me in thy Justice Psal 5.9 3. Whilst she kneels before the Altar let her Give thanks to God for the Blessings and Benefits he has bestow'd upon her and her Child Let her Offer her self and her little one to the Father of Mercies and let her Pray Devoutly with the Priest for a Continuation and a Holy Use of God's Gifts and Favours during Life that after Death she with her Child â—â—y come to Everlasting Bliss thro' the Merits of Christ and the Intercession of his Blessed Mother Lastly Whilst the Priest gives the Benediction saying The Peace and Blessing of Almighty God the Father Son and Holy Ghost descend upon thee and remain always let her Earnest Wishes go along with his Prayer and let her Seal them up with a hearty Amen CHAP. XIII Of Prayer You have not either because you ask not or because you ask amiss Ask therefore rightly and it shall be given you Jam. 4.2 3. Mat. 7.7 § I. Before Prayer Ecclus 18. Prepare thy Soul and be not as a Man that tempts God That is 1. Think seriously what you are going to do For You are about to treat with God concerning the only necessary Affair of your Salvation c. Dust and Ashes are about to Speak and Converse with the Lord of Heaven and Earth c. Gen. 18.27 2. Setting aside all other Business chuse such Time and Place as are most free from Noise and Disturbance and that may give you power without impediment to attend upon our Lord. 1 Cor. 7.35 3. Consider your self in the Presence of God who does not hear Sinners until they Repent Jo. 9.31 Deut. 30.1 c. * Ecclus 12.3 Therefore in case you are Guilty of Morral Sin endeavour to put your self in the State of Grace by an Act of Contrition saying My God I am confounded and ashamed to lift up my Face to thee because my Iniquities are multiplied and I have sinned grievously unto this Day Nevertheless in regard thy Mercy is such that in the time of Tribulation thou forgivest them that call upon thee to thee O Lord I turn my Face to thee I direct my Eyes And now Lord be mindful of me and take not Revenge of my Sins but let thy Mercy quickly prevent me Be merciful to my Sins for thy Names sake For not in my Justifications do I prostrate Prayers before thy Face but in thy many Commiserations Now therefore hear O God the Petition of thy Servant and his Prayers for thy own sake 1 Esdr 9. Tob. 3. Ps 78. Dan. 9. 4. Make your Intention to Honour God by Praying in Union of Spirit with the Prayers and Praises of the Church Militant and Triumphant for the general Good of Christ's whole Mystical Body and for some particular Benefit to your self e. g. the Overcoming of such a Vice the Obtaining of such a Vertue c. according to the Exigency of your Present Spititual Necessities James 1.5 c. 5. Cave the Divine Aid that you may Pray well and without Distractions purposing stedfastly by the Grace of God not to entertain any willingly and for that end say Open O Lord my Mouth to bless thy Holy Name Cleanse also my Heart from all Vain Perverse and Wandring Thoughts Enlighten my Understanding inflame my Affections and recollect my Senses that I may recite this Office or these Devotions Worthily Attentively and Devoutly and may deserve to be heard in Presence of thy Divine Majesty Amen Lord in Union of that Divine Intention with which thou on Earth didst Praise God I present these Hours or Prayers unto thee § II. In Prayer Attention Devotion and Reverence are Indispensibly requisite and I. Attention is a serious Application of Mind to the Sense of the Words so as to understand what you read and know what you ask And this is to Pray in Vnderstanding with the Apostle 1 Cor. 14.15 Now for Procuring and Securing of this Attention 1. You must pronounce your Words not hastily and in a hurry but leisurely and plainly so that your self may hear them distinctly but you must not be over-loud in Company lest you distract others 2. You must take Care to keep your Thoughts free from Worldly Business Vain Curiosities and Idle Fancies by recalling your Mind from Earth to Heaven as often and as soon as you perceive it wandring and straying abroad and by making a Pause now and then for Recollecting your self and Renewing your Attention to the Presence of God 3. Your Exterior Senses must likewise be diligently guarded that neither your Ears may hear nor your Eyes behold the Vanities to the Discomposure