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.
Phi. Let it never grieve you most gentle neighbour to give over unto nature,1 and to depart from this world, at the calling of God. There is a time to be borne,2 and a time to die. We must be as well con tent to die, as we were to live, and as well pleased to leave the world, as we were to come into it.
We are mortal, we therefore must needs die. Let us not bear heavily, ⟨p. 301⟩that necessity importeth. God crea••d us, that we should once die let us not therefore repugn and strive against the good pleasure of God. There shall none other thing chance unto us by death, than that hath heretofore chanced unto our predecessors,3 and shall likewise chance unto our posterity. Who hath lived, that hath not died? Who doth now or shall live, that shall not also taste death? One & the same way must needs be trodden of all Adams posterity. There is no mean to escape. Adam sinned and became mortal.
All we have sinned also in Adam, therefore all we are made in him mortal and subject unto death. As by one man (saith S. Paul) sin entered into the world, and death by the means of sin? Even so death also went over all men, in so much as all we have sinned.
God in deed created man at the beginning to be immortal and not to be destroyed by death, yea after the Image of his own likeness made he him. Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world. The history of Adams fall is known,
dust & ashes. So soon as we be borne, so soon begin we to die. This our life is nothing else then a very passage unto death. Noble and base, pore and rich, fair and foul, well favoured and il favoured, mighty and weak, wise & foolish, fortunate and wretched, ruler and subject, faithful and unfaithful, Christian and Painim, old and young, man, woman and child, every bodily creature that
⟨p. 303⟩
liveth on the face of the earth shall die. Whether the life be short or long, the end of it is death. All the holy Patriarchs, Judges, kings, Priests, Prophets, and all other which lived before the coming of Christ, died. John Baptist, Christs mother, & all the disciples of Christ died.
Phi. Let it neuer greue you moost genle neighbour to geue ouer vnto nature,1 and to depart from this worlde, at the callynge of God. There is a time to be borne,2 and a time to die. We must be as wel cō tent to die, as we were to liue, and as wel pleased to leaue the world, as we were to come into it.
We ar mortal, we therfore must nedes die. Let vs not bear heauely, ⟨p. 301⟩that necessitie importeth. God crea••d vs, that we shuld once die let vs not therefore repugne and striue against the good pleasure of God. There shal none other thing chaunce vnto vs by death, than that hathe heretofore chaunced vnto our predecessours,3 and shall likewyse chaunce vnto our posteritie. Who hath lyued, that hath not died? Who doth now or shall liue, that shall not also tast death? One & the same way must nedes be troden of all Adams posteritie. There is no meane to escape. Adam sinned and became mortall.4 All we haue sinned also in Adam, therefore all we are made in him mortall and subiect vnto death. As by one man (saith S. Paule) sinne entred into the worlde, and death by the meanes of sinne? Euē so death also went ouer al men, in so muche as all we haue synned.5⟨p. 302⟩The reward of sinne is death.6 God in dede created mā at the beginning to be immortall and not to be destroyed by death, yea after the Image of his owne likenesse made he him. Neuerthelesse thorow enuy of the deuil came death into the world. The history of Adams fal is known,7 in whō we also fel. Sence that time he & all his posteritie haue bene mortall,8 haue died & shal die. We al ar now flesh earth,9 dust & ashes. So sone as we be borne, so sone begin we to die. This our life is nothing els then a very passage vnto death. Noble and base, pore and riche, faire and foule, wel fauoured and il fauoured, mighty and weake, wise & folish, fortunate and wretched, ruler and subiect, faithfull and vnfaithfull, Christian and Painim, old and yong, man, woman and childe, euery bodely creature that ⟨p. 303⟩liueth on the face of the earth shall die. Whether the life be short or long, the end of it is death. All the holy Patriarkes, Iudges, kings, Priestes, Prophets, and all other whiche liued before the comminge of Christ, died. Ihō Baptist, Christes mother, & all the disciples of Christ died.
1An exhortation to the sick to die willingly.An exhortatiō to the sick to die willingly.
