A NEW YEAR'S GIFT. PUBLISHED BY THOMAS BECON. A. D. 1542. A young child is born for our sake, a Son is given unto us; upon his shoulder shall the kingdom lie, and he shall be called with his own name, the wondrous giver of counsel, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace. He shall make no end to increase the kingdom and peace. And he shall sit upon the seat of David, and in his kingdom, to set up the same, to establish it with equity and righteousness from henceforth for evermore. the jealousy of the Lord of hosts bring to pass.—Isaiah ix. This shall God hath not spared his own Son, but hath given him for us all, how shall he not with him give us all things also.-Romans viii. To the right worshipful Master Thomas Royden, Esquire and Justice of the Peace, Thomas Becon wisheth long life, continual health, and prosperous felicity. I CANNOT but highly praise the honest fashions, commendable usages, and friendly customs, which our ancestors and elders have used heretofore, unto the good and great example of their posterity, for the maintenance of all humanity and gentleness. Among many others, who will not account the custom of giving New Year's Gifts, to be so commendable and praiseworthy, that he may seem to be utterly estranged from all civility who does not observe it unto the uttermost of his power?* For * In former times it was usual among all classes of persons to present New Year's Gifts. Several ancient records give a particular account of the presents made to the king and queen, and by them to the nobility, on those occasions, about the period when Becon wrote. what else do we mean by giving mutual gifts in the beginning of a new year, than that we desire that all good, lucky, prosperous, and fortunate things may that year befall every one of us; and that one willeth, wisheth, and desireth well to another, is ready to do good one to another, and to help whatsoever lieth in his power? This undoubtedly was the meaning of them that first were the inventors of that most honest and friendly custom, and to this end has it been observed, kept, and mantained hitherto. When I considered this but lately, and judged the custom to be both good and godly, and nothing more meet for the preservation and reconciliation of amity, I thought that forasmuch as I was not able according to my will to give such New Year's Gifts as commonly are sent from one to another, yet I would prepare something whereby I might show myself to wish well unto all men, and to bear an honest and friendly heart to my countrymen of England. I have therefore provided a New Year's Gift, not of corruptible gold or silver, but of the most sacred Scriptures, which, as David saith, are much more worthy to be desired than gold or precious stones, and are sweeter than the honey and honeycomb. In this my New Year's Gift I have opened many goodly and godly things. Among all others, I have declared what a precious treasure Christ is unto us, who was given us of God the Father for our New Year's Gift, and how many benefits we have received by him. I have also described the whole life of a Christian man, showing what we must do if we will enjoy such great benefits. Again, I have exhorted men to mortify their carnal affections and worldly lusts, and showed them how they must walk both towards themselves, their neighbours, and God, if they will have the fruition of the celestial inheritance. To conclude, as I have showed that all salvation cometh by Christ, so have I proved that Christ is no Saviour but to them that repent, believe, lead a virtuous life, and are plenteous in doing good works. These things, with divers others not to be despised, shall be found in this my New Year's Gift, so that I doubt not but that it shall be no less profitable for the soul, than other worldly gifts shall be for the body. This my labour, employed herein after my so grievous and troublous sicknesses, I dedicate and send to your right worshipful mastership, for a New Year's Gift, desiring you to accept it with no less good mind, than it is offered to your gentleness. If I shall perceive that this my little gift is acceptable unto you, it shall not only not repent me, but also cause me very much to rejoice for my travail in this behalf. God, the Author of every year, vouchsafe to grant that this New Year, with many others, may ever begin unto you prosperously, proceed better, end with that which is best, and always be prosperous unto you so long as they last, so that you may alway enjoy continual health and prosperous felicity, according to the will of God, to whom be all honour and glory. Amen. THE NEW YEAR'S GIFT. A DIALOGUE. Philemon, the giver of the New Year's Gift; Theophile, Eusebius, and Christopher, his friends. Philemon. Christ, our Lord and Master, does not without cause compare and liken the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life to thorns, in his most holy gospel. For as thorns prick the flesh, and suffer not him to be in quiet that is grieved and hurt with them, so likewise the cares, riches, and pleasures of this world will not suffer, by any means, that man to enjoy tranquillity, rest, and peace who is turmoiled with them. Happy is he that appoints himself such kind of living, that he may be free from these great waves and rocks wherewith the life of mortal men is so