A notable and marvelous Epistle of the famous Doctor, Matthew Gribalde, Professor of the Law, in the University of Milan: concerning the terrible judgement of GOD, upon him that for fear of men▪ denieth Christ and the known verity: with a Preface of Doctor Caluine. Now newly imprinted, with a godly and wholesome preservative against desperation, at all times necessary for the soul: chief to be used when the devil doth assault us most fiercely, and death approacheth nighest▪  LUKE. 12. But I say unto you my friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after ward have no power to do any thing else. 
¶ Imprinted at London, by Henry Denham, for William Norton.   

❧ John Caluin to the christian Reader.  
HOW froward our mind is in judging the works of God, and how crooked a judgement we have, it doth right well appear by this▪ that where as he showeth so many examples one after an other, in punishing the wickedness of man, yet many do slightly pass over, or regard the same, yea, some plainly scorn them, other suppose them to come by chance: and finally, all men suddenly forget them. This unthankfulness, as it is not of itself to be borne, so bringeth it also this mischief with it▪ that we receive not the fruit of the judgements of God▪ that we should do, which is briefly noted of the Prophet Esai, that is to say, that all 
Esay. 26.  the inhabiters of the earth, may learn righteousness thereby. By the which saying, he doth show us that being stricken with fear, we aught to learn to dread GOD, and live an holy life. And because the Prophets would remedy this all, there is no point of doctrine, that they have more to doe-withall, then to fasten in our remembrance, such plagues as God sendeth upon the wicked, and ungodly persons. And yet is there ●… other other mischief worse than this. And that is stubborness, that we be not wise, having go● monition and warning: and therefore of so many advertisements, as the Prophets in every pla● beat into our heads: yea, threat and thunder ● 'pon us, there cometh but small profit, & fe● there been that are moved thereby. Because God would shake from us this beastly sluggishness, ● showeth oftentimes, such monstrous examples ● may constrain us to feel, yea, though we be a sl●  
Such like example not long ago, hath he ●clared in Frances Spera: first in Italy, that to say, in the highest & most notable Theatre all Europe, and Christendom: secondly, in th● nation, which as it doth otherwise excell● finesse of wit, so is it in this point without ● sense and feeling. For there in every place do● all wickedness so licentiously reign, that ● most part either thinketh not, that God is ● maker of the world, or else knoweth not, that shall come to be our judge. And what maru● i● it if Antichrist, with his blast infect the ● lians so nigh unto him, which hath poured ● his deadly poison, even upon the uttermost c● of the earth. And therefore we see other nat● bewitched with wicked superstitions, but ● most furiously and outrageously, contempt God himself. In deed there be in the cou● some excellent & wise servants of Christ. ●● doubt not but god hath many sheep there (w●●ing now scattered abroad, at length shallbe ga●ered together), But yet in the common life of ●en (if a man would view every estate & de●ee) there appeareth nothing but horrible blind ●sse. Then for as much as they despise God so ●chelously, and with such arrogancy, let them ●ue such schoolmasters as they deserve. Surely ●rances Spera is worthy to be one of the chief. ●or whereas the vain fellow puffed up with ●bicious bragging, would profanely dispute ●d teach in the school of Christ: at length com●yng abroad, could but a while enjoy the place ● them, of whose sort he was not. Hereby the ●alians may learn, that use accustomably to ●lly with God, how earnest vengeance he will ●ke upon those that scorn his majesty. Now, ●hereas the romish Antichrist would by his agate so notably triumph upon Christ and his gospel's, in the person of this wretched man, he ●th enjoyed such success, as is meet for such policy & subtle enterprise. As long as Spe● drew his breath in this world, in the mids ●his most horrible pain and torments, he ne● ceased to cry that he was everlastingly cō●pned, because he was brought wickedly to ● swear the son of God, his only health and ●uation: partly through the whorish intise●nte, and partly through the tyrannical threa●ges of the Legate of Rome. The voices of the Martyrs, which they most cruelly murder, do sound amongst them: yea, and are heard even in heaven: but the Pope and his guard, think them not worthy their hearing. Let them delight themselves therefore with the song of this martyr of theirs so long, till they be brought into the same pageant of desperation themselves. I speak to the romish Pope, with his band of thieves, and to the Italians by name, not because this example pertaineth to them only: but because this fight was set so nigh before their eyen, by the marvelous providence of God: forasmuch as they can not be wakened, but by such tragical motion.  
In the mean season, all other nations may know that they are warned of the lord. Let the frenchmen bend and set their mind on this, that are, through their folly & lightness advanced above the clouds, and are to much accustomed unreverently to scorn religion. Let the Germans hearken to this, that have been heretofore to slack, and dull in perceiving the judgements of god, and now in their last evils, s●me utterly to be void of all reason. Let the English men also, and other learn, with what re●erence and carefulness they aught to receive Christ, now shining upon them. This wretched Spera (whether he was enticed by ●tattrie, or constrained by fear, to forswear God's verity▪ which he had confessed) as a notable example, that the confession of godly & wholesome doctrine (which we so stenderly regard) is not a little esteemed before the judgement seat of god. For assoon as he suffered himself to be led away to this false simulation and saying (as the reprobate cease not to commit one mischief upon an other) he fell into many traps, and entangled himself in many snares of desperation, till at length through his doting fantasies, striving in vain (as beasts that are caught in snares) he strangled himself. for asmuch then as this example of God's judgement, ●s both worthy to be known of this our age, ●nd to be remembered of our posterity, I thought good to set abroad (as faithfully as become me) ●his history of him, compiled by a learned man ●nd an eloquent: jest partly through negligence, ●artly through sluggishness, & partly through ●he wickedness of men, it should be utterly lost.  
For seeing that every man perceiveth how vn●iscretely such treatises were compiled, as have ●een heretofore set forth, I can not see what they ●an profit the reader. The lord jesus establish ●ur hearts in the right and pure faith of his gospel's, and keep our tongues in the steadfast confession of him: that now singing with his Angels, ●e may at length with them enjoy that joy of ●he heavenly kingdom.  
From Geneva, the fift of December.   

An Epigram of the terrible example of one Francis Spera an Italian, of whom this book is compiled.  

E xcesse of riches, promotion worldly  
D ignities, honour, and earthly pleasure,  
W ife, children, kindred, name, affinity:  
A ccompt not these things as perfit treasure  
R iches that fail not, but ever endure.  
D escende from heaven, and never turn to 〈…〉  
A s these which often both soul and body 〈…〉   

G race, truth, clear conscience, what treas 〈…〉 they been.  
L et Spera be example to us all  
I n these our days the like hath not been s 〈…〉  
O f one that had from God, so great a fall,  
N ot able once himself for grace to call.  
B icause the wretch did set this worldly dros 〈…〉  
I n place about Christ's gospel, truth, & cross 〈…〉   Sub his acrosticis latens, authoris nomen.  

