A riche storehouse, or treasurie, for the sicke, full of Christian counsels holesome doctrines, comfortable persuasions, and godly meditations, meete for all Christians, both in sicknesse and in health. Wherevnto is annexed a comfort for poore prisoners, and also an exhortation to repentance. Written in Dutch, by Gaspar Huberine, and Englished by Thomas Godfrie, esquire, late ... fruits and ... at the request of his dangter Marie, wife ... Iohn French, gentleman of the Inner Temple

¶ If the sicknesse do linger and driue off, so that the patient be assaulted with grieuous sick∣nesse, then may a body sometime shewe him of these comforts following, and alwayes de∣clare one comfort or two. For like as a body must nowe and then releeue the sicke body, with comfortable medicines, and brothes: likewise shal now and then releeue and quic∣ken the soule, whereby the soule may haue her sustenaunce. And yet we shall not be te∣dious to the sicke, and make him haue no de∣light, or be offended in his head, and euer to haue regard, whether he be troubled with any temptation, and whether he haue a desire and

lust to heare Gods word: for the sicke must haue his ease and quietnesse. So that with too much reading and crying vpon him, ye bring him into raging, or passions, and make his head ydle, feeble, and weake. Herein ought e∣uery body to vse discretion, and put diffe∣rence.

FFirst welbeloued in Christe, let not any tentatiō make you faint harted: for Christe is a valiant & mightie king, ouer death, sinne, and all aduersitie. Therefore abide vpon this stone, which is Iesus Christ, stande fast, and so can∣not the gates of hell preuaile against you. Then this Lord and King is gone before you vnto death, he hath trodē the pathe, and made the way, and also hath ouerthrown death, & taken his strength from him: so that death cannot hurt you, hinder you, nor kéepe you backe. Therefore be not dismayed euen in the middest of death, and thinke thus. In the name of God, Gods will be don. All this geare will be gone within a twink∣ling of an eye. Then shall I passe tho∣rough the snares of death. Then haue I throwen at my backe all misfortune,

feare, and desperation. For this pre∣sent death is vnto y^e faithful a safe port, through which I shall goe into heauen. Then muste sinne, death, hell, paines, passions, hunger, thirst, frost, trouble, and all aduersitie together ceasse and leaue-off. Therefore be not dismaied, for if GOD be with you, who shalbe a∣gainst you? Say, avaunt and fare well nowe the whole worlde, and also the Prince of this worlde, whiche woulde hinder you the way to euerlasting life: for as much as Christe is your Iustice, your Loadesman and your Guide.

Secondely, well be loued, if Gods wrath, threatening, and punishment, shoulde feare you, dismay you, or trou∣ble your mind, as though our Lord God as an earnest and seuere Iudge, should deale with you according to his extreme iustice for your sinnes past, then shall you from henceforth call vpon our Lord Christe, the vnspotted Lamb of GOD, whiche hath taken your sinnes vppon him, and thus flée from y^e place of Gods iustice, & commit your selfe to the mer∣cie

seate of Christe our Lorde. For ye haue a speciall and faithfull promise of our Lord Iesus Christe: for he hath be∣stowed and giuen him selfe for wretch∣ed sinners, and so bound and pledged him selfe for all penitent sinners, that he will stand to them, and deliuer them from Gods wrath. Also Saint Paule witnesseth 1. Thes. 1. God hath our Lorde Iesus (saith the holy Apostle) raised vp from death, that hath deliuered vs from the wrath to come. And 1. Thes. 5. saith Saint Paule further, God hath not appointed vs to inherit his wrath, but to inherit his bles∣sednesse, through our Lorde Iesus Christe, whiche died for vs. Marke and consider this diligently.

Thirdly, welbeloued, if the worlde do trouble you, and though some folkes, specially your enimies and euil willers reioyce and be glad that you (according to their desires) be so gréeuously hand∣led, and that you be now by God so fore punished, and that they therfore mocke, scorne, despise you, and make greate cheare at your trouble: yet let not that

trouble nor tempt you: for séeing that wicked people mocked Christe at the houre of his death, and made great cheare at it: likewise shall you of the worlde not escape such thinges. Séeing you be a member of Christe, you muste suffer in your body, all such troubles as wanted in Christes passion, as Saint Paule saith, the first Chap. to the Colos∣sians. Therefore is the worlde a stub∣borne, proud, and wicked child of sathan whiche is full of all wickednesse, dissi∣mulatiō, mockerie, & backbiting. Christ for our comforte hath tolde vs before, that we muste suffer and beare many thinges of the worlde, and that the worlde shoulde laugh vs to scorne, and shoulde reioyce at our trouble: and we on the other side, a little while shuld be pensiue and sorrowfull. But Christ comforteth vs and saith, Your sorrow shal be turned into ioy. Iohn 6. And Iohn, 17. In the world you shall haue sorrowe & care: but comfort your selfe, I haue ouercome the worlde. Thus shall you in faith beare all the wickednesse of the world, suffer,

and ouercome. For, Our faith is the vic∣torie that hath ouercome the worlde, Iohn. 15.

Fourthly, moreouer dearely beloued, if Moses the lawegiuer set vppon you, and will make you afraid with his debt booke, and put you out of countenaunce for your great debtes & notable sinnes, whiche you are bounde to satisfie and pay the terrible iudgement of God, as y^t ye are a breaker or transgressor of gods lawes, and therfore, will call you to ac∣compt, and giue euidence against you, and condemne you with your own hand writing & your own consciēce (knowing y^e same to be true) complaine vpon you, and accuseth you: then shall you before Moses by and by bring forth your Chri∣stian libertie, wherby Christ hath made you frée, and deliuered you from the lawe, and from the curse and maledic∣tion thereof. For, If Gods sonne haue made you free, then be you free in deede, Iohn. 8. And as Saint Paul further doth shew and confirme such fréedome, Galat. 3. where he saith thus, Christe hath deliue∣red

vs from the curse of the lawe, when he was made a curse for vs. Thus can the curse neuer more ouerrunne nor trou∣ble you, séeing it hath once all together fallen vppon Christe the most innocent Lambe. Therefore, séeing Christe is the ende of the lawe, whosoeuer beleeueth on him is made righteous, Rom. 10. Ther∣fore saith Saint Peter, Be you lustie and strong. Actes, 15. that ••e are nowe taught, that forgiuenesse of sin••es commeth by this man, and of all them whereof ye could not be made righteous in the lawe of Moses. Who so euer beleueth on Christ, is righteous. Here is nowe onely all sinnes taken a∣way. So that no man can, or dare, lay any thing to the charge of the faithfull, neither Moses nor the lawe. Therfore be of good comfort.

