haue dissuaded or hindered any from entring into Religion Of the second Commaundement of taking the name of God in vaine Chap. 11. IF hee haue sworne that which was false knowing it to be a lye or doubting of the same although it were in lest or of a matter of small importance If hee haue sworne to promise any lawfull thing which afterward he hath not obserued or had not intention to performe it at that time in which he did sweare If he haue beene cause that any did sweare false or not obserue the lawfull oathe which he made If he haue sworne in manner of cursing as men are wonte to say if I doe not such a thing lett such or such euell happen vnto me If he hath sworne to do any euil or any thing which was a sin or not to doe any thing which was good If in iudgement he hath sworne false or beeing asked by order of law he hath not aunswered agreablely to the intentioÌ„ of the Iudge or hath counsailed others for to doe the like In which case not only he sinneth Mortally but if thereof folowed any harme of his neighbour he is bound to Restitution If hee haue had a custome of swearing ofte without consideration or care to knowe whether it were true or false If he haue made a vow of doing any good thing hath not cared to performe it or hath deferred ouermuch the execution thereof If he haue made any vowe with a minde of not fulfilling it If he haue made a vowe of not doing any good thing or of doing any euell thing or of doing any good thing for an euell ende Of the third Commaundement of Sanctifying the Holy-Dayes Chap. 12. IF he haue not obserued the holy daies but either done himselfe or commaunded others to do such woorkes as are prohibited by the CHVRCH or consented vnto those which doe the like If he haue omitted to heare a whole MASSE vpon the holy-daies commaunded without lawfull cause or hath beene cause that others did leaue the same If being present at MASSE vpon any holy-day commaunded he hath beene for any notable time voluntarily distracted by talking laughing or busying himselfe in impertinent thinges If hee haue not procured that those which bee vnder his charge doe heare MASSE vpon the holy-daies If he haue not gone to Confession at the least once a YEARE or haue not procured that others of his charge haue donne the same If hee haue gone to Confession without necessary examination of conscience or without purpose of leauing any sinne or for shamefastnesse or other humane respect hath concealed any sinne which is a most grieuous Sacriledge If euery yeare at EASTER hee hath Receiued and that with conuenient disposition If with a conscience or doubt of Mortall sinne he hath Receiued or Ministred anye Sacrament of the Church If hee haue fasted the LENT VIGILS EMBER daies beeing bound thereunto and if on such dayes hee hath eaten prohibited meates or hath beene cause of others doing the same If for Gluttony he woulde not haue regarded to doe against anye coÌ„maundement or if he haue eaten or druncke ouer largely with notable detriment of his health or if voluntarily he hath ben dronck If he haue violated the Church with any carnall sinne or with sheding of blood If he haue incurred any excommunication or whilest he was excommunicate haue receaued any Sacrament or bene present at the holy offices of the Church or if he hath conuersed with excommunicate persons or such as were suspected of Heresy If he haue done any iniury or irreuerence vnto Images Relickes or other sacred thinges If being bound to say his office he haue omitted it wholly or any part therof or in the saying of it bene voluntarily distracted If for slouth or negligence he hath lefte vndone any good worke vnto which he was bound Of the fourth Commaundement of honouring Parentes Chap. 13. IF he haue borne litle reuerence to his FATHER MOTHER despising them or offending them with Deedes or iniurious Wordes If he haue cursed his father or his mother or detracted their good name or dishonoured theÌ„ in their absence If hee haue not obeied his Parents or Superiours in iust matters such as might result to notable detriment of the family or of their owne soule If when his Parents haue beene in necessity he hath not succoured them if it were in his power If deliberately hee haue desired their death that he might haue the inheritance c. If he haue not fufilled their Testamentes and Last-Willes after their death If he haue loued his Parentes in such sort that for their loue hee hath not cared to offend God If he haue not obserued the iust Lawes Decres of his sâ—periours If he haue detracted or spoken euill of Superiours Ecclesiasticall or Seculer of RELIGIOVS persons Priestes Teachers c. If hee haue not succoured the Poore if he could especially in extreame or grieuous necessity or if he haue beene sterne or cruell vnto them intreating them sharply with wordes or deedes If those which be FATHERS MOTHERS haue cursed or wished euill vnto their Children Also if they haue brought them vp as they shoulde teaching them their praiers Christian Doctrine and reprehending them and correcting them especially in matter of sinne