A most excellent and comfortable treatise, for all such as are any maner of way either troubled in minde or afflicted in bodie, made by Andrew Kingesmyl Gentleman, sometime fellowe of Alsolne Colledge in Oxforde. Whereunto is adioyned a verie godly and learned exhortation to suffer patiently al afflictions for the gospel of Christ Iesus. And also a conference betwixt a godly learned Christian [and] an afflicted conscie[n]ce: wherein, by the holy Scriptures the sleights of Satan are made manifest, and ouerthrowen: with a godly prayer thereunto annexed

❧ A most Comfortable Treatise written by Andrew Kingesmill to his sister, very profitable for all men, especially for such as are any ma∣ner of way afflicted in body or minde, &c.

God forbid that I should reioyce in any thing, but in the Crosse of our Lorde Iesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified vnto me, and I vnto the worlde.

Gal. 6.14.

DEare sister in our Lord and Sauiour Christe Iesus, wheras I vnderstād of your present state and condition,* 1.1 that it hath pleased God our heauēly Father, somewhat to visite & touch you with his heauie hand, to chastize you with the rodde of his correction, and to lay vpon you some part of the crosse of his Christ: Had I a farre better talent then I haue, which (God knowes) is but simple, yet I thought I could not any otherwise bet∣ter bestowe & occupie the same, then so, as it were, to lay it with you in exchange & bāke, as by y^e grace of God to vtter vnto you some saying or sentence, whereout you might re∣ceiue some piece of relief or comfort: for this vsurie, and those that haue any, so to occupie their talents, as to visite the afflicted, to com∣fort

the comfortlesse, and to bestow although as it were but one poore penie, to strengthen the pensiue in patience,* 1.2 euen as our Sauiour commended the deuoute womans worke, for bestowing her oyle vpon him toward his burial: So I doute not but this taske which it hath pleased God now to set me, shall ap∣peare vnto him a lawful and gaineful vsurie, a wel bestowed oyntment, and such a worke, that as it lacketh not his charge, so it shal not be either to you fruitlesse, either with him altogether thankelesse.* 1.3 Reioyce with them that reioyce (sayth the Apostle) and weepe with them that weepe.* 1.4 And the sonne of Si∣rach likewise, Let not them that weepe be without comfort, but mourne with such as mourne. Now (Sister) considering such & the like sayings, calling to minde howe we haue reioyced together, enioying the good dayes, that God of his goodnesse hath here∣tofore giuen vs, and nothing doubting, but he will driue away those stormie cloudes, and cause againe his cherefull sunne to rise and shine vpon vs: and (that which I can not for∣get) what a mourner you were w^t me in the time of my mourning: verely now in the time of your distresse if my heauinesse would ease you, or my sorow might turne to your ioye,

I thinke my heart be not so harde, but that I should bestowe some teares vpon you, al∣though that I foresee mine owne portion in the worlde to be none other but paines with∣out pleasure.* 1.5 Dauid we reade lamēted Sauls death, although one that sought his bloud. And likewise Absolon that wicked childe & vnnatural sonne, with what a fatherly affec∣tion did he pitie his case? crying whē he heard the certaintie of his death, in such sort as is expressed in y^e 2. of Sam. 18. My sonne Abso∣lon, my sonne, my sonne Absolon, would God I had died for thee: So verely ought our ca∣ses and calamities to be common, and I es∣pecially haue iuste occasion to beare the bur∣then with you, being vnto me a true Sister, a Sister by naturall natiuitie, a Sister by heauenly regeneration, one with whome I haue enioyed the sweete, and who with me hath not refused the sowre: wherefore as I cannot but with brotherly affection be sorie for your sadnes, so when I somewhat lift vp mine eyes toward heauen, & haue in conside∣ration the infinite mercies and marueilous working of God our heauenly Father, con∣cerning his chosen children and sanctified Sainctes here on earth, then (me thinkes) I receiue so plentifull ioye of spirit, and proui∣sion

of patience against those stormes and tempestes of aduersities and afflictiōs, which I know I haue in the way of my pilgrimage to passe, and which I know by the course of Gods working abyde certainly for all true & stedfast Christians, that in vttering the same vnto you it may be I shall giue you some oc∣casion of comfort. God therefore I beseeche him guide my hand, and direct my heart, and so beholde you with his Fatherly eye, and cherefull countenance, that we may both re∣ceiue comfort of his holy Spirit the true cō∣forter, promised by our Sauiour, that we may reioyce one with another, and both in the Lord.

Now there are diuers meanes that God hath ordeined & prouided for the cherishing and refreshing of heauie heartes and sorow∣ful soules:* 1.6 for some there are which are pro∣per to the bodie, as earthly and temporall, o∣ther concerne the minde, as Ghostly and con∣tinual, which wheras they are to be had,* 1.7 nei∣ther of them are to be refused, forasmuch as God therein with our vse and commoditie, looketh to reape the fruite of his owne glo∣rie.* 1.8 S. Paul alloweth Timothie and counsel∣leth him for his weake stomaks sake mode∣rately to drinke wyne: and Salomon lyke∣wise,

Giue the strōg drinke vnto him that is readie to perishe,* 1.9 and wine vnto them that haue griefe of hearte. Concerning these, although they be somewhat besides my care, yet this I may truely saye, that you haue to thanke God with a most chereful spirit, y^t he hath not left you so destitute in this behalf, as he hath thousands of other our brethren.