Fiftly, furthermore dearely belo∣ued, I doe aduise you, that you will not suffer the great weight and burden of your sinnes to presse, and weigh you downe, and trouble you. For sinne, I assure you, is an heauie burden, to a fearefull conscience. Wherefore con∣tinually

cast your sinnes from you, and out of your consciences, and caste them vppon Christ, for he is the right carrier of our sinnes as holy Saint Iohn wit∣nesseth, Iohn. 1. where he saith, Behold, this is the Lambe of God that beareth or carrieth away the sinns of the world. Therefore let the Lorde and valiaunt Champion take vppe your sinnes, and carrie them vppon him selfe. For God hath appointed him thereunto, as Saint Paule saith, where he saith thus, GOD hath appointed him (namely Christ) that neuer knewe sinne, to be sinne it selfe for our sakes: to the intent that we shoulde be by him that righteousnesse, that is auayleable before God. Behold, this righteous and innocent Lord hath taken all your sinnes vppon him selfe, borne them, satisfied for them, and ran∣somed them, and hath clothed you, deck∣ed and trimmed you, with his innocent righteousnesse and iustice: For, Christ (saith the Prophete Esaie. 53.) is for our sinns wounded, and for our sinnes beaten and smitten. Correction is laide vppon him, to

the intent that we should haue peace, and by his wounds should be healed. Behold, for Gods sake, & thinke vpon this w^t all dili∣gence ernestly. Christ (saith y^e Prophet) is wounded for our sinnes, whereby we might be made whole. The wrath & the correctiō is cleane gone ouer him, to the intent that we should be w^tout correcti∣on, & might inioy peace with GOD. So haue you deliueraunce in Christe by his bloud, namely forgiuenes of your sinnes according to the richnesse of his grace, Ephe. 1. For, Christe is therefore come into this worlde, to make sinners holy & blessed. 1. Tim. 1. As Christ witnesseth of him selfe, Matth. 18. And Luke. 19. The sonne of man (saith he) is come to seeke and to make blessed that that is lost. For God hath not sent his sonne into the worlde, that he should condemne the world, but that the world by him shold be made hapie, whosoeuer beleeueth on him shall not be iudged, Also, Christe is the forgiuenesse of our sinnes. Beléeue this comfortable saying, from the bottome of your heart, and stay your selfe more vppon Gods mercifull pro∣mise,

then of the deceites of sathan, and of the daungerous imaginations of your reason. Giue God the honour, bicause he is so merciful a God, that of a wretched sinner he will make a child of God, if a man will only trust vpon him.

Sixtly, moreouer welbeloued, though nowe death at the last will come and stare in your face, and should with his greuous countenance make you afraid: for he is such a capteine and giant, that he will make one beléeue, he will eate vp the whole world, and therfore he ga∣peth so wide: yet be not afraide of him, for he aduaunceth him selfe maruel∣lously, and is ougly to behold: howbeit, he hath no power nor strength anye more, to ouerthrowe you. For Christe hath matched him, & throughly woun∣ded him, séeing that he hath layd hande vpon Christ the right Lion, therefore is all his strength taken from him. Ther∣fore he shall be to the faithfull no more death, but only a sléepe, as Saint Paul in the second Epistle to Timothie, the first Chapter, doth witnesse and declare

very plainly and comfortably, where he saith, Christe Iesus our sauiour hath taken the strength from death, and brought vs the light, life, and a being, by meanes of the Gospell, that shall neuer corrupt nor perish. Yea, the faythfull shall neuer taste of death, as Christe witnesseth him selfe, being the very trueth, Iohn the eight Chapter, where he saith thus, Ve∣rily verily I tell you, if any man will keepe my word (by faith) he shall not taste of death e∣uerlastingly. Looke and marke well what a noble, vertuous, and right beléefe is, for that ouercommeth and driueth a∣way all aduersitie, all plagues, sinne, & death it selfe. And a faithfull person go∣eth cleane through death, to the right life, as our Lord Christ againe witnes∣seth, Iohn 5. where he saith thus, Ʋerily verily I say vnto you, he that heareth my worde, and beleeueth on him that hath sent me, he hath euerlasting life, and shall not en∣ter into iudgement, but he passeth through death to life. There doe you sée what is necessarie for you: yea, you shall escape the iudgement of God, ouercome death,

and inioy euerlasting life: namely, to heare Gods word (as Christe saith) and beléeue the same. It requireth no great cunning, wisedome, strength, might, liueland, and preparation, to ouercome death, but this ouercomming, victorie, or triumphe, is in these two pointes, to heare and to beléeue.

