The first Chapter , Of the meditation of death .

THE oft meditation of death is both necessare , and profitable to make vs liue well , and die well . First , because there is nothing more sure than that we must once die : and it is most vncertaine , how , when , or where we shall die . An Auncient sayeth well , Nemo tam divos habuit faventeis , Seneca in Traged . Crastinum vt possit sibi polliceri .

That is to say , The Gods to none such favour giue , They promise may the morne to liue .

Therefore wee should meditate often of death , alwayes preparing vs for it , according to the counsell of the Poet , Inter spem , curamque , timores inter & iras , Omnem crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum .

That is to say .

Amidst thy hope , Horat. Epist. 1. thy care , thy feare , thy wrath , Thinke everie day thy last , looke for thy death . Qui non vult hodie , cras minus aptus erit ,

That is , This day who is not readie , the morne shall lesse bee . Ovid.

In actions which are both of difficultie and weight , we draw to perfection by often vse . It is an hard matter to die either willingly or well : the errors whereof may turne vs to the torments of hels fire , for that which commeth last is everlasting . Wee ought therefore both tymelie and diligently to search the step of the dark and stonie way of death , that by often meditation of death , dying often , we may in end die both easily and well .

Cicero sayeth , that the whole life of wise men is the meditation of death . Somnium Scip. And it is recorded of the Macedonian King , that he commanded his Page once everie day to come , and say to him . Remember thou art mortall . That holy man Hieronimus had alwayes in his studie besides him a dead mans skull , and running glasse , to keepe him in mynd of shortnesse of his life , and certaintie of his death .

Secondly : the often meditation of death is necessare and profitable , to make vs liue and die well , because it is a strong bitte and bridle against sinne . Remember thy death , ( sayeth Ierome ) and thou shall not sinne : and GOD speaking by Moses of his people Israell , sayeth , Deuter. 32.29 O that they were wise , then would they vnderstand this , they would consider their latter end : and IEREMIE , Lament. 1.9 . Her filthinesse is in her skirts she remembered not her last end : Eccles. 11.9 and SALOMON ( scorning the folly of youth ) sayeth , Rejoyce O young man in thy youth , and let thy heart cheare thee in the dayes of thine youth , and walke in the wayes of thine heart ; and in the sight of thine eyes : then he addeth , ( as water to their wyne ) but know thou , that for all these things GOD will bring thee to judgement .

Thirdly : often meditation of death causeth vs to contemne this short vaine life , wherein all is vanitie and vexation of Spirit , which is like to a dreame , a shaddow , a vapour : like to the way of a ship in the sea , or like to an arrow shot foorth of a bow , which both , when they are past , their trace is no more seene : and man in this life is like the flower of the field , which sor a tyme is greene , but afterwards withereth and falleth downe : so I may say with one , Vita quid est hominum , nisi vallis plena malorum . Principio , medio , fine dolenda suo .

That is to say , What is mans life ? a valley full of ill , Beginning , mids , and end lamenting still .

And with an other , What if a day , or a month , or a yeare , Crowne thy delights with a thousand wisht contentings ? Essex lament . Can not the chaunce of a night , or an houre Crosse thy delights with as many sad tormentings ?

Finally : this often meditation of death prepareth vs for it , and armeth vs against it , so that it commeth not to vs vnawars , as a thiefe in the night : but wee looke for it , wee watch and pray for strength and comfort in the houre of it : and when it commeth , will say with old Simeon , Now LORD thou lettest thy servant depart in peace : and also with David and CHRIST , In thy hands O LORD I commend my Spirit ; and with the first Christian Martyre Stephen , LORD IESUS receaue my Spirit .

The second Chapter . What death is , and of the causes of naturall death .

IN holy Scripture death is taken in diverse senses : as first , and most properly for the dissolution of soule and body . Secondly : for the separation of soule from GOD his grace and favour . Thirdly , for the separation both of bodie and soule from GOD his grace and glorie eternallie .

Death then beeing taken into the first sense , is commoun to all mankynd , since the fall of Adam and Evah , our first Parents , as witnesseth the Apostle , saying , As by one man , sinne entered in the world , Rom. 5.12 and by sinne death ; and so death went over all men , for all men haue sinned .

In the second sense , death since the fall of our first Parents is also common to all mankind , vntill they be quickned againe by the Spirit of regeneration : as testifieth this same Apostle , saying , And you hath he quickned , who were dead in sinnes and trespasses . Ephes. 2.1 .

