A Companion for the Penitent, Part 2
THE TRYAL AND JUDGMENT OF THE SOUL. OR, Certain Questions or Articles of Examination, whereby the Penitent himself may try and discover the Safety of his own Spiritual State. On which the Guide of Souls may make Use of, as he sees cause, in visiting the Sick, and in giving Absolution to them.
WHEN the Person whose Spiritual Estate is to be enquir'd into, is sick, some Questions may be premised, touching his due Reception of his Sickness. And these the Minister (when he is the Examiner) may begin after the Exhortation to the Sick, in the Office of Visitation.
Questions touching the Sick Persons due Reception of their Sickness.
1. Are you perswaded, that your present *Or, when other Calamity or Affliction name it.Sickness is sent unto you by Almighty God?
2. Do you believe and acknowledge, not only his Justice, but also his Kindness therein, as in a Father's Visitation?
And that all which you now suffer, is far less than you have deserved to suffer?
And that it is all sent for your Good?
3. Do you therefore submit to it quietly, and without murmuring, because he sent it?
4. And do you look up to him for Assistance and Deliverance, and depend upon him to take it off again?
5. And are you willing that he should do this when he pleases, and contented to wait his time for it?
6. And do you freely resign your self up to his disposal, either to continue under your illness, or to recover out of the same, to live or die as he sees fittest for you?
7. Do you study to be as easie as you can, to those who attend or minister about you; and to receive their well-meant Care and Services, kindly, and thankfully?
8. Do you now plainly see the Vanity of this World, and of all the Possessions, Pleasures, Pomp, and Splendor thereof, which seemed the most tempting and desirable to you, in the time of your Health?
And are you fully sensible and convinced now, how little there is in them, and how soon you may be, or are like to be taken from them?
9. Do you desire therefore, to keep your Heart loose and taken off from the same?
And to fix your Hopes and Desires upon God and Heavenly things, which you will always find an Help at hand, and a solid comfort in your Need?
10. Will you endeavour by God's Grace, to hold on in this Mind, and still to shew forth the same; if, having by God's Blessing recovered your former Health, you should come to converse again among these worldly Satisfactions, and be enabled to relish and enjoy them?
If that is not done already, I must remind you, as your case requires I should, and as I am directed and ordered to do by the *In the Rubricks before the Absolution, in the Office of Visitation of the Sick.Church, to set your Worldly Affairs in order, and to take care of a just Payment of all you owe, and declare what is owing unto you, and to make such clear Disposal of the Worldly Goods you have to leave, as may both discharge your own Conscience, and prevent Disputes, and preserve Peace among your Friends, who shall survive you.
I must also remind you, according to your Ability; to be liberal to the Poor, remembring, that what is disposed of this way, is laid out upon your own Soul; and that this giving to them, is laying up Treasures for your self in Heaven.
And after these, the Guide of Souls (or the Penitent himself if the Sick Man is his own Examiner) may proceed to other Questions for the Trya… of his Estate, in manner following.
Questions for the Penitent, whereby to try and discover the Safety of their Spiritual State.
When you are passed from Death unto Judgment, and stand at the great Day, to be tried before the dreadful Tribunal of Jesus Christ, you will be called to answer to the Searcher of Hearts, and to give an Account of such Points as these.
I.
1. OF your Faith, whether you have the Belief or Faith of a Christian. Whosoever believeth on him, shall not perish, but have Everlasting Life.
He that believeth on him, is not condemned: but he that Believeth not, is condemned already, John 3. 15, 18.
The Articles or Points of this Belief, or Christian Faith, are these:
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was Crucified, Dead, and Buried, he Descended into Hell; the third Day he rose again from the Dead, he Ascended into Heaven; and sitteth on the Right Hand of God, the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead.
I Believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholick Church, the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of Sins; the Resurrection of the Body, and the Life Everlasting,
Amen.
Questions about the Belief of them.
1. DO you unfeignedly, and from your Heart, believe the Truth of those things, which are p…ofessed in this Creed?
2. Have you any Scruples about any Points thereof, or about any other great Matters of Religion, wherein you are desi…ous to have Satisfaction?
