The solace of the soule agaynst the bytter stormes of sycknes and deathe greatly encouragynge the faythfull, paciently to suffer the good pleasure of God in all kynd of aduersite, newly set forth in Englysshe by Thomas Becon.

THE SOLACE OF THE SOVLE .

THOV SHALTE Euer be at this pointe ( o thou Christiane ) which art sycke and dyseased , faithfulli to beleue that thy punyshement & trouble cometh not vnto the by chauns or fortune , but by the appoyntmente , councell and sufferauns of God . What soe●er syckenes , calamyte or myscry chaunchethe to the godly , all that come to passe at the appoyntmente , wyll & pleasure of God . ●u . xvii For in hym we lyue , moue , and haue our beyng . He hath made vs , ● . xcix and not we oure selfes . Nether shalte thou doubte , but that of a ryghte good and very fatherly mynde he sendeth the what so euer dysease thou hast , not to destroy the , but to call the vnto repentauns , and to exercyse , proue , trye , and store vp thy fayth . For afflyctions are the sure sygnes & vndoubted tokens of Gods high mercy , and syngulare good wyll . Whom he loueth , hym he correcteh , sayth Salomon . Proue● He scourgeth euery sonne , that he receyueth : Hebr. that thy moste tender heauenly father , whyche so derely loueth the , according to his singulare good appointmente , & of an ernest bent good wyll towarde the , wyth thys thy aduersyte euen as it were wyth bondes doth plucke backe , refrayne , and mortifye thy olde man , that y● mayst crucyfye wyth Christe the gladlier & more cherfully thi body & offer it as a sacryfice : Rom. thys thy di●ease therfore , wherwith thou art vexed , is a fatherly chastysemente layde vpon the , not that thou shuldest be distroied , but that thou shuldest be amended , quickened & made a new man . Paraduenture God the the father seeth , that thy olde Adam is fearse , stobborne , froward vnruly take his pleasure , liueth more licenciously than becometh him foloweth hys awn carnal affectes , & can kepe hym selfe in no good order , therfore doth he cast thys as an halter vpon hym , snarle hym wyth thys fetters and chenes , spearethe hym in thys prison & dengden , ouercometh hym with thys punyshment , that he may brydle him , knocke him downe and kepe him vnder awe , 〈…〉 that he cast in to perell & put in extreme ieoperdye thy most noble and precious soule : fleshe and bloude reygne and beare more rule in the , than the spirit : here is god present with thy spirit , & helpeth her stryuing against the fearse vnrul● and rebellious flesh , that she maye ouercome , subdue and treade vnder foote the fleshe . Yf that were in good health and in bodely prosperite now , paraduenture , the fleshe ( as it is alway naturally disposed , pro●e and bent vnto the deuyl ) shuld deceyue the and cast the into many and greuous synnes agaynste God wherwyth God beynge dyspleased thou shuldest be in daunger of cursyng and dampnation : that thy heauenly father preuentyng this incommodite and perell , and prouidynge for the and thy healthe , bryngethe vnder and kepethe downe thy fleshe , whych wyth all mayne and ferse waxeth woode against the spirit , Gala. and is euermore contrary to it , that it be not waloued forth into the most stynkynge and fylthy pudle of synne , but be subiecte and obedyent to the spyrite : forasmuch than as this is the pleasure of thy mooste louinge Father , agayne seynge that all thyngesturne vnto thy commodite & wealthe , take hede dylygenlye ( O brother ) that thou doste not stryue agaynst the good wyl of God but , suffer & pray that the wyl of thy father may be done in the , that he may handle the as he thinketh best , and that thou mayst not wysshe couet or desyre any thynge , but that he shall thynke good , that all thynges may turne to the glory and praise of god and that he maye assyste the wyth his grace , that thou mayst paciently and thankefully beare the crosse that is layde vpon the : for pacience bryngethe experyence , experyence bryngeth hope , and hope maketh not ashamed . Here hast thou an occasyon to exercyse and lerne pacience in al thi troubles . Fyrst thou lernest that God of a fatherly minde punisheth the , and thys dost thou learne by experyence , na. v for excepte thou dedyst proue in very dede , how health full it were to gyue ouer thy selfe wholly to God , to obeye hys wyll , ( as Dauid saythe , it is hyghly for my profyt , that