The rule and exercises of holy dying in which are described the means and instruments of preparing our selves and others respectively, for a blessed death, and the remedies against the evils and temptations proper to the state of sicknesse : together with prayers and acts of vertue to be used by sick and dying persons, or by others standing in their attendance : to which are added rules for the visitation of the sick and offices proper for that ministery.

SECT. VIII. An Analysis or resolution of the Deca∣logue, and the speciall precepts of the Gospel, describing the duties injoyned and the sins forbidden respectiuely; for the assistance of sick men in making their confessions to God and his Mini∣sters, and the rendring their repent∣ance more particular and perfect.

I THou shalt have none other Gods but me.]

Duties commanded are. 1. To love God above all things. 2. To obey him, and fear him. 3. To worship him with prayers, vows, thanksgivings, presenting to him our souls and bodies, and all such actions and expressions which the consent of Nations, or the Lawes and Customs of the place where we live have appropriated to God. 4. To designe all to Gods glory. 5. To enquire after his will. 6. To beleeve all his word. 7. To submit to his providence. 8. To proceed toward all our lawfull ends by such means as himself hath ap∣pointed. 9. To speak and think honourably of God, and recite his praises, and confesse his Attributes and perfections.

They sin against this Commandement. 1. Who love themselves or any of the creatures in∣ordinately,

and intemperately. 2. They that despise or neglect any of the Divine precepts. 3. They that pray to unknown, or false gods. 4. They that disbeleeve or deny there is a God. 5. They that make vows to creatures. 6. Or say prayers to the honour of men or women, or Angels, as Pater nosters, to the ho∣nour of the Virgin Mary, or S. Peter, which is a taking a part of that honour which is due to God, and giving it to the creature, it is, a re∣ligion paid to men and women out of Gods proper portion, out of prayers directed to God immediately; and it is an act contrary to that religion which makes God the last end of all things: for this th••ough our addresses to God, passes something to the creatures, as if they stood beyond him; for by the interme∣diall worship paid to God, they ultimately do honour to the man, or Angel. 7. They that make consumptive oblations to the crea∣tures, as the Collyridians who offered cakes, and those that burn incense or candles to the Virgin Mary. 8. They that give themselves to the Devil, or make contracts with him, and use phantastic conversation with him. 9 They that consult Witches and Fortune-tellers. 10. They that rely upon dreams and super∣stitious observances. 11 That use charmes, spels, superstitious words and characters, verses of Psalms; the consecrated elements to cure diseases, to be shot free, to recover stolne goods, or inquire into secrets. 12. That are wilfully ignorant of the lawes of God, or love to be deceived in their perswasions; that they may sin with confidence. 13. They that neg∣lect to pray to God. 14. They that arrogate to themselves the glory of any action or power

and do not give the glory to God, as Herod. 15. They that doubt of or disbeleeve any article of the Creed, or any proposition of Scripture, or put false glosses to serve saecular or vitious ends, against their conscience, or with violence any way done to their reason. 16. They that violently or passionately pursue any temporall end with an eagernesse greater then the thing is, in prudent account. 17 They that make religion to serve ill ends, or do good to exil purposes, or evil to good purposes. 18. They that accuse God of injustice, or unmercifulnesse, remissenesse or cruelty; such as are the presumptuous, and the desperate. 19. All hypocrites and pretenders to religi∣on, walking in forms and shadows, but de∣nying the power of godlinesse. 20. All im∣patient persons, all that repine or murmur a∣gainst the prosperities of the wicked, or the calamities of the godly, or their own afflicti∣ons. 21. All that blaspheme God, or speak dishonourable things of so Sacred a Majesty. 22. They that tempt God, or rely upon his protection against his rules and without his promise, and besides reason, entring into danger, from which without a miracle they cannot be rescued. 23. They that are bold in the midst of judgement, and fearlesse in the midst of the Divine vengeance, and the accents of his anger.

II. Comm. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven image, nor worship it. The morall duties of this commandement are.

1. To worship God with all bodily worship and externall forms of addresse, according to the custom of the Church we live in. 2. To be∣leeve

God to be a spirituall and pure substance without any visible form, of shape. 3. To wor∣ship God in wayes of his own appointing, or by his proportions or measures of nature, and right reason, or publike and holy cu∣stomes.

