Extracts. ARCHBISHOP LAUD'S DEVOTIONS; (Concluded from p. 49%) TO THE EDITOR OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCHMAN'S MAGAZINE. SIR, TH HE VISITATION OF THE SICK has ever been esteemed the most important and arduous part of the minifterial duty. So much is then neceffary to be done, and fo very great the fad variety of circumftances, ariling from fi tuation, difeafe, difpofition, ftate of mind and body, worldly affairs, relative connections, &c. fo much of both fpiritual and temporal concerns, that the wifest and best men have ever had occafion to lament their own infufficiency at such seasons, when called to what Dr. Goldfmith in his Deferted Village fo pathetically terms "the bed where parting life is laid," and where "grief, and fear, and dread, by turns difmay." Unhappily it is often the first interview between the fick man. and his paftor-he has not known him or met him in the way of his duty, and he must now receive him as a ftranger, whom he should have been able to welcome as a friend. Unhappily too, even this poor vifit, is frequently delayed until the laft, and when but little time remains, however willing, if able, the invalid may be to attend to his fpiritual guide. Such are the unhappy effects of neglecting those wholesome rules of the primitive Church, by which a conftant intercourfe was kept up between the people and their clergy and which, if now observed, would not leave us to to lament fo much ignorance, and fo much feparation from the Church: The prieft's lips are to preferve knowledge: and while the people feek it there, they are preferved from error; when they do not, they are expofed to evil, and are led away by the crafty into the dreadful, but much neglected, and little underflood fin, of SCHISM.* Fearful, it would feem, that the prefence of a clergyman, or the thoughts of religion would haften death, both the patient and his relatives anxioufly avoid the very name of either, until that fatal period arrives, when no human fuccour can avail, when the fickness is unto death, and the grave is ready for the afflicted. Then are Religion and her minifters reforted to as a charm, however neglected and defpifed before, and all is to be made ready in hafte: he is fetting out on his journey, his ftaff is in his hand, and he must eat his bitter herbs, while standing, and ready to fet off. Is this a time to learn how to live, when we are going to die? For what end was life given? and what account must be rendered for our having thus employed it? the moft that can be done at fuch a time, and under fuch circumftances, is to intend, and to refolve well but intentions are not actions; there is now no time to ACT: frequently none to refolve, or even to say fo. The varieties of difeafes, and the feat of the attack, may deprive the fufferer of all fenfe or recollection, and then he has neither power to do, or even to feel the dreadful nature of his fituation, What then must those think who fee it? What muft they feel who have neglected the opportunity now gone by, when the fick might have had the power of exertion? the more any perfons dread the thoughts of death, the greater need is there to remind them of it: the more they are difpofed to forget the evil day that must come; the better should others remember: their FRIENDS will do fo. The office which our excellent Church has provided, is indeed admirable in itself, and wonderfully adapted to the fituation and circumftances of those it is intended to affift: reminding the person that "whatsoever their fickness, it certainly is God's vifitation:" and whether it is fent to try their faith or patience, or to correct and amend them, if they truly repent, are patient, truft in God through Chrift, are thankful and fubmit to God's will, it fhall turn to their * See Bennett on Schism: the nature of which should be frequently explained and enforced, both in public and private." Q 2 profit, profit, and help them forward to everlafting life. Take it therefore in good part, fays the exhortation, which proceeds to furnish the beft reafons for doing fo, that we may improve it accordingly, by examination and devotion, according to the excellent forms which are provided and follow. The articles of Faith are then rehearsed for that purpose, to which a very short answer is provided, that affent may be readily and eafily given without much exertion to the fick; and afterwards the minifter is to examine the state of his repentance, charity, and worldly juftice, to difcharge his confcience, and relieve his executors: † and if he defire it, the authoritative abfolution is to be pronounced, as it was doubtless warranted by that authority "who had all power given to him in heaven and in earth," and from which may be derived the greatest comfort and confolation. The prayers which are added, are not only now, but at all times useful, fince in the midst of life we are in death, and need to be frequently reminded of it, which cannot be better done than by adverting, both now and then, to this office for the fick, and that truly eloquent one, for the burial of the dead, * See Visitation of the Sick in the Common Prayer. Exhor tation. + This shews the great care, prudence, and wisdom of our Church, in providing for the ease and quiet of the living, as well as the salvation of the dead: by an affectionate regard of all her children. This power of the keys has ever been acknowledged in the primitive church by us. The Romanists abuse it to make A GAIN of godliness. St. Chrysostom, in his eloquent work of The Priest hood; B. 3. C. 5. says "the dispensation of heavenly things is committed to those that dwell on earth, and make their abode in this world; and they have thereby received a power which God hath not thought fit to entrust even to angels or archangels, for it was not to them that he said, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matth. xviii. 