y● hast punished me ) thou couldest not conceiue a certen and xviii . sure hope of hym , hauyng no experyence before that a mynde so fatherlye and wonderfully desyrous of the hyghe hydde vnder thys crosse and rodde . But seyng thou hast lerned that before by experience , and haste now some taste of that thynge , thou doste not despayre in any trouble , but thy hope encreaseth streyghtewayes , seyng thou hast before oftentymes proued ▪ the helpe of God prese●t . And althoughe he wynketh at the matter , and sometyme suffreth the for a certen space to styke & stand faste in the myre , yet at the laste he retcheth forthe hys helping handes , delyuereth & saueth the : he suffreth the to swymme for a certayn space , yea & to be ouerwhelmed wyth waters , but he sufferethe the not to be drowned . Hereof mayste thou gather a sure hope , that he wyl neuer leaue the socou●les nor cast y● awai , seynge he hath preserued the beyng so ofte in ieoperdye : in aflyctyons and trubles therfore dost thou lerne to conceyue and nouryshe a good and vndoubted hope of God , that euen in the moost greuous afflyctions of al , wher no helpe at all appereth , thou mayste truste vnto hym , beynge now thorouly taughte hys custome in deliuerynge and sauing hys people , thou haste lerned that afflictions be sent not of dyspleasure but of a Fatherly loue . Whyche thyng thou beleuyng and hauynge experyence therof , doste pacyently abyde hys helpe , neyther dispayrest thou , but trustest stedfastly , that he at the laste wyll helpe the , although he delayeth it neuer so longe , hydeth and kepethe hym selfe secrete . And thus at the last dost thou know and vnderstand that thi disease or trouble is not sent vnto the for this purpose that y● shuldest be destroied , bu● that the glory of God maye be sette abrode , & that al thinges may turne vnto thi health & saluation : he that can giue him selfe ouer & wholly commyt him selfe to god on this maner , and put al his aff●auns & trust in his promises , truly that man neuer dyeth : whych thyng Christ him selfe euen wyth an ooth , because we shuld not doubt , affyrminge the same , sayeth , Uerely , verely , Iohn , v yf any man kepe my worde , he shall neuer se death . And in an other place he sayth . I am the waye , the truth , and the lyfe : he that beleueth in me , shall lyue , Iohn , x although he be dead . And he that lyueth , and beleueth in me , shal neuer dye : Iohn . ● . these wordes of christ ( o brother ) loke that thou depely repose than & wyth al diligence kepe them in thi minde , and whan soeuer y● perceiuest y●●hi minde wauer or is tr●bled , vnderprope & lyft it vp wyth this swete and comfortable Iohn . ● sayinges : he that beleuethe in Chryste , shall not taste deathe : he that beleueth in me , hath euerlastyng h● . xvii lyfe , sayth Christ : this is euer lastyng lyfe , to knowe the euen the true God , and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ . Euerlastynge lyfe is begunne in this worlde : for he that hath Christe , hath the true lyfe , for Chryst is the lyfe : he is also the truth in , xiiii therfore wil not he mocke vs , butal the promises of god ar in him , ●ori . i. ye & ar in him Imē . And that y● shuldest doubt nothyng , but that God wyll abyde by hys promises , he hath bonde him selfe vnto the wyth a certen peculiar couenaunte and sygne put vnto thy body . ●tisme . For when he being gratly desyrous of thy health sente hys sonne in to the worlde to offer hym selfe vnto the deathe for thy sake , he ded make and stryke vp a bargen of grace before the christ , in whom he hath promysed , yf thou wylte beleue and be baptysed , that he wyll gyue the euerlastynge lyfe frelye , and neuer forsake the , yea that he wyll be thy father , Psal. cii and crowne the wyth grace and mercy : thy baptysme is a sygne of thys couenaunte . Now is it necessari for the , that thou cleuest with tothe and nayle to the promyses , whych are added to thys sygne . For God hathe gyuen thys sygue , that thou shuldest nothyng doubt of the grace or fauoure that he hath promysed , nor yet of hys fayth concernynge the faythfull perfyrmans of the same : thou arte baptysed to dye wyth Christe , as Paule saythe , Rom. vi that hys death shulde be thy death , and that he shulde puryfye all thynges for thy sake , yea thou hast put hym on in babtisme , that thou shuldeste be whole in hym , and he in the.