They sin against this Commandement. 1. That make any image or pictures of the Godhead, or fancy any likenesse to him. 2. They that use images in their religion, designing or ad∣dressing any religious worship to them; For if this thing could be naturally tolerable, yet it is too neer an intolerable for a jealous God to suffer. 3. They that deny to worship God with lowly reverence of their bodies, accord∣ing as the Church expresses her reverence to God externally. 4. They that invent or pra∣ctise superstitious worshippings, invented by man against Gods word, or without reason, or besides the publike customes or formes of worshipping, either foolishly or ridiculously, without the purpose of order, decency, pro∣portion to a wise or a religious end, in prose∣cution of some vertue or duty.

III. Comm. Thou shalt not take Gods Name in vain.

The duties of this Comm. are; 1. To ho∣nour and revere the most holy Name of God. 2. To invocate his Name directly, or by consequence in all solemn and permitted ad∣jurations, or publike oaths. 3. To use all things and persons upon whom his Name is called, or any wayes imprinted with a regard∣full and separate manner of usage, different from common, and far from contempt and scorn. 4. To swear in truth and judgement.

They sin against this Commandment; 1. Who swear vainly and customarily, without just cause, without competent authority. 2. They that blasphem or curse God. 3. They that speak of God without grave cause or solemn occasion. 4. They that forswear themselves; that is, they that do not perform their vows to God; or that swear, or call God to witnesse to a lie. 5. They that swear rashly, or mali∣ciously, to commit a sin, or an act of revenge. 6. They that swear by any creature falsely, or any way but as it relates to God, and conse∣quently invokes his testimony. 7. All curious inquiries into the secrets; and intruders into the mysteries and hidden things of God. 8. They that curse God, or curse a creature by God. 9. They that prophane Churches, holy Utensils, holy persons, holy customes, holy Sacraments. 10 They that provoke o∣thers to swear voluntarily, and by designe, or incuriously, or negligently, when they might avoid it. 11 They that swear to things uncer∣tain, and unknown.

IV. Comm. Remember that thou keep holy the S. day]

The duties of this Comm. are; 1. To set apart some portions of our time for the imme∣diate offices of religion, and glorification of God. 2. This to be done according as God or his holy Church hath appointed. 3. One day in seven is to be set apart. 4. The Christian day is to be subrogated into the place of the Jewes day: the resurrection of Christ and redemption of man was a greater blessing then then to create him. 5. God on that day to be worshipped and acknowledged as our Creator,

and as our Saviour. 6. The day to be spent in holy offices; in hearing Divine service, pub∣like prayers, frequenting the Congregations, hearing the word of God read or expounded; reading good books, meditations, alms, re∣conciling enmities; remission of burdens, and of offences, of debts, and of work; friendly offices, neighbourhood, and provoking one another to good-works; and to this end, all servile works must be omitted, excepting ne∣cessary and charitable offices to men or beasts, to our selves, or others.

They sin against this Comm. 1. That do, or compell, or intice others to do servile works without the cases of necessity or charity, to be estimated according to common and pru∣dent accounts. 2. They that refuse or neglect to come to the publike assemblies of the Church, to hear and assist at the divine offices intirely. 3. They that spend the day in idle∣nesse, forbidden or vain recreations, or the actions of sin and folly. 4. They that buy and sell without the cases of permission. 5. They that travell unnecessary journeys. 6 They that act or assist in conten••ions, or law-suites, markets, fairs, &c. 7. They that on that day omit their private devotion unlesse the whole day be spent in publike. 8. They that by any crosse or contradictory actions against the cu∣stomes of the Church do purposely desecrate or unhallow and make the day common: as they that in despite and contempt, fast upon the Lords day, lest they may celebrate the fe∣stivall after the manner of the Christians.

V. Com. Honour thy father and thy mother]

The duties are; 1. To do honour and re∣verence and to love our natural parents. 2. To obey all their domestic commands; for in them the scene of their authority lies. 3. To give them maintenance and support in their needs. 4. To obey Kings and all that are in authority. 5. To pay tribute and honours, custome and reverence. 6. To do reverence to the aged and all our betters. 7. To obey our Masters, spiritual governours and Guides in those things which concern their several re∣spective interest and authority.

