A Christian exhortation taken out of the holy Scriptures, for the great comfort of every faithful person being in the agony of death, before whom it must be oftentimes read and recited (if need be) even to his last breath. Whereunto is joined in the end a singular Prayer for the party grievously afflicted by sickness, drawing toward his death. Therewith is a brief Catechism, which is not only to instruct the sick, but also to refresh his memory with the great mystery of our redemption. Printed at London by Henry Bynneman. Anno. 1579. Mathewe. 24.51. The careless and negligent servant shall be surprinsed and cut off, and have his part with the hypocrites, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Death is the end and beginning of life. Ecclesiasticus. 18.18. Before sickness use medicine, and before thou come to judgement examine thyself, and in the sight of God thou shalt find favour. apocalypse. If thou dost not watch, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou knowest not at what time I will come upon thee. apocalypse. 16. Blessed is he which watcheth and keepeth his garments lest he walk naked, and that men see his filthiness. Matthew. 24. Luke. 12. Be ye ready, for ye know not in what hour the son of man shall come. To the very Honourable his singular good Lord the Earl of Lincoln, Lord Clinton and Say, Lord high Admiral of England, Knight of her majesties order, and one of the Lords of her highness most honourable privy Counsel. THe great and cunning workmaster, yea, the master of all mischief Satan, hath not ceased, even from the first creation of man, to molest and persecute the same, lying ever in wait to destroy him, as is plainly seen in his assaults, delivered to our first parents Adam and Eve, very shortly after their creation: he never left them, until such time as he had caused them to transgress the commandment of the Almighty, whereby they purchased to themselves, and to all their posterity eternal damnation. He continually putteth his cunning and Stratagems in use against silly poor man: Sometime by open battle, as causing him to commit murder, adultery, theft, extortion, and such like gross offences, against the commandments of the second Table. Another time, he soliciteth him to pride, Idolatry, blaspheming, unbelief, loathing the word of God, contempt of the same, rebellion against God, unthankfulness toward God, and such like, against the commandments of the first Table: whereby he delivereth unto us terrible and dangerous assaults, othertimes he dresseth against us surprinses, as when by mean of the engraffed corruption which dwelleth in us, he raiseth in us horrible motions, thoughts, affections, and consents, yea, and that which most dangerous of all is: he hath so banded our eyes, that the greatest number of men do think filthy motions, unclean thoughts, corrupt affections, and detestable consents to be no sin, unless the act do ensue. But indeed the Eternal, which hath created the heart, seeth all these things in us, and abhorreth and condemneth them, he is the searcher of the rains, which knoweth the thought before it be hatched in us. Wherefore, we have great cause, to beg of God, his grace, that we may understand and know the ruzes and deceipts of Satan, whereby to avoid them, and when he shall at any time solicit us to any of the above named things, or such like, let us then know that the enemy is at hand, that he dresseth his scaramuches against us: and that he placeth his ambushes to cut between us, and our salvation: wherefore, it behoveth us to be always armed with the armour of God, whereof Saint Paul speaketh in the Epistle to the Ephesians, 6. Chapter, and to be well acquainted with the perfect use of our weapon: for our enemy is both strong and skilful, and would soon make an end of mankind, if that God did not hold him in bridle: his cunnings are in manner infinite, he can transfigure himself sometime into the likeness of an Angel of light, 2. Cor. 12.13.14. yea, into the likeness of Christ himself, and allege the Scriptures unto us, but it shall be altogether to cast us down with the weight of our sins, into desperation, and so to damn us: for he will allege unto us the justice of God, the horror of our sins, and the Law, clean contrary to Christ, for Christ is the nurture, medicine, and consolation of afflicted souls, he will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking tow, wherefore we must beware of this false and counterfeited Christ, he can make this day, that which is horrible sin to seem to me to be no sin, and to morrow that which is no sin, to be horrible sin: thus can he amplify and swell the lest evil thing that is, and make it to seem as great and huge as a mighty Mountain. I have spoken some thing of this cunning adversary, which the sacred Scripture calleth the great Leviathan and the red Dragon: to the end we might beware of him, and avoid his snares which he layeth above and beneath us, before and behind, on every side, and within and without us, to the end, that when we shall feel ourselves in any sort solicited by him▪ we may forthwith repair to our Panacea and most wholesome medicine for all diseases, which is the word of God, in the which we shall find all comfort: and having found it we must lay sure hold on it in all humility and Prayer, the which word doth even repulse and chase Satan from us. It is a light which lighteneth to our feet, it is a most pure thing, it converteth souls, it is a faithful witnesle, yea, it is the power of God to salvation to all believers. Saint Paul calleth it the Sword of the Spirit, the which wonudeth and putteth Satan to flight: it is that Sword, without the which we may not fight the battle with that strong and mighty enemy, with whom we must every one of us fight a battle, either in the time of our health, or else in the article of our death, for than beginneth he to play sharply the accuser, then setteth he forth unto us the Lord Christ, as a lawgiver and exactor, then maketh he every sin to seem twenty, to the end he may make us to dishonour God through unbelief, and so to fall into desperation: our answer must be to him, Satan thou canst not speak truth except it be to get credit, whereby afterward thou mayst the more boldly tell millions of lies: but know thou, Hebr. 1.10. & 14. that my Lord jesus Christ hath paid my debt more than abundantly, for with one only offering, he hath consecrated for ever them which are sanctified. Now God is just, yea justice itself, wherefore he is content with one (more than sufficient) payment, for one thing, wherefore thou canst in no wise hurt me, if he can not in this sort prevail. Then cometh he in another likeness; with his fair face, with flattering and enticing words, to lift us up into pride and vain glory, and would persuade us that we have deserved Heaven and eternal life by our works, unto whom we must answer in this sort, O thou horrible enchanter, thou bearest me in hand that I am a Saint, to the end thou mightest make me a Devil. Who is he that doth that which is commanded him to do? none; not not one, where are then my deserts? I will show thee Satan, my Lord Christ hath taken from me all my sins, and hath nailed them to his cross, 2 Cor. 5. d. Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 15. g. Ephes. 1.19. Ephes. 2.1.13 Coloss. 1.20. & 2.14.15 and hath canceled the obligation which was against me, yea, he hath done more for me, he hath given me all his deserts, to wit, his obedience, justice, righteousness, and innocency, as to a member of his body, wherefore I (being a member of his body) can no more be damned than my Lord Christ may. Now when he seeth himself thus answered and proved a liar by the sacred Scriptures of God, which are the only weapon wherewith to put him to flight, he than yieldeth all lost, therefore we may easily see how needful it is to be armed against Satan with the most blessed word of God, wherewith to quench all his fiery darts, and to repulse all his assaults. Wherefore I have turned this exhortation into our english tongue, the which was written in the French by a reverend, worthy, learned, and godly father, to a noble, martial, and Christian Gentleman of France, his good Lord and friend, wherewith in the time of his quietness he might fit his armour and weapons in such sort, as by battle, he might valiantly fight: obtain a glorious and victorious Crown For as your honour knoweth, he that will be a good Souldioure, must enter timely into the wars, therefore I say, I have turned into the English the same exhortation, for the profit of the Church of God here in England. And albeit that the words be not many, they be of singular value and effect, the which I have published under your honours name, doubting not, but that you will take my poor travel in this behalf in good part. I have added in the end of it a Table of certain consolatory passages of Scripture, which I have gathered out of the old and new Testament, for confirmation of our faith, in the most sweet and comfortable promises of the almighty. For when we shall come to the battle, the which we must once sight, either in the time of our health, or else in the article of death (for none is crowned that fighteth not, and a Christian life is a continual war) by the grace of God this short exhortation shall greatly help as many as shall make the same familiar unto them, towards the obtaining of the victory against the aforesaid trained, experimented, cunning, mighty, and cruel enemy. In London the twentieth of March. Anno Domini. 1579. Your honours humble ever to command. (I S.) To the faithful Reader salvation. Friend Reader, take in good part the exhortation the which I have here written, for the great comfort and profit of all persons which fear God, wherewith to serve them at need, when it shall please the Lord to call them. But note you, that to use this well, that of these three letters B. S. N. the first letter signifieth brother, if the party be a man, the second Sister, being a woman, and the third signifieth the proper name of the person whereby he must be named. For we may not then honour them by names of worldly honour and dignity, but to stand firmly against Satan in the virtue of the Lord. We must name them by their proper names, which they have received at the holy Sacrament of Baptism. This doing, thou shalt obey God, whom I beseech to be merciful unto thee in the secret day of his coming. ¶ To my Lord, my Lord of Senarpont, Knight of the King's order, Captain of fifty men at arms, and his Lieutenant general in Picardy. MY Lord, having oftentimes considered the beginning, the continuance, and the end of man's life: I have plainly known, as by an ordinary experience, that men are more curious and careful for the entertainment and conservation of this their life: than to prepare themselves to a more happy end according to God: for man being in this bodily prison, as blind, and not perfectly regenerated, do the better love the darkness of such an earthly prison, than he doth the heavenly light: for the which cause it is written, that he that is of the earth, john. 3. speaketh of the earth. As being like the sons of Agar, which sought the wisdom of this world, Ba●●c. 3. 2. Cor. 1. Eccles. 41. the which is foolishness before God. How many be there at this day, unto whom the remembrance of death is very unpleasant, yea rather detestable, so delighting themselves in their worldly pleasures, that they seem to have forgotten God, not caring any thing at all for Religion, Psal. 52.72. nor for the vengeance and judgement of God, terrible and fearful to all those which have their names written in the earth, being scraped out of the book of life. Wherefore my Lord, to the end you walk not in the large way which bringeth to destruction, Psalm. 68 Math. 7. Eccles. 7. being taught by the wise man saying: In all thy works, see thou do remember thy latter days, and thou shalt never sin. I have thought good to draw out of the holy Scriptures a Christian exhortation, to be recited with a loud voice before every faithful person, the which approacheth to this bodily death (covered with a casual life) passing on to one much better, and more happy. For having this done, I will attribute to myself nothing, for I am but earth and dirt: yet notwithstanding, I do not think to have laboured in vain, considering that the Lord jesus Christ do the admonish us, Luc. 12. Math. 24. 2. Pet. 3. 1. Thess. 5. Psal. 2. that we should be always ready, not knowing the hour: for the day of the Lord will come suddenly as a thief in the night. O how happy then shall they be, which shall put themselves into his safeguard. Wherefore my Lord, I do present you this little Christian exhortation, very humbly beseeching you to keep the same to serve you at your need, at what time it shall please the Lord God to call you. I know well, that when the same time shall come, you shall have good means to have with you some man learned, and furnished with holy letters, to declare unto you the word of life, yet for all that, not knowing the time, nor the place, ne yet the opportunity that we may have, I dare boldly say without beast, that hearing this exhortation red with a loud voice, being in mortal agony, it may be unto you as wholesome as the Christian consolation of the best learned Doctor of the Religion, for they might preach no more unto you than the Prophets and Apostles do preach unto you in the said exhortation; the which I beseech you to receive, with as good heart, as I do desire the supreme governor to give you the grace my Lord, to glorify him as well in your life, as in your death, and in the mean time, that it may please him to make