and inlarge thy Sion and thy Ierusalem euen after my death build vp the wals of it repaire the decaies of thy Church and confound Antichrist and the vpon me yet notwithstanding I herein acknowledge thy infinite goodnesse and compassion in Christ that thou haste in slicted them vpon me not as plagues and curses as they are in their owne nature to the vnbeléeuing and vnrepentant but as fatherly corrections and chastisments messengers of death and immortallitie and meanes to prepare me for and conuay mee to thy kingdome For hereby thou my most deare Father intendest and workest mine amendment makest triall of my faith hope patience and thankefulnesse preuentest sinne to come and stirrest vp in me a desire and longing expectation of euerlasting rest happines UUherfore I most humbly beseech thée to pardon and remoue my sin the cause thereof perfit my repentance for the same increase my faith and hope graunt me strength and patience with comfort to indure this thy visitation sanctifie it vnto me and conuert it to my saluation in the end Restore me if it be thy good pleasure in thy good time to my former and perfect health that I may performe vnto Turke and the rest of the obstinate enemies of it Uouchsafe to bee a father vnto my wife children and family supply their waÌ„ts whether spiritual or boddily plant thy feare in their hearts and make them constant in all duties of holynes righteousnes that they may liue and die in thy fauor and at length be made partakers of eternall ioy and glory Giue O my heauenly father a blessed assent to these my petitions and graunt me all other thinge which thy wisdome séeeth good for me for thy sonne Iesus Christ his sake mine onely Redéemer Mediator to whome with thy Maiesty God the holy Ghost bée giuen al honour praise and glory now and for euermore Amen A thansgiuing to be vsed of a sicke man if he recouer I Yéeld render and ascribe vnto thée O Lord my God al honor praise thanks and glory for all thine infinite vnmeasurable vndeserued mercies in Christ whether they concern my body or soule this life or a better and in particular for his present benefit of redéeming my soule from death and my body from the graue that I should yet liue the longer in the land of the liuing to set forth thy glory to do more good in my calling and standing and the more perfectly to prepare my selfe for my latter end and for thy kingdome O Lord my God this is thy work it procéedeth only from thy grace and mercy and not from any goodnes or merit of mine But séeing thy might and mercy so meruailously appeareth in my recouery and I of my self am more ready to forget theÌ„ remember and to grow remisse carelesse for the time to come then to serue thée in godly feare and grow vp in grace sanctification I beséech thée to write the memory of this thy mercy in my heart w t the Diamond of thy spirit graunt me grace y t denying mine own wit wil sence I may follow y e direction of thine holy word and submit my selfe to the blessed gouernment of thy spirit Make mee a willing and happy instrument of further good in my vocation and trade of life and grant déere father that as I growe in yeares so I may grow and increase in grace and obedience that I may liue in thy feare and fauour and die in peace and then see thy glorious face and inioy the immediate and most blessed fellowship of Christ my sweet Sauiour and of all thy Saints and Angels for euermore Uouchsafe me louing and gratious father these mercies and al other things néedfull for me for the merits obedience and mediation of thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ to whom with thée and the holy Ghost thrée persons one al sufficient God bee praise in the Church throughout all generations for euer Amen Amos. 3. 6. Ioh. 5. 14. 2. Sam. 12. Psal. 16. 7. Iob. 13. 26 Lam 3 41. Psal. 30. v. 6. Deut. 8. 2. 13. 3. Cant. 5. 5. 6 Hos. 5. 15. Rom. 8. â—…say 8. 20. 〈◊〉 33. 15 Act. 4. 12 Isay 43. ve 25. Ier. 31. 34 〈◊〉 Sam. 12 12. 13. Psal. 51 ve 3 and 4. Dan. 9 6 Luk. 18 13 Iob. 19. 25 1 Ioh. 1. 〈◊〉 Psal. 119. 59 Iam. 1. 23. Isay. 8. 20 Rom. 3 ver 23. Gen. 6 〈◊〉 5 Eph. 2 3 Iob. 33. ve 16. 17 18. 2 Chr. 21 17. Rom. 8. veâ—… 20 22. Iere. 5. v. 3. Lam. 3. ver 22. Psal. 130. 6. Rom. 5. ve 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 18 Gen. 7. 〈◊〉 c. Gen. 8. v. 1 Simile â—…sal 30. v. 7. 