* 1.10Howe many are there, not far from you, if you list (as I thinke you doe) to beholde them, and consider them with some compa∣rison, in respect of whom you must nedes cō∣fesse your selfe and happie handmaid of God: as whose hope is their cōfort, patience their pleasure, their wine a cuppe of colde water, and whom for their apparel, necessitie allow∣eth no more then their bare naked skin? how many poore Lazars are there that would be glad to gather vp the crummes vnder that table, where your hand is free without grud∣ging? You say peraduenture sometimes in your fit, I am a miserable woman: But what may they saye, that haue neither cloth nor clout to defend them from the bitter byting colde? what may they say, which many times haue neither bitte of bread, neither droppe of drinke, wherewith to satisfie y^e griedie worme of hunger, or to quenche the drie disease of

thirst? How many are there, which in com∣parison of you, and me although peraduen∣ture the leaste of xiiii, who being driuen to the draffe of hogges, may say with the pro∣digal sonne, In how farre better case are the hired seruantes of that house, then we seely soules are? doutlesse hauing as we haue, al∣though we did get it hardly, & buye it deare∣ly, yet should we be in farre better state then a great number, which by experience knowe what the want of those necessaries are, which God of his gratious goodnes hath with a li∣berall hand, bestowed on vs his euill deser∣uing seruantes: and who for any thing to be sene in our selues, deserue as euill and worse thē many of those nedy naked soules, which at sundrie times faint for want of foode, & as the bare beastes stand open to all winde and weather, subiect to all aduentures, free from no aduersitie. Dauid well considered these benefites of God, which we, because that we haue not felt the lacke of them, make litle ac∣compt of. God satisfieth saith he,* 1.11 the thirstie sottle, and filleth the hungrie soule with good things: and numbring diuers other the like benefites, which Gods people dayly receiue at his hande, hee crieth out twise or thryse with earnest zeale, O that men woulde ac∣knowledge

before the Lord his louing kind∣nes, and his wonderous workes before the sonnes of men: Let vs likewise acknow∣ledge the goodnes of God toward vs in this behalfe.

* 1.12And me thinkes (Sister) if these outward earthly thinges may anie thing make in the matter, you haue iust cause to reioyce. Da∣uid you know complaineth often times that his familiars and kindred started from him in his aduersitie, for beside the multitude of his enemies, which as he maketh his accoūt were more then heares vpō his head, he saith also,* 1.13 I am become a stranger vnto my bre∣thren, euen an aliant vnto my mothers sons: In another place, he vttereth as a part of his griefe, that he was bereft of his Father and Mother: Concerning those pointes you are not so farre in as Dauid was: you haue bre∣thren, you haue sisters, I know, that account your case their common case. That God hath visited our Father, I craue as great part of that plague as the best or the worst of you: that God hath so preserued our Mo∣ther, the mirrour of al mothers, therein you haue as great part as the best of vs. As for open enemies that seeke your hinderance, or that reioyce at your aduersitie, I know none

you haue: but you know your self a number of your friends, that vnfainedly wishe your prosperitie.

Our Sauiour, you may remember, com∣plained that the Foxes had holes where to couch them,* 1.14 and the birdes of the aire haue their place of rest, but the Sonne of man had not where to hide his head. O that we could, that we would compare our selues in our aduersities with our Sauiour, the Sonne of man, the verie Sonne of God, of him to learne patience: then no doubt but by him we should receiue comfort. Cōsider therfore the goodnes of God, how he hath prouided for vs by the gentlenes of our deare Mother, a place which we vse as an home and habita∣tion, and that no Foxe hole, but thankes be to God a warme and wel feathered neste, where we haue free egresse and regresse.

This scripture was fulfilled in our Saui∣our,* 1.15 They of a mās owne house are his ene∣mies, and he thereof complaining saide, He that eateth bread with mee hath lift vp his heele against me: but thankes be vnto our heauenly Father, who hath ioyned our house in such an vnitie, that we do not (as farre as I see) one disdeine the other in necessities and aduersities, neither enuie ech other in things

succeeding prosperously. God of his mercie graūt that band long to continue in y^e house of Sidmountaine, that it may deserue the commendation of Ierusalem, euen to be as a Citie which is at peace within it self.* 1.16 This was it whereof Dauid receiued much com∣fort, that after great diuisiōs, God had graū∣ted in his kingdome the peace and concorde of his people, so he saith of his experiēce, Be∣hold how good a thing it is,* 1.17 and how come∣ly, for brethren to dwell euen together. He compareth it vnto the precious oyntment powred on the head, that spreadeth abroad to the refreshing of the whole bodie, and vnto the dewe of Hermon, and that which falleth vpon the mountaines of Sion, places ryche and fruitfull both with temporal benefites, & with the spirituall blessings of God. This cherefull oyle and freshe dewe of vnitie and concord betwixt you, your brethren, sisters and friendes, God hath blessed you withall: suche dewe falleth not in all places, such oyle is not to be found in al houses, the fresh flow∣er of vnitie and amitie is not to be found in euerie fielde: but this as it groweth greene in the Garden of Sidmountaine, which if it fade, then farewell my part: but now flouri∣shing as it doth by the gratious goodnesse

of God, me thinke you should not but reioyce in the Lord, who hath reserued vnto you this piece of Paradise, that you may haue the full fruition of that beautiful and sweet smelling flowre of concord. Thus I haue endeuoured somewhat to lead you into the consideration of the temporall benefites and blessings of God bestowed vpon you, whereout it may be you shal pick some piece of comfort, if things worldly and earthly, outward and temporall, may make any thing in this medicine. But it may be, that as to the sicke, things otherwise sweete become sowre & vnsauerie, and to the weake and sickely stomake, the sweet hony is lothsome: so the mothe of pensiuenes hath entered your heart, that these weaker medi∣cines may not haue their full force, and due operation.

Nowe after that you haue stoode on this place, to see and looke about you what com∣fort is to be had on earth, where you may well espie more then I haue shewed you: hencefoorthe (Sister) let vs get on the mounting wynge of fayth,* 1.18 let vs rayse our selues vp through the clouds, euē to the hea∣uens, let vs come from the fotestoole of God to his glorious seate, and that cannot be but comfortable vnto vs to consider.* 1.19 For S. Iohn

(as he describeth his vision) when he saw the Maiestie of God sitting on his glorious throne, declareth that the throne of God is compassed about with a rainbow, a sure seale and token of Gods mercie towards vs, that although he often times raine vpon vs, yet he wil no more drowne vs. This hath euer bene the chief comfort of the godly in al their distresses and afflictions, they all had an espe∣cial eye this way: Reade you y^e 121. Psal. the 123. Psalme, there to consider the practise of the Prophet, how he looked toward y^e throne of God. I will lift mine eyes to the Moun∣taines (saith he) from whēce mine helpe shall come, mine helpe commeth from the Lord which hath made heauen and earth, &c. I lift mine eyes to thee that dwellest in the hea∣uens: beholde, as the eyes of an handmayde marke the eyes of her mistres, so our eyes wayte vpon the Lord our God, vntill he haue mercie vpon vs. Now then (Sister) laying aside all earthly considerations, if they will not worke with you, let vs looke vpon that helpe that commeth from heauen.

