pardon of all those that might haue beene offended by you Patient Yes Now Sir it behooueth vs to addresse our prayer to God to the end that he will be pleased to fortifie you in faith which hee hath giuen you and to make his graces more and more abound in you and it is your part to humble your selfe with vs before him and to lift vp your heart to him to implore his Mercy from the bottome of your Heart A Prayer for the sicke when there is any signe of death O Lord our God Mercifull Father we are very vnworthy to lift vp our eyes vnto thee our sins and wicked deedes are so many wherewith wee are so polluted before thy face neither is this out of the confidence of our owne worth to be thus bolde to present our selues at the feete of thy diuine Maiesty but in the assurance of the great Compassions and perfect obedience which thy welbeloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord hath made for vs with the righteousnesse whereof wee beseech thee couer vs with thy grace to the end wee may be by his fauour made agreeable and reconciled vnto thee But wee beseech thee O good God particularly vouchsafe thy great mercy to this thy poore seruant so feeble mightily deiected vnder thy powerfull hand poore sinner remaining vnder the weight and rigour of thy high Iustice if thou doest not extend thy great clemency towards him Giue him grace good Lord to enter more and more into a serious examination and acknowledgement of his faults to conceiue that true detestation which alwayes bringeth forth true repentance and set him forward intirely to renounce himselfe and his owne way to haue all his refuge in thee and in thy bounty In the meane while receiue him gratiously O Lord shew him the face of a father and assure and comfort him Say to his soule Soule I am he that can warrant thee Dispose of his heart patiently to receiue with Action of graces this Fatherly correction which thou hast sent him and to put himselfe wholly into thy hands to submit himselfe peaceably vnder all that thou shalt please to lay vpon him by thy holy prouidence Lord thou knowest better then he himselfe or any of vs what is most conuenient whether he shall liue or die If thy good pleasure be that hee shall liue let it be that he may onely liue to thee in such sort that hauing profited well by thy chastisements he may learne to loue thee honour and serue thee all the dayes of his life in thy Church perpetually studying to bring sorth fruits of piety and holinesse worthy of thy Gospel and conuenient for a childe of such a Father so that in him thou maist be glorified and his neighbours edified But contrarily of the other part it be thy pleasure to take him out of this miserable world assure him that it shall be to put him into the possession of thy Heauenly kingdome which thou hast prepared before the foundations of the world and which thy Sonne hath purchased by the merit of his death To this end O Father of light from whom proceedeth euery good gift that thou wilt be pleased to giue him a true and a liuely faith with the which he may search find and apprehend the propitiation for his sinnes and the true righteousnes in the obedience of thy welbeloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord who hath suffered for our sinnes and risen againe for our iustification and ascended into Heauen to take possession in our Name and by this meanes giueth vs accesse and entrance which sinne had banished vs from Imprint in his heart a full assurance of all these thy graces to the end that by this meanes he may peaceably repose himselfe in thy mercy and happily ouercome all the snares and temptations which Sathan and his owne flesh would put before him to trouble the clearnesse of his faith and tranquility of his conscience That his sinnes then may not make him despaire because thy Iustice hath been so well payed not with gold or siluer but with the pretious blood of thy Christ as of the Lambe without spot or blemish Let not death affright him seeing sinne is abolished and destroyed in him which is the sting of death who now is disarmed and without all power that his spirit being separated from the body by this corporall death it shall be to come triumphantly to thee and deliuered from the captiuity of sinne to the end to taste of the enioying the most happy life which he neuer tasted in this world but by hope leauing his body in the earth but not for euer but to be refined transformed in time conuenient made conformable to the glorious body of his Redeemer by the benefit of his resurrection So Sathan shall no more astonish him but by sinne and death which he hath vtterly lost all power in ouer our visited Brother Assuring him in the end that this accuser can intend nothing against him before the Throne of thy iustice seeing hee is absolued iustified by thy grace there is no iudge that can condemne him That thou wilt also be pleased O good God to be likewise mercifull to all other sicke soules comfort and fortifie them according as thou knowest them needfull and aboue all giue them grace alwayes to embrace with a true and liuely faith thy mercy in Iesus Christ wherein they may euer be comforted Good Lord vouchsafe vnto vs all this grace that this example may profite and teach vs to renounce the world and our selues to imploy that time we haue here below to meditate thy wisedome walke carefully in thy feare retyre our hearts from the vanities of this life to raise them vp to attend and meditate vpon the Heauenly life and to this end to be alwayes prepared to appeare before thee with assurance to be gathered and receiued into thy mercy for the loue of thy welbeloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord In whose name we beseech thee O Father of mercy heere vs in these things and in all other things which thou knowest better to be necessary for thy poore seruant and for vs then we doe our selues as we doe now request thee in that prayer which thou hast commanded vs to present our selues before thee Our Father which art in Heauen c. Lord giue vs a good increase of Faith which thou hast planted in the heart of this thy childe and seruant defend him as with a Buckler by the which he may extinguish all the fiery darts of the Diuell and make him perseuere constantly therin vntill the very last breath of his life and that hee may alwaies at the least in his heart render vnto thee a pure and Christian confession as we now present with heart and mouth I beleeue in God the Father Almighty c. This is his Faith O Lord and ours giue vs grace to liue and dye in it through Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord who in the vnitie of the Holy Spirit