and occupying them in some honest exercise to the ende they be not idle take some euell course That which is said of Children is vnderstoode also of Seruauntes and other of the Family of whom care is to be had that they knowe thinges which be necessary obserue the COMMAVNDEMENTS of God and of the Church Of the fifth Commaundement Thou shalt not kill Chap. 14. IF hee haue carried hatred towardes any person desiring to be reuenged and howe long hee hath staied therein If hee haue desired any mannes death or other great euell domage as well in his bodye as in good name honor temporall and spirituall goods If he haue been angry with any person with mind to doe him any harme or to be reuenged of him If contending with others or in other sort he hath striken wounded or killed or commaunded or consented vnto others to doe the same or beeing donne by others approued it or giuen aide counsaile or fauour thereunto If hauing offended others hee hath refused to demaunde pardon or reconciliation or haue not sufficiently satisfied for the offence If he haue refused to pardon or to remitte iniuries to those which haue offended him If for hatred hee haue omitted for to speake vnto or to salute others although without hatred yet with scandal of our Neigâ—bor If in aduersities and misfortunes he haue desired death or with fury and anger hath stroken and cursed himselfe or mentioned the diuell If he haue cursed others either aliue or dead with what inteÌ„tioÌ„ If he haue sowed discorde or caused enmity betweene others what harme hath ensued thereof If for hatred or enuye he hath beene immoderately sorye for the good and prosperity
of others as well Temporal as Spiritual or hath reioiced at any harme or notable damage of others If for anger he hath offended others with iniurious and contumelious wordes If he haue flattered others praising them of any sinful thing If with his euell example or counsaile or with praising that which was euell or reprehending that which was good he hath bin cause that any man lefte any good worke which he had begunne or if he haue induced him to any sinne or to perseuerance therein If he haue omitted for to correct and admonishe any person of any sinne when he coulde probablely hoped thereby the others amendment If he haue giuen receipt vnto out-lawes and murderers or with his counsaile and fauour or otherwaies assisted them If hee haue spoken euell of his Neighbor manifesting any secreat fault of his for to discredit him or cause him other harme If he haue stroken iniuriously any ECCLESIASTICALL or RELIGIOVS person wherein also there is Excommunication Of the sixt ninth CoÌ„mandement Thou shalt not commit Adultery Thou shalt not desire thy Neighbours Wife Chap. 15. IF hee haue had dishonest vncleane thoughtes voluntarily hath staied and delighted therein If with deliberate mind he haue desired to sinne with any Man or Woman which sin is of the same kinde of which the worke it selfe woulde be If with a libidinous entent hee hath behelde Woemen or other persons If he haue spoken lasciuious dishonest wordes with intention to sinne or to prouoke others vnto sinne and if he haue hearde willinglye and with sensuall delight such speeches If he haue actually sinned with any Woman and of what quality that is whether a Virgin or Married or of Kindred or Affinity If he haue with any person sinned against nature If he haue sinned with persons dedicated to GOD either by holy Orders or by Vowe and if he him selfe had holy Orders or Vowe of Chastitie If he haue touched vncleanelye brâ—te beastes If he haue sinned by himselfe with any vncleaunesse and whether at that time he thought of any other person desiring the same for in that case there be two grieuous Mortall sinnes If he haue touched vnchastely himselfe or others or permitted the same If with desire of sinne he hath sent messages letters or presents or hath beene a meane to induce others vnto sinne or hath giuen counsaile or aide thereunto If he haue gonne to any place or passed therby with euil intention for to see Woemen to be delighted in theÌ„ where he must tel of the daungers of sinne to the which he hath exposed himself of the occasioÌ„s which he hath not auoided If he haue had pollution either in sleepe or being a-wake whereunto hee hath giuen any cause or afterwardes voluntarily taken delight and complacence therein If he haue borne carnall loue to any person pursuing the same with desire of sinne and how long time he hath perseuered therein and if by his occasion such person haue beene noted with any infamy also diuers actes and sinnes which happen between persons which beare such loue one to another Those which are Married must examine themselues in particular if in their minde thinking of other Woemen or with their intention not making their ende the begetting of Children but onely carnall delighte or with extraordinarye touchings and meanes they haue committed any sinne against the end and honesty of MARRIAGE If he haue read Bokes or Histories which were lasciuious or dishonest with sensual and carnal delight or with