They sin against this commandment. 1. That despise their parents age, or infirmity. 2. That are ashamed of their poverty and extraction. 3. That publish their vices, errours and infir∣mities to shame them. 4. That refuse and re∣ject all or any of their lawful commands. 5. Children that marry without or against their consent when it may be reasonably ob∣tained. 6. That curse them, from whom they receive so many blessings. 7 That grieve the souls of their parents by not complying in their desires, and observing their circum∣stances. 8. That hate their persons, that mock them or use uncomely jestings. 9. That dis∣cover their nakednesse voluntarily. 10. That murmure against their injunctions, and obey them involuntarily. 11. All Rebels against their Kings or the supream power in which it is legally and justly invested. 12. That refuse to pay tributes and impositions imposed le∣gally. 13. They that disobey their Masters, murmure or repine against their commands, abuse or deride their persons, talk rudely, &c.

14. They that curse the king in their heart,* 1.1 or speak evil of the ruler of their people. 15. All that are uncivil and rude towards aged persons, mockers and scorners of them.

VI. Com. Thou shalt do no murder.

The duties are. 1. To preserve our own lives, the lives of our relatives and all with whom we converse (or who can need us, and we assist) by prudent reasonable and wary de∣fences, advocations, discoveries of snares, &c. 2. To preserve our health, and the integrity of our bodies and mindes, and of others. 3. To preserve, and follow peace with all men.

They sin against this Commandment. 1. That destroy the life of a man or woman, himself or any other. 2. That do violence or dis∣member, or hurt any part of the body with evil intent. 3. That fight duels or commence unjust wars. 4. They that willingly hasten their own or others death. 5. That by oppres∣sion or violence imbitter the spirits of any, so as to make their life sad, and their death hasty. 6. They that conceal the dangers of their neighbor, which they can safely discover. 7. They that sow strife and contention among neighbours. 8. They that refuse to rescue or preserve those whom they can and are obliged to preserve. 9. They that procure abortion. 10 They that threaten, or keep men in fears; or hate them.

VII. Com. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

The duties are. 1. To preserve our bodies in the chastity of a single life, or of marriage. 2. To keep all the parts of our bodies in the care and severities of chastity; so that we be restrained in our eyes as well as in our feet.

They sin against this Commandment, 1. Who are adulterous, incestuous, Sodomitical, or commit fornication. 2. They that commit folly alone; dishonouring their own bodies with softnesse and wantonnesse. 3. They that immoderately let loose the reins of their bol∣der appetite, though within the protection of marriage. 4 They that by wanton gestures, wandring eyes lascivious dressings, discovery of the nakednesse of themselves or others, filthy discourse, high diet, amorous songs, balls and revellings, tempt and betray themselves, or others to folly. 5. They that marry a wo∣man divorced for adultery. 6. They that di∣vorce their wives, except for adultery, and marry another.

VIII. Com. Thou shalt not steal.

The duties are. 1. To give every man his due. 2. To permit every man to enjoy his own goods and estate quietly.

They sin against this Commandment. 1. That injure any mans estate by open violence, or by secret robbery, by stealth or cousenage, by arts of bargaining or vexatious law-suits. 2. That refuse or neglect to pay their debts, when they are able. 3 That are forward to run into debt knowingly beyond their power, without hopes or purposes of repaiment. 4. Oppressors

of the poor. 5. That exact usury of necessi∣tous persons, or of any beyond the permissi∣ons of equity as determined by the laws. 6. All sacrilegious persons; people that rob God of his dues, or of his possessions. 7. All that game, viz. at Cards and Dice, &c. to the pre∣judice and detriment of other mens estates. 8. They that imbase coyn and mettals and ob∣trude them for perfect and natural. 9. That break their promises to the detriment of a third person. 10 They that refuse to stand to their bargains. 11. They that by negli∣gence imbecil other mens estates, spoiling or letting any thing perish which is intrusted to them. 12. That refuse to restore the pledge

IX. Com. Thou shalt not bear false witnesse.

The duties are. 1. To give testimony to truth, when we are called to it by competent autho∣rity. 2. To preserve the good name of our neighbours. 3. To speak well of them that deserve it.

