THE sick Man's Salve.  
Wherein the faithful christians may learn both how to be have themselves patiently and thankfully, in the time of sickness, and also virtuously to dispose their temporal goods, and finally to prepare them selves gladly and godly to die: Made and newly recognized by Master Tho. Becon. 1561.  Math. 11. 
¶ Come unto me all ye that are sick and diseased, and I will comfort you.  
cum PRIVILEGIO per Septennium.   


THOMAS BECONUS SACROSANCTAE THEOLOGIAE PROFESSOR.   
Ora expressa vides, vivos imitantia vultus.  
Quod potuit calamo pictor & arte vides.  
mentis quam nullus potuit tibi reddere pictor.  
Effigiem scriptis, praebuit ipse suis.   

¶ The Names of all such books, as Thomas Becon, hath hitherto made and set forth.  
i. 
The News out of Heaven.  two. 
The Christmas Banquet.  iii. 
The Potation for Lent.  iiii. 
The Pathway unto Prayer.  v. 
The catechism.  vi. 
The nosegay.  seven. 
The Policy of War.  viii. 
The Book of Matrimony.  ix. 
David's Harp.  x. 
The New years gift.  xi. 
The invective against swearing  xii. 
The governance of Virtue.  xiii. 
The Dialogue of Christ's birth  xiiii. 
The invective against whoredom  xv. 
The Solace of the Soul.  xvi. 
The jewel of joy.  xvii. 
The Castle of Comfort.  xviii. 
The Fortress of the faithful.  nineteen. 
The Flower of godly prayers.  xx 
The Principles of christian religion  xxi. 
The True use of fasting  xxii. 
The Pomaunder of prayer.  xxiii. 
The Christian knight.  xxiiii. 
The Sick-man's Salve.  xxv. 
The Relics of Rome.    

¶ TO THE RIGHT worshipful Master Basil Felding Esquire, Thomas Becon wisheth the favour of God, continual health and prosperous felicity.  
CHrist our Lord and Saviour, considering what and how great carnal security and fleshly quietness reigneth in mortal men of all ages, 
Colos. iii.  yea, and that in them, that profess godliness, that is to say: Christians, which by their profession are dead unto the world, and have their life hidden with Christ in God, in so much that they being occupied about worldly and transitory things, which soon perish and come to nought, do utterly neglect the things that appertain unto the salvation of their souls: in many places of his holy Gospel admonisheth us to watch and to make provision for our latter end, lest we be found unready when we shall be called out of the world. In the Gospel of blessed matthew he hath these words: 
Math. xxiiii.  watch, for you know not what hour the Lord will come. Of this be ye sure, that if the good man of the house knew what hour the thief would come he would surely watch, and not suffer his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready. For in such hour as ye think not, will the son of man come. In S. Marks Gospel also he saith. Watch, for ye know not when the master of the house will come, 
Mark. xiii  at even or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing or in the dawning, least if he come suddenly, he find you sleeping. And that I say unto you, I say unto all. Watch▪ Yea take heed, watch and pray, for ye know not when the time is. Again in the Revelation of blessed john he saith. Behold I come as a thief. 
Apoca. xvi.  Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, that he walk not naked, and men see his filthiness. 
Apoca. xxii.  Item, Behold I come shortly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his deeds shall be. 
i Thes. v.  The holy Apostle S. Paul likewise exhorteth us, that we sleep not as other do, but that we watch & be sober, neither that we fall into fleshly quietness, promising ourselves long life, health and rest in this world, least sudden destruction fall upon us.  
For the day of the Lord (saith he) shall come even as the thief in the night. Certes our mortal estate declareth evidently, that we be so bound unto death, that we are not certain of our life not one hour. Out of hand may death oppress us, for any certainty that we have of the contrary. What thing is your life, saith S. james? 
jacob. iiii.  It is a vapour that appeareth for little time, and then vanisheth away. 
job. ix.  My days, saith job, are more swift than a runner, yea they are passed away as the ships that be good under sail, and as the Eagle that flieth unto the prey. Again he saith: Man that is borne of woman, hath but short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower. 
job. xiiii.  He flieth as it were a shadow and never continueth in one state. The Prophet also saith: 
Esay. xl.  All flesh is grass, and all the glory thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass is withered, the flower falleth away: Even so is the people as grass, when the breath of the Lord bloweth upon them. Thus sew the misery, vanity and shortness of our mortal life painted out before our eyes and that these things are true, daily experience proveth. notwithstanding such is our blindness, fondness and madness that we utterly forget the uncertainty of this our wretched and short life and promise ourselves the flourishing years of Nestor, 
Gene. v.  or the long life of Methuselah. We may right well be likened to that ungodly richman, of whom we read in the Gospel of Luke, 
Luke. xii.  which made provision for a great number of years, promising himself long to live upon the face of the earth, & forgetting himself to be mortal and bound unto death. But when he thought least of death and was most busily occupied in getting and gathering together the goods of the world, God said unto him: thou fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul again from thee. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 
Psal. xxxix.  The Psalmograph saith: He heapeth treasure upon treasure, and yet knoweth he not for whom he gathereth it. After this sort do we behave ourselves at this day. We moil and turmoyll ourselves in studying & devising how we may come by the gifts of glassy fortune. We refuse no pains, no labours to become rich and wealthy in worldly goods. Yea so blinded are our hearts, that the nearer we approach unto the end of our life, the more studious, careful & diligent are we to get the substance of this world. We remember not this saying of the holy Apostle. 
i Tim. vi.  Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath. For we brought nothing into the world neither may we carry any thing out. But when we have food and raiment, 
Psal. xxxix.  let us therewith be content. The holy scriptures calleth us strangers and Pilgrims in this world, 
i Pet. two.  & declareth that we have here no continuing city, 
Heb. xiii.  but we seek one to come. Notwithstanding as though there were none other life after this, or else as though we should for ever here remain and never depart, we travail about the getting of worldly substance. 
jere. viii.  Al, as the Prophet saith, even from the lowest unto the highest set their minds on filthy lucre. 
Esay. lvi.  They are shameless dogs, that be never satisfied. Hereto agreeth the saying of the Apostle, 
Philip. two.  all seek their own advantage and not that, which should set forth the glory of jesus Christ. And as in covetousness, so likewise in all other abominable sins do we most wickedly walk. And all things come to pass, because we remember not the shortness of this life and forget our latter end. This considered the wiseman right well, when he saith: Whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember thy end, and thou shalt never do amiss, 
Eccle. seven. Deut. xxxi●  Moses also saith, O that men would once be wise and understand, and make provision for their latter end. There is not a stronger bit to bridle our carnal affects, nor a better schoolmaster to keep us in an order then the remembrance of our latter end, then to remember that we shall not always here remain, that we are but strangers and pilgrim's in this world, that we shall leave behind us, whatsoever worldly substance we have here, either painfully gotten or carefully kept, that we shall die the death, that we shall appear before the judgement seat of Christ and receive according to the works which we have done in this life, either everlasting glory or perpetual pain. But these things seek we not to remember, but rather to forget, and therefore fall we into all kind of ungodliness and dissolution of life. And when the time cometh, that God visiteth us with sickness or otherwise plagueth us for our evil behaviour, then do we not prepare ourselves unto the cross, as we ought submitting our selves to the good pleasure of God, and being contented patiently and thanckfully to receive what so ever is laid upon us at the appointment of God, but we rather murmur and grudge against God, and with unwilling hearts suffer that loving visitation of God, almost wishing that there were no God to plague and punish us, but that we might here live continually and go forth to sin freely & without punishment. And when death approacheth, & no remedy can be found against the violence thereof, then do the ungodly & wicked livers beholding the miserable face of their conscience, which presenteth unto them nothing but sin, the wrath of God hell fire, & everlasting damnation, begin to despair & straight yield themselves to the pleasure of Satan to be for ever and ever tormented in that lake that burneth with fire & brimstone, 
Apoca. xxi.  themselves their souls and consciences consenting and assenting thereunto. For what other end can be looked for of a wicked & ungodly life? Is it to be thought, that he which thorough sin hath served the devil all the time of his life, can at his latter end look for the inheritance of everlasting glory, wherewith God rewardeth them the painfully labour to serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life? 
i Cor. ix.  S. Paul saith. So run, that ye may obtain, that is to say, so train your life in all Godliness and virtue to the uttermost of your power while ye live in this world, that after ye have finished your course here, ye may enjoy the glorious reward of eternal life. A corruptible crown is not obtained without great pains taking, & shall we look for an everlasting crown by leading an ungodly and wanton life? 
two. Tim. two.  No man is crowned, saith the apostle, except he fighteth lawfully. In this world therefore, wherein our life is nothing but a knighthood or warfare, 
job. seven.  must we lawfully, valiantly & mightily fight & strive against our enemies the devil, the world & the flesh, and by fervent and diligent prayer unto God so triumph over them thorough the help of our grand captain Christ, that we may have a glorious spoil of our enemies, & garnish ourselves with all kind of victorious & royal robes I mean, all good works & godly virtues. Where such a life is led, there must a good end be, and everlasting life may with a free conscience and assured hope be looked for. And to bring this to pass. Who laboureth not to the uttermost of his power, namely if he be of God, & looketh for a better and more blessed life after this? How we should fight against our adversaries and lead a good life in this world I have declared abundantly heretofore in many of my books. In this treatise, which I have now in hand, entitled (The Sick-man's Salve) my mind is to show unto the faithful christians, how they ought to make provision for their latter end, that they may departed in the faith of Christ, and be of the number of those of whom it is written. Blessed are the dead, which die in the lord 
Apoca. xiiii. Psal. cxvi  Again. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. For what should it profit a man to win all the world, 
Mat. xvi.  if at the last he loseth his soul? Therefore in this my work I have declared first of all, 
The contents of this book.  how the faithful christians ought to behave themselves patiently and thankfully in the time of sickness.  
Secondly, how they should virtuously dispose their temporal goods.  
Thirdly, after what manner they ought to prepare themselves gladly & Godly to die.  
Finally I have enterlased many comfortable exhortations unto the sick, and divers godly & necessary prayers, some to be said of them that are sick, & some of other for such as are diseased.  
This treatise, after that I had finished it, calling to remembrance how greatly I am bound to your right worshipful Mastership, considering also your most hearty zeal and fervent affection toward the true and Christian religion (all superstition and papistry laid aside) I thought it my bounden duty to send unto you as a testimony of my good will and thankful heart toward you, most entirely desiring you to accept and take in good part this my little gift, although much more base than it may seem in any part worthy to recompense the least point of your unfeigned friendship divers ways heretofore declared unto me.  
God preserve your right worshipful Mastership, with the most virtuous Gentlewoman your wife, and all your godly children in continual health and prosperous felicity. Amen.   

A PLENTIFUL table containing all the principal matters of this work for the speedier finding of the same.  


A  Adam cause why we all perished. 
300  Amos the Prophet killed. 
317  Admonishions, profiteth. 
226  Against the fear of death remedies 
313  Against the stings of death. 
316    


B  banqueting, children ought to beware. 
212  Baptism. 
418  belief, what it is. 
444  belief in heart. 
418  Body committed unto the earth. 
136  Bodies shall rise immortal. 
137  Bodies of the faithful, ought not to be vylye handled. 
173  Brazen Serpent. 
76  Burials. 
173    


C  Call continually on the Lord. 
45  Cayin repent, but lacked faith. 
378  Change lead for syl. ver. 
323  Cheerful giver. 
40  Children fearing God. he will not leave them comfortless. 
270  Children ought to beware of ill company. 
208  Children must beware of swearing. 
209  Children must love and help their mother's 
211  Christ author of our salvation. 
154  Christ prayed for an habitation for us. 
159  Christ our physician. 
385  Christ hath reconciled us. 
391  Christ a saviour for all ages. 
394  Christ saveth us freely. 
406  To Christ all things ●e subject. 
234  Christ's wounds 
 Christ's words healeth our wounds. 
414  Christ's altar was the cross. 
422  Christ overcame Satan for us. 
337  Christ the head corner stone. 
353  Christ fulfilled the law for us. 
367  Christ put away the cause of hatred. 
369  Christ hath put out the handwriting. 
idem  Christ hath paid our debt. 
570  Christ the Lord of all faithful. 
232  Christ the anointed. 
233  Christ our Lord. 
234  Christ's humanity. 
236  Christ a sacrifice for sins. 
242  Christ's death hath conquered Satan. 
249  Christ's going down to hell. 
idem  Christ's resurrection. 
250  Christ's ascension. 
251  Christ a sufficient mediator. 
253  Christ the mighty Samson. 
254  Christ giveth gifts unto men. 
256  Christ ascended to prepare a place for us. 
257  Christ taken up in a cloud. 
258  Christ coming to judgement. 
259  Christ wrought all things in his humanity for us. 
260  Christ's blood washeth clean our sins. 
88  Christ the true Samaritaine. 
103  Christ a loving Physician. 
105  Christ submitted his will. 
121  Christ forgiveth both the fault and pain. 
284  Christ's church linked together. 
269  Christ gave himself for his church. 
282  Christ disciple, who? 
23  Christian, why he feareth not death. 
287  Christians ought to help scholars. 
144  Church or Congregation. 
268  Communion 
172  Complaint of the wicked. 
58  Comfort to them that calleth upon God. 
29  Cross of tribulation. 
17  Conscience quiet, how? 
101  Comfortable calling of sinners. 
388  Conscience at rest. 
128  Confession of sins unto God. 
375  Correction in this world 
54    


D  Daniel preserved by prryer. 
111  David rejoiced not in himself. 
50  David mourned and fasted for his son. 
162  Death, gate to everlasting life. 
304  Death a changing to a better life. 
308  Death a passage. 
158  Death of the righteous. 
67  debtor forgiven. 
143  Debts. 
12.14  Departed are not lost. 
157  Desire of prayer. 
426  Doctrine of Papists after this life. 
194  Doubting faith obtaineth no promise. 
439  Duty of good servants 
225    


E  Eldest son. 
138.139  Esay sawn in sunder. 
327  Ezechias ●●ued xu year more. 
110  Exhortation to the sick 
46.449  executors charge 
169  Examples of old women, 
219    


F  Fallen on sleep, 
157  Fatherless children what they ought to do, 
215 216, 207  Faith, 
416, 334  Faith and prayer, sure armours, 
344  Faith in the sure promises of God, 
377  Faith maketh us the sons of God, 
380  Faith the rote of all virtues, 
idem.  faith richer then all treasures, 
380  Faith that is unshaken 
443  Faithful shall have possession in the kingdom▪ 
179.  Faithful rewarded and unfaithful. 
180.  Faithful belief never dieth. 
89.  Flesh lusteth against the spirit. 
15.  Fiery Serpent. 
335.    


G  God loveth where he chastiseth. 
14.  God woundeth and maketh whole. 
21.  God maketh a way out in temptation. 
21.27  God a loving father. 
27  God helpeth in all needs 
82.30.  God trieth his, how. 
30  God wrought wonderfully for joseph. 
31.  God gave quietness unto David after his storms. 
32.  God restoreth us after his temptation. 
33.  God never forsaketh his. 
38.  God present to our sickness. 
46  God suffereth the wyc wicked to flourish. 
58.  God not present, where the cross is absent. 
61  God taketh not his mercy from his. 
70  God, when he repenteth? 
71  God poureth out his blessing, when we seize to sin. 
72  God turneth his wrath 
76  God why he punisheth. 
74  God hath no pleasure in the death of a sin. 
94  God commandeth to call to him in our trouble. 
108  God hath respect to the poor. 
109  God heareth hearty prayers. 
idem.  God suffereth us not to be tempted above our strength. 
idem.  God present in trouble. 
11●.  God never forsaketh them that trust in him. 
114  Goods of the sick how to be disposed before death. 
123.133  God tendereth our soul's health, 
117  god forgiveth freely, 
126  G●d heareth the prayer of the humble. 
129  Go● a father, a husband unto the faithful widow, 
202.138  God forgiveth both the fault and pain, 
176  God the father, 
227  God doth what his pleasure is, 
228  God maker of heaven & earth. 
idem,  God the son, 
231  God the holy ghost, 
261  God the holy ghost quicneth all things, 
idem  God the holy ghost maketh us new vessels 
idem,  God the holy ghost, tea●heth all the faithful. 
261  God the father, God the son, God the Holy Ghost. 
263  Gods wrath terrible to conscience. 
330  Gods word driveth away Satan. 
342  Gods word healeth. 
344  God casteth down and setteth up, 
351  God bringeth out of trouble. 
358  God appointeth no time of help. 
393  God a father of mercies 
401  God delighteth in compassion, 
285  Gold and Silver. 
323    


H  Harte stony, 
375  Heart circumcised, 
95  hearken unto God, 
409  Hearing gods word. 
423  Heathen have no hope, 
161  Heathen wished eternal joy. 
idem.  Holy men tempted, 
95.  Household of God. 
97    


I  james slain with the sword, 
idem  john baptist beheaded, 
318  job a faithful soldier, 
37  job in himself same but sin. 
52  jeremy stoned▪ 
317  joy cometh after heaviness, 
73, 28  joy when our brethren depart in the faith▪ 
152, 161, 154  joys unspeakable, 
200  Joy in heaven when a sinner repenteth, 
104  judas repented but had no faith, 
378  jews murmuring. 
75  jews repent, 
idem  jews believe the immortality of, etc. 
307    


K  Kingdom of God meet for who? 
24  Knowing one an other after this life. 
326    


L  Labour and not loitour 
396  Labour to win Crist 
411  Law maketh no man perfect. 
126  law an heavy burden, 
363  Lazarus gods friend, 
20  Lords coming unknown▪ 
4  Life frail and transitory, 
2  Life uncertain, 
3  Live well & die well. 
42  Life ended our joy begin. 
196  Ly●e followeth death, 
7    


M  Man hath but a short time, 
1  Man hearty, how? 
5  Man blessed whom God punisheth, 
21  Man not pure in the sight of God. 
48  Man an whole lump of sin, 
49  Manasses an Idolater 
77  Manrsses bound with chains, 
79  Manasses repenteth, 
80  Manasses prayer, 
25  Manasses his sins in numerable, 
399  Martyrs by divers ways put to death. 
319  Maria magdalene a grievous sinner. 
387  Marriage forbidden ought not to be, 
203  Maidens that be goely, aught to be preferred before riches. 
2●3  Maids ought to beware of naughty packs, 
217  men's wills ought to give place, 
118  Men kdowen by their works, 
190  men are tried faithful, 
26  Mercy unto the poor delivereth from sin, 
213  Ministers. 
150  Monthmyndes, 
178  mothers ought to bring up their children in the fear of God. 
205  mothers a care for their children. 
139  Mourning gowns. 
151    

N  
The Name of jesus, how all knees bow thereto. 
1●1    

O  
One oblation of Christ hath made us pericte. 
177    

P  
Papists, enemies to the cross of Christ. 
176  Papists allege scriptures. 
429  Papists a kingdom of lies. 
430  Papists would have us doubt in our salvation. 
34  papistical scholinge. 
440  Peter repent and believed. 
378  Predestination▪ 
415  People holpen here. 
148  People desirous to have knowledge. 
149  Plagues ceaseth. 
81  Pleasure not the way to heaven. 
23  Pleasures of the wicked. 
57  Prayers ought to be made foe, whom? 
149  Prayer for the sick. 
116 131.150.295.341.451  Prayer th'effect 
138  Promises of God comforteth. 
354  Psalms of thanks for them taat be departed. 
162  Publican humbled himself. 
387  Punished in this world why? 
55  Purgatory rakers 
146    

R  
Remedies against thuught taking. 
320 224  Against desperation. 
229  Against temptations of Satan. 
331  Against the laws curse. 
361  Against sin. 
372  Against want of merits▪ 
403  Repentance, 
415.374.  It obtaineth mercy 
399  It cometh by preaching. 
150  Reward of sin. 
57  Resurrection of the body. 
287.257  rich gloton. 
19  Riotous son repenteth. 
91    

S  
Satan tempted divers and many ways. 
360  Satan moste busiest at our last end. 
332  Satan overcome by prayer, 
339  Schollerslare to be helped. 
143  Scriptures calleth us to repentance, 
190  Seance from labours. 
152  Seek the Lord while he may be found. 
185  Servants ought not to be forgotten that serve well. 
221  Servants, 
141  Sermons to be preached. 
148  Sick-man's will, 
135  Sick man taketh his leave, 
292  sick ought to give thanks to God 
43  Scripture showeth us the great mercies of God, 
84  sick in sin what to do? 
105  Sick visited, a godly deed, 
8  sick what to be learned. 
9  sick comforted, how 
idem,  sick soon disquieted. 
294  Sick exhorted willingly to die. 
198  Sick-man's exhortation unto his wife, 
200  Sick-man's, exhortation to his children, 
206  syckman's exhortation to his son, 
210  syckman's exhortation to his daughters. 
217  Sick-man's exhortation to his servants. 
220  syckman's faith, 
227  Si●nnes a messenger of death, 
131  Sickness irksome to man 
10  sickness taketh away joy. 
13  sickness, no token of God's anger, 
20  Sins forgiven. 
283  Sins forgiven for Christ's sake, 
286  Singing, 
171  Sleep not in death, 
345  Soul yielded into the hands of God 
136  Steven stoned to death. 
138    

T  
Thersians mourn when their children are borne 
165  The thief found mercy 
100  They that cry in trouble are helped. 
113  Things happen for the best, to the patient, 
36  Toby ever feared God. 
39  Toby full of good works. 
idem,  Toby an example to us 
40  Toby content to suffer the plague. 
41  Trouble bringeth understandidg, 
72  Tromperies for to feed their bellies, 
178  Trust in Christ's promises and thou shalt not die, 
147  Trust of the life to come 
168  The tree as it falleth so it lieth, 
191    

W  
Water of life, 
481  Women wept for christ 
169  Wife of the sick. 
137  A wife discrete is the gift of God. 
214  Wicked life to the riotous son, 
91  Wicked son repenteth 
idem,  Wicked son confesseth his faults, 
92  Wicked son furgeven 
93  Wicked people receive pain 
290  wicked a terrible end 
56  Wicked servants rewarded, how? 
186  Widows how they ought to marry, 
204  Wounded man spoiled. 
101  Worldly friendship slippery, 
325  Worldlings live all in pleasure, 
18.24  Worldly joy, 
25  Workers in the vineyard, 
359  Work while it is day, 
186.187    

Y  
Riotous minds, 
175  Youth ought to beware of whoredom, 
213  Youth must take heed how they marry. 
idem,  Young women ought to be obedient to their husbands, 
218  Young women should bring up their children in nurture, 
idem  Young women ought to be no gudders▪ 
291  Young women comely appareled. 
idem.    
FINIS.   

¶ THE SICK MAN'S SALVE.  Philemon. Eusebius. Theophilus. Christopher. & Epaphroditus the sick man, talk together. Philemon. 
OH, full truly is it said of the holy man job, that noble mirror of perfect patience: Man that is borne of a woman, 
job. 14.  hath but a short time to live, and yet in the time that he liveth, he is replenished with many miseries. He cometh up, and withereth away again like a flower: He flieth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one state▪ It is not yet two days since I saw my neighbour Epaphroditus, as me thought, well and ●usty, yea and in perfect health, and behold he sent unto me even now his servant Onesimus, that I should come unto him, with all expedition all other businesses set a part, If I ever intend to see him a live? oh good god, what a world is this? Ah most loving Christ, what a sudden change is this? Our life is not without a cause compared of the holy Apostle. S. james to a vapour, 
james. iiii.  which appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Who will trust a life so frail, so transitory, so bond unto mortality? Who can justly persuade himself to live many years in this world, seeing that in it so suddenly health is turned into sickness, valiance into imbecility, strength into weakness, joy into sadness, comfort into desperation, life into death? The rich man persuaded himself that he should live long in this world, 
Luke. xii.  as blessed Luke declareth in his holy Gospel, when he said, considering the great abundance of his revenues that came yearly in: what shall I do? because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? This will I do: I will destroy my barns, and build greater, & therein will I gather all my goods, that are grown unto me, and I will say unto my soul: soul thou hast much goods laid up in store for many years, take thine ease, eat drink, be merry. But god said unto him: thou fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul again from the. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? The continuance of our life is not certain so much as one hour, neither is any man ●able to say, I shall live till to morrow. For albeit nothing is more ●erten than death: yet is nothing ●ore uncertain than the hour of death. It shall therefore become all christian men that tender their own health, diligently to mark and continually to remember this friendly admonition and loving watchword of our Lord and saviour Christ jesus, 
Mat. 24.  watch, (saith he) for you know not what hour your Lord will come. Of this be ye sure, that if the good man of the house knew what hour he thief would come, he would surely watch and not suffer his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, will the son of man come. 
Mark. 13.  Again he saith. Watch, for ye know not when the master of the house will come, whether at even: or at midnight, whether a● the cock crowing: or in the dawning, least if he come suddenly, h● find you sleeping. And that I sa● unto you, I say unto all. Watche● Also in an other place he saith: 
Apoc. 16.  behold. I come as a thief. Happy is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and men see his filthiness. Ah Lord God, not yet two days past whole and strong, and now sick and weak? O the unsteadfastness of man's life. Whom would not this provoke to watch and to consider his latter end? as the godly man Moses admonisheth, 
Dout. 32.  saying: Ah would God men would be wise and understand and make provision for their latter end. So should neither sickness nor death be sudden unto them, so should all dissolution of life be rejected, and godliness of conversation embraced, as the wise man saith: In all thy works remember the latter end, and thou shalt never sin. 
Eccl. 7.  I desire much to visit my neighbour Epaphroditus occording to his hearty request, and to comfort him in these his pains, & to instruct him how he ought both patiently & thankfully bear this cross of sickness, which God hath laid on him, but I wish greatly to have the company of mine old familiars and approved friends, Eusebius, Theophile, and Christopher. I sent my son Theodore and Rachel my Daughter for them, I much marvel of their long tarriance. But behold where they come. Neighbours and friends welcome,  Euse 
We rejoice to see you in health thanking you most heartily for the loving kindness, which heretofore many times you have showed unto us. But wherefore I pray you have you sent for us.  Phile. 
Have ye not heard, how our neighbour Epaphroditus is grievously vexed with sickness?  Theophi●punc; 
Is ou● neighbour Epaphroditus sick?  Phi. 
He is sick, and that very sore.  Christo. 
Sorry am I to hear this  Philemon. 
We are in the lords hand as the clay in the potters, 
jere. xviii.  to do with us what so ever his good pleasure is. Therefore let us not bear heveli this work of God in our neighbour, lest we seem to strive against his godly will, seeing we use daily to pray. 
Math. vi.  Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven, having also an example of our saviour Christ which prayed unto his heavenly father on this manner. Not as I will, but as thou wilt, o father. 
Math. xxvi.   Euse. 
How long hath our neighbour Epaphroditus been sick?  Phi. 
Not yet two days.  The. 
I mucch marvel of this his sudden sickness.  Philemon. 
It is no marvel at all, seeing sickness followeth health, and death, life, as the shadow accompanieth the body Ye know neighbours how charitable a deed it is to visit the sick, and to comfort the diseased. It is one of those works, which being done in the faith of Christ shall be rewarded at the last day in the face of the whole world with then heritance of the heavenly kingdom as ye may see in the gospel of blessed Matthew, I was sick, and ye visited me, 
Mat. 25.  saith our saviour Christ. The wise man also saith: Let not them that weep be without comfort, 
Eccle. 7.  but mourn with such as mourn. Let it not grieve thee to viset the sick, for that shall make the to be beloved.  Christop. 
This saying differeth not much from the saying of S. Paul. Rejoice with them that rejoice, 
Rom. 12  and weep with them that weep. Be of like affection one to another.  Phile 
Let us therefore go and visit our sick neighbour Epaphroditus, and comfort him with the heavenly consolation of the holy scriptures, that he may bear this his sickness both the more patiently and thankfully. For to this end did I send for you, that we should go together unto him, and to comfort him.  Theo. 
We were to much unkind and unworthy the name of a Christian, yea of a man, if we should disdain to accompany you going about so godly a matter,  Phile. 
Well, 
Eccl. 7  then let us go. For as the preacher saith: It is better to go into an house of mourning them into an house of banqueting for there all men be admonished of their latter end, and the living considereth what afterward shall become of them, I pray the Lord our God, that we may find him at our coming, in his whole mind and perfect memory.  Eusebi. 
I beseech the Lord our God also, that his pains be not so outrageous, that when we come, he have no mind to hear what shallbe said unto him, so shall our labour be lost.  Christop. 
God's will be done in all things.  Phile. 
We will do our duty, let God work his pleasure. Now are we at the house, I will be so bold neighbours as to lead you the way,  Theoph. 
I pray you go sir, we will follow you.  Epa. 
the sick man. 
jere. xx.  Oh, cursed be the day, wherein I was borne, unhappy be the day, wherein my mother brought me forth. Cursed be the man that brought my father the tidings to make him glad, saying: Thou hast gotten a son. Let it happen unto that man, as to the Cities which the Lord turned up side down. Let him hear crying in the morning, 
Gene. nineteen.  and at none day lamentable howling. Why slewest thou not me as soon as I came out of my mother's womb? O that my mother had been my grave herself, that the birth might not have come out but remained still in her, Wherefore came I forth out of my mother's womb? to have experience of labour and sorrow? Ah how sick am I, my strength is gone, my sight faileth me, my tongue flottereth in my mouth, my hands tremble and shake for pain, I can not hold up my head for weakness. If I attempt either to stand or to go, my legs fall down under me. No part of my body doth her right office, my memory is paste. My senses fail me. What so ever I taste, is unpleasant unto me. What other thing am I, than a dead corpse, breathing? For my skin upon me is turned to black, 
job. thirty.  and my bones are dried up with heat. Yea miserably am I tormented, and altogether weary of my life. What can be pleasant unto me but present death? Ah woe worth the time that ever I was borne, O that some hill might fall down and overwhelm me, that I might shortly be rid out of this pain.  Philemon. 
O Lord God good neighbores, these be words proceeding rather from a desperate heart, then from a patient mind. But why do I cease to go in? The father of mercies and God of all consolation be present with us.  Theo. 
Amen.  Phile. 
Peace be unto this house, and to so many as love the Lord jesus unfeignedly.  Epa. 
O mother, 
jere 15.  alas that ever thou did dost bear me. Alas, why died I not in the birth? Why did I not perish, assoon as I came out of my mother's womb?  Philem. 
Neighbour Epaphroditus, 
job. 3.  God give you a patient heart, a quiet & contented mind. According to your request, I am come unto you with certain of my neighbours, being very desirous to see you, and notwithstanding not a little sorry to behold you in this case, not that you are visited of God with sickness: but that you so impacientlye take this loving visitation of god, which chanceth unto you, not for your hurt and destruction: but for your commodity and salvation.  Epaphro. 
Welcome, welcome, neighbours all. Oh how sick am I? Oh that the end of my life were at hand. 
job. 10.  It grieveth my soul to live. All joy is gone with me.  
This sickness hath utterly marred me.  Phi. 
Say not so neighbour Epaphroditus, yea rather think, that this your sickness is the loving visitation of God and bringeth (although to the body weakness and trouble,) yet to the soul valiance and consolation.  Epa. 
God's loving visitation?  Philem. 
Yea neighbour God's loving visitation. For so are we taught by the word of God. 
Apoca. iii.  God himself saith, as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. The wise man also saith. My son despise not the chastening of the Lord, 
Pro. iii.  neither faint when thou art rebuked of him, For whom the Lord loveth, him he chasteneth, and yet delighteth in him as a father in his own son. What son is he, saith. S. Paul. whom the father chasteneth not? 
Heb. xii.  If ye be not under correction (whereof all are partakers) than are ye bastards and not sons.  Epa. 
There is no father that so handleth his son, as I am handled. Oh what a change is this, yea and that within two days? For from gladness to sadness, from pleasure to sorrow from health to sickness, from quietness to trouble, from strength to feebleness, yea in a manner from life to death am I suddenly fallen. O miserable wretch that I am.  Phile 
No manner chastising for the present time seemeth to be joyous but grievous, 
Hebr. xii.  as the Apostle saith, nevertheless afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness unto them, which are exercised thereby. Blessed is the man saith saint james, 
jam. i.  that suffereth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  Epa. 
Me thought I was in case good enough, before I was oppressed with this sickness. For then I lived pleasantly, but now I lie here weeping and mourning, and full of sorrow and care.  Phile. 
This is the judgement of the flesh which ●uer lusteth against the spirit. 
Gala. v.  Against such careless fleshli livers, ●eare what our Saviour Christ saith. 
Luke. 6.  Woe be unto you that are rich, for you have your consolation. Woe be unto you that are full, for ye shall hunger. Woe be unto you that now laugh, for ye shall wail and weep. Hear what he saith on the contrary part. 
Mat. 5.  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall receive comfort. And also in another place he saith. 
john. 16.  verily, verily I say unto you: ye shall weep and lament, but contrariwise the world shall rejoice. Ye shall sorrow: but your sorrow shallbe turned to joy. The blessed Apostle saith also. 
2. Titu. 2.  If we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with him. If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him.  Christo. 
Brother Epaphroditus, the way to enter into glory is the Cros. For by that way did our elder brother christ enter into the kingdom of his father. 
Luke. 24.  And the blessed Apostle saith: By many tribulations must we enter into the kingdom of God. 
Act. xiiii.   Epaphro. 
What mean you by the cross. 
What the Cross is.   Chri. 
Temporal affliction as penury, hunger, evil report undeserved, persecution, imprisonment, los of Goods, sickness, and whatsoever mortifieth the old man.  Epaphro, 
I can not easily be persuaded, that these things are sent of God to such as he loveth: but rather to such as he hateth.  Christoph. 
Not so neighbour Epaphroditus. For the righteous and godly taste more of the cross in this world, than the wicked and ungodly. Abel, jacob, joseph, Moses, David, Helias, Zachari, jeremy, Miche, job, Toby, John Baptist, Stephen, Paul, james Peter, with many other which were the●chosen people and friends of God, were not free from the cross, in so much that many of them were most cruelly put to death where as the wicked worldlings lived all in pleasure, and had all things according to their hearts lust.  Eusebius. 
This is also proved true by the saying of our saviour Christ: 
Ihon. xvi i Ti more iii  ye shall weep and lament, saith he, but contrariwise the world shall rejoice. And the Apostle, saith, all that will live Godly in Christ jesus: shall suffer persecution. Hither pertaineth the saying of. 
i. Pete, iiii.  S. Peter. The time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God. If it first begin at us: what shall the end of them be, which believe not the Gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved: where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that are troubled according to the will of God, commit their souls to him with well doing, as unto a faithful creator.  Phi. 
This thing can by no means better be perceived, 
Luke. xvi  then by considering the history, which blessed Luke telleth in his Gospel of the unmerciful rich man and of poor Lazarus. The rich glutton was God's enemy and an adversary to all good men, unkind, churlish, and unmerciful, and yet how pleasantly, and wealthily lived he all his life time? We do not read, that he tasted any thing at all of the cross, but that he was rich, wealthy, gallantly appareled, fared daintily every day, and lived in all kind of pleasures according to his hearts lust, and yet th'end of him was everlasting damnation, that this saying of our saviour Christ might be found true. 
Luke. vi  Woe be unto you that are rich: for you have your consolation. Woe be unto you that are full: for ye shall hunger. Woe be unto you that now laugh: for ye shall wail and weep. Contrariwise, Lazarus being God's friend (and dearly beloved of God) was plagued with poverty, hunger, thirst, cold, nakedness, sores, sickness, & divers mortal diseases, which never departed from him so long as he lived: and notwithstanding both patiently and thanckfullye did he bear this his Cross, 
Eccle. xi.  even unto the death, being persuaded that prosperity & adversity, life, and death, poverty, & wealth, are of God, and therefore immediately after his departure out of this world, he was received into everlasting glory. This history brother Epaphroditus declareth evidently, that sickness or trouble sent of God unto the godly, is not a token of God's wrath and heavy displeasure, but rather a sure argument and manifest sign of his good will, love and favour toward us. Blessed is he, saith the Psalmograph, 
Psal. xciiii.  whom thou (O Lord) nourterest. Again, he saith: it is highly for my wealth, 
Psal. cxix.  that thou (O Lord) hast corrected me, that I may learn thine ordinances. Hereto agreeth the saying of S. Paul. When we are judged of the Lord we are chastened, 
i Cor. xi.  that we should not be damned with the world. In the history of job it is also written, 
Io●. v.  blessed is the man whom God punisheth: therefore refuse not thou the chastening of the almighty. For though he maketh a wound, he giveth a plaster, though he smite, his hand maketh hole again. God is faithful, saith the Apostle, 
i Cor. x.  which will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength, but shall in the mids of the temptation make away, that ●e may be able to bear it. 
two. Cor. i.  For he ●s the father of mercies, and God of all consolation, which comforteth us in all our trouble, which knoweth also how to deliver the godly out of temptation. 
two. Peter. two  All these texts borrowed out of the holy scriptures with many other, do evidently declare, that the cross is laid upon the godly at God's appointment, and that not for their hurt and destruction, but for their health and salvation. For though our outward man perish: 
i Cor. iiii  yet thinward man is renewed day by day. For our trouble, 
Esay. ●ii  which is short & light prepareth an exceeding and an eternal weight of glory unto us, while we look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen, are temporal, but things which are not seen are eternal.  Theo. 
Our elder breather Christ, which never commi● sin, 
i▪ Peter. two  & in whom no guile nor de●ceat was found, entered not into glory but by the cross, as th'apostle saith: We see that jesus for the suffering of his death was crowned with glory and honour. 
heb. two.  Therefore may not we look to possess the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom by living all in pleasure health, joy, and worldly felicity: but rather by suffering the cross that is laid upon us at god's appointment both patiently and thankfully. For the disciple is not above the master, 
math. x  nor the servant above his Lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master is, and that the servant be as his lord 
Lu. xiiii  Whosoever beareth not his cross and cometh after me (saith our saviour Christ) he can not be my disciple, 
Apoca. seven   Chri. 
In the revelation of blessed john we read that they which were arrayed with long white garments and are continually in the presence of the seat of God, and serve him day & night in his temple, came out of great tribulation.  Philem. 
It is truth. For such are most meet for the kingdom of God, neither can the voluptuous worldlings be partakers of the heavenly inheritance, which in this world taste of no cross, but live in all pleasure after the desires of the flesh. It is not possible that a man may live here pleasantly with the world, and afterward reign gloriously with Christ, for the friendship of the world, 
jacob. iiii.  is enmity with God. Whosoever will be a friend of the world, is made the enemy of God. For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? Or what company hath light with darkness. Or what concord hath Christ with belial? 
two. Cor. vi.  Either what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? worldly joy & eternal felicity can not agree together. Therefore whosoever is free from the cross in this world, he hath no part in the kingdom of Christ & of God. So that you neighbour Epaphroditus have a great occasion to thank the Lord our God, that it hath pleased him to remember you with this his loving visitation, and through this sickness to declare his good & fatherly will toward you. For by laying this cross upon you, he proveth you, whether you be constant in your faith and profession or not, and whether you will patiently and thanckefullie b●are this his working in you, which is unto your everlasting salvation or not. And after this manner doth God handle all such as he receiveth unto glory, as the wiseman saith: 
Eccle. two.  What soever happeneth unto thee, receive it, suffer in heaviness, and be patient in thy trouble. 
Eccle. iii.  For like as gold & silver are tried in the fire: even so are acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. Again he saith: the oven proveth the potter's vessel, 
Eccle. xxvii.  so doth temptation of trouble, try righteous men. List wise said Raphael the archangel unto Toby: 
●ob. xii.  Because thou wast accepted and beloved of God, it was necessary that temptation should try thee. And as Moses said unto the children of Israel: 
●e●t. xiii.  the lord your God proveth you, to wit whether ye love the Lord your God withal your heart and with all your soul. S. Peter also saith: 
i Pet. i.  ye are now for a season in heaviness thorough manifold temptations, that the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that perisheth, & yet is tried by fire, might be found unto the praise, glory and honour at the appearing of jesus Christ.  Epah. 
This comforteth well my weak mind to here of you out of the word of God neighbour Philemon, that this sickness, which I now suffer is the loving visitation of God, and a token of God's good will toward me, again, that the faithful and friends of God are in this world subject to the Cross more than the unfaithful and enemies of God,  Phile. 
I am heartily glad to hear you so say. And doubt you not, but that this your gentle God and loving father, will turn this your sorrow unto your great comfort. 
i Cor. x.  For he is a faithful God, which will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength, but shall in the mids of the temptation make a way, that ye may be able to bear it, as the psalmograph saith: 
Psal. thirty.  His wrath endureth but the twinkling of an eye, and in his pleasure is life. Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  
Thou (O Lord) haste turned my heaviness in to joy: thou hast put of my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. Again he saith: Thou O God, 
Psalm. lxvi.  hast proved us, thou also hast tried us like as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the snare, and laidst trouble upon our loins, thou suffered'st men to ride over our heads. We went thorough fire and water, and thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place, 
Psalm. lxxi.  Item: O what great troubles & adversities hast thou showed me? and yet didst thou turn & refresh me, yea and broghtest me from the deep of the earth. Thou hast brought me to great honour and comforted me on every side. Therefore will I praise thee & thy faithfulness O God. Also in another place he saith: they that sow in tears, 
Psal. cxxvi.  shall reap in joy. He that now goeth on his way weeping & beareth forth good seed, shall doubtless come again with joy, & bring his sheaves with him. Ancient father Toby in his prayer unto God saith: 
Tobi. iii.  after a storm, O Lord thou makest the weather fair & still: after weeping and heaviness thou givest great joy. Thy name O God of Israel, be praised for ever.  Epa. 
Amen. Amen, good Lord I trust thou wilt do so with me.  Phile. 
Doubt ye not neighbour, but if ye call on the name of the Lord, ye shall find great comfort. For as that princelike Prophet saith: 
Psal. xxxiiii.  The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth them, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, and will save such as be of an humble spirit. Great are the troubles of y● righteous, but the lord delivereth them out of all: he keepeth all their bones so that not one of them is broken.  Euseb. 
These are comfortable sentences neighbour Epaphrodotus.  Epa. 
Comfortable in deed.  Phi. 
And no les true than comfortable, as divers histories of the holy scriptures do evidently declare.  Epa. 
I pray you rehearse some of them for my comfort.  Phi. 
I will do it gladly. As I may let pass the ancient patriarchs. What a cross laid God upon josephes' shoulders in Egypt? yea and that for no fault that he had committed but only to prove and try his faith, love, obedience, patience, thankfulness & perseverance. He suffered joseph being a godly and chaste young man to be falsely accused of his whorish mystres, 
Gen. thirty. nineteen.  and to be cruelly thrown of his master into prison, where he continued certain years in captivity and thraldom. But behold the merciful dealing of God with his faithful servants. Afterward, when God by proving him, had found him faithful, constant & patient: he delivered joseph out of prison, restored him unto his liberty, won him into the kings favour, in so much that the king took of his ring from his hand, & put it upon Joseph's hand, & arrayed him in cloth of rains, & put a golden chain about his neck, and set him upon the best chariot that he had save one. And they cried before him: bow the knee. And king Pharaoh made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.  Ep. 
O the great mercies of God.  Phi 
Before God quietly settled king David in his kingdom (of whom he reporteth in this manner, 
i Reg. xvi. Act. xiiii.  I have found David the son of jesse a man after mine own ●art, which shall fulfil all my will) how hunted he him by king Saul even as the ferret hunteth the coney? yea after the death of Saul what trouble & disquietness had he thorough the wicked conspiracy of his children against him being so loving, gentle and natural a father? Notwithstanding afterward God brought him unto great honour, glory, riches, quietness, and all kind of wealth, wherein he continued unto his death, which was both glorious and full of years.  Epap. 

