The Way of lyfe .

A Christian , and Catholique Institution comprehending principal poincts of Christian Religion , which are necessary to bee knowne of all men , to the atteyning of Saluation .

First delyuered , in the Danish language for the instruction of those people , by Doctor Nicolas Hemmingius , Preacher of the Gospell , and Professor of Diuinitie , for the Kynge of Denmarcke , in his Vniuersitie of Hafnia : And about three yeares past , ( for the commoditie of others ) translated into Latine , by Andrew Seuerinus Velleius : And now first , and newly Englished , for the commodity of English Readers : By N. Denham , this yeare of our Redemption . 1578.

Imprinted at London by Richard Jones , and are to bee sould ouer agaynst S. Sepulchers Churche .

AMongest those seuen speciall Sages of the Gréeks , there was one , which béeinge desirous to leaue to a certayne follower of his sect , some speciall token woorthy of remembraunce : commended vnto him ( as the speciallest thing that hée could deuise ) this Symbole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( that is ) Follow thou God . Wherby it is to bée perceiued , that euen the very heathens , indowed onely , with the lighte , and wisdome of nature , and not able to pearce farther , than their reasoninges , and argumentes taken of the visible creatures , which they saw , and perceyued with their senses ) would stretch : did not only conclude , that there was a God , which was the woorkemayster , and disposer of all those thinges , and that hée was immortall : but also that hee was to bee feared , and honoured , and the sight , and presence of him , to bée desired .

For whilest that they considered , the globe , and compasse of the Firmament , and the earth , with all the noble , and variable furniture therof , as the Sunne , the Moone , the Starres , and vnder them , the varietie of the other creatures in their kindes , and lastly , the excellencie of the woorkemanshippe of the frame of the body of man : they were induced to gather therof , this conclusion : that the woorkemayster , of these thinges , was , not onely much more beautifull , and excellent , but that hee was , also , to bee honoured , and to bee wished for , by presence to bee inioyed . Hereof spronge vp many contentions , and sundry deuises amonge them , concerninge the way , as well how to woorship him , here vpon the earth , as also to seeke some shorte , and ready meane , to come to the sight , and beeholding of him . But notwithstandinge , in asmuch as they wanted the direction of him , which is the leader into all trueth : Rom. 1. they tyred themselues in their owne fonde immaginations , and , not onely in steade of the true woorshippinge of him , frequented Idolatries , most horrible , and execrable : but also , to come ( as they supposed ) to the sight of him , attempted meanes , moste pernitious , and dampnable . In so much , that diuerse of them , willinge to hye themselues apace , to bee in presence , with that immortality : could finde no better , or readier way , then speedily , to murder , and kill themselues . Which dooinges of theirs , notwithstandinge they were heynous , and wicked , and missed of the ende , and purpose , for which they were doone , ( for this is certaine , Ihon. 3. that Hee which beeleeueth not in the Sonne of God , the anger of God doth abyde vpon him : And agayne the Apostle sayth : Heb. 11. & Rom. 14. It is impossible without fayth to please God : yet it is apparaunte thereby , what earnestnesse was amongest them , both to séeke ( according to their owne blinde iudgementes ) what this God should bee : and also , which should bee the waye , not onely to walke , but rather to make haste , and speede vnto him . Which , if they that do professe the name of Christ , would consider , and but compare themselues in these circumstaunces , with these men , beeinge but Heathens , and voyde , both of the true knowledge of God , the creatour , and also of him , Ioh. which is the onely way , and would , but sumwhat considerately conferre together , the blynde diligence of the one , with ( as it may bee very well termed ) the diuelish , and secure necligence of the other : their forwardnesse in seekinge after that , which by all their toylinge , and tyringe of themselues , they could not truely finde out , with our backwardnesse , in not keping , and imbracing that which ( without our laboures ) is fréely geuen vs , and sayed before our eyes : their feruency , in desiringe to finde and runne the way , to that which they wished for , with our coldenesse in walkinge the right way , which is playnely drawne foorth , and delineated beefore vs : to bee shorte , their perswasions of themselues , by this visible Sunne , with our dulnesse : who , by that true , and bright shining Sunne , which is the brightnesse and wisdome of the Father , will not bee instructed , nor mooued : If ( I saye ) they would with some earnestnes , consider these things : it were not to bee doubted , but as they doo detest , and abhorre , the name and conuersation of the Heathen : so they would loathe ( in such matters as séeme , to bée the weightiest of all others ) to bee eyther by others accoumpted , or in their owne consciences to bee condempned , for inferiours vnto them . But , to leaue all other partes of comparison , and onely to speake of one poyncts , which concerneth our present purpose : it was taught amongst them , and practised by such as were of the best , and most reasonablest amongest them , as a moste necessary , and principall doctrine : that they shoulde not alwayes heere continue , But passe from hence : and that there was an immortalitie of the Soule , which beeinge seperated by death , from the body , should , eyther , for the well , and vertuous walkeinge heere , ( accordinge to their accompting of a vertuous lyfe ) bee gathered into a certayne place of pleasure , with the Goddes , or els , for not followinge the morall preceptes in following vertues , and eschewing vices , should not inioy the sight of the Goddes , but should by them bee punished .

