A07163:244
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.
Phile. That God being faithfully called upon, will help in the time of sickness: we have many examples in the holy scriptures, which may worthily comfort us & stir up our faith toward God, looking for help at his most merciful hand. But for this present, let this one example of king Hezekiah suffice,1 whom being appointed to die, after he had called ⟨p. 117⟩•n the name of the Lord, the lord our God graciously heard his request, restored him to his health, & gave him .xv. years mo to live in this world after that his sickness. Notwithstanding, brother Epaphroditus, all be it we doubt not but that you praying unto God in this your sickness, God will mercifully hear you, and work that in you which shall be most unto his glory: and the health of your soul, yet forasmuch as you know not what is most expedient for you, be content in all your prayers to submit your will do the good will of God, which without all doubt tendereth the health of your soul more than any mortal friend tendereth the health of your body. In all temporal & worldly things, that you crave of God in your prayers, prefer the will of God unto your own will, and be content ⟨p. 118⟩to receive at the hand of God, as shall be his godly pleasure to appoint. For whether we live or die,2 we are the Lords. An example hereof have you of our saviour Christ,3 which a little before his passion, being greatly dismayed with the terrors and fears of death, prayed unto his heavenly father, that these bitter pains and torments, which were at hand for him to suffer, might be removed from him, so that he might not suffer them, but be free from them. Notwithstanding knowing that the will of his heavenly father is ever best and most perfect, and that all wills of men ought t• give place unto his godly will, h• wished rather the will of God t• be done, then the will of him be•yng man, and so submitted hy self to Gods holy will, being contented to suffer in his body, whasoever