The sick mans salve Wherein the faithful christians may learn both how to behave…The sycke mans salue VVherin the faithfull christians may learne both how to behaue…
The sick mans salve Wherein the faithful christians may learn both how to behave them selves patiently and thankfully, in the time of sickness, and also virtuously to dispose their temporal goods, and finally to prepare them selves gladly and godly to die. Made and newly recognised by Master Tho. Becon. 1561.The sycke mans salue VVherin the faithfull christians may learne both how to behaue them selues paciently and thankefully, in the tyme of sickenes, and also vertuously to dispose their temporall goodes, and finally to prepare them selues gladly and godly to die. Made and newly recognised by Maister Tho. Becon. 1561.
Thomas Becon 1512–1567London: printed by John Day, 1561London: printed by Iohn Day, 1561
[12], 545, [3] p. · 82k words · STC 1757 · ESTC S114654
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Epa. 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,
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,
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,13 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.
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.
The. The holy Apostle also counselleth us to be modest,1 & sober, and that we be not curious to search after the knowledge of things, which pass our capacity.
The. The holy Apostle also counselleth vs to be modest,1 & sober, and that we be not curious to searche after the knowledge of things, which passe our capacitie.
Eu. The holy psalmograph seemeth to have followed this counsel well, which sayeth on this manner of him self:1 Lord I am not hie minded, I have no proud looks, I do not exercise my self in great matters, which are to hie for me. But I refrain my soul, & keep it low, like as a child that is weaned from his mother, yea, my soul is even as a weaned child, O Israel trust in the Lord from this time forth for evermore.
Eu. The holy psalmograph semeth to haue followed this coūcel wel, whiche saieth on this manner of him selfe:1 Lord I am not hie minded, I haue no proud lokes, I doe not exercise my self in great matters, which are to hie for me. But I refrain my soule, & kepe it lowe, like as a child that is weaned frō his mother, yea, my soule is euen as a wened childe, O Israel trust in the Lorde from this time forth for euermore.
Epap. No good brother Philemon, God forbid I should forget them. For in them (next unto God) lieth now my chief consolation & comfort. Should I being in this case forget the holy congregation of God, which is the company and fellowship of the saints & chosen people of God, of whom Christ the Lord is the head, ruler and governor? Should I in this my sickness forget the hie and singular benefits of God, which of his own free mercy and mere goodness he liberally giveth to all faithful penitent sinners, namely remission of sins, the Resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? God forbid. God forbid. For the remembrance of these things comforteth me greatly. I will ⟨p. 267⟩therefore (although my wind beginneth to wax short, and it is painful unto me much for to speak) declare my faith concerning these Articles.
Epap. No good brother Philemō, God forbid I should forget them. For in them (next vnto God) lieth now my chief consolation & comfort. Should I being in this case forget the holye congregation of God, whiche is the company and felowship of the sainctes & chosen people of God, of whome Christ ye Lord is the head, ruler and gouernour? Should I in this my sickenes forget the hie and singulare benefites of God, whiche of his own fre mercy and mere goodnes he liberally geueth to al faithfull penitent sinners, namely remission of sinnes, the Resurrection of the body, and lyfe euerlasting? God forbid. God forbid. For the remembraunce of these thynges comforteth me greatlye. I wyll ⟨p. 267⟩therfore (although my winde beginneth to waxe shorte, and it is painefull vnto me muche for to speake) declare my faithe concerning these Articles.
Epa. As I unfeignedly believe with my heart,1 and freely confess with my mouth, that there is but one God, in whom alone I put all my confidence, trust and hope of salvation, and at whose hand only I look for all good things, pertaining either unto the body or unto the soul:2 so likewise I both believe and confess, that there is but one holy universal church or congregation of the faithful, all be it they be dispersed and scattered abroad through out the world in divers and sundry places,3 which are gathered & knit together through the operation of the holy ghost in the unity of the spirit,4 and joined ⟨p. 271⟩together in one faith, as members of one body,5 whereof Jesus Christ is the head. This holy Church or congregation linked together in the fellowship of the holy Ghost is a spiritual house,6 builded of living stones, a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, an holy nation, a people which are won that they should show forth the virtues of him, which called them out of darkness into his marvellous light, this Church is the congregation of the living god, the pillar and ground of truth.7 This holy company are Citizens with the Saints and of the household of God,8 and are built upon •he foundation of the Apostles •nd Prophets, Jesus Christ him self being the head corner stone.
This Church is the spouse ⟨p. 272⟩of Christ, and knoweth none other husband & head but Christ alone.9 This blessed company are these sheep which gladly hear the voice of their shepherd Christ, but they fly from the voices of strangers.
10And as they are one body and one spirit, so confess they on• Lord, one faith, one Baptisms one God and father of all.
11There is among them no dissension, but they maintain one truth preach one doctrine, speak on• thing, are of one mind and of on• meaning.
