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.
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
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,
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⟩that ye may do worship to the glorious gospell of our sauior Christ in al thinges.4 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,5 as the holy Apostle saith:
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:
Phil. Forsooth it hath ⟨p. 226⟩been both good and godly. I pray God give both them and all us grace to follow these your most wholesome and christen admonitions. But sir, will it please you to take your leave of your wife, children and servants, & give your self to rest for a little while? Peradventure it shall do you much good.
Phil. Forsoth it hath ⟨p. 226⟩bene both good and godly. I pray God geue bothe them and all vs grace to followe these your moste wholesome and christen admonitions. But sir, will it please you to take your leaue of your wyfe, chyldren and seruauntes, & geue your self to reast for a litle whyle? Peraduentur it shal do you much good.
Epa. Before they depart from me, I wish greatly even in their presence to confess my faith, that both you and they may be witnesses before God & the world, that I die a Christen man.
Epa. Before they depart from me, I wysh greatly euen in their presence to confesse my faithe, yt both you and they may be witnesses before God & the worlde, that I die a Christen man.
Phile. Although we nothing doubt thereof, yet we greatly desire to hear the confession of your faith, that we may be ⟨p. 227⟩able to testify hereafter, that you departed in yt faith of Christ.
Phile. Although we nothing doubt therof, yet we greatly desyre to heare the confession of your faith, that we may be ⟨p. 227⟩able to testifie hereafter, that you departed in yt faith of Christ.
Epa. Hear then.
I Unfeignedly believe with my hart,1 and freely confess with my mouth that there is one only true,2 living, immortal and everlasting God, God the father, God the Son and God the holy ghost .iii. distinct persons in the godhead, and notwithstanding one very God in substance, of like majesty, glory, might power, judgement and will.
As touching the first parson in the deity,3 I unfeignedly believe with my heart, and freely confess with my mouth, that he is the God, which alone is the father not only of our Lord and saviour Christ Jesus,4 whom of him self from everlasting, he begot his natural Son, & therefore likewise true and immortal God, but also of all the faithful, not ⟨p. 228⟩by nature but by adoption, whom he hath chosen to be his children in Christ Jesus before the foundations of the world were laid, to love, favour cherish, comfort, nourish, govern, defend and bless them both corporally and spiritually. This God the father I believe & confess to be almighty and able to do,5 whatsoever his godly will & pleasure is▪ With him all things are possible. There is nothing to hard for him to do, neither is any thing unpossible in his sight. This God the father almighty I believe and confess,6 that he is the creator and maker of heaven and earth, and of all things contained in them. Of nothing by his won derful and almighty power made he the heavens with the blessed angels and heavenly spirits, that are in them. The one he chose to be his glorious seat, the other ⟨p. 229⟩he made to be his Ministers, to do his blessed will and holy commandment.
This God the father almighty made also the earth of nothing with her increase,7 & gave breath to the people that are in it, and spirit to them that dwell therein. The heavens, the earth and the sea, with all that ever is contained in them, are the creatures of this God the father almighty, created unto this end, even that they should set forth, magnify, praise, and commend the majesty, power, might and glory of this most mighty & glorious god.8 And whatsoever he made, he made it through his only begotten Son, by whom all things were made and without whom was made nothing that was made.9
Epa. Heare then.
I Unfainedly beleue wt my hart,1 and frely cōfesse with my mouth that there is one only true,2 lyuing, immortall and euerlasting God, God the father, God ye sonne and God the holy gost .iii. distinct persons in the godhead, and notwithstāding one very God in substāce, of like maiestie, glory, might power, iudgement and will.
As touching the first parson in the deitie,3 I vnfainedly beleue wt my heart, and frely confesse with my mouth, yt he is the God, which alone is the father not only of our Lorde and sauiour Christ Iesu,4 whom of him self frō euerlasting, he begot his natural sonne, & therfore likewyse true and immortall God, but also of all ye faithfull, not ⟨p. 228⟩by nature but by adoption, whom he hath chosen to be his children in Christ Iesu before the foundations of the worlde were laide, to loue, fauour cherish, comfort, norish, gouern, defend and blesse thē both corporally and spiritually. This God the father I beleue & confesse to be almighty and hable to do,5 whatsoeuer his godly wil & pleasure is▪ With him all thinges are possible. There is nothing to hard for him to doe, neither is any thynge vnpossible in his syght. This God the father almighty I beleue and confesse,6 that he is the creator and maker of heauen and earth, and of all thynges contained in thē. Of nothing by his wō derful and almighty power made he the heauens with the blessed aungels and heauenly spirites, that are in them. Thone he chose to be his glorious seate, the other ⟨p. 229⟩he made to be his Ministers, to do his blessed will and holy commaundement.
