The sicke-mans catechisme, or path-way to felicitie Wherin is contained great variety of sound directions and most sweete co[n]solations collected and contriued into questions and answers, out of the best diuines of our time, by Thomas Draxe minister of Gods Word. Wherevnto is annexed two most comfortable and powrefull prayers.

The xviii. Chapter. Of the duty that the sicke person is to performe to his neighbour.

Question. VVHat duty doth the sick man owe to his neighbour?

An. Hee must fréely forgiue all that haue offended him, and desire forgiue∣nesse of all, for if hee doe not so, hee can∣not dye in peace of conscience.

Q. What if the person offended cannot be met withall, or wil not be reconciled?

A. In this case the very desire of re∣conciliation, is accepted with God, as if it were reconciliation it selfe. 2. Cor. 8. vers. 12.

Q. Is there no other duty that the sick is to performe to his neighbour?

An. Yes, and that he is to performe, is

he is a Magistrate, a Minister, or the Maister of a family.

Qu. What is the duty of these three sorts in general?

Ans. They must do their vtmost en∣deauor, that (what in them lieth) the people committed to their charge, may be left in a good condition, and state af∣ter death.

Q. What must the Magistrate be care∣full of before he dies?

A. he must by the procuring, defence, & execution of true religiō, virtue, •…•…l ius∣tice & outward concord, prouide for the godly and happy estate of town, citty & common wealth. Deu. 31. 23. 1 king. 2. 23.

Qu. What is the Ministers duty?

A. he must after the Apostles example, be careful, & labor (what in him lyeth) to prouide & take order for the good estate of y^e church, wherof he is made ouerséer.

Qu. What good will come here of?

An. By this meanes, Sh•…•…ismes errors, heresies, and other inconueniences will be preuented.

Qu. What is the maister of the family his duty?

Ans. Hee must set his family in or∣der

before his death.

Qu. What must hee doe that good or∣der may bee preserued and obserued in his family after his death?

A. Two things. First he must dispose of lands, liuings & goods. Secondly, he must commaund those that be vnder his charge to beléeue & obey sound doctrine.

Qu. What must he doe that hee may rightly dispose of all his goods.

An He must (following the examples of holy men in scripture) make his wil & Testament, if it be not already made.

Qu. Is not the making of a will a thing indifferent?

An. No, but a matter of great waight, for hereby much hatred, contention and suites in law are cut off.

Qu. What rules are to be obserued in making of a will?

An. First, it must be made according to the order of nature, the written word of God, and the politique lawes and sta∣tutes of his country,

Secondly his vniust gotten goods are to be restored to the iust owners if they be knowne.

Qu. UUhat if they be vnknowne?

An. Thē they must be restored to their Executors, Assignes, kinsfolks, friends, and if none of these can be knowne, then in way of ciuill satisfaction, they are to be restored to the church or poore people.

Que. What is the second rule to be obserued in making of a will?

Ans. A man must bequeath the chie∣fest and greatest part of his goodnesse to his sonnes, daughters and kinsfolk. 1. Tim 5. 8.

An. Who must haue the greatest portion?

An. His eldest sonne or his heyre.

Qu. Why so?

An. First, that he may preserue the stocke and family.

Secondly, that hee may performe some speciall seruice to the church or common wealth.

Qu. Must the younger brother bee neglected?

An. No, but they must bee in some e∣quall proportion prouided for; otherwise many times for want of maintenance they fall to be théeues, or take very ill wayes.

Qu. What is the last rule?

Ans. The Testament is of no force vn∣till the Testator be dead.

Qu. What is the second duty of the maister of a family?

An. Hee must (as I before noted) commaund his people that they learne, beléeue and practise the doctrine of sal∣uation conteyned in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles. 1. King. v. 2. 3. and 4.

Quest. What fruit and comfort shall the sicke receiue, who rightly performe these duties?

An. God will honour them as well in life as death, and make the memory of them pretious after death. Psalm. 112. ver. 6.

And of the twofold preparation be∣fore death hetherto.

Notes

• Act. 7. ve•…•…. 60.
• Math. 5. v. 25.
• Math. 10.
• Iosua. 24. v. 14. 13.
• 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 1. 15. Act. 20. 28.
• Rom. 8. 17.
• Heb. 9. v. 16.
• Gen. 18. 19.
• 1 Sam 2. 30.