THE SAFEGUARD OF THE SOUL.  
DECLARING SUNDRY SOVEREIGN salves tending to the comfort and salvation of the same: Very necessary to be learned and observed of all men, and at all times, but chiefly in the extremity of Sickness, and grievous pangs of DEATH.  
Composed by Laurence Banks, Preacher of the Word of God: and Parson of Staunton, in the County of Gloucester.  JOB 14. 14. All the days of mine appointed time will I wait, till my changing shall come. 
LONDON, Printed by G. P. for john Clarke, and are to be sold under S. Peter's Church in Cornhill. 1619.   

TO THE CHRISTIAN AND GENTLE REAder, and specially to my own Parishioners of Drowfeild and Staunton, of whom I have had Charge, and to whom I wish salvation and safety of soul in Christ jesus.  
GOod Christian Reader, I have led my life above forty years in two several places, to wit, in Drowfeild, in the County of Derby, of which Church I was Vicar fifteen years; and at this present in Staunton in the County of Gloucester, wherein I do now live, and have been resident these twenty and seven years. In the former place my Charge was great and wide, and being occasioned oftentimes (as duty required) to visit the Sick there, and in some other places near adjoining: whereof some were Lunatic, and troubled in their passions and extremities: Others, I found fearful of Death and Damnation, and therefore to have need of ghostly counsel and comfort in their molestations and perplexities: and finding not much matter of that Subject in the visitation of the Sick, contained in the Book of Common Prayer, to comfort and bridle their outrageous humours and maladies: I bethought myself, it were expedient for me to invent and devise, by God's assistance, some necessary help, both for mine own use, and for more full discharge of my duty in such cases. And therefore not daring to presume of myself, either to pray or persuade of the sudden in such fearful and lamentable accidents: I presently devised to my simple skill, to invent and dispose partly of myself, and partly by collection out of other Authors, such matter, and observe such method therein, as might be to the better performance of my duty towards God, the quieting of the afflicted soul, the comfort of my dear flock, and also some help to such of mine own Calling, as were at that time as ignorant as myself. And hereupon I took me to my pen and paper, and so did set down this plain and simple Treatise in writing, which for the most part thereof hath lain by me many years, serving only mine own turn in time of need, and as occasion was offered. And albeit I had thought never to have published or committed it to the Press in my life time; yet now being old, and not so well able to perform mine Office in the Pulpit, and otherwise, as I have been in times past, by reason that my sight and memory, with other powers of nature fail me; I thought good to avoid idleness, to review and present this small volume to you my foresaid flocks, and to offer you a little taste of my first fruits, and so to leave behind me in writing some pledge & taken of my love towards you, whereby you may the better remember me, when the mould hath covered my body, and the Maggots and Worms consumed my frail flesh. And if any others besides you shall be quickened and strengthened thereby in their greatest griefs, & last combats, I shall in heart be most glad, and think my pains the better bestowed: And therefore have been bold to offer this my mite to God & your charitable acceptation & allowance: Humbly craving pardon, if in any point I have given occasion of offence or mislike, in omitting any part of my duty therein, either towards God and yourselves, or in committing any offence unto others that are more learned & judicial them myself, who willingly acknowledge mine own want and infirmity in these my last and declining years: and therefore submit myself to the censure of those which are of riper wit, and profounder knowledge; for I speak not to them, but to the unlearned and simple sort like myself. Wherefore as I have plainly set it forth, only for the instruction and comforts of the ignorant and afflicted: So (I beseech thee gentle Reader) to permit it to pass with out thy curious carping, pardoning therein any fault or defect wherein I have failed, and friendly accepting my good meaning towards the afflicted Soul, and troubled Conscience, for whose sake I have published it to the view of the world, which I framed first only for the use of mine own flock: whose safeguard and salvation. I tender in my heart; & so commit them and the Reader to Christ jesus.  
Your Pastor in times past, and your well-willer ever even until death, L. B.   

THE SAFEGUARD OF THE SOUL:  
Declaring sundry sovereign salves, tending to the comfort and salvation of the same: very necessary to be regarded of all men, especially in the time of their Visitation and grievous pangs of Death.  

A Preparative for the Sick.  
BEfore I search the sinews of the soul's safety, or enter in to the Bowels of this Book; I have thought good in stead of a Preface, to set down a Preparative or premeditation to the mind of Man, to move him to be careful and vigilant for the safety of his soul, even then when he feeleth himself at rest, in health, & perfect remembrance, before the weight of Christ Cross be laid upon him, and before he be visited either in body or mind.  
First, it is meet for every man, be he never so big, and look he never so high, to persuade himself, that he hath two daily Servitors or Secretaries attending upon him, from which he can never be freed, during the date of his days, until his life be ended, and his doom take place.  
The one is without thee, and is named Death, the ender of thy life, and finisher of worldly care: This Servitor is always attending, behind thee at thy back, and followeth thee at the heels, even as the shadow doth follow the body.  
The other is within thee, and is called Conscience, the very key that openeth and unfoldeth the secrets of thy soul, and inwardly bewrayeth all thy thoughts, words, and works.  
These two are destinate to all men, and cannot be avoided.  
First, Death cannot be escaped, for he is always at thine elbow; yea, peradventure he is then nearest thee in thy bosom, hacking at thy heart, when thou thinkest least of him: for, in the midst of life, we be in death. We are no sooner borne, but, Mors est in limine, Death is at the threshold. And yet many one thinketh himself to be in health and safety, even then when he beareth Death in his heart, and hell in his Conscience.  
It is good therefore for every man to be in a readiness every moment, lest Death cite him on the sudden, and so he be taken tardy in his sins: For this Messenger hath not any respect either of person, people, or place: He regardeth no more the Prince's Palace, than the poor man's Cottage: a blunt Messenger, and therefore goeth bluntly and boldly to work with us; his condition is, come he early, come he late, he will give neither day, nor hour, but speedily and readily he will dispatch his errant, and serve such a Sub poena upon us, that he will have our personal appearance, before the eternal judge, without surety, bail, or mayne-prize.  
He will not be bribed of the Rich; he will not be entreated of the Poor; he weigheth not friendship; he careth not for rewards; he will pardon no person, be he never so mighty; he feareth no man's face, look he never so lofty; there is but a word and a blow with him; he killeth down right where he hitteth.  
Let us therefore keep ourselves continually in that estate wherein we desire to die: for although this Messenger come, and tell us not when he will fetch us, whether in our nonage, middle age, old age, or dotage; yet notwithstanding, our merciful and good God by divers means doth warn and summon us before, by other Messengers.  
God's summoners before Death, are four. 

First, his preachers exhort us.  
Secondly, his plagues do threaten us.  
Thirdly, old age admonisheth us.  
Fourthly, Sickness calleth us.    
Finally, death arresteth us, and taketh us with him. And then the earth whereof we are made, devoureth us, Maggots breed upon us, corruption rotteth us, and the Worms eat us. This is the life and end of all flesh good and bad. The body than putrifyeth and consumeth to dust: But the Spirit returneth to 
Eccl. 12. 7.  the Lord which gave it.  
Now when Death is about to do his office, which is, to separate the Soul and the Body of Man: Then our second Servitor or Secretary, although it have been mute all our life time, and as it were a clasped Book that is always shut and too seldom opened; yet towards our end, it speaketh, and crieth, yea it both barketh and biteth; for after death hath warned and summoned us by sharp taste of Sickness, to set our house in order, and to prepare ourselves to appear before the celestial judge: Then our Conscience (which is a continual beholder of all our thoughts, words and works) as a clear light or Lantern bewrayeth all our former life and conversation: it is the very Register of God, and book 〈◊〉 Record, which discloseth all our counsels, and revealeth the inward secrets of our hearts: for there is nothing hid, that 
Mar. 4. 22.  shall not be opened: neither is there a secret, but that it shall come to light. Can there be any thing hid from the Highest? Do nor his eyes pierce our hearts? Is not he the searcher of Secrets, and Discerner of spirits? Yes verily, he that will not now believe it, must one day both find it, and feel it.  
The thickest Trees in Paradise could not hide our first Parents Adam and Eve from the presence of God. They both appear at the first call, even naked as they were; their figleaves will not serve their turn; their vain excuses will do them no good; the more they go about to cloak their sin, the more lively it appeareth; yea, their own Conscience accuseth them, and causeth them to make confession of their fact, will they, nill they.  
We cannot then hide our sins, because which way soever we go, our conscience accompanieth us; it is our Porter, carrying with it whatsoever we have done, be it good or bad; it judgeth all our words and works, and pronounceth inward sentence of us all: it is a Worm always biting, and never dying: it is a fire always burning, and never quenching: for immediately after the committing of sin, the Conscience of the sinner is his Accuser, his Witness, his judge, and his Hangman.  
Therefore when thine own Conscience bewrayeth thee, and provoketh a feeling of sin: think then with thyself, God speaketh unto thee: for that inward feeling of thy sin, is as it were the peculiar and prerogative Court of God, whereby he exerciseth his jurisdiction: Beware therefore lest thou being guilty, dost harden thy heart; for that is all one, as to kick against God, and resist the motion of his holy Spirit, when we reject such cogitations as are provocations and summoners unto Repentance: when God therefore by his holy Spirit knocketh at the door of thine heart, and moveth any such motion, either to embrace this Virtue, or avoid that Vice, thou hadst best open unto him at first call, and let him in: for if he call thee now, thou canst not tell whether he will call again or no: and if he open thee the gate of his Grace to day, and will thee friendly to enter in, thou canst not tell whether ever he will open it again, or never. Thy contempt and unthankfulness may move him in his wrath to shut the door upon thee for ever: and then thou wilt repent, but all too late.  
Remember Christ's words: When the good man 
Luk. 13. 25  of the house is risen, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us, and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Depart from me, all 
27,  ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and jacob, and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out at doors.  
These are words of weight, and able to pierce a stony heart, most fearful to impenitent sinners, when they shall behold a far off with the rich surfeiting Glutton the happy estate of the godly in Heaven in Abraham's bosom, and themselves to be thrust out into utter darkness, and so to take their leave and last farewell of God, his Angels, and all the joys of Heaven for ever, never to meet again, nor once to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, or of his Saints: the deep consideration hereof, is able to shake the Conscience, to burst the heart of a sinner, and end his days, if any feeling of God's Spirit be in him.  
It is good therefore to have the testimony of a clear Conscience accompanying thee even to thy grave: that when thou shalt appear before Christ his Throne of just judgement, it may be a witness with thee of thy wealth, and not to thy woe; a defender of thy purity, and not an Accuser of thine iniquity: a justifier of thy Righteousness, and not a condemner of thy Wickedness.  
Pray to God betime, that it may be thy Helper, as it was to Paul, and not thy 
2. Cor. 1. 12.  Hangman, as it was to judas.  
It is not to be spoken what a sure and singular Treasure a good Conscience will be at that day; it shall stand steadfast by thy side as thy dearest friend, when all the world shall be set on a flaming fire, above thee, beneath thee, and on every side thee: when the elements shall melt with heat: when the ungodly shall be at their wit's end: when men's hearts shall fail them: when the Sea and waters shall roar: when heaven and earth shall perish: when all thy goods and gold shall be turned to dross and Copper: when all thy Lands and riches forsake thee; yea when all thy friends and kinsfolk fail thee, as they did job in his greatest extremity.  
Therefore let this present Preparative be a sufficient caveat for thee, to be careful and circumspect for the comfort of thy Conscience, and safety of thy soul. And so I will proceed to the visitation of the Sick: Wherein  
First, we must note, that commonly God doth visit before man, and so by God's Visitation, occasion is given to man, brotherly and charitably o visit one another for their comfort.   

God doth visit us divers ways.  
1. Sometime by loss of worldly wealth, Goods, Lands, Offices, Dignities, etc. especially when we are too proud of them, or abuse them: then he pulleth down one, and setteth up another.  
2. Sometime by persecutions or manifold troubles of our deadly foes, as private Grudges, open Wars, Slanders, Suits in Law, etc.  
3. Sometime God doth visit us by punishing our bodies with sickness, lameness, blindness, ache, penury, famine, or other calamities, whereby we feel intolerable pain and torment; & all this is not unworthily, but deservedly.  
4. Sometime in Mind, by taking away our senses, wit, reason, memory and understanding: or by taking from us our dearest and nearest friends; as our Parents, Husband, Wife, Children, Brethren, Sisters, etc. which under God are our greatest comfort in this world: and by this means we are vexed in Mind, our souls are sad, and we wonderfully troubled, and so had need of some comfortable counsel to cure us in this case.  

In God's Visitation consider three things.  In body, 


1. The Sickness.  
2. The Physician.  
3. The Medicine.    In mind, 


1. Our Sickness is sin.  
2. Our Physician is God.  
3. Our Medicine is repentance, restitution, almsdeeds, prayer and patience.      

The first Duty of the Pastor.  
THE first Office or Duty of the Minister, is fatherly, and yet familiarly to confer and reason with the Sick person. For as the Physician of the body most perfectly perceiveth the state of his Patient, by questioning with him, by seeing his state, and feeling his Pulses: even so the Physician of the soul, if he understand the mind and affection of the Sick person, he may the better apply his exhortation to  

The Sum of this Book.  
The Medicine or curing of our Diseases, pertaineth to two sorts of Persons. 

1. The one is the Minister or Pastor, who ought willingly to visit. 

The duty of the Minister when he visiteth, consisteth chiefly in four things:  
First, in questioning with the Sick person, whereby he may feel how he is inclined and affectioned toward God, and so apply a fit plaster to his sore.  
Secondly, in faithful and zealous Prayer for the party visited, both public and private.  
Thirdly, in godly counsel, in admonishing the Sick by his wise discretion, according as he seethe occasion.  
Fourthly, in comforting the pensive person, or sobbing soul, whose Conscience is laden with the remembrance of sin, and whose body is tormented with grief of sickness.    
2. The other is the Person visited, who ought to give diligent ear unto the Minister. 

The duty of the sick Person consisteth in three things.  
First, in the confession of his Faith and protestation of the same, before the Minister and others standing by, that they may be witnesses with him of his Christian and godly end.  
Secondly, in faithful and hearty Prayer unto God, either to recover his health, or else a happy deliverance out of his pain.  
Thirdly, in bearing his sickness patiently, without grudging or murmuring against God, who sendeth it for our amendment.       

1. In the first part of this Book, I will speak of the Pastor, and his Office in visiting.  
2. In the second, the duty of the People visited.   
the comfort of his Conscience, and amendment of life.  
Questions be of two sorts. 


1. Some be temporal.  
2. Others spiritual.      

Examples of Temporal Questions.  
Quest. 1. NOW, good Brother, God bless you. How is it with you? How do you? etc.  
Answ. Well, Sir, I thank God, but I take no rest; by reason of the extremity of my pain in this my sickness, and lack of sleep, my memory and understanding (I praise God for it) is yet perfect and good, but my body is sore visited and tormented: God of his mercy, in time when it shall please him, assuage it, and in the mean season grant me patience to bear it.  
Quest. 2. You say well, truly, and as becometh a good Christian, and I am glad to hear such godly words proceed from you, as taste so sweetly of the Spirit of God, for they signify how well you are affectioned & minded to Godward: And therefore assure yourself, that with the Omnipotent Physician, there is no disease or pain incurable. As God doth send it for your good, no doubt: So he can assuage or take it quite away at his pleasure: we are in the Lord's hand, as the clay in the Potters, to do with us, whatsoever his pleasure is: for sickness is the loving rod of our heavenly Father, wherewithal he doth chastise our sins, that we may the better know our own frailty, and our duty towards his Majesty; therefore you are to think that this bodily grief of Sickness, after a time of trial, shall turn to your greater joy and comfort. Tell me, truly, are you not thus persuaded?  
Answ. Yes verily, I have always been of that mind, I thank my heavenly Father for it; and I pray God continue me in the same to my lives end: for I wish not to live longer, than I may acknowledge my Maker to be both an omnipotent Lord▪ and my merciful God.  
Quest. 3. I pray God preserve you, and keep you in that mind to your lives end.  
Sir, I understand, and partly I know of myself, that you are a man whom God hath blessed with abundance of worldly substance: But because lands and goods are oftentimes the cause of much strife and unquietness, by reason of the inordinate covetousness and greedy desire of man: it were good to set your house in order now, before your departure, like a good householder, which when he goeth from home any whither, he setteth all his things in order among his Family and people, telleth them his will, what is to be done, and so commending them to God, taketh his leave, and biddeth them farewell until his return. So you being now taking your journey towards Heaven a far Country, bid adieu to the world, and take your leave thereat willingly and orderly as a good Christian ought to do: That is, dispose your Temporal goods as may be most to God's glory, the commodity and comfort of your Wife and Children, and others your friends, to whom you wish well, and to your own salvation and discharge before God, at whose hands you have received them, and to whom you must give an account for them. So that this being done, your reckoning is the sooner made, your Conscience discharged, and the world satisfied: neither need you to be further troubled with worldly matters, if God lay his hand more heavily upon you, but only think of heavenly things. Tell me therefore have you made your Will?  
Answ. I have made none yet, but I purpose to do hereafter, if I feel my self far wrong.  
Quest. 4. O good Brother, you must think that you are already far wrong, and far from right and reason too, if you defer the disposing of your temporal things until the last gasp, when peradventure both your speech and memory shall fail you: now you may and will not, than you would & perhaps cannot: many have so done and repent too late, even then when it had been more fit to have minded heavenly things only. Therefore (I beseech you) take the good time and occasion which God presently offereth: if he give you life and memory this day, or this week, you know not whether you shall have it the next week or no: if you put the good time off, which GOD hath given you, and defer your business till this day, or that day, or until this friend come, or that kinsman be present; then peradventure your friends shall come too late, and you yourself be cut short of your purpose: Therefore beware in the Name of God betime, for you know not whether God will give you the like occasion again or no: you may purpose, but God will dispose both you and your wealth as he will: when you are once gone, your riches are none of yours, but the worlds, and are at the disposition of other men, who by corruption may deal unfaithfully, and so contrary to your will, your substance which you have swea● for, may come to those that neither need them, nor did ever deserve well at your hands in your life time: too many at this day know this to be true by experience, and have lamented their state all too late, when they could not remedy it: Therefore never put that thing in doubt, which may be out of doubt.  
Answ. Lord, Lord, see how forgetful men be of their duty in time of their Sickness! I beseech you Sir, bear with my weakness: I confess I was out of the way in this point, but you have brought me unto it, and to a further consideration of my state: I must needs say your counsel is good and comfortable: and therefore I were a very unreasonable person, if I should not be ordered by you to mine own good. Wherefore I purpose now (God willing) to do as you have said, with your better advice, and others of my friends. And therefore I pray you take pains to set my mind down in writing: and so that matter being dispatched, I will then commend myself both body and soul unto God the giver of all goodness, and the Author of life.  
Hear the Minister may persuade the Testator to impart some portion of his substance to the Poor, to Schools, exhibition of Scholars, Churches, Colleges, Bridges, Highways, and other public commodities, as shall seem to him most expedient for the time, the place, the ability, and state of the person; for hereupon in times past have proceeded such works of Charity, and large liberality towards the Church and godly uses, which now is peeled, and little regarded.  
Quest. 5. Here (good Brother) you are furthermore deeply to consider and ponder with yourself, how you have come by your wealth, directly or undirectly, lawfully or unlawfully: if honestly and according to your Vocation or Art, you are the more to rejoice in Conscience, & your account before God is sooner made: if not, but that you have gotten them by fraud, deceit, lying, forging, flattering, swearing, forswearing of yourself, bribery, polling and pilling of the poor, cruelty, Usury, Extortion or Oppression, gaming, cheating and the like, as too many do at this day: Then you are the more deeply charged before the judgement seat of God, and the testimony of your own Conscience, and you must endeavour yourself to make satisfaction so near as you may: for that ancient rule of the Father is true, Non remittitur peccatum, nisi restituatur ablatum: That is, the sin is not pardoned, except restitution be made, as Zacheus did, who heard not that sweet sentence of Christ, This day is Salvation 
Luk. 19 8.  come to this house, before he had made restitution.  
Tell me therefore (good Brother) are you willing to recompense every one whom you have wronged or deceived, and to restore your evil gotten goods with just Zacheus, to the uttermost of your power, and validity of your wealth?  
Answ. God forbidden else, for it is meet and right that all men should so do; but I know not any whom I have in such sort defrauded: if any man find himself injured by me, I am willing even with all my heart to satisfy him to the uttermost farthing: And therefore my desire is, that notice be given thereof to the whole Congregation in the Church this next Sunday, with my hearty request that they would commend me to God in their faithful Prayers: And if any debt be due, either to be paid by me to them, or by them to me, whereof we have no specialty, that they would come to me, because I am now God's Prisoner, and am not able to repair to them. And I pray you (good Sir) publish my mind herein, and advertise me in all other things which you think necessary for the salvation of my Soul, and my full discharge before God and the world.  
Quest. 6. You have well done (good Brother) and have showed yourself a faithful Steward of God's blessings, in disposing yourself and your substance so well towards God and the world: for here you found them, and here you must leave them.  
Furthermore, seeing all things here on earth are but fickle; as Offices, Dignities, Wife, Children, Friends, Goods, Gold and Possessions; are you not willing to forsake these worldly vanities, and transitory trash, and to change the same for heavenly joy and felicity?  
Answ. Yes verily; for I never made them my God, neither did I ever repose any confidence in them, but used them for the time, knowing always that they were not mine, but lent me to use for a season; and the time being now expired, I willingly resign and surrender the same to the world, and where I had them, there I leave them; committing myself to the mercy-seat of God, and rendering him most hearty thanks for the use and commodity I have reaped thereby in my life time, and for all other his benefits, his name be praised for ever, who is the preserver of men and lover of souls, and his holy will and pleasure be fulfilled in me every way, whether it be in life or death: God grant it may be to his glory, and then I have my hearts desire.  
Quest. 7. Your words are comfortable to me and the hearers, and you have hitherto played the part of a good Christian, in renouncing the vanities of this wicked world, and committing yourself wholly both body and soul to God's careful tuition, whose arms of mercy (no doubt) are now spread wide open, ready to embrace you.  
But because you answer so directly, I will be bold to put more questions unto you.  
Do you from the bottom of your heart, ask forgiveness of all those whom you have offended in this world, by thought, word, or deed: and are you in heart sorry for the same?  
Answ. I am hearty sorry for my offences, both towards God and Man: I must needs confess, I have not once, but often offended both; and therefore I humbly crave pardon of both whom I have often abused: and I must desire you to signify so much to the Congregation, among other remembrances of me.  
Quest. 8. Do you yourself for Christ's sake unfeignedly and from the bottom of your heart forgive all those, that by any means have injured and offended you, either in speeches, thought, or actions?  
Answ. I willingly and freely forgive all the world, even as I look to be forgiven myself at the hands of my heavenly Father, whom many times and sundry ways I have offended: Or otherwise I know I could never with a good conscience repeat that Petition of the Lords Prayer, Forgive us our trespasses, as 
Math. 6. 12  we forgive them that trespass against us.  
And furthermore our Saviour Christ saith: If you do not forgive men their 
Math. 6. 15  trespasses, no more will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses, etc. And therefore I know assuredly, if I had a stout and stony stomach, and not a fleshy and tender heart, apt and prone to forgive, I could not die in love and charity with the world, and then not in God's favour: For as Saint john saith; If 
1. joh. 4. 11  God have so loved us, we ought also to love one another. Which we cannot do, except we forgive one another, and that daily; for in many things we offend all: 
jam. 3. 2.  and who knoweth how oft he offendeth? And therefore it remaineth, seeing the case so standeth, that if we will be beloved, we must love: if we will be forgiven, we must forgive: if we will be blessed, we must bless, and not curse: and if we will have mercy, we must show mercy. God grant us his mercy, and give us grace so to do, and so to live, that we may make a godly and quiet end, and so die the death of the righteous.  
Quest. 9 I pray God both now and ever show the light of his countenance upon you, and continue this good which he hath begun in you even to the end: for most Christianly and like a good servant of God, you have taken your leave of the world, in disposing your self and yours towards God and Man: And I find you so furnished and fit for God, that you may boldly assure yourself of his favour & love towards you, if you continue in so good and godly a mind to the end.  
And truly I am glad, and so are all your well-willers here present this day, to hear and see in you so good fruits of a Christian, whose end is commonly according to his life.  
If any other thing be in your mind that you would have done touching worldly matters, I pray you advertise me thereof, and I will do my diligence to have your mind and will fulfilled therein, so far forth as is requisite.  
Answ. Sir, I am at a point with the world, and all worldly affairs, and I have no more to say or to deal with such matters, but leave them and their appurtenances to those that come after: And I renounce here (before you and the rest) all worldly wealth, pleasures, goods, lands, and livings; I yield and surrender them up to the longest liver, and now resign myself wholly to God that made me and saved me: And my hearty desire is now to dwell with the Lord, in the Land of the living. My faith is there fixed, and I hope assuredly to attain unto it, by the blood of the Innocent Lamb of God, jesus Christ my Redeemer.  
Quest. 10. The Lord increase your faith, and God grant you your hearts desire, and that Land which you long for; you are in the highway towards it, God keep you in it: for if you live and die as you have professed, assure yourself the gate is open already, and you are longed and looked for: it was prepared for such as you are, from the beginning: and that you may be the better persuaded hereof, I will put forth unto you a few spiritual questions; which being answered as before, you shall sufficiently satisfy me and all that hear you this day, that you are the Child of God, and an Inheritor of his heavenly Kingdom, and so we will proceed to Prayers. But I fear I am too tedious and troublesome unto you.  
Answ. No, good Sir, think not so hardly of me (I beseech you) though I be weary of sickness; yet I am not weary of well-doing and of good counsel, I had never more need of it, neither can it come in a better time, and I take great pleasure therein, being now past the pleasure of the world: therefore (I pray you) in God's name say on: for my earnest desire is to be prepared and made ready for the good hour that God hath appointed for my deliverance out of this wretched world, and I look every moment for the coming of the Bridegroom; I am ready with my Lamp burning, and my trust is, he is ready to let me in.   

