A09461:48
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.
Thus we see what an effectual means this meditation is to increase and further the grace of God in the hearts of men. Now I commend this first duty to your Christian considerations, desiring the practice of it in your lives; which practise that it may take place, two things must be performed. 1. labour to ⟨p. 65⟩pluck out of your hearts a wicked & erroneous imagination, whereby every man naturally blesseth himself and thinks highly of himself: and though he had one foot in the grave yet he persuades himself that he shall not die yet. There is no man almost so old but by the corruption of his hart he thinks that he shall live one year longer. Cruel & unmerciful death makes league with no man: and yet the Prophet Isaiah saith, that the wicked man makes a league with death: How can this be? there is no league made indeed, but only in the wicked imagination of man, who falsely thinks that death will not come near him, though all the world should be destroyed. See an example in the parable of the rich man, that having stored up abundance of ⟨p. 66⟩wealth for many years, said unto his own soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, live at ease, 1eat, drink, and take thy pastime: whereas his soul was fetched away presently. And seeing this natural corruption is in every mans hart, we must daily fight against it, and labour by all might & main that it take no place in us: for so long as it shall prevail, we shall be utterly unfit to make any preparation to death. We ought rather to endeavour to attain to the mind and meditation of S. Hierome, who testifieth of himself on this manner, Whether I wake, or sleep, or whatsoever I do, 2me thinks I hear the sound of the trumpet, rise ye dead and come to judgement.
Thus we see what an effectuall meanes this meditation is to encrease and further the grace of God in the hearts of men. Now I commend this first duty to your Christian considerations, desiring the practice of it in your liues; which practise that it may take place, two things must be performed. 1. labour to ⟨p. 65⟩