me in thy Justice Psal 5.9 3. Whilst she kneels before the Altar let her Give thanks to God for the Blessings and Benefits he has bestow'd upon her and her Child Let her Offer her self and her little one to the Father of Mercies and let her Pray Devoutly with the Priest for a Continuation and a Holy Use of God's Gifts and Favours during Life that after Death she with her Child â—â—y come to Everlasting Bliss thro' the Merits of Christ and the Intercession of his Blessed Mother Lastly Whilst the Priest gives the Benediction saying The Peace and Blessing of Almighty God the Father Son and Holy Ghost descend upon thee and remain always let her Earnest Wishes go along with his Prayer and let her Seal them up with a hearty Amen CHAP. XIII Of Prayer You have not either because you ask not or because you ask amiss Ask therefore rightly and it shall be given you Jam. 4.2 3. Mat. 7.7 § I. Before Prayer Ecclus 18. Prepare thy Soul and be not as a Man that tempts God That is 1. Think seriously what you are going to do For You are about to treat with God concerning the only necessary Affair of your Salvation c. Dust and Ashes are about to Speak and Converse with the Lord of Heaven and Earth c. Gen. 18.27 2. Setting aside all other Business chuse such Time and Place as are most free from Noise and Disturbance and that may give you power without impediment to attend upon our Lord. 1 Cor. 7.35 3. Consider your self in the Presence of God who does not hear Sinners until they Repent Jo. 9.31 Deut. 30.1 c. * Ecclus 12.3 Therefore in case you are Guilty of Morral Sin endeavour to put your self in the State of Grace by an Act of Contrition saying My God I am confounded and ashamed to lift up my Face to thee because my Iniquities are multiplied and I have sinned grievously unto this Day Nevertheless in regard thy Mercy is such that in the time of Tribulation thou forgivest them that call upon thee to thee O Lord I turn my Face to thee I direct my Eyes And now Lord be mindful of me and take not Revenge of my Sins but let thy Mercy quickly prevent me Be merciful to my Sins for thy Names sake For not in my Justifications do I prostrate Prayers before thy Face but in thy many Commiserations Now therefore hear O God the Petition of thy Servant and his Prayers for thy own sake 1 Esdr 9. Tob. 3. Ps 78. Dan. 9. 4. Make your Intention to Honour God by Praying in Union of Spirit with the Prayers and Praises of the Church Militant and Triumphant for the general Good of Christ's whole Mystical Body and for some particular Benefit to your self e. g. the Overcoming of such a Vice the Obtaining of such a Vertue c. according to the Exigency of your Present Spititual Necessities James 1.5 c. 5. Cave the Divine Aid that you may Pray well and without Distractions purposing stedfastly by the Grace of God not to entertain any willingly and for that end say Open O Lord my Mouth to bless thy Holy Name Cleanse also my Heart from all Vain Perverse and Wandring Thoughts Enlighten my Understanding inflame my Affections and recollect my Senses that I may recite this Office or these Devotions Worthily Attentively and Devoutly and may deserve to be heard in Presence of thy Divine Majesty Amen Lord in Union of that Divine Intention with which thou on Earth didst Praise God I present these Hours or Prayers unto thee § II. In Prayer Attention Devotion and Reverence are Indispensibly requisite and I. Attention is a serious Application of Mind to the Sense of the Words so as to understand what you read and know what you ask And this is to Pray in Vnderstanding with the Apostle 1 Cor. 14.15 Now for Procuring and Securing of this Attention 1. You must pronounce your Words not hastily and in a hurry but leisurely and plainly so that your self may hear them distinctly but you must not be over-loud in Company lest you distract others 2. You must take Care to keep your Thoughts free from Worldly Business Vain Curiosities and Idle Fancies by recalling your Mind from Earth to Heaven as often and as soon as you perceive it wandring and straying abroad and by making a Pause now and then for Recollecting your self and Renewing your Attention to the Presence of God 3. Your Exterior Senses must likewise be diligently guarded that neither your Ears may hear nor your Eyes behold the Vanities to the Discomposure of your Mind Lastly All other Causes and Occasions of Distractions must be carefully avoided otherwise your Prayers will not please but provoke Heaven c. H. Devotion consists in exciting and producing Affections of the Heart suitable to the Senses of the Words you repeat Thus for Example in reading the Psalms which make up the major part of Church-Offices your Hearts must keep pace with your Mouths and your Affections must correspond to the Psalmist's Expressions By Fearing where he Fears by Loving where he Loves by Praising where he Praises by Sorrowing where he Sorrows by Petitioning where he Petitions by Humbling your selves where he Acknowledges his own Vileness by giving Thanks for Benefits bestowed on Christians Spiritually which he relates to have been conferr'd on the Israelites Corporally c. Thus teaches S. Augustine on Ps 30. Therefore after this manner let us lift up our Voices and Hands to our Lord in the Heavens (a) Lam. 3.41 and Pour ye out your Hearts before him (b) Psal 61.9 that so you may Pray in Spirit with S. Paul (c) 1 Cor. 14.15 and not incurr the Displeasure of Heaven with those Insincere Devotes whom God Almighty Reproves saying This People approaches with their Mouth and with their Lips glorifies me but their Heart is far from me Isa 29.13 III. Reverence consists in such Dress Posture and Comportment of Body as may most promote Attention and Devotion and may qualifie you best for testifying an Humble Subjection to and Dependance on the Majesty of God Like that of the Publican who standing afar off would not so much as lift his Eyes toward Heaven but knocked his Breast saying God be merciful to me a Sinner (d) Luk. 18.13 For the Prayer of him that Humbles himself thus shall pierce the Clouds (e) Ecclus 35.19 See Ps 101.18 But all such Exterior Carriage and Actions must be utterly forborn as diminish rather than encrease Attention as savour more of Humour than Devotion and as are Inconsistent with that Reverence which is required at Prayer § III. After Prayer The End crowns the Work of Prayer the Fruit and Merit whereof depends much on its Beginning more on its Progress and most on its End And therefore better is the end of Prayer than the beginning Eccles 7.9 Hence to conclude your Devotions well 1. Examine briefly how you have