Examples of Spiritual Questions.  
Quest. 1. GOd be thanked for your good remembrance, and for your steadfast belief, and I pray God continue it even to the end. But now I will (by your patience) apply the rest of my speech only to the safety of your Soul.  
Do you not acknowledge yourself to be a sinner, and grievously to have offended God, in not living so well and uprightly in this world, as you ought to have done?  
Answ. I must needs acknowledge and confess, that I am a grievous sinner, and that I have oftentimes and many ways disobeyed and broken the Law and will of God, both in my thoughts, words, & works.  
Quest. 2. How do you know the same?  
Answ. By the Law of God. For the Law hath said, Do this, and I have not done it: Do not that, and yet I have done it: and in this sort I have sinned both by omitting that which was good, and by committing that which was bad.  
Quest. 3. What danger have you incurred by this means, and what hath your negligence and disobedience herein deserved at God's hands?  
Answ. Of myself, I must needs say, that I have thereby deserved at God's hands eternal death and damnation, a curse and not a blessing: and so I am taught by the word itself: For it is written, Cursed is 
Gal. 3. 10.  every man that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law, to do them.  
Quest. 4. Good Lord, if this be true, than what a miserable case are all we in, being wicked and cursed creatures?  
Answ. Truly, our state indeed is wretched and damnable: and but that God of his infinite goodness hath provided a salve for this sore, we should utterly perish, and then were 
1. Cor. 15. 19  we of all men most miserable.  
Quest. 5. Do you believe then that there is a salve for so grievous a wound, and a remedy for so great a mischief?  
Answ. Yea verily, I firmly believe and know it, or else I could not with so cheerful and patiented a mind bear this cross which God hath now laid upon me.  
Quest. 6. I pray you what remedy is there against the sting of sin, and the curse of the Law? Is there any thing in the world, that can pacify God's wrath, and move him to such mercy, as may cause him to take away this deadly curse, and give us a blessing?  
Answ. Yea, God be thanked that there is: I can tell you so much, though I be not Booke-learned; yet I have heard it, and I do undoubtedly believe it, because God's Word doth teach it: That when there was no means to be found for man to be saved, neither in heaven nor earth, it pleased our heavenly Father, of his mere mercy to send his only begotten Son 
Rom. 8. 3.  into the world, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have life everlasting. So that (that which was impossible to the Law, in as much as it was weak, because of the flesh) God sending his own Son, in the similitude of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.  
I do therefore believe, that this Son of God jesus Christ, hath quite taken away the curse of the Law, 
Col. 2. 14.  and nailed it upon the Cross.  
Quest. 7. These are good words indeed, and generally spoken to all sinners: but how can you apply this to yourself?  
Answ. Because I know assuredly that I am Christ's, and have the testimony of the Holy Ghost in me, comforting me, and bearing witness to my Spirit, that I am the child of God, and therefore may boldly cry, Abba Father, 
Gal 4. 6.  etc.  
Quest. 8. Then I perceive, if you be thus faithfully minded, as you do profess, that you are not afraid to die; neither is death so dread full unto you▪ as it is to many in these sinful days?  
Answ. Although indeed death seemeth detestable to the most part of men, especially to impenitent sinners, and such as have the wealth of the world at will: Yet notwithstanding I see no reason why any wise man should fear that which cannot be avoided; but rather (all things considered aright) they have cause to covet it with the holy Apostle Saint Paul, who desireth to be loosed, and 
Phil. 1. 23.  to be with Christ, which is best of all; because death is the door to eternal life, for we cannot live for ever, but first we must die: And therefore the godly man (after he is mortified here by crosses and grief of sickness) may cheerfully sing and say with the same Apostle: Christ is to me 
Phil. 1. 21.  both in life and death, advantage.  
And most comfortable to a good conscience is that sentence of Ecclesiastes: A good name is better than a 
Eccl. 7. 3.  good ointment, and the day of death, than the day that one is borne. The Preacher spoke not this without book, nor without reason; for than we change sickness for health; woe for wealth; transitory vanities, for perpetual joys; and earthly trash, for heavenly treasure, etc.  
Quest. 9 You are in the right of it, and have hit the nail on the head in this point; keep you there and my life for yours. But because I find you in answering both wise and willing, it encourageth me to be bold in questioning. Do you believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith, which the true and Catholic Church doth hold at this day, and all other Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, to be the very and lively Word of God, the food of your soul, and the perfect way to eternal life; and that there is sufficient matter contained in them, to establish your mind and conscience to salvation, according to the consent of Christ's Apostles in the Primitive Church?  
Answ. I constantly and unfeignedly believe all this you have said to be true, and grounded upon the Word of God, as upon a sure foundation which shall never fail nor fall. And therefore it is called the Word of Life, the Word of 
Rom. 3. 16.  Grace, the Word of Truth: and the power of God to Salvation, to every one that believeth.  
Quest. 10. Do you detest and abhor all Idolatry, Heresies, errors, schisms, innovations and opinions, which in any point do dissent or disagree from this lively Word of GOD, and the ancient Catholic and Primitive Church?  
Answ. As these enormities of themselves are detestable and damnable; even so I do from my very heart detest and abhor them all, and most ardently I embrace the Truth of God's Word, with all due reverence to the same, as to the heavenly will of GOD therein specified, and revealed to us by his Servants the patriarchs, and Apostles of God, and his Son Christ jesus our Saviour the Head of the Church: And I am desirous to die a member of the same Church, being the body and Spouse of Christ.  
Quest. 11. And do you even in heart rejoice to live and die in this Christian Faith, and in the unity of this true, ancient, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, militant here on earth, which is and shall be the Communion of Saints, & the triumphant Church of God in Heaven?  
Ans. I rejoice in nothing so much: for I know, that out of the Church there is no salvation or safety. Those in old time that were found out of Noah's Ark (being a Type of the Church) perished by water; but they which are not of the Catholic Church of Christ, shall be tormented in Hell fire, which shall never be quenched.  
Quest. 12. Good Lord! me think it is a fearful thing, that the wicked should enter into everlasting pain, and unquenchable fire. And the words which are usual in the Scriptures, are able to make any man tremble even at the heart; as Hell 
Mat. 8. 12.  fire, the bottomless pit, utter darkness, unquenchable fire, perpetual pain, etc. where shall be weeping and 
Mar. 9 44.  gnashing of teeth: where their worm dieth not, and the fire never goeth out. Me thinks this word never is a long one; for if there were any hope that ever the wicked might feel any release or easement of their pain, or that the damned might have any end of their torment; yea if it were but after a thousand, or a thousand thousands of years, there were some comfort to be expected in time to come, though it were long first; yet time would once make an end and wear it out. But these words everlasting, perpetual, and never; these and such like pierce the heart, dismay the mind, and cut the throat of a sinner; they crucify the guilty Conscience, and at one blow they kill down right where they hit. How think you, are not you of the same mind?  
Answ. Indeed I must needs confess they be words of great weight, intolerable and heavy to bear, especially to a Conscience clogged with sin; and words not once, but often to be deeply considered of, even of the best of us all; for the best are too bad, and of ourselves we are all sinners, and deserve such reward for our hire as these words do threaten: but they take effect only in the Reprobate, desperate, and impenitent sinners, such as neither fear God's justice, nor feel his Mercy, neither any operation of his Holy Spirit: But are (for their contempt, obstinacy and impenitent hearts) given over of God into a Reprobate sense: whose eyes are blinded, whose ears are stopped, and whose hearts are hardened, that they disdain and reject the Word of God, and all motions of his Spirit, whereby they should attain to a full measure of faith in Christ jesus, who came into 
1. Tim. 1. 15.  the world to save sinners. For we are sure, That whosoever 
Ioh 3. 15.  believeth in him, shall not perish, but have life ever lasting. For the souls of the righteous 
Wisd. 3. 1.  are in the hand of GOD, and no torment shall touch them: but they 
joh. 5. 24.  shall pass from death to life: and their spirits shall return to the Lord which gave them. Whose hands of mercy are wide open to receive them. For although it be said: It is a 
Heb. 10. 31  fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God: Yet that is to be understood before repentance, not after; for God rejecteth not penitent sinners, but if we repent and turn to God, he will turn to us: As he hath promised: Turn unto 
Esa. 45. 22.  me, and ye shall be saved: So that there is now no condemnation to those that are in Christ jesus: but we may boldly triumph, and say, Death is swallowed up 
1. Cor. 15. 54, 55  into victory. O death, where is thy sting? O hell, where is thy victory?  
Quest. 13. You have well answered, and like a Divine: you said even now, you were not Booke-learned, but you may be (God be thanked) for your direct answering by the Word: I cannot but marvel how you can recite so many places of Scripture, and to so good purpose, being not learned.  
Surely it seemeth you carry not your Bible under your arm for fashion sake, or to please men, as many do in these days, but to please God, and pleasure both yourself, & others. Therefore you have taken a good course in this life, for the life to come. And you have chosen the better part with Mary, and that which shall never be taken away 
Luk. 10. 42  from you: the most part in these days take part with Martha, and are too careful for the things of this world, but seldom or never look for the life to come: and therefore it is to be doubted, they will come short of the reward and crown of glory: But I will leave them to themselves, and to the equity of God's justice, and (with your good liking) proceed forward with you in a question or two.  
Quest. 14 Do you believe and acknowledge jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, to have died and suffered his Passion for your sins, and that he did rise again for your justification, and ascended into heaven, to prepare the way for you, and all true believers?  
Answ. I do assuredly believe all that to be true, or else I must think myself accursed, and in most miserable case, calling to mind my rude race, and my sinful life led, even from my Cradle.  
Quest. 15. Do you also believe that you can be saved by no other means, but by the merit of Christ his Passion, & by the shedding of his innocent blood who suffered once for all; and that the oblation of himself upon the Cross, is a sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.  
Answ. I do believe that Christ his Passion is a full satisfaction for my transgression, and his precious blood a perfect purgation for my sins. Neither is 
Act. 4. 12.  there salvation in any other: for among men there is given none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved: But only the sweet name of jesus my Saviour.  
Quest. 16. And do you (for this his inestimable benefit, and all other his manifold graces) give him hearty thanks? And will you daily most dutifully endeavour yourself so to do, so long as the breath shall remain in your body?  
Answ. I do, and by God's grace I will from time to time (so long as life lasteth) do my best to show myself thankful, as I am indeed most bounden. For I am fully persuaded, his Fatherly goodness towards me, is so great (being a sinful wretch, and unworthy to gather up the crumbs under his table) that I can never give him condign thanks for the multitude of his mercies, and divine graces bestowed upon me, both touching my body and soul: but God of his infinite goodness pardon that which is lacking in myself, and fulfil it in his dear Son jesus Christ my Redeemer.  
Quest. 17. You must therefore desire at the hands of God, of whom we receive the bread we eat, the ground we tread upon, and the light we behold, that he would with the eyes of his mercy and compassion look upon you, increase your faith, lighten your understanding, strengthen your body, grant you patience in this your sickness, and move your mind to all thankfulness and dutiful obedience towards his Majesty; so that, come life, come death, you may be persuaded in your mind, and believe steadfastly in your heart, that you are the Lords.  
Answ. My earnest request unto my heavenly Father is, to grant all such good gifts as you have named: And I pray God, even with all my heart, give me grace so to believe, and so to do, all the days and hours of my life. And that I may the better do according to your friendly counsel, and perform some part of my duty towards God and the world; I pray you, good Sir, both privately when you are absent, pray to God for me, and join with me in prayer now before your departing, that it may please God my heavenly Father (whose rod of castigation I willingly suffer) to dispose of me in this his visitation, as may make most for his glory, and mine own salvation, in Christ jesus my Saviour.  
These and such like questions may the careful Pastor propound to the Sick person, according as occasion shall be offered, always helping his infirmity, if he fail in answering: but he must beware that he do not reason further than the capacity of the sick will admit; that so he may rather win by favour, then lose by rigour. For like as too great noise hurteth the ear, too much meat hurteth the body, too much rain hurteth the ground: even so weak wits, and fearful consciences may soon be surcharged and oppressed with overhard questions; especially when the mind is disquieted with troubles, and the body grieved with sickness.   

The second Duty of the Pastor.  
THe second Duty of the Pastor, is to use faithful and hearty prayer for the sick: For as he is the mouth of God unto the people: even so he is the mouth of the people unto God, by his zealous suit, and by pouring out pure prayers unto his Majesty in their behalf. Therefore Saint james saith, Is any 
jam. 5. 14.  man sick among you? Let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray for him, and anoint him with oil in the Name of the Lord, and the Prayer of Faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. I will not take upon me simply to prescribe any man a form of Prayer, but as the Spirit of God shall move him, and according as time and occasion shall serve; so let him with ● groaning Spirit frame his prayers unto him that is able to help, and can save both body and soul. Nevertheless, I have thought good to set down a form of some, for the further instruction of the unlearned.  
But before Prayer, I think it not amiss to read any one of these three selected Psalms, as preparatives to Prayer, which I have collected & received at David's own mouth, most meet for that purpose.   

The first Psalm.  
Out of the deep have 
Psal. 130.  I called unto thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice.  
O let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint.  
If thou (O Lord) straightly markest iniquities: O Lord, who shall stand, or who shall be able to abide it?  
(For sure and certain it 
Psal. 1.  is) that the ungodly shall not be able to stand in judgement: neither the sinners in the Congregation of the righteous.  
O Lord, rebuke me not 
Psal. 6.  (therefore) in thine indignation: neither chasten me in thy displeasure.  
Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord heal me, for my bones are vexed.  
My soul also is sore troubled: but Lord how long wilt thou punish me?  
Turn thee (O Lord) and deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercy's sake.  
For in death no man remembreth thee: and who shall give thee thanks in the pit?  
I am weary of my groaning, every night wash I my bed: and water my couch with my tears.  
My God, my God, look 
Psal. 22.  upon me, why hast thou forsaken me: and art so far from my health, and from the words of my complaint?  
O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not: and in the night season also I take no rest.  
But thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb: thou wast my hope, when I hanged yet upon my mother's breasts.  
I have been left unto thee, ever sithence I was borne: thou art my God even from my mother's womb.  
O go not from me then, for trouble is hard at hand: and there is none to help me.  
I am powered out like water, all my bones are out of joint: my heart also in the midst of my body, is even like melting Wax.  
My strength is dried up like a potsheard: and my tongue cleaveth to my gums.  
Turn thee (therefore) 
Psal. 25.  unto me (O Lord) and have mercy upon me: for I am desolate and in misery.  
The sorrows of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of all my troubles.  
Look upon mine adversity and misery: and forgive me all my sin.  
How long wilt thou forget 
Psal. 13.  me (O Lord) for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?  
How long shall I seek counsel in my soul, and be so vexed in my heart?  
The pains of hell came 
Psal. 18.  about me: the snares of death overtook me.  
But in my trouble will I call upon the Lord: and complain unto my God.  
So shall he hear my voice out of his holy Temple: and my complaint shall come before him, it shall enter even into his ears.  
O Lord, let it be thy pleasure 
Psal. 40.  to deliver me: Make haste, O Lord, to help me.  
For innumerable troubles are come about me, my sins have taken such hold upon me, that I am not able to look up: yea, they are more in number, than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.  
For thine arrows stick 
Psal. 38.  fast in me: and thy hand presseth me sore.  
There is no health in my flesh, because of thy displeasure: neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin.  
For my wickednesses are gone over my head: and are like a sore burden too heavy for me to bear.  
I am feeble & sore smitten: I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart.  
Lord, thou knowest all my desire: and my groaning is not hid from thee.  
My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me: and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me.  
Take thy plague away 
Psal. 39  from me (O Lord) I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.  
(For) when thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth sretting a garment: every man therefore is but vanity.  
O spare me a little (O Lord) that I may recover my strength, before I go hence, & be no more seen.  
O tarry thou the Lords 
Psal. 27.  leisure: be strong, & he shall comfort thine heart, & put thou thy trust in the lord Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the etc.   

The second Psalm.  
O Lord God of my salvation, 
Psal. 88  I have cried day and night before thee: O let my prayer enter into thy presence; incline thine ear unto my calling.  
For my soul is full of trouble: and my life draweth nigh unto hell.  
Up (therefore) O Lord, 
Psal. 44.  why sleepest thou? Awake, and be not absent (from us) for ever.  
Wherefore hidest thou thy face? and forgettest our misery and affliction?  
Rise up for our succour: and redeem us for thy mercy's sake.  
My soul is athirst for 
Psal. 42.  God, yea even for the living God: when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?  
O remember not the sins 
Psal. 25.  and offences of my youth: but according to thy mercy think upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness.  
For thy name sake, O 
Psal. 69.  Lord: be merciful unto my sin, for it is great.  
Hid not thy face from thy servant: for I am in trouble, oh haste thee, and hear me.  
Thy rebuke hath broken my heart, I am full of heaviness: I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man, neither found I any to comfort me.  
Therefore I will cry unto 
Psal. 77.  God with my voice: and he shall hearken unto me.  
When I am in heaviness, I will think upon God: when my heart is vexed, I will complain.  
Will the Lord absent himself for ever: and will he be no more entreated?  
Is his mercy clean gone for ever: and his promise come utterly to an end for evermore?  
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? and will he shut up his loving kindness in displeasure?  
Hear me, O Lord, hide 
Psal. 102.  not thy face from me in the time of my trouble: Incline thine ears unto me when I call, O hear me, and that right soon.  
For my days are consumed away like smoke: and my bones are burnt up as it were a firebrand.  
My heart is smitten down and withered like grass: so that I forget to eat my bread.  
For the voice of my groaning: my bones will scarce cleave to my flesh.  
(But) they that sow in 
Psal. 126.  tears: shall reap in joy.  
He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed: shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him.  
(For) the Lord is full of 
Psal. 103.  compassion and mercy: long suffering, and of great goodness.  
He will not always be childing: neither keepeth he his anger for ever.  
He hath not dealt with us after our sins: nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.  
For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth: so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him.  
Look how wide also the East is from the West: so far hath he set our sins from us.  
Yea like as a father pitieth his own children: even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.  
For he knoweth whereof we be made: he remembreth that we are but dust.  
The days of man are but as grass: he flourisheth as a flower of the field.  
For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone: and the place thereof shall know it no more.  
But the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth for ever & ever upon them that fear him: and his righteousness upon children's children.  
Glory be to the Father, etc.  
As it was in the, etc.   