daunger thereof Of the seauenth and tenth Commaundement Thou shalt not steale Thou shalt not desire thy Neighbours goods Chap. 16. IF he haue takeÌ„ any thing which belonged vnto others by deceipt or violence expressing the quantity of the Thefte â—nd in particular if he haue taken any sacred thing or out of any sacred place If he holde anye thing of anothers without the consent of the owner doth not restore it presently if he be able If for not paiment of his debtes when hee is able his creditours haue sustained any damage If finding any thing he hath taken the same with mind to keepe it for himselfe the like of those thinges which happen to come to his handes which knowing that they belong to others he hath not restored to whom he ought If in buying or selling he hath vsed anie deceipte either in the ware or in the price or in the measure or in the waight If he haue bought of those persons which coulde not sell as are Slaues or Children vnder age If he haue bought things that he knewe or doubted to haue beene stolen or wittingly hath eaten of any such thinges If only in respect of selling vpon trust he hath solde for more than the iust price or hath bought for lesse than the iust price in respecte of paiment made before hande If he haue had a determinate will to take or to retaine any thing of other mens if he could Or also if he haue had a deliberate minde to gaine encrease his wealth as men vse to saye by right or by wronge If he haue committed any sorte of Vsury or made any vsurarious contracte or entered into any vniust trafficke or partnershippe of merchandise If hauing wages or pay for any Worke or Office he hath not donne it well and faithfully If he haue defrauded seruaunts or worke-folkes of their hire or deferred their paiment to their hinderance If he haue moued anysute in law against iustice or if in iust sutes he hath vsed any fraude or deceipte that he might preuaile If he haue plaied at prohibited games or if in gaming hee haue vsed wonne by deceipt or hath plaied with persons which cannot alienate as are Children vnder age and sucâ—â—-like If he haue defrauded anye iust impost or tolles If he haue committed anye Symony in what sort soeuer If he haue defrauded the Church of that which was due as are tithes and such like If by vnlawfull meanes euill information he haue gotten anie thing which was not due vnto him or hath vniustly hindered others from the obtaining of anye benefite or commoditie If he haue giueÌ„ any help or counsaile or in whatsoeuer other manner a-betted to such as haue taken other mens goods or being able bound thereunto hath not discouered or hindered any theft Of the eight Commaundement Thou shalt not beare false Witnesse Chap. 17. IF he haue borne any false witnesse in iudgement or out of iudgement or induced others to doe the like If he haue spoken any vntrueth with notable preiudice or hurte of his Neighbour If he haue detracted from the good name of others imposing falsely vpon them any sinne or exaggerating their defectes If he haue murmured in weighty matters against another mans life and conuersation especially of quallified persons as Prelates Religious Women of good name If he haue giuen eare willinglye vnto detractions and murmurings against others If he haue disclosed any grieuous and secret sin of others
often discouer the infirmities of their Conscience vnto their Spirituall Pâ—isition and of him receiue remedies and couâ—sailes according vnto which they gouerne themselâ—es doe more eaâ—lye conserue the health of grace more securelye attaine vnto euerlasting Saluation 11 The houre of Death being so vncertaine by reason of the sodaine and infinite chaunces which we see euery day doe happen vnto men with a more secure Conscience and with greater certainty of their Saluation doe such goe out of this life as are woonte often to be Confessed they beeing alwaies prepared for to die than those which hauing bin long time from Confession and found vnprouided by death either haue not time to make it or if they doe make it yet knowe not what it auaileth them such Confession being made with small preparation and often imes rather for necessity than for anye good desire Wherefore concerning this pointe doth Saint AVGVSTINE say Iâ— any man when he is in extremity of sicknesse shall demaund the Sacrament of Confession and shall receiue the same and so depart out of this world reconciled I confesse vnto you that we will not denye him that which he demaundeth yet doe we not presume that he departeth in good estate He which whilest he is in health is reconciled and doth Penance afterward continueth for to liue wel this man goeth secure out of this life But he which at the latter ende is reconciled and doth not Penance whether he depart from hence secure I my selfe am nothing secure yet do I not say that he shall be damned neither also doe I say that hee shall be saued This I knowe not I presume not I proâ—ise not 12 Finally all those great benefites pritiledges which as Saint BERNARD writeth Those persons doe enioy who forsaking the world do