They sin against this commandment. 1. That speak false things in judgement accusing their neighbors unjustly; or denying his crime pub∣lickly when we are asked, and can be comman∣ded lawfully to tell it. 2. Flatterers, and 3. slanderers, 4. backbiters, 5. and detracters. 6. They that secretly raise jealousies, and su∣spition of their neighbours causelesly.

X. Thou shalt not covet.

The duties are. 1. To be content with the portion God hath given us. 2. Not to be co∣vetous of other mens goods.

They sin against this commandment. 1. That

envy the prosperities of other men. 2. They that desire passionately to be possessed of what is their neighbours. 3. They that with gree∣dinesse pursue riches, honours, pleasures and curiosities. 4. They that are too careful, troubled, distracted or amazed, affrighted and afflicted with being sollicitous in the conduct of temporal blessings.

These are the general lines of duty by which we may discover our failings, and be humbled, and confesse accordingly; onely the penitent person is to remember, that al∣though these are the kindes of sins described after the sense of the Jewish Church, which consisted principally in the external action, or the deed done, and had no restraints upon the thoughts of men, save onely in the tenth com∣mandment, which was mixt and did relate as much to action as to thought (as appears in the instances) yet upon us Christians there are many circumstances and degrees of obli∣gation, which endear our duty with greater severity and observation; and the penitent is to account of himself and enumerate his sins, not onely by external actions or the deed done, but by words & by thoughts; and so to rec∣kon if he have done it directly or indirectly, if he have caused others to do it, by tempting or incouraging, by assisting or counselling, by not disswading when he could and ought, by fortifying their hands or hearts, or not weakning their evil purposes; if he have de∣signed or contrived its action, desired it or loved it, delighted in the thought, remem∣bred the past sin with pleasure or without sor∣row, these are the by-wayes of sins, and the crooked lanes in which a man may wander and

be lost as certainly as in the broad high wayes of iniquity.

But besides this, our blessed Lord and his Apostles have added divers other precepts; some of which have been with some violence reduc'd to the Decalogue, and others have not bin noted at all in the catalogues of confession, I shall therefore describe them entirely, that the sick man discover his failings, that by the mercies of God in Jesus Christ, and by the instrument of repentance he may be pre∣sented pure and spotlesse before the throne of God.

The special precepts of the Gospel.

1. PRayer, frequent, servent, holy, and persevering.* 1.2 2. Faith.* 1.3 3. Repentance,* 1.4 4. Poverty of spirit, as opposed to ambition, high designes,* 1.5 5. and in it is humility, or sitting down in the lowest place, and in gi∣ving honour to go before another,* 1.6 6. meeknesse, as it is opposed to way∣wardnesse, fretfulnesse, immoderate grieving, disdain and scorn,* 1.7 7. con∣tempt of the world,* 1.8 8. prudence, or the advantagious conduct of religi∣on,* 1.9 9. simplicity or sincerity in words and actions, pretences and substances,* 1.10 10. hope,* 1.11 11. hearing the word,* 1.12 12. Reading,* 1.13 13. Assembling together,* 1.14 14. obeying them that have the rule over us in spiritual affairs,* 1.15 15. Refusing to

communicate with persons excommu∣nicate: whither also may be reduced, To reject Hereticks.* 1.16 16 Charity, viz. love to God above all things,* 1.17 bro∣therly kindnesse,* 1.18 or profitable love to our neighbours as our selves,* 1.19 to be expressed in almes, forgivenesse,* 1.20 and to dye for our brethren,* 1.21 17 To pluck out the right eye, or violently to re∣scind all occasions of sin,* 1.22 though dear to us as an eye, 18 To reprove our erring brother,* 1.23 19 To be patient in afflictions, and longanimity is referred hither, or long sufferance;* 1.24 which is the perfection and perseverance of pa∣tience; and is opposed to hastinesse and wearinesse of spirit,* 1.25 20 To be thankful to our benefactors, but above all, in all things to give thanks to God,* 1.26 21. To rejoyce in the Lord alwayes,* 1.27 22. Not to quench, not to grieve, not to resist the Spirit,* 1.28 23 To love our wives as Christ loved his Church, and to reverence our husbands,* 1.29 24. To provide for our families,* 1.30 25 Not to be bitter to our children, 26. To bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,* 1.31 27. Not to despise prophesying,* 1.32 28. To be gentle and easie to be intreated,* 1.33 29. To give no scandal, or offence,* 1.34 30. To follow after peace with all men and to make peace,* 1.35 31. Not to go to law before the unbelievers,* 1.36 32. To do all things that are of good report, or the actions of publick ho∣nesty;* 1.37 abstaining from all apearances

