CHAP. I. The Duty of a Minister in assisting Per­sons, who are in danger of Death.

THOSE whom it shall please Almighty God to call to the Assistance of Dying Christians, in order to their making a Happy End, ought well to consider, that [Page 2] this is an Office of the highest Conse­quence; for as much as no less than our Neighbour's Salvation may depend there­on.

As we die but once; so if in the last moment of our Lives, we omit ought that is necessary to our Eternal Welfare, we are gone for ever; the Fault is irre­parable. And what should still the more excite the Zeal and Charity of Ministers on this Occasion is, this Consideration, That oftentimes the Divine Providence marks out some particular Persons to contribute to the Salvation of others, who without their Assistance, might e­ternally perish. But though this were not so; certain it is, that they who are aiding to Dying Persons, may perform their Duty in such a manner, as to dis­pose them at least, to die in more abun­dant Grace, and contribute to their enjoying a greater degree of Felicity in Heaven. If it be an Act of Charity to preserve in Grace those that are in Health, by exhorting them to a fre­quent Participation of the Blessed Sacra­ment, and the Use of other Pious Means; What ought the Minister's Zeal to be, in assisting those poor Souls that are drawing near the time of their Depar­ture; [Page 3] it being certain, that whereso­ever the Tree shall fall, be it on the South, or be it on the North, there it will for ever lie?

Let the Minister therefore remember, that of himself he is by no means capa­ble of performing this important Part of his Ministry; but must apply himself to God for the Assistance of his Holy Spirit herein. A Sick Person has often-times his Mind disturb'd through the violence of his Distemper, and sometimes a Pro­spect of Hell too raises in him an inward Terror and Disquiet; and whil'st he is in this Agony, and just upon the point of giving up the Ghost, the Devil n'ere fails to use all his Arts for improving the little time that remains, to his final De­struction. The Consideration of all which should oblige the Minister, hum­bly to acknowledge his own Weakness, to be mistrustful of his own Strength, and repose in God alone, all his Hopes of contributing to the Salvation of Dying Persons. His intention of assisting them in the Condition they are in, must be sincere; remembring they are the Ima­ges of God, and Members of Jesus Christ, who has redeemed them with his Blood, and appointed him in his stead to take [Page 4] care of their Salvation; and that by how much the better End they make, so much the more God will be glorified. Let all these Motives serve to raise in him a fervent desire of saving them, by all the Means the Divine Providence shall inspire him with.

Let him every day ask of God the Talent necessary for this Function. Let him pray for the Sick in general, and particularly for those to whom he is called. Let him renew his Zeal by Ex­ultations of the Heart, and short and frequent Ejaculations, which he may apply to them; and let him recommend their Souls to God, not only in his private Prayers, but above all, in the Publick Prayers of the Church.

'Tis advisable, that the Minister think afore-hand of what he is to say or do on this Occasion, and so to order and dis­pose it in his memory, as to omit no­thing that may be necessary, both for the Comfort of the Sick Person, and Edi­fication of those that are present. This he ought to be very intent upon; for­asmuch as the same things are not al­ways proper to be said, or at least not to be said in the same manner; but must be ca [...]efully suited to Time and Place, and [Page 5] the Disposition he shall find in the Pati­ent, of hearing them. A Person of Qua­lity is to be dealt with after a quite dis­ferent manner from one of a low Con­dition. They that abound with Wit and Learning, and are of a sweet Tem­per, and have exercised themselves in the Practice of Devotion, are not to be addressed to in the same Stile, as those that are ignorant, rude, and of a mo [...]ose Nature. To the former, a few Words well chosen, and seasonably spoken, are sufficient: Whereas the latter need common things to be said to them, a­dapted to their Apprehensions; and those to be also inlarged upon. But here the Minister is to consider; whether they retain, or have lost their Sences; whe­ther their Distemper puts them to great Torment, or not; whether they may for some time be spoken to, or whether their Pain will not permit it. All which shews, that there is a great deal of Pru­dence requisite in the Minister, for his making a good and seasonable use of those Things he has prepar'd; speaking them sometimes interruptedly and by intervals, sometimes softly, and at other times in a different tone; to the end the Sick Person may the better relish them, [Page 6] be less troubled therewith, and reflect on the same with more leisure. He may al­so propound Questions to him, if he perceives in him Strength and Under­standing enough to answer them. And above all, he must not omit Praying by him, and causing those that are present to join with him therein. In short, let his whole Discourse be plain, tender, and affectionate, particularly with Per­sons of Piety and Understanding, who are not to be spoke to by way of Instructi­on, but as it were only to refresh their Minds with those Virtues they have al­ready known and practis'd.

But if the Minister has no knowledge of, or acquaintance with the Sick Person, the first thing he is to do, when he goes to his House, is to get information con­cerning him, with respect to the Quali­ties and Circumstances above mention'd; Viz. Whether he be a Man of Learning, or not; Whether of a meek and sweet Nature; whether he has still his Senses good, and the use of his Reason; Whe­ther he is at the point of Death; Whe­ther he has been already visited by any other Minister, and has receiv'd the Sa­cred Viaticum: What Course of Life he has led; Whether there be any particu­lar [Page 7] thing of which he ought to be put in mind, necessary to his Salvation; Whe­ther he lies under any secret trouble or affliction; and whether he has his Hearing so good, as to be able to hear what may be spoken softly to him.

As soon as the Minister is come into the Sick Person's Chamber, let him begin his Exhortation with greeting him in an affectionate manner; that so by his Ci­vility he may render himself the more a­greeable and welcome to him. Then, if he finds it convenient, he may ask him some Questions about the State of his Conscience; but this he must do gently, and with a modest liberty. And when the Sick Person shall give him Answers, he ought to hear him patiently; taking care not to disturb him with any Dis­course forrein to the purpose, or with vain repetitions. And thus having made himself acquainted with his Temper and Disposition of Mind, let him not omit any thing of Gentleness, Tenderness, or the like, that may win the Sick Person to a Confidence in him; whereby he may the more easily perswade him of what he shall say, and in case he be oblig'd to come again, the Patient may receive him with pleasure and delight.

CHAP. II. What things are requisite for the disposing a Sick Person to die well.

THEY are two-fold. Some abso­lutely necessary; which are such as may put him into a State of Grace: Others, only useful to the comforting him and strengthening his Hope. To which is to be added, the Disposal of his Body, and of his Estate for the benefit of his Relations. And though there are dif­ferent ways of effecting this, according to the Condition he is in, and the time he has for it; yet we shall hereafter treat thereof, as if he had all the leisure he could desire for the same; and from thence shall proceed to speak of what he ought to do, when he wants time, and his Understanding grows weaker.

What therefore the Minister is princi­pally to take care of is, to put the Pati­ent into a State of Grace: To which end, he ought to dispose him to the receiving of the Blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which is the Channel whereby the Holy Ghost descends into our hearts. [Page 9] He must also read to him some proper Places in the Gospel, and the Service for the Sick: And that done, he may go on to the asking him Questions, and let his Discourse fall upon his Distemper; insinuating to him, that the Physicians are apprehensive of his Life; and there­fore he should not rely too much upon Human Means, or what Help his Friends and Relations can give him; but put his whole Trust and Confidence in God: Who loving him▪ with an unbounded Love, and being able to do all things, will (if it be for the good of his Soul) re­store him to his Health again; or else afford him those means whereby he may attain to Everlasting Bliss. That he ought with all his heart to turn himself towards Jesus Christ, his most true Friend, whose Love to him extended so far, as to the shedding even his Blood for him; as himself expresseth it in his Holy Gospel: Who is the only Faithful Friend, that never abandons us at the point of Death; whereas our other Friends either will not, or cannot in that last moment be of any avail to us. Who is also a Wise Physician; that is able not only to cure the Body, so as to continue it still in life for many Years; but even to heal the Soul [Page 10] too, and make it happy for ever­more.

Having thus spoken to him, and here­on inlarg'd according to his discretion, the Minister should in the next place ask him, whether he has any thing which troubles his Conscience, and ought to be reveal'd; so that, if he finds his Di­stemper to be violent and dangerous, he may admonish him forthwith to disbur­then himself by Confession. But if he be in no present danger of Death, he may be allow'd more time for it; to the end he may the better recollect him­self of all he has done amiss, and heartily beg God's pardon for the same; the Mi­nister putting him in mind, of the Words of the Prophet to this purpose, In the bit­terness of my Soul, O Lord, will I call to remembrance before Thee all the Years that I have spent in Sin.

But in case the Patient desires no time to examine himself, and the Minister knows, that this is only to avoid the trouble of searching his Conscience; per­haps out of fear that in reflecting upon his sinful Life past, he may unhappily meet with some new Temptation, or at the best, not reap much fruit there-from; he ought to perswade him, that to be re­established [Page 11] in Grace, he must without delay make an humble Confession of all his Sins to Almighty God, and accord­ing to the Advice of the Son of Sirach in his Ecclesiasticus, not defer his Conversi­on from day to day: Forasmuch as we cannot promise to our selves one hour longer; and that according to our Re­pentance, or Obdurateness of Heart, we shall be for ever happy or miserable. On which occasion let the Minister remem­ber him of what the Wiseman saith, That delay of Conversion has been the Destruction of many Sinners, who flattering themselves with the hopes of long life, often fall into a Delirium, and lose their Senses, or else are surpris'd by a sudden Death; and so being prevented of time and opportu­nity to repent, are irrecoverably lost; adding, that he who is not ready to be converted to day, will be less so to morrow. In short, the Minister ought to stir him up to a true Contrition of heart, by representing to him the hei­nousness of his Sins; yet with such mo­deration, as not to affright him and cast him into Despair. It will be sufficient, that he make him sensible of the Majesty of that God he has offended, before whom the Angels themselves tremble; [Page 12] of his inflexible Justice, which severely punishes the Devils and all Reprobates; and no less of his Holiness, that bears so great a hatred to Sin, that whoever dies in impenitence, though formerly he may have led a Righteous Life, must expect to be adjudg'd to Everlasting Flames.

Yet let the Minister, as is said before, take care not to affright the Patient, es­pecially if he be naturally timorous; but rather increase and support his Con­trition, by laying before him God's Mercies and Goodness, in the order both of Nature and Grace; shewing him what great Love He had for him, in not sparing his only begotten Son, but delivering him up to the Death of the Cross for the Redemption of him and all penitent Sinners; What Glory He has prepar'd for him in Heaven: How good and gracious He is, and worthy of our Love and Praise, who has both made him out of nothing, and adopted him in his Son and our Redeemer Christ Je­sus. And so the Minister shall continue with an affectionate tenderness to repre­sent to him, that this is that Good God he has offended by his manifold Sins; and for which therefore he ought sensi­bly to be afflicted and heartily repent.

Which having said, the Minister may here make a pause, and give the Sick Person time to reflect upon what he has now spoken, so as he may be excited to Contrition. And then he shall raise his Hope again, and animate his Love, by telling him, that the same God forgives him all his Sins, who in his infinite Mercy waited for his Repentance; and has promised by his Prophet, that at what time soever the Sinner shall return to Him, He will pardon his iniquities, and remember them no more: That his Saviour has his Arms stretched out upon the Cross ready to embrace him, and put him into the possession of Hea­ven, which He has purchased for him with his Precious Blood. After this let the Minister exhort him to say both with Heart and Mouth, as the Publican in the Gospel, Lord, have mercy upon me, a poor Sinner! And with David, Lord! forgive me all my Sins. Have mercy upon me O Lord! according to thy great Goodness; ac­cording to the multitude of thy Mercies, do a­way mine Offences. Wash me throughly from my Wickedness, and cleanse me from my Sin. O turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and in misery. Against Thee, O my God! have I sinn'd, and done [Page 14] evil in thy sight. And if thou, Lord, wilt be extream to mark what I have done amiss, I cannot abide it. O enter not into Judg­ment with thy Servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. My soul cleaves unto the dust, O quicken thou me according to thy Word. I am full of heaviness, because I have offended thee. My Soul also is sore troubled; but Lord how long wilt thou pun­ish me? O be thou merciful unto me, and help me; for I put my trust in Thee. Re­member not, O Lord! the Sins and Offences of my Youth; but according to thy mercy think thou upon me. Turn thy face from my Sins, and put out all my misdeeds. O let me hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce! Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit withinme. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. O give me the comfort of thy help again, and stablish me with thy free Spirit. Lord! I am thine, O save me and deliver me! Shew the light of thy counte­nance upon me. Make hast to help me, O Lord! Thou art my Helper and my Re­deemer; O Lord, make no long tarrying. Cast me not away in this time of distress; forsake me not now my strength fails me, but draw nigh unto my soul, and save it [Page 15] for thy mercies sake. Bow down thine Ear, O Lord, and hear me, for I am poor and in misery. Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for my spirit waxeth faint. Comfort the soul of thy servant, for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou Lord! art good and gracious, and of great mercy unto all them that call upon thee Give ear, Lord! unto my Prayer, and ponder the voice of my humble desires. In the time of my trouble I will call upon Thee, for Thou hearest me. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and I will walk in thy Truth. O knit my heart unto Thee, that I may fear thy Name. Lord, Thou knowest all my desire and my groaning is not hid from Thee. My heart panteth, my strength has failed me, and the sight of my Eyes is gone from me. There is no health in my fl [...]sh, be­cause of thy displeasure; neither is there any rest in my bones by reason of my Sin. Take thy plague away from me; I am even con­sumed by the means of thy heavy hand. O hide not thou thy face from me; nor cast thy Servant away in displeasure. Thou hast been my succour; leave me not, neither for­sake me, O God of my Salvation. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling. Hold not thy peace at my tears. For thy hand is heavy upon me day and night; and my moisture is like the [Page 16] drought in summer. O spare me a little that I may recover my strength, before I go hence, and be no more seen.

