no worke of nature but of grace regeneration Thirdly the séed and roote of grace in Gods elect is neuer wholy taken away for Gods gifts are without repentance and Christs intâ—…rcession for their encrease and preseruation in grace is alwayes effectuall Ioh. 11. v. 42. The Sick-man But my faith is often-times dead and without all life and motion how 〈◊〉 can I be assured of Gods mercy The Minister Thy faith is not extinct but only for the time ouer-clowded with the mist of sinne and couered vnder the ashes of infirmitie it is like to a trée which in 〈◊〉 winter season albeit it bring foorth neither 〈◊〉 flowre nor fruite yet it hath life and sâ—…ppe at the roote which 〈◊〉 the spring time will ascend vp and appeare Secondly God respecteth rather the qualitie of faith then the quantitie if it be a true faith though as little as a graine of Mustard séede God accepteth of it for one drop and dramme of faith is of mâ—…e force to saue then an Ocean sea of sinne and corruption to condemne Thirdly and lastly faith without present ioy and feeling is more forcible and preuailing then faith with it for it onely relyeth vpon Gods power truth and promises yea when God sheweth himselfe an enemie to vs and séemeth to kill vs we by it beléeue in God and by faith waite on him whereas it is an easie matter for a man in the apprehension of sensible comfort and ioy to beléeue The fourth obiection The sick-man But the fearfull iudgments of God such as of late years haue bin that most infâ—…tious and destroying pestilence the horrible and vn-matchable Gunne-powder treason the vnheard of breach of the sea and inundation of waters the late extreame and killing frost this present pinching and vnexpected dearth vnseasonable wether and many other publike and priuate iudgements vpon Church and common-wealth which I sée and heare of doe much dismay mée and cause me to doubt of Gods mercy Minister A. True it is that these and diuerse other punishments haue béene executed vpon vs for the neglect yea contempt of the blessed word of God and the powerfull ministerie of it for our want of zeale against the enimies of the truth for prophanation of the Sabboth for oppression of the poore for blasphemie for hypocrisie and for licentious liuing c. But notwithstanding if there be but one good man in a generation hée shall not for the multitude of transgressors be depriued of Gods mercies but finde comfort in the greatest plagues and punishments whatsoeuer Secondly though being once by faith ingrafted and incorporated into Christ yea and maried vnto Christ the author and fountaine of life and happinesse thou canst neuer miscarry nor perish For euen as the Disciples in the ship when a mighty storme for their triall and demonstration of Christs power was raised vp could not possibly perish the Lord of glory being there present in the ship so hauing Christ the Lord of glory dwelling in thine heart by his spirit how canst thou do amisse or why should thou doubt of Gods mercifull prouidence who ordereth all things for thy good The fift Obiection The sick man But my great vnworthinesse and vnthankfulnesse maketh me to suspect and feare that God will not performe that hée hath promised nor finish the good worke that he hath begun in me Minister A. This is indéed a gréeuous temptation yea the sorest of all others but this cannot hinder God from performing his promises For as the making of his couenant of grace with vs and the offer of his sauing promises vnto vs procéeded onely from his frée goodnesse and méere mercie without any respect to our workes or worthinesse so the accomplishing of his promises is to be onely ascribed to the same grace and goodnesse Thirdly as hath before bin particularized not the greatest â—…rmers and offenders in the old and new Testament haue euer by reason of their owne vnworthinesse bin denyed or depriued of Gods mercies but vpon confession of their sinnes desire of pardon and the purpose and beginning of amendment of life were pardoned and receiued into Gods euerlasting fauour Q. Is it necessarily then required of vs that we confesse and acknowledge our owne vnworthinesse A. Yes without question for hereby we are made capable of Gods mercies and blessings God doth depresse the proud and exalt the humble he filleth the hungry soule with goodnesse but the rich in their owne conceit onely hée sendeth away emptie Luke 1. 52. 