RIGHTE wel beloued frendes , all be it that manye of you , haue your myndes intier & perfecte , the fayth stable , and the soule deuoute : not beinge meued with the hugenesse of this present mortalytie , but like to a puissant & stedfaste rocke rather do breake the troublous assaultes of this worlde , and the violente floodes of this present tyme , the soule her selfe not beinge broken ne ouercome with any temptations , but onely proued . Nethelesse for as moche as I doo consyder to be in the multitude dyuers whiche eyther by waykenes of courage , or by smalnes of faythe , or by swetenesse of the lyfe of this worlde , or by the delicatenes of theyr kinde , or ( that whiche is a more heuye thynge ) beynge deceyued in the opinion of truthe , doo not stande faste ne set forth the diuine and inuincible might of their stomakes . I moughte no lengre dissemble that mater , ne retaine it in silence , but that as ferre forth as the meanesse of my lernynge or wytte moughte extende I wold declare the doctryne of Christe by a sermone conceyued & lyfely expressed , to the intent that the slouthe and dulnesse of delycate myndes moughe be reformed . And also that he , whiche hathe all redye professed to be the sernaunte of Christe , may hereafter be demed worthy of Christe , & therto accepted . Uerely good frendes , he that fyghteth for god , & being in the celestial campe doth hope on thing is that be godlye , oughte to knowe well hym selfe , to the intente that in the tempestes and stormes of this world , there be in vs no dred or fearefulnesse , sense almyghtye god hath afore warned , that such thynges shulde happen . Instructynge and teachynge vs by his owne mouthe with a prouidente exhortation , and therwith preparynge and comfortynge the people of his churche to the paciente sufferaunce of thynges to come , wherin he prophecied and declared vnto vs , that bataile , famine , erthquakes , and pestilence shuld aryse in sondrye contrayes and places . And to the intente that no sodayne dreade , or feare of straunge thynges anoyenge vs , shoulde in any wyse oppresse or a bashe vs , he tolde vs before , that towarde the ende of the worlde , aduersities and troubles shulde more and more be increased . Now beholde , all that whiche he spake of hath happened , and is come amonge vs . And sith that is now happened , whiche was before spoken of , there shall also nowe ensue all that whiche was promysed , our lorde hym selfe promysyng and sayeng : Luc. 21. What time ye shall see all these thinges come to passe , than be you sure that the kyngedome of heuen is at hande . The kyngedome of heuen good frendes beginneth now to approche . The rewarde of life , and the comforte of helthe euerlastynge , parpetuall gladnesse , and the possession of Paradyse , whiche before we hadde lost , now the worlde passynge awaye , become & at hande : euen nowe after thynges erthlye doo succede that whiche is heuenlye , after smalle thynges , greate thynges and precious : after thynges transytory , thynges eternall or euerlastynge . What tyme is it nowe to be sad ? Or who amonge these troubles wyl be timorus or sorowfull : but onely he in whome lacketh booth fayth and hope ? for he onely feareth death , whiche wyl not go vnto Christe , and he whiche wyl not go vnto Christe , is he whiche doeth not beleue , that he nowe begynneth to raygne with Christe . It is writen , The iust man liueth by fayth : Ro. 1. If thou be a iuste man , thou lyuest by fayth . If thou beleuest trewely in god , commyng to Christe , and beinge sure of his promyse , why doeste not thou runne and imbrace Christe nowe thou arte called ? Why doest not thou thanke god and reioyce , that thou arte out of the diuilles daunger .