3. Do you thank God from your very Soul, that you were born, and bred up in this Belief, and do you desire to die in it?
4. Has it been your Sincere Case and Study in the Course of your Life, to order your Actions so, and to be so affected with things, as might shew you were real in this Belief, and were Ruled and Acted by a firm perswasion of the aforesaid Points?
II.
2. Of your Holy Obedience, whether you have led the Life, or paid the Duty and new Obedience of a Christian. If thou wilt enter into Life, keep the Commandements. Math. 19. 17.
To them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for Glory, Eternal Life.
But to them who obey not the Truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, upon every Soul that doeth Evil. Rom. 2. 7, 8, 9.
A Brief Recital of the Holy Laws and Duties, which we are to obey.
1. Duties toward God.
THis holy Obedience you are to pay, in a due and devout Attendance, on Prayers, (both Publick and Private) and on Sacraments.
In thankfully owning Gods free Bounty, and praising his Goodness for all the good things, which you receive by any ways.
In submitting patiently to his Holy Will under any Afflictions, and not grudging at them.
Non growing impatient for ease before his Time, because they are of his ordering.
In trusting to him and to his Providence, for supplying you in all your Wants.
And for preserving you from any Dangers, or for delivering you ou… of them.
And so trusting to him for them, as never to make use of any Sin for compassing the same; nor to betaken your self to any wickedness, be it what it will, when you have a… tempting opportunity thereby to supply or deliver your self.
In reverencing his Holy Name, not using it, but with Honour and Respect, not as a light by-word.
Nor ever in common Oaths.
And least of all in false, or faithless Oaths.
In reverencing also, his word, and his Worship, and any things or Persons devoted to him, or Commissioned by him.
2. Duties towards our Selves.
YOU are to pay it moreover, in Humility, or by preserving a just sence of your own Faults, Defects, and weaknesses.
And not priding your self on account of any outward things.
Nor being pussed up by any undue conceits of your self, or with contempt of others.
In chastity, both of the Heart, not suffering the Fancy to fix upon forden objects; or to please it self in being desirous of, or in contriving for any unlawfull Delights.
And also of the Hand, and Tongue, and Ear, and Eye, and of all the outward Actions, which are all to be kept clean of all forbidden and impure Injoyments.
In Temperance about Meats and Drinks.
In Self-Denial and Mortification to this World, and in a read… ness to part with any of the ease, the Interests, or Conveniencies thereof, rather than with the ways of Truth and Righteousness.
3. Duties towards our Neighbours.
YOU are to pay it likewise, in being just in all your Dealings.
In being content with what is your own, and not coveting, or taking away your Neighbours Right from him, either by Force or Fraud.
Nor by detaining it when it is unjustly taken, or hindering him of the same.
And by this Neighbour, you: are to understand every Man, whether Country-man or Foreigner, of high or low condition.
In being Faithful to all your Promises.
In being true in all your Speeches, deceiving none with false Expressions.
And slandering none with false Aspersions.
Nor detracting from any Persons real Virtues, and good Actions.
In all the ways of Charity towards others, especially the Necessitous, giving Alms as you are able, or other Charitable Assistance for their Relief.
In candor, or fair Interpretation of other Men's Words or Actions.
In not delighting unnecessarily to publish other Persons Faults, by evil speaking; but seeking rather to cover, or excuse them, as we desire may be done by our own.
In Meekness and Patience under Injuries, not bursting out into Passion, and Opprobrious words upon them.
In forgiveness of the same, and ing Good for Ill.
In living peaceably your self.
And in studying to preserve Peace among others; not begetting, or cherishing any mis-understandings between Neighbours, and endeavouring to remove them when you find them.
In Love, and Reverence, and Duty to your Parents.
And, if Need be, in succouring and maintaining them.
In constant Loyalty and Obedience to your Rightful Princes be they good or bad, be they o… true or false Religions, and be they Protectors of God's true Worship, or Persecutors thereof.
And in not casting off your Allegiance to them, or levying Wa… against them, on any Pretences o… Provocations.
In reverent Submission, and adherence to Rightful and Faithful Bishops and Pastors of Christ's Church.