This God the father almighty made also the earth of nothinge with her encrease,7 & gaue breath to the people that are in it, and spirit to thē that dwel therein. The heauens, the earth and the sea, wt all that euer is cōteined in them, are the creatures of this God the father almyghtye, created vnto this ende, euen that they shuld set forth, magnifie, prayse, and commend the maiestie, power, might and glory of this moste myghty & glorious god.
For when he made the heavens, this his only begotten Son was present, when he hanged the clouds ⟨p. 230⟩above, when he fastened the springs of the deep, when he shut the sea within certain bounds, that the water should not go over the marks that he commanded. When he laid the foundations of the earth, he was with him, ordering all things, delighting daily, and rejoicing alway before him. For the Son of God caused the iyght that faileth not to arise in the heaven,1 and covered all the earth as a cloud.2 And that prince like Prophet sayeth: By the word of the Lord (which word is Christ the natural Son of God)3 are the heavens made, and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth. This God the father almighty maker of heaven and earth, I believe & am fully persuaded, that he for Christs sake (by faith) is my most merciful father,4 & that I am borne again of him not by ⟨p. 231⟩mortal but immortal seed through the word of God, which, liveth and abideth for ever, and so am become his son, and that he therefore loveth and favoureth me, governeth and defendeth me, •eadeth and nourisheth me, and finally, hath made me his heir and fellow heir of eternal glory with his only begotten and most dearly beloved Son Christ Jesus our Lord and saviour.5 Now have ye heard my faith concerning God the father.
For when he made the heauens, this his only begotten sonne was present, whan he hāged ye cloudes ⟨p. 230⟩aboue, when he fastned the springes of the depe, when he shut the sea within certaine boundes, that the water should not go ouer the marckes that he commaunded. When he laide the foundations of the earth, he was with hym, ordring all thynges, deliting daily, and reioysing alway before hym. For the sonne of God caused the iyght that fayleth not to aryse in the heauen,1 and couered all the earth as a cloud.2 And that prince like Prophet sayeth: By the word of the Lord (which word is Christ the natural sonne of God)3 are the heauens made, and all the hostes of them by ye breath of his mouth. This God the father almightye maker of heauen and earth, I beleue & am fully perswaded, that he for Christes sake (by fayth) is my moste mercifull father,4 & that I am borne againe of him not by ⟨p. 231⟩mortall but immortall seede thorowe the worde of God, which, liueth and abideth for euer, and so am become his sonne, and that he therfore loueth and fauoreth me, gouerneth and defendeth me, •eadeth and nourysheth me, and finally, hath made me his heire and fellow heir of eternall glory with his only begotten and moste derely beloued sonne Christ Iesu our Lorde and sauiour.5 Now haue ye heard my fayth concerning God the father.
Phil. It is a faith both true and christen, and from the beginning received of all godly parsons. Will it please you likewise to rehearse your faith concerning Jesus Christ the Son of God, yea God and man.
Phil. It is a faith both true and christen, and from the beginning receiued of all godly parsons. Will it please you likewyse to reherse your faith concerning Iesus Christ ye sonne of God, yea God and man.
Epaph. This it is.
I unfeignedly believe,1 with my heart and freely confess with my mouth ye, Jesus Christ the second person in the godhead is the only2⟨p. 232⟩begotten Son of God,3 yea and true, immortal and everlasting God,4 begotten of God the father before any beginning,5 of like majesty, might, power, & glory with God the father,6 of the same nature, essence, being and substance.7 I believe that this Jesus Christ which is the very brightness of his fathers glory, and the very image of his substance, first begotten before all creatures, is our Lord, even the Lord of all the faithful.8 And I believe that as he is called Jesus, that is to say, a saviour: so likewise he is both able and will save me from all my sins. A God that is righteous,9 & such one as saveth, there is none but he.10 There is salvation in none other.11 Neither is there any other name under heaven given unto men, wherein we may be saved, but only the name of Jesus. Of ⟨p. 233⟩him therefore alone as of an almighty saviour do I look for my salvation.12 For vain is the saving health that is looked for of any other. And as he is called Christ,13 ye is to say, anointed, because he is the King and Priest of all the people of God, and is anointed with the true ointment,14 even with the fullness of the holy ghost (for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him,15 but he hath anointed him with the oil of gladness above his fellows) even so do I believe, that out of him even as out of a lively spring and flowing fountain, this oil of gladness, I mean the holy ghost, come forth upon all the members of Christ, and they also in him, & tho•om him are made Christs, that •s to say, the anointed of the lord. For of his fullness have all we received, even grace for grace.16 And ⟨p. 234⟩whosoever believeth on him (as sayeth the scripture)17 floods of living water shall flow out of his belly. As I am of this Christ called a christian: so do I believe, that this Christ hath anointed me with his holy spirit, and therewith also sealed me up unto everlasting life▪ For they that are led with the spirit of God, are the sons of God. For the same spirit certifieth our spirit,18 that we are the sons of God. If we be sons, then are we also heirs, the heirs I mean o• God, & fellow heirs with Christ of eternal glory.