end Otherwise where should be this assurance which the Apostle speaketh of of not being able to be separated from the loue of God in Iesus Christ Where should be this subsistance of things hoped for How should wee haue in our soules a solid peace with God How should wee finde our selues firme in this grace How can we glorifie our selues in the hope of the glory of God Such is then the incomprehensible bounty of this heauenly Father that he beginneth not in vs the worke of our saluation for to leaue it imperfect according as Saint Paul saith to the Philippians and in their persons speaketh also to all truely faithfull Phil. 1.6 I am assured that hee that hath begunne this good worke in you will perfect it euen to the comming of Iesus Christ As also he saith in another place Rom. 11.29 That the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance that is to say hee gaine sayeth not nor euer goeth from his word Against the obiection that this assurance of Faith should be a presumption It may not be that this certainty of Faith be blamed in vs and to be thought rashnesse and presumption for on the contrary it should be thought an extreame rashnesse and presumption if wee should not beleeue such excellent promises of our God And it is Humility and Obedience to receiue and rest vpon it with reuerence For it is said that he which hath receiued the Testimony of God hath sealed that God is veritable Iohn 3.33 that is to say subscribed and giuen approbation to the truth of God which he demonstrateth in the accomplishment of his promises and it is said on the contrary in the 1 of Iohn 5.10.11 That hee that beleeueth not God hee hath made him a lyar For hee hath not beleeued in the testimony which God hath witnessed of his owne Sonne and this is the testimony that God hath giuen vs eternall life and this life is in his Sonne Two things might make vs rash and bolde in this assurance which we take of our saluation the one is if wee should build vpon the merit of our workes Rom. 3.20 For no flesh shall be iustified before God by the workes of the law and all those that seeke to be iustified thereby are vnder malediction so saith Saint Paul 3.10.2 It is not by our owne righteousnesse which is nothing whereupon wee build such an assurance but vpon the righteousnesse of him whom God hath made to be sinne for vs 2 Cor. 5.21 that is to say a sacrifice for sinne to the end that wee might be made the righteousnesse of God in him and by the obedience of whom we are made iust in exchange of our disobedience in Adam which made vs all sinners Rom. 5.19 The other point which might make vs bolde in this behalfe that if wee should presume to purchase such a knowledge of our saluation by the subtilty of our spirits as it is said that the Naturall man conceiueth not the things of God 1 Cor. 2.14 But certainly we make account to haue receiued as the same Apostle 1 Cor. 2.12 Not the spirit of this world but the spirit which is of God to the end that wee should know the things which haue beene giuen vs from God Also hee saith in the same place 1 Cor. 2.9.10 That these things which are altogether incomprehensible God hath reuealed them by his holy spirit Finally hee addeth 1 Cor. 1.16 That by this meanes wee holde the intention of Christ But by this spirit of God are all those conducted which are the Children of God which the same Apostle saith Rom. 8.14 And hee is called The spirit of adoption and by him we cry Abba Father Gal. 4.6 that is to say wee cry and call vpon God as our Father And also it is This same spirit saith Saint Paul Rom. 8.11.16 which giueth testimony with our spirit that we are the Children of God In like sort the Apostle to the Ephesians saith 1.13.14 That when we belieue in the Gospell we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the purchased possession vnto the praise of his glory by which wee learne that the testimony of the Holy Ghost receiued into our hearts with Faith is like vnto a seale which the holy Spirit imprinteth in our hearts to assure vs of the promises of God and to assure vs that we are his Children and as men vse in the Market giuing of earnest that is to say a part of the price agreed for as well to beginne the payment as to make the bargaine irreuocable and assured that it may be kept firme Euen so the Holy Ghost which through Faith begetteth peace and ioy in our hearts is giuen vs for earnest of the Kingdome of Heauen Rom. 14.17 to the end to assure vs by this beginning of spirituall goods which God hath promised to his children that hee holdeth vs for his owne purchased possession to the praise of his glory and that without euer reuoking his promises hee will at last gather vs to the full fruition of the Inheritance in Heauen It is needfull if it be possible to draw from the mouth of the sicke person confession of his sinnes of his Repentance and his Faith if hee haue not the vse of his Tongue but of his vnderstanding it is necessary for him to answere by some signe Now Sir it behoueth you to take good courage and willingly to apply this holy doctrine for the comfort of your soule this doctrine hath been declared vnto you by the preaching of