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. I pray you declare unto me some comfortable sentences out of the holy scripture, that my conscience may be ascertained of Christs fulfilling of the law for me.
Epa. I pray you declare vnto me some comfortable sentenses out of the holy scripture, that my conscience may be ascertained of Christes fulfillyng of the lawe for me.
Phile. Christ sayeth in the Gospel.1 Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the Prophets, no. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. All we are destroyers ⟨p. 394⟩and breakers of the law, but Christ is a perfect fulfiller of the same, not for him self, but for us, and his fulfilling, is our fulfilling. The holy Apostle in his epistle to the Romans, sayeth. There is no damnation to them,2 which are in Christ Jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life through Jesus Christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do (inasmuch as it was weak because of the flesh) that performed God, and sent his Son in the similitude of sinful flesh, and by sin damned sin in the flesh, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, which walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. Here see you, that where as none of us was able to fulfil the law, ⟨p. 395⟩Christ the Son of God hath fulfilled it for us, and by this means delivered us from the law of sin and death.3 Again in the same Epistle, Christ is the perfect fulfilling of the law to justify all that believe. So many therefore as believe, are justified, and for them Christ hath fulfilled the law to the uttermost. To the Galatians he also sayeth,
For it is written. Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. &c. It Christ by his death and passion hath delivered us from the curse of the law, how than can the law condemn us? Item, in the same Epistle, when the time was full come,
God sent his Son made of a woman, and made bond unto the law, to redeem them, which were bond unto
⟨p. 396⟩
the law, that we through election might receive the inheritance that belongeth unto the natural sons. If Christ became man and was made bond unto the law, to redeem and deliver us from the law: what power than hath the law over us, that it may condemn us? If we be through the free choice of God admitted to be the sons of God: then are we no more slaves unto the law, nor any more bound to the subjection thereof, that it may cast us away as wicked transgressors and heirs of eternal dā nation. For it is fulfilled for us in Christ.
Phile. Christ saieth in the Gospell.1 Thinke not that I am come to destroy the law or ye Prophetes, no. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. All we are destroyers ⟨p. 394⟩and breakers of the law, but Christ is a perfect fulfiller of the same, not for him selfe, but for vs, and his fulfilling, is our fulfilling. The holy Apostle in his epistle to the Romaines, sayeth. There is no damnation to them,2 whiche are in Christ Iesu, which walke not after the fleshe, but after the spirite. For the lawe of the spirit of life through Iesus Christ hath made me fre from the law of sinne and death. For what the law could not do (inasmuch as it was weake because of the fleshe) that parformed God, and sent his sonne in the similitude of synnefull fleshe, and by synne damned synne in the fleshe, that the righteousnes of the lawe might be fulfilled in vs, whiche walke not after the fleshe but after the spirite. Here see you, that where as none of vs was able to fulfyll the lawe, ⟨p. 395⟩Christ the sonne of God hath fulfilled it for vs, and by this meanes deliuered vs frō the lawe of sinne and deathe.3 Againe in the same Epistle, Christe is the perfect fulfilling of ye lawe to iustifie all that beleue. So many therefore as beleue, are iustified, and for them Christe hath fulfilled the lawe to the vttermoste. To the Galathians he also saieth,4 Christ hath deliuered vs from the cursse of the lawe, in as much as he was made accursed for our sake.5 For it is writen. Cursed is euery one that hangeth on a tree. &c. It Christ by his death and passion hath deliuered vs from the cursse of the law, how than can the lawe condemne vs? Item, in the same Epistle, when the time was full come,6 God sent his sonne made of a woman, and made bonde vnto the lawe, to redeme them, which were bond vnto ⟨p. 396⟩the law, that we through election might receiue thinheritaunce that belongeth vnto the naturall sonnes. If Christ became mā and was made bond vnto the lawe, to redeme and deliuer vs from the lawe: what power than hath the lawe ouer vs, that it may condēpn vs? If we be through ye fre choyse of God admitted to be the sonnes of God: thē are we no more slaues vnto the law, nor any more bound to the subiection thereof, that it may cast vs away as wicked trāsgressours and heirs of eternal dā nation. For it is fulfilled for vs in Christ.7 To the Ephesians he writeth on this manner.