¶ The iuste man Symeon , who verelye was a good and a iuste man , and kepte the commaundementes of god fulle of faythe , whan aunswere was made vnto hym from almyghty god , that he shulde not dye vntyl he had seene Christe : whan Christe beinge ababe came with his mother into the Temple , he in spirite knewe , that Christe was nowe borne , of whose commynge he was before warned . And whan he behelde hym , he knewe that he hym selfe shulde shortly after departe from this worlde : wherfore being ioyfull of death that approchid , and beinge sure of his soone sendinge for , he toke the blessed babe in his armes , and with prayses & thankes vnto god , he sayde with a lowde voyce . Luc. 2. Nowe good lorde thou wylte lycence thy seruance to departe from this mortall lyfe in peace accordynge to the worde that thou sendest me . For nowe myne eyen haue beholde thy prouision of remedye that thou haste prepared in the syghte of all people . As who sayth prouynge and witnessynge also , that then peace was comne to the seruantes of god : and that then was a pesible quietnesse . Whan we being drawen oute of the stormes of this worlde desyre to come to the hauen of parpetuall suretye , and also whan deathe beinge from vs excluded , we atteine to immortalite or life euerlastyng . That is our peace , that is our sure tranquillite , that is our stedfast , our fyrme , & perpetual suretie . Furthermore what els do we in this world : but fight against the deuyll daylye in batayle , and agaynst his waypon and ordinaunce make resistence with contynuall conflictes ? Enmies of man● we stryue dayly with auarice , with lechery , with wrathe , with Ambicion , we haue a busy & payneful wrastlynge , with carnall vices and worldlye delectacions . The mynde of man is besyged and all aboute compassed and assaulted with synne , and hardly is matched on al partes , and may vneth resiste and defende hym frome all . For if he ouerthrowe Auarice , than sterteth vppe lecherye : If lechery be oppressed , ambicion cometh in her place : & althoughe ambition be neglected , yet wrath wyll exasperate , pride inflatith , drunkennesse allureth , enuy breketh concorde , and by the same is frendshyp dissolued . Thou arte constrayned to curse , whiche the lawe of god doothe prohibite : Thou arte compelled to sweare , whiche is vnlefull . These persecutions thy mynde daylye doeth suffer , with these many perils thy stomake is vexed : And yet doeste thou delyte to tarye longe here amonge the swordes of people malycious , whan rather thou shuldest couayte and desire ( dethe settynge the forwarde ) to haste the towarde Christe , Ioan. 16. he sayenge to vs in his doctryne : Ioan. 16. I telle you verely , ye shall boothe wepe and wayle , but the worlde shal reioice and be mery : ye sha● be heuy and sorowefulle , but your heuynesse shal be torned into myrthe . Nowe who wyll not make haste to come where he shall be mery ? who will not wyshe to lacke alwaye heuynesse ? But at what tyme our sorowe shall be torned to mirth , our lorde hym selfe declareth , sayeng : I shal se you againe , I●●● . 16. & your hartes shal reioyce , and that gladnes shall no man take from you . Wherfore sith to see Christ is perfecte reioysyng : and our gladnes maye not be without beholdinge of him , what blyndenes of minde yea what madnesse were hit to loue the vexacions , paynes , and continual sorowes of this present worlde : And not rather to make all spedy deligence to come to the ioyes , whiche maye neuer be taken from the ? This doth happen dere frendes by cause that faythe lacketh : for no man doeth beleue that suche thynges shall come , whiche almyghty god , who euer is trewe , hath all redy promised , whose worde is eternall , and to theym that beleue , alwaye sure and constant .

¶ If an honorable man and of greate grauitie dyd promise the any thynge , thou woldest truste him , and woldest not thynke to be deceyued of hym , whome thou knewest to be as well in worde as in dede substanciall and stedfaste . But nowe all mighty god talkith with the in his scripture , and thou as false and disloyall doste flitter in a mynde mistrustefull and wauerynge . God hath promised to the whan thou shalt departe from this world , immortalitie and lyfe euerlastynge . And yet not withstandynge thou doubtest : that is as moche to say , as thou knoweste not god . And also thou wyllynglye offendest Christe the mayster of all theym that beleue , with the synne of incredulitie or lacke of beleue , and that thou beinge constitute and admitted in to the church of god haste not faythe in the house of fayth . How moche the departing from this worlde shall be to thy profite Christe him selfe master of our profyte and helthe dothe declare , where he sayth to his disciples , whiche sorowed by cause he tolde them that he wolde depart . If ye loued me , ye wolde reioyce , Io. 14 for as moche as I goo to my father . Therby teachinge and declaringe vnto vs , that whan they whome we doo mooste fauour or loue , doo departe oute of this worlde , we shulde rather be glad than sorye . Whiche thynge the blessed appostole remembrynge sayth in his Epistole : Phil. 1 My liuing is Christe , & death is to me gayne and auauntage . Accomptinge the gretteste gayne not to be tangled in the snares of this worlde , not to be subiecte to synne or carnall vices : And beinge deliuered from troublous vexacions , and from the venemouse teeth of the diuell , to departe ( Christe calling vs ) to the ioye of helthe euerlastynge .

