The sick mans salve Wherein the faithful christians may learn both how to behave…The sycke mans salue VVherin the faithfull christians may learne both how to behaue…
The sick mans salve Wherein the faithful christians may learn both how to behave them selves patiently and thankfully, in the time of sickness, and also virtuously to dispose their temporal goods, and finally to prepare them selves gladly and godly to die. Made and newly recognised by Master Tho. Becon. 1561.The sycke mans salue VVherin the faithfull christians may learne both how to behaue them selues paciently and thankefully, in the tyme of sickenes, and also vertuously to dispose their temporall goodes, and finally to prepare them selues gladly and godly to die. Made and newly recognised by Maister Tho. Becon. 1561.
Thomas Becon 1512–1567London: printed by John Day, 1561London: printed by Iohn Day, 1561
[12], 545, [3] p. · 82k words · STC 1757 · ESTC S114654
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Phi. God be thanked, he yet speaketh, yea he godly speaketh. Brother Epaphroditus, take a good heart unto you, shrink not. Fight a good fight. Be not discouraged, nether with the terrors of satan, nor with the pains of death. God is on your side. God is your grand captain. You fight under the banner of that most mighty and victorious Emperor Jesus Christ.
⟨p. 531⟩
Only continue, as you have begun, and the day is yours. Satan with all his army, like miserable cowards shall be put to flight and vanquished. You shall have a joyful victory over them. The pain of the battle, is short and light, but the glory of your triumph shall abide for ever & ever.
Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. Yea to him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my seat. Here see you, what precious and most noble rewards are set forth unto
⟨p. 532⟩
you, if you go forth valiantly to fight against your enemies, which seek your destruction. Only believe, only fix the eyes of your faith on Christ crucified. Only engrave in your heart deeply a sure and undoubted confidence in the merciful promises of God the father, which he hath made unto you in the precious blood of his dearly beloved Son, and our alone saviour Jesus Christ, and you shall most certainly have the victory, and obtain the reward of joyful immortality. Here what your grand captain Christ saith: God hath so dearly loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that every one that believeth on him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. For god sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved by him.
⟨p. 533⟩
He that believeth on him, is not damned John Baptist saith. He that believeth on the Son of God, hath everlasting life.
My sheep saith Christ hear my voice, & I know them, and they follow me, and I give them everlasting life, nether shall they perish for ever, nor yet shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My father which gave them to me, is greater then all, & no man can pluck them out of my fathers hand.
Phi. God be thancked, he yet speaketh, yea he godly speaketh. Brother Epaphroditus, take a good hert vnto you, shrincke not. Fight a good fight. Be not discouraged, nether with the terroures of sathan, nor with ye pains of death. God is on youre syde. God is your graūd captain. You fighte vnder the banner of that most mighty and victorious Emperour Iesus Christ.
⟨p. 531⟩Only continue, as you haue begon, and the daye is yours. Sathā with al his army, like miserable cowardes shalbe put to flight and vanquished. You shall haue a ioyful victory ouer thē. The paine of the battell, is short and lyght, but the glory of your triūphe shal abide for euer & euer.1 Heare what your graunde captaine saithe: he that continueth vnto the end shall be saued.2 To him yt ouercommeth I will geue to eate of the tree of life, which is in the middes of the Paradise of God.3 Be faithful vnto the death, and I shall geue the the crowne of life.4 Him that ouercommeth, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shal go no more out. Yea to him that ouercommeth, will I graunte to sit with me in my seate. Here see you, what precious and mooste noble rewardes are set forth vnto ⟨p. 532⟩you, if you go forth valeauntly to fight against your ennemies, which seke your destruction. Only beleue, only fixe ye eies of your faith on Christ crucified. Only engraue in your heart depely a sure and vndoubted confidence in the mercifull promises of God the father, whiche he hath made vnto you in the precious bloud of his dearly beloued sonne, and our alone sauioure Iesus Christe, and you shall moste certainly haue the victory, and obtain the reward of ioyfull immortalitie. Here what your graund captain Christ saith: God hath so dearly loued ye world that he gaue his onelye begotten sonne, that euery one that beleueth on hym, should not pearyshe, but haue euerlasting life. For god sent not his sonne into the worlde to condempne the world, but that the world shuld be saued by hym. ⟨p. 533⟩He yt beleueth on him, is not damned Iohn Baptist saithe. He that beleueth on ye sonne of God, hath euerlasting life.5 My shepe saith Christ heare my voyce, & I know them, and they followe me, and I geue them euerlasting life, nether shall they perishe for euer, nor yet shall any man plucke them out of my hand. My father which gaue them to me, is greater then all, & no man can pluck them out of my fathers hande.