of evil, 33 To convert souls or turn sinners from the errour of their wayes.* 1.38 34. To confesse Christ before all the world,* 1.39 35. To resist unto blood if God calls us to it,* 1.40 36. To rejoyce in tribulation for Christs sake,* 1.41 37. To remember and shew forth the Lords death till his second coming, by celebrating the Lords supper,* 1.42 38. To believe all the New Testament,* 1.43 39. To adde nothing to S. Iohns last Book, that is, to pre∣tend to no new revelations,* 1.44 40. To keep the customs of the Church, her festivals and solemnities,* 1.45 lest we be reproved as the Corinthians were by S. Paul, we have no such customs nor the Churches of God,* 1.46 41. To contend earnestly for the faith. * 1.47 Nor to be contentious in matters not concern∣ing the eternal interest of our souls; but in matters indifferent to have faith to our selves,* 1.48 42. Not to make schisms or divisions in the body of the Church,* 1.49 43. To call no man Master upon earth, but to acknowledge Christ our Master, and law giver.* 1.50 44. not to domineer over the Lords heri∣tage,* 1.51 45 To try all things, and keep that which is best,* 1.52 46 To be tem∣perate in all things,* 1.53 47. To deny our selves,* 1.54 48. To mortifie our lusts and their instruments,* 1.55 49. To lend looking for nothing again, nothing by way of in∣crease, nothing by way of recompence.* 1.56 50 To watch & stand in readines against the coming of the Lord,* 1.57 51▪ Not to be

angry without cause,* 1.58 52. not at al to re∣vile, 53. not to swear, 54 not to respect persons,* 1.59 55. to lay hands suddenly on no man* 1.60 [This especially pertains to ** 1.61 Bishops.** 1.62 To whom also, and to all the Ecclesiastical order it is enjoyned, that they preach the word, that they be instant in season, and out of season, that they rebuke, reprove, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 56. To keep the Lords day (derived into an ob∣ligation from a practise Apostolical) 57.* 1.63 to do all things to the glory of God,* 1.64 58. to hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and its rewards,* 1.65 59. to avoid foolish questions,* 1.66 60 to pray for persecuters, and to do good to them that persecute us, and despitefully use us,* 1.67 61 to pray for all men, 62. to main∣tain good works for necessary uses.* 1.68 63. to work with our own hands that we be not burdensome to others,* 1.69 avoiding idlenesse,* 1.70 64 to be perfect as our hea∣venly Father is perfect,* 1.71 65. to be li∣beral and frugal; for he that will call us to account for our time, will also for the spending our money, 66 not to use uncomely jestings,* 1.72 67. modesty; as opposed to boldnesse,* 1.73 to curiosity, to undecency,* 1.74 68. to be swift to hear, slow to speak,* 1.75 69. to worship the holy [Jesus] at the mention of his holy name; as of old God was at the men∣tion of [Jehovah.

These are the streight lines of scripture, by which we may also measure our obliquities, and discover our crooked walking; if the sick

man hath not done these things, or if he have done contrary to any of them in any particular, he hath cause enough for his sorrow, and matter for his confession: of which he need no other forms, but that he heartily deplore and plainly enumerate his follies, as a man tells the sad stories of his own calamity.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Credebant hoc grande nefa, & morte piandum, Si juvenis vetulo non assur∣rexerat & si Barbato cu••cu••q puer— Iuven. Sat. 13.
• * 1.2

