¶ Dyseases why they are sent vnto vs from God .

EVen as death therfore is the rewarde of synne , so likewise also diseases many a tyme are sent vnto vs from God by the occasion of our sinnes . which this by many testimonies of the scripture doth euidently appere . Ioan . 5. Psal . 88. Deute . 28.2 . Reg . 24. we are afflicted also often tymes , that our faith myght be proued . For then at the last it is to be seene how we do loue god , how much confidence we put in him , when we are thrust doune & troubled with some paynfull aduersitie . wherfor here before al thinges take heede , that all thy whole hart , mynd , & all thy senses beyng turned vnto-God , vnfaynedly thou doest repentance : & that before god thou dost bewaile & confesse thi sinnes , for the which we haue all deserued euen the moost iust angre and greuous scourge of God . But the moost plentyful consolacion , and that whiche they call absolucion , or the forgeuenes of sinnes , which Christ instituted in the churche thou shalt lerne out of the gospel of s . Ihon , the xx . chapiter . This myghty great treasure is dayly opened and offered vnto the : Receiue ye sayth Christ , the holy ghost , whose sinnes soeuer ye remytte , they ar remitted vnto them , and whose synnes soeuer ye retain , thei are retained .

Now when we haue desired pardon for our misdedes & haue obtained it , without doubt the paine and infirmitie or affliction whiche resteth vpon vs , eith●r will cease and leaue vs , or els through the farre best will of God , shal turne to the saluation of th● diseased . For this thing safely persuade with thy selfe and of this doubt nothyng , but that the same punishement or crosse ( how great soeuer a yoke and burden it seameth to the fleashe ) is certainely a fatherly fatherly rodde , with the which God draweth backe & pulleth from synne the his sonne beyng called & allured vnto him . Verely with a most ardent affection of loue God doth embrace vs , from his heart wylleth he well to vs , & doth all thinges to this end , that he myght amende vs , and that thei myght be profitable vnto vs. For whom loueth he , him doth he correct , and him here he chasteneth & scourgeth , that he might not after this life be turmented in the euerlasting paine of hel . Neither shalt thou doubt , but moost certainly conceiue with thy selfe , God to be a father that loueth the best & is moost desirous to do for thee , how angry soeuer he shal shew him selfe to be . This is not the anger of a tyrant & a mankyller but as a father entyrely louyng vs , whiche wyll not that we shuld be lost , but amending shuld repent and attaine to saluacion . This thing is more true then euer was oracle of Apollo , if that we beyng endued with so slender a fayth , can yet so much as beleue it . Fyrst of al therfore aske remission & forgeuenes for all thyne offences , but by Christ and with a heart truely bent to do repentaunce : that thou and God may well agree , that thou mayest wynne & haue him mercyful vnto the . After that , thou mayest desyre also , that he wold deliuer thee from thy vehement greife . So teacheth vs Ecclesiasticus in the xxxviii . Chapiter . My sonne sayth he , in thyne infirmitie dispise not thy selfe , but pray vnto the Lord & he shall make the whole , so prayeth Dauid also in the lxxix . Psalme .

O remembre not our old synnes let thy mercyes preuent vs and that sone . helpe vs O God our saiuiour . Lord God of hostes turne vs againe , how long wilt thou be displeased ? Shewe the light of thy countenaunce & we shal be whole .

Fyrst he prayeth for remission of sinnes , that he might be iustified through the grace of God . Then after he entreateth that the anger of God myght cease . And thou praying for the deliuerance and easement from the payne oppressyng thee , alwayes shalt put vnto this clause , thy wil be fulfylled farre most holy and precious . For we cannot prouide better for our selues , then he our father , beyng most trusty & of an infinite power , wisdome and goodnes that cannot be deminished : who no where turneth his eyes from vs , who taketh care of vs with chiefest diligence , who quyckeneth all thynges , maketh to florishe , norisheth , defendeth , bringeth vp , tendeth and kepeth from harme : who foreseeth all thynges and prouideth for them muche more and better , yea then any creature is able to wyshe .

¶ Thre thinges there be , which in the bytternes of death moost greuously & fearsly do turment vs , & with a vehement terror do moue our mindes , that is to say , synne , death , & hell or damnacion .

