The Minister's Blessing after Sermon, to be attended. [ 294]
IT is reported of Dr.* 1.1 Lake, Bishop of Bath and Wells, that whether it were so that himself preached, or not, after the Sermon done, and the Psalm sung, as the manner is, standing up in his Episcopall seat, he gave the Benediction to the Peo∣ple, after the example of the High Priest, Numb. 6. 23. which thing as he Per∣formed like himselfe, i. e. in a most grave and father-like manner; so any man that had but seen, with what attentive and devout gestures, all the People received it, what apparent comfort they took in it, and how carefull every particular man was, not to depart the Church without it, could not but conclude, that there was quaedam vis & efficacia,* 1.2 a secret vertue in the prayers and blessings, as of the naturall, so of spirituall parents,* 1.3 which as they are never he worse for giving, so those that have relation to them, are much the better for receiving. And it is not for naught, that the Apostle saith, The lesser useth to be blessed of the greater. Much then are they to be blamed, that rush out of the Church, leaving such a blessing behind them; they think all is done, when the Sermon is done; nor is the Sermon done, till they have practised what they have heard; and the onely way so to do, is, to at∣tend the blessing of the Minister, as a good preparative thereunto, which (no doubt) will procure God's blessing thereupon, and then all is compleated. Again, if Grace after meat be required, surely Grace after the Word heard, is much more necessary: And if Much good do it you,* 1.4 be good manners after a dinner, surely, much good do it us, Much good do it my soul, is more than a complement after a Sermon.