three Reg. two.  A blessed end.  Phi. 
To whom is the history of patient job unknown? 
job. i. two.  His Cross was so grievous, that I know not whether the like trouble hath chanced to any mortal man since his time or afore All his substance in one moment almost was lost, all his cattle were driven away vii M. sheep iii M. Camels .v. C. yoke of Oxen and v. C. she asses. All these were taken away suddenly. His house fell down, his children that were within were slain. Of all that ever he had, nothing remained untouched, that might comfort him any thing at all, but only his wife, and she seemeth to be left of the devil, only to this purpose, even to mock and scorn her husband, and to move him to blaspheme the name of God. Which thing without all doubt grieved the holy man's mind more, than all his calamities and wretchednesses. Furthermore his friends which came out of far countries to comfort him, seeing his sorrow and pain to be most vehement, being also wonderfully astonished with the horrible greatness of the plague, by the space of ●ii. days spoke not one comfortable word unto him. For they thought (although not truly) that God had cast this most grievous pains upon job worthily, even for his sinful life & wicked conversation. And did they not at the last fall to mocking and taunting of that good man, and told him that those plagues happened unto him for his sins, by the righteous judgement of God? for they thought it a matter of high iniquity and unworthy God's righteousness that so great calamities and miseries should causeless chance unto any holy and innocent man. 
job. two.  Moreover after the loss of all his goods, after the driving away of his cattle, the casting down of his house the cruel death of his children & servants (which, all the most patient man very quietly suffered) what intolerable pains suffere● he on his body? Did not Satha● thorough God's sufferance smite Io● with marvelous sore biles fro● the sole of his foot unto the crown● of his head, so that he sat upon the ground in the ashes, and scraped of the filth of his sores with a potsherd? Oh who is able to express what pains he suffered? And notwithstanding being on every side most miserably plagued his mind continued still constant and perfect in abiding the good pleasure of the Lord his God, being thoroughly persuaded that all those plagues and punishments were not tokens of God's anger, but rather of his singular good will and fatherly favour toward him. For as he most patiently suffered the loss of all his goods and the death of his children, so with like constancy and lusty courage, did he bear the most grievous wounds and bitter sorrows of his body, speaking no blasphemous, impatient, or unreverent word against God, in all his trouble, but meekly, patiently, and thankfully, braced out into these and such like words: Naked came I out of my mother's womb, 
job. i.  and naked shall I turn thither again. The Lord gave, & the Lord hath taken away. Even as it hath pleased the Lord, so is it come to pass, blessed be the name of the Lord, 
job. two.  If we have received prosperity at the hand of the lord, why should we not abide adversity also?  Epa. 
Oh God grant me the like patience.  Christo. 
Doubt ye not of the goodness of God neighbour. Be strong and steadfast in the Lord your God, abide patiently his good pleasure, & he shall work all things for the best, 
Psal. xxxvii.  as the Psalmograph saith: O tarry thou the lords leisure, be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart, therefore put thou thy trust in the Lord. 
Esay. thirty.  In silence and hope shall your strength be, saith the Prophet. O how good is the lord unto them, 
james. iii.  that put their trust in him, and to the soul that seeketh after him? The good man with stillness and patience tarrieth for the saving health of the Lord. The righteous have cried, and the Lord hath graciously heard them, and delivered them out of all their troubles.  Phi. 
But now neighbour mark the end of the history. 
Psal. xxxiiii.   Epa. 
say on, in the name of God.  Phile. 
After that God by divers kinds of punishments had thoroughly tried this holy, perfect and patient man job, and had found him in all points a constant and ●aleaunt soldier, not able to ●e overcome with any kind of ●lague that Satan could lay on ●im, the Lord greatly commended ●is constant faith and faithful con●ancie, and gave unto him twice twice so much as he had afore. For he had now xiiii M. sheep, 
job. xiii.  vi. M. camels, a. M. yoke of Oxen and a. M. asses. He had vii sons also, and iii daughters. And after this he lived an. C. & xl years, in much joy and quietness, so that he saw his children's children into the four generation, and died being old and of a perfect age.  Epa. 
Oh, blessed be God. For he is ever good to his servants and never forsaketh them that put their trust in him.  Euse. 
Of this holy man job saint james also maketh mention, 
james. v.  saying: Ye have heard of the patience of job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful and merciful.  Phile. 
Will it please you neighbour to hear the history of thancient father Toby▪ which is also very comfortable▪  Epa. 
Yea very gladly. For it doth me much good and easeth well my pain to hear your godly talk.  Phi. 
This Toby was a faithful man and even from his very childhood feared God, and led a virtuous life. He forsook not the way of truth neither defiled he himself with any kind of Idolatry. 
Tob. i.  He worshipped the Lord God of Israel faithfully, offering of all his first fruits and tithes. Whatsoever he might get, he departed it daily with his fellow prisoners & brethren. He was full of good works, he gave largely unto the poor, he fed the hungry, he gave drink to the thirsty, he clothed the naked, he lodged the harborles, he visited the sick, he redeemed the captives & prisoners, he buried the dead. There was no work of mercy that he had left undone. He was rich & plenteous in all good works. And whatsoever he did, he did it with a joyful & ready heart. For God, 
two. Cor. ix.  saith S. Paul, loveth a cheerful giver,  Epa. 
A blessed man and a faithful servant of God. 
Tob. two.   Phi. 
And yet mark what followeth. It happened upon a day, that he had buried the dead, and was weary, came home and laid him down by the wall and slept. And while he was a sleep, there fell down upon his eyes warm dung out of the swallows nest, so that he became blind.  Epaphr. 
A pitiful chance.  Phile. 
This tentation did God suffer to happen unto him, that they which came after, might have an example of his patience like as of holy job.  Epaphro. 
But how did Toby take this tentation?  Phile. 
Very Godly, quietly, patiently, and thankfully. For in so much as he ever feared God from his youth up, and kept his commandments, he grudged not against God, that the plague of blindness chanced unto him, but remained steadfast in the fear of God, and thanked God all that days of his life.  Epaphr. 
But what was the end of the matter? Continued he blind unto his dying day? Did not God deal mercifully with Toby, as we heard afore of job?  Phile. 
Yes verily, 
i Reg. two, Deut. xxxii. Tob. xiii. Sap. xvi.  for God scourgeth and healeth. God leadeth unto hell and bringeth out again. God killeth and maketh alive. God after a storm maketh the weather fair & calm. God after weeping & heaviness, giveth great joy. When God had throughly tried Toby, and found him constant in his faith, he restored unto him his sight again. For the which Toby most humbly thanked him and said: 
Tob. xi.  O Lord God of Israel, I give the praise and thanks, for thou hast chastened me, and made me whole again.  Christo. 
O praised be the Lord our God, which is marvelous in his Saints, and holy in all his works.  Epa. 
Lived Toby long after his sight was restored unto him?  Phi. 
Toby (saith the scripture) after he had gotten his sight again, lived xlii years in great joy and wealth, and saw his children's children. 
Tob. xiiii.  And when he was. C. and ii years old he departed in peace and was honourably buried.  Epaphro. 
A blessed end.  Phi. 
Of a good life cometh a good end. Thus have you heard out of the holy scriptures brother Epaphroditus, that the Cross, that is to say corporal affliction is not a token of God's anger, but of his favour, and that he layeth temporal punishment more customably upon his friends, than upon his enemies, yea and that not to destroy them, but to prove and try them, even as the fire trieth the gold. For as th'angel raphael said unto Toby: 
Tob. xii.  Because thou wast accepted and beloved of God, it was necessary, that temptation should try thee. You have heard also the loving kindness of God toward his faithful & constant servants, how after a just trial made, he restoreth them unto a more blessed state, than they were in a fore. Therefore take a good heart unto you & faint not. Be strong in the Lord. Be faithful unto the end. Be patient in this your sickness. Be thankful for this loving visitation of God. Abide the good pleasure of God. Suffer him quietly to do with you what soever his good will is. If you will thus do: doubt ye not, but that god will be merciful unto you, & bring that thing to pass, which is most for your comfort and profit. 
Rom. xv.  For whatsoever is written, is written for our learning, that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures we may have hope.  Epaph. 
The Lords will be done in me. He knoweth what is most meet for me a wretched sinner, let him therefore work his good pleasure in me: 
Rom●. xiiii.  come life, come death. For if we live, we live to be at the Lords will, and if we die, we die at the Lords will. Whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lords. 
A prayer.  Only O heavenly father I beseech thee for Christ's sake, to give me a patient and thankful heart, that I never grudge against thy blessed will, but be obedient unto it in all things, that when the pains of my sickness be most bitter: I may lift up my heart unto thee, 
Psalm. vi.  call on thy blessed name, and say: O Lord, rebuke me not in thy indignation, neither chasten me in thy displeasure. Have mercy on me O Lord, for I am weak. O lord heal me for my bones are vexed. My soul also is sore troubled: but Lord how long wilt thou punish me? Turn thee (O Lord) & deliver my soul, oh save me for thy mercy's sake. 
Psal. lxxxv●●●  O my God save thy servant, that putteth his trust in thee. Be merciful unto me (O Lord) for I will call daily upon the. Comfort the soul of thy servant, ●or unto thee (O Lord) do I lift ●p my soul. For thou Lord art good & gracious, & of great mercy ●nto all them that call upon thee.  Theo. 
Neighbour Epaphroditus his is unto us a singular pleasure ●nd great comfort to hear so god●y words proceed out of your ●outh. Be diligent continually 〈◊〉 call on the Lord, and he in all our afflictions & troubles, shall 〈◊〉 undoubtedly your strong tower, our mighty shield, and invincible fortress. He will not leave you nor forsake you, but assist you and be present with you in your sickness, according to this his promise: 
Psal. xci.  Because he hath trusted in me, I will deliver him, I will defend him, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, & I will graciously hear him, yea I am with him in trouble, I will deliver him and glorify him. With long life will I satisfy him, & show him my salvation.  Ep. 
I must needs confess most gentle neighbours, that I have received much consolation and great comfort of your company, and specially that 〈◊〉 have thus enarmed, yea and fortressed my breast with the cōforta●ble sentences and histories of th● holy scriptures against the bitte● storms of adversity, and I hart●ly thank you for your pains. Not●withstanding this must I nede● say unto you, that I find not myself in my conscience to be of such godliness and virtue, that I dare compare myself with joseph, David, job, and Toby, whom ye recited unto me, but much inferior both unto them and unto their godliness of life, so that although they being righteous of the very love, which God bore toward them, were assailed with adversity, to this end, that their faith and constancy might be proved & tried unto the example of other, yet I find in myself such imperfection, yea such abundance of ●in, that it may justly be thought that this sickness, which is laid upon me, cometh from such a God, as is angry with me for my sinful life, and therefore is his heavy hand thus laid upon me. What think ye good neighbours.  Philemon. 
Brother Epaphroditus this humbling of yourself in the sight of the Lord our God, is a certain argument and sure token of your everlasting salvation. For he that exalteth himself shall be made low, 
Mat. xxiii  but he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. God is an enemy to the proud, 
i Pet. v.  but he is a friend to the humble and lowly. 
Prou. xx  Truth it is, that in the sight of God no man is pure and clear from sin. 
jaco. iii  Who is able to say. My heart is clean, and I am fre● from sin? In many things we all offend. 
i. john. i Rom. iii  If we say, we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 
Luk. xvii  All hau● sinned, and want the glory of God We all are unprofitable servants Every man is a liar. 
Psal. cxvi Psalm. li.  We were be●gotten in sin, conceived in sinn● and borne in sin. Our heart 〈◊〉 lewd and unsearchable. 
jer. xvii.  All our righteousness are as clothe pollu●ted with menstrue. All have swerved and gone out of the way, 
Esay. lxiii. Psal. xiiii  they are altogether become unprofitable, there is not one that doth good, no not one. The most perfect among us all, may well say with the sinful Publican: 
Luke. xviii.  O God be merciful to me a sinner. 
Math. vi.  We may worthily pray, as our saviour Christ taught us, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us, God found no truth in his servants, and in his angels there was folly. 
job. xiii.  How much more in them that dwell in the houses of clay, 
job. thirty.  and whose foundations are but dust? The stars are unclean in the sight of God. How much more than man, that is but corruption, and the son of man, which is but a worm? And albeit joseph, David, job and Toby, be set forth in ●he holy scriptures with great commendations, yet may we not think that they wanted their faults. 
job. xxv.  For no man that is borne of a woman is clean before God, although he be but one day old. How oft doth David confess himself a sinner? How oft doth he i'll unto God and pray for the remission of his sins? How oft doth he cast away his own righteousness, & with strong faith, lay hand on God's mercy? Among many other, are not these his words? Have mercy on me (O God) according to thy great mercy. 
Psalm. two.  And according to the multitude of thy mercies, do away mine offences. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I knowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight. etc. Also in another place. 
Psalm. xxv.  Oh remem●ber not the sins and offences of my youth, but according unto thy mercy think thou upon me (O Lord) for thy goodness. For thy name's sake (O Lord) be merciful unto my sin. For it is great. Look upon mine adversity, & misery, & forgive me all my sins. Again. Out of the deep have I called unto the Lord, 
Psalm. cxxx.  Lord hear my voice. Oh let thine ear consider well the voice of my complaint. If thou Lord wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss (oh Lord) who may abide it? But there is mercy with thee. etc. Item. 
Psal. cxiiii.  Enter not into judgement with thy servant (O Lord) for no man living shall be justified in thy sight. Thus see you how holy David, whom the scripture commendeth so greatly, boasteth not his own righteousness, but humbleth himself in the sight of God, and wholly betaketh him unto God's mercy. Now hear what job, whom the scripture so greatly commendeth, saith of himself, 
job. ix.  If I will justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me. If I will put forth myself for a perfect man, he shall prove me a wicked doer. Again. If I wash myself with snow water, & make mine hands never so clean at the well, yet shalt thou dip me in the mire, and mine own clothes shall defile me. And as concerning the godly man Toby, how little he trusted in his own innocency and righteousness, these his words do manifestly declare: O Lord (saith he) be mindful of me, 
Tob. iii.  and take no vengeance of my sins, neither remember my misdeeds, nor the misdeeds of mine elders. for we have not been obedient to thy commandments. etc. And as David, job, and Toby, humbled themselves in the sight of God, so likewise doth the whole company of all the faithful, that the glory of our salvation may be Gods alone, as he saith by the Prophet: Thy destruction, O Israel, 
Ose. xiiii.  cometh of thyself, but thy salvation cometh only of me. Therefore though ye feel sin to be in you, as who is without it? yet despair not, neither be dismayed, but with strong faith make haste unto the glorious throne of God's great mercy, lament your sorrowful case, crave favour and remission of sins in Christ's name, of Gods most high majesty, and without doubt you shall have your hearts desire. 
Psal. cxlv.  For the Lord is gracious and merciful▪ long suffering & of great goodies. The Lord is loving unto every man, and his mercy is over all his works. O trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. 
Psalm. cxxx.  And he shall redeem Israel from all his sins.  Epap. 
Oh my heart. Ah what a grievous pain did I feel now even at my very heart. God be merciful unto me.  Euseb. 
Be on a good comfort neighbour (I pray you) God shall work all things for the best. Ye may see what frail vessels we are, and how little a pain doth greatly trouble us.  Epa. 
Ye say truth. But to you neighbour Philemon once again. Me think if God should punish me in this world for my sin so should it be a token rather of his anger then of his favour toward me.  Phi. 
Nay, not so neighbour. I● is rather an evident token of his singular love & hearty good will tooward you, which lovingly correcteth you in this world, that ye ma● repent, knowledge your fault, aumend your life, call for mercy and so live worthy your profession, again that through this temporal pain, ye may be free from everlasting plagues, 
Apoc. xxi.  & never come into that lake, that burneth with fire and brimstone. 
i Cor. xi.  This witnesseth s. Paul, saying: While we are punished, we are corrected of the lord that we should not with this world be condemned. 
Psal. xxxvii.  When God suffereth the wicked in this world to flourish like a bay tree, and licentiously to sin without any punishment, as he suffered the rich glutton, of whom ye read in the Gospel of blessed Luke, 
Luk. xvi,  it is an evident argument, that such one is reserved unto the pains of the world to come, 
Mat. x●●●  which never shall have end, where weeping and gnashing of teeth shall be, as ye see it chanced to the afore said rich glutton, unto whom God said: son, remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy pleasure, 
Luke. xvi.  and contrariwise, Lazarus received pain. But now is he comforted, and thou art punished: so doth our saviour Christ threaten the ungodli, 
Luke. vi.  saying: Woe be to you that are full, for ye shall hunger, Woe be unto you that now laugh, for ye shall wail and weep. The holy Apostle also saith: What son is he, 
Hebr. xii.  whom the father chasteneth not? If ye be not under correction (whereof all are partakers) then are ye bastards & not sons. A terrible end therefore abideth them, which in this world licentiously and without punishment do sin. For all such be bastards and no sons, therefore have they no part of the heavenly inheritance.  Epa. 
Yet the world judgeth otherwise. For they think such only to be beloved of God, as wallow in all kind of worldly pleasures, as the filthy sow in the mire, so long as they live, & never taste of any adversity  Phile. 
But the holy scripture judgeth otherwise. For those voluptuous Epicures which in this world say: 
Sap. two.  Come & let us enjoy the pleasures that are, and let us soon ●se the creature, like as in youth. Let us fill ourselves with good wine and ointment, and let there no flower of the time go by us. Let us crown ourselves with roses afore they be withered. Let ●here be no fair meadow, but our ●ust go thorough it. Let every one of you be partaker of our voluptuousness. Let us leave some token of our pleasure in every place, for ●hat is our portion, else get we nothing. etc. Shall in time to come, ●ry out on this manner & say: 
Sap. vi.  We ●aue erred from the way of truth the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us, and the sun of understanding rose not up upon us. We have wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness & destruction. Tedious ways have we gone, but as for the way of the lord, we have not known it. What good hath our pride done to us? Or what profit hath the pomp of riches brought us? All these things are passed away like a shadow etc. Such words shall they that have sinned, speak in hell. For the hope of th'ungodly is like a dry thistil flower that is blown away with the wind. etc. Therefore we may well conclude, that such as enjoy continual prosperity, live at their hearts ease, obey their sensual appetites, are free from all adversity, and as the Psalmo●graphe saith: come in no misfortune like other folk, neither ar● plagued like other men: shall not reign with God in glory, neither have they any portion in the land of the living. For though they prosper for a little while in this world be puffed up with pride, swell for fatness, do what they list, rule as they will, have plenty of riches in possessiom, have the world at commandment. etc. Yet are they set in slippery places, and shall be cast down and destroyed Yea suddenly shall they consume, perish, and come to a fearful end. I have seen saith that Princelike Prophet, 
Psal. 37.  th'ungodly in great power, & flourishing like a green bay tree. And he vanished away, and lo he was gone, I sought him, but he could no where be found. etc. For the wicked shall perish together, and the end of the ungodly, is everlasting damnation.  Christo. 
If it please you, I will tell you a history, that I heard once.  Epa. 
I pray you tell on good brother Christopher.  Chri. 

An history.  Saint Ambrose that godly & courageous Bishop traveling at a certain time toward Rome, chanced by the way to go unto a great richeman's house to lodge. after other talk he demanded of the man of the house, how the world went with him, & in what case he stood. The rich man answered: sir my state hath always been fortunate and glorious, I never tasted any kind of adversity. I never had sickness or loss of goods. All things hitherto have chanced unto me according to my hearts desire. When. S. Ambrose heard this, he said unto them that accompanied him: Rise, and let us go hence with all expedition, for the Lord is not in this place. And when they were departed from the richeman's house, even strait ways, th'earth suddenly opened & swallowed up the man with all that ever he had, so that nothing at all remained.  Phile. 
A notable history, declaring that God is not there present, where the cross is absent, and that things can not long continue in safe state, where God favoureth not. 
Psalm. xxxvii.   Theo. 
Here was that thing fulfilled that is spoken by the Psalmograph. The ungodly shall soon be cut down like the grass, and be withered, even as the green herb. etc. Yea a little while and the ungodly shall be clean gone: Thou shalt look after his place, and he shallbe away. Thungodly shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall consume as the fat of lambs, yea even as ●he smoke shall they consume away. Again in an other place. Thou, O Lord, dost set the ungodly in slippery places, and castest them down, and destroyest them. O how suddenly do they consume, perish, and come to a fearful end? yea even like as a dream when one awaketh, so shalt thou make their Image to vanish out of the city.  Phile. 
Where continual success of things is: where all things at all times serve and content the fleshly appetites of voluptuous worldlings: where no affliction nor trouble is: there is not God, there is not his grace, favour, and blessing. He that is free from the cross, hath no inheritance in the kingdom of heaven. Yea, it is a most certain sign of everlasting damnation, where a life is led without affliction. For whom the Lord loveth, 
Hebr. seven.  he chasteneth, they are bastards and no sons that sometime feel not the Crosse. 
Act. xiiii.  Who ever went unto heaven by joy and pleasure? By many tribu●lations (saith the Apostle) must we enter into the kingdom of God. Hereunto pertaineth the saying of the virtuous woman judith: 
judit. vi●●.  Our father Abraham being tempted and tried thorough many tribulations, was found a lover & ●rend of God. So was Isaac, so was jacob, so was Moses, and all ●hey that pleased God, being tried thorough many troubles, were found steadfast in faith. Blessed ●s the man, that suffereth temptation, saith saint james, 
james. i.  for whē●e is once tried, he shall receive the ●rown of life, which the lord hath promised to them that love him.  Euse. 
I read once of a certain hermit, 
An history.  which was want every year to ●e sick, wherein he greatly delighted & felt much quietness of conscience ●eing persuaded, that his sickness ●as the loving visitation of God, ●nd an unfeigned token of God's singular good will toward him. It chanced that by the space of an whole year he was free from all manner of sickness. Which thing when he considered, he was inwardly sorry and wept beyond all measure, grievously complaining that God had forgotten him, and denied him his grace.  Phile. 
This history also showeth how necessary and wholesome, sickness is to a Christian man, and that corporal affliction is a certain persuasion to a faithful conscience of God's singular good will and fatherly favour toward us, as he himself testifieth, saying: as many as I love I chasten and rebuke. 
Apoc. iii.  Th● wise man also sayeth: 
Proverb. iii.  My sonn● despise not the chastening of th● Lord, neither faint when thou ar● rebuked of him. For whom th● Lord loveth, him he chasteneth, 〈◊〉 yet delighteth in him, as a father i● there in his own son.  Epaphro. 
So followeth it, that they, whom God visiteth with sickness in this world, and layeth the cross upon their shoulders, are more dear unto him than those, which all their life time, live in all wealth, joy, & pleasure.  Phile. 
Yea verily, so they bear their cross willingly, patiently, and thankfully. For by the cross are christian men known, as noble men's servants by their lords cognisances. He that beareth not the cross, is not Christ's: For such as will be his disciples, he commandeth them not to seek how to flee the cross, that they may live all in pleasure, but he biddeth them take the Cross upon their shoulders, 
Math. xvi.  and follow him. If any man will follow me, (saith our saviour Christ,) let him forsake him ●elf, and take up his cross, and forow me. The head bore the cross, the members also must do the same, or else pertain they not unto the head. For there is none other way to enter into glory, but the same way that our head Christ entered by, 
Luke. xiiii.  which is the cross. Whosoever beareth not his cross and cometh after me, (saith the Lord Christ) he can not be my disciple. The servant is not greater than his Lord nor the disciple above his master.  Chri. 
That such as bear the cross and be tried with divers tribulations are more dear unto god, than they which live all in pleasure, the history of the rich and unmerciful glutton, 
Luke. xvi.  and of poor and patient Lazarus proveth evidently. For as ye hard before, the wealthy epicure which lived gallantly and pleasantly all the days of his life, even unto his dying day, so son● as he was dead, was carried of th● Devil and his Angels into th● flames of hell fire: where he was miserably tormented: contrariwise, poor and sick Lazarus, whom the wicked world esteemed most vile, most abominable, yea, and utterly despised and cast away of God, 
Esay. lxiiii.  whom also fortune never favoured, but adversity continually assailed, immediately after his departure was most tenderly & joyfully borne of the blessed Angels of God into the bosom of Abraham, 
i Cor. two.  where he hath such joys as eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard, neither is any man's heart able to think them.  Euse. 
Here is that fulfilled & found true, which the Psalmograph speaketh, 
Psal. cxv.  both of the death of the faithful, and of the unfaithful. Concerning the faithful (he sayeth) precious in the sight of the Lord, is ●he death of his saints. Of the ●nfaithfull he also sayeth: The death of sinners is worst of all. As the joys of God's people begin not till after their death: 
Psal. xxxiiii.  so likewise the sorrows and pains of the wicked do chief begin at their death, and so for ever and ever continued.  Epaph. 
Happy is that man therefore, which hath and endeth his sorrow in this world, that after this life he may have the perfect and true joy, which knoweth no end  Phi. 
He is thrice happy, as they use to say, and greatly blessed of God. Therefore. s. Austen prayed on this manner and said, O Lord burn me here, cut me here in this world, that thou mayest spare me for ever after. Only give me patience pleasing unto thee, and necessary unto me.  Christo. 
Like vn●to this are the words of a certain ancient father, which saith, I know that diseases chance unto men for their sins. And it is be●ter here patiently to bear afflictions and pains, then after death to suffer everlasting punishments.  Theo. 
S. Gregory saith, that God sparith some in this world, to torment them afterward, and some he tormenteth here, which he will afterward spare. This is a christian man's comfort, that by present tribulation, he shall escape everlasting damnation. For according to the common proverb, God punisheth not one thing twice.  Epa. 
Of these your words I conceive a good hope, that although God punisheth me justly for my sins yet he will not take away his mercy from me.  Phil. 
No, be you sure. For these are his words by the Psalmograph. 
Psal. lxxxi●  If they forsake my ●aw, and walk not in my judgements. If they break my statutes, ●nd keep not my commanndements, I will visit their offences with the rod, & their sins with scourges. Nevertheless, my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my truth to fail. My covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Here God our merciful father, promiseth, that though he punisheth us for our sin and wickedness, that by this means he may call us unto repentance & amendment of life, yet will not he take away from us his mercy and loving kindness, but when so ever we turn unto him, repent us of our former life, call on his blessed name, believe and hope to have remission of sins for Christ's sake, and labour to frame our life according to the rule of his holy testa●ment, he will surely receive us ioy●fully, pardon all our iniquities and as dearly love us, as though we had never offended his deuin● majesty. God saith also by the Prophet jeremy: 
jere. xviii.  when I take in hand to rote out, to destroy, or to waste away any people or kingdom, if the people (against whom, I have thus devised) convert from their wickedness: I repent of the plague, that I devised to bring upon them. 
Esay. lv.  The prophet Esay also saith. If th'ungodly forsaketh his way, and the unrighteous man his own Imaginations, and turn again unto the Lord, he will surely be merciful unto him. For he is very ready to forgive. He will not always be chiding, (saith the Psalmograph, 
Psalm. ciii. ) neither keepeth he his anger for ever. Yea like as a father pitieth his own children, even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.  
For he knoweth whereof we be made, he remembreth that we are but dust. My thoughts (saith God) are to give you peace and not trouble. 
jer. xxix. Why God punisheth us  Though the lord punisheth us for our sins, yet doth he not punish us, to cast us away and to condemn us, but to call us unto repentance, to mortify our fleshly lusts, & afterward to make us the more circumspect in observing the rules of our profession, that is, the christian profession as that princelike Prophet saith: 
Psal. cxix.  It is greatly for my wealth, that thou hast punished me & brought me low, even that I may learn thy righteous ordinances. 
Esay. xxviii.  Uexation or trouble (saith the Prophet) giveth understanding. And whensoever we repent & cease to sin, the Lord straightways removeth and taketh away the cross that he hath laid upon our backs, and poureth his blessing again plenteously upon us. For though he maketh a wound, 
job. v.  he giveth a plaster, though he smite, he maketh whole again. 
i Reg. iii.  The Lord killeth & maketh a live, bringeth down to the grave, and fetcheth up again. The lord maketh poor, & maketh ●ich, bringeth low and lifteth up again. 
Tob. iii.  After a storm (O lord) saith holy Toby, thou makest the weather fair & calm: after weeping and heaviness, thou givest great ●oy. Thy name (O God of Israel) ●e praised for ever.  Euseb. 
If God loveth a man and intendeth to make him partaker of everlasting glory: he will not cease to punish him, until he knowledgeth his ●ault, repenteth, & become a new ●an.  Phi 
Ye say truth. For unto ●his end doth God correct such ●s he loveth, and intendeth to ●aue. The Lord saith by the Prophet, that he will punish his people, which sin against him, and ●un on whoring after strange Gods, until they confess their fault and say: I will turn again to my first husband, 
Ose. two.  for at that time was I better at ease, than now.  Chri. 
This is a great comfort for a christian man in his affliction to hear, that God punisheth him in this world to this end, that he may cease to sin, that he may repent, turn again unto the Lord his God, & so for ever be saved.  Epaph. 
But I pray you rehearse unto me out o● the holy scripture, for the quiet●nes of my conscience, some histories which may declare unto me that God punishing sinners fo● their disobedience, doth afterwards when they repent and turn, for●geue them, and receive them again into his favour.  Philemon. 
In th● fourth book of Moses, called N●●mery, we read that the pepole 〈◊〉 Israel murmured and grudged against God and against Mose● saying unto Moses: wherefore hast thou brought us out of Egypt, 
Num. xxi.  for to die in the wilderness? For here is neither bread nor water, & our soul loatheth this light bread.  
Now see ye the sin of the Israelites. They murmur, they grudge they are unfaithful, unpatient, & disobedient against God and against his lawful magistrate: now hear again the reward of sin. Wherefore the Lord sent fiery Serpents among the people, which stung them, & much people of Israel died. Here have ye the punishment of the sin. Now hear also the ●emedy against this punishment, ●nd the salve against this plague. Therefore the people came unto Moses & said: we have sinned, for ●e have spoken against the Lord ● against thee. Make intercession ●o the Lord that he take away the serpents from us. Here the people of israel repenteth, confesseth their sin, turneth again unto the Lord, and beseecheth Moses to pray for them unto the Lord. Repentance confession of the sin, conversion unto the Lord, and faithful prayer are the means, whereby God's wrath is turned away from us, & his plagues cease. For when Moses had made intercession for the people, the Lord said unto him. Make a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign, that as many as are bitten, may look upon it and live. And Moses made a servant of brass, and set it up for a sign. And when the Serpents had bitten any man, he beheld th● serpent of brass, and was healed▪ Here see you the mercy of God, e●uen in the mids of the cross tooward penitent sinners. The Is●raelites sin: God plagueth: th● people repenteth: God turneth a●way his plague: and healeth them.  Epa. 
A comfortable history. Be there no more such in the holy scriptures?  Phi. 
Very many.  Ep. 
Rehearse them I pray you. For I delight to hear such comfortable histories.  Phile. 
I am very glad. 
two. Pet. xxx●●●  Manasses. king of juda was an abominable Idolatoure. He went to and built ●he hill altars which good king Ezechias his father had broken ●owne. And he reared up altars ●or Baal, and made groves, and worshipped all the hosts of heaven, and served them, and he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereas the Lord yet had said: In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he builded altars for ●l the host of heaven in the courts ●f the house of the Lord. And he burned his children in the fire, in ●he valley of the son of Hinon. ●e was a sorcerer: he regarded the crying of birds, used enchantments▪ and maintained workers with spirits, & seers of fortunes, & wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord to anger him withal. And as he himself was an Idolatar & forsook the Lord God of his fathers: so likewise made he juda and the enhabiters of jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the Heathen. etc. Now have ye heard how grievously king Manasses sinned against the Lord his God.  Chri. 
His sins were grea● & worthy of much punishment.  Eu● 
Yea of everlasting damnation, i● he were handled according to his deserts.  Epa. 
I pray you, what b●●came of him?  Phi. 
Albeit the sins of this Manasses were great, ye● behold the loving kindness of Go● toward him & his people. Befor● he sent any punishment amoner them, he raised up his Prophets which exhorted both him and his subjects to turn from their evil, to repent, and to walk in the ordinances and laws of God, but both he and his people would not hear the gentle admonitions of God by his Prophets, neither regard them.  Epa. 
O stony hearts. But how than?  Ph. 
When the Lord ●aw, that by no means they would turn from their abominations. ● went forth still to effend, he brought upon them the captains of the ●ost of the king of the Assyrians, which took Manasses in hold, & ●ound him with chains, and ca●●ed him to Babylon,  Theo. 
O the righteous judgements of God.  Epa. 
●ere we hear that Manasses was punished for his sins: yea, and ●●at worthily, but did God cast 〈◊〉 away for ever?  Phi. 
Ye shall ●ear. When Manasses was in tribulation, he besought the lord his God and humbled himself exceedingly before the God of his Fathers, and made intercession to him, and God was entreated of him, and heard his prayer, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. And than Manasses knew that the lord was God. After this he became a new man, and took away strange Gods, & Images out of the house of God and all thaltars that he had buil● in the mount of the house of God and jerusalem, and cast them ou● of the city. And he prepared tha●●tare of the Lord, & sacrificed ther● on peace offerings and thank of●fringes, & charged juda to seru● the Lord God of Israel.  Chri. 
〈◊〉 happy change.  Epaph●. 
Yea O th● great mercies of God.  Phile. 
I● this history many notable thin●ges are to be learned. First, if a●● such as God intendeth to save, 〈◊〉 offend, and break his holy commandments, the Lord will not suffer them to escape unpunished, but he visiteth them with his loving rod of fatherly correction, that by this means he may call them to repentance & save them. Secondly, we learn, that when the Lord correcteth us, & casteth us into trouble, than as we see in Manasses, we make haste unto the Lord, seek him, pray unto him, humble ourselves before his divine majesty, & become new men, as the psalmograph saith: When he slew them, 
Psal. lxxviii.  they sought him, and turned them early, & inquired after God. And they remembered, that God was their strength, and that the ●hie God was their redeemer. God himself also saith by the Prophet: In their adversity they shall ear●y seek me, 
Ose. seven.  & say: come, let us turn again unto the Lord, for he hath smitten us, and he shall heal us: he hath wounded us, and he shall bind us up again. Thirdly it setteth forth unto us the great and exceeding mercies of God toward penitent sinners, whom so soon as they convert & turn, he receiveth into his favour, forgiveth them, taketh away his plagues, and restoreth them to their former, or else much better state according to this saying of the Prophet. 
Esay. lv.  If the ungodly will forsake his ways, & thunrighteous his imaginations & turn again unto the lord, the Lord will surely have pity on him, for he is very ready to forgive. fourth, we learn of this history: what the duty of such is, whom God tofore hath plagued, and now restored to their former state. verily, to become new men, to walk for ever after in the fear of God, to mortify their carnal affects, to i'll from sin, as from a venomous Serpent, to garnish their conversation with godly and christian manners, 
Luke. i.  and to serve the Lord God in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life. So saith the Psalmograph: 
Psal. cxix.  It is greatly for my profit, that thou, O Lord hast corrected me, that I may learn thine ordinances. Here to pertaineth the saying of the Prophet. 
Esa. xxviii.  Uexation giveth understanding (O Lord) thou hast corrected me, and thy chastening have I received, as an untamed calf, saith the prophet jeremy. 
jer. xxxi.  Turn thou me, and I shallbe turned, for thou art my Lord God: yea, as assoon as thou turnest me. I shall reform myself, & when I understand, I shall smite upon my thigh.  Epaph. 
Many godly lessons have you taught us out of this history brother Philemon. They that read and consider the histories of the holy scriptures on this manner, 
The true use of reading the holy scriptures.  they are no vain readers, but they read with much profit.  Phile. 
This is the true use of histories, otherwise to read them availeth little. In the histories of the holy scriptures as in most pleasant mirrors & goodly glasses, we behold our frail nature, our wicked will, our beastlike manners and sinful life. We see God's justice, punishment & vengeance upon the disobedient and stiff-necked transgressers of his holy commandments. Again, we behold his tender mercy and loving kindness toward penitent sinners, and how ready he is to forgive, whensoever we turn unto him. Moreover in holy histories, we consider what our duty is toward God, after we have received benefits of him. verily to labour unto the uttermost of our power, to be thankful unto him, and to live worthy his kindness. These and such like things must the godly reader consider, when he readeth the histories of the holy scripture, or else his reading availeth little.  Theop. 
It is truly said.  Ep. 
I remember that I heard once the prayer, which Manasses king of juda prayed unto God, when he was a prisoner in Babylon. I would gladly hear it again.  Phi. 
Is there not a bible here?  Eusebius. 
Here is one.  Ep. 
I pray you turn unto the prayer and read it unto me.  Eusebi. 
The prayer is this. 
The prayer of Manasses  O Lord almighty, God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and jacob, and of the righteous seed of them, which haste made heaven and earth withal thornament thereof, which hast ordained the sea, by the word of thy commandment, which hast shut up the deep, and hast sealed it for thy fearful and laudable name, which all men fear & tremble before the face of thy virtue, & for the anger of thy threatening, which is notable to be borne of sinners. But the mercy of thy promise is great & unsearchable: for the art the Lord God most high above all th'earth, long suffering, & exceeding merciful, and repentant for the malice of men. Thou lord after thy goodness hast promised repentance of the remission of sins: and thou that art the God of the righteous, hast not put repentance to the righteous Abraham, Isaac and jacob, unto them that have not sinned against thee: but because I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea, and that mine iniquities are exceeding many, I am brought low with many bonds of Iron, and there is in me no breathing, I have provoked thine anger, and done evil before thee in committing abominations, and multiplying offences. And now I bow the knees of my heart, requiring goodness of thee (O Lord) I have sinned, lord I have sinned, and I knowledge mine iniquity, I desire thee by prayer (O Lord) forgive me: forgive me and destroy me not with mine iniquities, neither do thou always remember mine evils, to punish them, but save me (which am unworthy) after thy great mercy, & I will praise the everlastingly all the days of my life: for all the power of heaven praiseth thee, & unto thee belongeth glory world without end. Amen.  Epa. 
A fruitful & godly prayer. God give me grace so to repent and to pray that I may have the lord my God merciful unto me. For I have also grievously offended my Lord God, and I most humbly beseech him for his name's sake to have mercy on me, and to forgive me.  Phile. 
Be on good comfort & weep not. 
Esay. lxiii.  God seeing your repentant and faithful heart hath freely forgiven you all your sins, and cast them away behind his back, so that he will never remember them more. The blood of jesus Christ, 
i. john. i.  God's son hath made you clean from all sin. 
Hebr. x.  By thoffering of jesus Christ's body done once for all you are sanctified and made holy. 
Psal. xxxiii.  Ye are the blessed of God, for your iniquities are forgiven, your sins are covered, and no unrighteousness shall be laid to your charge.  Epa. 
God grant.  Phile. 
It is most certain. Where repentance and faith is: there is also God's mercy, favour, loving kindness, and remission of sins. 
Sap. xi.  Thou (O lord) saith the wise man, makest thee as though thou ●awest not the sins of men for repentance sake. And the Prophet ●aieth. 
Esay. xxviii.  All that believeth on him ●he speaketh of Christ) shall not be confounded. 
Rom. x.  And Christ saith of ●im self I am the resurrection & ●he life. 
john. xi  He that believeth on me, ●ea though he were dead, yet shall ●e live. And whosoever liveth and believeth on me, he shall never die. also in another place he sayeth, ●od so loved the world, 
john, iii.  that he ●aue his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him, should ●ot perish, but have everlasting ●●fe. For God sent not his son in 〈◊〉 the world to condemn the world, ●ut that the world through him ●ight be saved.  Epap. 
Godly and comfortable sentences. God give 〈◊〉 grace never to forget them.  ●hristo. 
Amen.  Epa. 
You brother ●hilemon have rehearsed two notable and comfortable histories out of the old testament, which declare that God punishing sinners for their disobedience, doth notwithstanding afterward when they repent and turn, forgive them and receive them again into his favour. Rehearse unto me also I pray you one or two histories out of the new testament, concerning that matter.  Phi. 
I will do it very gladly. Ye remember the history of the prodigal son written in the Gospel of blessed Luke?  Ep. 
What is that, I pray you.  Phil. 
Blessed Luke telleth, 
Luk. xv.  that a certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said unto his father: father give me the portion of the goods that to me belongeth. And he divided unto them his substance Hitherto have ye heard of the father's liberality toward his son It followeth: and not long after ●hen the younger son had gathered 〈◊〉 that he had together, he took his ●●urney into a far country▪ & there ●e wasted his goods with riotous ●●uing. Here see we the wickedness ●f the son. Now behold the plague of God. And when he had spent all: there ●rose a great dearth in all that land, ●nd he began to lack, and went & ●ame to a citizen of the same country, & he sent him to his farm to ●epe swine. And he would have fil●●d his belly with the cods that 〈◊〉 swine did eat, & no man gave ●nto him. Thus see ye into how ●reat misery he is fallen for the ●ifusing of his goods. Behold ●ow again his repentant & sorrowful heart: Then he came to himself, 〈◊〉 said: how many hired servants 〈◊〉 my fathers have bread enough? ●●d I perish with hunger. I ●ill arise, and go to my Father, ●nd will say unto him: Father, I have sinned against heaven & before thee: and am no more worthy to be called thy son, make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose and came to his father. Now mark also the pitiful compassion and tender mercy of the father toward his son. But when he was yet a great way of, his father saw him, and had compassion, & ran, and fell on his neck, & kissed him▪ And the son said unto hymn father I have sinned against heaven & thy in sight, & am no more worthy to be called thy son. Bu● the father said to his servants bring forth the best garment, an● put it on him, and put a ring o● his hand, and shoes on his feet And bring hither that fat calf, ● kill it, and let us eat & be merry for this my son was dead, & i● alive again, he was lost, and i● found. And they begun to be mer● ●n this history do ye see the exceeding ●reat mercy of God toward penitent sinners most lively painted 〈◊〉 set forth. So soon as this wast●●l son repented him of his riotous living, & had a mind to return home unto his father, and 〈◊〉 humble himself before him, and 〈◊〉 desire mercy and forgiveness ●f his sins, oh how gladly and ●ow joyful did his father lovingly embrace him, sweetly kiss him, ●●●endly salute him, heartily entertain him, & so dearly receive him ●●to his favour, as though he had ●euer offended?  Epa. 
O the great ●nd infinite mercies of God.  Phi. 
●ere see ye that to be true, which ●od himself saith by the prophet: ●hou disobedient Israel turn again saith the Lord, 
jere. iii.  & I will not ●t my wrath fall upon you. For I ●n merciful, saith the Lord, & I ●il not always bear displeasure against thee. etc. O ye disobedient children, turn again (saying:) lo, we are thine, for thou art the lord our God, and so shall I heal your back turnings. 
Esech. 33  By an other Prophet he also saith: as truly as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but much rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn you, turn you from your vngodli●waies, O ye of the house of Israe● oh, wherefore will ye die? The wickedness of the wicked shall not hurt him, whensoever he converteth from his ungodliness. 
Esech. 18  Again by the aforesaid Prophet, he saith: repen● and turn you from all your iniquities, & your iniquities shall work● you no displeasure. Cast away fr● you, all your wickednesses, wher● in ye have offended, and make yo● a new heart and a new spirit. An● wherefore will ye die? O ye hous● ●f Israel? For I will not that any mā●huld die, saith the Lord. Return ●herfore & live.  Ep. 
Are these wor●es spoken as well to us as to the people of Israel?  Phi. 
Ye to us. Of a ●ruth, 
Act. x.  saith blessed Peter, I perceive that theridamas is no respect of people 〈◊〉 God, but in all people, he that fears him, & worketh righteousness ●s accepted with him. Is he the God of ●he jews' only? 
Rom. iii.  Is he not also the God of the gentiles? yea even of the gentiles also, saith blessed Paul. For it is God only, 
Rom. two.  which justifieth the circumcision that is of faith, & uncircumcision thorough faith. ●or he is not a jew which is a ●ew outward, neither is it circū●●siō, which is outward in the flesh. ●ut he is a jew, which is hid with ●●, and the circumcision of the heart 〈◊〉 true circumcision, which consi●eth in the spirit, and not in the ●●ter, whose praise is not of men, but of God. There is no difference between the jew and the gentle. 
Roma. x.  For one is Lord of all, which is rich unto all that call upon him. 
john. two.  For who so ever doth call on the name of the Lord, 
Rom. xv.  shall be safe. Therefore what so ever things were written aforetime, they wer● written for our learning, that we thorough patience and the comfort of the scriptures, might have hope.  The. 

Ephe. two.  Ye gentiles, saith s. Paul, we● in times passed without Christ, be●ing alients from the Common●●wealth of Israel, and strangers from the testaments of the promise having no hope, and being without God in this world. But now by the means of Christ jesus, 〈◊〉 which sometime were a far of, 〈◊〉 made nigh by the blood of Christ● For he is our peace, which hat● made of both one, and hath brok● down the wall, that was a sta● between us, and hath also put away through his flesh, the cause of hatred, even the law of commandments contained in the law written for to make of twain one new man in himself, so making peace & to reconcile both unto God in one body through the cross, and slew hatred thereby: and came and preached peace to you, which were a far of, and to them, which were nigh. For through him we both have an entrance in one spirit unto the father. Now therefore, ye are not strangers and fo●einers, but citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, & ●re built upon the foundation of 〈◊〉 Apostles and Prophets, jesus Christ himself being the head cor●er 〈◊〉 stone, in whom what building soever is coupled together, 〈◊〉 groweth unto an holy temple 〈◊〉 the Lord, in whom ye also are builded together, to be an habitation of God through the holy ghost:  Epa. 
Blessed be the Lord our God, which hath made us gentiles also partakers of his heavenly blessings. But brother Philemon, hitherto have ye rehearsed out of the new Testament but one history. Your promise was to recite two at the least. Fulfil your promise I pray you.  Phi. 
In the gospel of john, 
john. v.  we read, that there was a certain man, which had been diseased xxxviii years, plagued of God (without doubt) fo● his sins. So soon as our saui●our Christ perceived, that he ha● a mind to be made whole he sai● unto him: Rise, take up thy bed 〈◊〉 walk. And straightways the 〈◊〉 was made hole. Afterward Chr●●● found him in the temple, and 〈◊〉 unto him: Behold thou art 〈◊〉 whole, look thou sin no 〈◊〉 after this, lest a worse thing chance unto thee. These wordens of our saviour Christ do plainly declare that this man was a grievous sin, & that this his long disease, sickness and trouble, was cast upon him for his sin & disobedience against the Lord his god. And yet note, so soon as he had a mind to be made hole even before he made his moan unto Christ, or knew hot Christ was, this most loving & gentle saviour made him hole, & bade him sin no more.  Euse. 
Here is the fulfilled, which God speaketh by the Prophet. 
Esa. lxv.  It shall be that or ever they call, I shall answer them. While they are yet but thinking how to speak, I shall hear them.  Phi. 
The history of the thief, 
Luke. xxiii.  which was put to death with Christ, is not to be let pass. What a malefactor and wicked person he was, the holy scripture doth declare. Notwithstanding so soon as he humbled himself, repented him of his former life: confessed his sin, and called upon Christ for mercy, saying: Lord remember me, when thou comest into thy kingdom, he was straightways received into favour, & hard these most comfortable words at the mouth of Christ: verily I say unto thee, this day shalt thou be with me in paradise.  Chri. 
Here is also the saying of God by the Prophet found true: at all times when a sinner turneth unto me, saith the Lord: I will no more bear his iniquities in mind, but freely forgive them.  Epa. 
Here is than a good and comfortable lesson, that whensoever we turn from our wickedness, the Lord our God will for●geue us our sins, and give us favour, grace, mercy, life and everlasting glory.  Phi. 
Truth it is brother Epaphroditus. Believe it, & all things shall go well with you. You shall find much comfort and great joy in your conscience. A quiet and merry heart shall you have within you, 
Rom. x.  as s. Paul saith: We being justified by saith have peace that is to say: quietness of conscience toward God, through our Lord jesus Christ, by whom also it chanced unto us to be brought in thorough faith unto this grace, wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 
Luk. x.xu.  How greatly also do the histories of the wounded man & of the lost sheep▪ (as I may let other pass) set forth gods exceeding mercy toward penitent sinners, be they never so grievously wounded and diseased? A certain man saith, our saviour Christ, descended from Hierusalē●o Hierico, and fell among thieves, which rob him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And it chanced that there came down a certain Priest that same way, & when he saw him, he passed by. And likewise a Levite, when he went nigh to the place, came, and looked on him, & passed by. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came unto him, and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, and poured in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to a common Inn, & made provision for himand on the morrow, when he departed, he took two pence, & gave them to the host, & said unto him: take cure of him, and what soever thou spendest more, whe● I come again, I will recompense thee.  Ep. 
There was small charity both in the Priest and in the Le●uite.  Phi. 
You say truth.  Epa. 
But who was that Samaritan? For he was very gentle and loving.  Phi. 
Christ jesus the Lord which is the self gentleness & love, which also refuseth no labour, no pain, no cost,, in seeking our salvation. He it is alone, 
Esay. liii.  which, as the Prophet saith: hath taken on him our infirmities, and borne our pains. 
i Pet. two.  He himself as Peter saith, bare our sins in his body on the tree, that we being delivered from sin, should live unto righteousness, By whose stripes ye were hea●ed. For as ye were as sheep going astray, but are now turned unto the shepherd, and Bishop of your souls.  Epaphroditus. 
You ●pake of the lost sheep also.  Phile. 
Truth. 
Luke. xv.  Blessed Luke telleth the parable on this manner.  
What man of you having an C. sheep (if he lose one of them) doth not leave ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders with joy. And assoon as he cometh home he calleth together his lovers and neighbours, saying unto them: rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. Hereof our saviour Christ concludeth: I say unto you, that likewise joy shallbe in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety & nine just persons, which need no repentance. This parable with the other of the woman that lost a groat, setteth forth marvelously the loving kindness of Christ toward penitent sinners. For of that he also concludeth and saith: Likewise I say unto you, shall there be joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.  Epaph. 
Great comfort is there, for penitent sinners and week consciences: in these histories and parables which you neighbour Philemon have full gently declared unto me.  Phile. 
I ●m glad brother Epaphroditus ●o hear you so say. And be ye well assured, they are no less true than comfortable. 
Mat. nineteen.  Persuade yourself ●hat Christ is a most loving and faithful Physician to so many as ●ele themselves diseased, yea he so ●uche tendereth our health, that ●e calleth us unto him, and promises that he will ease us of our ●rief, if we will come unto him, & ●eal all our diseases. 
Math. ix. xi.  They that ●e strong, need no Physician, but ●●ey that are sick. And Christ came ●●t to call the righteous, but sinners unto repentance. If ye ther●●e feel yourself sick and grieved ●ith the burden of sin, come unto the Physician Christ, 
Luk. x.  show him your wounds, and he will undoubtedly heal them, as ye heard afore of the wounded man. Despair not though your sins be never so great and innumerable. 
Luke. xx.  For the son of man came to seek up and to save that was lost. Christ is that lamb of God, 
john. i.  which taketh away the sin of the world. 
i Tim. two.  This is a true saying and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ jesus came into this world to save sinners. 
Esay. xxviii.  Whosoever believeth on him, shall not be ashamed. 
Roma. x.  Because he hath pu● his trust in me, 
Psalm. xci.  saith God by th● Psalmograph, I will deliver, ye● I will defend him, because h● hath known my name.  Epaphro● 
Than I trust whether the Lord my God punisheth me for the tr●●all of my faith, or for my sins that by this means he may carme unto repentance, it is no token of his wrath and heavy displeasure toward me.  Phile. 
No, be ●e well assured. 
Proverb. iii.  For whom the Lord loveth, him he chasteneth, & yet delighteth in him, as a father ●n his own son. What son ●s he, whom the father chasteneth not? If ye be not under correction, (saith S. Paul,) whereof all are partakers, 
Hebr. xii.  then are ye bastards, and not sons. And God himself ●aith: 
Apoc. iii.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. So that this ●our sickness is the loving visitation of God, sent unto you, not ●or your destruction, but for your salvation.  Epaphro. 
I may then ●e bold to call upon the Lord my God in this my sickness.  Phile. 
Why not? God hath commanded you so to do, and hath also promised to hear you  Epaphroditus. 
Where is that commandment and promise of God?  Ph. 
It is written in a certain Psalm by that Princelike Prophet David.  Epa. 

