An Ample Declaration of the Christian DoctrineChapter 22. Of The foure last things

Scholar. I Would haue some general document to flie sinne.

Master. The wise man saith, Remember thou the last things, and thou wilt neuer sinne. The last things are foure, Death, the Generall Iudgement, Hell, and Heauen.

Scholar. Wherfore are these foure things called the last?

Master. Because death is the end of life, and the last thing which is to happen in this world. Finall iudgement is the last of all the iudgments, that are to be geuen: and therfore there is no appealing from it. Hell is the last euil, that melefactours are to haue, and they are to remaine therin for euer, without possibilitie euer to change. Heauen is the last good, which the good are to haue, & they are neuer to lose it.

Scholar. I would haue some considerations, to exercise my self in these last things, for that remembring my self often of them, I should neuer sinne, as the wise man saith whom you alleaged.

Master. Concerning death, you may consider these four points. First, that death is most certaine, and none can escape it. The second, that the houre of death is vncertaine, and manie die when they least thinke of it. The third, that in death all the designments of this life do end: and then the vanitie of the world appeareth. The fourth, that at their death euerie one repenteth the euill he hath done, and the omission of good, which he might haue done: & therfore it is great folie to do that, wherof we are sure to repent vs. Touching Iugement, you may consider these points. First, that the iudgement shal be geuen of a most important matter, to wit, of the chiefest good, or the greatest euil. Secondly, it shalbe geuen by the highest Iudge who knoweth all things, and whom none can resist. Thirdly, it shall bee geuen in the presence of the whole world, where none can hide themselues. Fourthly, there wil be no hope to flie the sentene, or the execution of Gods Iustice. Concerning Hell, consider that it is large, long, high and deepe. Large, for that it conteyneth all the paines that can bee imagined. Long, for that they are eternall. High, for that they are all most bitter in the highest degree. Depe, because they are all absolute paynes, without mixture of anie sort of consolation.

Concerning Heauen, consider in like maner, that it is large, for that it conteyneth all the goodnes that can be imagined, and more also then we can imagine or desire. It is long, because all those Beatitudes are eternal. It is high, because they are most high and noble, It is deepe, because they are pure good without any mixture of euill. And here you may adde, that the commodities of this life, haue no one of these conditions: for that they are few, short, little, and alwaies mixed with vexations, and troubles of mind. And likewise the euils of this world are few, short, litle, and alwaies tempered with some consolation. Wherupon you are to conclude, that all those haue truly lost their wittes, that for loue of the commodities of this life, or for feare of present tribulations, lose the happines, or fall into the euils, of the world to come.

FINIS.