Baptysme therfore is a couenaunte , whych lyfteth vp , chereth and maketh quyet thy conscience before god ( as Peter testifieth ) that he wyl neuer ● . Pet. i●● dampne the for thy synnes . For thou beynge iustified by fayth , hast peace wyth God : a quyet , clere , and pacifyed conscience is the true peace ●ma . v. Thou hast perceyued a moost sure sygne as a certen seale of thys iustification and remission of sinnes , ●uen Baptysme , that thou shouldest beleue for a certente , that God for Chrystes sake wyll haue pytye on the , preserue and delyuer the.

Nowe seynge than that God fauo●eth the , and wyll be thy father and neuer forsake the , seynge also that thou haste an vndeceauable sygne and wyt●es of this thing , loke that thou dost commyt and wholly giue ouer to hym bothe thy selfe and all that euer perteine vnto y● ▪ thou must also obeye hys wyll , and pacientlye suffer hys hande , whether he wyll that thou lyue or dye , that his wyll , whyche is euer best , maye be done ●om . viii vnto the glory & prayse of hym , althoughe it be impossible , that tho● shuldest be dampned , yf thou doste faithfully trust on the mercy which he hath promysed for Christes sake and consecrate thy selfe wholly to him , obeynge his moste godly wyll in al partes . For he hath promysed , that he wyll be thy father , and forasmuche as he is true , when thou knoweledgest hym to be thy father , and dost hope and loke for all good thinges of hym , he can none otherwhyse but be thy father and saue the , although he handle the for a certen tyme neuer so hardly . Seynge than that he hath promysed to be thy father , and thou dost truste on hys promises , wythout doubt he wyl care both for the and thyne at all tymes : wherfore thou shalt commend to him not only thy body , but also thy wife and chyldren , thy kynnesmen and frendes , to be shorte , all that euer thou haste , and doubte not but that ●e wyll be a true Father , a true husbande , a true kynnesman and frende : for he hath hytherto vsed the in these thynges only as a stuward and dyspensatoure : But now seyng he is mynded that thou shouldeste leaue of the function and vse of thys offyce , he wyll appoynte another in thy roome , whyche lyke a good stuwarde shall both faythfully and dilygently loke vpon them . Yf thou hopest thys thynge of hym , and lokest for it wyth a ful trust of harte , it is no doubte , but he wyll do that I haue spoken : wherfore put out of thy mynde , all sorowfull care of worldly thynges , and commende it to God . Rather take thoughte for thy selfe , how thou mayste prouide for thy soule , and sende that vnto God . And seynge that God hathe forgyuen the all thy synnes frely for Christes sake , he requireth nothing at all of the , for thys exceding great and in estimable benefyte , but that thou shuldest agayne forgyue euen from the very harte them that haue done the wronge : for he promysethe Math that he wyll forgyne vs our offences yf we forgiue men ther offences , Mat. x therfore when thou haste forgyuen all Merci● offences euen from the very harte , yea and that so , that thou neuer remembreste them afterwarde , praye also for them that haue hurte the accordyng to the doctrine and exa●ple of Christe , Luce. x yea and yf euer thou recouerest , helpe so muche as lygheth in thy powre them that haue nede of thy helpe . Yf that thou hast a mind voyd , of dissimulation , preuy dyspleasure , enuy , malice , yll wyll and wrathe , thou haste also a sygne and earnest token that God hath forgyuen the thy synnes : for fayth wherwyth thy harte is puryfyed , Actu . ● stretchynge out her selfe , and bryngynge ●orth her fruites for the infynite benefites of God can none otherwyse then forgyue agayne and to do well to her neyghboure . Thys fruyte of charite beareth the witnes and maketh the sure , that thy fayth is true and lyuishe , seyng it bryngeth forth true and good fruytes : Thys meaneth Peter , wher he commaundethe that we shulde make our vocation Pet. ● . and election fyrme & sure with good workes , for he signifieth and plainly meaneth , that thys workes ar testimonies and sygnes that thou arte electe of God , and purchased to be hys sonne vnto the ioyes of euerlasting lyfe . Nether is ther any cause ( o brother ) that god shulde forgyue the thy sinnes , for the greuousnes of thy dysease & crosse : for ther is none other satisfaction , Iohn . i● . none other recompense for thy synnes , than the onely deth of Christ . God beholdeth none other thynge in this cause he accepteth none other thing here than his only begotten son : he is the lambe of god whyche taketh awaye the synnes of Iohan. the world : He is the sacrifice & oblation sufficient , Hebre. absolute and perfect for the synnts of the whole worlde : thy disease & paynes can not satisfye before God for the lest syn that thou hast commytted , muche les are they able to deserue health & euerlasting saluation , as Paule testifieth , Rom● saying I do not thynke that the affli●tions of this lyfe are worthy of the glory which shal be shewed vpon vs . No creature nether in heuen nor erth , no angel was able to apease , mytigate & swage the wrath of the father , much les shal this thy disease & short trouble pacyfye it . For he that shulde aswage that wrath and reconcile God to man , he muste nedes be both god and man , seynge he muste be an intercessor and aduocate betwen god 1. Ti● being angry and man condemned . Therefore was it conuentente for the sonne of god to become man , that he sh●lde apease the wrathe of God the father by sufferynge paynes in hys awne body , and so preserue vs from it , as the Prophet testyfiethe , sayinge : He hath taken vpon hym our dyseases , ●y . liii , and borne awaye our sorowes . God hath layde the vnrighteousnes of vs all on hym : For the wickednes of my people haue I striken hym . et . ii Aud Peter saythe : By hys strypes were we made whole : therfore for thys Christ thy Lord are thy synnes forgyuen the , and for none other thynge neyther in heauen nor in earthe , not for thy good workes , nor for any afflyction , although neuer so harde and bytter , ●rin . i. Christe is our only ryhhteousnes , healthe , redemption & satisfaction : God made hym syn for vs , whych knew no syn that we myght be made righteous : wherfore yf thou beleuest , thou arte the sonne of God al redy : yf thou be the sonne of God than art thou also the heyre of God , and fellowe enheritoure wyth Christ : yf euerlasting lyfe be enheritaunce and the gyfte of God , as Paule calleth it , Roma . certes then shalte thou not deserue it wyth the sorowes of thy dysease : but God wolde haue the punyshed with this sicknes , that thou myghtest represse breake , restrayne and mortyfye thy olde man , that it maye ones cease to synne , that shall come to passe at the laste by the deathe of the body . And for this cause must we dye , that our soule may departe hence vnto euerlastyng saluation : for thys death is a gate and entrauns vnto eternall lyfe , ther at the laste are we delyuered from al wretchednesses , miseris carefulnes , dysquietnes , from al erroures and iuglynge castes of the dyuill , neyther shall we any more be defyled wyth the moost stynkynge fylthynes of synne , neyther shal we be seduced and led awaye into heresys or erroures , nor yet be throwne hedlonge into desperation . For an ende of all euylles , aduersities and incommodities is then come , yea then shal we rest in the Lord and enioye eternall lyfe and pleasure wythout ende . Death therfore is not to be abhorred nor feared , yea it is rather most feruently to be desyred , seynge by that we passe hence vnto eternal ioyes . om. viii Uery true is y● , whych Paule sayth , to the godly all thynges worke for the beste : Death in the syghte of the worlde is a thyng of all thinges moost odyous , mooste hatefull , most lothsome and moste horryble , yet to the faythfull it is most swet , most acceptable and most pleasaunt . And although it be so , that our old● Adam trembleth at it , excheweth and abhorreth it , yet the inward man i● redy and wylling to suffer it , for asmuche as he perceyueth & knoweth that by it he is delyuered frome all fylthines of syn , vice , & wretchednes and departethe vnto euerlastynge ioyes .