This as I remember is one amongst the wise sayings of Salomon: Heauines casteth downe the hearte of man, but a good worde rayseth it vp againe: If any mans worde

or wisedome may any thing herein preuaile, then especially the good word of God,* 1.20 which as Dauid sayth is mighty in operation. It is so ful of comfort, that if grace wanted not to vtter and receiue it accordingly, I nothing doubte but if you were halfe dead, it would soone quicken and set you vpright againe.* 1.21 So sayth S. Paul, whatsoeuer is written, is written for our learning, that we through comfort and pacience of the Scriptures, might haue hope. Seing then the Lord hath left vs this heauenly treasure here on earth, euen to our so great commoditie thereby to learne patience, and receiue comfort, let vs vse these as our spectacles to behold the mer∣cies of God, which of our selues being no∣thing but blindenesse it selfe, are not able to searche out or to see: and this shalbe as your diet, that you resort to those sweete running ryuers, springing vp vnto eternall life, coun∣selling and aduising you, here to laye out the whole line of your life: no day, nor houre cō∣meth amisse, but in the Scriptures you may find comfort: Yea, there ye shall meete with the fountaine of all comfort, the Spirit of God chering and cherishing you after a hea∣uenly and marueylous maner. Presently for my part, I chiefly commit your cause to his

cure, and by his grace, I shall endeuour to giue you some taste of that precious liquour: God graunt it be not marred for lacke of a better vessell.

First therfore, I am persuaded y^t you no∣thing dout of your adoption and election in Christ Iesus,* 1.22 that your name is entred in the booke of life, and that you are surely sea∣led vp for a saued sanctified soule. This foun∣dation being layd on so sure a groūd, hauing our hands fastened on this hold, what storms or floods of affliction may there arise, but we may (considering y^e tender mercy of God to∣wardes his chosen children) endure with pa∣tience, ouercome with comfort, and wade thorowe with ioy, knowing sure we shal haue a day, and seeing certainely although a farre of, the quiet and glorious hauen we haue to arriue at? It is a most comfortable saying which the Apostle vttereth vnto you:* 1.23 We knowe (saith he) that all things worke toge∣ther for the beste vnto them that loue God, euen to them that are called of his purpose. This one sentence so setting foorth the care that God your heauenly Father hath ouer you, might satisfie you, if you could weigh it as it is worthie.

Great and manifolde were the miseries

which that chosen of God suffered, reade you the 11. of the 2. to the Corinthians.* 1.24 You shal finde there at what hard meat, & how sowre sauce the Lord set that his paineful and faith∣full seruant: as stripes, perilles both on Sea and land, euill entreatie both of the Iewe and the Gentile, the deceit of false brethrē, weari∣nesse, painfulnesse, watching, hunger, thirst, colde, nakednesse, and all kinde of persecutiō. Yet he hauing that confidence and stedfast perswasion of the eternal prouidence of God, that he turneth all things to the commodi∣tie of his electe, euen in the middest of these miseries he shewed a most chereful spirit, as hee saith numbring many kindes of persecu∣tions,* 1.25 in all these thinges we are more then conquerours, by him that loued vs.

In what distresse thinke you was that iust Ioseph, being endangered to perish in the pit,* 1.26 throwne in by the handes of his owne bre∣thren,* 1.27 and afterwarde solde of them into a strange countrey, where also being taken of suspicion to haue abused his Master Poti∣phars wyfe, was cast into prison: yet he also ouer these and the like temptations,* 1.28 became in time a conquerour, well perceiuing in the ende, that it was the Lordes doing to some good ende, although he did not straight vn∣derstand

the same. And therefore besides his owne comfort, he quieted also the troubled mindes of his brethren, declaring vnto them the prouidence of God, wheron he wholy de∣pended.* 1.29 I am Ioseph your brother (sayth he) whom ye solde into Egypt: now therefore be not sadde, nor grieued with your selues that you solde me hither, for God did send me hi∣ther for your preseruation: neyther did hee so much attend the fact of his brethren, as the prouidence of God in the matter, so that he seemeth in respect flatly to denie that they had done ought in the matter:* 1.30 as in these wordes, Now then you sent me not hither, but God who hath made me a Father vnto Pharao, and Lord ouer all his house, and ru∣ler throughout all the land of Egypt. And by this meanes and considerations, God gaue him that he made the lesse accompt of the ab∣sence of his parentes, the ingratitude of his brethren, the lack of his countrey, and also the slaunderous and vniust imprisonement.

Likewise Dauid beeing in flight for the feare of his owne sonne Absolon, heard, and bare with patience, rayling Shimei, taking as it were his pleasure of him in his aduersitie, throwing stones at him as though hee ac∣counted no more of him then of a vyle dog,

cursing and calling him murderer: & where∣as Abishai his courage serued him to reuēge Dauids quarrel, and would haue fet his head,* 1.31 if that he would haue but said the worde: Be∣holde the humilitie, the patience of a Pro∣phet, the comfort of a King, verely he lifted vp his eyes to the hill, the holy hill of God, from whence he was assured all those things proceeded, to some commoditie and furthe∣rance of his: wherfore this was his answere to Abishai that sought reuengement, he cur∣seth me, euen because the Lorde hath bidden him curse Dauid. This was the holde and handfast, that that princely Prophete tooke wherewith to staye him self, euer depending vpon the prouidence of his liuing God. He knewe that whatsoeuer befell him, God had a stroke in it, yea and further, being fully per∣swaded of the mercie of God, he knewe most assuredly those chastisements and correcti∣ons should turne him to God, as he maketh protestation, in the 119. Psal. It is good for me that I haue bene afflicted: so that beside his pacience and comfort he accompted it a gaine, and none of the smalest benefites of God, that he was so corrected at his iust and mercifull hand.

