The Life of Faith in Death Exemplified, Part 2
The Liuing Speeches of Dying Christians.
PART. 1.
OLd Simeons Swannes Song, Lord let thy seruant depart in peace, &c.
The good Theefe, the first Confessor. Lord remember me when thou commest into thy Kingdome.
Steuen the first Martyr, Lord Iesus receiue my Spirit, forgiue them &c.
Peter the Apostle: None but Christ, Nothing but Christ.
Andrew the Apostle: Welcome Oh Christ longed and looked for. I am the Scholler of him that did hang on thee, long hauehave I coueted to embrace thee, in whom I am that I am.
Polycarpus to the Proconsull, vrging him to deny Christ, I hauehave serued him 86 yeares, and hee hath not once hurt mee, and shall I now deny him?
When hee should hauehave been tyed to the stake, he required to stand vntyed, saying: Let me alone (I pray you) for hee that gaue mee strength to come to this fire, will also giuegive me patience to abide in the same without your tying.
Ignatius, I am the Wheat or Graine to be ground with the teeth of Beasts, that I may bee pure Bread for my Masters tooth; Let Fire, Rackes, Pulleyes, yea and all the Torments of Hell come on mee, so I may winne Christ.
Lucius to Vrbicius, a corrupt Iudge threaning death; I thanke you with all my heart, that free mee and release mee from wicked Gouernours, and send mee to my good God and louing Father, &c.
Pothnius Bishop of Lyons to the President asking him in the midst of torments what that Christ was, answered, If thou wert worthy, thou shouldest know.
Cyprian, God Almighty be blessed for this Gaole deliuery.
Ambrose to his Friends about him, I hauehave not so liued, that I am ashamed to liue longer, nor yet feare I Death, because I hauehave a good Lord.
And the same to Calligon, Valentinians Eunuch threatning death, Well doe you that which becomes an Eunuch, I will suffer that which becomes a Bishop.
Augustine, Boughes fall off Trees, and Stones out of Buildings, and why should it seeme strange that mortall men dye?
Theodosius, I thank God more for that I hauehave beene a member of Christ, then an Emperour of the world.
Hilarion, Soule, get thee out, thou hast seuentie yeares serued Christ, and art thou now loath to dye, or afrayd of Death?
Vincentius, Rage, and doe the worst that the spirit of malignity can set thee on worke to doe. Thou shalt see Gods Spirit strengthen the Tormented more then the Deuill can doe the Tormentor.
Iubentius and Maximinus, Wee are ready to lay off the last Garment the Flesh.
Attalus answered to eueryevery question, I am a Christian: being fired in an Iron Chaine, Behold, oh you Romans, this is to eat mans flesh, which you falsely obiect to vsus Christians.
Basill to Valens his Viceroy, offering him respite, No, I shall bee the same to morrow; I hauehave nothing to lose but a few Bookes, and my body is now so crazy, that one blow will ende my torment.
Gordius, To the Tyrant offering him promotion; HaueHave you any thing equall, or more worthy then the Kingdome of Heauen?
Babilas dying in Prison, willed his Chaines should be buried with him; Now (saith he) will God wipe away all teares, and now I shall walke with God in the land of the Liuing.
Barlaam, holding his hand in the flame ouer the Altar, sung that of the Psalmist: Thou teachest my hands to warre, and my fingers to fight.
Iulitta: Wee Women receiued not onelyonly flesh from men, but are bone of bone, and therefore ought to be as strong and constant as men in Christs cause.
Amachus, Turne the other side also, Least raw flesh offend. The like Lawrence.
Symeones, Thus to dye a Christian, is to liue, yea the chiefe good and best end of a man.
Marcus of Arethuse, hung vp in a basket, annoynted with hony, and so exposed to the stinging of Waspes, and Bees, to his persecutours that stood and beheld him; How am I aduaunced, despising you that are below on earth.
Pusices to Ananias an olde man trembling at Martyrdome: Shut thine eyes but a while, and thou shalt see Gods light.
Bernard, Fense the heele voyd of Merite, with Prayer, that the Serpent may not finde where to fasten his teeth.
The second part.
EDWARD the 6. King of England, Bring me into thy Kingdom, free this Kingdome from Antichrist, and keepe thine Elect in it.