¶ How they are to be comforted , whyche are in parell of death .

THE best God and thy most louing father hauyng pytie on the ( o Brother ) calleth the from thys most wretched & miserable lyfe , wyllyng to remoue the vnto him , and to cary the into the perpetual ioyes of the heauenvly life . Therfore yelde , gyue ouer & commende to hym wholly thy selfe , & all that euer thou hast , & what so euer hys wyl is lette thy wyll be the same , and saye , lette thy wyl be done o father God , Mat. x and not myne : cry vnto Christ with the thefe fastened to the crosse , remember me , o Lorde , Luce. ● when thou comeste into thy Kyngdome : erye wyth the Publican , nc. xviii Lorde be mercifull to m● wretched synner cry instanstly with that earneste woman the Cananite , ●ath . xv o sonne of Dauid haue mercy on me . Yf thou cryest thus , Chryste wyll heare the , doubte not , he wyll haue mercy on the , he wyll forgyue the thy synnes , yea thou shalte be wyth hym in paradyse : therfore lay hande on thys Christe , cleue to him wyth tothe and nayle , commyt thy soule vnto him : cry wyth this christ crucifyde vnto God the comon father , al. lxi . o Lorde my truste is in the , let me neuer be putte to confusion , but rydde me , and delyuer me thorowe thy ryghteousnes : Bowe downe thyne eare vnto me , make haste to delyuer me . Be thou my God and stronge holde ( wherunto I may alwaye fle ) that thou mayst helpe me , for thou arte my strenght and refuge : thou art my defender : Into thy handes I commende my spirite : crye also wyth Dauid : Psal. vxii o Lorde thou art my strenghte , my sure holde , my refuge and my delyuerer . O my God thou art my helper , my defender , and the horne of my health and my protection . Unto the o Lord , lyfte I vp my soule : o my God my truste is in the , let me not be dryuen to shame : dyrecte me in thy truth , thou art the God my sauionre , Remember , o Lord thy tender mercies , and thy pyteful compassions , whiche thou hast euer vsed : Remember not the trespasses of my yonghe : Accordynge to thy mercye remember me for thy goodnes sake : for thy names sake ( o lord ) forgyue my synne , for it is muche : loke on me , and haue pytye on me , deliuer me from my necessities : forgyue me all my offenses kepe my soule , and delyuer me : Lette me not be put to confusion for my hole trust is in the. Yf on thys maner thou wylte call for the helpe of God with and hole hart , god wyl surely helpe● the in tyme conuenient , and he wyll say vnto the that , whyche is in the Psalme . Forasmuch as he hath put his trust in me , ●sal . xc , I wyl delyuer him : I wyll defend hym because he hath knowen my name : He hathe cryed vnto me , & I wyll fauorably heare hym . I am wyth hym in hys tribulation : I wyll delyuer him & glorifie hym . Wherfore ( o thou Christiane ) fyght here a good fyght , stryue valeauntly & with a good corrage , as it becometh a true christean man : take hede , y● geuest not ouer , take hede , thou turnest not thy backe : ther is no daunger thou stryueste not here alone , but Iesus Christ the kyng is thy guyde in thys agony , thys thy guyde & captaine shal be thyn auenger , & in this battel he shal defende and delyuer the from all the enemyes of thy soule , from all perell & from all misery and wretchednes : folow this captayn goyng before the in this conflicte and battell : he is a kynge not like to other but of an exceding and infinite powre : he hath alredy ouercome and throwne vnder the foote for thy sake : death , Hebrc . i●● i. Cor. x● Oze. xiii Satan and hell death is swallowed vp into victory Christ dyed for the : Therfore euerlastyng death hath no power in the Christ went down for the vnto hel , that he myght deliuer the from this euerlasting darknesses therfore be on a lustye and bold● mynde , and wyth a valeaunte courage brast into the army . Put awaye all feare , ther is no daunger in thys behalfe : ther is no cause why thou shuldest feare the fearce and streyghte iudgement of God . Christe Iesus is a mediatour before God , i. Tim● the same is an aduocate , yea and thy Patrone , defender , Byshoppe and Preeste : i. Iohu . Hehre . He hathe reconcyled the to God , and hathe restored to the hys fafatherly mynde , whych before was estraunged from the for thy sinnes , God for Christes sake is nowe thy father , he taketh charge of the , he entierly loueth the as his most tender sonne . Nowe seynge that so noble a kyng standeth on thy syde , who shall putte the to any busynes , who shall be bolde to assayle the or ones fyght agaynst the ? who I pray the , shal do the any wronge ? what daunger can ther be ? heare Paule : om. viii Yf god be on our syde , sayth he , who can be agaynst vs ? whyche spared not hys awne son , but gaue hym for vs all , how is it possible , that wyth him he shoulde not gyue vs all thynges ? who shal lay any thyng to the charge of Gods electe ? It is God that iustifieth , who is he that can condemne ? it is Christ that dyed , yea whych rose agayne , whyche also is at the right hande of god , and maketh intercession for vs : Who shall sepa●ate vs from the law of ? God I am sure that neyther death , nor lyfe , nor ●yghenes , nor depenes , nor any other creature can seperate vs from tha law of God , whych is in Christ Iesu oure Lorde . Therfore seynge that Christ is gyuen , to the wyth all that euer he hathe , so folowethe it that hys ryghteousnes , innocency , health and euerlastynge lyfe is gyuen to the , as Paule wytnesse the , i. Cor. i. sayinge . Christe is made of God oure wysdome , ryghteousnes , sanctification and redemption . Therfore putte all thy hope , psal. cxv● truste and confidence in thys Christe , whyche is the heade cornerstone . Thys stone is a valeaunte , stronge , i. Pet. ii stedfaste and sure foundation , wherunto thou mayste safely truste and commytte thy selfe . No tempest although neuer so blacke and horryble , no showers , Math. vi●● no stormes can shake and topple euer thys foundation : In thys Christe , I saye , let all thy hope and confydence be sette . Caste thy selfe wholly on hym , yelde thy selfe altogyther to hym , cleue to hym wyth stronge fayth , let no trouble or temptation plucke the from him , although all thynges seme neuer somuche to the go to hauocke , althoughe slesh● and bloude yell the neuer so muche the contrary , and reason thynkethe farre otherwyse , yea althoughe th●● Deuyll sometyme whysper in thy mynde that thou arte vtterlye vndone , that God is an extreme enemy vnto the , and that thou haste deserued the punishment of hel fyre , and therfore thou must nedes be dampned ▪ For faith is a sure confidence and ● lokynge for of thys thynges that ebre . xi are to be hoped , that is to saye , promysed , and a certen●e and euyden knowelege of those thynges tha● doo not appeare wyth that holy 〈◊〉 Patriarche Abraham thou must beleue vnder hope agaynste hope : thy faythe and hope muste nedes resyste and set them selfes agaynste all those thynges , whych euer blinde reason dothe Imagyne , or that mooste sutle , and craftye enemye doo brynge to remembauns and worke agaynste the : wherfore thou muste thoroulye learne what cu●●tme , deu. xxx God dothe kepe in sauynge hys : i Reg. ii . whome he wyll lyfte vp into heauen , Tobi. xii hym he bryngethe downe fyrste vnto Hell : Sap●e . xv Whome he wyll ●uycken , hym dothe he fyrste kyll , Psal. c. xi● vpon whome he wyll exercyse hys excedynge Mercye , hym wyll he fyrst trye , and make asthoughe he woulde dampne hym . And thys is that vnfained purgatory and that true purgyng fyre , The true Purgator into the which God castethe hys Seruauntes and prouethe them as Golde in the fyre : ●pien , iii wherefore when thou fealeste none other thynge then moste presente deathe , when God ●emeth to be mooste angry wyth the , to be gone awaye moost furdeste from the , and to haue forsaken the vtterlye , yea when he semethe that he hathe cast ● the awaye and wyll condemne the euen then thynke thou mooste certenly that he is mooste nyhhe vnto the , that he wyl defende the and delyuer the , yea that he then moste entyerly loueth the , and carethe moost of all for the : for when he doth lay● afflyction and trouble vpon the , th● dothe he remember hys mercye , as● the Prophete saythe . He is not angry for euer : as the father hath pytye of hys sonnes so hath the Lord● compassion of them that feare hi● for he knowethe our makynge , and remembreth that we are but duste● The mercy of the Lorde endureth sal . c. ii euer and euer : The Lorde is a tender fauorer and mercyfull , he is longe sufferynge and full of compassyon . Wherfore spare the eyes of thy senses , caste away the iudgemente of reason , and submyt , yelde , gyue ouer , and commende thy selfe wholly to Chryste , and take it to good worth , howe so euer he handleth the : esteme not deathe and the dredefnlnes and sorowes therof after the iudgemente of the eyes , senles or reason , but after the worde of God . Dauid say the , precyons is the deathe of Sayntes in the syghte of the Lorde . Agayne , Blessed are the ded , Psal. cxv● whych dye in the LORDE . Apo xii Chryste also saythe , he that beleueth in me , Iohu . vi shall not taste ●eathe . Therfore yf any thynges come to remembraunce , whyche go aboute to turne the from Chryste , and to ●aste the into desperation , cast them all out of thy minde : cleue to the lyuely worde of God wyth tothe and nayle , haue thy medytation in that and euer be whettynge of that in thy mynde : For thou shalte neuer by the perspycacyte and quyckenis of thy reason perceyue , howe it maye be possyble , that by Deathe thou shouldeste goo vnto the true lyfe , howe when thou gyueste vp the Ghoste , thou shouldest departe vnto a better state , howe thy soule shoulde be kepte in the Lorde , and reaste vnto the laste daye , agayne , howe thy body beynge rotten , consumed and eaten of wormes , maye ryse agayne at the laste Iudgemente , and come forthe in a newe godly forme , shape or fashon . Thys can not reason comprehende . Fayth alone is able to do it . Therfore call to thy remembraunce contynually the artycles of thy faythe , and boulte oute euerye parcell of them dylygently , and weyghe them earnestly in thy harte .