15. and Christ was sent not to call the righteous in their owne opinion but sinners in their owne sense and confession to repentance Q. Séeing that God doth not simply forsake or cast off any for his vnworthinesse what vse make you of this point A. We must learne hence neuer to call Gods mercy truth and goodnesse into question but we must make it the foundation of our confidence and hope for it is vnchangeable infinite and euerlasting and thus dooing we shall haue no cause to feare euill but to looke to finde all good things in Christ our treasure husband and head The fourth Chapter Of Death and the cause of it Question VVHen the sick person is once perswaded of the pardon of his sinnes for the time past and present what further duty remaineth to be performed A. He is to be prepared and armed against the feare of death the assaults of Satan and the â—…errour of the last iudgement 〈◊〉 Q. Now that hée may bée prepared and armed against death what points are to be considered A. Seauen points specially I. what death is II. The certainty of it III. The causes and kindes of it IV. The exceptions that are taken against it V. The benefits of it VI. The preparation and furniture against it And VII what disposition and behauiour is required in death it selfe Of these in order Chapter the fift Of death his causes and kindes Question VVHat is death A. It is the taking away of life or the dissolution and separation of the soule from the body ordeined of God and for the punishment of sinne imposed vpon Adam and all his posteritie Rom. 6. 23. 1. Cor. 15. 21. Col. 2. 13. Q Doth God yet impose death as a punishment A. Yes for euery man sinneth and the very infante is not without originall corruption and therefore all must of necessity no persons order or degrée excepted at length die the temporall death Eccle. 3. ve 3. Psal. 49. v. 10. Heb 9. 27. Q. What is the procuring and deseruing cause of death Ans. Sinne whereby man brake Gods commandement Q. How was sinne first brought into the world A. Satan in the forme of a serpent perswaded Eue to eate of the forbidden aple Eue assenting to satan did eate of it and gaue it to Adam who harkned to her and thus they both of them sinned and brought death vpon themselues and all their posterity Q Why then were not Adam and
of the duties which the sick person oweth vnto God The xvi Chapter Question VVHat are those duties that a man is to performe to him selfe or his owne person An. They are two-fold for they belong either to the soule or to the body Qu. What is the duty which he oweth to his owne soule An. Hee must arme and strengthen him-selfe agninst the feare of Satans assaults against the immoderate feare of death and against the Terrour of the last iudgement Qu. How is a man to be armed and strengthned against Satans assaults Ans. By considering and beléeuing that Christ hath ouercome and bound for vs the strong man Satan that had the power ouer death Qu. What is the second duty that he oweth to his soule Ans. To arme himselfe against the immoderate feare of death Qu. Is it not good then that men should in some moderat sort feare death Ans. Yes for it putteth vs in mind of the greeuousnesse of our sinnes and what wee deserue if God should deale strictly with vs. Secondly it holdeth men backe in their extremities from laying violent hands on themselues for they that are thus desperately minded do not so much as once thinke of Hell and the torments of it Ques Séeing the feare of death is thus profitable why must the sicke bée armed against the feare of it An. Because death approaching naturall feare doth most of all shew forth it selfe astonish the sicke mans senses and causeth despaire Qu. What are the meanes to comfort him against the feare of death An. They are of two sorts namely practises and meditations Q. What are the practises A. They are two First the sicke parties must not so much feare death as cast their eyes vpon euerlasting life Secondly they must consider death not in the bright coullor of the lawe for then our weake eyes cannot endure to behold it for then it is a cruell sergeant armed with the anger and curse of God nor in it selfe for then it is to men vnregenerate the very entrance into hell yea hell mouth it selfe But we must take from it the fearefull maske and visard of the law and behold it as it is set forth in the mixt and tempered coullor of the Gospell and as it is changed by Christ his death who hath not onely deaded it by his owne death but also quickned it so that it is to the beléeuers bodie a temporary and a swéete sléepe and to their soules the gate of saluatioÌ„ wherby they enter into y e possession of life euerlasting Q. Why must not a Christian man vnmeasurably feare death A. First because it is to the godly the end of all euils all sinne errour and misery Secondly because after death he passeth presently to a better state Thirdly because he hath immediate fellowship and communion with the holy Trinity with the elect Angels and the glorified Saints And thus much of practises The 2 Section Qu. What are the Meditations which serue for this purpose An. They are principally foure which are the foundation of all the rest Qu. What is the first meditation A. That euery mans death as hath biâ—… before prooued procured by his own sins is fore-séene and appointed in Gods eternall decrée together with all the circumstances thereof Psal. 139. 15. 16. Q. What benefit will hereby redound vnto vs Ans. It will arme vs against all feare distrust and impatiency in the howre of death Psa. 39. 