Yea, Christ him self although most innocent & without all sin, after he was once clad with our flesh, and had taken on him our nature, became mortal, and to pay our ransom unto God the father,1 and to set us again at liberty, he suffered death, even the death of the cross.2 Is the servant greater then his Lord? Or the disciple above his master? Our Lord hath trodden the way a fore us, and shall we his servants refuse to follow him? Our master hath given us an example to die, and shall we his disciples disdain ⟨p. 304⟩to practise the like▪ If death had been cast only upon our backs, which live in this age, so might the burden have been thought unrighteous and intolerable, but forasmuch as our ancestors have already tasted of death and are gone, why should we that now live bear so impatiently this common chance? On this condition came we all into the world, that we should leave it again.3 For we be hear but strangers and sojourners, as were all our fathers.4 Our days on the earth also are but as a shadow, and there is none abiding. Our days pass away swiftly, and we are gone.5 The days of man are the days of an hireling, yea wind and nothing.6 Man is like unto vanity, and his days pass away like a shadow.7 Where is there any man that liveth, and shall not se• death?8 man that is borne of a woman, ⟨p. 305⟩hath but a short time to live, and yet the time that he liveth, he is full of misery. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower. He flieth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one state.9 Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. It is appointed of God, that all men shall once die. For what is our life? It is even a vapour,10 that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away,11 as Job saith, my days are more swift then a runner, yea they pass away as the ships that be good under sail, and as the Eagle that flieth to the pray. Seeing it is Gods will, pleasure and ordinance that we should dye: why do we, which daily pray on this manner. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven, show our selves unwilling to have that thing chance unto us,12 for the which we ⟨p. 306⟩have so often times prayed? It is natural to die, why then labour we to degenerate and grow out of kind? Our ancestors the most holy and most perfect have died, why disdain we then to follow their steps?
Yea, Christ him selfe although moste innocent & without all sinne, after he was once clad with our flesh, and had taken on him our nature, became mortall, and to pay our raunsome vnto God the father,1 and to set vs againe at libertie, he suffred death, euen the death of the crosse.2 Is ye seruaunt greater then his Lorde? Or the disciple aboue his maister? Our Lord hath troden the way a fore vs, and shall we his seruants refuse to follow him? Our maister hath geuen vs an example to die, and shall we his disciples disdain ⟨p. 304⟩to practise the lyke▪ If death had bene cast only vppon our backes, which liue in this age, so might ye burthen haue bene thought vnrighteous and intollerable, but forasmuch as our ancestors haue already tasted of death and are gone, why shuld we that now liue beare so impaciently this commō chaunce? On this condition came we al into the world, yt we should leaue it agayne.3 For we be heare but strangers and soiourners, as were al our fathers.4 Our days on thearth also are but as a shadow, and there is none abiding. Oure daies passe away swiftly, and we are gone.5 The dayes of man are ye daies of an hirelyng, yea wynde and nothyng.6 Man is lyke vnto vanit•e, and his dayes passe away like a shadow.7 Where is ther any man that liueth, and shall not se• death?8 man that is borne of a woman, ⟨p. 305⟩hath but a short time to liue, and yet the tyme that he lyueth, he is full of mysery. He cometh vp and is cut down like a flower. He flieth as it were a shadow, and neuer continueth in one state.9
It is highly for our profit to die, why are we than enemies to our selves? We can not cease to sin, except we die, why do we than not hast to flee from so great an evil? We shall never come unto the true life where felicity both joyful and eternal is, except we die, why than make we so little speed to hast thither, where so many good things shall be given us? We shall never have the fruition of Gods majesty, & the blessed company of the heavenly spirits, except we die: why then do we not pray daily unto yt lord our god to deliver us from this stinking sink of evils (I mean this world) ⟨p. 307⟩that we may come and enjoy his most glorious presence? The very Heathen, which knew not God a right, but only dreamed of the immortality of the soul, & looked for a better life after this, they knew not why they should fear death, but wished death and died both valiantly and joyfully, and shall we being christians which know God and his holy word, and unto whom so much comfort, hope, and everlasting life is promised, refuse gladly and willingly to die? What a saying of an Ethnic is this?1 O immortal God, how is that pleasant and joyful journey to be wished for, which being once done and past,2 there remaineth no sorrow, no care, no pensiveness. Again, O that goodly and pleasant day, when it shall be my chance •o leave this filthy & troublesome world, and come to their company ⟨p. 308⟩that inhabit the heavens. I• God would suffer me, that I being of this age, might become an infant and sucking child again, I would utterly refuse it, neither would I by any means call the race that I have run back again, that I might again be young. For what pleasure & commodity hath this life? yea rather what displeasure, incommodity, pain, travel & trouble hath it not? But let it be granted that it hath pleasure, certes: yet hath it ether satiety or measure. And nature in this world hath given us a place to tarry in for a while, but not to dwell & to continue in it. The Heathen writers in their monuments call death a changing for a better life, a quiet sleep: a removing from mortality unto immortality, from trouble: unto quietness, from the shadow of a life: unto a very & uncounterfet ⟨p. 309⟩life, from sorrow: unto joy, from evil: unto good, an haven of rest, a solace of the mind, an end of all evil and wickedness, and a beginning of all true joy, felicity & pleasure.