the Gospell in the Church of God whereof you haue beene a member it hath also beene confirmed vnto you by the vse of the Sacrament with whom you haue communicated Haue you not receiued it with Faith Patient I haue Also doe you not beleeue that God is not onely your Creator but sinne hauing lost you hee is your Sauiour in Iesus Christ Patient Yes Doe you not acknowledge that you are a poore and miserable sinner that if he should reckon with you according to your sinnes of necessitie he should make you perish in death and eternall damnation Patient Yes Are you not very heartily sorry and grieued so to haue offended and doe you repent your selfe euen with your whole heart Patient Yes Doe you not renounce all opinion and trust in our owne Righteousnesse for to repose your selfe intirely and your hope in the mercy of God by which he iustifieth and saueth vs in his blessed Sonne Iesus Christ Patient Yes Doe you not beleeue that he hath receiued you into his mercie that he is pleased and appeased with you and hath in grace reconciled you vnto him in the fauour and through the obedience and merit of the same Iesus Christ his Sonne who you firmely beleeue died for your sinnes and is risen for your iustification Patient Yes Now I beseech God to confirm increase you more more in this faith following the which
because they gouerne themselues not according to the windes but according to heauen euen so the faith of the faithfull remaineth firme amongst the most rude agitations because it gouerneth it self not according to the instabilitie of the affaires of this world but according to the promises of God But to the end that euery one being inuited to receiue this grace esteeme himselfe not excluded by his quality his kindred or his condition Saint Paul addeth that this saluation is addressed to the Iewes first and afterwards to the Greekes leauing vs by this example to gather this generall Rule that Saint Peter propoundeth Acts the tenth and thirty foure God hath no respect of persons for Iesus Christ by the calling of the Gentiles hath broken the partition betweene the Iewes and Gentiles yet neuerthelesse Saint Paul saith to the Iewes putting the Iewes in the first place as hauing regard to the defence which God made to his Disciples Goe not into the way of the Gentiles Whereof also hee said were sent to the lost sheepe of Israell Following the same example Saint Paul Acts 13.46 speaketh also to the incredulous Iewes It was necessary that the word of God should first haue beene spoken vnto you but seeing you put it from you c. By this meanes the first haue beene the last and the eldest Sonne hath beene made inferiour to the prodigall childe returned to repentance Then happened that to the Iewes which happened to Gedeons fleece which in the beginning was onely watered whilest all the land besides was dry but the day after the fleece was dry onely and all the earth wholy watered for vpon the Iewes onely in former times the dewe of the grace of God rained downe but afterwards it hath so come to passe that they are depriued of this grace and other Nations receiued into Gods fauour For this purpose the holy Scripture speaking of those which are out of the Church of God saith that they are in outward darkenesse because in Egypt onely God gaue light to his people whilest all Egypt besides round about were inuironed with outward darkenesse But at the death of Iesus Christ there happened the contrarie for darkenesse was onely ouer all Iudea although Tertullian saith to the contrary whilest the rest of the earth was inlightned then at that time the darkenesse was interiour and the light exteriour God signifying by this miracle the reiecting of the Iewes and reception of the Gentiles which is a great aduertisement vnto vs For if they did so with greene wood what shall become of the dry wood If the naturall branches haue beene so handled what will become of wilde branches ingrafted in their places if we sinne with like incredulitie For hath God bound himselfe alwaies to protect his Churches which abuse his grace and bring blame vpon the doctrine of the Gospell Let vs tremble at such examples and preuent Gods iudgements by repentance It remaineth my Brethren to gather fruit from this doctrine for our instruction consolation First this excellencie of the Gospell of Christ wherewith God declareth his incomprehensible loue in giuing his Sonne for mortall man for sinners for his enemies for the slaues of the Diuell to the end to make them his seruants euen his friends and euen his Brethren a Body and a Spirit with him and by it heires of eternall life so many sweet inuitements which biddeth vs come to him so many promises to giue vs all that which we shal aske in his Sonnes Name serueth for the comfort of all consciences that are oppressed with the burthen of their sinnes to the end that when the horrour of the iudgement of God presenteth it selfe before their eyes they presently turne their eyes towards the sacred blessing of Iesus Christ towards the bloud of allyance which cryeth better things then that of Abell which cryeth vengeance but this crieth peace and reconciliation If the Conscience take some by the throat and dragge him before the Iudiciall Throne of God it will bring forth before God this acquittance sustained with the bloud of the Sonne of God by which God declareth that he is fully content and satisfied If Sathan produceth before God his accusations against vs and bringeth in a long sedule of our sinnes say vnto him I doe not excuse my selfe but set downe vnderneath The bloud of Iesus Christ doth cleanse vs from all our sinnes 1 Ioh. 1.7 and also these sinnes which thou bringest in against mee are not my sinnes but the sinnes of Iesus Christ seeing hee hath taken them vpon him as on the other part his righteousnesse is ours for hee is our eternall righteousnesse and by the obedience of a Man many shall be