SERMONS OF BARNARDINE OCHINE OF SENA GODLY, fruitful, and very necessary for all true Christians translated out of Italien into English. ANNO DO. M.D.XLVIII. Mensis julio. The contents of this book. i How a Christy an ought to make his last will and testament. two How we should answer the deveil, when he tempteth us and namely in the end of our life. iii How answer is to be made at the judgement seat of god. iiii By what mean to come to heaven. v How god hath satisfied for our sins and hath purchased Paradise for us. THE INTERPRETER TO the gentle reader health in Christ jesus. DEATH (GOOD READER) as scripture declareth, and our daily experience practeseth, to all mankind is a thing most certain and sure. For who is he that shall live & not see nor taste of deaths cup: the longest livers at length died, neytherking ne keysar can avoid the duyte of death, but of necessity, as all are of earth and ashes, so shall they return into the same. notwithstanding this that sure we be to die, yet when it shall come, the Lord hath left secret to his own wisdom, chiefly because we should ever keep watch, and ward, & be still in aredines with our lamps burning to wait vpo● the bridegroom, which cometh we can not tell when, whether at midnight, or at the cocks crowing, wherefore our master Christ gave us warning that we should be always waking, and look vigilantly for he cometh closlye like a thief, without warning us, at what hour he will come. Then as he findeth every man, so will he judge him, and where the tree falleth whether it be toward the South or North) there it lieth: there is then no respite to be had, but straight way due execution of god's justice shall come upon all flesh, happy is he therefore, whom his master at his returning findeth waking, for him shall he put in authority over all his treasure. And for so moche as then the ●●tter shall hang all together in clearness of conscience, which at that time shall accuse a man, or defend him, according as he hath kept it clean with virtues, or stained with vices (for in the book of men's conscience are all their deeds laid up, to be opened at the audit day of our death) me think nothing can be a greater stay to the conscience of man, then to know how he ought to go out of this present life, and what to carry wythhym to his account, or leave behind him in the world. In consideration whereof I have translated in to my native speech out of Italien a sermon of master Barnardine Ochin teaching how a true christen aught to make his last will: and for so moche as the devil is at that instant of death very bragging busily with man, and diversly troblith him, and the justice of god on the other side fearith him, I have, to stay & strengthen the conscience on thes behalfs, turned in to english two sermons instructing us how to answer the devil when he tempteth us at what time, & by what means to quiet our minds, as touching gods justice, other two have I also translated, which inform us of the true works that god requireth of us, and the way to go to heaven, and that our saviour christ jesus hath by his most precious death purchased for us paradise with out our deservings. Which five sermons taken out of the first part of master Barnar dine sermons, as they be written and published of good zeal to the wealth of many, so it is thy curtisye (gentle reder) to accept them in good part, & pardon my gross terms as of a beginner, and bear with my translation, as of a learner obtaining this of the good reader I shallbe ready and willing hereafter when god giveth better knowledge (according as my talon will extend) to turn more godly sermons of the said master Barnardine into English for the information of all that desire to know the truth. For they truly contain much to the defacing of all papistry, and hypocrisy, and to the advancement of the glory of god, and of the benefits of Christ jesus. To whom with the holy ghost be all honour and glory for ever and ever. So be it. GOD SAVE THE KING and grant us the truth of his word. HOW A CHRISTIAN ought to make his last Will and Testament. IT IS COMMONLY THE CVSstome of men in their testaments, and last wills to say I leave, I bequeath, I give, without onse saying I take or carry with me, wherein certes they be far deceived, because they take that, which they ought to leave be hind them, and go without carrying that which is very behofefull and necessary. Wherefore to the intent they should no more err on that behalf: I would we should consider and weigh how a true Christian should make his will. Men that be either fools, mad, phrantike, neither cä, nor yet know how to make a will, by reason they have not wit to discern good from evil, what is theirs, or what is not, what to take, nor what to restore or bequeath, nor yet to whom nor in what manner. And if happily they go about to make their testament, it should be but vain and of no force god alloweth it not as a thing made of a person witless. Wherefore he that is willing to make a testament effectual (as expedient is to him that willbe saved) behoveth to have very good spiritual judgement, alyvely faith in Christ, and an understanding and light above a natural man, he must also be the son, and lawful heir of god. And then he may say: I sound of mind, and ready of spirit and remembrance, albeit as touching my flesh seek make my testament, and bequeath first of all my being and substance to god: he gave it to me and also preserved it, and of him I recognize to have it, and for it I render him thanks, I leave to him likewise the gifts, graces benefits temporal, bodily and ghostly, that I have had, or shall here after receive: for they be his, and from him by grace I acknowledge to have received all, as Paul sayeth, what hast thou, that thou hast not received at god's hands. yea for as much as all the slanders, mysreportes, persecutions, sickness, and misfortunes, which I have already or shall from hence forth suffer, and even death self, I confess (by the understanding that the Lord hath given me) that they have been and shallbe his gifts and graces, given and granted of a great love for my wealth and profit: wherefore as his divine rewards I Araunt to have had them of god, for them I thank him, and as his own I leave and restore them to him. And for so moche as I can not but acknowledge that I have gone always backward from him so often as I would rule myself by my blind judgement, foolish wisdom, and devilish spirit neither did so much as go one step forth toward God, but when I was moved, diyven, and thrust forward of his holy spirit. Wherefore I commit to the highest god my most dear father, and to his governance, all the world and specially myself: in him (as I may) I will help myself with mine own wit, and freedom, namely by making it obedient to him. Moreover if ever I have spoken or shall from hence forth utter any word, if I have done or shall do any work, that is to him pleasant if I have had or after this time shall have thought desire or will, that good is, I give it to god, and at his hands I profess that I have had all my goodness, so that if it were gods will, to take from me all that he hath given me, there should in me remain nothing but only sins: those are mine own, and all other things be his. Thus be my sins if I should go before god's presence. I were but damned, if I were minded to make satisfaction I could not, no nor yet any saint that ever was, there is none whose love is so great to take my sins upon him and sat ysfye for them, and appease god's anger save Chryst alone, wherefore to him I bequeath my sins, I leave to him my pride, unkindness, unbelief, mistrust, arrogancy, envy, wrath, ambition and all my unnumerable wickedness: I give to him my evil thoughts, affections, & desires: to be short I make one fagott and boundell of all my offences present, past, and to come, and give them to Christ having sure faith, and steadfast hope, that he will accept them for his own, & hath even already taken them, and for them hath satisfied on the cross, his father laid them on his neck, Esai. 53. and he did not once again say it, but of great love allowed them for his, and to consume and burn them in the flame of his divine love, he bore them on his Innocent shoulders upon the cross, 1. Petri. 