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
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
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.
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
Remission of our Sins * Mat. 26.28 Cleanse Sanctifie and keep my Soul I beseech thee to Everlasting Life And these two Addresses you must say by Heart your Book being laid aside during the Elevation 9. Soon after the Elevation follows the Memento for the Dead Whilst the Priest makes it read you the Three first Prayers at the end of the Office for the Dead with the Prayer for either or both of your Deceased Parents and for some particular Friend either Man or Woman departed according to your Duty and Obligation in this Kind 10. Say the Pater Noster with the Priest either in Latin or English 11. At Agnus Dei c. consider Christ Jesus as an Innocent Lamb Slain on the Cross Really and on the Altar Mystically to take away the Sins of the World and beseech him to discharge you of all your Failings and especially of those you are most subject to 12. At Domine non sum Dignus c Mat. 15.27 put on the Humility of the Cananean Woman acknowledging your self Unworthy of the Bread yet desirous of the Crumbs of your Master's Table and say Lord I am not worthy c. Then make your Spiritual Communion thus B. Saviour I believe that thou art Really present in this H. Sacrament I hope that thou wilt make me a Partaker of the Effects of this Divine Food I love thee above all things who hast Humbled thy self so low as to put thy self under the Form of a little Bread for Love of me and I desire nothing more than to be Inseparably united to thee by Grace here and by Glory hereafter 13. At the Post Communion read the Anthem O Sacred Banquet c. with the Prayer O God who under c. as before Chap. V. § III. Lastly Read S. John's Gospel with the Priest as at the Beginning of the Primer After Mass give Thanks to Christ for so great a Benefit and for his Passion and Death represented and applied to us thereby intreat him to Assist you in all your Undertakings that Day and Daily Examine your self c. as after Prayer Chap. XII § III. And depart with due Respect and Reverence to the Altar c. * ⎠* In the foregoing Points you must keep pace exactly with the Priest And when any one of them is not sufficient for your Enterment until he comes to the next in course you may make out by Reading the Prayers or Meditations of the Passion of our Lord which sollow the Prayers after Communicating Those Devotions being most proper for the Time and Place wherein a most Lively and Life-giving Memorial and Representation of Christ's Death is made 1 Cor. 11.24 c. For other Methods of Hearing Mass see a Treatise named Instructions and Devotions for Hearing Mass * ⎠* The Church obliges the Faithful to Hear Mass upon all Sundays and Holy-Days of Obligation and the Omission of so Important a Duty is a Mortal Sin unless some Lawful Impediment excuses it CHAP. XV. Of Hearing Sermons Blessed are they that Hear the Word of God and Keep it Luk. 11.28 § I. Before Sermon HUmbly crave Grace of God that you may profit by it saying Lord shew me thy Ways and teach me thy Paths direct me in thy Truth and teach me Grant that I may be none of those that hear and have thy Word taken out of their Heart by the Devil lest believing they be saved nor of those that when they hear with Joy receive thy Word and for a time believe but in the time of Tentation or Trial do revolt nor of those that have heard and going their ways are choaked with Cares and Riches and the Pleasures of this Life and yield no Fruit But make thou me one of their Number who in a very good Heart hearing thy Word do retain it and yield Fruit in Patience Ps 24.4 5. Luk. 8.12 c. § II. At Sermon 1. Look upon and regard the Preacher as an Angel of God or as Christ himself Gal. 4.14 As an Angel of God in regard 't is written that the Lips of the Priest shall keep Knowledge and the Law they Lay-People shall require from his Mouth because he is the Angel of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2.7 As Christ Jesus himself because He says He that hears you my Ministers hears me and he that despises you despises me c. Luk. 10.16 2. Mark not How but What he speaks and receive it not as the Word of Men but as it is indeed the Word of God 1 Thess 2.12 3. Be attentive throughout applying to your self and not to others what the Preacher says and fail not to lay up in the Store-house of your Memory such Instructions and Examples as shall seem most useful and necessary either for your present Disengagement from Vice or your future Improvement in Vertue with an Intention and Resolution to put your Remarks in Practice as Occasion shall serve A Man of Knowledge will praise whatsoever wise Word or Saying he shall hear and will apply it to himself The Riotous Man has heard it and it shall displease him and he will cast it behind his Back Ecclus 21.18 § III. After Sermon 1. Give Thanks to God for making his Holy Will known to you He has not done in like manner to every Nation his Judgments he has not manifested to them so as to you Ps 147.9 2. Beg Grace that you may do his H. Will proportionably to your Knowledge thereof because to one knowing to do Good and not doing it to him it is Sin and the just Occasion of a more heavy Doom Jam. 4.17 Luk. 12.47 48. 3. Begin forthwith to be such Men as the Sermon taught you to be because Not the Hearers of the Law are just with God but the Doers of the Law shall be justified Be Doers therefore of the Word and not Hearers only deceiving your selves c. For not the Forgetful Hearer of the Word but Doer of the Work shall be blessed in his Deed Rom. 2.13 Jam. 1.22 c. CHAP. XVI Of Reading Pious Books He that Reads let him Vnderstand both what he Reads and how to Profit by it Mat. 24.15 § I. Before Reading WHen we Pray we Speak to God but when we Read God Speaks to us S. Aug. on Ps 65. Therefore when you are about to Read imagine you hear a Voice from Heaven saying to you as formerly to S. Aug. Tolle Lege Take up and Read Lib. 8. Conf. c. 12. And accordingly opening your Book esteem the Chapter you are about to Peruse as an Epistle or Letter sent you from God and pray for Grace to understand and practice it saying Speak Lord for thy Servant Hears 1 Kin. 3.9 Lord give me Vnderstanding and I will search thy Law and I will keep it with my whole Heart Ps 118.34 Give what thou Commandest and Command what thou pleasest S. Aug. Lib. 10. Conf. c. 31. § II. In Reading Read out of a Desire to become more Vertuous rather
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
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
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