In the third sense : Death is only proper to the Reprobate : and it is called in holy Scripture the second death , as posterior to the first , which wee call naturall death , from this death , there is a promise of GOD , that all such shall bee delivered , Revel 20 ▪ 6 who are partakers of the first resurrection , that is , of true faith and repentance .

Now in order of time , death in finne is first , that is to say , the separation of soule and body from GOD his grace and favour : Naturall death which is the separation of soule and body is next : Everlasting death which is the separation of both soule and body from the grace and glory of GOD for ever , last . The first sort of death is verie fearefull , ( but the feare of it apprehended by few ) because it floweth from the wrath of GOD , and is a death in sinne , a spirituall death : yet it is not desperate , for Christ died for vs , Rom. 4.25 and rose againe to justifie and sanctifie vs : And GOD for his sake freely forgiues our sinne , who beleeue in his Sonne : his Spirit is given vs with his word and Sacraments , to regenerate and quicken , and at last to perfectly sanctifie vs . 2 Cor. 3.18

The second sort of death is also fearefull , because in the owne nature of it , it is the punishment of sinne : Also because in this dissolution of soule and body , that haue beene straitly and long joyned together , and acquaint one with other , as two neare and deare friends , they are loath to sunder : So nature abhorreth and feareth this very naturall death : but faith and grace overcommeth this horror and feare , and maketh the true Christians to triumph over death . As witnesseth the Apostle , when hee said , O wretched man that I am , who shall deliver mee from this body of death ! Rom. 7 24.25 I thanke GOD through Iesus Christ : And in an other place , O death where is thy sting ? 1 Cor. ●5 55.56.57 The sting of death is sinne , and the strength of sinne is the Law : But ihanks bee to GOD , who giveth vs the victorie , through our LORD IESVS CHRIST .

The third sort of death is most terrible , because from it there is no redemption , nor delyverie , if once wee bee plunged therein : It is therefore called the second death , the wrath to come , everlasting fire , everlasting paine , everlasting destruction , from the which , both living and dying wee should labour , and pray to bee delivered , seeing wee are warned to flie from the wrath to come : Math. 37 And IESUS CHRIST hath delivered all true Christians from thence .

This much of the diverse sorts of death , 1 Thess 1.10 whereof the holy Scripture maketh mention .

Now I minde chiefly to speake of naturall death which I define : The dissolution of soule and body : The causes there of are these following : First , the efficient cause of death is sinne ; for if man and woman had not sinned , they should not haue died : Thus GOD did signifie to our first Parents , by the tree of life , and the tree of the knowledge of good and evill , which grew in the midst of the Garden in Eden .

The first was to him a Sacrament or signe , that so long as they continued in GODS obedience they should liue happily : The second was to them a Sacrament or signe , that so soone as they should transgresse GODS commandement they should die : This is evident of GODS owne words to them , which contained a command or permission , when hee said : Of every tree in the Garden you shall freely eate : Genes. 2 16.17 and an inhibition with a threatning , when hee said , But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evill , thou shall not eate of it : for in the day thou eatest thereof , dying , thou shall die : Also the holy Apostle affirmeth , sinne to bee the efficient cause of death , Rom. 5.12 even that which provocked GOD to punish mankynd with death .

Materiall cause death hath none , neither properly formall : As no privation hath either matter or forme , as darknesse is the privation , or absence of light , sicknesse the privation or absence of health : so death is the privation or absence of lyfe from the bodie .

The finall causes of death are chiefly two : The first is , the manifestation of GODS justice and trueth : His justice in punishing sinne ; His trueth in executing his owne threatning . In the day thou eatest thereof , ( to wit of the forbidden tree ) dying , thou shalt die : Now albeit this death in the same day , when they eate of the fruite of the forbidden tree , was not consummat : yet that same very day it seased vpon them : Therefore Seneca sayeth truely , Epist. 24 Wee part this same verie day of our life with death : As the last drop spoiles not the running Glasse , but that also which runne before ; so our last houre , wherein wee cease to liue , maketh not death alone , but perfiteth it alone .

The other finall cause of death was to humble man and woman , whose first principall sinne was pryde : therefore GOD told them after they had waxed proude , and rebellious : Genes. 3.19 Dust thou art and vnto dust shalt thou returne : The consideration heereof made Abraham humble , when hee said , Gen 18 27 Shall dust and ashes speake to my LORD ? And Iob when hee said , Iob. 17.14 I haue said to corruption thou art my father .