Psalm. i.  Let me hear it.  Phil. 
Call on me, saith God, in the time of thy trouble, and I will deliver thee, & thou shalt honour me. Here God doth not only command us to call o● him in the time of our trouble, but he also promiseth graciously to hear us, and to grant us ou● request. And for this his benefits he requireth nothing of us, 
Math. i.  bu● thanks giving.  Chri. 
Full grati●ous is the Lord, & a strong hold i● the time of trouble, he knoweth them that put their trust in him▪ The Lord is nigh unto them tha● are of a troubled heart, 
Psal. 33.  & will sau● such as be of an humble spirit●● The Lord healeth those that a●● broken in heart: 
Psal. 147.  and giveth m●●decine to heal their sickness. The Lord remembered us (saith Psalmograph, 
Psal. cxxxvii ) when we were in trouble, for his mercy endureth for ever. Unto whom shall I have ●espect, or whom shall I favour, ●aith God by the prophet? verily ●uen him, 
Esay. lxxvi.  that is miserable, poor, ●ow brought, troubled in spirit, & stands in awe of my words.  ●hi. 
Truth it is, 
zach. i.  that the Lord is ●ood and gracious unto them that ●ut their trust in him, and to the ●ule that seeketh after him. ●herfore brother Epaphroditus, ●re not in this your sickness diligently and without ceasing to flee ●nto God with hearty and faithful prayers, nothing doubting 〈◊〉 that he will favourably hear 〈◊〉, and grant you, whatsoever 〈◊〉 ask according to his will as s. ●ohn saith: 
i. john, v.  this is the trust that ●e have in him, that if we ask ●y thing according to his will, 〈◊〉 heareth us. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him. For the Lord is nigh unto all that call on him, yea that call on him in truth. 
Psal. cxlv.  After this manner did all good men & women behave themselves, whensoever they were assailed with any kind of trouble or adversity. 
three Reg. xx.  King Ezechias when he was grievously sick, and had received a commandment from God, that he should set his hous● in an order, for he should die an● not live, turned his face to th● wall, and prayed unto the Lord, the Lord heard him, made hi● whole and saved him alive. xv●● years after. The three children Sidrach, 
Dan. iii.  Misach, & Abednag● when they were cast into the fy●rie furnace because they would not worship the golden Image 〈◊〉 the commandment of king N●●buchodonosor, prayed unto the Lord and he both graciously heard them and delivered them. Daniel being in the den of Lions, 
Dan. vi.  prayed unto God, 
Dan. xiii.  and was preserved. Susanne forsaken of all men, and at the point to be stoned unto death thorough the unjust and false accusations of two wicked judges, prayed unto the Lord her God, and she was both heard and safely delivered. 
Luke. xxiii.  Our saviour Christ in the time of his trouble and passion, prayed so fervently unto his heavenly father, that his sweat was like drops of blood trickling down to the ground. 
Act. seven.  Blessed Stephen when the stones came battering about his body, prayed earnestly. 
Act. xii.  When Peter was in prison, there was Prayers made of the Congregation for him. Many other such like examples have we in the holy Bible, which declare unto us, that all good men and women in their adversity, have always fled unto God by fervent prayer for remedy neither have they been deceived of their purpose. 
i Cor. x.  For God is faithful, which will not suffer us to be tempted above our strength, but shall in the mids of the temptation, make away, that we may be able to bear it. For the Lord himself saith: 
Psalm. xci.  forasmuch as he hath put his trust in me: I will deliver him, I will be good to him because he hath known my name He hath cried unto me, and I 〈◊〉 graciously hear him, I am wit● him in trouble, I will deliver hi● and bring him to honour. Wit● long life will I satisfy him, an● show him my salvation. When I was in trouble, 
Psalm. cxx.  sayeth David, I called upon the Lord, & he heard 〈◊〉 Again he saith, I will call upon 〈◊〉 Lord, which is worthy to be praised, so shall I be safe from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed, and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid. The pains of hell came about me, the snares of death overtook me. But in my trouble I called upon the Lord, and made my complaint unto my God, and he full graciously hard my voice from his holy temple, and my complaint came before him, so that it entered even into his ears. And as the Psalmograph in all his trouble cried unto the Lord and was holpen▪ so did all his faithful ancestors, as these his words do declare, and they all so were hard. 
Psal. xxiii.  Our fathers hoped in thee, they trusted in thee, & thou didst deliver them. They called upon thee, and were helped, they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded. And unto this day have all that faithful in their adversity cried unto the Lord, & have received help. 
Rom. x.  For there is one lord of all rich enough for all that call on him, 
joel. two. Act. two. Esay. xxviii.  so that whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord, he shall be safe. For none shallbe confounded, that putteth his trust in him. This poor man cried saith David, 
Psa. xxxiiii.  & the Lord heard him, & saved him from all his troubles. For the angel of the Lord pitcheth his tent round about them that fear him, & delivereth them. O taste therefore & see, how gentle, gracious & loving the Lord is, blessed is the man that trusteth in him.  Euse. 
Brother Epaphroditus, all these sentences and histories which our neighbour Phi●lemon hath here recited unto you out of the holy scriptures, aught to encourage you to pray unto the Lord God in this your sickness with a strong and unshaken faith, and to be fully persuaded that God will both graciously hear you, & also work that in you, which shall turn most unto his glory, and unto the salvation of your soul? 
Esay. l●●.  For behold, the lords hand is not so shortened, that it can not help, neither is his ear so stopped, that it may not hear. 
Psal. lxviii.  Our God is such a God as saveth. With the lord our God there is health, & he layeth his blessing upon his people. 
Psal. iii.  Whom did God ever despise, that called faithfully upon him? 
Eccl, two.  For God is gracious & merciful, he forgiveth sins in the time of trouble, & is a defender for all them that seek after him. 
Eccl. xxxvi●   The. 
The wise man saith: son in thy sickness, despise not thyself, but pray to the Lord, & he shall heal thee. Here is a commandment given to pray unto God in the time of our sickness, & also a promise added, that he will hear, heal, and help us, as he saith by the Psalmograph: 
Psalm. i.  Call on me in the day of thy trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt honour me  Chri. 

james. v.  S. james in his Epistle also saith: If any be diseased among you, let him call for the elders of the congregation, and let them pray over him, and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  Phile. 
That God being faithfully called upon, will help in the time of sickness: we have many examples in the holy scriptures, which may worthily comfort us & stir up our faith toward God, looking for help at his most merciful hand. But for this present, let this one example of king Ezechias suffice, 
iiii. Reg. xx.  whom being appointed to die, after he had called ●n the name of the Lord, the lord our God graciously heard his request, restored him to his health, & gave him xu years more to live in this world after that his sickness. Notwithstanding, brother Epaphroditus, all be it we doubt not but that you praying unto God in this your sickness, God will mercifully hear you, and work that in you which shall be most unto his glory: and the health of your soul, yet forasmuch as you know not what is most expedient for you, be content in all your prayers to submit your will do the good will of God, which without all doubt tendereth the health of your soul more than any mortal friend tendereth the health of your body. In all temporal & worldly things, that you crave of God in your prayers, prefer the will of God unto your own will, and be content to receive at the hand of God, as shall be his godly pleasure to appoint. For whether we live or die, 
Rom. xiiii.  we are the Lords. An example hereof have you of our saviour Christ, 
Math. xxvi. Mark. xiiii. Luk. xxii.  which a little before his passion, being greatly dismayed with the terrors and fears of death, prayed unto his heavenly father, that these bitter pains and torments, which were at hand for him to suffer, might be removed from him, so that he might not suffer them, but be free from them. Notwithstanding knowing that the will of his heavenly father is ever best and most perfect, and that all wills of men ought t● give place unto his godly will, h● wished rather the will of God t● be done, than the will of him be●yng man, and so submitted hy●● self to God's holy will, being con●tented to suffer in his body, whatsoever should be his godly pleasure to appoint. The words of Christ's prayer in this behalf, are these: 
Math. xxvi.  O my father, if it be possible, let this cup departed from me, notwithstanding not as I will, but as thou wilt. Again, O my father, if this cup can not go from me, but that I must drink it, thy will be done. That we ought in all our prayers for temporal things, to submit our will to the good will and pleasure of God, and no more to desire of him, then may stand with his blessed will. Christ our Lord and saviour teacheth us in that common prayer, which we call the Pater noster, where we pray on this manner. 
Math. vi.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. This manner of praying, 
Mat. xxvi●.  practised the Leper, which came unto Christ to be healed of his Leprosy. Lord (saith he) if thou wilt, thou art able to make me whole. Here this faithful Leper confessed Christ thorough the almighty power of his Godhead to be able for to cleanse him, and to make him whole, not withstanding he submitted his will to the will of Christ, that if the Lord Christ, thought it not meet to make him whole, but that it was better for his salvation to continue a leper still, he refused not to suffer that plague of leprosy upon his body even unto the very death. Thus affected, neighbour Epaphroditus, must we all be whensoever we ask any temporal or worldly thing of God. And this trade follow you in this your sickness, when you pray unto God. Desire God to remove this your disease from you, and to bless you again with the benefit of health, that you may live long & see good days on earth, yet in these your prayers be content to submit your will to his godly will, yea though death should follow, knowing that if death do ensue of this your sickness, it shallbe no loss, but advantage unto you, as saint Paul saith: 
Phil. i.  Christ is to me life, and death is to me advantage. On this manner did Christ our elder brother submit his will unto the will of his heavenly father, as you afore heard, and so humbled himself, that he became obedient unto death, even the death of the cros. Note now what followeth: 
Phil. two.  wherefore God hath also exalted him on high and given him a name, which is above all names, that is the name of jesus every knee should bow, both of things in heaven and things in the earth, and things under the earth, & that all tongues should confess, that jesus Christ is the Lord unto the praise of God the father. He that humbleth himself, 
Luk. xviii. ●. Pet. v.  shall be set high. For the Lord is a friend to them that be humble, & submit their wills to his godly will and pleasure.  Epa. 
O Lord thy will be done and not mine.  

A prayer.  I confess (O heavenly father) that my manifold wickednesses and unnumerable sins, have not only deserved this sickness, which is thy most gentle, fatherly and loving correction, but also very hell, and the bitter pains thereof, if thou shouldest handle me according to my deserts, I have sinned, I have sinned, O lord God, against thy holy laws and I have broken thy blessed commandments, most grievously offending thy glorious majesty. Whatsoever I suffer, I worthily suffer, ah wretch that I am. My sin I confess, and with an humble heart and broken spirit, I i'll unto the throne of thy favourable mercy, most humbly beseeching thee for jesus Christ's sake to forgive me all my sins which I have committed against thy divine majesty, from the hour of my birth unto this present time, and to receive me into the holy fellowship of those thy blessed and chosen people, whom before the beginning of the world, thou didst appoint heirs of thy heavenvly kingdom in Christ jesus our lord, that they might for ever and ever reign with thee in glory. Ah, lord give me grace to bear this cross both patiently & thankfully. Suffer me not once to murmur, grudge, or spurn against thy holy will, but with a patient & thankful heart to wait on thy blessed pleasure, being always content to bear, whatsoever burden thou layest on my shoulders, with this persuasion and assured faith, that whatsoever I suffer, is unto the glory of thy name, and unto the health of my soul. (O Lord) thy will be done, and not mine.  
Amen. Amen.  
Neighbours, I am very sick, and my pain increaseth more & more.  Phi. 
The Lords will be done in you neighbour Epaphroditus. Fear not, 
Rom. xiiii.  no although present death were at hand. For whether you live or die, ye are the Lords. God hath sealed you up in Christ's blood unto everlasting life. Your name, 
Luk. x. Ephe. two.  doubt ye not, is written in the book of life. Ye are of the number of those, whom God, before the foundations of the world were laid, hath chosen in Christ to be his sons and heirs, ye are the dearly beloved son of God. Ye are inheritors of Gods glorious kingdom. God for your earnest faiths sake in the blood of Christ, hath forgiven you all your sins, that ever ye committed against him from the day of your birth unto this hour. He hath cast away all your iniquities behind his back, so that he will never remember them any more. Ye are counted among than, 
Psal. 3●.  whose unrighteousnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered, & unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin. God loveth you, God careth for you, God is on your side, who then can endamage or hurt you? Who can lay any thing unto your charge? 
Rom. ●.  It is God that justifieth you, who then can condemn you? ye need not fear either sathan or sin, or any other thing that should trouble your conscience. For there is no damnation to them that are in Christ jesus, 
Rom. 8.  which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life, thorough jesus Christ hath made you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do (inasmuch as it was week because of the flesh) that performed God, and sent his son in the similitude of sinful flesh, & by sin damned sin in the flesh, that the ryghtedusnes of the law might be fulfilled in us, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.  Epa. 
I thank you neighbour Philemon for your ghostly and comfortable instructions. For I am well comforted with these your words, and I faithfully believe, that God the father for his promise sake made unto all faithful penitent sinners in Christ's blood, hath so freely and wholly forgiven me all my sins, that he will never remember them more, nor lay them unto my charge, but so love me and tender my salvation, as though I had never offended his fatherly goodness. And in this faith I submit myself, my body, and soul, & all that I have unto his godly will, to do with me in all things, 
Rom. xiiii.  whatsoever his good pleasure shallbe. 
A prayer.  For live we, die we, we are the Lords. And lord I most humbly beseech thee, call to remembrance thy tender mercies, & thy loving kindnesses, which have been ever of old. 
Psal. xxv.  Oh remember not the sins and offences of my youth, but according unto thy mercy think y● upon me, O lord for thy goodness. Turn the unto me & have mercy upon me, for I am desolate & in misery. The sorrows of my heart are enlarged, O bring thou me out of my troubles. Look upon mine adversity and misery and forgive me all my sin. O keep my soul and deliliver me, let me not be confounded, for I have put my trust in the.  Phi. 
I much rejoice to see in you these works of faithful repentance. This humbling of yourself before the majesty of God, this lamenting of your sins, this faithful and hearty calling on the lords name for remission of sins in Christ's blood, for the tranquillity, peace, quietness, and rest of conscience, for the favour & grace of God, for gods will to be done in you, is without doubt a sure seal unto your conscience, that God loveth, favoureth and tendereth you, yea and that much more than any natural father maketh of his son. 
Eccle. xxxv.  Who so serveth God (saith the wise man) after his pleasure, shallbe accepted, and his prayer rea●cheth unto the clouds. The prayer of him that humbleth himself, goeth thorough the clouds, till she come nigh. She will not be comforted, nor go her way, until the highest God have respect unto her. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart (saith the Psalmograph) 
Psal. xxxiiii●  & will save such as be of an humble spirit. 
Luk. xviii.  The sinful Publican, thus humbling himself, obtained the favour of God, remission of sins, & went home more righteous than the proud Pharisey. 
Math. viii.  So likewise the Centurion confessing his unworthiness for the receiving of Christ into his house, obtained health for his sick servant. Likewise the Leper with divers other, humbling themselves before Christ, obtained their hearts desire. 
Psalm. ci.  For God, saith David, hath respect unto the prayer of the humble, & such as be destitute, & despiseth not their desire, but heareth ●heir mournings, that he may deliver ●hem and save them.  Euseb. 
Now neighbour, how do you? I pray you be strong in God, & rejoice in his saving health.  Epa. 
O neighbour Eusebius, my body is weak, my hear is faint, my wits are feeble, my memory almost faileth me: no part of me is free from sickness and pain. 
A prayer.  But Lord, I beseech thee, strengthen thou me, & endue me with power from above, that as the spirit is ready: 
Math. xxvi.  so likewise the flesh, which is ever weak & unready, may be obedient to thy godly will, & freely consent to the working of thy blessed pleasure. 
Luk. xvii. Mark. ix.  Lord increase my faith. Lord, help my unbelief. Lord, remember not mine old sins, but have mercy upon me, and that soon, for I am come to great misery. 
Psal. lxxix.  Help me, O God my Saviour, for the glory of thy name. O deliver me, & be merciful unto my sins for thy name's sake.  Euse. 
God hath ever be me●●full unto you, & so will continued unto th'end, doubt you not.  Ep. 
That is my only comfort. 
A prayer. Psal. lxviii.  And Lord, I most humbly pray thee, confirm that which thou hast begun to work in me, and keep me blameless against the coming of thy dear son. But where is my loving neighbour Philemon? I would be glad to have his counsel in a certain matter. Where is he?  Phile. 
Neighbour, here at hand. What is your pleasure?  Epa. 
I perceive right well, that my sickness doth not discrease, but increase, so that I can not long continue in that state, wherein I am now. And I think ●erely, that the lord my God hath sent this sickness unto me as a messenger, to afore warn me of my departure from this world, that when he come, he may not find me unprepared or unready. And I most heartily thank him for it. Therefore neighbour Philemon & neighbours all, I think it best even out of hand to dispose my temporal possessions, and to set an order in such worldly goods as God hath lent me, that after my departure there be no dissension nor strife for them, among such as I most wish to be linked together with perpetual amity, and continual friendship. It shall also, I trust, be a great quietness unto my mind.  Phile. 
If you have not already brother Epoporoditus, disposed and set an order in your temporal things, I wish it to be done with all expedition. For such things ought to be considered, when we be most perfect in health, forasmuch as our life is uncertain, & we know not, how soon death cometh.  Epa. 
I thought not that the time of my life had been so short, & therefore I deferred the matter. But I see now, 
Mar. xxiiii. Mark. xiii. Apoc. xvi.  that no man is certain of his life until to morrow: therefore ought we all to watch, & to provide that we be not found unready, when the Lord cometh.  The. 
When that godly king Ezechias was sick, 
iiii. Reg. xx.  God sent the Prophet Esaias unto him, and willed him to say unto him on this wise. Thus saith the Lord God: Set thy house in an order, for thou shalt die and not live. Here learn we the good will of God, which is, that they, whom the Lord hath endured with the goods of the world, ●hould before their departure set a godly order and quiet stay in their temporal possessions.  Epaph. 
You ●ay truth neighbour Theophile, & ●herfore I pray you bring hither ●en, ink, & paper, withal expedition, and let my will be written. ●or I thank the Lord my God, I 〈◊〉 aswell contented to leave the goods of the world, as ever I was to enjoy them. And in this behalf I have to thank the lord my God, that since I came to the use of reason, 
The true use of riches.  and had any worldly possessions at all, I have always made them to serve me, and I never served them, but at all times could be contented to departed from them whensoever the glory of god, and the commodity of my neighbour did require.  Christ. 
Than did you use your goods aright. And you were not rich in the world, but in the Lord, & of the number of those, of whom it is written: blessed are the poor in spirit, 
Math. v.  for unto them belongeth the kingdom of heaven The Psalmograph saith: 
Psa. lxii.  If riches do abound, set not thy heart upon them. 
i Cor. seven.  And the holy Apostle commandeth, that they which use the world should be as though they used it not. For the fashion of this world goeth away Saint john also saith: 
i. john. two.  See that ye love not the world, neither the things that are in the world: for all that is in the world (as the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life) is not of the father, but of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that fulfilleth the will of God, abideth for ever.  Epa. 
God grant all men, to follow this doctrine. O Lord how sick am I? Where is the pen, Ink and paper?  Euse. 
Here sir.  Epaph, 
Wright neighbour Philemon I pray you.  Phile. 
What is your pleasure that I should wright?  Epaphrodi. 
On this manner.  
IEpaphroditus the unprofitable servant of God, 
The sick-man's will.  week in body & notwithstanding strong in mind do willingly and with a free heart, render and give again into the hands of the Lord my God, 
Soul.  my spirit, which he of his fatherly goodness gave unto me, when he fashioned this my body in my Mother's womb, by this means making me a living creature, nothing doubting, but that this my Lord God for his mercy's sake set forth in the precious blood of his dearly beloved son Christ jesus our alone saviour and redeemer, will receive my soul into his glory, and place it in the company of the heavenly angels and blessed saints. And as concerning my body, 
Body.  even with a good will & free heart, I give it over, commending it unto the earth, whereof it came, nothing doubting, but that according to the article of our faith at the great day of the general resurrection, when we shall all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, I shall receive it again by the mighty power of God, wherewith he is able to subdue all things unto himself, 
Phil. two.  not a corruptible, mortal, weak, and vile body as it is now, but an uncorruptible, immortal, strong, perfect, and in all points like unto the glorious body of my Lord and saviour Christ jesu. Have ye written this, neighbour Philemon?  Phi. 
Yea forsooth Sir. But what is your mind now, concerning your world ●y possessions.  Epaph. 
First as touching my wife: 
Wife.  with whom I coupled myself in the fear of God, and refusing all other women, I ●inked myself unto her, living which her in the blessed state of honourable wedlock, by whom also thorough the blessing of God, I have ●ad certain children, whereof part ●re gone before me unto the lord, and part yet remain a live, albeit I doubt not, but the god, after my departure according unto his promise, will be unto her an husband, yea a father, a patron & defender, & will not suffer her to lack, if she go ●orth to live in his fear, to serve him, and diligently to call on his holy name, yet forasmuch as God hath blessed me with worldly substance, and she is mine own flesh, and whosoever provideth not for his, 
i Tim. v.  hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel, I bequeath & give unto her for term of her life, this house wherein I now dwell, with the appurtenances, and all the household stuff contained therein. And after her departure, I will that my eldest son (whom now I only have alive of all my sons) have the house. Let this suffice for my wives portion, whom I doubt not, God will take into his protection, and so provide for her in the time of her short pilgrimage, that she shall want no good thing. Only I crave this at her hand, that she be diligent in training up my children in the fear and doctrine of the Lord: so shall God be unto her an husband, and to her children a father. Moreover as concerning my children, albeit I am fully persuaded that God according to his promise will be a father unto them, & if they live in his fear, he will not see them lack, yet both the law of God, & of nature requireth, that I should also have some care for them. 
Son.  Therefore unto my son I bequeath the house & the land, which I have given my wife for term of her life, freely to be his own after his Mother's departure. And if God so appointing, he chanceth to depart before his mother, I will that the house & the land, 
Daughters.  go to the use of my ii daughters. Have you written these things.  Phile. 
Yea syr. But what now for your daughters.  Ep. 
If they be godly brought up, I doubt not, but if they live, God will abundantly provide for them. Notwithstanding I give unto each of them ii C. pounds, of good & lawful money to be paid in the day of their marriage. And if my son fortune to die: I give unto them also my house and my land.  Euse. 
Sir we be all mortal, both old and young, & God knoweth how soon we shall departed hence. For as the common proverb is: 
Assoon to the market for to be sold,  
Cometh the young sheep as the old.  What if all your children die before they come to marriage?  Epaphro. 
My will is, that in such case, all I have given them, shall go to the use of the poor. I will that they be mine heirs. I pray you neighbour Philemon, writ so.  Phi. 
I have done so. 
Servants   Epaphro. 
I think it convenient to give to my servants somewhat, that it be not said, they have served an unthankful master.  Chri. 
Sir that is very meet. For the wise man saith: 
Eccle. seven.  whereas thy servant worketh truly, entreat him not evil, nor the hireling that is faithful unto thee. Love a discrete servant as thine own soul, defraud him not of his liberty, neither leave him apore man.  Epaphr. 
I give to every one of my servants vi pound xiii shillings four pence, to be paid in the day of my burial. Writ it.  Phile. 
It is done.  Epa. 
God bless ●hem, and increase them, for they have served me both honestly and faithfully. The Lord our God ●eale with them, as they have dealt with me.  Theo. 
They have done but their duty.  Phile. 
But neighbour Epaphroditus, whereof shall these sums of money be raised?  Epaph. 
God hath blessed me abundantly. Ye shall have it in my counting house with a more sum.  Christ. 

debtor.  But now sir, concerning your debts: what order will you appoint for them?  Epa. 
The Lord my God be thanked, I own no man any thing, but love & good will. My chief study hath ever been, to keep myself out of debt. And if at any time I ought any thing, to labour unto the utter most of my power, to dispatch myself of that debt withal expedition. I neue● counted other men's goods min● own. That I truly got with min● own labour, that did I always coun● mine own, my debts being once paid. I own nothing, many ow● me, but forasmuch as they be por● men, & can not pay that they ow● me, except it should be unto their great hindrance, yea I think unto their utter undoing. I freely forgive all my debtor what so ever they own me, unto the uttermost farthing, even as I would God the father should forgive me all my debts for Christ's sake. Write this, that I have forgiven all my debts, so that none hereafter shall demand any det of any man, in my behalf.  Phi. 
I have done your appointment.  EU. 
Neighbour Epaphro ●itus seeing the god hath richly blessed you with the goods of this world ●t were very expedient to remember ●he poor scholars of the universities of Cambridge & Oxford. 
Scholars of Cambridge and Oxford.  For if they ●e not maintained, all learning & virtue will decay, and a very barbary shall braced in among us, & at ●he last bring this our realm into destruction. And verily the love of many now a days toward good letters is very cold, in so much that we see daily many good wits compelled for lack of exhibition to forsake the university, and to become serving men, which kind of life is most abominable, and vnwor●thy a good nature.  Epa. 
I have not in times past been altogether unmindful of the universities. What benefits the student's hau● heretofore received at my hands I will not here rehearse: God an● they know it. And the knowledge thereof, I would wish rather to b● learned of other, then to be hear● of me. Surely I think him 〈◊〉 good christian, nor friend unto hi● country (which if he be able) r●●fuseth to help forward the study of good wits. I pray you neigh●bor Philemon set in ii C. pound of money, one. C. to be given vn●● the university of Cambridge, th● other unto Oxford.  Phile. 
This Godly and charitable deed.  Epa. 
Have ye done?  Ph. 
Yea forsooth sir.  Epa. 
Let me see, what now remaineth.  Chri. 
Sir, will it please you to remember the poor? 
Poor p●●ple.   Epa. 
I never forgot them, since the Lord my God, gave me any portion of worldly goods, I always considered to what use, they were given me: verily, that I should distribute part of them to the necessity of the poor saints. And I thank the Lord my God, so have I done: yea, and that with a good will and free heart. 
two. Cor. ●.  For God loveth a cheerful giver, I have not been of the mind the some are, which, so long as they live, greedily gather together, and bestow nothing at all upon the poor. But when they see nothing but present death, then ●ash they out, and liberally give ●nto the poor scilicet, because they ●an keep it no longer, I trust, I have laid up for myself all ready treasures in heaven, 
Math. vi.  where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through or steal. For I have ever thought it better to send my works before me, while I live in this world, than to have them sent after me I know not by whom, when I am gone. 
Purgatory rakers.  These purgatori rakers shall neither rake nor scrape for me with their masses and Diriges, when I am departed. 
Phil. iii.  For I trust no such works. Neither do I any thing regard the prayers of such as have the belly for their God. But as touching the poor. I give unto them four C. pounds, which I will have bestowed, no● upon idle lubbers & sturdy quea●nes, but upon the halt, the lame, the blind, the sick, and such other as be comfortless. And in this nō●ber also of the poor, I comprehend prisoners, poor maids, young men, which have not wherewith to set up their occupation, & my needy neighbours. These four C. pounds are in four several bags, lying in my counting house by themselves, with this wrighting upon every one of them. Money for the poor. This money I will have distributed with all haste, if it be possible, even before I depart. Have you written in this money for the poor?  Phile. 
I have done it. 
High ways.   Epa. 
The high ways may not be forgotten, which in many places are very foul & jeopardous. Unto the repairing of them, I give. xl. pounds. Writ it. For I think this also to be a deed of charity, & a commendable work before God to repair high ways, that the people may safely and without danger travail by the way  Chr. 
The ●et is very godly without all doubt.  Ep. 
Neighbour Philemon, I pray you, put in that. xl. pound for the high ways.  Phi. 
It is done already.  Epa. 
That which I should chief have remembered, I had almost forgotten  Euse. 
What is that?  Epi. 
Sermons.  Phile. 
What is your mind in that behalf? 
Sermons.   Epa. 
This. At the time of my burial, when the people be gathered together, I would gladly have some learned man to make a Sermon, wherein the people may be admonished of their mortality, and be taught, how they ought to dispose themselves in this life, that when the time come, they may yield up a good soul into the hands of the living God. For his pains I appoint. x.s. to be given him. Also I give for the preaching of four score sermons at other times, when it shallbe thought most convenient xx. pounds. And as I with these Sermons to be preached by godly & discrete learned men: so I wish them to be preached in such places, as the people have most need of doctrine and teaching. For the Lord knoweth, the people perish for want of godly knowledge. 
Esa. lvi.  The greatest part of our beneficed men (God help us) are blind guides, and dom dogs, not once able to bark. The people are desirous to know God, and omong the great multitude of so many beneficed men, none almost either is able, or else endeavoureth himself to bring them unto Christ. It is in these our days found true, that is written in the gospel. 
Math. ix.  The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. It behoveth therefore every Christian heart to pray the Lord of the harvest, that he will send labourers (not loiterers) into his harnessed, and to procure so much as lieth in his power, that the word of God may be universally preached, that the people may repent, turn unto the Lord our God, and serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life, which can not be brought to pass, where the word of God is not preached. 
Luke. i Rom. x.  How shall they believe on him, of whom they have not hard? How shall they hear without a preacher? To declare therefore my good will toward the word of God, & the salvation of the Christians, I give twenty pounds for the preaching of lxxx sermons. I pray you note it in my will,  Phi. 
It shall be done.  Epa. 
To bear all these charges, ye shall have the money in my counting house  Chr. 
Sir concerning the costs of your burial, what order will it please you to make in that behalf?  Epa. 

Ministers.  Let the ministers with the other officers of the church have their duties according to the custom. 
Mourning gowns.   Eu. 
How many mourning gowns sir, will ye give?  Epa. 
Of what mourning gowns speak you?  Eu 
The manner is (as ye know) that when a man of honest reputation departeth, & is brought to be buried, there should follow him certain in fine black gowns, & certain poor men & women in courser cloth.  Epaph. 
Unequally handled, that the poor should have the worst, & the rich or wealthy the best. And call ye these mourners?  Eu. 
So are they called.  Epa. 
For whom should they mourn.  Euse. 
For you.  Ep. 
Why for me? Because good things have chanced unto me? Because I have passed over the dangerous sea, and am come unto the haven of quietness? Or because I am delivered from all evil and set in a blessed and joyful state? I think that at the burials of the faithful, there should rather be joy & gladness, than mourning and sadness, rather pleasant songs of thanksgiving: then lamentable and doleful diriges. Let the infideles mourn for their dead: the Christians ought to rejoice, when any of the faithful be called from this vale of misery unto the glorious kingdom of God.  Phi. 

i Thes. iiii.  In deed that most worthy Apostle S. Paul would not have us mourn for them that are fallen asleep, as the Heathen do, which know not God. 
Apoc. xiiii.  And s. John saith in his revelation. I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me: wright. Blessed are the dad, which die in the Lord. For from henceforth the spirit saith, the they are at rest from their labours, pains and travails. etc. The Psalmograph also saith: 
Psal. cxvi.  O full precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Hereto belongeth the saying of the wise man. 
Sap. iii.  The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, & the pain of death shall not touch them▪ in the sight of the unwise they appear to die, but they are in peace. Again in another place. 
Sap. v.  The righteous shall live forever more: their reward is also with the Lord, and their remembrance with the highest. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown of the lords hand. For which his right-hand shall he cover them, and with his own holy arm shall he defend them. 
Luke. xvi.   Chri. 
Blessed Luke declareth in his Gospel, the so soon as Lazarus was dead, (which in his life time, was diversly afflicted, and miserable punished with many sores and diseases,) he was received into the bosom of Abraham, where he enjoyed all pleasure, felicity and comfort. Such as die in the Lord, are not to be mourned, but God is rather to be thanked for their Christian departure. For they are now in rest. They are with him, 
Esay. xxv.  in whom alone, all glory, joy, comfort and felicity is. God hath wiped away all tears from their eyes, 
Apo. seven. xxi.  so that they are passed all sorrow all mourning, all pain, why than should other mourn for them, the are in so joyful state? The eye hath not seen, 
Esay. lxiiii. i Cor. two.  nor the ear hath hard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what joys god hath prepared for them that love him. 
Ser. de mortalitate.   Theo. 
Saint transverse in his sermon of mortality hath these words: how much it profiteth to go out of the world Christ himself the author of our salvation & prophet showeth, which when his disciples were sad, because he said, 
john. xiiii.  that he should departed from them, spoke unto them sailing: If ye had loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: teaching and showing by these his words, that when our friends, whom we dearly love, depart out of the world, we ought rather to rejoice, than to be sad. Thereof the blessed Apostle Paul, being mindful, saith in his Epistle: 
Phil. i.  Christ is to me life, and death is to me a vantage. He thinketh it great advantage to be rid out of the snares of this life, when he shallbe no more subject to any offence, or sin of the flesh, but be exempted from the afflictions that do trouble us and delivered from that envenomed chaws of the devil, by going unto the joy of eternal salvation, through the calling of Christ. Also in the same sermon he saith: I myself, being the most simple of all other, have through the goodness of God divers times, aswell by Revelation as otherwise, received instruction manifestly to affirm and preach, that our brethren, which be delivered from the world, by the calling of God, ought not to be mourned for, seeing they be not lost, but sent before to make the way for us that do come after. We should not therefore covet them again which be dead, nor mourn for them any otherwise, than we use to do for such as have taken their journey into a strange land. And for them we ought not to wear black, sense they in heaven be clothed in white. 
●po. vi.  Herein we should not give occasion unto the gentiles, that they might justly reprove us, when we mourn for them as dead and lost, whom we do affirm to be living with God. etc. And a little after he saith: The Apostle Paul doth reprove & blame such as do mourn at the departure of the persons that they love. 
i Tes. ●●●.  I would not brethren (quoth he) that you should be ignorant concerning them, which be fallen on sleep, that you sorrow not as other do, which have no hope. If we believe that jesus died and rose again, even so then, also them which sleep by jesus, will God bring again with him. He declareth, that such as be sorrowful at their friends departure, have no hope. Why should we that live by hope, that believe in God, & trust that Christ suffered for us, & is risen again, that remain in Christ, and be risen by him, and in him, ●e so unwilling to depart out of this world, or else mourn & lament such as be departed, as though they were lost, sense Christ our ●ord & our God doth admonish us, ●aying: 
john. ●●.  I am the resurrection and ●he life, he that believeth on me, yea though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. If we believe in Christ, and trust his words and his promises, we shall never die, but shall come with glad surety unto Christ, with whom we shall ever live & reign. And that in the mean season we do die, we do but thereby pass to immortality. For except we depart from hence, the life everlasting can not come. Death is no departure, but a passage, to the intent that this worldly journey once over run, we may come unto eternity. Wh● will not make haste to a better estate? Who will not desire to be changed and transformed into the likeness of Christ, and to come out of hand to the dignity of the heavenvly grace? which thing Paul the Apostle doth declare. Our conversation, saith he: 
Phi. two.  is in heaven from whence we look for a Saviour, even the Lord jesus Christ, which shall transform our vile body, that he may make it like unto his glorious body. And Christ the Lord, doth promise, that we shallbe such, when that we may be with him, live with him in his eternal seat, and rejoice with him in his heavenly kingdom, he prayeth unto the father for us on this manner: father I will that they, which thou haste given me, be with me where I am, that they may see my glory which thou hast given me, for the didst love me before the making of the world. Therefore we ●ught neither to mourn nor to la●ent for coming unto the seat of Christ, to the glory of the heavenvly king ●ō, but aught rather according to ●he promise of God, according to ●he faith of the verity to rejoice 〈◊〉 our departure and transformation. Hitherto have I rehearsed the words of. S. transverse, which do manifestly declare that they which die in the Lord: are in a blessed state, 
Apoc. xiiii.  and therefore not to be mourned nor lamented. I fear lest I have been tedius unto you in rehearsing so much of. s. Cyprian'S mind concerning this matter.  Epaphro. 
You have rather neighbour Theophile comforted me, than molested me: yea, you have right well confirmed my faith, & mightily encouraged me to go unto this battle, and willingly to give over this my life, forasmuch as I am thoroughly persuaded, that after my departure from this vale of misery, I shall come unto a glorious kingdom, and shall see God, face to face. And one thing I noted in the words of. S. Cyprian, which you have reheased, & tha● is this: that we ought not to wear● black clothes & mourning gowns for them, which are delivered from the world, and are gone to God, seeing they be clothed in white, and wear joyful apparel, and are in heaven with God, reigning in glory and eternal felicity.  Euse. 
In deed it is a point of fondness to mourn for them that are in joy, and to be sorry for them that are merry. The Apostle saith: Rejoice with them that rejoice, 
Rom. viii.  & mourn with them that mourn. saying that the faithful, which are delivered out of this world, are in ●oy: it is more seemly that we should ●oy in God with them, than mourn ●nd be sorry for them, as though ●hey were in worse case now, then ●hey were afore. Let the Heathen ●ourne, which have no hope, for ●he departure of their friends, the ●rue christians, which are persuaded, that such as die in the Lord, are in much better case than they ever were in this world, we ought rather to rejoice, & to sing psalms, praises, & thankesgeving unto God, for the christian and godly departure of their brethren, and for their blessed estate, wherein God hath placed them. 
Apoc. xiiii.  For the holy scripture pronounceth them blessed and happy, which die in the Lord. 
Psal. cxviii.  And the Psalmograph saith: precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his Saints. 
Sap. iii.  The wise man also saith, that the souls of the righteous are in peace.  Chr. 
They therefore which are in so blessed estate, are not to be mourned nor lamented, but God is rather to be thanked for them.  Th. 
The holy scripture declareth, that king David prayed unto the Lord for the child, 
two. Reg. xii.  which he ha● by Bethsabe, Urias wife, when i● was sick, and that he fasted, an● lay all the night upon the earth, in so much that the Elders of his house arose and went unto him, to take him up from the earth, but he would not, neither did he eat meat with them. But when he heard that the child was dead, he arose from the earth, and washed and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the lord and worshipped▪ and afterward came to his own house, and commanded that they should set bread before him, & he did eat. And when his servants marveling at these things, said unto him: What thing is this, that thou hast done? Thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive, and as soon as it was dead, thou didst arise up and eat. He answered: While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept. For this I thought.  
Who can tell, whether God will have mercy on me, that the child may live. But now seeing it is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him any more? I shall go to him, and he shall come no more again unto me. In this history that godly wisdom of David, is greatly to be considered. For hereof may we learn to pray unto the Lord our God for our sick friends, so long as they be alive, and to seek all means possible at the lords hand, to obtain health for the diseased. But if the good will of God be to take them out of this world, then are we taught, here no more to mourn, to weep, to lament, and to be sorry for them, but rather which a joyful heart to worship the lord, (as David did) and to give him most hearty thanks, that it hath pleased his goodness to deliver our brethren or sister from this sink of evils, I mean this world: and to receive them into his blessed kingdom. Heathen like mourning, therefore, is to be banished from the burials of the Christians.  Euse. 
The manner among the Thracians is, 
The manner of the Thracians.  that when any child is borne, and cometh into the world, they weep, lament & mourn, but when it goeth out of the world, they rejoice and are merry.  Epaphr. 
What moveth them so to do?  Euse. 
When a child cometh into the world, they consider into what great miseries he is like to fall, if he live: contrariwise, when he departeth hence, they know that an end of all sorrow & care, of all pain and travail is come. Therefore the one thing moveth them unto sadness, the other unto gladness.  Phi. 
There is great plenty of histories, which declare, that the very heathen have taken the death of their dear friends patiently, so far is it of, that after the manner of some which profess Christ, they immoderately took the death of their friends, wept, wailed, mourned, wrong their hands, tore their hear rend their clothes, and in manner killed themselves with sorrow and thought taking. When our saviour, 
Luk. xxiii.  Christ went unto his death, certain women followed him, weeping and mourning, to whom he said: Ye daughters of jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.  Theo. 
Is he to be lamented and mourned for which is removed from thraldom unto liberty, from misery unto wealth: from darkness unto light: from jeopardy unto safety: from sickness unto health: from mortality unto immortality: from corruption unto uncorruption: from pain unto joy: from transitory things unto everlasting things: from the company of men, unto the fellowship of the blessed angels and heavenvly spirits. & c? Let the Heathen which have no hope of the joyful immortality of the soul, nor of the glorious resurrection of the body, mourn, weep, and lament for their diseased: let the faithful Christians be joyful in the Lord, and thank God for his great mercy and infinite goodness, which he hath showed upon the brethren, by calling them from this vale of wretchedness unto his heavenly kingdom. 
Apo. xiiii.  For the voice of God even from heaven, pronounceth them blessed, happy, & fortunate, which die in the Lord.  Phi. 
What is your mind, therefore neighbour Epaphroditus, concerning mourning gowns?  Epaphr. 
If it were not for offending other, and that it should also be some hindrance unto the poor, I would wish rather to have none, than otherwise. For I would have no man mourn for me. My trust is, that so soon as my soul shallbe delivered out of the prison of this my body: it shall straight ways possess the blessed inheritance of the heavenly kingdom, & reign in glory with God for ever. What need shall I have then of mourners? Or wherefore should any man mourn for me? Notwithstanding: I will not strive with them for their garments. Let my wife, and my children wear what garments they will, at my burial, so they be such, as become the professors of true godliness. Only this I require, that xxx poor men and women, do accompany my body unto the burial, and that each of them have a gown of some convenient colour. I will also that xxx poor children be there also, and that every one of them have a seemly gown. And after my burial, I will that both those poor men, women, and children, come home unto my house, and have some repast, for the refection of their bodies. And so ●et them departed in the name of the ●ord. Have you written this neighbour Philemon?  Phile. 
Yea sir, it is done.  Epa. 
I am glad of it. To see that these things may be done, according to my will, I make my wife sole executress, & you neighbour Philemon, with my neighbours Christopher, Theophile, & Eusebius, here present, I make you four mine overseers, char●ing you in the name of God, and as ye will answer before the high ●udge Christ, at the dreadful day ●f doom: that ye see these my bequests truly, diligently, and faithfully fulfilled.  Chr. 
we were twice ungodly, if we should not satisfy your desire and will, being so christian and righteous.  Epa. 
I bequeath to every one of you four, for your pains taking, five pounds sterling, not to the end to make you hearlinges, but that it may be a token of my hearty good will towards you.  Chr. 
Sir, will it please you to be buried in the church, or in the churchyard?  Epa. 
All is one to me. 
Psal. xxiii.  The earth is the Lords, & all that is contained in it, I am not curious of the place. Wherso●euer I lie, 
Phil. iii.  I doubt not, but the lord our God at the last day shall raise me up again, and give me a body like unto the glorious body of our Lord and saviour Christ jesus▪ Let the body therefore return unto the earth from whence it came and the spirit unto God, 
Eccle. xi.  which gave it.  Euseb. 
Your children ar● buried in the churchyard.  Ep. 
Bu●y me there also. God give us all a joyful resurrection. 
Burials.   Theo. 
Sir, what solemnity will you have at your burial?  Epa. 
What mean you  The. 
Solemn singing, de●out ringing, holy sensing, prie●es pattering, candles lightning, torch's brenning, Communions ●aying, and such like.  Ep. 
No kind of superstitious custom do I allow. That is godly, I only commend. As touching your solempn ●inging, 
Singing.  it is all one to me, whither you sing or say. Those Psalms, hymns, praises & thankes-gevinges that be appointed to be ●ong or said at the burial of the faithful, let them be done in the name ●f God withal cheerfulness of mind. ●s for your devout ringing, 
Ringing.  I crave no more but one ●el to be e●her tolled or rung, for to gather ●he people together, to hear the word of God, and the thanks g●●uing. The ringing of the Bells can do my soul no good. And a● for your holy sensing, priests pattering, candles lighting, torches brenning: away with them, a● things superfluous and vnprofi●table. Now as concerning Communions, 
Communion.  saying or singing: the● serve not for the burials of them that are departed, but for the exe●●cises of them that be alive, tha● by that means they should call t● remembrance the death of Christ and the fruits thereof, as the Apostle saith: 
●● Cor. xi.  So oft as ye shall eat o● this bread, and drink of the Cupye shall remember the Lords death till he come. 
Note.  These sumptuous ● costly burials, are not to be commended, neither do they profit either body or soul, but only se●●forth a foolish, vain, and boasting pomp.  Phile. 
The burial of th● faithful, aught to be done honestly, but not sumptuously. Neither ●●ught the dead bodies of the christians, to be vilely handled, but honestly buried, for the hope of the ●●orious resurrection. So did A●●aham bury his wife Sara. 
Gen. xxiii. and l  Io●●ph his father jacob, and divers ●●her, as the holy scripture men●●neth. The bodies of the dead, ●●ith S. Austen, 
Lib. 1. de C●uitate dei. Cap. xiii.  are not to be de●●sed, and to be cast away, and specially the bodies of the righteous, and of the faithful, whom as instruments and vessels unto all ●●od works, the holy ghost hath ●●ed. But as concerning sumptuous burials, thaforesaid author 〈◊〉, 
 they rather comfort the lying, than help the dead. As sump●●us exequys profit nothing the ●●ul rich men: so in like manner 〈◊〉 or no exequys at all, hinder ●●hing the sepulture of the poor saints. That gallant company o● the ritchemans' servants (o● whom we read in the Gospel o● Luke) 
Luke. xvi.  buried their master gorgeously in the sight of men, notwith●stāding his soul was carried down into hell fire, where it lieth in mos● miserable torments. What profited him the gorgeous, galan● pompous. and costly sepulture o● his body: seeing his soul lieth with out redemption in those most in●tollerable flames of that lake which burneth with f●re & brim●stone? 
Apo. xxi.  We read not, that Lazaru● was so sumptuously buried, n● that he was buried at all, notwithstanding ●standing the angels of God ca●● & carried him (not into a tombed marble) but into the bosom of Abraham. And the golden mouth● Doctor, saith in a certain H●●mily. 
●●m. 84. in ●●. C●. 20.  When thou hearest that t●● Lord did rise again naked, ce●●● I pray thee, and leave of the fond & vain charges that thou bestow●est upon funerals, and burying of dead bodies. What meaneth this superfluous & unprofitable cost, seeing that it hindereth them greatly that do it, & availeth nothing at all the dead, but rather hurteth them. etc.  Epa. 
Simply, not sumptuously, honestly, not honourably ●et me be buried. I require no more. You have written all these things according to my desire, neighbour Philemon?  Phi. 
Altogether.  Ep. 
Then am I at a point with ●he worldly possessions, & I trust ●n a good forwardness toward God  Chr. 
The custom in times ●ast was, 
Months minds and year minds  that there should be month ●●ndes & year minds kept for the ●ead.  Ep. 
To what end?  Ch. 
That ●●e dead might be remembered and ●●ayed for.  Epa. 
Wherefore should ●●ey be prayed for?  Chr. 
That their sins (say they) might be forgiven them.  Epa. 
Which they, say so?  Chri. 
The Papists.  Epa. 
I have nothing to do with papists, nor with their doctrine. God bless me from them. 
Phi. iii.  For they are enemies of the cross of Christ, depravers of the holy scriptures, and corruptours of Christian souls. I believe that a man, even in this world, hath perfect and full remission of all his sins, or else he shall never have it. God in this world, doth either forgive all the faults, & th● pain due for the same: or else h● forgiveth none at all. I fear nothing at all, the Pope's boylyng● furnace (I mean purgatory) Chr●●stes blood, is a sufficient purgatory for my sins. The blood ● Christ, God's son, hath cleansed v● from all sin. 
i. john. i. Hebr. ix.  The blood of Chri●● hath purged our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God. We be sanctified, and made holy by the offering of the body of jesus Christ done once for all. 
Heb. x.  With the one only oblation of his blessed body, and precious blood, hath Christ made perfect for ever and ever: them that are sancified. I require none other purgatory to purge & cleanse my snnes, but the blood of Christ. 
Ephe. v.  For Christ hath offered himself aswete smelling sacrifice unto God the father ●or my sins, yea and that so perfect, absolute, consummate, and ●n all points, so omnisufficient: ●hat there can be found no imperfection in it. Christ hath borne away all my sins on his body. By the stripes of Christ's body, ●m I healed. Christ died for my ●●nnes, 
Esay. liii. 1. Pet. 11. Rom. iiii.  and rose again for my justification. Christ is made of God ●nto me, wisdom, righteousness, ●●anctification, and redemption, that as it is written, he that rejoiceth, should rejoice in the Lord, 
i Cor. i. Hier. ix.  Christ is enough for me. Let the Papists seek their salvation at whose hands they list.  Phile. 
Where as the Papists heretofore have taught for the maintenance of their idle bellies, that men's sins after their death be forgiven them, through the sacrifice of that most wicked and abominable Popish Mass, & by pilgrimages going, by trentals, by Diriges, by the good deeds of other. etc. It is a plain● error, & against the word of God. For remission of sins, the favour of God, & everlasting life, is either gotten or lost in this world. H● which through his own repen●tance & faith in Christ's bloud● obtaineth not forgiveness of hi● sins in this world: shall neue● have it by the means of other 〈◊〉 after this life. 
john. iii.  It is written, he believeth on the son of God, hath everlasting life. But he that believeth not in him, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. So many as die, are either faithful or unfaithful. If they be faithful, so have they in possession straightways everlasting life. If they be unfaithful, then doth the wrath of God abide upon them, & they receive the reward of infidelity, which is everlasting damnation. And albeit this appeareth manifestly of the words above rehearsed: yet the history of the unmerciful ●ich man, & of the poor Lazare, painteth it out very lively. 
Luk. xvi.  In the ye see, that ●he faithful man, which was La●arus, so soon as he died, was received into the bosom of Abraham. contrariwise, the unfaithful man which was the unmerciful glutton, ●as carried down straightways in 〈◊〉 hell fire. The like thing is manifestly set forth in the two thieves which died with Christ. 
Luk. xxiii.  The one repent, believed, and called for mercy unto Christ, God and man saying: Lord remember me, when thou comest into thy kingdom, and Christ answered him: This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Here see we that this thief both repent & believed, for how shall they call on him (saith saint Paul) on whom they have not believed? 
Roma. x.  And therefore was received into glory. The other which continued in his unbelief, and so died without repentance and faith, obtained the reward of unbelief, that is to say: the wrath of God and eternal damnation. They therefore that die, are either faithful or unfaithful. If they be faithful: so have they out of hand the reward of faith, which is everlasting glory, if they be vn●faithfull: than receive they their reward of unfaithfulness, and misbelief, which is eternal damnation. If the Papists can find the third kind of men (which are neither faithful nor unfaithful) then will we consent unto their Purgatory, for such have neither place in heaven nor in hell. But such sort of people, the holy scripture knoweth not. Therefore knoweth it not such a place of purging after this life, as the Papists have heretofore devised.  Eus. 
The blessed Apostle. 
Rom. two.  S. Paul saith: God shall give to every one according to his own deeds. 
two. Cor. x. i. Cor. two.  Again, to the Corinthians, he also saith: Every one shall receive his ●owne labour. 
two. Cor. v.  In an other place he also sayeth. We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ that every man may receive the works of his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 
Gala. vi.  Item. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, shall of the spirit, reap life everlasting. Let us not be weary of well doing. For when the time is come: we shall reap without weariness. While we have therefore time let us do good unto all men, and specially unto them, which are of the household of faith. Hereto agreeth the saying of our saviour Christ. 
Math. xvi.  The son of man shall come in the glory of his father with his angels, and then shall he reward every man according to his deeds. Again, I will give every one of you according to his deeds. 
Apoc. two.  Out of these scriptures we learn▪ that we sha● not be rewarded according to other men's deeds, but according unto our own deeds. If we have wrought nothing at all in our life: what shall other men's deeds than do us good, after our death? And I doubt whether any man (Christ alone excepted) have good deeds sufficient for himself.  Chri. 
If we consider well the history of the ten virgins, 
Mat. xxv.  it shall easily be perceived, that no man have scarcely oil enough for himself. Yea, were not the great mercies of God set forth to all faithful penitent sinners in the precious blood of Christ: we with all our oil, should perish. For everlasting life is the gift of God, 
Rom. vi.  through jesus Christ our Lord. If thou (O Lord) shouldest narrowly look upon our iniquities, (saith the Psalmograph) O Lord who were able to abide it? 
Psal. ciii.  But there is mercy with the in store. etc.  The. 
The holy scripture moveth us to do good while we are alive, and not to trust other men's works, to be done for us, when we be dead. 
Eccl. xiiii.  The wiseman saith: do good unto thy friend, before thou die, and according to thy ability, reach out thine hand, and give unto the poor. Be not disappointed of the good day, and let not the portion of the good day overpass the. Shalt thou not leave thy travails & labours unto other men? In the dividing of thy heritage, give and take, and sanctify thy soul. Work thou righteousness before thy death, for after thy death, 
Eccl. xviii  there is no meat to find. Again: Abide thou not in the error of the ungodly, but give God thanks before death. As for the dead, thankfulness perisheth from him as nothing. give thou thanks in thy life, yea, while thou art living and whole shalt thou give thanks, and praise God, and rejoice in his mercy. O how great ●s the loving kindness of the lord, and his merciful goodness unto ●uch as turn unto him? 
Pro. iii.  Salomō●n his proverbs saith: withdraw ●o good thing from them that have ●ede, so long as thy hand is able ●o do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, go thy way & come again: ●o morrow will I give thee, where ●s thou hast now to give him. Hereto agreeth the saying of the ●reacher: 
Eccle. ix.  whatsoever thou art a●le to do, do it out of hand, for in ●he grave that thou goest unto: here is neither work, counsel, knowledge nor wisdom. The prophet also saith. 
Esa. lv.  Seek the Lord, ●●hyle he may be found, and call ●pon him, while he is nigh. Let the ●ngodly forsake his own ways, ●nd the unrighteous his own imaginations, and turn again unto the Lord, so shall God be merciful unto him. Our saviour Christ saith in the Gospel. I must work the works of him that sent me, 
john. ix.  while it is day. The night cometh, when no man can work. Walk while we have light, least the darkness come on you. 
john, xii.  etc. While ye have light, walk in the light, that ye may be the children of light. I say unto you, make you friends of the unrighteous Mammon, that when ye shall have need, 
Luke. xvi.  they may receive you into everlasting habitations. That servant, 
Mat. xxv.  which received one talon of his Lord, and gained nothing therewith, but went his way, and hide it in the ground; was cast into utter darkness, wher● weeping and gnashing of teeth Shallbe. The .v. foolish virgins, because they had no Oil in their lamps, were not suffered to enter into the marriage. Moreover the most worthy Apostle. S. Paul saith. 
Gal. vi.  While we have time, let us do good unto all men, and special●y unto them, which are of the household of faith. These and divers other texts of the holy scripture move us to do good ourselves, while we be alive in this world, and not to trust the works of other to be done for us, when we be dead. For by our own works, and not by other men's, shall we be judged. Every man shall bear his own burden. Every man shall receive the works of his own body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad: 
Gala. vi. two. Cor. v.  every man shall receive his reward according to his own deeds. Behold I come quickly (saith our saviour Christ) and my reward is with me, 
two. Cor. iii. Rom. two. Apoc. xxii.  that I may give to every one according as his work shallbe.  
And saint john pronouncing them blessed, 
Apoc. xiii.  which die in the Lord, saith on this manner. Their works follow them. He saith not, other men's works shall follow than, when they be dead, but their own works do follow, and presently accompany them▪ as the shadow doth the body, even unto the throne of God's majesty, to be testimonies & witnesses of their true and unfeigned saith. They therefore are to much fond and negligent of their own salvation, which trust other more than themselves in matters pertaining unto the health of their souls.  Chri. 
There is an old saying in Latin, and as I think, no●●les true than old. It is this. Da tua, dum tua sunt, post mortem, tunc tuae non sunt.  
give thy goods while they be thine, for after thy death, they be none of thine.  Euse. 
I remember when I was a child, I learned ii verses of my schoolmaster, which I have not yet forgotten, I will rehearse them unto you. 
Quod sibi quisque serit, praesentis tempore vitae  
Hoc sibi messis erit, cum dicitur Ite, Venitae.   
That a man soweth for himself in the time of this present life, that shallbe his harvest or reap, when it is said: Go, Come.  Epap. 
What mean you by that, Go: Come.  Eu. 
You know that to the unfaithful it shallbe said, 
Mat. xxv.  go ye cursed in to everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels. But to the faithful, it shallbe said on this manner: Come ye blessed of my father, possess the kingdom, which was prepared for you, from the beginning of the world.  The. 
S. Paul hath a sentence much like unto your verses: 
Gala. vi.  whatsoe, ●er a man soweth, saith he: that shall he also reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, shall of the flesh, reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.  Phil. 
It is not without cause, that the holy scripture doth so diligently call us unto repentance, faith, and good works in this present world. For everlasting life even in this world is either gotten or lost. As God findeth us, so judgeth he us. Every tree is known and judged by her own fruit, and not by the fruit of other trees. Every man likewise is judged by his own works, & not by the works of other, as Christ saith to the unprofitable servant: 
Luke. nineteen.  Of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou evil servant. Teophilact saith. 
Mat. xxv.  The virtue of my neighbour shall scarcely be enough to defend himself, so far is it of, 
☞  that it can profit me also. For all men shall be declared to be righteous by their own works, and not by the works of their neighbours. 
Eccle. xi.   Euse. 
The Preacher saith. When the tree falleth (whether it be toward the south or north) in what place so ever it fall there it lieth.  Epap. 
What is meant by that.  Euse. 
The tree signifieth every one of us, that are the children of Adam. We fall, that is to say we die, either toward the south, or toward the north, that is, either in the state of salvation or damnation. In what state soever we die, in the same remain we. There is no change after this life. Ether with poor Lazarus we go into the bosom of Abraham, 
Luke. xvi.  or else with that unmerciful rich man into the fire of hell. There are but two places after this life, hell and heaven. If we depart in the faith of Christ, we go straighawayes unto the glory of heaven. But if we die in unbelief, than go we to the Devil, as the scripture saith. He that believeth on the son, hath everlasting life. 
john. iii  But he that believeth not on the son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth upon him.  Christo. 
S. john Chrisostome saith, he that washeth not away his sins in this present life, shall find no comfort afterward. etc.  Theph. 
The same doctor also hath this saying. Let us not think (saith he) that when we come thither (he meaneth unto the judging place of God) mercy shall be given unto us, seeing we do not so behave ourselves in this world that we may deserve to have forgiveness, though Abraham should pray for us, though Noah, though job, though Daniel should make intercession for us. Therefore while we have time, let us prepare for ourselves, that which may stand us in stead afore God an other day.  Eus. 
Hereto agreeth the saying of S. Cyprian: Then (that is to say, 
Tract. 〈◊〉 demet  after death) shall repentance be without fruit, and the sorrow of pain, weeping also shall be in vain, and prayer shallbe to no purpose. Therefore make provision, while ye may, for your safeguard & life. Again he saith. When we be once departed out of this world, there is no more place for repentance, there is no effect of satisfaction. In this world life is either lost or gotten. Here through the worshipping of God, and the fruit of faith, provision is made for everlasting salvation.  Epa. 
I see than both by the authority of the holy scriptures, and of the ancient doctors, that the works which are done for them that are departed out of this world by other, are but vain and unprofitable, whether they depart in faith, or otherwise. For the faithful depart straightways unto glory, and the unfaithful unto everlasting pain. The one sort have no need of prayer, for they be already in most blessed state and joyful rest. And the other are in so damnable case, that prayer can do no good for them, no though Abraham, Noah, job, Daniel, and all the best that ever lived should pray for them. For in hell there is no redemption. And Abraham said to the rich man. 
Luke. xvi.  There is between us and you a great space set, so that they, which would go from hence unto you, cannot, neither may they that are there come hither unto us.  Phi. 
The truth is neighbour Epaphroditus, the papistes have long bewitched the eyes of the simple, 
Purgatory a place of the Papists devising.  by making them believe, that the souls of the faithful go not straightways after their departure, unto eternal glory, but rather unto purgatory, a place of their own devising for the maintenance of their idle bellies, there to lie miserably puling, till they be redeemed by trentals, by pilgrimages going, by pardons. etc. Our saviour Christ in the gospel teacheth & maketh mention of two ways. But the third is not found in the holy scripture. One is a strait way, 
Math. seven.  which leadeth unto life, & few there be that find it. The other is a broad way which leadeth unto destruction, & many there be that go in thereat.  Ep. 
I believe & am thoroughly persuaded, that by that merits of his precious blood, which said unto the penitent thief, 
Luk. xxiii.  this day shalt thou be with me in paradise, my soul immediately after the departure from this vile body, shall be received unto glory, & ●se the glorious majesty of God, 
Psal. xxvii.  face to face, as the Psalmograph saith, I believe to see the pleasures and good things of the Lord in the land of the living. I fear the Popish purgatory & the pains thereof nothing at all. My pain endeth in this life. And the end of this life is the beginning of my joy. This hope lieth up buried in my breast. Therefore will I have neither month minds nor year minds kept for me, nor no idle Papists and superstitious massmongers sing or say for me. For I doubt not, but that the Lord my God hath prepared me a vessel unto honour, and hath written my name in the book of life, and hath also made me his son and heir of eternal glory, 
Sap. v.  this is enough for me.  Chr. 
The righteous (saith the wiseman,) shall live for evermore, their reward also is with the Lord, and their remembrance with the highest. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, & a beautiful crown of the lords hand.  Epa. 
Neighbours, now am I at a point with the goods of the world, yea and with the world itself, so that I may say with the holy Apostle: The world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  The. 
He is an happy man and greatly blessed, 
Gala. vi.  which forsaketh & giveth over the world, before the world forsaketh him. For such obey this commandment of S. john. Love not the world, 
i. john. two.  nor those things that are in the world, albeit I doubt not (neighbour Epaphroditus) but that you shall right well recover your health, and live yet many years among us.  Epa. 
No neighbour Theophile. The end of my life is at hand. And I most heartily thank the Lord my God for it. 
Phi. i.  For I wish to be loosened out of this life, and to be with Christ. 
Psalm. xliiii.  Like as the heart desireth the water brooks, so longeth my soul after thee, O God. My soul is a thirst for God, yea even for the living God. When shall I come to appear before the presence of God▪ O how amiable are thy dwellings, 
Psal. lxxxiiii.  thou Lord of hosts? My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living god. I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my God, them to dwell in the tents of the ungodly. O blessed are they, 
Psal. cxlii.  that dwell in thy house (O Lord) for they will be always praising thee, (O lord) deliver my soul out of the prison of my body, that I may come & give thanks unto thy blessed name. Deal with me (O lord) according to thy will, 
Tob. iii.  and command my spirit to be received in peace. For it is more expedient for me to die than to live.  Phile. 
I greatly rejoice in the Lord my God, good neighbour Epaphroditus, to see you in so good a mind, and to hear so godly words proceed out of your mouth. These things are evident testimonies of your good conscience toward God. Fear you not, the Lord hath sealed you with his hol● spirit, & made you through his mercy, a vessel unto honour.  Epa. 
Now that an order is taken concerning my worldly possessions, I wish to have my wife, & my children with my servants brought hither unto me, that I may take my leave of them, and commend them unto the lord my God. I pray you neighbour Eusebius call them hither.  Euse. 
It shall be done.  Epa. 
Oh, how sick am I? My weakness increaseth more and more. Lord be merciful unto me, 
A prayer.  and give me grace patiently & thank fully to bear this Cross, and in the mids of this my sickness, always to say. Thy will, O heavenly father be done & not mine.  Phi. 
Be strong in the Lord, good neighbour, 
Math. xxvi.  and faint not, and you shall see the wondrous works of God. For God will either shortly restore unto you your health: or else make an end of this your pain by taking you from this wretched world, and place you in his glorious kingdom.  Epa. 
God grant. But is my neighbour Eusebius come again?  Chri. 
Yea sir.  Epa. 
Where is he?  Euse. 
Here sir am I  Epa. 
Where is my wife & my children and my servants?  Phile. 
They are all here present.  Epaphr. 

