A29095:15
The godly exhortation of holy Father Bradford which he gave to his wife, children…
The godly exhortation of holy Father Bradford which he gave to his wife, children and friends a little before his death, who dyed a martyr for the Gospel in Q. Mary's days : wherein is plainly shown the excellency of the Protestant religion and the happiness of those that profess and live the same : as also the damnableness of the Romish religion with their bloody and rebellious crimes laid open : with the relation of the murder of that just justice Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey.The godly exhortation of holy Father Bradford which he gave to his wife, children and friends a little before his death, who dyed a martyr for the Gospel in Q. Maries days : wherein is plainly shown the excellency of the Protestant religion and the happiness of those that profess and live the same : as also the damnableness of the Romish religion with their bloody and rebellious crimes laid open : with the relation of the murder of that just justice Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey.
London: printed for T. Passenger, 1683
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Words, or Advice of a Person departing, are generally very taking.
NO Wife so wilful, no Son so stubborn, or Daughter dull, in my apprehension, but would willingly watch for the words of him that is leaving the World, more specially they would, or at least-wise should be attractive and attentive to the sententious Speeches of a sober ⟨image 4⟩solid suffering Servant of Jesus Christ; But although Godliness be the greatest gain, it hath few followers, because so many Fools. Persecution is the Thorn in you, ye Messengers of Satan; must Piety be punished? what a pity is it; that which is the Garland of Glory, the Gate to Heaven, should be so slighted, it increases my sorrow: But why should I be singular? Solomon saith, and what he said was true, that there is no new thing under the Sun, for since Sin entered into the World, by consequence there must be sorrow and suffering. Persecution is not only a Legacy, but is entailed on the Godly and to their Heirs, whilst Godly, so long as Sun and Moon shall endure, for all that will live Godly must suffer Persecution; Therefore my dear Friends, wonder not at the Prosperity of the Wicked, for they have only theirs here, but not hereafter; and though there be no Bonds in their Death, yet are they Curses from the Cradle, and their punishment will be perpetual.
NO Wife so wilfull, no Son so stubborn, or Daughter dull, in my apprehension, but would willingly watch for the words of him that is leaving the World, more specially they would, or at least-wise should be attractive and attentive to the sententious Speeches of a sober ⟨image 4⟩sollid suffering Servant of Iesus Christ; But although Godliness be the greatest gain, it hath few followers, because so many Fools. Persecution is the Thorn in you, ye Messengers of Satan; must Piety be punisht? what a pitty is it; that which is the Garland of Glory, the Gate to Heaven, should be so slighted, it increases my sorrow: But why should I be singular? Solomon saith, and what he said was true, that there is no new thing under the Sun, for since Sin entered into the World, by consequence there must be sorrow and suffering. Persecution is not only a Legacy, but is intail'd on the Godly and to their Heirs, whilst Godly, so long as Sun and Moon shall endure, for all that will live Godly must suffer Persecution; Therefore my dear Friends, wonder not at the Prosperity of the Wicked, for they have only theirs here, but not hereafter; and though there be no Bonds in their Death, yet are they Curses from the Cradle, and their punishment will be perpetual.