Cranmer Archbishop: Thrusting his hand into the fire: Thou vnworthy hand (saith hee) shalt first burne, I will bee reuenged of thee for subscribing for feare of Death to that damned scrowle.
Latimer Bishop: To one that tempted him to recant, and would not tell him his name: Well (saith he) Christ hath named thee in that saying, Get thee behinde mee Sathan; And being vrged to abiure, I will (saith hee) good people, I once sayd in a Sermon in King Edwards time confidently, that Antichrist was for euer expelled England, but God hath shewed mee it was but carnall confidence.
To Bishop Ridley, going before him to the Stake: HaueHave after as fast as I can follow: wee shall light such a candle by Gods grace in England this day, as I trust shall neuer hee put out againe.
To whom Bishop Ridley: Bee of good heart Brother, for God will either asswage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen vsus to abide it.
Bishop Hooper; to one that tendered a Pardon vponupon recantation; If you louelove my Soule away with it, if you louelove my Soule away with it: one of the Commissioners prayed him to consider that life is sweet, and death is bitter; True (saith hee) but the death to come is more bitter, and the life to come more sweet; Oh Lord Christ I am hell, thou art Heauen, draw me to thee of thy mercy.
Iohn Rogers, to one that told him hee would change his note at the fire; If I should trust in my selfe, I should so doe, but I hauehave determined to dye, and God is able to inable me.
Being awakened, and bidden to make haste to Execution, Then (saith hee) shall I not need to tye my poynts.
Iohn Philpot, I will pay my vowes in thee O Smithfield.
Thomas Bilney: I know by sense and Phylosophie, that fire is hote and burning painfull, but by faith I know it shall onelyonly waste the stubble of my bodie, and purge my spirit of it corruption.
Glouer to Augustine Brenner: He is come, He is come, meaning the Comforter Gods Spirit.
Iohn Bradford: embracing the Reeds and Fagots sayd; Strayte is the way, and narrow is the gate, and few that finde it. And speaking to his fellow Martyr: Bee of good comfort Brother, for wee shall hauehave a merrie Supper with the Lord this night; if there be any way to heauen on Horsebacke, or in fiery Chariots, this is it.
Lawrence Saunders: I was in prison till I got into prison, and now (sayes he kissing the Stake) welcome the Crosse of Christ, welcome euerlasting life: my Sauiour began to mee in a bitter Cup, and shall I not pledge him?
Iohn Lambert: None but Christ, none but Christ.
Baynam, Behold you Papists that looke for myracles, I feele no more paine in the fire, then if I were in a bed of Downe, it is as sweet to me as a bed of Roses.
Hugh Lauerocke comforting Iohn A Pryce his fellow-Martyr, said vntounto him: Bee of good comfort my Brother, for my Lord of London is our good Physition, he will cure thee of all thy blindnesse, and me of my lamenesse this day.
William Hunter to his Mother, For a momentany payne I shall hauehave a crowne of life, & may not you be glad of that? To whom shee answered, I count my selfe happy that bare such a Champion for Christ: and thee as well bestowed as any childe that euer I bare.
Adam Damlip to his fellowprisoners, wondring at his cheerefull Supping and behauiour after the message of his execution: Why (quoth hee) thinke you I hauehave beene so long in the Marshallsea, and hauehave not learned to dye? And when they told him his quarters should bee hanged vp; then (said he) shall I need take no thought for buriall.
Priests wife to one offering her money, I am now going to a Countrey where money beares no Mastery: when sentence was read; Now hauehave I gotten that which many a day I hauehave sought for.
Kirby to Master Wingfield pittying him: Be at my burning, and you shall see, and say, there is a Souldier of Christ: I know fire, water, and sword are in his hands, that will not suffer them to seperate me from him.
Doctor Taylor; I shall this day deceiue the wormes in Hadley Church yard, and fetching a leape or two when hee came within two miles of Hadley, Now (saith hee) lacke I but two Stiles, and I am euen at my Fathers house.
Walter Mill vrged to recant at the Stake; I am no chaffe, but corne, I will abide Wind and Flayle, by Gods grace.
Bishop Farrar, to a Knights Son bemoaning his death: If you see me stirre in the fire, trust not my doctrine; And so hee stood holding vp his stumps, till one Grauell strooke him downe with a staffe.
Rawlings to the Bishops: Rawlings you left mee, Rawlings you finde mee, and so by Gods grace I will dye.