you to prospero from good to better, and to give me to persevere in your service, as your very humble and very obedient servant for ever: (* ⁎ *) A Christian exhortation, the which must be recited with a loud voice before every faithful person being in the agony of Death. HE that is of GOD, let him hear the word of GOD, john. 8. Math. 7. and let him not only hear it, but let him keep it, and put it in execution: Esay. 40. for all things shall have an end, and shall wear as a garment, but the word of the Lord GOD remaineth eternally. Now seeing it is so, that by one man sin is come into the world, Rom. 7. and by sin death, and consequently all afflictions and adversities depend of the same, therefore justly the life of man is nothing else, but a continual battle upon the earth, in such sort, that the flesh sighteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the Devil, the World, and the Flesh, which are the enemies of our souls. Note. But following the counsel of the Apostle, to obtain victory in that spiritual battle, you must constantly resist by Faith: for the victory which overcometh the world, it is our faith, the which is a true and steadfast knowledge of the love of God towards us, Hebr. 11. according as by his Gospel he declareth himself to be our father and saviour, by the mean of jesus Christ. Having then such a steadfast Faith for your principal foundation, acknowledge and confess without feigning, before the Majesty of God, that you are a poor and miserable sinner, conceived and borne in iniquity and corruption, Psalm. 51. Psal. 142. prompt to all evil doing, unapt to any good thing, and that by your vice you have transgressed without end and without ceasing, the whole commandments of God. In which thing doing, you have drawn by his just judgement, ruin, and destruction upon you: yet for all that you are displeased in yourself, that you have offended him, and do condemn yourself and your vices with true repentance, desiring, that the grace of God do help your calamity. Pray then in such steadfast faith: if you can not with your mouth, pray with your heart, that God, our very loving and most merciful father, do not enter at all into judgement, nor into account with you, but that he will have pity upon you, in the name of his son jesus Christ our Lord, and that it may please him to blot out our vices and spots by the merits of the death and passion of the same jesus Christ, in whose name present you to him his holy Prayer, the which he hath taught us, in saying with a pure heart, Our Father which art in Heaven, thy name be hallowed. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And pardon us our offences, as we pardon them which have offended us. And lead us not at all into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For thine is thy Kingdom, the power, and the glory, throughout all ages. So be it. B. S. N. Acknowledge with all your heart your unjustice, Math. 3. Tit. 3. Ephes. 2. Psal. 51. Rom. 8. Rom. 1. Math. 1. Philip. 2. be force for your sins, repent you continually, and the Kingdom of God shall draw near unto you: acknowledge that there is no justice nor innocency, nor any good works of you or in you: but as a child of wrath, Acts. 3 Math. 27. Esay. 53. Apocal. 1 Hebr. 9 conceived & borne in the sin of the old Adam, you do deserve eternal death and damnation. Yet for all that, let not the same, nor all the sins of the world, if you should have committed them, fear you at all: for jesus Christ, the true and eternal son of God, is made very man, conceived by the holy Ghost, borne of a holy Virgin. To sanctify and to cleanse you, he hath suffered under Ponce Pilate many afflictions, injuries, 1. Pet. 1. and outrages, making himself a servant and captain, to set you into full liberty. jesus Christ was crucified upon the wood of the Cross, to deliver you from the eternal curse. jesus Christ died in shedding his precious blaud for your redemption, to deliver you fully from death, Rom. 6. Mark. 16. from Hell, and from the power of Satan jesus Christ was buried in the Sepulchre, to bury all your sins, the which he hath borne & blotted out. jesus Christ is descended into the lower parts, 1. Cor. 15. Acts. 1. Coloss. 3. Hebr. 7. Math. 25. Psalm. 61. in suffering an extreme anguish, to deliver you from all pains and griefs of death. jesus Christ arose again from the dead, to make you to rise again in your proper body, and glorious immortality. jesus Christ is gone up into Heaven, to make you to go up after him. jesus Christ is set at the right hand of God his father almighty, being your advocate and intercessor towards him, and the appointment of all your sins. We a wait for him, that he shall come to judge the living and the dead, to yeèlde to every one according to his works: but to his faithful ones which believe in him, he will not impute at all their sins, but having justified them by his grace, will make them to reign for ever with him in his heavenly throne. B. S. N. Such is the great mystery of our redemption, the which by the help of the grace of the holy Ghost, you ought steadfastly to believe to have been wrought for your salvation. And doubt not at all, but that by the merit of jesus Christ the head of his Church, you are made a member incorporate to the same, yielding him thanks in great humility, that he hath given you the grace to have lived in the communion and company of his faithful, having nourished you with hyword, with his body, and with his blood: acknowledging as well assured, the great mercy of God, Rom. 8. Math. 25. Ephes. 1. by the remission of all your sins, the which he hath given you by jesus Christ, who will make you to rise again at the latter day, to reign with him in the life eternal, the which he hath promised to all those which believe in him, being baptized in his name. Math. 4. 1. Cor. 11. An excellent gift. Rom. 5. 1. Cor. 15. Now B. S. N. seeing that you have this Faith, doubt not at all to receive the promise of Faith: for God is true, he is not a liar as man is, rather Heaven and Earth shall pass, but the word of God remaineth for ever. God is your father and creator, Mark. 16. Rom. 3. Math. 24. Esay. 40. Genes. 1. 1. Tim. 2. Tit. 3. 1. Tim. 1. Acts. 4. Apocal. 1 you are his creature, and the work of his hands, he hath not made you to destroy you, for he is the saviour of all men, and willeth not the death of a sinner, but that he convert and live: wherefore I declare unto you, in the name of God, that of his great goodness and mercy he giveth you full pardon, and remission of all your sins, by the only merit of his son jesus Christ our Lord, in the shedding of his precious blood, for he is the propitiation, not only of all your sins, but of all the sins of the whole world. B. S. N. ☞ jesus Christ sayeth with his own mouth, that all things are possible to him which believeth, believe then without any doubt, that jesus Christ, taking to him our flesh, become very man: wherefore he died for you, having borne all your sins in his body, 1. john. 2. Math. 17. Rom. 1. Philip. 