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
behaved your self as to Attention Devotion and Reverence And if well give Thanks to God but if negligently crave Pardon resolve to Amend and mark the Cause of your Mis-behaviour that you may avoid it for the future 2. Offer to God your Devotions how imperfect soever humbly beseeching him to supply all their Defects thro' the Merits of Christ of the B. Virgin and of all the Saints and to accept thereof for the end you proposed to your self when you began them as follows Accept most merciful God the Office of our Service And if we have done any thing Praise-worthy favourably regard it and what is done Negligently in Mildness pardon Who in perfect Trinity Livest and Reignest God World without end Amen * ⎠* Besides Vocal Prayer of which this Chapter treats there is another kind of Prayer termed Mental which consists of Three Triple Parts The First Part is Preparation which includes 1. The Presence of God 2. Invocation of the Divine Aid 3. Representation of the Mystery The Second Part is Meditation which comprehends 1. Considerations 2. Affections 3. Resolutions The Third Part is the Conclusion which contains 1. Thanksgiving 2. Oblation 3. Petition and a Spiritual Nosegay For the Understanding and Practise of all which I refer you to the Introduction to a Devout Life Part 2. Chap. 2. and Sect. 1. * ⎠* Thus must you Pray either Vocally or Mentally every Day both Morning and Evening * Ps 91.2 making hearty Addresses to God who is Rich in Bounty towards all that Invocate him Rom. 10.12 But never expect the Blessings of Heaven unless you set apart a competent Time for asking them both Early and Late * Isa 26.9 even amidst your fullest Worldly Employments CHAP. XIV Of Hearing Mass In every Place there is Sacrificing and there is offer'd to my Name a clean Oblation Because my Name is great among the Gentiles says the Lord of Hosts Mal. 1.11 MASS the Supreme Act of Christian Religion is the Unbloody Sacrifice of Christ's Body and Blood Consecrated and Offer'd to God under the outward Forms of Bread and Wine with divers Ceremonies Prayers and Sacred Words for the Quick and the Dead to whom it applies the Merits of the Bloody Sacrifice of the Cross And as it was prefigured by the Sacrince of Melchisedech (a) Gen. 14.18 Ps 109.4 Heb. 5.10 c. 6. v. last c. 7. v. 11 15 17. so it was Instituted by Christ himself as to its Substance in his last Supper (b) Mat. 26.26 c. Luk. 22.19 and as to its Ceremonies c. by the Apostles and their Successors (c) Conc. Trid. Sess 22. cap. 1 4 5. Again as the Faithful both Quick and Dead were Benefited by the Carnal-unclean Sacrifices of Beasts offer'd for them in the Old-Testament (d) Lev. 1 3 4. 2 Mach. 12.43 c. so and much more are they help'd in the New-Testament by the Spiritual and Clean Oblation of Christ's Body and Blood (e) Conc. Trid. Sess 22. cap. 2. This therefore being of all Religious Mysteries the most Sacred and Divine it ought to be Celebrated and Assisted at with all possible Diligence and Devotion otherwise we shall bring upon our Heads a Curse instead of a Blessing Because Accursed is he that does the Work of God negligently Jer. 48.10 To hear Mass then as you ought your Thoughts and Affections must correspond to the Priest's Words and Actions either by Reading with Attention and Devotion the Prayers at Mass in the Manual or by applying the Offices and Devotions in the Primer to the Mass as follows 1. Entring into the Church or Chappel say O Lord in the Multitude c. Next taking H. Water say with Contrition for your Sins Thou shalt sprinkle c. Then kneeling down Respectfully as in the Presence of God say the Prayer before Mass viz. O most Clement Father c. as in the Daily Exercise After which make your Intention thus Together with all the Masses that have been are and shall be said throughout the whole World I do here offer to thee my God this H. Sacrifice with the Intention of my Dearest Saviour and his Holy Church in Honour and Acknowledgment of thy Soveraignty and Dominion over me and all Creatures in Memory of my Saviour's Humanity and Passion in Commemoration of his B. Virgin-Mother and of the Sâ—ints of this Solemnity of such and such my H. Patrons and of all the Saints in Heaven in Thanksgiving for all thy Benefits in Satisfaction and Propitiation for my Sins for obtaining thy Grace and special Aid in Proportion to my Present Necessities here specifie your Spiritual Wants and for prevailing with thy Goodness to Protect and Bless me thy Unworthy Creature my Relations Benefactors c. Luk. 1.74 75. That without Fear being deliver'd from the Hand of our Enemies we may serve thee in Holiness and Justice all our Days and may at last Die in thy Favour I offer also this Sacrifice to thee Dear Lord for all that Died in Unity of the Catholick Church and particularly for the Souls of my Parents Relations