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.
For God the father hath put all things ⟨p. 252⟩under his feet, and hath made him above all things the head of the congregation,1 which is his body, and the fullness of him, that filleth all in all. Al power is given unto him both in heaven and in earth.2 He is a lord above all lords, and a king above all kings.3 Yea he is an almighty God with his father, of the same Majesty, might, power and glory, and not withstā ding inasmuch as he is man, he is also our intercessor,4 mediator, and advocate. For he is not gone up into heaven to be an idle gazer, nor to neglect his church, but to pray for the faithful to make intercession for them unto God the father, to be our mediator & advocate, and to appease the wrath of God the father, if at any time through sin it waxeth hot against us, and to win us again unto his favour, and to keep us ⟨p. 253⟩in the same unto the end.5 We need not seek help of other, neither yet call on the saints departed that they may pray for us, and plead our cause before God. The man Christ Jesus alone,6 which gave him self a ransom for all men, is our sufficient mediator, advocate and intercessor as the holy scripture teacheth in divers places. Whosoever therefore refuseth to pray unto this man Christ Jesus to be his mediator and advocate unto God the father, and •leeth unto other: without all doubt, he is an enemy unto Christ, and to the uttermost of his power, he laboureth to make Christ (as they •se to say) Jack out of office. For since the time of his ascension •is chief and principal office is to e our intercessor, mediator, nd advocate.
He ascended also into heaven
Satan that old enemy of mankind had taken us captive, made us his bond slaves through sine, carried us away with his craft & subtlety from the Lord our God, and brought us in to his kingdom of darkness, which is the dreadful kingdom of sin, death and hell. Thus were we in great misery, and should for ever have been damned, if we had not been holpen by some other means, then we withal our wits could devise.
For God the father hathe put all thynges ⟨p. 252⟩vnder his feete, and hathe made him aboue all thinges the head of the congregation,1 whiche is his body, and the fulnes of hym, that filleth all in all. Al power is geuē vnto him bothe in heauen and in earth.2 He is a lord aboue al lords, and a king aboue all kinges.3 Yea he is an almighty God with his father, of ye same Maiestie, might, power and glory, and not withstā ding inasmuche as he is man, he is also our intercessour,4 mediator, and aduocate. For he is not gone vp into heauen to be an idle gaser, nor to neglect his churche, but to pray for the faythfull to make intercessiō for them vnto God the father, to be our mediatour & aduocate, and to appease the wrath of God the father, if at any tyme through sinne it waxeth whote against vs, and to wynne vs again vnto his fauoure, and to kepe vs ⟨p. 253⟩in the same vnto thende.5 We nede not seke helpe of other, neither yet call on the sainctes departed that they may pray for vs, and pleade our cause before God. The man Christ Iesus alone,6 whiche gaue him self a raunsom for all men, is our sufficient mediatoure, aduocate and intercessour as the holye scripture teacheth in diuers places. Whosoeuer therefore refuseth to pray vnto this man Christ Iesus to be his mediatoure and aduocate vnto God the father, and •leeth vnto other: wtout all doubt, he is an ennemy vnto Christ, and to the vttermoste of his power, he •aboureth to make Christ (as they •se to saye) Iacke out of office. For since the time of his ascention •is chief and principall office is to •e our intercessoure, mediatoure, •nd aduocate.
He ascended also into heauen7⟨p. 254⟩to leade captiuitie captiue, and to geue giftes vnto men.8 Satan that old enemy of mankind had taken vs captiue, made vs his bond slaues through sine, caried vs away with his craft & subtiltie from the Lord our God, and brought vs in to his kingdō of darcknes, whiche is the dreadful kyngdom of sinne, death and hell. Thus were we in great misery, and should for euer haue bene damned, if we had not bene holpen by some other meanes, then we withall oure wittes could deuise.9 Therfore euen of very pity & tender compassion came one, which is much stronger the• Satan,10 euen Christ that mighty Lion of the tribe of Iuda, a ryght conquerour,11 a strong Sampson, a valeant subduer of death, sinne, & hell, a puissaunt vanquisher of Satan.12 &c.