1. 1. Pet. 2. Rom. 3. to blot and put them out. Present unto God the precious death of his son jesus Christ, and by the merit of the same death and passion, ask him mercy, in saying from the bottom of your heart in great humility and repentance: LOrd God Almighty, be merciful to me poor wretched sinner, for the love of thy son jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. And for the merit of his death and passion, it may please thee to receive my soul, the which I recommend into thy hands. B. S. N. Put your strong trust in God, for seeing that he is for you, none shall be against you: for jesus Christ, john. 14. Math. 26. Psalm. 30. Rom. 8. which is the Lamb without spot, hath overcome all for you, he offered himself once only for you, and by the same only oblation, hath wholly wiped out all your sins, he hath made of none effect your folly, Esay. 55. Math. 11. imustice, abomination, with this good Lord jesus Christ, God the father hath given you all things. B. S. N. Fortify yourself in jesus Christ, the which calleth you; and iwiteth you by his Prophets, Apostles, and Evangelists, to address yourself freely to him, saying, all you which have thirst, come to the great fountain, Come to me all ye that labour and are laden, and I will ease you. B. S. N. Believe steadfastly, that jesus Christ hath set you free from all your sins, and hath reconciled you to God his father, to whom in great humility and repentance, 1. john. 5. say you from the bottom of your heart. LOrd God Almighty, be merciful unto me poor wretched Sinner, Rom. 3. john. 14. Math. 26. Psalm. 30. Mark. 16. for the love of thy son jesus Christ my Lord and saviour. And for the merit of his death and passion, it may please thee to receive my Soul, the which I recommend into thy hands. B. S. N. Be of good cheer, for undoubtedly he will receive your soul as his, for the love of his son jesus Christ our Lord, which is the saviour and Redeemer of all those which believe in him. Deut. 18. Psalm. 2. Esay. 53. Genes. 3.3. Moses and all the Prophets have borne witness, that all people shall receive salvation and blessing by jesus Christ. The Apostles and Evangelists witness, that jesus Christ is not come to call the just, but the sinners te repentance, and to give his soul for the Redemption of many: for he hath shed his blood for the remission of sin. Math. 9 john. 10. Luc. 22. Hebr. 1. jonh. 5. Believe then and doubt not at all, for jesus Christ hath made the purgation of all your sins, having promised, that all those which shall believe in him, and in his father, which hath sent him, shall have eternal life, and shall not come at all into judgement, but shall pass from death into life. Go to now B. S. N. rejoice in jesus Christ, for he hath loved you, and washed you from all your sins in his blood. Esay. 53. Apocal. 1 Take this strong faith wherewith to fight valiantly against the adversary, have none other buckler to defend yourself withal, but this precious blood of jesus Christ, Rom. 7. the which by the virtue of his death and passion, hath reconciled you to God his father, unto whom, from the bottom of your heart, in great humility and repentance, present this Prayer. LOrd God Almighty, Rom. 3. john. 14. Mark. 26. show mercy unto me poor wretched sinner, for the love of thy son jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour, and for the merit of his death and passion, it may please thee to receive my soul, the which I commend into thy hands. B. S. N. Hold fast this hope, and steadfast fasth, that thy good God, full of all mercy, will receive your soul as his, into his hands, Psalm. 30. john. 10. Acts. 4. Rom. 8. Rom. 10. for the love of his son jesus Christ, for there is none other name under the Heaven given to men, by the which we may be saved, and there is no salvation in any other, than in jesus Christ: arm you then well with this good jesus Christ, for he hath done all for you, he hath fulfilled the Law for you, he hath overcome all for you. Now go too B. S. N. rejoice you in God, stand always fast in this lively faith. Hebr. 11. Follow and imitate the holy patriarchs, Prophets, and Apostles, which are all saved in this faith, who do all assure you, that the adversary can in no wise hurt you, for your cause is won by jesus Christ, john. 5. 1. john. 2. which is your judge and your advocate both together, wherefore say always in this steadfast faith, Albeit I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, Psalm. 22. for thou Lord God art with me. B. S. N. Be you also never weary, to say from the bottom of your heart, in great humility and repentance: Lord God Almighty, be merciful to me poor wretched sinner, for the love of thy son jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Rom. 3. john. 14. Math. 26. And for the merit of his death and passion, it may please thee to receive my soul, the which I commend into thy hands. So be it. A singular Prayer, for one which is greatly afflicted with sickness, the which is more like to die, than to live. With a little Catechism made of purpose, to instruct the sick person, and to 'cause him to behold by Faith the great mystery of our Redemption. Ecclesiasticus. 18. Before the sickness use medicine, and before thou come to judgement examine thyself, and in the presence of God thou shalt find favour. Now the Lord admonisheth us to pray always, chiefly, when we are touched with his rods. Math. 26. Wherefore, all the faithful parents and friends, which visit the sick person, should not only visit and comfort the body, but also should search and inquire for spiritual medicine for his soul, which thing should be done by good Prayers, confession of sins, and Christian exhortation, according to the word of God, without the which man can not live, but is dead being yet living. And to the end that all these things may be done in good order, and with zeal, first it is needful to prostrate themselves before the Majesty of God, and to pray unto him, beginning in this sort: Our help is in the name of the Lord. etc. Then to present unto him the general confession of sins, and consequently this present Prayer as followeth. O Lord God Almighty, Math. 18. john. 14. and father of all mercies, we are aenssbled in the name of thy well-beloved Son our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, in the favour of whom we are bold to present ourselves unto thee, to call upon thy most blessed name, having our only resuge to thy sovereign goodness, the which we do not desire to feel and taste in ourselves only, but also in the necessity of thy poor creature, being afflicted both with bodily sickness, and affliction and calamity of the spirit. james. 