Body of our Lord 1 Kings 21.4 Mat. 12.3 4. 1 Cor. 10.16 3. Your Faces and Hands must be clean Your Apparel Modest and Decent and your whole Comportment exact in every Point of Exterior Reverence Of which hereafter Ch. XII § II. N. 3. §. II. At Communion 1. Kneel down on both Knees before the Altar cover your Hands with the Towel say the Confiteor to your self along with the Clerk deeply resenting your Sins To Misereatur vestri c. and to Indulgentiam c. answer Amen with Desires and Hopes of Pardon 2. Whilst the Priest holds up the B. Sacrament towards you and says Ecce Agnus Dei c. (a) Jo. 1.29 by a lively Faith you must discern the Body of our Lord (b) 1 Cor. 11.29 under the outward Appearance of Bread and doubt not to say in Heart Behold He whom my Soul loves stands behind our Wall looking thro' the Windows looking forth by the Grates or outward Symbols Cant. 2.9 3. Whilst the Priest repeats Domine non sum Dignus c. three several times you must humbly adore Christ in the B. Sacrament and with a deep Sense of own Unworthiness and of Christ's Powerful Mercy say thrice in a low Voice Mat. 8.8 Lord I am not worthy thou should'st enter under my Roof but only say the Word and my Soul shall be healed and of Unworthy I shall be made Worthy 4. When the B. Sacrament is offer'd you opening your Mouth conveniently and your Heart affectionately receive it with Profound Reverence in Remembrance of Christ's Passion and Death * Luke 22.19 and say not in Words but in Thoughts The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ keep my Soul to Life Everlasting Amen § III. After Communion Go not forthwith out of the Church fall not into Discourse with others gaze not round about spit not presently c. but banishing all Worldly Concerns quite out of your Mind continue for a time in Ardent Prayer and in Holy Contemplation Taste and see Ps 33.9 that our Lord is sweet giving Thanks to God for so singular a Benefit as also for our Lord 's most Sacred Passion in Memory whereof this Mystery is and will be Celebrated and Received to the World's end 1 Cor. 11.26 Hence immediately after Communion in Transports of Comfort and Joy you may say I have found him whom my Soul loves c. (a) Cant. 3.4 A bundle of Myrrh my Beloved to me he shall abide between my Breasts (b) Cant. 1.13 I live now not I but Christ lives in me Gal. 2.20 My Soul bless thou our Lord and all things that are within me bless ye his Holy Name Bless our Lord in supply of my Defects all ye his Angels mighty in Power doing his Word that fear the Voice of his Words Bless our Lord all ye his Hosts you his Ministers that do his Will Bless ye our Lord all his Works in every Place of his Dominion Ps 102. O Sacred Banquet in which Christ is receiv'd the Memory of his Passion is renew'd our Soul is fill'd with Grace and a Pledge of future Glory is given us Vers Bread from Heaven thou hast given us Resp Having in it all that is Delightful O God who under this Admirable Sacrament hast left unto us the Memory of thy Passion grant we beseech thee that we may so worship the Sacred Mysteries of thy Body and Blood that we may continually feel in us the Fruit of thy Redemption who livest and reignest World without end Amen Whilst the Priest gives the Benediction make the Sign of the Cross upon your self and say The Blessing of Almighty God the Father Son and Holy Ghost descend upon us and remain always Amen Then say the Prayers after Receiving as in the Manual or Primer Because to continue thus after Communion in Prayer and Thanksgiving is to imitate Christ and his H. Apostles who an Hymn being said went forth But to fail in this Duty is to imitate the Accursed Judas who having received went presently forth to betray Christ Mat. 26.30 Jo. 13.30 Lastly Take Care to spend the rest of the Day Holily according to the Rules set down Chap. XXII CHAP. VI. Of the Communion of the Sick EVery time you Communicate and especially in Sickness and in Danger of Death you must have Access to the Table of our Lord in such Disposition of Soul as if you were immediately to leave the World 1. Infirm Persons and such as are Sick of Lingring Distempers tho' they be not dangerously Ill both may and ought to Communicate frequently during their Indisposition that Vertue may be perfected in Infirmity