But it saith , In sure and certaine hope of the resurrection .

Quando nos pra dicamus . &c: Nobis liquere ●on potest , qui ad verītatis agnitionem sin● peruenturi , qui non , vndesentire nos decet sal● tem vniuersorum , qui audient . Proponimus en●̄ omnibus in medium sicutietiam nobis praec●ptum est , ne cui prae● iudicemusin malum praesertim . Marlo : in 1 , Ioh. 4 , 14 , When we preach the Gospell ( saith Marlorat ) it cannot be manifest to vs , who will reach through to the acknowledging of the truth , and who will not , wherevpon it becommeth vs to thinke the Saluation of all , vho doe heare the word of God . For we propose it indifferently to all , as we are also commanded , that we preiudice none , specially in the worse part . For it is better & a more safe course to thinke well of bad persons , then of the good to iudge ill , vnlesse we fully see they are obstinate , stubbourne , and contumelious . And yet in such , or toward such we may not giue too hastie a sentence . Now as the Church of God in preaching the Gospell deliuereth it pell mell in the hearing of elect and reprobate , which directly pertaineth to the faithfull that loue and feare the Lord , so in giuing thankes to God for this , or that brother the Church intendeth hir direction in generall for buriall of the dead , which in speciall belongeth to them , that die in the Lord , At whose sickenesse the Minister was either present , or not present : If present , by exhortation , conference , prayer , Nam tutius est de malis bene sentire quam de bonis &c. Ibidem . quanquam 〈◊〉 in his quidem pracipitari d●● bet sententia . Ibidem . and all such good meanes he did labour the sicke mans amendment , and therefore may well giue a comfortable testimonie in the audience of his people : If absent and could not come , he is to bethinke himselfe , how farre forth the sicke partie had profited in knowledge , and what hope he gaue thereof in health , sicknesse , or both : If some one he were that gaue no testimony at all , but liued a wretched life , and made a wretched end , as it may fall out sometimes , then must the Minister know the censures of the Church were exercised vpon him , or not : If not vpon him , he may be held a member of Christ his visible Church , till he be cut off , because all things must be done in order , and in their due place , neither till then néede the Minister take knowledge to the contrarie . Semel bonus , semper bonus , do necprobetur esse malus . For as once an honest man is euer presumed to be an honest man , till euidence come in against him , so once a member of Christ to be thought euer after , till sentence be pronounced by those to whom Authoritie is committed . And if sentence be pronounced , but not reuersed , or otherwise a man be taken in some notorious sinne of Treason , wilfully murdering , strangling , browning himselfe , or the like , and good proofe made thereof , at such times this order for buriall of such a notorious , wicked person is not prescribed to any Minister , nor required of him .

The Minister must peremtorilie affirme , that God hath taken the Soule .

And if the Minister doe , it is no other necessitie , nor peremptorie affirmation , then is agréeable to Gods word . For be he a wicked , or a godly man that teath seazeth vpon , indifferent it is in the forme of the prayer Booke , and no vntruth either way , because God hath taken him of his great mercy , though not toward the reprobate , yet of his great mercy toward his Church , in disburdening the world of him . Some haue thought , and more then thought it , for they haue disputed the contrarie .

The soule of a wicked man God cannot be said to take vnto him . For Luke 12.20 . This night shall they fetch away thy Soule ( that is ) the Deuill , and his Angels shall .

