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.
Phile. This is no let unto your salvation, so that your conversion be unfeigned.1 The righteous man sinneth .vii. times in the day.2 Who liveth & sinneth not. All go astray. There is none good but God alone. All our righteousnesses are as a cloth polluted with menstrue.3 If God should deal with the most holy and most perfect according to their deserts, ⟨p. 426⟩they should find nothing in them selves but worthy damnation▪ David with other very many of the old Testament oftentimes sinned and offended God with their wicked acts,4 yet forasmuch as they repented and unfeignedly turned unto God, they were received into favour and saved. The Disciples of Christ, Peter and his fellows were sinners also, and many times did that, which is not righteous in the sight of God, yet they be wailing their miseries, & truly returning unto God, were admitted into the number of gods elect.5 God is that Lord, which forgiveth not only one talent but the whole debt of .x. M. talents, if we come truly unto him & knowledge our beggary, yea our nothing. If God would that we should forgive one an other, so oft as we ⟨p. 427⟩offend, doubtless God will also forgive us whensoever we offend, if we unfeignedly turn unto him, be our sins never so many and grievous. Mary Magdalen sinned full oft, yet was she forgiven, as it is written of her:6 Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much.7 The Publican was with out doubt a very grievous sinner, and had many times broken the commandments of god, yet so soon as he humbled him self before the throne of gods majesty, & appealed unto his mercy: he was received nto favour & pronounced of christs wn mouth more righteous then he Pharisee for all his glistering works & outward holiness of life. ing Manasseh in his prayer confessed unto God, that he had syned above the number of the sands f the sea, and that his iniquities ere innumerable, yet after he returned
and seek him in singleness of heart, then followeth it, that sin we never so oft and never so grievously:
Phile. This is no let vnto your saluation, so that your conuersion be vnfained.1 The righteous man sinneth .vii. times in the day.2 Who liueth & sinneth not. All go astray. There is none good but God alone. All our righteousnesses ar as a cloth polluted with mēstrue.3 If God shuld deale with the moste holy and most per•ect accordinge to their desertes, ⟨p. 426⟩they should find nothing in them selues but worthy dampnation▪ Dauid with other very many of the old Testament oftentimes sinned and offended God with theyr wicked actes,4 yet forasmuche as they repented and vnfainedly turned vnto God, they were receiued into fauour and saued. The Disciples of Christ, Peter and his felowes were sinners also, and many tymes did that, whiche is not righteous in the sight of God, yet they be wayling their miseries, & truly returning vnto God, were admitted into the nūber of gods elect.5 God is that Lord, which forgeueth not only one talent but the whole debt of .x. M. talentes, if we come truly vnto hym & knowledge our beggary, yea our nothing. If God would yt we should forgeue one an other, so oft as we ⟨p. 427⟩offend, doubtles God wil also forgeue vs whansoeuer we offend, if we vnfainedly turn vnto him, be our sinnes neuer so many and greuous. Mary Magdalē sinned ful oft, yet was she forgeuen, as it is written of her:6 Many sinnes are forgeuen her, because she hath loued much.7 The Publican was wt out doubt a very greuous sinner, and had many times broken the cōmaundemēts of god, yet so sone as he humbled him self before the throne of gods maiestie, & apealed vnto his mercy: he was receiued •nto fauor & pronoūced of christes •wn mouth more righteous then •he Pharisy for all his glistring workes & outward holines of life. •ing Manasses in his praier con•essed vnto God, that he had syn•ed aboue the nomber of ye sandes •f the sea, and that his iniquities •ere innumerable, yet after he returned ⟨p. 400⟩vnto the Lord, they were all forgeuen and he receiued into fauour. If there be not dayly remission of daily synnes at the hād of God for Christes sake,8 why are we commaunded daily to pray for the forgeuenes of our sinnes?9 If the fauour of God be promised at all houres to suche as vnfainedly turne vnto their Lorde God,10 and seke him in singlenes of heart, thē followeth it, that sin we neuer so oft and neuer so greuously:
yet if hearty repentance come, there is hope of remission of sins through the blood of Christ.1 If Christ be an everlasting Bishop, than is he able at all times to save even at the full those, which come unto God through him.2 If Christ go forth to be called Jesus,3 that is to say: a saviour, then ceaseth he not to save sinners.4 If Christ be our intercessor, mediator and advocate ⟨p. 429⟩unto God the father even unto the worlds end,5 then may we be sure through him to have remission and forgiveness of all our sins even unto the end of the world,6 yea & that at all times, sin we never so oft & grievously, if we repent, believe and amend. Therefore though you have many times grievously offended the Lord your God and broken his holy commandments, yet despair not but turn again unto the Lord your God, & he will turn unto you▪ deliver you & save you.7 For he is the father of mercies & God of all consolation. He is rich enough for all them that call upon him.8 If you do thus, though your sins be as read as scarlet, yet shall they be as white as snow. And though they were like purple, yet shall they be as white as wool. Hear what God saith by the Prophet: Commonly ⟨p. 430⟩when a man putteth away his wife and she goeth from him,9 and marrieth with an other, then the question is: should he resort any more unto her after that? Is not this field then defiled & unclean? But as for thee: thou hast plaid the harlot with many lovers, yet turn again to me, saith the Lord. &c. and I will not let my wrath fall upon you. I am merciful, (sayeth the Lord) and I will not alway bear displeasure against thee. O turn again and I will be married with you. Whom would not these words encourage to come again unto the Lord his God, and throughly to be persuaded of gods loving favour toward him, and of the forgiveness of his sins, be they never so many and grievous, if he repent, believe & amend?
yet if harty repentaunce come, there is hope of remissiō of sinnes through the bloud of Christ.1 If Christ bee an euerlasting Bishop, than is he able at all tymes to saue euen at the full those, whiche come vnto God through hym.2 If Christ go forth to be called Iesus,3 that is to saye: a sauiour, then ceaseth he not to saue sinners.4 If Christ be our intercessour, mediatour and aduocate ⟨p. 429⟩vnto God the father euen vnto the worldes ende,5 then may we be sure thorow him to haue remission and forgeuenes of all oure sinnes euē vnto thend of ye world,6 yea & that at all times, sinne we neuer so oft & greuously, if we repent, beleue and amend. Therfore though you haue many times greuously offended ye Lord your God and broken his holy commaundementes, yet despair not but turne again vnto the Lord your God, & he will turn vnto you▪ deliuer you & saue you.7 For he is the father of mercies & God of all consolation. He is riche inough for all thē that call vpon hym.8 If you doo thus, though your sinnes be as read as scarlet, yet shall they be as whyte as snowe. And though they were lyke purple, yet shall they bee as whyte as woll. Heare what God saith by the Prophet: Commonly ⟨p. 430⟩whan a man putteth away his wife and she goeth from him,9 and marieth with an other, then the question is: should he resorte any more vnto her after that? Is not this field then defiled & vncleane? But as for thee: thou hast plaide ye harlot with many louers, yet turn again to me, saith ye Lord. &c. and I will not let my wrath fall vpon you. I am mercifull, (sayeth the Lord) and I will not alway beare displeasure against thee. O tourn again and I will be maried with you. Whō wold not these words encourage to come againe vnto the Lord his God, and throughly to be perswaded of gods louing fauour toward him, and of the forgeuenes of his sinnes, be they neuer so many and greuous, if he repent, beleue & amend?
Phile. The want of merits ought not to pluck you from coming unto god.1 For God saveth not us for the righteous works, which we have done, but for his mercies sake. If our salvation came of works & merits: then were grace no more grace.2 If everlasting life were gotten by deservings:3 than were it not the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.4 But the Apostle sayeth.