The consideration of death , and of the causes thereof , should teach vs , first , not to marvaile that death is fearefull to all flesh , it being the separation of the soule from the bodie : This made our LORD IESUS CHRIST naturally to feare death , yet without sinne ▪ when he prayed : 〈…〉 Father let this cuppe depart from mee : But to vs death is the mo●● fearefull , because in the owne nature of it , it is the just punishment of sinne , as testifieth the Apostle , saying , The wages of sinne is death .

Secondly , Rom. 6.23 This consideration of death , and of the causes thereof , should teach vs , not to murmure or grudge against GOD , when our last houre commeth , but meditate vpon GODS justice and trueth foresaid . And say with David , I was silent because thou did it , Psal. 39 9 which words that godly man Mr. Calvin had alwayes in his mouth , Vide Calvini vitam . in the extreame paines of sicknesse and death .

Thirdly : this consideration of death , and of the causes thereof , should teach vs to abhorre pride , and to bee humble , following the example of Abraham , Iob , David , Hezekiah ; and other holy men of GOD.

Fourthly : this consideration of death and the causes thereof should teach vs to follow the counsell of Salomon , Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth , Eccles. 12.1 whiles the evill dayes come not , nor the yeares approch , wherein thou shall say I haue no pleasure in them : that is , before sicknesse , old age , and death come vpon vs , as afterwards hee expoundeth .

The third Chapter . CHAP. 3. Of the feare of death .

THere is a twofold feare of death , wherevnto wee are subject : one naturall , when wee abhorre the separation of the soule from the body : and this feare of death may bee without sinne : for our LORD IESUS CHRIST , who knew no sinne , was subject therevnto , when hee prayed sundrie tymes , and said , Father let this cuppe depart from mee : and hee prayed to him who was able to saue him from death , 〈…〉 and was heard in that which he feared , as the Apostle testifyeth . Also when wee feare it , as it is the punishment of sinne , that feare is good , that we may repent , hope for mercie , and be comforted . This feare of death was in Paul , when he said , 〈…〉 O miserable man that I am ! Who shall delyver mee from this body of death ? Against which immediately hee was comforted , by meditation of GODS mercie in CHRIST : and said , I thanke GOD through IESVS CHRIST our LORD , &c.

We may also lawfully feare death , because thereby we are depryved of comfort , in Church , or Common-wealth , which , living , we our selfe had , or did communicate to others . Thus did David feare death , Psal. 6.5 when he said , In death there is no rememberance of thee O Lord ! in the graue who shall giue thee thankes ? And in an other place , Psal. 30.9 What profite is there in my blood , when I goe downe to the pit ? Shall the dust praise thee O LORD ? Shall it declare thy trueth ? This same feare of death was in Hezekiah , when hee said , Isa. 38.11 I shall not see the LORD , even the LORD in the land of the living . I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world : and this much of the lawfull feare of death .

There is an other kynd of feare of death , which is vnlawfull and sinfull , and therefore to be corrected , striven against , and resisted : this feare of death proceedeth of ignorance , infidelitie , or of despaire .

Ignorance : when a man thinking vpon death , knoweth not what shall become of his soule , departing from his bodie .

This feare of death was in Adrian the Empreour , who a little before his death spake these verses , Animula , vagula , blandula , Hospes , comesque corporis : Quae nunc abibis in loca ? Pallidula , rigida , nudula , Nec ut soles dabis jocos .

That is to say , Litle , vaging , merrie soule , Body's companion , and guest : Now to what places shalt thou goe ? Pale , alrish , naked , in this hast ; Neither shall any more , Make sports as before ,

The feare of death which commeth of infidelitie , is , when a man thinking vpon death , or dying ; belieues not in GOD through IESUS CHRIST , for remission of his sinnes , and deliverance from the second death which is Hell : To this feare the children of GOD may bee , and haue beene subject ; yet it is an vnlawfull , and sinfull feare , and commeth by Sathan his tentation , the conscience of sinne , and weaknesse of faith : This feare was in David , Psal. 22.1 when hee cryed out My GOD ! my GOD ! why hast thou forsaken mee ? And in Hezekiah , when he said , Isaiah 38 12.13 . From day even to night will thou make an end of mee , &c.