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
than more Knowing because Knowledge puffs up but Charity edifies 1 Cor. 8.1 2. Read not hastily but leisurely nor much at a time but a little at once with much Attention 3. As often as you meet with a Point that may contribute to the better ordering of your Life pause there and digest it well before you pass any further considering when and where you shall have occasion to practise it that so you may become such an one as that Point requires you to be § III. After Reading Give Thanks beg Grace as after Sermon and be sure to put in Execution the Lesson you Read by doing what it Recommends and by refraining what it Reproves upon such and such Occasions otherwise your Reading will be as Vain and Fruitless as Hearing good things and not Practising them Chap. XIV § III. N. 2 3. * ⎠* Read Daily at your best Convenience in Christian Thoughts what is appointed for the present Day of the Month and in Reading and Practising observe the Method prescribed in the Author's Advertisement Thus much both may and ought to be done by Persons of the fullest Employ But to such as have more Leisure and spare Time I recommend the Four Books of Instructions for the whole Year earnestly exhorting them to let no Day pass without the Perusal and Practice of its proper Lesson that so their Devotions and Actions may keep Pace exactly with the Documents and Examples proposed by the Church in her Daily different Masses and Offices CHAP. XVII Of Holy Processions We march towards the Place which our Lord will give us Numb 10.29 PUblic and Sacred Processions or Supplications were Antiently Instituted by the H. Fathers and are now commonly used by the Church either for Exciting the Piety of the Faithful or for Commemoration of God's Benefits and giving him Thanks or for Imploring the Divine Aid Hence they contain Great and Godly Mysteries and the Devout Practisers of them obtain of God wholesom Fruits of Christian Piety and therefore ought to be Solemnized with due Reverence and Devotion These walking Devotions signifie in general our Pilgrimage on Earth towards Heaven of which S. Paul writes thus We have not here a Permanent City or lasting abode but we seek for that which is to come knowing that while we are in the Body we are Pilgrims from God for we walk by Faith not by Sight Heb. 13.14 2 Cor. 5.7 1. In Processions the Cross is carried out first to signifie how Jesus also that he might Sanctifie the People by his own Blood suffer'd without the Gate of Jerusalem and that so it behoved Christ to suffer and so to enter into his Glory Heb. 13.12 and Luk. 24. v. 26 and 46. 2. Next to the Cross are carried the Images and Relicks of Saints to signifie that by way of the Cross they came to the Crown of Glory and that we also must hold the same Road to arrive at the same Happiness as Christ himself assures us saying If any Man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me Luk. 9.23 See also c. 14. v. 27. and Mat. 10.38 Let us go therefore to him without the Camp carrying his Reproach Let us suffer with him that we may be also glorified with Him For if we shall sustain we shall also Reign together Heb. 13.13 Rom. 8.17 2 Tim. 2.12 3. After these is carried the B. Sacrament of Christ's Body the Heavenly Food of our Souls and the Support of our Spiritual Life in this our Earthly Pilgrimage See Chap. VII § I. At Processions Lay-People must march apart from the Clergy Women from Men in decent Attire Gravely Modestly and Devoutly entertaining themselves with Godly Thoughts and Prayers without Laughing Talking and Gazing about and joining Hearts and Voices with the Clergy in Thanksgiving for past Benefits in Craving of future Blessings in Deploring of present Public Calamities the Effects and Punishments of Sin * Prov. 14.34 Isa 24.5 c. and in Imploring of God's Mercy according to the Respective End and Intent of each Procession And Amongst other Pious Thoughts and Expressions they may use these We are Pilgrims before thee O Lord and Strangers as all our Forefathers have been Our Days are as a Shadow upon the Earth and there is no abiding here for us (a) 1 Par. 29.15 Hear my Prayer O Lord and my Petition With thy Ears receive my Tears because I am a Stranger with thee and a Pilgrim as my Fathers Forgive me that I may be Refreshed before I Depart and shall be no more (b) Ps 38.13 Wo is me that my Sojourning is prolonged My Soul has been long a Sojourner (c) Psal 119.5 having a desire to be Dissolved and to be with Christ a thing much better than to abide in the Flesh Phil. 1.23 See also 2 Cor. 5.1 c. For they that say these things do signifie that they seek a Countrey and desire a better than this that is to say a Heavenly one Heb. 11.13 c. CHAP. XVIII Of Visiting the Sick Want not in Consolation to them that weep and walk with them that Mourn Be not loth to Visit the Sick for by these things thou shalt be Confirm'd in Love Ecclus 7.38 39. GOD has given to every one change of his Neighbour Ecclus 17.12 Of which Charge a principal part is Visiting and Assisting the Sick Therefore as soon as you hear of your Neighbour being fall'n Sick go freely to Visit him and Exercise your Charity often during his Infirmity And whilst you are on your way to the Sick consider the Charity Humility c. with which Christ used to Visit and Comfort Sick and Afflicted Persons Beseech him to Animate you with his Spirit that you may discharge this Duty according to the Pattern he has set you and at the same time offer to him the Action you are going to perform c. When you come to the Sick by Charitable Compassion take part in his or her Sufferings and endeavour to make them Easie and Meritorious by Godly Reading Good Counsel and Devout Prayer And § I. Every Visit you make Read what you judge most proper for the Sick Person 's Instruction Comfort and Encouragement either out of Bellarmin's Art of Dying Well or the Preparation for Death collected by Ballentine or the Holy Desires of Death or the Exercises preparatory for Death at the end 1. Of the Christian Rules 2. Of the Manual of the Poor Man's Devotions 3. Of the Daily Exercise of a Christian Life 4. Of the Daily Exercise of a Devout Christian Or you may Read the Passion of our Saviour according to one of the Four Evangelists in the Primer § II. The Counsel you are to give the Sick Man must regard 1. His Estate 2. His Body And 3. His Soul And 1. As to his Estate At the beginning of his Sickness if he has not done it beforehand you must perswade him to make his Last Will and
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.