made iust Rom. 5.19 Hee who is dead for his enemies will he not heare his friends He that prayed vpon the Crosse for those that crucified him will he not intercede in his glory for those which put their trust in him God which vnderstandeth the cry of the little Crowes in their nests as the Prophet saith in the 147. Ps will he not heare his Children that call vpon him Should his promises be false or the death of his Sonne without efficacie towards those that beleeue in Iesus Christ In the second place the Ministers of the word of God haue here a faire lesson for the Apostle exhorteth them by his example not to be ashamed but to reioyce that they are the Ministers of the Gospell of Christ and to make account of their charge not because it giueth them occasion to be well apparelled and plentifully fed with small trauaile whilest they leaue to others the care of their flocke which afterwards is often negligently taught and instructed but because they mannage the Scepter of the Kingdome of Heauen which is his Word and that God hath consecrated their mouthes to signifie vnto men his holy will In the third place that they remember the Gospell of Christ which they deliuer to the end they mingle not humane inuentions nor vaine subtilties nor diuersities of tongues to establish their knowledge if they would haue their preaching effectuall to touch mens hearts to retaine this power of God to saluation to those that heare and that they offer not to God a strange fire like Nadab and Abihu that they remember themselues of the Law which forbiddeth to sow two kindes of Corne in one field or to make a stuffe of diuers sorts of matter God teaching vs thereby that he will not haue an artificiall mingling in his seruice and also they must remember that which they preach be the Gospell of Christ Euen as the Apostles which had fished all the night and got nothing but when at the word of the Lord they cast their Nets they got great store of Fish Euen so if you cast the nets of your sermons by the word of Iesus Christ and follow his commandements you shall draw soules vnto you and see fruit of your labour If you distribute nothing but the bread of Christ
the Soule liueth to God and followeth the Lambe filled with the fulnesse of the presence of the Lord. And as one may obserue of those that sleepe very soundly yet if they be but called by their Names they will rise vp in astonishment so Iesus Christ at the last day shall call all the faithfull and they shall suddenly awake and come out of the Graue euen as he raised Lazarus when hee did rise after hee had called him by his name We may also say that after sleepe we finde refreshment our strength renewed so after death our strength shall be renewed with another kinde of vigour then euer we had before Briefly as the profound sleepe of Adam brought him forth a Wife so our death will bring vs neare vnto Iesus Christ our true Espouse who marrieth vs in Righteousnesse and Mercy for there is nothing but peace in Heauen in earth nothing but confusion Neare vnto the earth are Windes and Raine and heat after colde but high vp in the ayre nothing moueth So what peace must that be in Heauen where the King of peace himselfe raigneth and where the blessed spirits ioyne their Songs and affections to praise serue God with a holy Harmony Of the peace of the Blessed the faithfull feele here a kinde of taste which is the peace of Conscience giuing them repose euen vpon the torture which sustaineth Martyrs maketh them easily digest pouertie and misery by the inward contentment they feele in the loue of God to be reconciled vnto him through Iesus Christ For euen as a man that is in health will sleepe vpon a Bench but he that is sicke of the Stone cannot rest vpon a Bed euen so the tranquility of conscience maketh a man content amidst the incommodities of this life but the wicked in prosperitie finde no rest Doe you thinke it strange that Iacob slept quietly albeit he had but a stone for his Pillow seeing that God spoke to him sleeping and shewed him the gate of Heauen opened I thinke Ionas had more rest in the Whales belly then Iezabel in her bed or Nabuchadnezzar vpon his Throne whereof the Apostle in the 4. of the Phil. calleth the peace of Conscience the peace of God and saith that it passeth all vnderstanding Whereupon I gather that if the first Pastes and sparkes of eternall peace surpasse all vnderstanding how much more then the full repose and full peace with eternall contentment The faithfull seruants of God hauing but halfe dipped in the end of the finger into this Hony as Ionathan did had their eyes enlightened and with this sweetnesse ouercome the bitternesse of death and Saint Paul before he dyed tasted of this glory being rauished in spirit into the third heauens when hee came to speake of these things hee said that these are things which is not lawfull to expresse and putting his finger in his mouth glorifyeth himselfe in his infirmities and in his approbriousnesse for the name of Christ And Dauid in the 80. Psalme asketh in this life al the contentment that a man can haue in this world in asking That God would shine vpon him with the clearenesse of his face and yet this clearenes commeth from a-farre It is but like a little Raye of the Sunne shining through a little hole into a darke plaee what will this be then when the day shall shine all out so cleare and that God will shine clearely vpon vs so neare that he will shew his face vnto vs which no man did euer see and liue as God saith to Moses Many giue money for olde Coines and the formes of the buildings of auncient times but how much would a man giue to see the persons of those times and how much more would a man giue to see Abraham Isaack Iacob Dauid the Prophets and the Apostles To see the least of them you would trauaile a thousand leagues and how much more then would you giue to see all to see them all and all free from