But there be some men , which be greued for as moch as this trouble vexeth vs , equallye as moche as the infydels . As it were that a christen man beleueth , to that intente onely , that he wolde be free from the touche of al grefe and disease , and inioy this worlde prosperousely . Some be offended for as moche as mortalite is to vs with other in commune . What thynge , I pray you , haue not we with other in commune , as longe as this commune carnalytie remayneth accordynge to the ordinaunce of our fyrste natiuitie ? As longe as we be here in this world , we be ioyned together with al man kynde inequalyty of fleshely substance : but in spirite we be separate . Therfore vntyl this corruptible matter be with incorrupcion induyd , and this mortall substance do receyue immortalite , and this spirite do bringe vs vnto god our father , what so euer incommodities do belong to this carnall bodye , they be to vs with mankynde in commune . For like as whan with colde blastes ( whiche do the cause barennesse ) the erthe is ( as it were ) fastinge and withoute foode , hungre doethe excepte no man . And whan a citie is wonne with enemyes , by captiuitie all thynge is wasted . And whan fayre wether restraynethe showers , hit is but one drowth vnto all men . And whan a shyppe is all to rent on a rocke , the wrecke is commune to al them , whiche be in it : Also the payne of the eyen , violence of feuers , and disseasis of all other membres be to vs with all other in commune , as longe as this commune bodye is borne aboute in the worlde . More ouer a christen man beleuinge by any lawe or condicion , lette hym knowe and remembre that he must trauaile more in this worlde than anye other , for as moche as it partayneth to hym to wrastle with the diuyl , with greatter resystence . And that to do he is warned and taughte by holye scripture , sayenge : Eccl. 2 , My sonne whiche gost to the seruice of god , stonde faste in iustice and dreade , and prepare thy soule to receyue temptation . And in an other place . Suffre both in grefe and in feare , and haue pacience in thine humilyte , for as well golde as siluer be tryed with fyre . In this wyse Iob , Iob. 1. after the losse of his goodes , and deathe of his chyldren , beinge tormented with paynefull sores and bytynge of wormes , was not vanquished , but onelye proued : who in his paynes and afflictions , declarynge the pacience of his deuout minde , said as foloweth : Iob. 1. Naked I came from the wombe of my mother , and naked I shal retorne to the erthe , our lorde gaue it to me , and our lorde hath taken it from me , as to oure lorde it best semith , so is hit happened : blessed be the name of our lorde . And whan his wyfe wolde haue perswaded hym , that as if he were by the violence of payne out of pacience , he shoulde with a grudginge and disdaynouse voyce speake some thynge agaynste almyghty god , he aunswered vnto her and sayd : Thou spekiste like one of the lewde or foolishe women . Iob. 2. If we haue receyued goodes of the handes of oure lorde , why shall not we than suffre euilles paciently ? In all those thynges whiche happed to Iob , he neuer offended with his lippes in the sight of our lord . And therfore our lorde doeth witnesse thus of hym saying to Sathan : Haste thou taken good heede of my seruaunt Iob ? there is none in the worlde lyke to hym : A manne without grutchynge , the verye trewe worssyppar of god almyghty .

¶ Also Toby after his honourable warkes , and the manyfolde and famous commendacions of his deedes of mercy , he was striken with blyndnesse , and notwithstandynge he dreadyng and blessynge almyghty god in all aduersities , finally by that bodilye detriment he increaced to parpetuall praise : nat withstandinge that his wife , willinge to abuse hym , tempted hym , in this wyse saynge : where ben thy warkes of marcie become ? Tob 2. Lo nowe what thou suffrest . But Thobias beinge constante and stedfast , and also armed with trewe faith , wherby he suffred vexations and grefes , yelded not to the temptation of his frayle wife , but moche rather with greatter pacience deserued the fauour of god . And therfore he was afterwarde of Raphael the aungel commended , who sayde to hym these wordes . To publysshe and confesse the warkes of almyghtye god hit is honorable . For whan thou and Sara thy sonnes wyfe prayed , I offered the remembraunce of your prayer in the presence of the clerenesse of almightye god , sens thou haste buryed them , whiche died openly , and hast not forborn to ryse and leaue thy dynar , and gone thy waye and buryed the deed : I am sente to proue the. And in an other place the same angell sayth : God hath sente me to heale the and Sara thy sones wife , I am Raphaell one of the seuen angelles , whiche be present and conuersaunte before the cleernesse of god almightye .