You may also consider the example of pati∣ent

Iob: How he waded through his temp∣tations, as who knowing that all those hils of miserie, fell vpon him, no otherwise then by the determinate appointment of the most hiest, with the consideration thereof he refre∣shed himselfe, after that all worldly succours and comforts were taken from him, and so became a conquerour ouer all the grieuous assaultes of Satan, as who, he was assured, could go no further then he had his limittes appointed and assigned vnto him, by the iust ruling and mercifull disposing hand of the e∣uerliuing God: wherfore he made it no mat∣ter of misfortune (as we commonly do in the like cases) that his cattel were made a praye for his enemies, that his sonnes & daughters had that strange ende, the house falling on their heads: but by such his words he openly sheweth the inward comfort of his hearte, The Lord hath giuē (saith he) y^e Lord hath ta∣ken away, as it pleased the Lord so is it come to passe, blessed be y^e Name of the Lord: & by this we vnderstand that he had not so much regard of his enemies the Caldeans and the Sabeans, whome he knewe to be but the in∣struments of the Deuill the chiefe worke∣man, but alwayes had his eye stedfastly bent vpon God his Creator and redeemer, with∣out

whose ordinance and appointment, nei∣ther of them could haue any whit mooued or preuailed against him, no more then the sens∣lesse winde had power of it selfe, so to ouer∣throwe the house vpon his children. And for as much as he was the seruant of God, he as∣sured himselfe, that Satan with his slaues could not doe or intend him so much hurt, but his Lorde and God woulde euen by the same meanes turne it to his great furthe∣rance & commoditie, as we are giuen to vn∣derstand in y^e end of the historie that God did in deede perfourme y^e same: So that by this he became so humble and patient, so stedfast in hope, that he said, that if the Lords pleasure were to kill him, to take his life from him, yet would he not let go his holde, giue ouer his hope, or blaspheme the Name of God, to the which he was marueilously prouoked.

Behold likewise the behauiour & courage of those three noble yong men whom Nabu∣chodonozor threatened the terrible fire,* 1.32 for that they refused to worship his golden god: see how they take holde on the mercie, and prouident care of God their Lord. For thus they answered the King, Beholde, our God whom we serue is able to deliuer vs from the hote firie fornace, & he wil deliuer vs out of

thine hand (O King.) But if not, be it kno∣wen to thee (O King) that we wil not serue thy gods, nor do worshippe to thy golden I∣mage, which thou hast set vp: and according to that their cōstant hope and faith, the Lord fayleth not, as you know, marueilously to de∣liuer them.

* 1.33And what other comfort had their fellow Daniel being enclosed to be deuoured of the Lyons in the Denne?* 1.34 according to whose hope, likewyse the Lorde sent his Angel to shut and mouzle vp the Lyons mouthes, sa∣uing him harmlesse. The Scripture yeldeth plentifull store of the like examples and say∣ings, whereout if we stand to consider them, we haue inough so to arme vs against all ad∣uentures, that no tribulation, no anguish may bee so extreme, but that by patience we may ouercome them, no calamities so great or grieuous, but that they are to be conquered by comfort of the Scriptures. So sayth the Apostle,* 1.35 God is faithfull which wil not suffer you to bee tempted aboue your power, but will euen giue the issue with the temptati∣ons, that you may bee able to beare them: where he so cōforteth the afflicted among the Corinthians, and doth strengthen them vn∣der the crosse, leading them no farther then

into the consideration of Gods eternall pro∣uidence, which maketh the sharpe and the sowre, soft and sweete in the ende,* 1.36 although no maner of chastisement (as he saith) is ioy∣ous for the present time. I haue in those for∣mer examples according to my simplicitie, sent you some of the righteous and tried ser∣uants of God, to stand you in steade of Apo∣thecaries and Surgeons, of whom you may learne to cure your wound without douting, forasmuch as they minister you euen such soueraigne medicines, as they them selues haue tasted and tried (as you see) to their end∣lesse comfort: but yet the chief phisition is to come,* 1.37 Christ Iesus (I meane) the salue of all our sores, the paterne of al patience, and most assured comfort of all sorowing soules, and readie redresse in all aduersities. You haue seene in the examples afore, the experiēce of good souldiours fighting a good fight, and how they haue quitte themselues against the temptations of the worlde, and the assaultes of Satan: Nowe turne your eyes towarde Christ our redemer the great Captaine, and most renowmed conquerour of all that euer tasted these worldly infirmities, whose euill entreatie and hard handling the time serueth not now to describe vnto you, but I send you

to the head spring, the historie of the Gospel: you may also at your leasure reade that mine exercise concerning the loue of God,* 1.38 where I haue assayed to say somewhat to this pur∣pose. Onely now I giue you S. Pauls exhor∣tation, Let the same minde be in you which was euen in Christe Iesus, who being the Sonne of God, and very God, one with his Father, made himself of no reputation, tooke on him the forme of a seruāt, he humbled him selfe and became obedient vnto the death, euē to the death of the crosse. Here learne of your Sauiour, patience and humilitie, and marke where lay his comfort, verely that way that other his saued soules haue sought, euen the prouidence of his God, and by him our God his Father, & (thākes be to him) our Father: for so he said when that lost childe went out from him and his other disciples to worke his purposed treason, Verely (saith he) it go∣eth with the sonne of man, as it is written of him: and at this marke he seemed to ayme, when as Pilate vaunted himselfe and trium∣phed ouer him, saying, that he had power to crucifie him, and likewise to loose him: then our Sauiours answere was, thou couldest haue no power against me, except it were gi∣uen thee from aboue. So when he did with

deepe cōsideration as it were aforehand, taste the bitternesse of his cuppe, this way he foūd out of his temptatiō, saying to his father, thy will be fulfilled and not myne: this was his comfort in the extremities of the crosse,* 1.39 and his flesh also rested in this hope, that the Lord would not suffer his holy one to see corrup∣tion. By these you may be sufficiently stored with diuerse kinde of medicines, you haue both the gentle and the strong working be∣fore you.