¶ Howe he is to be spoken vnto , whyche is redy to gyue vp the Ghoste .

O Brother in Chryst , now loke that thou fyghteste a good fyghte , loke that thou abydeste in the faythe valeauntly , and stedfastly . Infyxe and depely engraue in thy breste , the Promyses of Chryste thy redemer . Iohan. x I am the resurrection and lyfe , sayth Christ . He that beleuethe in me , shall lyue and neuer dye . Chryste toke the nature of man vpon hym sufferynge many iniuryes and wronges , and when he dyed , Hehre . x he offred hym selfe a sacryfyce for our sinnes on the altare of the Crosse , Iohn . il. he wyth hys holye bloudthorowlye and in all poyntes clensed the synnes of al mankynde : thys Chryste wyll not forsake the , thys Christ wil not leaue the socourles , this Christ careth for the : Christ saueth the & defendeth the , so that no yll or misery shall chauns vnto the : the foundation of God standeth sure hauing this seale . THE LORDE KNOWETH , WHYCHE ARE HYS . i. Tim. ii Christe saythe , my shepe heare my voyce , & I know them and thei folow me , & I giue them euer lastynge lyfe , neyther shall they peryshe for euer , ohan . x. nor yet shall any man plucke them out of my hande : my father whych gaue them to me , is greater then al , & noman can plucke them out of my fathers hande : I and my father am one . Wherfore ( o brother ) in Christ , commende thy soule to God the father , which loueth y● so derely , crye with Christ thy brother , when he honge on the crosse , Luc. xx o father into thy handes I commende my spirit God the Father of all mercye , moughte lede the into euerlastynge lyfe , and saue the vnto that most ioyefull resurrection of the last iudgement AMEN .

Virescit vulnera virtus .

A prayer to be sayde of the syckman , beynge in perell of deathe .

O Most mercyf●ll God , o father of al mercy the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ , be mercyful to me a synuer , haue pytie on me , and quyckely helpe me poore wretche for thy mooste bytter and moost precious passion and deathe of Iesus Chryste thy onely begoten sonne and oure onely redemer and sauyoure . Amen . Entre not into Iudgemente wyth thy seruaunte , o Lorde handle me not accordynge to my deserues and merites , neyther rewarde me after myne iniquytie but for thyne infynite and vnmesurable bounte and excedyng great mercy receyue me . I miserable and weake creature am in thy hande , I am thy bonde seruaunte and thy debter . O most gentle God , o moste fauorable Father , forsake me not , cast me not away pore wretche that I am , I am thyn wyth al that euer I can make . Noman is able to confirme me , noman is able to delyuer me , noman is able to helpe me , but y● alone . Thou art the true helper in aduersite , y●are the moste sure & present confort in al necessite , y● alone art our helpe , our buluarke , our fortresse , & our most mighty & stronly defence fence towre , y● o god , art our refuge , thou art our strenght , thou art our helper in al our tribulations : In the o Lord , do I trust , let me not be confounded , let me neuer be put to shame let me not be deceyued of my hope , but preserue me for thyn righteousnes . Bow down thin eare vnto me , make hast to deliuer me . Be my defender , o god , & my strong holde that thou maist saue me : for thou art my strength & my refuge , yea y● arte my god , & my destenies ar in thy handes Lighten thy countenauns vpon thy seruaunt , saue me for thy mercyes sake , o Lorde . And forasmuche ( o swete Father ) as it is thy godly pleasure to call me from thys myserable lyfe and wretched worlde , I moost entierly beseche the so to defende me in thys agonye of deathe , that Satan nor his ministers preuayle against me , but that I contynue faythfull and constante vnto the ende in the confession of thy holy name , lokyng for full remyssyon of all my synnes in the precyons bloude of thy welbeloued sonne and my sauyour Iesus Christe , and that I departynge in this fayth and perfecte trust may be placed emong thy blessed saintes and heauenvly spirites , so for euer to remayne wy●h the in glory . Graunt this o most mercyfull father for thy son Iesus Christes sake . Lorde recyue my spirite . Father into thy handes I commend my spyrit : for thou that arte the God of truth haste redemed me . To the be all glory and honoure .