10. Gen. 42. Q What is the second meditation A. The consideration and contemplation of the inâ—…stimable glory laid vp for vs and of the eternall and vnspeakable blessednesse prouided for vs. Q. What profit shall we receiue hereby Answ. It doth withdraw vs from the resting in this temporall miserable life and lifteth vp our mindes and affections vnto God yea and maketh vs with Iob Moyses and others cherefully and willingly to endure afflictions Q. What is the third meditation Answ. The spirituall and vnseparable coniunction and fellowship which the beléeuers both in their soules and bodies in life and death haue with Christ. For for their bodies and soules are in the fauour and couenant of God and they both shall be re-united together in the last day be both eternally glorified Que. What is the fourth meditation Ans. The speciall promise of Gods presence and assistance in death and in all other distresses for we haue Christ our companion in affliction 1. Pete 4. 13. Qu. What vse are we to make hereof Ans. Wee must liue by faith and not by sense beléeuing the things promised which we sée not and hoping for things that séeme desperate Que. How or how many waies doth God manifest his presence in sickenesse Ans. Thrée manner of waies first by lessning and moderating the paines of sickenes and death and by giuing them strength and patience Secondly by refreshing and comforting the spirit after a wonderfull manner Thirdly by the gard and ministery of the good Angells which defend the Godly against the Diuell and his Angells Psa. 34. for they are present with and attend vpon Gods seruants in their sickenes and are ready to carry theâ—r soules into heauen The 3 Section Quest. How are the sicke to be armed and strengthned against the strictnesse and terrour of the last iudgement where in the diuell the law and our owne conscience shall accuse vs of infinite faults Ans. First wee must acknowledge our sinnes for that is the way of iustification Ioh. 1. 9. Psa. 32. 5. In matters of felony as we say confesse and be hanged but in matter of diuinity confesse and be saued Secondly wee must flie and appeale to Iesus Christ and content our selues with his righteousnesse onely and then hee absoluing vs who shall condemne vs and he making intercession for vs who can preuaile against vs. Rom. 8. verse 34. And thus much of the duty that the sicke man is to performe in respeâ—… of his soule The xvii Chapter Of Physicke and preseruation of bodily health Question WHat is the duty that the sicke are to performe to their bodies Ans. They ought to be carefull to preserue health and life vntill God take it wholy away Que. Then it is lawfull for any man to kill himselfe Ans. No for wee must in no wise depart out of our standing vntill God out heauenly generall command vs. Secondly euery man is bound to cherish and nourish his owne body and therefore he must not destroy it Thirdly all murder is forbiden and interdicted and therfore much more the killing of a mans selfe Fourthly if a man kill him-selfe hee doth not escape misery but runne into it Fiftly if it be a wickednesse to kill another man for to ease him of present paiae then it is a more horrible wickednes to kill himselfe Lastly the killing of a mans selfe is commonly and generally noted for a marke of a reprobate and faithlesse man Que. Why must we preserue life and health A. For two reasons first that we may
It is sufficient in it selfe but not in respect of our corrupt disposition for wee are to fauourable and partiall in â—…udging our selues but especially in prosperity and therefore God doth must some-times by his rod of correction remooue the mist of errour from our eyes round vs in the eare bring our sinnes to our remâ—…mbrance Hoâ—…ea 5 ver 15. Q But why is man more punished with sicknesse and other afflictions then all other creatures besides A. Because all other creatures reteine for the most part the order wherin they were first created but only man is become degenerate rebellious and an heteroclite â—…o that man may iustly say of himselfe that which Dauid did when he had numbred the people it is I that haue sinned and committed euil but these creatures what haue they done Secondly the brute and dumbe creatures are in their kind more sensitius of the bondage and corruption that our sinnes haue brought vpon them and more in expectation and desire of deliuerance grone vnder them then we our selues are or doe For where are our grones teares sack-cloth ashes shame compunction of heart and repentance Q. What further helpes haue we to direct vs in this duty A. Not onely to pray vnto God to reueale our sinnes vnto vs and to marke the checkes of our consciences and the reuilings of our enemies as we haue before shewed but also to frequent those that be sicke and to behold Gods chasticements vpon others and especially lazars and vleerous persons that hereby we may take notice of the vglinesse of sinne and our owne deformitie in Gods sight that wee may the more pittie the distressed and be stirred vp to be more thankfull to God for his benefits receiued The second Section Q. When all these meanes and helps of confession haue béene vsed