Surely, my thinketh, this is a mar∣uellous victorie, that a poore, wretched, weake, and sicke man, that by reason of weakenesse, can scant moue hande nor foote, can ouercome so great a giant, as death onely, with a Christianlike hea∣ring, and a beléeuing heart. But thus can Christ auenge him selfe vpon suche a strong enimie death, that would glad∣ly haue eaten and swalowed vp Christ, that he hath so wonderfully taken away the strength from death, that a poore wretched man may ouercome death, & besides that, may mocke and laugh him to scorne, that is (I thinke) death right∣ly to despise and contemne. But howe commeth that to passe, that we ouerrun and wearied by death, shall neuerthe∣lesse

abide still aliue. That is (as Christ him selfe saith) Iohn 11. where he sayth thus, I am the resurrection and the life, who so euer beleeueth on me, shall liue, al∣though he seeme to dye. And whosoeuer li∣ueth, and beleeueth on me, shall neuermore dye. This is the right and onely cause, that the faithfull, yea, in the middest of death, imbrace the right life, Christ our Lord that giueth againe vnto them life. For, as little nowe can death any more wearie or ouercome our Lord, or holde him in death: so little can he either pu∣nish or quarell with any faithfull men. For seeing that Christ, which is the life, doth still liue, and can neuermore be ouercome, so may the faithfull neuer abide prisoner in death, but he breaketh out valiantly with Christe, and singeth the merrie song of thankes giuing, and of triumph, Death is swallowed vp in vic∣torie, for where is thy sting? Thus shal a Christian souldier looke death betwéen the browes, and manfully wage battell with him, or else woulde death eate vp, and swallow the whole world. But

if you will with a true faith encounter ••ith him, then will he quietly let you ••lone. Wherevnto Christe helpe you, he valiaunt and puissaunt king ouer ••eath and life. Amen.

Seuenthly, also welbeloued, if the di∣••ell the tempter would lay hand vpon ••ou, assault or make you despaire, as ••hough you did belong to his kingdome, ••r were in his claws, thus shal you en∣••ounter him, stande against him, beate ••im, ouercome him, first by earnest ••rayers and calling vpō God for grace, helpe, and comfort, as our Lord Christe admonished his Disciples, Matth. 26. where he saith thus, Pray you, least ye fall ••nto temptation. As also our louing Lord Christ him selfe hath taught vs to pray, Luke. 12. Oh Lord and father, leade vs not into temptation, specially when we ••re tempted by sathan, and assaulted, that we through thy grace and holy spi∣rite, may withstande him, and that we may eschue his persuasions and entice∣mentes to doubt. Therefore thus with∣stand him by prayer, for sathan is falne

downe hither to vs swiftly and inuisi∣bly, as Christe our sauiour witnesseth, Luke. 10. where he saith thus, I sawe Sa∣than fal from heauen like a lightening. But wherefore? Truely therefore, as Christ further teacheth his Apostles. Luke. 22. where he saith thus, Simon, Simon, beholde Sathan hath desired you, that he might fift you as wheat is sifted. But I haue prayed for thee, that thy faith shall not faile. Beholde nowe how sathan prouleth after euery man, he spareth no man, he durst assault the best and holiest men, namely, Adam and Eue in Paradise, though they were made to the Image of God. Also he hath not spared Gods own sonne, but assaul∣ted and tempted him in the wildernes, so hath he also desired to doe y^e like with the deare Apostles, as you heard euen nowe: therefore it is to be feared, he will also not spare you. Séeing then that is to be feared, and that we knowe his meaning, as Saint Paule saith in his second Epistle to the Corinthians, the second Chapter, that we shuld looke about vs, that we be not deceiued of sa∣than.

For (saith he) It is not vnknowne vn∣••o vs, what he purposeth and goeth about. Therefore haue a good eye vppon this ••armefull and perillous tempter, and ••riue him away by godly prayers.

Againe, thus shall you desend & stand ••gainst sathan, with a stedfast faith on Christ our Lord, chiefly, that Christe is ••ur high Priest and King, which hath o∣••ercome sathan, the same Lord can for our commoditie destroy sathan, & ouer∣••ome him: therefore shall you stedfastly ••eléeue, y^e Christ your mightie King can ••unt & driue away sathan frō you, with ••ll fantasies, dreames, toyes, and de∣••eites. For, He goeth (as saith Saint Peter. 1. Pet. 5.) about as a roaring Lion, and seeketh whom hee may deuour, whome (saith the Apostle) resist you, being strong in faith: therefore take the shield of faith, (As Saint Paule further warneth vs, where he (in the 6. to the Ephesians) saith thus, Before all things (saith he) take the shield of faith, whereby ye may quenche ••all the fierie dartes of the wicked. Therfore beléeue stedfastly, by this noble counsell

of the holy Apostle Saint Paule, where be speaketh in the first Chapter to the Ephesians, and in the first to the Colos∣sians, in this maner, God hath deliuered vs from the Prince of darkenesse, and hath established vs in the kingdome of his louing sonne, of whome we haue our deliueraunce through his bloud, specially the forgiuenesse of sinns, acording to the richnes of his grace. There doe you heare, and must with your whole heart beléeue, that our Lord Christe hath deliuered you from the po∣wer of sathan, so that the gates of hell can not preuaile against you. Matth. 16.

Thirdly, if sathan moreouer will encounter with you, then take you the sword of the holy ghost, (which is Gods worde) after the counsell of the holy A∣postle, in the 6. to the Ephesians, and set vpon him with Gods worde, after the example of Christ, Matth. 4. Therefore, if he will say vnto you this or such like wordes, The vnrighteous shall not inherite the kingdome of God. the sixt Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians. Itē it is written, Who so euer sinneth, is of sa∣than,

the first Epistle of Saint Iohn, the ••hird Chapter. Then shall you answere ••im againe with Christ, and say, Away ••athan, for it is also written, &c. And also, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 desire not the death of a sinner, (saith our Lord God) but that he amend him selfe, & ••••ue. And Christe in the 9. of Matthewe, ••aith thus, I am come to call sinners to re∣••entance. And Matthewe 18. and Luke 9. The sonne of man (saith Christ) is come ••o seeke, and to make blessed that that was ••••st. Nowe looke sathan, though I be in∣••éed a wretched sinner, yet is not Gods will that I should be for euer condem∣••ed, but that I should liue. Albeit then that I be a lost shéep, yet will Christ the ••igh shepheard of my soule, séek me out, and saue me, of this I doubt nothing at ••ll. Therefore avaunt harmefull diuel, thou hast nothing to do here, séeing that Christ my Lorde hath clothed and coue∣••ed me with his innocencie, vertues, & holinesse: for I haue put on Christe my Lorde in my baptisme. Galathians the ••hird Chapter. I haue put on the wed∣••ing garment, in which I shall appeare

before God, and dwell in his kingdome for euer and euer. Amen.