A great and marvelous example of the divine judgement, hath appeared in these our latter days. We do witness that, 
●. Ihon. 2.  which we have heard with our ears, and seen with our Eyes.  
FRANCIS SPERA▪ a Lawyer and famous advocate, borne in the Castle of Citadel: a man about fifty years 
He had a tedie mind to understand the scriptures.  of age, having a wife and xi children, worldly goods, offices, and promotions abundantly: After he had received the gifts of the holy ghost, through the unspeakable grace of GOD, and had fully known the Lord jesus Christ our ●a●iour, by the revealing of the whole scripture, and being illuminate with the light of the holy ghost, did confess Christ only, and preached that we had salvation▪ given us only through Christ the son of God, and that by Christ only we were justified, and aught not to put affiance in any works or merits of men●● and yet not withstanding, aught to do good works, to the end we might obey God, and live justly and godly. And finally, after he had attained abundant knowledge of the truth, through faith, by the manifest testimonies of the holy Scripture, tasting in the mean season in his har●, with much quietness, pleasure, and comfort, the gifts of the holy Ghost, a● faith▪ hope, charity, meekness, gentleness, and all manner of quietness and tranquillity of the mind, as he that d 〈…〉 possess▪ Christ, and had the fruition and pleasure of Christ: this wretched m●n (alas too too wretched) being, through the pricking for ward of his enemies, sommo●ned to appear at ●eny● before the Legate of the chief Bishop, and there being accused of her●●●e, grievously ●aunted and threatened: & 〈◊〉 constrained through f●●re, either of corporal death, or con●is 〈…〉 ti●● of his goods▪ utterly abjured and denied the doctrine which he tofore ha● preached, having commandment to return into his country, and ●●●●exan● hi● professed doctrine, in the place of Cita 〈…〉 where he before had manifestly to 〈◊〉 ●ort, declared and taught the same, and there to content the people and Minister's of the Church, with a minifest and solemn recantation▪  
This wretched man being dismissed from the Legate, and prepared to his ●●urney to execute the commandment of late given him, concerning his abiving, began diversly to reason with himself, whether he should return to Citadel, to confirm his recantation: either should forsake all his goods, and go to 
The holy ghost inspiring.  ●●me other place to repent. As he went in his journey, the spirit of God continually ●ame into his mind, and the prick of 
Conscience is a thousand witnesses.  conscience provoking him to repentance, and councelling him always not to go ●o abjure: but rather to forsake Wife Children, and the whole world: yea, and ●o suffer present death▪ rather than to ab 〈…〉re and recant the truth which he ynewe.  
The spirit said, Francis, ●e ware lest 
The ●utter in remembrance of our inward thoughts.  〈…〉 thou confirm the Recantation which 〈…〉 o● heretofore haste made, take h●ede 〈…〉 as'st thou confirm and ●eale with the s● 〈…〉 et of thy heart, that Epistle which thou 〈…〉 st signed with thy simple hand: thou▪ 
Christian liberty.  ●●t free yet Francis, and haste escaped▪ out of the hands of men, forsake not the 
Do not become the servants of men.  truth▪ stand and fall no more, repent, and God will have mercy upon thee: the frailness of the flesh hath moved thee to this, beware lest the wickedness of the spirit come after. All these things and many 
The warning of the spirit.  other (as Francis told us) did the Spirit, and his conscience continually bea●e in his head, the which spirit being at length rejected, and his heart being hardened, he decreed with himself, to prefer his wife, children, offices, promotions and temporal goods, before the truth which he knew, and to confirm his abjuration which he before had made, that he might enjoy his temporal goods, in worldly quietness. And upon this purpose, entering into the town of Citadel, offered himself to the Mayor (who was advertised of the same, before by letters) to be ready to satisfy the people and congregation, and to abjure the doctrine which he had preached before: and thi● d●●n, he departed home, the same night came to him a Priest bringing him a certain Copy of the recantation which be should make the next day before all the people, and the same night, the wretch●● man took no sleep: the next morning following being Sunday when Mass was done: this Francis rising up did abjure the doctrine which he before had maintained, before the whole multitude of the people▪ which he reported to be about the number of two thousand persons, in the presence of the Mayor, officers, and other his friends, and there did recant all which he before had taught, confirming 
Merits, affianceof works, free-will Purgatory, intercessions of Saints Pardons of Bishops, satisfactions. etc..  the merits of men, affiance of works, free will, place of purgatory, intercession of saints, pardons, satisfactions: and finally, all things which he before had confuted by the testimonies of scripture, affirming with open protestation, that he did err and was deceived, but now was returned to the way of light and truth, and into the bosom of the holy Church of Rome.  
This done, he was appointed to pay a 〈…〉 ne of thirty Crowns, of the which he paid five to the Priest, that brought him the Copy of his recantation, the other xxv. he gave out of hand for a receptacle or Tabernacle of the Sacrament of the Auter. And so was dismissed of the magistrate, and was restored to his wife, children, goods, and promotions. Ano● 
Whosoever denieth me be fore men, I will also be ashamed of him.  this most wretched man and most unlucky of all other, perceived the terrible sentence of the righteous GOD, to lighte● and glister against him: and did most evidently know that the wrath of the Almighty God was fallen upon his head▪ By and by he lost all the gifts of the holy 
Do not make the holy ghost sorrowful.  Ghost, and Christ was separated from him: All the benefits of Christ, all comfort vanished away▪ his heart was filled with hatred, confusion, cursing, and blasphemy. And immediately came in his mind a heap and remembrance of all the iniquities and faults, from the dai● of his nativity What should I say mor●▪ By and by christ departed from him, and the most sweet peace of Christ. And i● their place came death, Satan, horror's fear, confusion and despair.  
And thus this wretched person continuing in this most miserable estate, by ● 
He recanted them in May.  space of six Months, came at the length (in these latter days) with his wife children and household unto Milan, when daily falling into worse estate and wors● and stricken continually with greater 〈◊〉 fusion, feeling also the terrible indig 〈…〉 〈…〉 n of God against him, fell at the length to utter desperation. And so lay down his bed, without any fever, loosing all 〈…〉 e use of his body, except his speech: nei●er desiring, nor eating any thing, nei●er digesting that which was put into ●●m by force, nor voiding any thing, but 〈…〉 ely drinking, and troubled with an un 〈…〉 iable thirst, as though he would have ●onke up Hister and Nilus But in coun 〈…〉aunce 
Hister & Nilus be great rivers.  and visage, well liking, in mind 〈…〉 d understanding, most constant, most 〈…〉 ong of remembrance, never repea 〈…〉ng one word twice, receiving all that ●ne unto him, and uttering learned, ●aue, and sober communication, that he ●as condemned by the righteous judgement of God, that he was already in hell, continual torment, that he was void 〈…〉 d destitute of all hope and favour of GOD, that he aught not▪ to look for the 〈…〉 ercie of God, for that he had sinned a 〈…〉 inst the holy ghost, and that his fault 〈…〉 s unpardonable, that the merits of 
He ●●●led th● known truth for the peace of men.  〈…〉 riste did avail him nothing, that he 〈…〉 no manner faith or hope left, wishing 〈…〉 e in the place of judas or Cain, that looked for nothing else daily, but the horrible sentence of the just God, and t 〈…〉 the mercy of God, did far surmount 〈…〉 the sins of the world: but yet could 〈…〉 avail him any thing, for that he was 〈…〉 probate from the beginning: neyt 〈…〉 
He knew himself to be foreknown.  written at any time, in the book of ly●● that Christ neither suffered nor pra 〈…〉 for him: but for the elect only, that t 〈…〉 judgement of God was declared, and 〈…〉 justice fulfilled in him only.  
Finally, that within short space, 〈…〉 horrible end should come: that he mi 〈…〉 
The principal end of this matter.  give an example to all the elect, of his 〈…〉 juration. When he had uttered all the things, and many more, most eviden 〈…〉 and in perfit mind, in the presence of that were assembled, about thirty p 〈…〉 sons in number, with the reverend L 〈…〉 Bishop Vergerius: the same Verge 〈…〉 began to comfort him by all means.  
And when I amongst other, was a 〈…〉 to speak: the reverend Vergerius s 〈…〉 unto him▪ dear Master Francis, 〈…〉 ●s that Doctor Gribald that in this 〈…〉 versitie of Milan▪ professeth the lafoy 〈…〉 godly man and faithful, who co 〈…〉 
You be welcome: and I ill found.  to see you. Then he in his mother t 〈…〉 said. Sia lui●l been venuto, et io il mal●  
●ato. Then did I direct my communication towards him, and said. Master Francis, this is the illusion and mocking of the Devil, that evidently doth trouble your mind. Wherefore with all your heart turn unto the blessed GOD, who is ready to have mercy upon you. Do you not know that the earth is full of the mercy of God? and that, if all the 〈…〉 nnes' of the world were in one man, yet 〈…〉 old they not be compared to the smallest spark of the mercy of God, who said. As often as the sinner shall mourn, I will remember his iniquities no more. Consi 〈…〉 o Peter that denied Christ thrice, and 〈…〉 hat with an oath, with whom he had li 〈…〉ed so long familiarly, of whom he had 〈…〉 eceived so many benefits, so many to 〈…〉 ens of love: and yet notwithstanding, 〈…〉 e most merciful God pardoned him. Consider the thief that never had done 〈…〉 y good deed, but had bestowed his whole 〈…〉 e in mischief, how he, through one m● 〈…〉 n of his heart, and power of faith, 〈…〉 as received into favour. Know ye not 〈…〉 at the hand of the Lord is not yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose property is to pardon and have mercy▪ Call upon him a little with your heart, and ask for his mercy▪ And I promise' you assuredly, that he is most ready to have mercy upon you, and to receive you into favour, through jesus Christ his blessed Son▪ Have a so 〈…〉 confidence Master Francis, and rise● and doubt ye not at all, God hath already mercy upon you, and hath pardoned yo● through Christ, all your offence. They said he, I do not believe. And I answered again. Master Francis, I have known many by face and acquaintance that have been both most grievous sinners, and possessed of the Devil, and in far worse estate than you are, brought into extreme desperation, and yet the row the grace of God, by the exhortati●● of their faithful friends, have turned in to hope and favour, and died in peace a 〈…〉 quietness, what should let you then, b 〈…〉 that ye may direct the smallest spark 〈…〉 your heart to so oboundant mercy of God with an affection of your heart to call upon him in hope and faith. When I h 〈…〉 said these, and many other things: t 〈…〉 reverend Lord Vergerius took my 〈…〉 by the end, and said. Ah sweet Mai 〈…〉 Francis, and my most dear Ma 〈…〉 Francis, understand the words of this doctor, who is both faithful and the Mes 〈…〉 nger of God, whom God hath sent unto 〈…〉 u, to ascertain you of his mercy. Why 〈…〉 e ye not believe this? Will ye not that 〈…〉 odd should have mercy upon you? He 〈…〉 ill out of doubt have mercy upon you, 〈…〉 d pardon all your offence, how can he 〈…〉 nigh you any thing, that hath granted 〈…〉 u Christ his blessed son? Be of good 〈…〉 éere, and lift up your heart a little in 〈…〉 pe and trust. Will ye that we say the 〈…〉 rdes prayer together from the heart? 〈…〉 ee answered to this: I believe all that 〈…〉 say: yea, the Devils believe and are a 〈…〉 yde, but all this availeth me nothing. 〈…〉 y sin is to death. Certes I would 〈…〉 ndly attain the mercy and favour of 〈…〉 d: but he will not. All the power of 〈…〉 th' is taken from me. For the Lord had 〈…〉 spect unto Peter: but he hath no respect 〈…〉 to me. He was elect, and I am repro 〈…〉 te, 
He doth allege his reprobation or refusing.  I will pray unto GOD with my 〈…〉 gue, and will quickly say whatsoever 〈…〉 will have me to say. But my heart is 〈…〉 of hatred, cursing and blasphemy. I 〈…〉 eve and feel that God is against me. 〈…〉 d as he spoke thus, a fly came flying before his face: Lo (said he) now Beelzebub calleth me to a feast, ye shall perceive mine end to approach, to the example of many, that the judgement and justice of GOD, may openly be declared upon me. And when he had thus said, he turned his face away from us, turning himself on the other side, than said the reverend father Vergerius. Ah dear master Francis, turn your face unto us. I would we prayed to God together, and say. Our father. etc.  
Then he turning him, began to say the lords prayer in his mother tongue, with such gravity and devotion, that all we did wonder: and this uttered, he added these words. I have said it with my mouth, but my heart is clean from it. God hath taken all his grace from me. My heart is utterly hardened: You labour in vain. And when we had spoken with him all these words, and many other, we had him farewell. And so departed all thence with the Lord Vergerius, to pray unto God for him, intending to return on the morrow, if the blessed God would vouchsafe to show him his mercy.  
The next day we came to the wretched 
The second days work.  man, saluting him as the manner is, to whom the reverend lord Vergerius said. Right well-beloved Master Francis, is it any better with you, by the grace of GOD? have ye received no comfort in your heart? have you conceived any good hope? to whom he answered nothing at all: but rather continually worse, and worse. Then began we to demand of him many questions, and especially what time he fell first into that confusion and desperation, and when that unquenchable worm did first begin to burn his conscience, then recited he unto us the whole order and process of his first and second abjuration: as we have declared in the beginning. Which abjurations made, by and by he perceived himself to be smitten with the mighty hand of God, not with any affliction or infirmity of the body (which he right gladly would have acknowledged for the chastisement and correction of sin, and would not utterly have cast away hope and trust:) But the most wretched fellow from that hour, and that suddenly, perceived himself to be stricken in heart, spirit and conscience, for God from that hour, sent into his heart a gnawing worm, an unquenchable fire, that suddenly he might be filled with error, confusion and desperation, which worm and fire, never since forsook him: in so much that he confessed himself to be in far worse estate, than if his soul were divided from his body, and he with Cain and other dampened persons, desiring rather to be in the place of any dead and damned soul, than so to live in his body, and that death should be much more welcome to him.  
Then weeping he began to declare unto us horrible visions, how that he perceived since that time continually Devils to come to his chamber, yea, to his bed, making a noise and business, putting him in fear and sheavering, sticking pings in the pillow under his head, and said, that he conceived not these things by a false or corrupt imagination, but even as truly as he saw us all alive, and speaking with him.  
Then said the reverend Lord Vergerius. Ah dear Master Francis, yo 〈…〉 spirit utterly corrupt, representeth 〈…〉 to you these erroneous illusions and f 〈…〉 imaginations. But return a while unto the spirit of truth, and direct your heart with hope and affiance unto the blessed God, merciful, and full of goodness, and without doubt he will be good and merciful unto you, he will cast from you all horror and confusion, have sure confidence sweet M. Francis: we all have good hope of you, through the infinite mercy of God: and (if it please you) let us say together from the heart the Lords prayer.  
Then said he in Latin the whole prayer, with plentiful tears, so devoutly and gravely, and with such inward affection, as we thought, that all we that stood by, did weep with him, And when I beheld both the tears, the repentance and contrition of the man: I said Master Francis, the blessed God be praised. Now are not these the tokens of utter refusing or casting away. You ●ourne, ye call for the favour of God with ●ar●est desire. Do not utterly despair of his pardon, and say not with a desperate mind, that God is against you, and that ye believe that ye were reprobate and refused from the beginning. For no 〈…〉 a● can know, as long as he is in this mortal life, whether he be worthy the hatred or love of God, through the righteousness of works. And when we earnestly exhorted him, that in no case he should fall from all hope and trust, and that every man that is borne (although 
Eccle. ix.  he had committed all the sins of the whole world) aught yet to have some hope of the favour and mercy of God, whose goodness & mercy is much more plenteous, than man's understanding can perceive: and that if any of us were fallen into such misery, yet should he not despair of the mercy of the high and good God. To the which he answered: I know all this, and I believe that the infinite mercy of God, doth far surmount all the sins of the world, and that every man that believeth and hath faith, eastlye obtaineth pardon of all the sins of the world. But this hope, this faith, is the gift of God. And this one 
Faith is the gift of God.  thing want I, that I can neither hope nor believe of the favour and mercy of God towards me.  
And I would God that he would grant me this one thing, that I could conceive never so little hope and belief of forgiveness and pardon.  
But this is even as possible as to take the whole water of the sea, in one spoon, and to drink it up at a draught. If Solomon had been in such case as I am, and had some what known those things, which I prove now by manifest experience, he would never have uttered that Sentence. But I do believe (and this I know most assuredly) that there was never any man that had more manifest experience in his life, of the hatred, wrath and indignation of the righteous god against him, than I have.  
I would I were in the place of any damned person. You that are in blessed estate suppose this an easy thing to be done, that a sinner reknowledging his fault, may lift up himself to hope and faith towards God▪ and therefore ye exhort me, for as much as ye see me repentant and sorrowful, that I would conceive some hope and trust to rise again▪ The healthful hath no need of a Physician: and he that is whole, can soon give council to the sick. But herein am I tormented: this is my hell, this is my confusion and desperation, that I know all grace to be taken from me, that I feel my heart hardened, that I can not believe nor hope any thing at all of the atonement and mercy of God. Few 
Few chosen  there be whom just jupiter hath loved. We comforted the miserable estate of this desperate man, by such means as we could: & promising that we would pray to God for him, bade him farewell, and departed thence with the reverend Lord Vergerius.  
And thus doth the wretched man live 
The state of the desperate man.  in his body. A certain strong man there is, that when he intended to give him meat, doth bind his arms and shoulders with hands, because he should not resist with his hands. And so opening his mouth by force, putteth thin broth into his mouth with a spoon or other instrument. And yet doth he let it as much as he can, stopping it with his tongue. But it can not choose, but that some of the broth must needs fall down by his gaping into the jaws and palace of his mouth, and so thence into his stomach. And thus with much a do, he is 〈…〉 shed twice a day, but avoiding nothing. But ever he desireth to die, and to go to hell with all speed: looking every hour for the terrible sentence of God: as he most evidently and openly doth declare by his communication.  
The third day came we unto him, 
The iij. days work.  with the reverend Father Vergerius, and did salute him as the manner is: and began again to comfort him: Notwithstanding, he said nothing, but shutting his eyen like one a sleep, with pain gave answer. Then came there a certain aged man, from the place of Citadel, asking him whether he knew him his friend: whom the wretched man beholding with his eyen, did scarce acknowledge.  
Then said he: Master Francis, I am Anthony Fontanina Priest, who was with you, the same day that ye came to Venice: about seven or eight months past. Then said Francis with pitiful groan, and sighings. Alas that cursed day. Alas that cursed day. I would I had never gone thither, or else had died at that present.  
Then began we to demand him many questions, specially of his old faith, and whether he had at any time, any steadfast or perfit belief: and how he fell so miserably from that faith▪ for as much as it was unpossible that he that had once perfitly and firmly believed should fall from the whole. For it is written: that 
Roma. xj.  the gifts of the holy ghost, are without repentance. Then answered he. Certes, I did believe that Christ was the sacrifice that appeased God's wrath toward 
Christ only justifieth.  us, and that it was he only, by whom we did attain salvation and righteousness, neither doubted I at any time in this. But I did not reknowledge the benefits 
He had not true charity.  of Christ, and (to say the truth) I never loved him again with perfit heart. But rather took the faith of the Gospel, to the liberty of the flesh, and so did abuse that faith, to unlawful licence to sin: 
Often error.  and did neglect the whole study, desire, and mean of Godliness and religion.  
By and by, turning him unto certain young men that stood by, he said. My Sons harken to my words. I say not this for that I would pluck any thing from the holy Gospel (which I know to be most true: (but that ye should not set is much by your faith: but that also ●● should do good works, believe me, that have proved it. And then oftentimes with tears and sighings, he did commend above all the scripture, the worthy Epistle of Peter, chief in deed of all the Apostles: 
ij. Peter.  which exhorteth all faithful christians to Godliness, chastity, holiness, and clean life: and to prepare an unspotted Temple to God.  
But I (said he) where as I both did presume that I had attained perfit faith and also boldly preached to other: and had in a readiness all the places of Scripture, yet lived wickedly and ungodly.  
And behold the manifest judgement of God, who hath suddenly taken me in his anger and fury, not for any amendment, but to perfit damnation,  
Then rose there up one that was there present, a man excellently learned, and long exercised in holy Scripture, and said Master Francis, we do not altogether allow this your exhortation, whereas ye council us not so much to yield to the faith of the Gospel: but that we should also embrace and commend the affiance of works. For we know that there are two kinds of righteousness, outward and inward. Outward righteousness, which is of works, and which the world doth commend, the same justifieth not before God, neither availeth to salvation. For Socrates, Cato, and Arestides, right well performed that righteousness: whereby they gate much praise and glory in this world. But the inward righteousness 
The righteousness which is in Christ, justifieth.  is of God, which doth regenerate us by grace into hope, faith and charity: and by this faith freely granted unto us, do we live and are justified, and God imputeth not our sins unto us, without the which, nevertheless, we can not be, as the scripture saith: if we say we have no sin, we beguile ourselves. But blessed is he to whom the Lord imputeth not sin, and whose sins are covered.  
Wherefore, there is no cause that ye should send us to outward works, as to the Anchor and refuge of salvation and righteousness. Than said I: Sir, Master Francis words are not to be taken so precisely or exactly, as though he would compare the outward righteousness of works, to the faith of the Gospel, and inward righteousness: But he exhorted the young men after this sort: because the most part do wickedly turn the liberty of the Gospel into the unlawful liberty of the flesh, and without advisement abuse the gift of faith, and whereas they ●●all themselves faithful, yet deny faith 〈…〉 their deeds. Therefore Peter in his Epistle (which this man so much come 〈…〉 ended, as ye have heard) and james also teach almost nothing else, than that we should declare our faith in our outward works, as Saint Peter saith. Wherefore brethren, do as much as ye 〈…〉 n to make your election certain by your ●ood works. And james also saith. Show 〈…〉 e thy faith, and I will show thee mine ●y my works. Therefore this man bla 〈…〉eth himself greatly for this cause, that 〈…〉 hereas he professed that he had the in●ard righteousness, always neglected ●●e outward.  
Then began we earnestly to dispute 
The beginning of a disputation.  of the matter, and of the estate of this wretched man, and diligently to search, ●heter his trespass were mortal, or no. for the which, according to the saying 〈◊〉 Saint John, we aught not to pray. ●nd that well learned man began to 〈…〉 spute learnedly and excellently of the 〈…〉 nue against the holy Ghost, and of resisting after the truth▪ is known, and made a plain distinction (as we thought) of all the kinds of sin, against the holy ghost. And the wretched man hearkened to all these things with attentive ear: to whom the Lord Vergerius said. Well▪ beloved Master Francis, when ye hear these things disputed so godly and devoutly, and the places of Scripture, in which ye have excelled) to be brought forth, take you in the mean season n● comfort and recreation with us? And specially, seeing that you for your capacity▪ declare the Scriptures so eloquently, w 〈…〉 are not without all hope of your salvation and suppose that the spirit of God is no 〈…〉 clean taken from you, to whom he answered. What comfort can happen to cursed and damned man? yea, whatsoever I speak, hear, see, taste, or feel: all 〈…〉 turned unto my confusion and curse, to whom the Lord Vergerius said. Ah dea● Master Francis, why should ye not hop● of the goodness and mercy of God? Do 〈…〉 not the Lord lead down into Hell, and bring back again? Consider David the Prophet, who being brought down 〈…〉 Hell, and to death: yet prayed unto G 〈…〉 with groaning and tears, to grant him the renewing of heart and spirit. And he made answer: David was always elect and in God's favour, and although he fell grievously, yet the spirit of God never departed from him: Yea, he prayed unto God, that he would not cast him from his face: and that he would not take the holy ghost from him. But I am in far unlike estate, neither elected, nor in God's favour, but have been always reprobate and cursed: neither can I pray ●nto him, not to take away the holy Spirit from me, for he is quite taken away already, and never shall be restored. I know that god doth raise up again, ●hose that are bodily dead, and restoreth to 〈…〉 fe, those that are brought unto hell: that 〈…〉, to their Sepulture: as Christ raised up ●azarus, and brought him again from 〈…〉 ll. But I that am condemned to eter 〈…〉 ll death, have no hope left of bringing 〈…〉 gain: but so that I could conceive never 〈…〉 little hope or trust of the mercy of god: would moste gladly those to live ten 〈…〉 〈…〉 ousand years and more, in all the pai 〈…〉 s and torments of hell, so that at length might hope for some end. But I do▪ most firmly believe, that I shall thus long remain in life, and in all cursing and desperation: that the judgement of God may be fulfilled in me: that I may be an example to all the world, of God's vengeance and just indignation against a reprobate man: would God I were dead▪ and in the place of any dampened person. Then said I, Master Francis, hear me a little, I cannot utterly despair of your salvation. For I dare take it in good part▪ that the blessed GOD hath so grievously tormented you in this present life, and hath not reserved your punishment to another world: so that I have some hope▪ that God will have mercy upon you. And he made answer: Nay, I know most assuredly my refusing and reprobation▪ and that he hath not corrected my sin with corporoll punishment: but rebuking me in his anger and fury, hath condemned my soul, heart and spirit, with perpetual hardness and confusion. Wou 〈…〉 God he had suddenly vexed my body, and had left my spirit free.  
What shall I say more? We talk 〈…〉 with him, till it was night of many 〈…〉 ces of Scripture, and of the marvel 〈…〉 judgements of God. Among other things, I demanded of him what he thought of 
The place of souls.  the sleeping of souls. And he answered. Although a certain Doctor of Germany supposeth that this is not manifestly enough declared by the scriptures: yet I believe that the soul of the elect doth 〈…〉 raight way ascend into the place of e●erlasting bliss, and doth not sleep with the buried body. Then the reverend Lord ●ergerius, taking his tale by the end, ●f this (said he) aught we in no wise to doubt. There be for this many places of 〈…〉 ripture: as, this day thou shalt be with 〈…〉 e in Paradise: and it is also manifestly proved by the story of Lazarus, and the 〈…〉 h man, and Paul desired to be dead, 〈…〉 at he might be in heaven with Christ. 〈…〉 t the length, beholding the uncurable 〈…〉 ague (as me thought) of this desperate 〈…〉 low, I was so bold to ask him this 〈…〉 estion. Master Francis, I pray you answer me: for as much as through 〈…〉 o desperation, ye say, that in this 〈…〉 e ye are worse, than if ye were with 〈…〉 dampened folk in hell: and for as much I see you continually to wish for death, 〈…〉 t ye might go to hell, as though now▪ both your body and soul were in more painful torment, as ye do openly witness. I demand of you, if ye had a sword in your hand: would ye kill yourself (as all desperate persons for the most part do) that have sticked themselves with weapon, or strangled themselves by hanging. Then said he, give me a sword, and ye shalt see what I will do. Nay (said I) I do but desire you to show us your will: I can not tell (said he) neither can I say what my will t 〈…〉 should be. And when he had thus said▪ the reverend Lord Vergerius obtained of him again with much a do; 〈…〉 say the lords prayer. But he said 〈…〉 no more with such affection of heart, as he was wont to do. Moreover▪ he did protest that his heart was quite from God and that he called him not father with his heart, but rather cursed and blasphemed him: and therefore he said▪ there was no cause why we should labour any more in vain, to comfort and bring him home again. For it was even as possible to bring him to any hope or trust 〈…〉 the mercy of God, towards him, as 〈…〉 was possible to fill the whole world with one grain of Mill. Then all we honouring 
mill, is a small seed.  the wonderful judgement of God, had him farewell and departed. And for as much as his kinsfolk had provided a Chariot, & were purposed the next day to convey him from Milan, to the place of Citadel: we gave them warning in no wise to forsake him, but continually should get him the company of godly men: that the blessed God (if it were possible) by the continual prayer and comforting of good men, might vouchsafe to grant him his mercy.  
The next day after, when the wretched 
The four days work.  man was ready to take his journey, and having his apparel on, was brought from his bed, he beheld all the chamber with a fierce and cruel countenance, & horrible eyen, and by chance espied a Woodknife lying upon the table, which by and by, he snatched to stick himself. But his two sons that were always by him, took him suddenly by the hand, and plucked the knife from him: whereby we may plainly know what we may undoubtedly think of that demand which we asked him the day before, of killing him: to the which he would make none answer, ●yding his intent. And this did the reverend Lord Vergerius signify unto me, as an enterprise worthy to be noted, being advertised of the same by his forenamed kinsfolks.  
Thus was this miserable man conveyed to his house at Citadel. But how he doth, and what end he hath, I shall by all means go about to understand: 
That may ye see in the Preface.  and being advertised of the truth, I shall by God's favour, declare you the whole▪  
Far ye well. From Milan, the xxvij. of November. 1548.  
These things have we seen, and sensibly known, and have thought good to writ them unto you, to the praise and glory of the high God, whose kingdom we earnestly desire to be openly known to the whole world.  
¶ Here followeth a godly Prayer against desperation.   

