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.
Come hither wife. You see in what case I lie here, sick, weak, and the prisoner of God, looking every hour for my departure out of this world.
⟨p. 201⟩
And this visitation of God is unto me welcome, and I thank the Lord withal my heart for it. I doubt not, but that when I am once gone out of this wretched life, I shall be in a far better case then ever I was in this world. Therefore I pray thee good wife, be not heavy, neither take thought for me, but rather pray, that the good will of God may be done in me. And be aswell contented, that I should now at the calling of God go from thee, as ever thou wast to have me in thy company, I have run my race. I have passed those years, which the Lord appointed that I should live in this world. And now is the time of my departure come. And I give over this my life willingly, and with a free hart. Therefore take no thought for me. And doubt thou not (sweet wife) but if ye goest forth to live
⟨p. 202⟩
in the fear of God, and to please him, God in the time of thy widowhood will be an husband unto thee. He will be thy patron and defender. He will be thy mighty shield & strong buckler. He will provide and afore see, that thou and thine shall want no good thing.
He hath also given a strait commandment to the magistrates & head rulers, to look unto widows, & to deliver them from oppression. And his holy Apostle saith, that the pure and undefiled Religion before God the father, is to visit, help, & comfort widows. Therefore I doubt not but the Lord our God, will abundantly provide for thee and thine. Notwithstanding wife, forasmuch as from the first time o• our marriage unto this present day
⟨p. 203⟩
thou hast alway been unto me a true, faithful, honest, diligent, & serviceable wife. I have made the mine Executress, and given unto thee in my will, such a portion as shall abundantly satisfy thee, both unto the bringing up of thy children, and also unto the maintenance of hospitality: God hath sent me enough,
& therefore I leave unto thee & thine enough. I pray God send you always his fear before your face, so shall you never vaunt. To forbid the marriage after my departure according unto the property of some husbands, I will not.
For the holy Scripture sayeth: the wife is bound un•o the marriage, as long as her husband liveth.
Epaphr. 1COme hither wife. You see in what case I lie here, sicke, weake, and the prisoner of God, loking euery hour for my departure out of this worlde. ⟨p. 201⟩And this visitation of God is vnto me welcome, and I thanke the Lord wtal my heart for it. I doubt not, but that whan I am once gone out of this wretched lyfe, I shal be in a far better case then euer I was in this worlde. Therfore I pray thee good wife, be not heauy, neither take thought for me, but rather pray, that ye good wyll of God may be done in me. And be aswell contented, that I should nowe at the calling of God go from thee, as euer thou wast to haue me in thy company, I haue run my rase. I haue passed those yeres, which the Lord appoynted that I should lyue in this world. And now is the time of my departure come. And I geue ouer this my life willingly, and with a free hart. Therefore take no thought for me. And doubt thou not (swete wife) but if ye goest forthe to liue ⟨p. 202⟩in the feare of God, and to please him, God in the time of thy wyddowhod will be an husband vnto thee. He wilbe thy patron and defender. He wilbe thy mighty shield & strong buckler. He will prouide and afore see, that thou and thine shall want no good thing.2 For he hath promised in his holy worde, that he wil take charge of the widowes and defend their cause.3 He hath also geuen a strait commaū dement to the magistrates & head rulers, to loke vnto wydowes, & to deliuer them from oppression. And his holy Apostle saith, that ye pure and vndefiled Religion before God ye father, is to visit, help, & comfort widowes. Therfore I doubt not but the Lord our God, will aboundantly prouide for thee and thine. Notwithstāding wife, forasmuch as from the first time o• our mariage vnto this presēt day ⟨p. 203⟩thou hast alway bene vnto me a true, faithfull, honest, diligent, & seruiceable wife. I haue made the mine Executresse, and geuen vnto thee in my wyll, suche a portion as shal aboundaūtly satisfie thee, both vnto the bringing vp of thy children, and also vnto the maintenance of hospitalitie: God hath sent me inough,4 & therfore I leaue vnto thee & thine inough. I praye God send you alwayes his feare before your face, so shall you neuer uant. To forbid the mariage after my departure according vnto the propertie of some husbādes, I wyll not.5 For the holy Scrip•ure saieth: the wyfe is bound vn•o the mariage, as long as her husband lyueth.