3. (as peter wryteh) & so was offered a sacrifice for us. Now seeing I have left almy sins to Christ, and given to god my substance, and being, with all other gifts & graces, that he bestowed on me. I remain naked without either good or evil, and truly to say, I am rather nothing, In that I have restored to god my being that I had by creation and birth. But for because it is impossible that he should save me without being, and so it is that he will save me, therefore first I carry with me Christ himself, which is my life. God hath so loved me, 〈◊〉. 3. that he hath given himself to me. For so hath god loved the world, that for their sins he hath given us his only begotten son. I carry also with me his spirit, that was of his eternal father given me of his most royal liberality, as well declareth Paul, 〈…〉 where he sayeth, god hath sent the spirit of his son into our hearts whereby we cry and call father, father. And in that he hath given me him, he hath restored me to myself and former being, with a new substance and nature spiritual, so that for the possibility of my salvation, I have a being: but yet lack I treasure to discharge my great debts, & to apere rich in god's sight, in consideration whereof I bear with me christes watching, abstinences, traveyls, prayers, persecutions, slanders, I take with me his tears, his sweat, his, blood, and all that ever he did or suffered in three and thirty years is mine every deal, and with lively faith I embrace it as for mine own. I carry beside this with me his patience, meekness, love, and all other his divine virtues, his gifts and graces, his treasures, and and all that he hath mereted and deserved, his life, passion, death, resurrection & ascension be mine, ye all the ever he hath done or shall from henceforth do is mine. and what needeth more to say, if god have given us his own son, how hath not he with him given us all things, wherefore with faith I embrace my sweet jesus for mine own, he is my rightwiseness, Corin. 1. wisdom, ransom, & holiness he is my strength, he is my spirit, my light, life, hope, & all my goodness, even Christ himself in his last will bequeathed me all that he had of the father. wherefore he sayeth, I entertain you at my table as my father hath used me, 〈…〉 as my father hath made me his heir so now I ordain you, I will that as you be my brethren so you shallbe my followers: And in another place he sayeth I have loved you, as my father hath loved me sithen I am nouthrough christ so rich of treasures, vertuse, & graces, I shallbe able not only tosatilfy for my deites, but also to purchase infinite paradise, when soever they shallbe sold. Who shallbe now either to accuse or condemn me, after that christ hath thus clothed me with his innosency, rightwiseness, holiness, love, with all his vertuse, graces, treasures, merits, and with his ownself, I may with no less boldness and surety, than christ, appear before god, I am his son, as he is, and heir of heaven, semblably I am innocent as christ is now that he hath satystied for me, and paid my ransom, and rewarded me with his innocency, Christ said, john. 17. I hollow myself that they also may be holy, even he is our holiness, and we be his members. wherefore it is as possible for god not to love me, as it is possible that he should not love christ by reason whereof Paul sayeth who shall divide me from the love of god that is in Christ jesus. Roma. 8. it must needs be that he be salved, which with living faith embraceth Christ for his own. And considering that the treasures, and merits of Christ are infinite, and able to enrich a thousand worlds, I intend not to carry with me any other merits, or spiritual riches, save those that Christ hath provided for me, for they be not only sufficient for me, but also over abundance and unmeasurable. Then should I do no small iniuri to Christ, if I should search to store myself by any other mean or shift, although I might do it never so easily, nay rather with Paul will I rekenne all other things as mire and dirt so that I have Christ, Philip. 3. with whom alone I will appear before god, and of and by him will I glory and make boast, yea god forbid, Gala. 6. that I should make my avaunt of any thing, save of the cross of our lord jesus Christ of whom only hangeth all our health. And All beit all the saints be rich by mean of Christ, nevertheless, if they had means of their own most plenteous, & would give them to me, yet would I none, my Christ is enough for me, with him had I rather suffer, than take pleasure & joy without him. It would be a thing pleasant to me, if every man should make prayer to god for me, not because I might purchase, or have any other treasures than those that I have of Christ, but that I might by lively faith every day acknowledge possess and embrace those that I have received of Christ, and count them for mine and so inform myself, I myself were it not by Christ, should not know what to ask, for in him is all and with out him all other things be but mere vanity, only this petition I make to him, that he vouchsafe every day to give me light and understanding, that I may have wit to account and take his treasures for nine own. Wherefore if any man will pray for me let him not tarry till I be dead, for than I can no more increase in light and grace. Let him pray now, that I may grow in faith and more and more instruct myself of Christ's riches. I am well assured that in purgatory I shall not come, both because there is found no other purgatory but christ in whom at the full be purged and punished all the sins of the elected, and also because in case there were one) yet christ not by my merits, but by his mere goodness doth satisfy for all my sins trespasses, & pains, & for as much as hope never made any man ashamed, nor confounded any person, Roma. 3 that had it in his heart (as Pause wrote) therefore am I sure and secker that he will save me without other purgation. We can not promise ourselves to much of god's goodness, no we never can vehete us so moche, but he will recompense much more. I will not suffer therefore that after my life any good be done for me. Truth it is that if I have any goods then must I leave to the poor flock of Christ, not because they should pray for me, that am already saved, but for the use of other that live, & shallbe borne, as Christ did, ●●on. 17. and also because the rather they may live godly, and know that they shall never lack that be his, and put their trust in him. To whom be always, honour and glory through jesus Christ our Lord Amen. HOW WE SHOULD ANSWER the devil When he tempteth us and namely in the end of our life. THE DEVIL (AS PETER vuriteth) seeketh alway to devour us but chiefly he is busy at the hour of death, Petri. 