and the Soul being strengthned by H. Communion may better sustain Bodily Weakness c. And these no less than People in Health must be Fasting when they Receive so as not to have taken any thing at all either of Food or Physick beforehand Likewise Before At and After Communion they must observe as near as they can the Directions given to Persons in Health Chap. V. throughout 2. But when a Man is so dangerously Sick that 't is probable it will be the last time he shall be able to receive the B. Sacrament then he may receive as his Viaticum altho' he be not Fasting and with all possible Care and Diligence Provision is to be made in due time lest such an one should Die deprived of so great a Good either thro' his own Inadvertency or the Neglect of his Tenders * ⎠* Before the Priest comes to administer Communion to the Sick his Chamber must be made clean and in it a Table must be cover'd with a clean Linnen Cloth on which the B. Sacrament may be decently placed H. Water and Hallowed Candles Wine and Water must likewise be prepar'd Besides a clean Linnen Cloth must be laid before the Breast of the Communicant and other Ornaments of the Room must be added according to each one's Ability CHAP. VII Of Receiving the H. Eucharist as your Viaticum Arise eat for thou hast yet a great Way to go 3 Kin. 9.7 AFter the Sick Man has used his utmost Endeavours to supply the Defects of his former particular Confessions by a general Confession of all or at least of the most grievous Sins of his whole Life and has perform'd the Duties of Penance with that Sincerity and Exactness which is requisite for a Dying Person then his Charitable Assistant may dispose him for his Viaticum by reading unto him this following Exhortation § I. Before Receiving Beloved Brother or Sister the H. Eucharist is our Viaticum or Voyage-Food given us from Heaven as Manna to the Israelites * Ex. 16.13 c. for our Spiritual Support and Nourishment during our Pilgrimage on Earth that we may not fail nor faint in our way but may pass successfully thro' the Wilderness of this Life and the Straits of Sickness and Death unto the Region of Bliss Wisd 16.20 21. And as Manna had in it all
Apoc. 2.10 See also 2 Tim. 4.7 8. 2. Give Thanks to God for that your Members are the Temple of the Holy Ghost who is in you whom you have of God 1 Cor. 6.19 3. Resolve to take the Apostles Advice who says Give not place to to the Devil and contristate not by Sin the Holy Spirit of God in which you are Signed unto the Day of Redemption For you that are Baptiz'd and Confirm'd are the Temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you But if any one violate the Temple of God God will destroy him For the Temple of God is Holy which you are Eph. 4.27 30. 1 Cor. 3.16 17. 4. Be sure to stay till the Bishop's Benediction be given And whilst he gives it say The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Charity of God and the Communication of the Holy Ghost be with us all Amen 2 Cor. 13.13 * ⎠* Tho' the Sacrament of Confirmation can be Receiv'd no more than once yet the Grace it gives may be revived in your Soul and its Obligations may be reinforced when you please 1. By Examining How you have complied with the Duties incumbent on such as are Confirm'd and whether you have play'd the Champion or Coward under the Standard of the Cross 2. By heartily lamenting the many times you have traiterously deserted Christ Jesus in compliance with the World the Flesh or the Devil 3. By renewing your Purpose of Fighting Couragiously and Resisting even to Blood and Death it self rather than yield to Sin any more And 4. By Praying earnestly for the Assistance of the Holy Ghost that henceforth you may be strengthned in our Lord and in the Might of his Power so as to stand against your Ghostly Enemies in all things perfect Eph. 6.10 c. And this Exercise may be very profitably used 1. On Whitsunday when the Apostles were Confirm'd after an extraordinary manner Act. 2.1 c. 2. On the Anniversary-day of your own Confirmation 3. As aften as you are present at the Administration of this Sacrament 4. As often as any violent Temptation or Persecution threatens you 5. As often as you have had the Misfortune to fall into any grievous Sin c. CHAP. III. Of Penance Convert and do Penance from all your Iniquities and Iniquity shall not be a Ruin to you Ezek. 18.30 See Luke 13.3 THE H. Sacrament of Penance instituted by Christ our Lord * Jo. 20.22 23. for restoring to the Grace of God those who are fallen into Sin after Baptism has Three Parts Contrition Confession and Satisfaction All which every time you come to this Sacrament ought to be as fully perform'd as if you were to Die soon after and were to have no other opportunity of Reconciliation to God §. 