Synnes , wherin we haue vnthriftely & wretchedly passed ouer our lyfe , wherewith both God & our neighbour we haue moost heynously offended , these when they come to our mynde lying sicke in our beddes , we ar striken with the greatest feare and griefe , as S. Paule sayth to the Romanes . 2. Indignacion and wrath , tribulacion and anguyshe vpon the soule of eueri man that doth euil .

¶ Death .

Adam and this our fleshe most vnwillyngly dyeth . when deth therfore beginneth to approche with suche great sorowe and vexacions as no tonge is able to expresse , the heart of man is weakened and made faint . For the feareful nature & the fleshly man of ours is in miserable dread least ones beyng dead & stopped into the earth , he should neuer returne and be releued againe , & euen nowe he doth thynke him self al together to be cast away .

¶ Hell and damnacion .

These when they appere in syght , there then man feareth least he should vtterly be reiected from the presence of God , & no other thyng doth he see but eternal death . Here he had nede to quicken his spirites , here he bad nede of a stout corage , that no place might be geuen to faint hart and desperacion .

O moost mercyfull God , oh moost fauourable father grant I be●eche the and helpe that as yet we hauing our welfare and beyng in health myght learne the feare of thee , embrace & loue thy worde , set thee before our eyes as a marke of al our doynges , & that we beyng myndeful euer of this moost bytter brunt , myght defend & arme our selues so that we myght be saued , that beyng holy and dreadyng thee , might direct al thing belonging vnto vs to thy glorie , & finally enioy the lyfe eternal . Sobeit .

¶ when our synnes do burden our conscience , what is to be done .

Thynke that the sonne of god came doune from heauen to the lowest places , and being made man , hath layde vpon him thy synnes and the synnes of the whole world , & for them of his owne accorde dyed vpon the crosse , for euery of them hath been a full satisfaction , sufferyng moost bytter paynes for our sake . This blud of Christ most precious was shed also for thy saluacion Of his death euen thou art partaker , if thou wylt beleue Christ in lyke case to haue dyed for thee , as for Peter & Paul . Neither oughtest thou to dout any whyt , but that he suffered death as wel for the as he did for Paule . For thou art baptized to dye with Christ . This should comfort the , this should styrre vp and strengthen thy mynde . For seyng that thou art baptized to dye with Christ . The death of Christ shall heale and helpe the . By the death of Christ thou shalt dye vnto thy synnes . By the death of Christ thou shalt receyue a sure forgeuenes of all thyne offences , furthermore by the death of Christ thou shalt ryse againe to a new and euerlasting lyfe . For Baptysme is a promise , a couenant , and a token of the grace & fauour of God , in the whiche thou art adioyned to God , that by him thou mayest haue a mery and quiet conscience , because thy synnes ar forgeuen thee by the resurrection of Christ . Of a suertie to the also Christ speaketh in the institucion of his supper , where he doth professe & testifie his bloud to be shed for the remission of synnes . Now therfor albeit for the moost part thou hast passed ouer thy lyfe , neither altogether innocent , neither on eueri side vnspotted , there is no cause why thou shuldest dispair But no delay made without cessyng call vpon the name of the lord , & thou shalt be safe Ro . 10. And brast out into these wordes O most merciful god , o father of all pitie , the father of our Lord Iesus Christ , be fauourable vnto me beyng a synner , ayde me a wretche with thy spedy helpe , extendyng thy mercye for that most sharpe & yet most glorious passion and death of thy onely begotten sonne Iesus Christ our onely redemer & sauiour , sobeit , sobeit . Enter not Lord into iudgement with thy seruaunt . Deale not with me according to my desertes , neither reward me accordyng to my vnrighteousnes , but for thine infinite & vnceassyng goodnes & mercyes sake receiue me . A wretched & a feble creature am I in thy hand In thy powet & in thy det I am . O moost meke , O moost myghty God , O father most redy to forgeue , leaue me not , cast me not away as a wretche forsaken .