This was the Summe of ( as I may terme it ) their naturall , and blinde religion . Thus much euen nature her selfe , in that her corruption , had taught them . And therefore the better to stirre vp their hearers , to walke vertuously , and with the more desire , in that path , which they supposed to bee the right waye : they vttered , and commended vnto them , and their posterity , many pithy , and sauoury sentences , as : Philosophia continua mortis meditatio , that is : the loue or studie of wisdome , is the continuall meditation of Death : And , Ad Ens Entium semper contendendum , that is : Wee must euer bee walkeinge towarde the cheefe beeing of beeinges , ( whereby is ment , God himself , ) with infinite such others , to tedious , here to be recyted , as in their bookes dayly handled , are plentifully to bee seene . But wee , which do beare the name of Christians , which liue at these dayes , in which ( by the great mercy of God ) such infinite treasures of Heauenly wisdome , and knowledge of Christian doctrine , is powred foorth vpon vs : yea wee which haue , for their shadowed , and false , a cleare , and perfecte religion : for their crooked , and vncertayne by path , a streyght and most assured highway : for wisdome naturall , the wisdome Deuine : for Plato , Aristotle , and their Schollars , the Prophetes , Christ , and his Apostles : for the doubtfull ende of the pathe , which they taught , the certayne , and assured ende of the way which wee are instucted to walke in : are yet notwithstanding , in respecte of them so dull , and so carelesse of all these thinges , yea , and so litle ashamed of this comparison with them : that wee are litle , or nothing pricked forward , with the consideration of our more plentifull blessinges ; litle , or nothing consider our owne contempt , and ingratitude : seeme to make lesse accompt of Christ , his Apostles , and Ministers , then the heathen did of Pythagoras , Plato , Aristotle , and their Sectaries , and disciples : seeme , neyther by the promises of God to bée allured , nor , by his threatninges to bee feared : to be short , seeme neither to feare to runne headlong into that path , which leadeth to destruction , nor to regarde to walke in that way which guideth to saluation . It is therfore to bée feared , least that come to passe , in this comparison , which our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST himselfe pronounceth in the 12. of S. Math. comparinge , the diligence , and regarde of the Quéene of the South , in comminge from the farthest partes of the world , to heare the wisdome of Salomon , with the negligence , and contempt of the Iewes : in refusinge to bee taught by Christ himselfe , comming amongest them : and likewise in comparinge the repentaunce of the Niniuites , at the hearinge of Ionas : with their obstinacy , and rebellion , in refusinge to heare the Sonne of God himselfe : namely , that as hée there concludeth of them both : that aswell the Queene of the South as also the Niniuites , béeing prophane people , and heathens : shall rise in the last iudgemente , and condempne that adulterous , and obstinate nation : so that these heathens , shall then also arise , though not to theyr own saluation , yet to the condempnation of those , which ( glorying in the name of Christians ) haue so litle regard to walke the right way of eternall saluation . Which way of Saluation , forasmuch , as it hath beene , by diuerse woorthy instrumentes , of the Church of Christ , in these our latter times , and ages of the world : tryed , and disseuered from that bypath , which leadeth to destruction and is ( by the woorde of God , wherin that right way is set foorth , and offered ) sufficiently cleansed , from all brambles , and weedes of incombraunce , which both for wante of good husbandinge , and walkinge in , had ouergrowen , and hidden the same from many : and is now at the length , made so playne , and visible , that it may bee seene of all those , which doo not wilfully eyther cloase vp their eyes , that they will not see it , or if they doo see it , yet will not suffer their foote once to treade within it : a godly man ( considering this ) may , with sorow , and gréefe of minde , iustly meruayle , why there bee so many , which will not know it : so fewe , that doo regarde to know it : and why , fewer hauing found it , and beeing set into it , do so sclenderly goe forwarde , and continue their course in the same . That wée may the better conceyue the causes of these thinges : let vs first consider , wherin this waye of Saluation doth consist . The knowledge therof consisteth , in the right vnderstanding of these two thinges , namely of the Law , and the Gospell . Wheras