Epa. As I vnfainedly beleue with my heart,1 and freely confesse with my mouth, that there is but one God, in whome alone I put al my confidence, truste and hope of saluation, and at whose hand only I loke for all good thinges, pertayning either vnto the bodye or vnto the soule:2 so lykewyse I bothe beleue and confesse, that there is but one holy vniuersal churche or congregation of the faithefull, all be it they be despersed and scattered abrode thorow out the world in diuers and sondry places,3 which are gathered & knit together through the operation of the holy ghost in the vnitie of the spirite,4 and ioyned ⟨p. 271⟩together in one faith, as members of one bodye,5 whereof Iesus Christe is the heade. This holy Churche or congregation lynked together in the felowship of the holy Ghoste is a spirituall house,6 builded of liuing stones, a chosen generation, a royall Priesthod to offer vp spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Iesus Christe, an holy nation, a people whiche are won that they should shewe forth the vertues of hym, whyche called them oute of darkenesse into his maruelous lighte, this Churche is the congregatiō of the liuing god, the pillar and ground of truthe.7 This holy company are Citizens with the Saincts and of the housholde of God,8 and are builte vpon •he foundation of the Apostles •nd Prophets, Iesus Chryst him selfe being the hed corner stone.
Thys Churche is the spouse ⟨p. 272⟩of Christ, and knoweth none other husband & head but Christ alone.9 This blessed company are these shepe whiche gladly heare ye voyce of their shepehard Christ, but they flie from the voyces of straūgers.
1Of Christs Church or congregation.Of Christes Church or congregatiō.
This holy Catholik• church or universal congregation is that holy city,1 that new Hieru•salem, which came down fro• God out of heaven, prepared as • bride garnished for her husband And because no man shall doubt of what Church I speak,2 I confess that to be the holy Catholik• and Apostolic Church, which ⟨p. 273⟩is the company and fellowship of the saints, that is to say of the faithful, which are sanctified & made holy by the spirit of God, and by the blood of Christ our saviour,3 which have the pure word of God truly and sincerely preached,4 and the Sacraments duly and faithfully ministered among them,5 which excommunicate all disobedient notable sinners,6 and receive into their fellowship such as unfeignedly repent and turn from their wickedness,7 which study in all things to please the Lord God, and to live in all godliness and honesty. This church and company Christ loved so dearly,8 that he gave him self for it to sanctify it, and cleansed it in the fountain of water through the word to make it unto him self a glorious congregation without spot or wrinkle,9 or any such thing, but that it ⟨p. 274⟩should be holy & without blame. Whosoever is in this church and congregation: he may be sure to be saved. But whosoever is not in it, he is without all doubt damned.10 For like as in the time of Nohe no man escaped with his life,11 but was drowned in the flood, except he entered into the Ark of Nohe:12 Even so whosoever is not found in this fellowship or Catholic Church, agreeing with it in one faith, doctrine, hope, love, and sacraments, he shall perish and be lost. For without the Church of Christ there is no salvation, no forgiveness of sins, no favour of God, no quietness of conscience no true Gospel, or glad tidings of eternal health.
Therefore in this holy Church & blessed fellowship of the saints and faithful, I unfeignedly believe with my heart and freely confess ⟨p. 275⟩with my mouth that there is remission and forgiveness of sins,13 and that without it, no sin is forgiven, nether is there any hope of salvation. For as it is unpossible that a member can live which is not in the body, so it is unpossible that any man may live in his soul, and be released out of death by remission of sin, which is not a member of the body of Christ.14 For Christ hath reconciled us all unto God his father in one body.15
This holy Catholik• churche or vniuersall congregatiō is that holy city,1 that newe Hieru•salem, whiche came downe fro• God out of heauen, prepared as • bride garnished for her husband And because no man shall doub• of what Churche I speake,2 I con•fesse that to be the holy Catholik• and Apostolike Churche, which•⟨p. 273⟩is the company and felowship of the sainctes, that is to saye of the faithfull, whiche are sanctified & made holy by the spirite of God, and by the bloud of Christ our sauiour,3 whiche haue the pure word of God truely and sincerely preached,4 and the Sacramentes duely and faithfully ministred amōg them,5 whiche excommunicate all disobedient notable sinners,6 and receiue into their felowship suche as vnfainedly repente and tourne from their wickednes,7 which study in all things to please the Lord God, and to liue in all godlinesse and honestie. This church and cō pany Christ loued so dearly,8 that he gaue him self for it to sanctifie it, and clensed it in the fountaine of water thorow ye word to make it vnto him selfe a glorious congregation without spot or wrincle,9 or any suche thinge, but that it ⟨p. 274⟩shoulde be holy & without blame. Whosoeuer is in this church and congregation: he may be sure to besaued. But whosoeuer is not in it, he is without all dout damned.