CHAP. XXII Of Fasting Sanctifie ye a Fast Joel 1.14 THE Conditions and Qualities of a Fast Holy and Acceptable to God are as follow 1. Your Fasting must proceed from a Sincere Conversion of the Heart and an Intention to Appease God's Wrath and Satisfie his Justice in the Voluntary Confession and Punishment of your Sins Now therefore says our Lord Convert to me in all your Heart in Fasting in Weeping and in Mourning Rent your Hearts and not your Garments and turn to the Lord your God because he is Benign and Merciful Patient and of much Mercy and ready to be Gracious upon the Malice of Repenting Sinners Joel 2.12 13. In this Disposition of Soul the Israelites Achab and the Ninevites Fasted and Humbled themselves and thereupon God had Mercy on them 1 K. 7.3 c. 3 K. 21.27 c. Jonas 3.5 c. 2. Your Fasting must be void of Self-will and Rigor towards others and accompanied with Self-denial and Works of Mercy When the Israelites enquired why God Almighty regarded not their Fasting The Prophet gave the Reason of their Disappointment saying Behold in the Day of your Fast your own Will is found and you exact of all your Debtors Behold you Fast to Debates and Contentions and strike with the Fist Impiously Do not Fast as until this Day that your Cry may be heard on High Is this such a Fast as I have chosen Wilt thou call this a Fast and a Day acceptable to the Lord Is not this rather the Fast that I have chosen Dissolve the Bands of Iniquity c. Break thy Bread to the Hungry and Needy and the Harbourless bring into thy House When thou shalt see the Naked cover him and despise not thy Flesh Then shalt thou Invocate and our Lord will hear c. If thou wilt cease to speak that which profits not and shalt fill the Afflicted Soul our Lord will give thee Rest always and will fill thy Soul with Brightness c. Isa 58. See also Zach. 7. Vtamur ergo Parcius c. Let us therefore on Fast-Days put a Restraint upon our Words Meat Drink Sleep Sports and set a stricter Guard over our Senses let us avoid Sin and the Occasions thereof let us exercise Charity c. 3. Your Fasting must be attended not only with Alms-deeds but also with Prayer its Individual Companion on all Occasions and Effectual when used with great Instance and Perseverance Deut. 9.8 9 18 19. Tob. 3.10 c. Judith 4.8 c. Thus Prayer is good with Fasting and Alms Tob. 12.8 And as a triple Cord is hardly broken Eccles 4.12 So these three Suffrages duly linked together are most prevalent 4. Your Fasting must be void of outward Shew and as reserved as possible When you Fast says Christ be not as Hypocrites sad for they disfigure their Faces that they may appear unto Men to Fast Amen I say to you they have received their Reward But thou when thou dost Fast Anoint thy Head and Wash thy Face that thou appear not to Men to Fast but to thy Father who is in secret and thy Father who sees in Secret will repay thee And like Privacy is to be observed in Alms-deeds and Prayer as you may see at large Mat. 6. * ⎠* Read the Preface and the Five next ensuing Paragraphs in the Instructions for Lent and they will give you a fuller Account of this Duty The Church commands us to Fast Lent Vigils or Eves Ember-Days c. for the Reasons given in the Abridgment of Christian Doctrin Chap. IX Prec 2. CHAP. XXIII Of Holy-Day Duties Keep Holy the Sabbath-Day and other Feasts Ex. 20.8 Lev. 23. Num. 28 and 29. Deuter. 16. throughout BEsides resting from Prophane Employments and Servile Labours the keeping of a Day Holy requires 1. Holy Actions 2. Holy Actors And 3. A Holy Manner of Acting § I. Holy Actions and Exercises are 1. Offering of and Assisting at the H. Sacrifice of the Mass for which see Chap. XIII 2. Administring and Receiving of the Sacrament John 7.22 23. Acts 20.7 11. especially of Penance and the H. Eucharist for which see Chap. III. and Chap. V. 3. Preaching and Hearing Sermons Mark 6.2 for which see Chap. 14. 4. Reading Expounding and Hearing the Scripture publicly Luke 4.16 c. Acts 13. Passim c. 17. v. 2 3. See Chap. 15. 5. Singing Psalms and Spiritual Canticles Ps 91.1 Col. 3.16 6. Making Offerings Contributions and Collections for the Use of the Altar (a) Deut. 16.16 17. Ex. 30.16 Prov. 3.9 c. Ecclus 35.4 c. for Maintenance of the Priest (b) Ezek. 44.30 1 Cor. 9.7 c. and for Relief of the Poor (c) Prov. 19.17 Tob. 4.7 c. 1 Cor. 16.1 c. 2 Cor. c. 8 and c. 9. Passim 7. Doing other Works of Mercy both Spiritual and Corporal Mat. 12.10 c. Mark 3.4 Luke 6.6 c. c. 13. v. 16. John 5.8 c. c. 9. v. 14 16. 1 Cor. 16.1 2. * ⎠* Note here that on Sundays and Holy-days are allow'd 1. Works of Necessity as Dressing and Cooking of Victuals Looking and Foddering of Cattel and such like Ex. 12.16 Mat. 12.1 c. Mark 2.23 c. Mat. 12.11 Luke 13.15 John 5.8 c. Act. 1.12 c. 2. Such Innocent Recreations as do not Prejudice our Devotions but refresh our drooping Spirits and enable us to serve our Lord in Cheerfulness Ps 99.1 § II. The Qualities of Holy Actors and the Conditions of Acting Holily are 1. True Faith without which it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 And therefore all that is not of Faith is Sin i. e. is Unsanctified and Unacceptable to God Rom. 14.23 2. A pure Heart and a good Conscience because every good Tree yields good Fruit and if the Root be Holy the Boughs also are Holy But the evil Tree yields evil Fruit and can no more yield good Fruit than Thorns Grapes or Thistles Figs. Mat. 7.16 c. Rom. 11.16 Hence the Sacrifices of the Wicked are abominable to our Lord the Vows and Devotions of the Just are acceptable Prov. 15.8 See Prov. 21.27 Ecclus 34.23 Gen. 4.4 Heb. 11.4 This Disposition of Heart and Conscience God himself presses most energically when he says To what purpose do ye offer me the Multitude of your Victims I am full Who fought for these things at your Hands Offer Sacrifice no more in vain Incense it Abomination to me The Sabbath and other Festivals as Solemnized by you I will not abide your Assemblies are wicked My Soul hates your Solemnities they are become tedious to me and when you shall multiply Prayers I will not hear for your Hands are full of Blood Wash you be clean take away the Evil of your Thoughts from my Eyes cease to do Perversly learn to do Good seek Judgment succour the Oppressed c. Isa 1.11 c. See also c. 58. v. 13 14. For Religion Clean and Vnspotted with God is this To visit Pupils and Widows 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
find him Yet so if thou seek'st him with all thy Heart and all the Tribulation of thy Soul For a Sacrifice to God is an Afflicted Spirit A Contrite and an Humbled Heart O God thou wilt not despise Ezek. 20.43 Deut. 4.29 Psal 50.19 But this Sorrow for Sins past must proceed from the Love of God and not from any Worldly Respect because The Sorrow of the World works Death and kills many and there is no Profit in it But the Sorrow that is according to God works Penance unto Salvation that is stedfast Ecclus 30.25 2 Cor. 7.10 Such was the Sorrow of Magdalen when she water'd Christ's Feet with Penitential Tears c. in regard wherof Jesus said to Simon Many Sins are forgiven her because she has loved much But to whom less is forgiven he loves less * Luke 7.38 c. Whence S. John concludes He that loves not abides in Death that is in Deadly Sin unforgiven 1 John 3.14 Let us therefore love God c. (a) 1 John 4.19 And you that love our Lord hate ye Evil. (b) Psal 96.10 Because He that loves God and hates Sin praying shall obtain Pardon for Sins and shall not only purpose Amendment but also effectually refrain himself from them Ecclus 3.4 4. Make the following Act of Contrition in all