5. by reason than it stand the him in hand so to do for his own behove, and our greater endamage and harm. Then useth he all might, power, sleight, deceit, & malice: wherefore I think good that we should search how to make him answer and by the assistance and aid of gods grace to withstand him, and get the upper hand of him, He is constraygned specially when we approach near to our death, to throw us in to the asisse and pit of desperation, or else to set us up in pride and presumption. if he shall perceive that thou either put trust in thyself, or confidence in thine own works, he will not go inhande to make the despair & mistrust gods mercy, but rather stablish the in that erroneous opinion of pride of thy deeds on the other side if he feel that thou hast all thy hope in god: then will he show the on the one party the multitude and wickedness of thy sins, and on the other party god's wrath and severe justice, he will tell the how thou art in a maze and perplexity not able to be shaken of, or wonden out of, and by making the to feel thine offences, other wise than ever thou deddest in thy health will go a bout to take out of thy heart the passion of christ, and all the great goodness, mercy, and love of god, & finally to prove the damned, he will bring for his purpose-even the holy scriptures. But I will that all his tentations serve the to the honour of god and salvation of thy soul as they do serve the turn of the elected, Roma. 3. to whom all things work together for their wealth, first of all I warn thee, that thou maintain not thyself for good, but admit and grant all the evil that he shall rehearse of the and think, that he hath not said so moche, 1. john. two. but that it is much more: & thank god that now at last he hath be so favourable, to make the consider thy sins, wherein he useth the devil for an instrument, to the intent that by the knowing of them, thou shouldest take occasion to humble thyself, and to call Christ to thy remembrance, which to scour and cleanse them hath not only reputid them for his own, but also died for them upon the cross grant thou hardly that thou art a ribald and noghtye without excusing thyself in any wise, & that thy sins are in numerable. confess that thou could never satisfy for one alone, and that thou were the most damned sinner of the world if Christ had not delivered she, and still prompt thyself with those matters, which may further the to come in to desperation of thyself: But if the devil wait to bring the to despeyr of Christ, thou may in no wise consent there to, but steadfastly put thy trust in him. and my mind is that thou say to him thus. if it were good for me to mistrust Christ, thou never wouldest have persuaded me thereto but rather have drawn me from it, wherefore in that thou wouldest put me in mind to mistrust Christ, thou makest me stronger in my hope and trust. Thou shalt say to him, that when he caused injustly Christ to die, which was an Innocent, he lost all his interpriest & jurisdiction, that ever he had or possible might have over man. and if he proceed forth to induce the to despair, by setting before the thy great sins, I will the to say to him. go to christ, which (as john writeth) is mine attorney and Aducoate, 1. john. ● he can make the an answer for me, reason there with him, if thou have any claim or title in me, as thou sayest, dost thou not know that he hath taken my sins for his own, and hath for them made satistactyou most plenteously, therefore hast thou no right in me at all. If he chance to say his death is not enough to save thee, answer him, if Adam by tasting one apple with one only sin was able to damn me: how is it that so many holy works of Christ, which tasted for my sake of great love the most bitter death, be not sufficient to save me. Roma. ● If the disobedience of Adam had power to condemn me, much more the obedience of Christ is strong enough to save me, yea the gift of Christ is above and exceedeth the sin of Adam, Christ hath more availed and helped us, than Adam annoyed and harmed us by reason the light of Christ is of more force and effect than the darkness of our first parent, the goodness of Christ's surmounteth and passeth the malice of man, & his virtue prevaileth about our frailty: one tear of Christ hath been more pleasant to god, than all the sins of the world be displeasant Christ hath be able to do more to appease him, than we to provoke him to anger, Christ's living was more formal and ordinary, then ours was out of order and frame Christ hath done more to the honour of god, than we have done to his dishonour. Wherefore I may well say, Christ that is my wisdom, righteousness, 1. Cor, 1. holiness, & redemption is sufficient inought to save me. And if haply he should say, it is not sufficient for thy salvation to believe in Christ, the behoveth to keep his commandments, thou must love god with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself, and desire nor covet any thing worldly, which things because thou dost not, ergo, thou art damned, if faith only were enough I also & all the devils should be saued, because (as it is written) even the devils believe & fear. lame. two. They believe the god made & created heaven and earth, and that christ came, died, rose, ascended in to heaven, that hesent the holy ghost, & that he shall come to judge the quick & dead, and yet are not we therefore saved, & that because we observe not his divine precepts. wherefore thou also art but lost, he will thus labour to bring the under the law, to think that thou be justified not by christ, but by per fourming and fulfilling of the law, to the end that thou should despair. But I will that thou make answer and say, if thou didst believe as by god's grace I believe: that is, that god for thy wealth hath created the world, and semblably preserveth it, in such sort that thou couldst feel in the creatures the love of god, & likewise would believe firmly, that Christ came and died for thy sins, for to save thee, and for thy sake & profit, and in like manner of the other articles, thou also should be saved, and then, when thou hadst a lively feeling of the goodness and love of god thou wouldest love him, and thy neighbour likewise, & being ravished into god wouldest begin to set little store by the world as all good Christian men and women do If it fortune that he say, Deut. xx 7 he is cursed that keepeth not and observeth the law, wherefore thou art one of mine, say to him again, Gala. 3 for that cause christ died on the cross, Roma. 7 for to deliver me from all curses, and in so much as I am all ready of christ I am dead to the law. Again if he reply esaying, where be thy works, whereby thou trusteth to be saved, answer, I trust not to be saved by my works, for they be such that if I should have regard or respect to them, I fear me to be damned, yea I were surely ascertained of my damnation. Roma. 8. I hope only to be saved by Christ, and his works, which be mine own, and so much rather mine, than they I did myself, as that the spirit of christ given to me is more entire to me then mine