Epaph. This it is.
I vnfainedly beleue,1 with my heart and frely confesse wyth my mouth ye, Iesus Christ the seconde persone in the godhead is the only2⟨p. 232⟩begotten sonne of God,3 yea and true, immortall and euerlasting God,4 begotten of God the father before any beginning,5 of lyke maiestie, myght, power, & glory with God the father,6 of the same nature, essence, being and substance.7 I beleue that this Iesus Christe whiche is the very brightnesse of his fathers glory, and the very image of his substance, first begotten before all creatures, is oure Lord, euen the Lord of all ye faithfull.8 And I beleue that as he is called Iesus, that is to saye, a sauiour: so likewyse he is both able and will saue me frō al my sinnes. A God that is righteous,9 & suche one as saueth, there is none but he.10 There is saluation in none other.11 Neither is there any other name vnder heauen geuen vnto men, wherein we may be saued, but only the name of Iesus. Of ⟨p. 233⟩hym therfore alone as of an almighty sauiour doe I loke for my saluation.12 For vain is the sauing health that is loked for of any other. And as he is called Christ,13
Furthermore I believe, tha• Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God, is called our Lord not only because he is Lord of al• things, inasmuch as he is Go• and hath all things in subjection unto him by the right of his divine nature, but also because h•⟨p. 235⟩is the Lord, ruler & governor of all the elect and chosen people of God, & mightily delivereth them from the power, violence and tyranny of Satan, sin and death by this means making them his own and peculiar people, & continually defendeth and preserveth them against all evils and perils, whereunto they should daily fall through the deceitful subtleties of Satan, the vain persuasions of the world, & the poysonfull enticements of the flesh, if by the mighty power of him they were not preserved.1 For although there be many lords yet have we but one lord, even Jesus Christ, by whom are allthings & we by him. And this Jesus Christ the only begotten son of god, I faithfully believe to be my lord, my protector, my mighty shield, buckler & defender, and that he hath delivered me from the tyranny of Satan from the ⟨p. 236⟩law of sin and death,2 and brought me in through faith unto this grace, wherein I stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3Moreover I unfeignedly believe with my heart, & freely confess with my mouth that this Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God,4 is also very true and natural man, of the same flesh & blood with us, and like unto us in all points, sin alone except.5 And he became man not after the manner of other men, but by the wonderful operation, and above natural working of Gods natural spirit.6 For he was conceived of the holy ghost, & borne of the Virgin Mary. That which was conceived in her, was not of man, but it came of the holy ghost.7 For the holy ghost came upon that godly maid, and the power of the hiest overshadowed her, & so conceived she and brought forth ⟨p. 237⟩Christ her true & natural son, a pure and undefiled Virgin before the birth, in the birth, & after the birth.8 It was necessary, that Jesus Christ should be so both conceived and borne,9 that by this his pure and clean birth,10 he might wash and put away the corruption and filthiness of our nature, which was distained in the fall & •inne of Adam.
Furthermore I beleue, tha• Iesus Christe the onlye begotten sonne of God, is called our Lord not only because he is Lorde of al• thinges, in asmuche as he is Go• and hath all thinges in subiection vnto hym by the ryght of his di•uine nature, but also because h•⟨p. 235⟩is the Lord, ruler & gouernour of all the elect and chosen people of God, & myghtely deliuereth them from the power, violence and tiranny of Satan, sinne and death by this meanes making them his owne and peculier people, & continually defendeth and preserueth them against all euils and perils, wherunto they should dayly fall thorow the deceitfull suttelties of Satan, the vaine perswasions of the world, & the poysonfull entisements of the flesh, if by the mighty power of him they wer not preserued.1 For althogh there be many lords yet haue we but one lord, euē Iesus Christ, by whō ar althings & we by him. And this Iesꝰ Christ ye only begottē son of god, I faithfully beleue to be my lord, my protector, my mighty shield, bukler & defender, and yt he hath deliuered me frō the tirany of Satā from ye ⟨p. 236⟩law of sin and death,2 and brough• me in thorowe faithe vnto this grace, wherin I stād and reioys• in hope of the glory of God.