These Divine Sentences, or some of them, or the like (with which the Book of Psalms is abounding) the Minister may use, according as he shall judge most proper and suitable to the Capacity of the Sick Person, and the Condition he shall find him in; to the end he may still keep him in a state of Contrition, and re­move from his heart all inclinations to Sin. But, as we have intimated before, let him take great care, that this Con­trition of his be not imperfect, and grounded only upon fear of Punishment; but be excited and supported by a true Love of God, and perfect Charity to­wards all Men. And when the Mini­ster shall perceive the Patient to be thus throughly affected with the sense of his Sins, and to express a hearty Sorrow for them, and fervent Love towards his of­fended Creator, let him for his Comfort declare to him, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that upon his sincere Repentance all his Sins are done away, and will never more be remembred; That the Graci­ous and Merciful God has passed by, [Page 17] and forgiven his Iniquities and Trans­gressions, has now received him into his Favour, and will shortly admit him in­to the Company of his Holy Angels and Blessed Saints; That He will make him sit at Table with him in the Kingdom of Glory; and replenish him with Joy and Felicity for ever more.

But before this Declaration be made, 'tis necessary that the Minister exhort him to take his Sickness, and (if it should so please God) his Death too, with patience and submission; it being a Tribute we are all obliged to, and ac­ceptable to God, when freely paid. He must also admonish him, that if he has any Goods in his possession that belong to his Neighbour, he should, if possible, make immediate Restitution thereof, and not leave it to be done by his Heirs or Executors, who perhaps will forget it as soon as he is dead.

What we have here said of Restituti­on, is to be understood of things that are undoubtedly another Man's, or Debts that he has legally contracted, and ad­mit of no dispute. But if it be a doubt­ful Debt, and the Sick Person be able to give a clear account of it, he must by all means be advis'd to do it, in order to [Page 18] the restoring what is not his own: Or if he cannot presently clear the Matter, as may happen in the Case of a Guar­dian to a Minor, or a Steward or Agent to One of a great Estate or Dealings; he must be told, that he ought by a special Clause in his Last Will and Testament, to oblige his Heirs, Execu­tors, or Administrators, under a certain penalty to prepare immediately after his Death, the Accounts he should have given-in himself, had he lived; and what shall be found to be remaining due, to pay without delay. And if he ow'd a clear Sum, which he was not then in a condition to pay, he ought likewise to oblige his said Administrators to dis­charge it as soon as may be. But if it were at all possible, 'twould be much better and safer for him to make all those Restitutions himself, before his Death, than to charge them that come after him therewith.

Again, if the Sick Person be publickly known to have been at Enmity with a­ny one, he ought not only to be now in Charity with him, but (if possible) see him; and as his Hatred has made a noise in the World, so it would not be amiss that his Reconciliation were made [Page 19] before Witnesses, to remove the Scandal occasioned thereby. And if it was he that gave the first offence to his Neigh­bour, he ought to send to him to beg his Pardon for his misbehaviour, and make him satisfaction for the Wrong he may have done him. This is meant of publick Injuries. But if it be a private Grudge or Spleen, Prudence requires, That Satisfaction should be made in pri­vate, and only with the Persons con­cern'd therein.

And if he is under an Obligation of repairing the Honour and Reputation, which by Slander he may have taken away from his Neighbour, let him do it in the best manner he can, either by himself or another, by word of Mouth, or in Writing. And Lastly, If he has had the misfortune to incur the Publick Censure of the Church, he should be exhorted to an humble sub­mission and acknowledgment of his Crime.

This being over, the Minister shall more particularly dispose him to receive the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; preparing him thereto by Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, and above all a profound Humility before God; who [Page 20] has said, by his Prophet, That he dwelleth with him that is of a contrite and humble Spirit.

CHAP. III. Advice to be given to a Sick Person concerning his Relations, his Body, and his Estate.

THE Minister having done with the Patient, in whatever he thought necessary for the good of his Soul, he must now proceed to the advising him to think of his Relations; to declare where he will be Buried; and to dis­pose of his Worldly Goods: Of which he might have put him in mind before he administred the Holy Sacrament to him. But if he omitted it then, he ought now to do it; and first of all, to offer to him, the consideration of his Wise and Children, especially if the latter be under Age; that he may ap­point an honest and careful Person for their Guardian, whom he can trust with their Education and Estate. And in [Page 21] case he has any Daughters not yet dis­pos'd of, that he may leave them (ac­cording to his Ability) wherewith to live, either a Single or Married Life, as it shall please God to order it.

And if he has Nephews or other Re­lations under his Care, or Servants he owes any Wages to, or is in conscience oblig'd to provide for, that he be not remiss in his Justice and Charity to every of them.

In like manner, if the Sick Person has had the Management and Administra­tion of any one's Estate or Affairs, or has been in any Publick Employment, or concerned in any part of the King's Service; let the Minister exhort him, strictly to examine his Conduct and Be­haviour with relation thereto, that if he finds any thing, respecting the discharge of such his Duty or Trust, that troubles his Conscience, he may tell it him; or cause it. to be told by some body else, to the Parties concerned.

He should be ask'd also, what Place he desires to be Buried in; in case he has not yet declared it. But above all, should be desired to prohibit any super­fluous Pomp at his Funeral, which does not in the least contribute to the Salva­tion [Page 22] of the Soul; but is commonly done by the Friends and Relations, out of Pride and Vain-glory: Shewing him, that a good Christian ought to direct and enjoyn, that his Burial be made in an humble and modest, and decent manner and at most but suitable to his Quality and Condition.

In the making his Will and disposing of his Estate, let the Minister exhor [...] him, carefully to avoid all unjust Partia­lities; which are often-times very ill grounded: Or if he has made his Will already, 'tis fit he be ask'd whether he has any thing to add to, take from, or al­ter in it: which may be done by a Codici [...] annext; putting him in mind to order therein, the payment of his Domesticks Wages, and what other Debts he owes.

If his Estate be so considerable as to admit of Pious Legacies, the Minister may shew him the Order he ought to observe herein. And much better and safer it would be for him to see the Di­stribution of his own Charities before he dies, than to charge his Heirs or Admi­nistrators with them; it too often fall­ing out, that they prove very hard and backward in the acquitting themselves [Page 23] therein: Whereas, if he saw the same done in his Life-time, the Poor would reap the greater benefit, and himself the more satisfaction from it; and he might say with St. Lawrence, The hands of the Needy have carried up my Alms to Heaven.

And if among his pious Legacies, he designs to found an Hospital or Almshouse, or ought of this kind, that may remain a Monument to Posterity, let him take great care, that he does it not, more out of Pride and a Vain-glorious Ex­pectation of being celebrated for his Munificence, than through a sincere Love to God; making him sensible, that those Foundations that are laid purely for Charity-sake, and the Service of God, and true Religion, are infinite­ly more pleasing and acceptable to Him, than the bestowing of a Man's whole Estate upon the Poor, with any other prospect or intention. Upon which the Minister shall advise him to make a seri­ous reflection; and to take notice also, that though the Foundation of Hospitals and other Places of Charity, be a very commendable Work; yet the necessities of the Poor may at that juncture be so great, as to render his Alms much better [Page 24] and more effectually imploy'd, in some Bequest of present Relief to them.

As the Minister himself ought not to be in the least byass'd by a Spirit of Co­vetousness, so will it be very advisable for him, to retire whilst the Sick Person is making his Will, least he seem by his presence to beg something for himself. Let him only (if the Testator so desires) give him his Advice, as in the presence of God, and then withdraw; always remembring that his Function is an Of­fice of Charity, and ought to be remote from all Self-interest.

If the Testator be determin'd to leave his pious Legacies at large, and without respect to any particular Persons; in this Case the Minister may point him to such, whether of his own or other Pa­rishes, as he know to be Worthy Ob­jects of his Charities, and especially those that are asham'd to beg: As also to the redeeming Slaves out of Captivity; the marrying of poor Maids, that might otherwise go astray; the providing for poor Orphans, and putting them out to Apprentiship; the relieving of Prisoners for Debts (incurr'd by their misfortunes,) or any other Persons that groan under known Wants and Distresses. In which [Page 25] Disposal and Ordering of Charities, re­gard must be had both to the Circum­stances of Place and Time, and the Person giving, and Things to be given: For Example, if the Patient be a Clergy­man, especially if he has any Cure of Souls, as a Bishop or Curate, he should be advis'd to prefer in his Charities, the Poor of his own Diocess or Parish.

Lastly, Let no Advice be wanting, towards enabling the Sick Person to make choice of fit and honest Men for the Executors of his Last Will and Testa­ment; such as he has by experience known to be his Faithful Friends, and may repose a particular Confidence in, for their maintaining the Interest of his Family.

CHAP. IV. What the Minister's Duty is, when he finds the Sick Person has not done all that is necessary for him, in or­der to his dying as a good Chri­stian.

IF the Sick Person has express'd a sin­cere sorrow for his Sins, and has not yet receiv'd the Sacred Viaticum, the Minister is to exhort him forthwith to receive it; that out of this Fountain of Holiness he may draw such Strength and Comfort, as may enable him pati­ently to bear the pains of his Distemper: And to the end he may be put into a better State of appearing in God's Pre­sence, let the Minister endeavour to raise in him an ardent desire and appetite for this Holy Sacrament, by putting him in mind of what happen'd to Elijah; who, as he was flying from Jezebel, and imploring of God, that Death might put an end to his Afflictions, had no sooner eaten the Bread, and drunk the Cup of Water, which the Angel set before him, but through the strength of that [Page 27] Divine Food, found himself enabled to march Fourty Days and Fourty Nights, till he came to Horeb, the Mount of God, whither he betook himself for Refuge. This Example of the Prophet shall re­present to him, as by a Figure, the Spi­ritual Strength, which the Holy Eucharist communicates to a Dying Christian, desi­rous of Salvation; it being also to be in­timated to him, that there is no time to be lost herein, lest by delay something should happen to prevent his receiving this Divine Comfort. Let the Minister therefore endeavour to prepare him, as we have said in the Second Chapter, by all the Arguments he shall judge neces­sary and proper for that purpose; and if he finds in the Patient, a desire of Recon­ciliation with his offended Neighbour, he may ask him, whether he has forgot or omitted to disburthen himself of ought that troubles his Conscience; whe­ther he thinks he has any thing resting in his hands of another Man's Goods; whether he has slander'd any one; or has not sincerely reconcil'd himself to his Enemy: And then let the Minister apply himself to the weighing of his An­swers, and considering from them, whe­ther he be truly and throughly penitent; [Page 28] and in case he finds him not altogether so much so as he ought to be, his next care should be, to raise in his heart a true Sorrow and Contrition for his Sins, by all the Means we have set down in the fore-mention'd Chapter.

If the Sick Person has not yet made his Last Will and Testament, he may be advised to make it now without delay, lest some accident or other happening in his Malady, should render him incapa­ble of doing it hereafter. But if he has done it, and the Minister is apprised, ei­ther by what he says, or by the Report of some other Persons of Credit and In­tegrity, that he is not throughly satisfied with it, let him direct the Patient to or­der in a Codicil (as we have said some­where else) whatever he desires should be either further, or otherwise executed after his Death. And without occasion­ing too great a terror to him, let him make him sensible of his approaching Dissolution, and all the while entertain him in the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity; assuring him, as much as pos­sible, of his Salvation, by the Means we shall mention in the following Chap­ters.

But if the Sick Person be likely to live for some time yet, and also has his Sen­ses perfect, let some Godly Book or other be read to him; choosing above all, that which he us'd himself to read, and draw Comfort from, whilst he was in health. And if the Minister discovers, that he has not enough reflected upon his Sins, and has left some unrepented of, he shall repeat and explain to him God's Commandments, to the end he may put him in mind of his Breaches of them, and shew him the necessity of his particular Repentance for every Transgression he has been guil­ty of.

Let the Minister take special care, that he does not too much entertain him with the Expectation of Life: For it may so happen, that flattering himself with these hopes, he may be apt to neg­lect those Things that are most necessa­ry to his Eternal Salvation. In short, if after his Receiving the Holy Sacra­ment, and all that has been said to him, he still remains disquieted in his Mind, the Minister should ask him, whether he has any thing more to discover. And if he finds this disquiet of his to arise on­ly from Scruples, or the Fear of God's Judgments, he shall do whatever in him [Page 30] lies to calm his Conscience, and bring Peace to his Soul, in the manner that shall be shewn hereafter.

CHAP. V. How Sick Persons, especially such as are not very perfect in their Belief, ought to be exercis'd in the Faith.

THE Minister finding the Sick Per­son, though believing all the Arti­cles of our Christian Faith, yet not so clear and perfect in that Belief as he ought to be, shall instruct him therein in few words, and in a Me­thod suitable to his Capacity: As for Example; by rehearsing the Apostles Creed in conjunction with him, and giving him an Explanation of its Con­tents. From which if the Patient shall think himself in some measure inlight­ened, but not yet sufficiently acquaint­ed with some certain Articles thereof, the Minister may prudently and dexte­rously instruct him concerning the same, without any shew of catechi­sing [Page 31] of him, but by way of Prayer exhorting him to say after him. Lord! I commend my Soul to Thee. O most Holy, Blessed and Glorious Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One only God in Three Persons and Unity of Substance, have mercy upon me. I commit my self to Thee, O Father Almighty, who hast created Heaven and Earth, and all things visible and invisi­ble. I commend my self to Thee, O Blessed JESU, Saviour of my Soul, who wast sent from Heaven by the Father Eternal; Who wast conceived by the Operation of the Holy Ghost in the Womb of the Virgin MARY; Who Suffer'dst, Dyedst, and wast Buried; Who didst descend into Hell, and rosest again on the Third Day; Who as­cendedst into Heaven, and art sitting on the right Hand of God the Father Almighty: From whence Thou shalt come to Judge all Men, who are to rise again in their own Bodies; giving Life to such of them as shall have dyed in Grace, and adjudging the Re­probates to Eternal Fire. I commend my self to Thee, Holy Spirit, who proceedest both from the Father and the Son, and whom, together with these Two Divine Per­sons, I adore with one and the same Ado­ration; who inlivenest and sanctifiest One Catholick and Apostolick Church on Earth, [Page 32] in which Thou hast ordain'd Two Sacra­ments for the Remission of Sins and Com­munion with Thy Self: I beseech Thee, I humbly intreat Thee, through Thine Own Merits, O sweet JESU, my Redeemer, by Thy tender Love and Mercy, and by all that Thou hast done and suffered for me, to lead me to those Mansions of Eternal Bliss and Glory, which Thou hast prepar'd for those that love Thee. Amen.