1The sickmans exhortation unto his wifeThe sickmās exhortation vnto his wife
If her husband die, •he it at liberty to marry with whom she will, only in the Lord. If thou therefore after my departure (O wife, hast a mind to marry ⟨p. 204⟩again, marry in the name of the lord our God. For I know, as the wise man saith,1 that no man can live chaste, except God giveth the gift. Only have this care, that he, with whom thou doest determine to couple thy self in the blessed state of honourable wedlock, be such a man as feareth God▪ loveth his word, is well reported of his neighbours, dealeth righteously with all men, embraceth virtue, despiseth vice. &c. Follow not the manners of certain old doting widows, which for bodily lust in their old crooked age, couple them selves to younkers, which might right well have been their children, and unto whom they might also have given suck. But to what end such marriages come for the most part, daily experience teacheth. The one marrieth for bodily pleasure, the other for covetousness. ⟨p. 205⟩Such marriages are not blessed of God. Choose thee therefore such an husband as loveth thee, and not thy goods only, as is equal to the in condition, state, and age, as also will tender my children, and be a father unto them, and see them brought up in the fear of God, & in the knowledge of his blessed word. Pray unto God, and he shall give the good success in all thy travails, look diligently to the virtuous education and bringing up of my children. Graft in their parts so much fruit of Gods spirit, as is possible, and weed out of •heir minds all kinds of vice & wickedness, that their breasts may •e made the Temples of the holy •host. Look well unto thy servants. Give them their covenants, & •uffer them not to be idle. So govern thy household, that there may •e found in it no vice but virtue, ⟨p. 206⟩no wickedness but godliness, no sin but honesty and christen be haviour. And be thou thy self, an example of godly life to thy children & servants: so mayest thou be sure to have obedient children and faithful servants. Yea so shalt y• be well reported of thy neighbours, & be loved both of god & all good men.
2Now my children, come ye hither unto me, God bless you, and send you many, yea and those joyful and quiet days upon the earth. Ye see in what case I am, sore, sick, and very weak, abiding the good pleasure of God. The end of this my life is come, and I am glad of it, and most heartily thank the lord my God.
If her husband die, •he it at libertie to marie wyth whome she will, only in the Lord. If thou therfore after my depar•ure (O wife, hast a minde to marye ⟨p. 204⟩agayne, marry in the name of the lord our God. For I know, as the wyse man saith,1 that no man can liue chast, except God geueth the gift. Only haue this care, that he, with whome thou doest determine to couple thy self in the blessed state of honorable wedlock, be such a man as feareth God▪ loueth his worde, is well reported of his neighbours, dealeth ryghteoussly with all men, embraceth vertue, despiseth vice. &c. Follow not the manners of certaine olde dotinge wydowes, which for bodely luste in their old croked age, couple thē •selues to yonkers, whiche myght right wel haue bene their childrē, and vnto whome they might also haue geuē suck. But to what end such mariages come for the moste part, dayly experience teacheth. The one marieth for bodely pleasure, the other for couetousnesse. ⟨p. 205⟩Such mariages ar not blessed of God. Chuse thee therfore suche an husband as loueth thee, and not thy goods only, as is equall to the in condition, state, and age, as also will tender my children, and be a father vnto them, and see them brought vp in ye feare of God, & in ye knowledge of his blessed word. Pray vnto God, and he shal geue the good successe in all thy trauayles, loke diligently to the ver•uous education and brynging vp of my chyldren. Graffe in theyr partes so much fruit of Gods spi•it, as is possible, and wede out of •heir myndes all kyndes of vice & wickednes, that their brestes may •e made the Temples of the holy •host. Loke wel vnto thi seruāts. Geue them their couenauntes, & •uffer them not to be idle. So go•erne thy houshold, yt there may •e founde in it no vice but vertue, ⟨p. 206⟩no wickednes but godlines, no sinne but honestie and christen be hauour. And be thou thy selfe, an example of godly lyfe to thy chyldren & seruaunts: so maist thou be sure to haue obedient childrē and faithful seruants. Yea so shalt y be wel reported of thy neighbours, & be loued both of god & al good mē.
1Sa•. viii.