Benefactors and all those for whom thou wouldst have me offer it Eternal Rest give unto them O Lord and let Perpetual Light shine to them 2. At the Beginning of Mass call to Mind the most grievous Sins of which you have been and are guilty and in the Spirit of Humility and Repentance say along with the Clerk Confiteor Deo c. or I confess to Almighty God c. 3. While the Priest reads the Collects read you the Antiphon Verse Response and Prayer for the Day either Proper or Common as you find them towards the end of the Primer 4. At the Gospel having read it at Home in English reflect upon some Sentence thereof or upon one of the Eight Beatitudes or any other Point of Christ's Doctrine and giving him Thanks for the same pray for Grace to practice it c. 5. While the Priest says Credo in Deum c. say you I believe in God c. and pray that you Live and Die in the Catholick Faith 6. At the Offertory of the Bread and Wine offer therewith to God your Body Soul Life Health c. beseeching him so to Sanctifie them that you may be a Living Sacrifice Holy and Acceptable to him Rom. 12.1 7. After Sanctus whilst the Priest makes his Memento for the Living read you the Prayers for the Church for the Chief Bishop for the King for Hereticks for Friends for Enemies c. These you 'll find amongst Prayers to be said after the Litanies according to the Diversity of Times and amongst those that are Appointed for Invocating the Grace of the Holy Ghost 8. At the Elevation 1st of the Host say Hail true Body c. as in the Daily Exercise 2dly Of the Chalice say Hail true Blood of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and of the New-Testament that was shed for me and all Mankind to 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
or abated by the Benefit of Indulgences For gaining of which 1. You must have true Repentance consisting of Hearty Sorrow for all your Sins and a firm Purpose of Amendment See Chap. 3. § 1. 2. You must perform with due Zeal all the Pious Works enjoin'd you that is you must Fast Pray give Alms visit Churches Confess Communicate c. according to the Intention of the Giver and the Tenor of the Grant of the Indulgence which commonly allows choice of Two Three or more things to be done as every one's Estate Ability Opportunity and other Circumstances require 3. You must do the last part at least of the said Works in the State of Grace that being a Disposition without which no Indulgence can be gain'd And tho' Faith assures us Conc. Trid Sess 25. c. 21. That the Power of granting Indulgences was given and left to the Pastors of the Church by Jesus Christ and that the use of them is wholsome and beneficial to Christians yet notwithstanding this general Warrant any particular Indulgence may be Invalid and Unbeneficial either for want of Authority in the Giver or thro' Deficiency in the Cause or by reason of Indisposition of the Receiver And therefore all well-advised Christians says Bellarmin so accept of Papal and Episcopal Indulgences as besides them to be careful to perform Works worthy of Penance and to make Satisfaction for their Sins by voluntary Mortifications and patient Sufferings As aforesaid Ch. III. § III. N. 5. CHAP. V. Of H. Communion Take ye and eat This is my Body c. Mat. 26.26 GReat and diligent Care is to be had in using all the Sacraments of the Catholick Church Religiously and Holily but most especially in receiving the most H. Sacrament of the Eucharist than which the Church of God has nothing more worthy nothing more Sacred and Admirable because in it is contain'd the principal and greatest Gift of God and the very Fountain and Author of all Grace and Holiness to wit Christ our Lord. Therefore be thou O Christian prepar'd to meet thy God For the Work is great neither is an Habitation to be prepar'd for Man but for God Amos 4.12 1 Par. 29.1 § I. Before Communion 1. Ponder well the Immense Difference betwixt Receiving Worthily or Holily and Unworthily or in the State of Mortal Sin Of the former Christ says My Flesh is Meat indeed and my Blood is Drink indeed He that cats my Flesh and drinks my Blood abides in me and I in him And he that eats me the same shall live by me He that eats c. has Life Everlasting and I will raise him up in the last Day and he shall live for ever John 6. From all which 't is plain that the Life of Grace here and of Glory hereafter is the happy Effect and Fruit of receiving Worthily Of the latter S. Paul assures us Whosoever shall eat the Bread or drink the Chalice of our Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of our Lord. And again He that eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks Judgment to himself Therefore viz. for receiving Unworthily are there among you many weak and feeble in Body and Soul and many sleep i. e. Die both Temporally and Eternally 1 Cor. 11. O Dismal Guilt Judgment and Punishment of Unworthy Receiving