I and my father, am one.1 Again, I am the resurrection and life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And every one that liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.2 I am the way, the truth and the life. Follow Christ, & you can not err, nor go out of the way, for he is the way. Believe Christ, and you can not be deceived, for he is the truth. Abide and remain ⟨p. 534⟩in Christ, and you can not die the death everlasting, for he is the life. Wherefore (O most dear brother) clean with strong faith to these most sweet and comfortable promises of Christ your Saviour. Believe to obtain, whatsoever is promised. So may you be sure to be Gods son, and heir of his everlasting kingdom, never to perish, but to have eternal life.
I and my father, am one.1 Againe, I am the resurrection and life. He that beleueth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he liue. And euery one that liueth and beleueth in me, shall neuer die.2 I am the way, ye truthe and the life. Follow Christ, & you cā not erre, nor go out of the way, for he is the waye. Beleue Christ, and you can not be deceiued, for he is the truthe. Abide and remaine ⟨p. 534⟩in Christ, and you can not die the death euerlasting, for he is the life. Wherefore (O most dere brother) cleane with strong faithe to these most swete and comfortable promyses of Christe youre Sauiour. Beleue to obtayne, whatsoeuer is promysed. So may you be sure to be Gods sonne, and heyre of his euerlasting kingdome, neuer to perishe, but to haue eternall lyfe.
Epa. I believe to have remission of all my since through faith in Christs blood. Lord Jesus take my spirit.1 O heavenly father. I commend my spirit into thy hands.
Epa. I beleue to haue remission of all my synnes thorowe faithe in Christes bloud. Lorde Iesu take my spirite.1 O heauenly father. I cōmend my spirit into thy hādes.
Ph. This faith (dear brother) maketh you the Son of God,1 and heir of his glorious kingdom, yea it maketh you Christs brother and fellow heir with him of everlasting glory. It purchaseth for you favour at the hand of God, and forgiveness of all your sins. ⟨p. 535⟩It bringeth unto you peace and quietness of conscience. It maketh a perfect reconciliation and an everlasting agreement between God and you. It delivereth you from death, and bringeth you unto eternal glory. It maketh you a Citizen of the new & heavenly Jerusalem, where (if you continue steadfast in this faith) you shall remain for ever and ever in a most blessed and joyful state, having the fruition of Gods glorious majesty in perfect glory, worlds without end unto your exceeding joy and unspeakable comfort.
Ph. This faith (deare brother) maketh you the Sonne of God,1 and heyre of his glorious kingdome, yea it maketh you Christes brother and fellow heyr with him of euerlasting glory. It purchaseth for you fauor at the hand of God, and forgeuenes of al your sinnes. ⟨p. 535⟩It bringeth vnto you peace and quietnes of conscience. It maketh a perfect reconciliation and an euerlastinge agremente betwene God and you. It deliuereth you from death, and bringeth you vnto eternall glory. It maketh you a Citezin of the newe & heauenlye Hierusalē, where (if you continue stedfast in this faith) you shall remaine for euer and euer in a most blessed and ioyfull state, hauinge the fruition of Gods glorious maiestie in perfecte glorie, worldes without end vnto your exceading ioy and vnspeakeable comfort.
Phi. Yea rather, he now beginneth to change a mortal life, for an immortal life. The life that is led in this world, is rather a shadow of a life, then a very life indeed. Now brother be strong in ⟨p. 536⟩the faith of Christ. Remember Christ crucified.1 Remember Christ to be your alone saviour. Remember God the father to be your merciful father. Forget not that all your sins are washed away in Christs precious blood, & that by the virtue of his death & passion, you are made heir of everlasting salvation. Brother, if you can speak answer. If you can not speak, show some outward sign & token that it may be a testimony unto us of your faith & godly departure.
Phi. Yea rather, he now begīneth to chaūge a mortal life, for an immortal life. The life that is led in this world, is rather a shadow of a life, then a very life indede. Now brother be strong in ⟨p. 536⟩the faithe of Christe. Remember Christ crucified.1 Remēber Christe to be your alone sauiour. Remember God ye father to bee your merciful father. Forget not yt all your sinnes are washed away in Christes precious blud, & that by ye vertue of his death & passion, you are made heire of euerlasting saluation. Brother, if you can speake aunswere. If you can not speake, shew some outward signe & token that it may be a testimonye vnto vs of your faith & godly departur.
1An exhortation to the sick man.An exhortatiō to the sick man.