The next care concerneth the vse hereof,* 1.40 that they be applied and placed to the sore. Now therefore if you wil set these glasses of the afflicted seruants of God, and especially Christ crucified before your eyes, I doubt not but that it shall quicken all the dead flesh that lieth about your heart. For first if you wil compare quantitie with quantitie, surely yours may seeme but an April showre in cō∣parison of these bloudie floudes and seas of sorowes that passed ouer their heads. But make your case comparable with others the aforesaid (as peraduenture it is more then I am aware of) yet being grounded on Christ Iesus with stedfast faith, hauing your elec∣tion certaine by your honest conuersation in the works of light, and the Spirit of adopti∣on

bearing witnes with your spirit that you are a chosen childe of God, hauing in iust con∣sideration the iust dealing and mercifull pro∣uidence of God towardes his vessels prepa∣red to honour, although in your selfe you be humbled (as necessarie it is) yet in God you cannot but reioyce and glorie with his ser∣uants and Saintes on the earth. Were it so that men reuiled you as Shimei did Dauid, why should you not content & quiet your self as Dauid did, saying, the Lord hath sent him for this purpose? yea, whatsoeuer kinde of crosse it shall please God to visite vs withall, we ought by his example to cōsider the good purpose of God therein, & to say, It is good for vs that we taste of some trouble,* 1.41 lest we be found for bastard children (as the Apostle speaketh.) If you had susteined losse of friēds, parents, childrē or husbands, standing at one staye with Iob, then for your comfort you haue to say, The Lord hath giuen, the Lorde hath taken away. Let the case be (I am sure it is not so ill) that you were pestered with Iobs miserable disease, as wee are all in the hands of God, vpon vs to worke his wil, and there is neither of both vndoutedly, but haue deserued far worse then iust Iob: yet he hath prouided for vs before hand a staffe to staye

on, and hath giuen vs a lesson of patience in that answere which he made his wyfe, pro∣uoking him to yelde to the assault of Satan, and to blaspheme his God: Thou speakest like a foolish woman (saith he) shall wee re∣ceiue good at the hand of God, & not receiue euill? If you had lost your countrey, which now you enioye by the benefit of God, might you not well conceiue with your selfe of the will and worke of God therein, to some such purpose as he wrought by Iosephs sale and bannishment? wheresoeuer you shall come, whatsoeuer entertainement or entreatie you should finde, would you not say as he did, it is God that hath sent me hither? Suppose you were in the pit with Ioseph, in the dēne with Daniel, or that you made vp the messe with those three appointed to the fyer, Sidrach, Misach, and Abednego: would you mistrust now especially that they haue made the waye before you, but that God would prouide some issue for you in the middest of these tempta∣tions, either to saue you harmlesse by a migh∣tie deliuerance, or els as it should be best for you to make you a conquerour by patience?

And to come to Christ that fountaine of all consolation for all Christians: O Sister,* 1.42 we neuer felt with our litle finger that fyer

wherein he was consumed for our sinnes, we haue not tasted with the typ of our tongue, that bitter cuppe, wherein he swallowed vp death due vnto vs for our offences: wee sleepe in whole skinnes, his hands, his feete, his sydes were pearced of merciles murde∣rers: we for the most part haue ease and rest, he found no place on earth where to rest his head: we thinke much if we be somewhat dis∣eased with a litle paine or griefe of bodie, he swet and shed bloudie water to ease vs, and release vs of perpetuall paines. Nowe then (Sister) thrust in your finger with Thomas the Apostle, and feele with faith the bloudie woundes of your sauiour and redemer: and these being considered, what are our grea∣test griefes, but fleabites in comparison, be∣sides that inward anguishe and passion of the soule, farre passing his outwarde apparent pangues, whereby he felt the seuere iudge∣ment and wrath of God, the rewarde of our euil deserts? Come you hither (Sister) with your heauie burthen and here refresh you, for here is the well and the water of life, receiue you hence the most comfortable aqua vite, stilling downe from the crosse of oure redee∣mer and peacemaker Christ Iesus the righ∣teous. God hath laide vpon you some kinde

of crosse, but none such as his owne Sonne your Sauiour hath borne before you, God hath thought good for some purpose apper∣taining to his glorie, to put you to some pai∣nes: O why should you or any of vs grudge to take on vs the yoke of God? he hath not spared his deare and onely Sonne, to make him a mā, a seruant, a sacrifice for our soules redemption, which were once solde vnder sinne, the slaues of Satan. But were it (hap∣pie were you if it were so in deede) that you had to pledge your sauiour where he hath be∣gun vnto you, if that you hong on the crosse together with him, had you not then comfort enough by you: could you not well content your selfe to be baptized with his baptisme, whose handmaid, I know you will not denie your selfe to be? is it not enough for the ser∣uant to be serued as his master? were you in the place of the penitent theefe, crauing his pardon as he did hang together with our sa∣uiour, would you haue despaired, would you haue mistrusted, might you be comfortlesse, would you not reioyce?

But you will say he had his Sauiour pre∣sent before his eyes. But O you of litle faith, if you haue not as good assurāce of mercy as he: do you not cōsider that by the iudgement

of our Iudge, they are most blessed which beleue and see not? But he happie mā heard those ioyfull wordes at his redemers mouth, To daie thou shalt bee with me in paradise.* 1.43 And is that sufficient? why then haue not you as sure an obligation, the warrant of his word, his testament sealed with his most pre∣cious bloud? or els are you left out of that will? Doth he not say vnto you as directly as to any other, Come vnto me and I shall refresh you? Doth he not say vnto you, Aske and haue, seeke and find, knocke and it shall be opened? are you not assured of that absolu∣tion in the daye of the Lord his appearance, Thy faith hath saued thee,* 1.44 goe thy waye in peace? are you not to be numbred among them to whom it shalbe said, Come ye bles∣sed of my father?* 1.45 when that Christ saith vn∣to you, he that beleueth hath euerlasting life: when that he saieth, I bring the water of life, I am the bread of life, I am the vine, you are the braunches: I am the good shepherd, the true Messias, the redemer of the worlde, the physition of the sicke, comming to saue that which is lost: in al these can you not picke out that promise to be with him in paradise? I dare not doubt (Sister) that you are to seeke concerning these thinges, you haue (I no∣thing