Beholde, thus shall you driue away the wicked flend, and striue and fight a∣gainst him as a Christian Capteine, to the end that ye may atteine at the great day, vnto the euerlasting crown. Thus wil our Lord God (which is the God of peace,) tread downe sathan after a litle time vnder your feete, as Saint Paule writeth, in the 16. to the Romanes.

Eightly, if welbeloued, the euerlast∣ing iudgement, hell, and euerlasting damnation assault you, as though you were one that should be damned, or for∣saken and lost, and woulde make hell mouth gape, and open wide vppon you: thus comforte and refreshe your selfe euer and quickly with Gods word, re∣léeue and coole your selfe with the freshe water that springeth and floweth out of the treasure of Gods mercy, against sin and filthy liuing, which water we haue in the Gospell, where also the holy pro∣phet Zacharias maketh mention in the 13. Chapter, and the Prophete Esaie in

55. Cha. Thus imbrace now with true ••ith y^e noble, cōfortable, & pleasant say∣••ngs & promises of God, of euerlasting ••••fe, whereof this is one, Iohn. 3. where ••ur Lorde Christe speaketh thus, God ••••th not sent his son into the world, that he ••••uld cōdemne the world, but that the world ••hrough him should be saued. Whosoeuer be∣••eeueth on him, shall not be condemned. ••. I∣••em, Iohn. 5. Ʋerily verily I say vnto you, saith Christ our Lord,) Whosoeuer hea∣••eth my word, & beleeueth in him that hath sent me, shal neuer enter into condemnation, ••••••t he hath a through passage from death to ••••e. Item the third of S. Iohn, Whosoeuer ••eleueth on the Sonne, hath euerlasting life. And moreouer he saith, Like as Moses set vp a serpent in the wildernesse, likewise ••••ust the sonne of man also be lifted vp, to the intent, that all they that beleeue in him, ••hould not be lost and perish, but inioy and in∣••erite euerlasting life. And, God hath so lo∣••••d the world, (saith y^e euerlasting sonne ••f God him selfe,) that he hath giuen his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sonne, to the intent that all that be∣••eeue in him, shoulde not be destroyed, but

should inioy euerlasting life. Item, Iohn the sixte (thus saith Christe,) Ʋerily verily I say vnto you, he that beleeueth on me, hath euerlasting life. Item (our Lorde Christe saith further thus,) This is the will of him that sent me, that whosoeuer beholdeth the sonne, and beleeueth on him, shal haue euer∣lasting life, and I will raise him vp at the last day.

By this may you ioyfully say, con∣clude, and through true faith acknow∣ledge, that hel (through the resurrection of Christe our deliuerer) is shut vp a∣gainst you, for you beléeue the highest article of Christian religion, where we beléeue and acknowledge, that Christe our Lorde is gone downe into hell, not for his owne sinne and vnrighteousnes sake, but for the cause of our wickednes∣ses, by whiche we haue deserued the e∣uerlasting plagues, hell, and damnati∣on. There hath Christ himselfe taken a∣way that euerlasting correction, done penaunce for it, and made satisfaction, broken hell, and shut and stopped it vp, and to be short, in stead of euerlasting

imprisonment, dungeon, and destructi∣on, purchased and giuen vs euerlasting life, and brought vnto vs, and giuen vs a triumphant victorie, that we with him may nowe merily sing, Hell, where is thy victorie? Beholde, it behoueth you in such sore dangerous, and linger∣ing sicknesse and battel, to shew and in∣struct your selfe that you be a childe of God, and suffer not your selfe to be de∣ceiued, albeit it doeth not as yet appeare in this world, nor can easily be percei∣ued whether we be presently through faith fully Gods children or not. Iohn the first saith. It doeth not yet nowe ap∣peare what we be, but we knowe, that when it shal appeare, then shal we be like vnto him, The first of Saint Iohn the third. Cap. Then shall we see him as he is, and then shal we be pertakers of his Godly nature. The seconde Epistle of Saint Peter the first Chapter. Albeit that yet our knowledge and appearance what we be, is vnperfecte, and that we as yet beholde the maiestie of God, (as it were through a glasse, & in dark∣nesse) or in a cloude. Yet shall we hereafter

beholde him face to face. Thus doe we waite for neuerthelesse these thinges in the meane season in blessed hope. For we beholde our selues likewise, by our selues, childishlye, and looke for the deliueraunce of our bodies, for we shal be throughly blessed, albeit in hope. This hoping neuerthelesse, that we sée, is no hope, for how can a man hope for that he seeth? But if we hope for that we sée not, then doe we looke after it by patience, the 13. to the Romans Ther∣fore doth belong hereunto, y^t is there to the time of sufferinges, these two ver∣tues, patience, and hope, for with these two winges specially, faith and hope, you must enforce your selfe to flée vp in∣to heauen. But patience muste fight the battell with the dragon, which wil strengthen and hinder your way to hea∣uen.

Ninthely, nowe welbeloued, séeing that your sicknesse somwhat lingereth, and that God for a time doeth prolong his helpe and deliuerance, and will not soudenly, as we desire, pray, and think,

deliuer you, but wil awhile try & proue your faith, for your faith must be tried by aduersitie, and temptation, as gold is tried and proued in the fire: There∣fore you must be patient. For albeit our Lorde GOD for a time, withdraweth his merciful helpe, yet will he not long be absent. It should not stande with his godly nature & mercie, that he shoulde for euer forsake you, being his childe through faith in Christe. Wherfore, though you a little while for the time of your suffering must sing with Christe, the lamentable song, and say, My GOD my GOD, wherefore hast thou forsaken me? yet will not God long tarrie nor be ab∣sent, he suffereth you to swimme a while, but not vtterly so be drowned, he suffereth you peraduenture one day, but he will by and by afterwards raise you vp againe, and giue you euerlasting peace and happinesse. Therefore, al∣beit you doe not for a little time sée Christe in his throne of grace, yet shall you shortly sée him againe, Iohn the .16. For his anger, that is to say, his fatherly

