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. This is comfortable doctrine. I can be content with all my heart to make such a change, whensoever the Lords good pleasure shall be.1 But I pray you rehearse some wholesome sayings out of the holy scriptures concerning the resurrection of the body for strengthening of my faith, and for the comfort and quietness of my conscience.
Epa. This is cō fortable doctrine. I can be contēt with al my heart to make such a chaūge, whensoeuer the Lordes good pleasure shalbe.1 But I pray you rehearse some wholsome sayinges oute of the holy scriptures concerning the resurrection of the body for strēgthning of my faith, and for the comfort and quietnes of my conscience.
1Sentences concerning ye resurrection of the body.
Phi. In the prophet Isaiah we read on this manner:1 Thy dead men shall live, even with my body shall they rise again. Awake and sing ye that dwell in dust. For thy dew is even as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out them, that be under her. Again,2 your bones shall flourish like an herb.3 The Prophet Ezekiel, hath these words: The hand of the lord came unto me and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord ⟨p. 489⟩& let me down in a plain field, that lay full of bones, and he led me round about by them, and behold the bones that lay upon the field, were very many, and marvellous dry also. Then said he unto me. Thou son of man, thinkest thou these bones may live again? I answered: O Lord God thou knowest. And he said unto me: prophecy thou upon these bones, and speak unto them. Ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones: Behold, I will put breath unto you, that ye may live, I will give you sinews & make flesh grow upon you, & cover you over with skin: and so give you breath, that ye may live, & know that I am the Lord. So I Prophesied as he had commanded me. And as I was prophesying, there came a noise, and a great motion,
so that the bones ran every one to an other. Now when I had looked, behold, they had sinews, & flesh grew upon them, and above they were covered with skin, but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me. Thou son of man, prophecy thou toward the wind: prophesy & speak unto the wind. Thus saith the Lord God: Come (O thou air) from the four winds, & blow upon these slain that they may be restored to life. So I prophesied, as he had commanded me: then came the breath into them, and they received life, and stood up upon their feet a marvellous great number. Again: Thus saith the Lord god: behold, I will open your graves (O my people) and take you out of your sepulchres. The words of the Prophet Daniel are these:
those that be dead will I raise up again from their places, and bring them out of their graves. Moreover Christ said to the Sadducees, which denied the resurrection of the body:
As touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not red, what is said unto you of God, which saith:
Phi. In the prophet Esay we read on this manner:1 Thy dead men shall liue, euen wt my body shall they rise againe. Awake and sing ye that dwell in dust. For thy dewe is euen as the dew of herbes, and the earth shall cast out them, that be vnder her. Againe,2 your bones shall floryshe like an herbe.3 The Prophet Ezechiell, hath these words: The hād of the lord came vnto me and caried me out in the spirit of ye Lord ⟨p. 489⟩& let me downe in a playne field, that lay full of bones, and he led me round about by them, and beholde the bones that lay vpon the fielde, were very many, and maruelous dry also. Then sayd he vnto me. Thou sonne of mā, thinkest thou these bones may liue again? I aunswered: O Lord God thou knowest. And he sayd vnto me: prophecy thou vpon these bones, and speake vnto them. Ye drye bones, heare the worde of the Lord. Thus saith the Lorde God vnto these bones: Beholde, I will put breth vnto you, that ye may lyue, I will geue you sinowes & make fleshe grow vpon you, & couer you ouer with skinne: and so geue you breath, that ye may liue, & knowe that I am the Lord. So I Prophecied as he had cōmaūded me. And as I was prophecying, ther came a noyse, and a great motion, ⟨p. 490⟩so that the bones ran euery one to an other. Nowe when I had loked, behold, they had sinnowes, & flesh grewe vpon them, and aboue they were couered with skin, but there was no breath in thē. Then said he vnto me. Thou sonne of man, prophecy thou towarde the wind: prophecie & speake vnto the wind. Thus saith the Lord God: Come (O thou ayr) from the foure windes, & blowe vpon these slaine that they may be restored to life. So I prophecied, as he had commaūded me: then came the breath into them, and they receiued life, and stode vp vpō their fete a maruelous great nomber. Againe: Thus saith the Lord god: behold, I wyll open your graues (O my people) and take you out of youre sepulchres. The wordes of the Prophet Daniel are these:4 Many of them that slepe in the dust ⟨p. 491⟩of the earth, shall awake, some to euerlasting life, some to perpetual shame and reprofe. God saieth by Esdras:5 those that be dead will I rayse vp againe from their places, and bryng them out of theyr graues. Moreouer Christ saide to the Saduces, which denied the resurrection of the body:6 As touching the resurrectiō of the dead, haue ye not red, what is said vnto you of God, which saith:
I am Abraham's God, & Isaacks God, & Jacobs God. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Also in an other place: The hour shall come,1 in the which all that are in the graves, shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and shall come forth, they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation.2 Martha said unto Christ ⟨p. 492⟩of her brother Lazarus, when he was dead: I know that my brother shall rise again at the latter day. The holy Apostle s. Paul is plenteous in the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. I will rehearse one or two of his sentences,3 & bid the other farewell. The tromp, saith he, shall blow, and the dead shall rise incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, & this mortal must put on immortality.4 Again the Lord Jesus shall change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. Also in an other place: I would not brethren have you ignorant concerning them, which are fallen asleep,5 that ye sorrow not as other do, which have no hope. For if we believe, that Jesus Christ died & rose again, even so they also, which sleep by Jesus, ⟨p. 493⟩will God bring again with him. Divers examples of the resurrection of our bodies have we both in the old and new testament. Elijah the Prophet raised up from death unto life the son of the widow of Sarepta.6 The like thing read we of Heliseus the Prophet.7 Christ raised from death the daughter of a certain ruler,8 the son of a certain widow,9 and Lazarus with many other.10 Christ rose again, and the bodies of many saints which slept, arose also, and came out of their graves after their resurrection and came into Jerusalem and appeared unto many. Peter raised up Tabitha from death.11 S. Paul restored unto life a certain young man named Eutichus. Al these are evident examples of our resurrection. Therefore good brother Epaphroditus, fear not to give over this your ⟨p. 494⟩body and freely to commend it unto the earth. At the great day of the general resurrection, you shall receive it in a far better case, then ever you had it in this world.
I am Abrahams God, & Isaacks God, & Iacobs God. God is not the God of the dead, but of the liuing. Also in an other place: The houre shall come,1 in the whiche all that are in the graues, shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of God, and shall come forthe, they that haue done good, vnto the resurrection of life, and they that haue done euil vnto the resurrection of dampnation.2 Martha said vnto Christe ⟨p. 492⟩of her brother Lazarus, when he was dead: I know yt my brother shall rise againe at the latter day. The holy Apostit s. Paul is plenteous in the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. I wyll reherse one or two of his sentences,3 & byd the other farewell. The trompe, saith he, shall blowe, and the dead shall ryse incorruptible, and we shalbe chaunged. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, & this mortall must put on immortalitie.4 Again the Lord Iesus shal chaūge our vile bodies, that they maye bee fashioned like vnto his glorious body. Also in an other place: I would not brethren haue you ignoraunt concerning them, which are fallen aslepe,5 that ye sorow not as other do, whiche haue no hope. For if we beleue, yt Iesus Christ died & rose againe, euen so they also, whiche slepe by Iesus, ⟨p. 493⟩will God bring againe with him. Diuers examples of the resurrection of our bodies haue we bothe in the old and new testament. Helias the Prophet raised vp from death vnto lyfe the sonne of ye widow of Sarepta.6 The like thinge read we of Heliseus the Prophet.7 Christ raised frō death the daughter of a certain ruler,8 the sonne of a certayne widowe,9 and Lazarus wt many other.10
Ep. I leave this my vile body willingly, yea and that with this hope, that at the last day, I shall take it again immortal and uncorruptible.1 I believe the resurrection of the flesh. I wish to be loosened from this body, and to be with Christ.
Ep. I leue this my vile body willingly, yea and that with this hope, that at the last day, I shall take it againe immortall and vncorruptible.1 I beleue the resurrection of the fleshe. I wish to be losoned frō this body, and to be with Christe.
Eu. 1You doubt nothing of the blessed state of the godly departed, and of the immortality of the soul?
Eu. 1You doubt nothing of the blessed state of ye godly departed, and of the immortalitie of the soule?