Christ is our peace, which hath made of both one (he speaketh of the Jews and Gentiles) and hath broken down the wall that was a stop between us, and hath also put away through his flesh the cause of ⟨p. 397⟩hatred even the law of commandments contained in the law written. &c. Here have we the cause why god was angry with us. Verily because we fulfilled not the law. Now is Christ come, & hath put away the cause of this anger and hatred, that is to say, he hath fulfilled the law for us, and reconciled us unto God, so that now the father for his sake hateth us no more, but loveth us, is no more angry, but well pleased with us, & accepteth his fulfilling of the law, as our own fulfilling.1 Also to the Colossians, Christ saith he, hath put out the hand writing that was against us contained in the law written, and that hath he taken out of the way, and hath fastened it to his cross, and hath spoiled rule and power, and hath made a show of them openly, and hath triumphed over them in his own ⟨p. 398⟩person. If Christ hanging on the Cross, hath by the virtue of his passion & death put out the hand writing that was against us contained in the law than is our bond made frustrate and void, & we set at liberty, forasmuch as Christ by his blood hath both paid our debt unto God the father, and also subdued and brought under foot all our enemies.2 The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, hath these words. The commandment that went afore, is disannulled, because of weakness and unprofitableness. For the law brought nothing to perfection, but was an introduction to a better hope, by the which we draw nigh unto God. Here are we taught also, that forasmuch as by the law no man can be made perfect (for who among us fulfilleth the law?) we have our perfection in Christ•⟨p. 399⟩•y whom for our sake the law is fulfilled, and remission of since and everlasting life is freely given unto us. This is the hope, profit and liberty, which so many as believe, receive in Christ. Let therefore the terrors and curse of the law never trouble you, though Satan do never so much lay it unto your charge: but remember what the Apostle sayeth: ye are no more under the law,3 but under grace. Again. Now are we delivered from the law,4 and dead unto it, whereunto we were in bondage, that we should serve in a new conversation of the spirit, and not in old conversation of the letter.
Christe is oure peace, whiche hath made of both one (he speaketh of ye Iewes and Gentiles) and hath broken downe the wal that was a stoppe betwene vs, and hath also put away through his flesh the cause of ⟨p. 397⟩hatred euen the law of commaū dementes contained in the lawe writtē. &c. Here haue we the cause why god was angry with vs. Uerely because we fulfilled not the law. Now is Christ come, & hath put away the cause of this anger and hatred, that is to saye, he hath fulfilled the law for vs, and recō ciled vs vnto God, so that nowe the father for his sake hateth vs no more, but loueth vs, is no more angry, but wel pleased with vs, & accepteth his fulfilling of the law, as our own fulfulling.1 Also to the Collossians, Christ saith he, hathe put out the hand wryting yt was against vs contained in the lawe written, and that hath he taken out of the waye, and hath fastned it to his crosse, and hathe spoyled rule and power, and hath made a shew of them opēly, and hath triumphed ouer them in his owne ⟨p. 398⟩person. If Christ hanging on the Crosse, hath by the vertue of his passion & death put out the hande wryghting that was against vs contained in the lawe than is our bond made frustrate and voyde, & we set at libertie, forasmuche as Christe by his bloude hathe bothe paid our debt vnto God ye father, and also subdued and brought vnder fote al our ennemies.2 The authour of the Epistle to ye Hebrues, hath these wordes. The cōmaundement that went afore, is disanulled, because of weakenes and vnprofitablenesse. For the lawe brought nothynge to perfection, but was an introduction to a better hope, by the whiche we drawenie vnto God. Here ar we taught also, that forasmuche as by ye lawe no man can be made perfect (for who amōg vs fulfilleth the law?) we haue our perfection in Christ•⟨p. 399⟩•y whome for our sake the law is fulfilled, and remission of synnes and euerlasting lyfe is frely geuē vnto vs. This is the hope, profit and libertie, whiche so many as beleue, receiue in Christ. Let therfore the terrours and cursse of the lawe neuer trouble you, though Sathan do neuer so muche lay it vnto your charge: but remember what the Apostle saieth: ye are no more vnder the lawe,3