18. This bond enchains the very soul; what the priests do below is ratified by God above, and the Lord confirms the sentence of his servants; what is this but deputing to them all heavenly power? For, saith he (John xx. 2, 3.) whose soever sins yé remit, they are remitted unto them, and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. What greater authority is there than this? the Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son, and the Son hath committed it to the hands of his priests. Bunce's Translation, p. 111, 112. the the animation of which muft aroufe, warm, and invigorate the moft lethargic. Let not those who are well omit this friendly aid or the sick neglect to obey the injunction of the church, and not only SEND for the priest, but fend early, that the longer time and greater opportunity may be afforded, both by the frequency of his vifits, and the intermediate improvement and application of his ghoftly counJel and advice. The office of the good archbifhop Laud, begins with an examination which agrees in its order with that recommended by our church, and the excellency of which will fufficiently appear on an attentive perufal of it. It is ample, excellent, minute, practical, charitable! equally applying and enforcing the objects of faith and works; and ftrikingly contrafting the two covenants, or what is called the terrors of the LAW, and the mercies of the GOSPEL; by enforcing our claims and thankfulness in their respective applications of them. The prayers and meditations which follow, breathe the fame fpirit of piety, which as we have remarked, ever diftinguifh the devotions of this good prelate, In the preparatory meditations for death, the fame excellency, humility, and fervour appear-calling upon the depth of God's mercies, by the depth of his own sins; and profeffing his readiness to wait for the appointed time of God, arduous and difficult as his trials were, even fuch as to make him wish he could be hidden in the grave, and kept fecret, until God's wrath was paft; that wrath by which our church was at that time troubled and punished by unparalleled calamities both from within and without.† To the TRINITY, he never fails to pay his unfeigned adoration-highly neceffary and important as it was then-(nor lefs fo Now and with apoftolic charity, entreating to be fpared, if not for himself, yet for God's name in him—that he might not be disappointed of his hope-bearing correction patiently, because God had done it-wherefore, (he adds, in a train of elevated and pious eloquence) not for MY fake, * Let the ministers of religion be sent to, says Bishop Taylor, not only against the agony of death, but be advised with in the whole conduct of the sickness. Holy Dying. C. 5. Sect. 2. p. 187. +See p. 258 of the Daily Office, quoted in our number for Dec. 1806, p. 419. bu but for THINE; for the fake of THY glory and truth; thy many great and manifold mercies fake, for the fake of Jefus Chrift, and of the Holy Ghoft, receive ME, that am returning to myfelf, and unto THEE. Amen. He then concludes with a fhort penitentiary; brief, but excellent, applicable, and ftriking; ending with a prayer from St. Auguftine, that he may have grace not to FEAR dying, but be prepared TO DIE: and that the Lord Jefus may have mercy on his foul, when he takes her flight, and bring her unto life eternal. Amen. The ABSOLUTION finishes and completes his fervice. On the fubject of examination much has been written and faid; and most of it as improperly as refpecting the Holy Communion of which it forms a part. Archbishop Secker's advice hereon is excellent "Self-examination is a conftant duty, especially when we have the most need to know and amend our condition; the chief is, to compare our actions, words, and thoughts, as well as we are able, with the rule of our duty, confcientiously and coolly; neither accufing ourselves of what we have not done amifs, nor fuppreffing what we have: neither difturbing our peace with infirmities, nor difguifing as fuch, wilful sins: remembering that God is merciful and good, yet alfo juft and holy. Repentance implies difapprobation and forrow, without which inward change, outward forrow is nothing; but whether it is vehement, or silent, is of fmall moment, if real and deep. It is an ufelefs nicety to difquiet themselves about the proportion or mixture of their fins, if the proper effect is produced. Concern for frailties making us humble and watchful; and penitence for wilful fins that we forfake, will be accepted." See his Sermons on Sickness, or Dr. Stevens edition of them, entitled The Duties of the Sick, in a tract, p. 38. 40. But in the general, fo much depends upon the peculiar nature and circumftances of the cafe, the judgment that is formed of it by the officiating clergyman, his knowledge of characters, and application of judgment be tween God and the penitent in the execution of his commiffion, that it is difficult to give any specific rule, that must not at last depend upon himfelf for its application. The learned OSTERVALD obferves (in his very valuable work on the ministry) that "vifiting the fick is one of the most im>portant functions of the miniftry, as it is performed at a See a useful form in the New Week's Preparation. |