Thyne I am altogether . None there is that can comfort , none there is that can deliuer , none there is that can helpe me , but thou onely . Thou art the true remedy to put awaye mischief , thou art the surest and presentest ayde helpe , stay , and bulworke in al necessitie , thou art a tower of chiefest defence . Thou O GOD art our refuge , thou art our strength , thou art he whiche deliuereth vs out of tribulacions . In the O Lord do I trust , let me not be confounded . Let me neuer be ashamed , beyng ledde with a vaine hoope , but through thy iustice saue me .

Bowe doune thyne eare vnto me , make hast to deliuer me , be vnto me a God of defence , and a house of succour that thou may make me safe . Thou art my fortitude and my refuge . Thou art my Lord . My lottes are in thy handes , Shew the lyght of thy countenance vpon thy seruant , saue me through thy mercy O Lord . Furthermore chiefly this thou art to be admonished of , whiche art payned with sickenes , that thou thynkest not of the synnes that thou hast doen , but rather behold the ymage of the holsom & most precious death of Christ beyng sette before thyne eyes , prynt that throughly in thy minde , & {per}suade thy self stedfastly , with thy offences that thou hast committed now not the but Christ to be bourdened , al those to be layd vpon the shoulders of Christe : whiche hath pourged them beyng turned vpon him , & hath paied the price of them for our sakes : so that he wyl neuer impute them vnto vs , but forgeue them all freely , as in our Crede we say , I beleue the forgeuenes of synnes .

¶ Here testimonies of the scripture ought diligently to be declared vnto the sicke person , of the remission of sinnes by Christ wherof we haue hereafter rehersed some , that thei myght be in redynes .

Ioan . 1. Behold the lambe of God , whiche taketh away the synnes of the world .

1. Peter . 1. Not with corruptible thinges , as with gold and syluer we ar redemed , but with the precious bloud of Christ , as of a lambe vndefiled & without spot .

These sayinges , brother , most depely let synke into thy mynd ; let this styrre vp & comfort the . There is no cause why thou shouldest doubt of the forgeuenes of synnes . For certainely if thou hast professed the name of Christ , and puttest thy confidence in his mercy , he wyl take away thine offences also . And if thou wilt shrynke nothyng , but constantly beleue this thyng , euen now thou art deliuered from al thy misdedes , euen now thou art made the sonne of God . There is no cause why thou shouldest wauer , there is no cause why thou shouldest be afrayde . But heare the testimonies , and heare them so , that thou mayest prynt thē in the botome of thine hart . Ioan . 3. So god loued the world that he hath geuen his only begotten sonne , that none that beleue in him should perishe , but should haue euerlastyng life . He that beleueth on him , shall not be condempned .

Math . 9. I came not to call the iust , but the sinners to repentence . Math . 11. Come vnto me all ye whiche labour and are heuy laden , and I wyll refreshe you . He calleth al vnto him , dere brother , he forsaketh none , he abiected none . In this worde ( all ) thou shalt include thy selfe also & thou shalt call vpon his mercy , & he wyl refreshe & receiue the . Ro . 5. God setteth out his loue that he hath to vs , forasmuche as whyle we were yet synners , Christ died for vs. Muche more then now ( beyng iustified in his bloud ) shall we be saued from wrath through him .

This gospel ful of the chiefest consolacion , to thee also good brother , would God the father haue denounced , whiche loueth the moost entyrely , For euen to the Christ was sent , to the also dyed he . Beleue onely , & betake the to Christ thy sauiour and thy reuenger .

Roma . 5. If when we were enemyes , we were reconcyled to God by the death of his sonne : muche more seyng we are reconcyled , we shal be preserued by his lyfe .

1. Corin . 1. Christ is made vnto vs of God , wysedome , and also ryghteousnes , and sanctifiyng , and redempcion .

Here derely beloued brother take a good courage , how great a sinner soeuer thou art , there is no cause therfore why thou shouldest be faint harted , but confesse and acknowlege thy selfe before Christ to be an offender . Call vpon the mercy of Christ , aske pardon & beleue Christ to be thy onely sauiour , Christ to be thy saluacion and iustice , and he wyll be incontinent thyne , & wyll couer & wype away al thy sinnes , that thou nedest fear neither daunger nor harme therby .