The third Psalm.  
BLessed is he that considereth 
Psal. 41.  the poor and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.  
The Lord comfort him when he lieth sick upon his bed: make thou all his bed in his sickness.  
I said, Lord be merciful unto me: heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.  
O hide not thou thy face 
Psal. 27.  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 me (therefore) O 
Psal. 69.  God, in the multitude of thy mercy: even in the truth of thy salvation.  
In thee (O Lord) have I 
Psal. 31.  put my trust: let me never be put to confusion, deliver me in thy righteousness.  
Bow down thine ear to me: make haste to deliver me.  
And be thou my strong Rock, and the house of defence: that thou mayst save me.  
Into thy hands I commend my spirit: for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.  
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble, and hast known my soul in adversity.  
(And therefore) like as the 
Psal. 42.  heart desireth the water-brookes: so longeth my soul after thee, O God.  
Have mercy upon me 
Psal. 51.  (therefore) O God, after thy great goodness: according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.  
Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin.  
For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me.  
Turn thy face (O Lord) from my sins: and put out all 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.  
O remember not our old 
Psal. 79.  sins, but have mercy upon us, and that soon: for we are come to great misery.  
Hear my prayer, O 
Psal. 143.  Lord, and consider my desire: Hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness sake.  
And enter not into judgement with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.  
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul gaspeth unto thee, as a thirsty land.  
Hear me (O Lord) and that soon, for my spirit waxeth faint: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.  
O remember how short 
Psal. 89.  my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men, for nought?  
(For) what man is he that liveth, and shall not see death: and shall he deliver his own soul from hell?  
Lord, what is man, that 
Psal. 14. 4.  thou hast such respect unto him: or the son of man, that thou so regardest him?  
Man is like a thing of nought: his time passeth away like a shadow.  
For when thou art angry, 
Psal 90.  all our days are gone: we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.  
The days of our age are threescore years and ten, and though men be so strong, that they come to fourscore years: yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow, so soon passeth it away, and we are gone.  
Teach us (therefore O Lord) to number our days: that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.  
Lord, let me know mine 
Psal. 39  end, and the number of my days: that I may be certified how long I have to live.  
Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long: and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee, and verily every man living is altogether vanity.  
For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain: he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.  
And now (Lord) what is my hope? Truly my hope is even in thee.  
One thing have I desired 
Psal. 27.  of the Lord, which I will require: even that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to visit his holy Temple.  
(For) I should utterly have fainted: but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord, in the Land of the living.  
Glory be to the Father, etc.  
As it was in the, etc.  
When the Minister, or any other good Christian that visiteth the Sick, hath read one of these Psalms: Then let him with all dutiful reverence, pray and say, as hereafter followeth.  

Let us pray.  
Lord have mercy upon us.  
Christ have mercy upon us.  
Lord have mercy upon us.  
Our Father which art in heaven, etc.   
The mighty God of jacob be our defence, both now and in the hour of Death.  
And let us not be overcome by any evil temptation.  
O Lord save this thy Sick servant.  
Which putteth his full trust in thee.  
Send him help, O Lord, from thy holy place.  
And ever more most mightily defend him.  
Let the enemy have none advantage of him.  
Nor the wicked once approach to hurt him.  
Be unto him, O Lord, a strong tower.  
From the face of his enemy.  
Grant that he may die the death of the righteous.  
And be made partaker of thine inheritance.  
Receive his soul, O Lord, into thy holy hands.  
And place it with thy Saints in heaven.  
Lord hear our prayers.  
And let our cry come unto thee.   

A pithy Prayer for a Patient being pained with Sickness.  
IT is thou, O Lord, only to whom all power and praise belongeth. It is thou that reignest in heaven in glory, in earth in mercy, & in hell in judgement. It is thy voice, O Lord, whereunto both the seas and winds are obedient. It is thy name, O Lord God of Hosts, that maketh all the Devils in hell to tremble and quake: and they can do nothing without thy permission. Thou bringest down to hell, and raisest up again. Thou pluckest down the mighty from their Throne, and exaltest the humble and meek. Thou makest both poor and rich, strong & weak. Thou sendest sickness, and restorest health again in thy good time. Thou givest life, and takest it away at thy pleasure. O Lord, whose majesty and might no creature is able to withstand, neither in heaven, earth, or under the earth: Thou that hast made the Sea and the dry land, and all things therein contained: Thou that knowest our weakness, and what metal we be made of: have regard unto the workmanship of thy hands: Pierce the heavens, O Lord, and give ear unto our prayers, which with sorrowful hearts, trickling tears, bowed knees, and unfeigned lips we power out before thy presence. We acknowledge (O Lord) our own frailty and unworthiness, and how that all men living are but vanity, even as the grass in the field, which to day flourisheth, and to morrow withereth away, as the smoke in the furnace, the bubble in the water, or the could that swiftly passeth away and is no more seen: So soon also feedeth away our time, and our years come to an end. Thou only (O Lord) knowest the number of our days, and appointest us our bounds which we cannot pass. We confess (O most merciful God) that we have sinned against heaven, and against thee, and are no more worthy to be called thy children, no nor to tread upon the earth, or to have the light of the Sun to shine upon us: but rather to be burned with fire, drowned in the waters, swallowed up of the earth, overwhelmed with mountains, or devoured with wild beasts & fowls of the air. Our transgressions and sins are so great, so grievous, and many in number, wherewithal we have and do daily offend thy Majesty, both in thought, word, and deed, that our weak consciences being laden and burdened with the remembrance of them, are afraid to approach into thy presence, for fear of thy wrath and just judgement. Yet (O Lord) forsomuch as thy mercy is above all thy works, and because thou art a gentle & pitiful God, long-suffering, and full of compassion, and wouldst not the death of a sinner, but rather that he convert and live. We are therefore the bolder not of ourselves, but in the name of thy dear Son jesus Christ (with whom thou art well pleased) to call upon thee for mercy and comfort: That it would please thee of thy gracious goodness to forgive and blot out of thy remembrance all our sins and wickedness, and never hereafter to impute them unto us. Regard not (good Lord) our deserts which is death and damnation, but be mindful of thy loving promises in jesus Christ our Saviour, who in all temptations of the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, is our only Rock, and sure stay and defence, and never shrinketh from those which be wrapped in woe and misery. Comfort (O Lord) this thy Servant, upon whom thou hast laid the scourge of sickness, and rod of visitation, as a sure token and pledge of thy love, and fatherly good will towards him: for whom thou lovest, those thou correctest, not to destruction, but to amendment and salvation. Thou hast promised, that wheresoever two or three are gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests. We (therefore thy humble servants) here assembled according to thy blessed commandment, do cry and call upon thee with servant hearts, to be merciful to this thine afflicted creature, that it would please thee either to release his smart and pain in thy good time, and so to restore him to his former health, or else to grant him abundantly the graces of thy holy Spirit, that with patience and meek mind he may abide such trial, as it shall please thy godly Majesty to lay upon him: That neither the tyranny of Satan, grief of sickness, love of the world, terror of hell, infirmity of the flesh, remembrance of sin, or fear of death, withdraw him from thee, and thy sweet promises in his Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, who came not for the just, but to call sinners to repentance. So guide him (good Lord) by thy blessed Spirit in his great and last journey, that passing quietly all troubles of this transitory world, and this painful pilgrimage once ended, he may safely by thy mighty power be conducted to the Haven of continual quietness and rest, which is the Kingdom of Heaven, & there reign with Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, and all the holy company of Angels and Saints in perpetual joy and safety, which thou hast prepared and promised for all thine elect children, and faithful servants from the beginning of the world. Grant this (O heavenly Father) which we have prayed for, in the behalf of this thy poor and pensive prisoner, and all other things necessary for our salvation, and thy glory, through our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ: In whose holy name, we beseech thee from the bottom of our hearts, saying, Our Father which art in Heaven, etc.   

A comfortable Prayer against desperation.  
O God the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, continue thy goodness towards us unworthy wretches, which do here with contrite hearts, and bowed knees, appeal unto the height of thy mercy: Beseeching thee (O Father) ●o to remember the contempt and injury thou hast received at our hands; but pardon our passed faults, and accept the pitiful Passion of thy dear Son, in full satisfaction of our transgression. Let his precious blood wipe away, and wash all our filthiness. Let his wounds heal the sores of our sins: and let the holy oblation of himself, present our prayers acceptable and blameless before thy Majesty. Let no sin be so great and grievous in our eyes, that it pluck away hope of pardon: No offence so ponderous, that it may be ●●le to overcome thy goodness. All have sinned, and have need of thy mercy, which thou offerest abundantly to every one that faithfully asketh the same of thee. Our wickedness (O Lord) cannot exceed thy merits. The greater the sinner is on whom thou bestowest thy compassion; so much the greater is thy glory. And therefore thou rejoicest more at the finding of one lost sheep which hath long gone astray, then over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance. Thou art ready to meet and embrace with the arms of thy mercy the Prodigal Son, when he turneth homewards towards thee, repenting his former folly, and humbly craving thy mercy. Therefore there is nothing better for man, then continually to consider thy great love and fidelity towards him: and contrariwise, his own infidelity and ingratitude towards thee: for the Devil is so envious towards thy servants, that he omitteth no time in tempting them; yea, even then, when they are about to repent and bewail their sins, he causeth them to doubt of their salvation, to waver in faith, and cloggeth their consciences with the curse of the Law, and equity of God's justice in punishing their sin, that thereby they might never be at quietness or rest in themselves; but strait fall into the dungeon of desperation. It is thou only (O Lord) that canst heal their diseases, ease their burden, cure their wounds, and refresh their hungry spirits. Wherefore if at any time the Devil move us to doubt or despair of God's goodness and grace; yet let us not faint in faith, or be hollow-hearted, but rather be bold in the bowels of jesus Christ, and with a sure confidence approach unto the mercy-seat of God the Father, who accepteth the satisfaction of his Son, and alloweth the same to be a full ransom for all our sins; and by this means we may find favour at the hands of our heavenly Father. Many examples we have to persuade us herein.  
The Woman of Canaan cried, and her Daughter was cured. The Centurion believed, and his Servant was made whole. The Father prayed, and his Son was clenfed of the foul spirit. The Apostles cried out, Help Lord, for we perish: and straightway they were delivered. Christ perceived but the Faith of the people; and he said to the sick of the Palsy, Be of good cheer, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee. The Mother and her companions do but weep, and her son is raised from death to life. Martha and Mary did but mourn, and Lazarus was revived. Marry the sinner sheddeth tears, and he said unto her, Thy sins be forgiven thee. A poor blind man cried out, O Son of David, have mercy on me, and he received his sight. The Thief hanging on the Cross, said but only, Lord remember me: and Christ answered, This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. O singular Faith of sinners! what man hath at any time cried jesus have mercy on me; but forthwith he hath found favour, & obtained grace. A sure faith procureth any thing at God's hands; but he that mistrusteth the Physician, hindereth his own health. Our Saviour Christ hath opened unto us the gate of his goodness: therefore let not us run headlong to the dungeon of desperation, the dunghill of the Devil. He hath stretched out his hand to us; therefore let not us turn away our face from him. He hath opened unto us the Kingdom of Heaven; therefore let not us haste to destruction, nor creep to the lake of unhappiness: but let us by these examples of God's graces to others, acknowledge the mercies of God to be many and marvelous towards man. For whose cause doth the Sun shine by day, the Moon and the Stars by night, but for man? For whose sake doth the Lord water the earth with dew drops and showers of rain, but for man? Why blow the Winds? Why run the Rivers? Why spread the Springs? Why bud the Trees? Why grow the fruits of the earth? And why increase the fishes of the seas, but for the use of man? He is King and Lord of all creatures under the cope of heaven. There is nothing that God hath not made subject to man, only he would that man should be obedient unto him. Yet many times our merciful God sendeth us adversity, either to clear us of our transgressions, or to fear us from sin, or to minister occasion of well-doing. Thus was Abraham tried: So was job proved with many miseries: Thus is every one which liveth godly in Christ jesus tried in this world with sundry afflictions, as the gold in the fire: for whom the Lord loveth, those he chasteneth.  
Therefore (we beseech thee, O Lord) assist us by thy might and mercy, that we may patiently bear all trouble, need, poverty, sickness, slander, hatred, imprisonment, grief and anguish of mind, temptations of our deadly Enemy, loss of lands, and worldly wealth, and all other calamities, and discommodities. Look not on us or our sins (O Lord) but behold thy Little one which was borne for us: He was wounded for our offences, and by his stripes we are healed. He gave his body to be beaten, his cheeks to be stricken for us finners. He turned not away his face from them that scorned him, & spit upon him. Look (O Lord) upon all the parts of his body, from the crown of his head, to the sole of his foot, and no pain shall be found like unto his pain.  
Behold (O blessed Lord) the holy head of thy dear Son crowned with sharp Thorns, & the blood running down on his goodly visage.  
Behold his tender body how it is scourged, his naked breast is stricken & beaten, his bloody side is thrust thorough with a spear, his heart panteth, his sinews be stretched forth, his crystal eyes dazzle and lose their sight, his princely face is wan and pale, his pleasant tongue is inflamed with pain, his inward parts wax dry and stark, his arms both blue and black, his bones sore, his comely legs be feeble and weak, and the streams of blood gush out of his side down to the ground. O Lord of mercy, and God of comfort, let all these sufferings of thine only, and dear beloved Son pacify thy wrath, and be a sufficient recompense for all our misdemeanour towards thy Majesty; defend us outwardly by thy might, and cheer us inwardly by thy holy Spirit, that we may both in body & soul glorify thy Name, fear thy might, and love thy mercy, and hereafter walk in thy ways so long as the breath is in our bodies: And after that receive us body and soul into the heavenly Kingdom, for the tender Death and Passion of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ: to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour, power and praise, world without end.  
Amen.   

An effectual Prayer for those which be Lunatic, or possessed with any evil Spirit.  
O Most mighty & merciful God, the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, the Prince of power, and the God of all comfort and consolation, our strong Rock, our sure refuge and defence against the damnable and dangerous assaults of our enemies both bodily and ghostly, which hast commanded us in our greatest perils and necessities to fly unto thee for safety, and boldly to call upon thee for our delivery: which also by thy divine power, and unsearchable wisdom hast made heaven and earth, & all things therein contained; as Angels, Archangels, Men, Women, Children, the beasts of the field, the fishes in the Sea, the Fowls of the Air, and the Fruits of the Earth; which all were made at thy Word, and are subject to thy power, to use at thy good will & pleasure, as seemeth best to thy Majesty; whether it be to honour or dishonour, salvation, or condemnation. We entirely beseech thee of thy goodness (O Lord) and that with sorrowful hearts, trickling tears, watery cheeks, and groaning spirits, to be merciful unto us all here assembled, and to all thy people vexed with woe throughout the wide world: but especially at this present, we hearty desire thee to look down from heaven with the eyes of compassion and pity upon this thy creature and workmanship of thy hands, who is now grievously vexed and tormented in mind. O Lord, enter not into judgement with thy servants: for than no flesh can be saved in thy sight. We acknowledge (O Lord) that we are miserable sinners, unworthy to lift up our eyes to heaven, or to gather up the crumbs which fall from thy table. Yet notwithstanding, we humbly beseech thee (O dear Father) not to deal with us according to our deserts, which is everlasting death, utter shame and confusion, hell fire, perpetual pain and damnation: But according to thy accustomed clemency, take from us all ignorance, hardness of heart, desperation, and all the wily suggestions and grievous temptations of Satan our old enemy. Let not the Devil (O Lord) nor any hellish hound spoil thine inheritance, which thou hast bought with the price of the precious blood of thy dear Son our Saviour jesus Christ. Thou only (O Lord) reignest in heaven in glory, in earth in mercy, and in hell in judgement. Thou only art the author of life & death, sickness and health, joy and pain. It is thou which castest down to hell, and raisest up again to heaven: yea, it is thou, and none other which givest thy holy Spirit to be a comfort to thine elect people, and sometimes troublest their minds with illusions and vanities; suffering Satan the roaring Lion, and his Ministers, to have dominion for a time over them, as appeareth at this present by thy just judgement, declared and inflicted upon this comfortless caitiff, thy poor prisoner, and afflicted creature, unto the great anguish and torment of his soul and body, to the discomfort of his wife, friends and kinsfolk, and to the terror and fear of all that ever hear or see him in this woeful case.  
O Lord, thy judgements are deep, and thy counsel unsearchable, and unworthy are we to know the counsels and secrets of the Highest: much less ought we curiously to search to understand the causes of this woe, and the occasion of this thy plague and grievous cross laid upon this miserable man. Notwithstanding, whether thou hast thus visited him for his former sins, and by that means to call him to repentance and amendment of life: or to exercise his faith by the trial of thy justice, or for the terror, and warning of all those that see or hear of him, that they may thereby fear thy name, acknowledge thy power, avoid thy heavy displeasure, repent their sinful living, and call to thee betimes for mercy and grace; or else to the end to show thy great might & glory upon him, and so to signify unto all people that thou art God alone, that rulest both heaven and earth, that stayest the madness of the people, and the furiousness of the Fiend, or for what cause so ever it be that thou hast laid thy heavy hand of judgement upon him. Yet we humbly beseech thee (O Lord God) not of ourselves, or for ourselves, but in the bowels of thy dear Son jesus Christ, whom thou hast made the Redemption of the world; to mitigate thy fury by tender mercy; assuage thy wrath, and stay thy heavy hand already begun and continued in frail flesh. Let not the Devil nor all the powers in hell tempt him, above that which he shall be able through Christ his Saviour to bear. O Lord, restore in him of thy goodness, whatsoever hath been decayed by the malice or suggestion of Satan, or by his own frailty and wicked disposition, or by any his enemies, the flesh, world, Devil, or sin. We confess unto thee, O Lord, that sin is rife in us, the flesh is frail, the world is wicked, and the Devil is most malicious. O Lord God, among these so many and mischievous enemies, what shall we devise to do? Whithershal we fly? There is no way with us but one, we must lift up our eyes, our hands and our hearts unto thee (O Lord:) Our help is from above, our victory proceedeth from thy grace and Throne of thy Majesty: To heaven therefore we lift up both heart, hands, eyes, and all our powers; and unto thee (O gracious Lord) we call and cry for help. Break the heavens & come down (O Lord;) let our prayers pierce thine ears. Arise (O God) and scatter thine enemies and ours; stay the race of Satan, thou that art the glory of Zion, and strength of Israel, take from him his weapons and harness, wherewith he goeth about to spoil thine Inheritance: Bruise and break the head of Leviathan that subtle Serpent, which seeketh nothing but our destruction. Weaken his force, disperse and confound all his politic practices, whereby he daily goeth about to overthrow thy feeble flock. Let not this ramping and roaring Lion devour us, but chain him up, and tie him short, halter and bridle his cruel devices, wherewithal he worketh woe unto thy servants and Saints, for he can do nothing without thy permission: thou which rulest the raging of the Sea that it cannot pass her bounds, and hast Satan fettered and fast bound in chains, so that he cannot do what he would, but what pleaseth thee: for thy mercy hath conquered his cruelty to our great comfort. Thou hast commanded us to call upon thee in the day of our trouble, and thou wilt deliver us, and we shall glorify thee. Thou hast also promised in thy holy Word, to grant our godly Petitions, saying unto us like a most loving Father: Ask, and you shall have: Seek, and you shall find: Knock, and it shall be opened unto you: We ask of thee with pensive souls, and would gladly obtain mercy and forgiveness of all our offences: We seek, and would gladly find that which we have lost by our unthankfulness and sin: we knock at the gate of Grace, and will never cease knocking, until thou open unto us the bowels of compassion and pity, and grant us the feeling of thy good graces, to the full satisfaction and quieting of our troubled spirits, & careful consciences. Therefore O God the Father, God the Son, and God the holy Ghost, hear our prayers, and grant our humble requests, which with sobbing sighs & contrite hearts cry unto thee for secure.  
O Lord have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father: and for thy Son jesus Christ's sake, destroy not this afflicted creature in thy fury: suffer not this troubled and tormented person to perish everlastingly. Take away from him (good Lord) this evil spirit, and wild affection, wherewithal he is grieved and turmoiled: and endue him with thy holy Spirit, which may comfort his afflicted Spirit, and frame his disposition hereafter to lead a godly conversation, and a quiet life: So that after the trial and sharp taste of this thy fearful judgement, he may make a godly and quiet end, and be delivered from everlasting damnation and destruction. O Lord, the more and the greater his sins be; so much the more shall thy might and mercy appear in his deliverance and restoration. Thy mercy (O Lord) is above all thy works, and thy power is wonderful and invincible. Thou didst command 
Mat. 3. 28.  the Devils which were very fierce in two persons (yea and so terrible, that no man might go by that way where they were) to go out of them into the Herd of Swine, insomuch that they were quiet at thy commandment, where before they were bound with chains and fetters, and no man could tame them, but night and day they cried in the Mountains, and in the Graves, and struck themselves with stones. Thou didst also deliver 
Mat. 9 32.  a man which was dumb, and possessed with a Devil, so that the people marveled thereat. Thou (O Lord) with the eyes of compassion and pity didst look upon the Woman of Canaan, who cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O 
Mat. 15. 22  Lord, the son of David: my Daughter is miserably vexed with a Devil: and her Daughter was made whole the same hour. Thou also hadst mercy on the man that kneeled 
Mat. 17. 14  down to thee, and said: Master, have on pity my 
Mar. 9 18.  Son, for he is Lunatic and sore vexed: for oftentimes he falleth into the water, and oftentimes into the fire; and wheresoever the dumb spirit taketh him, he teareth him, and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and as soon as the spirit saw thee (O Lord) he tore him, and he fell down to the ground, wallowing and foaming. But thou (incontinently) didst rebuke the unclean spirit, and saidst unto him; thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee come out of him, and enter no more into him: and presently he departed, and took his ultimum vale of him.  
And many other times (O Lord) thou hast showed as well thy might as mercy, in delivering the halt, the maimed, the dumb, the blind, the furious, the sick, the Lepers, and the lunatic, and those which were possessed with Devils, by the ministry of thy Apostles and true Disciples. And thou hast moreover commanded us, saying: Go into all the world, preach the Gospel, heal the Sick, comfort the Weak, raise the Dead, cleanse the Lepers, and cast out Devils. Grant unto us thy dear children, and faithful servants, who are most earnest suitors unto thee at this present, that we may in like manner find favour in thy sight, so far forth, as we may obtain our request at thy gracious hands, and have our Petitions heard, and that by the power of thy Word, hearty Prayer, and a true Faith in Christ jesus, thou wilt put Satan to flight, destroy his Kingdom, and utterly extinguish all his suggestions, and dangerous temptations: and so restore unto this afflicted person here present, his former health, senses, and understanding, for thy dear Son jesus Christ his sake. Create (O Lord) a new heart, and revive thy holy Spirit in him, that he do not blaspheme thy holy name; but rather take thy visitation patiently, and be content to submit himself to thy good will and pleasure: So that come life, come death, come sickness, come health, come joy, come pain, both he and we and the whole world may magnify and extol thy blessed Name in all actions: and as our bounden duty is, daily and hourly give thee honour and praise for thy great goodness and mercies towards us, through our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ.  
Amen.   