2The sickmans exhortation unto his childrenThe sickmās exhortatiō vnto his childrē
Let it not dismay you, (my most dear children) that I shall now be taken away from you. For albeit, that I being your natural Father, shall no more ⟨p. 207⟩serve you nor provide for you, as hitherto I have done, yet doubt ye not, but if ye go forth, as ye have begun, to fear God, and to serve him, he will not leave you comfortless, but in my stead he will be a father unto you, receive you into his tuition, and provide better for you than ever I was able to do. Therefore if ye will have God a merciful and gentle father unto you: fear him, love him, honour him, serve him, pray unto him, call on his blessed name, be thankful unto him for his benefits, and in all things seek to please his godly Majesty. Give your minds to the reading of the holy scriptures, and what so ever ye read therein, practise it in your •ife and conversation. Be not only favourers, but followers also of the word, not only lovers but also •ivers of the gospel, not only professors, ⟨p. 208⟩but also practisers of gods holy law, so shall God bless you, & all good men love you. Avoid idleness & to much childish pastimes. Let no time of your life pass away without fruit. Eschew all evil company, and have nothing to do with them, that be ungodly. Desire alway the fellowship of them that be good and virtuous. Have all your whole confidence and trust in the Lord your God. Take nothing in hand, before the have craved his help by fervent prayer. And after the thing done, give God most hearty thanks, knowledging him to be the giver of all good things. The Sabbath day, and such other feastiful days, spend them holily and godly. Give your selves to prayer, to hearing of Sermons, and reading the word of god. See that ye defile not the name of the Lord your God ⟨p. 209⟩with vain and unlawful oaths. Reverence your elders, Honour your mother, be obedient unto her pray for her, do for her, whatsoever lieth in your power, that God may bless you and give you long and joyful life upon the earth. Be no evil speakers. Be courteous and gentle unto all men. Let no lightness appear in you, nether in gesture nor countenance. Be true and faithful. Cast away all pride, and embrace humility. Avoid superfluous eating & drinking. Use temperance in all your doings. Be not moved unto anger, but be patient and ready to forgive. Be merciful to the poor. Help all men to the uttermost of your power.
Let it not dismaye you, (my moste deare children) that I shall nowe be taken away from you. For albeit, that I being your naturall Father, shall no more ⟨p. 207⟩serue you nor prouide for you, as hitherto I haue done, yet doubt ye not, but if ye goe forthe, as ye haue begonne, to feare God, and to serue hym, he wil not leaue you comfortlesse, but in my steade he will be a father vnto you, receiue you into his tuition, and prouide better for you than euer I was able to doe. Therfore if ye wil haue God a mercifull and gentle father vnto you: feare him, loue him, honoure him, serue him, praye vnto him, call on his blessed name, be thanckfull vnto him for his benefites, and in all thinges seeke to please his godly Maiestie. Geue your mindes to the reading of the holy scriptures, and what so euer ye rede therein, practise it in your •ife and cōuersation. Be not only fauourers, but folowers also of ye worde, not only louers but also •iuers of the gospel, not only professers, ⟨p. 208⟩but also practisers of gods holy law, so shal God blesse you, & al good men loue you. Auoid idlenes & to much childish pastimes. Let no time of your life passe away without fruit. Escheue all euill company, and haue nothynge to doe with them, that be vngodly. Desire alway the felowship of them that be good and vertuous. Haue all your whole confidence and trust in the Lorde your God. Take nothing in hande, before ye haue craued his helpe by feruent prayer. And after the thing done, geue God moste harty thanckes, knowledging him to bee the geuer of all good thinges. The Saboth day, and suche other feastiful dayes, spend them holily and godly. Geue your selues to prayer, to hearing of Sermons, and reding the word of god. Se that ye defile not the name of ye Lord your God ⟨p. 209⟩with vaine and vnlawfull othes. Reuerence your elders, Honour your mother, be obedient vnto her pray for her, do for her, whatsoeuer lieth in your power, that God may blesse you and geue you long and ioyfull lyfe vpon the earth. Be no euill speakers. Be courteous and gentle vnto all men. Let no lightnes appere in you, nether in gesture nor countenaunce. Be true and faithfull. Cast away all pride, and embrace humilitie. Auoid superfluous eating & drinking. Use temperance in al your doinges. Be not moued vnto anger, but be pacient and ready to forgeue. Be merciful to the poore. Helpe all men to the vttermost of your power.
Study to do good unto all, and to hurt none. Love all men, yea even your very enemies. Be not overcome of evil,1 but overcome evil with goodness. If ye ⟨p. 210⟩observe these few lessons, ye shall continue in the favour of God, and God as a most merciful father shall bless you and cause you to prosper on the face of the earth.
