and inlarge thy Sion and thy Ierusalem euen after my death build vp the wals of it repaire the decaies of thy Church and confound Antichrist and the vpon me yet notwithstanding I herein acknowledge thy infinite goodnesse and compassion in Christ that thou haste in slicted them vpon me not as plagues and curses as they are in their owne nature to the vnbeléeuing and vnrepentant but as fatherly corrections and chastisments messengers of death and immortallitie and meanes to prepare me for and conuay mee to thy kingdome For hereby thou my most deare Father intendest and workest mine amendment makest triall of my faith hope patience and thankefulnesse preuentest sinne to come and stirrest vp in me a desire and longing expectation of euerlasting rest happines UUherfore I most humbly beseech thée to pardon and remoue my sin the cause thereof perfit my repentance for the same increase my faith and hope graunt me strength and patience with comfort to indure this thy visitation sanctifie it vnto me and conuert it to my saluation in the end Restore me if it be thy good pleasure in thy good time to my former and perfect health that I may performe vnto Turke and the rest of the obstinate enemies of it Uouchsafe to bee a father vnto my wife children and family supply their waÌ„ts whether spiritual or boddily plant thy feare in their hearts and make them constant in all duties of holynes righteousnes that they may liue and die in thy fauor and at length be made partakers of eternall ioy and glory Giue O my heauenly father a blessed assent to these my petitions and graunt me all other thinge which thy wisdome séeeth good for me for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake mine onely Redéemer Mediator to whome with thy Maiesty God the holy Ghost bée giuen al honour praise and glory now and for euermore Amen A thansgiuing to be vsed of a sicke man if he recouer I Yéeld render and ascribe vnto thée O Lord my God al honor praise thanks and glory for all thine infinite vnmeasurable vndeserued mercies in Christ whether they concern my body or soule this life or a better and in particular for his present benefit of redéeming my soule from death and my body from the graue that I should yet liue the longer in the land of the liuing to set forth thy glory to do more good in my calling and standing and the more perfectly to prepare my selfe for my latter end and for thy kingdome O Lord my God this is thy work it procéedeth only from thy grace and mercy and not from any goodnes or merit of mine But séeing thy might and mercy so meruailously appeareth in my recouery and I of my self am more ready to forget theÌ„ remember and to grow remisse carelesse for the time to come then to serue thée in godly feare and grow vp in grace sanctification I beséech thée to write the memory of this thy mercy in my heart w t the Diamond of thy spirit graunt me grace y t denying mine own wit wil sence I may follow y e direction of thine holy word and submit my selfe to the blessed gouernment of thy spirit Make mee a willing and happy instrument of further good in my vocation and trade of life and grant déere father that as I growe in yeares so I may grow and increase in grace and obedience that I may liue in thy feare and fauour and die in peace and then see thy glorious face and inioy the immediate and most blessed fellowship of Christ my sweet Sauiour and of all thy Saints and Angels for euermore Uouchsafe me louing and gratious father these mercies and al other things néedfull for me for the merits obedience and mediation of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ to whom with thée and the holy Ghost thrée persons one al sufficient God bee praise in the Church throughout all generations for euer Amen Amos. 3. 6. Ioh. 5. 14. 2. Sam. 12. Psal. 16. 7. Iob. 13. 26 Lam 3 41. Psal. 30. v. 6. Deut. 8. 2. 13. 3. Cant. 5. 5. 6 Hos. 5. 15. Rom. 8. â—…say 8. 20. 〈◊〉 33. 15 Act. 4. 12 Isay 43. ve 25. Ier. 31. 34 〈◊〉 Sam. 12 12. 13. Psal. 51 ve 3 and 4. Dan. 9 6 Luk. 18 13 Iob. 19. 25 1 Ioh. 1. 〈◊〉 Psal. 119. 59 Iam. 1. 23. Isay. 8. 20 Rom. 3 ver 23. Gen. 6 〈◊〉 5 Eph. 2 3 Iob. 33. ve 16. 17 18. 2 Chr. 21 17. Rom. 8. veâ—… 20 22. Iere. 5. v. 3. Lam. 3. ver 22. Psal. 130. 6. Rom. 5. ve 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 18 Gen. 7. 〈◊〉 c. Gen. 8. v. 1 Simile â—…sal 30. v. 7. 8. 9 1. Ioh. 〈◊〉 Iob. 13 1â—… Mat. 15 v. 23. ad 29. Gen. 7. 1 Mat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 28. Rom. 3. v. 3 Luk. 5 31. Vse Phil. 1 23 Gen 2 17 Heb. 9 27 Rom. 5 12 Rom. 5 1â—… Psa. 96 v. 〈◊〉 et 10 〈◊〉 1. Ioh. 3. 〈◊〉 Gen. 3. v. 6 Rom. 8. 1â—… 1 Tim. 2. 14. 1 Thes. 4 14. 1 Cor. 15. 51. Phil. 1. 23 Luk. 12. v. 40. Rom. 8. v. 29 Luk. 13. v. 3. 15. Rom. 6. 2 Luk. 12. 20. 21. Luk. 16. 23 2. Thess. 1. vers 9. Rom. 6. v. 23 Gal. 3. 