what further course is to be taken with the sick man A. He must by doctrine admonition and by laying open vnto him Gods iudgements be made to sée the guilt and desart of sinne the curse of the law the torment of an ill conscience the vnspeakable wrath of God and the fearefull and most accursed state of the damned Q. But is it not a most blessed state for a man to bee alwayes merry and frolike to follow his pleasures and to féele no sinne or paine of sinne at all A. No certainly for of all plagues it is the greatest to be pricked and not to féele it and to be smitten and not to bée humbled And therefore as he that goeth blind-folded to execution is not happy but most miserable so neither the senselesse and regenerate sinner is at Hell mouth and discerneth it not Secondly as those maladies and diseases especially which are certaine fore-runners of death at hand are most dangerous that are least felt so those sinnes whereof wée haue no touch remorse nor repentance are most to bée feared for they send men vnawares posting and packing to hell The third Chapter 1. The doctrine of faith 2. The infinite and vnmeasurable mercies of God Ques When the sicke person hath thus applied Gods law to himselfe arraigned himselfe before the barre of Gods iudgement and made a true confession of his sinnes and hath béene brought to true contrition what is in the second place required of him An. Hée must by a firme faith be persivaded of Gods gratious presence and euerlasting loue towards him that his sinnes are pardonable and that Christ hath by his sufferings fréed and deliuered vs from the power of satan slauery of sinne feare of death and condemnation and that he also hath by his actuall obedience imputed vnto vs and apprehended by faith purchased vnto vs and prepared for vs euerlasting glory and happinesse Obiect But how can the sicke-man be perswaded of Gods fauor and mercy séeing that his sinnes are so great and so innumerable Ans. Albeit his and our sinnes quoad nos in regard of our selues be heynous yea and vncountable yet compared with GODS endlesse and vnmeasurable mercies in Christ they are but few and finite For his mercies are infinite his compassions faile not and with him is pleâ—…teous redemption in so much as we may sée in Manasses the lost sonne Paul Mary Magdaâ—…ene and diuers others â—…here sin hath abounded grace hath a â—…ounded more Questi What further reasons haue you to euince and demonstrate the â—…nitenesse of Gods mercy Answ. First Gods purpose in giuing and sending his Sonne to cure and redéeme the world and in giuing his Apostles commission and commandement to preach repentance and forgiuenesse of sinnes to all nations can neuer his voide and fruâ—…rate Secondly the natiuitie life doctrine miracles obedience death resurrection and ascension and intercession of Christ yea and the sacraments of baptisme and the Lords supper which are onely inâ—…nded and effectuall for the calling conuersion and saluation of GODS elect can neuer want their scope and proper end Q. What conclude you hence A. Though one man had committed all the sinnes that be in the world the sinne onely committed against the holy Ghost whereof no man can possibly repent and which no elect can possibly commit being excepted hée must not despaire of Gods mercy but repent him of his sinnes from the bottome of his heart and turne to the Lord and then though they were as Crimson they shall be made as whitâ—… as Snowe and though they were redde like Scarlet they shall be as wooll Q. But not-with-standing all that hath béene said many doubts difficulties imperfections and transgressions so trouble my minde that I cannot bée perswaded of the infinite extent of Gods mercies A. Propound your doubts and scruples and I will doe my best endeuour to remooue them The Sick-man I feare that the world being so wicked and men generally so vngodly prophane and irreligious that I shall fare the worse for their sake Minister Thou hast no cause to feare for the impenitencie of the whole world could not preiudice the saluation of Noah and his family nor the horrible sinnes of the Sodomites depriue Lot of Gods fauour and protection Secondly the godly are to answer for their owne sinnes onely which are all pardoned in Christ and they liue by their owne faith Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 1. 17. Thirdly as hâ—…e that wilfully closeth his eyes that hée may not behold the sunne-light cannot depriue him of the light of the sunne who openeth his eyes so another mans vnworthinesse and wilfulnesse cannot hinder thée if thou be prepared by the spirit of God from beholding and enioying Gods bottomlesse mercies 2. Obiection But I finde and féele in my selfe many wants errours imperfections yeâ—… and grose offenses Minister A. Déere brother be not discouraged thou hast more cause of triumph then of terrour For first thou committest not that shine namely of desperate malice against God and the knowne principles of Christian faith vnto death Secondly thou féelest yea and art grieued for thy sinne which is
wee delay our preparation the more vnfit and vnwilling shall we bee to performe it for it is an hard thing for an olde man to enter into his mothers wombe consuetudo fit altera natura Secondly the time and manner oâ—… death is many times so suddaine and vncertaine that we may bee so ouertaken that wée shall haue neither time nor grace to repent and to prepare our selues Lastly late preparation is seldome true preparation being rather enforced then voluntary and rather in forme of words then sincerity of heart Math. 7. verse 22. et 29. Qu. Of how many sortes is this preparation An. Two fold generall and particullar Qu. What is generall preparation A. It is that whereby a man through the whole course of his life prepareth himselfe to die Ques Is it not sufficent to prepare our selues when wee beginne to bee sicke Answ. No for first as hath béene before shewed late repentance is seldome true repentance Secondly the time of sicknesse both in regard of the sharpenesse of the disease decay of memory senses vnderstanding consultation of worldly goodes and sathans subtill and malicious practises is the most vnfit and vnseasonable time to beginne a preparation Obiect But the theife vpon the crosse repented at the eleuenth houre and why may not wee doe so likewise Answ. There is a great difference betwéene him and those that purposely delay their repentance for first hee was neuer so much as outwardly called by the ministery of the word Secondly the théeues conuersion was extraordinary yea and miracuâ—…us that Christ thereby might shew forth some effect of his God-head but mirackles are altogether and extraordinary courses for the most part ceased Lastly that theife condemned himselfe and his fellow iustified Christ in the open sight of the world and praied for saluation c. but where shall wée finde such singular effects in them which post and put of their repentance Obiect But it is in our power and will to repent when we will Answ. No repentance is the onely guift of God and from himd alone proceedeth bath the will and the deed Phil. 2. 12. Secondly many late repenters and â—…ack-graces shall séeke to enter into heauen and shall not bée able because their heartes are become insensible and the time of grace is past And thus much of the matter of preparation The ninth Chapter Of the manner of preparation Question IN the manner of preparation how many duties are required An. Fiue speciall duties Q. Which are they An. I. the meditation of death II. the lesâ—…ing and abating of the sting and power of death III. The beginning of eternal life here in this world IIII. The enuiring of our selues to die dayly Lastly the manner how these seuerall duties are to bee performed Quest. Is the meditation of death necessary Answer Yes truely for a Christian mans life is and should bée nothing but a meditation of death therefore wée must looke for it alwaies and in euery place and herewith accordeth that excellent saying of Seneca incertum est quo loco te mors expectat â—…u vero eam in omni loco expecta That is it is a matter vnreuealed in what place death waiteth for thée but waite thou for it in euery place Q. What benefit profit and comfort dooth the meditation of death yéeld vnto vs Ans. Manifold For first it causeth vs to humble our selues vnder the mighty hand of God Secondly the feare and meditation of it dooth remooue all securitie and further our repentance as wée may sée verified in the example of the Niniuites it cutteth of delayes and bringeth our promises and purposes into performances and practises Thirdly it maketh vs content with any condition of life be it neuer so miserable for if wée liue in affliction and aduersity we shall after death neuer be more subiect to it and if wée liue in prosperity wée rest not in it because wée shall carry away nothing with vs. 1. Tim. 6. 7. Fourthly it encourageth vs in Gods seruice and in all well dooing for as much as wee knowne that our labour is not in vaine in the Lord and that in seruing of God there is great reward Lastly it â—…oth sequester and withdrawe our delights and desires from earthly and perishable things and canseth vs earnestly to desire and séeke for euerlasting life Q Of what things must we meditate Ans. Of thrée things First we must â—…hinke and consider of the cause of death namely our sinnes Secondly we must meditate of the remedie of it viz. the cursed and bitter death of Christ. Thirdly we must thinke of euery day and night as if it were the very day and night of our death Q. What must we do that we may be the better enabled to perform this duty A. We must not vainly dreame of long life and so 〈◊〉 our selues but mourne against this corruption of our nature Secondly we must pray vnto God that he would giue vs grace and knowledge whereby we may be â—…nabled to resolue our selues of death at hand The tenth Chapter Question VVHerein dooth the sting and power of death lye and consist Answ. In sinne for that is the sting thereof 1 Cor. 15. 