sinne and infirmitie such as they are in the Kingdome of God And how much more then aboue all the rest to see this Iesus Christ which is declared in the word and figured by the Sacraments who hath suffered all euill for vs who descended vpon earth for to raise vs vp to heauen who took vpon him our flesh to cloathe vs with his holy spirit who made himselfe the sonne of Man to make vs the Children of God who suffered death to giue vs life who daily receiueth our prayers presenteth them to God sendeth his Angels from aboue and maketh his blessings daily fall downe vpon vs your eyes see it which is declared vnto you amongst the troubles and throngs of this world you see it in the peace which Simeon did waite for Truely we doe but lightly esteeme these things a humane spirit moueth but with one wing we haue a greater desire vnto it then capacity to vnderstand it For wee ought to be more occupied in keeping on the high way to come to this peace then in the contemplation of the excellencie thereof We shall know it one day now let vs striue onely to tend that way This thought putteth another into my minde and maketh me admire many persons who know and beleeue these things and yet are not once moued therewith who knowing the truth being in their decrepit age and in the bed of death yet notwithstanding feare to confesse God for the displeasure of men they would willingly say with Simeon Lord now let thy seruant depart in peace but the feare of men hindreth them from making their peace with God what hope they for or what feare they in this world who for an houre of life that they yet haue in this world would lose eternall life who to please men in dying would displease God after death There is certainely besides hardnesse and rebellion a blindnesse and an euident folly Some will say this peace is to be wished for I aspire to it euen with all my heart but the way to come thereto is very hard to finde out the passage to death is dolorous fearefull and Sathan lyeth in Ambush euen in the way and all the feare and feeblenesse and sorrow that is there is purposely placed to intrap a man in such extremitie it is a good thing to be dead but a grieuous thing to dye I confesse that death is very terrible in nature Men care to dye when they can deferre it no longer Many cut off Legges and Armes to saue the rest and are very glad so to liue with the one halfe of their body there are many troubled with the stone that resolue to be cut and although the combat be great yet they hope to escape but if they were assured to die they would resolue to be twenty yeares tormented Neuerthelesse he saith that death is not so terrible as they make it principally to the faithfull which are prepared for it It is not death that is so grieuous but the
in the Eucharist and euen at the same time the deuill entred into him can it bee conuenient or possible to thinke that Iesus Christ and the deuill entred into one body together and remained together One thing I thinke is very conuenient that in euery Sacrament as also at the sacrifice it is necessary that the thing which they administer to the people and that they offer to God bee consecrated but in the Eucharist of the Roman Church there is nothing of consecrate which is administred to the people nor which is offered to God for is this the bread which is consecrated No way for they say it is no more bread Is it the body of Iesus Christ it is not for Iesus Christ cannot bee consecrated but it is he that consecrateth vs. Are these the accidents of bread which are consecrated that they call formes that is to say the roundnesse the colour and taste of the bread It is not neither for these things are not offered to God in sacrifice neither are they giuen to the people for to sanctifie them But behold one Sacrament and one sacrifice where there is nothing consecrated where he doth make a Consecration but they cannot say what it is that is consecrated All this abuse commeth by the fault of some Priests who could if they would make vs all agree very easily in one way For all confesse that Iesus Christ hath instituted the holy Sacrament as it ought to bee and that there is nothing to say against it If then the Pope would reduce the Holy Supper into the same forme wherein Iesus Christ instituted it in speaking as hee did and doing as hee did without further dispute we should all agree and so wee should all come to be of one assembly vnanimously to glorifie God By this meanes diuine seruice should bee done in the vulgar tongue there should be no more priuate Masses All should communicate vnder both kindes there should be no more adoration of the Hoast nor any eleuation of the sacrifice the Priests bending ouer the Altar should not pray to God for saluation through the merit of Saints whose bones and reliques are hidden vnder the Altar But contenting our selues with the prescribed simplicity of Iesus Christ wee should reiect these additions which disfigure this Sacrament vnder the shadow of adorning it God giue vs grace to see this happy time and to that end dispose of the hearts of Princes and people for the loue of IESVS CHRIST our LORD Amen FINIS COMFORTABLE INSTRVCTIONS for the SICKE By Peter Moulin Minister in the Reformed Church at PARIS LONDON Printed by T.S. for Thomas Pauier and are to be sold at his shop in Iuie lane 1623. Short and Familiar Instructions to comfort the SICKE When the sicknesse appeareth not to be mortall For the comfort of the party one may thus beginne SIR it behooueth you first to acknowledge that this sickenesse is not fallen vpon you by chance but by the wise conduct and prouidence of Almightie God our Creator and Father who so disposeth of prosperitie and aduersity health and sicknesse vpon his children that he neuer sendeth either the one or the other but to his owne glory and the parties good and saluation As the Apostle Saint Paul saith Rom. 8.27 Wee know that all