By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of our selves. It is the gift of God, and cometh not of works, least any man should boast him self. If righteousness come of the law:5 then Christ is dead in vain. Christ came not ⟨p. 432⟩to call the righteous: but sinne• to repentance.6 And we are taught in the Gospel, that joy shall be […] heaven over one sinner that rep••teth,7 more then over ninety an• nine just persons, which need […] repentance.8 What had the wounded man deserved, that he should be healed?9 What had the strayshep• merited, that the shepherd should so lovingly fetch her home again What good works brought Mar• Magdalen,10 when Christ receive• her unto grace & forgave her, he• sins? And so likewise of divers other. If God should save us because of our merits & good works, so should we choose god by our works and merits, and not God us by his favour, grace and mercy. But Christ saith,11 ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.12 And S. John wondering at this great mercy of God, bursteth out ⟨p. 435⟩••to these words▪ and saith: Behold, what love the father hath •hewed on us, that we should be called •he sons of God.13 Again herein •s love, not that we loved God, •ut that he loved us, and sent his •onne to be the agreement for our ••nnes. And S Paul saith, God the •ather hath chosen us in Christ,14 before the foundations of the world •ere laid. God therefore did choose •s by his grace, and not we him •y our works and merits:15 I will •ave mercy, said God to Moses, •n whom it pleaseth me to have mercy,16 and I will have compassion, •n whom it is my pleasure to have compassion. It lieth not therefore •n a mans will or running, but in •he mercy of God. And the Psal•ograph saith,17 speaking of God, […] of him self: he hath saved me, because it was his pleasure to have •e.18 Again he saith: Thou shalt ⟨p. 434⟩save them for nothing: what […] to say,19 saith S. Austen, thou sh•• save them for nothing? but ye th•• findest nothing in them wherf•• they should be saved, and yet sau•• thou them.20
Phile. The wāt of merits ought not to pluck you from comming vnto god.1 For God saueth not vs for the righteous works, which we haue done, but for his mercies sake. If oure saluatiō came of works & merits: then were grace no more grace.2 If euerlasting life were gotten by deseruinges:3 than were it not the gift of God through Iesus Christ our Lord.4 But the Apostle saieth.
By grace are ye saued thorowe faith, and that not of our selues. It is the gifte of God, and commeth not of workes, least any mā should boast him self. If rightousnesse come of the lawe:5 then Christ is dead in vaine. Christ came not ⟨p. 432⟩to call the righteous: but sinne• to repentance.6 And we are taug• in the Gospell, that ioye shall be 〈…〉 heauen ouer one sinner that rep••teth,7 more then ouer ninety an• nine iust persones, which nede 〈…〉 repentaunce.8 What had the wou••ded man deserued, that he shoul• be healed?9 What had ye strayshep• merited, that the shephard shoul• so louingly fetch her home again• What good works brought Mar• Magdalen,10
Freely doest thou ge•• freely dost thou save. And s. Jero•• alleging the same sentence agai•• the Pelagians, saith, that the righteous are not saved by their ow•• merits, but by the tender merc•• of God. If we shall consider ou•• merits,1 saith Chrysostom, we a•• not only worthy no reward, b•• we are also worthy punishment Let all mens merits, which perished by Adam be still and keep silence, saith Saint Austen,2 and l•• the grace of God reign, which reigneth through our Lord I••sus Christ.3 The redemption […] Christs blood should wax vi•• and become of no price, saith S• Ambrose, if the justification, which ⟨p. 435⟩cometh by grace were due unto merits going afore.4 David saith in a certain Psalm, praise▪ the Lord. O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not his benefits. Which forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thine iniquities. Which saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth the with mercy and lo•ing kindness.* All good men from the beginning have attributed & given the whole glory of their justification and salvation, not to their own merits and good wor•es:6 but to the free grace and undeserved mercy of God,7 that God may be all in all, and that he, which rejoiceth, should rejoice in •he Lord. For the contentation and quietness of your conscience •n this behalf, remember that Christ •ame not to call the justiciaries, but ⟨p. 436⟩sinners unto repentance. Remē •ber that the Son of man,8 came t• seek and to save that, that wa• lost. Remember that Christ is […] Physician,9 and that the who• hath no need of a Physician, bu• such as are sick.10 Remember tha• Christ calleth unto him all such a• are diseased & laden with the burden of sin.11 He requireth no merits, only come, remember tha• Christ is called a saviour to the end that he should save them, which otherwise should perish.12 Hear also what God saith by the Prophet Come to the waters all ye that b• thirsty and ye that have no money Come,13 buy, that ye may have to ea•• Come buy wine and milk without any money, or money worth. Wherefore do ye lay out your money fo• the thing that fedeth not, & spen• your labour about the thing tha• satisfieth you not? But harke•⟨p. 437⟩hearken rather unto me, & ye shall eat of the best, and your soul shall have her pleasure in plenteousnesses. Incline your ears, and come unto me, take heed (I say) & your soul shall live.