1Of the immortality of the soul & of the blessed state of the faithful after this life.Of ye immortalitie of the soule & of the blessed state of the faithful after this lyfe.
The. You are not of the opinion of the Papists, which say that the souls of the faithful go not strait unto heaven, but unto purgatory, there to be boiled in the fiery furnace of the B. of Rome, till they have made satisfaction for their sins, either by them selves in ⟨p. 469⟩suffering, say they, the most bitter pains of purgatory, or else by their friends in this world through Masses, Pardons, Pilgrimages.1 &c.
The. You are not of the opinion of the Papistes, whiche say that ye souls of the faithfull go not strait vnto heauen, but vnto purgatory, there to be boyled in the fyry fornace of the B. of Rome, til they haue made satisfaction for theyr sinnes, either by them selues in ⟨p. 469⟩suffringe, saye they, the most bitter paines of purgatory, or els by their frendes in this worlde thorowe Masses, Pardons, Pilgrimages.1 &c.
Ep. I believe that there is none other purgatory for my soul health, but only the precious blood of my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.
And I believe that Christ through his innocency of life,1 and the most grievous pains, that he suffered on the cross, hath abundantly satisfied for all my since, & hath unto the uttermost paid all the debt that I ought unto god the father, so that now through faith in the blood of Christ,2 I walk with a clear conscience before God, forasmuch as there is no damnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, and that they also are blessed, whose sins are remitted, whose iniquities are covered,3 and unto ⟨p. 496⟩whose charge God layeth no wickedness.
Ep. I beleue that there is none other purgatory for my soule helth, but only the precious bloud of my Lorde and Sauiour Christ Iesu.
And I beleue yt Christ through his innocency of life,1 and the most greuous paines, that he suffred on the crosse, hath aboundauntly satisfied for all my synnes, & hath vnto the vttermost paid al the det that I ought vnto god the father, so that nowe through faith in the bloud of Christ,2 I walke with a clear conscience before God, forasmuche as there is no dampnacion to them that are in Christ Iesu, and that they also are blessed, whose sinnes are remitted, whose iniquities are couered,3 and vnto ⟨p. 496⟩whose charge God laieth no wickednes.
Chr. Ye agree not with such in opinion, as affirm, that the souls of both the faithful and unfaithful sleep until the day of judgement, and then shall awake out of sleep, so that then the faithful shall go unto everlasting glory, & the unfaithful unto eternal damnation?
Chr. Ye agre not wt such in opinion, as affirme, yt the soules of both the faithfull and vnfaithfull slepe vntill the day of iudgement, and then shall awake out of slepe, so that then the faithfull shall go vnto euerlasting glory, & the vnfaithfull vnto eternall dāpnation?
Epa. I believe that the soul sleepeth no more, then this my bed stead waketh and talketh with us. I am fully persuaded, that so soon as the souls of the faithful are departed from the bodies, wherein they were as in a prison enclosed, they are straightways placed in the glorious kingdom of God. And contrariwise the souls of the unfaithful, go straight unto the devil,1 even unto hell fire, unto that lake that burneth with fire, and brimstone, where weeping & gnashing of teeth is, where the worm ⟨p. 497⟩that gnaweth their conscience,2 never dieth, and the most grievous fire, wherewith they are without ceasing intolerably tormented,3 is never quenched. Is it not thus neighbour Philemon?
Epa. I beleue that the soul slepeth no more, then this my bed sted waketh and talketh with vs. I am fully perswaded, yt so sone as the souls of the faithfull are departed from the bodies, wherein they were as in a prison enclosed, they are straightwaies placed in the glorious kingdome of God. And contrariwyse the soules of ye vnfaithfull, goe straight vnto the deuil,1 euen vnto hel fire, vnto that lake that burneth with fier, and brimstone, where weping & gnashing of teeth is, where the worme ⟨p. 497⟩that gnaweth their consciēce,2 neuer dieth, and the moste greuous fier, wherwith they are without ceasing intollerably tormented,3 is neuer quenched. Is it not thus neighbor Philemon?
Phi. Yes verily sir. For so are we taught in the holy scriptures, as the history of the rich glutton,1 and of pore Lazarus, with divers other, do manifestly declare.
Phi. Yes verely sir. For so ar we taught in the holy scriptures, as the history of the ritche glotton,1 and of pore Lazarus, with diuers other, doo manifestly declare.