the Law therefore setteth foorth vnto vs the Iustice of God , and is set before vs , that wee may playnely sée therein , as it were in a glasse , both what God requireth of vs , and also how weake , and vnable wée bée to fulfill the same , that wee seeinge our owne , both deformitie , and imbecillity , should seeke for a cleanser , and a stronger , that may hath cleanse vs , and fulfill it for vs : and by this meanes to bée ledde to the Gospell , which setteth foorth the same vnto vs : here , the first sorte , hauinge beene trayned vp , and noozeled in another manner of doctrine , concerning the Lawe and the Gospell , and hauinge not learned , the true endes , and right vses of them , for the which they were geuen : are so obstinately bente agaynst this true knowledge of the right way , which is in them conteined : that they will suffer themselues by no meanes , to bee brought , once to enter their foote into it . The seconde sorte of people , are méere Athaeistes , and such as hauinge beene alwayes full fed like Epicures , and thorowly pampered vp , with all kindes of worldly volupteousnes , and pleasures of the flesh : are so lulled a sleape in them , by the subtilty of the Deuill , who holdeth them fast snarled : that they haue no leasure , once to bethinke themselues , nor to regarde , eyther what GOD is , or his Lawe , and Gospell , neyther yet , what nor where they themselues bée , nor how they came , or for what cause they are placed in the worlde , nor how they shall departe foorth of it , nor what shall become of them after this lyfe , and so neyther passe for Heauen , or Hell , GOD , or the Deuill : and therefore , no woonder , though they care not , for the inquiringe , and much lesse for walkinge in this way : beeing ( as they suppose themselues , ( in such a way , as there neyther is , nor can bée any better . The thirde sorte , which doo finde it , and doo enter , and walke into it , and yet are oftentimes stayed , and hyndered in their course : are euen the most holyest in this lyfe , and the very electe of God : who hauing entred into it , and purposing with a good Conscience to walke forwarde in the same : are notwithstandinge oftentimes , through the malice of the Deuill , ( continually warring against them , and séeking to plucke them foorth of that way , into the bypathe of destruction with him , and through the frailty of their own flesh , and the continuall allurementes , and baytes of the world , are oftentimes so drawne aside , and hindered , yea so bewitched , and dazeled : that it oftentimes séemeth vnto them themselues : that they néede not so earnestly , and so dilligently regard , to continue still their walking in the same . Hereof it commeth to passe , that , ( by the permission of God ) they béeing eyther drawne backe , or stayed from going forward , or pluckt for a season beside the way : many heynous , and horrible offences , are by them committed : which aduauntage ( as long as they héedefully kept themselues , within the limittes of the right way of Saluation ) the Deuil could not haue of them . When Dauid demaunded of the Lord , Wherwithall , a young man should cleanse his way , and the answere of the holy ghost within him was this : By rulinge himselfe according to the worde of GOD , was then no doubt , both mindefull of this way , and diligently troade , and walked in the same : but , beeing a litle stayed therin , hée was drawne aside , and committed the most horrible offence of Murther , and Adultrie : but God hauing compassion vpon him , and not suffering him , vtterly to loose the right way of his Saluation : ioyning his Mercy , and Iustice togeather , and sending them vnto him , by the Prophet Nathan , did both mercifully set him in the right way agayne ( after hée had repentauntly acknowledged his declining from the same ) and also therwithal , iustly scourged him for his wandring & digression . The lyke may bée found of Ezechias , Manasses , Peter , and diuerse others : which ( in reading of the holy Scriptures ) are almost euery where to bee found , and here , for expelling of tediousnesse , are omitted . So that albeit , the godly man , or woman , bée sometimes hindred in the walking of this course , from goinge forward , or be plucked backewarde , or séemeth ( as it were ) set quite beside the way , wherby ( as the examples aboue recited do declare ) many horrible offences , and wicked actes , pleasant to the Deuill , are by them committed : yet , this hope they haue lefte them : that God will not suffer them ( with the obstinate wicked , & carelesse vngodly , ) to perish vtterly from the right way , but that hée will reatch forth his mercifull hand of direction vnto them : which ( they hartily