mistrust) laide the foundation of your fayth on Christ the right rocke of saluation: then can you no more doubte, then if you had the possession of paradise alreadie, euen as it was prepared for you from the beginning, se∣ing that he made the graunt, that hath the whole matter in his handes, and in whome there is no guile. Stand therfore, stand stiffe and fall not, let not go this handfast, which if you doe, no winde or weather may rise in the worlde that shall any whit moue you or your so sure building,* 1.46 standing on so good a groūd and so sounde a rocke. S. Iohn in his first epi∣stle, setting Christ Iesus before thē to whom he writeth, This we write vnto you (saith he) that your ioy might be full. Verely (Sister) if we coulde fully consider Christ with his mercie and merites, our heartes might not but be filled vp full with ioy: for there is no∣thing so sowre, but in Christ it becommeth sweete and sauourie, there is no want of any earthly thing, but Christ supplieth with a greater measure. The braunches that abide in that vine, no weather may make them to wither: and although they seeme for a season much like to the naturall vine, to be as drie and rotten stickes, such as men would scarce gather vp in the way, yet the heauenly hus∣bandman

so cherisheth and tendereth them, y^t in time which he knoweth to be most con∣uenient, euen then they shal shew themselues in their kinde, and freshly flourishe in their fruits, when all other flowers are faded, and other trees which are not planted by him may not longer stand for their rotten roots.

* 1.47Let vs therefore stand a litle and see what more comfort we may sucke out of that fresh and fruitfull vine, so shall our hearts receiue ioye, and our ioye shalbe full. You haue no landes, nor liuinges (I thinke) in deede any thing superfluous, but yet competent. and if you were much more needie, euen vtterly destitute, yet you haue not to take great thought for the matter, seeing Christ telleth you, you shall haue life euerlasting, paradise is your inheritance, his owne kingdome is your possession.

* 1.48Companie in deede is comfortable: but be it that you were berefte of the companie and comfort of your brethren and sisters, yet the true Christian cannot be solitary.* 1.49 S. Iohn saith, If we walke in the light as he walked, we haue felowship with him. And he him selfe saieth, he will not leaue vs comfortlesse or solitarie, yea he wilbe present with vs vn∣to the worldes ende, that is, with all his, at al

times sending vs the Comforter his holy spirit. If we do that which he commaundeth vs, then he accompteth vs his friendes, his brethren, his sisters, and that which is chie∣fest, because it is endlesse, after we haue rūne out our course, we shalbe with him in Para∣dise, making continually that prayer for vs vnto his Father, which he began here on earth, Father I will that they which thou hast giuen me be with me where I am, that they may beholde my glorie.

Beholde,* 1.50 you shall beholde the glorie of Christ: what then will you take thought for any piece of worldly estimation? All the glo∣rie of man (saith the Prophet) is as the flow∣er of the fielde, sone ripe, sone rotten, but the crowne of glorie, which you shall receiue by Christ, is incorruptible, once founde, neuer loste, once ripe, neuer rotten: what neede you passe vpon the wicked earthly Mammon, whereas you be most assured of that trea∣sure laied vp for your store in heauen, euen Christ Iesus the riches of the riche, and high God of heauen?

It would be a comfort for you peraduen∣ture,* 1.51 to haue an head and husband to defende you, & in whom you might delite as in your owne soule, by whom you might haue the in∣crease

of godly children, vnto many in deede the verye blessing of God: but in this also you must submitte your selfe to the mightie hande of God, knowing that he worketh di∣uerse wayes in diuerse vessels, and those or∣dained to honour, for to some mariage is ex∣pedient, to some it bringeth ioy and gladnes: but contrarily in many you may see it is a snare of the worlde, a stumbling blocke, and plaine diuorcement betwixt God and them. And this inconuenience I knowe commeth not of mariage it selfe, as the proper and prin∣cipal cause, which God hath ordained as holy and comfortable: but by their abuse, and for their iust plague. Whereas some sucke hony, some other meete with gall, and venyme: and yet the flower beautifull enough, and goodly in the eye. Wherefore God of his high wisedome, knowing much better what is good for vs then we for our selues, doth at sundrie times cut vs short from the fruition of many his good creatures, benefites and ordinances, least by abuse we should in ma∣ner turne the nature of them to our owne hinderance and confusion, so that it may bee better for vs to lacke them then to haue thē. Diuerse I thinke there be good men, and ho∣nest maydens, which peraduenture would be

hard husbandes, and shrewd wiues: neither would it be any straūge case to see, that some bare the first yoke honestly and godly, which at the second match ouerrule & weary their yoke fellows, causing them with repentance to wishe their former libertie againe. Such is the diuerse working of God, that in some he is better pleased with mariage, and other he holdeth in single life as most expedient for them.

Some againe he blesseth with the fruite of children,* 1.52 other he maketh baren and fruit∣lesse, yet both for the better, both seruing to the glorie of God, and cōmoditie of his cho∣sen. Looke on the comparison made by Salo∣mon, the 4. of the book of wisdome: he saith, that barennes is better with vertue, then to haue a multitude of children. Neither doe I write this as one that despaireth of your pro∣speritie this way: I know you haue had good offers, which by iudgement of man, might haue bene conuenient for you to haue follow∣ed, but I haue tolde you the worste, and yet nothing doubting but that y^e best is to come. Anna you may remember mentioned in the first of Sam. 1. the wife of Elkanah,* 1.53 the hap∣pie handmaid of God, how he exercised her a long time in patience with the shame of bar∣rennes,

as it was coūted in those dayes. But the Lorde when hee had brought her lowe enough, then he raysed her againe, heard her humble petition, and gaue her for her com∣fort that iuste Iudge her sonne Samuel, his true seruant.* 1.54 In the historie of Tobias, we reade in what distresse that humble mayden Sara was,* 1.55 whom it pleased God to visite, and chastise her with seuen husbandes, so that she became a reproche vnto her owne fathers maydes, laying to her charge that she had strangled her husbandes. Thinke you (Si∣ster) your case is comparable to this? If it be so, then take that remedie which she vsed, and mistruste not of the successe that folowed, as you haue in the exāple of Anna. So she made her prayer to God the almightie, which is expressed in the historie, desiring him to pitie her case, and by some meanes to take awaye her reproche: and accordingly the Lord (as his eares are alwayes open to the prayers that proceede from an humble spirit) gaue her to wife to good Tobias, with whom she sawe many a good day, and also for token of Gods blessing, issue of children. Euen so if we may hope for the best (and why shoulde you mistrust the matter,* 1.56 seeing that Abraham in a more desperate case, hoped against hope?)

the Lord our God I doubt not, pitieth your case so farre, that he will sende you a trustie Tobias, to whom you may betake your selfe without feare, with whom you may leade out your life in peace and comfortable quiet∣nes, by whom you may conceiue and beare some such sonne as is reported of Samuel, in whome you may reioyce as in an obedient sonne, and in whom God may be glorified as his seruant. But if the example of Anna, and Sara, do not so much moue you, if it be out of your hope to haue their good happe, let vs then returne againe to Christ our sweete sa∣uiour & righteous redeemer, at whose hand, when all other aydes do faile, we may be bold to fetche comfort, and that most plentifully.