1. Cor . 5. he hath made him to be synne for vs , whiche knewe ●o sinne , that we bi that meanes should be that ryhgteousnes whiche before God is allowed . Gala . 1. Christ gaue him self for our synnes , to deliuer vs from this present euil world , through the wyll of God our father .

Ephe . 1. By Christ we haue redempcion , through his blud the forgeuenes of sinnes , according to the ryches of his grace .

1. Timo . 1. Christ Iesus came into the world to saue synners . This thyng brother , trust thou for also , put thy fayth in these wordes as S. Paule did , then thou shalt be saued & iustifyed .

1. Timo . 2. Christ Iesus gaue him selfe a raunsome for al men . This beleue stedfastly , and now thou art one of thē whiche shal be redemed without all controuersie .

Hebre 10. we are sanctifyed by the offeryng of the body of Iesus Christ ones for all .

Math . 26. Thou hearest Christ in his supper talkyng with thee , fedyng thee with his body , offeryng vnto thee that thou mayest drinke his bloud to eternal life , where as he sayth : take , eate , this is my body which is geuen for you . Do this in my remembraunce After the same maner he toke the cuppe when supper was done , saying : this cuppe is the new testament in my bloud , whiche is shed for you in remission of synnes : this do as oft as ye drinke it in the remembrance of me . These wordes thou shalt thinke to be spoken to thee and moost inwardly shalt fasten them in thy mynde . For where as he speaketh vnto al he speaketh also vnto thee : all thynges shal profyte thee , & turne to thy health and commoditie , whiche Christ hath suffered , no lesse thē they haue helped sanct Peter & sanct Paule .

1. Peter . 2. Christ his owne selfe hath borne our sinnes in his body on the tree .

1. Peter . 3. Christ hath ones suffered for synnes , the iust for the vniust , for to bryng vs to God .

1. Ioan . 1. The bloud of Iesus Christ clenseth vs from all synne . 1. Ioan . 2. If any man haue synned , we haue an aduocate with the father , Iesus Christ which is ryghteous , and he is a mercy stocke for our synnes . Thou mayest gather more sentences or fewer , euen as thou shalt se the f●ble person to be disposed .

Thou hast hard here welbeloued brother , the wordes not of a man , but of the holy ghost , whiche do testifye plainly , that God the father , which will not the death of a synner , but that he be conuerted & lyue , for that moost fragrant affection of loue that he beareth towarde thee , hath eased thee from the burden of thy synnes , & hath layd them vpon the shoulders of his most entyrely beloued sonne . He hath borne and suffered them in his body , that they cannot comdemne the at any tyme , For God doth repute and take the death of his sonne in the place of a full and sufficient repentaunce , satisfaction and redempcion for all thy mysdedes , so that thou wilt beleue in Christ . Seyng therfore that thy synnes beyng cast vpon Christ , could not kepe him in death , ouercome and condemne him , in very dede now it is satisfied for them , and they all euen now are forgeuen thee . Beleue this & thou shalt lyue for euer . Christ him selfe hath borne thy synnes , and hath dyed for them but he is rysen againe , and the synnes of them that beleue , by Christes death abundantly are raunsomed and purged . And so the straight and seuere iustice of God for synne is pacifyed , & al that more then ynough by Iesus Christ . Christ now is thyne and beleuers , with all his ryches , with his death , with his resurrection , with his ascencion into heauen , with his lyfe , with his merites , & with his glory . Ro . 8. wherfore Satan hath no power ouer thee , he can do the none iniurye , seyng that thou art iustifyed by Christ , seyng that thou art deliuered from all thy trespasses , seyng that thou art the sonne of God , God is thy father louyng the moost intyrely , for Christes sake , whiche hath reconcyled the . Therfore be of good chere , & reioyse in the lorde , for seyng that thou art in the handes of almyghty God , & saylest in the hauen of thy moost trusty and best father , thou art without all ieopardye , no incommoditie , no aduersitie can happen vnto the : for thou art hedged aboute with Gods custody and with a garison of angelles .