1. Of Contrition 1. Beg Light to know and Grace to rectifie the Evil State of your Conscience saying My God enlighten my Darkness (a) Ps 17.29 How great Iniquities and Sins have I my wicked Deeds and my Offences shew thou me (b) Job 13.23 'T is for want of thy Light that the Way of the Wicked is darksom they know not where they fall (c) Prov. 4.19 And there is a Way which to a Man seems just and right but the latter ends thereof lead to Death (d) Prov. 14.12 c. 16. v. 25. Regard therefore and hear me O Lord my God Enlighten my Eyes that I sleep not in Death or deadly Sin at any time lest sometime my Enemy say I have prevail'd against him (e) Ps 12.4 5. lest sometime He as a Lion violently take my Soul whilst there is none to redeem or save it c. (f) Ps 7.3 2. Examine your Conscience diligently by considering when it was you made your last Confession and whether you then left not some deadly Sin unconfessed either purposely or thro' negligence in examining your self whether you were not Deficient in Sorrow for your Sins or in Purposes of Amendment and whether you fulfilled the Penance enjoin'd you Because if at any time your Confession Sorrow or Purposes have been insincere they must all be renew'd and made over again But if you have complied faithfully with these Duties of Penance give Thanks to God and then proceed in Examining how you behaved your self at your last Communion and from that time till this present Reflect what Places and Company you have been in What Employments you have follow'd and how you have comporâ—â—â— your self therein towards God your Self and your Neighbor in 〈…〉 Words and Deeds 〈…〉 of your Understanding 〈…〉 What Misgovernment of your Senses in Seeing Hearing Smelling Tasting Touching 〈…〉 c What 〈◊〉 of your Duty in not doing 〈◊〉 and in not hindring Evil according to your Ability and Obligation What Sins you are most inclined unto and most accustomed to commit c. And you must weigh each Sin you find your self guilty of in all its 〈◊〉 Circumstances by consider 〈◊〉 the Quality of the Person as to your self offending and as to those with whom and against whom you offended the Importance of the Matter about which you transgressed the Length of the Time and the Holiness of the Place in which you signed the Intention you had or End you aim'd at the Means you used the Manner with which you acted the Number of your Relapses into the same Sin the Damage and Scandal or ill Example that follow'd c. And besure to mark well the Occasions you took or gave others of falling into any great 〈◊〉 that you may avoid them for the future And when you have an Examination to make of a whole Month or 〈◊〉 time you may help your Memory by perusing the Table of Sins in the Manual But those that study to have a Conscience without Offence towards God and towards Men always Acts 24.16 and are accustom'd to examin themselves daily and to confess often need no 〈◊〉 Helps for calling to Mind the Sins they have to confess besides a moderate Reflection upon the Observation they made in their Daily Examinations An easie Task in comparison of what they have to do who neglect those frequent Inspections into their Conscience and go seldom to Confession Short half-made Accompts are summ'd up and adjusted with less Labor and more Exactness tham long Intricate Reckonings 3. Having found out the Nature and Number of your Sinful Commissions and Omissions abhor and detest them all in general * Psal 118.163 and those in particular which seem most enormous and into which you fall most frequently Detest them I say with hearty Sorrow proceeding from the Love of God and with a firm Purpose to do Penance for what 's past and to Amend for the future c. Thus you shall call to Mind your Ways and all your wicked Deeds in which you were polluted And you shall misâ—â—ke your selves in your own sight in all the Malices which you have done And when thou shalt seek the Lord thy God thou shalt