8. 9 1. Ioh. 〈◊〉 Iob. 13 1â—… Mat. 15 v. 23. ad 29. Gen. 7. 1 Mat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 28. Rom. 3. v. 3 Luk. 5 31. Vse Phil. 1 23 Gen 2 17 Heb. 9 27 Rom. 5 12 Rom. 5 1â—… Psa. 96 v. 〈◊〉 et 10 〈◊〉 1. Ioh. 3. 〈◊〉 Gen. 3. v. 6 Rom. 8. 1â—… 1 Tim. 2. 14. 1 Thes. 4 14. 1 Cor. 15. 51. Phil. 1. 23 Luk. 12. v. 40. Rom. 8. v. 29 Luk. 13. v. 3. 15. Rom. 6. 2 Luk. 12. 20. 21. Luk. 16. 23 2. Thess. 1. vers 9. Rom. 6. v. 23 Gal. 3. 10. A similitude Math. 26 v. â—…9 Luk. 2. ve 29. â—…om 8. v. â—…3 34. Math. 4. ve â—…4 et 7. Psal. 31. 15 Rom. 7. â—…4 Isay 57 ve 1. 2. 2 Kings 22. 20. Isa. 57 1. Math. 22. 32. Luâ—… 23. ve 1â—… 32 aâ—… 44. Luk. 23. 〈◊〉 40. 2. Tim. 2â—… 25. Luk. 13. 〈◊〉 24. Senec. lib. 3 Epist. 26. Iob. 42. 6. Ionah 4. 〈◊〉 4. 5. 1. Cor. 15. v. vlâ—… Hebr. 11. v. 9. 10. Iam. 1. 〈◊〉 Rom. 3. v. 〈◊〉 Rom. 7â—… v. 7. Hebr. 2. 1â—… Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 8. 13. Math. 7. 2â—… Luk. 13. vers 25. 〈◊〉 Câ—… 5. 〈◊〉 Luk. 5 19. Leu. 13. 45 46. Psa. 39. 1â—… 〈◊〉 2. 2. Cor. â—… Apoc. 12 Psa 6. 1. Luk. 16. 〈◊〉 5. 29. Ioh. 9. â—…in 20. 7 Act. 7. veâ—… 60. Math. 5. v. 25. Math. 10. Iosua 24. v. 14. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. 15. Act. 20. 28. Rom. 8. 17. Heb. 9. v. 16. Gen. 18. 19. 1 Sam 2. 30. Proâ—… 15. 16. Ioâ—… 4. 24. Rom. 8. ver 26. Psa. 31. 5. Gen. 12. 1â—… 1. 23. 1. 〈◊〉 18. 1. Cor. 4. 7. â—…hil 1. 23. â—…om 7. 〈◊〉 Cor. 5. â—…oc 14. 〈◊〉 Isay 38. 18.
It is sufficient in it selfe but not in respect of our corrupt disposition for wee are to fauourable and partiall in â—…udging our selues but especially in prosperity and therefore God doth must some-times by his rod of correction remooue the mist of errour from our eyes round vs in the eare bring our sinnes to our remâ—…mbrance Hoâ—…ea 5 ver 15. Q But why is man more punished with sicknesse and other afflictions then all other creatures besides A. Because all other creatures reteine for the most part the order wherin they were first created but only man is become degenerate rebellious and an heteroclite â—…o that man may iustly say of himselfe that which Dauid did when he had numbred the people it is I that haue sinned and committed euil but these creatures what haue they done Secondly the brute and dumbe creatures are in their kind more sensitius of the bondage and corruption that our sinnes haue brought vpon them and more in expectation and desire of deliuerance grone vnder them then we our selues are or doe For where are our grones teares sack-cloth ashes shame compunction of heart and repentance Q. What further helpes haue we to direct vs in this duty A. Not onely to pray vnto God to reueale our sinnes vnto vs and to marke the checkes of our consciences and the reuilings of our enemies as we haue before shewed but also to frequent those that be sicke and to behold Gods chasticements vpon others and especially lazars and vleerous persons that hereby we may take notice of the vglinesse of sinne and our owne deformitie in Gods sight that wee may the more pittie the distressed and be stirred vp to be more thankfull to God for his benefits receiued The second Section Q. When all these meanes and helps of confession haue béene vsed what further course is to be taken with the sick man A. He must by doctrine admonition and by laying open vnto him Gods iudgements be made to sée the guilt and desart of sinne the curse of the law the torment of an ill conscience the vnspeakable wrath of God and the fearefull and most accursed state of the damned Q. But is it not a most blessed state for a man to bee alwayes merry and frolike to follow his pleasures and to féele no sinne or paine of sinne at all A. No certainly for of all plagues it is the greatest to be pricked and not to féele it and to be smitten and not to bée humbled And therefore as he that goeth blind-folded to execution is not happy but most miserable so neither the senselesse and regenerate sinner is at Hell mouth and discerneth it not Secondly as those maladies and diseases especially which are certaine fore-runners of death at hand are most dangerous that are least felt so those sinnes whereof wée haue no touch remorse nor repentance are most to bée feared for they send men vnawares posting and packing to hell The third Chapter 1. The doctrine of faith 2. The infinite and