A07163:291
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.
Epa. I never forgot them, since the Lord my God, gave me any portion of worldly goods, I always considered to what use, they were given me: verily, that I should distribute part of them to the necessity of the pore saints. And I thank the Lord my God, so have I don: yea, and that with a good will and free hart.1 For God loveth a cheerful giver, I have not been of the mind ye some are, which, so long as they live, greedily gather together, and bestow nothing at all upon the poor. But when they see nothing but present death, then •ash they out, and liberally give •nto the pore scilicet, because they •an keep it no longer, I trust, I ⟨p. 146⟩have laid up for my self all ready treasures in heaven,2 where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through or steal. For I have ever thought it better to send my works before me, while I live in this world, than to have them sent after me I know not by whom, wham I am gone.3 These purgatory rakers shall nether rake nor scrape for me with their masses and Diriges, when I am departed.4 For I trust no such works. Neither do I any thing regard the prayers of such as have the belly for their God. But as touching the pore. I give unto them .iiii. C. pounds, which I will have bestowed, no• upon idle lubbers & sturdy queans, but upon the halt, the lame, the blind, the sick, and such other as be comfortless. And in this non •ber also of the pore, I comprehend ⟨p. 147⟩prisoners, pore maids, young men, which have not wherewith to set up their occupation, & my needy neighbours. These .iiii. C. pounds are in four several bags, lying in my counting house by them selves, with this writing upon every one of them. Money for the poor. This money I will have distributed with all haste, if it be possible, even before I depart. Have you written in this money for the pore?