correction endureth but the twinkling of an eye, and he hath pleasure and de∣light to saue. And therefore doeth our Lorde God him selfe comfort you in the Prophet Esai the .54. Cap, saying thus. Beholde I haue hidden my face a little from thee, in the short time of anger: neuertheles, I will haue mercie vpon thee with my conti∣nuall fauour, saith the Lorde God our de∣liuerer. Therefore saith Saint Paule the seconde Epistle the .4. Chap. to the Cor. Although our trouble, whiche is but transitorie and easie (though we thinke it ve¦ry heauie, much and long) yet doth it breede and bring foorth an euerlasting and a mer∣uilous weightie and vnmeasurable dignitie and estimation vnto vs, whiche we cannot beholde with these eyes, but with inuisible eyes. For no eye hath sene, nor no eare heard, nor no mans heart can expresse that GOD hath prepared for them that loue him. Esai. 64. And .1. Cor. 2. But in these things must Gods children a while be pacient, suffering, polished and pressed, and ful∣ly bethinke and consider these comfor∣table sayings, which be spoken vnto vs

as to children the .12. to the Hebr. out of ••he Prouerbes of Solomon in the third Chapter, as it is there written. Take ••ot slightly, but earnestly regard the Lordes ••hastening or correction, and dispaire not ••hen he punisheth thee. For whom the Lord ••oueth him doeth hee punish, & correcteth ••uery childe that he taketh to him selfe. If ••ou abide his correction patiently, then ••oeth God shewe him selfe as to his ••hildren, for where is a sonne whome ••he father doeth not correct. Howbeit, ••uery chastening while it is a doing, it ••oeth not reioyce vs, but maketh vs sad ••nd pensiue, but afterward it bringeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ioyful fruite of righteousnes, to them ••hat be exercised in it. And therefore ••aith Saint Iames in his first Chapter. Esteme it for a perfect ioy when you chance ••o fall into many temptations, and know, that ••our faith if it be perfect worketh pacience, ••ut patience shall perfectly abide vnto the ••••nde. To the end it may be perfect and haue ••t all no manner of imperfection.. For, He that abideth to the ende he shalbe bles∣••••d, Matth. the .10. Therfore a Christian

may well boast him selfe of trouble, sée∣ing that we knowe, that Trouble bring∣eth patience, patience bringeth experience, experience bringeth hope, hope will neuer be confoūded. Let vs not be ashamed, for the loue of GOD is powred out into our heartes through the holy ghost, which is giuen vnto vs, the .6. to the Rom.

Thus shall you in patience looke for the mercifull helpe and visitation of God, and in your heart sing the plea∣saunt song of thankesgiuing, of the holy man Simeon, Luke the second, and say thus: Lord nowe lettest thou thy seruaunt departe in peace, as thou hast saide. For mine eyes haue seene thy saluation, whiche thou hast prepared for al people. To be a light to lighten the heathen, and to be the praise of all thy people of Israel. For I haue nowe (God be praised) obteined y^e knowledge of thy saluation, which is in the forgiue∣ing of sinnes: Through the tender mercie of our God whereby he hath vi∣sited vs, that came from aboue, That he might appeare to them that satte in darke∣nesse, and in the shadowe of death, and leade

our feete into the way of peace, as Zacha∣rias did sing, Luke the second.

The tenth, welbeloued, your sicke∣nesse continueth and doth not leaue off, and you thinke long for helpe, yet must you giue ouer these things, ye must not shrinke from God, nor be faint harted, but in patience haue a perfect and sted∣fast hope, that God will not be long a∣way, though he séeme to tarrie, but or it be long will come and help you: yea, the longer God withdraweth from you his gratious helpe, the mightier and better hereafter will your helpe and comfort be: for God standeth yet a while behind the wal, as a louing and friendly bride∣grome, and looketh through the window priuily in vpon his spouse, and marketh whether she doth so loue her bridgrome, that she will wayt and tarrie for him, and that she may perceiue that he at the length will reache out his hande to her, plucke her foorth, & bring her home. His loue is as strong as death, but vn∣der it is hidden very life and felicitie. Therfore despaire not euen in the very

daunger of death, and sing once againe with this congregation, and with all the holy elected Saintes of GOD in your heart, in this manner.

In the middest of our life we be com∣passed about with death, whom shal we séeke to for help, that we may get grace? thou only, oh Lord, art high, we be sorry for our misdéedes which haue offended thée, oh holy Lord God, oh mightie Lord God, oh holy merciful Sauiour euerla∣sting God, let vs not be drowned in the bitter danger of death. Lord haue mer∣cy vpon vs.

In the middest of death, the gaping of hell assaulteth vs, who can deliuer vs from this great peril? that canst thou Lorde alone doe, thy great mercy hath compassion on our complaint and great miserie, Holy Lorde GOD, oh mightie Lord God, oh holy mercifull Sauiour, oh euerlasting God, let vs not dispaire for the déepe pit of hell. Lord haue mer∣cy vpon vs.

In the middest of the sorrowes of hell our sinnes lye hard vpon vs, then whe∣ther

shal we flée from hence? where may we abide in safetie? to the Lord Christe alone. Thou hast shead thy bloud that hath satisfied for our sinns, oh holy Lord God, oh holy mightie God, oh holy mer∣cifull sauiour, oh thou euerlasting God, let vs not fall backe from the comfort of our faith, Lord haue mercy vpon vs.

Behold, thus shall we reioyce in our greatest daunger, and withall our heart Sing vnto our Lord God a song of thankes∣giuing, which is the right sacrifice of than∣kes. Psal. 50. These be the right singers to God, when the whole armie of hea∣uen singe with vs, and giue vnto God prayse and thankes. Therefore nowe without all feare and trembling, hope vppon the endlesse mercy of God, that this your trouble and heauinesse, and dangerous gronings and sighings com∣meth vp to Gods compassion, and com∣meth neare inough to his heart. But herein shall you stay your self and hope, and so shall you be strengthened, Esaie 30. And thus shal you conclude in your heart, and earnestly hope, and with S.