10. A similitude Math. 26 v. â—…9 Luk. 2. ve 29. â—…om 8. v. â—…3 34. Math. 4. ve â—…4 et 7. Psal. 31. 15 Rom. 7. â—…4 Isay 57 ve 1. 2. 2 Kings 22. 20. Isa. 57 1. Math. 22. 32. Luâ—… 23. ve 1â—… 32 aâ—… 44. Luk. 23. 〈◊〉 40. 2. Tim. 2â—… 25. Luk. 13. 〈◊〉 24. Senec. lib. 3 Epist. 26. Iob. 42. 6. Ionah 4. 〈◊〉 4. 5. 1. Cor. 15. v. vlâ—… Hebr. 11. v. 9. 10. Iam. 1. 〈◊〉 Rom. 3. v. 〈◊〉 Rom. 7â—… v. 7. Hebr. 2. 1â—… Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 8. 13. Math. 7. 2â—… Luk. 13. vers 25. 〈◊〉 Câ—… 5. 〈◊〉 Luk. 5 19. Leu. 13. 45 46. Psa. 39. 1â—… 〈◊〉 2. 2. Cor. â—… Apoc. 12 Psa 6. 1. Luk. 16. 〈◊〉 5. 29. Ioh. 9. â—…in 20. 7 Act. 7. veâ—… 60. Math. 5. v. 25. Math. 10. Iosua 24. v. 14. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. 15. Act. 20. 28. Rom. 8. 17. Heb. 9. v. 16. Gen. 18. 19. 1 Sam 2. 30. Proâ—… 15. 16. Ioâ—… 4. 24. Rom. 8. ver 26. Psa. 31. 5. Gen. 12. 1â—… 1. 23. 1. 〈◊〉 18. 1. Cor. 4. 7. â—…hil 1. 23. â—…om 7. 〈◊〉 Cor. 5. â—…oc 14. 〈◊〉 Isay 38. 18.
powers and abilities of his soule and body according to the rule of Gods word For the spirit and the word neuer â—…arre but the holy spirit breatheth in it and worketh by it Acts. 10. vers 44. and 45. Quâ—… In how many things dooth this first degrée of eternall life consist A. It consisteth in thrée 〈◊〉 or graces of God First in the 〈◊〉 and sauing knowledge of God the Father God the Sonne and God the holy Ghost Secondly in the swéete peace of conscience which flowing from the death of Christ is life and peace for this is the way to and the beginning of euerlasting happinesse Thirâ—…ly in the gouernment of the spirit when we assent vnto the directions of it and in acte approoue and obey them Q. But what néede all this paine and trouble Is it not enough when a man is dying to say Lord haue mercy vpon mee Ans. No for first Not euery one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into heauen but hee that doth the will of God Secondly he that prorogeth and putteth of his repentance vnto death is for the most part so be-sotted with the custome of sinne and with-all so forsaken of God that he as experience teacheth can vtter no good word The xii Chapter Of accustoming and enuring a mans selfe to dye well Question HOw shall a man bring him-selfe in fashion and accustome himselfe to dye well Answ. By the performance of thrée things First seeing that Gods corrections and chastisements are the instruments and fore-runners of death hee must humble himselfe vnder them Secondly he must begin to mortifie little sinnes that so he may mortifie the greater afterwards Thirdly hee must not let goe the fruite of the least crosse but learne to beare and endure smaller crosses and afflictions that he may be the better enabled to vnder-goe the torments of death it selfe The xiii Chapter Of the speedinesse and carefulnesse of Preparation Question VVHen and how must a man prepare him-selfe A. With all expedition and vtmost diligence Qu. Wherein must this expedition and diligence chiefely appeare An. In dooing all possible seruice to Church and common-wealth Psal. 122. vers 8. and 9. Q. Why must he take this course A. Otherwise dâ—…th for it giueth no man warning will ouer-take him and hée will wish that hée had done it when it is too late And thus much of generall preparation The xiiii Chapter Of Particular preparation Question OF how many sorts is particular preparation A. It is two-fold either false and vnperfect as is that which the Synagoge of Rome prescribeth or true and perfect as is that which all Protestant Churches teach and practise Q. Wherein doth the false and vnperfect preparation of the Church of Rome consist A. In thrée things Q. What are those thrée things or members A. First auricular or eare-confession made to a Priest Secondly the receiuing of the Eucharist or hoast Thirdly extreame vnction or anointing with oyle Q Is not auricular confession or the secret enumeration of all a mans particular sinnes necessary Ans. No certainly Q. Why is it not necessary A. First because the word of God requireth no such matter Secondly no man can possibly sound euery corner of his heart and finde out all his sinnes Ierem. 10. 23. Thirdly there was no such practise neither in the Apostles times nor in the primitiue Church for the space of fiue hundred yeares Forthly Dauid and the prodigall or lost Child had their sinnes forgiuen them vpon a generall confession 1. Sam. 12. ver 12. Luk. 15. ver 18. 