Iohn Ardley, If eueryevery haire of my head were a man, it should suffer death in the Faith I now stand in. The like Agges Stanley, and William Sparrow.
Thomas Hawkes, being desired to giuegive a signe, whether the fire was tollerable to be borne, promised it to his friends: and after all expectation was past, hee lift vp his hands halfe burned, and being on a light fire, with great reioycing, striketh them three times together.
Lawrence Ghest to his wife meeting him with seauen children on her hand: Be not a blocke to me in the way, now I am in a good course, and neere the marke.
The Lady Iane Grey requested by the Lieutenant of the Towre to write her Symbole in his book before her beheading, wrote this, Let the glassie condition of this life neuer deceiue thee, There is a time to bee borne, a time to die; But the day of death is better then the day of Birth.
Alice Driuer, when the chain was about her necke: Heere is a goodly Necker chiefe, God be blessed for it.
Iohn Noyes kissing the stake: Blessed bee the time that euer I was borne for this day. To his fellow Martyrs; We shal not lose our liues in this Fire, but change them for a better, and for coales hauehave pearles, &c.
Iulius Palmer: To them that hauehave the minde linked to the body, as a theeues foot to a payre of stockes, it is hard to dye indeed; but if one bee able to separate soule and body, then by the helpe of Gods spirit it is no more mastery for such a one, then for mee to drinke this Cup.
Elizabeth Folkes, embracing the Stake; Farewell all the world, Farewell Faith, Farewell Hope, and welcome LoueLove.
Roger Bernard, being threatned whipping, stocking, burning; answered, I am no better then my master Christ, and the Prophets, which your Fathers serued after such sort, and I for his names sake am content to suffer the like at your hands: so immediatly he was condemned, and carried to the fire.
Thomas Sampal, offred a pardon in the midst of the fire: Oh now I am thus far on my iourney, hinder me not to finish my race.
Latimer Bishop, when they were about to set fire to him, and Bishop Ridley, with an amiable countenance, said these words: God is faithfull which doth not suffer vsus to be tempted aboue our strength.
Bishop Ridley to Mistris Irish the Keepers wife, and other friends at Supper, I pray you be at my Wedding tomorrow, (at which wordes they weeping) I perceiue you are not so much my friends as I tooke you to be.
Tankerfield, when hee had put one Legg into the fire. The Flesh shrinkes and sayes, Thou foole, wilt thou burne and needest not? The spirit sayes, Hell fire is sharper, and wilt thou aduenture that? The flesh saies, Wilt thou leaue thy Friends? The Spirit answers, Christ and his Saints society is better. The flesh saies, Wilt thou shorten thy life? The Spirit saies, It's nothing to an eternall life.
Ioyce Lewis, When I beholde the ouglesome face of Death, I am afrayd, but when I consider Christes amiable Countenance, I take heart againe.
The third part.
IOHN HVS to a Countreyman that threwe a Faggot at his head: Oh holy Simplicitie, God send thee better light. You roste the Goose now, but a Swanne shall come after mee, and hee shall escape your Fire; Hus a Goose in the Bohemian language, and Luther a Swan.
Hierom of Prague, Make the fire in my sight, for if I had feared it, I had neuer come hither: while it was making, he sung two Psalmes.
Anonymus on his death-bed, Now Flegme doe thy dutie, and stop thou my vitall Artery. Now Death doe me that friendly office to rid me of paine, and hasten mee to happinesse: To a Friend of his that willed him to hauehave his thoughts on heauen: I am there already.
Claudius Monerius being cauilled at by the Friers for eating a breakfast before his execution. This I do that the flesh may answere the readines of the Spirit.
Michaela Caignoela, a noble Matron, seeing her Iudges look out of the windowes, said to her fellow-Martyrs: These stay to suffer the torment of their Consciences, and are reserued to iudgement, but wee are going to glory and happinesse. And to certaine poore women weeping, and crying, Oh Madam, wee shall neuer now hauehave more Almes, Yes hold you (saith shee) yet once more; and plucked off her Slippers, and such other of her apparell, as shee could with modestie spare from the fire.
Iames Delos, to Monkes that called him proud Heretike; Alas, here I get nothing but shame, I expect indeed preferment hereafter.
Madam la Glee, to one Chavique, that vpbraided her for denying the Faith; Your cursed faith is not worthy the name of Faith; she put on her Bracelets, For I goe (said she) to my Spouse.
