Disce mori. = Learne to die A religious discourse, moouing euery Christian man to enter into a serious remerbrance of his ende. Wherein also is contained the meane and manner of disposing himselfe to God, before, and at the time of his departure. In the whole, somewhat happily may be abserued, necessary to be thought vpon, while we are aliue, and when we are dying, to aduise our selues and others.

A shorte Dialogue betweene Faith, and the Naturall man: concerning mans estate in the world, and his departure from the world.

Faith.

IS thy beleefe rightlye groun∣ded?

Natur.

I professe the name of Christ.

Fa

Ne∣uer tell me of profession. Dost thou thinke of no other estate but a bare continuance in this world onely?

Natur.

Yes, I thinke of an other worlde to come, and also of my departure from the life present.

Faith.

I would to God thou diddest in

heart, in truth, and veritie; for I feare thou doest deceiue thy self.

Nat.

As ho••o I pray you?

Faith.

Because this is but a su∣perficiall conceit.

Natur.

How know you that?

Faith.

Ma∣rie thy life is ledde in such secu∣ritie, as if thou mindedst no∣thing lesse, then y^• time to come.

Natur.

But may I not take part in the pleasures of this world, and vse them when they are offred?

Faith.

Thou maist, for honest recreation: but vse the worlde, as if thou vsedst it not

Nat.

I am of great birth and parentage.

Faith.

True honour is not of others. but of our selues.

Nat.

But my house is ancient.

Faith

Then began it by vertue, & by vertue shoul∣dest thou continue it.

Nat.

But my progenitors haue flouri∣shed.

Faith.

Tr••e, but are they not gone the way of al y^• world? and thou also must follow.

Nat.

But I am in the flower of youth.

Faith.

Yet remember

thy end, youth is but a flower that may soone sade.

Nat.

But there is nothing more distant frō the end then the beginning.

Faith.

In the state of man, it is not so, wherein often we begin and end togither

Nat.

But I haue strength.

Faith.

Boast not of strength, some litle touch of sicknesse will make thee soone stoupe.

Nat.

But I am health∣full.

Faith.

Health is a bles∣sing, and therefore vse it well.

Natur.

But I liue in great a∣bundance.

Faith.

Then liuest thou in great care.

Nat.

But I liue amidst many delightes.

Faith.

The•• liuest thou amidst manie temptations, and there∣fore take heede of them.

Natur.

But I am in high place.

Faith.

Then art thou in a s••ipperie place.

Natur.

But I haue the gouernment of manie.

Faith.

Then art thou also seruant vn∣to manie.

Natur.

But I haue friendes.

Faith.

Trust not in princes, trust not in any child of

man, trust in God.

Nat.

But I haue riches.

Faith.

If riches encrease set not thy heart vpon them.

Nat.

But I haue ho∣nors.

Fai.

Then hast thou en∣uie also.

Nat.

But I am glo∣rious in the world.

Fa.

Desire to be hid vnto the worlde, and knowne vnto God.

Nat.

But me thinks I am wel.

Fa••.

How can that be, liuing as thou li∣uest, in a vale of tears.

Natur.

But I hope for peace of mind.

Faith.

Then must thou be a cō∣queror of thine own affections.

Na.

But I haue much laid vp for many yeares.

Faith.

So saide hee whose soule was sud∣denly taken from him.

Nat.

Is our sta••e then in this world so vncertaine.

Faith.

It is.

Nat.

Then will I hope for the life to come.

Faith.

In so doing thou dost wel.

Nat.

But what shall I doe in the meane space?

Faith.

Loue God w^t all thy hart, with all thy soule, with all thy strength: and thy neighbor as

thy selfe.

Natur.

Seeing this world is so variable, then I bid all trust in earthly vanities fare well.

Faith.

Lift vp thy mind to God, in him onely is thy eternall welfare.