5. 1. Cor. 11. We know O Lord that thou dost justly visit and chastise him with thy rods, to 'cause him to understand thy fatherly affection: but thy great mercies, which thou hast used towards our fathers, Psalm. 74. Math. 26. are not yet quenched and consumed: for thou art the great eternal God, favourable and merciful, Psalm. 102. john. 14. Hebr. 7. which never changest. Thy holy word teacheth us very plainly, that all the earth is full of thy mercies, the which do far surmount thy justice: wherefore, appease thy rigour towards thy creature, have pity and compassion of him, for the love of thy son jesus Christ our Lord. Look not upon his sins, but behold the face of thy Christ, who hath sufficiently satisfied for the same, in offering to thee upon the Cross, the great Sacrifice of his body, we beseech thee then most loving and merciful God, to make him to feel thy grace, the which thou never deniest to thy Children. And for so much as thou art our eternal father, Math. 6. which knowest well what is necessary and expedient for our salvation, we do not pray thee to prolong or to shorten his life, for we do repose ourselves upon thy holy will, the which we do only desire to do. Thou art wise, Rom. 11. not needing council, to dispose of thy creature according to thy good pleasure, but if it please thee to call him, who is he that may resist? and if thou wilt sand him health, Rom. 8. john. 1. which is he that may control thee? For all things are in thy hand, and nothing is done without thy will and holy Providence. Yet notwithstanding O Lord, if of thy mercy thou dost prolong his days, thy scourge shall serve him for chastisement, to amend, and to turn to thee, and we with him shall yield unto thee thanks and praises. But if thou have determined to pass him into a better life, we beseech thee, for the love of thy son jesus, to forget all his faults and offences, the which thou hast willed to be blotted out, and washed in the shedding of his precious blood. That it may please thee for the merit of the death and passion of thy son, to receive his soul into thy hands, when thou shalt call him out of this World. O Lord God, Psalm. 30. Psalm. 71. Psalm. 51. despise not the workmanship of thy hands, for behold here thy poor creature, in manner utterly beaten down, the which calleth upon thee from the depth of all his evils, presenting unto thee his sorrowful and penitent heart, the which we beseech thee to have for acceptable, Iohh. 14. for the love of thy son jesus Christ our Lord, for whose sake thou hast promised us to hear our requests. Wherefore O Lord, Math. 6. we beseech thee to receive us into thy holy conduct, lightning our hearts and understandings, to address us towards thee, and to call upon thy name, so as thy son jesus Christ our Lord hath taught us to pray for all our necessities, saying, Our Father which art in Heaven, etc. Lastly O God, and most merciful Father, that it may please thee ever to sustain us by thy grace and power, to the end that through the weakness of our flesh, we fall not. And for so much as of ourselves we are so feeble, that we are not able to stand fast the space of one minute, may it please thee to fortify us by thy holy Spirit, and to arm us with thy graces, to the end that we may constantly persevere in thy Faith, without the which, it is not possible to please thee, it may please thee to confirm us daily in the same, Hebr. ●●. whereof we will make confession both with heart and mouth, saying: I believe in God the Father Almighty. etc. The Prayers being ended, they may see how the sick person doth, and inquire how he feeleth himself, with Christian and gracious speech: but if they see that he decline, and that within short time after no token of recovery do appear, they may choose some meet time to speak to the sick person, and to ask him if he do desire to hear speech of God, and to harken to his word, whilst he hath yet good remembrance. john. 8. For if he be of God, they may then begin this little Catechism, which followeth. (* ⁎ *) A short Catechism, which is not only to instruct the sick, but also to refresh his memory, with the great mystery of our Redemption: for the good understanding and remembrance whereof, in his latter days, Eccles. 18. he aught to make confession of his faith, before the company of the faithful, of the which one (in the absence of the Minister) hold demand of him as followeth. The Minister. B. S. N. Every man which knoweth well himself, and is not ignorant of his estate and quality, Genes. 1. Psalm. 51. certainly aught to acknowledge, that albeit he is created to the image and likeness of God, yet notwithstanding, he is conceived and borne in the sin of the old Adam, whereby he is made a poóre and wretched sinner, Ephes. 2. Rom. 5. ignorant, inconstant, and full of iniquity: and consequently, subject to all miseries, afflictions, adversities, and lastly to death, the cause whereof is sin, the which God not willing to leave it unpunished, doth afflict us daily, and to speak it plainly, he chastiseth us in this world, to the end we should not be damned with the world. Wherefore B. S. N. be patient in your sickness, 2. Cor. 11. Psal. 31. and you shall possess your soul in spiritual joy: acknowledge your sin, and accuse yourself before the Majesty of God, whom you must look upon and behold by Faith, making confession of the same, both with heart & mouth, before the whole company. For it is written, that man believeth with his heart to justice, and confesseth with his mouth to salvation. Rom. 10. hearken then to the demands which now I will make unto you, and answer me faithfully according to the understanding that you have received of the Lord. But if you can not, because of your weakness and impeachment of your sickness, I will answer for you, and it shall suffice us that ye give us to understand by some token your heart, and constancy of faith, in the which you must live and die. Now I ask of you. For what cause and to what end were you created in this world? The sick. For to know God. Genes. 1. Minister. Was it necessary for you to know God? The sick. Yea truly, Psalm. 26. for so much as he is my sovereign goodness, without the knowledge of him I should be more miserable, than the brute beasts. Minister. Seeing that you know God, Genes. 1. 1. john. 1. Luc. 1. 1. john. 5. Genes. 18. you know well that he is an infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, one only God in three persons, father, son, and holy Ghost. It is the only God, which Abraham, Isaac, and jacob did worship in spirit & truth. It is the only eternal God, which hath created Heaven and Earth, as all the things which are in them: the knowledge of GOD which you have, is it not such? The sick. Yes. Minister. But could such a simple knowledge of God bring you well to eternal life? The sick. Very hardly: for it is eternal life, john. ●7. to confess and know one only God, and him whom he hath sent, his only eternal son, our Lord and saviour jesus Christ. Minister. For what cause is it necessary for you to confess and know the Lord jesus Christ? The sick. Because I must recover in jesus Christ, all that which I have lost in myself, Rom. 5. Psalm. 