3Moreouer I vnfainedly beleue with my heart, & frely confesse wt my mouth that this Iesus Christ the only begotten sonne of God,4 is also very true and naturall man, of the same flesh & bloud with vs, and like vnto vs in all poyntes, sinne alone except.5 And he became man not after the maner of other men, but by the wonderful operation, and aboue natural working of Gods naturall spirite.6 For he was conceiued of the holy ghost, & borne of the Uirgin Mary. That which was conceiued in her, was not of man, but it came of the holy ghost.
For it was not con lenient,1 that he which was come •o purge the world from all sin, should in any point be spotted with •iune,2 but that both his conception •nd nativity should be so pure & without blemish,3 that by the pureness thereof, the filthiness & corruption of our conception and nativity might be put away.4 For of •e unclean, who can be cleansed? •ll we be unclean in Adam both concerning our conception and earth, for after that God had made ⟨p. 238⟩man like unto his own similitud• and Image,5 he placed him in paradise,6 and gave him liberty t• eat of all the fruits in the garden of pleasure, except the tree of knowledge of good and evil.7 But ma• disobeyed the Lord his God, and transgressed his holy commandment.8 Through the which disobedience and transgression of God• holy commandment, 9sin, curse and death came over all mankind so that now in Adam so many a• are borne after the common course of nature, are begotten, conceived and borne in sin.10 They are th• children of wrath, & defiled wit• all uncleanness both bodily & gho•ly.11 Now when there was no he• nor comfort for man, whereby • might be redeemed out of Satan power, and delivered from his intolerable miseries,12 wherewith • was to much wretchedly wrapped ⟨p. 239⟩and brought into slavery (for now man withal his thoughts, imaginations, devices, words, deeds, enterprises. &c. is become through the sin of Adam: wicked, unpure, filthy and sinful) then God that merciful father had pity upon man kind, and promised them a seed, even Jesus Christ his only begotten Son,13 which should tread down the head of the serpent, overcome •he devil with all his power, & re•tore us to life again.14 And likewise as god is righteous in all his ways, & holy in all his works, & •rue & faithful in all his words: •uen so hath he kept all his promises truly.15 For when the time was […] he sent his only begotten […] dearly beloved Son into the •ombe of the virgin Mary,16 where of whom through the working •f the holy ghost, he became flesh, ••at is to say, true and natural ⟨p. 240⟩man, as the scripture witnesseth saying:17 The word became flesh, & dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, as the glory of the only begotten Son of the father full o• grace and verity. He brought no• his body with him from heaven (as certain heretics affirm) bu• as he received all his divine nature and substance of God the fa•ther alone:
For it was not cō •enient,1 that he which was come •o purge the world from all sinne, •huld in any point be spotted with •iune,2 but that both his conceptiō •nd natiuitie should be so pure & •ithout blemish,3 that by the pure•es therof, the filthines & corrup•ion of our conception and nati•itie might be put awaye.4 For of •e vncleane, who can be clensed? •ll we be vncleane in Adam both ••ncerning our conception and •rth, for after yt God had made ⟨p. 238⟩man like vnto his own similitud• and Image,5 he placed hym in paradise,6 and gaue him lybertie t• eat of all the fruites in the garden of pleasure, except ye tree of knowledge of good and euill.7 But ma• disobeyed the Lorde his God, and transgressed his holy commaund•ment.8 Thorow the whiche disobedience and transgression of God• holy cōmaundement,
even so likewise did h• take all his human nature and substance of the pure virgin Mary alone, through the wonderful operation of the spirit of God,1 a• S. Paul saith, he was borne o• the seed of David after the flesh Again he saith,2 he that sanctif••eth, and they which are sanctified, are all of one. For which ca••ses he is not ashamed to call the• brethren,3 saying: I will declare th• name to my brethren, and in th• mids of the congregation will ⟨p. 241⟩praise thee. And again I will put my trust in him.