In keeping the Bond of Peace, by adhereing to their Communion, and flying Schism.
And in keeping to them, at the Head of God's necessary Truths, and in the Ministration of a pure and holy Worship, against others who fall to minister by polluted and corrupt Offices, or set up for Heretical Depravers of the Truth.
And in a faithful discharge of your Duties in any other Relations, …s of Husband and Wife, Master or Servant, or the like, wherein by the providence of God, you stand placed with others, and mutually undebted.
Questions concerning our Obedience of these Laws.
1. HAS it been the Study and endeavour of your Life, by God's help, to perform these forcited, and such like Duties, though with the infirmities of a forgetful and frail Nature?
2. Have you bethought your self, according as your Time and Memory will serve you, and call'd to mind your manifold Transgressions and Breaches of any of them?
3. After all the Discoveries which you have made thereof, no doubt but many of your Breaches of the same, are still secret; for *Psal. 15. 12.who can tell how of t'he hath offended? And are you truly sorry in the General, for all the rest of those Breaches, which by your Recollection you cannot recover, or call to mind in particular?
4. Where you find, that in any of these, or the like Duties, you have hearkned more to wicked and worldly Lusts, than to a good Conscience, and have yielded to Transgress; are you now ashamed of your Self for having done the same?
Especially for having done so, against both the Majesty and the Mercy of the ever Blessed God, th… made you; and of an ever Blesses Saviour, who redeemed you from everlasting Death with his own Blood, and has prepared Joys both endless and unspeakable for you i… another World; and of the Holy Spirit of God, who is †Eph. 4. 30.grieved therewith, and whose infinite Love had instill'd better things into you, would you have hearkened to his good Motions?
And against the Senfe and Convictions of your own Mind, which knows you ought not to have done so?
And against your own many, …ost solemn, and repeated Promies to the contrary?
5. Are you now offended with …our Self, and sorrowful from the …ottom of your Heart, that ever …ou yielded to commit them? And …o you wish with all your Soul, that …hey never had been done?
6. Do you earnestly desire, that …ou may never yield to commit …hem any more, nor consent hereafter to repeat the same?
7. Are you resolved by the Grace of God, to endeavour so to do for the time to come, [*This Clause when the Person is Sick. if it please …im to try you still longer, and to …aise you up again.]
8. Do you believe those precious promises, which God has made us in his Holy Gospel, to assist and help …n such obedient endeavours with his Almighty Spirit and Grace?
And are you fully purposed to …ut forth these obedient endeavours, …n hopes thereof?
9. Are you heartily sorry, that those endeavours have not been more …erfect in you hitherto?
And do you truly desire, that they may still grow more and more?
10. Will you be careful to remember these Holy purposes, … you shall need the same (if by God's Blessing you shall recover from this Sickness?
And will you take it kindly, and be heartily thankful to any who shall put you in Mind thereof
11. Is there any particular Sin amongst all these, which lies heavy above the Rest upon your Conscience, and for which you yet need, and desire, more particular Direction, Comfort, and Absolution?
12. Besides this Repentance, for all your willful or allowed Breaches, of any of these Commandments; are you likewise humbled, and heartily troubled, for any Breaches thereof by surprize?
Or for any hasty, and unconsidered stirrings, and first Motions of sinful Lusts?
Or for rash Words or Censures or Wandrings in Prayer, and the like.
Though you did not indulge, or antecedently give way to these Breaches, yet are you humbled, and heartily troubled for the same, after once you observe your self …o have fallen into them?
Do you earnestly beg God's pardon thereof?
And are you purposed by his Grace, to watch still against them the best you can, for the time to come?
III.
3. YOU will be called to give an Account of your Charity and Forgiveness of others. If you forgive Men their Trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you forgive not Men their Trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your Trespasses, Matth. 6. 14, 15.
Questions about this Forgiveness.
1. DO you from your Heart forgive those, who have injured or offended you, as you expect Forgiveness of your Offences at God's Hands?
2. Do you lay aside all ill Will, and all Desires, and Purposes of Revenge towards them?
And are you ready and resolved by God Grace, not to shew the same, when it shall lie in your way, either to profit or hurt them?