of your Mind Lastly All other Causes and Occasions of Distractions must be carefully avoided otherwise your Prayers will not please but provoke Heaven c. H. Devotion consists in exciting and producing Affections of the Heart suitable to the Senses of the Words you repeat Thus for Example in reading the Psalms which make up the major part of Church-Offices your Hearts must keep pace with your Mouths and your Affections must correspond to the Psalmist's Expressions By Fearing where he Fears by Loving where he Loves by Praising where he Praises by Sorrowing where he Sorrows by Petitioning where he Petitions by Humbling your selves where he Acknowledges his own Vileness by giving Thanks for Benefits bestowed on Christians Spiritually which he relates to have been conferr'd on the Israelites Corporally c. Thus teaches S. Augustine on Ps 30. Therefore after this manner let us lift up our Voices and Hands to our Lord in the Heavens (a) Lam. 3.41 and Pour ye out your Hearts before him (b) Psal 61.9 that so you may Pray in Spirit with S. Paul (c) 1 Cor. 14.15 and not incurr the Displeasure of Heaven with those Insincere Devotes whom God Almighty Reproves saying This People approaches with their Mouth and with their Lips glorifies me but their Heart is far from me Isa 29.13 III. Reverence consists in such Dress Posture and Comportment of Body as may most promote Attention and Devotion and may qualifie you best for testifying an Humble Subjection to and Dependance on the Majesty of God Like that of the Publican who standing afar off would not so much as lift his Eyes toward Heaven but knocked his Breast saying God be merciful to me a Sinner (d) Luk. 18.13 For the Prayer of him that Humbles himself thus shall pierce the Clouds (e) Ecclus 35.19 See Ps 101.18 But all such Exterior Carriage and Actions must be utterly forborn as diminish rather than encrease Attention as savour more of Humour than Devotion and as are Inconsistent with that Reverence which is required at Prayer § III. After Prayer The End crowns the Work of Prayer the Fruit and Merit whereof depends much on its Beginning more on its Progress and most on its End And therefore better is the end of Prayer than the beginning Eccles 7.9 Hence to conclude your Devotions well 1. Examine briefly how you have
Bed-rid Man after his Cure whom when Jesus found in the Temple he said to him Behold thou art made Whole Sin no more lest some worse thing chance to thee Jo. 5.14 CHAP. XIX Of Assisting Dying Persons Comfort him that lies a Dying in the Departure of his Spirit Ecclus 38.24 HE loves at all times that is a Friend and a Brother is proved in distresses Prov. 17.17 But no time is of greater Consequence than the Hour of Death and the Entrance into Eternity nor any Distress comparable to our last Agony Therefore he is our best Friend and kindest Brother who assists us most in those our greatest Extremities Now the best Service you can do an Agonizing Person is as follows § I. Admonish him to Pronounce often with a Contrite Heart the most Holy Name Jesus and Help him whilst he is able to make Acts of Faith Hope Charity and other Vertues after this manner I Believe firmly all the Articles of Faith which the Holy-Catholick-Apostolick and Roman Church Believes and Teaches I Hope that Christ our Lord for his Immense Goodness will be merciful to me and that I shall obtain Life Everlasting thro' the Merits of his most Holy Passion I Love God with my whole Heart and I desire above all things to Love him as the Angels and Saints in Heaven do Love him I am Sorry from my Heart for the Love of God that I ever Offended him or my Neighbour in any kind I Pardon from my Heart for the Love of God all my Enemies and those that have any way Molested me I Crave Pardon of all those I have at any time Offended either in Word or Deed. I Accept with Patience the Pain I Endure and the Anguish of my Sickness for God's sake in Punishment and Expiation of my Sins I Resign my self freely to the Pangs of Death for the Love of him that Died upon the Cross to Save me from â—â—dless Misery I Resolve if God Restores my Health to avoid Sin hereafter and to keep his Commandments as much as in me lies And I would rather Die in the State I now am in than Live to Offend my God any more § II. Exhort him to Pray at least in Heart as