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.
Thomas Becon 1512–1567London: printed by John Day, 1561London: printed by Iohn Day, 1561
[12], 545, [3] p. · 82k words · STC 1757 · ESTC S114654
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 have nothing to do with papists, nor with their doctrine. God bless me from them.1 For they are enemies of the cross of Christ, depravers of the holy scriptures, and corrupters of Christen souls. I believe that a man, even in this world, hath perfect and full remission of all his sins, or else he shall never have it. God in this world, doth ether forgive all the faults, & th pain due for the same: or else h forgiveth none at all. I fear nothing at all, the Popes boylyng furnace (I mean purgatory) Christs blood, is a sufficient purgatory for my sins. The blood Christ, Gods son, hath cleansed v from all sin.
With the one only oblation of his blessed body, and precious blood, hath Christ made perfect for ever and ever: them that are sanctified. I require none other purgatory to purge & cleanse my sins, but the blood of Christ.
For Christ hath offered him self a sweet smelling sacrifice unto God the father •or my sins, yea and that so perfect, absolute, consummate, and •n all points, so omnisufficient: •hat there can be found no imperfection in it. Christ hath borne away all my since on his body. By the stripes of Christs body, •m I healed. Christ died for my ••nnes,
Christ is enough for me. Let the Papists seek their salvation at whose hands they list.
Epa. I haue nothing to do with papistes, nor with their doctrine. God blesse me from them.1 For they are enemies of the crosse of Christe, deprauers of the holy scriptures, and corruptours of Christen soules. I beleue that a man, euen in this worlde, hath perfect and full remission of al his sinnes, or els he shall neuer haue it. God in this worlde, doth ether forgeue all the faultes, & th• paine due for the same: or els h• forgeueth none at all. I feare nothing at all, the Popes boylyng• fornace (I mean purgatory) Chr••stes bloud, is a sufficient purgatory for my sinnes. The bloud • Christ, Gods son, hath clensed v• from al sinne.2 The bloud of Chri•• hath purged our conscience from dead worckes, to serue the liuin•⟨p. 177⟩God. We be sanctified, and made holy by the offring of the body of Iesus Christ done once for all.3 With the one only oblation of his blessed body, and precious bloud, hath Christ made perfect for euer and euer: them that are sancified. I requyre none other purgatory to pourge & clense my snnes, but the bloud of Christ.4 For Christ hath offred him selfe aswete smelling sacrifice vnto God the father •or my sinnes, yea and that so perfecte, absolute, consummate, and •n all poyntes, so omnisufficient: •hat there can be found no imper•ection in it. Christ hath borne away all my synnes on his bodye. By the stripes of Christes body, •m I healed. Christ died for my ••nnes,5 and rose againe for my iu••ification. Christ is made of God •nto me, wysdome, righteousnes, ••anctification, and redemption, ⟨p. 178⟩that as it is written, he that reioyseth, shuld reioyse in the Lord,6 Christ is inough for me. Let the Papistes seke their saluation at whose hāds they list.
Phile. Where as the Papists heretofore have taught for the maintenance of their idle bellies, that mens sins after their death be forgiven them, through the sacrifice of that most wicked and abominable Popish Mass, & by pilgrimages going, by trentals, by Diriges, by the good deeds of other. &c. It is a plain• error, & against the word of God. For remission of sins, the favour of God, & everlasting life, is either gotten or lost in this world. H• which through his own repentance & faith in Christs bloud• obtaineth not forgiveness of hi• sins in this world: shall neve• have it by the means of other […] after this life.1 It is written, he ⟨p. 179⟩believeth on the Son of God, hath everlasting life. But he that believeth not in him, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. So many as die, are either faithful or unfaithful. If they be faithful, so have they in possession straightways everlasting life. If they be unfaithful, then doth the wrath of God abide upon them, & they receive the reward of infidelity, which is everlasting damnation. And albeit this appeareth manifestly of the words above rehearsed: yet the history of the unmerciful •ich man, & of the pore Lazar, pain•eth it out very lively.2 In the the see, that •he faithful man, which was Lazarus, so soon as he died, was re•eived into the bosom of Abraham. Contrariwise, the unfaithful man which was the unmerciful glutton, •as carried down straightways in […] hell fire. The like thing is manifestly ⟨p. 180⟩set forth in the two thieves which died with Christ.3 The one repented, believed, and called for mercy unto Christ, God and man saying: Lord remember me, when thou comest into thy kingdom, and Christ answered him: This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Here see we that this thief both repented & believed, for how shall they call on him (saith saint Paul) on whom they have not believed?4 And therefore was received into glory. The other which continued in his unbelief, and so died without repentance and faith, obtained the reward of unbelief, that is to say: the wrath of God and eternal damnation. They therefore that die, are either faithful or unfaithful. If they be faithful: so have they out of hand the reward of faith, which is everlasting glory, if they be unfaithful: ⟨p. 183⟩than receive they their reward of unfaithfulness, and misbelief, which is eternal damnation.