The same thing may be done also by way of Oblation; as, I Offer up my Heart and my Soul to Thee, O Lord, who, &c. Or by way of Supplication; as, Have mercy upon me, O Lord, &c. Or Lastly, by way of Thansgiving; as, I thank Thee, O most Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One only God in Three Persons, who hast crea­ted, &c. as before.

The Minister may also instruct the Patient, by raising his Hope towards God, and shewing him what Father he has by Creation, and at the same time explaining to him those Articles of Faith that respect the Divinity: Then by shewing him who his Redeemer is, and acquainting him with the Mystery of the Incarnation: And lastly, by tell­ing him who is his Comforter; dis­coursing [Page 33] to him of the Holy Spirit, and of the Graces which he communi­cates to us.

In like manner may he teach him the Articles of his Belief, by causing him to ponder the Benefits and Favours God has done him; by representing to him, that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost have created all Things for him; and that Jesus Christ, who is the Word, equal to his Father, has been willing to put on Human Flesh, in order to his Redemption from Sin and Death, and the purchasing for him a Crown of Everlasting Glory.

All these different Ways of explain­ing the Articles of the Christian Faith, to One that is not throughly acquainted with them, may also be very useful to those that are the most perfect there­in; not for instructing, but inciting them to Acts of Faith, especially when drawing near to Death; it being very necessary at that juncture, to fix in the Patient a Belief of those Blessings he hopes to enjoy to all Eternity.

CHAP. VI. How the Minister is to raise and ex­ercise the Hope of the Sick Per­son.

FIRST of all he must examine how his Soul is affected; there being three sorts of Dispositions to be found in Sick Persons.

Some have little Hope with much Fear, whether proceeding from a Na­tural Timorousness and the remembrance of their Sins, that perhaps are very ma­ny and heinous; or from the Craft and Malice of the Devil, who having pro­pos'd to them, while they were in health, God's Mercy alone, abstracted from his Justice, for the more easie in­ducing them to a Security in Sinning; does, now they are approaching Death and Judgment, present to their Eyes the Severity of God's Justice unattended with his Mercy; to the end he may cast them into Despair concerning their Salvation, and so harden them to a tho­rough impenitence.

Others there are; who, on the con­trary, exceed in Hope, even to Pre­sumption; as thinking of nothing but the Virtuous Actions and good Works they fancy to have done, and regarding only the Divine Mercy and infinite Merits of Christ, without reflecting at all upon their Sins, or the Judgments denounced by God against them.

The third and last sort are such as have neither Hope nor Despair; in whom it is therefore expedient to excite the former, by the Means we shall next endeavour to shew; referring it to ano­ther place to speak of raising the Hope of the Timerous, and moderating that of the Presumptuous.

As the principal Object of Hope is God, He being the Author of that Fe­licity we look for; so there are two Things which the Minister is chiefly to attend to, with regard to this Head. The one is, the raising and fixing the Sick Person's Hope upon the Glory Eter­nal. The other is, the exciting him to a Christian Confidence that he shall at­tain to it.

He may raise his Hope and strength­en his Courage, by telling him, that within a little time, the Torments and [Page 36] Afflictions which always accompany this present Life, will be at an end. He may comfort him also with that which made the Prophet rejoyce; namely, The glad Tidings of his being now going to the House of God; Wherein he shall feel no more Pains, nor Cares, nor Grief; the same Prophet assuring us, that no Harms, no Sufferings, no Tor­ments, no Fears, shall ever come nigh the Everlasting Mansions: Where also (as St. John says) God shall wipe away all Tears from our Eyes. The Minister shall endeavour to lift up his Heart and Mind to the Heavenly Jerusalem, that Divine City and sure Refuge from all our Ene­mies; where the World, the Flesh, and the Devil shall no longer be able to pur­sue after us; and where we shall reap the Eternal Fruits of our Victories over them, and be Crowned with immortal Life and Glory. It may inspire the Sick Person with some sort of Joy too, to put him in mind, that he will short­ly return his acceptable Thanks to Al­mighty God, for his having led him, as it were, through Fire and Water, into a Place of true Refreshment and Delight. Let him repeat sometimes the Words which God spake by his Prophet Isaiah, [Page 37] Behold, I will extend Peace to them like a River, and Glory like a flowing stream; that is, I will cause their hearts to over­flow with joy and tranquility. Let him remember with St. Paul, that God's Children have no abiding and continu­ing City upon Earth; but ought to long for the New Jerusalem which is above. Let him cry out with David, O how a­miable are thy Tabernacles, Thou Lord of Hosts! My Soul longeth, yea even fainteth for Thy Courts, O Lord! For there to dwell but one day, or be a Door-keeper in Thy House, is far better and more pleasant to me, than were I to live Thousands and ten Thou­sands of Years in the Palaces of Worldly Men. Let him possess his mind with the unspeakable Joy he will feel in the Company of so many Saints and Blessed Spirits, that do, and shall ever, love each other with a most perfect Love; that resemble so many glorious Kings, who reign, not as the Kings of the Earth, for a little while, and that too in continual troubles and disquiets; but in the Kingdom of the Living, where there are none but the Children of God, and where Sorrow and Death shall never come.

Let care be used to remove from his Soul, all sort of reluctance or difficulty he may conceive, of parting with his Body; by making him sensible, that at present 'tis nothing but Filth, and Corruption, and Weakness, and Infirmity; and in lieu thereof, will rise again all Glorious, Spi­ritual, and Immortal. Let him be put in mind of what is intimated to us in Exodus, That Man shall never see God, so long as he lives in the Flesh. For, as the Apostle saith, God inhabits an inaccessible Light: That therefore out of this World we must get, before we can enjoy that Glory, so sull of Beauty and Sweetness, the sole fruition whereof makes up the Felicity of the Blessed: For which rea­son it is, that Life Eternal is said in the Gospel, to consist only in the full Know­ledg and Love of God: A Bliss so great, as no Eye ever saw, no Ear ever heard, nor has it enter'd into the heart of Man to conceive. Such is to be the Felicity of the Elect; Who, as David saith, shall be satisfied and refreshed with those Rivers of Pleasure that continually flow from God, as the Well of Life. Let him be exhorted to say with the same Royal Prophet, Like as the Hart desires the Wa­ter-brooks, so longeth my Soul after Thee, O [Page 39] God! My Soul is a-thirst for God, yea even for the Living God. O when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? Must my Confinement continue yet longer? And shall my Soul never be dissolv'd from this Body, that she may for ever abide with Christ my Savi­our?

These or the like Sentences, accord­ing to his discretion, the Minister shall make use of; uttering them in such a manner, as the Patient may distinctly hear them, and (if he can) repeat them after him, in order to their making the greater impression upon his mind. Thus far of the Means for raising his Hope.

Now for the exciting his Confidence and Assurance of obtaining the Happi­ness he is labouring after, the Mini­ster may use these three several ways.

First, By moving him to the Exercise and Performance of those good Works and Virtues, his Condition shall leave him ca­pable of; such as Alms, and pious Lega­cies: Wherein he must yet be very cau­tious, how he prompts his Zeal so far, as to give any just occasion of murmur or dissatisfaction to his Friends and Re­lations. [Page 40] But let him not spare exerci­sing him in all the inward Acts of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Contrition; which no Doubt, will give him great Confi­dence, especially if he be fervent and continue in the practice thereof.

Secondly, By Consideration; that is, fixing his Thoughts upon those things he shall say to him, in order to his ob­taining this Confidence. And here he may entertain him after this manner. Though the Glory of God infinitely exceeds your poor Merits; yet fear you not: God in his Mercy will sup­ply your Defects, and support your Weakness, and comfort your Heart. Be fully perswaded, that he to whom Grace and Glory belong, will bestow them on you; inasmuch as he is in­finitely Good, and is pleased to make you, and all sincere Believers, happy. You are his Son, and He your Fa­ther, and a Father full of Love and Tenderness; who is far more desirous to receive you into Heaven, than your self can be to obtain it. Why should you therefore at all doubt of your being now going to possess Eter­nal Joy and Felicity? For that alone [Page 41] it was, He created you: Nor came Jesus Christ to die upon the Cross for any other End, than to open to us the Gates of Heaven, which the Dis­obedience of our First Parents had shut upon us. He has also wash'd in his Precious Blood the Sins you have committed. He has given you his Sa­craments, and preventing Grace that hath wrought Contrition in your heart, so as to make you Heir of his King­dom. Consider that He who so often sought for you, during the whole Course of your Life, even whilst you despised and highly provoked him, will shew so much the more Mercy and Favour to you now, that you humbly prostrate your self before Him, with a truly broken and con­trite heart.

Again, The Minister may comfort the Sick Person, and more and more establish his Trust and Confidence in God's Mercy, by continuing to speak to him in this sort. Dear Brother, look-up chearfully towards Jesus Christ, and never grow weary of thinking of what he did and suf­fer'd for your sake, for the space of Three and Thirty Years He lived [Page 42] here upon Earth: Who, though ve­ry God and King of Glory, was wil­ling to subject himself to pains and contempt, and at last, to a shameful Death upon the Cross, for your Sal­vation. Be you perswaded, that so many Sufferings will not be lost, but will certainly procure you Everlast­ing Rest and Glory. This All-mer­ciful God, who for your sake was pleas'd to take Human Flesh upon Him, and hath left a sensible Memo­morial of that his infinite Love to you in the Blessed Eucharist; In a word, who has adopted you to be Partaker of his Kingdom; How can he now deny or reject you, seeing you so well dispos'd to receive the Impressions of his Holy Spirit, and so patiently submitting to all the Afflictions where­with He thinks fit to try your Fide­lity?

Consider that He is your Advocate and Intercessor with the Father, and is prevailing with Him at this very time I am speaking to you, for the Pardon of your Sins: Apply your self to Him, and say; O Holy JESU, my Redeemer, accept, I beseech Thee, my Love and my Repentance; Wash all my Sins [Page 43] in thy most precious Blood; Cover my Un­righteousnesses and Imperfections with thy Merits and Righteousness; and thus adorn­ed present me unto God the Father, that so I may be acceptable to Him, for Thy sake and through Thy Dear Self, O my Sweet Saviour! All these things may be useful likewise to raise a true Christian Confi­dence in them, who are afraid of Death: Of whom we have promised to speak by and by.

Another Means to excite Hope in a Sick Person, is, by Words or Sentences taken out of the Holy Scripture, and a­dapted into a Form of Prayer, which the Minister shall first devoutly pronounce, and the Patient (if able) repeat after him; saying, both with Heart and Mouth, O Almighty God, and my Eternal Creator, I shall ever be troubled in my Mind, until I am perfectly united to Thee. The Number of my Transgressions, I confess, should set me far from that happy Union: But Thine infinite Mercy will draw me to Thy self. Remember, Lord! that I am the Work of Thine own Hands; and that through the means of Thy Blessed Son Je­sus Christ, Thou hast call'd me to the Par­ticipation of Thy Kingdom. I acknowledg my unfaithfulness to be such as renders me [Page 44] wholly unworthy so great a Favour: But by the Merits of Thine only Son, vouch­safe, I beseech Thee, to admit me into that Place of Rest and Bliss, where I shall to all Eternity celebrate the Glory of Thy Name. Be Thou pleased, O Father of Mercies, to look upon me, as a miserable Slave, whom Thou hast redeem'd with the Sacred Blood of Thy Dear Son, and whose Sins Thou hast punish'd and taken satisfaction for, by cau­sing Him to die upon the Cross. O have pity on my Soul, and suffer not that so much Merit be cast away upon me. In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust, let me never be confound­ed: But deliver me for the sake of Thy dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, who by the Merits of his Death and Passion, is be­come my Righteousness, my Sanctification, and my Redemption.

Why art thou so full of heaviness, O my Soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God; for I will yet give him thanks, who is the help of my Countenance and my God. Blessed are they, O Lord, that dwell in Thy House; they shall be always praising Thee. O lead Thou me into that Sacred Place, where I may re­turn Thee perpetual Thanks for the great Be­nefits Thou hast bestow'd upon me. And Thou, O my Saviour, Jesus Christ, who [Page 45] didst undergo the heavy Punishment due to my Sins, that I might be capable of Eternal Happiness, hast said, that Thou art the Re­surrection and the Life, that he who does believe in Thee, shall never die; nay, though he was even dead, shall live. O my God! I believe in Thee, and hope e're long to enjoy and possess Thee in the Land of the Living. I will come into Thy House; I will wor­ship in Thy Temple, and confess Thy Name. For Thou art the Way, the Life, and the Truth. I have set God before mine Eyes, and He is on my right hand, so that I shall not fall: Wherefore my heart is glad and does rejoyce: My Flesh also shall rest in hope. Thou shalt shew me the Path of Life. In Thy Presence is the fulness of Joy, and at Thy right Hand there is Pleasure for ever­more.

The Minister shall also cause the Sick Person to mix Contrition with his Hope, crying-out with David, Have mercy upon me O God, after Thy great goodness; ac­cording to the multitude of Thy Mercies do away mine Offences. Wash me throughly from my Wickedness, and cleanse me from my Sin. For I acknowledge my faults, and my Sin is ever before me. Against Thee on­ly have I sinned, and done ill in Thy sight. Turn Thy Face from my Sins, and put out [Page 46] my my Misdeeds. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

In a word; let not his Hope of Par­don be any ways confin'd, but let it be extended to all his past Sins; whether Sins of Commission, or Sins of Omis­sion; whether actual Offences against God and his Neighbour, or neglect of his Duty towards both. To which pur­pose the following Ejaculations may be us'd. O Blessed JESU, my only Helper and Amender, repair that good which I have so unworthily destroy'd in my self, by the a­buse I have made of thy Graces to me, as well as the scandal I have given my Neigh­bour, by my ill Example, Words, and Acti­ons. Supply the imperfections and unprofi­tableness of my Life, which with grief I confess to have spent in coldness towards Thee, and indifference for my own Salvati­on. Thou canst, O Lord, if Thou wilt, even in the little time that I have now re­maining, restore to me all that I have lost. Supply my wants, and strengthen the weak­ness and infirmitys of my Soul. Of all the Actions of my Life there is not one, how pure soever it may appear, but has been at­tended with many defects; nor have I the [Page 47] least merit of my own. But I fly to Thee, O my Saviour; beseeching Thee to support me with the abundance of Thy Grace; to apply the Merits of Thy Sufferings to my Soul, and present her to thy Father, all covered with that most precious Blood Thou hast shed for her, so as she may find Mercy with Him, and be admitted into his Kingdom of Glory.