Christ is thyne al together , he couereth and wypeth away all thy synnes by his innocencye . None can drawe the out of the handes of thy heauenly father . As sone as this crosse and corporal punishement ( whiche forseth beyng compared to the eternal lyfe , is a most lyght & short thyng ) thou hast suffered and swallowed vp , the victorye is thyne . Christ was in the lyke , yea in farre more sharpe & horrible paine . He went before thee , he is thy heade , to whom it is necessarye that thou be made like , & dye to thi sinnes , & put of this lyfe drenched and defyled with vices , that thou mayst liue with Christ thy lord in the true euerlasting life . Let not thy sinnes greue the , there is no cause why thy conscience should be afflicted for them , seyng that thei are now taken away & abolished . That euil spirite whiche imagyneth distruction to our soules , is vanquished , is vtterly destroyed vnto thee . God now hath a respect vnto the , taketh charge of thee , defendeth and kepeth thee , all the multitude of angelles & felowship of sanctes regardeth the also . And as Christ cannot be dampned , so neither thou canst be dampned , if that thou cleuyng vnto Christ wylt beleue with all that confidence of thy heart . If that synne , death , hel , can do thy lord Christ no harme , neither can thei harme thee , if that thou art in Christ & Christ in thee . Therfore thou canst neuer be dampned . But if thy self shouldest beare & clense thine owne offences , then in dede thou couldest by no meanes be fyt to cary so heuy a burden , thi synnes would farre ouerway thee & swalow thee doune , drowned to the depe pyt of hell . But Christ beyng very God , and the same also very man , hath offered of his owne accord him self for thee , and hath placed him selfe in thy rome , paying the price of al for thee , as in the lxix . Psalme he sayth : I am fayne to pay the thynges I neuer toke .

Thou vndoubted hast commytted trespasses against thy selfe , but those Christ hath wyped out and purged for thee , and hath set thee at libertie , & made the partaker of the lyfe that euer shall endure , if that thou wilt beleue this glad tydinges . although beloued brother , that the wyckednes of the whole world shuld lye vpon the only , yet there were grace and mercy inough to be had at Gods hand yea & more then were sufficient . God hath {pro}mysed thee in Christ blissing and grace , and the same in Christ thy lord is confirmed , and stablished , full and perfite . Thou canst not but be saued , if that thou wylt cast thyne eyes vpon Christ . Nothyng is more certaine then thi saluacion . For Christ is the natural sonne of God , concernyng his substaunce the diuine truth it selfe : concernyng his humanitie our bloud and our fleshe . Of whom shall we be more sure of the geuyng and performyng the promyse of grace , thē of this Christ ? whose owne selfe is the truth of the same promyse , who loueth vs most feruently and vehemently so that he him selfe had rather suffre death , then to deceiue vs of any promyse . Wherfore if thou wylt beleue in Christ , euen nowe thou art made a copartener of the heauenly blyssyng , euen nowe thou art losed from the burden of thy synnes , euen now thou art the heire of God , and the coheire with Christ for euer . For heauen & earth shall passe , but the worde of the Lord abydeth euermore . Beleue ther fore brother , and with a good hope styrre vp thy spirite , and doubt not but that most myghty & best God , for the also , that is to say , for thi saluacion was made man , yea was borne for thee , died vpon the crosse for the , rose againe from the dead for thee , and ascended into heauen . And all those thynges which were promised vnto vs , he hath perfourmed and geuen willyngly . All the promises of God in Christ are , yea , and are in him . Amen .