A fruit full Prayer in time of any common sickness or Plague.  
O Lord God of Hosts, most mighty and terrible, our guide and gracious Governor, whose judgements and mercy are daily and diversly showed unto us here on earth, whose praise the Angels and Saints above extol and magnify; whose power the Devils themselves are forced to acknowledge and fear, & whose voice both winds and raging Seas do obey: Thou most mighty and eternal God, from whom proceedeth blessing, and cursing; mercy, and judgement; health, and sickness: Mercy to the penitent and godly, judgement without mercy to the Reprobate and wicked. Thou it is which renewest thy plagues against man when he offendeth, whose vengeance from heaven is so sudden and fearful towards the rebellious and disobedient, that for one sin in David, thou didst destroy with the loathsome disease of the Pestilence, many thousands of his people: Cast thine eyes of mercy upon us (O thou preserver of men) which languish in this Land with the same diseases and sickness: Where not David only hath offended in trusting to his strength, but every Congregation, and every household hath not one way, but many ways provoked thee to plague so ungodly and ungracious a people: and now that the door of thy storehouse is open, and thy plagues appear: we see we have offended, and we sorrow at the sight of our sins.  
Now we consider we have offended grievously, we have done amiss, we have dealt wickedly, we have lived ungodly, we have swerved from the way of Truth without any godly fear, or remorse of conscience: Thy benefits of peace, health, and wealth, have brought too too many of us to such security and contempt of Religion, that we abuse thy blessings as fast as thou pourest them upon us: Our thoughts, words, and works are vain, carnal and devilish: The fruits of the flesh have overgrown the force of the Spirit; Faith faileth, sin hath gotten the upper hand, and our reason is so overruled with affections, that few are found settled in a dutiful form of upright and spiritual obedience. Wherefore we confess, thou mightest justly forsake us, as we forsake thee, and not only proceed to sting the whole body of this Land with sundry Plagues and Diseases; but also for our sins condemn us most justly to eternal death: whose consciences are so guilty, that they condemn ourselves. And yet for all this, thy mercy is unmeasurable towards the humble and penitent, though once thou spakest to jeremy against thine own people being disobedient to thee, saying: Though Moses and Samuel 
jer. 15. 1.  stood before me, yet have I no heart (or affection) unto this people: Cast them out of my sight, and let them departed, some unto Death, some to the Sword, some to Famine, and some to Captivity. This people was in a pitiful case, and we are more miserable and sinful, and have deserved a more heavy hand of thy judgement to be laid upon us. Notwithstanding (O Lord) we humbly beseech thee to deal with us in mercy, stay thy hand, and bid thine Angel cease from punishing: Look with a cheerful countenance upon thy people: Bless us (O heavenly Father) within and without: Be thou our guard, thy Word our guide, thy Spirit our comfort, and thy Son our Saviour. Stay by us continually, hold us up by thy right hand strongly, and direct us by thy counsel wisely. So shall we be inwardly comforted, though the world conspire, Satan roar, the wicked rise up against us; yea, though the earth be moved, the pillars of heaven shake, the Sea rage, plagues fall, & all creatures frown: Yet shall not we either fear, tremble, or be dismayed with any boisterous blast of adversity, so long as we trust in thee, lean to thee, serve thee, and rest upon thee, as our strong Rock: for thou art mighty in the heat of judgement, and yet merciful in the midst of miseries. Have pity therefore upon us most miserable sinners, mitigate thy fury, assuage our pain, release our smart, and pardon our passed faults. We confess (O dear Father) that we of ourselves are the cause of our own woe, and provokers of this thy plague and grievous punishment which is fallen upon us most worthily. Yea, our own detestable deeds committed against thy sacred will, our obstinate pride, in time of plenty, our security in time of health; our unthankfulness towards thy goodness, in time of prosperity; our contempt of thy Word daily read and preached unto us, did threaten long before this thy rod and scourge of sickness, or some greater judgement.  
Our continual transgressions; as our Idleness, Wantonness, Whoredom, Drunkenness, Gaming, Swearing, Swilling, Slandering, Stealing, Fight, quarreling, Polling, Pilling, Usury, Extortion and Oppression of the poor; our Bribery, Covetousness, Defrauding of the Widow and Fatherless, with a huge heap more of such like vices, have been the causes of this our misery and smart, which now we feel to our torment and grief, and have moved thee the holy One of Israel to power out the fearful cup of thy wrath and vengeance upon us, which thy justice doth crave, and we daily deserve. Nevertheless (dear Father of mercy) though we have through our sins showed ourselves enemies unto thee, and vessels of thy wrath, and unworthy to pray unto thee with our lying lips, and polluted mouths, much less to obtain our suits at thy hands. Yet (most merciful Father) we beseech thee be favourable unto us, in showing thy mercy unto us that are miserable: For, if thou O Lord, dost strictly mark what is done amiss among men, and wilt retain our iniquity: O Lord, who shall then be able to abide it, or to stand in thy sight? Verily no flesh, no not the justest man that liveth this day upon the face of the earth.  
Therefore (O Lord) we return to thee with our hearts, and come home with the Prodigal Son, although late at night, repenting the rude race we have runned, and being hearty sorry for the lewd life we have led: we prostrate ourselves, and fall down flat to the ground before the Throne of thy Grace; beseeching thee as our tender and pitiful Father, to embrace us with the arms of mercy and compassion, to turn away thy face from our loathsome sins, and blot out of thy remembrance our former offences. Revive (O Lord) our sorrowful & penitent spirits after the time of our trial; comfort our careful and contrite hearts, for give us our trespasses: Turn to us in thy mercy, which return to thee from sin; direct our ways hereafter in the works of thy commandments; increase our Faith, and make these thy judgements and grievous plagues, which thou hast worthily inflicted upon us for our wickedness, be a caveat and warning blow unto us hereafter, that we never fall again to our former folly, nor heap upon our own heads thy wrath and vengeance, lest a worse thing happen unto us: but that this our chastisement may work in our minds true and unfeigned repentance: So that when thy heavenly hand shall slake from the execution of thy just judgement, when thy wrath is appeased, and we safely delivered, acquitted, and discharged of this misery wherein we are now wrapped, we may indeed amend that which is amiss in us, tread Satan under our feet, contemn the world, mortify the lusts of the flesh, crucify the whole body of sin, and as new-born Babes show ourselves hereafter more thankful for thy benefits powered upon us in most plentiful manner: as for our health, wealth, tranquillity and liberty; the preaching of thy Gospel; the true knowledge of thy will revealed in thy Word; the outward peace of our bodies, and the inward comfort of our souls: All which graces, with many more, we have enjoyed a long time in more ample manner, than any other People or Nation under heaven. O Lord, we humbly beseech thee, continue thy good blessings towards us thine unworthy & unthankful servants; & grant that thy holy Name may be so glorified hereafter, in all our thoughts, words, and works, during this transitory life; that in the end when thou hast wrought thy will with us, we may reign with thee and all the holy company of heaven in the life everlasting. Grant also (dear Father) relaxation, and release of thy plagues and punishments unto this thine afflicted town of and to all other countries, towns, houses, and people which be in the like calamity and distress, for the love and precious Passion of jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, in whose blessed name we bow the knees both of our souls and bodies, and humbly prostrate ourselves here before the Throne of thy glorious Majesty, praying unto thee as he hath taught us, and saying, Our Father, which art in Heaven, etc.   

The third Duty of the Pastor.  
THe third thing pertaining to a good Pastor, is his godly counsel or admonition: as for example,  
Good Brother, you must now in this time of God's visitation, call to mind your former life: The more vicious and faulty you have been, the deeper you ought to sigh and groan in spirit for your offences: and whereinsoever you have displeased God, consider, that amendment of life to come, and repentance for your sins past, is the way and means to become friends with him, and to be at peace in your own conscience. But this repentance may not be in mouth outwardly, but inwardly in simplicity of heart, continually detesting that which is evil, and ardently loving that which is good and acceptable to God: And so though unworthy of yourself, you may be accepted of God, by faith in his beloved Son, with whom the Father is well pleased; but with us and our unrighteousness, he cannot be but highly displeased: it is good therefore to acknowledge and confess your sin to God, and to submit yourself to his Majesty, by true conversion and sorrow of heart, with an inward grief and loathing of those sins, which before you took pleasure in; and craving of mercy and pardon at his hands whom you have so often offended. So did David the King; so did the poor Publican knock at the door of his heart, and being pressed and overwhelmed with sorrow, he cried: Lord be merciful unto me a 
Luk. 18. 13.  sinner. So we, spare us, O Lord, spare thy people. And this must be done in time, even now presently: For now is that acceptable time. 
2. Cor. 6. 2.  Now is the Day of salvation, Now is the Day of hearing.  
Christ lamented the state of jerusalem, because she knew not the times of her visitation. Therefore (good brother) apply this plaster to your sore: you are now visited of God by sickness, it is now your time to call your sins to remembrance, defer it not, but watch for your salvation offered: they say, warned men may live. jerusalem warns you, sickness warns you, your grey head warns you, your friends warn you, I warn you, and God warns you in his Word to repent, to renounce this world, to watch for your delivery, to look for your redemption, and to have your conversation in heaven, from whence 
Phil. 3. 20.  you look for a Saviour, even the Lord jesus Christ.  
The five foolish Virgins would not watch, but slept and slumbered, and therefore had heaven gates shut up against them. The doors were opened, but they were not ready with their Lamps burning, but were taken napping in their security and sin.  
Therefore, they may now knock, and thump, and cry, and call as loud as they can, and yet they shall never be heard, it is but lip-labour, all is in vain. The time was, but it never shall be again: Mercy was offered, which being refused, justice must take place. Such examples are set down for our instruction; and happy is that man which can take heed by other men's harms. If God's judgement cannot fear us to forsake sin, yet his mercy should move us, and lead us by the hand to warch and be careful for our salvation: for God pitieth us, his Angels favour us, his benefits provoke us, yea all his creatures, Sun, Moon and Stars, Heaven & earth do admonish us, and should provoke us to beware, to watch and ward for our salvation: They cry continually, Repent and amend. The shortness of our time may move us hereunto. We see by daily experience, to day a man, to morrow none, he that liveth the longest, his race is soon finished & ended: and that made job to say, Man hath but a short time to 
job 14. 1.  live, and in that time he is subject to many miseries, as poverty, slanders, persecutions, blindness, lameness, oldness, coldness, trouble and sickness: All these molestations and thousands more warn us, by course to beware that we run right. Let us therefore (good Brother) tuck up our garments, and prepare ourselves for the life to come; for the time of our departing is at hand. That little time that remaineth, let us bestow it in the service of God, and not of the devil: Let us not walk with the wicked in the wide way that leadeth to damnation, but rather keep company with the servants of God, and walk in the narrow way with them; though it be painful and cumbersome for a while, yet it is comfortable in the end; when we shall have our recompense with the righteous, then shall death be welcome to us, which now is shunned of the most; then the Day of judgement shall lighten our hearts, when it shall load the conscience of the impenitent sinner; we may then with comfort lift up our heads and hearts, when the ungodly may hang them down, and be ashamed to look either God or man in the face. I would to God all men would remember this day of reckoning and reward; then if love of salvation could not make us do well, yet fear of damnation would somewhat bridle and stay us from doing evil. It would move the rich to pity the poor, the Usurer and Extortioner to restore their evil gotten goods with just Zacheus: the Landlord not to cut his Tenant's throat, by making him and all he hath, his bondslaves: for those wicked worldings which will not now be drawn to repentance by hearing, shall then be tormented both body and soul by feeling, when they shall be taken tardy in their sins, apprehended, accused, indicted, and arraigned at the Bar of God's Tribunal judgement Seat; where the ungodly shall not be able to stand, much less to answer their crime, when God's sword is drawn ready to strike and take vengeance; at that day no entreaty will take place, nor prayer be heard either of men or Angels in their behalf: for all the creatures of God shall refuse to do them service at their death, because they refused to do God service in their life; and for that occasion they shall hear & see all things cry vengeance upon them: nothing in heaven or earth to minister comfort, but rather cause of grief and horror: let this gear enter into your brain betime (good brother) and let it pierce your heart now in your life time; for after death you shall have no time to repent and turn to God, neither is there then any mercy to be hoped for at his hands, but a fearful looking for the sentence of God's just judgement: Go 
Math. 25. 41.  ye cursed into everlasting fire, etc. Then they may yell, howl and cry, and yet never find grace, after God's curse hath once taken place: All their mirth shall then be turned to mourning, their honour to shame, their pleasure to pain, their wealth to woe, and their delicate fare on earth, to the bitter torments of hell, where they shall remain for ever in darkness and perpetual pain.  
This shall be the portion of the ungodly: whereas contrariwise the righteous shall be shrouded under the wings of God's mercy, and safely preserved from those tortures by the blood of the Lamb: the Angels shall guard them, the Saints shall embrace them, the heavens receive them, and the pleasures of the Celestial Paradise shall replenish them with unspeakable joy & continual comfort: therefore let us prepare ourselves for that Day of reward: perhaps it is nearer than we are aware: let us have continually in our minds the joys of heaven, and the pains of hell: let the one move us to love God, the other to fear him, lest we be damned with the wicked. Let us turn to the Lord betime: Let us promise, & perform; for many promise in their woe, that which they soon forget when they wax wanton. They are then secure, they dream of a dry Summer, as the rich Cormorant did, which forgetting God, and wallowing in worldly wealth, cast away all care of doing his duty, and said, Soul, thou 
Luk. 12. 19  hast much goods laid up for many years, live at ease, eat, drink, and take thy pastime. Oh, jolly Gentleman, this fellow is now in his ruff: but behold a cooling card! the Lord answered again, and that speedily and readlly, O fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul from thee: whose then shall thy goods be that thou hast provided?  
It is wisdom therefore for man to provide for God, & then God will provide for him. Therefore (good brother) I beseech you in the bowels of jesus Christ, repent, and correct yourself betime, reform your manners and behaviour by the rule of God's Law, that you may avoid the curse thereof, and be preserved and saved: that when jesus Christ shall come to his judgement from the highest heavens, in power and Majesty, accompanied with his holy Angels and Saints, you may meet him with a joyful heart, and obtain the crown of glory and victory, which is the reward of God's children: and so reign with that righteous judge, in perpetual peace. continual comfort, and endless joy: which God grant to you and me, and all that love his coming, Amen.  
And that we may the better perform the Premises, let us in all our actions set these four things before our eyes, that is, the Day of Death, the Day of Doom, that Condemnation of the wicked, and the Salvation of the godly.  
To the wicked and damned sort, death is miserable, God's judgements terrible, and their pain intolerable: To the godly and such as shall be saved, death is pleasant, judgement comfortable, and their joy perpetual: therefore it is better betime to repent & reform ourselves with the godly, then to drive off from day to day, with the wicked, which neither by God's mercy nor judgement will be drawn to amendment, but neglect all means and occasions: and there is no better time, nor fit occasion to prepare ourselves to our end, then when we feel Gods heavy hand laid upon us by any kind of cross, sickness, or other visitation; for thereby God giveth us friendly warning to make ourselves in a readiness, and to give over the world: and happy man is he (whosoever he be) which forsaketh sin, before sin forsake him, and that giveth over the world, before the world give him over: for when we have discharged ourselves of this world, and this world shall be discharged of us, than we have the greatest account of all to reckon for: Therefore (my dear brother) that fearest God and believest in him, while thou art now chastised with sickness and pain, and perceivest death to approach, bestir yourself betime, follow Christ at foot, prostrate yourself before him, fall down flat on the earth, deny your self, acknowledge your sin, trust in him, never give over, cry and call aloud, Miserere mei, Domine, miserere mei: i. Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy on me, Cry with the Cananite: O son of David, have 
Mat. 15. 22  mercy on me: and at length he will look back, take pity upon you, forgive you your sins, and receive you to his mercy.  
Let the innocent Lamb of God be an example unto you herein: for Christ himself in his extreme agony, when his sweat was like drops of blood trickling down to the ground, yet he prayed earnestly to have his Fathers Will fulfilled. So must you do, that is now weak and feeble in body be fervent in spirit, renounce the wicked world, with all the vanities therein, tread them under your feet, Sursum cor, Lift up 
Col. 3. 1, 2  your heart to God, meditate upon heavenly things, for it is high time: Behold, the Son of GOD your merciful Redeemer, that sweat water and blood for your sins, behold him sitting on the right hand of his Father, making intercession for you, join yourself to him, pray unto God fervently in his name, and say as he himself did in the anguish of his Spirit here on earth; Father, into thy 
Luk. 23. 46  hands I commend my Spirit. Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth, Lord have mercy upon me, and forgive me my sins. Sweet jesus, receive my soul into thy Kingdom, etc.  
I beseech you (gentle Brother) think upon my words in my absence, and continue in this mind, having a firm faith in Christ jesus, even to your end.  
And withal, take in good part this my friendly admonition: Let it work in your heart true repentance to salvation, and if you doubt any thing touching your belief, life or Religion, or any other private causes that may in some sort trouble your conscience: I pray you let me resolve you, and I will do my endeavour to satisfy you therein, so far forth as may tend to your salvation and comfort, which I hearty wish in Christ jesus: And so for this time I leave you, committing you to the tuition of him that is able to save you.   