The Minister having thus established him in the Hope he ought to have, of obtaining the forgiveness of all his Sins, he may (if he finds him able to bear it) still continue the exercising of him in pious Thoughts and Ejaculations; requi­ring him to say after him with an atten­tive mind, O Father of Mercy and God of all Comfort, be favorable to me, and par­don the numberless Errors, and Wickednesses, and extravagancies of my Life; who like the Prodigal Son, whom Thou hast propos'd to me as an Instance of Thy Fatherly Good­ness, have wasted and abus'd, not only the Temporal, but Spiritual Talents which Thou hadst committed to my improvement. O my gracious God, I humbly beseech Thee for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and by the Me­rits of his Death and Passion, forgive me all my Sins, and remit the Punishment due to me for them.

O Lord JESU, to whom all Power and Authority belongs. Thou hast promis'd that those who forgive the injuries done to them, Thou wilt also forgive: I do heartily forgive every one that has offended me. Vouchsafe therefore to forgive me all my Wickednesses, Ingratitudes, and Infirmities; and let thy Death make atonement for whatever I have done amiss; to the end, that when my Soul shall be separated from this Earthly Body, she may presently be united to Thee, and made Partaker of Thy Glory.

The Minister may also (if he judges it convenient) express himself in other words; remembring especially, to put the Sick Person often in mind, of the great Love of Christ towards him, and of the unspeakable Sufferings He has un­dergone to make Satisfaction for his Sins; that the remembrance thereof may encrease his Hope, and excite him to Acts of Faith, Charity, and Contrition.

CHAP. VII. The Means for exciting Charity in a Sick Person.

AS Charity is of all Virtues the most excellent, and the greatest of all Spiritual Gifts; so the Minister ought, as much as in him lies, to entertain the Sick Person in this Divine Love, and by repeated acts to root it in his heart; it being the best Disposition he can die in, in order to his perfect enjoyment of God after his Dissolution.

And First, For the bringing him du­ly to consider how much God deserves our Love, let him make use of such Words as these; Thou knowest, Dear Brother, that the Sum of all the Evangelical Law is, That we should love God with all our Hearts, with all our Souls, with all our Minds, and with all our Strength; and this not on­ly with regard to our selves, because it is necessary and profitable for us, and without which we cannot be happy; but also with respect to Him, and his Divine Attributes; who being transcendently Good, and Wise, and [Page 50] Almighty, and Gracious, and Mer­ciful, and possessing all Perfections, above utterance or Conception, it ought to be our great desire, that all Men should acknowledge Him for such, and pay Him the Honour, Obe­dience, and Love due to so Supream a Being: Who by his Own Nature, and as the Fountain of all Goodness, possesses the Virtues of the Saints and Angels, and of all other Creatures, Visible and Invisible; their greatest Perfections, how admirable soever they may appear to us, being at the best but faint glimpses and reflections of his immense Light and Glory. And thus you see, how much we are bound to love God for his own sake; whom to behold, is alone suffi­cient to make both Angels and Men happy.

Let the Minister also observe to him, that God has even prevented us by his Love; and a greater Love, than ever Father bore towards Son, than ever Friend bore towards Friend, than ever Husband bore towards Wife: And that upon this account it is, He has given Himself the three Titles of Fa­ther, Friend, and Husband; to the end [Page 51] that by these endearing Appellations, which express the greatest tenderness among Men, He might make us sensi­ble, how great the Love is He bears to­wards us. If a King that loves his Sub­jects, deserves from them a reciprocal Love, 'tis surely very fit and just, that though we were even vile enough not to love God for his own sake, yet at least, out of common gratitude, we should love Him, because He has first loved us.

Moreover, let him be admonished to love God, for the Benefits he has receiv'd at his Hand; and this under a double Consideration.

I. With regard to the Order of Na­ture: For his Creation and Being; for his Immortal Soul, capable of Eternal Happiness; for the use and preservation of his Senses; for the Rank assign'd all other Creatures, in subservience to his Aid, Pleasure, and Convenience. And then let him be put in mind, that 'twas not for any need He had of him, that God had heaped all these Benefits upon him, but purely out of an abun­dant Love and Goodness, and for which He expects no return of Profit or Re­ward, [Page 52] but only a mutual and reciprocal Love.

II. With regard to the Order of Grace; That the Father Everlasting forbore not to give his own Son, to re­deem him from the Slavery of the De­vil and perpetual Torments; That this beloved Son humbled himself, even to the Death of the Cross, to purchase Eternal Glory for him; That the Holy Ghost has many times been pleas'd to descend into his Soul, to purifie it from its Spots and Blemishes, and replenish it with his Divine Inspirations; That He it is, that comforts him in his Sick­ness, that allows him time to prepare himself to die as behoves a pious Chri­stian, and has preserv'd him from being snatch'd away suddenly. In short; let the Minister present to his Considerati­on, the Pleasures which God has provi­ded for him; Pleasures so great and ravishing, as exceed the power of Mor­tal Man with Tongue to express, or Thought to conceive: And from all this, leave him to judge, with what fervency and faithfulness he ought to love Him.

Again, The Minister may encline his heart to the Divine Love, by way of Prayer, causing him to repeat after him, some Words of the Holy Scripture like these.

Lord, Thou hast said, that we ought to love Thee with all our Hearts, and with all our Souls. Oh! (if it be thy blessed Will) encrease in me this Divine Charity. I feel a great desire of loving Thee; and if in this Life I cannot do it to the degree I wish, Lord, grant I may in the Eternal State. For whom have I in Heaven but Thee, and whom upon Earth can I desire in Comparison of Thee? Thou art the God of my Life, and my Portion for ever. Grant that I may not only love Thee above all the Creatures in the World, but that I may love nothing but Thee and for Thy sake; that so I may look upon Thee as my only Good, both in this Life, and in that which is to come. O infinite Goodness! Who shall give me power and strength to love Thee infinitely? When will that blessed State come, that Thou alone shalt have the sole possession of my Heart? When shall I be wholly Thine, who am by so many ties and on so many accounts, bound to be so? O let it come, that blessed Time, when [Page 54] God shall possess me fully and entirely, and when I shall be able to offer my self to Him without reserve!

Lord, who hast loved me with an Eter­nal Love; Who createdst me of nothing, who savedst me when I was worse than nothing, and hast so often restored to me Thy Hea­venly Grace, when I had lost it by my Sins. If I owe my Soul to Thee so many ways; what do I not owe Thee for Thy Self, who art so Holy and Merciful? To the rest of Thy transcendent Favours, be pleas'd to add, that of inflaming my Heart, so as I may love Thee without bounds or measure. O Blessed Spirit, who art that immense Love proceeding from the Father and the Son; Who vouchsafest to fill us with Thy Divine Gifts; Encrease, I be­seech Thee every moment the Love I have, and shall ever continue to have for Thee.

Lastly, The Minister shall engage him to a Love of God, by some emi­nent Instances of the Great Love of the Saints towards Him; whether from the Lives of the Holy Apostles, or o­ther Blessed Martyrs and Confessors of Jesus Christ; raising there-from an Oc­casion of exciting him to Acts of Con­trition, and the acknowledging himself [Page 55] a miserable Sinner, who, contrary to the Example of those Holy Men, had so often abandoned his God and Crea­tor, for the sake of the World and vilest of its Creatures; directing him at the same time, to lift up his heart to the Eternal Father, in these Words. Lord, who hast prevented me by thy manifold Blessings, I own my self, to be that misera­ble Sinner, that ungrateful Slave, that Wicked Wretch, who have despised Thee, even Thee my Creator, and my Father. In the Name and for the sake of Thy dear Son Christ Jesus my Redeemer, I implore Thy Pardon, O Father of Mercy: Wash away all my Iniquities, and have mercy upon me Thy poor Creature, who am the Work of thy own Hands. Assist me in this last Period of my Life: Comfort thou my sad and afflicted Soul, and preserve it from being taken out of Thy Arms by the infernal Spirits.

O Blessed JESU, who gavest Thy most precious Blood for my Sanctification and Sal­vation, be Thou pleased to render it efficacious to me in this my last Hour. I acknowledge I have many and many times forfeited the Grace Thou bestowedst on me, in my Bap­tism, when I was first consecrated to Thee. But Thy Mercy is far above my Transgres­sions. [Page 56] Apply to my Soul the Merits of Thy Death; and let me at this moment of my Departure, feel the gracious Effects of Thy infinite Goodness and Power! Me, O Lord! the unworthiest of Thy Creatures, who with an humble and contrite Heart, and a Soul full of Love to Thee and confidence in Thy Mercy, do in a ready expectation of my sud­den Dissolution, cry unto Thee, Lord JESU, receive my Spirit. Amen.

CHAP. VIII. What the Minister is to do, when coming to a Sick Person, he finds every thing already done, necessa­ry for the disposing him to die as a good Christian.

HItherto we have spoken of what the Minister is to do, for the disposing the Sick Person to die well: But if he finds him to be already well prepar'd; to have receiv'd the Holy Sacrament, and to require only some Body with him, to entertain him in those Godly Dispositions; the Minister having first satisfied himself, that he has still the use of his Understanding, and is in a con­dition to hear what he shall say, may read to him something out of the Go­spel, and repeat over him the usual Prayers of the Church: And then pro­ced; 1. To the supplying what (if ought that is necessary) may have been omitted in his Preparation. 2. To the exciting him to further Acts of Faith, [Page 58] Hope, and Charity; and comforting him in his Afflictions and Pains. 3. To the recommending his Soul to God. 4. and Lastly, To the saying something for the Edification of such as are pre­sent.

To the First: Having desired those that shall be about the Patient's Bed, to withdraw a little, he shall ask him (as we have said at the latter end of the Fourth Chapter) whether he feels a calm in his Conscience; or whether he be doubtful, and desirous of further information, in any thing concerning his Salvation: And if he be; the Minister ought diligently to attend, both to the hearing him and giving him satisfaction therein. Or if he says no, and yet the Minister suspects the Case to be other­wise with him, let him advise him to bethink himself, whether he has not for­got to repent of some secret Sin; or whether he has not been too reserv'd in some certain Particulars, such as the Restitution of the Honour or Goods he may have taken away from his Neigh­bour. Which Restitution if he be re­ally convinc'd he ought to make, let him forthwith do it himself, if possible; or at least, order it to be done as soon as [Page 59] may be. And in case he has not suf­ficient for it, let him be brought faith­fully to promise, that if it should please God to restore him to his health again, he would omit nothing for the giving satisfaction to all he is indebted to. In like manner, the Minister is to inform himself, whether he has Children, or had the discharging of any Publick Offices, or the like; that so, he may ask him proper Questions concerning the same respectively, and avoid what else would be less useful.

As to the Second Head, namely the Exciting the Patient to Acts of Faith, &c. The Minister is to consider the bent of his Mind. For if he be one that is Pious, and accustom'd to Divine Meditation, and able to pray and meditate by him­self, 'twill be convenient that he be let alone for sometime, without interrupti­on. But because his Sickness may have brought him low, and there may be cause to fear, that by reason of the weak­ness of his Mind, as well as that of his Body, he may not be able to support himself in his holy Cogitations, the Mi­nister may gently ask him, whether he is not willing to be assisted therein▪ To which if he replyes, that he is devoutly [Page 60] entertaining himself, the Minister shall desire him to communicate his Meditati­ons to him, that he may be also profited thereby. This is a very useful Caution: For by it the Minister will discover, whether there be no delusion or tempta­tion mixt in his thoughts. And if he finds him, as it often happens, to need a Subject to be given him to meditate upon, he shall propose to him some com­fortable Words of our Saviour, as these recorded in St. Mathew's Gospel: Come unto me all ye that travail and are heavy­laden, and I will give you rest; Or some others relating to the Mystery of his Passion, and especially such as he may be thought to like best, and be most edified by; remembring him of Christ's Sufferings upon the Cross, and the ex­cessive Torments, and reproachful Death He underwent for our Sins, whose heinousness required so severe a Punish­ment in his Sacred Person. By which means he may at once be excited to Contrition, and a necessary Confi­dence of obtaining Heaven, which the Redeemer of the World has thus purchas'd for him with his most preci­ous Blood.

If the Patient has not strength suffici­ent to meditate by himself, and yet has enough of his Senses remaining, to be able both to hear, and to be affected with the Words of Exhortation; then the Minister will do well to continue him in the Exercise of his Contrition, Faith, Hope, and Charity, as we have said in the 2d, 5th, 6th, and 7th, Chap­ters; and having represented to him how great and ignominious those Tor­ments were which our Blessed Saviour endur'd, he shall add, that our Sins must certainly have been very enormous, to have stood in need of so extraordi­nary a Remedy. Let him (if he be a­ble) say, Lord! Have mercy upon me. Christ, Have mercy upon me, a poor wretched Sinner. I am sorry from my heart, that ever I have offended Thee. O for­give me all my iniquities; Encrease my re­pentance, and support it, and supply its de­fects with the Merits of Thy Blood. O Merciful Saviour, be favourable unto my Soul that longeth after Thee, and nothing but Thee.