retire themselues vnto a Religious life are also communicated after a sort vnto those which in the worlde frequenting the Sacramentes doe leade a Spirituall life that is that a man in this estate also liueth more purelye falleth more rarely riseth more speedily walketh more warely is comforted more ordinarily reposeth more quietly dieth more confidently is purged more quickly is rewarded more aboundantly To this ende therefore for the comfort of those deuoute Soules which desire to conserue theÌ„selâ—es without spotte I â—aue made this briefe treatise in manner of a Spirituall Glasse in the which from time to time they beholding them selues maye more easilye deserve their defectes although neuer so small that they may afterward by Confession take them away and amende them where as the Spirituall persons which attend vnto puritye of life and aspire vnto Christian perfection ought with all diligence to keepe themselues not only from Mortall sinnes from the which nowe by Gods Grace they are wonte to abstain but also from Vâ—niall sinnes And withall to be be very carefull to bridle their passions to reforme their affections and finally to remoue as much as they maye out of their Soules all manner of imperfection Those therfore which are wont often to be Confessâ—d ought especâ—ally in foure thinges to vse great diligence First in the examiâ—ing of their Conscience Secondly insorrowe for their sins Thirdly in the acte it selfe of Confession Fourthly in the purpose and meanes of their amendment Of the examining of Conseâ—ence Chap. 2. CONCERNING the first that is the examination of Conscience it helpeth very much for Spiritual prosit that euery Eucning before going to rest a man collect himselfe a litle do foure things First that he giue thankes vnto our Lord for the benefites receiued particularly of that day Secondly that he Pray for grace and light to knowe his errors faultes Thirdlye that he examine his Conscience running ouer all the actions of that day whether he haue with Thought Worde or Decede offâ—nded GOD or his Neighbour Finally if he finde himselfe in anye thing culpable that hee procure with repentance and with a firme purpose of amendment and Confession to returne into Grace with his diuine Maiesty Besides this also when a man is to go to Confession let him take a litle time more or lesse according to the time since he was last confessed and with greater diligence running ouer this examination following let him gather all his defects sinnes which he hath committed in all that time Whereunto will be no small helpe for those which haue no greatmemorye to note euery day in the examination which they make at night such faultes as they shall finde to the end that when they are to goe to Confession they maye the better remember themselues by lokeing vpon them somewhat before make their Confession with more peace The manner of Examination of Conscience Chap. 3. FIRST let him examine himselfe about his last Confession if he omited to Confesse any sinne for forgetfulnesse or malice If he haue donne his Penance and performed the counsailes and remedies prescribed him by his Confessour Towardes God And first by Thought Chap 4. IF hee haue had anye doubte or curiosity in matters of FAITH or hath giuen credite to Dreames South-fayings or other Superstitions If he haue had that memorye of God which he ought particularly in the MORNING when he riseth and the EVINING when he goeth to rest asking pardon of his sinnes and commending himselfe with some PRAIER to his Maiesly If in his trot bles and necessities he hath had confidence in GOD and yeelded him thankes for the benefites receiued By Wordes Chap. 5. THOSE that are bound to rehearse their Office or other Praiers if they haue said them with due deuotion and attention If he haue named vainlye the name of God or complained of him and of his prouidence when he was in aduersity and if he haue spoken with small reuerence of Saintes and of Sacred thinges If he haue sworne without reuerence or trueth or necessitye and what intention he hath had in swearing If in anye accident concerning the honor of God he haue omitted for any humane respecte to say and speake that which was agreeable to his glorye especiallye at such time as he coulde and was bound to doe it If hee haue made any VOVVE which he hath not obserued By Deedes Chap. 6 IF on the Holy-daies he hath attended with particular care vnto Deuotion and to the honour of God and particularlye if he haue heard MASSE and procured that such as are vnder his charge haue also heard the same If vpon the Holy-daies commaunded he hath labored or caused others for to labour or to doe any forbidden worke If he haue kept the VIGILS obserued duely the FASTES of the CHVRCH If in respecte of his health or of any other thing he hath vsed anye superstition Towardes his Neighbour And first by Thought Chap. 7 IF he haue beene ready to thinke euill of others and if in matters of importance he haue made any rashe iudgement If he haue borne hatred or rancour towardes any If hee haue desired death or other harme