own life or any other thing. Further if he should endeavour to prove the to be none of the elect, by reason of the innumerable, and outrageous sins that thou hast committed, for prosperities, or adversities thou hast had, for the great evils wherein thou art found at thy death, or for the temtations thou hast sustained, saying, that god preserveth his elected from the like evils. make him answer and say: Roma. 3. rather doth god practise them in diverse such manners, albeit of every thing they be certified to the honour of god, thou shalt more over say to him thus. I give more credit and trust to christ, which when he was dead for me on the cross, told me I was saved, then to thee, that art always alyer and father of errors. I will thou tell him, how thou givest more faith to Christ alone, then to all the reasons and authorities of the world: thou may beside this say to him, the spirit of god beareth witness to my spirit, Roma. 8. that I am the son of god, and to him must I rather trust then to the. when he shall say, if thou were the son of god he would not leave the in souch punishments, as thou art in, but would give the some release and easment Answer him, In case it were as thou sayest Christ should not have been the son of god, sithen on the cross he had no comfort, nor sensual taste or feeling, so that he said my god, Marci. 15. my god why hast thou forsaken me: it sufficith to me that he she with me so much favouer, for I am contented with all that pleaseth him, as christ also was, yea in his suffering, he felt exceedingly the infinite love of the father. Beside these of he say: ●●he. two. thou art the son of Adam, ergo thou art accursed. ●●hn. 1. Answer thou thus: I am blessed again by being borne of god, and by mean of that blessed seed Christ as god long agone promised Adam when he said. e'en. xii. In thy seed all nations shallbe blessed, thou shalt tell him: how thou art despoiled and bearest of the old Adam, ●oma. 13 and clothed with jesus Christ as Paul teacheth and advertiseth the. What time as he shall declare to the that christ is wroth, angry and sharp: make him answer how Christ is not such one, for he is the health and hope of sinners, and whilst we be in this life present he is uttered to us pitiful, sweet, and our jesus, that is, our saviour and albeit heseme to speak sharp, and cruel words to the woman of Cananye, Math. 1● yet in heart he gave her confidence and boldness, and showed himself to her full of sweetness and love. In deed at the day of judgement to the damned shall he be showed angry, and wrathful but in the mean time till that day while we be here in this present life, he is showed pitiouse to all, and principally to the great sinners. And if it so were that he would say thou art not truly confessed, nor haste rehearsed all thy sins, and the circumstances of the same, ne hast examined sufficiently thy conscience, nor yet hast not that pure perfect great, and unfeigned sorrow for thy sins that thou of duty shouldest have, thou hast not satisfied for those so great an unnumerable debts, that thou hast toward god, make him this answer and say: thou art a servant and not a judge: or to say more truly, ●●●n. 3. thou art all ready judged and condemned, seeing thou believest not in Christ, and wouldest thou judge mettrouble thyself no longer in proving that I have failed in all, for sure I am, and fully I believe to be saved, not by my works by reason they be unperfect, nor yet by the worthiness of my faith, for in that also I am not perfect, because I believe not with so great a faith as I ought, but I believe I shallbe saved by Christ, and not by my works. He will say: thou art not worthy to be saved, say thou to him for a full answer: the unworthy be●●ued so often as they acknowledge their own unworthiness, go heartily for help to Christ, by whose mean they be come worthy. Where as he shall lay to thy charge that thou art one of the worst of the world: say to him on this wise our infirmities be but small in comparison of the infinite merits of Christ, and of the incomprehensible mercy of god: and the more great that my sins be and without number, so much greater shallbe his glory in delivering me, and I with so much the greater trust pray as that if he will hear me, it shallbe more to his honour and glory. And when I consider and call to remembrance, that my sweet and loving brother jesus Christ the son of god, which for my sake died on the cross, & would again innumerable times for me, if need were, & that I am his own for so many causes, & that he may determine of me after his own mind. For so moch as his father hath given him full power in heaven and earth: when I consider this, I say, I canin no wise doubt of my salvation. If he eftsoons reason thus: thou hast done no penance for thy sins: answer on this manner: that can I never do, if I should alway stand in the fire, Christ hath done that for me on the cross more over, Christ is mine, the father hath given him to me with all his merits, all the good works, that ever he did are mine, wherefore I may with his divine riches, and treasures satisfy for all. After this manner I would thou should answer him, when soever he setteth afore the thy sins, and infinite debts, that thou oughtest to god for the benefits, thou hast received with diverse and sundry vices while he tempt thee, but specially with desperation, wherewith he tempteth even the saints he will put the in mind and mistrust that Christ hath forsaken thee: but make answer that he never forsook person that trusted in him, but because he would forsake none of us, he was minded to be forsaken himself on the cross, and if he should at any time forsake and refuse us (the which is a thing impossible) it should be for more glory of god, and we ought not only to be contented, but also to take it for a singular privilege and prerogative. It behoveth us to stand strong in the faith, and think that afore god the passion of Christ can do more to cause him to love us, than our sins can procure his hate toward us, we had need to be well armed with sprite, saith, and grace, for learning sufficeth not to know how to answer, and wite thou well that Christ was tempted, and specially at the end, wherefore he sayeth: ●●hn. 15. the prince of this world is comen, but he hath gotten nothing of me. And if he can not wy ●h these armour hurt thee, he will turn over the leaf, and say thus, and all because to deceive the. go to thou haste already vanquished me, I was mined to bring the in to desperation, but I cold not. thou art saved: and by and by will the angels come to fett the. two. Corin. 