He as a king of glory mightily burst into Satan's kingdom, ⟨p. 255⟩brake open the gates of hell toke the Prince of darkness,1 bound him, toke him prisoner, made him his bound slave, destroyed his Empire, led away his prisoners, bringing them again into most joyful and blessed liberty, so that all they, which believe in this most mighty Emperor and valiant conqueror Christ Jesus:2 are delivered from the tyranny of Satan, and from the power of sin death and hell.3 There is no damnation now unto them, which are engrafted in Christ Jesus. Satan, sin, death and hell withal the infernal army cannot hurt the elect and chosen people of God. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen?4 It is God •hat justifieth▪ who is he that can condemn? It is Christ, which died, yea rather which is risen again, which is also on the right hand ⟨p. 256⟩of God and maketh intercession for us. Who shall then separate us from the love of God? &c.
5And as Christ by his most glorious and triumphant Ascension hath led captivity captive: so likewise hath he given gifts unto men,6 even that holy ghost, that spirit of truth, that comforter, which worketh in the hearts of the faithful new motions and spiritual affects,7 faith, hope, love, fear, humility, modesty, meekness, patience,8 long suffering, joy, peace, quietness of conscience, temperance, goodness, mercy. &c. It mortifieth the old man, and quickeneth the new man, which is renewed unto the knowledge and Image of him,9 that made him▪ which after God is shapen in righteousness and true holiness.
Again Christ ascending up into heaven by the power of his godhead, ⟨p. 257⟩hath prepared in the kingdom of his father everlasting and joyful dwelling places, for so many as believe in him, as he him self witnesseth,10 saying: I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again unto you, & take you unto my self, that where I am, ye also maybe. He hath also ascertained us of our ascension, and going up into heaven, not only in soul but also in body. He corporally is risen again and gone before into the glorious kingdom of his father, to declare that we also after the general resurrection shall both body and soul be carried into heaven. The members must needs be like the head. Christ our head is risen again, therefore shall we his members rise again. Christ our head is ascended and gone up into heaven both body and soul:
He as a king of glory mightely brast into Satās kyngdome, ⟨p. 255⟩brake open the gates of hel toke the Prince of darknes,1 boūd hym, toke him prisoner, made him his bound slaue, destroied his Empire, ledde away his prysonners, bringing them againe into moste ioyfull and blessed libertie, so that al they, which beleue in this most mighty Emperour and valeaunt conquerour Christ Iesus:2 are deliuered from the tyranny of Satan, and from the power of sinne death and hell.3 There is no damnation nowe vnto them, whiche are engrafted in Christ Iesu. Satan, sinne, death and hell withall the infernall army cannot hurt ye elect and chosen people of God. Who shall lay any thynge to the charge of Gods chosen?4 It is God •hat iustifieth▪ who is he that can •ondemne? It is Christ, whiche died, yea rather whiche is rysen againe, whiche is also on the righthād ⟨p. 256⟩of God and maketh intercession for vs. Who shal then seperat vs from the loue of God? &c.
5And as Christ by his most glorious and triumphant Ascension hath led captiuite captiue: so likewyse hath he geuen giftes vnto men,6 euen that holy ghost, that spirite of truthe, that comfortoure, whiche worketh in the heartes of the faithfull newe mocions and spiritual affectes,7 faith, hope, loue, feare, humilitie, modestie, mekenes, pacience,8 long suffring, ioye, peace, quietnes of conscience, tem•peraunce, goodnes, mercy. &c. It mortifieth the old man, and quieneth the newe man, whiche is renued vnto the knowledge and Image of him,9
therefore shall we his members ascend ⟨p. 258⟩and go up into heaven both body and soul also, Christ our head was taken up into Heaven in a cloud both body and soul, therefore shall we his members also be taken up in a cloud to meet the lord, and so shall we both body and soul dwell with the Lord Christ our head for ever and ever,1 as the holy Apostle testifieth, saying: If we believe that Jesus died, & rose again, even so them which sleep by Jesus, God will bring again with him.2 For this say we unto you in the word of the Lord, that we which shall live, and shall remain in the coming of the lord, shall not come ere they which sleep.3 For the Lord him self shall descend from Heaven with a shout, and the voice of the Archangel and tromp of God.4 And the dead in Christ shall arise first: then we, which shall live (even we which ⟨p. 269⟩shall remain (shall be caught up with them in the clouds to mete the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Finally I unfeignedly believe with my heart,5 and freely confess with my mouth, that as the Lord Christ is ascended into heaven: so shall he come again from heaven with power and much glory, nobly accompanied with thousands of blessed▪ Angels and heavenly saints, for to judge the quick and the dead, the faithful and unfaithful, and to give▪ every man his reward according to that he hath done,6 whether it be good or bad.7 And when he thus gloriously shall come unto the judgement,8 all that are in the graves, shall hear his voice, and shall come forth: they that have done good,9 unto the resurrection •f life, and they that have done evil, ⟨p. 260⟩unto the resurrection of damnation.10 The faithful shall go into eternal life,11 the unfaithful into everlasting damnation.12 Every man shall be reward according to his deeds, that is to say: praise, honour & immortality to them which continue in good doing, and seek immortality. But unto them, that are rebels, and that do not obey the truth, but follow unrighteousness, shall come indignation & wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon the soul of every man that doth evil.