51. Luke. 24. Psalm. 21. by mean of the sin of the old Adam, wherein I was conceived and borne. Wherefore, it was needful for my salvation, that jesus Christ, very God and very man, being clothed with our flesh, should of his free liberality and grace, give me all that which I had lost in Adam. Minister. It is very well said: that is the cause why jesus Christ was conceived by the holy Ghost, Rom. 1●. Math. 1. Luc. 12. Ephes. 2. Psalm. 51. Rom. 8. and borne of the Virgin Marie, to purge and sanctify you, for clean contrary to him you are, conceived and borne in sin, and of sinful parents, wherefore, do not you confess that without jesus Christ you should have remained a poor and wretched sinner in eternal death? Rom. 5. The sick. Yes verily, but I believe and confess, that this good jesus Christ hath reconciled me to God his Father. Minister. Yea, but how hath he reconciled you to God his father? The sick. By his death and passion, in the shedding of his precious blood, Math. 26. for to deliver me from eternal pains. Hebr. 7. Acts. 3. This good jesus Christ hath suffered for me under Ponce Pilate many afflictions, injuries, and troubles. It is jesus Christ which was crucified for me, as accursed upon the wood of the Cross, to deliver me from the eternal curse, whereunto Adam had bound me. This my faniour jesus Christ was indeed buried, to bury all my sins with him, to the end they should not be imputed unto me before God. It is my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ which is gone down into the lower parts, suffering an extreme temporal anguish, to deliver me from an eternal. Minister. All this which you have now confessed of jesus Christ, was it sufficient to save you? The sick. Not, but that the holy Scriptures should be in every jot fulfilled: for what is it that jesus Christ should have profited me, to have been borne, crucified, dead, buried, and gone down into the lower parts for me only, without being risen again. Wherefore, Bray. 53. Math. 26. Mark. 16. 1. Cor. 15. I believe and confess, that my Lord, my head and Saviour jesus Christ, is risen from the dead, to make me to rise with him, as one of his little members, into eternal life. Minister. Consequently it is written, that he is gone up into the Heavens, Acts. 1. being now set at the right hand of God his Father. But what doth this ascension profit you? The sick. My Lord, my head and Saviour jesus Christ, is gone up into the Heavens, to make me to go up after him, for there where the head is, the members are also, and I believe, that being set at the right hand of God his Father, Coloss. ●. he is mine Advocate, intercessor, and only mediator towards him, very well assuring me, that none may be able to hurt me, seeing that jesus Christ is mine advocate & my judge together, 1. john. ● Rom. 8. john. 5. wherefore, I have no occasion to fear the day of his judgement, when he shall come to judge the living and the dead, for I believe and confess in steadfast Faith, that there is no judgement nor condemnation against those which are faithful members in jesus Christ. Rom. ●. Minister. Who hath given him the grace to understand and know all these things? The sick. It is by the grace of the holy Ghost, 1. john. 5. one only God with the Father, and the son, by whose mean we receive all the good things and gifts which are offered unto us in jesus Christ. Minister. Seeing that you have already confessed, that you are a member of jesus Christ, it followeth then that you are also incorporate to his Church, the which ye aught to believe to be holy, Catholic, and universal. The sick. I believe certainly the holy Church universal, washed and cleansed in the precious blood of jesus Christ: Ephes. 5. wherefore, I do most humbly thank him, that he hath given me the grace to be one of the little members of his Church: and being baptized in his name, he hath made me to live in the communion, unity, and charity of the same, having instructed me with his holy word, and nourished me with his true body, Math. 4. 1. Cor. 11. having given me to drink of his most precious blood, in hope of the eternal life. Minister. Now seeing that you are so well founded upon the lively Rock which is jesus Christ, 1. Cor. 10. and knowing yourself well, you must confess and acknowledge the principal good things which you have received of this Lord jesus Christ. The sick. It is very meet, for I will not be ingrate, to acknowledge the good things and gifts that I have received of God, wherefore I confess, that I wretched and miserable sinner, have infinitely, and without ceasing, Psalm. 51. Luke. 17. offended the goodness and justice of God, having transgressed his holy commandments. In doing whereof, I have deserved eternal death and damnation. Notwithstanding, I appealing to the mercy of God, 1. Tim. 1. Acts. 4. do ask him mercy, and believe and confess undoubtedly, that my sins are fully and wholly forgiven me, by the only merit of the death and passion of my Lord and saviour jesus Christ, Apocal. 1 Math. 26. in the shedding of his most precious blood, wherein I do assure myself, to be sufficiently, and fully washed and purged, which is the greatest contentation, and good thing, that ever I might receive, and such is my faith, in the which I will live and die, Math. 10. by the grace of the holy Ghost. Minister. Seeing that you have received so great a good thing of God, by the mean of his son jesus Christ, Mark. 11. it behoveth you also to do his commandements, for even as he hath pardoned and forgiven you all your sins, even so likewise must you freely, and with a good heart, forgive all those which may have offended you, other wise, Math. 5. you shall not walk according to God. The sick. Herein have I known the Law of jesus Christ, Math. 16. to be the only holy and perfect law, commanding us to love our neighbours, both friends and enemies, as ourselves: wherefore, I beseech all those, whom I may have offended, either in word or deed, to forgive me with as good a heart, Luke. 23. as I do forgive all which have offended me, desiring to do them pleasure and service, as to my good brethren and friends. Minister. Now seeing that it is ordained of God, that all men shall die, we may not resist his ordinance, but we must continually conform ourselves to his holy will: Hebr. 9 Genes. 