Death.
1 AS we must thinke of life as being content to die, so we must thinke of death as be∣ing content to liue: And they are as well to be liked of, that measurably feare* 1.1 death, as they who ioy so much at it; because they that moderately feare death, haue this in them more than the other (which is also allowable by grace and nature) that they tremble at Gods iudgements.
2. He said, be neuer durst desire to die, howsoeuer his continuall crosses did affoord him small desire to liue: therefore he feared and forewarned men of these kindes of wishes, be∣cause* 1.2 often the Lord heareth a man in iudgement, though in some mercie, and when he wisheth this or that affliction▪ he laieth it on him, so that after he cannot doe that good to others, which to his owne comfort he might haue done.
3 To one that said she feared death, he said: As I would haue you to thinke of life, as being content to die, so thinke of death as you would also be content to liue: and as for the feare of death, I like as well of them that measurably feare it, as of them who so ioy at it, for I hope and like well of them also. Howbeit I see not this in those, which is in them, and which is a thing both allowed by grace and nature, that is, that they tremble at Gods iudgements. You will say, that notwithstanding you see not why you should not feare death▪ seeing you finde no comfort in life: to which I answere, that your life hath not been without comforts, howsoeuer things gone are soone forgotten, though your cōforts were not in the full measure hoped for, and it may be that plentifull measure shall be giuen you in death. But what if you should die in this discomfort? for my part (as I my selfe looke for* 1.3 no great things in my death) I would not thinke more hardly of you, neither would I wish any to iudge otherwise of Gods childe in that estate of death: for we shall not be iudged according to that particular instance of death, but according to our generall course of life,* 1.4 not according to our deed in that present, but according to the desire of our hearts euer before▪ and therefore we are not to mistrust Gods mercie in death, be we neuer so vncom∣fortable, if so be it hath beene, before, sealed in our vocation and sanctification.