To this feare all those are subject who know there is a GOD , a Heaven , a Hell , ever while they get the saving knowledge of CHRIST , and belieue in him , that hee died for them , and rose againe to deliver them from the bondage of Sathan , sinne , and death : As testifieth the Apostle , saying , ( CHRIST ) Hee also tooke part of the same , ( flesh and blood ) that through death he might destroy him , Hebr. 2 14.15 that had the power of death , that is the Devill : And deliver them who through feare of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage .

The feare of death that commeth of desperation , of all sorts of feare of death is worst , for there is no remedie against it , if it bee totall : And finall : yea , it is a haynous sinne , for it denyeth both Gods power and mercie to saue a sinner , and the trueth of his promises thereanent : And it is a foolish feare for oft times men and women , giving place to this feare , for feare of death and Hell , precipitate themselfe in both , as the examples of Saul , Achitophel , Iudas , and many others proue .

The fourth Chapter . Remedies and comforts against the feare of naturall death .

ALbeit ( as I haue said in the former chapter ) there bee a sort of feare of death , which may bee without sinne , yet there is no sort of feare of death with out paine and trouble to the patient , as witnesseth the Apostle Iohn , 1 Iohn 4.18 saying indefinitly or generally of feare , feare hath torment : Therefore consolations and remedies are to bee sought against all sorts of feare of death .

Consolations and remedies against that feare of death , which I called naturall , wherevnto all mankynd haue beene , or shall be subject , ( CHRIST IESUS our LORD not excepted ) are these following .

The first and most soveraine remedie against the naturall feare of death , is to haue faith and confidence in GODS loue mercie and trueth , according to his promises . Thus did David comfort himselfe against this sort of feare of death , when hee said , Though I should walke though the valey of the shadow of death , Psal. 23.4 I will feare no evill : for thou art with mee : thy rode and thy staffe , they comfort mee . So did Simeon comfort himselfe , when hee said , LORD , now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace , Luke 2 29.30 according to thy word : For mine eyes haue seene thy salvation . So did CHRIST IESUS our LORD , Luke 22 42 when hee said , Not my will but thy will be done : And Father in thy hands I commend my spirit : which prayers of his the Apostle expoundeth thus : In the dayes of his flesh he offered vp prayers and supplications , with strong crying & teares vnto him , Heb. 5 7 that was able to saue him from death , and was also heard in that which hee feared .

The second comfort and remedie against the feare of death naturall , is to meditate : First , That the day of death is better nor the day of birth , as Salomon sayeth , For by death sinne is abolished , Eccles. 7.10 and after it wee shall sinne no more . But by birth wee enter into a sinfull life : and by death the body is fred from all sense of miserie , and is no more an instrument actiue or passiue of sinne : but by birth our bodies are subject to the sense of many miseries , and the members thereof made weapons of vnrighteousnesse to serue sin . Rom. 6.13 By death our soule entereth vnto an happie and eternall life : by birth it entereth vnto a miserable and mortall life ; therefore death not only is not to be feared by a Christian , but in some respects is rather to bee wished , and hoped for with joy , for by death wee goe out of this pilgrimage home to our father in Heaven , from banishment vnto a Kingdome , from prison to a palace , from darknesse to light , from death to life , from dangers vnto securitie , from labour to rest , from all manner of miserie to everlasting felicitie .

Next : we should meditate , that it is as great folly to feare death , as to feare old age : for as old age followeth after youth , so death followeth after old age , and the failed tabernacle of the bodie falleth : therefore , as they who dwell in ruinous houses , studie not so much vpon the falling of the house , as how with diligence to get out ; so we should be alwayes readie to die , and not stand amazed with the feare of death .

If therefore we will feare death , wee must ever feare it , for there is nothing more certaine than that once wee shall die : and nothing more vncertaine than how , where , or when we shall die : so it is a great folly to vs , to hold our selues in the continuall torment of the feare of death : Things doubtfull are to be feared , but things certaine ( as death ) to bee exspected .

Thirdly : we should meditate , that our life is like vnto a ship in voyage by sea , wherein when wee haue outsailed our bairne-age , our youth , our old yeares , and the best yeares of old age , then the commoun end of all flesh beginneth to kyth , which is death : we take it to bee a rock to make shipwrack vpon , wee are deceaved , it is not so , but a most quyet port , harborough , or haven , therefore he that dyeth soonest , hath no more cause to complaine , then he who hath soone plyed his voyage : yea , he should rejoyce , for hee dyeth young whom God loveth , sayeth Meander : and the Prophet sayeth , 〈◊〉 57.1 Now consider that righteous men are taken away from the evill to come .