Paule say thus, Rom. 8. I knowe certein∣ly, that neither death nor life, neither An∣gel nor principalitie, neither power present or to come, neither aboue nor beneath, nor none other creature may remoue vs from the loue of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. To be short, Who will accuse the e∣lected of God, God is hee that doth iustifie, who can condemne vs? Christe is hee that died, yea rather that is risen againe, which sitteth on Gods right hand, and forgiueth vs. Nowe if death, sinne, diuel, hel, all trou∣ble, aduersitie, and plague fall vpon me in heapes, yet will I before you all abide still in my God, and still remaine a childe of euerlasting ioy and felicitie. Amen.

The eleuenth, though welbeloued, that ye do persuade your selfe as though God himselfe were against you, and were angrie with you by reason of fore∣passed sinnes, yet ye shall not be afraid nor dismaye your selfe. For God many times doth proue his, & appeareth vnto them outwardly as though he were ve∣rie angrie with them, as thoughe he

would lay hands on them, punish them, and vtterly condemne them. Therefore séeing God first will make you to liue, he wil before hūble you, & seeing he will bring you to heauen, he will first caste you downe into hel. For, Our Lord sley∣eth and reuiueth, God doth cast vs into hel, and leadeth vs out againe. As holy Anna saith, the first of Samuel the 2. There∣fore in this temptation, learne rightly and properly to knowe the nature and propertie of God. He meaneth not euil towardes you, but by this meanes he tryeth your faith and your hope, that ye may be found to be perfect. Surely, it is a hard fight to wage battel with God him selfe, as the good Patriarch Iaacob did a whole night long, but at y^e length he had the victorie and lay aboue: And therefore was he called Israel. Like∣wise also must the spirituall Israel doe, and in spiritual fight preuaile and haue the ouerhand. And to be short, at length it must come to passe with you thus, that you must nowe onely beléeue vpon hope where no hope is, Rom. 8. For,

True faith is a certeine assuraunce to ob∣teine those things, and not doubt on, the whi∣che we can neither beholde nor see. Heb. 11.

This is your case, for in outward ap∣pearance and féeling, ye sée nothing but death him selfe, but the eyes of your faith looke further, for they sée life in the middest of death, in the middest of sinne true ioy and perfection: in the middest of hell, heauen: in the middest of Gods anger and punishment, grace and euer∣lasting welfare. This is surely a strang and wonderfull sight, and this is also an excellent, passing, and fine knowledge, a cunning aboue all cunnings, whiche declareth vnto vs, howe we shall find in death, perfect life, howe we in the dée∣pest miserie shall be comforted, how we in the greatest doubtes shall be instruc∣ted, to be short, when it appeareth vnto vs, that we are vtterly vndone, euery body hath forsaken vs, euery body with∣draweth their succour from vs, and be∣fore our eyes there appeareth nothing but destruction, and vtter vndoing, we shall make much adoe, and wonderfully

busie our selues, and in our reason and opinion, knowe not whether to goe, we seeme to liue, and yet we dye, we sée and féele, and yet be in the middest of death. But here we must lay aside all féeling, seeing, vnderstanding, wisedome, and reason, and vtterly forsake them, and with these comforts, to be merrie in the middest of death, and slide through it as through sléep, to the blessed hope, that God will through his mercy in the pro∣mise of Christe euerlastingly kéepe vs, and make vs inioy his blessings. What so euer Gods wil be, let things appeare outwardly as they will, let thinges goe and stand with vs as God will, yet be∣leue we stedfastly, that Gods grace and goodnesse will defende vs for euer, con∣trarie to all mans reason and imagina∣tion, for he will not ascribe our saluati∣on, nor giue the honour, glory, & prayse thereof, vnto vs or our workes, eyther to our indeuour, but vnto his endlesse mercy, that at the last day we should & must confesse, that our saluation was not in our power, in our doings, in our

will and might, but onely in the mercy and onely grace of God, which we haue obteined through Christ our onely Sa∣uiour. For which grace and good will, we are bound to giue to God continual thankes, and only laude and prayse his holy name, and ascribe vnto him all ho∣nour, power, might, and maiestie: behold thus shal you fight and striue with God, against god, and push and enforce your selfe as it were through very thistles & thornes, to enter into heauen, and there againe beginne in your heart to sing the comfortable song of the holy Dauid, Psalme. 73. where he thus singeth, If I haue onely thee my Lord and my God, I passe of nothing, neither in heauen, nor in earth, though my body and my soul be in contempt, yet art thou my God alway my heartes com∣fort, and my health. And then will GOD comfort you, and say thus, Esaie. 41. Be not afraid, I am with thee, be not faint hear∣ted, for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, I will helpe thee out, I will holde thee vppe, through the strength of my righteousnesse.

Twelfthly, if welbeloued, many as∣saultes

and temptations fall vpon you, as it were by heapes, yet let them not ••ismay or discourage you, for sathan ••oth willingly bestowe all his cunning, when the matter commeth to the push, ••r extremitie. If he could not ouercome you in your life time, whilest ye were ••n perfect health, then wil he now more ••trongly withstande and assault you, now in your weaknesse. Therfore now ••earne, and be expert in deede, what the ••ubtiltie and craft of the wicked fiende ••s, what sleightes and deuises he vseth and practiseth against you: for his na∣ture and condition is with great rage and fiercenesse to set vpon men, he com∣meth to you very stoutly, and that con∣tinually with many and diuers temp∣tations, and thinketh thus with so ma∣ny and sundrie assaults and forces to dismay, amaze, enféeble, match, & make desperate a féeble, and vnexperienced Christian, wherby he may driue an vn∣experienced Christian at the last, to put him selfe at all aduentures, to giue ouer, and yeld him selfe to euery temp∣tation,

and to be ouercome, to the in∣tent, that at the last, he may fall into doubt, yeald him selfe wholy prisoner to the wicked enimie, and to submit him selfe vnto him, from which our Lord de∣fend you of his good grace, with his holy spirite. Amen.