The sickmans exhortation unto his wife  COme hither wife. You see in what case I lie here, sick, weak, and the prisoner of God, looking every hour for my departure out of this world. And this visitation of God is unto me welcome, and I thank the Lord withal my heart for it. I doubt not, but that when I am once gone out of this wretched life, I shall be in a far better case than ever I was in this world. Therefore I pray thee good wife, be not heavy, neither take thought for me, but rather pray, that the good will of God may be done in me. And be aswell contented, that I should now at the calling of God go from thee, as ever thou wast to have me in thy company, I have run my race. I have passed those years, which the Lord appointed that I should live in this world. And now is the time of my departure come. And I give over this my life willingly, and with a free heart. Therefore take no thought for me. And doubt thou not (sweet wife) but if the goest forth to live in the fear of God, and to please him, God in the time of thy wyddowhod will be an husband unto thee. He willbe thy patron and defender. He willbe thy mighty shield & strong buckler. He will provide and afore see, that thou and thine shall want no good thing. 
Psalm. cxlv.  For he hath promised in his holy word, that he will take charge of the widows and defend their cause. 
Exo. xx. Esa. i.x. jere. u.xii. Zach. seven james. i  He hath also given a straight commandment to the magistrates & head rulers, to look unto widows, & to deliver them from oppression. And his holy Apostle saith, that the pure and undefiled Religion before God the father, is to visit, help, & comfort widows. Therefore I doubt not but the Lord our God, will abundantly provide for thee and thine. Notwithstanding wife, forasmuch as from the first time o● our marriage unto this present day thou hast always been unto me a true, faithful, honest, diligent, & serviceable wife. I have made the mine Executress, and given unto thee in my will, such a portion as shall abundantly satisfy thee, both unto the bringing up of thy children, and also unto the maintenance of hospitality: God hath sent me enough, 
Psal. xxxiii.  & therefore I leave unto thee & thine enough. I pray God send you always his fear before your face, so shall you never vant. To forbid the marriage after my departure according unto the property of some husbands, I will not. 
two. Cor. seven.  For the holy Scripture saith: the wife is bound vn●o the marriage, as long as her husband liveth. If her husband die, ●he it at liberty to marry with whom she will, only in the Lord. If thou therefore after my departure (O wife, hast a mind to mary again, marry in the name of the lord our God. For I know, as the wise man saith, 
Sa●. viii.  that no man can live chaste, except God giveth the gift. Only have this care, that he, with whom thou dost determine to couple thyself in the blessed state of honourable wedlock, be such a man as feareth God▪ loveth his word, is well reported of his neighbours, dealeth ryghteoussly with all men, embraceth virtue, despiseth vice. etc. Fellow not the manners of certain old doting widows, which for bodily lust in their old crooked age, couple thē●selues to younkers, which might right well have been their children, and unto whom they might also have given suck. But to what end such marriages come for the most part, daily experience teacheth. The one marrieth for bodily pleasure, the other for covetousness. Such marriages are not blessed of God. Choose thee therefore such an husband as loveth thee, and not thy goods only, as is equal to the in condition, state, and age, as also will tender my children, and be a father unto them, and see them brought up in the fear of God, & in the knowledge of his blessed word. Pray unto God, and he shall give the good success in all thy travails, look diligently to the virtuous education and bringing up of my children. graff in their parts so much fruit of God's spirit, as is possible, and weed out of ●heir minds all kinds of vice & wickedness, that their breasts may ●e made the Temples of the holy ●host. Look well unto thy servants. give them their covenants, & ●uffer them not to be idle. So go●erne thy household, that there may ●e found in it no vice but virtue, no wickedness but godliness, no sin but honesty and christian behaviour. And be thou thyself, an example of godly life to thy children & servants: so mayst thou be sure to have obedient children and faithful servants. Yea so shalt that be well reported of thy neighbours, & be loved both of god & all good men.  

The sickmans exhortation unto his children  Now my children, come ye hither unto me, God bless you, and send you many, yea and those joyful and quiet days upon the earth. Ye see in what case I am, sore, sick, and very weak, abiding the good pleasure of God. The end of this my life is come, and I am glad of it, and most heartily thank the lord my God. Let it not dismay you, (my most dear children) that I shall now be taken away from you. For albeit, that I being your natural Father, shall no more serve you nor provide for you, as hitherto I have done, yet doubt ye not, but if ye go forth, as ye have begun, to fear God, and to serve him, he will not leave you comfortless, but in my stead he will be a father unto you, receive you into his tuition, and provide better for you than ever I was able to do. Therefore if ye will have God a merciful and gentle father unto you: fear him, love him, honour him, serve him, pray unto him, call on his blessed name, be thankful unto him for his benefits, and in all things seek to please his godly Majesty. give your minds to the reading of the holy scriptures, and what so ever ye read therein, practise it in your ●ife and conversation. Be not only favourers, but followers also of the word, not only lovers but also ●iuers of the gospel, not only professers, but also practisers of gods holy law, so shall God bless you, & all good men love you. Avoid idleness & to much childish pastimes. Let no time of your life pass away without fruit. eschew all evil company, and have nothing to do with them, that be ungodly. Desire always the fellowship of them that be good and virtuous. Have all your whole confidence and trust in the Lord your God. Take nothing in hand, before ye have craved his help by fervent prayer. And after the thing done, give God most hearty thanks, knowledging him to be the giver of all good things. The Saboth day, and such other feastiful days, spend them holily and godly. give yourselves to prayer, to hearing of Sermons, and reading the word of god. See that ye defile not the name of the Lord your God with vain and unlawful oaths. Reverence your elders, Honour your mother, be obedient unto her pray for her, do for her, whatsoever lieth in your power, that God may bless you and give you long and joyful life upon the earth. Be no evil speakers. Be courteous and gentle unto all men. Let no lightness appear in you, neither in gesture nor countenance. Be true and faithful. Cast away all pride, and embrace humility. Avoid superfluous eating & drinking. Use temperance in all your doings. Be not moved unto anger, but be patient and ready to forgive. Be merciful to the poor. Help all men to the uttermost of your power. Study to do good unto all, and to hurt none. Love all men, yea even your very enemies. Be not overcome of evil, 
Rom. xii.  but overcome evil with goodness. If ye observe these few lessons, ye shall continue in the favour of God, and God as a most merciful father shall bless you and cause you to prosper on the face of the earth.  
BUt now hear thou my son the words of thy father, 
The sickmans exhortation unto his son.  and imprint them well in thy memory. Of all the sons that God hath given me since I was married to this thy Mother, thou alone art left alive. And I thank God for thee. For in thee lieth the hope of my posterity. Look therefore that thou servest God all the days of thy life, that thou mayest be the father of many children through the blessing of God. If thou dost resemble me as in countenance and lineaments of body: so likewise in manners and conditions of life & conversation, it shall not repent me to have begotten such a son: neither shall it forethink thee to have had such a father. 
Tob. iiii.  Take heed therefore that thou dost not degenerate and grow out of kind. Honour thy mother all the days of her life. Pray for her, and do for her whatsoever lieth in thy power. Remember that God hath appointed thee to be the staff of her old age, neither forget thou what and how great pains she hath suffered for thee. 
Proverb. i.  Beware of riotous company, & have always the fear of God before thine eyes. 
Eccle. vi.  Keep company with such as have understanding, and lean unto their wisdom and counsel. 
two. Tim. two.  Be sober minded, and eschew the lusts of youth, but follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace: with them that call on the Lord with a pure faith. When thou shalt come to the possession of such worldly substance, as I have appointed for thee, through the goodness and liberality of God: look that thou dost use, and not abuse thy goods. Spend in measure, and as present necessity shall require. Beware of superfluous expenses. Avoid banqueting and delicious fare. 
Prou. xxi  For whosoever loveth delicately to far, shall come to poverty. Think that well spent, that is honestly spent in thy own house. Extraordinary banquetings look that thou flee, remembering that, that, which is gotten through long time, is consumed in a very little space. 
Tob. iiii.  give alms of thy goods, and turn never thy face from the poor, so shall it come to pass, that the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from the. Be merciful after thy power. If thou hast much, give plenteously, if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little. For so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity. For merci delivereth from all sin & from death, and suffereth not the soul to come in darkness. A great comfort is mercy before the hie God unto all them that show it. In the time of thy youth take heed thou defilest not thyself with whoredom, but bring an honest & chaste body unto the blessed state of honourable wedlock. And when the ripeness of thy age doth require the to marry: take heed whom thou choosest to be thy yoke-fellow. Fellow not the corrupt manners of the wicked worldlings, which in choosing their wives, have their principal respect unto the worthiness of the stock: unto the wealthiness of the friends, unto riches, beauty, and such other worldly vanities. Consider thou rather the godliness than the worthiness of the maids parents, the honest and virtuous bringing up of her, her chaste and sober behaviour, her Christian and godly manners, her modesty, gravity, sobriety, and womanlines, her faith, obedience, humility, silence, quietness, honesty, howsewivelines, and such other fruits of God's spirit. Let her be no Papist, nor Anabaptist. nor Epicure, but one of the household of faith, and such one as feareth the Lord God unfeignedly. With such one couple thyself in the fear of God, 
Pro. ix.  and know her to be the gift of God, as Solomon saith: house and richesse may a man have by the heritage of his elders, but a discrete wife is the gift of the Lord. Therefore when thou art once joined with her in the holy order of Matrimony: seek after no strange flesh, beware of whoredom, 
Pro. v.  entangle thyself with no other woman's love, but be glad with the wife of thy youth. Let her breasts always satisfy thee & hold thee ever content with her love. And if God send thee children thank him for them, 
Ephe. vi.  and study to bring them up in the fear, nurture & doctrine of the Lord, that they may learn to know God, even from the very cradles. 
Colos. iiii.  Order thy household godly and honestly. Cherish thy servants, & give them their covenants, remembering that thou also hast a master & Lord in heaven. love thy neighbours, dwell quietly among them. 
Luke. vi.  Lend unto them gladly whatsoever they need, if thou hast it. Oppress not thy tenants. Raise not thy rents. Take no incomes nor synes. Be content with the old and accustomed payments. Bring up no new customs. Maintain the lawful liberties of the town wherein thou dwellest. Be no unprofitable member of the common wealth. Diffame no man, but speak well of all men. Hurt no man, but to the uttermost of thy power be beneficial to all men. 
●ob. iiii.  Let never pride have rule in thy mind, nor in thy word, for in pride begun all destruction. Who so ever worketh any thing for thee: immediately give him his hire, and look that thy hired servants wages remain not by the overnight. 
Math. seven. Luke. vi.  Look that thou do never unto an other man the thing, that thou wouldst not another man should do unto thee. 
Tob. iiii. Esay. lviii.  Eat thy bread with the hungry & poor, and cover the naked with thy clothes. Ask ever counsel at the wise. 
Col. iii. Tob. iiii.  Be alway thankful unto God, and beseech him, that he will order thy ways, and that whatsoever thou devisest or takest in hand, it may remain in him. My son do these things, and God shall bless thee, and prosper all thy doings.  
WHat shall I say unto you my little Daughters? 
The sick-man's exhortation unto his daughters.  I pray God bless you▪ and make you joyful mothers of many Children. Serve God. Obey your mother. Be diligent to please her. give ear to her wholesome admonitions and follow them. Do nothing without her counsel and advisement. When your age shall require to be married, follow the counsel of your mother, and other of your faithful friends, which wish you to do well, in choising your husbands. Take heed ye be not corrupted with the gifts of naughty packs, nor deceived with the flattering tongues of wicked & unthrifty persons. For many in these our days seek not the woman, but the woman's substance. Couple yourselves with such as fear God, love his word, and be of honest report. And when ye be once married, 
Ephe. v. Colos. iii. ●. Pet. iii.  reverence your husbands, know them to be your heads & governors appointed of God, obey them, & submit yourselves unto them. 
Hebr. xiii.  Suffer not your love to departed from your husbands, neither know any man besides them, but keep the bed undefiled, that your Matrimony may be honourable & pure in the sight of God, & of his holy congregation. And if God blesseth you with children, look that you bring them up in the glory of God in his fear and doctrine. engraft in their young breasts, even from their tender age, virtue, godliness, and good manners, look well unto your household, and be an example unto your maids of godliness and honesty. Be no gadders abroad, nor haunters of Taverns, but keep your houses continually, except some earnest and lawful business provoke you to go forth. Be no babblers nor vain talkers, but for the most part use silence. 
1. Tim. two.  For silence is an ornament and precious jewel unto a godly woman. apparel yourselves in comely array, with shame fastness and discrete behaviour, not with broided hear, either gold or pearls, or costly garments, but as it becometh women that profess godliness thorough good works. Let the hid man, 
i Pet. iii.  which is in the heart be without all corruption, so that the spirit be at rest and quiet, which spirit before God, is a thing much set by. For after this manner in the old time did the holy women, which trusted in God, tire themselves, and were obedient to their husbands, even as Sara obeyed Abraham and called him Lord, whose daughters ye are, so long as ye do well. If you observe these few lessons, which I your sick father have now given unto you: doubt ye not, but ye shall right well prosper and live a joyful & quiet life on earth. Yea God shallbe your father and defender. Well, stand a side a little while. God's blessing be with you. Come hither ye my servants.  

The sickmans exhortation unto his servants. i Par. xxix  SIrs, ye see in me what shall be the end of all flesh, even a departure from this world. For we are but strangers & pilgrims on the earth, as our fathers were before us. 
Hebr. xiii. and ix  We have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come. The ordinance of God is, that all men shall once die. There liveth no man, 
Psal. xxxix.  that shall not die. A man in his time is but grass, and flourisheth as a flower of the field. Our life is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, 
Hebr. xi.ix. Psa. lxxxix. Psal. ciii. Esay. xi. james. iiii.  and then vanisheth away. On this condi●ion came we into the world, that we should leave it again. We have ●een sure of death, ever sense we were conceived in our Mother's womb. These things do ye now ●e practised in me: the time of my departure out of the world is at hand. I thought it good therefore to send also for you, & to take my leave of ●ou, till we meet again in the kingdom of God. I thank you for the ●ood service that ye have done me. I ●aue not forgotten your serviceable hearts and good wills toward ●e. If the good pleasure of God ●ad been, that I should longer have continued with you, I would have considered your service better. But ● have given to every one of you ●uche portion of money, as shall de●are some part of my thankful ● well willing heart toward you? This now remaineth to be craved at your hands. As ye have hitherto faithfully, truly & honestly served me in my life time, even so after my departure, so long as ye●tary here, show the like faithfulness, truth & honesty toward your mistress. Consider, that as long as I lived, I was a stay unto her, & unto her things. But now her chief hope next unto God, consisteth in you. Therefore I pray yo● look well unto the things, which appertain unto her. See that nothing go to waste. Provide that through your diligence, her things may rather increase then decrease. Ye know right well the duty of a good servant, notwithstanding even at this my departure from you, I will put you in remem●braunce of it, that when I am gon● ye may yet remember my admonitions, & the more speedily answer unto your vocation. 
The duty of a good servant  The duty of a good servant is to serve his master and mistress willingly & with a free courage even for conscience sake, 
Ephe. vi Collos. iii. i Tim. vi. Titus. two. i Pet. two.  not with the eye, but with the heart, to obey them, to honour them, gently to answer them, not to pick or steal away their goods, but to be faithful unto them in all things. See therefore that ye on this manner behave yourselves toward your mistress: avoid all stubbornness, churlishness, cursed speakings, telling of tales, lying, picking, waist, idleness, negligence and sluggishness. Eschew all evil and riotous company. Fly drunkenness and whoredom. Abstain from vain oaths and foolish pastimes. So behave yourselves in all your life & conversation: that the name of God & his doctrine be not evil spoken of. Yea, let the light of your godly behaviour so shine before men, 
i Tim. vi.  that ye may do worship to the glorious gospel of our saviour Christ in all things. 
Titus. two  And in thus serving your mistress with a glad, ready & faithful will, think yourselves to serve the Lord your God, and to do that thing, which is pleasant in his godly sight, and that he also will see your pains recompensed, 
Collo. iii.  as the holy Apostle saith: ye servants be obedient unto them, that are your bodily masters in all things, not with eye service, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart fearing God▪ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as though you did it to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing, that of the Lord ye shall receive the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that sinneth, shall receive according unto his sin. For there is no respect of persons with God. If ye serve your mistress truly and faithfully, hereafter when ye shall yourselves be householders. God shall likewise send you true and faithful servants. But if ye serve her falsely and ungodly: then shall ye of your servants be likewise served hereafter. 
Luke. vi.  For with what measure that ye meet withal, shall other meet to you again, saith our saviour Christ. Live therefore according to your vocation in the fear of God, & ye shall prosper right well. God shall bless you, & never leave you succourless, as the holy man Toby saith. 
Tob. iiii.  Be not afraid, truth it is, we lead here a poor life, but great good shall we have if we fear God and departed from all sin, and do well. Well, the blessing of God be with you, I am very faint:  Ph. 
No marvel. For ye have talked a great while.  Epa. 
I trust, my talk hath not been evil.  Phil. 
Forsooth it hath been both good and godly. I pray God give both them and all us grace to follow these your most wholesome and christian admonitions. But sir, will it please you to take your leave of your wife, children and servants, & give yourself to rest for a little while? Peraduentur it shall do you much good.  Epaphro. 
sleep I can not. And I am loath to let them go from me. For the sight of them is comfortable unto me, and as me thinketh easeth my pain.  Chri. 
God comfort you & ease your pain.  Epa. 
Before they depart from me, I wish greatly even in their presence to confess my faith, that both you and they may be witnesses before God & the world, that I die a Christian man.  Phile. 
Although we nothing doubt thereof, yet we greatly desire to hear the confession of your faith, that we may be able to testify hereafter, that you departed in that faith of Christ.  Epa. 
Hear then.  
I Unfeignedly believe which my heart, 
The sick●●● faith.  and freely confess with my mouth that there is one only true, 
Esa. xiiii. i Cor. viii. Math. xx●●● i john. ●  living, immortal and everlasting God, God the father, God the son and God the holy ghost iii distinct persons in the godhead, and notwithstanding one very God in substance, of like majesty, glory, might power, judgement and will.  
As touching the first parson in the deity, 
Of God the father.  I unfeignedly believe which my heart, and freely confess with my mouth, that he is the God, which alone is the father not only of our Lord and saviour Christ jesus, 
two. Cor. i. Psalm. two. Ephe. iiii. ●  whom of himself from everlasting, he begot his natural son, & therefore likewise true and immortal God, but also of all the faithful, not by nature but by adoption, whom he hath chosen to be his children in Christ jesus before the foundations of the world were laid, to love, favour cherish, comfort, nourish, govern, defend and bless than both corporally and spiritually. This God the father I believe & confess to be almighty and able to do, 
Gene. xvii Psal. cxv. Mat. nineteen. ●ach. viii. Apoc. xvi.  whatsoever his godly will & pleasure is▪ With him all things are possible. There is nothing to hard for him to do, neither is any thing unpossible in his sight. This God the father almighty I believe and confess, 
Gene. i Psal. lxxxix.  that he is the creator and maker of heaven and earth, and of all things contained in them. Of nothing by his wondered and almighty power made he the heavens with the blessed angels and heavenly spirits, that are in them. Thone he chose to be his glorious seat, the other he made to be his Ministers, to do his blessed will and holy commandment.  
This God the father almighty made also the earth of nothing with her increase, 
Esay. xliii.  & gave breath to the people that are in it, and spirit to them that dwell therein. The heavens, the earth and the sea, which all that ever is contained in them, are the creatures of this God the father almighty, created unto this end, even that they should set forth, magnify, praise, and commend the majesty, power, might and glory of this most mighty & glorious god. 
Prou. viii.  And whatsoever he made, he made it thorough his only begotten son, by whom all things were made and without whom was made nothing that was made. 
john. i.  For when he made the heavens, this his only begotten son was present, when he hanged the clouds above, when he fastened the springs of the deep, when he shut the sea within certain bounds, that the water should not go over the marks that he commanded. When he laid the foundations of the earth, he was with him, ordering all things, delighting daily, and rejoicing always before him. For the son of God caused the iyght that faileth not to arise in the heaven, 
Eccl. xxiiii.  and covered all the earth as a cloud. 
Psalm. xxxiii  And that prince like Prophet sayeth: By the word of the Lord (which word is Christ the natural son of God) 
john. i.  are the heavens made, and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth. This God the father almighty maker of heaven and earth, I believe & am fully persuaded, that he for Christ's sake (by faith) is my most merciful father, 
i Pet. i.  & that I am borne again of him not by mortal but immortal seed thorough the word of God, which, liveth and abideth for ever, and so am become his son, and that he therefore loveth and favoureth me, governeth and defendeth me, leads and nourisheth me, and finally, hath made me his heir and fellow heir of eternal glory with his only begotten and most dearly beloved son Christ jesus our Lord and saviour. 
Roma. viii.  Now have ye heard my faith concerning God the father.  Phil. 
It is a faith both true and christian, and from the beginning received of all godly parsons. Will it please you likewise to rehearse your faith concerning jesus Christ the son of God, yea God and man.  Epaph. 
This it is.  
I unfeignedly believe, 
Of God the son.  with my heart and freely confess with my mouth thee, jesus Christ the second person in the godhead is the only 
Math. viii and xvii  begotten son of God, 
john i  yea and true, immortal and everlasting God, 
Rom. i.  begotten of God the father before any beginning, 
Hebr. i.  of like majesty, might, power, & glory with God the father, 
Collos. i.  of the same nature, essence, being and substance. 
jesus.  I believe that this jesus Christ which is the very brightness of his father's glory, and the very image of his substance, first begotten before all creatures, is our Lord, even the Lord of all the faithful. 
Math. i.  And I believe that as he is called jesus, that is to say, a saviour: so likewise he is both able and will save me from all my sins. A God that is righteous, 
Esay. xlv.  & such one as saveth, there is none but he. 
Act. iiii.  There is salvation in none other. 
jere. xvii.  Neither is there any other name under heaven given unto men, wherein we may be saved, but only the name of jesus. Of him therefore alone as of an almighty saviour do I look for my salvation. 
Psal. ixx.  For vain is the saving health that is looked for of any other. And as he is called Christ, 
Christ.  the is to say, anointed, because he is the King and Priest of all the people of God, and is anointed with the true ointment, 
john. iii.  even with the fullness of the holy ghost (for God giveth not the spirit by me●ure unto him, 
Psa. xlv.  but he hath anointed him with the oil of gladness above his fellows) even so do I believe, that out of him even as out of a lively spring and flowing fountain, this oil of gladness, I mean the holy ghost, come forth upon all the members of Christ, and they also in him, & tho●om him are made Christ's, that ●s to say, the anointed of the lord. For of his fullness have all we received, even grace for grace. 
john. i.  And whosoever believeth on him (as sayeth the scripture) 
john. seven.  floods of living water shall flow out of his belly. As I am of this Christ called a christian: so do I believe, that this Christ hath anointed me which his holy spirit, and therewith also sealed me up unto everlasting life▪ For they that are led with the spirit of God, are the sons of God. For the same spirit certifieth our spirit, 
Math. viii.  that we are the sons of God. If we be sons, then are we also heirs, the heirs I mean o● God, & fellow heirs with Christ of eternal glory.  
Furthermore I believe, tha● jesus Christ the only begotten son of God, is called our Lord not only because he is Lord of al● things, in asmuch as he is Go● and hath all things in subjection unto him by the right of his di●uine nature, but also because h● is the Lord, ruler & governor of all the elect and chosen people of God, & mightily delivereth them from the power, violence and tyranny of Satan, sin and death by this means making them his own and peculiar people, & continually defendeth and preserveth them against all evils and perils, whereunto they should daily fall thorough the deceitful subtleties of Satan, the vain persuasions of the world, & the poisonful enticements of the flesh, if by the mighty power of him they were not preserved. 
i Cor. viii.  For although there be many lords yet have we but one lord, even jesus Christ, by whom are allthings & we by him. And this jesus Christ the only begotten son of god, I faithfully believe to be my lord, my protector, my mighty shield, buckler & defender, and that he hath delivered me from the tyranny of Satan from the law of sin and death, 
Rom. viii. Rom. v.  and brought me in thorough faith unto this grace, wherein I stand and reioys● in hope of the glory of God.  

Of Christ's humanity.  Moreover I unfeignedly believe with my heart, & freely confess which my mouth that this jesus Christ the only begotten son of God, 
Hebr. iiii.  is also very true and natural man, of the same flesh & blood with us, and like unto us in all points, sin alone except. 
Esay. seven.  And he became man not after the manner of other men, but by the wonderful operation, and above natural working of God's natural spirit. 
Math. i.  For he was conceived of the holy ghost, & borne of the Virgin Mary. That which was conceived in her, was not of man, but it came of the holy ghost. 
Luk. i.  For the holy ghost came upon that godly maid, and the power of the highest overshadowed her, & so conceived she and brought forth Christ her true & natural son, a pure and undefiled Virgin before the birth, in the birth, & after the birth. 
Psalm. two.  It was necessary, that jesus Christ should be so both conceived and borne, 
Rom. v.  that by this his pure and clean birth, 
Ephe. two.  he might wash and put away the corruption and filthiness of our nature, which was distained in the fall & ●inne of Adam. For it was not convenient, 
job. xiiii.  that he which was come ●o purge the world from all sin, should in any point be spotted with sin, 
Eccl. xxxiiii.  but that both his conceptiō●nd nativity should be so pure & without blemish, 
Psal. two.  that by the pureness thereof, the filthiness & corruption of our conception and nati●itie might be put away. 
Ephe. two.  For of ●e unclean, who can be cleansed? ●ll we be unclean in Adam both ●●ncerning our conception and ●rth, for after that God had made man like unto his own similitude and Image, 
Gene. i  he placed him in paradise, 
Gene. two.  and gave him liberty t● eat of all the fruits in the garden of pleasure, except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 
Gene. iii  But ma● disobeyed the Lord his God, and transgressed his holy commandment. 
Roma. v  Thorough the which disobedience and transgression of God● holy commandment, 
Ephe. li  sin, curse and death came over all mankind so that now in Adam so many a● are borne after the common course of nature, are begotten, conceived and borne in sin. 
john. iii  They are th● children of wrath, & defiled wit● all uncleanness both bodily & gho●ly. 
Psal. two  Now when there was no he● nor comfort for man, whereby ● might be redeemed out of Satan power, and delivered from his i●●tollerable miseries, 
Gene. vi.  wherewith ● was to much wretchedly wra●●ped and brought into slavery (for now man withal his thoughts, imaginations, devices, words, deeds, enterprises. etc. is become thorough the sin of Adam: wicked, unpure, filthy and sinful) than God that merciful father had pity upon mankind, and promised them a seed, even jesus Christ his only begotten son, 
Gene. iii  which should tread down the head of the serpent, overcome ●he devil with all his power, & restore us to life again. 
Psalm. two. Psalm. cxiv Titus, ●  And likewise as god is righteous in all his ways, & holy in all his works, & ●rue & faithful in all his words: ●uen so hath he kept all his promises truly. 
Gala. iiii  For when the time was 〈◊〉 he sent his only begotten 〈◊〉 dearly beloved son into the ●ombe of the virgin Mary, 
Math. i Luk. i.  where of whom thorough the working ●f the holy ghost, he became flesh, ●●at is to say, true and natural man, as the scripture witnesseth saying: 
john. i.  The word became flesh, & dwelled among us, and we saw his glory, as the glory of the only begotten son of the father full o● grace and verity. He brought no● his body with him from heaven (as certain heretics affirm) bu● as he received all his divine nature and substance of God the father alone: even so likewise did h● take all his humane nature and substance of the pure virgin Mary alone, through the wonderful operation of the spirit of God, 
Rom. i.  a● S. Paul saith, he was borne o● the seed of David after the flesh Again he saith, 
Hebr. two.  he that sanctif●●eth, and they which are sanctif●●ed, are all of one. For which ca●●ses he is not ashamed to call the● brethren, 
Psalm. xxii.  saying: I will declare th● name to my brethren, and in th● mids of the congregation will praise thee. And again I will put my trust in him.  
And again. 
Esay. viii.  Behold here am I, and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch therefore as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part with them, for to put down (thorough death) him, the had lordship over death, that is to say, the devil, and that he might deliver them, which through fear of death were all their life time in danger of bondage. For he in no condition taketh on him the angels, but the seed of Abraham taketh he on him, wherefore in all things it became him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be merciful, and a faithful high Priest in things concerning God for to purge the people's sins. 
Hebr. iiii.  etc. This only begotten son of God by taking flesh of the Virgin Mary, became like unto us in all things, sin alone except. 
Psa. two.  I believe that by his pure conception and undefiled nativity, my conception, and my birth, which coming from Adam, 
Ephe. two.  was altogether unpure and defiled, 
john. iii.  is cleansed, and that no part of that sinful birth is imputed unto me, 
john. i.  but the thorough faith in this most blessed seed of the virgin, 
Rom. viii.  I am born a new & begotten of God, so that he is my father, & I am his son, and therefore enheritor also of his heavenly kingdom.  
Furthermore I unfeignedly believe with my heart, and freely confess with my mouth, that this seed of the woman jesus Christ, at the commandment and will of his heavenly father (which from everlasting by his godly providence ordained his only begotten son, to be a sacrifice for the sins of his people, that through his only oblation they might for ever and ever be saved) suffered many grievous pains on his body under the Heathen ruler Pontius Pilate, and that he was crucified, died and was buried. All those bitter pains and grievous torments he suffered, not for himself, but for us, for our iniquities, sins and wickednesses, that he might reconcile us unto God the father. His pains satisfied for the pains due unto us for our faults, 
Esay. iii●  as the prophet saith, he only hath taken on him our infirmities, and borne our pains. 
Mat. xxviii.  He was wounded for our offences, and smitten for our wickednesses.  
For the chastisement of our peace was laid upon him, and with his stripes are we healed. 
i Pet. two.  As for us, we have gone all astray (like sheep) every one hath turned his own way. But the Lord hath heaped together upon him the iniquity of us all. He was cut of from the ground of the living, which punishment did come upon him for the transgression of my people, saith God, which in deed had deserved that punishment.  

Ephe. two.  He was crucified and nailed to the cross, that by the sufferance of his flesh, he might put away the cause of hatred, even the law of commandments contained in the law written, and so win us again unto the favour of God. For it pleased the father, 
Collos. i.  that in him should all fullness dwell, and by him to reconcile all thing unto himself, & to set at peace by him thorough the blood of his cross, both things in heaven and things in earth. 
Collo. i.  His blessed body crucified, and nailed to the cross, buffeted, beaten and scourged was a sweet smelling sacrifice & a right dear offering unto God the father, 
Ephe. v.  sufficient enough and able to the uttermost to put away all the sins of the faithful and all the pains due for the same. It satisfied at the full the justice of God, and appeased his wrath, stirred up through sin against the posterity of Adam, and made God of an angry Lord & righteous judge a most merciful father and gentle saviour. Nether need the faithful go for salvation unto massmongers, unto iusticiares unto monkish hypocrites, nor yet unto saints. The sacrifice of Christ's body, which he himself that everlasting priest offered on the altar of the cross to God the father, is a plenteous, full, perfect, and sufficient satisfaction for the sins of the whole world, if they repent, believe & amend. We need no such daily sacrifices, as the Papists heretofore for lucre's sake have devised. As Christ jesus is an everlasting Bishop, 
Hebr. ix.  so abideth his sacrifice, which he once for all offered on the Cross, of full virtue, power, might and strength, even unto the end of the world. jesus Christ yesterday, 
Hebr. xii.  and to day, and the same continueth for ever. For asmuch therefore as Christ endureth for ever and hath an everlasting priesthood: 
Hebre. seven  he is able also ever to save them to the uttermost and unto the full, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for us. For he is not entered into the holy places that are made with hands (which are similitudes of true things) but is entered into very heaven for to appear now in the sight of God for us, not to offer himself often, as the high priest entereth in to the holy place every year with strange blood, for than must he have often suffered sense the world began. But now in the end of the world hath he appeared once to put sin to flight by the offering up of himself. And as it is appointed unto all men, that they shall once die, and then cometh the judgement: 
two. Pet. iii  even so Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many, and unto them that look for him shall he appear again which out sin unto salvation. We are sanctified and made holy by the offering of jesus Christ's body done once for all. 
Hebr. ●  With one only oblation hath Christ jesus made perfect for evermore them that are sanctified. Adieu therefore to all new counterfeit and strange sacrifices devised for lucre's sake, by the crafty conveyance of man through the subtle suggestion of sly Satan, let the faithful people of God embrace that sacrifice, that offering of Christ's blessed body, which he himself offered unto God the father on the altar of the cross once for all, for the sins of the world. Let them cleave and stick unto that. Let them repose their whole affiance, and put all trust in that sweet smelling sacrifice, and say with the holy Apostle, God forbidden, 
Gala. vi.  that I should rejoice in any thing, but in the cross, passion, and death of our Lord jesus Christ. So may they be sure never to perish, but to have everlasting life.  
Again. This jesus Christ the son of God, and the son also of the glorious virgin, after that he had suffered many bitter pains and grievous torments having upon the cross, died the death of the body & was buried. I believe that Christ by his death hath conquered, 
Hebr. two.  vanquished, subdued and overcome him that had Lordship over death, that is to say, the devil, that he might deliver them, which thorough fear of death were all their life time subdued unto bondage. Yea by his death Satan's power is so broken, and the violence of death so weakened, that we may be bold to say. Death is swallowed up into victory. Death where is thy sting? 
i Cor. xv.  Hell, where is thy victory. The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be unto God which hath given us wictorye through our Lord jesus Christ.  
Christ after the death of his body went down in his soul to hell, 
Of Christ's going down to hell. Psal. xv. Act. two. zach. ix.  as clearly appeareth by the scriptures, not that he should there ●uffer more pains (which had all ready on the cross suffered to the uttermost and done whatsoever was needful for our redemption) 
Osee. xiii i Pet. iii  but to break the pride of Satan and to destroy the fury of the hellish powers against the chosen people of God, that all the faithful thereby might be delivered from death and hell, 
Ose. xiii.  and triumphantly say with the Prophet, O death I will be thy death, O hell, I will be thy destruction.  