19. Lastly God hath not made men absolute iudges of reconciliation but hath onely giuen them the ministerie of reconciliation Ques Wherein doth this ministerie of reconciliation consist Ans. When the ministers of Gods word doe in the name of the Lord according to his word preach declare and pronounce a mans sinnes to be forgiuen or not forgiuen The second Section Que. Is it necessary for the sicke to receiue the Eucharist or the Lords Supper Answ. There is no such extreame necessity for first not the want but the continuall contempt of the Sacrament formerly in faith receiued doth extend it selfe to the whole course of a mans life Lastly the Lorde supper is an Ecclesiasticall or publike action and therefore according to Christ his institution is to be administred and receiued in the greatest concourse and assembly of the Church Obiect As the paschall Lambe was eaten so may the Lords Supper be eaten but the paschall Lambe was eaten priuatly in particular houses therefore may the Lords Supper â—…ee likewise eaten in the same forme Ans. I answer to the first proposition that the argument is not good and the consequence followeth not For first they Iewes then could not obtaine leaue nor be permitted to assemble them-selues togeither as wee doe and may Gods name be blessed for it Secondly I answer to the secoâ—… proposition that the Pascall Lambe though it was eaten in particular houses yet it was by Gods commandement and eaten at one and the same time in all places which is all one as if the action had beene publike The 3 Section Q. Is extreame vnction and especially the anointing of the instruments of the senses in spirituall respects now necessary for the sicke Ans. No truely for it concerneth not vs at all the miracle is ceased long since and then what vse of the ceremony Obie But in Saint Iames daies they anointed the sick with oile and why may they not doe so now Ans. First because as I formerly noted all miracles are ceased but that anointing was miraculous Secondly the sicke theâ—… anointed with oile by vertue of Gods promises recouered out of their sicknes but those whome the Papistes anoint commonly die and so neuer recouer Lasty the ancient anointing was appointed and vsed for the recouery of bodily health but the Papists abuse and preuent it to false endes namely to obtaine forgiuenesse of sinnes and to procure strength and comfort against all the temptations of death and to obtaine saluation it selfe And of the false preparation hetherto The fifteenth Chapter Of the seuerall duties and branches of particular preparation Question IN what and in how many things doth particular preparation consist Ans. According to their thréefold obiect they are thus distinguished they concerne either God him-selfe or our owne person or our neighbour Q. When we are sicke what duty are we to performe towards God Ans. We must dayly seeke to be reconciled to God in Christ other-wise all other duties are of small or nons effect Quest. How must this reconciliation be sought and obtained Ans. By renewing our former faith and repentance and by repayring the deâ—…s of it Quest. What mouing cause haue we to 〈◊〉 vs vp to performe this duty An. Because ordinarily and for the most part sickenesses and diseases are sent of God in his iustice for the punishment and chastiâ—…ment of sinne Lam 3. 39. Math. 9. 2. Ioh. 5. 74. Quest. In renewing
Ergo we must not looke to haue our rest and heauen here Fourthly they that dote and surfet vpon these earthly and out-ward things are void of faith hope and repentance and so perish and therefore it is better willingly to forgoe these things then to bee vndone by them Lastly we must looke for true and euerlasting honour the pretious and proper riches sincere and neuer discontenting pleasure in the paradice of heauen onely and bid auant to these earthly matters when they hinder vs in the course of Godlinesse and most destrously forsake them when the Lord by death calleth vs to the kingdome of glory and the felicity thereof Que. Ought a man to feare death Ans. He ought partly to feare it and partly not to feare it Questi Why must a man feare death An. First because it is the destruction of nature and a paineful correction Ques What vse is to be made hereof Ans. We must feare sinne that is the cause thereof and acknowledge Christ an enemy to it and offended with sinne Que. What is the second reason why we must feare death An. Because by the death of the Godly the Church or common wealth suffereth losse and we are beréeued of the saffe and stay of our comfort 2. Reg. 2. Qu. What if a man in death sée no way how to escape Satans temptation Ans He must close his eyes commit his cause to God and put on the spirituall armour of faith hope and the word of God Que. What if a Godly man doubt and his flesh tremble to enter into another life Ans. We must not yeeld to these temtations but resist them and our spirit is to be commended into Gods hand and then Christ with all his Angells will come and bee our guide to eternall life Secondly we must stoutly vndergo it and meditate vpon Christs sufferings and the issue and end wil