But why should I wonder hereat since the Blood of Christ cries to Heaven for Vengeance like that of Abel against every Unworthy Communicant Gen. 4.10 who Crucifying again to himself the Son of God and making him a Mockery has trodden the Son of God under Foot and esteem'd the Blood of the Testament polluted wherein he is sanctified Heb. 6.6 c. 10. v. 29. Whereas on the contrary Heb. 12.24 The Mediator of the New-Testament Jesus and the sprinkling of his Blood speak better than Abel and plead effectually both Mercy and Pardon in Behalf of worthy Communicants 2. You cannot be Partakers of the Table of our Lord and of the Table of Devils (a) 1 Cor. 10.21 For what Participation has Justice with Iniquity Or what Society is there between Light and Darkness And what Agreement with Christ and Belial (b) 2 Cor. 6.14 15. Therefore before Receiving Purge away the old Leaven of Mortal Sins and Affections thereto by the Sacrament of Penance that you may become a new Paste and let us Feast at the Table of our Lord not in the Leaven of Malice and Wickedness but in the Azims of Sincerity and Truth (c) 1 Cor. 5.7 8. And because a little Leaven corrupts the whole Paste (d) Gal. 5.9 to be wholly Clean and Unleaven'd you must purge your Souls likewise from Venial Sins and from all Affections to them and to Worldly Vanities This is what the Apostle insinuates saying Let a Man prove himself by Examining and Rectifying his Conscience and so let him eat c. 1 Cor. 11.28 3. You must not only lay away the old Man Eph. 4.24 c. who is corrupted according to the Desires of Error but you must also be renew'd in the Spirit of your Mind and put on the new Man who according to God is created in Justice and Holiness of the Truth That is besides the Cleansing of your Soul from Sins and Sinful Affections you must Adorn it with Holy Thoughts Affections and Acts of Vertue Put ye on therefore Col. 3.12 c. as the Elect of God Holy and Beloved the Bowels of Mercy Benignity Humility Modesty Patience supporting one another and pardoning one another if any one have a Quarrel against any Man as our Lord pardon'd us so you also But above all these things have Charity which is the Band of Perfection c. Lest after your Happiness in being call'd to the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb you become so unfortunate as to be cast into utter Darkness for coming without the Wedding-Garment of Charity Apoc. 19.9 and Mat. 22.11 c. Hence that your Inward Man may be adorn'd in a manner suitable to the Divine Guest you are to entertain say the Prayers before Receiving as in the Manual or Primer eliciting Acts of Faith Hope Charity Humility and other Vertues whilst you say them 4. Besides Purity and Piety of Soul you must bring along with you to the Table of our Lord Dispositions of Body agreeable thereto that is 1. You must be Fasting so as not to have eat or drunk any thing at least from the Midnight before you Communicate 2. Married Persons are advis'd by Mutual Consent to practise Continency some Days and Nights before they come to Holy Communion that they may give themselves to Prayer with more Freedom from Tribulation of the Flesh and with less Impediment in the Service of God 1 Cor. 7.5 28 35. Such Continency being a Disposition requir'd in those that were to eat the Hallowed Bread of the Old Law and much rather for them that by eating the Eucharistical Bread of the New Law are to partake of the
Bed-rid Man after his Cure whom when Jesus found in the Temple he said to him Behold thou art made Whole Sin no more lest some worse thing chance to thee Jo. 5.14 CHAP. XIX Of Assisting Dying Persons Comfort him that lies a Dying in the Departure of his Spirit Ecclus 38.24 HE loves at all times that is a Friend and a Brother is proved in distresses Prov. 17.17 But no time is of greater Consequence than the Hour of Death and the Entrance into Eternity nor any Distress comparable to our last Agony Therefore he is our best Friend and kindest Brother who assists us most in those our greatest Extremities Now the best Service you can do an Agonizing Person is as follows § I. Admonish him to Pronounce often with a Contrite Heart the most Holy Name Jesus and Help him whilst he is able to make Acts of Faith Hope Charity and other Vertues after this manner I Believe firmly all the Articles of Faith which the Holy-Catholick-Apostolick and Roman Church Believes and Teaches I Hope that Christ our Lord for his Immense Goodness will be merciful to me and that I shall obtain Life Everlasting thro' the Merits of his most Holy Passion I Love God with my whole Heart and I desire above all things to Love him as the Angels and Saints in Heaven do Love him I am Sorry from my Heart for the Love of God that I ever Offended him or my Neighbour in any kind I Pardon from my Heart for the Love of God all my Enemies and those that have any way Molested me