3. Do you heartily pray, that God would forgive them?
And would you be glad to see them made sensible of their Offences, and taking the right way to have God's Pardon of them, rather than to see them suffering for the same?
4. Do you remember any Person in particular, to whom you would have so much told, or signified in your Name?
If so, do you intend by God's leave to have the same signified to them?
Or who shall do it? And when?
IV.
4. Of your Reconciliation to your Brethren, and making Restitution after any wrongs which you have done to them.
If thou bring thy gift to the Altar, and there remembrest that thy Brother hath …ought against thee;
Leave there thy Gift before the Altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy Brother, and then come and offer thy Gift.
Agree with thine Adversary quickly whilst thou art in the way with him, …est he deliver thee to the Judge, and …he Judge to the Executioner, and thou …e cast into Prison.
Verily thou shalt by no means come …ut thence, till thou hast paid the utter most Farthing. Mat. 5. 23, 24, 25, 26.
If the wicked restore the Pledge, and give again what he hath Robbed, none of his Sins shall be mentioned to him, …e shall surely live and not dye. Exek. 33. …5, 16.
Questions about this Reconciliation, and Restitution, or making just Amends, after injuries.
1. DO you desire, that all persons, whom you have any ways offended, would forgive you?
2. If you know of any who have had just cause, either in the way of Conversation, or of Business, to be offended with you, and take thinks ill of you, are you ready, where that is wanting, to appease or remove their uneasie remembrance of the same, by having a signification of your love carryed to them, and of your desire of their Pardon?
3. Do you call to mind any by name, to whom this should have been done, but hitherto has not been done. … to whom you would have i… done?
If so, who shall do it? and when
4. Doe you Remember any Reparation, or Restitution which you need to make to any persons, for any wrong which you have ever done to then or theirs, either in their Lives their Beds, their Goods, or their Good-name; or by tempting them to sin? and if so, are you prepared, if that has not been done already, to make them all just and reasonable amends?
Or would you have any thing more done, than has been done in any of these cases, where it may be done with more convenience; and may tend to your further comfort and peace?
5. If you have injured any, by tempting and drawing them into Sin, or dangerous Errors, do you truly desire, if that is still needfull to be done, that they may be made sensible of their sins, or errors, as you are, and so put into the way of pardon thereof?
6. Or, if as brethren in Iniquity, and companions in Sin, you have hardned one another by sitting at it together, do you desire the same for them? and where you have not done it before, will you endeavour to make them sensible thereof, and seek their Recovery the best you can?
7. Would you have any thing sent to them in your Name, to make them sensible thereof? And if so, when, and by whom?
8 Are you ready to shew mercy, as you have the extreamest need to ask it, that Mercy may rejoyce in your behalf against Judgment.
9. And will you *Dan. 4. 27.break off your Sins by Alms-Deeds, according as God has enabled you, and your iniquities, by giveing to the Poor?
If you have been more wanting in it in time past, will you be more carefull and Liberal therein, for the time to come?
And will you still Remember, that you are but Gods Steward of all your worldly Estate, and must give an account what you have done out of it for him, as well as what you have done for your self? And will you prepare to give a good account thereof?.
Questions upon the whole.
1. DO you believe, that Almighty God is ready Graciously to Pardon all such Believers of the foresaid Articles of the Christian Faith, as truly repent them in this manner of all their Sins, and forgive others, and are ready to seek Reconciliation and satisfie for all injuries which they have done, and to shew mercy, and are in Peace and Charity with all their Neighbours?
2. Do you believe, that he is ready to do this, only for the sake of our Blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ, and in regard to the Merits of his Death, who, by his dying on the Cross for our Sins, purchased all this Mercy for all truly Penitent Believers?
3. Are you truly sensible of his Exceeding Great Love therein, and from the Bottom of your Heart, are you Thankful to him for the same?
After which questions, the Guide of Souls, if he is the asker of them, in visiting the Sick, and Dispensing Absolution, [or the Penitent himself, when he is his own Examiner,] may go on to this effect.
