A07163:137
The sick mans salve Wherein the faithful christians may learn both how to behave…The sycke mans salue VVherin the faithfull christians may learne both how to behaue…
The sick mans salve Wherein the faithful christians may learn both how to behave them selves patiently and thankfully, in the time of sickness, and also virtuously to dispose their temporal goods, and finally to prepare them selves gladly and godly to die. Made and newly recognised by Master Tho. Becon. 1561.The sycke mans salue VVherin the faithfull christians may learne both how to behaue them selues paciently and thankefully, in the tyme of sickenes, and also vertuously to dispose their temporall goodes, and finally to prepare them selues gladly and godly to die. Made and newly recognised by Maister Tho. Becon. 1561.
London: printed by John Day, 1561London: printed by Iohn Day, 1561
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Epaphro. A blessed end.
Phi. Of a good life cometh a good end. Thus have you heard out of the holy scriptures brother Epaphroditus, that the Cross, that is to say corporal affliction is not a token of Gods anger, but of his favour, and that he layeth temporal punishment more customably upon his friends, than upon his enemies, yea and that not to destroy them, but to prove and try them, even as the fire trieth ⟨p. 43⟩the gold. For as the angel Raphael said unto Toby:1 Because thou wast accepted and beloved of God, it was necessary, that temptation should try thee. You have heard also the loving kindness of God toward his faithful & constant servants, how after a just trial made, he restoreth them unto a more blessed state, than they were in a fore. Therefore take a good heart unto you & faint not. Be strong in the Lord. Be faithful unto the end. Be patient in this your sickness. Be thankful for this loving visitation of God. Abide the good pleasure of God. Suffer him quietly to do with you what soever his good will is. If you will thus do: doubt ye not, but that god will be merciful unto you, & bring that thing to pass, which is most for your comfort and profit.2 For whatsoever is written, is written ⟨p. 44⟩for our learning, that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures we may have hope.
Phi. Of a good life cometh a good end. Thus haue you heard out of the holy scriptures brother Epaphroditus, that the Crosse, that is to saye corporall affliction is not a token of Gods anger, but of his fauour, and that he layeth temporall punishement more customably vpon his frendes, than vpon his ennemies, yea and that not to destroy them, but to proue and try them, euen as the fire trieth ⟨p. 43⟩