Medicin wholsom both for the Bodies and Souls of Sick Persons For their Bodies in that by its Supernatural Vertue and Efficacy it procures and restores Corporal Health when 't is Profitable and Advantageous to the Soul For their Souls in that it gives Grace which remits Venial Sins frees the Soul from Disorderly Affections and all other Relicks of Mortal Sins strengthens the Spirit with Divine Hope Comfort and Courage against the Inordinate Fears of Death and Judgment against Despair of God's Mercy against the last and most violent Assaults of our Ghostly Enemy and in fine makes Sickness and Death it self far more easie and welcome than otherwise they could be to Flesh and Blood Wherefore as you desire your Soul's Welfare in its last and greatest Extremities neglect not this Sacrament but take the Apostle's Advice in sending for the Minister of it whilst your Understanding and Senses are perfect that by Actual Faith and Devotion you may contribute to a more plentiful Receiving of its Grace and happy Effects For attaining which § I. Before Extreme Unction The things hereafter set down being prepared 1. In regard the Priest ordinarily repeats the Seven Penitential Psalms as he goes to Anoil the Sick it is meet that you join with him in the same Devotion and cause them to be read to you desiring all present to Pray with and for you that you may receive this Sacrament Worthily and that this Divine Medicin may work a perfect Cure upon your Soul whatever befalls your Body c. 2. When the Priest enters your Chamber to Anoil you think your self to be the Distress'd Traveller that fell among Thieves who spoiled wounded and left him half dead such being the State of every Sinner and esteem the Priest to be the good Samaritan who seeing him so abused was moved with Mercy and going unto him bound up his Wounds pouring in Oyl c. Luke 10.30 c. 3. When he offers you the Cross salute it devoutly in Testimony of your Faith Hope and Love towards Christ Crucified and say I believe the Son of God suffer'd upon the Cross to save me I hope he will apply the Merits of his Passion to my Soul in vertue of this Sacrament And for the Love of him that died for me I am truly content to die either now of this very Sickness or when and after what manner else he pleases 4. When he sprinkles you and the By-standers with H. Water say to God Thou shalt sprinkle c. Attend as much as you are able to what he says for your Comfort and Encouragement concerning the Vertue and Efficacy of this Sacrament which helps the Sick either to Recover or Die well according as God determines its Operation for the Good of the Receiver and take Courage whilst he puts you in Hopes of Eternal Life § II. At Extreme Unction Say or Hear the Confiteor either in Latin or English with a Contrite Heart To Misereatur c. and to Indulgentiam c. answer Amen with Desires and Hopes of Pardon Whilst the Priest Anoils 1. Your Eyes 2. Your Ears 3. Your Nostrils 4. Your Mouth 5. Your Hands 6. Your Feet 7. Your Reins Beseech Almighty God for his tender Mercies sake to forgive by this H. Vnction whatsoever you have sinned 1. By Seeing 2. By Hearing 3. By Smelling 4. By Tasting and Speaking 5. By Touching 6. By Going Ill Ways 7. By Lust § III. After Extreme Unction 1. Join in Prayer with the Priest and question not but God hears those Solemn and Holy Addresses which he makes for you in the Person of Christ and his Church 2. Give Thanks to God for his Goodness and Mercy towards us in the Sacraments you have received Many Thousands in the World lye now a Dying without the Helps to Die well which you have had in so full a measure that nothing is wanting towards making you happy with Grace here and with Glory hereafter c. 3. Keep in mind the wholesom Admonitions given you by the Priest to the end you may thereby drive away the Devil's Temptations couragiously and Die in our Lord comfortably than which no greater Blessing can befal you on this side Heaven c. Apoc. 14.13 4. Have always by you H. Water and a Crucifix that you may often Use the first and frequently Behold Kiss and Embrace the latter according to your Devotion and in so doing say to your Dear Redeemer