I Crave Pardon of all those I have at any time Offended either in Word or Deed. I Accept with Patience the Pain I Endure and the Anguish of my Sickness for God's sake in Punishment and Expiation of my Sins I Resign my self freely to the Pangs of Death for the Love of him that Died upon the Cross to Save me from â—â—dless Misery I Resolve if God Restores my Health to avoid Sin hereafter and to keep his Commandments as much as in me lies And I would rather Die in the State I now am in than Live to Offend my God any more § II. Exhort him to Pray at least in Heart as often as he 's able after this manner Have Mercy on me O God according to thy great mercy Psal 50.1 In thee O Lord have I hoped let me not be Confounded for ever Psal 30.2 Into thy hands O Lord I commend my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth Psal 30.6 O God incline unto my Aid O Lord make haste to help me Psal 69.2 Be thou Lord God to me a protector Psal 30.3 God be Merciful to me a Sinner Luk. 18.13 Most Sweet Lord Jesus in Virtue of thy Passion receive me into the Number of thy Elect. Lord Jesus Christ receive my Spirit Acts 7.59 Mary Mother of Grace Mother of Mercy protect us from the Enemy and at the Hour of Death receive us Angel-Guardian Assist me All ye Holy Angels and Saints Intercede for me and Succour me These and such like Prayers you may suggest to a Dying Person according to his Capacity § III. During his Agony sprinkle him with Holy Water offer him the Crucifix to Kiss by Efficacious words put him in hopes of Eternal Life and place the Crucifix before him that in beholding it he may conceive hopes of his Salvation thro' him who Died upon the Cross Admonish the Domesticks and By-standers to join with you in Prayer for the Dying Party and then on your Knees read Devoutly the Recommendation of a Soul departting as in the Manual But when the Soul is at the point of leaving the Body then all present must Pray most earnestly for its happy Departure and one of the Assistants applying his Mouth towards the Ear of the Person Dying must pronounce in a Hain and Comfortable Tone Jesu Jesu Jesu and as often as it shall seem fitting he may repeat that Sacred Name as also the following Sentences Into thy Hands O Lord I commend my Spirit Lord Jesus Christ receive my Spirit c. as before 4. As soon as the Soul is gone out of the Body Pray thus Succour speedily O ye Saints of God hasten O ye Angels of our Lord receive this Soul and offer it in Presence of the Highest May Jesus Christ who has call'd thee receive thee and may his Angels carry thee into Abraham's Bosom Eternal Rest give her O Lord and let perpetual Light shine unto her Lord have Mercy on us Christ have c. Lord have c. Our Father c. Vers And lead us not c. Resp But deliver us c. V. From the Gate of Hell R. O Lord deliver this Soul V. Let her rest in Peace R. Amen V. O Lord hear my Prayer R. And let my Cry come to thee We recommend to thee O Lord the Soul of thy Servant N. that being Dead to the World he or she may live to thee and the Sins he or she has committed thro' Frailty of Human Conversation do thou mercifully Pardon and Wipe away Thro' Christ our Lord. Amen In the Interim let thy Passing-Bell be rung according to the Custom of the Place that they who hear it may pray for the Soul newly departed Afterwards let the Corps be order'd handsomly and placed in a decent Room with Candle-Light and let a small Cross be set between the Hands join'd on the Breast of the Dead Body or for want of a Cross let its Hands be laid over one another in form of a Cross and let it be sprinkled with H. Water and whilst it remains in the House let all present pray for the Soul of the Party deceased CHAP. XX. Of Burying the Dead Blessed be you to our Lord who have shewn Mercy to your Lord Saul and have Buried him And now truly our Lord will render you Mercy c. 2 Kings 2.5 6. See Tob. 12.12 IN going to and assisting at Funerals there is offer'd you an Opportunity to exercise Three several Acts of Charity viz. Edifying of your self Comforting of the Sorrowful and Praying for the Dead And § I. As to Edifying of your self There is no better a Preservative against Sin than the Remembrance of Death and therefore 't is written In all thy Works remember thy last things and thou shalt not Sin Ecclus 7.40 Neither is there any livelier Memorial of Death than a Funeral Wherefore it is better to go to the House of Mourning than to the House of Banqueting for in that the end of all Men is signified and he that lives thinks what shall be Eccles 7.3 Hence at Funerals follow the Advice of Ecclesiasticus viz. Son upon the Dead shed Tears c. and according to Discretion cover his Body and neglect not his Burial Remember the last things and forget not Imagin the deceased Party says to thee Be mindful of my Judgment for thine also must be so To me Yesterday and to thee to Day Ecclus 38.16 c.