A godly prayer against desperation.  
Olyving God, and most merciful father, which alone of thy almighty power providence and wisdom didst created heaven & earth with all things therein, in most comely form▪ and de●●●● order, and that of very love that thou dearest, chief towards mankind▪ whom thou didst not only much safe to make after thine own similitude and likeness: but also didst ●●ke m●● Lord and governor over 〈◊〉 thy other good creatures: placing him in the Paradise of all felicity▪ forbidding him nothing▪ but only the eating of one ●●uite among many, that this one commandment should be a mean for him▪ to know his superior: and to practise his obedience towards his Creator. But our father Adam, nothing regarding thy fatherly love, nor inestimable benefits▪ not weighing the Royal state and felicity that he was in, did most unthankfully nothing staying himself by thy fore admonition) transgress and wilfully break 〈…〉 thy commandment, thereby deiectin● himself clean out of thy godly favou 〈…〉 utterly losing all his former beatitude 〈…〉 felicity, making himself of the free son 〈…〉 of God, bondslave to the devil: of immortal, & ever to have lived in all feliciti 〈…〉 mortal and subject to death and all 〈…〉 serie. And alas, not only casting aways himself by his unfaithful disobedienc● but (for that he having the sentence 〈…〉 death and damnation laid upon hy● begat us, as the whole parent of ma● kind) he, in his offence, most justly c 〈…〉 demned me, & all his posterity: Here 〈…〉 so heinously displeased thy Majesty, 〈…〉 so justly procured thy wrath and i 〈…〉 gnation: that all our deeds all our me 〈…〉 tes, not not all the intercessions and 〈…〉 rites of all the creatures that ever liu 〈…〉 in this world, could not once move t 〈…〉 righteous justice, to pardon him, nor 〈…〉 offence committed in him: But as t 〈…〉 godly providence did from evermore for 〈…〉 see that miserable fall of man, so did t 〈…〉 mercy from everlasting, determine 〈…〉 redeem man again: for thou so love 〈…〉 the world, that (at the time appointe● thou didst send down thy only begotten son incarnate, to suffer death for mankind, and by his death once for ever, ●o make the free sacrifice and omnisufficient satisfaction to thy justice, for the 〈…〉 nnes' of the whole world freely to make ●ust in thy sight, all that unfeignedly believe therein. Therefore, for as much as 〈…〉 t hath pleased thee, o father, so to open 〈…〉 y mind, and dark senses, that I do certainly know, and undoubtedly believe, all these things, by that infallible testimony of thy sacred and holy Scripture, not only that thou of thy mercy 〈…〉 host freely forgive me the offence of mine original sin, for Christ's sake: ●ut also my manifold and daily sins, committed actually▪ against thy majesty: 〈…〉 most humbly beseech thee here, being 〈…〉 rostrate, and lowly submitting me be●ore the throne of thy mercy, always to grant me thy peace (which passeth all ●nderstanding that when, or how soever ●he world do rage against me. The so●icitie or care of living, loss of goods, or friends, or any thing visible, or invist 〈…〉 le, do molest & trouble me, that I may 〈…〉 ver have thy peace, rest and quietness, in my conscience, and to put my wh 〈…〉 trust and affiance in thee: and so to preserve me from the subtle perswasio 〈…〉 and cruel assaults of Satan that whatsoever my calamities, my losses, or min● adversities be, or how great, heinous 〈…〉 manifold soever my sins be: that 〈…〉 never fall into any kind of desperation, other of body or soul: But that I may always remember and know thy bottomless mercy to surmount and pass the number and gravity of all mine offences. That I may always trust in thy mercy, that thou wilt other preserve me from sin, or of thy mere mercy freely forgive me all my sins for thy son jesus Christ's sake. And that tho● will never take from me thy spirit, but ever grant me grace, that in all my necessities and troubles, other of body or soul, I may truly repent my sins, call upon thee for help and aid, and that I may steadfastly believe, that thou (like a merciful father, for thy sons sake) wilt favourably hear me, mercifully forgive me, and mightily defend me against all my enemies, and in all my troubles, that I never commit nor consent to the destruction of my body or ●oule: but ever to live here in thy fear and dread, until it shall please thee (of thy mercy) to call me to reign with thee in glory everlasting.  
Amen.  
Here followeth the Godly and wholesome preservative against desperation, etc.   
I PETER V. Be sober and watch, for your adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion: walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in the faith.  

The Preface.  
THis preservative (g 〈…〉 tle reader) is prepar 〈…〉 for thy profit: Th 〈…〉 thou reading it at l 〈…〉 sure, mayest choose o● such comfortable sentences, as may bot● stay thine own conscience in the ty 〈…〉 of temptation: and also quiet others, w 〈…〉 the Devil shall be busy with them: 〈…〉 
ij. Cor. ij.  we be not ignorant of the thoughts Satan, how he continually furnisheth hy● self, to bend his ordinance against m 〈…〉 And now with the consideration of t●● greatness, and multitude of sin. No● 
Ephe. vj.  with the terror of death and dampna 〈…〉 on, d●oe labour to beat the buckler 〈…〉 
j Thess. u  Faith out of our hands, to strike the he met of hope from our head, and to wr 〈…〉 from us the sword of the spirit, whi●● 
Ephe. vj.  is God's word.  
But here, christian reader, is thy swo 〈…〉 and buckler delivered unto thee, her● thy helmet put upon thy head, here th' 〈…〉 shalt find such armour and weapon whereby thou shalt be able to withstand the force of our common enemy the D 〈…〉 〈…〉: and also (by the counsel) to rescue 〈…〉 ers' that they perish not. Yea, here thou 〈…〉 lte find choice of most comfortable sentences, whereby man's conscience 〈…〉 e be stayed from damnable despexion▪  
Watch therefore, stand steadfast in 
j Cor. xuj.  thee, play the man, and be of good 〈…〉 mforte. Resist the Devil, and he will 
jacob. iiij.  〈…〉 from thee. Not for fear of thine own 〈…〉 were, strength, or holiness: but for fear Christ: in whom by faith thou art in●ffed. For it is Christ, through whom 
j Cor. xv.  ●od hath given us victory against sin, ●ath, hell, and the devil. Neither is there 
Acts. iiij.  any other name under heaven given unto man, wherein we may be saved, but the name of jesus Christ our Lord. To whom with the Father, and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory.  
Amen▪   