And again.4 Behold here am I, and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch therefore as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also him self likewise toke part with them, for to put down (through death) him, ye had lordship over death, that is to say, the devil, and that he might deliver them, which through fear of death were all their life time in danger of bondage. For he in no condition taketh on him the angels, but the seed of Abraham taketh he on him, wherefore in all things it became him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be merciful, and a faithful hie Priest in things concerning God for to purge the peoples sins.5 &c. This only begotten Son of God by taking flesh ⟨p. 242⟩of the Virgin Mary, became like unto us in all things, sin alone except.6 I believe that by his pure conception and undefiled nativity, my conception, and my birth, which coming from Adam,7 was altogether unpure and defiled,8 is cleansed, and that no part of that sinful birth is imputed unto me,9 but ye through faith in this most blessed seed of the Virgin,10 I am born a new & begotten of God, so that he is my father, & I am his son, and therefore inheritor also of his heavenly kingdom.
Furthermore I unfeignedly believe with my hart, and freely confess with my mouth, that this seed of the woman Jesus Christ, at the commandment and will of his heavenly father (which from everlasting by his godly providence ordained his only begotten Son, to be a sacrifice for the sins of ⟨p. 243⟩his people, that through his only oblation they might for ever and ever be saved) suffered many grievous pains on his body under the Heathen ruler Pontius Pilate, and that he was crucified, died and was buried.
euen so likewyse did h• take all his humaine nature and substance of the pure virgin Mary alone, through the wonderful operation of the spirite of God,1 a• S. Paule saithe, he was borne o• the sede of Dauid after the fleshe Againe he sayth,2 he that sanctif••eth, and they whiche are sanctif••ed, are all of one. For which ca••ses he is not ashamed to call the• brethrē,3 saying: I wil declare th• name to my brethren, and in th• mids of the congregation wyll ⟨p. 241⟩praise thee. And againe I wil put my trust in hym.
And again.4 Behold here am I, and the children which God hath geuen me. Forasmuch therfore as the childrē were partakers of flesh and bloud, he also him selfe lykewyse toke part with them, for to put downe (thorow death) him, ye had lordship ouer death, that is to say, the deuyll, and that he myght deliuer them, which through fear of death were all their life time in daunger of bondage. For he in no condition taketh on him the aungels, but the sede of Abraham taketh he on hym, wherefore in all thinges it became him to be made lyke vnto his brethren, that he myght be mercifull, and a faithfull hie Priest in thinges concerning God for to pourge the peoples sinnes.5 &c. This only begotten sonne of God by takyng fleshe ⟨p. 242⟩of the Uirgin Mary, became lyke vnto vs in all things, sinne alone except.6 I beleue that by his pure conception and vndefiled natiuitie, my conception, and my byrth, whiche cōming from Adam,7
but he hathe annoynted him with the oyl of gladnes aboue his fellowes) euē so do I beleue, that out of hym euen as out of a liuely spring and flowing fountaine, this oyle of gladnes, I meane the holy ghoste, come forth vpon all the members of Christ, and they also in him, & tho•om him are made Christes, that •s to say, the annointed of the lord. For of his fulnes haue all we receiued, euen grace for grace.
flouds of lyuing water shall flowe out of his belly. As I am of this Christ called a christian: so do I beleue, that this Christ hath annoynted me wt his holy spirite, and therwith also sealed me vp vnto euerlasting life▪ For they that are led with the spirit of God, are the sonnes of God. For the same spirit certifieth our spirite,
sinne, curse and death came ouer al mankind so that nowe in Adam so many a• are borne after the commō cours• of nature, are begotten, cōceiued and borne in sinne.
and brought into slauery (for now man wtal his thoughts, imaginations, deuices, words, dedes, enterprises. &c. is become thorowe the sin of Adam: wicked, vnpure, •ilthy and synfull) then God that mercifull father had pity vpō mā kind, and promised them a sede, euen Iesus Christ his only begotten sōne,
And lykewise as god is righteous in al his wayes, & holy in all his workes, & •rue & faithfull in all his wordes: •uen so hath he kept al his promi•es truely.
The word became fleshe, & dwelt among vs, and we saw his glory, as the glory of the only begotten sonne of the father full o• grace and veritie. He brought no• his body with him from heauen (as certain heretikes affirme) bu• as he receiued all his deuine nature and substance of God the fa•ther alone:
I am born a new & begotten of God, so that he is my father, & I am his sonne, and therfore enheritor also of his heauenly kingdome.
Furthermore I vnfainedly beleue with my hart, and frely confesse with my mouth, yt this seede of the woman Iesus Christ, at the commaundement and wyll of his heauenly father (whiche from euerlasting by his godly prouidēce ordained his only begotten sonne, to be a sacrifice for the sinnes of
⟨p. 243⟩
his people, that through his only oblation they myght for euer and euer bee saued) suffred many greuous paynes on his bodye vnder the Heathen ruler Pontius Pilat, and that he was crucified, died and was buried.