The place misconstrued bréeds a wrong conclusion . For first they shal take &c. is a spéech vsuall in the language of Hebrew , Greeke , Ferunt , aiunt , pradicant , clamitant , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luc: 12.48 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ibid : Latine , and English : They say , they report , they giue out , &c. When our meaning is no other , but in the destrate indefinitly to be vnderstood , not determining , who saith , or who reporteth , for that we cannot distinctly tell , only a generall report : it is like that of Paul It is generally said , that there is fornication , &c. So Luke 12. to whom much is giuen , of him they require much ( that is ) as the same Euangelist there in the same verse rendreth , it shall be required : Secondly to say ( that by those words obiected ) the deuill and his Angels are meant is to restraine it , and ouerstreighten the libertie of the obseruation . Whereas these words They shall fetch may well note any , whether men , Angels , deuils , or other creatures of what kinde soeuer : And all to teach vs , that all are to be feared , and are as well knowne to the Lord , as we are to one another , where being demaunded Who it is that calleth , Ioh. 18.8 we answere It is I , and who it is that fetcheth his soule , It is they . They it is : not one onely executioner of the Lord his wrath , but many . Sisera a naile in his temples : Iud: 4.21 2. King . 19 , 37. Sennacherib his owne bowels Adramelech and Sharezar : Herod his wormes : Egyptians frogs , li●e , &c. A Fi●e in the vttermost parts of the floods , Act , 12 , 13. Exod , 8 , 4 , 17. Isay , 5 , 27. a Bée in the lande of Ashur . And what ministers of indignation can be wante for any exploite by death , that hath a mightie and strong host like a tempest of haile and a whirlewinde ? Luc. 28 , 2. that causeth the blood fall on the head of Ioab and all his Fathers house , that the house of Ioab was neuer without some , ● Sam. 3.29 . that had running issues , or a Lepar , or that leaneth on a staffe , or that doth fall on the sword , or that lacketh bread . So as what Rabsake said for his Master is true of the Almightie How canst thou despise any Captame of the least of my Masters seruants ? 2 King . 18.24 . The least of them ( contemptible though they seeme ) are able to take our life , and soule from vs , and yet at such times they come not without the Lord ; yea what euer deadly arrest is made vpon any man , it is a Capias from the Lord . Be it deuill , or any imp of the deuill , few or many they fetch away a wretched soule , yet God it is , who ( greater then the Prince of this world ) so commaundeth and appointeth , and therefore to be held his action , and worke . As Psal. 78.49 . Psalm , 78 , 49. He did cast vpon them the fiercenesse of his anger , and ●●dignation , and wrath , and vengeance by sending out of euill Angels . So that did we know ( which we doe not ) that such a day , such an houre , such a man a reprobate is to be buried , yet the words of Scripture allow vs to say , The Lord hath taken the soule of such a one . For the body is committed to the graue , & his Soule to God that gaue it . Eccles , 12.7 . Iob , 27 , 8. Iob maketh it plaine Chap. 27. in his demand what hope hath an hypocrite when he hath heaped vp riches , if God take away his Soule ? Heb. 10 , 31. In iudgement it is ( we confesse ) because a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God .

He must affirme him to be a deare brother .

And reason . For we are somewhat beholding to the receiued stile of our countrie , somewhat to humanitie , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 27.27 . somewhat to our opinion and the outward appearance of a thing . In Paul his voyage the Mariners thought that some countrie did approch vnto them : That was their opinion , such was the appearance , for in failing the eye so informeth . Humanitie sometimes so tempereth a mans speech , as were it precisely censured , might peraduenture be suspected for an vntruth . Saint Austin writing to Macedonius giueth him in his letter the name of a good man , Ego quidem intuens mores tuas appellaus te virum bonu●s , sed to intuens verba Christi die tibi-ipsi &c. August : Maced epist: 54. Quod cum verum sit hoc eni veritas dixit &c. Fallacia ssentatione dixisse , & dominicis verbis quasi contrarius extitisse Ibid. Non enim et ipse do●inus cōtrar●a sibi loquutus est &c: Nee ●egitur conuersus fuisse ad fidem et paenitent●am . Auctor compilation . Chron●log . Temput est beat a memoria Liberii pracepta reuoluere Ambros●a a vurgim : Lib. 3. Ad Liberium Beatum Roma episcopum vna & Epiphan. hares . 75. A beatisims Liberis &c. Basil , epist 74. ad episcop: occidentales . hereat Macedonius pausing , because there is none good but God , the answer is returned him by Saint Austin . In deede ( quoth hee ) looking vpon thy manners I called the a good man , but you looking vppon the wordes of Christ say to your selfe their is none good but God : Which being a truth , ( for the truth hath spoken it ) yet would I not bee thought to haue spoken in a dissembling sort , and to contrarie ( as it were ) the Lord his owne wordes nor did the Lord himselfe contrarie his owne saing Luke . 6. A good manous of the good treasure of the heart bringeth foorth good thinges : Afterwardes resoluing the doubt hee sheweth that God of himselfe is singularlie good by himselfe , and vnchangeablie , but man is not so , and yet be there proueth withall , how man may be called good . So as euerie scripture inforced to lend the coppie of a countenance for some notable obiection must not detaine vs from vsing kinde termes of one another , or to one another , though happslie at the first catch , a dest wi●te may be thought to haue saide somewhat . Liberius Bishoppe of Rome in the daies of Constantius the Emperor became an Arrian , and an some histories write was not thought to haue reuoked his heresie and repented . Yet Saint Ambrose speaking of him nameth him not , but with greate reuerence , Time is ( sayeth he ) O holy sister to reuolue , and con ouer the precepts of Liberius of blessed memorie &c. In the Grecke church the ancient fathers Epiphanius , & Basill doe the like : Epiphanius in this wise , Eustachius ( saith hee ) together with a manie Bishoppes went in embassic to blessed Liberius Bishoppe of Rome . Saint Basill hath these wordes Certaine thinges were proposed him by most blessed Liberius All these good men in their gratious hope call Liberius more then a deere brother though somtime liuing , and ( as histories doe record ) dying a profest Arrian , and in sure and certaine hope of resurrection to eternall life call him blessed of the Lord , the memory of his name blessed , yea himselfe a most blessed man : Vppon occasion or which wordes Maister Iunius obserueth in the monuments of antiquitie that it is a verie vsuall thing to call the deade whether men or weomen by the name of blessed , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Beatos app ellari defunctos &c. qui etsi culpatè vixerunt tamen in gratians & gloriama deo recepti prasismun tur charitatis ethumani tat is officio , Iun. con . Bellar. controuers. 3. Lib 4. c 9. Math. 21 1● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Luc. 16.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . who though they liued blame-worthie yet by the duetie of charitie and humanitie are presumed by vs to bee receiued into grace and glorie . If the duetie of charitie , and humanitie binde vs so to speake , our church must bee reuerenced for taking this order for the deade , and others better aduise , who not knowing to the contrarie the last estate of some particular persons , yet thwartinglie in opposition will needes holde the contraries , But beside this receiued practise , ( if sarder proofe neede ) adde this hereunto : our blessed sauiour calleth him , that had not on a wedding garment fellow , and Abraham nameth the glutton in hell Sonne : He was not his sonne , nor the other hailefellow . Noe such fault therefore ( as somethinke ) to call a man Brother , deare brother . The phrase of our countrie , the guise of eiuill conuersation , the outward appearance , the rule of charitie all iustifie this appellation , though a sharpe-sighted eye sée it not , and a sharpedged dislike approue it not . Yet a brother 1. because of the same nation and people if a brother an Hebrue or hebruesse . Deut. 15.12 2. because of the same kindred , so Christ taketh them for his brethren because of consanguinitie , Ioh. 7.3 . though they did not belieue in him : He disclaimeth not the bond of nature though they knit not with him in the bond of the spirit . 1 Kings . 20.33 . 3. a brother sometimes because of the same office Ahab and Benhadad call one the other so , because they were both Kinges , 4. a brother because somewhat somuch , or so little ( as a man hath ) is the image of God : 1 Cor. 6.6 . 5. a brother because of the same profession a brother goeth to law with a brother . Malus propter sacramenta communia frater esset Aug breuicicollat . 3. c. 3. A wicked man is a brother saith Saint Austin euen for this , because of his outward profession , and fellowshippe in the Sacrements . So manie of these waies one that dyeth may bee a brother , a deare brother , how much rather may wee vse the name , not knoweing his finall and last end , as wee doe not .