It is highly for our profit to die, why are we than ennemies to our selues? We can not cease to sinne, except we die, why do we than not hast to fle from so great an euil? We shal neuer come vnto the true life where felicitie bothe ioyfull and eternall is, except we die, why than make we so litle spede to hast thither, wher so many good thinges shalbe geuen vs? We shal neuer haue ye fruition of Gods maiestie, & the blessed company of the heauenly spirits, except we die: why thē do we not pray daily vnto yt lord our god to deliuer vs from this stincking sinck of euils (I mene this world) ⟨p. 307⟩that we may come and enioye his most glorious presence? The very Heathen, which knew not God a right, but only dreamed of the immortalitie of the soule, & loked for a better lyfe after this, they knew not why they should feare death, but wyshed death and died bothe valeantly and ioyfully, and shall we being christians which know God and his holy word, and vnto whom so much comfort, hope, and euerlasting life is promised, refuse gladly and willingly to die? What a saying of an Ethnicke is this?1 O immortall God, howe is that pleasant and ioyfull iourney to be wished for, which being once done and past,2 there remaineth no sorow, no care, no pensiuenes. Again, O that goodly and pleasant day, whan it shall be my chaunce •o leaue this filthy & troublesome world, and come to their company ⟨p. 308⟩that inhabit the heauens. I• God wold suffer me, that I being of this age, might become an infant and sucking child againe, I woulde vtterly refuse it, neyther would I by any meanes call the rase that I haue run back again, that I might again be yong. For what pleasure & commoditie hath this life? yea rather what displeasure, incommoditie, pain, trauel & trouble hath it not? But let it be graunted that it hathe pleasure, certes: yet hath it ether satietie or mesure. And nature in this world hath geuen vs a place to tary in for a while, but not to dwell & to continue in it. The Heathen wryters in their monumēts cal death a changing for a better life, a quiet slepe: a remouing from mortalitie vnto immortalitie, from trouble: vnto quietnes, from ye shadow of a life: vnto a very & vncounterfet ⟨p. 309⟩life, from sorow: vnto ioy, from euill: vnto good, an hauē of rest, a solace of the mind, an end of all euill and wickednesse, and a beginning of all true ioy, felicitie & pleasure.
Of these things may we easily learn, what opinion the very Heathen conceived of death, and shall we that profess Christ, know God,1 believe his word and call our selves dead unto the world, recount death an evil thing,2 and be loth to go unto it, when God calleth us, as though there were no resurrection of the body, no immortality of the soul, no life after this, no fellowship with god, and with the heavenly spirits? The Jews also being persuaded of the resurrection of the body, and of the immortality of the soul, die joyfully & with a lusty courage, which notwithstanding for their unbelief in Christ are damned: and shall ⟨p. 310⟩we which are christians tremble and shake at the name of death, as though after our death we should be in worse case then we be now, when to say the truth, the faithful christians do than chiefly begin to live, when they depart from this world. All good men have ever desired to depart from this vile and wretched life, and to go unto that joyful and blessed state of immortality.3 David that Prince-like Prophet crieth out and saith. Woe is me, and sorry am I for it, that I must yet longer abide in this world. Again. Like as the hart desireth the water brooks,4 so longeth my soul after thee, O God. My soul is a thirst for God, yea even for the living God: when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?5 Also in an other place he saith. O how amiable are thy dwellings thou Lord of hosts? ⟨p. 311⟩My soul hath a desire & longing to enter into the courts of the Lord my heart & my flesh rejoice in the living God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they shall be alway praising thee. One day in thy courts is better then a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, then to dwell in the tents of ungodliness. In another Psalm he prayeth on this man •er.6 Deliver my soul out of prison, that it may come and praise •hy name.7 The holy man Tobias made his prayer unto God & said: O Lord deal with me according •o thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace. For more expedient were it for me to •ie, then to live. How desirous the •oly Apostle S. Paul was to go •rom this vale of misery, unto the heavenly kingdom, these his wor•es declare manifestly:8 Christ is ⟨p. 312⟩to me life, and death is to me advantage. Again,9 I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ.