A preservative against desperation.  
FOr as much as the diseas● of the body and corpor 〈…〉 death, doth so trouble ma● mind, that we commo 〈…〉 tremble & quake at the oh 〈…〉 mention of them: How much aught 〈…〉 to fear the sickness of the soul and dea● of the same, than which there can no grater nor more fearful calamity chau 〈…〉 unto man.  
And seeing that every man doth a 〈…〉 (so much as in him lieth) the pain, 〈…〉 rises, diseases, and death of the body: h 〈…〉 much more aught we to decline and 〈…〉 chew the causes of these evils, which 〈…〉 sins and offences, and fear the ire 〈…〉 God, which we so (by our enormities) 〈…〉 provoke. If we be never so little sicke● our body, by and by we sand for the P 〈…〉 sition, we spare no cost, we seek for medicines and remedy, though they be ne 〈…〉 so chargeable, and all to patch and cl 〈…〉 up this earthen vessel of our body, why 〈…〉 do we never so much, can not last l 〈…〉 And why use we not like diligence in 〈…〉 siryng and seeking remedies against diseases of the soul, which like as they be 〈…〉re grievous, even so they bring with 〈…〉 m (without comparison) infinitely 〈…〉re danger. For what can it profit a 〈…〉 nne though he have all the riches in 〈…〉 world, though he live a thousand year 〈…〉 that in such health and pleasure, that ●s not once touched with sickness or 〈…〉 e: his soul in the mean time being 〈…〉 oved with sin, being captain to than, having god displeased with him, 〈…〉 damnation ready for him after this 〈…〉 For truly this life must once have 〈…〉 nde, neither know we when, where, 〈…〉 what manner or how soon.  
Therefore saith Christ watch, for ye 
Matth. 25.  〈…〉 o know the day nor hour when ●onne of man will come. And lest we ●short time of our abode (omitting 〈…〉 ges most weighty and profitable) 〈…〉 d follow trifles and things of small 〈…〉: he hath vouchsafe to prescribe us 〈…〉 der, and as it were a brief, certain 〈…〉re wa●e: to come unto true felicity, 〈…〉 g.  
〈…〉 eke first for the kingdom of God and 
Matth. 6.  righteousness thereof: and all things 〈…〉 e added unto you▪ Care for living, care for riches, care for worldly dignity, worldly favour, worldly estimation, and such like transitory things, which in déed● doth little profit, but many times because both of filthy vices and also of grievous calamities (doth busy, doth vex, doth trouble, doth even defatigat us both day and night) but in seeking for and procuring of Godly and heavenly things▪ we be most negligent, most slack, most dull, most forgetful. And I pray yo● what can be a greater blindness, or ● more dangerous madness? whilst w● be lusty, whilst we be in health, while● we be in prosperity, we scarcely thinks upon any life to come, we remember not once that we shall die. But when we be in peril and danger by sickness, ● death beginneth to knock at our door, Even at that same hour when we should play the men and fight against our enemy, being sufficiently armed and weaponed afore, then begin we first to think upon our armour, to think upon our weapon, to think upon mending of our life. These things declare us to be smally exercised Soldiers, to be men of preposterous judgement, and very weaklings in faith. God be merciful unto us. Amen.  
But yet though a man be never so old, though the day be never so far passed, so he amend whiles he is here, ere it be night, his repentance cometh not out of season. Nevertheless it were to be wished, that no man should defer his repentance to his last and most dangerous conflict. For even they shall have much a do to stand and to defend themselves from the assaults, the guiles, and invasions of the enemy, which in the time of their health prepared & armed themselves, what than shall come of them which not fearing God, neither minding once repentance, had led a dissolute, filthy and naughty life, how shall they fight? how shall they be able to withstand the force of Satan?  
Seeing therefore the multitude of people is great, and the ministers of the Gospel very few, neither able to be every where to do their office to every man: I having a will to help all men: have gathered together and written out of Scripture, a certain brief form, how to admonish, instruct, and comfort such a●●e sick, that they either reading these things, or hearing them read by others: may conceive certain hope and perfit consolation, lest in this most dangerous conflict they faint, give over like towards, and so be overcomed & perish: For this is certain, whensoever a man is taken with extreme sickness and is in danger of death, he is assaulted with divers many, and grievous temptations▪ First, it is a grievous and behement tentaption, when he seeth the most terrible Image of death afore his eyes, when he seeth he must leave this light, leave this life, leave friends, leave lands, goods▪ kinsfolks, father, mother, wife, children, all things wherein he had here either pleasure or comfort. Then such sins as he against the will and pleasure of God hath committed shall show and present themselves, and shall appear more in number, and more grievous than ever they seemed afore, and so shall wondrously vex and torment the conscience. Then death, judgement, ●ell, damnation as it were in a plump, shall assault and laid siege with divers dangerous engines against the old man of ours▪  
In these Agonies, except a man be armed with a sure and constant faith: it is to be feared, lest he be wearied, tired, & at last overcomed. For these temptations which chance unto men lying in extremes: appear most huge, fearful, and dangerous, and that for because out faith is very slender, and wavering, neither yet able to see, perceive, or apprehend, the incomprehensible and inestimable riches of the children of God, which be remission of sins, through Christ; resurrection of the flesh, communion of saints, everlasting life, and all these given unto us in Christ, and for Christ.  
In these articles of our faith we must daily exercise ourselves. These we must diligently revolve, and earnestly expend in our minds. For though all the articles of our faith are diligently to be remembered, and without all wavering believed: yet in the Agony and point of death, these four (that is) the communion of saints, remission of sin, by the blood of Christ, the resurrection of the flesh, and everlasting life: are chief to be minded, expended, and inculcated.  
For like as death is the pain and ●●pende 
Rom. 6.  of sin: even so for sin God doth commonly punish us with diuer● diseases and plagues, as it is to be seen in divers places of Scripture. john. 5▪ Psal. 88 Deut. 28. 2. Reg. 24.  
Nevertheless afflictions be many times laid upon us, that our faith may be tried: For than is it easy to be perceived how much we love God, what faith w● have in him, how we trust him, whe● we be pressed and grieved with adversity. In this case therefore we must ●● wail and acknowledge our sins, fo● the which, we have justly incurred God's displeasure, & deserved most grievous pain, we must turn to God wit● true repentance in all our heart a● mind, without all feigning and counterfeiting, we must have recourse 〈…〉 the Gospel, where we shall find 〈…〉 bountiful consolation. First, absolution or remission of our sins, which Chris● hath instituted in the Church. john. ● receive (saith Christ) the holy Gho● whose sins ye forgive, they are for●●uen. This inestimable treasure is day● opened and offered unto us. When ●●mission of sins is thus desired and ●●tayned: undoubtedly then the pain ● ●ynne which is the disease or affliction ●hall soon cease and leave us, or else according to the most beneficial will of our heavenly father: shall turn to the pro●te and soul health of him that is diseased or afflicted. For this may we be sure ●f, that the pain & affliction in the body ● this world (seem it never so grievous a burden or heavy yoke to the ●eshe) as commonly nothing else but a ●therly rod, wherewith God doth ●aw us his children from sin, and call 
Psal. 88  ●s home to him. Truly our heavenly ●ther doth love us most fervently, he feareth us good mind, & doth all things 
Heb. 12.  ●r our amendment and profit, for ●home God loveth, him he chastiseth, & ●rrecteth us temporally here: that we 
1. Cor. 11.  ●oulde not be punished in hell euerla●ngly. Though he seemeth angry: he ●eth singularly. Neither is his ire the ●e of a Tyrant or tormentor desiring ●r perdition, but of a father seeking our ●endemente and safety. First therese we must cry God mercy, desire par●n and forgiveness of our sins (but ● Christ, but with a heart truly peni●t) that we may be at one with God, and have him merciful unto us. This done we may then desire God to deliver us from the imminent and present affliction and disease. For so teacheth Ecclesiast. Son in thy infirmity neglect not 
Eccle. 3  thyself, but pray to the Lord: and he shall deliver thee. Also in the Psalm, remember not O Lord God our old 
Psal. 70.  iniquities, but let thy mercy speedily prevent us: for we be very miserable, help us God our Saviour. Lord God of power turn us? show thy face and we shall be saved. Here we be taught first to desire remission of sin, that we may be at one with God: and after that to have his wrath, and the tokens of the same taken away. But whensoever we desire to be delivered or to be eased of the cross that presseth us, we must alway annex this addition. Thy will (O heavenly 
Matth. 5.  Father) be fulfilled.  
Neither know we so well what is profitable unto us. Neither can we so well provide for ourselves as our most loving heavenly father. Which is both of infinite power, and also of incomprehensible wisdom, which never turneth his eyes from us, which careth continually for us, which knoweth the number of our years, which doth quicken, nourish, feed, keep, defend, provide for all his creatures much better than they can wish or desire. But to draw to the more particular temptations, and to show what things do most fiercely and dangerously at the time of death assault us. And how we shall withstand them.  

¶ There be three things▪ which at the hour of death, doth wondrously vere, trouble, and fear our minds (that is to say, sin, death, hell, or damnation.  
Sin.  
WHerein we have ungodly mispente our life, whereby we have grievously offended GOD, and our neighbour: this coming to our remembrance, when we lie upon our death bed, doth drive us to a wondrous fear, pensiveness, and anxiety, As S. 
Rom. 2.  Paul saith: Wrath, indignation too trouble, and anguish against every soul of man that doth evil.   

¶ A medicine against sin, vexing and troubling our conscience  
LET us call earnestly to remembrance, that the son of GOD came done from heaven, become man, took upon his back the sins of the world, died for them upon the Cross, there making satisfaction for us, and paying our debts. This most precious blood of Christ was shed also for us, and of his death we be also partakers, so we rightly believe in Christ. Neither need we to doubt, but Christ died as 
Rom. 6.  well for us, as for Peter and Paul: For we be baptized also (as Saint Paul saith) in the death of Christ. This aught to comfort us: This aught to erect, and ●●a●e our minds. For seeing we be baptised in the death of Christ, Christ's death bringeth also unto us health and salvation. By Christ's death we be also dead to sin, by Christ's death we have also certain and sure remission of our sins, by Christ's death we be raised also to a new and everlasting life. For baptism is a covenant betwixt God and us. And a sign of his grace and 〈◊〉 toward us, wherein we be reconciled, and made at one with God again, so that we may now have a joyful, and quiet conscience, for so much as our sins be forgiven us, through the resurrection of jesus Christ, yea Christ also in the institution of the most blessed Sacrament of his last supper, speaking also to us saying that his blood is shed for the remission of sin. Now although we have not lived alway innocently, neither lead such a life as we aught to have done: yet we may not despair, but without delay resort unto God, by true repentance, call 
believing the Gospel. Rom. 10.  faithfully upon his name, and we shall be ●aued. Yea, let every one of us with a meek heart burst out into these, or like words and say: O most merciful God Father of all mercy, father of our Lord jesus Christ, be merciful unto me a wretched sinner, make speed to deliver me, for the most bitter (but most precious) death, and passion of jesus Christ, thy only begotten son, our redeemer, and only saviour: Amen. Enter not (O lord) into judgement with thy servant, handle me not, according to my deser●yng, neither do unto me after my iniquities: but according to thy infinite 〈◊〉 bottomless goodness and mercy, t● me unto thee. I a miserable and wre●ched creature, am in thy hand, I am thy debt and danger, thou mayest d 〈…〉 with me what it please thee. O m 〈…〉 merciful father forsake me not, nor 〈…〉 me of. I am thine all that I am, there 〈…〉 no man comfort, no man help, no 〈…〉 deliver me, but thou alone. Thou art 〈…〉 true comfort, the most present help, t 〈…〉 surest Bulwark in all necessity. The God art my refuge, my strength, my 〈…〉 in all trouble. Thou art my Lord, in t 〈…〉 hands resteth all my chance and off 〈…〉 res. Show thy loving, and merci 〈…〉 face upon thy servant, save me in t 〈…〉 mercy, O Lord: but in any ways in 〈…〉 extreme sickness and affliction, let 〈…〉 beware we look not to earnestly, 〈…〉 there too long upon our sins. But 〈…〉 there let us have the Image of Chri 〈…〉 most healthful, and precious death 〈…〉 fore our eyes. Let us fix in our mind and be full persuaded, that Christ now burdened with our sins, that 〈…〉 hath now taken them upon his oh 〈…〉 shoulders, and so hath satisfied for t 〈…〉 〈…〉 d washed them away, that he will ne 〈…〉 r charge us with them, but freely for 〈…〉 e us them, as we profess in our Crede, 〈…〉 est we say, Credimus remissionem pec 〈…〉 orum, we believe the remission of 〈…〉nes.   

And that thou mayest be assured thereof g 〈…〉 ‑ 〈…〉 ell reader, with a full persuasion of faith, I have noted out of God's holy word, some places, showing i How Christ our true Messiah was promised from the beginning of the world, and so from time too time two The assurance that he is come. 〈…〉 j To what end Christ's coming is.  
GOD said unto Abam, the 
Gen. 2. Christ our Messiah promised. Gen. 12.  Seed of the woman shall tread down the Serpent's head.  
God said unto Abraham thy seed all the nations of the earth all Bee blessed, because thou hast heard ●y voice.  
Moses said unto the children of Is 〈…〉 ell, 
Deuter. 18. Acts 3.  a Prophet shall the lord your God 〈…〉 I'll up unto you, even of your own bre 〈…〉 en, like unto me, him shall you hear 〈…〉 all things, whatsoever he shall sa●● 〈…〉 t● you.  
God said unto David, I will set up 
●. Kings. ●.  ●y ●e●de after thee, which shall proceed out quities: but according to thy infinite ● bottomless goodness and mercy, ta● me unto thee. I a miserable and wretched creature, am in thy hand, I am thy debt and danger, thou mayest do● with me what it please thee. O mos● merciful father forsake me not, nor ● me of. I am thine all that I am, there t● no man comfort, no man help, no ma● deliver me, but thou alone. Thou art th● true comfort, the most present help, th● surest Bulwark in all necessity. Th● God art my refuge, my strength, my hel● in all trouble. Thou art my Lord, in th● hands resteth all my chance and aff●res. Show thy loving, and merciful face upon thy servant, save me in th● mercy, O Lord: but in any ways in o● extreme sickness and affliction, let ● beware we look not to earnestly, n●●ther too long upon our sins. But rather let us have the Image of Christ● most healthful, and precious death b●fore our eyes. Let us fix in our mind and be full persuaded, that Christ now burdened with our sins, that ●●ath now taken them upon his ow● shoulders, and so hath satisfied for the●● 〈…〉 d washed them away, that he will ne●r charge us with them, but freely for●e us them, as we profess in our Crede, when we say, Credimus remissionem pec●torum, we believe the remission of ●nes.   