If Tobias come not,* 1.57 yet you may wel con∣tent your selfe with Christ, finding that in him you shalbe sped as fully as you can wish. You are of the flocke of the faithfull: then will he stande you to all purposes in stead of an husband, not after an earthly, but after an heauenly sort. Hee is the heade to defende and gouerne that bodye, whereof you are a member. Such as the husbād is to the wife, such is Christ to those that are of the Chri∣stian Congregation, as S. Paul hath made cō∣parison. It is a great comfort in deede for

Adam to haue his Eue, and contrariwise: but Christ it is, that blessed seede, that hath bles∣sed them both. There is a narrow bond and copulation betwixt the wife & her husband, for they are reckoned one in flesh: Euen so hath Christ, to make vs vnto him an holy spouse, taken bone of our bones, and fleshe of our fleshe. Your husband would cleaue vn∣to you when your other friends would for∣sake you, and Christ will accompanie and as∣sist you when your husband hath left you. He must sometimes of necessitie be absent from you, death shall make a grieuous diuorce∣ment betwixt you: but no time may tye Christ from you: by him it is that you liue, & that you liue well, he shall assist you at your dying day, and at the latter day he shall rayse you againe. Your husbande peraduenture, would thinke no money, no meate, no appa∣rell to deare for you, and so doing, you would thinke him a good husband: but whether he would die for you I doubt. But Christ Ie∣sus that good shepheard hath shewed you so much loue, that he hath layd downe his life for you, he hath shed his bloud for you, he di∣ed euē the death of the crosse, he died for your sinnes, and rose againe for your iustification, and now maketh intercession for you, which

he will continue vntill the time he hath pla∣ced you in his kingdome to reigne with him for euer.

Thus (Sister) as my simplicitie serueth me, I haue attempted that, which I feare I haue not obtained, (if it might be) to comfort you, or rather to tell you where you may seeke and finde comforte, then of my self to make you any deede of gift: For God is cal∣led the authour of al consolation, therefore I referre you to him by your prayer, and by re∣sort vnto his worde, written for all our com∣fortes. I haue but somewhat assaied to playe Iohn Baptistes parte, I am not he of whom you must receiue this good gifte, but you must looke toward an other: Therefore I say vnto you of him whose shoolatchet I am not worthy to vnloose, Behold the Lambe of God who bringeth this comfort with him, a salue (me thinkes) sufficient to heale all sores, as that he is that Lambe that taketh away the sinnes of the worlde. Nature hath so prouided that if we receiue any wound in the head, the whelke that is in the hande, the corne that is in the foote, we soone forget & lose the sense thereof. O consider (Sister) howe your head was wounded, then shall your handes and your feete the lesse grieue

you: Nowe againe our head is whole, triū∣phing in heauen: why then should our hearts be heauie on earth, as though the head had forgotten the bodie, or any part thereof? No (Sister) doubte you not, he will not suffer an heare to perishe of that bodie which he so dearely purchased, seeing that this mightie Michael hath subdued our archenemy,* 1.58 that terrible dragon, and subtill serpent with his petie captaines, death and hell, what should we be so much moued with any force of the fleshe, or any mischiefe that the worlde may worke vs? Yea, here also your Sauiour spea∣keth cōfortably vnto you, saying, Be of good there, I haue ouercome the world. Seeing that he hath broken the head of our enemy, what should his taile so much trouble vs? se∣ing hee hath taken away our sinnes, what should any sorowes remaine amongst vs? & if we sorowe not for our sinnes, why doe we lament for any other earthly trifle? So (Si∣ster) if your eye be fully fixed on Christ your redeemer, seing his paines and his patience, you may not but quiet your selfe, considering his merites and his mercie, you can nothing mistruste but he that tooke away the greater burthen of your sinnes, will also open you a waye out of your sorowes, so that nowe you

haue no occasion left of mistrust in the good∣nes of God. For he that gaue vs his Sonne,* 1.59 howe should hee not with him giue vs all things also? and now your ioye must needes be full, as S. Iohn saieth. Say not then you are in miserie, for you see present remedie ha∣uing good assurance of eternall felicitie. And if a mā should aske you how you proue your state to be miserable, I am sure you can not proue so fast as I can disproue.

You will say, I am an abiect in the world:* 1.60 I answere, the more meeter for God, the li∣ker you are to your Sauiour: so saieth the Apostle to your comfort and mine, The vile thinges of the worlde, things despised and things of nought, hath God chosen.

I am sad and pensiue, (you will say) my meat doth mee no good, I enioye not the world. But these are no arguments, hereby to conclude miseries. For euen the holy and happie Dauid had such sugar and sauce to his meate, he mingled his bread with ashes, and where was most likelyhood of rest, his bed he watered with teares, so that of your sorow it selfe you may receiue comfort, because that shorte worldly sorowes are but a passage vn∣to vnspeakeable, incredible, and eternall ioye and consolation. Our Sauiour saith they are

happie that lament, for they shalbe comfor∣ted, but hee setteth a woe vpon those that laughe: so that by his iudgement happines (and heauenly happines he speaketh of) com∣meth rather by lamenting then laughing. Yea,* 1.61 God himself wil take y^e paines to wipe away the teares of the eyes of such as sheade any vnder the crosse, & especially in the cause of his Christ. You haue litle comfort perad∣uenture in the worlde, yet I am sure more then Lazarus in his penurie, or Iob in his perplexitie: and the lesse you finde on earth, the more belike you shal haue in heauen. You knowe the answere to the riche man, in the parable, that he had his earthly pleasure for his portiō.* 1.62 But what an exchange made La∣zarus? euen eternal pleasure for temporal pe∣nurie. If you haue not your portion with the riche man here; you may the lesse doubte to haue parte and place with Lazarus in the kingdome of God. And here let Christ be your comforter: You shall lament (saith he) but the world shall reioyce, and in him, hee saith you shall haue peace. O see that pitifull and sauing Samaritan, how he powreth wine and oyle into your woundes, euen the peace of conscience, the peace of God that passeth all vnderstāding.* 1.63 If the world hate you (saith

