SUGGESTION. The cause why Paul did loath his life may easily be assign'd, Because the Jews in every place did seek him to molest: But those which in this world obtain security and rest, Do take delight to live therein; yea, nature doth endue Each living creature with a fear, lest death should them accrue. Yea, the same Paul at Antioch dissembled to be dead, While they were gone who sought his life with stones for to destroy. Elias for to save his life to Horeb likewise fled, So did King David flee, when Saul did seek him to annoy: Yea, Christ himself, whom in our deeds to follow we may joy, Did secretly convey himself from Jews so full of hate, When they thought from the top of hill him to precipitate. Wherefore it is no sin at all a man for to defend, And keep himself from death, so long as nature gives him leave. CONSCIENCE. The same whom you recited have conceived a further end, Than to themselves to live alone, as each man may perceive; For when that Paul had run his course, he did at last receive With heart's consent the final death which was him put unto. So when Christ had performed his work, he did death undergo: And would to God, thou wouldest do that, which these men were content; For they despised worldly pomp; their flesh they did subdue; And brought it under, that to spirit it mostly did consent: Whereby they, seeking God to please, did bid the world adieu, Wife, children and possessions forsaking; for they knew That everlasting treasures were appointed them at last, The which they thirsting did from them all worldly pleasures cast. But thou, O wretch, dost life prolong, not that thou wouldst God's name, As duty binds us all to do, most chiefly glorify, But rather by thy living still wilt God's renown defame, And more and more dishonour him: this is thy drift, I spy. PHILOLOGUS. I mean to live in worldly joys; I can it not deny. CONSCIENCE. What are those joys, which thou dost mean, but pleasures strange from God? By using of the which thou shalt provoke his heavy rod. SUGGESTION. Tush! knowest thou what, Philologus, be wise thyself unto, And listen not to those fond words which Conscience to thee tell. For thy defence I will allege one worthy lesson mo, Unto the which I am right sure he cannot answer well: When David by vain trust in men of war from God sore fell, And was appointed of three plagues the easiest for to choose, He said: God's mercy easier is to get than man's, as I suppose. Again, he sayeth among the Psalms: it better is to trust In God, than that our confidence we settle should in man. Wherefore to this which I now say of force consent thou must; That when two evils, before us placed, no way avoid we can, Into the hand of God to fall by choice is lawful then, Because that God is merciful, when man no mercy show. Thus have I pleaded in this cause sufficiently, I trow.