And that thou mayest be assured thereof gentle reader, with a full persuasion of faith, I have noted out of God's holy word, some places, showing i How Christ our true Messiah was promised from the beginning of the world, and so from time too time two The assurance that he is come. iij. To what end Christ's coming is.  
GOD said unto Abam, the 
Gen. 2. Christ our Messiah promised. Gen. 12.  Seed of the woman shall tread down the Serpent's head.  
God said unto Abraham thy seed all the nations of the earth all Bee blessed, because thou hast heard ●y voice.  
Moses said unto the children of Is●●ell, 
D●uter. 18. Acts 3.  a Prophet shall the lord your God ●ise up unto you, even of your own bre●ren, like unto me, him shall you hear ● all things, whatsoever he shall sat●●nto you.  
God said unto David, I will set up 
● King's▪ ●.  ●y seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy body, and I will stablish th● seat of his kingdom for ever, and ● will be his father, and he shall be m● son, and my mercy will I never tak● from him.  
David saith in the spirit of God, th● 
Psal. 2.  art my son this day begat I thee.  
Again thy seat O God, endureth forever. 
Psal. 2.   
Behold, a virgin shall conceive an● 
Esay. 7.  bear a son, and thou his mother, sh● call his name Emanuel, that is to sa● God with us.  
Unto us a child is borne, unto us 
Esay. 9  son is given, upon his shoulder sh● the kingdom lie, he shall be called ● his own name, wonderful, the giver ● counsel, the mighty GOD, the everlasting father, the prince of peace.  
There shall a Rod spring out of th● 
Esay. 11.  kindred of jesse, & a blossom shall spring out of his Root, and the Spirit of th● Lord shall rest upon him.  
Behold my servant upon whom 
Esay. 42.  lean, my elect, in whom my soul ● pacified.  
Behold saith the Lord, the sy● 
jeremy. 23.  shall come, that I will raise up a righ● ●s branch unto the house of thy ser●unte David, which king shall bear ●le, and he shall prosper in wisdom.  
The Angel of the Lord said unto 
Matth. 1. five witnesses among many that the true Messiah is come. Luke. 1.  ●●seph, fear not to take unto thee Ma● thy wife, for that which is conceived her, cometh of the holy Ghost, she ●ll bring forth a son, and thou shall ●l his name jesus, for he shall save his ●●ople from their sins.  
The Prophet Zacharie saith, bles● be the Lord God of Israel▪ for he ●th visited and redeemed his people, and ●th raised a mighty salvation for us▪ in ●e house of his servant David, as he ●●ke by the mouth of his holy Pr●●etes, which hath been since the world ●●●ne, that we should be saved from 〈…〉 enemy's, and from the hands of all ●t ●ate us.  
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant ●art in peace, according to thy word, ● mine eyes have seen thy Salvation, ●iche thou hast prepared before the face ●ll thy people, to be a light to lighten 〈…〉 Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy ople Israel.  
Sain● John Baptist saith. Behold 
Ihon. 1.  the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.  
5 Our heavenly father saith, This is 
Matth. 9 17.  my dear son in whom I do delight, hear him.  
Who saith, the whole need not the 
To what end Christ's coming is.  Physician but they that are sick, for I come not to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.  
The son of man came not to be 
Matth. 20.  ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his li●e for many.  
He that believeth and is baptised shall 
Mark. 16.  be saved, but he that believeth not, shall be da 〈…〉 ed.  
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  
He that believeth on him shall not be 
Mark. 3.  condemned, but he that believeth not, i● condemned already, because he believed not in th● name of the only begotten son of God.  
He that heareth my words, and b●leueth 
Ihon. 5.  on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into 〈…〉 nation, but is escaped from death to life.  
Christ saith, this is the work of 
Ihon. 6.  GOD, that he believe on him whom he hath sent.  
Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that 
Ihon. 6.  ●eleueth in me hath everlasting life.  
I am the resurrection and life, he that 
Ihon. 11.  ●eleueth on me, ye though he were dead, ●et shall he live, and whosoever liveth ●nd believeth in me shall never die.  
I am come a light into the world, whosoever 
Ihon. 12.  believeth in me, shall not bide in darkness▪  
I am the wai●, the truth, and the life, 
Ihon. 14.  〈…〉 man cometh to the father, but by me.  
This is the life eternal, that they 
Ihon. 17.  ●ight know thee the only very God▪ ●nd whom thou hast sent jesus Christ.  
Saint Peter saith, Christ is the stone 
Acts. 4.  which was cast away of you builders, which is become chief of the corner, nei●her is there Salvation in any other, for ●mong men under heaven, there is given one other name, wherein we must be 〈…〉 ved.  
To Christ bore all the prophets wit●esse, 
Acts 1●.  that through his name, whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission ●f sins▪  
Saint Paul saith, through Christ 〈…〉 
Acts. xiii.  preached unto us the forgiveness of sydnes, and that by him all that believe, a 〈…〉 justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the Law● of Moses.  
Saint Paul to the Romans saith 
Rom. 1.  the just shall live by faith.  
The righteousness of God, comm 〈…〉 by the faith of jesus Christ, unto all 〈…〉 upon all that believe.  
There is no difference, for all have 〈…〉ned, 
Rom. 3.  and are destitute of the glory of g 〈…〉 but are justified freely by his grace, thorough the redemption that is in Chris● jesus, whom God hath set for the as seat of mercy, through faith in his bls 〈…〉 that he might be counted just, and th● justifier of him which believeth in Iesu●  
To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodl 〈…〉 his faith is counted for righteousnes●●  
By faith is the inheritance giust that it might come of favour, and the pr●mise might be sure to all the seed.  
Christ was delivered to death for 〈…〉 
Rome 4.  sins, and rose again for our justif 〈…〉tion.  
Because we are justified by faith, we 
Roma. u  are at peace with god the father, through our lord jesus Christ, by whom we have away in through Faith, to that grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  
God setteth out his love that he hath to us, seeing that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, much more now, seeing we are justified in his blood, shall we be saved from wrath through him: for if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to GOD by the death of his son, much more seeing we are reconciled, we shall be preserved by his life.  
Not only so, but we also joy in God 
Roma. u  by the means of our lord jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.  
Eternal life is the gift of God, through 
Roma. vj.  jesus Christ our Lord.  
There is no damnation to them which 
Roma. viii.  are in Christ jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.  
We know that all things work for the best, unto them that love God, and them which be appointed before them, he also calleth, and which he calleth them he justifieth, and which he justifieth, them also he glorifieth.  
What shall we say them to these things, if God be on our side, who can be against us, which spared not his own son, but gave him for us all, how shall he not with him give us all things also.  
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen, it is God that justifieth, who then shall condemn, it is Christ which is dead, ye rather which is risen again, which is also on the right hand of God, and maketh intercession for us.  
If thou shalt knowledge with thy mouth that jesus is the Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart, that God raised him up from death, thou shalt be safe, for the belief of the heart justifieth, & to knowledge with thy mouth maketh a man safe.  
Christ is the end of the law, to justify 
Roma. x.  all that believe.  
None of us live unto himself, if we live we live unto the Lord: and if we die, we die unto the Lord, whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lords, for Christ therefore died and rose again, and revived, that he might be Lord both of quick, and dead.  
Saint Paul saith: Christ jesus of 
Corrin. i.  God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.  
We are washed, we are sanctified, we 
Corin. vj.  are justified, by the name of our Lord jesus Christ, & by the spirit of our God.  
Christ died for our sins, agreeing to 
Corin. xv.  the Scriptures, he was buried and rose again the third day, according to the scriptures.  
As by Adam all die, even so by Christ 
Corin. xv.  shall all be made alive.  
Death is swallowed up in victory, death where is thy sting, hell where is thy victory, the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law: hut thanks be unto God, which hath given us victory through our Lord jesus Christ.  
Therefore my dear brethren be steadfast 
Corin. xv.  and unmovable, always rich in the works of the Lord, for as much as ye know, as your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  
By faith ye stand. 
Corin. j Corin. iiij.   
According as it is written in the 116. Psalm. I believe & therefore have I spoken: we also believe, and therefore speak, for we know that he which raised up the Lord jesus, shall raise us up also by the means of jesus, and shall set us with you.  
God hath made Christ to be sin for 
Corin. v.  us, which knew no sin, that we by his means should be that righteousness, which before God is allowed.  
A man is not justified by the deeds of 
Gala. j  the law, but by the faith of jesus Christ, and therefore have we believed on jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the deeds of the law, because that by the deeds of the law, no flesh shall be justified.  
For the life which I now live in 
Gala. ij.  the flesh▪ I live by the faith of the son of God, which loved me, and gave himself for me, I despise not the grace of GOD, for if righteousness come by the law, than died Christ in vain.  
Abraham believed to God, and it was 
Gala. iij.  counted to him for righteousness.  
The scripture saw before hand, that 
Gala. iij.  God would justify the Heathen through faith, and therefore showed before hand● glad tidings unto Abraham, in thee shall all nations be blessed, so than they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Understand therefore that the● which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.  
Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, and was made accursed for us.  
That we might receive the promise of the spirit by faith.  
The scripture concludeth all things under sin, that the promise by the faith of jesus Christ, should be given to them that believe.  
We are all the sons of God by the faith which is in Christ jesus.  
We be all one in Christ, jew, Gentle, bond, and free man and woman.  
If ye be Christ's, than are ye Abraham's 
Gala. v.  seed, and heirs by promise.  
You are gone quite from Christ, as many 
Gala. v.  as are justified by the Law, and are fallen from grace, we look for and hope in the spirit, to be justified through faith.  
God forbid that I should rejoice in 
Gala. vj.  anything, but in the cross, death and passion of our Lord jesus Christ●.  
For in Christ jesus neither Circumcision 
Cala. vi.  availeth any thing at all, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature in Christ, and of the household of God.  
By Christ we have redemption thorough 
Ephesi. j  his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace.  
By grace are ye made safe thorough 
Ephe. ij.  faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God, and cometh not of works, lest any man should boast himself.  
We are made nigh unto God by the 
Ephesi. ij.  blood of Christ, for he is our peace, and hath broken down the wall that was a stop between us, and by him we have an open way in one spirit unto the father: now therefore we are no more strangers, but citizens with the saints.  
By Christ we have boldness and entrance, with the confidence which we have by faith in him.  
Christ is gone up on high▪ and hath 
Ephesi. iiij.  led captivity captive, and ●ath given gifts unto men.  
Christ is to me life, and death is to 
Philip. j  me advantage.  
In Christ we have redemption thorough 
Colos. j  his blood, that is to say, the forgiveness of sins.  
In Christ dwelleth all fullness, and 
Colos. j  thorough the blood of his Cross, are all things reconciled to God the father, & set at peace both in heaven and earth.  
We which were dead in sin, hath 
Colos, ij.  Christ forgiven us all our trespasses: and hath put out the hand writing that was against us, contained in the law written: and that hath he taken out of the way, and hath fastened it to his cross, and hath spoiled rule and power, and hath made a show of them openly, and hath triumphed over them openly in his own person. 
Timo. j   
This is a true saying, by all means worthy to be received, that Christ jesus came into the world to save sinners.  
There is one God, and one Mediator 
Timo. ij.  between God and man, which is, the man jesus Christ, which gave himself a ransom for all men.  
The power of God hath saved us, and 
Timo. ij.  calleth us with and holy calling, not according to our deeds, but according to his own purpose & grace, which grace was given thorough Christ jesus before the world was, which hath put away death, and hath brought life and immortality unto light, thorough the Gospel.  
God hath not saved us for the deeds 
Titus. iij.  of righteousness, which we wrought, but of his mercy hath he saved us.  
Christ in his own person hath purged 
Hebre. j  our sins.  
Christ hath put down thorough death, 
Hebre. ij.  him that had Lordiship over death, that is to say, the Devil, and that he might deliver them, which for fear of death were all their life time in danger and boundage.  
Christ is an everlasting Priesthood: 
Hebre. seven.  wherefore he is able also ever to save them that come unto God by him, for as much as he ever liveth to make intercession for us.  
We are sanctified by the offering of 
Hebre. x.  the body of Christ once for all.  
With one offering hath God made 
Hebre. x.  perfit for ever them that shall be sanctified.  
We are not redeemed with corruptible 
i. Peter. j  silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb undefiled and without spot.  
Christ his own self bore our sins 
Peter. j  in his body on the Tree, by whose stripes ye were healed.  
Christ hath once suffered for sins, 
Peter. iij.  ●he just for the unjust to bring us unto God.  
If we say we have no sin, we de●eyue 
Ihon. j  ourselves, and the truth is not in ●s, if we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our syn●es, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  
If any man sin we have an advocate 
Ihon. ij.  with the▪ Father jesus Christ the righteous, and he it is that obtaineth ●race for our sins.  
Christ appeared to take away our 
Ihon. iij.  ●●nnes.  
For this purpose appeared the son 
Ihon. iij.  ● God, to loose the works of the Devil. 
Ihon. iij.   
This is God's commandment that ●e believe in the name of his son Ie●● Christ, and love one another.  
In this appeareth the love of God to 
Ihon. iij.  ● ward, because that God sent his one▪ begotten son into this world▪ that we might live thorough him.  
God hath loved us, and sent his sonn● 
Ihon. iiij.  to make agreement for us.  
Hereby perceive we his love that 〈◊〉 
Ihon. iiij.  gave his life for us.  
Here is the love perfit in us, that w● 
Ihon. iiij.  should have trust in the day of iudgeme●● there is no fear in love, but perfect lo●… casteth out fear.  
He that believeth not God, hath ma●… him a liar, because he believeth not 〈◊〉 record that God gave of his son, a●● this is the record, how that GOD h●●… given us eternal life, and this life is his son, he that hath the son ha●… life, and he that hath not the soonn●… God, hath not life,  
These things do I writ unto y●●… 
Ihon. v.  that believe on the name of the son 〈◊〉 GOD, that ye may know, how that have eternal life, and that ye may b●…leue in the name of the son of God.  
jesus Christ is very GOD, and eternal 
●hon. u  life.  
Christ hath loved us, and washed 
Apoca. j  from our sins in his own blood, 〈◊〉 made us Kings and Priests unto 〈◊〉 his father.  
Christ is Lord of Lords, and king 
Apoca: xvi●.  ● Kings, and they that are on his side, ●e called, and faithful chosen.  
He that overcometh, shall in all thin●s, 
Apoca. xxj.  and I will be his God, and he shall ●e my son.  
He that testifieth these things, saith▪ 
Apoca. xxij The end.  it, I come quickly, even so come lord ●esu.  
1 The Paschall Lamb of the jews, 
Exod. xii. Ihon. j Ephe. v. Peter. ij.  the figure of the true Paschall Lamb ●●sus Christ, which is the pure and unafiled Lamb of GOD, which offered ●●mself a sweet smelling Sacrifice to ●OD for us, which never committed 〈…〉 ne, and in his mouth no guile was 〈…〉 unde.  
2 Christ was figured by Manna, which 
Exod. xuj.  ●od gave from heaven unto the Israeli 〈…〉, to eat in the desert.  
3 The rock gushing out, the comfortable 
Exod. xvij.  waters signifieth Christ.  
The brazen Serpent in the old law, 
Deut. xxj.  ●as a figure also of Christ.  
4 Whosoever shall drink of the wa 〈…〉 
Ihon. ii●●.  that I shall give him, shall never ●irste▪  
1 Christ is that well-beloved son of 
Math. iij. x●●●.  God, for whose sake the heavenly father was well pleased.  
2 Christ is that king, which forga 〈…〉 
Math. xviii.  the servant the ten thousand T●lentes, which he aught.  
3 Christ is that most loving Sam●ritane, 
Luke. ●.  which healed the wounded m 〈…〉 that was half dead.  
4 Christ is that tender Shephe 〈…〉 
Luke xv.  which fetched home unto the shee● fold, even upon his shoulders the l 〈…〉 sheep.  
5 Christ is that most gentle fath●● which with so great joy, and with 〈…〉 bracing arms received home again 〈…〉 lost son.  
Come unto me all ye that labour 〈…〉 
Math. xi. An exhortation.  are laden, and I shall refresh you. Lo, 〈…〉 calleth all, he refuseth, he excludeth n 〈…〉 we must include also ourselves with his words.  
All we must resort to him, and he 〈…〉 receive and refresh us.  
God setteth forth his love towa 〈…〉 
Roma. u  For Christ died for us, when we 〈…〉 yet sinners: much more now the 〈…〉 we being justified by his blood, should 〈…〉 safe from wrath by him.  
Christ jesus is become unto us wisdom, 
i Cor. j  righteousness, holiness, and re●●mption. Here let us comfort ourselves, 〈…〉 at though we have been never so ●eat sinners, yet let us confess and ●●owledge our sin, let us call for mer 〈…〉 and pardon, let us unfeignedly believe ●●riste to be our only health, justice, 〈…〉 redemption, and strait way he is 〈…〉 he will by and by ●●uer and put away 〈…〉 ●ynnes, in s●●he sort that we shall ●●e fear no peril nor danger.  
Him that knew no fin, hath God 
ij. Cor. ●.  〈…〉 de sin. j a payment of sin for 〈…〉 that we should become the right 〈…〉 snesse of God by him.  
Christ gave himself for our sins, 
Gala. j.  〈…〉 he might deliver us from this pre 〈…〉 wicked world, according to the 〈…〉 of God our father.  
●hriste jesus is come into this world 
j Titus. j.  〈…〉 e sinners.  
●hriste jesus hath given himself a 
j Titus. ij.  〈…〉 ption for all men. This let us con〈…〉 lie believe, undoubted we be of the 〈…〉 o of those that shall be saved. For 〈…〉 he is come a redemption for all 〈…〉 things that he hath suffered, pertaineth no less to thee and me, and every one of us (so we believe) than to P●ter or Paul, Christ hath borne our sins in his body upon the Cross.  
By these places and such like, we 
i. Peter. ij.  may see how God the father (which will not the death of a sinner, but th' 〈…〉 we should turn and live) for that m 〈…〉 servant burning love that he bear 〈…〉 toward us, hath eased us of the burth 〈…〉 of our sin, and hath laid it upon 〈…〉 
Esay. liij.  back of his most dear beloved soon 〈…〉 which his son hath so taken, bor 〈…〉 and suffered for them, that they can ●uer condemn us. For God taketh 〈…〉 reputeth the death of his son for a 〈…〉 satisfaction and payment for all our 〈…〉nes▪ so that we truly believe in h 〈…〉 For seeing that our sins thus laid 〈…〉 christ, could not overcome him, 〈…〉 ta'en him in death, nor damn him (〈…〉 why he rose again) undoubtedly a 〈…〉 satisfaction is already made for them▪ 〈…〉 justice of God is fully answered, 〈…〉 they be utterly hid and forgiven. 〈…〉 believe this and we shall not peri 〈…〉 verlastingly. For Christ is now 〈…〉 ours, with all that he hath wit 〈…〉 〈…〉 ath, with his resurrection, with his as 〈…〉tion into heaven, with his life, his 〈…〉 rites, his glory. As saint Paul wit 〈…〉 sseth 
Qui proprio filio suo non sepercit.  Rom. 8. Wherefore Satan, hath 〈…〉 w no title to us, he can not meddle with 〈…〉, he hath no power to hurt us▪ Forso 〈…〉 e as we be justified by Christ, pur 〈…〉 from our sins, and made the chill 〈…〉 n of God by Christ, who hath reckon 〈…〉 d us and wrought our peace, we must 〈…〉 refore be of good comfort. For seeing 〈…〉 be in the hands of God, that is on 〈…〉 otent, who is now our best, most 〈…〉ng, and trusty Father, we be in a 〈…〉 port, we be without danger, there 〈…〉 oh incommodity, nor adversity hurt 〈…〉 or we be environed with the custody 〈…〉 odd, and the guard of Angels, out of 〈…〉 hands of this heavenly father, can 〈…〉 reature by force pluck us. When we 
Ihon. viii.  〈…〉 t an end by death of this cross and 〈…〉 oral affliction, then have we ended 〈…〉 ourney, then have we finished our 〈…〉re. Christ hath borne the same 〈…〉 e▪ christ hath passed the same 〈…〉 e, he hath suffered like death, he is head, we must be like to him, we suffer with him, if we intend to reign with him, we must leave this ●●●porall life, ere that we can enjoy 〈◊〉 everlasting. Let not our sins tro●●… us: let them not torment our cons●●●…ces, as thought they could not befor●…●…uen. They are already forgiven, if 〈◊〉 repent and believe: Christ is all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as much as he is. He by his innoce●●… hath covered and taken away our ●●…nes. As Christ can not be dampne●…●…uen so we can not be dampened, if w●●… right faith, we cleave unto him. As si●●… death, and hell, had no power agai●… Christ, so have they no power ag●… us, so we be in Christ, and Christ i●●… If the matter had been left and ●…mitted to us, to have borne our o●●… sins, and to have satisfied for th●… they would have been to heavy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we had not been able to stand t●… them, they would have pressed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sunk us down to Hell. But Ch●●●●… both God and man, hath (of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 free will) offered himself for us, he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taken our turn, he hath played 〈◊〉 part, and paid for us all that we o●●… As it is in the Psalm spoken in th●…●●…sone of Christ, I paid that I ough●… 〈…〉 e had trespassed we were the debtors, so far behind hand, that all that was in 〈…〉 s, was not able to pay the lest somme 〈…〉 hat we aught. Christ become our sure 〈…〉 y, paid for us, acquitted us, and set us at liberty, yea, made us coheirs with him ●f everlasting glory.  
If it were possible for one man to com●it the sins of the whole world, so he truly repent, and cleave by true faith to Christ, he cannot be dapmned, his sins 〈…〉 e sufficiently, and abundantly by Christ 〈…〉 iffied for. For Christ (as touching his 〈…〉 dhed, one in substance with the heaven 〈…〉 father. As touching his manhood, our 〈…〉 rye flesh and blood) hath purchased and 〈…〉 vely bought grace & pardon for us. For ●hrist become man for us, was borne for 〈…〉, died upon the Cross for us, rose from 〈…〉 ath for us, ascended into heaven for us, 〈…〉 hath accomplished, and performed all 〈…〉 ynge meet for our salvation for us. If 〈…〉 refore we believe in Christ, we are be 〈…〉 e partakers of God's favour, we are 〈…〉ed of the pack and burden of sin, 〈…〉 e are made the heirs of God, and co 〈…〉 es with Christ for ever, and that by 〈…〉 iste, and for Christ. For without Christ there is no consolation, no health no hope, no help. In Christ alone is 〈…〉 comfort, all health, all hope, all succou 〈…〉 all refuge, all grace, and mercy, more abundant, more plenteous, more exc 〈…〉 lent, than any man is able either▪ 〈…〉 comprehend or to wish. God grant 〈…〉 therefore a true, and a constant faith In this form, or in like sort, we mu 〈…〉 comfort ourselves in our sickness, calamity, and our brother being visit But in any wise, and with all diligenc 〈…〉 is to be foreseen, that we withdraw 〈…〉 mynne from the fearful and terri 〈…〉 contemplation of sin, death, and damn 〈…〉 nation. And that we fix these of 〈…〉 mind, and whole thought upon Chr 〈…〉 only, that we clean unto him, that call upon him, that we commit our sell 〈…〉 wholly to him. For in Christ we s 〈…〉 espy nothing but innocency, justice, 〈…〉 salvation, which all be derived fr 〈…〉 christ into us, so that we will acknowledge him, and receive him, for the 〈…〉 thor of our salvation, and only redée 〈…〉 if we have Christ crucified afore 〈…〉 eyes: if we imprint him in our heart 〈…〉 we fly to him with our faith, if ●holye clean to him. Then shall hell 〈…〉 tes nothing prevail against us, then 〈…〉 all we be able to withstand all the 〈…〉 rcible assaults of Satan, though they 〈…〉 never so sore, never so fierce, never so 〈…〉 rrible▪  
Let us call to remembrance with 〈…〉 hat lenity, what gentleness, what humanity, what clemency Christ (as it is the evangelical history) hath called to him and received all such sinners hath repented them, and desired his 〈…〉 pe. We shall find Marie Magdalen, 〈…〉 sinner that hung upon the right hand Christ crucified, the publican, Zache, 〈…〉 h other more, whom Christ m●oste 〈…〉 yngly receiving, pronounced clear 〈…〉 sin (though they had sinned great 〈…〉) and the children of salvation: Christ 〈…〉 erie grace, mercy, help comfort, life, 〈…〉 e, and saluatio to all those which look these things at his hands, and put 〈…〉 r trust in him. And all these things 〈…〉 God (who is truth itself, and can 〈…〉 lie, nor will not deceive (promised un 〈…〉 for Christ's sake.  
finally, when Death approacheth, we must do as Christ did upon the cross, w● 
Math. vj.  must pray for our enemies, and forgi 〈…〉 them with our heart. If we have offend 〈…〉 any man, we must be heartily sorry for 〈…〉 we must desire forgiveness, if we ha' 〈…〉 injured any man, we must make him mends, or take such order that amend 〈…〉 may be made unto him, if it passeth oh 〈…〉 power to make restitution, & amend 〈…〉 shallbe enough that we desire forgivene 〈…〉 And with our hearts forgive others wh〈…〉 hath hurt us, either in name, body, s 〈…〉 stance, or estimation. For if we truly 〈…〉 give, God hath promised we shallbe foe 〈…〉 ven, as it is in the 6. of Mat. but above have an unmovable faith in the for 〈…〉 promises of God made in Christ je 〈…〉 our lord. It is very necessary also & 〈…〉 ●●ble, for the confirmation and strens 〈…〉ning of our faith, to receive the i 〈…〉 blessed sacrament, of the body and 〈…〉 of our saviour Christ, which we are 〈…〉 maunded to receive in remembra 〈…〉 of his benefits, that hereby, we 〈…〉 be truly certified in our conscience his body to be given for us, and his blood to be shed for remission of our sins.   