O good Jesu hear me within thy Wounds hide me suffer me not to be separated from thee from the Malignant Enemy defend me at the Hour of my Death call me and bid me come to thee that with thy Saints I may praise thee World without end Amen * ⎠* Before the Priest comes to Anoil a Sick Person there must be prepar'd H. Water and a Table cover'd with a White Linnen Cloth having upon it a Crucifix with two Hallowed Candles on which the H. Oyls are to be placed at his Entrance into the Room A little Platter with Cotton or something like shared into Six or Seven little Parcels to wipe off the Oyl from the Parts Anointed Crumbs of Bread to Cleanse and Water to Wash his Hands A Wax-Candle to give him Light if need be whilst he Anoils and Care must be taken that all things be Clean and Decent about the Sick * ⎠* Besides the real Receiving of our Viaticum and Extreme Vnction in the time of Sickness there is a very Profitable Way of Receiving them Spiritually in the time of Health which consists in Reading Meditating and Practising what has been said of these two Sacraments once a Month while you live that you may be the better prepar'd for doing these Duties well when you come to Die For farther Instructions in this Point I refer you to the Christian Riâ—es to The Daily Exercises of a Christian Life and to The Manual of the Poor Man's Devotion At the end of which Books you may find this Exercise amply set forth CHAP. X. Of Holy Orders Every High and Inferior Priest taken from among Men is appointed for Men in those things that appertain to God c. Heb. 5.1 c. See Acts 13.2 3. HOly Orders concern the Laity no farther than 1. To know and believe Them to be a Sacrament of the Gospel in which the Persons Ordain'd by Imposition of Hands c. are made Ministers of Christ and Dispensers of the Mysteries of God and do thence receive Special Grace for fulfilling the Ministry assign'd them Acts 6.5 6. c. 13. v. 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 4.1 1 Tim. 4.14 2 Tim. 1.6 2. To know and believe that as it is the Duty of Pastors to Rule and Feed their Flocks Spiritually (a) Acts 20.28 1 Pet. 5.2 c. so 〈…〉 their Flocks to Honour (b) 1 Tim. 5.17 〈…〉 Obey (c) Heb. 13.17 and Feed their Pastors Corporally (d) 1 Cor. 9.7 c. that neither Contempt nor Indigency may be a Hindrance to the due Execution of
For what is your Life It is a Vapour appearing for a little while and afterwards it shall vanquish away and after Death Judgment ensues Jam. 4.14 Heb. 9.27 O that Men were wife and understood and would provide for their last things Deut. 32.29 § II. As to Comforting of the Sorrowful Pensiveness in the Heart of a Man shall humble him and with a good Word he shall be made glad Prov. 12.25 Hence David sent Messengers to comfort Hanon upon the Death of his Father and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their Brother Lazarus deceased 1 Par. 19.2 John 11.19 31. In like manner Christians ought to comfort one another when in Sorrow for their deceased Relations and Friends by putting them in Mind of the Spiritual Dangers we live in and what a Mercy is it to be in better Circumstances How happy are they that are gotten well out of this miserable Life And tho' we be separated from them at present the time will come when we shall meet them again in Joy without end Wis 4.10 c. Apoc. 14.13 1 Thess 4.13 c. § III. As to Praying for the Dead It is a Holy and Healthful Cogitation to pray for the Dead that they may be loosed from Sins and Punishments remissible in the next World 2 Mach. 12.46 Mat. 12.32 Luke 12.59 1 Cor. 3.15 Therefore from the Dead stay not Grace (a) Ecclus 7.37 but endeavour their Releasment by Prayer and other Suffrages (b) 2 Mach. 12.43 c. 1 Cor. 15.29 especially whilst the Corps is on its way to the Grave and whilst the Office and Mass is saying for the Soul departed And do this Charitable Duty so as you could wish to have it done for you after your Decease * ⎠* How Meritorious a Devotion it is to Bury the Dead Religiously the Angel declared to Tobie saying When thou didst Pray with Tears and didst Bury the Dead c. I offer'd thy Prayers to our Lord c. Tob. 12.12 See also 2 K. 2. above CHAP. XXI Of Alms-giving Alms delivers from all Sin and from Death and will not suffer the Soul to go into Darkness