15. he will apere to the like an angel of light, and say to the as he did to saint hilarion. hast thou served god so long, hast thou done so many good deeds so great penance, given so many good ensamples, saved so many souls: and albeit thou hast committed sins, yet art thou confessed of them, thou hast done penance, thou hast taken pardons, thou haste gone for indulgences, thou keepest the commandments, and beside these done many voluntary works that thou wast not bounden to do, wherefore why shouldest thou fear. thou shalt be safe and sure, if thou be not saved, then shall none be saved. yea thy good works be overplus, more than sufficith, The devil is a liar. john. 3. which thou may sell or give to other, which if thou do not the Church of Rome shallbe thy heir, and thou shalt enrich their treasury of indulgence. what ferest thou therefore: hast thou haply gone another path or way. albeit thou have admitted sins, yet seest thou not how thou art well disposed at the last, only stand stoutly in the trust of these thy great and many good works, suffer this sickness, and death for the remission of thy sins, & thou shalt be more then saved, only often remember thyself. of thy good works. Then it is expedient for the to say thus. Thou wouldst that I should trust in my works, and I have no fere of being damned, were it not for my works, I give thanks to my lord Christ jesus, which hath given me the grace to count my works for a thing of nought, and for such, that every one of them I deserve to be punished, thou magnify este my works, to draw me back from the confidence of Christ, but by god's grace, thou shalt not be able to do it. I find that I am upon a little board in the sea tossed with mighty winds, and have embraced and beclepped a strong pillar or rock, and thou counselest me to leave it, and to stick to the rotten things which if I should do, the winds would carry both me and them in to the sea. rather I will perish with Christ which is a thing impossible I then live with out him, no I can not put my trust holy in Christ whiles first all together I despair of myself and mine own works. Wherefore it is necessary that we despoil ourselves of all trust in our own works, and by faith and hope, cloth us and arm us with Christ and in him put our hope, and all though we have not that great faith, yet in no wise ought we to despair, because if at the first he do not, yet at lenghthe he giveth it to his elected at their death, as the prophet Abacuk told aforehand, when he said, Lord when they shallbe near to the death at the latter end, between this way and the other, thou wilt make known to them Christ and his great benefits, and wilt open to them the bosom of thy graces by jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. HOW ANSWER IS TO be made at the judgement seat of God. AFELON OR GVYLTYPARson, that can not fly, but of necessity must appear at the session's assize, or lawedaye afore the bar, picketh out and chooseth him for his ayed and succour, attorneys, protectors, and counseylours, and goeth devising how he may be defended, namely in a matter touching elyfe and death: which thing it standeth us in hand more to do. In so much as, that we being full of sins, must appear afore the high judgement seat of god's justice, and when judgement by definitive sentence is given against us, we shall lose paradise, soul, grace, god, and all goodness without recovery, and be thrown in to the deep pit of hell, there to remain and abide in fire everlastingly. Wherefore me seemeth it were expedient to imagine what way to take, what answer to make with what reasons to arm us, that we may have the matter to pass on our side. first of all an undoubted matter is it, Roma. 5. that we all have sinned in Adam, and beside the original sin have innumerable actual, ne can be saved, unless first we be absolved and forgiven, and that must needs be whilst we be in this life for after ward is, no more redemption at all. Luce 16. To the glutton was denied one drop of water. Wherefore necessary it is to know that there be two judgement seats of god: the one is of rightwiseness, the other of mercy, grace, pity, goodness, love sweetness, and liberality: Hebre. 4. as Paul speaking of this last faith. let us go boldly to the throne, and bench of gods grace at the first bench sitteth god, and christ keepeth residence at the second. Now as for the sinners, if they wylve saved they must go all to the bench of mercy to ask and call for pity, and not justice, for favour and straight reckoning, because we have all been unjust, and with alour righteousness, and good works be not able to withstand god's rightwiseness, wherefore David said. Psal. 1●5. Lord none can be justified in thy sight, if there thou wyltsee a reckoning, and in another place, ●sal. cxxix. Lord if thou wilt punish our iniquities, who shallbe able to abide: and job sayeth, job. 9 I know that man can not be justified if he stand face to face afore god. And in another place, job. 15. what thing is man that he should be clean: the heavens be not clean in his sight. jeremy. two. And jeremy writeth thus If thou wash the with nytrus thou shalt nevertheless be stained And Isaiah sayeth: our righteousness be like the clothes of an unclean woman: Prover. xx. and Solomon witnesseth the same, saying who is he that can say my heart is clean, I am pure & innocent from sin, wherefore sayeth god by jerymy, why will you strive with me in judgement: As though he should say you are fools, if you think yourself able to withstand the justice of god, seeing your righteousness is unclean, and that so moch unclener, as that not only the works, but also the very inward thoughts, affections, and desires shallbe examined, and tried. therefore sayeth god: I will search. try and prove. jerusalem. Sopho. 1 with lanterns. it is most profitable therefore to go to the bench of mercy. And say with David, Psalm. 15. Lord I shalcom afore thee, not with the multitude of my works, but of thy mercy, and in case thou be summoned and called to the throne of justice, appeal to the other bench of mercy, for as from the judgement of a lord subject to the Emperor a man may appeal to Caesar's judgement seat: so may a man appeal from the bench of justice to the throne of mercy as to the higher court. In asmuch as james writeth mercy ercelleth justice: it is seen that Ezechyas, james. two. after sentence was given upon him at the bench of justice, iiii. Regu. because he appealed to the other Throne of mercy had granted to him, that he should live fifteen years longer. And David by appealing to mercy caused the sentence to be revoked, two. Regu. x● which was given that he should die. And what time that servant, Math. 3. of whom the gospel speaketh, said, have patience with me & give me respite: he appealed to mercy and was herd. In like manner is it and hath be of all sinners that be saved Now must we do in the same wise, I mean when we be cited to the court of justice to tender and yield an account, then must we appeal to mercy, and say: we be dead through Christ to the law, Roma. 7. and therefore to justice also, which judge after the law are we dead, then hath justice no iurildiction upon us at all, no though it were the greatest sinner of the world: say thou to god, I am Christ's, thou gavest me to him, as Christ sayeth: they were thine, john. 17. & thou hast given them to me. Moreover Christ hath read medme, therefore am I his for many causes, I will therefore stand to his judgement: thou hast given him all power in heaven & in earth as he himself sayeth: Math. 18. to me is given all power in heaven & in earth, wherefore he may do with me the thing that liketh him, and as to him seemeth good, he is my judge as Christ himself sayeth: john. xii. the father hath given aliudgement to the son, it is therefore his duty to judge me. But as in another place he sayeth he came not to judge but to save the world, say therefore to Christ: do thine office, save me, for thou camest, and thy father did send the for that intent, I feel all ready thy voice, & in my heart thou sayest to me, that because I trust in thee, thou wilt save me, already by thy grace have I put in the my confidence & hope, and he, Exodi. 