Now know therefore, †O! my Soul, that altho thou art, &c. When it is only the Penitent trying himself.Brother [or Sister] that altho you are a Sinner, yet *1 Tim. 1. 15.Jesus Christ came into the World to save sinners. Altho you have been a lost sinner, yet he is †Mat. 18. 11.come to save, and seek after that which was lost.
Altho you have sind yet you do not cover your Sins, or Justifie them; but with grief of Heart confess them, and condemn your self for the same. And †1 Jo. 1. 9.if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins.
You confess them to him with a resolved aversion, and turn away from the same, having by the help of his Grace already forsaken some, and studying and being resolved in Heart to forsake all: And †Prov. 28 13.who so Confesseth and forsaketh his Sins, shall find mercy.
If you have sinned against your Brethren, you are ready to submit your self, and seek to reconcile your self to them, and to the utmost of your Power to make them any reasonable satisfaction. And if a Man has †Mat. 5 24.first reconciled himself to his Brother, he may come to God with a good heart, and offer his gift. †Ezek. 33 15. 10.If he hath Repented and given again what he hath Robbed, his Sin shall not be mentioned.
Whilst with an Humble, a Contrite, and a returning Heart, you are thus seeking to the Father of mercys to forgive you your trespasses, you do from your heart forgive all other persons, who have sinned against you, their Trespasses. And † if we forgive men their trespasses, our Mat. 6. 14.Heavenly Father will also forgive us.
As you earnestly seek mercy, …ou are ready to show it, and according to your ability to give Alms to the needy. And *Mat. 5. 7.blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy, †Jam. 2. 13.and mercy rejoyceth against judgment.
*This, when the Guide of Souls is the Examiner. But when the Penitent is his own examiner, he may go on from hence, if he pleases, to comfort up his Spirit, and further express his Devotion to Almighty God, by Prayer, the 3d. pag 29. Intituled a Profession of the Fruits of Repentance, and the conditions of Forgiveness. And by Prayer the 4th p. 33. Intituled A Prayer for Pardon of Sins. Or, if he is desirous to shorten the Office, he may omit them, and pass on to the Confession of sins, taken out of the Office for the Communion, and the other Prayers and Sentences, which are here set down.Upon such Faith, and Repentance and Satisfaction for Injuries, and shewing Mercy and forgiveness of others, when they are sincere and right, our most merciful God and Saviour will most graciously forgive us, at the great Day of Judgment. And he †2 Cor. 5. 18.he has committed the Ministry of reconciliation to his Ministers, that, upon appearance of the same, they may declare and deal it out, for for the Comfort of such truly faithful, and Penitent Persons here in this world.
And, now upon this profession, which you have here made, of this Christian Faith, and Repentance, and reparation of injuries, and of forgiveness of others, and having charity towards all persons, and of shewing mercy to the miserable, all which you declare is unfeigned, and from the Bottom of your Heart, do you desire from the mouth of Christ's Minister to receive the benefit of Absolution?
Then may the Minister proceed, as he sees fit, to lead the Penitent on in this form of Confession taken out of the Office for the Communion.
ALLmighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of of all things, Judge of all Men *Or. I acknowledge and bewail, when the Penitent is his own examiner.we humbly acknowledge and bewail, and especially this humble Penitent doth hereby acknowledge and bewail, †Or herhis manifold sins and wickedness, which *Or Shehe from time to time most grieviously hath comitted, by thought, word, and deed, against thy Divine Majesty. Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against *Or Her.him. †Or She according as the person is.He doth earnestly repent, and is heartily sorry for these his misdoings. The remembrance of them is grievious unto him; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon him, have mercy upon him most merciful Father. For thy Son, Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive him all that is past, and grant that he may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to honour and glory of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
And then Pronounce the Absolution following.
ALmighty God our heavenly Father, When the Penitent examins himself, he may repeat this on his knees, and say me, and my, forwho of his great mercy, hath promised forgiveness of sins, to all them, that with hearty Repentance, and true Faith turn unto him; have mercy upon you, Pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all Goodness, and bring you to everlasting Life, through Jefus Christ our Lord Amen.