often as he 's able after this manner Have Mercy on me O God according to thy great mercy Psal 50.1 In thee O Lord have I hoped let me not be Confounded for ever Psal 30.2 Into thy hands O Lord I commend my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth Psal 30.6 O God incline unto my Aid O Lord make haste to help me Psal 69.2 Be thou Lord God to me a protector Psal 30.3 God be Merciful to me a Sinner Luk. 18.13 Most Sweet Lord Jesus in Virtue of thy Passion receive me into the Number of thy Elect. Lord Jesus Christ receive my Spirit Acts 7.59 Mary Mother of Grace Mother of Mercy protect us from the Enemy and at the Hour of Death receive us Angel-Guardian Assist me All ye Holy Angels and Saints Intercede for me and Succour me These and such like Prayers you may suggest to a Dying Person according to his Capacity § III. During his Agony sprinkle him with Holy Water offer him the Crucifix to Kiss by Efficacious words put him in hopes of Eternal Life and place the Crucifix before him that in beholding it he may conceive hopes of his Salvation thro' him who Died upon the Cross Admonish the Domesticks and By-standers to join with you in Prayer for the Dying Party and then on your Knees read Devoutly the Recommendation of a Soul departting as in the Manual But when the Soul is at the point of leaving the Body then all present must Pray most earnestly for its happy Departure and one of the Assistants applying his Mouth towards the Ear of the Person Dying must pronounce in a Hain and Comfortable Tone Jesu Jesu Jesu and as often as it shall seem fitting he may repeat that Sacred Name as also the following Sentences Into thy Hands O Lord I commend my Spirit Lord Jesus Christ receive my Spirit c. as before 4. As soon as the Soul is gone out of the Body Pray thus Succour speedily O ye Saints of God hasten O ye Angels of our Lord receive this Soul and offer it in Presence of the Highest May Jesus Christ who has call'd thee receive thee and may his Angels carry thee into Abraham's Bosom Eternal Rest give her O Lord and let perpetual Light shine unto her Lord have Mercy on us Christ have c. Lord have c. Our Father c. Vers And lead us not c. Resp But deliver us c. V. From the Gate of Hell R. O Lord deliver this Soul V. Let her rest in Peace R. Amen V. O Lord hear my Prayer R. And let my Cry come to thee We recommend to thee O Lord the Soul of thy Servant N. that being Dead to the World he or she may live to thee and the Sins he or she has committed thro' Frailty of Human Conversation do thou mercifully Pardon and Wipe away Thro' Christ our Lord. Amen In the Interim let thy Passing-Bell be rung according to the Custom of the Place that they who hear it may pray for the Soul newly departed Afterwards let the Corps be order'd handsomly and placed in a decent Room with Candle-Light and let a small Cross be set between the Hands join'd on the Breast of the Dead Body or for want of a Cross let its Hands be laid over one another in form of a Cross and let it be sprinkled with H. Water and whilst it remains in the House let all present pray for the Soul of the Party deceased CHAP. XX. Of Burying the Dead Blessed be you to our Lord who have shewn Mercy to your Lord Saul and have Buried him And now truly our Lord will render you Mercy c. 2 Kings 2.5 6. See Tob. 12.12 IN going to and assisting at Funerals there is offer'd you an Opportunity to exercise Three several Acts of Charity viz. Edifying of your self Comforting of the Sorrowful and Praying for the Dead And § I. As to Edifying of your self There is no better a Preservative against Sin than the Remembrance of Death and therefore 't is written In all thy Works remember thy last things and thou shalt not Sin Ecclus 7.40 Neither is there any livelier Memorial of Death than a Funeral Wherefore it is better to go to the House of Mourning than to the House of Banqueting for in that the end of all Men is signified and he that lives thinks what shall be Eccles 7.3 Hence at Funerals follow the Advice of Ecclesiasticus viz. Son upon the Dead shed Tears c. and according to Discretion cover his Body and neglect not his Burial Remember the last things and forget not Imagin the deceased Party says to thee Be mindful of my Judgment for thine also must be so To me Yesterday and to thee to Day Ecclus 38.16 c.