Epa. I faithfully believe, that immediately after my departure out of this world, I shall have a place in the kingdom of God, and see the glorious majesty of god face to face. And I pray you good neighbour Philemon, rehearse unto me some comfortable places out of the holy scripture concerning the joyful and blessed state of the faithful souls after this life, that I may be confirmed in my faith, and be the more willing to depart.
Epa. I faithfully beleue, that immediatly after my departure out of this worlde, I shall haue a place in the kingdom of God, and se the glorious maiestie of god face to face. And I pray you good neighbor Philemon, rehearse vnto me some comfortable places out of the holy scripture cō cerning ye ioyfull and blessed state of the faithfull soules after this life, that I may be confirmed in my faith, and be the more willing to depart.
Phi. I will do it gladly. ⟨p. 498⟩Balaam said:1 I pray god that my soul may die the death of the righteous, and that my last end may be like unto theirs. The Psalmograph saith: O how amiable are thy dwellings,2 thou lord of hosts? My soul hath a desire and 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 will be always 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 the ungodly. The Prophet Isaiah saith:3 The redeemed of the lord shall turn again and come with joy unto Zion, there to endure for ever, that mirth & gladness might be with them, that sorrow & woe might fly from them. My people,4 saith God, shall dwell in pleasant peace, & in safe holds, ⟨p. 499⟩and shall have continual rest with out disturbance.5 They shall nether hunger nor thirst, heat, nor Sun shall not hurt them. For he that favoureth them, shall lead them and give them drink of the spring wells.6 They shall eat, drink, be merry and rejoice for very quietness of heart. Yea their gladness and their joy shall continue for ever and ever.7 Daniel saith: The wise (such as have taught other) shall glister as the shining of heaven, and those that have instruct the multitude unto godliness, shall be as the stars, world without end.8 Esdras saith: Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore. Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory. O receive the gift that is given you, & be glad, giving thanks unto him that ⟨p. 500⟩hath called you to the heavenly kingdom. The author of the book of wisdom saith. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,9 & the pain of death shall not touch them: In the sight of the unwise they appear to die, and their end is taken for very destruction: the way of the righteous is judged to be utter destruction, but they are in rest. And though they suffer pain before men, yet is their hope full of immortality. They are punished but in few things, nevertheless in many things shall they be well rewarded. For god proveth them, and findeth them mete for him self: yea as the gold in the furnace doth he try them, and receiveth them as a burnt offering, and when the time cometh, they shall be looked upon.
Phi. I wil do it gladly. ⟨p. 498⟩Balaam said:1 I pray god that my soul may die the death of the righteous, and that my last end may be like vnto theirs. The Psalmograph saith: O howe amiable are thy dwellings,2 thou lord of hosts? My soul hath a desire and lōging to enter into the courts of ye lord: my heart & my fleshe reioyce in the liuing God. Blessed are they that dwel in thy house, they will be alwaies praysing thee. One day in thy courtes, is better then a thousand. I had rather be a dorekeper in the house of my God, then to dwel in the tents of the vngodly. The Prophet Esay saith:3 The redemed of the lord shall turn again and come with ioye vnto Sion, ther to endure for euer, that mirth & gladnes might be with thē, that sorow & wo might flie from them. My people,4 saith God, shall dwel in pleasant peace, & in safe holdes, ⟨p. 499⟩and shal haue continual rest with out disturbaunce.5 They shall nether hunger nor thurst, heat, nor Sunne shall not hurte them. For he that fauoureth them, shall lead them and geue them drinke of the spring wels.6 They shal eat, drink, be mery and reioyse for very quietnes of heart. Yea their gladnes and their ioy shall continue for euer and euer.7 Daniell saith: The wise (suche as haue taught other) shall glister as the shining of heauen, and those that haue instructe the multitude vnto godlines, shal be as the starres, world without end.8 Esdras saith: Be redy to the reward of the kingdome, for the euerlasting light shall shine vpon you for euermore. Fle the shadow of this worlde, receiue the ioyfulnes of your glory. O receiue the gift that is geuen you, & be glad, geuyng thankes vnto hym that ⟨p. 500⟩