things worke together for good to them that loue God He purposely speaketh of afflictions wherein sicknesses are ranked Those people loue God who are first loued of him and as the Apostle saith called according to his owne determinated purpose That you are of this number you haue occasion to take assurance by the faith which hee hath giuen you in making you beleeue that he is your Father and Sauiour in his Welbeloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord by which you receiue the spirit of adoption which is that that witnesseth with our spirit that we are the children of God Heires and co-heires with Christ Rom. 8.11.16.17 You must also take assurance by the sanctification of his holy spirit by which he hath brought you into his obedience For those that are led by the spirit of God are the children of God But to those which are such the Apostle Saint Paul saith that euery thing workes together for good afflictions sicknesses euen death it selfe all that they haue is turned by the grace of God to their owne profit and great good and for the aduancement furtherance of their saluation Three principall fruits God maketh vs gather of our maladies and afflictions The first is the amendement of our life which awaketh vs out of our sinnes For both in health and prosperity it is too ordinary to flatter and cherish our selues in sinne by reason of our great corruption in Nature which maketh vs inclined to all euill and vnprofitable to any good it is therefore necessarie to looke about vs and become more sensible of our sinnes to retire our selues and to be displeased with them which is made by the meanes of sicknesses and other aduersities of this life occasioned by sinne and very often purposely sent from God to chastise and correct vs and in that this good Father of Heauen sheweth how much he loueth vs hindering our vndoing and confusion in our inordinate life like a good Father that very well loueth his Children hee chastiseth and correcteth vs to hinder and draw vs backe againe lest we should be lost as Saint Paul saith in the 1. of the Corin. 32. Verse When we are afflicted we are taught by the Lord to the end we should not be condemned with the world and in another place he saith Heb. 12. Ver. 6.7 and 11. That the Lord chastiseth him he loueth and beateth euery childe whom he auoweth If you endure Chastisement God presenteth himselfe vnto vs as to his Children For who is the childe that the Father correcteth not and although that all discipline in the instant seeme not to be of ioy but of sadnesse neuerthelesse it brings a peaceable fruit of righteousnesse to those that thereby are exercised It behooueth vs therefore first of all to gather this excellent fruit of our sicknesses to feele the innumerable number of our sinnes and offences wherof we are culpable before God to aske pardon of him in all humility and repentance and to make a holy protestation to liue better hereafter and to walke in his obedience and feare by the grace of God and the conduct of his holy Spirit which we ought to aske with ardent prayers and with an assured faith to be heard according to his promises And so we may say with Dauid that excellent seruant of God Psal 119. Ver. 6â— 92. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I haue kept thy word It is good for mee that I haue beene afflicted that I might learne thy statutes Now we may behold the sicknesses of our Bodies how they come to be by Gods grace wholsome medicines for our soules The second good which sicknesses bring vs is to vnloose and pull away
c. And forasmuch O Lord as without faith we cannot be agreeable or acceptable vnto thee we beseech thee so to increase it in this thy seruant and in vs all that he may come to the last breath of life and we with him to perseuere therein and to be alwayes disposed to render a pure confession with heart and mouth as wee now present our selues vnto thee saying I beleeue in God c. This is his faith O Lord and ours giue vs grace to liue and dye herein through Iesus Christ our Lord who in vnity of the Holy Spirit liueth and raigneth with thee eternally Amen When there is apparencie that the sickenesse is mortall follow this forme Sir It behoueth you to bee of good courage in the middle of your affliction which it pleaseth God still to continue vpon your body and be assured that he hath neither sent or continued it but for the good and saluation of your soule to teach you by this meanes to vnderstand your selfe as being a poore sinner more and more to detest your sinnes contemne the world to lift you vp to God and to inuocate and call vpon him with much more feruour with assurance to be heard following his holy promises and to obtaine of him Christian Constancy which is most necessary for you in this tryall The assurance of the mercy of God in Iesus Christ the true ground of all Consolation That which ought most to comfort you and with courage and patience to strengthen you is the assurance which you ought alwayes to take that God for the loue of his welbeloued Sonne our Lord Iesus hath imbraced you into his loue and free fauour hath pardoned your offences hath adopted you and receiued you amongst the number of his children to make you inherite the Kingdome of Heauen by vertue of the purchase which Iesus Christ hath made for you by the merit of his death such an assurance will make you alwayes certaine that nothing can happen vnto you whether it be in life or death which can be any other then the fauour and blessing of your Heauenly Father and so consequently are aides and meanes ordayned by his wise prouidence to conduct you to the blessed life This assurance commeth from Faith It is true that this assurance wee cannot take of our selues it is our good God that giueth it when by the vertue of his holy Spirit and holy Word he createth in our hearts a true and a liuely faith with the which we receiue and wee