Of these things may we easly learne, what opinion the very Heathen conceiued of death, and shal we that professe Christ, know God,1 beleue his word and cal our selues dead vnto ye world, recoūt death an euill thing,2 and be lothe to go vnto it, whē God calleth vs, as though there were no resurrection of the body, no immortalitie of the soule, no life after this, no felowship with god, and with the heauenly spirites? The Iewes also beyng perswaded of the resurrection of the body, and of thimmortalitie of the soule, die ioyfully & with a lusty courage, whiche notwithstanding for their vnbelief in Christ are damned: and shal ⟨p. 310⟩we whiche are christians tremble and shake at ye name of death, as though after our death we should be in worse case then we be nowe, whan to say the truthe, the faithfull christians do than chiefly begin to liue, when thei depart from this world. All good men haue euer desired to depart frō this vile and wretched life, and to go vnto that ioyful and blessed state of immortalitie.3 Dauid that Prince-like Prophet crieth out and saith. Wo is me, and sory am I for it, yt I must yet longer abide in this world. Again. Like as the hart desireth the water brokes,4 so lōgeth my soule after thee, O God. My soul is a thurst for God, yea euen for the liuing God: when shall I come to appeare before the presence of God?5 Also in an other place he saith. O howe amiable are thy dwellinges thou Lord of hostes? ⟨p. 311⟩My soule hath a desire & longing to enter into the courtes of ye Lord my heart & my fleshe reioyse in the liuing God. Blessed are they that dwel in thy house, they shalbe alway praising thee. One day in thy courtes is better then a thousand. I had rather be a dorekeper in ye house of my God, then to dwell in the tentes of vngodlines. In another Psalme he praieth on this mā •er.6 Deliuer my soule out of pry•on, that it may come and prayse •hy name.
What shall I speak of that ancient & godly father Simeon, which so soon as he had seen Christ, knowing him to be the saviour of the world: was very desirous to die, & burst out into these words & said▪ Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,1 according to thy promise. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou haste prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the gentiles,2 and the glory of thy people Israel.3 Of the like affection with these tofore rehearsed, were without doubt all godly parsons from the beginning, then being most joyful, when they saw the time of their departure from this wretched world to be come: so likewise brother Epaphroditus ought both ⟨p. 313⟩you and we to rejoice and be glad when death approacheth and cometh upon us. For then beginneth our felicity, wealth, quietness, safety, joy, pleasure, comfort & glory, as the voice from heaven said: Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord.4 For from henceforth the spirit sayeth, that they shall be at rest from their labours, pains & travails. Precious and right dear in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints,5 saith the Psalmograph. The souls of the righteous, sayeth the wise man,6 are in the hand of God, and the pain of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they appear to die, but they are in peace. Let us not therefore fear death. To the infidel and unfaithful man, death is both fearful and terrible, but to a faithful man, it is both pleasant and amiable. Therefore ⟨p. 314⟩neighbour Epaphroditus, as you have hitherto in all your words showed your self a faithful man, and well contented to obey the will of God: so likewise practise the same now in your works. If the good pleasure of God be through this sickness to call you out of this val• of misery, strive not against the will of God, but submit your self to Gods holy working, & doubt nothing, but it shall be to your great commodity and singular profit. For all things work for the best unto them that love God.7 God hath appointed the bounds of your life,8 and beyond that ye can not go.9 When the twelfth hour cometh, then shall ye make an end.
What shall I speake of that auncient & godly father Simeon, whiche so sone as he had sene Christ, knowing him to be the sauioure of the world: was very desirous to die, & brast out into these wordes & said▪ Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace,1 according to thy promes. For mine eyes haue sene thy saluation, whiche thou haste prepared before the face of al people. A light to lighten the gentils,2 and the glory of thy people Israel.3 Of the like affection with these tofore rehearsed, were without doubt all godly parsons from the beginning, then being moste ioyfull, whan they sawe the time of their departure from this wretched world to be come: so likewise brother Epaphroditus ought both ⟨p. 313⟩you and we to reioyse and be glad whan death approcheth and commeth vpō vs. For then beginneth our felicitie, welth, quietnes, safetie, ioy, pleasure, comfort & glory, as the voyce from heauen sayde: Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord.4 For from henceforth the spirite saieth, that they shall be at reast from their labours, paines & trauailes. Precious and ryghte dear in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his sainctes,5 saith ye Psalmograph. The soules of the righteous, saieth the wiseman,6 are in the hand of God, and the paine of death shall not touch them. In ye sight of the vnwyse they appeare to die, but they are in peace. Let vs not therfore fear death. To the infidele and vnfaithful mā, death is both fearefull and terrible, but to a faithfull man, it is bothe pleasaunte and amiable. Therefore ⟨p. 314⟩neighbour Epaphroditus, as you haue hitherto in all your wordes shewed your selfe a faithful man, and wel contented to obey the wil of God: so likewise practise ye same now in your workes. If the good pleasure of God be through this sicknes to cal you out of this val• of misery, stryue not against the wil of God, but submit your selfe to Gods holy working, & dout nothing, but it shalbe to your great commoditie and singulare profit. For all thinges worke for the best vnto them yt loue God.