their Tribulation and to make and keep ones self unspotted from this World James 1.27 3. Perfect Charity because if I should have all Faith and have not Charity I am nothing And if I should distribute all my Goods to the Poor and have not Charity it profits me nothing 1 Cor. 13.2 3. Therefore When you shall stand to Pray forgive if you have ought against any Man that also your Father who is in Heaven may forgive you your Sins Mark 11.25 Forgive thy Neighbour hurting thee and then shall thy Sins be loosed to thee when thou prayest c. Ecclus 28.2 c. But if you will not forgive Men neither will your Father forgive you your Offences Mat. 6.15 And if thou offerest thy Gifts at the Altar and there remember'st that thy Brother has ought against thee leave there thy Offering before the Altar and go first to be reconciled to thy Brother and then coming thou shalt offer thy Gift Mat. 5.24 25. Hence it appears that Charity towards our Neighbour ought always to accompany and sometimes take place of Divine Worship and God's more immediate Service Because to do Mercy and Judgment does more please our Lord than Victims And to love ones Neighbour as himself is a greater thing than all Holocausts and Sacrifices without Charity Prov. 21.3 Mark 12.33 See also Hosea 6.6 Mat. 12.7 Besides these three Conditions mention'd 1 Tim. 1.5 you must also have 4. A good Intention to which the Apostle directs you saying Whatsoever you do in Word or in Work do all things unto the Glory of God and in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ giving Thanks to God and the Father by Him 1 Cor. 10.31 Col. 3.17 5. True Devotion must inspirit the whole Body of your Religious Actions and make you serve God with a perfect Heart and a willing Mind 1 Par. 28.9 For God is a Spirit and they that adore him must adore in Spirit and Truth John 4.24 by offering Spiritual Sacrifices or Acts of Faith Hope Charity and other Interior Vertues acceptable to God thro' Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 without which all outward Respects and Signs of Godliness are no better than Counterfeit Piety and downright Hypocrifie See Ps 77.36 37. Ecclus 1.40 Luke 20.47 In fine To keep Sundays and other Feasts Holy you must not only serve God in Holiness and Justice but you must be also in all Conversation Holy Luke 1.74 75. and 1 Pet. 1.15 CHAP. XXIV Of Working and Business Whatsoever you do work it from the Heart as to our Lord and not to Men. Col. 3.23 § I. BEfore you take in Hand any Work or Business make the Sign of the Cross and let it be your Intention and Aim to please Him thereby who ought to be the Beginning Progress and End of all your Actions and for that Purpose say this short Prayer Lord God of Mercy give me Wisdom from thy Holy Heavens that she may be with me and labour with me that I may know and do what is acceptable to thee Wisd 9. § II. In all thy Works be quick and Infirmity shall not chance unto thee Ecclus 31.27 The Slothful Hand has wrought Poverty the Hand of the Strong gets Riches Prov. 10.4 In all thy Works be exquisite or exact give no stain to thy Glory thro' Negligence Ecclus 33.23.24 Hence it appears that Industrious and Diligent Labour is a great Friend to Health Wealth and Reputation and it is as Advantagious to Salvation when Sanctified with Spiritual Recollection 1. By calling to mind the Presence of God or the Subject of your Mornings Meditation 2. By using Jaculatory Prayers and Silent Elevation of the Heart to God 3. By Singing with Heart and Voice Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs whilst you are at Work Col. 3.16 § III. When you have finished your Work offer it to God its principal Author Phil. 2.13 together with the Labours and Pains undergone by Christ on Earth for us Men and for our Salvation and pray that what you have done may be acceptable to the Divine Majesty thro' the Merits of our Saviour's Works c. CHAP. XXV Of Eating and Drinking Whether you Eat or Drink or do any other thing do all things to the Glory of God 1 Cor. 10.31 THE first Christians took their Meat with Joy and Simplicity or Sincerity of Heart praising God Acts 2.46 Do you in like manner And § I. Before Meat say Grace not for fashion-sake and meerly out of Custom but with that inward Devotion and outward Respect which is due to God in whose presence you are and to whom you speak for this Lesson Christ taught when looking up to Heaven he Blessed the Five Loaves and Two Fishes Mat. 14.19 * ⎠* What Virtue the Blessing of our Meat has you may see in the Annotations of the Rhemes Testament upon 1 Tim. 4.5 § II. At Table if thou be set in the midst of many stretch not forth thy Hand before them neither do thou first ask to Drink Vse as a frugal Man those things that are set before thee Leave off first for Manners-sake and exceed not lest perhaps thou Offend Watching and Choler and