For if righteousness cometh by the law, then died Christ in vain.1 But we know, sayeth the Apostle, that a man is not justified by the deeds of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ. ⟨p. 400⟩And we have believed on Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ: and not by the deeds of the law, because by the deeds of the law, no flesh sha• be justified. Again: as many o• you as are justified by the law, a• fallen from grace. We look for and hope in the spirit to be justified through faith.2 For in Christ Jesu• neither is circumcision any thing worth, nether yet uncircumcision but faith, which worketh by love▪ Comfort your self, neighbour E••paphroditus, against the assaults of Satan with these sweet sayings of the holy scripture, and s• shall nether the fear nor the curse of the law hurt you.3
For if righteousnesse commeth by the law, then died Christ in vaine.1 But we know, saieth the Apostle, that a man is not iustified by the dedes of the lawe, but by the fayth of Iesus Christ. ⟨p. 400⟩And we haue beleued on Iesus Christ, that we might be iustified by the faith of Christe: and not by the deedes of the lawe, because by the deedes of the law, no flesh sha• be iustified. Againe: as manye o• you as are iustified by the lawe, a• fallē from grace. We loke for and hope in the spirite to bee iustifed thorow faith.2 For in Christ Iesu• neither is circumcision any thing worth, nether yet vncircumcision but faith, which worketh by loue▪ Comfort your selfe, neighbour E••paphroditus, against the assaults of Sathan with these swete sayinges of the holy scripture, and s• shal nether the feare nor the curss• of the lawe hurt you.3
Epa. God b• thanked, I trust, I am now we• enarmed against Satan for this matter. But what, if he lay my sinful life unto my charge, and so burden my conscience with that, ⟨p. 401⟩that I know not what to do, but am like to fall unto desperation? What shall I answer? How shall I escape? For I confess unto you that I have been all my life time a very grievous sinner, and have greatly offended the Lord my God.
Epa. God b• thanked, I trust, I am nowe we• enarmed against Sathan for this matter. But what, if he laye my sinfull life vnto my charge, and so burden my conscience with that, ⟨p. 401⟩that I know not what to do, but am like to fall vnto desperation? What shal I aunwere? How shal I escape? For I confesse vnto you that I haue bene all my lyfe time a very greuous sinner, and haue greatly offēded the Lord my God.
Phi. Discomfort not your self, but take a good heart unto you. You are in this behalf in none other case then all the saints and faithful people of God have been before you,1 & are at this day. For all have sinned, and want the glory of God.2 All have gone astray like lost sheep. We are unprofitable servants.3 All our righteousnesses are as a clothe defiled with menstrue.4 If we say we have no sin, we deceive our selves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ⟨p. 402⟩all unrighteousness.
Phi. Discomfort not your selfe, but take a good heart vnto you. You are in this behalfe in none other case then all the sainctes and faithfull people of God haue bene before you,1 & are at this daye. For all haue sinned, and want the glory of God.2 All haue gone astraye lyke lost shepe. We are vnprofitable seruauntes.3 All our righteousnesses are as a clothe defiled with menstrue.4 If we saye we haue no sinne, we deceiue our selues, and the truthe is not in vs. But if we confesse our sinnes, God is faithfull and righteous to forgeue vs our sinnes, and to clense vs from ⟨p. 402⟩al vnrighteousnes.
Phile. 1Let it repent you, that ever you offended so loving a father, and s• gentle a Lord. Be heartily sorry fo• your misdoings. Lament and inwardly bewail your wretchednes•ses, which so wickedly have transgressed & broken the holy commandments of the Lord. For this ha•ty and unfeigned repentance is a goodly preparative to salvation▪ and without it none can be •aved Therefore John Baptist,2 Christ & his Apostles began their preaching of repentance.3 For whosoever is not brought into the knowledge of him self, he shall never have delight to come unto Christ▪ For such as think them selves whole, have no pleasure in a physician, but they that are sick.
Phile. 1Let it repēt you, that euer you of•fended so louing a father, and s• gentle a Lord. Be hartely sory fo• your misdoings. Lament and in•wardly bewail your wretchednes•ses, which so wickedly haue trans•gressed & brokē the holy cōmaun•dements of the Lord. For this ha•ty and vnfained repentaunce is a goodly preparatiue to saluation▪ and without it none can be •aued Therfore Iohn Baptist,2 Christ & his Apostles begā their preaching of repentaunce.3 For whosoeuer is not brought into the knowledge of hym selfe, he shall neuer haue delyghte to come vnto Christe▪ For suche as thynke them selues whole, haue no pleasure in a phisition, but they that are sycke.