But now hear thou my son the words of thy father,2 and imprint them well in thy memory. Of all the sons that God hath given me since I was married to this thy Mother, thou alone art left a live. And I thank God for thee. For in thee lieth the hope of my posterity. Look therefore that thou servest God all the dais of thy life, that thou mayest be the father of many children through the blessing of God. If thou dost resemble me as in countenance and lineaments of body: so likewise in manners and conditions of life & conversation, it shall not repent me to have begotten such a son: ⟨p. 211⟩nether shall it forthynke thee to have had such a father.3 Take heed therefore that thou doest not degenerate and grow out of kind. Honour thy mother all the days of her life. Pray for her, and do for her whatsoever lieth in thy power. Remember that God hath appointed thee to be the staff of her old age, nether forget thou what and how great pains she hath suffered for thee.4 Beware of riotous company, & have always the fear of God before thine eyes.5 Keep company with such as have understanding, and lean unto their wisdom and counsel.6 Be sober minded, and eschew the lusts of youth, but follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace: with them that call on the Lord with a pure faith. When thou shalt come to the possession of such worldly substance, as I have appointed for thee, through the ⟨p. 212⟩goodness and liberality of God: look that thou dost use, and not abuse thy goods. Spend in measure, and as present necessity shall require. Beware of superfluous expenses. Avoid banqueting and delicious fare.7 For whosoever loveth delicately to fare, shall come to poverty. Think that well spent, that is honestly spent in thy own house. Extraordinary banquetings look that thou flee, remē bring that, that, which is gotten through long time, is consumed in a very little space.8 Give alms of thy goods, and turn never thy face from the pore, so shall it come to pass, that the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee. Be merciful after thy power.
Study to do good vnto all, and to hurt none. Loue all mē, yea euen your very enemies. Be not ouercome of euill,1 but ouercom euyl with goodnes. If ye ⟨p. 210⟩obserue these few lessons, ye shall continue in the fauor of God, and God as a moste mercifull father shall blesse you and cause you to prosper on the face of the earth.
BUt now heare thou my sonne the wordes of thy father,2 and imprint them well in thy memory. Of all the sonnes that God hath geuen me since I was married to this thy Mother, thou alone art left a liue. And I thanke God for thee. For in thee lieth the hope of my posteritie. Loke therfore yt thou seruest God al the dais of thy life, yt thou maiest be the father of many children through the blessing of God. If thou dost resē ble me as in countenaunce and lineamentes of body: so lykewise in manners and conditions of life & conuersation, it shall not repente me to haue begotten such a sonne: ⟨p. 211⟩nether shall it forthynke thee to haue had such a father.3 Take hede therfore that thou doest not degenerate and growe out of kynde. Honour thy mother all the dayes of her life. Pray for her, and do for her whatsoeuer lieth in thy power. Remēber yt God hath appoynted thee to be the staffe of her olde age, nether forget thou what and how great paines she hath suffred for thee.4 Beware of riotous cōpany, & haue alwais the fear of God before thine eies.5 Kepe companye with such as haue vnderstāding, and leane vnto their wisdom and counsell.6 Be sober mynded, and eschewe the lustes of youthe, but followe ryghteousnes, faith, loue, and peace: with them that cal on the Lord with a pure faith. When thou shalt come to the possession of suche worldly substaunce, as I haue apoynted for thee, through ye ⟨p. 212⟩goodnes and liberalitie of God: loke that thou dost vse, and not abuse thy goodes. Spend in measure, and as present necessitie shal require. Beware of superfluous expenses. Auoide banketting and delicious fare.
If thou hast much, give plenteously, if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little. For so gatherest thou thy self a good reward ⟨p. 213⟩in the day of necessity. For mercy delivereth from all sin & from death, and suffereth not the soul to come in darkness. A great comfort is mercy before the hie God unto all them that show it. In the time of thy youth take heed thou defilest not thy self with whoredom, but bring an honest & chaste body unto the blessed state of honourable wedlock. And when the ripeness of thy age doth require thee to marry: take heed whom thou chosest to be thy yokefellow. Follow not the corrupt manners of the wicked worldlings, which in choosing their wives, have their principal respect unto the worthiness of the stock: unto the wealthiness of the friends, unto riches, beauty, and such other worldly vanities. Consider thou rather the godliness than the worthiness of the maids parents, the honest and ⟨p. 214⟩virtuous bringing up of her, her chaste and sober behaviour, her Christen and godly manners, her modesty, gravity, sobriety, and womanliness, her faith, obedience, humility, silence, quietness, honesty, housewifeliness, and such other fruits of Gods spirit. Let her be no Papist, nor Anabaptist. nor Epicure, but one of the household of faith, and such one as feareth the Lord God unfeignedly. With such one couple thy self in the fear of God,1 and know her to be the gift of God, as Solomon sayeth: house and richesse may a man have by the heritage of his elders, but a discrete wife is the gift of the Lord. Therefore when thou art once joined with her in the holy order of Matrimony: seek after no strange flesh, beware of whoredom,2 entangle thy self with no other woman's love, but ⟨p. 215⟩be glad with the wife of thy youth. Let her breasts alway satisfy thee & hold thee ever content with her love. And if God send thee children thank him for them,3 and study to bring them up in the fear, nurture & doctrine of the Lord, that they may learn to know God, even from the very cradles.4 Order thy household godly and honestly. Cherish thy servants, & give them their covenants, remembering that thou also hast a master & Lord in heaven. Love thy neighbours, dwell quietly among them.5 Lend unto them gladly whatsoever they need, if thou hast it. Oppress not thy tenants. Raise not thy rents. Take no incomes nor sins.