Of Christ's resurrection. Rom. iiii Psalm. iii. Ose. vi. Act. iii. Rom. i.  And likewise as Christ died for our sins, so I unfeignedly believe with my heart, and freely confess with my mouth, that he rose again the third day through the power of his father, for our justification according to the scriptures. And by this his resurrection and life, he hath not only showed himself a glorious and triumphant conqueror over Satan, 
two. Tim. ●  death and hell, but he hath also brought life and immortalltie unto light, and assured us of the resurrection of our bodies, that as he is risen from the dead, so likewise shall we with our bodies rise again out of the earth at the last day. 
i Cor. x●  And therefore is he called the first fruits of them that are fallen asleep.  
Moreover I unfeignedly believe with my heart, 
Of Christ's Ascension.  and freely confess with my mouth that as jesus Christ the son of God, & the son of the Virgin Mary, showed himself oftentimes after his resurrection unto his disciples: 
Mark. xvi Luke. xxiiii Act. i Rom. viii.  so likewise he ascended unto heaven in their presence perfect God and perfect man, & sitteth at the right-hand of God the father almighty, above all rule, power, might & dominion, 
Ephe. i.  & above all that may be named, not only in this world, 
Collos. two.  but also in the world to come. For God the father hath put all things under his feet, and hath made him above all things the head of the congregation, 
Math. xxviii  which is his body, and the fullness of him, that filleth all in all. All power is given unto him both in heaven and in earth. 
Apo. nineteen.  He is a lord above all lords, and a king above all kings. 
i Timo. vi.  Yea he is an almighty God with his father, of the same Majesty, might, power and glory, and not withstanding inasmuch as he is man, he is also our intercessor, 
Rom. viii. i Tim. vi. i. john. two.  mediator, and advocate. For he is not gone up into heaven to be an idle gazer, nor to neglect his church, but to pray for the faithful to make intercession for them unto God the father, to be our mediator & advocate, and to appease the wrath of God the father, if at any time through sin it waxeth hot against us, and to win us again unto his favour, and to keep us in the same unto th'end. 
Christ is a sufficient mediator, advocate, & inter●cessour.  We need not seek help of other, neither yet call on the saints departed that they may pray for us, and plead our cause before God. The man Christ jesus alone, 
i Tim. two. i. john. two. Rom. viii. Hebr. seven.  which gave himself a ransom for all men, is our sufficient mediator, advocate and intercessor as the holy scripture teacheth in divers places. Whosoever therefore refuseth to pray unto this man Christ jesus to be his mediator and advocate unto God the father, and sleeth unto other: without all doubt, he is an enemy unto Christ, and to the uttermost of his power, he laboureth to make Christ (as they ●se to say) jacke out of office. For since the time of his ascension ●is chief and principal office is to ●e our intercessor, mediator, ●nd advocate.  
He ascended also into heaven 
Psal. lxvi.  to lead captivity captive, and to give gifts unto men. 
Ephe. iiii  Satan that old enemy of mankind had taken us captive, made us his bond slaves through sine, carried us away with his craft & subtlety from the Lord our God, and brought us in to his kingdom of darkness, which is the dreadful kingdom of sin, death and hell. Thus were we in great misery, and should for ever have been damned, if we had not been helped by some other means, than we withal our wits could devise. 
Luke. xi.  Therefore even of very pity & tender compassion came one, which is much stronger the● Satan, 
Apoc. v.  even Christ that mighty Lion of the tribe of juda, a right conqueror, 
Osec. xiii.  a strong Samson, a valeant subduer of death, sin, & hell, a puissant vanquisher of Satan. 
i Cor. xv.  etc. He as a king of glory mightily braced into Satan's kingdom, broke open the gates of hell took the Prince of darkness, 
Hebr. two.  bound him, took him prisoner, made him his bond slave, destroyed his Empire, led away his prisoners, bringing them again into most joyful and blessed liberty, so that all they, which believe in this most mighty Emperor and valiant conqueror Christ jesus: 
john. three x●●  are delivered from the tyranny of Satan, and from the power of sin death and hell. 
Roma. ●.  There is no damnation now unto them, which are engrafted in Christ jesu. Satan, sin, death and hell withal the infernal army cannot hurt the elect and chosen people of God. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen? 
Roma. ●●●  It is God ●hat justifieth▪ who is he that can condemn? It is Christ, which died, yea rather which is risen again, which is also on the right-hand of God and maketh intercession for us. Who shall then separate us from the love of God? etc.  

Psal. lxviii.  And as Christ by his most glorious and triumphant Ascension hath led captivity captive: so likewise hath he given gifts unto men, 
Ephe. iiii.  even that holy ghost, that spirit of truth, that comfortoure, which worketh in the hearts of the faithful new motions and spiritual affects, 
joh. xiiii. xv.  faith, hope, love, fear, humility, modesty, meekness, patience, 
Gala. v. Roma. viii.  long suffering, joy, peace, quietness of conscience, tem●peraunce, goodness, mercy. etc. It mortifieth the old man, and quieneth the new man, which is renewed unto the knowledge and Image of him, 
Collos. iii. Ephe. iiii.  that made him▪ which after God is shapen in righteousness and true holiness.  
Again Christ ascending up in●to heaven by the power of his godhead, hath prepared in the kingdom of his father everlasting and joyful dwelling places, for so many as believe in him, as he himself witnesseth, 
joh. xiiii.  saying: I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again unto you, & take you unto myself, that where I am, ye also maybe. He hath also ascertained us of our ascension, and going up into heaven, not only in soul but also in body. He corporally is risen again and gone before into the glorious kingdom of his father, to declare that we also after the general resurrection shall both body and soul be carried into heaven. The members must needs be like the head. Christ our head is risen again, therefore shall we his members rise again. Christ our head is ascended and gone up into heaven both body and soul: therefore shall we his members ascend and go up into heaven both body and soul also, Christ our head was taken up into Heaven in a cloud both body and soul, therefore shall we his members also be taken up in a cloud to meet the lord, and so shall we both body and soul dwell with the Lord Christ our head for ever and ever, 
i. T●●. iiii.  as the holy Apostle testifieth, saying: If we believe that jesus died, & rose again, even so them which sleep by jesus, God will bring again with him. 
i Cor. xv.  For this say we unto you in the word of the Lord, that we which shall live, and shall remain in the coming of the lord, shall not come yet they which sleep. 
Math. xxiiii.  For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, and the voice of the archangel and trump of God. 
Dan. xii.  And the dead in Christ shall arise first: then we, which shall live (even we which shall remain (Shallbe caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.  
Finally I unfeignedly believe with my heart, 
Of Christ's coming unto the judgement.  and freely confess with my mouth, that as the Lord Christ is ascended into heaven: so shall he come again from heaven with power and much glory, nobly accompanied with thousands of blessed▪ Angels and heavenly saints, for to judge the quick and the dead, the faithful and unfaithful, and to give▪ every man his reward according to that he hath done, 
Acts. i.  whether it be good or bad. 
Ephe. Ind.  And when he thus gloriously shall come unto the judgement, 
Apo. i. Acts. x. two. Corin. v  all that are in the graves, shall hear his voice, and shall come forth: they that have done good, 
Ihon. v.  unto the resurrection ●f life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 
Math. xxv  The faithful shall go into eternal life, 
Dan. xii.  the unfaithful into everlasting damnation. 
Roma. iii  Every man shall be reward according to his deeds, that is to say: praise, honour & immortality to them which continue in good doing, and seek immortality. But unto them, that are rebels, and that do not obey the truth, but follow unrighteousness, shall come indignation & wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon the soul of every man that doth evil.  
Now have ye heard of my faith concerning jesus Christ God and man. And I believe all things that I have spoken to be undoubtedly true. 
Note.  And I am fully persuaded, that jesus Christ my lord and saviour wrought all the things that ever he did in his humanity for me and for my salvation. To save me to reconcile me unto God the father, to make me inheritor of everlasting glory, he came down from heaven, was incarnate by the holy ghost, and borne of the virgin Mary. Yea he suffered, was crucified, died, went down to hell, rose again the third day from the dead, ascended unto heaven, and shall come again unto judgement for me, for my sake, for my glory, & salvation. Thus have ye heard my faith concerning God the father, and God the son, which also is man, receiving his human nature of the glorious virgin Mary. 
Rom. ●   Eus. 
Whosoever this believeth and confesseth of God the father, and of his son Christ: 
john. xvii  the same can never perish. For as our saviour Christ said unto God the father in his prayer: This is everlasting life, even to know thee the alone true God, and whom thou hast sent jesus Christ.  Chr. 
The wise man also saith: 
Sap. xv.  To know thee (O god) as perfect righteousness.  
God saith by the Prophet, yea to know thy righteousness and power, is the root of immortality.  Theo. 
By the knowledge of him, 
Esdr. iiiii  which is my righteous servant, he shall justify the multitude.  Phi. 
God grant us the true knowledge of his son Christ, so may we be sure to be justified, saved & glorified.  Epa. 
Amen.  
But now hear also my faith concerning the third parson in the deity, which is the holy ghost,  Chr. 
We hear you gladly.  Epa. 

Of God the holy Ghost. Genesis. i Psalm. two. Math. iii.  I unfeignedly believe with my heart, and freely confess with my mouth, that the holy ghost is one and equal God in glory, majesty, power and might with the father and the son, proceeding from the father and the son after an unknown and unexpresseable manner. 
john. i.  This spirit of God and God himself is he, 
Mat. xxviii  by whom God the father through his son Christ and in Christ worketh and quickeneth all things. 
john. xv and. xvi.  All the benefits and graces which God the father bestoweth upon us for Christ's sake, 
i. Ihon. v. john. iii  this holy ghost bringeth them unto us, and maketh us new vessels to receive them, which otherwise even of nature are so fleshly minded, 
i. Cor two.  that we perceive nothing at all of those things, 
two. Cor. iii  which pertain unto the spirit of God, 
Gala. v  neither are we able to think a good thought of ourselves. 
Phill. two  For this godly spirit worketh in us new motions and new affects, 
john. xiiii xv. and. xv●  and giveth us grace both to will and to do good. He is a teacher of all the faithful, and leadeth them into all truth. He is a confortour of weak and sorrowful minds.  
He keepeth the true christians unmoneable in one faith, 
i Cor. xii  and openeth their senses to understand the mysteries of God aright. 
Act. x.  He doth cloth them with his gifts, and giveth to every one a several gift even as he will. He is the ruler of the Christian congregation. He is the anointment, 
i. john. two Psal. ciiii. Ephe. i.  wherewith all the faithful are anointed, and thereof are called the anointed of the Lord. He is given unto the faithful to be the earnest of their inheritance for the recovering of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory. He with his godly breath quickeneth, maketh alive, and conserveth all things. He of carnal maketh us spiritual, of worldly godly, of wicked blessed, of the bond slaves of Satan, the dearly beloved sons of God, of sinful sinks, his own most pleasant and holy temple, of cruel meek, of proud: humble, of malicious: charitable, of contentious: quiet, of covetous, liberal, of hard hearted: meek spirited, of froward: gentle, of stubborn: obedient, of dissolute: temperate and sober, of false: true, of foolish: wise, of idle: godly occupied, of unchaste: pure and clean, of the haters of God: the friends of God, of the lovers of pleasures: the lovers of godliness, to end, he maketh us of earthy: heavenly. Whatsoever goodness we have, he is the alone author, worker and giver of the same. Therefore I believe and confess that this holy spirit is one and equal God with God the father and God the son, proceeding from them both with like majesty, glory, might and power. I believe that this holy ghost is my comforter, and that he prayeth for me, reneweth me, dwelleth in me, and hath sealed me up unto everlasting glory. Now have ye hard my faith and my beilefe in the father, and in the son, and in the holy ghost, which iii I believe and confess to be one God, whose seat the heaven is, and whose footstool is the earth. 
Esay. ●xvi Acts. seven. Psal. cxlv. Deuter. vi. john. iiii. Esa. xliiii.  He is an everlasting and almighty God, which alone is to be honoured & served in spirit and truth. For he alone can help us forasmuch as he is almighty, & will help us because he his merciful true and faithful, yea and that not for our righteousness, but for his name's sake. 
i Timo. i.  To this one, true, living, everlasting immortal, invisible, & alone wise God, king of kings and Lord of Lords, be all honour and glory, worlds without end. 
Apoca. iiii   Thi. 
Amen.  Epa. 
Thou art worthy (O Lord) to receive glory and honour, and power, for thou haste created all things, and for thy wills sake they are and were created. Blessing & glory and wisdom, 
Apoca. seven.  and thanks and honour and might, be unto our God for evermore.  Chr. 
So be it.  Epa. 
Simply and plainly have I here before you all rehearsed my faith and belief in God and in the three parsons of the Godhead, as I have here tofore learned it of gods most holy word.  
I confess that many things more might be spoken of the wonderful mysteries of this most blessed and holy Trinity, but they far exceed my understanding, and therefore I dare not meddle with them. 
Pro. xxv.  For it is written, he that is a searcher of the Majesty, (of God) shall be oppressed of the glory (thereof. 
Eccle. i●● ) Again: Seek not out the things that are above thy capacity, and search not the ground of such things as are to mighty for thee, but look what God hath commanded thee: think upon that always, and be not curious in many of his works. For it is not neadeful for thee, to see with thine eyes the things that are secret.  The. 
The holy Apostle also counseleth us to be modest, 
Rom. xii.  & sober, and that we be not curious to search after the knowledge of things, which pass our capacity.  Eu. 
The holy psalmograph seemeth to have followed this council well, which saith on this manner of himself: 
Psal. cxxxi.  Lord I am not high minded, I have no proud looks, I do not exercise myself in great matters, which are to high for me. But I refrain my soul, & keep it low, like as a child that is weaned from his mother, yea, my soul is even as a weaned child, O Israel trust in the Lord from this time forth for evermore.  Phil. 
Neighbour Epaphroditus, there remain yet behind more articles of the Christian faith, Have you forgotten them?  Epap. 
No good brother Philemon, God forbidden I should forget them. For in them (next unto God) lieth now my chief consolation & comfort. Should I being in this case forget the holy congregation of God, which is the company and fellowship of the saints & chosen people of God, of whom Christ the Lord is the head, ruler and governor? Should I in this my sickness forget the high and singular benefits of God, which of his own free mercy and mere goodness he liberally giveth to all faithful penitent sinners, namely remission of sins, the Resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? God forbidden. God forbidden. For the remembrance of these things comforteth me greatly. I will therefore (although my wind beginneth to wax short, and it is painful unto me much for to speak) declare my faith concerning these Articles.  Eusebi. 
God strengthen you.  Chri. 
Amen.  Epa. 
As I unfeignedly believe with my heart, 
Of Christ's Church or congregation.  and freely confess with my mouth, that there is but one God, in whom alone I put all my confidence, trust and hope of salvation, and at whose hand only I look for all good things, pertaining either unto the body or unto the soul: 
Canti. vi.  so likewise I both believe and confess, that there is but one holy universal church or congregation of the faithful, all be it they be dispersed and scattered abroad thorough out the world in divers and sundry places, 
i Corin. i  which are gathered & knit together through the operation of the holy ghost in the unity of the spirit, 
Roma. xii.  and joined together in one faith, as members of one body, 
Collos. ●.  whereof jesus Christ is the head. This holy Church or congregation linked together in the fellowship of the holy Ghost is a spiritual house, 
i. Peter. two.  builded of living stones, a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by jesus Christ, an holy nation, a people which are won that they should show forth the virtues of him, which called them out of darkness into his marvelous light, this Church is the congregation of the living god, the pillar and ground of truth. 
i Tim. iii.  This holy company are Citizens with the Saints and of the household of God, 
Ephes●. two.  and are built upon ●he foundation of the Apostles ●nd Prophets, jesus christ himself being the head corner stone.  
This Church is the spouse of Christ, and knoweth none other husband & head but Christ alone. 
john. x.  This blessed company are these sheep which gladly hear the voice of their shepherd Christ, but they fly from the voices of strangers.  

Ephe. iiii.  And as they are one body and one spirit, so confess they on● Lord, one faith, one Baptisms one God and father of all.  

i Cor. i.  There is among them no dissen●tion, but they maintain one truth preach one doctrine, speak on● thing, are of one mind and of on● meaning. This holy Catholik● church or universal congregation is that holy city, 
Apoc. xii.  that new Hieru●salem, which came down fro● God out of heaven, prepared as ● bride garnished for her husband And because no man shall doubt of what Church I speak, 
What the church is.  I con●fesse that to be the holy Catholik● and Apostolic Church, which is the company and fellowship of the saints, that is to say of the faithful, which are sanctified & made holy by the spirit of God, and by the blood of Christ our saviour, 
i Cor. vi.  which have the pure word of God truly and sincerely preached, 
Math. xviii.  and the Sacraments duly and faithfully ministered among them, 
i Cor. v.  which excommunicate all disobedient notable sinners, 
two. Cor. ●●  and receive into their fellowship such as unfeignedly repent and turn from their wickedness, 
i Tim. i●●  which study in all things to please the Lord God, and to live in all godliness and honesty. This church and company Christ loved so dearly, 
Ephe. v.  that he gave himself for it to sanctify it, and cleansed it in the fountain of water thorough the word to make it unto himself a glorious congregation without spot or wrinkle, 
Cant. iiii.  or any such thing, but that it should be holy & without blame. Whosoever is in this church and congregation: he may be sure to be saued. But whosoever is not in it, he is without all doubt damned. 
Gene. seven.  For like as in the time of Nohe no man escaped with his life, 
two. Peter. two,  but was drowned in the flood, except he entered into the ark of Nohe: 
john. xv  Even so whosoever is not found in this fellowship or Catholic Church, agreeing with it in one faith, doctrine, hope, love, and sacraments, he shall perish and be lost. For without the Church of Christ there is no salvation, no forgiveness of sins, no favour of God, no quietness of conscience no true Gospel, or glad tidings of eternal health.  
Therefore in this holy Church & blessed fellowship of the saints and faithful, I unfeignedly believe with my heart and freely confess with my mouth that there is remission and forgiveness of sins, 
Of the forgiveness of sins.  and that without it, no sin is forgiven, neither is there any hope of salvation. For as it is unpossible that a member can live which is not in the body, so it is unpossible that any man may live in his soul, and be released out of death by remission of sin, which is not a member of the body of Christ. 
Ephesi. ●  For Christ hath reconciled us all unto God his father in one body. 
Ephesi. i.  And therefore must all they stand at variance with God, 
Ep●●●. ●  that are no members of this body of the which Christ is the head, to the which also he giveth salvation. This therefore is a great comfort to the faithful congregation, that although thorough infirmity of nature or otherwise they do fall, of●end God & break the Lords commandments: yet in this company there is remission and forgiveness of sins, so soon as ever they repent, be sorry for their sin, and believe to have remission of all their sins for Christ's precious bloods sake. Sin we never so oft and never so grievously, yet being members of this holy company, we are strait ways forgiven and delivered a paena & culpa, from the pain and the fault, 
Math. ix Mark▪ two Luke. v.  so soon as we turn unto the Lord our God. And these our sins be not forgiven of men, but of God alone, neither forgiveth he part and reserveth part, but he forgiveth all or else none at all. Again he forgiveth not the fault, and reserveth the pain, but with the fault he also forgiveth the pain due for the fault, that he may be an whole and perfect saviour, as s. john saith: If we say we have no sin, 
●. john. i.  we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins. God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to make us clean from all iniquity. And God himself saith by the Prophet: 
jere. xx●  I will forgive their misdeeds, and will never remember their sins any more. 
Esay. xliii.  Again, I am he, yea I am he alone, which put away thy iniquities, yea, and that for mine own sake, and I will remember thy sins no more. And king Ezechias in his prayer unto God said: it is thou (O Lord) that cast all my sins behind thy back. 
Esay. xxxviii  The Prophet Miche also saith: 
Miche, seven  Where is there such a God as thou art? that pardonest wickedness, and forgive the offences of the remnant of thine heritage? He keepeth not his wrath for ever. And why? his delight is to have compassion. He shall turn again and be merciful to us. He shall put down our wickedness, and cast all our sins into the bottom of the sea.  
I faithfully believe that I am a member of Christ's church, and I am also fully persuaded, that all my sins be forgiven me of God the Father, 
john. i  not for my merits, which are none, but for jesus Christ's sake, 
jere. xxxi Esay. xliii  for Christ's merits passion, death, and bludshedding. For grace and truth came by jesus Christ saith the holy Evangelist. 
Mich. seven  And I believe, 
Psal. xxxii.  that God fo● his sons sake hath so freely and wholly forgiven me all my sins, that he will never remember them more, never impute than unto me, nor lay them to my charge, but so receive me into his favour, as though I had never offended him and make me his son, and heyer of everlasting glory. 
Roma. vi.  For everlasting life is the gift of god through jesus Christ our Lord sayeth the Apostle. This is the stay and quientes of my conscience at this present. This maketh me not to fear death, 
Philem. i  but joyfully to look for it, 
Psal. xlii.  and lovingly to embrace it, when soever it cometh. For I wish to be loosened from this mortal body, and to be with christ. 
Psal. cxix.  My soul hath a fervent desire to God even unto the Lord my god. Deliver my soul, O Lord, out of prison, that I may come unto thee, and glorify thy holy name.  
For albeit this my weak, feeble, sick and mortal body shall give over to nature, and die, yet I unfamedly believe with my heart, and freely confess with my mouth, that at the last day it shall rise again, as the bodies of all other, 
Of the resurrection of the body.  both men and women, that have died, shall likewise do. There shallbe a general resurrection of the flesh. 
Esdr. xxvi.  All that are dead, shall rise again, some to everlasting life, 
Eze. ●xxvii Dan. xii  and some to everlasting pain and damnation, as our saviour Christ saith: 
john. v  The hour shall come, in the which all that are in the graves, shall hear the voice of the son of God, and shall come forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. 
two. Cor. xv  Yea they that shall live and remain until the coming of our Lord & saviour Christ jesus, shall all be changed, yea and that in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye by the last trump. For the trump shall blow, and the dead shall rise uncorruptible, and we shallbe changed, for this corruptible body must put on uncorruptibilitie, and this mortal body must put on immortality. Therefore I fear nothing at all the putting of of this body: for although it sleepeth in the earth for a time & according to the ordinance of god be turned into dust, yet shall it awake and rise again out of the earth: so that I shall receive it in a far better state, then ever I had in it this world, even like unto the glorious body of our Lord and saviour Christ jesu. 
Phil. iii.  Wherefore I say with the holy man job, 
job. ix.  I believe that my redeemer liveth, and that I shall rise out of the earth in the ●atter day, and that I shall be clothed again with this skin, and see God my saviour in my flesh. Yea, I myself shall behold him, not with other eyes, but with these ●ame eyes. This hope is steadfastly ●et in my heart.  
To end, 
Of everlasting life.  I unfeignedly believe with my heart, & freely confess with my mouth, that after my body & soul be united and knit together, I with all the faithful that have lived from the beginning unto the very end of the world shall through the benefit of Christ jesus, enjoy everlasting life.  