2. Cor . 1. wherfore require and loke for none other thyng of God then mere grace and mercy & the same for & by Christ . For surely without Christ there is no delyght , no health , no hope , no helpe . In this Christ alon● is all comfort , all refreshing , a● ayde and defence : and to be brie● all the way to our saluacion , all grace and mercy is in him , much & without measure more great , more plentyful , & more high , then any man is able either to comprehend or desyre . God vouchesafe to graunt vnto vs a stedfast and a constant fayth : After this sort , or with a longer or shorter exhortacion , euen as the opportunitie shal require , thou shalt comfort the weake person . And I monishe the brother in the lord , that with as great endeuoure & studye as thou canst , thou with drawe thy mynd . from that dreadful and terrible beholding of thi sinnes & of death , and that thou directe all thy thoughtes vpon Christ alone , loke stedfastly with the eyes of thy mynde vpon him cleue vnto him with al thy hart receiue him into the , with a ful confidence of thi mynde cal vpon him , and betake thy selfe vnto him wholy . For in this Christ thou shalte fynde none other thyng , then chief innocency , iustice , lyfe , & soule health : which all beyng bestowed vpon thee by Christ , are nowe thyne , if that thou wylt onely acknowledge Christ , as the authour of thy saluacion & thy redemer . Wherfore very often I exhort thee , & no lesse often I beate it into the ( neither that vnaduisedly ) that thou renewe not in thy mynde the remembraunce of thyne offences , and waying the multitude and greatnes of them , thou afflict thy selfe . Thy synnes beyng farre banished from the , only Christ crucified set before thine eyes , print him in thy heart , vpon that be all thy study & thought , with a perfecte trust flee vnto him with al thi myght stycke to him gredely . & as one not possible to be dissolued from him . By this meanes thou shalt preuaile & stand stoutly against the yates of hel , although they be neuer so vengible , fearce , and horrible , Cal to thy remembraunce with how great kindnes , with what wonderful clemency , with what vnspeakeable mekenes and benygnitie Christ in the storye of the Gospel hath accepted and handeled al those synners whiche beyng stryken with repentaunce haue asked forgeuenes , and lamentably besought him of his helpe . Thou shalte fynde Mary Magdalene , thou shalte fynde the robber whiche which was hanged on the ryght side of the crosse , thou shalt find the Publicane , thou shalt fynde zacheus and diuers other , who beyng receiued by a syngular fauour , he hath pronounced free from all their synnes how lothsome soeuer they s●med to be .

For Christ is the verye grace it selfe , mercy , helpe , consolacion , lyfe , gladnes and health to all those whiche do loke for these thynges at his handes , and put their trust in him . God hath promysed all those thynges for Christes sake , whiche is the truth and cannot lye . Therfore he neuer deceiueth vs , he neuer disapointeth vs , he neuer forsaketh vs.

Furthermore when thou art in that case that thi life lieth in hasard , it shal be ryfe in thy memorye , if thou at any tyme hast harmed or done iniury vnto thy neighbour , as for example , if thou at any tyme hast by theft or force taken any thyng away , or defamed the good name of any person . Here thou shalt do the same that Christ did vpon the crosse , thou shalt pray for al thy euil wyllers , and forgeue them euen from thy heart all their offences . If any thyng of thyne be stolne from the , thou shalt not aske it againe with violence . If thou thy selfe hast conueyed any thyng away wrongfully , restore it againe if thou canst , or at the least se that it be restored : neither must thou kepe close any thyng but confesse and be sorye that thou hast synned , and desyre forgeuenes . But if by reason of pouertie thou art not able to make restitucion of that whiche thou hast taken vniustly , it shal be sufficient if thou forgeue other , whiche either vnto thi goodes or person haue commytted harme & damage , & by detraction haue stained thine honest report . I say if thou wilt from the botome of thyne heart forgeue , there is no cause why thou shouldest be carefull , comfort thi self , & doubt not but god also wyll pardon the thyne iniury which thou hast done vnto other . Neither can he of a suerty do any other but release him of his faultes , which forgeueth his neighbour . For he him selfe hath taught vs this meanes of requityng & releasyng .

Math . 6. If ye forgeue other men their trespasses , your heauenly father shall forgeue you .

¶ Whether the diseased may lawfully desyre the helpe of the Physicions and vse the remedy of medicines or no .

LEt the pacient neither set at naught the ayde of the Phisicians , neither reuerence it to much . His chief confidence let it be fyxed in god , who lyke as alone planteth the soule in the bodye , so alone he plucketh it out euen when his will is . Sometyme yet notwithstandyng the Phisician is to be sent for , least we should seme to tempt God . For where as medicines by them self can neither bryng helth nor brede diseases , yet when thei are ministred of a Phisician knowyng the nature of thynges , and well practysed in the preceptes of reason , they may lawfully be called the handes and remedies of God , herophilus beyng wytnes . whiche thyng also the holye scriptures do testifye , for it is written : honour the Phisician : because of necessitie god hath created him . The lord hath created medicine of the yearth , & he that is wyse wyl not abhorre it . Sothsayers Charmers & Coniurours , with false prayers and charmes wyl heale the infirmed , as plages ar to be auoided and driuen away : for they are the venemous handes of the euil spirites , not of al myghty God , by whose worde and power all thynges ought to be ruled and gouerned .

