Further, there may be added a sift consideration, which may make death comfortable unto us, and though it be here last in order, yet see thou too it, as to one of the first & chief which must ⟨p. 164⟩go before the rest. And this is, in thy whole life time carefully to express the truth and soundness of thy faith, by thy good works. Jam. 2.20. Which GOD hath ordained that we should walk in them: Ephe. 2.10. because the blood of Christ hath purged our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God. Heb. 9.14. Which service of good works must be done, not as causes, but as fruits that follow justification. Quia opera bona ex ipsius justificatione operamur: 1because our good works do spring from our justification, as light from the sun. And whatsoever is not of faith, is sin. And without faith it is impossible to please God. But if thou have this oil in thy Lamps of faith, and keep not thy conversation in the lusts of thy flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh, and of the mind: thou shalt be ready for the Bridegroom, with the five wise Virgins, and death can do thee no harme. Nisi peccatum habueris non est quod mortem timeas, 2&c. except thou have sin, thou needest not fear death, but when thou dost transgress the commandment of ⟨p. 165⟩the Lord, then doest thou arm death, and make it able and strong to fight against thy self.3 But Mors sinullum adsit peccatū imbecillis & inarmis venit: Death where sin is absent, comes weak and unarmed: as I hope the Spaniard will, if we have no Traitors at home. Well,4 Qui vicerit non laedetur, a morte secunda. He that overcometh, (to wit, by the blood of the Lamb) shall not be hurt of the second death. Therefore Quod eam timeamus quae animae nocere non scleat: Why should we be afraid of her, that useth not to hurt such a soul? Fear ye not them (saith Christ) that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Can the Bee hurt thee & have lost her sting? And can death wound thy soul without thine own sin? The sting of death is sin. Resist the devil, and he will fly from thee: and keep death from thine own sword of sin, and she shall not hurt thee. The fire flameth and fumeth like a tyrant, whilst it hath matter: and the Devil hath great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time. But as God hath set the sea bounds, which it cannot pass, though it rage ⟨p. 166⟩and swell horribly;
Further, there may be added a sift consideration, which may make death comfortable vnto vs, and though it be here last in order, yet see thou too it, as to one of the first & chiefe which must ⟨p. 164⟩goe before the rest. And this is, in thy whole life time carefully to expresse the truth and soundnesse of thy faith, by thy good workes. Iam. 2.20. Which GOD hath ordained that wee should walke in them: Ephe. 2.10. because the bloud of Christ hath purged our conscience from dead workes, to serue the liuing God. Heb. 9.14. Which seruice of good workes must be done, not as causes, but as fruites that follow iustification. Quia opera bona ex ipsius iustificatione operamur: 1because our good workes doo spring from our iustification, as light from the sunne. And whatsoeuer is not of faith, is sinne. And without faith it is impossible to please God. But if thou haue this oyle in thy Lamps of faith, and keepe not thy conuersation in the lusts of thy flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh, and of the mind: thou shalt be redaie for the Bridegroome, with the fiue wise Virgins, and death can doo thee no harme. Nisi peccatum habueris non est quod mortem timeas, 2&c. except thou haue sinne, thou needest not feare death, but when thou doost transgresse the commaundement of ⟨p. 165⟩the Lord, then doest thou arme death, and make it able and strong to fight against thy selfe.3 But Mors sinullum adsit peccatū imbecillis & inarmis venit: Death where sinne is absent, comes weake and vnarmed: as I hope the Spaniard will, if we haue no Traytors at home. Well,4 Qui vicerit non laedetur, a morte secunda. He that ouercommeth, (to wit, by the blood of the Lambe) shall not be hurt of the second death. Therefore Quod eam timeamus quae animae nocere non scleat: Why should we be afraid of her, that vseth not to hurt such a soule? Feare ye not them (saith Christ) that kill the bodie, but are not able to kill the soule. Can the Bee hurt thee & haue lost her sting? And can death wound thy soule without thine owne sin? The sting of death is sinne. Resist the diuel, and he will flie from thee: and keepe death from thine owne sword of sinne, and she shall not hurt thee. The fire flameth and fumeth like a tyrant, whilest it hath matter: and the Diuell hath great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time. But as God hath set the sea boundes, which it cannot passe, though it rage
- 1Aug. de Gram. Nobi Test. ad Honorat. ca. 30. Aug. ad Simpl. li. 1. Quest. 2.
- 2Stella in Luk. 12. Tom. 2. fol. 73.
- 3Stella in Luk. 12. Tom. 2. fol. 37.
- 4Amb. de bono mort. cap. 5.