Labour therefore to make such an end, as God therewith may be pleased, seeing you know and are fully persuaded,1 that not an here doth fal• from your head without the good ⟨p. 315⟩will of god,2 much less shall your life be taken away from you, till the very hour cometh, which God hath appointed,3 in whose hands only are the keys both of life and death.4
Labour therfore to make suche an end, as God therwith may be plea•sed, seing you know and are fully perswaded,1 yt not an here doth fal• from your head without the good ⟨p. 315⟩wil of god,2 much les shal your life be taken away frō you, til the very hour cōmeth, which God hath appoynted,3 in whose handes only are the keyes bothe of lyfe and death.4
Ph. The wise man saith,1 O death how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that seeketh rest and comfort in his substance and riches, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, & that hath prosperity in all things, yea unto him, that setteth all his mind on belly cheer? O death, how acceptable and good is thy judgement unto the needful, and unto him whose strength faileth, and that is now in his last age? &c. Be not thou afraid of death, remember them that have ben before thee, & that come after thee. This is the judgement of the Lord •uer all flesh. And why wouldest yt ⟨p. 316⟩be against this pleasure of the hiest. &c. To the unfaithful death in deed is terrible and fearful. For then begin their sorrows and miseries, their plagues and torments, as we may see in the history of the rich man,2 but to the faithful and true believers death is pleasant & amiable, as it is written,3 precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.4 For then cease all their miseries and travails, and begin their joys and pleasures. Whosoever is a true Christian & fixeth the eyes of his mind through true faith on the death of Christ,5 he shall not greatly be afraid o• death, but he shall rather triumph over death and with a lusty courage say thus unto death:6 O death I will be thy death. For death is swallowed up into victory through Jesus Christ our Lorde•7The sting of death can now no ⟨p. 317⟩more hurt the faithful, as our saviour Christ testifieth, verily, verily I say unto you: he that heareth my word & believeth on him that sent me,8 hath everlasting life, and shall not come into damnation, but is scaped from death unto life. Again, verily, verily I say unto you:9 he that putteth his trust in me, hath everlasting life. I am that living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever.10 Item, verily, verily I say unto you: If a man keep my saying he shall never taste death: all so in an other place, I am the resurrection & life, he that believeth in me, although he be dead, yet shall he live.11 And every one that liveth & believeth in me, shall never die.
Ph. The wyse man saith,1 O death how bitter is the remembraunce of thee to a man that seketh rest and comfort in his substaunce and riches, vnto the man that hath nothing to vexe him, & yt hath prosperitie in all thinges, yea vnto him, that setteth all his mynde on belly cheare? O death, how acceptable and good is thy iudgement vnto the nedefull, and vnto him whose strength faileth, and that is nowe in his last age? &c. Be not thou afraide of death, remember them that haue ben before thee, & that come after thee. This is the iudgemēt of the Lord •uer al flesh. And why wouldest yt ⟨p. 316⟩be against this pleasure of the hiest. &c. To the vnfaithful death in dede is terrible and fearfull. For then begin their sorowes and miseries, their plages and torments, as we may se in the historie of the richman,2 but to the faithfull and true beleuers death is pleasant & amiable, as it is written,3 precious in the sight of the Lord is ye death of his sainctes.4 For then cease all their miseries and trauayles, and begin their ioyes and pleasures. Whosoeuer is a true Christian & fixeth ye eies of his minde through true faith on the death of Christe,5 he shall not greatly be afrayde o• death, but he shall rather triumph ouer death and with a lusty courage saye thus vnto death:6 O death I wil be thy death. For death is swalowed vp into victorye through Iesus Christ our Lorde•7The sting of death can nowe no ⟨p. 317⟩more hurt the faithfull, as our sauiour Christ testifieth, verely, verely I saye vnto you: he that heareth my worde & beleueth on hym that sent me,8 hathe euerlastinge life, and shall not come into damnation, but is scaped from death vnto life. Again, verely, verely I say vnto you:
1Remedies against ye fear of death.Remedies against ye feare of death.