¶ When death putteth vs in feare what is to be done .

Thou shalte thynke that death is vanquished & vtterly destroyed by Christ And excepte Christ hauyng pytie on vs , had suffered death for vs , the feare of death should haue vexed vs with a myghty and vehement greif and with turmentes vnpossyble to haue been susteined . But death beyng now ouercommed & put to the worse by Christ , the soules of thē that beleue in Christ cannot dye and perish , But after the departyng out of this body , they go the ryght waye vnto Christ , euen as the thefe heard beyng at the point of death : to day thou shalt be with me in paradise . In the meane season the body lyth a quiet in a sure hope that it shal ryse again at the last day to that most blyssed euerlastyng lyfe , with noble glory , renowne and honour : that beyng renewed and purifyed together with the soule may liue for euer with Christ and all his electe : among whom also there shal be found many , which were ioyned vnto vs in this worlde , either by the bonde of amytie or kynred . And therfore the holy scriptures cal the death of the ryghteous a slepe . For this same very transitory , brikle , weake , mortal & corruptible bodye of ours in the last day shal be raysed euen as a man is styrred vp from his sound slepe , & immediatly death beyng extynguished & abolished , it shal shew it selfe incorruptible , glorious , bewtyfull , strong , freshe , immortal , whole , pure , sounde , and spiritual . 1. Cor . 15. Therfore the 16. Psalme sayth : How precious is the death of the sanctes . These thynges , brother , way in thy mynde , be not seduced with the worlde , whiche doth fantasy vs to dye wholy , that the body & the soule together doth decay and peryshe , & that nothyng of vs doth remain after the disseasyng out of this lyfe . But it erreth farre from the truth . At no time our body is so vyle & so muche dispysed before the face of god : his honor , glory and health is prepared and appointed for him . For this selfe same body wh●che we carrye about , which lying in bed is scourged & disquieted with sickenes , I say this self same body beyng made new againe and glorified , together with the soule shall lyue for euer . But if we should lese our bodyes , and neuer recouer them againe , nothing precious and goodly , but base , horrible , and moost fylthy were the death of the sanctes . Wherfore ponderyng these thynges with diligence , thou shalt vnder prop with sentences of the scripture thy wauering mynde , strengthned with a sure hoope , Beleue them and doubt nothyng . They are certaine and moost true that Isay . Euen as the bodye of Christ lying buryed vnto the iii . day , the third day reuiued vnto a newe and euerlastyng lyfe , neuer to dye againe , So also th●… bodyes of all them which hath slepte in Christe , that is to say , whiche hath beleued in Christ , do rest in their graues to the tyme onely of the moost ioyful & pleasaunt resurrection with a most stedfast hope to ryse againe in that last day to a newe & perpetual lyfe , where there shal be neither sinne , nor death , nor any calamitie at all , nor any other thyng then iustice , innocencye , life , gladnes , blissednes & health for euer and euer . God hath promised these thynges , whiche is of an infinite power , whiche is the truth it selfe . They shall come to passe therfore without controuersie . Geue credite to his promises , welbeloued brother .

Furthermore the testimonyes of scripture as touching the resurrection of the fleshe , ought depely to be pondered & throughly poured into thy mynd . Sanct Paule teacheth vs this thyng , that we establishyng one an other mutually with suche lyke talkynges of the resurrection , may put our myndes in a good comfort . Neither can there any more certaine or more plentyful consolacions be geuen , then those that we learne out of the scriptures concernyng the resurrection . We do not pronounce the wordes of man but of God , who without faile & that myghtely wil performe those thinges that he hath spoken . No man can chaunge the wyll of God , no man can let or hinder his purpose & intent . His power is infinite : He is true & trusty , his goodnes and mercy is vnspeakeable and neuer ceassyng . Let no man therfore hault at this thyng .