Phile. Wher as the Papistes heretofore haue taught for the maintenaunce of their idle bellies, that mēs sinnes after their death be forgeuen thē, through the sacrifice of that most wicked and abhominable Popish Masse, & by pilgrimages going, by trētals, by Diriges, by ye good dedes of other. &c. It is a plain• errour, & agaīst the word of God. For remission of sinnes, the fauo• of God, & euerlasting life, is eithe• gotten or lost in this worlde. H• whiche through his owne repen•tance & faith in Christes bloud• obtaineth not forgeuenes of hi• sinnes in this worlde: shall neue• haue it by ye meanes of other 〈…〉 after this life.1 It is written, he ⟨p. 179⟩beleueth on the sōne of God, hath euerlasting life. But he that beleueth not in him, shall not see lyfe, but the wrath of God abideth on him. So many as die, are eyther faithfull or vnfaithfull. If they be faithful, so haue they in possession straightways euerlasting life. If they be vnfaithfull, then doth the wrath of God abide vpon them, & they receiue ye reward of infidelitie, which is euerlasting dānatiō. And albeit this appereth manifestly of the words aboue rehersed: yet the history of the vnmercifull •ich man, & of ye pore Lazare, pain•eth it out very liuely.2 In ye ye se, yt •he faithful man, which was La•arus, so sone as he died, was re•eiued into the bosom of Abrahā. Contrariwyse, the vnfaithful mā which was the vnmerciful glotō, •as caried down streightwais in 〈…〉 hel fire. The like thing is manifestly ⟨p. 180⟩set forth in the two theues whiche died with Christ.
If the Papists can find the third kind of men (which are nether faithful nor unfaithful) then will we consent unto their Purgatory, for such have nether place in heaven nor in hell. But such sort of people, the holy scripture knoweth not. Therefore knoweth it not such a place of purging after this life, as the Papists have heretofore devised.
If the Papistes can fynde the third kind of men (whiche are nether faithfull nor vnfaithfull) then wyll we consent vnto theyr Purgatorie, for such haue nether place in heauen nor in hell. But suche sort of people, the holie scripture knoweth not. Therfore knoweth it not suche a place of purging after this life, as the Papistes haue heretofore deuised.
Eus. The blessed Apostle.1 S. Paul saith: God shall give to every one according to his own deeds.2 Again, to the Corinthians, he also saith: Every one shall receive his •owne labour.3 In an other place he also sayeth. We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ that every man may receive the works of his body according to ⟨p. 182⟩that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.4 Item. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, shall of the spirit, reap life everlasting. Let us not be weary of well doing. For when the time is come: we shall reap without weariness. While we have therefore time let us do good unto all men, and specially unto them, which are of the household of faith. Hereto agreeth the saying of our saviour Christ.5 The son of man shall come in the glory of his father with his angels, and then shall he reward every man according to his deeds. Again, I will give every one of you according to his deeds.6 Out of these scriptures we learn▪ that we sha• not be rewarded according to other ⟨p. 183⟩mens deeds, but according unto our own deeds. If we have wrought nothing at all in our life: what shall other mens deeds than do us good, after our death? And I doubt whether any man (Christ alone excepted) have good deeds sufficient for him self.