The fourth duty of the Pastor.  
THe fourth duty of the Pastor is, to comfort the sick in all their distress, danger and fear, with sentences, examples, and persuasions out of the Word of God, especially toward their end.  
We fear chiefly two things, 


1 Death in this life.  
2. Damnation after death     
I purpose not to speak much of either, for if I did, I should but make the volume of this book to large, and so cause the Printer to waste paper, to his further charges, and my greater pains, and yet say nothing but that which is set down already by those that are better learned than myself, and have trodden the way before me. Therefore having partly touched the same in my Questions, I will only add these few lines following, touching both for example sake.  
It is an old rule in Physic: Take away the cause, and the effect is taken away with it. Understand therefore (good Brother) that the causes why men so much fear death, be many, according to the multitude of men and their manners.  
The first cause is, for that by death they lose many commodities and pleasures, which in their life time they did long enjoy, and have great delight therein; as wife, children, parents, friends, lands, livings, possessions, sumptuous houses, buildings, worldly honours, offices & dignities. All these and such like, be call-backs, and daily coveted while life lasteth, and yet dreadful death dispatcheth us of all these delights even at a blow: this is the fear of worldlings.  
Secondly, we fear death, because of weakness, diseases and bitter torments, which are the forerunners, warners, and messengers of death: This is the fear of the flesh.  
The third cause why men fear death, is, incredulity or lack of faith in Christ. This is the fear of conscience, and proceedeth of ignorance, or lack of knowledge in the Scriptures, whereof our faith is grounded.  
The fourth cause why we fear death, is, the danger of eternal damnation both of body and soul in hell fire. This is the inward fear of the spirit.  
But to be short, one comfortable blast of God's spirit, will extinguish and drive all these terrors quite away from us, even as the wind doth drive away the thick clouds or mists, which do separate us from the light and sight of the Sun.  
First therefore, for the loss of the world, and all the dross therein, it is indeed no loss, but gain to those that by death enjoy the company of God & his Angels in heaven, where they shall be immortal and incorruptible; freed from all carnal desires and diseases of the body, and delivered from all sorrow and trouble of mind: no loss therefore to the godly that have gained Christ, but to the wicked worldlings that have lost their riches and pleasures here, & in stead thereof possess perpetual pains elsewhere, to them it shall be said: Look how much pleasure they have had, and give them so much torment.  
Secondly, touching the fear of sickness, the more pain we suffer here, the more like we are to our Master Christ, & the greater shall be our reward in heaven: In the mean time, let us be of good comfort, for he that smiteth, healeth, and he that sendeth trouble, sendeth strength.  
Thirdly, against incredulity or distrust, we must desire of God to increase our faith, that we may believe the Scriptures, and take pleasure therein: for ignorance will not excuse us, now that the candle is lighted and not hid under a bushel, but openly revealed to the wide world, and that to the comfort and salvation of every one that believeth: for the knowledge of God's Law, and the Gospel, are necessary to our salvation: the reasons be divers.  
The one doth fear us.  
The other doth comfort us.  
The Law uttereth sin.  
The Gospel forgiveth it.  
The Law maketh weak.  
The Gospel maketh strong.  
The Law killeth.  
The Gospel quickeneth.  
The Law throweth down to hell.  
The Gospel lifteth up to heaven.  
Fourthly, against the fear of damnation, when Satan layeth the Law hard to our charge, threatening thereby death and damnation: Let us answer him with the Gospel, which bringeth life and salvation. Let us have a grounded and steadfast faith fixed in Christ jesus our Saviour, who hath vanquished and destroyed all our deadly enemies, as the flesh, the world, damnation, punishment, dangers, sin, death, devil and hell.  
Be at utter defiance with them all, & say boldly with the Apostle S. Paul, It is 
Rom. 8. 33.  God that justifieth, who then can condemn? and again, God shall shortly tread down 
Rom. 16. 20.  Satan under your feet, etc.  
If you believe this, and apply it right to your soul, you may then cheerfully die, and on your dying day sing and say that merry note, to your great comfort and joy, viz. I desire to be 
Phil. 1. 23.  loosed, and to be with Christ.  
This was the mark that the blessed Apostle Saint Paul did aim at, all his life long; and therefore rejoicing in heart, he saith, towards the end of his course,  
I am now ready to be offered, 
2 Tim. 4. 6  and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good battle, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: from henceforth there remaineth for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord a just judge shall give me at that day, not only unto me, but to all those that love his coming. This made Stephen that faithful witness of his Master Christ, (seeing the glory of God) constantly to call upon him, and say in his greatest torment of body, Lord 
Act 7. 59  jesus, receive my spirit. These men and many more such like, have willingly yielded their necks to the block, their bodies to torment, & their souls to God, and boldly to departed out of the miseries of this world, embracing the counsel of the wise man: who saith, Fear 
Eccl. 4. 1, 3  not the judgement of death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after: this is the ordinance of the Lord over all flesh.  
And why wouldst thou be against the pleasure of the most Highest? whether it be ten, or an hundredth, or a thousand years, there is no defence for life against the grave. No striving against the stream, no resisting against death.  
But (alas) what meaneth this? There is nothing that men so often behold as death, and nothing that men so soon forget as death. As men ought not to be careless of their final end: so they ought not to fear death, especially if they have lived in the fear of God; for seeing all must die, wherefore should the godly be afraid of Bugs? what a fool is he that will fear his own shadow? what good will it do us, either to complain or lament for that thing which by no means we can escape?  
Tell me, if thou canst, with all thy skill, what man is he alive, that breatheth upon the earth, that shall live until he be an hundredth years old? or, what one canst thou name for thy life, with whom thou hast been acquainted an hundredth years sithence? crack me this Nut, read me this Riddle, Et eris mihi magnus Apollo: that is, I will account thee as a God for thy skill. Seeing then that our life is both short and uncertain, and that these things are general to all, and not to thee or to me alone; Why should we not in good fellowship taste of the same sauce, and drink of the same cup one after another, and that without fear or grudging, as all our predecessors have done? Let us yield our pampered bodies to the earth, and our sinful souls to the trial of justice: for so have the godly always done, they account the world to be but a Race, a Vale of miseries, and a painful Pilgrimage, and therefore they covet to have the course of this life finished, they wait continually for the good hour, looking after death for a joyful resurrection. And of this hope they have the sweet and comfortable Testimony of God's Spirit within them, as a gage or pledge of their salvation, which will never forsake them, until it have presented them before the Majesty of God, as heirs and coheirs with jesus Christ of his heavenly Kingdom, purchased for us with his own blood, wherein our souls and filthy bodies are sprinkled and thoroughly washed. What a comfort is this to a Christian heart? What need a man thus minded to fear death after this life, any more than the labouring man (after he hath toiled sore all the day long) need to fear sleep and his quiet rest at night? No, no, he may rather with a cheerful conscience wish for death, because as Christ saith, He shall pass from death 
jon. 5. 24.  to life.  
Let us therefore (good Christian Brother) so live with Christ, that we may die in him; and let us so glorify him in this life by our godly conversation, that we may be glorified of him in the life to come, to our comfort and salvation. The best remedy to avoid this frivolous fear of death, is to repent our former sins, and hereafter to apply ourselves to live in his true service and fear.  
So that first we may finish our life here, and die well.  
Secondly, that we may receive at God's hands in the resurrection of the just, a comfortable and merciful judgement.  
Thirdly, that we may avoid the horrible pains of hell which are intolerable.  
Fourthly and finally, that we may be partakers of the life everlasting, and unspeakable joys of heaven: which God vouchsafe to grant unto us for his Christ's sake, our Redeemer and merciful Saviour,  
Amen.   

Consolation against damnation.  
IT is most certain (good Brother) that when we lie sick in the pangs of death, then presently our sins committed against the holy Will and Commandment of God, do present themselves unto us, rushing in upon us with great violence: Then we can behold nothing but God's judgement above us, hell beneath us, damnation before us, and our sins within us; then there is nothing but fear, trembling, and horror on every side us. All our enemies are now gathered together to assault us with sorrow and heaviness: now we had need of a strong faith and a good courage in this case: for no doubt, our old enemy Satan will now play his part in tempting of us; he will with boldness present unto us all the sins we have committed all our life time, he will heap together whole Wain-loads of our trespasses in great abundance, to the end, to dash us out of countenance with God, and to make us doubt of God's mercy, and so to fall to desperation; here now we stand in more need of godly counsel and comfort, than ever we did in all our life time: we are now put to our plunge, and forced to seek shifts, for Satan will then press silly souls with fear and perplexity, that they cannot tell how to wind themselves out of his claws, he will make of every molehill, a mountain; of a Fly, an Elephant; and of every light sin, a deep wound in our conscience, which breedeth such hurly burly within us, that we can be at no rest with ourselves: when it it is day, we wish for night, and when it is night, we would have it day our meat doth us no good, our sleep is unsound, our heart cannot be merry, sorrow overwhelmeth us, all comfort forsaketh us, there is no joy nor pleasure in the world that can delight us. And thus the Devil, which before alured us unto sin, writeth up all in his book, and in the time of danger, or towards our death, when he cometh to accuse, he will bring the whole reckoning, and then turn all our former pleasure into present pain; then the piercing sting and woeful worm of our conscience pricketh and biteth us in such fearful sort, that many men have been forced even openly with trembling flesh and sorrowful souls to cry out of their sins: now then being brought to this woeful case, what is to be done? The next way is, to seek for remedy; when we lack our bodily health, and are pained with sickness, we straightway post, yea we run and we ride with all speed unto a Physician, we let for no labour, we spare no cost to procure medicines, and remedies for our earthly bodies: why do we not then with like diligence seek out remedies against the noisome diseases and infections of the soul, being much more grievous and more dangerous than these of the body?  
Now therefore (dear Brother) to apply these words to the comfort of your careful conscience, and wearisome body, being afflicted inwardly, and pained outwardly: Are you desirous of salvation? would you willingly die in God's favour? would you be received into his heavenly Tabernacle? do you desire to be blessed with old jacob? And do you covet to be a Citizen of the heavenly jerusalem? then give ear and take good heed unto such comfortable counsel, as by God's gift and grace I shall minister unto you.  
First, prostrate yourself before the divine Majesty of God: Let your sin be a grief unto you, but let it not grieve you to confess it: for of all other things, our sins do bite the soarest, and pierce our souls the deepest, because they are aggravated with all the threatenings of God's vengeance, which maketh us loath to have them searched or known to the world, or any way touched by the Word; we had rather have them plastered with sweet promises, and bathed in the mercies of God, whereas it is more safe to have them pricked and made manifest by the rigour of the Law, although it bring both shame and blame.  
Therefore (my good Brother) if you be ashamed of yourself, and of your sin (as all men may be) yet for all that, be neither abashed or ashamed to acknowledge it and crave pardon. If you see no worthiness in yourself, but the world accusing you without, and your own conscience within, yet despair not utterly, but lift up your eyes to heaven, and there behold jesus Christ your Saviour, sitting on the right hand of God, as a Mediator, making intercession for you to his heavenly Father: he was a Saviour on earth, so he remaineth 
Heb. 13. 8.  in heaven. jesus Christ yesterday, and to day, the same also is for ever.  
Yesterday, he called to sinners, & said: Come unto me, 
Mat. 11. 28.  all ye that are weary and laden, & I will ease you. And to day he crieth and calleth in like manner, and will do to the world's end: Yesterday he said, I came not to call the 
Mat. 9 12  just, but sinners to repentance. And to day he saith the same. Yesterday he forgave 
Mat. 18. 27  ten thousand Talents to one debtor; his arm is not shortened to day, he is the same God he was. Yesterday he forgave the prodigal son, his sin in leading a lascivious and lewd life, and to day he doth the like to many more.  
Yesterday he forgave Peter his perjury, Paul his blasphemy, the sons of Zebede their pride, Marry Magdalene her whoredom. As he was a merciful Christ yesterday, so he is to day, and will be to morrow. Yesterday he came to save sinners, and to day he comes to save, & to morrow he will come, and for ever he will not reject them, if they repent.  
Therefore, Satan, what canst thou say, or allege against me? or how darest thou presume to charge me or any one of God's Elect? If God will save, thou canst not condemn: If Christ will show mercy, I defy thy cruelty.  
It may be, thou wilt object against me, and say, These are particular examples, and they became holy men afterward. This maketh nothing for you, but against you: you are no such man, neither are you to expect such mercy. But I say unto thy teeth, Satan, Thou art and hast been a liar from the beginning. God's Word and his promise are established in Heaven. And this one sentence is sufficient to comfort me, and convince thee: jesus Christ yesterday, to day, and the same also for ever: Always one and the same, he cannot deny himself: he is mercy itself; by nature merciful; by office merciful; in his life merciful; in his death merciful. He is no changeling: I may change, the world may change, but he is immutable, and cannot change. He still continueth always alike mighty, always alike liberal, always alike merciful: A Saviour yesterday, a Saviour to day, & a Saviour to morrow, & so to the world's end, & after. Therefore avoid and away Satan, tempt me no longer, do not threaten me damnation. For I know and believe assuredly, that there is 
Rom. 8. 1.  no condemnation to them that are in Christ jesus. O how sweet is this blessed name jesus, which signifieth a Saviour, to the pensive soul of a sinner! O how much and how deeply are we bound to God our heavenly Father, for our salvation wrought by this his dear and only Son, in whom he acknowledgeth himself to be fully satisfied and appeased 
Mat. 3. 1●.  for our sins! This testimony proceeding from Heaven, is so certain, that all the Devils in hell, and enemies in earth, shall never be able to withstand it; for no creature but Christ alone, hath power to remit sins. He it is alone, that hath taken upon him our 
Esay 53. 4.  sins, and borne our pains. They that are strong, need not 
Mat. 9 12, 13.  the Physician, but they that are sick. Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Our names are 
Luk. 10. 20  written in heaven, and recorded for ever in the Book of Life. For God so loved the 
joh. 3. 16,  world, that he hath given us his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world, that he should condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. These are comfortable words to all those that are clogged in conscience: these are general words uttered to the wide world, by him that came to save the world; by him that hath promised & will perform; by him that calleth all, and exempteth none, as appeareth by that general Sentence, which cannot too often be recited: Come unto 
Mat. 2. 28.  me, all ye that are weary and laden, and I will ease you. This comfortable call and cheerful cry of Christ, should be printed in our hearts, & ring in our ears as an alarm night and day, they should awake us out of the sleep of sin, and move us to come at the first bidding. You see how friendly and fatherly we are called, no place or country is excepted, no time prohibited, no sinner rejected, but to all he calleth, and daily he calleth, Come, Come.  
This word may serve for the first Call in this world, and warn us of the last Call in the day of judgement; for the judge shall then rehearse the same, Come, ye blessed. If you will obey the first Call here, you shall hear the second Call hereafter to your great joy and comfort. We are all here laden with sin, we are all weary of the burden, it is too heavy for the best to bear. Therefore let us come to Christ our Lord and Master for ease, he hath already borne the burden of our sins upon his own shoulders, and nailed them fast upon his Cross. When we are most laden, then lifts he for life: when we are most in misery, than he is most merciful and mighty: when we are fallen flat to the earth, & brought low to hell gate, than he stretcheth out his long and large arm of mercy, and plucketh us out of all danger, delivereth us from the dunghill and danger of the Devil, and so leadeth us ready by the hand to his Father's Kingdom. Thus he doth to all (there is no respect of persons) bond 
Gal. 3. 28.  and free, jew and Gentile. He refuseth not Publicans, as Zacheus: no not Whoremongers 
Luk. 19 5.  and murderers, as David: not Drunkards, as Noah and Lot: not great sinners, as Mary Magdalen: not the Thief, hanging on his right hand: not persecutors, as Paul: no, not swearers & forswearers of themselves, as Peter: but most tenderly and lovingly he accepteth their repentance, embraceth them with the arms of his mercy, and forgiveth them their sins.  
Now therefore (good Brother) in the time of this your trial and Visitation, I would wish you to apply these comfortable sentences and examples to yourself, for the better safety of your own soul. Are you injured by your enemies? Come to Christ, he is able to redress it. Are you falsely accused or slandered? You are the more like to your Master Christ jesus: for he was so handled before you. Are you troubled by mighty men? Come to Christ: for he pulleth down the mighty from their seat. Are you forsaken of your friends? Come to Christ, for he forsaketh none, except they first forsake him. Art thou tormented with bodily sickness? Come to Christ, for he smiteth and healeth. Art thou in danger of death? Come to Christ, for he is the life that shall never have end. Do you fear hell & damnation? Come to Christ, who hath delivered you from hell, and wrought your salvation: who defying the Devil, hath said by his Apostle: O death, where 
1. Cor. 15. 55,  is thy sting? O hell, where is thy victory? Let us clap our hands, rejoice at heart, and say, Thanks be unto God, which hath given us victory, through our Lord jesus Christ. We may now boldly say with just job, the faithful servant of God, I am 
job 19 25,  sure that my Redeemer liveth, and he shall stand the last on the earth. And though after 
26,  my skin, worms destroy this body, yet shall I see God in my flesh. Whom I myself shall see, and mine eyes shall behold, and none other for me, though my reins are consumed within me.  
So that neither death, nor damnation is terrible to those that behold Christ aright with the eyes of their Faith. A sure faith obtaineth any thing at God's hands: as for example: The 
Mat. 15. 22  woman of Canaan cried, O son of David, have mercy on me, and her Daughter was healed.  
The Publican cried, God 
Luk. 18. 13  be merciful unto me a sinner, and he went home justified. The Centurion believed, and 
Mat. 8. 13.  his son was restored. The 
Mar. 5. 23.  Master of the Synagogue prayeth, and his Daughter was revived.  
The Apostles cry, Save 
Mat. 8. 25.  us, O Lord, we perish: and they are saved every one. Not one person can perish, 
Mat. 10. 33  no, nor one hair of his head, without God's divine providence and permission. For although our heavenly Father try us by troubles in this world, as the gold is tried in the fire; yet after the time of trial he is never the further off. But the more grievous our sickness is, the greater our afflictions be, and the more heavy our hearts wax, the more we ought to rejoice, seeing our reward is great in 
Mat. 5. 12.  heaven, as Christ hath said, whom we ought to follow with our cross on our backs here on earth, if we mean to reign with him in heaven.  
Therefore (good Brother) in your grief and agony, hold up your hands, and lift up your heart to heaven, despair not at all, fear not too much, but be of good comfort. And as Saint Augustine faith; 
Aug. sent. de Poenit.  Ille solus diffidat qui tantum penare potest, quantum Deus bonus est: that is, let that man only distrust or despair, whose sin exceedeth God's goodness. But the Devil himself, and all our iniquity is less than God's mercy: and therefore the greatest sinners in the world, ought not to despair, if they repent, seeing his mercy is above all his works: for of his mercy there is neither number, nor measure, nor end. The mercy of the Lord embraceth us on every side. The sentence of Ezechiel is sure and sealed up in Heaven: That God will not have the 
Ezec. 18. 32.  death and damnation of a sinner, but rather his life and conversion. Wherefore wilt thou perish, O Israel? And wherefore wilt thou despair, O sinful flesh? Come to God: Come to his beloved Son Christ jesus: the Master calleth thee, he offereth thee his mercy; he promiseth thee forgiveness: Come thou early, come thou late, if thou come at all, (whether it be at noon day, or at night) thou shalt have thy penny, as well as he that came in the morning. The thief on Christ's right hand was called the last hour, and came, and cried to Christ, that he 
Luk. 23. 42  would remember him. He knocked so hard at the door of God's mercy, that Christ promised him that day, to have the door of Paradise opened unto him, and to enter in with himself. This gate shall be open to us, if we do as he did. For it is shut to no man but of himself; neither is it open to any, but by Christ jesus. If we believe in this Christ jesus, that he is a Saviour, and that he died for our sins, and did rise again for our justification, we need not to dread either death or damnation, the gates of hell shall not prevail against us: because Christ is our foundation, our cornerstone to lean unto, our buckler & shield to defend us from our enemies, our head, our good Shepherd, the Bishop of our souls, our only Master, and merciful Redeemer. Let us therefore be of good cheer: Let us trust in his mercy, whose merits have purchased our salvation with God the Father: And so we may with safety of our souls depart from worldly troubles, to heavenly rest; from death, to life; from damnation, to salvation; which God of his goodness vouchsafe to give us in Christ jesus our Saviour: to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honour, power, and praise, world without end.  
Amen.    

THE SECOND PART OF THIS Book pertaining to the SICK.  
THe first duty of the sick person, visited by God, is to confess his Faith, and to make open protestation of the same before his Pastor, and the rest that stand by at his end, that they may be witnesses with him, and testify after God hath received his soul into eternal rest, that he lived and died the Child of God, the true Servant of jesus Christ his Saviour, and as becometh a charitable Christian, and one of the household of Faith.  
The confession of the Faith.  
I believe in God the Father Almighty, etc.  

The sum of this Belief confessed.  
I Am fully persuaded, and undoubtedly I do confess and acknowledge before God, and all you here present, that every point and Article of this my belief, is true and necessary unto salvation: for without Faith we cannot 
Heb. 11. 6.  please God, or be saved. And therefore I steadfastly believe in my heart, that this in very deed is the true, ancient, Catholic and Apostolic faith, which all good Christians ought to hold, to the hazard both of living and life, if cause require.  
Of this our belief there be 4. principal parts. 