THE LAY-MAN's Ritual CONTAINING Practical Methods of Christian Duties both Religious and Moral Drawn out of H. Scripture the Roman Ritual the Catechism ad Parochos c. By C. T. Clergy-man For the Instruction of his FLOCK Let all things be done decently and according to order 1 Cor. 14.40 Printed in the Year 1698. THE PREFACE Christian Reader IN the following Work I have endeavour'd for many Reasons to crowd great store of Matter in a little room yet so as to render the Duties it Treats of as intelligible and familiar as possibly I could in few Words Nevertheless Obscurity is so essential to Brevity that I cannot expect but you 'll stand in need of an Interpreter in many places and therefore I remit you very frequently to other Books handling more largely what I deliver in short If you have them not by you then recur to your Spiritual Director for the Explication of what you do not understand By this means the Whole will be serviceable to you especially if you read it often and make it the Rule of your Religious and Moral Actions in order to please God in all you do This is the Noble End it aims at Towards obtaining whereof I wish it may prove useful to Many humbly desiring All that are benefitted by my poor Endeavours to say a Pater and an Ave for my Intention Farewel A TABLE Of the following Chapters and their Contents Ch. I. Of Baptism Ch. II. Of Confirmation Ch. III. Of Penance Ch. IV. Of Indulgences Ch. V. Of H. Communion Ch. VI. Of Communion of the Sick Ch. VII Of Receiving our Viaticum Ch. VIII Of How often the H. Eucharist is to be Receiv'd Ch. IX Of Extreme-Unction Ch. X. Of H. Orders Ch. XI Of Matrimony Ch. XII Of Of Churching Women after Child-Birth Ch. XIII Of Prayer Ch. XIV Of Hearing Mass Ch. XV. Of Hearing Sermons Ch. XVI Of Reading Pious Books Ch. XVII Of H. Processions Ch. XVIII Of Visiting the Sick Ch. XIX Of Assisting Dying Persons Ch. XX. Of Burying the Dead Ch. XXI Of Alms-giving Ch. XXII Of Fasting Ch. XXIII Of Holy-Day-Duties Ch. XXIV Of Working and Business Ch. XXV Of Eating and Drinking Ch. XXVI Of Discourse Ch. XXVII Of Recreation Ch. XXVIII Of Family-Duties Ch. XXIX Of A Morning-Exercise Ch. XXX Of An Evening-Exercise Ch. Of The Conclusion THE LAY-MAN's Ritual CHAP. I. Of Baptism Christ loved the Church and deliver'd himself for it that he might sanctifie it cleansing it with the Laver of Water in the Word c. Eph. 5.25 c. HOLY BAPTISM the Gate or Entrance of Christian Religion and of Life Everlasting holds the first Place amongst the Sacraments of the New Law instituted by Christ and it is necessary for the Salvation of all Mankind as Truth it self witnesses in these Words Nisi quis c. Vnless a Man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God * Jo. 3.5 Therefore extraordinary Diligence is to be used in the timely and due Administration and Receiving of this Sacrament And tho' the Solemn Administration of Baptism belongs to the Clergy nevertheless as often as an Infant or any other Person unbaptized is in danger of Death such an one may and ought to be baptized Privately by any Laick and in any Language whatever provided the Form and Intention of the Church be observ'd and kept But where Choice may be had one of the Faithful is to be preferr'd before an Infidel a Catholick before a Heretick any other Cath. before the Child's Father or Mother a Man before a Woman except the Child is to be baptized whilst the Mother is in Labor or unless the Woman knows the Form and Manner of Baptizing better than the Man c. Hence all the Faithful and especially Midwives ought to know how to Baptize aright Which is after this manner * ⎠* They must pour or sprinkle Natural Water upon some part of the Child and at the same time say Mat. 28.19 I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost And this they must do and say with an Intention to make the Infant a Christian and Member of Christ's Church Tho' the Church baptizes Infants and Idiots in the Faith of their Godfathers and Godmothers without their actual Knowledge and Concurrence nevertheless more is required of such as are come to the use of Reason not only Before but also In and After Baptism And §. I. Before Baptism 1. They must be well Instructed in the Faith and Law of Christ Mat. 28.19 Heb. 6.1 c. 2. They must Believe expresly what is taught them renouncing all former Infidelity Mar. 16.16 Act. 8.36 c. c. 16. v. 31. c. 3. They must have hearty Sorrow for their Sins with Purposes of Amendment Act. 2.37 38. c. 3. v. 19. 