Sapien. iii  So many as have truly believed on Christ jesus, 
Dani. xii Mat. xxii  shall enjoy continual and blessed peace, glister as the shining of heaven, ●e as the stars world without end, 
●poca. iiii  yea they shall be clad with white garments, and have golden crowns upon their heads. 
Psal. lxxxiiii  They shall glorify God and do service day and night before the glorious throne of his majesty. They shall see God face to face, 
Apo. iiii. v.  and for ever and ever enjoy the presence of Gods most excellent Majesty, 
●. Cor. xiii.  and the compa●ny of all the heavenly Angels and blessed saints.  
Of the joys of everlasting life, which God hath in store for all faithful believers, can no man either write, speak, or think at ●he full, 
isaiah. lxiiii.  as it is written: the eye hath not seen, and the ear hath not heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, 
i Cor. two  the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 
Roma. v●  And this everlasting life is the gift of god thorough jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be all honour and glory for ever and ever.  Theo. 
Amen.  Epa. 
Thus have I declared before you my faith concerning God and his holy mysteries, grounded, I trust, on the true and undeceyveable word of God. And I faithfully believe, that God my heavenly Father will be merciful unto me, and forgive me all my sins for Christ's sake, and receive me into his heavenly kingdom, and give me everlasting life, which I now most entirely desire, wish and long for, counting myself then most happy, which through death I shall take my passage toward that most glorious and heavenly kingdom. 
two. Cor. v  For I know and am fully persuaded, that if my earthy mansion of this dwelling were once destroyed, I should have a building of God, an habitation not made with hands, but everlasting in heaven.  Chri. 
God give us all that heavenly mansion.  Euse. 
Amen.  Epa. 
Well, come thou hither mine own dear wife, 
Wife.  let me kiss thee, and bid thee farewell. God keep thee & defend the. 
Children.  Come ye hither also my most sweet children, that I may kiss you also before I die. God bless you, & send you prosperous days on th'earth. God give you his spirit, that ye may live in his faith, fear, and love, 
Luk. i.  and serve him in holiness & righteousness all the days of your life. 
Servants  Ye my servants, draw near, give me your hands. Far ye well. God make you his servants, & send you obedient hearts unto his holy and blessed law. Weep not for me, but pray for me, that the will of God may be done in me, & that I may both patiently and thankfully abide the good pleasure of God. I trust we shall have a joyful meeting again together in the kingdom of our heavenly father, where we shall reign one with an other in joy and glory worlds without end, 
i Cor. xii●  and see the glorious majesty of God face to face, 
i. john. iii.  unto our exceeding consolation and comfort. Well, depart in the name of God: The grace of our Lord jesus Christ, the love of god and the fellowship of the holy ghost be with you all. 
i Cor. xi●   Phile. 
Amen. Now good brother Epaphrodi●us how do you. 
Math. xxv Mark. xiiii   Epaph. 
The spirit is willing and ready, but the flesh is weak.  Chr. 
I pray you sir be on good comfort.  Epa. 
The Lord is my comfort. He full graciously dealeth with me.  Eu. 
Do you lack any●thing sir?  Epa. 
Nothing but strength from above that I may patiently abide and suffer the good pleasure of God. Thy will be done, o heauen●ly father in earth, 
Math. vi.  as it is in heaven Let me lie somewhat hire with my head. It is well: a little thing, god knoweth, disquieteth this my sick & weak body. I trust, that within few hours it shallbe passed al● sickness and misery, and shall bothe● quietly & sweetly sleep in the harte● of the earth, until the great day of the general resurrection. In the mean season shall my soul be in glory with Christ, 
Luke. xxiii. john. xvii. Philip. i i. Cor. xiii. i. john. iii  and joyfully be●hold the glorious majesty of God. I will cease talking for a little while with you, and fall to communication with my lord God in my heart. I pray you pray for me, that I may continue faithful unto the end. For it is written: Be faithful unto the death, & I will give thee the crown of life. 
Apoca. ●●   Phi. 
neighbours ●●om aside a little while, and let us fall to prayer.  Chri. 
Most gladly  Phi. 
Lord hear our prayers.  Euse. 
And let our cry come unto thee.  Ph. 
Save this thy servant O Lord, 
Prayers for the sick.  thou father of mercies & God of all consolation. 
two. Cor. i.   Chr. 
And so work in him by thy blessed spirit that he may put his whole trust in the. 
Psal, xi●   Ph 
Sand him present help from thy holy place.  Th. 
And evermore mightily defend him against sathan, sin, desperation, death & hell.  ph. 
Let his enemy the devil have none advantage of him. 
Psal, lxxxi.   Eu. 
Nor the wicked approach to hurt him.  Phi. 
Be unto him o lord, 
Psal. lxi  a strong tour, a mighty castle & sure fortress.  Chr. 
To defend him from the face of his enemy.  Phi. 
O Lord hear our prayers.  Eu 
And let our cry come unto thee.  Phi. 
O Lord look down from hea●uen, 
A prayer.  behold, visit, & relieve thi● thy servant. Look upon him with thy eyes of thy mercy, give him comfort and sure confidence in the● defend him from the danger o● the enemy, and keep him in per●petuall peace and safety through jesus Christ our Lord.  The. 
Amen▪  Phi. 
Hear us almighty and mos● merciful God and saviour, 
A prayer.  extend thy accustomed goodness to this thy servant, which is grieved with sickness, visit him (O lord,) as thou didst visit Peter's wives mother, 
Math. viii  and the captain's servant. Restore unto this sick parson his former health (if it b● thy will) or else give him grace so to take thy visitation, that after this painful life ended, he may dwell with the in life everlasting.  Chr. 
Amen.  Phi. 
Arise and let us go again, unto our sick brother. Now neighbour Epaphroditus, how do you? Rejoice I pray you in the Lord, and bear this cross which God hath now laid upon you, 
Phi. iii.  both patiently and thankfully.  Epap. 
If I have heretofore been glad to receive health at the lords hand, 
job. two.  why should not I also now take in good worth this his most gentle and loving visitation? The Lord gave me health, 
job. i.  and the Lord hath taken it away again. It hath chanced unto me as the Lords pleasure is, blessed be the name of the Lord.  The. 
This comforteth us greatly to hear so good and godly words proceed out of your mouth. 
Mat. xii.  For of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, saith our saviour Christ. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart, bringeth forth good things. 
Math. nineteen   Ep. 
No man is good but God alone. We are all unclean & unprofitable servants. 
Esay. lxiiii  If any goodness we have, it is of God, as blessed james saith: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, & cometh down from that father of lights, that he which rejoiceth, 
Luke. xvii. i Cor. iiii. james. i jere. ix. i Corin. i  should rejoice in the Lord.  Chr. 
Now good neighbour how feel you yourself?  Epa. 
O brother Christopher. I perceive there is none other way with me but one, even to departed from this life.  Phi. 
Let it never grieve you most genle neighbour to give over unto nature, 
An exhortation to the sick to die willingly.  and to departed from this world, at the calling of God. There is a time to be borne, 
Eccle. iii.  and a time to die. We must be as well content to die, as we were to live, and as well pleased to leave the world, as we were to come into it.  
We are mortal, we therefore must needs die. Let us not bear heavily, that necessity importeth. God crea●●d us, that we should once die let us not therefore repugn and strive against the good pleasure of God. There shall none other thing chance unto us by death, than that hath heretofore chanced unto our predecessors, 
Psal. lxxxix.  and shall likewise chance unto our posterity. Who hath lived, that hath not died? Who doth now or shall live, that shall not also taste death? One & the same way must needs be trodden of all Adam's posterity. There is no mean to escape. Adam sinned and became mortal. 
Roma. v  All we have sinned also in Adam, therefore all we are made in him mortal and subject unto death. As by one man (saith S. Paul) sin entered into the world, and death by the means of sin? Even so death also went over all men, in so much as all we have sinned. 
Roma. vi.  The reward of sin is death. 
〈◊〉. two  God in deed created man at the beginning to be immortal and not to be destroyed by death, yea after the Image of his own likeness made he him. Nevertheless thorough envy of the devil came death into the world. The history of Adam's fall is known, 
Gene. iii  in whom we also fel. Sense that time he & all his posterity have been mortal, 
john. iii  have died & shall die. We all are now flesh earth, 
Eccle. x  dust & ashes. So soon as we be borne, so soon begin we to die. This our life is nothing else then a very passage unto death. Noble and base, poor and rich, fair and foul, well favoured and il favoured, mighty and weak, wise & foolish, fortunate and wretched, ruler and subject, faithful and unfaithful, Christian and Painim, old and young, man, woman and child, every bodily creature that liveth on the face of the earth shall die. Whether the life be short or long, the end of it is death. All the holy patriarchs, judges, kings, Priests, Prophets, and all other which lived before the coming of Christ, died. John Baptist, Christ's mother, & all the disciples of Christ died. Yea, Christ himself although most innocent & without all sin, after he was once clad with our flesh, and had taken on him our nature, became mortal, and to pay our ransom unto God the father, 
Phil. two.  and to set us again at liberty, he suffered death, even the death of the cross. 
Math. ●.  Is the servant greater than his Lord? Or the disciple above his master? Our Lord hath trodden the way a fore us, and shall we his servants refuse to follow him? Our master hath given us an example to die, and shall we his disciples disdain to practise the like▪ If death had been cast only upon our backs, which live in this age, so might the burden have been thought unrighteous and intolerable, but forasmuch as our ancestors have already tasted of death and are gone, why should we that now live bear so impatiently this common chance? On this condition came we all into the world, that we should leave it again. 
i Par. xxix.  For we be hear but strangers and sojourners, as were all our fathers. 
Psalm. xc.  Our days on th'earth also are but as a shadow, and there is none abiding. Our days pass away swiftly, and we are gone. 
joh. seven.  The days of man are the days of an hireling, yea wind and nothing. 
Psal. cxliiii  Man is like unto vanit●e, and his days pass away like a shadow. 
Psal. lxxxix  Where is there any man that liveth, and shall not se● death? 
joh. xiiii.  man that is borne of a woman, hath but a short time to live, and yet the time that he liveth, he is full of misery. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower. He flieth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one state. 
Hebr. xiii.  Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. It is appointed of God, that all men shall once die. For what is our life? It is even a vapour, 
Hebr. ix.  that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away, 
jacob. iiii. job. ix.  as job saith, my days are more swift than a runner, yea they pass away as the ships that be good under sail, and as the Eagle that flieth to the pray. Seing it is Gods will, pleasure and ordinance that we should die: why do we, which daily pray on this manner. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven, show ourselves unwilling to have that thing chance unto us, 
Math. vi.  for the which we have so often times prayed? It is natural to die, why then labour we to degenerate and grow out of kind? Our ancestors the most holy and most perfect have died, why disdain we then to follow their steps? It is highly for our profit to die, why are we than enemies to ourselves? We can not cease to sin, except we die, why do we than not haste to i'll from so great an evil? We shall never come unto the true life where felicity both joyful and eternal is, except we die, why than make we so little speed to haste thither, where so many good things shallbe given us? We shall never have the fruition of God's majesty, & the blessed company of the heavenly spirits, except we die: why then do we not pray daily unto that lord our god to deliver us from this stinking sink of evils (I mean this world) that we may come and enjoy his most glorious presence? The very Heathen, which knew not God a right, but only dreamt of the immortality of the soul, & looked for a better life after this, they knew not why they should fear death, but wished death and died both valiantly and joyfully, and shall we being christians which know God and his holy word, and unto whom so much comfort, hope, and everlasting life is promised, refuse gladly and willingly to die? What a saying of an Ethnic is this? 
Lib. ●. ●●●tuseul.  O immortal God, how is that pleasant and joyful journey to be wished for, which being once done and passed, 
Lib. de sense  there remaineth no sorrow, no care, no pensiveness. Again, O that goodly and pleasant day, when it shall be my chance ●o leave this filthy & troublesome world, and come to their company that inhabit the heavens. I● God would suffer me, that I being of this age, might become an infant and sucking child again, I would utterly refuse it, neither would I by any means call the race that I have run back again, that I might again be young. For what pleasure & commodity hath this life? yea rather what displeasure, incommodity, pain, travel & trouble hath it not? But let it be granted that it hath pleasure, certes: yet hath it either satiety or measure. And nature in this world hath given us a place to tarry in for a while, but not to dwell & to continue in it. The Heathen writers in their monuments call death a changing for a better life, a quiet sleep: a removing from mortality unto immortality, from trouble: unto quietness, from the shadow of a life: unto a very & uncounterfet life, from sorrow: unto joy, from evil: unto good, an haven of rest, a solace of the mind, an end of all evil and wickedness, and a beginning of all true joy, felicity & pleasure. Of these things may we easily learn, what opinion the very Heathen conceived of death, and shall we that profess Christ, know God, 
Rom. ●.  believe his word and call ourselves dead unto the world, recount death an evil thing, 
Collos. ii●  and be loath to go unto it, when God calleth us, as though there were no resurrection of the body, no immortality of the soul, no life after this, no fellowship with god, and with the heavenly spirits? The jews also being persuaded of the resurrection of the body, and of thimmortality of the soul, die joyfully & with a lusty courage, which notwithstanding for their unbelief in Christ are damned: and shall we which are christians tremble and shake at the name of death, as though after our death we should be in worse case than we be now, when to say the truth, the faithful christians do than chief begin to live, when they depart from this world. All good men have ever desired to departed from this vile and wretched life, and to go unto that joyful and blessed state of immortality. 
〈…〉.  David that Princelike Prophet crieth out and saith. Woe is me, and sorry am I for it, that I must yet longer abide in this world. Again. Like as the heart desireth the water brooks, 
psalm. lxii  so longeth my soul after thee, O God. My soul is a thirst for God, yea even for the living God: when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? 
●sal. lxxxiiii.  Also in an other place he saith. O how amiable are thy dwellings thou Lord of hosts? My soul hath a desire & longing to enter into the courts of the Lord my heart & my flesh rejoice in the living God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they shallbe always praising thee. One day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, then to dwell in the tents of ungodliness. In another Psalm he prayeth on this mā●er. 
Psal. ●x●●  Deliver my soul out of prison, that it may come and praise ●hy name. 
Tobi. i●●.  The holy man Tobias made his prayer unto God & said: O Lord deal with me according ●o thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace. For more expedient were it for me to ●ie, then to live. How desirous the ●oly Apostle S. Paul was to go from this vale of misery, unto the heavenly kingdom, these his wor●es declare manifestly: 
Philip.  Christ is to me life, and death is to me advantage. Again, 
Philip. i  I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ. What shall I speak of that ancient & godly father Simeon, which so soon as he had seen Christ, knowing him to be the saviour of the world: was very desirous to die, & braced out into these words & said▪ Lord now lettest thou thy servant departed in peace, 
Luke. two.  according to thy promise. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou haste prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the gentiles, 
Esry. xlix.  and the glory of thy people Israel. 
Acts. xiii.  Of the like affection with these tofore rehearsed, were without doubt all godly parsons from the beginning, then being most joyful, when they saw the time of their departure from this wretched world to be come: so likewise brother Epaphroditus ought both you and we to rejoice and be glad when death approacheth and cometh upon us. For then beginneth our felicity, wealth, quietness, safety, joy, pleasure, comfort & glory, as the voice from heaven said: Blessed are the dead, which die in the lord 
Apoca. xiiii.  For from henceforth the spirit saith, that they shall be at rest from their labours, pains & travails. Precious and right dear in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints, 
Psal. cxix.  saith the Psalmograph. The souls of the righteous, saith the wiseman, 
Sapi. iii.  are in the hand of God, and the pain of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they appear to die, but they are in peace. Let us not therefore fear death. To the infidel and unfaithful man, death is both fearful and terrible, but to a faithful man, it is both pleasant and amiable. Therefore neighbour Epaphroditus, as you have hitherto in all your words showed yourself a faithful man, and well contented to obey the will of God: so likewise practise the same now in your works. If the good pleasure of God be through this sickness to call you out of this val● of misery, strive not against the will of God, but submit yourself to God's holy working, & doubt nothing, but it shallbe to your great commodity and singular profit. For all things work for the best unto them that love God. 
Rom. viii.  God hath appointed the bounds of your life, 
job. xiiii.  and beyond that ye can not go. 
john. xi.  When the twelfth hour cometh, then shall ye make an end. Labour therefore to make such an end, as God therewith may be plea●sed, seeing you know and are fully persuaded, 
Math. ●.  that not an here doth fal● from your head without the good will of god, 
Luke. xii.  much les shall your life be taken away from you, till the very hour cometh, which God hath appointed, 
Apoc. i. Psal. xxxi.  in whose hands only are the keys both of life and death. 
Eccle. x●●   Epa. 
Death is terrible and fearful.  Ph. 
The wise man saith, 
Remedies against the fear of death.  O death how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that seeketh rest and comfort in his substance and riches, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, & that hath prosperity in all things, yea unto him, that setteth all his mind on belly cheer? O death, how acceptable and good is thy judgement unto the needful, and unto him whose strength faileth, and that is now in his last age? etc. Be not thou afraid of death, remember them that have been before thee, & that come after thee. This is the judgement of the Lord ●uer all flesh. And why wouldst that be against this pleasure of the highest. etc. To the unfaithful death in deed is terrible and fearful. For then begin their sorrows and miseries, their plagues and torments, as we may see in the history of the richman, 
Luke. xvi.  but to the faithful and true believers death is pleasant & amiable, as it is written, 
Psal. cxvi.  precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. 
Apoca. xiiii  For then cease all their miseries and travails, and begin their joys and pleasures. Whosoever is a true Christian & fixeth the eyes of his mind through true faith on the death of Christ, 
Sap. iii.  he shall not greatly be afraid o● death, but he shall rather triumph over death and with a lusty courage say thus unto death: 
Ose. xii.  O death I will be thy death. For death is swallowed up into victory through jesus Christ our Lorde● 
i Cor. xv  The sting of death can now no more hurt the faithful, as our saviour Christ testifieth, verily, verily I say unto you: he that heareth my word & believeth on him that sent me, 
john. v.  hath everlasting life, and shall not come into damnation, but is scaped from death unto life. Again, verily, verily I say unto you: 
john. vi.  he that putteth his trust in me, hath everlasting life. I am that living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever. 
john. viii.  Item, verily, verily I say unto you: If a man keep my saying he shall never taste death: all so in an other place, I am the resurrection & life, he that believeth in me, although he be dead, yet shall he live. 
john. xi.  And every one that liveth & believeth in me, shall never die.  Epa. 
Death is painful.  Phi. 
Who will not be content to suffer a little and short pain, that he may for ever after enjoy continual quietness and everlasting rest? 
Remedies against the pains of death. two. Tim. two Roma. viii  Nothing is gotten without pain and travail. No man is crowned except he strive lawfully The afflictions of this life are not worthy of the glory, which shallbe showed upon us. 
two. Tim. two.  Notwithstanding if we die with Christ: we shall also live with him. If we suffer, we shall reign with him. Therefore be on good comfort, God is faithful, which will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able to bear. 
two. Cor. i.  The Lord our God is a father of mercies, and God of all consolation, which will without all doubt be present with you and comfort you in all your sicknesses and pains. For as the afflictions of Christ are plenteous in us: even so is our consolation plenteous by Christ. As you are partaker of the afflictions: so shall ye be partaker also of the consolation. 
two. Cor. iiii.  For this short and light trouble, sickness and pain prepareth an exceeding & an eternal weight of glory unto you, while you look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. For the things which are not seen, are eternal. If you consider the great & intolerable pains, that many good and godly men have suffered on their bodies for Christ's sake, it shall the les grieve you to bear this your sickness, yea death and the pains thereof. The Prophet Isaiah for the hope of everlasting life, suffered his body to be cut a sunder with the saw of wood. jeremy was stoned unto death. Amos after many grievous torments was thrust into the temples of the head with a great nail of iron, and so shortly after died. john Baptist was cast into prison 
Math. xiiii.  & beheaded. james the brother of john was slain with the sword. 
Act. xii. Act. seven. Math. xxvii.  Stephen was stoned unto death Christ our Lord & savour suffered most bitter pains & died the death of the cross. I pass over many other both of the old & new Testament, which refused no kind of pains, so that they might obtain the reward of everlasting life, some (as the blessed apostle saith) were tried with mockings & scourgings, 
Hebr. xl  which bonds & prisonment, 
two. Par. xxiiii.  some were stoned, some were hewn a sunder, some were slain with sword, 
three Reg. i.  all were troubled & vexed. How glad joyful & ready the holy Apostle S. Paul was to suffer all kind of pains, & torments for the glory of God, these his words do abundantly show. 
Act. xx.  The holy ghost doth testify in every city, saying, that bonds and troubles do abide me but I care not for them, neither is my life dear unto me, so that I may finish my course with joy. 
Act. xxi.  etc. Again, I am ready not only to be bound but all so to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord jesu. What shall I speak of the other blessed Martyrs, where of some were devoured with wild beasts, some burnt with fire unto ashes, some broiled unto the death upon hot coals some slain with the sword, some hanged upon jebbets, some pierced to death with arrows, some beaten to death with stones, some boiled, some rent a pieces with hot burning iron crumbs, some racked, some drowned, some cruelly murdered in prisons. etc. Who is able to declare the most bitter pains & grievous torments which they gladly suffered on their bodies for the glory of God, and the fruition of his Majesty? If ye consider these things well, you shall easily find, that the pains which you now suffer, are nothing to be compared unto the most bitter and intolerable torments, which the men of God suffered. And not withstanding if you abide these light pains joyfully, patiently & thankfully, you shall most certainly enjoy and possess that heavenly kingdom, which they have already obtained. Faint not therefore good neighbour Epaphroditus, but abide the good pleasure of God, & his blessed working, so shall he without fail bring all thing to such pass, as shallbe most unto his glory and unto your comfort.  Epa. 
Death taketh me away from my gorgeous and pleasant houses, 
Remedies against thought taking, for departing from worldly goods. Gen. xlvii. Psalm. xxxix.  and from all the temporal things that I have.  Phi. 
In this world we all are but strangers & Pilgrims, we have here no dwelling City, but look for an other that is to come. 
i Pet. two.  The houses that you leave behind you here, 
Hebr. xiii.  be they never so gorgeous & pleasant, are but earthy made of clay, and weather beaten stones, & shall in process of time decay & return unto dust & become things of nought. But after your departure from this vale of wretchedness you shall have a building of God, 
two. Cor. v  an habitation not made with hands, but everlasting in heaven. You shall dwell in a city, that is of pure gold, like unto clear glass, and the foundations of the walls of this city are garnished withal manner of precious stones, 
Apoc. xxi.  the gates are of fine pearl. Yea the streets of this heavenly city are pure gold. It hath no need of the sun, neither of the Moon to lighten it, for the brightness of God doth lighten, and the lamb is the light of it. And as touching your other temporal things, from the which, as you say, death taketh you away, you have no cause to be sorry for y t. For as concerning your gallant apparel, which if they be not worn will soon be moth-eaten, if they be worn, 
Apoc. iii.  they will shortly fall to rags in the stead of them you being once placed in the heavenly city, shallbe clothed of God with white garments, which shall never wax old, but always abide glorious & incorruptible. You shall also have a golden crown upon your head, & you shall sit with Christ upon his seat. And in the stead of your dainty fare, which how vile it is after the digestion you know, ye shall eat in the kingdom of God Manna that is hid, 
Apoc. iii.  yea ye shall eat of the tree of life, which is in the mids of the Paradise of God. And this meat shall abide for ever most pleasant and uncorruptible. As touching your gold & silver & such other worldly treasures, wherewith God blessed you in this world for a season, never remember them any more, but bid them farewell. For what other thing are they (seem they never so precious, pleasant & goodly) then red & white earth, & hereafter shall return unto vile dust. In the stead of them God in his kingdom shall give you such treasures, as never man with mortal eyes saw the like. You also shall have such joys & pleasures, 
Esay. lxiiii. i Cor. two.  as neither eye hath seen the like, nor ear hard the like, neither is any man able to conceive them in his heart, so great are the treasures, so infinite are the pleasures, which God hath prepared for them that love him. Who will not be glad to change lead for silver, & copper for gold, corruptible & earthly things for immortal & heavenly treasures. Here see you that you lose nothing by death, but get very much, so that you may now say with the holy Apostle, Christ is to me life, 
Phil. i.  and death is to me advantage. 
Remedies against thought taking for departing from frende●.   Epa. 
Death taketh me away from my dear friends, in whose company I greatly delight.  Phi. 
In worldly friendship there is no certainty nor assurance. He which this day is a friend, is tomorrow an enemy. This is proved true among men almost by daily experience. 
Eccle. vi.  There are divers kinds of friends, as the wise man teacheth. Some be friends but for a time, such will not abide in that day of trouble. 
Of worldly friendship,  Some be friends for the table sake, and when a man falleth into poverty, they continue not. Some be friends only in countenance, and in heart hate most extremely. Some be earnest and hearty friends, which will abide by man, when fortune is most froward. But of these there are very few. And they which now such be, may suddenly thorough some occasion be made a man's utter enemy. Therefore saith David: 
Psal. cxl●.  put not your confidence in Princes nor in the children of men, in whom there is no health. Also the Prophet: Cursed be he that trusteth in man, 
jere. xvii  and maketh flesh his strength. Ye ●e in the Gospel, that they which ●o dearly loved Christ, 
john. v●  that they would have made him a king, shortly after for no occasion fell away from him, & followed him no more. Again those people which very joyfully received Christ when he came riding into Jerusalem, 
Math. ●xi.  cut down bows, strewed them in the ways, yea and spread their garments in the ways and cried with a loud voice, saying: Good luck unto the son of David. 
Luke. ix. john. xii.  Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, within few● days after cried with a stout voice and said: To the cross with him to the cross with him. 
Mat. xxvii. john. nineteen. john. xviii  If the lettest him go thou art not Caesar's friend if he were not a naughty pack, w● would never have delivered him unto thee. Behold the friendship o● this world. Nether let any man promise himself better things o● his now most dear friend. Men a● vain & liars, flitting and unstable. But when you come into the kingdom of God, 
Psalm. lxii Psalm. cxvi.  you shall have such friends as shall for ever continue faithful, loving and constant. God the father, 
Psal. cii. Malac. i.  God the son, & God the holy ghost shallbe your friends, which do never change but always abide one. All the glorious angels & blessed spirits of heaven shall be your friends also. Who will not gladly change uncertain friends for such as are most certain, most faithful? Have you now lost any thing by departing from worldly unto heavenly friends.  Ep. 
But I shall never more see than, nor have the company of them, that we may rejoice & be glad again together. 
Of knowing one another after this life.   Phi. 
If your friends live in the fear of God, & departed in the christian faith, they may be sure to come thither, where you shallbe, even unto the glorious kingdom of God, where you shall both see them, know them, talk with them, and be much more merry with than than ever you were in this world.  Chr. 
Many doubt of that.  ph. 
Why so? Shall the knowledge of Gods elect and chosen people be less in the kingdom of God, than it is in this world? We being in this corruptible body know one another, when we see not God but with the eyes of our faith, 
two. Cor. xii. i. john. iii.  & shall we not know one another after that we have put of this sinful body, and see God fac● to face in the sight of whom is the knowledge of all things? We shall be like the glorious Angels of heaven, 
Math. xxii.  which know one another, can it than come to pass that one of us may not know an other? Shall we be equal with the angels in other things, 
i. john. iii. Hebr. i  & inferior unto them in knowing one an other? We shall know and see Christ as he is, 
Roma. xii.  which is the wisdom, image and brightness of the heavenly father, and shall the knowledge of one another be hid from us? 
i Cor. xii. Collos. i. Ephe. two. Apoc. xxi  We are members all of one body, and shall we not know one another? we know our head which is christ & shall we not know ourselves? we shallbe citizens of one heavenly city, where continual light shall be, and shall we be overwhelmed with such darkness, that we shall not see and know one another? 
Psal. lxxxiii. Apoc. iiii. v  They that in this world be singing men continuing together in a place but for a season know one an other, 
Apoc. iiii. u.vii.xi.xii.  and shall we, which for ever shall continue together singing praising and magnifying the Lord our God, not know one another? They that are in household & serve one Lord or master, know one another in this world, & shall not we know one another, which in the kingdom of heaven, shall continually serve the Lord our God together with one spirit, and with one mind? There is a certain knowledge one of an other here in the earth, even among the unreasonable and brute beasts, and ●hall our senses be so darkened in the life to come, that we being immortal, incorruptible, and like ●nto the angels of God, yea seeing God face to face, shall not know ●ne another? We shall know God as he is, 
〈◊〉. two.  & shall we not know one another? Adam before he sinned, being in the state of innocency, knew Eva, so soon as god brought her unto him, and called her by her name, and shall not we being in heaven, where we shallbe in a● much more blessed and perfect state then ever Adam was in P●●radise, know one another? Shall our knowledge be inferior to Adam's knowledge in Paradise● When Christ was transfigured i● mount Thabor, his disciples, Pe●ter, james, & john, did not only know Christ, but also Moses and Helias, 
Math. xvii.  which talked there with Christ, whom notwithstanding they had never seen nor known in the flesh. 
Mark. ix. Luke. ix.  Whereof we may learne● that when we come to behold th● glorious majesty of the great God we shall not only know our saviour Christ, and such as with wh●● we were acquainted in this world, but also all the elect and chosen people of God, which have been from the beginning of the world, as the holy Apostle saith: Ye are come to the mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, 
Hebr. xii  the celestial Jerusalem, and to an innumerable sight of angels, and unto the congregation of the first borne sons, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and perfect men, and to jesus the mediator of the new testament. etc. When we are once come unto that heavenly Jerusalem, we shall without all doubt both see and know Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, jacob, joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, josias, John Baptist, Mary the Mother of Christ, Peter, john, james, Paul, and all the most blessed company of the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, with all other the faithful. As we are all members of one body, whereof jesus Christ is the head: so shall we know one another, rejoice together & be glad one with another. Moreover the history which we read of the rich unmerciful man and of Lazarus, 
Luke. xvi.  declareth evidently, that in the life to come we shall know one an other. In that we see that the rich glutton being in hell did know both Abraham, and Lazarus, being in joy, and that Abraham also knew that unmerciful rich man, although the one was in glory, the other in pain. If that they which are in hell, doth both see and know them that are in heaven, and they which are in heaven, know them also that are in hell, the one place being so far distant from tother: much more do they know one another that be citizens in one City, fellow heirs of one kingdom, members of one body, and fellow servants in one household serving one lord & God. If there be mutual knowledge, after this life between good & evil, much more shall the saints and the holy ones of God know one another in the kingdom of our heavenly father. 
Math. nineteen.  Our saviour Christ said to his disciples: when the son of man shall sit in the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit upon the xii seats, judging the xii tribes of Israel. If after the general resurrection▪ and at the judgement one should not know another, how shall than the apostles judge them unto whom they preached? They can not judge nor be witnesses of the condemnation of them, whom they know not. Hereof also it manifestly appeareth, 
john. xxi.  that after this life one of us shall know another. After the Christ was risen again & had a glorified body, th'apostles knew him, yea, & that so perfectly, that none of them needed to say unto him: what art y●? For they knew well that he was the Lord. Hereof also may it truly be gathered, that the faithful shall as perfectly know one an other in the life to come, as the apostles knew Christ after his resurrection▪ or as Peter, John, & james, knew Moses & Helias in the mount Thabo●, when Christ was transfigured. 
Math. xvii.  Many other things might be alleged out of the holy scripture to declare that we shall know one another after this life, but these for this present may seem to any indifferent person abundantly to suffice. If I should rehearse to you all the sayings both of th'ancient & late writers concerning this matter, I should spend a great part of this day & to much trouble you, notwithstanding I will rehearse one saying of s. Gregory in his dialogues, & bid all the other farewell. 
Lib. 4. cap. ●●  There is a certain thing (saith he) in gods elect & chosen people, which is to be marveled at, for they (being in heaven) do not only know them, whom they knew in this world, but they know also the good people, whom they never saw, even as perfectly as though they had afore both seen & known them. For when they in that ever lasting inheritance shall see th'ancient fathers, they shall not be unknown to them in sight, whom they always knew in work. For when all there, with one clearness do behold God, what is it, that they should not there know: where they know him that know all things?  Epa. 
This is a comfortable herring.  Phi. 
No les true than comfortable.  Epa. 
I trust then within few hours to see all the faithful, which before me have departed in the Lord, my children also and all my other acquaintance.  Phi. 
You shall both see them, know them, rejoice and be merry with them.  Eu. 
I marvel that any man should doubt of this doctrine, being so clearly set forth both by the authority of the holy scriptures, and by the testimonies of the godly writers: saying that the very heathen, which knew not God a right, being persuaded 〈◊〉 the immortality of the soul, never doubted of it, but were thoroughly resolved that such as lived in this world justly and uprightly, and deserved well of the common wealth. when so ever they departed from this life, should go unto the blessed company of the immortal Gods, & there not only see & know the gods, but also all those noble, good and virtuous parsons, that ever lived in this world, as well such as they never knew, as also those, whom in this world they did most perfectly know. And they being thus persuaded, desired death, at the least when the time of their departure came, they took their death the more joyfully and patiently, I will rehearse unto you the wor●es of ●ne or two of them. I have 〈…〉 desire (said Cato the elder) ●o see your fathers, 
Lib. de sense.  whom I honoured and loved. But I wish not on●y to talk with them, whom I have known in this world, but with such also, as of whom I have ●eard and red, yea and I myself ●aue written. If I were once going thitherward, I would never ●aue mind to return hither again. Again he saith, O that no●le and pleasant day, when it shall ●e my chance to come unto that heavenly company and blessed fellowship, and departed from this troublous & stinking world. For the● shall I go not only unto those mē● of whom I spoke unto you befor● but also unto my Cato, which was as worthy a man as ever lived, and as noble. And it is written of Socrates, that when he wen● unto his death among many other things he said, that it is a most blessed & goodly thing for than to come together, which have lived justly & faithfully: o saith he what a grea● pleasure think you it to be, friendly to talk with Orpheus, 
Lib. 1. ●us. quest.  Musaeus Home●rus, Hesiodus, & such like? verily I would die full oft, if it were possibl● to get those things that I speak of Thus see we that many among that very Heathen, which were perswade● of thinmortality of the soul, beleue● that they which in this world liue● godly, justly, uprightly & honestly should all go unto a joyful place o● rest, & there having the blessed comp●●ny of the immortal gods, they shul● know one another, talk & rejoice one with an other.  The. 
As touching the Ethnics, which in this world led a just & upright life in the sight of men. I pronounce nothing, but leave them unto god's judgement, but as concerning the faithful christians which believe in God, fear & love God, are persuaded of their salvation in Christ's blood, & frame their life unto the uttermost of their power, according to the commandments of God, as they shall all obtain one glorious kingdom & be citizens of one City: so likewise shall they see & know one an other, talk, rejoice, & be merry one with another. This is my belief.  Ph. 
I agre with you in opinion concerning this matter. Therefore good neighbour Epaphrodit. be of good ●here, take a good heart unto you, faint not, neither fear you death. For the time is at hand, that you leaving this wretched world and the inhabitants thereof, shall come unto that most glorious and heavenvly kingdom, where you shall have the sight and knowledge not only of God and of his holy angels, but also of all Gods elect and chosen people. Al your dear friends, which are gone afore you, shall glo●riously come and meet you, joyfully receive you, gladly present you unto the majesty of God, and so shall you altogether remain in all glory and joy for ever and ever.  Epa. 
Amen. God grant.  Chr. 
Sir how do you?  Epa. 
As God will.  Chri. 
I trust you do remember, what my neighbour Philemon hath said unto you.  Epa. 
Yea right well, I thank God.  Chr. 
Then sir I pray you be of good comfort.  Epa. 
I am well content to forsake the world and all that is in the world, and to go unto the lord my God.  Eu. 
I trust that there is none other thing that troubleth you.  Epa. 
Yes, not outwardly but inwardly.  Eu. 
Inward trouble is the greatest grief in the world. Declare I pray you what it is, & we will do the best we can to quiet your mind.  Epaph. 
Let me alone a little, and pray for me.  Euse. 
Well content. Neighbours, let us commend this our sick brother unto God with our prayers. For he desireth it.  Phi. 
God commandeth us by his holy Apostle, 
jacob. ●  saying: If any be diseased among you, let him call for the elders of the congregation, & let them pray over him, & anoint him which oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he have committed sins, they shallbe forgiven him. Knowledge your faults one to another, and pray one for an other, that ye may be healed The prayer of a righteous man availeth much, if it be fervent. Let us therefore kneel down and pray. 
A prayer.  O Lord hear our prayer.  Eu. 
And let our cry come unto the●  Phi. 
O almighty and everlasting God, which lightnest all men that come into this world: we besethe thee lighten the heart of this sick, weak and diseased person, with the beams of thy divine grace & mercy, that all his thoughts, words & works may so be directed, that he may be acceptable to thy godly majesty in true faith and perfect love, thorough thy only son jesus Christ our Lord & saviour.  Chr. 
A●men.  Phi. 
O eternal and merciful God, 
A prayer.  look down from heaven, and visit this thy weak servant, as thou didst visit Toby & Sara, Peter's wives mother & the captains servant. Bless him as thou didst bless Abraham, Isaac and jacob. Behold him, O Lord, with the eyes of thy mercy. Replenish his heart with all joy, & keep from him all sinful thoughts and wicked imaginations. And send down thy angel of peace, that he may keep and defend him in everlasting peace through jesus christ thy dear son our Lord & saviour. 
A prayer.   Eu. 
Amen.  Phi. 
O Lord jesus Christ, thalone saviour of the world and the true physician both of body and soul, we most humbly beseech thee, mercifully to behold this our sick brother, 
Collo. ●.  which is a member of the mystical body, whereof thou art the head and a branch of the which y● art the true vine. 
john. xv.  Be thou unto him that most loving Samaritane. 
Luke. x.  Pour wine and oil into his wounds, bind them up, la●e him upon thy beast, & never leave him until thou hast brought him into that Inn, which is the glo●rious kingdom of thy heavenly father Remove from him all unfaithfulness and mistrust, & grave in his heart true & earnest faith in the & in thy most precious blood. Suffer him not to despair, nor to doubt of thy godly grace. Let the remembrance of thy most merciful promises, setforth in thy holy gospel never be out of his heart. Suffer not Satan to prevail against him. Let not his conscience be cumbered with the terrors either of sin or death. Be thou his strong castle and mighty fortress. Assist him now in this his grievous affliction, let not his soul be a pray unto his enemies, neither give thou him over into the cruel hands of his terrible adversaries▪ but show upon him presently thy bountiful goodness, that he thorough thy help having the overhand of Satan, may finish his course with joy, and so after his departure from this troublous world, come unto the blessed haven of quietness, where thou with the father and the holy ghost livest and reignest one true and everlasting God, worlds without end.  The. 
Amen.  Epa. 
O Lord rebuke me not in thine indignation, neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure. Have mercy on me, 
Psalm. ●●.  O Lord, for I am weak, heal me, O Lord, for all my bones are sore troubled, yea my soul is grievously vexed, but Lord, how long? O how long wilt y● defer thy help? Turn thee (O Lord) & deliver my soul, (oh save me for thy mercy's sake.  Phi. 
O neighbour, how is it with you? 
Remedies against desperation.   Epa. 
Now that I had thorough your godly exhortations well digested my departure from this world, & was well content to go hence, whensoever the Lord my god calleth me: now am I so troubled in my conscience, that I begin almost to despair of God's mercy toward me, yea and wish that there were no God, nor no life after this.  Phi. 
Gentle brother faint not in your faith, neither despair you of the great mercies of God, but call on the lord your God with strong faith, and he full graciously will send present remedy for you from his holy temple.  Epa. 
O my conscience is grievously vexed, troubled, & disquieted, while I behold the fierce wrath of God against sin, and consider how wicked a life I have led, & how oft I have broken Gods holy commandments.  Phi. 
Fear not dear brother, for though you be never so sinful: God is merciful. Though your sins be great: yet are the mercies of God much greater. God saveth not us because we are righteous and without sin: 
Tit. two.  but for his mercy and promise sake, when he seeth us repent, believe and seek for remedy at his hand for Christ's precious blood sake.  Epaphrod. 
Satan now in this my sickness doth so molest and trouble me, that me think I feel a very hell within my breast.  Phile. 
The manner of Satan, 
Remedies against the temptations of Satan.  which is the common adversary of all men, is, 
* Note.  when any man is grievously sick & like to die, straightways to come upon him at the beginning very fiercely, & to show himself terrible unto him, & to cast before his eyes such a mist: that except he taketh heed, he shall see nothing but the fierce wrath, & terrible judgement of God against sinners, again, sin, desperation, death and ●el, and whatsoever maketh unto utter confusion of the sick-man's conscience.  Epa. 
So is it now with me.  Phi. 
Fear not. It is his old property. If you had led as holy & as perfect a life, as ever did man in this world, yet would he deal on this manner with you. He knoweth right well, that the time of your departure is at hand, & that God will shortly call you from this sorrowful & mortal life, unto a blessed and immortal life: therefore laboureth he unto the uttermost o● his power, to pluck you from so joyful a state, and to make you his prey. But be you not afraid. For whom of Gods elect hath he let pas unassailed, untempted, or unproved? 
Math. iiii.  He feared not to assay the son of God, after he had put on our nature: and think you to escape free? His nature, disposition and desire, is to destroy: maruel● you therefore, if he go about to seek your destruction? His proper●tie is to disquiet: wonder you therefore if he trouble you? 
john. viii.  He is a liar: what truth therefore can come out of his mouth? If he say unto you that God is angry with you, and will destroy you, know him to be a liar, and whatsoever he saith against your salvation, believe it not: but know it to be a lie. He is a murderer: what life then can come from him? 
john. viii.  He is an accuser of the brethren, how then can he speak any good or comfortable thing unto you? 
Apoca. xii.  He is your utter enemy: how then is it possible, that he may be your friend, and seek your quietness? Fear him not therefore, 
i Pet. v.  He is but a coward and a very slave. They be but brags, whatsoever he threateneth. He may well hiss at you, but he can not sting you. He may look upon you with a terrible & fearful countenance, but he can do you no harm. He may go about to tempt you, but to overcome you, it lieth not in his power. 
jacob. iiii.  Hear what s. james saith Resist the devil, and he shall fli● from you. Draw nigh unto God, & he shall draw nigh to you.  Epa. 
Yea, but how shall I resist the devil.  Phi. 
Not as the superstitious papists were wont to do, 
How to resist the devil.  with casting o● holy water about your chamber● which laying holy bread in your window, with pinning a Cross mad● of hallowed Palms at your bed's head, nor with ringing of the hallowed bell, or such other beggarly superstitious, Popish, & devilish ceremonies. 
Of Faith.   Epa. 
How then?  Phil● 
With faith, with prayer, and with the word of God.  Epa. 
How with faith.  Phile. 
Cast the eyes of your● mind with strong faith on the sed● of the woman, which hath trodden down the serpent's head, and destroyed his power, as he saith by the Prophet: 
Osc. xiii.  O hell, I will be thy destruction, 
Hebr. two.  which by death hath put him to flight that had Lordship over death, even the Devil, that he might deliver them, which through fear of death were all their life time subdued unto bondage, which also (as the Apostle saith) hath spoiled rule & power, 
Collo●. i.  & hath made a show of them openly, and hath triumphed over them in his own person. 
i. john. iii.  So shall you be sure to escape his grievous assaults. For the son of God appeared for this purpose, even to destroy the works of the Devil. Christ was figured by that brazen serpent, which God commanded Moses to set up in the wilderness, adding this promise unto it, 
Num. xxi.  that whosoever being stricken of the fiery Serpents did look on that, he should be healed. After this manner, is it between Christ and us. If that fiery serpent the devil hath stricken and wounded us, let us look upon Christ with strong faith, and we shall surely for Gods promise sake be made whole, as Christ himself testifieth, saying: As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness: 
john. iii.  so must the son of man be lifted up, that all that believe on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For god sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. If Satan therefore hath either wounded you already, or else goeth about so to do, fear not, repair unto Christ, look on him with the eyes of your faith, so shall you be free from his venomus chause. For as you are now tempted, 
Hebr. xi.  so were all godly men, but they overcame the tempter through strong faith in Christ. Therefore saith s. Peter. Be ye sober and watch, for your adversary the devil goeth about like a roaring Lion, 
i Pet. v.  seeing whom he may devour, whom resist ye strong in faith. 
i. john. v  Saint john also saith, this is the victory, which overcometh the world even our faith. Not only all godly & faithful men were tempted, but also our saviour Christ. 
Math. iiii.  And this is a great comfort for us. For in that it fortuned himself to be tempted, 
Hebr. two.  he is able to secure them, also that are tempted. Christ being tempted, overcame his temptations to get us the victory over the tempter. 
Note.  His triumph is our victory, and his victory is our triumph. Whatsoever he did & got in his humanity, he did and got it not for himself, but for us. And God is faithful (saith the apostle) which will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength, 
i. Cor x.  but will in the mids of the temptation make away, that ye may be able t● bear it. Believe therefore in Christ & you are without all danger. 
Mark. ix.   Epa. 
I believe, O Lord, help thou min● unbelief. 
Luke. xiii.  O Lord increase my faith.  Phi. 
Fear you not, but God both will & doth hear your prayers, 
Psal. cxiv.  for the Lord is nigh unto all them that call on him in truth. 
Of prayer.   Epa. 
You made mention also of prayer, saying that that is also a mean to resist Satan.  Phi. 
I rejoice greatly & I give God most hearty thanks that in this your sickness your memory continueth still steadfast & perfect.  Epa. 
I praise God for it.  Phi. 
That prayer is a necessary remedy for the avoiding of Satan's temptations, the holy scriptures teach manifestly in divers places. Our saviour Christ saith, 
Math. xxvi.  watch & pray, that ye fall not into temptation. Again. This kind of devils is not cast out, but by prayer & fasting. 
Mark. ix.  To repress that temptations of Satan all godly men even from the beginning fled unto faithful prayer, as a mighty & sure defence against sathan and all his crafty assaults. And God hath commanded us to pray, whensoever we are troubled, and doth also promise us, that he will both hear and help us. Call on me, 
Psal. ●.  sayeth he in the time of thy trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt honour me. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a troubled heart, 
Psal. xxxiii.  & he will help them that be broken in spirit.  Ep. 
Now good neighbours pray for me.  Ph. 
Very gladly. Let us kneel down together and pray.  Chr. 
Lo here are we. 
A prayer.   Phi. 
O heavenly and most merciful father, we most humbly beseech thee for thy sons sake jesus Christ our Lord, have pity upon this thy creature, and succour him in these horrible assaults and temptations of the de●uill. Deliver his soul in these extreme necessities from all the internal army. Send him down strength from above, that he may be able to resist his enemy, and to stand steadfast in the time of this his temptation. Be thou his strong rock, castle, shield, tower, and defence, that he in this great trouble being preserved from the tyranny of his enemies▪ through thy godly grace assistance & help: may continue in the true and christian faith unto his lives end, and afterward be received into thy heavenly kingdom, through jesus Christ our Lord.  Euse. 
Amen.  Epa. 
Now will I poor & wratched sinner offer my prayers also unto the Lord my God in jesus Christ's name, trusting and believing undoubtedly, that he graciously will hear me, and defend me against mine enemies. 
Mark. xi.   Phi. 
These are the words of Christ: What things so ever ye desire when ye pray: believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  Epaph. 
Out of the depth do I cry unto thee, 
Psal. cxxx.  O Lord O Lord hear my prayer. Save me O God, 
Psal. lxix.  for the waters of trouble are come in even unto my soul. 
A prayer.  I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is: I am come into deep waters, so that the ●loudes run over me. Take me out of the mire that I sink not. Oh let me be delivered from them that hate me, & out of the deep waters. Let not the water flood drown me, neither let the deep swallow me up, & let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving kindness is comfortable: turn me unto thee according unto the multitude of thy mercies, & hide not thy face from thy servant, fo● I am in trouble, O hast thee, and hear me. Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it, oh deliver me because of mine enemies. For that knowest my reproof, my shame, and my dishonour. Mine adversaries are full in thy sight. So shall I, being delivered from these great miseries through thy gracious benefit praise and magnify the name of thee my Lord God for ever and ever.  Chr. 
So be it.  Epa. 
Neighbour Philemon. 
Of God's word.   Phi. 
Here sir.  Epa. 
As I remember, you told me, that besides faith and prayer, the word of God also is a goodly help and a strong fortress against the cruel assanites of the Devil.  Phile. 
It is truth. 
Luke. xiii.  For so are we taught in the holy scripture. Our saviour Christ, when the time of his Passion began to drawnie, knowing that his Disciples should for his ●ake be grievously tempted both of the devil, the world, & the flesh: commanded them to buy a sword. This was no material but spiritual sword, 
Ephe. ●●.  as S. Paul declareth unto the Ephesians, saying: above all things, take to you the shield of faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which ●s the word of God. And pray always with all manner of prayer & supplication in the spirit. 
Math. iiii.  With ●he word of God Christ drove away Satan and resisted all his wicked temptations. 
Rom. i.  For it is the power of God to save so many as believe. In the word of God plenteous & present remedies are found against Satan, and all his subtle suggestions. Therefore said the psalmograph. I have hid thy speeches, O Lord in my heart, 
Psal. cxix.  that I might not sin against thee. 
john. xv.  Now are ye clean said Christ, for th● word, which I spoke unto you. Hereto pertaineth the saying o● the wiseman. 
Sap. xvi.  Nether herb, no emplasture hath healed them, O lord, but thy word which heals all things. Like unto this is 〈◊〉 sentence in a certain Psalm, 
Psal. cvii  h● sent his word, and delivered the● from destruction.  Epa. 
God deliver me from destruction.  phi. 
Enar● yourself with faith, prayer and wit● the word of God, & doubt ye not For these kinds of armours o● weapons, sathan can by no mea●nes abide.  Ep. 
The Lord preserus and defend me. Neighbours, I will pray once again unto the Lord my God, while I have time.  Chr. 
It is a godly exercise.  Epa. 
I perceive Satan to be still busy, and to seek my damnation.  Phi. 
Striu●●fully, & you shall have the crown of glory▪  Epa. 
How long wilt thou forget me (O Lord) for ever? 
A prayer.  How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 
Psalm. xiii.  O how long shall I seek council in my soul, and be so vexed in my heart? How long shall mine enemy triumph over me? Consider & hear me (O Lord, my God) lighten mine eyes that I sleep not in death, lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him. If I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it. But my trust is in thy mercy, & my heart is joyful in thy salvation. I again for this thy loving kindness, will praise thy holy name.  Euse. 
So be it.  Ep. 
Unto the will I cry, O Lord my strength, 
Psal. xxviii  think no scorn of me, ●east if thou make thee, 
A prayer.  as though thou heardest not, I become like them, that go down into the pit. Here the voice of my humble petitions when I cry unto thee, when I cry unto thee, when I hold up my hands toward the mercy seat of thy holy temple. 
Psal. xxvii  O hide not thou thy face from me, nor cast thy servant away in thy displeasure. The sorrows of death have compassed me round about, 
Psal. xviii.  and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid, The pains of hell came about me, that snares of death have overtaken me. Be not thou far from me▪ 
Psal. xxii  O Lord, thou art my succour, hast thee to help me. deliver my soul from the sword, my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the Lion's mouth. So shall I declare thy name unto my brethren, and in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee●  Euse. 
I doubt not brother Epaphroditus, but that God hath heard these your most humble prayers & lamentable supplications, and will, (when he seeth conuenient● time,) send you remedy, and give you a joyful and merry heart, so that you shall leap upon Satan, and say: The Lord is my light & my salvation, 
Psal. xxvii  whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid? Though an host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid. And though there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him. 
i Cor. xv.  Again, death is swallowed up into victory. 
Ose. xiii.  Death where is thy sting? Hell where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be unto God, which hath given us the victory. through our Lord jesus Christ, 
A prayer.   Epa. 
O when will the Lord have mercy on me, and deliver me from the grievous assaults of mine enemies, O Lord, why hast thou forgotten me? 
Psal. xlii.  Why go I thus heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me? Up Lord, why sleepest thou? Awake, 
Psal. xliiii.  and be not absent from me for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest my misery & trouble? My soul is brought low even unto the dust, my belly cleaveth unto the ground. 
Psalm. xxvii  Arise and help me O Lord, and deliver me for thy mercy's sake.  Chri. 
Faint not, neither despair you of God's mercy, but take a good heart unto you & abide the lords pleasure. Be of like mind with him, which prayed on this manner unto God, saying: Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, 
Psal. cxxii.  thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters: and as the eyes of a maiden, unto the hand of her mistress: even so our eyes wait upon the Lord our god, until he have mercy upon us. 
Thren. iii.  It is good to be quiet saith the Prophet, and patiently to abide the saving health of the Lord▪ For the Lord will not forsake for ever, but though he punish you now, and suffer satan to trouble you a little while, for the trial of your faith, yet according to the multitude of his mercies will he receive you to grace again, & not cast you out of his heart for ever. He is a father of mercies and God of all consolation. 
two. Cor. i. Psal. cxliii.  He will not be always chiding, neither will he for ever be angry with us. For like as a father pitieth his own children: even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him. For he knoweth whereof we be made, he remembreth that we are but dust.  Epa. 
Lord be thou merciful unto me. 
A prayer.  Hid not thyself in a cloud, but show me thy loving and gentle countenance, that I may be saved. Send me present help from above, 
Ephe. vi.  or else I perish. For I wrestle not against blood and flesh, but against rule, against power, against worldly rulers, even governors of the darkness of this world, 
Math. iiii.  against spiritual craftiness in heavenly things. This grievous conflict, O Lord, is with such an enemy, as feared not to assail thee, whom thou thyself callest the Prince of this world, 
john. xiiii.  and the holy Apostle termeth him, the God of this world. Arise therefore O Lord, 
i Cor. iiii.  and take my part. Be thou, O God, my defender, my house of defence and my Castle. Deliver me out of the snare, which mine enemy hath laid for me, that I being set at liberty, may sing praises to thy blessed name, and magnify thee my Lord God for ever and ever.  Theo. 
Amen.  Phi. 
Neighbour, take a good heart unto you, and you shall shortly see the wonderful working of God. 
Psal. cxvi.  For behold, he that keepeth Israel, doth neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord himself is your keeper, the Lord is your defence, the lord shall preserve you from all evil: yea, the Lord shall keep your soul. For as he casteth down, so lifteth he up again. As he killeth: so he quickeneth. 
two. Cor. i.  As he now for a little time suffereth Satan to disquiet you, for the exercise, probation, and trial of your faith: so likewise will he deliver you out of this agony, & give you again a joyful, merry, and quiet conscience. For the nature and property of God is to wound: 
The property of God in his elect.  before he healeth, to throw down: before he lifteth up, to kill: before he quickeneth, to condemn: before he saveth. Therefore fear not. For the lord dealeth none otherwise with you, than he doth with his other saints. This your trouble he will turn to ease, and this your sorrow will he turn to joy, as he saith in the Gospel, 
john. xvi.  verily verily I say unto you: ye shall weep & lament: but contrariwise the world shall rejoice. Ye shall sorrow, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she traveleth hath sorrow, because her hour is come, but assoon as she is delivered of the child, she remembreth no more the anguish for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your hearts shall rejoice and your joy shall no man take away from you. In this your heavy conflict God seemeth to have withdrawn the glorious beams of his fatherly grace from you, but he will straightways lighten his godly countenance upon you, and work such joys in your heart, through his holy spirit, as heretofore you felt never the like. And this your joy, shall never be taken from you. Therefore whatsoever sathan that old cankered enemy of mankind goeth about to persuade you, 
i Pet. v.  believe him not, but resist him with strong faith, ever remembering that he is both a liar and a murderer. You are a member of that congregation, 
john. viii.  which is built upon the rock Christ, 
Math. xvi.  against whom the gates of hell, shall not prevail. You are a living stone of the blessed building and spiritual house, 
Math. seven.  whereof Christ is the head corner stone, though the winds blow, the showers of rain descend, and the cruel tempests ●eate on the house, yet it falleth not, for it is grounded not upon the and, 
Luke. xxii.  but upon the rock. Satan ●n this temptation hath desired to sift you, as it were wheat, but Christ hath prayed for you, that your faith failed not. You are one of the sheep, 
john. x.  which God the father hath given to his son Christ, therefore can you not perish, neither shall any creature pluck you out of his hand, but he shall give you everlasting life.  Epa. 
Now perceive I most gentle neighbour Philemon, that to be true, which I have many times heard the godly preachers rehearse in their most comfortable Sermons.  Phile. 
What is that I pray you?  Epaph. 
That one faithful Preacher, which is able with the sweet promises of the holy scriptures to comfort the weak and desperate conscience: is better than ten thousand mumbling massmongers which promise with their massing mountains of gold, but perform molhilles of glass. I have also many times heard it said, that though the company of a learned man be good and profitable at all times, yet chief in the time of sickness, and when the weak creature is ready to departed from this wicked world, for asmuch as than Satan is most busy and without ceasing laboureth to disquiet the conscience of ●he sick-man, that by this means he may drive him to desperation, and finally to damnation.  Phile. 
What mean you by that?  Epa. 
I thank God most heartily, that such a learned man as you are, have now vouchedsafe to visit me in this my sickness.  Phil. 
No learned man, but a lover of learning, and such one, as hath a good will well to do, and envieth no man that can do better.  Epa. 
In the time of this your godly communication had with me, the Lord my God be thanked for it I felt the heaviness, trouble, and disquietness of my conscience, by little and little to go away, and certain sweet motions of true & inward joy to arise in my heart▪ so that now Satan with his wicked temptations seemeth to have taken his flight, and the holy ghost● with his most godly and comfortable inspirations to have entered into my breast. Whereas before m● thought, I was in hell, now m● think I am in heaven so great● quietness, rest, joy, and comfort do I find in my conscience. Saint Paul wisheth not in vain to th● Philippians this tranquillity and quietness of conscience, 
Phil. iiii.  saying: th● peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ jesu. Again t● the Collossians. 
Colloss. iii.  The peace of god mought rule in your hearts, t● the which peace ye are called in one body. For no man knoweth what a precious jewel and heavenly treasure this peace of conscience is, but such as feel it. Neither can any man feel it a right, except he hath felt afore the grief, ●ain, and disquietness of conscience. I may now right well say tche ●he Psalmograph: 
Psal. xxxi.  O how great and plentiful is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them ●hat fear thee, and that thou hast prepared for them that put their ●rust in thee? 
Psal. ●xxi.  O what great troubles and adversities haste thou ●hewed me? And yet thou didst turn & refresh me, yea, & brough●est me from the deep of the earth again? Thou hast brought me ●o great honour, and comforted me ●n every side. Therefore will I ●raise thee and thy faithfulness, O God.  Phi. 
Here see you that fulfilled in yourself, which you ha●● full oft red in the holy Scripture The Lord killeth and make● alive, 
i Reg. two.  bringeth down to hell, an● fetcheth up again. Great are t●● troubles of the righteous, 
Psalm. xxxiii  but t●● Lord delivereth them out of the● all.  Chr. 
The holy man Toby 〈◊〉 his prayer unto God, 
Toby. iii.  saith: Wh●●soeuer loveth thee & serveth thee ● right: is sure of this, that if his li● be tempted and proved, it stande●● in the trying, & if he endure in pa●●cience, he shall have a reward, an● be highly crowned, and if he be i● trouble that God (no doubt) sha● deliver him, and if his life be i● chastening, that he shall have le●● to come unto thy mercy. For tho● hast no pleasure in our damnat●●on. And why? After a storm tho● makest the weather fair and stil● after weeping and heaviness tho● givest great joy. Thy name O go● of Israel be praised for ever.  Ep. 
Amen.  Chr. 
The Psalmograph also saith: 
Psal. cxxv.  They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed, shall doubtless come again with joy, & bring his sheaves with him. 
Psal. cxxiii●.   Epa. 
If the Lord himself had not been of my side, when Satan rose up against me, he had swallowed me up quick. But praised be the Lord, which hath not given me over for a pray unto his teeth. My soul is escaped, even as a bird out of the snare of the fouler: the snare is broken and I am delivered. My help standeth in the name of the Lord, which hath made heaven and earth. But neighbour Philemon, it is good in the time of calm to provide for tempest. We are taught of job, 
job. seven.  that a man's ●ife in this world, is a warfare or knighthood, and that we therefore ought to watch & pray, 
Math. xxvi.  tha● we fail not into temptation. The scripture declareth, that after Sa●than had tempted Christ, & was confounded by the word of God● the devil departed from Christ for a season. 
Luke. iiii.  Whereof we may learn▪ that he returned afterward unto Christ, and tempted him. I fear also, lest that Satan will shortly return unto me, and assail m● with new temptations.  Phi. 
In●dede the property of Satan is● when he can not get his purpose one way, to attempt some other means. 
Of the law.  But whereof are ye afraid?  Epa. 
Christ saith in the Gospel: 
Math. ix.  If thou wilt enter into lives keep the commandments. Again, do this, 
Luke. x.  and thou shalt live. He speaketh of fulfilling the law. And s. Paul saith. 
Rom. two.  Not the hearers but the doers of the law, sha● be justified before God. 
Deut. xxv●.  Moses also pronounceth them cursed, which abideth not in all things that are written in the law. What if Satan should lay the law against me, and prove evidently that I have not fulfilled the law of God, and therefore I can not enter into eternal life, but must needs be dampened? 
Remedies against the curse of the law.   Phi. 
The holy scripture of God consisteth of two parts, of the law and of the Gospel. If sathan object the law against you: lay you against him straighteways the Gospel. 
john. i.  For the law was given by Moses, but the Gospel, that is, grace, favour, remission of sins, truth, faithfulness, and everlasting life, came by jesus Christ. 
Of the law and the Gospel.  The law maketh afraid: but the Gospel comforteth. The law troubleth: but the Gospel quieteth. The law uttreth sin, but the Gospel pardoneth, and forgiveth sin. 
Rom. iii.  The law declareth the fierce wrath of God against sinners: 
Gala. iii.  but the Gospels preacheth the great and exceeding mercies of God toward penitent sinners. The law woundeth, bu● the gospel healeth. The law maketh sick: 
two. Cor. two.  but the gospel maketh whole and strong. The law driveth to desperation: but the gospel ministereth consolation & comfort. The law killeth: but the gospel quikneth. The law throweth down to hell: but the gospel lifteth up to heaven. Therefore if Satan be busy and lay the law against you, and that unto you death's and damnation, answer him with the Gospel, which bringeth life and everlasting salvation. For the law was not given us o● God to justify and save us, 
why the law was given.  but to be a doctrine unto us what w● should either do or leave undone and to be a schoolmaster to lead us unto Christ, 
Gala. iii.  that of him we might obtain that, which by no means may be gotten of the law, I mean, the grace, favour, and mercy of God, remission and forgiveness of sins, the quietness of conscience, a new life, the gift of the holy ghost, and everlasting life. Fly you therefore from the heavy burden of the law, which depresseth and weigheth down the conscience, and take on you the sweet and comfortable yoke of the gospel, and so shall you find rest unto your soul. 
Math. xi.  For the yoke thereof is easy, and the burden light. After this manner even from the beginning have all the godly in the conflict of conscience fled from the doctrine of the law unto the merciful promises of the Gospel, 
Act. xv.  as blessed Peter testifieth saying: Now, why tempt ye God, to put on the disciples necks, the yoke, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear. But we believe, that through the grace of the Lord jesus Christ we shall be saved, 
john. seven.  as they were. Our saviour Christ said unto the jews, hath not Moses given you a law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? The doctrine of the law is such a burden, that the holiest that ever lived (Christ alone except) was never able to bear it. 
Rom. seven.  No marvel, for the law is spiritual, but we are carnal. 
Prou. xx  Who among us all is able to say, my heart is clean, and I am free from sin? The holy scripture pronounceth us all sinners, and our own consciences bear witness of the same. 
Roma. iii.  And how cometh it to pass? but only that we do not observe the law of the Lord our God, 
Psalm. xi.  but rather are transgressors & breakers of that same, in so much that if our saviour Christ had not come in the flesh & fulfilled the law for us▪ even to the uttermost, & so pacified the father's wrath, we had been dampened for ever and ever. 
Rom. viii.  But Christ is come and hath fulfilled the law with such perfection as the law requireth, 
Roma. x.  even at the full, and his fulfilling is our fulfilling. 
Gala. iii. iiii. i Cor. i.  Whosoever believeth this, & taketh Christ to be his wisdom, righteousness, sanctifying and redemption, he cannot perish but have everlasting life.  Epa. 
I pray you declare unto me some comfortable sentences out of the holy scripture, that my conscience may be ascertained of Christ's fulfilling of the law for me.  Phile. 
Christ saith in the Gospel. 
Math. v.  Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the Prophets, no. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. All we are destroyers and breakers of the law, but Christ is a perfect fulfiller of the same, not for himself, but for us, and his fulfilling, is our fulfilling. The holy Apostle in his epistle to the Romans, sayeth. There is no damnation to them, 
Rom. viii.  which are in Christ jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life through jesus Christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do (inasmuch as it was weak because of the flesh) that parformed God, and sent his son in the similitude of sinful flesh, and by sin damned sin in the flesh, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, which walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. Here see you, that where as none of us was able to fulfil the law, Christ the son of God hath fulfilled it for us, and by this means delivered us from the law of sin and death. 
Rom. x.  Again in the same Epistle, Christ is the perfect fulfilling of the law to justify all that believe. So many therefore as believe, are justified, and for them Christ hath fulfilled the law to the uttermost. To the Galathians he also saith, 
Galat. iii.  Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, in as much as he was made accursed for our sake. 
Deut. xxi.  For it is written. Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. etc. It Christ by his death and passion hath delivered us from the curse of the law, how than can the law condemn us? Item, in the same Epistle, when the time was full come, 
Galat. iiii.  God sent his son made of a woman, and made bond unto the law, to redeem them, which were bond unto the law, that we through election might receive th'inheritance that belongeth unto the natural sons. If Christ became man and was made bond unto the law, to redeem and deliver us from the law: what power than hath the law over us, that it may condempn us? If we be through the free choice of God admitted to be the sons of God: them are we no more slaves unto the law, nor any more bound to the subjection thereof, that it may cast us away as wicked transgressors and heirs of eternal damnation. For it is fulfilled for us in Christ. 
Ephe. two.  To the Ephesians he writeth on this manner. Christ is our peace, which hath made of both one (he speaketh of the jews and Gentiles) and hath broken down the wall that was a stop between us, and hath also put away through his flesh the cause of hatred even the law of commandments contained in the law written. etc. Here have we the cause why god was angry with us. verily because we fulfilled not the law. Now is Christ come, & hath put away the cause of this anger and hatred, that is to say, he hath fulfilled the law for us, and reconciled us unto God, so that now the father for his sake hateth us no more, but loveth us, is no more angry, but well pleased with us, & accepteth his fulfilling of the law, as our own fulfulling. 
Collo. two.  Also to the Collossians, Christ saith he, 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 in his own person. If Christ hanging on the Cross, hath by the virtue of his passion & death put out the hand wrighting that was against us contained in the law than is our bond made frustrate and void, & we set at liberty, forasmuch as Christ by his blood hath both paid our debt unto God the father, and also subdued and brought under foot all our enemies. 
Hebr. seven.  The author of the Epistle to the hebrews, hath these words. The commandment that went afore, is disannulled, because of weakness and unprofitableness. For the law brought nothing to perfection, but was an introduction to a better hope, by the which we drawenie unto God. Here are we taught also, that forasmuch as by the law no man can be made perfect (for who among us fulfilleth the law?) we have our perfection in Christ● ●y whom for our sake the law is fulfilled, and remission of sins and everlasting life is freely given unto us. This is the hope, profit and liberty, which so many as believe, receive in Christ. Let therefore the terrors and curse of the law never trouble you, though Satan do never so much lay it unto your charge: but remember what the Apostle saith: ye are no more under the law, 
Rom. vi.  but under grace. Again. Now are we delivered from the law, 
Roma. seven.  and dead unto it, whereunto we were in bondage, that we should serve in a new conversation of the spirit, and not in old conversation of the letter. For if righteousness cometh by the law, than died Christ in vain. 
Galat. two.  But we know, saith the Apostle, that a man is not justified by the deeds of the law, but by the faith of jesus Christ. And we have believed on jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ: and not by the deeds of the law, because by the deeds of the law, no flesh sha● be justified. Again: as many o● you as are justified by the law, a● fallen from grace. We look for and hope in the spirit to be iustifed thorough faith. 
Gala. v.  For in Christ Iesu● neither is circumcision any thing worth, neither yet uncircumcision but faith, which worketh by love▪ Comfort yourself, neighbour E●●paphroditus, against the assaults of Satan with these sweet sayings of the holy scripture, and s● shall neither the fear nor the curse of the law hurt you. 
Remedies against sin.   Epa. 
God b● thanked, I trust, I am now we● enarmed against Satan for this matter. But what, if he lay my sinful life unto my charge, and so burden my conscience with that, that I know not what to do, but am like to fall unto desperation? What shall I aunwere? How shall I escape? For I confess unto you that I have been all my life time a very grievous sinner, and have greatly offended the Lord my God.  Phi. 
Discomfort not yourself, but take a good heart unto you. You are in this behalf in none other case then all the saints and faithful people of God have been before you, 
Roma. iii.  & are at this day. For all have sinned, and want the glory of God. 
Esay. liii.  All have gone astray like lost sheep. We are unprofitable servants. 
Luke. xvii. Esay. lxiiii.  All our righteousnesses are as a cloth defiled with menstrue. 
1. john. i.  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Epa. 
What 〈◊〉 I do than, that sin may be 〈◊〉 clog unto my conscience?  Phile. 