miserably assailed and so often put in danger. The riches and pleasures of this world seem to the flesh to be things of much pleasantness and great delectation; but they are nothing else but enticing and flattering mermaids, which, singing songs pleasant to the ear, bring destruction to so many as are hearers of them. Blessed is he, therefore, who, after the example of Ulysses, can stop his ears with wax, and so pass by, being nothing moved with their vain and flattering enticements. For as St. Paul saith, They that have a pleasure to wax rich, fall into temptations and snares, and into many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men into destruc tion and damnation. For covetousness is the root of all evil, which while some lusted after, they erred from the faith, and entangled themselves with many sorrows. Hereto pertains the saying of St. John, Love not the world, nor those things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, as the lust of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world; and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that fulfilleth the will of God abideth for ever. I have not spoken these things without a cause. I thank my Lord God for his gift, I have been from my youth studious of the Holy Scripture, and very glad when I might either read it myself, and commune of it with my neighbours, or else hear others preach and talk of it, that I might be edified thereby; accounting that day but little fortunate unto me, that was transacted and passed over without some repast of God's word, seeing that man liveth not with bread alone, but with every word that cometh out of the mouth of God. But ló! no man in this world is so happy, that he can have his mind satisfied in all points. For I desiring nothing more than to be in quiet, that I might freely give my mind to the study of the Holy Scriptures, and sometimes commune of them with my neighbours, have been so turmoiled and vexed with the cares and troubles of this world for the space of six or seven months, that I have scarcely had leisure once to think of the Holy Scripture. O Lord, what is it to live in this wretched world? Is it any other thing than daily more and more to be plucked away and estranged from thee, and to heap sin upon sin, and to provoke thine anger more fervently against us? But now seeing it has pleased God partly to deliver me out of the troublous waters of this ocean, and to bring me into a haven of some quietness, I intend to repair to my old studies, and to participate them with my neighbours, as I was wont to do heretofore. For I fear much lest that dissolution and slackness may also be found in them, which these certain months have not wanted in me; so prone and ready are we to fall from goodness unto evil, if we have not the spur of God's grace to prick us forward. Since I gave them a Nosegay,* I never spake unto them but good even and good morrow. Therefore have I now * A tract written by Becon thus entitled. sent for them, by my servant, to come unto me, that I may impart and give them some spiritual treasure for their New Year's Gift, this holy time of Christmas. Neighbours, even with one word welcome unto you all. Th. Brother Philemon, right heartily we thank you. Ph. Neighbours, yet once again welcome. I pray you come with me into my parlour, and take every man a chair and sit down quietly; for I intend to talk to you. Ch. We are all set, speak what it shall please you. Ph. Neighbours and brothers, it is not unknown to you, how desirous I have been ever since our first acquaintance, to seek no less your soul's health than mine own, Eu. We are not ignorant of this, brother Philemon, and we all give you right hearty thanks for it. Ph. I have done nothing but my duty, and I confess myself to be an unprofitable servant. Notwithstanding, neighbours, this grieves me very much, that I have been so negligent for some months in doing my duty towards you. Th. No duty, brother Philemon; it comes of your mere goodness, whatsoever you do towards us. But it is not unknown unto us how greatly you have been disquieted with divers businesses for a great space. Ph. You say truth; but now hear the cause of my sending for you. Twelve months past, if you remember, neighbours, at this time of the year, I made you "a Christmas Banquet," which, as I have since perceived, ye have right well digested. The Lent ensuing, I called you all to "a Potation," whereat I trust you tasted of that wine which makes the spirit joyful. The May following, at my instance, full gently ye resorted unto mine house, and, according to the season of the year, I gave you 66 a Nosegay. All these were not for the body, but for the soul, yea, rather both for body and soul. Eu. We remember all these things well, neither have we forgotten what you taught us in them. Ph. It makes me rejoice greatly to hear these things of you; for now I perceive full well that ye are not forgetful hearers, but diligent fulfillers of such things as are taught you, and therefore are ye blessed in your act. Well, neighbours, my love towards you is nothing abated. I desire your furtherance in the knowledge of God's word even now, as much as I have done heretofore. In consideration * These are the titles of other tracts previously written by Becon, and which are dialogues by the same speakers. |