Or, instead of this Form of Absolution, if he think that fitter, he may use the form in the Visitation of the Sick.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath left power to his Church to Absolve all Sinners, who truely repent and believe in him, of his great mercy forgive thee thine Offences: And by his Authority committed to me, I absolve thee from all thy sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
After which, *Or the Person himself, when he is his own examiner, making such changes in this, and the following Prayers, of me for him, mine for his, &c. as are requisite when one speaks not of another, but of himself.the Minister may go on with the Collect, that follows the Absolution in the Office of the Visitation of the Sick.
O! most Mercyful God, who according to the multitude of thy mercies dost so put away the sins of those who truly repent, that thou rememberest them no more; open thine Eye of Mercy upon this thy Servant, who most earnestly desireth Pardon and Forgiveness. Renew in him, most loving Father, whatsoever hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the Devil, or by his own carnal will and frailness: Preseve and continue this [*The Sick, as likewise the following words within the Hooks [ ] must be omitted when this Office is used in time of Health. Sick] member, in the Unity of the Church; consider his Contrition, accept his Tears, [asswage his Pain, as shall seem to thee most expedient for him.] And for as much as he putteth his full trust in thy mercy, impute not unto him his former sins; but strengthen him with thy Blessed Spirit, and when thou art pleased to take him hence, take him unto thy Favour, through the merits of thy most Dearly Beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And if the Penitent is visited as a sick Person, he may then use the Psalm after it.
In thee, O! Lord have I put my trust, let me never be put to Confusion: but rid me, &c.
But else, instead thereof, he may use these Sentences and Prayers.
Sentences after the Absolution, in the Communion Service.
†Or, hear, O! my Soul, when the Penitent examines himself.Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith, unto all that truly turn unto him.
Come unto me, all that travel and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Mat. 11. 28.
So God loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, to the end that all that believe on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jo. 3. 16.
Hear also what St. Paul saith.
This a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. 1. 15.
Hear also what St. John saith.
If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous, and he is the Propi…iation for our sins. 1 Jo. 2. 1.
In the Visitation of the Sick.
O! Saviour of the World, who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us, save this thy Servant, and help him, we humbly intreat thee, O! Lord.
Amen.
In the Communion.
SPare him, O! Lord, who hath confessed his sins unto thee, that he, whose Conscience by sin was accused, by thy merciful Pardon may be absolved, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Collect for the 21 Sunday after Trinity.
GRant we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to this thy Servant, and to all thy faithfull People Pardon and Peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
In the Visitation of the Sick.
THe Almighty Lord, who is a most strong Tower to all them that put their trust in him, to whom all things in Heaven, and Earth, and under the Earth, do bow and obey; be now and evermore thy defence, and make thee know and feel, that there is none other Name under Heaven given to man, in whom, and through whom, thou mayest receive Health and Salvation, but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Unto Gods gracious Mercy and Protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee Peace, both now and ever-more. Amen.
And the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your heart and mind in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with you, and remain in you always. Amen.
After all this is done, I would put the Penitent in mind of one thing, viz. That the Holy Communion is still a further and Principal means, to settle and secure, both the Pardon and the Peace of his Soul. The receiving it from the hand of God's authorized Minister, acting therein by God's appointment, and in God's name, is the most effectual Absolution, and one of the best Assurances and Seals of Pardon. The Cup, which he gives the Penitent to Drink from God, is *Mat. 26. 28.Christs Blood for the remission of sins, or the remission of sins which he purchased by the shedding of his Blood. And the method of the Church in the restauration of Penitents, was to finish and consummate their Reconciliation, by giving them the Holy Communion. For †It a quetiescunque …e…cata donantur, corporis ejus sacramentum sumimus, ut per Sanguinem ejus fiat pecca…orum remissio. Ambros. de Poenit. l. 2. c. 3.as oft as sins are remitted or absolved in the Church, they receive Christ's Body, that the remission of sins which is granted may be conveyd by his Blood, says St. Ambrose.
And therefore the sick Penitent, when he has received the foregoing Absolution, would provide well for the Peace and Comfort of his Soul, if, after some respite to recover his strength, or at some convenient time soon after, when he sees most fit, he would Consumate his Absolution by receiving the Blessed Sacrament.
And other Penitents, after the use of this Office, would do well and wisely to do the same, as soon after as conveniently they can.