The Sick Mans Catechism, Chapter 14
The xiiii. Chapter. Of Particular preparation.
Question. OF how many sorts is particular preparation?
A. It is two-fold, either false and vnperfect, as is that which the Synagoge of Rome prescribeth, or true and perfect, as is that which all Protestant Churches teach and practise.
Q. Wherein doth the false and vnperfect preparation of the Church of Rome consist,
A. In thrée things.
Q. What are those thrée things or members?
A. First auricular or eare-confession made to a Priest.
Secondly, the receiuing of the Eucharist or hoast.
Thirdly, extreame vnction, or anointing with oyle.
Q Is not auricular confession, or the secret enumeration of all a mans particular sinnes, necessary?
Ans. No; certainly.
Q. Why is it not necessary?
A. First, because the word of God requireth no such matter.
Secondly no man can possibly sound eueryevery corner of his heart, and finde out all his sinnes. Ierem. 10. 23.
Thirdly, there was no such practise neither in the Apostles times, nor in the primitiue Church for the space of fiue hundred yeares.
Forthly, Dauid, and the prodigall or lost Child had their sinnes forgiuen them vponupon a generall confession. 1. Sam. 12. ver. 12. Luk. 15. ver. 18. 19.
Lastly, God hath not made men absolute iudges of reconciliation, but hath …. C…. 5. ….onelyonly giuen them the ministerie of reconciliation.
Ques. Wherein doth this ministerie of reconciliation consist?
Ans. When the ministers of Gods word doe in the name of the Lord according to his word, preach, declare and pronounce a mans sinnes to be forgiuen or not forgiuen.
The second Section.
Que. Is it necessary for the sicke to receiue the Eucharist or the Lords Supper?
Answ. There is no such (extreame) necessity, for first not the want but the continuall contempt of the Sacrament formerly in faith receiued, doth extend it selfe to the whole course of a mans life.
Lastly, the Lorde supper is an Ecclesiasticall or publike action and therefore according to Christ his institution, is to be administred and receiued in the greatest concourse and assembly of the Church.
Obiect. As the paschall Lambe was eaten, so may the Lords Supper be eaten, but the paschall Lambe was eaten priuatly in particular houses, therefore may the Lords Supper …ee likewise eaten in the same forme.
Ans. I answer to the first proposition that the argument is not good and the consequence followeth not. For first they Iewes then could not obtaine leaue nor be permitted to assemble them-selues togeither, as wee doe and may Gods name be blessed for it.
Secondly I answer to the seco… proposition, that the Pascall Lambe though it was eaten in particular houses, yet it was by Gods commandement, and eaten at one and the same time in all places: which is all one as if the action had beene publike.
The 3 Section.
Q. Is extreame vnction and especially the anointing of the instruments of the senses in spirituall respects now necessary for the sicke?
Ans. No truely, for it concerneth not vsus at all; the miracle is ceased long since, and then what vse of the ceremony.
Obie. But in Saint Iames daies they anointed the sick with oile, and why may they not doe so now?
Ans. First, because (as I formerly noted) all miracles are ceased, but that anointing was miraculous.
Secondly, the sicke the… anointed with oile by vertue of Gods promises, recouered out of their sicknes, but those whome the Papistes anoint, commonly die and so neuer recouer.
Lasty, the ancient anointing was appointed and vsed for the recouery of bodily health, but the Papists abuse and preuent it to false endes, namely to obtaine forgiuenesse of sinnes, and to procure strength and comfort against all the temptations of death; and to obtaine saluation it selfe.
And of the false preparation hetherto.