Phi. Hear what God saith by the Prophet Whom shall I regard? Even him that is pore and of a lowly troubled spirit, & standeth in awe of my words. The Psalmograph also saith:1 A sacrifice unto god is a troubled spirit, a broken and a contrite heart: O God, shalt thou not despise. Again:2 the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a troubled heart, and he will save them that are of a broken spirit.3
Phi. Hear what God saith by the Prophet Whom shall I regard? Euen hym that is pore and of a lowly troubled spirit, & standeth in awe of my wordes. The Psalmograph also saith:1 A sacrifice vnto god is a troubled spirite, a broken and a contrite heart: O God, shalt thou not despise. Again:2 the Lord is nie vnto them that are of a troubled heart, and he will saue them that are of a broken spirite.3
Epa. O Lord take away from me that stony heart, which can not repent, and give me that fleshly heart, which gladly and willingly lamenteth her since and miseries,1 and unfeignedly delighteth in a new life. But what? is repentance enough?
Epa. O Lord take away from me that stony heart, whiche can not repent, and geue me that fleshly heart, which gladlye and willingly lamenteth her synnes and miseries,1 and vnfainedly delyghteth in a newe lyfe. But what? is repētance ynough?
Phi. As you earnestly and from the very heart do repent you of your former sinful life:1 so likewise humble your self in the sight of God, ⟨p. 404⟩and confess your self unto him a most wicked & miserable sinner Cry in your heart with David, & say: have mercy upon me, O God after thy great goodness. According unto the multitude of thy mercies, do away mine offences Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness,2 & cleanse me from my sin For I knowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and don• evil in thy sight. O turn thy fac• from my sins, and put out al• my misdeeds. Make me a clean• heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not a•way from thy presence, and tak• not thy holy spirit from me. Cry• with that lost son and say:3 O fa•ther I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son▪ Cry with the Publican and say:4⟨p. 405⟩O God be merciful to me a sinner. Cry with the Leper and say:5 O Lord, if thou wilt thou art able to make me clean. Cry with the blind man and say:6 O Jesus the Son of David, have mercy on me.7 Cry with the woman of Canaan and say•: have mercy on me O Lord thou••ne of David: My daughter is grievously vexed of the devil.8 Cry with the Centurion & say: I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof, but speak the word only, and my son shall be healed. But unto this your hearty repentance & humble confession of your sins, you must put mighty & strong faith, believing that God the father for his promise sake made unto all penitent sinners in Christs blood,9 will freely & mercifully forgive you all your sins, be •hey never so many or grievous. for without this faith all that ever ⟨p. 406⟩you do, is nothing worth, as the apostle saith.10 Whatsoever is not of faith,11 is sin. Cain repented and confessed his fault, saying: my sin is greater, then I may deserve to be forgiven. But because he wanted faith, he fell into desperation & was damned:12 Judas repented & confessed his sin, saying: I have sinned, betraying the innocent blood, yea he also made satisfaction: such as it was, but not withstanding because he added no• faith unto his repentance, confession and satisfaction, all was in vain.
Phi. As you ernestly and from the very heart do repent you of your former sinnefull lyfe:1 so likewyse hūble your self in ye sight of God, ⟨p. 404⟩and confesse your selfe vnto him a moste wicked & miserable sinner Crie in your heart with Dauid, & say: haue mercy vpon me, O God after thy great goodnes. Accor•dinge vnto the multitude of thy mercies, do away myne offences Wash me thorowly from my wic•kednes,2 & clense me from my syn For I knowledge my fautes, and my sin is euer before me. Against thee only haue I sinned, and don• euill in thy sight. O turn thy fac• from my sinnes, and put oute al• my mysdedes. Make me a clean• heart, O God, and renue a righ• spirite within me. Cast me not a•way from thy presence, and tak• not thy holy spirite from me. Cry• with that lost sonne and say:3 O fa•ther I haue sinned against heauē and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy sonne▪ Cry with the Publicane and say:4⟨p. 405⟩O God be merciful to me a sinner. Cry with the Leper and saye:5 O Lord, if thou wilt thou art hable to make me cleane. Cry with the blinde man and saye:6 O Iesu the sonne of Dauid, haue mercye on me.7 Cry with the woman of Canane and say•: haue mercy on me O Lord thoune of Dauid: My doughter is greuously vexed of ye deuil.
1Confession of sins unto God.Confession of sinnes vnto God.
Peter his fellow disciple• sinned also grievously,1 but because he earnestly repented, and also faithfully believed to have remission of his sins by the precious blood of his master, whom he • fore had both denied & forsworn he was forgiven, and received i• to favour again.2 For by faith ar•⟨p. 407⟩we made of the children of wrath, the sons of God.3 By faith are we married unto Christ.4 By faith are our hearts purified. By faith satan is overcome. By faith the world is vanquished.5 By faith we are preserved from damnation. By faith we are justified & made righteous.6 By faith the wrath of God is assuaged. By faith we work the will of God.7 By faith our prayers are heard, and our requests granted. By faith we please God.8 By faith we be made the children of light. By faith we are borne a new of God.9 By faith we are made the temples of the holy ghost.10 By faith we understand the mysteries of God.
By faith we prevail against the gates of hell.11 By faith we are made the heirs of God, and fellow heirs with our Lord and saviour ⟨p. 408⟩Christ Jesus, of everlasting glory.12 Faith, as S. Austen saith▪ is the beginning of mans salvation. Without faith no man can reach or come unto the number of the sons of God. Without faith all the labour of man is frustrate and void. Faith, sayeth S▪ Ambrose,13 is the rote of all virtues▪ and whatsoever thou buildest o• this foundation, that alone profiteth unto the reward of thy work• fruit and virtue. Faith, saith he▪ is richer then all treasures: stronger then all corporal power: and more healthful then all Physicians. Therefore look that you hau• this true faith in you, and tha• you cleave both tooth and nail (as they use to say) to the merciful and comfortable promises of god: So may you be sure to have remission and forgiveness of your since.
Peter his fellowe disciple• sinned also greuously,1 but becaus• he earnestlye repented, and als• faithfully beleued to haue remis•sion of his sinnes by the precious bloud of his maister, whome he • fore had both denied & forsworne he was forgeuen, and receiued i• to fauour againe.2 For by faith ar•⟨p. 407⟩we made of the children of wrath, the sonnes of God.3 By faith are we maried vnto Christ.4 By faith are our hartes purified. By faith sathan is ouercome. By faith the world is vanquished.5 By faith we are preserued from dampnation. By faith we are iustified & made righteous.6 By faith the wrath of God is asswaged. By faith we worke the will of God.7 By faith our praiers are heard, and our requestes graunted. By faithe we please God.8 By faith we be made the children of light. By faith we are borne a new of God.9 By faith we are made the temples of the holy ghost.10 By faith we vnderstand the misteries of God.
By faith we preuaile againste the gates of hell.11 By faith we are made the heyres of God, and fellow heyres with our Lord and sauiour ⟨p. 408⟩
Epa. I believe, O Lord, help tho•⟨p. 409⟩my unbelief.1 O Lord increase my saith, O heavenly father my God and my Lord, I with an assured persuasion of thy goodness toward me, most humbly beseech thee for Jesus Christs sake, mercifully to behold me a most miserable sinner, and clearly to forgive all those sins & wickednesses, which I wretched creature have committed against thee my Lord God from the hour of my birth unto this present time. Forgive me all my sins for thy names sake,2 they •e both many and great. Oh remember not the sins and offen•es of my youth, but according unto thy mercy think upon me, O Lord,3 for thy goodness. Oh remember not mine old sins, but •ave mercy on me, yea and that ••ghtsone, for I am come to great misery. Help me, O God of my ••luation, for the glory of thy name. ⟨p. 410⟩O deliver me, and be merciful unto my sins for thy names sake. So shall I give thee thanks for ever, & magnify thy blessed name worlds without end.