And for the exciting his Faith, let him call to mind, that Jesus Christ, though of one and the same Substance with the Father, Co-eternal and Co­equal [Page 62] with Him in all his Perfections, yet has been willing so far to humble himself, as even to take our Flesh upon Him, and die on the Cross for our Sal­vation; and then let him adore Him as the Saviour and Redeemer of the World. It will be also very proper for the Com­fort and Edification of his Relations and other Persons present, that he openly declare the Profession of Faith he dies in; saying, I protest before Heaven and Earth, that I die in the Catholick and A­postolick Faith, hoping to be saved through the sole Merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Then he shall rehearse the Apostles Creed, or (if he cannot himself do it) en­deavour to follow in heart and mind, the Minister that shall pronounce it for him; who at the same time may en­crease his Hopes of Salvation, by re­membring him of Christ's great Love to him; by whose Sufferings it is, that the Gates of Heaven do now stand open ready to receive him; by whose Wounds and Torments he is heal'd; and by whose Death he shall obtain Everlasting Life and Happiness. The Minister shall also represent to him, the precious Blood which ran from his Saviour's Feet, Hands, and Head, and from all his Sa­cred [Page 63] Body, even from his Side, that was so barbarously and inhumanly pier­ced with a Spear. He shall likewise put him in mind of the Crown of Thorns that was set on his Head, out of derisi­on and contempt; of the Scourges that cruelly tore his Flesh, as if He had been a Slave; of the Blows He received up­on His Sacred Face, which were not only painful and dolorous, but full of ignominy and confusion. All which he shall lay before him, in order to the raising his Confidence, and perswading him, that Jesus Christ did thus suffer and humble Himself, for no other end but his Redemption; making him sen­sible, that God who has done so much for him, surely will not now abandon him, at a time when he has the greatest need of his Assistance; and telling him therefore, that if the Devil inwardly reproaches him, and endeavours to af­fright him, with the heinousness of his Sins, he must boldly answer him, My God, in whom I believe and repose my trust, has by his Blood shed on the Cross, wash'd them away; and is now at the Right Hand of his Father, making intercession for me, and shewing Him His Body still cover'd, as it were, with that most precious Blood, [Page 64] by which He made full Satisfaction and A­tonement for all my Transgressions. And then go on in these Words. My God, I put my trust in Thee. O shut not up the Bowels of Thy tender Mercies from me! Arise, O God of my Salvation, and scatter abroad all my Enemies. Let them that hate Thee flee before Thee; Even as the smoke let them vanish away, and melt at Thy Presence, as Wax melteth before the Fire. But let Thy Servant rejoyce.

In short, the Minister shall again and again exhort him to Charity and a Love of God, by the several Motives before propos'd; and above all the rest, by that of the exceeding great Love which the Son of God has shewn in dying for us; Whereupon he shall cry-out with David, What reward shall I give to the Lord for all the benefits that he has done unto me? I cannot better express my love to Him, than by receiving this his Visi­tation with patience and humility. Most ready I am, O Lord, to embrace Death it self, to the end my Soul may be united to Thee for evermore.

In like manner ought he to resign himself into the Hands of God, and commend his Spirit to His Mercy. To Thee, O Lord, I give up my Soul; for [Page 65] Thou hast both created and redeemed it. Thine I am, yea, Thine alone. Therefore Thy Holy Will be done in me, and by me. Be Thou only pleased to inlighten mine Eyes, that they may readily discover the Snares which the Enemy is laying for me, and never suffer them to be surpris'd by the slumber of Death.

If he languishes by slow degrees, and remains sensible in his last Agony; the History of Christ's Passion shall be read to him out of the Gospel, together with some Chapters of St. Paul's Epistles, as the 1st and 2d. to the Corinthians, the 2d to Timothy, and the two last Chap­ters of the Revelation of St. John; choosing the Places in those Chapters that are proper for a Dying Person, and passing over the rest. Some Psalms may be also recited to him, suitable to the occasion. In a Word, let not the Minister abandon him one Minute, whilst he appears to have the least remainder of Sense. For at this last Moment it is, as St. Gregory tells us, upon the Nineteenth Chapter of St. Luke, that the Devil redoubles his Endeavours to destroy us. So that the Minister continuing his Exhortation to him, may (if he finds him capable thereof) desire him to pursue his Ap­plications [Page 66] to God, after this manner. Lord, I believe that Thou art my God and my Redeemer. I humbly beg of Thee the pardon and forgiveness of all my Sins. I am exceedingly sorry for the Commission of them; and wish my Sorrow were still greater. If I have omitted any thing that Thou requirest for my Repentance, Lord, I pray Thee, give me a due sense thereof, and fit me for Thy Self. Supply all my imperfections, and make me such as Thou would'st have me to be. Lord, I do for Thy sake freely forgive whatever wrongs and injuries I have received; and heartily ask forgiveness of them whom I have any ways offended. If I have ought that is another's due, I desire to restore it, as far as my Abilities will permit. In Thee, O Lord, I place all my Hope; though I know my self unworthy of the least of Thy Mercies: Thy Sufferings and Thy Blood assure me of my Salvation. Both my Life and my Death are in Thy Hands. Do Thou with me as it shall seem good to Thee. 'Tis suf­ficient for me to love and bless Thee to all Eternity.

If the Sick Person be in a condition of bearing with any more Discourse, the Minister shall go on in the same Method of assisting him to lift up his Soul to [Page 67] God; and to that end, make use of the Words mention'd in the 5th, 6th, and 7th, Chapters of this Book; not omit­ting to admonish him to beg of God to accept the Prayers, whether publick or private, put up by the Church or his Friends for him.

As to the Third Head, Which re­spects the Minister's solemn Recommen­dation of the Dying Person's Soul to God, the proper time to go about it is, when he perceives him to be struggling with the Pangs of Death, and just upon the point of his Departure. The Form there­of is prescribed by the Church. To which (if he finds the Patient to con­tinue longer than he expected, and pos­sest of any remains of his Senses) he may add such further Sentences of Scripture as he shall judge convenient; like these. O Son of David, have mercy upon me. Haste Thee to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord. With how much Sincerity, Zeal and Attention, this last Office ought to be performed, I hope no good Christian, much less those of the Sacred Function, whose more particular Province it is, need to be admonish'd.

As to the Fourth Head, Which con­cerns the Edification of those that are present, we shall treat thereof in the last Chapter of this Book.

CHAP. IX. What means are to be us'd when the Patient does not resign himself, as he ought, to the Will of God, and is afraid of Death through a too great Love of this Life.

SOME there are, who afflict them­selves too much at the approach of Death, through an over-great fondness of this Life; the grief they conceive of parting with it being such, that they cannot submit themselves to the Plea­sure of God, but die much against their Wills. Which ill disposition produces in the Heart of a Sick Person, these three dismal Effects.

I. That by how much the greater his reluctance is, so much the more he is troubled and confounded with the ap­prehension [Page 69] of Death; according to the Son of Sirach's Saying, O Death how bitter is the remembrance of thee, to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions!

II. That by this Reluctance of his, he not only deprives himself of the Com­fort he would receive from his voluntary Resignation to Death; but runs a great risque of offending God.

III. That he does not prepare him­self, as he ought, for Death; nor can resolve to think of his Eternal State. And the Condition of such a One, is so much the more deplorable, in regard no body dares speak to him of Dying. But on the contrary, they are apt to turn their Discourse upon the hopes of his Recovery, for the sake of entertaining him in an agreeable idea; though in the end most pernicious to him, by reason of its diverting him from the thoughts of his Salvation. As therefore they ten­der his Eternal Welfare, let both the Minister and his Friends take heed, that he be not thus dallied with, when his Condition is become dangerous, but that he be in a prudent manner apprised of the same, to the end he may exa­mine [Page 70] the State of his Soul; making him sensible, that his Preparation for Death, will be no impediment to his Recovery, if it pleases God to spare him longer in this Life. But if he cannot resolve to die, let the Minister endeavour to bring his mind over by Arguments, Examples, and Words in Form of Ejuculatory Prayers.

First, By Arguments; which the Mi­nister is to ground, as much as he can, on the Holy Scripture; to the end they may be not only in themselves the stronger, but of more Authority and Force with the Patient. For Example, he shall with St. Paul tell him, That it is appointed for all Men once to die: That on this condition it is we are born, and wherein no distinction is made between Princes and Subjects: That we all die, soon or late, and flow like the Waters into the Bowels of the Earth; yea, we are like Water that is spilt on the ground, from whence it cannot be gathered up. He shall also represent to him, that though he should recover his Health, he may in a little time relapse again, and not have the means he now has for his Preparation; That he ought to look [Page 71] upon himself as a Pilgrim travelling through this World, as through strange Regions, in his Way to Heaven, which is his Native Country; That he should consider the many Tokens God has given him of his Love, and that which he at present gives him, in assisting him with his Grace: That God now calls him to Himself, in order to the making him happy; and that a longer Life here might be ruinous to him, by the snares and inticements of this Sinful World: That Death is not terrible to the Righ­teous, but meerly a Passage to Eternal Glory; And better is the day of our Death than that of our Birth; forasmuch as we are born to die, and do only die to live for­ever: In short, That Christ assures us in his Gospel, that whosoever believes in him shall have Everlasting Life, and that his Death shall be but the beginning of his Eternal Happiness.

Moreover, let the Patient be induced to reflect on the Miseries of this present Life. Let him as much as he is able, call to mind the whole Course of his Life from his Infancy to this very moment, and consider before God, whether he has pass'd one day of it without afflicti­on: That we are to expect here nothing [Page 72] but Sufferrings; God having set us in this World as in a Valley of Tears, to live in a constant State of Penitence: That therefore we ought not to be grieved, when God is pleased to remove us from the Place of our Exile into our own Country; and far from wishing our selves Citizens of this World, we should with St. Paul remember, that here we have no continuing City, but are to look for one that is to come, which will abide for ever.

Let him further consider, that being now under the Gospel, we should be so much the more desirous to die, because Jesus Christ has by his Merits open'd Heaven to us: That Death is both the End of a false and perishable Life, and the Entrance into a Happy and Eternal State; That God is not the God of the Dead, but of the Living; That a Chri­stian ought to raise himself above the things of this World, and solely to fix his Thoughts and Hopes upon his Savi­our; That this Life is a continual War­fare with our Lusts and Passions, and Death the welcome End of this War and Beginning of our Rest; That the Spi­rit of God declares those, and those on­ly, to be happy, that die in his Grace, [Page 73] because they are going to enjoy an E­verlasting Peace. In a word, let the Minister omit nothing that may conduce to the perswading him, to receive his Death with Submission, making him sensible, that how averse soever he be to it, yet die he must; and that since nei­ther Life nor Death are within his pow­er or disposal, he can never be at rest, till he submits himself with all humility and resignation, to the Will and Pleasure of Almighty God.

Secondly, The Minister may perswade the Sick Person to a willingness to die, by laying before him several Examples of this kind, carrying force and autho­rity with them; and in the first place, that of Christ himself; who in the Gar­den of Olives, foreseeing the Torments that were waiting for Him at Jerusalem, was seized with fear, and pray'd to the Father, to deliver Him therefrom; but immediately after, submitting him­self to Him, added these Words, Not as I will, but as Thou wilt. That he ought to imitate this Sacred Model of Self-resignation, by a free Offering of his Life to God, notwithstanding the ter­ror he has of Death, and all the reluct­ances of Nature thereto. Let him also [Page 74] be put in mind of David, who finding himself over-whelm'd with the Mise­ries of this present Life, us'd frequent­ly to cry out to God in terms like these. Wo is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech, and to have my Habitation among the Tents of Kedar. My soul has long dwelt with them that hate peace. Many are my Persecutors and mine Enemies: Consider my affliction and deliver me: I long for thy Salvation, O Lord! Where­to he may add the words of St. Paul, O wretched Man that I am! Who shall de­live me from this body of Death? I ardent­ly desire to be dissolved, that I may forever live with Christ, who is my Life. And these of the Wise Son of Sirach; Fear not the Sentence of Death. Remember them that have been before thee, and that come after. For this is the Sentence of the Lord over all flesh: And why art thou against the pleasure of the most High? There is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou hast liv'd ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years. Let him represent to him St. Hi­larion surpris'd by Thieves, who with Sword in Hand, are just going to mur­ther him; when astonish'd to see him so unconcern'd, and asking him why he fear'd not Death. 'Tis, answered he, [Page 75] because I have been a long time preparing my self for it. He may also observe to him the Words of St. Cyprian, who says, that such only ought to fear Death, as lack Faith, and have no Hope of reigning with Christ. To all which the Minister may superad divers Examples and Sayings of other Saints and Martyrs, who have wish'd and long'd for their Dissolution; whereby to pacifie and calm the trouble with which the Sick Person's mind is di­sturbed.

Thirdly, The last means we propos'd for removing the Patient's Fear of Death is, by Ejaculatory Prayers; the Minister teaching and assisting him to say after this manner. O my God! I feel the hor­rors of Death upon me; but as much as in me lies I sacrifice them to Thee, and am ready to die, if it be thy Pleasure. I hum­bly submit my will to Thine. O Lord, who hast created me, preserved me, and by a special Grace caused me to be born within thy Church, to the end I might be saved: What reward shall I give unto Thee for all these Benefits? I will receive at Thy Hand this Cup of my Death, which Thou present­est to me. I take it, O my God, with all my heart, in testimony of my Love and Sub­mission to Thee. If Thou, O Lord, hast so [Page 76] decreed it, notwithstanding my natural reluctance thereto, I am most ready and willing to die, hoping my Death will, through thine infinite Goodness, be follow'd by Eternal Rest. O Father of Mercy and God of all Comfort, I thank Thee, that I am now come to my last hour, which will put an end to all my Sins. I thank Thee especially, that Thou hast been pleas'd to afford me time to prepare my self for Death. O help Thou me in my troubles and anguishes: Strengthen my Soul that stands surrounded with the dangers of Hell. Support my weakness, and be my strong Defence against Satan; that so I may die in Thy Favour and Love. I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth; And though after my Skin Worms destroy this Body, yet in my flesh will I see God: Whom I shall see for my self, and mine Eyes shall behold, and not another. Lord, I beseech Thee, encrease my Faith and Confidence in Thee, and comfort thou me in all my Af­flictions.

Thus may the Minister entertain the Sick Person in devout Meditations and Prayers; making use also, of such other Words and Sentences, as he shall judge proper for the raising his Soul, and [Page 77] fixing his Thoughts and Desires upon God.

CHAP. X. What is to be said to a Sick Person, whose unwillingness to die proceeds from an excessive Love for the Things of this World.