vnmeasurable mercies of God Ques When the sicke person hath thus applied Gods law to himselfe arraigned himselfe before the barre of Gods iudgement and made a true confession of his sinnes and hath béene brought to true contrition what is in the second place required of him An. Hée must by a firme faith be persivaded of Gods gratious presence and euerlasting loue towards him that his sinnes are pardonable and that Christ hath by his sufferings fréed and deliuered vs from the power of satan slauery of sinne feare of death and condemnation and that he also hath by his actuall obedience imputed vnto vs and apprehended by faith purchased vnto vs and prepared for vs euerlasting glory and happinesse Obiect But how can the sicke-man be perswaded of Gods fauor and mercy séeing that his sinnes are so great and so innumerable Ans. Albeit his and our sinnes quoad nos in regard of our selues be heynous yea and vncountable yet compared with GODS endlesse and vnmeasurable mercies in Christ they are but few and finite For his mercies are infinite his compassions faile not and with him is pleâ—…teous redemption in so much as we may sée in Manasses the lost sonne Paul Mary Magdaâ—…ene and diuers others â—…here sin hath abounded grace hath a â—…ounded more Questi What further reasons haue you to euince and demonstrate the â—…nitenesse of Gods mercy Answ. First Gods purpose in giuing and sending his Sonne to cure and redéeme the world and in giuing his Apostles commission and commandement to preach repentance and forgiuenesse of sinnes to all nations can neuer his voide and fruâ—…rate Secondly the natiuitie life doctrine miracles obedience death resurrection and ascension and intercession of Christ yea and the sacraments of baptisme and the Lords supper which are onely inâ—…nded and effectuall for the calling conuersion and saluation of GODS elect can neuer want their scope and proper end Q. What conclude you hence A. Though one man had committed all the sinnes that be in the world the sinne onely committed against the holy Ghost whereof no man can possibly repent and which no elect can possibly commit being excepted hée must not despaire of Gods mercy but repent him of his sinnes from the bottome of his heart and turne to the Lord and then though they were as Crimson they shall be made as whitâ—… as Snowe and though they were redde like Scarlet they shall be as wooll Q. But not-with-standing all that hath béene said many doubts difficulties imperfections and transgressions so trouble my minde that I cannot bée perswaded of the infinite extent of Gods mercies A. Propound your doubts and scruples and I will doe my best endeuour to remooue them The Sick-man I feare that the world being so wicked and men generally so vngodly prophane and irreligious that I shall fare the worse for their sake Minister Thou hast no cause to feare for the impenitencie of the whole world could not preiudice the saluation of Noah and his family nor the horrible sinnes of the Sodomites depriue Lot of Gods fauour and protection Secondly the godly are to answer for their owne sinnes onely which are all pardoned in Christ and they liue by their owne faith Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 1. 17. Thirdly as hâ—…e that wilfully closeth his eyes that hée may not behold the sunne-light cannot depriue him of the light of the sunne who openeth his eyes so another mans vnworthinesse and wilfulnesse cannot hinder thée if thou be prepared by the spirit of God from beholding and enioying Gods bottomlesse mercies 2. Obiection But I finde and féele in my selfe many wants errours imperfections yeâ—… and grose offenses Minister A. Déere brother be not discouraged thou hast more cause of triumph then of terrour For first thou committest not that shine namely of desperate malice against God and the knowne principles of Christian faith vnto death Secondly thou féelest yea and art grieued for thy sinne which is