be happy deliuerance Que. What if Satan contrarywise laboureth to expell all feare to make a man careles and laboureth to perswade him as he did maister Knoxe to rest in an opinion of his owne merits and so would puffe him vp with pride arrogancy Ans. He must consider and confesse that his owne righteousnes is foule and deformed he must resist and withstand that temptation and attribute all the glory of his saluation to God alone Que. In what and for what causes must we not feare death Ans. For fiue causes first because we haue hence a cause and an occasion to shew our subiection obedience to God Secondly because we are fréed from sin which is a principal part of our glorification Thirdly because the very body lying in the graue is refreshed against labours and is deliuered from death and misery and shall rise againe in glory Fourthly it conueieth translateth the soule vnto eternall life wher God is perfectly serued it hath blessed fellowship with Christ and all the Angells and Saints of heauen Lastly because by death GOD purgeth and disburdneth his Church of euil men Qu. Séeing that death is the cause of so great good to the godly may a man lawfully desire it An. Yes so that it be not of impatiency or desperation Secondly Iob many others haue desired death again again and are not therfore reproued Qu. May a man simply desire death An. No truly but a man must walke in his calling and standing so long as it shall please God For the godly had rather liue to sette forth Gods glory theÌ„ for their owne temporall commodity Qu. In what respects is death to bée desired An. So farre forth as it is a meane to frée and deliuer vs from the burden and contagion of sinne and from the miseryes and troubles of this life Secondly as it is a meane and instrument to the manifest vision of God and to the immediate fellowshippe of God and Christ. Lastly our desire must bee moderate and agréeable to Gods will and good pleasure Quest. May a man contrariwise desire long life An. Yes so the end and scope of his life be to doe acceptable seruice to God and to further and maintaine Gods religion and glory and labour to help and forward other mens faith c. Phil 1. 24. 25. Quest. If the death of the godly bée so blessed what shall wee thinke of the death of the wicked An. It is altogether accursed and fearefull Que. Why so Ans. First because it is the dissolution of nature and the wages of sinne Secondly for that by reason of Gods iustice pursuing the wicked in euery place and because they haue no peace of conscience death is to them the beginning of euerlasting damnation For they féele no mitttigation of theyr gréefe in death nor haue so much as the least hope and expectation of ease and deliuerance Qu. What is the conclusion and sum of all that hath bin said An. Wee must striue and continually indeauour to liue and dye well and godly that wée may bee blessed both in life and death and that we when this earthly life and pilgrimage is ended may liue and triumph for euer with our Lord Iesus in heaueâ—… which the Lord in mercy graunt and effect Amen A prayer to be vsed of a sick man O Lord GOD great and fearefull iust in thy iudgements intollerable in thy displeasure and yet bottomlesse in thy mercies kéeping couenant and mercy to them that loue thée and obey thy commandements I poore wretched sinner that am but dust earth and ashes vnworthy of the least of mercies and most iustly deseruing all temporall and eternal iudgements doe here present and prostrate my selfe before thy throane of grace And I fréely confesse vnto thée that I am conceiued borne in originall corruption prone vnto al wickednes vntoward backward to any goodnes ful of alimperfections that I haue by mine actuall transgressions which are many mighty broken all thy holy lawes and CoÌ„mandements and that therefore amongst many other euils this present sicknesse ache pain and weakenesse is deseruedly come thée my purposes and vowes of obedience and thansgiuing doe better and further seruice vnto thy Maiestie and be the more prepared for thy Kingdome But if it be thy will decrée and pleasure by this sicknesse to finish my daies I then intreat thy good Maiestie to renue me in the inner man as the outward man decayeth and grant that as the bodie dyeth so thy grace may liue and grow in me open the eyes of my vnderstanding that I may know what the hope is of my heauenly calling and the riches of the glorious inheritance that thou haste laid vp in store for me that by this meanes I may dye in the true faith of Christ in willing obedience to thy Maiesty and in thy fauour and loue of my neighbour and so when this life endeth I may beginne a better and dwell with thée and with all the triumphant company of Saintes and Angels praise and magnifie thy name for euer Blesse