Death.  
OF our flesh and frail nature, is so feared and abhorred, that when he approacheth, man's heart ●e filled and laden with such sorrows, pangs, 〈…〉 d anxieties, as tongue is not able too 〈…〉 press.  

¶ A medicine against the fear of Death.  
WE must call to our remembrance, Death to be overcomed and abholished by Christ. So that now the souls of so many as trust Christ, can not die nor perish: but de 〈…〉tyng from the body, goeth strait to 〈…〉 rist. For thus was it said to the these 〈…〉 is hour of death. This day shalt thou with me in paradise. The body though 〈…〉 est and pause for a while, yet we be certain hope, that at the last day, it 〈…〉 be raised again to immortal and 〈…〉 rlasting life. And therefore scripture 〈…〉eth the death of the body but a sleep, that this same frail, weak, vile, mortal, and corruptible body, which we carry about, which lieth sick and sore diseased, which shortly shall be put into the earth, burn to ashes, devour 〈…〉 with beasts or fowls, drowned in water, that self same body (I say) shall be raised again incorruptible, glorious beautiful, strong, pure, immortal, 〈…〉 possess a new and everlasting life where there shall neither be hunger 
●. Cor. xv.  thirst▪ heat, cold, sin, death, nor a 〈…〉 kind of calamity: but justice, innocent life, joy, bless, world without end▪ F 〈…〉 as the body of Christ laid in the gra〈…〉 rose again the third day, never more 〈…〉 die, even so shall the bodies of all that believe in Christ, at the latter day be 〈…〉 suscitate to a life, after which shall follow no death. God who is of infinite 〈…〉 were, and infallible truth, hath promise' these things, they must therefore 〈…〉 des be so. And here it shall be 〈…〉ble, to ●all to remembrance such pla● of scripture, as treateth of the resurr 〈…〉 on of the flesh, which be the woor 〈…〉 not of man, but of GOD, who is 〈…〉 and will certainly fulfil whatsoever 〈…〉 hath spoken. No man can change 〈…〉 〈…〉 ill, no man can altar his purpose. Not 〈…〉 eature can frustrate, let or tarry his 〈…〉 tense. He is omnipotent, he is true, he 〈…〉 faithful, his goodness and mercy is 〈…〉 explicable. Let no man therefore 〈…〉 ubte of the truth of his words, let 〈…〉 man doubt of the performance of 〈…〉 s promise.   