repentinge , and taking holde of ) will set them in the streyght , and right way agayne : wherin if they shall perseauere , and continue vnto the ende : they shal be sure ( as our Sauiour Christ himselfe hath promised ) to bée vndoubtedly saued . For , so hée himselfe sayth in Math. Hee that continueth to the ende , shal be saued : And agayne : Continue vnto the ende , and I will geue thee a Crowne of lyfe . Thus wée sée the diuersity of the people , which lyue , & remaine , euen amongest vs which professe the name , and religion of IESVS CHRISTE , how , and in what manner they bée affected , to the knowledge of this way of eternall lyfe , and Saluation . Whereof , some , ( by meanes of a former false receiued opinion déepely rooted in them ) bée obstinate , and wilfully will not learne it : some , are negligente and carelesse , that they passe not for it : the thirde sorte yet imbracing it , and reioysing to walke in it : are notwithstanding ( through diuerse , and infinite impediments , and hinderaunces ) either stayed , or plucked back , or aside from it : and yet notwithstanding , by the mercy of God , are called backe againe by earnest repentaunce , and are agayne set therin : wherein they walke here vpon the earth , and continue their course in the same vnto the ende , depart this life in walkinge in the same , and at the ende of this way , enter into the Citie of eternal rest , and saluation . The true doctrine wherof , béeing in this litle Treatise both learnedly , and also clearely , & plainly set foorth , by this godly learned man , béeing such a one , as by the iudgement , and opinion of diuerse of the best learned of this our time , hath deserued , not the least commendacion , of the Church of Christ : when I had perused , and conferred with my fréend , I thought very méete , and profitable , to conuert into our vulgare spéeche , for the commodity , & comfortable instruction of all those , to whom it shall please God , to geue eyes to sée , eares to heare , hearts to conceiue , and féete to walke aright , in the ready way to lyfe , therin set downe , and deliuered : as in the diligente reading , and meditating of the same , shall ( I hope ) to the comfort & sound instruction of the Christian Conscience , more playnely appeare . For , as the Doctrine therein conteyned , is , both necessary ( and as touchinge the substaunce therof ) is such , that the true Christian man , or woman , may not bée without the knowledge , and practise therof , in this life , if they desire to attayne to the knowledge , and vnderstanding of their saluation in the lyfe to come : so is it ( asmuch as is requisite therunto ) both pithily , very playnely , and also familyarly , aswell in plain spéech as easy Methode , set downe , and deliuered : & further , with good aduisement , and deliberation handled , and diuulged . Touching the Author himselfe , it is sufficiently knowne amongest the learned , what hée is : as béeinge such a one , which hath not the lowest roome , amongst the best , and moste approoued Christian writers of this our age : brought vp from his infancy , in the studies , and exercises of learning , and godlynesse , notably qualified , and furnished aswell with liberall artes , and languages : as principally in the study , & profession of Diuinitie : which profession hée hath woorthely and diligently executed ( as by his owne testimony set downe in his Epistle before this booke , is to bée séene ) by the space , and continuance of thyrtie yeares : béeinge therunto called , by the Kinge of Denmarcke , to supply the place of his publique reader , and professour of Diuinitic , in his vniuersitie of Hafnia , where with great fame ( as I heare ) hee at this day continueth . Touching the perticuler matters , conteyned , and handled in the booke , ther are such ( as I haue already sayd , and in the diligente perusinge therof shal be better perceiued ) that the knowledge of them in a Christian , may not bée wanting . And I doubt not but the Christian reader ( if hée haue any desire to aspire to the knowledge of Iesus Christ ) hauing a while busied himselfe therin : shall freely in his owne conscience confesse , as much as I haue héere spoken . For , if hée desire ( in short summe , and bréefely , and yet sufficiently ) the perfecte , and right vnderstanding of the Law of God , what it is , how many , and what the true vses therof bée , to what end it is geuen vnto men : also , what the Gospell is , and to what ende it is geuen , what wée must necessarily beléeue of Christ , ( as it is consonant to our common fayth : ) How hée is our Mediatour , Redeemer , and Sanctifier : by what meanes hée declareth and setteth foorth his benefites vnto mankinde , what his benefits be toward vs : what is to be considered & learned of the Sacraments , aswel of Baptisme , as of the Supper of the Lorde : besides diuerse other necessary doctrines , of the right woorshippinge , and seruice of God , of prayer , and diuerse other places which ( as I haue sayd ) in the diligent perusing of the same , shall more euidently appeare , to the Christian reader . If hee desire ( I say ) to bee instructed , exhorted , or comforted , in these thinges , hee may here finde them , both soundly , & plainly expounded . All which poinctes , being by other most godly , & learned pastoures of the Church of Christe , notably , and pithily in these latter times set abroade vnto the beholding of the worlde , to no small benefit of the Congregation of Christ : yet by reason of their buckling with the aduersaries of the trueth , in refelling their corruptions , and cauilling obiections , they were forced , to write with greater stile of woordes , and more Schoolelyke , whereby their woorkes became more conuenient ( in some poincts ) for studentes in Diuinitie , then for the common peoples perceauerance , and Capacitie . Which things I speake , not that I would dehorte any from the reading , and dilygent exercisinge of them : yea I doo rather most hartely exhorte them therunto : but this I say , to the ende , to take away the offence , which ( as I my selfe haue heard ( some haue taken ( though vndeseruedly ) when they perceyue them in some places ( for the causes afore recyted ) to write eyther somewhat longer then they thinke méete , or sumwhat more artificially then they doo conceyue . Which offence , ( not geuen , but vniustly taken , ) they should easily let fall , if they woulde consider the causes aforesayde , which violently drew those learned men , and by an ineuitable necessity , enforced them so to doo . From which tediousnesse , ( if they will needes so accompte it ) they are in this small treatise delyuered : where so sundry great occasions were not geuen to the Author : For as hée aunswereth here but to few obiections , so , writinge his booke for the common sort , hée frameth his answeres and solutions , bothe shorte , and easie . Which woorke ( after sundry other learned , and fruictfull laboures written of Diuinitie , by him , which are extant , and set abroade in the Latin tongue : ) the sayde Author wrote , and deliuered abroad , at the first , in the Danish language , for the instruction , and consolation of the people of that nation , and specially for such of them , as could not gather the knowledge of godlynesse , foorth of other languages , wherein it was written : which béeing so written , and set abroad , it was , by diuerse learned men of the same Region concluded vpon , for the woorthynesse thereof , to bée turned into the Latin spéeche , to the ende , that other faithfull heades , and teachers of the Church of Christ , séeing thesame , and perceiuing it to bée , both sound , and comfortable , might the sooner conuerte , or cause the same to bée conuerted , into their owne seuerall languages : and commend the same , to those porcions of the Church , and flock of Christ which are to their seuerall charges committed .

Which Treatise béeing now at the last , conuerted into our common language , by mée , for the causes aboue rehearsed : I here dedicate , and present ( Right worshipfull ) vnto you both : beséeching you to accept the same , as an argument , and testimony of that well willing affection , which ( by sundry your gentlenesses exhibited , and shewed ) you haue , deseruedly , raysed vp in mee . And albeit , I can not iustly auouche it , to bée any recompence for any parte of the same : neither yet doo proffer it to that ende : yet rather then I would incurre the compasse of that sentence of the Philosopher , Perit quod facis ingrato : That is loste which is doone to an vnthankefull person : I had leiffer by proferinge that litle , that I may make auoydaunce therof . I beseeche almighty God preserue you bothe , and confirme , and increase in you , vnto the end , those good giftes of his grace which hée hath already béegun in you : and so illuminate you with the light of his holy spirit , that yée may both sée the right way , and seeing it , you may haue a desire to walke in the same : and that walkeing daily forwarde in the same , and so continuing vnto the end : you may passe , in at that gate , which leadeth from the sourginge , and daungerous Sea of this transitorie lyfe , into the Hauen of perpetuall rest , and quietnesse , there quietly , peaceably , & ioyfully , to beholde the glorious face of IESVS CHRISTE to whom with the Father , and the holy Ghost , bée prayse and dominion for euer . Amen .