Repentance.  Let it repent you, that ever you of●fended so loving a father, and s● gentle a Lord. Be heartily sorry fo● your misdoings. Lament and in●wardly bewail your wretchednes●ses, which so wickedly have trans●gressed & broken the holy cōmaun●dements of the Lord. For this ha●ty and unfeigned repentance is a goodly preparative to salvation▪ and without it none can be saved Therefore john Baptist, 
Math. iii.  Christ & his Apostles begun their preaching of repentance. 
Mark. i Act. three Math. ix. Esay. lxvi.  For whosoever is not brought into the knowledge of himself, he shall never have delight to come unto Christ▪ For such as think themselves whole, have no pleasure in a physician, but they that are sick.  Epaphr. 
And will God accept this my repentance?  Phi. 
Hear what God saith by the Prophet Whom shall I regard? Even him that is poor and of a lowly troubled spirit, & standeth in awe of my words. The Psalmograph also saith: 
Psal. li.  A sacrifice unto god is a troubled spirit, a broken and a contrite heart: O God, shalt thou not despise. Again: 
Psal. xxxiii.  the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a troubled heart, and he will save them that are of a broken spirit. 
A prayer.   Epa. 
O Lord take away from me that stony heart, which can not repent, and give me that fleshly heart, which gladly and willingly lamenteth her sins and miseries, 
Ezech. xi.  and unfeignedly delighteth in a new life. But what? is repentance enough?  Phi. 
As you earnestly and from the very heart do repent you of your former sinful life: 
Confession of sins unto God.  so likewise humble yourself in the sight of God, and confess yourself unto him a most wicked & miserable sinner Cry in your heart with David, & say: have mercy upon me, O God after thy great goodness. Accor●dinge unto the multitude of thy mercies, do away mine offences Wash me thoroughly from my wic●kednes, 
Psal. li.  & cleanse me from my sin For I knowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and don● evil in thy sight. O turn thy fac● from my sins, and put out al● my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a righ● spirit within me. Cast me not a●way from thy presence, and tak● not thy holy spirit from me. Cry● with that lost son and say: 
Luke. xv.  O farther I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son▪ Cry with the Publican and say: 
Luke. xviii  O God be merciful to me a sinner. Cry with the Leper and say: 
Math. seven.  O Lord, if thou wilt thou art able to make me clean. Cry with the blind man and say: 
Mark. x.  O jesus the son of David, have mercy on me. 
Math. xv.  Cry with the woman of Canane and say●: have mercy on me O Lord thou●●ne of David: My daughter is grievously vexed of the devil. 
Math. v●●●.  Cry with the Centurion & say: I am not worthy that thou shouldest entre under my roof, but speak the word only, and my son shallbe heeled. But unto this your hearty repentance & humble confession of your sins, you must put mighty & strong faith, believing that God the father for his promise sake made unto all penitent sinners in Christ's blood, 
Faith.  will freely & mercifully forgive you all your sins, be ●hey never so many or grievous. for without this faith all that ever you do, is nothing worth, as th'apostle saith. 
Roma. xiiii.  Whatsoever is not of faith, 
Gene. iiii.  is sin. Cain repent and confessed his fault, saying: my sin is greater, than I may deserve to be forgiven. But because he wanted faith, he fell into desperation & was dampened: 
Math. xxvii.  judas repented & confessed his sin, saying: I have sinned, betraying the innocent blood, yea he also made satisfaction: such as it was, but not with●standinge because he added no● faith unto his repentance, con●fession and satisfaction, all was in vain. Peter his fellow disciple● sinned also grievously, 
Math. xxvi.  but because he earnestly repent, and als● faithfully believed to have remis●sion of his sins by the precious blood of his master, whom he ● fore had both denied & forsworn he was forgiven, and received i● to favour again. 
Ephe. i.  For by faith ar● we made of the children of wrath, the sons of God. 
john. i.  By faith are we married unto Christ. 
Galat, iii.  By faith are our hearts purified. By faith sathan is overcome. By faith the world is vanquished. 
Ose. two.  By faith we are preserved from damnation. By faith we are justified & made righteous. 
Act. xiii. i Pet. v.  By faith the wrath of God is assuaged. By faith we work the will of God. 
i. john. v.  By faith our prayers are heard, and our requests granted. By faith we please God. 
Rom. v.  By faith we be made the children of light. By faith we are borne a new of God. 
john. vi.  By faith we are made the temples of the holy ghost. 
Mark. xi. Roma. xi.  By faith we understand the mysteries of God.  
By faith we prevail against the gates of hell. 
john. xii i. john. iii● i. Cor. three Math. xxvi Rom. viii.  By faith we are made the heirs of God, and fellow heirs with our Lord and saviour Christ jesus, of everlasting glory. 
Lib. de fide ad Petrum.  Faith, as S. Austen saith▪ is the beginning of man's salvation. Without faith no man can reach or come unto the number of the sons of God. Without faith all the labour of man is frustrate and void. Faith, saith S. Ambrose, 
Lib. de Cain & Abel.  is the rote of all virtues▪ and whatsoever thou buildest o● this foundation, that alone profiteth unto the reward of thy work● fruit and virtue. faith, saith he▪ is richer than all treasures: stronger than all corporal power: and more healthful than all Physicians. Therefore look that you hau● this true faith in you, and tha● you cleave both tooth and nail (as they use to say) to the merciful and comfortable promises of god: So may you be sure to have remission and forgiveness of your sins.  Epa. 
I believe, O Lord, help tho● my unbelief. 
The sick man's confession of his sins. Mark. ix. Luke. xvii.  O Lord increase my saith, O heavenly father my God and my Lord, I with an assured persuasion of thy goodness toward me, most humbly beseech the for jesus Christ's sake, mercifully to behold me a most miserable sinner, and clearly to forgive all those sins & wickdnesses, which I wretched creature have committed against thee my Lord God from the hour of my birth unto this present tyme. forgive me all my sins for thy name's sake, 
Psalm. xxv  they ●e both many and great. Oh remember not the sins and offence of my youth, but according unto thy mercy think upon me, O Lord, 
Psal. lxxx●.  for thy goodness. Oh remember not mine old sins, but ●aue mercy on me, yea and that ●●ghtsone, for I am come to great misery. Help me, O God of my salvation, for the glory of thy name. O deliver me, and be merciful unto my sins for thy name's sake. So shall I give thee thanks for ever, & magnify thy blessed name worlds without end.  EU. 
Amen▪  Phi. 
Doubt not neighbour Epaphroditus, but that god hath graciously heard this your humble suit, & also granted your request▪ He hath forgiven you all your sins He will never lay them to your● charge. He hath cast them aways behind his back, so that he will never remember them more, as h● saith by the Prophet, 
jere. xxxi.  I will forgive their misdeeds, and will never remember their sins any more▪ Again. 
Ezech. x●iii.  If the ungodly will tur● away from all his sins that h● hath done, and keep all my com●maundementes, and do the thin● that is equal and right: doubtless he shall live and not die. As for 〈◊〉 his sins that he did before, th● shall not be thought upon, but in his righteousness that he hath done, he shall live. For have I any pleasure in the death of a sinner, saith the Lord God, and not rather that he convert and live? Item. Repent, & turn you from all your wickednesses: so shall there no sin do you harm. Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done. Make you new hearts, and a new spirit. Wherefore will ye die, O ye house of Israel? seeing I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, sayeth the Lord God. Turn you then: and ye shall live. Therefore fear not good brother: but continued faithful & repentant unto th'end, & ye shall surely be saved.  Epa. 
Sin is an heavy burden, 
Of sin. Psal. vi.  & very displeasant unto the lord our God, and maketh sinners to ●le from the face of God, forasmuch as they know that God hateth sin and all them that do commit it.  Phi. 

Esay. iii.  I confess sin to be an heavy burden and displeasant unto God yet as heavy as it is, 
Math. viii  Christ hath taken it on him and born it away as the Prophet saith, he hath taken on him our infirmities, and borne our sicknesses. 
i Pet. two.  This witnesseth. S. Peter, saying. Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we being delivered from sin, should live unto righteousness. And where as ye say that sin maketh sinners to fly from the face of God, I answer. It driveth in deed the obstinate and desperate sinners from God, but not the penitent which repent in faith, and turn unfeignedly unto the Lord their God, being persuaded that he is a father of mercies and God of all consolation, 
●●. Cor. i.  and that he for Christ's sake will forgive them. Do they which feel themself sick and diseased, fly and run away from the physician? They rather make haste unto the Physician, being nothing afraid of him, because they are sick & diseased, but rather so much the more do they desire to come unto him, to show him their wounds and to disclose their diseases, that they may be made whole. Now is Christ a physician, 
Math. ix.  & all we through sin are diseased, shall we therefore run away from Christ, and not rather make haste unto him? what Physician is so ready to heal the body, as Christ our Physician is to heal the soul? Who ever came unto him with a faithful and penitent heart, and was refused? Who ever sought remedy at his hand, and was not helped? Who ever opened unto him his disease's, and was not cured? he calleth all without exception, be they never so diseased and laden with th● burden of sin unto him, and pro●miseth that he will ease them of their burdens, & make them whole, & is it to be thought, that he will refuse sinners, when they come vn●to him? 
Math xi  Come unto me, saith he, all ye that labour and are laden, & I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you, and ye shall find rest for your souls. For I came not to ca● the righteous, but sinners unto repentance. 
Math. ix  The son of man came to seek and to save that was lost. How frequented he the company of sinners, 
Luke, nineteen  when he was in this world, & that to this end only, tha● he might call them through his godly sermons unto repentance, 
Math. ix  unto the favour of God, and unto the fellowship of the saints, in so much that he was called a friend of open sinners and whores? 
Mrth. xi. x  How defended he always the humble & penitent sinners against the proud and stiff-necked Pharisees and justiciaries? 
Luke. seven  When Zache being a sinner & the Prince of the Publicans sought to see Christ, 
Luke. nineteen.  how lovingly did Christ speak unto him and friendly came into his house, eat & dranck with him? 
Luke, seven  When Mary Magdalen being a grievous sinner came unto Christ, he refused not her company, but talked most gently with her, comforted her, received her into his favour, quieted her conscience, healed her diseases, & gave her everlasting life. 
Luke, xvii  When the poor Publican, which had both oft and grievously offended the Lord his God, came into the temple to pray, and in his prayers humbled himself before the majesty of God, and confessed himself a sinner, was he not joyfully received into the favour of God, and pronounced more righteous even by the mouth of Christ than the proud▪ Pharesy for all his glistering works? How joyfully was that unthrifty, 
Luke. xv.  prodigal & wasteful son received home again? 
Luke. xxii.  What friendship found that thief, which was crucified with Christ, at the hand of Christ, when he said, Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom? Did not Christ straightways answer him and say: This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise? And yet was he both a thief, a seditious person and a murderer. Christ refuseth none although never so grievous a sinner, if we come unto him. Turn ye unto me, 
●acha. i.  and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. Thou disobedient Israel. 
jere. iii.  Turn again (saith the Lord) and I will not let my wrath fall upon you I am merciful (saith the Lord) and I will not always bear displeasure against thee: but this I will the thou know thy great blasphemy, namely that thou hast unfaithfully forsaken the Lord thy God, and hast made thy self partaker of strange Gods under all green trees, but haste had no will to hear my voice, saith the Lord. O ye disobedient children, turn again saith the Lord, and I will be married with you. etc. O ye disobedient children, turn again, saying: Lo, we are thine: for thou art the Lord our God, and so shall I heal your back turnings. Who will not boldly come unto so merciful a Lord & most loving father, seeing he so gently calleth all men unto him, be they never so grievous sinners, & promiseth that he will not refuse them, but lovingly receive them, never lay their offences unto their charge: but to forget them and cast them behind his back, that he will never either remember th● or look upon them more.  Theo. 

joel. two  The Lord is merciful, gentle and loving, patient, long suffering, & o● much kindness, and ready at all times to forgive, yea even wha● he is at the point to punish. Th● Lord is loving unto every man, 
Psalm. cliiii  & his mercy is over all his works▪ The lord is good and gracious, & of great mercy unto all them that call upon him. 
Psal. lxxxvi  The Lord is full of tender compassion and great mer●cy, long suffering and of much goodness. 
Psal. ciii.  He will not always be childing, neither keepeth he his anger for ever. He dealeth not with us after our sins, neither rewardeth he us according to our wickednesses. For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth: so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him. Look how wide also the East is from the west: so far hath he set our sins from us. Yea like as a father pitieth his own children: even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him. For he knoweth whereof we be made, he remembreth that we are but dust. 
Psal. cxxx  With the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his sins.  Phi. 
The great kindness & dear hearty love of God toward us, appeareth not only in this, that he both willingly and gladly admitteth and receiveth sinners, whensoever they repent and turn unto him, but ●n that he also most diligently seeketh them up, fetcheth them home again, and giveth them grace to repent and turn, that they may ●e saved. 
Luke. xv  This thing is very ●yuelye described and set forth in ●he parables of the strayed sheep, 
Luke. x.  of the lost groat, and of the wounded man. Herein is love, saith S. john, 
i. john. iii.  not that we loved God, bu● that he loved us, & sent his sonn● to be the agreement for our sins Saint Paul saith: 
Roma. v.  God sets out his love toward us, seeing tha● while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us. Much more than now● we that are justified by his blood shallbe saved from wrath through him. For if when we were enne●mies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son: much● more seeing we are reconciled, we shallbe preserved by his life.  Epa. 
I believe that God is a merciful father for Christ's sake to all them tha● do truly repent, believe and con●uert unto him, but is it not to be● feared, that my repentance and conversion is to late? 
Remedies against late repentance & conversion unto God.   Phi. 
Be on good comfort neighbour Epaphroditus, there is no repentance and conversion to late in this world▪ so that it be true & proceedeth from a contrite heart & humble spirit. For at whatsoever hour a sinner doth mourn and lament for his sins, 
jere. xxx●.  God promiseth, that he will so forgive him his iniquities that he will never remember them more. 
Ezech. xv●●●.  And Christ saith. 
Math. v.  Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. In the holy scriptures God doth very often call us unto repentance, but he appointeth not either this or the time, day & hour, but he willeth us to repent, and promiseth that whensoever we return unto him, we shall be safe and escape from death unto life. 
Math. ●●●  Our saviour Christ also biddeth all that are diseased, come unto him, and promiseth that he will ease them, but he assigneth no time, but at all hours he promiseth grace, mercy, favour, help, and con●ort. Christ is a saviour for all ages, & refuseth no conversion, although never so late. If we come in childhood, in youth, in middle age, or in old age, whensoever we come, we shall be received. Only let us come. It is better late than never. God is a like merciful, in all ages. Christ is a saviour able enough to save at all times. 
Math. i.  He ceaseth not to be called jesus, that is to say, a saviour: neither ceaseth he at any time to save, as the Apostle saith, jesus Christ yesterday & to day, 
Hebr. xiii.  and the same continueth for ever. If Christ were appointed of God the father a saviour for certain times, & not for all times: so should he be no perfect saviour. 
● Note.  If he could not as effectually save at the hour of death as at the hour of the birth: he were unworthy the name of a saviour. But he abideth a saviour for all ages and for all kind of people, so that they unfeignedly repent, believe, and turn. Set before your eyes the parable, 
Math. xx.  which we read in the gospel, of them that were hired to work in the vineyard. Some came early in the morning, some about the third hour, some about the vi and ix hour, and some about the xi hour. And when night once came, that they should receive their wages, all had like reward. When they that came first saw that they that came last & wrought but one hour, were equal unto them, which had borne the burden and heat of the day, & received like reward: one of them murmured & grudged at the matter: but it was answered. Friend I do the no wrong. Take that is thine and go thy way. I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do as me listeth with mine own goods? Thus see you that they, which came at the latter end of the day & wrought in the vineyard but an hour, were not refused but received the like reward with them that came first. Only let us be labourers and no loiterers, only let us come into the lords vinyeard, and not run away backward, and at whatsoever hour we come, we shallbe welcome, & receive our reward with the first. 
Luke. xxii.  Again the history of the thief, that hanged on the right-hand of Christ, which thief was full of wicked deeds, & never turned unto God until the very hour of his death, declareth manifestly that there is no conversion in this life to late, if it be accompanied with true repentance and unfeigned faith. The thief hanging on the cross, & at the point of death only said unto Christ: Lord remember me, when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Christ well accepting his conversion, said unto him: Truly I say unto thee: this day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Who will now despair of the good will and favourable mercy of God, seeing that this thief converting at the very last hour of his death, was not of Christ rejected: but received, & made a fellow citizen with Christ of joyful Paradise?  Epa. 
But I have many times grievously offended the Lord my God, and broken his holy commandments.  Phile. 
This is no let unto your salvation, so that your conversion be unfeigned. 
Prou. xxiii  The righteous man sinneth vii times in the day. 
Eccle. seven. Psal. xiii. Math. nineteen  Who liveth & sinneth not. All go astray. There is none good but God alone. All our righteousnesses are as a cloth polluted with menstrue. 
Esay. lxiiii,  If God should deal with the most holy and most perfect according to their deserts, they should find nothing in themselves but worthy damnation▪ David with other very many of the old Testament oftentimes sinned and offended God with their wicked acts, 
two. Reg. i Gen. 2.9.19 20.27.36.31 34.37. Exod. two iii. Reg. xi Mat. xx. xxvi  yet forasmuch as they repented and unfeignedly turned unto God, they were received into favour and saved. The Disciples of Christ, Peter and his fellows were sinners also, and many times did that, which is not righteous in the sight of God, yet they be wailing their miseries, & truly returning unto God, were admitted into the number of gods elect. 
Math. xviii.  God is that Lord, which forgiveth not only one talon but the whole debt of ten M. talentes, if we come truly unto him & knowledge our beggary, yea our nothing. If God would that we should forgive one an other, so oft as we offend, doubtless God will also forgive us whensoever we offend, if we unfeignedly turn unto him, be our sins never so many and grievous. Marry Magdalen sinned full oft, yet was she forgiven, as it is written of her: 
Luke. seven.  Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. 
Luke, xviii  The Publican was with out doubt a very grievous sinner, and had many times broken the commandments of god, yet so soon as he humbled himself before the throne of god's majesty, & apealed unto his mercy: he was received ●nto favour & pronounced of Christ's ●wn mouth more righteous than ●he Pharisy for all his glistering works & outward holiness of life. ●ing Manasses in his prayer confessed unto God, that he had sinned above the number of the sands ●f the sea, and that his iniquities ●ere innumerable, yet after he returned unto the Lord, they were all forgiven and he received into favour. If there be not daily remission of daily sins at the hand of God for Christ's sake, 
Math. vi.  why are we commanded daily to pray for the forgiveness of our sins? 
Luke. xi.  If the favour of God be promised at all hours to such as unfeignedly turn unto their Lord God, 
jere. xviii. Ezech. xviii. and xxxiiii  and seek him in singleness of heart, them followeth it, that sin we never so oft and never so grievously: yet if hearty repentance come, there is hope of remission of sins through the blood of Christ. 
Psal. cix.  If Christ be an everlasting Bishop, than is he able at all times to save even at the full those, which come unto God through him. 
Hebr. seven  If Christ go forth to be called jesus, 
Math. i.  that is to say: a saviour, then ceaseth he not to save sinners. 
Rom. viii.  If Christ be our intercessor, mediator and advocate unto God the father even unto the worlds end, 
i Tim. two.  then may we be sure thorough him to have remission and forgiveness of all our sins even unto th'end of the world, 
i. john. two.  yea & that at all times, sin we never so oft & grievously, if we repent, believe and amend. Therefore though you have many times grievously offended the Lord your God and broken his holy commandments, yet despair not but turn again unto the Lord your God, & he will turn unto you▪ deliver you & save you. 
two. Cor. i.  For he is the father of mercies & God of all consolation. He is rich enough for all them that call upon him. 
Rom●. x.  If you do thus, though your sins be as read as scarlet, yet shall they be as white as snow. And though they were like purple, yet shall they be as white as will. Hear what God saith by the Prophet: Commonly when a man putteth away his wife and she goeth from him, 
jere. iii.  and marrieth with an other, than the question is: should he resort any more unto her after that? Is not this field then defiled & unclean? But as for thee: thou hast played the harlot with many lovers, yet turn again to me, saith the Lord. etc. and I will not let my wrath fall upon you. I am merciful, (sayeth the Lord) and I will not always bear displeasure against thee. O turn again and I will be married with you. Whom would not these words encourage to come again unto the Lord his God, and thoroughly to be persuaded of gods loving favour toward him, and of the forgiveness of his sins, be they never so many and grievous, if he repent, believe & amend?  Epa. 
These things comfort well my weak conscience. But one thing doth greatly discourage me.  Phi. 
What ●s that? 
Remedies against the want of merits.   Epa. 
I have no merits, nor plenty of good works, wherewith I may make God favourable ●o me, but I am a barren fig tree ●oyd of all good fruit.  Phile. 
The want of merits ought not to pluck you from coming unto god. 
Tit. iii.  For God saveth not us for the righteous works, which we have done, but for his mercy's sake. If our salvation came of works & merits: then were grace no more grace. 
Rom. xi.  If everlasting life were gotten by deservings: 
Rom. vi  than were it not the gift of God through jesus Christ our lord 
Ephe. two  But the Apostle saith.  
By grace are ye saved thorough faith, and that not of ourselves. It is the gift of God, and cometh not of works, lest any man should boast himself. If righteousness come of the law: 
Galat. two.  then Christ is dead in vain. Christ came not to call the righteous: but sinne● to repentance. 
Math. ix.  And we are taug● in the Gospel, that joy shall be 〈◊〉 heaven over one sinner that rep●●teth, 
Luke. xv  more than over ninety an● nine just persons, which need 〈◊〉 repentance. 
Luke. x.  What had the wou●●ded man deserved, that he shoul● be healed? 
Luke. xv.  What had the strayshep● merited, that the shepherd shoul● so lovingly fetch her home against What good works brought Mar● Magdalen, 
Luke. v●●.  when Christ received her unto grace & forgave her, he● sins? And so likewise of divers other. If God should save us because of our merits & good works, so should we choose god by our works and merits, and not God us by his favour, grace and mercy. But Christ saith, 
john. xv.  ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. 
john. iii.  And S. john wondering at this great mercy of God, brasteth out ●●to these words▪ and saith: Behold, what love the father hath ●hewed on us, that we should be called ●he sons of God. 
i. john. ●●●.  Again herein ●s love, not that we loved God, ●ut that he loved us, and sent his ●onne to be the agreement for our ●●nnes. And S Paul saith, God the ●ather hath chosen us in Christ, 
Ephe. i.  ●efore the foundations of the world ●ere laid. God therefore did choose ●s by his grace, and not we him ●y our works and merits: 
Exod. xxxiii.  I will ●aue mercy, said God to Moses, ●n whom it pleaseth me to have mercy, 
Roma. ix.  and I will have compassion, ●n whom it is my pleasure to have compassion. It lieth not therefore ●n a man's will or running, but in ●he mercy of God. And the Psalmograph saith, 
Psal. xvi●  speaking of God, 〈◊〉 of himself: he hath saved me, because it was his pleasure to have ●e. 
Psal. lvi.  Again he saith: Thou shalt save them for nothing: what 〈◊〉 to say, 
De verb. Apo. serm. 15.  saith S. Austen, thou sh●● save them for nothing? but the th●● findest nothing in them wherefore they should be saved, and yet sau●● thou them. 
Lib. 2. contra Pela.  Freely dost thou ge●● freely dost thou save. And s. Iero●● alleging the same sentence agains the Pelagians, saith, that the rig●●teous are not saved by their ow●● merits, but by the tender merc●● of God. If we shall consider ou●● merits, 
In joan. cap. 3 Home. 25.  saith Chrisostom, we a●● not only worthy no reward, b●● we are also worthy punishemen● Let all men's merits, which per●●shed by Adam be still and keep s●●lence, saith Saint Austen, 
De predest. Sanctorum.  and l●● the grace of God reign, which reigneth through our Lord I●●sus Christ. 
De vocat. Gene. lib. 1. Cap. 5.  The redemption 〈◊〉 Christ's blood should wax vi●● and become of no price, saith S● Ambrose, if the justification, which cometh by grace were due unto merits going afore. 
Psal. ci●●  David saith in a certain Psalm, praise▪ the Lord. O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not his benefits. Which forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thine iniquities. Which saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth the with mercy and loving kindness. 
* ● Note.  All good men from the beginning have attributed & given the whole glory of their justification and salvation, not to their own merits and good wor●es: 
i Cor. xv.  but to the free grace and undeserved mercy of God, 
i, Cor. i  that God may be all in all, and that he, which rejoiceth, should rejoice in ●he Lord. For the contentation and quietness of your conscience ●n this behalf, remember that Christ ●ame not to call the justiciaries, but sinners unto repentance. Remē●ber that the son of man, 
Luke. nineteen.  came t● seek and to save that, that wa● lost. Remember that Christ is 〈◊〉 Physician, 
Math. ix  and that the who● hath no need of a Physician, bu● such as are sick. 
Math. xi.  Remember tha● Christ calleth unto him all such a● are diseased & laden with the buckden of sin. 
Math. i.  He requireth no m●●rites, only come, remember tha● Christ is called a saviour to the end that he should save them, which otherwise should perish. 
Luke. two  Hear also what God saith by the Prophet Come to the waters all ye that b● thirsty and ye that have no money Come, 
Esay. lv.  buy, that ye may have to ea●● Come buy wine and milk without any money, or money worth. Wher●●fore do ye lay out your money fo● the thing that feedeth not, & spen● your labour about the thing tha● satisfieth you not? But harke● hearken rather unto me, & ye shall eat of the best, and your soul shall have her pleasure in plenteousnesses. Incline your ears, and come unto me, take heed (I say) & your soul shall live. Our saviour Christ also saith. 
john. seven.  If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. Again in an other place, I will give to him that is a thirst, of the well of the water of life. 
Apoca. xxi  He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, & he shallbe my son. 
Apoca. xxi●  Iten. Let him that is a thirst, come. And let whosoever will, take of the water of life, fire. Here is the favour of God, remission of sins, the gift of the holy ghost, quietness of conscience, and everlasting life promised freely without merits or deserts to so many as will come unto Christ with a repentant heart & faithful mind. 
Esay. ixi.  For Christ was sent of God the father to preach good tidings unto the poor, 
Luke. iiii.  that he might bind up the wounded hearts, that he might preach deliverance to the captive, and open the prison to them that are bound, declare the acceptable year of the Lord, and comfort all them that are in heaviness. He came into this world to save sinners. 
i Tim. i.  Therefore let it not dismay you, though you find in yourself plenty of sins & good works very few. Cast rather the eyes of your mind with strong faith on Christ & on his righteousness, on his merits, passion, & death, on his blessed body breaking, & his precious blood shedding. 
Cor. i. jere. ix.  Believe him to be ordained of God the father to be your wisdom, & righteousness, your sanctification & redemption, that as it is written, he that rejoiceth, should rejoice in the Lord. 
Phil. iii.  Count all your merits, good works, & righteousnesses, vile and of no price, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ jesus our Lord. Labour to win Christ, and to be found in him, not having your own righteousness, which cometh of the law, but that that, which is through the faith of Christ even the righteousness which cometh of God through faith, that you may know him and the virtue of his resurrection and fellowship of his passions. He that through true faith hath gotten Christ, put him on his back withal his righteousness and holiness, he is not altogether without merits, neither walketh he naked in the sight of God. 
Rom. xiii.  Unto this exhorteth S. Paul, when he saith. Put ye on the Lord jesus Christ, that is to say. Cloth yourself through saith with all the merits and works of Christ. Take his righteousness, holiness, perfection, praying, fasting, watching, law fulfilling, miracles working, preaching passion, death, resurrection, ascension, and all that ever he hath to be yours. Believe him to be given you of God, withal that ever he hath. Christ is yours, all therefore that ever Christ merited in his flesh is yours also, as the Apostle saith. God spared not his own son, 
Rom. viii.  but gave him for us all, how can it be than, that with him he should not give us all things also? If you on this manner put on Christ his merits and good works thorough true faith, 
Math. xxi  you shall not appear before God an unfruitful fig tree, neither shall the curse of God fall upon you. Hear what S. Austen saith: 
In mantali. Cap. xxii.  All my hope is in the death of my Lord. His death is my merit & my refuge, my health life and resurrection. The tender mercy of the Lord is my merit. I am not without merits, so long as that Lord of mercies faileth not. And if the mercies of the Lord be plenteous, then am I also plenteous in merits. The mightier that he is to save, the better is my state and condition, and the more free am I from all danger. Here see you that this godly man. Saint Austen knoweth none other merits that may do him good, but the merits of Christ's death and passion. He counteth Christ's merits his merits, and saith that he is not without merits, so long as that Lord of mercies faileth not. 
Lib. medit. Cap. 14.  In an other place he also sayeth, all my hope, and assurance of my whole trust is in the precious blood of Christ, which was shed for us and for our salvation. In that is all my comfort, and reposing the whole affiance of my salvation. In that I desire to come unto thee (O heavenly father) not having mine own righteousness, but that righteousness, which cometh by thy son jesus Christ our Lord. Item. Brethren, that we may be healed from sin, let us behold Christ crucified. For as they that did behold the brazen Serpent in the wyldernsse, did not die through the stinging of the serpents: so likewise they that do look upon the death of Christ with faith, are healed from the bitings of sins. Here to agreeth the saying of saint barnard, 
In cantica.  what is of so mighty force & great strength to heal the wounds of the conscience, as the diligent remembrance of Christ's wounds? Again, when I am troubled and put in fear of my sins, than do I hide me in the bloody wounds of jesus Christ. Look that you therefore likewise fly unto the merits of Christ's death and passion, and so shall neither sin, death, hell, desperation, law, or any other thing hurt you.  Ep. 
I believe that whatsoever Christ did in his humanity, he did it for me & for my salvation. And in thee, O Lord God, is my whole trust, let me never be confounded. But neighbour Philemon.  Phile. 
What is your mind sir. 
Of predestination.   Epa. 
What if I be not of the number of those, whom God hath predestinate to be saved?  Phi. 
Fear you not. God without all doubt hath sealed you by his holy spirit unto everlasting life. Your name is written in the book of life. You are a citizen of the new glorious and heavenly Jerusalem. You shall remain with God in glory after your departure for ever & ever. 
Of repentance   Epa. 
It sore repenteth me, that I have at any time offended the lord my God.  Phi. 
This repentance is an evident testimony of your salvation, and that god hath predestinate and tofore appointed you unto everlasting life. 
Math. two  For it is written, repent you of your former life, 
Eze. xviii  for the kingdom of God is at hand. Again: If the ungodly shall repent him of all his sins that he hath done. etc. Doubtless he shall live and not die. As for all his sins that he did before, 
Of Faith.  they shall not once be thought upon.  Epa. 
I have an earnest faith in the blood of Christ, that God the father will forgive me all my sins for Christ's sake.  Phi. 
You thus believing can not perish, but this your faith is an undoubted assurance unto your conscience, that you are predestinate to be saved. For it is written, God hath so dearly loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that all that believe on him, should not perish, but ●aue everlasting life. 
john. iii.  For God ●ent not his son into the world ●o condemn the world, but that ●he world should be saved by him. He that believeth on him, is not condemned. He that believeth on ●he son, hath everlasting life. verily, verily I say unto you, he ●hat heareth my word, 
john. v.  and believeth on him that sent me, hath e●erlasting life, and shall not come ●nto damnation, but is scaped from death unto life. This is the ●athers will, that sent me, that of ●l which he hath given me, I shall ●ose nothing, but raise them up again at the last day. 
john. seven.  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the son and believeth on him, have everlasting life. And I will raise him up at the last day. I am the resurrection & life, 
john. xi  he that believeth in me, though he be dead, yet shall he live & every one that liveth and believeth i● me, 
john. xi.  shall never die. To him (christ● give all the prophets witness saith S. Peter, 
Act. x.  that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins If thou knowledge with thy mouth that jesus is the Lord, 
Rom. x.  and believe in thine heart that God raised him up from death, thou shal● be saved. For to believe with th● heart justifieth, and to knowledge with the mouth, maketh a man safe. 
Esay. xxviii  For the scripture saith: Whosoever believeth on him, shall not be confounded. Thus see you, that faith doth assure your conscience of the favour of God & of everlasting life. Doubt you not therefore, but that you are counted in the number of Gods elect and chosen people, and shall inherit the glorious kingdom of God: 
Of baptism   Epa. 
I was baptized in the name of God the father, ●nd of god the son, & of god the ●oly ghost. 
Math. xxviii   Phi. 
This is also a sure ●●ken of the favour of God toward ●ou, and that you are predestinate ●nto everlasting life, seeing that according to your profession, you do believe, and unto the uttermost of your power frame your life. For it is written, 
Mark. xvi.  he that believeth & is baptized, 
Act. two.  shallbe saved. And s. Peter said unto the jews: Repent you of your sins, & be baptized every one of you in the name of jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost▪ And Saint Paul saith: 
Gala. two.  All ye that are baptised, have put on Christ. And you know, there is no damnation to them that are in Christ jesu. 
Rom. viii  For as when you were baptized, ye forsook the devil, the world, and the flesh, withal their works, pomps, and vanity, and gave yourself only unto the service of God, taking him for your Lord & master even so hath God likewise taken you to be his servant, loveth and favoureth you, and will defend you against all your enemies, and never forsake you, until he hath brought you unto everlasting life. By baptism is he your lord God, therefore will not he suffer you to perish. By baptism, is he your father, and you are born of him, & so become his son, therefore can he none otherwise, then love, tender and favour you, and give you the inheritance of his heavenly kingdom. By baptism are you made the brother of Christ, heir of God, and fellow heir with Christ of everlasting glory, them may you be certain to be of that number, that shall inherit eternal life. By baptism is the holy ghost given you, then are you the son of God and ●an not pearysh. For it is written. They that are led with the spirit ●f God, 
Roma. viii.  are the sons of God. Baptism is a continual sign of ●he favour of God toward us, of ●he free remission of sins, of our reconciliation unto God for Chri●tes sake, and that we be by adoption the sons of God, & heirs of ●uerlasting glory. 
Of the Lords supper.   Epa. 
In times ●ast I have also many times received the mysteries of the lords ●ody and blood in the temples of ●he Christians, with the congregation of God, wherein I confess, I have found great comfort, and ●erye much quietness unto my ●eake and sinful conscience.  Phi. 
The often coming with a fervent desire unto the Lords ta●le by true faith to feed upon the mysteries of the lords body and ●loud: is a manifest argument, that God hath chosen you to be his, hath written your name in the book of life, and predestinate you vnt● everlasting glory. For in so doin● you have not only called unto re●membraunce the most healthful death of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, and so been thanke●ful for it, but you have also shew●ed yourself a lively member 〈◊〉 that holy body, whereof Christ i● the head. You have professed opē●ly in the face of the Christian con●gregation, that God the father i● your father, that Christ is your Lor● and saviour, that by the one only oblation of his blessed body on th● altar of the Cross, all your syn●nes are put away and forgeue● and you made the inheritor 〈◊〉 everlasting glory. When you thu● came unto the lords Table, a● the fruits, benefits and merit● of Christ's passion were given yo● namely, the favour of God, remi●●sion of sins, the holy ghost, quietness of conscience, new affects, victory over Satan, death and hell, and finally everlasting life, so that now ye are incorporated in Christ, & become a true & lively member of that mystical body, whereof he is the head, 
Ephe. ●:  yea, you are flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bones, as the Apostle saith.  
Is not the cup of blessing, 
i Cor. ●  which we bless, partaking of the blood of Christ? Is not the bread, which we break, partaking of the body of Christ? etc.  Epa. 
As I have had many times an earnest and fervent mind to come reverently unto the lords table, and to be partaker of the holy mysteries of Chri●tes body and blood with the congregation: 
Of hearing God's word.  so likewise have I at all times been glad to repair vn●o those places, where the word of God hath been preached, and the doctrine that hath there been taught I marked diligently, kept it in me●mory, and to the uttermost of m● power I laboured to frame m● life according unto the same, 
jacob. i.  tha● I might be no forgetful hearer but a diligent doer of those works, which I learned of the hol● scriptures to be acceptable vnt● the Lord my Lord, 
Luke. i.  that I might serve him in holiness and righte●ousnes all the days of my life  Phi. 
As there is not a more evident testimony and a surer arguments that that man is in the state of e●uerlasting damnation, which hath no mind to hear the word o● God, nor to train his life according unto the doctrine thereof: s● likewise is there not a more cer●taine sign, that any man is pre●destinate to be saved, then when h● hath a mind to hear the word o● God, as our saviour Christ testi●fieth, saying: He that is of god, heareth gods words, 
john. viii.  ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Here see you, how Christ putteth a difference between them that are of God, and them that are of the devil. They that are the children of the devil have no mind to hear the word of God. But they that are the sons of God, have a fervent delight and singular great pleasure to hear gods word, yea, & as the Prophet saith, 
Psal. i.  to exercise themselves in it day and night. In an other place our saviour Christ saith also. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, 
john. x.  and they follow me, and I give unto them everlasting life, & they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. In this sentence ye see, that they which hear the voice of their shepherd Christ, are the sheep of Christ, and that they shall never perish, but have everlasting life. 
john. xviii.  Christ also said unto Pilate: Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice. You having a mind to hear the word of God & to hear the voice of Christ that high shepherd: have showed yourself to be of the truth. So being, you cannot perish, but obtain everlasting life. 
Luke. xi  For Christ himself pronounceth them blessed which hear the word of God, and keepeth it, that is to say: believe it and study to frame their life according unto the same. 
Of Prayer.   Epa. 
Moreover I have ever had a desire (I thank the Lord my God for it) to pray unto the Lord my God, and to call on his holy name, although, I confess, not so fervently as I ought.  Phil. 
This thing also doth fully certify your conscience, that you are of the number of Gods elect, and to tofore unto everlasting salvation. 
joel. two.  For it is written. Whosoever doth call on the name of the Lord, 
Psal. ix.  Shallbe safe. Again, he hath cried unto me, & I will graciously hear him, yea I am with him in trouble, and I will deliver him, & glorify him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.  Ep. 
God be thanked, I am now well quieted in my conscience, and fear Satan nothing at all. I think myself at this present so strong and so thoroughly enarmed against the devil and all his wicked army: that I am nothing afraid to enter battle with him, but am fully persuaded that by the help and power of my grand captain jesus Christ, I shall over throw him. One doubt remaineth & that once dispatched, I trust I shallbe in some readiness for the Lord my God, whensoever he sendeth for ●e, & calleth me out of this wretched world.  Phi. 
What is that?  Epa. 

Of the certainty of God's favour toward us and of our salvation.  I have heard many times at the mouth of divers men, which have a good opinion of themselves of their own wit, doctrine & learning, that no man in this world is certain of his salvation, neither can any man say with a safe conscience and undoubted faith, I am of the number of Gods elect, I am a vessel of mercy, I shall be saved. My name is registered in the book of life. etc. but all men even the most godly and faithful, must doubt of their salvation, of the remission of their sins, of the favour of God toward them, and of everlasting life.  Phi. 
This is the doctrine of the Papists both wicked and damnable. The Papists in teaching this doctrine doth not only trouble, disquiet, make afraid, wound▪ kill, and slay the consciences of the simple people, and of such as credit their devilish doctrine: but as much as in them lieth, they make God a liar, his holy word false, and our faith frustrate, void and vain. Take away the certainty of salvation from any man: and to what point serveth the merciful promise of God, and the faith which apprehendeth and layeth hand on the most loving promises of God? This doctrine openeth a very path unto hell, and bringeth unto desperation.  Chr. 
Yet the Papists allege the Scripture for them. 
The manner of the papists in alleging the scriptures   Phile. 
I think that: for so is their accustomed property. They allege many times the scriptures of God to defend and to establish their errors and heresies, & ●o blear the simple people's eyes, which are not able to discern A. from B. nor to judge between truth and falsehood, but are easily led that way, whereunto the subtle and wily papist persuadeth. If I had leisure to declare unto you, what juggling the ungodly Papists have used and yet do use in writing & wrestting, incorrupting and abusing that holy word of God, ye would not a little marvel at the matter: But I would gladly hear, what the papists can allege ou● of the word of God for the confirmation of their wicked opinion in this behalf. 
Eccle. ix.   Chr. 
The sentence whereunto they stick and cleave as unto an invincible bulwark is this: A man knoweth not whether he be worthy love or hatred, bu● allthings are kept uncertain unto the time to come.  Phi. 
The kingdom of the Papists is not without a cause called the kingdom o● lies, and the Papists themselves may rightwell be resembled to the beast which rose out of the sea, 
Apoca. xiii  unto whom was given a mouth to speak great things and blasphemies, yea to speak blasphemy against god, to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle, and then that dwell in heaven. etc. But as concerning the text which they allege (although the learned in the Hebrew tongue know right well how greatly this text after the common Latin translation differeth from the truth of the Hebrew) it is abused of them, and wrested contrary to the mind both of the author and of the translator as the words that immediately follow, do manifestly declare. When Solomon saith, a man knoweth not whether he be worthy love or hatred, he speaketh not of the knowledge and judgement of the conscience toward God, for who knoweth not, that he is worthy hatred which sinneth against the Lord his god, contrariwise, that he pleareth god, & god loveth him, which doth that thing, that is pleasant in his godly sight, but he speaketh of the outward and carnal judgement and knowledge which men have of themselves, of their own strengths, wisdom or free will concerning things which chance to them outwardly. As though he should say. If a man should only behold and consider the outward face of things, and judge the favour or the disfavour of God toward any man of the things that outwardly chance unto any man, he were not able to affirm and to parswade his conscience, whether God loveth him or not. For God indifferently without any respect had to either of the parties, giveth as abundantly to the ungodly, as to the godly, to the unfaithful, as to the faithful, to the saints as unto the wicked his temporal and outward gifts, as beauty, strength, riches, health of body, reason, wisdom, eloquence, honour, nobility, wealth, glory. etc. yea many times the enemies of God have more plenteously given unto them of God the riches and pleasures of this life, than the friends of God. Therefore if a natural man not being regenerate nor borne a new of the spirit of God, considreth the outward face of things, and judgeth of them the favour or disfavour of God, verily so knoweth he not, who is worthy God's love or hatred, so is he not certain whom God loveth, or whom he hateth. This is thaforesaid text of Solomon (as it is translated) to be understand. And that this is the meaning of the author, the words that follow do manifestly declare. It happeneth, saith he, unto one as unto an other: it goeth with the righteous as with ungodly, 
Luke. ix.  with the good & clean as with the unclean: with him that offereth, as with him that offereth not, like as it goeth with th● virtuous, so goeth it also with th● sinner. As it happeneth unto the perjured, so happeneth it also unto him that is afraid to be forsworn. Among all things that come to pass under the Sun, this is a misery, that it happeneth unto all alike. Of these words it evidently appeareth, that Solomon speaketh of the knowledge which a natural man hath by the outward gifts of god, whereof, because they be indifferently given aswell to the good as to the bad, he is not able to judge, whom God loveth, & whom he hateth. Now where as the Papists wrist this text unto the knowledge or judgement of the conscience, which cometh of the spirit of God and of his holy word, and would that Christian men in their conscience should doubt whether God love them or not, whether they be in the favour of God or not, whether their sins be forgiven them or not whether they shallbe saved or notthei teach a devilish error, and lead the receivers of their doctrine, the right way to hell fire. For he that doubteth of the merciful good will & favourable grace of God toward him, & believeth not that God for Christ's sake is loving unto him & forgiveth him all his sins, verily he is no true christian, but dying in this his doubtfulness and unbelief he shall surely be dampened according to this saying: he that doth not believe on the son, shall not see life, 
john. ●●●  but the wrath of God a bideth on him. This erroneous doctrine of the Papists maketh God false of his promise, quencheth faith, blotteth out hope, destroyeth love, disquieteth the conscience, filleth the heart with whole seas of unreastfull and wicked imaginations, and so driveth the doubtful parson unto desperation and finally unto damnation. O murderers. O soul s●ears. If no man can be certain in his conscience, whether he be in the favour of god or no, whether god for Christ's sake will forgive him his sins or not, and give him everlasting life, to what point serve all the promises of Gods tender mercies made to all faithful penitent sinners in Christ's blood? unto what end doth faith serve? If faith certifieth not our conscience of God's good will toward us, and so bringeth peace and quietness unto it: what is then the office of faith? If a man, whose credit is approved, promiseth us any thing, we surely look for it, & nothing doubt of the performance thereof, 
Psalm. cxlv  & shall we doubt of the accomplishment of the promises of God, 
Titus. i  which is faithful in all his words, 
john. xiiii.  which can not lie, which is not only true but also the self truth? 
Roma. iii.  Let all men be liars, 
Ezech. xxxiii  and let God abide true. God hath promised, that at whatsoever hour we turn unto him, he will forgive us all our sins, & never remember them more, but so freely favour us, and so tenderly love us, as though we had never offended him. This is the promise of him, which can neither deceive nor be deceived, and shall we doubt of the performance thereof? Shall we doubt, whether the Lord our God will be as good as his word? whether our sins be forgiven and we received again into favour or not? God hath promised, that in Christ all nations of the earth shallbe blessed. And shall we, which look for our whole salvation in the blood of Christ, doubt whether we shall be blessed in Christ, 
Galat. iii.  that is to say, favoured of god the father for Christ's sake or not? Christ our Lord & saviour, 
Math. xi.  calleth all that labour and be laden unto him, and promiseth that he will ease, remedy, comfort and help them. And shall we doubt of this his promise? What other thing is it to doubt of the promises of god▪ then to doubt whether God be true or no, just & faithful or no, the same in his deed that he is in his word or no? O the to much unfaithfulness of the wicked Papists. 
john. iii.  The scripture saith, he that believeth on the son of god, hath everlasting life. The faithful christians believe on Christ the son of God, embrace him with strong faith as their alone saviour, redeemer, atonement maker, intercessor, mediator & advocate, and shall they doubt of the ●nheritaunce of everlasting life? Ether they that do believe & so continued unto th'end, have everlasting life at their departure out of this life, or else God is not true of his promise. 
Psal. cx●v  But God is faithful in all his words, therefore do the faithful christians receive according to gods promises & their faith. If all things be possible to him that believeth, if all things chance to a faithful man according to his faith, 
Mar●●●●  which what whorish & shameless foreheads dare the proud and ungodly Papists teach us to doubt of the grace and favour of God, of the ●emission of sins, and of the inheritance of everlasting life? Where doubtfulness is, there is no ●rue faith but rather misbelief, ● to such a doubting faith, yea ra●her no faith, nothing is promised, but the fierce wrath and vengeance of God and everlastings damnation. See to what poyn● the wicked Papists bring they● whelps with their devilish doc●trin. Saint james saith: 
jacob. ●.  If any man lack wisdom, let him ask i● of him, that giveth it: even God. & But let him ask in faith and wa●uer not. For he that doubteth, i● like a wave of the sea, which is to ● of the winds, and carried wit● violence. Nether let the man thinks that he shall receive any thing o● the Lord. A wavering minde● man is unstable in all his ways Are not they that profess Christ much bound to the papists, 
The schooling of the Papists.  whic● teach their scholars to doubt of th● mercy of God, & not to be through●ly persuaded in their conscience● that God loveth them, pardonet● them for Christ's sake, & makes them inheritors of everlasting glory? Is this any other thing then to say, despair, die, be dampened? O devils incarnate. God lighten the eyes of the simple, that they may once see the juggling casts of these wily wicked Papists, and come unto the unfeigned truth of god's word, which is able to save their souls, which also is the mighty power of God to save every one that believeth. 
jacob. i. Roma. i.   The. 
Amen.  Phi. 
All the godly even from the beginning have believed the promises of God, and nothing doubted of them, whether they concerned temporal or spiritual things, and according to their faith, so received they. Yea when God seamed most to be angry with them & utterly to cast them from his favour: ●uen than did they nothing doubt ●f his merciful goodness, but throng ●rong faith cleaveth to the promises of God, as a certain man saith: Though he kill me, 
job. xiii.  yet will I put my trust in him. The Psalmograph also saith: 
Psal. xxvii.  Though an host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid. And though there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him. If either Abraham, Isaac, jacob, or any other saints of the old testament had doubted of the promises which God made unto them, so had they never found favour at the majesty of god, nor obtained those things, which God had promised them. 
Hebr. xi.  For without faith it is impossible to please God. He that doubteth of the promises of God, shall obtain no good thing at the hand of God. To what end are we so often in the holy scripture exhorted to believe God and his promises, if it were lawful for us to doubt of them? If to believe and to doubt be one thing, why is everlasting salvation promised to the one, and eternal damnation to tother? Whosoever therefore willbe saved, let him cast away all unbelief and doubtfulness, and with tooth and ●ayle (as they use to say) clean to the promises of God, nothing doubting, but according as God hath promised, so shall it chance unto him. If we do repent and believe his word, God hath promised us for Christ's sake to favour us, to forgive us all our sins, and to bring us unto everlasting life, let us not therefore doubt of this his promise, but with strong and unshaken faith believe it, and look for boldly that is promised, so we may be sure to have the grace and ●auour of God, to have remission and forgiveness of our sins, ●nd finally to have everlasting ●ife. Let us therefore approach with ●oldnes, and not with doubting ●nd wavering, 
Hebre. iiii.  unto the throne of God's Majesty, as th'apostle warneth that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.  Chri. 
If a man after the Papists should doubt of the grace and favour of God toward him, with what conscience could he be bold to say the lords prayer, 
Math. v.  & to desire the forgiveness of his trespasses? Or how could he say with a true faith, I believe the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life? To believe, 
What it is to believe.  is it to doubt of the promises of God? or rather to be thoroughly persuaded of the promises of God, that as God hath promised, so shall it undoubtedly chance unto us.  Euse. 
When a man believeth the gospel he is certain of the remission of his sins, he is certain of the favour and good will o● God, and he is certain also of everlasting life. And he that letteth go this faith, and falleth to doub●ting, he shall never enjoy thaforesaid benefits, but be cast into everlasting damnation.  The. 
This considered the holy Apostle rightwell, when he without any doubting being thoroughly persuaded and assured of God's good will toward him, 
two. Tim. ●  (set forth in his holy promises,) said on this manner, I know & am sure, that he (in whom I have put my trust) is able to keep that, which I have committed to his keeping against that day. Again, 
two. Tim. i●●i.  I have fought a good fight, I have fulfilled my course. I have kept the faith. From henceforth there is laid up for me a ●rowne of righteousness, which the Lord (that is a righteous judge) ●hall give at that day, not to me only, but unto all them also the love ●is coming. 
Psal. xx●●.   Phile. 
When that David said these words: I believe verily to see the pleasures of the Lord in the land of the living▪ doubted he of the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom, or was he rather thoroughly persuaded by strong faith in the promises of god, the he should without all doubt reign with God in glory? 
Phi. i.  If the godly Apostle S. Paul had not been sure of the favour of God, and of a better life after this, would he have wished to be delivered from this world, and to be with Christ? 
Acts. seven  With what countenance durst the blessed martyr S. Stephen have commended his spirit● unto Christ, if he had not ben● persuaded of gods favour toward him, and of the joyful inheritance of the everlasting kingdom? An● so likewise of all the other saints The spirit of God certifieth our spirit, 
Rom. viii.  saith the Apostle, that w● are the sons of God. If we be sons, then are we also heirs. I mean of God & fellow heirs with Christ. 
i. john. iii.  Hereto agreeth the saying of S. john. dearly beloved, now are we the sons of God, and yet it doth not appear, what we shallbe. But we know, that when it shall appear, we shall be like him. For we shall see him as he is. Again: We know, that we are translated and carried from death unto life.  
Here you see that the holy scriptures teach us to be certain of our salvation through faith in Christ's blood, and not to be doubtful of it, as the Papists trifle. Away therefore without all doubtfulness, and lay hand by strong faith on the promises of God, looking with assured hope for all those heavenly and blessed things, that God hath promised us in his holy word. So may we be sure to receive according to our faith.  Epa. 
Without wavering or doubting I faithfully believe and am assuredly persuaded, that God the father is a merciful father unto me, that he hath forgiven me all my sins, received me into his favour and made me heir of his everlasting glory. And all this hath he done unto me not for my merits & deserts (which are utterly none) but for Christ's sake, in whom I believe, whom also I confess to be my alone saviour & redeemer.  Ph. 
Neighbour Epaphroditus, you thus believing cannot perish. Therefore be on good comfort, quiet your conscience, 
john. iii.  and sattle your mind. For it is written. He that believeth on the son of God hath everlasting life.  Epa. 
Brother Philemon I thank you and my other neighbours here for the great comfort, which I have received by this your godly communication. I feel myself now in much better case, than I was, when you came first unto me. I feel much quietness and ease in my conscience. The Lord hath driven away mine enemies, and given me rest in my mind. If I had not had your company, God knoweth to what point my ghostly enemy the devil would have brought me. But I praise God for you. For by your godly and christian talk. God hath wrought in me a good and glad will to die. I have in my heart bidden the world and all worldly things adieu. My mind is all together fixed, on the lord my God, and on the joys which he hath prepared in his glorious kingdom for all them that love him, I feel such inward joy in my heart, and such a fervent desire to see the Lord my God face to face, that the pains, which I now suffer on my body, although they be very grievous in deed, seem little or nothing to disquiet me. 
Roma. viii.  For I am fully persuaded, that the afflictions of this life, are not worthy of the glory which shall be showed upon us: Again, 
two. Cyr. iiii  that though the outward man perish, yet thinward man is renewed day by day, and that this our tribulation which is short & light prepareth an exceeding, and an everlasting weight of glory unto us, while we look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen, are temporal, but things, which are not seen, are eternal.  Chr. 
God keep you in this mind, even unto th'end. 
A Prayer.   Eu. 
Amen.  Epa. 
Confirm & make that perfect (o lord) which y● hast begun to work in me unto the glory of thy blessed name, and unto the salvation of my soul.  The. 
Amen.  Epa. 
Neighbours I pray you turn me that I may lie on my right side.  Chr. 
The Lord our God grant, that ye may sit in his kingdom on the right hand of his glory.  Ep. 
Yea & that shortly:  Euse. 
So be it.  Phile. 
Sir how do you now?  Epaphro. 
Well, God be thanked, but I trust to do better even anon.  Phile. 
Lack you any thing sir?  Epa. 
My pain approacheth nearer unto my heart, whereby I perceive the end of my life, not to be far of: I beseech you pray for me, that I may continue faithful, constant and steadfast in the faith of the Lord my God, even unto the very end of my life.  Phi. 
We will do it gladly. Neighbours let us kneel down and pray.  
Lord, 
A Pray●● for the sick man.  we most humbly beseech thee hear our prayer.  Chri. 
And let our cry come unto thee.  Ph. 
O lord jesus Christ thou only son of the heavenly father, our alone redeemer and omnisufficicient saviour, we most humbly beseech thee, deliver this sick and weak parson now being in great pains and at the point to depart out of this world from all ugsome and terrible assaults and temptations of the devil, sin and hell. 
Gene. seven.  Deliver him (O Lord) as thou deliveredst Noah from the raging waves of the sea. 
Gene. nineteen.  Lot from the destruction of Sodom. Abraham from the fear of the Chaldees. 
Gene. xx. Exod. xxiii. xxiiii.xxv. i Reg. xvii. Dan. iii.  The children of Israel from the tyranny of Pharaoh. David from the hand of Goliath, The three men from the violence of the fiery furnace in Babylon. 
Dani. vi.  Daniel from the mouth of the Lions. 
jonas. two. ●et. xii.  jonas from the belly of the whalefishe, & Peter from the prison of Herod: even so, O gracious Lord God, deliver the soul of this person, both now and whensoever he shall depart hence from all peril & danger. Open unto him at the hour of death the door of Paradise, the gates of heaven, & the entry of everlasting life. O Lord jesus Christ forgive him all his sins, and lead him with joy into the kingdom of thy heavenly father even unto the bosom of Abraham, and appoint him unto everlasting rest, that he may rejoice with thee, and with all the elect children of God in everlasting life.  Eu. 
Amen.  Epa. 
Neighbours I thank you. Now will I also pray unto the Lord my god, while I may speak, and I trust, he will for Christ's sake graciously hear me.  Th. 
Doubt you not neighbour, God hath so promised. 
The sick man's prayer.   Epa. 
Lord hearken unto my prayer, and give ear to my most humble requests, O most merciful God, O father of all mercies, the father of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ, be merciful to me a sinner. Have pity on me, and quickly help me poor wretch, for the most bitter passion and most precious death of jesus Christ, thy only begotten son, and our alone redeemer and saviour.  

