him. Here humanity and the works of mercy are not condemned. 
Gen. 23. et 50. 2. Re. 1.  For joseph mourned his father, Abraham lamented his wife Sara: David bewailed Saul. and also certain religious persons buried Steven, 
Acto. 8. joh. 19  and made great lamentation upon him. Nichodemus and joseph of Aramathie, are praised, because they buried Christ. Therefore Paul condemneth not moderate mourning and sorrow, which springeth of faithful charity: but he condemneth the immoderate heathenyshe sorrow and mourning, as ungodly and superstitious. For the hope of Christian men is perfitly assured, that the dead perish not, but sleep: 
joh. 11.  as Christ saith, Lazarus our friend sleepeth. Therefore to lament the dead by affection of love, is the duty of charity, but it is hethnishe and ungodly, to lament the dead of infidelity. For it is given us naturally, to bewail the death of them, which in their lives were dearly beloved of us, but we must remember the saying of holy job, The lord hath given, 
job. 1.  and the lord hath taken away. Some time our parents, our dear friends, our wife, and our children be taken away from us, that we may learn the will of god, and have a respect only to god the giver, and not to the gifts.   

¶ A consolation for them, which suffer for their offences.  
OF THEM which suffer for their evil deeds, 
1. Pet. 2.  Peter speaketh, saying: what praise is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently? And again. 
1. Pet. 4.  See that none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or a busy body in other men's matters. But if it chance so, that we must suffer for an evil deed done of us, the deserved punishment may be an holy suffering, no less pleasant to god, than the suffering of the innocent martyrs. For if the evil doer confess his sin before god, and believe that his sin is forgiven, through jesus Christ: then by jesus Christ it is brought to pass, that the deserved punishment is sanctified, to obtain the crown of everlasting glory: was not the thief, hanging on the cross upon the one side of Chrst, sanctified in his punishment, 
Luce. 22.  as soon as he aknowleged his sin, and through faith commended his health to Christ? Was it not said also to him, This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise? Neither is it marvel, that evil doers through faith, can in their deserved punishments, be sanctified as innocent martyrs. For as the martyrs in their suffering do testify and witness Christ and the gospel, so evil doers in their punishment, do testify and witness the law of god, and be examples to other, that they avoid evil deeds, lest they be punished in like manner. To be an example, that mischievous deeds be avoided, is it not a work of holiness? Therefore whether a man do suffer justly or unjustly, let him believe in jesus Christ, and his suffering shall cause him to obtain of the lord a garland that never shall wither away. Therefore no man ought to despair. 
1. Tim. 2.  For Christ hath given himself a redention for al. There is one god, and one mediator of god and man, namely the man Christ jesus, which gave himself a ransom for all men. Behold, he saith for al. Therefore also, He will, 
2. Pet. 3.  that all return to repentance. And he saith, 
Luc. 5.  I came not to call the just, but sinners, of whom he would be borne. juda, David, 
Matth. 1.  Manasse, Thamar, Rachab, and Batseba be examples. Therefore he commandeth the gospel to be preached to every creature. 
Ezec. 18.  He will not the death of a sinner, but the health of all men. So he calleth all to him which be burdened. 
Matt. 11. Luc. 19  So he received to him zache. Maudelyn, Peter, Matthei, the woman of Cananee. 
Matth. 5. Matt. 27.  So he received to favour the thief. Also he appeared after his resurrection to Mary Maudelyne, out of whom he had expelled seven devils. 
Matth. 16.  He admitteth and receiveth Thomas the hard believer. He converteth Saul being a persecutor most grievous. 
Acto. 9  briefly he refuseth no man, he receiveth all that repent, with a fatherly mind. He showeth mercy, he taketh the repentant to his son. Therefore he commandeth to pray, 
Matth. 6.  Let thy kingdom come, forgive us our trespasses. 
joh. 16.  Also, what so ever ye pray the father in my name, it shall be given you. Ask, 
Matth. 7.  and it shall be given you: knock: and it shall be opened unto you.   

¶ Sentences out of holy scripture, to styrce up a desire to die.  
WE are strangers before thee, 
1. Par. 30.  as were all our fathers. Our days be as it were a shadow upon the earth, and here is none abiding. ¶ The life of man is a warfare upon the earth: and his days, 
job. 7.  as the days of a hired servant.  
¶ A man borne of a woman, 
job. 14.  living a short time, is replenished with moche misery. He cometh forth like a flower, and goth away like a shadow, and never remaineth in one estate.  
¶ What man is he that liveth, 
Psal. 88  & shall not see death?  

Psal. 89.  ¶ Our years passen away as a cop web, the days of our age be three score and ten, or in the chiefest four score years, and the most part of these, is labour and pain.  

Psal. 101.  ¶ My days be wasted as a shadow, and I am dried up as the grass.  

Psal. 144.  ¶ A man is made like to vanity, his days pass away as a shadow.  

Eccle. 7.  ¶ The day of death is better than the day of life.  