Tob. 4.11 See also c. 12. v. 9. Ps 40.2 c. Dan. 4.24 Prov. 16.6 Ecclus 29.15 c. FOR the due Ordering and Regulation of your Charity you must mark well 1. In what Measure 2. In what Manner 3. To what Persons your Alms are to be given And I. As to the Measure Of thy Substance give Alms and turn not away thy Face from any poor Person for so it shall come to pass that neither the Face of our Lord shall be turned from thee As thou shalt be able so be merciful If thou hast much give abundantly If thou hast little study to impart also a little willingly Tob. 4.7 And Thus the just Man is merciful and will give Ps 36.21 because the just Man as the Gloss has always something to give as for Example a Farthing (a) Mar. 12.42 a Cup of cold Water (b) Mat. 10.42 a Comfortable Word (c) Chap. XIX § II. or at least a Prayer Therefore let no one say I have not any thing to give c. § II. As to the Manner of giving you must bestow your Alms. 1. With all possible Secrecy and with an Intention to please not Men but God Mat. 6.2 c. 2. Readily because it is written Do not prohibit him to do Good that is able If thou be able thy self also do Good Say not to thy Needy Friend Go and return and to Morrow I will give to thee whereas thou may'st give forthwith Prov. 3.27 28. Afflict not the Heart of the Needy and defer not thy Gift to him that is in Distress Ecclus 4.3 Qui cito dat bis dat A speedy Alms is a double Charity when it has for its Motive the speedy Relief of the Necessitous But when one gives quickly that he may quit himself of the Importunity of his Petitioner then he loses both his Gift and its Merit as S. Augustine has it 3. Courteously because it is written Make thy self effable to the Congregation of the Poor Bow down thy Ear to the Poor without Sadness and pay thy Debt and answer him peaceable Words in Mildness Ecclus 4.7 8. And when thou hast given upbraid not Ecclus 41.28 In good Deeds give no Blame and in every Gift give not the Sadness of an evil Word Shall not Dew cool Heat So also a Word better than a Gift Is not a good Word above a good Gift But both are with a Justified Man A Fool will upbraid bitterly Ecclus 18.15 c. The Gift of the Vnwise shall not be Brofitable for thee He will give few things and upbraid many and the opening of his Mouth is an Inflammation that does more Harm to the Soul than his Gifts do Good to the Body of the distressed Receiver Ecclus 20.14 15. 4. Cheerfully because it is written In every Gift make thy Countetenance cheerful Ecclus 35.9 And let every one give as he has determin'd in his Heart not of Sadness or Necessity For God loves a cheerful Giver 2 Cor. 9.7 Therefore from the Poor turn not away thy Eyes for Anger and leave not them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy Back For the Prayer of him that curses thee in the Bitterness of his Soul shall be heard and he that made him will hear him Eccles 4.5 6. § III. As to Persons on whom you may bestow your Alms. If thou wilt do Good know to whom thou dost it Do Good to the Just and thou shalt find great Reward and if not of him assuredly of our Lord. Give not to the Wicked that will abuse thy Kindness to the Dishonour of God his own or his Neighbour's Harm For thou shalt find double Evils in all the Good whatsoever thou shalt do to him Because the Highest hates Obstinate Sinners and will repay Vengeance to to the Wicked Ecclus 12.1 c. Nevertheless if you have reason to hope that your Kindness may be a Means to invite the Wicked to Goodness then Be ye Merciful as also your Heavenly Father is merciful Who makes his Sun to rise upon the Good and the Bad and rains upon the Just and the Vnjust Luk. 6.36 Mat. 5.45 And if thy Enemy Hunger give him Meat if he Thirst give him Drink Be not overcome of Evil but overcome Evil with Good Prov. 25.21 22. Rom. 12.20 21. And for that end To every one that asks give Luke 6.30 And whilst we have time let us do Good to all but especially to the Faithful Gal. 6.10 as to Christ our Lord who esteems what 's done to them as done to himself Mat. 25.40 See 1 John 3.17 18. But what cannot be given to all must be given to the more Needy and if one be not more Needy than another then chuse by Lot to whom it must be given S. Aug. de Doctr. Christ l. 1. c. 28.
doing well you sustain Sorrows suffering Vnjustly with Patience this is acceptable before God For unto this you are called because Christ also Suffered for us leaving you an Example of Innocent and Patient Suffering that you may follow his Steps c. 1 Pet. 2.18 See an Example of good Servants under a good Master Matth. 8.9 and also under an ill one Gen. 31.38 c. 6. And you Masters and Mistresses that which is just and equal do to your Servants forbearing Threats yet so as to keep them duly employ'd and under Subjection * Ecclus 11.7 c. 33. passim Prov. 29.21 knowing that both their Lord and yours is in Heaven and Acception of Persons is not with him Col. 4.1 Eph. 6.9 See also Deut. 10.17 c. 24. v. 14 15. Job 31.13 c. Tob. 4 15. Ecclus 4.35 c. 7. v. 22 23. c. 24. v. 25 c. Masters and Mistresses must likewise provide their Servants with Necessaries for Body and Soul not only in Health but also in Sickness after the Example of the good Centurion Luke 7.2 c. Particularly they must take Care they be instructed in the Mysteries of Faith and see they Pray Morning and Evening daily Hear Mass on Sundays and Holy-days Confess and Receive Monthly c. In which Duties if any one has not a Care of his own and especially of his Domesticks he I fear has denied the Faith and is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5.8 But above all things 't is necessary that Masters and Mistresses of Families be Vertuous themselves and imitate Holy David in the Regulation and Government of his House and Court Ps 100. throughout Because what kind of Man the Ruler of the City or House is such also are the Inhabitants therein Ecclus 10.2 That is if he be Religious and fears God they likewise do the same Acts 10.2 But a Prince or Master of a Family that gladly hears Words of Lying Swearing Detraction filthy Talk c. has all his Servants wicked Prov. 19.12 For which Cause a most severe Judgment shall pass on them that bear Rule Wisd 6.6 * ⎠* Note here that it is the Duty of Brothers and Sisters as also of Fellow-Servants 1. To live in Unity and Concord amongst themselves Gen. 13.8 Ps 132. Eccles 25.1 2. 2. To help and assist one another all they can Prov. 18.19 3. To Bear with and not Accuse one another to their Parents without great Cause Gen. 37.2 CHAP. XXIX A Morning Exercise The Wise Man will give his Heart to watch early unto our Lord that made him and he will pray in the sight of the Highest and will entreat for his Sins c. Ecclus 39.6 c. WHen it is time to Rise imagin you hear the Voice of Christ your Heavenly Bridegroom saying to you Arise my Love my Beautiful one and come Let thy Voice sound in my Ears c. Cant. 2.13 14. And in Compliance with so sweet an Invitation get up quickly to Converse with him in Prayer and let no sluggish Delays bereave you of the Opportunity he offers you Cant. 5.3 6. The first thing you do after you are up Adore the Divine Majesty on your Knees by these following Acts. 1. Give Thanks to God for all his Benefits in general and particularly for preserving you this Night from the Power of the Devil and from sudden Death affording you more time to work your Salvation in and to provide for Eternity 2. Offer to God your Soul and Body with all their Powers and Faculties beseeching him so to possess and govern them by his Holy Grace that you may live move and act in and for him only and may be entirely his both in Time and Eternity 3. Divide the present Day into four Parts allotting one to Devotion another to Business a third to Refection and the last to Recreation and forecast that each of those Affairs may be done in due Time and after such Manner as this Ritual appoints 4. Ask Pardon of God for your past Sins making a firm Resolution not to oâ—â—end Him either Mortally or Venially thro' deliberate Wilfulness and Malice but to overcome all Vice and especially that which you are most subject to by avoiding such and such Occasions thâ—â—f and by doing such and such Aâ—â— of the Vertue contrary thereto 5. Beseech God to strengthen your good Purposes with his Holy Grace and to assist you so that whatever you shall think say do and suffer this Day may be for His greater Glory your own Salvation and your Neighbour's Edification And to that Effect crave the Mediation of our Saviour the Patronage and Intercession of the Blessed Virgin of your good Angel of your especial Patrons and of the Saint of the Day CHAP. XXX An Evening Exercise I meditated in the Night with my Heart and I was exercised and I swept my Spirit Ps 76.7 AT Night before you go to Bed place your self on your Knees in the Presence of God and make the following Acts of Devotion 1. Give Thanks to God for all his Blessings and Benefits both Spiritual and Temporal bestâ—â—ed on you all the time of your â—â—â—e and especially for those you have this Day received 2. Pray for Light to Discover and Grace to Amend your Faults As before Chap. III. § I. N. 1. 