The first concerneth GOD the Father.  
The second, God the Son.  
The third, God the holy Ghost.  
The fourth, the holy Church, or congregation of God.    
Of which faith, I make protestation, as followeth.  
I constantly believe in heart, that which I now outwardly confess with my mouth: (viz.) That there is but one true, almighty, everlasting, living, just and merciful God; of incomprehensible glory, majesty and might, invisible, infinite and immortal. And yet in this Godhead are included three distinct persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, united together in Deity and substance inseparably: of like equality in will, might, and glory: without beginning, without ending: from whom (as from a most clear fountain) all virtue and goodness proceedeth to man, and every living creature: By whom we live, move, and 
Act. 17. 28.  are. In whom alone we are blessed, and without whom we are accursed, miserable, and wretched. Which incomprehensible, and invisible God hath revealed himself unto man many ways:  
1. Miraculously by his works.  
2. Outwardly by his Word: And  
3. Inwardly by his holy Spirit.  
First, I will confess my belief touching the Father; Then I will proceed to the Son; and finally to the Holy Ghost: not that I prefer one person before another; but because naturally man doth best apprehend and conceive this order: namely, that the Father should be set before the Son, and the Father and the Son together, before him that proceedeth from them both. And yet, nevertheless, all the three persons be but one God, equal and coeternal.  
First, therefore, I do believe in God the Father, the first Person in Trinity; who by his unsearchable wisdom, and infinite power, hath mightily made me and all mankind; yea, heaven, earth, the Sea, and all things therein contained: as the light of the Firmament, the Sun, Moon, and Stars, the Fowls of the Air, the Beasts of the Field, the fruits of the Earth, and the fishes of the Sea. All these of his great goodness he hath made, blessed, and increased for man to do him service, and that in most wonderful and plentiful manner. Yea, they were all created before man was made, to the end that Man at his first entry into the world, should come (as it were) into a house ready furnished, and so take full and quiet possession of all God's creatures, and become Lord and Ruler over them: and they all from time to time to be serviceable unto him as to their King. Only he would that man should be obedient, and show himself thankful unto his God for these his blessings. In performing which duty, I for mine own part have too often failed; God grant that I may hereafter both know his will, and by the fruits of Faith show myself more dutiful towards his Majesty, even to my lives end.  
Secondly, I believe in God the Son, the second Person in Trinity, who of his great goodness hath mercifully redeemed me and all mankind, from 
Gal. 3. 13. Tit. 2. 14. Apoc. 5. 9  the thraldom of Satan, Death, and Sin, and from the torment of Hell fire due to the same, being of myself condemned thereunto by God's just judgement, through disobedience and transgression. Yet I firmly believe that I am acquitted, discharged, and fully ransomed from the same, by my sweet Saviour jesus Christ, that did sweat water and blood for my sin; who willingly of his own accord came down from the seat of his Majesty in the highest heavens, into the vile and stinking bowels of the earth, where he for my sake, and all his elect, did not abhor to take flesh of the pure Virgin Mary, and became man, and in the same flesh, suffered most bitter pain and torment, being condemned by an earthly judge, to the most shameful death of the Cross, and so was buried, and descended into Hell, rising again for our justification, and ascending into heaven, for our glorification, and to open us the gate of salvation, which before was barred, and fast shut up against us. And my belief is, that as before he came as a Lamb in humility and mercy to seek and save sinners: So he shall come again as a Lion in the end of the world, in great glory & Majesty, 
Mat. 25. 31  accompanied with Angels and heavenly Soldiers, as a righteous judge of the quick and dead; separating the Sheep from the Goats, adjudging the one as hirelings of Hell, and the other as inheritors of Heaven. And this (among many others) is a singular comfort to me, to know assuredly that no other shall be my judge, but he that is the Saviour of my soul, and suffered for my sins. So that in all my perplexity, peril, and danger, I set this jesus a Saviour before mine eyes, as a shield, a buckler, and sure wall between me and my spiritual so the Devil, and all his tyranny, assuring myself by this confidence, that neither he by his cruelty, nor all the Army of hell can ever hurt or harm me, or any of Gods Elect.  
Thirdly, I believe in God the holy Ghost, the third Person in Trinity; who by his grace lovingly preserveth and sanctifieth me and all the Elect people of God, who daily governeth and directeth me in all my ways and godly actions, who sealeth up my salvation, by the steadfast hope that I have in Christ jesus, assuring me inwardly, that all his benefits are mine, and by that means maketh me apply the same to the comfort of my soul, who also mortifieth sin in me, who openeth and expoundeth unto me the divine mysteries of God, and moveth me to lead a godly life.  
This is that blessed wind which bloweth where it listeth, even the Spirit of God, which of carnal, maketh us spiritual; of cruel, meek; of malicious, charitable; of covetous, liberal; of dissolute, temperate; of foolish, wise; of earthly, heavenly; of the bondslaves of Satan, the dear sons of GOD, whereby we may boldly cry, Abba Father. I believe that this holy Ghost is the earnest penny here on earth, of my salvation in heaven, and that he will never forsake me, no not in the hour of death and my greatest danger: but that he will comfort me continually in all woe and temptations: so that although I be tried by the touchstone of affliction, grieved with extreme pain of body, or torinented with inward vexation of mind; yet I shall not be overcome, neither shall my cross be greater than I shall be able to bear and endure. For I know assuredly, that this holy Ghost will mercifully preserve me both in body and soul unto the coming of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ to judgement, at the dreadful day of doom, and there present me holy and without blame, before his Throne of grace, (although of myself unworthy,) yet this sweet Comforter 
Rom. 8. 15, 16.  doth, of his especial grace, bear witness with my spirit and conscience, and that in most comfortable manner, that I am of the number of those which shall be saved, and that I shall stand in the last day on the right hand of Christ, and hear that cheerful sentence to my great joy and comfort▪ Come, ye blessed of my Father, 
Mat. 25. 34  possess the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. You have been long Pilgrims on earth, but now you shall be Citizens in heaven: you have mourned a long time, but now you shall laugh for ever. I will wipe away all tears from your eyes. Enter at last (now that the heat of the day is passed) into your Master's joy.  
All these three persons before rehearsed, I believe to be one God in essence, whose seat is in the heavens above, and whose footstool is the earth beneath. Unto whom all the Powers, Angels, and Saints in heaven are subject, and do their daily service in setting forth his praises, casting down their crowns at his foot, and ascribing all honour and glory to the crowned King that sitteth upon the Throne, and reigneth for evermore; and also to the Lamb his beloved son and our Saviour. God grant that we may do him like service here on earth.  
Fourthly, and finally, I do believe the holy Catholic Church, which is God's Elect people, or the Congregation of the faithful, and is called the Kingdom of Christ jesus. Of this Kingdom, Christ 
Apoc. 21.  only is Prince; of this body, Christ only is Head; and of this Spouse, Christ only is the Bridegroom. This Church is called the Temple of the Holy Ghost, a spiritual House, a holy Nation, a Royal Priesthood, the Citizens of Heaven, the Pillar of Truth, the Ark of Noah, the Communion of Saints: Agreeing at this day in all points of Scripture, Faith and Religion, with the Primitive Church of God: Firmly holding, and boldly confessing one God, one Faith, one Baptism, one Lord and Saviour of all, jesus Christ: being the sheep of God's pasture, to whom belongeth one fold, and one Shepherd, which here on earth is called the militant Church, and in Heaven the triumphant Church of God. Out of which Ark all perish, and out of which Church there is no salvation: but whosoever is not found therein, he is, without all doubt, damned. Of this Catholic Church of God, I believe, and am fully resolved that I am a member, and that GOD hath a care of me, and will preserve me safe, until I have the fruition of his heavenly jerusalem.  
This Church is knit together, and united by faith, through the operation of the Holy Ghost, as members of one body.  
This Church hath the pure Word of God truly and sincerely preached, and the Sacraments duly and faithfully administered among them: These sheep hear the voice of the true Shepherd Christ jesus, and he knoweth them, and 
joh. 10. 3.  they follow him, and he will give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of his hand; nay, the gates of 
Mat. 16. 18  hell shall not prevail nor overcome this Church. They which be of this Church, shall have remission of their sins, continual peace and joy: They shall shine and glister as the Stars of Heaven: they shall be clad with white garments, and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth: they shall have golden crowns clapped on their heads, and shall see God face to face, and have fellowship with his Saints who continually sing praifes to the eternal King, which was, and is, and is to come. And I believe, that they which continue in this Church on earth, shall after the Resurrection & general judgement, obtain everlasting life, and rest from their labours; which life and perpetual peace God grant me and all his children. And from this Church I pray God I never at any time serve or decline, either in faith, doctrine, life, or Religion; but that I may die & live therein. And I humbly beseech God, even with all my heart, to kindle & increase this Faith in me; that this hope being steadfastly fixed in my heart, I may towards mine end cry and call with the Saints of God, and with a good 
Apoc. 22. 20.  conscience, Come, Lord jesus, come quickly, and hasten thy Kingdom, that we may reign with thee in perpetual joy in the life everlasting.  
Amen.   

The protestation of the Sick.  
I A wretched sinner, redeemed with the precious blood of my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, do protest here before you all, that with a free and frank heart I do pardon and forgive all people, which by any manner of means have spoken, thought, or wrought me injury, either in word, writing, or deed whatsoever: Desiring, that as I know assuredly in my heart and conscience, that I am reconciled to God: So in like manner I may be reconciled to the world. And therefore I most hearty pray as well all you that be here present before me, as others that be absent, to forgive me wherein soever I have offended you, being most willing to part out of this world in the favour of God and good men.  
I protest and acknowledge, that I have been a grievous and horrible sinner all my days, both in thought, word, and deed: And that I have not lived so upright and holy before my Lord God and the world, as I ought to have done. I acknowledge my offences to be more in number then the Stars of Heaven, or the sands in the Sea: for my negligence in not doing that which is good, and my daily transgressions, in committing the things which are evil, are infinite. I acknowledge that all my life hath been such, as looking myself now at last in the glass of my conscience, I find daily confusion, and my mind and body so blemished with spots of uncleanness and filthiness, that I may be ashamed to look God in the face, or once to lift up mine eyes towards Heaven. Therefore I fall down to the earth with the poor Publican, and with lowly spirit, and humble mind, I ask mercy and forgiveness of my Lord God, being sorry in my heart, that ever I offended this my dear Father, and being fully purposed with myself (if God restore my former health) never so grievously to offend him again; but to avoid Vice, & embrace Virtue: yea, to hate and abhor the sin, which before I loved, and wholly to conform myself to the will of God in his Word.  
I do protest, that albeit 
3.  I have thus grievously and many ways offended God; yet I do not despair nor distrust the loving mercy of my sweet Saviour and Redeemer jesus Christ. But I hope, by the merit of his death and Passion (and not mine own merits which are nothing but a loathsome life) to be partaker of the heavenly inheritance.  
I protest furthermore, that I do believe, that this holy Passion of jesus Christ is a sure Rock, Refuge, and defence whereunto I may boldly trust and stay myself. And therefore in all adversity and trouble, I set the same against my invisible enemies, as a strong Tower, bulwark, or spiritual harness, wherewithal the faithful Soldier and Servant of Christ ought to be armed: Assuring myself, that the punishment of all my sins is thereby fully discharged, the ransom paid, and the obligation, whereby I was tied to the Law, canceled: and that the virtue of this Passion of Christ pertaineth not only to others, but also to me.  
I protest before the omnipotent God, and before all his holy. Angels and Saints, that I covet & desire to end my life in that faith, which becometh a true Christian, and the Child of God: That is, I believe all the Canonical Scriptures mentioned in the Old and New Testament, and set down by the holy Prophets of God, and the Apostles of his Son Christ, as the Penmen and writers; but instinct and prompted by the holy Ghost, the finger of God, as the Author and Inditer: which have been from time to time, and in all ages, received and believed of the true Catholic Church and Congregation of jesus Christ: So that, if through the tentation or suggestion of the Devil, or being oppressed with the violence or smart of sickness, I should think, speak, or do any thing contrary to this my confession and protestation made, I do now beforehand utterly debar, and revoke the same, and do witness and confess before God and you, that by no means I will willingly consent or yield myself in the knowledge and understanding of my heart, to any such thoughts, words, or works.  
Finally, I protest, that I rejoice in Spirit, for the sweet mercy and merits which I feel inwardly to be offered me, by the death of Christ jesus. And I do give most hearty thanks unto God the Father my Creator, for his graces offered unto me in his dear Son my Saviour; by whose unspeakable goodness, I trust, I shall die the Servant of God: and into whose holy hands and tuition, I commend my body and soul, both now and in the hour of my death.  
Amen.   

The second duty of the sick Person.  
THe second thing that is requisite in a sick person, is faithful & hearty Prayer to God, either for his speedy deliverance out of all woe and wretchedness: or else for constancy in his conflict, and patience in his pain.   

A godly metion or Meditatation before Prayer: In which, we crave for Grace, Faith, and Patience.  
O Lord, I am very sick, my body is weak, my strength faileth me, my sinews shrink, my hands and my feet wax feeble, mine eyes dazzle and lose their sight, all things are unsavoury to me, my flesh putrifyeth, my breath stinketh, my heart panteth, and my life draweth to an end. I perceive there is but one way with me: The Lord be merciful unto me, and be my guide in this my last journey: go I must, death is at door with his dart ready to strike, he stealeth nearer and nearer towards me: he is even now at my bedside ready to work his feat; I cannot prevent him, neither can I avoid or fly from him. Therefore (O Lord) I make haste to run to thee for succour, which art the true Physician both of body and soul. heal me (O Lord) and I shall be whole; preserve me, and I shall be safe under thy protection: for thou being my defence and shield, I need not to fear the force of any foe. But who am I (O merciful God) that beggeth so boldly at the door of thy mercy? I am a sinner, and in sin I was begotten of my Father, and conceived of my Mother. I confess my wretchedness, and my uncleanness is too manifest, both to thee, and the world, it troubleth my mind, and woundeth my guilty conscience: woe is me therefore. Yet spare me (O Lord) I humbly beseech thee, destroy me not in thine anger, but chastise me in lenity. And albeit I am a grievous sinner; yet I persuade myself I am thy son, and that thou canst not but have a fatherly care over me, for my elder Brother's sake, Christ jesus thy beloved. Wherefore arise and help me (O Lord) arise, I say, and cast me not away for ever: forgive me all my sins, and raise thy poor Servant out of the dunghill, that being released by thee from pain & grief, and also delivered from eternal death, I may pray unto thee faithfully during my life: and after death obtain of thee everlasting life, which thou hast prepared for me, by the death and Passion of thy dear Son jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour, in whom thou art well pleased, and by whose stripes I am cured, and trust to be saved, whose holy name be blessed and praised, now and for ever.  
Amen.   

A fruitful Prayer for the assistance of God, in the extremity of sickness.  
O Dear Father of Heaven, and Governor of the wide world, and the worker of our wealth: whose goodness is unspeakable, and whose wifedome is incomparable: whose mercy reacheth unto the Clouds, and unto whose power all creatures are subject. Thou God of the quick and the dead, which hast placed me here on earth, as a pilgrim or tenant at will, to remove at thy pleasure, and hast appointed me and all men living our bounds which we cannot pass: Have respect unto the work of thy hands, bow down thine eyes of compassion (O Lord) visit and comfort the pensive soul of thy poor prisoner. Open thy gracious ears, and hear my petition, thou which art the Saviour of my soul; grant me pardon of my sin, and patience in my pain, that I never blaspheme thy holy name, but suffer this thy scourge and punishment meekly, as becometh a good Christian and servant of God: So that in this conflict of sickness, when my flesh consumeth away, my limbs wax lame, my sight faileth, my heart fainteth, and all my senses become numbed; yea, when life & death struggle and war within me for superiority, and I lie linked in woe, in the pain and pangs of death; receiving no food, taking no rest, but being past all recovery of health to the judgement of man; Then look upon me with the eyes of mercy, O thou glory of Zion: Thou Comfort of Israel, and beauty of jerusalem. Then let thy strength help my weakness, and thy mercy cure my misery. Then deliver poor joseph thy Servant out of Prison: Defend thy dear darling from the devouring Dog: Stop the mouth, and weaken the force of the roaring Lion, and all his devilish practices, that they never prevail against me. O Lord have mercy upon me, & establish my heart, that I never faint in this my last and bitter death. Remember (O Lord) what metal I am made of, that I am but sraile flesh and filthy earth. Let it be thy pleasure therefore (O gracious God) to forgive me my sins; to remit and utterly blot out of thy reckoning Book the ten thousand Talents, which I own thee. I acknowledge the debt, cancel therefore the Obligation: for seeing I am not able to pay the debt, I must needs crave a general pardon, or else perish for ever.  
Spare me therefore (dear Father) and comfort the soul of thy Servant, which repenteth his former folly, and humbleth himself here before thy Majesty. O Lord, let not the terror of Hell, the fear of death, the vexation of mind, the bitter torment of sickness, the loss of life or worldly wealth withdraw my soul from thee: But as thou didst create it, and breath it into my body: Even so vouchsafe of thy great goodness, to preserve it during life, and after death receive it with the souls of the righteous into thine own hands and custody, and place it in perpetual felicity: So that at the general judgement, and the glorious Resurrection of all flesh, I may both body and soul rise to life everlasting, and praise thee continually with the Angels & Saints in Heaven, through jesus Christ our Saviour: to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour, and glory, world without end.  
Amen.   

A pithy & profitable Prayer when we are in danger of death: wherein we commit ourselves to God, renounce the world, crave pardon for our sins, and forgive our enemies.  
O Lord, my good and gracious God, the Creator of Heaven and earth, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, which hast made me of nothing to thine own likeness, and redeemed me with thine own blood: whom I a wretched sinner am unworthy to name, to call upon, or once to think in my heart: Here I prostrate and submit myself before thy divine Majesty, and acknowledge my grievous sins, which I have committed against thee, in thought, word, and deed: humbly craving pardon thereof at thy fatherly hands. And I do also for mine own part, most willingly forgive all men that have offended me, even as I look to be forgiven of thee my loving and merciful God, whose wrath & just judgement I have too often and that deservedly provoked against me. But nevertheless, howsoever I have lived hitherto in my frail flesh, and in this body of sin: yet I trust that thou, of thy gracious goodness, wilt grant me a happy end: for I utterly renounce the world, and the vanities thereof, which all my life time hitherto, I have too much coveted and delighted in; only I am now careful for my soul, that it may be saved: and my earnest desire is, that I may dwell with the Lord in the land of the living, which I trust to obtain by the blood of the innocent Lamb of God jesus Christ, and so to be partaker of the heavenly joys, and Communion of Saints in the triumphant Church of God. In the mean time, whilst I remain in this earthly Tabernacle, I beseech thee (O Lord) to increase my faith, comfort my silly soul, lighten my understanding, strengthen my feeble body, and grant me patience in my pain, that my faith never fail. And I willingly surrender my body and soul to thy careful disposition, and as willingly leave my goods to the world where I had them: Rendering to thee most hearty thanks for the use I have had of them hitherto, and for all other thy greater benefits, and spiritual blessings; as my Election, Creation, Salvation, Sanctification, Preservation, and hope of Glorification in thy heavenly habitation. O Lord, thy holy Name be praised therefore, and thy blessed will be fulfilled in me every way; whether it be by life, or by death; let it be to thy glory, and then I have my hearts desire: for I am in thy hands, as the Clay is in the Potters; therefore do with me as best pleaseth thee. Make me (O Lord) a fit sacrifice for thyself, by punishing my fleshly body, and pardoning my sinful soul. Grant me perfect remembrance of the hour of my death & last gasp, that I may thankfully take this thy fatherly visitation, and willingly bear my cross, after thy dear Son jesus Christ my Saviour. O Lord, prepare me for the good hour which thou hast appointed for the delivery of my soul out of this wretched world: settle my thoughts, and fix my faith on the life to come, that I never shrink from thee and thy saving health, what pain or torment soever thou inflictest upon me here on earth: yet (dear Father) let heaven be my reward in the end. Finally, so dispose of me, good Lord, as may be most meet for thy glory, and mine own salvation in Christ jesus my merciful Redeemer and Saviour: to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour, power, and praise, world without end.  
Amen.   

A Prayer to be said in the pangs of Death.  
O Infinite Deity and unmeasurable goodness! O blessed and glorious Trinity! O perfect love and charity, have mercy on me, and open the bowels of compassion upon me a wretched sinner, wrapped in woe, and overwhelmed with anguish of soul, and vexation of spirit. Into thy hands (O Lord) I wholly commit and resign myself: make haste (O Lord) to deliver me, for it is high time. My flesh trembleth, my bones are bruised, mine eyes wax dim, my strength faileth, my heart panteth, and my sorrow and pain every way increaseth. O merciful Creator, show mercy to thy creature. In thee (O Lord) alone is all my trust. In my misery and smart I have no other to make my moan unto, but only to thee, O thou preserver of men. Therefore forsake me not utterly, but stand by me, and with comfort relieve me in this my extremity and last combat. Stretch out thine arm (O Lord) and hold thy hands of pity over me that lieth here in woe and misery. O jesus, O sweet jesus, mercy. O Son of David, have mercy upon me: O Father of Heaven, help me: O holy Spirit of God, confirm & comfort me. O God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, three persons and one God, have mercy upon me.  
O jesus, my sweet Saviour, receive my silly soul into thy holy hands. Place it (O LORD) for thy mercy sake, with thine own self in thy heavenly Kingdom, among thine holy Angels and Saints. O my good God, and my heavenly Father, pity my case, ease my pain, comfort my soul, and be merciful unto me. Lord show the light of thy loving countenance upon me: And in the hour of my death strengthen my faith; So that my body returning to the earth from whence it came, my soul may ascend to thee which gave it: and at the day of doom, & general judgement, when they shall both meet again, they may rise to life everlasting, thorough our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ.  
Amen.   

Short Petitions collected for the Sick: Partly out of other Authors.  
BEhold (O gracious Father) the body of thy dear Son all to rend and torn: and remember (I most humbly beseech thee) of how small & base substance I am. Behold, O good God, the grievous pain & Passion of Christ my Redeemer: and forgive the sins of me thine unworthy and unprofitable Servant, which am thereby redeemed. O Lord look down from Heaven, incline thine ears unto my prayers, comfort my sobbing soul, cheer my careful conscience, increase my faith, forgive me my sins, and have mercy upon me, through jesus Christ my Saviour. Amen.  
O Lord, I beseech thee, mercifully hear my prayers, and spare me which do confess my sins to thee, that I, whose conscience by sin is accused, by thy merciful pardon may be absolved, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  
O GOD the Father, which made me, bless me: O God the Son, which redeemed me, preserve me: O God the holy Ghost, which sanctifieth me, confirm and strengthen me. The blessing, defence, and saving health of the Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, preserve me from all evil, and bring me to everlasting life, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  
Glory be to thee O Father my Maker: Glory be to thee O Son my Redeemer: and glory be to thee, O holy Ghost my Comforter; from age to age; from posterity, to posterity; both here and in the world to come: and let all people say, Amen.  
The peace of our Lord jesus Christ, and the power of his Passion, the prayers of his Elect, the Communion of Saints, the sword of the Spirit, and the shield of Faith, be betwixt me and all mine enemies, bodily and ghostly, public and private, visible and invisible, both now and in the very hour of my death. Amen.  
O Lord, into thy hands I commend my Spirit. Thou hast redeemed me (O Lord) thou God of Truth. Lord jesus, at thy pleasure, and at the time which may be acceptable unto thee; receive my spirit into thy heavenly Kingdom.  
Amen.   

The third Duty of the Sick.  
THe third and last duty of the sick person, is to be patiented in his sickness or any other adversity, willingly to bear the burden of Christ's Cross, & so to follow him: for the better performance whereof, I have thought good to annex to the premises, this short Treatise of Patience: wherein I will observe this order:  
First, I will persuade by Precepts to suffer adversity, and all kind of calamity.  
Secondly, I will produce out of the Scriptures, some special and particular examples, which may provoke us both to suffer affliction, and to be patiented therein.  
Thirdly, I will show some Reasons to allure us thereunto.   