no worke of nature but of grace regeneration Thirdly the séed and roote of grace in Gods elect is neuer wholy taken away for Gods gifts are without repentance and Christs intâ—…rcession for their encrease and preseruation in grace is alwayes effectuall Ioh. 11. v. 42. The Sick-man But my faith is often-times dead and without all life and motion how 〈◊〉 can I be assured of Gods mercy The Minister Thy faith is not extinct but only for the time ouer-clowded with the mist of sinne and couered vnder the ashes of infirmitie it is like to a trée which in 〈◊〉 winter season albeit it bring foorth neither 〈◊〉 flowre nor fruite yet it hath life and sâ—…ppe at the roote which 〈◊〉 the spring time will ascend vp and appeare Secondly God respecteth rather the qualitie of faith then the quantitie if it be a true faith though as little as a graine of Mustard séede God accepteth of it for one drop and dramme of faith is of mâ—…e force to saue then an Ocean sea of sinne and corruption to condemne Thirdly and lastly faith without present ioy and feeling is more forcible and preuailing then faith with it for it onely relyeth vpon Gods power truth and promises yea when God sheweth himselfe an enemie to vs and séemeth to kill vs we by it beléeue in God and by faith waite on him whereas it is an easie matter for a man in the apprehension of sensible comfort and ioy to beléeue The fourth obiection The sick-man But the fearfull iudgments of God such as of late years haue bin that most infâ—…tious and destroying pestilence the horrible and vn-matchable Gunne-powder treason the vnheard of breach of the sea and inundation of waters the late extreame and killing frost this present pinching and vnexpected dearth vnseasonable wether and many other publike and priuate iudgements vpon Church and common-wealth which I sée and heare of doe much dismay mée and cause me to doubt of Gods mercy Minister A. True it is that these and diuerse other punishments haue béene executed vpon vs for the neglect yea contempt of the blessed word of God and the powerfull ministerie of it for our want of zeale against the enimies of the truth for prophanation of the Sabboth for oppression of the poore for blasphemie for hypocrisie and for licentious liuing c. But notwithstanding if there be but one good man in a generation hée shall not for the multitude of transgressors be depriued of Gods mercies but finde comfort in the greatest plagues and punishments whatsoeuer Secondly though being once by faith ingrafted and incorporated into Christ yea and maried vnto Christ the author and fountaine of life and happinesse thou canst neuer miscarry nor perish For euen as the Disciples in the ship when a mighty storme for their triall and demonstration of Christs power was raised vp could not possibly perish the Lord of glory being there present in the ship so hauing Christ the Lord of glory dwelling in thine heart by his spirit how canst thou do amisse or why should thou doubt of Gods mercifull prouidence who ordereth all things for thy good The fift Obiection The sick man But my great vnworthinesse and vnthankfulnesse maketh me to suspect and feare that God will not performe that hée hath promised nor finish the good worke that he hath begun in me Minister A. This is indéed a gréeuous temptation yea the sorest of all others but this cannot hinder God from performing his promises For as the making of his couenant of grace with vs and the offer of his sauing promises vnto vs procéeded onely from his frée goodnesse and méere mercie without any respect to our workes or worthinesse so the accomplishing of his promises is to be onely ascribed to the same grace and goodnesse Thirdly as hath before bin particularized not the greatest â—…rmers and offenders in the old and new Testament haue euer by reason of their owne vnworthinesse bin denyed or depriued of Gods mercies but vpon confession of their sinnes desire of pardon and the purpose and beginning of amendment of life were pardoned and receiued into Gods euerlasting fauour Q. Is it necessarily then required of vs that we confesse and acknowledge our owne vnworthinesse A. Yes without question for hereby we are made capable of Gods mercies and blessings God doth depresse the proud and exalt the humble he filleth the hungry soule with goodnesse but the rich in their owne conceit onely hée sendeth away emptie Luke 1. 52. 