3 To one that said she feared death, he said: As I would have you to think of life, as being content to die, so think of death as you would also be content to live: and as for the fear of death, I like as well of them that measurably fear it, as of them who so joy at it, for I hope and like well of them also. Howbeit I see not this in those, which is in them, and which is a thing both allowed by grace and nature, that is, that they tremble at Gods judgements. You will say, that notwithstanding you see not why you should not fear death▪ seeing you find no comfort in life: to which I answer, that your life hath not been without comforts, howsoever things gone are soon forgotten, though your comforts were not in the full measure hoped for, and it may be that plentiful measure shall be given you in death. But what if you should die in this discomfort? for my part (as I my self look for1 no great things in my death) I would not think more hardly of you, neither would I wish any to judge otherwise of Gods child in that estate of death: for we shall not be judged according to that particular instance of death, but according to our general course of life,2 not according to our deed in that present, but according to the desire of our hearts ever before▪ and therefore we are not to mistrust Gods mercy in death, be we never so uncomfortable, if so be it hath been, before, sealed in our vocation and sanctification.
3 To one that said she feared death, he said: As I would haue you to thinke of life, as being content to die, so thinke of death as you would also be content to liue: and as for the feare of death, I like as well of them that measurably feare it, as of them who so ioy at it, for I hope and like well of them also. Howbeit I see not this in those, which is in them, and which is a thing both allowed by grace and nature, that is, that they tremble at Gods iudgements. You will say, that notwithstanding you see not why you should not feare death▪ seeing you finde no comfort in life: to which I answere, that your life hath not been without comforts, howsoeuer things gone are soone forgotten, though your cōforts were not in the full measure hoped for, and it may be that plentifull measure shall be giuen you in death. But what if you should die in this discomfort? for my part (as I my selfe looke for1 no great things in my death) I would not thinke more hardly of you, neither would I wish any to iudge otherwise of Gods childe in that estate of death: for we shall not be iudged according to that particular instance of death, but according to our generall course of life,2 not according to our deed in that present, but according to the desire of our hearts euer before▪ and therefore we are not to mistrust Gods mercie in death, be we neuer so vncomfortable, if so be it hath beene, before, sealed in our vocation and sanctification.
- 1Master Greenhams death.Maister Greenhams death.
- 2Not to judge of any man according to his state in death.Not to iudge of any man according to his state in death.