Psal. cxiiii.  Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord. Handle me not according to my deserts and merits, neither reward me after mine iniquities, but for thine infinite and unmeasurable bounty, and exceeding great mercy, receive me and take me into thy favour, I miserable & weak creature, am in thy hand. 
Math. xviii.  I am thy bond servant and thy depter. O most gentle God, o most favourable father, forsake me not, cast me not away poor wretch that I am. For I am thine withal that ever I can make. No man is able to strengthen me, no man is able to deliver me, no man is able to help me, but thou alone. Thou art the true helper in adversity. Thou art the most sure & present comfort in all necessity. Thou alone art our helper, our bulwark, our fortress & our most mighty & strongly defenced tour. Thou o god, art our refuge. Thou art our strength. Thou art our helper in all our tribulations. In the (O Lord) do I trust, let me not be confounded. Let me never be put to shame, let me not be deceived of my hope, but preserve me for thy righteousness sake. Bow down thine ear unto me, make haste to deliver me. Be my defender O god & my strong hold, that thou mayst save me, For thou art my strength, and my refuge. Yea thou art my God, and my destinies are in thy hands. Lighten thy countenance upon thy servant, 
Psal. xxxi.  and save me for thy mercy's sake, O Lord. And foras●much (O sweet father) as it is thy godly pleasure to call me now from this miserable life and wretched world, I most entirely beseech the● so to defend me in this agony o● death, that neither sathan nor his ministers prevail against me, but that I continue faithful and constant unto th'end, in the confession of thy holy name, looking for full remission of all my sins in the precious blood of thy well-beloved son and my only saviour jesus Christ, and that I departing in this faith and perfect trust, may be placed among thy blessed saints and heavenly spirits, and so for ever and ever remain with the in glory. Grant this, O most merciful father, for thy dear sons sake. jesus Christ our alone mediator and advocate.  Chr. 
Amen.  Epa. 
Me think good neighbours I begin to wax very could and numb in my limbs.  Euse. 
Sir discomfort not yourself. Be content with the good working of God. This cold is a present token, that the death of your body is not far of.  Epa. 
My flesh is consumed and wasted away.  Eu. 
That is the end of all flesh. 
Gen. iii●  Earth thou art, saith God, and unto earth shalt thou return.  Epa. 
My feeling is gone, and my tasting decayeth. All my senses grow out of course.  Eu. 
To that end were they given you, that you should lose them again. With the body, all bodily things decay.  Phi. 
Brother Epaphroditus, let the care of the body & of bodily things pass. You do believe the resurrection of the body? 
Of the resurrection of the body.   Epa. 
I believe that my redeemer liveth, and that I shall rise out of the earth in the latter day, 
john. nineteen.  and that I shallbe clothed, again with this skin, and see God my saviour in my flesh. Yea I myself shall behold him, not with other eyes, but with these same eyes. This hope is steadfastly set in my heart.  Ph. 
Believe this earnestly, and it shall not grieve you to departed from your body. For where as it is now mortal, incorruptible, sick, weak, vile, & loathsome, it shall at the general resurrection, be immortal, uncorruptible, whole, strong, precious, and in all points like to the glorious body of our Lord, & saviour Christ jesus. 
Phil. iii.  Hear wha● the Apostle saith: our conversation is in heaven, from whence we look for a saviour, even the Lord jesus Christ, which shall chaung● our vile body, that he may mak● it like unto his glorious body, according to the working, whereby he is able also to subdue all things unto himself. 
two. Cor. v  Again: We know that if our earthy mansion of this dwelling were destroyed, we have a building of God, an habitation not made with hands, but everlasting in heaven. For therefore sigh we, desiring to be clothed with our mansion, which is from heaven, so yet, if that we be found clothed and not naked. For we that are in this tabernacle, sigh, and are grieved because we would not be unclothed but would be clothed upon, that immortality might be swallowed up of life. He that hath ordained us for this thing, is God, which very same, hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit. Therefore we are always of good cheer and know, that as long as we are at home in the body, we are absent from God. For we walk in ●ayth, not after outward appearance. Nevertheless we are of ●ood comfort, and had rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with God  Epa. 
This is comfortable doctrine. I can be content with all my heart to make such a change, whensoever the Lords good pleasure shallbe. 
Sentences concerning the resurrection of the body.  But I pray you rehearse some wholesome sayings out of the holy scriptures concerning the resurrection of the body for strengthening of my faith, and for the comfort and quietness of my conscience.  Phi. 
In the prophet Esay we read on this manner: 
Esay. xxvi.  Thy dead men shall live, even with my body shall they rise again. Awake and sing ye that dwell in dust. For thy dew is even as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out them, that be under her. Again, 
Esay. lxvi.  your bones shall flourish like an herb. 
Ezec. xxxvii.  The Prophet ezechiel, hath these words: The hand of the lord came unto me and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord & let me down in a plain field, that lay full of bones, and he led me round about by them, and behold the bones that lay upon the field, were very many, and marvelous dry also. Then said he unto me. Thou son of man, thinkest thou these bones may live again? I answered: O Lord God thou knowest. And he said unto me: prophecy thou upon these bones, and speak unto them. Ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones: Behold, I will put breath unto you, that ye may live, I will give you sinews & make flesh grow upon you, & cover you over with skin: and so give you breath, that ye may live, & know that I am the Lord. So I Prophesied as he had commanded me. And as I was prophesying, there came a noise, and a great motion, so that the bones ran every one to an other. Now when I had looked, behold, they had sinews, & flesh grew upon them, and above they were covered with skin, but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me. Thou son of man, prophecy thou toward the wind: prophecy & speak unto the wind. Thus saith the Lord God: Come (O thou air) from the four winds, & blow upon these slain that they may be restored to life. So I prophesied, as he had commanded me: then came the breath into them, and they received life, and stood up upon their feet a marvelous great number. Again: Thus saith the Lord god: behold, I will open your graves (O my people) and take you out of your sepulchres. The words of the Prophet Daniel are these: 
Daniel. xii.  Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth, shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to perpetual shame and reproof. God saith by Esdras: 
iiii. Esdr. two.  those that be dead will I raise up again from their places, and bring them out of their graves. Moreover Christ said to the Saducees, which denied the resurrection of the body: 
Math. xxii  As touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not red, what is said unto you of God, which saith: I am Abraham's God, & isaack's God, & Jacob'S God. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Also in an other place: The hour shall come, 
john. v.  in the which all that are in the graves, shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and shall come forth, they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. 
john. xi.  Martha said unto Christ of her brother Lazarus, when he was dead: I know that my brother shall rise again at the latter day. The holy Apostit s. Paul is plenteous in the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. I will rehearse one or two of his sentences, 
●. Cor. xv.  & bid the other farewell. The trump, saith he, shall blow, and the dead shall rise incorruptible, and we shallbe changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, & this mortal must put on immortality. 
〈…〉  Again the Lord jesus shall change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. Also in an other place: I would not brethren have you ignorant concerning them, which are fallen asleep, 
●. Thes. iiii.  that ye sorrow not as other do, which have no hope. For if we believe, that jesus Christ died & rose again, even so they also, which sleep by jesus, will God bring again with him. divers examples of the resurrection of our bodies have we both in the old and new testament. Helias the Prophet raised up from death unto life the son of the widow of Sarepta. 
three Reg. xvii  The like thing read we of Heliseus the Prophet. 
iiii. Reg. iiii.  Christ raised from death the daughter of a certain ruler, 
Math. ix.  the son of a certain widow, 
Luke. seven.  and Lazarus with many other. 
john. xi.  Christ rose again, and the bodies of many saints which slept, arose also, and came out of their graves after their resurrection and came into Jerusalem and appeared unto many. Peter raised up Tabytha from death. 
Mat. xxviii. Mark. xxvii● Act. ix.xx.  S. Paul restored unto life a certain young man named Eutichus. All these are evident examples of our resurrection. Therefore good brother Epaphroditus, fear not to give over this your body and freely to commend it unto the earth. At the great day of the general resurrection, you shall receive it in a far better case, than ever you had it in this world.  Ep. 
I leave this my vile body willingly, yea and that with this hope, that at the last day, I shall take it again immortal and uncorruptible. 
Philip. i.  I believe the resurrection of the flesh. I wish to be loosened from this body, and to be with Christ.  Eu. 

Of the immortality of the soul & of the blessed state of the faithful after this life.  You doubt nothing of the blessed state of the godly departed, and of the immortality of the soul?  Epa. 
I believe everlasting life.  The. 
You are not of the opinion of the Papists, which say that the souls of the faithful go not straight unto heaven, but unto purgatory, there to be boiled in the fiery furnace of the B. of Rome, till they have made satisfaction for their sins, either by themselves in suffering, say they, the most bitter pains of purgatory, or else by their friends in this world thorough Masses, Pardons, Pilgrimages. 
i. john. two.  etc.  Ep. 
I believe that there is none other purgatory for my soul health, but only the precious blood of my Lord and Saviour Christ jesu.  
And I believe that Christ through his innocency of life, 
Hebr. ix.  and the most grievous pains, that he suffered on the cross, hath abundantly satisfied for all my sins, & hath unto the uttermost paid all the det that I ought unto god the father, so that now through faith in the blood of Christ, 
Roma. viii.  I walk with a clear conscience before God, forasmuch as there is no damnation to them that are in Christ jesus, and that they also are blessed, whose sins are remitted, whose iniquities are covered, 
Psal. xxii.  and unto whose charge God layeth no wickedness.  Chr. 
Ye agree not which such in opinion, as affirm, that the souls of both the faithful and unfaithful sleep until the day of judgement, and then shall awake out of sleep, so that then the faithful shall go unto everlasting glory, & the unfaithful unto eternal damnation?  Epa. 
I believe that the soul sleepeth no more, than this my bed stead waketh and talketh with us. I am fully persuaded, that so soon as the souls of the faithful are departed from the bodies, wherein they were as in a prison enclosed, they are straightways placed in the glorious kingdom of God. And contrariwise the souls of the unfaithful, go strait unto the devil, 
Apoc. xxi,  even unto hell fire, unto that lake that burneth with fire, and brimstone, where weeping & gnashing of teeth is, where the worm that gnaweth their conscience, 
Math. xiii.  never dieth, and the most grievous fire, wherewith they are without ceasing intolerably tormented, 
Esay. lxvi.  is never quenched. Is it not thus neighbour Philemon?  Phi. 
Yes verily sir. For so are we taught in the holy scriptures, as the history of the rich glutton, 
Luke. xvi.  and of poor Lazarus, with divers other, do manifestly declare.  Epa. 
I faithfully believe, that immediately after my departure out of this world, I shall have a place in the kingdom of God, and see the glorious majesty of god face to face. And I pray you good neighbour Philemon, rehearse unto me some comfortable places out of the holy scripture concerning the joyful and blessed state of the faithful souls after this life, that I may be confirmed in my faith, and be the more willing to departed.  Phi. 
I will do it gladly. Balaam said: 
Num. xxiii.  I pray god that my soul may die the death of the righteous, and that my last end may be like unto theirs. The Psalmograph saith: O how amiable are thy dwellings, 
Psal. lxxxiiii.  thou lord of hosts? My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the lord: my heart & my flesh rejoice in the living God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they will be always praising thee. One day in thy courts, is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, then to dwell in the tents of the ungodly. The Prophet Esay saith: 
Esay. two.  The redeemed of the lord shall turn again and come with joy unto Zion, there to endure for ever, that mirth & gladness might be with them, that sorrow & woe might fly from them. My people, 
Esay. xxxii  saith God, shall dwell in pleasant peace, & in safe holds, and shall have continual rest with out disturbance. 
Esay. xlix.  They shall neither hunger nor thirst, heat, nor Sun shall not hurt them. For he that favoureth them, shall lead them and give them drink of the spring wells. 
Esay. xlv.  They shall eat, drink, be merry and rejoice for very quietness of heart. Yea their gladness and their joy shall continue for ever and ever. 
Dan. xii.  Daniel saith: The wise (such as have taught other) shall glister as the shining of heaven, and those that have instruct the multitude unto godliness, shall be as the stars, world without end. 
iiii. Esdr. two.  Esdras saith: Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore. flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory. O receive the gift that is given you, & be glad, giving thanks unto him that hath called you to the heavenly kingdom. The author of the book of wisdom saith. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, 
Sapi. iii  & the pain of death shall not touch them: In the sight of the unwise they appear to die, and their end is taken for very destruction: the way of the righteous is judged to be utter destruction, but they are in rest. And though they suffer pain before men, yet is their hope full of immortality. They are punished but in few things, nevertheless in many things shall they be well rewarded. For god proveth them, and findeth them meet for himself: yea as the gold in the furnace doth he try them, and receiveth them as a brent offering, and when the time cometh, they shall be looked upon. The righteous shall shine as the sparks, that run through the read bush. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, & their Lord shall reign for ever. Again: The faithful are counted among the children of God, 
Sap. v.  and their portion is among the saints. The righteous shall live for evermore: their reward also is with the lord, & their remembrance with the highest. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, 
Toby. iii.  and a beautiful crown of the lords hand. The holy father Toby, prayed on this manner to God: O Lord, deal with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace. For more expedient were it for me, 
Eccle. seven.  to die them to live. The preacher sayeth. The day of death is better than the day of birth. 
Psal. cxvi.  For precious and right dear in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints. 
Math. xiii.  Our saviour Christ saith: The righteous shall shine as the sun in the kingdom of their father. 
Math. nineteen.  They shall have the inheritance of everlasting life. 
Math. xxv  They shall have a kingdom, which was prepared for them from the beginning of the world. 
Mark. xii Luke. xvi. john. xvi.  They shall be as the angels of God. They shall be in the bosom of Abraham. They shall have such joy, as no man shallbe able to pluck it from them. They shall eat and drink in the kingdom of God the father. 
Luke. xxii.  They shallbe where Christ is, and see his glory. The holy Apostle S. Paul saith. 
●. Cor. two. v  The eye hath not seen, and the ear hath not heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. He● saith also, 
Phil. two.  that if our earthy mansion of this dwelling were destroy●ed (he meaneth the body) we have a building of God, an habitation not made with hands, but everlasting in heaven. We shallbe with Christ. 
Thes. iiii.  We shallbe with the Lord for ever. We shallbe vessels unto honour. 
two. Ti. two. iiii▪ Hebr. xii  We shall have the crown of righteousness. We shall come to the city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem, and to an innumerable sight of Angels, and to the Congregation of the first borne sons which are written in heaven; and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just & perfect men, and to jesus the mediator of the new testament.  
We shall receive the crown of life, 
jacob. i.  saith S. james, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. When Christ the chief shepherd shall apere (saith S. Peter) ye shall receive, 
i Pet. ●.  an incorruptible crown of glory. We are now the Sons of God (saith saint john,) and it hath not yet appeared, 
i. john. lii.  what we shall be. We know that if it once appear, we shallbe like unto him, for we shall see him as he is. In the Revelation of S. john, we find these Sentences, concerning the blessed state of the faithful after this life. 
Apoca. two.  To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the mids of the Paradise of God. Be faithful unto the death, and I shall give thee the crown of life. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, 
Apoca. iii.  and he shall go no more out. etc. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my seat. The xxiiii Elders that sat upon the seats, were clothed in white raiment, 
Apoca. iiii.  & had on their heads, crowns of gold. 
Apoca. seven.  They are in the presence of the seat of God, & serve him day and night in his Temple, and he that sitteth on the seat, will dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst, neither shall the son light on them, neither any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the mids of the seat, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto fountains of living water, & God shall wine away all tears from their eyes. They follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth. 
Apoc. xiiii.  They are without spot before the throne of God. I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me: Write. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Even so saith the spirit, that they rest from their labours, but their works follow them. Blessed are they, which are called unto the supper of the lambs marriage. 
Apo. nineteen. xxi.  I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven, and the first earth were banished away▪ and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy City, new Jerusalem come down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride garnished for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them. And they shallbe his people, and God himself shall be with them, 
Esay. xxv.  and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there shallbe no more death, neither sorrow, ●●ther ●●ying, neither shall there be any more pain, for thold things are gone. And he that sat upon the seat, said▪ Behold, I make all things now▪ 
Esay. lxii●.  And he said unto me: write, for these words are faith full and true. 
The description of the new and heavenly Jerusalem.  And the Angel carried 〈◊〉 way in the spirit, ●o a great 〈◊〉 high mountain, and he ●●e wed●●e the great City holy Hierusa●●● descending out of heaven 〈◊〉 God, having the brightness of God. And her shining wa● like unto 〈◊〉 stone most precious, even like a jasper, clear as Crystal, & had walls great & high, & had xii. gates, & at the gates xii angels, and names written, which are the names of the xii Tribes of Israel. On the ●ast side iii gates, 
Appo. xxi.  and on the north side iii gates, and towards the south iii gates, & from the west three gates, and the wall of the City had xii foundations, & in them the xii. names of the Lambs xii Apostles & he that talked with me, had a go●den read to measure the city withal & the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city was built iiii▪ square, and the length was as large as the breadth, & he measured the city with thee (golden) read xii M. furlongs, & the length, and the breadth, & the height of it, were equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an. C. xliiii. the measure that the angel had, was after the measure that man useth. And the building of the wall of it, was of jasper: And the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass, & the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones▪ The first foundation was a jasper, the second a Saphir, the third a Calcedony, the four an Emerald, the .v. a Sardonix, the vi a Sardius, the vii a chrysolite, the viii a Berall, the ix a Topas, the ten a Crusoprases, the xi a jacint, the xii an Amathist. The xii gates, were xii pearls, every gate was of one pearl, and the street of the City was pure gold, as through shining glass.. And I saw no temple therein. For the Lord God almighty, and the Lamb, 
Esay. lx.  are the temple of it. And the city hath no need of the sun neither of the moon to lighten it. For the brightness of God did light 〈◊〉, and the Lamb was the light of it. And the people which are sa●ed, shall walk in the light of it. And the kings of the earth shall bring their glory (and honour) unto it. And the gates of it, are not shut by day. For there shallbe no night there. And there shall enter into it, none unclean thing, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh lies, but they only, which are written in the lambs book of life.  
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, 
Apoc. xx●●.  clear as Crystal, proceeding out of the seat of God, and of the Lamb. In the mids of the street of it, and of either side of the river, was there wood of life, which bore xii manner of fruits, and gave fruit every month, and the leaves of the wood, served to heal the people withal. And there shallbe no more curse, but the seat of God and the Lamb shallbe i● it, and his servants shall seru● him. And they shall see his face, and his name shallbe in their foreheds▪ And there shallbe no night ther●● and they need no candle ● neither light of the Sun: for the Lord● God giveth them light, and they shall reign for evermore. And he said unto me, these things are faithful and true.  Ep● 
God be praised for that true joy and singular comfort, which the faithful find in his holy word. It is not without a cause said of the holy Apostle: The eye hath not sens, 
i Cor. two.  and the ear hath not heard; neither have entered into the heart of man ● the things, which God hath prepared for them that love him. My heart is now so inflamed with the desire of those heavenly and blessed treasures, which you have named to me out of the infallible & true word of God, that I most entirely wish to be loosened from this life, & to enjoy these joyful pleasures. Oh, who would not be glad to change lead for silver, copper for gold, transitory, mortal and corruptible things for certain, immortal & uncorruptible things, earth for heaven, sin for godliness, darkness for light, fear for security, travel for quietness, sickness for health death for life, the company of men, for the company of the most high God, his heavenly Angels and blessed spirits, the vile pleasures of this world, for the inestimable joys of the glorious kingdom of God. 
Psal. xlii.  Oh, like as the heart desireth the waterbrokes, so longeth my soul after thee, O God. My soul is a thirst for God, yea even for the living God. 
Psal. lxiii.  Oh, when shall I come to appear before the presence of my God, O God, thou art my god, early will I seek thee. My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh also longeth after thee, in a barren and dry land, where no water is. Thus have I looked for thee in thy holy place, that I might behold thy power and glory. For thy loving kindness is better than life itself: my lips shall praise thee. As long as I ●●ue will I magnify thee on this manner, and lift up my hands in thy name.  Euse. 
We rejoice (good brother Epaphroditus) and give god most hearty thanks, that he hath by his holy Spirit, wrought so good and glad will in you to die, and to leave this wretched world.  Epa. 

Philip. 1.  I most heartily wish to be loosed from this life, and to be with Christ. 
job. x.  It grieveth my soul longer to live in this mortal body. 
●ob. iii.  And now, O Lord, deal with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace. For more expedient were it for me to die then to live.  Chri. 
Sir how do you feel yourself?  Epa. 
In my body weaker and weaker, but I trust, in my soul stronger & stronger. I pray you, lay me up hire in my bed. For I begin to wax very faint, and my wind decreaseth & waxeth shorter. I thank you, it is well. Neighbours I am troublesome unto you, but I trust, I shall not be so long.  The. 
It is unto us great joy and comfort, to be with you being so godly minded. For in you as in a clear mirror we behold ourselves, and see what shall become of us hereafter. Of you as of a lively schoolmaster do we learn, how we shall behave ourselves, when God layeth the cross on us. And we most humblin beseech God to give us the like patience and thankfulness. 
Mat. xxvi.   Epa. 
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. For in asmuch as I feel in myself present tokens of death, & am not certain how long the▪ Lord will suffer me to live, or to enjoy the use of speech, I think it convenient to pray again unto the lord my God, and to commend my sinful soul into his merciful hands.  Phi. 
Godly forsooth.  Ep●. 
Lord vouchsafe I most humbly beseech thee, 
The sick man's prayer. Psalm. xiiii.  to hear me sinful creature.  Chri. 
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call on him, yea that call on him in truth.  Epa. 
O Lord jesus Christ, which art the only health of all men living: and the everlasting life of them, which die in thy faith: I wretched sinner give and submit myself wholly to thy most blessed wil And I being sure that the thing can not perish, which is committed unto thy mercy, most humbly beseech thee, o Lord, to give me grace, that I may now willingly leave this frail and wicked flesh, in hope of the resurrection, which in better wise shall restore it to me again, I beseech thee (O most merciful jesus Christ) that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soul against all temptations, & that thou wilt cover and defend me with the buckler of thy mercy against all thassaults of the devil. I see & knowledge, that there is in myself no help of life and salvation, but all my confidence, hope and trust is in thy most merciful goodness. I have no merits nor good works, which I may allege before thee. Of sins and evil works (alas) I see a great heap, but thorough thy mercy I trust to be in the number of them, to whom thou wilt not impute their sins, but take and accept me for righteous and just, and to be the enheritoure of everlasting glory▪ Tho● O most merciful Lord, wast borne for my sake. Thou didst suffer both hunger and thirst for my sake. Thou didst preach and teach, thou didst pray, & fast fo● my sake. Thou didst all good works and deeds for my sake. Thou suffered'st most grievous pai●nes and torments for my sake. And finally, thou gavest thy most precious body to die, and thy most blessed blood to be shed on the cross for my sake. Now most merciful saviour, let all these things profit me, which thou freely hast given me, which hast given thyself for me. Let thy blood cleanse and wash away the spots and foulness of my sins. Let thy righteousness hide & cover my unrighteousness. Let the merits of thy passion and blood, be the satisfaction for my sins. give me Lord thy grace, that my faith and persuasion in thy blood waver not in me, but ever be firm and constant, that the hope of thy mercy and life everlasting never decay in me, that charity wax not cold in me, finally that the weakness of my flesh be not overcome with the fear of death. Grant me also (O most merciful saviour) that when death hath shut up the eyes of my body: yet that the eyes of my soul may still behold and look upon thee, and that when death hath taken away the use of my tongue & speech: yet that my heart may cry & say unto thee: O Lord, into thy hands I give and commit my soul. Lord jesus, take my spirit.  The. 
Amen.  Eu. 
Sir how is it with you now?  Epa. 
Even as with a ship, which is tossed with the waves of the sea. I trust shortly to come unto the heaven, and then shall I be quiet, and without all danger. I pray you, pray for me.  Phi. 
Most gladly. Let us kneel down neighbours and beseech the Lord our God for his tender mercies, to preserve this our sick brother from the assaults of Satan, & to keep him constant and steadfast in his faith unto his lives end, that he may give up a good & a faithful soul into the merciful hands of God. give me hither the flower of godly Prayers, 
The Flower of godly prayers.  that I in the name of us all may read that prayer, which is to be said for them, that lie at the point of death.  The. 
Here is it.  Philemon. 
O Most loving Saviour, & gentle redeemer, which camest into this world to call sinners unto repentance, and to seek up that was lost, 
Math. ix. Luke. ix.  thou seest in what case this our brother lieth here: visited with thy merciful hand all weak, feeble, sick, and ready to yield up his soul into thy holy hands. O look upon him (most gentle saviour) with thy merciful eye, pity him and be favourable unto him. He is thy workmanship, despise not therefore the work of thine own hands. Thou suffered'st thy blessed body, and thy precious blood to be shed for his sins, and to bring him unto the glory of thy heavenly father, let it not therefore come to pass, that thou shouldest suffer so great pains for him in vain. He was baptized in thy name, and gave himself wholly to be thy servant, forsaking the devil, the world, and the flesh, confess him therefore before thy heavenly father and his blessed Angels to be thy servant. 
Prou. xvi.  His sins, we confess are great (for who is able to say, my heart is clean & I am free from sin) but thy mercies, 
Math. ix.  O Lord, are much greater. And thou camest not to call th● righteous, but sinners unto repentance. To them that are diseased and overladen with the burden of sin, dost thou promise ease. Thou art that God, 
Math. x  which willest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn and live. Thou art the saviour, which wishest all men to be saved, 
i Thess. two.  and to come to the knowledge of thy truth. Withdraw not therefore thy mercy from him because of his sins, but rather lay upon him thy saving health that thou mayest show thyself toward him to be a saviour. What greater praise can there be to a physician then to heal the sick? Neither can there be a greater glory, to thee being a saviour, then to save sinners, save him therefore, O Lord for thy name's sake. Again, let the law be no corsive to his conscience but rather give him grace, evenin this extreme agony and conflict of death, 
Roma. x.  to be fully persuaded that thou by thy death hast taken away all his sins, fulfilled the law for him, and by this means, delivered him from the curse of the law, 
Gala. iii.  and paid his ransom, that he thus being fully persuaded may have a quiet heart, a free conscience, and a glad will to forsake this wretched world: & to go unto his lord God. Moreover thou hast conquered him that had rule of death, 
Hebr. seven.  even sathan, suffer him not therefore to exercise his tyranny upon this our sick brother, 
Ose. xiii.  nor to disquiet his conscience with the terrors of sin and pains of hell. Let not Satan nor his infernal army tempt him further, 
i. Cpr. xv.  than he is able to bear, but evermore give him grace even unto his last breath, valiantly to fight against the devil with strong faith in thy precious blood, that he may fight a good fight, and finish his course with joy unto the glory of thy name and the health of his soul. O Lord, so work in him by thy holy spirit, that he with all his heart may contemn, and despise all worldly things, and set his mind wholly upon heavenly things, hoping for them with a strong and undoubted faith. Again: let it not grieve him, O sweet saviour to be loosened from this vile & wretched ●arca●e, which is now so full of sorrow, trouble, anguish, sickness and pain, but rather let him have a bent and ready will, thorough thy goodness, to put it of, yea and that with this faith, that he at the last day, shall receive it again in a much better state than it is now, 
Phil. iii.  or ever was from the day of his birth, even a body uncorruptible, immortal, & like to thy glorious body. Let his hole heart and mind be set only upon thee. Let the remembrance of the joys of heaven be so fervent in his breast: 
two. Cor. xv.  that he may both patiently and thanckfully take his death, and ever wish to be with the in glory. And when the time cometh, that he shall give over to nature, & departed from this miserable world: vouchsafe we most humbly beseech thee, o Lord jesus, to take his soul into thy hands, and to place it among the glorious company of thy holy angels & blessed saints. and to keep it unto that most joyful day of the general resurrection that both his body & soul thorough thine almighty power being knit again together at that day, he may for ever & ever enjoy thy glorious kingdom, & sing perpetual praises to thy blessed name.  Chri. 
Amen. 
Psal. lxvii.   Epa. 
O God be merciful unto me and bless me, show me the light of thy countenance, and deal favourably with me. Lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death, lest mine enemy say: I have prevailed against him. For if I be cast down, 
Psal. xii.  they that trouble me will rejoice at it. But my trust is in thy mercy, & my heart is joyful in thy salvation.  Phile. 
Sir how do you?  Epa. 
My bodily sight is gone. 
job. i.   Phi. 
The Lord gave it you, and the Lord hath taken it away again. As it hath pleased the Lord, so is it come to pass, blessed be the name of the Lord. Now that God hath taken away the sight of your corporal eyes, behold the Lord your God with the eyes of your faith, and doubt you not, but that shortly you shall see the glorious majesty of god with the eyes of your soul, even as he is, face to face, which shallbe unto you such joy, and so great comfort, that no tongue is able to express, nor no heart able to think it.  Epa. 
I believe and am assuredly persuaded that I shall see the pleasures of the Lord in the land of the living. 
Psal. xxvii.   Phile. 
Continued in this faith unto the end, and you shall surely be saved.  Ep. 
As God hath taken away my sight, so do all my other senses decay.  Phi. 
Though by the appointment of God, you lose your bodily speech, yet shall your soul in the heavenly kingdom sing, praise and magnify the Lord your God, worlds without end. And all be it the bodily hearing be taken away from you, yet shall your soul in the kingdom of God hear such sweet, pleasant, & delectable things, as never mortal man heard, nor may hear the like. Again, although your going, and the use of your whole body be taken away from you, and your body return unto the earth from whence it came, yet doubt you not, but your soul being once delivered out of the prison of your body, shall serve the lord your god perfectly, 
Apoc. xiii.  and joyfully follow the Lamb Christ. whither so ever he goeth. 
Psa. cxix.   Epa. 
O Lord, deliver my soul out of the prison of the body, that I may come unto thee, and glorify thy holy name. 
Toby. iii.  Command my spirit to be received in peace, for more expedient were it for me to die them to live.  Phi. 
Be on good comfort sir, God in this your trouble and bitter agony of death is present with you, and when he seeth convenient time, he will deliver you out of all your pains, take you unto him, 
Psa. xxii.  and place you in his glorious kingdom.  Epa. 
O Lord, deliver my soul from the sword, 
Psal. lxxi.  my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the Lions mouth. Bow down thine ear to me, make haste to deliver me. Be thou my protector, O God, and house of defence, that the mayest save me. Be thou my strong rock and my castle. Be thou my guide, and lead me for thy name's sake. Draw me out of the net, thot they have laid privily for me, for thou art my strength. Into thy hands I commend my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord thou God of truth.  Phile. 
Fear not brother Epaphroditus, God is your loving father and most gentle saviour.  
He hath heard your humble requests, and granted your petitions. He hath and will defend you from all evil even unto the end. He will not suffer you to be devoured of that hellish Lion and cruel dog the devil. He hath sent his holy Angels hither unto you, even into this your chamber. They are here present for your great comfort. 
Psal. xxxiiii.  They have pitched their tents round about you, that they may keep you harmless and safe from the devouring teeth of Satan. 
Psal. xci.  They wait upon you diligently for your defence, and will never departed from you, 
Hebr. i.  till they receive your soul, and carry it up lovingly as a most precious relic into the kingdom of heaven: and moste joyfully present it unto the glorious throne of god's majesty. Fix the eyes of your faith on Christ and Christ's merits, on Christ's passion and death, on Christ's blessed body breaking, and his most precious blood shedding, on his triumph and victory over sathan & his hellish army, believe Christ to be your alone saviour, and all his works to be your good works and so shall ye not perish, but have everlasting life. 
The sick man's prayer.   Epaphro. 
Hast the O Lord to deliver me, for it is high time. In thee O Lord Christ my most merciful saviour, and only redeemer, in thee, in the alone is all my trust, let me never be confounded. O jesu. Mercy jesus mercy▪ O Christ. Mercy Christ mercy. O God the Father, O God the son, O God the holy Ghost. O most blessed Trinity, three persons and one God, have mercy on me. Receive my soul into thy hands. Place it for thy mercy's sake in thy heavenvly kingdom among thy holy angels and blessed saints. O my good God. O father, O my most merciful father. Mercy, mercy.  Phile. 
God the father, which made you: bless you. God the son which redeemed you: preserve you. God the holy ghost, which sanctifieth you, confirm and strengthen you. The blessing▪ defence and saving health of the almighty god: the father, the son, and the holy ghost preserve you from all evil and bring you unto everlasting life.  Chr. 
Amen.  Eu. 
Me think he hath given up the ghost.  The. 
No, he is yet alive. God comfort him. Lord, show him the light of thy loving countenance.  Epa. 
When shall I come to appear before the presence of my God? 
An exortation to the sick man.   Phi. 
God be thanked, he yet speaketh, yea he godly speaketh. Brother Epaphroditus, take a good heart unto you, shrink not. Fight a good fight. Be not discouraged, neither with the terroures of sathan, nor with the pains of death. God is on your side. God is your grand captain. You fight under the banner of that most mighty and victorious Emperor jesus Christ.  
Only continue, as you have begun, and the day is yours. Satan with all his army, like miserable cowards shallbe put to flight and vanquished. You shall have a joyful victory over them. The pain of the battle, is short and light, but the glory of your triumph shall abide for ever & ever. 
Mat. xxiiii.  Hear what your grand captain saith: he that continueth unto the end shall be saved. 
Apoca. two.  To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the mids of the Paradise of God. 
Apoca. iii.  Be faithful unto the death, and I shall give the the crown of life. 
Apoca. iiii.  Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. Yea to him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my seat. Here see you, what precious and most noble rewards are set forth unto you, if you go forth valiantly to fight against your enemies, which seek your destruction. Only believe, only fix the eyes of your faith on Christ crucified. Only engrave in your heart deeply a sure and undoubted confidence in the merciful promises of God the father, which he hath made unto you in the precious blood of his dearly beloved son, and our alone saviour jesus Christ, and you shall most certainly have the victory, and obtain the reward of joyful immortality. Here what your grand captain Christ saith: God hath so dearly loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that every one that believeth on him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. For god sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved by him. He that believeth on him, is not damned john Baptist saith. He that believeth on the son of God, hath everlasting life. 
john. ●  My sheep saith Christ hear my voice, & I know them, and they follow me, and I give them everlasting life, neither shall they perish for ever, nor yet shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My father which gave them to me, is greater than all, & no man can pluck them out of my father's hand. I and my father, am one. 
john. xi.  Again, I am the resurrection and life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And every one that liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. 
john. xiiii.  I am the way, the truth and the life. Fellow Christ, & you can not err, nor go out of the way, for he is the way. Believe Christ, and you can not be deceived, for he is the truth. Abide and remain in Christ, and you can not die the death everlasting, for he is the life. Wherefore (O most dear brother) clean with strong faith to these most sweet and comfortable promises of Christ your Saviour. Believe to obtain, whatsoever is promised. So may you be sure to be God's son, and heir of his everlasting kingdom, never to perish, but to have eternal life.  Epa. 
I believe to have remission of all my sins thorough faith in Christ's blood. Lord jesus take my spirit. 
Act. seven.  O heavenly father. I commend my spirit into thy hands.  Ph. 
This faith (dear brother) maketh you the Son of God, 
Luke. xxiii.  and heir of his glorious kingdom, yea it maketh you Christ's brother and fellow heir with him of everlasting glory. It purchaseth for you favour at the hand of God, and forgiveness of all your sins. It bringeth unto you peace and quietness of conscience. It maketh a perfect reconciliation and an everlasting agreement between God and you. It delivereth you from death, and bringeth you unto eternal glory. It maketh you a Citezin of the new & heavenly Jerusalem, where (if you continue steadfast in this faith) you shall remain for ever and ever in a most blessed and joyful state, having the fruition of God's glorious majesty in perfect glory, worlds without end unto your exceeding joy and unspeakable comfort.  Euse. 
Sir, Behold, the life of this our brother beginneth, to draw unto an end.  Phi. 
Yea rather, he now beginneth to change a mortal life, for an immortal life. The life that is led in this world, is rather a shadow of a life, than a very life indeed. Now brother be strong in the faith of Christ. Remember Christ crucified. 
An exhortation to the sick man.  Remember Christ to be your alone saviour. Remember God the father to be your merciful father. Forget not that all your sins are washed away in Christ's precious blood, & that by the virtue of his death & passion, you are made heir of everlasting salvation. Brother, if you can speak answer. If you can not speak, show some outward sign & token that it may be a testimony unto us of your faith & godly departur.  Chr. 
Lo, he holdeth up his hand.  Eu. 
God be thanked.  Phi. 
He seemeth yet to hear. Persuade yourself (most dear brother) that God even now calleth you out of this vale of wretchedness, unto the joyful inheritance of his everlasting kingdom, where you shall not live miserably which sinful men (as you have done in this world) but you shall gloriously reign with that most mighty God, & with his holy angels and blessed saints. Now gins your joy, your solace, your comfort. Now beginneth your true life, which shallbe everlasting. Now is the end of all your sorrows come, & now beginneth your unfeigned joy and true felicity. Now shall ye see the glorious majesty of God face to face. Now shall you behold & perfectly know all the godly that have been from the beginning of the world, and be merry and rejoice with them. Now shall you see your saviour and elder brother Christ as he is. Now shall you be clothed with the white garments of immortality: Now shall you have a crown of gold, set upon your head. Now shall ye eat of the tree of life, which is in the mids of the Paradise of God, and drink of the fountains of living water. Now shall you be a pillar in the temple of your God, and sit with him on his seat. And these your joys shall be everlasting, & never have end. Unto these joys shall you strait ways go, & for evermore enjoy them.  Th. 
Our brother is even now departed from this world, unto the Lord our God, as you spoke these words: unto these joys shall you straightways go, & for evermore enjoy them: he gave up the ghost, 
The commendation of the man departed  and now resteth in the Lord.  Phi. 
The Lord our God be praised. Our brother hath made a godly end. He hath given up a good spirit, into the hands of the living God. He is, I doubt not, of the number of them, 
Psal. cxvi.  of whose death it is written: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. 
Appo. xiiii.  Blessed are they that die in the Lord. His life before men was unrebukable and blameless. He lived justly, and uprightly with his neighbours. He was friendly to all godly men, and enemy to no man. He was both a sincere favourer, and a diligent follower of Gods most holy word. He abhorred all sects, Papists anabaptists, libertines. etc. Not withstanding always praying for their amendment, that they knowledging their errors, might with us confess one God, & one truth in the unity of the spirit. He was a dear friend to such as were studious of good letters, to widows, to fatherless: children, to poor young maids marriages, to young men that had not wherewith to set up their occupations, to the prisoners, to those poor people which were not able to get their living, to poor householders, to the repairing of high ways & such like. What a will he made ye know. His end also ye know.  Chr. 
A christian and godly end made he. God give us all grace to make the like.  Phile. 
Of a good life cometh a good death, if the departure of the godly may be called a death, & not rather a passage unto a better life. Well, his body now sleepeth in the Lord, and his soul reigneth in glory with God.  Euse. 
God grant him & us all a joyful resurrection.  The. 
Amen.  Phi. 
Neighbours, before we depart, let us all kneel down & give God the father thanks for the godly departure of this our christian brother.  Chri. 
It is convenient so to do.  Phi. 
give me hither the Flower of Godly prayers. 
The Flower of godly prayers.  I will rehearse the thanks giving unto God for the departure of the faithful out of this world.  Eu. 
Lo here is the book.  Phil. 
The name of the Lord our God be glorified.  Chr. 
Both now and ever. Amen.  Phi. 
O how can we (most loving father) render unto the sufficient thanks, for thine inestimable goodness toward thy faithful servants, whom thou calling out of this wretched world, 
Psal. cxv.  vouchestsafe to place in thy heavenly kingdom among the glorious company of thy holy angels and blessed saints. 
Dan. xiii.  O full precious is the death of thy faithful in thy sight. Blessed are the dead that die in thee O Lord: For they are at rest from their painful travails & labours. The souls of the righteous are in thy hand. O God: and the pain of death shall not touch them. 
Sap. two.  In the sight of the unwise they appear to die, 
Apoc. xxiii  but they are in peace. They shine as the sparks that run thorough the red bush. They glister as the shining of heaven. They be as the stars world without end. They are as the angels of God. They are clad with white garments, & have golden crowns upon their heads. They do service day & night before the glorious throne of thy divine majesty. They neither hunger nor thirst any more, neither doth the sun or any heat fall upon them, for the lamb which is in the mids of the throne governeth them, and leadeth them unto the living fountains of waters. They follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth, They have such joys, 
Esay. lxiii. i Cor. iii  as eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard, neither is there any heart able to think them. Infinite and unspeakable are the treasures, O Lord, which thou haste laid up for them, that depart in thy faith For these thy fatherly benefits toward the souls of the faithful, and for that it hath pleased the to call this our Christian brother from this vale of misery unto thy heavenly kingdom, we give unto the most hearty thanks, humbly beseeching thee, that thou wilt take like care for us, & so govern us with thy holy spirit, both in sickness and in health, that we may live a good and godly life in this present world, and when soever it shallbe thy good pleasure to call us hence, we may with strong faith in thee, & in thy son Christ jesus our Lord, commend both our bodies & souls into thy merciful hands, and thorough thy goods be placed in thy glorious kingdom, among thy faithful chosen people, and so for ever and ever praise and magnify thee our heavenly father, to whom with thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ our Lord and saviour, and the holy ghost that most sweet comforter, be all glory and honour, worlds without end.  Th. 
Amen.  Ph. 
Rise let us go and comfort our friends, that they do not to much sorrow for the departure of this our most dear brother, which now resteth in joyful peace. That done, neighbour Christopher, repair you unto some godly learned man, and desire him to prepare a Sermon for the burial of this our brother against to morrow about the ninth hour.  Chr. 
It shallbe done.  Phile. 
Neighbour Theophile, & neighbour Eusebius, go ye your way, & provide all things necessary for the comely furniture of the burial that nothing be wanting, when the time cometh. 
i. Tess▪ v.   Euse. 
We will do it gladly.  Phi. 
The very god of peace sanctify us thorough out, & so wholly preserve us both spirit, and soul and body, that we may be blamed in nothing at the coming of our Lord jesus Christ. 
i Thess. two.   The. 
Amen.  Phi. 
Our Lord jesus Christ himself, & God our father. (which hath loved us, & hath given us everlasting consolation, & good hope thorough grace) comfort our hearts, and establish us in all good saying and doing.  Eus. 
Amen.  Phi. 
Peace be unto the brethren & love with faith from God the father and from the Lord jesus Christ. Grace be with all them, which love our Lord jesus Christ unfeignedly.  Chri. 
Amen.  Ph. 
Blessing and glory, and wisdom and thanks, and honour, and power, and might. be unto our God for evermore.  Theo. 
Amen. Amen.  
give the glory to God alone.   

 
Although death, doth daily draw near:  
Yet (his sting passed) virtue shinth clean.   

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Maiestatis per Septennium.  
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