A09461:92
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.
Now though the making of wills belong to another place and profession, yet so much may be spoken here as the holy Ghost hath uttered in the word: and that I will reduce to certain rules. The first is, that the will must be made according to the law of nature, and the written word of God, and the good and wholesome positive laws of that kingdom or country whereof a man is a member. The will of God must be the rule of mans ⟨p. 148⟩will. And therefore the will that is made against any of these, is faulty. The second is, that if goods evil gotten be not restored before, they must even then be restored by will, or by some other way. It is the practise of covetous men to bequeath their souls when they die to God, & withal to bequeath their goods evil gotten to their children & friends; which in all equity should be restored to them to whom they belong. Quest. Howe if a mans conscience tell him that his goods be evil gotten, and he knows not where, or to whom to make restitution? Ans. The case is common, & the answer is this: When he is known whom thou hast wronged, restore to him particularly: if the party be unknown, or dead, restore to his executors or assigns, ⟨p. 149⟩or to his next kin: if there be none, yet keep not goods evil gotten to thy self, but restore to God, that is, in way of recompense and civil satisfaction, bestow them on the Church or common-wealth. The third rule is, that heads of families must principally bestow their goods on their own children▪ and them that be of their kindred. This man (saith God to Abraham of Eleazar a stranger) shall not be thine heir, 1but the son which shall come of thy loins. And this was Gods commandment to the Israelites,2 that when any man dies, his son should be his heir, & if he have no son, then his daughter: & if he have no daughter, then his brethren: and if he have no brethren, then his fathers brethren: and if that there be none, then the next ⟨p. 150⟩of the kin whosoever. And Paul saith,3