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. 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.
Phi. You thus believing can not perish, but this your faith is an undoubted assurance unto your conscience, that you are predestinate to be saved. For it is written, God hath so dearly loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that all that believe on him, should not perish, but ⟨p. 445⟩•ave everlasting life.1 For God •ent not his Son into the world •o condemn the world, but that •he world should be saved by him. He that believeth on him, is not condemned. He that believeth on •he Son, hath everlasting life. Verily, verily I say unto you, he •hat heareth my word,2 and bele•eth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come •nto damnation, but is scaped •rom death unto life. This is the •athers will, that sent me, that of •l which he hath given me, I shall •ose nothing, but raise them up again at the last day.3 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him, have everlasting life. And I will raise him up at the last day. I am the resurrection & life,4 he that believeth in me, though he be dead, yet shall he live & every ⟨p. 446⟩one that liveth and believeth i• me,5 shall never die. To him (christ• give all the Prophets witness saith S. Peter,6 that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins If thou knowledge with thy mouth that Jesus is the Lord,7 and believe in thine heart that God raised him up from death, thou shal• be saved. For to believe with th• heart justifieth, and to knowledge with the mouth, maketh a man safe.8 For the scripture saith: Whosoever believeth on him, shall not be confounded. Thus see you, that faith doth assure your conscience of the favour of God & of everlasting life. Doubt you not therefore, but that you are counted in the number of Gods elect and chosen people, and shall inherit the glorious kingdom of God:9
Phi. You thus beleuing can not perish, but this your faith is an vndoubted assuraunce vnto your conscience, that you are predestinate to be saued. For it is written, God hath so derely loued the worlde, that he gaue his only begotten sonne, that all that beleue on hym, shoulde not pearishe, but ⟨p. 445⟩•aue euerlasting lyfe.1 For God •ent not his sonne into the worlde •o condempne the world, but that •he world should be saued by him. He that beleueth on him, is not •ondempned. He that beleueth on •he sonne, hath euerlasting lyfe. Uerely, verely I say vnto you, he •hat heareth my worde,2 and bele•eth on him that sent me, hath e•erlasting lyfe, and shall not come •nto dampnation, but is scaped •rom death vnto life. This is the •athers will, that sent me, that of •l which he hath geuen me, I shal •ose nothing, but raise them vp againe at the last day.3 And this is ye wil of him that sent me, that euery one whiche seeth the sonne and beleueth on him, haue euerlasting life. And I will rayse him vp at ye last day. I am the resurrection & life,4 he yt beleueth in me, though he be dead, yet shall he lyue & euery ⟨p. 446⟩one that liueth and beleueth i• me,5 shal neuer die. To him (christ• geue all the Prophetes witnes saith S. Peter,
Epa. I was baptised in the name of God the father, ⟨p. 447⟩•nd of god the Son, & of god the •oly ghost.1
Epa. I was baptised in the name of God ye father, ⟨p. 447⟩•nd of god the sonne, & of god the •oly ghost.1
1Math. xxviii
Thomas Becon
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.
and beleue in thine heart that God raysed hym vp from death, thou shal• be saued. For to beleue with th• hert iustifieth, and to knowledge with the mouthe, maketh a man safe.
For the scripture saith: Whosoeuer beleueth on him, shall not be confounded. Thus se you, that faith dooth assure your conscience of ye fauor of God & of euerlasting life. Doubt you not therfore, but that you are counted in the number of Gods elect and chosen people, and shall enherit the glorious kingdom of God:
