than more Knowing because Knowledge puffs up but Charity edifies 1 Cor. 8.1 2. Read not hastily but leisurely nor much at a time but a little at once with much Attention 3. As often as you meet with a Point that may contribute to the better ordering of your Life pause there and digest it well before you pass any further considering when and where you shall have occasion to practise it that so you may become such an one as that Point requires you to be § III. After Reading Give Thanks beg Grace as after Sermon and be sure to put in Execution the Lesson you Read by doing what it Recommends and by refraining what it Reproves upon such and such Occasions otherwise your Reading will be as Vain and Fruitless as Hearing good things and not Practising them Chap. XIV § III. N. 2 3. * ⎠* Read Daily at your best Convenience in Christian Thoughts what is appointed for the present Day of the Month and in Reading and Practising observe the Method prescribed in the Author's Advertisement Thus much both may and ought to be done by Persons of the fullest Employ But to such as have more Leisure and spare Time I recommend the Four Books of Instructions for the whole Year earnestly exhorting them to let no Day pass without the Perusal and Practice of its proper Lesson that so their Devotions and Actions may keep Pace exactly with the Documents and Examples proposed by the Church in her Daily different Masses and Offices CHAP. XVII Of Holy Processions We march towards the Place which our Lord will give us Numb 10.29 PUblic and Sacred Processions or Supplications were Antiently Instituted by the H. Fathers and are now commonly used by the Church either for Exciting the Piety of the Faithful or for Commemoration of God's Benefits and giving him Thanks or for Imploring the Divine Aid Hence they contain Great and Godly Mysteries and the Devout Practisers of them obtain of God wholesom Fruits of Christian Piety and therefore ought to be Solemnized with due Reverence and Devotion These walking Devotions signifie in general our Pilgrimage on Earth towards Heaven of which S. Paul writes thus We have not here a Permanent City or lasting abode but we seek for that which is to come knowing that while we are in the Body we are Pilgrims from God for we walk by Faith not by Sight Heb. 13.14 2 Cor. 5.7 1. In Processions the Cross is carried out first to signifie how Jesus also that he might Sanctifie the People by his own Blood suffer'd without the Gate of Jerusalem and that so it behoved Christ to suffer and so to enter into his Glory Heb. 13.12 and Luk. 24. v. 26 and 46. 2. Next to the Cross are carried the Images and Relicks of Saints to signifie that by way of the Cross they came to the Crown of Glory and that we also must hold the same Road to arrive at the same Happiness as Christ himself assures us saying If any Man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me Luk. 9.23 See also c. 14. v. 27. and Mat. 10.38 Let us go therefore to him without the Camp carrying his Reproach Let us suffer with him that we may be also glorified with Him For if we shall sustain we shall also Reign together Heb. 13.13 Rom. 8.17 2 Tim. 2.12 3. After these is carried the B. Sacrament of Christ's Body the Heavenly Food of our Souls and the Support of our Spiritual Life in this our Earthly Pilgrimage See Chap. VII § I. At Processions Lay-People must march apart from the Clergy Women from Men in decent Attire Gravely Modestly and Devoutly entertaining themselves with Godly Thoughts and Prayers without Laughing Talking and Gazing about and joining Hearts and Voices with the Clergy in Thanksgiving for past Benefits in Craving of future Blessings in Deploring of present Public Calamities the Effects and Punishments of Sin * Prov. 14.34 Isa 24.5 c. and in Imploring of God's Mercy according to the Respective End and Intent of each Procession And Amongst other Pious Thoughts and Expressions they may use these We are Pilgrims before thee O Lord and Strangers as all our Forefathers have been Our Days are as a Shadow upon the Earth and there is no abiding here for us (a) 1 Par. 29.15 Hear my Prayer O Lord and my Petition With thy Ears receive my Tears because I am a Stranger with thee and a Pilgrim as my Fathers Forgive me that I may be Refreshed before I Depart and shall be no more (b) Ps 38.13 Wo is me that my Sojourning is prolonged My Soul has been long a Sojourner (c) Psal 119.5 having a desire to be Dissolved and to be with Christ a thing much better than to abide in the Flesh Phil. 1.23 See also 2 Cor. 5.1 c. For they that say these things do signifie that they seek a Countrey and desire a better than this that is to say a Heavenly one Heb. 11.13 c. CHAP. XVIII Of Visiting the Sick Want not in Consolation to them that weep and walk with them that Mourn Be not loth to Visit the Sick for by these things thou shalt be Confirm'd in Love Ecclus 7.38 39. GOD has given to every one change of his Neighbour Ecclus 17.12 Of which Charge a principal part is Visiting and Assisting the Sick Therefore as soon as you hear of your Neighbour being fall'n Sick go freely to Visit him and Exercise your Charity often during his Infirmity And whilst you are on your way to the Sick consider the Charity Humility c. with which Christ used to Visit and Comfort Sick and Afflicted Persons Beseech him to Animate you with his Spirit that you may discharge this Duty according to the Pattern he has set you and at the same time offer to him the Action you are going to perform c. When you come to the Sick by Charitable Compassion take part in his or her Sufferings and endeavour to make them Easie and Meritorious by Godly Reading Good Counsel and Devout Prayer And § I. Every Visit you make Read what you judge most proper for the Sick Person 's Instruction Comfort and Encouragement either out of Bellarmin's Art of Dying Well or the Preparation for Death collected by Ballentine or the Holy Desires of Death or the Exercises preparatory for Death at the end 1. Of the Christian Rules 2. Of the Manual of the Poor Man's Devotions 3. Of the Daily Exercise of a Christian Life 4. Of the Daily Exercise of a Devout Christian Or you may Read the Passion of our Saviour according to one of the Four Evangelists in the Primer § II. The Counsel you are to give the Sick Man must regard 1. His Estate 2. His Body And 3. His Soul And 1. As to his Estate At the beginning of his Sickness if he has not done it beforehand you must perswade him to make his Last Will and
all Conversation Holy c. Rom. 13.12 c. and 1 Pet. 1.15 See also Eph. 5.8 c. * ⎠* Now tho' the Sacrament of Baptism and Remission of Sins thereby can be received no more than once Heb. 6.4 c. yet the Memory of so great a Benefit both may and ought frequently to be renew'd as long as we live on Earth Therefore mark well the Manner and the Time of discharging this Duty And § 1. As to the Manner You are to consider the Happy Effects and Wonderful Change wrought in your Souls by Baptism the perfect State of Grace and Innocence to which it restor'd you c. as aforesaid § II. and § III. N. 1. and 2. Next Look narrowly into the present State of your guilty Conscience and say Jer. 9.1 Who will give Water to my Head and to my Eyes a Fountain of Tears And I will weep Day and Night for that both Day and Night I have broken the Covenant made for me at the Font I have forsaken God to take part with the Devil his Works and Pomps by me so solemnly there renounced I have stain'd the White Robe of Innocence there given me c. Then Sprinkle your self with the Holy Water in remembrance of Christ's Baptism and of your own Regeneration wishing you could revive in your Soul the Grace thereby received and say Job 29.1 c. Who will grant me that I may be according to former Months according to the Days in which God kept me When his Lamp shined over my Head c. the Priest saying to me Accipe Lampadem ardentem c. Thou Lord shall sprinkle me with Hysop Contrition and Sorrow for my Sins and I shall be cleansed Thou shalt wash me in the Baptism of Penance or Penitential Tears and I shall be made whiter than Snow Ps 50.9 Lastly Exhort your self and resolve to comply more faithfully with the Obligations of a Christian c. as before § III. N. 3. § II. As to the Time It may be done most properly 1. On the Epiphany or Twelf-Day when the Church makes a Commemoration of Christ's Baptism 2. On Easter-Eve and Whitsun-Eve those being Days appointed by the Church for Hallowing of the Font and for the Solemn Baptism of Catechumens or Unbaptized Converts 3. On the Anniversary-Day of your own Baptism or on the Saints-Day whose Name you bear 4. As often as you chance to be present at the Administration of this Sacrament 5. As often as you take H. Water c. CHAP. II. Of Confirmation He that Confirms us with you in Christ and he that has Anointed us is God Who also has Sealed us with a Spiritual Character and has given the Pledge of his Spirit in our Hearts 2 Cor. 1.21 22. COnfirmation is a Sacrament of the Gospel in which after Baptism we receive the Holy Ghost (e) Act. 8.14 c. c. 19. v. 5 6. and are made perfect Christians because the Charity of God is pour'd forth in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given us (f) Rom. 5.5 And in like manner also the Spirit helps our Infirmity (g) Rom. 8.26 to overcome all Difficulties in the Profession and Practice of Christianity that neither Tribulation nor Persecution nor Death nor any Creature may be able to separate us from the Charity of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (h) ibid. v. 35 c. Now that such as are come to the Use of Reason may receive and retain the Vertue Grace and Gifts of the Holy Ghost by means of this Sacrament They must observe Before At and After Confirmation what follows And §. 1. Before Confirmation 1. They must be well instructed and made sensible of the Necessity and Vertue of this Sacrament 2. They must put themselves in the State of Grace by going first to Confession with all the Dispositions of a Soul truly Penitent and Converted Because Wisdom with the rest of the Gifts * Isa 11.2 of the Holy Ghost will not enter into a malicious Soul nor dwell in a Body subject to Sin Wis 1.4 3. They must give themselves some time before to holy Retirement and fervent Prayer in imitation of the Apostles Who in order to receive the Holy Ghost went into an Vpper Room where all of them were persevering with one Mind in Prayer Act. 1.13 14. Pray therefore with bended Knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that he give you according to the Riches of his Glory Power to be strengthned by his Spirit in the inner Man Eph. 3.14 16. And for that end say the Hymns Vent Creator Spiritus c. and Veni Sancie Spiritus c. with the Office of the Holy Ghost as in the Manual and Primer 4. The laudable Custom of the Church requires that Healthful People of riper Years receive this Sacrament Fasting §. II. At Confirmation Whilst the Bishop anoils your Forehead with H. Chrism in form of a Cross saying I Sign thee with the Sign of the Cross I Confirm thee with the Chrism of Salvation In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost and gives you a light Blow on the Cheek saying Peace be with thee Reflect how by these solemn Proceedings you are made the Soldier of Christ whose Standard is the Cross (i) Mat. 24.30 whose Armor is the Armor of God to wit the Helmet of Hope the Breast-plate and Shield of Faith Charity and Justice the Girdle of Continency and Truth the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God c. (k) Eph. 6.13 c. 1 Thess 5.8 Heb. 4.12 1 Pet. 1.13 whose Enemies are the World the Flesh and the Devil who are sure to affront them with repeated Blows that will live Godly in Christ Jesus (l) 2 Tim. 3.12 But thou Lord wilt give Peace to us (m) Isa 26.12 and there is much Peace to them that love thy Law (n) Ps 118.165 even amidst their greatest Sufferings (o) Jo. 16.33 2 Cor. 4.8.9 16. c. 6. v. 9 10. c. 7. v. 4. For whereas Wickedness is fearful it gives Testimony of Condemnation against it self For a a troubled Conscience doâ—s always presume cruel Things c. (p) Wis 17.10 But a secure Mind the effect of a good Conscience is as it were a continual Feast Prov. 15.15 §. III. After Confirmation 1. Let every one imagine a Voice from Heaven says to him Thou therefore be strong in the Grace which is in Christ Jesus Labour thou as a good Soldier of Christ Jesus For he that strives for the Mastery is not Crown'd unless he strives lawfully Dread not at sudden Terror and the Power of the wicked Falling upon thee For our Lord will be at thy side and will keep thy â—â—â—t that thou be not taken Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer Be thou faithful until Death and Christ Jesus will gâ—â—â— thee the Crown of Life 2 Tim. 2.1 Prov. 3.25
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
Delightfulness and the Sweetness of all Taste and serving every Man's Will was turn'd to that which every Man desired so and much more the H. Eucharist contains and confers to its worthy Receiver all Comfort and Contentment and fills the Soul of every-one with Graces suitable to his Condition and Necessities John 6. On this Truth S. Ambrose is most Divinely Eloquent saying Our Lord in the Eucharist is to us all in all If you will heal your Wounds he is the Medicine if you be Thirsty he is the Fountain if you be loaden with Sins he is Justice if you stand in need of Assistance he is Power if you fear Death he is Life if you will go to Heaven he is the Way if you fly Darkness he is the Light if you be Hungry he is Food Taste then and see how sweet our Lord is And looking upon this Communion as your last recollect your Thoughts and summon all the Affections of your Soul to entertain your Lord so that the Perfection of this may supply all the Defects of your former Communions and let your Intention be to Communicate that so you may be enabled to finish happily the great Journey which now you are entring upon between Earth and Heaven * ⎠* Read here to the Sick Party the Prayers before Receiving as in the Manual or Primer and after them what follows § II. At Receiving 1. As soon as the B. Sacrament enters your Chamber you must raise up your self as you are able and either on your Knees or with Humble Bowing of your Head adore your Lord and Saviour and with joyful Astonishment say to him What is Man that thou art mindful of him Or the Son of Man that thou visitest him (a) Ps 8.5 Whence is this to me that my Lord comes to me (b) Luk. 1.43 2. With a Contrite Heart say or hear the Confiteor and receive the Priest's Absolution and Blessing with a fervent Desire of the Remission of your Sins and Hopes of being restored to the Grace and Favour of God 3. When the Priest holds up the B. Sacrament towards you saying Ecce Agnus Dei c. Behold the Lamb of God c. Jo. 1.29 Humble your self in the Presence of Christ and say in Heart To the Lamb that was slain be Blessing and Honour and Power for ever and ever Apoc. 5.12 13. At the Repetition of Domine non sum Dignus c. acknowledge your great Unworthiness and beseech our Lord to make you Worthy of him saying Lord I am not Worthy c. But c. as before Chap. V. § II. Num. 3. 4. With great Reverence and Devotion open your Mouth and Heart to receive the Bread of Life and at the same time say in Spirit The Viaticum of the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ keep me from my Ghostly Enemy and bring me to Life Everlasting Amen § III. After Receiving Desire the Sick Person to let his Thoughts and Affections accompany your Words and then read what follows I have found c. My Soul bless c. O Sacred Banquet c. as before Chap. V. § III. Almighty and merciful God vouchsafe I beseech thee to strengthen me thy Unworthy Servant with thy Grace by vertue of this Sacrament that in the Hour of my Death the Enemy may not prevail against me but with thy Angels I may have a happy Passage to Eternal Life thro' Christ our Lord. Amen Thou hast prepared in my Sight a Table against them that trouble me (a) Ps 22.5 O grant for thy Mercy sake that I may walk in the Strength of this Food unto the Mount of God (b) 3 Kin. 19.8 where I shall not Hunger nor Thirst any more c. (c) Apoc. 7.16 but shall be Inebriated with the Plenty of thy House c. (d) Ps 35.9 and shall have the Happiness to sit in the Beauty of Peace and in the Tabernacles of Confidence and in wealthy Rest (e) Isa 32.18 for all Eternity After this you may either leave the Sick Man to his own Thoughts or go on with reading the Prayers after Receiving as in the Manual or Primer CHAP. VIII How often the H. Eucharist is to be received Really and Spiritually SUch is the necessity of H. Communion that unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood you shall not have Life in you Jo. 6.53 Hence the Church commands under pain of Excommunication all and every one of the Faithful after they come to Years of Discretion and can sufficiently discern the Body of our Lord from ordinary Food to receive the H. Sacrament of the Eucharist Reverently at least once every Year and that at Easter intending by this Decree to prevent farther delaying a Duty on which the Soul 's Spiritual Life so absolutely depends And besides which Precept the Church Counsels and Admonishes such as are capable of understanding and relishing this Sacrament to receive the same holily and frequently especially on the more Solemn Feasts of the Year that by so doing they may not only Preserve but also Improve and Augment Spiritual Life and Health And tho' Christ in the Text above-cited mentions Communion in both Kinds yet both before and after it he attributes all that can be desired to Communion in one Kind saying He that eats this Bread shall live for ever Jo. 6.51 58. Consequently as a thing indifferent 't is left to the Church to determine the Administration of it either way according to Discretion See Luke 24. v. 30 31 35. Acts 3.42 c. 20. v. 7 11. Besides Communicating Sacramentally and Really at the Times aforesaid there is a way of Communicating Spiritually and in Desire by uniting your Heart to the quickning Flesh of our Blessed Saviour with Ardent Affections and Acts of Faith Hope and Charity relating to Christ as present in the H. Eucharist And it is to be used of Necessity when one should receive Sacramentally but cannot either thro' Indisposition or for want of Opportunity In which Cases God Almighty requires and accepts of the Will for the Work It may also be used at Pleasure and with much Profit as often as you hear Mass and are present when others Communicate really c. * ⎠* For farther Directions with Prayers both before and after Confession Communion and Confirmation I refer you to a Treatise entitled Instructions for Confession and Communion CHAP. IX Of Extreme Unction To be read to the Sick after he has received his Viaticum Is any Man sick amongst you Let him bring in the Priests of the Church and let them Pray over him Anointing him with Oyl in the Name of our Lord And the Prayer of Faith shall save the sick Man and our Lord will raise him up and if he be in Sins they shall be forgiven him James 5.13 c. THE H. Sacrament of Extreme Vnction thus recommended by S. James was Instituted by Christ our Lord * Mar. 6.13 as an Heavenly
Testament * Isa 38.1 and in Settling his Temporal Concerns advertise him 1. To Pay his Debts and Restore what belongs to others 2. To leave to his Heir what is his due 3. To bestow Alms on the Poor and especially on his Needy Relations 4. To give something that his Soul may be remembred at the Altar c. And that he may be sure of some Performance in this kind Admonish him to make his own Hands Executors in part according to the Advice of Ecclesiasticus saying Son if thou hast it do good to Thy Self and offer to God worthy Oblations Before Death do good to Thy Friend and according to thy Ability stretching out thy Hand give to the Poor Before thy Death work Justice Ecclus 14.11 c. And I adds Christ say unto you Make to your selves Friends of the Mammon of Iniquity i. e. of Riches the Idol of Worldlings that when you fail they may receive you into the Eternal Tabernacles Luk. 16.9 2. And to his Body Admonish him to Surrender it entirely unto the Care and Management of his Physician saying Honour the Physician for necessity for the Highest has Created him for all Medicine is of God c. The Highest has Created Medicines of the Earth and a Wise Man will not abhor them The Vertue of these things is come to the knowledge of Men and the Highest has given knowledge to Man for to be honour'd in his Marvellous things Curing with these things he shall mitigate Pain c. Give place to the Physician and let him not depart from thee because his Works are necessary And they that practice Physick shall beseech our Lord that he direct their Cure Ecclus 38. passimo But let Physicians beware of Advising or Applying any thing for the Cure of the Body that may be hurtful to the Soul And let them not make above Three Visits to the Sick unless they be first Certified that their Patients have duly Expiated their Sins by Sacramental Confession For so the Council of Lateran and many Popes have Decreed under great Penalties If the Sick Party be destitute of Corporal Necessaries and an Object of Charity do not neglect the Relieving of him out of your own Purse or Stores as far as you are able like the good Samaritan Luk. 10. And if that will not suffice then you must take Care to make his Wants known that they may be Supplied by Private or Publick Collections of Alms. 