A Woollen Shroud OR LEARN TO DYE To be Given at BURIALS By C. B. A. Æ LXX N. XXIII LONDON Printed for John Barksdale at the sign of the Five Bells in New-street near Shooe-Lane 1679. I. PArt Containing certain Rules II. Cautions or Warnings III. The Four last things Death Judgment Heaven Hell IV. Ejaculations out of the Psalms V. Comfortable Notes for Afflicted and Sick Persons VI. Some Apostolical Exhortations VII Short Prayers gathered out of the Church Book A WOOLLEN SHROUD OR LEARN TO DYE In Seven Parts to be read every Week The First Part Containing certain Rules I. AN Holy Life is the best preparation for a happy Death Heb. 12.14 Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Heb. 5.9 Jesus Christ is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all that obey him II. The beginning of a Holy Life is true Repentance Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be Converted that your sins may be blotted out Mat. 3.2 Amend your Lives for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand III. It is God's will and command that we should Repent Ezek. 18.30 31. Repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions For why will ye dye Acts 17.30 God commandeth all men every where to Repent IV. God doth really and truly desire our Salvation Ezek. 33.11 As I live saith the Lord I have no pleasure in the Death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his evil way and live Mat. 23. How often saith Christ would I have gathered ye and ye would not 1 Tim. 2.4 God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth V. God gave his only Son for all the World John 3.16 God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life John 1.29 Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World 1 John 2.2 Jesus Christ the righteous is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole World VI. Christ came to call Sinners to Repentance and Salvation Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Luke 9.56 The Son of man is not come to destroy mens lives but to Save them VII The Ministers of Christ are Preachers of Repentance Luke 24.47 Repentance and Remission of sin should be Preached in his name among all Nations 2 Cor. 5.18 Christ hath given unto us the Ministry of reconciliation 20. We pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled unto God VIII Above all knowledg desire and labor to know Jesus Christ Phil. 3.8 I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Jesus Christ my Lord. Eph. 1.17 I pray that God may give unto you the Spirit and revelation for the acknowledgment of Christ 2 Pet. 3.10 Grow in Grace and in the knowledg of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ IX Look upon Christ as the best example to be followed Mat. 11.29 Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart 1 Cor. 11.1 Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ 1 Pet. 2.21 Christ suffered for us leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps X. Often meditate on the Sufferings of Christ our Lord and on his Resurrection Rom 8.74 Who is he that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered for our Offences and raised again for our justification 2 Tim. 2.8 Remember that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead XI Think oft upon the happiness of such as dye in the favor of Christ Philip. 1.21 To me to live is Christ and to dye is gain 23. Having a desire to depart and to be with Christ Rev. 14.13 Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord. XII Think upon Eternity 2 Cor. 4.18 The things which are seen are Temporal but the things which are not seen are Eternal Mat. 25.46 The unrighteous shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal The Second Part Containing Cautions or Warnings I. AGainst idleness and neglect of Duty and of the works of our Calling 2 Thes 3.12 Such as walk disorderly working not at all but are busie bodies we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work and eat their own Bread 1 Thess 5.14 Warn them that are unruly or disorderly 2 Thess 3.10 This we commanded you that if any would not work neither should he eat 1 Cor. 7.20 Let every one abide in the same calling wherein he is called II. Against negligence in coming to Church to Prayers and Sermons Ps 122.1 I was gald when they said unto me let us go into the House of the Lord. Ps 84.1 O how amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hoasts Blessed are they that dwell in thy House they shall be still praising thee Mat. 21.13 My house shall be called the house of Prayer Mark 4.24 Take heed what you hear Luke 8.18 Take heed how ye hear Luke 11.28 Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it Heb. 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is Jam. 1.21 22. Receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to Save your Souls But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own Souls III. Against coldness in coming to the Holy Communion 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of Blessing which we Bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ 1 Cor. 11.24 This do in remembrance of me 28. But let a man examin himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that Cup. IV. Against irreverence in the Worship of God Ps 95.6 O come let us Worship and fall down and kneel before the Lord our Maker Luke 22.41 Our Lord kneeled down and prayed Acts 20.36 Paul kneeled down and prayed with them all Heb. 12.28 Serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear V. Against disobedience to Governors in the Church and State Rom. 13.1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers 1 Pet. 2.13 Whether it be to the King as Suppream or unto Governors as unto them that are sent by him Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your Souls Luke 10.16 He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me VI. Against Excess and abuse of Gods good Gifts Rom. 13. ult Make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof 1 Cor 6.10 Drunkards shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Phil. 4.5 Let your moderation be known unto all men VII Against procrastination and delay of our Repentance Esay 55.6 Seek the Lord while he may be found call