3. wherefore my brother, you may not found it strange, if I do declare unto you that which the good Prophet Esay did declare to the King Ezechias, Esay. 38. saying unto him from the Lord, Give order to thy house, for thou shalt die, & shalt live no longer. This good council should stir you up, to dispose yourself spiritually well in your conscience. Esay. 55. It is first to turn yourself to God, and to bewail your sins, as this good King did, to implore his mercy in ask him forgiveness, and saying alway in your heart: O Lord God be merciful and have pity upon me wretched sinner, for the love of thy son jesus Christ my Lord and saviour. This done, you may not forget your house and family, the why he you aught so well to ordain, and dispose by good festament, or other last will, that it may be after your decease, in peace and quietness: but to show you the better to understand how to give order, and to dispose of your house: it is that you give unto every man that which is his due, without deceiving any man: that you leave your wife, heir, your children, and kinsfolk, in good agreement and quietness, to the end, that after your decease, they have no occasion to be divided. This done, you must forget all the cares and griefs of this world, the which passeth away, with all his concupiseence, but he that doth the will of God remaineth eternally. Touching your children, you are only their natural father for a time: but God is everlastingly their spiritual Father, 〈…〉. having them in his holy keeping and protection, to keep and nourish them, and to preserve them from all evil, Math. 6. provided, that they will walk in his ways. For the rest, seeing that you are a Christian, regenerate at the holy Sacrament of Baptism, it is long since that you did know, that we have here no permanente city, for we look for a better, which is everlasting, wherefore I pray you, in the name of God, trouble not yourself at all with any kind of worldly grief, for we are here but strangers as our fathers were, Psalm. 38. when then our Lord God shall have ordained, that you shall dislodge and march before us, will you not then submit yourself to his holy will and ordinance? Also, if he see it expedient for your salvation, to prolong your life, as he did to his good King Ezechias, will not you be contented with it, Esay. 38. the it shall please him to dispose of you? yes certainly, for he is Lord and master, you are but a servant: he is your creator, you are his creature, and the work of his hands. Even so then will he dispose of you according to his will, whereunto you should humble and conform yourself, saying with a good heart, O Lord God, thou knowest my necessity, if it be thy pleasure to prolong my life, thy will be done, if it please thee also to call me unto thee, thy will be done, for thy creature O Lord nathe none other will, but thine. Now my brother, comfort yourself in God, who if he have ordained to call you, your calling shall he happy, for you must believe and trust with a strong faith, that he will make you to rise in your own body in a glorious immortality, to 'cause you to reign with him in the eternal life, 1. Cor. 15. Apocal. 1 the which is won and given to you, in the virtue of the most precious blood of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ, in whose name, the Lord God bless & conserve you, and 'cause his countenance to shine upon you, and be merciful unto you. The Lord God turn his face towards you, and maintain you in good estate. So be it. This being done, if they see the sick person to impair, and to draw near his death, as willing to tend to his appointed end, forthwith in his mortal agony, fail ye not to recite with a loud voice before him the Christian exhortation, the which is placed here before, thus doing, God will give him grace well & faithfully to die in him. So be it. I Would desire here to say something more, but there is I can not tell what grief in my heart, which maketh me to hold my peace in the midst: of my purpose, when I think upon the blindness, and horrible darkness of the time passed. For the Monks and Priests, refusing in this last necessity the comforts that the Scripture giveth, and the confirmations against the fear of Death, they brought forth of the one side, and of the other, I can not tell what trash? first behold the fair exhortation which they gave to those which were upon the pits brink, to trust in the Pope's Bulls, wherein they did promise' them forgiveness of their sins, and took from them all fear of the fire of Purgatory. Now all this, what was it, other than to lean against a wall that was ready to fall, or to trust to a broken reed. Further, they exhorted the poor sick persons, to communicate, and to take part of the good works which should be done in all their order, as fastings, abstinences, watchings, Prayers, and other such like deign things, and to have their part therein: they might in no wise spare any silver, not, if they would save their soul. For it is in this fort, that these furred paws, and hooded beasts, have accustomed to set forth their works of superabundance that they might cell to others, leaving alway that which was profitable and necessary to obtain salvation. And of this matter, men may yet at this day, bring forth fair obligations passed, which shall give testimony of these things. Note this blasphemy. The sick persons then being near death, were admonished to think, how great merits they had, for so much as Heaven was due unto them, how many good works they had, with the multitude whereof they were clean covered, in such fort, as a man could not know whether they had offended God or no. Behold there the goodly comforts which they were wont to give to poor languishing persons, and such as they do give at this day under the Pope's rain. And above all the holynesses, behold this great superstition which hath place, that if any man did die, being clad with the habit of a Friar, the Devil should have no power over him. Among the which, many Italians have been drunken with this foolish superstition, yea men of renown, and of great wisdom, the which would be received before they departed out of this world, into the family of S. Frances, and after their death, would be bursed in his habit. Now I speak not here at all of Obsequys, Vigilles, anniversaries, Peligrimage, taken in hand for the salvation of the dead, nor of other suffrages of the living, nor of merits, satisfactions, and good works, wherein they did put their only hope and trust, to obtain salvation. And to avoid the pains of Purgatory. I will not speak of the other things, which these idle bellies were wont to set forth, to poor sick persons, to prepare them to death, I leave to spoke of these blasphemies. When they shaped this goodly hun to the Virgin Marie in the Article of death. Marry mother of grace, mother of mercy, defend us from the enemy, and receive us at the hour of death. Now let us acknowledge the inestimable benefits of our only God, and heavenly Father, who