A09461:45
A salve for a sick man. or, A treatiseA salve for a sicke man. or, A treatise
A salve for a sick man. or, A treatise containing the nature, differences, and kinds of death as also the right manner of dying well. And it may serve for spiritual instruction to 1. Mariners when they go to sea. 2. Soldiers when they go to battle. 3. Women when they travel of child.A salve for a sicke man. or, A treatise containing the nature, differences, and kindes of death as also the right manner of dying well. And it may serue for spirituall instruction to 1. Mariners when they goe to sea. 2. Souldiers when they goe to battell. 3. Women when they trauell of child.
London: printed by John Legat, 1611London: printed by Iohn Legat, 1611
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.
This meditation of death is of special use, and brings forth many fruits in the life of man. And first of all, it serves to humble us under the hand of God. Example we have of Abraham, who said,1 Behold, I have begun now to speak to my Lord, and I am but dust and ashes. Mark here, how the consideration of his mortality made him to abase & cast down himself in the sight of God: and thus if we could reckon of every day as of the last day, it would pull down our peacocks feathers, and make us with Job to abhor our selves in dust and ashes.
This meditation of death is of speciall vse, and brings forth many fruits in the life of man. And first of al, it serues to humble vs vnder the hand of God. Example we haue of Abraham, who said,1 Behold, I haue begunne now to speake to my Lord, and I am but dust and ashes. Marke here, how the consideration of his mortality made him to abase & cast downe himselfe in the sight of God: and thus if we could reckon of euery day as of the last day, it would pull down our peacocks feathers, and make vs with Iob to abhorre our selues in dust and ashes.
Secondly, this meditation is a means to further repentance. When Jonah came to Nineveh & cried, Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be destroyed, the whole city repented in sackcloth and ashes. When Elijah came to Ahab and told him that the dogs should eat Jezebel by the wall of Jesreel, & him also of Ahab's stock that died in the city, &c. it made him to humble himself so, as the lord saith to Elijah, Seest thou how Ahab is humbled before me. Now if the remembrance of death was of such force in him that was but an hypocrite, how excellent a means of grace will it be in them that truly repent?