¶ This maner of sufferaunce is alwaye in good men . This lesson the holye apostoles kepte according to goddes commaundment , not to murmoure in aduersitie , but what so euer hapnith in this worlde , to take it paciently , consyderynge that the Iewes offended by murmourynge often tymes agaynste god , as our lorde hym selfe wytnesseth in the booke named Numeri , sayenge : Nu. 20● Lette them leaue theyr murmourynge , and they shall not dye . Trewely deere bretherne we oughte not to murmour or grudge in aduersities , but to suffre strongly and paciently all that shall happen vnto vs , sens it is writen : Psal. 50● The spirite that is troubled is a sacrifice to god . For the harte which is contrite & made humble , god neuer despisith . Also the holy goste by Moyses in the booke of Deutromy warnith the sayinge : Deut. 8. Thy lorde god shall vexe the , and sende to the scar●cite : And than it shall be knowen in thy harte , if thou shalte kepe well his commandmentes or no. And agayne , your lorde god tempteth you , that he may knowe if ye do loue your lord god with al your hart & with all your soule . For so was god pleased with Abraham , Gen. 22. who to plese god neyther fered to lose his sonne , nor yet refused to sle him . But thou what so euer thou arte , that maiste not suffre the losse of thy son taken from the , eyther by the lawe , or by chaunce of mortalitie : what woldeste thou do , if thou were commanded to sle him ? The feare of god & faithe shulde make the redye to sustayne all thynge . Admitte that thou haste losse of thy goodes , or that thou be cruelly vexed with syknesse of thy membres contynuallye : or that thou be despoiled by the deth of thy wyfe , thy children , or thy mooste deere frendes and companions . Let not these be to the any displeasures , but rather batayle agaynste worldlye affections , ne let theym not breake or make wayker the fayth of Christ , but rather lette theym declare in that debate thy vertue or puisance : sens al violence of yuelles , which be presente are to be had in contempte vppon truste of good thynges , whiche shall happen hereafter . For excepte warre go before , there maye be no victory . But whan after batayle ioyned there ensuethe victorye , than to the vaynquishours is gyuen the garlande . Semblablye in a tempest a good master is knowen , & the soudiour in bataile is proued . Bosting out of perill is pleasant , but resystence in aduersitie is the tryall of truthe . The tree whiche with a deepe roote standeth faste in the grounde , is not meued with euerye puffe of wynde that bloweth . Also the shyppe whiche is well couched to gether with a stronge frame , thoughe she be often hitte with the wawes , yet is she not bouged . And whan the corne is thresshed in the barne , the sounde and stronge grayne continueth the wyndes , while the chaffe is blowen about with euery light blaste . So the Apostole Paule after his wrecke on the se , after his whippynges , after sondry and greuouse tormentes sustayned in his body , he dothe not saye , that he was vexed or troubled , but that by those aduersities he was amended : as he wold say , that the more greuously that he was troubled , the more surely was he than proued . 2. Cor. 12. There is gyuen to me ( sayth he ) a pricke in my fleshe , a messenger of the diuell , whiche continually stryketh me to the intente that I shall not be extolled in mynde . Wherfore thrise I desyred god , that I moughte be therof delyuered . And he aunswered me : Content the with my grace . For in infirmitie vertue is tried .