15. and Christ was sent not to call the righteous in their owne opinion but sinners in their owne sense and confession to repentance Q. Séeing that God doth not simply forsake or cast off any for his vnworthinesse what vse make you of this point A. We must learne hence neuer to call Gods mercy truth and goodnesse into question but we must make it the foundation of our confidence and hope for it is vnchangeable infinite and euerlasting and thus dooing we shall haue no cause to feare euill but to looke to finde all good things in Christ our treasure husband and head The fourth Chapter Of Death and the cause of it Question VVHen the sick person is once perswaded of the pardon of his sinnes for the time past and present what further duty remaineth to be performed A. He is to be prepared and armed against the feare of death the assaults of Satan and the â—…errour of the last iudgement 〈◊〉 Q. Now that hée may bée prepared and armed against death what points are to be considered A. Seauen points specially I. what death is II. The certainty of it III. The causes and kindes of it IV. The exceptions that are taken against it V. The benefits of it VI. The preparation and furniture against it And VII what disposition and behauiour is required in death it selfe Of these in order Chapter the fift Of death his causes and kindes Question VVHat is death A. It is the taking away of life or the dissolution and separation of the soule from the body ordeined of God and for the punishment of sinne imposed vpon Adam and all his posteritie Rom. 6. 23. 1. Cor. 15. 21. Col. 2. 13. Q Doth God yet impose death as a punishment A. Yes for euery man sinneth and the very infante is not without originall corruption and therefore all must of necessity no persons order or degrée excepted at length die the temporall death Eccle. 3. ve 3. Psal. 49. v. 10. Heb 9. 27. Q. What is the procuring and deseruing cause of death Ans. Sinne whereby man brake Gods commandement Q. How was sinne first brought into the world A. Satan in the forme of a serpent perswaded Eue to eate of the forbidden aple Eue assenting to satan did eate of it and gaue it to Adam who harkned to her and thus they both of them sinned and brought death vpon themselues and all their posterity Q Why then were not Adam and
our faith and repentance what particular duties must we performe An. Three especially first wee must make a new examination of our hearts and liues Lam. 3. 40. Psa. 119. 11 Secondly when God sendeth new corrections wee must make new confessions of our particular sinnes Psa. 32. 10. Thirdly we must make new and earnest prayers to God for pardon of sinne and for reconciliation with GOD in Christ. Psa. 6. 4. 5 2. Chr. 34 12 13. Que. What vse is to bee made hereof Ans. First hereby are iusily taxed and checked those that spend the whole space of their life in the Church and that many yeares and at lenght when their best and most daies are spent begin to enquire what faith and repentance should be and how their soules should be sauâ—… as though it were so easie a matter to know and obtaine it Secondly we must in sicknesse especially practise and put in vre these duties of examination confession prayer and of renewing our faith and repentance other-wise qui minus est hodiâ—… eras minus aptus erit Que. But what if the sicke person is not able of him-selfe to renue his faith and repentance Ans. He must séeke for helpe and direction of his fellow members who must like them that bare the man sicke of the palsie to Christ helpe and assist him by their counsaile aduice and prayers Que. What are the particulâ—…â—…uties that are herein to be performed Ans. They bee of two sorts according to their obiects for they concerne either the sicke them-selues or their helpâ—…rs Q. What is the duty that concerneth â—…e siâ—…ke man Ans. To send for helpers namely the elders and ancients of the Church who in Saint Iames time and after-wards were endewed with the gifts of healing and of miracles Q. Doth not this duty of comforting the sicke be long to the minister onely Obi. If a man sicke of the plague or pâ—…stilence send for his pastor is he bound in conscience to go to him in his owne person Ans. No except it may so be ordered that the Minister bee in no danger of infection Secondly the Pastor or Minister may and must not for the comfort of one particular person â—…ndanger his owne life and so bercaue the whole congregation of their guide and teacher more regard is to be had of the good of the whole then of one parâ—… of it Thirdly as the leprous person by reason of the contagion of the disease might not be resorted vnto so it fareth with