Marlorat to friends that called him deceiuer; If I hauehave seduced any, God hath seduced me, who cannot lye.
Castilia Rupea, Though you throw my body downe of this steepe hill, yet will my soule mount vpwards againe; your blasphemies more offend my minde, then your torments doe my body.
Christopher Marshall of Antwerpe, I was from eternall a sheepe destined to the slaughter, and now I go to the Shambles, Gold must bee tried in the fire.
Vidus Bressius, If Gods Spirit saith true, I shall straight rest from my labours, my soule is euen taking her wings to slie to her resting place.
The Duke of Wittemberg and Luneburgh, Many hauehave beene mine errours and defects in Gouernment, Lord pardon and couer all in Christ.
Picus Mirandula, If Christes Death and our owne were euer in eye, how could wee sinne? Death is welcome, not as an end of trouble, but of sinne.
Martin Luther, Thee Oh Christ hauehave I taught, thee hauehave I trusted, thee hauehave I loued, into thy handes I commend my spirit.
O ecolampadius to one asking if the light offended him not, I hauehave light enough here, laying his hand on his breast; And to the Ministers about him, Let the light of your liues shine as well as your Doctrine.
Francisco Varlute, Paul and Peter were more honourable members of Christ then I, but I am a member; they had more store of grace then I, but I hauehave my measure, and therfore sure of my glory.
Peter Berger, I see the Heauens open to receiue my Spirit; And beholding the multitude at the stake, Great is the Haruest, Lord send Labourers.
Iohn Mallot a Souldior; Often hauehave wee hazarded our liues for the Emperour Charles the fifth, and shall wee now shrinke to dye for the King of Kings? Let vsus follow our Captaine.
Iohn Fillula to his fellowes: By these Ladders we ascend the heauens, now begin wee to trample vnderunder seet, Sinne, the World, the Flesh, and the Deuill.
Thomas Calberg, to the Fryers, willing him to repent at the last howre: I beleeue that I am one of those Workemen in Christs Vineyard, and shall presently receiue my penny.
Robert Ogners, Sonne to his Father and Mother at the stake with him: Beholde millions of Angells about vsus, and the Heauens open to receiue vsus. To a Fryer that rayled, Thy Cursings are Blessings: And to a Noble man that offered him Life and Promotion: Doe you thinke mee such a foole, that I would change eternall things for temporary: To the people, We suffer as Christians, not as Theeues or Murderers.
Constantine being carried with other Martyrs in a Dungcart to the place of Execution: Well (saith he) yet are we a precious odour, and sweet sauour to God in Christ.
Fran: Sanromanus a Spaniard: Worke your pleasures on my bodie, which you hauehave in Chaynes your Captiue: but my soule is euen already in heauen through Faith and Hope, and vponupon that Caesar himselfe hath no power.
Ioan the Marshals wife of France to her Husband at the Stake with her: Bee of good cheere, our Wedding was but a shadow, an earnest and Contract of that solemne and blessed Marriage, which the Lambe will now consummate.
Anne Audebert of Orleance: Blessed bee God for this wedding girdle (meaning the Chaine) My first Marriage was on the Lordes day, and now my second to my Spouse and Lord CHRIST shall bee on the same.
Iohn Bruger, to a Fryer offering him a wooden crosse at the Stake: No (saith hee) I hauehave another true Crosse imposed by Christ on me, which now I will take vp: I worship not the worke of mans hands, but the Sonne of God, I am content with him for my onelyonly Aduocate.
Martin Hyperius, Oh what a difference there is betwixt this and eternall fire! who would shun this to leape into that?
Augustine of Hannouia to a Noble man, perswading him to hauehave a care of his soule; So I will (saith he) for I presently will lay downe my body to saue my Conscience whole.
Faninus an Italian kissed the Apparitour that brought him word of his Execution; To one reminding him of his Children; I hauehave left them to an Able and Faithfull Guardian: To his friends weeping, That is well done, that you weepe for ioy with mee: And to one obiecting Christes agony and sadnesse to his cheerefulnesse: Yea (saith hee) Christ was sad, that I might be merry; He had my sinnes, and I hauehave his merit and righteousnesse: And to the Fryers offering him a woodden Crucifix, Christ needes not the helpe of this piece to imprint him in my minde and heart, where hee hath his habitation.