19 that believeth in the can not be damned, save me therefore according as thou art bounden by a covenant made. And albeit thy conscience accused thee, and all the devils beside laid to thy charge, ye a though judgement were given against thee: yer so long as thou art in this present life, it is always lawful to appeal to the mercy of god. And if it were so, that by force thou should be drawn to the court of justice, cry out with Isay, and say to Christ: ●●ty. 38. o Lord I suffer violence, make answer for me, help me, forsake me not, I chose and will have the for my attorney and speech man: not because thou should defend my just accounts, and true reckeninges, for I have none such, but to th'intent thou should take my sins for thine, and reward me with thine innocency, holiness, & right witness. Thou hast already satisfied for me on the cross and appointed me by adoption to be the son of god, wherefore I can not be damned, no not one shallbe found that dare accuse me, joma. 8. being one of gods elected. More over if thou be mined and willing to appear without danger at the bench of gods righteousness despoil first thyself of the old Adam, and apparel the with Christ (as Paul exhorteth us,) and thou shallbe safe. Collosen For in so moch as thou hast embraced him for thine own, thou can not be damned all though thou hadst committed all the sins of the world. As a woman great with child can not be punished, no more can thou, Apoca. ● if thou have Christ in thy heart, john. 3. or rather (as Christ sayeth) he that believeth in the son is not judged he is so assured of his salvation, that there needeth no examination to be had of him, he is one of Christ's membres, and hath his spirit, wherefore he can no more be damned than Christ, because he is knit to him by lively faith. If it be so that god would make there with the a reckoning, say to him how thou hast made it with Christ, for as he put on Christ all our iniquities and sins (as I say sayeth) & with great love accepted them for his own, ●●ye. 53. and bound himself to make satisfaction for them. Wherefore thou shalt say, Lord if thou hast any reckoning or matter against me, make it with Christ he knoweth well how to answer & can declare the he hath satisfied for them. In case be that any must be damned for the sins I have done, it is Christ, that must be damned, and not I good Lord, for albeit I am he that committed them, nevertheless Christ bound himself to satisfy for them, and that by consent and good will of his father, wherefore whosoever be leaveth ●●uely in Christ is all together safe and sure Beside this if god would needs make the audite & account with us, and would say: I am not content with Christ's satisfaction for you, I will that yourselves make recompense for the you have offended (which is a thing impossible) already from the beginning he is contented, & hath accepted that denine sacrifice of the undefiled lamb Christ jesus, which died on the cross to be obedient to his father (as Paul hath written) already is the rightwiseness of god satisfied by christ more than sufficient, Philip. two. we be airedy reconciled with god, and made his sons, & so consequently his heirs he hath already given us paradise, and when god hath onse given a gift it never repenteth him: Roma. 11 wherefore the gift can not be called again bireason god is not channgeable I nevertheless although (as I said) he should say: I will that thou thyself satisfy. Answer him on this wise: Lord if I were as dear beloved to thee, as is Christ, and had done and suffered lovingly for thy honour. all that Christ did and suffered, in this case woldesse thou not hold thyself sufficiently satisfied for me: in case he granted thereto. thou should make him this answer. then is it already done. for in that Christ suffered I any self suffered, by reason I am changed into Christ. ye a the true Christianes', that have Christ in their hearts (as Paul sayith let Christ dwell in our hearts) may piteously lament & complain to of god, ●●●a. ●. & say to him: thou hast punished us more bitterly than we have deserved, considering that we offended and not Christ, reason would thou should have punished us, our will, and our life and soul, and not that innocent and undefiled lamb jesus Christ, and thou hast punished Christ which is the life of my soul. the heart of my heart, the spirit of my spirit (as David sayeth god my flesh and my heart, Psalm. 73. god of my heart. thou shouldest, if my death had not been enough for my sins, turned me into nothing, and let alone that innocent, and just Christ more dear and entire to me then mine own soul wherefore I feel more that, that he suffered for me, than I should have felt, if I had suffered all the torment possible on mine own body, but well wist thou, that I could not by reason of my frailty, a vyde and suffer all, that I had deserved for my sins, and therefore thou chose that mighty and strong Christ to suffer for them in my stead, and more over haste set him in my heart to th'intent that I should not only feel that he suffered, but also that he might give me strength to be able to suffer. Thou mayst also say: Lord albe it I have sinned, I am regenerate and borne again by Christ. I am no more the man that sinned, but I am a new creature: wherefore thou can not justly punish me, by cause that sprite of mine, that sinned, Gala. two. is dead, and Christ liveth in me. I live no longer myself, but Christ in me. punish, kill, and turn to nought that spirit of mine, that will of mine, spoil from me that old Adam, that sensuality, and all that in me hath sinned: and ponishe not me, sithen by the new spirit, that I received of Christ I am his most innocent creature. more over thou Lord hast given me Christ with all his divine treasures & graces, Roma. 3. & that to be more surely mine, than I am myself, and in so much as he is mine entire I am able to satisfy for all my debts What fearest thou then O sinful soul. seest thou not that, as the blood of Abelcried for vengeance, 〈◊〉 ●. so this blood of christ calleth for mercy and he can not but must needs be herd. 〈…〉. one abyss calleth on another I me one the bothomeles abyss of my sins hath need of the abyss of Christ's passion, and the abyss of Christ's passion calleth to the abyss of the mercy of god. Psalm. 1●. say therefore to Christ. O Lord make thy mercy marvelous and wonderful, thou savest them that trust in thee: cry save me for thy mercy sake: take and embrace thine the rightwiseness of Christ, & then can I be contented thou say. Psalm. 7. judge me lord according to my rightwiseness. Let every man therefore go to the court of the mercy of god, & if we be called to the bar of justice, let us appeal all ways to mercy, and see that never a man appear before the throne of justice except first he be clothed with Christ through faith and then he may be presented boldly, as he that is armed with innocency and truth may be presented afore any place of judgement. And god shall accept them for rightwise. To whom be all honour and glory through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BY WHAT MEAN to come to heaven. EXPERIENCE PROVETH THAT every creature hath naturally a desire and appetite to resort to it own proper place, and mansion, and namely man, because he is the most sovereign creature of all other And for so much as over native country is not here upon the earth, Hebre. 