Eus. The blessed Apostle.1 S. Paule sayth: God shall geue to euery one according to his owne dedes.2 Againe, to the Corinthians, he also sayth: Euery one shall receiue his •owne labour.3 In an other place he also sayeth. We must all appear before the iudgemēt seat of Christ that euery man may receiue the workes of his body accordyng to ⟨p. 182⟩that he hath done, whether it bee good or bad.4 Item. Whatsoeuer a man soweth, that shall he also reape. For he that soweth in his flesh, shal of the flesh reape corruption. But he that soweth in the spirite, shall of the spirite, reape life euerlasting. Let vs not bee weary of well doing. For when the tyme is come: we shall reape without wearines. While we haue therefore tyme let vs doe good vnto all men, and specially vnto them, whiche are of the houshold of faith. Hereto agreeth the saying of our sauiour Christ.5 The son of man shal come in the glory of his father with his aungels, and then shall he rewarde euery man according to his dedes. Againe, I wyll geue euery one of you according to his dedes.6 Out of these scriptures we learne▪ that we sha• not be rewarded according to other ⟨p. 183⟩mens dedes, but accordinge vnto our owne deedes. If we haue wrought nothing at all in oure lyfe: what shall other mens dedes than do vs good, after our death? And I doubt whether any man (Christ alone excepted) haue good dedes sufficient for him self.
Chri. If we consider well the history of the ten virgins,1 it shall easily be perceived, that no man have scarcely oil enough for him self. Yea, were not the great mercies of God set forth to all faithful penitent sinners in the precious blood of Christ: we with all our oil, should perish. For everlasting life is the gift of God,2 through Jesus Christ our Lord. If thou (O Lord) shouldest narrowly look upon our iniquities, (saith the Psalmograph) O Lord who were able to abide it?3 But there is mercy with the in store. &c.
Chri. If we consider well the history of the tenne virgins,1 it shall easly be perceiued, that no mā haue scasely oyle inough for him selfe. Yea, wer not the great mercies of God set forth to all faithful penitēt sinners in ye precious blud of Christ: we with al our oyl, should perish. For euerlasting life is the gifte of God,2 through Iesus Christe oure Lord. If thou (O Lord) shouldest narowly loke vpō our iniquities, (saith the Psalmograph) O Lord who were hable to abide it?3 But ther is mercy with the in store. &c.
The. The holy scripture moveth ⟨p. 184⟩us to do good while we are alive, and not to trust other mens works, to be done for us, when we be dead.1 The wise man saith: do good unto thy friend, before thou die, and according to thy ability, reach out thine hand, and give unto the poor. Be not disappointed of the good day, and let not the portion of the good day overpass thee. Shalt thou not leave thy travails & labours unto other men? In the dividing of thy heritage, give and take, and sanctify thy soul. Work thou righteousness before thy death, for after thy death,2 there is no meat to find. Again: Abide thou not in the error of the ungodly, but give God than kes before death. As for the dead, thankfulness perisheth from him as nothing. Give thou thanks in thy life, yea, while thou art living and whole shalt thou give ⟨p. 185⟩thanks, and praise God, and rejoice in his mercy. O how great •s the loving kindness of the lord, and his merciful goodness unto •uch as turn unto him?3 Solomon •n his proverbs saith: withdraw •o good thing from them that have •ede, so long as thy hand is able •o do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, go thy way & come again: •o morrow will I give thee, where •s thou hast now to give him. Hereto agreeth the saying of the preacher:4 whatsoever thou art a•le to do, do it out of hand, for in •he grave that thou goest unto: here is neither work, counsel, knowledge nor wisdom. The prophet also saith.5 Seek the Lord, ••hyle he may be found, and call upon him, while he is nigh. Let the ungodly forsake his own ways, •nd the unrighteous his own imaginations, and turn again ⟨p. 186⟩unto the Lord, so shall God be merciful unto him. Our saviour Christ saith in the Gospel. I must work the works of him that sent me,6 while it is day. The night cometh, when no man can work. Walk while we have light, least ye darkness come on you.7 &c. While ye have light, walk in the light, that ye may be the children of light. I say unto you, make you friends of the unrighteous Mammon, that when ye shall have need,8 they may receive you into everlasting habitations. That servant,9 which received one talent of his Lord, and gained nothing therewith, but went his way, and hid it in the ground; was cast into utter darkness, wher• weeping and gnashing of teeth shall be. The .v. foolish virgins, because they had no Oil in their lamps, were not suffered to enter into the marriage.