Fourthly : wee should meditate , that the day of death is the birth day of eternall life . In our first birth , our mother with great paine and preasing , put vs foorth to this life , and wee did cry and weepe : no mervaile then , though in this second birth of death , we haue griefe and paine , but feare we neede not , more than wee did at our first birth .

Fiftlie : we should meditate , that death is commoun to all : Heb. 9 , 2 It is appointed to all once to die : and the Poet sayeth , Pallida mors aequo pulsat pede Pauperum tabernas , regumque turres .

That is to say .

With equall foote , death knocks at doores Of poore mens shoppes , and Princes towres .

Why then should wee grudge , when death comes to our doore ? Why should wee seeke a priviledge to our selues that is granted to none ? Nay rather wee should consider , that death after old age is the gathering of ripe fruite falling , or ripe corne , Iob 5.26 vnto the barne first , and then to the girnall of God : I goe out of this life as out of an Inne , De senect . ( saith Cicero ) not as out of my house , for it was given me to abide in , not to dwell in . By death our soule goeth out of prison to liberty , In epist. sayeth Seneca , and whatsoever we leaue behind vs after death , is as the Pilgrims baggage , left behind him when hee hasteneth home .

Finaly , Wee should meditate vpon the resurrection of our bodies : So did Iob comfort himselfe against the feare of death , Iob. 19.26 when hee said , Though after my skinne wormes destroy this body , yet shall I see GOD in my flesh . And the Martyres were tormented , Heb. 11 and would not bee delivered from death , that they might obtaine a better resurrection .

Then shall wee sing that song of triumph , O death ! where is thy sting ? O graue ! 2 Cor. 15.55 where is thy vistorie ? Seneca also comforteth vs against the feare of death , by this same argument taken from the resurrection , saying , The day shall come againe , which shall repone vs in light : and the Apostle Paul saying IESVS CHRIST shall change our vile bodies , Philip. 3 that it may bee fashioned lyke vnto his glorious bodie .

The fifth Chapter . Remedies and comforts against the feare of death , proceeding from ignorance , infidelity , or despaire .

ADrian the Emperour ( of whom I spake in the second Chapter ) was affrayed of death , because he knew not what should become of his soule after death . Clement the seventh of that name , when hee was dying , said , In speculo Pontifie . Hee should shortly try that which all his lyfetime he doubted off , whether there were any life after this : doubtlesse this doubting was joyned with feare , proceeding from ignorance , if not from worse . Salomon speaking in the person of the Atheist , according to the judgement of a naturall man , said , Who hath marked the Spirit of man , which hath ascended vp , and the Spirit of the beast , Eccles. 3.21 which hath descended beneath the earth : And a little before hee sayeth , As the one dyeth , so dyeth the other .

This ignorance in a man dying , must bee joyned with feare : the remedies of this feare , is the certaine persuasion of that which is revealed to vs in holy Scripture : namely , that the soule of man is immortall and eternall , and that the soules of good men goe to Heaven , that is so : namely , first that the soule is immortall , these holy places of Scripture testifie : Genes. 1.27 . So GOD created man in his owne image , in the image of GOD created he him , which words put a difference betweene mankynd , and all living creatures mentioned , created before , as more excellent than they , because of this immortall soule in their comelie bodyes , which even the Ethnick Poet acknowledgeth , when that hee sayeth .

Sanctius his animal mentisque capacius altae Deerat adhuc , & quod dominari in caetera posset ,

That is to say , A creature living more holy than the rest , More capable also of a higher mynd , Was wanting yet , even one to rule the rest .

And againe hee sayeth , Pronaque cum spectent animantia caetera terram , Os homini sublime dedit , Coelumque tueri , Iussit , & erectos ad sidera tollere vultus .

That is to say .

While other living hang downe their head to dust , To man hee gaue high countenance , and said : Looke vp to Heaven , where once abide thou must , Behold the Starres aboue , which I haue made .