Amen .

¶ The articles of the Christen fayth .

FYRST , I beleue in one god Deut. vi . And father of oure Lorde Iesu Christe . ii . Cor. i. The whych is the Lorde of heauen and earth . Luke : xit . And creator of all , creatures . Hebre. i. Yea he is father of vs all , and : Epe . iiii . The which hath elected vs to be his children through Iesu Christ . Ephe. i. And therfore shall we all hym worsh●ppe onely , and besyde hym haue none other goddes . Deut. vi Also we shal feare hym as one almighty God . Psal. xxxiiii . And as mercy full father we shall loue hym wyth all oure hartes , wyth all our soule , and wyth all our power and mynde Math. xxii● And vpon hym muste stande all our hope . Hiere . vii . For he is the father of lyghte . Iacob . i. Of the whych all mankynde leueth Aetu . xiii . And receyueth both bodelye goodes . Prouerb x. And enerlastynke saluation . Psal. xxxvii Togyther wyth all perfite gyftes , whych come and descence from him alone . Iacobi .i. Furthermore I beleue in Iesu Christe , the sonne of the lyuing God our lord . i. Cor. vii The whych is the very bryghtnesse of hys fathers glorye , and the very ymage of his substaunce . Hebre. i. Yea he is the onely begotten sonne of the father . Iohn . i. Come forth of the mouthe of the moste hyeghest God . Eccles. xxiii . Fyrst boren before all creatures . Collos. i. Thorow the whych all thynges are created . Hebre. i. In whom we haue redemption , namely remyssyon of synnes thorow hys bloude . Col. i. With the which he hath washed vs Apo. i. And hath also reconciled vs again to his most holy & gloriouse father . Ephe. ii . That were afore enemyes to God . Roma . viii . For after the tyme that God had made man , after hys ymage and symilytude , he seate hym in Paradise that he shoulde eate of all the fruytes in the gardyn of pleasure , exceptynge him the tree of knowledge of good and euyll . Gene. ii . But man dysobeyed the Lord his God , and transgressed hys commaundemente . Gene. iii. Thorow the whyche disobedyence and transgressyon of the godly commaundement , death and curse is come ouer all mankynde . Roma .v. And when ther was no helpe , nor comforte for man whereby he myghte haue bene redeymed , or delyuered oute of Sathans power , then hathe God the mercyfull Father pytye vpon mankynde , and Promysed them a seade , namelye Iesus Chryste , hys onelye begotten sonne , the whych shoulde treade vpon the heade of the Serpente , and ouercome the Dyuyll , and restore vs to lyfe agayne . Genesis . iii. And lykewyse as God is ryghtuouse in all hys wayes , and holy in all hys workes . Psalmes . clv. And true in al hys wordes . Psal. li. So hath he kepet all hys promises tre●ly . And as the time was fulfilled . Gala. iiii . God leat hys word descend in to the wombe of the virgyn Mary , and by the workyng of the holye ghoste became fleshe : As Iohn witnesseth saiyng : The word became fleshe , and dwelt emong vs and we saw hys glory , as the glory of the onely begotten Sonne of the father , full of grace and veritie . Iohn . i. Also thys onely begotten of God became lyke vnto vs in all thynges excepte syn . Hebre. ii . He hath suffereth death for oure sake . Esay . liii . And hath taken awaye Sathans power , and restored lyfe in againe . i. Timothe . vi . Yea he is made vnto vs wysdom , and rightwysnes , santifyeng , and redemption . i. Cor. i. And lykewyse as he dyed for oure synnes . Hebre. ii . So is he rysen agayne through the power of hys father . Roma . vii . For our ryghtuousnes . Roma . iiii . And as he oftentymes shewed him selfe after hys resurrection : vnto hys dysciples . Actu . i. So is he ascended vnto heauen in ther presens . Luke . xxiiii . And sytteth at the ryghte hande of the almyghty father . Rom viii . Aboue all rule and myghte , and dominion , and aboue all that maye be named , not onelye in thys world : but also in the world to come Ephe. i And hath subdued al thinges vnder hys fete . Hebre. ii . To be brefe he is a Lord aboue all lordes , and a kynge aboue all kynges Apoc. xix . Yea he is an almyghtye God wyth hys father . Apoc. xxii . Iohn . x. And neuerthelesse he is our aduocat , & mediator . i. Iohn . ii ●● . Timot. ii . Our only hye preiste . Hebr. v. The saceifice that he hath done for our synnes , abydeth for eueermore of valure . Hebre. x. Furthermore lykewyse as Christe is ascended vp in to heau●n , so shall he come agayne from heanen . Actu. i Wyth the dominion of hys father , and wyth the angels . Mach. xxv . For to gyue euery man rewarde after his workes , yea for to iudge the quycke and dead . Act. x. i. Tim. iii.