Now have ye heard of my faith concerning Jesus Christ God and man. And I believe all things that I have spoken to be undoubtedly true.13 And I am fully persuaded, that Jesus Christ my lord and saviour wrought all the things that ever he did in his humanity for me and for my salvation.
therfore shal we his members ascend ⟨p. 258⟩and go vp into heauen bothe body and soule also, Christ our hed was taken vp into Heauen in a cloud bothe body and soule, therefore shall we his members also be taken vp in a cloude to meete the lord, and so shal we both body and soule dwel with the Lord Christe our head for euer and euer,1 as the holy Apostle testifieth, saying: If we beleue that Iesus died, & rose againe, euen so them whiche slepe by Iesus, God will brynge again with hym.2 For this say we vnto you in the worde of the Lord, that we whiche shall liue, and shall remaine in the comming of the lord, shall not come yer they whiche slepe.3 For the Lorde him selfe shal descend from Heauē with a shout, and the voyce of the Archaungell and trompe of God.4 And the dead in Christe shall aryse fyrste: then we, which shal liue (euē we which ⟨p. 269⟩shall remaine (shalbe caughte vp with them in the cloudes to mete the Lorde in the ayre. And so shall we euer be with the Lorde.
Finally I vnfainedly beleue with my hearte,5 and frely confesse with my mouth, that as the Lord Christ is ascended into heauen: so shall he come agayne from heauen with power and muche glory, nobly accompanied with thousands of blessed▪ Aungels and heauenly sainctes, for to iudge the quicke and the dead, the faithfull and vnfaithfull, and to geue▪ euery man his rewarde according to that he hathe donne,6 whether it be good or badde.7 And when he thus gloriously shall come vnto the iudgemente,8 all that are in the graues, shall heare his voyce, and shall come forthe: they that haue done good,9
To save ⟨p. 261⟩me to reconcile me unto God the father, to make me inheritor of everlasting glory, he came down from heaven, was incarnate by the holy ghost, and borne of the virgin Mary. Yea he •uffred, was crucified, died, went down to hell, rose again the third day from the dead, ascended unto heaven, and shall come again unto judgement for me, for my sake, for my glory, & salvation. Thus have ye heard my faith concerning God the father, and God the Son, which also is man, receiving his human nature of the glorious virgin Mary.1
To saue ⟨p. 261⟩me to reconcile me vnto God the father, to make me enheritour of euerlasting glory, he came downe from heauen, was incarnate by the holy ghoste, and borne of the virgin Mary. Yea he •uffred, was crucified, died, went down to hel, rose agayn the third day from the dead, ascended vnto heauen, and shall come again vnto iudgement for me, for my sake, for my glory, & saluatiō. Thus haue ye heard my fayth concerning God the father, and God the sonne, whiche also is man, receuing his humain nature of the glorious virgin Mary.1
Eus. Whosoever this believeth and confesseth of God the father, and of his Son Christ:1 the same can never perish. For as our saviour Christ said unto God the father in his prayer: This is everlasting life, even to know thee the alone true God, and whom thou hast sent ⟨p. 262⟩Jesus Christ.
Eus. Whosoeuer this beleueth and confesseth of God the father, and of his sonne Christ:1 the same can neuer perishe. For as our sauioure Christ saide vnto God the father in his praier: This is euerlasting life, euen to know thee ye alone tru God, and whom thou hast sente ⟨p. 262⟩Iesus Christ.
Chr. The wise man also sayeth:1 To know the (O god) as perfect righteousness.
God saith by the Prophet, yea to know thy righteousness and power, is the root of immortality.
Chr. The wise man also saieth:1 To know the (O god) as perfect righteousnes.
God sayth by the Prophet, yea to know thy rightousnes and power, is the roote of immortalitie.