Therfore whan we be vexed eyther with infirmitie , feblenesse , or any aduersite , than is our vertue proued : than our faithe , if it abide and be constant , is crowned , accordyng as it is writen : Eccl. 27. The fornaise trieth the pottars vessel , and temptacion of trouble trieth men that be good . Betwene vs christen men and other , ●he onely diuersitie is , that they in aduersitie doo grutche and complayne , And vs Christen people aduersitie may not calle a way from the truthe of vertue and faythe : but doth corroborat or strength vs in the grefe , that we suffre . That the bealy resolued with fluxes expulsethe by the bowels bodylye strength : or that the superfluos heat ingendred in the marowe of our bones , inflameth out by blysters in our chekes : that our bowelles be shaken with continuall vomyttes : that with abundaunce of bloudde our eyen do burne in oure heedes : that some mennes fete and other membres putrified be cutte of or rotted : that by losse of membres or other harme taken by siknes either our goinge is febled , or our heringe is stoppid , or our syghte is peryshed : all this profiteth to the doctrine of fayth . And to resyste with the powars of an immouable mynde agaynst so many assaultes of dystruction and dethe . what valyantenesse of currage is hit , ye and what honour to stande bolte vpprighte amonge the ruynes of man kinde , and not to lie prostrat with them , whiche hope not in god ? We therfore muste rather reioyce , & take in good worth the rewarde of the tyme : that whyle we do constantly declare our fayth , & by sustaynynge of labour doo approche vnto Christe : by Christes strait● passage , we may receyue by his iudgemente the rewarde of lyfe , whiche fayth doth require . Lette him hardyly feare , that not being regenerate by water and the holy gost , is committed to the terrible fiers of hel : Let him feare that is rekened no partener of the crosse & passion of Christ : Let him also fere which from this carnal deth , shal passe to the second deth : & let him feare , whome ones departed out of this world , euerlasting fyre shal torment with paines continual : Finally let him be aferd , vnto whom by longe tarieng here this one thing auaileth , that his tormentes & wailinges be in the meane tyme put of or differred . Manye of our numbre do die in this mortalytie , that is as who sayth , many of our numbre be oute of this worlde deliuered . Forsothe this mortalitie lyke wise as to the Iewes and paynims hit is a pestilence : soo to the seruantes of god hit is a holsome departynge . What if good men withoute any dyuersitie doo dye with the yuell men : there is no cause , that ye shoulde therfore thynke that deth is commune to good men with them that be yll . For good men be called to ioye : the yuell men be drawen into paine , so suertie to them that beleue well , and payne to miscreauntis the soner doothe happen . Uerily good brethern we be vncurtaise and negligent hauynge regarde to goddes benefites : ne we doo recognise what is offered vnto vs . Beholde howe virgins be departid saulfe and in peace , with theyr glorye and praise , not fearinge the thretninges , corruptions , nor bordel houses of Antichrist , who is now commynge . Children are eskape● the peryll of theyr slypper aege , and haue attayned happily to the rewarde of innocencie and pure continence . The delicate matrone nowe fearith no tormentes , sence with spedy deth she hath preuented the feare of persecucion , and the handes and tormentes of cruell tyrantes . More ouer by feare of mortalitie and troubles of this tyme , they whiche were late colde in faythe , be nowe chaufed and warme : they whiche were remysse or louse , be knytte together and made substancial : they that were cowardes , be quickned in corage . The forsakers of theyr faythe be compelled to retourne : The paynems constrayned to beleue : The olde faithfull people be called to quiete : And a freshe and greatte ●oste of theym , whiche becamme souldiours of Christ in the tyme of mortalitie , is assembled with a more puisance to fyght withoute drede , when the battaile is ioyned . what a thyng is this good frendes , how conueniente and necessary is this pestilence and moraine , which semyng to be monstruouse and horrible , trieth out the goodnesse of dyuers men , and examineth the myndes of all men ? that is to say whether the hole men do ayde them that be sycke : If kynsmen be kinde one to an other : If the maisters do pitie their fraile & weake seruantes : If phisicions do not abandon theyr pacientes : If they which be cruell wyl withdrawe theyr violence . If the oppressours and robbers ( at the lest for feare of deathe ) wyll asswage the insaciable appetite of furiouse auaryce : If prowde menne wyll stoupe , or vnthryftes auale theyr lewed courage ? If they that be ryche and shall dye withoute heires of theyr bodyes , wyll any thynge distrybute amonge theyr nedy neyghboures . And surely althoughe this mortalytye were to nothynge els profitable , yet in this it hath benne aduantage to christen men , and them whiche be goddes seruauntes , that in lernynge not to feare deathe , we the more wyllyngely desyre martyrdome . This to vs is no death , but an exercise , whiche bryngeth to the mynde renoume of valyante courage , and by dispisynge of deathe prepareth to receiue the garlande of vyctory . But parchaunce some man wyl reply and saye : yet not withstandynge this griueth me in this present mortalitie , that where I had prepared my selfe to confesse my faythe , and hadde disposed me with all my hole harte and full power to the sufferaunce of passion , nowe preuented by deathe I am dissapoynted of martyrdome .