Phi. Who will not be content to suffer a little and short pain, that he ⟨p. 318⟩may for ever after enjoy continual quietness and everlasting rest?1 Nothing is gotten without pain and travail. No man is crowned except he strive lawfully The afflictions of this life are not worthy of the glory, which shall be showed upon us.2 Notwithstanding if we die with Christ: we shall also live with him. If we suffer, we shall reign with him. Therefore be on good comfort, God is faithful, which will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able to bear.3 The Lord our God is a father of mercies, and God of all consolation, which will without all doubt be present with you and comfort you in all your sicknesses and pains. For as the afflictions of Christ are plenteous in us: even so is our consolation plenteous by Christ. As you are partaker of the afflictions: so shall ye be partaker ⟨p. 319⟩also of the consolation.4 For this short and light trouble, sickness and pain prepareth an exceeding & an eternal weight of glory unto you, while you look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. For the things which are not seen, are eternal. If you consider the great & intolerable pains, that many good and godly men have suffered on their bodies for Christs sake, it shall the less grieve you to bear this your sickness, yea death and the pains thereof. The Prophet Isaiah for the hope of everlasting life, suffered his body to be cut a sunder with the saw of wood. Jeremiah was stoned unto death. Amos after many grievous torments was thrust into the temples of the head with a great nail of iron, and so shortly after died. John Baptist was cast into prison ⟨p. 320⟩5& beheaded. James the brother of John was slain with the sword.6 Stephen was stoned unto death Christ our Lord & savour suffered most bitter pains & died the death of the cross. I pass over many other both of the old & new Testament, which refused no kind of pains, so that they might obtain the reward of everlasting life, some (as the blessed apostle saith) were tried with mockings & scourgings,7 with bonds & prisonment,8 some were stoned, some were hewen a sunder, some were slain with sword,9 all were troubled & vexed. How glad joyful & ready the holy Apostle S. Paul was to suffer all kind of pains, & torments for the glory of God, these his words do abundantly show.10
Phi. Who will not be content to suffer a little and shorte paine, that he ⟨p. 318⟩may for euer after enioy continuall quietnes and euerlasting rest?1 Nothing is gotten without paine and trauaile. No man is crowned except he striue lawfully The afflictions of this life are not worthy of ye glory, which shalbe shewed vpon vs.2 Notwithstanding if we die with Christ: we shall also lyue with hym. If we suffer, we shall reigne with him. Therefore be on good comfort, God is faithfull, which wil not suffer you to be tempted aboue that you are able to beare.3 The Lord our God is a father of mercies, and God of all consolation, whiche will without all doubt be present with you and comfort you in all your sicknesses and paines. For as the afflictions of Christ are plenteous in vs: euē so is our consolation plenteous by Christ. As you are partaker of the afflictions: so shall ye be partaker ⟨p. 319⟩also of the consolation.4 For this short and lyght trouble, sicknes and pain prepareth an exceading & an eternal waight of glory vnto you, whyle you loke not on the thinges whiche are sene, but on ye thinges whiche are not sene. For ye thinges which are not sene, are eternall. If you consider the great & intollerable paines, that many good and godly men haue suffred on their bodies for Christes sake, it shal the les greue you to beare this your sicknes, yea death and the paines thereof. The Prophet Esaye for the hope of euerlasting life, suffred his body to be cut a sonder with the saw of wood. Ieremy was stoned vnto death. Amos after many greuous torments was thrust into the temples of the head with a great nail of yron, and so shortly after died. Iohn Baptist was cast into prisō ⟨p. 320⟩5& beheaded. Iames the brother of Iohn was slaine with the sword.6 Stephen was stoned vnto death Christ our Lord & sauour suffred most bitter pains & died the death of the crosse. I passe ouer many other both of the old & newe Testament, whiche refused no kinde of pains, so that they might obtain ye reward of euerlasting life, some (as ye blessed apostle saith) wer tried wt mockings & scourginges,
1Remedies against the pains of death. ii. Tim. ii Roma. viiiRemedies against the paines of death. ii. Tim. ii Roma. viii
The holy ghost doth testify in every city, saying, that bonds and troubles do abide me but I care not for them, nether is my life dear ⟨p. 321⟩unto me, so that I may finish my course with joy.1 &c. Again, I am ready not only to be bound but all so to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. What shall I speak of the other blessed Martyrs, where of some were devoured with wild beasts, some burnt with fire unto ashes, some broiled unto the death upon hot coals some slain with the sword, some hanged upon Jebbets, some pierced to death with arrows, some beaten to death with stones, some boiled, some rent a peaces with hot burning iron crumbs, some racked, some drowned, some cruelly murdered in prisons. &c. Who is able to declare the most bitter pains & grievous torments which they gladly suffered on their bodies for the glory of God, and the fruition of his Majesty? If ye consider these things well, ⟨p. 322⟩you shall easily find, that the pains which you now suffer, are nothing to be compared unto the most bitter and intolerable torments, which the men of God suffered. And not withstanding if you abide these light pains joyfully, patiently & thankfully, you shall most certainly enjoy and possess that heavenly kingdom, which they have already obtained. Faint not therefore good neighbour Epaphroditus, but abide the good pleasure of God, & his blessed working, so shall he without fail bring all thing to such pass, as shall be most unto his glory and unto your comfort.