I beleue also in the holy Ghost equall god wyth the father & the son which holy ghost is a teacher of all christen . Iohn . xiiii . and he doth cloth them wyth his gyftes , & geueth euery one the measure of faythe after hys awne wyl . i. Corin. xi● . And kepeth them vnmouable in one fayth for he is a ruler of the christian congregation . Aet . xx . He is also the anoinmente .i. Iohn . ii . Wherewyth all Christen are anoynted , and of that behalfe are called the anoynted of the Lord . Psal. c. iiii . So is this holy ghost giuen vnto the Christen as an ernest of ther inheritaunce to ther redemption , and they agayne be hys awn to the pryse of his glory Ephe. i. To be shor ●it is impossible wythout thys holy ghost to knowe God truely .i. Cor. ii . Or wythall the hope of the hart to beleue vpon him .i. Cor. xii Or to call vpon him as a father . Romanorum . viii .

And therefore dothe God powr thys hys holye Ghoste vppon hys chyldren , wherby they maye treuly know hym , and treuly beleue hym : and as a trew father call upon him Gala. iiii . This is my beleue in the father , in the sonne , and in the holye ghost , which tree I knowlege to be one god . Deut. vi . whous seate is the heauen , and the earth is a benche of his fete . Esay . xlvi . Yea the which is an euerlasting .ii. Mach. i. and almyghtye God . Psal. c. xlv , The whyche alone wyll be worshypped , and serued . Dent. vi . For he can alone helpe vs . Esay . xliiii . which he doth for his names sake , & not for our righruousnes sake . Esa. xliiii .

Furthermore as I haue sayde . that al they that do belene ar ioined togither , & through the holy ghoste knytte in vnitie . so is ther a louing christen church the which is buylded of lyuyng stones .i. Pet. ii . whych church is the house of god . Hebr. iii And the house of God is the congregation of god .i. Timo. iii. And the congregation of god is the body of Christ Eph. i. And seyngy●al ryght Christians are one body .i. Corin. x. In the whyche they all thorow one spryte are baptised . i. Cor xii . So must ther be a congregation of saintes , namely that all saintes or trew beleners ar also ioyned togyther in fayth , as the members of one body Roma , xii . And in this communion of saintes is remission of sinnes , and that without it is no syn forgeuen , nor any hope of saluation . Ephe. ii . yea as it is vnpossible that a member can lyue which is not in the body , so it is vnpossible that any man maye liue in his soule , and can be rele●ced out of death by remission of syn , the whych is not a member of the body of Christ : for Christ hath recōcileo vs al vnto god his father in one body Ephe. ii . And therfore must al they stand in var●aūce that at no membres of this body , of the whych Christ is the head . Ephe. i. To the whych he gyueth saluation . Ephe. v.

Now muste we also knowe that albeit , that god alweyes forgeueth synnis . Esay . xliii . yet hath Christ gyuen vnto hys congregation power to bynde & to loose , whiche shall not be vnderstand after the Antichristes doctrin . The bishop of Rome which chalenge●h power to remyt synnes , but the Christen congregation whose heade is Christ , & not the Romyshe antichrist , and his ruled of the holy ghost , & not of the fornicatish spirit of the prophetesse Iesabel . This congregation I say hath power to bynd and to loose , that is to say , all what she bindeth other looseth is done by the poweh of our Lord Iesu Christ i. Cor. v And thorow the holy ghost as a ruler of the christen congregation . Actu . xx . so is there is the Christen congregation remissyon of synnes .

Ther shal be also a general resurrection of the fleshe , namely that all they that ar dead , shall ryse agayne , some to euerlastynge lyfe , & some to euerlasting paine & damnation . Iohn v. And they that shall lyue & remayne vntyll the comming of one lord Iesu Christ , they shal be chaunged in the tinkeling of an eye at the tyme of the last trumpeth .i. Cor. xv . For the trumpet ( sayth Paul ( shal blow , and the dead shall ryse vncorruptible , & we shal be chaunged . for the corruptible body must put on vncorruptibilite and this mortall body must put on immortalitie . Cor. xv . At the last is ther also one euerlysting lyfe , Iohn xvii . which al they shal receiue that beleue on Iesu Christe . Iohn . vi . and stedfastly abyd in good workes sekynge prayse , honour , and immortalitie . Roma . ii .

Thys is the summe of my beleefe yea & a trew Christe beleefe , thorow the whych faythal rightuouse lyue Aba . ii . And without the which belyefe no man may please god . Hebre xv . Therfore must the euerlastyng God be blessed , that our ofr hys immesurabl mercy and grace hath gyuen vs thys thorowe Iesu Christe Ephe. ii . To whom with the fafather and the holy ghost be prayse , honor , and glory , for euermore .

AMEN . Apoca. Be faythfull vnto the death and I wyll gyue the the crowne of lyfe .