¶ Fyrst to be a martyr it is not in thyne owne power , but in goddes wyll and election . Ne thou mayest not saye , that thou haste loste that thynge , whiche thou knowest not , whether thou were euer worthy to haue it . More ouer , god the sercher of hartes , and beholder and iuge of secrte thoughtes , doeth see the , and doeth commende and allowe the. And he whiche perceyueth to be in the , vertue prepared , for thy● 〈◊〉 shal yelde vnto the a 〈◊〉 ●ewarde . Supposest thou , hadde Cayne slayne his brother Abell , at what tyme he off●id the sacryfice vnto almighty god ? wel and yet god beynge ware of his purpose condemned the murder conceyued in the mynde , whiche Cayne dyd afterwarde execute : So like as in Cayne a malicious thoughte and a mischeuous imagination was afore seene by goddes prouidence , lyke wyse in the seruantes of god , whiche confessynge fayth in theyr thoughtes , and in theyr intentes conceyuyng martyrdome , theyr soules beinge gyuen to that good purpose , be crowned of god theyr iudge , whiche knoweth all thynge . It is not one thynge to lacke a wyll to be martired , and to lacke martyrdome to a good wyll . Suche as god fyndeth the to be whan he calleth the , so doethe he iuge the , accordynge as he hym selfe witnesseth sayenge : Apoc. 2. And all congregations shall knowe that I am the serchour of mans harte and his reynes . Nor god loketh for your bloude , but for your fayth . For neyther Abraham nor Isaac nor Iacob were slayne . And yet not withstandynge they deserued to be honoured for theyr faythe and Iustice : and to be the chefe of all patriarches : vnto whose feaste is called euery man that is founde faythfull , iuste , and commendable . we muste remembre to doo not as we our selfe wyll , but accordynge to goddis● wyll . And so god commaundeth vs euery daye to praye . Howe ouerthwarte and peruerse a thing is it that where we desyre that the wyl of god be doone whan he calleth and sendethe for vs oute of this world , we do not furth with obey his commaundement & pleasure , but agaynste that we murmoure and stryue , and be broughte lyke frowarde seruantes with heuye and sower countenaunce to our maysters presence : departynge hense with the bonde of necessitie , not with a wyllynge obedyence : and yet wyll we be honoured with heuenly rewardes of him , vnto whom we come not wyllingly , but by constraynte onely . wherfore than do we aske and desyre , that the kyngedome of heuen may come vnto vs , if worldly captiuitie so moche doth delyte vs ? Wherfore do we aske and desyre in our prayers so often rehersed , that the tyme of the reygne , whiche is promised shulde come spedyly , if our desyres and wishes to serue the dyuell are more to be sette by then to raygne with oure Sauiour ?

¶ More ouer for the playner declaration of goddes prouidence , and that our lorde , whiche afore seeth all thynges to come , will gyue to vs counsayle concernyng our very helth , it happened late , that one of our companye and a preeste , beyng atteynted with siknesse , and lokynge for death , whiche approched , desyred leaue to departe : as he was prayenge and in poynte of deathe , there stoode hard by him a goodly yonge● man of an honorable porte and maiestie , hyghe of stature and fayre , whome the syght of man mought vneth beholde with carnall eyen sauynge that he whiche was departynge out of the worlde with eyen more spiritual mought loke on suche one , and the same person so apperyng , not without indignation , as well in countenaunce as speche , grudchinglye spake in this wyse : ye feare to suffer , and ye wyll not go forthe , what shall I doo to you ? whiche was the speakyng of one that blamed and also exhorted : who allowed not them , whiche for the tyme present were carefull of persecution , and yet sure of theyr departynge , but gaue counsayle for the tyme comming . Our said brother herde , when he was dyenge , what he shoulde tel vnto other . For he herde whan he shoulde dye , that whiche he shulde reporte vnto other , and he herde not for him selfe but for vs . For what shulde he lerne , whiche was than in departyng : In dede he lerned for vs , whiche remayned , to the intent that in herynge the preeste of god blamed , whiche asked his ryghtes , we shulde knowe what was to al menne expedyente .