The holy ghost doth testifie in euery citie, saying, that bonds and troubles doe abide me but I care not for them, nether is my life dere ⟨p. 321⟩vnto me, so that I may finish my course with ioy.1 &c. Againe, I am ready not only to be bound but al so to die at Hierusalē for ye name of the Lorde Iesu. What shall I speake of the other blessed Martirs, where of some were deuoured with wild beastes, some burnt with fire vnto ashes, some broyled vnto the death vpon whot coales some slaine with the sweard, some hanged vpon Iebbets, some pearsed to death with arrowes, some beaten to death with stones, some boyled, some rent a peaces with whot burning yron cromes, some racked, some drowned, some cruelly murthered in prysons. &c. Who is hable to declare the moste bitter paines & greuous torments which they gladly suffred on their bodies for the glory of God, and the fruition of his Maiestie? If ye consider these thinges wel, ⟨p. 322⟩you shall easly finde, yt the paines which you now suffer, are nothing to be compared vnto the most bitter and intollerable tormentes, whiche the men of God suffred. And not withstanding if you abide these light paines ioyfully, paciently & thankefully, you shall moste certainly enioy and possesse that heauenly kyngdome, whiche they haue already obtained. Faynte not therfore good neyghbor Epaphroditus, but abide the good pleasure of God, & his blessed workyng, so shall he without fail bring all thing to suche passe, as shalbe most vnto his glory and vnto your comfort.
Epa. Death taketh me away from my gorgeous and pleasant houses,1 and from all the temporal things that I have.
Epa. Death taketh me away from my gorgious and pleasaunt houses,1 and from al the tēporal things that I haue.
1Remedies against thought taking, for departing from worldly goods. Gen. xlvii. Psalm. xxxix.Remedies against thought taking, for departing from worldly goodes. Gen. xlvii. Psalm. xxxix.
Phi. In this world we all are but strangers & Pilgrims, we have here no dwelling City, but look ⟨p. 323⟩for an other that is to come.1 The houses that you leave behind you here,2 be they never so gorgeous & pleasant, are but earthy made of clay, and weather beaten stones, & shall in process of time decay & return unto dust & become things of nought. But after your departure from this vale of wretchedness you shall have a building of God,3 an habitation not made with hands, but everlasting in heaven. You shall dwell in a city, that is of pure gold, like unto clear glass, and the foundations of the walls of this city are garnished withal manner of precious stones,4 the gates are of fine pearl. Yea the streets of this heavenly city are pure gold. It hath no need of the sun, nether of the Moon to lighten it, for the brightness of God doth lighten, and the lamb is the light of it. And as touching your other ⟨p. 324⟩temporal things, from the which, as you say, death taketh you away, you have no cause to be sorry for it. For as concerning your gallant apparel, which if they be not worn will soon be moth-eaten, if they be worn,5 they will shortly fall to rags in the stead of them you being once placed in the heavenly city, shall be clothed of God with white garments, which shall never wax old, but always abide glorious & incorruptible. You shall also have a golden crown upon your head, & you shall sit with Christ upon his seat. And in the stead of your dainty fare, which how vile it is after the digestion you know, ye shall eat in the kingdom of God Manna that is hid,6 yea ye shall eat of the tree of life, which is in the mids of the Paradise of God. And this meat shall abide for ever most pleasant and uncorruptible. As touching ⟨p. 325⟩your gold & silver & such other worldly treasures, wherewith God blessed you in this world for a season, never remember them any more, but bid them farewell. For what other thing are they (seem they never so precious, pleasant & goodly) then red & white earth, & hereafter shall return unto vile dust. In the stead of them God in his kingdom shall give you such treasures, as never man with mortal eyes saw the like.