OThers there are, who are very loath to think of Death; not so much (like those mentioned in the preceding Chap­ter) from an over-fondness of Life it self, as a difficulty of quitting some par­ticular Things and Circumstances at­tending it; such as Riches, and Ho­nours and Pleasures; and above all, the Persons they most dearly love, their Wives and Children, &c. On which last account, the Poor Man's Case claims our greatest pity and attention: For whilst his heart is fill'd with grief and anxious thoughts, what will become of his distressed Family, the Devil ne're fails to lay hold on this Occasion, to di­vert his Mind from the Business of his [Page 78] Salvation. If therefore the Minister find this to be the Condition of the Patient; having first exhorted those that are pre­sent, humbly to implore Almighty God to allay his Disquiets, and render his Mind free and composed, to the end he may think of nothing but Eternity; let him make use of the following Means for comforting him.

And in the First place, let him cause all such Persons to withdraw, whether Wife, or Children, or others, whose presence may attract the Patient's Af­fection to this World, and keep up those melancholy thoughts he is in; taking care to prevent, as much as possible, his being spoken to about them, further than he shall think of absolute necessity, with regard to their future Settlement. After which he may proceed to inform him, that this Disquiet of his, is not on­ly useless both to himself and Family, but most prejudicial to his Soul; in that it obstructs its due Preparation for Death; That the Poverty under which he leaves his Family, is an Evil that soon or late will have an end; but the Torments of the other World have none; and that therefore in these last moments of his Life, he ought to entertain no other [Page 79] thoughts but how to avoid his own Eternal Misery: That his Family is under the Conduct of the Divine Pro­vidence, that loves them, and will watch over them, and bestow on them Tem­poral Goods sufficient; perhaps too great a measure thereof; so that instead of afflicting himself with the Conside­ration of the sad Condition he leaves them in, he ought on the contrary, to rejoyce in God, and to lift up his Heart and Mind to Him, and to beg his Grace to forget and reject whatever respects not his Everlasting Salvation; with full perswasion, that God, to whom he is to recommend his Wife and Children, (as Christ, when ready to die, did his Disciples) will be their Pro­tector, and Helper, and Defender; who being also more their Father than he himself is of his own Children, and governing all things both in Heaven and on Earth by his Almighty Providence, will supply them with whatsoever is ne­cessary, as well for their Bodies as their Souls.

This Trust and Confidence (the Minister shall say to him) will be more available to the good of your Family, then all the disquieting [Page 80] thoughts you can entertain about them. For God is Merciful, and will grant us every thing we ask according to his Will. Moreover, remember, that he who undertakes a long Journey, should not carry ought about him that is combersom. You are setting-out upon your Journey to Eternity, and may within a little time appear be­fore the Tribunal of God. Take up­on you therefore no such unnecessary Burden, as that of the care of your Wife and Children. Peradventure they have been the cause of your com­mitting many Sins in the course of your Life: Beware they be not that of your undoing now. Disburthen your heart of this heavy Load; that so it may be able to raise it self up to God, and savour nothing but things Eternal. Consider that both your Life it self, and all the Goods you have enjoy'd in this World, were not yours, but God's, who lent them you only for your use, as means of en­gaging your Love to him. And if he takes them away again, you have no reason to complain; but your Duty is freely to lay them down; remem­bring that Jesus Christ (who is Lord [Page 81] of all) died upon the Cross naked and divested of all Worldly Desires. You know that God took from Job all that he possess'd, and yet that Prince said only this, Naked came I out of my Mo­ther's Womb, and naked shall I return thi­ther: The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord. Endeavor to be as disintangled and loose from the World as that Ho­ly Person was.

Which Exhortations the Minister shall conclude, with moving the Patient to re­peat after him some Sententious Prayers, like these.

Deliver me, O Lord, from all affections for the things of this World, and fix in my heart the sole desire of possessing thee.

How amiable are thy Dwellings, O Lord of Hosts!

My soul longeth, yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord.

My heart and my flesh crieth out for the Living God.

For one day in thy Courts is better than a thousand.

I had rather be a Door-keeper in the House of my God, than live in the Palaces of Worldly Princes.

There shall I be satisfied, as it were, with [Page 82] marrow and fatness, and shall drink of thy Pleasures as out of the River.

For with Thee is the Well of Life, and in thy presence is the fulness of joy, and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

Whereto the Minister may add, ac­cording to his discretion, what of any of the foregoing Chapters, he shall judge necessary, for putting the Sick Person into a frame of dying like a good Christian.

Thus far of those, whose Reluctances to Death proceed from a too great Love of this Life, and the Pleasures and Satis­factions attending it. For such whose terrors arise only from an imagination, that there may not be time enough re­maining for them to explain, as they ought, some particular Matters which disturb their Consciences. For such, we say; till we come to give them more ample Instructions in the sequel of this Discourse, let us in the mean time excite them to be very good Husbands of those Moments which are yet behind, which may not be so few as they appre­hend: Let them employ the same in Self-Examination, Prayer, and Commu­nion; in an immediate Restitution of what is not their own; or if that cannot be, in providing by their Testament or [Page 83] Codicil, that it be done with all possible Expedition; as we have said in the pre­ceding Chapters. And lastly, for such as are troubled to die, for this only rea­son, because they had resolved to alter their Course of Life, and propos'd to themselves the doing of many pious Works; they must be perswaded to resign themselves up to the Will of God; and instead of that Good which they in­tended to have done, to offer up their Lives to Him as a Sacrifice, with a dis­position humbly and readily to receive, whatever it shall please his Divine Pro­vidence to determine concerning them: Than which they cannot offer to God any thing greater or more acceptable.

CHAP. XI. What is to be done to a Sick Person that is Impatient.

IMpatience in a Sick Person may pro­ceed from either of these two Causes; The languishing Condition which the Se­verity of his Distemper has reduced him to; Or Poverty, which leaves him desti­tute of the Helps and Remedies necessa­ry for his Recovery. The Case being such, the Minister is in the first place to comfort him, by assuring him, how much he is grieved to see him in that deplorable Condition, and using all the Means he can, to procure him Ease and Relief; that so he may the more effectu­ally perswade him, of his partaking sin­cerely with him in his affliction. Which charitable manner of proceeding, cannot fail of winning his Heart, and engaging him to hearken with more patience and willingness, to whatever shall be said to him concerning his Salvation.

Then let the Minister represent to him, that his Impatience is so far from dimi­nishing his illness, that it does but en­crease [Page 85] it, and deprive him of the Com­fort and Satisfaction he would reap, from the taking this his Visitation with pati­ence and submission; the best and most effectual Means for rendring those Evils lighter and more supportable, which are not within Human power to remove: For, according to the saying of St. Chry­sostome, Tribulations do pursue with much greater vehemence, those that fly from them, than those that receive them without mur­muring or repining.

Moreover, he should be admonished to consider, That God sends these af­flictions, only for him to make a good use of them, as Helps for his Sanctifi­cation: That therefore, instead of being grieved and displeased thereat, he ought to praise and thank His Divine Good­ness for them, as being Graces necessary to his Eternal Salvation: That upon this account it is, that Solomon will not have us to fly from the Chastisements of the Lord, nor grow weary and im­patient under the troubles He is pleas'd to dispense to us; He correcting only those He loves, and administring there­by an occasion to us, of drawing Conso­lation from the very pains which He in­flicts on us, provided we bear them with [Page 86] due Meekness and Resignation. Let him reflect on the vast Number of Sins he has committed, and the severe punish­ment he deserves for them; The con­sideration of which will certainly, if any thing, oblige him with the deepest Contrition and humility, to commit him­self into the Hands of God, and readily embrace whatever troubles or anguishes, his Divine Wisdom shall think fit to exercise him with, even Death it self, in hopes of appeasing God's wrath there­by, and rendring Him more favourable and gracious to him; Of which the Minister may give him Confidence: Adding, that Afflictions are only sent us, to take off our Minds from this World, and raise them to the Contemplation of Things Eternal; and that God is plea­sed to be with the Afflicted, who are of a yielding and submissive Spirit; Saying by his Prophet, I am with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and he shall glorifie me.

In a word, let him seriously consider, that we are visited with pains and griefs, to try our Virtue, exercise our Faith, and encrease our Contrition; and that for this Cause it is, that the Son of Sirach advises us to receive all kinds of Afflicti­ons [Page 87] with humbleness of heart; for as Gold is try'd by the Fire, so are Men by the Tribulations of this present Life.

Lastly, The Minister shall represent to him, that Heaven is prepared for those that patiently suffer in this World; that the Hand of God does by Calami­ties, polish us (as it were) like Stones, of which He will Build his Heavenly Je­rusalem; and that therefore, in order to our being made happy, we ought sub­missively to bear whatever Burthen He pleases to lay upon us. Which Argu­ments the Minister may greatly inforce, by inculcating to him the Examples of Job, the Holy Apostles, Martyrs, and Confessors, and CHRIST Himself Cru­cified, especially by displaying to him the excessive Torments of the Cross; and at the same time proposing to his Medi­tation, by way of Prayer and Self Re­signation, these Words of St. Austin's; Lord! burn me, cut me into pieces, scourge me, and correct me in this World, so Thou pardon me in the next: Or these, O God who chastisest those whom Thou do'st love, admit me, I beseech Thee, after my Death, into the Number of Thy Blessed Children, since Thou makest me to endure thy Correcti­ons in this Life. My God! and my Fa­ther! [Page 88] Who art my only Refuge and De­fence, succour me in all my Afflictions and Miseries, either by asswaging and moderating them, or giving me strength to sustain the same without repining. I thank Thee, O Merciful Father, for the troubles Thou hast laid upon me. Thou that knowest my weak­ness, vouchsafe to fortifie and support me; so as I may not fall into impatience and mur­mur; but that I may truly humble my self under Thy Afflicting Hand, and wholly sub­mit to Thy Chastisements.

To which the Minister may still add, what other Words of the like kind he shall judge convenient, with regard to the Condition of the Sick Person.

CHAP. XII. How those Persons ought to be ma­naged, that lie under Temptations against the Faith.

OF Persons tempted against the Faith, there are two Sorts: Either they are such, as have not a clear apprehensi­on of all that is necessary to be believed in the Law of Grace (whom how to in­struct we have shewn in the First Chap­ter;) Or they are such, as are tormented by Satan, who is continually endeavour­ing to cast Doubts into their Minds, a­bout their Faith in general, or some par­ticular Article of it. The former of which Cases being (as we have said) pro­vided for in the First Chapter, we shall here need only to speak to the latter: Which the Minister perceiving to be the Sick Person's, shall advise him not to dispute with the Devil, whose sole aim is to destroy his Faith, Without which (as the Apostle tells us) it is impossible to please God; but humbly to implore the Holy Ghost, so to inlighten him, as that he may never fall into Infidelity, nor [Page 90] the Enemy have any advantage over him.

Let him cry out with the Prophet, Lord! thou seest how I am tempted, be thou pleased to answer for me. Adding thereto, if occasion be, what is before mention­ed in the Fifth Chapter, and making an humble Confession of that Faith, which is founded, not upon human Reasons, but the Eternal Truth. Which will se­cure him against all the ill suggestions, wherewith the Devil may labour to as­sault and disturb him, and set him en­tirely at liberty to think of those things, that will administer pleasure and com­fort to him; such as the unspeakable Joys of Heaven, which he is hoping for, the infinite Love of God towards him, and Spiritual Graces He has confer'd upon him. And for a yet further di­version of those Temptations he finds himself obnoxious to, it may be conve­nient for him to speak sometimes to those that are present.

But if notwithstanding all these Pre­cautions, he shall still perceive his Faith to be wavering, let him first pray to God to help his Unbelief, and then protest before Him and all the Standers by, that he resolves to die in that Faith which Je­sus [Page 91] Christ is the Author of, and the Mar­tyrs have sealed and attested by their Blood.

And here, if the Patient's illness will permit it, the Minister may offer him some general Reasons, to confirm him in the Christian Faith and Religion; as, that it flows directly from the Divine Wisdom; and is not, like others, grounded only upon Human Arguments, but the Au­thority and Truth of God himself, who has been pleas'd to reveal it to his Church. But at the same time, he must be very cautious of descending to any particular Point, least it should provoke the Sick Person to Disputation (a thing most dangerous on such an occasion) unless he desires to be inform'd about some of the Mysteries of our Religion: Which is to be done too in as few words as may be.

Let him be shewn, that the Christian Faith is establish'd upon no less, than the Testimony of the Eternal Father, who said of Christ, He is my beloved Son, hear ye him; Than the Word of Jesus Christ himself, who assures us, that his Father and He are but One God, and com­manded his Apostles to Preach these Truths throughout the World; saying, [Page 92] that they who believe shall be saved, and that there is no Salvation but in Him.

For the reasonableness thereof, he may be refer'd to the Jews themselves, who though the very Enemies of Christ, gave sufficient Testimony to his Divinity; when being astonish'd at the Miracles wrought by Him, they openly profess'd, that unless a stop was put thereto, by securing his Person, and forbidding his Doctrine, all Nations would believe in Him. Nor have their Historians alone, but other Unbelievers also, own'd the Christian Religion to be of all others in the World the best, theirs only except­ed; which they [...] before it, ei­ther through ignorance or prejudice.

For indeed, what Religion could ever shew such Marks and Tokens of the Hand of God, as this of the Christian, through the whole Course of its Propa­gation? In its first Institution, by how many Miracles was it confirm'd? As we find them recorded in the Holy Scriptures, by those who were Eye-witnesses there­of, and whose plainness and simplicity, apparent in all their Relations of the same, is proof sufficient of their Since­rity. Nor is it less to be admired, how [Page 93] succesfully it was Preached and Establi­shed, by Persons of neither Learning, Eloquence, nor Authority; but on the contrary, destitute of all outward Ac­complishments, exposed to Poverty, and the Contempt of all Mankind. Who yet by the meer force of Truth, reduced both Learned and Unlearned, whole Empires and Nations, to the same Chri­stian Faith; and under which, by the special Providence of Almighty God, they have for so many Ages been pre­served, notwithstanding its containing, not only Mysteries above the Reach, but Precepts again the Inclinations and Passions of Men's Minds.