Therfore if now at the last any such come vnto you, and that sathan will lay vnto you that God (after his maiestie) is a great deale too high & mightie to haue any regarde, or to make any reckoning of you, be gratious to you, & shewe you mercy, then let such high imaginations and thoughts passe, which touch the vn∣searchable maiestie of God, and come from thence to Christes humanitie, and howe he tooke vppon him our nature, and beginne at his cradell to take holde vpon God that is most high, and too farr aboue our reach, For, In Christ dwelleth the whole fulnesse of the Godhead bodily. Colos. 2. And as Christe him selfe saith, Io. 14. He that seeth me (saith Christe to Philip) hee seeth the father. Doest thou not beleue that I am in the father, and that

the father is in me. Therefore thus begin with Saint Thomas, Iohn 20. and call thus vpon Christ, & say, My God, & my Lorde. Thus shall you séeke out the ma∣iestie of God, finde him, and take holde on him, that is only in Christe: there is the euerlasting godhead and high maie∣stie onely to be sought and found, and without our Lorde Christ shall you ne∣uer finde God, nor lay hand vpon him: therefore thus cry with the woman of Chanaan, Oh thou sonne of Dauid, haue mercy vpon me. Matth. 15.

The thirtéenth, And if beloued, temp∣tation after this sort would preuaile a∣gainst you, as though god were not nigh you, neither in heauen, nor in earth, to succour and helpe you, but that he doth vtterly despise and forsake you, & that sathan woulde lay and cast before you mocking and blasphemie, and say, Be∣holde, where is thy God, vppon whome thou hast so long trusted? beholde howe well he heareth thée? beholde what haste he maketh to help thée? how wisely hast thou committed thy selfe to him? either

what great care hath he of thée? he suffe¦reth thee to sticke fast, and starue in thy greatest danger & perils. Oh, surely this is not y^e right God y^t thou takest for the right God, and whom thou honourest, & callest vpon, else would he neuer suffer thée now so miserably to be destroyed & perish, &c. Whē any such or y^e like blas∣phemie of sathan is laid before you, then holde your peace, & be quiet at such blas∣phemie, & neuer dispute with sathā, but by & by turne you to Christe crucified, to Gods sonne him selfe, and cal vpon him with your whole hart, that he will come and ayde you with his holy spirite, and strike sathan, that he may be driuen a∣way from you, and call vppon Christe your mediatour onely, that he wil stand betwéene the high maiestie of God and you miserable sinner, and do like a good mediatour, & will withdrawe his great and mightie righteousnesse and iustice, take your sinnes vpon him, and so goe before you, intreate, and reconcile you. Otherwise will the maiestie of God be too much, too highe, and terrible, so that

you shall before God be afraid, amazed, and out of countenance. Therefore take this Lord and mediatour by the hand, if ye will drawe nigh to God, and haue a∣ny thing to do with him. For this medi∣atour hath ben a long time ordeined by God himselfe for vs, that we through him might be reconciled to God, as wit∣nesseth Saint Paul. 1. Tim. 2. where he saith thus, There is one God, and one mee¦diatour betweene God and man: namely, the man Iesus Christe, that hath giuen him selfe for all for deliueraunce.

The fourtéenth, If welbeloued, your sinne doth nowe accuse you, for that you not onely in your youthe, when your body was sound and lustie, did sinne & offend God: but also euen now in your sicknesse, ye haue displeased God by im∣patience, murmuring, misbeléefe, &c. as we al be borne in sinne, be sinners, and so remaine and abide, till we come to our graue: therefore let not your sinne in any case make you despaire, but ac∣knowlege and confesse, and accuse your selfe before your Lord God, and be sor∣rie

for them with all your heart, aske mercy therefore before God, in Christe our Lorde. For it is impossible in this life, that in the sight of God we shoulde be found so cleare, pure, and without fault or sinne, as holy Saint Iohn wit∣nesseth .1. Iohn .1. where he saith thus, If we say we haue no sinne, then shall we de∣ceiue our selues, and the trueth is not in vs. Therefore in the middest of sinne we haue this onely comfort, (when we ac∣knowledge our sinne, the vnquietnesse of our conscience, and the trouble of our hearts cumbereth vs) that we call then vpon our atturney Christ the Lord, to y^e intent that he for euer be gratious vnto vs, & intreat & speak for vs towards his deare father, as then Saint Iohn (when we sticke in sinne) comforteth vs. 1. Ioh. 2. where he saith thus, If any man sinne, yet haue we an aduocate to the father Iesus Christe, that maketh vs righteous, and he is the attonement for our sinnes. From hence shall you séeke youre refuge and suc∣cour, and in euery assaulte of your sin∣nes, comfort your selfe, that you haue

such a peacemaker before God the fa∣ther, whome the father doth accept and allowe, that can speake well, and is elo∣••••ent, and can handle your cause, and plead for you best. Surely, this is a gret and a perfect comfort, that we haue our fleshe and bloud sitting aboue at Gods right hand the father, which doeth take vppon him the whole progenie of man, intreateth for vs, pleadeth our cause, & turneth the wrath of GOD from vs, as holy S. Paule also witnesseth. Rom. 8. where he saith thus, Christ is at the right hand of God, and maketh intercession for vs. This is his holy office, that he deliue∣reth wretched sinners from Gods an∣ger, defendeth and kéepeth them, there∣fore flée only to this Lord Christe, when your sinne grieueth or troubleth you.