56. Q. How shall we know this Ans. By the lawe which is a glasse wherein we may sée our sinnes and the effects and punishment of them for hereby commeth the knowledge of sinne Q. How shall we depriue sinne of his strength and sting A. By beléeuing and relying vpon Christ who hath by death destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Deuill 1. Cor. 15. 25 26. Q. What distinct and particular duties and fruites of faith are we to performe and shew forth that we may remooue our sinnes and take out the sting of the serpent death that it may â—…euer hurt vs A. We must first for the time past and present confesse our sinnes humble our selues for them and crie earnestly vnto heauen for pardon Secondly we must for the time to come with a resolute minde beware of euery knowne sinne and in all things to reforme and conforme our selues according to Gods word For euery sinne vnrepented of is a sting to wound our soules vnto destruction Luk. 13. verse 3. and 4. Lastly if we would liue for euer wée must dye here and that daâ—…ly for he seldome or neuer dyeth well who liueth euill Et qualis vita finis ita like life like end The xi Chapter Of entring into the first degree of eternall life Question HOw shall a man in this world enter into the first degrée of life euerlasting A. When a man by the testimonie of a sanctifyed conscience and by experience can say that Christ liueth in him Quest. When doth Christ liue in a man A. When hée doth by his holy spirit direct guide and gouerne his thoughts will and affections Q. How shall a man discerne this A. When hée dooth frame and confirme all the
powers and abilities of his soule and body according to the rule of Gods word For the spirit and the word neuer â—…arre but the holy spirit breatheth in it and worketh by it Acts. 10. vers 44. and 45. Quâ—… In how many things dooth this first degrée of eternall life consist A. It consisteth in thrée 〈◊〉 or graces of God First in the 〈◊〉 and sauing knowledge of God the Father God the Sonne and God the holy Ghost Secondly in the swéete peace of conscience which flowing from the death of Christ is life and peace for this is the way to and the beginning of euerlasting happinesse Thirâ—…ly in the gouernment of the spirit when we assent vnto the directions of it and in acte approoue and obey them Q. But what néede all this paine and trouble Is it not enough when a man is dying to say Lord haue mercy vpon mee Ans. No for first Not euery one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into heauen but hee that doth the will of God Secondly he that prorogeth and putteth of his repentance vnto death is for the most part so be-sotted with the custome of sinne and with-all so forsaken of God that he as experience teacheth can vtter no good word The xii Chapter Of accustoming and enuring a mans selfe to dye well Question HOw shall a man bring him-selfe in fashion and accustome himselfe to dye well Answ. By the performance of thrée things First seeing that Gods corrections and chastisements are the instruments and fore-runners of death hee must humble himselfe vnder them Secondly he must begin to mortifie little sinnes that so he may mortifie the greater afterwards Thirdly hee must not let goe the fruite of the least crosse but learne to beare and endure smaller crosses and afflictions that he may be the better enabled to vnder-goe the torments of death it selfe The xiii Chapter Of the speedinesse and carefulnesse of Preparation Question VVHen and how must a man prepare him-selfe A. With all expedition and vtmost diligence Qu. Wherein must this expedition and diligence chiefely appeare An. In dooing all possible seruice to Church and common-wealth Psal. 122. vers 8. and 9. Q. Why must he take this course A. Otherwise dâ—…th for it giueth no man warning will ouer-take him and hée will wish that hée had done it when it is too late And thus much of generall preparation The xiiii Chapter Of Particular preparation Question OF how many sorts is particular preparation A. It is two-fold either false and vnperfect as is that which the Synagoge of Rome prescribeth or true and perfect as is that which all Protestant Churches teach and practise Q. Wherein doth the false and vnperfect preparation of the Church of Rome consist A. In thrée things Q. What are those thrée things or members A. First auricular or eare-confession made to a Priest Secondly the receiuing of the Eucharist or hoast Thirdly extreame vnction or anointing with oyle Q Is not auricular confession or the secret enumeration of all a mans particular sinnes necessary Ans. No certainly Q. Why is it not necessary A. First because the word of God requireth no such matter Secondly no man can possibly sound euery corner of his heart and finde out all his sinnes Ierem. 10. 23. Thirdly there was no such practise neither in the Apostles times nor in the primitiue Church for the space of fiue hundred yeares Forthly Dauid and the prodigall or lost Child had their sinnes forgiuen them vpon a generall confession 1. Sam. 12. ver 12. Luk. 15. ver 18. 