Minding of the great day of Judgement, a meanes to live Godlily. [ 897]
WHen Sapores King of Persia raised a violent persecution against the Christi∣ans, Usthazanes an old Nobleman, a Courtier,* 1.1 that had Sapores Govern∣ment in his minority, being a Christian was so terrified, that he left off his profession: But he sitting at the Court-gate, when Simeon an aged holy Bishop was leading to prison, and rising up to salute him, the good Bishop frowned upon him, and turned away his face with indignation, as being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to look upon a Man that had denyed the faith: Usthazanes fell a weeping, went into his Chamber, put off his courtly attire,* 1.2 and brake out into these or the like words; Ah, how shall I appear be∣fore the great God of Heaven whom I have denyed, when Simeon but a Man will not endure to look upon me; if he frown, how will God behold me, when I come before his Tribunal? The thought of Gods Iudgement seat wrought so strongly upon him, that he recovered his spiritual strength, and dyed a glorious Martyr: Thus, did but Men consider that they must one day stand before the bar of Gods Tribunal,* 1.3 they would then be casting up how things stood betwixt him and their own Souls; Would any man loyter away the day, when he knows that he must shew his work to his Master at night? Let every Man then in all his doings reme••ber his end, and so he shall never do amiss; remember that all must come to a reckoning in that great day, and that though here in this world, a Man may wear white gloves up∣on foul hands, and a crooked body may be bolstered under a silken gown; yet when they shall consider that these gloves shall be plucked off in that day, and the body be shewed naked before God, with whom they shall then have to do, it will be a meanes to order and regulate their lives, so that their appearance may be with comfort.