If thou hast mutch, geue plēteously, if thou hast litle, doe thy diligence gladly to geue of that litle. For so gatherest thou thy selfe a good reward ⟨p. 213⟩in the day of necessitie. For merci deliuereth from all sinne & from death, and suffreth not the soule to come in darknes. A great comfort is mercy before ye hie God vnto all them that shew it. In the time of thy youth take hede thou defilest not thy selfe with whoredom, but bring an honest & chaste body vnto the blessed state of honorable wedlocke. And when the ripenes of thy age doth require ye to marry: take hede whome thou chosest to be thy yokefellow. Follow not the corrupt manners of ye wicked worldlings, which in chosing their wiues, haue their principall respect vnto the worthines of the stocke: vnto the welthines of the frendes, vnto riches, beauty, and suche other worldly vanities. Consider thou rather ye godlines than the worthines of the maides parentes, the honest and ⟨p. 214⟩vertuous bringing vp of her, her chaste and sober behauoure, her Christen and godly manners, her modestie, grauitie, sobrietie, and womanlines, her faith, obediēce, humilitie, silence, quietnes, honestie, howsewiuelines, and such other fruites of Gods spirite. Let her be no Papist, nor Anabaptist. nor Epicure, but one of the houshold of faith, and such one as feareth the Lorde God vnfaynedly. With suche one couple thy selfe in the feare of God,1 and knowe her to be the gift of God, as Salomō saieth: house and richesse may a man haue by the heritage of his elders, but a discrete wyfe is the gift of the Lorde. Therfor when thou art once ioyned with her in ye holy order of Matrimonie: seeke after no strange fleshe, beware of whoredome,2 entangle thy selfe with no other womans loue, but ⟨p. 215⟩be glad with ye wife of thy youth. Let her brestes alway satisfie thee & hold thee euer content with her loue. And if God send thee childrē thanke him for them,3 and study to bring them vp in the feare, nourtour & doctrine of the Lorde, that they may learn to know God, euē from the very cradels.4 Order thy houshold godly and honestly. Cherish thy seruauntes, & geue them their couenauntes, remembring yt thou also hast a maister & Lorde in heauen. Loue thy neighbours, dwell quietly among them.
Be content with the old and accustomed payments. Bring up no new customs. Maintain the lawful liberties of the town wherein thou dwellest. Be no unprofitable ⟨p. 216⟩member of the common wealth. Defame no man, but speak well of all men. Hurt no man, but to the uttermost of thy power be beneficial to all men.1 Let never pride have rule in thy mind, nor in thy word, for in pride began all destruction. Who so ever worketh any thing for thee: immediately give him his hire, and look that thy hired servants wages remain not by the overnight.2 Look that thou do never unto an other man the thing, that thou wouldest not another man should do unto thee.3 Eat thy bread with the hungry & poor, and cover the naked with thy clothes. Ask ever counsel at the wise.4 Be alway thankful unto God, and beseech him, that he will order thy ways, and that whatsoever thou devisest or takest in hand, it may remain in him. My son do these things, ⟨p. 217⟩and God shall bless thee, and prosper all thy doings.
What shall I say unto you my little Daughters?5 I pray God bless you▪ and make you joyful mothers of many Children. Serve God. Obey your mother. Be diligent to please her. Give ear to her wholesome admonitions and follow them. Do nothing without her counsel and advisement. When your age shall require to be married, follow the counsel of your mother, and other of your faithful friends, which wish you to do well, in choosing your husbands. Take heed ye be not corrupted with the gifts of naughty packs, nor deceived with the flattering tongues of wicked & unthrifty persons. For many in these our days seek not the woman, but the woman's substance. ⟨p. 218⟩Couple your selves with such as fear God, love his word, and be of honest report. And when ye be once married,6 reverence your husbands, know them to be your heads & governors appointed of God, obey them, & submit your selves unto them.7 Suffer not your love to depart from your husbands, neither know any man besides them, but keep the bed undefiled, that your Matrimony may be honourable & pure in the sight of God, & of his holy congregation. And if God blesseth you with children, look that you bring them up in the glory of God in his fear and doctrine. Engraft in their young breasts, even from their tender age, virtue, godliness, and good manners, look well unto your household, and be an example unto your maids of godliness and honesty.