in our days hath restored the doctrine of the Gospel, and hath stirred us up to serve him in all pureness, in true reverence and honour, and hath drawn us out from the deadly darkenasse, to bring us to the knowledge of his son our Lord & only saviour jesus Christ. And even as the good old m●n Simeon (of whom S. Luke maketh mention) after that he had seen according to the promise made Luke. 2. unto him jesus Christ, whom he had waited for, and desired of long time, blessing and praising God, did say, Lord thou lettest go now thy servant in peace, according to thy word, for so much as mine eyes have seen thy salvation, the which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light for the lightning of the Gentiles, & the glory of thy people Israel, Even so we, after that we have known the son of God our mediator and Advocate, after that we have seen him with the eyes of our saith, with the good old Simeon, yea, he which is the Christ and anointed of the Lord, let us give thanks with joy and gladness, to the great living God, and let us sing very Christian songs, praises, and himites, in the holy company of the faithful, and let us departed from this life willingly, & with a glad heart, at what time soever it shall please this good heavenly father, yea, and being in good health, let us desire with S. Paul to be separated from this body, & to be lest in peace with Simeon, to the end, that we may lastly come to that only and eternal joy of Angels and of men, which is jesus Christ, after whom, the faithful do languish with a burning zeal, to enjoy his so amiable company with all the Saints, God the author of every good thing and blessing, the father, the son, and the holy Ghost, make us partakers of this holy grace, unto whom be praise everlastingly. So be it. Hebr. 13. Remember those which are afflicted, as being yourself of the same body, and subject to endure as much. The end of the Catechisms ¶ Hear follow certain consolatory sentences concerning the love of God towards man, and of the benefits of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, bestowed upon us, taken out of holy scripture, for the comfort and confirmation of the afflicted in mind, whom Satan by all his cunnings would draw into desperation: and he that would escape comfort of this small collection, must have the Bible by him, and turn to the sentences herein written, and not only read the sentences here cited, but also that which goeth next before it, and that also which followeth next after is. (* ⁎ *) FIrst, God is the God of love and peace. 2. Cor. 11. God delivereth us from ovil, Esa. 3. a. 63. & ye know the he appeared the he might take away our sins, & in him is no sin, joh. 3. b but God setteth out his love toward us, seeing that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Ro. 5. b. for those which he hath predestinate to be made like to the image of his son, to the end he should be the first born amongst very many brethren. Ro. 8. f. and that which I live now in the flesh, I live in the faith of the son of God, who hath loved & given himself for me. Gala. 2. d, and walk in love even as Christ bath loved us, & hath given himself for us to be an offering and a sacrifice of a sméet smelling savour to God, Ephe. 5. a. Grace and Peace be unto you, from him that is, that was, and that is to come, & from the seven spirits, which are before his throne, & from jesus Christ, which is a faithful witness, the first borne of the dead, and Prince of the Kings of the earth, unto him that loved us, and washed us in his blood from our sins. Apoc. a. b. for the Lord doth chastise him that he loveth, even as the father doth the child, in whom he delighteth: my son despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked, for whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth: and he scourgeth every son, that he receiveth. If ye endure chastisement, God offereth himself unto you as unto sons, for what son is he? etc. Hebr. ● i. b. c. Prover, ● b. But Zion (said the Lord) hath forgotten me: can a woman forget her child, and not have compassion of the son of her wombr? though they should forget, yet I will not forget thee. Esay. 49. d.e. I have sound thee saith the Lord, with an everlasting love, therefore with merry have I drawn thee, jere. 31. a. b. What shall we then say to these things, if God be on our side, who can be against us? who spared not his own son, but gave him for all to death, how shall he not with him give us all things also. Rom. 8. f. So we do therefore love him, because he loved us first. john. 4. d. as my father knoweth me, even so know I my father, and I lay down my life for my Sheep. joh. 10. b. c. the false Prophet, which would draw us from the love and perfect trust that we aught to have in God, aught not to be heard, but slain. Deut. 13. a. b. c. Call upon me in the day of thy trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me, Psalm. 50. c. for O Lord thou art good and merciful, & of great kindness unto all them which call upon thee. Psal. 80. ●. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, flow to anger, and of great kindness, he will not always chide, nor keep his anger for ever. Ps. 103. a. The Lord is gracious & merciful, flow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all, & his mercies are over all his works. Psalm 102. At what time soever a sinner doth repent him of his sin from the bottom of his heart, I will put all his wickedness out of my remembrance (saith the Lord) Ezechiel 18. g. A sorrowful spirit is a sacrifice unto God, despise not O Lord humble and contrite hearts. Ps. 51. Seek the Lord whilst he may be sound, call upon him whilst he is near, let the wicked forsake his ways, & the unrighteous his own imaginations, & return to the Lord, & he will have mercy upon him: & to our God, for he is very ready to forgive. Esa. 55. b. c. Then shall ye cry unto me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hear you, and ye shall seek me and found me, because ye shall seek me with all your heart, and I will be found of you saith the Lord, and I will turn away your captivity. jerem. 29. c. Grace be unto you, and peace from God the father, and from our Lord jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, to deliver us from this present wicked world, according to the will of God dure Father, to whom be glory for ever. So be it. Galath. i. a. Amend your lives, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Math. 4. c. I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance, Math. 9 b. Come unto me all ye that are laden and weary, and I will ease you. Math. ●●. d. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the father jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the reconciliation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1. john. 2. a. (* ⁎ *) The End.