appropriate the promises of his grace which he hath ordayned vs in the preaching of the gospel Which promises in effect are That God hath so loued the world that he hath giuen his onely Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting Ioh. 3.16 If God then hath giuen you the grace to beleeue in his only Son to embrace him for your Redeemer and Sauiour as we gather hitherto by the profession you haue made and still continueth in the Church you may take from thence a holy assurance that God according to the infallible truth of his Word hath receiued you into his loue that you shall not perish but haue euerlasting life Now being so what can you feare Rom. 8.30.31 If God be with vs who can be against vs Hee who hath not spared his owne Sonne but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall hee not with him also freely giue vs all things Hee hath giuen you the most that is his Sonne hee will not euerthelesse deny you any thing else that can be necessary for to keepe you from all sort of euill corporall and spirituall as well in life as in death Faith applyeth to all the faithfull the promises of the Gospell This application whereof I haue spoken which you must make to your selfe from the promises of the Gospel to gather such a holy assurance it is necessarily required by Faith For to beleeue in Iesus Christ it is not enough to beleeue in grosse that there is a Iesus Christ and who beleeueth in him hath eternall life neither is it enough to beleeue that the promises of the Gospell are altogether true the Diuell beleeueth so much yet notwithstanding hee hath no true beleeuing faith But to beleeue in Iesus Christ is when the faithfull beleeueth that there is saluation in Iesus Christ for him which the Diuell cannot beleeue And the true iustifying faith whereby the iust liueth chiefely consisteth in that that we apply and appropriate vnto our selues euery one in his own particular the promises of saluation that euery one in his owne behalfe may say that which St. Paul saith in the person of euery one of the faithfull Gal. 2.20 I liue in the faith of the Sonne of God who hath loued me and giuen himselfe for me and in the 2 Tim. 1.2 I know whom I haue beleeued and I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that which I haue committed vnto him against that day and Rom. 8.37.38 I am assured that neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature can separate vs from the loue of God which he hath shewed vs in Iesus Christ our Lord. This faith doth not bring vs a simple opinion or coniecture of our saluation but a certaine knowledge following that which Saint Iohn saith 5.14 Wee know that we are translated from death to life And Iohn 10. We know that we are of God and I haue saith he 1 Ioh. 5.13 written these things to you which beleeue in the Name of the Sonne of God to the end that you should know that you haue eternall life This faith freely lets vs goe to the treasure of Gods grace Heb. 4.10 With assurance as hee saith in the 10.22 euen with a true heart and a full assurance of faith as Saint Paul saith Ephes 3.12 that by Iesus Christ we haue boldnesse and accesse in our beleefe by the faith which wee haue in him This faith is called Hebrewes 11.1 the substance of things hoped for that is to say that maketh things beleeued and hoped subsist in our soules neither more nor lesse then if we were already in the very Actuall possession and inioying This Faith maketh vs finde peace and rest in our soules and consciences chasing away the feares and terrours which sinne would set before vs with the apprehension of Gods iudgements following that which Saint Paul saith Rom. 5. Verse 1. That being iustified by faith we haue peace with God through Iesus Christ our Lord by the which also wee haue beene led by Faith to this grace wherein we hold our selues fast and glorifye our selues in the hope of the glory of God The gift of perseuerance assured to the Faithfull Moreouer these passages propound vnto vs this holy assurance of Faith not onely for the present but also to come and containeth a promise which God giueth vs to perseuere in this Faith euen to the
liueth and raigneth with thee God eternally Amen If the sicke person continue long and still in danger of death it will be conuenient to repeat at times necessary the abouesaid Comforts but especially those which are to assure and fortifie against the temptations and combats of Conscience And if it happen the sicke party be troubled with idle talke or cannot vnderstand a long discourse vse short sentences such as hereafter followeth speaking but at sometimes Sir it behooueth you to take good courage it is the fatherly hand of God that visiteth you for your good and saluation For to those whom God loueth all things worke together for good Lift vp your heart to God and confesse your sinnes and offences and imbrace by faith his mercy in Iesus Christ which hee hath promised to all those that repent and beleeue in him Haue you not alwaies a good assurance in the mercy of God a firme faith in Iesus Christ your Sauiour Patient Yes Doe you not beleeue that Iesus Christ is dead for your sinnes and risen againe for your iustification Patient Yes Doe you not beleeue that hee hath before the Father beene your wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Patient Yes Doe you not thinke that hee hath freely iustified you by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Iesus Patient Yes Following this your faith doubt not but God will warrant you from all perdition and giue you euerlasting life For God hath giuen his Sonne to the end that whosoeuer shall beleeue in him shall not perish but haue eternall life Ioh. 16. Feare not death seeing by faith you imbrace Iesus Christ who is your life I am saith he the resurrection and the life who shall beleeue in me although he be dead shall liue and whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in