The righteous shall shine as the sparks, that run through the read bush. They shall ⟨p. 501⟩judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, & their Lord shall reign for ever. Again: The faithful are counted among the children of God,1 and their portion is among the saints. The righteous shall live for evermore: their reward also is with the lord, & their remembrance with the hiest. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom,2 and a beautiful crown of the Lords hand. The holy father Toby, prayed on this manner to God: O Lord, deal with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace. For more expedient were it for me,3 to die than to live. The preacher sayeth. The day of death is better then the day of birth.4 For precious and right dear in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints.5 Our saviour Christ saith: The righteous shall shine ⟨p. 502⟩as the sun in the kingdom of their father.6 They shall have the inheritance of everlasting life.7 They shall have a kingdom, which was prepared for them from the beginning of the world.8 They shall be as the angels of God. They shall be in the bosom of Abraham. They shall have such joy, as no man shall be able to pluck it from them. They shall eat and drink in the kingdom of God the father.9 They shall be where Christ is, and see his glory. The holy Apostle S. Paul saith.10 The eye hath not seen, and the ear hath not heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. He• saith also,11 that if our earthy mansion of this dwelling were destroyed (he meaneth the body) we have a building of God, an habitation not made with hands, but everlasting ⟨p. 503⟩in heaven. We shall be with Christ.12 We shall be with the Lord for ever. We shall be vessels unto honour.13 We shall have the crown of righteousness. We shall come to the city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem, and to an innumerable sight of Angels, and to the Congregation of the first borne sons which are written in heaven; and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just & perfect men, and to Jesus the mediator of the new testament.
We shall receive the crown of life,14 saith S. James, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. When Christ the chief shepherd shall appear (saith S. Peter) ye shall receive,15 an incorruptible crown of glory.
The rightous shall shine as the sparckes, that runne through the rede bush. They shall ⟨p. 501⟩iudge the nations, and haue dominion ouer the people, & their Lord shall raigne for euer. Again: The faithfull are counted among the children of God,1 and their portion is among the sainctes. The righteous shall liue for euermore: their reward also is wt the lord, & their remembraunce with the hiest. Therfore shall they receiue a glorious kingdome,2 and a beautifull crowne of the Lordes hand. The holy father Toby, prayed on this maner to God: O Lord, dele with me according to thy wyll, and cō maund my spirit to be receiued in peace. For more expedient were it for me,3 to die thē to liue. The preacher sayeth. The daye of death is better then the day of byrth.4 For precious and right deare in the sight of the Lorde, is the death of his sainctes.5 Our sauiour Christ saith: The righteous shall shyne ⟨p. 502⟩as the sunne in the kingdome of theyr father.6 They shall haue the enheritaunce of euerlasting lyfe.7 Thei shal haue a kingdom, which was prepared for them from the beginning of the world.8 Thei shal be as the aungels of God. They shall be in the bosome of Abrahā. Thei shal haue such ioy, as no mā shalbe able to plucke it from thē. They shall eate and drinke in the kingdom of God the father.9 They shalbe where Christ is, and see his glory. The holy Apostle S. Paul saith.10 The eie hath not seene, and the eare hath not heard, neyther haue entred into the heart of mā, the thinges which God hath prepared for them that loue him. He saith also,
We are now the Sons of God (saith saint John,) and it hath not yet appeared,1 what we shall be. We know that if it once ⟨p. 504⟩appear, we shall be like unto him, for we shall see him as he is. In the Revelation of S. John, we find these Sentences, concerning the blessed state of the faithful after this life.2 To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the mids of the Paradise of God. Be faithful unto the death, and I shall give thee the crown of life. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,3 and he shall go no more out. &c. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my seat. The .xxiiii. Elders that sate upon the seats, were clothed in white raiment,4 & had on their heads, crowns of gold.5 They are in the presence of the seat of God, & serve him day and night in his Temple, and he that sitteth on the seat, will dwell among them. They shall hunger no ⟨p. 505⟩m•re, nether thirst, nether shall the sun light on them, neither any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the mids of the seat, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto fountains of living water, & God shall wine away all tears from their eyes. They follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth.6 They are without spot before the throne of God. I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me: Wright. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Even so saith the spirit, that they rest from their labours, but their works follow them. Blessed are they, which are called unto the supper of the Lambs marriage.7 I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven, and the first earth were banished away▪ and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy City, new Jerusalem come down from God out of heaven, ⟨p. 506⟩prepared as a bride garnished for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them. And they shall be his people, and God him self shall be with them,8 and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, ••ther ••ying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the old things are gone. And he that sat upon the seat, said▪ Behold, I make all things now▪9And he said unto me: write, for these words are faith full and true.10
We are nowe the Sonnes of God (saith saint Iohn,) and it hath not yet appeared,1 what we shall be. We knowe that if it once ⟨p. 504⟩appeare, we shalbe like vnto him, for we shal se him as he is. In the Reuelation of S. Iohn, we finde these Sentences, concerning the blessed state of the faithfull after this life.2 To him that ouercommeth I wyll geue to eat of the tre of life, whiche is in the mids of the Paradise of God. Be faithfull vnto the death, and I shall geue thee the crowne of life. Him that ouercommeth will I make a piller in the temple of my God,3 and he shal go no more out. &c. To him that ouercōmeth will I graunt to sit with me in my seat. The .xxiiii. Elders that sate vpon the seates, were clothed in white raiment,4 & had on their heades, crownes of gold.5 They are in the presence of the seate of God, & serue him daye and night in his Temple, and he that sitteth on the seat, will dwell among them. They shal hōger no ⟨p. 505⟩m•re, nether thirst, nether shall ye sonne light on them, neyther anye heat. For the Lambe, which is in the mids of the seat, shall fede thē, and shall lede thē vnto fountains of liuing water, & God shall wine away all teares from their eyes. They follow the Lambe whither soeuer he goeth.6 They are without spot before the throne of God. I heard a voice from heauen, saying vnto me: Wryght. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Euen so saith the spirite, that they reast from their labors, but their workes folow them. Blessed are they, whiche are called vnto the supper of the Lambes mariage.7 I saw a new heauen and a new earth. For the first heauen, and the first earth were banished awaye▪ and there was no more sea. And I Ihō saw the holy Citie, newe Hierusalem come down from God out of heauen, ⟨p. 506⟩
And the Angel carried […] way in the spirit, •o a great […] hie mountain, and he ••e wed••e the great City holy Hierusa••• descending out of heaven […] God, having y• brightness of God. And her shining wa• like unto […] ⟨p. 507⟩stone most precious, even like a Jasper, clear as Crystal, & had walls great & hie, & had xii. gates, & at the gates .xii. angels, and names written, which are the names of the .xii. Tribes of Israel. On the •ast side .iii. gates,1 and on the north side .iii. gates, and towards the south .iii. gates, & from the west iii. gates, and the wall of the City had .xii. foundations, & in them the xii. names of the Lambs .xii. Apostles & he that talked with me, had a golden read to measure the city withal & the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city was built iiii▪ square, and the length was as large as the breadth, & he measured the city with the (golden) read .xii M. furlongs, & the length, and the breadth, & the height of it, were equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an. C. xliiii. the measure that the angel had, was after the measure ⟨p. 508⟩that man useth. And the building of the wall of it, was of Jasper: And the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass, & the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones▪ The first foundation was a Jasper, the second a Sapphire, the third a Chalcedony, the .iiii. an Emerald, the .v. a Sardonyx, the .vi. a Sardius, the .vii. a Chrysolite, the .viii. a Beryl, the .ix. a Topaz, the .x. a Chrysoprases, the xi a Jacinth, the .xii. an Amethyst. The .xii. gates, were .xii. pearls, every gate was of one pearl, and the street of the City was pure gold, as through shining glass.. And I saw no temple therein. For the Lord God almighty, and the Lamb,2 are the temple of it. And the city hath no need of the sun nether of the moon to lighten it. For the brightness of God did light ⟨p. 509⟩[…], and the Lamb was the light of it. And the people which are sa•ed, shall walk in the light of it. And the kings of the earth shall bring their glory (and honour) unto it. And the gates of it, are not shut by day. For there shall be no night there. And there shall enter into it, none unclean thing, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh lies, but they only, which are written in the Lambs book of life.