Frely doest thou ge•• frely dost thou saue. And s. Iero•• alledging ye same sentence agai•• the Pelagians, saith, that ye rig••teous are not saued by their ow•• merites, but by the tender merc•• of God. If we shall consider ou•• merites,1 saith Chrisostom, we a•• not only worthy no reward, b•• we are also worthy punishemen• Let all mens merits, which per••shed by Adam be still and kepe s••lence, saith Saint Austen,2 and l•• the grace of God reigne, which raigneth through our Lorde I••sus Christe.3 The redemption 〈…〉 Christes bloud should waxe vi•• and become of no price, sayth S• Ambrose, if ye iustification, which ⟨p. 435⟩commeth by grace were due vnto merites going afore.4 Dauid sath in a certayne Psalme, prayse▪ the Lord. O my soule, and all that is within me, praise his holy name. Prayse the Lord, O my soule and forget not his benefites. Whiche forgeueth all thy sinnes, and healeth al thine iniquities. Which saueth thy life from destruction, and crowneth the with mercy and lo•ing kindnes.* All good men from the beginning haue attributed & geuen the whole glory of their iustification and saluation, not to their own merits and good wor•es:
Our saviour Christ also sayeth.1 If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. Again in an other place, I will give to him that is a thirst, of the well of the water of life.2 He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, & he shall be my son.3 Item. Let him that is a thirst, come. And let whosoever will, take of the water of life, free. Here is the favour of God, remission of sins, the gift of the holy ghost, quietness of conscience, and everlasting life promised freely without merits or deserts to so many as will come unto Christ with a repentant hart & faithful mind.4 For Christ was sent of God the ⟨p. 438⟩father to preach good tidings unto the pore,5 that he might bind up the wounded hearts, that he might preach deliverance to the captive, and open the prison to them that are bound, declare the acceptable year of the Lord, and comfort all them that are in heaviness. He came into this world to save sinners.6 Therefore let it not dismay you, though you find in your self plenty of sins & good works very few. Cast rather the eyes of your mind with strong faith on Christ & on his righteousness, on his merits, passion, & death, on his blessed body breaking, & his precious blood shedding.7 Believe him to be ordained of God the father to be your wisdom, & righteousness, your sanctification & redemption, that as it is written, he that rejoiceth, should rejoice in the Lord.8 Count all your merits, good works, & righteousnesses, ⟨p. 439⟩vile and of no price, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. Labour to win Christ, and to be found in him, not having your own righteousness, which cometh of the law, but that that, which is through the faith of Christ even the righteousness which cometh of God through faith, that you may know him and the virtue of his resurrection and fellowship of his passions. He that through true faith hath gotten Christ, put him on his back withal his righteousness and holiness, he is not altogether without merits, neither walketh he naked in the sight of God.9 Unto this exhorteth S. Paul, when he sayeth. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, that is to say. Clothe your self through saith with all the merits and works of Christ. Take his righteousness, holiness, perfection, praying, ⟨p. 440⟩fasting, watching, law fulfilling, miracles working, preaching passion, death, resurrection, ascension, and all that ever he hath to be yours.
Our sauiour Christ also saieth.1 If any man thirst, let him come vnto me and drinke. Againe in an other place, I wyll geue to him that is a thirst, of the well of the water of lyfe.2 He that ouercommeth shall enherite all thinges, and I will be his God, & he shalbe my sonne.3 Itē. Let him that is a thirst, com. And let whosoeuer wyll, take of the water of lyfe, fre. Here is the fauor of God, remission of sinnes, the gift of the holy ghost, quietnes of conscience, and euerlasting life promised frely without merits or deserts to so many as wil come vnto Christ wt a repentāt hart & faithfull minde.4 For Christe was sent of God the ⟨p. 438⟩father to preach good tidings vnto the pore,5 that he might bind vp the woūded hartes, that he might preache deliueraunce to the captiue, and open the pryson to them that are bound, declare the acceptable yeare of the Lord, and comfort al them that are in heauines. He came into this worlde to saue sinners.6 Therefore let it not dismay you, though you find in your self plenty of sinnes & good workes very few. Cast rather ye eies of your mind wt strōg faith on Christ & on his righteousnes, on his merites, passiō, & death, on his blessed body breking, & his precious blud shedding.7 Beleue him to be ordained of God the father to be youre wisdom, & righteousnes, your sāctification & redemption, that as it is written, he yt reioyseth, shuld reioyse in the Lorde.8 Count all your merites, good works, & righteousnesses, ⟨p. 439⟩vile and of no price, for the excellēcy of ye knowledge of Christ Iesu our Lord. Labour to winne Christ, and to be found in him, not hauing your owne righteousnes, which commeth of the law, but yt that, which is through ye faith of Christ euen ye rightousnes whiche commeth of God through faith, yt you may knowe him and the vertue of his resurrection and fellowship of his passions. He yt through true faith hath gotten Christ, put him on his back withall his righteousnes and holines, he is not altogether without merites, neither walketh he naked in ye sight of God.