he) you know that it hated me before you: & if our Sauiour hath lead vs the waye, what should we sticke at the matter? where as he hath ouerlept so great blockes, why should we stumble so at euery strawe which the de∣uill casteth in our way? The Apostle saith,* 1.64 If we suffer with him, we shall raigne with him: and if we die with him, we shall liue with him. O Sister, let vs not shrinke from our Captaine, whome we see already to be a conquerour. Let vs prepare our selues pa∣tiently to abide the pleasure of God: let vs exercise patience in the lighter, that we may the better beare the greater burden. Let vs liue and die with our Sauiour, let vs suffer with him in all patience, that we may reigne with him in glorie, to the which the afflictiōs of this world with all extremitie (as S. Paul hath cast the matter) are nothing compara∣ble. We hope to haue our part in the king∣dome of Christ Iesus, let vs not then looke for it there where he hath tolde vs it is not to be found: Let vs not seeke after worldly wealth or earthly felicitie, let vs not looke here to rule the roste, but to be rosted rather of Rulers. Our kingdome is where Christ reigneth, let that content vs, knowing that his kingdome is aboue all powers, al things

being in subiection vnder his feete.

Here I leaue you (Sister) betaking you to Christ, who couereth you as one of his chosen chickens, vnder the shadow of his cō∣fortable winges, against whom as long as you liue, neither the world, which he hath cō∣quered, neither death, which he hath swal∣lowed vp, neither the gates of hel, which he hath closed vnto you, shal any thing preuaile. That which I haue said, I haue said once, & peraduenture as good vnsaid: but Christ cō∣tinually cōforteth you with his sweete pro∣mises and euerlasting word of saluation: he still crieth vnto you, Be of good chere, I haue ouercome the worlde: reioyce in this (sayth he) that your name is written in the booke of life. Betake you therefore wholy to him, reioyce in his crosse, resorte to his word, whence, as out of paradise you may gather flowers sufficient to fill you with ioye. And if it hath pleased almightie God any thing to refreshe you with this my poore posy, his wil be done, his name be glorified, Amen: I haue my rewarde: and he the God of all consola∣tion graunt vs the heauenly comfort of his holy Spirit, that peace which the world can not giue, and that constant patience in all his fatherly corrections, that we be not founde

false hirelings, but true and trustie seruants: no bastard children, but by vnfained faith, the blessed posteritie of the blessed Abraham, and true regenerates of God by our Sauiour Christ. And the holie sanctifying Spirit of trueth, and God be blessed for euer, Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The cause that moo∣ued the Authour to wryte this Trea∣tise.
• * 1.2

  Mat. 26.10
• * 1.3

  Rō. 12.15.
• * 1.4

  Eccle. 7.34
• * 1.5

  2. Sam. 1.12.
• * 1.6

  Comforts, some are temporall, some eter∣nall.
• * 1.7

  Temporal comforts.
• * 1.8

  1. Tim. 5.23.
• * 1.9

  Prou. 31.6
• * 1.10

  Meate & drink, &c.
• * 1.11

  Psal. 107.9
• * 1.12

  Kinsfolkes & friends.
• * 1.13

  Psal. 69.8.
• * 1.14

  A house or dwel∣ling place.
• * 1.15

  Concord of brethrē
• * 1.16

  Psal. 122.3
• * 1.17

  Psal. 133.1
• * 1.18

  Euerlastīg and hea∣uenly com¦forts.
• * 1.19

  Reue. 4.4.
• * 1.20

  Gods worde.
• * 1.21

  Rom. 15.4.
• * 1.22

  Election in Christ.
• * 1.23

  Rom. 8.28.
• * 1.24

  Paul.
• * 1.25

  Rom. 8.37.
• * 1.26

  Ioseph.
• * 1.27

  Gen. 37.24.
• * 1.28

  Gen. 39.20
• * 1.29

  Gen. 45.4, 5.
• * 1.30

  Gen. 45.8.
• * 1.31

  Dauid.
• * 1.32

  Three chil¦drē in the fornace.
• * 1.33

  Daniel.
• * 1.34

  Dan. 6.16. &c.
• * 1.35

  1 Cor. 10.13.
• * 1.36

  Heb. 12.11
• * 1.37

  Christ.
• * 1.38

  This is since imprinted and called, The viewe of the estate of man, &c. Philip 2.5.6.7.8.
• * 1.39

  Act. 2.26, 27.
• * 1.40

  The apply∣ing of the former ex∣amples.
• * 1.41

  Heb. 12.8.
• * 1.42

  Christs to••¦ments and afflictiōs.
• * 1.43

  Warrants out of the scriptures for our cō∣fort.
• * 1.44

  Mar. 7.29.
• * 1.45

  Iohn. 3.16.
• * 1.46

  1. Iohn. 1.4
• * 1.47

  Answeres to certain obiections cōcerning the want of things.
• * 1.48

  Cōpanie.
• * 1.49

  1. Iohn. 1.7
• * 1.50

  Worldly estimation
• * 1.51

  Mariage.
• * 1.52

  Barennes.
• * 1.53

  Anna.
• * 1.54

  Tob. 3.10.
• * 1.55

  Sara.
• * 1.56

  Abraham.
• * 1.57

  An excel∣lent com∣parison be¦twene the profite & cōfort that the wife may haue of her hus∣band, and the same we haue of our head and hus∣bād Christ
• * 1.58

  Reuel. 12.
• * 1.59

  Rom. 8.32.
• * 1.60

  Comforts against the contēpt of the world, and sorow and hea∣uines. 1. Cor. 12.
• * 1.61

  Reue. 21.
• * 1.62

  Luk. 16.25
• * 1.63

  Ioh. 15.18.
• * 1.64

  2. Tim. 2.11, 12.