19. Lastly God hath not made men absolute iudges of reconciliation but hath onely giuen them the ministerie of reconciliation Ques Wherein doth this ministerie of reconciliation consist Ans. When the ministers of Gods word doe in the name of the Lord according to his word preach declare and pronounce a mans sinnes to be forgiuen or not forgiuen The second Section Que. Is it necessary for the sicke to receiue the Eucharist or the Lords Supper Answ. There is no such extreame necessity for first not the want but the continuall contempt of the Sacrament formerly in faith receiued doth extend it selfe to the whole course of a mans life Lastly the Lorde supper is an Ecclesiasticall or publike action and therefore according to Christ his institution is to be administred and receiued in the greatest concourse and assembly of the Church Obiect As the paschall Lambe was eaten so may the Lords Supper be eaten but the paschall Lambe was eaten priuatly in particular houses therefore may the Lords Supper â—…ee likewise eaten in the same forme Ans. I answer to the first proposition that the argument is not good and the consequence followeth not For first they Iewes then could not obtaine leaue nor be permitted to assemble them-selues togeither as wee doe and may Gods name be blessed for it Secondly I answer to the secoâ—… proposition that the Pascall Lambe though it was eaten in particular houses yet it was by Gods commandement and eaten at one and the same time in all places which is all one as if the action had beene publike The 3 Section Q. Is extreame vnction and especially the anointing of the instruments of the senses in spirituall respects now necessary for the sicke Ans. No truely for it concerneth not vs at all the miracle is ceased long since and then what vse of the ceremony Obie But in Saint Iames daies they anointed the sick with oile and why may they not doe so now Ans. First because as I formerly noted all miracles are ceased but that anointing was miraculous Secondly the sicke theâ—… anointed with oile by vertue of Gods promises recouered out of their sicknes but those whome the Papistes anoint commonly die and so neuer recouer Lasty the ancient anointing was appointed and vsed for the recouery of bodily health but the Papists abuse and preuent it to false endes namely to obtaine forgiuenesse of sinnes and to procure strength and comfort against all the temptations of death and to obtaine saluation it selfe And of the false preparation hetherto The fifteenth Chapter Of the seuerall duties and branches of particular preparation Question IN what and in how many things doth particular preparation consist Ans. According to their thréefold obiect they are thus distinguished they concerne either God him-selfe or our owne person or our neighbour Q. When we are sicke what duty are we to performe towards God Ans. We must dayly seeke to be reconciled to God in Christ other-wise all other duties are of small or nons effect Quest. How must this reconciliation be sought and obtained Ans. By renewing our former faith and repentance and by repayring the deâ—…s of it Quest. What mouing cause haue we to 〈◊〉 vs vp to performe this duty An. Because ordinarily and for the most part sickenesses and diseases are sent of God in his iustice for the punishment and chastiâ—…ment of sinne Lam 3. 39. Math. 9. 2. Ioh. 5. 74. Quest. In renewing
our faith and repentance what particular duties must we performe An. Three especially first wee must make a new examination of our hearts and liues Lam. 3. 40. Psa. 119. 11 Secondly when God sendeth new corrections wee must make new confessions of our particular sinnes Psa. 32. 10. Thirdly we must make new and earnest prayers to God for pardon of sinne and for reconciliation with GOD in Christ. Psa. 6. 4. 5 2. Chr. 34 12 13. Que. What vse is to bee made hereof Ans. First hereby are iusily taxed and checked those that spend the whole space of their life in the Church and that many yeares and at lenght when their best and most daies are spent begin to enquire what faith and repentance should be and how their soules should be sauâ—… as though it were so easie a matter to know and obtaine it Secondly we must in sicknesse especially practise and put in vre these duties of examination confession prayer and of renewing our faith and repentance other-wise qui minus est hodiâ—… eras minus aptus erit Que. But what if the sicke person is not able of him-selfe to renue his faith and repentance Ans. He must séeke for helpe and direction of his fellow members who must like them that bare the man sicke of the palsie to Christ helpe and assist him by their counsaile aduice and prayers Que. What are the particulâ—…â—…uties that are herein to be performed Ans. They bee of two sorts according to their obiects for they concerne either the sicke them-selues or their helpâ—…rs Q. What is the duty that concerneth â—…e siâ—…ke man Ans. To send for helpers namely the elders and ancients of the Church who in Saint Iames time and after-wards were