How can we say , In sure and certains hope of resurrection to eternall life .

Such a sure and certaine hope it is , as in such a case néedeth to relie vpon things apprehended in part , for so doth hope , receiuing hir direction from the rules of Christian charitie , which otherwhiles kindely qualifieth , what knowledge would ouer seuerely censure . A sure and certaine hope of resurrection to eternall life in so many as doe beleeue , which whither this or that particular person now to be interred , as we know not , so of our knowledge we speake not , but hoping in the rules of our Christian loue we make a fauourable construction such as ( we nothing doubt ) is most acceptable to God and men . Potest fieri , vt ribi asiud videatur quam veritas habet , dum tamen abt te non aliud fiat , quam charitas habet opist 15 : Hieron . One ( saith Saint Austin ) may thinke otherwise then truth hath , so he speake not otherwise then charitie hath .

This is besides his knowledge .

Doth any one know to the contrary , and can so well skill of all the infallible tokens of an impenitent heart , which is no ordinarie knowledge , the Booke no more inforceth him to vse euery word in that precise manner there set downe , then to say a deere brother when it is a sister ? And with as much reason men may urge this cauill , as thus impertinently pretend that the Booke inioyneth vs to account a reprobate for an elect child of God . But at any time will a Minister bary from the standing rule , and order prescribed , let him consult episcopall authoritie to whom direction at such times belongeth , and from thence reciue warrant for his proceedings ? And withall let him be of sure ground , that he speake according to knowledge , which bold ignorance cannot , yea let him see in his seuerall course that he giue not offence to others , and draw vpon himselfe a needelesse hatred , De nullo quam nis pessimo in hac vita desperandum est . Aug. Retract . lib. 1. c , 19. as no other likelihood but he shall , vnlesse at such times for that particular he be lawfully authorized , remembring what Saint Austin aduertiseth , Not to despaire of any , be he neuer so bad , while his Soule is within him . And in his last gaspe , who art thou that iudgest of his estate to be dammed ? Perkin . how far a Reprobate may go . Pag. 12. B. Notes ( saith Maister Perkins ) that this often betalleth reprobates to be effeemed christians and they are often like them , that none but Christ can discerne shéepe from goates true christians from apperant . Wherefore it is to bee thought far more besides a man his knowledge to denie , rather then it is to hope .