George Carpenter, All Bauaria is not so deare to mee as my wife and children, yet for Christes sake I will forsake them cheerfully.
Adam Wallacke, a Scot, to a tempting Fryer, If an Angel should say that which thou doest, I would not listen to him: is the Fire ready? I am ready; Let no man be offended, no Disciple is greater then his Master.
Iohn Burgon to his Iudges asking him, if hee would appeale to the high Court: Is it not enough that your handes are polluted with our Blood, but you will make more guiltie of it?
Fredericke Anuill of Bearne, to the Fryers that willed him to call on the Virgin Mary; three times repeated, Thine O Lord is the Kingdome, thine is the power and glory for euer and euer; Let's fight, Let's fight. Auaunt Sathan, Auaunt.
Godfrey Varal of Piedmont; Hangman doe thine office, my death will be fruitfull to my selfe and others.
Halewine of Antwerp, and Harman of Amsterdam, to the Markgraue of Antwerpe, offering mittigation of Torments vponupon abiuration, Wee are resolued these Momentany afflictions are not worthy that exceeding weight of glory that shalbe reuealed. Peter and Nicholas Thiesse… brethren, vsed the like speech.
Annas Burgius in the middest of his torments: Lord forsake mee not, lest I forsake thee.
Peter Clarke with the root of hi Tongue plucked out, pronounced audibly (to shew that none euer wanted a tongue to praise God) Blessed be the name of God, as of old Romanus the Martyr, mentioned in Prudentius.
Godfrey de Hammele, to one that called him Heretique, No heretique but an vnprofitable seruant, yet willing to die for his Lord, and reckoning this death no death but a life.
Bucer, No man by talke shall withdraw my mind from Christ crucified, from heauen, & my speedy departure, vponupon which my soule is fixed. When one aduised him to arme himselfe against Sathans temptations; Hee hath nothing to doe with mee: God forbid but now my soule should be sure of sweet consolation.
Tremelius, a Christian Iew, Let Christ liue, and Barrabas perish.
Ferdinand Emperour: If mine Ancestors and Predecessors had not dyed, how should I hauehave beene Emperour? I must that others may succeed mee.
Frederick the third Elect. Palat. to his friends about him, wishing him recouery, I hauehave liued enough to you, let mee now liue to my selfe, and with my Lord Christ.
Leonard Caesar: Oh Lord doe thou suffer with me, Lord support me and saue me.
Windelmuta, to one that told her shee had not yet tasted how bitter Death was: No (said shee) neither euer shall I, for so much hath Christ promised to all that keepe his word, neither will I forsake him for sweete life, or bitter death.
Henry Voes, If I had ten heads, they should all off for Christ. God forbid I should reioyce in any thing saue in his Crosse.
The Minister of Brisgo, This skinne which scarce cleaues to my bones, I must shortly hauehave layde off by necessitie, how much more willingly now for my Sauiour Christ.
Adolphus Clarebachius: I beleeue there is not a merrier heart in the world at this instant, then mine is: Behold, you shall see mee dye by that Faith I hauehave liued.
Alexander Cane: when a fooles Cappe was put on his head: Can I hauehave a greater Honour done me, then to bee serued as my Lord CHRIST before Herod? Lord, seeing my Persecutors hauehave no mercy, hauehave thou mercy on mee, and receiue my soule.
Almondus a Via, My body dyes, my Spirit liues. Gods Kingdome abides euer. God hath now giuen mee the accomplishment of all my desires.
Giles Tilman, vrged to know what hee beleeued of Purgatory. Purgatorie and Hell I leaue to you, but my Hope is directly to goe into Paradise: Neither feare I this great pyle of Wood, whereof some might hauehave been spared to warme the poore, but will passe through it purged for my Sauiour.
Peter Bruse: I thanke God, my broken legge suffered mee not to flye this Martyrdome.
Marion the wife of Adrian, seeing the Coffin hooped with Iron, wherein shee was to bee buryed aliue. HaueHave you prouided this Pasty-crust to bake my flesh in.
Lewis Paschalis: Its a small matter to die once for Christ, if it might be, I could wish I might die a thousand deaths for him.
Iohn Buisson: I shall now hauehave a double Gaole deliuery; one out of my sinnefull flesh, another from the loathsome Dungeon I hauehave long lyen in.