Epa. 1I unfeignedly believe with my heart, and freely confess with my mouth, that the holy ghost is one and equal God in glory, majesty, power and might with the father and the Son, proceeding from the father and the son after an unknown ⟨p. 263⟩and unexpressible manner.2 This spirit of God and God him self is he,3 by whom God the father through his Son Christ and in Christ worketh and quickeneth all things.4 All the benefits and graces which God the father bestoweth upon us for Christs sake,5 this holy ghost bringeth them unto us, and maketh us new vessels to receive them, which otherwise even of nature are so fleshly minded,6 that we perceive nothing at all of those things,7 which pertain unto the spirit of God,8 neither are we able to think a good thought of our selves.9 For this godly spirit worketh in us new motions and new affects,10 and giveth us grace both to will and to do good. He is a teacher of all the faithful, and leadeth them into all truth. He is a comforter of weak and sorrowful minds.
⟨p. 264⟩He keepeth the true christians unmovable in one faith,11 and openeth their senses to understand the mysteries of God aright.12 He doth clothe them with his gifts, and giveth to every one a several gift even as he will. He is the ruler of the Christen congregation. He is the anointment,13 wherewith all the faithful are anointed, and thereof are called the anointed of the Lord. He is given unto the faithful to be the earnest of their inheritance for the recovering of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory. He with his godly breath quickeneth, maketh alive, and conserveth all things. He of carnal maketh us spiritual, of worldly godly, of wicked blessed, of the bond slaves of Satan, the dearly beloved sons of God, of sinful sinks, his own most pleasant and holy temple, of cruel ⟨p. 265⟩meek, of proud: humble, of malicious: charitable, of contentious: quiet, of covetous, liberal, of hard hearted: meek spirited, of froward: gentle, of stubborn: obedient, of dissolute: temperate and sober, of false: true, of foolish: wise, of idle: godly occupied, of unchaste: pure and clean, of the haters of God: the friends of God, of the lovers of pleasures: the lovers of godliness, to end, he maketh us of earthy: heavenly. Whatsoever goodness we have, he is the alone author, worker and giver of the same.
Epa. 1I vnfainedly beleue with my harte, and frely confesse with my mouthe, that the holy ghost is one and equal God in glory, maiestie, power and might with the father and the sonne, proceading from the father and the son after an vnknowne ⟨p. 263⟩and vnexpresseable maner.2 This spirite of God and God him selfe is he,3 by whom God the father through his sonne Christe and in Christ worketh and quickneth all thinges.4 All the benefites and graces which God the father bestoweth vppon vs for Christes sake,5 this holy ghost bringeth thē vnto vs, and maketh vs new vessels to receyue them, which otherwise euen of nature are so fleshly minded,6 that we perceiue nothing at all of those thinges,7 which pertayne vnto the spirite of God,8 neyther are we able to thinke a good thoughte of our selues.9 For this godly spirite worketh in vs newe motions and new affectes,10 and geueth vs grace both to will and to doo good. He is a teacher of al the faithfull, and leadeth them into al truth. He is a confortour of weake and sorowfull mindes.
⟨p. 264⟩He kepeth the true christians vnmoneable in one faith,11 and openeth their senses to vnderstand ye misteries of God aright.12 He doth clothe them with his giftes, and geueth to euery one a seueral gift euen as he wyll. He is the ruler of the Christen congregation. He is the anoyntment,
Therefore I believe and confess that this holy spirit is one and equal God with God the father and God the Son, proceeding from them both with like majesty, glory, might and power. I believe that this holy ghost is my comforter, and that he prayeth for me, reneweth me, dwelleth in ⟨p. 266⟩me, and hath sealed me up unto everlasting glory. Now have ye hard my faith and my belief in the father, and in the Son, and in the holy ghost, which .iii. I believe and confess to be one God, whose seat the heaven is, and whose footstool is the earth.1 He is an everlasting and almighty God, which alone is to be honoured & served in spirit and truth. For he alone can help us forasmuch as he is almighty, & will help us because he his merciful true and faithful, yea and that not for our righteousness, but for his names sake.2 To this one, true, living, everlasting immortal, invisible, & alone wise God, king of kings and Lord of Lords, be all honour and glory, worlds without end.3
Therfore I beleue and confesse that this holy spirite is one and equal God with God the father and God the sonne, proceading from them bothe with lyke maiesty, glorie, might and power. I beleue that this holy gost is my comforter, and that he prayeth for me, renueth me, dwelleth in ⟨p. 266⟩me, and hathe sealed me vp vnto euerlastyng glorye. Now haue ye hard my faith and my beilefe in the father, and in the sonne, and in the holy ghost, which .iii. I beleue and confesse to be one God, whose seat the heauen is, and whose fotestole is the earth.1 He is an euerlastyng and almighty God, whiche alone is to be honoured & serued in spirit and truthe. For he alone can helpe vs forasmuche as he is almighty, & will helpe vs because he his mercifull true and faithful, yea and that not for our rightousnes, but for his names sake.2 To this one, true, liuing, euerlastyng immortal, inuisible, & alone wise God, king of kinges and Lorde of Lordes, be all honoure and glory, worlds without end.3
Epa. Thou art worthy (O Lord) to receive glory and honour, and power, for thou haste created all ⟨p. 267⟩things, and for thy wills sake they are and were created. Blessing & glory and wisdom,1 and thanks and honour and might, be unto our God for evermore.