1. Precepts persuading.  
FIrst, it is an old saying; Patience in adversity is a goodly virtue: and truly so it is: and Patience is a rare virtue, and so it may well be; because it is so seldom seen, and never so seldom as in these our days, wherein we have many motions to evil; but few or none to that which is good.  
We offer wrong, we will take none: We give shrewd words to others, we can brook none towards ourselves: We have Eagles eyes to espy a mote in our Brother's eye, but like blind buzzards, we see none at all in our own: We complain of every grief in ourselves, be it never so little: we pity none in others, be it never so great. And therefore we had need both of Precepts to persuade, and Examples to provoke: but I fear, neither the one nor the other will prevail or take place in us. And why? men's hearts are steeped in bitter gall: their hands are cruel; their feet swift to shed blood; their brain busy to invent mischief: And to speak the truth without flattery; Love is lost, Charity is cold, Faith is not to be found, Piety maketh moan, being pinched by adversity, and patience is gone, being forced by extremity. Well, what is to be done in this woeful case? We must comfort ourselves with sentences and examples, which are written for our instruction in holy Scriptures.  
Indeed, this I must needs confess, that no kind of cross, be it of mind or body, is simply on our parts to be wished, because it is grievous to flesh and blood, and not delightful to the mind of man. And yet notwithstanding, such crosses and calamities are daily to be expected of the godly, and when they come, patiently to be suffered, without either murmuring or grudging against God that sendeth them, or against man that offereth them. Always persuading ourselves, that they come not unto us by chance or fortune, but by God's divine providence and permission, who will not suffer one hair of our heads to perish, neither permit us to be 
1. Cor. 10. 13.  tempted above our strength. And therefore we may assure ourselves, in all our afflictions and trials, that GOD hath some good work in hand; the end whereof shall, at last turn to our great joy and comfort.  
For we must weigh and consider with ourselves, that God our heavenly Father sendeth us sundry crosses, for sundry causes.  
Sometime to set forth his glory, might, and Majesty, that he may be known to be a God.  
Sometime to punish our former sins, and thereby to call us to repentance.  
Sometime to keep us, lest we fall into sin, and so forget God: and this is good for us.  
Sometime to try our faith and patience, whether we be true or false-hearted: whether we will cleave unto him, or shrink from him. And therefore in the midst of our adversities our Saviour Christ doth comfort us, saying: By your patience possess your 
Luke 21. 19  souls: that is, Be of good comfort, faint not, but live cheerfully under the cross; let patience be a plaster for every wound, and a sovereign salve for every fore. It seemeth that the Apostle Saint Paul was of the same mind, in his experienced grief; where he saith, We rejoice in tribulations; 
Rom. 5. 3.  knowing that tribulation bringeth forth patience; and patience, experience; and experience, love. And therefore in his greatest perils by Land and by Sea, at home, and abroad; yea, even when he was whipped, beaten, stoned, and cast into Prison, he rejoiced greatly. So the 
2. Cor. 11. 24.  Apostles being beaten, rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for Christ's name, Act. 5. 41.  
Therefore, Cast not away 
Heb. 10. 35,  your confidence which hath great recompense of reward. 
36,  For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the Promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. Christ never cometh empty-handed: Come he soon, come he late, he bringeth his Father's blessing with him for all his loving children, which patiently bear the rod of his correction. And therefore happy is that servant, whose manners his Master amendeth, while he remaineth in this life, that he may be blessed in the life to come. For our God is a plentiful rewarder of the patiented: if thou sustain injury, he is a revenger of wrong: if thou sustain loss, he is a restorer of right: if thou sustain sickness, he is a skilful Physician: if thou suffer death, he can raise thee up to life. Yea, this patience is such a Noble Virtue, that it fenceth our Faith; preserveth Peace; increaseth Love; helpeth Humility; moveth Repentance; ruleth the Flesh; reviveth the Spirit; bridleth the Tongue; refraineth the hand; comforteth the poor, and stayeth the rich: of enemies it maketh friends, it heapeth up coals upon their heads, & converteth their hatred into love. For we read of cruel and wicked Tyrants, who beholding the force of patience in the godly, have presently turned to God, and forsaken their cruelty.  
Lactantius maketh mention of one Tyrant, which persecuted three Christians; who when he beheld and saw their constancy and patience, that they feared no punishment, but meekly suffered torment; he presently vowed & said, Et ego Christianus ero: that is, I will become a Christian also. In like manner: Nabuchadnezzar seeing the Faith, Constancy, and Patience of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace, that they would not be forced to worship his feigned and false god Bel, he was suddenly moved to bless and praise the living God, and say: Blessed be the God 
Dan. 3. 28.  of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who hath sent his Angel, and delivered his Servants, that put their trust in him, and have changed the King's commandment, and yielded their bodies, rather than they would serve or worship any god, save their own God.  
Thus also the Vulgar sort, when they see men torn in pieces with divers kind of torments; as Whipping, Racking, Hanging, Burning, etc. willingly to take their death, yea, and to weary their Tormentors and Hangmen, with their invincible patience, they are of the same mind that some were, who beholding our Saviour Christ's end, said, Verily, this was 
Mat. 27. 54.  the Son of God. So, they seeing the patience & constancy of these men, are moved in their conscience to think (as well they may) that neither the consent of so many men; neither the patience and constancy of those that die, is in vain; and that they were never able to overcome such pain, except God himself were with them: for Traitors, Murderers, thieves and Malefactors, neither can, nor will abide such torment, if by any means they may escape it. But they cry, they mourn, they fret, they fume, they swear, they rage, they blaspheme God, and revile men: They despair, and are swallowed up of sorrow. Contrariwise, the godly endure all adversity patiently, and that with boldness; contemning the punishment & threatenings of cruel tyrants, resigning and committing themselves to God; who in the midst of our misery, showeth most mercy. Therefore the more we are tried by adversity, the purer we are. The more the Gold is beaten, the better it is: The more the iron is rubbed with the file, the brighter it is: The more the corneis threshed and fanned, the clearer it is: So the more that God trieth us in the furnace of tribulation, the more he loveth us, and the more we glorify him.  
A Vessel, if it be foul, must be scoured before Wine be put in it: and be that will make his ground fruitful, must first pull up the weeds, before he sow good seed: Even so by these sharp medicines of God's correction must the body be purged, that the mind may bring forth her due fruit in fear and reverence.  
The good Corn for a time lieth under the Chaff, Flowers grow among weeds, and the sweet Rose that smelleth, cometh up with the sharp Thorn that pricketh: So the godly for a time are kept under, and vexed with the wicked, and oftentimes God doth more punish them with poverty, pain, and sickness, than he doth the wicked weeds of the world: but all this is for out good, to make us more obedient in duty towards his Majesty. And therefore all these crosses and losses, are patiently of our parts to be suffered, as infallible tokens of God's love.  
Let no man therefore cast down his heart in sickness, or any other affliction: for he that smiteth, healeth; & he that sendeth trouble, giveth strength; and against every extremity God hath prepared a remedy, that fearful man should not distrust Gods careful providence; but have his soul settled in him that can both bind and loose, save & destroy: that can send health after sickness; life after death; and joy after pain.  
Sickness, sores, afflictions, adversities, vexation and troubles, all these are no novelties to the godly. Our forefathers the patriarchs and Prophets had good experience hereof, and we must taste of the same sauce, if we mean to enjoy the same reward with them in Heaven. For all that will live godly in 
2. Tim. 3. 12.  Christ jesus, must suffer persecution. So likewise Saint james adviseth us, saying, Be patiented therefore, my Brethren, 
jam. 5. 7.  unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the Husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the former and the later rain. Be ye also 
8,  patiented, and settle your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth near. Take, my Brethren, the Prophets for an ensample of suffering adversity, and of long patience, which have spoken in the Name of the Lord, etc.   

Two Examples provoking.  
WOrks are of more worth than words, and the life of any person, especially of a Preacher, is more regarded than his Doctrine: the reason is, because men are more moved by Examples which they see with their eyes, then by naked and bare Precepts, which they hear with their ears: For we count words, be they never so good, but a lip-labour, or as a blast of wind, that entereth in at the one ear, and passeth out at the other. When the old Crab said to the young, daughter, go forward (for the nature of the Crab is to go backward:) The young answered again, I prae, sequar: that is, Go you before (you are my elder) and I will follow after. As the old Cock crows, the young learns: and all the world is bend to follow the examples of their elders or betters. Therefore we commonly say, Such a Master, such a Man: Such a Father, such a Son: Such a Mother, such a Daughter: A good jack makes a good Gill: a good Husband, a good wife: a good Father, a good Son: a good Mother, a good Daughter. A vicious Father cannot make a virtuous Son: a sluttish Mother can never make a cleanly Daughter: a rude Mistress shall hardly make a mannerly Maid: neither can a negligent or ignorant Schoolmaster make a diligent or learned Scholar. I will not deny, but words may sometimes persuade a man to bear the burden of adversity, and to be patiented therein: but examples of others do more move us.  
We read in profane Histories of divers, which for their constancy in their profession, and for their patience in affliction, have willingly suffered many torments.  
Some have been burned by Arrians.  
Some stripped naked, to the shame of the world.  
Some hewed in pieces and cast to Hogs.  
But my purpose is not to name or recite any out of profane Authors. We have Christians good store (God be thanked) that have in their life time both learned, and borne the burden of Christ's Cross, which have begun with Christ's cross from the A. B. C. continued under it all their life long, and ended with it at their death.  
Among infinite examples, I will rehearse but some special persons, whereof I have warrant in the Word.  
First, I will begin with old Abraham, the father of the faithful. When Abraham, that good old man, was commanded by Gods own mouth to offer up his only Son Isaac, his greatest joy under God in this world: for so saith the Text; Take thine only Son, 
Gen. 22. 2.  whom thou lovest, and therefore his present death must needs be the father's grief: It is a wonder to see how faithfully and patiently he went about that woeful work: He riseth up early, saddled his Ass, and went to the place appointed: he doth neither stagger nor study at the matter; neither doth he murmur or grudge against God, saying, Is this God's promise, that said he would bless all Nations in my seed? Hath he given me a son past expectation in my old days; and shall I now go cut his throat with mine own hands? I would to God I had never begotten him. How can God fulfil his promise to me? No, no, we must debar all Howes? and Cans? if we have to deal with him, with whom nothing is unpossible. Neither must we match man's reason, with God's wisdom. And therefore Abraham makes no doubt, but regarding Gods will, maketh haste with his son, to the place appointed, without stay or delay. And there he binds his obedient son, hand and foot, stretching forth his own hand with the knife to cut his throat: But that good God, who is always at hand in our extremities, sent forth his Angel to restrain that bloody fact; who called unto him from heaven, saying; Abraham, Abraham: 
11,  Stay thy hand, lay not thine hand upon the Child for any world's good. For now 
12,  I know that thou fearest God. And therefore he cried unto him the second time from Heaven, and said, By myself I have sworn 
15,  (saith the Lord) I will multiply thy seed as the Stars of Heaven, and as the sand which is upon the Sea shore, etc. Let old Abraham therefore, for his faith and patience, be set in the forefront to lead the way.  
Well, who shall be 
●.  next? Surely some of his seed, but they are innumerable as the Stars of Heaven; and therefore I must skip a great number, or else weary myself in writing, and you in reading or hearing. Oh, remember now another old Abraham, or at leastwise one of his seed; whose piety and patience, neither man, nor the Devil could move, do what they could. And who is that, I pray you? We will follow him by God's grace, if we may but know his name.  
It is just job, one that feared 
job 1. 1.  God, and eschewed evil. Whose mouth is able to utter the suffering and patience of job, the mirror of meekness, who hath the name at this day, and shall have to the end of the world, of patiented job? Neither hath he his name for nought, for he well deserveth it: who being suddenly cast down from the highest top of earthly felicity, to the very dust and bottom of calamity: when God had taken away his Oxen and Asses, a great part of his wealth: when he had burnt up his Sheep and Servants with celestial fire: when he had taken away his Camels by the Chaldeans, and his children by sudden death: when the Messengers came hastily with these heavy news, and that, thick and threefold, one in the neck of another; so that this godly man could not have any time to breath himself in, God heaping loss upon loss, and sorrow upon sorrow; and that in fearful manner:  
Notwithstanding all these calamities: What doth this Man of God? What be his words? or what answer giveth he to the Messengers in this his misery? Doth he despair of God's goodness? Doth he grudge at his losses? Doth he fret and fume in himself? Doth he chide the Messengers for bringing so bad tidings? Doth he rage, or blaspheme God? No, no: job did nothing, spoke nothing, imagined nothing, unfitting or unseemly a patiented and perfect person. In all this 
job 1. 22.  did not job sin, neither doth he charge God foolishly, as the wicked do: But he humbled himself, fell down to the earth, and worshipped. And then he cried, and said: The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken it: Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Thus this innocent and just man is content to suck up his own sorrow in silence; confessing God to be gracious, albeit he had laid his heavy hand upon him and his: for after all losses and crosses, job himself was smitten with sore biles, from the sole of his foot, unto his crown: He sat in sorrow upon the dunghill: his Wife also 
job 2. 7,  rebuking him, who 
8,  should have relieved him. Nevertheless, job regarded 
9,  not her words, but remaineth righteous, and saith, Thou speakest like a foolish woman. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and not receive evil? As though he should say, Shall we taste of the sweet, and not of the sour?  
Shall we always be merry, and never sorry? always laugh, and never weep? Should we always live in health, and never be sick? Always have plenty, and never feel penury? Then should we be like Angels in heaven, free from all adversities; and not like men on earth, subject to many miseries.  
Behold here a plain picture of patience; take him for an ensample of suffering adversity, and of long patience. His suffering was intolerable; his patience unspeakable; and, except Christ's, incomparable. Let no man therefore excuse himself, and say, I cannot be quiet, I cannot forgive, I cannot be patiented; The injury offered is so great: Such slanderous words, & hard dealing, is able to provoke any man to impatiency, if he were a Saint. Soft a little (good Brother) stay thyself: Remember just job, let him be an ensample to thee. I pray thee, had not he an occasion of impatiency? Yes truly, and of utter blasphemy, had not God's grace prevented man's strength. job had the whole world, Sun, Moon, and Stars against him: heaven and earth against him. For first and foremost, God himself seemed for a season to forsake him, and to have no care of him. The Devil in the mean season never ceased to tempt him, and that in sundry sorts. His Wife that lay in his bosom, and should have bound up his head, and comforted him; she disdained him, and upbraided him even with his good deeds. She counseled him to renounce God, and to blaspheme him even to his face.  
What should I speak more of this man? Within him, he had heaviness of heart; without him, his kindred and friends discouraging him; on every side him, signs of sorrow. His Goods were spoiled, his cattle destroyed, his Children suddenly killed, his own body pitifully plagued, and no whole part of him from top to toe free from filthy sores and biles: which way so ever he turned him, he could find no rest, but wallowed in woe, and lay in extreme misery: Not on soft Down, but on the stinking dunghill, tossing and tumbling his loathsome and blistered body in the ashes, scrawling and scraping his scurvy and scabbed skin with potsherds. O miserable man! O meek mind! O woeful wight! O rueful and pitiful sight! And O spiteful Serpent, what hast thou done? whom hast thou stinged, and so dolefully wounded? Dost thou know whom? Couldst thou find no other to spit thy spiteful poison against, but just job; and honest man, an upright man both in the sight of God, and man; the singular Servant of God, and the patientest man that ever the earth did bear?  
O cruel and cursed Wife, where is thy natural affection towards so loving and godly a Husband? And O unnatural Cousins, & feigned friends, where is your comfort and compassion towards your poor afflicted Kinsman? But O just job! O constant creature! O perfect picture of long patience! In all this did not job sin with his lips, but manfully bridled his affections, committing himself and his cross, to him that sent it, and suffered it. And so ought we to do in all extremities, & miseries, be it of body or mind, loss of goods, loss of friends, loss of lands, or loss of life; which is so dear and sweet to some, that I fear, they never look for any other life; they are so wedded to the world, and the vanity thereof, as it may easily appear by their impatiency, if God deal with them, as he did with his Servant job: that is, if he do but once touch their goods or bodies never so little.  
We read also of godly Tobias, notwithstanding 
Tob. 1. 3.  his innocent life, his truth, almsdeeds, justice and friendly goodwill in burying the dead, with peril of his own life: Yet for all that, he was led captive to Ninive, where he was sought to be slain, and had all his goods confiscate and spoiled: So that in heaviness of heart, and sorrow of soul, he was forced to weep. Yet for 
Tob. 2. 7.  all this, he continued constant in his goodness, made graves, buried the dead, if not by day, yet by night; patiently suffering the mocks and taunts of his spiteful neighbours, and nothing fearing death, in so good a cause; but meekly abode the reproaches of his own Wife, who cast him in the teeth, saying, Where are thine alms, and thy righteousness? This moved Tobias no 
Tob. 3. 1.  deal, but he praised God, and gave himself to Prayer, confessed his sins, and most worthily in all these assaults, acknowledgeth God's justice, his mercy, and truth.  
There be infinite others, Men, Women, Old and Young; of all sorts, and of all ages and degrees, which being simple and silly sheep (and yet the faithful servants of GOD) have had their blood sought and sucked; whose mild minds, the wicked have vexed; whose godly conversation, they have falsely slandered; whose lives they long lay in wait for; and whose bodies in the end, they have most maliciously murdered, racked and tormented, and that without all mercy, and measure: As Abel, Esau, jeremy, etc.  
But I will not trouble the gentle Reader, nor weary the attentive Hearer, with many more examples. I will therefore pass over the Old Testament, and come to the New, and there among many, set down one or two, for our further instruction.  
And here I may not forget, neither omit the piety and patience of Saint Stephen, whose example of suffering, may be a glass to look ourselves in.  
This holy man, and Martyr of God, when he should be slain of the jews, and cruelly stoned to death, what doth he? Doth he revile his enemies? Doth he withstand his persecutors? or doth he blaspheme his Maker? No, no, He patiently taketh his Martyrdom. He doth not curse or desire vengeance from heaven to light upon his Adversaries: but most humbly falleth down upon his knees, praying for his persecutors, and saying, Lord, lay not this sin 
Act. 7. 60.  to their charge.  
Behold here an example of a witness, and true Professor of Christ jesus; a Martyr of such modesty and meekness, as seldom or never hath been seen.  
This Disciple had both learned and recorded his Master's lesson: Resist not 
Mat. 5.  evil, but love your enemies: Bless them that curse you: Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that persecute you. See how near this man followeth his Master's manners. Christ crieth in the midst of his enemies: Father, forgive them, they wots not what they do. Stephen crieth in the midst of his Stoners, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.  
Christ said in his Passion, Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit. Stephen 
Act 7. 59  said in his stoning, Lord jesus, receive my Spirit. Christ being crucified, meekly gave up the Ghost: Stephen being stoned, sweetly fell on sleep. Here the man followed the Master at heels, yea, even to death. Well, in the extremity of their sufferings, they both have patience; they both pray; they both forgive; they both resign themselves and their souls, to him that smiteth and healeth. I say no more, but God grant we may tread in Stephen's steps, and do as he did, and then we shall have that he had, that is, in the end of our suffering here on earth, we shall have heaven opened unto us, see the glory of God, and 
Act. 7. 55.  jesus standing at the right hand of God.  
But what should I stand longer to repeat the examples of men, who are mortal? if I should proceed, I should be weary in writing, and you in reading the examples of those which were never weary of suffering. There remaineth one Prophet: What, did I say a Prophet? Yea, and more than a Prophet, of whom all the Prophets have prophesied: The Prince of Prophets, the Prince of Peace, and the Prince of Patience: Who as he is most commendable, even so he is incomparable. I need not to name him, he was named of the Angel in his mother's womb, before he was borne into this sinful world. You know whom I mean: the King of Glory, the Head of the Church, the Saviour of the World, Christ jesus the innocent Lamb of God, who patiently suffered death for our sins: Of whom S. Peter reporteth, saying, Christ suffered 
1. Pet. 2. 21  for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps: Who being his Father's best Beloved, in whom 
Mat. 3. 17.  his soul was well pleased, yet suffered he continual crosses. He that did many good deeds, suffered many evil. He suffered the Devil to tempt him, his own Disciple to betray him, the jews to deride him, the malicious to blaspheme him, and his enemies to slander him.  
Again, being spitted upon, beaten back and side, buffeted on his face with fists, whipped on his bare body, clothed in purple, crowned with thorn, etc. he behaved himself as meekly as the Innocent Lamb, or shiftles sheep under the hand of the shearer. His adversaries cry aloud: Cruoifie him, Crucify him: Christ crieth as fast, Forgive them, forgive them. They cry against him: He prayeth for them. He that might have commanded all the Angels and Saints in heaven, and have had them at a beck to revenge his quarrel, and defend his innocency; was so far from requiting wrong, that he sharply rebuked the rash enterprise of Peter, that drew his sword, and gave but one blow; and he healeth the party whom he never wounded. He cured the unthankful▪ he gave place to those that laid in wait for him; and refused not to kiss the venomous lips of judas that betrayed him. He despised no man's person, were he never so poor; he refused no man's house, were it never so homely; and yet for all this, his doctrine was contemned, and his person persecuted. He that giveth victory to those that overcome, was beaten on the face with rods. He that gave heavenly and wholesome meat to others, had bitter gall offered to himself: He that gave the water of life, had vinegar given to drink: He that was innocency itself, was counted among the wicked: He that healed others, was wounded himself: He that was the Truth, was condemned by false witness: And he that must judge all men, was judged of man.  
And when his blameless and innocent life drew near to an end, and he ready to suffer a most shameful and bitter death, the death of the Cross; How meekly he took it: how modestly he answereth: how patiently he suffereth: how fervently he prayeth; and how freely he forgiveth: it is a matter worthy to be noted, and printed in the perpetual memory of man, and to be an example to all posterities.  
Art thou a Christian or follower of Christ in his cross? Art thou slandered and handled as he was? Then follow him, look upon him, and take him for an ensample of suffering adversity, and of long patience. He was not crowned before he was crucified, and thou must not be crowned before the victory. If the world be injurious to thee, Christ is a rewarder, cleave to him, forsake thy sin, and take up his cross and follow him. Forsake the world, and fear neither the Devil, nor affliction; set Christ naked, whipped, crowned and crucified continually before thine eyes. See how he was bought and sold, hated, slandered, and rejected of his own.  
The jews cry, Away with him, let him be crucified: that is, let him be tormented and hanged. What evil hath he done, saith the judge? I find no fault in the man. He hath committed nothing worthy of death, I take him to be an innocent or simple man; Let us therefore whip him, and send him packing. O no (say they) if thou let him go, thou art not Caesar's friend. The judge seeming still to favour his innocency, maketh another offer: You have (saith he) a custom to let one prisoner lose unto you: We have one Barrabas who is in for a Bird, and fast in hold; a Thief, a Murderer, and a seditious fellow: ye shall hang him, and save Christ alive. Ah no (say they) Barrabas is a good fellow: Deliver him, and Crucify Christ.  
Well, if there be no remedy (saith Pilate) I will 
Mat. 27. 24  wash my hands here before you all, in witness that I am innocent from the shedding of the blood of this Just man.. This protestation of the judge, and cleared of Christ, might have bridled them and their affected cruelty. But alas, they were as the world is now, and ever will be, perverse and wilful. No reason could rule them, no counsel could move them, no words could persuade them. They run headlong on their own destruction, saying, His blood 
Mat. 27. 25  be upon us, and on our children.  
The more that Pilate seemed to favour him, the more they seek means to murder him. To be short, they have their desire, they prevail in their suit, The Son of Man is delivered up into the hands of sinners; the Sheep to the Wolf; the Lamb to the Lion: the wicked work their will with him, there is no way but one with them: suffer he must, die he must, and he is content to submit himself with all modesty that may be. It is no ask any reason or cause wherefore. Unreasonable men can yield no reason of any thing they do, but that which is tyrannical; Sic volo, sic jubeo, etc. that is, So we will, and so we command: let will in place of reason stand. If he 
joh. 18. 30.  were not an evil doer, we would not have delivered him unto thee. Well, well, behold the end of this dealing: In the mean season, they take him, they blindfold him, they bob him and box him about the ears, they spit in his face, they wag their heads, they make mows and jest at him, they make themselves sport with him, tossing him to and fro, as it were a Tennis ball.  
All these reproaches he patiently abideth: he runneth not from them: he offereth no strokes: he giveth them not one foul word. At last, when his enemies had even wearied themselves in their wickedness, they proceed forward, they cause him to carry his own cross on his weak and feeble body to be hanged on. After sentence of condemnation, he is brought to the place of execution. He is crowned with Thorn, which was himself the Crowned King of the Heaven, which came to crush the sharp and bitter thorns of our sins, and crowneth Martyrs with eternal Glory. He is fast bound hand and foot, which freeth others from their fetters. He is pierced heart and head, which healeth the sins of the people, and saveth their souls from destruction.  
I would ask one question of thee (gentle Reader:) What could these villainous jews, & sworn enemies of our Saviour Christ jesus have done more against him, if he had been the vilest creature upon the earth; the arrantest thief in the world; or the greatest devil in Hell? I admonish thee therefore (good Brother) apply Christ's suffering to thy soul, and follow his patience.  
Now what saith Christ to this gear? or what doth He to his Tormentors? Doth he go roundly to work with them? or doth he handle them in their kind? that is, Doth he cause the earth to open her mouth and swallow them up alive, as unworthy men to live any longer therein? Or doth he command fire from Heaven to destroy them as they well deserved? Or doth he of himself condemn them presently to hell fire, as he could if he would?  
No verily, no such matter, he suffereth them thus far forth: He blesseth, and yet curseth not: he seeketh still to save, and not to destroy.  
O merciful Christ! O Prince of Peace, and pattern of patience! What man is he this day that beareth breath in his body (if he be flesh and blood) that is able to suffer such torment, without offering any stroke or one froward word? Christ doth neither, which might and could have done both: but he came to suffer, and not to smite: for his death gave life to his enemies; yea, they that shed the blood of Christ, were saved by the blood of Christ. Such was his love, such was his patience, that he suffered all these things for our sake. His Righteousness covered our filthiness; his labour, lightened our load; his shame, was our joy; and his damnation, was our Salvation.  
But O stiff-necked jews! O cruel Crucifiers! O corrupt judge! O wicked world, that wrought this woe upon him, that suffered for thy sin! Is this thy thankfulness for so great a benefit? Is this thy reward for the work of Salvation?  
Tell me one thing, but tell me truly. Hast thou any reason to wound him, that healed thee; to bind him, that loosed thee; to condemn him, that saved thee; to deride him, that redeemed thee; and to hang him that helped thee? Let Heaven, let Earth, let Hell itself cry out against this cruelty. O wicked Nation! O proud City jerusalem, and O innocent Christ! his death declared his innocency. The earth trembled thereat: the Elements were troubled: the Stars were abashed: yea, all the powers of Heaven were moved: the Moon gave no light. the Sun shined not: but darkness closed up the light of the day, lest the Sun should be forced to behold the bloody and cruel fact of the jews. The Temple rend in twain: the stones clave in sunder: the Graves opened, and the dead bodies did rise: insomuch that the beholders of his Passion, and some of those which consented to his death, and wished that his blood might light upon them, and their children, are now so wounded in heart, and pricked in conscience, that they now change their mind, sing a new song, and confess indeed he was the Son of God. They now become blank, which before were so bold. They now accuse themselves, which before condemned Christ. They now wish him alive again with a wring by the ear, which before crucified him. They now lament, which before laughed. They now mourn, which before mocked. They now knock their breasts full of heaviness, with tears in their eyes, water on their cheeks, and sorrow in their hearts, which before shaked their heads, spit in his face, called him wretch, and cried fie upon him. I will say no more, either of Christ, either of any Prophet before him, or Martyr that shall come after, as of late there have been many: but conclude all that have been, are, or shall be, in one round Ring, seemly Circle, and sure Seal. viz. Qui patitur, vincit: that is, That man whatsoever he be, that suffereth adversity patiently, in the end he overcometh and getteth the victory.   