Hugh Stallour to Iohn Pike his fellow Martyr; Yet a little while, and wee shall see one another before the Throne, and face of God.
Levine de Blehere, To his friends that offered to rescue him by tumult: Hinder not the Magistrates worke, nor my happinesse: Father, thou soresawest this Sacrifice from eternall: now accept of it, I pray thee.
Christopher Fabrianus: First bitter, then sweet; first battell, the victory when I am dead; eueryevery drop of my bloud shall preach Christ, and set foorth his praise.
Francisce Soet: You depriue me of this life, and promote mee to a better, which is, as if you should rob mee of Counters, and furnish me with Gold.
Guy de Bres: The ringing of my Chaine hauehave beene sweet Musicke in mine eares: my Prison an excellent Schoole, wherein Gods spirit hath bin my Teacher: all my former Discourses were as a blinde mans of colours, in comparison of my present feeling. Oh what a precious Comforter is a good Conscience.
Dionysius Peloquine, To the Inquisitour telling him, his life was now in his owne handes. Then said hee, It were in an ill keeping. Christes Schoole hath taught mee to saue it by loosing it, and not by the gaine of a few dayes, or yeares, to lose Eternitie.
Lewis Marsake Knight, seeing his other brethren goe with Halters about their necks, which they offered not him because of his dignity; Why I pray you (quoth hee) deny me not the Badge and ornament of so excellent an order, is not my cause the same with theirs? which obtayning, hee marched valiantly to the Stake with them.
Symon Laloeus to one Siluester his Executioner; Neuer saw I man in all my life whose comming was more welcome to mee then thine. So cheerfull was his death, that Syluester amazed at it, left his office, became a Conuert and a Christian himselfe, went to Geneua for further instruction in the Gospell.
Kilian a Dutch Schoolemaster, to such as asked him if hee loued not his wife and children, Yes (said hee) if all the world were golde, and were mine to dispose of, I would giuegive it to liue with them, though it were but in prison; yet my soule and Christ are dearer to me then all.
Giles Verdict: Out of my Ashes shall rise innumerable Christians, which Prophecy, God so verified by the effect, that it grewe a byword after his death, That his ashes flewe abroad all the Countrey.
Anthony Verdict brother to the former, condemned to bee eaten with Beastes, to preuent the like Prouerbe: sayd to his Father, Oh Father, how hath God enabled you, to hauehave two Sonnes honoured with Martyrdome.
Iohn Barbevill, to Fryers that called him ignorant Asse: Well, admit I were so, yet shall my Bloud witnesse against such Balaams as you bee.
Francisce Coluer, to his two Sons massacred together with himselfe: Sheepe wee are for the slaughter; this is no new thing, let vsus follow millions of Martyrs through temporall death, to eternall life.
By all these which are but an handfull of Christs Campe Royall, it sufficiently appeares they had their Faith fresh and liuely in the face of this graund enemy, and by Vertue of their Faith, their Spirits, Wits, and Tongues, vntroubled, vndismayed; insomuch that an auncient witnesse of the Christian Bishops, that they did more ambitiously desire the glory of Martyrdome, then others did Praelacies and Preferments. And a late mortall enemie of theirs, bade a vengeance on them, for hee thought they tooke delight in burning. What then shall wee gaine by them? I remember Master Rough a Minister, comming from the burning of one Austo, in Smithfield, being asked by Master Farrar of Halifax, where he had beene, made answere, There where I would not but hauehave been, for one of my eyes, and would you knowe where? Forsooth I hauehave beene to learne the way: which soone after hee made good, by following him in the same place, in the same kinde of death. Now if one President made him so good a Scholler: What dullards and non-proficients are we? if such a cloud of examples work not in vsus a cheerefull abilitie to expect and encounter the same aduersary, so often foyled before our eyes. Yet least any should complaine, that examples without Rules, are but a dumbe and lame helpe: I will annexe vntounto them a payre of Funerall Sermons, opening a couple of Seales reuealed to Iohn in his second vision: The first, affording vsus sundry Meditations of Death and Hell; The second, of Heauen, & the happinesse of such as dye in the Lord, and rest vnderunder the Altar.
The vse of them I chiefly dedicate and commend to old sick persons, such especially, as die of lingring diseases, affoording them leisure to peruse such themes, though I forbid none, but to all I say, Come and see.