Epa. I beleue, O Lord, helpe tho•⟨p. 409⟩my vnbelief.1 O Lord encrease my saith, O heauenly father my God and my Lorde, I with an assured perswasion of thy goodnesse toward me, most humbly besech the for Iesus Christes sake, mercifully to behold me a moste miserable sinner, and clearly to forgeue all those sinnes & wickdnesses, which I wretched creature haue committed against thee my Lord God from the houre of my byrth vnto this present tyme. Forgeue me all my sins for thy names sake,2 they •e bothe many and great. Oh remember not the sinnes and offen•es of my yougth, but accordynge vnto thy mercy thynke vpon me, O Lorde,3 for thy goodnes. Oh remember not mine old sinnes, but •aue mercy on me, yea and that ••ghtsone, for I am come to great •iserie. Helpe me, O God of my ••luation, for ye glory of thy name. ⟨p. 410⟩O deliuer me, and be merciful vnto my sinnes for thy names sake. So shall I geue thee thankes for euer, & magnifie thy blessed name worldes without end.
Phi. Doubt not neighbour Epaphroditus, but that god hath graciously heard this your humble suit, & also granted your request▪ He hath forgiven you all your sins He will never lay them to your• charge. He hath cast them away• behind his back, so that he will n••uer remember them more, as h• saith by the Prophet,1 I will forgive their misdeeds, and will never remember their since any more▪ Again.2 If the ungodly will tur• away from all his sins that h• hath done, and keep all my commandments, and do the thin• that is equal and right: doubtless he shall live and not die. As for […] his sins that he did before, th•⟨p. 411⟩shall not be thought upon, but in his righteousness that he hath done, he shall live. For have I any pleasure in the death of a sinner, saith the Lord God, and not rather that he convert and live? Item. Repent, & turn you from all your wickednesses: so shall there no sin do you harm. Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done. Make you new harts, and a new spirit. Wherefore will ye die, O ye house of Israel? seeing I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, sayeth the Lord God. Turn you then: and ye shall live. Therefore fear not good brother: but continue faithful & repentant unto the end, & ye shall surely be saved.
Phi. Doubt not neighbour Epaphroditus, but that god hath graciouslye heard this your humble sute, & also graunted your request▪ He hath forgeuē you al your sins He will neuer laye them to your• charge. He hath cast them away• behynd his back, so that he wil n••uer remember them more, as h• saith by ye Prophet,1 I will forgeue their misdedes, and wil neuer remember their synnes any more▪ Againe.2 If the vngodly wil tur• away from all his sinnes that h• hath done, and kepe all my com•maundementes, and do the thin• that is equall and right: doubtle• he shall lyue and not die. As for 〈…〉 his sinnes that he did before, th•⟨p. 411⟩shall not be thought vpon, but in his righteousnes yt he hath doone, he shal liue. For haue I any pleasure in the death of a sinner, saith ye Lord God, and not rather that he conuert and liue? Item. Repent, & turne you from al your wickednesses: so shal ther no sinne do you harme. Cast away frō you al your vngodlines that ye haue doone. Make you new harts, and a new spirit. Wherfore will ye die, O ye house of Israel? seing I haue no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, sayeth the Lorde God. Turn you then: and ye shal liue. Therfore feare not good brother: but cōtinue faithfull & repentant vnto thend, & ye shall surely be saued.
Cry with the Centurion & say: I am not worthy that thou shouldest entre vnder my rofe, but speke the word only, and my sōne shalbe heled. But vnto this your harty repentaunce & humble confessiō of your sinnes, you must put mighty & strong faith, beleuing yt God ye father for his promise sake made vnto all penitent sinners in Christes bloud,
is sinne. Cain repented and confessed his fault, saying: my sin is greater, then I may deserue to be forgeuen. But because he wanted faith, he fell into desperation & was dampned:
Iudas repented & confessed his sinne, saying: I haue synned, betraying the innocent bloud, yea he also made satisfaction: suche as it was, but not with•standinge because he added no• faith vnto his repentaunce, con•fession and satisfaction, all was in vaine.
Faith, as S. Austen saith▪ is the beginning of mans saluation. Without faithe no man can reache or come vnto the nomber of the sonnes of God. Withoute faith al the labour of man is frustrate and voyde. Faith, saieth S▪ Ambrose,
is ye rote of all vertues▪ and whatsoeuer thou buyldest o• this foundation, that alone profiteth vnto the reward of thy work• frute and vertue. Fayth, saith he▪ is ritcher then all treasures: strō ger then all corporall power: and more healthfull then all Phisitions. Therfore loke that you hau• this true faythe in you, and tha• you cleue both toth and nayle (as they vse to say) to the merciful and comfortable promises of god: So may you be sure to haue remission and forgeuenes of your synnes.