In a Word; That he need not doubt of believing that, which those Blessed Spirits so divinely proclaim'd, who fore­told the Birth of Jesus Christ, and pub­lished it with Songs of Rejoycing, giv­ing Glory to God and promising Peace to all Men: Who also were Witnesses of his Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. That, which so many Saints, and Holy Men and Women, enlighten'd by God, have profess'd; which, such vast Numbers of the Faithful in all Ages, have by their Mortification and Self-de­nial, sacrificed the Pleasures of this [Page 94] World to; and through the midst of so many cruel Persecutions, main­tained at no less a Price, than that of their Blood; as knowing what sure Grounds they were on, even the Au­thority (as we have said before) of God Himself, who being Omniscient, cannot be mistaken in his knowledge; and be­ing the very Truth, cannot deceive or impose upon Us by false Revelation.

CHAP. XIII. How to comfort a Sick Person that is mistrustful of God's Mercy, and troubled with Desparing Thoughts.

1. THE Minister is to examine the chief Motive of his Distrust; whether it be, that he is still linked to some beloved Sin, that he cannot easily part with; such as Hatred, or Cove­tousness, or Carnal Lust, or the like: Of which we shall treat in the Seven­teenth Chapter. Or whether there lies something hid in his Heart, which he ought to repent of; the Minister exhort­ing [Page 95] him at the same time, to make a sin­cere Confession of his Sins to God, and throughly bewail them; whereby to remove his diffidence, and set his Soul entirely at peace.

2. If the Patient has no Cause to mistrust God's Goodness to him, but is terrified only with the remembrance of his past Sins, or the Temptations he is now disturbed with; then let the Mi­nister excite his Hope; First, towards God, whom he has offended; by telling him, that God is always ready to for­give him; That he is a Merciful Father; That his Graces are infinite; That He is full of Tenderness and Compassion; and that His Love far surpasses the Sins of Men; That He prevents and assists us by the inspirations of his Holy Spi­rit, and pardons our Iniquities, when we are truly sorrowful for them. Second­ly, towards Christ, with these Words. Our Sins, we must confess, are many and great; but God has laid them all upon Jesus Christ, by whose Sufferings we are redeemed from them. And forasmuch as we were not able to make Satisfaction for them, by reason of our own unworthiness, his Love for us has extended so far, as [Page 96] to give his only Son to be a Saviour to us. His Humility has brought down and destroy'd our Pride; His Patience our Passions; His Charity our Hatred; His Cross our Luxury; and His Obedience, even to die for us, has blotted out all our Transgressi­ons. And as the least of his Torments was sufficient to satisfie the Justice of God; so through these infinite Merits of his, may we ask of Him, both the Remission of our Sins, and Inheri­tance of His Kingdom. Let the Pa­tient for his Comfort, remember; that he is to have for his Judge this same Jesus, who is now at the right Hand of God, making Intercession for him; and call to mind how gracious He was to St. Peter, whom He pardoned almost the same moment he denied Him. Let him think of the Charitable Words He pro­nounced upon the Cross, on behalf of his very Enemies, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do; and those he spake to the Penitent Thief, That the self­same day he should be with him in Paradise. In short, let him be perswaded, that God has a greater desire to save him, than he himself can have to be saved; and there­fore he has not the least cause to be dif­fident of his Mercy.

[Page 97]3. The Minister may sustain his Hope and Confidence in God's Goodness and Mercy, by the Example of divers Ho­ly Persons, that remitted the injuries done to them, as Joseph, David, St. Stephen, and others; teaching him there­from, that if these who were but Men, had so much Meekness and Charity, as to forgive their very Persecutors, what ought not we to expect from God, the Fountain of Mercy? Whose Goodness will appear still the greater, by how much more numerous the Sins are, which He pardons to us: That there­fore, provided he has a broken and con­trite Heart, he needs not in the least ap­prehend his being rejected or abandon­ed; for though his Transgressions were more heinous, than those of the Devils themselves, the Cross of Christ is sufficient for the abolishing of them.

We do not mean, that the Minister should say all these things at once, and in the Order here prescribed, as if he made a set Discourse to him; but that he use his Discretion, in speaking them by little and little, and at several times, according as he shall find the Patient in a Condition of hearing him, and of re­ceiving Comfort therefrom. He may [Page 98] also introduce, and relate in few words, the History of the Prodigal Son, of Ma­ry Magdalen, of the Samaritan, and of the Cananitish Woman, mention'd in the Gospel; with that of the whole People of the Jews, whom God conducted in­to the Land of Promise, notwithstand­ing their continual Rebellions and Un­faithfulnesses. Let him likewise put the Patient in mind of the Passage in Ezekiel, where God says, He will forget the ini­quities of a Sinner, at what hour so­ever he shall turn and repent: That Pardon is in the Gospel it self secured to us, upon Condition of our forgiving our Enemies; and therefore we ought not to doubt of Forgiveness at God's hand, if we for his sake, freely and en­tirely forgive them that have offended us.

Thus shall the Minister support his Hope, by continually saying before him God's Mercies and Promises of Pardon to us, for the sake of Christ's Blood that was shed for all Sinners; and assuring him, that God will not fail to assist him by his Grace, nor will suffer him to fall away and miscarry in what concerns his Eternal Salvation. Which having said, and added thereto, what else he may [Page 99] think fit for the same purpose, he shall admonish the Patient to apply himself to God in this manner. Lord, I am an un­grateful Son; yet still thy Son: Thou having both created me, and adopted me in Jesus Christ Thy very Son, Co-substantial with Thee. O Lord in Thee I have put my trust, let me never be confounded. I am a prodigal Child; I acknowledg that I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee, and am no more worthy to be called Thy Son. But, O my God! are not Thy Mercies greater than my Transgressions? Let him say with St. Anselm, Lord! though I have kindled lust in my Heart, can I have quenched Mer­cy in Thine? Though I have commited Sins, for which Thou mayst justly condemn me, hast thou departed from that Goodness and Clemency, by which Thou wast wont to pardon and indulge me? Have mercy up­on me, O my Father! For thine own sake, and for thy dear Son Jesus Christ's sake, forgive me all that is past. I do earnestly repent. I am heartily sorry for all my Mis­doings. Abolish them in the death, and wash them away in the Blood of my Blessed Re­deemer. Let him also say with Job, Though thou should'st kill me, yet will I hope in Thee: And with David, Why art Thou so vexed, O my Soul, and why art thou disquieted [Page 100] within me? O put thy trust in God, and remember that He is Thy Comfort and De­fence. Lord, enter not into judgment with thy Servant. I fly to thy Clemency; I im­plore thy Mercy, not thy Justice. Judge me not, O Lord! according to my Deserts: Deal not with me after my sins; neither reward me after mine iniquities.

All which let the Patient be advis'd well to ponder; that from his Reflecti­ons thereupon, which may be shorter or longer, according as his pains will allow him more or less opportunity for it, he may receive Spiritual Help and Comfort.

Lastly, He should be admonished to look up to Jesus, the Author and Finish­er of our Faith, and God of our Salvati­on; to fix in his Mind the continual remembrance of his Sufferings; and break forth to Him in these Words. O Lord, who hast shed thy precious Blood for me, have mercy upon me. Thou Lord, who for the attonement of my sins, didst in the midst of so many torments, and with so much ignominy, resign thy Divine Spirit upon the Cross, have mercy upon me. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the World, have mercy upon me. I commend my Soul to Thee. I commit it into Thy Hands. Lord! receive it. Lord! vouchsafe to save it. Amen.

To this the Minister may add the Words set down in the Sixth Chapter, if he judges them necessary, for the for­tifying of the Patient's Hope, and admi­nistring Comfort to him.

CHAP. XIV. What is to be said to such as shew too great a Confidence, and presume too far upon their Salvation.

AS the Devil labours nothing more, than the undoing of us to all Eternity; so he endeavours to bring this his pernicious Design about, by quite contrary Means; sometimes by sug­gesting too great a Fear of God's Judg­ments, and sometimes too great a Confi­dence in his Mercy. If the Minister shall perceive, that the Sick Person is flattering himself with the good▪ Works he has done, and so from them presumes too much up­on his Salvation, he ought meekly to ad­monish him to enter into, and recollect himself; in order to the making him sensible, that our Felicity depends only [Page 102] upon Christ, on whom we are wholly to build our Hope of Salvation: That God alone enables us to act; and that to Him it is, we owe all the Honour and Glory of our Good Works: That of our selves we are but Weakness, and capable of nothing that is good, not so much as one good Thought, without his pre­venting and assisting Grace: That we ought to give Him Thanks and Praise, for what we are, and what we have: That all our Virtue is derived from Him; and that we should find a terrible Ac­count, if when He comes at the last Day to judge us, He would look upon our Merits only: That we must always re­member, what is said in the Gospel, That when we have done all that we are com­manded to do, we are but unprofitable Ser­vants. In a word, that we are bound to God by so many Ties of Favours and Blessings, that though we should humble our selves even to nothing before Him, yet should we be very far from express­ing a due acknowledgment to Him for the same.

But if the Sick Person shall still run upon an excess of Hope, and rely so far upon the Merits of Christ, as not to be at all afflicted or concerned for his [Page 103] Sins, 'twill be expedient to affright him into a due sense of them; by recalling to his Memory the many Transgressions of his past Life, and shewing him the heinousness of them; that so he may be made apprehensive of the necessity of a sincere Repentance and Humiliation, be­fore he can expect to obtain Pardon. The Minister may tell him, that his Hope is laudable; but considering what great Sinners we are, we should mix with our Confidence, a Filial Fear, accompa­nied with Sorrow and Contrition, for our having offended so Good, so Gra­cious, and so Benign a Father; adding hereto, what further he shall think con­ducive to the raising in him the just Notion he ought to have of God's Mercy.

CHAP. XV. How a Sick Person is to be managed, when bereft in a great measure, of his Senses and Understanding.

IN the first place, the Minister is to in­form himself; whether the Sick Per­son has already been pray'd with, and received the Holy Communion; Whe­ther he has set his House and Affairs in order, and thought of every thing re­quisite for him to do; of which we shall speak in the Seventeenth Chapter. If they answer him, that nothing has yet been done of all this, as it often happens to those that are backward in preparing themselves for Death, or are struck on a sudden with a violent and unforeseen Distemper; he shall call to the Patient with a loud Voice, and ask him whe­ther he hears him; and if he perceives him to have still some remainder of Un­derstanding he is to advertise him of the danger his Life is in, and of the great Concern of his Salvation; which with­out delay (lest it should prove fatal to him) he ought to secure by Repentance [Page 105] and true Contrition of heart for all the Sins, known and unknown, he has com­mitted against his Maker, his Neighbour, and Himself; and to restore, or cause to be restored, as far as he is able, what­ever he may have of another Body's. Then he shall ask him, whether he be not desirous to receive the Blessed Sacra­ment, as well for the Confirmation of his Faith, as Assurance of God's Pardon of all his Transgressions, and intitling him to Christ's Merits: To which if the Minister finds him dispos'd, he shall ad­minister it to him, declaring that God has put away his Sins, and will remem­ber them no more; and that the same moment this Breath shall depart from him, God will receive him to Himself, and admit him into the Number of the Righteous that are Sanctified: With whom he shall live a Life full of Joy and Bliss, which never shall have end.

If the Patient be in a Condition of do­ing any thing, which he hath omitted, towards the future settlement of his Fa­mily or Estate, the Minister shall advise him to do [...] now, as we have said else­where: And this done, he shall go on with entertaining him in Devotion and Spiritual Contemplations.

But if the Minister is told, that the Pa­tient has been already visited by another, and has received the Holy Sacrament, he may spare asking him many Questions about the State of his Soul (especially if he finds him very weak,) and apply him­self only to the comforting him, and rai­sing his Hope and Affections more and more to God, and there fixing them.

Or if the Patient be fallen into a De­lirium or Lethargy, the Minister shall ei­ther wait till he is come to himself again, or desire to have notice, so soon as those that look after him, shall find his Judg­ment return'd to him. Which interval of sensibleness it will concern the Mini­ster, to improve as much as he is able, by exciting in him, those good Motions and Dispositions that may help him to die in a true State of Regeneration, as well as with solid Comfort and Satis­faction: making use to that purpose, of those means we have proposed in the preceding Chapters, (particularly in the Eighth) and what else in his prudence he shall see fit.

CHAP. XVI. What the Minister is to do, when he finds the Sick Person posess'd of his Speech and Understanding, but likely to die very soon.

WHEN the Minister is called to One that has receiv'd a mortal Wound, for which no Remedy can be expected, he is to admonish him present­ly to confess his Sins, and beg Pardon of God, and all Mankind, whom he has offended, and to be in Charity with the whole World. And if he finds him not throughly affected with the sense of his Offences, nor the danger he is in, he shall gently represent to him the hei­nousness of his Crimes, and his great in­gratitude towards so Gracious a God, who has declared Himself willing to re­mit all his Transgressions, upon conditi­on of his sincere Repentance, having so loved him as to have given his own Son to die for him. With which Discourse if the Minister perceives the Patient to be moved, and made sensible of the Errors [Page 108] his Life, and truly Penitent, he shall give him Confidence in God's Mercies, through the Merits of the ever Blessed Jesus, and pronounce to him the ample Pardon, which his Heavenly Father has granted him of all his Sins; and for the yet further confirming him in this Hope, shall administer to him the Holy Sacra­ment of the Lord's Supper, and continue to exercise him in those Acts of Charity, Justice, and Devotion, that are mentio­ned in the foregoing Chapters, particu­larly the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh.

If there be any time remaining, the Patient shall be put in mind, to request the Publick Prayers of the Church, which both the Minister and his Friends are to take care of procuring for him; that being so recommended to God, he may receive the benefit of those Joynt-Prayers, which are most prevailing with the Almighty, and as such, may not be a little conducive to the Salvation of his departing Soul.

CHAP. XVII. How the Minister is to apply himself to a Sick Person, who has the Ʋse of his Reason, but no Disposition to such things, as are necessary to the making a Happy End.