him that is visited with the plague Fourthly if the pastor and preacheâ—… should in person visite euery man thus visited he must separate himselfe from his owne family and neglect them and his people and congregation would shun his company Lastly the visited persons friendes and kinsfolke are to supply this dutie Obiect But Isaias visited Ezechias who was thought verily to haue the pestilence ergo ministers must now do the like Answ. The argument followeth noâ—… For first Isaias had an expresse commandement from God so to do and therefore could not be infected Secondly hee might for ought any man can obiect to the contrary stand aloofe off in some conuenient place Obiect But the plague commeth now by Gods immediate hand as it did in Dauids time and therefore a man may bee as secure with infected persons and infected places as any where else An. The plague in these dayes as experience verifieth commeth not immediatly by the immediate striking of Gods elect Angell as in Dauids daies For then no man might auoid the infected and the reason is they that are hundred of myles off from any place of infection might be as soone tainted as any other which to affirme is most absurd and crosseth all experience Secondly none is now infected but he that is in company with the infected or receiueth their clothes or some thing about them Lastly albéeit the pestilence infecteth not euery man that is outwardly in dangers yet this proueth not that it is not in it owne nature contagious but that all persons were not capable of it and that God in his mercy preserueth some from infectâ—… whom it pleaseth him as is to bee séene in all other infectious places whatsoeuer Ques But why are the elders who are no Pastors and Ministers of the Word to visite the sicke An. First because they are fitted herevnto beeing indued with the gift of knowledge and prayer Secondly it is a dutie of charity and therefore not proper to any one man Thirdly and principally that they may hereby ease the Pastors or Ministers heauy and difficult burden and charge Q What vse is to bée made héereof An. It condemneth the silence and ignorance of most friendes and neighbours who either speake neuer a word or to small or no purpose beeing not able to instruct and comfort him and yet they promise to pray for him when GOD knoweth they cannot pray for themselues Ques When must the sicke send for the Elders to instruct and pray for him Ans. In the first place before any physicke medicine or restoratiue For where the diuine leaueth there must the physitian begin Qu. What vse is to be made of this point Answ. It reprooueth their madnesse and folly who neuer send for the Minister vntill he be halfe dead or lieth gasping as though the presence of the minister before that time were not necessarie or as though Ministers could worke mirackles The second section Qu. What is the second duetie of the sicke Ans. To confesse his sinnes those especially which disquiet and trouble the conscience either to the Minister or to any other Christian brother that is both able and willing to informe and comfort the sicke Iames 5. ver 16. Qu. Is this duety simply necessary to saluation Answ. No but only conueniently profitable Que. What is the duty of the helpers Answ. To pray ouer him that is with him and for him and in their prayers to commend his whole person and state to God 2. Kings Act. 32. Act. 20. 4. Q. Why must the visiters thus pray for the sicke A. The better hereby to stirre vp their affection in prayer and to declare their charity and compassion to the sicke person Q. What if those that visite the sicke person find him impatient and full of griefe and wrath what must they then doe A. They must beare with humaine infirmities for being them-selues quiet with God they must learne to bee quiet with men Secondly they must shew vnto them how all things fall out by Gods prouidence and exhort him to wait vpon God by faith vntill he either take away or diminish the paine or at least aâ—…e to his strength and patience Qu. What other duty besides the seeking of reconciliation oweth the sicke to God An. He must praise God for his former mercies and declare this thankefulnesse euen for crosses and corrections for the Lord according to the proportion of our thankefulnesse will shew mercy vpon vs more or lesse And thus much