  1 Thes. 5.17. Luke 18.1. 1 Thes. 5.17.
• * 1.3

  Mark 16.16.
• * 1.4

  Luke 13.3 Acts 3.19.
• * 1.5

  Matth. 5.3.
• * 1.6

  Luke 14.10. John 13.14.
• * 1.7

  Math. 5.5.
• * 1.8

  Colos. 3.1, 2.
• * 1.9

  Matth. 10.16.
• * 1.10

  1 Thes. 5.8.
• * 1.11

  Rom. 8.24.
• * 1.12

  Luke 16.29. Mark 4.44.
• * 1.13

  1 Tim. 4.13.
• * 1.14

  Heb. 10.25.
• * 1.15

  Heb. 13.17. Matth. 18.17.
• * 1.16

  2 Thes. 3.6. 2 ep. John 10. Titus 3.10.
• * 1.17

  Colos. 3.14. 1 Tim. 1.5. 1 Tim. 2.22. Mark 12.30.
• * 1.18

  Matth. 6.14.
• * 1.19

  1 John 3.16.
• * 1.20

  Matth. 18.9.
• * 1.21

  Matth. 18.15.
• * 1.22

  James 1.4. Luke 21.19.
• * 1.23

  Heb. 12.3. Gal. 6.9.
• * 1.24

  Ephes. 5 20. 2 Thess. 1.3. Luke 6.32.
• * 1.25

  2 Tim. 3.2.
• * 1.26

  1 Thes. 5.16. Philip. 3.1.4.4.
• * 1.27

  1 Thes 5.19. Ephes. 4.30.
• * 1.28

  Acts. 7.51.
• * 1.29

  Ephes. 5.33.
• * 1.30

  1 Tim. 5.8. Colos. 3.21. Ephes. 6.4. 1 Thes. 5.20.
• * 1.31

  2 Tim. 2.24.
• * 1.32

  Matth. 18.7. 1 Cor. 10.32.
• * 1.33

  Heb. 12.14.
• * 1.34

  1 Cor. 6.1.
• * 1.35

  Philip. 4.8.
• * 1.36

  2 Cor. 8.21.
• * 1.37

  1 Thes. 5.22.
• * 1.38

  James 5.19, 20.
• * 1.39

  Matth. 10.32.
• * 1.40

  Heb. 12.4.
• * 1.41

  Matth. 5.12. James 1.2.
• * 1.42

  Luke 22.19.
• * 1.43

  Joh. 20.30.31. Acts 3.23. Mark 1.1. Luke 10.16.
• * 1.44

  Revel. 22.18.
• * 1.45

  1 Cor. 11.16.
• * 1.46

  Jude 3.
• * 1.47

  Rom. 14.13.22
• * 1.48

  Rom. 16.17.
• * 1.49

  Mat. 23.8, 9, 10.
• * 1.50

  1 Pet. 5.3.
• * 1.51

  1 John 4.1. 1 Thes. 5.21.
• * 1.52

  1 Cor. 9.25. Titus 2.2.
• * 1.53

  Matth. 16.24.
• * 1.54

  Colos. 3.5. Rom. 8.13.
• * 1.55

  Luke 6.34.
• * 1.56

  Mark 13.35. Matth. 24.42 & 25.13.
• * 1.57

  Matth. 5.22. Ephes. 4.26.
• * 1.58

  1 Cor. 6.10. Matth. 5.22,
• * 1.59

  Matth. 5.34.
• * 1.60

  James 2.1.
• * 1.61

  1 Tim. 5.22.
• * 1.62

  2 Tim. 4.12.
• * 1.63

  1 Cor. 10.31.
• * 1.64

  Matth. 5.6.
• * 1.65

  Titus 3.9.
• * 1.66

  Matth. 5.44. Rom. 12.14.
• * 1.67

  1 Tim. 2.1.
• * 1.68

  Titus 3.14.
• * 1.69

  Ephes. 4.28.
• * 1.70

  Matth. 5.48.
• * 1.71

  1 Pet. 3.8. 2 Pet. 1.6, 7. 2 Cor. 8.7. 2 Cor. 9.5.
• * 1.72

  Ephes. 5.4.
• * 1.73

  1 Tim. 2.9.
• * 1.74

  James 1.9.
• * 1.75

  Philip. 2.10.