And the Angell caried 〈…〉 way in the spirite, •o a great 〈…〉 hie mountaine, and he ••e wed••e the great Citie holy• Hierusa••• descendinge out of heauen 〈…〉 God, hauing y• brightnes of God. And her shining wa• lyke vnto 〈…〉⟨p. 507⟩stone most precious, euē like a Iasper, clere as Christall, & had wals great & hie, & had xii. gates, & at the gates .xii. angels, and names written, whiche are the names of the .xii. Tribes of Israell. On the •ast side .iii. gates,1 and on ye north side .iii. gates, and towardes the south .iii. gates, & from the weast iii. gates, and the wal of the Citie had .xii. foundations, & in thē the xii. names of the Lābes .xii. Apostles & he that talked with me, had a go•den rede to measure the citie withal & the gates therof, and the wall therof. And ye citie was built iiii▪ square, and the length was as large as the bredth, & he measured the citie with the (golden) rede .xii M. furlonges, & the length, and ye bredth, & the height of it, were equall. And he measured the wall therof, an. C. xliiii. the measure yt the angel had, was after the measure ⟨p. 508⟩that mā vseth. And the building of the wall of it, was of Iasper: And the citie was pure gold, like vnto cleare glasse, & the foundations of the wal of the city wer garnished with al maner of precious stones▪ The first foundation was a Iasper, the seconde a Saphir, the third a Calcedony, ye .iiii. an Emerald, the .v. a Sardonix, the .vi. a Sardius, the .vii. a Chrisolite, the .viii. a Berall, the .ix. a Topas, the .x. a Crusoprases, the xi a Iacint, the .xii. an Amathist. The .xii. gates, were .xii. pearles, euery gate was of one pearle, and the streate of the Citie was pure gold, as through shining glasse.. And I sawe no temple therin. For the Lord God almighty, and the Lambe,
Christ rose again, and the bodies of many sainctes whiche slept, arose also, and came out of their graues after their resurrection and came into Hierusalem and appeared vnto many. Peter raysed vp Tabitha from death.
S. Paul restored vnto life a certaine yong man named Eutichus. Al these are euident examples of our resurrection. Therefore good brother Epaphroditus, feare not to geue ouer this your
⟨p. 494⟩
body and frely to commend it vnto the earth. At the great daye of the generall resurrection, you shal receiue it in a far better case, then euer you had it in this world.
hath called you to the heauenlye kingdom. The author of the boke of wisdom saith. The soules of the righteous are in the hand of God,
& the pain of death shall not touch them: In the sight of the vnwise they appeare to die, and their end is taken for very destruction: the way of the righteous is iudged to be vtter destruction, but they are in reast. And though they suffer pain before men, yet is their hope full of immortalitie. They are punished but in few thinges, neuertheles in many thinges shall they be wel rewarded. For god proueth them, and findeth them mete for him self: yea as the gold in the fornace doth he try them, and receiueth them as a brent offring, and whē the time commeth, they shall be loked vpon.
that if our earthy mansion of this dwelling wer destroy•ed (he meaneth the body) we haue a building of God, an habitation not made with handes, but euerlasting
We shall haue the crown of righteousnes. We shall come to the citie of the liuing God, the celestiall Hierusalem, and to an innumerable sight of Aungels, and to the Congregation of the firste borne sons whiche are written in heauen; and to God the iudge of al, and to the spirits of iust & perfect men, and to Iesus the mediatour of the newe testament.
We shal receiue the crown of life,
prepared as a bride garnished for her husbande. And I heard a great voyce out of heauen, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwel with them. And they shalbe his people, and God him selfe shall bee with them,
and be their God. And God shall wipe awaye all teares from theyr eyes. And there shalbe no more death, neither sorow, ••ther ••ying, neither shall there be any more paine, for thold thinges are gone. And he that sat vpon ye seat, sayd▪ Beholde, I make all things now▪
are the temple of it. And the citie hath no nede of the sunne nether of the moone to lighten it. For ye brightnes of God did light
⟨p. 509⟩
〈…〉, and the Lambe was the light of it. And the people which are sa•ed, shall walke in the light of it. And the kinges of the earth shall bringe their glory (and honoure) vnto it. And ye gates of it, are not shut by daye. For there shalbe no night there. And there shall enter into it, none vncleane thing, neyther whatsoeuer worketh abhomination or maketh lies, but they only, whiche are wrytten in the Lambes booke of life.