Torment to an Vnsatiable Man Sleep of Health is in a Man of spare Diet and his Soul with him shall be delighted Sober Drinking is Health to Soul and Body Ecclus 31. passim Eat what suffices but be not greedy in all Feasting and pour not out thy self upon all Meat for in many Meats there shall be Infirmity and Greediness shall approach even to Choler Because of Surfeit many have Died but he that is abstinent shall add Life both to Body and Soul Prov. 25.16 Ecclus 37.32 c. § III. After Meat say Grace again with Devotion and Reverence and let thy Soul magnifie our Lord for that he has filled the Hungry with Good Things and thee amongst the rest for no other end than that when thou hast Eaten and art Full thou may'st Bless the Lord thy God Luk. 1.53 Deut. 8.10 CHAP. XXVI Of Discourse If any Man think himself to be Religious not Bridling his Tongue this Man's Religion is Vain But if any Man Offend not in Word this is a Perfect Man Jam. 1.26 c. 3. v. 2. § I. B Before you fall into Discourse make your Intention to keep up thereby true Charity and Friendship with your Neighbour in Honour and Imitation of Christ's Holy Conversation on Earth with all sorts of People And then Pray thus Set O Lord a Guard to my Mouth and a Door to my Lips Decline not my Heart into Words of Malice that I fall not by Them and my Tongue destroy me Psal 140.3 4. Ecclus 22.33 § II. In Discourse speak nothing but what is Good Eph. 4.29 and Edisying * and better than Silence in regard that of every Idle Word that Men shall Speak they shall give an Account in the Day of Judgment For by thy Words thou shalt be Justified and by thy Words thou shalt be Condemned Mat. 12.36
THE LAY-MAN's Ritual CONTAINING Practical Methods of Christian Duties both Religious and Moral Drawn out of H. Scripture the Roman Ritual the Catechism ad Parochos c. By C. T. Clergy-man For the Instruction of his FLOCK Let all things be done decently and according to order 1 Cor. 14.40 Printed in the Year 1698. THE PREFACE Christian Reader IN the following Work I have endeavour'd for many Reasons to crowd great store of Matter in a little room yet so as to render the Duties it Treats of as intelligible and familiar as possibly I could in few Words Nevertheless Obscurity is so essential to Brevity that I cannot expect but you 'll stand in need of an Interpreter in many places and therefore I remit you very frequently to other Books handling more largely what I deliver in short If you have them not by you then recur to your Spiritual Director for the Explication of what you do not understand By this means the Whole will be serviceable to you especially if you read it often and make it the Rule of your Religious and Moral Actions in order to please God in all you do This is the Noble End it aims at Towards obtaining whereof I wish it may prove useful to Many humbly desiring All that are benefitted by my poor Endeavours to say a Pater and an Ave for my Intention Farewel A TABLE Of the following Chapters and their Contents Ch. I. Of Baptism Ch. II. Of Confirmation Ch. III. Of Penance Ch. IV. Of Indulgences Ch. V. Of H. Communion Ch. VI. Of Communion of the Sick Ch. VII Of Receiving our Viaticum Ch. VIII Of How often the H. Eucharist is to be Receiv'd Ch. IX Of Extreme-Unction Ch. X. Of H. Orders Ch. XI Of Matrimony Ch. XII Of Of Churching Women after Child-Birth Ch. XIII Of Prayer Ch. XIV Of Hearing Mass Ch. XV. Of Hearing Sermons Ch. XVI Of Reading Pious Books Ch. XVII Of H. Processions Ch. XVIII Of Visiting the Sick Ch. XIX Of Assisting Dying Persons Ch. XX. Of Burying the Dead Ch. XXI Of Alms-giving Ch. XXII Of Fasting Ch. XXIII Of Holy-Day-Duties Ch. XXIV Of Working and Business Ch. XXV Of Eating and Drinking Ch. XXVI Of Discourse Ch. XXVII Of Recreation Ch. XXVIII Of Family-Duties Ch. XXIX Of A Morning-Exercise Ch. XXX Of An Evening-Exercise Ch. Of The Conclusion THE LAY-MAN's Ritual CHAP. I. Of Baptism Christ loved the Church and deliver'd himself for it that he might sanctifie it cleansing it with the Laver of Water in the Word c. Eph. 5.25 c. HOLY BAPTISM the Gate or Entrance of Christian Religion and of Life Everlasting holds the first Place amongst the Sacraments of the New Law instituted by Christ and it is necessary for the Salvation of all Mankind as Truth it self witnesses in these Words Nisi quis c. Vnless a Man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God * Jo. 3.5 Therefore extraordinary Diligence is to be used in the timely and due Administration and Receiving of this Sacrament And tho' the Solemn Administration of Baptism belongs to the Clergy nevertheless as often as an Infant or any other Person unbaptized is in danger of Death such an one may and ought to be baptized Privately by any Laick and in any Language whatever provided the Form and Intention of the Church be observ'd and kept But where Choice may be had one