feeling is not always a fit rule to judge our tales by Or that God hath rejected us because we are crossed in outward things when as this issues from his wisdom and love IX If there be a neglect of growing in holiness the soul will never be soundly quiet where there is not a pure conscience there is not a pacified conscience X. So much as we are quiet and cheerful upon good grounds so much we live and are as it were in heaven XI The life of a Christian should be a medication how to unloose his affections from inferior things He will easily dye that is dead before in affection XII In extremity of body the sickness may be such as all that we can perform to God is a quiet submission and a desire to be carried unto Christ by prayers of others The sixth part presenting some Apostolical Exhortations I. S. Paul 1. Tim. 2.1 I exhort that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men II. Heb. 3.13 Exhort one another dayly while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin III. Heb. 10.24.25 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works Exhorting one another and so much the more as ye see the day approaching IV. Phil. 2.1.2 If there be any consolation in Christ If any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit if any bowels and mercies Fulfil ye my joy that ye be like minded having the same love being of one accord and of one mind 5. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus V. Heb. 12.5.6 Have ye forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children my son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked of him For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth VI. 1. Thes 4.1 We beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk so ye would abound more and more 3. For this is the will of God even your sanctification 11. That ye study to be quiet and to do your own business and to work with your own hands as we commanded you VII 1. Thes 5.14.15 Now we exhort you brethren warn them that are unruly comfort the feeble minded support the weak be patient toward all men See that none render evil for evil unto any man but ever follow that which is good both among your sevles and to all men VIII Gal. 6.9.10 Let us not be weary in well doing for in due time we shall reap if we faint not As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men especially unto them who are of the houshold of Faith IX S. James 5.8.9 Be patient brethren stablish your heart for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh grudge not one against another brethren lest ye be condemned behold the judge standeth before the door X. Jam. 5.13.14 Is any among you afflicted let him pray Is any sick among you Let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him XI Jam. 5.16 Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed The fervent prayer of a righteous man prevaileth much XII S. Peter 1.4.7.8.9 The end of all things is at hand be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer And above all things have fervent charity among your selves for charity shall cover the multitude of sins Use hospitality one to another without grudging The seventh part short prayers gathered out of the Church-book I. O Lord God our heavenly Father who art the giver of all goodness I humbly beseech thee send thy grace unto me and to all people that we may worship thee serve thee and obey thee as we ought to do send us all things that be needful both for our souls and bodies Be merciful unto us and forgive us our sins Be pleased to save us and defend us in all dangers ghostly and bodily to keep us from all sin and wickedness and from our ghostly enemy and from everlasting death And this O Father I trust thou wilt do of thy mercy and goodness through our Lord Jesus Christ And therefore I say Amen so be it II. I humbly beseech thee O Father mercifully to look upon my infirmities and for the glory of thy name turn from me all those evils that I most justly have deserved and grant that in all my troubles I may put my whole trust in thy mercy through our only Mediator Jesus Christ Amen III. Lord Jesus grant me in this world the knowledg of thy truth and in the world to come life everlasting Amen IV. Father of all mercies I bless thee for my creation and preservation but above all for thine inestimable love in my redemption by thy Son Jesus Christ for the means of grace and the hope of glory through the same Jesus Christ my only Lord and Saviour Amen V. Almighty God raise me up to the life of grace that when my Lord shall come in his glory to judge both the quick and the dead I may rise to the life immortal through him who liveth and reigneth now and for ever Amen VI. Grant O blessed Lord that I may so hear read mark and understand the Scriptures that by patience and comfort of thy holy word I may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ Amen VII Most Gracious God create and make in me a new and contrite heart that worthily lamenting my sins I may obtain of thee the God of all mercy perfect remission and forgiveness through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen VIII Lord give me grace to use such abstinence that my Flesh being subdued to the Spirit I may ever obey thy Godly motions to thy honor and glory through Jesus Christ Amen IX Almighty God mercifully grant that I may follow the examples of our Saviours patience and be made partaker of his resurrection through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen X. Merciful God receive my supplication for all estates of men in thy holy Church that every member of the same in his vocation and ministry may truly and Godly serve thee through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen XI Lord increase in me Faith hope and charity and that I may obtain that which thou dost promise make me to love that which thou dost command through Jesus Christ Amen XII O Lord look down from Heaven behold visit and relieve thy poor Servant Look upon me with the eyes of thy mercy give me comfort and sure confidence in thee defend me from the danger of the enemy and keep me in perpetual peace and safety through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Amen FINIS