And GOD said to Abraham , Thou shalt goe to thy fathers in peace : Gen. 15.15 that is to say , Thy Spirit shall goe to the company of the Spirits of the faithfull , thy forbears , when it departs from thy body by death . In that same booke it is said after , And Abraham gaue vp the ghost , Gen. 25.8 and died and was gathered to his people , this must bee vnderstood of his soule , for his body was not buried among his forbears , but in the buriall place , which he bought in the land of Canaan : and so this speach in holy Scripture , spoken of godly men , that when they died , they were gathered to their fathers is to be vnderstood . David sayeth , Psal. 16.10 Psal. 26.9 Thou wilt not leaue my soule in the graue : And in an other place : Gather not my soule with sinners : And in an other place , Psal. 31.6 Into thy hands I commit my spirit : And in an other : Psal. 49 15 GOD will redeeme my soule from the power of the graue , for hee shall receiue mee .

Salomon speaking of death , Eccles 12.7 sayeth , Then shall the dust returne to the earth as it was , and the spirit shall returne to God who gaue it , Mat. 10.28 CHRIST sayeth , Feare not them who kill the bodie , but are not able to kill the soule : And in an other place , citing this place of Scripture , I am the God of Abraham , of Isaac , Math. 22.32 and of Iacob : subjoyneth these words , GOD is not the God of the dead , but of the living : which words import , that although the bodies of these Patriarchs were dead , & buried , yet their soules were living : And it is said Lazarus soule when hee dyed , Luke . 16 was caried by Angels to Abrahams bosome : And CHRIST said to the penitent Thiefe , crucified with him : Luke . 23 33 To day thou shalt bee with mee in Paradise : And a little after , hee Himselfe dying , said , Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit . Stephen dying said , Act 5.59 Philip. 1.23 LORD IESVS receaue my spirit : And Paul said . I desire to bee dissolved and bee with CHRIST : And it is said . Heb. 12 , 33 Yee are come to the spirits of just men and perfect , these Scriptures and others , proue the soules of men and women to bee immortall .

The immortalitie of the soule verie Ethnicks did acknowledge , Numb. 23 10. with Balaam , when hee said , Let my soule die the death of the righteous , and my latter end bee as his . Socrates being condemned to die , Vita Socra . before his death disputed much and well of the immortalitie of the soule , amongst his speaches , this was one to his friends : My children GOD will care for , who gaue them to me : when I shall goe hence , I shall finde friends before mee , like vnto you , or better . When Crito his friend asked him after hee had drunk his poison , if hee desired to bee buried . Hee answered , Alas what labour haue I lost ; that could not persuade Crito that I shall flee away from hence all whole . Plato wrote a booke of the immortality of the soule , And hee believed , that after this world ended mens soules should returne to their owne bodies . The Stoickes said , this should bee after the consummation of the world by fire . Cleombrotus when he had read over Plato his booke of the immortalitie of the soule , Cicero Tusculan . quaest. lib. 1 precipitated himselfe into the sea , being filled with the desire of that better life after this , Plut. in vita Catonis . which Plato described . Cato being resolved to slay himselfe , red all the day & night before that same booke of Plato . Epist. 103 Seneca in one of his Epistles , hath many notable speaches concerning the immortalitie of the soule : amongst the which the feare : I shall leaue the body where I found it , I shall deliver my selfe to GOD : A great and generous thing to the soule of man , it can suffer no bounds to bee prescribed to it , but with GOD. When Socrates had drunke the poyson forced vpon him , and had delivered his garment to his servant , as readie to die , jesting with cry to his friend said : I pray thee remember to sacrifice a cocke to Aesculapius : which was then vsuall when a man had drunke a wholesome drinke ; thereby there was in him no feare of death .

Christians then should bee ashamed to feare death through ignorance , What shall become of the soule after death ? seing death is inevitable : the feare of it argues want of fortitude . And this much of the feare of death , which proceeds of ignorance ,

Now follow remedies and comforts against the feare of death , which proceede from infidelitie or despaire : Let such as feare death , through infidelitie or despaire , imitate the counsell following : Acknowledge all good , helpe , comfort to come from GOD : Repent , and be sorie for all thy sinnes in geuerall , and for everie one in particulare , as thou canst remember them , confesse them to GOD , and forsake them , Pro 28.19 Psal. 32.5 Isa. 28.17 then shall thou sind mercie . Bee oft and earnest in prayer to GOD for mercie and comfort , and desist not , albeit thou get no answere ; but rather insist the more , Luke . 18 remembering the doctrine of CHRIST by parables that we should doe so : Iames. 5 Desire the counsell and prayers of the faithfull ; aboue all things studie to know CHRIST , and the power of his resurrection , Philip. 3.10 and the fellowship of his sufferings : for CHRIST hath swallowed vp death in victorie , Isa. 25 , 8 so that after this digestion of death , it hath lost the sting of it against all true Christians : yea , CHRIST changed the name of death , and called it a sleepe , to teach vs that the nature of death is changed to those that beleeue in him , Iohn . 11.11 saying to his Disciples , Lazarus our friend sleepeth .