Sincerity and with the Sentiments of a Heart truly Penitent My God and my All I detest all and especially such and such Sins of my Life past above all things detestable I am sorry from my very Heart and I wish I were more sorrowful for that I an ungrateful Wretch have offended thee whom I ought to have loved above all things I firmly purpose by thy Holy Grace to confess my Sins faithfully and to do the Penance that shall be enjoin'd me for the same as also to avoid all and especially such and such Occasions of Sin and never to offend thee more And in Satisfaction for my past Offences I offer unto thee together with the Actions and Sufferings of Christ all the Good I have done or shall do and all the Evil I have suffer'd or shall suffer hoping thou wilt accept thereof and pardon me for thy Mercies sake and the Merits of thy only Son out Dear Redeemer Jesus Amen And that you may nor be too remiss in a Duty that requires Pains * Ps 6.7 for farther Improvement of your Sorrow read in the Bitterness of your Soul the Psalm Miserere with the following Prayer of Manasses Lord Omnipotent who didst make Heaven and Earth with all their Ornaments who hast bound the Sea with the Word of thy Precept whom all things Dread and Tremble at the Visage of thy Power because the Magnificence of thy Glory is not Supportable and and the Wrath of thy Threatning upon Sinners is Intolerable but the Mercy of thy Promise is Infinite and unseachable because thou art our Lord most High Benign Long-suffering very Merciful and Penitent upon the Wickedness of Men. Thou Lord according to the Multitude of thy Goodness hast promised Penance and Remission to them that have sinned to thee and in the Multitude of thy Mercies thou hast decreed Penance for Sinners unto Salvation Thou therefore Lord God of the Just hast not appoinred Penance for the Just and them that have not sinned to thee but hast appointed Penance for me a Sinner Because I have sinned above the number of the Sands of the Sea My Iniquities Lord are multiplied my Iniquities are multiplied and I am not worthy to behold and look upon the height of Heaven for the Multitude of my Iniquities I am made crooked with many a Band of Sinful Affections and Habits that I cannot lift up my Head and I have no Respit Because I have stin'd up thy Wrath and have done Evil before thee I have not done thy Will and thy Commandments I have not kept I have set up Abominations and I have multiplied Offences And now I bow the Knee of my Heart beseeching Goodness of thee I have sinned Lord I have sinned and I acknowledge my Iniquities Wherefore I petition beseeching thee Forgive me Lord forgive me and destroy me not together with my Iniquities neither reserve thou for ever in thy Wrath Evils for me neither Damn thou me in the lowest Places of the Earth Because thou art God God I say of the Penitent and in me thou shalt shew all thy Goodness because thou shalt save me unworthy according to thy great Mercy and I will praise thee always all the Days of my Life Because all the Power of the Heavens praises thee and to thee is Glory for ever and ever 5. Say the Prayer before Confession as in the Manual or Primer and then Go shew your selves to the Priests * Luk. 17.14 to whom God has given the Ministry of Reconciliation * 2 Cor. 5.18 in vertue of Christ's Commission viz. Receive ye the Holy Ghost Whose Sins you shall forgive they are forgiven them c. Jo. 20.23 See also Mat. 18.18 § II. Of Confession Place your self on your Knees beside Christ's Minister like Magdalen at Christ's Feet Luke 7.38 make the Sign of the Cross ask Blessing and it being given say I confess to Almighty God and to you Father that I have very much sinned in Thought Word and Deed thro' my Fault thro' my Fault thro' my most grievous Fault Knocking your Breast with the Humble Publican Luke 18.13 thrice whilst you say Thro' my Fault c. Then having first acquainted your Confessarius with your State and Calling if he knows it not begin your Confession thus I accuse my self that since my last Confession which was so many Days Weeks or Months ago I have Here with a Contrite Heart you must declare the Sins you know or suspect to be Mortal one after another in that Course and Order you ranked them at your Examination for the help of your Memory Expressing exactly or as near as you can how often you have faln into each Sin whether it concern'd a light Matter or a Matter of Moment whether you committed it with Foresight or Reflection whether you stay'd in it long or only a short time and in Sins of Thought tell whether you gave full Consent thereto or Delighted in it or were only Negligent in rejecting it But these and such like necessary Circumstances you must unfold in as decent and few Words as possible relating what you are sure of as certain what you doubt of as doubtful without any Mixture of Impertinent Stories concerning Temporal Affairs as Losses Troubles c. without Self-Commendations and blaming or even naming of others without Concealing or Excusing your Sins either thro' Fear or Shame because He that hides his wicked Deeds shall not be directed But he that shall confess and shall forsake them shall find Mercy Prov. 28.13 See 1 Jo. 1.9 Hence according to S. Aug. The Confession of evil Works is the beginning of good Works Tract 12. in Jo. and more than
that Innocentiae proxima est humilis Confessio An Humble Confession brings the Guilty Person again as near as possible to the State of Innocency Why then should any one either fear or shame to do well who neither fear'd nor sham'd to do ill Especially being every Ghostly-Father is bound in Conscience to conceal and no way disclose his Spiritual-Child's Failings and to think better and not worse of him for confessing his Sins Having thus declar'd in particular your more grievous Offences you may in general Terms confess your lesser Failings Oversights and Negligences and then conclude saying For these my Since and Imperfections and for whatever else I cannot now call to mind I am heartily sorry and purpose Amendment humbly craving Pardon of God Penance and Absolution of you my Ghostly Father Therefore I beseech the B. Virgin Mary all the Saints in Heaven and you Father to pray to God for me Lastly To Mâ—â—ereatur c. and to Indulgentiam c. answer Amen with Hearty Desires and Stedfast Hopes of Mercy and Pardon § III. Of Satisfaction 1. Open your Ears and Heart to receive such Reprehensions and Directions as shall be given you And if the Physician of your Soul opens your Iniquity to provoke you to Penance (a) Lam. 2.14 esteem it a Kindness and be thankful For it is better to be rebuked of a wise Man than to be deceived with the Flattery of Fools (b) Eccles 7.6 And better are the Wounds of him that loves than the deceitful Kisses of him that hates (c) Prov. 27.6 Hence A Man that is prudent and has discipline will not murmur when rebuked (d) Ecclus. 10.28 but will shew himself Penitent And O how good a thing it is being rebuked to shew Repentance For so thou shalt avoid wilful Sin (e) Ecclus. 20.4 On the contrary A perversly sinful Man will flee Reprehensions and according to his Will will find an Excuse (f) Ecclus. 32.21 for his Sins But he that rejects Discipline despises his Soul Prov. 15.32 2. Accept willingly the Penance enjoin'd without esteeming a hard one Burdensome or an easie one Contemptible Because no Penance given now-a-days for many Mortal Sins is so hard as what the ancient Canons of the Church assign'd to one only Crime and yet the Severity of former Penances fall infinitely short of the Punisiment due to Sin in the Rigor of Divine Justice and is infinitely less than what your Iniquities deserve Again no Penance easier than giving a Farthing or a Cup of Water and yet so small a Charity duly perform'd is very acceptable to God as you may see Mar. 12.42 c. and c. 9. v. 41. 