4. They must exercise themselves some Days before in Works of Piety And it is meet they should be Fasting when they are Baptized §. II. At Baptism Let them Consider how when Jesus was Baptized of John in Jordan the Heavens open'd to him and the Holy Ghost descended in Corporal Shape as a Dove and remain'd upon him And a Voice was made from Heaven saying Thou art my beloved Son in thee I am well pleased Mar. 1. Luk. 3. And hence let them gather the happy Effects of Baptism In vertue whereof 1. The Gates of Heaven shut against Sinners (a) Apoc. 21.27 are open'd to them 2. The H. Ghost descends upon them (b) Tit. 3.5 6. making them in Innocence like Doves (c) Mat. 10.16 3. They are made the Adopted Children of God and Heirs apparent to the Kingdom of Heaven (d) Tit. 3.7 §. III. After Baptism 1. Let them thankfully reflect upon the happy Change made in their Souls by means of Baptism and say We were by Nature the Children of Wrath as also the rest of Mankind But God who is rich in Mercy for his exceeding Charity wherewith he loved us even when we were dead by Sins quickned us together in Christ c. Eph. 2.3 c. 2. Thanks be to God the Father who has made us worthy unto a part of the Lot of the Saints or the Faithful in the Light who has deliver'd us from the Power of Darkness and has translated us into the Kingdom or Church of his beloved Son in whom we have Redemption the Remission of Sins This is the Change of the right Hand of the Highest Col. 1.12 c. Ps 76.11 3. The Night of Sin is past the Day of Grace is at hand let us therefore cast off the Works of Darkness and put on the Armor of Light As in the Day of Grace let us walk honestly not in Banquettings and Drunkenness not in Chamberings and Impudicities not in Contention and Emulation but put ye on our Lord Jesus Christ And according to him who has called you the Holy One that is according to Christ be you also in
Testament * Isa 38.1 and in Settling his Temporal Concerns advertise him 1. To Pay his Debts and Restore what belongs to others 2. To leave to his Heir what is his due 3. To bestow Alms on the Poor and especially on his Needy Relations 4. To give something that his Soul may be remembred at the Altar c. And that he may be sure of some Performance in this kind Admonish him to make his own Hands Executors in part according to the Advice of Ecclesiasticus saying Son if thou hast it do good to Thy Self and offer to God worthy Oblations Before Death do good to Thy Friend and according to thy Ability stretching out thy Hand give to the Poor Before thy Death work Justice Ecclus 14.11 c. And I adds Christ say unto you Make to your selves Friends of the Mammon of Iniquity i. e. of Riches the Idol of Worldlings that when you fail they may receive you into the Eternal Tabernacles Luk. 16.9 2. And to his Body Admonish him to Surrender it entirely unto the Care and Management of his Physician saying Honour the Physician for necessity for the Highest has Created him for all Medicine is of God c. The Highest has Created Medicines of the Earth and a Wise Man will not abhor them The Vertue of these things is come to the knowledge of Men and the Highest has given knowledge to Man for to be honour'd in his Marvellous things Curing with these things he shall mitigate Pain c. Give place to the Physician and let him not depart from thee because his Works are necessary And they that practice Physick shall beseech our Lord that he direct their Cure Ecclus 38. passimo But let Physicians beware of Advising or Applying any thing for the Cure of the Body that may be hurtful to the Soul And let them not make above Three Visits to the Sick unless they be first Certified that their Patients have duly Expiated their Sins by Sacramental Confession For so the Council of Lateran and many Popes have Decreed under great Penalties If the Sick Party be destitute of Corporal Necessaries and an Object of Charity do not neglect the Relieving of him out of your own Purse or Stores as far as you are able like the good Samaritan Luk. 10. And if that will not suffice then you must take Care to make his Wants known that they may be Supplied by Private or Publick Collections