A Golden Chain

The fourth duty, is to exercise and inure our selves in dying by little & little so long as we live here upon earth, before we come to die indeed. And as men that are appointed to run a race, exercise themselves in running that they may get the victory: so should we begin to die now while we are living, that we might die well in the end. But some may say, how should this be done? Paul gives us direction in his own example when he saith, by the rejoicing which I have in Christ I die daily. ¹And he died daily not only because he was often in danger of death by reason of his calling: but also because in all his dangers and troubles, he inured himself to die. For when men do make the right use of their afflictions, whether they be in body or mind, or both, and do with all their might endeavour to bear them patiently; humbling themselves as under the correction of God, then they begin to die well. And to do this indeed is to take an excellent course. He that would mortify his greatest sins, must begin to do it with small sins; which, when they are once reformed, a man shall be able more easily to overcome his master-sins. So likewise he that would be able to bear the cross of all crosses, namely death it self, must first of all learn to bear small crosses, as sicknesses in body, and troubles in mind, with losses of goods and of friends, and of good name: which I may fitly term little deaths, and the beginnings of death it self:² and we must first of all acquaint our selves with these little deaths, before we can well be able to bear the great death of all. Again, the afflictions and calamities of this life are as it were the harbingers and purveyors of death: and we are first to learn how to entertain these messengers, that when death the lord himself shall come, we may in better manner entertain him. This point Bilney the martyr well considered, who oftentimes before he was burned, put his finger into the flame of the candle, not only to make trial of his ability in suffering, but also to arm and strengthen himself against greater torments in death. Thus ye see the fourth duty, which ye must in any wise learn and remember, because we cannot be able to bear the pangs of death well, unless we be first well schooled and nurtured by sundry trials in this life.

The fourth dutie, is to exercise and inure our selues in dying by little & little so long as we liue here vpon earth, before we come to die indeede. And as men that are appointed to runne a race, exercise themselues in running that they may get the victorie: so should we begin to die now while we are liuing, that we might die well in the end. But some may say, how should this be done? Paul giues vs direction in his owne example when he saith, by the reioycing which I haue in Christ I die daily.