WHEN the Sick Person shews an unwillingness to prepare himself, as he ought, for dying well; the Minister shall desire his Friends and Relations to put up their earnest Prayers to God, that He would be pleased to touch his heart with a sense of his Sins, and exci [...]e a true Contrition in him. To which purpose, it may also be convenient, that some of his Friends, in whom he reposes greatest Confidence, or such as have influence or Authority over him, apply themselves to him, and admonish him to be atten­tive to what shall be said to him in order to his Preparation for Death; that in case it should please God to take himout of this World, he may be forever happy in the next. Then shall the Minister [Page 110] begin with accosting him in a meek and tender and affectionate manner, by which he may not a little contri­bute to his Salvation: For this will engage him the more readily to give ear to him, and so may at length draw him unawares to a sence of his deplorable Sinful State, and of the absolute necessity of his obtaining Mercy through Repen­tance, and Faith in Christ's Merits. And in the next place, the Minister shall represent to him, that God does often visit us with Sickness, to awaken us from the slumber of Sin, as Christ did the Man sick of the Palsie, mention'd in the Gospel; whom (after having heal'd him) he discharged with this Admoni­tion, Go and sin no more, lest a worse thing happen to thee: That God is able still to restore him to his former Health, if it seem meet to him; but having sent this Affliction for his amendment, expects he should first make that good use of it: For the quickening him wherein, he may be put in mind of the Words in Ecclesiasticus, by which we are advised not to defer our Conversion one mo­ment, lest Death surprise us in the midst of our Sins, and we become thereby ir­recoverably lost. Let him therefore ap­ply [Page 111] himself incessantly to the Business o his Salvation, and perform the Means necessary thereto, while Time and Op­portunity serve him for them. The ef­fect of which he will very soon be sen­sible of, in the great Comfort he will draw therefrom, both for appeasing the Wrath of God, and sheltering him from the Assaults of the Devil. Nor may it be altogether in vain, to excite him to his Duty, by Motives of Honour; tell­ing him, what a Blot it will be to his Reputation; What Shame and Infamy will for ever attend his Name; and of what ill consequence it may be to his Children and Relations, when it shall be remembred, that he died in a State of Sin and Impenitence.

But if all these Admonitions shall not­withstanding prove ineffectual, the Mi­nister must try to find out the true cause of his Obstinacy; as whether he be an Atheist or Infidel, or has led a loose and dissolute Life, and not only committed many enormous Crimes and Immorali­ties, but persisted therein for several Years, without any remorse or thoughts of Repentance, and for which he thinks there is no Pardon now to be hop'd for; Or whether he has made a Contract [Page 112] with the Devil; or is so tied to some be­loved Sin, that he knows not how to bid Farewel to it: Or lastly, whether it arises only from Laziness, and the trou­ble of Examining his Conscience.

1. The Minister discovering that the Patient is an Atheist or Infidel, is to lay before him what we have said con­cerning Faith in the Twelfth Chapter, without entring into any Dispute with him, unless he goes about to maintain his Errors: In which Case he must be answer'd and confuted by solid Argu­ments. But much better it were, to a­void all dispute, if possible; for fear of exasperating him, and preventing his coming to that calm and charitable tem­per of mind, wherein he ought more especially to be at this juncture.

2. If his Obstinacy proceeds from the Multiplicity and heinousness of his Crimes, then shall the Minister raise his Hope, by what we have set down in the Sixth and Thirteenth Chapters; adding for his yet greater Confidence, that were all the Sins both of Men and Devils, joyn'd together in one and the very same Person, they would appear nothing in comparison of the Divine Mercy, and might be wholly done-away by one [Page 113] single Drop of Christ's Blood: That God knows whereof we are made; He is not ignorant of our Natural Frailty and pro­pensity to Sin; and therefore is ready to pardon us, when-ever we make our application to Him for it, with a truly penitent and contrite heart.

3. If he has enter'd into a Contract with the Devil, and that is found to be the real cause of his Despair; the Mi­nister must comfort him, and establish in him a necessary Christian Hope; by shewing him, that he is not at all oblig'd to keep his Word with such a Traitor and Enemy as that Hellish Fiend, though he had even sign'd the Obligation with his own blood; That it is lawful for him to deceive the Deceiver of all Men, and that he ought to fly for shelter to his Redeemer, who by his Death, has deliver'd him from the Empire of Satan, and from the Power of Darkness; Ad­ding thereto, what-ever he shall think proper to keep up the Patient's Hope, and dispose him, in case he be restored to Health again, to do what shall be directed him for the good of his Soul, and security of his Eternal Salvation.

4. If this Obstinacy proceeds from his adhering to some particular Sin, that he [Page 114] is loath to disengage himself from; such as the being possess'd of Goods unlaw­fully gotten, which he knows not how to think of restoring; the Minister shall represent to him, that in all appearance his last Minute is now drawing nigh; when he will not be able to avoid leav­ing these Goods behind him, which he refuses to make Restitution of. That his Soul is just going to be separated at once from his Body and all those Worldly Pleasures he so fondly embraces, and will not renounce; and that within a little time, he will be summon'd before the Tribunal of God, where he must expect to receive Sentence, according as he has done, whether good or bad. If the fear of leaving his Children in want, be the main Obstruction to his performance of this Essential part of his Duty, let him be advis'd to consider, how great an Enemy he will be to himself, thus to expose both his Body and Soul to the danger of Everlasting Flames, only to enrich his Children; who, far from be­ing the better for this ill-gotten Wealth, may live to curse it, as an Occasion of their utter Ruin and Damnation: That indeed, with much greater Pleasure and Satisfaction, he should cast them upon [Page 115] the Divine Providence, who (if they prove Virtuous) will not fail to take careof them, and give them a far better and more secure Settlement, than any they could have procured to themselves, by this un­lawful Treasure: Which joyn'd with a lively Representation of God's infinite Goodness and Love to us, the Favours we daily receive from his Hands, and the Glory which He is preparing for us; compared with the dreadful Tor­ments of Hell, and the miserable State of the Damned Souls, may prevail upon him to prefer Spiritual Riches and En­joyments, before all other Considerations. And as he shall be observ'd to be most affected with any of the foregoing Mo­tives, such Motive may be prudently insisted on, to the softening of his heart and making it contrite.

5. Lastly, If a drouzy Laziness be the Sole Impediment to his Preparation for Death, the Minister shall awaken him from this Spiritual Lethargy, by shewing him the great danger his Soul is in; of­fering him the assistance of his Advice and Prayers, and exhorting him to con­fess his Sins to God, with a Declaration of God's readiness to pardon him, on con­dition of his sincere and hearty Re­pentance.

In short, whatever may be the Cause of his Reluctance, the Minister shall, as we have said already, desire his Friends and Relations, not only themselves to pray for him, but to procure him the Publick Prayers of the Church; not ceasing to admonish the Patient also, while he is able, to pray for himself. Which the Minister perceiving he is not likely to remain long in a capacity of doing, by reason of his approaching Dis­solution, he ought by no means to a­bandon him, but on the contrary re­double his Fervor in recommending his Soul to God, and administring Ghostly Comfort to him, to the last moment; unless it be, that he knows some other particular Minister that may be more ac­ceptable to him; whom in such Case, he shall cause to be sent for, especially if he be a Man of Authority by his Office and Reputation. By all which Holy Means, and the Blessing of God attending them, the Patient being brought, as we hope he will, to a through Repentance, and fit Composure for receiving it, the Bles­sed Sacrament shall be administred to him; whereby his Conscience will be much quieted, and his Friends and Re­lations comforted.

CHAP. XVIII. What in the last place, the Minister is to do, if the Patient dies; and What, in-case it shall please God to restore him to his Health again: With regard on the one hand, to the Standers-by; and on the other, to the Person Recover'd.

HAving conducted the Patient through all the Circumstances of his Illness, and (as we hope) left nothing wanting towards the Security of his Everlasting Salvation; it remains only, that we sup­pose this Sickness of his, to terminate ei­ther in his Death or Recovery, and in­struct the Minister how to make the pro­per Uses of both Events.

If Death be the Issue; the first thing calling for the Minister's regard, is the Comforting of the Friends and Relations of the Party Deceas'd. A Subject so copious, that to be particular therein, would be as endless as superfluous. I shall there­fore content my self, with mentioning some of the common Topicks of Consolati­on on this Occasion, and leave it to the [Page 118] Minister's Discretion, to inforce and in­large upon them, according to the vari­ous Circumstances of Persons, Time, and Place. This then in general may be said to all; That they ought by no means to give way to a Grief, that cannot possibly avail them any thing; but may, by be­ing too far indulg'd, prove both highly displeasing to God, and prejudicial to their own Healths: That they are not to look upon those as lost, whom God is pleas'd to take to Himself: And as to this Separation from their Departed Friend, it will not be of any long continuance; forasmuch as within a little while they shall meet him again in a happy and joyful Resurrection; Nay, that 'tis even still in their power, to possess him as ful­ly as ever they did, whilst in the Flesh, if (as all good Christians should labour to do) they possess God, with Whom, and in Whom he now is. On which ac­count, if their Love to him was sincere, they ought, instead of repining at his Death, to rejoyce at his being thus re­mov'd from the Calamities and Miseries of this World, into the Bosom of Eternal Bliss and Glory.

Whereby having brought them into a Condition of attending to, and pro­fiting [Page 119] by his Ghostly Admonitions, the Mi­nister is to represent to them, and the rest of the Company; the Necessity of preparing our selves for Death whilst we are in Health, by frequently receiving of the Lord's Supper, and strictly examining our Lives and Conversations, especially upon the Article of doing right to our Neighbour, as being that which com­monly most burthens our Consciences, when we come to die: And how near we may be to this last Moment, God only knows, who has number'd our Days, and set bounds to our Lives, be­yond which we shall not pass: That therefore it highly imports us to think seriously thereon, and so to regulate all our Actions, as if we liv'd under a con­stant Expectation of it. Let him ob­serve to them, how precious the present time is, and how worthy of being laid hold on for the security of our Eternal Happiness. That the Days of Salvation pass away apace, and when once gone, it being for ever out of our power to recall them again, we ought to employ them with the Care and Circumspecti­on becoming good Christians, by wean­ing our selves, without delay, from the Things of this World, and dispossessing [Page 120] our Hearts of all other Thoughts but what relate to God alone. Nor need we any other Arguments, than the sight of this very Dead Body, to convince us, how vain and transistory, how deceitful and perishable, all those false Enjoyments are, which the Devil makes use of to dazzle our Eyes, and allure us to Sin. Neither Riches, nor Honours are able to procure one Minute's Respit from the Stroke of Death: When she summons, we must immediately obey, and quit them all; nay and our very Bodies too, as straightly as we are ty'd to them, and resign them to unavoidable Corruption. In a word, That the Goods of this World are so far only to be desired, as may serve for the necessary support of our selves, and enable us to be assisting to others.

From whence he may take occasion of saying something to them, about the Settlement of their Temporal Concerns; advising them to make their Wills and Testaments, whilst in a state of perfect Health and Understanding; that so they may be able to deliberate the more ma­turely thereon, and dispose of their E­states, with the greater satisfaction to themselves, as well as Justice and Equa­lity [Page 121] to others, by a due regard to Re­lation, Friendship, and Deserts; it often happening, where this Caution is not us'd, that a Feaver, or some other vio­lent Distemper, surprises a Man, and puts it out of his power to do the Good he intended to have done: Or some of his greedy Friends and Relations finding him in a helpless condition, do by their tiresome importunities, oblige him to make an unequal Testament: Or lastly (not to mention more of the many in­conveniencies arising from this neglect) he dies Intestate, and leaves his Estate for a Prey to the Lawyers, and a standing occasion of Discord in his Family.

But when by a prudent, timely, and just disposal of his Earthly Possessions, he has convey'd the Blessings of Peace, Plen­ty, and Prosperity to his Family: When by an upright and unspotted Life, he has preserved himself fit to enter into the Holy of Holies, the Sacred Mansions of the Most High: And last of all, when by his Merciful Deeds, he has secur'd to himself Mercy from his Blessed Sa­viour; Oh! with what unspeakable Comfort may he end his days, and with what Confidence and Alacrity appear [Page 122] before the Tribunal of God, to receive his Everlasting Reward; applying to himself the Words of the Revelation, I heard a Voice from Heaven saying to me, Write, From henceforth blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord, even so, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their Labours, and their Works follow them. Thus much in case the Patient shall die.

IF it shall please God to restore him to his health again: The Minister is to visit and congratulate him thereon; and with so much the more fervency, by how much the more dangerous his Sickness has been. Which will give him the fairer Oppor­tunity of inlarging upon, and rendring him sensible of God's transcendent Mer­cies to him, and the Gratitude on his part due for the same. A Debt (he may tell him) no other ways to be discharg'd, than by his making such good use of this Visitation, as may tend to the Glory of God, the Edification of his Neighbour, and the Amendment of his own Life for the fu­ture.

In order whereto, the Minister shall remind him of what pass'd between them during his Illness, upon the Subject of his Spiritual Welfare: Of the Difficul­ties [Page 123] met with in his Preparation for Death, for want of a timely regard thereto: Of the Defects in his Repentance, still remain­ing to be supply'd: Of the particular Frailties against which he is chiefly to arm himself for the time to come: And Lastly, Of his Pious Vows and Resoluti­ons (concerning these or any other Points) founded upon the Condition of his Recovery, and requiring to be now confirm'd and made good: Adding thereto (to conclude all;) That, as when Sick, he desired and had the Pub­lick Prayers of the Church, as well as those of his Private Friends; so is it meet and his bounden Duty, that having re­ceived the Benefit of them, in his Re­demption from the Grave and the Gates of Death, he should now Give Thanks unto the Lord with his whole heart; not only secretly, but among the Faithful, and in the Congregation. Where he ought also with the first Opportunity, to Offer his Vows un­to the Most High, by receiving the Cup of Salvation, and calling upon the Name of the Lord, with humblest Supplications, for the Assistance of his Holy Spirit, towards enabling him duely to perform the same: In the mean time and ever, continuing [Page 124] fervent in his Private Devotions, and ser­ing himself in some measure therein, with the Prayer and Thanksgiving hereto annext. Which God of his Infinite Mer­cy accept. Amen.