In the true knowledge of CHRIST is our comfort , Iohn 17.3 Act. 4.12 both in life and death : The two Cherubims looked to the Mercie-seare : the two Testaments looked vnto CHRIST : Hee is the propitiatorie that covereth the Law , the Pillar of fire to giue light in darknesse ; the clowde to comfort and refresh in all temptations : Rely vpon the mercie of GOD in IESUS CHRIST , and resolue to say with IOB , in thy greatest terrours , Iob. 13.15 Though he slay mee , yet will I trust in him . Reade often the holy Scripture , and meditate therevpon : Bee never idle , not too solitarie . If melancholie trouble thee , take physicke from a skilfull and godly physitian : reade and meditate vpon GODS promises of mercie to penitent sinners ; and consider his dealing with them , how many sinners hee hath made righteous , and enemies friends ; & oft read and meditate vpon these places of Scripture . Exod. 34 4. Deuter. 4.31 . Proverb. 28.3 . 2 Chron. 7.14 . Isaiah 1.18.19.20 . Ezek. 18.27 . Hosea 14.3.4.5 . Psal. 103.13 . Math. 5 6. and 11.28 . Iohn . 3.14 . Rom. 5.20 . 2 Cor. 12.9 Rom. 16.20 . 1. Timoth. 2.4 .

Meditate likewayes vpon the mercie of GOD to penitent sinners : as Moses , Aaron , Iob , David Salomon , Manasses , Hezekiah , Iosiah , Marie Magdalene , the forlorne sonne , Peter , the thiefe vpon the Crosse with CHRIST , Paul : for these examples may serue to teach vs , though wee sinne , yet not to goe on still , and proceede in wickednesse ; also not to despaire of GODS mercie more than they : Rom. 10.12 for the LORD is rich over all that call vpon him , and repent : therefore no man ought to despaire : for this is a true saying , and by all meanes worthie to bee receaved , 1 Tim. 1 15.16 . that CHRTST IESUS came in the world to saue sinners , whereby many haue obtained mercie , Math. 9.15 vnto the example of them which shall in tyme to come belieue in him vnto eternall lyfe . Mark . 2.17

If Sathan or thy owne conscience trouble thee with these doubts and objections following , answere thus .

Object. 1.

My sinne is so great , that it can not bee pardoned .

Answere .

No sinne in it selfe is so great but it is pardonable , to everie one that can repent : No cryme so great , but GODS mercie is greater : yea , the sinne against the holy Ghost can not bee forgiven , only because these that fall therein , can not repent . Hebr. 6.

Object. 2.

I sinne dayly , and often fall in one and the selfe same sinne .

Answere .

If thou sinne dayly , repent dayly : if thou sinne once , twise , 100 , 1000 tymes , repent as oft . He who said , if thy brother offend thee seventie tymes seven tymes , forgiue him , will forgiue thee all thy sinnes , if thou repent .

Object. 3.

I can not repent , my heart is so hard . An. GOD calleth all men to repentance , so long as they liue in this world , so doeth he thee : and so long as thou livest , ( if thou despise not his bountifulnesse and patience ) hee will giue thee repentance before thou die . As for the hardnesse of thine heart , because thou feelest it , it is an argument of spirituall lyfe : for death corporall or spirituall maketh vs losse all feeling .

Object. 4.

I can neither belieue , repent , nor cease from sinne , albeit I would gladly .

Answere .

Pray with the man spoken of in the Ghospell . LORD helpe my vnbeliefe . Know also that thy desire is acceptable to GOD if it be vnfeined and constant .

Object. 5.

I am forced now and then to thinke evill thoughts and blasphemies against GOD , even against my will .

Answere .

These are not from thee , but from Sathan : they are his sinnes , but thy crosses : thou shall bee forgiven , hee shall be rebuked , and punished for them .

Object. 6.

I can not be perswaded that I am one of these whom GOD hath chosen to life .

Answere .

Farre lesse can thou bee assured that thou art a reprobate : for GOD may giue thee assurance of thine election at thy last houre , and wee liue more by faith than feeling : therefore say with JOR , Though hee slay mee , yet will I trust in him .