of the Faithful is to be preferr'd before an Infidel a Catholick before a Heretick any other Cath. before the Child's Father or Mother a Man before a Woman except the Child is to be baptized whilst the Mother is in Labor or unless the Woman knows the Form and Manner of Baptizing better than the Man c. Hence all the Faithful and especially Midwives ought to know how to Baptize aright Which is after this manner * ⎠* They must pour or sprinkle Natural Water upon some part of the Child and at the same time say Mat. 28.19 I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost And this they must do and say with an Intention to make the Infant a Christian and Member of Christ's Church Tho' the Church baptizes Infants and Idiots in the Faith of their Godfathers and Godmothers without their actual Knowledge and Concurrence nevertheless more is required of such as are come to the use of Reason not only Before but also In and After Baptism And §. I. Before Baptism 1. They must be well Instructed in the Faith and Law of Christ Mat. 28.19 Heb. 6.1 c. 2. They must Believe expresly what is taught them renouncing all former Infidelity Mar. 16.16 Act. 8.36 c. c. 16. v. 31. c. 3. They must have hearty Sorrow for their Sins with Purposes of Amendment Act. 2.37 38. c. 3. v. 19. 4. They must exercise themselves some Days before in Works of Piety And it is meet they should be Fasting when they are Baptized §. II. At Baptism Let them Consider how when Jesus was Baptized of John in Jordan the Heavens open'd to him and the Holy Ghost descended in Corporal Shape as a Dove and remain'd upon him And a Voice was made from Heaven saying Thou art my beloved Son in thee I am well pleased Mar. 1. Luk. 3. And hence let them gather the happy Effects of Baptism In vertue whereof 1. The Gates of Heaven shut against Sinners (a) Apoc. 21.27 are open'd to them 2. The H. Ghost descends upon them (b) Tit. 3.5 6. making them in Innocence like Doves (c) Mat. 10.16 3. They are made the Adopted Children of God and Heirs apparent to the Kingdom of Heaven (d) Tit. 3.7 §. III. After Baptism 1. Let them thankfully reflect upon the happy Change made in their Souls by means of Baptism and say We were by Nature the Children of Wrath as also the rest of Mankind But God who is rich in Mercy for his exceeding Charity wherewith he loved us even when we were dead by Sins quickned us together in Christ c. Eph. 2.3 c. 2. Thanks be to God the Father who has made us worthy unto a part of the Lot of the Saints or the Faithful in the Light who has deliver'd us from the Power of Darkness and has translated us into the Kingdom or Church of his beloved Son in whom we have Redemption the Remission of Sins This is the Change of the right Hand of the Highest Col. 1.12 c. Ps 76.11 3. The Night of Sin is past the Day of Grace is at hand let us therefore cast off the Works of Darkness and put on the Armor of Light As in the Day of Grace let us walk honestly not in Banquettings and Drunkenness not in Chamberings and Impudicities not in Contention and Emulation but put ye on our Lord Jesus Christ And according to him who has called you the Holy One that is according to Christ be you also in
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
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
37. Wherefore He that keeps his Mouth and his Tongue keeps his Soul from Distresses but he that is unadvised to speak shall feel Evils Prov. 13.3 c. 21. v. 23. Hence that you may not Offend in Words reflect now and then whilst you Discourse that God hears all you say and that one Day you must render him an Account c. * ⎠* If any one in your hearing utters Curses Oaths Provoking Language Detractions Immodest Words c. do not Smile but Frown upon him For The North-Wind Dissipates Rain and a Sad look Silences the Tongue that Detracts Prov. 25.23 Therefore in such a Case Anger is better than Laughter because by Sadness of the Countenance the Mind of the Offender is Corrected Eccles 7.4 whereas Smiling and Pleasant Looks would Encourage him and make you Guilty of his Wickedness But Hast thou heard unavoidably a word against thy Neighbour Let it Die together in thee that is never Divulge it while thou livest trusting it will not burst thee And believe not every such Word or Report For he that gives Credit quickly is light of Heart and Sins against his own Soul Ecclus 19.4.10 Again If thou hast been an Eye-Witness of thy Neighbour's failings The things which thy Eyes have seen utter not quickly in a Brawl lest afterwards thou canst not amend it when thou hast dishonoured thy Friend Prov. 25.8 by blemishing or taking away his Good Name a Commodity better than much Riches Prov. 22.1 and harder to be Restored than they for Volat irrevocabile Verbum Yet Restored it must be as much as possible else the Sin of Defamation cannot be forgiven any more than the Sin