Phi. In this world we all are but straungers & Pilgrims, we haue here no dwelling City, but loke ⟨p. 323⟩for an other that is to come.1 The houses that you leue behinde you here,2 be they neuer so gorgious & pleasaunt, are but earthy made of clay, and wether beaten stones, & shall in proces of time decay & returne vnto dust & become thinges of nought. But after your departure frō this vale of wretchednes you shall haue a building of God,3 an habitatiō not made with handes, but euerlasting in heauen. You shall dwell in a city, that is of pure gold, like vnto clear glas, and the foundations of the wals of this city are garnished withall manner of precious stones,4 the gates are of fine pearle. Yea the streates of this heauenly city are pure gold. It hath no nede of the sunne, nether of the Mone to lighten it, for ye brightnes of God doth lightē, and the lambe is the light of it. And as touching your other ⟨p. 324⟩tēporall things, frō the whiche, as you saye, death taketh you away, you haue no cause to be sory for yt. For as concerning your galant aparel, whiche if they be not worne wil sone be motheaten, if they be worn,5 they wil shortly fal to rags in ye steade of them you being once placed in the heauenly city, shalbe clothed of God with white garments, which shal neuer wax old, but alwaies abide glorious & incorruptible. You shall also haue a golden crown vpon your head, & you shall sit with Christ vpon his seat. And in the stead of your deinty fare, which how vile it is after the digestion you knowe, ye shall eat in the kingdom of God Manna yt is hid,6 yea ye shall eat of the tre of life, which is in the mids of the Paradise of God. And this meat shal abide for euer most pleasaunt and vncorruptible. As touching ⟨p. 325⟩your gold & siluer & suche other worldly treasures, wherwith God blessed you in this worlde for a season, neuer remember thē any more, but bid them farewell. For what other thyng are they (seme they neuer so precious, pleasaunt & goodly) then red & white earth, & hereafter shall returne vnto vile dust. In the stead of them God in his kingdō shal geue you such treasures, as neuer man with mortall eies saw ye like.
You also shall have such joys & pleasures,1 as nether eye hath seen the like, nor ear hard the like, nether is any man able to conceive them in his heart, so great are the treasures, so infinite are the pleasures, which God hath prepared for them that love him. Who will not be glad to change lead for silver, & copper for gold, corruptible & earthly things for immortal & heavenly treasures. Here see you ⟨p. 326⟩that you lose nothing by death, but get very much, so that you may now say with the holy Apostle, Christ is to me life,2 and death is to me advantage.3
You also shal haue such ioyes & plesurs,1 as nether eie hath sene the like, nor ear hard the like, nether is any man able to cō ceiue them in his heart, so great are the treasures, so infinite are the pleasures, which God hath prepared for thē that loue him. Who wil not be glad to change lead for siluer, & copper for gold, corruptible & earthly things for immortall & heauenly treasures. Here se you ⟨p. 326⟩that you lose nothing by death, but get very muche, so yt you may now saye with the holy Apostle, Christ is to me life,2 and death is to me auauntage.3
3Remedies against thought taking for departing from frende•.Remedies against thought taking for departing frō frende•.
Thomas Becon
1512–1567
ReformersEngland
English reformer and devotional writer.
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Here haue we no continuing city, but we seke one to come. It is apoynted of God, that all men shal once die. For what is our life? It is euen a vapour,
as Iob saith, my dayes are more swift then a runner, yea they passe away as the shippes that be good vnder sayle, and as the Egle that flieth to the praye. Seing it is Gods will, pleasure and ordinaunce that wee should dye: why do we, which dayly pray on this manner. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen, shew our selues vnwilling to haue yt thyng chaūce vnto vs,
haue so often times praied? It is naturall to die, why then labour we to degenerate and growe out of kind? Our aūcestours the most holy and moste perfect haue died, why disdaine we then to followe their steps?
The holy man Tobias made his praier vnto God & said: O Lord deale with me according •o thy will, and commaunde my •pirit to be receiued in peace. For more expedient were it for me to •ie, then to liue. How desirous the •oly Apostle S. Paul was to go •rom this vale of misery, vnto the •eauenly kingdom, these his wor•es declare manifestly:
he that putteth his trust in me, hath euerlasting lyfe. I am that liuinge bread whiche came down from heauen. If any man eat of this bread, he shall liue for euer.
Item, verely, verely I say vnto you: If a man kepe my saying he shal neuer tast death: al so in an other place, I am the resurrection & life, he that beleueth in me, although he be dead, yet shal he liue.
al wer trobled & vexed. How glad ioyfull & ready the holy Apostle S. Paul was to suffer al kinde of paines, & tormētes for ye glory of God, these his words do aboundantly shew.