〈…〉 Here after followeth certain places of scripture, witnessing the resurrection of the dead, 〈…〉 according to the articles of our faith, wherein we say, we believe that this flesh shall rise again.  
THis is the will of my father 
Ihon. vj.  which sent me, that whosoever seeth the son, and believeth in him, shall have life everlasting, and I will 〈…〉 se him up at the last day.  
The hour cometh wherein all they 
Ihon. v.  〈…〉 t be in the graves, shall hear the 〈…〉 e of the son of God, and shall go 〈…〉 the, they that have doe● good, unto the 〈…〉 rrection of life. For if so▪ be that the 〈…〉 item of him, which raised up jesus from 
Roma▪ viii.  〈…〉 dead, dwelleth in you: even he that 〈…〉ed up jesus Christ from the dead, 〈…〉 ll also quicken your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwelleth 〈…〉 you.  
GOD hath both raised up our Lo 〈…〉 
j Cor. vj.  jesus Christ, and shall also raise us 〈…〉 by his power.  
Christ saith, Lazarus was but a s●e 〈…〉 
Ihon. xj.  where in very deed, he was dead 〈…〉 buried. But Christ is the resurrection and life▪ (as it is in the same place) so th' 〈…〉 he that believeth on him, though he w 〈…〉 dead, he shall live. In verefiing when 〈…〉 of, he raised strait way Lazarus 〈…〉 yng four days dead and stinking. A 〈…〉 because we be naturally in the ago 〈…〉 of death very fearful, weak and fai 〈…〉 hearted to the end that we might be 〈…〉 easilier persuaded in the Article of 〈…〉 surrection: Scripture maketh menti 〈…〉 of many, which in the time of the P 〈…〉 phetes, Christ and the Apostles, we called from death to life.  
Christ raised the widows son. 
Luke. seven.   
He raised the ruler of the Sinag 〈…〉 
Luke. j  his d●ughter.  
He raised Lazarus. 
Ihon. xj.   
Peter restored to life Tabytha. 
Acts. ix.   
Paul raised again Eu●i●hus. 
Acts. xx.   
Eliz●us the Prophet, called again 〈…〉 
iiij. Reg. iiij.  〈…〉 e his hosts son.  
Helias raised the Babe of the woman 
iiij. Reg. xvij.  〈…〉 f Sareptanie.  
GOD took also unto him out of this 
G●●e v.  〈…〉 ail and transitory life, these two er 〈…〉 llent 
iiij. Reg. two.  and holy men, Enoch and He 〈…〉 as, quick both body and soul, to give 〈…〉 (as it were) a taste and representation of the true life to come, least after the oh 〈…〉 i●ion of the Ethnics and Epicures, we should think there were no world, nor 〈…〉 eeing after this wretched and miserable life. Let us not forget what Christ ●esus, Lord of life and death, saith, in the eight of Luke: Weep not, the maid 〈…〉 not dead, but a sleep. Reason not comprehending the mysteries of GOD, neither perceiving his power, doth laugh his saying to scorn, but Christ proveth his saying true, he raised by and by the 〈…〉 edde maid to life. The fifteen Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, is 〈…〉 eplenished with most godly, pleasant 〈…〉 d pithy consolations. Truly it is more precious than any gold. For in that Cha●ter Saint Paul doth so annex and 〈…〉 uple our resurrection▪ to the resurrection of Christ, as though they could in no wise be separate, or divided after th' 〈…〉 form. Christ is risen from death which thing is certain) ergo, we also shall v 〈…〉 doubtedly rise. For Christ is our head 〈…〉 and we his members: this head is neith 〈…〉 without, neither will forsake his members.  
Then it followeth that where▪ Chr 〈…〉 is, there shall we be. For why, we 〈…〉 the members of his body, and even of 〈…〉 flesh and bone: what tongue, what lordship 〈…〉 what wit, is able to set forth (as i 〈…〉 
Ephe. v.  worthy) this ineffable, and inestima 〈…〉 glory of the mercy and grace of GO 〈…〉 that God hath vouchsafe so low to h 〈…〉 ble himself, as to become mortal m 〈…〉 that this ●eble and frail nature of m 〈…〉 united and knit to the divine not 〈…〉 by the power and efficacy of the god 〈…〉 might be enhanced and promoted to 〈…〉 mortality. For truly the nature o● faithful men, which either were fore Christ, hath been since, or now 〈…〉 shall be to the worlds end: undoubtly, in Christ very GOD and ma 〈…〉 hath obtained immortality. The 〈…〉 lation therefore that riseth of Chr 〈…〉 resurrection is of great efficacy. A 〈…〉 〈…〉 ncte Paul saith to the Corinthians: ●●riste is risen again from dead, and is 
j Corin. xv.  〈…〉 e first fruits of them that sleep, for by 〈…〉 e man truly came death, and by one 〈…〉 nne cometh the resurrection of the 〈…〉 de. And as all die in Adam, even so shall 〈…〉 be made alive in Christ, but every 〈…〉 e in his order. The first is Christ▪ ●hen they which are Christ's, which 〈…〉 h believed in his coming. And saint 〈…〉 ule doth add a similitude taken of 〈…〉 urall things, whereby he doth set 〈…〉 the, and declare the resurrection of bo 〈…〉 s. The similitude is taken of seed, 〈…〉 iche is cast into the earth by the hus 〈…〉 dman, dieth as it were and rotteth▪ ●uerthelesse, it is not utterly lost, but 〈…〉 ength springeth, and cometh forth 〈…〉 he earth, goodly, beautiful, and 〈…〉 saunt. So our bodies shall rise again; 〈…〉 feeble, vile, corruptible, and mortal: 〈…〉 strong, glorious, incorruptible, immor 〈…〉, never to die again, but ever to live. ● The way into true and everlasting 〈…〉 to our long home, as they call it, and 〈…〉 ntrie, is by corporal death. Flesh 〈…〉 blood being corruptible and mortal, 〈…〉 not inherit the kingdom of GOD, where nothing is but life. Therefore this corruptible body must put on in't 〈…〉 ruption, and this mortal must putte● immortality. Then shall the saying t 〈…〉 is written be fulfilled: Death is swa 〈…〉 wed up in victory. They that believe Christ, hath now overcomed sy 〈…〉 death, and hell. Therefore not fear 〈…〉 
Oze. xiiii.  death, but strong, bold, and well ha' 〈…〉 
Esay. xxv.  in christ: They may say, Death wh 〈…〉 is thy sting: Death where is thy victory The sting of Death is sin: and 〈…〉 power of sin is the Law. But t 〈…〉kes he unto GOD, which hath g 〈…〉 us the victory, through our Lord I 〈…〉 christ.  
Let us hear also more sentences, 〈…〉 of godly and mighty consolation. 
two. Cor. iiii.   
He that hath raised up jesus, 〈…〉 raise us up also with jesus.  
Our conversation is in heaven, 〈…〉 
Philip. iiii.  whence we do look for the saviour, 〈…〉 lord jesus Christ, which shall cha〈…〉 our 〈…〉 I'll body, that it may be like 〈…〉ned unto his glorious body, a 〈…〉 to the working of his power, by 〈…〉 which also he is able to subdue all 〈…〉 ges unto himself.  
You are dead, and your life is hid with 
Colos. iii  ●●riste in God, but when Christ your 〈…〉 shall appear, then shall ye also ap 〈…〉 rs in glory with him.  
We would not brethren, that ye 
i. Thess. iiii.  〈…〉 uld be ignorant concerning them 〈…〉 t sleep, that ye sorrow not also as oh 〈…〉 r do, which have no hope. For if we 〈…〉 eve that jesus Christ died, and rose again: Even them also which are a 〈…〉 pe through jesus, shall GOD bring 〈…〉 h him.  
faicte Paul also doth comfort Tithe 
two. Tymot. two.  with the article of resurrection▪ 〈…〉ng: Remember the Lord jesus Christ 〈…〉 yng the seed of David, rose again 〈…〉 the dead, according to my Gospel. 〈…〉 if we be dead with him, we shall 〈…〉 live with him. If we suffer patient 〈…〉 e shall also reign with him.  
It was written also to the hebrews, 
Hebr. two.  〈…〉 christ tasted death for all men, 〈…〉 that he was partaker of flesh and 〈…〉 d: first become very man, that he 〈…〉 ht destroy him, which had the rule 〈…〉 ath (that is) the Devil, and that he 〈…〉 ht deliver them, which were in bon 〈…〉 all their life time, by the reason of the hearing of Christ's Gospel: is so v 〈…〉 the fear of death.  
God hath delivered us, and called 〈…〉 
ij. Tim. iiij.  with an holy calling, not according to 〈…〉 works, but according to his purpose 〈…〉 grace, which is given us in Christ 〈…〉 before the time of the world, but is n 〈…〉 made manifest by the appearing of 〈…〉 saviour jesus Christ, which truly 〈…〉 destroyed death, and hath brought life● immortality to light, by the Gospel.  
We know that we are trans 〈…〉 
j Ihon. iij.  from life to death, because we love 〈…〉 brethren.  
In this hath the love of God appe 〈…〉 
Ihon. iiij  in us, because God sent his only be 〈…〉 ten son into the world, that we 〈…〉 live thorough him.  
I know that my redeemer doth 〈…〉 
Ihon. xix.  and in the last day I shall rise ag 〈…〉 & again be wrapped in my own s 〈…〉 And in my own flesh shall see 〈…〉 whom I myself shall see, and these eyes shall behold and none other.  
These places of holy Scripture, 〈…〉 such like, if we diligently reme 〈…〉 and faithfully embrace: we shall pe 〈…〉 great consolation and comfort. And 〈…〉 〈…〉 saint Paul rejoice, that we know 
Philip. iij.  〈…〉 ste, and the power of his resurre 〈…〉, whereby death is overcomed. 〈…〉 there is there now (to these that be 〈…〉 in christ) any thing in death ter 〈…〉, or to be feared, saving only the 〈…〉ge and outward form, hurt it can 〈…〉 Like as a dead serpent, keepeth 〈…〉 is old fearful shape, and form, 〈…〉 sting, or to do harm, it hath no 〈…〉 r at all. And like as by the brazen 〈…〉ent which Moses by Gods come 〈…〉 dement set up in the desert, when 〈…〉 s looked upon, through the power of 〈…〉 word, men were delivered from 〈…〉 o of the lively and venomous Ser 〈…〉 s: so our death is made harmless, we delivered from the fear and 〈…〉 o of it, so often as with the eyes of 〈…〉 i'thee, we do behold the health 〈…〉 and medicinable death of Christ. In 〈…〉 ion, death is now become an I 〈…〉▪ and shadow of death, yea▪ the en 〈…〉 ce and gate of life. For christ 
Ihon. viii.  〈…〉 s truth itself, saith. If any man my word, he shall never see death: 〈…〉 trusting to the mercy of God, 〈…〉 h faith which he conceiveth by hearing and knit to Christ his Lord and 〈…〉 star, that he cannot be plucked, nor s 〈…〉 rate from him.  
The body in deed for a time is 〈…〉 rate from the soul, but in certain 〈…〉 of rising again to everlasting life. 〈…〉 so he that believeth in Christ doth 〈…〉 see nor feel the everlasting death 〈…〉 body and soul, which is everla 〈…〉 damnation. For the death of good m 〈…〉 nothing else, but a departure from 〈…〉 transitory and mortal life: to in 〈…〉 talitie to Christ, to his Angels 〈…〉 Saints.    

Hell and damnation.  
Doth offer itself at the were of death, so that 〈…〉 times man doth g 〈…〉 lie fear, lest he be ab 〈…〉 from the favour of 〈…〉 and appointed to everlasting pain. 〈…〉 Devil (which seeketh by all m 〈…〉 how to devour us) stirring up i 〈…〉 minds many dangerous and troub 〈…〉 thoughts, concerning our election▪ predestination.  