3. As to his Soul You must Advertise him that Sickness and Diseases are many times the punishment of Sin mercifully inflicted by Almighty God for the Reclaiming of Sinners This Holy Writ declares saying He that Sins in his sight that Made him shall fall into the Hands of the Physician Eccl. 38.15 He God rebukes also by Sorrow in the Bed c. that he may reclaim their Souls from Corruption c. Job 33.19.30 O how sweet is thy Spirit O Lord in all And therefore those that err by parts thou dost Chastise and dost Admonish and Speak to them concerning the things wherein they Sin That leaving naughtiness they may believe in thee and when nothing else will reclaim them it often happens that a grievous Infirmity makes a sober Soul Wisd 12.1 2. Ecclus 31.2 In which Case Sin being taken away by true Repentance Sickness also ceases and not otherwise as it appears in that King Ezechias when Sick even to Death by Prayers and Tears obtain'd of God Health and longer Life whereas King Asa fell Sick and Died of a most violent Pain in his Feet because in his Infirmity he did not seek our Lord but trusted in the Art of Physicians 4 K. 20.1 c. Isa 38.1 c. 2 Paral. 16.12 13. Hence address your self to your Sick Neighbour after this manner Son in thy Infirmity contemn not thy self but pray to our Lord and he will Cure thee Turn away from Sin and direct thy Hands and from all Offence cleanse thy Heart Ecclus 38.9 10. That is to say Repent for thy Sins Implore the Divine Mercy Place all thy Hope in God Endure patiently the Pains of thy Corporal Infirmity in Satisfaction for thy Sins look upon it as a Fatherly Visitation and Chassisement of God less than thy Sins deserve and believe it befals thee for the good of thy Soul and the Amendment of thy Life Judith 8.27 Job 33. from v. 19. to v. 31. Ps 102.10 13 c. But if his Sickness grows Dangerous you must Admonish him to procure in due time what farther Helps are requisite for the Salvation of his Soul and that with all fitting expedition he send for his Spiritual Director and impart to him in Confession his Sins Temptations and Fears in order to receive of him Absolution fit Remedies and Encouragement as also the Holy Sacraments of Eucharist and Extreme Unction whilst his Understanding Memory and Senses are perfect without those dangerous and deceitful Delays which thro' the Falacy of the Devil have brought and Daily do bring many to endless Misery If the Sick Person will not be perswaded to Confess his Sins do not presently give him over for lost but frequently as long as he lives be putting him in mind of the great Mercy of God inviting him to Penance and most ready to Pardon his Sins if he will Confess them and endeavour to make him sensible how thro' Impenitence he hazards his Salvation and exposes himself to Everlasting Torments See Rom. 2.4 c. Moreover both Private and Publick Supplications must be made to God for the Conversion and Salvation of a Soul at the Brink of Eternity and so miserably unprovided for it You must take Care that a Figure of Christ Crucified be ever placed in View of the Sick and that Holy Water do always stand beside him wherewith he may be often sprinkled you must likewise propose unto him according to his condition some short Prayers and godly Exercises of Mind especially some Verses of the Psalms set down in the next Chapter our Lord's Prayer the Angelical Salutation the Apostles Creed the Meditation of our Lord's Passion the Martyrdoms or Sufferings of the Saints the happy State of Heavenly Glory which will abundantly Recompence all his present Grievances Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 But these things must be seasonably and discreetly Suggested that they may not molest but give ease to the Sick § III. Tell your Sick Neighbour for his Comfort that you and the rest of the Company will Pray for him And accordingly having first desired that his Thoughts and Heart may go along with your Words kneel down and say the Prayers for the Sick as in the Manual c. Last of all Exhort him if he Recovers to go to Church the first Journey he takes and there to give God Thanks for his Recovery as also to receive Holy Communion Devoutly and thenceforward to lead a better Course of Life That being a Duty incumbent on every Christian after his Recovery no less than on the