The. The holy scripture moueth ⟨p. 184⟩vs to doe good whyle we are alyue, and not to truste other mens workes, to be done for vs, when we be dead.1 The wyseman saith: doe good vnto thy frende, before thou die, and according to thy abilitie, reache out thyne hand, and geue vnto the poore. Be not disapoynted of the good daye, and let not the portion of the good day ouerpasse the. Shalt thou not leue thy trauails & labours vnto other men? In the deuiding of thy heritage, geue and take, and sanctify thy soule. Worke thou ryghteousnes before thy death, for after thy death,2 there is no meat to fynd. Again: Abide thou not in the errour of the vngodly, but geue God thā kes before death. As for the dead, thanckfulnes perisheth from him as nothing. Geue thou thanckes in thy lyfe, yea, whyle thou art liuing and whole shalt thou geue ⟨p. 185⟩thankes, and prayse God, and reioyce in his mercy. O howe great •s the louing kindnes of the lord, and his mercifull goodnes vnto •uch as turne vnto hym?3 Salomō •n his prouerbes saith: withdrawe •o good thing frō them that haue •ede, so long as thy hande is able •o doe it. Say not vnto thy neighbour, go thy way & come againe: •o morowe wil I geue thee, wher •s thou hast nowe to geue hym. Hereto agreeth the saying of the •reacher:4 whatsoeuer thou art a•le to do, do it out of hande, for in •he graue that thou goest vnto: here is neither worke, counsell, knowledge nor wisdom. The prophet also sayth.5 Seke the Lorde, ••hyle he may be founde, and call pon him, while he is nie. Let the ngodly forsake his owne waies, nd the vnrighteous his owne imaginations, and turne againe
Moreover the ⟨p. 187⟩most worthy Apostle. S. Paul saith.1 While we have time, let us do good unto all men, and special•y unto them, which are of the household of faith. These and divers other texts of the holy scripture move us to do good our selves, while we be alive in this world, and not to trust the works of other to be done for us, when we be dead. For by our own works, and not by other mens, shall we be judged. Every man shall bear his own burden. Every man shall receive the works of his own body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad:2 every man shall receive his reward according to his own deeds. Behold I come quickly (saith our saviour Christ) and my reward is with me,3 that I may give to every one according as his work shall be.
And saint John pronouncing ⟨p. 188⟩them blessed,4 which die in the Lord, saith on this manner. Their works follow them. He saith not, other mens works shall follow them, when they be dead, but their own works do follow, and presently accompany them▪ as the shadow doth the body, even unto the throne of Gods majesty, to be testimonies & witnesses of their true and unfeigned saith. They therefore are to much fond and negligent of their own salvation, which trust other more then them selves in matters pertaining unto the health of their souls.
Moreouer the ⟨p. 187⟩most worthy Apostle. S. Paule saith.1 While we haue tyme, let vs do good vnto all men, and special•y vnto them, which are of ye houshold of faith. These and diuers other textes of the holye scripture moue vs to doe good our selues, while we be aliue in this worlde, and not to trust the workes of other to be done for vs, whē we be dead. For by our own works, and not by other mēs, shall we be iudged. Euery mā shall bear his own burdē. Euery man shal receiue the works of his own body according to yt he hath done, whether it bee good or bad:2 euery mā shal receiue his reward according to his own dedes. Beholde I come quickely (saith our sauiour Christ) and my reward is with me,3 yt I may geue to euerye one accordinge as his worke shalbe.
And saint Iohn pronouncing ⟨p. 188⟩them blessed,4 which die in ye Lord, saith on this maner. Their workes folowe thē. He saith not, other mens workes shal folow thē, whē they be dead, but their owne workes do follow, and presently accō pany them▪ as the shadow doth ye body, euen vnto ye throne of Gods maiestie, to be testimonies & witnesses of their true and vnfained sayth. They therfore are to much fond and negligent of their owne saluation, which trust other more then them selues in matters pertayning vnto the health of their soules.
Chri. There is an old saying in Latin, and as I think, no••les true than old. It is this. Da tua, dum tua sunt, post mortē, tunc tuae non sunt.
Geve thy goods while they be thine, for after thy death, they be none of thine.
Chri. There is an old saying in Latin, and as I thinck, no••les true thā old. It is this. Da tua, dum tua sunt, post mortē, tunc tuae non sunt.
Geue thy goodes while they be thine, for after thy death, they be none of thine.
Euse. I remember when I was a child, I learned .ii verses of my schoolmaster, which ⟨p. 189⟩I have not yet forgotten, I will rehearse them unto you.
Quod sibi quisque serit, praesentis tempore vitae
Hoc sibi messis erit, cum dicitur Ite, Venitae.