Phi. He seemeth yet to hear. Persuade your self (most dear brother) that God even now calleth you out of this vale of wretchedness, unto the joyful inheritance of his everlasting kingdom, where you shall not live miserably with sinful men (as you have done in this world) but you shall ⟨p. 537⟩gloriously reign with that most mighty God, & with his holy angels and blessed saints. Now begins your joy, your solace, your con fort. Now beginneth your true life, which shall be everlasting. Now is the end of all your sorrows come, & now beginneth your unfeigned joy and true felicity. Now shall ye see the glorious majesty of God face to face. Now shall you behold & perfectly know all the godly that have ben from the beginning of the world, and be merry and rejoice with them. Now shall you see your saviour and elder brother Christ as he is. Now shall you be clothed with the white garments of immortality: Now shall you have a crown of gold, set upon your head. Now shall ye eat of the tree of life, which is in the mids of the Paradise of God, and drink of the fountains of living water. Now shall you be a pillar ⟨p. 538⟩in the temple of your God, and sit with him on his seat. And these your joys shall be everlasting, & never have end. Unto these joys shall you straight ways go, & for evermore enjoy them.
Phi. He semeth yet to heare. Perswade your selfe (moste dere brother) yt God euen now calleth you out of this vale of wretchednes, vnto the ioyful enheritance of his euerlasting kingdom, wher you shall not liue miserably wt sinfull men (as you haue done in this world) but you shall ⟨p. 537⟩gloriously reigne with that moste mighty God, & with his holy aungels and blessed saincts. Now begins your ioy, your solace, your cō fort. Now begīneth your true life, which shalbe euerlasting. Now is the end of al your sorowes come, & now beginneth your vnfained ioy and true felicitie. Now shal ye se ye glorious maiestie of God face to face. Now shall you behold & perfectly know al ye godly yt haue ben from the beginning of the world, and be mery and reioyse with thē. Now shall you se your sauior and elder brother Christ as he is. Now shall you bee clothed wt the white garments of immortalitie: Nowe shal you haue a crown of gold, set vpon your head. Now shall ye eat of the tree of life, whiche is in the mids of the Paradise of God, and drinke of the fountains of liuing water. Now shall you be a pillare ⟨p. 538⟩in the temple of your God, and sit with him on his seat. And these your ioyes shall be euerlasting, & neuer haue end. Unto these ioyes shal you straight waies go, & for euermore enioy them.
Th. Our brother is even now departed from this world, unto the Lord our God, as you spake these words: unto these joys shall you straightways go, & for evermore enjoy them: he gave up the ghost,1 and now resteth in the Lord.
Th. Our brother is euē now departed frō this world, vnto the Lord our God, as you spake these words: vnto these ioyes shal you straightways go, & for euermore enioy them: he gaue vp the ghost,1 and now reasteth in the Lord.
1The commendation of the man departedThe cōmendation of the man departed
Phi. The Lord our God be praised. Our brother hath made a godly end. He hath given up a good spirit, into the hands of the living God. He is, I doubt not, of the number of them,1 of whose death it is written: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.2 Blessed are they that die in the Lord. His life before men was unrebukeable and blameless. He lived justly, and uprightly ⟨p. 539⟩with his neighbours. He was friendly to all godly men, and enemy to no man. He was both a sincere favourer, and a diligent follower of Gods most holy word. He abhorred all sects, Papists Anabaptists, Libertines. &c. Not withstanding alway praying for their amendment, that they knowledging their errors, might with us confess one God, & one truth in the unity of the spirit. He was a dear friend to such as were studious of good letters, to widows, to fatherless: children, to pore young maids marriages, to young men that had not wherewith to set up their occupations, to the prisoners, to those poor people which were not able to get their living, to pore householders, to the repairing of hie ways & such like. What a will he made ye know. His end also ye know.
Phi. The Lord our God be praysed. Our brother hath made a godly end. He hath geuen vp a good spirit, into the hands of the liuing God. He is, I doubt not, of the nomber of them,1 of whose death it is written: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his sainctes.2 Blessed are they that die in the Lorde. His life before men was vnrebukeable and blameles. He liued iustly, and vprightly ⟨p. 539⟩with his neyghbours. He was frendly to al godly men, and ennemy to no man. He was both a sincere fauourer, and a diligent folower of Gods most holy word. He abhorred all sectes, Papistes Anabaptistes, Libertins. &c. Not withstanding alway praying for their amēdment, that they knowledging theyr errors, might with vs confesse one God, & one truthe in the vnity of the spirit. He was a deare frende to suche as were studious of good letters, to widdowes, to fatherles: children, to pore yonge maides mariages, to yong mē that had not wherwith to set vp theyr occupations, to the prisonners, to those poore people which wer not hable to get theyr liuing, to pore housholders, to the reparing of hie wayes & such like. What a will he made ye knowe. His end also ye know.
Phile. Of a good life cometh a good death, if the departure of the godly may be called a death, & not rather a passage unto a better life. Well, his body now sleepeth in the Lord, and his soul reigneth in glory with God.
Phile. Of a good life commeth a good death, if the departure of the godly may be called a death, & not rather a passage vnto a better life. Wel, his body now slepeth in the Lorde, and his soule raigneth in glory with God.