And therefore must all they stand at variance with God,1 that are no members of this body of the which Christ is the head, to the which also he giveth salvation. This therefore is a great comfort to the faithful congregation, that although through infirmity of nature or otherwise they do fall, offend God & break the Lords commandments: yet in this company ⟨p. 276⟩there is remission and forgiveness of sins, so soon as ever they repent, be sorry for their sin, and believe to have remission of all their sins for Christs precious blood's sake. Sin we never so oft and never so grievously, yet being men bers of this holy company, we are straight ways forgiven and delivered a paena & culpa, from the pain and the fault,2 so soon as we turn unto the Lord our God. And these our sins be not forgiven of men, but of God alone, neither forgiveth he part and reserveth part, but he forgiveth all or else none at all. Again he forgiveth not the fault, and reserveth the pain, but with the fault he also forgiveth the pain due for the fault, that he may be an whole and perfect saviour, as s. John saith: If we say we have no sin,3 we deceive our selves, and the truth is not in us. ⟨p. 277⟩But if we confess our sins. God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to make us clean from all iniquity. And God himself saith by the Prophet:4 I will forgive their misdeeds, and will never remember their sins any more.5 Again, I am he, yea I am he alone, which put away thy iniquities, yea, and that for mine own sake, and I will remember thy sins no more. And king Hezekiah in his prayer unto God said: it is thou (O Lord) that cast all my sins behind thy back.6 The Prophet Micah also saith:7 Where is there such a God as thou art? that pardonest wickedness, and forgivest the offences of the remnant of thine heritage? He keepeth not his wrath for ever. And why? his delight is to have compassion. He shall turn again and be merciful to us. He shall put down our wickedness, ⟨p. 278⟩and caste all our sins into the bottom of the sea.
I faithfully believe that I am a member of Christs church, and I am also fully persuaded, that all my sins be forgiven me of God the Father,8 not for my merits, which are none, but for Jesus Christs sake,9 for Christs merits passion, death, and bludshedding. For grace and truth came by Jesus Christ saith the holy Evangelist.10
And therfore must all they stande at variance with God,1 that ar no mēbers of this body of the which Christe is the head, to the whiche also he geueth saluation. This therfore is a great conforte to the faithfull congregation, that allthough thorowe infirmitie of nature or otherwise they doo fall, of•end God & break the Lords commaundements: yet in this cōpany ⟨p. 276⟩there is remission and forgeuenes of sinnes, so sone as euer they repent, be sory for their synne, and beleue to haue remissiō of all their sins for Christes precious bloudes sake. Synne we neuer so oft and neuer so greuously, yet being mē bers of this holy company, we ar straight waies forgeuen and deliuered a paena & culpa, frō the pain and the fault,2 so sone as we turne vnto the Lord our God. And these our sinnes be not forgeuē of men, but of God alone, neither forgeueth he part and reserueth part, but he forgeueth all or els none at all. Again he forgeueth not the fault, and reserueth the paine, but with the faulte he also forgeueth the pain due for the fault, that he may be an whole and perfect sauiour, as s. Iohn saith: If we say we haue no sinne,3 we deceiue our selues, and the truthe is not in vs. ⟨p. 277⟩But if we cōfesse our sinnes. God is faithfull and righteous to forgeue vs our sinnes, and to make vs cleane from all iniquitie. And God himself saith by the Prophet:4 I wil forgeue their misdedes, and wil neuer remember their sinnes any more.5 Againe, I am he, yea I am he alone, which put away thy iniquities, yea, and that for myne own sake, and I wil remēber thy sinnes no more. And king Ezechias in his praier vnto God said: it is thou (O Lord) that cast all my sinnes behind thy back.6 The Prophet Miche also saith:7 Where is there such a God as thou art? that pardonest wickednes, and forgeuest the offences of the remnaunt of thine heritage? He kepeth not his wrath for euer. And why? his delite is to haue compassion. He shal turne agayne and be merciful to vs. He shall put down our wickednes,
Euen so whosoeuer is not founde in this felowship or Catholicke Churche, agreing with it in one faith, doctrine, hope, loue, and sacramentes, he shall pearish and be lost. For without the Churche of Christe there is no saluation, no forgeuenes of sinnes, no fauoure of God, no quyetnes of conscience no true Gospell, or glad tidinges of eternall healthe.
Therfore in this holy Churche & blessed felowship of the sainctes and faithfull, I vnfainedly beleue with my harte and frely confesse
⟨p. 275⟩
with my mouthe that there is remission and forgeuenes of sinnes,
and that withoute it, no sinne is forgeuen, nether is there any hope of saluation. For as it is vnpossible that a member can liue which is not in the body, so it is vnpossible that any man may lyue in hys soule, and be released out of death by remission of synne, whyche is not a mēber of the body of Christ.
and caste all oure sinnes into the bottom of the sea.
I faithfully beleue that I am a member of Christes church, and I am also fully perswaded, that al my sinnes be forgeuen me of God the Father,