Believe him to be given you of God, withal that ever he hath. Christ is yours, all therefore that ever Christ merited in his flesh is yours also, as the Apostle sayeth. God spared not his own Son,1 but gave him for us all, how can it be than, that with him he should not give us all things also? If you on this manner put on Christ his merits and good works through true faith,2 you shall not appear before God an unfruitful fig tree, neither shall the curse of God fall upon you. Hear what S. Austen saith:3 All my hope is in the death of my Lord. His death is my merit & my refuge, my health life and resurrection. The tender mercy of the Lord is my merit. ⟨p. 441⟩I am not without merits, so long as that Lord of mercies faileth not. And if the mercies of the Lord be plenteous, then am I also plenteous in merits. The mightier that he is to save, the better is my state and condition, and the more free am I from all danger. Here see you that this godly man. Saint Austen knoweth none other merits that may do him good, but the merits of Christs death and passion. He counteth Christs merits his merits, and sayeth that he is not without merits, so long as that Lord of mercies faileth not.4 In an other place he also sayeth, all my hope, and assurance of my whole trust is in the precious blood of Christ, which was shed for us and for our salvation. In that is all my comfort, and reposing the whole affiance of my salvation. In that I desire to come ⟨p. 442⟩unto thee (O heavenly father) not having mine own righteousness, but that righteousness, which cometh by thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Item. Brethren, that we may be healed from sin, let us behold Christ crucified. For as they that did behold the brazen Serpent in the wilderness, did not die through the stinging of the serpents: so likewise they that do look upon the death of Christ with faith, are healed from the bitings of sins. Here to agreeth the saying of saint Bernard,5 what is of so mighty force & great strength to heal the wounds of the conscience, as the diligent remembrance of Christs wounds? Again, when I am troubled and put in fear of my sins, than do I hide me in the bloody wounds of Jesus Christ. Look that you therefore likewise fly unto the merits ⟨p. 443⟩of Christs death and passion, and so shall neither sin, death, hell, desperation, law, or any other thing hurt you.
Beleue him to be geuē you of God, withal that euer he hath. Christ is yours, all therfore that euer Christ merited in his flesh is yours also, as the Apostle saieth. God spared not his owne sonne,1 but gaue him for vs al, how can it be than, that with him he shoulde not geue vs all thinges also? If you on this manner put on Christ his merites and good works thorowe true faith,2 you shall not appeare before God an vnfrutefull figge tree, neither shall the cursse of God fall vpon you. Hear what S. Austen saith:3 All my hope is in the death of my Lord. His death is my merit & my refuge, my helth life and resurrection. The tender mercy of the Lorde is my merit. ⟨p. 441⟩I am not without merits, so long as that Lorde of mercies fayleth not. And if the mercies of the Lord be plenteous, then am I also plē teous in merites. The mightier that he is to saue, the better is my state and condition, and the more fre am I from all daunger. Here se you that this godly man. Saint Austen knoweth none other merites that may doo him good, but the merites of Christes death and passion. He counteth Christes merites his merites, and saieth that he is not without merites, so long as that Lorde of mercies fayleth not.4 In an other place he also sayeth, all my hope, and assuraunce of my whole trust is in the precious bloud of Christ, whiche was shed for vs and for our saluation. In that is all my comfort, and reposing the whole affiance of my saluation. In that I desyre to come ⟨p. 442⟩vnto thee (O heauenly father) not hauing mine own righteousnes, but that righteousnes, which commeth by thy sonne Iesus Christe our Lorde. Item. Brethren, that we may be healed from sinne, let vs beholde Christe crucified. For as they that did beholde the brasen Serpent in the wyldernsse, did not die through the stinging of the serpentes: so lykewyse they yt do loke vpon the death of Christ with faithe, are healed from the bitinges of sinnes. Here to agreeth the saying of saint Barnarde,5 what is of so mighty force & great strength to heale the woundes of the conscience, as the diligent remēbraunce of Christes woundes? Again, when I am troubled and put in feare of my sinnes, than do I hide me in the bloudy woundes of Iesus Christ. Loke yt you therfore likewise flie vnto the merites
Ep. I believe that whatsoever Christ did in his humanity, he did it for me & for my salvation. And in thee, O Lord God, is my whole trust, let me never be confounded. But neighbour Philemon.