upon him while he is near 2 Cor. 6.2 Now is the day of Salvation Mat. 25.10 The Door was shut Luke 19.42 Now they are hid from thine Eyes VIII Against unmindsulness of our Frailty and Misery Gen. 18.27 I am but Dust and Ashes Job 14.1 Man is of few days and full of trouble Rev. 3.17 Thou knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked IX Against unmercifulness to the Poor and Needy Ps 41.1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble Mat. 25.45 In as much as ye did it not to one of these ye did it not unto me Heb. 13.16 To do good and to distribute forget not for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased X. Against Covetcousness and desire of Riches Prov. 30.8 Give me neither Poverty nor Riches Feed me with food convenient for me 1 Tim. 6.10 The love of money is the root of all Evil. XI Against Impatience and Discontent 1 Sam. 3.18 It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good in his Eyes 1 Tim. 6.8 And having food and rayment let us be therewith content XII Against forgetfulness of our End and Departure hence Jam. 4.14 What is your Life It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Ps 90.12 So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto Wisdom The Third part touching the four last things Deâ—â—â— Judgment Heaven and Hell I. Heb. 9.27 It is appointed unto men once to dy But after this the Judgment II. Eccle. 12.7 Then shall the dust return to the Earth as it was And the Spirit shall return unto God who gave it III. Ps 49. Wise men also dy and perish together as well as the ignorant and foolish And leave their riches for others IV. Jam. 2.13 He shall have judgment without mercy that shewed no mercy V. 2. Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive according to that he hath done whether it be good or evil VI. Acts. 17.31 God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath Ordained VII Rom. 2.6 c. God will render to every man according to his deeds To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality eternal life But unto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doth evil But glory honor and peace to every man that worketh good For there is no respect of persons with God VIII Math. 25.34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world IX Matth. 25.41 Then shall he also say unto them on his left hand Depart from me ye cursed into Everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels X. 2. Pet. 2.4 God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them to Hell and delivered them into Chains of Darkness to be reserved unto Judgment XI Luke 21.34 Take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares XII Phil. 3.20.21 Our Conversation is in heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Who shall change our Vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his Glorious Body The fourth part containing Ejaculations out of the Psalms I. Psalm 6.1 O Lord rebuke me not in thine Anger 7.1 O Lord my God in thee do I put my trust 10.1 Why standest thou so far off O Lord. II. Ps 13.1 How long wilt thou forget me O Lord for ever 16.1 Preserve me O Lord for in thee do I put my trust 17.8 Hide me under the shadow of thy wings III. Ps 22.1 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me 22.11 Be not far from me for trouble is near 25.1 Unto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul IV. Ps 25.4 Shew me thy wayes O Lord teach me thy paths 25.18 Look upon my affliction and forgive all my sins 25.20 O Keep my soul and deliver me V. Ps 26.8 Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house 27.1 The Lord is my light and my salvation 28.9 Save thy people and bless thine inheritance VI. Ps 29. The Lord will bless his people with peace 30.12 My God I will give thanks unto thee for ever 31.5 Into thy hands I commit my spirit VII Ps 31.7 I will be glad and rejoyce in thy mercy 31.16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant 31.21 O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee VIII Ps 31.23 O Love the Lord all ye his saints 32.11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoyce ye righteous 33.12 Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord. IX Ps 33.18 Behold the Eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him 34.8 O taste and see that the Lord is good 36.9 With thee is the fountain of life and in thy light shall we see light X. Ps 37.3 Trust in the Lord and do good 38.15 In thee O Lord do I hope 38.22 Make hast to help me O Lord my Salvation XI Ps 39.4 Lord make me know my End 40.8 I delight to do thy will O my God 40. O Lord make hast to help me XII Ps 42.5 Why art thou cast down O my soul put thy trust in God 43.3 Lord send out thy light and thy truth 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire in comparison of thee The fifth part containing some comfortable notes for afflicted and sick persons I. IF we consider from what fatherly love Afflictions come how they are not only moderated but sweetned and sanctified in the issue to us how can it but minister matter of comfort to us in the greatest seeming discomforts II. What unthankfulness is it to think so much upon two or three crosses and to forget a hundred blessings III. A growing and fruitful Christian is always a comfortable Christian The Oyle of grace bring forth the Oyle of gladness Christ is first a King of Righteousness and then a King of Peace IV. A Christian overcomes by patience Christ's victory was upon the Cross V. Search the Scriptures and turn the promises into prayers and press God for the performance of them VI. As Christ was a man of sorrows so are his members predestinate to a conformity with him in suffering VII A Christian is a man of another world and here from home which he would forget if he were not exercised here and would take his passage for his Country VIII Often we discomfort our selves by false reasonings as that we have no grace when we feel none