3. Whilst the Priest pronounces the Words of â—â—solution saying Ego te absolvo c. I absolve thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Beseech Christ Jesus to make good his Sacred Promise of loosing in Heaven what his Minister looses on Earth * Mat. 16.19 and imagin your merciful Redeemer says to you Thy Sins are forgiven thee Go in Peace and now sin no more lest some worse thing chance to thee Luk. 7.48 50. Jo. 8.11 c. 5. v. 14. 4. Ps 31.1 Blessed are they whose Iniquities are forgiven as yours are unless you have been wanting to the Grace of God offer'd you in this Sacrament Therefore give Thanks to God for his Mercy towards you in so great a Blessing and for that end say the Prayers after Confession as in the Manual or Primer 5. Fulfil carefully and in due time the Penance enjoin'd whether great or small For if the Prophet had said a great thing to thee or had the Priest enjoin'd a great Penance surely thou should'st have done it How much more whereas now he said to thee Be washed or do a small Penance and thou shalt be clean (a) Kings 4.5 13. But if an easie Penance be imposed for grievous Sins then the supplying of its Insufficiency by voluntary Mortifications is left to your Zeal Be zealous therefore and do Penance (b) Apoc. 3.19 Yeild Fruit worthy of Penance (c) Mat. 3.8 For if we did judge i. e. punish our selves we should not be judged (d) 1 Cor. 11.31 i. e. punished by Almighty God But if we do not Penance we shall fall into the Hands of our Lord (e) Ecclus. 2.22 And it is horrible to fall into the Hands of the living God Heb. 10.31 Nevertheless we must not repine at such Afflictions and Punishments as God sends us in this Life how great soever but embrace them willingly and bear them patiently in farther Satisfaction for our Sins hoping that of our Lord we are chastised Temporally that with this World we be not damned Eternally 1 Cor. 11.32 See Jer. 10.19 Mich. 7.9 Deut. 8.2 5 6. Judith 8.26 27. Lastly Walk warily and take heed lest you fall again into your former Sins For if a Man that fasts in Expiation of his Sins does the same again what profits he in bumbling himself (f) Ecclus 34.31 In case of a Relapse one's State is much worse than it waâ— before (g) Prov. 26.11 Mat. 12.43 c. 2 Pet. 2.20 c. Therefore to secure your self from relapsing you must cut off and cast away from you all dangerous Occasions of Sin how Pleasing or Profitable soever to corrupt Nature Ecclus. 25.36 Mat. 18.8 9. * ⎠* That you may know when and how often you are bound to have Recourse to the Tribunal of Penance take notice that the Church obliges under pain of Excommunication all and every one of the Faithful after they are come to Years of Discretion to Confess all their Mortal Sins faithfully to their own Priest or Pastor at least once a Year and to perform carefully the Penance enjoin'd them And this she commands to prevent the farther delaying the Conversion and and Reconciliation of Sinners to God But if you consider seriously the Danger of 〈◊〉 your Conversion from Day to Day * Ecclus 5.8 9. and much more from Year to Year you will not slack to be converted to our Lord But on the contrary as soon as you fall into Deadly Sin you 'll make sure forthwith to repent Sincerely and to confess it at your first Opportunity lest in course of time you should forget it and so at last Die without Confession to the great Hazard of your Salvation CHAP. IV. Of Indulgences Whatsoever thou Peter shalt loose in Earth shall be loosed also in the Heavens Mat. 16.19 See also c. 18. v. 18. and 2 Cor. 2.10 IN the Sacrament of Penance the Guilt of Sin is mercifully remitted and the Eternal Pain due thereto is changeth into less or more Temporal Punishment according to the Measure of the Offence Whence To a great Wound says St. Ambrose must be applied a great Plaister and a great Satisfaction which must be made to the utmost either in this or the next Life unless it be released
Body of our Lord 1 Kings 21.4 Mat. 12.3 4. 1 Cor. 10.16 3. Your Faces and Hands must be clean Your Apparel Modest and Decent and your whole Comportment exact in every Point of Exterior Reverence Of which hereafter Ch. XII § II. N. 3. §. II. At Communion 1. Kneel down on both Knees before the Altar cover your Hands with the Towel say the Confiteor to your self along with the Clerk deeply resenting your Sins To Misereatur vestri c. and to Indulgentiam c. answer Amen with Desires and Hopes of Pardon 2. Whilst the Priest holds up the B. Sacrament towards you and says Ecce Agnus Dei c. (a) Jo. 1.29 by a lively Faith you must discern the Body of our Lord (b) 1 Cor. 11.29 under the outward Appearance of Bread and doubt not to say in Heart Behold He whom my Soul loves stands behind our Wall looking thro' the Windows looking forth by the Grates or outward Symbols Cant. 2.9 3. Whilst the Priest repeats Domine non sum Dignus c. three several times you must humbly adore Christ in the B. Sacrament and with a deep Sense of own Unworthiness and of Christ's Powerful Mercy say thrice in a low Voice Mat. 8.8 Lord I am not worthy thou should'st enter under my Roof but only say the Word and my Soul shall be healed and of Unworthy I shall be made Worthy 4. When the B. Sacrament is offer'd you opening your Mouth conveniently and your Heart affectionately receive it with Profound Reverence in Remembrance of Christ's Passion and Death * Luke 22.19 and say not in Words but in Thoughts The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ keep my Soul to Life Everlasting Amen § III. After Communion Go not forthwith out of the Church fall not into Discourse with others gaze not round about spit not presently c. but banishing all Worldly Concerns quite out of your Mind continue for a time in Ardent Prayer and in Holy Contemplation Taste and see Ps 33.9 that our Lord is sweet giving Thanks to God for so singular a Benefit as also for our Lord 's most Sacred Passion in Memory whereof this Mystery is and will be Celebrated and Received to the World's end 1 Cor. 11.26 Hence immediately after Communion in Transports of Comfort and Joy you may say I have found him whom my Soul loves c. (a) Cant. 3.4 A bundle of Myrrh my Beloved to me he shall abide between my Breasts (b) Cant. 1.13 I live now not I but Christ lives in me Gal. 2.20 My Soul bless thou our Lord and all things that are within me bless ye his Holy Name Bless our Lord in supply of my Defects all ye his Angels mighty in Power doing his Word that fear the Voice of his Words Bless our Lord all ye his Hosts you his Ministers that do his Will Bless ye our Lord all his Works in every Place of his Dominion Ps 102. O Sacred Banquet in which Christ is receiv'd the Memory of his Passion is renew'd our Soul is fill'd with Grace and a Pledge of future Glory is given us Vers Bread from Heaven thou hast given us Resp Having in it all that is Delightful O God who under this Admirable Sacrament hast left unto us the Memory of thy Passion grant we beseech thee that we may so worship the Sacred Mysteries of thy Body and Blood that we may continually feel in us the Fruit of thy Redemption who livest and reignest World without end Amen Whilst the Priest gives the Benediction make the Sign of the Cross upon your self and say The Blessing of Almighty God the Father Son and Holy Ghost descend upon us and remain always Amen Then say the Prayers after Receiving as in the Manual or Primer