Ep. I beleue that whatsoeuer Christ did in his humanitie, he did it for me & for my saluation. And in thee, O Lorde God, is my whole trust, let me neuer be confounded. But neighbor Philemon.
Phi. Fear you not. God without all doubt hath sealed you by his holy spirit unto everlasting life. Your name is written in the book of life. You are a citizen of the new glorious and heavenly Jerusalem. You shall remain with God in glory after your departure for ever & ever.1
Phi. Feare you not. God withoute all doubt hath sealed you by his holy spirite vnto euerlasting life. Your name is written in the boke of life. You are a citizin of the new glorious and heauenly Hierusalem. Yow shall remaine with God in glory after your departure for euer & euer.1
Phi. This repentance ⟨p. 444⟩is an evident testimony of your salvation, and that god hath predestinate and tofore appointed you unto everlasting life.1 For it is written, repent you of your former life,2 for the kingdom of God is at hand. Again: If the ungodly shall repent him of all his sins that he hath done. &c. Doubtless he shall live and not die. As for all his sins that he did before,3 they shall not once be thought upon.
Phi. This repentance ⟨p. 444⟩is an euident testimonye of your saluation, and that god hath predestinat and tofore appoynted you vnto euerlasting lyfe.1 For it is written, repent you of your former life,2 for the kingdome of God is at hand. Again: If the vngodly shall repent him of al his sinnes yt he hath done. &c. Doubtles he shal liue and not die. As for al his sins that he did before,3 they shall not once be thought vpon.
Epa. I have an earnest faith in the blood of Christ, that God the father will forgive me all my sins for Christs sake.
Epa. I haue an earnest fayth in the bloud of Christ, that God the father will forgeue me al my sinnes for Christes sake.
1512–1567
ReformersEngland
English reformer and devotional writer.
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when Christ receiue• her vnto grace & forgaue her, he• sinnes? And so likewyse of diuers other. If God shoulde saue vs because of our merites & good workes, so should we chuse god by our works and merites, and not God vs by his fauor, grace and mercy. But Christ saith,
Againe herein •s loue, not that we loued God, •ut that he loued vs, and sent his •onne to be the agrement for our ••nnes. And S Paul saith, God ye •ather hath chosen vs in Christ,
and I wil haue compassiō, •n whō it is my pleasure to haue compassion. It lieth not therfore •n a mans will or running, but in •he mercy of God. And the Psal•ograph saith,
that God maye bee all in all, and that he, whiche reioyseth, should reioyse in •he Lorde. For the contentation and quietnes of your conscience •n this behalf, remember yt Christ •ame not to cal ye iusticiaries, but
⟨p. 436⟩
sinners vnto repentaunce. Remē •ber that the sonne of man,
bie, yt ye may haue to ea•• Come bie wine and milk withou• any mony, or mony worth. Wher••fore doo ye lay out your mony fo• the thyng that fedeth not, & spen• your labour about the thing tha• satisfieth you not? But harke•
⟨p. 437⟩
harken rather vnto me, & ye shall eat of the best, and your soul shall haue her pleasure in plenteousnesses. Encline your eares, and come vnto me, take hede (I say) & your soul shall liue.
Unto this exhorteth S. Paule, when he saieth. Put ye on the Lord Iesus Christe, that is to saye. Clothe your selfe throughe saith with al the merits and workes of Christ. Take his righteousnesse, holinesse, perfection, praying,
⟨p. 440⟩
fasting, watching, law fulfilling, miracles working, preching passion, death, resurrection, assention, and al that euer he hath to be yours.
⟨p. 443⟩
of Christes death and passion, and so shall neither sinne, death, hell, desperation, lawe, or anye other thing hurt you.