endewed with the gifts of healing and of miracles Q. Doth not this duty of comforting the sicke be long to the minister onely Obi. If a man sicke of the plague or pâ—…stilence send for his pastor is he bound in conscience to go to him in his owne person Ans. No except it may so be ordered that the Minister bee in no danger of infection Secondly the Pastor or Minister may and must not for the comfort of one particular person â—…ndanger his owne life and so bercaue the whole congregation of their guide and teacher more regard is to be had of the good of the whole then of one parâ—… of it Thirdly as the leprous person by reason of the contagion of the disease might not be resorted vnto so it fareth with him that is visited with the plague Fourthly if the pastor and preacheâ—… should in person visite euery man thus visited he must separate himselfe from his owne family and neglect them and his people and congregation would shun his company Lastly the visited persons friendes and kinsfolke are to supply this dutie Obiect But Isaias visited Ezechias who was thought verily to haue the pestilence ergo ministers must now do the like Answ. The argument followeth noâ—… For first Isaias had an expresse commandement from God so to do and therefore could not be infected Secondly hee might for ought any man can obiect to the contrary stand aloofe off in some conuenient place Obiect But the plague commeth now by Gods immediate hand as it did in Dauids time and therefore a man may bee as secure with infected persons and infected places as any where else An. The plague in these dayes as experience verifieth commeth not immediatly by the immediate striking of Gods elect Angell as in Dauids daies For then no man might auoid the infected and the reason is they that are hundred of myles off from any place of infection might be as soone tainted as any other which to affirme is most absurd and crosseth all experience Secondly none is now infected but he that is in company with the infected or receiueth their clothes or some thing about them Lastly albéeit the pestilence infecteth not euery man that is outwardly in dangers yet this proueth not that it is not in it owne nature contagious but that all persons were not capable of it and that God in his mercy preserueth some from infectâ—… whom it pleaseth him as is to bee séene in all other infectious places whatsoeuer Ques But why are the elders who are no Pastors and Ministers of the Word to visite the sicke An. First because they are fitted herevnto beeing indued with the gift of knowledge and prayer Secondly it is a dutie of charity and therefore not proper to any one man Thirdly and principally that they may hereby ease the Pastors or Ministers heauy and difficult burden and charge Q What vse is to bée made héereof An. It condemneth the silence and ignorance of most friendes and neighbours who either speake neuer a word or to small or no purpose beeing not able to instruct and comfort him and yet they promise to pray for him when GOD knoweth they cannot pray for themselues Ques When must the sicke send for the Elders to instruct and pray for him Ans. In the first place before any physicke medicine or restoratiue For where the diuine leaueth there must the physitian begin Qu. What vse is to be made of this point Answ. It reprooueth their madnesse and folly who neuer send for the Minister vntill he be halfe dead or lieth gasping as though the presence of the minister before that time were not necessarie or as though Ministers could worke mirackles The second section Qu. What is the second duetie of the sicke Ans. To confesse his sinnes those especially which disquiet and trouble the conscience either to the Minister or to any other Christian brother that is both able and willing to informe and comfort the sicke Iames 5. ver 16. Qu. Is this duety simply necessary to saluation Answ. No but only conueniently profitable Que. What is the duty of the helpers Answ. To pray ouer him that is with him and for him and in their prayers to commend his whole person and state to God 2. Kings Act. 32. Act. 20. 4. Q. Why must the visiters thus pray for the sicke A. The better hereby to stirre vp their affection in prayer and to declare their charity and compassion to the sicke person Q. What if those that visite the sicke person find him impatient and full of griefe and wrath what must they then doe A. They must beare with humaine infirmities for being them-selues quiet with God they must learne to bee quiet with men Secondly they must shew vnto them how all things fall out by Gods prouidence and exhort him to wait vpon God by faith vntill he either take away or diminish the paine or at least aâ—…e to his strength and patience Qu. What other duty besides the seeking of reconciliation oweth the sicke to God An. He must praise God for his former mercies and declare this thankefulnesse euen for crosses and corrections for the Lord according to the proportion of our thankefulnesse will shew mercy vpon vs more or lesse And thus much