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
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.