of Alms. 3. As to his Soul You must Advertise him that Sickness and Diseases are many times the punishment of Sin mercifully inflicted by Almighty God for the Reclaiming of Sinners This Holy Writ declares saying He that Sins in his sight that Made him shall fall into the Hands of the Physician Eccl. 38.15 He God rebukes also by Sorrow in the Bed c. that he may reclaim their Souls from Corruption c. Job 33.19.30 O how sweet is thy Spirit O Lord in all And therefore those that err by parts thou dost Chastise and dost Admonish and Speak to them concerning the things wherein they Sin That leaving naughtiness they may believe in thee and when nothing else will reclaim them it often happens that a grievous Infirmity makes a sober Soul Wisd 12.1 2. Ecclus 31.2 In which Case Sin being taken away by true Repentance Sickness also ceases and not otherwise as it appears in that King Ezechias when Sick even to Death by Prayers and Tears obtain'd of God Health and longer Life whereas King Asa fell Sick and Died of a most violent Pain in his Feet because in his Infirmity he did not seek our Lord but trusted in the Art of Physicians 4 K. 20.1 c. Isa 38.1 c. 2 Paral. 16.12 13. Hence address your self to your Sick Neighbour after this manner Son in thy Infirmity contemn not thy self but pray to our Lord and he will Cure thee Turn away from Sin and direct thy Hands and from all Offence cleanse thy Heart Ecclus 38.9 10. That is to say Repent for thy Sins Implore the Divine Mercy Place all thy Hope in God Endure patiently the Pains of thy Corporal Infirmity in Satisfaction for thy Sins look upon it as a Fatherly Visitation and Chassisement of God less than thy Sins deserve and believe it befals thee for the good of thy Soul and the Amendment of thy Life Judith 8.27 Job 33. from v. 19. to v. 31. Ps 102.10 13 c. But if his Sickness grows Dangerous you must Admonish him to procure in due time what farther Helps are requisite for the Salvation of his Soul and that with all fitting expedition he send for his Spiritual Director and impart to him in Confession his Sins Temptations and Fears in order to receive of him Absolution fit Remedies and Encouragement as also the Holy Sacraments of Eucharist and Extreme Unction whilst his Understanding Memory and Senses are perfect without those dangerous and deceitful Delays which thro' the Falacy of the Devil have brought and Daily do bring many to endless Misery If the Sick Person will not be perswaded to Confess his Sins do not presently give him over for lost but frequently as long as he lives be putting him in mind of the great Mercy of God inviting him to Penance and most ready to Pardon his Sins if he will Confess them and endeavour to make him sensible how thro' Impenitence he hazards his Salvation and exposes himself to Everlasting Torments See Rom. 2.4 c. Moreover both Private and Publick Supplications must be made to God for the Conversion and Salvation of a Soul at the Brink of Eternity and so miserably unprovided for it You must take Care that a Figure of Christ Crucified be ever placed in View of the Sick and that Holy Water do always stand beside him wherewith he may be often sprinkled you must likewise propose unto him according to his condition some short Prayers and godly Exercises of Mind especially some Verses of the Psalms set down in the next Chapter our Lord's Prayer the Angelical Salutation the Apostles Creed the Meditation of our Lord's Passion the Martyrdoms or Sufferings of the Saints the happy State of Heavenly Glory which will abundantly Recompence all his present Grievances Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 But these things must be seasonably and discreetly Suggested that they may not molest but give ease to the Sick § III. Tell your Sick Neighbour for his Comfort that you and the rest of the Company will Pray for him And accordingly having first desired that his Thoughts and Heart may go along with your Words kneel down and say the Prayers for the Sick as in the Manual c. Last of all Exhort him if he Recovers to go to Church the first Journey he takes and there to give God Thanks for his Recovery as also to receive Holy Communion Devoutly and thenceforward to lead a better Course of Life That being a Duty incumbent on every Christian after his Recovery no less than on the