15. Collos●n. 1 but in heaven is our place of rest (considering that all men have this desire to go to heaven) I take it to be expedient to weigh and ponder how we may go thither. God hath given us Christ for an only mirror, glass, rule, squire, Master, and Guide: wherefore whoso is willing to walk thither I mean to heaven, must go the same path, that he hath gone and trodden before us, by cause he knoweth the way most perfectly, and taught it to us without any guile as well by his examples, as by his words, therefore he that entendith, to go to heaven must follow him. And first as he being in the shape and form of god was not proud, nor an arrogant usurper, nor ascribed to himself that he might conveniently have done: but contrary wise, was lovelyhumble, of noreputation, Philip. two and took upon him the shape of a servant, or rather of a sinner, Esay. 53. and god laid on him all our wickedness, ye and most lovingly admitted and allowed them for his own, as though he had committed them himself. Now in like manner, a Christian man being already regenerate and borne again by Chryst, and graffed into him by a living faith. cometh down from heaven, that is from his own pride, and false excellency, john. 3. for (as Christ sayeth) no man goeth up in to heaven. but he that cometh down, that is the son of man and his members. wherefore by & by as a Christian man hath a liuely light taste and & feeling of Christ, & his great benefit he is humble, counteth himself of no value and nothing in his reputation. for when he seeth by divine influence, the meekness of christ, his liveralite patience, love, goodness, innocensy, with other of his virtues, he is of force constrained to feel his own pride, unkindness, unpacientnes, wickedness, ungodliness, and his other iniquities. And as god put upon Christ all our sins, and he with most tender love received them: so will this Christian man ascribe to himself all the offences of the world: biraeson that he perceiveth, that if god had with drawn from him his grace & had not borne him up, but ministrid to him occasion & opportunity to offend, thee had not been a sin in all the world but he had done it wherefore he will attribute to himself all, as though he had committed them in deed so that all be it in Christ, and by Christ he perceiveth himself innocent and safe, notwithstanding of himself he taketh it, that he is most damned, and greatest sinner of all the world and is forced to say that (which Paul spoke long ago) Christ came in to the world to save sinners, 1. Timo. 1 whereof I am one of the chief. The second act of christ was, that, after he was thus humbled, clothed with our frail nature, borne, and showed forth to the world, he lived all together for his neighbour, and sought only the glory of his father, and salvation of his brethren, without any regard or respect to himself. (and cause why is) for that he was so full of love, ●ohn. 1. grace, favour, truth, godliness, and all light, virtue, and perfection, wherefore considering he had no need to enrich himself, he lived holy to the wealth and benefit of others, Collosen. 1 Roma. 15. as Paul sayeth Christ hath not pleased himself he was inflamed in such wise with a fervent desire to save the world, for the glory of his father, that he being clean swallowed up in god, had no mind nor consideration of himself. Now in semblable sort that true Christian man, that seeth himself the son and heir of god, as Lord of all studieth, not to live to his own use, but is holly bent to the benefiting of his brothern ne for god's glory, and being as it were changed into their nature feeleth all their good, and evil, as Paul did. Next ensueth the third act, that like as the world persecuted Christ, so it pursue him, and that because in saving his neighbour and seeking the glory of god, he advanceth and set forth the grace, the gospel, and the great mercy of god: thrusting down, submitting throwing done to the ground, and making nothing of man: and because the world repineth at this, therefore immediately followeth persecution, in like case therefore as the hole life of Christ was one continual persecution because it was godly, so chanceth fitly & agreeably to a true Christien, that magnifieth the great benefit, which we have received by Christ. which thing is open and manifest in sundry places of the acts of the apostles. ●●t. 45, 9 for immediately as the apostles had preached the gospel, they were pursued, and so the case goeth in this our time. More over as Christ was done on the cross, from whence, he would not come done, although in scorn it was said to him, Math. xx 7 that if he were the son of god, he should come down of the cross, & they would believe him: but because he was the son of god, he would not come down, but abide there, & with his own death make perfect our salvation. in like manner also a Christian man must be transformed and changed in to christ crucified, Gala. 3. so that with Paul he may say I am crucyfed with Chryst, in such wise also knit to him on the cross, that nothing is able to part me from the love of god, Roma. 3. which is in Christ jesus. Further more as Christ died on the cross so a Christian man, that liveth in Christ, dieth to the world in such sort, that he passeth not of riches, honour, dignity, kindred, friends, worldly pleasures, or prosperity, considering that he seeth bifaith that he is safe, happy, and son, and heir of god, yea even as Christ was buried, so is he, so that the world counteth him not only for a thing dead, Roma. 6. but rotten, flyngking and loathsome, wherefore he must say with Paul, Gala. 3. the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. He beside this must rise with Christ in newness of life, living after another manner than he did before that he was regenerate by Christ, Roma. 6. because he is becomen spiritual he liveth to the glory of god. And thus finally with christ he ascendeth into heaven standing, Collosen. 3. as touching his thoughts affections, and desires, above in his celestial country, so that he say with Paul our conversation is in heaven, Philip. 3. where he enjoyeth and taketh pleasure and comfort in god. To whom be always all honour and glory, through jesus christ our lord. Amen. ❧ HOW GOD HATH Satisfied for our sins and hath purchased Paradise for us. GOD BY HIS ABSOLUTE AND free poor might have saved us without any satisfaction at all: In as much as the justice of god is contented and pleased of all that is liking his good will: nevertheless he hath appointed from everlasting by his divine mind & wisdom, never to save sinner, whiles first he were full lie satisfied, & sethen he perceived that we could not do it ourselves, he was minded to send into the world his son to make for us satisfaction, & laid on him the iniquities of us all, as Isay wrote. Isaiah. ●●. And he right lovingly, although he were a very innocent, took them for his own, and was contented to satisfy for our offences, to suffer that we had deserved, & die upon the cross, according to his father's will, as Paul writeth he took our infirmities for his own and he hath borne our iniquities and miseries, by reason he came into the world as though he had been an offender, he took a similitude of sin to