¶ A medicine against the fear of Helle and damnation.  
WHen the devil goeth about, to 'cause us to despair, or to doubt of our election: whether we be of the number of them that are appointed 〈…〉 everlasting life or no. In any wise let 〈…〉 not be to bold in coping with him, 〈…〉 t us not enter disputation against him 〈…〉 or he is to subtle and expert for us) but 〈…〉 ie shortly unto him. A way Satan 〈…〉 i'th' sorrow, it is written, thou shalt 〈…〉 t tempt the Lord thy God. For seeing 〈…〉 t God as a most loving father, hath 〈…〉 t only given us life, fed, and preser 〈…〉 us, to this hour: but also hath en 〈…〉ed, and even laden us from time to 〈…〉 e with his singular benefits, what 〈…〉 dnesse were it contrary to our former 〈…〉 erience, now to doubt of his mercy? 〈…〉 hath received us into his flock by 〈…〉 ptisme. He hath sent us the Gospel 〈…〉 is grace, wherein he hath promised 〈…〉 ecome our father. We have been sed 〈…〉 h the flesh and blood of his Son 〈…〉 Saviour Christ, in remembrance 〈…〉 our debts be paid, and we acquired, why should we now then doubt the good will of God toward us? Le● not therefore admit the doubtful, dangerous imaginations of our pr●stination, which the Devil like a 〈…〉tie, and malicious merchant do 〈…〉bour to justle. But let us think 〈…〉 such sentences, as God would have minds occupied withal, which C 〈…〉 himself hath prescribed, as John where he saith. GOD hath so love 〈…〉 world, that he hath given his onel● gotten son, that whosoever bele 〈…〉 in him shall not perish, but have l 〈…〉 verlasting. Lo, here we see th' 〈…〉 which believeth in Christ, which 〈…〉 fully acknowledgeth Christ to b 〈…〉 sanctification, justice, redemption, a 〈…〉 tisfaction, can not be dampened, but 〈…〉 sured of everlasting life. So many 〈…〉 ceiue faith by hearing of Gods w 〈…〉 and so trust steadfastly upon the me 〈…〉 Christ. Undoubtedly they be of the number of those, which be chosen to e 〈…〉 sting bliss, known before in C 〈…〉 predestinate, and written long s 〈…〉 the book of life. These things be 〈…〉 certain, and most true, God can n 〈…〉 〈…〉 ceyue, nor be deceived: Such is his 〈…〉 odd will, so hath he purposed and de 〈…〉ed afore the world began, what 〈…〉 nge so ever therefore our enemy 〈…〉 Devil (spiting our salvation, and 〈…〉 king our destruction) shall put in 〈…〉 e mind contrary to this doctrine▪ 〈…〉 t them not move us, let them not 〈…〉ke us afraid, but let us trust truly Christ: and so shall he become ours, 〈…〉 we become his, who being our good 〈…〉 de, we can not perish, nor be dam 〈…〉. For he will loose none of those that 
Ihon. x.  〈…〉 father hath given him, we must 〈…〉 our eyes upon Christ, we must 〈…〉 to him, we must cleave to him. He 〈…〉 ure only and true Saviour, who 〈…〉 te be apprehended, and embraced by 〈…〉 h, if we look to be saved. For they 〈…〉 believe rightly in Christ, they are 〈…〉 estinate to everlasting life.  
●ere we wuste diligently remember 〈…〉 earnestly expend the godly exhor 〈…〉 n of Saint Paul, which he wri 〈…〉 in the xii. to the hebrews, whose 
Hebr. xii.  〈…〉 es be these. Let us run by sh〈…〉 e unto the battle that is set afore 〈…〉 ooking unto jesus the author and finisher of faith, which when the io●… was set afore him, suffered the Cross and despised the shame, and fitteth at 〈◊〉 right hand of the seat of God.  
Furthermore, all the grievous temptations, and afflictions that Christ s●…fered, he suffered them for our sakes. 〈◊〉 saint Paul saith, also in the fourth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
Hebre. iiij.  the hebrews, we have not a high Prie●… that is not able to have compassion 〈◊〉 our weakness: but such one was pr●…ued in all points without sin: let 〈◊〉 therefore with boldness go unto t●… seat of his grace, that we may obtay●… mercy, and find grace to help in ti●●… of need.  
Let us in any wise consider and deeply imprint in our hearts, Christ to 〈◊〉 given unto us, not only to the end th●… we might be redeemed, reconciled, a●… made partakers of everlasting salvation: but also that in him we might ha●… an example, both how to live, and al●… how to end our life. Neither can a●… man live, suffer, or die well: unless 〈◊〉 look upon and follow the life, suff●…ring, and death of Christ: if therefore we desire to end this life well & go●●… 〈…〉 t us consider and remember, how Christ 〈…〉 haved himself in the bitter and smart 〈…〉 onie, when hanging upon the Cross, 〈…〉 was assaulted with divers, fierce, and 〈…〉 oft grievous temptations, and pray 〈…〉 at we may have grace to follow his 〈…〉 ample.   

FIrst he was tempted with sin, when being hanged betwixt two thieves as a notable and heinous sinner: it was said unto him, 
Math. xxvij.  thou be the son of God, come down 〈…〉 m the cross. By this contumelious 〈…〉 ice, what do they signify else, but 〈…〉 at they judged him a naughty and un 〈…〉 dlye person, such one as by craft, sub 〈…〉 tie, falsehood, socerie, and other unlawful means had deceived the people, had blinded the world, and to be 〈…〉 thing less than the son of God.  
Even in like manner at the hour of 〈…〉 ath, doth the Devil tempt man, what 〈…〉 ever man hath committed against God, 〈…〉 l the sins that ever he did, he she 〈…〉 th' unto him, he doth exaggerate them 〈…〉 the uttermost: to the end, that the multitude, and heinousness of them 〈…〉 sidered, and perceived, man should do 〈…〉 of the mercy and favour of God, and, 〈…〉 fall into desperation. Here we had ne 〈…〉 to stand sure, and every one of us h〈…〉 need to answer our enemy, thus tempting us after this manner: I knowled 〈…〉 myself to have sins above all number, and measure but Christ: who ne 〈…〉 sinned, in whose mouth was found 〈…〉 guile, who is that very innocent lamb 〈…〉 hath suffered death for my sins, he ha' 〈…〉 washed them away, he hath satisfied 〈…〉 
Esay. liij.  boundantly for them, how many, a 〈…〉 how great so ever they were, Christ death pertaineth also to me, he w 〈…〉 wounded also for my iniquities, he w 〈…〉 bruised for my ungraciousness, by 〈…〉 stripes I am also healed. All my sin hath Christ taken to himself, so th' 〈…〉 now, I have none (thanks be to Christ● who hath satisfied for them in his own body.   

CHrist was tempted also with dea 〈…〉 
Math. ij.  when it was said unto him, 〈…〉 hath saved other, but he can 〈…〉 save himself. (As though if should 〈…〉 said) he is now at a point, he must die, 〈…〉 ere is no remedy, he can not escape. 〈…〉 hus doth our old and erreconcible 〈…〉 imie, labour to fear us with death, but 〈…〉 us hold out the buckler of faith in ●hrist against him, let us remember 〈…〉 t christ our Lord, King of glory, 〈…〉 Prince of life, could not be over 〈…〉 nmed, nor holden of death, but though 〈…〉 once tasted of death: he now liveth 〈…〉 reigneth for ever. This Lord of ours 〈…〉 ll not leave us, nor suffer death to ere 〈…〉 e any tyranny against us, that after 〈…〉 hath suffered us to be tempted a while, 〈…〉 will also that we die corporally: all 〈…〉 t is wholly for our wealth.  
Neither could we eotherwyse come everlasting life, but by temporal death▪ 〈…〉 e must therefore leave this present 〈…〉 e, ere we can inherit the eternal 〈…〉 e. Also this corporal death, bringeth 〈…〉 s commodity, that by tasting the bit 〈…〉nesse and sourness of it, we have 〈…〉 erience and know the exceeding love 〈…〉 t christ bore toward us, and the 〈…〉 stimable benefit, that he did for us 〈…〉 ensing our sins, in abolishing of 〈…〉 th', in breaking up of Hell gates, and all by his death.  
Otherwise, we could never h 〈…〉 known the power of Christ, in abo 〈…〉 yng of death, we could never have i 〈…〉 esteemed the excellency of this been 〈…〉 we could never have seen how i 〈…〉 cause we have to give thanks to C 〈…〉 our Lord and redeemer. Christ lie 〈…〉 truly, we shall also live. And this co 〈…〉 rall death to us shall be nothing else 〈…〉 a sweet and wholesome sleep, an enter 〈…〉 and gate into the true and blessed 〈…〉 For after this transitory life, the● gin we first truly to live.   

thirdly, Christ was te 〈…〉 with hell, or everlasting 〈…〉 nation, when it was said 〈…〉 him, he hath trusted in G 〈…〉 let him now deliver him, if he will 〈…〉 though they should say. Now it app〈…〉 that he hath hoped in God in vain. 〈…〉 God will none of him, he hath for 〈…〉 him, he liketh him not, he doth 〈…〉 him, he will east him down to h 〈…〉 perpetually condemned him. W 〈…〉 fore the tempter shall lash at 〈…〉 like temptations, we may not 〈…〉 may not be afraid, we may not be 〈…〉 ouraged, but commend ourself who 〈…〉 oh Christ, hung upon him who is who 〈…〉 urs, who hath given himself wholly ●s, so that sin, death, nor hell, hath thing to do with us. Christ with an 〈…〉 stimable price, his own blood hath de 〈…〉 ered us from the tyranny of the De 〈…〉, and everlasting damnation, he is been our innocency, our life, and our in 〈…〉 e. Let us take heed in any wise, that 〈…〉 turn not our hearts from Christ, 〈…〉 cified. If we clean to him, we are set 〈…〉 on a sure, and inexpugnable rock, a 〈…〉 nst the which, all the power of hell is 〈…〉 e to do nothing. So that we may 〈…〉 lie exclaim, and every one say with 〈…〉 riste: I provided the Lord afore my 
Psal. xuj.  〈…〉 s alway, for he is at my right elbow 〈…〉 t I should not be moved, therefore my 〈…〉 te hath been glad, and my tongue hath 〈…〉 yced: moreover, my flesh shall rest 〈…〉 ope. By faith in Christ we become ●so●nnes of God, the brethren and co 〈…〉 es of Christ, and partakers of everla 〈…〉 life, by this faith departing hence, 〈…〉 shall go to the kingdom prepared the elect, afore the beginning of the world. And if in the ferventness of th● temptations, our faith begin to waue● we do not bear patiently the will of ● heavenly father, if our love toward ●● ware faint, & cold, if our hope begin to● feeble and weak: and therefore we be● to fear, lest God and we be not all ●● full point, but that he is yet displeased w● us, which remptation surely is very gr●●uous, painful, dangerous & hard to ou● come: we must call to remembrance Chr● to have suffered for us so intolerable, a● invincible temptations, that there ap●red no help, no comfort, no refuge, wh● in God and the whole world, seemed ● have forsaken him, and to be against hy● in so much that he exclaimed, O my g● O my God, why hast thou forsaken ●● O here was a grievous temptation. ● sharp and bitter death that Christ suffered for us, and all to make the waie● the cross and death easy unto us. Therefore, seeing that Christ of his own fr●● will, cast himself into the feeling of● tolerable pain, calamity, and anxiety (GOD our most loving father, bee●● therewith content) undoubtedly he knoweth, and considereth our infirmities▪ ●● ●btedly he will not deal with us, ac●yng to the rigour of the Law, but ●l bear much with us, and pardon ●ny things to our infirmity. Doth ● Christ speak to all men? Doth he ● call men, when he saith: Come unto ● all you that do labour, and are laden, ● I shall refresh yonv? How can there ● any greater consolation? How could ●riste speak more merciful to us? here be many things that pinch, vex, ● trouble man grievously, but what 〈…〉ng is it, that can trouble the conscience ● sinner more, than when he doubteth ●he mercy of God, then when he fea●h lest God will cast him of, then when can not persuade himself, to conceive ● trust of God's mercy, but imagine ●t as a withered member he shall cut and cast away.  
Here we had need of Christ's present ●, here we had need of speedy comfort, ●st this violent tempest overwhelm, & ●une us. But let us not fear, Christ is dissembler, he will stand by his word will perform his promise, he will help, ●refreshe. Therefore when we begin tremble, and fear in our consciente, when we begin to doubt of God's mer● when we perceive our faith to be f●●● Let us forthwith call upon God, and t● fervently, and that instantly, even fr●● the bottom of our heart, that he tou● not his face from us.  
Let us pour before him all that do● trouble us. Let us disclose to him all ● misery, our imbecility, our increduli● Let us cry with the Disciples: Lord ● crease our faiche. And with the Father the lunatic, Lord we believe, help● 
Luke. xvij.  incredulity. And with the Prophet, lo● 
Mark. ix.  make haste to help us. For thy mercik above all thy works. O most louy● O most merciful father, Lord God our health, our only help and refu● Enter not into judgement with thy ●nauntes. 
Plal. lxix.  Christ is our justice, our redemption, and innocency, he for us hath s●fered most better and cruel death.  
Let these things move thee, O fat● of mercy: for this thy son our saui● Christ's sake, have mercy upon us: ●firme and strength our heart in faith's fort us with the consolations of thy ●● spirit, that we may finally obtain ●● everlasting, through Christ our lord.   

AFter this sort, if we (labouring wresting, and striving with our imhecilitie, accusing before God, and lamenting our puci●itie▪ and Incredulity) do catch hold Christ, and cleave fast to him, earnest▪ ●nd fervently destring his help, that will vouchsafe to take our place, and to ●lie that is lacking in us. These thin● if we do surely, all things shall be ●ll, we shall avoid and escape easily, ranger and peril, we shall be safe ●ugh. For these two, to believe in ●ifte, and with heart to desire faith, ●th not much differ the one from th●●r. For though we feel yet great ●kenesse, and imperfection in ourself, ● this aught to comfort us, that God ●eth, and commandeth that he should ●alled upon, that he hath promised to ●e, and help these, that call rightly v● him. Now, as nothing is more iust● necessarily desired then true faith, ●so God heareth no prayer sooner, nor ●● gladly, then when man finding no ●lesse in himself, doth acknowledge own infirmity, his own misery, own beggarliness, doth accuse, and lament his own incredulity, and ●● deep sighs, and hearty desires calle● faith. These sighs, these desires, t● prayers, this little spark of faith, is ● very seed of God, wrought in us by ● which saith of Christ by the Pro● Esaye, that he shall not quench the ●● king flax, nor break the bruised Re● Therefore let us steadfastly believe, ● the lest earnestly and heartily pray, ● we may believe, bewailing afore ● our lack of faith, which things i● do, we need not doubt, but we be●●ep●ed of God, we be taken for his ●dren. For it is not for naught, nor in ● that he hath laid our imbecility ● sins, upon his only begotten soo● back▪ In Matthew it is said: bless● 
Matth. v.  those that mourn, for they shall be ●forted: blessed be those that hungry righteousness▪ for they shall be sati● These words are spoken also to vs● may justly be applied to us, we mo●● and are sorry in our hearts, that we ● mispended our life paste. We wish● desire, yea, we even hunger and thirster righteousness. Let us be o● cheer, we shall obtain our desire▪ ●ll be comforted, we shall be counted ●e afore God, for Christ our Saviour ● sake. Finally, let us after this exame of Christ, and saint Steven, comode our souls into the hands of God ● heavenly father, saying every one af● this manner.   

O Most merciful Father, I commend into thy holy hands my spirit, yea, thy spirit, for thou hast created it, thou hast committed it for a ●e, to the body, thou hast given it thy ●e Image and similitude. Thou haste ●e for the redemption of it, thy own ●e dearly beloved son to shed his ●d. This the spirit. I resign into thy ●es, O God of all mercy, I am thine ●at I am, I beseech thee refuse not ●y own, but receive, keep, and place me in everlasting glory, for the sake of jesus Christ, thy only begotten son.    
Amen.