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THyrdly I say that any man may more merytoryousty helpe & cōforte his owne soule whan that he is here lyuynge, than any other frende of his after his dethe. For now is the tyme of merytynge. And after this lyfe whan the nyghnes of dethe is come, thou canst meryt no more. And therfore our sauyour sayth (Veniet antē nox quādo nemo potest operari). whan deth is comen ones, farewell the tyme of merytoryouse workynge.
¶ I wyll nat say the contrary but thy frendes
prayers after thy dethe may moche profyte the: Neuerthelesse I say that thyne owne prayers as deuoutly sayd for thy selfe here in this lyfe, sholde haue profyted vnto the moche more. For as all the dysputers agree, the hyghest de∣gree of fruyte in euery mannes prayer retour∣neth vnto hym selfe. And it is but a secondary fruyt that retourneth into other.
¶ Now therfore chrysten man whyles thou art in this lyfe, and whyle thou haste tyme and space. Study to make amendes for thy synnes. Study to store thy soule by trew contrycyon and sorow for thy synnes. Study here for to wasshe the same often with the gracyouse wa∣ter of teares. Study to clense thy soule with often renewynge of thy confessyon. Study here by thy good and gracyouse workes to pay thyne owne dettys before thy departure hence. Study to kepe the commaundementes of god▪ without the whiche thou can nat entre into the kyngdome of heuyn. Be now redy to forgyue al iniuryes and wronges done vnto the, that there by almyghty god may the rather forgyue the suche trespasses or iniuryes as thou haste before tyme commytted vnto hym. Praye for thy selfe fast. For thy selfe gyue almesse. For thy selfe pray, and procure other to pray for the lyke wyse. Better is now one peny spent for the welth and saluacyon of thy soule whan thou mayst kepe it vnto thy selfe, than a thousande after thy dethe whan thou mayst no longer haue the vse the vse therof. ¶ Do thus, & by the
grace of god thou shalt eschew that paynefull pryson. ¶ Do thus▪ and thy soule shall be clen∣syd & stored agaynst thy departure out of this worlde, that thou shalt without any longe de∣layes or taryenge by the way, be receyued into the Joyous kyngdome / where thou shalt se the gloryouse syghtes of that moste wonderfull con¦trey, and be made partyner of the moost excel∣lent Joyes and pleasures whiche there euery where dothe abounde, and euer shall endure / to the which he brynge vs that for vs all dyed vp∣pon the crosse, our sauyour. Chryste Jhesu. Am̄.