of Theft which is not forgiven unless Restitution be made § III. After Discourse call to mind and be Sorry for the Faults you have committed in Speaking and in Satisfaction for the same punish your Tongue by Silence or any other Mortification for a shorter or longer space of time according to the Measure of your Offence * ⎠* Read the Introduction to a Devout Life Part 3. Chap. 26 c. CHAP. XXVII Of Recreation A time to Laugh and a time to Dance Eccles 3.4 THE Service of Christ is a Yoke so Sweet and a Burden so Light Mat. 11.30 that even our Recreations and Pastimes do please him when they are Qualified with 1. A good Intention in seeking thereby to preserve our Health that we may be able to Serve God and our Neighbour with greater Vigour c. 2. Discretion in observing what the Time Place and Persons require and in complying therewith as far as Modesty and a due Regard to the Presence of God will Allow but no farther For the Apostle admitting of no Dispensation in the Case says Let your Modesty be known to all Men our Lord is nigh Phil. 4.5 3. Moderation in Regulating our Affection and Attention to Play and Sport so as not to make them Sinful and Vexations nor to spend more time therein than is Requisite for the necessary Relaxation of Mind and Body wearied with Prayer Study or Labour See more of this Duty in the Introduction to a Devout Life Part III. Chap. XXXI c. CHAP. XXVIII Of Family Duties Thus says the Lord Make your Ways Good and your Studies and I will dwell with you in this Place Jer. 7.3 A Well-Order'd Family is a compleat Corporation or Body-Politick consisting of a Head Governing and of Members Governed in a perfect Harmony of Affections Interests and Endeavours for the Spiritual and Temporal Welfare of themselves at Home and the Edification of their Neighbours Abroad Now that your Families may be such each Part thereof must know its proper Duty and comply therewith as follows 1. Let Women be Subject to their Husbands as to our Lord and as the Church is Subject to Christ so also Women to their Husbands in all things Because the Man is Head of the Woman as Christ is Head of the Church his Mystical Body Eph. 5.22 c. See also Gen. 3.16 1 Cor. 11.3.9 Women likewise ought to Love their Husbands and Children to be Wise Chaste Sober having a Care of the House to be Gentle c. that the Word of God be not Blasphemed Tit. 2.4 5. See also Tob. 10.13 Prov. 31. throughout 1 Pet. 3.1 c. 2. Husbands love your Wives as your own Bodies as Christ also loved the Church and be not bitter towards them For no Man ever hated his own Flesh but he Nourishes and Cherishes it as also Christ the Church Eph. 5.25 c. Col. 3.19 See also 1 Pet. 3.7 3. Children Honour your Parents in Heart by thinking well of them in Word by speaking to and of them respectfully in Work by doing for them what you are able and in all Patience without Murmuring or Uneasiness (a) Tob. 4.3 4. c. 10. v. 4. Ecclus 3. throughout c. 7. v. 29 30. Obey your Parents in all things for this is well-pleasing to our Lord (b) Col. 3.20 Eph. 6.1 2. Luk. 2.51 But to omit these Duties (c) Deut. 27.16 or act contrary to them (d) Deut. 21.18 c. Exod. 21.15 17. Lev. 20.9 Prov. 15.5 c. 19. v. 26. c. 28. v. 24. c. 30. v. 17. is highly Offensive and extremely Punishable 4. And you Fathers and Mothers Provoke not your Children to Anger by unreasonable Severity that they become not Discouraged but bring them up in the Discipline or Instruction and Correction of our Lord (e) Eph. 6.4 Col. 3.21 That is Teach them from their Infancy to Fear and Serve God and to Abstain from Sin (f) Gen. 18.18 Deut. 4.9 c. 11. v. 19. Tob. 1.10 c. 14. v. 10 11 17. And give them when faulty due Reprehensions and timely Chastisement (g) Prov. 13.24 c. 23. v. 13 15. c. 29. v. 1◠17. Ecclus 7.25 and c. 30. passim 1 Kin. 3.13 5. Servants obey in all things your Masters and Mistresses not serving to the Eye as pleasing Men but in Simplicity or Sincerity of Heart fearing God Whatsoever you do work it from the Heart as to our Lord and not to Men knowing that you shall receive of our Lord the Reward of Inheritance in Heaven Serve our Lord Jesus Christ in the Persons of your Masters and Mistresses in all things pleasing not gainsaying not defrauding but in all things shewing good Faith or Fidelity For he that does an Injury shall receive that which he has done Vnjustly and there is no acception of Persons with God Col. 3.22 c. Tit. 2.9 See also Eph. 6.5 c. Whosoever are Servants under Yoke let them count their Masters tho' Unbelievers worthy of all Honour lest the Name of our Lord and his Doctrine be Blasphem'd But they that have Faithful Masters let them not Contemn them because they are Brethren but Serve them rather because they are Faithful 1 Tim. 6.1 2. Servants be Subject in all Fear to your Masters not only to the Good and Gentle but also to the froward For if