Three Reasons alluring.  
THe precepts going before, and the examples propounded, may of themselves seem reasonable to persuade most men (if they be not void of reason) to suffer adversity, and to be patiented. For the Lord himself is patiented, 
Psal. 145. 8  and merciful, slow to anger, and of great goodness. He beareth with our sins, and patiently expecteth our amendment. And therefore we must bear one with another. The Husband must bear with his Wife as with the weaker vessel; the Master with his servants; and the Creditor must have patience with his Debtor, etc.  
But the greatest reason to move a man to suffer adversity, and to be patiented therein, is the reward after suffering; for being made like to Christ by suffering, we shall in the end be made partakers with him in glory: Who, after his patiented suffering, was so exalted of his Father, that he hath given him a name 
Phillip 2. 9, 10.  above every name, that at the name of jesus, should every knee bow, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. If therefore we suffer 
Rom. 8. 17.  with Christ, we shall also reign with him.  
Art thou desirous to live for ever? and to reign with Christ in eternal glory? Then arm thyself with patience to suffer adversity here on earth, that thou mayst have place in Heaven. Take counsel of Saint Paul, who saith: Let us by 
Heb. 12. 1, 2.  patience run in the race which is set before us, looking to jesus the Captain, and finisher of our Faith; which for the joy that was set before him, suffered the Cross, contemned the shame, and sitteth on the right hand of the Throne of God.  
Behold here a reward after the race, & a crown after the conflict. The consideration whereof moved all the Martyrs and holy men of GOD to bear Christ's Cross, were it never so grievous and heavy for the time, & to suffer mocks, stripes, bands, rackings, famine, imprisonments and death: and so must we do: the whole course of our life here on earth showeth the same.  
Troubles try our patience, and tame the flesh, lest we should be condemned with the wicked world; and therefore we begin our life with tears, before we be able to speak; we lead it in sorrow & care, and we part from it with great grief: or otherwise we should put too much confidence in our quiet estate, as David testifieth: I 
Psal. 30. 6.  said in my prosperity, I shall never be moved. And therefore, lest we should be too proud in our prosperity, the Lord oftentimes bridleth our appetites by losses and crosses, and so showeth his love by afflicting us for our good. As for example, if for God's cause, or his Truth, we be shriven of all our riches here on earth, our portion shall be the greater in Heaven. If we be thrust out of our houses, or offices, we shall be received into the Family of God. If we be contemned among men, we shall be highly esteemed with God. If we be cast down in the world, our seats shall be the higher in God's Kingdom. If we be murdered, and so lose our life, this shall be a means to bring us to eternal life. For if there were no grief in poverty; no torment in sickness; no sorrow in slander, nor horror in death, what trial could there be of God's people? None at all. Therefore in our greatest extremity, let us say, Fiat voluntas Domini, that is, The will of the Lord be fulfilled in me; come life, come death; come sickness, come health; come prosperity, or adversity. And let that man never boast himself to be an Abel, whom the malice of Cain hath not afflicted: Nor a jacob, whom an Esau hath not hated: nor a faithful Mardocheus, whom a spiteful Haman hath not slandered: nor a Paul, whom a Nero hath not persecuted: nor a Christian, whom a judas hath not betrayed.  
Where the good are, there must of necessity be some bad to try them. The Wheat is tried by the Fan; the Iron by the file, and the gold by the fire: even so is a Christian known by affliction: and being so tried, he cannot lose his reward. It is great in heaven, and not for gotten on earth. For we see daily, that joy followeth sorrow; life, death; glory, miserty; and prosperity, poverty. Patiented job had his substance doubled. The holy patriarchs, Prophets and Martyrs of Christ, which suffered sundry sorrows here on earth, are now crowned Kings in Heaven. And so shall we, if we run their race: for many run, but it is the wrong way, that leadeth to destruction: But we must so run, that we 
1. Cor. 9 24.  may obtain, and in the end get the wager. The Merchant resuseth no peril by Sea; the Husbandman no labour by Land; the Captain no wound in wars: and they do it for a temporal reward: How much more ought we patiently to endure any loss of goods, torment of body, or grief of mind, for everlasting life, and heavenly joy?  
The Wise man considering this, affirmeth, that the day of death, is better 
Eccl. 7 3.  than the day of birth.  
Saint Paul was of the same mind, when he said, I desire 
Phil. 1. 23.  to be loosed, & to be with Christ, which is best of all: for than shall Christ our Saviour wipe away all tears 
Apoc. 4. 21  from our eyes, and sorrow from our hearts. We shall need to suffer no more, our troubles are at an end. Neither shall there be any more death, neither grief, neither crying, neither pain. Our pains here have endured but a time, the pleasures there shall be perpetual. What is he therefore in the universal world, but would willingly hazard life and living; yea, and yield his soul to God, his body to the block, and his flesh to the fire, for such celestial joys as are prepared for those that fight God's battle here on earth?  
Therefore (my dear Brethren) to conclude; Let us run our race, and pass our painful pilgrimage in this transitory world, so godly and patiently, by the example of the Prophets, of Christ and his Apostles, that in the end of the course, when death shall shut up the eyes of our bodies, we may with a firm faith and good conscience, say with Saint Paul: I have fought a 
2. Tim. 4.  good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the Faith. For henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord a righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them that love his appearing.  
Then in the end of our race we shall have rest and joy, yea perfect, complete, and full joy: joy above us, joy beneath us: joy before us, joy behind us: joy on our right hand, joy on our left hand: joy within us, joy without us: and joy on every side us. Unto the which joy he vouchsafe to bring us, which dearly hath bought it for us, not with silver and gold (for it cost a great price) but with the shedding of his precious blood, even jesus Christ the righteous: unto whom with the Father, and the holy Ghost, three persons, and one everlasting, just, and merciful God, be all honour, power, and glory both now and ever.  
Amen.   

A general and fruitful Prayer for all Christians, to be reverently said at all times, Morning, Evening, Night, or Day.  
O God our Maker, thou most mighty and holy JEHOVAH, in thy name, and to thine honour and glory, we begin, continue, and end these our Prayers. And we offer this our dutiful service unto thy divine Majesty, as to our Sovereign Lord, and mighty Creator of Heaven and Earth, and of all things therein contained. O sweet Lord jesus Christ, we offer unto thee ourselves, body and soul, and all the powers & parts thereof within us, and without; for by right they are all thine, because thou hast dearly bought and paid for the same, with the peerless price of thy precious blood. And we most humbly beseech thee, O holy Ghost our Comforter, to give us grace and strength to do thy will in all things, and to offer these our prayers with cleanness of heart, uprightness of action, and in the unity of thy true Church, and Catholic Faith; that so they may ascend into thy sight as a sweet sacrifice of incense, for our health, help, and other things necessary for our bodies and souls; for the true mortification of our flesh, and the right direction of our whole life, that hereafter it may be pleasing and acceptable unto thee; and so by faith in jesus Christ, bring us to everlasting bliss. And we offer the same for the health and help of all other persons, that thy blessed will is to have prayed for, within the Church, and without, in special, and in general. And for whom and whatsoever else thy wisdom knoweth necessary, and our frailty cannot ask, that may be most convenient for us to receive, and best becometh thee to give. That it may please thee of thy gracious goodness, to grant unto us true and unfeigned repentance for our former sinful life; patience in all our temptations and tribulations, ghostly and bodily: protection and defence against our enemies, visible and invisible: constancy and perseverance in all virtue & goodness: help and relief in all our needs and necessities: succour and comfort, in all our woe and distress: ease and delivery out of all our troubles, calamities, & afflictions, that we are in, or may any way happen unto us. O most tender God, & dear Father, we beseech thee also of thy mercy and forgiveness of sins, for ourselves, and all others: and mitigation of thy justice towards us, now and in the hour of our death and last judgement particular and general. Open unto us (O Lord) we most humbly beseech thee, the plentiful stream and fountain of the blood of CHRIST JESUS which for our sake, and for our salvation, issued most abundantly out of his grievous wounds hanging on the Cross: Drown us in them: hide us in them: wash us in them: writ & print them deeply in our hearts, that all our sins may be so bathed in his blood, buried in his death, and hid in his wounds, that they never more be seen to our confusion in this world, or to our condemnation in the world to come: But put them all into his most dearly beloved wounds, and cast them into the bottomless depth of his mercy and merits. We call and cry daily upon thee for thy fatherly assistance, that we may conquer all our enemies. Hear us therefore (O Lord) in that mercy which hath no measure, and look not upon us with the eyes of justice; neither draw against us the sword of judgement; for than we are utterly lost, and perish for ever: But subdue all power of Satan and sin in us; and give us strength to resist; patience, to endure; and constancy, to persever. And if men assault or tempt us to any evil, good Lord, give us wisdom to discern them; fear to follow them; and zeal to defy them. And rule thou ever as Lord and King over us, and over all that we have: over body and soul; over heart and mind; over work and word: for jesus Christ his sake, we hearty crave it, even in favour at thy Fatherly hands. And furthermore, we commend unto thee (O Lord) in these our Prayers, the whole Catholic Church. Renew in it (we beseech thee) purity and sincerity of life and conversation, from the which in these evil and latter days it is utterly declined and wanting, in all sorts of persons, as well Ecclesiastical, as Civil. And grant unto every member thereof from the highest to the lowest; from the Prince unto the People, that they may correct and amend in themselves, that which is amiss. Nourish and keep among them, unity, peace, & mutual charity, to love thee above all, and their neighbours as themselves. Make their hearts so meek and gentle (good Lord) by thy working power, that they may gladly, and unfeignedly, freely and frankly, hearty and wholly, forgive all men that have hated or hurted them by word or by deed. Such as do err and go astray in the path of Perdition, call back and bring again into the way of Salvation, and understanding. Extinguish all Sects, Schisms, Innovations, Divisions, Opinions & Heresies, whereby, and wherewithal thy Church in these evil and latter days hath been wonderfully molested and troubled, and as it were even rend and shaken in pieces: and convert all those to the knowledge of thy true, ancient, Catholic, Apostolic, holy and Christian Faith, which as yet go astray and wander out of the right way. O Lord, of thy gracious goodness fetch them home, as sheep of thy pasture, to thine own Fold and Family: preserve and keep them ever safe in the lap and unity of thy Catholic Church: And grant unto them true understanding to know thee; diligence, to seek thee; wisdom, to find thee; conversation, to please thee; and evermore faithfully to serve thee unto their lives end. Comfort and lift up (O Lord) all those that are troubled & vexed in mind, or in body: and teach them to see their own happiness, through temptations and troubles, and that the readiest way to Heaven, is even to go thither by Hell, and that every pain here, is as it were a prevention of the pains of Hell, and every ease in pain a foretaste of the ease and joys of Heaven.  
And finally, grant that we may all with quiet minds, and good conscience, patiently pass the time of this our painful pilgrimage here on earth, peaceably spend and end our days in thy service; and so at the last come to thy heavenly Kingdom, & life everlasting through jesus Christ the Author of life: In whose holy name we are bold to lift up our hearts, hands, and voices, praying unto thee, as he hath taught us, saying, Our Father, which, etc.  
All glory and praise be only given unto God.   

A Prayer for Morning.  
MOst gracious God, and dear Father, we yield unto thee from the bottom of our hearts most humble thanks, in that it hath pleased thee not only to defend and preserve us this night from all our enemies both ghostly and bodily: but also of thy fatherly pity to give unto these our earthly and languishing bodies such sufficient sleep and rest, as hath satisfied the earnest desire of our weak and feeble nature. And as thou of thy mercy hast safely brought us to the beginning of this present day, and showed us the light thereof: so we humbly beseech thee (O God) grant that our souls may be spiritually lightened with the brightness of thy Word and sacred mysteries, whereby we may walk in the steps of Christianity, and lead a life agreeable to our vocation in Christ jesus our Lord. Assist us also with thy grace and holy Spirit, O God, that we may never shrink from thee for any earthly torments, but diligently apply ourselves to the performance of thy will, and give ourselves wholly thereunto, having a strong and steadfast faith in the truth of thy promises. Endue us with wisdom from above, that we may daily increase in the fullness of our Saviour Christ. Behold us with the eye of thy mercy, and vouch safe to defend us that commit ourselves wholly unto thee both now and evermore. Give unto us a heart always affected to honour thee, a mind ever meditating of thy righteousness, and a spirit burning with zeal of thy worship, that we may warily stand upon our guard, and never yield to the treachery of the Adversary: Bless and prosper our enterprises (O Lord) that whatsoever we take in hand, we may by thy direction bring it to good success, and evermore praise thy holy Name for thy gracious assistance, and singular goodness: grant this, O Father, for jesus Christ his sake, our only Saviour and redeemer.   

An Evening Prayer.  
GOod God, the Creator and Maker of all mankind, seeing it hath pleased thee, of thy divine providence, to ordain the night as a mean to deliver us from the travels of the day, and to minister ease and gladness to the wearied limbs of our bodies, to the great comfort and refreshing of the same, by the fruition of quiet sleep and rest, according to human nature, we beseech thee therefore (O Lord) of thy unspeakable goodness and mercy, to be our watchman and defender this night, that we be not overcome by fantasies, dreams, or other illusions: but that through thy permission, we may take such quiet rest, and voluntary sleep, as nature requireth, & though our gross senses are at such times stopped; yet vouchsafe ever to grant us the assistance of thy grace and holy Spirit, that our souls may respect the coming of thy Son our Saviour jesus Christ, that at what time soever he calleth, we may be sound watchful, and continually ready to perform his will: that after this life ended, we may eternally rest in glory: and as the brightness of the Sun doth in the morning disperse the dark clouds and thick mists from the face of the earth, whereby the same was before covered with darkness: so we humbly beseech thee, vouchsafe to disperse and bury our sins (in the blood and obedience of thy dear Son) which do as it were shadow us from the bright beams of thy favourable countenance, and evermore assist us with thy gracious goodness, that our sleep may be so healthful unto us, that we with willing minds arising in the morning, may utterly shake off all manner of drowsiness, and make haste to exercise ourselves in such Christian labours, as thy divine providence hath ordained us unto, to the advancement and renown of thy holy name, credit of thy Church, comfort and relief of our Christian Brethren, and our everlasting salvation. In mercy grant this (O Lord, we beseech thee) for jesus Christ his sake, our only Redeemer and Saviour: unto whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all power and dominion for ever,  
Amen.    

A Table of the principal matters contained in this Book.  

A Preparative for the Sick. fol. 1.  
God doth visit us divers ways. fol. 20.  
In God's visitation, consider three things. fol. 23.  
The first Duty of the Pastor. fol. 24.  
Examples of Temporal Questions. fol. 25.  
Examples of Spiritual Questions. fol. 55.  
The second Duty of the Pastor. fol. 84.  
The first Psalm. fol. 87.  
The second Psalm. fol. 95.  
The third Psalm. fol. 100  
A pithy Prayer for a Patient, being pained with Sickness. fol. 112.  
A comfortable Prayer against Desperation. fol. 122.  
An effectual Prayer for those which be Lunatic, or possessed with any evil spirit. fol. 137.  
A fruitful Prayer in time of any common sickness or Plague. fol. 159.  
The third Duty of the Pastor. fol. 177.  
The fourth Duty of the Pastor. fol. 201.  
Consolation against Damnation. fol. 219.  
The sum of the Belief confessed. fol. 250.  
The Protestation of the Sick. fol. 274.  
The second Duty of the sick Person. fol. 283.  
A godly motion, or Meditation before Prayer: In which, we crave for Grace, Faith, & Patience. fol. 284.  
A fruitful Prayer for the assistance of God, in the extremity of sickness. fol. 289.  
A pithy and profitable Prayer when we are in danger of Death: wherein we commit ourselves to God, renounce the world, crave pardon for our sins, and forgive fol. 296.  
A Prayer to be said in the pangs of Death. fol. 303.  
Short Petitions collected for the Sick. fol. 307.  
The third Duty of the Sick. fol. 311.  
Precepts persuading. fol. 313.  
Two Examples provoking. fol. 332.  
Three reasons alluring. fol. 382.  
A general and fruitful Prayer for all Christians, to be reverently said at all times, Morning, Evening, Night, or Day. fol. 396.  
A Morning Prayer. f. 409.  
Evening Prayer. fol. 412.