Because to continue thus after Communion in Prayer and Thanksgiving is to imitate Christ and his H. Apostles who an Hymn being said went forth But to fail in this Duty is to imitate the Accursed Judas who having received went presently forth to betray Christ Mat. 26.30 Jo. 13.30 Lastly Take Care to spend the rest of the Day Holily according to the Rules set down Chap. XXII CHAP. VI. Of the Communion of the Sick EVery time you Communicate and especially in Sickness and in Danger of Death you must have Access to the Table of our Lord in such Disposition of Soul as if you were immediately to leave the World 1. Infirm Persons and such as are Sick of Lingring Distempers tho' they be not dangerously Ill both may and ought to Communicate frequently during their Indisposition that Vertue may be perfected in Infirmity and the Soul being strengthned by H. Communion may better sustain Bodily Weakness c. And these no less than People in Health must be Fasting when they Receive so as not to have taken any thing at all either of Food or Physick beforehand Likewise Before At and After Communion they must observe as near as they can the Directions given to Persons in Health Chap. V. throughout 2. But when a Man is so dangerously Sick that 't is probable it will be the last time he shall be able to receive the B. Sacrament then he may receive as his Viaticum altho' he be not Fasting and with all possible Care and Diligence Provision is to be made in due time lest such an one should Die deprived of so great a Good either thro' his own Inadvertency or the Neglect of his Tenders * ⎠* Before the Priest comes to administer Communion to the Sick his Chamber must be made clean and in it a Table must be cover'd with a clean Linnen Cloth on which the B. Sacrament may be decently placed H. Water and Hallowed Candles Wine and Water must likewise be prepar'd Besides a clean Linnen Cloth must be laid before the Breast of the Communicant and other Ornaments of the Room must be added according to each one's Ability CHAP. VII Of Receiving the H. Eucharist as your Viaticum Arise eat for thou hast yet a great Way to go 3 Kin. 9.7 AFter the Sick Man has used his utmost Endeavours to supply the Defects of his former particular Confessions by a general Confession of all or at least of the most grievous Sins of his whole Life and has perform'd the Duties of Penance with that Sincerity and Exactness which is requisite for a Dying Person then his Charitable Assistant may dispose him for his Viaticum by reading unto him this following Exhortation § I. Before Receiving Beloved Brother or Sister the H. Eucharist is our Viaticum or Voyage-Food given us from Heaven as Manna to the Israelites * Ex. 16.13 c. for our Spiritual Support and Nourishment during our Pilgrimage on Earth that we may not fail nor faint in our way but may pass successfully thro' the Wilderness of this Life and the Straits of Sickness and Death unto the Region of Bliss Wisd 16.20 21. And as Manna had in it all
Delightfulness and the Sweetness of all Taste and serving every Man's Will was turn'd to that which every Man desired so and much more the H. Eucharist contains and confers to its worthy Receiver all Comfort and Contentment and fills the Soul of every-one with Graces suitable to his Condition and Necessities John 6. On this Truth S. Ambrose is most Divinely Eloquent saying Our Lord in the Eucharist is to us all in all If you will heal your Wounds he is the Medicine if you be Thirsty he is the Fountain if you be loaden with Sins he is Justice if you stand in need of Assistance he is Power if you fear Death he is Life if you will go to Heaven he is the Way if you fly Darkness he is the Light if you be Hungry he is Food Taste then and see how sweet our Lord is And looking upon this Communion as your last recollect your Thoughts and summon all the Affections of your Soul to entertain your Lord so that the Perfection of this may supply all the Defects of your former Communions and let your Intention be to Communicate that so you may be enabled to finish happily the great Journey which now you are entring upon between Earth and Heaven * ⎠* Read here to the Sick Party the Prayers before Receiving as in the Manual or Primer and after them what follows § II. At Receiving 1. As soon as the B. Sacrament enters your Chamber you must raise up your self as you are able and either on your Knees or with Humble Bowing of your Head adore your Lord and Saviour and with joyful Astonishment say to him What is Man that thou art mindful of him Or the Son of Man that thou visitest him (a) Ps 8.5 Whence is this to me that my Lord comes to me (b) Luk. 1.43 2. With a Contrite Heart say or hear the Confiteor and receive the Priest's Absolution and Blessing with a fervent Desire of the Remission of your Sins and Hopes of being restored to the Grace and Favour of God 3. When the Priest holds up the B. Sacrament towards you saying Ecce Agnus Dei c. Behold the Lamb of God c. Jo. 1.29 Humble your self in the Presence of Christ and say in Heart To the Lamb that was slain be Blessing and Honour and Power for ever and ever Apoc. 5.12 13. At the Repetition of Domine non sum Dignus c. acknowledge your great Unworthiness and beseech our Lord to make you Worthy of him saying Lord I am not Worthy c. But c. as before Chap. V. § II. Num. 3. 4. With great Reverence and Devotion open your Mouth and Heart to receive the Bread of Life and at the same time say in Spirit The Viaticum of the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ keep me from my Ghostly Enemy and bring me to Life Everlasting Amen § III. After Receiving Desire the Sick Person to let his Thoughts and Affections accompany your Words and then read what follows I have found c. My Soul bless c. O Sacred Banquet c. as before Chap. V. § III. Almighty and merciful God vouchsafe I beseech thee to strengthen me thy Unworthy Servant with thy Grace by vertue of this Sacrament that in the Hour of my Death the Enemy may not prevail against me but with thy Angels I may have a happy Passage to Eternal Life thro' Christ our Lord. Amen Thou hast prepared in my Sight a Table against them that trouble me (a) Ps 22.5 O grant for thy Mercy sake that I may walk in the Strength of this Food unto the Mount of God (b) 3 Kin. 19.8 where I shall not Hunger nor Thirst any more c. (c) Apoc. 7.16 but shall be Inebriated with the Plenty of thy House c. (d) Ps 35.9 and shall have the Happiness to sit in the Beauty of Peace and in the Tabernacles of Confidence and in wealthy Rest (e) Isa 32.18 for all Eternity After this you may either leave the Sick Man to his own Thoughts or go on with reading the Prayers after Receiving as in the Manual or Primer CHAP. VIII How often the H. Eucharist is to be received Really and Spiritually SUch is the necessity of H. Communion that unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood you shall not have Life in you Jo. 6.53 Hence the Church commands under pain of Excommunication all and every one of the Faithful after they come to Years of Discretion and can sufficiently discern the Body of our Lord from ordinary Food to receive the H. Sacrament of the Eucharist Reverently at least once every Year and that at Easter intending by this Decree to prevent farther delaying a Duty on which the Soul 's Spiritual Life so absolutely depends And besides which Precept the Church Counsels and Admonishes such as are capable of understanding and relishing this Sacrament to receive the same holily and frequently especially on the more Solemn Feasts of the Year that by so doing they may not only Preserve but also