Be content with the olde and accustomed paimentes. Bringe vp no newe customes. Maintaine the lawfull liberties of ye town wherin thou dwellest. Be no vnprofitable ⟨p. 216⟩mēber of the common wealth. Diffame no man, but speake well of al men. Hurt no man, but to the vttermost of thy power be beneficiall to all men.1 Let neuer pride haue rule in thy mind, nor in thy word, for in pride begā al destruction. Who so euer worketh anye thyng for thee: immediatly geue him his hire, and loke that thy hired seruauntes wages remaine not by the ouernight.2 Loke that thou do neuer vnto an other man the thing, that thou wouldest not another man should do vnto thee.3 Eat thy bread with the hongry & poore, and couer the naked with thy clothes. Aske euer counsell at the wyse.4 Be alwaye thanckefull vnto God, and beseche hym, that he will order thy wayes, and that whatsoeuer thou deuisest or takest in hande, it may remayne in hym. My sonne do these thynges, ⟨p. 217⟩and God shal blesse thee, and prosper all thy doinges.
WHat shall I say vnto you my little Daughters?5 I pray God blesse you▪ and make you ioyfull mothers of many Children. Serue God. Obey your mother. Be diligent to please her. Geue eare to her wholesome admonitions and folowe them. Do nothing without her counsell and aduisement. Whan your age shal require to be maried, followe the counsel of your mother, and other of your faithful frēds, which wish you to doe well, in choising your husbandes. Take hede ye be not corrupted with the giftes of noughty packes, nor deceiued wt the flattring tongues of wicked & vnthrifty persones. For many in these our daies seeke not the woman, but the womans substance. ⟨p. 218⟩Couple your selues with suche as feare God, loue his worde, and be of honest report. And when ye be once maried,6 reuerence your husbands, know thē to be your heads & gouernours appointed of God, obey them, & submitte your selues vnto them.
Be no gadders abroad, nor haunters of Taverns, but keep ⟨p. 219⟩your houses continually, except some earnest and lawful business provoke you to go forth. Be no babblers nor vain talkers, but for the most part use silence.1 For silence is an ornament and precious Jewell unto a godly woman. Apparel your selves in comely array, with shame fastness and discrete behaviour, not with braided hear, ether gold or pearls, or costly garments, but as it becometh women that proofs godliness through good works. Let the hid man,2 which is in the heart be without all corruption, so that the spirit be at rest and quiet, which spirit before God, is a thing much set by. For after this manner in the old time did the holy women, which trusted in God, tier them selves, and were obedient to their husbands, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him Lord, whose daughters ye are, so ⟨p. 220⟩long as ye do well. If you observe these few lessons, which I your sick father have now given unto you: doubt ye not, but ye shall right well prosper and live a joyful & quiet life on earth. Yea God shall be your father and defender. Well, stand a side a little while. Gods blessing be with you. Come hither ye my servants.
3Sirs, ye see in me what shall be the end of all flesh, even a departure from this world. For we are but strangers & pilgrims on the earth, as our fathers were before us.4 We have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come. The ordinance of God is, that all men shall once die. There liveth no man,5 that shall not die. A man in his time is but grass, and flourisheth as a flour of the field. Our life is even a vapour that appeareth ⟨p. 221⟩for a little time,6 and then •anisheth away. On this condition came we into the world, that we should leave it again. We have •een sure of death, ever sense we were conceived in our Mothers womb. These things do ye now •e practised in me: the time of my departure out of the world is at hand. I thought it good therefore to send also for you, & to take my leave of •ou, till we mete again in the kingdom of God. I thank you for the •ood service that ye have done me. I •ave not forgotten your serviceable hearts and good wills toward •e. If the good pleasure of God •ad been, that I should longer have continued with you, I would have considered your service better.