More ouer to vs of al other most symple , howe often hath it benne shewed by reuelation ? howe sondry tymes haue I ben playnelye commaunded of the goodnes of god , that I shulde alway affirme and openly preache , that our bretherne delyuered from this world by the callinge of god , shoulde not be bewayled and sorowed for , sens I knewe well that they were not loste but sent onely befor● vs , and so departynge preceded : And therfore as men being in iournay or vyage to be desired , but in no wyse lamented . Ne we shoulde putte on vs blacke gownes for theym , whiche nowe haue receyued and put on whyte garmentes : Ne we oughe to gyue occasion to infidels to reproue vs lefully & with good reason , for as moche as we do mourne for theym , as they were dede and looste for euer , whiche we saye do lyue euer with god , and so with the witnes of our awne hartes and stomakes reproue the fayth , which in word and sentence we haue confessed . Surelye we be the deceyuours of our owne faythe and hope , ●if that , that we say apere to be false and dyssembled . It profiteth no thinge to shewe in wordes vertu , and in dedes to distroye verytie . The apostolle Paule rebuketh , Thes. 4. chydeth , and blameth suche as be heuy or sorowfull for the deathe of theyr frendes : We wyll not ( sayth he ) good bretherne , that ye shoulde be ignorante in that whiche concerneth them that do slepe in naturall deathe , to the intente ye shulde not be sorowful , like as they be , which are without hope . If we beleue that Iesu Christe dyed and roose agayne afterwarde : In like wise god almighty shall finally brynge with hym those that slepte in Christe . Also he saythe , that they whiche doo lacke hope , be heuy whan theyr frendes do departe . But we , wh●che lyue in hope , and beleue in god , & do verely trust that Chri●● suffred for vs , and dyd eftsones ryse . We I say , whiche dwell● in Christe , and do arise by hym and in hym , why refuse we to departe hense ? or waylen and lament for theym that be goone ? Christe hym selfe our god warneth vs , sayenge : Ioan. 11. I am the resurrection and lyfe , he that beleueth in me , although that he dyethe , he shall lyue : and all that lyueth , and beleueth in me , shal neuer die . If we beleue Christe , lette vs haue faith in his wordes and promises , and we shall neuer dye . Let vs come therfore with asure gladnesse vnto Christe , with whome we shall liue and raygne euer . For by that , that we dye , we passe from death to immortalytye : in as moche as lyfe euerlastyng may not succede , without departynge from hense . All be it , it is no clere departyng , but rather a passage , & chaunge of this lyfe for the lyfe eternal , the temporall iournay perfourmed . who wyll not hye hym from the warse to the better ? Who wyll not couayte to be reformed and chaunged to the figure of Christ ? or wyll not desyre to come shortly to the dygnitie of celestiall grace ? Paule the apostell preachynge : Phil. ● . our abydynge ( sayth he ) is in heuen , from whens we abyde the commynge of Christe Iesu , who shall transforme our symple bodye in semblable figure to the bodye of his clerenes . And Christ our lord promised , that we shall be suche whan he praied to his father , that we mought be with him , and lyue with hym in eternall places , and be ioyfull and mery in the kyngedome of heuen , sayenge : Ioan. 17. Father I wyll that suche as thou hast giuen to me , that they be with me where so euer I be , and that they se the clerenesse that thou gaueste to me before that the worlde was create . wherfore he that intendeth to come to the place , where Christe is , to the bryghtnes of the Realmes celestyalle , oughte not wayle or lament , but accordynge to the hope , whiche he hath in the promyse of god , and truste that he hath in trouthe , be ioyfull and gladde in his departyng or translation from hence : For as moche as we rede , that Enoch was translated or taken oute of this worlde , by cause he pleased god , as holy scripture witnesseth in the booke of Genesis , in this wyse : Gen. ● Enoch pleased god , and was not afterwarde founden , for god translated him from hense . That thyng wherwith he pleased in the syghte of god , was that he deserued to be taken from the perylles of this presente worlde . Moreouer the holye gooste teacheth by Salomon , Sap. 4● that they , with whom god is pleasid , be the soner taken a way & deliuered from hense , lest if they shulde abyde lenger , they shoulde be polluted with worldly infections . Therfore Enoch was rapte and taken a way sodaynly , leste sensualle appetite shoulde corrupte his vnderstandynge . For his soule was vnto god pleasynge , and therfore he hastened to brynge hym out of the myddes of iniquitie . Psal. 85● Semblably in the psalmes the deuout soule hasteth spedelye towarde her god , with a syngular fayth , as it is wryten : O thou god of vertues and puissance , how wonderfull delectable be thine habitations , my soule desyrith and hastith to come to thy palayces ? Uerely he onely shuld haue wil to abyde in this worlde , whom the worlde deliteth , whom flateringe and deceptfull tyme inuiteth with vayne delectations of worldly pleasures . Nowe sens the worlde hatith a true christen man , why doeste thou loue that thinge , wherof thou art hated : & folowest not rather Christ , who hath redemed the and also loueth the.

