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. 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.
There 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.
10And as they are one body and one spirite, so confesse they on• Lord, one faithe, one Baptisme• one God and father of all.
11There is among them no dissen•tion, but thei maintain one truth preache one doctrine, speake on• thing, are of one minde and of on• meaning.
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,
And I believe,1 that God fo• his sons sake hath so freely and wholly forgiven me all my sins, that he will never remember them more, never impute them unto me, nor lay them to my charge, but so receive me into his favour, as though I had never offended him and make me his son, and heir of everlasting glory.2 For everlasting life is the gift of god through Jesus Christ our Lord sayeth ⟨p. 279⟩the Apostle. This is the stay and quietness of my conscience at this present. This maketh me not to fear death,3 but joyfully to look for it,4 and lovingly to embrace it, when soever it cometh. For I wish to be loosened from this mortal body, and to be with Christ.5 My soul hath a fervent desire to God even unto the Lord my god. Deliver my soul, O Lord, out of prison, that I may come unto thee, and glorify thy holy name.
For albeit this my weak, feeble, sick and mortal body shall give over to nature, and die, yet I unfeignedly believe with my hart, and freely confess with my mouth, that at the last day it shall rise again, as the bodies of all other,6 both men and women, that have died, shall likewise do. There shall be a general resurrection of the flesh.7 Al that are dead, shall rise again, some ⟨p. 280⟩to everlasting life,8 and some to everlasting pain and damnation, as our saviour Christ saith:9 The hour shall come, in the which all that are in the graves, shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and shall come forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation.10 Yea they that shall live and remain until the coming of our Lord & saviour Christ Jesus, shall all be changed, yea and that in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye by the last tromp. For the tromp shall blow, and the dead shall rise uncorruptible, and we shall be changed, for this corruptible body must put on uncorruptibilitie, and this mortal body must put on immortality. Therefore I fear nothing at all the putting of of this body: for although ⟨p. 281⟩it sleepeth in the earth for a time & according to the ordinance of god be turned into dust, yet shall it awake and rise again out of the earth: so that I shall receive it in a far better state, then ever I had in it this world, even like unto the glorious body of our Lord and saviour Christ Jesus.11
And I beleue,1 that God fo• his sonnes sake hathe so frely and wholy forgeuen me all my sinnes, that he wil neuer remembre them more, neuer impute thē vnto me, nor lay them to my charge, but so receyue me into his fauoure, as though I had neuer offended him and make me his sonne, and heyer of euerlasting glory.2 For euerlasting life is the gift of god through Iesus Christe oure Lorde sayeth ⟨p. 279⟩the Apostle. Thys is the stay and quientes of my conscience at thys presente. This maketh me not to feare deathe,3 but ioyfully to loke for it,4 and louingly to embrace it, when soeuer it commeth. For I wish to be losoned from this mortall body, and to be with Chryste.5 My soule hath a feruent desire to God euen vnto the Lord my god. Deliuer my soule, O Lord, out of prison, that I may come vnto the, and glorify thy holy name.
For albeit this my weak, feble, sicke and mortall body shall geue ouer to nature, and die, yet I vnfamedly beleue with my hart, and frely confes with my mouth, that at the last day it shall rise agayn, as the bodies of all other,6 both mē and women, that haue died, shall likewise do. There shalbe a generall resurrectiō of the flesh.7 Al that are dead, shall rise agayne, some ⟨p. 280⟩to euerlasting life,8 and some to euerlasting paine and damnation, as our sauiour Christ saith:9 The hour shall come, in the which all yt are in the graues, shall heare the voice of the sonne of God, and shal come forthe, they that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life, and they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of damnation.10
Wherefore I say with the holy man Job,1 I believe that my redeemer liveth, and that I shall rise out of the earth in the •atter day, and that I shall be clothed again with this skin, and see God my saviour in my flesh. Yea, I my self shall behold him, not with other eyes, but with these •ame eyes. This hope is steadfastly •et in my heart.
To end,2 I unfeignedly believe with my heart, & freely confess with my mouth, that after my body & soul be united and knit together, I with all the faithful that have ⟨p. 282⟩lived from the beginning unto the very end of the world shall through the benefit of Christ Jesus, enjoy everlasting life.
3So many as have truly believed on Christ Jesus,4 shall enjoy continual and blessed peace, glister as the shining of heaven, •e as the stars world without end,5 yea they shall be clad with white garments, and have golden crowns upon their heads.6 They shall glorify God and do service day and night before the glorious throne of his majesty. They shall see God face to face,7 and for ever and ever enjoy the presence of Gods most excellent Majesty,8 and the company of all the heavenly Angels and blessed saints.
Of the joys of everlasting life, which God hath in store for all faithful believers, can no man either write, speak, or think at ⟨p. 283⟩•he full,9 as it is written: the eye hath not seen, and the ear hath not heard, nether have entered into the heart of man,10 the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.11 And this everlasting life is the gift of god through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be all honour and glory for ever and ever.
