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
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
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
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
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.
For what is your Life It is a Vapour appearing for a little while and afterwards it shall vanquish away and after Death Judgment ensues Jam. 4.14 Heb. 9.27 O that Men were wife and understood and would provide for their last things Deut. 32.29 § II. As to Comforting of the Sorrowful Pensiveness in the Heart of a Man shall humble him and with a good Word he shall be made glad Prov. 12.25 Hence David sent Messengers to comfort Hanon upon the Death of his Father and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their Brother Lazarus deceased 1 Par. 19.2 John 11.19 31. In like manner Christians ought to comfort one another when in Sorrow for their deceased Relations and Friends by putting them in Mind of the Spiritual Dangers we live in and what a Mercy is it to be in better Circumstances How happy are they that are gotten well out of this miserable Life And tho' we be separated from them at present the time will come when we shall meet them again in Joy without end Wis 4.10 c. Apoc. 14.13 1 Thess 4.13 c. § III. As to Praying for the Dead It is a Holy and Healthful Cogitation to pray for the Dead that they may be loosed from Sins and Punishments remissible in the next World 2 Mach. 12.46 Mat. 12.32 Luke 12.59 1 Cor. 3.15 Therefore from the Dead stay not Grace (a) Ecclus 7.37 but endeavour their Releasment by Prayer and other Suffrages (b) 2 Mach. 12.43 c. 1 Cor. 15.29 especially whilst the Corps is on its way to the Grave and whilst the Office and Mass is saying for the Soul departed And do this Charitable Duty so as you could wish to have it done for you after your Decease * ⎠* How Meritorious a Devotion it is to Bury the Dead Religiously the Angel declared to Tobie saying When thou didst Pray with Tears and didst Bury the Dead c. I offer'd thy Prayers to our Lord c. Tob. 12.12 See also 2 K. 2. above CHAP. XXI Of Alms-giving Alms delivers from all Sin and from Death and will not suffer the Soul to go into Darkness Tob. 4.11 See also c. 12. v. 9. Ps 40.2 c. Dan. 4.24 Prov. 16.6 Ecclus 29.15 c. FOR the due Ordering and Regulation of your Charity you must mark well 1. In what Measure 2. In what Manner 3. To what Persons your Alms are to be given And I. As to the Measure Of thy Substance give Alms and turn not away thy Face from any poor Person for so it shall come to pass that neither the Face of our Lord shall be turned from thee As thou shalt be able so be merciful If thou hast much give abundantly If thou hast little study to impart also a little willingly Tob. 4.7 And Thus the just Man is merciful and will give Ps 36.21 because the just Man as the Gloss has always something to give as for Example a Farthing (a) Mar. 12.42 a Cup of cold Water (b) Mat. 10.42 a Comfortable Word (c) Chap. XIX § II. or at least a Prayer Therefore let no one say I have not any thing to give c. § II. As to the Manner of giving you must bestow your Alms. 1. With all possible Secrecy and with an Intention to please not Men but God Mat. 6.2 c. 2. Readily because it is written Do not prohibit him to do Good that is able If thou be able thy self also do Good Say not to thy Needy Friend Go and return and to Morrow I will give to thee whereas thou may'st give forthwith Prov. 3.27 28. Afflict not the Heart of the Needy and defer not thy Gift to him that is in Distress Ecclus 4.3 Qui cito dat bis dat A speedy Alms is a double Charity when it has for its Motive the speedy Relief of the Necessitous But when one gives quickly that he may quit himself of the Importunity of his Petitioner then he loses both his Gift and its Merit as S. Augustine has it 3. Courteously because it is written Make thy self effable to the Congregation of the Poor Bow down thy Ear to the Poor without Sadness and pay thy Debt and answer him peaceable Words in Mildness Ecclus 4.7 8. And when thou hast given upbraid not Ecclus 41.28 In good Deeds give no Blame and in every Gift give not the Sadness of an evil Word Shall not Dew cool Heat So also a Word better than a Gift Is not a good Word above a good Gift But both are with a Justified Man A Fool will upbraid bitterly Ecclus 18.15 c. The Gift of the Vnwise shall not be Brofitable for thee He will give few things and upbraid many and the opening of his Mouth is an Inflammation that does more Harm to the Soul than his Gifts do Good to the Body of the distressed Receiver Ecclus 20.14 15. 4. Cheerfully because it is written In every Gift make thy Countetenance cheerful Ecclus 35.9 And let every one give as he has determin'd in his Heart not of Sadness or Necessity For God loves a cheerful Giver 2 Cor. 9.7 Therefore from the Poor turn not away thy Eyes for Anger and leave not them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy Back For the Prayer of him that curses thee in the Bitterness of his Soul shall be heard and he that made him will hear him Eccles 4.5 6. § III. As to Persons on whom you may bestow your Alms. If thou wilt do Good know to whom thou dost it Do Good to the Just and thou shalt find great Reward and if not of him assuredly of our Lord. Give not to the Wicked that will abuse thy Kindness to the Dishonour of God his own or his Neighbour's Harm For thou shalt find double Evils in all the Good whatsoever thou shalt do to him Because the Highest hates Obstinate Sinners and will repay Vengeance to to the Wicked Ecclus 12.1 c. Nevertheless if you have reason to hope that your Kindness may be a Means to invite the Wicked to Goodness then Be ye Merciful as also your Heavenly Father is merciful Who makes his Sun to rise upon the Good and the Bad and rains upon the Just and the Vnjust Luk. 6.36 Mat. 5.45 And if thy Enemy Hunger give him Meat if he Thirst give him Drink Be not overcome of Evil but overcome Evil with Good Prov. 25.21 22. Rom. 12.20 21. And for that end To every one that asks give Luke 6.30 And whilst we have time let us do Good to all but especially to the Faithful Gal. 6.10 as to Christ our Lord who esteems what 's done to them as done to himself Mat. 25.40 See 1 John 3.17 18. But what cannot be given to all must be given to the more Needy and if one be not more Needy than another then chuse by Lot to whom it must be given S. Aug. de Doctr. Christ l. 1. c. 28.