Be no gadders abroad, nor haunters of Tauernes, but kepe ⟨p. 219⟩your houses continually, except some earnest and lawfull busines prouoke you to go forth. Be no bablers nor vain talkers, but for the most part vse silence.1 For silēce is an ornamēt and precious Iewell vnto a godly womā. Aparell your selues in comely aray, with shame fastnes and discrete behauioure, not with broyded hear, ether gold or pearles, or costly garmēts, but as it becommeth women yt profes godlines thorow good workes. Let the hid man,2 whiche is in the heart be without all corruption, so that ye spirit be at rest and quiet, which spirit before God, is a thing much set by. For after this maner in the olde tyme did the holye wemen, whiche trusted in God, tier them selues, and were obedient to their husbandes, euen as Sara obeyed Abrahā and called him Lord, whose daughters ye are, so ⟨p. 220⟩long as ye do wel. If you obserue these fewe lessons, which I your sicke father haue now geuen vnto you: doubt ye not, but ye shall right well prosper and liue a ioyfull & quiet life on earth. Yea God shalbe your father and defendor. Wel, stande a side a little whyle. Gods blessing be with you. Come hither ye my seruauntes.
3SIrs, ye see in me what shal be the end of all fleshe, euen a departure from this world. For we are but strangers & pilgrimes on the earth, as our fathers were before vs.4 We haue no continuing citie here, but we seke one to come. The ordinaunce of God is, that all men shall once die. There lyueth no man,5 that shall not die. A man in his time is but grasse, and flourisheth as a floure of the field. Our life is euen a vapour that apeareth ⟨p. 221⟩for a little time,6 and then •anisheth away. On this condi•ion came we into the world, that we shuld leaue it again. We haue •een sure of death, euer sence we were conceiued in our Mothers wombe. These thinges do ye now e practised in me: ye time of my departure out of ye world is at hand. I thought it good therfore to send lso for you, & to take my leaue of ou, til we mete again in ye kingom of God. I thanke you for the ood seruice yt ye haue done me. I aue not forgotten your seruiseale hearts and good wils toward e. If the good pleasure of God ad bene, that I shuld lōger haue ontinued with you, I wold haue onsidred your seruice better.
But • have given to every one of you •uche portion of money, as shall debar some part of my thankful • well willing heart toward you? ⟨p. 222⟩This now remaineth to be craved at your hands. As ye have hitherto faithfully, truly & honestly served me in my life time, even so after my departure, so long as ye•tary here, show the like faithfulness, truth & honesty toward your mistress. Consider, that as long as I lived, I was a stay unto her, & unto her things. But now her chief hope next unto God, consisteth in you. Therefore I pray yo• look well unto the things, which appertain unto her. See that nothing go to wast. Provide that through your diligence, her things may rather increase then decrease. Ye know right well the duty of a good servant, notwithstanding even at this my departure from you, I will put you in remembrance of it, that when I am gon• ye may yet remember my admonitions, & the more speedily answer ⟨p. 223⟩unto your vocation.1 The duty of a good servant is to serve his master and mistress willingly & with a free courage even for conscience sake,2 not with the eye, but with the heart, to obey them, to honour them, gently to answer them, not to pick or steal away their goods, but to be faithful unto them in all thingee. See therefore that ye on this manner behave your selves toward your mistress: avoid all stubbornness, churlishness, cursed speakings, telling of tales, lying, picking, wast, idleness, negligence and sluggishness. Eschew all evil and riotous company. Fly drunkenness and whoredom. Abstain from vain oaths and foolish pastimes. So behave your selves in all your life & conversation: that the name of God & his doctrine be not evil spoken of. Yea, let the light of your godly behaviour so shine before men,3⟨p. 224⟩that ye may do worship to the glorious gospel of our saviour Christ in all things.4 And in thus serving your mistress with a glad, ready & faithful will, think your selves to serve the Lord your God, and to do that thing, which is pleasant in his godly sight, and that he also will see your pains recompensed,5 as the holy Apostle saith:
But • haue geuen to euery one of you •uche portion of mony, as shal de•are some part of my thanckefull • wel willing heart toward you? ⟨p. 222⟩This nowe remaineth to be craued at your hands. As ye haue hetherto faithfully, truly & honestly serued me in my life time, euen so after my departure, so long as ye•tary here, shewe the like faithfulnes, truth & honestie toward your mistres. Consider, that as lōg as I liued, I was a stay vnto her, & vnto her thinges. But nowe her chief hope next vnto God, consisteth in you. Therfore I pray yo• loke well vnto the thinges, which appertaine vnto her. Se that nothing go to wast. Prouide that through your diligēce, her things may rather encrease then decrease. Ye knowe rightwell the dutie of a good seruaunt, notwithstanding euen at this my departure from you, I wil put you in remem•braunce of it, that whē I am gon• ye may yet remēber my admonitions, & the more spedely aunswe•⟨p. 223⟩vnto your vocatiō.1 The duty of a good seruāt is to serue his maister and mistres willingly & with a fre courage euen for conscience sake,2 not with the eie, but with ye heart, to obey them, to honor thē, gently to aunswere them, not to picke or steale away their goods, but to be faithfull vnto them in all thingee. Se therfore yt ye on this manner behaue your selues towarde your mistres: auoid al stubbernes, churlishnes, cursed speakinges, telling of tales, lying, picking, wast, idlenes, negligence and sluggishnes. Eschue all euill and riotous company. Fly dronkennes and whordome. Abstaine from vaine othes and folishe pastimes. So behaue your selues in all your life & conuersation: that the name of God & his doctrine be not euil spoken of. Yea, let the lyghte of your godlye behauioure so shine before men,3⟨p. 224⟩
1The duty of a good servantThe dutie of a good seruāt
ye servants be obedient unto them, that are your bodily masters in all things, not with eye service, as men pleasers, but in singleness of hart fearing God▪ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as though you did it to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing, that of the Lord ye shall receive the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that sinneth, shall receive according unto his sin. For there is no respect of persons with God. If ye serve your mistress truly ⟨p. 225⟩and faithfully, hereafter when ye shall your selves be householders. God shall likewise send you true and faithful servants. But if ye serve her falsely and ungodly: then shall ye of your servants be likewise served hereafter.1 For with what measure that ye mete withal, shall other mete to you again, saith our Saviour Christ. Live therefore according to your vocation in the fear of God, & ye shall prosper right well. God shall bless you, & never leave you succourless, as the holy man Toby saith.2 Be not afraid, truth it is, we lead here a pore life, but great good shall we have if we fear God and depart from all sin, and do well. Well, the blessing of God be with you, I am very faint:
ye seruauntes be obedient vnto thē, that are your bodely maisters in al thinges, not with eie seruice, as men pleasers, but in singlenes of hart fearing God▪ And whatsoeuer ye do, do it hartely, as though you did it to the Lorde, and not vnto men, knowyng, that of the Lorde ye shall receiue the inheritaunce, for ye serue ye Lord Christ. But he that sinneth, shall receiue accordynge vnto his synne. For there is no respect of persons with God. If ye serue your mistres truly ⟨p. 225⟩and faithfully, hereafter when ye shall your selues be housholders. God shall likewyse send you true and faithful seruauntes. But if ye serue her falsly and vngodly: then shal ye of your seruauntes be likewise serued hereafter.1 For with what measure that ye mete withall, shall other mete to you again, saith our Sauioure Christ. Liue therefore according to your vocation in the feare of God, & ye shall prosper right well. God shal blesse you, & neuer leaue you succourles, as the holy man Toby sayth.2 Be not afrayd, truthe it is, we leade here a pore life, but great good shal we haue if we fear God and depart from all sinne, and doe wel. Wel, the blessing of God be wt you, I am very faint:
NOwe my chyldren, come ye hither vnto me, God blesse you, and sende you manye, yea and those ioyfull and quiet daies vpon the earth. Ye see in what case I am, sore, sycke, and very weake, abiding the good plesure of God. The ende of this my life is come, and I am glad of it, and most hartely thanke the lord my God.
For whosoeuer loueth delicately to fare, shall come to pouertie. Thinck that wel spēt, that is honestly spent in thy owne house. Extraordinarie bankettinges loke that thou flee, remē bring that, that, whiche is gotten through long tyme, is consumed in a very little space.
Geue almes of thy goodes, and turn neuer thy face from the pore, so shall it come to passe, that the face of the Lorde shall not be tourned away frō the. Be mercifull after thy power.
Suffer not your loue to depart frō your husbands, neither know any mā besides them, but kepe the bed vndefiled, yt your Matrimony may be honorable & pure in the sight of God, & of his holy cōgregatiō. And if God blesseth you with children, loke yt you bring them vp in the glory of God in his fear and doctrin. Engraffe in their yong brests, euen frō their tender age, vertue, godlines, and good māners, loke wel vnto your houshold, and be an example vnto your maides of godlines and honestie.
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that ye may do worship to the glorious gospell of our sauior Christ in al thinges.
And in thus seruing your mistres with a glad, ready & faithfull will, thincke your selues to serue the Lorde your God, and to do that thing, whiche is pleasaunt in his godly sight, and that he also will se your paines recompensed,