That a man soweth for him self in the time of this present life, that shall be his harvest or reap, when it is said: Go, Come.
Euse. I remember whan I was a child, I learned .ii verses of my scholemaister, which ⟨p. 189⟩I haue not yet forgotten, I wyll rehearse them vnto you.
Quod sibi quisque serit, praesentis tēpore vitae
Hoc sibi messis erit, cum dicitur Ite, Venitae.
That a mā soweth for him self in ye time of this present life, that shalbe his haruest or reape, when it is saide: Go, Come.
Eu. You know that to the unfaithful it shall be said,1 go ye cursed in to everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels. But to the faithful, it shall be said on this manner: Come ye blessed of my father, possess the kingdom, which was prepared for you, from the beginning of the world.
Eu. You know that to the vnfaithfull it shalbe sayd,1 go ye cursed in to euerlasting fire, whiche is prepared for ye deuill and his angels. But to the faithfull, it shalbe said on this maner: Come ye blessed of my father, possesse the kingdome, whiche was prepared for you, frō the beginning of the world.
The. S. Paul hath a sentence much like unto your verses:1 whatsoever, •er a man soweth, saith he: that shall he also reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, shall of the flesh, reap corruption. But he that soweth ⟨p. 190⟩in the spirit, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.
The. S. Paule hath a sentence muche lyke vnto your verses:1 whatsoe, •er a man soweth, saith he: yt shall he also reape. For he that soweth in his flesh, shall of the flesh, reape corruption. But he that soweth ⟨p. 190⟩in the spirit, shall of ye spirite reape life euerlasting.
Phil. It is not with out cause, that the holy scripture doth so diligently call us unto repentance, faith, and good works in this present world. For everlasting life even in this world is ether gotten or lost. As God findeth us, so judgeth he us. Every tree is known and judged by her own fruit, and not by the fruit of other trees. Every man likewise is judged by his own works, & not by the works of other, as Christ saith to the unprofitable servant:1 Of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou evil servant. Teophilact saith.2 The virtue of my neighbour shall scarcely be enough to defend him self, so far is it of,3 that it can profit me also. For all men shall be declared to be righteous by their own works, and not by the works of their ⟨p. 191⟩neighbours.4
Phil. It is not wt out cause, that the holy scripture doth so diligently call vs vnto repentaunce, faith, and good works in this present worlde. For euerlasting life euen in this worlde is ether gotten or loste. As God findeth vs, so iudgeth he vs. Euerye tree is knowen and iudged by her owne fruite, and not by the fruite of other trees. Euery man lykewyse is iudged by his owne workes, & not by the workes of other, as Christ saith to the vnprofitable seruaunt:1 Of thine owne mouthe wil I iudge thee, thou euil seruāt. Teophilact saith.2 The vertue of my neighbour shall scacely be inough to defend him selfe, so farre is it of,3 that it can profit me also. For all men shall be declared to be righteous by their owne workes, and not by the workes of theyr ⟨p. 191⟩neighboures.4
The one repented, beleued, and called for mercy vnto Christ, God and man saying: Lord remember me, whan thou commest into thy kyngdom, and Christ aunswered him: This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Here se we that this theife both repented & beleued, for howe shall they cal on him (sayth sainct Paule) on whome they haue not beleued?
And therfore was receiued into glory. The other whiche continued in his vnbelief, and so died without repentaunce and faith, obtained the reward of vnbelief, that is to say: the wrath of God and eternall damnation. They therfore that die, are either faithfull or vnfaithfull. If they be faythfull: so haue they out of hād the reward of fayth, whiche is euerlasting glory, if they be vn•faithfull:
⟨p. 183⟩
than receiue they their reward of vnfaithfulnes, and misbelief, whiche is eternall damnation.
•
•
•
⟨p. 186⟩
vnto the Lord, so shal God be merciful vnto him. Our sauior Christ saith in the Gospell. I must worke the worckes of him that sent me,
&c. While ye haue light, walke in the light, that ye may be ye children of light. I say vnto you, make you frendes of the vnrighteous Mammō, that when ye shal haue nede,
which receiued one talent of his Lord, and gained nothing therewt, but went his way, and hid it in the ground; was cast into vtter darknes, wher• wepinge and gnashinge of teeth shalbe. The .v. folishe virgins, because they had no Oyle in theyr lampes, were not suffred to enter into the mariage.