Heb. 13.  ¶ We have not here a dwelling city, but we seek for one to come.  

jaco. 4.  ¶ What is our life? it is a vapour, appearing a little while, and afterward vanisheth away.  

1. Pet. 1.  ¶ All flesh is as hay, and all the glory of man as the flower of hay, the hay is dried up, and the flower falleth.    
¶ FINIS.   


¶ THE TABLE OF THE first book.  
THE preparation to the Cross, & how it must be patiently borne.  
¶ What the Cross is Cap. 1.  
¶ Two kinds of crosses. Ca 2.  
How the faithful be tempted. 3.  
¶ The Cross is of God only. Cap. 4.  
Cross is the work of the good will of god. 5.  
¶ The godly are the first that are afflicted of God, to their good and wealth. Cap. 6.  
¶ In tribulation we must pray. Cap. 7.  
Of prayer, and the manner thereof in tribulation. 

Whose prayers are hard of god.  
The promise of god. Faith.  
To ask in the name of jesus.  
The affect to desire any thing.  
Thanks giving.    
¶ We ought to be patiented in affliction, not to be angry, not to speak evil of god. Cap. 8.  
¶ Soccur in affliction must be asked of god. 9  
¶ Yet in affliction or sickness, medicine and council are not to be despised. Ca 10.  
In affliction no time may be appointed to god, nor way whereby we would be delivered. ca 11.  
¶ It is great comfort to them that be in affliction, to remember, that Christ was also tempted, and exercised with ill, as we be wont. 12.  
¶ It is great comfort in affliction, that no man can hurt the faithful, except Christ wil Ca 13  
¶ The goodness of god is not to be despised, or lightly regarded before afflictions, whereby god will punish & give warning. Ca 14.  
¶ There be diverse crafts of the devil, whereby he tempteth, and where one craft profiteth nothing, he addeth many other. Ca 15.  
1 ¶ If thou be tempted in pride, or vayenglory, answer him again.  
2 ¶ If thou be tempted in wroth or anger.  
3 ¶ If thou be tempted in feasting, or gluttony and drunkenness.  
4 ¶ If thou be tempted in avarice or covetousness.  
5 ¶ If thou be tempted with hunger, poverty, or carefulness of living.  
6 ¶ If thou be tempted of idleness.  
7 ¶ If thou be tempted of security.  
8 ¶ If thou be tempted of fornication & adultery.  
9 ¶ If thou be tented with lying or light words  
10 ¶ If thou be tempted of confessing the gospel, or suffering persecution for the gospel.  
11 ¶ If thou be tempted of the faith of thy parents: as wherefore believe thou not that, which thy forefathers have believed.  
12 ¶ If thou be tempted of strange religion, or of worshipping of saints, or images, or men.  
13 ¶ If thou must die, and leave wife, children, and thy dear friends.  
14 ¶ If thou be tempted of condemnation, that thou art condemned of god.  
15 ¶ If the devil say, thou art a sinner, and art not graffed in Christ.  
¶ If he continue and say, but thy sins pass 16 the sonde of the sea.  
¶ If he say, such promises are made to the 17 godly, but thou art an apostata, and a lost man.  
But god heareth no sinners nor straiers away. 18  
But thou comest very late with thy contrition. 19  
¶ But he had a strong faith in god, which 20 thou lackest.  
¶ What if all holy scripture be false, for they 21 were men, which spoke it, and wrote it.  
¶ If the temptator say, thou hast not kept the 22 law of god, wherefore thou art accursed.  
¶ If he say thou must forsake the world. 23   

The table of the second book.  
WHAT is death. Cap. 1.  
¶ What is the cause of death. Ca 2.  
¶ Two manner of deaths. Cap. 2.  
¶ To the elect and faithful, eternal death by Christ is overcome. Cap. 3.  
¶ Although the godly die, yet they shall live. 4.  
¶ The death of the godly is a sleep. Cap. 5.  
Baptism is a comfort in the point of death. 6.  
¶ The godly know the time of dying to be determined of god. Cap. 7.  
The ungodly live not out half their days. 8.  
¶ The godly also in the time of hunger, pestilence, and war, be punished, and die with the wicked. ca 9  
¶ To whom they that die aught to commit their spirit. cap. 10.  
¶ The body is buried, but it shall rise again in the last day. ca 11.  
¶ In the pangs of death, and in all temptations, the remedies be to be learned of the sufferance of Christ, cap. 12.  
¶ The dying, must be exhorted to forgive. 13.  
¶ Such as be dying should be admonished, that they receive the sacrament of Christ's body and blood. ca 14.  
¶ diverse consolations, that the life and time of affliction is but short. ca 15.  
¶ The comfort of widows and Orphans.  
¶ The comfort of women travailing with child  
¶ A comfort for them that lament the dead.  
¶ A consolation for them, which suffer for their offences.  
¶ Sentences out of holy scripture to stir up a desire to die.   
¶ FINIS.   

¶ LONDINI in aedibus Thomae Bertheleti typis impress. Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum.  
ANNO. M.D.XL.