Wherfor I say with the holy man Iob,1 I beleue that my redemer liueth, and that I shall rise out of the earth in the •atter day, and that I shall be clo•hed again with this skin, and se God my sauiour in my flesh. Yea, I my selfe shall beholde him, not with other eies, but with these •ame eies. This hope is stedfastly •et in my heart.
To ende,2 I vnfainedly beleue with my heart, & frely cōfesse with my mouth, that after my body & soul be vnited and knit together, I with all the faithful that haue ⟨p. 282⟩liued from the beginning vnto the very end of ye world shall through the benefit of Christ Iesu, enioy euerlastyng lyfe.
3So many as haue truely beleued on Christe Iesu,4 shall enioy continuall and blessed peace, glister as the shining of heauē, •e as the stars world without end,5 yea they shall be clad with white garments, and haue golden crownes vpon their heades.6 They shal glorify God and doo seruice day and nighte before the glorious throne of his maiesty. They shall se God face to face,7 and for euer and euer enioy the presence of Gods moste excellent Maiesty,8 and the compa•ny of all the heauenly Angels and blessed sainctes.
Of the ioyes of euerlasting life, whiche God hathe in store for all faithfull beleuers, can no man eyther write, speake, or thincke at ⟨p. 283⟩•he full,9
Epa. Thus have I declared before you my faith concerning God and his holy mysteries, grounded, I trust, on the true and undeceivable word of God. And I faithfully believe, that God my heavenly Father will be merciful unto me, and forgive me all my sins for Christs sake, and receive me into his heavenly kingdom, and give me everlasting life, which I now most entirely desire, wish and long for, counting my self then most happy, which through ⟨p. 284⟩death I shall take my passage toward that most glorious and heavenly kingdom.1 For I know and am fully persuaded, that if my earthy mansion of this dwelling were once destroyed, I should have a building of God, an habitation not made with hands, but everlasting in heaven.
Epa. Thus haue I declared before you my faith concerning God and his holy misteries, grounded, I trust, on the true and vndeceyueable worde of God. And I faithfully beleue, that God my heauenly Father will be mercifull vnto me, and forgeue me all my sinnes for Christes sake, and receyue me into his heauenly kingdome, and geue me euerlasting life, whiche I now most entirely desire, wish and longe for, counting my selfe then most happy, whiche through ⟨p. 284⟩death I shall take my passage toward that most glorious and heauenly kingdom.1 For I know and am fully perswaded, that if my earthy mansion of this dwellinge were once destroied, I shuld haue a building of God, an habitation not made with handes, but euerlasting in heauen.
Epa. Well, come thou hither mine own dear wife,1 let me kiss thee, and bid thee farewell. God keep thee & defend thee.2 Come ye hither also my most sweet children, that I may kiss you also before I die. God bless you, & send you prosperous days on the earth. God give you his spirit, that ye may live in his faith, fear, and love,3 and serve him in holiness & righteousness all the days of your life.4 Ye my servants, draw near, give me your hands. Far ye well. ⟨p. 285⟩God make you his servants, & send you obedient harts unto his holy and blessed law. Weep not for me, but pray for me, that the will of God may be done in me, & that I may both patiently and thankfully abide the good pleasure of God. I trust we shall have a joyful meting again together in the kingdom of our heavenly father, where we shall reign one with an other in joy and glory worlds without end,5 and see the glorious majesty of God face to face,6 unto our exceeding consolation and comfort. Well, depart in the name of God: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of god and the fellowship of the holy ghost be with you all.7
Epa. Well, come thou hither myne owne deare wife,1 let me kisse thee, and bid thee farwel. God kepe thee & defend the.2 Come ye hither also my most swete children, that I may kisse you also before I die. God blesse you, & sende you prosperous daies on thearth. God geue you his spirite, that ye may liue in his faith, feare, and loue,3 and serue him in holines & righteousnes al the daies of your life.4 Ye my seruaunts, draw nere, geue me your hands. Far ye wel. ⟨p. 285⟩God make you his seruauntes, & send you obedient harts vnto his holy and blessed lawe. Wepe not for me, but praye for me, that the wil of God may be done in me, & that I may bothe paciently and thankefully abide the good pleasure of God. I trust we shal haue a ioyfull meting againe together in the kingdome of our heauenlye father, where we shall reigne one with an other in ioye and glorye worldes without ende,5 and se the glorious maiestie of God face to face,6 vnto our exceding consolation and comfort. Wel, depart in the name of God: The grace of oure Lord Iesu Christ, the loue of god and the felowship of the holy gost be with you all.7
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,
Yea they that shall lyue and remaine vntill the comming of oure Lord & sauiour Christ Iesu, shall all be chaunged, yea and that in a moment, in the twinckling of an eie by the last trompe. For the trompe shall blowe, and the dead shall rise vncorruptible, and we shalbe chaunged, for this corruptible body must put on vncorruptibilitie, and this mortall bodye must put on immortalitie. Therfore I fear nothing at all the putting of of this body: for although
⟨p. 281⟩
it slepeth in the earth for a time & according to the ordinance of god be turned into dust, yet shall it awake and ryse againe out of the earth: so that I shall receiue it in a far better state, then euer I had in it this world, euen like vnto the glorious body of our Lord and sauiour Christ Iesu.