Improve and Augment Spiritual Life and Health And tho' Christ in the Text above-cited mentions Communion in both Kinds yet both before and after it he attributes all that can be desired to Communion in one Kind saying He that eats this Bread shall live for ever Jo. 6.51 58. Consequently as a thing indifferent 't is left to the Church to determine the Administration of it either way according to Discretion See Luke 24. v. 30 31 35. Acts 3.42 c. 20. v. 7 11. Besides Communicating Sacramentally and Really at the Times aforesaid there is a way of Communicating Spiritually and in Desire by uniting your Heart to the quickning Flesh of our Blessed Saviour with Ardent Affections and Acts of Faith Hope and Charity relating to Christ as present in the H. Eucharist And it is to be used of Necessity when one should receive Sacramentally but cannot either thro' Indisposition or for want of Opportunity In which Cases God Almighty requires and accepts of the Will for the Work It may also be used at Pleasure and with much Profit as often as you hear Mass and are present when others Communicate really c. * ⎠* For farther Directions with Prayers both before and after Confession Communion and Confirmation I refer you to a Treatise entitled Instructions for Confession and Communion CHAP. IX Of Extreme Unction To be read to the Sick after he has received his Viaticum Is any Man sick amongst you Let him bring in the Priests of the Church and let them Pray over him Anointing him with Oyl in the Name of our Lord And the Prayer of Faith shall save the sick Man and our Lord will raise him up and if he be in Sins they shall be forgiven him James 5.13 c. THE H. Sacrament of Extreme Vnction thus recommended by S. James was Instituted by Christ our Lord * Mar. 6.13 as an Heavenly
their Function (e) 2 Tim. 2.3 4. * ⎠* Note here that at Four several times in the Year call'd Ember-Days our Bishops Administer this Sacrament Ordaining Priests and Deacons and other Ministers of the Church with Prayer and Fasting after the Example of Christ and his Apostles Luk. 6.12 13. Acts 13.2 3. And because it highly concerns the Laity to be provided with good Pastors you must not fail on those Days to Fast and Pray the Lord of the Harvest that he send forth Workmen not Loiterers * Mat. 20.6 into his Harvest and that they may rightly exercise the Power which our Lord has given them unto Edification and not unto Destruction 〈…〉 38. 2 Cor. 13.10 CHAP XI Of Matrimony This is a great Sacrament in Christ and in the Church Eph. 5.32 MAtrimony is an inseparable Conjunction or Joining together of a Man and a Woman for the end of Wedlock ordain'd and made by God himself * Gen. 2.22.24 Mat. 19.6 Sanctified by Christ and made a great Sacrament representing and resembling the Spiritual Union be-Christ and his Church Which gives Special Grace to Man and Wife eâ—â—bling them to discharge Holily their respective Duties towards one another and towards their Children See Chap. XXVII For Receiving and Retaining of which Matrimonial Grace the following Dispositions are necessary § I. Before Marriage 1. A good Intention is required which consists in Desiring and Resolving to Marry for one or more of the ends for which God Ordain'd and Christ Sanctified Wedlock As First and Principally for the love of Children and Posterity in which the Name of God may be Blessed for ever Gen. 1.27 28. Tob. 6.22 ch 8. v. 9. Secondly For the sake of mutual Society and Assistance of one another Gen. 2.18 Eccles 4.9 c. Thirdly For a remedy against Concupiscence and Sins of the Flesh 1 Cor. 7.2.8.9 2. A good Intention must be pursued and carried on with Vertâ—â—â—s Conversation and Modest Behâ—â—iour throughout the whole Sâ—â—â—es of Courtship as the best means to Succeed in the Choice of a good Wife or Husband For House and Riches are the Gifts of Parents but of our Lord properly a good Wife (a) Prov. 19.14 A good Woman is a good Portion in the good Portion of them that fear God shall she be given to a Man for good Deeds (b) Ecclus 26.3 Thus Sara was reserved and given to Tobie as the Angel declared to Raguel her Father saying Fear not to give her to this Man for to him fearing God is thy Daughter due to be his Wife therefore another could not have her Tob. 7.12 See Ecclus 7.27 Hence in the time of Courtship all Pretenders to Marriage and especially Women must imitate Sara's Conduct who Appeals to God as Witness of her Modesty and Integrity saying Thou knowest Lord that I never Coveted a Husband and have kept my Soul clean from all Concupiscence never have I companied my self with Sporters neither have I made my self partaker with them that walk in Lightness but a Husband I Consented to take with thy Fear not with my Lust Tob. 3.16 c. 3. A little before Marriage the Parties having prepared themselves diligently before-hand must go to Confession in order to put their Souls in the State of Grace necessary for Receiving Worthily the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony and they would do well to Communicate either before or after Marriage according as occasion best Serves § II. At Marriage Not only the State of Grace but also Interior Devotion and Exterior Decency and Reverence are necessary because Matrimony is a Holy thing and ought to be treated Holily by the Parties themselves and respectfully by all present thereat And as true Deuotion and pious Desires of those concern'd in the Marriage at Cana were the principal Invitations that moved Jesus and Mary to honour it with their Presence and induced Her to represent Affectionately and Him to supply Miraculously their want of Wine Jo. 2.1 c. so doubtless true Devotion and due Reverence are the best Means you can use for obtaining of the Mother and Son of God Spiritual Blessings upon your Nuptials § III. After Marriage According to the direction of the Angel Raphael and the Example of Tobie and Sara the new Married Couple are advised to be Continent for Three Days and Nights and give themselves that while to Prayer that God may give a blessing to them in the State of Life they have undertaken This done and the Priest's Benediction being receiv'd after Mass said for them they may Consummate their Marriage not like Brutes or Heathens but with the fear of our Lord and with the fear of our Lord must they likewise Celebrate the Marriage-Feast Tob. 6.17 c. c. 8. v. 4 c. 1 Thes 4.3 c. Tob. 9.12 * ⎠* Note here First That Parents must not Match their Children against their Wills nor Children Marry contrary to the Rational Sentiments of their Parents Gen. 24.57 c. 26. v. 34 35. Secondly That the Church prohibits the pompous Solemnities of Marriage in Advent and Lent as unseasonable Entertainments at those Times of Publick Mourning and Penance For Musick in Mourning is a Tale out of Time But Scourges and Doctrin are at all Times and especially in Advent and Lent Wisdom Ecclus 22.6 Thirdly That the want of due Preparations and Dispositions aforementioned is the occasion that many now-a-days are so unfortunate and miserable in the State of Wedlock Fourthly That they do well who keep the Anniversary-Day of their Marriage by reflecting then How they have complied with the Obligations of their State by Repenting for and Resolving to Amend what has been Amiss by craving Grace for better Management of their Vocation c. CHAP. XII Of Churching Women after Child birth I make others to bring forth Children says the Lord. Isa 66.9 'T IS a Pious and Laudable Custom in the Church for Women after Child-birth to come to Church and give God Thanks for their safe Delivery and receive the Priest's Benediction In compliance to which Custom the Child-bed Woman must do what follows 1. Whilst she kneels at the Church-Door with a lighted Candle in her Hand and the Priest reads over her the XXIII Psalm let her Reflect and call to mind How the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Month-end after her Delivery carried her little Son Jesus into Jerusalem to present him and â—er self to our Lord. Luk. 2.22 And let her Pray that what she now does in imitation of our Lady may find acceptance in the sight of God thro' Christ our Saviour 2. Whilst the Priest Conducts her into the Church saying Enter into the Temple of God Adore the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary who has given thee fruitfulness of Off-spring let her piously Resolve to do what he requires and let her say in Heart to God In the multitude of thy Mercy I will Enter into thy House I will Adore towards thy Holy Altar in thy Fear Lord Conduct
