iii.). He speaketh of a true and lively faith, working by charity at all opportunity and occasion given, and after its ability.

And as for the third bug, that bringeth men in fear of death, that is the thing that should fear men and pluck them from sin and sinful living; lest they come to the pains of hell, and there be in torments evermore without end. To the which pains they shall come, that here live wickedly, and contrary to the will and commandment of God, if they, before death, do not repent and amend and call to God for grace and mercy, and obtain pardon and remission of sins, and walk in a new life, having sure faith in Christ, hope, and charity, continuing and increasing in them.

Here, we may learn of Paul rather to desire death than life. And death is rather to be desired of true Christians, than to be dreaded, and that for many causes, and much profit to us. First, where is a true faith, it maketh them certain of eternal life, as saith: St. John (iii.), "He that believeth, hath eternal life;" unto the which we cannot come without the death of the body, therefore death is to be wished of us, that we may come to life.

Secondly, if we believe God to be our Father, and if we love him above all creatures in this world, we will desire above all things to come unto our Father, so loving, so kind, so merciful, full of all goodness, riches, and glory. To our Father we cannot come, except before by death we be separated from our mortal bodies. Therefore let us desire death, that we may come to our heavenly Father, whom we love above all things.

Thirdly, as long as we are in this mortal body, we be far from God (2 Cor. v.). To be present with God we always desire; to be present with God we cannot, without we be dead from this corporal body. Death,

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therefore, is not to be feared but desired, that we may be present in glory with God.

Fourthly, pilgrims and strangers, far from home, desire ever homewards, and are not merry, nor quiet, till they come home, where their treasure, riches, friends, lands, and possessions are. We Christians, as long as we be in this life, are as strangers and guests, far from home, wandering with much care and heavy hearts, having here no dwelling-place (Heb. xii.). But we are seeking the habitation to come, which is in heaven, where is our home, our riches, our treasure, laid up and surely kept for us, and our lands and possessions, yea, a kingdom, an empire, our friends and kinsfolks. And thither we cannot come, except before by death we forsake this corruptible body. Death, therefore, is of us all greatly to be desired, and not to be dreaded, for by it we enter to take possession of our heavenly inheritage, joy, and bliss.

Fifthly, as long as we are in this naughty body, we are subjected to many evils and much misery, many sicknesses and diseases; as to fevers, agues, palsy, dropsy, gout, pestilence, and to many other sorrows, pains, and troubles, from all which death delivereth us; and without death we cannot be delivered from them. Therefore, death is to be wished, that we may be delivered from all miseries and wretchedness of this present life.

Sixthly, no hurt, or damage we suffer by the death of the body, but get much profit and commodity. By death we are delivered from mortality and made immortal. We are rid from pains, and brought to joy, receive life, and heavenly salvation, and then we shall be like to God in glory, in eternal felicity, and in heavenly inheritance, to the which Christ hath called us, and redeemed us with his precious blood, And in heaven we shall be in such joy and glory, as

no tongue can tell, nor eye hath ever seen, nor ear heard, nor man's heart can compass that glory and joy that God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Cor. ii.). But to these joys and felicities we cannot attain, except we first die, and be delivered from our mortal bodies.

These things if we will consider them well, and deeply in our hearts weigh them; there is no cause why we should fear the death of the body, but rather we should desire it, as Paul and other holy men did, desiring to be out of this corruptible and naughty body, and to be present with God.

I desire to be loosed, and to be with Christ. Paul desired to be dissolved from his mortal body, that he might be with Christ. So, should we do, and not fear death, but desire death, if it were so the will of God. For death is not to be feared to good men, but rather to be desired. For the death of good men, saith the Prophet, is precious in the sight of the Lord. And therefore, many good men have desired death, and to be delivered from this body, laden with sin, that they might be with God, and with Christ Jesu in glory.

But to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. Paul sheweth here, although it were better for himself to die, than live; yet he saith, that it should be more profit for these Philippians, that he should live than die; and that they should have more profit by his life, than by his death. By the which saying, he doth appear to say, that saints cannot profit men so much, being dead, as if they were living, and so their prayers do not profit men here living, so much as did their pure preaching of the Gospel, when they lived upon earth, and in their corporal bodies.

And this am I sure of, that I shall abide and continue with you all, for the furtherance and joy of your faith; that ye may abundantly rejoice in Christ Jesu, through my coming to you again. Note, how sure

Paul was, that he should return again to these Philippians, and abide, and continue amongst them, and that to their profit; both to the increasement of their faith, and also to their greater rejoicing in God by his coming to them. Here we learn, that God sheweth sometimes to some, those things that do follow; as here Paul sheweth his deliverance and coming to these Philippians, and the profit of his coming.

Also, this place willeth, that the coming of the bishop or pastor to his cure should not be without spiritual profit for his flock, that it should be to the increasement of faith by pure and sincere preaching of God's word, and that they should more and more rejoice in God, knowing God's benefits the better by the word of God purely preached by the bishop, pastor, or curate.

And this place doth something reprove those bishops that be dumb, and will not preach when they come into their diocese; that will not feed their people with the food of the soul, but suffer them to perish without food for them. How should bishops increase the true faith of the people, that will not preach to the people God's word? For as faith cometh by hearing of God's word, so it is increased by the same word. And as Paul more regarded those things, that should be profitable to others, than to himself; so should all others do, both bishops, pastors, curates, and all the lay-people.

But, alas for pity! few or none seek others profit, but their own. And so they be well, and live in ease, rest, and pleasure. They care not what becomes of others, what pains or torments others suffer. But let every one amend this fault, and study to be profitable, as well to others, as to himself. For we be not born for ourselves alone, but to glorify God, and to profit others by words, counsel, works, and deeds, as God hath given his gifts and talents, for that pur

pose. Not all gifts be given to one, but to divers, that every one should be an helper to another; for every one needs help of another.

Ver. 27, 28. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ; that whether I come, and see, or else be absent, I may yet hear of you, that ye continue in one spirit and one soul, labouring (as we do) to maintain the faith of the Gospel, and in nothing fearing your adversaries, which is to them a token of perdition, but unto you (a token) of salvation, and that of God.

Now, the Apostle exhorteth them, that they would live, as it becometh the profession of the Gospel, and as it becometh Christians, that have professed Christ in baptism, and to serve him all their life-time, and to frame themselves after Christ's doctrine; and to do that, whether he come unto them, or be absent from them, preaching Christ to other people, nations, and countries, according to his vocation and calling of God. And here the Apostle teacheth all men to live, as it becometh Christians to live, whether their bishop, pastor, or curate be present with them, or absent from them, that they may obtain eternal life, prepared by Christ in heaven.

That ye continue in one spirit, and one soul, labouring to maintain the faith of the Gospel, as we do. To what thing he exhorteth them, especially here is shewed; that they should continue in one spirit, that is, in spirit of unity and concord, with all diligence, studying to maintain, defend, and increase the faith of the Gospel, that is, faith in Christ got by the Gospel preached (Rom. x.). And to help them that labour for to set forth, or preach Christ's Gospel; and to help, succour, and comfort them, if it shall happen, those that preach Christ's Gospel, or otherways set it forth, be cast in prison, in fetters and chains, as ofttimes chances to them.