1. Io. 2. ¶ Sayncte Iohn in his Epistole speaketh and cryeth vnto vs , exhorting vs not to loue this world in folowing our appetites : Loue not the worlde ( saythe he ) ne the thynges whiche be in it . For who so euer loueth the worlde , the charitie of the father of heuen is not in him : sens all that is in the worlde is inordinate appetite of the fleshe , inordinate appetite of the eyen , and desyre of worldlye honour , whiche do not procede of our father , but of worldly appetite . And yet the worlde and his vayne appetite shall vanishe away , but he whiche shall fulfyll the pleasure of god , shall abyde euerlastynge , lyke as god is euer eternall . Therfore good frendes let vs allway be bounde and redy to parforme all thynge that god willeth with a parfecte mynde , a faithe stable and constante , with vertue puissante and stronge , all feare of deathe vtterlye excluded , and onelye thynkinge on the immortalitie , whiche immediatelye folowethe . Let vs declare , that to be the thinge that we do beleue in : and not lament the departing of theym , whome we do fauour . And whan the daye of our sending for shal approche , let vs willynglye and withoute anye stickynge , come vnto god whan he calleth , whiche sens it oughte to be done of theym , whiche be the seruantes of god , moche rather nowe the worlde decayenge , and in poynte to falle , and also compassed with tempestes of euilles contynually assaultinge it . Also we parceyue that great myshiefe is all redye begonne , and we knowe that moche gretter is commynge : Let vs reken the grettest aduantage to departe shortelye from hense , which shal be for our speciall commoditie . If the walles in thy house shulde shake for age , and the roufe shuld trymble , and all the hole house werye of rockynge of the beames and rafters , sholde thrette to fall shortlye in ruine , woldest thou not depart thense in all the haste possible ? If whan thou art on the see , the wawes beinge dryuen vppe with a sturdye wynde , a troublous and stormy tempeste wolde warne the that thy shyp were in daunger of losinge : woldeste thou not make haste to come to some hauen ? Lo beholde the worlde rockith , and is now in fallynge : and declarith his imminent ruyne not for age or feblenes of thinges , but onely for that his ende nowe approcheth : and yet thou thankest 〈◊〉 god , nor doeste not reioyce in thy selfe , that beynge taken away with a more redye , and ( as I mought say ) a more riper departynge , thou mayste escape the ruynes , wreckes , and plages , whiche nowe thou seeste commynge . we must consyder good frendes , and often tymes thynke , that we haue renouncid this worlde , and that we dwell here but as pylgrimys and gestes . Therfore lette vs imbrace ioyfully the day whiche doeth appoynte euery man to his habitation , and delyuerynge vs hence , escaped from the snares of this worlde , restoreth vs vnto Paradise , and the kyngedome of heuen . who beynge I praye you , in a farre iornaye , wyll not make haaste to retorne home to his countraye ? who beynge on the see sayling homeward , wolde not desyre to haue a prosperouse wynde , that he maye the sooner salute and imbrace his good frendes ? Lette vs accompte Paradise to be our very countray . For there haue we the blessed Patriarches oure verye Auncetours . Why make we not haste , ye why doo not we runne apase to see our countray , that we may salute oure good Auncetours ? There doothe abyde and looke for vs a greate numbre of our deere frendes , our Auncetours , our fathers and mothers , our bretherne and children . A plentuouse and great multitude , whiche nowe be sure of theyr immortalytie , and yet do care for our suretie , do desyre to haue vs in theyr company . To come to beholde & imbrace them , lorde god what a ioye and comforte shall it be bothe to them and to vs ? what an uncomparable dilectation of the he●●●lye Regious , without feare to dye , & with assured eternitie to lyue euer : O with howe perfecte and eternall felycytie ? There is the moste gloryouse quiere of the blessed apostoles : There is the college of the gladde prophettes : There is people innumerable of holy martyrs adourned with crownes of victory for their vexations & sondry passions : there be the tender & pure virgyns triumphynge , whiche with contynence of soule and body dyd subdue the puisaunce of carnall appetites : There be they whiche beinge mercifulle in giuynge sustynaunce to the nedy personnes , dyd therby fulfyll the warkes of Iustice : There also be they , whiche obseruynge dilygentelye the commaundementes of god , dyd transpose worldly possessions vnto the heuenly treasure . To those let vs hye vs a peace good frendes that we may shortly be with them , lette vs desyre feruently to come vnto Chryste . That thought let god almyghty see in vs : That intent of our mynde and fayth , lette our lorde Christe perceyue and beholde , sens vnto the them whiche towarde hym haue moste affection , his goodnes wyll gyue his rewardes mooste abundante and pleantuouse .