3. Reflect from Hour to Hour since your last Examen how you have behaved your self at your Devotions in Business at Table in Discourse and Recreation How you have perform'd the Obligations of your State and Condition What Use you have made of God's Blessings and of the Crosses he has sent you How you have complied with your Mornings Resolution of withstanding the Temptations and Failings you are most subject to c. 4. Offer to God all the Good you have done acknowledging him to be the Sole Author of it 2 Cor. 3.5 Phil. 2.13 and be truly Penitent for the Sins you find your self guilty of tho' only Venial and purpose to Amend them lest neglecting small Faults you fall by little and little into great Disorders Ecclus 19.1 Make here the Act of Contrition set down Chap. III. § I. N. 4. 5. Take upon your self some Exterior Mortification as a Penance for your Sins and implore the Divine Mercy thro' the Merits of Christ and the Intercession of the B. Virgin of your good Angel of your especial Patrons and of the Saint of the Day to pardon your past Offences and preserve you from future Failings that henceforward you may Live holily and at last Die happily And perform all these five Acts as if you were to Die this very Night and might have no other Preparation besides them for Judgment * ⎠* The last thing you do before you go to Bed Read attentively the Subject of your next Mornings Meditation or Christian Thoughts for the ensuing Day of the Month and entertain your Mind therewith until you fall asleep and as often as you awake in the Night that whilst you sleep your Heart may watch to God Cant. 5.2 and when you awake he may be the Subject of your first Thoughts in the Morning Ps 62.7 Isa 26.9 And that whether you watch or sleep you may live together with Christ in God 1 Thess 5.10 The Conclusion And now I have set before you in the foregoing Chapters such a System of Religious and Moral Duties as I intended I shall here take my leave and bid you farewel in the following Terms I beseech you Brethren that you walk worthy of the Vocation in which you are called with all Humility and Mildness with Patience supporting one another in Charity careful to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace c. Eph. 4.1 c. Converse ye worthy of the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1.26 And according to him that has called you the Holy One that is according to Christ be you also in all Conversation Holy because it is written you shall be Holy because I am Holy And in fear and Expectation of the Day of Judgment converse ye the time of your sojourning 1 Pet. 1.15 c. 2 Pet. 3.10 c. For Good and Holy Conversation is the only way to save our own Souls and the best Argument we can use for Confuting and Converting the Adversaries of our Profession as you may see Tit. 2.7 8. 1 Pet. 2.12 c. 3. v. 1 2 16. Therefore that you may be perfect and entire failing in nothing Jam. 1.4 At the end of each Month examin how you have passed it over and see whether you have gain'd or lost Ground in your Way to Heaven during so considerable a part of your Time If you have gain'd thank God for your Improvement in Vertue If you have loft confound your self for your Backwardness and resolve to live better the next Month. Because He goes back who advances not in Vertue and whosoever pretends not to become better leaves off being good See Prov. 4.18 Ps 83.8 Apoc. 22.11 1 Kin. 2.26 Luke 2.52 A like Review of the whole Year ought to be made at the end thereof according to the Form prescribed in the 5th Part of the Introduction to a Devout Life Quod fui Domine ignosce quod sum Corrige quod ero dirige ne idem momentum sit mihi Paenae Initium Vitae FINIS