Epa. Thou art worthy (O Lord) to receyue glory and honour, and power, for thou haste created all ⟨p. 267⟩things, and for thy wils sake they are and were created. Blessing & glory and wisdome,1 and thankes and honor and might, be vnto our God for euermore.
Epa. Simply and plainly have I here before you all rehearsed my faith and belief in God and in the three parsons of the Godhead, as I have heretofore learned it of gods most holy word.
I confess that many things mo might be spoken of the wonderful mysteries of this most blessed and holy Trinity, but they far exceed my understanding, and therefore I dare not meddle with them.1 For it is written, he that is a searcher of the Majesty, (of God) shall be oppressed of the glory (thereof.2) Again: Seek not out the things that are above thy capacity, and search not the ground of such things as are ⟨p. 268⟩to mighty for thee, but look what God hath commanded thee: think upon that alway, and be not curious in many of his works. For it is not needful for thee, to see with thine eyes the things that are secret.
Epa. Simply and plainely haue I here before you all rehearsed my faithe and belief in God and in the thre parsons of the Godhead, as I haue here tofore learned it of gods moste holy worde.
I confesse that many thinges mo mighte be spoken of the wonderfull misteries of this most blessed and holy Trinitie, but they farre exceade my vnderstanding, and therefore I dare not meddle with them.1 For it is written, he that is a searcher of the Maiestie, (of God) shall be oppressed of the glorye (thereof.2) Againe: Seke not oute the thinges that are aboue thy capacitie, and serche not the ground of suche thinges as ar ⟨p. 268⟩to mighty for thee, but loke what God hath cōmaunded thee: think vpon that alway, and be not curious in many of his workes. For it is not neadeful for thee, to se wt thine eies the thinges that are secreat.
saying: I goe to prepare a place for you, and I wyll come agayn vnto you, & take you vnto my self, that where I am, ye also maybe. He hathe also ascertained vs of our ascension, and going vp into heauen, not onlye in soul but also in body. He corporally is rysen agayne and gone before into the glorious kingdom of his father, to declare that we also after the generall resurrection shall both body and soule be caried into heauē. The members must nedes be lyke the head. Christ our head is risen againe, therfore shall we his members ryse agayne. Christ our head is ascended and gone vp into heauen both body and soule:
vnto the resurrection •f life, and they that haue done euil,
Euery man shall be reward according to his dedes, that is to say: prayse, honor & immortalitie to them which continue in good doyng, and seke immortalitie. But vnto thē, that are rebels, and that doe not obeye the truthe, but followe vnrighteousnes, shall come indignation & wrath, tribulation and anguishe, vpon the soule of euery man that doth euell.
Now haue ye heard of my faith cōcerning Iesus Christ God and man. And I beleue al things that I haue spoken to be vndoubtedly true.
wherwith all the faithful are anoynted, and thereof are called the annoynted of the Lord. He is geuen vnto the faithfull to be the earnest of their enheritaunce for the recouering of the purchased possession vnto ye praise of his glory. He with his godlie breath quickeneth, maketh aliue, and conserueth all thinges. He of carnall maketh vs spirituall, of worldly godly, of wicked blessed, of the bond slaues of Sathan, the dearly beloued sonnes of God, of sinnefull sinckes, his owne moste pleasaunt and holy temple, of cruell
⟨p. 265⟩
meke, of proud: humble, of malicious: charitable, of contentious: quiet, of couetous, liberal, of hard harted: meke spirited, of froward: gentle, of stubburne: obedient, of dissolute: temperat and sober, of false: true, of folish: wyse, of idle: godly occupied, of vnchast: pure and cleane, of the haters of God: the frendes of God, of the louers of pleasures: the louers of godlines, to ende, he maketh vs of earthy: heauenlye. Whatsoeuer goodnes we haue, he is the alone author, worker and geuer of the same.