The fiftéenth, If now in these long lingering assaults and conflicts, welbe∣loued, your heart waxe cold, be vnlu∣stie, & drowsie, as you thinke that there is no more faith in your heart, and that for vnlust you can neither pray nor be∣léeue, yet shall you not therefore giue o∣uer,

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or be afraid: for the Lord God brin∣geth his many times so déepe vnder the crosse, that they can neither beléeue nor hope, and thinke with them selues, that their heartes be vtterly cold and fro∣sen: yea, very stiffe, that neither faith, loue, prayer, nor no good thought can a∣ny more appeare in their heartes. If this great & sore temptation shall hap∣pen also to trouble you, yet despaire not therefore, but be of good cheare, & thinke thus with your selfe: I perceiue that I must altogether be naked and vnclo∣thed, and put off all that I haue, & spoile my selfe of euery thing that I haue or may doe, all that euer I haue falleth cleane from me, and forsaketh me. My louing bridegrome our lord Christ wil cloath me anew, adorne and dresse me, and trimme me with all his iewels. Therefore call now againe vpon him, as vppon your highe priest, that he will haue mercie vpon you, intreat and pray for you, and wil haue heartie compassi∣on of your weakenesse. For, We haue not an high priest that can not take cōpassion of

our feeblenesse, but such an high priest that hath beene thoroughly tempted, and is like vnto vs in all things (except in sinne.) Ther∣fore let vs goe vnto him, with ioy to his mer∣cie seate, that wee may obteine mercie and finde grace, at that time when helpe shalbe necessarie for vs. Heb. 5.

Here haue you a very great comfort, that Christ is your high priest. Call vp∣pon him earnestly, that he wil send into your colde heart his holy spirite, which shall call within you, father, father, lo∣uing father: Euen then shall the holy Ghost helpe vp your weakenes, and in∣treateth for you also mightily, with sighings not able to be expressed. Rom. viij. Then also doeth Christ himselfe pray for you, like the high priest before the father, & suffereth not your weake∣nesse to be laid to your charge, despiseth you not, because of your vntowardnes, your ignorance, or faint heart: for this high priest hath great compassion with our weakenes, he doth not only intreat for vs, but also he sheweth foorth before the father his innocent bodie, which he

hath offered vppon the Crosse for you, a perfect sacrifice for euer. Heb. 9. As also S. Paule witnesseth, Ephes. 5. where he saith thus, Christ hath loued vs, and gi∣uen himselfe for vs for a gift and offering vnto God for a sweete sauour. This is the noble gift, and this is the auaileable of∣fering for you, which is richly accepted before God.

Thus haue you now your high priest Christe oure Lord himselfe, the altar wherevppon he was offered his crosse, the offering his cleane vnspotted and pure bodie. Nowe marke how and in what manner or fashion Christe your high priest did hang vpon the crosse, for such maner of hanging is very comfor∣table, if one would behold it with belée∣uing eyes.

For first, Christ hangeth vppon the Crosse with his armes and hands stret∣ched out, to signifie, that he is readie to giue grace, accept and imbrace with his armes all poore and wretched sinners: for he hangeth there for the comforte of poore sinners, & reacheth out his armes

to troubled consciences.

Secondarily, his féete also be heaued vp and fast nailed, in token that he tar∣rieth there for all wretched sinners: for he wil not start aside nor flie from you, but will continually be found, and tar∣rieth for you.

Thirdly, he turneth his face and not his backe to you, he boweth downe his face like vnto a gentle and milde Lord to the prayers of all poore and troubled persons, will gladly with all his heart heare them, he is willing and readie, he openeth his eares wide, wherby he will certeinly heare you.

Fourthly, his heart is wide open to∣wardes you, for it is pearced with a speare, whereby he may haue heartie compassion with your aduersitie, and will set your trouble very neare vnto his owne heart.

Fiftly, he weareth a crowne of thorne vpon his head, to signifie, that he will be your king, and defend and kéepe you from all misfortune, from sinne, from death, from the diuell, and from hell.

This is a maruellous gratious and lo∣uing beholding to all troubled sinners, for he hangeth in the middle of sinners, as a sinner, bycause he will receiue all miserable, forsaken sinners, giue them grace, and preserue and kéepe them for euer.

Notes

• 1. Thes. 1.
• 1. Thes. 5.
• Col. 1.
• Iohn. 6
• Iohn. 17
• Iohn. 15
• Iohn. 8
• Galat. 3
• ••om. 10.
• ••ctes. 15.
• Iohn. 1.
• Esaie. 53.
• ••••he. 1
• ••im. 1
• ••tt. 18.
• ••••k. 19
• ••••m. 3 ••ohn. 4
• 2. Tim. 1.
• ••••hn. 8
• ••••hn. 5
• ••ohn. 11.
• Mat. 26.
• Luke. 12.
• Luk. 10.
• Luke. 22.
• 2. Cor. 2.
• 1. Pet. 5.
• Ephes. 6.
• Ephes. 1. Coloss. 1.
• Matth. 16.
• Ephes. 6.
• Matth. 4.
• 1. Cor. 6.
• 1. Iohn. 3.
• Ezech. 18. & 33
• Matt. 9. Matt. 18. Luk. 19
• Galat. 3
• Rom. 16.
• Zach. 13. Esaie. 55.
• Iohn. 3.
• Iohn. 5.
• Iohn. 3.
• Iohn. 6
• Iohn 1.
• Iohn. 1.3.
• 2. Pet. 1.
• ••om. 13.
• Iohn. 16.
• ••saie. 54.
• Cor. 4.
• Esaie. 64.
• ••. Cor. 2.
• Hebr. 12.
• Prouerb. 3.
• Iam. 1.
• Matth. 10.
• Rom. 6.
• Luk. 2.
• Luke. 2.
• Psalme. 50.
• Esaie 30.
• Rom. 8.
• 1. Sam. 2.
• Rom. 8.
• ••ebr. 11.
• ••sal. 73.
• ••aie. 41.
• Col. 2.
• Iohn. 14.
• Iohn. 20.
• Matth. 15
• 1. Tim. 2.
• Iohn. 2
• Iohn 2
• Rom. 8.
• ••eb. 5.
• Rom. 8.
• ••ebr. 9.
• ••phes. 5.