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
Testament * Isa 38.1 and in Settling his Temporal Concerns advertise him 1. To Pay his Debts and Restore what belongs to others 2. To leave to his Heir what is his due 3. To bestow Alms on the Poor and especially on his Needy Relations 4. To give something that his Soul may be remembred at the Altar c. And that he may be sure of some Performance in this kind Admonish him to make his own Hands Executors in part according to the Advice of Ecclesiasticus saying Son if thou hast it do good to Thy Self and offer to God worthy Oblations Before Death do good to Thy Friend and according to thy Ability stretching out thy Hand give to the Poor Before thy Death work Justice Ecclus 14.11 c. And I adds Christ say unto you Make to your selves Friends of the Mammon of Iniquity i. e. of Riches the Idol of Worldlings that when you fail they may receive you into the Eternal Tabernacles Luk. 16.9 2. And to his Body Admonish him to Surrender it entirely unto the Care and Management of his Physician saying Honour the Physician for necessity for the Highest has Created him for all Medicine is of God c. The Highest has Created Medicines of the Earth and a Wise Man will not abhor them The Vertue of these things is come to the knowledge of Men and the Highest has given knowledge to Man for to be honour'd in his Marvellous things Curing with these things he shall mitigate Pain c. Give place to the Physician and let him not depart from thee because his Works are necessary And they that practice Physick shall beseech our Lord that he direct their Cure Ecclus 38. passimo But let Physicians beware of Advising or Applying any thing for the Cure of the Body that may be hurtful to the Soul And let them not make above Three Visits to the Sick unless they be first Certified that their Patients have duly Expiated their Sins by Sacramental Confession For so the Council of Lateran and many Popes have Decreed under great Penalties If the Sick Party be destitute of Corporal Necessaries and an Object of Charity do not neglect the Relieving of him out of your own Purse or Stores as far as you are able like the good Samaritan Luk. 10. And if that will not suffice then you must take Care to make his Wants known that they may be Supplied by Private or Publick Collections of Alms. 3. As to his Soul You must Advertise him that Sickness and Diseases are many times the punishment of Sin mercifully inflicted by Almighty God for the Reclaiming of Sinners This Holy Writ declares saying He that Sins in his sight that Made him shall fall into the Hands of the Physician Eccl. 38.15 He God rebukes also by Sorrow in the Bed c. that he may reclaim their Souls from Corruption c. Job 33.19.30 O how sweet is thy Spirit O Lord in all And therefore those that err by parts thou dost Chastise and dost Admonish and Speak to them concerning the things wherein they Sin That leaving naughtiness they may believe in thee and when nothing else will reclaim them it often happens that a grievous Infirmity makes a sober Soul Wisd 12.1 2. Ecclus 31.2 In which Case Sin being taken away by true Repentance Sickness also ceases and not otherwise as it appears in that King Ezechias when Sick even to Death by Prayers and Tears obtain'd of God Health and longer Life whereas King Asa fell Sick and Died of a most violent Pain in his Feet because in his Infirmity he did not seek our Lord but trusted in the Art of Physicians 4 K. 20.1 c. Isa 38.1 c. 2 Paral. 16.12 13. Hence address your self to your Sick Neighbour after this manner Son in thy Infirmity contemn not thy self but pray to our Lord and he will Cure thee Turn away from Sin and direct thy Hands and from all Offence cleanse thy Heart Ecclus 38.9 10. That is to say Repent for thy Sins Implore the Divine Mercy Place all thy Hope in God Endure patiently the Pains of thy Corporal Infirmity in Satisfaction for thy Sins look upon it as a Fatherly Visitation and Chassisement of God less than thy Sins deserve and believe it befals thee for the good of thy Soul and the Amendment of thy Life Judith 8.27 Job 33. from v. 19. to v. 31. Ps 102.10 13 c. But if his Sickness grows Dangerous you must Admonish him to procure in due time what farther Helps are requisite for the Salvation of his Soul and that with all fitting expedition he send for his Spiritual Director and impart to him in Confession his Sins Temptations and Fears in order to receive of him Absolution fit Remedies and Encouragement as also the Holy Sacraments of Eucharist and Extreme Unction whilst his Understanding Memory and Senses are perfect without those dangerous and deceitful Delays which thro' the Falacy of the Devil have brought and Daily do bring many to endless Misery If the Sick Person will not be perswaded to Confess his Sins do not presently give him over for lost but frequently as long as he lives be putting him in mind of the great Mercy of God inviting him to Penance and most ready to Pardon his Sins if he will Confess them and endeavour to make him sensible how thro' Impenitence he hazards his Salvation and exposes himself to Everlasting Torments See Rom. 2.4 c. Moreover both Private and Publick Supplications must be made to God for the Conversion and Salvation of a Soul at the Brink of Eternity and so miserably unprovided for it You must take Care that a Figure of Christ Crucified be ever placed in View of the Sick and that Holy Water do always stand beside him wherewith he may be often sprinkled you must likewise propose unto him according to his condition some short Prayers and godly Exercises of Mind especially some Verses of the Psalms set down in the next Chapter our Lord's Prayer the Angelical Salutation the Apostles Creed the Meditation of our Lord's Passion the Martyrdoms or Sufferings of the Saints the happy State of Heavenly Glory which will abundantly Recompence all his present Grievances Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 But these things must be seasonably and discreetly Suggested that they may not molest but give ease to the Sick § III. Tell your Sick Neighbour for his Comfort that you and the rest of the Company will Pray for him And accordingly having first desired that his Thoughts and Heart may go along with your Words kneel down and say the Prayers for the Sick as in the Manual c. Last of all Exhort him if he Recovers to go to Church the first Journey he takes and there to give God Thanks for his Recovery as also to receive Holy Communion Devoutly and thenceforward to lead a better Course of Life That being a Duty incumbent on every Christian after his Recovery no less than on the
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