serve our turn on the behalf of our sins & as though we had been most innocent, Esay. 43. & he committed all the sins on his will was to go alone to the death, & therefore he said to his disciples in the garden: stand therein peace, Math. xxuii rest, & without care, & suffer me alone to enter into the battle, & abide on my bones that you have deserved. and meeting the multitude he said to them: whom seek you: john. 18. they answered, jesus of Nazareth as though they should have said, we seek for him, which hath upon him all the sins of the world. And christ made answer, I am he, I have taken on me all the sins, love hath laid them on my shoulders, there fore if you seek for me as a man in whom be all the sins let my disciples and my elected pass as innocentes ease, satisfy revenge, & do your worst to me, which am contented to suffer for all one cause also, wherefore christ being accused at the judgement seat of Jerusalem, made no answer was to show that they had against him all actions, in so moch as he had embraced for his own all our sins. It pleased him also to be crowned with thorns, as king of all our miseries, & set between tow thieves as the starkest errand thief of all, likewise was he contented to be stricken & beaten for our sins, as (Esay sayeth) he was smitten for our infirmities and bruised for our iniquities, Isaiah. 53. and ossences: god hath chastised & beaten him for the sins of his people and by his wounds, and passions we be made hole, he paid that he owed not, ●alm. 63. (as David said I have paid those things that I took not. ●say. 43. and Esay also did say in the parson of Christ, you have but me to trouble for your iniquities. he was contented that upon him should come all those infamies, slanders, and rebukes, which we have deserved for our sins, which thing David singnified in sprite in the parson of christ where he saith, psalm. 68 the rebukes, and reproaches, wherewith they slandered thee, fell all upon me, yea and those curses also, that were due to us fell upon him, (as Paul sayeth) he hath redeemed us from the curse, ●ala. 3 in that he became a cursed for us. and like a godly shepherd having on his back the lost sheep (for he hath his kingdom upon his shoulders) ●●ay. 6 hath he borne our sins on the cross, 1. Petri. two. (as Peter sayeth) he hath borne our sins in his body upon the cross and tree. upon it as it had been an altar, to condemn our sins, with the sin that was imputed to him, was he offered as a sacrifice to be burned in the fire and flame of god's love, and to the Corinthians Paul writeth, two Corin. 5. he that knew no sin was made sin for us. it was gods will & mind, that he which was most innocent should be done on the cross as though he were not only a sinner but even sin itself & thus (as Daniel prophesied was iniquity consumed) & in one day god took it out of the world, according to the profesye of zachary, Zachar. 5 john. 3. wherefore saint john sayeth he appeared to take a way our sins, and saint john Baptist sayeth of Christ that he is the lamb of god the taketh away the sins of the world. Therefore when Chryst suffered most loviglye all that, which we have deserved, Hebre. 1 he satisfied for us, and purged us from our sins. he after the manner of the prodigal son, of an exceeding love, that he bore to the soul, when he had given his divine treasures of grace to the very open sinners & harlots' and had taken to himself our sins, as if he had done them himself, he made prayer to his father that he would pardon them to him & to him he pardoned them, for we were not worthy: neither would he yield up his spirit till first he had bowed down his head that is until he had moved god, 1. Corin. 11. which is (as Paul writeth) his head to pardon us to christ therefore were our sins ascribed so the justly he merited that death for his sins, not by cause he committed them, but because he admitted them for his own and so hath he satisfied for them, not only sufficiently, but also more than was requisite. for to god is one tear of Christ more pleasant, than all the sins of the world displeasant. & that life & death of his were more to the honour of god, than our life was to his dishonour, yea he hath not only satisfied for our sins, but hath purchased for us life everlasting. But haply wilt thou say, than need I to take no pains nor travail to satisfy for my sins, nor to deserve paradise, I may take mine ease, or do what evil the liketh me giving me to pleasure, & good cheer, for if it be as the sayest, I cannot but be saved. I answer thus. first I say the truth it is the oughtest not to labour thyself for the intent to satisfy for thy sins nor yet to deserve paradise: for that is only Christ's office, nor thou canst have any such intent with our doing great injury and wrong to god. but where as thou sayest, that thou would ●iue idly or do evil, after that Christ hath now delivered the from all evil, and purchased the the greatest felicity: I make the answer on this wise. If case were that one were led to the gallows for his ribaldry and noghtines, and his lord or master of mere favour and good will should deliver him, and count him for his son, and yet would say, my lord or Master hath delivered me from all evil, and taken me for his son and heir, therefore will I go my way and be idle, and in following mine own lusts, and will do in him wrong: how think you, in this case be not these wicked words? even the like sayest thou christ hath delivered me from hell, and made me the son of god, & heir of heaven, wherefore I will stand like an idle parson, or rather do more evil, Christ certes died not for thee, nor satisfied for thy debts, nor yet merited for the paradise to th'intent thou should stand idle, commit sin, and become a stark ribald, but that thou, seeing his great love, and how greatly sin displeased him seeing he was willing to die because to take them out of the world, should no more do sin, but honour him, love him, thank him, put thy trust in him, and work vertuose and good works plentiouslye, not as a bond servant to escape hell, sithen christ hath delivered thee, ne yet to get paradise, the which Chryst hath purchased for thee, but as a natural son for the glory of god, moved thereto by motion of faith, love, and sprite, not by man's wit, sensuality, or thy behoof or commodity. Moreover either thou believest that Christ hath satisfied for the or not, if thou believe not, that he hath delivered the from hell and gotten the Paradyse, if thou be wise, thou wilt search to help thyself, and so wilt thou not be idle, mochlesse wilt thou commit sins: but rather enforce thyself to make satisfaction for thyself and to deserve paradise, which is athing impossible, but if thou believe lively, that he had so loved thee, that to save thee, he died on the cross, thou should be constrained to love him again, and to do for his glory, marvelous works pletuouslye and readily to believe that we are saved by Christ maketh not us negligent and naughty, but fervent and holy. Let us therefore render thanks to our Lord god, saying he hath with so great love saved us by so high, rich, happy, and glorious mean. To whom be all way all honour, laud and glory, through jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. IMPRINTED at London by me R. C. for William Reddell duelling at the sign of the George in Paul's church yard.