me shall neuer dye Ioh. 11.25.26 If your sinnes doe afflict you addresse your selfe alwaies by faith and runne to Christ Iesus and you shall finde rest to your soule Come to mee saith Saint Matthew 11.28 all you that labour and are ouer-laden and I will ease you Doubt not the rigour of Gods iustice for there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Iesus as the Apostle Saint Paul saith Rom. 8.1 And who is he Rom. 8.32.33 that will bring in accusation against the elect of God God is hee that iustifieth who will be hee that shall condemne Christ is he which is dead and which is more is risen againe who is also at the right hand of God and maketh intercession for vs. Be not sorry to leaue this miserable life which as Saint Iames saith 4.14 is but a vapour which appeareth a little while and afterwards vanisheth besides in exchange thereof euerlasting life shall be giuen vnto you and in that the very height of felicity so great and incomprehensible That eye hath not seene nor eare vnderstood and is not come vp into the heart of man that which God hath prepared for those that loue him When the sicke person is apparantly at the point of death or ready to yeeld vp the Ghost it is necessary to repeat this short consolation following with prayer Comfort your selfe Sir you now approach neare vnto the end of the Combat which cannot be otherwise but happy vnto you assure your selfe the victory is of your side by meanes of your faith which is the victory that ouercommeth the world and the Prince of the world Iesus Christ your head and Sauiour extendeth forth his hand and stayeth for you at the end of the lists to present vnto you the incorruptible Crowne of glory which he hath purchased with the price of his bloud commend your selfe vnto him now with all your heart goe vnto him with ioy throw your selfe into his Armes and say Into thy hands I commend my soule for thou hast bought me O God of truth Psal 31. Let vs againe pray to God that he will giue you his grace A Prayer O Lord Father of Mercy God of all Consolation let fall thy mercies and comforts vpon this occasion vpon this person thy poore childe and seruant Make him now gather and apply vnto himselfe excellent and abundant profit of the holy Instructions which in thy schoole thou hast taught him during the course of his life giue him an inuincible faith in this Combat Arme him with all thy spirituall Armour that hee may resist all the Temptations of Sathan and hauing ouercome all make him remain firme If thy Iustice astonish let thy mercie assure and comfort if his sinnes accuse him let the obedience of thy welbeloued excuse and iustifie him if the apprehension of death trouble him make him contemplate the open gate of euerlasting life to which thou goest to make him enter Thou hast giuen him it in thy Sonne make it perfectly happy to him Hee is of the flocke of this great Shepheard let it not be taken from him Thou hast begun his saluation let not the worke remaine vnperfect And now that thou hast brought him to the end of his sorrowfull course now receiue his soule into thy hands and bring it into thy heauenly paradice into the fulnesse of repose and beatitude into the company of thy blessed Angels and holy soules of thine Elect which thou hast gathered for euer to enioy together the perfection of all ioy which consisteth in the contemplation of his face Heare vs O Father of mercy for the loue of thy welbeloued Son Iesus Christ our Lord who in vnity of the holy Spirit liueth and raigneth with thee God eternally Amen A short comfort for those that are friends of the deceased to be giuen after the body is interred Friends it is needfull in this businesse for you to remember of the holy Christian instruction which you haue receiued in the schoole of Iesus Christ for to make your profit in bearing your affliction with patience and in humility resting in a quiet Spirit at the will of God to which we ought alwayes to be subiect and conformable Our Nature in such accidents leadeth vs to teares but the Spirit of God author of all Regeneration teacheth vs to keepe measure and not to afflict our selues like those that haue no hope 1 Thess 4.13 If we be men in weeping yet wee must shew our selues Christians adorned with faith and hope to assure vs that this corporall death is no other to the faithfull children of God but a happy port to enter into eternall life Ioh. 5.28.29 and as for the body it must remaine in earth vntill that day when they shall heare the voyce of the Lord which shall make them rise out of the graue into the resurrection of life That the deceased is of the number of Gods children the marks and testimonies which God hath giuen him by the good profession of piety and wisedome which hee hath made in the Church vnto the last breath of his life neede not leaue vs in doubt He hath liued to the Lord and is dead to the Lord by consequence is happy and resteth from his labour Apoc. 14.13 by the heauenly testimony of the Spirit of God himselfe You haue no cause to weep ouer him for the condition he is in being in euery kinde thrice happy He hath also a great aduantage of vs that remaine in this world behinde him For he is arriued at the port of saluation where as we are still beaten with the storme and torment of the confused and dangerous sea of this miserable world And therefore it is much better to aspire to go with him then to wish him to remaine here below with vs for the discommodity that you may receiue by his absence it behoueth you to consider that God that gaue him to you remaineth still with you who is enough for vs without all other things whereas all other things without him are nothing It is hee that will continue alwayes ouer you the care of his fatherly prouidence if you continue alwayes to walke in his feare I beseech God to giue you grace and fortifie you with a holy and constant resolution Amen FINIS